ues whose acquaintance they had so suddenly and imprudently formed.
They supposed that the peculiar circumstances of the case, coupled with
a voluntary confession, might excite some degree of sympathy, rather
than displeasure, towards them. To make the matter doubly sure, it was
arranged that Alfred should speak to the master about the matter before
school commenced.

When the boys reached the school-room, they found the master already at
his desk. He listened with interest to Alfred's story of the runaways,
and was evidently pleased that he had so frankly confessed his fault.
As the hour for commencing the afternoon session had arrived, he told
Alfred and Oscar they might stop after school, and he would take their
case into consideration.

The afternoon passed away, without any unusual occurrence. When school
was dismissed, the teacher called Alfred and Oscar to his desk, and
gave them some excellent advice in regard to forming acquaintances, and
yielding to the solicitations of evil associates. He told them that
the deception which had been practiced upon them, should serve as a
lesson to them hereafter. They should not form sudden acquaintances
with strange and unknown boys, but should choose their associates from
among those whom they knew to be of good habits. He also earnestly
cautioned them against yielding to the enticements of those who would
persuade them to do wrong. He told them that whenever they laid the
blame of their faults upon others, they made a sad confession of their
own moral weakness. They must often encounter temptations, and evil
examples and influences, even if they took pains to avoid them; but
they were not obliged to yield to these influences. They must learn to
resist temptation, or they would speedily be swept away before it.

Having faithfully pointed out their error and danger, the teacher
dismissed the boys. They listened respectfully to his advice, and,
when they were beyond his hearing, chuckled over their escape from a
species of admonition that might have proved far more feeling and
affecting, if not more salutary, than the kindly-meant reproof which
had been administered to them. The leniency of the teacher, however,
must be attributed to his not fully understanding the character of
their offence; for Alfred had so artfully represented the facts of the
case, as to make their truancy appear in a milder light than it
deserved to be regarded.

CHAPTER VI.

WORK.