The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-03-16
The Boy Who Was Truthful.

The Boy Who Was Truthful.
Burt and Johnnie Lee were delight
ed when their Scotch cousin came to
live with them. He was little. but
bright and full Of fun. He could tell
curious things about his home In
Scotland and his voyage across the
ocean He was as far advanced in
his studies as they were. and the
first day he went to school they
thought him remarkably good. He
wasted no time in play when he
should have been studying, and he
advanced finely.
At night, before close Of the school,
the teacher called the roll and the
boys began to answer, Ten When
Willie understood that he was to say
ten, if he had not whispered during
the day, he replied, Il have whis-
pered"
More than once?" asked the teach
er.
YES, sir" answered Willie.
"As many as ten times?"
Maybe I have" faltered Willie.
Then I shall have to mark you
zero" said the teacher, sternly; "and
that is great disgrace"
why, did not see you whisper
once" said Johnnie that night after
school.
We'll, did," said Willie; Il saw
others doing it, and so l asked to
borrow book; then l lent a slate
pencil, and asked q boy for a knife,
and did several such things. l sup
posed it was allowed"
20, we all do it," said Burt, red
dening. 'Therc isn't any sense in
the old rule; and nobody could keep
it. nobody does"
Il will, or else l will say haven't"
said Willie. DO you suppose would
tell ten lies in one heap?"
20, we don't call them Hes" NUT
tered Johnnie. There wouldn't be a
credit among us at night, if we were
SO strict"
What Of that. if you told the
truth?' laughed Willie brayely.
In short time the boys all saw
how it was with him. He studied
hard played with all his might in
playtime; but, according to his ac-
count, he lost more credits than any
Of the rest. After some weeks the
boys answered mine and eight"
oftener than they used to. Yet the
schoolroom seemed 10 have grown
quieter. Sometimes when Willie
Grants mark was even lover than
usual, the teacher would smile pc
culiarly, but said no more Of disgrace.
Willie never preached to them or told
tales: but, somehow, it made the boys
ashamed of themselves, just the see
ing that this sturdy, bIue-eyed boy
must tell the truth. It was putting
the clean cloth by the half soiled one,
you see; and they felt like cheats
and strrytellers. They talked him
all over and loved him, if they did
nickname him Scotch Granite" he
was SO firm about a promise.
Well, at the end of the term.
Willie's name was very low down on
the credit list. When it was read he
had hard work not to cry: for he was
very sensitive, and he tried hard to
be perfect. But the very last thing
that day was q speech by the teacher,
Tho told of once seeing a man muffled
up in a cloak. He was passing him
without look, when he was told the
man was Gen. ---, the great hero
1.-THE signs Of his rank were hidden,
but the hero was there just the same,'
said the teacher. And now, boys,
you will Sc what mean when | give
little media! To the most faithful boy
tho one really the most conscien-
tious perfect in his department
among you. WHO shall have it,"
Little GRANTED" shouted the forty
boys at once; for the child whose
name was so low on the credit list
had made truth noble in their eyes,
Rams Horn
Pounds and Quires.