Lit tle children who a gree. Angry words they never speak, They are one in heart and mind, Little children who agree. When at home, at school, at play, Human pleasure, social peace. O, how lovely 'tis to see If we for each other care, All each other's burdens bear, Like one happy family, O, how delightful 'tis to see Little Angry words they never speak, They are one in heart and mind, When at home, at school, at play, Always trying to increase If we for each other care, Soon the human race will be O, how delightful 'tis to see "Why don't you like him ?" I said to Ernest, as we walked on. "Because," said Ernest, "he is my enemy. You know how badly he behaves to some of our school-fellows; but he has treated me worst of all, I do think. Don't you remember when we bought some milk of him, how he took my sixpence, and would not give me the change? And just because I told his father, and he made him return me the money, he set his ugly dog Snap to bite me; see what a hole he made in my trousers! But it's of no use to tell you all the tricks he has played upon me lately; it only makes me feel angry to talk about him." "I wonder," I said, "that you don't punish him. You might easily give him a good thrashing, for you are much stronger than he is. I should be glad to see you do it." "Don't say that," said Ernest, turning round suddenly; "dont say such a thing. I should be very sorry to fight, and you ought to be very sorry to see me. You should never be glad to see another person do wrong." At that time I had not thought much about right and wrong; and as we thought over the matter together, I told Ernest that I thought he was a coward. But, though Ernest tried to avoid quarrelling with young Jennings, the bad boy daily became more insolent. He insulted Ernest whenever he met him. In time, he became known by all the boys in our school as Ernest's enemy, and he even seemed proud of the title. He was rather small for his age, and he thought it a fine thing that he and his little dog should be able to annoy such a big boy as Ernest. "Everybody says that yon ought to thrash him," said one of Ernest's school-fellows, as we were again walking together through the woods, and were talking about young Jennings. 66 And I say so, too," said Ernest's sister, who was walking with us. "And so do I," said a boy, whose name was Edmund White. he has played upon me lately; it only me feel angry to talk about him.' wonder," I said, "that you don't punish You might easily give him a good thrashr you are much stronger than he is. I be glad to see you do it." won't say that," said Ernest, turning round ly; "dont say such a thing. I should question about it. His redish brown-coloured smock frock could be seen in the distance between the green leaves; and his milkcan rattled as he came down the steep narrow pach. "Here he is! Ah, you are caught now!" shouted Edmund White, almost with joy, as Jenings came up. So, seizing Suap by the collar, be called to Ernest to give him the thrashing he deserved. y sorry to fight, and you ought to be very Co see me. You should never be glad to other person do wrong." Chat time I had not thought much about and wrong; and as we thought over the together, I told Ernest that I thought he Coward. But, though Ernest tried to avoid ling with young Jennings, the bad boy He insulted Ernest Decame more insolent. ver he met him. In time, he became by all the boys in our school as Ernest's and he even seemed proud of the title. rather small for his age, and he thought thing that he and his little dog should to annoy such a big boy as Ernest. erybody says that yon ought thrash said one of Ernest's school-fellows, as we gain walking together through the woods, re talking about young Jennings. d I say so, too," said Ernest's sister, s walking with us. d so do I," said a boy, whose name was d White. “Yah, yah! wah, wa-wa-wah, barked Snap, "There he is, Ernest," said Edmund, as he "No," said Ernest; "I have forgotten that long ago. I don't want to hurt him." "But I say he deserves to be hurt," said another boy. afraid of him." "You are a coward. You are "I am afraid to do wrong, certainly," said Ernest. "Do you think, because he hurt me, that I am obliyed to hurt him? I should be ashamed to do such a thing." Ernest would not be persuaded to punish his enemy. "I tell you," he said again, "that it is wrong to strike the boy; and if my enemy likes to do wrong, that is no reason why I should; my mother taught me so." So "young Jennings" was set at liberty. But even after this kindness, young Jennings did not mend his ways. He was whipped for throwing stones at some ducks; he was also punished for attempting to steal; and at last Ernest's school-fellows heard that young Jennings had been stealing, and was in prison. "Now," said Edmund White to his companions, "I think Ernest will be glad. He will see that Jennings is punished without having the trouble to punish him himself." Some of the boys, however, thought that Ernest would not be pleased. There were nine of them in the school-room: six said that he would be glad, and the other three that he would not. One of them, therefore, ran into the playground to fetch him. "I have some good news for you,” said Edmund to him, as he entered. "Do you know that young Jennings is in prison ?" |