Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1876 — The Little Foxes that Spoil the Vine. [ARTICLE]

The Little Foxes that Spoil the Vine.

One little fox is “By-and-by.” If you track him you come to his hole— Never. Another little fox is “ I Can’t.” You had better set on him an active, plucky little thing, “I Can” byname, ft does wonders. A third little fox is “No Use in Trying.” He has spoiled more vines and hindered the growth of more fruit than many a worse-looking enemy. A fourth little fox is “ I forgot.” He is very provoking. He is a great cheat. He slips through your fingers like time. He is seldom caught up with. Fifth little fox is “ Don’t Care.” Oh, the mischief he has done! Sixth- little fox is “No Matter.” It does matte¥ whether your'i life is spoiled by small faults. There are many Other little foxes besides these. Some young folks, and older folks, too, are beset by foxes that gnaw

holes in and spoil every sentence they utter. No sooner do these unhappy mortals begin to speak than up flies the fox “ Good gracious,” mamjlqig ( what they mean to say. Before tlie listener recovers from his alarm a whole pack bf foxes are upon tlie speaker: “*You kriaw, I suy,” “ Did I ever,” “ Awful,” “ Jolly, “ My,” “My goodness,” “Patience,” “Mercy,” “ He says, says he,” “ She says, says she,” “ Sugar,” “ Ginger'” and' “ Pepper, Salt and Vinegar,” and all tlie other spices for aught I know. . It would seem a wonder that a shred is left of these luckless wights. Yet, strange to say, they actually pet their tormentors and encourage their coming. Do I hear any around our table? I never knew of a live Tux being sent through the Postoffice, although I have heard of live frogs, mice, beetles, snails, and owls and rats; whether thelbtter were alive or dead I cannot say. Still I suspect that in many innocent-ipqking letters lie hid tlie little which answer to the names we have given.— The Methodist.