Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-02-26
R + LIGIO US.
THE DIES sTRoYFa ANn HIS YICTIM,


On hot summer dav, a gentleman sat dowr
to think over subject on which his mint
was greatly troubled. He was wondering how
it was that so many of the young men of bin
acquaintance had yielded to temptation, and
been destroyed. He was wondering how the
| great tempter could so seon get them entan-
gled in his nets, and never let them loose again
till they were ruined
| While he was thinking over the subject, be
saw worm moving along softly in the foot
path. He moved quietly and without any
| fear.
"NOw," said the gentleman to himself tithat
| poor worm can 90 safely though it has no rea-
| son to guide it. There lies in wait no destroyer
to entangle it, while our young men with rea-
son and conscience, are being destroyed by
scoresl"
Just then he saw a spider dart across the
path, about foot in front OF the worm. She
cid not appear to be thinking of the worm
nor the worm of her When be got quite
across the path she stopped aud stood STILL
The worm kept on, but soon was brought TO q
stand by small cord, TOO small for our eyes
to see, which the spider had spun as she rush
ed before him. Finding himself stopped, the
worm turned to go back. The instant he
turned, back darted the spider, spinning a new
cord behind hor. The poor worm was now
brought up second time, and twisted and
turned every way 10 escape. He seemed now
to suspect some mischief, for he ran this way
and that way and every time be turned, the
spider darted around him, weaving another
rope. There gradually was no space left for
HIN, except in the direction Of lbe hole ef the
sp'derl That way was left open, but on all
o'her sides, bS darting across and around, the
space was gradually growing less. 1t was no.
ticed too, that every time the worm turned
towards the hole OF the spider, be was Instant
ly henmed in, so that he could not get unite
as far back rs before. So his very agony con-
tinuslly brought MIN nearer the place of death.
II took full hour TO do all his, aud by that
time the worm WAS brought close to the hole
Of his destroyer. He now seemed to feel that
he was helpless, and ii he conld have screamed
he doubtless would have doue SO. And now
the spider eyed him moment, as If enjoying
his terror and laughing at her own skill, and
then darted on him and stuck him with her
fangs. INSTANTLY the life began TO flow out -
Again she stuck him, and the poor Thing rolled
over in agony, and died. Mra Spider now
hitched one OF her little ropes TO her victim,
and drew him into her hole, where she ieasted
AT her leisu re, perhaps counting over the num-
ber OF poor victims whom she had DESTROYED
in The same way before.
When see hoy who goes with bad COM
pahy, and who listens to theii proianp and IL
centlons conversation, think Of the spider
and his victim.
When see boy breaking the Sabbath, by
going of to fish, swim or play;
When sse one disreaarding his father and
mother, and doing what be knows will grieve
them;
When see one occasionally going to the oys.
ter cellar, and to the drinking saloon in COM
pany
When see one going to the theatre, where
nothing good il aisrl"y~d.
when | have reason to suspect that he
takes money from his father or his employer,
which is none OF his, but which he hopes to re-
place
why always think of the spider and her
victim, and mourn that the great DESTROYER ia
weaving his meshes about every such boy and
is drawing him towards his own awful hoaie
The dead nre there