The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-09-13

Let us hasten, then, and catch them
As they pass way;
And with honest true endeavor
Learn little every day.
Let MS road some striking q passage,
Gull from every page,
Hero line and there o sentence
'Ganst tho lonely time Of age;
At our work, or by the wsyside,
While the sunshin ines making hay;
Thus we may, by help Of Heaven,
Learn little every day.
oBsTINAcY.
Horace Carter was young man who
possessed many excellent traits, and had ,
accordingly, won the good opinion of all
who knew him, but he had, unfortunately,
this fault-hejwas extremely obstinate. He
would never allow himself to be persuaded
into any measure, however reasonable it
might be, If he had previously decided
against it; and this fault he was only cured
Of by q severe lesson, as the following in
stance will show.
Horace, having ample means at his COM
-mand, and having no business qualifica-
tions, had adopted the pursuit of science,
and devoted himself to the study of botany
and geology. He was SO earnest in his re-
searches in these branches, that he made
long tours of investigation to far-off coun-
tries, and endured many hardships in his
endeavors to make new discoveries in bis
favorite pursuits. On one occasion he
found himself with a small party of natur-
alists, as eager and devoted as himself, in
the depths of Brazilian forest. 1t was a
rule among these associates that the camp
should never be altogether deserted, as
there was danger of their belongings being
carried off by dishonest Indians, who were
constantly prowlipg about the neighbor-
hood.
One morning it happened that but three
Of the party remained at the camp. Hor
ace, one of his fellow lovers of science, and
8 lad, the nephew of the latter,-the rest
ty some miles distant.
"Would you mind, Merton, If left you
for an hour or so 2" inquired Horace of his
companion. 81 think l saw some speci-
mems growing about quarter Of mile
from here, and 1 would like to collect
them,"
"I have no objections, Horace, l am
sure,n answered his friend "but l beg
you to take your rife with you, one is
never safe without arms in this dangerous
place."
Horace laughed. s'I am not afraid of
monkeys OF parrots" he said; "and if a boa
constructor were to catch me, would have
to resign myself, suppose. ALI the rifles
in the world would do me but little good,
if in the grip of one of those monsters SO
don't think I will trouble myself with
other accoutrements than my press-book
and scissors"
"But, Horace, it ia decidedly fool hardy
to tempt the uncertainties of this place. 1t
is true we have as yet encountered nothing
more dangerous than monkeys and parrots,
but what would you do it you were to en-
counter puma for instancef you know
that they sometimes attack men, and tue
Indians say they are numerous around
here"
"Well, have said would go unarmed,
and am not given to altering my mind easi
Iry frtn nd
knowing his peculiar disposition, did not
argue the point. But as soon as Horace
had proceeded a short distance from the
camp, his friend called his nephew, and,
slinging the rife over his shouldier, bade
him follow Horace, at a little distance.
by artfully eludiDg the rapid glances that
Horace habitually cast around him. Fin |
ally Horace passed before an enormous /
rock, and began to gather some plants that |
grew in it's crevices. AS he was thus en- |
gagged. loud rustling in the rank, heavy
grass broke the stiffness of the place.
Horace, intent upon his specimens, did |
raise his eyes; but tho lad saw with terror |
that q large puma was steathily approach |
ing him. Fastening to the side of Horace,
he exclaimed "Take your rifle and save |
yourself! a puma is about to attack you J"
The bewiIdered Horace hastily turned |
to see the beast, with distended jaws, pre- |
pairing to spring upon him. Grasping his
rifle, he took hasty aim. The bullet en-
tered the mouth of the puma, and, with |
growl, it rolled over, dead.
Horace and his young companion went
over to the PROSTATE animal, and, having
satisfied themselves that it was ifeless,
dragged 1t with them to the camp. It proved
to be the largest ever found in the neigh
borhood.
The friend of Horace was too generous
to upbraid him with the obstinacy that had
exposed him to cruel death, and quietly re-
ceived his thanks for having bade his nephew
follow him. But the lesson proved valu-
full fault that had marred his otherwise am
liable disposition.-G~GrdiGn AngeI.
The French Temperance Association has
recently Issued its annual report, from
which we learn chat during the past year
the police have arrested 52,626 persons in