Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-12
TELLING TRUTH.
A LESSON FOR BOYS

"Well, boys, it is time for US tellers
to 90 to roost," said Jim Finley, one OF
the greatest roughs on the Rocky Fork,
as he threw down the implements with
which he had been playing and began to
undress. We all followed his example, |
although it was not much undressing we
did to sleep on the hay-mow; but we
were so busy with our own affairs that
we did not notice Charley Allen, unit
Jim exclaimed "Heyday we've got a
parson here, we hevw Charley was
kneeling by the oat-bin praying. Jim
Finley's jest met with no response.
The silence was only broken by the
drowsy cattle below. More than one
rough man exhibited evidence Of having
been moved by the scene, as he went ST.
lently to his bed on the hay. had al
ways been in the habit of praying at
home, but never thought of such
thing at Saunders mill. As | laid
awake that night in the old barn, think
ing of Charley Aliens courage, and
what an effect it had upon the men, l
firmly resolved that in the future would
do right. 1 little thought how soon my
courage would be tested.
Just after dinner got my grist, and
started for home. When arrived at
Albright's gate, where | turned off to go
home, | found the old squire waiting for
me. | saw in a moment that something
had gone wrong. had always stood in
the greatest awe of the old gentleman,
because he was the rich man of the
neighborhood, and now felt my heart
beginning to beat very fast. As soon as
| came near he said, "Did you go
through this gate yesterday y | could
easily have denied it, as it was before
daylight when | went through, and |
quite as often went the other way. Char
ley Allen kneeling in the barn, came to
my mind like flash, and before | had
time to listen to the tempter, | said,
"Yes, sir; did,"
"Are you sure you shut and pinned
the gate ~ he asked.
This question staggered me. | re-
membered distinctly that | did not. l
could pull the pin out without getting OFT
my horse, but | could not put 1t IN
again, so | carelessly rode away, and
left it open.
"I-I-l-"
"Out with it; tell just wha, you did
Il left it open," said abruptly.
"Well, you let the cattle in, and they
have destroyed all my early potatoes
terrible piece Of business :!
I'm very sorry, I'd
Talking won't help matters now, but
remember, boy, sorrow don't make po-
tatoes."
felt very badly about the matter,
for | was really sorry that the old gen
tleman had lost his potatoes, and then l
expected to be severely reprimanded at
home but soon found that they knew
nothing Of the matter, and after several
days had passed, began to rest quite
easy. Alas tor human hopes One
rainy afternoon l saw the squire riding
down the lane. | ran off to the barn,
ashamed to face him, and afraid to meet
my father. They sat and talked for a
long time. At last my curiosity over
came my fear, and stole back to tba
house, and went into my mothers room,
TO see if could hear what they were
talking about. "Why, the boy could be
spared we'll enough, but he don't know
anything about the business" said my
father. There is one thing he does
know said the squire, she knows how
to tell the truth" He then related the
which l so much dreaded
to have my father hear. After ne had
gone, my father called me to him, AMI
told me the that the squire was going to
start store in the village and wanted
a boy to help, and that could 60 II l
wanted to. | went and remained IN the
village store until it blossomed out into
a city store and people say that got
my start in life when | entered Ale
bright's store, but l will always main
tain that l got it by telling the truth
-, NIL.