The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-06-30
AN ARBOR.DAY
CRUISE.
FRANKLIN WELLES CALM

The first graduating class of the
nigh school at Chebaugwaun had three
members, Polly Brockton, George
Davies and Anna Wall. When Arbol
day approached it was decided tina
these three were to plant the first
trees on the campus. Chebaugwaun
had a new schoolhouse, built Of Lake
Superior granite, and its campus was
as yet as bare as a kitchen floor. Ar
Dor day exercises were set for three
O'Clock in the afternoon, and the
class was we'll pleased in it's part,
except that it was ambitious in the
matter of trees.
ChebaIgWaun was young town IN
the heart of the pine woods of north
Minnesota, and on that side of Lake
Chebaugwaun there were no hard
woods. The school board had i'm
ported from Park Rapids some young
trees, mere twigs, which the gradual
ing class, after private meeting,
decided were quite too small.
Therefore the girls determined to
take the matter in hand. Polly Brock
tons Uncle Morrell owned several
sai!bOatS, which he rented to pleas
ure seekers, and the class succeeded
in engaging small dory for its use
in visiting an island some five miles
offshore, where, on a squatter's claim,
there was a grove of sugar-maples.
Polly and George were good
sailors, and when Arbor day dawned
bright and pleasant, with a slight
breeze Offshore, the girls were al
lowed to go upon their errand with
out man in attendance.
They left Morrell's landing at sun
rise, and tied their boat at Old Joe
pier in abolt one hour from
the time of starting. Old Joe was
the island squatter, and it's one in
habitant. His little cabin stood in
q tiny clearing near the shore, and
the girls had expected to find him
at home, and to secure his help in
digging some saplings among his hard
naples.
But when they walked up the path
10 his shack, they found that the old
,quatter had gone to parts unknown.
His rough pine door was closed and |
nailed, and the window barred, and |
here was no evidence that he had |
'een about the premises that spring.
Well" said Polly, there's nothing
or 1t but to dig those trees our
Goodness, but I'm glad We brought
,lenty of lunch!" calculated George.
Now for business!" shouted Anna,
furnishing a spade.
AS Joe was away, they did not
enture to dig trees upon the small
lat Of level ground on which his
abin stood. They passed round this
ED and climbed some stony hills
there the growth was thick pine.
They were in some doubt now as
. whether they should find desir-
Bile trees. MOrrel had thought that
I'D Joe would dig for them. But
trees of the sort they were
'oking for were not easily to be
,und.
So with spade and ak and lunch
asket they plunged into the pines
search of maple grove. Among
le thickets they wound their way
onfident Of their bearings, because
ley were upon an island, and so
'uld not get lost. They wandered
1 for some time in this fashion,
1ding no naples, but enjoying the
in the wilderness.
They were trailing one behind an
her, looking for spring of water
lder some rock lodges and for
nvenient spot to seat them
Ives for breakfast, when a brown
I'D awkward creature, with enor-
OILS head and big, Tapping ears,
mped out Of clump of marsh
ass so close to GeorSie's feet that {
brushed her skirts as 1t ambled
Gay. s