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diff --git a/old/68158-0.txt b/old/68158-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 19effc1..0000000 --- a/old/68158-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3132 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The power of kindness and other -stories, by T. S. Arthur - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The power of kindness and other stories - A book for the example and encouragement of the young - -Author: T. S. Arthur - -Release Date: May 23, 2022 [eBook #68158] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POWER OF KINDNESS AND -OTHER STORIES *** - - - - - - [Illustration] - - THE POWER OF KINDNESS. - And Other Stories. - - [Illustration] - - - - - [Illustration: THE FIRST INTERVIEW] - - - - - [Illustration: A TIMELY RESCUE - _page 105_] - - The POWER OF - KINDNESS - & OTHER STORIES. - - _T. NELSON & SONS_ - - - - - [Illustration] - - THE - POWER OF KINDNESS. - And Other Stories. - - A BOOK FOR THE EXAMPLE AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF - THE YOUNG. - - _By T. S. ARTHUR._ - - LONDON: - T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW; - EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. - - 1877. - - - - -Contents. - - - THE POWER OF KINDNESS, 7 - - ADA AND HER PET FAWN, 18 - - HOW TO AVOID A QUARREL, 26 - - THE BROKEN DOLL, 34 - - HARSH WORDS AND KIND WORDS, 42 - - A NOBLE ACT, 46 - - EMMA LEE AND HER SIXPENCE, 53 - - THE TIMELY AID, 59 - - THE DOUBLE FAULT, 69 - - A STORY ABOUT A DOG, 74 - - THE DISCONTENTED SHEPHERD, 81 - - THE SHILLING, 86 - - THE WOUNDED BIRD, 90 - - THE HOLIDAY, 99 - - ROVER AND HIS LITTLE MASTER, 104 - - JAMES AND HENRY, 108 - - THE USE OF FLOWERS, 116 - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Power of Kindness. - - -“I hate him!” - -Thus, in a loud, angry voice, spoke a lad named Charles Freeman. His -face was red, and his fair white brow disfigured by passion. - -“Yes, I hate him! and he had better keep his distance from me, or I--” - -“What would you do, Charles?” asked the lad’s companion, seeing that he -paused. - -“I don’t know what I might not be tempted to do. I would trample upon -him as I would upon a snake.” - -For a boy fourteen years of age, this was a dreadful state of mind to -be in. The individual who had offended him was a fellow-student, named -William Aiken. The cause of offence we will relate. - - * * * * * - -Charles Freeman was a self-willed, passionate boy, who hesitated not -to break any rule of the institution at which he was receiving his -education, provided, in doing so, he felt quite sure of not being found -out and punished. On a certain occasion, he, with two or three others, -who were planning some act of insubordination, called into the room of -William Aiken and asked him to join them. - -“It will be such grand sport,” said Freeman. - -“But will it be right?” asked the more conscientious lad. - -“Right or wrong, we are going to do it. Who cares for the president -and all the faculty put together? They are a set of hypocrites and -oppressors: make the best you can of them.” - -“They don’t ask us to do anything but what is required by the rules of -the institution; and then, I think, we ought to obey.” - -“You are wonderfully inclined to obedience!” said Charles Freeman, in -a sneering voice. “Come, boys! We have mistaken Master Aiken. I did not -know before that he was such a milksop. Come!” - -The other lads retired with Freeman, but they did not insult Aiken, for -they knew him to be kind-hearted and honourable, and felt more disposed -to respect him for his objections than to speak harshly to him for -entertaining them. Aiken made no reply to the insulting language of -the hot-headed, thoughtless Charles Freeman, although his words roused -within him an instant feeling of indignation, that almost forced his -tongue to utter some strong, retaliating expressions. But he controlled -himself, and was very glad, as soon as his visitors had left him, that -he had been able to do so. - -On the next morning, before daylight, some persons, unknown to the -faculty, brought from a neighbouring field a spiteful ram, and tied -him, with a strong cord, to a post near the door of the president’s -dwelling. The president, who was very near-sighted, always read prayers -in the chapel at five o’clock in the morning. At the usual hour he -descended from his chamber, and came out at his front door to go to -the chapel, which was distant some fifty yards. It was a little after -break of day. In the dim morning twilight, the president could see but -indistinctly even objects that were very near to him. - -The ram, which had, after his fierce struggles with those who had -reduced him to a state of captivity, lain down quietly, roused himself -up at the sound of the opening door, and stood ready to give the -president a rather warm reception the moment he came within reach -of him. Unconscious of the danger that menaced him, the president -descended from the door with slow and cautious steps, and received in -his side a terrible blow from the animal’s head, that threw him, some -feet from where he was standing, prostrate upon the ground. Fortunately -the ram had reached within a few inches of the length of his tether -when the blow was given, and could not, therefore, repeat it, as the -object of his wrath was beyond his reach. - -The president was rather severely hurt; so much so that he was unable -to go to the chapel and read morning prayers, and was confined to -his chamber for some days. No investigation into the matter was made -until after he was able to be about again. Then he assembled all the -students together and stated to them what had occurred, and the pain he -had endured in consequence, and asked to have the individuals who had -been guilty of this outrage designated. All were silent. One student -looked at another, and then at the assembled faculty, but no one gave -the desired information, although many of those present knew the -parties who were engaged in the act. Finding that no one would divulge -the names of those who had been guilty of the outrage against him, the -president said,-- - -“Let all who know nothing of this matter rise to their feet.” - -Charles Freeman was the first to spring up, and one after another -followed him, until all had risen except William Aiken. The president -paused for some moments, and then ordered the young men to take their -seats. - -“William Aiken will please to come forward,” said the president. As the -lad rose from his seat, several of the faculty, who had their eyes -upon Freeman, and who had reason for suspecting that he knew about as -much of the matter as any one, noticed that he cast a look of anger -towards Aiken. - -“It seems, then, that you know something about this matter,” said the -president. - -“All I know about it,” replied Aiken, “is, that I was applied to by -some of my fellow-students to join them in doing what has been done, -and that I declined participating in it.” - -“For what reason, sir?” - -“Because I thought it wrong.” - -“Who were the students that applied to you?” - -“I would rather not answer that question, sir.” - -“But I insist upon it.” - -“Then I must decline doing so.” - -“You will be suspended, sir.” - -“I should regret that,” was the lad’s manly reply. “But as I have -broken no rule of the institution, such a suspension would be no -disgrace to me.” - -The president was perplexed. At this point one of the professors -whispered something in his ear, and his eye turned immediately upon -Freeman. - -“Let Charles Freeman come forward,” he said. - -With a fluctuating countenance the guilty youth left his seat and -approached the faculty. - -“Is this one of them?” said the president. - -Aiken made no reply. - -“Silence is assent,” the president remarked; “you can take your seat, -young man.” - -As Aiken moved away, the president, who had rather unjustly fixed upon -him the burden of having given information, tacitly, against Freeman, -said, addressing the latter:-- - -“And now, sir, who were your associates in this thing?” - -“_I_ am no common informer, sir. You had better ask William Aiken. No -doubt _he_ will tell you,” replied the lad. - -The president stood thoughtful for a moment, and then said,-- - -“Gentlemen, you can all retire.” - -It was as the students were retiring from the room where this -proceeding had been conducted that Freeman made the bitter remarks -about Aiken with which our story opens. It happened that the subject -of them was so close to him as to hear all he said. About ten minutes -after this, against the persuasion of a fellow-student, Freeman went to -the room of Aiken for the satisfaction of telling him, as he said, “a -piece of his mind.” Aiken was sitting by a table, with his head resting -upon his hand, as Freeman came in. He looked up, when his door opened, -and, seeing who it was, rose quickly to his feet, and advanced towards -him a few steps, saying, with a smile, as he did so:-- - -“I am glad you have come, Charles. I had just made up my mind to go -to your room. Sit down now, and let us talk this matter over with -as little hard feelings as possible. I am sure it need not make us -enemies. If I have been at any point in the least to blame, I will -freely acknowledge it, and do all in my power to repair any injury that -I may have done to you. Can I do more?” - -“Of course not,” replied Charles, completely subdued by the unexpected -manner and words of Aiken. - -“I heard you say, a little while ago, that you hated me,” resumed -William. “Of course there must be some cause for this feeling. Tell me -what it is, Charles.” - -The kind manner in which Aiken spoke, and the mildness of his voice, -completely subdued the lion in the heart of Freeman. He was astonished -at himself, and the wonderful revulsion that had taken place, so -suddenly, in his feelings. - -“I spoke hastily,” he said. “But I was blind with anger at being -discovered through you.” - -“But I did not discover you, remember that, Charles.” - -“If you had risen with the rest--” - -“I would not, in word or act, tell a lie, Charles, for my right hand,” -said Aiken, in an earnest voice, interrupting him. “You must not blame -me for this.” - -“Perhaps I ought not, but--” - -Freeman left the sentence unfinished, and rising to his feet, commenced -walking the floor of Aiken’s room, hurriedly. This was continued for -some minutes, when he stopped suddenly, and extending his hand, said,-- - -“I have thought it all over, William, and I believe I have no cause of -complaint against you; but I acknowledge that you have against me. I -have insulted you and hated you without a cause. I wish I could act, in -all things, from the high principles that govern you.” - -“Try, Charles, try!” said Aiken with warmth, as he grasped the hand of -his fellow-student. - -“It will be no use for me to try,” returned Freeman, sadly. “I shall -be expelled from the institution; my father will be angry; and I shall -perhaps be driven, by my hot and hasty spirit, to say something to him -that will estrange us, for he is a man of a stern temper.” - -“Don’t fear such consequences,” said Aiken kindly. “Leave it to me. I -think I can make such representations to the president as will induce -him to let the matter drop where it is.” - -“If you can do so, it may save me from ruin,” replied Freeman, with -much feeling. - -William Aiken was not deceived in his expectations. He represented to -the kind-hearted but rather impetuous president the repentant state of -Freeman’s mind, and the consequences likely to arise if he should be -expelled from college. The president made no promises; but nothing -more was heard of the subject. From that time the two students were -warm friends; and Freeman was not only led to see the beauty and -excellence of truth and integrity of character, but to act from the -same high principles that governed his noble-minded friend. - - * * * * * - -There is not one of our young readers who cannot see what sad -consequences might have arisen, if William Aiken had not kept down his -indignant feelings, and been governed by kindness instead of anger. