St. Landry democrat., 1886-04-10
NEEDLES NESS.

How Felix Learned That No One Can Do a
Wrong Thing Without Hurting Some
One Else.
"Felix, my boy, can you carry this
book over to Mr. Gays for me?"
! "'Course | can, grandfather.
II wish you would do it 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
sor,y if it were to receive any injury
Felix took the book and went out,
MS 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 a little group
the ground, and going near saw that
they We're intently Interested in the
motions of two beetles.
Sc; 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.
Il don't believe it, said Felix.
'Its 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?'
asked Felix.
Eyes. Did you sec Mr. Gay?"
Well-not Yet sir. Just waited
few minutes to run race with the
boys, and then we saw these beetles
and
but where is the book?'
ooh, that's all safe, Sill. I hid i:
right behind this tree
He ran towards it and his grand
father, following him, saw Rover, his
little dog, very busy at something.
Get ont of the way. Rove cried
Felix. Here It's. OH
His face fell in blank dismay as he
raised the book. The dog had torn off
a corner Of the costly volume, of
course entirely running its appearance.
" What a mean, mischievous dog"
exclaimed Felix. ready to cry with re-
greet and confusion.
what careless, unreliable bow!
we might perhaps say" said grand
father. How could you be so negli-
gent Felix, when | trusted YOU with it
and told you to be careful?''
I'm sorry faltered 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.
"Tell him exactly what has happened,
and say to him that the loss Shall be
made good as far as | can make it so.n |
Felix hung back.
''Grandfather, can not bear to tell |
him." he said.
81 know it is hard, my boy. l send
you not to punish you, but to try to
give you lesson which you may re-
Felix thought it the hardest lesson
which could have been set him, but
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
Il only wish it had been something
Of NINE that had been spoiled, sir. I
guess grandfather's right when he says
40 one can ever do wrong thing with
out its hurting some one else
Yes, said the gentleman" looking
'egretfully at the mischief. Your
grandfather is right
Cant pay for it, SIR" asked Felix,
eagerly. 'I'll save up every cent of
money, and after awhile I'll have
Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on the
foy's head.
''Never mind that 1t is a loss which
10 one could make up to me, for the
book was gift of dear friend who is
low dead. But, my boy, if you are
given to careless and negligent ways
n your boyhood you will be sure to
work far greater mischief to yourself
md others than the spelling of a
book. Let me tell you of something
hat happened to me when l was a
10Y"