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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
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+status under the laws that apply to them.
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #60109 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60109)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Floyd's Flowers Or Duty and Beauty For
-Colored Children, by Silas X. Floyd
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Floyd's Flowers Or Duty and Beauty For Colored Children
-       Being One Hundred Short Stories Gleaned from the Storehouse
-       of Human Knowledge and Experience Simple Amusing Elevating
-
-Author: Silas X. Floyd
-
-Release Date: August 16, 2019 [EBook #60109]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FLOYD'S FLOWERS ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Richard Tonsing, hekula03, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: SILAS X. FLOYD _AUTHOR_ JOHN HENRY ADAMS _ARTIST_]
-
-
-
-
-                            FLOYD’S FLOWERS
-                                   OR
-                            DUTY AND BEAUTY
-                                  FOR
-                            COLORED CHILDREN
-
-                    BEING ONE HUNDRED SHORT STORIES
-     GLEANED FROM THE STOREHOUSE OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
-                        SIMPLE AMUSING ELEVATING
-
-
-                                    BY
-
-                   PROF. SILAS X. FLOYD, A. M., D. D.,
-
- AUTHOR OF “THE GOSPEL OF SERVICE AND OTHER SERMONS,” “LIFE OF CHARLES T.
-                 WALKER, D. D.,” “NATIONAL PERILS,” ETC.
-
-
-                              ILLUSTRATED BY
-
-                             JOHN HENRY ADAMS
-
-            PROFESSOR OF ART AT MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE, ATLANTA
-
-
-
-
-                             COPYRIGHT 1905
-
-                                   BY
-
-                         HERTEL, JENKINS & CO.
-
-
-                          ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
-
-
-
-
-I FEEL A PROFOUNDER REVERENCE FOR A BOY THAN A MAN. I NEVER MEET A
-RAGGED BOY ON THE STREET WITHOUT FEELING THAT I OWE HIM A SALUTE, FOR I
-KNOW NOT WHAT POSSIBILITIES MAY BE BUTTONED UP UNDER HIS SHABBY COAT.
-
-                                                     —JAMES A. GARFIELD.
-
-[Illustration: GEN. SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG.]
-
-
-
-
-                           PUBLISHER’S NOTE.
-
-
-The publishers of this book have spared neither pains nor expense in
-trying to make it as nearly perfect as a book of this kind can be. The
-typographical appearance and the illustrations will speak for
-themselves.
-
-We consider ourselves fortunate in having been able to secure the
-services of the Rev. Dr. Silas X. Floyd as the author of this volume.
-Mr. Floyd’s life work, aside from his literary training, has made him
-the ideal man to speak to the colored boys and girls of the South. Soon
-after graduating from Atlanta University in 1891, Mr. Floyd became
-Principal of a Public School at Augusta, Ga., and remained in that city
-for five years consecutively as a teacher. In June, 1896, he was called
-from the school room into the Sunday-school work, having been appointed
-by the International Sunday School Convention as one of its Field
-Workers throughout the South. He continued in this work for three years,
-retiring from it to become Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Augusta,
-Ga., one of the largest churches in the South. After a year and a half
-in the pastorate, he returned to the Sunday-school work, becoming
-Sunday-school Missionary for Georgia and Alabama under appointment of
-the American Baptist Publication Society. Two years ago, he re-entered
-the school room, and is now once more Principal of a Public School at
-Augusta. His school is one of the largest in the State of Georgia.
-
-Mr. Floyd’s work, as the record shows, has been conspicuously for and in
-behalf of the children, and he is known far and wide as a competent
-writer and speaker on topics concerning young people. He has contributed
-to the Sunday School Times, the International Evangel, the New York
-Independent, The World’s Work, Lippincott’s Magazine, and many other
-journals and periodicals. He is the author of a volume of sermons
-published by the American Baptist Publication Society and listed in
-their catalogue as among their standard works, and is also the author of
-the Life of the leading colored Baptist preacher in America, published
-by the National Baptist Publishing Board. From the beginning of the
-Voice of the Negro, Mr. Floyd has had charge of the Wayside Department
-as Editor, and his work as a humorist and writer of negro dialect is
-known to many through that medium.
-
-In 1894, Atlanta University, his alma mater, conferred upon Mr. Floyd
-the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1902, Morris Brown College
-conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
-
-
-
-
-                     THE PICTURES AND WHO MADE THEM
-
-
-A distinctive feature of this volume is the inclusion of more than half
-a hundred of original drawings by a young artist. Every boy and every
-girl delights in pictures. There is something in pictures, even though
-the subjects be foreign to us, which readily takes hold of our innermost
-feelings and becomes companionable to the extent that we find ourselves
-loving that _something_ whatever it is:—a man, or an humble dog, or an
-old homestead, or what not. We seldom think that some great mind has
-been hard at work to produce that picture and that it takes years and
-years of application and deep study to prepare even a genius in art.
-
-While you are enjoying the pleasures to be derived from the “rough
-sketches” in this book it is hoped that at the same time you will catch
-the inspiration of the artist who made them. The negro race has produced
-very few artists of note, for very few of them have made a success in
-the profession. Of that few, John Henry Adams is second only to Tanner.
-
-Coming up with little in his favor other than a determination to “win”
-and the prayerfulness of loving parents, John Adams kept himself in
-school until he was thoroughly prepared to enter upon life’s sea as a
-thinker for and a master of himself. Acquiring his art education at The
-Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, Adams returned to Atlanta and found a
-place to utilize his training at the Morris Brown College, where he has
-been eminently successful as a teacher, and where he is loved and
-honored by all.
-
-The lapse of twenty-six years is a very short time to begin to measure a
-man’s success, but Mr. Adams has already succeeded. The demand for his
-work is large and plenteous. If there is such a thing as having more
-work than one can do, it applies pointedly to him. Besides the many fine
-and costly paintings which Mr. Adams makes and sells, his “rough
-sketches” are quite popular and “go like hot cakes.” And, with all of
-this he is a regular contributor to one daily paper, two weekly papers
-and a monthly magazine. This is but a glimpse of the man. His work as
-trustee of city charities, his visitations to mission houses and his
-liberal pocket-book show the more tender side of the artist. When a
-football game is in progress there’s another side of the man—the
-enthusiast. But all the way through Mr. Adams is ever the amiable
-gentleman, the vigorous thinker and worker, the friend of children and a
-constant source of gladness to the poor of Atlanta.
-
-                                                             PUBLISHERS.
-
-
-
-
-                                PREFACE.
-
-
-Truly the boys and girls of to-day ought to be thankful that they are
-alive. There never was such a golden age for childhood and youth as the
-present. To say nothing of the rich opportunities for mental and
-spiritual development, what a multitude of things have been provided for
-the innocent pleasure, the wholesome recreation of the young people of
-to-day; inventions that remind one of the magic of the “Arabian Nights”;
-tools of sport so perfect that one cannot imagine how they could be
-bettered; fascinating games, all unknown in the days gone by; books and
-papers upon which science, art and literary skill have lavished modern
-resources—all these and many other wonderful things have fallen to the
-lot of the favored boys and girls of to-day.
-
-And now enterprising publishers of our grand country are going to put
-the boys and girls of America—and especially the colored boys and girls
-of America—under obligation to them, because they have decided to add to
-the list of good books for children and youths already on the market. I
-use the word “good” advisedly; for from the day that I was engaged to
-write this book I have had in mind constantly the thought of making it
-such a book as would tell for good. It is an old saying that “evil
-communications corrupt good manners,” but evil reading does more than
-this: for evil reading corrupts good morals.
-
-I have endeavored to put into this book of stories for children only
-such things as might be freely admitted into the best homes of the land,
-and I have written with the hope that many young minds may be elevated
-by means of these stories and many hearts filled with high and holy
-aspirations. Our nation has a right to expect that our boys and girls
-shall turn out to be good men and good women, and this book is meant to
-help in this process.
-
-                                                         SILAS X. FLOYD.
-
-
-
-
-                                CONTENTS
-
-
-                                                                    PAGE
-
-        I. A SPELLING LESSON                                          19
-
-       II. THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCK                                       22
-
-      III. AN EVENING AT HOME                                         26
-
-       IV. THE MAKING OF A MAN                                        29
-
-        V. FALSE PRIDE                                                33
-
-       VI. THANKSGIVING AT PINEY GROVE                                37
-
-      VII. THE LOUD GIRL                                              46
-
-     VIII. THE ROWDY BOY                                              51
-
-       IX. HONESTY                                                    53
-
-        X. UNCLE NED AND THE INSURANCE SOLICITOR                      56
-
-       XI. THE STRENUOUS LIFE                                         61
-
-      XII. A HUMBUG                                                   64
-
-     XIII. A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM                                    66
-
-      XIV. GOING WITH THE CROWD                                       72
-
-       XV. MARY AND HER DOLLS                                         75
-
-      XVI. JAKY TOLBERT’S PLAYMATES                                   79
-
-     XVII. A VALENTINE PARTY                                          83
-
-    XVIII. “NO MONEY DOWN”                                            86
-
-      XIX. TOMMY’S BABY BROTHER                                       90
-
-       XX. KEEPING SCHOOL                                             93
-
-      XXI. THE SCHOOL OF THE STREET                                   96
-
-     XXII. THE FOX HUNT                                              100
-
-    XXIII. A BOLD VENTURE                                            105
-
-     XXIV. A HERO IN BLACK                                           108
-
-      XXV. THE ROAD TO SUCCESS                                       111
-
-     XXVI. SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG                                       114
-
-    XXVII. HOW TO BE HANDSOME                                        117
-
-   XXVIII. PATIENCE                                                  119
-
-     XXIX. THE BITER BIT                                             122
-
-      XXX. THE ALPHABET OF SUCCESS                                   124
-
-     XXXI. EASTER MONDAY IN WASHINGTON                               125
-
-    XXXII. KEEPING ONE’S ENGAGEMENTS                                 129
-
-   XXXIII. A MIDNIGHT MISHAP                                         131
-
-    XXXIV. FREDERICK DOUGLASS                                        133
-
-     XXXV. OUR DUMB ANIMALS                                          136
-
-    XXXVI. A PLUCKY BOY                                              138
-
-   XXXVII. A HEART-TO-HEART TALK                                     141
-
-  XXXVIII. A GHOST STORY                                             144
-
-    XXXIX. GOOD CHEER                                                149
-
-       XL. LIFE A BATTLE                                             152
-
-      XLI. RULED BY PRIMITIVE METHODS                                155
-
-     XLII. HUNTING AN EASY PLACE                                     159
-
-    XLIII. BURT BANKSTON’S BEQUEST                                   162
-
-     XLIV. THE BIG BLACK BURGLAR                                     166
-
-      XLV. PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE                            169
-
-     XLVI. SELF-HELP                                                 173
-
-    XLVII. HENRY WARD BEECHER’S TESTIMONY                            177
-
-   XLVIII. ROUNDING UP A CHICKEN THIEF                               180
-
-     XLIX. SHIELDS GREEN, THE MARTYR                                 184
-
-        L. AIMING AT SOMETHING                                       186
-
-       LI. THE BLACK SHEEP OF THE REYNOLDS FAMILY                    188
-
-      LII. THE HOLY BIBLE                                            196
-
-     LIII. ANDREW CARNEGIE’S ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN                     198
-
-      LIV. DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GENTLEMEN                           200
-
-       LV. THE LETTER OF THE LAW                                     202
-
-      LVI. THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN                               204
-
-     LVII. THE RIGHT TO PLAY                                         207
-
-    LVIII. A CHRISTMAS PRESENT                                       209
-
-      LIX. DRINKING AND SMOKING                                      211
-
-       LX. THE NICKEL THAT BURNED IN FRANK’S POCKET                  214
-
-      LXI. MONUMENT TO A BLACK MAN                                   217
-
-     LXII. THE BAD BOY—WHO HE IS                                     219
-
-    LXIII. THE BAD BOY—HOW TO HELP HIM                               221
-
-     LXIV. THOMAS GREENE BETHUNE (“BLIND TOM”)                       226
-
-      LXV. NOT FIT TO KNOW                                           229
-
-     LXVI. THE RIGHT WAY                                             231
-
-    LXVII. KEEPING FRIENDSHIP IN REPAIR                              234
-
-   LXVIII. LITTLE ANNIE’S CHRISTMAS                                  236
-
-     LXIX. THE VELOCIPEDE RACE                                       239
-
-      LXX. FAULT-FINDING                                             241
-
-     LXXI. THE PURITANS’ SABBATH                                     244
-
-    LXXII. THE DEVIL ON AN EXCURSION                                 247
-
-   LXXIII. RANDOM REMARKS                                            250
-
-    LXXIV. BENJAMIN BANNEKER, THE NEGRO ASTRONOMER                   254
-
-     LXXV. “A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM”                          258
-
-    LXXVI. DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE LADIES                              264
-
-   LXXVII. THREE WORDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE                               266
-
-  LXXVIII. “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET”                                     272
-
-    LXXIX. THE THREE BRIGADES                                        275
-
-     LXXX. “HOME, SWEET HOME”                                        277
-
-    LXXXI. EDMUND ASA WARE                                           280
-
-   LXXXII. AN ANTE-BELLUM NEGRO PREACHER                             284
-
-  LXXXIII. PURITY OF CHARACTER                                       287
-
-   LXXXIV. EACH ONE OF US OF IMPORTANCE                              289
-
-    LXXXV. THE POETRY OF LIFE                                        290
-
-   LXXXVI. ON BEING IN EARNEST                                       292
-
-  LXXXVII. YOUNG PEOPLE AND LIFE INSURANCE                           294
-
- LXXXVIII. THE LITTLE SAILOR CAT                                     297
-
-   LXXXIX. ADVICE TO LITTLE CHRISTIANS                               299
-
-       XC. A WORD TO PARENTS                                         301
-
-      XCI. A HELPFUL MESSAGE                                         302
-
-     XCII. THE UNSEEN CHARMER                                        304
-
-    XCIII. OUR COUNTRY                                               307
-
-     XCIV. THE “DON’T-CARE” GIRL                                     309
-
-      XCV. NEGRO HEROES                                              312
-
-     XCVI. FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO YOUNG PEOPLE                        315
-
-    XCVII. TOO HIGH A DAM                                            318
-
-   XCVIII. A GOOD FELLOW                                             320
-
-     XCIX. THE FUTURE OF THE NEGRO                                   321
-
-        C. THE TRAINING OF CHILDREN                                  323
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-                         LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
-
-
-                                                                    PAGE
-
- FRONTISPIECE.
-
- A SPELLING CLASS                                                     20
-
- THAT’S A VERY PRETTY WAY TO SPELL “LOVE”                             21
-
- “HOW MANY PAPERS HAVE YOU SOLD TO-DAY, TOMMY?”                       23
-
- AN EVENING AT HOME                                                   27
-
- BOBBY AND HIS “MAN”                                                  30
-
- “HERE IS THE CARPET, YOUNG MAN; I HOPE I HAVE NOT KEPT YOU
-   WAITING.”                                                          34
-
- GRACE BEFORE GOING TO SCHOOL                                         38
-
- GRACE’S GRADUATION                                                   42
-
- BLAB-MOUTHED AND NOISY                                               47
-
- MODEST AND QUIET                                                     49
-
- HE STUFFS BOTH HANDS IN HIS TROUSERS POCKETS                         52
-
- “HOW MUCH FOR THE MELON?”                                            54
-
- “DAT’S JES’ WHAT MY ’LIGION DOES,” SAID THE OLD MAN                  57
-
- “I DON’T BREAK EASY”                                                 62
-
- “O, GET OUT OF THE WAY, CAN’T YOU?”                                  65
-
- “MOTHER, I’M SO HAPPY. TEACHER FORGAVE ME”                           74
-
- MARY AND HER DOLLS                                                   76
-
- “I’M GOING OVER TO JAKY’S, MAMMA”                                    80
-
- OLD MRS. GRAY                                                        84
-
- “PAPA I AIN’T GOT NO LITTLE BABY BROTHER TO PLAY WITH”               91
-
- TOOTSIE                                                              94
-
- LITTLE JOE                                                           97
-
- UNCLE HAMBRIGHT                                                     101
-
- “YOU ALL WAIT UNTIL I COME BACK AND THEN WE’LL PLAY AT
-   FOX-HUNTING”                                                      103
-
- “LEND ME FIVE DOLLARS”                                              106
-
- A HERO IN BLACK                                                     109
-
- THE ROAD TO SUCCESS                                                 112
-
- HOW TO BE HANDSOME                                                  118
-
- PATIENCE                                                            120
-
- A BITER BIT                                                         123
-
- KEEPING ONE’S ENGAGEMENTS                                           130
-
- A MIDNIGHT MISHAP                                                   132
-
- OUR DUMB ANIMALS                                                    137
-
- “THE BOY MARCHED STRAIGHT UP TO THE COUNTER”                        140
-
- A HEART-TO-HEART TALK                                               142
-
- “HUH! HUH! THERE DON’T SEEM TO BE BUT TWO OF US HERE TO-NIGHT”      145
-
- “CHARGED WITH KISSING A GIRL ON THE STREET”                         157
-
- “I HAVE JUST FINISHED MY COURSE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL”                 161
-
- THE GAMBLER                                                         163
-
- THE GAMBLER IN OLD AGE                                              165
-
- THE BIG BLACK BURGLAR                                               168
-
- PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE                                      172
-
- WASHING DOLLIE’S CLOTHES                                            175
-
- “SON, IT’S A MIGHTY LUCKY THING FOR YOU AND NANNIE THAT I DIDN’T
-   HAVE MY GUN”                                                      182
-
- AIMING AT SOMETHING                                                 187
-
- “HE CARRIED WITH HIM SOME WILD FLOWERS AND GREEN LEAVES”            190
-
- “WELL, JOHN, I SUPPOSE SISTER IS DEAD”                              194
-
- DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GENTLEMEN                                     201
-
- “MAMMA TOLD ME NOT TO ASK FOR ANY MORE CREAM”                       203
-
- THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN                                         205
-
- “MAMMA, I HEAR OLD SANTA’S BELLS, AND OF COURSE THIS IS THE
-   PRESENT HE BROUGHT”                                               210
-
- DRINK AND TOBACCO                                                   212
-
- “A QUARTER, MA’AM”                                                  215
-
- MONUMENT TO A BLACK MAN                                             217
-
- “PLAY FANTASTIC” ON THE FOURTH OF JULY                              220
-
- THE BAD BOY—HOW TO HELP HIM                                         222
-
- FRANCES                                                             229
-
- “I GOT IN THE HALL LAST NIGHT FOR NOTHING”                          232
-
- THE TWO PATHS                                                       235
-
- “SHE PUT OUT HER THIN LITTLE HAND AND FELT IT”                      237
-
- THE VELOCIPEDE RACE                                                 240
-
- FAULT-FINDING                                                       242
-
- “GOODNIS GRACIOUS! I SEE DAT OLD CYCLOOM COMIN’ BACK AG’IN. HE
-   LOOK BLACKAH AND WUSSAH DAN HE DONE BEFO. RUN, ISAAC, RUN!”       248
-
- “I WISH I COULD HAVE MY WAY WITH THOSE BOYS FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES”  251
-
- DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GIRLS                                         265
-
- “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET”                                               273
-
- MEMBERS OF THE RAINY-WEATHER BRIGADE                                276
-
- HOME, SWEET HOME                                                    278
-
- “SAINT PAUL WAS A MUCH BETTER MAN DAN I IS, AN’ DEY WHUPPED HIM
-   MOS’ EV’YWHAR HE WENT”                                            285
-
- EACH ONE OF US OF IMPORTANCE                                        289
-
- THE POETRY OF LIFE                                                  290
-
- BEING IN EARNEST                                                    293
-
- TAKING OUT A POLICY                                                 295
-
- THE LITTLE SAILOR CAT                                               298
-
- ADVICE TO LITTLE CHRISTIANS                                         299
-
- A WORD TO PARENTS                                                   301
-
- “IS—ER—ER—MR. HOPEGOOD IN?”                                         305
-
- THE “DON’T-CARE” GIRL                                               310
-
- NEGRO HEROES                                                        313
-
- FREDERICK DOUGLASS                                                  316
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-                            FLOYD’S FLOWERS
-
-
-
-
-                                   I.
-                           A SPELLING LESSON.
-
-
-The boys and girls of Public School No. 10 were glad to have a new girl,
-whose name was Bertha Dent, enter their spelling class. The little
-girl’s mother told the teacher that the child could probably keep up
-with the First Grade in spelling, because she could spell such words as
-“dog” and “hog” and “cat” and “rat” and “bat.”
-
-It was not a great while before the teacher called the spelling class.
-She asked Bertha, the new girl, to stand with the class.
-
-“You may spell ‘dog,’ Mary,” said the teacher to one of the girls, “and
-tell us what kind of noise little dogs make.”
-
-“D-o-g, dog,” said Mary, “and our little dog says ‘bow-wow-wow!’”
-
-“That was very well done,” said the teacher. “Now, Annie, you may spell
-‘cat,’ and tell us what kind of noise little kittens make.”
-
-“C-a-t, cat,” replied Annie, “and the little kitties sometimes say
-‘mew-mew,’ and when the little doggies come ’round they bristle up and
-hiss at the doggies.”
-
-“That’s very well,” responded the teacher. “Sadie, you may spell ‘bird,’
-and tell us what the little birds do.”
-
-“B-i-r-d, bird,” said Sadie. “We have a pretty mocking bird that sings
-for us all the time; most birds sing, but mama says there are some birds
-which are good to keep bugs and worms off the vegetables and flowers.”
-
-[Illustration: A SPELLING CLASS.]
-
-“That is correct,” the teacher made answer. “Now, Bertha Dent, you may
-spell ‘love’ for us, and tell us what love does.”
-
-“Oh,” said the new pupil, “I know very well how to spell ‘love.’” And
-then Bertha ran to the teacher, threw her arms around the teacher’s
-neck, and gave her a sweet little kiss. “That is the way mama told me to
-spell ‘love,’” said Bertha quietly, while the teacher and all the
-members of the spelling class smiled.
-
-[Illustration: THAT’S A VERY PRETTY WAY TO SPELL “LOVE.”]
-
-“That is a very pretty way to spell ‘love,’” said the teacher. “But
-don’t you know any other way to spell ‘love’?”
-
-“Why, yes,” answered Bertha looking around. “I spell ‘love’ this way,
-too.” Then she brushed a fleck of dust from the teacher’s sleeve, picked
-up some papers that were scattered around on the platform and arranged
-them on the desk. She, also, pulled a tiny bit of thread off the
-teacher’s skirt. “I spell ‘love’” said Bertha, “by working for mama and
-papa and little brother, and trying to make everybody happy.”
-
-The teacher drew the little girl close to her side, threw one arm around
-the child’s neck and said,——
-
-“That is the very best way to spell ‘love’; but can’t you spell ‘love’
-the way the book spells it?”
-
-“Oh, yes,” said Bertha. “L-o-v-e, love.”
-
-The teacher hugged Bertha, called her a dear little girl, and then
-dismissed the class.
-
-
-
-
-                                  II.
-                         THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCK.
-
-
-[Illustration: “HOW MANY PAPERS HAVE YOU SOLD TO-DAY, TOMMY?”]
-
-This is a world of order and system. There is nothing haphazard about
-it. The sun rises and sets according to a regular and unchanging law.
-The tides come in and the tides go out not by accident or chance, but in
-accordance with well-defined laws. Winter and Summer, sunshine and rain,
-follow each other in well-ordered succession. What is true in the
-natural world is also true in the moral and business worlds. A boy reaps
-that which he sows and gains the prizes for which he is willing to pay
-the price in labor and self-denial. A divine law controls success and
-defeat in this life and no strategem or trick can take the place of hard
-work.
-
-Some years ago, I happened to find myself near the terminal of the great
-East River Bridge in New York City. Two little boys were standing near
-one of the large iron posts crying their afternoon papers. I tarried
-near them because I was waiting for a particular car. One little fellow
-said to the other,——
-
-“How many papers have you sold to-day, Tommie?”
-
-“Nearly one hundred an’ fifty,” was Tommie’s quick reply.
-
-“Honor bright?”
-
-“Yes; honor bright.”
-
-“Whoopee! but ain’t you in big luck, Tommie?”
-
-“Luck!” exclaimed Tommie, wiping the perspiration from his brow. “There
-ain’t no luck about it; I’ve just been everlastingly at it since four
-o’clock this morning—that’s all!”
-
-And that is the _all_ of real success. Those who achieve success are
-“everlastingly at” what they are trying to do. Tommie was right in
-declining to have his hard and honest work cheapened by calling the
-result of it luck.
-
-“You are the luckiest chap I ever saw,” I once heard a little boy about
-sixteen years say to another boy of about the same age.
-
-“Why do you say that?” asked the other.
-
-“Because you have had your salary raised twice in the same year.”
-
-“Well,” was the reply, “you may call it luck; but I don’t. I have always
-done my work the very best I knew how. I have never once in the whole
-year been a single minute late in getting to the office, nor have I ever
-left a single minute before it was time for me to leave. When I have
-worked over-time, I have not made any fuss about it. My boss said when
-he raised my salary last week that he had taken these things into
-account. So, I don’t see where the luck comes in.”
-
-“All the same,” said the first boy, “some bosses wouldn’t have raised
-your salary.”
-
-“Then I would have the satisfaction of knowing that I had done my duty.”
-
-Boys, I tell you that’s right. Nine out of ten employers know that it is
-to their advantage to show appreciation of faithful work and they show
-it. When this appreciation comes luck has had nothing to do with it. The
-thing that passes for luck is in nearly all cases the just reward of
-honest endeavor.
-
-Do not, therefore, start out in life with the expectation that some
-“lucky turn” will bring you sudden honor or wealth or position without
-any effort on your part. Substitute that fine old word “_work_” for that
-deceitful word “_luck_,” and base your hopes of future success and
-usefulness upon the honorable labor that it is a God-given privilege for
-every well and strong and right-minded boy to give his heart and hands
-to performing.
-
-
-
-
-                                  III.
-                          AN EVENING AT HOME.
-
-
-Boys and girls between the ages of eleven and seventeen ought to spend
-their evenings at home, as much as possible. In these busy, bustling
-twentieth century days, there are many families—so much the worse for
-them—that scarcely know what it is to spend an evening at home together.
-Not only the young people but the older people are “on the go.” The
-evenings are crowded with calls and invitations, which come from far and
-near. It is nothing to go five or even ten miles to an evening concert
-or social gathering, the trolley is so near, so cheap and so universal.
-But I tell you, boys and girls, no matter what the pleasure or amusement
-afforded—no matter what the instruction or culture received—there are no
-social or similar opportunities good enough to displace the home circle.
-The sooner young people realize this the happier they will be.
-
-[Illustration: AN EVENING AT HOME.]
-
-Boys and girls ought to plan for some evenings at home. Let other things
-have a share, but do not give up all the time to other things. Once a
-week the young people ought to arrange for an evening at home. Decline
-everything else for that evening, the same as you would for any other
-engagement. Gather the family together. Make a special place for grandma
-and grandpa. Sing merry songs; play innocent and amusing games; take
-time to tell the home folks about some of the things that you do and
-that you have seen in the world; get acquainted with the home folks; be
-delighted in their delight; by special appointment, spend one or two
-cheerful hours with the folks at home each week.
-
-The young folks themselves should take the lead in this matter. A home
-is not merely a place with four walls where people meet to eat and drink
-and sleep securely beneath a roof. Nay, boys and girls, a house is
-reared to be a _home_—the center where a family may gather into one; to
-be a serene retreat where the tenderest affections may find rest; where
-love may have a dwelling place, and the _amenities_ of life gain ample
-scope; where parents and children may press one another heart to heart;
-where sorrows and joys may be freely shared in sacred confidence; in a
-word, where the great work of training human beings for the duties of
-the present life, and the perfection of another, may be begun and
-carried on.
-
-There is one special reason for making much of the evenings at home that
-young people are not likely to think of. _Inevitably_ the _family_
-circle will be broken up very soon. Perhaps not by death, but most
-certainly by change. When Fred goes to college that is the beginning of
-new ties and new associations, and the home privileges can never be
-quite so complete to him again. The years of the complete unity of the
-home are very few indeed. While these years are passing, young people
-especially should make the most of them. My dear boys and girls, get the
-benefit of these years; get their joys; store up memories of home life,
-for they will be in future years the most beautiful pictures of the
-heart. However some may sneer at it, the memory of home and mother is a
-great power for righteousness. It has saved many a person to God and
-native land and race.
-
-                      “Be it ever so humble—
-                      There’s no place like home.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  IV.
-                        THE MAKING OF A MAN.[1]
-
-
-Mr. Stamps, seated near the table, was glancing over the afternoon
-paper. Mrs. Stamps, in an easy chair, was doing some fancy work. Little
-Bobby, six years old, more or less, was playing with his toys on the
-floor. All at once the precocious little boy stopped short in the middle
-of his sport and, looking up at his mother, asked,—
-
-“Mama, who made the world?”
-
-“God,” replied Mrs. Stamps, sweetly.
-
-“Who made the sea?” continued Bobby.
-
-Mrs. Stamps answered, “God.”
-
-“Well,” said Bobby, “did God make everything?”
-
-“Yes, my son; the Lord made everything.”
-
-“And did he make everybody?”
-
-“Yes; the Lord made everybody.”
-
-Bobby was silent for a moment. Presently he looked anxiously at his
-father, and then, turning to his mother, he asked,—
-
-“Mama, did God make papa, too?”
-
-“Yes; God made papa also.”
-
-After a lengthy pause Bobby asked,—
-
-[Illustration: BOBBY AND HIS “MAN.”]
-
-“Mama, do you think that I could make a man, if I was to try real hard?”
-
-“You had better run out to play now, Bobby,” said Mrs. Stamps, somewhat
-non-plused by her son’s curiosity.
-
-Bobby left the room almost immediately. He went straight to the beach in
-front of the house, and labored long and earnestly in piling up some wet
-sand. Pretty soon he was joined in his work by two other little boys.
-For some time the three little fellows worked vigorously in piling up
-the mud. Mrs. Stamps called her husband to the window, so that he might
-see what the boys were doing.
-
-“Wife,” said Mr. Stamps, “I believe those little Satans are trying to
-make a man.”
-
-Toward sunset Bobby ran into the house and exclaimed with delight,—
-
-“Mama, we’ve got our man almost finished. We didn’t have but one marble,
-and we used that for one of his eyes. I came in to ask you to give me a
-marble, so that we might put in his other eye.”
-
-“It’s too late to bother now, Bobby,” said Mrs. Stamps. “Wait until
-to-morrow morning; then I will give you a marble and let you finish your
-man.”
-
-The next morning, bright and early, Bobby went out to look for his man.
-Lo and behold! the sea had washed the man away during the night. But,
-Bobby, of course, did not suspect that. He thought that the man had gone
-away of his own accord. So the little fellow spent the entire morning
-looking for his man. He looked under the house; he looked in the stable;
-he went up to the garret; he walked up and down the beach; he went into
-the woods—looking for his man. But his man was nowhere to be found.
-
-Two or three weeks later an African Methodist Episcopal Conference
-assembled in Bobby’s town. Among the ministers present there happened to
-be a short, chubby, tan-colored brother with only one eye. When Bobby
-spied him he examined the man curiously and cautiously from head to
-foot. The examination ended, Bobby concluded that that was his man. At
-once the little fellow left his mother and went over and took a seat
-beside the man. Bobby’s mother was somewhat embarrassed. The man was
-evidently pleased, although, to be sure, he himself was not quite
-certain why he should be an object of special interest to the little
-boy. The man went to the secretary’s table to have his name
-enrolled—Bobby went with him. He went into the vestibule to get a drink
-of water—and Bobby followed him there. But all the while the man was
-still in doubt as to the cause of the little boy’s apparent affection.
-By this time, thoroughly exasperated, Bobby’s mother decided to go home.
-She approached the pew in a very ladylike manner and said,—
-
-“Bobby, dear, come; we must be going home now.”
-
-“All right, Mama,” said Bobby in dead earnest, “but you will please let
-me take my man home with me—won’t you? I just found him to-day, and you
-know I’ve been looking for him for over two weeks!”
-
-Then, for the first time, it suddenly dawned upon Mrs. Stamps what was
-the matter with Bobby. In spite of herself she laughed heartily at the
-boy’s perversity. Finding that his mother hesitated to reply, Bobby
-turned to the man and said,—
-
-“Come on: we’re going home now. Why did you leave before I finished
-you?”
-
-
-
-
-                                   V.
-                              FALSE PRIDE.
-
-
-Once upon a time the head clerk in a carpet store requested one of his
-junior clerks to go to a patron’s home to measure a room, and suggested
-that he take along a five-yard sample. The junior clerk objected to
-“carting” such a big bundle, as he said, “all over town,” and asked that
-one of the boys be sent with it. The proprietor of the establishment,
-who happened to overhear the remark, privately told the head clerk to
-inform the proud young fellow that a boy would be sent on after him with
-the roll. Shortly after the young man reached the house, the proprietor
-of the establishment covered him with confusion by appearing at the
-house in person with the roll of carpet under his arm. Handing the
-bundle to the bewildered young man, the proprietor remarked:
-
-“Here is the carpet, young man. I hope I have not kept you waiting for
-it. If you have any other orders, I’ll take them now.”
-
-                  *       *       *       *       *
-
-[Illustration: “HERE IS THE CARPET, YOUNG MAN. I HOPE I HAVE NOT KEPT
-YOU WAITING.”]
-
-A young woman of my acquaintance refused to carry home a yeast cake,
-though it was needed at once for the family baking and she was bound
-directly homeward. She said that she wasn’t a delivery wagon, and so the
-yeast cake had to be sent to her home.
-
-A great many foolish young people are so absorbingly regardful of their
-trim appearance on the street that they will never under any
-circumstances carry a basket or bundle, however much inconvenience they
-may cause others by refusing to do so.
-
-                  *       *       *       *       *
-
-Now, it is not proper pride or self-respect which prompts people to act
-as the young folks acted whom I have just referred to. It is silliness
-which prompts them to act so. Any honest work is honorable that is
-honorably done, and you will notice that young people of good social
-position and strength of character are above such pettiness. Only
-inferior people act that way. Superior people do not act so, because
-they are well aware that they cannot be compromised by doing
-straightforwardly, without fuss or apology, whatever needs to be done.
-Yet, I admit, that it seems to be human nature that whatever is
-distasteful or supposedly menial should be done by somebody else. When
-young people, or old people for that matter, are tempted to be foolish
-in such things they should remember the lesson of humility that Christ
-taught his disciples, when in that warm Oriental country, where only
-sandals are worn, He performed the necessary service of washing the
-disciples’ feet. For us to be above our business—for us to think
-ourselves too good or too dainty to soil our hands with honest toil—for
-us to feel that it is a lowering of our dignity to carry a bundle
-through the street, is to prove by our conduct that we are not up to the
-level of our business, that we are possessed of a great amount of false
-pride, and, in a higher sense, it shows that we have a foolish and
-wicked distaste of true service. There is nothing low, nothing
-degrading, nothing disgraceful, in honest labor, in honest work of any
-kind, whether it be to boil an egg properly, to sweep a floor well, to
-carry a bundle or package through the streets, or bring a pail of water.
-In fact, if somebody were to say that “chores” done or undone are the
-making or the unmaking of boys and girls, it would be a homely way of
-putting an important truth. Bringing up coal or bringing in wood,
-weeding the garden bed, running errands, washing dishes, sewing seams,
-dusting furniture, doing any odd jobs where there is need, cheerfully,
-faithfully—these lead to the highway of greater opportunities and are
-the usual avenues to the only manhood and womanhood that is worth
-having. My young friends, the castle of your noblest dream is built out
-of what lies nearest at hand. It is the uncommonly good use of common
-things, the everyday opportunities, that makes honored lives, and helps
-us, and helps us to help others, along the sun-road. “He that is
-faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” “Pride goeth
-before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  VI.
-                      THANKSGIVING AT PINEY GROVE.
-
-
-The people of the Piney Grove settlement, both white and black, had been
-free for nearly a generation. The whites had been freed from the curse
-of being slave-holders, and the blacks had been freed from the curse of
-being held in bondage. But never in the history of this little town, in
-the very heart of the so-called “Black Belt” of Georgia, had the people
-known anything about the proper observance of Thanksgiving Day until
-189–. And in that year the revolution was brought about by a young
-colored woman named Grace Wilkins.
-
-Grace Wilkins was the only daughter of Solomon and Amanda Wilkins.
-Solomon and his wife were farmers—plain, simple, ordinary country folk.
-Amanda was literally her husband’s helpmeet. She went along with him
-every morning to the field, and, in season, chopped as much wood, picked
-as much cotton, hoed as much corn, pulled as much fodder, and plowed as
-much as her husband did. Up to her fourteenth year Grace had been reared
-on a farm, and had learned to do all the things that any farmer’s child
-has to do—such as milking cows, feeding hogs and chickens, hoeing cotton
-and corn, picking cotton, pulling fodder and the like. In her fourteenth
-year, acting upon the advice of an uneducated colored preacher, her
-parents sent Grace away from home to attend one of the great normal and
-industrial institutes for the training of the black boys and girls of
-the South.
-
-[Illustration: GRACE BEFORE GOING TO SCHOOL.]
-
-At first her mother and father were filled with forebodings. It was the
-first time that they had ever allowed their daughter to be away from
-them, and they missed her so much and longed for her so constantly that
-they thought that they had made a mistake in sending her off to
-“boardin’ school.” Ignorant and superstitious neighbors, though they
-knew as little about such matters as did Solomon and Amanda, were loud
-in saying that “Sol” and “Mandy” would live to regret the step they had
-taken in sending Grace away from home. The only rays of sunshine that
-came in to brighten these periods of mental unrest and gloom on the part
-of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were found in the letters which they received
-regularly from their daughter. Grace invariably informed her parents,
-whenever she wrote, that she was “well an’ doin’ well.” Thus reassured
-from time to time, Solomon and Amanda managed somehow to undergo the
-terrible strain of having their daughter absent from them for eight
-months. But meantime they were firmly of the opinion that, once they got
-their hands on her again, they would never allow Grace to return to
-school.
-
-With glad and thankful hearts Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins joyously embraced
-their daughter when she came home at the close of her first year in
-school. With keen and genuine interest, they listened to her wonderful
-accounts of the great school and of the great man at the head of it.
-Grace dressed differently and talked differently; and her mother said,
-speaking one day in confidence to her husband shortly after Grace’s
-return, “Dat gal’s sho got a new walk on her!”
-
-Grace Wilkins brought back a toothbrush with her from school. That was
-something which she had never had before. She used that toothbrush every
-morning and night. That was something that she had never done before.
-She was now careful to keep her hair well combed every day. That was
-something that she had been accustomed to do on Sundays only or on
-special occasions. She washed her face two or three times a day now, as
-her mother and father noticed. Before she went to school she had been in
-the habit of giving her face, as the old people say, “a lick and a
-promise” early each morning. Besides, Grace kept the house cleaner than
-she had kept it before. She brought home with her a brand-new Bible
-which she read regularly at home and always carried to church and Sunday
-school. She also had a song book called “Jubilee Songs and Plantation
-Melodies,” and it gladdened the hearts of the good “old folks at home”
-to hear their daughter sing from a book some of the very songs that they
-had sung all their lifetime and which were so dear to them.
-
-All these things and others made a deep and abiding impression upon
-Solomon and his wife. And finding that withal their daughter was just as
-loving and kind as she had been before, and that she was just as
-industrious and faithful as formerly, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were not long
-in deciding that their daughter should go back to that school another
-year, and that they would work hard and stint themselves in order that
-they might keep her there until she had finished the normal course.
-
-So back to school Grace Wilkins went—that year, and the next year, and
-the next. It was the proudest day in Solomon’s and Amanda’s lives when
-they sat in the magnificent chapel of the school and heard their
-daughter read her graduation essay on “The Gospel of Service.” Glad
-tears welled up in their eyes when they heard the principal call their
-daughter’s name, and then saw Grace step up to receive her certificate
-of graduation.
-
-Coming back to Piney Grove to live, “Miss Gracie”—everybody called her
-that after graduation—established a little school which she called “The
-Piney Grove Academy.” It was the first public school for colored
-children ever opened within the corporate limits of the little village.
-Before that the schools were district schools or county schools, which
-were taught about in different places for only three or four months in
-the year, mainly during the summer. Miss Gracie began her school the
-first day of October. By special arrangement she used the first three
-months for the public term allowed by the state, and supplemented that
-with a five-months term, for which the pupils were required to pay fifty
-cents each per month. The plan worked well, the parents joining in
-heartily in the movement, and the Piney Grove Academy soon became the
-model school for the surrounding counties.
-
-[Illustration: GRACE’S GRADUATION.]
-
-Among other things Miss Gracie had learned at school what was the import
-of our national Thanksgiving Day. At the opening of the second year of
-the Piney Grove Academy she decided that she would inaugurate an annual
-Thanksgiving service. Accordingly on the opening day of the second year
-Miss Gracie informed the pupils of her plan, and told them that she
-would begin the very next day to prepare a suitable program for the
-exercises. Afterwards Miss Gracie secured the cooperation of the village
-pastor—the same man who had been instrumental in having her parents send
-her away to school. Through him she was permitted to talk to the people
-at the church two or three times about the proposed celebration. She was
-careful to tell them that the Thanksgiving festival was meant specially
-to be a home festival in addition to being a time for the people to come
-together in their accustomed places of worship to thank God for the
-blessings of the year. She urged them, therefore, as far as they were
-able without going to unnecessary expense, to have family dinners and
-bring together at one time and in one place as many members of the
-family as possible. She explained to them how this might be done
-successfully and economically, and with pleasure and profit to all
-concerned. She also urged them to be planning beforehand so that nothing
-might prevent their attending church Thanksgiving Day morning. She was
-going to hold the exercises in the church, because her little school was
-not large enough to furnish an assembly hall for the people who would be
-likely to be present.
-
-On Thanksgiving Day nearly everybody in town went to the exercises. Many
-white people attended, including the county school commissioner and the
-school trustees. It was the first Thanksgiving service that any of them
-had ever witnessed.
-
-The program was made up, for the most part, of choice selections from
-negro authors, composers, orators, and so forth. A selection from
-Frederick Douglass on “Patriotism” was declaimed; one from Booker T.
-Washington’s Atlanta Exposition speech was also delivered. Paul Laurence
-Dunbar’s poem entitled “Signs of the Times” (a Thanksgiving poem) was
-read by one of the pupils, and also “The Party,” another of Dunbar’s
-pieces, was rendered. “The Negro National Hymn,” words by James W.
-Johnson and music by his brother, Rosamond Johnson, was sung by a chorus
-of fifty voices. At the opening of the service the president’s
-Thanksgiving proclamation was read and appropriate remarks were made by
-Miss Wilkins. The closing remarks were made by the Rev. John Jones, the
-village pastor. The remarks of Mr. Jones were in the congratulatory
-mood. He was naturally proud of Miss Gracie’s achievements, because he
-had had something to do with putting her on the road to an education. He
-spoke of the teacher as the leaven that was leavening the whole lump,
-and the applause which followed the statement showed plainly the high
-esteem in which the teacher was held by all the people. Everyone enjoyed
-the service. None of the villagers had ever seen anything like it
-before. After singing “America” all of them went away happy, many of
-them, in obedience to Miss Gracie’s previous counsel, going home to eat
-for the first time, well knowing what they were doing, a Thanksgiving
-dinner.
-
-At the home of Miss Wilkins there was an excellent spread of ’possum,
-potatoes, rice, chicken, pickles, macaroni, bread, a precious
-Thanksgiving turkey, and the inevitable mincemeat pie. Besides Miss
-Gracie, there sat at the table that day her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
-Solomon Wilkins, John and Joseph Wilkins, brothers of Solomon who had
-come from a distance, Mary Andrews, a sister of Mrs. Wilkins, who also
-came from a distance, Grandma Wilkins, Grandma and Grandpa Andrews, the
-Rev. John Jones, his wife, his daughter, and his only son, Jasper Jones.
-
-Jasper had gone to school at T—— one year after Gracie went, and, of
-course, was one year later in finishing the course there. On this
-Thanksgiving Day, nevertheless, he had been out of school long enough to
-have successfully established himself in the business of poultry raising
-and dairying.
-
-Just before the dinner party was dismissed the Rev. Mr. Jones arose and
-said:
-
-“There is another little ceremony you’all is invited to witness befo’
-you go out to see the baseball game. I am authorized by these
-credentials which I hol’ in my hands to unite in the holy bonds of
-matrimony Miss Grace Wilkins and Mr. Jasper Jones. If there is no
-objection, these two persons will please stan’ up, an’ I’ll tie the
-knot.”
-
-Of course there were no objections. The knot was tied. And when the
-villagers learned of the occurrence not long afterwards they had
-additional reason for believing that they were right when they voted
-that Piney Grove had never seen the like of such a Thanksgiving Day, and
-that Miss Gracie Wilkins was one of the best women in all the world.
-
-
-
-
-                                  VII.
-                             THE LOUD GIRL.
-
-
-I do not know of a more sorrowful spectacle than that of a girl who is
-loud in her dress, loud in her manners, and loud in her speech. It is a
-great mistake for a girl to suppose that this loudness will be mistaken
-by her friends and acquaintances for smartness. The desire to be
-regarded as bright and witty has led many a girl into the folly of being
-loud in her manners. She often cherishes the illusion that the attention
-such manners attract is combined with admiration, when the truth is that
-those who witness her strange conduct are simply wondering how it is
-possible for her to throw to the winds that charm of all
-girlhood—modesty.
-
-One afternoon not long ago I saw a group of girls of the loud type. They
-came into the street car in which I was sitting. They all wore boys’
-hats. One wore a vivid red jacket with brass buttons, and another had on
-a brass belt. A third one had on a most conspicuous plaid skirt. This
-third one had a box of bonbons, and when the three were seated she
-opened the box and offered it to her companions, saying as she did so,
-in a voice loud enough and shrill enough to be heard in every part of
-the car:
-
-[Illustration: BLAB-MOUTHED AND NOISY.]
-
-“It’s my treat; have some, chums!”
-
-Upon this invitation one of the girls dived down into the box like a
-hungry bear, and held up a piece of the candy in triumph and then dashed
-it into her mouth with a great guffaw. “O, Mame!” said one of the girls,
-“if you ain’t just horrid to go and take the very piece I wanted!”
-
-“Mame” laughed and, taking the candy from her mouth, offered it to the
-other girl, saying as she did so:
-
-“Well, here it is, Lulu!”
-
-“Lulu” struck the candy from “Mame’s” hand, and it flew across the aisle
-into the lap of a lady sitting opposite the girls. This set all three of
-the girls to giggling and tittering, and they seemed in danger of
-convulsions when the owner of the box of candy let it fall and a part of
-the candy rolled out on the floor.
-
-The conductor came forward and picked up the box and candy and handed
-them to the owner. She giggled out her thanks, and “Lulu” said: “Why
-didn’t you give him a gumdrop for his trouble?”
-
-This seemed to impress the other girls as a most brilliant witticism,
-and they fell to tittering violently over it.
-
-Presently a gentleman came in and stumbled slightly over the feet of one
-of the girls thrust out into the aisle.
-
-[Illustration: MODEST AND QUIET.]
-
-“I beg your pardon,” said the gentleman, as he lifted his hat, whereupon
-the three girls grinned and giggled and giggled and grinned
-immoderately, and one of them said:
-
-“Roxy, you had better ride out on the platform, where there is more room
-for your feet!”
-
-“Roxy” then struck “Lulu” for making this speech. “Lulu” pretended to be
-much offended and flung herself over to the other side of the car, where
-she made a grimace at the other girls.
-
-The conduct of these girls during the half hour that they were on the
-car was such as caused every father and mother who saw them to regard
-them with pity. The loud girl, my dear readers, is always an object of
-pity. She should be a sorry object for her own contemplation. An old
-writer has said: “You little know what you have done when you have first
-broken the bounds of modesty; you have set open the door of your fancy
-to the devil, so that he can represent the same sinful pleasure to you
-anew.”
-
-Now, the loud girl may be entirely innocent of any actual wrong-doing,
-but she is regarded with dislike, distrust, and even disdain, by the
-better class of people. She acquires a reputation for rudeness and
-coarseness, and the people of refinement will not associate with her.
-Her character suffers, no matter how innocent she may be of any
-intention of doing wrong. Delicacy, modesty, is the certain sign of
-sweetness, purity and gentleness of character, just as indelicacy is the
-certain sign of a lack of these beautiful traits.
-
-
-
-
-                                 VIII.
-                             THE ROWDY BOY.
-
-
-You can tell him wherever you see him. There are certain marks or
-appearances which he carries about with him and which are never absent.
-For one thing you will find him with a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and
-a cigarette is one of the deadliest poisons in the world for boy or man.
-He wears his hat on the side or cocked back on his head. Frequently he
-stuffs both hands in his trousers’ pockets. He doesn’t attend school
-regularly; sometimes he starts for school and ends at the bathing pond
-or the baseball park. He is late at Sunday school, if he goes at all,
-and he stands ’round on the outside at church while the service is going
-on inside. He steals rides on trains and on trolley cars, and on passing
-vehicles of all descriptions. He is saucy and impudent to older people,
-and is always ready and willing to quarrel or fight with his mates. He
-is what the boys call a “bully.”
-
-The loud girl and the rowdy boy are two things of which we have seen
-enough in this world. They are things; they are hardly worth the dignity
-of being called human beings.
-
-I saw one of these rowdy boys in his own home not a great while ago. His
-mother said to him:
-
-“Johnnie, you must always take off your hat whenever you come into the
-house.”
-
-“Good gracious alive,” he said, “I can’t do anything right. What is the
-use of grabbing off your hat every time you come into your own house?”
-
-[Illustration: HE STUFFS BOTH HANDS IN HIS TROUSERS POCKETS.]
-
-His mother looked sad, but said nothing. Presently she discovered that
-her little boy had brought some mud into the house on his shoes. In her
-sweetest tones she said:
-
-“Johnnie, you must go to the door and wipe your feet now. See how you
-are tracking up the floor there!”
-
-“Well,” said the rowdy boy with a snarl, “can’t the old floor be
-scoured? You must think this old house is gold.”
-
-Now, I am a preacher, boys, and, being a preacher, of course I am what
-is called a “man of peace,” but I tell you that that was one time I came
-pretty near wishing that I wasn’t a preacher so that I might have given
-that boy what he deserved. I was sorry, for the time being, that he
-wasn’t my son. No manly little boy will ever talk to his mother in any
-such way. I suppose that boy thought it made him appear to be a very
-important personage, but he was very much mistaken. Don’t be rowdy,
-boys; don’t be rough; don’t be rude. You were made for better things.
-
-
-
-
-                                  IX.
-                                HONESTY.
-
-
-Early in the morning two little boys came to the market place. They
-arranged their little stands and spread out their wares, and sat down to
-wait for customers. One sold watermelons and fruit, and the other sold
-fish and oysters. The hours passed on and both were doing well.
-By-and-by Sammie had only one melon left on his stand. A gentleman came
-along and said:
-
-“What a fine, large melon! I think I will buy that one. What do you ask
-for it, my boy?”
-
-[Illustration: “HOW MUCH FOR THE MELON?”]
-
-“This is my last melon, sir; and though it looks fair, there is an
-unsound spot on the other side,” said the boy, turning the melon over.
-
-“So there is,” said the man. “I don’t believe I’ll take it. But,” he
-added, looking straight at the boy, “is it very good business for you to
-point out the defects of your goods to customers?”
-
-“Perhaps not, sir,” said the boy with becoming modesty, “but it is
-better than being dishonest.”
-
-“You are right, my boy; always speak the truth and you will find favor
-with God and man. I shall not forget your little stand in the future.”
-
-Then turning to the other boy’s stand the man asked:
-
-“Are those fresh oysters?”
-
-“Yes, sir,” said Freddie, “these are fresh this morning—just arrived.”
-
-The gentleman bought them and went away.
-
-“Sammie,” said Freddie, “you never will learn any sense. What did you
-want to show that man that spot on the melon for? He never would have
-looked at it until he got home. I’ve got an eye to business, myself. You
-see how I got rid of those stale oysters—sold them for just the same
-price as fresh oysters.”
-
-“Freddie,” said the other boy, “I wouldn’t tell a lie, or act one
-either, for twice the money we have both earned to-day. Besides I have
-gained a customer and you have lost one.”
-
-And it turned out just as Sammie said. The next day the gentleman bought
-a large supply of fruit from Sammie, but he never spent another penny at
-Freddie’s stand. It continued that way through all the summer. At the
-close of the season he took Sammie into his store, and, after awhile,
-gave him a share in the business.
-
-
-
-
-                                   X.
-               UNCLE NED AND THE INSURANCE SOLICITOR.[2]
-
-
-Turner Tanksley, a representative of the Workingmen’s Industrial Aid
-Insurance Company, called upon Edmund Grant, an elderly colored man,
-with a view to getting him to insure his life.
-
-“Good morning, Uncle Ned,” said Mr. Tanksley.
-
-“Mawnin’, Boss,” said the old man, raising his hat and making a low
-courtesy.
-
-“Uncle Ned, do you carry any insurance?” inquired the solicitor.
-
-“Does I car’y what?” asked Uncle Ned in great surprise.
-
-“Do you carry any insurance? Is your life insured?” asked the solicitor
-by way of explanation.
-
-“Bless Gawd! Yas, yas,” replied the colored man, “long ago—long ago.”
-
-Then the solicitor asked: “In what company?”
-
-Uncle Ned answered: “I’m a Baptis’, sah; I’m a Baptis’—a deep-watah
-Baptis’.”
-
-Mr. Tanksley realized that the old man had not understood the question,
-but, anyhow, he asked:
-
-“How long has it been since you joined?”
-
-[Illustration: “DAT’S JES’ WHAT MY ’LIGION DOES,” SAID THE OLD MAN.]
-
-“I j’ined,” replied Uncle Ned, “de same year dat de stars fell—I reckon
-you know how long dat’s been?”
-
-“That’s a long while,” commented the insurance man; “quite a long while.
-Does your company pay any dividends?”
-
-“Boss,” said Uncle Ned with a broad grin, “dat question is plumb out uv
-my reach. What is you tryin’ to git at?”
-
-“Why, Uncle Ned,” said Mr. Tanksley, “a dividend is interest paid on
-your money; and if you have been paying your money into one company for
-more than thirty years surely you ought to have been receiving your
-dividends long before now, especially if it’s an old-line company.”
-
-“Well,” said Uncle Ned, “hit sho is de ole-line comp’ny—hit sho is. De
-Lawd sot hit up Hisse’f ’way back yondah on Calvaree’s tree. But I ain’t
-nevah hyeahed tell uv no intrus’ nor no divverdens ner nothin’ uv dat
-sawt; an’ you ain’t hyeah me say nothin’ ’tall ’bout payin’ in no money
-fer thirty yeahs—you know you ain’t. Salvation’s free, white man;
-salvation’s free—you knows dat ez well ez I does.”
-
-The way Uncle Ned laughed when he had delivered himself of this
-remarkable speech would have done your soul good.
-
-“Oh, I see,” said Mr. Tanksley with much condescension, “I see that I’ve
-misunderstood you. You’re talking about your soul’s salvation.”
-
-“Dat’s what I is,” chimed in Uncle Ned, “dat’s what I is.”
-
-“I came,” resumed the solicitor, “to talk to you about insuring your
-body in case of accident, sickness or death.”
-
-“Accerdents is fer us all,” said Uncle Ned, with a far-away expression
-on his face, “accerdents is fer us all, an’ dah ain’t no gittin’ ’roun’
-death.”
-
-“That’s true,” responded the patient solicitor, “that’s true; insurance
-companies can’t prevent sickness and accidents and death any more than
-you can, Uncle Ned, but insurance companies can and do help you to bear
-your burdens in the time of trouble.”
-
-“Dat’s jes’ what my ’ligion does,” said the old man with supreme
-satisfaction, “dat’s jes’ what my ’ligion does.”
-
-“But we do it in a different way,” persisted the solicitor.
-
-“Well, how does y’all do?” asked Uncle Ned.
-
-Then the solicitor went over the details of the Workingmen’s Industrial
-Aid Insurance Company with his accustomed rapidity, telling about the
-initiation fees, monthly premiums, accident benefits, sick benefits,
-etc., etc., laying much stress especially upon the “endowment fund” that
-would be paid upon the death of the insured. When he had finished the
-elaborate narrative Uncle Ned, who had given the most earnest attention
-to the speaker, inquired:
-
-“Boss, who you say de money goes to w’en I dies?”
-
-“To your wife,” answered the solicitor, “or your children, or anybody
-you might name.”
-
-“Well, Boss,” said the old man, “lemme ax you one question: Don’t you
-think dat would he’p de uddah fellah mo’n hit would me?”
-
-“What other fellow?” asked Mr. Tanksley.
-
-“My ole ’oman’s secon’ husban’,” replied Ned; “you know des ez good ez I
-does dat ef I wuz to die an’ leave my ole ’oman two hundred or three
-hundred dollars, dah’d be some cullud gent’man done changed her name
-’fo’ ole Ned got cole in de groun’.”
-
-Uncle Ned’s originality made it very hard for Turner Tanksley to
-suppress a smile. Without giving the solicitor a chance to speak, Uncle
-Ned continued:
-
-“An’ dah’s anuddah way to look at hit. Wimmins is mighty cu’ious. Yas,
-sah; wimmins is mighty cu’ious. Ef I wuz to go into dis thing you’s
-tellin’ me ’bout, I dasn’t let Dinah know hit. White man, you don’t
-know—no, sah, you don’t know. Ef dat ’oman knowed she’d git all dat
-money w’en I died, she would sho put a spidah in my dumplin’—she sho
-would, an’ fuss thing I know I’d wake up some mawnin’ an’ fine myse’f
-dead, an’ all on account uv dis thing dat you calls ’showance. No, sah,
-I don’t want nothin’ to do wid hit. De Baptis’ church is good ’nuff fer
-me.”
-
-When the solicitor turned the corner he heard Uncle Ned singing some
-kind of religious song with the following refrain:
-
-                 “I’m Baptis’ bred, an’ Baptis’ bo’n.
-                 An’ w’en I die, dah’s a Baptis’ gone.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  XI.
-                          THE STRENUOUS LIFE.
-
-
-They were having a rough-and-tumble time of it and Pansy was getting
-some pretty hard blows. She took them all good-naturedly, nevertheless,
-and tried to give as good as she received, much to the delight of her
-little boy friends. A lady who was standing near, afraid for the little
-girl, chided the boys and said:
-
-“You shouldn’t handle Pansy so roughly—you might hurt her.”
-
-And then Pansy looked up in sweet surprise and said with amusing
-seriousness:
-
-“No; they won’t hurt me. I don’t break easy.”
-
-It was a thoroughly childlike expression, but it had more wisdom in it
-than Pansy knew. She spoke out of a little girl’s experience with dolls,
-some of which, as she had learned, broke very easily. Pansy knew how
-delightful it was to have a doll that didn’t break so easily. Though she
-was not a homely girl by any means, and though she was not a wicked
-little girl, yet she wanted it understood that she was not like a piece
-of china. That was why the other children liked her so much—because she
-knew how to rough it without crying or complaining at every turn. Pansy
-was not a cry-baby.
-
-[Illustration: “I DON’T BREAK EASY.”]
-
-There is all the time, my dear boys and girls, a great demand everywhere
-all through life for people who don’t break easily—people who know how
-to take hard knocks without going all to pieces. The game of life is
-sometimes rough, even among those who mean to play fair. It is very
-trying when we have to deal with people who break easily, and are always
-getting hurt and spoiling the game with their tears and complaints. It
-is so much better when we have to deal with people who, like little
-Pansy, do not break easily. Some of them will laugh off the hardest
-words without wincing at all. You can jostle them as you will, but they
-don’t fall down every time you shove them, and they don’t cry every time
-they are pushed aside. You can’t but like them, they take life so
-heartily and so sensibly. You don’t have to hold yourself in with them
-all the time. You can let yourself out freely without being on pins as
-to the result. Young people of this class make good playmates or good
-work-fellows, as the case may be.
-
-So, boys and girls, you must learn to rough it a little. Don’t be a
-china doll, going to smash at every hard knock. If you get hard blows
-take them cheerily and as easily as you can. Even if some blow comes
-when you least expect it, and knocks you off your feet for a minute,
-don’t let it floor you long. Everybody likes the fellow who can get up
-when he is knocked down and blink the tears away and pitch in again.
-Learning to get yourself accustomed to a little hard treatment will be
-good for you. Hard words and hard fortune often make us—if we don’t let
-them break us. Stand up to your work or play courageously, and when you
-hear words that hurt, when you are hit hard with the blunders or
-misdeeds of others, when life goes roughly with you, keep right on in a
-happy, companionable, courageous, helpful spirit, and let the world know
-that you don’t break easily.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XII.
-                               A HUMBUG.
-
-
-A boy or girl who is pleasant and agreeable everywhere except at home is
-a humbug. I know one boy who is a good deal of a humbug, although you
-would never think so if you were to see him in any place outside of his
-home. He is good-looking, neat and tidy, and carries himself like a
-little man. I do not know of a boy who can tip his hat more gracefully
-to a lady, or who can say, “I beg your pardon,” or “excuse me, please,”
-more pleasantly than he can. But, for all that, he is a humbug.
-
-I visited his home the other day. I heard his mother speak to him.
-
-“Alexander,” she said.
-
-“Well, what do you want?” he asked in a voice which plainly indicated
-his displeasure.
-
-“I want you to do something for me.”
-
-“Oh, you are always wanting me to do something just when I want to be
-doing something else,” said Alexander, and this time he was whining.
-
-In departing on his errand Alexander accidentally ran against his little
-sister in the hall. I expected to hear him say, “I beg your pardon” in
-the pleasant way that I knew he could say it, but he snapped out
-instead:
-
-“Oh, get out of the way, can’t you?”
-
-[Illustration: “OH, GET OUT OF THE WAY, CAN’T YOU?”]
-
-When he returned from the postoffice Alexander’s mother was out in the
-yard trimming the flowers. While Alexander was reporting to her, she
-happened to drop her scissors. I expected to see her polite and dutiful
-son pick them up, as he was close by when the scissors fell; but the boy
-paid no attention to the scissors. When his mother said: “Please pick up
-my scissors for me, Alexander,” he said:
-
-“What did you drop ’em for?”
-
-I spent the best part of one whole day at Alexander’s home, and never
-once during all that day did I hear him speak politely to his mother or
-sisters, nor did he observe the ordinary rules of courtesy and good
-behavior in their presence. He was continually grumbling and complaining
-and finding fault. So I think I have a right to say that this boy is a
-good deal of a humbug. Any boy is a humbug who is polite and gracious to
-others and in every way discourteous and disagreeable at home. Don’t you
-think so, too?
-
-
-
-
-                                 XIII.
-                      A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM.[3]
-
-
-At the close of the regular prayer-meeting service the pastor of the New
-Mount Zion Colored Baptist Church, according to custom, stepped to the
-front of the platform and inquired:
-
-“Is dar anybody present to-night who would like to jine dis church? Ef
-so, please stan’ up.”
-
-Whereupon a little girl, apparently fourteen or fifteen years old,
-stood. The parson said:
-
-“Take yo’ seat. Dah’s one; de church will set togeddah atter dismission
-an’ hyeah f’um dis little lamb.”
-
-The benediction having been pronounced, all the sinners were asked to
-leave the room. Only church members are allowed to remain for these
-“after meetings.” When the room was cleared of all “the goats” a
-pompous-looking individual, perhaps a deacon of the church, arose and
-said:
-
-“Bruddah Pastur, de house is in ordah an’ ready fur business.”
-
-The pastor then asked the little girl who was seeking admission to come
-forward. She gave her name to a one-eyed man seated at a table in front,
-who, after a laborious effort, passed it up on a piece of paper to the
-preacher. The preacher, readjusting his brass-rimmed spectacles, looked
-at the piece of paper for a long while, and then raised his head and
-said:
-
-“Bruddahs an’ sistahs, dis is little Queen Victoria Davis, who comes to
-tell us what de Lawd has done fur her soul.” Then, turning to the girl,
-he said: “My daughtah, we wants you to tell us what fuss started you to
-prayin’, and how you foun’ de Lawd, an’ so on an’ so fo’th. Speak loud
-so all kin hyeah.”
-
-The little girl began as follows:
-
-“Well, bruddahs and sistahs, what fuss started me to prayin’ was dat I
-knowed dat I had a soul to save, an’ ef I didn’t git religion hell would
-sho be my home.”
-
-“True! True!” exclaimed a number of men and women in chorus.
-
-“An’ den,” continued Queen Victoria, “I wanted to start to servin’ de
-Lawd while I was young: I wanted to give Him my bes’ days.”
-
-“Amen,” said one old brother.
-
-“Well,” asked the pastor, “how did you feel while you was seekin’ de
-Lawd?”
-
-The girl hesitated a moment, evidently in doubt as to the exact purport
-of the question. Finally she said:
-
-“I felt like I wanted to be saved.”
-
-This answer not exactly suiting the parson, he put the question in a
-different way. Said he:
-
-“Did you feel light er did you feel heavy while you was a-prayin’?”
-
-“I felt both,” said the little girl in unaffected innocence. Funereal
-groans of pity swept through the congregation. The preacher tried again.
-This time he asked:
-
-“Did you feel light de mos’ er did you feel heavy de mos’?”
-
-When Queen Victoria responded, “I felt heavy de mos’,” a wave of
-approval greeted the remark.
-
-“W’en did dat heavy load leave you?” asked the parson.
-
-“Las’ Friday night,” said Queen Victoria; “las’ Friday night. I kep’ on
-a-prayin’ an’ a-prayin’, an’ I didn’t feel no bettah untell I made up my
-min’ dat I was a-gwine tah fin’ de Lawd er die a-tryin’. An’ las’ Friday
-night de Sperrit met me an’ spoke peace to my soul. I hyeahed a little
-voice, but I saw no man, an’ de little voice said to me, ‘Go in peace
-an’ sin no mo’: yo’ sins is furgiven an’ yo’ soul sot free’.”
-
-At this everybody shouted assent. “Glory! Hallelujah!” exclaimed an
-elderly sister.
-
-“Now, my daughtah,” said the preacher, “how did you feel atter dat?”
-
-“I felt light ez a feathah,” said the child. There was another shout of
-approval, Queen Victoria having hit upon the regulation answer.
-
-“Ef you was to die now, whar would you go?” inquired the examiner.
-
-“To heaven,” was the reply.
-
-“Ef you had ’a’ died in yo’ sins, whar would you ’a’ went?”
-
-“I would ’a’ went to hell,” said the girl.
-
-“Would Gawd ’a’ been jest in sendin’ you to hell?”
-
-“No, sah!” exclaimed the applicant. Many of the hearers laughed. The
-preacher raised his hand and said:
-
-“Don’t laff; don’t laff; de chile is young yit, an’ she’s got to learn.”
-
-Then by a series of leading questions, mainly concerning parental
-government, the old pastor brought the child around to the point where
-she saw, or where she was willing to say that she saw, that it was just
-for God to send people to hell.
-
-“Do you want to jine dis church?” continued the questioner.
-
-“Yes, sah,” said the applicant.
-
-“Dis is a Baptis’ church, you know,” explained the pastor; “we baptize
-hyeah by putting people deep down undah de watah. Ain’t you sheered uv
-cole watah in de wintah time?”
-
-“Watah can’t git too cole fur me,” said the little girl, “I got de grace
-uv Gawd in my heart.”
-
-The people fairly whooped at this (as in their superstition they
-supposed) supreme manifestation of faith.
-
-The pastor then turned to the congregation and said:
-
-“Is dah any uddah questions?”
-
-An old brother near the stove arose and said:
-
-“Bruddah Pastur, I ain’t hyeahed de chile say whar she was at w’en de
-change took place.”
-
-Queen Victoria responded:
-
-“I was at de Bridge Street church las’ Friday night.”
-
-The old brother nodded, as if completely satisfied with the answer. Then
-he asked:
-
-“How long is you willin’ to trus’ dis hope?”
-
-“Tell I dies,” said the applicant. Down sat the questioner.
-
-“Any mo’ questions?” asked the pastor.
-
-A sister stood.
-
-“Honey,” she said, “is you got any parrunts livin’?”
-
-“Yas’m,” was the reply; “my ma an’ my pa is both livin’, an’ dey’s both
-out in de ole fiel’ uv sin.”
-
-“Lawd ’a’ mussy!” exclaimed several of the hearers. The sister who asked
-the question sat bathed in tears.
-
-A brother in the rear arose and said:
-
-“I has a question dat I wants to ax: I wants to know, daughtah, ef you
-was convertid at de Bridge Street church, huccom you wants to jine dis
-church?”
-
-“De Speerit sent me to dis church,” exultantly exclaimed the girl.
-
-“Glory to Gawd!” said the pastor. “Bless de Lamb!” exclaimed someone
-else. “Honah! Honah! Honah!” hallooed many others, and there was a
-general shout.
-
-The examination ended, two sisters came forward and took Queen Victoria
-into the anteroom. When the applicant had been carried out a brother
-arose, the same pompous individual who had originally announced the
-house in “ordah an’ ready fur business.” Clearing his throat, he said:
-
-“Bruddah Pastur, I sho b’lieves dis is de works uv grace.” There was a
-loud chorus of “Amens.” “An’ I motions,” continued the speaker, “ef I
-kin git a secon’, dat she be ’ceptid ez er candidate fur baptism, an’ on
-baptism ’come a full membah uv dis church.”
-
-“Secon’ de motion!” “Secon’ de motion!” exclaimed several at one and the
-same time.
-
-The motion was put and carried. Queen Victoria was brought in once more.
-The pastor informed her of the unanimous vote of the church, and
-instructed her to be ready for baptism the following Sunday night. Then
-the meeting adjourned, the members singing as they dispersed:
-
-                    “Ole sheep, you know de road,
-                    Ole sheep, you know de road,
-                    Ole sheep, you know de road,
-                    Young lambs mus’ learn de way.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  XIV.
-                         GOING WITH THE CROWD.
-
-
-“But all the girls went, mother. I didn’t like to be the only one left
-out. Besides, when I said I wouldn’t go they all laughed at me and said
-that I was a coward.”
-
-It was Wednesday morning, before school time, and Anna was dreading to
-go back to school—dreading to meet her teacher. The day before a circus
-had been in town. At recess, while the children were on the playground,
-they heard the noise of the band, and one of the girls said:
-
-“Let’s go and see the parade.”
-
-“All right,” said Anna. “I’ll go and ask the teacher if we may.”
-
-“No; don’t ask her—she might say no. We can get back before the bell
-rings, and she will never know that we left the grounds.”
-
-Anna and one or two other girls held back. They all knew that it was
-against the rules to go off the playground at recess without permission.
-
-“Oh, come on! Come on!” insisted one of the girls. “You’re afraid;
-you’re afraid! Come on! Don’t be such a coward; all the rest are going.”
-
-And so Anna went.
-
-When the girls saw the parade pass one point they wanted to see it once
-more, and away they went through the cross street to get to another
-corner ahead of the procession. School was forgotten; and when they did
-remember, recess time was long past and it was too late to go back.
-
-The next morning, as Anna stood in the kitchen talking it over with her
-mother, her little heart was very heavy. She knew she had done wrong;
-she dreaded to go to school; and she was very unhappy.
-
-“Perhaps,” said her mother, “if you had been brave about not going, the
-other girls would have stayed on the school grounds too. Or, if you had
-asked the teacher, I think she would have let you all go. But whether
-she did or not, it is never safe to do a thing just because ‘all the
-rest do it.’ Going with the crowd is not a good plan unless you are sure
-that the crowd is going in the right direction. The only wise thing for
-you to do is to be sure you are right, and then stick to it and never
-mind what the crowd does.”
-
-“I didn’t mean to do wrong,” said Anna, as the tears started in her
-eyes.
-
-[Illustration: “MOTHER, I’M SO HAPPY. TEACHER FORGAVE ME.”]
-
-“I know that, my dear,” said her mother, “but you were more afraid of
-being teased than you were of doing wrong. I hope you will remember from
-this day forward that the brave girl is not the girl who dares to do
-wrong, but the brave girl is the one who does what she knows to be
-right, in spite of the taunts and jeers of her playmates.”
-
-“What shall I tell my teacher?” asked Anna in a low voice, as she
-dropped her head.
-
-“Oh,” said her mother, kissing her, “you go right straight to your
-teacher and tell her that you have done wrong, and that you are sorry
-for it. Ask her to let you say so to the whole school. Be sure to beg
-her pardon, and promise not to do so again.”
-
-Little Anna did as her mother told her. That afternoon, when she came
-back from school, she ran into her mother’s arms and said:
-
-“Mother, I’m so happy. Teacher forgave me, and I mean to be good.”
-
-And the smile on Anna’s face spoke plainly of a happy heart.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XV.
-                          MARY AND HER DOLLS.
-
-
-[Illustration: MARY AND HER DOLLS.]
-
-Was there ever a time when the first doll was born? Was there ever a
-time when little boys and girls, especially little girls, did not love
-dolls and did not have something of that nature to play with? It would
-appear that dolls, or playthings somewhat like unto dolls, are as old as
-babies themselves—that is to say, boys and girls, that ever since there
-have been little children in the world there have been little things for
-them to play with. And I never saw a sane person in my life who regrets
-that it is so. It is not only amusing, it is inspiring to see the little
-children making merry with their dolls and their toy animals and their
-little express wagons and their wooden guns and their toy steam engines
-and their whistles and their balloons and their brownies and their
-jumping-jacks and their hobby-horses and a hundred and one other things.
-
-Mary had put away her dolls for the night and was cleaning the doll
-house when papa came in.
-
-“How many doll babies have you now, Mary?” he asked.
-
-“I have five dolls now, papa,” said Mary, “but only one is a baby—that
-is little Flossie. Robbie and Nell are three years old now; Mattie is
-two and Jerusha is one year old. Flossie is now the only little baby.”
-
-The Rev. Dr. Smithson smiled.
-
-“Well,” he said after a time, “five dolls make a big family, I think.”
-
-“I don’t,” said Mary quickly. “Rolla Mays has thirteen girls and two
-boys in her doll family, and I haven’t but five in all!”
-
-“I shouldn’t think,” said Dr. Smithson, “that Rolla would know what to
-do with so many.”
-
-“Why, papa, of course she does!”
-
-“Mary,” said Dr. Smithson, looking thoughtfully at his little daughter,
-“I have a little girl in my Sunday school class who hasn’t a single
-doll. I thought you might like to give her one of yours. You could spare
-one—couldn’t you?”
-
-“Oh, papa, I couldn’t—not a one,” exclaimed Mary.
-
-“Not one—when this poor little girl hasn’t any?”
-
-“Oh, papa, I love my dolls so—how can I give them away?”
-
-“You’d have four left—wouldn’t that be enough?”
-
-Mary thought a long while before speaking. She looked distressed.
-
-“Papa,” she said at last, “Mrs. Grant was over here the other day, and
-she said that she wished you and mamma would give me to her because she
-didn’t have any little girl of her own. You’ve got five children
-yourself, papa—but would you give any of ’em away just because you would
-have four left?”
-
-Dr. Smithson took his little daughter in his arms and kissed her.
-
-“No, dear,” he said; “papa wouldn’t give any one of his children away.
-You may keep all of your dollies, and we’ll think of some other way to
-help poor little Hattie.”
-
-The next morning Mary said:
-
-“Papa, I have thought it all out for Hattie. You know I have been saving
-up a little money to buy me a little iron bank—but I can wait for that.
-I have saved up fifty cents—don’t you think that will be enough to buy a
-nice little dolly for Hattie, and let me keep my babies?”
-
-Dr. Smithson knew that Mary had long been planning for the bank. So he
-asked:
-
-“Are you quite sure that you want to spend your money in this way?”
-
-“Yes, papa, I’m very sure,” said Mary with a smile, though there was a
-hint of sadness in her eyes.
-
-Dr. Smithson and Mary bought Hattie a pretty doll. Hattie was overjoyed
-when she saw it. Mary went back home, glad that her papa had understood
-how she loved her dolls, and glad to find that not one of her beloved
-children was missing.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XVI.
-                       JAKY TOLBERT’S PLAYMATES.
-
-
-“Well, Johnnie, where are you going this morning?” asked Mrs. Jones as
-her little boy started towards the gate.
-
-“I’m goin’ over to Jaky’s, mamma; you know I must go over to Jaky’s
-every day.”
-
-“What do you find at Jaky’s to make you so anxious to go over there
-every day almost before you are out of bed good?”
-
-“Oh, mamma, Jaky has the nicest playmates over to his house you ’most
-ever saw.”
-
-“Who else goes over to Jaky’s besides you?” asked Mrs. Jones.
-
-“Jaky don’t have no reg’lar visitor but me,” said Johnnie proudly. “Me
-an’ Jaky is the whole thing.”
-
-“Well, you are saying a good deal for yourself when you say that Jaky
-has the nicest playmates in the world—don’t you think so?”
-
-[Illustration: “I’M GOING OVER TO JAKY’S, MAMMA.”]
-
-“I didn’t mean me,” explained Johnnie. “Jaky’s playmates ain’t folks at
-all. Jaky’s playmates is animals—just animals, but I do believe that
-they have got as much sense as some folks I know.”
-
-“What kind of animals?” asked Mrs. Jones, becoming interested.
-
-Then Johnnie went on to explain. He said:
-
-“Jaky’s got chickens and dogs and cats and birds. He’s got names for all
-of ’em, and they all know their names and they just run to Jaky when he
-calls them. The chickens and birds, too, will just walk right up and eat
-out of Jaky’s hand. And his trained dogs and cats are just the funniest
-things I ever saw. His little dog, Trip, can carry a gun and obey the
-commands, “Carry arms!” “Present arms!” “Parade rest!” just like a
-little soldier. One time at a fair he saw trained dogs and horses,
-elephants, and even lions. Then he decided that he would train some
-animals himself. And, mamma, he has done well. Why, he’s got a cat that
-can spell some words. Jaky printed some letters of the alphabet on
-separate cards, and he’s got a cat that will pick out the right ones
-every time. One of his little dogs can play the fiddle. It may seem
-strange, but he certainly can do it. He can hold the fiddle, and draw
-the bow across it just the right way, and he can play a little tune.
-Jaky calls it a dog tune, and I think he ought to know.
-
-“You just ought to see Jaky’s chickens—he’s got six of ’em. He calls
-them and they all come running. Then he holds out his arm, and calls
-them by name, and they will jump up on his little arm, one after the
-other, and will sit there until Jaky tells them to jump down. And Jaky
-is so kind to his two birds that they won’t fly away when he lets them
-out of their cages for a little while. He can take them up in his arms
-and pat them gently, and then he puts them down, and they will lie still
-right by Jaky until Jaky calls them by name and tells them to go into
-the house—that is, I mean, into their cages.
