The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1944-01-13
Turning Over An
Old Leaf
BY PHILLIP A. GLADDEN.

There were sparks Of recognition that
are not FORGOTTEN vet"
Exploring the forests of the Table
land have yielded many interesting
observations. Those which have most
often occurred are of a sociological
nature
1t has not been many years back that
it was natural for those who loved
our mountains and the many great
forests to live, procreate and die
there. Many of the settlers were not
interested in farming as a business
but as mere means of subsistence
They had simple and few wants, yet
many interests in the outdoors. These
were the rugged individuals who in
herited an instinct for the solitude of
the forest and enjoyed the almost
ascetic discipline required of those
living in isolation. There is ample
evidence to indicate that many of
these settlers" were highly condi-
toned and successful to live the life Of
solitary family in the forest.
In the course Of my explorations |
have suddenly come into small clear
ing either in ravine or on top of
mountain, that plainly belied it was
once the residence of man. Often have
| stood in such clearings and felt
deeply stirred by the ghosts of the
past lowering around the place. These
ghosts actually seemed to have voices.
Here one would see standing alone,
like a monument in a city square, a
tall chimney built of massive stones
and now chrome-colored with age Dc
casionally one would stumble over
some decayed logs in the tall grass
and briars which once were part Of
the home. Looking around more close
ly one could see an old path that led
to a spring Here remained the stone
wall, the trough and the conduit which
showed that once this spring, as the
house, was planned, built and used by
hands both strong and tender
In every instance the location Of
these overwhelmingly log cabins were
far off the beaten track, and what
remained Of the once thriving little
abode indicated that the people who
once lived here loved the place. Their
instinct of home was within the shell
ter Of a great wilderness. To them
home was extremely safe, quiet, peace
ful and undisturbed far back in the
wilderness. As for farming, perhaps
an acre was all that was needed for
raising the annual supply Of food. A
for cattle and pigs, they were left to
shift for themselves in the great for
ests. There was no need to raise food
Ior animals, for the animals took care
Of themselves.
But now that the great forests are
gonc-thc tall trees having been laid
low-it seems that these people too,
have left the earth. The present gener-
alton. though derived from that pio-
neer stock do not have the same in
stinct for home. And as for work
they have more of it-but less con-
tcntmcnt. As for sense of being in
an environment bigger and more Sc
cure than home-they have sought
the places thickly populated with pco-
Pile But their security in the midst Of
the city is not the security their an
cestors had in the midst of the forest.
l WONDER ii these log cabin remains
can teach US something about life? |
wonder if what they teach is some
thing VIC need to know and practice
today? | wonder if we would not be
happier, stronger, more self-reliant
and more mystical people if we could
enjoy as did our forcfathcrs the soil
tary life in the wilderness? Did they
come to such places and hew out for
themselves a new destiny because Of
the force of circumstances Rather, !
think, they vcnturcd into the unknown
and mysterious wilderness to break
away from a civilization that had be-
come oppressive and increasingly cor
rupt They were not driven by the
hunger Of the stomach, but by the
soul, to find spot where they could
live in a sphere where life was al
ways felt as a glorious growth up
ward, such as the forest itself SYM
bolizcd
But when | come upon new clear
ing all | see is a shanty, hastily put
together. In the same spot, perhaps
only a year ago, there was growing
laurel, dogwood and columbine. But
to the "squattcr" these things must
he grubbed out. The "squatter" and
the settler" are two entirely differ
cnt personalities, even though the
"squattcr" is a direct descendant of
the Settler" The word "scttler" signi-
iics belief that his forest home was
permanent; that he wanted to remain
there forever and he made his sur
roundings beautiful and always in
natural conformity to the landscape.
But the "squattcr'-wcll he has no
permanent values, goals, desires or
aims within him. He feels no attach
mcnt either to himself or to the land.
He is just a rovcr-a lost human be