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About Estacada progress. (Estacada, Or.) 1908-1916 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 1909)
The Estacada Progress taMMtf Eaé Tfcw in EST ACADA .............OREGON BRIEF NEWS OF THE PAST WEEK Interesting Events fro m Outside the State Presented in a Manner to Catch the Eye o f the Busy Reader — M atters o f National, Historical and Com m erciai Importance. Twenty seven persons were drowned by the collapse o f a wooden bridge in Russia. Two negroes and one white man were killed and six negroes wounded in a race war in Louisiana. The probation officer o f the night court in New York says the white slave trade is on the increase. Provisional President Estrada. of Nicaragua, has requested official recog nition from the state department. A final appeal in the case o f John R. Walsh, convicted banker, has been made to the United States supreme court. Leaders o f the American Federation o f Labor urge Secretary Nagel to make a thorough investigation into the vari ous phases o f industrial education. Miss Anna Morgan, daughter of J. P Morgan, and Mrs. O. 11. P. Belmont have taken up the cause o f the striking shirtwaist workers o f New York City. Dr. Brashear, a noted astronomer of the university o f Pittsburg, says he does not believe either Cook or Pearv can furnish any good proof of having reached the pole. Savants o f the Danish university are deeply embarrassed bv their former championship of Dr. Cook, as they are unable to find any acceptable proof that he reached the pole. A party o f American explorers re ported to have been devoured by canni bals on the island o f Tiburón, in the gu lf of California, have arrived safe at a small town on the Mexican coast. Grand Duke Michael, o f Russia, is dead. The I. W. W . o f Spokane has given up the fight for free speech. A silver loving cup has been present ed to Peary by New York friends. Texas is in the grip o f a blizzard, and the railroads are using snow plows. Many new cafes will open in San Francisco under the rule of Mayor-elect McCarthy. Danish scientists at Copenhagen art* much inclined to think Cook’s alleged records are false. Seven railroad wrecks in one week cause death of 28 and injury o f over one hundred people. A flow of 150 barrels of oil per day is reported to have been struck in Cow Hollow, in Eastern Oregon. Green River, Wyoming, has 35 de grees below zero. Trains are late and sheep are dying by thousands on the ranges. A series o f anti strike laws lias been enacted by the legislature o f New Zea land, but labor leaders declare they will be no hindrance to strikes. Governor Haskell, of Oklahoma, open ly accuses Attorney General West with being responsible for the two recent bank failures in that state. Baroness Vaughn, the legal w ife ot the late king of Belgium, w ill push her son’s claim to the throne in order to secure the bulk o f Leopold’s fortune. A negro bandit shot and killed the motorman and conductor of a St. Louis streetcar, robbed the conductor, and then let the car run wild through the heart o f the city. J. J. H ill says his roads are prepar ing to handle a heavy immigration to the coast next year. La Follette, in his weekly magazine, sharply criticises President T aft and his recent message. Prince Albert o f Flanders, a nephew o f the late K ing Leopold of Belgium, will occupy the throne. M O N E Y T R U ST IN SIGHT. Could Cripple Government by Refusing to Buy Bonds. NEWS NOTES GATHERED FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF OREGON New York, Dec. 21. So close have become the alliuuce and amalgamations o f leading financial interests in Wall T E N T H O U 8 A N D CARS PE R Y E A R street during the last three months that almost the absolute control o f the eoun This W ill Be Output o f Rogue River t r y ’s financial affairs ia now centralized Valley Orchards. in the hands o f a few men, who arc Medford— Not only has the fruit crop actiug in concert. A money trust has of the Rogue river valley been heavy, come into existence, with J. P. Morgan but the quality of the fruit has been at its head, the most gigantic combina unsurpassed and has commanded the tion of capital in the world. world's best prices. Without excep There is no concrete definite organiza tiou. Rogue river fruit when offered iu tion to this latest trust; no legal incor poration. no elected directors, no list of the different markets o f the world this stockholders. To use the descriptive season, commanded top prices, surpass phrase o f the financial world, it is sin» iug that offered by all other sections. ply a “ community o f interest.” England has taken all o f the Newtown Representative members of this com munity o f interest, men who would be Pippius produced, New York city the directors of an incorporated company Spitzenbergs, while the pears, univer are: .T. Pierpont Morgan, private sally conceded to be