The Rod OF THE EmNBfe Volume II ORMAL School SATU No. 8 ALL CLASSES ENTER CONTEST Anne Rutledge. By a Junior no word from McNiel. It was then that Lin­ coln made his last appeal and Anne did not have the heart to turn away. Lincoln had the sympathy of all the town in his great happiness for he was a general favor­ ite, but in his heart he knew that Anne was not happy. He could see that she was dally failing in health and it grieved him. Out of his great love, he tried to bring her back to health but it was no use. When he tried to amuse her, she smiled but did not laugh. Some­ times he talked of their future but his rose-col­ ored pictures did not have the power to rouse her. At last she took to her bed and when in her delirium she called for Lincoln, he hastened to her side and they were left alone. The same evening, someone saw the tall, bent form of Lincoln hastening away from the village and into the wilderness and they knew that Anne Rutledge was dead. For months Lincoln walked the narrow ledge between reason and insanity. One of his old friends took him to his home and helped him fight the battle which finally resulted in victory. The people of New Salem were ac­ customed to manly friendships and womanly strength and patience, but this love of Lincoln for Anne Rutledge surpassed their comprehen­ sion. At last Lincoln came to himself but the burden of his great sorrow never lifted from his life. We hear his face described as being the saddest ever looked upon by human eye. One day one of his dear friends asked him to read the lines beginning: “Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud ?” Several years afterwards he said to a friend, “Those lines celebrate a grief which lies with continual heaviness on my heart.” Two years after Anne's death, while a mem- Lincoln !was born in the backwoods of Ken­ tucky, in the region where the wild animals yet existed. 1^ these surroundings it seems as though there would be nothing to incite him toward the development of his mind through books. There were no books that he could buy and few that he could borrow although he read through every book that he had ever heard of in that country for a circuit of fifty miles. On one occasion he borrowed Weem’s “Life of Washington,” from a man named Crawford. Late one night before going to bed he placed the book in his only book-case, the opening between two logs in the wall of the cabin, and retired to dream of its contents. During the night it rained and the water drop­ ping over the mud mortar upon the book, stained the leaves and warped the binding. He valued the book in proportion to the in­ terest he had in the hero and felt he owed the owner more than he could repay. It was with the greatest trepidation he took the book home, told the story and asked how he might make restitution. The farmer said, “Well, Abe, seeln’ as it’s you, I won’t be too hard on you.” The book was accounted worth seventy-five cents, so Abe worked for twenty-five cents a day and was greatly relieved to be able to make ammds so easily. The book became his then imd he could read it as he would, fortunately he took this curious work seriously, which a wideawake boy would hardly be ex­ pected to do today. His stock of books was small but he knew them thoroughly and they were good books to know. There are a few books in literature of such vitality, insight and comprehension of hu­ man experience that they are sufficient to edu­ cate the man who knows how to use them. It has been said that three books would make a library, the Bible, Shakespeare and Blackstone’s Commentaries. These books were his com­ panions and there were others which he oc­ casionally met with and from which he derived much. These books and others such as Aesop's [Concluded on Page Sir.] [Concluded on Page Six] Man^ Interesting Stories About Greatest Americans Written for The Birch Rod Anne Rutledge is a woman, who though little spoken of in history, yet was the heroine in the life rorriance of one of our greatest Americans. She was a beautiful young girl with auburn hair, dreamy blue eyes and a fair complexion. Her father was the innkeeper at New Salem, her lover was John McNiel, and one of the boarders at her father’s inn was Abe Lincoln. When McNiel sold his store and left the town everyone wondered why he did not take Anne with him. She was the only one who knew for he had told her that he must go back to his home in the East, but that he would soon return and bring his parents with him, then they would be married. As the weeks and months passed and he neither answered her letters nor returned, Anne began to be anxious. The color, began to fade from her cheeks and the light from her eyes. Her friends thought he had deserted her but she would not believe that. Something must of happened to him. In his awkward way, Abe tried to comfort her but it was hard work for he, too, loved