The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-23

the boy called up by telephone, asked for
Miss Helen Huntington who was then
years old-and gently inquired IF the
frost last night had hurt that little oak
tree"
As for tree stories. there is a quaint
commentary on the love of trees, or, may
be, on devotion to the planter of trees, in
the gaunt, slender young pecan which the
particularly obserVant visitor to Matsu-
yama-General Clark's beautiful place out
beyond Roebuck-always wonders about
1t is pecan, and Miss Augusta Clark,
who is now in her senior year at college.
planted 1t during her babyhood, on the
lawn of their town home, a circumstance
which gave 1t value in her fathers eyes.
When the landscape architect was map
ping out the plans for the gardens and
driveways to General Clarl<'s splendid
estate, he was told to arrange place for
the little tree; it was uprooted from it's
city home, its roots carefully preserved
and transplanted in the strange Soil and
the new surroundings that are to be the
home of its planter. A clever irrigation
scheme for moistening the surrounding
soil was devised in the pipes that reach
1t from the spring down below the house
and in the summer heat the young tree,
struggling for life. was watched as con-
sistently and almost as constantly as any
9NbAi5 iiFdiih llSililliS lOF breath IN Ia1l-
ing lungs. 1t will naturally be surrounded
with tender associations, for both the
dwellers at "Matsuyama" and furnish in
spiration for much tea table "reminiscences
Everybody hopes that when spring comes
and the other trees are in bud it will
flourish like the strongest.
Apropos talk of college girls. ] am re-
minded of a little tea table tidbit'' re-
lated the other afternoon by mother
who returned recently from Philadelphia
after entering her daughter upon her
hrst year of college preparatory work
She is a typical southern lass, with the
combination of sweetness and gentleness
which combines so picturesquely with the
heydenish manners of an outdoor girl,
and when she went up to Philadelphia
she was a real nut-brown maid from
many tennis games and horseback and
motor rides sans chapeau
The afternoon we arrived at SCHOOL,
said her mother, 81 was with her in her
cosy little quarters helping her to ar
range so that she would be as comfort
able as possible: the little girl who is to
be her roommate arrived and | was de-
lighted with her sweet, una affected man
ner and her evident good taste and breed
ing. She was accompanied by a maid
whom she treated with the sorrowful ten
derness of one bidding a last farewell to
all that is dear. 'Unhutton nv dress
she instructed her tearfully; it is the last
time you will ever have a chance to do
it Margaret came forward and said:
Never mind, Marion, 1 will help you,'
thereby winning grateful embrace from
the little creature, who was evidently as
warm-hesfted and responsive as sne may
hope to find. She became very cheerful
after this and they discussed plans for
the winter, which were to include visits
together at the two homes If I found that
| could spare my own girl during the
holidays.
Finally the discussion was brought
around to the pastimes, that each liked
best ''Oh, 7 am glad you are fond of
horseback riding, said Marion enthusiasts
ucally When You come to visit me
Christmas you may ride all you wish, be-
cause We have several fine mounts
Who rides with you? asked Mar
earet, and she answered nonchalantly,
oh, the coachman. or maybe one of the
grooms, and sometimes footman or nv
chauffeur And my little Birmingham
girl said with more enthusiasm than she
had exhibited since we left home, Gee.
but I'd hate to ride with them