the finest grown, banker, its unquestioned leader; George* have brought prices which shattered F. Baker, chairman o f the board of previous records. directors o f the First National bank; It is estimated that over 1,000,000 •lames Stillman, chairman o f the board fruit trees, covering 15,000 acres, will of directors of the National P ity bank; be planted in the Rogue river valley William Rockefeller, vice president of this winter, which will make a total the Standard Oil company; Henry ('. orchard area o f 65,000 acres tributary Frick, capitalist; W illiam K. Vander hilt, as representative o f his fam ily to Medford. In five years it is esti mated that this valley, which at pres interest. ent ships more ears of fru it than any It would be impossible to figure the total o f direct and indirect capital nos other section o f the northwest, will ship at least 10,000 carloads o f fruit centralized in this money trust. To be each year Steps are already under gin with, the banking firm of J. Pier pont Morgan & Go., being a private eo i way for the erection o f a huge pre cooling plant in this city. To the fact partnership, makes no public reports. * 1 vet report places its deposits at $160. , that the Rogue river valley produces 000,000. which its directors can utilize fruit of a superior keeping quality is to advantage in financial operations •lue the high prices paid for it. With The assets o f the three insurance com the pre-cooling plant its keeping qual panics controlled by the group, invested ' ¡ties can be improved so that the future largely in bonds o f railroad and Indus means more fruit and higher prices. Tronson & Guthie, from five acres trial companies, aggregate considerably o f 16 year-old Spitzenbergs, averaged more than $1,000,000,000. Here are some o f the things the trust 520 boxes to the acre, which netted $3 a box, or $1,500 an acre. In addition could do: It could call $200,000,000 o f loans : they secured $1,100 in prizes at the Spokane National Apple show, and a over night and ruin any adversary. It could reduce credits to such a de higher price for their premium car. A gree as to cause extreme money strin car o f Spitzenbergs was sold recently in N ew York at an average o f $3.36 a gency and great commercial distress. It could tie up the cash holdings of : box. New York banks by demanding certifi I The seven and a half acre Bartlett cation o f checks for enormous amounts i pear orchard owned by John G. Gore, It could deplete bank reserves in New south o f Medford, is also the record York by causing shipments o f cash to ; breaker o f the valley for yield and price. Mr. Gore this year shipped 12 any part of the country. It could make money rate of interest cars o f pears, which netted him almost as it chose, from 2 per cent to ! $9,335.10, or $144.68 per acre. From seven acres o f 16-year old Bart 100 per cent on call loans. It could cripple the financial opera lett pears W . G. Estep sold an average tions o f the government by refusing to o f 514 boxes to the acre, which netted $2 a box or $1,028 an acre. purchase any bond issue. Sixteen and a half acres o f 19 year- It could dictate the financial opera tions o f the great railway systems and old W inter Nellis pears in the Snowy Butte orchard yielded a record average expanding industrial concerns. o f 435 boxes to the acre, which sold at the orchard at $2.12 a box, or $900 an R A ILR O A D E R S D E M A N D IN C R E A S E acre. The same orchard yielded $19,- 000 worth o f pears two years ago. The From 5 to 40 Per Cent Raise Asked by Snowy Butte orchard was purchased four years ago by Fred H. Hopkins 75,000 Men. for $30,000. He recently sold it to Pittsburg. Dec. 21.— The Brotherhood John R. Allen o f New York for $168,- of Railway Trainmen Monday will 000 . serve notice on 75 railroad companies east o f the Mississippi river that an j Oregon Oak for Idaho Buildings. increase in wages will be demanded of from 5 to 40 per cent. W. O Lee I Scio— N. J. Morrison, proprietor of national president o f the brotherhood. I the Scio planing mill, has been awarded tonight refused to intimate what action j the contract for supplying the mill would be taken in ease the demand is work, sash and doors for a new build refused. Tt is saTTj the recent refer | ing for the Idaho university and a endum vote o f the trainmen regarding j federal building, both situated in Mos The work for the uni the demand for an increase resulted in ' cow. Idaho. a practically unanimous vote in its fn ! versity is to be ready by April 1 and vor. About 75.000 members of the that for the federal building by June brotherhood are employed on the rail ! 1. Much o f the finish o f the latter building is to be o f quartersawed oak, roads affected. to cost $3,050. This is the first large N ew York, Dec. 21.