The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-06-23
| An ARBOR.DAY
CRUISE.
FRANKLIN WELLES CAIN

The first graduating class of the
a,eb school at Chebauswaun hadthree
members. Polly Brockton, George
n,vies and Anna Wall. When Arbol
day approached it was decided ina
,hsse three were to plant the first
,roec on the campus. Chebaugwaun
,.aa new sChoolhouse, built of Lake
cnrerior granite. and its campus was
:. yet as bare as a kitchen floor. Al
nv day exercises were set for three
O'clock In the afternoon, and the
class was well pleased in its part,
.,cept that it was ambitious in the
matter Of trees.
Cheba1gwaun was a young town IN
NE heart Of the pine woods OF north
Minnesota, and on that side Of Lake
cbebaugwaun there were no hard
woods, The school board had i'm
oorted from Park Rapids some young
trees. mere twigs, which the gradual
hg class, after a private meeting,
decided were quite too small.
Therefore the girls determined to
take the matter in hand. Polly Brock
tons Uncle MOrrell owned several
sailboats, which he rented to pleas
are seekers, and the class succeeded
In engaging a small dory for its use
IA visiting an island some five miles
ofshOre, where, on squatter's claim,
there was a grove Of sugar-maples.
Polly and Georgie were good
sailors, and when Arbor day dawnei
bright and pleasant, with a slight
breeze offshort, the girls were al
lowed to go upon their errand with
out man in attendance.
They left Morrells landing at sun
rise, and tied their boat at Old Joe
Rbbings pier in abo1t one hour from
the time of starting. Old Joe was
NE island squatter, and it's one in
Aabitant. His little cabin stood in
! tiny clearing near the shore, and
Tie girls had expected to find him
home. and to secure his help in
digging some saplings among his hard
naples.
But when they walked up the path
% bis shack, they found that the old |
auatter had gone to parts unknown.
~ rough pine door was closed and
Mled. and the window barred, and |
aere was no evidence that he had |
wen about the premises that spring.
Well, said Polly, there's nothing /
M It but to dig those trees our
ssives.r
GOODNESS, but I'm glad we brought
penty OF lunch!" calculated George.
NOW for BUSINESS shouted Anna,
iourishing a spade.
AZ Joe was away, they did net
snture to dig trees upon the small
sal OF level ground on which his
aoln stood. They passed round this
'ea and climbed some stony hills
'.sre the growth was thick pine.
lucy We're in some doubt new as
:, whether they should find desir-
40 o.e trees. Morrel had thought that
w Joe would dig for them. But
Au~ood trees of the sort they were
tund ~ VIC
:" WIN spade and ak and lunch
|. .sket they plunged into the pines
'estcn Of maple grove. Among
mcRets they wound their way,
uuent OF their bearings, because
~, we're upon an island, and so
aot get lost. They wandered
'~ some time in this fashion,
, s..ns no naples, but enjoying the
samoie IN the wilderness.
lucy We're trailing one behind an.
'si. looking for spring Of water
NJ some rock lodges and for a
4. en'ent spot to seat them.
!, ss Ior breakfast, when a brown
.. awkward creature, with enor-
49,. uesad and big, tapping ears,
q. seu out Of clump of marsh
!" close to Gecrgie's feet that
y. '''so her skirts as it ambled