Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-12-23

D1ckerSOn proved good agent, for
| "a Yule log from the Christmas
woods" became all the fashion. Gen
erous oak and hickory wood, not
chestnut,-Lee saw herself what trees
were felled,-and once big cedar, up
rooted by some storm, and as fragrant
as Lebanon, was used, and for all who
wished were fagots of heartpine, the
rich, resinous sort that flights the
room with a rosy glow and sends the
shadows flying.
The hampers were filled with
Christmas evergreens. Beautiful hol-
ly branches, cedar boughs thick with
blue berries that birds love, spice
wood with it's pungent red fruit
ground cedar in garlands and Wreaths,
and "kisseltoe," as Uncle Delaware's
Jim called the pearly-berried mistle
toe he gathered in armfuls from the
broad oaks. Lee had not thought of
Christmas trees for the children, but
many were ordered from her. and the
fund swelled daily.
Also in the clean, bracing air she
vigor and delight, learning secrets Of
tree growth, arch and tracery as love
ly as Lichfeld or Lincoln cathedrals
could reveal '"The divine merchant
man" of the life-parable gives in
good measure, pressed down and
running over" But she did not gain
all this wealth alone Mr.. Dickerson
protested that he should be allowed
to suggest the best trees for telling,
for forestry was his special delight,
and he would not let Lee despoil her
self of her stalwart tree-kings-only
those with some defect Of symmetry
Or grace. By his elOquence, spots that
had before seemed somber and lone
some now glowed with beauty. She
learned to appreciate broad, rich cop
per beeches, the grand oaks, the rustl-
ing nut-laden chestnuts, the graceful
birch, the rich colors of crimson and
purple and gold that gum and ash
and maple would wear in their season
of glory, the winter-harvests of hip
and haw and clustered berries!
She egan to wonder how this
chivalric and cultured gentleman.
with his memories Of foreign travel
and art, his love for his own land,
could ever have been the awkward,
shy farmers lad, hired to sweep the
store and run errands for old Squire
Richardson when he and Col Christ
mas were the twin magnates of the
village. Then she forgot it all, and
every day she thought more of his
superiority to every one else Times
wheel had placed the pretty, proud
child that Stephen Dickerson had
watched as if she had been q fairy
princess, in the domain of poverty
and nearing middle age, while he was
a man whom every one respected for
his learning as we'll as his wealth.
extraordinary wealth. it seemed to the
simple villagers, and had added subtle
attractions of expression, manner,
grace Of utterance, which Lee dis
covered with surprise and pleasure.
Lee was falling in love, and the
diplomatic mother and NANNY
Ellen smiled knowingly and in ST.
lence, when day after day Mr.. Decker
son dropped in TO lunch after ride
in the woods, discussions over each
separate tree, orders for the new
household comforts and pleasures
disguised as Christmas gifts for mann
ma, Ben, nanny, Uncle Delaware.
Jim, all the neighbors and especially
above all, the children, whose blessed
YT1l.o
old house covered UP cracks and dis
colored places, breakages and rend-
ings by its wealth Of greenery and
scarlet and waxen fruit When
Christmas eve came it was to be like
a bower, with yule-logs blazing and
body had ordered roses and spicy car
nations and beautiful fruits to fill
the frosty air with rich fragrances!
Lees heart was too full not to
share her late joys, though she
fancied she was only trying to give
Ben good time with his young
friends, and bringing some children
in the house for her mother and old
nurse to have the long-lost delight of
petting them and filing their little
cups Of pleasure to the golden brim!
There was to be a Christmas dinner
and not only the young and gay, but
Cousin Jane, who had not been to a
party for 10 years, was to be there,
and the dear old doctor and his little
Wife--oh, yes! the plain, common
place folks and the sad were not for
gotten at this feast!
ut all came out of our woods,
Cousin Jane said Lee, in bright
little aside of confidence; "they have
been a perfect mine of wealth to me-"
If you had thousands, it could not
be prettier,' exclaimed the invalid
cousin.
Nor the mistress" said Mr.. Dick
erson, impulsively.
Lee blushed wildly and looked
down, but that did not help matters