The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-27
FELIX.

WISH YOU Wuulu w ~ ~ once, tnen'
I have borrowed it and kept 1t longer
than intended. Wait, though, until
wrap 1t up. 1t is a handsome binding,
you see, and | should be very sorry II 1t
were to receive any injury"
Felix took the book and went out, his
grandfather thinking 1t not necessary to
give him any further caution.
But two hours later the old gentleman
set out on his accustomed afternoon walk.
As he Htrolled along q pleasant shaded
path no observed little group OF boys
stopping over something on the ground,
and going near saw that they were intent.
ly interested in the motions OF two bee
ties.
"sse them tugl" said one.
"What do they do 1t for, anyway"
asked another.
"WAy, they use that ball Of earth TO lay
their eggs In. f."
~ don't believe It," said Felix.
"lts 80 for my father told me-" said
the other,
"Yes, lt'a So" said grandfather with a
smile, touching Felix cheek with the end
Of his cane.
The boy sprang up in surprise at seeing
him bending over them.
"Why, grandfather, is that you q! asked
Felix.
Eyes, Did you sac Mr.. Gay2"
"Well-not yet, air. Just waited a
few minutes to run o race with the boys,
and then we saw these beetles-and-
"But where Ia the book?"
"0h, that's all safe, sir. l hid 1t right
behind this tree"
He ran toward 1t, and his grandfather,
following him, saw Rover, his little dog,
very busy al something,
"Get out OF the way, Rover" cried
Felix. Here t'is. OIL"
His face fell In blank dilmay as he raised
the book, The dog had torn OF the wrap.
ping, and had then gnawed oil a corner OF
tho costly volume, OF course entirely ruin
ing its appearance.
"What mean, mischUivous dog!" ex-
claimed Felix, ready to cry with regret
and confusion.
"What careless unreliable boy! we
might perhaps say" said grandfather.
"How could you be so negligent, Felix,
when l trusted you with 1t, and told you
to be cArefulP"
"I'm sorry" ialtered 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 a newspaper from his
pocket, and again wrapped up the book.
snow, take 1t TO Mr.. Gay, he said. "Tell
him exactly what has happened, and say
to him that the loss shall be made good Rs
far as l can make itso."
Felix hung back.
"Grandiather, l can not bear to tell
him." he said.
II know 1t is hard, my boy. Isend you
not to punish you, but 10 try to give you a
Lesson which you may remember"
Felix thought 1t the hardest lesson
which could have been set him, but
cowardice was not one OF his faults, and
In o few moments he stood before Mr..
Gay, bravely told his error, and showed
the sad result, adding very earnestly:
II only wish 1t had been something Of
mine that had been spoiled, sir. guess
grandfather's right when he says no one
can ever do wrong thing without its
hurting some one else"
aye" said the gentleman, looking re-
gretfully at the mischief. "Your grand.
father Is right"
"Can't l pay for it, sir2" asked Felix,
eagerly. "I'll save up every cent OF
money, and aitera whileIll have enough"
Mr.. Gay laid his hand kindly on the
boys head.
"Never mind that. It was a loss which
no one could make up to me, for the book
was the gift Of o dear friend who is now
dead. But, my boy, II you are given to
careless and negligent ways in your boy.
hood, you will be sure 10 work far greater
mischief TO yourself and others than the
spelling Of book. Let me tell you oil
something that happened to me when
was a boy"
He sat down and motloned Felix to q
chair.
"When l was not many years older than
you are my father died, and had to stop
going to school for awhile and 20 to work,
| got situation In large business house,
and often had valuable parcels In my care
ut Ia a pity that / had not a deeper
sense Of the need Of being faithful in The
performance Of all duties, whether great
or small, 10 the very letter. was care
less 10 an extent which led my mother
often to warn mo that should come to
serious harm II did not mend my ways
! paid little heed to her cautions, feeling
quite satisfied with myself In view OF the
fact that no one could bring a shade Of re-
proaOh against my honesty or truthful
ness.
zone day I was given aparceli to carry
10 the bank.
abe careful they said, 1T contains
500
n had a secure inside pocket and had
little fear OF any loss. Az took my way
towards the bank saw an excited crowd
gathered about one OF the principal news
paper offices. II was during the darkest
DAYS OF the war, and | soon learned thai
some stirring news was being received.
"Oi course had no business 10 stop
The news would have been as well report
ed without any supervision Of mine. But
| looked at my watch and saw that ! had
nearly an hour to spare, so | threw myself
into the crowd and Joined my voice with
the enthusiastic cheers which rose higher
and wilder as each particular one o.
Grants earliest victories was given out
Time and prudence were lost sight OIL un
Ill the last item was learned.
"Then | rushed 10 the bank 10 be faced
by the iorbidding looking card; Banl
Closed.
~ had not been specially told 10 depos
II that day, but Of course II was Under
stood that / should. II would have beer
the tight thing for mo 10 have carried !
back aud have II placed IN the safe but
was ashamed Of having II known that
had loitefed, 80 committed second IN
faithful act 10 conceal the tlrst, always q
dangerous thing 10 do, The only way Z
make amends Tor a fault 10 10 confess !
At once" ..
~ carried home the money and hid |
Ia The safest place knew Of, You ina!
be sure II was . heavy weight on m!
mind, and 90 night settled down II grew
heavier and heavier, resolved not I,
sleep, but lay awake listening Tor ever