Wreaths of Friendship Part 6

"Why will I?" said the boy, quickly. "Are you going to tell?"

"If I should be asked about you, I will not tell a lie; but I don't suppose any one will inquire of me."

"Then why will I be sorry?"

"You'll be sorry when you're a man."

Richard White laughed aloud at the idea of his being sorry when he became a man, for having neglected his school when a boy.

"If you are not going, I am," said William Brown, starting off and running as fast as he could. He arrived at the door of the schoolhouse just as the bell stopped ringing. In stopping to persuade Richard not to play truant, he had come near being too late.

As soon as William left him, Richard White got up from the cellar door where he had been reclining lazily, and throwing his satchel over his shoulder, started for the woods. His books and satchel were in his way, and rather heavy to carry about with him for six or seven hours. But he did not think it prudent to leave them any where, for the person with whom they were left would suspect him of playing truant, and through that means his fault might come to the knowledge of his parents.

After thinking over this, as he went on his way, it occurred to Richard that the satchel was as likely to betray him if carried along as if left at some store to be called for on his return. Finally, he concluded to ask for a newspaper at a shop.

With this he wrapped up his satchel, and taking it under his arm, went on without any more fears of betrayal from this source.

As soon as the foolish boy reached the woods, he hid his satchel, so as to get clear of the trouble it was to him, beside a large stone, and covered it with leaves and long gra.s.s. Then he felt free, and, as he thought, happy.

But it was not long before he got tired of rambling about alone. He listened, sometimes, to the birds, and sometimes tried, with stones, to kill the beautiful and innocent creatures. Then he thought how pleasant it would be to find a nest, and carry off the young ones; and he searched with great diligence for a long time, but could find no nest.

Once a little striped squirrel glided past him, and mounted a high tree. As it ran around and around the great trunk, appearing and disappearing at intervals, Richard tried to knock it off with stones. But his aim was not very true. Instead of hitting the squirrel, he managed to get a severe blow himself; for a stone which he threw very high, struck a large limb, and, bouncing back, fell upon his upturned face, and cut him badly.

From that moment, all the pleasure he had felt since entering the woods was gone. The blood stained his s.h.i.+rt bosom, and covered his hand when he put it up to his face. Of course, the wound, and the blood upon his s.h.i.+rt, would betray him. This was his first thought, as he washed himself at a small stream. But, then, all at once it occurred to him--for evil suggestions are sure to be made to us when we are in the way to receive them--that it would be just as easy to say that a boy threw a stone, which struck him as he was walking along the street, as to say that he got hurt while in the woods. And, without stopping to think how wicked it would be to tell a lie, Richard determined to make this statement when he got home.

The smarting of the wound, and the uneasiness occasioned by a sight of the blood, so disturbed Richard's feelings, that he was unable to regain enough composure of mind to enjoy his day of freedom in the woods. By twelve o'clock, he was tired and hungry, and heartily wished himself at home. But it would not do to go now; for if he were to do so, his father would understand that he had not been to school. There was no alternative for him but to remain out in the lonely woods, without any thing to eat, for five hours longer. And a weary time it was for him.

At last the sun, which had been for a very long time, it seemed to him, descending toward the western horizon, sunk so low that he was sure it must be after five o'clock, and then, with sober feelings, he started for home.

The day had disappointed him. He was far from feeling happy. When he thought of the wound on his face and the blood upon his bosom, he felt troubled. If he told the truth, he knew he would be punished, and if he told a lie, and was found out, punishment would as certainly follow.

These were his thoughts and feelings when he came to the place where he had concealed his satchel. But, lo! his books were gone. Some one had discovered and carried them off.

Sadly enough, now, did Richard White return home. We will not pain our young readers with an account of his reception. The father already knew that his son had not been to school, for a man had found the satchel in the woods. Richard's name was on it, and this led the man to bring it to his father, with whom he was acquainted.

Richard never went to school again. On the very next week, he was sent to learn a trade, and he soon found that there was a great difference between a school-boy and an apprentice.

William Brown continued to go to school two years longer, when he also went from home to learn a trade. He was then a good scholar, and had a fondness for books. Because he was learning a trade, he did not give up all other kinds of learning, but, whenever he had leisure, he applied himself to his books. Both he and Richard were free about the same time. Richard had learned his trade well, and was as good a workman as William; but he had not improved his mind. He had not been able to see the use that learning was going to be to a mechanic.

Fifteen years have pa.s.sed since these two lads completed their terms of apprentices.h.i.+p, and entered the world as men; and how do they now stand?

Why, William Brown has a large manufactory of his own, and Richard White is one of his workmen. By his superior intelligence and enterprise, the former is able to serve the public interests by giving direction to the labors of a hundred men, and his reward is in proportion to the service he thus renders; while the latter serves the public interest to the extent of only one man's labors, and his reward is in exact ratio thereto.

Did Richard White gain any thing by his day in the woods? We think not. Is there any use in education to a mechanic? Let each of our young readers answer the question for himself.

THE SPIDER AND THE HONEY-BEE.

A FABLE FOR MANY IN GENERAL AND SOME IN PARTICULAR.

I.

A bee who had chased after pleasure all day, And homeward was lazily wending his way, Fell in with a Spider, who called to the Bee: "Good evening! I trust you are well," said he.

II.

The bee was quite happy to stop awhile there-- For indolence always has moments to spare-- "Good evening!" he said, with a very low bow, "My health, sir, alas! 'tis quite delicate now.

III.

"From spring until autumn, from morning till night, I'm obliged to be toiling with all my might; My labors are wearing me out, and you know I might as well starve, as to kill myself so."

IV.

The Spider pretended to pity the Bee-- For a cunning old hypocrite Spider was he-- "I'm sorry to see you so ill," he said; And he whispered his wife, "He will have to be bled."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BEE OUTSIDE THE WEB.]

V.

"Some people--perhaps they are wiser than I-- Some people are in a great hurry to die; Excuse me, but candor compels me to say, 'Tis wrong to be throwing one's life away.

VI.

"Your industry, sir, it may do very well For the beaver's rude hut, or the honey-bee's cell; But it never would suit a gay fellow like me; I love to be idle--I love to be free.

VII.

"This h.o.a.rding of riches--this wasting of time, In robbing the gardens and fields--'tis a crime!

And then to be guilty of suicide, too!

I tremble to think what a miser will do."

VIII.

'Tis strange the poor Bee was so stupid and blind.

"Mister Spider," said he, "you have spoken my mind; There's something within me that seems to say, I have toiled long enough, and 'tis better to play.

IX.

"But how in the world shall I manage to live?

I might beg all my life, and n.o.body would give.

'Tis easy enough to be merry and sing, But living on air is a different thing."

X.

The Spider was silent, and looked very grave-- 'Twas a habit he had--the scheming old knave!

No Spider, intent on his labor of love, Had more of the serpent, or less of the dove.

XI.