COALS OF FIRE. cont'd

" 'If thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but over- come evil with good.' There," said Herbert, "that is God's way of doing it; and I think that is the best kind of punishment that Fritz could have."

You should have seen how long Joe's face grew while Herbert was speaking. "Now I do say, cousin Herbert," added Joe, "that is a real take in. Why, it is no punishment at all."

"Try it once," said Herbert. "Treat Fritz kindly, and I am certain that he will feel so ashamed and un- happy, that kicking or beating him would be like fun in comparison."

Joe was not really a bad boy, but he was now in a very ill temper; and he said sullenly, "But, you have told me a story, cousin Herbert. You said this kind of coal would burn, it does not burn at all."

"Your are mistaken about that," said Herbert. "I have known such coals burn up malice, envy, ill-feeling, and a great deal of rubbish, and then leave some cold hearts feeling as warm and pleasant as possible."

Joe drew a long sigh. "Well, tell me a good coal to put on Fritz's head, and I'll see about it."

"You know," said Herbert, "that Fritz is very poor, and can seldom buy himself a book, although he is very fond of reading; but you have quite a library. Now suppose--but no, I won't suppose anything about it. Just think over the matter, and find your own coal. But be sure to kindle it with love, for no other fire burns like that." Then Herbert sprang over the fence and went whistling away.

Before Joe had time to collect his thoughts, he saw Fritz coming down the road, carrying a basket of eggs in one hand and a pail of milk in the other. For a moment the thought crossed Joe's mind, "What a grand smash it would have been , if Fritz had fallen over the string !" but he drove it away in an instant, and was glad enough that the string was in his pocket. Fritz started and looked very uncomfortable when he first caught sight of Joe; but the good fellow began at once with, "Fritz, have you much time to read now ?"

"Sometimes," said Fritz, "when I have driven the cows home and done all my work, I have a little day- light left; but the troube is, I have read every book I can get hold of."

"How would you like to read my new book of travels ?"

Fritz's eyes fairly danced. "Oh ! may I, may I ? I would be be so careful of it."

"Yes," answered Joe, "and perhaps I have some others you would like to read. And Fritz," he added, a little slyly, "I would ask you to come and help to sail my new boat this afternoon; but some one has gone and broken the mast, and torn the sails, and made a great hole in the bottom. Who do you sup- pose did it ?"

Fritz's head dropped on his breast; but after a moment he looked up with great effort, and said--

"Oh, Joe, I did it; but I cannot tell you how sorry I am. You did not know I was so mean when you promised me the book, did you ?"

"Well, I rather thought you did it," said Joe slowly.

"And yet you never--" Fritz could not get any further. He felt as if he would choke; his face was as red as a coal. He could stand it no longer, so off he walked without saying a word.

"That coal does burn," said Joe to himself. "I know Fritz would rather I had smashed every egg in his basket than that I had offered to lend him that book." Joe took two or three leaps along the road, and went home with a light heart and grand appetite for breakfast.

When the boys met at the appointed hour, they found Fritz there before them, eagerly trying to repair the injuries; and as soon as he saw Joe he hurried to present him with a beautiful flag, which he had bought for the boat with a part of his egg money ! The boat was repaired and launched, and made a grand trip; and everything turned out as cousin Herbert had said, for Joe's heart was so warm and full of kind thoughts, that he never had been happier in his life. And Joe found out afterwards that the more he used of this curious kind of coal, the larger supply he had on hand --kind thoughts, kind words, and kind actions.

I should be glad to have all of you, my young friends, engage in this branch of the coal business. If all families were careful to keep a supply of Joe Benton's coals on hand, and make a good use of them, how happy they would be !

--L. P.

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