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About Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1920)
DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD, DAKOTA CITY, NEBRASKA. W S&s iK' -' fc "?! ' i vJJ5p"r 2 itiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii The Devil's Own A Romance of the Black Hawk War -5 Copyright by A. O. McClurg A Co. 53 ?7lllllllllllllllllllllll!l!ll!l!llllllllll!;illlllIIIIIIllllll!llllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllllll!lllllE "DON'T MOVE OR CRY OUTI OBEY ORDERS1" Synopsis. In 1S32 Lieutenant Knox of tho regular army Is on duty at Fort Armstrong, nock Island, 111., In territory threatened by dlsafCoctcd Indians. Tho commandant sends him with dUpatches to St. Louts. Ho taltcs passago on the steamer Warrior and makes tiio acquaintance of Judgo Beaucalro, rich plantor, and of Joo Klrby (tho Dovll'd Own), notorious gambler. Knox learns Judgo Beaucalro has a daughter, Eloi 10, and a granddaughter, Reno, offspring of a Bon whom tho Judge has disowned. Reno's mother Is a ncgrcss, and she and her daughter, never having been freed, are slaves under tho law, although the glrlo havo been brought up as slstors. Klrby Induces tho judge to stako his plantation and nogro servants on a poker hand unfairly dealt by Joo Carver, Klrby's partner. Klrby accuses tho judgo of cheating. BeaUcalro, infuriated, drops dead, Knox tries to Induce Klrby to glvo up his stolen winnings. Klrby and Carver throw Knox overboard. The lloutonant qwlms ashoro and reaches a hut Knox lies unconscious for ten days. Uecovorlng, ho finds ho Is In a cabin owned by Pete, a "freo nigger," who had shot him, mistaking him for nn enemy. Ills dispatches have been forwarded. Recovering from his wound, Knox sends Peto to bring Hayncs, Bcaucalro's lawyer, and thoy arrange, with Pete's help, to got tho women to tho cabin of an aboli tionist, Amos Shrunk, before Klrby comes. At tho Beaucalro placo Knox overhears a conversation botweon tho sheriff and his deputy, and learns tho truth about tho situation. Ho Is witness to an lntorvlev between Klrby and a girl who says sho Is Reno Bcaucalre. Klrby Insults tho girl, and Knox attacks him. Believing Klrby dead, Knox explains affairs to tho girl, and sho agrees to try to escape with him. CHAPTER Vll-r-Contlnued. "Have you over visited tho mouth of Saunders' creek? You have J How far away Is that from hero?" "Not more than half n mile; It en ters tho river just below tho Land ing." "And, If I understood you rightly," I urged eagprly, "you said that these fellows loft their kcclhoat there; that It had heen rigged up to run by steam, nnd had no guard aboard except the engineer; you are sure of this?" 'That was what tho man who talked to mo first said the deputy sheriff, llc boasted that they had the only Ucelboat on tho river equipped with an engino and had come up from St. Louis In two hours. You you think we could uiio that?" N "It seems to bo all lint is left us. I intend to make tho effort, anyway. You bad better show me the road." 1 .followed her closely, n mere shadow, as she silently led the way along the edge of the wood and back of tho negro quarters. I felt confident of being able safely to approach the , unsuspecting engineer nnd overcome any resistance before he could real ize the possibility of attack. I was obliged to rely upon a guess at tho time of night, yot surely it could not bo long after twelve and there must remain hours of darkness amply suffi cient for our purpose. With the boat once securely in our possession the en gineer compelled to serve, for I had no skill in that line, we could strike out directly for tho opposite shore and ' creep along In Its shadows past tho sleeping town at the Landing until wo attained the deserted waters above. By then we should practically be be yond Immediate- pursuit. Even If Car ver or the sheriff discovered Kirby, any immediate cliaso by river would bo impossible. Nothing was available for their use except a few rowboats at tho Landing; they would know noth ing as to whether we had gono up or down stream, while the coming of tho early daylight would surely permit us to discover some place of concealment along the desolate Illinois shore. Des perate as the attempt undoubtedly wns tho situation as I considered It in all its details brought me faith In our success and fresh encouragement to make the effort. Wo moved forward slowly. I took the lead myself, bending low and feel ing carefully for footing In the wiry grass. Tho darkness so shrouded ev s crything, blending objects into shape less shadows, that it required several