-
-“By the way, mama, I forgot to tell you. Jaky is getting up an animal
-show, and he says that I am to be his manager. He’s going to print the
-cards to-day. He’s going to call his circus, “JAKY TOLBERT’S GREAT
-ANIMAL SHOW—THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH,” and he’s going to make me the
-manager of his circus. Won’t that be fine? You’ll come and see it—won’t
-you? We’re going to charge only one cent for you to come in. Oh, it’s
-going to be great, and I don’t want you to miss it.”
-
-“To be sure, I’ll come,” said Mrs. Jones. “Tell Jaky I’m glad to hear
-about how much he loves the dumb animals—every manly boy ought to love
-and protect them.”
-
-“I tell you,” said Johnnie, as he hurried out of the gate, “Jaky will
-fight anybody who hallooes at one of his pets or mistreats one in the
-least. He’s just as kind to them as he can be. Don’t you forget the
-show. It’ll come off next week.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XVII.
-                           A VALENTINE PARTY.
-
-
-It was one week from St. Valentine’s Day, and the Berry children had
-already provided a number of the tokens, comic and otherwise, which they
-meant to send to their friends. Jack produced a grotesque and awfully
-exaggerated caricature of a withered, stoop-shouldered old woman, with
-some cruel lines of doggerel printed beneath it.
-
-“I’m going to send this to old Mrs. Gray,” said Jack, as he exhibited
-the comic picture.
-
-Nearly all the children laughed, and said that the picture and the words
-beneath it would just suit the old woman. Mrs. Gray was an old and
-poverty-stricken widow woman, and many of the children of the little
-village took delight in playing tricks on her on Hallowe’en and
-Valentine nights. In this way, the children, especially the boys, had
-made her life so miserable that the old woman often said that she hated
-even the sight of a boy. In the midst of the merriment over the proposed
-venture of Jack Berry, it was Lillie Berry who spoke up, saying,——
-
-[Illustration: OLD MRS. GRAY.]
-
-“Jack, I tell you what I think. I think we ought to give Mrs. Gray a
-genuine surprise next week. She has had so many ups and downs in this
-life, I really believe that we can give her a little pleasure if we give
-her a true—true surprise. Of course, all the boys and girls will be
-invited to join in, but it is not going to be like a regular party, but
-something like the ‘surprise’ parties or donation parties that we
-sometimes give the preacher; we’ll just put the things on the doorstep
-and run, the way we do with valentines, you know. What do you say to
-that, Jack? And what do the rest of you think?”
-
-Very quickly the Berry children agreed with what Lillie had said, and
-immediately they set about planning for the valentine party.
-
-The night of February fourteenth was clear, cold and moonless. Across
-the fields in the darkness, a throng of merry young children, with a
-wagon or two (little goat wagons) piled high with baskets and bundles
-and wood, slipped silently toward the little house where old Mrs. Gray
-sat shivering over her scanty fire. A sudden knock at the door aroused
-Mrs. Gray from her musing. She hobbled painfully to the door. Opening
-it, she saw by the light of the tallow candle a basket of rosy apples
-and another of potatoes. Nothing else was in sight.
-
-A second knock followed almost as soon as the door had closed on the two
-baskets which were hurriedly drawn inside. This time a can of kerosene
-oil held a lonely vigil on the doorstep.
-
-“I haven’t had a drop in my lamp for two weeks,” Jack heard the old lady
-say, as she peered out eagerly into the darkness before closing the
-door.
-
-As she was busy filling her lamp, she was interrupted by a third knock,
-which resulted in a basket filled with groceries in parcels in all
-shapes and sizes. Great tears stood in Mrs. Gray’s eyes, and a great
-lump arose in her throat.
-
-At last knock number four revealed the real Saint Valentine—a group of
-laughing boys and girls, every one of whom carried an armful either of
-pine or oak wood for the stove.
-
-“Where shall we put it?” asked Jack Berry, as eager now to help as he
-had been the week before to tease. Mrs. Gray was rubbing her eyes, and
-wondering if she could possibly be awake and in her right mind.
-
-“Wish you many happy returns of Valentine’s Day!” said Lillie Berry, as
-she slipped into the withered hand a small purse containing the
-valentine money of the boys and girls; and before the bewildered woman
-could say more than a fervent “God bless you,” her guests had melted
-away in the darkness, and she was left to weep tears of thankfulness
-among her new possessions.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XVIII.
-                            “NO MONEY DOWN.”
-
-
-Boys and girls, I suppose you are quite familiar with what is known as
-buying things on the instalment plan. You have seen people in your own
-neighborhood—perhaps in your own homes—buy things that way. Chairs,
-tables, bed-steads, rugs, pictures, things for the kitchen and things to
-wear, and many other things are bought that way. Most people think they
-are getting a great bargain when they are able to buy things by paying a
-small amount in cash as the first payment—say fifty cents or a
-dollar—and then pay the balance in small weekly or monthly payments. And
-especially do some of our mothers and fathers think that they are
-getting a great bargain, if they are able to buy things they want for
-“no money down” and so much a week. In such matters, my dear boys and
-girls, your parents are making a terrible mistake and are setting you a
-wrong example. They lose sight of the fact, when they fall into the
-habit of buying anything and everything on the instalment plan or on the
-“no money down” plan, that a day of reckoning is sure to come; that the
-time comes when they must pay for everything that they have been led
-into buying. Thoughtful people—wise people—prefer to pay “money down”
-when they buy anything; and this habit of paying as they go helps them
-in at least two ways. First, it saves money in their pockets, and,
-secondly, it keeps them from running in debt.
-
-Children, these men who come to your homes with great packs on their
-backs always charge you double for whatever they may sell you on the “no
-money down” plan—no matter what it is! That is why they are willing to
-make the terms so “easy,” as they say. In the end they profit by their
-schemes, and nobody else does profit by their schemes except these
-peddlers. You ought to avoid them as you would a wild beast. You do not
-know now, boys and girls, what a terrible thing debt is. I honestly hope
-that you may never know, and if you will take the advice of older and
-wiser persons I am sure you will always be free from the bondage of
-debt.
-
-Not long ago, I saw two women standing at the window of one of these “no
-money down” or “hand-me-down” stores. One said to the other—
-
-“I just believe I’ll get me a new cloak this winter. My cloak didn’t
-cost but three dollars, and it is so old and shabby that I am ashamed to
-wear it in the street. Look at that beauty over there in the corner.
-Only ten dollars and ‘no money down’.”
-
-“Yes;” said her companion, “but I guess the money will have to come down
-sometime.”
-
-“Oh, of course; but, you know, I won’t have to pay it all at once. I
-could probably get it for fifty cents a week.”
-
-“Well, why don’t you just save the fifty cents a week until you have
-enough to pay ‘cash down’ for the cloak, and in that way you would save,
-I am sure, three or four dollars; because you can buy that same cloak
-for six dollars or seven dollars in cash.”
-
-“Oh,” said the woman, “I’d never save it as I would if I had the cloak
-and knew that I just had to pay for it.”
-
-“But, Delia, the cloak would not really be yours until you had paid for
-it, and I would feel kind of cheap wearing a cloak that didn’t belong to
-me. If I were you I would stick to the old cloak until I could pay the
-money down for a new one. That’s what I would do.”
-
-And that is exactly what anybody should do who wants a new cloak. It is
-what people should do, no matter what they want. I know a boy fifteen or
-sixteen years old who had the courage and the manliness and the honesty
-to wear a very shabby old overcoat all of last winter rather than buy
-one on the “no money down” plan. It is his plan always to “pay as he
-goes,” and be debtor to no one.
-
-I heard the other day of a young fellow who goes two or three blocks out
-of his way to avoid passing certain stores because he owes the
-proprietors of those stores money that he cannot pay. That boy, I know,
-is miserable night and day. Mr. Longfellow, in his “The Village
-Blacksmith,” tells us that the honest old blacksmith could look “the
-whole world in the face,” because he did not owe anybody anything—he was
-out of debt. And boys and girls, if you are level-headed, you will fight
-shy of the “no money down” plan. By choosing the “money down” plan, you
-will save your self-respect and your good name.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XIX.
-                         TOMMY’S BABY BROTHER.
-
-
-For several months Deacon Tadpole’s little son, Tommy, had made constant
-and repeated reference to the fact that he had no little baby brother or
-sister to play with. One day, when he was feeling unusually sad over his
-misfortune, he said to his father,——
-
-“Papa, I ain’t got no little baby brother to play with—you might at
-least buy me a little pony.”
-
-“Papa can’t buy a pony, son;” said the deacon. “A pony costs too much. I
-thought you wanted a little brother or sister.”
-
-“I do,” said Tommy, “but if I can’t get what I want I’m willing to take
-what I can get.”
-
-“But, you would rather have a little brother than a pony, wouldn’t you?”
-asked Mr. Tadpole.
-
-Tommy thought awhile and then said he thought he would rather have a
-little baby brother than to have a pony.
-
-“You see,” he said, “it costs so much to keep a pony, and we would have
-to build a stable for him, wouldn’t we, papa?”
-
-“Yes,” answered his father, “and we haven’t got any room in the backyard
-for a stable.”
-
-“And we’d have to buy hay, too,” said the child.
-
-“Yes,” said his father.
-
-“Well, I’d rather have the little brother.”
-
-[Illustration: “PAPA, I AINT GOT NO LITTLE BABY BROTHER TO PLAY WITH.”]
-
-So the matter was left in abeyance until a month ago when little Tommy
-was told one morning that a little brother had come to him.
-
-He was delighted. He danced around in the hall and made such a racket on
-the stairs that the nurse threatened to have him sent away. When he was
-permitted to see the baby, Tommy went into ecstasies. He asked a
-thousand questions about the little one, and was very anxious to know
-why God had taken so long to send him down from heaven. He wanted to
-kiss the baby, and cried because they wouldn’t let him hold it in his
-arms.
-
-But Tommy’s enthusiasm for the new baby began to wear off in about a
-week’s time. It was always, “Sh-sh! Sh-sh! You’ll wake the baby,” or
-“Tommy, you must be more quiet!” or “You can’t come in this room, now!”
-
-In fact the little baby brother seemed to be interfering with little
-Tommy’s fun to such an extent that he decided to go to his father and
-see if some new arrangement could not be made. Tommy found his father in
-the library. He ran to Deacon Tadpole and climbed upon his knee, and
-said,——
-
-“Papa, I don’t believe I want my little brother any more. I can’t have
-any fun with him. I’ll tell you what let’s do. Let’s trade him for a
-pony.”
-
-“Oh, we couldn’t do that,” said the deacon.
-
-Tommy was silent for a time. Then he said,——
-
-“Well, I don’t suppose we could find anybody that would want to trade a
-pony for him, but don’t you think you could trade him for a goat?”
-
-
-
-
-                                  XX.
-                            KEEPING SCHOOL.
-
-
-Every boy and girl in America ought to go to school. The public school
-is one of the best institutions connected with the life of our nation.
-But did you ever hear of a little girl who went to school to herself? I
-have, and I want to tell you about it.
-
-We will call her Tootsie.
-
-There was no school house, and no teachers; nothing only just little
-Tootsie; not even her dolls; just simply Tootsie sitting all alone on
-the couch near the window. That was all there was to this little school,
-so far as anybody could see.
-
-But Tootsie said she had a large school, with some sixty pupils.
-Sometimes she would say that her scholars had been naughty and that they
-would have to stay in at recess; and then again she would say that they
-had been promoted to a higher grade; she often talked to her pupils as
-if they were real live people, telling them how they should stand and
-how they should sit and giving them permission to be excused, and so on.
-So you see it seemed in Tootsie’s mind very much more like a real school
-than it could to us.
-
-[Illustration: TOOTSIE.]
-
-Every morning, when Tootsie’s sister would start for school, Tootsie
-would watch her until she was out of sight, and then she would go and
-sit down on the couch. Not having a true-true school book, she would
-take her Christmas story books. At first she would only look at the
-pictures and try to think what the story about them must be. Then she
-would ask mama or grandma, or whoever happened to be nearest, what the
-words of the picture-story were. She would then say the words of the
-story over to herself, and look at the picture. Next day she would read
-over the words of the same story as far as she could remember them, and
-when she came to a word that she did not know, up she would jump and go
-and ask some one what it was. When she had learned a story herself, she
-would then talk to her sixty imaginary scholars about it, showing them
-the picture and explaining the story to them just as though the children
-were all there before her in her little school room.
-
-In this way Tootsie went through one after another of her story books,
-picking out the stories that had pleasing pictures.
-
-But the nice thing of it all was that Tootsie was really learning to
-read, and she did get so that she read real well; for she knew just what
-she was reading about, and often, when she would find a story that was
-funny, she would laugh right out even if she was at school, and then she
-would find mama or grandma and read the funny part to them.
-
-Maybe one reason why Tootsie learned so fast was because her school was
-just like play to her and not like work. Of course, it is easier to play
-than it is to work. But could you think of any better thing to play than
-to play keeping school? Why not try it? It helped Tootsie wonderfully,
-and I believe it would help many other boys and girls. What do you think
-about it?
-
-
-
-
-                                  XXI.
-                       THE SCHOOL OF THE STREET.
-
-
-Little Joe, ten years old, had followed his business as a newsboy and
-bootblack in Smutville for three or four years, and, of course, had
-turned out to be a first-class little citizen of the street. He could
-curse and swear, and drink and smoke, just the same as any old hardened
-sinner.
-
-One day, after Joe had finished one of his daily fights with some other
-small boy, a kind-hearted gentleman stepped up to him and said,——
-
-“My little man, do you go to school?”
-
-“Nope,” said Joe.
-
-“Do you go to Sunday-school?”
-
-“Nope.”
-
-“Well,” said the gentleman, “what do you expect to do when you are
-grown?”
-
-“I ain’t going to wait till I’m grown—I’m going to be a jockey; that’s
-what I’m going to be.”
-
-“How would you like to be bank cashier or president of a great bank?
-Wouldn’t you like that better?”
-
-“Yep,” said the boy, “but a poor boy can’t get no job like that—now you
-know he couldn’t.”
-
-“Oh, yes; he could if he were to prepare himself for it. But a poor boy,
-and no other boy, will ever be a great business man if he is going to
-live forever in the street—cursing and swearing and fighting and, it may
-be, stealing, and having no higher ambition than to be a jockey.”
-
-[Illustration: LITTLE JOE.]
-
-“Are you a parson?” asked the boy, becoming interested.
-
-“No, but I am interested in little boys. I am the secretary of the Young
-Men’s Christian Association and we have a boys’ department. I want you
-to join it. I have found out about your habits and your surroundings; I
-was told of the death of your mother and father; and I made up my mind
-to come and ask you to come over to the Young Men’s Christian
-Association and live with us. You may continue to sell your papers and
-black boots, but, you see, living with us, you can go to school at
-night, and some day you will have a good education—and you might be a
-bank cashier.”
-
-Little Joe took this good man’s advice and went to live in the Y. M. C.
-A. building. He did not turn out to be a bank cashier or president, but
-what was better, Joe turned out to be a General Secretary of one of the
-largest Y. M. C. A.’s among the colored people of this country, and in
-that way has been instrumental in saving a great many other boys from
-the gutter.
-
-But Joe would never have amounted to anything if he had not been taken
-away from the wicked influences of the street, and placed on the road to
-higher things. The worst school in this world that any boy can go to is
-the school of the street. The school of the street turns out the most
-impure, the most dishonest and the most illiterate boys, and those boys
-and girls who ever rise to be anything or anybody in the world are the
-ones who leave the influences of the street in due time, as Little Joe
-did. The street offers most of its work and most of its attractions at
-night, as many boys can tell. The life of the street leads to no career
-that is worth following. The good careers are made by those whom the
-street has not had a chance to spoil, or by those who are taken out of
-the streets before they become hopeless cases.
-
-There is no greater error than the common notion that it is a good thing
-to let a boy run the streets and become “hard” and “tough” and “have his
-wits sharpened” and make “a little man” of himself, as some foolish
-people say. A boy learns more downright mischief in one night in the
-street than he can unlearn in the home in six months. And so, what will
-the teaching of the home, the public school and the Sunday-school amount
-to, if we are going to give our boys in their young and tender years the
-freedom of the streets? If now and then a street boy—that is to say, a
-boy hardened in the ways of the street—does get a good place, in most
-cases he will lose it and fall back to the old, free life of the gutter.
-The boys who succeed are the boys who get away from, or who are taken
-away from, the influences of the street and who are surrounded by better
-and more wholesome influences. Those who remain under the influences of
-the street become in the course of time members of the great army of
-beggars, tramps and criminals. It is a great pity that there should be
-so many stories going the rounds which tell about newsboys and messenger
-boys and so on rising to be bank clerks and telegraph-operators and so
-forth. On the whole, these stories are misleading, and for the reason
-that they seem to give the impression to many innocent boys and to many
-thoughtless parents that the surest way to give a boy a good start in
-life is to send him out into the streets to “rough it” and fight his way
-to the front over beer bottles, games of chance, the race-track, and the
-pool room, to the accompaniment of vulgar jokes, profane swearing and
-evil associates. I repeat: The school of the street is the worst school
-in the world, and the sooner boys get out of it the better it will be
-for them.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXII.
-                             THE FOX HUNT.
-
-
-Uncle Hambright used to pride himself upon his ability to invent amusing
-games for the children. Sometimes he found it hard to think of anything
-new, but the demands of the children were so insistent and his desire to
-please them always was so intense that it often happened that Uncle
-Hambright could almost make a way out of no way.
-
-Dinner-time was fast approaching. All the morning, the half-dozen little
-children, who were spending the day with Uncle Hambright at the
-Sunday-school picnic, had been playing every conceivable sort of game
-and had been enjoying every imaginable kind of story told in Uncle Ham’s
-inimitable way,—but still the children were not satisfied. “Just one
-more story,” or “Just one more game,” or “Give us your best game now for
-the last before dinner,”—the children clamored one after another.
-
-“Very well,” said Uncle Ham. “You all wait until I come back, and then
-we’ll play fox-hunting.”
-
-Uncle Ham went and told his sister and her husband, the parents of the
-little children, to take the dinner-baskets far into the woods to the
-place which they had already agreed upon as the spot where the
-dinner-table should be spread. Coming back to the children, Uncle Ham
-said,——
-
-[Illustration: UNCLE HAMBRIGHT.]
-
-“Now, we are ready. Come close and listen while I explain.”
-
-With anxious hearts and eager faces, and clapping their glad hands, the
-children gathered around Uncle Ham.
-
-“Now,” said he, “I have a piece of chalk here in my hand. I am going to
-make something like this wherever I go along.” While he was speaking he
-made a round ring on the fence close by. He put marks for the ears and
-feet and a mark for the tail. Then he continued: “This is the fox. I’m
-going to make foxes along the path that I take into the woods—sometimes
-these foxes may be on fences, sometimes on trees, sometimes on rocks, or
-anywhere I wish to place them. Whenever you find a fox you will know
-that you are on the right road, and you must be sure each time to follow
-in the direction that the head of the fox points. Then you won’t lose
-your way. You must give me a little start, because I must be out of
-sight before you all begin the hunt. At the end of the hunt, if you
-follow carefully, you will find a large present waiting for each one of
-you. You may help yourself to whatever you like, and then we shall all
-come back together, because, you know, I will be at the end myself
-waiting for you when you come.”
-
-It seemed that the ten minutes start that the children had agreed to
-give Uncle Hambright would never come to an end, so eager were they to
-begin the hunt. By-and-by the time came, and they were off. The first
-few foxes had been drawn on the board-walk, so the hunters had easy
-sailing for a little while. Pretty soon, however, one of the girls
-discovered a fox on a tree, and the head of the fox pointed right into
-the woods. At first the children halted. The eldest girl said finally,
-after studying a few minutes,——
-
-“Let’s go on; Uncle Hambright wouldn’t take us where anything could hurt
-us, and, besides, he said he would be waiting at the end.”
-
-Thus reassured, all of them plunged into the woods. Once in the woods
-the little foxes drawn on trees and stumps carried them right along by
-the side of a babbling brook for a long distance. Sometimes they would
-find one fox, and then they would find it very hard to locate the next
-one. It was great fun for them to scurry about in the woods, examining
-trees, stumps, rocks and everything, hunting for the foxes. Finally one
-of the little girls found a fox on a fence. The head of the fox pointed
-upwards. The little child said,——
-
-“This little fox seems to be pointing to heaven; I’m sure we can’t go up
-there.”
-
-“Oh, no;” said the oldest girl, again coming to the rescue,—“I think
-that that little fox leads over the fence—that’s all.”
-
-So, over the fence they jumped and continued the chase.
-
-[Illustration: “YOU ALL WAIT UNTIL I COME BACK, AND THEN WE’LL PLAY AT
-FOX-HUNTING.”]
-
-The course proved to be zig-zag now for a few minutes, and the children
-found the foxes more and more difficult to locate. They felt safe again,
-when the foxes were found on stones or rocks leading up the side of a
-hill. The woods began to thin out, and the children were no longer
-timid. Up the hill they went with a merry laugh and a shout. Once on top
-of the hill, they lost their course again. After a time, they found a
-fox, though, and that fox pointed straight down the hill. The children
-bravely followed. At the foot of the hill, they came suddenly upon an
-open space, and close by there was a great big fox marked upon a piece
-of black paste-board and standing right over a bubbling spring of water.
-
-“Uncle Hambright must have meant for us to stop here,” said one.
-
-“Maybe, he meant for us to stop and get some water,” said another.
-
-One or two of the fox-hunters stopped and drank some water. Then the
-oldest one said,——
-
-“Come on now, let’s look for another fox; I guess we are most through
-now.”
-
-About twenty yards away from the spring, the children came to another
-open space that was well shaded. What was their delight and surprise to
-find there stretched out before them on a large white table cloth, laid
-on the bare ground, a sumptuous picnic-dinner. And in the middle of the
-table there was a true-true stuffed fox with a large red apple in his
-mouth. For a few moments the children stood around the table in
-bewilderment. But they were not to be kept in suspense a great while.
-Pretty soon, Uncle Hambright and mama and papa came out of the woods
-near by, and such a laugh as went around that picnic-dinner was never
-heard before or since!
-
-At the close of the meal, the children all voted that that was the best
-game that Uncle Ham had played during the day.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXIII.
-                            A BOLD VENTURE.
-
-
-“Mr. Slocum, good morning, sir; I came around to ask you to lend me five
-dollars.”
-
-Mr. Slocum, Manager of the Harlem Steamboat Company, looked up from his
-desk in surprise when he heard this abrupt announcement.
-
-“What’s that?” he asked curtly.
-
-“Lend me five dollars,” said the little boy who had first addressed him.
-
-“Who are you?” demanded Mr. Slocum.
-
-“I’m nobody,” said the boy,—“nobody, but I want you to lend me five
-dollars.”
-
-Mr. Slocum, who was generally said to be a hard man to deal with, was
-surprised at the boy’s presumption, yet, nevertheless, he was secretly
-pleased at the boy’s frank and open manner.
-
-“Do you know what borrowing money means?” asked Mr. Slocum, rising and
-looking down upon the diminutive figure standing before him. The boy was
-barefooted, held his hat in his hand, and his hair was nicely combed.
-Mr. Slocum continued: “Don’t you know when a person borrows money he is
-supposed to pay it back?”
-
-“Oh, yes;” said the boy, “I know that. You lend me the money, and I’ll
-pay it back all right. I only want it for three months. I’ll pay it
-back.”
-
-[Illustration: “LEND ME FIVE DOLLARS.”]
-
-There was something about the boy’s face and general deportment that won
-Mr. Slocum’s favor. He ran his hand into his pocket, pulled out a
-five-dollar bill and handed it to the boy.
-
-“Thank you, sir;” said the boy, as he turned to go,—“thank you sir; I’ll
-pay it back.”
-
-Three months later, the same little boy entered Mr. Slocum’s office.
-
-“Here’s your five dollars, Mr. Slocum,” said the little boy. “I’m much
-obliged to you, sir.”
-
-“Who are you?” asked Mr. Slocum, as he reached out and took the money.
-
-“I’m nobody,” said the boy.
-
-“Well, why do you bring me this money?”
-
-“Because I owe it to you,” explained the little fellow.
-
-The boy told Mr. Slocum of the loan made three months before, and made
-Mr. Slocum recall the transaction. Mr. Slocum asked him to have a seat.
-
-“Well, what did you do with that money?” asked Mr. Slocum.
-
-“Well,” said the boy, “I was hard up when I called on you. Me and my ma
-had been selling papers for a living up to that time, but somehow we had
-got behind with our expenses. House rent was due, and we didn’t have
-nothing to eat. I had to find a friend somewhere. So, after trying two
-or three places where I was known and failing to get any help, I decided
-to drop in here and see you. You know the result. Well, I paid my rent
-for a week; rented a little stand for my ma to sell papers on the
-corner, while I continued to hustle in the street. That five dollars you
-lent me give me good luck, and I’ve been going right up ever since. Me
-and ma are living in a better place now; we’ve got a plenty to eat; and
-we’ve got a plenty of fine customers. I told you when I came here before
-that I was nobody then, but I’m somebody now, Mr. Slocum,—anyhow, I feel
-so—and I want to thank you again for the help you gave me.”
-
-The boy’s story pleased Mr. Slocum very much. It is needless to say that
-he took an interest in that boy, and continued to befriend him.
-
-This happened many years ago. To-day Tommy Tolliver—that was the boy’s
-name—is the Assistant General Manager of the Harlem Steamboat Company,
-and a very well-to-do man. Mr. Slocum says that there is nobody in the
-world like him. Tommy’s mother died some years ago, but she lived long
-enough to see her little boy taken out of the streets, put to school,
-and started on his career of usefulness.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXIV.
-                            A HERO IN BLACK.
-
-
-I read some years ago, boys and girls, a story in McClure’s Magazine,
-which I think should be of interest to every boy and girl in the world.
-The story was taken from the records of the Royal Humane Society of
-Great Britain. It told about an obscure negro seaman whose brave deed
-was discovered and honored by two of the great nations of the earth.
-
-One tropical night, the steamer Dolphin rested almost motionless off the
-Cayman rocks in Nicaragua. Crew and passengers, some twenty in all, were
-asleep about the deck, for it was too hot to go below. Then came such a
-squall as comes only in those Southern seas. The sails, all set,
-furnished ample leverage. Within ten seconds, the Dolphin was bottom up,
-her passengers and crew struggling in the water.
-
-[Illustration: A HERO IN BLACK.]
-
-Wilson McField, a negro and a subject of Great Britain, was the first to
-come to the surface. All his twenty-seven years of life he had known
-these waters, and he swam like a fish. He soon succeeded in climbing
-upon the bottom of the vessel. Then he shouted to the others, and one by
-one pulled up five of the crew.
-
-Fortunately the squall was soon over, although the sea was high. After
-they had drifted two hours the men heard strange sounds, like pounding
-within the vessel. Some thought they heard voices. The more
-superstitious were afraid. The night dragged on, and by daylight the
-sounds had grown fainter. The crew concluded that men were imprisoned
-within the boat, but none could devise a way to save them. Then the
-negro proposed to dive under and into the ship. They assured him he
-would never get out again, but carrying between his teeth one end of a
-rope that had been dragging from the vessel, McField dived, passed under
-the gunwale and rose in the hatch.
-
-It was pitch-dark, and the interior of the vessel was full of the
-floating cargo, but he kept on steadily. Finally concluding that he had
-reached the cabin, he rose, and in an instant his head was above water.
-Yet so foul was the air, and so narrow the space between the water and
-the ship’s bottom, that he could hardly breathe. He could see no one,
-but he heard the knocking again, and called out. Then came voices faint
-but familiar.
-
-Swimming in the direction of the sound, he found two men braced against
-the cabin sides and holding their heads above water. One was a young
-rubber cutter, named Mallitz, the other a native Spanish-Nicaraguan,
-called Ovando. Both were panic-stricken, and McField was obliged to
-threaten them with instant death if they did not obey him. He fastened
-the rope round Mallitz and gave the signal to pull. McField dived into
-the water along with his man. In his fright Mallitz entangled himself in
-the hatchway, and precious time was lost in freeing him. When they
-reached the surface Mallitz was unconscious, and McField more dead than
-alive.
-
-They pulled Mallitz aboard but McField would not follow. As soon as the
-rope was free he took it in his teeth and went under, found the hatch
-and entered the cabin. Ovando was almost uncontrollable with fear and
-exhaustion, but McField finally secured him with the rope, and gave the
-signal to pull up. This time the trip was made without accident, and
-both men were drawn on board. All the men were saved.
-
-The United States government awarded McField a medal and a sum of money
-in gold, and the Royal Humane Society of Great Britain gave him a medal
-of silver.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XXV.
-                          THE ROAD TO SUCCESS.
-
-
-The world is constantly looking for the man who knows the most, and it
-pays little regard to those who are proficient in the usual degree in
-the same things. One must excel, or, in other words, know more than his
-associates in order to succeed notably. The world will bid high for you
-if you know more than other men.
-
-[Illustration: THE ROAD TO SUCCESS.]
-
-So that boys and girls who are preparing themselves for the duties of
-life should not aim simply at being as good as somebody else, but they
-should aim at being the best that it is possible to be in any chosen
-line of life or business. I have noticed in my short lifetime that there
-is a great tendency on the part of young people to cut short their
-education. Being able to shine in the intellectual and social worlds
-with the small attainments made in some college or normal school or
-industrial school, the average young negro man is content to stop with a
-diploma or certificate from one or another of these institutions. They
-will never realize what injury they have done themselves by so doing
-until it is too late. On the other hand, there is another large class of
-young people that stop short even before they have finished the course
-in even any one of the normal or industrial schools. They must go out to
-work; they know enough to make a living; what’s the use of so much
-education, anyhow? This is the way some of them talk. This is what some
-of them believe. Boys and girls, no man or woman with such low ideals
-will ever reach the topmost round of the ladder of fame. Such boys and
-girls will always play a second-rate part in the great drama of life.
-The boys and girls who are going to the front—the boys and girls who are
-going to have the leading parts—are the boys and girls who are willing
-to take time to prepare themselves. And preparation means hard work; and
-not only hard work, but hard and long-continued work. A person can learn
-a good deal in one year; a person can learn a good deal in two years;
-but nobody can learn enough in one or two years, or in three or four
-years, to make it at all likely that he will ever be sought by the great
-world.
-
-Aside from the rudimentary training, it ought to take at least ten years
-to make a good doctor, or a good lawyer, or a good electrician, or a
-good preacher. Four of these years ought to be spent in college; and
-four in the professional school; and the other two ought to be spent in
-picking up a practical or working knowledge of the calling—whatever it
-may be. The young doctor obtains this practical knowledge in hospitals
-and in practice among the poor. The electrician obtains it by entering
-some large electrical industry or manufactory, in which a thoroughly
-practical knowledge of mechanical engineering and electricity can be
-secured. It is true that some men have become distinguished in these
-callings without this long preparation of which I have spoken; yet it
-is, also, true that they would have been better off—they would have been
-more likely to have become eminent—if they had taken the longer course.
-College is a little world which every one, other things being equal,
-ought to enter and pass through before launching in the great world.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXVI.
-                          SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG.
-
-
-Boys and girls, I wonder how many of you have heard of Samuel C.
-Armstrong—General Armstrong, the founder of Hampton Institute in
-Virginia? General Armstrong was one of the best men who ever lived, and
-he was the friend of all mankind. His special services were rendered in
-behalf of Indians and Negroes—the weaker races. You ought to go to
-Hampton Institute sometimes and see that place, and go over to the
-little cemetery in one corner of the grounds and stand uncovered by the
-side of General Armstrong’s grave. He died in 1892.
-
-You ought to get the story of his life and read it. It will bear to you
-a thrilling message; for to read that book is to enter the presence of a
-man of magnificent courage and indomitable faith.
-
-A general at twenty-six, with a brilliant war record behind him, the
-quality of his courage had been already proved; but the future was to
-test it far more severely. The responsibility for the experiment at
-Hampton was a terrible one, presenting problems which no nation had been
-called upon to solve before. He had to face isolation, ignorance,
-indifference, misrepresentation. At the best, after he had conquered
-prejudice and won friends for the work, he had to spend half his time
-begging for money, for he had to raise by personal efforts from fifty
-thousand to eighty thousand dollars annually for the current expenses.
-Yet in all that time and under all his burdens no one ever saw him
-discouraged. He used to explain his position by a story which he called
-his “rule of conduct.”
-
-“Once there was an old colored man who could not be dissuaded from
-working at an empty ’possum hole. ‘Ain’t no ’possum in dat hole? Dey’s
-jest got to be, ’cause dey’s nuffin’ in de house fer supper’.” Or, as he
-used to tell his children, “Once there was a woodchuck. Now woodchucks
-can’t climb trees. Well, this woodchuck was chased by a dog, and came to
-a tree. He knew that if he could get up this tree the dog could not
-catch him. Now woodchucks can’t climb trees, but this one had to, so he
-did.”
-
-He had to, so he did, was the motto of General Armstrong’s life. “Doing
-what can’t be done is the glory of living,” he once said. “For most
-people,” said one of General Armstrong’s friends, “an obstacle is
-something in the way to stop one from going on, but for General
-Armstrong it merely meant something to climb over; and if he could not
-climb all the way over, he would get up as high as possible, and then
-crow!”
-
-When you come to read the story of General Armstrong’s life you will
-find that there is no finer picture in it than that of an evening when
-he spoke at a little suburban church far down a side street. It was a
-bitter winter night, with a driving storm of sleet, and when it was time
-for the meeting to begin the audience consisted of a score or so of
-humble people who evidently enough had no means to contribute, and a
-dozen restless boys kicking their heels in the front pew. Then “in the
-midst of the bleakness and emptiness rose the worn, gaunt soldier, as
-bravely and gladly as if a multitude were hanging upon his words. His
-deep-sunk eyes looked out beyond the bleakness of the scene into the
-world of his ideals, and the cold little place was aglow with the fire
-that was in him.”
-
-Dangers, hardships, obstacles—upon these he had tried “his soul’s stuff”
-all his life, but here was another and a more difficult test. Triumphant
-in faith and unflinching in duty, he could meet even defeat in the
-spirit of victory.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXVII.
-                          HOW TO BE HANDSOME.
-
-
-Do you want to be handsome? I’ll tell you how.
-
-First, look well to your health. Eat regularly and simply, and take
-proper rest, in order to be healthy. Do not crowd the stomach. The
-stomach can no more work all the time, night and day, than a horse; it
-must have regular rest. The body must have proper rest also. Do not keep
-late hours. Go to bed early. If you have work which must be done, it is
-a good deal better to rise early in the morning and do it than it is to
-sit up late at night and work.
-
-Secondly, good teeth are essential to good looks. Brush the teeth
-regularly with a soft brush morning and night, especially at night. Be
-sure to go to bed at night with clean teeth.
-
-Thirdly, look well to the ventilation of your bed-rooms. No one can have
-a clear skin who breathes bad air. Fresh air is a preventive of a
-multitude of diseases. Bad air is the cause of a great many premature
-deaths.
-
-Fourthly, cleanliness of the entire body is of vast importance. Some one
-has said that “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” and some one else has
-added, “And soap is a means of grace.” Handsome people not only eat
-regularly and simply; they not only sleep regularly and look well to
-proper ventilation; but handsome people will take regular baths.
-
-Fifthly, more than all else, in order to look well you must wake up the
-mind and soul. When the mind is awake, the dull, sleepy look passes away
-from the eyes. Keep thinking pleasant and noble thoughts; do not read
-trashy novels or books; read books which have something good in them.
-Talk with people who know something. Be often in the company of those
-who know more than you do. Hear lectures and sermons and profit by them.
-If we listen and understand and heed, the mind and soul are awakened. So
-much the better if the spiritual nature is aroused. Sometimes a plain
-face is really glorified with the love of God and of man which shines
-through it.
-
-Lastly, keep a strong and vigorous body by taking plenty of wholesome
-outdoor exercise, and do all the good you can.
-
-Why not begin to grow handsome to-day?
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-
-
-                                XXVIII.
-                               PATIENCE.
-
-
-[Illustration: PATIENCE.]
-
-Patience is one of the marks of a high character. It might well be
-called the habit of closing the mind against disagreeable and annoying
-conditions. To acquire this habit so effectually as to hide even from
-one’s self any sense of suffering or offense from contact with such
-conditions is what the truly cultivated aim at. Life, it is true, is
-full of trying things, but to let the mind dwell upon them only serves
-to increase their offense to the feelings or the senses.
-
-There are people, of course, who are incapable of self-concentration,
-and whose imagination, if left free to gad about, seems always to fix
-upon and exaggerate every element of disturbance. They live in what is
-called an elementary stage of moral discipline, and are perpetually
-fretting about things they cannot help. They are never able to shut down
-the will against any unpleasantness. They permit merely accidental
-conditions to exercise a kind of tyrannical sway over them, which, if
-their minds were once bent to the practice of putting up with things,
-would cease to present any annoyance whatever.
-
-It is difficult, no doubt, to acquire this habit, but this is what
-patience means in its highest sense. It is spiritual endurance, and its
-chief power consists not so much in adding to the number of our joys as
-in lessening the number of our sufferings. It is, therefore, a mark of
-power over one’s self and a means of power over others. With patience
-the outward success or failure of a man is a small thing compared with
-that success which he has achieved within himself. And that kind of
-success—the success which enables a man to laugh at failure and rise
-superior to discouragements and difficulties—that kind of success is a
-means of help and inspiration to all those about him.
-
-If we consider the works of nature we shall see that nature’s most
-beneficent operations are the results of patience. Anything which grows
-must have time, and the best things in the world are generally those
-things which demand the longest time for their growth and development.
-The rank and short-lived weed reaches its full development in the
-shortest possible time, but the oak, which is to stand for centuries,
-demands the sunshine and the storm of years before its strength is fully
-developed.
-
-Now, boys and girls, one of the hardest demands which nature makes upon
-people (especially upon young people, full of strength and energy and
-ambition) is to wait for the results of growth. No man becomes instantly
-strong morally; he must grow into strength. However great his ambition
-and his zeal may be, no man becomes a scholar in a year. It takes time,
-and lots of it. No man reaches at a single bound the full development of
-his whole nature. He grows into strength. A good soldier cannot be made
-without war, nor can a skillful seaman be made on land.
-
-So in the race of life we must fight hard for all we get and be patient.
-Whatever else may be true, or may not be true, only patient and
-continued efforts—not hasty efforts—lead to success.
-
-Before me lies a block of wood. It is full of knots. It seems to me I
-can never split it. But I bravely make the attempt. The first blow makes
-little impression. The axe springs back with a bound. Again and again I
-strike. Then a tiny crack appears. A few more licks—and the block
-yields. I have succeeded. Can you tell me which blow did the work? Was
-it not the first blow and the last and all between? You have tried
-something and failed. Try again. If you fail, try once more. And on and
-on, keep trying until you win the victory.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXIX.
-                           THE BITER BIT.[4]
-
-
-In the broad light of day a would-be highwayman sprang from the bushes
-that skirted the “Big Road,” and with a pistol pointed at Eli’s head
-commanded the wayfarer to hold up his hands. Without hesitation Eli
-obeyed, grabbing his hat from his head while his hands were making the
-ascent. Then he stood trembling, as if in great fear, and said:
-
-“Lawdy, Boss, what is dat you got?”
-
-The highwayman replied: “It’s a bulldog.”
-
-“Kin he bark, Boss?” asked poor Eli.
-
-“Certainly,” was the answer.
-
-“Boss, I’ll give you a dollar des to hyeah dat dawg bark wunst,” said
-humble Eli.
-
-“Bang!” went the gun, and the ball went crashing through the woods. Eli
-pulled out a silver dollar and handed it over to the would-be robber.
-
-“Do hit ag’in, Boss,” said Eli.
-
-A second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth time the dog barked, and
-each time Eli paid a dollar for the fun. When the revolver had been
-emptied the old negro asked pitifully:
-
-“Boss, can’t he bark no mo’?”
-
-On being assured that the dog could bark no more Eli said:
-
-“Well, Boss, ain’t you got anuddah dawg?”
-
-The robber said he was sorry, but he did not have another. Then Uncle
-Eli said, as he ran his hand into his hip pocket:
-
-[Illustration: A BITER BIT.]
-
-“Boss, I got one uv dem dawgs myse’f, an’ I ’spec’ I’ll let you hyeah
-mine bark some. Drap yo’ dawg, Boss, an’ drap hit quick,” he commanded
-as he pointed his gun at the would-be robber’s head. Down went the other
-man’s gun.
-
-“Now drap dem dollars right ’long side uv dat gun. Be quick,” said Eli.
-Down went the dollars.
-
-“Now you git, an’ don’t you look back. Step lively, an’ ef you das’ to
-look back you sho will hyeah sump’n impawtunt!”
-
-
-
-
-                                  XXX.
-                        THE ALPHABET OF SUCCESS.
-
-
-    Attend carefully to details.
-    Be prompt in all things.
-    Consider well, then decide positively.
-    Dare to do right, fear to do wrong.
-    Endure trials patiently.
-    Fight life’s battles bravely.
-    Go not into the society of the vicious.
-    Hold integrity sacred.
-    Injure not another’s reputation.
-    Join hands only with the virtuous.
-    Keep your mind free from evil thoughts.
-    Lie not for any consideration.
-    Make few special acquaintances.
-    Never try to appear what you are not.
-    Observe good manners.
-    Pay your debts promptly.
-    Question not the veracity of a friend.
-    Respect the counsel of your parents.
-    Sacrifice money rather than principle.
-    Touch not, taste not, handle not, intoxicating drinks.
-    Use your leisure for improvement.
-    Venture not upon the threshold of wrong.
-    Watch carefully over your passions.
-    X-tend to everyone a kindly greeting.
-    Young people should read “FLOYD’S FLOWERS FOR COLORED CHILDREN.”
-    Zealously labor for the right, and success is certain.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXI.
-                      EASTER MONDAY IN WASHINGTON.
-
-
-The approach of Easter arouses delightful expectations in the hearts of
-the little children in the great city of Washington, the nation’s
-capital. On Easter Monday there is an event which places the day among
-the great holidays of the year. The United States government is drawn
-into the observance of the day because it furnishes the country’s
-greatest band to play the music and the government pays the bills. The
-president of the United States, whoever he may happen to be when the day
-rolls around, wins the gratitude of the children, for he lets them play
-in his back yard. The president’s back yard is called the White Lot; it
-covers many acres, and stretches from the back porch of the White House
-way out to the great white Washington monument, which towers for more
-than five hundred feet in the air a half mile away. The lawns of the
-White Lot are always green and inviting, and are covered with the
-prettiest flowers and trees that you ever saw. The ground is not low and
-level, except in spots. There are many little hills which serve to make
-it a beautiful place. Really the president’s back yard is a great big
-park.
-
-Bright and early Easter Monday morning happy little groups of children
-may be seen proudly marching toward the White House. Their mothers and
-nurses or some grown-up sisters are with them. All the trolley cars are
-filled with them, coming from every section of the city. Their little
-tongues are very busy chattering about the pleasures that are in store
-for them. Some, whose memories stretch back over a long, long expanse of
-time, are relating some glowing incident of the year before, for those
-who are yet unacquainted with the joys that are to come. The little ones
-listen with open mouths and wide-open eyes, and hurry along all the
-faster.
-
-I have been in Washington on two occasions at these great
-celebrations—once while the sturdy Grover Cleveland was president and
-once while the great and good William McKinley occupied the White House.
-In all my experience I have never seen anything that has made me feel
-prouder of my country than these feast days for the children; for, in
-the president’s back yard, all the children meet on a common
-level—children of all races and of all classes. Neither their father’s
-position nor their mother’s social standing concerns them. Two little
-strangers will meet and play and romp together as if they had been
-companions all their days.
-
-All the little children carry with them little baskets and in the
-baskets are the prettiest Easter eggs that can be made. Some are painted
-and striped and spotted with bright colors; others are covered with
-silver and gilt paper. When the merry-makers get to the great big gates,
-where the policemen always stand, they march right through, because they
-know the policemen won’t stop them this time. The little fellows hold
-their heads high and feel very important, and the policemen smile as
-they pass by. The children keep coming and coming until by-and-by the
-lot is almost filled, all the way from the White House to the tall white
-monument, with laughing children—and with eggs! It would seem that there
-were no children left anywhere in Washington. The children are allowed
-to run on the grass just as much as they please for this one day.
-
-If you go near one of the little hills or long banks you may hear one
-small girl say to another, “My egg’ll ’oll furver ’an your egg.” And the
-other small girl will answer, “No; mine’ll ’oll furvest.” And then they
-will start their eggs rolling down the hills and go racing after them to
-see whose egg goes the farthest.
-
-Many of the boys throw their eggs along the ground like ninepin balls,
-and see whose will go the farthest. When they get tired of this they
-stand a little distance apart and roll their eggs against each other’s
-to see whose will break. There is another way that they try to break
-each other’s eggs. One holds an egg in his hand so that the top is
-uncovered, and another takes his egg and taps it gently against the
-first one. He keeps hitting a little harder and harder until one of them
-breaks, and the one whose egg doesn’t break is the winner.
-
-Most of the eggs are boiled hard first, so that the children are not
-very sorry, after all, if their eggs do break, because they can eat
-them. And their mothers or nurses will give them crackers and salt to go
-with them.
-
-In such a great crowd, where the children are allowed to run where they
-please, there are sure to be some little ones who will wander away from
-their guardians. All the little “lost” children, as fast as the officers
-find them, are taken to a small house in the center of the lot, and the
-mothers know just where to look for them. Often there are twenty or
-thirty little tots, all tired out, waiting to be claimed by their
-guardians.
-
-On the highest mound of all there is a band—the United States Marine
-Band—and they play some of their nicest music on this day. So when the
-little ones get weary from running after their eggs they can go and
-watch the man pound the big bass drum, and listen to the music.
-Sometimes, while the music is playing, the president will come out on
-the back porch, high over all, and watch the festivities. A mighty
-shout, from old and young alike, always greets the appearance of the
-president. No wonder this is one of the big days for the little folks.
-
-By-and-by all the eggs are broken or eaten, and then it is time for the
-tired and happy little fairies to go home.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXII.
-                       KEEPING ONE’S ENGAGEMENTS.
-
-
-What would happen if everybody should begin to-morrow to keep all his
-promises and fulfill all his engagements? I think it would make a new
-world at once. There is great need that the attention of young people
-should be called to the importance of keeping engagements. Much of the
-confusion and annoyance and trouble of this world would be done away
-with if people would learn to keep their promises. The oft-repeated
-excuse, “I forgot,” is not reasonable. If the memory is in the habit of
-playing tricks with you, then you ought to make notes of your
-engagements, write them down in some way, so that you will not forget
-them. Arnold of Rugby said: “Thoughtlessness is a crime,” and he was
-right. The great Ruskin has also uttered strong words in condemnation of
-thoughtlessness in youth. He said: “But what excuse can you find for
-willfulness of thought at the very time when every crisis of future
-fortune hangs on your decisions? A youth thoughtless! when the career of
-all his days depends on the opportunity of a moment. A youth
-thoughtless! when his every act is a foundation-stone of future conduct,
-and every imagination a fountain of life or death. Be thoughtless in any
-after years rather than now, though, indeed, there is only one place
-where a man may be nobly thoughtless—his deathbed. No thinking should
-ever be left to be done there.”
-
-[Illustration: KEEPING ONE’S ENGAGEMENTS.]
-
-And, then, boys and girls should remember that promptness should always
-accompany the fulfilling of an engagement, otherwise the engagement is
-not really kept. A person’s time is a valuable possession, which should
-be respected by all. Who has not been exasperated by some one with
-apparent indifference keeping (?) an engagement a half or three-quarters
-of an hour late! And often a whole train of troubles will follow in the
-wake of tardiness. The punctual boy or girl in this life is the one who
-advances most rapidly. The punctual boy or girl will make a punctual man
-or woman. A promise-breaker, or one who is late in keeping his
-appointments, cannot in the true sense of the term be considered a
-first-class person.
-
-
-
-
-                                XXXIII.
-                         A MIDNIGHT MISHAP.[5]
-
-
-[Illustration: A MIDNIGHT MISHAP.]
-
-Uncle Ned returned from his ’possum hunt about midnight, bringing with
-him a fine, fat ’possum. He built a glowing fire, dressed the ’possum,
-pared and split the sweet potatoes, and pretty soon he had the “’possum
-an’ ’taters” in the oven. While the meal was cooking Uncle Ned amused
-himself with his favorite old banjo. When the ’possum had been baked
-brown and crisp he took it out of the oven and set it on the hearth to
-give it time to cool. Mentally congratulating himself upon the glorious
-repast he thought soon to enjoy, he sat silently for awhile in the old
-armchair, but presently he was snugly wrapped in the arms of “tired
-nature’s sweet restorer—balmy sleep.”
-
-It happened that two young fellows who were pretty well acquainted with
-Uncle Ned’s habits had been stealthily watching about the house waiting
-this particular chance. As soon as they were convinced that the old man
-was safe in the arms of Morpheus, they crept into the house and
-hurriedly helped themselves to Uncle Ned’s supper, including even the
-coffee and bread. When they finished the hasty meal, by way of
-attempting to cover up their tracks, they smeared Uncle Ned’s hands and
-mouth with the ’possum gravy and then beat a retreat.
-
-After a time Uncle Ned aroused from his peaceful slumber. It is needless
-to say that he had dreamed about his supper. At once he dived down to
-inspect the viands, when, lo and behold, the hearth was empty! Uncle Ned
-steadied himself and studied awhile.
-
-“Well,” said he finally, “I must ’a’ et dat ’possum; I must ’a’ et dat
-’possum in my sleep!”
-
-He looked at his hands. They were greasy. He smelt his hands. As he did
-so he said:
-
-“Dat smells like ’possum grease! I sho must ’a’ et dat ’possum.”
-
-He discovered grease on his lips. Out went his tongue.
-
-“Dat tas’es like ’possum grease,” he said. He got up. He looked about
-the house. There was no sign of intruders. He rubbed his stomach. He
-resumed his seat, and, giving up all for lost, he said:
-
-“Well, ef I did eat dat ’possum, hit sets lightah on my appertite dan
-any ’possum I evah et befo’.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXIV.
-                          FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
-
-
-In 1893 the World’s Columbian Exposition, or World’s Fair, was held in
-Chicago in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the
-discovery of America. A negro man, the Hon. Frederick Douglass, attended
-that exposition and delivered an address on negro day. Speaking of this
-great man’s visit the Advance, one of Chicago’s great religious papers,
-said:
-
-“It was fine to see at the Congress on Africa the tall form and
-magnificent head of the grand old man, Frederick Douglass, now
-seventy-five years of age, perfectly erect, kindly, majestic, the
-‘ancient fires of inspiration welling up through all his being yet’;
-affable to all; finding it still to be as natural to be eloquent as to
-speak at all; sympathetic to the core with the people of his own race,
-yet none the less loyal to the common interests of all the people of his
-country; neither blind to the obstacles in their path and the cruel
-social injustice and meanness to which they are often exposed, nor, on
-the other hand, unmindful of the friends they have in the South as also
-in the North, or above all to the over-shining care and purpose of God
-Himself, with the ‘far-off divine intent’ that so clearly takes in the
-future of both the American and African continents. Few Americans have
-had a more conspicuously providential mission than Frederick Douglass.
-And hardly anything in this remarkable congress was more eloquent or
-more convincing than his personal presence.”
-
-Frederick Douglass was born a slave, and his life as a slave was one of
-peculiar hardship. Of it he himself says in his autobiography:
-
-“I suffered little from any punishment I received, except from hunger
-and cold. I could get enough neither of food or clothing, but suffered
-more from cold than hunger. In the heat of summer or the cold of winter
-alike, I was kept almost in a state of nudity—no shoes, jackets,
-trousers, or stockings—nothing but a coarse tow linen shirt reaching to
-the knee. That I wore night and day. In the day time I could protect
-myself by keeping on the sunny side of the house, and in bad weather in
-the corner of the kitchen chimney. The great difficulty was to keep warm
-at night. I had no bed. The pigs in the pen had leaves, and the horses
-in the stable had straw, but the children had nothing. In very cold
-weather I sometimes got down the bag in which corn was carried to the
-mill and got into that. My feet have been so cracked by frost that the
-pen with which I am writing might have been laid in the gashes.” With
-regard to his food he said that he often disputed with the dogs over the
-crumbs that fell from his master’s table.
-
-Now this man, born so lowly and surrounded by such circumstances, turned
-out to be in the course of time by hard work and self-application one of
-the most influential American citizens and one of the greatest orators
-that this country has ever known. Among other high offices of trust and
-responsibility, he was once marshal of the District of Columbia,
-recorder of deeds of the District of Columbia, and United States
-minister to Hayti.
-
-He died February 20th, 1895, at his home in Anacostia, D. C., at the age
-of seventy-seven years. A monument to his memory has been erected in
-Rochester, N. Y., where he once lived.
-
-What Frederick Douglass made of himself is possible for any American boy
-with grit. Every boy and girl in America should read the life of this
-pre-eminent negro and strive to emulate his virtues. His memory is
-worthy to be honored to the last day of time.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXV.
-                           OUR DUMB ANIMALS.
-
-
-Domestic animals—like horses, cats and dogs—seem to be almost as
-dependent upon kind treatment and affection as human beings. Horses and
-dogs especially are the most keenly intelligent of our dumb friends, and
-are alike sensitive to cruelty in any form. They are influenced to an
-equal degree by kind and affectionate treatment.
-
-If there is any form of cruelty that is more reprehensible than another,
-it is abuse of a faithful horse who has given his whole life to the
-service of the owner. When a horse is pulling a heavy load with all his
-might, doing the best he can to move under it, to strike him, spur him,
-or swear at him is simply barbarous. To kick a dog around, to tie tin
-cans to his tail, or strike him with sticks, just for the fun of hearing
-him yelp or seeing him run, is equally barbarous. No high-minded man, no
-high-minded boy or girl, would do such a thing. We should never forget
-how helpless, in a large sense, dumb animals are—and how absolutely
-dependent upon the humanity and kindness of their owners. They are
-really the slaves of man, having no language by which to express their
-feelings or needs.
-
-[Illustration: OUR DUMB ANIMALS.]
-
-The poet Cowper said:
-
-          “I would not enter on my list of friends,
-          Though graced with polished manners and fine sense,
-          Yet wanting sensibility, the man
-          Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.”
-
-Every boy and girl should be willing to pledge himself to be kind to all
-harmless living creatures, and every boy and girl should strive to
-protect such, creatures from cruel usage on the part of others. It is
-noble, boys and girls, for us to speak for those that cannot speak for
-themselves, and it is noble, also, for us to protect those that cannot
-protect themselves.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXVI.
-                             A PLUCKY BOY.
-
-
-The boy marched straight up to the counter.
-
-“Well, my little man,” said the merchant, “what can I do for you?”
-
-“If you please,” said the boy, “I came in to see if you wouldn’t let me
-work for you.”
-
-The boy was not yet ten years old, and he was small for his age. But
-there was something in his speech, or manner that held the man’s
-attention.
-
-“Do some work for me, eh?” said the man. “What kind of work could you
-do? You can hardly look over the counter.”
-
-“Oh, yes; I can,” said the little fellow, as he stood on tiptoe and
-peeped over the counter.
-
-Out of sheer curiosity the merchant came from behind the counter, so as
-to get a good look at the boy.
-
-“Oh,” he said, “I see you’ve got copper taps on your shoes; I suppose
-your mother couldn’t keep you in shoes if they didn’t have taps on
-them!”
-
-“She can’t keep me in shoes anyway, sir,” and the little boy’s voice
-hesitated.
-
-“How old are you?” asked the merchant.
-
-“I’m older than I look; folks say that I’m small for my age.”
-
-“Well, what is your age?”
-
-“I’m going on ten,” said Davie, with a look of great importance. “You
-see,” he continued, “my mother hasn’t anybody but me, and this morning I
-saw her crying because she could not find five cents in her pocket-book,
-and she thinks she must have lost it—and it was—the—last cent—that she
-had—in the world; and—I—have—not—had—any—breakfast, sir.” The voice
-again hesitated, and tears came into the little boy’s eyes.
-
-“Oh, don’t cry, my little man; I guess I can help you to a breakfast.
-Here, take this quarter!” He pulled a quarter from his vest pocket and
-handed it to the boy. The boy shook his head.
-
-“Mother wouldn’t let me beg,” was his simple answer.
-
-“Humph!” said the merchant. “Where is your father?”
-
-“We never heard of him, sir, after he went away. He was lost in the
-steamer City of New York.”
-
-“That’s too bad. But you’re a plucky little fellow, anyhow. Let me see,”
-and he looked straight down into the boy’s eyes, and the boy looked
-straight up at him. Turning to the head man, after awhile, the merchant
-said:
-
-“Palmer, is cash boy No. 5 still sick?”
-
-“Dead, sir; died last night,” was the reply.
-
-“I’m sorry; but here’s a boy you might use. Put him down in No. 5’s
-place. We’ll try him for awhile, anyhow. What is your name, my little
-man?” he asked, turning again to the boy.
-
-[Illustration: “THE BOY MARCHED STRAIGHT UP TO THE COUNTER.”]
-
-“Davie Thomas.”
-
-“Well, Davie, we’ll give you three dollars a week to start with; you
-come to-morrow morning and I’ll tell you what to do. Here’s a dollar of
-your wages in advance. I’ll take it out of your first week’s pay. Do you
-understand?”
-
-“Yes, sir; I understand, and I thank you, too. I’ll be back in the
-morning.”
-
-Davie shot out of the store, and lost no time in getting home. The old
-creaky steps in the old ram-shackle house fairly sang with delight as
-the weight of the little boy hurried up them.
-
-“I’ve got it, mother;” exclaimed Davie. “I’m a cash boy! The man’s going
-to give me three dollars a week, and he says I’ve got pluck, too; and
-here’s a dollar to get some breakfast with, and don’t you cry any more,
-for I’m going to be the man of this house now.”
-
-At first the mother was dumfounded; then she looked confused; and then
-she looked—well, it passes my power to tell how she did look as she took
-Davie in her arms and hugged him and kissed him, the tears streaming
-down her cheeks. But they were tears of joy and thankfulness!
-
-
-
-
-                                XXXVII.
-                         A HEART-TO-HEART TALK.
-
-
-“Henry, I asked you to remain after school a few minutes because I
-wanted you to help me rearrange the desks and furniture, but I had
-another reason for asking you to remain, and I think it is more
-important than the one I have just stated.”
-
-The desks had all been arranged according to the teacher’s notion, and
-Henry Holt had gathered up his books to go home. It was then that his
-teacher, Miss Ada Johnson, addressed him.
-
-“Won’t you sit down here a minute, David?” she continued. “I wish to
-speak to you a minute or two.”
-
-David quietly took a seat. He was one of the largest boys in school, and
-had been giving an unusual amount of trouble during the day. In fact he
-had been a source of annoyance ever since the new teacher had taken
-charge.
-
-[Illustration: A HEART-TO-HEART TALK.]
-
-“David,” the teacher went on, “I wonder if you realize how hard you have
-made it for me in school to-day? Is there any reason why we cannot be
-friends and work together? And I wish to be a friend to you, if you will
-let me. You could help me so much and you could help your schoolmates so
-much if you only would. I want to ask you if you think your conduct has
-been manly to-day? Has it been kind?”
-
-David said nothing, but hung his head.
-
-“I heard before I came here that you were an unruly boy. People say that
-you will neither study nor work, and some people say that you are a very
-mean boy. Some of these things may be true, David, I am sorry to say,
-but I want to tell you that you are the only hope of a widowed mother,
-and I want to say, also, that I think that you are breaking her heart.”
-The teacher’s voice faltered at the last words.
-
-“I know that your father,” the low voice went on, “was a brave and noble
-man; and when I hear people say, ‘It is a good thing that Henry Oliver
-died before he knew what his son was coming to,’ I think what a pity it
-is that they cannot say, ‘How sad it is that Henry Oliver died before he
-could know what a fine, manly fellow his son would be, and what a stay
-and comfort to his mother’.”
-
-The boy’s head dropped to the desk in front of him, and he began to sob.
-The teacher went over to him and said gently:
-
-“You can be all this. It is in your power to be all that your father
-would have you, all that your mother would have you. Will you not turn
-over a new leaf now, not only in your behavior and work in school, but
-in your whole life as well?”
-
-David raised his head.
-
-“I am with you—I’ll do it, teacher,” he replied, a new resolve shining
-in his face. All that day he did some of the most serious thinking of
-his life. And he kept his promise.
-
-The years have been many since then. The little teacher has long since
-passed to her rest, but David Oliver is a living monument to the power
-of a few searching words, the potency of a little personal interest and
-kindliness manifested at a critical time.
-
-
-
-
-                                XXXVIII.
-                             A GHOST STORY.
-
-
-Uncle Mose, an old-time colored man, once said in a company of people
-who were talking about ghosts that he wasn’t afraid of any ghost that
-ever walked the earth.
-
-“No, sah; not me,” he said; “I’se got my fuss time to be skeered uv
-anyt’ing dat’s dead.”
-
-Whereupon Noah Johnson told Uncle Mose that he would bet him a load of
-watermelons that he couldn’t spend one night in the “Widder Smith’s
-house.” Now, the Widow Smith’s house was said to be haunted, or, in
-other words, it was filled with ghosts.
-
-“Des name de night,” said Uncle Mose. “I’ll stay dar; no ha’nts won’t
-bodder wid me. No, sah; no ha’nts won’t bodder wid me, an’ yo’
-watermillions is des ez good ez gone already!”
-
-The details were arranged; judges were appointed; and Uncle Mose was to
-stay in the haunted house that very night. He got him some pine-knots to
-keep a good blaze in the old-fashioned fireplace, carried along an extra
-plug of tobacco, secured a large dry-goods box to be used for a chair,
-and then he set out for the house.
-
-[Illustration: “HUH! HUH! THERE DON’T SEEM TO BE BUT TWO OF US HERE
-TO-NIGHT.”]
-
-He made a blaze and seated himself on the pine box. For a time he sung a
-number of old plantation songs for his own amusement, as well as to keep
-him company. About midnight, feeling somewhat drowsy, Uncle Mose got up,
-took a light and went on a tour of inspection. He examined every room in
-the house. His search revealed nothing unusual. He wound up his search
-chuckling to himself:
-
-“I sho is makin’ dis load uv watermillions easy. Noah Johnsing didn’t
-know who he’s foolin’ wid. I’m a man myse’f; I ain’t afeared uv
-nothin’—I ain’t!”
-
-Down he sat on the box, and pretty soon he was dozing. It was not very
-long before he suddenly awoke. He was at once seized with strange and
-sudden fear. He was too frightened to move. Although he did not look
-around, he was conscious that there was another presence in the room.
-His hair stood on ends. He felt a cold chill run up and down his back.
-By that time he knew that the object in the room, whatever it was, was
-moving towards him. Still he did not move, because he could not. The
-ghost (for that was what all the people said it was) stood over Uncle
-Mose for a little while, and then quietly sat down on the box beside
-him. Uncle Mose looked straight into the fireplace, but his heart was
-beating like a runaway horse. The silence in the room at that moment was
-like unto the silence of death. Everything was still and solemn. Uncle
-Mose could almost hear his own heart beating. The ghost finally broke
-the silence by saying, with a loud sigh:
-
-“Huh! Huh! There don’t seem to be but two of us here to-night!”
-
-It was then that Uncle Mose looked around for the first time. As he did
-so he exclaimed:
-
-“Yas; an’ f’um dis out dah won’t be but one!” And with that he jumped
-through the window, taking a part of the sash with him.
-
-The judges had been waiting in the open air near the house, so as to
-watch the proceedings. They called to the fleeing Uncle Mose, as he
-passed them, and ordered him to stop. They said that they were all there
-and would protect him. But Uncle Mose, as he kept on running, hallooed
-back:
-
-“I’ll see y’all later!”
-
-He ran at the top of his speed for more than a mile, for he was well
-nigh scared to death. By-and-by, from sheer exhaustion, he was compelled
-to stop for a little rest. He was wet with perspiration from head to
-foot, and his clothes were as limp as a wet dishrag. But the poor old
-man had no sooner seated himself on a stone by the roadside than up
-jumps the ghost and sits down beside him once more.
-
-“Huh!” said the ghost. “You seem to have made pretty good time
-to-night.”
-
-“Yas,” said Uncle Mose; “but what I hase done ain’t nothin’ to what I’se
-gwinter do!” And up he jumped and lit out once more.
-
-He had not gone far on his second trip before an old rabbit ran out of
-the bushes and took out down the road ahead of him. Uncle Mose hallooed
-at the rabbit and said:
-
-“Git out uv de way, rabbit, an’ let somebody run what kin run!”
-
-On and on the poor old man, almost scared to death, ran and ran. Perhaps
-he would have been running until now but for a very unfortunate
-accident. About five miles from the Widow Smith’s house he came in
-contact with the limb of a weeping willow tree that hung across the
-road. The poor old fellow, already tired out, was knocked speechless and
-senseless. Toward the break of day the judges, who had followed him,
-found him lying on the ground doubled up near the tree. Dim
-consciousness was slowly returning when they picked him up. They rubbed
-him, and walked him around for a little while, and soon he was able to
-move himself.
-
-The first thing Uncle Mose said was:
-
-“Tell Noah not to min’ ’bout dem watermillions. I stayed in dat house
-des ez long ez I could keep my conscience quiet. My ole mammy allus tole
-me dat hit wuz a sin an’ a shame to bet, an’ now I b’lieves hit!”
-
-And to this day, boys and girls, if you want to see a really mad man,
-you just ask Uncle Mose if he ever saw a ghost.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XXXIX.
-                              GOOD CHEER.
-
-
-Everybody loves the cheerful boy or girl, the cheerful man or woman; and
-everybody ought to love such people. I wish all the boys and girls in
-America would organize one grand SUNSHINE SOCIETY, whose chief object
-should be the promotion of good feeling, good cheer, peace and happiness
-among all the people everywhere. But, first, a boy or girl, man or
-woman, must have sunshine in their own souls before they can communicate
-sunshine to others. And, boys and girls, it would greatly assist us in
-securing sunshine in our souls if we looked at our mercies with both
-eyes, as I might say, and at our troubles and trials with only one eye.
-What we enjoy in this world is always a good deal more than that which
-we do not enjoy; but we do not magnify our blessings sufficiently. We do
-not make as much of them as we ought. We do not rejoice because of them
-as we ought. We ought to keep daily a record of God’s goodness and
-kindness and patience and love. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning
-and fresh every evening; but we do not realize that they are so, because
-we do not stop to count them up; we do not think about them. If we
-stopped to weigh the matter I think we should find more in our lives to
-be happy about than to be sorry about. Our good fortunes always outweigh
-our misfortunes; and we should find it so if we only acquired the habit
-of remembering God’s goodness to us as well as the disappointments and
-sorrows and afflictions which are for us all.
-
-Then we should study contentment. We should study to be content. We must
-cultivate the habit of being satisfied with what we have at present, and
-we should not worry about those things which we do not possess. Worry
-because of things they did not possess has made countless thousands
-mourn. Let us enjoy what we have. Let us make the most of what we have.
-And let us not worry about things which we do not possess. No matter how
-miserable our own lot may be, there is always some one whose lot is more
-miserable still. Worry kills more people than work. In fact worry unfits
-a man for work. The man who has learned the philosophy of being content
-in whatsoever state he is is the man who is and will be happy. One of
-the things in this world that pays a hundred-fold is contentment, and
-there is nothing that casts so much blight and mildew upon life’s
-fairest flowers as discontent.
-
-Again, it would help us to keep cheerful if we kept steadily engaged in
-some work of usefulness. Let us go about doing good. Let us go about
-seeking opportunities of doing good. Doing good makes the heart healthy,
-and heart-health makes sunshine, happiness and good cheer.
-
-A little thought will convince you, boys and girls, that your own
-happiness in this world depends very largely on the way other people
-bear themselves toward you. The looks and tones at your breakfast table,
-the conduct of your playmates, the faithful or unreliable people that
-you deal with, what people say to you on the street, the letters you
-get, the friends or foes you meet—these things make up very much of the
-pleasure or misery of your day. Turn the thought around, and remember
-that just so much are you adding to the pleasure or misery of other
-people’s days. And this is the half of the matter that you can control.
-Whether any particular day shall bring to you more of happiness or of
-suffering is largely beyond your power to determine. Whether each day of
-your life shall give happiness or suffering to others rests with
-yourself. And there is where the test of character comes. We must be
-continually sacrificing our wills to the wills of others, bearing
-without notice sights and sounds that annoy us, setting about this or
-that task when we would rather be doing something else, persevering in
-it often when we are very tired of it, keeping company for duty’s sake
-when it would be a great joy to us to be by ourselves; and then there
-are all the trifling and outward accidents of life, bodily pain and
-weakness, it may be, long continued, losing what we value, missing what
-we desire, deceit, ingratitude and treachery where we least expected
-them; folly, rashness and willfulness in ourselves. All these little
-worries which we meet each day may lie as stumbling-blocks across our
-way, or we may make of them, if we choose, stepping-stones of grace.
-
-I want all the little boys and girls who read this book to be
-joy-makers, to be burden-bearers, to be among those who shall assist in
-filling the whole world with good cheer. It is our duty to cheer and
-comfort others; it is our duty to make the world not only better but
-happier—happier because better—for our having lived in it. To all the
-other beatitudes might well be added this one: Blessed are the cheerful
-people, for they shall inherit the earth.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XL.
-                             LIFE A BATTLE.
-
-
-Boys and girls, I want to repeat to you now some words which were
-delivered long ago by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax, a man who was once the
-vice-president of the United States. These words are wholesome, and
-should be read and considered by parents and school teachers and by
-children themselves all over our land:
-
-“Above all things, teach children what their life is. It is not
-breathing, moving, playing, sleeping, simply. Life is a battle. All
-thoughtful people see it so. A battle between good and evil from
-childhood. Good influences, drawing us up toward the divine; bad
-influences, drawing us down to the brute. Midway we stand, between the
-divine and the brute. How to cultivate the good side of the nature is
-the greatest lesson of life to teach. Teach children that they lead
-these two lives: the life without and the life within; and that the
-inside must be pure in the sight of God as well as the outside in the
-sight of men.
-
-“There are five means of learning. These are: Observation, reading,
-conversation, memory, reflection.
-
-“Educators sometimes, in their anxiety to secure a wide range of
-studies, do not sufficiently impress upon their scholars the value of
-memory. Now, our memory is one of the most valuable gifts God has
-bestowed upon us, and one of the most mysterious. Take a tumbler and
-pour water into it; by-and-by you can pour no more: it is full. It is
-not so with the mind. You cannot fill it full of knowledge in a whole
-lifetime. Pour in all you please, and it still thirsts for more.
-
-“Remember this:
-
-“Knowledge is not what you learn, but what you remember.
-
-“It is not what you eat, but what you digest, that makes you grow.
-
-“It is not the money you handle, but that you keep, that makes you rich.
-
-“It is not what you study, but what you remember and reflect upon, that
-makes you learned.
-
-“One more suggestion:
-
-“Above all things else, strive to fit the children in your charge to be
-useful men and women; men and women you may be proud of in after-life.
-While they are young teach them that far above physical courage, which
-will lead them to face the cannon’s mouth; above wealth, which would
-give them farms and houses and bank stocks and gold; is moral
-courage—that courage by which they will stand fearlessly, frankly,
-firmly for the right. Every man or woman who dares to stand for the
-right when evil has its legions, is the true moral victor in this life
-and in the land beyond the stars.”
-
-These brave and true words were spoken by Mr. Colfax long years ago.
-They were true then; they are no less true now. Every boy in America
-should treasure them in his heart. Every girl in America should commit
-them to memory and make them the rule of her life. Mothers and fathers,
-school teachers and preachers, and all who have the care of the young in
-any way would do well to study these wise counsels and reflect upon them
-and strive to impress upon those for whom they are laboring.
-
-If you would win the victory in the battle of life, my young friends,
-you must watch the little things. It is said that there is a barn upon
-the Alleghany Mountains so built that the rain which falls upon it
-separates in such a manner that that which falls upon one side of the
-roof runs into a little stream that flows into the Susquehanna and
-thence into Chesapeake Bay and on into the Atlantic Ocean; that which
-falls upon the other side is carried into the Alleghany River, thence
-into the Ohio, and onward to the Gulf of Mexico. The point where the
-waters divide is very small, but how different the course of these
-waters! So it is with people, young or old. A very little thing changes
-the channel of their lives. Much will depend upon the kinds of tempers
-you have, boys and girls. If you are sour and cross and crabbed, no one
-will love you. If you are kind and cheerful, you will have friends
-wherever you go. Much will depend upon the way in which you improve your
-school days; upon the kind of companions you have; and upon the kind of
-habits you form. If you would win a great victory in fighting the battle
-of life you must look well to the little things.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XLI.
-                     RULED BY PRIMITIVE METHODS.[6]
-
-
-I learned that the colored male citizens of Laurens County Ga., had
-organized a unique “Good Government Club,” and, being anxious to learn
-something of it, I called on the secretary. The secretary explained the
-club to me as follows:
-
-“Our society is a voluntary organization, and has for its object the
-betterment of the race. It doesn’t cost anything to join, and any male
-citizen upward of twenty-one years old may become a member by taking an
-oath to be governed by our constitution and by-laws. There are no
-monthly dues. Now and then we make up a purse to help a needy brother.
-Our plan is to inquire into the mode of living of our members and
-correct, if possible, any faults. If any member fails or refuses to
-correct a fault complained of, he is then tried by a sort of
-courtmartial. The man under charge is allowed to have counsel from among
-the members of the organization. If he is found guilty, the punishment
-is usually a flogging given in the presence of the other members. We
-whip a man for a number of things: getting drunk, wife-beating,
-vagrancy, selling his vote, failure to provide for his family, failure
-to make an honest effort to pay his debts, using profane language and so
-on.
-
-“It was reported to the society that one man’s wife was badly in need of
-a wash pot. The man was cited to show cause why he had not provided his
-wife with the article. He failed to buy one before the trial came off,
-and, when tried, failed to show how his wife could get along without one
-and still be put to no great inconvenience. Conviction followed. He was
-whipped, and ordered to get a pot within thirty days.... In riding past
-the home of another man it was seen by one of our members that the front
-gate had fallen down. From appearances he had made no effort to put it
-up. At the trial it was proved that the gate had been down for several
-weeks, and that his wife had tried many times to get him to take more
-pride in the care of his home. Conviction followed and the husband will
-remember a long time the flogging he got that night....”
-
-[Illustration: “CHARGED WITH KISSING A GIRL ON THE STREET.”]
-
-We had a man before us once charged with kissing a girl on the street.
-The girl did not appear against him; we could not get her to do so; and
-the man stoutly denied the charge. He told our judge that he had never
-kissed a woman in his life. The judge asked him if he wasn’t married.
-‘No, sah,’ he said, ‘my wife’s dead. I’m de daddy uv nine chilluns, an’
-I nevah kissed a woman in my life.’ In the midst of much laughter, the
-judge asked, ‘Did you never kiss your wife?’ Without a moment’s
-hesitation the man said: ‘No, sah; no sah.’ Then the judge said: ‘Jim,
-you’re the biggest liar in town, and I sentence you to be given
-forty-nine lashes, but I’ll suspend the sentence if you’ll agree to
-leave town within the next five hours.’ ‘Judge,’ said Jim, ‘I don’t want
-no five hours; I’ll be gone in five minutes.’... The strangest case I
-remember was the case of a man charged with beating his wife. His wife
-was a hard-working washerwoman. She had complained to us three or four
-times, but always repented before the time for trial, and would not
-appear against her husband. When she did come to our meeting she said:
-‘Now, judge, I’se a-gwine ter tell you evaht’ing.’ And she told how her
-husband would get drunk and come home and curse and beat her
-unmercifully. She gave a graphic account of the last whipping she had
-received. The judge said: ‘I sentence this man to be given one hundred
-and one lashes—the maximum of the law.’ ‘Dar, now!’ exclaimed the woman.
-‘Dar now! I’se done fixed you at las’! I tol’ you ’bout beatin’ on me
-like I wuz a dawg!’ Turning to the judge she said: ‘Judge, I’ll take de
-whuppin’ fur him ef you’ll lemme; I ’spec’ he’ll be good atter dis.’”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLII.
-                         HUNTING AN EASY PLACE.
-
-
-A nicely dressed young man, fifteen or sixteen years old, who had just
-finished his course in the high school, stepped into the office of the
-president of the Smutville Short Line Railroad.
-
-“Well,” said the president, looking up from a mass of correspondence,
-“what can I do for you, sir?”
-
-“I have just finished my course in the high school,” the young man began
-nervously, “and I thought that I might be able to secure a desirable
-position with your company. I came in to talk with you about it.”
-
-The president asked the young man to have a seat.
-
-“So,” said the president, “you want a desirable place, eh?”
-
-“I do, sir,” said the young man, his heart beating high with hope.
-
-“A place,” continued the president, “that would pay you something like a
-hundred dollars a month?”
-
-“Something like that,” said the young man eagerly.
-
-“I guess you would like it very well, too, if I could arrange it so that
-you could report for work at nine o’clock in the mornings and get off
-every afternoon at three or four o’clock. In other words, you want
-something easy. I can see by looking at you that you are not accustomed
-to hard work, and you could not fill a place that required you to report
-at six o’clock every morning and work until six every afternoon. Do I
-size you up correctly?”
-
-“I think so, sir,” was the reply.
-
-“In plain English then, you are looking for a soft place with the Short
-Line?”
-
-“I am, sir.”
-
-“Well, sir,” said the president, smiling for the first time, “I regret
-to inform you that there is only one such place on our railroad. I
-occupy that place myself, and I am not thinking of resigning.”
-
-The young man’s face flushed.
-
-[Illustration: “I HAVE JUST FINISHED MY COURSE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL.”]
-
-The president continued: “I hope you will not think that it is going
-beyond what is right and proper for me to say, but I must tell you,
-young man, that you have started out in life with the wrong notion. No
-brave and strong young man is going about looking for an easy place. The
-brave and true man asks only for work. And the men who are occupying
-what you call the easy places in this life to-day are the men who have
-climbed into them by hard work. You are very much mistaken if you think
-that they have stepped into them from the high school. In fact, and
-you’ll find it out soon enough for yourself, there are really no soft or
-easy places in this world, and the man who goes about seeking such
-places stamps himself at once as a failure. Nobody will ever employ such
-a boy, and such a boy would be no good if he were employed. Let me, as a
-friend, advise you, young man, that the next place you go to to apply
-for a job, you ask for a chance to begin at the bottom. If it happens to
-be a railroad, ask to be given a chance to do anything—firing an engine,
-or cleaning cars, or laboring in the roundhouse. Be willing to begin low
-down in the business, and, if you’re made out of the right stuff, you
-will fight your way to the front. I started in with the Short Line as a
-day laborer myself, and if I had not done so I would not be at its head
-to-day. You advertise your own folly when you go and ask a sensible
-business man to put you at the start at the head of something. You must
-begin at the bottom and work up to the top. That is the rule everywhere,
-and you will not, I am sure, prove an exception to it.”
