Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-01-04


An old lion, with shaggy locks, invited a
nice, sleek fox, whom he met, to visit his
home. The fox was quite delighted with the
attention of the king of beasts, whose fame
had spread through the forest, and he accepted
the invitation. Arriving at the threshold of
his den, he cunningly hesitated for a moment
and drew back, whereupon the lion urged him
to 20 in and to make himself at home. Per-
haps the lion thought that Mr.. Fox was
bashful in the presence of strangers, and iof
this reason hesitated to meet Mrs. Lion and
her family.
"No,' said the fox at length; "Isee no
tracks coming oui."
That was the secret of his hesitation. His
keen eye discovered proof that visitors to that
abode never came out. The great lion ap-
peared honest and friendly, but the tracks at
the door showed that be was deceiver and
murderer. So, not wishing to be served up
in sayory dish for the lions family the wise
fox took to his heels and ran away.
The fox was more sagacious than many
boys are. The latter care little or nothing
for tracks much less for the way the tracks
run, and so they rush into evil ways from
which they never escape.
We once visited prison to address the
criminals confined therein. Most Of them were
under twenty-five years Of age; many Of them
were not yet eighteen years old mere boys
In the course Of our remarks, we said
"Doubtess many Of you can put your fin
ger upon the first wrong act which started
you off in the way Of crime. Perhaps you
can recall the day and hour when you de-
cided to do that which brought you finally to
this place"
On leaving the prison, one Of the officers
came to us and said
- B is confined here for
breaking into a store, and he says that you
are tight, that he knows the very hour when
an older brother induced him to do what he
knew was very wrong, and the act started
him off to ruin"
That is it, Ii he had been as shrewd ms
the fox, he would have observed that all the
tracks at the entrance of that evil way went
IN and not 0uf.
a few years ago youth of seventeen was
convicted of theft in Boston. Three years
before he was member Of the Sabbath
school, and worshped regularly with his
widowed mother each Sabbath. But he
formed new associates. They laughed at
him for being tied to his mothers apron
strings" going to the Sunday school, and
becoming A" so pious as to 60 to meeting every
sabbath" They wouldn't give up their pleas.
ure for such trash If he would come with
them they would insure him more fun than
he could have in all his lifetime by sticking
so close to his mother.
That was the lion over again, inviting the
fox to his dwelling, only the widows son did
not see it. lie did not stop to observe which
way the tracks ran. He disregarded his
mothers wishes, and left the Sabbath school
and the house of worship. Then he was seen
riding out of the city on the Lords Day with
his fast companions. His whole appearance
was changed he became vulgar, profane and
rowdyish. What money he got was spent in
wickedness; and he wanted more. 1t takes
a long purse to serve Satan with. How should
he get more money! Not honestly; for that
would not be like the master whom he served
He resolved to steal it, and he did he was
sent to prison for the crime. His footprints
show that he did not come out Of that lions
den which his new companions invited him to
enter.
One cold, winter evening we were address
ing children's meeting, in Boston. While
speaking, a ragged, dirty, wretched man en-
tered and took his seat by the door. Though
he was drunkard, he listened. At the close
Of the meeting he made his way to the desk
and graspng the speaker by the hand, ex-
claimed
" am drunkard beyond recovery" and
the tears streamed down his checks, and his
form shook with emotion.
Looking him in the eye, and observing the
traces Of intellect and manliness there, We re-
piled;
You look as if you might be saved, and as
if you were worth saving"
lie answered in still more chilling tone,
" | am drunkard beyond recovery | sold
my shirt for rum to-day, sold my stock.
ings for rum to-day" And he went on to
say that the cause Of his degradation was the
beer and wine which he drank in his boy
hood BY and by his appetite was too strong
to be denied
Observe the tracks, boys. Mind whittier
your steps lead Suffer not the tempter to
lead you into his trap. The lion is kind aud
friendly when he wants you to visit his den 4;
he is lion for all that. Look out for him.
Whenever you sec no returning tracks, refuse
to enter.