ter the war in his
cabin and worked for the son of his old master. In his old age his
memory began to fail and he would neglect to do things he was told to
do. The young man was patient with the old negro for quite a while but
finally said to him:

"Uncle Dan, you must do better or you and I will have to separate."

The old servant said: "Mars Jim, I does the best I can. I is mighty
sorry I forgits things and I'se gwine to try to do better."

But he grew worse and one evening when he failed to do a very
important chore, the young man said: "I told you what would happen if
you did not do better and the time has come when you and I separate."

Uncle Dan replied: "I'se mighty sorry, Marse Jim. I was here when you
was born, and when you growed big enuf I ust to take you on de mule
out to de field wif me, and I members how you ust to take de lines and
dribe de ole mule. Den when de war broke out and ole Master jined de
army, I stayed here and took care ob ole Missus and you chilluns. I
shore is mighty sorry we's got to part, but if you says so den its got
to be, but look here, Mars Jim, if we's got to part, whar's you
counting on moving to?"

By this time tact had done its work, aggravation had melted into
forgiveness and the young man said: "I'm not going to move anywhere,
Uncle Dan, nor shall you. We'll both stay here on the old plantation
together." That was certainly tact on the old man's part.

A young negro, who craved a ride on a railroad train but had no money,
crept under the baggage car and fixed himself on the truck. The train
started and when at full speed the engine struck a mule and tore the
animal to pieces. Part of the mangled remains was carried into the
running gear of the baggage car. The engineer stopped the train and
commenced pulling out pieces of mule here and there until he reached
the baggage car, when, looking under for more of the mule, he saw the
white eyes of the negro.

"Come out, you imp, what are you doing under there?" said the
engineer.

Back came the tactful reply: "Boss, I wus de fellow what wus ridin'
dat mule."

The engineer said: "Well, I guess you've paid your fare; climb into
the cab and help me run this train."

I commend to you the cultivation of tact, but don't let it lead you
into the meanest trait of character--selfishness. To say,

"Of all my father's family I love myself the best,
If Providence takes care of me, who cares what takes the rest?"

In the days w