Year: 1874

wear Cnat spot Wnere irregular walls O


sandstone pile themselves together tC


form Cape Ann, there stood, not many


years ago, venerable oak tree. It's years


had been many, and it had seen much


that was sad and strange, and some


things that were more strange and Joy.


full. One might imagine that every


branch could murmur history-every


leaf rustic tale. But the oak tree, Il


it had mystery to reveal, never while ii
lived revealed it; or, perhaps, of the
many who had reclined in its shade, not
one had possessed the power to extract a
significance from its multitudinous and
ceaseless prattle. Certain it is that no
one, even Of those who had known it
longest and most intimately, ever
dreamed there was a meaning in its low
toned talk.


The ocean alone was the oak trees
confdant; they kept up never ending
conversation together. The tree opened
its heart unreservedly to its immeasur-
ably ancient friend, who, in return, sent
it soft messages on the June breezes, or
beloved forth thunderOus warnings on
the September gales. No wonder that,
under the guidance of an instructor 80
profoundly wise, of experience SO illimit-
ably vast, yet possessing, in all its vigor,
the freshness and power of an immortal
youth, the oak tree should become in
spired, during the two or three centuries
of its existence, with countless noble
thoughts and lofty aspirations, and long
to do something to prove itself worthy
pupil of its mighty master. But many
years had passed, and still the opportu-
nifty delayed. In summer the tree spread
cool shade across the green-sward, and
in winter gave broken branches to kindle
poor peoples fires; more it could not do,
and yet with this it was not satisfied. It
yearned for a task commensurate with
the height of its love and knowledge;
gladly would it have given up its life in
the accomplishment ofan object worthyo
IT'S sacrifice; but alas! it was but tree,
and doomed to stand forever where it
grew. Why had it not been made a
man, speaking in language men could
comprehend, able to walk amongst them
and pour forth the truth and wisdom
with which its soul was overburdened?
In the lonely nights the oak tree tossed
its great arms tumultuously abroad. and
called to the sea for comfort and counsel;
and the sea beat out resounding answer
on the shore, bidding it wait, and trust
to the future to bring the opportunity at
last.


One night, in the heart of winter, the
oak stood looking out across the gloomy
ocean, its bare brown arms laden with
newly fallen snow. The prospect was
bleak and dismal one, relieved only by
the warm glow of candle in the window
of the neighboring cottage. By the candle
sat the young wife of Skipper Donne,
who owned the fastest schooner on the
coast; and near at hand, in a cradle, a
young child lay sleeping. The mother,
ever and anon, would turn her face to the
window, and shade of anxiety would
fit across her sweet and. thoughtful fea-
lures; but when she looked upon the
sleeping child the shade would soften and
tighten, and merge atlast into mothers
smile. As the hours passed on, hewever,
and still her husband did rot return, her
eyes were turned more often to the win
dow than to the child. The oak tree
wished from the bottom of its heart that
it could have soothed and cOmforted her;
standing, as it did, upon the plot OF
ground belonging to the cottage, it felt
special interest and affection for it's in
habitants. 1t rustled its crisp, brown
leaves, and sighed sympathizingly; but
the wife of Skipper Dome never no much
as looked at it, unless it were TO sh udder
at its cold branches outlined against the
wintry sky. The oak tree was in des-
pair, and had not the heart to seek conso-
1ation, even from the immemorial friend
who sobbed and murmured among the
rocks and weeds on the shore. It had
never felt quite so miserable.


All at once there sounded on the breeze
the noise of rustling sails, the splash of
waves against the ships side, and the
hsarse but low spoken orders of the
skipper to his men. The schooner
brought up against the wind, and cast
her anchor. Dark figures moved to and
fro on her deck; then the boat was
launched, some heavy, solid object was
lowered into it, the men followed. and
the skipper took his place at the helm.
and drew the boat up silently on a sandy
spot between two rocks. Then the heavy
solid object was lifted out, and borne
with difficulty up the bank, and set
down at the oak trees foot. It was a
square, massive chest, heavily clampcd
with brass, and studded with nails.
Evidently IL contained something OF
vast value; it Ii in such receptaclee as
this that tradition places the illgotten
gains of Captain Kidd, and surely there
was room within its study framework
for q whole fortune of silver and gold.
Perhaps, too, this chest was made heavier
still by the stain Of innocent blood but,
IL 30, II Is secret which the oak, in life
or death, has never once revealed, and
therefore let us be thankful.


Let's anchor her here for the present,
ny lsds," said the skipper to his men.
," There's no chance 30 divide our fortune
till these hawks of custom-house officers
be of our wake. Let but this night
pass, and they find us in the morning
sale in. port and no tell-tale ballast in
the hold, and we may enjoy merry
Christmas even yet. Comei now, 70
work I"