The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-24
THE HONEST BOY MAKES THE HON.
EST MAN.


read in papers, of poor boys who were
very honest and good and then became
great men?" asked Master Arthur For
syth of his father as he finished reading
a story in a religious paper.
"Well, my son." replied Mr. Forsyth,
" that is rather comprehensive ques-
ton, and requires more than | know to
answer; but can assure you that good
many of them are quite true. Besides,
l do not see why they may not be true;
and there is nothing inconsistent in an
honest boys getting along in the world
better than a dishonest one, any more
than itsis expected that an industrious
scholar will learn more at school than a
lazy, idle one. Indeed, have known
boys who bore just such character as
those of whom you read. One in par
ticular / remember, who was a noble ex-
ample of honesty"
Well, papa, won't you tell me about
him." said Arthur; it satisfies me so
much more when know that it is true"
This, | can assure you, is true; for l
was myself witness of many instances
of his honesty. He was a schoolmate
of mine when l was boy, and | remem-
Der his making diligent inquiry to find
the owner of a top which he had found
on the playground, and, when he knew
the loser, returned it to him with great
satisfaction"
But, papa" said Arthur "that was
not much honesty"
How much more honesty would you
want him to have? He had enough for
the occasion, and that was to find the
owner and give up plaything which he
had found and might have kept to him
self. Besides, it shows the good princi-
pie which he cultivated even when a
child. On one occasion he went into a
stationer's to purchase some pens, and
when he got home he found that the man
had given him a penny too much in
change; he went back the very next day
and returned the penny"
That was very little; besides, the
man might never have missed it," said
Arthur.
81 think it was a great deal; and sup
pose it had never been missed, it might
have proved the commencement of
dishonest course to the young man, en-
cOuraging cOvetousness and leading to
theft; do you not think stealing is dis
honest? On another occasion, having
made purchase, after he left the store,
in large city where he was perfect
stranger, he found that one of the bills
received in change was good deal
larger than was intended. He had got
away some distance and was in haste,
but took pains to walk back and return
the money"
And what good did it do him?" asked
Arthur
Why, it did him great good to hear
one clerk say to another who was pres
emit; That is an honest boy Once he
found two dollars on the floor of a large
store; no one saw him pick it up; but
that was no matter to this truly honest
boy. He carried the money to the desk
to see if it belonged there. They thought
not, but he left it, saying he would call
again, and, if they had not found the
owner. he would claim it,"
did they find the owner?" inquired
Arthur.
" No; no one claimed it."
"Then he got it, of course?" said Ar
thur.
mo; he asked for it, but tie cashier
said they must have lost it themselves,
and refused to give it up"
'"That was not very honest in the
CASHIER" said Arthur.
" Not gerry; but he acted as honestly
as great many persons do who take to
themselves credit for being strictly hon
est. When travelling in railway Car,
on one occasion, the conductor over
looked him in taking up the tickets"
Then he could travel on the same
ticket again." interrupted Arthur.
So he could, had he not been honest;
but he chose rather to hand up his
ticket as he stepped off the car"
I" Well, in order to act honestly, must
one give up his ticket, whether asked for
it or not?" inquired Arthur.
If he never travels ON that ticket
again, nor gives it to anyone else to use,
then it may make no difference whether
he gives it up or not; but if he uses it
again he is simply taking twice as much
as he has paid for, and that is not hon
est"
"But | should rather hear of his doing
something that would be real test OF
honesty" said Arthur; some can be
be honest in little things who cannot be
so in great matters"
"When he had grown up to be young
man of seventeen his father sent him
away two hundred miles from home to
attend school. He had never been in SC
large city before, and, having arrived
by night, was anxious next morning tC
see the splendors of the city. Walking
along crowded street, imagine his sur.
prise to see at his foot large, well-tillet
purse. He picked it up very quickly
and succe ,ded in putting it into hi
pocket without being noticed"
Did he want to keep lt?" interrupted
Arthur.
Wait, my son, and you shall hear tn,
end. He feared some person nigh
claim it who had no more right to i
than he had himself. But, after putting
it in his pocket, he walked several times
along the same street, backward and for
ward, to see if anyone would seem t.
have lost it; but, no one appearing, hi
went to school with the purse in hi