' To prevent these things he bequeathed his
property to his slave, well knowing that the slave, believing in his
apparent right, would give thee speedy information, and take care of the
effects, even as he has done."
"Well, well, and how does this benefit me?" impatiently interrupted the
pupil.
"Ah!" replied the teacher, "wisdom I see rests not with the young. Dost
thou not know that what a slave possesses belongs but to his master? Has
not thy father left thee the right to select one article of all his
property for thy own? Choose the slave as thy portion, and by possessing
him thou wilt recover all that was thy father's. Such was his wise and
loving intention."
The young man did as he was advised, and gave the slave his freedom
afterward. But ever after he was wont to exclaim:--
"Wisdom resides with the aged, and understanding in length of days."
* * * * *
David, King of Israel, was once lying upon his couch and many thoughts
were passing through his mind.
"Of what use in this world is the spider?" thought he; "it but increases
the dust and dirt of the world, making places unsightly and causing
great annoyance."
Then he thought of an insane man:--
"How unfortunate is such a being.
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