The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-22

% the school. At noon he
called one of the older
boys to him, and asked him why the
pupils were not more courteous to the
new boy, and why there had been 80
many meaning glances cast at him,
and no kindnesses shown him.
"Well, sir, to tell you the truth, Tex
planned Nevins, zone of the boys here
saws he used to know of him, and that
once it was said that he had taken some
money that did not belong to him.
It was never proved exactly, but still
we don't feel as if we wanted to asso-
ciate with thief"
81 am afraid he may feel that In
that case he has some reason for not
wanting to associate with you" said
Professor Palmer.
"What do you mean, sir?" asked
Nevins, his face flushed holly with
anger, and his voice trembling as he
tried to speak respectfully. "You
don't mean that any of usare thieves,
do you?"
"What is theft" asked Professor
Palmer.
"Any one who takes what does not
belong to him." answered Nevins
promptly.
"Then can you plead not guilty in
that regard9" asked the professor
.gravely.
"Of course I can, sir" Nevins re-
piled hastily. "Why, you can't mean
- you don't think surely you
don't mean that 1 am thief, do
you?" he asked. "What reason have
l ever given you for thinking such
thing as that, Professor Palmerg
"Nevins, / have been wanting to
have talk with you for some days,
and this a good opportunity" said
his teacher. "You say thief is one
who takes that which does not be-
long to him. Now are you aware
that not day passes that you do not
lay yourself open to the accusation of
stealing, even although you may not
take money, nor anything of market
able value?"
mo, sir" .Nevins responded. 81
don't understand you at all, sir"
"Well, we will begin with your
gravest offence, then" said the pro-
fessor. "What do we do during the
first fifteen minutes of school time
every morning9"
"We have prayers" Nevins an
swered, in puzzled tone.
"Yes, and SO that time is set apart
for Gods worship. We give him
that time, and consider it his, each
day, do we not?'
eyes, sir" Nevins answered. He
was beginning at last to have some
idea of what his teacher meant.
"When I see a boy during that
time, either studying his lessons, or
looking about the room, or trying to
attract the attention of some OF his
schoolmates, am l not right in saying
that he is taking something which
does not belong to him."
"Yes, sir" answered Nevins.
THAT is surely grave offence, and
one which | do not believe you will
be guilty of again, now that you re-
alize what it is" went on Professor
Palmer. 81 do not think you would
willingly take from God that which
we have set apart for his service.
But beyond that, what does your
father send you here to school forl"
"To learn" Nevins replied.
eyes, he sends you here to get an
education, and pays me to provide
you with opportunities of instruction.
When you spend the hours of school
in diverting your schoolmates by |
mischievous pranks, in studying your
lessons just as little as possible to
avoid disgrace and being kept in after
school, do you not think that you are
robbing your father of what is justly
his duet Has he not right to ex-
pect from you that you will make
the best of yourself during these
hours that he wishes you to studyp
"Yes, sir" Neyins answered again,