ime. But the fourfoots
are easier to get at. For them, we will arrange a visitors' book at the
foot of the tree, so that every little creature in fur will write his
name, and some passing thought, as he comes to the tree.

How?

Oh, it is simple; I have often done it. First clear and level the ground
around the tree for three or four feet; then cover it with a coat of
dust, ashes, or sand--whichever is easiest to get; rake and brush it
smooth; then wait over one night.

Next morning--most quadrupeds are night-walkers--come back; and you
will find that every creature on four feet that went to the tree
tenement-house has left us its trail; that is its track or trace.

No two animals make the same trail, so that every Squirrel that climbed,
every 'Coon or 'Possum, every Tree-mouse, and every Cottontail that went
by, has clearly put himself on record without meaning to do so; and we
who study Woodcraft can read the record, and tell just who passed by in
the night.

TALE 95

The Crooked Stick

Once upon a time there was a girl who was very anxious to know what sort
of a husband she should get; so, of course, she went to the old
wood-witch.

The witch asked a few questions, then said to the girl: "You walk
straight through that woods, turn neither to right nor left, and never
turn back an inch, and pick me out a straight stick, the straighter the
better; but pick only one, and bring it back."

So the girl set out. Soon she saw a fine-looking stick close at hand;
but it had a slight blemish near one end, so she said: "No; I can do
better than that." Then she saw another that was perfect but for a
little curve in the middle, so she passed it by.

Thus she went, seeing many that were nearly perfect; but walking on,
seeking one better, till she was quite through the woods. Then she
realized her chances were nearly gone; so she had to take the only stick
she could find, a very crooked one indeed, and brought it to the witch,
saying that she "could have got a much better one had she been more
easily satisfied at the beginning."

The witch took the stick, waved it at the girl and said: "then this is
your fortune; _through the woods and through the woods and out with a
crooked stick_. If you were less hard to please, you would have better
luck; but you will pass many a good man by, and come out with a crooked
stick."

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Maybe some of our Woodcraft girls can find an initiatio