Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-04-15

elms and the white-barked birches
which had fastened their roots in the
clefts Of the rocks; at intervals, low,
stunted cedars capped the summit,
while along the base, here and there,
a group of lofty pines reared their
heads with a dignity which seemed to
say-"Look on us and behold the
distinction conferred upon the
Pine!'
Near the place where the lovers
were seated a tiny rivulet which
broke from it's hiding place and
found egress amid the rocks above,
blithely pursued it's course to the riv-
er, where it found friend who made
it welcome. But always it left be-
hind, an atmosphere of good cheer
which gave buoyancy to every living
thing that came under it's influence.
On both sides of the little stream,
in every part of the Dugway, many
hued flowers had felt the call of the
spring sun and unbosoming them
selves displayed their beauties to all
the world. And there at the foot OF
the Swallowed steep
Where underneath o'er-hanging rock,
Fronded fern and lichen grow,
And Oneota's waters flow;
While overhead the song birds trill
Their mathis on the empurpled hill
Jesse and Frances whiled away a
goodly portion Of that glorious af-
ternoon in June, happy in the con-
seriousness of each others love.
How beautiful it all is, said
Frances, calling the attention of her
companion to the witching scenery
of the river which pursued its tortu-
Gus way at their feet. Its abrupt
curvings about the base of the bluffs,
it's placid flow where the channel was
deep, as though it were so wholly alb
sorbed with its own profundity that
it could give no thought to trifies;
then, as if thoroughly ashamed of its
moody, self-absorbent silence it sud
denly gives way to the lure OF
lighter mood and goes ripping and
purling on its way, filed with the
joyousness of its perfect freedom.
"Oh yes" replied Jesse, this val
ley is veritable basin of the gods
no wonder the Indians call the state
of Iowa-'the beautiful land, why
just look yonder toward the north
and n rthwest, was ever anything
like it,"
THE view is truly delightful, >
agreed Frances; why, you wicked
thing you!" she suddenly exclaimed
What is the matter?" enquired
Jesse.
"A poor little fish jumped right
up out of the water, and then large
one with, oh. such great mouth
flashed out and caught it before the
poor little thing could get out of its
way. / think 1t was dreadful" she
replied.
Il guess it was bass after min
now, you saw, Francis, some of these
river fish are the worst kind of can
nibals, they devour one another with
as great gusto as an epicure would
relish plate of turtle soup, or one
of Delmonico's most delicate dishes. y
There goes another, she cried
for at that moment huge pickerel
shot out from the shade of bunch
of overhanging willows and darted
after a frog which had accidentally
fallen into the water, near the shore;
he failed to make the capture, how
ever, for his frogship aware of Its
danger managed to find shelter un-
der a root, close to the shore. and sc
the pickerel lost his lunch, and Fran
Ccb was uCli6HICu at ITO OoSoPS'
Il am SO glad the frog eluded him"
she continued, Il wonder why God
made these creatures to eat one an
other? there must be vast amour,
of suffering caused by 1t as we'll as
destruction of life
You get into deep water when
you plunge into the mysteries Of ma
tural phenomena" answered Jesse
"Carnivorous, or fesh-eating crea.
lures are found in every department
of nature, not alone in the water
where the fish feed upon each other
but also on land and in the air, these
carnivorous creatures abound. dc
not know what degree of suffering
may be caused by this arrangement
of nature, or what may be Gods ex
act purposes in * all. / have heard
! that there exists a merciful provision
Of Providence under which, only 9
modicum of pain is caused in the
death of animals occasioned in thi:
way. Once / heard of a noted Afri
can explorer who had the misfortune
to be seized by lion, or man-eatint
tiger, ! forget which, who, after be