his morning, but it was n't my fault, for I
did n't know what time it was until I got to the school-house, and
found that the boys had all gone in."

"When I was of your age," said Mr. Preston, "boys never thought of
carrying watches, and yet they were taught to be as punctual as the
clock, in their attendance at school. If I had been tardy, and tried
to excuse myself by saying that I had no watch, I should have got
laughed at by the whole school. But where were you this morning, that
you did not know when it was school-time?"

"Over to Alf. Walton's."

"And couldn't find a time-piece about the premises?"

"Why--no--I--forgot--" replied Oscar, somewhat embarrassed by the
question.

"Just as I supposed," added his father; "you got along with that boy,
and forgot all about your school; and it would have been just the same,
if you 'd had half a dozen watches in your pocket."

"O no, father," said Oscar; "for if I 'd had a watch about me, I should
have looked at it."

"Well," added Mr. Preston, "if you don't care enough about punctuality
to take a little trouble to ascertain what time it is, when you have an
engagement, I don't think a watch would help you any in acquiring the
habit. You have n't made out a very strong case."

"No," remarked Mrs. Preston, "he wants a watch for show, and not
punctuality,--that's plain enough. He has just been making a great
fuss because I put a little bit of a patch on the elbow of his jacket.
He is getting to be quite fastidious, for a gentleman of his size."

"If you would think a little less of outside appearances, Oscar,"
continued his father, "and a little more of inward character, your
judgment of men and things would not be quite so much at fault as it is
now. If you judge of boys or men by the cloth and watches they wear,
and select your companions accordingly, you will soon find that you
have got a pretty set of friends. And so, too, if you think you can
secure the good opinion and respect of the world, merely by dressing
well, you are greatly mistaken. You must learn to judge people by
their characters, and not by their dress or appearance. If I could see
you trying to form a good character, I should care very little what
sort of garments you wore. I would buy you a watch, or anything else
in my power, if it would only make you behave better. In fact, I will
make you a handsome offer now, if you wish."

"Well, what is it?" inquired Oscar.

"I will agree to g