Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-14
The Story of Maidenhair Fern.

1iio iioifiS wa III d DcdullluI ploNC
a wooded bank-and the trees We're
pine, oak and beech. This bank sloped
westward until it met a reach of clean
white sand the opposite side of which
was washed by the blue waters of
Lake Michigan. There Maidenhair
Fern grew.
The chill of the slow departing WIN
Ger was still in the air when he pushed
his head through the covering of dead
leaves which had protected his root
stock from the cold. Maidenhair did
cot mind the biting wind. He was
rolled round and round in a tiny ball
and covered witha growth of fuzzy
down.
AS the days went by, he grew, and
gradually Strengthened out his black,
wiry stem. From this sprouted lace
like fronds of the softest green.
He was SO happy! All about him
grew tender young plants and wild
flowers. The water was spread out be-
fore him, and he never tired of watch
ing it sparkle and glimmer in the sun
light.
The murmur of the waves came up to
Maidenhair. Such wonderful tales as
he listened to! He learned of the great
outside world, of busy people who went
to and fro. and of life entirely differ
ent from his simple woodland one. But
the waves We're not his only teachers.
There was the wind. Sometimes Sir
Wind groWled and shook the little fern
Then his mood changed, and he played
an air so merry that Maidenhair could
cot keep from dancing. Again the
wind sung wondrous songs and told
marvellous stories, his voice sounding
sweet and earnest as it whispered
among the pine needles above Maiden
hairs head.
Il wish I could see the world" the
fern said to a tall grass blade which
grew near.
Grass shook-not only his head, but
his whole body. 81 would rather stay
here. There is no place like home"
Yes, only it is a little dull" and
there was petulant note in our hero's
voice.
Soon there came a time when to the
little fern it seemed that because he
could not go to the busy world, the
world was coming to him.
steamer began to make many trips
a day by his home. At first Maiden
hair was frightened by the shrill
whistle but he soon became accus-
toned to it, and watched for the merry
faced passengers. Boats appeared on
the water. Often laughing children
raced back and forth on the sand,
while their older companions strolled
in the shade of the trees. Maidenhair's
home was near one of the resort towns
whose beautiful scenery and bracing
air annually attracted many tourists.
One sunny morning two ladies APP
preached Maidenhair See, Alice!"
one of them cried. ''This is the finest
specimen of the Adiantum pendulum 1
have seen since coming to this region"
1T is a beauty. Let us sit down here
and rest, Thelma."
They sat down upon the fallen trunk of
a tree. Madenhair was filed with pride
TO think he was a-Well he could not re-
peat the imposing Latin name, but it was
one OF which any fern might be proud.
;. Thelma spoke again. i enjoy. study
ing the ferns or, as Professor Simmons
would say, the cryptogamous plants. /
have found several varieties new to me
this summer. That is not strange, when
we remember there are two thousand five
hundred known species"
Again Maidenhair gasped. How much
he was learning!
II like the common names best" Alice
said by the way, Thelma. do you know
why our little friend here is called Maiden
hair?''
Il haven't the slightest idea, but tell
me the story"
1t is said that the name came from the
strange use to which a muciaginous sub
stance made from the stems of the fern
was formerly put. 1t was at a time,
many, many years ago when ladies wore
their hair dressed high and deliberately
curled. The hair was stiffened by an APP
pication of this muscilage, thus this fern
received its pretty name
Thelma sprang up. Kneeling on the
ground, she used a small trowel to dig
Maidenhair from his home. She placed
him in basket and carried him away
Poor Maidenhair. That day was like
a hidcous dream to him. 1t was not until
evening came and he found himself plant
from their homes. that he felt he was
able to think ink. calmly Of his situation
is no use trying to live
Others took up the cry. Maidenhair
listened in silence to the complaints He
was sad; but, he remembered the lessons
and the breeze They had told of pa
tience courage and love for others,
Let us make the best of it, he said
cheerfuIly. If we cannot be happy our
else happy.
So Maidenhair grew rank and strong
When Tbelma reached home with him he
was carried to her little lame cousin.
ooh, OH the little fellow cried. ut
Just brings the beautiful out fdoors
right TO me.
Maidenhair thrilled with pity. Such
wan little face And a form bent ana
twisted with pain. Earle was a hero.
While lie lonscd to be like other boys, he
bore his hard lot OVERWHELMINGLY, and
was sweet tempered and sunny.
How glad Naidenhair was that he could
do something for the little boy. They
came to understand each other. When
the pain was Lad the fern would tell--in
his way--of the dancing waves of the
songs sung by the wind, and of the many
beautiful things God had placed in his
Gear woodland home. Earle. listening
forgot his pain. and Maidenhair found
perfect happiness in making another nap
~.
Leaves of a plant alleged to drive away
lfe-Iz