The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-03-18
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Little Foxes.
To the Editor of The Republican.

To the Editor of The Republican.
In eastern countries it was a custom
to plant vineyards and gardens in the
terraces, one above another and to these
terraces access was had by stars.
These little pests Of the vineyard con
cealed themselves and taking advantage
of the thick foliage did much mischief
among the tender grapes, especially in
the Spring time. The size of these
pests peculiarly fitted them for their
work, and stealthily creeping among
the vines carried on their depridations
undetected by the keen eye of tire keeper
of the vineyard. Away with the little
Foxes that spoil the vines. They are
the little SINS that creep into our lives
and spoil them. A big sin never gets in
without the little ones having first
paved the way. These are the ones
that spoil so many lives that otherwise
might be useful. Route them out of
their retreat in our minds and hearts;
drive them back to their lair, or hide
them from the light of day.
The darkness of night so suitable for
the deprid4tions of the larger foxes,
so favorable for the qualification of the
big sins, does not brighten the little
ones back to their holes-it only makes
them holder, for when the light of morn
ing has chased away the gloom of
ugh. my ars as busy "a bee, sIyty
mpplng tne tender tWigs. Even the
glory of monday witnesses no cessa-
ton in their work of destruction. for
they are still eagerly grabbing the
tempting fruit. Worse still the vines
slowly wither for want of the life blood
Slapped by the foxes. The sun is slowly
sinking below the horizon, the twilight
of evening is quietly stealing over the
earth, till the sable goddess of night
usurps the shining beauty of the day.
Will not the darkness cause them to flee
away? 1t only makes them oolder and
more eager in their pillaging. In the
vineyard of the word, there turks
thousands'o little foxes, intent upon
plumber, and busily engaged in spelling
the thrifty vines, and In the garden of
our lives, contemplate little foxes are
stealthily creeping and growing fat at
the expense of our fruit. They appear
in the form of those unmatched and ap-
perently insignificant little things that
destroy our peace of mind; they nibble
at our domestic happiness and make
home less attractive and pleasant than
1t should and otherwise would be. You
may erect the most attractive and con-
venlent house possible, you may furnish
1t with the finest upholstery, deck the
walls with the rarest pictures that art
can produce, there may be living in It
persons whose interests in life are com
mon, who bound together by the ties of
affection are living apart from others,
and each of them may be possessed of
good and noble traits of character, cor
rect principles. kindness and even
religion, yet through the influence of /
one of these preverse and contemplate |
little foxes, the beautiful clusters of
happiness that hang on these promising
vines. may never come to maturity. /
These unexpected and unwelcome little |
critters are the pests of good people |
who look upon them as rather creditable |
little animals that may even do some
good but are not capable of dong much
harm. But sadder mistake is they
seldom make as they too often discover
to their sorrow very common little .
fox that has free access to the domestic
vines of many people is Faultfinding.
We would doubtless be correct in saw
ing that there is not one who likes to
have his bones picked By this pesky
little fox. He ought to have his teeth
pulled for no one likes him, yet there
are comparatively few who do not de-
rive some satisfaction, if not real
79ieasure in finding fault with others and
with things that do not please them.
AS rule what is pleasure for US to do