Master.

SPEAKING THE TRUTH.

So one of these windows was broken last night while some of you boys were playing in the play-ground. Now what did I tell you I should do if it happened again? Tom Carter. Make us pay for it, sir.

Master. I said whoever did it should pay, if I knew who he was, but I should ask no questions; and now I do not want to tempt any of you to tell me a lie, or to betray your school-fellow, but I hoped whoever did it would own it like a man.

The Boys. Please, sir, it wasn't me-it wasn't me-it wasn't me.

Master. Stop! I only want to know who it was, but if no one confesses you must each pay 2d. to-morrow. All who were in the playground are here now, are they not?

Tom Carter. All in, except the two Mannings.

Master. Very well, now we will begin

work.

AFTER SCHOOL.

Henry Manning. Please, sir, I broke that window yesterday evening.

Master. That is right, Henry, to own it straight-for-ward-ly, without any shuff-lings. I hate to hear a boy throw the blame on his schoolfellow, or his ball, or declare he did not mean it, or did not know it. You will have

to pay the fine, you know, a shilling, but I respect you for owning it as you have done.

THREE MONTHS AFTERWARDS.

Mr. Watkyns. I am come to inquire for a boy whom you can re-com-mend as very truthful and honest, in the place of Will Larkyns. I am obliged to dismiss him, because I cannot take his word. I gave him a letter to post. He forgot it, and found it in his pocket the next morning, and then posted it. Getting no answer when I expected it, I asked him whether he had put the letter in the post. He said he had, but did not tell me it was twentyfour hours late. If he had, I should have sent a tele-gram, and have saved some hundreds of pounds.

Master. I think I can promise you that if Henry Manning ever commits a fault he will own it. I have never known him to do otherwise, and a truthful boy is almost always an honest one.

Mr. Watkyns. Well, then, I will take him, 2s. 6d. a week and his dinner; and if he behaves well, he may have a rise.

Henry Manning. Thank you, sir; when may I come?

Mr. Watkyns. To-morrow, at 8 o'clock sharp. A boy who is exact in one thing will be exact in others.

THREE MONTHS AFTERWARDS.

Mr. Watkyns. I am come again to inquire for a boy from your school.

Master. I hope, sir, Henry Manning has not been sent away for any fault.

Mr. Watkyns. No indeed. This is what has happened. He was sent to see a lady off by the rail. In the dark she gave him a sovereign instead of a shilling, and as she was on her way to New Zea-land, she was not likely to ask for it. But Henry brought it straight to me, asking me to return it to her. A gentleman who was staying with me, and heard this, at once offered to take him as clerk, as he wanted a boy who could be trusted to pay and receive a good deal of money. He will be lodged and boarded, and have £25 a year.

Master. I am very glad to hear it, sir. I must think the matter over, and will send you a boy to-morrow. Good-morning, sir.

AFTER SCHOOL.

Well, boys, you all will agree to-day that it is a good thing to be honest and truthful. Boys. Yes, sir.

Master. Now I want you all to tell me why it is a good thing.

Tom Smith. Because it gets us on in the world.

Jim Jarvis. Because people respect us. John Davies. Because if we do, it will get us friends.

Harry Wilkins. Because then people will pay us well.

Sam Vincent. Because we are told to.

Master. Now, boys, if we are only just, and honest, and truthful, for the sake of getting on, supposing we don't get on-and many honest people are poor people—I am afraid that you would take to lying and stealing. If you were certain sure that you never would be found out, you would see no harm in telling a lie. There must be some better reason, and one of you, I think, found it out. Sam said, 'because we are told to.' Sam, who told you?

Sam. You did, sir.

Master. And where do you think did I find out it was wrong to lie and steal?

Sam. Don't know.

Master. Think; where did I, and you too, hear that stealing was wrong the day before yesterday?

Sam. Oh, the commandments; there we are told not to steal.

Master. And whose commandments they? God's. Now tell me how we learn to know right from wrong?

Sam. From God's holy word, which is contained in the Bible.

Master. Quite right. And although it does not always happen that doing our duty is rewarded in this world, we may be sure that it will be, in a happier and a better one.

GETTING UP IN THE MORNING.

Mother. What, not up yet, Polly! This is too bad! I woke you an hour ago, that you might light the fire, and set the breakfast ready!

Polly. Oh, I went to sleep again. I am so sleepy now, I can't get up.

Mother. Nonsense. Jump up, and have a good wash, and you will feel awake.

Polly. But I am so very tired, I do want to lie a little longer.

Mother. Why should you be tired? You went to bed at eight o'clock, and you had not been standing all day at the wash-tub, as I had. Polly. And it is so cold. It is so nice and warm in bed.

Mother. Do you mean to stay there all day? Your father will soon be in to breakfast, and if he finds you in bed, I would not be you.

Polly. I think I had better stay here till he has had his breakfast; perhaps he will not miss me.

Mother. And what o'clock will you get to school? and if you are late you know your mistress said she should give you a bad mark. Now do not be so idle, my dear child, it vexes

me so.

Father. What's all this! you in bed, Polly? Now, mind my words, you get up this moment and come along with me to school now, and not one bit or drop shall you have to eat or