The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-03-19
MEssEhbER SUNDAY MARCH e s
you aware of any fact that will excuse


him z"
Something in my uncle's face made me
imagine that he suspected me, and on the
spur of the moment answered, {" No, am
not"
Bitterly, bitterly repented those words.
Poor Joe came that evening to bid
me good by, aud thank me for all the
kindness had shown him, and every
grateful word the honest, unsuspecting lad
spoke was like knife thurst. 1 felt hum
bled to the dust before honest Joe.
:, "Tis hard to lose my place, sir,' he said,
poor, but it's harder to be suspected of tell
ing lie. They say took loose candle
into the hay loft, sir, and no one will be.
lieve me, however I deny it."
believe you, Joe," said earnestly.
"Thank you, Master Harry 5" and the
poor boy turned away, unable to speak.
was determined as spoke to him, that
would 60 at once to my uncle, and tell the
whole truth, and clear Joe's good name.
started with this intention for the parlor,
where my uncle and aunt were sitting.
They were alone, and opened the subject
at once. "Upcle James," said, with the
color rushing hotly to my cheeks, 81 have
come to speak to you about poor Joe."
Not word !" said my uncle sternly;
% will not listen to word in his excuse.
Joe is bad boy. liar is as bad as
thief"
NY courage m0 "nll9 my uncle
spoke, and my task grew harder and hard
er; bat when he uttered the last words
" A liar is as bad as thief"-I felt it
to be impossible l should so accuse myself;
the evil spirit gained full mastery of my
heart again, and l left the room without
speaking.
My holidays came-six weeks long, from
the first of September, and 1 had been look
ing forward to them for months, as to days
that were to be happiest had ever spent
l was to ride new horse of my uncle's, /
was to go shooting with my uncle what
was not to dot But when the days came
that were to have been so happy, they were
sad and weary ones to mo, with the weight
of my sad secret lying like lead on my
heart.
What's come over the boy p my uncle
would say to my aunt, or she to him but
none guessed.
I was startled one day, by hearing that
Joe's mother was ill, and still more by
being told by my aunt to go and see if the
poor woman wanted help.
''It's fretting is the matter with me,
Master Harry" said the poor woman, as
! stood beside her bedside. "I've never
been myself since joe was turned off the
farm. He has never had any regular work
since, for the farmers about can't trust him,
they say, and he's breaking his heart, poor
lad"
The woman's pale face touched my heart,
ouu Guo tuOuSut Vi uOuebC Joe Ul9CrQ6G6Q
and out of work, and breaking his heart"
poor fellow, all through my wickedness,
overcame me. darted from the room,
and ran across the fields.
Uncle, may come in 7" said, tapping
at his studyroo and in that moment I
prayed more earnestly than I had ever
prayed before, that God would give me
grace and strength to speak the truth bold
ly. Oh. that, had done this at first l
should then have not fallen 30 low.
What !" said my uncle, in amazement,
you did it you burnt the buildings 2"
Yes, uncle. have been base and cow
ardly, and worse 'than thief to let the
blame rest on an innocent head.n
May God forgive you Harry must
send for the poor LAD at once"
Let me 60 )" and went.
"Can you forgive me, Joe Z" asked the
lad had 80 deeply injured.
Forgive you, air! why, our Saviour
tells us to forgive our enemies, and you're
my friend, Master Harry, amt you9"
. am not worthy to be your friend, but
I will try to be as generous and forgiving
as you are"
"There is q better One to copy than
poor me, sir, he said, and l know whom
Joe meant.-Young Crusader.
nr of