-
-Let us hope, boys and girls, that this young man left the president’s
-office a wiser young man. Be sure not to follow his example. Don’t go
-around hunting for easy places.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLIII.
-                        BURT BANKSTON’S BEQUEST.
-
-
-Burt Bankston was a noted Kentucky gambler. Those who knew him best said
-that he had some redeeming traits. He never drank whiskey; he used
-tobacco in no form; and he seldom indulged in profanity. Moreover he
-frequently went to church.
-
-[Illustration: THE GAMBLER.]
-
-But he never made any excuses for his gambling. He rather defended it,
-saying that gambling was not a sport or pastime with him, but a
-business. He said he gambled for the same reason that a man kept a store
-or practiced law—for a living.
-
-His wife declared that he was peaceable and quiet at home. The only
-fault she found with him, according to her own testimony, was that he
-kept late hours and often spent the whole night away from home. And she
-begged him many times to quit the gambling table. Her appeal always fell
-on deaf ears.
-
-“Burt, I’m going to quit; I’ve got enough; this is my last night at this
-kind of thing.” The speaker was Bill Mobley, one of Burt’s chums.
-
-“All right, Bill,” said Burt, “I guess I’ll follow you in a few days;
-I’m getting old now.”
-
-The next morning Bill Mobley was found dead upon the streets of
-Lecompton. Whether he had taken his own life or been sandbagged on his
-way home was never found out.
-
-From that day forward no man ever saw Burt Bankston in a gambling house.
-He opened a grocery store—that failed. He started a laundry—that fell
-through. He tried a peanut stand; he peddled flowers about the street.
-Compared with his former high living, his existence was miserable. His
-wife died after a few years. Friends said that she died of remorse, or a
-broken heart, or something of that kind. She could not bear to live on
-after her husband’s downfall—that is, his downfall in the eye of the
-world. Soon after she died Burt was stricken with a dreadful sickness.
-He came near dying. By-and-by he was restored to health, but he was
-broken and bent with old age. Friends pitied him, and secured him a
-place as watchman at a celebrated orphan’s home.
-
-[Illustration: THE GAMBLER—IN OLD AGE.]
-
-At last one day Burt Bankston died, everybody believing him to be a
-pauper. When his will was probated it was found that he left an estate
-worth nearly $500,000. This sum Burt designated to be divided into three
-parts—one part to be devoted to the common school education of the
-masses; another part to the work of the Y. M. C. A., and the third to
-the orphan asylum. Among other things, in the body of the will Burt
-Bankston said:
-
-“For twenty years I was a gambler. The past twenty years I have spent
-repenting. I advise all young men to let gambling alone; and I hope that
-those who may be benefited by my bequest may be willing to follow the
-advice of one who has passed through the fire.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLIV.
-                         THE BIG BLACK BURGLAR.
-
-
-One cold winter night, about midnight, my good wife called to me,
-saying:
-
-“Dan! Dan! Get up! Get up!”
-
-“What’s the matter?” I asked with much alarm.
-
-“Somebody’s in the dining-room; I heard them rattling the dishes just a
-minute ago.”
-
-“I don’t hear anything, wife,” I said slowly.
-
-“There’s somebody in there sure; I heard them myself. Do get up, Dan,
-before they take everything we’ve got.”
-
-“I haven’t got a gun or any kind of weapon,” I said, still fighting for
-time.
-
-“Well, get up and make a noise—walk around heavy—that’ll frighten ’em
-and make ’em leave.”
-
-[Illustration: “THE BIG BLACK BURGLAR.”]
-
-I got up quietly, turned up the lamp, and looked about me with a sigh.
-
-“Be quick,” said my wife.
-
-“In a minute,” said I.
-
-I tipped around to the wall on the side of the bed, and took down an old
-iron sword, which had done duty in the Mexican war, and which we had
-preserved as an heirloom.
-
-“Hurry, hurry, Dan!” said my wife.
-
-“All right,” I said with meekness.
-
-I took the sword in one hand and the lamp in the other, and moved gently
-toward the door, which opened from our bed-room into the dining-room.
-
-Pausing at the door, I said,——
-
-“Hallo! Hallo, in there!”
-
-The response came from my wife in bed.
-
-“Open the door, Dan; open the door!”
-
-Humbly I placed the lamp on the floor close by the door, caught a tight
-grip on my old war-piece, and then quickly shoved the door wide open. I
-intended, of course, after getting my bearings, to pick up the lamp and
-enter the dining-room on a tour of inspection. But, I assure you, there
-was no time for any such careful procedure. As soon as the door was
-opened and the light went streaming into the dining-room, something fell
-to the floor with a terrible thud, and quicker than it takes to tell it
-a great big black something, that looked to me like a buffalo or
-elephant, came bounding toward me. It was all so sudden that it
-surprised me, and I fell back trembling. Over went the lamp. It broke.
-Out came the oil. It took fire and pretty soon the lambrequin close by
-took fire also. Down I snatched it and threw it into the grate. I
-reached for the first thing handy, and tried to smother the fire on the
-floor. In doing so, I stepped on a piece of glass and cut my foot. I
-burnt my hands terribly. And, to beat it all, my night shirt caught on
-fire. I ran to the bed, and sat down in order to quench the blaze. This
-shows that I still had some presence of mind left, although, as a matter
-of fact, this new extinguishing process scorched my legs awfully.
-
-When all was quiet again, and I lit another lamp in order to take an
-inventory, my bed-room was a sight to behold! I found that in the
-struggle, my old army sword had been plunged amidship into the handsome
-mirror of our dresser, and had also made havoc of a reproduction, of
-Millet’s Angelus. I discovered, also, that I had used my brand-new $50
-overcoat to extinguish the fire, and that many of the handsome photos of
-our friends that stood on the mantle had been ruined. Altogether that
-one night’s experience cost me in the neighborhood of $100, not to
-mention my own personal injuries. It was a terrible night, I tell you.
-And far-off in one corner, I saw, crouching in abject fear, the cause of
-all my troubles—the burly black burglar. And what do you think it was?
-It was nothing in the world but an old black Tom Cat, who had been a
-member of our family for many years!
-
-
-
-
-                                  XLV.
-                    PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE.
-
-
-Surely all young girls ought to know how to sew, and, not only sew, but
-all girls, I think, ought to love the purely feminine occupation of
-sewing. Since I am sure that many of the little girls who will read this
-book know how to sew, I am going to tell you about some little sewing
-that my wife did.
-
-In 1903, the Ladies’ Home Journal, of Philadelphia, offered a prize of
-fifty dollars for the best way to make pin-money at home. You know,
-girls, that pin-money means pocket change or spending money. Many
-hundreds of women all over the world sent in suggestions to the Ladies’
-Home Journal, each one hoping, I am sure, that her suggestion would win
-first prize. The following letter sent to my wife will tell you just how
-her suggestion was received:
-
-
-                                            “THE LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL,
-                                        “Philadelphia. February 5, 1903.
-
- “Dear Madam:
-
-“It gives me much pleasure to tell you that among the hundreds of
-letters received in response to the offer made in our January magazine
-in connection with The Editor’s Want-Box, Mr. Bok has chosen your
-offering as the one entitled to the first prize of fifty dollars. He
-congratulates you upon your success and thanks you for the interest you
-have shown.
-
-“Our Treasurer will send you a check within a week.
-
-                                                 Very truly yours,
-                                                     “Wm. V. Alexander,
-                                                       “Managing Editor.
-
- “Mrs. Ella Floyd.”
-
-
-The check came all right, girls, and my wife thought, as she said to me,
-that in winning the prize she had found a new way to make pin-money—that
-is, by telling others how to make pin-money at home.
-
-Two hundred of the little articles were afterwards published from time
-to time in The Ladies’ Home Journal. The first article of the series
-appeared in the magazine for January, 1904, and my wife’s little story,
-which won first money, was at the head of the list. I am going to give
-here the whole of the little article, as published in The Ladies’ Home
-Journal. Of course, I am proud that she won the prize, and I hope other
-young ladies by-and-by may be the happy winners in such contests. And
-here is the article:
-
-“When one’s pin-money is all gone but twenty-five cents the question
-comes as to the way to replenish it. One day when I found that I had
-only that amount I invested it as follows:
-
-                         1 yard of lawn    .10
-                         1 yard of lace    .10
-                         1 spool of cotton .05
-                                           ———
-                                           .25
-
-“The same day I made three baby caps as daintily as I could with these
-materials. The next day I sold them for twenty-five cents each, and then
-I had seventy-five cents. I then bought
-
-                         1  yard of lawn    .15
-                         2½ yards of lace   .25
-                         2  yards of ribbon .25
-                         2 tiny buckles     .05
-                         1 spool of cotton  .05
-                                            ———
-                                            .75
-
-“With these materials I made two baby caps, somewhat larger than the
-first ones, and trimmed more prettily. I found no trouble in selling
-them for $1.50. Straightway I invested the sum in lawn, lace, ribbon,
-etc., and as I had done so well with the caps I thought I would try my
-hand on little bonnets. I made two. A friend offered me $5 for them
-before they were finished. I accepted her offer and from that day to
-this I have never been troubled about pin-money.
-
-[Illustration: PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE.]
-
-“In four weeks’ time I made and sold twenty caps and eleven bonnets. The
-material for the caps cost me $2.50—twelve and a half cents for each. I
-sold them for twenty-five cents each. The material for the bonnets cost
-me $8.25, or seventy-five cents each. I sold them for $2.50 each. So I
-netted $21.75 for my work. The time which I devoted to this enterprise
-was that which ordinarily I would have used in calling or in running up
-bills for my husband to pay.
-
-“Since the first four weeks of which I have spoken in detail I have made
-more expensive caps and bonnets for babies from six months to about
-three years old. The last one I made was of silk, beautifully trimmed,
-tucked and hemstitched. I sold it for $6, making a clear profit of $3.
-My husband says I’ll soon be in position to organize a trust.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLVI.
-                               SELF-HELP.
-
-
-If there is one idea for which more than any other the public school
-system should stand, it is the idea of self-help. Self-help is the best
-kind of help in the world, and one cannot learn this lesson too early in
-life. Even little children—three, four, five, six and eight years
-old—should be taught to work. Any little child is just as capable of
-doing the little things in work as he is in play. Why should not the
-little girl be taught to trim and wash the dress of her doll? Why should
-not the little children be taught to sweep up the dirt that they have
-scattered in play? Why should they not be taught to remove the dishes
-from the table, brush up the crumbs, set back the chairs, pick up chips,
-put the kindling wood in its place, bring the potatoes in from the
-garden, help to pick over the berries, and so forth? We might argue this
-question from now until doom’s day, and nobody, I think, would be able
-to give any good reason why children should not be taught to do the
-little things. Little children who are accustomed to having everything
-done for them by others are very soon beset with the rust of laziness
-and the canker of pride. Whereas, on the other hand, if children are
-taught to help themselves as soon as and as much as they are able, it
-will tend to improve their faculties, and will, at the same time, have a
-good influence upon their dispositions.
-
-Childhood and youth are periods of life which materially influence all
-of its following periods, and whether the earlier years of one’s life be
-passed in idleness and indolence, or in well-directed industry, is a
-point on which greatly depends the worth or the worthlessness of human
-character. Where is the man who guides his affairs with discretion, or
-the woman that looketh well to the ways of her household, and yet was
-not in some measure imbued with industrious and provident habits in
-early life? On the other hand, who that has been treated until the age
-of fifteen or twenty like a helpless infant, and had every want supplied
-without being put to the necessity of either mental or bodily exertion,
-was ever good for anything afterwards?
-
-[Illustration: WASHING DOLLIE’S CLOTHES.]
-
-The tendency of the age is by far too much in the direction of keeping
-our young boys solely for the purpose of loafing about the streets, or
-standing around the soda fountains on Sunday—and our young girls for
-parties, social entertainments, picnics, excursions and the like. So
-that by the time our boys and girls reach manhood and womanhood, they
-despise honest labor and are afraid to engage in real hard work. A young
-woman may know how to read and write—may understand grammar, history,
-and geography—may sing sweetly and play the piano well; but, whatever
-else she may know or may not know, if she does not know how to bake a
-hoe-cake of bread, make her little brother or sister a pair of pants or
-a plain dress, she is only half educated. In fact, every young woman
-should not only know how to perform every duty connected with a
-household, but every young woman should take some part in household
-work. No girl need tell me that she really loves her mother if she is
-willing to leave to her mother the work of washing the dishes, sweeping
-and scouring the floors, caring for the little children, doing the
-Monday washings, the house cleaning, and the like, while she devotes
-herself to pleasure, novel reading, social calling, butterfly parties,
-or playing rag-time music or singing rag-time songs.
-
-The home and the public school are the two great agencies which are
-jointly engaged, or which should be jointly engaged, in teaching
-children to help themselves. If children are taught, as boys and girls,
-to think for themselves, speak for themselves and act for themselves,
-when they are old they will not forget the precious lesson, and will be
-less likely to become burdens on the community. The highest ambition of
-every American man and woman should be to be of some useful service to
-the world; and the first step will be taken toward this noble end when
-we have thoroughly learned the value and importance of the lesson of
-self-help. First, learn to help yourself, and then you will be able to
-see more clearly how to help others.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLVII.
-                    HENRY WARD BEECHER’S TESTIMONY.
-
-
-First impressions are always most lasting. We may not recognize or
-understand it at the time, but the boys and girls, the very young
-people, whom God has committed to our care in the home or the
-Sunday-school or the public school, gather in their early days, in the
-formative and impressionable period of their lives, the inspirations and
-impulses which shall guide them in after years either on the road to
-good or on the road to ruin. I happen to have high testimony on this
-point. It is the testimony of the grandest preacher who ever stood in an
-American pulpit. I mean Henry Ward Beecher. The following testimony is
-taken from a sermon of his preached in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, on
-Sunday, January 18, 1874. The subject of the sermon was “Soul Power.”
-Among other things, Mr. Beecher said:
-
-“In reading the life of Goethe, written by himself, you will notice how
-he marks the various stages of his self-culture, and says, ‘At this
-point I met such a man, and he was of great use to me in such and such
-respects.’ Goethe’s educators were living men, active and powerful,
-around about him.
-
-“I can look back upon my own early life, and see how one and another
-took me, and how one prepared me for another. I can see how the largest
-natures did not always get access to me. It was late in life before my
-father influenced me very much. I think it was a humble woman who was in
-our family that first gained any considerable control over me. I feel
-the effects of her influence to this day.
-
-“I next came under the influence of a very humble serving-man. He opened
-up new directions to me, and gave me new impulses. He was a colored man;
-and I am not ashamed to say that my whole life, my whole career
-respecting the colored race, in the conflict which was so long carried
-on in this country, was largely influenced by the effect produced on my
-mind when I was between eight and ten years of age, by a poor old
-colored man named Charles Smith, who worked on my father’s farm. He did
-not set out to influence me; he did not know that he did it; I did not
-know it until a great while afterwards; but he gave me new impulses, and
-impulses which were in the right direction; for he was a Godly and
-hymn-singing man, who made wine fresh every night from the cluster. He
-used to lie upon his humble bed (I slept in the same room with him) and
-read his Testament, unconscious apparently that I was in the room; and
-he would laugh and talk about what he read, and chuckle over it with
-that peculiarly unctuous throat-tone which belongs to his race. I never
-had heard the Bible really read before; but there, in my presence, he
-read it and talked about it, to himself and to God. He turned the New
-Testament into living forms right before me. It was a revelation and an
-impulse to me.”
-
-What noble testimony this is! And from what a noble source! All of us
-have what is called influence, and, consciously or unconsciously, we are
-all influencing others, especially the young. It is a matter worth our
-deepest and most prayerful thought. If Charles Smith, “a poor old
-colored man;” if Charles Smith, “the very humble serving-man;” if
-Charles Smith, “the Godly and hymn-singing man,” was used of God to give
-impulses—and impulses which were in the right direction—to a little boy
-who was afterwards to become the greatest preacher that America has ever
-known, may not some of us be likewise used of God for the glory of our
-Common Master, even Christ, and for the good of our fellow-men? I tell
-you, friends, we may. And when we think of the great friend of humanity,
-Henry Ward Beecher, let us not forget to think of Charles Smith, who had
-so much to do, according to Beecher’s own testimony, with giving this
-great man a right start.
-
-
-
-
-                                XLVIII.
-                      ROUNDING UP A CHICKEN THIEF.
-
-
-I was not the chief actor in the story which I shall now tell. I played
-only a minor part. My father-in-law was “leading man.” Soon after I
-married I accepted a very cordial invitation to take up my residence
-with my wife’s parents. Our bed-rooms happened to be on the same floor,
-so that it was very easy for us to hear in one room any unusual noise
-made in the other. My mother-in-law was a great hand at the poultry
-business. She had a large number of the choicest breeds, and she found
-great pleasure in looking after them. Now, the old-folk’s bed-room was
-at the rear. Our room was in front. Late one night I heard a voice
-calling.
-
-“Thomas! Thomas!”
-
-It sounded sad and far-away. At first I thought it might have been a
-ghost. I raised myself up and listened. Pretty soon I heard the voice
-again, calling in strangely sepulchral tones.
-
-“Thomas! Thomas!”
-
-And then I could not be mistaken. It was my mother calling the old man.
-Father drawled out sleepily,——
-
-“What is it?”
-
-“There’s somebody out there at my hen house, just as sure as you’re
-born. Don’t you hear the chickens calling for help?”
-
-There was a short silence. After awhile I heard the old lady say
-impetuously,——
-
-“Thomas, why don’t you get up and go and see after them chickens?”
-
-There was another pause. By-and-by mother spoke again,——
-
-“Thomas, you don’t need on your top-shirt. Go on, just as you are. My
-chickens are in danger. If I were a man, I wouldn’t have stopped to put
-on my pants even. You’re a coward—that’s what you are!”
-
-Next I heard the old man speak. I do not know whether he was looking out
-of the window or not, but I heard his say,——
-
-“Hi, there, look out! I’m coming out there! Look out, I’m going to blow
-your daylights out!”
-
-If the old man meant this remark to impress his wife with his bravery
-the effect was certainly lost on the woman, because I heard her say
-louder than ever,——
-
-“Get out of the way, you coward baby, you! I’ll go myself! Where’s my
-slippers?”
-
-In less than a minute I heard the old lady’s voice at the back door, at
-the head of the steps which ran down into the yard. She said,——
-
-“Bring the lamp, Thomas! Bring the lamp!”
-
-[Illustration: “SON, ITS A MIGHTY LUCKY THING FOR YOU AND NANNIE THAT I
-DIDN’T HAVE MY GUN.”]
-
-Curiosity pulled me and my wife out of bed. I stepped quietly into the
-hall, and stood well in the dark, not desiring to be in any way
-conspicuous in the investigations which were proceeding. My wife was by
-my side—trembling, anxious. Her angelic mother had already descended the
-steps, and neither of us knew what fate might befall her there. Wife
-whispered that we had better go to the rescue. We started for the door
-where father stood with the lamp. On the way I stumbled against a little
-table and knocked off a pitcher of ice-water, which fell to the floor
-with a terrific crash. It sounded louder than usual, not only on account
-of the stillness of the night but also on account of the fact that our
-nerves were already keyed up to a very high tension by the exciting
-events then taking place. At the sound in the hall, father turned
-quickly and looked behind. The light flashed into our faces. He must
-have thought we were ghosts or burglars. Immediately the lamp fell out
-of the old man’s hands, and he went sailing down the back stairs,
-hallooing at the top of his voice,——
-
-“They’re in the house, wife! They’re in the house!”
-
-When wife and I reached the door father was already, as I afterwards
-learned, safely buried behind the chicken house, and mother was lodged
-under the steps.
-
-“Father!” I called out. “Father!”
-
-There was no response.
-
-“It’s me and Nannie, mother,” I said.
-
-Still we heard nothing.
-
-I went back to our room, and got our lamp. My wife was following me,
-foot to foot. Returning, I descended the steps and stood on the last
-one. Wife remained at the head of the steps, anxious, waiting, and ready
-to fly back into the house at the first outcry.
-
-“Father!” I called again. “Father! Mother! There’s nobody in the house
-but me and Nannie. I made that noise myself, father. Where are you?”
-
-Simultaneously the old folks emerged from their hiding-places.
-
-The old lady said,——
-
-“Thomas, you’re the biggest coward in all the world! I’ll never speak to
-you again!”
-
-Father addressed me, ignoring his wife’s complaint. Said he,——
-
-“Son, it’s a mighty lucky thing for you and Nannie that I didn’t have my
-gun.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XLIX.
-                       SHIELDS GREEN, THE MARTYR.
-
-
-Near the south-east corner of the cemetery in Oberlin, Ohio, there
-stands an unpretentious monument of clouded marble, about eight feet in
-height, bearing the following inscriptions:
-
-                                S. GREEN,
-                 Died at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 1859.
-                              Aged 23 years.
-
-
-                             J. A. COPELAND,
-                 Died at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 1859.
-                              Aged 25 years.
-
-                               L. S. LEARY,
-               Died at Harper’s Ferry, Va., Oct. 20, 1859.
-                              Aged 24 years.
-
-                    These colored citizens of Oberlin,
-                  The Heroic Associates of the Immortal
-                               JOHN BROWN,
-                     Gave their lives for the Slave.
-              Et nunc servitudo etiam mortua est, laus Deo.
-
-In 1876, Frederick Douglass, who was once an associate and intimate
-friend of John Brown, lectured at Oberlin College. Among other things,
-Mr. Douglass said that Shields Green, who had once been a student of
-Oberlin College, was residing in the Douglass family shortly before the
-raid on Harper’s Ferry. At the call of Brown, Green went with Douglass
-to an appointed spot near the borders of Virginia. There John Brown
-confided to them the details of his plans, including the capture of
-Harper’s Ferry. Mr. Douglass objected to the plans as unwise and
-hazardous, and, finding entreaty unavailing, he withdrew from the
-enterprise. Shields Green, nevertheless, followed his old commander.
-When John Brown was finally surrounded, Green and one other companion
-were in the mountains on some errand. When they returned, they saw at a
-glance that the rescue of Brown was impossible. Green’s companion
-counseled flight, and did himself escape, but Shields Green—the former
-Oberlin student—replied that he preferred to “go down and die with the
-old man,” meaning John Brown.
-
-And he did.
-
-There is scarcely a more touching incident than this in all our national
-history.
-
-
-
-
-                                   L.
-                          AIMING AT SOMETHING.
-
-
-It is true, boys and girls, that it is what you hit, not what you aim
-at, that counts; but, nevertheless, it is a very important thing to take
-the right aim. The man who aims deliberately at the center of the target
-stands a better chance, a hundred to one, than the man who shoots
-without taking aim. So, in life, that boy or girl who has a purpose—who
-is aiming at something—will be more successful than those boys and girls
-who have no plans and who aim at nothing.
-
-[Illustration: AIMING AT SOMETHING.]
-
-It is not sufficient, in the moral world, to aim at something, but every
-boy and girl should aim at the best things. The best and highest things
-in this world are the unseen things, the eternal things, the things that
-will last forever. Money is a good thing, but there is something higher
-than money. A high position in the business or professional or political
-world, is a good thing, but there is something higher and better than
-office and position. Character is the grandest, the highest and best
-thing in this world. We include in this one little word “character” a
-world of things. Honor, uprightness, speaking the truth, dealing fairly
-with people, being willing to help the lowly and unfortunate, paying
-your debts promptly, these things, and many other things like them, are
-included in the one word “character.” And these are the things that are
-worth while in this world. These are the things that every boy and girl
-should aim at. It may not be possible for every boy and girl to become a
-millionaire; it may not be possible for every boy and girl to fill high
-offices in this world, or succeed in large business enterprises; but one
-thing is certain: every boy can be a good and true boy, every girl can
-be a noble and beautiful girl. Beautiful as to conduct, as to words and
-deeds, I mean. Good boys are the fathers of good men. Pure girls are the
-mothers of pure women. For, what, after all, is a boy? And what is a
-girl? What is a man? What is a woman? I will tell you. A boy is a little
-man—that’s all; and a man is a grown-up boy. A girl is a little
-woman—that’s all; and a woman is a grown-up girl.
-
-It is important, then, that boys and girls should aim at the right
-things, the good, the true and noble things early in life. What boys and
-girls aim at, in nine cases out of ten, they will reach as men and
-women. And to help you in taking the proper aim early in life, I am
-going to give you something to aim at. Let every boy and girl make this
-little motto his rule of life:
-
-                      Know something—know it well;
-                      Do something—do it well;—
-                          And be Somebody!
-
-
-
-
-                                  LI.
-               “THE BLACK SHEEP” OF THE REYNOLDS FAMILY.
-
-
-Will Reynolds was “the black sheep” of the Reynolds family. He knew it
-and felt it, because he had been frequently slighted and treated with
-contempt by his relatives. The only person who never lost faith in him
-was his mother. She always felt that there was something good in her
-wayward son, and often said that it would show itself some day. But
-Will’s mother died in the early stages of his backslidings. Will’s
-father married the second time, and the boy, finding it impossible to
-get along with his stepmother, left home. He went from bad to worse.
-Being arrested on the charge of drunkenness and vagrancy, he sent to his
-two brothers, who were prosperous brokers in D. St., asking them to pay
-his fine. Word came back that they would not interfere in his behalf.
-His brothers sent word that he had brought the trouble upon himself and
-he must get out of it the best way he could. Will was sent to the Work
-House for six months. And nobody’s hand was raised to help him.
-
-While he was serving his time, his only sister, a young woman not yet
-grown, died. He knew nothing of it until about a month after it
-occurred, and then he read the account in an old newspaper which he had
-borrowed from a fellow prisoner. The news of his sister’s death deeply
-affected him. His sentence was shortened by one month on account of his
-good behaviour. The first thing he did, on coming to the city, was to
-visit the family lot in Myrtle Hill Cemetery. He carried with him some
-wild flowers and green leaves, being too poor to purchase a floral
-offering from the dealers in such things. With uncovered head, he knelt
-and placed these tokens of respect on the graves of his mother and
-sister. This done, he stood in silence for a moment, and then wept like
-a little child. While riveted to the spot, he made a solemn vow that he
-would quit the old life and make a man of himself. “It’s in me,” he said
-to himself, “and I’m going to prove it.”
-
-[Illustration: “HE CARRIED WITH HIM SOME WILD FLOWERS AND GREEN
-LEAVES.”]
-
-Slowly he turned away from the sacred place. He went directly to the
-offices of his brothers. He had been furnished with a new suit of
-clothes, according to custom, upon leaving prison, and so made quite a
-decent appearance. He found his oldest brother, John B. Reynolds, seated
-at a desk in the front office. He entered at once and said,—
-
-“Well, John, I suppose sister is dead?”
-
-“How dare you,” exclaimed John, rising to his feet,—“how dare you to
-speak of Annie as your sister, you jailbird, you miserable convict! Get
-out of here this minute! Leave this room at once, and never set foot in
-it again!”
-
-There was fire in the man’s eye as he spoke. Will attempted to speak,
-but was not permitted. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he left the
-room. He had gone to tell of his new determination and ask for another
-chance, and this was the reception which he met. On his way down the
-steps, he came face to face with his other brother, Thomas Reynolds.
-Thomas tried to pass without speaking, but Will intercepted him.
-
-“Tom,” he said, “I’m your brother still. I’m not asking help now; I only
-came to tell you that I’m going to do better. I thought you would be
-glad to hear it.”
-
-“I want to hear nothing from you,” said Thomas. “You’ve disgraced us
-forever, and you can go your way; we don’t want anything to do with you;
-we don’t want to see you again!”
-
-Will went forth into the street weeping.
-
-                  *       *       *       *       *
-
-Thirty years have come and gone since Will was driven away from the
-offices of his brothers. What changes have these years worked?
-
-Soon after leaving prison Will was a constant visitor at the Railroad
-Men’s Branch of the Y. M. C. A. Through the Secretary of the
-Association, he soon secured a place as a day laborer in the machine
-shops of the Big Bend Railroad. After securing regular employment, he
-went to live in the Y. M. C. A. building. At the close of his first
-year’s service with the railroad, he was promoted from a common laborer
-and made an apprentice. After four or five years, he had learned the
-trade and was receiving the daily wages of a machinist. After twelve
-years with the company, he was made the Master Machinist. At the end of
-fifteen years’ service, he was made Superintendent of Construction. Five
-years later he was made a Division Superintendent. At the expiration of
-more than twenty-five years of faithful service, Will Reynolds was able
-to write after his name, “General Manager of the Big Bend Railroad.” He
-had, also, been married for several years, and was the father of five
-children.
-
-Will’s father and brothers lost sight of him for nearly twelve years, or
-until the papers announced his appointment as Master Machinist of the
-Big Bend Railroad. They suddenly awoke to find that their conclusions
-that he had probably long since died a drunkard’s death, or had gone off
-as a tramp and had been killed, or was again serving a sentence in
-prison somewhere—were wrong.
-
-The same week that Will was made Superintendent of Construction of the
-Big Bend Railroad, the newspapers spread all over the country the news
-that Col. Oliver P. Reynolds had committed suicide. According to their
-way, the newspapers gave all the sickening details of the tragedy,
-together with the whole family history. They said that Col. Reynolds had
-been driven to suicide by his wife. They said that she was much younger
-than he; that she was extravagant; that she was a leader in gay society;
-they told how, on her account, Col. Reynolds had driven his son away
-from home fifteen years before; they declared that the old man’s life
-had been a hell to him; and that his wife had brought him almost to the
-verge of bankruptcy, and, in order to escape facing open disgrace, he
-had murdered himself.
-
-When Will heard of his father’s death, he hastened at once to the city,
-but was denied admission to the family residence, and had to attend the
-funeral in the little church around the corner not as a member of the
-family but merely as an outsider.
-
-We are not concerned in this story with the fate of Will’s stepmother.
-But, as to Will’s brothers,—well, the crash came eight or ten years
-after the death of Col. Reynolds, or a short while before Will became
-the General Manager of the Big Bend Railroad. John B. Reynolds and
-Thomas Reynolds, members of the firm of John B. Reynolds & Bro., had
-been arrested and placed in the Tombs, charged with misappropriating
-$175,000 of trust funds. Again the family history was rehearsed in the
-newspapers. The papers did not fail to recall the suicide of Col.
-Reynolds, nor did they fail to tell how these two brothers had earlier
-in life turned their backs on a younger brother.
-
-[Illustration: “WELL, JOHN, I SUPPOSE SISTER IS DEAD?”]
-
-Will read the papers, and, saying to his wife, “Well, Mary, perhaps
-they’ll be glad to see me this trip,” he went immediately to offer his
-services to his brothers.
-
-He had prophesied correctly. John and Thomas were very glad to see him.
-They had no friends among those high in financial circles because they
-had for many years conducted their business in such a way that business
-men had no confidence in them. They had no credit and could get nobody
-to go on their bonds. Will took in the situation at a glance. He had
-been thoughtful enough to bring along with him the leading attorney of
-the Big Bend Railroad, and he put matters straightway into his hands.
-Bail was arranged, the brothers were released, and the lawyer then
-turned his attention to the prosecutors. It was discovered that almost
-half of the amount stolen was the property of Simon B. Nesmith,
-President of the Big Bend Railroad. When Will Reynolds and the lawyer
-found that their own superior officer had been so heavily hit by John B.
-Reynolds & Bro., they came near fainting. Fortunately Nesmith when he
-heard the whole story agreed not to prosecute, and not only said that he
-would be satisfied with any settlement that the Railroad’s Attorney
-might arrange but also volunteered to see the others concerned and use
-his influence in having them do likewise.
-
-In a short time matters were adjusted, and John Reynolds and Thomas
-Reynolds were saved from prison. But they lost all their earthly
-possessions and their brother, “the black sheep” of the family, had to
-secure them for the sum of $40,000 besides.
-
-John B. Reynolds and Thomas Reynolds came to their senses. It was their
-time to cry now. Amidst great sobs they said,——
-
-“We treated you wrongly, brother Will; we ought to have helped you many
-years ago; we are so sorry we didn’t; and it was such a small matter,
-too.”
-
-But Will said,——
-
-“Don’t talk about the past: I’m your brother still. Go and do as I did.
-Start over and make men of yourselves—you’ll have enough time. That’s
-all I ask.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LII.
-                            THE HOLY BIBLE.
-
-
-I heard a minister say the other day that a mother had not necessarily
-done much for her boy because she had bought him a nice Bible and put it
-in his trunk, when he was about to leave home to seek his fortune in the
-world. I think it wrong for anybody—minister or what not—to indulge in
-such loose and flippant talk. The effect is bad—always bad, and no hair
-splitting, and no higher criticism, and no curiously ingenious
-explanations can mend the matter. As for me, give me the old-fashioned
-mother who sends her son out into the world with a Bible in his trunk,
-and give me the old-fashioned boy who reads that Bible every night with
-tears in his eyes, as he thinks of the old folks at home and of their
-simple lives devoted to Jesus Christ. Give me the man, woman or child,
-whose hands touch the Bible reverently, instead of slinging it about as
-a dictionary or some common dime novel. Give me the plain old fellow who
-quickly takes leave of that circle in which critics are proceeding to
-ably explain away certain chapters of the Bible.
-
-As for me, I want no new theories about the Bible—no new versions—no new
-criticisms. No man has a right to weaken the faith of others. No man has
-a right to knock away the staff that supports the crippled wayfarer. And
-no man has a right to tell an aged mother that it does no good to give
-her boy a Bible unless he can suggest a better substitute. Destroy the
-old-fashioned idea concerning the Bible, and we shall have a nation of
-infidels defying God, defying the law, and repeating the licentiousness
-and horrors of the French Revolution. We should make the Bible first in
-all things. Make the Bible first in the family, in the Sunday-school and
-church, make it first in state and society, and we shall have a Republic
-that will grow brighter and brighter as the years come and go, and then
-we “shall go out with joy, and be lead forth with peace: and the
-mountains and the hills shall break forth before us into singing, and
-all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LIII.
-                 ANDREW CARNEGIE’S ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN.
-
-
-One of the bravest and truest friends of humanity that I know of is
-Andrew Carnegie, the great iron king. He has retired from business now,
-and is spending his time in giving away his money for the good of his
-fellow men. In addition to smaller gifts, he has given to the city of
-New York $5,200,000 for libraries for all the people. He has given
-$10,000,000 to Universities in Scotland, his native country, and he has
-also founded the “Carnegie Institution,” of Washington, D. C., with the
-liberal sum of $10,000,000. Every colored boy and girl in America has a
-special reason for thanking Mr. Carnegie for his splendid gifts to
-Tuskegee and Wilberforce and other colored schools. In addition to the
-$600,000 given toward Tuskegee’s endowment fund, he has given Tuskegee
-and Wilberforce library buildings, costing about $20,000 each. The words
-of such a humanitarian and philanthropist should carry weight
-everywhere, and should be studied by all. Among other things, Mr.
-Carnegie says, in speaking to young men:
-
-“Do not make riches, but usefulness, your first aim, and let your chief
-pride be that your daily occupation is in the line of progress and
-development; that your work, in whatever capacity it may be, is useful
-work, honestly conducted, and as such ennobles your life.
-
-“Whatever your salary be, save a little; live within your means. The man
-who saves a little from his income has given the surest indication of
-the very qualities that every employer is seeking for.
-
-“The great successes of life are made by concentration. Do not think you
-have done your full duty when you have performed the work assigned you.
-You will never rise if you only do this.
-
-“You hear a good deal about poverty nowadays, and the cry goes up to
-abolish poverty, but it will be the saddest day of civilization when
-poverty is no longer with us. It is from the soil of poverty that all
-the virtues spring. Without poverty, where will your inventor, your
-artist, your philanthropist come from?
-
-“There are three classes of young men in the world. One starts out to be
-a millionaire. Another seeks reputation, perhaps at the cannon’s mouth.
-A third young man, who will be successful, is he who starts out in life
-with self-respect and who is true to himself and his fellow-men. He
-cannot fail to win.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LIV.
-                    DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GENTLEMEN.
-
-
-1. The essential part of good breeding is the practical desire to afford
-pleasure and to avoid giving pain. Any boy possessing this desire
-requires only opportunity and observation to become a little gentleman.
-
-2. Never be guilty of what are called practical jokes; that is to say,
-never place a pin in a chair so that somebody may come along and sit on
-the pin’s point; never pull back a chair when a person is about to sit
-down, and in that way cause such a person to fall on the floor. No
-little gentleman will play such tricks.
-
-3. Whenever a lady enters a room, it is proper for boys to rise, if they
-are seated, but you must never offer a lady a chair from which you have
-just risen, if there is another chair in the room.
-
-4. Never engage in conversation while a person is singing. It is an
-insult not only to the singer but to the company.
-
-5. Always take off your hat when assisting a lady to or from a carriage.
-
-6. If in a public place, you pass and re-pass persons of your
-acquaintance, it is only necessary to salute them on the first occasion.
-
-[Illustration: DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GENTLEMEN.]
-
-7. Do not wear anything that is so conspicuous as to attract attention;
-and, particularly, avoid the ruffian style.
-
-8. Do not lose your temper. Particularly if you are playing innocent
-games for amusement and happen to lose; avoid the exhibition of anxiety
-or vexation at lack of success.
-
-9. In all your associations, keep constantly in view the old adage, “too
-much familiarity breeds contempt.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LV.
-                         THE LETTER OF THE LAW.
-
-
-It was a bright and balmy afternoon in spring. Mrs. Anderson, in keeping
-with the practice of neighborly kindness which was in vogue in the
-Berkshire village, had sent a large plate of ice-cream across the street
-to Mrs. Van Ingen’s. The cream was quite toothsome, and little Annie Van
-Ingen, “six years old, going on seven,” felt when the plate had been
-emptied that she would like to have some more.
-
-With tears in her eyes she confided her wish to her mother. The maternal
-explanation, “My darling, mama didn’t make any cream to-day,” failed to
-satisfy Annie.
-
-“Well, where did you get that we had?” she asked.
-
-“Mrs. Anderson was kind enough to send it to us,” answered the patient
-mother.
-
-“I’m going over there and ask her for some more,” abruptly interposed
-little Annie.
-
-“No, no, no, my precious;” said Mrs. Van Ingen, “you mustn’t think of
-doing such a thing. Mama doesn’t want the neighbors to know that her
-little Annie is a beggar.”
-
-[Illustration: “MAMMA TOLD ME NOT TO ASK FOR ANY MORE CREAM.”]
-
-For reply Annie’s tears flowed fast and faster. Finally, seeing that
-nothing else would avail, to pacify Annie, Mrs. Van Ingen said,——
-
-“I’ll tell you what to do, dearie; you go over to Mrs. Anderson’s and
-tell her that you’ve come to play awhile with her little girl. Now, be
-careful, don’t ask her for any cream, but I’m sure she’ll offer you some
-before you come back.”
-
-The crying stopped immediately, and pretty soon Annie went tripping
-across the street to play with Mrs. Anderson’s little girl.
-
-Mrs. Anderson met her at the door and kissed her affectionately.
-
-“I wanted some more cream,” volunteered little Annie; “the cream you
-sent mama was very nice, and I wanted some more. Mama told me not to ask
-you for any more, but she said that if I would come over here and play
-with Bessie you would give me some more before I went back home. So, I
-have come over to play with Bessie.”
-
-And, having relieved her mind of its burden, little Annie, with perfect
-delight and joyous innocence, ran hastily up the stairs to the nursery
-in search of Bessie.
-
-
-
-
-                                  LVI.
-                      THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
-
-
-According to some of the most thoughtful people who have lived in this
-world, a good way to deal with children in regard to the books that they
-are to read is to give them the freedom of a library which contains a
-few thousand of the best books in the world, and let them browse at
-will. This was originally, I think, Charles Lamb’s idea. Charles Lamb
-was a lovable man who wrote readable books for children. But this
-statement of Lamb implies, of course, the possession of a good library.
-Unfortunately many of my readers will not be found among those who live
-in homes which are well-stocked with books. That is one reason why it
-seems wise to make one or two suggestions as to the best books for
-children to read. If you cannot have all of the best books in the world,
-it is important that you should have at least a few of the best books in
-the world; and I shall name a few which I believe every boy and girl in
-America ought to know something about.
-
-[Illustration: THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.]
-
-For children between the ages of six and twelve, I should put at the
-head of my list Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe,” a good edition of the
-“Arabian Nights,” and Hans Andersen’s fairy tales. In addition to these
-I would get Hawthorne’s “Wonder Book,” Andrew Lang’s “Fairy Book” and
-some book full of absurd fun like Lear’s “Nonsense Book” or “Alice in
-Wonderland.” We must not forget Joel Chandler Harris’s “Uncle Remus,”
-for it ought to have a place in every collection of children’s best
-books. Kipling’s “Jungle Book” is good, and so is Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s
-Progress.” “Tom Brown at Rugby,” Lamb’s Shakespeare Tales, and Ruskin’s
-“King of the Golden River” must not be overlooked. John Burrough’s
-“Birds and Beasts” might as well end the list, since I haven’t room to
-give all the best books for children.
-
-But whatever else you do, boys and girls, if you wish to widen your
-spiritual horizons, do not close the windows on the emotional and
-imaginative side by neglecting poetry. Somebody has said that “There is
-in every one of us a poet whom the man has outlived.” “Verse and Prose
-for Beginners” by Horace E. Scudder is a delightful book to have, and
-another book of poems called the “Children’s Garland.”
-
-The best books for a child are the books that widen his world. A man or
-woman in middle life or old age who loves poetry and great pictures and
-statues, who is familiar with Shakespeare, who has a sense of humor and
-a love of nature, knows a deal about the joy of living and is full of
-resources. No one can ever have these resources and that joy who has not
-had them from early childhood.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LVII.
-                           THE RIGHT TO PLAY.
-
-
-The right to play is one of the divine rights of men and women, of boys
-and girls, and is just as essential to the peace, happiness and
-prosperity of the world as is the right to pray. Never be afraid or
-ashamed, my young friends, of honest, vigorous, healthy play. Dominoes,
-lawn tennis, baseball, football, ping-pong, golf, foot-racing, leaping
-and jumping, boxing and wrestling, pole-vaulting, punching the bag,
-swinging dumb-bells or Indian clubs, and a hundred other things are
-perfectly sane and wholesome amusements for old or young. To refrain
-from all forms of amusements is just as destructive of happiness and
-injurious to character as is the other extreme of indulging too freely
-in pleasures and pastimes. Puritan austerity and unrestrained excess are
-alike to be condemned. But a certain amount of play—play of the right
-kind and within proper limits—is a divine right of young people. Young
-people must have fun and relaxation, and, if they do not find it in
-their own homes, it will be sought in other and perhaps dangerous
-places.
-
-For myself, I believe that anybody is an enemy to young people who
-desires to repress and crush out the naturally buoyant spirits of
-childhood and youth, and he is a benefactor of humanity who makes it a
-part of his business to see that proper places of amusement are provided
-for the young people. Aside from the physical advantages of play, there
-are moral advantages also. A man who helps to keep his body in good
-condition by regular exercise is, in that way, beyond a doubt, adding to
-the number of his days; that is to say, he will live longer than the man
-who doesn’t play. But beyond and above that, he is a happier man while
-he lives; he gets more joy and satisfaction out of life than the other
-fellow. Sane and healthy play tends to blot out the remembrance of cares
-and hardship; it gives our minds something else to think about. But
-young people must be careful not to become absorbed in these things. I
-believe in play; I believe in pleasure, in fun. But when I see young
-people, or old people for that matter, devoting all their time to
-wheeling, footballing, card parties, the giddy whirl of the dance, the
-bacchanalian hilarity of the dram shop, and so on, I am forced to say
-that things which may be right when taken in moderation, and as a relief
-from the overtaxing burdens of life, are wrong when they become the
-chief object for which one lives.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LVIII.
-                          A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
-
-
-A forsaken little kitten wandered up and down the street on the day
-before Christmas. It had no home; it had no name; it had no ribbon
-around its neck; and it had no saucer of nice milk in one corner.
-
-It began to grow dark, and colder too, and the stars came peeping out,
-and the first flakes of a real Christmas snowstorm began floating down
-through the air. The kitten mewed a trembling little mew, which told as
-plainly as it could that it was very hungry, and it fluffed out its fur
-to keep itself warm.
-
-Now, somewhere along that street, up on top of a house (hiding behind a
-chimney where he couldn’t be seen), was Santa Claus, getting everything
-in shape before starting on his evening round. When old Santa saw that
-lonesome little kitten strolling around he smiled—yes, old Santa Claus
-smiled. He smiled because he knew that two blocks up the street a little
-girl was standing with her nose pressed against the window, looking out
-into the deepening night.
-
-He had seen her as he went by. And he had also seen the poor little
-supper laid out for two on the table, and heard her say to her mother,
-in a quavering voice:
-
-“Not even one present, mamma—not the teeniest little one!”
-
-[Illustration: “MAMMA, I HEAR OLD SANTA’S BELLS AND OF COURSE THIS IS
-THE PRESENT HE BROUGHT.”]
-
-“No, Susie,” her mother had answered, “I’m sorry I couldn’t get anything
-for my little girl this year, but—you know there wasn’t any money dear.”
-And there was a tremble in her mother’s voice too.
-
-Susie wiped away the tears, and turned to look out of the window.
-
-“Perhaps,” she said to herself; “perhaps Santa Claus has something for
-me after all!”
-
-Now, the sad, really dreadful part about it was that Santa Claus didn’t
-have one single thing for Susie in his pack. Perhaps it was because she
-had moved into that house since last Christmas, or perhaps for once old
-Santa had made a mistake. Anyway he was just saying to himself: “Why,
-bless me, what shall I do about it?” when he caught sight of that
-shivering little kitten.
-
-“The very thing,” he thought. “I’ll give them to each other!” and he
-chuckled till his reindeer looked around to see what was the matter.
-
-And what happened next? Well, that kitten never knew really. It only
-seemed as if there was a sudden rush and jingle of bells, which
-frightened it so that it flew up the street as fast as its four little
-legs could carry it, until it saw a small friendly face at a window, and
-rushed up some steps nearby. Then a door opened, and two soft little
-arms picked it up gently from the cold snow and a voice cried:
-
-“Oh, mamma, see the poor little kitten—it’s so cold—oh, we’ll keep it,
-won’t we, mamma! The poor little thing. Do you think it would drink
-milk?”
-
-Would it drink milk? What a question to ask about a little kitten. While
-the little kitten was nearly choking itself trying to drink a saucerful
-of milk and purr at the same time there was a jingle of bells outside,
-and Susie said:
-
-“Mamma, I hear old Santa’s bells, and, of course, this is the present he
-brought.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LIX.
-                         DRINKING AND SMOKING.
-
-
-There is food for reflection in a saying of somebody who lived a great
-many years ago, ’way back in 1878. Here it is:
-
-“Our government land costs one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre, and
-good whiskey two dollars a bottle. How many men die landless who during
-their lives have swallowed whole townships—trees and all?”
-
-Alongside of this statement might go this other one, which is equally
-true:
-
-“The young man who smokes three five-cent cigars a day—and many young
-men use double the quantity at double the price—puffs away enough money
-in the course of ten years to give anyone a handsome start in business,
-or to provide anyone a comfortable home.”
-
-[Illustration: DRINK AND TOBACCO.]
-
-From a purely business standpoint, not to say anything about religion or
-morals—from a purely business standpoint young people drink too much and
-smoke too much. Every five cents spent for beer is five cents thrown
-away. Every ten cents spent for whiskey is a total loss. It would bring
-far better returns if it were put into a savings bank and laid away for
-a rainy day. As for smoking, it is a silly, senseless, expensive habit.
-It literally burns money up. The following figures show the expense of
-smoking two cigars a day at five cents each from the age of twenty to
-the end of each period of five years up to the age of seventy, 6 per
-cent compound interest semi-annually being reckoned upon the money:
-
-                                      Two Cigars a Day at 5 Cents each.
- From the age of:     No. Years.        Principal.       Prin. & Int.
- 20 to 25 years                    5          $ 182.50          $ 209.21
- 20 to 30   〃                     10            365.00            490.39
- 20 to 35   〃                     15            574.50            868.25
- 20 to 40   〃                     20            730.00          1,376.07
- 20 to 45   〃                     25            912.50          2,058.44
- 20 to 50   〃                     30          1,095.00          3,094.99
- 20 to 55   〃                     35          1,277.50          4,367.46
- 20 to 60   〃                     40          1,460.00          6,078.73
- 20 to 65   〃                     45          1,642.50          8,378.52
- 20 to 70   〃                     50          1,825.00         11,469.25
-
-Boys, I am glad to be able to put these figures down where you can see
-them, and study them for yourselves. I want you to reflect upon them. It
-is not what you make, but it is what you save that makes you rich. If
-you ever expect to be even well-to-do men, not to speak of being rich
-men, you must begin early to learn and practice the habit of saving your
-money. If you will learn to leave out of your expenses the bills for
-whiskey and tobacco it will not be hard for you to see then how you can
-also save by cutting down your expenses for trifles, such as
-knickknacks, candy, red lemonade, peanuts, etc. First in importance
-among public institutions, next to the church and the school house, I
-place the savings bank. No matter what your occupation, no matter what
-your salary, it is possible for every young person to save something out
-of his earnings, however small they may be. But if this habit of saving
-is not acquired in early life it will be very hard to learn it later.
-Saving is not the miser’s habit necessarily, nor is it the spirit of
-avarice and parsimony. It is prudence and forethought. Money is a good
-thing. It is the love of money—not money—that is the root of all evil.
-
-
-
-
-                                  LX.
-               THE NICKEL THAT BURNED IN FRANK’S POCKET.
-
-
-Deacon Hepworth kept a little fish market.
-
-“Do you want a boy to help you?” asked Frank Shaw one day.
-
-“Can you give good weight to my customers and take good care of my
-pennies?”
-
-“Yes, sir,” answered Frank.
-
-Forthwith he took his place in the little store, weighed the fish and
-kept the room in order.
-
-“A whole day for fun, fireworks and noise to-morrow!” exclaimed Frank,
-as he buttoned his white apron about him the day before the Fourth of
-July. A great trout was thrown down on the counter by Ned Tant, one of
-Frank’s playmates.
-
-[Illustration: “A QUARTER, MA’AM.”]
-
-“Here’s a royal trout, Frank. I caught it myself. You may have it for
-ten cents. Just hand over the money, for I’m in a hurry to buy my
-firecrackers,” said Ned hurriedly.
-
-The deacon was out, but Frank had made purchases for him before, so the
-dime spun across to Ned, who was off like a shot. Just then Mrs.
-Sinclair appeared.
-
-“I want a nice trout for my dinner to-morrow. This one will do; how much
-is it?” she asked as she carefully examined it.
-
-“A quarter, ma’am,” and the fish was transferred to the lady’s basket
-and the silver piece to the money drawer.
-
-But here Frank paused.
-
-He thought to himself: “Ten cents was very cheap for that fish. If I
-tell the deacon it cost fifteen cents he’ll be satisfied, and I shall
-have five cents to invest in firecrackers.”
-
-The deacon was pleased with Frank’s bargain, and when the market was
-closed each went his way for the night.
-
-But the nickel buried in Frank’s pocket burned like a coal. He could eat
-no supper, and was cross and unhappy. At last he could stand it no
-longer, but, walking rapidly, tapped at the door of Deacon Hepworth’s
-cottage.
-
-The old man was seated at a table, reading the Bible. Frank’s heart
-almost failed him, but he told the story and with tears of sorrow laid
-the coin in the deacon’s hand.
-
-Turning over the leaves of the Bible, the old man read:
-
-“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and
-forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
-
-“You have forgiveness, Frank,” he said. “Now go home and confess to the
-Lord, and remember you must forsake as well as confess. Here, you may
-keep this coin as long as you live to remind you of your first
-temptation.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LXI.
-
-[Illustration: A MONUMENT TO A BLACK MAN]
-
-
-In the city of Columbus, Georgia, there was erected in the year 1904 a
-monument to the memory of a colored man named Bragg Smith. Mr. Smith
-lost his life in the autumn of 1903 in an effort to save the life of the
-city engineer of Columbus, who had been buried under an excavation in
-the street. A large crowd of colored men was at work digging deep
-trenches in which were to be placed pipes for running water about the
-city. In some way the sides of the narrow trench had not been properly
-supported by planks or otherwise, and by-and-by a great stretch of dirt
-caved in. Unfortunately the city engineer, a white man, was caught
-underneath the falling dirt. Bragg Smith did not stop to say: “Oh, it’s
-a white man; let him die!” but at once jumped down into the ditch and
-tried to pull the white man from under the heavy dirt. It was while he
-was engaged in this work that the dirt fell from both sides a second
-time, and Bragg Smith, in his effort to save the life of the white man,
-lost his own life. The Bible says: “Greater love hath no man than this,
-that a man will lay down his life for a friend.”
-
-The city council at its first regular meeting after the accident voted
-to erect a suitable monument to the memory of Mr. Smith. The monument
-was dedicated in April, 1904. The monument is of Vermont and Georgia
-marbles, and bears on one side this inscription:
-
-“Erected by the City of Columbus to mark the last resting place of Bragg
-Smith, who died on September 30, 1903, in the heroic but fruitless
-effort to save the life of the city engineer.”
-
-On the other side appears this quotation from Alexander Pope:
-
-             “Honor and fame from no conditions rise;
-             Act well your part; there all the honor lies.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXII.
-                         THE BAD BOY—WHO HE IS.
-
-
-My dear children, I am happy to say that all boys who are called bad
-boys are not bad boys. There is quite a difference between a bad boy and
-a merely mischievous boy. A boy is not necessarily bad because he makes
-unearthly noises about the house, or now and then twists the cat’s tail
-just to hear her mew, or muddies his clothes in an effort to catch
-crawfish. He is not bad just because he likes to “play fantastic” on the
-fourth day of July. So many people complain of their boys being bad when
-they are only mischievous—that is to say, when they are only full of
-life. Some people think that a good boy is one that has a pale face and
-looks sickly; one that wears a sanctimonious look and moves along
-through the world as though he were afraid to put one foot in front of
-the other. That isn’t my kind of a boy. I do not think that kind of a
-fellow is a boy at all—he is ’most a girl! A boy who never enjoys a romp
-in the woods, who never climbs the apple tree before or after the apples
-are ripe, who never plays ball, who will not shoot marbles, etc.—this
-sort of a boy usually dies young, or he grows up to be a “male woman.” I
-mean by that, that he grows up to be a man who acts like a woman; and
-that kind of man is hardly fit for anything.
-
-[Illustration: “PLAY FANTASTIC” ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.]
-
-But there are some bad boys, I am sorry to say—really bad boys, bad in
-heart and in deed. I have seen some on the chain gangs; I have seen some
-hanging around the street corners—especially on Sundays, with no clean
-clothes on; I have seen them smoking cigarettes—and a cigarette is
-something which no manly boy will use; I have seen them in saloons,
-drinking, playing pool and playing cards; I have sometimes seen them
-shooting dice in the street for money. There are probably one thousand
-boys in the jails, reformatories and in the penitentiaries in the single
-state of Georgia. To form anything like an adequate estimate of the
-total number of bad boys in the South we must add to the above number
-the boys imprisoned in the other states; and, also, that much larger
-number who have never been imprisoned because they happen never to have
-been arrested, or who have been arrested and have had their fines paid
-in money; and, finally, we must add those who have already served their
-time and are again at large. So, you see, there are many thousands and
-thousands of bad boys in the world, and they are very easily found. Are
-you a bad boy or a good boy? Isn’t it better to be a good boy than to be
-a bad boy?
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXIII.
-                      THE BAD BOY—HOW TO HELP HIM.
-
-
-[Illustration: THE BAD BOY]
-
-Almost anybody can make something out of a boy who is naturally good,
-but it takes one of very Christlike power and patience to make anything
-out of a really bad boy. Yet all boys may be reclaimed, reformed, saved;
-at least so I believe. And the first step in making a good man out of a
-bad boy has to do with the boy’s body. The Holy Bible tells us that our
-bodies are the temples—the dwelling places—of the Holy Ghost, and every
-boy, and every teacher of every boy, in the home or day school or Sunday
-school, should give more time and attention to the body in order to make
-it a fit place for such a holy being. It is as true now as of old that
-plenty of soap and water will exert a wholesome influence in making bad
-boys good. Some one has said that cleanliness is next to godliness, and
-somebody has added that soap is a means of grace. A boy who is taught to
-bathe regularly and who is taught to keep his clothing neat and clean at
-all times will in that way learn the great lesson of self-respect
-quicker than in any other way; and, in my judgment, the shortest way to
-the purification of a boy’s habits, a boy’s morals, a boy’s character,
-is to teach him first to keep his body pure. Keep it pure not only by
-baths and clean clothes, but keep it pure and sweet by keeping it free
-from whiskey and tobacco in every form. Exercise, regular, and
-systematic exercise, whether as work or play, will go a great way
-towards keeping the body clean and healthy. Every boy is mistaken, every
-parent is mistaken, who thinks that labor is unworthy, or that any kind
-of honest work is degrading. The body needs to be kept alive and
-vigorous by the frequent use of all its parts, and there is no better
-way to keep the body vigorous than by doing some kind of work—work that
-requires the use of the hands and legs and muscles, work that stimulates
-the blood and makes it flow freely through the body.
-
-Another step in the process of making a good man out of a bad boy has to
-do with the mind. The body grows not alone by exercise, but the body
-grows by what we put into it: the food we eat and the water we drink,
-etc. We might say, I think, that the body grows on what it feeds on. It
-is the same way with the mind: the mind grows on what it feeds on. If we
-feed our minds on obscene pictures, on bad books, on vulgar stories,
-told by ourselves or our associates, we cannot expect to have minds that
-are keenly alive and active for good. Our thoughts control us, boys and
-girls, whether we understand the process by which they control or not.
-Our thoughts control us. If our thoughts are pure and sweet and noble,
-we will be pure and sweet and noble. If our thoughts are impure, vile
-and ignoble, we will be impure, vile and ignoble. Our thoughts rule us.
-So every boy should guard well his thoughts; every boy should guard well
-what he puts into his mind. Every boy’s mind feeds on what he puts into
-it, and every boy’s mind grows on what it feeds. It goes without saying,
-then, that a boy should not read “blood and thunder” detective stories,
-stories about the “James Brothers” and other outlaws and bandits; nor
-should a boy read filthy so-called “love stories.” All such literature
-should be shunned, as a boy would shun deadly poison. A boy who desires
-to become a good man should read only those things which will give him
-confidence in himself that he can and may become a good man—good for the
-service of God and the service of his fellow-men. Bad company must also
-be left behind if a bad boy wants to become a good boy. Those boys who
-tell smutty jokes and stories should not be allowed to associate with
-that boy whose eyes have been opened and who wants to feed his mind on
-good and wholesome food. Character, boys, in its last analysis depends
-chiefly on three things: Heredity, environment and will. Now you cannot
-do much to change your inherited tendencies—the tendencies you receive
-from mother and father at birth, but you can do much in offsetting, in
-overcoming these tendencies. You can also do much with the aid of a
-generous and enlightened public to change your surroundings if they
-happen to be bad. I confess that your mothers and fathers, your teachers
-and pastors ought to do much more in this regard than you; but if they
-will not exert themselves to get you out of evil surroundings, then, as
-you value your own life and time and possibilities, by the help of God,
-try to get out yourselves. The will is very largely influenced by your
-surroundings. Hence you can see the importance of having good books and
-good associates.
-
-But whatever you do, boys, do not forget Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
-who takes away the sin of the world. The highest part of your nature is
-your spiritual nature, and, while you are building up the body and
-building up the mind, do not forget to build up your soul. If others
-will not assist you in this greater matter you can help yourselves. The
-Master said: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid
-them not.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXIV.
-                         THOMAS GREENE BETHUNE.
-
-
-(“Blind Tom.”)
-
-I suppose there is not a little colored girl or boy in America who has
-not heard of the wonderful “Blind Tom,” one of the greatest musicians of
-the world. I wish that every boy and girl might have seen him and heard
-him give one of his remarkable performances with the piano. I had that
-high favor and privilege myself. During his life on the stage, or for
-more than forty years, “Blind Tom” was seen probably by more people in
-the world than any one living being. His stage career was closed
-somewhere in 1900. I do not know whether he is living at present or not.
-If he is still alive, and he probably is, he is very nearly sixty years
-old. Everywhere, in this country and Europe, those who observed him most
-closely, and attempted to understand him, pronounced him a living
-miracle, unparalleled, incomprehensible, such as had not been seen
-before in the world, and probably never would be seen again.
-
-Thomas Greene Bethune, better known to the public as “Blind Tom,” was
-born within a few miles of the city of Columbus, Georgia, on the
-twenty-fifth day of May, 1849. He was of pure negro blood, and was born
-blind. He was little less than four years old when a piano was brought
-to the house of his master, for he was born a slave. As long as any one
-was playing he was contented to stay in the yard and dance and caper to
-the music. Sometimes he was permitted to indulge his curiosity by being
-allowed to run his fingers over the keys. One night the parlor and piano
-had been left open. Before day the young ladies of the family awoke and
-were astounded to hear Blind Tom playing one of their pieces. The family
-gathered around him to witness and wonder at his performance, which they
-said was marvellously strange. Notwithstanding that this was his first
-known effort at a tune, he played with both hands and used the black as
-well as the white keys. Pretty soon he was allowed free access to the
-piano, and began to play off-hand everything he heard. As young as he
-was, he soon mastered all of that and began composing for himself. The
-record of his public life is too long for me to give, but that Blind Tom
-was known and honored around the world is known to everybody.
-
-But feeling that every colored boy and girl should be justly proud of
-Blind Tom’s record, I will give some words from the book of Hon. James
-M. Trotter, himself a colored man. His book is called “Music and Some
-Highly Musical People.” He says:
-
-“Blind Tom is unquestionably the most wonderful musician the world has
-ever known. He is an absolute master in the comprehension and retention
-of all sound. You may sit down to the pianoforte and strike any note or
-chord or discord, or a great number of them, and he will at once give
-their proper names, and, taking your place, reproduce them. Complete
-master of the pianoforte keyboard, he calls to his melodious uses, with
-most consummate ease, all of its resources that are known to skillful
-performers, as well as constantly discovers and applies those that are
-new. Under his magnetic touch this instrument may become, at his will, a
-music box, a hand organ, a harp, or a bagpipe, a “Scotch fiddle,” a
-church organ, a guitar, or a banjo; it may imitate the “stump speaker”
-as he delivers his glowing harangue; or, being brought back to its
-legitimate tones, it may be made to sing two melodies at once, while the
-performer, with his voice, delivers a third, all three in different time
-and keys, all in perfect tune and time, and each one easily
-distinguishable from the other! He remembers and plays fully seven
-thousand pieces. Some persons, it is true, have had the temerity to say
-that Blind Tom is an idiot. Out with the idea! Who ever heard of an
-idiot possessing such power of memory, such fineness of musical
-sensibility, such order, such method, as he displays? Let us call him
-the embodiment of music, the soul of music, and there let our
-investigations rest, for all else is vain speculation. No one lives, or,
-so far as we know, has ever lived, that can at all be compared with
-him.”
-
-
-
-
-                                  LXV.
-                            NOT FIT TO KNOW.
-
-
-[Illustration: “FRANCES.”]
-
-Susan and Mamie and Lillian and Marjorie were always close friends. They
-usually went together and played together and it was very unusual to see
-one of them without the others. At school they always made it a rule to
-lunch together and play together. One day at recess they were standing
-in a little group all by themselves when Frances joined them.
-
-“What are you talking about, girls?” asked Frances in cheerful tones.
-
-“I’m telling them a secret,” said Susie, “and we will let you know, too,
-Frances, if you’ll promise not to tell any one.”
-
-“I’ll promise you not to tell anybody but my mother,” said Frances, “for
-I have made it a rule to tell my mother everything.”
-
-“No; you can’t even tell your mother,” answered Susie; “you must not
-tell any one in the world.”
-
-“Well, then, I refuse to hear it,” said Frances, as she walked away,
-“for what I can’t tell my mother is not fit for me to know.”
-
-Don’t you think Frances was right, girls? I think so. As soon as little
-boys and girls begin to listen to words and stories which they would be
-ashamed to repeat to their mothers they are on the road to temptation,
-and nobody can tell how soon they will reach the end, which is always
-disgrace and death.
-
-I wish all the boys and girls who will read this book would make the
-reply of Frances their motto: “What I cannot tell my mother is not fit
-to know.” Stick to this rule through thick and thin, and you will avoid
-many of the snares and pitfalls by which many of your companions and
-playmates sink into shame and sin. Don’t read a note that you would be
-afraid to have your mother read. Don’t look at a picture that you would
-be ashamed to have your mother see. Don’t speak any word, and don’t
-allow any to be spoken to you, that you would not like to have your
-mother hear. A girl’s best friend is her mother. A boy’s best friend is
-his mother. And, boys and girls, be very sure that if a thing isn’t fit
-for your mothers to know it isn’t fit for you to know.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXVI.
-                             THE RIGHT WAY.
-
-
-Henry Oliphant always considered himself lucky whenever he was able to
-get a ride on the street cars without paying for it, or get a glass of
-soda water or be admitted to some public place, where an admission fee
-was charged, without paying the price. He was bragging one day to some
-of his boy friends that he had not paid anything to witness the school
-exhibition the night before. Frank Sewall was brave enough to chide him
-for having done so. Frank was a plain-spoken boy, and Henry didn’t like
-what Frank had said. He thought what he had done was all right, while
-Frank had said that it was all wrong. Anyhow, Henry decided to get his
-father’s opinion on the matter.
-
-“Father,” he said, when night had come, “I got in the hall last night
-for nothing.”
-
-“How was that?”
-
-“I just walked by the doorkeeper and he didn’t ask me for any money.”
-
-“Did the doorkeeper see you?”
-
-“Well, father, that was his business; he was put there for that purpose;
-he ought to have seen me.”
-
-“But I asked you, Henry, whether the doorkeeper saw you. I want you to
-answer that question.”
-
-“I don’t know, sir.”
-
-“Do you think he saw you?”
-
-“I don’t know, sir.”
-
-“Well, Henry, if he had seen you, don’t you think he would have asked
-you for your money or a ticket?”
-
-[Illustration: “FATHER,” HE SAID, WHEN NIGHT HAD COME, “I GOT IN THE
-HALL LAST NIGHT FOR NOTHING.”]
-
-“I guess so, father; but he didn’t ask me for anything.”
-
-“Well, now, Henry, you know that a charge of ten cents was made at the
-door, and that no one had a right to enter who had not paid the ten
-cents. You did go in without paying. Now, whether the doorkeeper saw you
-or not, do you think that that was quite honest on your part? Was that
-the right way for you to act?”
-
-“Well, I would have paid him if he asked me. I wasn’t the doorkeeper.”
-
-“I guess the man who stole our wood last week would have paid me if I
-had seen him and asked him; but we called that stealing.”
-
-“But, father, I did not take anything from the doorkeeper.”
-
-“Who gave you the money with which to pay your admission?”
-
-“Mother.”
-
-“Where is that money now?”
-
-“I have it; but I didn’t take it from the doorkeeper.”
-
-“But you kept it from him, Henry. It belongs to the doorkeeper. He gave
-you its value. My son, the right way is, whenever you buy anything,
-whether it be a ride or a glass of soda water or permission to see a
-concert, whenever you buy anything you ought to pay for it. If you don’t
-you are no better than a common robber. You must go to-day and give Mr.
-Hall that ten cents.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXVII.
-                     KEEPING FRIENDSHIP IN REPAIR.
-
-
-I sometimes think that boys and girls, and even old people, are often
-careless in the matter of their friendships—not careless in the matter
-of selecting friends, though I am sure there is room for improvement
-along that line—but careless in trying to keep the good friendships we
-have already formed. We ought to keep our friendships in repair. Perhaps
-you think that our friendships are not things which need to be kept in
-repair. How foolish it is to think so! Does a garden need to be weeded?
-Does an old fence need to be kept in repair? Do we paint our houses only
-once in a century? What about the musician—does he not need to keep in
-practice? Supposing that you never kept your muscles in repair by
-constant use or exercise—how long would you be strong or healthy? And do
-you think that your friendships, because they are in a way
-intangible—you cannot see them, handle them or taste them—do you think
-that they grow and thrive of their own accord, and, therefore, do not
-need to be kept in repair? Slights, snubs, angry words, unpleasant
-conduct, long-continued lack of association, long-continued lack of
-familiar intercourse, and coldness, even where the meetings are
-periodic—these things, boys and girls, will kill the warmest friendship
-and choke the tenderest love. So we ought to be careful to keep our
-friendships in repair. If we had no friends in this world, no playmates
-and companions, no kindred spirits into whose keenest sorrows and
-highest joys we entered with deep and full sympathy, and who did not
-enter into our sorrows and joys in the same way—if we had no friends in
-this world, with all of its wealth and splendor, we should not desire to
-live very much longer. But to have friends and to be friendly goes a
-long way towards making the world a beautiful and blessed place to live
-in.
-
-[Illustration: THE TWO PATHS.]
-
-How, then, may we keep our friends? Easy enough—by cultivating them; and
-we cannot keep them in any other way. We should take time to be
-friendly. Little notes, little presents, little visits, little social
-entertainments, little kindnesses—these things, and things like them, go
-a great way in cementing our friendships, in tying people to us, as it
-were, with hooks of steel. We should not neglect these means of keeping
-our friendships in repair. Always give your friends a cordial welcome in
-your homes, and at your little children’s parties; let them feel, make
-them feel, that their coming adds to your pleasure without increasing
-your burdens. Don’t be selfish and narrow; be broad-minded and liberal.
-Keep your friendships in repair, and then see if you do not find your
-horizon broadened, your life sweetened, and the weary weight of this sad
-old world lightened.
-
-
-
-
-                                LXVIII.
-                       LITTLE ANNIE’S CHRISTMAS.
-
-
-Christmas morning came.
-
-Daylight was just peeping into the room.
-
-Poor little Annie, the cripple, awoke and turned her eyes towards the
-corner where she had hung her stocking the night before.
-
-Surely, she thought, as she watched it, there could not be very much in
-it, because it didn’t seem to be any larger than it was when she had
-hung it up. After awhile she crept slowly to where it was.
-
-She did not take her crutches, for fear she would disturb her mother,
-who slept in the same bed with her. It was hard for her to move around
-without her crutches, but she persevered and finally she reached her
-stocking.
-
-[Illustration: “SHE PUT OUT HER THIN LITTLE HAND AND FELT IT.”]
-
-She put out her thin little hand and felt it. Yes, there was something
-in it! Then she put her hand inside and took out something which seemed
-round and soft. She took it out and looked at it. It was a little cake.
-Poor little Annie smiled, and put her hand back into the stocking. This
-time she found something which was done up in paper. She opened the
-paper and found a whole dozen of gumdrops. How brightly her little eyes
-flashed! She was only six years old and she had never had so much candy
-at one time in all her life.
-
-By-and-by her mother awoke. She raised her head and saw Annie’s happy
-face. “Poor girl,” she thought, “how happy I would have been to have
-bought something else for her, but I wasn’t able. I hope she will be
-happy with what she has.”
-
-“See, mother,” cried Annie, “I have twelve gumdrops and a cake. We will
-eat half of the gumdrops to-day and save the other half for to-morrow.
-You’ll eat three and I will eat three.”
-
-“No, Annie,” said her mother, “you must eat every one by yourself.”
-
-Annie smiled, but did not say anything.
-
-Little Annie’s mother was a widow, and she was very, very poor; there
-were many times when they had only a little dry bread and water for the
-day’s food. For this bright Christmas season there were many things
-besides food which she would like to have bought for her poor little
-crippled child; but she did not have any money to pay for playthings or
-toys.
-
-After breakfast on this Christmas day Johnny Ray came to see them. He
-brought with him a good thick shawl for Annie’s mother and four pairs of
-warm stockings which his mother had sent for Annie, and, also, a large
-package of nice candy.
-
-Little Annie’s mother cried for joy.
-
-Little Annie was too happy to speak. She had never dreamed of having so
-much candy at one time!
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXIX.
-                          THE VELOCIPEDE RACE.
-
-
-One bright day Archibald mounted his velocipede and rode out into the
-long green lane, where he could ride for a long distance without
-interruption. He had left his coat in the house because he knew that
-riding would make him very warm.
-
-When he reached the lane the velocipede moved along so smoothly that
-Archibald was very happy. By the time he had gone nearly a half mile he
-was tired and stopped for a rest.
-
-Pretty soon he heard a noise coming from behind, and he wondered what
-rider it might be on the same track that beautiful spring morning. He
-looked up and saw John Smith coming, riding a large velocipede and going
-as fast as he could.
-
-Archibald quickly mounted his wheel and started on a swift run, trying
-to overtake the flying John. Before they reached the end of the road
-they saw Clara Hempton, standing by the fence with her little
-velocipede. Clara watched the boys as they flitted past. She thought
-that she could keep up with John, but she was not sure that she could
-ride as fast as Archibald.
-
-[Illustration: THE VELOCIPEDE RACE.]
-
-While she was meditating Archibald cried out:
-
-“Clara, you wait until we finish this race, and then we three will go
-back together.”
-
-Archibald reached the end first, but John was not very far behind.
-
-When Clara reached them Archibald said:
-
-“Now we will all have a fair start and see who will reach the other end
-first.”
-
-So they all started on a line. Archibald knew that he was the largest
-and could go the fastest, but, as he had won the other race, he did not
-ride this time as fast as he could. He thought this was the right way to
-give the others a fair chance.
-
-Clara and John reached the other end of the lane at exactly the same
-time, with Archibald a short distance behind them.
-
-John and Clara were greatly delighted because they had won the race from
-the big boy, Archibald. Archibald was pleased because they were pleased.
-This was not the only time that Archibald had proved that he was a good
-and kind boy, and that he was thoughtful of little children younger than
-himself.
-
-From this little story of the velocipede race many other little boys and
-girls may learn a good lesson, I hope, that will do them good all
-through life.
-
-
-
-
-                                  LXX.
-                             FAULT-FINDING.
-
-
-[Illustration: FAULT-FINDING.]
-
-Faults are the easiest things to find in all this world. A fault is
-something that can be found without looking for it. And I guess no
-little boy or girl in all the world knows anything that is easier to
-find than something that he or she doesn’t have to look for. Well,
-faults are things that we can find without looking for them; so faults
-are the easiest things to find in all the world. Yet, boys and girls,
-the habit of fault-finding, or the habit of finding fault, is one of the
-worst habits that anybody could form. It does nobody good, generally
-speaking. Besides it stamps the person who is so easy to find fault with
-everything and everybody as being a mean, low, envious, evil-hearted
-person. It is a good deal better to look for something to praise than it
-is to look for something to blame. Yet there are some people—some little
-boys and girls—who are so constituted that they do not see any good in
-anything. When it is cold, it is too cold. When it is hot, it is too
-hot. They don’t like “vici kid” shoes; they want patent leathers. The
-singing at church or Sunday school last Sunday was just horrid. Old Mary
-Jones ought to be taken out of the choir. The preacher preaches too
-long, or the deacon prays too loud. The school teacher isn’t any good—I
-can beat him drawing myself. So they go on from day to day, finding
-fault with everything and everybody. Nothing pleases them; nothing
-delights them. If by any chance or mischance they should get to heaven
-they would, I believe, find fault with the way the Lord has arranged
-things up there. They are miserable people to have around—these
-good-for-nothing, lazy and trifling fault-finders. If you try real hard,
-boys and girls, you can find something good in everything and in
-everybody. That is one reason why we do not always see the good in
-people or things—we don’t look for it. We can find out what is bad—can
-find out the bad things without looking for them, but if we want to see
-the good things we must be on the lookout for them. If we are on the
-lookout—if we make up our minds that we are going to see the good, and
-only the good, we are always sure to find it.
-
-There was an old woman once who was noted for being able to say
-something good about everything and everybody. She was never heard to
-speak evil of anything or anybody. Once upon a time a gambler died in
-the city where she lived. He was a miserable sinner, and nobody liked
-him and nobody had a good word to say for him, even after he was dead.
-Aunt Maria, the good old lady, went to see him after he had been put
-into his coffin. The people who were present wondered what good thing
-Aunt Maria could possibly say about the dead sinner. Aunt Maria entered
-the room and walked around on tiptoe. After awhile she raised her head
-and said:
-
-“Friends, I tell you, he makes a mighty nice looking corpse.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXI.
-                         THE PURITANS’ SABBATH.
-
-
-If all the little boys and girls in America to-day knew how the people
-in the New England states were compelled by law to keep the Sabbath day
-I think they would realize how much better it is to be living in these
-days and times than to have lived in those.
-
-The laws concerning the keeping of a New England Sabbath were very
-severe—that is, before the Revolutionary War, when what was called
-colonial rule was in force.
-
-No manner of work was allowed to be done; no visiting, no playing, no
-gaiety of any kind was permitted; just think, boys and girls, it is said
-that one man was brought to trial and fined for kissing his wife on a
-Sabbath morning.
-
-Slowly and solemnly, just as if they were going to a funeral, the
-families all walked to the meeting house on Sundays, some of them having
-to walk many and many miles.
-
-On reaching the church the men took their places on one side of the
-house and the women on the other—they didn’t allow men and women to sit
-together. The children, also, had to sit by themselves, and there was a
-man appointed to keep them quiet. This man carried a long stick with a
-hard knob at one end and a little feather brush at the other. The
-feather end of this stick he would use to tickle the faces of the men
-and women who might chance to get sleepy and go to nodding during the
-preaching. The other end he used on the children.
-
-I guess this poor man must have kept busy all the time, for the sermons
-were very long, lasting for whole hours. Sometimes a man would begin a
-sermon in the morning and preach up to dinnertime; the congregation
-would then go out for dinner, and come back and sit for hours during the
-afternoon to hear the sermon concluded.
-
-The men carried their muskets to church with them, so that they might
-have them ready in case of an attack from the wild Indians.
-
-The meeting houses were not warmed even in very cold weather; the people
-thought that in some way it would make them better Christians if they
-bore such discomforts without a murmur. Of course we know better now,
-and wouldn’t think of doing such a foolish thing.
-
-After a time the people began to carry hot bricks and stones to keep
-their hands and feet from freezing, and by-and-by they carried foot
-stoves. These stoves were little tin boxes, with holes in the side, a
-cover, a door, and handles with which to carry them. In these boxes were
-put live coals and in that way the fire would last throughout the
-sermon.