moments before I could clearly deter mine the exact details. The mouth of the creek, a good-olzed stream, was only n few yards" away, and the boat, rather a larger craft than I had an ticipated seeing, lay just off shore, with stem to the bank, as though pre pared for Instant departure. It was securely held In position by a rope, probably looped about a convenient stump, and my eyes were finally able to trace the outlines of tho wheel by which it was propelled. Except for straggling rushes r extending to the edge of the water, the space between was vacant yet sufficiently mantled In darkness to enable one to creep for ward unseen. At first glnnec I could distinguish no sign of the boatman left In chnrge, but even ns I lay there, breathless and uncertain, ho suddenly revealed hla presence by lighting n lantern In tho stern. Tho Illumination was feeble enough yet sufficient to expose to view tho small, unprotected engine aft, and nlso the fact that all forward of the little cockpit In which It stood tho entire craft was decked over. The fel low was busily engaged In overhaul ing tho machinery, lenulng far for ward, Ills body Indistinct, tho lantern swinging in one hund, with entlro at tention devoted to his task. Occa sionally, as he lifted his head for some purpose, the dim radiance foil upon his face, revealing tho unmistakablo countenance of a mulatto, n fellow of medium size, broad of cheek, with un usually full lips and n fringe of whis ker turning gray. Somehow this rev elation that he was a negro and not a white man brought with it to me an additional couflduufe In success. I In clined my head and whlspored In tho ' girl's cur: 1 ,' 'Tou re not to move from hero un til I call. This Is to bo'my part of the work, handling that lad. I am going now." "Ho is colored, Is ho not a slave?" "Wo can only guess as to that. But he does not look to mo like a hard proposition. If I can only reach the boat without being seen the rest will be easy. Now Is the proper time while he is busy tinkering with tho engine. You will stay hero?" "Yes, of course ; I I could bo of no help." Sho suddenly, held oijt her hnnd, ns though impelled to the action by some swift impulse, nnd the warm pressure of her fingers meant more than words. I could not seo tho expression on her face, yet knew the slender body was trembling nervously. "Surely you are not afraid?" "Oh, no ; it is not that I I am all unstrung. You must not think of mo at all." I realized the gravity of my task, and my eyes were watchful of tho shrouded figure I was silently ap proaching. I drew nearer inch by Inch, advancing so slowly nnd snake like that not even the slightest sound of movement aroused suspicion. Ap parently tho fellow wns engaged In Slllng tho machinery, for ho had placed the. lantern on deck and held a long-spouted can in his fingers. His back remained toward me as I drew near tho stern, and consequently I no longer had a glimpse of his face. Tho wooden wheel of tho boat, a clumsy-appearing apparatus, rested al most directly against tho bank, where tho water was evidently deep enough to float the vessel, and tho single rope holding it in position was drawn taut from tho pressuro of tho current. Waiting until tho man was compelled to bend lower over his work, utterly unconscious of my presence, I straight ened up and, pistol in hand, stepped upon tho wooden beam supporting tho wheel. He must have heard this movement, for he lifted his head quickly, yet was even then too late; already I had gained tho nfterdeck, and my weapon wns on a level with his eyes. "Don't movo or cry out I" I com manded sternly. "Obey orders and you will not bo hurt." Ho shrank away, sinking upon tho bench, his face upturned so that the light fell full upon It, for the instant too greatly surprised and frightened !) Hla Mouth Hung Open and His Eyes Stared at Me. to glvo utterance to a Bound. His mouth hung open, and his eyes stared at me. "Who who wus yer? Whatcha want yere?" "I am asking questions nnd you are answering them. Aro you armed? All right, then ; hand it over. Now put out thnt light." no did exactly ns I told him, mov ing as though paralyzed by fear, yet unablo to resist. "You nro a negro a slnvo?" "Yas, sah; All's Massa Donaldson's boy frum St. Louce." "Ho la tho bherlff?" "Yas, Bah yns, sah. Whar is Massa Donaldson? Yer ain't done bin sent yere by him, I reckon. 