Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-07-31
Ghildren's department.
BE SLOW TO ACCUSE.

"Mother, can't find my seventeen cent
anywhere" said Arthur, coming into his
mothers room with quite an anxious face;
II put it right here in my pocket book, and
that into my overcoat pocket. 1t had been
hanging up in the hall all day, and l do be-
lieve that the new girl has taken it out. She
saw me have it last night and put it away"
"Look in your other pockets, Arthur. A
little boy who is so apt to forget things must
not be too positive that he puts his money in
his pocket-book. And never accuse anybody
of stealing without shadow of evidence,
This is very sinful as we'll as unkind. What
if Susan should lose her money and accuse
you of stealing it? Remember the golden
rule"
"But mother, she looked guilty when said
l had lost it, and that I knew some one had
taken it out of my pocket"
"But very likely she did look confused on
hearing you make such an unkind speech.
She knew very we'll there was no one in the
house you could suspect of taking it but her
self. You might as we'll have said so in plain
words. An innocent person is more apt to
look guilty, when accused of crime, than
one who is hardened in wrong doing The
latter usually has face ready made up to
suit any occasion. A gentleman once said
that the most guilty looking person he ever
saw, was man arrested for stealing horse
which afterward proved to be his own.
"But what has become of my money, moth
er? 1t is gone, that is certain"
was supposed little neighbor had stolen,
said his mother with smile.
"But can't have left this in the grapevine
arbor this winter weather"
"But there sre plenty Of other losing places
about. Did you have on that jacket last
evening?"
"No, mother, believe I had on my gray
one, but then I kno,O put it into my pocket
book"
"Don't say you know, my dear, for it may
be an untruth. Please bring me your gray
jacket"
Arthur walked slowly up to his room, but
he walked back slower still, and looked very
foolish when he came in his mothers room
again.
Mother comprehended it all at glance,
and smiled as she said
II wonder who looks guilty this time?"
"Oh mother, I am sorry, but did not
mean to accuse Susan so wrongly. remem-
Der now, just as plainly as can be, wrapping
up those three FIVE cent pieces, and two pen
nies, in that bit of paper, and putting it into
my jacket pocket"
"It is very serious thing, Arthur, to make
such charges as you did moment ago against
an innocent person. What if you mentioned
it among your school-mates? 1t would not
be long before it would be told all about
Susan, at Mr.. Reynolds steals. I wonder
they keep her. If she ever wished to get
another place, it might be very difficult
matter. Though you contradict the story af-
terwards, it would never undo the mischief.
Many will repeat an injurious story, who will
never take the trouble to correct it. will
pray for you, dear boy, that you may learn
to correct this sinful habit; and I hope you
will pray with me. You will never improve
bad habit until you pray over it. Run now,
and tell Susan that you have found your
money; and try to make some amends for
your injustice, by being more than usually
thoughtful and obliging."