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Ada and her Pet Fawn. - - -There was once a dear child named Ada, who was of so sweet a temper -that she only knew how to love; and the consequence was, that everybody -and everything that could know her, loved the sweet little girl in -return. I do not believe that a servant in her father’s family ever -spoke unkindly to Ada, she was so good. There are but few of my young -readers, I am afraid, that can say so of themselves. Cook scolds, the -chambermaid is so cross, and nurse is out of temper, whenever you come -near them. Yes, you know all that; but, my young friends, I am afraid -it is all your own fault. Now, examine closely your own feelings and -conduct, and see if you do not make this trouble for yourselves. Do -you always speak kindly to those around you; and do you always try to -give them as little trouble as possible? - -As for Ada, everybody loved her; and the reason, as I have already -stated, was plain: she didn’t know any feeling toward others except -that of love. Even the dumb animals would come to her side when she -appeared. The cat would rub against her, and purr as she sat in her -little chair; and when she went out to play among the flowers, would -run after her just as you have seen a favourite dog run after his -master. She never passed Lion, the watch-dog, that he didn’t wag his -great tail, or turn his head to look after her; and if she stopped and -spoke to or put her hand upon him, his old limbs would quiver with -delight, and his face would actually laugh like a human face. And -why was this? It was because love prompted Ada to kind acts towards -everything. Love beamed from her innocent countenance, and gave a music -to her voice that all ears, even those of dumb animals, were glad to -hear. Yes, everything loved Ada, because she was good. - -The father of gentle, loving Ada was a rich English lord--a certain -class of wealthy and distinguished men in England, as most young -readers know, are called lords--and he had a great estate some miles -from London, in which were many animals; among them, herds of deer. -When Ada was three or four years old, her father went to live on this -estate. Around the fine old mansion into which they removed were -stately trees, green lawns, and beautiful gardens; and a short distance -away, and concealed from view by a thick grove, was the park where -roamed the graceful deer. - -Under the shade of those old trees, upon the smoothly-shaven lawn, or -amid the sweet flowers in the garden, Ada spent many hours every day, -one of the happiest of beings alive. - -One morning--it was a few weeks after Ada had come to live in this -fair and beautiful place--she strayed off a short distance from the -house, being lured away by the bright wild flowers that grew thickly -all around, and with which she was filling her apron. At last, when her -tiny apron would not hold a blossom more without pushing off some other -flower, Ada looked up from the ground, and discovered that she was out -of sight of her house, and among trees which stood so thickly together -that the sky could scarcely be seen overhead, nor the light beyond, -when she endeavoured to look between the leafy branches. But Ada did -not feel afraid, for she knew no cause for fear. She loved everything, -and she felt that everything loved her. There was not any room in her -heart for fear. - -Still Ada felt too much alone, and she turned and sought to find her -way out of the woods and get back again. While yet among the trees, -she heard a noise of feet approaching; and turning, she saw an animal -that was unlike any she had seen before. It came up close to her, and -neither of them felt afraid. It was a fawn, only a few months old. -The fawn looked into Ada’s face with its dark bright eyes, and when -she spoke to it, and laid her hand upon its head, the young creature -pressed lovingly against the child. - -When Ada found her way out of the woods, and came again upon the green -lawn, the young deer was close by her side. As soon as Lion saw the -fawn, he gave a loud bark, and came dashing toward the timid creature. -But Ada put her arm around its neck, and said,-- - -“Don’t be afraid. Lion won’t hurt you. Lion is a good dog.” - -And Lion seemed to understand the act of Ada, for he stopped short -before he reached them, wagged his tail, and looked curiously at the -new companion which Ada had found. First he walked round and round, as -if the whole matter was not clear to him. He had chased deer in his -time, and did not seem to understand why he was not to sink his great -teeth into the tender flank of the gentle creature that had followed -his young mistress from the woods. But he soon appeared to get light on -this difficult subject, for he came up to be patted by Ada, and did not -even growl at the fawn, nor show any disposition to hurt it. - -The fawn would not stay in the park after this. Ada’s father had it -taken back once or twice, but before the day was gone it managed to -escape, and came to see its newly-found friend. After this it was -permitted to remain; and every day little Ada fed it with her own -hand. When others of the family approached, the timid creature would -start away; but when Ada appeared, it came with confidence to her side. - -Ada had a brother two years older than she was. He was different from -his sister in not having her innocent mind and loving heart. Sometimes -he indulged in a cruel disposition, and often he was ill-tempered. When -William saw the fawn he was delighted, and tried to make friends with -the gentle animal. But the fawn was afraid of him, and when he tried -to come near would run away, or come up to Ada. Then, if William put -his hand on it to caress it, the fawn would shrink closer to Ada, and -tremble. William did not like it because the fawn would not be friends -with him, and wondered why it should be afraid of him, and not of Ada. -He did not think that it was because Ada was so good, while he let evil -tempers come into his heart. - -“But how could the fawn know this?” ask my young readers. “The fawn -couldn’t see what was in William’s heart.” - -No; for if it could have done so, it would have been wiser than a -human being. But all good affections, let it be remembered, as well -as all evil affections, represent themselves in the face, and picture -themselves in the eyes; and there is, besides, a sphere of what is good -or evil about every one, according to the heart’s affections--just -as the sphere of a rose is around the flower in its odour, showing -its quality. Animals, as well as human beings, can read, by a kind of -instinct, the good or evil of any one in his face, and perceive, by a -mysterious sense, the sphere of good or evil that surrounds him. - -You do not clearly understand this, my young reader; nevertheless it -is so. If you are good, others will know it at a glance, and _feel_ it -when you come near them. And the same will be the case if your hearts -are evil. - -Ada’s pet fawn stayed with her many months, and nothing harmed it. -The horns began to push forth, like little knobs, from its head; and -afterwards it grew up to be a stately deer, and was sent back to the -park. Ada often went to see her favourite, which now had a pair of -beautiful branching antlers. It always knew her, and would come up to -her side and lick her hand when she held it forth. - -Such power has love over even a brute animal. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -How to Avoid a Quarrel. - - -“Here! lend me your knife, Bill; I’ve left mine in the house,” said -Edgar Harris to his younger brother. He spoke in a rude voice, and his -manner was imperative. - -“No, I won’t! Go and get your own knife,” replied William, in a tone -quite as ungracious as that in which the request, or rather command, -had been made. - -“I don’t wish to go into the house. Give me your knife, I say. I only -want it for a minute.” - -“I never lend my knife, nor give it, either,” returned William. “Get -your own.” - -“You are the most disobliging fellow I ever saw,” retorted Edgar -angrily, rising up and going into the house to get his own knife. -“Don’t ever ask me for a favour, for I’ll never grant it.” - -This very unbrotherly conversation took place just beneath the window -near which Mr. Harris, the father of the lads, was seated. He overheard -it all, and was grieved, as may be supposed, that his sons should treat -each other so unkindly. But he said nothing to them then, nor did he -let them know that he heard the language that had passed between them. - -In a little while Edgar returned, and as he sat down in the place where -he had been seated before, he said,-- - -“No thanks to you for your old knife! Keep it to yourself, and welcome. -I wouldn’t use it now if you were to give it to me.” - -“I’m glad you are so independent,” retorted William. “I hope you will -always be so.” - -And the boys fretted each other for some time. - -On the next day, Edgar was building a house with sticks, and William -was rolling a hoop. By accident the hoop was turned from its right -course, and broke down a part of Edgar’s house. William was just going -to say how sorry he was for the accident, and to offer to repair the -damage that was done, when his brother, with his face red with passion, -cried out,-- - -“Just see what you have done! If you don’t get away with your hoop, -I’ll call father. You did it on purpose.” - -“Do go and call him! I’ll go with you,” said William, in a sneering, -tantalizing tone. “Come, come along now.” - -For a little while the boys stood and growled at each other like two -ill-natured dogs, and then Edgar commenced repairing his house, and -William went on rolling his hoop again. The latter was strongly tempted -to repeat, in earnest, what he had done at first by accident, by way of -retaliation upon his brother for his spiteful manner toward him; but, -being naturally of a good disposition, and forgiving in his temper, he -soon forgot his bad feelings, and enjoyed his play as much as he had -done before. - -This little circumstance Mr. Harris had also observed. - -A day or two afterwards, Edgar came to his father with a complaint -against his brother. - -“I never saw such a boy,” he said. “He will not do the least thing to -oblige me. If I ask him to lend me his knife, or ball, or anything he -has, he snaps me up short with a refusal.” - -“Perhaps you don’t ask him right,” suggested the father. “Perhaps you -don’t speak kindly to him. I hardly think that William is ill-disposed -and disobliging naturally. There must be some fault on your part, I am -sure.” - -“I don’t know how I can be in fault, father,” said Edgar. - -“William refused to let you have his knife, the other day, although he -was not using it himself, did he not?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Do you remember how you asked him for it?” - -“No, sir, not now, particularly.” - -“Well, as I happened to overhear you, I can repeat your words, though -I hardly think I can get your very tone and manner. Your words were, -‘Here, lend me your knife, Bill!’ and your voice and manner were -exceedingly offensive. I did not at all wonder that William refused -your request. If you had spoken to him in a kind manner, I am sure -he would have handed you his knife instantly. But no one likes to be -ordered, in a domineering way, to do anything at all. I know you would -resent it in William, as quickly as he resents it in you. Correct your -own fault, my son, and in a little while you will have no complaint to -make of William.” - -Edgar felt rebuked. What his father said he saw to be true. - -“Whenever you want William to do anything for you,” continued the -father, “use kind words instead of harsh ones, and you will find him -as obliging as you could wish. I have observed you both a good deal, -and I notice that you rarely ever speak to William in a proper manner, -but you are rude and overbearing. Correct this evil in yourself, and -all will be right with him. Kind words are far more powerful than harsh -words, and their effect a hundred-fold greater.” - -On the next day, as Edgar was at work in the garden, and William -standing at the gate looking on, Edgar wanted a rake that was in the -summer-house. He was just going to say, “Go and get me that rake, -Bill!” but he checked himself, and made his request in a different -form, and in a better tone than those words would have been uttered in. - -“Will you get me the small rake that lies in the summer-house, -William?” he said. The words and tone involved a request, not a -command, and William instantly replied,-- - -“Certainly;” and bounded away to get the rake for his brother. - -“Thank you,” said Edgar, as he received the rake. - -“Don’t you want the watering-pot?” asked William. - -“Yes, I do; and you may bring it full of water, if you please,” was the -reply. - -Off William went for the watering-pot, and soon returned with it full -of water. As he stood near one of Edgar’s flower-beds, he forgot -himself, and stepped back with his foot upon a bed of pansies. - -“There! just look at you!” exclaimed Edgar, thrown off his guard. - -William, who had felt drawn towards his brother on account of his kind -manner, was hurt at this sudden change in his words and tone. He was -tempted to retort harshly, and even to set his foot more roughly upon -the pansies. But he checked himself, and, turning away, walked slowly -from the garden. - -Edgar, who had repented of his rude words and unkind manner the moment -he had time to think, was very sorry that he had been thrown off his -guard, and resolved to be more careful in the future. And he was more -careful. The next time he spoke to his brother, it was in a kind and -gentle manner, and he saw its effect. Since then, he has been watchful -over himself, and now he finds that William is one of the most obliging -boys anywhere to be found. - -“So much for kind words, my son,” said his father, on noticing the -great change that had taken place. “Never forget, throughout your whole -life, that kind words are far more potent than harsh ones. I have -found them so, and you have already proved the truth of what I say.” - -And so will every one who tries them. Make the experiment, young -friends, and you will find it to succeed in every case. