LUMBER TALKED

Here is anoth€r of those delightful poems by Mrs'- Fred E.--Conner, of Sacramento, wife ofthe head of the 'Sacra-."1o io-'ber Co., and hersel{ advertising writer for that concern.

In the judgement of the The California Lurnber Merchant Mrs. C6nner classes in the very first rank of lumber oo.tr. There is true poesy in her wtitings, together with uerfect rhvthm and meter. The fol'lowing poem recently appeared it on" of her advertisements in The Sacramento n'.'., ttt" remainder of the ad being an extract from The Cutii*"i" Lumrber Merchant on housing farm machinery:

Lumber Talked

To-day, as I passed by a l-qmber pi.le, I heaid a voice saying, "Wait a while; I'm sorry to interruPt Your walk;But only at times do I wish to talk."

Amazed was I, that with so much ease Boards could speak, that had once been trees, And pausing tdere with no thoughts of slumber I heard theie words from a pile oi lumber' "I came from a forest great and free, I bring you aromas of flower and tree, And I wait to be fashioned firm and true Into a Home that 'maY shelter You. Let the swift years come and go hurrying by, If on'ly again I 'may front.the sky-; Usefui, piotective, -and fair to behold, Kissed ,by the sunlight as of old.

I am moie pliable than steel, And many beauties do I reveal In polished mantel, in column- tall, In gracefu'l archway and paneled wall' I am more m,ore durable than stone. And far and wide is mY record known; For Homes of romance and renown, For treasured landmarks in every town, Have bravely the stor'ms of time withstood Because they were builded of sturdy wood' For stately dwelling or bungalow

I'm the'best m'aterial that you know' I resist the storms when wild winds hum. I do not fall when the earthquakes' come; So buirld your dear new HOME of me

And dreim by your fireside of flower and tree"'

Now this is no dream, for I did not slumber; I heard that "TALK" from a pile of lumber.

A. M. C.