You have seen boys playing the game of "Paper Chase," or, as it is
sometimes called, "Hare and Hounds". One or two boys start first, each
carrying a bag full of small pieces of paper, which they scatter as they
run. Then all the other boys start, and follow the track made by the
scattered paper.
A number of boys were starting for a "Paper Chase" one Saturday
afternoon, and, passing quickly round a corner of the street, some of
them ran against a little fruit stall and overturned it. The apples,
pears and plums were all rolling on the ground, and the old woman who
belonged to the stall looked at them in dismay. The boys all ran on
except one, and he stayed behind to help to put the stall right, and to
gather up all the fruit. That boy was =gentle= and kind, and the poor
old woman could not thank him enough.
Be =gentle= to the little ones,
Be =gentle= to the old,
Be =gentle= to the lame, to =all=--
For it is true, I'm told,
That =gentleness= is better far
Than riches, wealth or gold.