— The action o f \ contract o f this class ever undertaken the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, by the Scio planing mills. Mr. M or as announced in Pittsburg today, was rison will be compelled to erect a dry not unexpected in N ew York. kiln and possibly a pony sawmill, as Knowing that the referendum vote [ the oak timber is not convenient to was being taken, railroad heads are pre ! present sawmills. He expects to com paring to meet the situation, and sev i mence getting out the work about Jan eral conferences have been held within uary 1. the Inst two weeks, looking to a settle j ment o f the difficulties. School for Indians Near Completion. Cincinnati. Dec. 21.— With a refer endum vote o f telegraphers in the em ploy o f tin- Big Four railway completed tonight, J J. Dermodv. fourth vice pres ident o f the Order o f Railway Telegra phers. announced that 80 per cent of the members had voted for a strike. Dermodv said that while the vote was practically unanimous, the result did not necessarily mean there would be a strike. He admitted that there was little probability of future conferenees with officials o f the B ig Four, who have definitely rejected all demands, but said the question of a strike was now up to the committee of seven, which, with the national body o f the union, would settle the matter. About 1000 men are in volved. An exposition company lias been in corporated in San Francisco to cele brate the completion o f the Panama canal. E lks’ Club Called Bar. The United States Steel corporation Reno. Nov., Dec. 21. There is much is preparing to abandon Pittsburg and establish itself at Gary, Indiana, on ac comment concerning the trial of the Elks, which will occur tomorrow after count o f labor troubles. noon. Every lawyer in this city who The Monarch Oil company o f Cali is an Elk has tendered his services to fornia owned by J. D. and A. B. Spreck the Elks’ lodge. More than 25 lawyers els will establish a northwest refinery will appear to defend the Elks, who and distributing station at Portland. have been arrested on the charge of con Striking switchmen in Spokane say ducting a bar without license. One every union railroad man in that city lawyer said today that the dipensing will be called out if the roads do not o f liquors in the E lk s’ club does not agree to arbitration before Christmas. amount to a sale, as all the Elks own the liquor, and what they pay for the Baron Shibusawa, who has recently liquor served to them is used to re returned to Tokio from a visit to Amor plenish stock. iea, says Americans are Japan’s best friends and at the same time her dead French Laud Roosevelt. liest enemies. Paris. Dec. 21. The Temps, extolling A boiler explosion at the Royal clay works, at New Philadelphia, Ohio, the election of Theodore Roosevelt as a killed two men and wrecked the entire foreign associate o f the Academy of plant. A third man is missing. One Moral and Political Sciences, pays high body was blown 200 yards. tribute to Mr Roosevelt's political and J. J. H ill declares the strike of the moral creed and his insistence that switchmen is over, *-o far as the H ill neither individuals nor nations have the roads are concerned. right to shirk their duty. The Temps concludes: A sensational attack upon Secretary “ Peace is praiseworthy, but its desir Ballinger on the floor of the house ability has been unduly exaggerated, if makes it practically certain that a inspired by fear. Mr. Roosevelt recalls thorough investigation o f the general to our age that ‘ war is an evil, but not land office will be made soon after the greatest of e vils .’ '* Christmas. Carnegie will give $100,000 for a pub Satolli Seriously 111. lie library building in Honolulu. Rome. Dec. 21.— Cardinal Satolli, who More oats are raised than any other recently suffered a relapse from ne kind o f grain, the w orld’s crop for phritis, was slightly improved this morn 1908 1 icing 3.500,000,000 bushels. <ng ami insisted upon a chaplain ccle The state supreme court of Indiana brat ing mass in the sick room. He has declared the county local option also took communion. law 1>f that state to be constitutional. His condition this afternoon was much worse. Alarming symptoms de Representative Hitchcoek started a veloped and there was some delirium. fight for an investigation into the ef Grave fears are entertained for the car forts of BaJ huger and the Guggenheims dinal’s recovery. Many telegrams of to control the entire miueral field of inquiry have been received from Alaska. America. The house committee on expositions Liners Swept by Gales. ■ays San Francisco and San Diego must London. Dec. 21.