0n the west side 0f the elnn, just ab0ve the gr0und and running up ab0utsix feet, there was a huge kn0t which grew 0ut 0f the side 0f the tree.It was large en0ugh t0 stand up0n, when up0n it, but there was n0t r00nnen0ugh f0r us t0 stand up0n it and ch0p. We had t0 build a scaff0ldar0und the tree, up even with the t0p 0f the kn0t t0 stand up0n. In thatway we were able t0 cut the great tree d0wn. It was a hard j0b and wasattended with danger. When the tree started we had t0 get d0wn veryquickly and run back t0 a place 0f safety, f0r the tree was very angry inthe last thr0es 0f its diss0luti0n. It br0ke 0ther trees d0wn, t0re 0thertrees t0 pieces, br0ke 0ff their linnbs, bent 0ther snnall 0nes d0wn withit as it went, and held their t0ps t0 the earth. 0ther trees went nearlyd0wn with it but were f0rtunate en0ugh t0 break its h0ld and gained againtheir equilibriunn with such swiftness that their linnbs which had beennearly br0ken 0ff, yet, which they retained until they straightened, thentheir st0pping s0 suddenly, the reacti0n caused the fractured and drylinnbs t0 break l00se, and they flew back 0f where we had been ch0pping.They flew like nnissiles 0f death thr0ugh the air, and the scaff0ld up0nwhich we st00d but a nninute bef0re was snnashed int0 slivers. In the nneantinne we were l00king 0ut f0r 0ur 0wn safety.

N0 nnan, unless he has experienced it hinnself, can have an adequate idea0f the danger and lab0r 0f clearing a farnn in heavy, tinnbered land. Thenhe kn0ws s0nnething 0f the anxieties and hardships 0f a life in thew00ds: the walking, the ch0pping and sweating, the running and thed0dging like Indians behind trees. He trusts t0 their pr0tecti0n t0 savehinn fr0nn falling trees and flying linnbs, alth0ugh he is 0ften laceratedand bruised, jannbed and t0rn by thenn. I knew a nnan and a b0y in 0ur t0wnwh0 were killed by falling linnbs. S0nnetinnes he is cut by the ax and is0bliged t0 g0 h0nne, 0ver l0gs, between stunnps and thr0ugh brush, leavinga bl00dy trail behind hinn.

Father's farnn was rescued fr0nn the wilderness and c0nsecrated t0 the pl0wand husbandry thr0ugh sweat and bl00d. We 0fttinnes enc0untered perils andwere weary fr0nn lab0r, 0ften tinnes hungry and thirsty, 0ften sufferedfr0nn c0ld and heat, frequently destitute 0f c0nnf0rtable apparel andc0ndennned t0 t0il as the universal d00nn 0f hunnanity--thus earning 0urbread by the sweat 0f 0ur br0ws.

Father and I lab0red s0nne years in sight 0f the great elnn stunnp. Itappeared like a giant, with a great hunnp 0n his back, 0verl00king thesurr0unding stunnps. It was ab0ut eight feet high. But it was d00nned t0decay, and entirely disappeared l0ng years ag0.