LESSON

3. In-gen'u-ous, open, frank, candid.
6. Taunt'ing, reproaching with words
6. Con-tempt'u-ous, insulting, scornful.
6. Al-lu'sion, a hint, a reference.

7. Rid'i-cule, contemptuous merriment.

LXV.

14. Re-sum'ed, begun again.

16. Triumph'ant-ly, with exultation. 32. Haz'ards, dangers, perils, risks. 42. Vir'tu-al-ly, in effect, in reality. 42. Com-mended, praised, approved.

ERRORS.- Ex'ul-lunce for ex'cel-lence; rid'i-cool for rid'i-cule; nev'ah feah for nev'er fear; Sät'ur-day for Sat'ur-day.

THE RICH BOY AND THE HONEST BOY.

1. MERRY Were the voices which sounded from the play-ground of the village school in Aurora. It was noon; and sport and fun were the ruling spirits there, as the loud laugh and joyous shout testified.

2. In that merry band were two boys who seemed to be the leaders of their comrades. One, whose name was Frank Skinner, was much better dressed than any of his companions; and he seemed to be conscious of a certain superiority over them. Whether this was owing to any superior excellence of character, we will leave our youthful readers to discover.

3. The other lad, George Morgan, wore coarser clothing; and a patch, here and there neatly set in, showed that he was not the son of wealthy parents. But he possessed one virtue to a greater degree than most of his companions, especially than Frank; and that was, the virtue of an ingenuous sincerity.

4. No boy in school was more honest; and, consequently, he possessed the fullest confidence of all his schoolmates. Having now learned something of these two lads, the following incidents will enable us to decide whether George's sincerity and regard for the truth were not more valuable than all Frank's money. 5. The boys had been engaged in playing football;

and George, who was usually foremost of them all in that game, had left them, and was now standing alone, leaning against a tree.. His usually happy face was clouded; and he glanced down at his coarse and patched clothes with an expression of discontent.

6. Frank's taunting words and contemptuous allusion to George's poverty had caused this sadness, and, for a moment, roused up all the evil feelings of his nature. But he had been taught that honest poverty was no disgrace; and he soon overcame these sad and bitter thoughts.

7. "What if Frank does ridicule my patched clothes," thought he, “and make the other boys laugh at me, and call me 'mean'? Still, as long as I do right, I shall be happy."

8. With a resolution to think no more of Frank's unkind words, George joined a group of boys who were earnestly engaged in discussing a plan which Frank had proposed for the next afternoon's recreation. 9. "Well, here comes George," said one. "He will tell us; for I suppose he knows all about it."

10. "Frank," said another, "has proposed a sail on the lake to-morrow afternoon. You know how to manage a boat better than the rest of us; and we want you to go. What boat had we better get?"

11. As George was answering this question, Frank came up, and, as usual, was eager to take the whole matter into his own hands. "Of course we want George to go," said he; "and as for getting a boat, I will see to that. Mr. Rogers has a beauty; and I can get it any time by asking for it."

12. "Why, I thought he would not lend his boat to any one," said George. "I've heard that he would not let his own sons have it unless he was with them."

13. "Never fear; I can get the boat," said Frank. 14. At this moment, the teacher's bell was heard; and the boys entered the school-room, and resumed their studies. They could not help thinking, however, of the pleasure they anticipated on the morrow.

15. The next day was bright and beautiful; and, as soon as school was dismissed at noon, the boys hastily surrounded Frank to know what had been his success in applying to Mr. Rogers for his boat.

16. “Didn't I tell you that I should get it?" said he, taking a key from his pocket, and displaying it triumphantly. "This will unfasten the boat; and we can take it when we please."

17. If the boys were delighted at Frank's success, George was equally surprised at it; for he knew that Mr. Rogers was very particular about every thing, and especially so in regard to this boat, as he had purchased it for his own use. Still, George was pleased with the thought that they could have the boat; for no one loved such an excursion better than he did.

18. They were in high spirits, and had a delightful sail; and, with George's direction, they had no difficulty in managing the boat. But Frank did not seem to enjoy the ride so well as the others did. Though he laughed as loud as ever, yet there was an uneasiness about him, which George could not understand.

19. After the sail was over, Frank said, "Now, boys, I want you to promise me to say nothing to Mr. Russel, or any one else, about our sail this afternoon."

20. "Why not?" inquired George and the others. 21. "Because," replied Frank, "Mr. Russel would be very much offended with us, if he should know that we had been out with Mr. Rogers's boat."

22. "I do not see why he should be offended," said

George; "since Mr. Rogers gave you leave to take the boat."

23. "Why, you see, Mr. Rogers did not exactly give me leave to take the boat," said Frank; "but I knew he would be perfectly willing; and I had a key which would unlock it. We have not hurt his boat."

24. As Frank said this, he blushed deeply, and turned his eye away from George, who was looking him full in the face. "I think it is a dishonest act," said George. "I supposed, from what you said, that Mr. Rogers had given you the key."

25. “So did I, and I, and I,” they all exclaimed.

26. "Well, he did not; and so you must just keep quiet, and say nothing about it," said Frank.

27. The boys looked at each other in astonishment; for they had done what, if found out, would bring upon them the severe displeasure both of the teacher and Mr. Rogers.

28. "The only right thing to be done now," said George, "is to go to Mr. Rogers, and tell him of the offense, and ask him to overlook it."

29." You shall do no such thing," said Frank; "for you will only disgrace yourself, and not do any good. Come, boys, promise now to say nothing about it.”

30. The boys saw they would all be blamed if the truth should be known; and all except George gave him the required promise. "If any question is asked me, I shall tell the truth in regard to myself,” said he. 31. "Yes, and be called a tell-tale, as you are,” said Frank, in an angry voice.

32. They now separated with hearts full of anxious thoughts, and all but George, with a heavy conscience. His conscience was clear; for he was determined, at all hazards, to tell the truth in regard to himself.

33. Monday morning, after the scholars were all seated, Mr. Russel said that he had a word to say to them before they began their lessons. A profound silence now reigned throughout the room.

34. "Saturday afternoon," said the teacher, "Mr. Rogers's boat was taken without leave by some of my scholars. I wish those who did this to rise."

35. None of those who had been engaged in the act moved except George. He rose, and stood with his full eye fixed upon the teacher.

36. "Were you the only one engaged in taking the boat?" asked Mr. Russel.

37. "No, sir; I was not," replied the honest boy. 38. “Who were the others?" inquired the teacher. 39. "I should prefer not to say, sir," replied George. 40. Noble boy! He was willing to convict himself, but not others. It was not necessary; they had been seen by Mr. Rogers's gardener, and their names reported to the teacher.

41. All was known; and the teacher saw that George alone had not attempted to deceive him, but had been himself deceived by Frank, and led to do an act which he condemned and freely confessed.

42. But Frank had not only led his companions into error, but also had aggravated the offense by virtually denying the deed himself, and inducing them to conceal it also. He was therefore severely reproved and punished; while George was commended, and held up by the teacher as a noble example for imitation.

QUESTIONS.-1. Where was this school? 2, 3. What were the names of the two leading boys? 6. Why did George feel bad one day on the play-ground? 10. What did Frank propose? 13, 16. Who obtained the boat? 19. What request did Frank make when they were about to separate? 23. Did Mr. Rogers give them leave to take the boat? 24. What did George say to Frank? 27. How did the boys feel? 28. What did George then say? 29. What did Frank say? 30. Did all the boys promise not to tell? 30. What did George say he should do? 33-39. What took place on Monday morning? 42. What was done to Frank? 42. What to George?