-
-I fear many and many a little boy and girl dreaded to see Sunday come,
-for, as a rule, it was a long, dreary day, and I am sure that they must
-have been glad when it was over.
-
-I know you must be glad that people no longer have the idea that Sunday
-should be such a dismal, sober day; and I believe that our Heavenly
-Father is much more pleased to see the children spending the Lord’s day
-happily in their homes with their mothers and fathers, their little
-brothers and sisters.
-
-Of course no Christian boy or girl even now believes in making Sunday a
-day of riot and fun; and no Christian man or woman believes in having
-the saloons open on Sunday anywhere. But most of us are away beyond the
-old Puritan idea of sadness and gloom for the Sabbath.
-
-Next Sunday, boys and girls, when you enter your pleasant Sunday school
-rooms and find your schoolmates and teachers so glad to see you, and
-where everything is bright and pleasant, think of those poor little
-children who had no books and cards and no pretty songs and who were
-made to pass the whole day without even being allowed to laugh.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXII.
-                       THE DEVIL ON AN EXCURSION.
-
-
-I wonder how many boys and girls have ever witnessed a cyclone—a great
-big hurricane of wind and rain, of lightning and thunder, that just
-knocks down all the trees and takes the roofs off all the houses.
-
-It is a terrible thing, the cyclone is!
-
-The other day one came to our town. We could look up into the sky and
-see coming, from afar, a great big black cloud that looked for all the
-world like a balloon—a great big balloon, ever so large. The wind was
-blowing at a rapid rate, the dust flying, and everybody was frightened.
-
-The roof was lifted off the school house, a church was blown down, many
-houses were unroofed, and men and beasts were alike hurled right and
-left. I do not think anybody was killed but a great many were frightened
-nearly to death.
-
-The cyclone took one poor little boy and landed him in the midst of a
-mud puddle. The little fellow stretched out stiff and stark, as if he
-had been killed. An old man ran up to the edge of the ditch and said:
-
-“Isaac, is you dead?”
-
-Isaac said nothing, but his eyes, were rolling in their sockets. The old
-man asked again:
-
-“Isaac, is you dead? ’Cause ef you is dead d’ain’t no use uv my comin’
-in dar to try to git you out.”
-
-This time Isaac grunted, rolled his eyes, and asked:
-
-[Illustration: “DE GOODNIS GRACIOUS! I SEE DAT OLE CYCLOOM COMIN’ BACK
-AG’IN. HE LOOK BLACKAH AND WUSSAH DAN HE DONE BEFO’. RUN, ISAAC, RUN!”]
-
-“Where is he, Uncle Reuben?”
-
-“Whar’s who?” asked Uncle Reuben.
-
-“The devil,” said Isaac.
-
-“He done gone,” said Uncle Reuben, “he done clean gone; but you bettah
-git up f’um dar!”
-
-“I can’t,” said Isaac. “I can’t; I’m ’most dead!”
-
-Uncle Reuben studied a short while. He was planning what to do next. He
-didn’t want to go into the mud and water and get his clothes soiled in
-trying to rescue the little boy. By-and-by Uncle Reuben threw up his
-hands, looked up the big road and said:
-
-“De goodnis gracious! I see dat ole cycloom cornin’ back ag’in. He look
-blackah and wussah dan he done befo’. Run, Isaac, run!”
-
-You ought to have seen Isaac jump out of that hole. He got out
-hallooing, and he ran and hallooed for nearly a quarter of a mile. Uncle
-Reuben hallooed after him to stop, but it did no good. The poor little
-fellow was well nigh scared to death.
-
-A few days after the cyclone Uncle Reuben was telling some of his
-friends about the occurrence. Among other things he said:
-
-“Little Isaac wasn’t ready fur Judgment—dat’s all! He wasn’t ready! W’en
-a man’s ready to go to judgment, he ain’t ’fraid uv nothin’. No, sah; he
-ain’t ’fraid uv nothin’. Isaac wasn’t ready, an’ he hallooed an’
-squealed jes like death done struck him. Mens, I tell you, dat ole
-cycloom jes ’tuck de roof off’n ev’ybody’s house. Look like ev’ybody’s
-house he come to he dip down an’ say, ‘Take yo’ hat off to me; don’t you
-see me cornin’; ain’t you got no mannahs?’ Den he’d strike ’em an’ take
-deir hats off hisse’f. He took de roof off’n de cullud school house an’
-he took de roof off’n de white school house. De cycloom ain’t no
-respectah uv persons—he sho ain’t. W’en little Isaac done come to his
-senses an’ done got clean ovah his fright, I ax’d him what a cycloom
-was. He told me dat a cycloom wa’n’t nothin’ ’tall in dis worl’ but de
-debbil on a flyin’ ’scursion. The mo’ I think ’bout it, the mo’ I
-b’lieve dat boy was right. De cycloom sho is de debbil on a ’scursion,
-an’ w’en de debbil is a-ridin’ you’d bettah lay low.”
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXIII.
-                            RANDOM REMARKS.
-
-
-In the olden times parents used to rule their children, but in these
-days and times there are many people who believe that the children rule
-their parents. So many misguided parents in these days and times believe
-in sparing the rod and spoiling the child. Boys don’t get many whippings
-at home nowadays, and if a boy happens to get a good flogging at school
-it will cause a big row, and sometimes cause the teacher to be
-threatened with arrest. Whenever my teacher used to whip me I was always
-afraid to mention it at home for fear of getting another. I heard a man
-say the other day: “Never whip a child; raise your boy on love and
-kindness and reason!” Yes; and when that boy is twelve or thirteen years
-old somebody will have to go to him and talk to him and try to persuade
-him not to whip his father or mother.
-
-[Illustration: I JUST WISH I COULD HAVE MY WAY WITH THOSE BOYS FOR ABOUT
-TWO MINUTES.]
-
-I was at church the other day and I saw two boys about ten or eleven
-years old. After service they lit their cigarettes and went marching off
-as big as Trip. A man of the old school looked at them for awhile, and
-then, turning away, he said:
-
-“I just wish I could have my way with those boys for about two minutes.”
-
-I didn’t say anything, but deep down in my heart I sympathized with the
-old man, and felt that both of the youngsters ought to have had a good
-whipping.
-
-Some girls are almost as bad as some boys. Girls are most too fast in
-these days. As soon as they get their dresses to their shoetops they are
-gone. They go crazy over their clothes, for they think that they must
-keep in the fashion. They read too much trash, for they think that is
-the way refined and cultured people do. Old-fashioned modesty is at a
-discount. The girls don’t wait for the boys to come now—that is, many of
-them don’t; they go after them. I have seen some girls running around in
-these new-fashioned night gowns, and they call it a Mother Hubbard
-party. If their mothers don’t allow them to go with the boys they will
-slip around and meet them somewhere anyhow. And where they are allowed
-to go with the boys they generally go to extremes. What business has a
-little girl—ten or twelve or fourteen years old—to be locked-arms with a
-little stripling of a boy, going home at night from church or some
-social entertainment. It always disgusts me whenever I see it. Worse
-than a mannish boy is a womanish girl. What business has a little girl,
-or a larger one, to allow a man to throw his arm around her waist in the
-round dance? It is immodest, to say the least, and there is not a good
-mother in the land who approves it. A girl who goes to a promiscuous
-ball and waltzes around with promiscuous fellows puts herself in a
-promiscuous fix to be talked about by the dudes and rakes and fast young
-fellows who have encircled her waist. Slander is very common, I know,
-especially slander of young ladies; there are not many young ladies who
-escape it; but the trouble about it is that it is not all slander—some
-of it is the truth.
-
-In the olden times when folks got married they stayed married, but
-nowadays the courts are full of divorce cases. The land is spotted with
-what are called “grass widows,” and in many a household there is hidden
-grief over a daughter’s shame. Why is it? What causes it? Lack of proper
-training and care of the young. Habits are great things—good habits or
-bad habits. If girls are reared to clean their teeth and keep their
-fingernails clean they will keep them clean all their lives. If boys are
-reared to chew tobacco and smoke they will never quit. The same about
-loving and courting and getting married. Much depends upon training,
-upon habits. Young flirts make old flirts. Young devils make old devils!
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXIV.
-                BENJAMIN BANNEKER, THE NEGRO ASTRONOMER.
-
-
-The little colored boys and girls of America should be proud to know, as
-I suppose the little white boys and girls will be surprised to learn,
-that the first clock of which every portion was made in America was made
-by a colored man.
-
-The colored children will also be glad to know, I think, that among the
-earliest almanacs prepared for general use in this country were those
-which were published for several years by this same colored man. His
-name was Benjamin Banneker. I have found a good and true account of this
-wonderful man in The Atlantic Monthly for January, 1863. I am going to
-give a good portion of that account in this book, because I believe
-every colored person in America should be acquainted with that man’s
-history. The account says:
-
-“Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, near the
-village of Ellicott’s Mills, in the year 1732. There was not a drop of
-white man’s blood in his veins. His father was born in Africa, and his
-mother’s parents were both natives of Africa. What genius he had, then,
-must be credited to that race. When he was approaching manhood he went,
-in the intervals of toil, to an obscure and remote country school. At
-this school Benjamin acquired a knowledge of reading and writing, and
-advanced in arithmetic as far as ‘Double position.’ Beyond these
-rudiments he was his own teacher. Young Banneker had no books at all,
-but in the midst of labor for a living he so improved upon what he had
-gained in arithmetic that his intelligence became a matter of general
-observation. He was such an acute observer of the natural world and had
-so diligently observed the signs of the times in society that it is very
-doubtful whether at forty years of age this African had his superior in
-Maryland.
-
-“Perhaps the first wonder amongst his comparatively illiterate neighbors
-was excited, when, about the thirtieth year of his age, Benjamin made a
-clock. It is probable that this was the first clock of which every
-portion was made in America; it is certain that it was purely his own
-invention as if none had ever been made before. He had seen a watch, but
-never a clock, such an article not being within fifty miles of him. He
-used the watch as a model for his clock. He was a long time at work on
-the clock,—his chief difficulty, as he used often to relate, being to
-make the hour, minute, and second hands correspond in their motion. But
-at last the work was completed, and raised the admiration for Banneker
-to quite a high pitch among his few neighbors.
-
-“The making of the clock proved to be of great importance in assisting
-the young man to fulfill his destiny. It attracted the attention of the
-Ellicott family, who had just begun a settlement at Ellicott’s Mills.
-They were well-educated men, with much mechanical knowledge, and some of
-them Quakers. They sought out the ingenious negro, and he could not have
-fallen into better hands. In 1787 Mr. George Ellicott gave him Mayer’s
-“Tables,” Ferguson’s “Astronomy,” and Leadbetter’s “Lunar Tables.” From
-this time astronomy became the great object of Banneker’s life, and in
-its study he almost disappeared from the sight of his neighbors. He
-slept much during the day, that he might the more devotedly observe at
-night the heavenly bodies whose laws he was slowly, but surely,
-mastering.
-
-“Very soon after the possession of the books already mentioned, Banneker
-determined to compile an almanac, that being the most familiar use that
-occurred to him of the information he had acquired. To make an almanac
-then was a very different thing from what it would be now, when there is
-an abundance of accurate tables and rules. Banneker had no aid whatever
-from men or rules; and Mr. George Ellicott, who procured some tables and
-took them to him, states that he had already advanced very far in the
-preparation of the logarithms necessary for the purpose.
-
-“The first almanac prepared by Banneker for publication was for the year
-1792. By this time his acquirements had become generally known, and
-among those who were attracted by them was Mr. James McHenry. Mr.
-McHenry wrote to Goddard and Angell, then the almanac-publishers of
-Baltimore, and procured the publication of this work, which contained
-from the pen of Mr. McHenry, a brief notice of Banneker. When his first
-almanac was published, Banneker was fifty-nine years old, and had
-received tokens of respect from all the scientific men of the country.
-Among others, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State under George
-Washington, wrote him a most flattering and complimentary letter. In his
-letter Jefferson said, ‘Nobody wishes more than I do to see such proofs
-as you exhibit, that Nature has given to our black brethren talents
-equal to those of other colors of men, and that the appearance of a want
-of them is owing only to the degraded condition of their existence both
-in Africa and America.’
-
-“Banneker continued to calculate and publish almanacs until 1802.
-
-“Mr. Benjamin H. Ellicott, who was a true friend of Banneker, and
-collected from various sources all the facts concerning him, wrote in a
-letter as follows: ‘During the whole of his long life he lived
-respectably and much esteemed by all who became acquainted with him, but
-more especially by those who could fully appreciate his genius and the
-extent of his acquirements.’
-
-“Banneker’s head was covered with a thick mass of white hair, which gave
-him a very dignified and venerable appearance. His dress was invariably
-of superfine drab broadcloth, made in the old style of a plain coat,
-with straight collar and long waistcoat, and a broad-brimmed hat. His
-color was not jet black, but decidedly negro. In size and personal
-appearance, the statue of Franklin at the library in Philadelphia, as
-seen from the street, is a perfect likeness of him.
-
-“Banneker died in the year 1804, beloved and respected by all who knew
-him. Though no monument marks the spot where he was born and lived a
-true and high life, and was buried, yet history must record that the
-most original scientific intellect which the South has yet produced was
-that of the pure African, Benjamin Banneker.”
-
-The above is the story of that wonderful black man told in splendid
-terms of high and well-deserved praise by a white man. Every little
-black boy in America may well be fired with inspiration to do something
-beyond the ordinary by reading the story of Banneker’s life.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXV.
-                   “A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.”
-
-
-It is truly astonishing what a boy can do when once he has made up his
-mind to do his best. Dr. Len. G. Broughton, the famous pastor of the
-Tabernacle Baptist church, Atlanta, Ga., in a little book, which he
-calls “The Modern Prodigal,” has told a very pathetic story about a
-little boy. It is so true to life, and so typical of what a black or
-white boy may do under similar circumstances, if he only decides for the
-true and the right, that I have decided to reproduce the little story in
-this book. It is well worth reading. Dr. Broughton says:
-
-“Not long after I entered the ministry, I went to a certain town to hold
-a series of meetings. It was one of these good old Southern towns, the
-inhabitants of which banked on aristocracy and fed their souls upon the
-glory of departed days. They had never known what it was to be
-spiritually warm. The first night I was there I preached to a great
-audience. It was in my early ministry, when I made many propositions.
-The first one I made that night was for any one to stand who wanted
-prayers offered for their friends. As soon as I made it a little boy got
-up and walked out in the aisle, where he stood looking me square in the
-face. I said, ‘God bless you, little man,’ and he sat down. I then asked
-any one who wanted the prayers of God’s people to rise. That boy got out
-in the aisle again and looked me in the face, and again I said, ‘God
-bless you.’ I asked if there was anybody present who was willing to
-accept Jesus. That boy stood up again and looked me in the face, and
-again I said, ‘God bless you.’ Nobody else stood up that night, and I
-began to think I had struck about the hardest and coldest crowd I had
-ever run up against.
-
-“The next night I preached as hard as I knew how to sinners, and when I
-finished, I asked anybody who wanted to be prayed for to stand up. The
-same little rascal popped out into the aisle, as he had done the night
-before, and stood looking at me until I saw him and said, ‘God bless
-you.’ I thought I’d vary the thing a little, so I asked if anybody
-present was willing to come forward and give me his hand as an
-indication that he would accept Jesus. That same boy came shuffling out
-of his seat, straight down the aisle and gave me his hand. I saw smiles
-on the faces of some in the congregation. Nobody but the boy showed any
-interest, and I went off somewhat disheartened. The third night I
-preached, and when I asked all who wanted prayer to rise, that boy
-popped out into the aisle. The people had begun to regard it as a joke,
-and they nudged each other with their elbows, while a broad smile flared
-from one side of the house to the other. When I asked anybody who was
-willing to accept Jesus to come and give me his hand, that boy came, and
-the congregation smiled broader than before. After the meeting the
-deacons came to me and told me that the boy must be stopped, as he was a
-half-idiot, and was throwing a damper on the meeting. I said: ‘Stop
-nothing! How are you going to throw a damper on an ice-house?’
-
-“For the whole of that week that boy was the only person in the house
-who showed any interest in the meeting. Then he wanted to join the
-church. The pastor was absent, and I was to open the doors of the
-church. The deacons came to me and said I must not receive that boy, as
-he didn’t have sense enough to join the church. I said: ‘Look here,
-brethren, I won’t take this responsibility on my hands. I’m going to put
-that boy on you, and if you choose to reject him, his blood be upon your
-hands.’ At the conclusion of the morning service, I invited all who
-wanted to unite with the church to come forward. That boy came. I asked
-him if he had accepted Christ for his personal Saviour. That’s all I
-ever ask. He said he had. ‘Brethren,’ I said, ‘you hear what this boy
-has to say. What will you do with him?’ An ominous silence fell on the
-congregation. After a time, from ’way back by the door, I heard a
-muffled and rather surly, ‘I move he be received.’ Another painful
-silence followed, and then, from the middle of the church, I heard a
-muffled, ‘I second the motion.’ When I put the motion, about a half
-dozen members voted ‘aye’ in a tone so low that it seemed as if they
-were scared. I gave the boy the right hand of Christian welcome awaiting
-baptism, and then dismissed the congregation.
-
-“The next day the boy went out to see his old grandfather, a man whose
-whitened head was blossoming for the grave, and whose feet were taking
-hold upon the shifting sands of eternity. ‘Grandfather,’ said he, ‘won’t
-you go to church with me to-night and hear that preacher?’ We always
-feel kindly towards those who are afflicted, you know, and are willing
-to please them; so the old man agreed to go.
-
-“That night I saw the boy and the old man sitting away back by the door.
-When the sermon was finished, one of the members of the church arose and
-said: ‘I have a request to make. We have with us to-night, Mr. Blank,
-one of our oldest and most respected citizens, but he is out of Christ.
-I want special prayer offered for this my special friend.’ With that he
-laid his hand upon the head of the old man, down whose furrowed cheeks
-the tears were streaming. The next night I saw the old man sitting about
-half-way down the aisle. When all who wanted to accept Jesus were
-invited to come forward and give me their hands, I saw the half-idiot
-boy coming down the aisle leading the old man by the hand.
-
-“That little boy’s father kept a saloon. The following day the child
-went there, and climbing up over the high counter, he peeped down upon
-his father and said: ‘Papa, won’t you go to church with me to-night to
-hear that preacher?’ ‘You get out of here, child,’ said the father; ‘go
-out of here; don’t you know you mustn’t come in here?’ Strange, strange,
-how fathers will keep places where their children cannot go! ‘But,
-papa,’ continued the boy, ‘won’t you go to church with me to-night?’
-‘Yes; I’ll go, but you get out of here.’
-
-“That night the man came with the half-idiot boy, and sat about where
-the old man had sat the night before. When I asked all who would accept
-Jesus to come forward, he walked down the aisle and gave me his hand. He
-asked if he could make a statement, and when I said ‘Yes,’ he faced the
-congregation and said: ‘My friends, you all know me, and I want to say
-that so long as I live I will never sell another drop of whiskey, for I
-have given my heart to God to-night, and from this day forward I propose
-to serve him.’
-
-“The meeting warmed up at last, the town was set on fire for God. Every
-saloon keeper was converted and every saloon was closed. The feeling
-spread and a saloon seven miles in the country was closed and the keeper
-was converted to God.
-
-“At the close of the meeting I sat on the front seat and saw the pastor
-lead three generations into the baptismal waters, the old man in front,
-his son behind him, and last in line the little half-idiot boy. The only
-mistake that was made, to my mind, was that the boy who had led the
-others to Christ should not have been first in line. Where is the little
-half-idiot boy now? He has grown much brighter within the last few
-years, and is now going to school. He says he wants to be and will be a
-missionary.
-
-“What a lesson for the young to-day. Persistent self-surrender, ever
-doing the best we can, is a never failing way that leads to victory.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXVI.
-                     DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE LADIES.
-
-
-1. A little lady always says, “I thank you” whenever anybody assists her
-in any way, and always says, “If you please,” whenever she makes any
-kind of request.
-
-2. A little lady is never loud and boisterous on the streets, in public
-places, or at home. Sometimes girls are so rough that they are called
-“Tom-Boys.” No Tom-Boy ever was a true little lady.
-
-3. A true little lady will always see that her linen is clean and
-spotless—collars and cuffs, aprons and dresses, handkerchiefs, and all
-articles of clothing. Every true little lady hates dirt.
-
-4. A little lady will not be guilty of idle gossip. She will not tattle;
-will not go around hunting all the evil things that are said or known
-about other little ladies. She closes her ears tight against the
-slanderers of the town.
-
-5. A little lady will love the Sunday-school and the church. She will
-love the society of good people and the society of good books. She will
-have higher notions of life than that life is something to be spent in a
-merry round of pleasure.
-
-6. A true little lady loves her mother, and she will show that she loves
-her mother in various ways. She will help her about the housework. She
-will be fond of going out in company with her mother often. She will not
-think, that anybody else’s mother is or can be better than her own
-mother.
-
-[Illustration: DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.]
-
-7. Every true little lady will be a Christian. She will early give
-herself to Jesus. She will delight to help the poor; to visit the sick,
-carrying the cheer and comfort and something good to eat and flowers and
-many other things. She will love everybody. Do you?
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXVII.
-                      THREE WORDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
-
-
-The first word is, Be true. The second word is, Be trustworthy. The
-third word is, Dare to do right.
-
-First: Be true! Be what you seem to be or what you pretend to be; do not
-be a hypocrite; be firm and steady in adhering to friends, promises or
-principles. Be a true boy; be a true girl.
-
-Secondly: Be trustworthy! Be worthy of trust; be reliable; make your
-word your bond. Conduct yourself in such a way that people can depend on
-you.
-
-Thirdly: Dare to do right! Whatever comes or doesn’t come, stand by what
-you believe to be right, even if you have to stand alone. Be honest,
-upright, faithful, sincere, abhor that which is evil, cleave to that
-which is good.
-
-True boys and girls are scarce; they are not easily found; they do not
-grow on trees. But, to tell you the truth, we need good boys and girls,
-true boys and girls, much more than we do educated boys and girls. All
-education without character is a dead weight!
-
-Let me give you one or two reasons why you should be true, trustworthy,
-and brave for the right. In the first place, for the sake of your
-influence. Every boy and girl in this world has some influence. Every
-boy in this world, white or black, rich or poor, high or low, is helping
-his friends and playmates to grow better or worse, higher or lower in
-the scale of being. Every girl in this world is likewise helping or
-hindering others. If we are harsh and unkind, cruel and unjust—in every
-wrong, every baseness, meanness, selfishness, we are harming not
-ourselves alone but the whole great family of man. On the other hand,
-when we speak fearlessly a brave, true word, when we perform cheerfully
-a hard and trying task, whenever we are faithful, honest, earnest,
-patient, pure, trustworthy, whether we know it or not, we are
-strengthening the unseen impulses which make for nobility and higher
-manhood and womanhood throughout the world. In the economy of God, by
-his infinite wisdom, the humblest life reaches forward to the highest
-and the highest life reaches backward to the lowest.
-
-But perhaps you are saying that I am taking too much for granted.
-Perhaps you think that it is not true that there is not one of the very
-least of the great human family who is not every day exercising some
-personal influence for good or evil upon the world. If you think so,
-boys and girls, or older people, you are mistaken. No human being can
-escape from the world’s atmosphere. Though you fly to the uttermost
-parts of the sea or hide in the depths of the dense city, some life is
-affected by your life. Not only some life is affected by your life, but
-many lives are affected by your life. It is a thought of this kind that
-Charles Dickens beautifully expresses in his story called “David
-Copperfield.” He says:
-
-“There is nothing—no, nothing—beautiful and good that dies and is
-forgotten. An infant, a prattling child, dying in his cradle, will live
-again in the better thoughts of those who loved it, and plays its part,
-though its body be burned to ashes or drowned in the deepest sea. There
-is not an angel added to the hosts of heaven but does its blessed work
-on earth in those who loved it here. Dead! Oh, if the good deeds of
-human creatures could be traced to their source, how beautiful would
-even death appear. For how much charity, mercy, and purified affection
-would be seen to have their growth in dusty graves!”
-
-No, children, it is no idle dream, no fancy story that I tell when I say
-that the humblest member of the human family, as well as the highest, is
-exercising daily, whether he is conscious of it or not, some influence
-for good or evil upon the world. Viewed in this light who can measure
-the possibilities—the divine possibilities—that are wrapped up in little
-boys and girls? Viewed in this light, how the slightest action, the
-smallest of our little duties, takes on new importance! It was with this
-thought in mind that James A. Garfield said: “I feel a profounder
-reverence for a boy than a man. I never meet a ragged boy on the street
-without feeling that I owe him a salute, for I know not what
-possibilities may be buttoned up under his shabby coat.” Yes, boys and
-girls, by every brave and cheerful effort that we put forth we are
-reforming, uplifting, renewing, inspiring, hearts and souls we never
-heard of, never knew, the whole world becoming stronger for every bit of
-moral courage we create, sweeter for every kindly look we give, and
-holier for every good deed we do. And, of course, the contrary is true.
-When we fail, when we come short, when we sin, the consequences are not
-ours alone—they extend to all humanity. We are all, white and black,
-rich and poor, old and young, male and female, children of one family.
-Just as the quivering circles from a pebble thrown into a lake stretch
-on and on from shore to shore, so the silent impulse of a single life
-thrills from heart to heart until the very edges of humanity are
-touched.
-
-There is another reason still why we should be true, trustworthy, brave.
-That reason is that somebody else takes us as his ideal—his standard.
-Poor as we are, weak as we are, as unworthy as we are, somebody else is
-looking up to us—especially those of us who have been favored with
-educational advantages and opportunities. And you know that the failure
-of one who is invested in another’s mind with ideal qualities is a
-failure beyond the actual. That is one reason why people say that, as a
-rule, a preacher’s children are the worst children in the world. As a
-matter of fact, they are not the worst children in the world; but, being
-the children of preachers, everybody expects more of them than of
-others,—they are taken as ideals, as standards—that’s all. And what
-might be excused in others will not be excused in one who is taken as an
-ideal. Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of America’s greatest writers, in
-speaking of this truth says in his story called “The Marble Faun:”
-
-“The character of an individual beloved one having invested itself with
-all the attributes of right—that one friend being to us the symbol and
-representative of whatever is good and true,—when he falls, the effect
-is almost as if the sky fell with him, bringing down in chaotic ruin the
-columns that upheld our faith. We struggle forth again, no doubt bruised
-and bewildered. We stare wildly about us, and discover—or it may be we
-never make the discovery—that it was not actually the sky that has
-tumbled down but merely a frail structure of our own rearing, which
-never rose higher than the housetops, and has fallen because we founded
-it on nothing. But the crash, and the affright and trouble are as
-overwhelming, for the time, as if the catastrophe involved the whole
-moral world. Remembering these things, let them suggest one generous
-motive for walking heedfully amid the defilement of earthly ways. Let us
-reflect that the highest path is pointed out by the pure ideal of those
-who look up to us, and who, if we tread less loftily, may never look so
-high again.”
-
-Now, I have said my three words. You see they have stretched themselves
-out to a great length, but I hope the boys and girls who read this book
-may profit by them. Strive to be true, strive to be trustworthy, strive
-to be brave. In the long run the prizes of this world, and of that which
-is to come, are won by boys and girls of strong moral character, not by
-those who are merely learned or rich. But, of course, I believe in
-education and I believe in money. I think you ought to strive to obtain
-both—both are useful, and both are necessary; but, with all your
-getting, boys and girls, be sure to get those things which will reach
-beyond this world and which will count for more than money or good looks
-or education or any such thing when the world is on fire, when the moon
-shall be turned into blood, when the trumpet sounds, and all must go to
-stand before the Great King to give an account of the deeds done in the
-body.
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXVIII.
-                         “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET.”
-
-
-Once upon a time, so it is said, a little ragged boy was carefully
-printing these words with a stick upon the ground, “Thy word is a lamp
-unto my feet.”
-
-On looking up from his work, the little fellow was surprised to find a
-kind-looking old man watching him.
-
-“Where did you learn that, my boy?” asked the man.
-
-“At Sunday-school, sir.”
-
-“What’s your name?”
-
-“Crawford.”
-
-“So, Crawford, you learned that text at Sunday-school. Do you know what
-it means?”
-
-“No, sir.”
-
-“What is a lamp?”
-
-“A lamp? Why, sir, a lamp is a thing that gives light!”
-
-“That’s correct. Well, what is the word that the text speaks of?”
-
-“The Bible, sir.”
-
-“That’s right. Now, how can the Bible be a lamp and give light?”
-
-“I don’t know,” said the boy, “unless you light it and set it on fire.”
-
-“There’s a better way than that, my lad. Suppose you were going down
-some lonely lane on a dark night with an unlighted lantern in your hand,
-and a box of matches in your pocket, what would you do?”
-
-“Why, I’d light the lantern.”
-
-“Why would you light it?”
-
-“To show me the road, sir.”
-
-“Very well. Now, suppose you were walking behind me some day, and saw me
-drop a quarter; what would you do?”
-
-[Illustration: “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET.”]
-
-“Pick it up and give it to you, sir.”
-
-“Wouldn’t you want to keep it yourself?”
-
-Crawford hesitated; but he saw a smile on the old gentleman’s face, and,
-smiling himself, he finally said:
-
-“I should want to, sir; but I shouldn’t do it.”
-
-“Why not?”
-
-“Because it would be stealing.”
-
-“How do you know?”
-
-“It would be taking what wasn’t my own, and the Bible says we are not to
-steal.”
-
-“Ah!” said the old man, “so it’s the Bible that makes you honest, is
-it?”
-
-“Yes, sir.”
-
-“If you had not heard of the Bible you would steal, I suppose?”
-
-“Lots of boys do,” said Crawford, hanging his head.
-
-“The Bible, then,” continued the old man, “shows you the right and safe
-path—the path of honesty, does it?”
-
-“Like the lamp!” exclaimed Crawford, seeing now what all the old man’s
-questions meant. “Is that what the text means?”
-
-“Yes, my boy,” the man answered, “there is always light in the Bible to
-show us where to go and what to do. Don’t you think it would be a good
-thing to take the Bible, the good old lamp, and let it light you right
-through life?”
-
-“Yes, sir.”
-
-“Do you think you will be safer with it?”
-
-“Yes, sir.”
-
-“Why?”
-
-“Because if I’m honest I will never go to prison.”
-
-“And what else?” asked the man.
-
-Crawford thought awhile. By-and-by he said,—
-
-“If I mind the Bible I shall go to heaven when I die.”
-
-“Yes, and that’s the best reason for taking the lamp. It will light you
-right into heaven.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXIX.
-                            THREE BRIGADES.
-
-
-There are three brigades, or three little companies, which I think ought
-to be organized among the boys and girls in every Sunday-school in
-America. Can’t you form them in your Sunday-school? It is a very simple
-matter. It will not cost any money: only a little time and forethought,
-and a will to do. One brigade is called the Rainy-Weather Brigade, and
-all the little boys and girls who join this company pledge themselves to
-go to Sunday-school every Sunday, when they are not sick, even if it is
-raining. The second brigade is called the Front Seat Brigade, and all
-the members of this company pledge themselves to occupy front seats in
-the Sunday school during the opening exercises before they pass to their
-classes. The third brigade is called the On-Timers’ Brigade, and the
-children in this brigade pledge themselves to be present on time at the
-opening hour.
-
-[Illustration: MEMBERS OF THE RAINY-WEATHER BRIGADE.]
-
-You can see at once how helpful these little brigades are in every
-Sunday school (where they exist) to the officers and teachers. Some
-children will not go to Sunday school when it is raining or when it
-threatens to rain; some will not go forward and occupy front seats when
-they do go; and there are others who are always tardy. What a blessing
-it would be if all the little children would organize these brigades at
-once in their schools, and try to get every scholar to join each one of
-them.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXX.
-                          “HOME, SWEET HOME.”
-
-
-Go with me, boys and girls, to the gay streets and gilded saloons of the
-great city of Paris far across the sea. Here is said to be the centre of
-all the world’s follies and pleasures. It is at night.
-
-An American, who has left his home and native land to view the splendors
-of the wicked city, is passing along the street. He has beheld with
-delight its paintings, its sculpture, and the grand and graceful
-proportions of its buildings. In the midst of his keenest happiness,
-when he was rejoicing most over the privileges which he possessed,
-temptation assailed him. Sin was presented to him in one of its most
-bewitching garbs, and he yielded to the voice of the siren. He drank
-wildly and deeply of the intoxicating cup, and his draught brought
-madness. Reason was overthrown and he rushed out, all his scruples
-overcome, careless of what he did or how deeply he became immersed in
-the hitherto unknown sea of guilt.
-
-The cool night air settled damp and heavy upon his heated brow. Walking
-on and on, not knowing or caring where he went, by-and-by strains of
-music from a distance met his ear. Pretty soon, following in the
-direction from which the sounds came, he was able to distinguish the
-words and air of the piece. The song was well remembered. It was “Home,
-Sweet Home.” Clear and sweet the voice of some singer, using his native
-tongue, rose and fell on the air; and the poor wild man stopped and
-listened to the soft cadences of that beloved melody.
-
-[Illustration: HOME, SWEET HOME.]
-
-Motionless he stood until the last note floated away, and he could hear
-nothing but the ceaseless murmur of the great city. Then he turned away
-slowly, with no feeling that his manhood was shamed by the tear which
-fell as a bright evidence of the power of song, and also as an evidence
-that he, the guilty sinner, was not yet absolutely lost beyond recall.
-
-The demon of the wine cup had fled, and reason once more asserted her
-right to control. As the soft strains of “Home, Sweet Home” had floated
-to his ear, memory brought up before him the picture of his own “sweet
-home.” He saw his gentle mother and heard her speak, while honest pride
-beamed from her eye; she seemed to speak again of her son, in whose
-nobleness and honor she could always trust. His heart smote him as he
-thought how little he deserved such confidence. He remembered her last
-words of love and counsel, and the tearful farewell of all those dear
-ones who gladdened that far-away home with their presence. The tide of
-remorse swept over his soul as he thought of what the sorrow of those at
-home would have been could they have seen him but an hour before.
-Subdued and penitent he retraced his steps, and with his vow never to
-taste of the terrible stuff that could so excite him to madness there
-was mingled a deep sense of thankfulness for his escape from further
-degradation. The influence of home had protected and shielded him,
-although the sea rolled between.
-
-How strong such memories are to prevent the commission of crime! How
-powerful is the spell of home! How important, then, is it to make home
-pleasant and lovable! Many a time a cheerful home and smiling face will
-do more to make good men and good women than all the learning and
-eloquence that can be used. It has been said that the sweetest words in
-our language are “Mother, Home and Heaven”; and one might almost say
-that the word “Home” included the others. Who can think of home without
-remembering the gentle mother who sanctified it by her presence? And is
-not “Home” the dearest name for heaven? Oh, then, may our homes on earth
-be as green spots in the desert, to which we can retire when weary of
-the cares of life and drink the clear waters of a love which we know to
-be sincere and always unfailing.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXXI.
-                            EDMUND ASA WARE.
-
-
-In another chapter of this book I have told you, boys and girls,
-something of the story of General S. C. Armstrong, the founder of
-Hampton Institute. I am now going to tell something about another white
-man, who was the founder of another great school for colored people. His
-name is Edmund Asa Ware, and he was the founder of Atlanta University.
-Of course you know that I must love Atlanta University because I was
-graduated there myself a long time ago; but I think that Atlanta
-University should have a warm place in the heart of every black boy and
-girl in America. It has done and is doing a great work for the higher
-training of our men and women.
-
-Mr. Ware was born in North Wrentham (now Norfolk), Mass., December 22,
-1837. When fifteen years old he removed with his father’s family to
-Norwich, Conn., where he entered the Norwich Free Academy. In 1859 he
-entered Yale University, from which institution he was graduated four
-years later. In 1865 he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he served for a
-year as principal of one of the newly organized public schools of that
-city. In 1866 he came to Atlanta, Ga., and under the auspices of the
-American Missionary Association began the educational work to which he
-devoted the rest of his life. In 1867 he was appointed superintendent of
-schools for the state of Georgia under the Freedmen’s Bureau, and
-traveled widely in the prosecution of that work. The same year a charter
-was obtained for Atlanta University, which institution was not opened,
-however, until 1869, and Mr. Ware became its first president and
-continued as president until his death. He died suddenly of heart
-disease September 25, 1885, in Atlanta, and was buried September 29th in
-Westview Cemetery in the suburbs of the same city.
-
-A few years later his body was removed to the campus of Atlanta
-University, where it now sleeps. A huge granite bowlder was brought from
-Massachusetts, his native state, by funds contributed by the graduates
-of Atlanta University, and this bowlder, suitably inscribed, marks his
-last resting place on earth.
-
-At the memorial services held in honor of President Ware in Stone Hall,
-Atlanta University, December 22, 1885, on the forty-eighth anniversary
-of the birth of the dead president, Prof. Bumstead, who is now president
-of Atlanta University, spoke the following words about Mr. Ware’s
-boyhood and early life:
-
-“It was a pleasant boyhood, and its joys were innocent and wholesome
-ones. A white rabbit, a goat, and two hounds were the pets with which he
-played at home. He threw the line for speckled trout in the meadow
-brooks, and he rowed his boat upon the pond to gather the fragrant
-waterlilies.
-
-“It was an industrious boyhood. In summer he gathered blueberries,
-huckleberries and blackberries for market. When twelve or thirteen years
-old he spent his school vacations in service as a clerk in a village
-store. When fourteen he cultivated and harvested thirty dollars’ worth
-of vegetables.
-
-“It was a conscientious boyhood. His mother has no recollection of his
-ever being untruthful. His village teachers all commended him for his
-unvarying conformity to the right in school. It is said that when he was
-fifteen years old he had never been absent a day nor had a mark for
-tardiness. When serving as clerk in the village store his employer
-showed him a certain article which had some defect about it, not very
-readily noticed, and bade him say nothing about it. He promptly told his
-employer that he could obey no such instructions.
-
-“It was an ambitious boyhood—ambitious, of course, in the best sense of
-the word. He eagerly seized upon and improved every opportunity for
-self-improvement. He read the best books and periodicals. He heard
-lectures from such men as Beecher, Phillips, Curtis, Everett and Gough.
-
-“In the autumn of 1859 he found himself a member of the largest Freshman
-class which at that time had ever entered Yale College. Here for the
-first time I grasped the hand and looked into the earnest eyes of my
-friend. I remember him in those early college days for the unaffected
-modesty of his bearing, the simplicity of his dress, his manifest hatred
-of all pretense and shams, his keen sense of humor, and his dry wit. His
-professedly religious life had been begun at the Norwich Academy but a
-few months before he entered college. Both in the academy and college he
-was active in religious work, and his face was set like a flint against
-all forms of iniquity.”
-
-Mr. Ware was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Jane Twichell, of
-Plantsville, Conn. His wife served with him long and faithfully at
-Atlanta University, and continued to serve long after he had passed to
-his rest. She was left a widow with three daughters and one son. She
-herself died subsequently. The son has since been graduated from Yale
-University and from Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and is
-now chaplain of Atlanta University.
-
-Mr. Ware was a good man who believed that God had made of one blood all
-nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and that Christ
-had redeemed us to God out of every kindred, tongue and people and
-nation; he believed in the common origin and common destiny of the whole
-human family, in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and,
-therefore, recognized no distinctions among men except those founded on
-character or merit. Along with a host of pioneer New England
-missionaries who came South to help us shortly after the war Mr. Ware’s
-name deserves to be honored and revered by a grateful people to the end
-of time.
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXXII.
-                     AN ANTE-BELLUM NEGRO PREACHER.
-
-
-Once upon a time I heard Bishop Fitzgerald of the M. E. Church, South,
-tell the following story.
-
-I give it in his own words:
-
-“The ante-bellum negro preachers were the product of the times, and
-differed from the mass of their race only in the fact that they were
-shrewder and more eloquent. Among them were many men of piety and good
-sense and burning zeal. In others there was a combination of cunning,
-superstition, excitability and volubility almost indescribable.
-
-[Illustration: “SAINT PAUL WAS A MUCH BETTER MAN DAN I IS, AN’ DEY
-WHUPPED HIM MOS’ EV’YWHAR HE WENT.”]
-
-“To the former class belonged a noted negro preacher of Culpepper
-County, Va., an old man of blameless life and venerable appearance, who
-so entirely commanded the confidence of the white people, and whose
-influence with the people of his own race was so wholesome, that no one
-thought of enforcing against him a statute then existing which required
-that in any gathering where six or more negroes were assembled a white
-man should be present. Despite this statute Uncle Jack came and went as
-he pleased, trusted by the whites and venerated by the blacks.
-
-“At one of his meetings a party of mischievous young white men planned
-to have a little fun at the old man’s expense. Waiting near the door of
-the rustic chapel until the services were concluded the company
-approached the old preacher and its spokesman said:
-
-“‘Old man, we are officers of the law and are patrolling this beat. You
-have violated the law, and we are going to whip you for it. Come along
-with us.’
-
-“They led the way to the thicket near at hand. Uncle Jack followed in
-silence.
-
-“‘Have you nothing to say, old man?’ asked the spokesman.
-
-“‘Nothin’, Marstah,’ said Uncle Jack.
-
-“‘Perhaps you don’t think that we really intend to whip you,’ said the
-young man, ‘but we will. Have you nothing to say to that?’
-
-“‘No, sah,’ said Uncle Jack; ‘I has nothin’ to say. De fac’ is, Marstah,
-I has oftened wondar’d that I has nevah been whupped befo’. Saint Paul
-was a much bettah man dan I is, an’ dey whupped him ’mos’ ev’ywhar he
-went. I has preached much longah dan he did, an’ I has nevah got a
-whuppin’ in my life. It seems to me dat I ought to have at leas’ a few
-licks!’
-
-“The young scapegraces looked at each other in confusion, and it is
-needless to say that Uncle Jack was not whipped.”
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXXIII.
-                          PURITY OF CHARACTER.
-
-
-Boys and girls, if you will take a plum or an apricot you will find that
-over the outer coat of either one of them there glows a bloom more
-beautiful than the fruit itself—a soft, delicate powder that overspreads
-its rich colors. Now, if you strike your hand over that you will find
-that the bloom will at once depart, and when it goes it is gone forever.
-It only appears once. You go out into the flower garden early in the
-morning. The flower that hangs there impearled with dew, like so many
-jewels—you shake it once, so that the drops or beads will roll off. You
-take that same flower, after the dew has been shaken off, and you may
-sprinkle water over it as you please, yet it can never be made again
-what it was when the dew fell on it so gently from heaven. Again, on a
-frosty morning, you may see the panes of glass covered with landscapes,
-mountains, lakes and trees, blended into a fantastic picture. Now, lay
-your hand upon the glass and by the scratch of your finger or by the
-warmth of the palm; all the delicate tracery will be obliterated—all the
-beautiful picture will vanish, and you could not reproduce it, although
-you tried for a hundred years. Once wiped out, the picture on the glass
-is wiped out forever.
-
-So there is in youth a purity of character which, when once touched and
-defiled, can never be restored—a fringe more delicate than frostwork or
-the dew on the flowers or the bloom on the plum or apricot. Character is
-a thing which, when once stained, can never be again what it was. When a
-young boy or girl leaves the home of his or her parents, with the
-blessing of a mother’s tears upon the cheek or the blessing of a
-father’s hand upon the head, if earthly purity of character be once lost
-it is a loss that can never be made up again. Though by God’s mercy the
-sin may be forgiven, yet its effects cannot but be in some way felt, and
-the boy or girl will never be what he or she was before.
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXXIV.
-
-[Illustration: EACH ONE of US of IMPORTANCE]
-
-
-Never think yourself, whoever you are, of small importance. Never think
-that it is of little account whether you are good or bad, or what your
-example is to others. Each mere particle of dust, every tiny grain of
-sand, the minutest atom, is an active agent in the whole universe. So
-each one of us is of importance in our sphere, however isolated and
-insignificant that sphere may appear to be.
-
-A few particles of dust in a watch will stop its motion; small barnacles
-on a ship’s bottom will hinder its journey; and a little shifting sand
-in the great river will change its current. So, little boys and girls
-exercise their influence for weal or woe upon the world. Don’t you
-believe for once that the world is moved only by the great forces, the
-great men and the great enterprises. Little folks and little things
-likewise help to move the world along. Great generals are necessary; but
-what would they be without the soldiers behind them?
-
-Every boy has his part to do in the great work of the world, and every
-girl has her part to do. Every boy and girl is of importance; how
-important nobody knows, and perhaps never shall know until eternity
-reveals it. There ought to be in this truth great encouragement and
-great comfort to all who think that they are insignificant and have no
-work to do in this busy world. Perhaps in the distant future many a man
-who estimated himself great shall be found to have been insignificant,
-because of unfaithfulness to his trust; and many another man who perhaps
-thought himself of little worth will find himself glorified because he
-did what he could.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXXV.
-
-[Illustration: THE POETRY OF LIFE]
-
-
-Poetry is more than verse-making, more than the jingle of words, more
-than the sing-song of meter.
-
-Sunshine and flowers, brightness and joyousness, the harmonies of the
-passions and the inspiration of love—these are the poetry of life.
-
-Without poetry, life is a tread-mill; a veil of tears; a dreary waste.
-Even religion is only a crucifixion—a death to sin—if we have not the
-resurrection into the new life of joy.
-
-Many of us make hard work of life by bending our backs too much. We get
-dirt in our eyes by keeping them too near the dust, and we get
-narrow-minded and selfish by our narrow radius of vision.
-
-To become truly rich we must stand in the dignity of our manhood; walk
-in the integrity of our calling; and run in the rhythm of a poetic
-nature. Out of harmony is out of sphere. The dignity, integrity and
-poetry of life are all lost by inharmony; only the ashes of
-disappointment are left; but with these we can dance at our work, and
-turn irksome duties into joyous privileges. Instead of moping in the
-valley of the shadow of death, we may live in the sunshine, where
-beautiful flowers and luscious fruits and delicious sweets grow.
-
-Yes; yes; we might as well live in light as in darkness; make life a
-joyful song as a funeral dirge; live amid glory as shame. With a radiant
-countenance, a beaming eye, and a loving hand, we can do more work and
-have more to do; we can get more out of life and have more life to
-enjoy; we can scatter more sunshine and have more left for ourselves.
-
-Christ came to bring to every toiler, heaven. Let us get into it
-quickly. It is here—and here only—that we find the poetry of life.
-
-
-
-
-                                 LXXXVI
-                          ON BEING IN EARNEST.
-
-
-Of ten men who fail in life, nine men fail for want of zeal,
-earnestness, courage, where one man fails for want of ability. This
-half-heartedness, this lack of zeal, this timidity, this shrinking from
-duty and hard tasks is seen on all sides and among all classes. But I
-tell you, boys and girls, that the least enviable people in all the
-world are those who think that nothing is particularly worth while, that
-it does not matter much how a thing is done if it is only done with; who
-dwaddle along in a shabby sort of a way, considering only their own
-ease, with little sense of responsibility, and with no shame in being
-shirks. Every boy should make up his mind to live a round, full,
-earnest, intense life. Every girl should do the same. Don’t be
-satisfied, boys and girls, to be jellyfishes, with only a capacity for
-drawing in nourishment and lingering on until your time comes to die. Be
-vertebrates, people of backbone, purpose, aim, enthusiasm, earnestness.
-
-At a public dinner President Roosevelt asked Governor Odell of New York
-if he knew anything worth doing that was not hard in the doing, and the
-governor could think of nothing. As a rule perhaps there is nothing, and
-yet things once hard in the doing become easy as skill is gained by
-repetition. Be in earnest, be faithful and resolute, and it will act
-like a tonic, giving light to the eyes, springiness to the step, and
-buoyancy to the heart.
-
-[Illustration: BEING IN EARNEST.]
-
-Don’t be overcome by your circumstances. No matter how distracting a
-man’s surroundings may be, he may yet be able to focus his powers
-completely and to marshal them with certainty if he makes up his mind to
-do it. If things go hard with the self-mastered man or boy, he will be
-able to trample upon difficulties and to use his stumbling-blocks as
-stepping-stones. If a great misfortune overtake him he will simply use
-it as a starting point for a new departure, a turning point for more
-determined effort. He may be weighed down with sorrow and suffering, but
-he always starts anew with redoubled determination to do the thing he
-has set his heart upon doing. He will not be discouraged; he will not
-give up; he will fight it out to the end. Put him in prison, and he will
-write the “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Deprive him of his eyesight and he will
-write the “Paradise Lost.”
-
-It was the spirit of earnestness which fired the soul of Martin Luther
-at the Diet of Worms, who, after being urged to recant, said: “Here I
-stand; I can do no other; God help me!” It was this spirit which
-characterized William Lloyd Garrison, the champion of the abolition of
-slavery, who, when he was urged to stop fighting slavery, exclaimed: “I
-will not equivocate, I will not retract, I will not be moved one inch,
-and I will be heard.” So be in earnest, boys and girls, at home, at
-school, at work and at play. It will help you a thousand-fold.
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXXVII.
-                    YOUNG PEOPLE AND LIFE INSURANCE.
-
-
-Every little boy and girl, and, of course, every man and woman, of the
-colored race in America should carry a life insurance policy of some
-kind in some reliable company. In this matter the old people, as in some
-other things, ought to set the example for the young, but there are some
-reasons, growing chiefly out of their previous condition of slavery, why
-our mothers and fathers have not, as a rule, taken very largely to the
-business of having their lives insured. But because our parents have
-been negligent in this matter there is no reason why the younger
-generation should be. Life insurance is a good thing, boys and girls—one
-of the best things in the world. American life insurance companies alone
-pay to policy-holders or estates of policy-holders over one hundred
-million dollars annually. Only a very small and almost insignificant
-portion of this vast sum goes into the hands of colored people, and for
-the reason that very few colored people carry life insurance policies.
-
-[Illustration: TAKING OUT A POLICY.]
-
-Now use a little common sense about this matter. Whatever is good in
-life insurance for other races is good for our race; whatever in life
-insurance benefits other races will benefit our race. In business as in
-education, whatever is good for a white man is good for a black man. I
-would, therefore, urge every boy and girl to join a life insurance
-company, and where your mothers and fathers are not insured I would urge
-you to do your utmost to persuade them to join at once.
-
-For one reason, a life insurance policy is not expensive. You might as
-well talk of the expense of buying bank stock, or the expense of putting
-your money into a savings bank or any other safe place as to speak of
-the expense of keeping up a life insurance policy. It is accumulation
-and not expense. Every dollar put into life insurance is a dollar saved
-to yourself or your estate.
-
-For another reason life insurance is a good business investment.
-Carefully collected statistics on file in Washington City prove that
-investments in life insurance are much safer and yield much larger
-returns than money placed in a savings bank. When you are older you will
-perhaps be able to make these comparisons for yourself. For the present
-you can take my word for it.
-
-A third reason, life insurance is cheap. You can in an instant create a
-capital of $1,000, though you may be ever so poor, by laying aside only
-a few cents a week. Young people chew up and drink up and smoke up and
-frolic up more money every week than would be sufficient to protect them
-against the rainy days that must come to everybody.
-
-And, then, life insurance has a character value. It makes a young man a
-better man; it makes a young woman a better woman; that is to say, it
-makes them more economical, more business-like, happier, and, I believe,
-it will make them live longer.
-
-It is high time that black boys and girls were learning these things and
-acting upon them. When God commanded us not to serve money as a false
-god He did not say that money could not serve us, and I beseech the boys
-and girls, and the old people too, to exercise the same foresight and
-the same good sense about life insurance that other races exercise.
-
-
-
-
-                               LXXXVIII.
-                         THE LITTLE SAILOR CAT.
-
-
-In September, 1893, grouped on the Fall River Line pier at the foot of
-Warren Street, New York, there stood a party of twenty-three sailors
-waiting for the Puritan to take them on to Boston. The central figure in
-the group—a short, thickset man, with bronzed and grizzled
-moustache—stood erect with arms folded over his chest. Upon the solid
-foundation thus made nestled a little white kitten. The man and the
-kitten were the Boston contingent of the crew of the steamship City of
-Savannah, which had been wrecked the week before on Hunting Island, off
-the South Carolina coast.
-
-[Illustration: THE LITTLE SAILOR CAT.]
-
-The story of the beaching of the steamship and of the taking off of her
-crew by the City of Birmingham had been told in all the newspapers, but
-nothing had been said about the cat, so the Boston Herald said. Before
-the shipwreck the cat was nothing more than an ordinary ship’s cat, and
-the captain had named him Mascot; but that was the end of his
-distinction. After the disaster, nevertheless, all the sailors swore
-that the kitten was as good a sailor as any of them.
-
-“He’s a wonder,” said the short, thickset man, surveying the cat
-proudly; “nobody thought of him in the rush, but he got there just the
-same. He climbed the rigging in that gale like an old tar and held on
-for hours. He wasn’t a bit frightened either. Only he would ‘caterwaul’
-when he got hungry. We were on board of the boat fifty hours after she
-struck before the sea was such that we could be taken off in boats. At
-night the captain ordered all the crew into the rigging and made us stay
-there. We each took a piece of rope and lashed ourselves on, so as to
-keep from falling off when asleep. That’s what the captain said the
-string was for, but I never slept at all. I don’t think many others did.
-The cat got along without any rope, and she was there in the morning all
-right. When we got away at last, nearly crazy with thirst and so faint
-that we could hardly climb down the ‘Jacob’s ladder’ into the
-Birmingham’s boats, that little fellow climbed out of his nest in the
-rigging and wanted to go too. We were glad to take him.”
-
-
-
-
-                                LXXXIX.
-
-[Illustration: ADVICE TO LITTLE CHRISTIANS]
-
-
-1. Be punctual and regular at all the services of your church.
-
-2. Give close attention to the pastor in the public service. Good
-hearers make good preachers.
-
-3. Whenever you are aided by a sermon tell the pastor about it. In this
-way you will help him more than you think possible.
-
-4. Do not neglect morning and evening prayer at home. Pray daily for
-God’s blessing upon the preaching and other labors of the pastor.
-
-5. In the world let your light so shine before others that they may be
-led to glorify your Father which is in heaven. Let your light shine.
-
-6. Invite your friends to attend divine services. A drawing congregation
-is as good as a drawing preacher. Call for your friends often.
-
-7. Remember day by day that you are not your own, but have been “bought
-with a price,” and that you are Christ’s servant. Watch and pray.
-
-8. If any service is required of you in the church or in the Sunday
-school, do not shirk it; always say: “I will try for Jesus’ sake.”
-
-9. In the prayer meeting speak briefly and to the point. If you pray,
-ask only for what you want. Be short and direct. “Ask and ye shall
-receive.”
-
-10. Never subscribe more than you are able to pay, and be sure to pay
-whatever you promise. Whether much or little, give it cheerfully. “God
-loveth a cheerful giver.”
-
-11. Having found eternal life, use all appropriate means to develop
-Christian character. Prayer, reading the Bible, attending church and
-Sunday school, reading good books and Christian newspapers, keeping the
-best company—all these will help you.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XC.
-                           A WORD TO PARENTS.
-
-
-[Illustration: A WORD TO PARENTS.]
-
-Children are a gift from God. Children are a heritage from the Lord. It
-depends largely on parents whether they become a heritage of honor and
-delight or of sorrow and shame. It is not simply incumbent upon parents
-that their children be well cared for, fed and clothed, properly
-educated and so forth; but more than this, they are to be brought up “in
-the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This being true, then, the
-highest aim of rearing children is not simply that they may win success
-and command respect in the world. Respect and success are greatly to be
-desired and sought, but beyond them and beyond everything else is the
-highest and chiefest aim of parental love and care; that their children
-may honor and command the righteousness of God in the life that now is
-and magnify the glory of God in the life that is to be. This is the mark
-and prize of their high calling.
-
-Admitting this, then, the early conversion of children is all-important.
-But if they are to be early converted, is it not wise—nay, absolutely
-essential—that mothers and fathers prepare the way by restricting their
-natural impulses by which they are led to desire indulgence in the gay
-vanities of life? Is it not positively wrong for parents to indulge that
-pernicious and destructive delusion, which some allow, of permitting
-their children to have their own evil way in the hope that in due time
-they will in some way see their error and turn to the right path of
-their own accord? Father, you are a Christian. Mother, you are a
-Christian. Now, in your home, in the management of your children, are
-you doing the best you can to show what a Christian family should be?
-How is it, my friends? I leave that question with you.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XCI.
-                           A HELPFUL MESSAGE.
-
-
-Life is too short to spend any time on a book that is not worth reading;
-but when you read a good book you will be richly repaid if you stick a
-sort of mental pin in sentences that especially impress you and return
-to them again and again. If the book is your own, it is sometimes
-helpful to mark it neatly here and there, and to copy some of the
-nuggets of thoughts. In that way you help to fasten them in your brain,
-and perhaps to engraft their meaning upon your lives. From a book of the
-writings and speeches of a New York preacher, Dr. Maltbie D. Babcock,
-who went a year or two ago to “the better land,” I have culled the
-following sentences that hold, I think, a helpful message for boys and
-girls as well as for old people.
-
-“Look out for your choices. They run into conduct, character, destiny.
-
-“To make the best of things is the right way to let things make the best
-of you.
-
-“Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible. This is the only
-world in which a Christian can suffer.
-
-“Whenever you feel blue remember that God loves you and think up some
-kindness, if no more than sending a flower to some one or writing a
-note.
-
-“If you can help anybody, even a little, be glad.
-
-“Do not let the good things of life rob you of the best things.
-
-“What have you done to-day that none but a Christian would do?”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCII.
-                          THE UNSEEN CHARMER.
-
-
-Carl Brickermann, a collection clerk in an uptown bank, in his
-accustomed daily routine found it necessary, among other things, to call
-by telephone the downtown brokerage firm of Hopegood & Co. One day he
-missed the familiar feminine voice which had usually responded to his
-calls. But the new voice seemed sweeter and much more passionately
-penetrating. For two or three days Brickermann was puzzled, not only
-because of the change at the other end of the ’phone, but also because
-of the strange and unaccountable fascination which the new voice
-possessed for him. At length one day, almost in desperation, he turned
-aside from his regular business inquiries to ask:
-
-“Where’s the other girl?”
-
-“Which other girl?” asked the mellifluous voice over the articulate
-wire.
-
-“The one who used to answer the ’phone for the Hopegoods,” explained
-Brickermann.
-
-“Promoted,” came the response, with a merry little laugh.
-
-“And you have her old place?” asked Brickermann, somewhat encouraged.
-
-“Yes; for awhile,” said the same still, small voice at the other end,
-and it sounded more and more sweetly to the would-be masher.
-
-“Well,” said Brickermann, laughing the while, “I used to know her quite
-well, and I should like to meet you face to face, if you don’t mind. I
-am so charmed with the music of your voice I am sure I should be
-perfectly entranced with the magic of your face.”
-
-[Illustration: “IS—ER—ER—MR. HOPEGOOD IN?”]
-
-A merry peal of laughter from the other end greeted this sally. The
-young man continued:
-
-“I used to come down some days about four o’clock to see Margie. Will
-you, my Unseen Charmer, grant me the same high favor?”
-
-“Why, certainly! Come any day,” answered the sweet voice which had so
-strangely bewitched the young man. In ecstasy Brickermann shouted back:
-
-“I’ll be down this afternoon.”
-
-Brickermann hung up the receiver, and, chuckling with delight, he turned
-to his other duties with the alacrity that a young spring chicken
-displays when it suddenly discovers a big fat worm.
-
-By three-thirty o’clock he had arranged his toilet, and stood before the
-mirror giving the finishing twirl to his budding moustache. He brushed
-his clothing the second time, brushed his hat, and, figuratively
-speaking, arrayed in purple and fine linen, he sallied forth. He boarded
-an elevated train bound for the downtown district. On his way down he
-tried to picture to himself the kind of a girl he should meet at the
-Hopegoods. Would she be tall or short of stature? Blonde or brunette?
-Above twenty-one years of age or only sweet sixteen? The quick arrival
-of the train at Park Place put a period to Brickermann’s reverie. He
-went tripping across a few blocks to the place where all of his hopes
-had been centered during the past few hours—in fact, days. Arrived
-there, he stepped into the front office where “Margie” had formerly
-presided. It was the same snug and cosy room, but he failed to behold
-there the eagerly expected young lady. Instead he ran amuck a chubby
-little boy, with a ruddy face and curly hair, and perhaps not more than
-fourteen or fifteen years old, sitting in “Margie’s” place.
-
-Brickermann was visibly embarrassed. He did not know where to begin or
-what to say. He twitched nervously at the glove which he carried in his
-hand, and finally he stammered:
-
-“Is—er—Mr. Hopegood in?”
-
-“No, sir,” said the boy. “Can I be of any service to you?”
-
-Brickermann’s face turned blood red, and great drops of perspiration
-stood out upon his forehead. The accents of the little boy startled him,
-for they were the same that had been wafted to him almost daily along
-the wire and with which he thought he had been enamored. In the midst of
-his confusion he managed to say, hoping almost against hope that his
-identity had not been discovered:
-
-“Well, er—er—I’ll call again.”
-
-And, without waiting to hear the Unseen Charmer speak again, he hastily
-retired with as good grace as was possible under the circumstances.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCIII.
-                              OUR COUNTRY.
-
-
-Boys and girls, we are all American citizens, the last one of us. This
-is our country, as much as it is the country of any other race, and we
-should love it and fight for it as our fathers have loved, fought and
-died for it on many a battlefield. We may be the descendants of
-Africans, but we are citizens of the United States. This is our home—our
-country. Let us believe it, in spite of what some foolish people say.
-Therefore I am going to give you one or two sentiments which you should
-learn early in life in order to stimulate your patriotism.
-
-1. May the honor of our country be without stain.
-
-2. May the glory of America never cease to shine.
-
-3. May every American manfully withstand corruption.
-
-4. May reverence for the laws ever predominate in the hearts of the
-American people.
-
-5. The sons and daughters of America, may their union be cemented by
-love and affection, and their offspring adorn the stations they are
-destined to fill.
-
-6. May the growth of the American union never be prevented by party
-spirit.
-
-7. The boys of America, may they be strong and virtuous, manly and
-brave.
-
-8. The girls of America, may they prove to be such in heart and life as
-will make them worthy mothers of a strong and noble race.
-
-9. Health to our president, prosperity to our people, and may Congress
-direct its endeavors to the public good.
-
-10.—
-
-                May Peace o ’er America spread her wing,
-                  And Commerce fill her ports with gold;
-                May Arts and Science comfort bring,
-                  And Liberty her sons enfold.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCIV.
-                         THE “DON’T-CARE” GIRL.
-
-
-About the worst girl in all this world is the girl who doesn’t care what
-people think or say about her conduct; the girl who goes to every “hop,”
-to every party, who stays out late at night with the boys, who hangs
-over the gate and talks to them, and who cuts a number of foolish
-capers, and then when any one speaks to her, shoots her head ’way up in
-the air, and turns up her nose, if she can, and says boldly: “Oh, I
-don’t care; nobody has anything to do with me!” She is the worst girl in
-the world, and she will never come to any good end. Every girl who is a
-law unto herself in regard to all that she says or does is certain not
-only to bring upon herself the condemnation of those whose good opinion
-it is worth while to have, but she will most certainly incur the
-punishment of a just God. And sometimes, I am sorry to say, I think that
-when a girl proudly declares that she doesn’t care for the good opinion
-of others she does so because she knows that she has already lost all
-right to that good opinion.
-
-[Illustration: THE “DON’T-CARE” GIRL.]
-
-It is wrong, boys and girls, to undertake to run roughshod over the
-so-called prejudices of the public. It is a foolish thing to take
-delight in trying to shock people by your boisterous and unladylike and
-unbecoming conduct. Every really wise and nice girl does care a good
-deal for the good opinion of others, and particularly for the good
-opinion of persons older than she is. She recognizes the fact that the
-laws of conventionality and of good society are based upon what is right
-and what is proper, and that no girl can with propriety set them at
-naught.
-
-Some girls go so far as to say that they “don’t care” what their own
-fathers and mothers think. The wild girl who says this is setting at
-defiance not only the human parental law, but also the law of God, which
-plainly commands children to obey their parents.
-
-Haven’t you ever seen a “don’t-care” girl? She is nearly always reckless
-in manner and speech; she is bold and defiant; she is impudent beyond
-mention; and she is very fond of ridiculing girls who do care a great
-deal what others think about them.
-
-No matter whose children they are—no matter what schools they have
-attended—these “don’t care” girls are no good, and good girls ought not
-to associate with them. Every day such flippant girls are treading on
-dangerous ground, and some day, unless a merciful God prevents it, she
-will come to open disgrace and die and go to torment. I am hoping to see
-the day when all the “don’t-care” girls will have passed out of
-existence, and then all our girls will be of the refined and womanly
-kind who do care a great deal about their conduct, their manners and
-their morals. I don’t want my daughter to associate with any other kind.
-
-
-
-
-                                  XCV.
-                             NEGRO HEROES.
-
-
-No true history of the American continent can be written without giving
-due credit to the part which brave negro men have played on the field of
-battle in the defense of liberty. At the head of the list of great negro
-soldiers stands unquestionably Toussaint L’Ouverture, the emancipator of
-Hayti, the little republic to the south of the Island of Cuba. This
-black hero, who never saw a soldier until he was fifty years old,
-crossed swords with the great Napoleon, who is said to be the greatest
-general the world has ever known, and he outwitted that great warrior.
-Wendell Phillips in a great oration places the name of Toussaint at the
-head of the list of all the world’s great leaders and statesmen, above
-the name of even our own George Washington.
-
-Next comes Crispus Attucks, who was killed in the Boston massacre on the
-night of March 5, 1770. His blood was the first blood shed in the cause
-of American independence. John Adams and Daniel Webster both date the
-beginning of American independence from that terrible massacre. Later on
-when the Revolutionary War came the negro played a valiant part and many
-individuals won just fame. For instance, Peter Salem and Salem Poor both
-distinguished themselves at the battle of Bunker Hill, and at other
-points. To-day a monument stands on Boston Common erected in honor of
-Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Salem Poor, Samuel Maverick and James
-Caldwell.
-
-[Illustration: NEGRO HEROES.]
-
-All the boys and girls now living know about the heroism of Antonio
-Maceo in behalf of the freedom of Cuba, and how that brave general laid
-down his life for his own people shortly before the United States in
-1898 took up arms in defense of Cuban liberty and drove the Spanish
-tyrants out. Of course there were many colored soldiers who took notable
-parts in the work done by our country during that short and decisive
-war. It is even claimed on good authority that the black soldiers saved
-the regiment of Rough Riders, which was commanded by the intrepid
-Colonel Roosevelt who afterwards became governor of New York and
-president of the United States.
-
-But before the Spanish-American War the negroes had given good account
-of themselves on many a well-fought field—in the war of 1812 and again
-in the great Civil War. In the Civil War, which resulted in the
-restoration of the Union and the freedom of the slaves, there were
-186,000 colored soldiers. To-day a monument stands on Boston Common,
-also, in memory of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment of United
-States soldiers. This was a colored regiment, which was commanded by a
-gallant white man named Robert Gould Shaw. He and a large proportion of
-his command were killed at Fort Wagner, S. C., in July, 1863.
-
-In the Civil War we were not allowed to have our own officers, all the
-officers being white. In the Spanish-American War this was changed, and
-we had over two hundred officers, including some as high as colonels and
-two paymasters with the rank of majors. When another war comes we are
-going to have some generals as well as colonels and captains and majors.
-Some of the little boys who are reading these words may be called on to
-render this higher service for the country and the race. I hope, boys,
-if it should be so, that you will be prepared to give as good an account
-of your stewardship as those who have gone before. I hope you will learn
-a good deal about the lives of the great heroes above named, and about
-others whom I cannot stop to mention now. In this way you will gain
-inspiration for the future.
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCVI.
-                  FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
-
-
-Shortly before he died Frederick Douglass made a tour through the South.
-Among other places he visited Atlanta University. At that place he made
-an address to the young people. It is so full of hope and help that I
-wanted to place it where every ambitious black boy and girl in America
-can see it. It has never been published before, except in the Bulletin
-of Atlanta University. Mr. Douglass said:
-
-[Illustration: FREDERICK DOUGLASS.]
-
-“My young friends: I see before me an assemblage of young people, full
-of the blood of youth, just entering upon the voyage of life. It is an
-interesting spectacle to me, as to us all, to meet such an assembly as I
-see before me this morning in an institution of learning, of knowledge,
-and of ethics and of Christian graces. I experience great pleasure in
-what I see to-day. There is no language to describe my feelings. It was
-no mere image that John saw and described in the apocalypse. It was a
-new heaven and a new earth indeed. When I look back upon the time when I
-was a fugitive slave I recollect the evils and cruelty of slave-hunting.
-No mountain was so high, no valley was so deep, no glen so secluded, no
-place so sacred to liberty that I could put my foot upon it and say I
-was free! But now I am free! Contrasting my condition then and now the
-change exceeds what John saw upon the isle of Patmos. A change vast and
-wonderful, that came by the fulfilling of laws. We got freed by laws,
-marvellous in our eyes. Men, brave men, good men, who had the courage of
-their convictions, were arrested and subjected to persecutions, mobs,
-lawlessness, violence. They had the conviction of truth. Simple truth
-lasts forever!
-
-“Be not discouraged. There is a future for you and a future for me. The
-resistance encountered now predicates hope. The negro degraded,
-indolent, lazy, indifferent to progress, is not objectionable to the
-average public mind. Only as we rise in the scale of proficiency do we
-encounter opposition. When we see a ship that lies rotting in the
-harbor, its seams yawning, its sides broken in, taking water and
-sinking, it meets with no opposition; but when its sails are spread to
-the breeze, its top-sails and its royals flying, then there is
-resistance. The resistance is in proportion to its speed. In Memphis
-three negro men were lynched, not because they were low and degraded,
-but because they knew their business and other men wanted their
-business.
-
-“I am delighted to see you all. Don’t be despondent. Don’t measure
-yourselves from the white man’s standpoint; but measure yourselves by
-the depths from which you have come. I measure from these depths, and I
-see what Providence has done. Daniel Webster said in his speech at the
-dedication of Bunker Hill monument: ‘Bunker Hill monument is completed.
-There it stands, a memorial of the past, a monitor of the present, a
-hope of the future. It looks, speaks, acts!’ So this assembly is a
-monitor of the present, a memorial of the past, a hope of the future. I
-see boys and girls around me. Boys, you will be men some day. Girls, you
-will be women some day. May you become good men and women, intelligent
-men and women, a credit to yourselves and your country.
-
-“I thank you for what I have experienced to-day and I leave you
-reluctantly, and shall always carry with me the pleasantest impressions
-of this occasion.”
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCVII.
-                            TOO HIGH A DAM.
-
-
-Once upon a time a criminal, sentenced to a twenty-year term of
-punishment, declared that his ruin was due to the fact that too high a
-“dam” had been built around his early life.
-
-He was a boy on a farm, the son of strict parents, who never unbent into
-friends and comrades, but had iron ideas of parental duty along the
-lines of restraints, and gave large doses of the catechism and the Ten
-Commandments, interspersed with much fault-finding and complaints of the
-waywardness of boys in general and their own boy in particular.
-
-As a consequence the boy chafed against the “high dam,” burst its bounds
-early and came to the city with a zest for freedom in proportion to the
-restraint he had undergone and an admiration for a fast life. This was
-by way of reaction from his disgust for the farm and its slow ways.
-
-“Don’t build your dams too high,” was the brief sermon preached by this
-condemned criminal and directed to parents—especially those who are
-rearing children in the country or in small towns. Human nature will
-continue to be human nature, and boys will continue to be boys. Youth
-will long, and naturally so, for variety and amusement. The house in
-which parents never unbend in sympathy with their children’s longing for
-a little brightness and jollity, where work goes on in unretrieved
-monotony, and home means only a place to sleep and eat in—such a home
-sends its boys and girls to the city before they are panoplied to meet
-its temptations; either this, or else it hardens and saddens them into
-mere machines or beasts of burden.
-
-Books, music, flowers, games, social clubs, cheerful pictures, love and
-sympathy—these will bind the young heart to home and right living and
-will obviate the necessity of the “high dams” of restraint.
-
-
-
-
-                                XCVIII.
-                             A GOOD FELLOW.
-
-
-He was a good fellow.
-
-He spent his money like a Prince.
-
-There was nothing too good for him to do for those with whom he kept
-company.
-
-He lived rapidly, and had no thought of to-morrow. He burned the candle
-of life at both ends.
-
-To-day he is dead,—and those vampires who sucked his life’s blood and
-helped him to spend his money have no time to give him one thought.
-
-Ah, how insincere and empty is the title of “good fellow” when it is
-applied to the man whose money is always on tap for those who are
-desirous of having a good time! And how corrupt and undesirable are the
-so-called friendships which spring from a lavish expenditure of money!
-Boys, the roof over your heads covers the best friends you could
-possibly have on earth. Those who slap you on the shoulder and say
-hilariously, “Good boy!” are seldom ever worth their salt. They like you
-for what they can get out of you—that’s all!
-
-Real happiness in this world comes, if at all, from living right and
-doing right. If you are a good fellow in the sense of giving everybody a
-“good time” with your hard-earned means, I warn you that, when your
-money gives out, all your friends will desert you, and when you die they
-will be the last ones to come near you, and may even laugh at what a
-fool you made of yourself!
-
-
-
-
-                                 XCIX.
-                        THE FUTURE OF THE NEGRO.
-
-
-My dear boys and girls, I have written nearly one hundred stories for
-this book and I have not said one word about the so-called Race Problem.
-I have done this on purpose. I believe that the less you think about the
-troubles of the race and the less you talk about them and the more time
-you spend in hard and honest work, believing in God and trusting him for
-the future, the better it will be for all concerned. I know, of course,
-that the sufferings which are inflicted upon the colored people in this
-country are many and grievous. I know that we are discriminated against
-in many ways—on common carriers, in public resorts and even in private
-life. The right to vote is being taken away from us in nearly all the
-Southern states. Lynchings are on the increase. Not only our men but our
-women also are being burned at the stake. What shall we do? There are
-those who say that we must strike back—use fire and torch and sword and
-shotgun ourselves. But I tell you plainly that we cannot afford to do
-that. The white people have all the courts, all the railroads, all the
-newspapers, all the telegraph wires, all the arms and ammunition and
-double the men that we have. In every race riot the negro would get the
-worst of it finally. But there is a higher reason than that. We cannot
-afford to do wrong. We cannot afford to lose our decency, our
-self-respect, our character. No man will ever be the superior of the man
-he robs; no man will ever be the superior of the man he steals from. I
-would rather be a victim than a victimizer. I would rather be wronged
-than to do wrong. And no race is superior to the race it tramples upon,
-robs, maltreats and murders. In spite of prejudice; in spite of
-proscription; in spite of nameless insults and injuries, we cannot as a
-race, afford to do wrong. But we can afford to be patient. God is not
-dead. His chariots are not unwheeled. It is ordained of God that races,
-as well as individuals, shall rise through tribulations. And during this
-period of stress and strain through which we are passing in this country
-I believe that there are unseen forces marshalled in the defense of our
-long-suffering and much-oppressed people. “They that be with us are more
-than they that be with them.” What should we care, then, though all the
-lowlands be filled with threats, if the mountains of our hope and
-courage and patience are filled with horses and chariots of Divine
-rescue?
-
-
-
-
-                                   C
-                       THE TRAINING OF CHILDREN.
-
-
-My last words shall be to parents. Many parents neglect the training of
-their children until the boys and girls have grown to be almost men and
-women, and then they expect all at once to develop them into
-well-rounded characters, as if by magic. Others fix upon a definite time
-in life—say, ten or twelve years old—before which time they say it is
-unnecessary to seek to make lasting impressions upon the minds of
-children, all unconscious of the fact that the character may have been
-long before that period biased for good or evil.
-
-I say it deliberately—it is a deep and abiding conviction with me, that
-the time to begin to shape the character of children is as soon as they
-begin to know their own mothers from other mothers, or as soon as they
-become awake to the events which are taking place around them. The
-farmer who has the notion that his child can wait, does not dare to let
-his corn and cotton wait. He has observed that there are noxious weeds
-which spring up side by side with the seed he has planted, and,
-marvelous to say, the weeds outgrow the plants. They must, therefore, be
-cut down and kept down, or else they will ruin the crop.
-
-Side by side with your tender babe in arms there are growing now, dear
-mothers, the poisonous tares. They are rooted already in the child’s
-heart, and, unless they are stricken down pretty soon, they will
-dominate the child’s life. And, of course, there is only one way to
-destroy evil—that is, to plant good in its stead. If there is one
-untenanted chamber in your child’s heart, inhabit it, I pray you, with
-nobler and purer thoughts which before long shall bring forth fruit unto
-God. Satan does not wait, I assure you; he never allows a vacancy to
-remain unoccupied in anybody’s heart, old or young. He rushes into empty
-hearts and idle lives and sows tares thicker than the strewn leaves of
-autumn. It is an old and senseless and barbarian custom which has taught
-us that the child can wait or must wait. If anybody must wait at table
-to be served, it is usually the little child, who may be the hungriest
-of all; if some one must remain away from church or Sunday-school, it is
-often the youngest child, who perhaps needs most to go; if some one must
-be kept out of the day school, it is the smallest child, of course; and
-during the year that he remains idle he may receive impressions and
-learn lessons that will mar his whole future life. Let us have done with
-this barbaric practice. Make room for the children; give them not only
-the first place but the best place.
-
-In almost any city in the South any Sunday in the year you will find
-more children—more boys and girls—outside of the Sunday-schools than you
-will find inside. There is a loud and crying call sounding from the past
-and from the future and bidding mothers and fathers to be more diligent
-in the matter of having their children embrace opportunities of growth
-and spiritual culture which are almost within a stone’s throw. If
-mothers and fathers will not hear and obey this clarion call I believe
-that they will be brought to account for it in the day of judgment. Not
-only so, but in the years to come they will be compelled to wail out
-their sorrow over prodigal sons and daughters who might have proven to
-be ornaments to society and to the church if their parents had devoted
-half the care upon them that they expended upon colts and calves,
-kittens and puppies that grew up with them!
-
-In all earnestness I implore those to whom God has given winsome little
-children to begin early, as early as thy find it possible, to train
-their young lives for God and heaven. Let their little voices learn
-early to lisp the precious name of Jesus and be attuned to sing His
-praise. If you leave them this legacy—than which there is none
-greater—there will come peace and joy to your old age, and the light of
-heaven, like the golden glow of a radiant sunset, will rest on your
-dying bed.
-
-And now, as I close these stories, there comes to me across the
-intervening space of silence and of tears fond memories of a sweet and
-patient mother. I cannot remember when she began to talk to me of Jesus
-nor read to me the word of God. I remember well when she taught me how
-to read, and the old-fashioned blue back spelling-book is as plainly
-before me now as in those long past days. But, long before that, I had
-heard her read the Bible and raise her voice in prayer for all whom she
-loved. And to-day those memories live when a thousand busy scenes of
-after life lie dead. And when old age comes on—if God should spare me to
-be old—the memory of my mother’s words and her reverential prayers will
-be the brightest of all the joys that shall light up the evening of my
-life.
