PARK AND CEMETERY. 
255 
where they are at least comparatively safe. Such 
grounds will in most instances be found quite prac- 
ticable, and here the little ones may amuse them- 
selves while they unconsciously learn to understand 
human nature — a lesson that will serve them well in 
after years. 
* * * 
With an acknowledged play ground for the 
smaller children, a water-garden over by the mill, 
pleasantly shaded streets, well planted church and 
schoolhouse grounds, a remodeled cemetery, and 
with nicely improved railway station grounds and 
railway rights of way, any Improvement Club or 
Association has justified its existence and may well 
feel pleased with its progress. There is small like- 
lihood of such an one being inclined 
to discontinue its pleasant efforts 
or to abandon the self appointed 
task of increasing the beauty, com- 
fort and healthfulness of a com- 
munity. I ■ 
Everything that tends to increase 
the small happinesses of daily life 
is worth striving for not for one’s 
self alone but for others, particu- 
larly for those who have little op- 
portunity to think or work for 
anything beyond daily necessities. 
Often the fullest appreciatjon will 
be found among this class and it 
goes without saying that no other 
class stands more in need of the 
results of such efforts. 
Raising the'plane of living for 
individuals is^ "lifting the general 
plane. That knowledge should 
compensate for many disappoint- 
ments and annoyances as well as for much thought 
and labor. 
* * # 
It is said that each resident of North Stonington. 
Conn., seems to have constituted himself a village 
improvement society on his own account. A most 
happy state of aftairs. 
■jf * 
In many eastern towns and villages business 
firms and individuals are glad to donate funds for 
the use of the local organized improvement club in 
the development of the general interest and attract- 
iveness of the place. No doubt the same would be 
true of progressive western business men were they 
suitably solicited. A word to the wise is sufficient. 
■m ^ m 
Last year Arbor day was.elaborately celebrated 
by the schools of Terre Haute, Inch , the protection 
of wild birds being a feature of the various programs. 
The following suggestive program was given 
at the eighth district school: Song ’’America” by 
school; Reading of the Governor’s proclamation; 
Song “Octobers Party”; Reading ‘‘When the green 
gits back in the trees”; Song “Battle Hymn of the 
Republic”, by school; Reading “October's bright, 
blue weather”; Describing a Bird; Rending “Wood- 
man, spare that tree”; Song “Arbor Day Anthem” 
by school; Reading “How the Woodpecker knows”; 
Song “Arbor Day March” by school. 
* * * 
The very general interest and pleasure taken in 
a colony of squirrels, established in the town by 
some lads of Brighton, 111., by means of nests of 
young squirrels brought from the woods in early 
spring, suggests the desirability of including a hint 
on the subject in Arbor day exercises. 
X.\TUR.\n ARBOR OF WII.U GR.A.PES. 
Any thing that adds to the interest and to the 
beauty of a village as a place of residence adds also 
to its commercial interests. 
Every one has heard of the hundreds of squirrels 
that make their homes in the public squares at 
Memphis, Tenn. They are a never failing source of 
interest and amusement to residents and strangers. 
Even the street Arabs take a proprietary pride in the 
little fellows. They have legal protection, no boy 
dreams of injuring or frightening them — would be 
punished, indeed, if he did either, and they are so 
tame that they will take food from any hand that 
offers it. Such a colony should be acceptable in 
any town, and by learning to protect the small 
but lively residents boys may learn to spare and ad- 
mire the wild animals and birds that add so greatly 
to the charms of country life. 
Such education of young boys will be felt in 
many directions. Soon they will learn to respect 
trees and flowering shrubs grown outside private 
grounds for the general good. F. C. S. 
