them by a friend of their father, and of which they took great care. It
was kept in a large box, so that it might be placed in the house during
the winter. The boys expected it would bear fruit next year. One day
John burst into the room where Thomas, Samuel, and his father were
sitting, and exclaimed with a doleful voice:

"Oh, father, it is dead--eaten by the locusts--I found a dozen on it."

"What's the matter, John?" said Mr. Harvey. "What have the locusts
eaten?"

"Our fig tree," replied John. "It is gone past all remedy. Only come
with me, and you'll see it."

They followed him down the garden walk. On reaching the fig tree, Mr.
Harvey saw that nearly all its leaves had been eaten off, with most of
the bark and young branches. Thomas and Samuel were very sorry, and John
said he would kill every locust he met, from that day forward. Mr.
Harvey examined the tree, and found, that although much damage had been
done to it, yet with proper care, it might be restored. "We ought to
have covered it with a net," he said to the boys.

While his father was talking with Thomas and his cousin, John was
stooping on the ground, hammering something with a stone. At last Mr.
Harvey turned round, and asked John what he was doing.

"I am killing these fine locusts that I have caught," replied John.

"Stop, my son," said Mr. Harvey, "that is foolish conduct, and very
wicked. You are giving way to anger and revenge, two of the worst