suspected Jimmy, because his reputation was so bad, and
followed him on his way home. Jimmy had it on his head, and his own
cap was hidden under his sack!

The superintendent of the school talked with Jimmy, who said he would
never steal again; but, alas! he soon forgot his good resolution.
Although he carried a dinner for himself in his tin pail, he took
whatever he liked from the baskets of his companions.

Mrs. Dudley has seen this boy several times since she heard him crying
on the lawn. She says it always makes her feel sad to meet him, for
she cannot avoid thinking,--"that is the boy who steals." She has
learned that he has no father or mother, but lives with his
grandparents. I fear he "will bring down their gray hairs with sorrow
to the grave." He has allowed himself to steal small things, and as he
grows older he will probably take articles of more value. He may
become a housebreaker or a murderer.

It is dangerous to indulge in the least sin. It hardens the heart, and
stifles the whisper of that still, small voice, which so often tells
children, when they are tempted to do wrong, "That is not right; you
should not do that."

In some Catechism the question is asked, "What is my duty to my
neighbour?" and a part of the answer is, "To keep my hands from
picking and stealing." I suppose "picking" must mean, secretly taking
little pieces of cake, or sugar, or any thing of the kind, of small
value. I presume Jimmy was in the habit of "picking," at his
grandmother's before he ventured to steal at school.

I could tell you several very sad stories of people who have stolen
when they were children, and who have grown more and more wicked, as
they have advanced in years, till they became a curse to society and
themselves. "The way of transgressors is hard." These people have no
true enjoyment. There is always a fearful looking forward to the
future.

It is not pleasant to me to write about bad children, and I should not
do it if it were not to warn the dear children I so much love against
the formation of wrong and sinful habits.

How much better it would be for Jimmy if he had learned to "touch not,
taste not, handle not," that which does not belong to him!

[Illustration]

LOOK AT THE BIRDS!

October, with its golden and crimson hues, its "gentle wind," and its
"fair sunny noon," has passed away. November has come. The sun shines
brightly, and the sky is almost clear of clouds; but the chill wind