crowded, and it was difficult to find unoccupied seats. A gentleman
and his wife entered a car, near the door of which were two seats with
only one person in each. The first was occupied by a boy about
fifteen. The gentleman politely asked him if he would sit with another
gentleman, that he and the lady who was with him might not be
separated. The first impulse of the boy was a civil one, and he
started to rise; but the second thought was ungentlemanly, ungenerous,
and extremely selfish. "I like my seat very well," he muttered, and
drew back to the window and looked out. Perhaps even then he began to
feel ashamed of such rudeness.

The gentleman behind him immediately arose, and offered his seat. It
was accepted with a bow, and a "thank you, sir." The lady was
immediately behind the boy, and, as she seated herself, she said to
him, in a low, kind voice, "I fear you will never be a gentleman." He
made no reply, nor did he move his face from the window, but his very
ears blushed. He was evidently ashamed. During the whole ride he kept
nearly the same position, not being willing to meet the eyes of his
fellow-passengers, for he must have observed their disapprobation of
his ill-manners; and before the cars were entirely within the depot,
he went out upon the platform to escape from observation.

I hope the boy will never be rude in this way again, for he evidently
was made unhappy by it. There is only one reason why I fear he will
not profit by the well-merited rebuke he received, and that is,
because I saw one of his cheeks puffed out with a quid of tobacco! I
confess I do not expect so much improvement from a boy who indulges in
such a filthy habit, as from one who does not.

A gentlemanly boy must always be happier than one who is rough and
selfish. The boy in the car did not enjoy his ride, although, as he
said, he liked his seat very well. His impoliteness made it unpleasant
and the remembrance of it will never afford him gratification. I hope
none of you, who read about him, will be guilty of a similar error.

Always try to be accommodating to those about you. If you are asked to
do a favour, do it as if it gave you pleasure. You will never have
occasion to regret it. Be civil to those in your father's employment.
Their love and respect is of value to you. There are very few sunk so
low as not to appreciate true politeness. Above all others, be polite
to your parents, and your brothers and sisters. Do not indulge