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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 tion through trial and tribulation into the prom
ised land of peace and prosperity.
A Sophomore.
“Watch Us Grow.”
Osborne - Norman Co.
Erie's Fastest Growing Store.
Specialties for Ladies
Coats
Suits Dresses
Lawyer Lincoln Beaten In a Horse
Trade.
While Lincoln was a lawyer traveling the
eighth circuit of Illinois, he and a certain judge
got to bantering each other about their success
in trading horses. It was finally agreed that
they were to trade horses with each other the
next morning at nine o'clock. If either backed
out he was to pay a penalty of twenty-five
dollars.
Promptly at nine o'clock next day Lincoln
appeared with a sawhorse on his shoulder, but
when he saw the judge's horse—the boniest,
spavinedest, stringhaltedest old nag he ever be
held, he set down his sawhorse and sat on it.
Finally he gasped out:
ell, boys, this is the
first time I was ever beaten in a horse trade.”
The bystanders cheered and shouted themselves
hoarse, while Abe led the flea-bittten old
crowbait” away.
We cater especiallg to the
Misses
Dress Trade
Osborne - Norman Co. j
1024-26-28 State Street
|
Cor. 11th and State
f
ERIE, PA.
i
THE BIRCH ROD
AMERICA'S GREATEST.
Tan Shoes
For Young Men
Will be extremelg popular this
winter and for earlp spring.
Swell Stples in hand
some colors
Schluraff Floral Co.
He sleeps beneath an honored mound,
A nation weeps before the scene.
Returned to dust but lives still on,
A hero great, steadfast, serene.
The drenching storms of passing time.
His noble deeds cannot efface.
They only make him more sublime.
The Father of our new-born race.
Leave all orders for
flowers with The Birch
Rod. We order them
free of charge bg tele
phone.
The mellow rays of southern sun.
Reflected from his kingly life;
His valiant deeds and fervent hope.
Awakened courage for the strife.
He nobly viewed the tyrante laws.
Inspected them in freedoms light.
Ignored the threats from Elngland’s pen.
Made tyranny bow before the right.
MASONIC TEMPLE
J. H. BENNETT, Prop.
His kindly eye looked out upon
Our strugglmg nations bitter woe,
‘Til pluck the thistle from your soil.
And plant a flower where it will grow.' ’
The darkened clouds of war hung round.
He felt the bondmens' stifled breath;
He grasped the only hope for peace.
Let not his hold relax till death.
English Stgle
Is accepted as correct for young
men. Call and let us show you
this proper shoe when in Erie.
$4.00 up to $6.00
TROST &. LACEY
Home of Good Goods
828 STA TE ST, ERIE, PA.
ERIE, PA.
People's Barber Shop
Long yetus have passed and zephyr brings
A message from the western main,
“Out of my virtuous heart 1 mold
My choicest clay. Right to sustain.
My breath a loftier thought inspires,
Elxhaled against your rising storm.
Oh, wounded nation, breathe agsdnl
From out my breast, a man is born.”
The New
Page Five
Oh, Knights of Freedom, honor streams
From out your quarried marble tow’r;
An echo clear, through time resounds
A hero’s name, a nation’s dow’r
A tribute we would offer thee,
A voice of praise, who will deny?
Your stainless records live above
A hist’rys zealous, glaring eye.
Shaving
Hair Cutting
Shampooing
NEWS DEPOT.
DAILY and SUNDAY
PAPERS
_____ Students always welcome
DANNY SULLIVAN
Ladies’ and Gents’
TAILOR
Suits Cleaned and Pressed
= 50c .
NEW SONG
A Grand Success
WINDS of MEMOR Y
Upon your life masks we can see.
Beneath a grave and constant care.
Around a country’s shrine of hope,
A living peace established there;
Peace, that one established for us.
Peace, the other saved from stranding,
A living nation’s revered peace.
Such as passeth understanding.
Class ’13.
THE SHANE AND PITY OF IT.
Our country mourned a heart that loved her well.
And small the soul that light regards such loss.
Whose shadow shall fall dark the years across.
Sad looks, half-mast flags and tolling bell
To the wide world a peoples sorrow tell.
We with his record fitly may emboss
The nation’s shield. Ahl treason none may gloss—
The stroke by which our chief so honored fell.
The pity of it! He so"glad to give
That’hand-clasp as a sign of brotherhood.
Trusting men’s aims because his own were pure—
The shame of it! that dsistEurd could receive
Such gentle courtesy and in vile mood
Make of his own response. Death’s grisly lure.
M. F. T.
Written from Edinboro
Normal School dags
Send 15 cents for a copy.
MRS. D. G. CHURCH
Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Edinboro Hotel
E. J. SWANSON. Prop’r
Meals and Lunches at all
Hours.