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Broken Doll. - - -Nearly all the unhappiness that exists in the world has its origin in -the want of a proper control over the desires and passions. This is -as true in childhood as in more advanced age. Children are unhappy -because they do not possess many things they see; and too often, in -endeavouring to obtain what they have no right to, they make themselves -still more unhappy. A spirit of covetousness is as bad a spirit as can -come into the heart; and whoever has this spirit for a guest, cannot -but be, most of his time, very miserable. - -Albert Hawkins, I am sorry to say, had given place in his heart to this -evil spirit of covetousness. Almost everything he saw he desired to -possess. Had it not been for this, Albert would have been a very good -boy. He learned his lessons well, was obedient and attentive at school -and at home, and did not take delight in hurting or annoying dumb -animals and insects, as too many boys do. But his restless desire to -have whatever he saw marred all this, and produced much unhappiness in -his own mind, as well as in the minds of his parents. - -One day, on coming home from school, he found his sister Ellen playing -with a large new doll that her father had bought for her. - -“Oh, isn’t it beautiful!” he exclaimed. “Where did you get it? Let me -have it to look at.” - -And Albert caught hold of the doll and almost forced it out of the -hands of Ellen, who resigned it with great reluctance. He then sat down -and held it in his lap, while Ellen stood by, half in tears. She had -only had it about an hour, and she could not bear to let it go from -her. Albert, in his selfish desire to hold in his hands the beautiful -doll, did not think of how much pleasure he was depriving his sister, -who patiently waited minute after minute to have it restored to her. At -last, seeing that her brother still kept possession of the doll, she -said, gently and kindly,-- - -“Won’t you give it to me now?” and she put out her hand to take it as -she spoke. - -But Albert pushed her hand quickly away, and said,-- - -“No, no; I’ve not done with it yet.” - -Ellen looked disappointed. But she waited still longer. - -“Now, brother, give me my doll, won’t you?” she said. - -“Don’t be so selfish about your doll,” answered Albert, rudely. “You -shall have it after a while, when I’ve done with it.” - -Ellen now felt so vexed that she could not keep from crying. As soon -as Albert saw the tears falling over her face, and heard her sob, he -became angry, and throwing the doll upon the floor, exclaimed in a -harsh voice,-- - -“There! Take your ugly old doll, if you are so selfish about it!” - -As the beautiful figure struck the floor, one of its delicate hands -broke off from the wrist. But even a sight of the injury he had done -did not soften the heart of Albert, who left the room feeling very -angry towards his sister. He was trying to amuse himself in the yard, -about half an hour afterwards, when his mother, who had been out, -called to him from the door. He went up to her, and she said,-- - -“Albert, how came the hand of Ellen’s new doll broken? Do you know? I -have asked her about it; but the only answer I can get from her is in -tears.” - -Albert’s eyes fell immediately to the ground, while his face became red. - -“I hope you did not break it!” the mother said, pained to see this -confusion manifested by her boy. - -Now Albert, although of a covetous disposition, never told a lie. He -was a truthful boy, and that was much in his favour. To lie is most -wicked and despicable. There is no meaner character than a liar. - -“Yes, ma’am, I broke it,” he replied, without any equivocation. - -“How did you do that, Albert?” asked his mother. - -“Ellen would not let me hold it, and I got angry and threw it upon the -floor. I didn’t mean to break it.” - -At this confession, Albert’s mother was very much grieved. - -“But what right had you to Ellen’s doll?” she asked. - -“I wanted to hold it.” - -“But it was your sister’s, not yours; and if she did not wish you to -have it, that was no reason why you should get angry and break it.” - -“But, indeed, mother, I didn’t mean to break it.” - -“I don’t suppose you did. I should be very sorry to think you were so -wicked. Still, you have been guilty of a great wrong to your sister; -and to this you have no doubt been led by indulging in that covetous -spirit of which I have so often talked to you, and which, if not -overcome, may lead you into some great evil when you become a man. But -tell me just how it happened.” - -And Albert truthfully related what had passed. - -“I cannot tell you how much all this grieves me,” his mother said. -“Ellen never interferes with your pleasures, and never covets your -playthings nor books, but you give her no peace with anything she has. -If your father brings each of you home a book, yours is thrown aside -in a few moments, and you want to look at hers. It is this covetous -spirit--this desiring to have what belongs to another--that leads to -stealing; and unless you put it away from your heart, you will be in -great danger of more temptations than now assail you. Poor Ellen! Her -heart is almost broken about her doll.” - -“I am very sorry, mother,” replied Albert in a penitent voice. “I wish -I hadn’t touched her doll. Don’t you think it can be mended? Can’t I -buy her a new hand for it? I will take the money out of my box.” - -“We will see about that, my dear. If you can restore the hand, I think -it is your duty to do so. It will be nothing but simple justice, and we -should all be just one towards another in little as well as in great -things. But your first duty is to go to Ellen and try to comfort her in -her affliction, for it is a great grief for her to have her beautiful -doll broken. I found her just now crying bitterly.” - -All Albert’s better feelings came back into his heart. He felt very -sorry for Ellen, and went in immediately to the room where she was. He -found her with her head leaning down upon a table, weeping. - -“Sister Ellen!” he said, speaking earnestly, “I am so sorry I broke -your doll’s hand. Don’t cry, and I will take money out of my box, and -buy you a new hand for it.” - -Albert’s voice was so kind, and so full of sympathy, that Ellen felt -better in a moment. She lifted her head from the table and looked round -into her brother’s face. - -“You will forgive me, won’t you, sister?” he said. “I was angry and -wicked, but I am very sorry, and will try and never trouble you any -more. After dinner we will go out, and see if we can’t find another -hand, and I will buy it for you out of my own money.” - -Ellen’s tears all dried up; and she said in a kind, gentle way, that -she forgave her brother. After dinner they went out together, and -Albert found a new hand, and bought it for his sister. The doll is now -as good as it was before; and what is better, Albert has learned to -restrain his covetous spirit, and to leave Ellen happy in the enjoyment -of what is her own. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Harsh Words and Kind Words. - - -William Baker, and his brother Thomas, and sister Ellen, were playing -on the green lawn in front of their mother’s door, when a lad named -Henry Green came along the road, and seeing the children enjoying -themselves, opened the gate and came in. He was rather an ill-natured -boy, and generally took more pleasure in teasing and annoying others -than in being happy with them. When William saw him coming in through -the gate, he called to him and said, in a harsh way,-- - -“You may just keep out, Henry Green, and go about your business! We -don’t want you here.” - -But Henry did not in the least regard what William said. He came -directly forward, and joined in the sport as freely as if he had been -invited instead of repulsed. In a little while he began to pull Ellen -about rudely, and to push Thomas so as nearly to throw them down upon -the grass. - -“Go home, Henry Green! Nobody sent for you! Nobody wants you here!” -said William Baker, in an angry tone. - -It was of no use, however. William might as well have spoken to the -wind. His words were unheeded by Henry, whose conduct became ruder and -more offensive. - -Mrs. Baker, who sat at the window, saw and heard all that was passing. -As soon as she could catch the eye of her excited son, she beckoned him -to come to her, which he promptly did. - -“Try kind words on him,” she said; “you will find them more powerful -than harsh words. You spoke very harshly to Henry when he came in, and -I was sorry to hear it.” - -“It won’t do any good, mother. He’s a rude, bad boy, and I wish he -would stay at home. Won’t you make him go home?” - -“First go and speak to him in a gentler way than you did just now. Try -to subdue him with kindness.” - -William felt that he had been wrong in letting his angry feelings -express themselves in angry words. So he left his mother and went down -upon the lawn, where Henry was amusing himself by trying to trip up the -children with a long stick, as they ran about on the green. - -“Henry,” he said, cheerfully and pleasantly, “if you were fishing in -the river, and I were to come and throw stones in where your line fell, -and scare away all the fish, would you like it?” - -“No, I should not,” replied the lad. - -“It wouldn’t be kind in me?” - -“No, of course it wouldn’t.” - -“Well, now, Henry”--William tried to smile and to speak very -pleasantly--“we are playing here and trying to enjoy ourselves. Is it -right for you to come and interrupt us by tripping up our feet, pulling -us about, and pushing us down? I am sure you will not think so if you -reflect a moment. So don’t do it any more, Henry.” - -“No, I will not,” replied Henry promptly. “I am sorry that I disturbed -you. I didn’t think what I was doing. And now I remember, father told -me not to stay, and I must run home.” - -So Henry Green went quickly away, and the children were left to enjoy -themselves. - -“Didn’t I tell you that kind words were more powerful than harsh -words, William?” said his mother, after Henry had gone away. “When -we speak harshly to our fellows, we arouse their angry feelings, and -then evil spirits have power over them; but when we speak kindly, we -affect them with gentleness, and good spirits flow into this latter -state, and excite in them better thoughts and intentions. How quickly -Henry changed, when you changed your manner and the character of your -language. Do not forget this, my son. Do not forget that kind words -have double the power of harsh ones.” - - - - -[Illustration] - -A Noble Act. - - -“What have you there, boys?” asked Captain Bland. - -“A ship,” replied one of the lads who were passing the captain’s neat -cottage. - -“A ship! Let me see;” and the captain took the little vessel, and -examined it with as much fondness as a child does a pretty toy. “Very -fair indeed; who made it?” - -“I did,” replied one of the boys. - -“You, indeed! Do you mean to be a sailor, Harry?” - -“I don’t know. I want father to get me into the navy.” - -“As a midshipman?