Year: 1874

RANDOM THOCGMTS-NO.e ..


I,Y JETHRO JETHRlNaTON.


A SELFISH Bluejay.


There is great deal of human weak
ness shown even in birds. frequent
~ had a group Of feathered friends
around my door waiting for crumbs.
At such times an old bluejay generally
displayed his selfish grasping nature
in way anything but creditable to
himself Quietly perched on tree at
q little distance, he watched until the
looked for supplies were scattered on
the ground, and then, as the other
birds hocked forward, he suddenly
gave several discordant screams, and
dashed down among them to their
utter coilsteI nation. FOllowingup up the
charge by vigorous industry, the
larger pieces of bread were speedily
carried Off to bc hidden for future use,
and not until he was fully satisfied
could redtop or any other small bird
be openly allowed to share in the feast.
There are grown men just like this
bluejay in disposition. 1t is all self
with them, and if they can only fill
their purses by sharp practices, and
by deliberately trampling on the poor,
without exposing themselves 10 the
lash of the law, they display the great
est possible pleasure in doing it. When
they have succeeded i'll defrauding
some confiding II ighbor in a transac-
ton, they laugh at their own smart
ness," and expect even sensible men
to commend them for the possession
of abilities which they have so prosti-
tuted that they are little better, moral
lv, than the highwayman or pickpock-
e. This all-pervading selfish spirit
cln not be concealed, even at the
breakfast table of any of our boarding
houses. When the first hot cakes ar
rive, fork is suddenly thrust forward,
and the entire supply is transferred to
the plate of some fellow who has been
waiting for the chance. lie has plenty
Of time, and could we'll afford to share
equally with several of his neiyhbors,
but that sort of a thing is so foreign to
his nature that he never thinks of it.
When once a boy or a girl has secure
" acquired the Self-contrOl of volun-
tarily yielding what in reason belongs
to others, and in the little things of
daily life, is generously disposed to
give up what might be properly re-
I..ined, lha, boy or that girl has learned
one of the best lessons of experience,
and is Immediately a gamer by the ac-
4urcmcnt.


4 Foundation 0C Hay.


The grading was well done, and the
site of the grand building about to be
erected was almost as smooth and level
rs Il billiard table. Mr.. Earth Worm,
the owner Of the lot. was determined
to have II residence for his family built
entirely on his own plans, irrespective
OF the opinions of architects or build
erS. As IL foundation for the massive
stone walls. he ordered twenty tons of
balc,l hay to be laid down with great
ceremony. 70 keep the hay from rot
ting, it was next we'll saturated with
coal oil, and then on top of it were
Laid the solid courses of masonry. The
liltSons grumbled n good deal as the
work Went on, and laughed, too, at the
folly, rs they called it. of the plan
adopted, but as Mr.. Worm told them
To mind their own business, and the
pay was good enough, they finally
! held in. So the splendid building went
up in fine style until it was forty feet
in height, and then it was crowned by
IL massive tire-proof roof. Some people
expected to see the walls crack, or can
over, but they settled down so regular
ly that there was not IL visible flaw.
TO make tho building entirely proof
against fire, the OutsiueS of the hay
bales were neat coated with fire proof
paint. AS soon as the interior was
finished, the house became the abode
of large and lrnsperous family. Ev-
erything Wen ell with its occupants
I for some years, but one night when the
Wind was howling feartully, a fire
broke out in q stable behind he house
Before any notice had been taken of it i,
spark had touched the oil in the hay
foundation, and in amOment the build
ing Was draped in 4 sheet of devourinE
flame. Not soul of the sleeping oc-
cupants escaped, and when the heavy
walls crashed amid the fiery glare,
there were tears in many eyes at the
thought of the invited ruin.


Next morning when the conflagra-
tion had been Subdued, one man said
toa person who Was looking at the
wreck: THAT man Worm was "a fool"
IL think so," said the other, "but he
is not by any means so absolutely
foolish as that man is who knowing
that he must inevitably die, builds all
his hopes of futurity on the hay and
/ stubt le he rakes together III the pur-
suit of mere earthly treasure"


A B~si".f"ll Of Water.


~ hen the workman comes from his
toll he washes his Erimmy face and
hands and throws out TIE dirty fluid.
Then the sun and air begin the work
of restoring every drop of the rejected
water to its virgin purity and useful
neSs, ia the great circling economies of
nature: 1t may, in the meantime,
n"'lrish and mature blade of grass,
or bring flower to perfection, but
sooner or later the basin full OF water,
without the loss OF a single drop, must
Il lie returned To its plaea in tha air. 60