to prove the sincerity of your promises of good
conduct for the future."

There was a severe struggle in the breast of the two boys; they were
aware of the justice of their teacher's decision, but pride pled for
them to brave the matter out in bold defiance. But their hearts were not
entirely wicked and the good in them finally triumphed. Coming forward
they craved Mr. Oswald's forgiveness in a truly humble and penitent
manner. Then, turning to me, who felt truly happy that my innocence
was thus proved beyond a doubt, Reuben addressed me, saying: "Can you
forgive us, Walter. It was envy which first caused us to dislike you and
we cherished the feeling till it led us to commit this wicked action;
but that feeling has all passed away. You never injured us, and I know
not what spirit of evil tempted us to injure you as we have done. We
feel thankful to our teacher for the lenity he has shown us, and I hope
our future conduct will bear witness that we appreciate his kindness,
and, if you can forgive us and be friends again, I hope you will find
that we are not altogether bad."

I had no inclination to withhold the forgiveness so humbly sought. I
shook hands warmly, with both the boys, saying, "I forgive you with all
my heart, let us be friends. I am proved innocent, and am too happy to
cherish anger towards any one." When order was again restored Mr. Oswald
made some instructive and useful remarks upon the folly and sin of
harboring a feeling of envy and ill-will toward others. "I advise you,"
said he, "when you detect a feeling of envy and malice rising in your
heart, to remember the sin and wrong, to which the indulgence of this
feeling led these two boys, and pray to your Heavenly Father to
preserve you from a bitter and envious spirit. We will talk no more of
the unhappy affair at present; it is my wish that each one of you treat
Reuben and Thomas the same in every respect as though this circumstance
had never taken place. I intend retaining them still as my pupils, and
they must be treated as such by you all. I trust this lesson will not be
lost upon any, for it speaks loudly of the necessity of guarding our own
hearts from evil, and it also teaches us how to exercise a spirit of
forbearance and forgiveness, and now we must proceed to the work of the
day."

It is, somewhat singular that evil designs against one, either old
or young, often, instead of working harm, prove the means of their
advancement and promotion.