Ohio Arbor Day 1913: Arbor and Bird Day Manual Part 10

THE LOGAN ELM.

The Logan Elm, about six miles from Circleville, with five acres of park surrounding it, is now the property of the Ohio Historical and Archaeological Society, having been transferred to that organization by the Pickaway Historical a.s.sociation on October 2, 1912. It is altogether proper that this historic tree and ground should become the property of Ohio so that every person in our commonwealth may feel a proprietary interest in this spot and all that it means.

We have traveled far on the pathway of civilization since the day when the Chief of the Mingoes made this spot memorable by his native eloquence, but we do well to look back, now and again, to these landmarks so as to catch a view of the road over which we have come.

Such a view gives us courage and spirit for the journey that lies before us for we are made to feel that since we have done this much we shall be able to do even more and better.

In his historical collections Howe says of the speech of Logan: "It was repeated throughout the North American Colonies as a lesson of eloquence in the schools, and copied upon the pages of literary journals in Great Britain and the Continent. This brief effusion of mingled pride, courage and sorrow, elevated the character of the native American throughout the intelligent world; and the place where it was delivered can never be forgotten so long as touching eloquence is admired by men."

This being true, it is quite fitting that the schools shall place this speech in the category of eloquence and give the children to know that real eloquence is the expression of deep and sincere emotion. The Logan Elm remains to us the visible symbol of an example of this sort of eloquence and our celebration of Arbor Day will be all the more inspiring if all the children come to know the meaning of this tree and feel the real eloquence of the speech.

The version of the speech here given is found in Jefferson's Notes and is as follows:

"I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry and I gave him not meats; if ever he came cold or naked and I gave him not clothing. During the course of the last long and b.l.o.o.d.y war, Logan remained in his tent an advocate for peace. Nay, such was my love for the whites, that those of my own country pointed at me as they pa.s.sed by and said, 'Logan is the friend of white men.' I had even thought to live with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, cut off all the relatives of Logan; not sparing even any women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any human creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. Yet, do not harbor the thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."

--_F. B. Pearson._

LITTLE DOG TRAY.

When at the close of a wearisome day Homeward disheartened, you moodily stray, What would you take for your little dog Tray?

Take for the wag of his tail?

Sitting alone at the old picket gate, Little dog Tray will patiently wait Watching: No matter if early or late Slow is the wag of his tail.

Look! see him start as a form comes in view!

What has the dog with that vision to do?

How does he tell that he knows it is you?

Just by the wag of his tail.

Oh, the wild glee in his rhythmical song Sung in the motion that keeps him along!

Is it a love that he bears for the throng?

Judge by the wag of his tail.

Swift as the wind he has run to your side, Eager and happy to show you his pride; Bounding aloft, then ahead as your guide Merrily wagging his tail.

No one may know why he loves you so well Nor if your voice or your face weave the spell But that he loves you his actions will tell, Such as the wag of his tail.

Loves you and shares in your hunger and thirst Riches and poverty, landed or cursed, Always the same, for the best or the worst Proved by the wag of his tail.

Love such as his will abide to the end, Do what you will, distort your ways you may wend, Hards.h.i.+ps and knocks but insure him your friend Shown by the wag of his tail.

Curse him--he lies at your feet to adore!

Strike him--he loves you the same as before!

Violent blows--snap your finger! Once more There is the wag of his tail.

Watchful he sits at your side in repose Loyal before you he stealthily goes Eager to champion your cause with your foes Told by the wag of his tail.

Friends.h.i.+p may fade and earth's love may grow cold Chains such as these oft are flimsiest mold, Love of the dog for his master will hold Long as the wag of his tail.

Not as a peer, neither cringing like slave One solemn boon, as the last he may crave, Little dog Tray sits and moans on your grave Sad is the way of his tail.

When at the close of a wearisome day Homeward, disheartened, you moodily stray, What would you take for your little dog Tray?

Take for the wag of his tail?

--_By Walter P. Neff._

[Ill.u.s.tration: LADY BETTY.]

A KIPLING TRIBUTE.

"Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie Perfect pa.s.sion and wors.h.i.+p fed, By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head, Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits, And the "Vet's" unspoken presentation runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find, its your own affair That -- -- -- you've given your heart for a dog to tear."

--_By Lee A. Dollinger._

"MAN'S BEST FRIEND."

Senator Vest had been retained as the Attorney of a man whose dog had been wantonly shot by a neighbor. The plaintiff demanded $200.00.

When Vest finished speaking the jury awarded $500.00 without leaving their seats. This is what he said:

"_Gentlemen of the Jury:_ The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most.

"A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill considered action. The people who are p.r.o.ne to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.

"A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He will guard the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains.

"When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love, as the sun on its journey through the heavens. If misfortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in his embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his grave side will the n.o.ble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death."

"There is but one drawback to a dog's friends.h.i.+p, It does not last long enough."

--_Van d.y.k.e._