346

THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

 

taking what I wanted in my hand, or
pointing at it; but they always answered
so swiftly, that I could not understand
them, and they would hold up their fin-
gers. Here, also, we took another train
of cars for Paris. About the middle of
the afternoon we arrived at Paris, after
passing the fortifications which completely
surround it, and then the walls of the city.
Our trunks were again examined, to see
that there were in them no wines or
provisions; for all provisions and wines
have to pay a duty before entering Paris
from the surrounding country. We took
an omnibus to “Hotel Bedford, Rue de
Arcade,” and were soon in our beautifully
furnished room, with its French beds and
French clock, and furniture. showy and
bright. We were at last in the most
beautiful city in the world, or, at least, in
the city of sights, and shows, and gayeties.
In my next letter, I shall tell you about
my rambles in Paris and around it—how
I like the French people—the curious
places I shall have seen, and everything
that I think will amuse you, and that you
would like to hear about. At present I
am too tired to write anything more.

Changes in Man’s Life.

BouT five years ago we saw a man
light his cigar with a twenty dol-
lar note of the Farmers and Me-
chanics’ Bank. At the time he

was full of life, and in the possession of
real estate in the city of Philadelphia,
valued at eighty thousand dollars. Alas!
what changes doth time make—on Satur-
day last, this foolish man was seen beg-
ging alms in our public streets.

Obey God rather than Man.

s a general thing, it is the duty
of children to obey their parents ;
but when a parent commands
what is wrong, the child should

not obey. A poor woman told her son
to cut down a large pear tree, which stood
in the garden of the cottage where they
lived, for firewood, as they were suffering
from cold. The boy made no answer.
His mother repeated her command; but
he still hesitated, and said, “ Mother, I
ought to obey you, but I must first obey
God. The tree is not ours. It belongs
to our landlord; and you know that God
says, ‘ Thou shalt not steal.’ I hope you
will not make me cut it down.” She
yielded, for the time; but after suffering
from cold a day or two longer, she told
him he must cut down the tree. He then
said to her, “ Mother, God has very often
helped us, and supplied our wants when
we have been in trouble. Let us wait till
this time to-morrow. Then, if we do not
find some relief, though I am sure it will
be wrong, yet if you make me do it, I
will cut the tree in obedience to your
command.” To this she agreed. The
boy retired to his closet, and prayed ear-
nestly that God would help them, and
save him from being compelled to break
his law. The next morning, he went out
and found a man whose wagon had broken
down under a heavy load of coal. He
told the man his case, who agreed to let
him carry away the coal, and they might
pay for it, if they were able, when he
would call for it. But he never called.
It is always safe todo right. Bear this
in mind, little friend. No one ever loses
in the end, in doing just exactly right.—
Selected,