-
-
-                                THE END.
-
------
-
-Footnote 1:
-
-  Published in the Voice of the Negro.
-
-Footnote 2:
-
-  Published in Lippincott’s Magazine.
-
-Footnote 3:
-
-  Published in Lippincott’s Magazine.
-
-Footnote 4:
-
-  Published in Lippincott’s.
-
-Footnote 5:
-
-  Published in Lippincott’s.
-
-Footnote 6:
-
-  Published in The World’s Work.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                          TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
-
-
- 1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
- 2. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as
-      printed.
- 3. Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together
-      at the end of the last chapter.
- 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
-
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-Colored Children, by Silas X. Floyd
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-<pre>
-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Floyd's Flowers Or Duty and Beauty For
-Colored Children, by Silas X. Floyd
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Floyd's Flowers Or Duty and Beauty For Colored Children
-       Being One Hundred Short Stories Gleaned from the Storehouse
-              of Human Knowledge and Experience Simple Amusing Elevating
-
-Author: Silas X. Floyd
-
-Release Date: August 16, 2019 [EBook #60109]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FLOYD'S FLOWERS ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Richard Tonsing, hekula03, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-</pre>
-
-
-<div class='tnotes covernote'>
-
-<p class='c000'><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></p>
-
-<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p>
-
-</div>
-
-<div id='Frontispiece'  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='SILAS X. FLOYD _AUTHOR_ JOHN HENRY ADAMS _ARTIST_' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='titlepage'>
-
-<div>
-  <h1 class='c001'>FLOYD’S FLOWERS<br /> <span class='c002'>OR</span><br /> <span class='c003'>DUTY AND BEAUTY</span><br /> <span class='c002'>FOR</span><br /> <span class='c004'>COLORED CHILDREN</span><br /> <br /> <span class='c005'>BEING ONE HUNDRED SHORT STORIES</span><br /> <span class='c002'>GLEANED FROM THE STOREHOUSE OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE</span><br /> <span class='c004'>SIMPLE      AMUSING      ELEVATING</span></h1>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
-    <div>BY</div>
-    <div class='c007'><span class='large'>PROF. SILAS X. FLOYD, A. M., D. D.,</span></div>
-    <div class='c007'><span class='sc'>Author of “The Gospel of Service and other Sermons,” “Life of Charles T. Walker, D. D.,” “National Perils,” etc.</span></div>
-    <div class='c006'>ILLUSTRATED BY</div>
-    <div class='c007'><span class='large'>JOHN HENRY ADAMS</span></div>
-    <div class='c007'><span class='sc'>Professor of Art at Morris Brown College, Atlanta</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c008'>
-    <div><span class='sc'>Copyright 1905</span></div>
-    <div class='c007'>BY</div>
-    <div class='c007'>HERTEL, JENKINS &amp; CO.</div>
-    <div class='c006'><span class='sc'>All Rights Reserved</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c009'>I FEEL A PROFOUNDER REVERENCE FOR A BOY THAN A
-MAN. I NEVER MEET A RAGGED BOY ON THE STREET WITHOUT
-FEELING THAT I OWE HIM A SALUTE, FOR I KNOW
-NOT WHAT POSSIBILITIES MAY BE BUTTONED UP UNDER
-HIS SHABBY COAT.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>—JAMES A. GARFIELD.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/frontis2.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Gen. Samuel C. Armstrong.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>PUBLISHER’S NOTE.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The publishers of this book have spared neither
-pains nor expense in trying to make it as nearly
-perfect as a book of this kind can be. The typographical
-appearance and the illustrations will
-speak for themselves.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>We consider ourselves fortunate in having
-been able to secure the services of the Rev. Dr.
-Silas X. Floyd as the author of this volume. Mr.
-Floyd’s life work, aside from his literary training,
-has made him the ideal man to speak to the
-colored boys and girls of the South. Soon after
-graduating from Atlanta University in 1891, Mr.
-Floyd became Principal of a Public School at
-Augusta, Ga., and remained in that city for five
-years consecutively as a teacher. In June, 1896,
-he was called from the school room into the Sunday-school
-work, having been appointed by the
-International Sunday School Convention as one
-of its Field Workers throughout the South. He
-continued in this work for three years, retiring
-from it to become Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist
-Church, Augusta, Ga., one of the largest churches
-in the South. After a year and a half in the pastorate,
-he returned to the Sunday-school work,
-becoming Sunday-school Missionary for Georgia
-and Alabama under appointment of the American
-Baptist Publication Society. Two years ago,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>he re-entered the school room, and is now once
-more Principal of a Public School at Augusta.
-His school is one of the largest in the State of
-Georgia.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Floyd’s work, as the record shows, has
-been conspicuously for and in behalf of the children,
-and he is known far and wide as a competent
-writer and speaker on topics concerning
-young people. He has contributed to the Sunday
-School Times, the International Evangel, the New
-York Independent, The World’s Work, Lippincott’s
-Magazine, and many other journals and
-periodicals. He is the author of a volume of sermons
-published by the American Baptist Publication
-Society and listed in their catalogue as
-among their standard works, and is also the
-author of the Life of the leading colored Baptist
-preacher in America, published by the National
-Baptist Publishing Board. From the beginning
-of the Voice of the Negro, Mr. Floyd has had
-charge of the Wayside Department as Editor,
-and his work as a humorist and writer of negro
-dialect is known to many through that medium.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In 1894, Atlanta University, his alma mater,
-conferred upon Mr. Floyd the degree of Master
-of Arts, and in 1902, Morris Brown College conferred
-upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>THE PICTURES AND WHO MADE THEM</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>A distinctive feature of this volume is the
-inclusion of more than half a hundred of original
-drawings by a young artist. Every boy and
-every girl delights in pictures. There is something
-in pictures, even though the subjects be
-foreign to us, which readily takes hold of our
-innermost feelings and becomes companionable to
-the extent that we find ourselves loving that
-<i>something</i> whatever it is:—a man, or an humble
-dog, or an old homestead, or what not. We seldom
-think that some great mind has been hard at
-work to produce that picture and that it takes
-years and years of application and deep study
-to prepare even a genius in art.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>While you are enjoying the pleasures to be
-derived from the “rough sketches” in this book
-it is hoped that at the same time you will catch
-the inspiration of the artist who made them. The
-negro race has produced very few artists of note,
-for very few of them have made a success in the
-profession. Of that few, John Henry Adams is
-second only to Tanner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Coming up with little in his favor other than a
-determination to “win” and the prayerfulness of
-loving parents, John Adams kept himself in
-school until he was thoroughly prepared to enter
-upon life’s sea as a thinker for and a master of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>himself. Acquiring his art education at The
-Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, Adams returned to
-Atlanta and found a place to utilize his training
-at the Morris Brown College, where he has been
-eminently successful as a teacher, and where he
-is loved and honored by all.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The lapse of twenty-six years is a very short
-time to begin to measure a man’s success, but Mr.
-Adams has already succeeded. The demand for
-his work is large and plenteous. If there is such
-a thing as having more work than one can do, it
-applies pointedly to him. Besides the many
-fine and costly paintings which Mr. Adams makes
-and sells, his “rough sketches” are quite popular
-and “go like hot cakes.” And, with all of this
-he is a regular contributor to one daily paper,
-two weekly papers and a monthly magazine.
-This is but a glimpse of the man. His work as
-trustee of city charities, his visitations to mission
-houses and his liberal pocket-book show the more
-tender side of the artist. When a football game
-is in progress there’s another side of the man—the
-enthusiast. But all the way through Mr.
-Adams is ever the amiable gentleman, the vigorous
-thinker and worker, the friend of children
-and a constant source of gladness to the poor of
-Atlanta.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>PUBLISHERS.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>PREFACE.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Truly the boys and girls of to-day ought to be
-thankful that they are alive. There never was
-such a golden age for childhood and youth as the
-present. To say nothing of the rich opportunities
-for mental and spiritual development, what a
-multitude of things have been provided for the
-innocent pleasure, the wholesome recreation of
-the young people of to-day; inventions that
-remind one of the magic of the “Arabian
-Nights”; tools of sport so perfect that one cannot
-imagine how they could be bettered; fascinating
-games, all unknown in the days gone by;
-books and papers upon which science, art and
-literary skill have lavished modern resources—all
-these and many other wonderful things have
-fallen to the lot of the favored boys and girls of
-to-day.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And now enterprising publishers of our grand
-country are going to put the boys and
-girls of America—and especially the colored
-boys and girls of America—under obligation to
-them, because they have decided to add to the
-list of good books for children and youths
-already on the market. I use the word “good”
-advisedly; for from the day that I was engaged
-to write this book I have had in mind constantly
-the thought of making it such a book as would
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>tell for good. It is an old saying that “evil communications
-corrupt good manners,” but evil
-reading does more than this: for evil reading
-corrupts good morals.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I have endeavored to put into this book of
-stories for children only such things as might be
-freely admitted into the best homes of the land,
-and I have written with the hope that many
-young minds may be elevated by means of these
-stories and many hearts filled with high and holy
-aspirations. Our nation has a right to expect
-that our boys and girls shall turn out to be good
-men and good women, and this book is meant to
-help in this process.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>SILAS X. FLOYD.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>CONTENTS</h2>
-</div>
-
-<table class='table0' summary='CONTENTS'>
-  <tr>
-    <th class='c013'></th>
-    <th class='c014'>&nbsp;</th>
-    <th class='c015'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>I.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Spelling Lesson</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>II.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Truth About Luck</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_22'>22</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>III.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>An Evening at Home</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>IV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Making of a Man</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>V.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>False Pride</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>VI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Thanksgiving at Piney Grove</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_37'>37</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>VII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Loud Girl</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>VIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Rowdy Boy</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>IX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Honesty</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_53'>53</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>X.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Uncle Ned and the Insurance Solicitor</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Strenuous Life</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Humbug</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_64'>64</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Candidate for Baptism</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Going with the Crowd</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_72'>72</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Mary and Her Dolls</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Jaky Tolbert’s Playmates</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_79'>79</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Valentine Party</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>No Money Down</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Tommy’s Baby Brother</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_90'>90</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Keeping School</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The School of the Street</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_96'>96</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Fox Hunt</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Bold Venture</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_105'>105</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Hero in Black</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Road to Success</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_111'>111</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Samuel C. Armstrong</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>How to be Handsome</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>XXVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Patience</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_119'>119</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Biter Bit</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_122'>122</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Alphabet of Success</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Easter Monday in Washington</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Keeping One’s Engagements</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Midnight Mishap</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_131'>131</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Frederick Douglass</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_133'>133</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Our Dumb Animals</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_136'>136</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Plucky Boy</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_138'>138</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Heart-to-Heart Talk</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Ghost Story</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XXXIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Good Cheer</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XL.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Life a Battle</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Ruled by Primitive Methods</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Hunting an Easy Place</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_159'>159</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Burt Bankston’s Bequest</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Big Black Burglar</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Pin-Money Made with the Needle</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_169'>169</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Self-Help</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Henry Ward Beecher’s Testimony</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Rounding up a Chicken Thief</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_180'>180</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XLIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Shields Green, the Martyr</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_184'>184</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>L.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Aiming at Something</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_186'>186</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Black Sheep of the Reynolds Family</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Holy Bible</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_196'>196</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Andrew Carnegie’s Advice to Young Men</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Gentlemen</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_200'>200</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Letter of the Law</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_202'>202</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Best Books for Children</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_204'>204</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Right to Play</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Christmas Present</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_209'>209</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>LIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Drinking and Smoking</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_211'>211</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Nickel that Burned in Frank’s Pocket</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_214'>214</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Monument to a Black Man</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Bad Boy—Who He Is</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_219'>219</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Bad Boy—How to Help Him</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_221'>221</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Thomas Greene Bethune</span> (“<span class='sc'>Blind Tom</span>”)</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_226'>226</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Not Fit to Know</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Right Way</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_231'>231</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Keeping Friendship in Repair</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Little Annie’s Christmas</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_236'>236</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Velocipede Race</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_239'>239</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Fault-Finding</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_241'>241</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Puritans’ Sabbath</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_244'>244</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Devil on an Excursion</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_247'>247</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Random Remarks</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_250'>250</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Astronomer</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_254'>254</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>A Little Child Shall Lead Them</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_258'>258</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Ladies</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_264'>264</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Three Words to Young People</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_266'>266</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>A Lamp Unto My Feet</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_272'>272</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Three Brigades</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_275'>275</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Home, Sweet Home</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_277'>277</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Edmund Asa Ware</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_280'>280</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>An Ante-Bellum Negro Preacher</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_284'>284</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Purity of Character</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_287'>287</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Each One of Us of Importance</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Poetry of Life</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_290'>290</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>On Being in Earnest</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_292'>292</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Young People and Life Insurance</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_294'>294</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>LXXXVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Little Sailor Cat</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_297'>297</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>LXXXIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Advice to Little Christians</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_299'>299</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XC.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Word to Parents</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_301'>301</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Helpful Message</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_302'>302</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Unseen Charmer</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_304'>304</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Our Country</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_307'>307</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCIV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The “Don’t-Care” Girl</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_309'>309</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCV.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Negro Heroes</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_312'>312</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCVI.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Frederick Douglass to Young People</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_315'>315</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCVII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Too High a Dam</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_318'>318</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCVIII.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Good Fellow</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_320'>320</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>XCIX.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Future of the Negro</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_321'>321</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c013'>C.</td>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Training of Children</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_323'>323</a></td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_014.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
-</div>
-
-<table class='table0' summary='LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS'>
-  <tr>
-    <th class='c014'></th>
-    <th class='c015'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'><a href='#Frontispiece'>Frontispiece.</a></span></td>
-    <td class='c015'>&nbsp;</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Spelling Class</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>That’s a Very Pretty Way to Spell “Love”</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_21'>21</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>How Many Papers Have You Sold To-day, Tommy?</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_23'>23</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>An Evening at Home</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Bobby and His “Man”</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Here is the Carpet, Young Man; I Hope I Have not Kept You Waiting.</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_34'>34</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Grace Before Going to School</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_38'>38</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Grace’s Graduation</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_42'>42</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Blab-Mouthed and Noisy</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Modest and Quiet</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>He Stuffs Both Hands in His Trousers Pockets</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>How Much for the Melon?</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_54'>54</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>“Dat’s Jes’ What My ’ligion Does,” Said the Old Man</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>I Don’t Break Easy</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_62'>62</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>O, Get Out of the Way, Can’t You?</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_65'>65</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Mother, I’m so Happy. Teacher Forgave Me</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Mary and Her Dolls</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>I’m Going Over to Jaky’s, Mamma</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_80'>80</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Old Mrs. Gray</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Papa I Ain’t Got no Little Baby Brother to Play with</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_91'>91</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Tootsie</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Little Joe</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span><span class='sc'>Uncle Hambright</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_101'>101</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>You All Wait Until I Come Back and Then We’ll Play at Fox-Hunting</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_103'>103</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Lend Me Five Dollars</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Hero in Black</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Road to Success</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_112'>112</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>How to be Handsome</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Patience</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Biter Bit</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_123'>123</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Keeping One’s Engagements</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_130'>130</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Midnight Mishap</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Our Dumb Animals</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_137'>137</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>The Boy Marched Straight up to the Counter</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Heart-to-Heart Talk</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_142'>142</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Huh! Huh! There Don’t Seem to be But Two of Us Here To-night</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_145'>145</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Charged with Kissing a Girl on the Street</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_157'>157</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>I Have Just Finished My Course in the High School</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_161'>161</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Gambler</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_163'>163</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Gambler in Old Age</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Big Black Burglar</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_168'>168</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Pin-Money Made with the Needle</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_172'>172</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Washing Dollie’s Clothes</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_175'>175</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Son, It’s a Mighty Lucky Thing for You and Nannie that I Didn’t Have My Gun</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_182'>182</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Aiming at Something</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>He Carried with Him Some Wild Flowers and Green Leaves</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_190'>190</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Well, John, I Suppose Sister Is Dead</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_194'>194</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Gentlemen</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>“<span class='sc'>Mamma Told Me Not to Ask for Any More Cream</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_203'>203</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Best Books for Children</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Mamma, I Hear Old Santa’s Bells, and of Course This Is the Present He Brought</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_210'>210</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Drink and Tobacco</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_212'>212</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>A Quarter, Ma’am</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_215'>215</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Monument to a Black Man</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>“Play Fantastic” on the Fourth of July</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Bad Boy—How to Help Him</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Frances</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>I Got in the Hall Last Night for Nothing</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_232'>232</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Two Paths</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_235'>235</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>She Put Out Her Thin Little Hand and Felt It</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_237'>237</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Velocipede Race</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Fault-Finding</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Goodnis Gracious! I See dat Old Cycloom Comin’ Back Ag’in. He Look Blackah and Wussah dan He Done Befo. Run, Isaac, Run!</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_248'>248</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>I Wish I Could Have My Way with Those Boys for About Two Minutes</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_251'>251</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Girls</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>A Lamp Unto My Feet</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Members of the Rainy-Weather Brigade</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_276'>276</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Home, Sweet Home</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_278'>278</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Saint Paul Was a Much Better Man dan I Is, an’ Dey Whupped Him Mos’ Ev’ywhar He Went</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_285'>285</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Each One of Us of Importance</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Poetry of Life</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_290'>290</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Being in Earnest</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_293'>293</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span><span class='sc'>Taking Out a Policy</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_295'>295</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The Little Sailor Cat</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_298'>298</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Advice to Little Christians</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_299'>299</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>A Word to Parents</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_301'>301</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Is—er—er—Mr. Hopegood in?</span>”</td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_305'>305</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>The “Don’t-Care” Girl</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_310'>310</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Negro Heroes</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_313'>313</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Frederick Douglass</span></td>
-    <td class='c015'><a href='#Page_316'>316</a></td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_018.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span></div>
-<div class='section ph1'>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c008'>
-    <div>FLOYD’S FLOWERS</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>I.<br /> <span class='large'>A SPELLING LESSON.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The boys and girls of Public School No. 10
-were glad to have a new girl, whose name
-was Bertha Dent, enter their spelling class. The
-little girl’s mother told the teacher that the child
-could probably keep up with the First Grade in
-spelling, because she could spell such words as
-“dog” and “hog” and “cat” and “rat” and
-“bat.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It was not a great while before the teacher
-called the spelling class. She asked Bertha, the
-new girl, to stand with the class.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You may spell ‘dog,’ Mary,” said the teacher
-to one of the girls, “and tell us what kind of noise
-little dogs make.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“D-o-g, dog,” said Mary, “and our little dog
-says ‘bow-wow-wow!’”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That was very well done,” said the teacher.
-“Now, Annie, you may spell ‘cat,’ and tell us
-what kind of noise little kittens make.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“C-a-t, cat,” replied Annie, “and the little kitties
-sometimes say ‘mew-mew,’ and when the little
-doggies come ’round they bristle up and hiss
-at the doggies.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>“That’s very well,” responded the teacher.
-“Sadie, you may spell ‘bird,’ and tell us what the
-little birds do.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“B-i-r-d, bird,” said Sadie. “We have a
-pretty mocking bird that sings for us all the time;
-most birds sing, but mama says there are some
-birds which are good to keep bugs and worms off
-the vegetables and flowers.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_020.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Spelling Class.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That is correct,” the teacher made answer.
-“Now, Bertha Dent, you may spell ‘love’ for us,
-and tell us what love does.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh,” said the new pupil, “I know very well
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>how to spell ‘love.’” And then Bertha ran to
-the teacher, threw her arms around the teacher’s
-neck, and gave her a sweet little kiss. “That is
-the way mama told me to spell ‘love,’” said
-Bertha quietly, while the teacher and all the members
-of the spelling class smiled.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_021.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>That’s a Very Pretty Way to Spell “Love.”</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>“That is a very pretty way to spell ‘love,’”
-said the teacher. “But don’t you know any other
-way to spell ‘love’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why, yes,” answered Bertha looking around.
-“I spell ‘love’ this way, too.” Then she brushed
-a fleck of dust from the teacher’s sleeve, picked
-up some papers that were scattered around on the
-platform and arranged them on the desk. She,
-also, pulled a tiny bit of thread off the teacher’s
-skirt. “I spell ‘love’” said Bertha, “by working
-for mama and papa and little brother, and trying
-to make everybody happy.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The teacher drew the little girl close to her
-side, threw one arm around the child’s neck and
-said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That is the very best way to spell ‘love’; but
-can’t you spell ‘love’ the way the book spells it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes,” said Bertha. “L-o-v-e, love.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The teacher hugged Bertha, called her a dear
-little girl, and then dismissed the class.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>II.<br /> <span class='large'>THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCK.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>
-<img src='images/i_023.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>How Many Papers Have You Sold To-day, Tommy?</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>This is a world of order and system. There is
-nothing haphazard about it. The sun rises and
-sets according to a regular and unchanging law.
-The tides come in and the tides go out not by
-accident or chance, but in accordance with well-defined
-laws. Winter and Summer, sunshine and
-rain, follow each other in well-ordered succession.
-What is true in the natural world is also
-true in the moral and business worlds. A boy
-reaps that which he sows and gains the prizes
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>for which he is willing to pay the price in labor
-and self-denial. A divine law controls success
-and defeat in this life and no strategem or trick
-can take the place of hard work.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Some years ago, I happened to find myself near
-the terminal of the great East River Bridge in
-New York City. Two little boys were standing
-near one of the large iron posts crying their
-afternoon papers. I tarried near them because
-I was waiting for a particular car. One little
-fellow said to the other,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How many papers have you sold to-day, Tommie?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Nearly one hundred an’ fifty,” was Tommie’s
-quick reply.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Honor bright?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes; honor bright.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Whoopee! but ain’t you in big luck, Tommie?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Luck!” exclaimed Tommie, wiping the perspiration
-from his brow. “There ain’t no luck
-about it; I’ve just been everlastingly at it since
-four o’clock this morning—that’s all!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And that is the <i>all</i> of real success. Those who
-achieve success are “everlastingly at” what they
-are trying to do. Tommie was right in declining
-to have his hard and honest work cheapened by
-calling the result of it luck.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You are the luckiest chap I ever saw,” I once
-heard a little boy about sixteen years say to
-another boy of about the same age.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>“Why do you say that?” asked the other.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Because you have had your salary raised
-twice in the same year.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” was the reply, “you may call it luck;
-but I don’t. I have always done my work the
-very best I knew how. I have never once in the
-whole year been a single minute late in getting to
-the office, nor have I ever left a single minute
-before it was time for me to leave. When I have
-worked over-time, I have not made any fuss about
-it. My boss said when he raised my salary last
-week that he had taken these things into account.
-So, I don’t see where the luck comes in.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“All the same,” said the first boy, “some
-bosses wouldn’t have raised your salary.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Then I would have the satisfaction of knowing
-that I had done my duty.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Boys, I tell you that’s right. Nine out of ten
-employers know that it is to their advantage
-to show appreciation of faithful work and they
-show it. When this appreciation comes luck has
-had nothing to do with it. The thing that passes
-for luck is in nearly all cases the just reward of
-honest endeavor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Do not, therefore, start out in life with the
-expectation that some “lucky turn” will bring
-you sudden honor or wealth or position without
-any effort on your part. Substitute that fine old
-word “<i>work</i>” for that deceitful word “<i>luck</i>,”
-and base your hopes of future success and usefulness
-upon the honorable labor that it is a God-given
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>privilege for every well and strong and
-right-minded boy to give his heart and hands to
-performing.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>III.<br /> <span class='large'>AN EVENING AT HOME.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls between the ages of eleven and
-seventeen ought to spend their evenings at home,
-as much as possible. In these busy, bustling twentieth
-century days, there are many families—so
-much the worse for them—that scarcely know
-what it is to spend an evening at home together.
-Not only the young people but the older people
-are “on the go.” The evenings are crowded
-with calls and invitations, which come from far
-and near. It is nothing to go five or even ten
-miles to an evening concert or social gathering,
-the trolley is so near, so cheap and so universal.
-But I tell you, boys and girls, no matter
-what the pleasure or amusement afforded—no
-matter what the instruction or culture received—there
-are no social or similar opportunities good
-enough to displace the home circle. The sooner
-young people realize this the happier they will be.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>
-<img src='images/i_027.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>An Evening at Home.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Boys and girls ought to plan for some evenings
-at home. Let other things have a share, but do
-not give up all the time to other things. Once a
-week the young people ought to arrange for an
-evening at home. Decline everything else for
-that evening, the same as you would for any
-other engagement. Gather the family together.
-Make a special place for grandma and grandpa.
-Sing merry songs; play innocent and amusing
-games; take time to tell the home folks about
-some of the things that you do and that you have
-seen in the world; get acquainted with the home
-folks; be delighted in their delight; by special
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>appointment, spend one or two cheerful hours
-with the folks at home each week.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The young folks themselves should take the
-lead in this matter. A home is not merely a
-place with four walls where people meet to eat
-and drink and sleep securely beneath a roof.
-Nay, boys and girls, a house is reared to be a
-<i>home</i>—the center where a family may gather
-into one; to be a serene retreat where the tenderest
-affections may find rest; where love may have a
-dwelling place, and the <i>amenities</i> of life gain
-ample scope; where parents and children may
-press one another heart to heart; where sorrows
-and joys may be freely shared in sacred
-confidence; in a word, where the great work of
-training human beings for the duties of the present
-life, and the perfection of another, may be
-begun and carried on.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There is one special reason for making much
-of the evenings at home that young people are
-not likely to think of. <i>Inevitably</i> the <i>family</i> circle
-will be broken up very soon. Perhaps not by
-death, but most certainly by change. When Fred
-goes to college that is the beginning of new ties
-and new associations, and the home privileges
-can never be quite so complete to him again.
-The years of the complete unity of the home
-are very few indeed. While these years are passing,
-young people especially should make the
-most of them. My dear boys and girls, get the
-benefit of these years; get their joys; store up
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>memories of home life, for they will be in future
-years the most beautiful pictures of the heart.
-However some may sneer at it, the memory of
-home and mother is a great power for righteousness.
-It has saved many a person to God and
-native land and race.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Be it ever so humble—</div>
-      <div class='line'>There’s no place like home.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>IV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE MAKING OF A MAN.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c017'><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Mr. Stamps, seated near the table, was glancing
-over the afternoon paper. Mrs. Stamps, in
-an easy chair, was doing some fancy work. Little
-Bobby, six years old, more or less, was playing
-with his toys on the floor. All at once the precocious
-little boy stopped short in the middle of
-his sport and, looking up at his mother, asked,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mama, who made the world?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“God,” replied Mrs. Stamps, sweetly.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Who made the sea?” continued Bobby.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mrs. Stamps answered, “God.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said Bobby, “did God make everything?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, my son; the Lord made everything.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“And did he make everybody?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>“Yes; the Lord made everybody.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Bobby was silent for a moment. Presently he
-looked anxiously at his father, and then, turning
-to his mother, he asked,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mama, did God make papa, too?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes; God made papa also.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>After a lengthy pause Bobby asked,—</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_030.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Bobby and His “Man.”</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mama, do you think that I could make a man,
-if I was to try real hard?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You had better run out to play now, Bobby,”
-said Mrs. Stamps, somewhat non-plused by her
-son’s curiosity.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Bobby left the room almost immediately. He
-went straight to the beach in front of the house,
-and labored long and earnestly in piling up some
-wet sand. Pretty soon he was joined in his work
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>by two other little boys. For some time the three
-little fellows worked vigorously in piling up the
-mud. Mrs. Stamps called her husband to the
-window, so that he might see what the boys were
-doing.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Wife,” said Mr. Stamps, “I believe those little
-Satans are trying to make a man.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Toward sunset Bobby ran into the house and
-exclaimed with delight,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mama, we’ve got our man almost finished.
-We didn’t have but one marble, and we used that
-for one of his eyes. I came in to ask you to give
-me a marble, so that we might put in his other
-eye.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It’s too late to bother now, Bobby,” said Mrs.
-Stamps. “Wait until to-morrow morning; then I
-will give you a marble and let you finish your
-man.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The next morning, bright and early, Bobby went
-out to look for his man. Lo and behold! the sea
-had washed the man away during the night. But,
-Bobby, of course, did not suspect that. He thought
-that the man had gone away of his own accord.
-So the little fellow spent the entire morning looking
-for his man. He looked under the house; he
-looked in the stable; he went up to the garret; he
-walked up and down the beach; he went into the
-woods—looking for his man. But his man was
-nowhere to be found.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Two or three weeks later an African Methodist
-Episcopal Conference assembled in Bobby’s town.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>Among the ministers present there happened to
-be a short, chubby, tan-colored brother with only
-one eye. When Bobby spied him he examined the
-man curiously and cautiously from head to foot.
-The examination ended, Bobby concluded that that
-was his man. At once the little fellow left his
-mother and went over and took a seat beside
-the man. Bobby’s mother was somewhat embarrassed.
-The man was evidently pleased, although,
-to be sure, he himself was not quite certain
-why he should be an object of special interest
-to the little boy. The man went to the secretary’s
-table to have his name enrolled—Bobby went with
-him. He went into the vestibule to get a drink of
-water—and Bobby followed him there. But all
-the while the man was still in doubt as to the
-cause of the little boy’s apparent affection. By
-this time, thoroughly exasperated, Bobby’s mother
-decided to go home. She approached the pew in
-a very ladylike manner and said,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bobby, dear, come; we must be going home
-now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“All right, Mama,” said Bobby in dead earnest,
-“but you will please let me take my man
-home with me—won’t you? I just found him
-to-day, and you know I’ve been looking for him
-for over two weeks!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then, for the first time, it suddenly dawned
-upon Mrs. Stamps what was the matter with
-Bobby. In spite of herself she laughed heartily at
-the boy’s perversity. Finding that his mother
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>hesitated to reply, Bobby turned to the man and
-said,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Come on: we’re going home now. Why did
-you leave before I finished you?”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>V.<br /> <span class='large'>FALSE PRIDE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Once upon a time the head clerk in a carpet
-store requested one of his junior clerks to go to
-a patron’s home to measure a room, and suggested
-that he take along a five-yard sample. The junior
-clerk objected to “carting” such a big bundle, as
-he said, “all over town,” and asked that one of
-the boys be sent with it. The proprietor of the
-establishment, who happened to overhear the remark,
-privately told the head clerk to inform the
-proud young fellow that a boy would be sent on
-after him with the roll. Shortly after the young
-man reached the house, the proprietor of the establishment
-covered him with confusion by appearing
-at the house in person with the roll of carpet under
-his arm. Handing the bundle to the bewildered
-young man, the proprietor remarked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Here is the carpet, young man. I hope I have
-not kept you waiting for it. If you have any other
-orders, I’ll take them now.”</p>
-
-<hr class='c018' />
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>
-<img src='images/i_034.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Here is the Carpet, Young Man. I Hope I Have Not Kept You Waiting.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>A young woman of my acquaintance refused to
-carry home a yeast cake, though it was needed at
-once for the family baking and she was bound
-directly homeward. She said that she wasn’t a
-delivery wagon, and so the yeast cake had to be
-sent to her home.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A great many foolish young people are so absorbingly
-regardful of their trim appearance on
-the street that they will never under any circumstances
-carry a basket or bundle, however much
-inconvenience they may cause others by refusing
-to do so.</p>
-
-<hr class='c018' />
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, it is not proper pride or self-respect which
-prompts people to act as the young folks acted
-whom I have just referred to. It is silliness which
-prompts them to act so. Any honest work is honorable
-that is honorably done, and you will notice
-that young people of good social position and
-strength of character are above such pettiness.
-Only inferior people act that way. Superior people
-do not act so, because they are well aware that
-they cannot be compromised by doing straightforwardly,
-without fuss or apology, whatever needs
-to be done. Yet, I admit, that it seems to be
-human nature that whatever is distasteful or supposedly
-menial should be done by somebody else.
-When young people, or old people for that matter,
-are tempted to be foolish in such things they
-should remember the lesson of humility that Christ
-taught his disciples, when in that warm Oriental
-country, where only sandals are worn, He performed
-the necessary service of washing the disciples’
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>feet. For us to be above our business—for
-us to think ourselves too good or too dainty
-to soil our hands with honest toil—for us to feel
-that it is a lowering of our dignity to carry a bundle
-through the street, is to prove by our conduct
-that we are not up to the level of our business, that
-we are possessed of a great amount of false pride,
-and, in a higher sense, it shows that we have a foolish
-and wicked distaste of true service. There is
-nothing low, nothing degrading, nothing disgraceful,
-in honest labor, in honest work of any kind,
-whether it be to boil an egg properly, to sweep a
-floor well, to carry a bundle or package through
-the streets, or bring a pail of water. In fact, if
-somebody were to say that “chores” done or undone
-are the making or the unmaking of boys and
-girls, it would be a homely way of putting an important
-truth. Bringing up coal or bringing in
-wood, weeding the garden bed, running errands,
-washing dishes, sewing seams, dusting furniture,
-doing any odd jobs where there is need, cheerfully,
-faithfully—these lead to the highway of
-greater opportunities and are the usual avenues to
-the only manhood and womanhood that is worth
-having. My young friends, the castle of your
-noblest dream is built out of what lies nearest at
-hand. It is the uncommonly good use of common
-things, the everyday opportunities, that makes
-honored lives, and helps us, and helps us to help
-others, along the sun-road. “He that is faithful
-in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty
-spirit before a fall.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>VI.<br /> <span class='large'>THANKSGIVING AT PINEY GROVE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The people of the Piney Grove settlement, both
-white and black, had been free for nearly a generation.
-The whites had been freed from the curse
-of being slave-holders, and the blacks had been
-freed from the curse of being held in bondage.
-But never in the history of this little town, in the
-very heart of the so-called “Black Belt” of
-Georgia, had the people known anything about the
-proper observance of Thanksgiving Day until
-189–. And in that year the revolution was
-brought about by a young colored woman named
-Grace Wilkins.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Grace Wilkins was the only daughter of Solomon
-and Amanda Wilkins. Solomon and his wife
-were farmers—plain, simple, ordinary country
-folk. Amanda was literally her husband’s helpmeet.
-She went along with him every morning to
-the field, and, in season, chopped as much wood,
-picked as much cotton, hoed as much corn, pulled
-as much fodder, and plowed as much as her husband
-did. Up to her fourteenth year Grace had
-been reared on a farm, and had learned to do all
-the things that any farmer’s child has to do—such
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>as milking cows, feeding hogs and chickens, hoeing
-cotton and corn, picking cotton, pulling fodder
-and the like. In her fourteenth year, acting upon
-the advice of an uneducated colored preacher, her
-parents sent Grace away from home to attend one
-of the great normal and industrial institutes for
-the training of the black boys and girls of the
-South.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_038.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Grace Before Going to School.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>At first her mother and father were filled with
-forebodings. It was the first time that they had
-ever allowed their daughter to be away from them,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>and they missed her so much and longed for her
-so constantly that they thought that they had
-made a mistake in sending her off to “boardin’
-school.” Ignorant and superstitious neighbors,
-though they knew as little about such matters as
-did Solomon and Amanda, were loud in saying
-that “Sol” and “Mandy” would live to regret the
-step they had taken in sending Grace away from
-home. The only rays of sunshine that came in to
-brighten these periods of mental unrest and gloom
-on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were found
-in the letters which they received regularly from
-their daughter. Grace invariably informed her
-parents, whenever she wrote, that she was “well
-an’ doin’ well.” Thus reassured from time to
-time, Solomon and Amanda managed somehow to
-undergo the terrible strain of having their daughter
-absent from them for eight months. But meantime
-they were firmly of the opinion that, once
-they got their hands on her again, they would
-never allow Grace to return to school.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>With glad and thankful hearts Mr. and Mrs.
-Wilkins joyously embraced their daughter when
-she came home at the close of her first year in
-school. With keen and genuine interest, they listened
-to her wonderful accounts of the great school
-and of the great man at the head of it. Grace
-dressed differently and talked differently; and her
-mother said, speaking one day in confidence to her
-husband shortly after Grace’s return, “Dat gal’s
-sho got a new walk on her!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>Grace Wilkins brought back a toothbrush with
-her from school. That was something which she
-had never had before. She used that toothbrush
-every morning and night. That was something
-that she had never done before. She was now careful
-to keep her hair well combed every day. That
-was something that she had been accustomed to do
-on Sundays only or on special occasions. She
-washed her face two or three times a day now, as
-her mother and father noticed. Before she went to
-school she had been in the habit of giving her face,
-as the old people say, “a lick and a promise” early
-each morning. Besides, Grace kept the house
-cleaner than she had kept it before. She brought
-home with her a brand-new Bible which she read
-regularly at home and always carried to church
-and Sunday school. She also had a song book
-called “Jubilee Songs and Plantation Melodies,”
-and it gladdened the hearts of the good “old folks
-at home” to hear their daughter sing from a book
-some of the very songs that they had sung all their
-lifetime and which were so dear to them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>All these things and others made a deep and
-abiding impression upon Solomon and his wife.
-And finding that withal their daughter was just as
-loving and kind as she had been before, and that
-she was just as industrious and faithful as formerly,
-Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were not long in deciding
-that their daughter should go back to that
-school another year, and that they would work
-hard and stint themselves in order that they might
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>keep her there until she had finished the normal
-course.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>So back to school Grace Wilkins went—that
-year, and the next year, and the next. It was the
-proudest day in Solomon’s and Amanda’s lives
-when they sat in the magnificent chapel of the
-school and heard their daughter read her graduation
-essay on “The Gospel of Service.” Glad tears
-welled up in their eyes when they heard the principal
-call their daughter’s name, and then saw
-Grace step up to receive her certificate of graduation.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Coming back to Piney Grove to live, “Miss
-Gracie”—everybody called her that after graduation—established
-a little school which she called
-“The Piney Grove Academy.” It was the first
-public school for colored children ever opened
-within the corporate limits of the little village.
-Before that the schools were district schools or
-county schools, which were taught about in different
-places for only three or four months in the
-year, mainly during the summer. Miss Gracie began
-her school the first day of October. By special
-arrangement she used the first three months for
-the public term allowed by the state, and supplemented
-that with a five-months term, for which the
-pupils were required to pay fifty cents each per
-month. The plan worked well, the parents joining
-in heartily in the movement, and the Piney Grove
-Academy soon became the model school for the
-surrounding counties.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>
-<img src='images/i_042.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Grace’s Graduation.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Among other things Miss Gracie had learned
-at school what was the import of our national
-Thanksgiving Day. At the opening of the second
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>year of the Piney Grove Academy she decided
-that she would inaugurate an annual Thanksgiving
-service. Accordingly on the opening day of the
-second year Miss Gracie informed the pupils of her
-plan, and told them that she would begin the very
-next day to prepare a suitable program for the
-exercises. Afterwards Miss Gracie secured the cooperation
-of the village pastor—the same man who
-had been instrumental in having her parents send
-her away to school. Through him she was permitted
-to talk to the people at the church two or
-three times about the proposed celebration. She
-was careful to tell them that the Thanksgiving
-festival was meant specially to be a home festival
-in addition to being a time for the people to come
-together in their accustomed places of worship to
-thank God for the blessings of the year. She urged
-them, therefore, as far as they were able without
-going to unnecessary expense, to have family dinners
-and bring together at one time and in one
-place as many members of the family as possible.
-She explained to them how this might be done
-successfully and economically, and with pleasure
-and profit to all concerned. She also urged them
-to be planning beforehand so that nothing might
-prevent their attending church Thanksgiving Day
-morning. She was going to hold the exercises in
-the church, because her little school was not large
-enough to furnish an assembly hall for the people
-who would be likely to be present.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On Thanksgiving Day nearly everybody in town
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>went to the exercises. Many white people attended,
-including the county school commissioner and the
-school trustees. It was the first Thanksgiving
-service that any of them had ever witnessed.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The program was made up, for the most part,
-of choice selections from negro authors, composers,
-orators, and so forth. A selection from Frederick
-Douglass on “Patriotism” was declaimed; one
-from Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Exposition
-speech was also delivered. Paul Laurence Dunbar’s
-poem entitled “Signs of the Times” (a
-Thanksgiving poem) was read by one of the
-pupils, and also “The Party,” another of Dunbar’s
-pieces, was rendered. “The Negro National
-Hymn,” words by James W. Johnson and music
-by his brother, Rosamond Johnson, was sung by a
-chorus of fifty voices. At the opening of the service
-the president’s Thanksgiving proclamation
-was read and appropriate remarks were made by
-Miss Wilkins. The closing remarks were made by
-the Rev. John Jones, the village pastor. The remarks
-of Mr. Jones were in the congratulatory
-mood. He was naturally proud of Miss Gracie’s
-achievements, because he had had something to do
-with putting her on the road to an education. He
-spoke of the teacher as the leaven that was leavening
-the whole lump, and the applause which followed
-the statement showed plainly the high
-esteem in which the teacher was held by all the
-people. Everyone enjoyed the service. None of
-the villagers had ever seen anything like it before.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>After singing “America” all of them went away
-happy, many of them, in obedience to Miss Gracie’s
-previous counsel, going home to eat for the first
-time, well knowing what they were doing, a
-Thanksgiving dinner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At the home of Miss Wilkins there was an excellent
-spread of ’possum, potatoes, rice, chicken,
-pickles, macaroni, bread, a precious Thanksgiving
-turkey, and the inevitable mincemeat pie. Besides
-Miss Gracie, there sat at the table that day her
-parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Wilkins, John and
-Joseph Wilkins, brothers of Solomon who had
-come from a distance, Mary Andrews, a sister of
-Mrs. Wilkins, who also came from a distance,
-Grandma Wilkins, Grandma and Grandpa Andrews,
-the Rev. John Jones, his wife, his daughter,
-and his only son, Jasper Jones.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Jasper had gone to school at T—— one year
-after Gracie went, and, of course, was one year
-later in finishing the course there. On this Thanksgiving
-Day, nevertheless, he had been out of school
-long enough to have successfully established himself
-in the business of poultry raising and dairying.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Just before the dinner party was dismissed the
-Rev. Mr. Jones arose and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There is another little ceremony you’all is
-invited to witness befo’ you go out to see the baseball
-game. I am authorized by these credentials
-which I hol’ in my hands to unite in the holy bonds
-of matrimony Miss Grace Wilkins and Mr. Jasper
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Jones. If there is no objection, these two persons
-will please stan’ up, an’ I’ll tie the knot.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Of course there were no objections. The knot
-was tied. And when the villagers learned of the
-occurrence not long afterwards they had additional
-reason for believing that they were right
-when they voted that Piney Grove had never seen
-the like of such a Thanksgiving Day, and that
-Miss Gracie Wilkins was one of the best women
-in all the world.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>VII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE LOUD GIRL.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I do not know of a more sorrowful spectacle than
-that of a girl who is loud in her dress, loud in her
-manners, and loud in her speech. It is a great mistake
-for a girl to suppose that this loudness will be
-mistaken by her friends and acquaintances for
-smartness. The desire to be regarded as bright and
-witty has led many a girl into the folly of being
-loud in her manners. She often cherishes the illusion
-that the attention such manners attract is
-combined with admiration, when the truth is that
-those who witness her strange conduct are simply
-wondering how it is possible for her to throw to
-the winds that charm of all girlhood—modesty.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>One afternoon not long ago I saw a group of
-girls of the loud type. They came into the street
-car in which I was sitting. They all wore
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>boys’ hats. One wore a vivid red jacket with brass
-buttons, and another had on a brass belt. A third
-one had on a most conspicuous plaid skirt. This
-third one had a box of bonbons, and when the three
-were seated she opened the box and offered it to
-her companions, saying as she did so, in a voice
-loud enough and shrill enough to be heard in
-every part of the car:</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_047.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Blab-Mouthed and Noisy.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“It’s my treat; have some, chums!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Upon this invitation one of the girls dived down
-into the box like a hungry bear, and held up a
-piece of the candy in triumph and then dashed it
-into her mouth with a great guffaw. “O, Mame!”
-said one of the girls, “if you ain’t just horrid to
-go and take the very piece I wanted!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mame” laughed and, taking the candy from
-her mouth, offered it to the other girl, saying as
-she did so:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, here it is, Lulu!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Lulu” struck the candy from “Mame’s” hand,
-and it flew across the aisle into the lap of a lady
-sitting opposite the girls. This set all three of the
-girls to giggling and tittering, and they seemed
-in danger of convulsions when the owner of the
-box of candy let it fall and a part of the candy
-rolled out on the floor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The conductor came forward and picked up the
-box and candy and handed them to the owner.
-She giggled out her thanks, and “Lulu” said:
-“Why didn’t you give him a gumdrop for his
-trouble?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>This seemed to impress the other girls as a most
-brilliant witticism, and they fell to tittering violently
-over it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Presently a gentleman came in and stumbled
-slightly over the feet of one of the girls thrust
-out into the aisle.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id004'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>
-<img src='images/i_049.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Modest and Quiet.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>“I beg your pardon,” said the gentleman, as he
-lifted his hat, whereupon the three girls grinned
-and giggled and giggled and grinned immoderately,
-and one of them said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Roxy, you had better ride out on the platform,
-where there is more room for your feet!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Roxy” then struck “Lulu” for making this
-speech. “Lulu” pretended to be much offended
-and flung herself over to the other side of the car,
-where she made a grimace at the other girls.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The conduct of these girls during the half hour
-that they were on the car was such as caused every
-father and mother who saw them to regard them
-with pity. The loud girl, my dear readers, is
-always an object of pity. She should be a
-sorry object for her own contemplation. An old
-writer has said: “You little know what you have
-done when you have first broken the bounds of
-modesty; you have set open the door of your fancy
-to the devil, so that he can represent the same sinful
-pleasure to you anew.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, the loud girl may be entirely innocent of
-any actual wrong-doing, but she is regarded with
-dislike, distrust, and even disdain, by the better
-class of people. She acquires a reputation for rudeness
-and coarseness, and the people of refinement
-will not associate with her. Her character suffers,
-no matter how innocent she may be of any intention
-of doing wrong. Delicacy, modesty, is the certain
-sign of sweetness, purity and gentleness of
-character, just as indelicacy is the certain sign of a
-lack of these beautiful traits.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>VIII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE ROWDY BOY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>You can tell him wherever you see him. There
-are certain marks or appearances which he carries
-about with him and which are never absent. For
-one thing you will find him with a cigarette stuck
-in his mouth, and a cigarette is one of the deadliest
-poisons in the world for boy or man. He wears his
-hat on the side or cocked back on his head. Frequently
-he stuffs both hands in his trousers’ pockets.
-He doesn’t attend school regularly; sometimes
-he starts for school and ends at the bathing pond
-or the baseball park. He is late at Sunday school,
-if he goes at all, and he stands ’round on the outside
-at church while the service is going on inside.
-He steals rides on trains and on trolley cars, and on
-passing vehicles of all descriptions. He is saucy
-and impudent to older people, and is always ready
-and willing to quarrel or fight with his mates. He
-is what the boys call a “bully.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The loud girl and the rowdy boy are two things
-of which we have seen enough in this world. They
-are things; they are hardly worth the dignity of
-being called human beings.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I saw one of these rowdy boys in his own home
-not a great while ago. His mother said to him:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Johnnie, you must always take off your hat
-whenever you come into the house.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Good gracious alive,” he said, “I can’t do
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>anything right. What is the use of grabbing off
-your hat every time you come into your own
-house?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_052.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>He Stuffs Both Hands in His Trousers Pockets.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>His mother looked sad, but said nothing. Presently
-she discovered that her little boy had
-brought some mud into the house on his shoes.
-In her sweetest tones she said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Johnnie, you must go to the door and wipe
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>your feet now. See how you are tracking up the
-floor there!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said the rowdy boy with a snarl, “can’t
-the old floor be scoured? You must think this old
-house is gold.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, I am a preacher, boys, and, being a preacher,
-of course I am what is called a “man of peace,”
-but I tell you that that was one time I came pretty
-near wishing that I wasn’t a preacher so that I
-might have given that boy what he deserved. I
-was sorry, for the time being, that he wasn’t my
-son. No manly little boy will ever talk to his
-mother in any such way. I suppose that boy
-thought it made him appear to be a very important
-personage, but he was very much mistaken.
-Don’t be rowdy, boys; don’t be rough; don’t be
-rude. You were made for better things.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>IX.<br /> <span class='large'>HONESTY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Early in the morning two little boys came to
-the market place. They arranged their little stands
-and spread out their wares, and sat down to wait
-for customers. One sold watermelons and fruit,
-and the other sold fish and oysters. The hours
-passed on and both were doing well. By-and-by
-Sammie had only one melon left on his stand. A
-gentleman came along and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>“What a fine, large melon! I think I will buy
-that one. What do you ask for it, my boy?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_054.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>How Much for the Melon?</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“This is my last melon, sir; and though it looks
-fair, there is an unsound spot on the other side,”
-said the boy, turning the melon over.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“So there is,” said the man. “I don’t believe I’ll
-take it. But,” he added, looking straight at the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>boy, “is it very good business for you to point out
-the defects of your goods to customers?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Perhaps not, sir,” said the boy with becoming
-modesty, “but it is better than being dishonest.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You are right, my boy; always speak the truth
-and you will find favor with God and man. I shall
-not forget your little stand in the future.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then turning to the other boy’s stand the man
-asked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Are those fresh oysters?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir,” said Freddie, “these are fresh this
-morning—just arrived.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The gentleman bought them and went away.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Sammie,” said Freddie, “you never will learn
-any sense. What did you want to show that man
-that spot on the melon for? He never would have
-looked at it until he got home. I’ve got an eye to
-business, myself. You see how I got rid of those
-stale oysters—sold them for just the same price
-as fresh oysters.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Freddie,” said the other boy, “I wouldn’t tell
-a lie, or act one either, for twice the money we have
-both earned to-day. Besides I have gained a customer
-and you have lost one.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And it turned out just as Sammie said. The next
-day the gentleman bought a large supply of fruit
-from Sammie, but he never spent another penny
-at Freddie’s stand. It continued that way through
-all the summer. At the close of the season he took
-Sammie into his store, and, after awhile, gave him
-a share in the business.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>X.<br /> <span class='large'>UNCLE NED AND THE INSURANCE SOLICITOR.<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c017'><sup>[2]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Turner Tanksley, a representative of the Workingmen’s
-Industrial Aid Insurance Company,
-called upon Edmund Grant, an elderly colored
-man, with a view to getting him to insure his life.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Good morning, Uncle Ned,” said Mr. Tanksley.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mawnin’, Boss,” said the old man, raising his
-hat and making a low courtesy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Uncle Ned, do you carry any insurance?” inquired
-the solicitor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Does I car’y what?” asked Uncle Ned in great
-surprise.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you carry any insurance? Is your life insured?”
-asked the solicitor by way of explanation.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bless Gawd! Yas, yas,” replied the colored
-man, “long ago—long ago.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then the solicitor asked: “In what company?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Uncle Ned answered: “I’m a Baptis’, sah; I’m
-a Baptis’—a deep-watah Baptis’.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Tanksley realized that the old man had not
-understood the question, but, anyhow, he asked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How long has it been since you joined?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>
-<img src='images/i_057.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>“Dat’s jes’ what My ’ligion Does,” said the Old Man.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>“I j’ined,” replied Uncle Ned, “de same year
-dat de stars fell—I reckon you know how long
-dat’s been?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That’s a long while,” commented the insurance
-man; “quite a long while. Does your company
-pay any dividends?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Boss,” said Uncle Ned with a broad grin, “dat
-question is plumb out uv my reach. What is you
-tryin’ to git at?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why, Uncle Ned,” said Mr. Tanksley, “a dividend
-is interest paid on your money; and if you
-have been paying your money into one company
-for more than thirty years surely you ought to
-have been receiving your dividends long before
-now, especially if it’s an old-line company.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said Uncle Ned, “hit sho is de ole-line
-comp’ny—hit sho is. De Lawd sot hit up Hisse’f
-’way back yondah on Calvaree’s tree. But I ain’t
-nevah hyeahed tell uv no intrus’ nor no divverdens
-ner nothin’ uv dat sawt; an’ you ain’t hyeah
-me say nothin’ ’tall ’bout payin’ in no money fer
-thirty yeahs—you know you ain’t. Salvation’s
-free, white man; salvation’s free—you knows dat
-ez well ez I does.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The way Uncle Ned laughed when he had delivered
-himself of this remarkable speech would
-have done your soul good.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, I see,” said Mr. Tanksley with much condescension,
-“I see that I’ve misunderstood you.
-You’re talking about your soul’s salvation.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dat’s what I is,” chimed in Uncle Ned, “dat’s
-what I is.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>“I came,” resumed the solicitor, “to talk to you
-about insuring your body in case of accident, sickness
-or death.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Accerdents is fer us all,” said Uncle Ned, with
-a far-away expression on his face, “accerdents is
-fer us all, an’ dah ain’t no gittin’ ’roun’ death.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That’s true,” responded the patient solicitor,
-“that’s true; insurance companies can’t prevent
-sickness and accidents and death any more than
-you can, Uncle Ned, but insurance companies can
-and do help you to bear your burdens in the time
-of trouble.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dat’s jes’ what my ’ligion does,” said the old
-man with supreme satisfaction, “dat’s jes’ what
-my ’ligion does.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But we do it in a different way,” persisted the
-solicitor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, how does y’all do?” asked Uncle Ned.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then the solicitor went over the details of the
-Workingmen’s Industrial Aid Insurance Company
-with his accustomed rapidity, telling about the
-initiation fees, monthly premiums, accident benefits,
-sick benefits, etc., etc., laying much stress
-especially upon the “endowment fund” that
-would be paid upon the death of the insured.
-When he had finished the elaborate narrative
-Uncle Ned, who had given the most earnest attention
-to the speaker, inquired:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Boss, who you say de money goes to w’en I
-dies?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To your wife,” answered the solicitor, “or
-your children, or anybody you might name.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>“Well, Boss,” said the old man, “lemme ax you
-one question: Don’t you think dat would he’p de
-uddah fellah mo’n hit would me?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What other fellow?” asked Mr. Tanksley.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“My ole ’oman’s secon’ husban’,” replied Ned;
-“you know des ez good ez I does dat ef I wuz to
-die an’ leave my ole ’oman two hundred or three
-hundred dollars, dah’d be some cullud gent’man
-done changed her name ’fo’ ole Ned got cole in de
-groun’.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Uncle Ned’s originality made it very hard for
-Turner Tanksley to suppress a smile. Without
-giving the solicitor a chance to speak, Uncle Ned
-continued:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“An’ dah’s anuddah way to look at hit. Wimmins
-is mighty cu’ious. Yas, sah; wimmins is
-mighty cu’ious. Ef I wuz to go into dis thing
-you’s tellin’ me ’bout, I dasn’t let Dinah know hit.
-White man, you don’t know—no, sah, you don’t
-know. Ef dat ’oman knowed she’d git all dat
-money w’en I died, she would sho put a spidah
-in my dumplin’—she sho would, an’ fuss thing I
-know I’d wake up some mawnin’ an’ fine myse’f
-dead, an’ all on account uv dis thing dat you calls
-’showance. No, sah, I don’t want nothin’ to do
-wid hit. De Baptis’ church is good ’nuff fer me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When the solicitor turned the corner he heard
-Uncle Ned singing some kind of religious song
-with the following refrain:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“I’m Baptis’ bred, an’ Baptis’ bo’n.</div>
-      <div class='line'>An’ w’en I die, dah’s a Baptis’ gone.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XI.<br /> <span class='large'>THE STRENUOUS LIFE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>They were having a rough-and-tumble time of it
-and Pansy was getting some pretty hard blows.
-She took them all good-naturedly, nevertheless,
-and tried to give as good as she received, much to
-the delight of her little boy friends. A lady who
-was standing near, afraid for the little girl, chided
-the boys and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You shouldn’t handle Pansy so roughly—you
-might hurt her.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And then Pansy looked up in sweet surprise and
-said with amusing seriousness:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No; they won’t hurt me. I don’t break easy.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It was a thoroughly childlike expression, but it
-had more wisdom in it than Pansy knew. She
-spoke out of a little girl’s experience with dolls,
-some of which, as she had learned, broke very easily.
-Pansy knew how delightful it was to have a
-doll that didn’t break so easily. Though she was
-not a homely girl by any means, and though she
-was not a wicked little girl, yet she wanted it understood
-that she was not like a piece of china.
-That was why the other children liked her so
-much—because she knew how to rough it without
-crying or complaining at every turn. Pansy was
-not a cry-baby.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>
-<img src='images/i_062.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>“I Don’t Break Easy.”</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>There is all the time, my dear boys and girls,
-a great demand everywhere all through life for
-people who don’t break easily—people who know
-how to take hard knocks without going all to
-pieces. The game of life is sometimes rough, even
-among those who mean to play fair. It is very
-trying when we have to deal with people who
-break easily, and are always getting hurt and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>spoiling the game with their tears and complaints.
-It is so much better when we have to deal with
-people who, like little Pansy, do not break easily.
-Some of them will laugh off the hardest words
-without wincing at all. You can jostle them as
-you will, but they don’t fall down every time you
-shove them, and they don’t cry every time they
-are pushed aside. You can’t but like them, they
-take life so heartily and so sensibly. You don’t
-have to hold yourself in with them all the time.
-You can let yourself out freely without being on
-pins as to the result. Young people of this class
-make good playmates or good work-fellows, as the
-case may be.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>So, boys and girls, you must learn to rough it
-a little. Don’t be a china doll, going to smash at
-every hard knock. If you get hard blows take
-them cheerily and as easily as you can. Even if
-some blow comes when you least expect it, and
-knocks you off your feet for a minute, don’t let it
-floor you long. Everybody likes the fellow who
-can get up when he is knocked down and blink the
-tears away and pitch in again. Learning to get
-yourself accustomed to a little hard treatment will
-be good for you. Hard words and hard fortune
-often make us—if we don’t let them break us.
-Stand up to your work or play courageously, and
-when you hear words that hurt, when you are hit
-hard with the blunders or misdeeds of others,
-when life goes roughly with you, keep right on in
-a happy, companionable, courageous, helpful
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>spirit, and let the world know that you don’t
-break easily.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XII.<br /> <span class='large'>A HUMBUG.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>A boy or girl who is pleasant and agreeable
-everywhere except at home is a humbug. I know
-one boy who is a good deal of a humbug, although
-you would never think so if you were to see him in
-any place outside of his home. He is good-looking,
-neat and tidy, and carries himself like a little man.
-I do not know of a boy who can tip his hat more
-gracefully to a lady, or who can say, “I beg your
-pardon,” or “excuse me, please,” more pleasantly
-than he can. But, for all that, he is a humbug.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I visited his home the other day. I heard his
-mother speak to him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Alexander,” she said.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, what do you want?” he asked in a voice
-which plainly indicated his displeasure.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I want you to do something for me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, you are always wanting me to do something
-just when I want to be doing something
-else,” said Alexander, and this time he was whining.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In departing on his errand Alexander accidentally
-ran against his little sister in the hall. I expected
-to hear him say, “I beg your pardon” in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>the pleasant way that I knew he could say it, but
-he snapped out instead:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, get out of the way, can’t you?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_065.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>“Oh, get out of the way, can’t you?”</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>When he returned from the postoffice Alexander’s
-mother was out in the yard trimming the
-flowers. While Alexander was reporting to her,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>she happened to drop her scissors. I expected to
-see her polite and dutiful son pick them up, as he
-was close by when the scissors fell; but the boy
-paid no attention to the scissors. When his mother
-said: “Please pick up my scissors for me, Alexander,”
-he said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What did you drop ’em for?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I spent the best part of one whole day at Alexander’s
-home, and never once during all that day
-did I hear him speak politely to his mother or
-sisters, nor did he observe the ordinary rules of
-courtesy and good behavior in their presence. He
-was continually grumbling and complaining and
-finding fault. So I think I have a right to say
-that this boy is a good deal of a humbug. Any
-boy is a humbug who is polite and gracious to
-others and in every way discourteous and disagreeable
-at home. Don’t you think so, too?</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM.<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c017'><sup>[3]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>At the close of the regular prayer-meeting service
-the pastor of the New Mount Zion Colored Baptist
-Church, according to custom, stepped to the
-front of the platform and inquired:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Is dar anybody present to-night who would like
-to jine dis church? Ef so, please stan’ up.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>Whereupon a little girl, apparently fourteen or
-fifteen years old, stood. The parson said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Take yo’ seat. Dah’s one; de church will set
-togeddah atter dismission an’ hyeah f’um dis little
-lamb.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The benediction having been pronounced, all
-the sinners were asked to leave the room. Only
-church members are allowed to remain for these
-“after meetings.” When the room was cleared
-of all “the goats” a pompous-looking individual,
-perhaps a deacon of the church, arose and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bruddah Pastur, de house is in ordah an’
-ready fur business.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The pastor then asked the little girl who was
-seeking admission to come forward. She gave her
-name to a one-eyed man seated at a table in front,
-who, after a laborious effort, passed it up on a
-piece of paper to the preacher. The preacher, readjusting
-his brass-rimmed spectacles, looked at
-the piece of paper for a long while, and then raised
-his head and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bruddahs an’ sistahs, dis is little Queen Victoria
-Davis, who comes to tell us what de Lawd
-has done fur her soul.” Then, turning to the girl,
-he said: “My daughtah, we wants you to tell us
-what fuss started you to prayin’, and how you
-foun’ de Lawd, an’ so on an’ so fo’th. Speak loud
-so all kin hyeah.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The little girl began as follows:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, bruddahs and sistahs, what fuss started
-me to prayin’ was dat I knowed dat I had a soul
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>to save, an’ ef I didn’t git religion hell would sho
-be my home.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“True! True!” exclaimed a number of men
-and women in chorus.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“An’ den,” continued Queen Victoria, “I wanted
-to start to servin’ de Lawd while I was young:
-I wanted to give Him my bes’ days.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Amen,” said one old brother.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” asked the pastor, “how did you feel
-while you was seekin’ de Lawd?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The girl hesitated a moment, evidently in doubt
-as to the exact purport of the question. Finally
-she said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I felt like I wanted to be saved.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>This answer not exactly suiting the parson, he
-put the question in a different way. Said he:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Did you feel light er did you feel heavy while
-you was a-prayin’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I felt both,” said the little girl in unaffected
-innocence. Funereal groans of pity swept through
-the congregation. The preacher tried again. This
-time he asked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Did you feel light de mos’ er did you feel
-heavy de mos’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When Queen Victoria responded, “I felt heavy
-de mos’,” a wave of approval greeted the remark.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“W’en did dat heavy load leave you?” asked
-the parson.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Las’ Friday night,” said Queen Victoria;
-“las’ Friday night. I kep’ on a-prayin’ an’
-a-prayin’, an’ I didn’t feel no bettah untell I made
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>up my min’ dat I was a-gwine tah fin’ de Lawd er
-die a-tryin’. An’ las’ Friday night de Sperrit met
-me an’ spoke peace to my soul. I hyeahed a little
-voice, but I saw no man, an’ de little voice said to
-me, ‘Go in peace an’ sin no mo’: yo’ sins is furgiven
-an’ yo’ soul sot free’.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At this everybody shouted assent. “Glory! Hallelujah!”
-exclaimed an elderly sister.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Now, my daughtah,” said the preacher, “how
-did you feel atter dat?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I felt light ez a feathah,” said the child. There
-was another shout of approval, Queen Victoria
-having hit upon the regulation answer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Ef you was to die now, whar would you go?”
-inquired the examiner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To heaven,” was the reply.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Ef you had ’a’ died in yo’ sins, whar would
-you ’a’ went?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I would ’a’ went to hell,” said the girl.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Would Gawd ’a’ been jest in sendin’ you to
-hell?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, sah!” exclaimed the applicant. Many of
-the hearers laughed. The preacher raised his
-hand and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Don’t laff; don’t laff; de chile is young yit,
-an’ she’s got to learn.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then by a series of leading questions, mainly
-concerning parental government, the old pastor
-brought the child around to the point where she
-saw, or where she was willing to say that she saw,
-that it was just for God to send people to hell.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>“Do you want to jine dis church?” continued
-the questioner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sah,” said the applicant.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dis is a Baptis’ church, you know,” explained
-the pastor; “we baptize hyeah by putting people
-deep down undah de watah. Ain’t you sheered uv
-cole watah in de wintah time?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Watah can’t git too cole fur me,” said the little
-girl, “I got de grace uv Gawd in my heart.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The people fairly whooped at this (as in their
-superstition they supposed) supreme manifestation
-of faith.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The pastor then turned to the congregation and
-said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Is dah any uddah questions?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>An old brother near the stove arose and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bruddah Pastur, I ain’t hyeahed de chile say
-whar she was at w’en de change took place.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Queen Victoria responded:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I was at de Bridge Street church las’ Friday
-night.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The old brother nodded, as if completely satisfied
-with the answer. Then he asked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How long is you willin’ to trus’ dis hope?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Tell I dies,” said the applicant. Down sat the
-questioner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Any mo’ questions?” asked the pastor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A sister stood.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Honey,” she said, “is you got any parrunts
-livin’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yas’m,” was the reply; “my ma an’ my pa is
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>both livin’, an’ dey’s both out in de ole fiel’ uv
-sin.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Lawd ’a’ mussy!” exclaimed several of the
-hearers. The sister who asked the question sat
-bathed in tears.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A brother in the rear arose and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I has a question dat I wants to ax: I wants
-to know, daughtah, ef you was convertid at de
-Bridge Street church, huccom you wants to jine
-dis church?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“De Speerit sent me to dis church,” exultantly
-exclaimed the girl.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Glory to Gawd!” said the pastor. “Bless de
-Lamb!” exclaimed someone else. “Honah! Honah!
-Honah!” hallooed many others, and there was a
-general shout.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The examination ended, two sisters came forward
-and took Queen Victoria into the anteroom.
-When the applicant had been carried out a brother
-arose, the same pompous individual who had originally
-announced the house in “ordah an’ ready
-fur business.” Clearing his throat, he said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bruddah Pastur, I sho b’lieves dis is de works
-uv grace.” There was a loud chorus of “Amens.”
-“An’ I motions,” continued the speaker, “ef I kin
-git a secon’, dat she be ’ceptid ez er candidate fur
-baptism, an’ on baptism ’come a full membah uv
-dis church.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Secon’ de motion!” “Secon’ de motion!” exclaimed
-several at one and the same time.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The motion was put and carried. Queen Victoria
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>was brought in once more. The pastor informed
-her of the unanimous vote of the church, and instructed
-her to be ready for baptism the following
-Sunday night. Then the meeting adjourned,
-the members singing as they dispersed:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Ole sheep, you know de road,</div>
-      <div class='line'>Ole sheep, you know de road,</div>
-      <div class='line'>Ole sheep, you know de road,</div>
-      <div class='line'>Young lambs mus’ learn de way.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XIV.<br /> <span class='large'>GOING WITH THE CROWD.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>“But all the girls went, mother. I didn’t like
-to be the only one left out. Besides, when I said I
-wouldn’t go they all laughed at me and said that
-I was a coward.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It was Wednesday morning, before school time,
-and Anna was dreading to go back to school—dreading
-to meet her teacher. The day before a
-circus had been in town. At recess, while the
-children were on the playground, they heard the
-noise of the band, and one of the girls said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Let’s go and see the parade.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“All right,” said Anna. “I’ll go and ask the
-teacher if we may.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No; don’t ask her—she might say no. We can
-get back before the bell rings, and she will never
-know that we left the grounds.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>Anna and one or two other girls held back. They
-all knew that it was against the rules to go off the
-playground at recess without permission.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, come on! Come on!” insisted one of the
-girls. “You’re afraid; you’re afraid! Come on!
-Don’t be such a coward; all the rest are going.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And so Anna went.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When the girls saw the parade pass one point
-they wanted to see it once more, and away they
-went through the cross street to get to another
-corner ahead of the procession. School was forgotten;
-and when they did remember, recess time
-was long past and it was too late to go back.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The next morning, as Anna stood in the kitchen
-talking it over with her mother, her little heart
-was very heavy. She knew she had done wrong;
-she dreaded to go to school; and she was very
-unhappy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Perhaps,” said her mother, “if you had been
-brave about not going, the other girls would have
-stayed on the school grounds too. Or, if you had
-asked the teacher, I think she would have let you
-all go. But whether she did or not, it is never safe
-to do a thing just because ‘all the rest do it.’ Going
-with the crowd is not a good plan unless you
-are sure that the crowd is going in the right direction.
-The only wise thing for you to do is to be
-sure you are right, and then stick to it and never
-mind what the crowd does.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I didn’t mean to do wrong,” said Anna, as the
-tears started in her eyes.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id004'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>
-<img src='images/i_074.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Mother, I’m so Happy. Teacher Forgave Me.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>“I know that, my dear,” said her mother, “but
-you were more afraid of being teased than you
-were of doing wrong. I hope you will remember
-from this day forward that the brave girl is not
-the girl who dares to do wrong, but the brave girl
-is the one who does what she knows to be right,
-in spite of the taunts and jeers of her playmates.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What shall I tell my teacher?” asked Anna in
-a low voice, as she dropped her head.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh,” said her mother, kissing her, “you go
-right straight to your teacher and tell her that
-you have done wrong, and that you are sorry for
-it. Ask her to let you say so to the whole school.
-Be sure to beg her pardon, and promise not to do
-so again.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Little Anna did as her mother told her. That
-afternoon, when she came back from school, she
-ran into her mother’s arms and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mother, I’m so happy. Teacher forgave me,
-and I mean to be good.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And the smile on Anna’s face spoke plainly of a
-happy heart.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XV.<br /> <span class='large'>MARY AND HER DOLLS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>
-<img src='images/i_076.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Mary and Her Dolls.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Was there ever a time when the first doll was
-born? Was there ever a time when little boys
-and girls, especially little girls, did not love dolls
-and did not have something of that nature to play
-with? It would appear that dolls, or playthings
-somewhat like unto dolls, are as old as babies
-themselves—that is to say, boys and girls, that
-ever since there have been little children in the
-world there have been little things for them to
-play with. And I never saw a sane person in my
-life who regrets that it is so. It is not only amusing,
-it is inspiring to see the little children making
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>merry with their dolls and their toy animals and
-their little express wagons and their wooden guns
-and their toy steam engines and their whistles and
-their balloons and their brownies and their jumping-jacks
-and their hobby-horses and a hundred
-and one other things.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mary had put away her dolls for the night and
-was cleaning the doll house when papa came in.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How many doll babies have you now, Mary?”
-he asked.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I have five dolls now, papa,” said Mary, “but
-only one is a baby—that is little Flossie. Robbie
-and Nell are three years old now; Mattie is two
-and Jerusha is one year old. Flossie is now the
-only little baby.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The Rev. Dr. Smithson smiled.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” he said after a time, “five dolls make
-a big family, I think.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I don’t,” said Mary quickly. “Rolla Mays
-has thirteen girls and two boys in her doll family,
-and I haven’t but five in all!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I shouldn’t think,” said Dr. Smithson, “that
-Rolla would know what to do with so many.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why, papa, of course she does!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mary,” said Dr. Smithson, looking thoughtfully
-at his little daughter, “I have a little girl in
-my Sunday school class who hasn’t a single doll.
-I thought you might like to give her one of yours.
-You could spare one—couldn’t you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, papa, I couldn’t—not a one,” exclaimed
-Mary.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“Not one—when this poor little girl hasn’t
-any?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, papa, I love my dolls so—how can I give
-them away?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You’d have four left—wouldn’t that be
-enough?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mary thought a long while before speaking. She
-looked distressed.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Papa,” she said at last, “Mrs. Grant was over
-here the other day, and she said that she wished
-you and mamma would give me to her because she
-didn’t have any little girl of her own. You’ve got
-five children yourself, papa—but would you give
-any of ’em away just because you would have four
-left?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Dr. Smithson took his little daughter in his
-arms and kissed her.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, dear,” he said; “papa wouldn’t give any
-one of his children away. You may keep all of
-your dollies, and we’ll think of some other way
-to help poor little Hattie.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The next morning Mary said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Papa, I have thought it all out for Hattie.
-You know I have been saving up a little money
-to buy me a little iron bank—but I can wait for
-that. I have saved up fifty cents—don’t you think
-that will be enough to buy a nice little dolly for
-Hattie, and let me keep my babies?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Dr. Smithson knew that Mary had long been
-planning for the bank. So he asked:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>“Are you quite sure that you want to spend
-your money in this way?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, papa, I’m very sure,” said Mary with a
-smile, though there was a hint of sadness in her
-eyes.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Dr. Smithson and Mary bought Hattie a pretty
-doll. Hattie was overjoyed when she saw it. Mary
-went back home, glad that her papa had understood
-how she loved her dolls, and glad to find
-that not one of her beloved children was missing.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XVI.<br /> <span class='large'>JAKY TOLBERT’S PLAYMATES.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>“Well, Johnnie, where are you going this morning?”
-asked Mrs. Jones as her little boy started
-towards the gate.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m goin’ over to Jaky’s, mamma; you know
-I must go over to Jaky’s every day.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What do you find at Jaky’s to make you so
-anxious to go over there every day almost before
-you are out of bed good?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, mamma, Jaky has the nicest playmates
-over to his house you ’most ever saw.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Who else goes over to Jaky’s besides you?”
-asked Mrs. Jones.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Jaky don’t have no reg’lar visitor but me,”
-said Johnnie proudly. “Me an’ Jaky is the whole
-thing.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>“Well, you are saying a good deal for yourself
-when you say that Jaky has the nicest playmates
-in the world—don’t you think so?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_080.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>I’m Going Over to Jaky’s, Mamma.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I didn’t mean me,” explained Johnnie.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>“Jaky’s playmates ain’t folks at all. Jaky’s playmates
-is animals—just animals, but I do believe
-that they have got as much sense as some folks I
-know.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What kind of animals?” asked Mrs. Jones, becoming
-interested.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then Johnnie went on to explain. He said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Jaky’s got chickens and dogs and cats and
-birds. He’s got names for all of ’em, and they
-all know their names and they just run to Jaky
-when he calls them. The chickens and birds, too,
-will just walk right up and eat out of Jaky’s hand.
-And his trained dogs and cats are just the funniest
-things I ever saw. His little dog, Trip, can carry
-a gun and obey the commands, “Carry arms!”
-“Present arms!” “Parade rest!” just like a little
-soldier. One time at a fair he saw trained dogs
-and horses, elephants, and even lions. Then he
-decided that he would train some animals himself.
-And, mamma, he has done well. Why, he’s got a
-cat that can spell some words. Jaky printed some
-letters of the alphabet on separate cards, and he’s
-got a cat that will pick out the right ones every
-time. One of his little dogs can play the fiddle.
-It may seem strange, but he certainly can do it.
-He can hold the fiddle, and draw the bow across it
-just the right way, and he can play a little tune.
-Jaky calls it a dog tune, and I think he ought to
-know.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You just ought to see Jaky’s chickens—he’s
-got six of ’em. He calls them and they all come
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>running. Then he holds out his arm, and calls
-them by name, and they will jump up on his little
-arm, one after the other, and will sit there until
-Jaky tells them to jump down. And Jaky is so
-kind to his two birds that they won’t fly away
-when he lets them out of their cages for a little
-while. He can take them up in his arms and pat
-them gently, and then he puts them down, and
-they will lie still right by Jaky until Jaky calls
-them by name and tells them to go into the house—that
-is, I mean, into their cages.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“By the way, mama, I forgot to tell you. Jaky
-is getting up an animal show, and he says
-that I am to be his manager. He’s going to print
-the cards to-day. He’s going to call his circus,
-“JAKY TOLBERT’S GREAT ANIMAL SHOW—THE
-GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH,” and
-he’s going to make me the manager of his circus.
-Won’t that be fine? You’ll come and see it—won’t
-you? We’re going to charge only one cent
-for you to come in. Oh, it’s going to be great,
-and I don’t want you to miss it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To be sure, I’ll come,” said Mrs. Jones. “Tell
-Jaky I’m glad to hear about how much he loves
-the dumb animals—every manly boy ought to
-love and protect them.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I tell you,” said Johnnie, as he hurried out of
-the gate, “Jaky will fight anybody who hallooes
-at one of his pets or mistreats one in the least.
-He’s just as kind to them as he can be. Don’t
-you forget the show. It’ll come off next week.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XVII.<br /> <span class='large'>A VALENTINE PARTY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>It was one week from St. Valentine’s Day, and
-the Berry children had already provided a number
-of the tokens, comic and otherwise, which
-they meant to send to their friends. Jack produced
-a grotesque and awfully exaggerated caricature
-of a withered, stoop-shouldered old woman,
-with some cruel lines of doggerel printed beneath
-it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m going to send this to old Mrs. Gray,” said
-Jack, as he exhibited the comic picture.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Nearly all the children laughed, and said that
-the picture and the words beneath it would just
-suit the old woman. Mrs. Gray was an old and
-poverty-stricken  widow woman, and many of the
-children of the little village took delight in playing
-tricks on her on Hallowe’en and Valentine
-nights. In this way, the children, especially the
-boys, had made her life so miserable that the old
-woman often said that she hated even the sight of
-a boy. In the midst of the merriment over the proposed
-venture of Jack Berry, it was Lillie Berry
-who spoke up, saying,——</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id004'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>
-<img src='images/i_084.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Old Mrs. Gray.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>“Jack, I tell you what I think. I think we
-ought to give Mrs. Gray a genuine surprise next
-week. She has had so many ups and downs in this
-life, I really believe that we can give her a little
-pleasure if we give her a true—true surprise. Of
-course, all the boys and girls will be invited to
-join in, but it is not going to be like a regular
-party, but something like the ‘surprise’ parties
-or donation parties that we sometimes give the
-preacher; we’ll just put the things on the doorstep
-and run, the way we do with valentines, you
-know. What do you say to that, Jack? And what
-do the rest of you think?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Very quickly the Berry children agreed with
-what Lillie had said, and immediately they set
-about planning for the valentine party.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The night of February fourteenth was clear,
-cold and moonless. Across the fields in the darkness,
-a throng of merry young children, with a
-wagon or two (little goat wagons) piled high with
-baskets and bundles and wood, slipped silently
-toward the little house where old Mrs. Gray sat
-shivering over her scanty fire. A sudden knock
-at the door aroused Mrs. Gray from her musing.
