St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-05-15
CARELESSNESS.
How Felix Learned That No One Can Do q
Wrong Thing without Hurting Some
One Else.

How Felix Learned That No One Can DO q
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 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 Oh 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.
'.See them tugr' 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.
"Yes. Did you see Mr.. Gay?"
Well-not yet sir. Just waited
few minutes to run a 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 tits. Ohr'
His face fell in blank dismay as he
raised the book. The dog had torn off
the wrapping and had then gnawed off
q Va tHC COStlN VI
course entirely running its appearance.
"What a mean, mischievous dogr'
exclaimed Felix. ready to cry with re-
gret and confusion.
"What a careless, unreliable boyi
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" faltcred Felix.
"But your sorrow will never help
the matter, you see. Nothing which
you can do will help it. All the loss
must fail on others"
Grandfather took a 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 l can make it So"
Felix hung back.
Grandfather, can not bear to tell
him." he said.
~ know it is hard, my boy. 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
MIR. 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. /
guess grandfather's right when he says
no one can ever do a wrong thing with
out its hurting some one else"
''Yes," said the gentleman" looking
regretfully at the mischief. Your
grandfather is right"
Cant | pay for it. SIR" asked Felix,
..I'n save up every cent of
money, and after awhile I'll have
Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on the
boys head.
'.Never 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 will be sure to
work far greater mischief to yourself
and others than the spelling of q |
book. Let me tell you of something
that happened to me when l was =
boy."
He sat down and motioned Felix to q
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. l got situation in a large
business house and often had valuable |
parcels placed in my care.
ut is pity that had not a deeper
sense of the need of being faithful in
the performance of all duties whether
grea: or small, to the very letter.
vas careless to an extent which led my |
mother often to warn me that should |
come to serious harm if | did not |
mend my ways. ] paid little heed to !