Anne Rutledge, and he would not have been human had he enjoyed the task of pleading a rival’s cause. As time passed and still no word came from McNiel, Lincoln began to plead his own cause and never in all his experience as a lawyer did he have such great difficulty in per­ suading the entire jury as he had now in per­ suading Anne Rutledge. Many times he ut­ tered his pleas and each time he was given a negative answer for the “judge” was still faith­ ful to McNiel. At last, when she could endure the impor­ tunity of his love no longer, Anne consented to accept him, if after ample time had been given, she did not hear from McNiel. Patiently, Lincoln waited for her final answer, rejoicing, yet afraid. June came again and still The Self Education of Lincoln. Page Two THE BIRCH ROD George Washington in Private Life. Abraham Lincoln. We seldom think of George Washington as having once been a boy among other boys, and as being a home-loving man. We see only the general, the statesman, and the presi­ dent. The house in which Washington was born occupied an elevated position overlooking the Potomac river and its valley. It was an old house with four rooms on the ground floor and with immense chimneys at each end. The roof was high and pointed. Nothing but a stone tablet now marks the birthplace of our first president. While George was still a small boy, the Waishington family moved to an estate some­ what similar to their former home, but over­ looking the Rappahannock. In front of the house was a large meadow which afforded an excellent playground for the Washington chil­ dren. George was very fond of out-door sports and grew into a tall, active, robust boy, the leader among his playmates. His brother, Lawrence, of whom he was very fond, had been sent to England to acquire an education. He returned a polished, well educated young man. He became the com­ panion and the ideal of his young half-brother and exerted a great influence over him. The first great sorrow to enter the life of George Washington was the death of his father. Both of his older brothers were married and thus George and his young brothers and sisters were left entirely to the care of their mother. Mrs. Washington often called her children about her in front of the fireplace and read to them stories of heroes and heroic sacrifices which left a deep impression upon the mind and character of her thoughtful son. As George was the eldest of her children at home, Mrs. Washington often consulted with him about the affairs of the estate and concerning the edu­ cation and discipline of the younger; children. Thus he, early'in life, learned valuable lessons in care, responsibility and consideration of others. Washington received but a rudimentary aducation in books but he received a pro­ found education in the school of life. From his earliest boyhood, Washington kept a journal in which he wrote the events of his daily life, his reflections, and his plans for selfimprovement as well as rules for his conduct. Washington was a methodical, order-loving youth with a fondness for mathematics. All his accounts were neatly and accurately kept. Young Washington was in the midst of preparations for a militeuy expedition against the Indians, when his brother, Lawrence, was ordered to the West Indies by his physicians. It is not for us to write anything that has not been written many times before, to tell some anecdote about the immortal Lincoln, to sing his praise any louder than it has been sung, is being sung and will be long as time exists. The question, “Who was the greater man, Lincoln or Washington?” has been worn thread­ bare in debates, both sides have offered strong arguments, yet all in all, not meaning to detract any glory from the mighty Washington, Lincoln was the greatest, most uncomely and most uni­ versally beloved President this United States have ever had. [Concluded on Page Seven.] We all have read more or less of his lowly birth place, the log cabin, of his early life as a rail splitter, clerk and soldier, and his ultimate ascendency to the highest and most honorable office the United States has to give, hence we will speak briefly of his home life. Lincoln was a great lover of home, and his son. Tad, was the idol of the household. Lin­ coln was always interceding in Tad’s behalf, and no task was so important that he could not leave it if Tad had something to say. One night in the summer of 1864 President Lincoln was seated in a room of the White House privately interviewing, behlnJ lockei doors, a reporter going over field maps and discussing the details of an important battle which General Grant was soon to begin. Sud­ denly there came a gentle lapping on the door, but the President paid no attention to it. The tapping was repeated, then the door knob was rattled and a boy’s voice called coaxingly, “Papa, unfasten the door.” Evidently the boy was not