The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-07-28

Those who ought to know what they
are talking about tell US that everything
which meA try to grow in orchard or gar
den or field has iGs enemy; and thls Is
indeed so true that many are discouraged
from trying to raise anything at all.
Palestine was a country of grapes. The
slopes of it's hills were covered with vine
yards; they gave beauty to the land
scape, their rich blanks of Verdure fur
nished pleasing attractiveness to the eye.
There was an enemy that would mar the
beauty, that would destroy the delights
of purple clusters and rich juices squeez-
ed out by the hand. This enemy was the
foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.
Each vineyard had its watch-tower.
When the wine-press was built and the
hedge cast up, the watch-tower was also
erected, that the approach OF despoilers
might be easily seen. Such despoilment
as came by the hand of man could be
warded of, but not so the ravages OF the
foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.
They crept among the vines at night I'M
observed; quickly they laid waste the
fruit Of the labor of many days; they
went away as stealthily as they came,
and only the marks of ruin afterward re-
Vealed their visit to the husbandman.
My friends, there are inroads OF foxes,
little foxes, that soon lay waste beauti-
full character. Its vines might have
spread and filed large portion of'the
earth with their glossy beauty, had 1t not
been for some little foxes, some small
sins, some undetected weaknesses, which
crept In and stole away the rich clusters
OF virtue almost unawares. Little foxes
mar great characters. Many o man Is
great In public life who ia uoor among
his friends; there is the little fox Of dis
courtesy that is spelling the vine upon
which unalloYed greatness might other
wise grow. Many young man, whose
talents should make him shine conspicu-
Gus among his fellows is despised by his
associates, the little fox Of pride is eat
ing into his nobility Of soul. Many q
man might have great influence among
young men, because he 10 rich, because
he has good social qualities, because he
is a mRR Of tact; but mothers keep their
boys out of his company, knowing that
the little fox Of profane and impure
speech is spreading mischief wherever
this man goes. Many q woman might
shine by her natural graces-she was Q
born queen among her sex-but the little
fox OF vanity and folly In dress is robbiug
her OF her Queenly charms and graces.
Many person might be as sunbeam,
bringing raInbows Of glory into discon'
ISOLATE hearts, were It not known that he
10 always smirking, always laughing, that
he takes nothing seriously, that he will
have his Joke when he ought to speak 20
berly; that his speech is filled with friv-
olity; tie little fox of superdciality is at
work. It 10
THE LITTLE FOXES THAT sPoII GREAT
CHARACTERS.
Some great men would always remain
greak II they could be known only by
theix books but every time they dine out
they smash the enthusiastic fancies OF
several young people. Some men would
be heroes to you, just as the boy reads OF
the hero In his fav0rite book and Their
goes to work TO live out that hero In his
own life until every part Of his life feels
the thrill OF his ideal, did you not know
rhem too well. The saying OF the French
IL all too true, Every man is hero ex.
cept to his own valet"
There are, Of course, some magnificent
exceptions to this rule. MIR DingIey, au
thor Of the famous tariff bill, who stood
head and shoulders above most Of bis
colleagues at Washington In all that
goes TO make great qualities of mind,
was hailed with delight by his townspeo-
plo when he won't back TO his home in
Maine, and the young men used to dock
"0the mid .week service III prayer when
4 cy knew be Was going TO be there, be-
cAuse be meant Just what he said and b