Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-04-21
LAUGH AND be naPPY.
A SELECTED STORY.
TRUTH AND HONESTY.
4 BElrrIrgL LESSON roa sors.


Two boys Of nearly the same are. were
one day amusing themselves with that dan
gerous though not uncommon pastime
Epelting each other with stones. They had
Echosen one of the squares Of the play.
Iground, thinking by this means TO avoid
doing mischief To the CONSERVATION o.
the thrower, however, missile, instead Of
resting on the shoulders Of the boy to
whom it was aimed, entered the library
window Of one Of the lordly mansions
forming the quadrangle
@Why don'tyou take to your heels. YOU
blockhead; you win have the police after
you whilst you are standing staring there p
vas the exclamation Of his companion, and
be caught him BY the arm in order to drag
him from Che spot The author Of the
mischief still retained his thoughtful posi-.
ton.
"If your father is obliged to paw for that.
tou will stand chance of having good
thrashing, jack the other boy urged.
@Never mind, Tom, leave me to myself.n
vas the reply, and the young delinquent
moved, with unfaltering steps, towards the
door Of the mansion, the knocker Of which
he unhesitatingly raised. The summons
was answered BY footman.
"Is the master of the house at home ~
he with some difidcnce inquired.
aHe is.n
sThen wish to see him if you please. !"
sThat you can't do, my man, but I'll de-
liver any message for YOU
ssNo, that will not do. must, indeed
| must, see the gentleman himselfn The
earnestness and perseverance Of the boy
at length induced him to comply with his
request, and opening the door Of the IL
brary, he apologized for asking his master
TO see shabby little fellow; adding that
he could neither learn his business nor get
rid Of him.
airing him in,n said the gentleman ad
dressed, who having witnessed the trans
action, and overheard the conversation.
was curious to know the object of the bows
visit. The poor chill, whose ideas had
never scared above his fathers second floor.
stood for some moments in supplied amaze.
ment when ushered into an elegant apart.
menti but remembering the painful cir.
c1mstances which had brought him into
this scene Of enchantment. he. in soma
measure, gained his self.possessiou.
IL am very sorry, sir" he began Il fall
tering voice, "but / have broken your win.
dow. Myfather is out Of work lust now
and cannot pay you for it, but II Won will
be kind enough to take the money 4 little
1t . time, as I can get it, will Be sure %
make il up; and as he spoke. lie drew !
few half pence from his pocket and laid
them on the table. aTaFi q
FsThats an honest speech nv lad: but
how am I TO be sure that Won viii fulfl
your engagement o. Mr.. Oavendish re-
turned. aDo you know that I could have
sent you to the station-house till the mo-
ney is made up %
s0h, don't send me there, sir. Il would
b{eak my dear mothers heart j win nav
yeu all-indeed ! viii sir;;"a and the poor
boy burst into food Of tears. -
II am glad you have 30 much conside
ration for your mothers feelinRs@and for
her sake / viii trust to your honestly
aOh, thank you, sir, thank YOU. ~
aBut when do you expect to Be able 10
make me another PAYMENT This very
slhall sum towards the price Of 1 large
square Of plate glass sand As be spoke Re
glanced At the four half pence which the
boy bad spread out
This day week, 81, If you please.''
ss.very we'll let it Be 50. At this bour
I IE.11 IL a k,,...x ~, -. - !, 4 49,