The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-20

III would not DO the least good now
and it would nearly kill him. I've done
with those boys, though, and with such
frolics as they are up to" /.
But it CHANGED that Bert was not to
have his own way about the matter.
That evening when he came home smart
ing under the modification of failure in
his lessons, and a sense of remorse and
shame at his own folly, his father called
him into his study. For the first time
in his life Bert really dreaded an inter
view with his father, and when he saw
upon a chair the hairdresser's sign which
ne had helped to fasten upon Mrs. Nc
Phersons cow, he was ready to sink with
shame. His father talked to him
quietly, telling him that for some time
the neighborhood had been annoyed
by the mischievous and malicious tricks
OF set of boys, until some of the resi-
dents, had determined that they would
discover them and make a public ex-
ample OF them.
If it could have been done sooner it
would have saved great deal of suffer-
ing to an innocent boy; but perhaps some
serious warning was needed for those
who do not hesitate to sacrifice their
best friends to what they call fun This
morning DR.. Parker called me into his
garden, and after showing me the mis-
chief done to his choice vines and plants
by some creature that had trampled over
them, he told me that he found Mrs
McPherson's cow in the grounds with
that sign tied to her horns. The gate
had been taken from the hinges, and the
animal had apparently been driven about
to do as much damage as possible. It
seems almost Incredible that any one
would have the boldness to avow such
piece Of villainy."
Bert sat with his eyes fixed upon the
sign, unable to move or speak, but at
that instant he saw, written in pencil at
the top OF the board: Compliments of
Bert Andrews"
How meant" he exclaimed anerily.
" that's some of Will Moores work. -
"My boy" exclaimed his father, look
ing as If an immense burden had been
lifted from him. " shall be the happiest
man in town to know that you had no
hand In this rascally business.
Then Bert's heart fell again. He
thought he had only shared in the fun,
but he suddenly realized that his com
panlons had contrived that he should also
bear the disgrace and the blame for the
unlooked-for results.
After all it was relief to both faith
er and son when the whole story was
told. Bert was relieved at having made
a full confession and feeling himself re-
stored to his fathers confidence; while
his father was glad of the assurance that
his boy had not been guilty of malicious
mischief
Nothing more fortunate could have
happened to you than that this very
first adventure should bring you into
trouble: for remember, my boy, that the
acts themselves would have been Just as
disgraceful if things had not resulted as
they did. The law does not trouble it.
self about intentions, but holds us respon-
sible for the mischief which results or
which might be expected to result, from
our acts
Father" said Bert presently, 81
hate to have the boys think 1 told of
them"
They seem to have no scruples about
telling of you, said his father. "I shall
certainly go to their fathers, and do what
| cap to save them from certain ruin.
AS for you, Bert, I advise you to go and
have talk with DR.. Parker"
Bert never reported his conversation
with the good old minister, but they
shook hands very cordially as they part
ed, and the doctor was always heard to
speak of Bert as i" fine manly fellow"
Bert likes fun as well as ever, but he
has habit Of looking very cautiously at
a frolic, to be sure there are not two
sides to it, before he ventures in-an ex-
cellent habit to FORM Church and
Home.