stumps and Snake-fences 105 



said, apologetically, **but away back — well, you 

 know, they came from Scotland." 



Dr. T. S. Sparks, a Canadian verse-writer of 

 more than local fame, made the ''Big Elm" the 

 theme of some verses, and, quite recently, the 

 picture of this lordly tree adorned the cover of 

 a well-known American magazine. From Dr. 

 Sparks 's poem, ''The Wayside Elm," the follow- 

 ing verses are quoted : 



Alone by the side of the dusty road 

 Where the myriad feet of men have trode, 

 Looming aloft in the azure sky 

 Like some giant link of the ages by, 

 No lordly mate of the wildwood near, 

 Lofty — and lonely without a peer — 

 Catching the glance of the far-off eye — 

 Winning the homage of passer-by — 

 Towering aloft with a royal grace. 

 The lordliest one of thy lordly race — 

 King of the wayside path art thou, 



giant elm of the lofty bough! 



And alone by the wayside, firm and fast, 



1 watch and wait while the years roll past, — 

 With my proud boughs spread to the wind-swept 



sky 

 I have mocked while a hundred blasts swept by, — 

 And the bolts of Heaven, from the tempest sped, 

 Have forborne to smile at my kingly head. 

 Never a touch of joy or woe 

 In your hearths or homes that I did not know, — 

 From the joyous look and the voice of mirth, 

 That greeted ye first in your hour of birth, 