-She hobbled painfully to the door. Opening it,
-she saw by the light of the tallow candle a basket
-of rosy apples and another of potatoes. Nothing
-else was in sight.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A second knock followed almost as soon as the
-door had closed on the two baskets which were
-hurriedly drawn inside. This time a can of kerosene
-oil held a lonely vigil on the doorstep.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I haven’t had a drop in my lamp for two
-weeks,” Jack heard the old lady say, as she peered
-out eagerly into the darkness before closing the
-door.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>As she was busy filling her lamp, she was interrupted
-by a third knock, which resulted in a
-basket filled with groceries in parcels in all shapes
-and sizes. Great tears stood in Mrs. Gray’s eyes,
-and a great lump arose in her throat.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At last knock number four revealed the real
-Saint Valentine—a group of laughing boys and
-girls, every one of whom carried an armful either
-of pine or oak wood for the stove.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Where shall we put it?” asked Jack Berry,
-as eager now to help as he had been the week
-before to tease. Mrs. Gray was rubbing her eyes,
-and wondering if she could possibly be awake and
-in her right mind.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Wish you many happy returns of Valentine’s
-Day!” said Lillie Berry, as she slipped into the
-withered hand a small purse containing the valentine
-money of the boys and girls; and before the
-bewildered woman could say more than a fervent
-“God bless you,” her guests had melted away in
-the darkness, and she was left to weep tears of
-thankfulness among her new possessions.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>“NO MONEY DOWN.”</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls, I suppose you are quite familiar
-with what is known as buying things on the instalment
-plan. You have seen people in your own
-neighborhood—perhaps in your own homes—buy
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>things that way. Chairs, tables, bed-steads, rugs,
-pictures, things for the kitchen and things to
-wear, and many other things are bought that way.
-Most people think they are getting a great bargain
-when they are able to buy things by paying
-a small amount in cash as the first payment—say
-fifty cents or a dollar—and then pay the balance
-in small weekly or monthly payments. And especially
-do some of our mothers and fathers think
-that they are getting a great bargain, if they are
-able to buy things they want for “no money
-down” and so much a week. In such matters, my
-dear boys and girls, your parents are making a
-terrible mistake and are setting you a wrong
-example. They lose sight of the fact, when they
-fall into the habit of buying anything and everything
-on the instalment plan or on the “no money
-down” plan, that a day of reckoning is sure to
-come; that the time comes when they must pay for
-everything that they have been led into buying.
-Thoughtful people—wise people—prefer to pay
-“money down” when they buy anything; and
-this habit of paying as they go helps them in at
-least two ways. First, it saves money in their
-pockets, and, secondly, it keeps them from running
-in debt.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Children, these men who come to your homes
-with great packs on their backs always charge
-you double for whatever they may sell you on the
-“no money down” plan—no matter what it is!
-That is why they are willing to make the terms so
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>“easy,” as they say. In the end they profit by
-their schemes, and nobody else does profit by their
-schemes except these peddlers. You ought to
-avoid them as you would a wild beast. You do
-not know now, boys and girls, what a terrible
-thing debt is. I honestly hope that you may never
-know, and if you will take the advice of older and
-wiser persons I am sure you will always be free
-from the bondage of debt.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Not long ago, I saw two women standing at the
-window of one of these “no money down” or
-“hand-me-down” stores. One said to the other—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I just believe I’ll get me a new cloak this winter.
-My cloak didn’t cost but three dollars, and
-it is so old and shabby that I am ashamed to wear
-it in the street. Look at that beauty over there in
-the corner. Only ten dollars and ‘no money
-down’.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes;” said her companion, “but I guess the
-money will have to come down sometime.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, of course; but, you know, I won’t have to
-pay it all at once. I could probably get it for fifty
-cents a week.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, why don’t you just save the fifty cents a
-week until you have enough to pay ‘cash down’ for
-the cloak, and in that way you would save, I am
-sure, three or four dollars; because you can buy
-that same cloak for six dollars or seven dollars in
-cash.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh,” said the woman, “I’d never save it as I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>would if I had the cloak and knew that I just had
-to pay for it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But, Delia, the cloak would not really be yours
-until you had paid for it, and I would feel kind of
-cheap wearing a cloak that didn’t belong to me.
-If I were you I would stick to the old cloak until
-I could pay the money down for a new one. That’s
-what I would do.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And that is exactly what anybody should do
-who wants a new cloak. It is what people should
-do, no matter what they want. I know a boy
-fifteen or sixteen years old who had the courage
-and the manliness and the honesty to wear a very
-shabby old overcoat all of last winter rather than
-buy one on the “no money down” plan. It is his
-plan always to “pay as he goes,” and be debtor
-to no one.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I heard the other day of a young fellow who
-goes two or three blocks out of his way to avoid
-passing certain stores because he owes the proprietors
-of those stores money that he cannot pay.
-That boy, I know, is miserable night and day.
-Mr. Longfellow, in his “The Village Blacksmith,”
-tells us that the honest old blacksmith could look
-“the whole world in the face,” because he did not
-owe anybody anything—he was out of debt. And
-boys and girls, if you are level-headed, you will
-fight shy of the “no money down” plan. By
-choosing the “money down” plan, you will save
-your self-respect and your good name.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XIX.<br /> <span class='large'>TOMMY’S BABY BROTHER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>For several months Deacon Tadpole’s little son,
-Tommy, had made constant and repeated reference
-to the fact that he had no little baby brother or
-sister to play with. One day, when he was feeling
-unusually sad over his misfortune, he said to his
-father,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Papa, I ain’t got no little baby brother to play
-with—you might at least buy me a little pony.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Papa can’t buy a pony, son;” said the deacon.
-“A pony costs too much. I thought you wanted
-a little brother or sister.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I do,” said Tommy, “but if I can’t get what I
-want I’m willing to take what I can get.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But, you would rather have a little brother
-than a pony, wouldn’t you?” asked Mr. Tadpole.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Tommy thought awhile and then said he
-thought he would rather have a little baby brother
-than to have a pony.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You see,” he said, “it costs so much to keep
-a pony, and we would have to build a stable for
-him, wouldn’t we, papa?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes,” answered his father, “and we haven’t
-got any room in the backyard for a stable.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“And we’d have to buy hay, too,” said the
-child.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes,” said his father.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, I’d rather have the little brother.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>
-<img src='images/i_091.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Papa, I Aint Got No Little Baby Brother to Play with.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>So the matter was left in abeyance until a month
-ago when little Tommy was told one morning that
-a little brother had come to him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He was delighted. He danced around in the hall
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>and made such a racket on the stairs that the
-nurse threatened to have him sent away. When
-he was permitted to see the baby, Tommy went
-into ecstasies. He asked a thousand questions
-about the little one, and was very anxious to know
-why God had taken so long to send him down
-from heaven. He wanted to kiss the baby, and
-cried because they wouldn’t let him hold it in his
-arms.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But Tommy’s enthusiasm for the new baby
-began to wear off in about a week’s time. It was
-always, “Sh-sh! Sh-sh! You’ll wake the baby,”
-or “Tommy, you must be more quiet!” or “You
-can’t come in this room, now!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In fact the little baby brother seemed to be interfering
-with little Tommy’s fun to such an
-extent that he decided to go to his father and see
-if some new arrangement could not be made.
-Tommy found his father in the library. He ran to
-Deacon Tadpole and climbed upon his knee, and
-said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Papa, I don’t believe I want my little brother
-any more. I can’t have any fun with him. I’ll
-tell you what let’s do. Let’s trade him for a
-pony.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, we couldn’t do that,” said the deacon.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Tommy was silent for a time. Then he said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, I don’t suppose we could find anybody
-that would want to trade a pony for him, but don’t
-you think you could trade him for a goat?”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XX.<br /> <span class='large'>KEEPING SCHOOL.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Every boy and girl in America ought to go to
-school. The public school is one of the best institutions
-connected with the life of our nation. But
-did you ever hear of a little girl who went to
-school to herself? I have, and I want to tell you
-about it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>We will call her Tootsie.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was no school house, and no teachers;
-nothing only just little Tootsie; not even her dolls;
-just simply Tootsie sitting all alone on the couch
-near the window. That was all there was to this
-little school, so far as anybody could see.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But Tootsie said she had a large school, with
-some sixty pupils. Sometimes she would say that
-her scholars had been naughty and that they
-would have to stay in at recess; and then again
-she would say that they had been promoted to a
-higher grade; she often talked to her pupils as if
-they were real live people, telling them how they
-should stand and how they should sit and giving
-them permission to be excused, and so on. So you
-see it seemed in Tootsie’s mind very much more
-like a real school than it could to us.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>
-<img src='images/i_094.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Tootsie.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Every morning, when Tootsie’s sister would
-start for school, Tootsie would watch her until
-she was out of sight, and then she would go and
-sit down on the couch. Not having a true-true
-school book, she would take her Christmas story
-books. At first she would only look at the pictures
-and try to think what the story about them
-must be. Then she would ask mama or grandma,
-or whoever happened to be nearest, what the
-words of the picture-story were. She would then
-say the words of the story over to herself, and look
-at the picture. Next day she would read over the
-words of the same story as far as she could remember
-them, and when she came to a word that she
-did not know, up she would jump and go and ask
-some one what it was. When she had learned a
-story herself, she would then talk to her sixty
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>imaginary scholars about it, showing them the
-picture and explaining the story to them just as
-though the children were all there before her in
-her little school room.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In this way Tootsie went through one after
-another of her story books, picking out the stories
-that had pleasing pictures.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But the nice thing of it all was that Tootsie was
-really learning to read, and she did get so that she
-read real well; for she knew just what she was
-reading about, and often, when she would find a
-story that was funny, she would laugh right out
-even if she was at school, and then she would find
-mama or grandma and read the funny part to
-them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Maybe one reason why Tootsie learned so fast
-was because her school was just like play to her
-and not like work. Of course, it is easier to play
-than it is to work. But could you think of any
-better thing to play than to play keeping school?
-Why not try it? It helped Tootsie wonderfully,
-and I believe it would help many other boys and
-girls. What do you think about it?</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXI.<br /> <span class='large'>THE SCHOOL OF THE STREET.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Little Joe, ten years old, had followed his business
-as a newsboy and bootblack in Smutville for
-three or four years, and, of course, had turned out
-to be a first-class little citizen of the street. He
-could curse and swear, and drink and smoke, just
-the same as any old hardened sinner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>One day, after Joe had finished one of his daily
-fights with some other small boy, a kind-hearted
-gentleman stepped up to him and said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“My little man, do you go to school?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Nope,” said Joe.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you go to Sunday-school?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Nope.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said the gentleman, “what do you
-expect to do when you are grown?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I ain’t going to wait till I’m grown—I’m
-going to be a jockey; that’s what I’m going to
-be.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How would you like to be bank cashier or
-president of a great bank? Wouldn’t you like
-that better?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yep,” said the boy, “but a poor boy can’t get
-no job like that—now you know he couldn’t.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes; he could if he were to prepare himself
-for it. But a poor boy, and no other boy, will ever
-be a great business man if he is going to live forever
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>in the street—cursing
-and swearing
-and fighting and, it
-may be, stealing, and
-having no higher ambition
-than to be a
-jockey.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figright id005'>
-<img src='images/i_097.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Little Joe.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Are you a parson?”
-asked the boy,
-becoming interested.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, but I am interested
-in little boys.
-I am the secretary of
-the Young Men’s
-Christian Association
-and we have a boys’ department. I want you to
-join it. I have found out about your habits and
-your surroundings; I was told of the death of
-your mother and father; and I made up my mind
-to come and ask you to come over to the Young
-Men’s Christian Association and live with us.
-You may continue to sell your papers and black
-boots, but, you see, living with us, you can go to
-school at night, and some day you will have a good
-education—and you might be a bank cashier.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Little Joe took this good man’s advice and went
-to live in the Y. M. C. A. building. He did not
-turn out to be a bank cashier or president, but
-what was better, Joe turned out to be a General
-Secretary of one of the largest Y. M. C. A.’s among
-the colored people of this country, and in that way
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>has been instrumental in saving a great many
-other boys from the gutter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But Joe would never have amounted to anything
-if he had not been taken away from the wicked
-influences of the street, and placed on the road to
-higher things. The worst school in this world
-that any boy can go to is the school of the street.
-The school of the street turns out the most impure,
-the most dishonest and the most illiterate boys,
-and those boys and girls who ever rise to be anything
-or anybody in the world are the ones who
-leave the influences of the street in due time, as
-Little Joe did. The street offers most of its work
-and most of its attractions at night, as many boys
-can tell. The life of the street leads to no career
-that is worth following. The good careers are made
-by those whom the street has not had a chance to
-spoil, or by those who are taken out of the streets
-before they become hopeless cases.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There is no greater error than the common
-notion that it is a good thing to let a boy run the
-streets and become “hard” and “tough” and
-“have his wits sharpened” and make “a little
-man” of himself, as some foolish people say. A
-boy learns more downright mischief in one night
-in the street than he can unlearn in the home in six
-months. And so, what will the teaching of the
-home, the public school and the Sunday-school
-amount to, if we are going to give our boys in
-their young and tender years the freedom of the
-streets? If now and then a street boy—that is to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>say, a boy hardened in the ways of the street—does
-get a good place, in most cases he will lose it
-and fall back to the old, free life of the gutter.
-The boys who succeed are the boys who get away
-from, or who are taken away from, the influences
-of the street and who are surrounded by better
-and more wholesome influences. Those who remain
-under the influences of the street become in
-the course of time members of the great army of
-beggars, tramps and criminals. It is a great pity
-that there should be so many stories going the
-rounds which tell about newsboys and messenger
-boys and so on rising to be bank clerks and telegraph-operators
-and so forth. On the whole, these
-stories are misleading, and for the reason that
-they seem to give the impression to many innocent
-boys and to many thoughtless parents that the
-surest way to give a boy a good start in life is to
-send him out into the streets to “rough it” and
-fight his way to the front over beer bottles, games
-of chance, the race-track, and the pool room, to
-the accompaniment of vulgar jokes, profane
-swearing and evil associates. I repeat: The school
-of the street is the worst school in the world, and
-the sooner boys get out of it the better it will be
-for them.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE FOX HUNT.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Uncle Hambright used to pride himself upon his
-ability to invent amusing games for the children.
-Sometimes he found it hard to think of anything
-new, but the demands of the children were so
-insistent and his desire to please them always was
-so intense that it often happened that Uncle Hambright
-could almost make a way out of no way.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Dinner-time was fast approaching. All the
-morning, the half-dozen little children, who were
-spending the day with Uncle Hambright at the
-Sunday-school picnic, had been playing every conceivable
-sort of game and had been enjoying every
-imaginable kind of story told in Uncle Ham’s
-inimitable way,—but still the children were not
-satisfied. “Just one more story,” or “Just one
-more game,” or “Give us your best game now for
-the last before dinner,”—the children clamored
-one after another.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Very well,” said Uncle Ham. “You all wait
-until I come back, and then we’ll play fox-hunting.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Uncle Ham went and told his sister and her
-husband, the parents of the little children, to take
-the dinner-baskets far into the woods to the place
-which they had already agreed upon as the spot
-where the dinner-table should be spread. Coming
-back to the children, Uncle Ham said,——</p>
-
-<div  class='figright id005'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>
-<img src='images/i_101.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Uncle Hambright.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Now, we are ready.
-Come close and listen
-while I explain.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>With anxious hearts
-and eager faces, and
-clapping their glad
-hands, the children
-gathered around Uncle
-Ham.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Now,” said he, “I
-have a piece of chalk
-here in my hand. I am
-going to make something like this wherever I
-go along.” While he was speaking he made a
-round ring on the fence close by. He put marks
-for the ears and feet and a mark for the tail.
-Then he continued: “This is the fox. I’m
-going to make foxes along the path that I take
-into the woods—sometimes these foxes may be on
-fences, sometimes on trees, sometimes on rocks, or
-anywhere I wish to place them. Whenever you
-find a fox you will know that you are on the right
-road, and you must be sure each time to follow in
-the direction that the head of the fox points. Then
-you won’t lose your way. You must give me a
-little start, because I must be out of sight before
-you all begin the hunt. At the end of the hunt, if
-you follow carefully, you will find a large present
-waiting for each one of you. You may help yourself
-to whatever you like, and then we shall all
-come back together, because, you know, I will be
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>at the end myself waiting for you when you come.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It seemed that the ten minutes start that the
-children had agreed to give Uncle Hambright
-would never come to an end, so eager were they
-to begin the hunt. By-and-by the time came, and
-they were off. The first few foxes had been drawn
-on the board-walk, so the hunters had easy sailing
-for a little while. Pretty soon, however, one of the
-girls discovered a fox on a tree, and the head of
-the fox pointed right into the woods. At first the
-children halted. The eldest girl said finally, after
-studying a few minutes,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Let’s go on; Uncle Hambright wouldn’t take
-us where anything could hurt us, and, besides, he
-said he would be waiting at the end.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Thus reassured, all of them plunged into the
-woods. Once in the woods the little foxes drawn
-on trees and stumps carried them right along by
-the side of a babbling brook for a long distance.
-Sometimes they would find one fox, and then they
-would find it very hard to locate the next one. It
-was great fun for them to scurry about in the
-woods, examining trees, stumps, rocks and everything,
-hunting for the foxes. Finally one of the
-little girls found a fox on a fence. The head of
-the fox pointed upwards. The little child said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“This little fox seems to be pointing to heaven;
-I’m sure we can’t go up there.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, no;” said the oldest girl, again coming to
-the rescue,—“I think that that little fox leads over
-the fence—that’s all.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>So, over the fence they jumped and continued
-the chase.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_103.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>You All Wait until I Come Back, and then We’ll Play at Fox-Hunting.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>The course proved to be zig-zag now for a few
-minutes, and the children found the foxes more
-and more difficult to locate. They felt safe again,
-when the foxes were found on stones or rocks leading
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>up the side of a hill. The woods began to thin
-out, and the children were no longer timid. Up
-the hill they went with a merry laugh and a shout.
-Once on top of the hill, they lost their course again.
-After a time, they found a fox, though, and that
-fox pointed straight down the hill. The children
-bravely followed. At the foot of the hill, they
-came suddenly upon an open space, and close by
-there was a great big fox marked upon a piece of
-black paste-board and standing right over a bubbling
-spring of water.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Uncle Hambright must have meant for us to
-stop here,” said one.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Maybe, he meant for us to stop and get some
-water,” said another.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>One or two of the fox-hunters stopped and
-drank some water. Then the oldest one said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Come on now, let’s look for another fox; I
-guess we are most through now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>About twenty yards away from the spring, the
-children came to another open space that was well
-shaded. What was their delight and surprise to
-find there stretched out before them on a large
-white table cloth, laid on the bare ground, a sumptuous
-picnic-dinner. And in the middle of the
-table there was a true-true stuffed fox with a large
-red apple in his mouth. For a few moments the
-children stood around the table in bewilderment.
-But they were not to be kept in suspense a great
-while. Pretty soon, Uncle Hambright and mama
-and papa came out of the woods near by, and such
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>a laugh as went around that picnic-dinner was
-never heard before or since!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At the close of the meal, the children all voted
-that that was the best game that Uncle Ham had
-played during the day.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A BOLD VENTURE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>“Mr. Slocum, good morning, sir; I came around
-to ask you to lend me five dollars.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Slocum, Manager of the Harlem Steamboat
-Company, looked up from his desk in surprise
-when he heard this abrupt announcement.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What’s that?” he asked curtly.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Lend me five dollars,” said the little boy who
-had first addressed him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Who are you?” demanded Mr. Slocum.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m nobody,” said the boy,—“nobody, but I
-want you to lend me five dollars.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Slocum, who was generally said to be a hard
-man to deal with, was surprised at the boy’s presumption,
-yet, nevertheless, he was secretly
-pleased at the boy’s frank and open manner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you know what borrowing money means?”
-asked Mr. Slocum, rising and looking down upon
-the diminutive figure standing before him. The
-boy was barefooted, held his hat in his hand, and
-his hair was nicely combed. Mr. Slocum continued:
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>“Don’t you know when a person borrows
-money he is supposed to pay it back?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes;” said the boy, “I know that. You
-lend me the money, and I’ll pay it back all right.
-I only want it for three months. I’ll pay it back.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_106.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Lend Me Five Dollars.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was something about the boy’s face and
-general deportment that won Mr. Slocum’s favor.
-He ran his hand into his pocket, pulled out a five-dollar
-bill and handed it to the boy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Thank you, sir;” said the boy, as he turned to
-go,—“thank you sir; I’ll pay it back.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>Three months later, the same little boy entered
-Mr. Slocum’s office.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Here’s your five dollars, Mr. Slocum,” said the
-little boy. “I’m much obliged to you, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Who are you?” asked Mr. Slocum, as he reached
-out and took the money.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m nobody,” said the boy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, why do you bring me this money?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Because I owe it to you,” explained the little
-fellow.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The boy told Mr. Slocum of the loan made three
-months before, and made Mr. Slocum recall the
-transaction. Mr. Slocum asked him to have a
-seat.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, what did you do with that money?”
-asked Mr. Slocum.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said the boy, “I was hard up when I
-called on you. Me and my ma had been selling
-papers for a living up to that time, but somehow
-we had got behind with our expenses. House rent
-was due, and we didn’t have nothing to eat. I had
-to find a friend somewhere. So, after trying two
-or three places where I was known and failing to
-get any help, I decided to drop in here and see
-you. You know the result. Well, I paid my rent
-for a week; rented a little stand for my ma to sell
-papers on the corner, while I continued to hustle
-in the street. That five dollars you lent me give me
-good luck, and I’ve been going right up ever since.
-Me and ma are living in a better place now; we’ve
-got a plenty to eat; and we’ve got a plenty of fine
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>customers. I told you when I came here before
-that I was nobody then, but I’m somebody now,
-Mr. Slocum,—anyhow, I feel so—and I want to
-thank you again for the help you gave me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The boy’s story pleased Mr. Slocum very much.
-It is needless to say that he took an interest in that
-boy, and continued to befriend him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>This happened many years ago. To-day Tommy
-Tolliver—that was the boy’s name—is the Assistant
-General Manager of the Harlem Steamboat
-Company, and a very well-to-do man. Mr. Slocum
-says that there is nobody in the world like him.
-Tommy’s mother died some years ago, but she
-lived long enough to see her little boy taken out of
-the streets, put to school, and started on his career
-of usefulness.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXIV.<br /> <span class='large'>A HERO IN BLACK.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I read some years ago, boys and girls, a story
-in McClure’s Magazine, which I think should be of
-interest to every boy and girl in the world. The
-story was taken from the records of the Royal
-Humane Society of Great Britain. It told about
-an obscure negro seaman whose brave deed was
-discovered and honored by two of the great
-nations of the earth.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>One tropical night, the steamer Dolphin rested
-almost motionless off the Cayman rocks in Nicaragua.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>Crew and passengers, some twenty in all,
-were asleep about the deck, for it was too hot to
-go below. Then came such a squall as comes only
-in those Southern seas. The sails, all set, furnished
-ample leverage. Within ten seconds, the
-Dolphin was bottom up, her passengers and crew
-struggling in the water.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_109.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Hero in Black.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Wilson McField, a negro and a subject of Great
-Britain, was the first to come to the surface. All
-his twenty-seven years of life he had known these
-waters, and he swam like a fish. He soon succeeded
-in climbing upon the bottom of the vessel.
-Then he shouted to the others, and one by one
-pulled up five of the crew.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>Fortunately the squall was soon over, although
-the sea was high. After they had drifted two
-hours the men heard strange sounds, like pounding
-within the vessel. Some thought they heard
-voices. The more superstitious were afraid. The
-night dragged on, and by daylight the sounds had
-grown fainter. The crew concluded that men were
-imprisoned within the boat, but none could devise
-a way to save them. Then the negro proposed to
-dive under and into the ship. They assured him
-he would never get out again, but carrying between
-his teeth one end of a rope that had been
-dragging from the vessel, McField dived, passed
-under the gunwale and rose in the hatch.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It was pitch-dark, and the interior of the vessel
-was full of the floating cargo, but he kept on
-steadily. Finally concluding that he had reached
-the cabin, he rose, and in an instant his head was
-above water. Yet so foul was the air, and so narrow
-the space between the water and the ship’s
-bottom, that he could hardly breathe. He could
-see no one, but he heard the knocking again, and
-called out. Then came voices faint but familiar.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Swimming in the direction of the sound, he
-found two men braced against the cabin sides and
-holding their heads above water. One was a
-young rubber cutter, named Mallitz, the other a
-native Spanish-Nicaraguan, called Ovando. Both
-were panic-stricken, and McField was obliged to
-threaten them with instant death if they did not
-obey him. He fastened the rope round Mallitz and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>gave the signal to pull. McField dived into the
-water along with his man. In his fright Mallitz
-entangled himself in the hatchway, and precious
-time was lost in freeing him. When they reached
-the surface Mallitz was unconscious, and McField
-more dead than alive.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>They pulled Mallitz aboard but McField would
-not follow. As soon as the rope was free he took
-it in his teeth and went under, found the hatch
-and entered the cabin. Ovando was almost uncontrollable
-with fear and exhaustion, but McField
-finally secured him with the rope, and gave the
-signal to pull up. This time the trip was made
-without accident, and both men were drawn on
-board. All the men were saved.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The United States government awarded McField
-a medal and a sum of money in gold, and the
-Royal Humane Society of Great Britain gave him
-a medal of silver.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE ROAD TO SUCCESS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The world is constantly looking for the man
-who knows the most, and it pays little regard to
-those who are proficient in the usual degree in the
-same things. One must excel, or, in other words,
-know more than his associates in order to succeed
-notably. The world will bid high for you if you
-know more than other men.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>
-<img src='images/i_112.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Road to Success.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>So that boys and girls who are preparing themselves
-for the duties of life should not aim simply
-at being as good as somebody else, but they should
-aim at being the best that it is possible to be in
-any chosen line of life or business. I have noticed
-in my short lifetime that there is a great tendency
-on the part of
-young people to
-cut short their
-education. Being
-able to shine in
-the intellectual
-and social worlds with the small attainments made
-in some college or normal school or industrial
-school, the average young negro man is content to
-stop with a diploma or certificate from one or another
-of these institutions. They will never realize
-what injury they have done themselves by so doing
-until it is too late. On the other hand, there is
-another large class of young people that stop
-short even before they have finished the course in
-even any one of the normal or industrial schools.
-They must go out to work; they know enough to
-make a living; what’s the use of so much education,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>anyhow? This is the way some of them talk.
-This is what some of them believe. Boys and
-girls, no man or woman with such low ideals will
-ever reach the topmost round of the ladder of
-fame. Such boys and girls will always play a
-second-rate part in the great drama of life. The
-boys and girls who are going to the front—the
-boys and girls who are going to have the leading
-parts—are the boys and girls who are willing to
-take time to prepare themselves. And preparation
-means hard work; and not only hard work,
-but hard and long-continued work. A person can
-learn a good deal in one year; a person can learn a
-good deal in two years; but nobody can learn
-enough in one or two years, or in three or four
-years, to make it at all likely that he will ever be
-sought by the great world.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Aside from the rudimentary training, it ought
-to take at least ten years to make a good doctor,
-or a good lawyer, or a good electrician, or a good
-preacher. Four of these years ought to be spent
-in college; and four in the professional school;
-and the other two ought to be spent in picking up
-a practical or working knowledge of the calling—whatever
-it may be. The young doctor obtains
-this practical knowledge in hospitals and in practice
-among the poor. The electrician obtains it by
-entering some large electrical industry or manufactory,
-in which a thoroughly practical knowledge
-of mechanical engineering and electricity
-can be secured. It is true that some men have
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>become distinguished in these callings without
-this long preparation of which I have spoken; yet
-it is, also, true that they would have been better
-off—they would have been more likely to have
-become eminent—if they had taken the longer
-course. College is a little world which every one,
-other things being equal, ought to enter and pass
-through before launching in the great world.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXVI.<br /> <span class='large'>SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls, I wonder how many of you have
-heard of Samuel C. Armstrong—General Armstrong,
-the founder of Hampton Institute in Virginia?
-General Armstrong was one of the best
-men who ever lived, and he was the friend of all
-mankind. His special services were rendered in
-behalf of Indians and Negroes—the weaker races.
-You ought to go to Hampton Institute sometimes
-and see that place, and go over to the little cemetery
-in one corner of the grounds and stand uncovered
-by the side of General Armstrong’s grave.
-He died in 1892.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>You ought to get the story of his life and read
-it. It will bear to you a thrilling message; for to
-read that book is to enter the presence of a man
-of magnificent courage and indomitable faith.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A general at twenty-six, with a brilliant war record
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>behind him, the quality of his courage had
-been already proved; but the future was to test it
-far more severely. The responsibility for the experiment
-at Hampton was a terrible one, presenting
-problems which no nation had been called
-upon to solve before. He had to face isolation, ignorance,
-indifference, misrepresentation. At the
-best, after he had conquered prejudice and won
-friends for the work, he had to spend half his time
-begging for money, for he had to raise by personal
-efforts from fifty thousand to eighty thousand dollars
-annually for the current expenses. Yet in all
-that time and under all his burdens no one ever
-saw him discouraged. He used to explain his
-position by a story which he called his “rule of
-conduct.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Once there was an old colored man who could
-not be dissuaded from working at an empty ’possum
-hole. ‘Ain’t no ’possum in dat hole? Dey’s
-jest got to be, ’cause dey’s nuffin’ in de house fer
-supper’.” Or, as he used to tell his children,
-“Once there was a woodchuck. Now woodchucks
-can’t climb trees. Well, this woodchuck was
-chased by a dog, and came to a tree. He knew that
-if he could get up this tree the dog could not
-catch him. Now woodchucks can’t climb trees,
-but this one had to, so he did.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He had to, so he did, was the motto of General
-Armstrong’s life. “Doing what can’t be done is
-the glory of living,” he once said. “For most
-people,” said one of General Armstrong’s friends,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>“an obstacle is something in the way to stop one
-from going on, but for General Armstrong it merely
-meant something to climb over; and if he could
-not climb all the way over, he would get up as
-high as possible, and then crow!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When you come to read the story of General
-Armstrong’s life you will find that there is no finer
-picture in it than that of an evening when he
-spoke at a little suburban church far down a side
-street. It was a bitter winter night, with a driving
-storm of sleet, and when it was time for the meeting
-to begin the audience consisted of a score or
-so of humble people who evidently enough had
-no means to contribute, and a dozen restless boys
-kicking their heels in the front pew. Then “in
-the midst of the bleakness and emptiness rose the
-worn, gaunt soldier, as bravely and gladly as if a
-multitude were hanging upon his words. His deep-sunk
-eyes looked out beyond the bleakness of the
-scene into the world of his ideals, and the cold
-little place was aglow with the fire that was in
-him.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Dangers, hardships, obstacles—upon these he
-had tried “his soul’s stuff” all his life, but here
-was another and a more difficult test. Triumphant
-in faith and unflinching in duty, he could meet
-even defeat in the spirit of victory.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXVII.<br /> <span class='large'>HOW TO BE HANDSOME.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Do you want to be handsome? I’ll tell you how.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>First, look well to your health. Eat regularly
-and simply, and take proper rest, in order to be
-healthy. Do not crowd the stomach. The stomach
-can no more work all the time, night and day,
-than a horse; it must have regular rest. The body
-must have proper rest also. Do not keep late
-hours. Go to bed early. If you have work which
-must be done, it is a good deal better to rise early
-in the morning and do it than it is to sit up late
-at night and work.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Secondly, good teeth are essential to good looks.
-Brush the teeth regularly with a soft brush morning
-and night, especially at night. Be sure to go
-to bed at night with clean teeth.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Thirdly, look well to the ventilation of your
-bed-rooms. No one can have a clear skin who
-breathes bad air. Fresh air is a preventive of a
-multitude of diseases. Bad air is the cause of a
-great many premature deaths.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Fourthly, cleanliness of the entire body is of
-vast importance. Some one has said that “Cleanliness
-is next to godliness,” and some one else has
-added, “And soap is a means of grace.” Handsome
-people not only eat regularly and simply;
-they not only sleep regularly and look well to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>proper ventilation; but handsome people will take
-regular baths.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Fifthly, more than all else, in order to look well
-you must wake up the mind and soul. When the
-mind is awake, the dull, sleepy look passes away
-from the eyes. Keep thinking pleasant and noble
-thoughts; do not read trashy novels or books; read
-books which have something good in them. Talk
-with people who know something. Be often in the
-company of those who know more than you do.
-Hear lectures and sermons and profit by them. If
-we listen and understand and heed, the mind and
-soul are awakened. So much the better if the spiritual
-nature is aroused. Sometimes a plain face
-is really glorified with the love of God and of man
-which shines through it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Lastly, keep a strong and vigorous body by taking
-plenty of wholesome outdoor exercise, and do
-all the good you can.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Why not begin to grow handsome to-day?</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_118.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>PATIENCE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figright id005'>
-<img src='images/i_120.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Patience.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Patience is one of the marks of a high character.
-It might well be called the habit of closing
-the mind against disagreeable and annoying conditions.
-To acquire this habit so effectually as to
-hide even from one’s self any sense of suffering
-or offense from contact with such conditions is
-what the truly cultivated aim at. Life, it is true,
-is full of trying things, but to let the mind dwell
-upon them only serves to increase their offense to
-the feelings or the senses.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There are people, of course, who are incapable
-of self-concentration, and whose imagination, if
-left free to gad about, seems always to fix upon
-and exaggerate every element of disturbance. They
-live in what is called an elementary stage of moral
-discipline, and are perpetually fretting about
-things they cannot help. They are never able to
-shut down the will against any unpleasantness.
-They permit merely accidental conditions to exercise
-a kind of tyrannical sway over them, which, if
-their minds were once bent to the practice of putting
-up with things, would cease to present any
-annoyance whatever.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is difficult, no doubt, to acquire this habit, but
-this is what patience means in its highest sense. It
-is spiritual endurance, and its chief power consists
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>not so much in adding to the number of our
-joys as in lessening the number of our sufferings.
-It is, therefore, a mark of power over one’s self
-and a means of power over others. With patience
-the outward success or failure of a man is a small
-thing compared with that
-success which he has achieved
-within himself. And that
-kind of success—the success
-which enables a man to
-laugh at failure and rise superior
-to discouragements
-and difficulties—that kind of
-success is a means of help
-and inspiration to all those
-about him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>If we consider the works
-of nature we shall see
-that nature’s most
-beneficent operations
-are the results of patience.
-Anything
-which grows must
-have time, and the
-best things in the
-world are generally those things which demand the
-longest time for their growth and development.
-The rank and short-lived weed reaches its full development
-in the shortest possible time, but the
-oak, which is to stand for centuries, demands the
-sunshine and the storm of years before its strength
-is fully developed.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>Now, boys and girls, one of the hardest demands
-which nature makes upon people (especially upon
-young people, full of strength and energy and ambition)
-is to wait for the results of growth. No
-man becomes instantly strong morally; he must
-grow into strength. However great his ambition
-and his zeal may be, no man becomes a scholar in
-a year. It takes time, and lots of it. No man
-reaches at a single bound the full development of
-his whole nature. He grows into strength. A
-good soldier cannot be made without war, nor can
-a skillful seaman be made on land.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>So in the race of life we must fight hard for all
-we get and be patient. Whatever else may be true,
-or may not be true, only patient and continued
-efforts—not hasty efforts—lead to success.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Before me lies a block of wood. It is full of
-knots. It seems to me I can never split it. But
-I bravely make the attempt. The first blow makes
-little impression. The axe springs back with a
-bound. Again and again I strike. Then a tiny
-crack appears. A few more licks—and the block
-yields. I have succeeded. Can you tell me which
-blow did the work? Was it not the first blow and
-the last and all between? You have tried something
-and failed. Try again. If you fail, try once
-more. And on and on, keep trying until you win
-the victory.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXIX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BITER BIT.<a id='r4' /><a href='#f4' class='c017'><sup>[4]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In the broad light of day a would-be highwayman
-sprang from the bushes that skirted the “Big
-Road,” and with a pistol pointed at Eli’s head
-commanded the wayfarer to hold up his hands.
-Without hesitation Eli obeyed, grabbing his hat
-from his head while his hands were making the
-ascent. Then he stood trembling, as if in great
-fear, and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Lawdy, Boss, what is dat you got?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The highwayman replied: “It’s a bulldog.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Kin he bark, Boss?” asked poor Eli.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Certainly,” was the answer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Boss, I’ll give you a dollar des to hyeah dat
-dawg bark wunst,” said humble Eli.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bang!” went the gun, and the ball went crashing
-through the woods. Eli pulled out a silver
-dollar and handed it over to the would-be robber.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do hit ag’in, Boss,” said Eli.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth time
-the dog barked, and each time Eli paid a dollar for
-the fun. When the revolver had been emptied the
-old negro asked pitifully:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Boss, can’t he bark no mo’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On being assured that the dog could bark no
-more Eli said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“Well, Boss, ain’t you got anuddah dawg?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The robber said he was sorry, but he did not
-have another. Then Uncle Eli said, as he ran his
-hand into his hip pocket:</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_123.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Biter Bit.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Boss, I got one uv dem dawgs myse’f, an’ I
-’spec’ I’ll let you hyeah mine bark some. Drap
-yo’ dawg, Boss, an’ drap hit quick,” he commanded
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>as he pointed his gun at the would-be robber’s
-head. Down went the other man’s gun.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Now drap dem dollars right ’long side uv dat
-gun. Be quick,” said Eli. Down went the dollars.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Now you git, an’ don’t you look back. Step
-lively, an’ ef you das’ to look back you sho will
-hyeah sump’n impawtunt!”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE ALPHABET OF SUCCESS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c019'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>Attend carefully to details.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Be prompt in all things.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Consider well, then decide positively.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Dare to do right, fear to do wrong.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Endure trials patiently.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Fight life’s battles bravely.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Go not into the society of the vicious.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Hold integrity sacred.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Injure not another’s reputation.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Join hands only with the virtuous.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Keep your mind free from evil thoughts.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Lie not for any consideration.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Make few special acquaintances.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Never try to appear what you are not.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Observe good manners.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Pay your debts promptly.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Question not the veracity of a friend.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Respect the counsel of your parents.</div>
-      <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>Sacrifice money rather than principle.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Touch not, taste not, handle not, intoxicating drinks.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Use your leisure for improvement.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Venture not upon the threshold of wrong.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Watch carefully over your passions.</div>
-      <div class='line'>X-tend to everyone a kindly greeting.</div>
-      <div class='line'>Young people should read “FLOYD’S FLOWERS FOR COLORED CHILDREN.”</div>
-      <div class='line'>Zealously labor for the right, and success is certain.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXI.<br /> <span class='large'>EASTER MONDAY IN WASHINGTON.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The approach of Easter arouses delightful expectations
-in the hearts of the little children in
-the great city of Washington, the nation’s capital.
-On Easter Monday there is an event which
-places the day among the great holidays of the
-year. The United States government is drawn
-into the observance of the day because it furnishes
-the country’s greatest band to play the music
-and the government pays the bills. The president
-of the United States, whoever he may happen to be
-when the day rolls around, wins the gratitude of
-the children, for he lets them play in his back
-yard. The president’s back yard is called the
-White Lot; it covers many acres, and stretches
-from the back porch of the White House way out
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>to the great white Washington monument, which
-towers for more than five hundred feet in the air
-a half mile away. The lawns of the White Lot
-are always green and inviting, and are covered
-with the prettiest flowers and trees that you ever
-saw. The ground is not low and level, except in
-spots. There are many little hills which serve to
-make it a beautiful place. Really the president’s
-back yard is a great big park.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Bright and early Easter Monday morning happy
-little groups of children may be seen proudly
-marching toward the White House. Their mothers
-and nurses or some grown-up sisters are with
-them. All the trolley cars are filled with them,
-coming from every section of the city. Their little
-tongues are very busy chattering about the
-pleasures that are in store for them. Some, whose
-memories stretch back over a long, long expanse
-of time, are relating some glowing incident of the
-year before, for those who are yet unacquainted
-with the joys that are to come. The little ones
-listen with open mouths and wide-open eyes, and
-hurry along all the faster.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I have been in Washington on two occasions at
-these great celebrations—once while the sturdy
-Grover Cleveland was president and once while
-the great and good William McKinley occupied
-the White House. In all my experience I have
-never seen anything that has made me feel
-prouder of my country than these feast days for
-the children; for, in the president’s back yard, all
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>the children meet on a common level—children
-of all races and of all classes. Neither their father’s
-position nor their mother’s social standing
-concerns them. Two little strangers will meet and
-play and romp together as if they had been companions
-all their days.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>All the little children carry with them little baskets
-and in the baskets are the prettiest Easter
-eggs that can be made. Some are painted and
-striped and spotted with bright colors; others are
-covered with silver and gilt paper. When the
-merry-makers get to the great big gates, where
-the policemen always stand, they march right
-through, because they know the policemen won’t
-stop them this time. The little fellows hold their
-heads high and feel very important, and the policemen
-smile as they pass by. The children keep
-coming and coming until by-and-by the lot is almost
-filled, all the way from the White House to
-the tall white monument, with laughing children—and
-with eggs! It would seem that there were no
-children left anywhere in Washington. The children
-are allowed to run on the grass just as much
-as they please for this one day.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>If you go near one of the little hills or long
-banks you may hear one small girl say to another,
-“My egg’ll ’oll furver ’an your egg.” And the
-other small girl will answer, “No; mine’ll ’oll
-furvest.” And then they will start their eggs
-rolling down the hills and go racing after them
-to see whose egg goes the farthest.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>Many of the boys throw their eggs along the
-ground like ninepin balls, and see whose will go
-the farthest. When they get tired of this they
-stand a little distance apart and roll their eggs
-against each other’s to see whose will break.
-There is another way that they try to break each
-other’s eggs. One holds an egg in his hand so that
-the top is uncovered, and another takes his egg
-and taps it gently against the first one. He keeps
-hitting a little harder and harder until one of them
-breaks, and the one whose egg doesn’t break is
-the winner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Most of the eggs are boiled hard first, so that
-the children are not very sorry, after all, if their
-eggs do break, because they can eat them. And
-their mothers or nurses will give them crackers
-and salt to go with them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In such a great crowd, where the children are
-allowed to run where they please, there are sure
-to be some little ones who will wander away from
-their guardians. All the little “lost” children, as
-fast as the officers find them, are taken to a small
-house in the center of the lot, and the mothers
-know just where to look for them. Often there
-are twenty or thirty little tots, all tired out, waiting
-to be claimed by their guardians.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On the highest mound of all there is a band—the
-United States Marine Band—and they play
-some of their nicest music on this day. So when
-the little ones get weary from running after their
-eggs they can go and watch the man pound the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>big bass drum, and listen to the music. Sometimes,
-while the music is playing, the president will come
-out on the back porch, high over all, and watch the
-festivities. A mighty shout, from old and young
-alike, always greets the appearance of the president.
-No wonder this is one of the big days for
-the little folks.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>By-and-by all the eggs are broken or eaten, and
-then it is time for the tired and happy little fairies
-to go home.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXII.<br /> <span class='large'>KEEPING ONE’S ENGAGEMENTS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>What would happen if everybody should begin
-to-morrow to keep all his promises and fulfill all
-his engagements? I think it would make a new
-world at once. There is great need that the attention
-of young people should be called to the importance
-of keeping engagements. Much of the
-confusion and annoyance and trouble of this world
-would be done away with if people would learn
-to keep their promises. The oft-repeated excuse,
-“I forgot,” is not reasonable. If the memory is in
-the habit of playing tricks with you, then you
-ought to make notes of your engagements, write
-them down in some way, so that you will not
-forget them. Arnold of Rugby said: “Thoughtlessness
-is a crime,” and he was right. The great
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>Ruskin has also uttered strong words in condemnation
-of thoughtlessness in youth. He said:
-“But what excuse can you find for willfulness of
-thought at the very time when every crisis of
-future fortune hangs on your decisions? A youth
-thoughtless! when the career of all his days depends
-on the opportunity of a moment. A youth
-thoughtless! when his every act is a foundation-stone
-of future conduct, and every imagination a
-fountain of life or death. Be thoughtless in any
-after years rather than now, though, indeed, there
-is only one place where a man may be nobly
-thoughtless—his deathbed. No thinking should
-ever be left to be done there.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_130.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Keeping One’s Engagements.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>And, then, boys and girls should remember that
-promptness should always accompany the fulfilling
-of an engagement, otherwise the engagement
-is not really kept. A person’s time is a valuable
-possession, which should be respected by all. Who
-has not been exasperated by some one with apparent
-indifference keeping (?) an engagement a half
-or three-quarters of an hour late! And often a
-whole train of troubles will follow in the wake of
-tardiness. The punctual boy or girl in this life
-is the one who advances most rapidly. The punctual
-boy or girl will make a punctual man or
-woman. A promise-breaker, or one who is late in
-keeping his appointments, cannot in the true sense
-of the term be considered a first-class person.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A MIDNIGHT MISHAP.<a id='r5' /><a href='#f5' class='c017'><sup>[5]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figleft id006'>
-<img src='images/i_132.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Midnight Mishap.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Uncle Ned returned from his ’possum hunt about
-midnight, bringing with him a fine, fat ’possum.
-He built a glowing fire, dressed the ’possum, pared
-and split the sweet potatoes, and pretty soon he
-had the “’possum an’ ’taters” in the oven. While
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>the meal was cooking Uncle Ned amused himself
-with his favorite old banjo. When the ’possum
-had been baked brown and
-crisp he took it out of the
-oven and set it on the
-hearth to give it time to
-cool. Mentally congratulating
-himself upon the
-glorious repast he thought
-soon to enjoy, he sat
-silently for awhile in the
-old armchair, but presently
-he was snugly wrapped
-in the arms of “tired
-nature’s sweet restorer—balmy
-sleep.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It happened that two
-young fellows who were
-pretty well acquainted
-with Uncle Ned’s habits
-had been stealthily watching
-about the house waiting
-this particular chance.
-As soon as they were convinced
-that the old man
-was safe in the arms of
-Morpheus, they crept into the house and hurriedly
-helped themselves to Uncle Ned’s supper, including
-even the coffee and bread. When they finished
-the hasty meal, by way of attempting to
-cover up their tracks, they smeared Uncle Ned’s
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>hands and mouth with the ’possum gravy and
-then beat a retreat.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>After a time Uncle Ned aroused from his peaceful
-slumber. It is needless to say that he had
-dreamed about his supper. At once he dived down
-to inspect the viands, when, lo and behold, the
-hearth was empty! Uncle Ned steadied himself
-and studied awhile.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said he finally, “I must ’a’ et dat ’possum;
-I must ’a’ et dat ’possum in my sleep!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He looked at his hands. They were greasy. He
-smelt his hands. As he did so he said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dat smells like ’possum grease! I sho must ’a’
-et dat ’possum.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He discovered grease on his lips. Out went his
-tongue.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dat tas’es like ’possum grease,” he said. He
-got up. He looked about the house. There was
-no sign of intruders. He rubbed his stomach. He
-resumed his seat, and, giving up all for lost, he
-said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, ef I did eat dat ’possum, hit sets lightah
-on my appertite dan any ’possum I evah et befo’.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXIV.<br /> <span class='large'>FREDERICK DOUGLASS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In 1893 the World’s Columbian Exposition, or
-World’s Fair, was held in Chicago in commemoration
-of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery
-of America. A negro man, the Hon. Frederick
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>Douglass, attended that exposition and delivered
-an address on negro day. Speaking of this
-great man’s visit the Advance, one of Chicago’s
-great religious papers, said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was fine to see at the Congress on Africa
-the tall form and magnificent head of the grand
-old man, Frederick Douglass, now seventy-five
-years of age, perfectly erect, kindly, majestic, the
-‘ancient fires of inspiration welling up through all
-his being yet’; affable to all; finding it still to be
-as natural to be eloquent as to speak at all; sympathetic
-to the core with the people of his own
-race, yet none the less loyal to the common interests
-of all the people of his country; neither blind
-to the obstacles in their path and the cruel social
-injustice and meanness to which they are often
-exposed, nor, on the other hand, unmindful of the
-friends they have in the South as also in the
-North, or above all to the over-shining care and
-purpose of God Himself, with the ‘far-off divine
-intent’ that so clearly takes in the future of both
-the American and African continents. Few Americans
-have had a more conspicuously providential
-mission than Frederick Douglass. And hardly
-anything in this remarkable congress was more
-eloquent or more convincing than his personal
-presence.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Frederick Douglass was born a slave, and his
-life as a slave was one of peculiar hardship. Of
-it he himself says in his autobiography:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I suffered little from any punishment I received,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>except from hunger and cold. I could get
-enough neither of food or clothing, but suffered
-more from cold than hunger. In the heat of summer
-or the cold of winter alike, I was kept almost
-in a state of nudity—no shoes, jackets, trousers, or
-stockings—nothing but a coarse tow linen shirt
-reaching to the knee. That I wore night and day.
-In the day time I could protect myself by keeping
-on the sunny side of the house, and in bad weather
-in the corner of the kitchen chimney. The great
-difficulty was to keep warm at night. I had no
-bed. The pigs in the pen had leaves, and the
-horses in the stable had straw, but the children
-had nothing. In very cold weather I sometimes
-got down the bag in which corn was carried to
-the mill and got into that. My feet have been so
-cracked by frost that the pen with which I am
-writing might have been laid in the gashes.” With
-regard to his food he said that he often disputed
-with the dogs over the crumbs that fell from his
-master’s table.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now this man, born so lowly and surrounded
-by such circumstances, turned out to be in the
-course of time by hard work and self-application
-one of the most influential American citizens and
-one of the greatest orators that this country has
-ever known. Among other high offices of trust
-and responsibility, he was once marshal of the
-District of Columbia, recorder of deeds of the District
-of Columbia, and United States minister to
-Hayti.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>He died February 20th, 1895, at his home in
-Anacostia, D. C., at the age of seventy-seven years.
-A monument to his memory has been erected in
-Rochester, N. Y., where he once lived.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>What Frederick Douglass made of himself is
-possible for any American boy with grit. Every
-boy and girl in America should read the life of
-this pre-eminent negro and strive to emulate his
-virtues. His memory is worthy to be honored to
-the last day of time.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXV.<br /> <span class='large'>OUR DUMB ANIMALS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Domestic animals—like horses, cats and dogs—seem
-to be almost as dependent upon kind treatment
-and affection as human beings. Horses and
-dogs especially are the most keenly intelligent of
-our dumb friends, and are alike sensitive to
-cruelty in any form. They are influenced to an
-equal degree by kind and affectionate treatment.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>If there is any form of cruelty that is more
-reprehensible than another, it is abuse of a faithful
-horse who has given his whole life to the service
-of the owner. When a horse is pulling a heavy
-load with all his might, doing the best he can to
-move under it, to strike him, spur him, or swear
-at him is simply barbarous. To kick a dog around,
-to tie tin cans to his tail, or strike him with sticks,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>just for the fun of hearing him yelp or seeing him
-run, is equally barbarous. No high-minded man,
-no high-minded boy or girl, would do such a thing.
-We should never forget how helpless, in a large
-sense, dumb animals are—and how absolutely dependent
-upon the humanity and kindness of their
-owners. They are really the slaves of man, having
-no language by which to express their feelings or
-needs.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_137.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Our Dumb Animals.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>The poet Cowper said:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“I would not enter on my list of friends,</div>
-      <div class='line'>Though graced with polished manners and fine sense,</div>
-      <div class='line'>Yet wanting sensibility, the man</div>
-      <div class='line'>Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Every boy and girl should be willing to pledge
-himself to be kind to all harmless living creatures,
-and every boy and girl should strive to protect
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>such, creatures from cruel usage on the part of
-others. It is noble, boys and girls, for us to speak
-for those that cannot speak for themselves, and it
-is noble, also, for us to protect those that cannot
-protect themselves.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXVI.<br /> <span class='large'>A PLUCKY BOY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The boy marched straight up to the counter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, my little man,” said the merchant,
-“what can I do for you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“If you please,” said the boy, “I came in to
-see if you wouldn’t let me work for you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The boy was not yet ten years old, and he was
-small for his age. But there was something in his
-speech, or manner that held the man’s attention.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do some work for me, eh?” said the man.
-“What kind of work could you do? You can
-hardly look over the counter.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes; I can,” said the little fellow, as he
-stood on tiptoe and peeped over the counter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Out of sheer curiosity the merchant came from
-behind the counter, so as to get a good look at the
-boy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh,” he said, “I see you’ve got copper taps
-on your shoes; I suppose your mother couldn’t
-keep you in shoes if they didn’t have taps on
-them!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>“She can’t keep me in shoes anyway, sir,” and
-the little boy’s voice hesitated.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How old are you?” asked the merchant.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m older than I look; folks say that I’m small
-for my age.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, what is your age?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m going on ten,” said Davie, with a look
-of great importance. “You see,” he continued,
-“my mother hasn’t anybody but me, and this
-morning I saw her crying because she could not
-find five cents in her pocket-book, and she thinks
-she must have lost it—and it was—the—last cent—that
-she had—in the world; and—I—have—not—had—any—breakfast,
-sir.” The voice again
-hesitated, and tears came into the little boy’s eyes.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, don’t cry, my little man; I guess I can
-help you to a breakfast. Here, take this quarter!”
-He pulled a quarter from his vest pocket and
-handed it to the boy. The boy shook his head.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mother wouldn’t let me beg,” was his simple
-answer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Humph!” said the merchant. “Where is your
-father?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“We never heard of him, sir, after he went
-away. He was lost in the steamer City of New
-York.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That’s too bad. But you’re a plucky little fellow,
-anyhow. Let me see,” and he looked straight
-down into the boy’s eyes, and the boy looked
-straight up at him. Turning to the head man,
-after awhile, the merchant said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“Palmer, is cash boy No. 5 still sick?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dead, sir; died last night,” was the reply.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m sorry; but here’s a boy you might use.
-Put him down in No. 5’s place. We’ll try him for
-awhile, anyhow. What is your name, my little
-man?” he asked, turning again to the boy.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_140.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>The Boy Marched Straight up to the Counter.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Davie Thomas.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, Davie, we’ll give you three dollars a
-week to start with; you come to-morrow morning
-and I’ll tell you what to do. Here’s a dollar of
-your wages in advance. I’ll take it out of your
-first week’s pay. Do you understand?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>“Yes, sir; I understand, and I thank you, too.
-I’ll be back in the morning.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Davie shot out of the store, and lost no time in
-getting home. The old creaky steps in the old
-ram-shackle house fairly sang with delight as the
-weight of the little boy hurried up them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’ve got it, mother;” exclaimed Davie. “I’m
-a cash boy! The man’s going to give me three
-dollars a week, and he says I’ve got pluck, too;
-and here’s a dollar to get some breakfast with, and
-don’t you cry any more, for I’m going to be the
-man of this house now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At first the mother was dumfounded; then she
-looked confused; and then she looked—well, it
-passes my power to tell how she did look as she
-took Davie in her arms and hugged him and
-kissed him, the tears streaming down her cheeks.
-But they were tears of joy and thankfulness!</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXVII.<br /> <span class='large'>A HEART-TO-HEART TALK.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>“Henry, I asked you to remain after school a
-few minutes because I wanted you to help me rearrange
-the desks and furniture, but I had another
-reason for asking you to remain, and I think
-it is more important than the one I have just
-stated.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The desks had all been arranged according to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>the teacher’s notion, and Henry Holt had gathered
-up his books to go home. It was then that his
-teacher, Miss Ada Johnson, addressed him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Won’t you sit down here a minute, David?”
-she continued. “I wish to speak to you a minute
-or two.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>David quietly took a seat. He was one of the
-largest boys in school, and had been giving an
-unusual amount of trouble during the day. In
-fact he had been a source of annoyance ever since
-the new teacher had taken charge.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_142.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Heart-to-Heart Talk.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“David,” the teacher went on, “I wonder if you
-realize how hard you have made it for me in
-school to-day? Is there any reason why we cannot
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>be friends and work together? And I wish to be
-a friend to you, if you will let me. You could
-help me so much and you could help your schoolmates
-so much if you only would. I want to ask
-you if you think your conduct has been manly to-day?
-Has it been kind?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>David said nothing, but hung his head.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I heard before I came here that you were an
-unruly boy. People say that you will neither
-study nor work, and some people say that you
-are a very mean boy. Some of these things may be
-true, David, I am sorry to say, but I want to tell
-you that you are the only hope of a widowed
-mother, and I want to say, also, that I think that
-you are breaking her heart.” The teacher’s voice
-faltered at the last words.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I know that your father,” the low voice went
-on, “was a brave and noble man; and when I hear
-people say, ‘It is a good thing that Henry Oliver
-died before he knew what his son was coming to,’
-I think what a pity it is that they cannot say,
-‘How sad it is that Henry Oliver died before he
-could know what a fine, manly fellow his son
-would be, and what a stay and comfort to his
-mother’.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The boy’s head dropped to the desk in front of
-him, and he began to sob. The teacher went over
-to him and said gently:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You can be all this. It is in your power to
-be all that your father would have you, all that
-your mother would have you. Will you not turn
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>over a new leaf now, not only in your behavior and
-work in school, but in your whole life as well?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>David raised his head.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I am with you—I’ll do it, teacher,” he replied,
-a new resolve shining in his face. All that day
-he did some of the most serious thinking of his
-life. And he kept his promise.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The years have been many since then. The little
-teacher has long since passed to her rest, but
-David Oliver is a living monument to the power
-of a few searching words, the potency of a little
-personal interest and kindliness manifested at a
-critical time.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A GHOST STORY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Uncle Mose, an old-time colored man, once said
-in a company of people who were talking about
-ghosts that he wasn’t afraid of any ghost that ever
-walked the earth.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, sah; not me,” he said; “I’se got my fuss
-time to be skeered uv anyt’ing dat’s dead.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Whereupon Noah Johnson told Uncle Mose that
-he would bet him a load of watermelons that he
-couldn’t spend one night in the “Widder Smith’s
-house.” Now, the Widow Smith’s house was said
-to be haunted, or, in other words, it was filled with
-ghosts.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“Des name de night,” said Uncle Mose. “I’ll
-stay dar; no ha’nts won’t bodder wid me. No, sah;
-no ha’nts won’t bodder wid me, an’ yo’ watermillions
-is des ez good ez gone already!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The details were arranged; judges were appointed;
-and Uncle Mose was to stay in the haunted
-house that very night. He got him some pine-knots
-to keep a good blaze in the old-fashioned
-fireplace, carried along an extra plug of tobacco,
-secured a large dry-goods box to be used for a
-chair, and then he set out for the house.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_145.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Huh! Huh! There don’t Seem to be but Two of Us Here To-night.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>He made a blaze and seated himself on the pine
-box. For a time he sung a number of old plantation
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>songs for his own amusement, as well as to
-keep him company. About midnight, feeling somewhat
-drowsy, Uncle Mose got up, took a light
-and went on a tour of inspection. He examined
-every room in the house. His search revealed
-nothing unusual. He wound up his search chuckling
-to himself:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I sho is makin’ dis load uv watermillions easy.
-Noah Johnsing didn’t know who he’s foolin’ wid.
-I’m a man myse’f; I ain’t afeared uv nothin’—I
-ain’t!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Down he sat on the box, and pretty soon he was
-dozing. It was not very long before he suddenly
-awoke. He was at once seized with strange and
-sudden fear. He was too frightened to move. Although
-he did not look around, he was conscious
-that there was another presence in the room. His
-hair stood on ends. He felt a cold chill run up and
-down his back. By that time he knew that the
-object in the room, whatever it was, was moving
-towards him. Still he did not move, because he
-could not. The ghost (for that was what all the
-people said it was) stood over Uncle Mose for a
-little while, and then quietly sat down on the box
-beside him. Uncle Mose looked straight into the
-fireplace, but his heart was beating like a runaway
-horse. The silence in the room at that moment
-was like unto the silence of death. Everything
-was still and solemn. Uncle Mose could almost
-hear his own heart beating. The ghost finally
-broke the silence by saying, with a loud sigh:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>“Huh! Huh! There don’t seem to be but two
-of us here to-night!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It was then that Uncle Mose looked around for
-the first time. As he did so he exclaimed:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yas; an’ f’um dis out dah won’t be but one!”
-And with that he jumped through the window,
-taking a part of the sash with him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The judges had been waiting in the open air
-near the house, so as to watch the proceedings.
-They called to the fleeing Uncle Mose, as he passed
-them, and ordered him to stop. They said that
-they were all there and would protect him. But
-Uncle Mose, as he kept on running, hallooed back:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’ll see y’all later!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He ran at the top of his speed for more than a
-mile, for he was well nigh scared to death. By-and-by,
-from sheer exhaustion, he was compelled
-to stop for a little rest. He was wet with perspiration
-from head to foot, and his clothes were as
-limp as a wet dishrag. But the poor old man had
-no sooner seated himself on a stone by the roadside
-than up jumps the ghost and sits down beside
-him once more.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Huh!” said the ghost. “You seem to have
-made pretty good time to-night.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yas,” said Uncle Mose; “but what I hase done
-ain’t nothin’ to what I’se gwinter do!” And up
-he jumped and lit out once more.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He had not gone far on his second trip before an
-old rabbit ran out of the bushes and took out down
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>the road ahead of him. Uncle Mose hallooed at
-the rabbit and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Git out uv de way, rabbit, an’ let somebody
-run what kin run!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On and on the poor old man, almost scared to
-death, ran and ran. Perhaps he would have been
-running until now but for a very unfortunate accident.
-About five miles from the Widow Smith’s
-house he came in contact with the limb of a weeping
-willow tree that hung across the road. The
-poor old fellow, already tired out, was knocked
-speechless and senseless. Toward the break of day
-the judges, who had followed him, found him lying
-on the ground doubled up near the tree. Dim
-consciousness was slowly returning when they
-picked him up. They rubbed him, and walked him
-around for a little while, and soon he was able to
-move himself.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The first thing Uncle Mose said was:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Tell Noah not to min’ ’bout dem watermillions.
-I stayed in dat house des ez long ez I could
-keep my conscience quiet. My ole mammy allus
-tole me dat hit wuz a sin an’ a shame to bet, an’
-now I b’lieves hit!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And to this day, boys and girls, if you want to
-see a really mad man, you just ask Uncle Mose if
-he ever saw a ghost.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XXXIX.<br /> <span class='large'>GOOD CHEER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Everybody loves the cheerful boy or girl, the
-cheerful man or woman; and everybody ought to
-love such people. I wish all the boys and girls in
-America would organize one grand SUNSHINE
-SOCIETY, whose chief object should be the promotion
-of good feeling, good cheer, peace and happiness
-among all the people everywhere. But, first,
-a boy or girl, man or woman, must have sunshine
-in their own souls before they can communicate
-sunshine to others. And, boys and girls, it would
-greatly assist us in securing sunshine in our souls
-if we looked at our mercies with both eyes, as I
-might say, and at our troubles and trials with only
-one eye. What we enjoy in this world is always
-a good deal more than that which we do not enjoy;
-but we do not magnify our blessings sufficiently.
-We do not make as much of them as we ought.
-We do not rejoice because of them as we ought.
-We ought to keep daily a record of God’s goodness
-and kindness and patience and love. The
-Lord’s mercies are new every morning and fresh
-every evening; but we do not realize that they are
-so, because we do not stop to count them up; we do
-not think about them. If we stopped to weigh the
-matter I think we should find more in our lives
-to be happy about than to be sorry about. Our
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>good fortunes always outweigh our misfortunes;
-and we should find it so if we only acquired the
-habit of remembering God’s goodness to us as well
-as the disappointments and sorrows and afflictions
-which are for us all.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Then we should study contentment. We should
-study to be content. We must cultivate the habit
-of being satisfied with what we have at present,
-and we should not worry about those things which
-we do not possess. Worry because of things they
-did not possess has made countless thousands
-mourn. Let us enjoy what we have. Let us make
-the most of what we have. And let us not worry
-about things which we do not possess. No matter
-how miserable our own lot may be, there is
-always some one whose lot is more miserable still.
-Worry kills more people than work. In fact worry
-unfits a man for work. The man who has learned
-the philosophy of being content in whatsoever
-state he is is the man who is and will be happy.
-One of the things in this world that pays a hundred-fold
-is contentment, and there is nothing that
-casts so much blight and mildew upon life’s fairest
-flowers as discontent.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Again, it would help us to keep cheerful if we
-kept steadily engaged in some work of usefulness.
-Let us go about doing good. Let us go about
-seeking opportunities of doing good. Doing good
-makes the heart healthy, and heart-health makes
-sunshine, happiness and good cheer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A little thought will convince you, boys and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>girls, that your own happiness in this world depends
-very largely on the way other people bear
-themselves toward you. The looks and tones at
-your breakfast table, the conduct of your playmates,
-the faithful or unreliable people that you
-deal with, what people say to you on the street,
-the letters you get, the friends or foes you meet—these
-things make up very much of the pleasure
-or misery of your day. Turn the thought around,
-and remember that just so much are you adding to
-the pleasure or misery of other people’s days. And
-this is the half of the matter that you can control.
-Whether any particular day shall bring to
-you more of happiness or of suffering is largely
-beyond your power to determine. Whether each
-day of your life shall give happiness or suffering
-to others rests with yourself. And there is where
-the test of character comes. We must be continually
-sacrificing our wills to the wills of others,
-bearing without notice sights and sounds that annoy
-us, setting about this or that task when we
-would rather be doing something else, persevering
-in it often when we are very tired of it, keeping
-company for duty’s sake when it would be
-a great joy to us to be by ourselves; and then
-there are all the trifling and outward accidents
-of life, bodily pain and weakness, it may be, long
-continued, losing what we value, missing what we
-desire, deceit, ingratitude and treachery where we
-least expected them; folly, rashness and willfulness
-in ourselves. All these little worries which
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>we meet each day may lie as stumbling-blocks
-across our way, or we may make of them, if we
-choose, stepping-stones of grace.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I want all the little boys and girls who read
-this book to be joy-makers, to be burden-bearers,
-to be among those who shall assist in filling the
-whole world with good cheer. It is our duty to
-cheer and comfort others; it is our duty to make
-the world not only better but happier—happier because
-better—for our having lived in it. To all
-the other beatitudes might well be added this one:
-Blessed are the cheerful people, for they shall inherit
-the earth.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XL.<br /> <span class='large'>LIFE A BATTLE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls, I want to repeat to you now
-some words which were delivered long ago by the
-Hon. Schuyler Colfax, a man who was once the
-vice-president of the United States. These words
-are wholesome, and should be read and considered
-by parents and school teachers and by children
-themselves all over our land:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Above all things, teach children what their
-life is. It is not breathing, moving, playing, sleeping,
-simply. Life is a battle. All thoughtful people
-see it so. A battle between good and evil from
-childhood. Good influences, drawing us up toward
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>the divine; bad influences, drawing us down to the
-brute. Midway we stand, between the divine and
-the brute. How to cultivate the good side of the
-nature is the greatest lesson of life to teach. Teach
-children that they lead these two lives: the life
-without and the life within; and that the inside
-must be pure in the sight of God as well as the
-outside in the sight of men.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There are five means of learning. These are:
-Observation, reading, conversation, memory, reflection.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Educators sometimes, in their anxiety to secure
-a wide range of studies, do not sufficiently
-impress upon their scholars the value of memory.
-Now, our memory is one of the most valuable
-gifts God has bestowed upon us, and one of the
-most mysterious. Take a tumbler and pour water
-into it; by-and-by you can pour no more: it is
-full. It is not so with the mind. You cannot fill
-it full of knowledge in a whole lifetime. Pour in
-all you please, and it still thirsts for more.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Remember this:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Knowledge is not what you learn, but what
-you remember.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It is not what you eat, but what you digest,
-that makes you grow.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It is not the money you handle, but that you
-keep, that makes you rich.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It is not what you study, but what you remember
-and reflect upon, that makes you learned.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“One more suggestion:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>“Above all things else, strive to fit the children
-in your charge to be useful men and women; men
-and women you may be proud of in after-life.
-While they are young teach them that far above
-physical courage, which will lead them to face
-the cannon’s mouth; above wealth, which would
-give them farms and houses and bank stocks and
-gold; is moral courage—that courage by which
-they will stand fearlessly, frankly, firmly for the
-right. Every man or woman who dares to stand
-for the right when evil has its legions, is the true
-moral victor in this life and in the land beyond
-the stars.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>These brave and true words were spoken by Mr.
-Colfax long years ago. They were true then;
-they are no less true now. Every boy in America
-should treasure them in his heart. Every girl in
-America should commit them to memory and make
-them the rule of her life. Mothers and fathers,
-school teachers and preachers, and all who have
-the care of the young in any way would do well
-to study these wise counsels and reflect upon them
-and strive to impress upon those for whom they
-are laboring.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>If you would win the victory in the battle of life,
-my young friends, you must watch the little
-things. It is said that there is a barn upon the
-Alleghany Mountains so built that the rain which
-falls upon it separates in such a manner that that
-which falls upon one side of the roof runs into
-a little stream that flows into the Susquehanna
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>and thence into Chesapeake Bay and on into the
-Atlantic Ocean; that which falls upon the other
-side is carried into the Alleghany River, thence into
-the Ohio, and onward to the Gulf of Mexico.
-The point where the waters divide is very small,
-but how different the course of these waters! So
-it is with people, young or old. A very little
-thing changes the channel of their lives. Much
-will depend upon the kinds of tempers you have,
-boys and girls. If you are sour and cross and
-crabbed, no one will love you. If you are kind
-and cheerful, you will have friends wherever you
-go. Much will depend upon the way in which you
-improve your school days; upon the kind of companions
-you have; and upon the kind of habits
-you form. If you would win a great victory in
-fighting the battle of life you must look well to
-the little things.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLI.<br /> <span class='large'>RULED BY PRIMITIVE METHODS.<a id='r6' /><a href='#f6' class='c017'><sup>[6]</sup></a></span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I learned that the colored male citizens of Laurens
-County Ga., had organized a unique “Good
-Government Club,” and, being anxious to learn
-something of it, I called on the secretary. The secretary
-explained the club to me as follows:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Our society is a voluntary organization, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>has for its object the betterment of the race. It
-doesn’t cost anything to join, and any male citizen
-upward of twenty-one years old may become a
-member by taking an oath to be governed by our
-constitution and by-laws. There are no monthly
-dues. Now and then we make up a purse to help a
-needy brother. Our plan is to inquire into the
-mode of living of our members and correct, if
-possible, any faults. If any member fails or refuses
-to correct a fault complained of, he is then tried
-by a sort of courtmartial. The man under charge
-is allowed to have counsel from among the members
-of the organization. If he is found guilty,
-the punishment is usually a flogging given in the
-presence of the other members. We whip a man
-for a number of things: getting drunk, wife-beating,
-vagrancy, selling his vote, failure to provide
-for his family, failure to make an honest effort
-to pay his debts, using profane language and so
-on.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was reported to the society that one man’s
-wife was badly in need of a wash pot. The man
-was cited to show cause why he had not provided
-his wife with the article. He failed to buy one
-before the trial came off, and, when tried, failed
-to show how his wife could get along without one
-and still be put to no great inconvenience. Conviction
-followed. He was whipped, and ordered to
-get a pot within thirty days.... In
-riding past the home of another man it was seen
-by one of our members that the front gate had
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>fallen down. From appearances he had made no
-effort to put it up. At the trial it was proved that
-the gate had been down for several weeks, and
-that his wife had tried many times to get him to
-take more pride in the care of his home. Conviction
-followed and the husband will remember a
-long time the flogging he got that night....”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_157.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Charged with Kissing a Girl on the Street.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>We had a man before us once charged with
-kissing a girl on the street. The girl did not appear
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>against him; we could not get her to do so;
-and the man stoutly denied the charge. He told
-our judge that he had never kissed a woman in
-his life. The judge asked him if he wasn’t married.
-‘No, sah,’ he said, ‘my wife’s dead. I’m
-de daddy uv nine chilluns, an’ I nevah kissed a
-woman in my life.’ In the midst of much laughter,
-the judge asked, ‘Did you never kiss your
-wife?’ Without a moment’s hesitation the man
-said: ‘No, sah; no sah.’ Then the judge said:
-‘Jim, you’re the biggest liar in town, and I sentence
-you to be given forty-nine lashes, but I’ll
-suspend the sentence if you’ll agree to leave town
-within the next five hours.’ ‘Judge,’ said Jim, ‘I
-don’t want no five hours; I’ll be gone in five minutes.’...
-The strangest case I remember
-was the case of a man charged with beating
-his wife. His wife was a hard-working washerwoman.
-She had complained to us three or four
-times, but always repented before the time for
-trial, and would not appear against her husband.
-When she did come to our meeting she said: ‘Now,
-judge, I’se a-gwine ter tell you evaht’ing.’ And
-she told how her husband would get drunk and
-come home and curse and beat her unmercifully.
-She gave a graphic account of the last whipping
-she had received. The judge said: ‘I sentence
-this man to be given one hundred and one lashes—the
-maximum of the law.’ ‘Dar, now!’ exclaimed
-the woman. ‘Dar now! I’se done fixed
-you at las’! I tol’ you ’bout beatin’ on me like I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>wuz a dawg!’ Turning to the judge she said:
-‘Judge, I’ll take de whuppin’ fur him ef you’ll
-lemme; I ’spec’ he’ll be good atter dis.’”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLII.<br /> <span class='large'>HUNTING AN EASY PLACE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>A nicely dressed young man, fifteen or sixteen
-years old, who had just finished his course in the
-high school, stepped into the office of the president
-of the Smutville Short Line Railroad.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said the president, looking up from a
-mass of correspondence, “what can I do for you,
-sir?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I have just finished my course in the high
-school,” the young man began nervously, “and I
-thought that I might be able to secure a desirable
-position with your company. I came in to talk
-with you about it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The president asked the young man to have a
-seat.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“So,” said the president, “you want a desirable
-place, eh?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I do, sir,” said the young man, his heart beating
-high with hope.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“A place,” continued the president, “that
-would pay you something like a hundred dollars
-a month?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>“Something like that,” said the young man
-eagerly.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I guess you would like it very well, too, if I
-could arrange it so that you could report for work
-at nine o’clock in the mornings and get off every
-afternoon at three or four o’clock. In other words,
-you want something easy. I can see by looking at
-you that you are not accustomed to hard work,
-and you could not fill a place that required you to
-report at six o’clock every morning and work until
-six every afternoon. Do I size you up correctly?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I think so, sir,” was the reply.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“In plain English then, you are looking for a
-soft place with the Short Line?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I am, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, sir,” said the president, smiling for the
-first time, “I regret to inform you that there is
-only one such place on our railroad. I occupy that
-place myself, and I am not thinking of resigning.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The young man’s face flushed.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>
-<img src='images/i_161.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>I Have Just Finished My Course in the High School.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>The president continued: “I hope you will not
-think that it is going beyond what is right and
-proper for me to say, but I must tell you, young
-man, that you have started out in life with the
-wrong notion. No brave and strong young man is
-going about looking for an easy place. The brave
-and true man asks only for work. And the men
-who are occupying what you call the easy places
-in this life to-day are the men who have climbed
-into them by hard work. You are very much mistaken
-if you think that they have stepped into
-them from the high school. In fact, and you’ll
-find it out soon enough for yourself, there are
-really no soft or easy places in this world, and the
-man who goes about seeking such places stamps
-himself at once as a failure. Nobody will ever employ
-such a boy, and such a boy would be no good
-if he were employed. Let me, as a friend, advise
-you, young man, that the next place you go to to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>apply for a job, you ask for a chance to begin at
-the bottom. If it happens to be a railroad, ask
-to be given a chance to do anything—firing an engine,
-or cleaning cars, or laboring in the roundhouse.
-Be willing to begin low down in the business,
-and, if you’re made out of the right stuff,
-you will fight your way to the front. I started in
-with the Short Line as a day laborer myself, and
-if I had not done so I would not be at its head
-to-day. You advertise your own folly when you
-go and ask a sensible business man to put you at
-the start at the head of something. You must begin
-at the bottom and work up to the top. That is
-the rule everywhere, and you will not, I am sure,
-prove an exception to it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Let us hope, boys and girls, that this young man
-left the president’s office a wiser young man. Be
-sure not to follow his example. Don’t go around
-hunting for easy places.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLIII.<br /> <span class='large'>BURT BANKSTON’S BEQUEST.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Burt Bankston was a noted Kentucky gambler.
-Those who knew him best said that he had some
-redeeming traits. He never drank whiskey; he
-used tobacco in no form; and he seldom indulged
-in profanity. Moreover he frequently went to
-church.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>
-<img src='images/i_163.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Gambler.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>But he never made any excuses for his gambling.
-He rather defended it, saying that gambling
-was not a sport or pastime with him, but a business.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>He said he gambled for the same reason
-that a man kept a store or practiced law—for a
-living.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>His wife declared that he was peaceable and
-quiet at home. The only fault she found with
-him, according to her own testimony, was that he
-kept late hours and often spent the whole night
-away from home. And she begged him many
-times to quit the gambling table. Her appeal
-always fell on deaf ears.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Burt, I’m going to quit; I’ve got enough; this
-is my last night at this kind of thing.” The
-speaker was Bill Mobley, one of Burt’s chums.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“All right, Bill,” said Burt, “I guess I’ll follow
-you in a few days; I’m getting old now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The next morning Bill Mobley was found dead
-upon the streets of Lecompton. Whether he had
-taken his own life or been sandbagged on his way
-home was never found out.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>From that day forward no man ever saw Burt
-Bankston in a gambling house. He opened a
-grocery store—that failed. He started a laundry—that
-fell through. He tried a peanut stand; he
-peddled flowers about the street. Compared with
-his former high living, his existence was miserable.
-His wife died after a few years. Friends
-said that she died of remorse, or a broken heart,
-or something of that kind. She could not bear to
-live on after her husband’s downfall—that is, his
-downfall in the eye of the world. Soon after she
-died Burt was stricken with a dreadful sickness.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>He came near dying. By-and-by he was restored
-to health, but he was broken and bent with old
-age. Friends pitied him, and secured him a place
-as watchman at a celebrated orphan’s home.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_165.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Gambler—In Old Age.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>At last one day Burt Bankston died, everybody
-believing him to be a pauper. When his will was
-probated it was found that he left an estate worth
-nearly $500,000. This sum Burt designated to be
-divided into three parts—one part to be devoted
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>to the common school education of the masses;
-another part to the work of the Y. M. C. A., and
-the third to the orphan asylum. Among other
-things, in the body of the will Burt Bankston said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“For twenty years I was a gambler. The past
-twenty years I have spent repenting. I advise all
-young men to let gambling alone; and I hope that
-those who may be benefited by my bequest may be
-willing to follow the advice of one who has passed
-through the fire.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLIV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BIG BLACK BURGLAR.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>One cold winter night, about midnight, my good
-wife called to me, saying:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Dan! Dan! Get up! Get up!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What’s the matter?” I asked with much
-alarm.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Somebody’s in the dining-room; I heard them
-rattling the dishes just a minute ago.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I don’t hear anything, wife,” I said slowly.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There’s somebody in there sure; I heard them
-myself. Do get up, Dan, before they take everything
-we’ve got.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I haven’t got a gun or any kind of weapon,”
-I said, still fighting for time.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, get up and make a noise—walk around
-heavy—that’ll frighten ’em and make ’em leave.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figleft id006'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>
-<img src='images/i_168.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>The Big Black Burglar.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>I got up quietly, turned up the lamp, and looked
-about me with a sigh.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Be quick,” said my wife.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“In a minute,” said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I tipped around to the wall on the side of the
-bed, and took down an old iron sword, which had
-done duty in the Mexican war, and which we had
-preserved as an heirloom.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Hurry, hurry, Dan!” said my wife.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“All right,” I said with meekness.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I took the sword in one hand and the lamp in
-the other, and moved gently toward the door,
-which opened from our bed-room into the dining-room.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Pausing at the door, I said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Hallo! Hallo, in there!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The response came from my wife in bed.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Open the door, Dan; open the door!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Humbly I placed the lamp on the floor close by
-the door, caught a tight grip on my old war-piece,
-and then quickly shoved the door wide open. I
-intended, of course, after getting my bearings, to
-pick up the lamp and enter the dining-room on a
-tour of inspection. But, I assure you, there was
-no time for any such careful procedure. As soon
-as the door was opened and the light went streaming
-into the dining-room, something fell to the
-floor with a terrible thud, and quicker than it
-takes to tell it a great big black something, that
-looked to me like a buffalo or elephant, came
-bounding toward me. It was all so sudden that it
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>surprised me, and I fell back trembling. Over
-went the lamp. It broke. Out came the oil. It
-took fire and pretty soon the lambrequin close by
-took fire also.
