56 DA VET'S PRIMER 



This group is from the Epworth League, of Sewick- 

 ley, Pa. The rear row represents the senior class. The 

 girl to the left exhibits a beautiful magnolia leaf ; the 

 second, a pinnate leaf of the Alianthus "Tree of 

 Heaven." The middle girl holds the charming bi- 

 pinnate leaf of the Aralia ; the fourth, a lovely pinnate 

 leaf of the sumach, and the one to the right a robust 

 leaf of Catalpa Spcciosa. 



The front row represents the junior leaguers, and the trees 

 speak through them in poetry from "The Tree Mission," by the 

 author. Five trees speak, going from left to right, skipped 

 the little boy Stanley Diehl who comes last, and calls for 

 vengeance on the tree vandals : 



"Thus spake the oak, as solemn sage, 

 'A thousand years would be my age?, 

 If comprehended I could be 

 And right conditions granted me.' 

 The weeping elm dried up his tears, 

 And banished all his crushing fears. 

 And said : ' Three hundred years /'// live 

 And constant praise to Him I'll give, 

 If thou canst only stay the hand 

 Of wicked men throughout the land.' 

 The maple, clad in gorgeous tints, 

 Began to drop some potent hints ; 

 His bleeding sores and ghastly wounds 

 Are seen wherever man abounds. 

 The apple tree then loud did call, 

 And showed his ' case 1 far worse than all ; 

 Ten billion wounds he represents. 

 Caused by those men (?)who have no sense. 

 Two hundred years his life would be, 

 15ut's hack'd to death at fifty-three. 

 The pear was grave and scarcely spoke, 

 But finally the silence broke ; 

 Said he, '/'rf live three hundred years, 

 And all that time produce you pears, 

 But how can I, or any chum, 

 The apple, cherry, peach or plum, 

 Whose roots are bruised and branches hacked, 

 With bodies scarred and marred and cracked, 

 Bring forth to you our wholesome fruits, 

 When thus abused by heartless brutes? 

 We call on those who love us trees 

 T' sound the 'larm upon the breeze, 

 And pray you hang 'tree butchers' all 

 And forest vandals great and small.' " 



