Here is where the tricky ox comes in. In one of those yards they keep a
black, short-tailed ox known as "Bob," and he just walks along in an
unconcerned way toward the pens, and he looks so calm and unafraid that
the other cattle just take confidence and follow along after him. And
then, before they know it, they are in a trap and can never get out. But
in the meanwhile Bob has slipped away, to play the same trick on other
cattle.

There are some boys and girls just like that ox. They are always urging
other boys and girls on to do wrong things, telling them that they are
cowards if they don't take the "dare" and do it, and showing how brave
they are. But when they have got you into a scrape, and the real
business of punishment begins, they can't be found anywhere: they have
slipped out like old Bob.

You must be on the lookout for boys like that. Don't be afraid to be
called a coward by them. Don't let them "dare" you to do things which
your conscience tells you are foolish or wrong. You will be a bigger
coward if you do these things because you are ashamed not to take the
dare.




"SHINE INSIDE"


As I was passing along the street the other day I saw on the window of a
bootblack's parlour the words, "Shine Inside."