-Down I snatched it
-and threw it into
-the grate. I reached
-for the first thing
-handy, and tried to
-smother the fire on
-the floor. In doing
-so, I stepped on a
-piece of glass and cut my
-foot. I burnt my hands terribly.
-And, to beat it all, my
-night shirt caught on fire. I
-ran to the bed, and sat down
-in order to quench the blaze.
-This shows that I still
-had some presence of
-mind left, although, as a matter
-of fact, this new extinguishing
-process scorched my legs awfully.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When all was quiet again,
-and I lit another lamp in order
-to take an inventory, my bed-room
-was a sight to behold! I
-found that in the struggle, my old army sword
-had been plunged amidship into the handsome
-mirror of our dresser, and had also made havoc
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>of a reproduction, of Millet’s Angelus. I discovered,
-also, that I had used my brand-new
-$50 overcoat to extinguish the fire, and that
-many of the handsome photos of our friends
-that stood on the mantle had been ruined. Altogether
-that one night’s experience cost me in the
-neighborhood of $100, not to mention my own personal
-injuries. It was a terrible night, I tell you.
-And far-off in one corner, I saw, crouching in
-abject fear, the cause of all my troubles—the
-burly black burglar. And what do you think it
-was? It was nothing in the world but an old black
-Tom Cat, who had been a member of our family
-for many years!</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLV.<br /> <span class='large'>PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Surely all young girls ought to know how to
-sew, and, not only sew, but all girls, I think, ought
-to love the purely feminine occupation of sewing.
-Since I am sure that many of the little girls who
-will read this book know how to sew, I am going
-to tell you about some little sewing that my wife
-did.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In 1903, the Ladies’ Home Journal, of Philadelphia,
-offered a prize of fifty dollars for the best
-way to make pin-money at home. You know,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>girls, that pin-money means pocket change or
-spending money. Many hundreds of women all
-over the world sent in suggestions to the Ladies’
-Home Journal, each one hoping, I am sure, that
-her suggestion would win first prize. The following
-letter sent to my wife will tell you just how
-her suggestion was received:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r c006'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line in4'>“THE LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL,</div>
-      <div class='line'>“Philadelphia. February 5, 1903.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-l'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Dear Madam:</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It gives me much pleasure to tell you that
-among the hundreds of letters received in response
-to the offer made in our January magazine in connection
-with The Editor’s Want-Box, Mr. Bok has
-chosen your offering as the one entitled to the first
-prize of fifty dollars. He congratulates you upon
-your success and thanks you for the interest you
-have shown.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Our Treasurer will send you a check within a
-week.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>Very truly yours,</div>
-      <div class='line in4'>“Wm. V. Alexander,</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>“Managing Editor.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-l'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Mrs. Ella Floyd.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The check came all right, girls, and my wife
-thought, as she said to me, that in winning the
-prize she had found a new way to make pin-money—that
-is, by telling others how to make pin-money
-at home.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Two hundred of the little articles were afterwards
-published from time to time in The Ladies’
-Home Journal. The first article of the series appeared
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>in the magazine for January, 1904, and my
-wife’s little story, which won first money, was at
-the head of the list. I am going to give here the
-whole of the little article, as published in The
-Ladies’ Home Journal. Of course, I am proud
-that she won the prize, and I hope other young
-ladies by-and-by may be the happy winners in
-such contests. And here is the article:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“When one’s pin-money is all gone but twenty-five
-cents the question comes as to the way to
-replenish it. One day when I found that I had
-only that amount I invested it as follows:</p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary=''>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>1 yard of lawn</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.10</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>1 yard of lace</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.10</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>1 spool of cotton</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.05</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c021'><hr /></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.25</td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The same day I made three baby caps as
-daintily as I could with these materials. The next
-day I sold them for twenty-five cents each, and
-then I had seventy-five cents. I then bought</p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary=''>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>1  yard of lawn</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.15</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>2½ yards of lace</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.25</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>2  yards of ribbon</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.25</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>2 tiny buckles</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.05</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>1 spool of cotton</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.05</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c021'><hr /></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c020'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c021'>.75</td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c012'>“With these materials I made two baby caps,
-somewhat larger than the first ones, and trimmed
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>more prettily. I found no trouble in selling them
-for $1.50. Straightway I invested the sum in
-lawn, lace, ribbon, etc., and as I had done so well
-with the caps I thought I would try my hand on
-little bonnets. I made two. A friend offered me
-$5 for them before they were finished. I accepted
-her offer and from that day to this I have never
-been troubled about pin-money.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_172.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Pin-Money Made with the Needle.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“In four weeks’ time I made and sold twenty
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>caps and eleven bonnets. The material for the
-caps cost me $2.50—twelve and a half cents for
-each. I sold them for twenty-five cents each. The
-material for the bonnets cost me $8.25, or seventy-five
-cents each. I sold them for $2.50 each. So I
-netted $21.75 for my work. The time which I
-devoted to this enterprise was that which ordinarily
-I would have used in calling or in running
-up bills for my husband to pay.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Since the first four weeks of which I have
-spoken in detail I have made more expensive caps
-and bonnets for babies from six months to about
-three years old. The last one I made was of silk,
-beautifully trimmed, tucked and hemstitched. I
-sold it for $6, making a clear profit of $3. My
-husband says I’ll soon be in position to organize
-a trust.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLVI.<br /> <span class='large'>SELF-HELP.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>If there is one idea for which more than any
-other the public school system should stand, it is
-the idea of self-help. Self-help is the best kind of
-help in the world, and one cannot learn this lesson
-too early in life. Even little children—three, four,
-five, six and eight years old—should be taught to
-work. Any little child is just as capable of doing
-the little things in work as he is in play. Why
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>should not the little girl be taught to trim and
-wash the dress of her doll? Why should not the
-little children be taught to sweep up the dirt that
-they have scattered in play? Why should they
-not be taught to remove the dishes from the table,
-brush up the crumbs, set back the chairs, pick up
-chips, put the kindling wood in its place, bring
-the potatoes in from the garden, help to pick over
-the berries, and so forth? We might argue this
-question from now until doom’s day, and nobody,
-I think, would be able to give any good reason why
-children should not be taught to do the little
-things. Little children who are accustomed to having
-everything done for them by others are very
-soon beset with the rust of laziness and the canker
-of pride. Whereas, on the other hand, if children
-are taught to help themselves as soon as and as
-much as they are able, it will tend to improve their
-faculties, and will, at the same time, have a good
-influence upon their dispositions.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Childhood and youth are periods of life which
-materially influence all of its following periods,
-and whether the earlier years of one’s life be
-passed in idleness and indolence, or in well-directed
-industry, is a point on which greatly depends
-the worth or the worthlessness of human
-character. Where is the man who guides his
-affairs with discretion, or the woman that looketh
-well to the ways of her household, and yet was not
-in some measure imbued with industrious and
-provident habits in early life? On the other hand,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>who that has been treated until the age of fifteen
-or twenty like a helpless infant, and had every
-want supplied without being put to the necessity
-of either mental or bodily exertion, was ever good
-for anything afterwards?</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_175.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Washing Dollie’s Clothes.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>The tendency of the age is by far too much in
-the direction of keeping our young boys solely for
-the purpose of loafing about the streets, or standing
-around the soda fountains on Sunday—and
-our young girls for parties, social entertainments,
-picnics, excursions and the like. So that by the
-time our boys and girls reach manhood and
-womanhood, they despise honest labor and are
-afraid to engage in real hard work. A young
-woman may know how to read and write—may
-understand grammar, history, and geography—may
-sing sweetly and play the piano well; but,
-whatever else she may know or may not know, if
-she does not know how to bake a hoe-cake of
-bread, make her little brother or sister a pair of
-pants or a plain dress, she is only half educated.
-In fact, every young woman should not only know
-how to perform every duty connected with a
-household, but every young woman should take
-some part in household work. No girl need tell
-me that she really loves her mother if she is willing
-to leave to her mother the work of washing
-the dishes, sweeping and scouring the floors, caring
-for the little children, doing the Monday washings,
-the house cleaning, and the like, while she
-devotes herself to pleasure, novel reading, social
-calling, butterfly parties, or playing rag-time
-music or singing rag-time songs.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The home and the public school are the two
-great agencies which are jointly engaged, or which
-should be jointly engaged, in teaching children to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>help themselves. If children are taught, as boys
-and girls, to think for themselves, speak for themselves
-and act for themselves, when they are old
-they will not forget the precious lesson, and will
-be less likely to become burdens on the community.
-The highest ambition of every American
-man and woman should be to be of some useful
-service to the world; and the first step will be
-taken toward this noble end when we have thoroughly
-learned the value and importance of the
-lesson of self-help. First, learn to help yourself,
-and then you will be able to see more clearly how
-to help others.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLVII.<br /> <span class='large'>HENRY WARD BEECHER’S TESTIMONY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>First impressions are always most lasting. We
-may not recognize or understand it at the time,
-but the boys and girls, the very young people,
-whom God has committed to our care in the home
-or the Sunday-school or the public school, gather
-in their early days, in the formative and impressionable
-period of their lives, the inspirations and
-impulses which shall guide them in after years
-either on the road to good or on the road to ruin.
-I happen to have high testimony on this point. It
-is the testimony of the grandest preacher who ever
-stood in an American pulpit. I mean Henry
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>Ward Beecher. The following testimony is taken
-from a sermon of his preached in Plymouth
-Church, Brooklyn, on Sunday, January 18, 1874.
-The subject of the sermon was “Soul Power.”
-Among other things, Mr. Beecher said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“In reading the life of Goethe, written by himself,
-you will notice how he marks the various
-stages of his self-culture, and says, ‘At this point
-I met such a man, and he was of great use to me in
-such and such respects.’ Goethe’s educators were
-living men, active and powerful, around about
-him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I can look back upon my own early life, and
-see how one and another took me, and how one prepared
-me for another. I can see how the largest
-natures did not always get access to me. It was
-late in life before my father influenced me very
-much. I think it was a humble woman who was
-in our family that first gained any considerable
-control over me. I feel the effects of her influence
-to this day.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I next came under the influence of a very
-humble serving-man. He opened up new directions
-to me, and gave me new impulses. He was
-a colored man; and I am not ashamed to say that
-my whole life, my whole career respecting the colored
-race, in the conflict which was so long carried
-on in this country, was largely influenced by the
-effect produced on my mind when I was between
-eight and ten years of age, by a poor old colored
-man named Charles Smith, who worked on my
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>father’s farm. He did not set out to influence
-me; he did not know that he did it; I did not know
-it until a great while afterwards; but he gave me
-new impulses, and impulses which were in the
-right direction; for he was a Godly and hymn-singing
-man, who made wine fresh every night
-from the cluster. He used to lie upon his humble
-bed (I slept in the same room with him) and read
-his Testament, unconscious apparently that I was
-in the room; and he would laugh and talk about
-what he read, and chuckle over it with that peculiarly
-unctuous throat-tone which belongs to his
-race. I never had heard the Bible really read
-before; but there, in my presence, he read it and
-talked about it, to himself and to God. He turned
-the New Testament into living forms right before
-me. It was a revelation and an impulse to me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>What noble testimony this is! And from what
-a noble source! All of us have what is called influence,
-and, consciously or unconsciously, we are all
-influencing others, especially the young. It is a
-matter worth our deepest and most prayerful
-thought. If Charles Smith, “a poor old colored
-man;” if Charles Smith, “the very humble serving-man;”
-if Charles Smith, “the Godly and
-hymn-singing man,” was used of God to give impulses—and
-impulses which were in the right
-direction—to a little boy who was afterwards to
-become the greatest preacher that America has
-ever known, may not some of us be likewise used
-of God for the glory of our Common Master, even
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>Christ, and for the good of our fellow-men? I tell
-you, friends, we may. And when we think of the
-great friend of humanity, Henry Ward Beecher,
-let us not forget to think of Charles Smith, who
-had so much to do, according to Beecher’s own testimony,
-with giving this great man a right start.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>ROUNDING UP A CHICKEN THIEF.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I was not the chief actor in the story which I
-shall now tell. I played only a minor part. My
-father-in-law was “leading man.” Soon after I
-married I accepted a very cordial invitation to
-take up my residence with my wife’s parents. Our
-bed-rooms happened to be on the same floor, so
-that it was very easy for us to hear in one room
-any unusual noise made in the other. My mother-in-law
-was a great hand at the poultry business.
-She had a large number of the choicest breeds,
-and she found great pleasure in looking after
-them. Now, the old-folk’s bed-room was at the
-rear. Our room was in front. Late one night I
-heard a voice calling.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Thomas! Thomas!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It sounded sad and far-away. At first I thought
-it might have been a ghost. I raised myself up and
-listened. Pretty soon I heard the voice again,
-calling in strangely sepulchral tones.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>“Thomas! Thomas!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And then I could not be mistaken. It was my
-mother calling the old man. Father drawled out
-sleepily,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What is it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There’s somebody out there at my hen house,
-just as sure as you’re born. Don’t you hear the
-chickens calling for help?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was a short silence. After awhile I heard
-the old lady say impetuously,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Thomas, why don’t you get up and go and see
-after them chickens?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was another pause. By-and-by mother
-spoke again,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Thomas, you don’t need on your top-shirt. Go
-on, just as you are. My chickens are in danger.
-If I were a man, I wouldn’t have stopped to put on
-my pants even. You’re a coward—that’s what
-you are!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Next I heard the old man speak. I do not know
-whether he was looking out of the window or not,
-but I heard his say,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Hi, there, look out! I’m coming out there!
-Look out, I’m going to blow your daylights out!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>If the old man meant this remark to impress his
-wife with his bravery the effect was certainly lost
-on the woman, because I heard her say louder than
-ever,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Get out of the way, you coward baby, you!
-I’ll go myself! Where’s my slippers?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In less than a minute I heard the old lady’s
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>voice at the back door, at the head of the steps
-which ran down into the yard. She said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Bring the lamp, Thomas! Bring the lamp!”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_182.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Son, its a Mighty Lucky Thing for You and Nannie that I Didn’t Have My Gun.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Curiosity pulled me and my wife out of bed.
-I stepped quietly into the hall, and stood well in
-the dark, not desiring to be in any way conspicuous
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>in the investigations which were proceeding.
-My wife was by my side—trembling, anxious. Her
-angelic mother had already descended the steps,
-and neither of us knew what fate might befall her
-there. Wife whispered that we had better go to
-the rescue. We started for the door where father
-stood with the lamp. On the way I stumbled
-against a little table and knocked off a pitcher of
-ice-water, which fell to the floor with a terrific
-crash. It sounded louder than usual, not only on
-account of the stillness of the night but also on
-account of the fact that our nerves were already
-keyed up to a very high tension by the exciting
-events then taking place. At the sound in the
-hall, father turned quickly and looked behind.
-The light flashed into our faces. He must have
-thought we were ghosts or burglars. Immediately
-the lamp fell out of the old man’s hands, and he
-went sailing down the back stairs, hallooing at the
-top of his voice,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“They’re in the house, wife! They’re in the
-house!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When wife and I reached the door father was
-already, as I afterwards learned, safely buried
-behind the chicken house, and mother was lodged
-under the steps.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Father!” I called out. “Father!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was no response.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It’s me and Nannie, mother,” I said.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Still we heard nothing.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I went back to our room, and got our lamp. My
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>wife was following me, foot to foot. Returning, I
-descended the steps and stood on the last one.
-Wife remained at the head of the steps, anxious,
-waiting, and ready to fly back into the house at
-the first outcry.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Father!” I called again. “Father! Mother!
-There’s nobody in the house but me and Nannie.
-I made that noise myself, father. Where are
-you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Simultaneously the old folks emerged from their
-hiding-places.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The old lady said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Thomas, you’re the biggest coward in all the
-world! I’ll never speak to you again!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Father addressed me, ignoring his wife’s complaint.
-Said he,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Son, it’s a mighty lucky thing for you and
-Nannie that I didn’t have my gun.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XLIX.<br /> <span class='large'>SHIELDS GREEN, THE MARTYR.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Near the south-east corner of the cemetery in
-Oberlin, Ohio, there stands an unpretentious
-monument of clouded marble, about eight feet in
-height, bearing the following inscriptions:</p>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-  <div class='nf-center'>
-    <div>S. GREEN,</div>
-    <div>Died at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 1859.</div>
-    <div>Aged 23 years.</div>
-    <div class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>J. A. COPELAND,</div>
-    <div>Died at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 1859.</div>
-    <div>Aged 25 years.</div>
-    <div class='c007'>L. S. LEARY,</div>
-    <div>Died at Harper’s Ferry, Va., Oct. 20, 1859.</div>
-    <div>Aged 24 years.</div>
-    <div class='c007'>These colored citizens of Oberlin,</div>
-    <div>The Heroic Associates of the Immortal</div>
-    <div>JOHN BROWN,</div>
-    <div>Gave their lives for the Slave.</div>
-    <div><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Et nunc servitudo etiam mortua est, laus Deo.</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>In 1876, Frederick Douglass, who was once an
-associate and intimate friend of John Brown, lectured
-at Oberlin College. Among other things,
-Mr. Douglass said that Shields Green, who had
-once been a student of Oberlin College, was residing
-in the Douglass family shortly before the raid
-on Harper’s Ferry. At the call of Brown, Green
-went with Douglass to an appointed spot near the
-borders of Virginia. There John Brown confided
-to them the details of his plans, including the capture
-of Harper’s Ferry. Mr. Douglass objected to
-the plans as unwise and hazardous, and, finding
-entreaty unavailing, he withdrew from the enterprise.
-Shields Green, nevertheless, followed his
-old commander. When John Brown was finally
-surrounded, Green and one other companion were
-in the mountains on some errand. When they returned,
-they saw at a glance that the rescue of
-Brown was impossible. Green’s companion counseled
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>flight, and did himself escape, but Shields
-Green—the former Oberlin student—replied that
-he preferred to “go down and die with the old
-man,” meaning John Brown.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And he did.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There is scarcely a more touching incident than
-this in all our national history.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>L.<br /> <span class='large'>AIMING AT SOMETHING.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>It is true, boys and girls, that it is what you hit,
-not what you aim at, that counts; but, nevertheless,
-it is a very important thing to take the right
-aim. The man who aims deliberately at the center
-of the target stands a better chance, a hundred to
-one, than the man who shoots without taking aim.
-So, in life, that boy or girl who has a purpose—who
-is aiming at something—will be more successful
-than those boys and girls who have no plans
-and who aim at nothing.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>
-<img src='images/i_187.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Aiming at Something.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is not sufficient, in the moral world, to aim at
-something, but every boy and girl should aim at
-the best things. The best and highest things in this
-world are the unseen things, the eternal things,
-the things that will last forever. Money is a good
-thing, but there is something higher than money.
-A high position in the business or professional or
-political world, is a good thing, but there is something
-higher and better than office and position.
-Character is the grandest, the highest and best
-thing in this world. We include in this one little
-word “character” a world of things. Honor, uprightness,
-speaking
-the truth, dealing
-fairly with people, being
-willing to help the
-lowly and unfortunate,
-paying your debts promptly,
-these things, and many
-other things like them, are
-included in the one word
-“character.” And these
-are the things that are
-worth while in this world.
-These are the things that
-every boy and girl should aim at. It may not
-be possible for every boy and girl to become
-a millionaire; it may not be possible for every
-boy and girl to fill high offices in this world, or
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>succeed in large business enterprises; but one
-thing is certain: every boy can be a good and true
-boy, every girl can be a noble and beautiful girl.
-Beautiful as to conduct, as to words and deeds, I
-mean. Good boys are the fathers of good men.
-Pure girls are the mothers of pure women. For,
-what, after all, is a boy? And what is a girl?
-What is a man? What is a woman? I will tell
-you. A boy is a little man—that’s all; and a man
-is a grown-up boy. A girl is a little woman—that’s
-all; and a woman is a grown-up girl.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is important, then, that boys and girls should
-aim at the right things, the good, the true and
-noble things early in life. What boys and girls
-aim at, in nine cases out of ten, they will reach as
-men and women. And to help you in taking the
-proper aim early in life, I am going to give you
-something to aim at. Let every boy and girl make
-this little motto his rule of life:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>Know something—know it well;</div>
-      <div class='line'>Do something—do it well;—</div>
-      <div class='line in4'>And be Somebody!</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LI.<br /> <span class='large'>“THE BLACK SHEEP” OF THE REYNOLDS FAMILY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Will Reynolds was “the black sheep” of the
-Reynolds family. He knew it and felt it, because
-he had been frequently slighted and treated with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>contempt by his relatives. The only person who
-never lost faith in him was his mother. She
-always felt that there was something good in her
-wayward son, and often said that it would show
-itself some day. But Will’s mother died in the
-early stages of his backslidings. Will’s father
-married the second time, and the boy, finding it
-impossible to get along with his stepmother, left
-home. He went from bad to worse. Being
-arrested on the charge of drunkenness and vagrancy,
-he sent to his two brothers, who were prosperous
-brokers in D. St., asking them to pay his
-fine. Word came back that they would not interfere
-in his behalf. His brothers sent word that he
-had brought the trouble upon himself and he must
-get out of it the best way he could. Will was sent
-to the Work House for six months. And nobody’s
-hand was raised to help him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>While he was serving his time, his only sister, a
-young woman not yet grown, died. He knew
-nothing of it until about a month after it occurred,
-and then he read the account in an old newspaper
-which he had borrowed from a fellow prisoner.
-The news of his sister’s death deeply affected him.
-His sentence was shortened by one month on account
-of his good behaviour. The first thing he
-did, on coming to the city, was to visit the family
-lot in Myrtle Hill Cemetery. He carried with him
-some wild flowers and green leaves, being too poor
-to purchase a floral offering from the dealers in
-such things. With uncovered head, he knelt and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>placed these tokens of respect on the graves of his
-mother and sister. This done, he stood in silence
-for a moment, and then wept like a little child.
-While riveted to the spot, he made a solemn vow
-that he would quit the old life and make a man of
-himself. “It’s in me,” he said to himself, “and
-I’m going to prove it.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id004'>
-<img src='images/i_190.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>He Carried with Him Some Wild Flowers and Green Leaves.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>Slowly he turned away from the sacred place.
-He went directly to the offices of his brothers. He
-had been furnished with a new suit of clothes,
-according to custom, upon leaving prison, and so
-made quite a decent appearance. He found his
-oldest brother, John B. Reynolds, seated at a desk
-in the front office. He entered at once and said,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, John, I suppose sister is dead?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How dare you,” exclaimed John, rising to his
-feet,—“how dare you to speak of Annie as your
-sister, you jailbird, you miserable convict! Get
-out of here this minute! Leave this room at once,
-and never set foot in it again!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was fire in the man’s eye as he spoke.
-Will attempted to speak, but was not permitted.
-With tears streaming down his cheeks, he left the
-room. He had gone to tell of his new determination
-and ask for another chance, and this was the
-reception which he met. On his way down the
-steps, he came face to face with his other brother,
-Thomas Reynolds. Thomas tried to pass without
-speaking, but Will intercepted him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Tom,” he said, “I’m your brother still. I’m
-not asking help now; I only came to tell you that
-I’m going to do better. I thought you would be
-glad to hear it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I want to hear nothing from you,” said
-Thomas. “You’ve disgraced us forever, and you
-can go your way; we don’t want anything to do
-with you; we don’t want to see you again!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Will went forth into the street weeping.</p>
-
-<hr class='c018' />
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>Thirty years have come and gone since Will was
-driven away from the offices of his brothers. What
-changes have these years worked?</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Soon after leaving prison Will was a constant
-visitor at the Railroad Men’s Branch of the Y. M.
-C. A. Through the Secretary of the Association,
-he soon secured a place as a day laborer in the
-machine shops of the Big Bend Railroad. After
-securing regular employment, he went to live in
-the Y. M. C. A. building. At the close of his first
-year’s service with the railroad, he was promoted
-from a common laborer and made an apprentice.
-After four or five years, he had learned the trade
-and was receiving the daily wages of a machinist.
-After twelve years with the company, he was
-made the Master Machinist. At the end of fifteen
-years’ service, he was made Superintendent of
-Construction. Five years later he was made a
-Division Superintendent. At the expiration of
-more than twenty-five years of faithful service,
-Will Reynolds was able to write after his name,
-“General Manager of the Big Bend Railroad.”
-He had, also, been married for several years, and
-was the father of five children.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Will’s father and brothers lost sight of him for
-nearly twelve years, or until the papers announced
-his appointment as Master Machinist of the Big
-Bend Railroad. They suddenly awoke to find that
-their conclusions that he had probably long since
-died a drunkard’s death, or had gone off as a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>tramp and had been killed, or was again serving
-a sentence in prison somewhere—were wrong.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The same week that Will was made Superintendent
-of Construction of the Big Bend Railroad,
-the newspapers spread all over the country the
-news that Col. Oliver P. Reynolds had committed
-suicide. According to their way, the newspapers
-gave all the sickening details of the tragedy, together
-with the whole family history. They said
-that Col. Reynolds had been driven to suicide by
-his wife. They said that she was much younger
-than he; that she was extravagant; that she was a
-leader in gay society; they told how, on her
-account, Col. Reynolds had driven his son away
-from home fifteen years before; they declared that
-the old man’s life had been a hell to him; and that
-his wife had brought him almost to the verge of
-bankruptcy, and, in order to escape facing open
-disgrace, he had murdered himself.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When Will heard of his father’s death, he hastened
-at once to the city, but was denied admission
-to the family residence, and had to attend the
-funeral in the little church around the corner not
-as a member of the family but merely as an outsider.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>We are not concerned in this story with the fate
-of Will’s stepmother. But, as to Will’s brothers,—well,
-the crash came eight or ten years after the
-death of Col. Reynolds, or a short while before
-Will became the General Manager of the Big Bend
-Railroad. John B. Reynolds and Thomas Reynolds,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>members of the firm of John B. Reynolds &amp;
-Bro., had been arrested and placed in the Tombs,
-charged with misappropriating $175,000 of trust
-funds. Again the family history was rehearsed
-in the newspapers. The papers did not fail to
-recall the suicide of Col. Reynolds, nor did they
-fail to tell how these two brothers had earlier in
-life turned their backs on a younger brother.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_194.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Well, John, I Suppose Sister is Dead?</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>Will read the papers, and, saying to his wife,
-“Well, Mary, perhaps they’ll be glad to see me
-this trip,” he went immediately to offer his services
-to his brothers.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He had prophesied correctly. John and Thomas
-were very glad to see him. They had no friends
-among those high in financial circles because they
-had for many years conducted their business in
-such a way that business men had no confidence in
-them. They had no credit and could get nobody
-to go on their bonds. Will took in the situation at
-a glance. He had been thoughtful enough to
-bring along with him the leading attorney of the
-Big Bend Railroad, and he put matters straightway
-into his hands. Bail was arranged, the
-brothers were released, and the lawyer then
-turned his attention to the prosecutors. It was
-discovered that almost half of the amount stolen
-was the property of Simon B. Nesmith, President
-of the Big Bend Railroad. When Will
-Reynolds and the lawyer found that their own
-superior officer had been so heavily hit by John
-B. Reynolds &amp; Bro., they came near fainting. Fortunately
-Nesmith when he heard the whole story
-agreed not to prosecute, and not only said that he
-would be satisfied with any settlement that the
-Railroad’s Attorney might arrange but also volunteered
-to see the others concerned and use his influence
-in having them do likewise.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>In a short time matters were adjusted, and John
-Reynolds and Thomas Reynolds were saved from
-prison. But they lost all their earthly possessions
-and their brother, “the black sheep” of the
-family, had to secure them for the sum of $40,000
-besides.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>John B. Reynolds and Thomas Reynolds came
-to their senses. It was their time to cry now.
-Amidst great sobs they said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“We treated you wrongly, brother Will; we
-ought to have helped you many years ago; we are
-so sorry we didn’t; and it was such a small matter,
-too.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But Will said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Don’t talk about the past: I’m your brother
-still. Go and do as I did. Start over and make
-men of yourselves—you’ll have enough time.
-That’s all I ask.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE HOLY BIBLE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I heard a minister say the other day that a
-mother had not necessarily done much for her boy
-because she had bought him a nice Bible and put
-it in his trunk, when he was about to leave home
-to seek his fortune in the world. I think it wrong
-for anybody—minister or what not—to indulge in
-such loose and flippant talk. The effect is bad—always
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>bad, and no hair splitting, and no higher
-criticism, and no curiously ingenious explanations
-can mend the matter. As for me, give me the
-old-fashioned mother who sends her son out into
-the world with a Bible in his trunk, and give me
-the old-fashioned boy who reads that Bible every
-night with tears in his eyes, as he thinks of the old
-folks at home and of their simple lives devoted to
-Jesus Christ. Give me the man, woman or child,
-whose hands touch the Bible reverently, instead of
-slinging it about as a dictionary or some common
-dime novel. Give me the plain old fellow who
-quickly takes leave of that circle in which critics
-are proceeding to ably explain away certain chapters
-of the Bible.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>As for me, I want no new theories about the
-Bible—no new versions—no new criticisms. No
-man has a right to weaken the faith of others.
-No man has a right to knock away the staff that
-supports the crippled wayfarer. And no man has
-a right to tell an aged mother that it does no good
-to give her boy a Bible unless he can suggest a
-better substitute. Destroy the old-fashioned idea
-concerning the Bible, and we shall have a nation
-of infidels defying God, defying the law, and
-repeating the licentiousness and horrors of the
-French Revolution. We should make the Bible
-first in all things. Make the Bible first in the
-family, in the Sunday-school and church, make it
-first in state and society, and we shall have a
-Republic that will grow brighter and brighter as
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>the years come and go, and then we “shall go out
-with joy, and be lead forth with peace: and the
-mountains and the hills shall break forth before
-us into singing, and all the trees of the field shall
-clap their hands.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LIII.<br /> <span class='large'>ANDREW CARNEGIE’S ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>One of the bravest and truest friends of
-humanity that I know of is Andrew Carnegie, the
-great iron king. He has retired from business
-now, and is spending his time in giving away his
-money for the good of his fellow men. In addition
-to smaller gifts, he has given to the city of New
-York $5,200,000 for libraries for all the people.
-He has given $10,000,000 to Universities in Scotland,
-his native country, and he has also founded
-the “Carnegie Institution,” of Washington, D. C.,
-with the liberal sum of $10,000,000. Every
-colored boy and girl in America has a special reason
-for thanking Mr. Carnegie for his splendid
-gifts to Tuskegee and Wilberforce and other colored
-schools. In addition to the $600,000 given
-toward Tuskegee’s endowment fund, he has given
-Tuskegee and Wilberforce library buildings, costing
-about $20,000 each. The words of such a
-humanitarian and philanthropist should carry
-weight everywhere, and should be studied by all.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>Among other things, Mr. Carnegie says, in speaking
-to young men:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do not make riches, but usefulness, your first
-aim, and let your chief pride be that your daily
-occupation is in the line of progress and development;
-that your work, in whatever capacity it
-may be, is useful work, honestly conducted, and as
-such ennobles your life.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Whatever your salary be, save a little; live
-within your means. The man who saves a little
-from his income has given the surest indication of
-the very qualities that every employer is seeking
-for.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The great successes of life are made by concentration.
-Do not think you have done your full
-duty when you have performed the work assigned
-you. You will never rise if you only do this.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You hear a good deal about poverty nowadays,
-and the cry goes up to abolish poverty, but it will
-be the saddest day of civilization when poverty is
-no longer with us. It is from the soil of poverty
-that all the virtues spring. Without poverty,
-where will your inventor, your artist, your philanthropist
-come from?</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There are three classes of young men in the
-world. One starts out to be a millionaire. Another
-seeks reputation, perhaps at the cannon’s mouth.
-A third young man, who will be successful, is he
-who starts out in life with self-respect and who is
-true to himself and his fellow-men. He cannot fail
-to win.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LIV.<br /> <span class='large'>DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE GENTLEMEN.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>1. The essential part of good breeding is the
-practical desire to afford pleasure and to avoid
-giving pain. Any boy possessing this desire requires
-only opportunity and observation to become
-a little gentleman.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>2. Never be guilty of what are called practical
-jokes; that is to say, never place a pin in a chair so
-that somebody may come along and sit on the
-pin’s point; never pull back a chair when a person
-is about to sit down, and in that way cause
-such a person to fall on the floor. No little gentleman
-will play such tricks.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>3. Whenever a lady enters a room, it is proper
-for boys to rise, if they are seated, but you must
-never offer a lady a chair from which you have
-just risen, if there is another chair in the room.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>4. Never engage in conversation while a person
-is singing. It is an insult not only to the singer
-but to the company.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>5. Always take off your hat when assisting a
-lady to or from a carriage.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>6. If in a public place, you pass and re-pass
-persons of your acquaintance, it is only necessary
-to salute them on the first occasion.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>
-<img src='images/i_201.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Gentlemen.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>7. Do not wear anything that is so conspicuous
-as to attract attention; and, particularly, avoid
-the ruffian style.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>8. Do not lose your temper. Particularly if
-you are playing innocent games for amusement
-and happen to lose; avoid the exhibition of
-anxiety or vexation at lack of success.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>9. In all your associations, keep constantly in
-view the old adage, “too much familiarity breeds
-contempt.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE LETTER OF THE LAW.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>It was a bright and balmy afternoon in spring.
-Mrs. Anderson, in keeping with the practice of
-neighborly kindness which was in vogue in the
-Berkshire village, had sent a large plate of ice-cream
-across the street to Mrs. Van Ingen’s. The
-cream was quite toothsome, and little Annie Van
-Ingen, “six years old, going on seven,” felt when
-the plate had been emptied that she would like to
-have some more.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>With tears in her eyes she confided her wish to
-her mother. The maternal explanation, “My
-darling, mama didn’t make any cream to-day,”
-failed to satisfy Annie.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, where did you get that we had?” she
-asked.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mrs. Anderson was kind enough to send it to
-us,” answered the patient mother.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>“I’m going over there and ask her for some
-more,” abruptly interposed little Annie.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, no, no, my precious;” said Mrs. Van Ingen,
-“you mustn’t think of doing such a thing. Mama
-doesn’t want the neighbors to know that her little
-Annie is a beggar.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_203.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Mamma Told Me Not to Ask for any More Cream.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>For reply Annie’s tears flowed fast and faster.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>Finally, seeing that nothing else would avail, to
-pacify Annie, Mrs. Van Ingen said,——</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’ll tell you what to do, dearie; you go over to
-Mrs. Anderson’s and tell her that you’ve come to
-play awhile with her little girl. Now, be careful,
-don’t ask her for any cream, but I’m sure she’ll
-offer you some before you come back.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The crying stopped immediately, and pretty
-soon Annie went tripping across the street to play
-with Mrs. Anderson’s little girl.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mrs. Anderson met her at the door and kissed
-her affectionately.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I wanted some more cream,” volunteered little
-Annie; “the cream you sent mama was very
-nice, and I wanted some more. Mama told me not
-to ask you for any more, but she said that if I
-would come over here and play with Bessie you
-would give me some more before I went back
-home. So, I have come over to play with Bessie.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And, having relieved her mind of its burden,
-little Annie, with perfect delight and joyous innocence,
-ran hastily up the stairs to the nursery in
-search of Bessie.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LVI.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>According to some of the most thoughtful
-people who have lived in this world, a good way to
-deal with children in regard to the books that they
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>are to read is to give them the freedom of a library
-which contains a few thousand of the best books
-in the world, and let them browse at will. This
-was originally, I think, Charles Lamb’s idea.
-Charles Lamb was a lovable man who wrote readable
-books for children. But this statement of
-Lamb implies, of course, the possession of a good
-library. Unfortunately many of my readers will
-not be found among those who live in homes which
-are well-stocked with books. That is one reason
-why it seems wise to make one or two suggestions
-as to the best books for children to read. If you
-cannot have all of the best books in the world, it
-is important that you should have at least a few of
-the best books in the world; and I shall name a
-few which I believe every boy and girl in America
-ought to know something about.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_205.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Best Books for Children.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>For children between the ages of six and twelve,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>I should put at the head of my list Daniel Defoe’s
-“Robinson Crusoe,” a good edition of the “Arabian
-Nights,” and Hans Andersen’s fairy tales.
-In addition to these I would get Hawthorne’s
-“Wonder Book,” Andrew Lang’s “Fairy Book”
-and some book full of absurd fun like Lear’s
-“Nonsense Book” or “Alice in Wonderland.” We
-must not forget Joel Chandler Harris’s “Uncle
-Remus,” for it ought to have a place in every collection
-of children’s best books. Kipling’s
-“Jungle Book” is good, and so is Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s
-Progress.” “Tom Brown at Rugby,”
-Lamb’s Shakespeare Tales, and Ruskin’s “King
-of the Golden River” must not be overlooked.
-John Burrough’s “Birds and Beasts” might as
-well end the list, since I haven’t room to give all
-the best books for children.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But whatever else you do, boys and girls, if you
-wish to widen your spiritual horizons, do not close
-the windows on the emotional and imaginative
-side by neglecting poetry. Somebody has said
-that “There is in every one of us a poet whom the
-man has outlived.” “Verse and Prose for Beginners”
-by Horace E. Scudder is a delightful book
-to have, and another book of poems called the
-“Children’s Garland.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The best books for a child are the books that
-widen his world. A man or woman in middle life
-or old age who loves poetry and great pictures and
-statues, who is familiar with Shakespeare, who
-has a sense of humor and a love of nature, knows
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>a deal about the joy of living and is full of resources.
-No one can ever have these resources and
-that joy who has not had them from early childhood.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LVII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE RIGHT TO PLAY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The right to play is one of the divine rights of
-men and women, of boys and girls, and is just as
-essential to the peace, happiness and prosperity
-of the world as is the right to pray. Never be
-afraid or ashamed, my young friends, of honest,
-vigorous, healthy play. Dominoes, lawn tennis,
-baseball, football, ping-pong, golf, foot-racing,
-leaping and jumping, boxing and wrestling, pole-vaulting,
-punching the bag, swinging dumb-bells
-or Indian clubs, and a hundred other things are
-perfectly sane and wholesome amusements for old
-or young. To refrain from all forms of amusements
-is just as destructive of happiness and injurious
-to character as is the other extreme of
-indulging too freely in pleasures and pastimes.
-Puritan austerity and unrestrained excess are
-alike to be condemned. But a certain amount of
-play—play of the right kind and within proper
-limits—is a divine right of young people. Young
-people must have fun and relaxation, and, if they
-do not find it in their own homes, it will be sought
-in other and perhaps dangerous places.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>For myself, I believe that anybody is an enemy
-to young people who desires to repress and crush
-out the naturally buoyant spirits of childhood and
-youth, and he is a benefactor of humanity who
-makes it a part of his business to see that proper
-places of amusement are provided for the young
-people. Aside from the physical advantages of
-play, there are moral advantages also. A man
-who helps to keep his body in good condition by
-regular exercise is, in that way, beyond a doubt,
-adding to the number of his days; that is to say,
-he will live longer than the man who doesn’t play.
-But beyond and above that, he is a happier man
-while he lives; he gets more joy and satisfaction
-out of life than the other fellow. Sane and healthy
-play tends to blot out the remembrance of cares
-and hardship; it gives our minds something else
-to think about. But young people must be careful
-not to become absorbed in these things. I believe
-in play; I believe in pleasure, in fun. But
-when I see young people, or old people for that
-matter, devoting all their time to wheeling, footballing,
-card parties, the giddy whirl of the dance,
-the bacchanalian hilarity of the dram shop, and so
-on, I am forced to say that things which may be
-right when taken in moderation, and as a relief
-from the overtaxing burdens of life, are wrong
-when they become the chief object for which one
-lives.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>A forsaken little kitten wandered up and down
-the street on the day before Christmas. It had no
-home; it had no name; it had no ribbon around its
-neck; and it had no saucer of nice milk in one corner.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It began to grow dark, and colder too, and the
-stars came peeping out, and the first flakes of a
-real Christmas snowstorm began floating down
-through the air. The kitten mewed a trembling
-little mew, which told as plainly as it could that it
-was very hungry, and it fluffed out its fur to keep
-itself warm.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, somewhere along that street, up on top of
-a house (hiding behind a chimney where he
-couldn’t be seen), was Santa Claus, getting everything
-in shape before starting on his evening
-round. When old Santa saw that lonesome little
-kitten strolling around he smiled—yes, old Santa
-Claus smiled. He smiled because he knew that two
-blocks up the street a little girl was standing with
-her nose pressed against the window, looking out
-into the deepening night.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He had seen her as he went by. And he had also
-seen the poor little supper laid out for two on the
-table, and heard her say to her mother, in a quavering
-voice:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>“Not even one present, mamma—not the teeniest
-little one!”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_210.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Mamma, I Hear Old Santa’s Bells and of Course this is the Present He Brought.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, Susie,” her mother had answered, “I’m
-sorry I couldn’t get anything for my little girl this
-year, but—you know there wasn’t any money
-dear.” And there was a
-tremble in her mother’s
-voice too.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Susie wiped away the
-tears, and turned to
-look out of the window.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Perhaps,” she said
-to herself; “perhaps
-Santa Claus has something
-for me after all!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, the sad, really
-dreadful part about it
-was that Santa Claus
-didn’t have one single
-thing for Susie in his
-pack. Perhaps it was
-because she had moved
-into that house since last Christmas, or perhaps for
-once old Santa had made a mistake. Anyway he
-was just saying to himself: “Why, bless me,
-what shall I do about it?” when he caught sight
-of that shivering little kitten.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The very thing,” he thought. “I’ll give them
-to each other!” and he chuckled till his reindeer
-looked around to see what was the matter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And what happened next? Well, that kitten
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>never knew really. It only seemed as if there was
-a sudden rush and jingle of bells, which frightened
-it so that it flew up the street as fast as its
-four little legs could carry it, until it saw a small
-friendly face at a window, and rushed up some
-steps nearby. Then a door opened, and two soft
-little arms picked it up gently from the cold snow
-and a voice cried:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Oh, mamma, see the poor little kitten—it’s so
-cold—oh, we’ll keep it, won’t we, mamma! The
-poor little thing. Do you think it would drink
-milk?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Would it drink milk? What a question to ask
-about a little kitten. While the little kitten was
-nearly choking itself trying to drink a saucerful
-of milk and purr at the same time there was a
-jingle of bells outside, and Susie said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mamma, I hear old Santa’s bells, and, of
-course, this is the present he brought.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LIX.<br /> <span class='large'>DRINKING AND SMOKING.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>There is food for reflection in a saying of somebody
-who lived a great many years ago, ’way back
-in 1878. Here it is:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Our government land costs one dollar and
-twenty-five cents an acre, and good whiskey two
-dollars a bottle. How many men die landless who
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>during their lives have swallowed whole townships—trees
-and all?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Alongside of this statement might go this other
-one, which is equally true:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The young man who smokes three five-cent
-cigars a day—and many young men use double
-the quantity at double the price—puffs away
-enough money in the course of ten years to give
-anyone a handsome start in business, or to provide
-anyone a comfortable home.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_212.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Drink and Tobacco.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>From a purely business standpoint, not to say
-anything about religion or morals—from a purely
-business standpoint young people drink too much
-and smoke too much. Every five cents spent for
-beer is five cents thrown away. Every ten cents
-spent for whiskey is a total loss. It would bring
-far better returns if it were put into a savings
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>bank and laid away for a rainy day. As for smoking,
-it is a silly, senseless, expensive habit. It literally
-burns money up. The following figures show
-the expense of smoking two cigars a day at five
-cents each from the age of twenty to the end of
-each period of five years up to the age of seventy,
-6 per cent compound interest semi-annually being
-reckoned upon the money:</p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary=''>
-  <tr>
-    <th class='c014'></th>
-    <th class='c013'>&nbsp;</th>
-    <th class='c022' colspan='2'>Two Cigars a Day at 5 Cents each.</th>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <th class='c023'>From the age of:</th>
-    <th class='c023'>No. Years.</th>
-    <th class='c023'>Principal.</th>
-    <th class='c022'>Prin. &amp; Int.</th>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 25 years</td>
-    <td class='c013'>5</td>
-    <td class='c013'>$ 182.50</td>
-    <td class='c021'>$ 209.21</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 30   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>10</td>
-    <td class='c013'>365.00</td>
-    <td class='c021'>490.39</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 35   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>15</td>
-    <td class='c013'>574.50</td>
-    <td class='c021'>868.25</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 40   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>20</td>
-    <td class='c013'>730.00</td>
-    <td class='c021'>1,376.07</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 45   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>25</td>
-    <td class='c013'>912.50</td>
-    <td class='c021'>2,058.44</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 50   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>30</td>
-    <td class='c013'>1,095.00</td>
-    <td class='c021'>3,094.99</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 55   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>35</td>
-    <td class='c013'>1,277.50</td>
-    <td class='c021'>4,367.46</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 60   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>40</td>
-    <td class='c013'>1,460.00</td>
-    <td class='c021'>6,078.73</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 65   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>45</td>
-    <td class='c013'>1,642.50</td>
-    <td class='c021'>8,378.52</td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c014'>20 to 70   〃</td>
-    <td class='c013'>50</td>
-    <td class='c013'>1,825.00</td>
-    <td class='c021'>11,469.25</td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c012'>Boys, I am glad to be able to put these figures
-down where you can see them, and study them for
-yourselves. I want you to reflect upon them. It
-is not what you make, but it is what you save that
-makes you rich. If you ever expect to be even
-well-to-do men, not to speak of being rich men,
-you must begin early to learn and practice the
-habit of saving your money. If you will learn to
-leave out of your expenses the bills for whiskey
-and tobacco it will not be hard for you to see then
-how you can also save by cutting down your expenses
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>for trifles, such as knickknacks, candy, red
-lemonade, peanuts, etc. First in importance among
-public institutions, next to the church and the
-school house, I place the savings bank. No matter
-what your occupation, no matter what your
-salary, it is possible for every young person to
-save something out of his earnings, however small
-they may be. But if this habit of saving is not acquired
-in early life it will be very hard to learn it
-later. Saving is not the miser’s habit necessarily,
-nor is it the spirit of avarice and parsimony. It is
-prudence and forethought. Money is a good thing.
-It is the love of money—not money—that is the
-root of all evil.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE NICKEL THAT BURNED IN FRANK’S POCKET.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Deacon Hepworth kept a little fish market.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you want a boy to help you?” asked Frank
-Shaw one day.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Can you give good weight to my customers
-and take good care of my pennies?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir,” answered Frank.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Forthwith he took his place in the little store,
-weighed the fish and kept the room in order.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“A whole day for fun, fireworks and noise to-morrow!”
-exclaimed Frank, as he buttoned his
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>white apron about him the day before the Fourth
-of July. A great trout was thrown down on the
-counter by Ned Tant, one of Frank’s playmates.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_215.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>A Quarter, Ma’am.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Here’s a royal trout, Frank. I caught it myself.
-You may have it for ten cents. Just hand
-over the money, for I’m in a hurry to buy my firecrackers,”
-said Ned hurriedly.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>The deacon was out, but Frank had made purchases
-for him before, so the dime spun across to
-Ned, who was off like a shot. Just then Mrs. Sinclair
-appeared.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I want a nice trout for my dinner to-morrow.
-This one will do; how much is it?” she asked as
-she carefully examined it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“A quarter, ma’am,” and the fish was transferred
-to the lady’s basket and the silver piece
-to the money drawer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But here Frank paused.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He thought to himself: “Ten cents was very
-cheap for that fish. If I tell the deacon it cost
-fifteen cents he’ll be satisfied, and I shall have five
-cents to invest in firecrackers.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The deacon was pleased with Frank’s bargain,
-and when the market was closed each went his
-way for the night.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But the nickel buried in Frank’s pocket burned
-like a coal. He could eat no supper, and was cross
-and unhappy. At last he could stand it no longer,
-but, walking rapidly, tapped at the door of Deacon
-Hepworth’s cottage.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The old man was seated at a table, reading the
-Bible. Frank’s heart almost failed him, but he
-told the story and with tears of sorrow laid the
-coin in the deacon’s hand.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Turning over the leaves of the Bible, the old
-man read:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall
-have mercy.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“You have forgiveness, Frank,” he said. “Now
-go home and confess to the Lord, and remember
-you must forsake as well as confess. Here, you
-may keep this coin as long as you live to remind
-you of your first temptation.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXI.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figleft id005'>
-<img src='images/i_217.jpg' alt='A MONUMENT TO A BLACK MAN' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In the city of Columbus,
-Georgia, there was
-erected in the year 1904
-a monument to the
-memory of a colored
-man named Bragg
-Smith. Mr. Smith lost
-his life in the autumn
-of 1903 in an effort to
-save the life of the city
-engineer of Columbus,
-who had been buried
-under an excavation in
-the street. A large
-crowd of colored men
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>was at work digging deep trenches in which were
-to be placed pipes for running water about the city.
-In some way the sides of the narrow trench had
-not been properly supported by planks or otherwise,
-and by-and-by a great stretch of dirt caved
-in. Unfortunately the city engineer, a white man,
-was caught underneath the falling dirt. Bragg
-Smith did not stop to say: “Oh, it’s a white man;
-let him die!” but at once jumped down into the
-ditch and tried to pull the white man from under
-the heavy dirt. It was while he was engaged in
-this work that the dirt fell from both sides a second
-time, and Bragg Smith, in his effort to save
-the life of the white man, lost his own life. The
-Bible says: “Greater love hath no man than this,
-that a man will lay down his life for a friend.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The city council at its first regular meeting after
-the accident voted to erect a suitable monument
-to the memory of Mr. Smith. The monument was
-dedicated in April, 1904. The monument is of Vermont
-and Georgia marbles, and bears on one side
-this inscription:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Erected by the City of Columbus to mark the
-last resting place of Bragg Smith, who died on
-September 30, 1903, in the heroic but fruitless
-effort to save the life of the city engineer.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On the other side appears this quotation from
-Alexander Pope:</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Honor and fame from no conditions rise;</div>
-      <div class='line'>Act well your part; there all the honor lies.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BAD BOY—WHO HE IS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>My dear children, I am happy to say that all
-boys who are called bad boys are not bad boys.
-There is quite a difference between a bad boy
-and a merely mischievous boy. A boy is not necessarily
-bad because he makes unearthly noises
-about the house, or now and then twists the cat’s
-tail just to hear her mew, or muddies his clothes
-in an effort to catch crawfish. He is not bad just
-because he likes to “play fantastic” on the fourth
-day of July. So many people complain of their
-boys being bad when they are only mischievous—that
-is to say, when they are only full of life. Some
-people think that a good boy is one that has a pale
-face and looks sickly; one that wears a sanctimonious
-look and moves along through the world as
-though he were afraid to put one foot in front of
-the other. That isn’t my kind of a boy. I do not
-think that kind of a fellow is a boy at all—he is
-’most a girl! A boy who never enjoys a romp in
-the woods, who never climbs the apple tree before
-or after the apples are ripe, who never plays ball,
-who will not shoot marbles, etc.—this sort of a
-boy usually dies young, or he grows up to be a
-“male woman.” I mean by that, that he grows
-up to be a man who acts like a woman; and that
-kind of man is hardly fit for anything.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>
-<img src='images/i_220.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>“Play Fantastic” on the Fourth of July.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>But there are some bad boys, I am sorry to say—really
-bad boys, bad in heart and in deed. I
-have seen some on the chain gangs; I have seen
-some hanging around the street corners—especially
-on Sundays, with no clean clothes on; I have
-seen them smoking cigarettes—and a cigarette is
-something which no manly boy will use; I have
-seen them in saloons, drinking, playing pool and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>playing cards; I have sometimes seen them shooting
-dice in the street for money. There are probably
-one thousand boys in the jails, reformatories
-and in the penitentiaries in the single state of
-Georgia. To form anything like an adequate estimate
-of the total number of bad boys in the South
-we must add to the above number the boys imprisoned
-in the other states; and, also, that much
-larger number who have never been imprisoned
-because they happen never to have been arrested,
-or who have been arrested and have had their
-fines paid in money; and, finally, we must add
-those who have already served their time and are
-again at large. So, you see, there are many
-thousands and thousands of bad boys in the world,
-and they are very easily found. Are you a bad
-boy or a good boy? Isn’t it better to be a good
-boy than to be a bad boy?</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXIII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BAD BOY—HOW TO HELP HIM.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>
-<img src='images/i_222.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Bad Boy</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Almost anybody can make something out of a
-boy who is naturally good, but it takes one of very
-Christlike power and patience to make anything
-out of a really bad boy. Yet all boys may be reclaimed,
-reformed, saved; at least so I believe.
-And the first step in making a good man out of a
-bad boy has to do with the boy’s body. The Holy
-Bible tells us that our bodies are
-the temples—the dwelling places—of
-the Holy Ghost, and every boy,
-and every teacher of every boy, in
-the home or day school or Sunday
-school, should give more time and
-attention to the body in
-order to make it a fit place
-for such a holy being. It
-is as true now as of old
-that plenty of soap and
-water will exert a wholesome
-influence in making
-bad boys good. Some one
-has said that cleanliness
-is next to godliness, and
-somebody has added that
-soap is a means of grace.
-A boy who is taught to
-bathe regularly and who is
-taught to keep his clothing
-neat and clean at all
-times will in that way
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>learn the great lesson of self-respect quicker than
-in any other way; and, in my judgment, the shortest
-way to the purification of a boy’s habits, a
-boy’s morals, a boy’s character, is to teach him
-first to keep his body pure. Keep it pure not only
-by baths and clean clothes, but keep it pure and
-sweet by keeping it free from whiskey and tobacco
-in every form. Exercise, regular, and systematic
-exercise, whether as work or play, will go
-a great way towards keeping the body clean and
-healthy. Every boy is mistaken, every parent is
-mistaken, who thinks that labor is unworthy, or
-that any kind of honest work is degrading. The
-body needs to be kept alive and vigorous by the
-frequent use of all its parts, and there is no better
-way to keep the body vigorous than by doing some
-kind of work—work that requires the use of the
-hands and legs and muscles, work that stimulates
-the blood and makes it flow freely through the
-body.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Another step in the process of making a good
-man out of a bad boy has to do with the mind. The
-body grows not alone by exercise, but the body
-grows by what we put into it: the food we eat and
-the water we drink, etc. We might say, I think,
-that the body grows on what it feeds on. It is the
-same way with the mind: the mind grows on what
-it feeds on. If we feed our minds on obscene pictures,
-on bad books, on vulgar stories, told by ourselves
-or our associates, we cannot expect to have
-minds that are keenly alive and active for good.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>Our thoughts control us, boys and girls, whether
-we understand the process by which they control
-or not. Our thoughts control us. If our thoughts
-are pure and sweet and noble, we will be pure and
-sweet and noble. If our thoughts are impure, vile
-and ignoble, we will be impure, vile and ignoble.
-Our thoughts rule us. So every boy should guard
-well his thoughts; every boy should guard well
-what he puts into his mind. Every boy’s mind
-feeds on what he puts into it, and every boy’s
-mind grows on what it feeds. It goes without
-saying, then, that a boy should not read “blood
-and thunder” detective stories, stories about the
-“James Brothers” and other outlaws and bandits;
-nor should a boy read filthy so-called “love
-stories.” All such literature should be shunned,
-as a boy would shun deadly poison. A boy who
-desires to become a good man should read only
-those things which will give him confidence in
-himself that he can and may become a good man—good
-for the service of God and the service of his
-fellow-men. Bad company must also be left behind
-if a bad boy wants to become a good boy. Those
-boys who tell smutty jokes and stories should not
-be allowed to associate with that boy whose eyes
-have been opened and who wants to feed his mind
-on good and wholesome food. Character, boys,
-in its last analysis depends chiefly on three things:
-Heredity, environment and will. Now you cannot
-do much to change your inherited tendencies—the
-tendencies you receive from mother and father
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>at birth, but you can do much in offsetting, in
-overcoming these tendencies. You can also do
-much with the aid of a generous and enlightened
-public to change your surroundings if they happen
-to be bad. I confess that your mothers and
-fathers, your teachers and pastors ought to do
-much more in this regard than you; but if they will
-not exert themselves to get you out of evil surroundings,
-then, as you value your own life and
-time and possibilities, by the help of God, try to
-get out yourselves. The will is very largely influenced
-by your surroundings. Hence you can
-see the importance of having good books and good
-associates.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But whatever you do, boys, do not forget Jesus
-Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
-of the world. The highest part of your nature is
-your spiritual nature, and, while you are building
-up the body and building up the mind, do not forget
-to build up your soul. If others will not assist
-you in this greater matter you can help yourselves.
-The Master said: “Suffer the little children to
-come unto me, and forbid them not.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXIV.<br /> <span class='large'>THOMAS GREENE BETHUNE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-<p class='c011'>(“Blind Tom.”)</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I suppose there is not a little colored girl or
-boy in America who has not heard of the wonderful
-“Blind Tom,” one of the greatest musicians
-of the world. I wish that every boy and girl
-might have seen him and heard him give one of his
-remarkable performances with the piano. I had
-that high favor and privilege myself. During his
-life on the stage, or for more than forty years,
-“Blind Tom” was seen probably by more people
-in the world than any one living being. His stage
-career was closed somewhere in 1900. I do not
-know whether he is living at present or not. If he is
-still alive, and he probably is, he is very nearly
-sixty years old. Everywhere, in this country and
-Europe, those who observed him most closely, and
-attempted to understand him, pronounced him a
-living miracle, unparalleled, incomprehensible,
-such as had not been seen before in the world, and
-probably never would be seen again.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Thomas Greene Bethune, better known to the
-public as “Blind Tom,” was born within a few
-miles of the city of Columbus, Georgia, on the
-twenty-fifth day of May, 1849. He was of pure
-negro blood, and was born blind. He was little
-less than four years old when a piano was brought
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>to the house of his master, for he was born a slave.
-As long as any one was playing he was contented
-to stay in the yard and dance and caper to the
-music. Sometimes he was permitted to indulge his
-curiosity by being allowed to run his fingers over
-the keys. One night the parlor and piano had been
-left open. Before day the young ladies of the family
-awoke and were astounded to hear Blind Tom
-playing one of their pieces. The family gathered
-around him to witness and wonder at his performance,
-which they said was marvellously strange.
-Notwithstanding that this was his first known
-effort at a tune, he played with both hands and
-used the black as well as the white keys. Pretty
-soon he was allowed free access to the piano, and
-began to play off-hand everything he heard. As
-young as he was, he soon mastered all of that and
-began composing for himself. The record of his
-public life is too long for me to give, but that
-Blind Tom was known and honored around the
-world is known to everybody.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But feeling that every colored boy and girl
-should be justly proud of Blind Tom’s record,
-I will give some words from the book of Hon.
-James M. Trotter, himself a colored man. His
-book is called “Music and Some Highly Musical
-People.” He says:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Blind Tom is unquestionably the most wonderful
-musician the world has ever known. He is
-an absolute master in the comprehension and retention
-of all sound. You may sit down to the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>pianoforte and strike any note or chord or discord,
-or a great number of them, and he will at
-once give their proper names, and, taking your
-place, reproduce them. Complete master of the
-pianoforte keyboard, he calls to his melodious
-uses, with most consummate ease, all of its resources
-that are known to skillful performers, as
-well as constantly discovers and applies those that
-are new. Under his magnetic touch this instrument
-may become, at his will, a music box, a hand
-organ, a harp, or a bagpipe, a “Scotch fiddle,” a
-church organ, a guitar, or a banjo; it may imitate
-the “stump speaker” as he delivers his glowing
-harangue; or, being brought back to its legitimate
-tones, it may be made to sing two melodies
-at once, while the performer, with his voice, delivers
-a third, all three in different time and keys,
-all in perfect tune and time, and each one easily
-distinguishable from the other! He remembers and
-plays fully seven thousand pieces. Some persons,
-it is true, have had the temerity to say that Blind
-Tom is an idiot. Out with the idea! Who ever
-heard of an idiot possessing such power of memory,
-such fineness of musical sensibility, such
-order, such method, as he displays? Let us call
-him the embodiment of music, the soul of music,
-and there let our investigations rest, for all else
-is vain speculation. No one lives, or, so far as we
-know, has ever lived, that can at all be compared
-with him.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXV.<br /> <span class='large'>NOT FIT TO KNOW.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figleft id006'>
-<img src='images/i_229.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Frances.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Susan and Mamie and Lillian and Marjorie were
-always close friends. They usually went together
-and played together and it was very unusual to
-see one of them without the others. At school they
-always made it a rule to lunch together and play
-together. One day at recess they were standing
-in a little group all by themselves
-when Frances joined
-them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What are you talking
-about, girls?” asked Frances
-in cheerful tones.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’m telling them a secret,”
-said Susie, “and we will let
-you know, too, Frances, if
-you’ll promise not to tell any
-one.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’ll promise you not to tell
-anybody but my mother,” said
-Frances, “for I have made it a
-rule to tell my mother everything.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No; you can’t even tell
-your mother,” answered Susie;
-“you must not tell any one in
-the world.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>“Well, then, I refuse to hear it,” said Frances,
-as she walked away, “for what I can’t tell my
-mother is not fit for me to know.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Don’t you think Frances was right, girls? I
-think so. As soon as little boys and girls begin
-to listen to words and stories which they would
-be ashamed to repeat to their mothers they are
-on the road to temptation, and nobody can tell how
-soon they will reach the end, which is always disgrace
-and death.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I wish all the boys and girls who will read this
-book would make the reply of Frances their motto:
-“What I cannot tell my mother is not fit to
-know.” Stick to this rule through thick and
-thin, and you will avoid many of the snares and
-pitfalls by which many of your companions and
-playmates sink into shame and sin. Don’t read
-a note that you would be afraid to have your
-mother read. Don’t look at a picture that you
-would be ashamed to have your mother see. Don’t
-speak any word, and don’t allow any to be spoken
-to you, that you would not like to have your mother
-hear. A girl’s best friend is her mother. A
-boy’s best friend is his mother. And, boys and
-girls, be very sure that if a thing isn’t fit for your
-mothers to know it isn’t fit for you to know.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXVI.<br /> <span class='large'>THE RIGHT WAY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Henry Oliphant always considered himself
-lucky whenever he was able to get a ride on the
-street cars without paying for it, or get a glass of
-soda water or be admitted to some public place,
-where an admission fee was charged, without paying
-the price. He was bragging one day to some
-of his boy friends that he had not paid anything
-to witness the school exhibition the night before.
-Frank Sewall was brave enough to chide him for
-having done so. Frank was a plain-spoken boy,
-and Henry didn’t like what Frank had said. He
-thought what he had done was all right, while
-Frank had said that it was all wrong. Anyhow,
-Henry decided to get his father’s opinion on the
-matter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Father,” he said, when night had come, “I got
-in the hall last night for nothing.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How was that?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I just walked by the doorkeeper and he didn’t
-ask me for any money.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Did the doorkeeper see you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, father, that was his business; he was put
-there for that purpose; he ought to have seen
-me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But I asked you, Henry, whether the doorkeeper
-saw you. I want you to answer that question.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>“I don’t know, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you think he saw you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I don’t know, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, Henry, if he had seen you, don’t you
-think he would have asked you for your money
-or a ticket?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_232.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>“Father,” He Said, When Night Had Come, “I Got in the Hall Last Night for Nothing.”</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I guess so, father; but he didn’t ask me for
-anything.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, now, Henry, you know that a charge of
-ten cents was made at the door, and that no one
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>had a right to enter who had not paid the ten
-cents. You did go in without paying. Now,
-whether the doorkeeper saw you or not, do you
-think that that was quite honest on your part?
-Was that the right way for you to act?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, I would have paid him if he asked me. I
-wasn’t the doorkeeper.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I guess the man who stole our wood last week
-would have paid me if I had seen him and asked
-him; but we called that stealing.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But, father, I did not take anything from the
-doorkeeper.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Who gave you the money with which to pay
-your admission?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mother.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Where is that money now?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I have it; but I didn’t take it from the doorkeeper.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“But you kept it from him, Henry. It belongs
-to the doorkeeper. He gave you its value. My
-son, the right way is, whenever you buy anything,
-whether it be a ride or a glass of soda water or
-permission to see a concert, whenever you buy
-anything you ought to pay for it. If you don’t
-you are no better than a common robber. You must
-go to-day and give Mr. Hall that ten cents.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXVII.<br /> <span class='large'>KEEPING FRIENDSHIP IN REPAIR.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I sometimes think that boys and girls, and even
-old people, are often careless in the matter of their
-friendships—not careless in the matter of selecting
-friends, though I am sure there is room
-for improvement along that line—but careless
-in trying to keep the good friendships we have
-already formed. We ought to keep our friendships
-in repair. Perhaps you think that our
-friendships are not things which need to be
-kept in repair. How foolish it is to think so!
-Does a garden need to be weeded? Does an
-old fence need to be kept in repair? Do we
-paint our houses only once in a century? What
-about the musician—does he not need to keep in
-practice? Supposing that you never kept your
-muscles in repair by constant use or exercise—how
-long would you be strong or healthy? And
-do you think that your friendships, because they
-are in a way intangible—you cannot see them,
-handle them or taste them—do you think that
-they grow and thrive of their own accord, and,
-therefore, do not need to be kept in repair?
-Slights, snubs, angry words, unpleasant conduct,
-long-continued lack of association, long-continued
-lack of familiar intercourse, and coldness, even
-where the meetings are periodic—these things,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>boys and girls, will kill the warmest friendship
-and choke the tenderest love. So we ought to be
-careful to keep our friendships in repair. If we
-had no friends in this world, no playmates and
-companions, no kindred spirits into whose keenest
-sorrows and highest joys we entered with deep
-and full sympathy, and who
-did not enter into our sorrows
-and joys in the same way—if
-we had no friends in this
-world, with all of its wealth
-and splendor, we should not desire to live very
-much longer. But to have friends and to be
-friendly goes a long way towards making the
-world a beautiful and blessed place to live in.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_235.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Two Paths.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>How, then, may we keep our friends? Easy
-enough—by cultivating them; and we cannot keep
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>them in any other way. We should take time to be
-friendly. Little notes, little presents, little visits,
-little social entertainments, little kindnesses—these
-things, and things like them, go a great way
-in cementing our friendships, in tying people to
-us, as it were, with hooks of steel. We should not
-neglect these means of keeping our friendships in
-repair. Always give your friends a cordial welcome
-in your homes, and at your little children’s
-parties; let them feel, make them feel, that their
-coming adds to your pleasure without increasing
-your burdens. Don’t be selfish and narrow; be
-broad-minded and liberal. Keep your friendships
-in repair, and then see if you do not find your
-horizon broadened, your life sweetened, and the
-weary weight of this sad old world lightened.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>LITTLE ANNIE’S CHRISTMAS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Christmas morning came.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Daylight was just peeping into the room.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Poor little Annie, the cripple, awoke and turned
-her eyes towards the corner where she had hung
-her stocking the night before.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Surely, she thought, as she watched it, there
-could not be very much in it, because it didn’t
-seem to be any larger than it was when she had
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>hung it up. After awhile she crept slowly to where
-it was.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>She did not take her crutches, for fear she would
-disturb her mother, who slept in the same bed
-with her. It was hard for her to move around
-without her crutches, but she persevered and
-finally she reached her stocking.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_237.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>She Put Out Her Thin Little Hand and Felt It.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>She put out her thin little hand and felt it. Yes,
-there was something in it! Then she put her hand
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>inside and took out something which seemed round
-and soft. She took it out and looked at it. It
-was a little cake. Poor little Annie smiled, and
-put her hand back into the stocking. This time
-she found something which was done up in paper.
-She opened the paper and found a whole dozen of
-gumdrops. How brightly her little eyes flashed!
-She was only six years old and she had never had
-so much candy at one time in all her life.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>By-and-by her mother awoke. She raised her
-head and saw Annie’s happy face. “Poor girl,”
-she thought, “how happy I would have been to
-have bought something else for her, but I wasn’t
-able. I hope she will be happy with what she
-has.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“See, mother,” cried Annie, “I have twelve
-gumdrops and a cake. We will eat half of the
-gumdrops to-day and save the other half for to-morrow.
-You’ll eat three and I will eat three.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, Annie,” said her mother, “you must eat
-every one by yourself.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Annie smiled, but did not say anything.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Little Annie’s mother was a widow, and she was
-very, very poor; there were many times when they
-had only a little dry bread and water for the day’s
-food. For this bright Christmas season there were
-many things besides food which she would like to
-have bought for her poor little crippled child; but
-she did not have any money to pay for playthings
-or toys.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>After breakfast on this Christmas day Johnny
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Ray came to see them. He brought with him a
-good thick shawl for Annie’s mother and four
-pairs of warm stockings which his mother had
-sent for Annie, and, also, a large package of nice
-candy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Little Annie’s mother cried for joy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Little Annie was too happy to speak. She had
-never dreamed of having so much candy at one
-time!</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXIX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE VELOCIPEDE RACE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>One bright day Archibald mounted his velocipede
-and rode out into the long green lane, where
-he could ride for a long distance without interruption.
-He had left his coat in the house because he
-knew that riding would make him very warm.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When he reached the lane the velocipede moved
-along so smoothly that Archibald was very happy.
-By the time he had gone nearly a half mile he was
-tired and stopped for a rest.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Pretty soon he heard a noise coming from behind,
-and he wondered what rider it might be on
-the same track that beautiful spring morning. He
-looked up and saw John Smith coming, riding a
-large velocipede and going as fast as he could.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Archibald quickly mounted his wheel and
-started on a swift run, trying to overtake the flying
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>John. Before they reached the end of the road
-they saw Clara Hempton, standing by the fence
-with her little velocipede. Clara watched the boys
-as they flitted past. She thought that she could
-keep up with John, but she was not sure that she
-could ride as fast as Archibald.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_240.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Velocipede Race.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>While she was meditating Archibald cried out:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Clara, you wait until we finish this race, and
-then we three will go back together.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Archibald reached the end first, but John was
-not very far behind.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>When Clara reached them Archibald said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>“Now we will all have a fair start and see who
-will reach the other end first.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>So they all started on a line. Archibald knew
-that he was the largest and could go the fastest,
-but, as he had won the other race, he did not ride
-this time as fast as he could. He thought this
-was the right way to give the others a fair chance.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Clara and John reached the other end of the
-lane at exactly the same time, with Archibald a
-short distance behind them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>John and Clara were greatly delighted because
-they had won the race from the big boy, Archibald.
-Archibald was pleased because they were
-pleased. This was not the only time that Archibald
-had proved that he was a good and kind boy,
-and that he was thoughtful of little children
-younger than himself.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>From this little story of the velocipede race
-many other little boys and girls may learn a
-good lesson, I hope, that will do them good all
-through life.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXX.<br /> <span class='large'>FAULT-FINDING.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figleft id005'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>
-<img src='images/i_242.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Fault-Finding.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Faults are the easiest things to find in all this
-world. A fault is something that can be found
-without looking for it. And I guess no little boy
-or girl in all the world knows anything that is
-easier to find than something that he or she
-doesn’t have to look for. Well, faults are things
-that we can find without looking for them; so
-faults are the easiest things to find in all the
-world. Yet, boys and girls, the habit of fault-finding,
-or the habit of finding fault, is one of the
-worst habits that anybody could form. It does nobody
-good, generally
-speaking. Besides it
-stamps the person
-who is so easy to find
-fault with everything
-and everybody as being
-a mean, low, envious, evil-hearted
-person. It is a good deal
-better to look for something to
-praise than it is to look for something
-to blame. Yet there are
-some people—some little boys
-and girls—who are so constituted
-that they do not see any good in
-anything. When it is cold, it is
-too cold. When it is hot, it is
-too hot. They don’t like “vici
-kid” shoes; they want patent leathers. The
-singing at church or Sunday school last
-Sunday was just horrid. Old Mary Jones
-ought to be taken out of the choir. The
-preacher preaches too long, or the deacon
-prays too loud. The school teacher isn’t any good—I
-can beat him drawing myself. So they go on
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>from day to day, finding fault with everything and
-everybody. Nothing pleases them; nothing delights
-them. If by any chance or mischance they
-should get to heaven they would, I believe, find
-fault with the way the Lord has arranged things
-up there. They are miserable people to have
-around—these good-for-nothing, lazy and trifling
-fault-finders. If you try real hard, boys and girls,
-you can find something good in everything and in
-everybody. That is one reason why we do not
-always see the good in people or things—we
-don’t look for it. We can find out what is bad—can
-find out the bad things without looking for
-them, but if we want to see the good things we
-must be on the lookout for them. If we are on
-the lookout—if we make up our minds that we
-are going to see the good, and only the good, we
-are always sure to find it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was an old woman once who was noted for
-being able to say something good about everything
-and everybody. She was never heard to
-speak evil of anything or anybody. Once upon a
-time a gambler died in the city where she lived. He
-was a miserable sinner, and nobody liked him and
-nobody had a good word to say for him, even after
-he was dead. Aunt Maria, the good old lady, went
-to see him after he had been put into his coffin.
-The people who were present wondered what good
-thing Aunt Maria could possibly say about the
-dead sinner. Aunt Maria entered the room and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>walked around on tiptoe. After awhile she raised
-her head and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Friends, I tell you, he makes a mighty nice
-looking corpse.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXI.<br /> <span class='large'>THE PURITANS’ SABBATH.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>If all the little boys and girls in America to-day
-knew how the people in the New England states
-were compelled by law to keep the Sabbath day
-I think they would realize how much better it is
-to be living in these days and times than to have
-lived in those.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The laws concerning the keeping of a New England
-Sabbath were very severe—that is, before the
-Revolutionary War, when what was called colonial
-rule was in force.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>No manner of work was allowed to be done; no
-visiting, no playing, no gaiety of any kind was
-permitted; just think, boys and girls, it is said
-that one man was brought to trial and fined for
-kissing his wife on a Sabbath morning.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Slowly and solemnly, just as if they were going
-to a funeral, the families all walked to the meeting
-house on Sundays, some of them having to walk
-many and many miles.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On reaching the church the men took their
-places on one side of the house and the women on
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>the other—they didn’t allow men and women to
-sit together. The children, also, had to sit by
-themselves, and there was a man appointed to
-keep them quiet. This man carried a long stick
-with a hard knob at one end and a little feather
-brush at the other. The feather end of this stick
-he would use to tickle the faces of the men and
-women who might chance to get sleepy and go to
-nodding during the preaching. The other end he
-used on the children.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I guess this poor man must have kept busy all
-the time, for the sermons were very long, lasting
-for whole hours. Sometimes a man would begin
-a sermon in the morning and preach up to dinnertime;
-the congregation would then go out for dinner,
-and come back and sit for hours during the
-afternoon to hear the sermon concluded.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The men carried their muskets to church with
-them, so that they might have them ready in case
-of an attack from the wild Indians.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The meeting houses were not warmed even in
-very cold weather; the people thought that in some
-way it would make them better Christians if they
-bore such discomforts without a murmur. Of
-course we know better now, and wouldn’t think
-of doing such a foolish thing.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>After a time the people began to carry hot
-bricks and stones to keep their hands and feet
-from freezing, and by-and-by they carried foot
-stoves. These stoves were little tin boxes, with
-holes in the side, a cover, a door, and handles with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>which to carry them. In these boxes were put live
-coals and in that way the fire would last throughout
-the sermon.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I fear many and many a little boy and girl
-dreaded to see Sunday come, for, as a rule, it was
-a long, dreary day, and I am sure that they must
-have been glad when it was over.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I know you must be glad that people no longer
-have the idea that Sunday should be such a dismal,
-sober day; and I believe that our Heavenly
-Father is much more pleased to see the children
-spending the Lord’s day happily in their homes
-with their mothers and fathers, their little brothers
-and sisters.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Of course no Christian boy or girl even now believes
-in making Sunday a day of riot and fun;
-and no Christian man or woman believes in having
-the saloons open on Sunday anywhere. But
-most of us are away beyond the old Puritan idea
-of sadness and gloom for the Sabbath.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Next Sunday, boys and girls, when you enter
-your pleasant Sunday school rooms and find your
-schoolmates and teachers so glad to see you, and
-where everything is bright and pleasant, think of
-those poor little children who had no books and
-cards and no pretty songs and who were made to
-pass the whole day without even being allowed
-to laugh.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE DEVIL ON AN EXCURSION.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>I wonder how many boys and girls have ever
-witnessed a cyclone—a great big hurricane of
-wind and rain, of lightning and thunder, that just
-knocks down all the trees and takes the roofs
-off all the houses.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is a terrible thing, the cyclone is!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The other day one came to our town. We could
-look up into the sky and see coming, from afar, a
-great big black cloud that looked for all the world
-like a balloon—a great big balloon, ever so large.