'Peara llko I never see yer afore.'" "No; but ho Is quite snfe. What la your name?" "Sara, sah Just plain Sam,' Jl', Vlt,' t "1 f V Bt RANDALL PARRISH Antkor of 53 Xfcntrbifl4," "She ef the triia Brind." "When WUderntH E Wh Kln." elc 5 ILLUSTRATIONS BY IRWIN MYERS 2 "Well, Sam, I undcrsthnd you nro nn englneor. Now, It happens that I want to use this boat, and you arc going to run It for me, do you understand? I am going to sit down hero on tho edge of tills cockpit and hold this loaded pistol Just back of your car. It might go olf at any minute, and surely will If you make a false move or attempt to foul tho engine. Any trick, and there Is going to be a dead nigger overboard. I know enough about engines to tell if you play fair so don't take any chances, boy." "Ah Ah reckon ns how I was goln' for tor run her all right, snh; she's sum consld'ble contrary et times, sih, but Ah'll surely run her, If thnr's eny run In her, sah. Ah ain't cnrln' 'bout bcln' no corpse." "I thought not; you'd rather bo n free nigger, perhaps? Well, Sam, if you will do this Job all right for mo tonight I'll put you where tho sheriff will never seo hide nor hair of you again no, not yet; wait u moment, there Is another passenger." Sho enmo lnstnntly in answer to my low call, and through the gloom tho startled negro watched her descend tho bank, a mere moving shndow, yet with the outlines of n woman. I half believe he thought her a ghost, for I could hear him muttering inarticu lately to himself. I dared not remove my eyes from tho fellow, afraid that his very excess of fear might impel him to some reckless act, but I ex tended one hand across the sldo of tho boat to her assistance. "Tako my hand, Bene," I said pleas antly, to reassuro her, "and come aboard. Yes, everything is all right. I've just promised Sam hero a ticket for Canada." I helped her across into the cock pit and seated her on the bench, but never venturing to remove my eyes from the negro. His actions and what ever I was able to observe of tho ex pression of his face only served to convince me of his trustworthiness, yet I could tako no chances. "She's just n real, live woman, sah?" ho managed to ejaculate, half in doubt. "She sure ain't no ghost, sah?" "By no means, Sam; sho Is just ns real as either you or I. Now listen, boy you know what will happen to you after this, If Donaldson ever gets hold of you?" ' "I 'spects I does, snh. He'd Just nat'arly skin dls nigger olive, Ah reckon." "Very well, then; It is up to you to get away, and I tako It that you understand this river. Wo aro going to head upstream." "Yas, sir; yer plannin' for ter go nor'. ' Wal, sah, dars plenty o' watah for dis yere boot right now, wid do spring floods. Nothln' fer ter bo nfeerd of 'bout dat." "That Is good news. Now, Sam, I nm going to cut this line, and I want you to steer straight across into tho shadows of tho Illinois shore. I be Hevo you are going to play square, but for tho present I'm going to tako no chances with you. I nm holding this pistol within a foot of your hend, and your life means nothing to mo if you try any trick. What Is the speed of this boat upstream?" " 'Bout ten mllo nn hour, sah." "Well,, don't push her too hard nt first, and run that engine as noiseless ly as possible. Aro you ready? Yes then I'll cut loose." I severed the lino nnd wo began to recede from tho shore, cutting diago nally across tho decidedly swift cur rent. Once beyond tho protection of the point the star-gleam revealed tho sturdy rush of tho waters, occasion ally flocked with bubbles of foam. Sam handled the unwieldy craft with tho skill of a practiced boatman, and tho laboring engino mndc fur less racket than I had anticipated. Pistol in hand, nnd vigilant to every motion of tho negro, my eyes swept along thnt vague shore line, catching nowhero a spark of light, nor any evidence that the steady chug of our engine hnd cre nted alarm. Wo were alone upon the mysterious bosom of the vast stream, tossed about In tho full sweep of tho current, yet moving steadily forward, and already safely beyond both sight and sound. Every moment of progress tended to Increase my confidence in Sam's loy alty. Tho fellow plainly enough real ized the situation that safety for himself depended on keeping beyond tho reach of his master. To this end he devoted every instnnt diligently to coaxing his engino and a skillful guid. unco of tho bont, never onco permit ting his head to turn far enough to glance at me, nthough I could occa sionally detect his eyes wandering in tho direction of the girl. Sho hnd not uttered a word nor changed her posture since first enter ing tho bont, but remained Just as I had seated her, ono hand grasping tho edge of tho cockpit, her gazo on tho rushing waters ahead. I could rcallzo something of what must bo passing through her mind tho mingling of doubt nnd fear which assailed her In