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -Captain Bland shook his head. - -“Better be a farmer, a physician, or a merchant.” - -“Why so, captain?” asked Harry. - -“All these are engaged in the doing of things directly useful to -society.” - -“But I am sure, captain, that those who defend us against our enemies, -and protect all who are engaged in commerce from wicked pirates, are -doing what is useful to society.” - -“Their use, my lad,” replied Captain Bland, “is certainly a most -important one; but we may call it rather negative than positive. The -civilian is engaged in building up and sustaining society in doing -good, through his active employment, to his fellow-men. But military -and naval officers do not produce anything; they only protect and -defend.” - -“But if they did not protect and defend, captain, evil men would -destroy society. It would be of no use for the civilian to endeavour to -build up, if there were none to fight against the enemies of the state.” - -“Very true, my lad. The brave defender of his country cannot be -dispensed with, and we give him all honour. Still, the use of defence -and protection is not so high as the use of building up and sustaining. -The thorn that wounds the hand stretched forth to pluck the flower is -not so much esteemed, nor of so much worth, as the blossom it was meant -to guard. Still, the thorn performs a great use. Precisely a similar -use does the soldier or naval officer perform to society; and it will -be for you, my lad, to decide as to which position you would rather -fill.” - -“I never thought of that, captain,” said one of the lads. “But I can -see clearly how it is. And yet I think those men who risk their lives -for us in war, deserve great honour. They leave their homes, and remain -away, sometimes for years, deprived of all the comforts and blessings -that civilians enjoy, suffering frequently great hardships, and risking -their lives to defend their country from her enemies.” - -“It is all as you say,” replied Captain Bland; “and they do, indeed, -deserve great honour. Their calling is one that exposes them to -imminent peril, and requires them to make many sacrifices; and they -encounter not this peril and sacrifice for their own good, but for the -good of others. Their lives do not pass so evenly as do the lives of -men who spend their days in the peaceful pursuits of business, art, or -literature; and we could hardly wonder if they lost some of the gentler -attributes of the human heart. In some cases this is so; but, in very -many cases, the reverse is true. We find the man who goes fearlessly -into battle, and there, in defence of his country, deals death and -destruction unsparingly upon her enemies, acting, when occasion offers, -from the most humane sentiments, and jeopardizing his life to save -the life of a single individual. Let me relate to you a true story in -illustration of what I say. - - * * * * * - -“When the unhappy war that was waged by the American troops in -Mexico broke out, a lieutenant in the navy, who had a quiet berth at -Washington, felt it to be his duty to go to the scene of strife, and -therefore asked to be ordered to the Gulf of Mexico. His request was -complied with, and he received orders to go on board the steamer -_Mississippi_, Commodore Perry, then about to sail from Norfolk to Vera -Cruz. - -“Soon after the _Mississippi_ arrived out, and before the city and -castle were taken, a terrible ‘norther’ sprung up, and destroyed -much shipping in the harbour. One vessel, on which were a number of -passengers, was thrown high upon a reef; and when morning broke, the -heavy sea was making a clear breach through her. She lay about a mile -from the _Mississippi_, and it soon became known on board the steamer -that a mother and her infant were in the wreck, and that, unless -succour came speedily, they would perish. The lieutenant of whom I -speak immediately ordered out a boat’s crew, and although the sea was -rolling tremendously, and the ‘norther’ still blowing a hurricane, -started to the rescue. Right in the teeth of the wind were the men -compelled to pull their boat, and so slowly did they proceed that it -took more than two hours to gain the wreck. - -“At one time they actually gave up, and the oars lay inactive in their -hands. At this crisis, the brave but humane officer, pointing with -one hand to the fortress of San Juan de Ulloa, upon which a fire had -already commenced, and with the other to the wreck, exclaimed, with -noble enthusiasm,-- - -“‘Pull away, men! I would rather save the life of that woman and her -child, than have the honour of taking the castle!’ - -“Struck by the noble, unselfish, and truly humane feelings of their -officer, the crew bent with new vigour to their oars. In a little while -the wreck was gained, and the brave lieutenant had the pleasure of -receiving into his arms the almost inanimate form of the woman, who had -been lashed to the deck, and over whom the waves had been beating, at -intervals, all night. - -“In writing home to his friends, after the excitement of the adventure -was over, the officer spoke of the moment when he rescued that mother -and child from the wreck as the proudest of his life. - -“Afterwards he took part in the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and had -command, in turn, of the naval battery, where he faithfully and -energetically performed his duty as an officer in the service of his -country. He was among the first of those who entered the captured city; -but pain, not pleasure, filled his mind, as he looked around and saw -death and destruction on every hand. The arms of his country had been -successful; the officer had bravely contributed his part in the work; -but he frankly owns that he experienced far more delight in saving the -woman he had borne from the wreck, than he could have felt had he been -the commander of the army that reduced the city. - - * * * * * - -“Wherever duty calls, my lads,” concluded the captain, “you will find -that brave officer. He will never shrink from the post of danger, if -his country have need of him, nor will he ever be deaf to the appeal of -humanity; but so long as he is a true man, just so long will he delight -more in saving than in destroying.” - - - - -[Illustration] - -Emma Lee and her Sixpence. - - -Emma’s aunt had given her a sixpence, and now the question was, what -should she buy with it? - -“I’ll tell you what I will do, mother,” she said, changing her mind for -the tenth time. - -“Well, dear, what have you determined upon now?” - -“I’ll save my sixpence until I get a good many more, and then I’ll buy -me a handsome wax doll. Wouldn’t you do that, mother, if you were me?” - -“If I were you, I suppose I should do just as you will,” replied Emma’s -mother, smiling. - -“But, mother, don’t you think that would be a nice way to do? I get a -good many pennies and sixpences, you know, and could soon save enough -to buy me a beautiful wax doll.” - -“I think it would be better,” said Mrs. Lee, “for you to save up your -money and buy something worth having.” - -“Isn’t a large wax doll worth having?” - -“Oh yes; for a little girl like you.” - -“Then I’ll save up my money, until I get enough to buy me a doll as big -as Sarah Johnson’s.” - -In about an hour afterwards, Emma came to her mother, and said,-- - -“I’ve just thought what I will do with my sixpence. I saw such a -beautiful book at a shop yesterday! It was full of pictures, and the -price was just sixpence. I’ll buy that book.” - -“But didn’t you say, a little while ago, that you were going to save -your money until you had enough to buy a doll?” - -“I know I did, mother; but I didn’t think about the book then. And it -will take so long before I can save up money enough to get a new doll. -I think I will buy the book.” - -“Very well, dear,” replied Mrs. Lee. - -Not long after, Emma changed her mind again. - -On the next day her mother said to her,-- - -“Your aunt Mary is very ill, and I am going to see her. Do you wish to -go with me?” - -“Yes, mother, I should like to go. I am so sorry that aunt Mary is ill. -What ails her?” - -“She is never very well, and the least cold makes her worse. The last -time she was here she took cold.” - -As they were about leaving the house, Emma said,-- - -“I’ll take my sixpence with me, and spend it, mother.” - -“What are you going to buy?” asked Mrs. Lee. - -“I don’t know,” replied Emma. “Sometimes I think I will buy some cakes; -and then I think I will get a whole sixpence worth of cream candy--I -like it so.” - -“Have you forgotten the book?” - -“Oh no. Sometimes I think I will buy the book. Indeed, I don’t know -what to buy.” - -In this undecided state of mind, Emma started with her mother to see -her aunt. They had not gone far before they met a poor woman with some -very pretty bunches of flowers for sale. She carried them on a tray. -She stopped before Mrs. Lee and her little girl, and asked if they -would not buy some flowers. - -“How much are they a bunch?” asked Emma. - -“Sixpence,” replied the woman. - -“Mother, I’ll tell you what I will do with my sixpence,” said Emma, her -face brightening with the thought that came into her mind. “I will buy -a bunch of flowers for aunt Mary. You know how she loves flowers. Can’t -I do it, mother?” - -“Oh yes, dear. Do it, by all means, if you think you can give up the -nice cream candy or the picture book for the sake of gratifying your -aunt.” - -Emma did not hesitate a moment, but selected a very handsome bunch of -flowers, and paid her sixpence to the woman with a feeling of real -pleasure. - -Aunt Mary was very much pleased with the bouquet Emma brought her. - -“The sight of these flowers, and their delightful perfume, really makes -me feel better,” she said, after she had held them in her hand for a -little while. “I am very much obliged to my niece for thinking of me.” - -That evening Emma looked up from a book which her mother had bought her -as they returned home from aunt Mary’s, and with which she had been -much entertained, and said,-- - -“I think the spending of my sixpence gave me a double pleasure.” - -“How so, dear?” asked Mrs. Lee. - -“I made aunt happy, and the flower-woman too. Didn’t you notice how -pleased the flower-woman looked? I shouldn’t wonder if she had little -children at home, and thought about the bread that sixpence would buy -them when I paid it to her. Don’t you think she did?” - -“I cannot tell that, Emma,” replied her mother; “but I shouldn’t at all -wonder if it were as you suppose. And so it gives you pleasure to think -you have made others happy?” - -“Indeed it does.” - -“Acts of kindness,” replied Emma’s mother, “always produce a feeling -of pleasure. This every one may know. And it is the purest and truest -pleasure we experience in this world. Try and remember this little -incident of the flowers as long as you live, my child; and let the -thought of it remind you that every act of self-denial brings to the -one who makes it a sweet delight.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Timely Aid. - - -“Take care of that wolf, my son,” said Mrs. Maylie to a boy about -twelve years old, who had come from school in a very ill humour with a -playmate, and kept saying harsh things about him, which were but oral -evidences of the unkind feelings he cherished within. - -“What wolf, mother?” asked Alfred, looking up with surprise. - -“The wolf in your heart. Have you already forgotten what I told you -last evening about the wild beasts within you?” - -“But you told us too,” spoke up little Emily, “about the innocent -lambs. There are gentle and good animals in us, as well as fierce and -evil ones.” - -“Oh yes. Good affections are the innocent animals of your hearts, -and evil affections the cruel beasts of prey that are lurking there, -ever ready, if you will permit them, to rise up and destroy your good -affections. Take care, my children, how you permit the wild beasts to -rage. In a moment that you know not, they may ravage some sweet spot.” - -“But what did you mean by saying that there was a _wolf_ in brother -Alfred? Tell us the meaning of that, mother.” - -“Yes, do, mother,” joined in Alfred, whose ill humour had already begun -to subside. “I want to know what the wolf in my heart means.” - -“Do you know anything about the nature of wolves?” asked Mrs. Maylie. - -“They are very cruel, and love to seize and eat up dear little innocent -lambs,” said Emily. - -“Yes, my children, their nature is cruel, and they prey upon innocent -creatures. Until now, Alfred, you have always loved to be with your -playmate, William Jarvis.” - -Alfred was silent. - -“Was it not so, my dear?” - -“Yes, ma’am; I used to like him.” - -“Frequently you would get from me a fine large apple, or a choice -flower from the garden, to present to him. But the tender and innocent -feelings that prompted you to do this have perished. Some wolf has -rushed in and destroyed them. Is it not so?” - -Alfred sat in thoughtful silence. - -“Think, my son,” continued Mrs. Maylie, “how innocent, like gentle -lambs, were your feelings until now. When you thought of William, it -was with kindness. When you played by his side, it was with a warm, -even tender regard. But it is not so now. Some beast of prey has -devoured these lambs--these innocent creatures that sported in your -bosom. If the angry, raging wolf has not eaten them up, where are they? -Before you permitted yourself to feel anger against William, gentle -creatures leaped about happily in your breast; but you feel them no -longer--only the wolf is there. Will you let him still rage, and devour -your lambs, or will you drive him out?” - -“I will drive him out, mother, if I can. How shall I do it?” Alfred -said earnestly, and with a troubled look. - -“By resisting him even unto the death. You have the power. You have -weapons that will prevail. Try to forget the fault of William; try to -excuse him; think of his good qualities; and assure yourself of what I -know to be true--that he never meant to offend you. If the angry wolf -growl in your bosom, thrust bravely at him, as you would, were you, -weapon