Stories for the Young | Page 9

A third hoped he would be clapped in the stocks for a young
hypocrite as he was; while old Giles, who thought it was the only way
to avoid suspicion by being more violent than the rest, declared, that
"he hoped the young dog would be transported for life."
Mr. Wilson was too wise and too just to proceed against Tom without
full proof. He declared the crime was a very heavy one, and he feared
that heavy must be the punishment. Tom, who knew his own innocence,
earnestly prayed to God that it might be made to appear as clear as the
noonday; and very fervent were his secret devotions on that night.
Black Giles passed his night in a very different manner. He set off as
soon as it was dark, with his sons and their jackasses laden with their
stolen goods. As such a cry was raised about the apples, he did not
think it safe to keep them longer at home, but resolved to go and sell
them at the next town; borrowing without leave a lame colt out of the
moor to assist in carrying off his booty.

Giles and his eldest sons had rare sport all the way in thinking, that
while they were enjoying the profit of their plunder, Tom Price would
be whipped round the market-place at least, if not sent beyond sea. But
the younger boy, Dick, who had naturally a tender heart, though
hardened by his long familiarity with sin, could not help crying when
he thought that Tom Price might perhaps be transported for a crime
which he himself had helped to commit. He had had no compunction
about the robbery, for he had not been instructed in the great principles
of truth and justice; nor would he, therefore, perhaps have had much
remorse about accusing an innocent boy. But, though utterly devoid of
principle, he had some remains of natural feeling and of gratitude. Tom
Price had often given him a bit of his own bread and cheese; and once,
when Dick was like to be drowned, Tom had jumped into the pond with
his clothes on, and saved his life, when he was just sinking: the
remembrance of all this made his heart heavy. He said nothing; but, as
he trotted, barefoot, after the asses, he heard his father and brothers
laugh at having outwitted the godly ones; and he grieved to think how
poor Tom would suffer for his wickedness, yet fear kept him silent:
they called him sulky dog, and lashed the asses till they bled.
In the meantime, Tom Price kept up his spirits as well as he could. He
worked hard all day, and prayed heartily night and morning.
"It is true," said he to himself, "I am not guilty of this sin; but let this
accusation set me on examining myself, and truly repenting of all my
other sins; for I find enough to repent of, though I thank God I did not
steal the widow's apples."
At length Sunday came, and Tom went to school as usual. As soon as
he walked in, there was a great deal of whispering and laughing among
the worst of the boys; and he overheard them say, "Who would have
thought it? This is master's favorite! This is parson Wilson's sober
Tommy! We sha'n't have Tommy thrown in our teeth again, if we go to
get a birdsnest, or gather a few nuts on a Sunday." "Your demure ones
are always hypocrites," says another. "The still sow sucks all the milk,"
says a third.
Giles' family had always kept clear of the school. Dick, indeed, had

sometimes wished to go: not that he had much sense of sin, or desire
after goodness, but he thought if he could once read, he might rise in
the world, and not be forced to drive asses all his life. Through this
whole Saturday night he could not sleep. He longed to know what
would be done to Tom. He began to wish to go to school, but he had
not courage--sin is very cowardly: so, on the Sunday morning, he went
and sat himself down under the church-wall. Mr. Wilson passed by. It
was not his way to reject the most wicked, till he had tried every means
to bring them over; and even then he pitied and prayed for them. He
had, indeed, long left off talking to Giles' sons; but, seeing Dick sitting
by himself, he once more spoke to him, desired him to leave off his
vagabond life, and go with him into the school. The boy hung down his
head, but made no answer. He did not, however, either rise up and run
away, or look sulky, as he used to do. The minister desired him