Meanwhile the head workman had noticed the prints of feet making a beaten path to the waterside. Now he saw what had become of the stones. It was not long before the boys' fathers knew what they had done. You may be sure that the boys were sorry then. afraid of what his father would say than he was of the worst whipping. 66 As for Ben, he was more 'Benjamin," said his father, "how could you take those stones which did not belong to you? What could have made you do it?" "Why, father," replied Ben, "I thought that the stones would be useful to more people as a wharf than as a house. Only one man could enjoy the house, but all the boys and the people going up and down the stream in boats would enjoy the wharf.” "My son," said Mr. Franklin, "you did very wrong in taking what did not belong to you. Never think for a moment that good will come of doing wrong. Remember that nothing but evil will ever come out of evil deeds. Do not forget this lesson." "I will never forget it again," said Benjamin, bowing his head. In all his later life he was famous for the same things that made him a leader among boys, but he never forgot the lesson he had learned from his father. Adapted. MARJORIE'S ALMANAC BY THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH Robins in the tree-top, Blossoms in the grass, Green things a-growing Showers of silver dew, Budding out anew; Pine-tree and willow-tree, Fringed elm, and larch,—— Pleasanter than March? Apples in the orchard Soft cheeks to the sun; Drowsy scents and murmurs Moonlight bright as dayDon't you think that summer's Pleasanter than May? Roger in the corn-patch Little fairy snow-flakes Tinkling through the snow; Don't you think that winter's THE LAST LESSON IN FRENCH BY ALPHONSE DAUDET I That morning I was late in going to school and was much afraid of being scolded. Master Hamel had said to us that he would question us on verbs, and I did not know the first word of them. Once the thought came to me to miss the class and make my way across the fields. |