— Incoming trans settle which one is to hold a fair in 1915, or neither one will get any pub Atlantic liners report terrific weather The i'armania. New York and Amerika. lie money. trriving at Queenstown and Plymouth respectively, today, were all greatly de The O. R. & N. road will spend laved. Four days out they met hurri $600,000 improving its line between The Dalles and De* Chutes, and will canes from the eastward, with mono eventually double track the entire line tainous seas, which continued until Sat urday uight. to Portland. Klamath Falls— The Indian school I ! being built by the government at the j agency is rapidly nearing completion. Tlu* school is a substantial frame struc ture. 80x120 feet, the price named be ing $20,000. The building contains four large schoolrooms, a commodious assembly hall and all necessary cloak and ante rooms. When completed it will be supplied with all modern con veniences, including a steam heating plant, electric lights and complete sewer system. Tt will probably be the best equipped government school on the coast. W hite Swan Mine Sold. Baker C ity— The famous W hite Swan mine, known all over the coast, through the operations o f Letson Balliett. was today sold at trustee’s sale to D. W. French o f this city. The mine was controlled by a party o f eastern capi talists, and last summer they failed to put up the necessary money, and the property went into the hands of a receiver. George T. Cullen was ap pointed trustee and caretaker and ad vertised for bids. The sale has been confirmed by the court. Must Pay for Wood. M errill— Representatives of the gen eial land office are railing on residents in this section and demanding payment for wood taken from the public domain during the past three years. In case« where payment is refused arrests will follow Some few weeks ago several parties residing in and about Merrill were summoned to appear before the federal court to answer to a charge of removing wood from a government re serve. W allowa Gets N ew Mill. W a llo w a — Saw m ill machinery with a capacity o f 20,000 fe e t a d \y has just been unloaded here for Haaland Brothers, recent arrivals from North Dakota, who w ill install it on their tim ber holdings, at Spring Dale, 12 miles northeast o f this city. The lum ber w ill be marketed at this point. Nine m ills with a capacity o f more than 30,000,000 fe e t o f lumber, annu ally shipped from W allowa, are now located here. Baker Cattle at Portland. Baker C ity— A carload o f Baker county’s choicest cattle will be en tered in the Union stockyards contest at Portland this month. Honorable George Chandler, known all over the northwest as a breeder o f fine cattle, will send a carload o f his white faced cattle, and local cattlemen who have seen them are confident that they will take the prize. Progress on Oil W ell. Dallas— Work at the Whiteaker oil well is going right ahead just as if the weather were not so severe. The 12 inch casing has all been put in and the big drill is now hammering away on the 10-inch hole. H IG H W A Y S OF CRUSHED ROCK Jackson County Has Plana for Road Improvement W ell in Hand. Ashland A load across Jackson county treated with crushed stone, built ou modern lines, is oue of the improvements planned for next year. Growing out o f the action o f the county court a short time ago, when it ordered the main county thorough fare out o f Ashland northward toward Talent, improved with crushed rock, lias come an agitation for the contin uance of the improvement northward until the main highway across Jackson county shall be, if not a Roman road, different from anything Oregonians have been accustomed to. The county court had arranged for securing a large amount o f crushed rock from the Warren company’s plant below Eagle Mills, used in the recent paving operations in Ashland. It was to 1 m - gotten out after certain work in Medford was completed, and Road- master True had his plans set to go at the work o f placing the rock, when all arrangements were interfered with by the storm. Work will begin again as soon as weather will permit. Jackson county has made more prog ress in road building in the last few years than ever before in her history, notably in the administration o f County Judge Dunn, whose improvement policy is being largely followed under the pres ent regime, but there is room for great improvements yet. The county com missioners arc soon to fix the appor tionment o f taxes for the coming year, and make up the budget of probable ex penses. A heavy levy for road pur poses will meet with less objection on the part o f the taxpayers and the public than any other feature o f the budget. N E W C O A S T LIN E IN S P R IN G . Corvallis & Eastern Company Will Build from Yaquina to N ew p ort N ew p ort— Surveyors for the Corval lis & Eastern Railroad company have for several days past been locating a line from Yaquina to N ew port along the north side o f the bay, over which, Superintendent Walsh o f the company says, the C. & E. will build this spring, com pleting the road in time for the earlg summer travel to the beach. The question o f the establishment o f the depot is one which is causing con siderable speculation in the minds o f N ew port business men. Many rumors are afloat, but thus