-The wind was blowing at a rapid rate, the dust
-flying, and everybody was frightened.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The roof was lifted off the school house, a
-church was blown down, many houses were unroofed,
-and men and beasts were alike hurled
-right and left. I do not think anybody was killed
-but a great many were frightened nearly to death.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The cyclone took one poor little boy and landed
-him in the midst of a mud puddle. The little
-fellow stretched out stiff and stark, as if he had
-been killed. An old man ran up to the edge of
-the ditch and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Isaac, is you dead?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Isaac said nothing, but his eyes, were rolling
-in their sockets. The old man asked again:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Isaac, is you dead? ’Cause ef you is dead
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>d’ain’t no use uv my comin’ in dar to try to git
-you out.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>This time Isaac grunted, rolled his eyes, and
-asked:</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_248.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>De Goodnis Gracious! I See Dat Ole Cycloom Comin’ Back Ag’in. He Look Blackah and Wussah Dan He Done Befo’. Run, Isaac, Run!</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Where is he, Uncle Reuben?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Whar’s who?” asked Uncle Reuben.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The devil,” said Isaac.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>“He done gone,” said Uncle Reuben, “he done
-clean gone; but you bettah git up f’um dar!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I can’t,” said Isaac. “I can’t; I’m ’most
-dead!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Uncle Reuben studied a short while. He was
-planning what to do next. He didn’t want to go
-into the mud and water and get his clothes soiled
-in trying to rescue the little boy. By-and-by Uncle
-Reuben threw up his hands, looked up the big road
-and said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“De goodnis gracious! I see dat ole cycloom
-cornin’ back ag’in. He look blackah and wussah
-dan he done befo’. Run, Isaac, run!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>You ought to have seen Isaac jump out of that
-hole. He got out hallooing, and he ran and hallooed
-for nearly a quarter of a mile. Uncle Reuben
-hallooed after him to stop, but it did no good. The
-poor little fellow was well nigh scared to death.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A few days after the cyclone Uncle Reuben was
-telling some of his friends about the occurrence.
-Among other things he said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Little Isaac wasn’t ready fur Judgment—dat’s
-all! He wasn’t ready! W’en a man’s ready
-to go to judgment, he ain’t ’fraid uv nothin’. No,
-sah; he ain’t ’fraid uv nothin’. Isaac wasn’t
-ready, an’ he hallooed an’ squealed jes like death
-done struck him. Mens, I tell you, dat ole cycloom
-jes ’tuck de roof off’n ev’ybody’s house. Look
-like ev’ybody’s house he come to he dip down an’
-say, ‘Take yo’ hat off to me; don’t you see me
-cornin’; ain’t you got no mannahs?’ Den he’d
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>strike ’em an’ take deir hats off hisse’f. He took
-de roof off’n de cullud school house an’ he took de
-roof off’n de white school house. De cycloom ain’t
-no respectah uv persons—he sho ain’t. W’en little
-Isaac done come to his senses an’ done got
-clean ovah his fright, I ax’d him what a cycloom
-was. He told me dat a cycloom wa’n’t nothin’ ’tall
-in dis worl’ but de debbil on a flyin’ ’scursion.
-The mo’ I think ’bout it, the mo’ I b’lieve dat boy
-was right. De cycloom sho is de debbil on a ’scursion,
-an’ w’en de debbil is a-ridin’ you’d bettah
-lay low.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXIII.<br /> <span class='large'>RANDOM REMARKS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In the olden times parents used to rule their
-children, but in these days and times there are
-many people who believe that the children rule
-their parents. So many misguided parents in these
-days and times believe in sparing the rod and
-spoiling the child. Boys don’t get many whippings
-at home nowadays, and if a boy happens to get a
-good flogging at school it will cause a big row,
-and sometimes cause the teacher to be threatened
-with arrest. Whenever my teacher used to whip
-me I was always afraid to mention it at home for
-fear of getting another. I heard a man say the
-other day: “Never whip a child; raise your boy
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>on love and kindness and reason!” Yes; and when
-that boy is twelve or thirteen years old somebody
-will have to go to him and talk to him and try to
-persuade him not to whip his father or mother.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_251.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>I Just Wish I Could Have My Way With Those Boys for about Two Minutes.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>I was at church the other day and I saw two
-boys about ten or eleven years old. After service
-they lit their cigarettes and went marching off
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>as big as Trip. A man of the old school looked at
-them for awhile, and then, turning away, he said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I just wish I could have my way with those
-boys for about two minutes.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I didn’t say anything, but deep down in my
-heart I sympathized with the old man, and felt
-that both of the youngsters ought to have had
-a good whipping.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Some girls are almost as bad as some boys.
-Girls are most too fast in these days. As soon
-as they get their dresses to their shoetops they are
-gone. They go crazy over their clothes, for they
-think that they must keep in the fashion. They
-read too much trash, for they think that is the way
-refined and cultured people do. Old-fashioned
-modesty is at a discount. The girls don’t wait
-for the boys to come now—that is, many of them
-don’t; they go after them. I have seen some girls
-running around in these new-fashioned night
-gowns, and they call it a Mother Hubbard party.
-If their mothers don’t allow them to go with the
-boys they will slip around and meet them somewhere
-anyhow. And where they are allowed to
-go with the boys they generally go to extremes.
-What business has a little girl—ten or twelve or
-fourteen years old—to be locked-arms with a little
-stripling of a boy, going home at night from
-church or some social entertainment. It always
-disgusts me whenever I see it. Worse than a
-mannish boy is a womanish girl. What business
-has a little girl, or a larger one, to allow
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>a man to throw his arm around her waist in the
-round dance? It is immodest, to say the least, and
-there is not a good mother in the land who approves
-it. A girl who goes to a promiscuous
-ball and waltzes around with promiscuous fellows
-puts herself in a promiscuous fix to be talked
-about by the dudes and rakes and fast young fellows
-who have encircled her waist. Slander is
-very common, I know, especially slander of young
-ladies; there are not many young ladies who
-escape it; but the trouble about it is that it is not
-all slander—some of it is the truth.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In the olden times when folks got married they
-stayed married, but nowadays the courts are full
-of divorce cases. The land is spotted with what
-are called “grass widows,” and in many a household
-there is hidden grief over a daughter’s shame.
-Why is it? What causes it? Lack of proper training
-and care of the young. Habits are great things—good
-habits or bad habits. If girls are reared
-to clean their teeth and keep their fingernails
-clean they will keep them clean all their lives. If
-boys are reared to chew tobacco and smoke they
-will never quit. The same about loving and courting
-and getting married. Much depends upon
-training, upon habits. Young flirts make old flirts.
-Young devils make old devils!</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXIV.<br /> <span class='large'>BENJAMIN BANNEKER, THE NEGRO ASTRONOMER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The little colored boys and girls of America
-should be proud to know, as I suppose the little
-white boys and girls will be surprised to learn,
-that the first clock of which every portion was
-made in America was made by a colored man.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The colored children will also be glad to know,
-I think, that among the earliest almanacs prepared
-for general use in this country were those
-which were published for several years by this
-same colored man. His name was Benjamin Banneker.
-I have found a good and true account of
-this wonderful man in The Atlantic Monthly for
-January, 1863. I am going to give a good portion
-of that account in this book, because I believe
-every colored person in America should be acquainted
-with that man’s history. The account
-says:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore
-County, Maryland, near the village of Ellicott’s
-Mills, in the year 1732. There was not a drop of
-white man’s blood in his veins. His father was
-born in Africa, and his mother’s parents were
-both natives of Africa. What genius he had, then,
-must be credited to that race. When he was approaching
-manhood he went, in the intervals of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>toil, to an obscure and remote country school.
-At this school Benjamin acquired a knowledge of
-reading and writing, and advanced in arithmetic
-as far as ‘Double position.’ Beyond these rudiments
-he was his own teacher. Young Banneker
-had no books at all, but in the midst of labor for
-a living he so improved upon what he had gained
-in arithmetic that his intelligence became a matter
-of general observation. He was such an acute
-observer of the natural world and had so diligently
-observed the signs of the times in society
-that it is very doubtful whether at forty years of
-age this African had his superior in Maryland.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Perhaps the first wonder amongst his comparatively
-illiterate neighbors was excited, when,
-about the thirtieth year of his age, Benjamin made
-a clock. It is probable that this was the first clock
-of which every portion was made in America; it is
-certain that it was purely his own invention as if
-none had ever been made before. He had seen a
-watch, but never a clock, such an article not being
-within fifty miles of him. He used the watch as a
-model for his clock. He was a long time at work
-on the clock,—his chief difficulty, as he used often
-to relate, being to make the hour, minute, and
-second hands correspond in their motion. But at
-last the work was completed, and raised the
-admiration for Banneker to quite a high pitch
-among his few neighbors.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The making of the clock proved to be of great
-importance in assisting the young man to fulfill
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>his destiny. It attracted the attention of the Ellicott
-family, who had just begun a settlement at
-Ellicott’s Mills. They were well-educated men,
-with much mechanical knowledge, and some of
-them Quakers. They sought out the ingenious
-negro, and he could not have fallen into better
-hands. In 1787 Mr. George Ellicott gave him
-Mayer’s “Tables,” Ferguson’s “Astronomy,”
-and Leadbetter’s “Lunar Tables.” From this
-time astronomy became the great object of Banneker’s
-life, and in its study he almost disappeared
-from the sight of his neighbors. He slept much
-during the day, that he might the more devotedly
-observe at night the heavenly bodies whose laws
-he was slowly, but surely, mastering.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Very soon after the possession of the books
-already mentioned, Banneker determined to compile
-an almanac, that being the most familiar use
-that occurred to him of the information he had
-acquired. To make an almanac then was a very
-different thing from what it would be now, when
-there is an abundance of accurate tables and rules.
-Banneker had no aid whatever from men or rules;
-and Mr. George Ellicott, who procured some tables
-and took them to him, states that he had already
-advanced very far in the preparation of the
-logarithms necessary for the purpose.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The first almanac prepared by Banneker for
-publication was for the year 1792. By this time
-his acquirements had become generally known,
-and among those who were attracted by them was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>Mr. James McHenry. Mr. McHenry wrote to Goddard
-and Angell, then the almanac-publishers of
-Baltimore, and procured the publication of this
-work, which contained from the pen of Mr. McHenry,
-a brief notice of Banneker. When his first
-almanac was published, Banneker was fifty-nine
-years old, and had received tokens of respect from
-all the scientific men of the country. Among
-others, Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State
-under George Washington, wrote him a most flattering
-and complimentary letter. In his letter Jefferson
-said, ‘Nobody wishes more than I do to see
-such proofs as you exhibit, that Nature has given
-to our black brethren talents equal to those of
-other colors of men, and that the appearance of a
-want of them is owing only to the degraded condition
-of their existence both in Africa and America.’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Banneker continued to calculate and publish
-almanacs until 1802.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Mr. Benjamin H. Ellicott, who was a true
-friend of Banneker, and collected from various
-sources all the facts concerning him, wrote in a letter
-as follows: ‘During the whole of his long life
-he lived respectably and much esteemed by all
-who became acquainted with him, but more especially
-by those who could fully appreciate his
-genius and the extent of his acquirements.’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Banneker’s head was covered with a thick
-mass of white hair, which gave him a very dignified
-and venerable appearance. His dress was invariably
-of superfine drab broadcloth, made in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>the old style of a plain coat, with straight collar
-and long waistcoat, and a broad-brimmed hat.
-His color was not jet black, but decidedly negro.
-In size and personal appearance, the statue of
-Franklin at the library in Philadelphia, as seen
-from the street, is a perfect likeness of him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Banneker died in the year 1804, beloved and
-respected by all who knew him. Though no monument
-marks the spot where he was born and lived
-a true and high life, and was buried, yet history
-must record that the most original scientific intellect
-which the South has yet produced was that of
-the pure African, Benjamin Banneker.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The above is the story of that wonderful black
-man told in splendid terms of high and well-deserved
-praise by a white man. Every little black
-boy in America may well be fired with inspiration
-to do something beyond the ordinary by reading
-the story of Banneker’s life.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXV.<br /> <span class='large'>“A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.”</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>It is truly astonishing what a boy can do when
-once he has made up his mind to do his best. Dr.
-Len. G. Broughton, the famous pastor of the Tabernacle
-Baptist church, Atlanta, Ga., in a little
-book, which he calls “The Modern Prodigal,” has
-told a very pathetic story about a little boy. It is
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>so true to life, and so typical of what a black or
-white boy may do under similar circumstances, if
-he only decides for the true and the right, that I
-have decided to reproduce the little story in this
-book. It is well worth reading. Dr. Broughton
-says:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Not long after I entered the ministry, I went
-to a certain town to hold a series of meetings. It
-was one of these good old Southern towns, the inhabitants
-of which banked on aristocracy and fed
-their souls upon the glory of departed days. They
-had never known what it was to be spiritually
-warm. The first night I was there I preached to a
-great audience. It was in my early ministry, when
-I made many propositions. The first one I made
-that night was for any one to stand who wanted
-prayers offered for their friends. As soon as I
-made it a little boy got up and walked out in the
-aisle, where he stood looking me square in the face.
-I said, ‘God bless you, little man,’ and he sat down.
-I then asked any one who wanted the prayers of
-God’s people to rise. That boy got out in the aisle
-again and looked me in the face, and again I said,
-‘God bless you.’ I asked if there was anybody
-present who was willing to accept Jesus. That
-boy stood up again and looked me in the face, and
-again I said, ‘God bless you.’ Nobody else stood
-up that night, and I began to think I had struck
-about the hardest and coldest crowd I had ever
-run up against.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The next night I preached as hard as I knew
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>how to sinners, and when I finished, I asked anybody
-who wanted to be prayed for to stand up.
-The same little rascal popped out into the aisle, as
-he had done the night before, and stood looking at
-me until I saw him and said, ‘God bless you.’ I
-thought I’d vary the thing a little, so I asked if
-anybody present was willing to come forward and
-give me his hand as an indication that he would
-accept Jesus. That same boy came shuffling out of
-his seat, straight down the aisle and gave me his
-hand. I saw smiles on the faces of some in the
-congregation. Nobody but the boy showed any
-interest, and I went off somewhat disheartened.
-The third night I preached, and when I asked all
-who wanted prayer to rise, that boy popped out
-into the aisle. The people had begun to regard it
-as a joke, and they nudged each other with their
-elbows, while a broad smile flared from one side
-of the house to the other. When I asked anybody
-who was willing to accept Jesus to come and give
-me his hand, that boy came, and the congregation
-smiled broader than before. After the meeting
-the deacons came to me and told me that the boy
-must be stopped, as he was a half-idiot, and was
-throwing a damper on the meeting. I said: ‘Stop
-nothing! How are you going to throw a damper on
-an ice-house?’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“For the whole of that week that boy was the
-only person in the house who showed any interest
-in the meeting. Then he wanted to join the
-church. The pastor was absent, and I was to open
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>the doors of the church. The deacons came to me
-and said I must not receive that boy, as he didn’t
-have sense enough to join the church. I said:
-‘Look here, brethren, I won’t take this responsibility
-on my hands. I’m going to put that boy
-on you, and if you choose to reject him, his blood
-be upon your hands.’ At the conclusion of the
-morning service, I invited all who wanted to unite
-with the church to come forward. That boy came.
-I asked him if he had accepted Christ for his personal
-Saviour. That’s all I ever ask. He said he
-had. ‘Brethren,’ I said, ‘you hear what this boy
-has to say. What will you do with him?’ An
-ominous silence fell on the congregation. After a
-time, from ’way back by the door, I heard a muffled
-and rather surly, ‘I move he be received.’
-Another painful silence followed, and then, from
-the middle of the church, I heard a muffled, ‘I
-second the motion.’ When I put the motion, about
-a half dozen members voted ‘aye’ in a tone so low
-that it seemed as if they were scared. I gave the
-boy the right hand of Christian welcome awaiting
-baptism, and then dismissed the congregation.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The next day the boy went out to see his old
-grandfather, a man whose whitened head was blossoming
-for the grave, and whose feet were taking
-hold upon the shifting sands of eternity. ‘Grandfather,’
-said he, ‘won’t you go to church with me
-to-night and hear that preacher?’ We always feel
-kindly towards those who are afflicted, you know,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>and are willing to please them; so the old man
-agreed to go.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That night I saw the boy and the old man sitting
-away back by the door. When the sermon
-was finished, one of the members of the church
-arose and said: ‘I have a request to make. We
-have with us to-night, Mr. Blank, one of our oldest
-and most respected citizens, but he is out of Christ.
-I want special prayer offered for this my special
-friend.’ With that he laid his hand upon the head
-of the old man, down whose furrowed cheeks the
-tears were streaming. The next night I saw the
-old man sitting about half-way down the aisle.
-When all who wanted to accept Jesus were invited
-to come forward and give me their hands, I saw
-the half-idiot boy coming down the aisle leading
-the old man by the hand.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That little boy’s father kept a saloon. The
-following day the child went there, and climbing
-up over the high counter, he peeped down upon his
-father and said: ‘Papa, won’t you go to church
-with me to-night to hear that preacher?’ ‘You
-get out of here, child,’ said the father; ‘go out of
-here; don’t you know you mustn’t come in here?’
-Strange, strange, how fathers will keep places
-where their children cannot go! ‘But, papa,’ continued
-the boy, ‘won’t you go to church with me
-to-night?’ ‘Yes; I’ll go, but you get out of here.’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That night the man came with the half-idiot
-boy, and sat about where the old man had sat the
-night before. When I asked all who would accept
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>Jesus to come forward, he walked down the aisle
-and gave me his hand. He asked if he could make
-a statement, and when I said ‘Yes,’ he faced the
-congregation and said: ‘My friends, you all
-know me, and I want to say that so long as I live
-I will never sell another drop of whiskey, for I
-have given my heart to God to-night, and from
-this day forward I propose to serve him.’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The meeting warmed up at last, the town was
-set on fire for God. Every saloon keeper was converted
-and every saloon was closed. The feeling
-spread and a saloon seven miles in the country was
-closed and the keeper was converted to God.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“At the close of the meeting I sat on the front
-seat and saw the pastor lead three generations
-into the baptismal waters, the old man in front,
-his son behind him, and last in line the little half-idiot
-boy. The only mistake that was made, to my
-mind, was that the boy who had led the others to
-Christ should not have been first in line. Where
-is the little half-idiot boy now? He has grown
-much brighter within the last few years, and is
-now going to school. He says he wants to be and
-will be a missionary.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What a lesson for the young to-day. Persistent
-self-surrender, ever doing the best we can,
-is a never failing way that leads to victory.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXVI.<br /> <span class='large'>DIRECTIONS FOR LITTLE LADIES.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>1. A little lady always says, “I thank you”
-whenever anybody assists her in any way, and
-always says, “If you please,” whenever she makes
-any kind of request.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>2. A little lady is never loud and boisterous on
-the streets, in public places, or at home. Sometimes
-girls are so rough that they are called
-“Tom-Boys.” No Tom-Boy ever was a true little
-lady.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>3. A true little lady will always see that her
-linen is clean and spotless—collars and cuffs,
-aprons and dresses, handkerchiefs, and all articles
-of clothing. Every true little lady hates dirt.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>4. A little lady will not be guilty of idle gossip.
-She will not tattle; will not go around hunting all
-the evil things that are said or known about other
-little ladies. She closes her ears tight against the
-slanderers of the town.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>5. A little lady will love the Sunday-school and
-the church. She will love the society of good
-people and the society of good books. She will
-have higher notions of life than that life is something
-to be spent in a merry round of pleasure.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>6. A true little lady loves her mother, and she
-will show that she loves her mother in various
-ways. She will help her about the housework.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>She will be fond of going out in company with her
-mother often. She will not think, that anybody
-else’s mother is or can be better than her own
-mother.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_265.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Directions for Little Girls.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>7.  Every true little lady will be a Christian.
-She will early give herself to Jesus. She will delight
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>to help the poor; to visit the sick, carrying
-the cheer and comfort and something good to eat
-and flowers and many other things. She will love
-everybody. Do you?</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXVII.<br /> <span class='large'>THREE WORDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>The first word is, Be true. The second word is,
-Be trustworthy. The third word is, Dare to do
-right.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>First: Be true! Be what you seem to be or
-what you pretend to be; do not be a hypocrite;
-be firm and steady in adhering to friends,
-promises or principles. Be a true boy; be a true
-girl.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Secondly: Be trustworthy! Be worthy of trust;
-be reliable; make your word your bond. Conduct
-yourself in such a way that people can depend on
-you.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Thirdly: Dare to do right! Whatever comes
-or doesn’t come, stand by what you believe to be
-right, even if you have to stand alone. Be honest,
-upright, faithful, sincere, abhor that which is evil,
-cleave to that which is good.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>True boys and girls are scarce; they are not
-easily found; they do not grow on trees. But, to
-tell you the truth, we need good boys and girls,
-true boys and girls, much more than we do educated
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>boys and girls. All education without character
-is a dead weight!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Let me give you one or two reasons why you
-should be true, trustworthy, and brave for the
-right. In the first place, for the sake of your influence.
-Every boy and girl in this world has some
-influence. Every boy in this world, white or
-black, rich or poor, high or low, is helping his
-friends and playmates to grow better or worse,
-higher or lower in the scale of being. Every girl
-in this world is likewise helping or hindering
-others. If we are harsh and unkind, cruel and
-unjust—in every wrong, every baseness, meanness,
-selfishness, we are harming not ourselves
-alone but the whole great family of man. On the
-other hand, when we speak fearlessly a brave, true
-word, when we perform cheerfully a hard and trying
-task, whenever we are faithful, honest, earnest,
-patient, pure, trustworthy, whether we know
-it or not, we are strengthening the unseen impulses
-which make for nobility and higher manhood
-and womanhood throughout the world. In
-the economy of God, by his infinite wisdom, the
-humblest life reaches forward to the highest and
-the highest life reaches backward to the lowest.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But perhaps you are saying that I am taking
-too much for granted. Perhaps you think that it
-is not true that there is not one of the very least of
-the great human family who is not every day exercising
-some personal influence for good or evil
-upon the world. If you think so, boys and girls,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>or older people, you are mistaken. No human
-being can escape from the world’s atmosphere.
-Though you fly to the uttermost parts of the sea
-or hide in the depths of the dense city, some life is
-affected by your life. Not only some life is
-affected by your life, but many lives are affected
-by your life. It is a thought of this kind that
-Charles Dickens beautifully expresses in his story
-called “David Copperfield.” He says:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There is nothing—no, nothing—beautiful and
-good that dies and is forgotten. An infant, a
-prattling child, dying in his cradle, will live again
-in the better thoughts of those who loved it, and
-plays its part, though its body be burned to ashes
-or drowned in the deepest sea. There is not an
-angel added to the hosts of heaven but does its
-blessed work on earth in those who loved it here.
-Dead! Oh, if the good deeds of human creatures
-could be traced to their source, how beautiful
-would even death appear. For how much charity,
-mercy, and purified affection would be seen to
-have their growth in dusty graves!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>No, children, it is no idle dream, no fancy story
-that I tell when I say that the humblest member
-of the human family, as well as the highest, is
-exercising daily, whether he is conscious of it or
-not, some influence for good or evil upon the
-world. Viewed in this light who can measure the
-possibilities—the divine possibilities—that are
-wrapped up in little boys and girls? Viewed in
-this light, how the slightest action, the smallest of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>our little duties, takes on new importance! It was
-with this thought in mind that James A. Garfield
-said: “I feel a profounder reverence for a boy
-than a man. I never meet a ragged boy on the
-street without feeling that I owe him a salute, for
-I know not what possibilities may be buttoned up
-under his shabby coat.” Yes, boys and girls, by
-every brave and cheerful effort that we put forth
-we are reforming, uplifting, renewing, inspiring,
-hearts and souls we never heard of, never
-knew, the whole world becoming stronger for
-every bit of moral courage we create, sweeter for
-every kindly look we give, and holier for every
-good deed we do. And, of course, the contrary is
-true. When we fail, when we come short, when
-we sin, the consequences are not ours alone—they
-extend to all humanity. We are all, white and
-black, rich and poor, old and young, male and
-female, children of one family. Just as the quivering
-circles from a pebble thrown into a lake
-stretch on and on from shore to shore, so the silent
-impulse of a single life thrills from heart to heart
-until the very edges of humanity are touched.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There is another reason still why we should be
-true, trustworthy, brave. That reason is that
-somebody else takes us as his ideal—his standard.
-Poor as we are, weak as we are, as unworthy as
-we are, somebody else is looking up to us—especially
-those of us who have been favored with
-educational advantages and opportunities. And
-you know that the failure of one who is invested
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>in another’s mind with ideal qualities is a failure
-beyond the actual. That is one reason why people
-say that, as a rule, a preacher’s children are the
-worst children in the world. As a matter of fact,
-they are not the worst children in the world; but,
-being the children of preachers, everybody expects
-more of them than of others,—they are taken as
-ideals, as standards—that’s all. And what might
-be excused in others will not be excused in one who
-is taken as an ideal. Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of
-America’s greatest writers, in speaking of this
-truth says in his story called “The Marble Faun:”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The character of an individual beloved one
-having invested itself with all the attributes of
-right—that one friend being to us the symbol and
-representative of whatever is good and true,—when
-he falls, the effect is almost as if the sky fell
-with him, bringing down in chaotic ruin the
-columns that upheld our faith. We struggle forth
-again, no doubt bruised and bewildered. We stare
-wildly about us, and discover—or it may be we
-never make the discovery—that it was not actually
-the sky that has tumbled down but merely a
-frail structure of our own rearing, which never
-rose higher than the housetops, and has fallen
-because we founded it on nothing. But the crash,
-and the affright and trouble are as overwhelming,
-for the time, as if the catastrophe involved the
-whole moral world. Remembering these things,
-let them suggest one generous motive for walking
-heedfully amid the defilement of earthly ways. Let
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>us reflect that the highest path is pointed out by
-the pure ideal of those who look up to us, and who,
-if we tread less loftily, may never look so high
-again.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now, I have said my three words. You see they
-have stretched themselves out to a great length,
-but I hope the boys and girls who read this book
-may profit by them. Strive to be true, strive to be
-trustworthy, strive to be brave. In the long run
-the prizes of this world, and of that which is to
-come, are won by boys and girls of strong moral
-character, not by those who are merely learned or
-rich. But, of course, I believe in education and I
-believe in money. I think you ought to strive to
-obtain both—both are useful, and both are necessary;
-but, with all your getting, boys and girls, be
-sure to get those things which will reach beyond
-this world and which will count for more than
-money or good looks or education or any such
-thing when the world is on fire, when the moon
-shall be turned into blood, when the trumpet
-sounds, and all must go to stand before the Great
-King to give an account of the deeds done in the
-body.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>“A LAMP UNTO MY FEET.”</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Once upon a time, so it is said, a little ragged
-boy was carefully printing these words with a
-stick upon the ground, “Thy word is a lamp unto
-my feet.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On looking up from his work, the little fellow
-was surprised to find a kind-looking old man
-watching him.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Where did you learn that, my boy?” asked
-the man.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“At Sunday-school, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What’s your name?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Crawford.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“So, Crawford, you learned that text at Sunday-school.
-Do you know what it means?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What is a lamp?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“A lamp? Why, sir, a lamp is a thing that
-gives light!”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That’s correct. Well, what is the word that
-the text speaks of?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The Bible, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“That’s right. Now, how can the Bible be a
-lamp and give light?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I don’t know,” said the boy, “unless you light
-it and set it on fire.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“There’s a better way than that, my lad. Suppose
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>you were going down some lonely lane on a
-dark night with an unlighted lantern in your
-hand, and a box of matches in your pocket, what
-would you do?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why, I’d light the lantern.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why would you light
-it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To show me the road,
-sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Very well. Now,
-suppose you were
-walking behind me some day, and saw me drop a
-quarter; what would you do?”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_273.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>A Lamp Unto My Feet.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Pick it up and give it to you, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Wouldn’t you want to keep it yourself?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Crawford hesitated; but he saw a smile on the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>old gentleman’s face, and, smiling himself, he
-finally said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I should want to, sir; but I shouldn’t do it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why not?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Because it would be stealing.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“How do you know?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It would be taking what wasn’t my own, and
-the Bible says we are not to steal.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Ah!” said the old man, “so it’s the Bible that
-makes you honest, is it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“If you had not heard of the Bible you would
-steal, I suppose?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Lots of boys do,” said Crawford, hanging his
-head.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The Bible, then,” continued the old man,
-“shows you the right and safe path—the path of
-honesty, does it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Like the lamp!” exclaimed Crawford, seeing
-now what all the old man’s questions meant. “Is
-that what the text means?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, my boy,” the man answered, “there is
-always light in the Bible to show us where to go
-and what to do. Don’t you think it would be a
-good thing to take the Bible, the good old lamp,
-and let it light you right through life?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do you think you will be safer with it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>“Because if I’m honest I will never go to
-prison.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“And what else?” asked the man.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Crawford thought awhile. By-and-by he said,—</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“If I mind the Bible I shall go to heaven when
-I die.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes, and that’s the best reason for taking the
-lamp. It will light you right into heaven.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXIX.<br /> <span class='large'>THREE BRIGADES.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>There are three brigades, or three little companies,
-which I think ought to be organized
-among the boys and girls in every Sunday-school
-in America. Can’t you form them in your Sunday-school?
-It is a very simple matter. It will
-not cost any money: only a little time and forethought,
-and a will to do. One brigade is called
-the Rainy-Weather Brigade, and all the little boys
-and girls who join this company pledge themselves
-to go to Sunday-school every Sunday, when
-they are not sick, even if it is raining. The second
-brigade is called the Front Seat Brigade, and all
-the members of this company pledge themselves to
-occupy front seats in the Sunday school during
-the opening exercises before they pass to their
-classes. The third brigade is called the On-Timers’
-Brigade, and the children in this brigade pledge
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>themselves to be present on time at the opening
-hour.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_276.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Members of the Rainy-Weather Brigade.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>You can see at once how helpful these little
-brigades are in every Sunday school (where they
-exist) to the officers and teachers. Some children
-will not go to Sunday school when it is raining or
-when it threatens to rain; some will not go forward
-and occupy front seats when they do go; and
-there are others who are always tardy. What a
-blessing it would be if all the little children would
-organize these brigades at once in their schools,
-and try to get every scholar to join each one of
-them.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXX.<br /> <span class='large'>“HOME, SWEET HOME.”</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Go with me, boys and girls, to the gay streets
-and gilded saloons of the great city of Paris far
-across the sea. Here is said to be the centre of
-all the world’s follies and pleasures. It is at night.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>An American, who has left his home and native
-land to view the splendors of the wicked city, is
-passing along the street. He has beheld with delight
-its paintings, its sculpture, and the grand
-and graceful proportions of its buildings. In the
-midst of his keenest happiness, when he was rejoicing
-most over the privileges which he possessed,
-temptation assailed him. Sin was presented
-to him in one of its most bewitching garbs, and
-he yielded to the voice of the siren. He drank
-wildly and deeply of the intoxicating cup, and his
-draught brought madness. Reason was overthrown
-and he rushed out, all his scruples overcome, careless
-of what he did or how deeply he became immersed
-in the hitherto unknown sea of guilt.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The cool night air settled damp and heavy upon
-his heated brow. Walking on and on, not knowing
-or caring where he went, by-and-by strains of
-music from a distance met his ear. Pretty soon,
-following in the direction from which the sounds
-came, he was able to distinguish the words and air
-of the piece. The song was well remembered. It
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>was “Home, Sweet Home.” Clear and sweet the
-voice of some singer, using his native tongue, rose
-and fell on the air; and the poor wild man stopped
-and listened to the soft cadences of that beloved
-melody.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_278.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Home, Sweet Home.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Motionless he stood until the last note floated
-away, and he could hear nothing but the ceaseless
-murmur of the great city. Then he turned away
-slowly, with no feeling that his manhood was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>shamed by the tear which fell as a bright evidence
-of the power of song, and also as an evidence that
-he, the guilty sinner, was not yet absolutely lost
-beyond recall.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>The demon of the wine cup had fled, and reason
-once more asserted her right to control. As the
-soft strains of “Home, Sweet Home” had floated
-to his ear, memory brought up before him the picture
-of his own “sweet home.” He saw his gentle
-mother and heard her speak, while honest pride
-beamed from her eye; she seemed to speak again
-of her son, in whose nobleness and honor she could
-always trust. His heart smote him as he thought
-how little he deserved such confidence. He remembered
-her last words of love and counsel, and the
-tearful farewell of all those dear ones who gladdened
-that far-away home with their presence.
-The tide of remorse swept over his soul as he
-thought of what the sorrow of those at home would
-have been could they have seen him but an hour
-before. Subdued and penitent he retraced his
-steps, and with his vow never to taste of the terrible
-stuff that could so excite him to madness there
-was mingled a deep sense of thankfulness for his
-escape from further degradation. The influence
-of home had protected and shielded him, although
-the sea rolled between.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>How strong such memories are to prevent the
-commission of crime! How powerful is the spell
-of home! How important, then, is it to make home
-pleasant and lovable! Many a time a cheerful
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>home and smiling face will do more to make good
-men and good women than all the learning and eloquence
-that can be used. It has been said that
-the sweetest words in our language are “Mother,
-Home and Heaven”; and one might almost say
-that the word “Home” included the others. Who
-can think of home without remembering the gentle
-mother who sanctified it by her presence? And
-is not “Home” the dearest name for heaven? Oh,
-then, may our homes on earth be as green spots in
-the desert, to which we can retire when weary of
-the cares of life and drink the clear waters of a
-love which we know to be sincere and always unfailing.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXI.<br /> <span class='large'>EDMUND ASA WARE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In another chapter of this book I have told you,
-boys and girls, something of the story of General
-S. C. Armstrong, the founder of Hampton Institute.
-I am now going to tell something about another
-white man, who was the founder of another
-great school for colored people. His name is Edmund
-Asa Ware, and he was the founder of Atlanta
-University. Of course you know that I must
-love Atlanta University because I was graduated
-there myself a long time ago; but I think that Atlanta
-University should have a warm place in the
-heart of every black boy and girl in America. It
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>has done and is doing a great work for the higher
-training of our men and women.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Ware was born in North Wrentham (now
-Norfolk), Mass., December 22, 1837. When fifteen
-years old he removed with his father’s family to
-Norwich, Conn., where he entered the Norwich
-Free Academy. In 1859 he entered Yale University,
-from which institution he was graduated four
-years later. In 1865 he went to Nashville, Tenn.,
-where he served for a year as principal of one
-of the newly organized public schools of that city.
-In 1866 he came to Atlanta, Ga., and under the
-auspices of the American Missionary Association
-began the educational work to which he devoted
-the rest of his life. In 1867 he was appointed
-superintendent of schools for the state of Georgia
-under the Freedmen’s Bureau, and traveled widely
-in the prosecution of that work. The same year
-a charter was obtained for Atlanta University,
-which institution was not opened, however, until
-1869, and Mr. Ware became its first president and
-continued as president until his death. He died
-suddenly of heart disease September 25, 1885, in
-Atlanta, and was buried September 29th in Westview
-Cemetery in the suburbs of the same city.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A few years later his body was removed to the
-campus of Atlanta University, where it now
-sleeps. A huge granite bowlder was brought from
-Massachusetts, his native state, by funds contributed
-by the graduates of Atlanta University, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>this bowlder, suitably inscribed, marks his last
-resting place on earth.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At the memorial services held in honor of President
-Ware in Stone Hall, Atlanta University, December
-22, 1885, on the forty-eighth anniversary
-of the birth of the dead president, Prof. Bumstead,
-who is now president of Atlanta University, spoke
-the following words about Mr. Ware’s boyhood
-and early life:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was a pleasant boyhood, and its joys were
-innocent and wholesome ones. A white rabbit, a
-goat, and two hounds were the pets with which he
-played at home. He threw the line for speckled
-trout in the meadow brooks, and he rowed his
-boat upon the pond to gather the fragrant waterlilies.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was an industrious boyhood. In summer he
-gathered blueberries, huckleberries and blackberries
-for market. When twelve or thirteen years
-old he spent his school vacations in service as a
-clerk in a village store. When fourteen he cultivated
-and harvested thirty dollars’ worth of vegetables.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was a conscientious boyhood. His mother
-has no recollection of his ever being untruthful.
-His village teachers all commended him for his
-unvarying conformity to the right in school. It
-is said that when he was fifteen years old he had
-never been absent a day nor had a mark for tardiness.
-When serving as clerk in the village store
-his employer showed him a certain article which
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>had some defect about it, not very readily noticed,
-and bade him say nothing about it. He promptly
-told his employer that he could obey no such instructions.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“It was an ambitious boyhood—ambitious, of
-course, in the best sense of the word. He eagerly
-seized upon and improved every opportunity for
-self-improvement. He read the best books and
-periodicals. He heard lectures from such men as
-Beecher, Phillips, Curtis, Everett and Gough.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“In the autumn of 1859 he found himself a member
-of the largest Freshman class which at that
-time had ever entered Yale College. Here for the
-first time I grasped the hand and looked into the
-earnest eyes of my friend. I remember him in
-those early college days for the unaffected modesty
-of his bearing, the simplicity of his dress, his
-manifest hatred of all pretense and shams, his
-keen sense of humor, and his dry wit. His professedly
-religious life had been begun at the Norwich
-Academy but a few months before he
-entered college. Both in the academy and college
-he was active in religious work, and his face was
-set like a flint against all forms of iniquity.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Ware was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah
-Jane Twichell, of Plantsville, Conn. His wife
-served with him long and faithfully at Atlanta
-University, and continued to serve long after he
-had passed to his rest. She was left a widow with
-three daughters and one son. She herself died
-subsequently. The son has since been graduated
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>from Yale University and from Union Theological
-Seminary, New York City, and is now chaplain of
-Atlanta University.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Mr. Ware was a good man who believed that
-God had made of one blood all nations of men for
-to dwell on the face of the earth, and that Christ
-had redeemed us to God out of every kindred,
-tongue and people and nation; he believed in the
-common origin and common destiny of the whole
-human family, in the Fatherhood of God and the
-brotherhood of man, and, therefore, recognized
-no distinctions among men except those founded
-on character or merit. Along with a host of pioneer
-New England missionaries who came South
-to help us shortly after the war Mr. Ware’s name
-deserves to be honored and revered by a grateful
-people to the end of time.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXII.<br /> <span class='large'>AN ANTE-BELLUM NEGRO PREACHER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Once upon a time I heard Bishop Fitzgerald of
-the M. E. Church, South, tell the following story.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I give it in his own words:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The ante-bellum negro preachers were the
-product of the times, and differed from the mass of
-their race only in the fact that they were shrewder
-and more eloquent. Among them were many men
-of piety and good sense and burning zeal. In
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>others there was a combination of cunning, superstition,
-excitability and volubility almost indescribable.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_285.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Saint Paul was a Much Better Man Dan I is, an’ Dey Whupped Him Mos’ Ev’ywhar He Went.</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To the former class belonged a noted negro
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>preacher of Culpepper County, Va., an old man
-of blameless life and venerable appearance, who
-so entirely commanded the confidence of the white
-people, and whose influence with the people of his
-own race was so wholesome, that no one thought
-of enforcing against him a statute then existing
-which required that in any gathering where six or
-more negroes were assembled a white man should
-be present. Despite this statute Uncle Jack came
-and went as he pleased, trusted by the whites and
-venerated by the blacks.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“At one of his meetings a party of mischievous
-young white men planned to have a little fun at
-the old man’s expense. Waiting near the door of
-the rustic chapel until the services were concluded
-the company approached the old preacher and its
-spokesman said:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“‘Old man, we are officers of the law and are
-patrolling this beat. You have violated the law,
-and we are going to whip you for it. Come along
-with us.’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“They led the way to the thicket near at hand.
-Uncle Jack followed in silence.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“‘Have you nothing to say, old man?’ asked
-the spokesman.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“‘Nothin’, Marstah,’ said Uncle Jack.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“‘Perhaps you don’t think that we really intend
-to whip you,’ said the young man, ‘but we
-will. Have you nothing to say to that?’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“‘No, sah,’ said Uncle Jack; ‘I has nothin’ to
-say. De fac’ is, Marstah, I has oftened wondar’d
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>that I has nevah been whupped befo’. Saint Paul
-was a much bettah man dan I is, an’ dey whupped
-him ’mos’ ev’ywhar he went. I has preached much
-longah dan he did, an’ I has nevah got a whuppin’
-in my life. It seems to me dat I ought to have at
-leas’ a few licks!’</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The young scapegraces looked at each other
-in confusion, and it is needless to say that Uncle
-Jack was not whipped.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXIII.<br /> <span class='large'>PURITY OF CHARACTER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls, if you will take a plum or an apricot
-you will find that over the outer coat of either
-one of them there glows a bloom more beautiful
-than the fruit itself—a soft, delicate powder that
-overspreads its rich colors. Now, if you strike
-your hand over that you will find that the bloom
-will at once depart, and when it goes it is gone
-forever. It only appears once. You go out into
-the flower garden early in the morning. The flower
-that hangs there impearled with dew, like so many
-jewels—you shake it once, so that the drops or
-beads will roll off. You take that same flower,
-after the dew has been shaken off, and you may
-sprinkle water over it as you please, yet it can
-never be made again what it was when the dew fell
-on it so gently from heaven. Again, on a frosty
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>morning, you may see the panes of glass covered
-with landscapes, mountains, lakes and trees, blended
-into a fantastic picture. Now, lay your hand
-upon the glass and by the scratch of your finger
-or by the warmth of the palm; all the delicate tracery
-will be obliterated—all the beautiful picture
-will vanish, and you could not reproduce it, although
-you tried for a hundred years. Once wiped
-out, the picture on the glass is wiped out forever.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>So there is in youth a purity of character which,
-when once touched and defiled, can never be restored—a
-fringe more delicate than frostwork or
-the dew on the flowers or the bloom on the plum
-or apricot. Character is a thing which, when once
-stained, can never be again what it was. When a
-young boy or girl leaves the home of his or her
-parents, with the blessing of a mother’s tears
-upon the cheek or the blessing of a father’s hand
-upon the head, if earthly purity of character be
-once lost it is a loss that can never be made up
-again. Though by God’s mercy the sin may be
-forgiven, yet its effects cannot but be in some way
-felt, and the boy or girl will never be what he or
-she was before.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXIV.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_289.jpg' alt='EACH ONE of US of IMPORTANCE' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Never think yourself, whoever you are, of small
-importance. Never think that it is of little account
-whether you are good or bad, or what your example
-is to others. Each mere particle of dust, every
-tiny grain of sand, the minutest atom, is an active
-agent in the whole universe. So each one of us is
-of importance in our sphere, however isolated and
-insignificant that sphere may appear to be.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A few particles of dust in a watch will stop its
-motion; small barnacles on a ship’s bottom will
-hinder its journey; and a little shifting sand in the
-great river will change its current. So, little boys
-and girls exercise their influence for weal or woe
-upon the world. Don’t you believe for once that
-the world is moved only by the great forces, the
-great men and the great enterprises. Little folks
-and little things likewise help to move the world
-along. Great generals are necessary; but what
-would they be without the soldiers behind them?</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Every boy has his part to do in the great work
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>of the world, and every girl has her part to do.
-Every boy and girl is of importance; how important
-nobody knows, and perhaps never shall know
-until eternity reveals it. There ought to be in
-this truth great encouragement and great comfort
-to all who think that they are insignificant and
-have no work to do in this busy world. Perhaps
-in the distant future many a man who estimated
-himself great shall be found to have been insignificant,
-because of unfaithfulness to his trust; and
-many another man who perhaps thought himself
-of little worth will find himself glorified because
-he did what he could.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXV.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_290.jpg' alt='THE POETRY OF LIFE' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Poetry is more than
-verse-making, more
-than the jingle of words,
-more than the sing-song
-of meter.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Sunshine and flowers,
-brightness and joyousness, the harmonies of the
-passions and the inspiration of love—these are
-the poetry of life.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>Without poetry, life is a tread-mill; a veil of
-tears; a dreary waste. Even religion is only a crucifixion—a
-death to sin—if we have not the resurrection
-into the new life of joy.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Many of us make hard work of life by bending
-our backs too much. We get dirt in our eyes by
-keeping them too near the dust, and we get narrow-minded
-and selfish by our narrow radius of
-vision.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>To become truly rich we must stand in the dignity
-of our manhood; walk in the integrity of our
-calling; and run in the rhythm of a poetic nature.
-Out of harmony is out of sphere. The dignity, integrity
-and poetry of life are all lost by inharmony;
-only the ashes of disappointment are left;
-but with these we can dance at our work, and turn
-irksome duties into joyous privileges. Instead of
-moping in the valley of the shadow of death, we
-may live in the sunshine, where beautiful flowers
-and luscious fruits and delicious sweets grow.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Yes; yes; we might as well live in light as in
-darkness; make life a joyful song as a funeral
-dirge; live amid glory as shame. With a radiant
-countenance, a beaming eye, and a loving hand, we
-can do more work and have more to do; we can
-get more out of life and have more life to enjoy;
-we can scatter more sunshine and have more left
-for ourselves.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Christ came to bring to every toiler, heaven.
-Let us get into it quickly. It is here—and here
-only—that we find the poetry of life.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXVI<br /> <span class='large'>ON BEING IN EARNEST.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Of ten men who fail in life, nine men fail for
-want of zeal, earnestness, courage, where one man
-fails for want of ability. This half-heartedness,
-this lack of zeal, this timidity, this shrinking from
-duty and hard tasks is seen on all sides and among
-all classes. But I tell you, boys and girls, that
-the least enviable people in all the world are those
-who think that nothing is particularly worth
-while, that it does not matter much how a thing
-is done if it is only done with; who dwaddle along
-in a shabby sort of a way, considering only their
-own ease, with little sense of responsibility, and
-with no shame in being shirks. Every boy should
-make up his mind to live a round, full, earnest, intense
-life. Every girl should do the same. Don’t
-be satisfied, boys and girls, to be jellyfishes, with
-only a capacity for drawing in nourishment and
-lingering on until your time comes to die. Be
-vertebrates, people of backbone, purpose, aim, enthusiasm,
-earnestness.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>At a public dinner President Roosevelt asked
-Governor Odell of New York if he knew anything
-worth doing that was not hard in the doing, and
-the governor could think of nothing. As a rule
-perhaps there is nothing, and yet things once hard
-in the doing become easy as skill is gained by repetition.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>Be in earnest, be faithful and resolute,
-and it will act like a tonic, giving light to the eyes,
-springiness to the step, and buoyancy to the heart.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_293.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Being in Earnest.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Don’t be overcome by your circumstances. No
-matter how distracting a
-man’s surroundings may be,
-he may yet be able to focus
-his powers completely and to
-marshal them with certainty
-if he makes up his
-mind to do it. If
-things go hard with
-the self-mastered man or boy,
-he will be able to trample upon
-difficulties and to use his stumbling-blocks
-as stepping-stones.
-If a great misfortune overtake
-him he will simply use it as a starting
-point for a new departure, a turning
-point for more determined effort. He
-may be weighed down with sorrow
-and suffering, but he always starts
-anew with redoubled determination
-to do the thing he has set his heart
-upon doing. He will not be discouraged;
-he will not give up; he will fight it out to
-the end. Put him in prison, and he will write the
-“Pilgrim’s Progress.” Deprive him of his eyesight
-and he will write the “Paradise Lost.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>It was the spirit of earnestness which fired the
-soul of Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, who,
-after being urged to recant, said: “Here I stand;
-I can do no other; God help me!” It was this
-spirit which characterized William Lloyd Garrison,
-the champion of the abolition of slavery, who,
-when he was urged to stop fighting slavery, exclaimed:
-“I will not equivocate, I will not retract,
-I will not be moved one inch, and I will be
-heard.” So be in earnest, boys and girls, at home,
-at school, at work and at play. It will help you
-a thousand-fold.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXVII.<br /> <span class='large'>YOUNG PEOPLE AND LIFE INSURANCE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Every little boy and girl, and, of course, every
-man and woman, of the colored race in America
-should carry a life insurance policy of some kind
-in some reliable company. In this matter the old
-people, as in some other things, ought to set the
-example for the young, but there are some reasons,
-growing chiefly out of their previous condition of
-slavery, why our mothers and fathers have not, as
-a rule, taken very largely to the business of having
-their lives insured. But because our parents have
-been negligent in this matter there is no reason
-why the younger generation should be. Life insurance
-is a good thing, boys and girls—one of the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>best things in the world. American life insurance
-companies alone pay to policy-holders or estates of
-policy-holders over one hundred million dollars
-annually. Only a very small and almost insignificant
-portion of this vast sum goes into the hands
-of colored people, and for the reason that very few
-colored people carry life insurance policies.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_295.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Taking Out a Policy.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>Now use a little common sense about this matter.
-Whatever is good in life insurance for other
-races is good for our race; whatever in life insurance
-benefits other races will benefit our race. In
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>business as in education, whatever is good for a
-white man is good for a black man. I would,
-therefore, urge every boy and girl to join a life insurance
-company, and where your mothers and
-fathers are not insured I would urge you to do
-your utmost to persuade them to join at once.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>For one reason, a life insurance policy is not expensive.
-You might as well talk of the expense of
-buying bank stock, or the expense of putting your
-money into a savings bank or any other safe place
-as to speak of the expense of keeping up a life
-insurance policy. It is accumulation and not expense.
-Every dollar put into life insurance is a
-dollar saved to yourself or your estate.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>For another reason life insurance is a good business
-investment. Carefully collected statistics on
-file in Washington City prove that investments
-in life insurance are much safer and yield much
-larger returns than money placed in a savings
-bank. When you are older you will perhaps be
-able to make these comparisons for yourself. For
-the present you can take my word for it.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>A third reason, life insurance is cheap. You can
-in an instant create a capital of $1,000, though you
-may be ever so poor, by laying aside only a few
-cents a week. Young people chew up and drink
-up and smoke up and frolic up more money every
-week than would be sufficient to protect them
-against the rainy days that must come to everybody.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And, then, life insurance has a character value.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>It makes a young man a better man; it makes a
-young woman a better woman; that is to say, it
-makes them more economical, more business-like,
-happier, and, I believe, it will make them live
-longer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is high time that black boys and girls were
-learning these things and acting upon them. When
-God commanded us not to serve money as a false
-god He did not say that money could not serve us,
-and I beseech the boys and girls, and the old people
-too, to exercise the same foresight and the
-same good sense about life insurance that other
-races exercise.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE LITTLE SAILOR CAT.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>In September, 1893, grouped on the Fall River
-Line pier at the foot of Warren Street, New York,
-there stood a party of twenty-three sailors waiting
-for the Puritan to take them on to Boston. The
-central figure in the group—a short, thickset man,
-with bronzed and grizzled moustache—stood erect
-with arms folded over his chest. Upon the solid
-foundation thus made nestled a little white kitten.
-The man and the kitten were the Boston contingent
-of the crew of the steamship City of Savannah,
-which had been wrecked the week before on Hunting
-Island, off the South Carolina coast.</p>
-
-<div  class='figleft id005'>
-<img src='images/i_298.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The Little Sailor Cat.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>The story of the beaching of the steamship and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>of the taking off of her crew by the City of Birmingham
-had been told in all the newspapers, but
-nothing had been said about the cat, so the Boston
-Herald said. Before the shipwreck the cat was
-nothing more than an ordinary ship’s cat, and the
-captain had named him Mascot; but that was the
-end of his distinction. After the disaster, nevertheless,
-all the sailors swore that the kitten was as
-good a sailor as any of them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“He’s a wonder,” said the short, thickset man,
-surveying the cat proudly; “nobody thought of
-him in the rush, but he got there just the same.
-He climbed the rigging
-in that gale like an old
-tar and held on for
-hours. He wasn’t a bit
-frightened either. Only
-he would ‘caterwaul’
-when he got hungry.
-We were on board of the boat fifty hours after
-she struck before the sea was such that we could
-be taken off in boats. At night the captain
-ordered all the crew into the rigging and made us
-stay there. We each took a piece of rope and
-lashed ourselves on, so as to keep from falling
-off when asleep. That’s what the captain said the
-string was for, but I never slept at all. I don’t
-think many others did. The cat got along without
-any rope, and she was there in the morning all
-right. When we got away at last, nearly crazy
-with thirst and so faint that we could hardly
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>climb down the ‘Jacob’s ladder’ into the Birmingham’s
-boats, that little fellow climbed out of
-his nest in the rigging and wanted to go too. We
-were glad to take him.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>LXXXIX.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_299.jpg' alt='ADVICE TO LITTLE CHRISTIANS' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>1. Be punctual and regular at all the services
-of your church.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>2. Give close attention to the pastor in the public
-service. Good hearers make good preachers.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>3. Whenever you are aided by a sermon tell
-the pastor about it. In this way you will help him
-more than you think possible.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>4. Do not neglect morning and evening prayer
-at home. Pray daily for God’s blessing upon the
-preaching and other labors of the pastor.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>5. In the world let your light so shine before
-others that they may be led to glorify your Father
-which is in heaven. Let your light shine.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>6. Invite your friends to attend divine services.
-A drawing congregation is as good as a
-drawing preacher. Call for your friends often.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>7. Remember day by day that you are not your
-own, but have been “bought with a price,” and
-that you are Christ’s servant. Watch and pray.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>8. If any service is required of you in the
-church or in the Sunday school, do not shirk it;
-always say: “I will try for Jesus’ sake.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>9. In the prayer meeting speak briefly and to
-the point. If you pray, ask only for what you
-want. Be short and direct. “Ask and ye shall
-receive.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>10. Never subscribe more than you are able to
-pay, and be sure to pay whatever you promise.
-Whether much or little, give it cheerfully. “God
-loveth a cheerful giver.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>11. Having found eternal life, use all appropriate
-means to develop Christian character. Prayer,
-reading the Bible, attending church and Sunday
-school, reading good books and Christian newspapers,
-keeping the best company—all these will
-help you.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XC.<br /> <span class='large'>A WORD TO PARENTS.</span></h2>
-</div>
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i_301.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>A Word to Parents.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Children are a gift from God. Children are a
-heritage from the Lord. It depends largely on parents
-whether they become a heritage of honor and
-delight or of sorrow and shame. It is not simply
-incumbent upon parents that their children be
-well cared for, fed and clothed, properly educated
-and so forth; but more than this, they are to be
-brought up “in the nurture and admonition of the
-Lord.” This being true, then, the highest aim of
-rearing children is not simply that they may win
-success and command respect in the world. Respect
-and success are greatly to be desired and
-sought, but beyond them and beyond everything
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>else is the highest and chiefest aim of parental love
-and care; that their children may honor and command
-the righteousness of God in the life that now
-is and magnify the glory of God in the life that is
-to be. This is the mark and prize of their high
-calling.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Admitting this, then, the early conversion of
-children is all-important. But if they are to be
-early converted, is it not wise—nay, absolutely essential—that
-mothers and fathers prepare the way
-by restricting their natural impulses by which
-they are led to desire indulgence in the gay vanities
-of life? Is it not positively wrong for parents
-to indulge that pernicious and destructive delusion,
-which some allow, of permitting their children
-to have their own evil way in the hope that
-in due time they will in some way see their error
-and turn to the right path of their own accord?
-Father, you are a Christian. Mother, you are a
-Christian. Now, in your home, in the management
-of your children, are you doing the best you can
-to show what a Christian family should be? How
-is it, my friends? I leave that question with you.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCI.<br /> <span class='large'>A HELPFUL MESSAGE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Life is too short to spend any time on a book
-that is not worth reading; but when you read a
-good book you will be richly repaid if you stick
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>a sort of mental pin in sentences that especially
-impress you and return to them again and again.
-If the book is your own, it is sometimes helpful
-to mark it neatly here and there, and to copy some
-of the nuggets of thoughts. In that way you help
-to fasten them in your brain, and perhaps to engraft
-their meaning upon your lives. From a book
-of the writings and speeches of a New York
-preacher, Dr. Maltbie D. Babcock, who went a year
-or two ago to “the better land,” I have culled the
-following sentences that hold, I think, a helpful
-message for boys and girls as well as for old people.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Look out for your choices. They run into conduct,
-character, destiny.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“To make the best of things is the right way to
-let things make the best of you.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Pay as little attention to discouragement as
-possible. This is the only world in which a Christian
-can suffer.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Whenever you feel blue remember that God
-loves you and think up some kindness, if no more
-than sending a flower to some one or writing a
-note.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“If you can help anybody, even a little, be glad.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Do not let the good things of life rob you of
-the best things.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“What have you done to-day that none but a
-Christian would do?”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE UNSEEN CHARMER.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Carl Brickermann, a collection clerk in an uptown
-bank, in his accustomed daily routine found
-it necessary, among other things, to call by telephone
-the downtown brokerage firm of Hopegood
-&amp; Co. One day he missed the familiar feminine
-voice which had usually responded to his calls.
-But the new voice seemed sweeter and much more
-passionately penetrating. For two or three days
-Brickermann was puzzled, not only because of the
-change at the other end of the ’phone, but also
-because of the strange and unaccountable fascination
-which the new voice possessed for him. At
-length one day, almost in desperation, he turned
-aside from his regular business inquiries to ask:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Where’s the other girl?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Which other girl?” asked the mellifluous voice
-over the articulate wire.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“The one who used to answer the ’phone for the
-Hopegoods,” explained Brickermann.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Promoted,” came the response, with a merry
-little laugh.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“And you have her old place?” asked Brickermann,
-somewhat encouraged.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Yes; for awhile,” said the same still, small
-voice at the other end, and it sounded more and
-more sweetly to the would-be masher.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>“Well,” said Brickermann, laughing the while,
-“I used to know her quite well, and I should like
-to meet you face to face, if you don’t mind. I am
-so charmed with the music of your voice I am sure
-I should be perfectly entranced with the magic of
-your face.”</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_305.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p>“<span class='sc'>Is—er—er—Mr. Hopegood in?</span>”</p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>A merry peal of laughter from the other end
-greeted this sally. The young man continued:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I used to come down some days about four
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>o’clock to see Margie. Will you, my Unseen
-Charmer, grant me the same high favor?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Why, certainly! Come any day,” answered
-the sweet voice which had so strangely bewitched
-the young man. In ecstasy Brickermann shouted
-back:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I’ll be down this afternoon.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Brickermann hung up the receiver, and, chuckling
-with delight, he turned to his other duties
-with the alacrity that a young spring chicken displays
-when it suddenly discovers a big fat worm.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>By three-thirty o’clock he had arranged his
-toilet, and stood before the mirror giving the finishing
-twirl to his budding moustache. He brushed
-his clothing the second time, brushed his hat, and,
-figuratively speaking, arrayed in purple and fine
-linen, he sallied forth. He boarded an elevated
-train bound for the downtown district. On his
-way down he tried to picture to himself the kind
-of a girl he should meet at the Hopegoods. Would
-she be tall or short of stature? Blonde or brunette?
-Above twenty-one years of age or only sweet sixteen?
-The quick arrival of the train at Park Place
-put a period to Brickermann’s reverie. He went
-tripping across a few blocks to the place where all
-of his hopes had been centered during the past few
-hours—in fact, days. Arrived there, he stepped
-into the front office where “Margie” had formerly
-presided. It was the same snug and cosy room,
-but he failed to behold there the eagerly expected
-young lady. Instead he ran amuck a chubby little
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>boy, with a ruddy face and curly hair, and perhaps
-not more than fourteen or fifteen years old,
-sitting in “Margie’s” place.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Brickermann was visibly embarrassed. He did
-not know where to begin or what to say. He
-twitched nervously at the glove which he carried
-in his hand, and finally he stammered:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Is—er—Mr. Hopegood in?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“No, sir,” said the boy. “Can I be of any service
-to you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Brickermann’s face turned blood red, and great
-drops of perspiration stood out upon his forehead.
-The accents of the little boy startled him, for they
-were the same that had been wafted to him almost
-daily along the wire and with which he thought
-he had been enamored. In the midst of his confusion
-he managed to say, hoping almost against
-hope that his identity had not been discovered:</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well, er—er—I’ll call again.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And, without waiting to hear the Unseen Charmer
-speak again, he hastily retired with as good
-grace as was possible under the circumstances.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCIII.<br /> <span class='large'>OUR COUNTRY.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Boys and girls, we are all American citizens,
-the last one of us. This is our country, as much
-as it is the country of any other race, and we
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>should love it and fight for it as our fathers have
-loved, fought and died for it on many a battlefield.
-We may be the descendants of Africans, but
-we are citizens of the United States. This is our
-home—our country. Let us believe it, in spite of
-what some foolish people say. Therefore I am going
-to give you one or two sentiments which you
-should learn early in life in order to stimulate
-your patriotism.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>1. May the honor of our country be without
-stain.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>2. May the glory of America never cease to
-shine.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>3. May every American manfully withstand
-corruption.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>4. May reverence for the laws ever predominate
-in the hearts of the American people.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>5. The sons and daughters of America, may
-their union be cemented by love and affection, and
-their offspring adorn the stations they are destined
-to fill.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>6. May the growth of the American union
-never be prevented by party spirit.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>7. The boys of America, may they be strong
-and virtuous, manly and brave.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>8. The girls of America, may they prove to be
-such in heart and life as will make them worthy
-mothers of a strong and noble race.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>9. Health to our president, prosperity to our
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>people, and may Congress direct its endeavors to
-the public good.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>10.—</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c016'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>May Peace o ’er America spread her wing,</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>And Commerce fill her ports with gold;</div>
-      <div class='line'>May Arts and Science comfort bring,</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>And Liberty her sons enfold.</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCIV.<br /> <span class='large'>THE “DON’T-CARE” GIRL.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>About the worst girl in all this world is the girl
-who doesn’t care what people think or say about
-her conduct; the girl who goes to every “hop,” to
-every party, who stays out late at night with the
-boys, who hangs over the gate and talks to them,
-and who cuts a number of foolish capers, and then
-when any one speaks to her, shoots her head ’way
-up in the air, and turns up her nose, if she can, and
-says boldly: “Oh, I don’t care; nobody has anything
-to do with me!” She is the worst girl in
-the world, and she will never come to any good
-end. Every girl who is a law unto herself in regard
-to all that she says or does is certain not
-only to bring upon herself the condemnation of
-those whose good opinion it is worth while to
-have, but she will most certainly incur the punishment
-of a just God. And sometimes, I am sorry
-to say, I think that when a girl proudly declares
-that she doesn’t care for the good opinion of others
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>she does so because she knows that she has
-already lost all right to that good opinion.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id004'>
-<img src='images/i_310.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>The “Don’t-Care” Girl.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>It is wrong, boys and girls, to undertake to run
-roughshod over the so-called prejudices of the public.
-It is a foolish thing to take delight in trying
-to shock people by your boisterous and unladylike
-and unbecoming conduct. Every really wise and
-nice girl does care a good deal for the good opinion
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>of others, and particularly for the good opinion
-of persons older than she is. She recognizes
-the fact that the laws of conventionality and of
-good society are based upon what is right and
-what is proper, and that no girl can with propriety
-set them at naught.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Some girls go so far as to say that they “don’t
-care” what their own fathers and mothers think.
-The wild girl who says this is setting at defiance
-not only the human parental law, but also the law
-of God, which plainly commands children to obey
-their parents.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Haven’t you ever seen a “don’t-care” girl? She
-is nearly always reckless in manner and speech;
-she is bold and defiant; she is impudent beyond
-mention; and she is very fond of ridiculing girls
-who do care a great deal what others think about
-them.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>No matter whose children they are—no matter
-what schools they have attended—these “don’t
-care” girls are no good, and good girls ought not
-to associate with them. Every day such flippant
-girls are treading on dangerous ground, and some
-day, unless a merciful God prevents it, she will
-come to open disgrace and die and go to torment.
-I am hoping to see the day when all the “don’t-care”
-girls will have passed out of existence, and
-then all our girls will be of the refined and womanly
-kind who do care a great deal about their conduct,
-their manners and their morals. I don’t
-want my daughter to associate with any other
-kind.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCV.<br /> <span class='large'>NEGRO HEROES.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>No true history of the American continent can
-be written without giving due credit to the part
-which brave negro men have played on the field of
-battle in the defense of liberty. At the head of the
-list of great negro soldiers stands unquestionably
-Toussaint L’Ouverture, the emancipator of Hayti,
-the little republic to the south of the Island of
-Cuba. This black hero, who never saw a soldier
-until he was fifty years old, crossed swords with
-the great Napoleon, who is said to be the greatest
-general the world has ever known, and he outwitted
-that great warrior. Wendell Phillips in a
-great oration places the name of Toussaint at the
-head of the list of all the world’s great leaders
-and statesmen, above the name of even our own
-George Washington.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Next comes Crispus Attucks, who was killed in
-the Boston massacre on the night of March 5, 1770.
-His blood was the first blood shed in the cause of
-American independence. John Adams and Daniel
-Webster both date the beginning of American independence
-from that terrible massacre. Later on
-when the Revolutionary War came the negro
-played a valiant part and many individuals won
-just fame. For instance, Peter Salem and Salem
-Poor both distinguished themselves at the battle
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>of Bunker Hill, and at other points. To-day a
-monument stands on Boston Common erected in
-honor of Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Salem
-Poor, Samuel Maverick and James Caldwell.</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/i_313.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Negro Heroes.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>All the boys and girls now living know about
-the heroism of Antonio Maceo in behalf of the
-freedom of Cuba, and how that brave general laid
-down his life for his own people shortly before
-the United States in 1898 took up arms in defense
-of Cuban liberty and drove the Spanish tyrants
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>out. Of course there were many colored soldiers
-who took notable parts in the work done by our
-country during that short and decisive war. It
-is even claimed on good authority that the black
-soldiers saved the regiment of Rough Riders,
-which was commanded by the intrepid Colonel
-Roosevelt who afterwards became governor of
-New York and president of the United States.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>But before the Spanish-American War the
-negroes had given good account of themselves on
-many a well-fought field—in the war of 1812 and
-again in the great Civil War. In the Civil War,
-which resulted in the restoration of the Union and
-the freedom of the slaves, there were 186,000 colored
-soldiers. To-day a monument stands on Boston
-Common, also, in memory of the Fifty-fourth
-Massachusetts Regiment of United States soldiers.
-This was a colored regiment, which was commanded
-by a gallant white man named Robert
-Gould Shaw. He and a large proportion of his
-command were killed at Fort Wagner, S. C., in
-July, 1863.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In the Civil War we were not allowed to have
-our own officers, all the officers being white. In
-the Spanish-American War this was changed, and
-we had over two hundred officers, including some
-as high as colonels and two paymasters with the
-rank of majors. When another war comes we are
-going to have some generals as well as colonels
-and captains and majors. Some of the little boys
-who are reading these words may be called on to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>render this higher service for the country and the
-race. I hope, boys, if it should be so, that you will
-be prepared to give as good an account of your
-stewardship as those who have gone before. I
-hope you will learn a good deal about the lives of
-the great heroes above named, and about others
-whom I cannot stop to mention now. In this way
-you will gain inspiration for the future.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCVI.<br /> <span class='large'>FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Shortly before he died Frederick Douglass made
-a tour through the South. Among other places he
-visited Atlanta University. At that place he made
-an address to the young people. It is so full of
-hope and help that I wanted to place it where
-every ambitious black boy and girl in America
-can see it. It has never been published before,
-except in the Bulletin of Atlanta University. Mr.
-Douglass said:</p>
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>
-<img src='images/i_316.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic002'>
-<p><span class='sc'>Frederick Douglass.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>“My young friends: I see before me an assemblage
-of young people, full of the blood of youth,
-just entering upon the voyage of life. It is an interesting
-spectacle to me, as to us all, to meet such
-an assembly as I see before me this morning in
-an institution of learning, of knowledge, and of
-ethics and of Christian graces. I experience great
-pleasure in what I see to-day. There is no language
-to describe my feelings. It was no mere image
-that John saw and described in the apocalypse.
-It was a new heaven and a new earth indeed. When
-I look back upon the time when I was a fugitive
-slave I recollect the evils and cruelty of slave-hunting.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>No mountain was so high, no valley was
-so deep, no glen so secluded, no place so sacred to
-liberty that I could put my foot upon it and say
-I was free! But now I am free! Contrasting my
-condition then and now the change exceeds what
-John saw upon the isle of Patmos. A change vast
-and wonderful, that came by the fulfilling of laws.
-We got freed by laws, marvellous in our eyes. Men,
-brave men, good men, who had the courage of
-their convictions, were arrested and subjected to
-persecutions, mobs, lawlessness, violence. They
-had the conviction of truth. Simple truth lasts
-forever!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Be not discouraged. There is a future for you
-and a future for me. The resistance encountered
-now predicates hope. The negro degraded, indolent,
-lazy, indifferent to progress, is not objectionable
-to the average public mind. Only as we
-rise in the scale of proficiency do we encounter
-opposition. When we see a ship that lies rotting
-in the harbor, its seams yawning, its sides broken
-in, taking water and sinking, it meets with no opposition;
-but when its sails are spread to the
-breeze, its top-sails and its royals flying, then there
-is resistance. The resistance is in proportion to
-its speed. In Memphis three negro men were
-lynched, not because they were low and degraded,
-but because they knew their business and other
-men wanted their business.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I am delighted to see you all. Don’t be despondent.
-Don’t measure yourselves from the white
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>man’s standpoint; but measure yourselves by the
-depths from which you have come. I measure
-from these depths, and I see what Providence has
-done. Daniel Webster said in his speech at the
-dedication of Bunker Hill monument: ‘Bunker Hill
-monument is completed. There it stands, a memorial
-of the past, a monitor of the present, a
-hope of the future. It looks, speaks, acts!’ So
-this assembly is a monitor of the present, a memorial
-of the past, a hope of the future. I see boys
-and girls around me. Boys, you will be men some
-day. Girls, you will be women some day. May
-you become good men and women, intelligent men
-and women, a credit to yourselves and your country.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“I thank you for what I have experienced to-day
-and I leave you reluctantly, and shall always
-carry with me the pleasantest impressions of this
-occasion.”</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCVII.<br /> <span class='large'>TOO HIGH A DAM.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>Once upon a time a criminal, sentenced to a
-twenty-year term of punishment, declared that his
-ruin was due to the fact that too high a “dam”
-had been built around his early life.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He was a boy on a farm, the son of strict parents,
-who never unbent into friends and comrades,
-but had iron ideas of parental duty along the lines
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>of restraints, and gave large doses of the catechism
-and the Ten Commandments, interspersed
-with much fault-finding and complaints of the
-waywardness of boys in general and their own boy
-in particular.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>As a consequence the boy chafed against the
-“high dam,” burst its bounds early and came to
-the city with a zest for freedom in proportion to
-the restraint he had undergone and an admiration
-for a fast life. This was by way of reaction from
-his disgust for the farm and its slow ways.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Don’t build your dams too high,” was the
-brief sermon preached by this condemned criminal
-and directed to parents—especially those who are
-rearing children in the country or in small towns.
-Human nature will continue to be human nature,
-and boys will continue to be boys. Youth will long,
-and naturally so, for variety and amusement. The
-house in which parents never unbend in sympathy
-with their children’s longing for a little brightness
-and jollity, where work goes on in unretrieved
-monotony, and home means only a place to sleep
-and eat in—such a home sends its boys and girls
-to the city before they are panoplied to meet its
-temptations; either this, or else it hardens and
-saddens them into mere machines or beasts of burden.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Books, music, flowers, games, social clubs, cheerful
-pictures, love and sympathy—these will bind
-the young heart to home and right living and will
-obviate the necessity of the “high dams” of restraint.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A GOOD FELLOW.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>He was a good fellow.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He spent his money like a Prince.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>There was nothing too good for him to do for
-those with whom he kept company.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>He lived rapidly, and had no thought of to-morrow.
-He burned the candle of life at both ends.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>To-day he is dead,—and those vampires who
-sucked his life’s blood and helped him to spend his
-money have no time to give him one thought.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Ah, how insincere and empty is the title of
-“good fellow” when it is applied to the man whose
-money is always on tap for those who are desirous
-of having a good time! And how corrupt and undesirable
-are the so-called friendships which
-spring from a lavish expenditure of money! Boys,
-the roof over your heads covers the best friends
-you could possibly have on earth. Those who slap
-you on the shoulder and say hilariously, “Good
-boy!” are seldom ever worth their salt. They like
-you for what they can get out of you—that’s all!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Real happiness in this world comes, if at all,
-from living right and doing right. If you are a
-good fellow in the sense of giving everybody a
-“good time” with your hard-earned means, I
-warn you that, when your money gives out, all
-your friends will desert you, and when you die
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>they will be the last ones to come near you, and
-may even laugh at what a fool you made of yourself!</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>XCIX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE FUTURE OF THE NEGRO.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>My dear boys and girls, I have written nearly
-one hundred stories for this book and I have not
-said one word about the so-called Race Problem.
-I have done this on purpose. I believe that the less
-you think about the troubles of the race and the
-less you talk about them and the more time you
-spend in hard and honest work, believing in God
-and trusting him for the future, the better it will
-be for all concerned. I know, of course, that the
-sufferings which are inflicted upon the colored
-people in this country are many and grievous. I
-know that we are discriminated against in many
-ways—on common carriers, in public resorts and
-even in private life. The right to vote is being
-taken away from us in nearly all the Southern
-states. Lynchings are on the increase. Not only
-our men but our women also are being burned at
-the stake. What shall we do? There are those
-who say that we must strike back—use fire and
-torch and sword and shotgun ourselves. But I tell
-you plainly that we cannot afford to do that. The
-white people have all the courts, all the railroads,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>all the newspapers, all the telegraph wires, all the
-arms and ammunition and double the men that we
-have. In every race riot the negro would get the
-worst of it finally. But there is a higher reason
-than that. We cannot afford to do wrong. We
-cannot afford to lose our decency, our self-respect,
-our character. No man will ever be the superior
-of the man he robs; no man will ever be the
-superior of the man he steals from. I would rather
-be a victim than a victimizer. I would rather be
-wronged than to do wrong. And no race is
-superior to the race it tramples upon, robs, maltreats
-and murders. In spite of prejudice; in spite
-of proscription; in spite of nameless insults and
-injuries, we cannot as a race, afford to do wrong.
-But we can afford to be patient. God is
-not dead. His chariots are not unwheeled.
-It is ordained of God that races, as well
-as individuals, shall rise through tribulations.
-And during this period of stress and strain
-through which we are passing in this country I
-believe that there are unseen forces marshalled in
-the defense of our long-suffering and much-oppressed
-people. “They that be with us are more
-than they that be with them.” What should we
-care, then, though all the lowlands be filled with
-threats, if the mountains of our hope and courage
-and patience are filled with horses and
-chariots of Divine rescue?</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>
-  <h2 class='c010'>C<br /> <span class='large'>THE TRAINING OF CHILDREN.</span></h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c011'>My last words shall be to parents. Many parents
-neglect the training of their children until
-the boys and girls have grown to be almost men
-and women, and then they expect all at once to
-develop them into well-rounded characters, as if
-by magic. Others fix upon a definite time in life—say,
-ten or twelve years old—before which time
-they say it is unnecessary to seek to make lasting
-impressions upon the minds of children, all unconscious
-of the fact that the character may have
-been long before that period biased for good or
-evil.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>I say it deliberately—it is a deep and abiding
-conviction with me, that the time to begin to
-shape the character of children is as soon as they
-begin to know their own mothers from other
-mothers, or as soon as they become awake to the
-events which are taking place around them. The
-farmer who has the notion that his child can wait,
-does not dare to let his corn and cotton wait. He
-has observed that there are noxious weeds which
-spring up side by side with the seed he has
-planted, and, marvelous to say, the weeds outgrow
-the plants. They must, therefore, be cut
-down and kept down, or else they will ruin the
-crop.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>Side by side with your tender babe in arms
-there are growing now, dear mothers, the poisonous
-tares. They are rooted already in the child’s
-heart, and, unless they are stricken down pretty
-soon, they will dominate the child’s life. And, of
-course, there is only one way to destroy evil—that
-is, to plant good in its stead. If there is one untenanted
-chamber in your child’s heart, inhabit
-it, I pray you, with nobler and purer thoughts
-which before long shall bring forth fruit unto
-God. Satan does not wait, I assure you; he never
-allows a vacancy to remain unoccupied in anybody’s
-heart, old or young. He rushes into empty
-hearts and idle lives and sows tares thicker than
-the strewn leaves of autumn. It is an old and
-senseless and barbarian custom which has taught
-us that the child can wait or must wait. If anybody
-must wait at table to be served, it is usually
-the little child, who may be the hungriest of all;
-if some one must remain away from church or
-Sunday-school, it is often the youngest child, who
-perhaps needs most to go; if some one must be
-kept out of the day school, it is the smallest child,
-of course; and during the year that he remains
-idle he may receive impressions and learn lessons
-that will mar his whole future life. Let us have
-done with this barbaric practice. Make room for
-the children; give them not only the first place but
-the best place.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In almost any city in the South any Sunday in
-the year you will find more children—more boys
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>and girls—outside of the Sunday-schools than you
-will find inside. There is a loud and crying call
-sounding from the past and from the future and
-bidding mothers and fathers to be more diligent
-in the matter of having their children embrace
-opportunities of growth and spiritual culture
-which are almost within a stone’s throw. If
-mothers and fathers will not hear and obey this
-clarion call I believe that they will be brought to
-account for it in the day of judgment. Not only
-so, but in the years to come they will be compelled
-to wail out their sorrow over prodigal sons and
-daughters who might have proven to be ornaments
-to society and to the church if their parents
-had devoted half the care upon them that they
-expended upon colts and calves, kittens and puppies
-that grew up with them!</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>In all earnestness I implore those to whom God
-has given winsome little children to begin early,
-as early as thy find it possible, to train their
-young lives for God and heaven. Let their little
-voices learn early to lisp the precious name of
-Jesus and be attuned to sing His praise. If you
-leave them this legacy—than which there is none
-greater—there will come peace and joy to your
-old age, and the light of heaven, like the golden
-glow of a radiant sunset, will rest on your dying
-bed.</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And now, as I close these stories, there comes to
-me across the intervening space of silence and of
-tears fond memories of a sweet and patient
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>mother. I cannot remember when she began to
-talk to me of Jesus nor read to me the word of
-God. I remember well when she taught me how to
-read, and the old-fashioned blue back spelling-book
-is as plainly before me now as in those long
-past days. But, long before that, I had heard her
-read the Bible and raise her voice in prayer for all
-whom she loved. And to-day those memories live
-when a thousand busy scenes of after life lie dead.
-And when old age comes on—if God should spare
-me to be old—the memory of my mother’s words
-and her reverential prayers will be the brightest
-of all the joys that shall light up the evening of
-my life.</p>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
-    <div>THE END.</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='c024' />
-<div class='footnote' id='f1'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. Published in the Voice of the Negro.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f2'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. Published in Lippincott’s Magazine.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f3'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. Published in Lippincott’s Magazine.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f4'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. Published in Lippincott’s.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f5'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Published in Lippincott’s.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f6'>
-<p class='c012'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Published in The World’s Work.</p>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c007' />
-</div>
-<div class='tnotes'>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 class='c010'>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</h2>
-</div>
- <ol class='ol_1 c006'>
-    <li>Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
-
-    </li>
-    <li>Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.
-
-    </li>
-    <li>Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together at the end of the
-    last chapter.
-    </li>
-  </ol>
-
-</div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
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-  </body>
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index ca7ee85..0000000
--- a/old/60109-h/images/i_316.jpg
+++ /dev/null
author	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-01-27 08:31:39 -0800
committer	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-01-27 08:31:39 -0800
commit	203764270673eb4a9beafba0fa53e4c9bfcb2ea1 (patch)
tree	f6869e5eb066bbfbd2a2b7806fda6af5d9cf3fd2
parent	3a6953eebb18023ae37dd583069765b80c4ea297 (diff)