Evans had on his birthday."

* * * * *

The inner man, like the negro, is born white, but is colored by the life
he lives; but not one is so black they have not felt humbled and rebuked
under the clear and open countenance of a child. Who has not felt his
impurities the more that he was in the presence of a sinless child?

You have probably seen one whom some low vice has corrupted, one who is
the aversion of man and woman, make of himself a plaything for a
rollicking crowd of children, enter into their sports in a spirit that
made his countenance glow with a delight, as though only goodness had
ever been expressed upon it.

You have seen another--a genteel person, cold and supercilious--endeavor
to make himself agreeable to children, court their favor, win their
fancy. You have seen the child draw back and shrink in undisguised
aversion. I have always felt there was a curse upon such a person.

Better be driven from among men than disliked by children and dogs. One
is as instinctive as the other.

It is a delicate thing to write of one's self. It grates on one's
feelings to write anything derogatory and may be redundant to write
praise. I have endeavored to watch myself go by. To those who have
followed me thus far, to those who have been my friends, to those who
are my friends, to all mankind who despise hypocrisy and love human
beings and dogs, I commend myself in

A GOOD INDIAN'S PRAYER.

O Powers that be, make me sufficient to my own occasions.
Teach me to know and to observe the Rules of the Game.
Give to me to mind my own business at all times, and to lose no good
opportunity of holding my tongue.
Help me not to cry for the moon or over spilled milk.
Grant me neither to proffer nor to welcome cheap praise; to distinguish
sharply between sentiment and sentimentality, cleaving
to the one and despising the other.
When it is appointed for me to suffer, let me, so far as may humanly
be possible, take example from the dear well-bred beasts,
and go quietly, to bear my suffering by myself.
Give me to be always a good comrade, and to view the passing show
with an eye constantly growing keener, a charity broadening
and deepening day by day.
Help me to win, if win I may; but--and this, O Powers! especially--if
I may not win, make me a good loser. AMEN.

AL. G. FIELD.

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