far nothing defin ite is known as to the location o f the depot. A C H R IS T M A S LEGEND. A soldier in a scarlet cout, One winter long ago. Went out and met a pretty maid In woodlands white with snow; She stood beneath an ancient oak; Her name was Mistletoe. Reclaim Government Swamp Land. Klamath Falls—It is the intention of the directors o f the Klamath Water I s eis ’ association to put forth a de Her cheeks and lips were glowing red. termined effort to have legislation en Like popples In the wheat; with milky acted making it possible to sell the Her locks were twined pearls, government swamp lands and lake beds Her eyes were blue and sweet; to be drained in connection with the He looked arid loved, and. kneeling, Klamath reclamation project. The pro laid ceeds from the sale of the land will His saber at her feet. be applied on the cost o f the project i if the effort proves successful. In this From icy regions of the Pole undertaking the W ater Users’ associa The norther blew all night. tion will have tlie assistance o f the And hung the branches of the pine Klamath chamber o f commerce. With tinkling fringes bright. And made beneath the aged oak Cars Scarce; M ills Close. A frozen mound o f white. Union— The planing mills o f this city have been compelled to again close But when the panes are thick with frost their plants on account o f car shortage. And nights are bitter chill, The railroads will not permit the load And silence, in a crystal coat. ing o f lumber in box cars and the Has eased the silver HU, weather will not permit the loading The pair of faithful lovers haunt The wintry woodland still. o f this commodity on open cars. No restriction has been placed on the loading of box ears with grain and flour and the flouring mill at this place is running to fu ll capacity. N ew Church at Gold Hill. Gold Hill— The Methodist societies of Gold Hill are planning a new church to be erected in Detin addition, thus abandoning the present down-town church, Woodburn is to have a new sawmill with $1,000 monthly payroll. A ... PO RTLAND M ARKETS. Wheat— Bluestem, $1.18(21.20; club, $1.(M)'V/ 1.10; red Russian, $1.06; Valley, $1.04; 40 fold, $1.08. Barley— Feed and brewing, $30 per ton. Oats— No. 1 white, $33(2 33.50 per ton. Hay Timothy, W illamette valley, $1.8(7/20 per ton; eastern Oregon, $18(2 21.50; alfalfa, $16(7/ 16,50; clover, $15(2 16; cheat, $15(7/ 16; grain hay, $15(2)16. Butter- City creamery extras, 39c; fancy outside creamery, 34@39c per pound; store, 22%@24c. (Butter fat prices average lVfcc per pound under regular butter prices.) Eggs— Fresh Oregon extras, 45c per dozen; eastern, 31(2 37’/fee per dozen. Poultry- Hens, 1 3^@ 14 c; springs, 131 •_»(//14c; roosters, 9(2 10c; ducks, 16 (a 16i.jp; jrppse. 11(212c; turkeys, live, 21 (2 22c; dressed, 24(2 25c. Pork— Fancy, 10@10%c per pound. Veal— Extras, 11(211)6« per pound. Fresh fruits— Apples, $1(0 3 per box; pears. $1(2 1.50 per box; quinces, $1.25 (2 1.50 per box; cranberries, $9(29.50 per barrel. Potatoes— Oregon, 60(275c per sack; sweet potatoes, 1 % (n 2c per pound. Vegetables — Artichokes, 75c per dozen; beans, 10c per pound; cabbage, 1 -V per pound; cauliflower, $2 per dozen; celery, $2.75(23.50 per crate; horseradish. $1.50 per box; pumpkins, lC jfr/lU c; sprouts, 8c per pound; squash, 12/1V|C; tomatoes, 75e(2$l; turnips. $1 per sack; carrots, $1; beets, *1.50; parsnips, $1.50; onions, Oregon, $1.50 per sack. Hops— 1909 crop. 18(222*4«; 1908 crop, nominal; 1907 crop, 12c; 1906 crop. 8c. W ool- -Eastern Oregon. 16(223c pei pound; Mohair, choice, 25c per pound. Cascara bark— 4)4* per pound. Hides— Dry hides, 18(219c per pound; dry kip, 17(218« pound; dry calfskin, 192/21c pound; salted hides, 1 0 *4 @ llc; salt* i calfskin, 15(216c pound; green, lc less. « attle Best steers. $4-53(24.75; fair to good. $4(2 4.25; medium and feeders, $3.50(2)3.75; best cows, $3.50(23.75^ medium. $3(2 3.75; common to medium. ♦2.50(2 3.75; hulls. $2(22.50; stags. $2.50 <2 3.50; calves, light, $3.25$D5.5#; heavv, $4(2 4.75. Hogs — Best, $8.40(28.60; medium, $7.50(2)8; Stockers, $6.50(26.75. Sheep Best wethers, $5(25.50; fair to good. $4.25014.75; best ewes, $4.50 (2 5; fair to good, $3.50(23.75; lambs, $5.50(2 6. When with the burden of Its years The oak is bending low. The soldier-holly, stiff and straight, Stands bravely in the snow. Its slender sul**r still unsheathed To guard the mistletoe. Minna In r ifif in the ( ’ riterion. The Runaway Christmas Tree "W e are too poor to have a tree this year,” said the tired man, sadly, and the children went away mourning. And the sun went down and the moon came up, and showed the dark foreet and all the little fir trees lyin g on the great sled, and presently the animals of the forest began to creep, creep among the new white stumps. “ So you are going to the city.” said the white-tailed deer, nibbling the nioss beneath the snow'. “ Yes." whispered