The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1873-10-31
Honesty the Best Policy.
nj REV. II. CRAIG.

son 70 his mother as they sat at supper in
their humble, quiet home.
4 why, my son. said his mother kindly,
! for she saw BY his sad countenance that
something was troubling his mind very
much "What is the reason Of that vii.
liew
49, oh nothing, mother, only the bricks
are nearly oil gone, there is but one lot left
now, and they are TO he.takon away in the
morning feel really sorry to think that
shall have nothing 10 DO through the
winter, and then, Of course, there will be no
more weekly wages coming to our poor
4 home"
"Well, my dear boy, you need not dis
] tress yourself too much about that, have
no doubt but that some other place will
open up for you in the winter, and am
certain that SIR Wood will give you the
same situation next spring when their wolk
commences. was talking to him q few
weeks ago and WAS gl0d aud thankful too
to hear him speak 50 well 81 you. lie
said that you were in every way reliable
and that he found you perfectly honest
This il what your mother always taught
you my dear boy, aud an proud to night
\ to have an honest son though be may lie
without situation to morrow evening
Yes, mother, il is pleasant to be hon
est, and 10 be well spoken u, but then it
looks to inc terrible thing to BE- idle, und
caunut bear the thought Of lying around
home for six long months when ought to
be working for you and myself
keep up heart like man" kindly an
swered his mother. How do u think |
got along before you were appointed to the
Officer ! had to trust in God and he
brought me through and now you must
trust to the very same, ami he will give you
eRgugh to do md cententmerft with ttuo."
Y Poor Willie gave long, deep sigh, but
answered not a word; be had not learned
to compit his way to God as confidently as
his mother had, and could at present see
nothing befor. him but long, idle winter,
and that IN his estimation was thing ab
solutely iutolerable..
He had cheered up somewhat next morn
ing, however, and was promptly in his place
at the proper me. Engrosspd in checking
the books and balancing the diff rent ac-
counts, he had entirely forgotten the dolelul
prospects Of the evening b,fore, whrn his
employer suddenly entered the Offices and
hastily opened is pocket book said ''l'ake
this en- dollar bill, Willie, run down 10
town IS quickly as you can, pay two dollars
to Smith and three to Young, aud bring
back the change to mo in single bills,
want to pay il out as soon a, you return.
And Willie, cranlng the money il his
pocket without even looking at il. snatched
up hi. hat aud was gone ii th. twinkling oi
an cye. lie had almost reuched town when
ii occurred to him that he had not looked
at the money and pulling it out at the M.
ment, what was HIS surprise to fnd, Instead
!, Of the ten, hundred dollar bill. "Ah. he
has made a mistake, hut it il no matter,
i will take il down to the bauk and then carry
back the change" murmured Willie to him
self as he replaced the valuable bill il hii
. pocket, and wnlkini the faster with proud
and dignifed step at the recollection of hay
ing 50 much money III his pocket, and ther
the happy thought flashed npur his mnC
that he had nne more opp Irtuniy before h,
left the employment Of Mr.. Wood. TO show
him that he was truly honest. III had nov
reached the town ana was walking dowl
thu principal street leading to tile bank
! when he suddenly met former school
= mate, Harry Edison The boys were pleased
y to see each other, and Willie paused mo
ment to speak to his old friend.
9 "Guess how much m ,ney | have got.
! whispered Willie after d minutes converse
y ton.
Z j don't know" said Harry. "Ho'
= much Y
: Only : hundred dollarsln proudly an
] swer4d Willie.
:. "All your own? Has Mr.. Wow pal
" you off,
mo. ts mistake !" and Willie tol
him how he came by SO much.
"Sursly you don't intend to return it, d
i. youi9
0, "of course do !" promptly answare
: Willie.
II But you say Mr. Wood made mistaE
a when he gave you so much If 50, woul
i keep the balance. lie may think some OF
NJ else got it, Or perhaps be will never miss
a at all; and if he does you can t Il him th'
be he must have given it to some one else
or "But it is not my money, Harry, ar
il. besides cannot tel him lie. He oft,
ne gave me charge Of more than this in the c