BY THE REV. T. S. MILLINGTON.

AUTHOR OF

"BOY AND MAN," "LOMBARDY COURT," ETC.

"An honest mind and plain;

He must speak truth."

SHAKESPEARE.

LONDON:

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY; 56, PATERNOSTER Row; 65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD;

AND 161, PICCADILLY.

251.

K.

792.

PREFACE.

THE subject of the following story is TRUTH-simple, straightforward, honest truth, as opposed to everything that deceiveth or that "maketh a lie."

The author does not cavil with conventional forms and phrases which, however untruthful in word, are not intended to deceive, and do not, in fact, deceive any one. Sincerity of thought and purpose, a natural and conscientious love of truth for its own sake, adherence to the truth in the spirit rather than the letter, without ostentation, but equally without reserve, these are the motives and principles for which he desires to gain the sympathies of his readers while engaging their interest in the characters and incidents of the story.

Yet his first object was to produce an entertaining book for the amusement of a leisure hour; one that might be acceptable, not only to boys and girls, but also to those who are

"At the age 'twixt boy and youth,

When thought is speech, and speech is truth."

And with this view he has not hesitated to make use of fiction.