The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-04-10
HEEDL5SSNESS.

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 l can, grandfather.
II wish you would do it at once
then. borrowed it and have kept it
longer than l intended. Wait, though,
until ] wrap it up. 1t is handsome
binding, you sec, and l should be very
sorry 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 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.
DtC ullCll JuS odlNl OllCs
what do they do it for, any way?"
asked another,
"Why, they use that ball of earth to
lay their eggs in. y
81 don't believe it, said Felix.
"It's so, for my father told me" said
the other.
eyes, 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 youP'
asked Felix.
"Yes. Did you see Mr. Gay?"
d" 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?"
"Oh, that's all safe, sir. I hid il
right behind this tree"
He ran towards it and his grand
father, following him, saw Rover, hi'
little dog, very busy at something.
"Gct out of the way, Rove" CRIED
Felix. Here It's. Ohr'
His face fell in blank dismay as hi
raised the book. The dog had torn of
the wrapping and had then gnawed of
a corner of the costly volume, o.
course entirely running its appearance
"What mean, mischievous dog
exclaimed Felix, ready to cry with re
| gret and confusion.
"What a careless, unreliable boy
we might perhaps say" said grand
father. "How could you be so negli
gent Felix, when trusted you with i
and told you to be carefulP'
I'm sorry faltcred Felix.
"But your sorrow will never hell
the matter, you see. Nothing which
you can do will help it. All the los
must fall on others"
Grandfather took newspaper from
his pocket and again wrapped up tn
book.
NOW take it to Mt. Gay" he said
"Ten him exactly what has happened
and say to him that the loss shall b
made good as far as l can make it so.
Felix hung back. ...
Grandfather, can not bear to tel
him" he said.
al know it is hard, my boy. / sen
you not to punish you, but to try t
give you ii lesson which you may IT
member.
Felix thought it the hardest lesso
which could have been set him, br
cOwardice was not one of his fault
and in few moments he stood befor
Mr.. Gay, bravely told his error, an
and showed the sad result, adding yer
earnestly:
81 only wish it had been somethin
of NINE that had been spoiled, sir.
guess grandfather S right when he so,
no one can ever DO a wrong thing wit
out its hurting some one else. -
Eyes, said the gentleman" loOEir
regretfully at the mischief. ''YOl
grandfather is right"
Cant pay for it, sir, asked Fell
. eagerly. "I'n save up every cent
r money, and after awhile III ha
> enough"
, Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on t
+ boys head.
1 "Never mind that. II is a loss viii
, no one could make up to me, for t
: book was a gift of a dear friend who
: now dead. But, my boy, if you a
e given to careless and negligent wa
s in your boyhood you will be sure
q work far greater mischief to yours
Q and others than the spelling of
IS book. Let me tell you of Somethi
]. that happened to me when was
boy"