THE ^\'OODS. 



171 



big catalpa-tree, and the gate posts — and even a maple- 

 tree bears in its branches aloft somewhere the initials 

 of two youngsters who one memorable night perched 

 for hours among them in order to get the last glimpse 

 of an eclipse as the moon went down toward the western 

 horizon. S3Tamores 

 and poplars may 

 sometimes be made 

 to serve the purpose 

 quite well, in lieu of 

 a beech, if the pas- 

 sion is upon one; and 

 I have seen whole 

 names shaped dili- 

 gently into the rough, 

 uneven bark of oaks 

 and elms. 



I like to look at 

 these initials carved 

 on the trees. The 

 old inscriptions are 

 in their way filled 

 Avith the A-ery spirit 

 of the past. Many 

 of those who put 

 them here have gone 

 far beyond into still 

 happier hunting 

 grounds ; but they 

 once lived here be- 

 low, and whether from 

 affection or mere initials and hieroglyphics. 



