'Fair and Warmer* 



have served to help some certain 

 humble folk along their way. I know 

 of several to whom it has at least 

 extended shelter. But they go away. 

 It is, in short, just one of many of its 

 kind growing near perhaps the median 

 line of oaken excellence, loving the 

 summer sun, and rejoicing in the visits 

 of its friends. 



Storms have passed over it, and it 

 shows the scars. Whatever it is or is 

 not, however, it is mine, and if thou 

 art my friend and stand with me 

 sometime beneath its wide-extended 

 boughs, I pray thee do not fault it 

 over much. It is the best I have. It 

 has made the best use possible of 

 such advantages as it has enjoyed, 

 and has clearly had its full share of 

 adversity to contend with since the 

 day it began its career in the midst of 

 surroundings not of its own making. 

 And I love it for the struggle it has 

 made, and for such headway as it 

 has attained. It protects our western 

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