ICE CREAM
OYSTERS
John V. Laver
FLORIST
Greenhouses: E. 6th St.
Store: 704 State St, Erie.
PHONE YOUR ORDERS.
Page Six
THE BIRCH ROD
The Self-Education of Lincoln.
[Concluded from Page One]
Fables, Robinson Crusoe, and Pilgrim’s Prog
ress brought to him all that was noblest and
best in human experience and gave him high
ideals of life.
One of his companions reports that
when he and Lincoln returned to the house
from work, Lincoln would go at once to
the cupboard, snatch a piece of combread, sit
down, take a book, cock his legs up as high as
his head, and read. “We grubbed, plowed,
weeded and worked together barefooted in the
field.” Every lull in his daily labor he used
for reading, rarely going to his work without a
book. When plowing or cultivating the rough
fields he frequently found a half hour for read
ing for at the end of every long row the horse
was allowed to rest and Lincoln had his book
out and was perched on a stump or fence al
most as soon as the plow had come to a stand
still. One of the few people left in Gentryville who remembers Lincoln, Capt. John La
mar, tells to this day of riding to mill with his
father, and seeing, as they drove along, a boy
sitting on the top rail on an old-fashioned stakeand-ride worm fence, reading so intently that
he did not notice their approach. His father
turning to him said, “John, look at that boy
yonder, and mark my words he will make a
smart man out of himself. I may not see it,
but you’ll see if my words don't come true.”
That boy was Abe Lincoln.
In his habits of reading and study he had
little encouragement from his father but his
stepmother did all she could for him. His own
mother had taught him to read and write, and
he had gone to school as he said by "littles,"
for in all it did not amount to more than a year.
From everything he read he made extracts with
his turkey-buzzard pen and brier root ink.
When he had no paper he would write on a
board, and thus preserve his selections until he
secured a copybook. The wooden fire shovel
was his usual slate on which he wrote, with a
charred stick, while lying at full length before
the fireplace. When the fire shovel became
too grimy for use, he shaved off the charred
portion, leaving his ^slate" clean again. The
logs and boards in his vicinity he covered with
his figures and quotations. By night he read
and worked as long as there was light, and he
kept a book in the crack of the logs in the loft,
to have it at hand at peep of day. Occasion
ally newspapers came into his hands and from
these he learned Henry Clay's speeches by
heart.
His playmate and cousin, Dennis Hanks,
relates the following concerning Lincoln: “Seems
to me now I never seen Abe after he was
twelve 'at he didn't have a book inside his
shirt and had filled his pants pockets with corn
dodgers an' gone off to plow or hoe. When
noon came he'd set under a tree an’ read an’
eat. An’ when he come to the house at night
he'd tilt a cheer back by the chimbley, put his
feet on the rung, an' set on his back-bone an'
read. Aunt Sairy always put a candle on the
mantle tree piece fur him, if she had one. An’
as like as not Abe’d eat his supper thar, takin’
anything she’d give him that he could gnaw at
an' read at the same time. I’ve seen many a
feller come in an’ look at him, Abe not know’in anybody was 'round, an' sneak out agin
like a cat, an’ say: ‘Well, I’ll be darned.’ It
dind’t seem natural, nohow, to see a feller read
like that. Aunt Sairy’d never let the children
pester him. She always declared Abe was
goin’ to be a great man some day, an’ she
wasn’t goin’ to have him hindered.”
Lincoln had acquired the habit of clear
thinking, he had the statesman’s Instinct for
clear thought. He was a man of simple, sin
cere and beautiful speech. His public speak
ing was free from exaggeration, from highsounding phrases, and from the spread-eagleism
which was the fad of the time, he was separat
ed by leagues from the type of political orator
whom he once described as “mpuning the ros
trum, throwing back his head, shining his eyes,
opening his mouth and leaving the rest to God.”
Anna Rutledge
[Concluded from Page One]
her of the Legislature, he said to a fellow
member:
“I seem to others to enjoy life raptueously,
yet when I am alone 1 am so overcome by
m^tle depression that I never dare carry a
pocket knife.”
One day, about a week after the funeral,
John McNiel, true to his promise to Anne
Rutledge, drove into New Salem, bringing
with him his parents and brothers and sisters,
having come all the way from New York in a
wagon. Let us leave him alone in his grief,
except to say that he had been taken ill before
he reached his destination and had never re
ceived any of Anne’s letters.
One cold November day a stranger was
seen walking through Concord. He entered
the graveyard and presently came to a newlymade grave. As he knelt above It he saw the
figure of Abe Lincoln emerging from a thicket
and coming toward him. Lincoln hesitated a
moment.
"John!"
"Abe!"
