Of the oldest "a, b, c's" found in Italy, several were scribbled by school-boys on Pompeian walls, six in Greek, four in Oscan, four in Latin; others were scratched on children's cups, buried with them in their graves, or cut or painted for practice on unused portions of mortuary slabs. The earliest was found as late as 1882, a plain vase of black ware with an Etruscan inscription and a syllabary or spelling exercise, and the Greek alphabet twice repeated. What a Child Can Do. "Pa, I have signed the pledge," said a little boy to his father, on coming home one evening; "will you help me keep it?" "Certainly," said the father. "Well, I have brought a copy of the pledge; will you sign it, papa?" "Nonsense, nonsense, my child! What could I do when my brother-officers called--the father had been in the army--if I was a teetotaler?" "But do try, papa." "Tut, tut! why you are quite a little radical." "Well, you won't ask me to pass the bottle, papa?" "You are quite a fanatic, my child; but I promise not to ask you to touch it." Some weeks after that two officers called in to spend the evening. "What have you to drink?" said they. "Have you any more of that prime Scotch ale?" "No," said he; "I have not, but I shall get some. Here, Willie, run to the store, and tell them to send some bottles up." The boy stood before his father respectfully, but did not go. "Come, Willie; why, what's the matter? Come, run along." He went, but came back presently without any bottles. "Where's the ale, Willie?" "I asked them for it at the store, and they put it upon the counter, but I could not touch it. O pa, pa! don't be angry; I told them to send it up, but I could not touch it myself!" The father was deeply moved, and turning to his brother-officers, he said: "Gentlemen, do you hear that? You can do as you please. When the ale comes you may drink it, but not another drop shall be drank in my house, and not another drop shall pass my lips. Willie, have you your temperance pledge?" "O pa! I have." "Bring it, then." And the boy was back with it in a moment. The father signed it and the little fellow clung round his father's neck with delight. The ale came, but not one drank, and the bottles stood on the table untouched. Children, sign the pledge, and ask your parents to help you keep it. Don't touch the bottle, and try to keep others from touching it. MISCELLANEOUS. Stock Farms FOR SALE; one of the very best in Central Illinois, the finest agricultural region in the world; 1,100 acres, highly improved; unusual facilities for handling stock; also a smaller farm; also one of the finest Stock Ranches In Central Texas, 9,136 acres. Each has never-failing water, and near railroads; must be sold; terms easy; price low. For further particulars address J. B. or F. C. TURNER, Jacksonville, Ill.