ARBOR DAY MANUAL. 75 



TREE PLANTING. 



A BOY strolled through a dusty road, 

 " What can I do? " said he, 

 ' What little errand for the world ? " 

 " I know I'll plant a tree." 



The nursling was taken by mother earth, . 



Who fed it with all things good : 

 Sparkling water from mountain springs, 



And many a subtle food, 



Drawn from her o\vn wide-reaching veins; 



From the treasuries of the sky, 

 Far spread its branches in affluent grace; 



So the steady years went by. 



The boy who planted the little tree, 

 By a kindly purpose led, 



One desolate, dreadful winter dav 

 t ' 



In the brother-war fell dead. 



But the gentle thought at the great elm's root 

 Burst forth with the spring's warm breath, 

 And softly the fluttering foliage sang, 

 "Love cannot suffer death." 



The elm's vast shadow far and cool 



Fell o'er the dusty way, 

 Blessing the toilers at their rest, 



The children at their play. 



And panting horses felt the air 



Grow sudden full of balm ; 

 Great oxen with their weary loads 



Caught there a sudden calm. 



So little acts of kindliness 



Spread every branch and root, 

 And never guesses he who plants 



The wonders of the fruit. 



I often think if blessed eyes 



The old home s'cenes can see, 

 That heaven's joy is heightened by 



The planting of the tree. 



M. F. BUTTS. 