With clasped hands the two men knelt above
the grave and mingled their tears in a common
sorrow.
A Senior.
The roses Miss Parker received from the
West by express three weeks ago, have with
ered. The petals have all fallen off, but their
sweet fragrance remains and awakens loving
memories. The bare stalks have been put in
water and we hope will root and grow. May
we have more roses in the future.
Our Guarantee
that “Iron Cladt** will completely satisfy you, costs
you nothing. We do not charge 60 cents for a 25
cent garment nor 2Sc for one worth only 15 cents.
We give you full value in the goods themselves and if
you are not satisfied, you simply bring them back and
exchange, or get your money.
Iron Clad Socks
will completely satisfy yon. not simply because they are
strong: or comfortable or beautiful but because they
are all three,and each quality is found lustwhere it
should be for the greatest eflectiveness. To
prove this try a few pairs.
H. G. GILLASPIE
Home of Good Footwear
EDINBORO, PA.
THE BIRCH ROD
George Washington’s Private Life.
[Concluded from Page Two.]
George left his preparations and accompanied
his brother in his search for health. Soon after
their arrival in the West Indies, George con
tracted smallpox.
The following spring they returned to Vir
ginia, and young Washington took a promi
nent part in the French and Indian war, To
ward the close of the war he started out on a
journey to Williamsburg. While crossing the
Pamnuky river he met with a Mr. Chamberlayne, who insisted, with true Virginia hospital
ity, that Washington should dine with him.
Among the company who dined there that
day was a young widow, Martha Custis. She
was a smsll, slight, youthful woman with a
charming personality and engaging manners.
Washington’s haste to reach Williamsburg was
forgotten and he spent the afternoon and the
evening in the genial company of his new
friends.
Washington had not long to stay in Wil
liamsburg. But he made such good use of
that time that before he left he had persuaded
Martha Custis to become Martha Washington.
When peace was again restored to the colo
nies, he returned to Williamstfurg; and on the
6th of January, 1 759, was married to Martha
Custis. The wedding took place amidst a^
joyous company of mutual friends.
*
For three months following the wedding the
young people lived at the White House, Mrs.
Washington’s home. From there they moved ^
to Mount Vernon, which had recently come
into his possesdon. Washington himself de
scribed the estate in the following words: “No
estate in America is more pleasantly situated.
It is a high and healthy country, in a latitude
between the extremes of heat and cold, on one
of the finest rivers in the world; a river well
stocked with various kinds of fish at all seasons
of the year, and in spring with shad, herring,
bass, carp and sturgeon in great abundance.
The borders of the estate are washed by more
than ten miles of tide water; several valuable
fisheries appertain to it; the whole shore in fact,
is one entire fishery.
On this rich estate George and Martha
Washington lived in old Virginia style, with
many colored domestics, and in the midst of
care, plenty and hospitality. Among the slaves
were men of all trades and nearly everything
needed was produced on the estate.
Washington loved this life of retirement
with all its care and responsibility. It was his
ideal life. He loved nothing better than the
calm and quiet of domestic life. He loved the
independence, the dignity and plenty of the
planter’s life.
Washington was very fond of young people
and was always very gracious and gentle to
ward them. He had no children of his own
but he grew very fond of his wife’s son and
daughter. He was deeply grieved at the
death of his stepdaughter which occurred in
1773.
George and Martha Washington gave many
pleasant entertainments at Mount Vernon.
Mrs. Washington made her visits in a handsome
carriage drawn by four splendid horses. Wash
ington himself rarely drove but rode on horse
back.
During clear weather he rode about his
plantation overseeing the work of his men, and
in stormy weather he occupied himself with sort
ing papers and writing up his accounts.
Only the call of public duty could draw him
from his retirement and he turned in relief to
his plantation at the close of the Revolution.
But he was again called forth to take his posi
tion at the helm of the new Ship of State and
set it out safely on its voyage into the world
of nations.
Philo Society.
It is told of Washington that during the
Revolutienary war a flag of truce coming in
at New York, brought a letter fro.m General
Howe addressed to
“Mr. Washington.’’
Our general took the letter from the redcoated soldier and, glancing at the address said:
“Why, this letter is not for me. It is directed
to a planter in Virginia. I’ll keep it and give
it to him at the end of the war.’’
While speaking he thrust the letter into his
pocket, ordered the flag of truce out of the lines
and directed the gunners to stand by. Before
another hour the redcoat returned with another
letter addressed to “His Excellency, General
Washington.’’
General Howe had taken the hint.
—Commercial.
Mabel—“Of all things I’d hate the very
worst to be a dentist.’’