this strango environment. Up until now she hnd been accorded no oppor tunity to think, to oonsldor tho nnturq of her position; sho had been com pelled to net wholly upen Impulse and driven ollndly to accept my sugges tions. And now, In tills silence, tho reaction hnd come, nnd sho was al ready questioning If sho hnd dono right It was In my heart to speak to her, in effort to strengthen her faith, but I hesitated, Rcnrcoly knowing what to sny, deeply touched by the pathetic droop of her figure, nnd in truth un certain in my own mind ns to whether or not wo hnd chosen the wiser course. All I dared do was to silently reach out ono hand and rest It gently on those fingers clnsplng the rail. Sho did not removo her hand from beneath mine, nor indeed give tho slightest evi dence that sho was even aware- of my nctlon. "Wus Ah to turn nor', sah?" asked tho negro suddenly. "Yes, upstream ; but keep in ns close to tho shoro as you think safe. There is no settlement along this bank, is there?" "No, sah ; dar's jus' ono cabin, 'bout n mile upstream, but dar ain't nobody livln' thnr now. Whar yer nil aim fer tor go?" I hesitated nn Instnnt before I an swered, yet nlmost as quickly decided that tho wholo truth would probably serve us best. Tho man nlrcndy had ono reason to use his best endeavors; now I would bring before him a sec ond.' "Just ns far up tho river before day light as possible, Sam. Then I hope to uncover some hiding place whero wo can Ho conccnled until it Is dnrk again. Do you know any such plnco?" "On de Illinois shore, snh? Lo's seo: thnr's Rassucr creek, 'bout twenty mllo up. - Ah 'spects you all knows whut yer a hcndln for?" "To n certain extent yes; but wo had to decide on this nctlon very quickly, with no chnnco lo plnn It out. I am aiming at the mouth of tho Illi nois." He glanced about nt mo, vainly en deavoring to decipher my expression In the gloom. "De Illinois rlbbor, boss; whnt yer hope fer ter find thnr?" "A cortnln mnn I've heard about. Did you over happen to hear n white mnn mentioned who lives near thcro? His namo Is Amos Shrunk." I could scarcely distinguish his eyes, but I could feel them. I thought for a moment ho would not answer. "Ycr'll surely excuse mo, snh," ho said nt Inst, humbly, his volco with a note of pleading It it. "All's fcelin' friendly 'nough nn' nil dnt, sah, but still yer mus 'member dnt Ah's tnlkln' ter a perfect stranger. If yer wud sure tell mo furst just whut yer was aimln' nt, then mnybo Ah'd know a heap mor'n Ah do now." "I guess you are right, Sam. I'll tell you tho wholo of It. I nm endenvor ing to help this young woman to escape those men back yonder. You must know why they were thcro; no doubt you overheard them talk coming up?" "Yas. sah ; Massa Donaldson ho was goln' up fer ter servo sum papers fer Massa Kirby, so he cud run off do Bcaucalre niggers. But dis yoro gal, sho ain't no nigger sho's Just a whito pusson." "Sho Is a slnvo under tho law," 1 said gravely, as she made an effort to move, "and tho mnn Kirby claims her." I could seo his mouth fly open, but tho surprise of this statement hnltcd his efforts at speech. "That explains tho wholo sltuntion," I went on. "Now will you answer me?" "'Bout dls yere Massa Shrunk?" "Yes you havo heard of him be fore?" "Ah reckon ns how maybo Ah has. sah." "Do you know where he can bo found?" "Not perznckly, sah. Ah ain't never onct bin thnr, but Ah sorter seems fer ter rccollcc' sum'thln' 'boutwhor ho mought be. Ah reckon maybb Ah cud go thnr, If Ah just lied to. Ah rcckoq if yer all held dat pistol plum 'gainst mnh lied, Ah'd mos' likely find dls Amos Shrunk. Good Lord, snh I" and his volco sank to a whisper, "Ah Just can't git hoi' o all dls Ah suro can't, snh 'bout her bcln' a nigger." Bene turned nbout, lifting her fnco into the starlight. "Whether I am white or colored, Sam," she said quietly, "can mako little difference to you now. I nm a woman nnd nm asking your help. I can trust you, can I not?" Tho negro on his knees stnrcd nt her, the whites of his, eyes conspicu ous. Then suddenly ho Jerked off his old hnt. "Ah 'spects yer kin, missus," he pledged himself In a tone of convic tion which mnde my heart leap. "Ah's bin n -slave-nlgger fer forty-flvo years, but just de same Ah ain't novcr bin menn ter no woman. Yns, Bah, yor don't neither ono oh yer ebcr need ter nsk Snm no mor he's n-goln' thro Mid yer all ter do end ho sure am, ma'am." Silence descended upon us, nnd I slipped tho pistol back into my pocket. Iteno rested her check on her hand and gazed straight ahead Into tho night. Far oft to the left a row wink ing lights nppenred, barely perceptible, and