afraid of the President of the United States. President Lincoln at once rose and drew the bolts, and Tad, then about eight years old, ran into the room, climbed upon his father’s lap and threw his arms about his father's neck. Tad was in the habit, if he awoke in the night, of creeping into his father’s bed, but that night, not finding him, the boy came to the office, which was on the same floor. Aside from the many familiar objects, docu­ ments, and the disturbed throngs of the outer world, there was the lively little Tad, the one creature above all others the comfort and joy of his father. How much little Tad had to do with great battles, how much that lively boy playing at his father’s knee had to do with the Proclamation, how much he had to do with saving the lives of unfortunate soldiers, no one will ever know, fn that young, happy boy, Mr. Lincoln saw every soldier’s boy, and thought of the homes far away, and the bleed­ ing hearts as some boy, alone on the battle field breathed his life out to his maker. In that innocent child Mr. Lincoln saw what freed hu­ manity might be. So little Tad, unknowingly, helped to write the greatest history of the world. Though long-legged, lank and uncomely, Abraham Lincoln was the most beautiful man the world has ever seen. Potter Society. First Student—“Well, this is Lincoln’s birth­ day, isn’t it?” Second Student—Well! Well! I wondered why everything on the Chapel program this morning was about Lincoln.” Edinboro State Normal School ~ STANDS FOR A HIGH STANDARD OF SCHOLARSHIP THE AMA TEUR SPIRIT IN A THLETICS WHOLESOME SOCIAL ASSOCIATIONS — ...........IT ALSO - BELIEVES IN AND SUPPORTS The Birch Rod Address the Principal Edinboro, Fa. % THE BIRCH ROD Page Three Lincoln’s Nost Striking Characteristics A recent magazine article about Abraham Lincoln ended with these words: "He was characterized by a strong sense of duty and great firmness." That is true, but to these two characteristics we must add five others if we are to give any clear idea of his wonderful na­ ture. These five are: His humor, humility, faith, ability to judge human nature, and his kindness. Lincoln’s sense of duty and great firmness is well summed up in the portrait of him drawn by Mr. Herndon, at one time his partner. "Lincoln is a man of heart, ay, as gentle as a woman, but he has a will as strong as iron, if any question comes up which is doubtful, ques­ tionable, which no man can demonstrate, then perhaps, his friends can rule him; but on justice, right, liberty, the government, the constitution, and the Union, then you may all stand aside; he will rule then, and no man can rule him— no set of men can do it." Every man, woman and child who has heard the name, Abraham Lincoln, associates the word "humor" with that name. His humor was always of a kindly nature, with a humane in­ fluence bridging over the spaces which separate the lofty from the lowly, the great from the humble. It has been said that the first test of a truly great man is his humility, and that humility, like darkness, reveals the heavenly light. Lincoln was a son of the common people, and of that fact he was not ashamed. He never tried to imitate others, but was always his natural self, which is the keynote of good manners. People who ridiculed Abraham Lincoln were ready, when they came to know the man, to apologize for their mistake in judging him. His faith in a higher power was shown in his every action. When first called to the Presidency in the midst of so many national troubles, he said: "A duty devolves on me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved upon any man since the days of Washington. He never could have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied. I feel that I can not succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him." Lincoln’s ability to judge human nature was one of the most remarkable things about this remarkable man. This is shown in many in­ stances, but perhaps none more striking than in his selection of his cabinet officers. But after all, his patience and extreme kind­ ness toward all people are the characteristics which most endeared him to the nation. There are so many, memy instances of this kindness that it is not necessary to bring any special one to notice. In fact, his whole life was one en­ tire and complete illustration of these two beau­ tiful characteristics, patience and kindness. Of all his sayings, this one most accurately portrays his own life: "After all, the one mean­ ing of life is simply to be kind." Commercial Class. Greater Erie's Greater Store—Boston Store A Comfortable Store A large, roomg comfortable store in which to do gour shopping—that is what we claim for the BOSTON STORE. In considering the comfort and convenience of our customers, we have studied how best we could arrange store facilities to make this the most attract­ ive store in Erie in