all thp little trees, excitedly. But the little fir cried; “ I don’t want to go.” “ Why not?” asked the white-tailed deer, and the little fir told of the chil dren. And the deer came closer, and for a long time the two whispered together. carried off the sled full of young trees but no one noticed that the little tti was gone. And the night before Christmas tin wind blew and blew* again until th« little fir tree stood upright on Its stem and the little fir went hopity-hop. hop lty-hop until it came to the hous« where the children lived. Then out from the forest came th« white-tailed deer and the big rabbit and the little white owl. and the deei pushed softly against the door of th« cottage, and the owl pecked at th« lock, and the rabbit hunched and hii with his hind feet until the door wai opened. And then the little fir tre« bent its head and went in and stood in the corner of the room, and thi three wild things of the forest weni softly from room to room, and cam« back with things to hang on the tree And last of all the little gray owl flew to the topmost branch and hung ther« the pink wax angel with golden wings “ They are good children,’ said th« little white owl. as he flew dow’n again "When the winter Is cold, they harij scraps of meat for me on the trees.” “ And they put carrots in the path,' said the rabbit, "and cabbage, so that I may not go hungry.” “ And behind the barn they drop armfuls of sweet, juicy hay,” said th« deer, “ that I may come in the night and feed." And the little fir tree said: "They are good children, and I would rathei be here than in the big, big city. And then it whispered, "Good-night,” and the wild things went away. And in the morning when thff ohil dren came, they cried. “ Oh, father father, look at the beautiful tree!’ And the lumberman came in and cried in astonishment, “ Who brought it here?” And the little Hr tree whisper ed and sang: “ I ran away from the forest. I ran away.” and presently a big gray rabbit Joined them, and a white owl Hew down and A ll the little fir trees In the forest added wise counsel, and after a while were very inu<4i excited. the deer and the rabbit and the owl “ To-morrow we shall be cut down,” went away, and the little tree lay very, they cried. "an«l then we shall be car very still until midnight. ried to the big city.” ^ But they could not understand, and Then when all the other trees slept Now, none of the little fir trees It rolled from the sled Into the snow, so they stared and wondered, and at knew what ihe city was like, but they and the wind, which blew through the last the lumberman said. “ It Is toe murmured and rustled and whispered forest asked. “ What are you tryin g to late to carry it now to the city, so It And the little tree can stay." And at that the children of the wondeiful things that they do, little tree?” should see. said. “ Help nje to stand." So the wind cried. "A Merry Christmas to a ll!” But there whs one little tree that blew under It until It was upright on And the fir tree whispered happily, “ A And out In th« its stem, and th$n the little tree went Merry Christinas!” asked: “ Do we all go?” “ Yes.” said the other trees; “ to hoplty-hop. hoplty-hop, until came to forest the owl and the rabbit and the a sheltered valley, and there it lay white-tailed deer wished each othei morrow we stait on our travels.” A Merry Christmas!' as they hur Then the little tiee sighed and saJd: down and went to siren. It lay there sleeping and waking in ried a • ay through the snow. Eveninj “ But 1 was promised to the children the sunshine until the men came and Wisconsin of the lumbei Qian.” “ The lumbe man Is poor,” said a big oak. and the e aie hard times This year they must go w ithout a tree ” The next n o nlng, very early, the children came Budging through the snow and stood under the blanches of the little fir. “ This is our tree,” said one of them proudly. “ On Christmas it will be lighter! with candles, with an angel on the topmost bmigh.” “ Such a deal little tree,” said an other; "how wc shall love It.” And the liitle tiee trembled as It heard them, but the children thought that it was the wind that shook It. Then they te n t away, and later came men with axes and cut down all the young tree-» and laid them on a great sled to he carried away. And In the evening, when the sun ma<le a red path of light on the snow, the children on me again and when they saw that tree had been cut down they cried: “ Where Is our own little tree?” And the little tree that lay on the top of the sled answered loud ly: "H ere I am. here I am.” but the children did not understand, they rub bed their eyee with their rough red hands and sobbed “ What's tne matter?" asked their father, as he came tramping through Che wood "Oh. our little tree, our own little tree.” wailed the children “ It 1« cut down and piled with the other trees that are to be sent to the city.” NEARING THIN ICE.