I touched the negro, pointing them out to him and whispering my ques tion so ns not to disturb tho motion less girl. "Is thnt the Landing over there?" "Ah certainly 'Bpects it must be, snh; dar nln't no other town directly 'round deso parts." "Then those lights higher up must bo on tho bluff nt Beuuculrc?" "Yes, sub ; looks liko do wholo houso was lit up. I reckon things nm right lively up thur 'bout now." Ho chuckled to himself, smothering n laugh. "It's sure goln fer tor bother Massa Donnhlson ter loso dis nigger, eali, fer All's do only onu he's got." The lights slowly fnded nwny in th far distance, finally disappearing alto gether as wo rounded a sharp bend in tho river bank. Tho engine Increased Its stroke, giving vent to louder chug ging, nnd I could feel tho strain of tho plnnks beneath us as wo battled tho current. This now noise mny havo aroused her, for llcno lifted her hend ns though suddenly startled and glanced nbout In my direction. "We hnvo pnssed tho vlllnge?" sho asked, rather listlessly. "Yes; it Is nlrcndy out of sight. From tho number of lights burning I imnglno our escape hns been discov ered." "And what will they do?" nn echo of disniny in her voice. All fear of any treachery on tho part of tho negro had completely de serted me, and I slipped down from my perch on the edge of tho cockpit to n plnco on tho bench at her side. Sho mnde no motion to dmw nwny, but her eyes wcro upon my fnco, as though seeking to read tho meaning of my sudden action... ) "Wo can talk better here," I ex plained. "Tho engino makes so much noise." "You have not yet explaiued to mo what wo wero to do. Your plans for tomorrow?" "Bccnuso 1 scarcely have nny," I re plied. "This has nil occurred so sud denly I have only nctcd upon Impulse. No doubt those back at tho Lnndtng will endeavor to pursuo us; they may But Her Eyes Wcro Upon My Face, as Though Seeking to Read tho Meaning of My Sudden Action. havo discovered already our means of escnpo and procured boats. My prin cipal hopo Is thnt thoy may tako It for grnntod that wo havo chosen tho easier way and gono downstream. If so wo shall gain so much moro tlmo to get beyond their rench." "But why havo you chosen tho northern route? Surely you hnd a reason?" "Certainly; It was to dccelvo them and got out of alavo territory as quick ly as possible. Thoro aro friends in this direction and nono In the other. If wo should endeavor to flee by way of tho Ohio wo would bo compelled to run a thousand-mile gantlet. Thcrp nro slnves In Illinois It has novr been declared a freo state but theso aro held almost exclusively In tho moro southern counties. North of tho river tho s6ttlcrs nro lnrgely from New England, nnd tho majority of them hate slavery and nro ready to assist any runaway to freedom.1' "But you havo spoken of a man Amos Shrunk who is ho?" "You hnvo certainly heard rumors, at least, that thcro nro regular routes ovoscope from hero to Canada?" "Yes; it has been discussed at tho house. I havo novcr clearly under stood, but I do know that' slaves dis appear and nro nover caught. I waa told whito men helped them." "It is accomplished through organ ized effort by these men Blnck Abo litionists, as thoy are called haters of slnvery. They aro banded to gether In a secret society for this one purposo and havo what thoy call iitn tions. scattered nil along at a certain dlstanco apart a night's travel from tho Mississippi to tho Canadian line, whero tho fugitives aro hidden and fed. A station keeper, I am told,, Ut obly permitted to know a fow mllns of tho route, those ho must cover tiio system is perfect, nnd innny nro en gaged in It who nro novcr even sus pected." "And tills man is ho ono?" "Yes a lender; ho operates tho most dangcrouB station of all. Tho escaping slaves como to him first." Sho asked no further questions, and after a moment turned uwuy, resting back ngninst tho edgo of tho cockpit with chin cupped in tho hollow of her hand. Tho profilo of her faco was clearly defined by tho starlight re flected by tho river, and I found It hard to withdraw my eyes. A move ment by tho negro nttractcd my at tention. "There is n small creek about four miles nbovo tho Landing, Sam," I said shortly. "Do you think you could And It?" "On do Missouri side, sub? Ah reckon Ah cud." (TO BIB CONTINUED.) Grease on Wallpaper. To removo grcaso spots from wall paper, sprlnklo n piece of blotting pa per with carbonato of soda and press it ngninst tho wall with a moderutoly hot iron. Tho blotting paper will al sorb tho grense, while the sodu prr bervos tho color of tho puper. The Devil's Own comes to life. HOME TOWN WES Bra