Connecticut western news., 1879-10-22
A Bows Dishonesty.

about her boy who was in the daily habit, as she was mortified to learn, oi stealing sugar from his aunt's drawer where she kept it for an occasional and extra cup of coffee. The fond mother, who had believed him almost faultless foresaw in him the makings of a thief, 6 burglar. Her friend laughed a little and predicted that he would outgrow it. Soon after, while strolling through the garden with visitor, the mother, to he1 even greater horror, saw him go into her room, take some money from hel purse and put it into his pocket. She was thoroughly She recalled several instances where children of her friends had been detected as thieves. Only few days before lad of sixteen was expelled from college for stealing five franc piece from one of his con- rades. After long thinking about it, but without informing anyone. she re- solved to put him to some test, which would show whether his fault was more ! thoughtlessness or ingrained dishonesty.
 His father, himself and his mother were sitting in the room, the boy en- gagged in writing out his lesson.
 My dear," said she to her husband, "I have something to tell you that grieves me. You know how fond we both are of our little servant Joseph"
 "Indeed we are. When he was in his mothers arms I told her we'd take him when he was old enough. He is the son of honest parents, and I'm very fond of him. What has happened to himP"
 "Well, I'm afraid that Joseph is not honest"
 "Not honest ! Joseph ! That's impos- sible."
 "I'm almost sure-more than that-I know he has stolen"
 "Stolen P cried the gentleman. "When? From whom9 What?"
 "He stole from me-"
 "From you After all that we have dono for him treated him as we do our own boy; it's as bad as if our own boy how did you find him out?"
 The mother, meanwhile, had been watching her boy, writing at the table. He turned little pale, and although he still leaned over his table, his pen had stopped. He was listening.
 "Some days ago." she went on, "I left my portmonnaie on the workable |" (the boy trembled little). 1T knew just how much was in it." (At each word the boy was more and more agi- tated.) "I went into the garden, leav- ing Joseph alone in these rooms. In a few minutes I came back, and heard footsteps going from the library. Iwent in. Joseph was not there. Two pieces were missing from my purse." (Her son had became very pale.) "The theft is plain. But what shall we do?"
 Her husband was silent. He was very much disturbed. Finally he said
 "There is but one thing to do. Send him back to his parents. Poor people 1 What blowl They are so honest hearted. Fancy what I should feel if it were my son P
 Here, his tears almost stopped his speaking. His mother looked at her son his lips were trembling.
 "What would you tell his parents ?" she asked of her husband.
 "Tell them all."
 'That is if you send him off,"
 "Send him off!" he cried. "I don't want to see him again. If there is any thing I have horror of, it's thief" The mother was getting alarmed at the aspect of her son.
 "Consider," she replied, "Joseph is only 13, and it's possible he will grow better. Children sometimes do wrong not really thinking it is wrong. Wouldn't it be better to talk to him and show him his fault ?"
 "TL try" he replied, "and soften his fathers anger, which will be terrible. But if he asks my advice I shall tell him to send his son three months to the House of Correction" (Here the lis- tening boy was blanched with fright.)
 In prison!" cried the mother, who had had no idea it would have gone so far. "In prison! So young! His shame will make him desperate"
 "So much the better! The lesson will not be lost upon him. They put boys there for thefts committed under stress of poverty, ignorance, neglect. The boy who steals as 8 vice ought not | to be spared. If there's any way of saving Joseph that's the way. Perhaps he IS not incorrigible-but only terri ble punishment will correct him. Twill go and write to Joseph's father."
 At this the gentleman rose, but the boy running to him clasped his knees, crying with frightful sobs and tears:
 "You must not gol You must not write. Joseph didn't do it. I did it."
 "Your' cried his father. 1 "Yes, l." said the boy, whose terror,l nad disappeared at the thought of dah- ger to his companion. "I took mad mas money. You must put me in prison. Punish me! Punish mel" hal 'ried, his voice choking with tears. I His father fell upon the sofa almost 'peechless. The mother carried the ooy into the next room and going back aid to her husband:
 :" He told you the truth. I know it. knew as you did that he needed ter ible lesson. Severe as it is, am not 'orry. His confession has made full lmends for his fault. He has shown 'ou his whole heart, and it is not base: l We have crushed the serpent's headH Your son will be worthy of you." Al They went into the next room. The 'oy had gone. Astonished, disquieted, hoV Chancnd fO 1Ook ont of fbo xp;y low |