Selections.

“He prayeth best who loveth best
 All things both great and small;
 For the dear God who loveth us,
 He made and loveth all.” 
                      Coleridge.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain. 
Emily Dickinson. 
Copyright 1890 by Roberts Bros
Little, Brown & Co., publishers.

[Illustration with caption:  A band of mercy.]

WHAT THE CHILDREN CAN DO.

SUGGESTIONS

Speak gently.  Animals are very sensitive to loud, harsh tones.  Listen to the teamsters on the street and you will find that much of their shouting is unnecessary.  Watch a boy with his dog and notice the rough, masterful way in which he likes to speak.  There is no occasion for these harsh tones.  Dogs, cats, and horses are rarely deaf.  On the contrary, their hearing is most acute, and a loud tone, even if it is not an angry one, is frequently a cause of positive suffering.  Some birds are so sensitive that they have been frightened to death by an angry tone.  Let us be courteous whenever we can, not only to each other, but to our dumb friends.

Be kind to the birds.  Many birds spend their winters with us, but we rarely stop to think how a heavy snowstorm must fill their small hearts with dismay.  If we feed them, they will stay near our houses all winter.  Fasten a bark cup for water, and a bone with a bit of meat on it, to some convenient tree-trunk and watch for your visitors.  They may not come to you while it is warm, but the first cold storm will bring them in flocks.  A flat board, fastened to the top of a clothes-post, will hold seeds and crumbs, and makes a safe dining table for your guests.  Keep a cleared space on the ground for those who do not dare to be seen in high places.

[Illustration with caption:  Making friends.]

Here you may scatter cracked corn, nuts, and sunflower seeds.  See to it in the household that nothing is thrown away that can make a bird’s heart glad.

Help the horses.  There are many ways in which this may be done.  Sometimes the day is warm, and you can bring a pailful of cool water for some tired traveler.  Or it may be cold and the horse-blanket has slipped off.  A pair of willing hands can soon fasten it properly.  Perhaps the street is icy, and a sprinkling of ashes would make it safe once more.  If a horse has fallen, a blanket spread upon the ice will help him to regain his feet.  Often kind-hearted boys, going up the hill to school, will carry part of a heavy load, or will put their strong, young shoulders to the wheel.  If the hill is long, you can bring a stone or a log of wood to block the wheel, and give the horse a moment’s needed rest.  Do not get angry even with a cruel driver.  Every kind thought, kindly carried out, will not only be an immediate help, but it may lead a thoughtless driver to be careful.  If you can do nothing more, you can speak a friendly word, which is never thrown away, even on a horse.  Sometimes a little encouragement will help over a hard place.