Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-04-19

But Bonaparte soon came to n con-
clusion as to the nature Of the book
and its contents by the application Of
n simple rule now largely acted upon,
but which. becoming universal, would
save much thought and valuable time.
1t is of marvellous simplicity, Of in
finite utility, of universal applicability.
1t may easily be committed to memory
and runs thus:
Whenever you come into contact
with any book. person or opinion of
which you absolutely comprehend
nothing. declare that book, person or
opinion to be immoral. Bespatter it,
vituperate against 1t, strongly insist
that any man or woman harboring 1t
Is fool or n knave. or both. Care
FULLY abstain from studying It. Do all
that in you lies to annihilate that book,
person or opinion.
Acting on this rule, 50 wide In its
comprehensiveness, so beautifully SIM
pie in its working, Bonaparte ap-
preached Tant' Sannie with the book
in his hand. Waldo came step nearer,
eying it like n dog whose young has
fallen into evil hands.
This book" said Bonaparte, els not
n fit and proper study for a young and
inEiature mind"
Tant Sannie did not understand a
word and said:
"WhatT
"This book" said Bonaparte, bring
ing down his finger with energy on
The cover, "this book Is sleg, sleg,
davel, davelp'
Tant Sannie perceived from the
gravity of his countenance that II was
no laughing matter. From the words
sleg and davel she understood that the
book was evil and had some connec-
tion with the prince who pulls the
wires of evil over the whole earth
Where did you get this bookY' she
asked, turning her twinkling little eyes
on Waldo. 81 wish that my legs may
be as thin as an Englishman's If 1t
isn't one Of your fathers. He had
more sins than all the Kaffirs In KAT
firland, for all that he pretended to be
so good all those years and to live with
out wife because he was thinking of
the one that was dead! AS though ten
dead wives could make up for one fat
one with arms and legsP cried Tant
Sannle, snortlng.
ut was not my fathers book" said
the boy savagely. II got 1t from your
loft"
my loft! My bookl How dare your
cried Tant' Sannie.
'.It was Ems fathers. She gave IL
me-" he muttered, more sullenly.
"Give Ii here. What Is the name OF
1t? What is 1t aboutT she asked, put
ting her finger upon the title.
Bonaparte understood,
Political economy" he said slowly.
Dear Lordr said fant Sannie.
Cannot one hear from the very sound
what an ungodly book II isf One can
hardly say the name. Haven't we got
curses enough on this farm cried
Tant' Sannie eloquently-~my best Inn
ported Merino ram dying OF nobody
knows what, and the Shorthorn COW
casting her two calves, and the sheep
eaten up with the scab and the
drought? And is this q time to bring
III ,odly things about the place, to call
down the vengeance Of Almighty God
to punish us more? Didn't the minis
ter tell me when | was confirmed not
to read any book except my Bible and
hymnbook; that the devil was In all
the rest? And l never have read any
other book" said Tant' Sannie, with
vigorous energy, "and / never willp
Waldo saw that the fate OF his book
was sealed and turned sullen1y ON his
heel.
$50 you will not stay 10 hear what
sayp cried Tant' Sannie There, take
your gollity -gominy. your devils
bookw she cried, finging the book at
his head with much energy.
1t merely touched his forehead on
one side and fell to the ground.
go onw she cried. Il know you are
going to talk . yourself. People who
talk to themselves always talk to the
devil. Go and tell him all about It. Go,
gol Runp cried Tant Sannie.
But the boy neither Quickened nor
slackened his pace and passed sullenly
round the back Of the wagon house.
Books have been thrown at other
heads before and since that summer
afternoon by hands more white and
delicate than those Of the Boer WON;
an; but whether the result of the proc.
ess has been In any case wholly salts
factory may be questioned. We love
that with peculiar tenderness, we
treasure II with peculiar care, IL has
for us quite fictitious value, for
which we have suffered. II we may
not carry It anywhere else, we will car
ry II In our hearts and always to the
end.
Bonaparte BlenlSins went to pick up
the volume, now loosened from Its COW
er, while Tant Sannie pushed the
OF wood farther into the oven.
Bonaparte came close to her. tapped
the book knowingly, nodded and looked
at the fire. Tant' Sannie comprehend:
ed and, taking the volume from his
hand, threw II into the back Of the
oven. 1t lay upon the heap Of Goals,
smoked, fiared and blazed, and the POI
Iitical economy was no more-gone out
Of existence, like many another poor
hereto Of flesh and blood.
Bonaparte grinned and to watch the
process brought his face SO near the
oven door that the white hair on his
eyebrows got singed He then inquired
4 there were any more in the loft.
Learning that there were, he made
signs indicative Of taking up armfuls
md finging them into the fire. But
rant Sannie was dubious. The de;
,ensed Engllshman had left all his per;
sonal effects specially to his child. 1t
was all very well for Bonaparte to talk
II burning the books. He had had his
iair spiritually pulled, and she had no
wish to repeat his experience.
She shook her head. Bonaparte was
llspleased. But then happy thought
occurred to him. He suggested that
he key OF the loft should henceforth
,e put into his own safe care and keep:
ng no one gaining possession OF 1t
Without his permission. To this Tants
;annie readily assented, and the two
walked lovingly to the house to look
or It.
fro mn cosTrNuxD.1