The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-04-07
CAREIESSNESS.

''Course can, grandfather.
"a wish you would do it at once
then. l borrowed it and have kept it
longer than intcnded. Wait, though,
until ] wrap it up. 1t is a handsome
binding, you see. and should be very
sorry if it were to receive any injury
Felix took the book and went out,
his grandfather thinking it not neces-
sary to give him any further caution.
But. two hours later the old gentle
man set out on his accustomed afternoon
walk. As he strolled along pleasant
shaded path he observed little group
of boys STOPPING over something on
the ground. and going near saw that
they were intently interested in the
motions of two beetles.
''Sec them tug" said one.
''What do they do it for. any wayo'
asked another.
..Why. they use that ball of earth to
lay their eggs in.
Il don't believe it." said Felix.
Its so, for my father told me- said
the other.
a smile, touching Felix's cheek with
the end of his cane.
The boys sprang up in surprise at
seeing him bending over them.
"Why. grandfather. is that you?'
asked Felix.
"Yes. Did you see Mr.. Gayp"
Well-not yet sir. Just waited
a few minutes to run race with the
boys, and then we saw these beetles
and
but where is the book?'
"Oh, that's all safe, sir. | hid it
right behind this tree
He ran towards it and his grand
father, following Kim, saw Rover. his
little dog, very busy at something.
Get out of the way, Rove" cried
Felix. Here It's. Ohr'
What Il mean. mischieyous dogr'
exclaimed Felix. ready to cry with re-
Grtt and confusion.
What Il careless, unreliable boy!
we might perhaps say" said grand
father. How could you be so negli-
gen, Felix, when l trusted you with it
and told you to be carefulP'
I'm sorry faltcred Felix.
'.But your sorrow will never help
the matter you see. Nothing which
you can do will help it. All the loss
must fall on others.
Grandfather took a newspaper from
his pocket and again wrapped up the
book.
Now take it to Mr. Cav he said.
"Tcll him exactly what has happened,
and say to him that the loss shall be
made good as far as can make it so"
Felix hung back.
''Grandfather, l can not bear to tell
him." he said.
II know it is hard, my boy. l send
You not to punish you, but to try to
give you lesson which you may re-
member"
Felix thought it the hardest lesson
which could have been set him, but
cOwardice was not one Of his faults,
and in a few moments he stood before
Mr.. Gay. bravely told his error, and
and showed the sad result, adding very
earnestly:
~ only wish it had been something
of mlne that had been spoiled, sir. /
guess grandfathers right when he says
no one can ever do a wrong thing with
out its hurting some Que else"
.'Yes," said the gentleman" looking
regretfully at the mischief. Your
grandfather is right
Cant l pay for it. sir, y asked Felix.
eagerly. .I'll save up every cent of
money, and after awhile I'll have
enough.
Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on the
boys head.
'.Never mind that. 1t is II loss which
no one could make up to me, for the
book was a gift of a dear friend who is
now dead. But, my boy, il you are
given to careless and negligent ways
in your boyhood you will be sure to
work far greater mischief to yourself
and others than the spelling of a
book. Let me tell you of something
that happened to me when was
boy
He sat down and motioned Felix to a
chair
when was not many years older
than you are my father died and had
to stop going to school for awhile and
20 to work. got a situation in large
business house and often had valuable
parcels placed in my care.
ut is pity that | had not deeper
sense of the need of being faithful in
the performance of all duties whether
grea. or small, to the very letter. l
WIS N0ACiCoS W dn eAtCht WHICH MY
mother often to warn me that should
come to serious harm if I did not
mend my ways. ! paid little heed to
.her cautions, feeling quite satisfied
with myself in view OF the fact that
no one could bring IL shade Of rcproach
against my honesty or my truthfulness.
Zone day was given a parcel TO car
ry to the bank.
.'.Bc careful they said. 1T contains
seven hundred dollars.
81 had secure inside pocket and
had little fear of any loss. As / took
my way towards the banl, saw an ex-
cited crowd gathered about one Of the
principal newspaper Offices. 1t was
during tho darkest days Of the war and
] soOn learned that come stirring news
wAs being received.
"Of course had no business to stop.
The news would bsye been AS well re-
ported without any supervision of mine.
Bat looked atmy watch and saw that
/ hail nearly an hour to spare. 80
threw myaah into the crowd and Joined
my voice with the enthusiastic cheers
which s0se higher and wilder ~ each
paTticulsr a oas OF Grants earliest