The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-10-27
Children 8 Column.
Discovery of Character.

/ cannot tell how it Is, said Robert
Mander to his father with whom he was
walking along the street, " cannot tell
how it is that you are able to judge of
people by their appearance. When l see
a man, if look at him with all my eyes,
! know no more about him than il had
never seen him at all but you are al
ways able to tell me something about
every one we meet.
Il suppose" replied Mr.. Mander,
the reason is, that | look on people
with the eyes of my understanding, as
we'll as my natural eyes A habit of OBJ
servation and reflection will enable US to
see and know many things of which we
should otherwise be ignorant. Now what
do you know OF the man who is walking
a little way before US ?"
Robert looked, and perceived a little
spare man in black, walking few yards
before them, and then said:
81 know nothing at all of him only
that he ls dressed in black"
Nothing at all why though l never
saw him in my life before l understand
something about him at single glance. "
q" Is it possible? Do tell me what you
know about him
Mr.. Mander-" In the first place his
threadbare clothes tell me that he lie
poor; secondly, his stockings neatly
darned bespeak his care and economy
thirdly, his clean busted coat and well
BACKED shoes convince me he is neat
and fourthly the Grape around his hat
shows me he has lately lost a relative.
You see then l have good reasons for
thinking that he is in poor circumstances,
neat and frugal in his habits, and mas
suffered affection.
al never should have found out so
much" replied Robert.
Mr.. Mander and his son continued to
follow the man in black for some distance
when he asked his son if he had discov-
cred anything of the character of the
individual before them.
Robert answered: Not single thing
more than you have told me.
Mr.. Mander-" Why 1 understand
much more of him than I did before
Robert" What can you have found
out now?'
Mr.. Mander-" Did you not observe
how pleasantly he spoke when the baker
pushed against him with his basket
Now if he were not good tempered he
would have fallen into passion. Then
did you not see how carefully he picked
up the little child which had fallen in
the pathway. There can be no doubt OF
mis- kindness. When we were at the book
stall l noticed that the books he selected
were religious ones. So think he must
be good humored, kind hearted, and l
nope pious man.
Robert" When you point out these
things father, they seem as plain as A B
G, but should not have discovered them
myself"
After walking little longer behind
the stranger, Robert was again asked by
his father if he had made any more dis.
coveries
Surely Robert you are not making
the best use OF your eyes, for l have per.
ceived several additional good qualities
In passing the aims house he dropped a
coin in the lap of the poor blind woman
who was knitting at the door, he must be
charitable he made way for the butcher
who has Just gone by with heavy tray
so he is kind and considerate, and he
bowed to the gentleman on horseback, in
a manner which shows me he has been
Well Drought up. 1nereIore al laSC being
certain of the case, have little doubt
that although poor, he is respectable, fru-
gal, good humored, considerate, of hum
bic mind, and good manners.
AS they passed through the turnpike
gate Mr.. Mander asked the keeper WHIT
the person was who had just gone by.
Oh" replied the man, 4" that is poor
Mr.. Withers, he is not as we'll as he has
been, but for all that there is not better
man, nor one that has kinder heart in
the whole parish.-JuUeoiLe MiSceLJony