Verna ‘But you took the very words out
of my month this morning in psychology,”
Harrv Thompson
9 E. 9th ST., ERIE, PA.
See our line of Fire Arms,
Fishing Tackle, Cutlerg,
Athletic Goods, Mechani
cal and Electrical Togs, &c
Page Seven
Clean Sweep Sale
Now in Progress
The Greatest Aggregation of De
sirable Merchandise Ever Gath
ered Together Under One Roof in
Erie will be found in this Sale.
The thousands of people who
look forward each six months to
the matchless moneg saving op
portunities this store offers will
have cause to remember this
clean sweep sale with keener jog
than ang sale theg have ever at
tended. The stocks are larger,
the values are greater. Those
two brief sentences coming from
this store should be sufficient of
themselves to send hundreds hurrging here for this sale, and everg
dag of the sale, keeping the store
in a turmoil of enthusiasm from
the moment of the commencement
of the sale until its close.
Our business the past few gears
has been growing — growing—
growing—and at a pace which
warranted us last spring in plac
ing orders for fall deliverg simplg iremendous. But we could not
foretell the weather, and despite
a magnificent fall trade-—ges, a
record breaking one, our stocks
are heavier than good judgment
or business requires, and with the
end of the season right here we
will unload, sweep end of the sea
son odds and ends and heavg
merchandise from the store. New
brooms have been bought especiallg for this event, and theg
will sjpeep clean. It's a match
less chance to save, so be sure
and visit the store during the next
few dags.
/!I
-----------------
-
Trask
Prescott &
Richardson Co.
9th and State Streets
- .
ERIE, PA.
I
Page Eight
THE BIRCH ROD
It’s a store that was founded
in 1852 on such principles
that have built for Erie
a great store.
%
Washington’s First Public Service.
A pashing Arrag of
George Washington’s first public service is
probably not so well known by the American
people, as is his later service during the Revo
lutionary waw, and his service as first President
of the United States.
While a boy, Washington received a fair
English education, but not more.
He liked
better a military life and most of his sports were
of a military character.
j
THESE
PRINCIPLES
ARE:
I Recommending nothing which is
I
not a true value; if found otherI wise, a return of goods and re- j
I fund of money.
Always on the lookout for tile new
I
!
I
things, and when such ihings\
are created in the fashion cen-1
ters of the world that co-operate I
with good style and good j’udg-1
ment, they're brought forth and I
recommended to you, and. noth-1
ing that represents an exhorbit-1
ant profit.
I
A force of intelligent sales people I
striving do be of service lo you. I
A store where visitors are welcome I
the same as customers lo stroll I
about and feel at the same ease I
as they would in their own\
homes.
I
WARNER BROS.,
ERIE, PENN'A
He excelled all of his
companions m athlfetic sports.
He also became a skillful surveyor and found
the work highly profitable for in this way he
became accustomed to the wilderness.
Washington first came into public notice
about 1753, shortly before the breaking out of
the French and Indian war. He was at this
time about twenty-one years of age. The
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, sent by him a
message to the commanders of the French forts,
Venango and LeBoeuf.
This journey through the wilderness, a dis
tance of about four hundred miles, was full of
peril. He was attacked by an Indian at one
time and barely escaped being killed. At an
other time when he was crossing the Allegheny
river on a rude raft, between large masses of
floating ice, he was thrown out into the water
but swam to the shore and was saved.
It was not for such a man as Washington to
be lost in this way; one who was to be invalu
able to his country in after years.
He proved a very skillful leader in the
French and Indian war, and is said to have
fired the first shot of the war.
Although the English generals did not ap
preciate him at the time, he proved a valuable
aid to them. He, with other American lead
ers, was pushed aside to give a place for British
officers.
At the battle of Fort Duquesne had it not
been for Washington, who knew how to fight
the Indians in Indian fashion, the entire army
would have been lost. General Braddock
knew nothing of Indian customs and had his
army in regular array when they were attacked.
Braddock was mortally wounded and was
carried from the field. Washington covered
the flight and saved the wreck of the armj^
from pursuit.
In this battle ^Vashington seemed every
where present. An Indian chief with his braves,
singled him out and shot at him; four balls pas^
ed through his clothes, and two horses were
shot from under him.
'i
In spite of all the difficulties that beset
Washington received the training in this war
which enabled him to fight even British regu
lars when the proper time came.
;^
A Freshman.
V
'A-
-
The “Derby” Hats
Bear inspection and you are Cordially
invited. The Swellest New Things in
Hats for Spring. A $2 Hat with a S3
look.
A beautiful selection of Fancy Bands
qnd Class Colors at 25c.
The Derby Hat Co.
908 State Street
ERIE, PA.
Holmquist Photo Co.
EXPERT DEVELOPING
AND FINISHING
Columbia Grapho'
phones and Records
622 State Street, 0pp. Postoffice
ERIE, PENNA
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 tion through trial and tribulation into the prom
ised land of peace and prosperity.
