The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-05-25
CELEBRATING ARBOR DAY
BY A. L. SYKES

H mother n1ayr1't go to school now? feel lust
J as Wel," said seven-year-old Robby as he raised
- his curly yellow head from the couch and looked
at his mother with eager eyes
Mothers lips were smiling as she went about her
work but her eyes were saying no very plainly to
But mother, don't have to have the measles Just
because the children next door have them and to-day
Arbor Day When Tommy Morris said, i christen thee
George Washington, was gong to wave the flag and
Do ID ofow 'nou ana nouf'sn = lFee ana now can't
1t cannot Be helped my boy; you must not go to
school until am sure that you quite, quite WE'LL But
if you WISH you may walk UP the road as far as the
shade grows and try to find sunny face to bring back
The tears came into Robby's eyes, and am afraid
that ne slammed the gate in rebelious mood as he
went out ot the yard onto the pleasant country road
shaded by great waving trees.
Just s if I'd have the measles" he grumbled al
guess mothers don't know how boys feel and anyway
be sure to wave the flag andse the tree planted be
fore get EN-. !"
Tie day was very warm and when Robby came to the
last tree, he sat down under it. and looked along the
road that stretched away in the distance white with
dust and unshaded from the
Men have most all the trouble, anyway sighed
Robby Here 1 am sitting under tree when want
to be planting one and last night heard father say that
ne might lose his position that the manager
had come and then he would have to be idle for a
while"
Robbys face was not at all sunny as he sat with his
elbows his knees but suddenly bright idea came
into his mind as he noticed the multitude of acorns
I'll do it" he said aloud and he stuffed acorns into
his pockets his blouse, and even his sleeves until he
looked. like avery, fat Rebby indeed
He found clam shell just he needed it, and trot-
ting out into the hot sunshine he dug hole in the soft
ground of the roadside planted acorn carefully
cred it. stamped the earth down. and set up little stick
20 mark the place On few steps and repeated
the action; measuring the distance between his pros
pectve trees by lengths of straight stick Acorn after
he planted, until side of long stretch of road
shaded in his fancy by green waving branches and
then he trudged back to the beginning loaded himself
again with and began work on the other side of
the road.
How hot the sun was, and how his short legs ached
and how tired and thirsty he feltl
Wish j had a drink" thought Robby, and then he
remembered that people who plant things always water
them If they expect them to grow. Almost the end
OF his two rows Of little white cottage was set
in glowing garden, and Robby decided that he would
ask for help to carry out his plan He through the
white gate and along path bordered by curious-ooing
boxes which Robby knew were beehives, because he
saw the bees flying IN at the tiny doorways ss
An DID, old lady came out the little porch She
queer frfiled bonnet, and from il shone her
round, red appeehees and her kind bright blue eyes
She gave Robby drink from cup which was painted
with green leaves and pink roses but when he asked
her II he might have water from her pump water his
acorns, she hestated and finally said; like you be-
cause you want to make greenshaded road before my
house. and then / walk into town without feeling
too warm, but my bees don't like boys and am afraid
that you might make them nervous"
Robbys eyes filled with two great tears and the Bee
Woman, looking down into them, thought that they
looked hike. two blue lakes.
lWell she said, if my bees like you, you may take
the water, and she led him down the path where the
busy bees were flying thick and fast They lit on her