Down on the threshold fell Monk Gabriel, His forehead pressed upon the floor of clay; Tears raining from his happy eyes away, The Vision only said, Lifting Its shining head: "If thou hadst stayed, O son, I must have fled!" Never borrow if you can possibly avoid it. Be just before you are generous. Keep yourself innocent, if you would be happy. Save while you are young, to spend when you are old. More souls are won for Jesus Christ by saintly conduct than by argument. -Alexander Maclaren. Oh, many a shaft at random sent, And many a word at random spoken May soothe or wound a heart that's broken. -Scott. THE STRANGE MECHANIC The following anecdote is related of Gilbert Stuart, an American artist. He was at an inn where he intended remaining over night, and his companions were desirous, by putting roundabout questions, to find out his calling or profession. Stuart answered, with a grave face and serious tone, that he sometimes dressed gentlemen's and ladies' hair. At that time, high-cropped, pomatumed hair was all the fashion. "Then you are a hair-dresser?" asked one. "What!" said he; "do I look like a barber? " "I beg your pardon, sir; but I inferred it from what you said. If I mistuok you, may I take the liberty to ask what you are, then?" "Why," said Stuart, "I sometimes brush a gentleman's coat or hat, and sometimes adjust a cravat." "Oh, you are a valet, then, to some nobleman?” "A valet! Indeed, sir, I am not. I am not a servant. To be sure I make coats and waistcoats for gentlemen." "Oh, you are a tailor?" "A tailor! Do I look like a tailor? I assure you I never handled a goose, except a roasted one." By this time the company were all in a roar. are you, then?" said one. "What "I'll tell you," said Stuart. "Be assured, all I have said is literally true. I dress hair, brush hats and coats, adjust a cravat, and make coats and waistcoats, and likewise boots and shoes at your service." “O, ho! a boot and shoe maker, after all.” "Guess again, gentlemen. I never handled boot or shoe but for my own feet and legs; yet all I have told you is true." “We may as well give up guessing. "Well, then, I will tell you, upon my honor as a gentleman, my real profession. I get my bread by making faces. He then changed his countenance, and twisted his face in a manner such as Samuel Foote or Charles Matthews might have envied. His companions, after long peals of laughter, each took credit to himself for having suspected that the gentleman belonged to the theater; and they all knew he must be a comedian by profession, when, to their utter astonishment, he assured them he was never on the stage, and very rarely saw the inside of a playhouse or any similar place of amusement. They all now looked at one another in utter amazement. Before parting, Stuart said to his companions: "Gentlemen, you will find that all I have said of my various employments is comprised in these few words, I am a portrait painter! "If you will call at John Palmer's, York Buildings, London, I shall be ready and willing to brush your coat or hat, dress your hair, supply you, if need be, with a wig of any fashion or dimensions, accommodate you with boots or shoes, give you ruffles or a cravat, and make faces for you.' " ONE OF GOD'S LITTLE HEROES MARGARET J. PRESTON MARGARET J. PRESTON was born in Virginia, in 1825, and died in 1897. She was a poet and prose writer. Some of her chief works are: "For Love's Sake"; "The Young Ruler's Question"; "Colonial Ballads"; and "Silverwood," a novel. The patter of feet was on the stair, As the Editor turned in his sanctum chair, But scarce had he uttered the words, before "And pray who is 'Dan '?" The streaming eyes "The newsboys say that they could not tell |