A YOUNG Man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had been condemned to be executed for it. He asked to see his Mother, and to speak with her before he was put to death, and of course this was granted. When his Mother came to him he said: "I want to whisper to you," and when she brought her ear near him, he nearly bit it off. All the bystanders were horrified, and asked him what he could mean by such brutal and inhuman conduct.

"It is to punish her; when I was young I began with stealing little things, and brought them home to Mother. Instead of rebuking and punishing me, she laughed and said: It will not be noticed."It is because of her that I am here today." "He is right, woman," said the Priest.

The moral of the story: Train a child in the way he should go; when he is old he will not depart therefrom.

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

A TRUMPETER during a battle ventured too near the enemy and was captured by them. They were about to put him to death when he begged them to hear his plea for mercy. "I do not fight, and carry no weapon; I only blow this trumpet, and surely that cannot harm you; then why should you kill me?"

"You may not fight yourself," said the opposition, "but you encourage and guide your men to the fight."

The moral of the story: Words may be deeds.

The Flea and the Man

A Flea bit a Man, and bit him again, and again, until he could not stand it any more. He made a complete search for it and suceeded in finding it. Holding it between his finger and thumb, he shouted "Who are you little creature, that you make yourself free with my person?"

The Flea was scared and said in a weak little voice, "Oh, sir! pray let me go; don't kill me! I am such a little thing that I can't do you much harm."

But the Man laughed and said, "I am going to kill you now, at once: whatever is bad has got to be destroyed, no matter how little the harm it does."

The moral of the story: Do not waste your pity or compassion.