When the world is cold and dark, And toward the beacon mark, Paddle your own canoe. Every wave that bears you on From its sunny source has gone To return no more: Then let not an hour's delay If your birth denied you wealth, Are a better dower; But if these will not suffice, Golden gain pursue, And to win the glittering prize, Paddle your own canoe. Would you wrest the wreath of fame From the hand of fate? Would you write a deathless name With the good and great? Would you bless your fellow-men? Heart and soul imbue With the holy task, and then Paddle your own canoe. Would you crush the tyrant Wrong, Battle for the Right; And to break the chains that bind The many to the few To enfranchise slavish mind, Paddle your own canoe. THE SHEEP AND ITS WOOL. The sheep is one of the oldest and most useful animals in the world. Sheep are known to have lived in every country. Their flesh being used as a food, their skin for different articles of manufacture, and their wool has been principally converted into clothing. The making of woolen cloth is one of the oldest industries. In the early ages the wool of the sheep was spun into long threads, then woven and made into rude garments. As civilization advanced, the clothing of man improved. Today a great variety of materials is used in making the wardrobe of civilized man. But even now the two principal articles used for our clothing are wool and cotton. up The dyeing of woolen cloth, by which brilliant colors were produced, was one of the earliest of the fine arts. Hundreds of years ago the Egyptians, Romans, Per sians, and Greeks made robes and shawls of fine texture and beautiful colors. They also made mats, rugs, curtains, and other useful articles. Years later England became famous for the manufacture of worsted goods, broadcloths, and carpets. In the latter part of the seventeenth century England introduced the use of machinery in the manufacture of woolen cloth. The first machinery for making woolen cloth except, by hand spinning and hand weaving, was introduced into America in the year of 1800. Until this time our forefathers had provided for their families by keeping from a half dozen to fifty sheep, and our foremothers carded, spun, and wove the wool, making the clothing needed for the family use. The first woolen cloth manufactured by machinery in the United States was made in Massachusetts by two English brothers, John and Arthur Scholfield. They had learned the trade in England and came to Massachusetts, built a factory and soon had a large business. The people thought their machinery wonderful and the manufacture of the cloth still more wonderful. Such an interest was aroused that men, women, and children from far and near came to visit the factory, and watch the machinery make the cloth. Many people brought them wool from long distances. Some years later John Scholfield established a factory in Connecticut and within twelve years there were several factories in Massachusetts. In 1812 New Hamp |