Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-08-11
THE FATHERS LESSON.

had been married fifteen years. Three
beautiful daughters eniyened the domestic
hearth the youngest Of whom was in her
eighth year. A more happy and contented
houshold was nowhere to be found My wife
was amiable, intelligent and contented. We
were not wealthy, but Providence had pre-
served us from want, and we had learned that
" contentment without wealth is better than
wealth without coutentment.'
1t was my custom, when returning home at
night, to drop into one Of the many shops that
are constantly open in the business streets OF
the metropolis, aud purchase some triling
daintios, such as fruit and confectionery, to
present to mother and the children On one
occasion purchased some remarkably fine
apples. After the repast, half dozen were
left untouched, and my thrifty companion
forthwith removed them to the place Of de-
posit, where it was hercuston TO preserve the
remains of our knick-knacks. A day or two
after when had seated myself at the table
to dine, she said to me smiling, " So father
has found the way tony saiety-box, has he ??
was at a loss to understand the meaning,
and desired her to explain.
Have you not been in my drawer2n
"What drawer ~
The upper drawer in my chamber bureau
Did you not take therelrom the largest pip
pin | had put away for the girls ?' No,
did not"
You did not2n Not /! | have not
seen an apple since tha evening purchased
them"
slight cloud passed over the countenancc
Of my wife She was troubled The loss OF
the apple was in itself nothing; but we had
carefully instructed our children not to app
propriate TO their use any article whatever of
family consumption, without permission
when the demand was at all reasonable, it
had never been denied them She was 10th
to suspect any one Of the offence we had a
servant girl inthe family, but as she was sup
posed TO know nothing Of the apples my wife
hesitated tocharge it uponher. She at length
broke the silence by saying We must ex-
anime the affair. | can hardly think one of
the children would so act. Ii We find them
guilty, we must reproye them. viii you
please look into it2"
The girls were separately brought into my
presence-the eldest one first.
Eliza, did you take from your mothers
drawer an apple ?" ." No sir
Marin, did you take from your mothers
drawer an apple ?" No sir"
Mary, did you take from your mothers
drawer an apple ?" No sir"
at must have been taken by the servant I;
call her to me" said l, addressing my wife.
Nell, how came you to take from the
drawer Of your mistress without permission,
the argestof the oppless she hadp placed there p
Wot apples ~
Did you not take an apple from the draw
er of your mistress ?" " No sa."
Now it was evident that ialsehood existed
somewhere, Could it be that one of my chill
dren had told me lie? The thought har-
rassed me- was not able to attend to busi-
ness. went to the store but soon returned
again. Meanwhile, theseryant-grl had COM
muuicated to her mistress that she had seen
our youngest 60 into the garret with a large
apple the morning before. On examination,
the core and several pieces of the rind were
found upon the floor. again called Mary
to me, and said to her aifectionately:
Mary, my daughter, did you not 60 into
the garret yesterday p Yes, SIR
"Did you go there with an apple ?"
No, sir"
Did you notice anything on the floor ?"
No sir"
was unwilling to believe my sweet child
capable of telling me ialsehood, but appear
ances were against her, The fault lay be-
tween her and the servant, aud while | was
desirous to acquit my child, did not wish to
accuse unjustly the negro. | therefore took
Mary into room alonei spoke to her Of
the enormity Of lying-of the necessity Of
telling the huth-of the severe penalty |
should be compelled to infct upon her, if she
did not confess the whole to me, aud with
tears in my eyes urged her to say that she
bad done it, if indeed she had Gradually
became convinced of her guilt and now |
determined she Shouid confess it. My threat
snings were not wthort effect Afler weep
ng aud protesting her innocence, and weep
ng and again protesting, my threatenings
seemed to alarm her aud falling on her knees,
'ho said, Father | did take the apple"
Never shall forget that moment My
,hild confessed that she was a liar in my pres
nee
Suppressng the emotion, | retired and
Nary, rising from her position, ran to her
mother, and in paroxysm of grief fcried out
Mother did nat take the apple, but father
las made me confess that did"
Here was new aspect OF affairs. Lie
upon lie Could it be possible