in hand, defending a sheepfold; and he will and must retire, or -die at your feet. Then innocent lambs will again be seen, and their -sports delight your heart. Then you will feel no more anger towards -your young friend, but love instead.” - -“I don’t think I am angry with William, mother,” Alfred said. - -“But you were just now.” - -“Yes; but the wolf is no longer in my heart,” the boy replied smiling. -“He has been driven out.” - -“And innocent creatures can now sport there unharmed. I am glad of it. -Do not again, Alfred, do not any of you, my children, permit ravenous -beasts to prey upon the lambs of your flocks. Fly from them in as much -terror as you would fly from the presence of a wolf, a tiger, or a -lion, were one to meet you in a forest. They are equally hurtful--one -injures the body, the other the soul.” - -“Tell us now, mother, about the wolf that had nearly killed uncle -Harper when he was a little boy no bigger than me,” spoke up Charley, -the youngest of Mrs. Maylie’s treasures. - -“Oh yes, mother, tell us all about it,” said Alfred. - -“I’ve told you that very often,” the mother returned. - -“But we want to hear it again. Tell it to us; won’t you, mother?” - -“Oh, certainly. Many years ago, when I was a little girl not bigger -than Emily, we lived at the foot of a high mountain, in a wild, -unsettled country. There were but few neighbours, and they were at -great distances from us. At that time bears, wolves, and panthers were -in the region where we lived, and often destroyed the sheep of the -settlers, and otherwise annoyed them. The men used frequently to go out -and hunt them, and kill off these their forest enemies in great numbers. - -“One day, when your uncle Harper was about five years old, our father -took us in his waggon to visit a neighbour about six miles up among the -mountains. This neighbour had a little boy just Harper’s age, and they -were together in the garden and about the house all the morning. After -dinner, they were dressed up nicely, and again went out to play. - -“‘Come,’ said Harper’s companion, ‘let us go and see brother Allen’s -bird-trap. He caught three pheasants yesterday. Maybe we’ll find one in -it to-day.’ - -“Harper was very willing to go. And so they started right into the -woods; for the forest came up close to the house, and went off quite -out of sight. They had not been gone long before a neighbour, who lived -about a mile off, came over to say that a very large wolf had been seen -a few hours before. - -“‘Where is Harper?’ my mother asked quickly, going to the door and -looking out. - -“‘I saw him a little while ago, playing about here with Johnny,’ some -one replied. - -“‘But where is he now?’ and our mother went out of doors, looking all -around the house and in the garden. - -“‘They’ve gone off to my bird-trap, without doubt,’ said Allen, a stout -boy about sixteen years of age. ‘Johnny has been there several times -within a day or two.’ - -“‘Do run and see,’ urged our mother. Allen took up his gun and started -off quickly towards the place where he had set his bird-trap. Two or -three took other directions; for, now that it was known a wolf had -been seen, all were alarmed at the absence of the children. In about -five minutes after Allen had left the house, we were startled by the -sharp crack of a rifle in the direction he had taken. For the next -five minutes we waited in dreadful suspense; then we were gladdened -by the sight of Allen, bringing home the two children. But when we -heard all that had occurred, we trembled from head to foot. Allen had -gone quickly towards the place where he expected to find the little -truants. When he came in sight of the trap, he saw them on the ground -close to it, and was just going to call out to them to take care or -they would spring it, when the dark body of a large wolf came quickly -in between him and the children. There was not a moment to be lost; if -the cruel beast reached them, destruction would be inevitable. Quickly -presenting his rifle, he took a steady aim and fired. A fierce howl -answered the report: as the smoke arose from before his eyes, he saw -the ‘gaunt gray robber’ of the wilderness rolling upon the ground. The -bullet had sped with unerring certainty. - -“How thankful we were,” added Mrs. Maylie, “when, knowing how great had -been the danger, we saw the children safe from all harm!” - -“Does uncle Harper remember it?” asked Charley. - -“Yes; he says he can just remember something about it; but he was a -very little boy then.” - -“That was a _real_ wolf,” remarked Emily; “but the wolves, and tigers, -and lambs you have been telling us about are not real, are they? Real -animals can’t live in us.” - -“If there was nothing real about them, could they hurt you, dear?” - -“No.” - -“But the wolves I spoke about do hurt you. Must they not be real then?” - -“Not real like the big hairy wolf I saw at the show?” - -“Oh no; not real like that; not clothed in flesh; but still real, so -far as power to harm you is concerned: and surely that is reality -enough. Don’t you think so?” - -“Yes, real that way. But still,” Alfred said, “I can’t understand how a -real wolf can be in me; for a wolf is much bigger than I am.” - -“But I don’t mean a flesh and blood wolf, but something in you that -partakes of the wolf’s cruel nature, and, like the wolf, seeks to -destroy all in you that is good, and harmless, and innocent. There may -be in you something that corresponds to the fierce nature of the wolf, -and something that corresponds to the gentle nature of the lamb. Both -of these cannot be active at the same time. If you let the wolf rule, -your gentle lambs, as I before told you, will be destroyed.” - -The children now understood their mother better, though they could not -clearly comprehend all that was meant by the wild beasts and innocent -creatures of the human heart. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Double Fault. - - -“Why, Arthur,” exclaimed Mrs. Mason, on coming into the room where she -had left her two boys playing, and finding one of them there with a -bunch of flowers in his hand; “how came you to pull my flowers? Haven’t -I positively forbidden you to do so?” - -“I did not do it, mother. I did not do it. It was John.” - -“Where is John?” - -“He’s in the yard.” - -“Call him in,” said Mrs. Mason. - -While Arthur was at the window calling to his brother, Mr. Mason, the -father, came into the room. - -“John has been pulling my flowers. Isn’t it too bad that a boy as big -as he is should have so little consideration? They were coming out into -bloom beautifully.” - -Just then John entered, with a bunch of flowers also in his hand. - -“John, how came you to pull my flowers?” said Mrs. Mason. “You knew it -was wrong.” - -“I did not think, when I pulled off a rosebud and two or three -larkspurs,” replied John. - -“Two or three larkspurs and a rosebud! Why, your hand is full of -flowers.” - -“Oh, but William Jones gave me all but the larkspurs and the rosebud. -Indeed, mother, I didn’t touch any more; and I am sorry I took them; -but I forgot that it was wrong when I did so.” - -“But Arthur says you pulled that large bunch in his hand.” - -“Arthur knows I didn’t. He knows he pulled them himself, and that I -told him he’d better not do it; but he said he’d as much right to the -flowers as I had.” - -Mr. and Mrs. Mason both looked at Arthur in surprise and displeasure. -His countenance showed that he had been guilty of wrongly accusing his -brother. - -“Is it true that you did pull the flowers, Arthur?” asked his mother. - -But Arthur was silent. - -“Speak, sir!” said the father sternly. “Did you pull the flowers?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And then falsely accused your brother of the wrong you had done. -That my boy should be guilty of an evil act like this! I could not -have believed it. It is a wicked thing to tell a lie to hide a fault, -simply; but falsely to accuse another of what we have ourselves done, -is still more wicked. Can it be possible that a son of mine has fallen -so low? It grieves me to the heart.” - -Mr. Mason spoke as he felt. He was deeply grieved. Nothing had occurred -for a long time that so hurt him. He loved honesty and truth; but how -opposite to both had been the conduct of his boy! - -“Go up to your chamber, and stay there until I see you or send for -you,” he said; and Arthur retired in shame from the presence of his -parents, and the brother he had so meanly attempted to injure. Of -course he felt very unhappy. How could he feel otherwise? The rebuking -words of his father fell like heavy blows upon his heart, and the pain -they occasioned was for a long time severely felt. - -What punishment the parents thought it right to inflict upon Arthur -we do not know; but, no doubt, he was punished in some way, as he -deserved. And besides this, he had the still severer punishment which -always follows that meanest fault of which any one can be guilty--that -of accusing another and innocent person of what we have ourselves done. - -Bad as this fault is, it is, alas! too common. But no manly, -honest-minded, truthful boy will be betrayed into it. To the better -impulses of our young readers who have been so wicked as to fall into -this sin, either from sudden impulse or deliberate purpose, we would -earnestly appeal, and beg of them to think more wisely and act more -justly in the future. No cause is ever made better, but always worse, -by a falsehood. Even where detection does not follow, suspicion is -almost always created; for it is impossible for a boy to tell a lie -without betraying it in the face or voice, and causing a doubt to pass -through the minds of his parents, and set them to making inquiry into -the truth or falsehood of what he has stated. - -Truth--the open, bold, honest truth--is always the best, always the -wisest, always the safest for every one, in any and all circumstances. -Let no boy deviate from it, even though he have been guilty of a fault. -Better--a thousand times better--is it to own to the wrong, and keep a -clear conscience. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -A Story about a Dog. - - -“Tell us a story, father, before we go to bed,” said a little boy, who -spoke for two brothers as well as for himself. - -“What shall it be about?” asked Mr. Melville, their father. - -“Oh, about a dog. I love to hear stories about dogs.” - -“Oh yes! let it be about a dog.” - -“Yes, papa, let it be about a dog,” ran through the circle of children. - -“Wouldn’t you rather hear a story about the innocent lamb; the pure, -snow-white lamb that sports in the green meadows?” said the father. -“Dogs are evil animals.” - -“Oh no, father! dogs are not evil animals. You don’t call our Carlo an -evil animal? He’s a good, kind, generous dog. Didn’t he save the life -of Mr. Graham’s little Harry, when he fell into the river? And doesn’t -he love us, and go with us everywhere? And didn’t he jump on Mr. -Parker’s Nero and beat him, when he flew out at us as we were passing, -and was going to bite us? I am sure Carlo is a good dog. He watches our -house at night, and keeps all the robbers away.” - -“Carlo is one of the better class of dogs,” said Mr. Melville. “Many -of these animals have generous qualities, and can be taught by man to -perform many good acts; but I hardly think the dog can be called a good -animal, like the noble horse or the useful cow and sheep. These serve -man in a great variety of ways, and do not, even in their wild state, -prey upon other animals, or attack and injure man as the dog will. -The only use of the dog is for a protection against evil; and he is -able to do this from something in him that is cruel and destructive. -But I own that in some dogs there are to be found many noble and -generous qualities; but these they derive from long association with -man, and from being employed by him from one generation to another -in doing useful things. The dogs of St. Bernard, of which you have -so often read, are noble specimens of this improved race. So are the -Newfoundland dogs. But still they are not good and innocent,--like -sheep, for instance, or cows, or like the gentle dove. Those are truly -innocent animals, and correspond in nature to certain good affections -in our minds.” - -But the children still thought that Carlo must be a good animal, and -insisted that it was so, and upon having a story about a dog instead of -a lamb. - -“Very well,” said Mr. Melville: “I will tell you a story about a dog, -and a very interesting one it is too. I heard it or read about it -somewhere recently, but I cannot now tell where.” - -“Tell it, father, do tell it,” urged the children. - -Mr. Melville then told the following story:-- - -“There was a boy,--we will call his name Thomas,--whose father bought -him a fine horse, upon which he used to ride out almost every day, -accompanied by a large Newfoundland dog named Bruno. One day Thomas -had his horse brought out for a ride, and after he had mounted the -animal, he whistled for Bruno, who was lying on a mat in front of the -house. But Bruno only wagged his tail. He did not even lift his head -from between his fore paws, although his dark bright eyes were fixed -upon his young master. ‘Come, Bruno, come!’ called Thomas. But the dog -only wagged his tail more quickly. ‘You are a lazy fellow, Bruno,’ said -Thomas, in a half-chiding, disappointed tone. ‘I shan’t half enjoy my -ride unless you come.’ And he whistled loud for Bruno, as he gave his -horse the rein and trotted off. Although he looked back and called for -Bruno many times, as he rode away, the dog evinced no disposition to -follow him. - -“It was near sunset, and the father and mother of Thomas were sitting -in front of their door, enjoying the cool refreshing air. Bruno still -lay upon the mat, and seemed to be sleeping. - -“‘I wonder why that dog didn’t go with Thomas?’ said the father, -looking at Bruno. - -“‘He’s lazy to-day,’ replied the mother. ‘Thomas called him, and tried -his best to get him off with him, as usual, but Bruno never stirred.’ - -“On hearing his name, the dog rose up, and came and rubbed himself -against his master, who patted him kindly upon the head. While standing -thus by his master’s side, Bruno all at once pricked up his ears and -rose, and seemed all attention. Almost at the same instant the father -of Thomas heard the distant clattering of a horse’s hoofs, which drew -nearer every moment. He arose quickly; as he did so, Bruno gave a -short, uneasy bark, and went a few steps towards the road, holding his -head very high, and looking first in one direction and then in another. -This suspense did not continue long. In less than a minute from the -time the first distant sound was heard, they saw the horse of Thomas -come dashing down the road at a fearful speed, with his little rider -clinging to his neck. The house stood nearly a hundred yards from the -road, and the horse approaching at such a rapid rate, that, although -the father sprang forward to catch him, if possible, at the moment of -passing, yet he was instantly conscious that before he could possibly -reach the road the frightened animal would be beyond his reach. Just -as his mind felt this painful certainty, Bruno went past him like an -arrow, cleared the fence at a bound, and at the moment the horse was -passing the gate caught him by the bridle. To this he held on, checking -the animal’s speed so much that his master found it easy to come up -with and stop him.” - -“Oh, what a noble dog!” cried the children. “How Thomas must have loved -him!” - -“But how,” said one, “did Bruno know that the horse was going to run -away?” - -“He did not know it,” said Mr. Melville. - -“Then why didn’t he go with Thomas? He must have known it, father.” - -“Oh no; that doesn’t follow, my son, at all. But the Lord, in his -omnipotence and providence, knew what would take place, and provided -just the means that were needed to save Thomas from being killed.” - -“Then he made Bruno stay at home that he might be ready to save his -young master’s life?” said one of the children. - -“The Lord’s protecting Spirit is everywhere,” replied Mr. Melville, -“and governs in all circumstances by which we are preserved from harm. -Without doubt, it was an influence from Heaven that produced in the dog -an indisposition to go with Thomas.” - -“How good the Lord is!” said the child who had last spoken, in a -thoughtful tone. - -“Yes, my dear,” returned Mr. Melville; “the Lord is good to all, and -kind even to the unthankful. He maketh his sun to shine upon the evil -and the good, and sendeth his rain upon the just and the unjust.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Discontented Shepherd. - - -In a quiet valley there once dwelt a shepherd, who led a peaceful, -happy life. He had large flocks, from whose fleecy backs the wool was -regularly shorn, and sold to the merchants; and the merchants paid him -money, with which he bought all things needful for health and bodily -comfort. - -One day the shepherd drove his flocks to the sea-side, and as he looked -abroad upon the great expanse of water, and saw the ships moving over -its surface, he felt, for the first time, discontented with his lot. A -desire to see the world took possession of his mind. - -“I will no longer shut myself up in this narrow valley,” he said. “I -will become a merchant. I will pass over the wide sea, and go among the -people of many lands.” - -So the shepherd sold his flocks, and with the money bought merchandise, -which he placed in a ship, and started for a distant country. During -the first day after leaving the land, he could do little else but -admire the wonderful ocean upon whose surface he was sailing, and think -how happy he was at having escaped the dull life of a shepherd in an -unknown vale. But on the second day after leaving the land, the motion -of the ship made him very sick. He could no longer enjoy the great -expanse of ocean and sky spread out above and around him, but had to -remain in the cabin, unable even to lift his head from his pillow. As -he lay sick in the dark, narrow cabin, filled with polluted air, he -thought of the green shady places, cool refreshing streams, and pure -air of his native valley, and, for the first time, he repented of what -he had done. - -It was more than a week before the shepherd could go upon deck, and -feel pleasure in the sky and ocean as he had done at first. - -At last the vessel arrived at its destined place: the shepherd landed -his goods and offered them for sale. He soon found a merchant willing -to buy them. The price was agreed upon, the merchandise delivered, and -the money demanded. But it happened, as it almost always happens when -men get dissatisfied with the business or calling with which they are -perfectly familiar, and enter into one they know nothing about, the -shepherd fell into dishonest hands. The merchant refused to pay him his -money. - -In order to get this wrong redressed, the shepherd called upon a -magistrate of the country, who promised to see that justice was done -to him. But the merchant knew the magistrate to be as unfitted for his -calling as he was for his, and so he offered him a bribe, which the -wicked magistrate accepted. In vain did the shepherd seek for justice -at his hands; no justice could he get. His importunities at last became -so great, that the magistrate threatened to have him put into prison if -he troubled him any more. - -In his own peaceful valley there was no wrong and oppression like -this. The merchants who came for his fleece were good and true men, -and paid the prices agreed upon. The ignorant shepherd had not dreamed -that there were such wicked men in the world as this merchant and this -magistrate, into whose hands he had fallen. - -In a strange land, among strange people, thousands of miles away from -his home, and all his money and property gone, the poor shepherd was -about giving up in despair. But he bethought him that he would go to -the king of the country, and ask justice at his hands. - -The king, when he heard the shepherd’s story, was very angry at the -wrong that had been done in his kingdom. He sent immediately, and had -the magistrate and the merchant brought before him and confronted with -their accuser. On seeing the shepherd, their hearts became filled with -alarm, and their faces betrayed what was in their hearts. When accused -they could answer nothing. So the king caused the merchant to pay the -shepherd for his goods; and besides, imposed upon him a heavy fine. -From the magistrate he took away his office, and had him cast into -prison. - -As soon as the shepherd had received his money, he returned in the -first ship that sailed for his native country, and buying more flocks, -was ever after contented to follow them in the peaceful valley where no -wrong, oppression, or dishonesty had yet come. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Shilling. - - -George Hanson’s uncle had given him a shilling; and George, like most -boys, felt very anxious to spend it. But, among his many wants, he -found it a hard matter to decide upon which to gratify. If it had been -a half-crown instead of a shilling, the difficulty would have been -lessened, for then George could have supplied at least half a dozen -wants. But it was only a shilling. - -He stood at the window, looking out upon the passengers who were going -quickly by, the frosty air of December giving lightness to many a step -that, in a milder day, would have been less hurriedly taken. While -standing here, his mind half made up to gratify his love of cakes and -oranges by a whole shilling’s worth, a man went by with some pretty -little glass toys in a box, which he held up to the window, and asked -if he did not want to buy some. - -George beckoned to the man to stop, and then ran to the front door. The -man was a glass-blower, and had manufactured some handsome birds, and -sheep, and deer, from white glass, which looked, certainly, curious and -beautiful. - -“How much is this?” asked George, pointing to a bird of paradise. - -“Eighteen-pence.” - -“But I’ve only got a shilling,” returned George. - -“Well, here’s a robin redbreast for a shilling; and here’s a deer, and -a sheep. All these on this side are a shilling.” - -But George liked the bird of paradise best of all, and couldn’t think -of taking anything else. - -While the man stood trying to persuade him to buy one of the birds that -were sold for a shilling, George looked up and saw going by a poor -old man, who was bent with age. He led a little girl by the hand, who -appeared to shrink in the cold. The old man looked sick and feeble, and -very poor. - -“They shall have my shilling!” exclaimed George, speaking from a sudden -impulse; and he stepped forward, and placing the coin in the old man’s -hand, said, as he did so,-- - -“I was just going to spend this for a little glass toy that would be -broken in a day. But I want it put to a better use. Take it, and buy -something for your little girl.” - -The poor old man stopped, and said, with a look of surprise and -pleasure as he received the coin,-- - -“Thank you, my young master! This will give my little Alice a nice bowl -of bread and milk for her supper and breakfast. She will think of you -with a grateful heart while she eats them.” - -“Well done, my good boy!” said the glass-blower, as the old man went on -his way. “That poor little girl’s bread and milk will taste sweet to -her to-night. And as a reward for your generous self-denial, here is -the bird of paradise that has pleased you so much: take it.” - -But George drew back, and said he hardly thought that would be right. - -“Why not, I wonder?” returned the man. “Am I to be outdone in -generosity by a boy? Take it, and whenever you look upon it let it -teach you this lesson--that it is more blessed to give than to receive; -for I am sure the thought of the good done to the old man and the -little girl will be more pleasant to you than the thought of possessing -this pretty toy.” - -And so it was. The toy pleased for a short time only, but the thought -of the little girl who had been made happy by his shilling never passed -through his mind without giving him pleasure. