THE YOUTHS CABINET.

——— rn

this: —A gentleman was traveling by
the side of a creek, where he saw a squir-
rel running backward and forward be-
tween the ¢ereek and a large tree a few
rods distant. The squirrel’s hair looked
very rough, showing that he was very
much terrified about something. His cir-
cuit became shorter and shorter; and the
man stopped to see what could be the
cause of this strange state of things. He
soon discovered the head and neck of a
rattle-snake pointing directly at the squir-
rel through a hole of the tree, which was
hollow. The squirrel at length gave over
running, and laid himself down quietly,
with his head close to the snake’s. The
snake then opened his mouth wide, and
took in the squirrel’s head; upon which
the man gave the snake a blow across the
neck with his whip, by which the squirrel
was released. You will see by this story,
which comes to us on the best authority,
that some snakes possess the power of
charming, whatever eertain people may
say or think to the contrary. This is only
one among a multitude of facts which I
could relate, in proof of the existence of
such a power among many of the serpent
race.
A squirrel, sitting on hickory tree,
was once observed to weigh the nuts he
got in each paw, to find out which were
good and which were bad. The light
ones he invariably threw away, retaining
only those which were heavier. It was
found, on examining those be had thrown
away, that he had not made a mistake in
a single instance. They were all bad nuts.
People talk about instinct in animals.
They would say that this squirrel showed
a great deal of ‘nstinct. But was it not
very like reason !— Woodworth’s Storves
about Animals.

V. 22

  
   
  
 
 
   
  

The Blind Boy at Play.

—_—_

BY ELIZA cook.

———_——

The blind boy’s been at play, mother,
And merry games we had;

We led him on our way, mother,
And every step was glad;

But when we found a starry flower,
And praised its varied hue,

A tear came trembling down his cheek,
Just like a drop of dew.

We took him to the mill, mother,
Where falling waters made

A rainbow o’er the rill, mother,
As golden sun-rays played |

But when we shouted at the scene,
And hailed the clear, blue sky,

He stood quite still upon the bank,
And breathed a long, long sigh.

We asked him why he wept, mother,
Whene’er we found the spots,

Where periwinkles slept, mother,
O’er wild forget-me-nots.

“ Ah me!” said he, while tears ran down,
As fast as summer showers,

“It is because I cannot see
The sunshine and the flowers.”

Oh, that poor sightless boy, mother,
Has taught me I am blest,
For I can look with joy, mother, ,
On all I love the best; Rie
And when I see the dancing stream,
And daisies red and white,
[ll kneel upon the meadow sod,
And thank my God for sight.

Advice for Everybody.

If wisdom's ways you wisely seek,

Five things observe with care; -

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak——

And how, and when, and where.
NB