Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1887 — The Way It Works. [ARTICLE]

The Way It Works.

“Amos, here is a hammer and a keg of nails. I wish you, every time you do a wrong thing, to drive one of these nails in the post. ” “Well, father, I will,” said Amos. After awhile Amos came to his father and said: “1 have used all the nails; the keg is empty. ” His father went to the spot and found the post black with nails. “Amos, ” said he, “have you d<me something wrong for each of these nails?” “Yes, sir,” said the boy. “Amos,” said the father, sorrowfully, “will you turn about and try to be a good boy ?” “Amos thought for a moment and then said: “Father, I’ll try.” “Very well,” said the father. “Now take the hammer, and every time you do a good act or resist a wrong one, draw out a nail and put it into the keg again. ” After some time the boy came to his father and said: “Come, father, and see the keg again. I have pulled out a nail for every good act, and now the keg is full again.” “I am glad, my son,” said the father, “but see, the mants of the nails remain.”