Madeline Leslie

“ Henry started, but presently muttered,—
"He's always telling something to get me into trouble."
"No," answered the teacher, "that is not true. Ernest did not tell your father that you stole the keys of his tool chest. He has told me nothing about my knife, though I think that he knows something about it. He was willing to bear all the suspicions of the scholars rather than charge another with the crime. It would be much better for you to confess, Henry. I would forgive you, even now. If, after all your denial, I find you have been the thief and liar, too, I shall make a serious affair of it." ”

“ It is a wicked thing to steal; don't add to the sin by a lie. Come up to the desk bravely, and tell me the whole truth."
No one moved, but several of the scholars noticed how much Ernest tried to hide his confusion. He opened and shut his desk, and held his face closely over his books.
"Don't he look guilty?" whispered Henry Drake, touching his companion under the seat.
"Ernest," Miss Fosdick said at last, "have you nothing to say to me?"
"No, ma'am." And then, to the surprise of the whole school, the little boy began to cry, sobbing as if his heart would break. ”

“ I know that Henry stole from his father's pocket the key of the tool chest and opened it."
"Did Henry tell you! Oh, I'm so glad!"
"I can't say how I learned it; but you may rest about your uncle's displeasure."
Ernest burst out crying.
"I was afraid Henry 'd make him think I did it; and he'd whip me, I know he would. He don't know what he's doing when he gets angry."
"If he dares to lay a finger on you," exclaimed the father, rising, "I'll have the law on him."
"Hush," said Mrs. Monroe, soothingly; "there is no danger; your fever has excited you, Ernest, and you must have some drops. ”

“ Did you take my knife from my desk and return it here with a broken blade?"
For one moment Ernest uncovered his face.
"No, ma'am, I never touched your knife; I didn't know it was broken till you showed it to us."
"I believe you," she said, earnestly. "A boy who always has told the truth, deserves to be believed. You may all return to your lessons. Henry Drake, you may remain after school."
It was noticed by all that Henry's face was as red as Ernest's had been.
One of the scholars presently held up his hand for permission to speak to the teacher about his lesson. ”

“ Henry's words were constantly recurring to his mind. "If you tell, father 'll half kill me. He's awful angry now."
Ernest was a timid boy, not tough and hearty, like his cousin, but feeble from his infancy; "only raised to the age of eleven years," as the doctor said, "by the unwearied nursing of a good mother."
Ernest had a great dread of his uncle's rough word's and hot temper, very different from the manners of his own parents. One time and another, from being a constant companion of his cousin, he had experienced a good deal of harsh treatment from the carpenter. ”

“ Monroe, after they had for some time been seated at the table.
"No, I wouldn't," mildly said his wife. "I'm going to have a talk with Henry. It would be a great deal better to get him to confess."
"Henry is growing to be a bad boy. I wish they didn't live so near. Sometimes I think we shall have to sell our place. I don't want Ernest to associate with such a boy. Then everything that's lost or out of place is laid to our child, whether he ever saw it or not. I'm sick of living so." ”

“ The good Spirit whispered to him,—
"You have sinned. Confess your fault, and accept the punishment you deserve. Your heart will then be at rest."
But Henry would not listen to the good Spirit. He said to himself,—
"If I stick to my lie, he'll believe me sooner than he will Ernest; 'cause when he once gets an idea in his head, he wont give it up nohow. He thinks Ernest did it, and I—guess—I'll—let—him—think—so."
CHAPTER V. THE BROKEN KNIFE.
SCHOOL commenced again the beginning of the week ”

“ Monroe, "one lie leads on to another, until there is no knowing where it will end. I remember my mother used to say, 'There is no safety except in perfect truthfulness.'"
"Don't you believe I have told the truth, mother?" said Ernest, looking up at her inquiringly, as he spoke.
"Yes, Ernest, I do; and so does your aunt."
"I have never caught Ernest in a lie," said Mrs. Drake, sighing again. "If I had, I never should trust you again."
"It's hard sometimes to tell the truth right off," began the boy; "but it is a great deal harder to wait."
CHAPTER IV. ANOTHER LIE.
"WE'VE been in to Mrs. ”

“ Stealing to the closet, with his bare feet to the floor, he soon discovered his father's pocket-book in the same pocket where the keys had once been, and, taking from it five dollars, all the money it contained, he wrapped it in a paper, and lay down in his clothes.
"I know mother wont tell father a word about it to-night," he said, his teeth chattering, "and I'll be off before he's up. He said he shouldn't be at home till eleven, 'cause the moon wouldn't rise till late; so it will be light for me to run away."
CHAPTER VIII. THE LIAR REFORMED.
"WHY don't Henry come down to his breakfast?" ”

“ I'll stay here till mother goes into her room, and then I'll run off. I know there are places enough better than this. At any rate, I wont stay here, where they're all against me, to be half killed by father. ”

“ I didn't see it again till you held it up in school."
"And are you not afraid Henry will carry out his threat, and cut you worse than he did before?"
"Mother has gone in to see Uncle John about that."
"Well, I'm going in there, too. It is time for me to tell his parents what a bad influence he exerts in the school. Unless he repents, and asks forgiveness, I cannot allow him to go back. We must have no thieves nor liars there."
Unfortunately Mr. Drake had gone to a town at some distance, for a load of lumber, and, was not expected home until late. Mrs. ”