Year: 1877

During the y1Slt OF george tne 1HlIo
to the royal stables boy belonging to
the grooms took his attention. There is
no accounting for fancies; but there was
something about the boy that won his
royal masters favor, and the king treated
him kindly in many ways. But time
of temptation came, and the poor lad fell
into disgrace ; he had stolen some oats
from the royal bins, and, being detected,
the head groom discharged him. The
fact that he was noticed by the king
NAV have aroused the envy and dislike OF
others and it may be that the occasion
was gladly seized by the groom to have
him turned away. There seemed to be no
idea of speaking to the poor lad about
the wickedness Of taking the oats, and
abusing heconfdence of his master, but
only determination to treat him as ne
deserved. Who knows what kind
word might have done for an erring boy,
who gave way to wrong doing in mo-
ment of temptation But such was not
the case he was turned adrft, with q
stain upon his character, to the great
grief of his parents. :.


Not long afterward, when the king
again visited the stables, he observed the
absence of the boy, and asked one OF the
erooms what had become of him. The
man. fearing to tell the truth yet not hk-
ing to tell falsehood, said he had left.
His majesty was not satisfied with the
groom's answer, and suspecting wrong,
called the head groom to him, and made
the inquiry again. IL have discouraged
the boy, SIRE"


"For what reason p asked the king.


"He was discovered stealing the oats
from one of the bins" was the reply,
"and I sent him away"


The king felt sorry for the poor boy
who had disgraced himself thus, but de-
termined not to give him up, and ordered
him to be sent for Immediately. The
order was obeyed, and without loss OF
time the boy was brought to the king.
What scene was this-face to face with
the king of England stood the boy, a con-
yicted thief !!


"Wel, my boy" said his majesty,
when the poor lad, trembling and look,
ing very pale, stood before him, not
knowing what awaited him; sis this
true that I hear of you3"


The lad could not look up into the
kings face, but with his head bent down,
his only answer to the kind inquiry was
a food of tears. He had not word to
say for himself; his mouth was stopped,
for he knew he was guilty; he had not
word of excuse The king, seeing the
poor boy was sorry Oh account OF his SIN,
spoke to him of the ev:l-how he had not
only taken what was not his own. but
abused the confidence reposed in him.
"Wen, my lad," said his majesty, put
ting his hand kindly upon tho boys
head, "I forgive you" Then, turning
to the head groom, said: Let the boy
have his former place, and let him be
cared for"
What thrill of joy did the lads heart
feel as the king uttered those three
words: 81 forgive you" Instead OF
being ordered off to prison and punished,
and disgraced, he was restored to favor,
and restored to the place he had lost.
What gladness this gave the boys
heart It seemed almost too good to be
true. Yet who could dispute it? The
king himself had forgiven him, and then
the highest Judge in the land had not a
word to say against it he was guilty
one, but now was forgiven, and that by
the king himself. Will our young read.
ers learn the beautiful lesson contained