that we

we have no other spell but this destroy no life, not even of grass; that we take nothing which is not given to us; that we are never guilty of unfaithfulness, nor speak falsehood, nor drink intoxicants; that we exercise ourselves in love, and give gifts; that we make rough places plain, dig ponds, and put up resthouses this is our spell, this is our defense, this is our strength!"

Then the King had confidence in them, and gave them all the property in the house of the slanderer, and made him their slave; and bestowed, too, the elephant upon them, and made them a grant of the village.

MARIE SHEDLOCK. Retold from "The Jātāka."

BILLY'S FOOTBALL TEAM

He

BILLY was now in the sixth grade. was popular with his class, and because of his excellence in athletics, he was elected captain of his school football team. The most important game of the year was to be played with the team of the seventh grade. The rivalry between the two teams was

very keen, and, not only the school children, but many of the citizens of Stamford, looked forward eagerly to witnessing this great game for the championship.

One afternoon, after a hard practice game with the second team, Billy was on his way home. As he crossed the green, he met old Dr. Wright. The Doctor had taken care of Billy, Betty, and Ben, whenever they were ill, from the day they were born. He was very fond of Billy, and was greatly interested in his football team. Three times a week, at least, he watched the practice game. There were two players on the team concerning whom the Doctor had serious doubts. He thought that they were not equal to their task, for football is a very vigorous game. As the Doctor was anxious that Billy's team should win, he thought it best to speak to him about the matter.

"Billy," said he, when they met, "you have a good team, and I believe you will win if you substitute two players for Dick Andrews and Jack Stubbs. Those two fellows are not up to the mark, and I will tell you the reason why."

"Thank you, Doctor," said Billy. "I should like to know. They are big fellows and look strong, but somehow or other they cannot keep the other team from breaking through our line.'

Well," said the Doctor, "those boys are two years older than the rest of you, and they ought to be in the eighth grade by this time. I have watched them for three years. They are cigarette smokers, and the nicotine in cigarettes has poisoned them. It interferes with their lungs. That is why they are short-winded. It irritates their nerves, and that is why they are so unsteady. Besides, it weakens their hearts, and, because of all this, they lack endurance. Haven't you noticed that their strength does not hold out to the end of the game? I have cautioned them several times, but it doesn't seem to have done them any good. My advice to you is to put them off the team, and the quicker you do it, the better it will be for them, for you, and for the eleven. Your line is like a chain, which is no stronger than its weakest link. Both of those lads are weak, and you will lose the

C

game if you allow them to play. Take my advice, my boy, and you will win, and I will be on hand to cheer for you."

Billy was only thirteen years old, but he was a wise lad for his age. He thanked the Doctor again, and told him that he certainly would think the matter over, and would try to decide what was the best thing to do; and, taking off his hat politely, he walked home in a sober mood, wondering what ought to be done under the circumstances, for he had great faith in the old Doctor.

Now Billy himself had noticed this weakness in Dick and Jack to which the Doctor had referred, but, of course, he did not know just what caused it. These boys knew the game well, having played football ever since they were in the fifth grade. This is why Billy kept them on the team. However, there were two other boys on the second team who were much stronger than they, although not quite so familiar with the game. Billy thought that, probably, with a little special coaching, they might prove in the end to be better players than

the older, but weaker, lads, so he decided to make the change on the following day.

However, before doing so, he took the two boys whom he had chosen, and placed them on the opposing team, lining them up against Dick and Jack. He found, toward the close of the game, that they were outplaying the cigarette smokers in every point, and were making wide gaps in the line of the regular team. Billy made up his mind that the Doctor was right, and he put the two former players off the team and substituted for them the two lads who had shown their superior strength and skill.

At last the day of the championship game dawned. It was a beautiful day, and nearly everybody in Stamford was expecting an exciting time. Aunt Bess had left New York the day before to wave the flag of the sixth grade. Billy's brother and sister, Betty and Ben, and Kitty Howard, had arranged to sit with her, and to cheer for Billy's team.

At half-past two, Captain Ned Thompson, of the seventh grade, led his team out