gainst him. Mr. Wilson, who had staid to christen a child, now came
in. He was much concerned that Tom Price, the best boy in his
school, should stand accused of such a crime. He sent for the boy,
examined, and cross-examined him. No marks of guilt appeared. But
still, though he pleaded _not guilty_, there lay the red-streaks in
his father's window. All the idle fellows in the place, who were
most likely to have committed such a theft themselves, were the very
people who fell with vengeance on poor Tom. The wicked seldom give
any quarter. "This is one of your sanctified ones!" cried they.
"This was all the good that Sunday School did!" For their parts they
never saw any good come by religion. Sunday was the only day for a
little pastime, and if poor boys must be shut up with their godly
books, when they ought to be out taking a little pleasure, it was no
wonder they made themselves amends by such tricks. Another said he
would like to see Parson Wilson's righteous one well whipped. A
third hoped he would be clapped in the stocks for a young hypocrite
as he was; while old Giles, who thought the only way to avoid
suspicion was by being more violent than the rest, declared, "that
he hoped the young dog would be transported for life."

Mr. Wilson was too wise and too just to proceed against Tom without
full proof. He declared the crime was a very heavy one, and he
feared that heavy must be the punishment. Tom, who knew his own
innocence, earnestly prayed to God that it might be made to appear
as clear as the noon-day; and very fervent were his secret devotions
on that night.

Black Giles passed his night in a very different manner. He set off,
as soon as it was dark, with his sons and their jack-asses, laden
with their stolen goods. As such a cry was raised about the apples,
he did not think it safe to keep them longer at home, but resolved
to go and sell them at the next town, borrowing, without leave, a
lame colt out of the moor to assist in carrying off his booty.

Giles and his eldest sons had rare sport all the way in, thinking
that, while they were enjoying the profit of their plunder, Tom
Price would be whipped round the marketplace at least, if not sent
beyond sea. But the younger boy, Dick, who had naturally a tender
heart, though hardened by his long familiarity with sin, could not
help crying when he thought that Tom Price might, perhaps, be
transported for a crime which he himself had helped to commit. He
had