The Phoenix herald., 1879-05-31
The ProdigaI Boy.

One fine autumnal afternoon as , country gentleman, named Loui, Dwight, was out for an hours ride il his vehicle, he came upon a group oI urchins sporting in the road, and among them saw his son, a boy of ten, flying his kite. The novel thought struck him of giving his son ride, while still flying his kite, and so by his desire the child took the seat by his side, the horse trotted on, and the kite-string through the back of the wagon, still held by the pleased youngster, main tained the travelling kite in the air. It was, however, not long before the boy lost his hold of the stick, upon which the kite rapidly descended from it's gay attitude, and disappearing behind some trees, fell into a swamp beyond
 To regain what was SO much prized by his son, if possible, without too much effort, the father drove back, and now saw that one of the group of chiI- dren had already started in pursuit of the missing toy, and was vending his difficult course through the swamp, from which in due time he made his way back, with a shout of joy, bring ing the unharmed kite and it's roll of twine, which on reaching the road, he presented with smiling grace to their owner.
 You are a gallant and unseIfsh boy, said MT. Dwight, giving him a handful of pence; "what is your name?"
 Herbert Archley,' said the youth, blushing at the compliment and lifting his cap in recognition of it; and then, turning to his playmates, he divided <ar7a r1r7r hor7 hot T.. l,1 L tossing the coins into the air and say ing:
 Come, boys, here's for a scram- ble p
 His companions proved themselves not slow to accept the offer, and young Archley, sharing in the scramble with high glee, took his scant portion with the others.
 You are too generous by half" ex- claimed Mir. Dwight, admiring the boys benevolence quite as much as his good-natured service and politeness. You must learn to be more careful of your means-when you grow older, at least; or you will find 1t a thankless and very rude world to live in."
 "Ah, sir," said the boy, with a brighter glance even than before, and again dofing his cap, father taught me never to be mean, and to be unsel- fish always makes me feel happy"
 His looks told the truth as eloeuently as his words and tone, as he stood there in the road, his fine, open, hand some face rosy with health and beam ing with intelligence and joy-a far more beautiful object to contemplate than even the declining sun, whose light displayed him to such advantage.
 s'The sun is lengthening your shadow, my boy" said the gentleman, refecting for a moment. 'fAnd even so 1t is with the light of experience, which in- creases the shade of sorrow the longer it shines. Take my advice, my boy, and hereafter never give all your spare money away. Be liberal, as your father taught you but save at least half for yourself. There is no virtue in being prodigal; often it is an error, and prevents both the power to be just and to be generous.
 (" thank you, sir, for the advice, and l will remember and try to fol- low it."
 |" Good afternoon, my boy p
 Goodbye, sir
 As they rode home, which was not far from the neighborhood, Mir. Dwight learned from his son that Herbert Arch ley was a poor boy, living with his widowed mother; that he was a forward scholar, and so generally a favorite that presents were often made to him, and these he almost as often dis tributed among his comrades, between whom he seemed to make but little dis tinction.
 Within few days Mir. Dwight again met young Archley. and repeating his injunction to save half at least, ,'' gave him a money-box for that pur- pose. And the boy, smiling, again promised, and, applauded by his mother, did as he had been advised,