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46 CHARITY.

“While these things were taking place, the
adder turned upon the hand of Clarence, and
inflicted a wound upon it. He screamed
aloud, for the pain was very acute. ‘The
physician instantly saw what had happened,
and applying the healing flower to the poor
boy’s wound, the pain ceased, as if by en-
chantment,, and he, too, was instantly
healed.” ,

Such was the story which the mother told
to her two sons. She then asked Frederick
if he understood the meaning of the tale.
The boy hung his head, and made no answer.»
The mother then went on as follows:

“My dear Frederick—the story means
that he who goes forth with a love of what
is beautiful, pleasant, and agreeable, is sure
to find it: and that -he who goes forth to find
that which is evil, is also sure to find what
“he seeks. It means that the former will
bring peace and happiness to his mother, his
home, his friends; and that the latter will
bring home evil—evil to sting his mother,
and evil that will turn and «sting himself.
The story means that we can find good, if
we seek it, in our friends, and that this good