Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-01

grown to be the tallest, strongest and hand
soonest oak in the forest. NV crown over
looked the entire wood and the mountains
beyond. L had made up my mind that L
would keep on growing until reached with
my crown into heaven, a place that 1 had
often heard children speak OF when they sat
under nv branches. NY friends in the tree
world had already called me the king of
the Forest" on account of nv beauty, NV
imposing height and nv distinction gener-
ally. But, alas! my glory was soon to be
shattered; nv royalty was soon to fade, and
never knew it.
One day a mum Der of men came into the
wood around with axes and saws. They
looked armed from tree to tree until at last
they stopped at the base of my trunk.
There is the one we wantl Look at it
the finest and straightest tree that ever grew
in this part of the country" The other man
agreed with him, and my trouble began.
First they hit me with their sharp axes that
big chunks of my bark and wood flew out of
me. 1t was awfully painful, and l groaned
and moaned terribly. Of course it was no
use to resist these men, but 1 hoped to have
revenge, though. After they had used the
az for some time they took the saw, and its
teeth soon made their way through the
lnnermost marrow of my bones. Then fell,
but in my tumble fell on the top of one of
the men, and killed him on the spot. 1
wanted to fall on all of them, but the others
were too quick for me, SO they saved them
selves.
Soon after all nv branches. tyips and
leaves were torn away from me- l cried
many tear over them, but it was no use. 1
lay there fiat on the ground. L had hidden
myself partly in the sand because L was
ashamed to have anybody look at me in nv
naked appearance. Oh, how the other trees
now laughed and jeered at me. They said
1t served me right to be knocked down, be-
cause was so proud and naughty. never
said anything, although l did not think
they were kind to speak to me when 1 was
down in the dust. A few days after that
the men came again with large wagon and
horses, and after 1 had been put on the
wagon l was wheeled away from the
forest. cried bitterly when 1 had
to leave my old associates, butt could not
help it. 81 was taken to seaport and placed
in the hold of a large vessel. 1t was dark
there and laid there for several days. when
] was hauled out and carried into large
yard, where L found ever so many other
trees like myself, and 1 even met an old
friend OF mine, who had grown up with me-
They called the place where now was Glas-
gov, and from all l could understand. /
was to be made mast on ship.
1 was glad to hear that, because should
now see the grand blue sea, the beautiful
ocean and all the foreign countries had
often heard of fthese places, because the birds
used to tell us about them. They slways
travelled South in the winter and that is how
they knew all about these things
My suppositions proved to be correct,
Soon was placed on ship and in a few
days was floating on the sea. L do not
want to weary you with telling all nv ex-
periences as a sailor, but will mention a
few. The ship 1 was in was merchant
vessel and as fine a ship as ever you saw. /
went to China, Japan, Australia, the West
Indies. the East Indies, and to ever so mauv
places. In fact travelled around the world
very often.
However, one day we were coming home
from India with rich cargo of silk, gold
and ivory, when we were hailed by another
shin. It was on the west coast of Africa.
''It is a slaver," heard the captain re-
mark, who stood leaning against me and
looking through long funnel-like thing.
And 6 slaver Il was. In a few minutes she
bore down on us We had few. guns