PRAIRIE ROSE 61 



to see that the roots were not injured, and as soon 

 as they were taken out of the ground they were 

 placed in the wagon, with leaves and soil packed 

 around them to keep the air away, so that the roots 

 would not become dry. After everything was loaded, 

 Sumac looked around and noted that their good 

 friend young Hard Maple was not taken, but was 

 left all alone on the side of the ravine, his limbs 

 drooping, and looking very lonesome as his friends 

 were being carried away. 



The trees in the back of the wagon, all crowded 

 together, full of apprehension, and very much mys- 

 tified, were speechless, as they had no idea what the 

 future held for them. However, they ascended a 

 long winding hill, then down a rough woods lane 

 that led through the forest, and as they went 

 bumpty, bump, bump down the old road, it was a 

 trying experience for some of the more tmiid ones. 



Farther on, the forest began to disappear and the 

 country to -became more open. Broad fertile fields 

 appeared with men working in them, and beautiful 

 blue grass pastures, with grazing herds under the 

 spreading trees, made an entirely different world. 



But the best of all was the type of road they were 

 riding on. It was a beautiful white pavement, 

 smooth as could be, and they traveled along so easily 



