The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-05-04
AN ARBOR-DAY
CRUISE.
By FRANKLIN WRLLES CALKINS.

eSEmuBya
The first graduating class Of the
high school at Chebaugwaun had three
members, Polly Brockton, George
Davies and Anna Wall. When Arbor
day approached it was decided that
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 kitchen floor. Ar
her day exercises were set for three
O'Clock in the afternoon, and the
class was well pleased in its part.
except that 1t was ambitious in the
matter Of trees.
Cheba.rgwaun was a 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
satlboats, 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 squatter's claim,
there was grove Of sugar-maples.
Polly and Georgia were good
sailors, and when Arbor day dawned
bright and pleasant, with slight
breeze oftshore, the girls were al
lowed to go upon their errand with
out a man in attendance.
They left Morrelrs landing at sun
rise, and tied their boat at Old Joe
Hfbbing's pier in about enc hour from
the time of starting. Old Joe was
the island squatter, and it's one In
habitant. His little cabin stood in
a 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
to Ms shack, they found that the old
squatter had gone to parts unknown.
His rough pine door was closed and
nailed, and the window barred, and
there was no evidence that he had
been about the premises that spring.
WELL" said Polly, there's nothing
for 1t but to dig those trees our
selves"
Goodness, but I'm glad we brought
plenty of lunch!" calculated George.
Now for business!" shouted Anna,
fourishing spade
AS Joe was away, they did not
venture to dig trees upon the small
plat of level ground on which his
cabin stood. They passed round this
field and climbed some stony hills
where the growth was thick pine.
They were in some doubt now as
to whether they should find desir-
able trees Morrel had thought that
old Joe would dig for them. But
hardwood trees of the sort they were
looking for were not easily to be
found.
So with spade and ak and lunch
basket they plunged into the pines
in search of maple grove. Among
the thickets they wound their way,
confident of their bearings, because
they were upon an island, and so
could not get lost. They wandered
on for some time in this fashion,
finding no naples, but enjoying the
scramble in the wilderness.
They were trailing one behind an
other, looking for spring of water
under some rock lodges and for a
convenient spot to seat them
selves for breakfast, when a brown
and awkward creature, with enor-
mons head and big. Tapping ears,
Jumped out of a clump of marsh
grass so close to Georges feet that
It brushed her skirts as 1t ambled
away.
George screamed In alarm. What
ever can that be?" she cried.
81 know! l know!" shouted Anna,
eagerly. ITS young moose! We
have a photograph of one, don't you
know, that Thompson took?"
well, let's have that calf" cried
Polly. "See it can't be very old, for
it can hardly waddle away"
And Immediately the three, en-
numbered with ak, spade and lunch,
turned in pursuit of the calf.
The chase led along the foot Of