The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-12-27
a CHRISTMAS STORY.

oLe Lleu HtI nOIoe W a. pOot lICdl tue
schoolhouse 1t was about as bad
looking an old horse as you ever saw
The woman hobbled away with feeble
steps to sell few eggs which she
had in a basket Just as she was out
of sight the bell rang for the noon
hour, and a crowd of jolly, noisy boys
rushed out of the school house. The
air in moment was full of their
shouts and laughter.
"Halloa! See that horse!" sr
"Hol ho! no! Who ever saw such
looking old thing"
"As thin as a rail-"
You can count all his ribs"
He looks as if he hadn't spirit to
hold his head up.
Looks half starved. Say, bony is
there enough of you left to scare?"
Two or three boys squealed in the
ears of the horse and gave him small
pokes; others jumped before him to
try to frighten him.
Lets lead him round to the back
of the building and tie him there, 30
that when the folks he belongs to
come they'll thing he's run away"
z"He run away"
Say, boys" put in, one boy, who
loved al animals, There's no fun in
tormenting such a poor fellow. He
does look half starved-yes, more
than half, l should say. And we all
know it isn't good to feel that way
since the day we got lost in the woods
Inutting"
Have you ever noticed how easily
boys-and men too, for that matter
are led either into kindness or cruelty?
One word in either direction and all
follow like a flock of sheep. Wouldn't
it be good for boys to remember this,
and to reflect upon how far they may
be called on to answer for the influ-
ence they may exert over others?
The boys stopped their teasing and
began to look at the horse with diff
ferent eyes, while one of them brushed i.
the flies off him.
Lets tie him under that tree" pro
posed a second; the suns too hot
here"
Look here, boys, ! wish we could
give him something to eat while he's
standing"
Cant we?"
"A real bang-up good dinner, such
as he hasn't had for century by the
looks of him"
Lets do it. I've got a nickel"
I've got two cents
"Tll give another nickel if you'll
come over to my fathers feed store"
More cents came in. The man at
the feed store contributed nearly
worn-out bag, and in a few moments
the poor old horse was enjoying good
meal of oats
Bq the time he had finished it the
old woman came back, her basket
filled with groceries, for which she
Ihad exchanged her eggs. The cord q
sympathy and kindness once touched
in the careless yet well-meaning hearts
continued to vibrate. We all know
how one taste of kind act makes Us
long toltaste more. 'T'll hfeg your
basket in said one respectfully
See, here's lot Of oats left Well
put EN- in the wagon" 4luun
She looks pretty near as starved as
the horse" came in a suggestive whis-
per.
A fe wsmall contributions from
lunch baskets were hastily wrapped
in piece of paper and laid on top of
! the basket
Now I'll unite"
! The old woman was helped in as il
she had been a queen And every
boys heart glowed as the quaveriry
voice and dim eyes bore burden
warm thanks as she drove away.
Those were everyday schoolboys
There are millions and Millions like
them, only they do not quite realized
what a spirit of loving kindness dwells
in their hearts. Let it out, boys and
girls; for it is you who are to lift-
this whole world into an atmosphere
higher sweeter, and brighter than
has known before-Advocate 49,
There will be satisfaction if t
spectators lose money on their co
storage eggs, still more if the specuH
tors should have to eat them the
selves.
%
II is claimed that IS men run I.
business of the country, but it =
never run smooth until they get :.
the hands of a committee of three slhu
then give the chairman a free ha
%