The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-02-07
THE WICKED MATCHES.
A Fable for Children Which Carries
A Needed Warning.

IhS aOhOWhhs AochS tVt Sat0hSo ~
condensed by Ohio's fire marshall
from one for which the British Fire
Prevention Committee recently
awarded prize to Mr.. Bengough,
Canadian:
On the shelf of dark cupboard
there once lived large family of
matches, They we're very happy to-
gether in the same box. They had
made friends with a little mouse, a
rat, and great black beetle. These
three came to the cupboard every day
to search for food, and sometimes
they all gathered together to tell
each other stories or to chat. Their
talk was almost alway about children.
One day when they we're all met to-
gether, the biggest match in the box
spoke out his mind.
~ hate children, he declared IL
should like to burn every one of
them |"
"Oh !" exclaimed the mouse, the
rat and the beetle "Oh, what a bad
thing to sayw Aud they all trod
upon one another's toes as they shrank
to the back of the shelves, trying to
get as far as possible from that
wicked match.
But the other matches did not think
he was at all wicked: in fact they
we're quite sure that he was right
They all lifted up their little red
heads and shouted: "We all feel the
same We all hate children"
"But," exclaimed Master Rat, "why
do you hate children ? Children are
very nice when they are good"
"That's Just 1t ~ exclaimed the big
match, "when are they good Are
they good when they make playthings
of us ? Are they good when they rub
our heads against the wall just to
make us blaze up and rage? No, no,
1t is because children are bad and dis
obedient that we hate them. If they
interfered with you as they do with
us, you would hate them, too, Master
Rat, have children ever rubbed your
head against the wall?"
81 should like to see them |" replied
the rat Indignantly. "They run away
screaming when I'm about Not that
there is any reason for them to be so
much afraid l should never touch
them If they let me alone"
"Ah," exclaimed all the matches
together, "if they let you alone Don't
you see that is the point If they let
us alone, we might like them too !"
"What do you do, Miss Mouse when
they attempt to handle you ?" con-
tinued the biggest match, turning to
the little mouse.
"Me ~ exclaimed Miss Mouse, look
ing Aurried. "Me Oh, I scamper
away when hear them. would as
soon meet cat At the same time
have often thought that they appear
to be as much afraid of me as am of
them. Ishould not hurt them, though
poor things that is unless they
pinched my tail, then should bite !"
"Quite so," returned the ma tches !;
"and yet you think that we must say
nothing, even If they knock our heads
off,
"But," said Miss Mouse, "you would
not be so cruel as to burn a child
merely for playing with you ?"
wouldn't we. just ~ cried the
Matches altogether. "Many are the
children we have burned to cinders.
Some we have blinded, others we have
crippled, many we have burned up"
"You are merciless creatures |" said
Master Rat. ~ should advise child
rem to keep away from you. wonder
though they are not frightened by
your loud cracking voices and your
horrible SMELL"
eyes, we are merciless," retorted
the Big Match.
"Wretches !" cried Mr.. Beetle, ~
must tell the poor children how you
are scheming to hurt and kill them.
They think you pretty harmless
toys ~
All this time Master Rat had stood
by speechless with indign alton. At
last he found his voice. 81 will tell
them too" he painted out.
"And l." squeaked Miss Mouse.
But the matches only laughed again.
"How can you tell them ?" They
jeered. "Do you know the language
of children ?"
"No, but when / see children play
ing with matches, shall buzz until
they drop them in surprise. They
will know that means, Beware of
matches"
"Beware-beware of matches !'
| shouted the three in chorus and then