"DO YOUR BEST."
"WHEN I was a little boy," said a gentleman, "I paid a visit one evening to my grandfather, a
venerable old man, whose black velvet cap and tassel, blue breeches, and huge silver knee-buckles, filled me with awe. When I went to bid him good-bye he drew me between his knees, and, placing his hand upon my head, said: 'Grandchild, I have one thing to say to you; will you remember it?' I looked into his face and nodded, for I was afraid to promise aloud.
Well,' he continued, whatever you do, do the best you can.' "This, in fact, was my grandfather's legacy to me; and it was better than gold. I never forgot his words, and I believe I have tried to act upon them. After reaching home, my uncle gave Robert and me some weeding to do in the garden. It was Wednesday afternoon, and we had laid our plans for something else. Robert, vexed and ill humored at his disappointment, did not more than half do his work; and I began pretty much like him, until my grandfather's advice came into my mind, and I determined to follow it. In a word, I did my best. And when my uncle came out, I shall never forget his look of approbation as his eyes glanced over my beds, or the four-pence he slipped into my hands afterward, as he said my work was well done. Ah! I was a glad and thankful boy; while Robert was left to drudge over his beds all the afternoon.
"At fifteen I was sent to an academy, where I had partly to earn the money for my tuition.
The lesson seemed hard at first, for I was not fond of study; but grandfather's advice was my motto, and I tried to do my best. As a consequence of this, though I was small of my age, and not very strong, my mother had three offers of a situation for me before the year was out.
Selected.
THE greatest evils in life have had their rise from something, which was thought of too little importance to be attended to.
HE who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will see the defect when the
weaving of a lifetime is unrolled.