The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-12
GRAFTON AND SONG.
ArbOr Day Celebrated by the Pupils Of
the Public Schools.
TREES PLANTED In The PARK.
A Large Gathering-The Weather Condi-
lions Could Not Be Excelied, and the
Union Railroad Company Was Taxed to
Garry the Immense Concourse Of People

IF the noisy Fourth of July, with It's
smoke and excitement is a boys oppor-
tunity, her certainly Arbor Day, with
its beautiful simplicity and idyllic senti-
ment, is the day for girls. or course a
boy eau shout and make himself a verit-
able terror on Independence day. but on
Arbor Day he is at a discount Inc gentle.
sweet-faced girls reign supreme.
And IL really seemed as IL this morn
ing's tree planters understood this, too
for were there ever so many pretty
maidens gathered together Ia this
municipality lie iors' Not since last
Arbor Day at any rate.
Tnrn here one would there would be
a coterie of merry scht oil Urls ella I in their
summary, coollooking- dresses. They fed
Roger. rowed on the lake. and enjoyed
themselves In a hundred different ways.
Large Crowds at the Park.
Extra cars were added to the park lines
and almost before the glisrening dew was
off the grass the children began TO ar
rive, till at 0 o'clock they made the park
seem what IL ought-a delightful place
for a picnic.
The weather-and Of curse that factor
ear make or mar a ~hollday-was superb.
The sun never shone brighter, and the
park trees just budding into their sum
mer glory, and the velvety, und llating
green swards never looked more beauti-
ful than on this Arbor Day. There was
no need to seek the grateful shade of the
trees unless afraid OF frecklvs or tan
for a cool soft breeze crept up from the
Au r plateau ripping the waters ana
rustliug the tres tops.
The New Flag.
Far above the treetops rose and fell
with graceful iuttering, and visible for
miles around. the new flag presented by
the city. The site is on the highest
front of the menagerie. Mr.. Hath away
had the stars and stripes hoisted for the
first time at S:l5 o'clock this morIIng.
Morning Exercises.
The morning was devoted to the pupils
of the High school, who assembled at
their respective trees OH the shores of the
North lake at 1880 o'clock. The depart
ments then proceeded with their exer-
cIses and planting OF the trees simulta-
neously.
The girls Of the High school gathered
about the sapling set aside for their de-
partment, aud Nellie +. Cook, the class
president, opened the program with an
address in which she admirably set forth
the purpose and benefits of Arbor Day.
Susan T. Waite followed with a reci-
tation, PLANT a Tree" The next num-
Origin and Significance, " by Gertrude NJ.
Keach; after which Marion l.. Gardiner
recited Hints" Ruth s. Devereaux
read another essay, sketch OF Miss Lar
CONS Life" aud Margaret Mcclellan
read "The Wood Thrush" The last
ESSAY vas by Della Nj. Hayden, entitled
ssI nav T..rrnp tha u'vna IF Naxp Epn-
land W~onanhood," folio vel by IA recita-
ton. Still Must l Climb if l Would
Rest" by Bertha G. Presbrey. The exer-
cises concluded with the class dedication
as follows:
We dedicate our tree TO Lucy Larcom. a woman
raj grace s OF a eooa heart and a useful lie; the
self-sustained dignity of a spirit which Is superior
usefulness a calam ty. and which cannot coust
fed.
Classical Department.
James Tucker, jr., presided over the
exercises of the classical department.
CIara Whitehead spoke on 1.-THE Nature
Of Trees" aud Arthur w. Allen on
George William Curtis. The class then
united in planting the tree which was
dedicated To George William Curtis,
after which George H.. Spicer made an
address ON Tree Planting"
English Department.
After remarks from the class preside MT,
Harry c. Howard. Francis B. Richard s
read an essay on History aud Object Of
Arbor Day." John /. Devlin told "How
Trees Benefit U.s." and then Gilbert f.
Hayward in behalf of the class dedicated
the tree to Charles ID. Burt, n member
of the class who died Oct. 10, 1892. The
service ended with the planting Of the
tree by the whole class.
Afternoon Exercises.
The fluttering of silken banners and
the babble and chatter of innumerable
childish voices waited from the Elmwood
avenue entrance. heralded the approach
Of the grammar school children, and
scoa they appeared behind the trees
marshalled into white columns and
headed by the American baud, which at
once struck up a spirited march.
Each school had It's own banners and
flags flying and was headed by the prin-
cipals aud teachers. 1t all made "A pretty
sight and one that was highly or edil able
TO the school system.