is cowardice that would lead a boy, when he has done an injury like that, to sneak away and run to conceal it. How noble and brave it is to see a boy confess a fault, and not be afraid to face the consequences!

Give us William, whenever any real bravery is called for, rather than all those boys together who cried out, "Run, Bill, run!" He'll face the danger, while they will sneak.- Wellspring.

Whenever you see a person insult his inferiors, you may be assured he will creep to his superiors; he will act the part of a bully to those who cannot resist, and of a coward to those who can.

THE FIRST THEFT.

(Concluded from page 19).

We have seen how Emily Dupont was led on into sin by the dishonest Victoire. The next morning Victoire came to her, and, making use of all her arts, at last forced Emily to deceive her excellent mother. When she went to rattle the keys (according to Victoire's instruction) on her mother's table, her hands trembled, and she could scarcely stand. On leaving the room, she was on the point of going back, and confessing all; but her enemy was watching for her, and, seizing the keys, prevented the unhappy child from obeying the commands of her conscience.

She set out for school, tormented and miserable. Far from enjoying the pot of apricot jam, so dearly bought, she could only think of it with disgust. She was scolded for inattention, and returned home with a wounded heart. Victoire returned the keys to her, at the same time assuring her that she had not unlocked one of the cupboards or drawers, which somewhat consoled her.

Time flowed rapidly by, and Emily became more and more unhappy, for she continually feared to be discovered. Her mamma and papa saw with sorrow the change which had taken place in her who was formerly so happy.

As Mrs. Dupont gave no signs of recovery, it was arranged that Mr Dupont's sister should come and take charge of the house. Emily did not much like the project (the reader can guess the reason).

The next morning, Miss Dupont having arrived, Emily was told to give her aunt the keys, aud to show her the store-room, &c. But when Miss Dupont looked for the silver, she could not find it.

"How is this, is there any other place where your

mamma kept the things?" asked she of Emily, who was standing by her.

"Not that I remember," said she, looking at Therèse, a servant, who was standing near.

"With your permission, ma'am," said Therèse, "I will show you where I saw Mrs. Dupont put all the silver, only two days before she was confined to her room, and since that nothing has been removed."

As it was not found, Miss Dupont began to feel very uneasy, and sent for her brother. While waiting for his arrival, she said to Emily: "My dear child, are you quite sure that you have always been very careful with the keys? Have you never left thein about when you were gone out ?"

"Oh, no; never, I can assure you, aunt," said she, colouring greatly.

"Or," said her aunt, "have you ever given them to any one else ?"

At this Emily became as pale as death; all the truth flashed on her mind in a moment; she saw that Victoire had stolen them when she had given her the keys. She hesitated, then muttered something, which no one heard. If she told the truth, what disgrace she would be exposed to; and if a falsehood, what would be the consequences? However, she replied, "No, no; I have never given mamma's keys to any one."

As she uttered this falsehood, her papa entered the room, and profiting by the serious conversation which was going on between him and her aunt, Emily ran out of the room, and went into her own bedroom, where she gave vent to a flood of tears. She saw her fault, and felt herself a thief and a liar ; she had heard her father say that his loss amounted to several hundred francs, and all owing to her greediness. As she was thus reproaching herself, she

was surprised by hearing her father's voice, with another unknown to her. They were going up to the top story of the house, to Victoire's room. When they arrived at her door, and knocked, she called out, "Who's there?"

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Open the door directly," said Mr. Dupont. "Oh, master, is it you? Pardon.

But it is impossible, for I-I-I am just dressing, sir."

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Open it, I tell you; and directly, or I will break the door open," said Mr. Dupont, in a severe

tone.

After a great deal of bustling about, and putting things in order, the door was opened. Emily heard her father say, on entering the room, "Undoubtedly you know that a great part of our silver has been lost. I have a licence to search the house through ; your companions' boxes have been looked through, now it is your turn."

"You can look where you please," said Victoire, in an insolent tone.

"Your keys," said the police agent.

"Everything is unlocked, and at your service," replied Victoire.

The policeman looked through her drawers, chests, &c., without finding the objects of his search; but when he began to strip her bed, her anger knew no bounds.

"It is a shame," said she," that a man dares to interfere with my bed."

However, the policeman did not regard her cries, and proceeded to strip the bed, rolling the mattress over to examine it. On trying to lift the paliasse he perceived that it was nailed to the bedstead.

"As for this," said Victoire, "it has never been moved since I have been here; so all your searches are in vain."

All that did not prevent the agent from looking about the mysterious paliasse. Mr. Dupont turned round to look at her two or three times, and he saw that she evaded him; he locked the door, and put the key in his pocket.

"For your own sake you had better let me go,' said Victoire to her master; "you will repent if do not."

you

The agent had just raised the paliasse, and found not only the silver, but a great number of tablecloths, &c.