A Sophomore.
“Watch Us Grow.”
Osborne - Norman Co.
Erie's Fastest Growing Store.
Specialties for Ladies
Coats
Suits Dresses
Lawyer Lincoln Beaten In a Horse
Trade.
While Lincoln was a lawyer traveling the
eighth circuit of Illinois, he and a certain judge
got to bantering each other about their success
in trading horses. It was finally agreed that
they were to trade horses with each other the
next morning at nine o'clock. If either backed
out he was to pay a penalty of twenty-five
dollars.
Promptly at nine o'clock next day Lincoln
appeared with a sawhorse on his shoulder, but
when he saw the judge's horse—the boniest,
spavinedest, stringhaltedest old nag he ever be
held, he set down his sawhorse and sat on it.
Finally he gasped out:
ell, boys, this is the
first time I was ever beaten in a horse trade.”
The bystanders cheered and shouted themselves
hoarse, while Abe led the flea-bittten old
crowbait” away.
We cater especiallg to the
Misses
Dress Trade
Osborne - Norman Co. j
1024-26-28 State Street
|
Cor. 11th and State
f
ERIE, PA.
i
THE BIRCH ROD
AMERICA'S GREATEST.
Tan Shoes
For Young Men
Will be extremelg popular this
winter and for earlp spring.
Swell Stples in hand
some colors
Schluraff Floral Co.
He sleeps beneath an honored mound,
A nation weeps before the scene.
Returned to dust but lives still on,
A hero great, steadfast, serene.
The drenching storms of passing time.
His noble deeds cannot efface.
They only make him more sublime.
The Father of our new-born race.
Leave all orders for
flowers with The Birch
Rod. We order them
free of charge bg tele
phone.
The mellow rays of southern sun.
Reflected from his kingly life;
His valiant deeds and fervent hope.
Awakened courage for the strife.
He nobly viewed the tyrante laws.
Inspected them in freedoms light.
Ignored the threats from Elngland’s pen.
Made tyranny bow before the right.
MASONIC TEMPLE
J. H. BENNETT, Prop.
His kindly eye looked out upon
Our strugglmg nations bitter woe,
‘Til pluck the thistle from your soil.
And plant a flower where it will grow.' ’
The darkened clouds of war hung round.
He felt the bondmens' stifled breath;
He grasped the only hope for peace.
Let not his hold relax till death.
English Stgle
Is accepted as correct for young
men. Call and let us show you
this proper shoe when in Erie.
$4.00 up to $6.00
TROST &. LACEY
Home of Good Goods
828 STA TE ST, ERIE, PA.
ERIE, PA.
People's Barber Shop
Long yetus have passed and zephyr brings
A message from the western main,
“Out of my virtuous heart 1 mold
My choicest clay. Right to sustain.
My breath a loftier thought inspires,
Elxhaled against your rising storm.
Oh, wounded nation, breathe agsdnl
From out my breast, a man is born.”
The New
Page Five
Oh, Knights of Freedom, honor streams
From out your quarried marble tow’r;
An echo clear, through time resounds
A hero’s name, a nation’s dow’r
A tribute we would offer thee,
A voice of praise, who will deny?
Your stainless records live above
A hist’rys zealous, glaring eye.
Shaving
Hair Cutting
Shampooing
NEWS DEPOT.
DAILY and SUNDAY
PAPERS
_____ Students always welcome
DANNY SULLIVAN
Ladies’ and Gents’
TAILOR
Suits Cleaned and Pressed
= 50c .
NEW SONG
A Grand Success
WINDS of MEMOR Y
Upon your life masks we can see.
Beneath a grave and constant care.
Around a country’s shrine of hope,
A living peace established there;
Peace, that one established for us.
Peace, the other saved from stranding,
A living nation’s revered peace.
Such as passeth understanding.
Class ’13.
THE SHANE AND PITY OF IT.
Our country mourned a heart that loved her well.
And small the soul that light regards such loss.
Whose shadow shall fall dark the years across.
Sad looks, half-mast flags and tolling bell
To the wide world a peoples sorrow tell.
We with his record fitly may emboss
The nation’s shield. Ahl treason none may gloss—
The stroke by which our chief so honored fell.
The pity of it! He so"glad to give
That’hand-clasp as a sign of brotherhood.
Trusting men’s aims because his own were pure—
The shame of it! that dsistEurd could receive
Such gentle courtesy and in vile mood
Make of his own response. Death’s grisly lure.
M. F. T.
Written from Edinboro
Normal School dags
Send 15 cents for a copy.
MRS. D. G. CHURCH
Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Edinboro Hotel
E. J. SWANSON. Prop’r
Meals and Lunches at all
Hours.
