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 when there was a community hearse in a country
neighborhood, and carpenters made the coffins, a young man, who was
ashamed of the old worn-out hearse, went about soliciting money to
purchase a new one. Presenting the purpose to an old man of means, he
received from this selfish citizen the reply:

"I won't give you a dollar. I helped to buy the old hearse twenty
years ago, and neither me nor my family have ever had any benefit from