Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-11-15
YoUfn,s CoLuns.

IVOAAo CVhCANs
ICam't Helpit.-That was what Harry
Day always said when he was told OF
any of his bad habits: 81 can't help it,
which really meant, IL don't rish to
help it y because weknOw well enough |
that We can every one of us ''help" do
ing wrong if we try in the right way.
Once Harry came upon an old story |
in a worn. sOiled book. which he rOu-
ted out OF a chest in a lumber-clOset, |
and this story set him thinking, as 1T |
may, perhaps, set some other young |
folks thinking about the reason why 1t
is necessary to resist what Is bad In its
earliest beginning.
''LOng ago there lived an old hermit
who had left the busy world for cell
i'm the desert, and who was reputed to
be learned and wise.
"Many people used to visit the lonely
man, that they might receive his ad-
vice and once youth came to him
who begged to stay with him for time
as his pupil.
"The hermit consented, and the first
day he led his young companion into
small wood near to their humble dwell
ing. Looking around, he pointed to
very young oak tree just shooting from
the ground. ;,
"'PulI up that sapling from the root
said he to his pupil, who Obeyed with
ont any difficulty. They went on a
little farther, and the old man pointed
to another tree, also a young one, but
whose roots struck deeper. This was
not SO easy to pull up as the first had
been; but with several efforts 1t was
accomplished
"The third had grown qnite tall and
strong, so that the youth was long
time before he could tear it up; but
when his master pointed to fourth,
which was still larger and stronger, he
found that, try as he might, it was I'M
possible to move it.
"sNow, remember, and take heed to
what you have seen,' said the hermit.
The bad habits and passions of men
are Just like these trees of the wood.
When young and tender they may be
easily overcome, but let them once gain
firm root in your soul, and no human
strength is sufficient to get rid of them.
Watch over your heart, and do not
wait till your faults and passions have
grown strong before you try to uproot
them."
That was the end of the story, but,
as have said, it set Harry Day think
ing, and when 81 can't help it" was ris-
ing to his lips he was ashamed to utter
it. So he set himself to the work of mas
tering his temper, his idleness, and all
that conscience told him was amiss.
Though this is a work that is not done
in an hour, or day, ajmOnth, or even a
year, it will be effected at last (perhaps
after many years. by prayer and per-
severance; nay, it must be done unless
we wish to become the servants and
the slaves of sin.
A Balloon Inuentor.-NOt Montgol-
fer, nor any other man. invented
this balloon; but tiny insect which
makes no noise in the world. A friend
of mine watched her at work making a
balloon, then saw her take her children
and begin journey in it. She was
mother spider, whose family name L do
net know.
Apparently she had become tired of
her old home and wanted to move else
where. So she spun q little gossamer
balloon, shaped somewhat like one Of
the natural divisions of walnut-shuek.
As it grew in Size it would have tioated
away without her had she not fastened
it by ropes of gOssamer to the branch
of a tree.
By and by, when all was done, she
seemed to be saying something to the
cluster of tiny baby spiders that were
clinging to her, probably assuring them
that there was no danger. Then she
again examined her balloon, TO make
sure all was right, and then broke off
the gOssamer rope. The little balloon
rose gently before the breeze. My
friend wished the skilful maker and
bold navigator of the air successful
voyage, as she sailed out of sight. and
he never saw her mOre.-St. Nicholas.
Tit for Tdf.-Jerry had been sick with
the measles. His sister Mary was very
kind to him. She waited upon him at
his meals, and brought him books which
she read to him, and playthlngs, with
which she played with him. She was
very careful to make his sick-room
pleasant.
When Jerry got well his mother said,
How good Mary was to you when you
were sick"
"Yes," said Jerry, she was real kind"
"If you would like to do something
for her In return" said his mother, 81
will tell you how"
81 should, cried Jerry, starting up
with the new idea. "What can do I"
"YOu can take her to ride on your
new sled. You are well and strong
now, and she is not strong you know"
"Well, will do it," said Jerry. 81
will go and ask her this minute"
Jerry, perhaps, did not think of being
grateful to his sister for her tender
care; but when he was reminded of it,
you see how quick he seized the idea
.h.I 70
tude is a little plant which needs
Strengthening.
He put a LATHE Sugar ia.-"Charley,
what is it that makes you so sweet !"
said loving mother one day to her
little boy, as she pressed hip to her
bosom.
81 dess when bod made me out of
dust, he put little thIgar in," said
Charley.
God has put little sugar in the DIS
position of all children. Some keep it
there, and they are always sweet, and
we cannot help loving them. Some
lose the sugar that God gave them, and
then they become sour and disa gree
able. Keep yourselves always sweet,
deal children, with the sugar of love,
and you will always be loved.
The tro children were at play, Her
bert and Emily. Herbert hurt Emily.
He did not mean to. but her finger
smarted and she began to cry.
Herbert did not call her Cry baby" ("
OF Pretty" or Foolish" or "RIdicu-
lOus," and go off in a selfish huff. He
went up to Emily and said in a feeling
tone, 81 am sorry played SO hard as
to hurt you, sister. Will you forgive
me and play again, so that | can be
more cOnsiderate next time.fD
A way of speaking like this would
take the smart out of many a wound.
A little girl who was sent for some
indigo, forgetting the name, asked the
grocer: please, sir, what do people
dye with 7" What do people die with -
exclaimed the grocer; why with the