The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-10
CARELESSNESS.

WISH you WOulu 40 IL AT once
then. borrowed it and have kept it
longer than intended. Wait, though,
until ] wrap it up. 1t is 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 ncces-
sary to give him any further caution.
But, two hours later the old gentle
man setout on his accustomed afternoon
walk As he strolled along n pleasant
shaded path he observed 4 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.
''See them tug!" said one
What do they do it for, any way?"
asked another.
"'Why, they use that ball of earth to
lay their eggs in. y
II don't believe it, said Felix
''It's SO, for my father told me-" said
the other.
Yes, it's so, said grandfather, with
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?h
asked Felix
Eyes. Did you see Mr.. Gay?"
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 him, saw Rover, his
little dog, very busy at something.
Get out of the way. Rove" cried
Felix. Here It's. Ohr'
His face fell in blank dismav as he
raised the book The dog had torn off
the wrapping and had then gnawed off
a corner of the costly volume, of
course entirely running its appearance.
What a mean, mlschievous dogn
exclaimed Felix, ready to cry with re-
greet and confusion.
what Il careless, unreliable bow!
we might perhaps say" said grand
father. "How could you be so negli-
gent Felix. when l trusted you with it
and told you to be careful?"
''rm 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 newspaper from
his pocket and again wrapped up the
book.
Now take it to Mr.. Gay" he said
"Tcll him exactly what has happened,
and say TO him that the loss shall be
made good rs far as | can make it so. "
Felix hung back.
''Grandfather, / can not bear to tell
him." he said.
81 know il is hard, my boy. ! send
you not to punish you, but to try to
give you a 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 few moments he stood before
Mr.. Gay, bravely told his error, and
and showed the sad result, adding very
earnestly:
II only wish it had been something
of NINE that had been spoiled, sir.
guess grandfather right when he says
no one can ever do u wrong thing with
out its hurting some one else"
Yes" said the gentleman" looking
regretfullv at the mischief Your
grandfather is right"
Cant pay for it, sir" asked Felix,
eagerly. III save up every cent of
money, and after awhile I'll have
enough"
Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on the
boys head.
''Ncvcr mind that. 1t is a loss which
no one could make up to me, for the
book was gift of dear friend who is
now dead. But, my boy, if you are
given to careless and negligent ways
in your boyhood you viii 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 a
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
go to work. got situation in large
business house and often had valuable
parcels placed in my care.
at is a pity that | had not deeper
sense of the need of being faithful in
the performance of all duties whether
grca. or small, to the very letter. l
was careless to an extent which led my
mother often to warn me that should
come to serious harm il l did not
mend my ways. paid little heed to
her cautions, feeling quito satisfied
with myself in view of the fact that