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Wounded Bird. - - -“Father,” said Henry Thompson, a boy just eleven years old, “won’t you -buy me a gun?” - -“A gun! Oh no; I can’t buy you a gun,” Mr. Thompson replied in a -decided voice. - -Henry turned away disappointed, and went out of his father’s warehouse, -into which he had come specially to ask for a gun. He was not pleased -at the refusal he had met with, and felt much inclined, as are too -many children, to indulge hard thoughts against his kind father for -not gratifying his wish. As he walked along, he met Alfred Lyon, a lad -about his own age, whose father had given him a gun, and who then had -it on his shoulder. - -“Come, Henry,” said Alfred, “I’m going out a-shooting. Won’t you go -with me?” - -Henry at once said “Yes.” It was a holiday, and his mother had told -him that he might go out and spend the morning as he liked, only that -he must not go into danger, nor harm anything. So he did not hesitate -to go with Alfred. He had seen the little boy the day before, and then -learned that he had received from his father the present of a gun, and -this was what had made him desire to have one also. - -The two little boys then took their way to the woods. It was a bright -day in early summer. The trees were all covered with tender foliage, -the fields bright and green, and the singing birds made the air thrill -with delicious melody. To mar this scene of innocence, beauty, and -peace, came these two thoughtless boys. They saw the woods mantled in -their dark, rich drapery, that moved gracefully in the light breeze; -but all their majestic beauty was lost to their eyes. They thought -only whether the thick, green masses of leaves contained a robin -or harmless red-bird, as a victim to their murderous gun. The green -fields, too, were pleasant to their eyes only so far as they might -conceal, in their blossoming hedgerows, a victim wren or sparrow. And -the sweet trilling of the lovely songsters, as it floated from wood -and field, though it gladdened their ears, affected them not with a -pure and innocent pleasure. I grieve to make such a record of these two -lads, but it is, alas! too true. Both together, were they to labour -over their task from this hour of their boyhood until threescore and -ten years had been numbered to them, could not make even a little -yellow bird,--nay, not so much as a feather like one shed from its -downy wing; and yet they were eager to destroy the lovely creature made -by God’s own hand, and all from an idle love of sport. - -Well, Alfred and Henry soon arrived at the woods. - -“Hark!” said Alfred, “there is a robin singing in that maple! Be still, -and I will shoot him.” - -Henry stood very still, while Alfred moved stealthily along, with -his gun in his hand, until he stood nearly under the maple-tree. The -robin, all unconscious of danger, was singing his song of gladness--a -tribute of praise to Him who had fashioned him curiously, and with -inconceivable wisdom and skill--when the boy raised his gun, took a -deadly aim, and fired. The breast of the robin was still heaving, and -his throat trembling with the song, when the swift-winged shot entered -his side, and pierced his little heart. He fell at the feet of his -murderer. One would have thought, that when Alfred and Henry saw the -bleeding bird, lying dead on the ground, their hearts would have been -filled with sorrow. But not so. A shout of joy followed this cruel -exploit. The bird was picked up, and a string tied about its neck, and -borne along with them, as the triumphant evidence of Alfred’s skill -with his weapon. - -Next an oriole was discovered, flying from a bush near them, and -alighting upon the branch of a tree, high up in the air. - -“Now, let me shoot,” said Henry; and Alfred suffered his companion -to take the gun. He proved to be not quite so good a marksman as -Alfred. But he struck the oriole, and wounded him. The bird fluttered -to another tree, upon a limb of which he alighted. Here he clung, with -his tiny feet, until these cruel boys had again loaded their gun. Then -Henry took a truer aim, and brought him to the ground. But he was -not dead. Henry seized the trembling creature, that tried in vain to -escape, and held him fast in his hands. - -“Wring off his neck,” said Alfred; “that’s the way.” - -“No, no,” returned Henry; “I’ll take him home just as he is: perhaps -he’ll get well, and then I’ll put him in a cage, and keep him.” - -And so Henry kept the bird, that must have been suffering great pain, -carefully in his hand, while Alfred loaded his gun once more. But we -will not follow these boys further in their cruel employment, which -was continued for several hours, when they grew tired, and returned -home. It was past the dinner hour when Henry got back, with four birds -for his share of the morning’s sport. One of these was the oriole, -still alive. Another was a sparrow, another a robin, and the fourth a -blue-bird. These last three were all dead. - -“Just see, mother, what I’ve got; and I killed them all myself,” cried -Henry, as he came in and displayed his birds. “Won’t you ask father to -buy me a gun? Alfred Lyon has got one, and I think I ought to have one -too. I asked father to-day to buy me one, but he said _No_. Won’t you -ask him to buy me a gun, mother? for I can shoot; I shot all these with -Alfred’s gun, myself.” - -Henry’s mother listened to her son with surprise and pain. “Poor bird!” -said she, taking from Henry the wounded oriole, and handling it with -great tenderness. “Can it be possible that my son has done this?--that -his hand has committed so cruel a deed?” and the tears dimmed her eyes. - -The words, tone, and manner of his mother touched the heart of Henry in -an instant. New thoughts were awakened, and with these thoughts came -new feelings. His mind had a glimpse of the truth, that it was wrong to -sport with the life of any creature. - -“Can you make a pretty bird like this?” his mother asked, pointing to -the drooping bird in her hand. Her son was silent. - -“Then why seek, wantonly, to take its life?” she continued. “Were you -envious of its happiness? Like an evil spirit, did a sight of innocent -delights inflame you with a desire to destroy it? Can you restore -health to its wounded body? No! Can you ever assuage its present -agonies? No--you cannot. Cruel boy! what could you have been dreaming -about? Think, how terrible it would be, if there were a race of beings -stronger than we are, who, with the power, had the will to destroy us -for mere sport. Some day I might be walking out, and become the victim -of one of these, and then my children would have no mother. Perhaps -Henry might leave me, and while on his way to school might be shot at, -as he shot at the birds, and be killed like this pretty blue-bird, or -fatally wounded like this oriole. Would you think such sport innocent? -I think not. Poor bird! See how it trembles! See how it flutters its -wings in pain! See how it gasps! Now it has fallen over upon its -side--and now it is dead! Alas, that my son should have done this -cruel deed--that my son should have caused all this pain!” - -The words of Henry’s mother touched him deeply. They caused him to see -how cruel he had indeed been. They made him conscious that it was most -wicked to hurt or kill any one of God’s creatures in mere sport. So -moved was he, that he could not refrain from bursting into tears and -sobbing bitterly. - -“O mother!” he said, after he had gained some little command over his -feelings, “I never thought how wicked and cruel it was to take pleasure -in hunting the pretty birds. I don’t want a gun. I wouldn’t have a gun -now, if father would buy me the handsomest one in town.” - -Henry’s mother was glad to hear him say this, for it showed that he -felt all she wished him to feel--sorrow at having indulged in a cruel -sport. It showed, also, that he had determined in his own mind, from -seeing how wicked it was, never to do so again. From this determination -Henry never swerved. He was never known afterwards to hurt any animal -in sport. And more than this, by talking to his little friend Alfred, -he caused him to see how wrong it was to shoot the birds; and Alfred -gave his gun back to his father, who sold it for him, and with the -money bought him a number of good and useful books. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Holiday. - - -“How are you going to spend your holiday?” asked Edgar Williams of -Charles Manly. - -“I don’t know; how are you going to spend yours?” - -“I’m going a-fishing; won’t you go with me?” - -“No, I think not,” replied Manly. - -“Why? It will be fine sport.” - -But Manly shook his head, and replied,-- - -“I don’t think it such fine sport to hunt the little fishes. I’m sure I -shouldn’t like a sharp hook in my mouth. Ugh! To think of being lifted -up by a hook fastened in your tongue, or in the roof of your mouth!” - -“You’re very tender-hearted all at once,” replied Edgar Williams. “I’ve -seen you fishing, many a time.” - -“No doubt of it. But I hardly think I shall go again. Father says it is -cruel sport; and so it is. Suppose you don’t go, Edgar.” - -“Oh yes, but I will. It’s delightful. I’m fond of it above everything.” - -“I’ll tell you what I should like to do, if you would go with me,” said -Charles Manly. - -“Well?” - -“I should like to go out into the woods and fields, to look for -specimens for my cabinet.” - -“A fig for specimens!” returned Williams. “No, indeed! I’m going -a-fishing.” - -The two lads had each some money given to him by his parents to spend. -With his money, Edgar Williams bought a fishing-line, a rod, and some -bait; and taking his dinner in a basket, started off alone to spend -his day in fishing from the river-bank. During the morning the fish -would not bite. Hour after hour he threw his line in vain. He did not -get so much as a nibble. About mid-day, tired and disappointed, Edgar -threw his rod upon the grass, and now beginning to feel hungry, he -opened his lunch-basket and took therefrom his dinner, the eating of -which he enjoyed much more than he had enjoyed his fishing. After this, -he lay down under the shade of a tree and slept for an hour. When he -awoke, he felt dull and heavy, and wished himself at home. But he had -caught nothing, and did not want to go back with so poor an account -of his doings. So he took up his rod and line, and again sought to -take the life, for mere sport, of some fish, tempted, in the hope of -obtaining food, to seize upon the murderous hook. But his red cork lay, -as before, immovable upon the smooth surface of the river for a very -long time. At last it suddenly disappeared, and Edgar gave his line a -quick jerk, which brought up a bright little sunfish, that had hoped to -get a good dinner, but was, alas! sadly disappointed. It was not more -than three inches long, and beautiful to look upon as a fish could be, -so thin, so delicately made, and so purely golden in its hue. Edgar -caught the fluttering little creature in his hand, and tore the cruel -hook from its bleeding mouth. Just at that moment he thought of what -Charles Manly had said, about having a sharp hook in his tongue or -tearing into the roof of his mouth, and for the first time in his life -he felt pity for a fish. The quivering little animal was still in his -hand, and he held it up and looked at its torn mouth, with the blood -oozing therefrom, and sorrow for the pain he had occasioned touched his -heart. - -“It is cruel sport, as Charles said, sure enough,” he murmured to -himself. “This little fish never did me any harm. And even if I were -in want of food, which I am not, it is too small to eat. So I have -no excuse for doing it this sad injury. Go, little fish!” he added, -throwing it back again into the river. “I will not rob you of life, -though I have seriously injured you.” - -But the fish, instead of diving down out of sight into the deep water, -turned upon its side and swam about unevenly upon the surface of the -water. Edgar felt grieved when he saw this. - -“Poor little sunfish,” he said; “I hope you will not die.” - -Just then he observed a sudden rippling motion of the water, a short -distance from where the sunfish was swimming about, and in an instant -afterwards the little sufferer was seized by some larger fish and -devoured. - -“I’ll never fish again for sport!” said Edgar, throwing his rod and -line into the water, and turning sadly away from the river-side. - -It was nearly night when he arrived at home, tired and altogether -dissatisfied with himself. More than an hour elapsed after he went -to bed before he could close his eyes in sleep. The image of that -beautiful little sunfish, with its torn and bleeding mouth, was too -vividly present to his mind. During the night, he dreamed that he fell -into the river, and was seized by some monster, as he had seen the -sunfish seized. He awoke in terror, with the perspiration starting from -every pore, and it was a long time before sleep visited his eyes again. - -Sweeter far, and more peaceful, were the dreams of Charles Manly, who -had gone with his sister to the museum, and spent his holiday there, -examining the many curious and wonderful things in art and nature that -it contained. His enjoyment had been innocent, and it had left his mind -tranquil and peaceful. - - - - -[Illustration] - -Rover and his Little Master. - - -“Come, Rover!” said Harry, as he passed a fine old Newfoundland dog -that lay on a mat at the door; “come, Rover! I am going down to the -river to sail my boat, and I want you to go with me.” - -Rover opened his large eyes, and looked lazily at his little master. - -“Come, Rover!