XV. 
Slayer of the winter, art thou here again? 
Oh, welcome thou that bringest summer nigh, 
The bitter wind makes not thy victory vain, 
Nor will we mock thee for thy faint blue sky. 
"E KNOW the way the earth stores the 
sun’s heat during the summer months for 
winter use; and now while the dark days are 
upon us, we know her numerous little folk who 
are to people forest and field are with her, shel- 
tered from frost and snow in restful quiet. 
They are not a timid little folk. When spring 
gives the signal, they will not hesitate to face the 
frost-traps March will set for them. Spring 
may trifle a wee bit with time ere giving the 
signal, but when given, the birds, the flowers, 
the green fields and green trees will respond. 
Nothing has perished; nothing suffered. 
Just now here on Pine Hills the footprints of 
winter are strongly marked. There will yet be 
slow-moving, nerve-racking days to test our 
endurance before birds come to stay or dainty 
flowers respond to sun’s loving caresses. 
Meantime, while we wait, sturdy and silent in 
their rugged winter coats stand the old oaks of 
Oak Ridge. They cannot as in other days bend 
to the storm, and so are torn and broken by the 
gales winter shoots over the ridge. Having no 
fear of winter in their veins, there they stand, 
hardy pioneers, rooted to the present and the 
past, loved by all who have an open heart for 
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