Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-06-14
Roberts Advice.

One sunny Saturday morning, not long
ago, Robert s. sat on the bench in his
Toulouse, busly at work. Presently his lit
tie sister Bessie came in. Give done some
thing dreadful, Rob; though it wasn't my
fault either. You won't tell, will you 2"
she asked looking up doubtfully.
No, won't" he replied promptly, inter
ested at the prospect Of sharing a secret.
"Well, and here Bessie drew long
breath" | went to get a drink Of water,
and there was one of those thin fancy tum-
blers you know, on the table. | wanted
much to drink out of it, because mothers
so afraid about them that she never let's me.
| was as careful as ! could be bat when
was just going to put it back on the table,
somebody opened the door thought it
was mother, and | was so frightened that
let the tumbler drop on the floor, and"
Bessie then stopped to choke back ris-
ing sob.
"Went all to smash, did it ?" inquired
Rob, sympathetically. Bessie nodded rue
fully
%whewr - whistled Rob. "What did
mother say?'
90 it wasn't mother at all. It was only
Bridget. o. Rob do you think shall have
to tell mother? 1t would only make her
| feel vexed if she knew one of them was
broken; if don't tell her perhaps she won't
miss it, and won't feel giieved about it,
I'm sure don't want TO vex her
This was quite plausible view Of the
matter, and Bessie longed to hear Robert
approve of it. At last he said " DO YOU
really want my advice, Bess ?"
Eyes What would you do 2"
DWELL, if were in your place, Bess, I'd
tell her. You know that's the only honest
thing to do really. There are several reasons
why it is better to be honest about anything
Of that kind One is, perhaps sLeW torgire
you" And so Robert took up his boat
again, feeling that the minister himself
couldn't have given better advice in the case
/ As for poor Bessie she rather resented Rob
erts tone of superiority and said quickly
don't much believe you would tell her
after all, Rob. 1t isn't half as easy as you
| think"
perhaps it isn't easy, Who said it was
| But | hope | should be honest enough for
that" And self-righteous Rob brought
down the hammer with all his might on the
knife with which he was splitting piece of
wood. Alas for him 1t struck on an un-
seen nail, which snapped off the slender
point in trice. When he drew out the
| pointless, blunted blade he gazed at it in
| dismay while Bessie, in spite Of her trouble,
couldn't help laughing little at the sudden
change in his face.
This was anything but soothing TO Roberts
feelings, and he muttered that he didn't
see what business that old nail had there"
and other not very amiable remarks to the
same effect
why, Rob exclaimed Bessie, suddenly,
" isn't that fathers new knife, the one lie
told us not 10 touch
lie meant you, replied Robert, sharply
" but know how to use knife never
hurt a knife before in my life, aud this
wasn't my fault. 1t was all on account of that
nail and don't know who put that there I
didn't" Robert was about as unreasonable
as unfortunate people are apt TO be.
"Well, Rob, said Bessie, at length, "we'ye
both done something now. Let's go and con
TESS together
Confess rejoined Robert, slowly
"why, II don't belieye--that is" and
without finishing the sentence he carefully
shut the knife, and going TO his fathers tool
chest, put it exactly where he had found it.
Bessie's blue eyes opened very wide at this
proceeding, and Robert could not meet their
look as he explained, " You see, Bess, Johns
going to leave next week, and il father
doesn't find it out before then, why, he'll
he'll think John did it, aud, you see, it
don't hurt John, because he won't be here"
As soon as Bessie could say anything for
her amazcment at this speech, she began,
But Rob, | thought you said if you were
ia my place" but Robert rushed of TO the
garden, not caring to hear his own words re-
peated just then.
Bessie stood still ON the barn floor, look
ing thoughtfully towards the door where
Robert disappeared. A single streak of
sunlight edged its way through crack,
making perfect glory of her wavy, flaxen
hair, so that she formed quite pretty little
picture, as she stood in deep thought for
full ten minutes. At last light flashed
into her eyes, and she ran out 10 find Robert.
She came upon him, gloomily pulling up
weeds In his garden.
"Rob, she said, I" I've just this moment
thought Of that verse learned this morning,
and I'm going to do it,"
"What was IL 7" asked Robert, without
looking up.
81 don't remember exactly, but its some
thing about whose confesseth his sins shall
have mercy and so I'm going TO confess
my fault TO mother because mercy means
she won't care much"
To this rather loose explanation Robert
only replied, "Tell her them" still keeping
his eyes on the weeds,