ICE CREAM
OYSTERS
John V. Laver
FLORIST
Greenhouses: E. 6th St.
Store: 704 State St, Erie.
PHONE YOUR ORDERS.
Page Six
THE BIRCH ROD
The Self-Education of Lincoln.
[Concluded from Page One]
Fables, Robinson Crusoe, and Pilgrim’s Prog
ress brought to him all that was noblest and
best in human experience and gave him high
ideals of life.
One of his companions reports that
when he and Lincoln returned to the house
from work, Lincoln would go at once to
the cupboard, snatch a piece of combread, sit
down, take a book, cock his legs up as high as
his head, and read. “We grubbed, plowed,
weeded and worked together barefooted in the
field.” Every lull in his daily labor he used
for reading, rarely going to his work without a
book. When plowing or cultivating the rough
fields he frequently found a half hour for read
ing for at the end of every long row the horse
was allowed to rest and Lincoln had his book
out and was perched on a stump or fence al
most as soon as the plow had come to a stand
still. One of the few people left in Gentryville who remembers Lincoln, Capt. John La
mar, tells to this day of riding to mill with his
father, and seeing, as they drove along, a boy
sitting on the top rail on an old-fashioned stakeand-ride worm fence, reading so intently that
he did not notice their approach. His father
turning to him said, “John, look at that boy
yonder, and mark my words he will make a
smart man out of himself. I may not see it,
but you’ll see if my words don't come true.”
That boy was Abe Lincoln.
In his habits of reading and study he had
little encouragement from his father but his
stepmother did all she could for him. His own
mother had taught him to read and write, and
he had gone to school as he said by "littles,"
for in all it did not amount to more than a year.
From everything he read he made extracts with
his turkey-buzzard pen and brier root ink.
When he had no paper he would write on a
board, and thus preserve his selections until he
secured a copybook. The wooden fire shovel
was his usual slate on which he wrote, with a
charred stick, while lying at full length before
the fireplace. When the fire shovel became
too grimy for use, he shaved off the charred
portion, leaving his ^slate" clean again. The
logs and boards in his vicinity he covered with
his figures and quotations. By night he read
and worked as long as there was light, and he
kept a book in the crack of the logs in the loft,
to have it at hand at peep of day. Occasion
ally newspapers came into his hands and from
these he learned Henry Clay's speeches by
heart.
His playmate and cousin, Dennis Hanks,
relates the following concerning Lincoln: “Seems
to me now I never seen Abe after he was
twelve 'at he didn't have a book inside his
shirt and had filled his pants pockets with corn
dodgers an' gone off to plow or hoe. When
noon came he'd set under a tree an’ read an’
eat. An’ when he come to the house at night
he'd tilt a cheer back by the chimbley, put his
feet on the rung, an' set on his back-bone an'
read. Aunt Sairy always put a candle on the
mantle tree piece fur him, if she had one. An’
as like as not Abe’d eat his supper thar, takin’
anything she’d give him that he could gnaw at
an' read at the same time. I’ve seen many a
feller come in an’ look at him, Abe not know’in anybody was 'round, an' sneak out agin
like a cat, an’ say: ‘Well, I’ll be darned.’ It
dind’t seem natural, nohow, to see a feller read
like that. Aunt Sairy’d never let the children
pester him. She always declared Abe was
goin’ to be a great man some day, an’ she
wasn’t goin’ to have him hindered.”
Lincoln had acquired the habit of clear
thinking, he had the statesman’s Instinct for
clear thought. He was a man of simple, sin
cere and beautiful speech. His public speak
ing was free from exaggeration, from highsounding phrases, and from the spread-eagleism
which was the fad of the time, he was separat
ed by leagues from the type of political orator
whom he once described as “mpuning the ros
trum, throwing back his head, shining his eyes,
opening his mouth and leaving the rest to God.”
Anna Rutledge
[Concluded from Page One]
her of the Legislature, he said to a fellow
member:
“I seem to others to enjoy life raptueously,
yet when I am alone 1 am so overcome by
m^tle depression that I never dare carry a
pocket knife.”
One day, about a week after the funeral,
John McNiel, true to his promise to Anne
Rutledge, drove into New Salem, bringing
with him his parents and brothers and sisters,
having come all the way from New York in a
wagon. Let us leave him alone in his grief,
except to say that he had been taken ill before
he reached his destination and had never re
ceived any of Anne’s letters.
One cold November day a stranger was
seen walking through Concord. He entered
the graveyard and presently came to a newlymade grave. As he knelt above It he saw the
figure of Abe Lincoln emerging from a thicket
and coming toward him. Lincoln hesitated a
moment.
"John!"
"Abe!"
