n to the subject.

After dinner, Oscar had about half an hour to spend with Alfred; for he
felt so uneasy in his mind, that he had decided not to absent himself
from school in the afternoon. He had gone but a short distance when he
met his comrade, who had started in pursuit of him.

"Well," said Alfred, "we 've been taken in nicely, that's a fact."

"Taken in--what do you mean?" inquired Oscar.

"Why, by those young scamps that we 've been showing around town."

"I thought they told great stories," said Oscar; "but what have you
found out about them?"

"I 've found out that they are the greatest liars I ever came
across--or at least that the oldest fellow is," replied Alfred; and he
then went on to relate what transpired immediately after Oscar left
them, on their return from Charlestown. The landlord, it seems,
requested the two strange boys to step into one of the parlors; and
Alfred, not understanding the order, accompanied them. They found two
men seated there, the sight of whom seemed anything but pleasant to
Joseph and Stephen. These men were their fathers--for the boys were
not brothers, and Joseph's account of their past life and future
prospects was entirely false. They had run away from home, and the
money which they had so profusely spent, Joseph stole from his father.
The men, who had been put to much trouble in hunting up their wayward
sons, did not greet them very cordially. They looked stern and
offended, but said little. Joseph was obliged to deliver up his money
to his father, and they immediately made preparations for returning
home by the afternoon train.

"Well," said Oscar, when Alfred had concluded his story, "I did n't
believe all that boy said, at the time, but I thought I would n't say
so."

"Nor I, neither," said Alfred. "I guess he did n't expect his father's
ship would arrive so suddenly, when he tried to stuff us up so."

"Did your father know you went off with them in the forenoon?" inquired
Oscar.

"Yes, but he did n't care much about it. He told me I must go to
school this afternoon, and not stay away again without leave."

The rules of the school required a written note of excuse from the
parents, in case of absence. Neither of the boys was furnished with
such an excuse, and after a little consultation, they concluded that
their chances of escaping punishment would be greatest, if they should
frankly confess how they had been duped and led astray by the young
rog