The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-04-11

1T isn't fun, after ALL it. brother? You're
that it's right sometimes and quite sure that
is wrong at other times; but you want to do it.
| know the temptation is very great. Why don't you
ask God to take the want out of you? He It's
the only way to real victory; I've found that out by
trying it myself
Rob put the letter in the fire without showing it to
his mother but he didn't forget what it said though
he poohed and whistled whenever it came into his
mind
He did not enjoy anything that afternoon and
when Al Dwiney asked him how he was going to cele-
brate April FOOLS day he snapped out, "Nohow" in a
very ungracous fashion.
Aren't you going to put string to old Dobsons
shutter or take the door off of Gomerys barn p? asked
his confederate, in establishment.
No, I'm not going to do a single thing. Every
thing is gone through. I'm fool enough myself with
out trying to make any else one!'
Two peculiar Bible verses in the lesson read
at family devotions the next morning. and, strangely
enough, they both fell to Rob to read.
IF any man among you seemeth to be wise in this
world, let him become fool that he may be wise"
Rob looked it again while his mother and grand
mother were reading, and had to be reminded when
his turn came. The word fool" had caught his at
tention The next emphasized his interest:
1--WE are fools for Christs sake''-Rob stopped
short. "Who's 'we?'" he asked, looking up with
flushed face who's the fellow saying this mother?"
Mrs. Fulsom was taken by surprise, but she
swered "Paul-the Apostle Paul"
Hunt" commented Rob, and finished the verse
without further remark.
Fools for Christs sake" The words stuck to
that uncomfortable memory of his. He sat dreaming
over his book in the village school that morning.
There must be two kinds of fools" muttered Rob-
nearly aloud that his teacher looked up sharply
That was thought, brand-new one to him, and
1t filled him to the exclusion of all else.
iii do it," he commended to himself and his eyes
shone with something like triumph
Sorry to disappoint you, but I've made up my
mind to fool the whole kit of them | never did be-
FORE he wrote postal card to his sister, and
chuckled all the way to the postoice at the thought
of how he fooling her
lie waXed confidential to his special friend they
walked back. I'm planning the greatest April fool
that ever known better than dozen of the old
kind. I've got money enough and I'm bound to get
old Dobson a wheebarrow in place of the one we
spoiled last year-a brand-new one-and a poster
with his name and April Fool in big letters on it
Therel be no end of fun in seeing him walk around
it, afraid to touch it for fear it will fall to pieces at
breath. Then there's mother-well, I'm going to
fool her completely by-by-turning a new leaf,
And Rob broke suddenly into yankee Doodle"
To turn over leaf no small undertaking
for boy whose tendencies all seemed to in the
wrong way. But there a streak of stubbornncss
In Rob which, once started in the right direction,
would wonderfully help. And he looked very deter
mined as he said under his breath 81 do it, and
] will
He pondered the matter still more than NIGHT after
going to bed and that perverse memory of his served
IN ma good turn by bringing back his sisters advice:
why don't you ask Jesus to take it out of you so
you won't want to do wrong?"
81 believe will -" he said and bushed i'm the dark
lie got out of bed rather sheepishly and knelt lie
didn't say much, but he meant good deal "Lord
Jesus, Il want to be different must be: and if
you'd make me the kind of fool Paul was I'd like it.
For Chrst's sake, Amen"
lie tumbed into bed again. Mother says He al
ways answers when it, and | never meant
anything if / don't mean this"
When Mrs. Fulsom next morning she had for
gotten 1t was the first of April Had she not she
would still have been surprised to find her fire burn
ing briskIy the kettle boiling. the ashes neafIv rc-