THE PINES 



placed groups on the grounds of wealthy men, 

 instead of some Japanese upstart with a name 

 a yard long and a truly crooked Oriental dis- 

 position! In age the white pine dominates any 

 landscape, wearing even the scars of its long 

 battle with the elements with stately dignity. 

 A noble pair of white pines on the shore of 

 Lake Champlain I remember especially — they 

 were the monarchs of the lakeside as they 

 towered above all other trees. Ragged they 

 were, their symmetry gone long years ago 

 through attacks of storms and through strife 

 with the neighboring trees that had succumbed 

 while they only suffered and stood firm. Yet 

 they seemed all complete, of proved strength 

 and staying power, and their aspect was not 

 of defiance or anger, but rather indicative of 

 beneficent strength, as if they said, ^^Here we 

 stand; somewhat crippled, it is true, but yet 

 pointing upright to the heavens, yet vigorous, 

 yet seed-bearing and cheerful!" 



Another group of these white pines that 

 stood close to some only less picturesque red 

 pines on the shores of a pond deep in the 

 Adirondacks emphasized again for me one 



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