deal of leisure time when they might do something for some one else.  I asked them if they thought they were going to make real, manly Christian boys at this rate, and they said no.  Then I asked them what we should do about it.  They all said, ‘You tell us mother, and we’ll do as you say.’  I proposed a series of tasks.  Each one to do something for somebody, outside and apart from himself, every day of his life.  They all agreed to this, and told me to allot the tasks.  If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten a horse and cow, and had them take charge of them; but I could not do that, so I invested in a pair of rabbits for Jack, a pair of canaries for Carl, pigeons for Ned, and bantams for Willie.  I brought these creatures home, put them into their hands, and told them to provide for them.  They were delighted with my choice, and it was very amusing to see them scurrying about to provide food and shelter for their pets and hear their consultations with other boys.  The end of it all is, that I am perfectly satisfied with my experiment.  My boys, in caring for these dumb creatures, have become unselfish and thoughtful.  They had rather go to school without their own breakfast than have the inmates of the stable go hungry.  They are getting a humane education, a heart education, added to the intellectual education of their schools.  Then it keeps them at home.

“I used to be worried with the lingering about street corners, the dawdling around with other boys, and the idle, often worse than idle, talk indulged in.  Now they have something to do, they are men of business.  They are always hammering and pounding at boxes and partitions out there in the stable, or cleaning up, and if they are sent out on an errand, they do it and come right home.  I don’t mean to say that we have deprived them of liberty.  They have their days for base-ball, and foot-ball, and excursions to the woods, but they have so much to do at home, that they won’t go away unless for a specific purpose.”

While Mrs. Morris was talking, her visitor leaned forward in her chair, and listened attentively.  When she finished, Mrs. Montague said, quietly, “Thank you, I am glad that you told me this.  I shall get Charlie a dog.”

“I am glad to hear you say that,” replied Mrs. Morris.  “It will be a good thing for your little boy.  I should not wish my boys to be without a good, faithful dog.  A child can learn many a lesson from a dog.  This one,” pointing to me, might be held up as an example to many a human being.  He is patient, quiet, and obedient.  My husband says that he reminds him of three words in the Bible—­’through much tribulation.’”

“Why does he say that?” asked Mrs. Montague, curiously.

“Because he came to us from a very unhappy home.”  And Mrs. Morris went on to tell her friend what she knew of my early days.

When she stopped, Mrs. Montague’s face was shocked and pained.  “How dreadful to think that there are such creatures as that man Jenkins in the world.  And you say that he has a wife and children.  Mrs. Morris, tell me plainly, are there many such unhappy homes in Fairport?”