Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-23

! AiCcS were Cut uOWu anu uTdSSeu
into the road. Drays and express
teams stopped there at all hours. But,
as the adjoining tenements had no
side windows, people were little the
wiser, however much they might
speculate.
Arbor Day beautiful, green. smiling.
The teachers of Gresham school had
procured boughs from the country
flowers and plants had been begged to
adcrn the school hall where Arbor
day exercises were being carried out
! 1t was just eleven when the principal
received this message from the super
intendent: Form all children in
double file and follow the drummers
at the gate"
Greatly wondering, the order was ex-
ecuted and the no less wondering chl!-
dren poured out into the spring sun,
shine. The grinning drummers struck
up a hearty tattoo, and the procession
streamed down the avenue, marching
quickly until they reached the grove.
Supt. Edgcombe awaited them there,
accompanied by, a younger man whom
the teachers instantly recognized
But the children could only stare at
one thing. The board fence had disap-
peared and was replaced by light
iron affair of artistic pattern Behind
was lovely little park with stretches
of turf, groups of trees, and winding
paths. Gay flower beds dotted the open
spaces, and the brook had widened
into pool where strange water plants
lifted curious foliage.
The wondering pupils were led into
the enclosure until the two hundred
were grouped about the kingly oak.
Children" said the superintendent,
Il have the happiness to open to you
this little park or playground, that has
been secured to the neighborhood
through the kindness of Mr.. Arthur
Pokers. I'll let him speak for him
SELF
Arthur stepped forward amid the
shouts and laughter of the children ,,
I'm glad to open this little park"
he said pleasantly. 1T is for the chill /
dren-for you, and | hope it will be |
a benefit as well as pleasure. l want
it more than ever to be help in your
school work, so l shall place it under
the care of the teachers and superin-
tendent. Classes can be brought here
for outdoor lessOns-and after the /
greenhouse is built some one will be
on hand every day to help and advise
you about the care of plants at home.
We hope to sell slips and bulbs for a
cent or two apiece, and packets of
seeds for three cents.
81 should like dozen garden seats
and six tables; perhaps the manual
training classes in the Grammar school
will make them for us. l ask you to
keep this place in order, free from
rubbish, from rough games, from had
language and quarrels. If our plans
succeed, we hope to form park asso-
citation for further study of trees and
that will mean lectures
and excursions.
In few days the printed rules OF
the park will be placed in every child's
hands. AS long as he keeps them no
one will be shut out from its privileges.
I will end by saying that should not
have thought of this plan If had not
been so impressed with the work you
are doing in school,
Arthur ceased amid the clapping of
many hands. Then suddenly there
arose the music of the Arbor Day
lynn the children loved:
Under the greenwood tree,
Who loves to lie with me,
And tune his merry note
Unto the sweet birds throat,
Come hlther! Come hither!
Here shall he see
No enemy
Blu. winter and rough weather.
Come mither!"
Crowds gathered outside the fence
to witness the unusual spectacle. The
children gazed up into the green world
overhead and sang as if inspired,
while the giver of SO much happiness
stood fairly overcome by those sweet
voices.
"Mr. Powers" said Hope Douglas,
as they left the park, you have simply
overwhelmed us. To give child a
happiness Is to SOW divine seed. To
bring good fortune to an entire neigh
borhood-O Mr.. Powers, only the an
gels will know that harvest"