--Rover!” - -But the dog didn’t care to move, and so Harry went off to the -river-side alone. He had not been gone a great while, before a thought -of her boy came suddenly into the mother’s mind. Remembering that he -had a little vessel, and that the river was near, it occurred to her -that he might have gone there. - -Instantly her heart began to throb with alarm. - -“Is Harry with you?” she called up to Harry’s father, who was in his -study. But Harry’s father said he was not there. - -“I’m afraid he’s gone to the river with his boat,” said the mother. - -“To the river!” And Mr. Lee dropped his pen, and came quickly down. -Taking up his hat, he went hurriedly from the house. Rover was still -lying upon the mat, with his head upon his paws and his eyes shut. - -“Rover!” said his master, in a quick, excited voice, “where is Harry? -Has he gone to the river? Away and see! quick!” - -The dog must have understood every word, for he sprang eagerly to his -feet, and rushed toward the river. Mr. Lee followed as fast as he could -run. When he reached the river-bank, he saw his little boy in the -water, with Rover dragging him towards the shore. He was just in time -to receive the half-drowned child in his arms, and carry him home to -his mother. - -Harry, who remained insensible, was placed in a warm bed. He soon, -however, revived, and in an hour or two was running about again. But -after this, Rover would never leave the side of his little master, when -he wandered beyond the garden gate. Wherever you found Harry, there -Rover was sure to be--sometimes walking by his side, and sometimes -lying on the grass, with his big eyes watching every movement. - -Once Harry found his little vessel, which had been hidden away since -he went with it to the river, and, without his mother seeing him, he -started again for the water. Rover, as usual, was with him. On his way -to the river he saw some flowers, and, in order to gather them, put his -boat down upon the grass. Instantly Rover picked it up in his mouth, -and walked back towards the house with it. After going a little way, -he stopped, looked round, and waited until Harry had got his hand full -of flowers. The child then saw that Rover had his boat, and tried to -get it from him; but Rover played round him, always keeping out of his -reach, and retreating towards the house, until he got back within the -gate. Then he bounded into the house, and laid the boat at the feet of -Harry’s mother. - -Harry was a little angry with the good old dog, at first; but when his -mother explained to him what Rover meant, he hugged him round the neck, -and said he would never go down to the river any more. - -Harry is a man now, and Rover has long since been dead; but he often -thinks of the dear old dog that saved him from drowning when he was a -child; and it gives him great pleasure to remember that he never beat -Rover, as some boys beat their dogs, when they are angry, and was never -unkind to him. Had it been otherwise, the thought would have given him -great pain. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -James and Henry; OR, “TWO WRONGS NEVER MAKE A RIGHT.” - - -A mother, who loved her children very much, sat reading a good book -one day, while her two little boys were playing in the next room. All -at once loud cries and angry words fell upon her ears, and gave her -great pain. She rose up quickly, and went in to the children, and -there she saw a sad sight indeed. James, her eldest boy, whose eighth -birthday had just been passed, was standing over his younger brother, -Henry, with his hand raised, and his face red with anger; and Henry had -doubled his little fist, and was ready to strike again. - -“James! Henry!” cried their mother, as soon as her eyes fell upon them. - -“Mother! mother! Henry knocked over my house, and he did it on -purpose,” said the eldest boy, a blush of shame covering his face, and -hiding the red anger that was on it an instant before. - -“No, mother, I didn’t do it on purpose,” spoke up little Henry. “It was -an accident; and he struck me.” - -“And then what did you do?” asked the mother, taking the little boy by -the hand, and looking him in the face. - -Henry held down his head, and replied, “I struck him again.” - -“Oh, how wrong that was!” - -“But I didn’t mean to knock over his house.” - -“How was it, James?” the mother asked, appealing to the eldest boy. - -“He did knock over my house.” - -“But, do you believe it was done on purpose?” - -“He kept pushing his foot against it all the while, and I told him not -to do it,” said James. - -“Why, Henry?” - -Henry again hung down his head, and was silent. - -“And so you did it on purpose, Henry?” - -“Oh no, no, mother, I didn’t do it on purpose,” cried Henry, bursting -into tears and burying his face in his mother’s lap. “It was an -accident. I did put my foot against the house, _just to plague him_; -but I didn’t mean to push it over. _Something made my foot go hard -against it._ But I am sorry.” - -And Henry sobbed aloud. - -“Henry is sorry for what he has done, James; he did not do it on -purpose. But you were angry and struck him on purpose. Are you not -sorry?” - -“But he was trying to plague me; and he is always trying to plague me.” - -“That was wrong, James. But, you know that I have often said to -you--_two wrongs never make a right_. Do you feel any happier now, -because you struck your brother?” - -James was silent. - -“Tell me, my son, do you think you are happier for what you have done?” - -The little boy said, “No.” - -“But you feel very unhappy?” - -“Yes, mother.” - -“That is a sign that you have done wrong. When we do right it makes us -happy. Are you not always sorry after you have done wrong?” - -“Yes, mother.” - -“You are sorry that you struck Henry?” - -“Yes, ma’am.” - -“And Henry is sorry for having tried to plague you; ain’t you, Henry?” - -“Yes, ma’am.” - -“Then give James your hand, my son. He is sorry for having struck you.” - -The little boys took hold of each other’s hands, and looked into each -other’s faces. But tears were in both their eyes, and on their cheeks. - -“Now kiss each other with the kiss of forgiveness.” - -The children put their arms round each other’s necks, and kissed each -other with a warm kiss of love and forgiveness. - -“Now bring me that little book lying on the table, James,” said the -mother. - -James brought the book, and the mother opened it, and read:-- - - “‘Whatever brawls disturb the street, - There should be peace at home; - Where sisters dwell, and brothers meet, - Quarrels should never come. - - “‘Birds in their little nests agree, - And ’tis a shameful sight, - When children of one family - Fall out, and chide, and fight. - - “‘Hard names at first, and angry words, - Which are but noisy breath, - May come to clubs and naked swords, - To murder and to death.’ - -“Think of that, my dear children! ‘To murder and to death!’ If you -quarrel with each other now, instead of growing up and loving each -other, you may grow up to hate each other. I remember two brothers that -were once no older than you are. They were always quarrelling with each -other, and they kept on quarrelling as they grew up. One day, after -they had become men, they got into a dispute about something, when one -of them struck the other a dreadful blow with a stick and killed him. -Was not that a terrible thing? And who knows but that you, if you keep -on quarrelling as you do now, may grow up to hate one another.” - -“Henry, do you know why it is that you so often try to tease your -brother James?” - -“Yes, ma’am.” - -“Why is it, my son?” - -“I let evil spirits come into me, and do what they wish me to do.” - -“Yes, that is the reason. But can’t you keep them out.” - -“Yes, ma’am, if I try.” - -“Do you like to have evil spirits in you, instead of good angels.” - -“Oh no. I love the good angels, and I hate the wicked spirits that make -me do wrong.” - -“How can you keep the wicked spirits out?” - -“By not doing the wrong things they want me to do, and then the good -angels will drive them all away.” - -“I hope, my dear children, as you know so well what is right, that -you will never again let wicked spirits from hell have anything to do -with you. When they again tempt you to plague your brother, Henry, you -must not do it, and then they will go away; and you, James, if Henry -should again be so weak and foolish as to let the evil spirits come -into him, must not let them come into you at the same time. If, instead -of letting them tempt you to strike him, you permit the good angels to -govern you, you will speak kindly to him, and say, ‘Don’t, brother, -please.’ I am sure he will do so no longer. By doing this, you will -help him to cast out the evil spirits who are seeking to destroy him.” - -“How destroy him, mother?” - -“All evil spirits seek to destroy children by making them wicked like -themselves, so that they may be cast into hell. They hate children so -much, that, if they were not restrained by the Lord, they would do them -all manner of harm--would utterly destroy them; for they burn with -hatred towards little children.” - -“But the Lord won’t let them hurt us.” - -“Not if we will keep them out of our hearts. But if we let them come -in, he cannot save us. And, whenever you are angry with each other, -they come into your little hearts. Oh! my dear children, keep out these -dreadful enemies, or they will utterly destroy you.” - -The children burst into tears, kissed each other and their mother -again and again, and promised that they would try and never speak or -act unkindly to one another as long as they lived. We hope they will -not; and that all our little readers will try, like them, to keep evil -spirits far away, that good angels may be round about them and dwell in -their young hearts. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Use of Flowers. - - -“Just one moment longer, cousin Mary; I want to put this flower in your -hair. Now doesn’t it look sweet, sister Aggy?” - -“Oh yes! very sweet. And here is the dearest little bud I ever saw. I -took it from the sweet-brier bush in the lane. Put that, too, in cousin -Mary’s hair.” - -Little Florence, seeing what was going on, was soon also at work upon -Mary’s hair, which, in a little while, was covered with buds and -blossoms. - -“Now she is our May Queen,” said the children, as they hung fondly -around their cousin, who had come into the country to enjoy a few -weeks of rural quiet, in the season of fruits and flowers. - -“And our May Queen must sing us a song,” said Agnes, who was sitting at -the feet of her cousin. “Sing us something about flowers.” - -“Oh yes!” spoke up Grace; “sing us that beautiful piece by Mrs. Howitt, -about the use of flowers. You sang it for us, you remember, the last -time you were here.” - -Cousin Mary sang as desired. After she had concluded, she said,-- - -“Flowers, according to these beautiful verses, are only useful as -objects to delight our senses. They are only beautiful forms in -nature--their highest use, their beauty and fragrance.” - -“I think that is what Mrs. Howitt means,” replied Grace. “So I have -always understood her. And I cannot see any other use that flowers -have. Do you know of any other use, cousin?” - -“Oh yes. Flowers have a more important use than merely giving delight -to the senses. Without them, plants could not produce fruit and seed. -You notice that the flower always comes before the fruit?” - -“Oh yes. But why is a flower needed? Why does not the fruit push itself -directly out from the stem of a plant?” asked Agnes. - -“Flowers are the most exquisitely delicate in their texture of all -forms in the vegetable kingdom. Look at the petals of this one. Could -anything be softer or finer? The leaf, the bark, and the wood of the -plant are all coarse, in comparison to the flower. Now, as nothing -is made in vain, there must be some reason for this. The leaves and -bark, as well as wood, of plants, all have vessels through which sap -flows, and this sap nourishes, sustains, and builds up the plant, as -our blood does our bodies. But the whole effort of the plant is to -reproduce itself; and to this end it forms seed, which, when cast into -the ground, takes root, springs up, and makes a new plant. To form this -seed requires the purest juices of the plant, and these are obtained -by means of the flowers, through the exquisitely fine vessels of which -these juices are filtered, or strained, and thus separated from all -that is gross and impure.” - -“I never thought of that before,” said Agnes. “Flowers, then, are -useful as well as beautiful.” - -“Nothing is made for mere beauty. All things in nature regard use as an -end. To flowers are assigned a high and important use, and exquisite -beauty of form and colour is at the same time given to them; and with -these our senses are delighted. They are, in more respects than one, -good gifts from our heavenly Father.” - -“Oh! how I do love the flowers,” said Agnes; “and now, when I look upon -them, and think of their use as well as their beauty, I shall love them -still more. Are they so very beautiful because their use is such an -important one, cousin Mary?” - -“Yes, dear; I believe this is so. In the seeds of plants there is an -image of the infinity of our great Creator; for in seeds resides a -power, or an effort, to reproduce the plants, that lie concealed as -gems within them, to infinity. We might naturally enough suppose that -flowers, whose use it is to refine and prepare the juices of plants, -so as to free them from all grosser matters, and make them fit for -the important office of developing and maturing seeds, would be -exceedingly delicate in their structure, and, as a natural consequence, -beautiful to look upon. 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