Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-11
'sHONESTY is THE BEST POLICY
BY REV. r. III. CRAIG,

BY REV. R. III. CRAIG
'To-merrow 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 lis 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
LETT now, and they are to be taken away in
the morning. [ feel really sorry to think
that shall have nothing to do through
the winter, and them 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 ] am
certain that Mr.. Wood will give you the
same situation next spring when their work
commences. [ 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
J SeSepi
night to have an honest son though he may
be without situation tomorrow even
ing"
Yes, mother, it is pleasant to be hon
est, and to be we'll spoken of, but then it
looks to me terrible thing to be idle, and
| l cannot bear the thought of lying around
home for six long months when I ought
| to be working for you and myself"
keep up heart like man." kindly
! answered his mother. "How do YOU
| think I got along before you were ap-
| 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 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 long idle
winter, and that in his estimation was a
| thing absolutely intolerable
He had cheered up somewhat next
| morning, however, and was promptly in
his place at the proper time. Engrossed
| III 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
pocketbook 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. I 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 a 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 proud and dignifed
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 ne suddenly met a 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 I have got.n
whispered Willie after minutes CONVEX
sation.
81 don't know" said Harry. "How
much?"
Only hundred dollars!' proudly an
swered Willie.
Cali your own? Has Mr.. Wood paid
you Off" f
mo, it's mistake;" and Willie told
him how he came by so much.
Surely you don't intend to return it, do
your"
Willie. ''ii'' " q 00
"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 # to
some one else"
but it is not my money, Harry, and
besides cannot tell him lie. He often
gave me charge of more than this in the
once and would not take cent for all
the world, and he knows that too"
Then he will not suspect you; and be-
sloes, you tell me that this is your last day
! IN mis- his office. 1t may be good long time
De1ore you get another situation and
longer time before you have it in your pow
er again to make ninety dollars so easily.
Mr. Wood is rich, and you are poor; and
l mink you are very foolish if you take it
back to him."
:, Wlllle's pride was hurt little at the
thought that he was ''poor," and he
promptly replied: cit is very true l may
not get situation for long time, but I
can't help that, and 1 have not earned
ninety dollars; besides, am not so poor
but | can get along. Mother and Mr..
Wood both think me honest, and would
not deceive them for thousand dollars"