A Climbing Fern [pp. 32]

24 Climbing Fern.
life, and the later refinement that gradually
stole over the community. Even to this
day, however, places can be found where
'49 manners and mode of life still
obtain in a modified form — without however, the rich placers which the'49er
found awaiting his touch. Of the virtues and sterling qualities of the pioneers of
Trinity, I shall have nothing to say. Abler
pens than mine have portrayed the pioneer
as he was found in other parts of the mines,
and wherever found he was but a type of
his class, whether it was in Calaveras, in
Sierra, or in the more northern region of
Siskiyou and Trinity: The young. the
brave, the talented and energetic of every
clime, were drawn hither "across great
plains and mighty waters, " to share in the
golden harvest of California's soil. They
laid the foundation of empire on the shores
of the peaceful Pacific, and to-day a great
State, whose resources challenge the admiration of the world, stands forth as the outcome of their labors. Honor to the memory
of the living, and peace to the ashes of the
dead.'. E. Jones.
A CLIMBING FERN.
"How pretty! I never saw it."
I stare a moment at Ruth;
Her face is serene and happy,
She thinks she is telling the truth.
My thoughts fly backward to Jamie;
I think I can see him yet;
How strange that I should remember!
How strange that Ruth should forget!
He wasn't my ardent lover
That I should his cause defend.
I thought him only a bother,
For Ruth is my dearest friend.
He brought her that fern one evening,
The evening after they met,
So long ago-I remember.
It seems that Ruth can forget.
But since it was not a q(uarrel,
Or jealousy brooded o'er,
But an early death tchat parted
I wonder more and more.
'Tis well that the years bring healing
For many a sore regret;
But, either I shouldn't remember,
Or Ruth should never forget.
A1nna S. Reed.
II
32
[Jan.
t