In the West, the farmer’s boy makes a trap for prairie-chickens
and wild turkeys. Looking toward the corn, the bird pushes
against the tiny wooden bar that yields for admittance. But
having gotten in, the gate will not push out.
When it is too late, the youth who has played false, finds that
the way into sin was easy, and the way out hard. Strange that
there should not be a single barrier in the downward path, but
that when the transgressor turns to retrace his steps that
red-hot iron barriers are in the path!--N. D. HILLIS.
(191)
* * * * *
The water-hyacinth is a beautiful thing, so beautiful that some
years ago an enterprising gentleman decided to introduce it
in Florida. As it turned out, he not only introduced it, but
he made it a part of the country. It has outgrown all bounds,
formed impassible barriers in streams, caused the Government to
spend thousands to get rid of it, and is still an impediment to
navigation in many rivers all over the South.
The situation has become so serious in Louisiana that
it is proposed to import hippopotami. At first thought,
few will be able to see any relation between hippopotami
and water-hyacinths, yet there is. In fact, the ordinary
hippopotamus eats water-hyacinth from morning until night if he
can get it. It is evident, therefore, that were there plenty of
hippopotami in Louisiana there would soon be no water-hyacinth.
It is for this reason that the Government will be asked to
import the beasts, domesticate them, and turn them loose in
Louisiana.
The hippopotamus is not a dangerous brute--altho Mr. Roosevelt
has taken much credit to himself for having killed some of
them--his flesh makes excellent steaks, particularly if he has
fed on water-hyacinth, and he is altogether a desirable creature
to have about, we are told. We trust that the Government will
act quickly in this matter. Perhaps in addition to being fond
of water-hyacinth the hippopotamus may also have an appetite
for the boll-weevil. Let Louisiana have the beasts by all
means.--_Charleston News and Courier._
(192)
* * * * *
The conquering races were compelled to follow river-beds, and
could not penetrate the forests. It was not the warrior who
finally conquered English soil, but the farmer. The half-dozen
kingdoms, which were divided by vast forests, coalesced only
when the ax cut away barriers. Earlier races could not inhabit
any part of the earth except the coast lines. All their food
came from the sea; and the refuse still remains as the great
shell-heaps of the sea-coasts of Europe.
So to-day in the moral world one must cleave his way through barriers
as with an ax to the open of a large place.
(193)
See DISHONESTY.