With clasped hands the two men knelt above
the grave and mingled their tears in a common
sorrow.
A Senior.
The roses Miss Parker received from the
West by express three weeks ago, have with
ered. The petals have all fallen off, but their
sweet fragrance remains and awakens loving
memories. The bare stalks have been put in
water and we hope will root and grow. May
we have more roses in the future.
Our Guarantee
that “Iron Cladt** will completely satisfy you, costs
you nothing. We do not charge 60 cents for a 25
cent garment nor 2Sc for one worth only 15 cents.
We give you full value in the goods themselves and if
you are not satisfied, you simply bring them back and
exchange, or get your money.
Iron Clad Socks
will completely satisfy yon. not simply because they are
strong: or comfortable or beautiful but because they
are all three,and each quality is found lustwhere it
should be for the greatest eflectiveness. To
prove this try a few pairs.
H. G. GILLASPIE
Home of Good Footwear
EDINBORO, PA.
THE BIRCH ROD
George Washington’s Private Life.
[Concluded from Page Two.]
George left his preparations and accompanied
his brother in his search for health. Soon after
their arrival in the West Indies, George con
tracted smallpox.
The following spring they returned to Vir
ginia, and young Washington took a promi
nent part in the French and Indian war, To
ward the close of the war he started out on a
journey to Williamsburg. While crossing the
Pamnuky river he met with a Mr. Chamberlayne, who insisted, with true Virginia hospital
ity, that Washington should dine with him.
Among the company who dined there that
day was a young widow, Martha Custis. She
was a smsll, slight, youthful woman with a
charming personality and engaging manners.
Washington’s haste to reach Williamsburg was
forgotten and he spent the afternoon and the
evening in the genial company of his new
friends.
Washington had not long to stay in Wil
liamsburg. But he made such good use of
that time that before he left he had persuaded
Martha Custis to become Martha Washington.
When peace was again restored to the colo
nies, he returned to Williamstfurg; and on the
6th of January, 1 759, was married to Martha
Custis. The wedding took place amidst a^
joyous company of mutual friends.
*
For three months following the wedding the
young people lived at the White House, Mrs.
Washington’s home. From there they moved ^
to Mount Vernon, which had recently come
into his possesdon. Washington himself de
scribed the estate in the following words: “No
estate in America is more pleasantly situated.
It is a high and healthy country, in a latitude
between the extremes of heat and cold, on one
of the finest rivers in the world; a river well
stocked with various kinds of fish at all seasons
of the year, and in spring with shad, herring,
bass, carp and sturgeon in great abundance.
The borders of the estate are washed by more
than ten miles of tide water; several valuable
fisheries appertain to it; the whole shore in fact,
is one entire fishery.
On this rich estate George and Martha
Washington lived in old Virginia style, with
many colored domestics, and in the midst of
care, plenty and hospitality. Among the slaves
were men of all trades and nearly everything
needed was produced on the estate.
Washington loved this life of retirement
with all its care and responsibility. It was his
ideal life. He loved nothing better than the
calm and quiet of domestic life. He loved the
independence, the dignity and plenty of the
planter’s life.
Washington was very fond of young people
and was always very gracious and gentle to
ward them. He had no children of his own
but he grew very fond of his wife’s son and
daughter. He was deeply grieved at the
death of his stepdaughter which occurred in
1773.
George and Martha Washington gave many
pleasant entertainments at Mount Vernon.
Mrs. Washington made her visits in a handsome
carriage drawn by four splendid horses. Wash
ington himself rarely drove but rode on horse
back.
During clear weather he rode about his
plantation overseeing the work of his men, and
in stormy weather he occupied himself with sort
ing papers and writing up his accounts.
Only the call of public duty could draw him
from his retirement and he turned in relief to
his plantation at the close of the Revolution.
But he was again called forth to take his posi
tion at the helm of the new Ship of State and
set it out safely on its voyage into the world
of nations.
Philo Society.
It is told of Washington that during the
Revolutienary war a flag of truce coming in
at New York, brought a letter fro.m General
Howe addressed to
“Mr. Washington.’’
Our general took the letter from the redcoated soldier and, glancing at the address said:
“Why, this letter is not for me. It is directed
to a planter in Virginia. I’ll keep it and give
it to him at the end of the war.’’
While speaking he thrust the letter into his
pocket, ordered the flag of truce out of the lines
and directed the gunners to stand by. Before
another hour the redcoat returned with another
letter addressed to “His Excellency, General
Washington.’’
General Howe had taken the hint.
—Commercial.
Mabel—“Of all things I’d hate the very
worst to be a dentist.’’
