The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-17
BDDEFORD, ME-, MORNING. FEBRUARY II, 1860.
leave fellow any chance at all to get vcx-

leave fellow any chance at all to get vcx-
cd"
"That might be an objection to them"
said Giles, " if any one was wiser, better, OF
happier for getting vexcd. l think they are
sensible rules. 1t is foolish to vex ourselves
about anything that can be helped, and it
il useless to yex ourselves about what can't
be helped. Let us assist each other to re-
member and obey these two simple rules
What say you?"
"I'll agree to'i.," said Fred, who was
usually ready to agree to anything his broth
er proposed, ifit was only proposed good
humOredly.
That's too bad" exclaimed Fred, the
next morning, while making preparations
for school.
What is the mattcr?" inquired Giles.
"I have broken my shoe-stripg, and it is
vcxatious I'm in a such hurry"
" Is is yexatious, no doubt" replied Giles,
but you must not get ycxed; for this is
one of the things that can be helped. You
can find a string in the left corner of the up
per drawer in mothers bureau."
But we shall be late at school," said
Fred.
" No we shan't, "said Giles. ave shall
only have to walk little faster. Besides,
if you keep cool, you will find the string,
and put it in much sooner than you can il
you become yexed and worried"
That's true" said Fred, us he started for
the string, quite restored to good humor.
Several opportunities occurred during the
day for putting in practice the newly adopt
cd rules. The best was this:
In the evening Giles broke the blade OF
his knife, while whiting hard piece OF
wood.
alt can't bo helped" said Fred, {" so you
must not get yexcd about it,"
" 1t might have been helped" said Giles,
"but can do better than to fret about it,
| can learn lesson of care for the future
which may some day save knife more val
uablc than this. The rules work well. Lets
try them tomorrow"
The next morning Fred devoted an hour
before school 10 writing composition. Al
ter he had written half.a-dozen lines hif
mother called him off to do something fol
her. During his absence, his sister Lucy
made use of his pen and ink to write hcl
name in school-book. In doing this she
carclcSsly let fall drop OF ink on the page
he was writing. Fred returned while she
was busily employed in doing what she could
to repair the mischief.
Z" You have made great blot on my com
position" he exclaimed, looking over hei
shoulder.
Z" am very sorry. l did not mean to dc
it," said Lucy.
Fred was so vcxcd that he would have an
swercd his sister very roughly if Giles had
not interposed.
Take care, Fred; you know the thing
is done and can't be helped"
Fred tried hard to suppress his vexation
:" | know it was an accident" he said pleas
antly, after brief struggle with himself.
Lucy left the room, and Fred sat down
again to his composition. After momcn,
no looked up. "No great harm is done
after all" he said. "Two or three alterI.
tions are much needed, and If write i; over
again, | can make them"
$50 much fora cool head and not getting
vexed," said Giles laughing. "0ur rule
works WE'LL"
At night Fred tore his pants while climb.
my ONcr IL lcHCc. ludt too pau, H'
SAID.
at can't be helped" said Giles; "thcy
can be mendcd."
"The way to helpit is what troubles me,
said Fred. al don't like to ask mother, shC
has SO much TO do"
Giles proposed that he should get over his
difficulty by asking Lucy to do the job fol
him, us her mother had taught her to mend
very neatly. Fred was not at first disposed
to adopt this measure. He knew that Lucy
dislikcd mcnding very much, and was afraid
she would be cross, il asked to do it; but al
last decided to run the risk of that. They
found Lucy busily employed with piece o.
embroidery, and quite absorbed with hei
work. Fred looked significantly at Giles
when he saw how his sister was employed
but he concluded no had gone too far to re,
treat, and must make bold push.
Z" i wish to ask great favor of you, Lucy
but fear have come in the wrong time,
said Fred.
"What do you want?" said Lucy.
:" am almost afraid ts tell you. It's toe
bad to askyo to do what know you dis
like"
:" You are good while at getting to what
is wanted" said Lucy, laughing. Come,
out with it,"
Fred, thus encouraged, held up his foot
and displayed the rent.
"Well, take them off will do my best, y
said Lucy, chcerfully.
." You are dear, good sister," said Fred
"When saw what you was about, tho't
you would notbe.willing to do it,"
"My uncommon amiability quito puzzles
you, does it?" said Lucy, laughing. 81
shall have to let YOU into the secret. 10 tell
the truth, have been thinking all day what
could do for you in return for your not got.
ting vexcd with me for blotting your compo-
sitiOn. So now you have it,"
so much for our rules" exclaimed Giles
triumphantly. They work to charm"
Z" What rules ?" inquired Lucy
" We must tell Lucy all about it," said
Giles.
They did tell her all about it, and the re-
suit was, that she agreed to join them in try
iug the new rulcs.-Merry'S Museum.
SPEECH WITHOUT WORDS.