done the deed; but it was too late now, and they must meet the consequences of their own wrong-doing.  After offering the morning prayer, by which our school invariably opened, Mr. Oswald addressed us, saying:  “I happened this morning to overhear a conversation between two of my pupils, which (as nearly as I can recollect it) I wish to repeat in presence of you all.”  Mr. Oswald then repeated, word for word the above-related conversation, without giving the names of the boys, till he said by way of conclusion, “If I have made a wrong statement, or varied in the slightest degree from the truth, Reuben Mayfield and Thomas Pierce will please come forward and point out my error, for it was between them the conversation took place.”  It would take a more able pen than mine to describe the countenances of those boys as Mr. Oswald ceased speaking.  Reuben did attempt to stammer out a denial, but Mr. Oswald silenced him at once.  “I will not allow you, in my presence, to add to your sin, by repeating a denial.  So base an action never before came under my notice.  You must surely have forgotten the overruling Providence which allows no sin to go unpunished.  Had your plot succeeded according to your wishes you would have ruined as fine a boy as ever entered this school, both in my eyes, and his fellow pupils, as well as the community at large.  But, from the first, something seemed to whisper to me that he was innocent of the crime of which, to all appearance, he was proved guilty.  When I listened to your conversation this morning I fully decided in my own mind to expel you both from school in disgrace; but I have since reflected that even justice should be tempered with mercy; and, if you are willing both to come forward in presence of all the school and ask my pardon, as well as that of your deeply-injured school-mate, and promise good conduct for the future, we will allow the matter to rest, and you can remain my pupils.  I would, if possible, spare your parents, as well as yourselves, the disgrace which would follow your being expelled from school under such circumstances, and I would also grant you the opportunity to prove the sincerity of your promises of good conduct for the future.”

There was a severe struggle in the breast of the two boys; they were aware of the justice of their teacher’s decision, but pride pled for them to brave the matter out in bold defiance.  But their hearts were not entirely wicked and the good in them finally triumphed.  Coming forward they craved Mr. Oswald’s forgiveness in a truly humble and penitent manner.  Then, turning to me, who felt truly happy that my innocence was thus proved beyond a doubt, Reuben addressed me, saying:  “Can you forgive us, Walter.  It was envy which first caused us to dislike you and we cherished the feeling till it led us to commit this wicked action; but that feeling has all passed away.  You never injured us, and I know not what spirit of evil tempted us to injure you as we have done.  We feel thankful to our teacher for the lenity he has shown us, and I hope our future conduct will bear witness that we appreciate his kindness, and, if you can forgive us and be friends again, I hope you will find that we are not altogether bad.”