which to do pour trading. Our out of town customers we have had particularlg in mind and we have provided Rest Rooms, Bu­ reau of Information, etc., for their comfort. You mag have gour wraps and other parcels checked at the In­ formation Bureau, Main Floor, thus leaving gou unemcumbered when doing gour shopping. Then the Din­ ing Room in the Basement gou will find most restful and cheerful after a shopping tour. Regular Dinner served dailg and lunches at all times. You would not expect better or tastier cooking in gour own home than gou will find in our dining room. The merchandise of a store, of course, is the backbone of its success, and we claim larger and bet­ ter assorted stocks and as low if not lower prices than gou will find elsewhere. To the students of Edinboro Normal and their friends especiallg we extend an invitatiod to make the BOSTON STORE gour store home. ERIE DRY GOODS CO., State Street, Erie, Pa. ■ Page Four THE BIRCH ROD THE BIRCH A fortnightly newspaper edited by the stu­ dents of The Edinboro State Normal School, and published at the print shop of the Edinboro Independent. TERMS—This newspaper will be supplied for the school year, 1912-13, for the sum of fifty cents, or five cents a copy. This paper is entered as second-class mail matter at the postoffice at Edinboro, Pa. EDITORIAL STAFF Editors...................................Charles Marsh; Donald Richey Athletic Editor................................................Hubert Bentley News Editor......................................................... Alice Walker Alumni Editor.................................................. Helen Whiting Manager..................... .......................... William T. McKelvey Assistant Manager............ .......................... John Harbaugh ABRAHAN LINCOLN. The streets in Washington, D. C., are crowded with soldiers and other people, some of high station, others of low station, some rich, some poor, some hurrying about their business, all wearing a hurried, worried expression on their faces. But look, passing from group to group, speaking to all, a tall gentleman is com­ ing down the street. The great Abraham Lincoln! Look at him! Look at his ungainly height of six feet, three and three-fourths inches; at his broad shoulders which stoop and which are surmounted by a head ridicuously small for his height. Look at the rough, shaggy, coarse black hair, his old-fashioned hat, the greenish grey eyes, the unsightly hollows and lines in his face, his yellowish-brown shriveled skin, his large hands and feet. Notice his ill-fitting clothes, his whole air of awkwardness and lack of refinement, even of education. Indeed he looks what he is or rather what he was, a rail splitter, a country lawyer. An uncultured per­ son. Is this a man to lead a nation through the greatest crisis in all its history? But look, he has stopped. One of the army ambulances is coming up the street bearing some wounded soldiers to one of the hospitals. When he sees it coming he stops, takes off his hat, and with bowed head, stands until it has passed by. When he lifts his head he is smil­ ing, a tender, pitying smile, whOe the»-e are tears in his eyes. What now of his ungainly height? He is not too tall to bear other people’s bur­ dens, to help others to the best of his ability. And his stooping shoulders ? Ah, but they are stooping because he is bearing the sorrow of a nation, the great sorrow of a divided nation, alone, and the burden is nearly too heavy for him, or would be if he did not trust to God to give him strength to bear it, and wisdom to lead his country through her great struggle. And look at his eyes now. A soft, sweet sad­ ness has filled them and the tears are almost overflowing. It is like gazing at a man’s soul laid bare, or down into the very depths of his heart, to look into those eyes. Now we know the line’s care, the hollows, the sallow com­ plexion, are all the result of his wearying work, his zmxiety for us and for our country. His hcuids and feet zue not too large. His big hands will enable him to work more for others; with his big feet he can walk and carry comfort to many who need it—and not grow tired. His clothes do not fit, we know, but there is not a tailor in all the land who is worthy or who is capable of making a suit of clothes good enough for him. And now, as he passes by, smiling, shaking hands, or speaking a sympathetic word we see that he is not awkward. No, he is filled with a grace far beyond physical grace, with refinement far beyond any the best of educations could give him, and as he smiles, we forget his physical homeliness, only remembering the kindness, the sympathy, and the loving tenderness, the great sorrow and anxiety for us, his people, that is behind that smile and in the heart of Abraham Lincoln, our great Abraham Lincoln. Indeed, he was the only man who—like Moses with the child­ ren