Verna ‘But you took the very words out
of my month this morning in psychology,”
Harrv Thompson
9 E. 9th ST., ERIE, PA.
See our line of Fire Arms,
Fishing Tackle, Cutlerg,
Athletic Goods, Mechani
cal and Electrical Togs, &c
Page Seven
Clean Sweep Sale
Now in Progress
The Greatest Aggregation of De
sirable Merchandise Ever Gath
ered Together Under One Roof in
Erie will be found in this Sale.
The thousands of people who
look forward each six months to
the matchless moneg saving op
portunities this store offers will
have cause to remember this
clean sweep sale with keener jog
than ang sale theg have ever at
tended. The stocks are larger,
the values are greater. Those
two brief sentences coming from
this store should be sufficient of
themselves to send hundreds hurrging here for this sale, and everg
dag of the sale, keeping the store
in a turmoil of enthusiasm from
the moment of the commencement
of the sale until its close.
Our business the past few gears
has been growing — growing—
growing—and at a pace which
warranted us last spring in plac
ing orders for fall deliverg simplg iremendous. But we could not
foretell the weather, and despite
a magnificent fall trade-—ges, a
record breaking one, our stocks
are heavier than good judgment
or business requires, and with the
end of the season right here we
will unload, sweep end of the sea
son odds and ends and heavg
merchandise from the store. New
brooms have been bought especiallg for this event, and theg
will sjpeep clean. It's a match
less chance to save, so be sure
and visit the store during the next
few dags.
/!I
-----------------
-
Trask
Prescott &
Richardson Co.
9th and State Streets
- .
ERIE, PA.
I
Page Eight
THE BIRCH ROD
It’s a store that was founded
in 1852 on such principles
that have built for Erie
a great store.
%
Washington’s First Public Service.
A pashing Arrag of
George Washington’s first public service is
probably not so well known by the American
people, as is his later service during the Revo
lutionary waw, and his service as first President
of the United States.
While a boy, Washington received a fair
English education, but not more.
He liked
better a military life and most of his sports were
of a military character.
j
THESE
PRINCIPLES
ARE:
I Recommending nothing which is
I
not a true value; if found otherI wise, a return of goods and re- j
I fund of money.
Always on the lookout for tile new
I
!
I
things, and when such ihings\
are created in the fashion cen-1
ters of the world that co-operate I
with good style and good j’udg-1
ment, they're brought forth and I
recommended to you, and. noth-1
ing that represents an exhorbit-1
ant profit.
I
A force of intelligent sales people I
striving do be of service lo you. I
A store where visitors are welcome I
the same as customers lo stroll I
about and feel at the same ease I
as they would in their own\
homes.
I
WARNER BROS.,
ERIE, PENN'A
He excelled all of his
companions m athlfetic sports.
He also became a skillful surveyor and found
the work highly profitable for in this way he
became accustomed to the wilderness.
Washington first came into public notice
about 1753, shortly before the breaking out of
the French and Indian war. He was at this
time about twenty-one years of age. The
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, sent by him a
message to the commanders of the French forts,
Venango and LeBoeuf.
This journey through the wilderness, a dis
tance of about four hundred miles, was full of
peril. He was attacked by an Indian at one
time and barely escaped being killed. At an
other time when he was crossing the Allegheny
river on a rude raft, between large masses of
floating ice, he was thrown out into the water
but swam to the shore and was saved.
It was not for such a man as Washington to
be lost in this way; one who was to be invalu
able to his country in after years.
He proved a very skillful leader in the
French and Indian war, and is said to have
fired the first shot of the war.
Although the English generals did not ap
preciate him at the time, he proved a valuable
aid to them. He, with other American lead
ers, was pushed aside to give a place for British
officers.
At the battle of Fort Duquesne had it not
been for Washington, who knew how to fight
the Indians in Indian fashion, the entire army
would have been lost. General Braddock
knew nothing of Indian customs and had his
army in regular array when they were attacked.
Braddock was mortally wounded and was
carried from the field. Washington covered
the flight and saved the wreck of the armj^
from pursuit.
In this battle ^Vashington seemed every
where present. An Indian chief with his braves,
singled him out and shot at him; four balls pas^
ed through his clothes, and two horses were
shot from under him.
'i
In spite of all the difficulties that beset
Washington received the training in this war
which enabled him to fight even British regu
lars when the proper time came.
;^
A Freshman.
V
'A-
-
The “Derby” Hats
Bear inspection and you are Cordially
invited. The Swellest New Things in
Hats for Spring. A $2 Hat with a S3
look.
A beautiful selection of Fancy Bands
qnd Class Colors at 25c.
The Derby Hat Co.
908 State Street
ERIE, PA.
Holmquist Photo Co.
EXPERT DEVELOPING
AND FINISHING
Columbia Grapho'
phones and Records
622 State Street, 0pp. Postoffice
ERIE, PENNA
Media of