Verdict of a Jury of Boys. HEN Dr. Nathaniel Prentice taught a public school in Roxbury, he was very much of a favourite, but his patience at times would get nearly exhausted by the infraction of school rules by the scholars. On one occasion, in a rather wrathy way, he threatened to punish, with six blows of a heavy ferule, the first boy detected in whispering, and appointed some as detectors. Shortly after, one of these detectors shouted, "Master John Zeigler is whispering." John was called up and asked if it was a fact. (John, by the way, was a favourite, both of the teacher and his schoolmates.) 66 "Yes," answered John, "I was not aware what I was about. I was intent on working out a sum, and requested the one who sat next me to reach me the arithmetic that contained the rule which I wished to see." The doctor regretted his hasty threat, but told John he could not suffer him to whisper, and escape the punishment, and continued,-"I wish I could avoid it, but I cannot without a forfeiture of my word, and a consequent loss of my authority. I will leave it," continued he, "to any three scholars you may choose, to say whether or not I remit the punishment." John said he would agree to that, and immediately called out G. S., T. D. D. P. D. The doctor told them to return a verdict; this they soon did, after consultation, as follows, "The master's word must be kept inviolate-John must receive the threatened punishment of six blows of the ferule; but it must be inflicted on volunteer proxies, and we, the arbitrators, will share the punishment by receiving, each of us, two of the blows." John who had listened to the verdict, steps up to the doctor, and with outstretched hand exclaims,-" Master, here is my hand; they shan't be struck a blow: I will receive the punishment." The doctor, under pretence of wiping his face, shielded his eyes, and telling the boys to go to their seats, said he would think of it. I believe he did think of it to his dying day, but the punishment was never inflicted. "I Don't Care." ARY, unless you keep more steadily at your work, I'm afraid what mother gave you to finish before dinner will not be done," said an elder sister to a little girl who kept jumping up and running to the window to see the passers by. "I don't care if it isn't finished," was the reply; and again Mary dropped her work, and sat swinging her feet, while she commenced humming a tune, as if in defiance of all advice. "But you will care by-and-by," continued Fanny. "When mother comes home and finds how idle you have been, she will not take you to ride this afternoon, as she promised if you were a good girl." Mary was content to please herself for the time being; so the work was unfinished, and she had the mortification of seeing her mother and little brother drive off from the door without her, leaving her to console herself the best way she could for thus really cheating herself out of a long talked-of pleasure. "I don't care" has been the occasion of much sorrow in the world, and such carelessness about our duty to God and man will be the bitter lament of many a lost soul. my penny." Tillie's Penny. ERHAPS you'll wonder how Willie's penny made heaven rejoice! It would not have bought more than a small stick of candy; or much helped a starving family. What did he do with it? His sister was a missionary in Africa, and the family were filling a box to send her. As one after another deposited their gifts, little Willie said: "I want to give "What shall be bought with the little offering?" was the next question. It was decided to buy a tract, and write the history of the gift on its margin, and with a prayer for its success, send it on its distant errand. The box arrived on mission ground, and among its valuable, interesting contents, Willie's gift was laid away unnoticed, and for a while forgotten. But God's watchful, One day a native all-seeing eye had not forgotten it. teacher was starting from the mission station to go to a school over the mountain where he was to be employed. He was well learned in the language, and was a valuable help to the missionaries, but alas ! he lacked the knowledge that cometh from above. He was not a Christian, and had resisted all efforts for his conversion. This was a great grief to the missionaries, but they continued to pray and hope. In looking over some papers, Willie's tract was discovered with the marginal explanation. It was handed to the native teacher. He read it on his journey. It opened his eyes, showed him that he was a lost sinner in danger of an eternal hell, and that all his learning could not help him. It also told him of One who was able and willing to save, who had died for him, and was waiting to have His great love returned. What years of Christian labour by the missionaries had not done, was now brought about by the penny tract. The strong man bowed in penitence and humble submission at Jesus' feet, and became a sincere Christian. The missionaries to whom he went praised God for the change which had sent them a godly teacher. Those who put the tract in his hand were overcome with joy, for " there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." So you see how little Willie's penny made heaven rejoice. Varieties. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TOWN PUMP. THERE is near our house an old pump-a kind of town pump-which every one may use, and whose wet and bespattered base speaks plainer than sign-boards could do of water for man and horse; and a very excellent pump it is, too-never out of order, easily worked, and furnishing some of the purest, clearest, coolest water in the world. Not long since the old pump was honoured as though an angel had blessed it. A rosy-cheeked girl, half hid in a flood of golden curls, came bouncing by, driving her hoop, just as the old, decrepit apple woman at the corner, whom everybody knows, was trying to get a drink. She had set down her basket, but bent nearly double by the weight of her years and troubles, she was still compelled to lean upon her staff. The little girl saw the difficulty, and was in an instant at the handle. Holding the ladle till it was filled, she raised it steadily to the lips of the old woman, whose warm, grateful thanks called the crimson to the child's eheek, which, as she hurried away, was deepened by finding that her kind deed had been observed. THEY NEVER SPEAK ROUGHLY. I WAS walking lately with a young, unconverted friend in whom I felt a great interest, and in the course of conversation I said, "How many of your companions do you think are Christians ?" In reply, she gave me the names of four: J. F., A.L., M. M., and S. L. I said, "Why do you think they are Christians?" Because," she replied. they never speak roughly." 66 66 Is not this a lesson to any children of God, of the deep importance of “words?” SOUND. In a still night, the voices of the workmen in the distillery at Battersea may be heard at Westminster Bridge, an interval of three miles. The watchword at Portsmouth, it is said, can be heard at Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, a distance of four or five miles. The echo in Woodstock Park is repeated seventeen times by day, and twenty by night. The artillery at the siege of Genoa, by the French, was heard at Leghorn, a distance of ninety miles. The firing at the battle of Waterloo was heard at Dover, at a distance in a direct line of one hundred and forty miles, of which one hundred and ten were over land, and the remainder over water. GOOD ADVICE. Boys, rely upon yourselves. Don't lean upon your fathers, or your uncles, or your friends. If you have marked out an honourable path in life, take up your staff and go ahead and not wait for anybody to give you a push. Don't wait for help. The best and richest men in this country never had rich fathers to help them. They have gained their positions by self-reliance, perseverance, and high-toned noble lives. |