American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-06-21
"HONESTY Is THE BEST POLICY
BY REV. r. II. CRAIG.

''HUNESl1 ID L III DESI VhACIs
BY REV. R. II. CRAIG.
Tomorrow will be my last day in the
office at the brick-yard," said Willie
Jamison to his mother as they sat at sup
| per in their humble, quiet home.
"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, Will
lie?"
"Oh, nothing, mother, only the bricks
are nearly all gone, there is but one lot
| left now, and they are to be taken away in
| the morning. 1 feel really sorry to think
| that l shall have nothing to do through
the winter and then, of course, there will
be no more weekly wages coming to our
poor 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 I am
| certain that Mr. Wood will give you the
same situation next spring when their work
commences. l was talking to him few
weeks ago and was glad and thankful to
hear him speak so well of you. He said
that you were in every way reliable, and
that he had found you perfectly honest.
This is what your mother always taught
you, my dear boy, and | am proud to-
be without situation tomorrow even
ing"
Yes, mother, it is pleasant to be hon
est, and to be well spoken of, but then it
looks to me a terrible thing to be idle, and
1 cannot bear the thought of lying around
home for six long months when l ought
to be working for you and myself
Keep up heart like man." kindly
answered his mother. GLOW do you
NJ i,,l- 7 oil Inf
pointed to that office? / had to trust in
God and He brought me through; and
now you must do the very same, and He
will give you enough to do and content
ment with it, too"
Poor Willie gave long, deep sigh, but
answered not a word; he had not learned
to commit his way to God as confidently
as his mother had, and could at present
see nothing before him but a long idle
winter and that in his estimation was
thing absolutely intolerable.
He had cheered up somewhat next
morning, however, and was promptly in
his place at the proper time. Engrossed
in checking the books and balancing the
different accounts, he had entirely for
gotten the doleful prospects of the evening
before, when his employer suddenly en-
tered the office and hastily opening his
pocket-book said, Take this ten-dollar
bill. Willie, run down to town as quickly
as you can, pay two dollars to Smith, and
three to Young, and bring back the change
to me in single bills. | want to pay it
out as soon as you return"
And Willie examining the money in his
pocket without even looking at it, snatched
up his hat and was gone in the twinkling
of an eye He had almost reached town
when it occurred to him that he had not
looked at the money, and pulling it out at
the moment, what was his surprise to
find, instead of the ten, hundred dollar
bill. "Ah, he has made Il mistake, but it is
no matter, will take it down to the bank
and then carry back the change" MUIR
INJURED Willie to himself, as he replaced
the valuable bill in his pocket, and walk
ing the faster with prOu,l and dignitied
step at the recollection of having so much
money in his pocket; and then the happy
thought flashed upon his mind that he
had one more opportunity before he left
the employment of Mr.. Wood, to show
him that he was truly honest He had now
reached the town and was walking down
the principal street leading to the bank,
when he suddenly met former school
mate, Harry Edison. The boys were
pleased to see each other, and Willie
paused moment to speak to his old
friend.
Guess how much money l have got"
'
sation.
q don't KNOW" said Harry. "How
much?"
"Only hundred dollars" proudly an
swered Willie.
"All your owns Has Mr.. Wood paid
you OFF,"
mo, it's mistake;" and Willie told
him how he came by so much.
Surely you don't intend to return it, do
your
"Of course 1 do" promptly answered
Willie
But you say Mr. Wood made mis-
take when he gave you so much; If so,
would keep the balance. He may think
some one else got it, or perhaps he will
never miss it at all; and if he does you
can tell him that he must have given it to
some one else"
But it is not my money, Harry, and
besides | cannot tell him a lie. He often
gave me charge of more than this in the
office and l would not take a cent for all
the world, and he knows that too"
Then he will not suspect you; and be-
sides, you tell me that this is your last day
in his office. 1t may be good long time
before you get another situation and IA
longer time before you have it in your pow
err again to make ninety dollars so easily.
Mr.. Wood is rich, and you are poor; and
l think you are very foolish if you take it
back to him"
Willie's pride was hurt little at the
thought that he was poor" and he
promptly replied: at is very true L may
not get "A situation for Il long time, but |
can't help that, and L have not earned
ninety dollars; besides, l am not poor
but / can get along. Mother and MIR.
Wood both think me honest, and | would
not deceive them for II thousand dollars"
II am sorry you are so FOOLISH" Harry
answered with sarcastic smile. you
will probably regret your honesty about
Christmas when you find yourself without
a situation or IA cent. Good bye"
Now, Harry was boy of seventeen, and
more than three years Willie's senior, and
ought to have known better, but honesty
does not always go by age, and kdOecinq
and doing are two different things
Willie had the money changed at the
bank. He rolled up the ninety dollars
carefully, and placed it in an inside pocket
of his vest, and then walked off to make
the required paymentS. No one else was