The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-11-14

grand father. wanted to cut it away up
there and couldn't reach any other
way without a stcp-laddcr. and IL was
SO far TO bring it,
Il Sec" said grandfather.
Its my name and the date to-day.
! cut it because its my birthday and
because you gave me this new pocket
knife.
Arc you always going to make q
high mark rs you 60 ong?'
Well" said Felix, not quite UNDER
standing the question: j don't expect
to cut my name on many trees. In the
city they won't let us boys do it."
NO. ] suppose not; but wherever
you 60. my boy. you are sure to leave q
mark OF some kind. All through your
school life you will leave it. 1t will be
on the books that a boy OF your name
was there and left his record either
high or low. But you will write far
clearer record on the hearts OF all those
who may be about you. Your compan-
ions will all feel your influence either
for good or evil. And this influence
will last I. r longer than the name and
date in tho bark OF tree. You can not
pass through life without making marks
which must last through all eternity"
will this last very long" asked
Felix, looking up at his letters and tig-
ures.
Come here" said grandfather.
Felix followed as he walked around
to the other side OF tho tree. He
looked closely at somc marxs on tho
bark to which his grandfather pointed.
why" he said. that's your name
grandfather. and eighteen hundred and
thirty-six. That's more than fifty years
ago"
YES" said grandfather. Il cut those
when / was not much older than you
are to-day"
Fifty years. Felix looked in awe
at these letters which had been cut
such very, very long time ago. as it
seemed TO him. And will my name
stay here for fifty years.
Il suppose SO. unless the tree is cut
down. Every time you como back to
the old place you will come here and
see your name on the tree il you live
for fifty years you will still find It here.
Your hair will be gray then grand
father cares>singly laid his hand on the
curly brown head and / shall be ~.
ing over there on the hillside" he
| pointed to some white stones In the dis.
lance.
but ] shan't want 10 come here
then. grandfather" said Felix. with
| tears very near his eyes
ID yes. you will. You will have
| other things TO interest you then. as II
is right you should have. And am
trusting, Felix that you will have been
making such high marks all along that
it will be pleasure for you to come
here and sec the letters you cut SO long
ago and to be able to think within
yourself:
.'lf grandfather could see me to-day
he would see that / have remembered
what he said TO me on my birthday &c
long ago.
Grandfather walked slowly across the
| meadows towards the house. Felix
looked after him for a few moments.
and then turned again to his lettering
on the elm.
Il know exactly what he MEANS" he
said to himself, ..he means that must
do my very best all the time. Now.
while I'm boy. too, I've often heard
him say that it takes good boy to
make n good man. Yes, yes. yes,
must do it. for my name is up there and
it will stay and stay, no matter where
go. and if don't keep fair and honest
and true all the time. ] shall be asham-
ed ever to come back here and see it. =
Sidney Dayre, in N. Y. Observer.