ive you a nice watch, in six months from this time,
if you will do three things," continued his father.

"What are they?" inquired Oscar; "are they things that I can do?"

"Certainly," said Mr. Preston; "you can do them if you will only try.
The first is, that you render prompt obedience to your parents, during
these six months. Is n't that within your power?"

"Yes, sir," replied Oscar, somewhat reluctantly.

"The second is," continued Mr. Preston, "that you behave toward your
playmates and all other people in such a way, that no serious complaint
shall be made against you. Can you do that, if you try?"

"Yes, sir, I guess so," replied Oscar.

"And the last condition is, that you give sufficient attention to your
studies to gain admission to the High School, at the end of the term.
Is that in your power?"

"I suppose it is," said Oscar.

"You admit, then, that you _can_ keep these conditions," continued his
father; "the question now is, _will_ you do it?"

That was a hard question for Oscar to answer. He hesitated, and
twisted about in his chair, and at length replied:

"Why, I don't suppose I should make out, if I tried."

"No, you certainly would not, if that is your spirit," replied his
father. "You cannot accomplish anything unless you have some
confidence that you can do it, and firmly resolve to try. You just
admitted that you could keep these conditions, but it seems you are not
willing to make the attempt. You want a watch, but you don't intend to
obey your parents, or to conduct yourself properly, or to attend to
your lessons, for the sake of getting it--that's what you mean to say,
is it not?"

Oscar remained silent.

"I am sorry," continued his father, "that you will not take up with my
offer; for though I do not think it important that you should get the
watch, it is important that you should reform some of your habits. You
are getting to be altogether too wayward and headstrong, as well as
vain."

"If I get into the High School next summer, may I have the watch?"
inquired Oscar.

"No," replied his father, "not unless you comply with the other
conditions. But I want you to remember what I told you the other day,
that if you don't get into the High School at that time, I shall send
you to some boarding-school away from home, where you will be made to
study, and to behave yourself too. If strict discipline can do
anything for you, you shall have the benefit of it, you may depend up