The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-18

0 NCE there was a little boy named Harry, who lived with
 his mother on the edge of a " wood. He was called Helpful !: Harry because he was so willing to help other people. When he awoke in tho morning he arose without be- ing called and was soon neatly dressed and ready to help his mother with their frugal .breakfast. After breakfast he brought-in wood and water and helped prepare the other children for school. When he had ar- ranged everything so that his mother would not have to leave the house during his absence. he went cheer fully on his way.
 reach the school building and he was walking briskly along, wishing that he was grown up and able to earn money that his mother would not have to work so hard, when he met an old woman hobbling along the path. She was very poorly dressed and walked with cane. The road was uneven and rocky in many places and the old woman would have fallen had not Harry gone to her assistance.
 Lean on me-" said Harry to the old woman. flor I am young and strong"
 "Oh, thank you, my lad" said the old dame, but who may you be?"
 q am called Helpful Harry" said the boy.
 And rightly named you are," said the woman. "and here is a present for you" And she handed him lit- tie bundle tied with blue string Harry thanked her and sped on his way to school
 Suddenly he came upon a little girl crying by the wayside.
 What is the matter, little girl?" asked Helpful Harry.
 I'm lost" walled the little girl.
 Well I'll find you," laughed Harry. ! Come along with me-" And he took the little girl to the edge of the wood where they found her mother looking for her.
 Here" said the little girl when they were about to part. lis a pres ent for you because you did not pass me by" And she put in his hand a little acorn cup.
 Harry now had to hurry for the other boys had all gone on before, and it was near time for school to begin. Just as he was coming out into the little path that led into the school house he saw a forlorn and hungry dog too weak to walk.
 "oh you poor doggie," said Harry as he knelt down beside the stricken animal, what can I do for you?' The dog licked the little boys hand ,and sniffed hungrily at his lunch bas- ket, wherein Harry's mother had packed the best food that her poor larder afforded.
 ''Oh, you poor thing You are al- nlost starved to death. I will give you some of my lunch" And Help ful Harry fed the poor dog the incest shings in his basket.
 When the dog was refreshed, Harry would have gone on his way to school but the dog tapped the ground with his tail to attract atten- ! tion, and placed a little package in Harry's hand. Then he wagged his tail as much as to say, 'here is a present for you"
 Harry now had to run all the way to school to make up for lost time. When he arrived at the school room he put his presents in corner of his desk. He did not touch them again until he was ready to go home
 q will not open them till am out in the woods" he said to himself So when he had left the little school house he sat down on an old log and looked at his presents. As he opened the first, bundle, the old woman ap- peared and said: 'In that bundle is a small staff which will grow larger as you grow older, and will help you find your way safely over all the rough places in the world. It is a magic staff, so do not lose it. and she was gone.
 Then he took the little acorn cup out of his pocket and looked at if