The Universalist., 1896-06-27
KEEPING FAITH WITH THE
CHILDREN.

"If that's falsehood, mamma" said
child who had been reproved for making
fictitious excuse, "you told one your
self last week to Mrs. B. You said
you would meet her at three o'clock, and
you stayed by the fire reading till it was
too late, and then sent her word you had
been unavoidably detained"
A mother had promised to assist in the
entertainment of some working girls, but,
feeling disinclined when the evening ar.
rived, she desired to excuse herself.
but you promised. mamma" pleaded
her young daughter, land those girls
will be so disappointed. They were dis
appointed at the last meeting because
Mrs. s. said she would talk to them,
and then sent word she was quite worn
out"
Boys and girls in business life often
take lessons in bad faith from employ
ers. "Why did you not tell Mr.. c.
that we had not received his letter.
asked man of girl clerk. How could
tell him what was not true?" "Miss
Blank has not been long enough in busi.
1855 yet, ,tsaid lad from his desk.
Hereafter, Miss Blank when you have
any little difficulty with your conscience,
just call on me, and I'll answer for you.'
Some who would be shocked by direct
falsehood are careless about keeping
promises, and betray condolences with
out scruple. If the young people under
their influence do not leave the path Of
truth altogether. they walk it uncer.
tainly.
A woman who was about to undergo
an operation that might prove fatal, re-
memb bered, few moments before the
entrance of the surgeons, that she had
not fulfilled promise. In case of her
death or long illness, excuse would be
made for her; but girl had trusted her,
and failure to keep her word might
cause her young friend serious embar
rassment. Her neglect flashed through
her mind as thought flashes in supreme
emergency. She rose from her bed,
found the necessary letter in her desk,
wrote some directions, and, moment
later, heard the ring that announced the
arrival of the surgeons. But she had
been faithful to her promise.
A school teacher had resigned her po-
sition, and was about to move to another
town. On her last day in the primary
department. she took an apple from
little fellow, promising to return it to
him after school. So many things de-
manded her attention that her promise
escaped her mind until she suddenly re-
called it in the evening. The night was
cold, the snow was deep, and there were
heavy drifts on the country road to the
child's home; but none of these things
moved her. She had to leave by an early
morning train. and she could not be sure
that any one in the house would fulfil a
promise to take the boy an apple with a
message from her. So she selected
rosy one, and set out through the drifts,
arriving at the cottage with her dress
crusted with snow. The little fellow was
wide awake in bed in the common sit
ting room and bedroom. AT the sound
of her voice, he stood up in his night
dress, and cried, ooh! it's teacher, and
she's brought my apple. She always
does what she says"
'It is too bad you should have had such
tramp through the snow, ma'am, for a
little thing like that" said the mother;
"but he has worried terrible about that
apple. l never remember his talking so
about anything before"
"Ah! dear Mrs. Arnold" said the
teacher in lower voice. II don't think
it's little matter to break a promise to
child. He has always trusted me, and
cannot tell what harm ! might do him
if betrayed his trust. My own father
and mother broke no promises
to their children. and try to honor
their memory by keeping faith with
Others"
And as she went out of the door, she
heard the cry Of the child, II knew
teacher would do what she aid.'-Sun-