tlELPSfe MAKES FOR BEAUTIFUL CITY That Cltjzcns Take Interest In Hortl. culturo Is Always an Asset to the Community. . . . - . When the publisher of a newspaper In any town is Interested In horticul ture the people nro encouraged to mako their homes attractive, nnd tho result is a beautiful city, remarks tho New York Times. A newspaper of that kind Is a valuable asset to nny community. In the Allentown (Pn.) Leader, a re port Is given of tile bulb planting in (he city parks; where next spring there will be eleven tulip beds, which hnvo Just l)c,on planted with thousands of bulbs. Charles Zlegenfus, a leading busi ness man, has planted moro than 0,000 tulip bulbs. Lnst spring his show of tulips was worth going miles to seo and next year tho bods will bo moro gorgeous than ever. Mr. Zlegenfus hns planted this season the rarest anil most beautiful varieties, ohtnlnnble. It. J. Bulz, president of tin) National bank, has niivlo oxtenslvo bulb plant ings. So nlso hns Col. Young nnd Mrs. Koch. Edward A. Kristimi.ii, who has won many prizes with his dahlias, will plant more than 4,000 tubers early next spring. Flower lovers who motor through Allentown will find tho tulip beds a sight worth seeing nnd In tho autumn tho dahlia beds of "Mr. Krlstnmn will mnko n wonderful show. Tin) efforts Of Georgo Both, pub lisher of the Leader, to make his town n show plnco aro appreciated by tho citizens, ns bhpwn by their coopera tion. PECAN TREES ALONG ROADS Georgia Landowners' Association Agrees to Furnloh Them, If Proper Care la Guaranteed. Tho ntlentlon of tho department of agriculture officials has been attracted by the oiTor of tho' Georgia Landown ers' association to furnish pecan trees for planting 011 both sides of ono mile of permanent hard surface rond In the first county In tho slate that ngrees to take caro of the trees. ' Tills is somewhat In lino with tho .oforcstn tlon nnd good roads 'movements in tho southern states recently started. ,"It Is Hoped," says F. ,11. Abbott, manager of tho Georgia association, In a communication received hero, "that this suggcstldn will result in border ing every mllo of permanent hlghwny in Georgia with trees that will be use ful as well as ornamental. I bellovo that tho example of tho first county will quickly ho followed by other coun ties, and seo no reason why a similar plan should not bo adopted In other states. TI16 fees for bordering thp Georgia roads will bo furnished tho association by J. II. Wright of Cairo, Go., ono of tho largest pecan growers in tho South and u member of tho board of control of tho organization. When Pruning Trees. Shade trees mny bo pruned nny tlmo between tho fnll of tho leaves and enrly spring boforo growth begins. Uoxeldor nnd mnplo trees nro apt to "bleed" If pruned nfter tho, Inst of February. Do not Ieavo long stubs but cut close nbovo a sldo branch when pruning Inrge limbs. Try to avoid leaving up right forks or crotches which aro apt to split apart and injure or ruin tho trco later. Long, slender brunches should bo shortened, If retained, so ns to encourage greater stiffness nnd re sistances wind und tho weight of wet snow, Of course, tho natural charac teristics of the tree should be taken Into account In pruning nnd no attempt bo made to greatly alter the natural form of tho tree. Evergreens nro sel dom pruned but appear best when permitted to retain their lower branch es closo to tho ground. B. 0, Long year, Colorado Agricultural College, Fort Collins, Colo. Resolve to Set Out a Tree. A tree, If properly tended nnd pro tected, will llvo for many years. It will even outlnst some man-made mon uments. What can bo more inspiring than tho thought that a century bunco that tree planted yesterday will be noted by tho American people visiting this city, bearing Its npproprlnto tab let? If In every city In tills country such a trco wtro plnntediiiow, genorn tlous to come, numbering millions upon millions, would note, observe nnd appreciate tho sentiment. And mean while tho trco Itself will bo a thing of beauty und afford shade nnd comfort. Let there be more trco planting In tho name of America's heroes! Beautify the Playgrounds. Money spent In ornamental planting of trees nnd shrubs about tho country school Is money well spent, Tito re sults of the curly training tho boys nnd girls receive In practical and or niimuntul values of planting of shrubs nnd trees will bo shown Jn tho homes of tho children. Later on mor of tha homos of those who remalu In . tho community will bo bonoilted In being moro beautiful places in which to live and tho value of thuf real estate will bo mutorlnlly iu-rensert, IJ