The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-06-18
LITTLE FOXES.
Benny's Struggles Against Their Entrance
into His Heart.

into His Heart.
''Telle us the foxes, the little foxes
chat spoil the vines"
This was the verse on Benny's Sab
bath-school card 1t was printed in
large blue letters and surrounded with
. wreath of pink roses. Benny admired
the card, and after looking at it for
some time with pleased face, he be-
gan spelling the text. But che words
puzzled him. He repeated them twice,
and then carried the card to his mother,
who sat sewing by the sitting-room
window.
"What kind of foxes does this mean,
mamma? Baby foxes like the big one
Uncle Will shot last winter? And
what kind of vines do they spoil?"
Mrs. Knox pushed the short curls
away from the questioncr's forehead.
''The vines are our hearts, dear, and
the little foxes are the little sins that
creep in-selfishness, ill-temrer, dis
obedience-oh, a great many such
naughty things. And if one let's these
little foxes get into the heart and stay
there then one will be bad and never
feel happy"
Benny looked straight out of the win.
dow into the green backyard. He was
thinking quite deeply, although he
seemed to be watching fat Mrs. Duck
who was leading her brood of downy
ducklings to the shallow puddle which
Yesterdays rain had left in the hollow
by tho old pear-tree. She quacked at
every step, and each duckling quacked
also as the whole ten of them waddled
along behind her in single file, their
tuft-like little tails jerking with the
prospect OF enjoyment, and their red
webbed feet spatting softly over tho
narrow. muddy trail.
Dear mel" said Benny. 81 should
fink folks needn't let little foxes get
into their hearts ] should find they'd
better look out. don't feel as if there
was any in my heart-not,a single one. "
'Don't You remember little boy who
was very cross only this morning whom
his mamma wished him to do some.
thing? Wasn't the fox of ill-tempa1
spelling his vines then?'
Bcnny's head dropped little. "Spose
So" Then the yellow curis were tossed
back complacently. "But that fox is
beaded, mamma. He won't trouble me
any more. And I'm going to look out
just as sharp for the other foxes. They
| shan't get ahead of me. Whenever
see one trying to spoil my vines shall
drive him right away"
Mrs. Knox smiled little as he re
turned to his picture-bools, and placed
the pretty card between two pages for ;
boolS-mark. How many elder folks hun
for foxes in the assured spirit of this lit
tie five-year-old!
Presently Lottie camo in from schoo
with rosy, happy face, her hair wind
rumpled and her hat on her arm. JUS
soc, mamma. I've most a half pal
of red raspberries Miss Jackson calle'
to Sue Ashton and me as we wer
coming by her house. and gave us eac
some. She said she had more pickle
than she knew what to do with. Wash
she good? I'll pick them over for tie
just as soon as I feed the chickens
There'll be enough for little dishf,
apiece. Don't you think so, mamma?
Mrs. Knox looked into the sma
tin lunch-pail and smiled at Lottie
generosity as she answered that perhal
there were enough berries so that eac
might have scant sauce-dish full
Then Lottie put the pail on the tab
{ beside her bag Of school-books, and hu
ricd out into the backyard to feed Il
hungry, chirping chickens and greco
ducklings which gathered about he
Benny as usually eager to help, b
now he seemed too much absorbed
3 his picture book to notice any thi
else.
Mrs. Knox went out into the kitch
g to make some biscuit for tea. Ben
v shut his book after a little while a
5 peeped into the pail. How Lice
would be to have some Of those
9 liciofs red rasberries to eat with
p biscuit and butter. They would Ia
so good with sugar sprinkled over the
Hc was very fond of raspberries, he t
u hirnself-especially red raspberries.
l. didn't know what harm there could
tasting just one fat berry now. H
% juicy they looked.
y When Lottie came in, Mrs. Knox J
startled by bearing her voice raised