The Chorus of the Forest 



But the real fence inclosing the forest was a 

 hedge of dogwood, spicebrusli, haw, hazel, scrub 

 oak, niajjle, and elm bushes. At bloom time it 

 must have been outlined in snowy flowers; now 

 nuts and berries were growing, and all Mere inter- 

 laced and made impenetrable by woodbine, wild- 

 grape, clematis, and other stoutly growing vines. 



At first we could not see the gateway, but after 

 a little searching it was discovered. Once foimd, 

 it lay clear an<l o]jen to all. The posts were slen- The 

 der, mastlike trunks shooting skyward; outside Gateway 

 deep golden sunshine you almost thouglit you could 

 handle as fabric, inside merely a i'f\v steps to foi'est 

 darkness. Xear the gateway a tiny tree was A\ag- 

 ing its battle to reach the sky, and a little far- 

 ther a dead one was com]3elled to decay leaning 

 against its fellows, for they M-ere so numerous it 

 could not find s])ace to lie down and rest in ])eace. 

 This explained at once that there woidd be no logs. 

 All the trees M'ould lodge in falling, and decay in 

 that position, and their bark and fiber would help 

 to make micertain walking. 



At the gate is the place to pause and consider. 

 The forest issues an universal invitation, but few 

 there l)e who are happy in accepting its hospitality. 

 If j'ou carry a timid heart take it to the fields, 

 where you can see your patli before you and fa- 

 miliar sovmds fall on your ears. If you carry a 

 sad heart the forest is not for you. Nature places 



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