Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-03-05

built. and the wharves made if the Pill
grim boys had lain in bed till hal-past
eight in the morningp his mother asked
him. We should all be sitting in the will
derness at this moment if they hadn't
been earlier than that.
Little by little, Tom Brewster grew
into manly boyhood, and the Forefath.
ers, of whom he thought so much, played
no sham part in the development of his
character. He was strictly truthful, and
had strong sense of honor, as became
descendant of sturdy Elder Brewster
and this, of all his traits was that which
his mother priced and loved the most
So 1t was quite shock to her when on
day note came from the master of the
high school, to say that he was sorry 10
make complaint against Tom, who's
conduct had generally been most satisfac
tory, but that something very unpleasant
had occurred. The bell which hung in the
tower Of the school building had been
stolen. No one knew by whom, but
mitten marked with Toms name had
been picked up in the staircase which led
to the tower and he, on Feing questioned,
though he denied the mischief, had con
fessed that he knew something about it.
| can make no impression, wrote Mr..
Mr.. Marshall. Perhaps you will be able to
get the truth form him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brewster were greatly
troubled by this note. 1t was the first
serious scrape that Tom had ever got into,
and they were perplexed as to how to deal
with it. Kindly ard closely they question
ed their boy, but for II long time they
frat ;l,,tt 4
it. Mamma, | told Mr.. Marshall that |
didn't do it. But at last, when Tom
grasped the fact that his parents were not
sure that he was speaking the truth, his
face flushed Indignantly, and tears sprang
into his eyes. Papa, don't YOU believe
me? he said, with IA choke in his voice.
Yes, Tom, answered his father, slowly,
if you look me straight in the face and say
that you ddnt do this, | must believe you,
for you never told me lie.
No, and never will, said Tom, looking
straight into his fathers eyes. I'd be
ashamed of being descendant of the
Pilgrims if | told lies. do know who
stole the bell, mamma, and said so
when Mr.. Marshall asked me, but
promised not to tell.
That's enough, my boy. am satisfied,
and no one shall ask YOU any more ques-
tions about it, said Mr.. Brewster.
Tom let mamma kiss him, then he hur-
ried away. His eyes and voice were not
quite steady yet, and. like most of his age.
he considered crying weakness to be
ashamed of. But his heart was warm
with glow of affection toward the par
ents who believe him, without waiting
for the proof of his words, which came
few weeks later.
What a staunch little chap that is! re-
marked his father, after he was gone.
How he harks back to the Pilgrims al
ways! He thinks twice rs much about
them as ever did. Well, Elder Brewster
himself need not be ashamed of him.
No, replied his wife, thoughtfully. 1t
is curious to see what large part Elder
Brewster and the rest of those old worthless
have played in Toms development 1t
makes it better VIC rth while to have lived
10 think that, long after yoa are dead,
you may still reach out II hand, as 1t
were, to affect the life and character of
your far-away descendants. | wish all
New England boys cared about the Pill
grlms in the same way. There is every
thing in having q high standard, and
Toms standard, all his life, has been the
Forefathers.