Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-12
Carving a Name.

The children, tired of playing hide-and-
seek among the bushes, sat down TO rest
II never took Joe long TO rest; and by and
by he wandered away from the others, and
finding great, smooth tree, began to carve
his name upon it as high as he could con-
veniently reach. II was slow cutting, aud
before he had finished it the others came to
look at his work.
"Oh, cut my name, too " said Lily.
"Won't you, Joe 2"
al haven't done my own yet"
dwell, you needn't cut it all only make
your first name, and put Lily under it,"
she coaxed.
:" But you see, want my whole name,
aud real deep, too, so it will last for years
and years." answered Joe.
"Never mind, Lily, III cut yours" said
Fred, good-naturedly, and selecting another
tree, he drew his knife from his pocket and
began to carve the letters, while the little
girl watched him.
"There I've put mine where il shall
stay for one while" said joe, when he had
completed his work.
"Fred has put his where it will stay, too"
said Aunt Lucy, who had been quietly look
ing on.
"Fred don't see where he has carved
his name at all" answered Joe.
| "Once upon a time" began Aunt Lucy,
leaning back against tree.
"A story a story I" laughe ed the children,
gathering around her.
"Ouce upon time" she repeated, smil-
ingly, "there was a very ambitious man.
He knew that he must die some time but
he did not want to be forgotten, so he de-
termined to put his name where it would al
ways last. Perhaps he began by carving it
| Axa. - Al.
feled the tree, and his name was gone.
Then he built great monument, and cut
his name on the top it; but the lightning is
drawn to high points, aud his monument
was shattered in a single night. Then he
said, al will find the very highest and most
solid mountain in all the world and | will
cut my name on its topmost rock, and then
it will last" So he Travelled over ocean and
plains, through towns and villages, to find
the mountain. He passed tired people by
the way, who asked him to help them, but
he was too anxious about carving his name,
and he would not stop. At last he found
the highest mountain, and after long and
tedious climbing, he cut his name on the
top Then the earthquake shook the noun
tain and tumbl4d great rocks from its sum-
NIT to the valley below, and his name was
swept away. Tired, disappointed and growing
old, he said, 1T is no use nothing on earth
will last, and will try no more. will be
as happy as ! can, and make others happy
too, and think no more about my name.
so he began to help the poor, to feed the
hungry, and do deeds of kindness wherever
he could, and people began to love him
One day a little girl said to him. Il shall
love you always for helping US so much;
am sure shall never forget you if live q
thousand years.
"'But you will not live as long," hi
answered, with a smile at the child, who
looked up at him so lovingly.
"Yes, shall-a great deal longer she
said. Souls do not die, and I'm sure I'll re
member in heaven, and will remember you.
"Then the man knew that he had now
done what he had been trying to do for SC
long-put his name where it could not be
forgotten written on something that could
not be destroyed"
The children were SILENT and after &
minute Aunt Lucy added, thoughtfully
"But anyone who had been living such {
life of unselfish service to others-a true
good life-would have ceased to be auxiou:
about his name by that time, because h,
would have learned to know the Lord, wht
says to all that serve him: The righteous
shall be held in everlasting remembrance
The Appeal.