From an exchange paper.
THE TRUANT.
{"newspaper_name": "The Washingtonian.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": "\"A guilty conscience needs no accuser.' ."}
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Otu SuytHSs


"The wicked hee'h when no man pursus,h" s,h.,..,


1t was beautiful afternoon in the early
Autumn, and two little boys were on their way
to school, at the close Of their noon play. One
Of these lads bore rather doubtful character
for honesty; the other was fine, noble spirited,
and usually faithful and obedent boy.


"It is too pleasant to be shut up in the old
school-house this afternoon" said the first,
whom we shall call John.


30, well, vacations coming soon," replied
Nathan.


"That don't make the school any pleasanter
this afternoon. I've mind to stay out. |
know where there are any quantity Of damsons.
and Pm for having some. Come, will you go!"


"But Pm afraid we shall be found out''


30, no we shant. so come along;'' and he
took hold of Nathan's arm and pulled him for
chilly along.


Nathan held back awhile and refused to 90;
but by dist of urging, shaming, and coaxing,
John overcame him, and away went the truants
after their damsons.


They ate what they wanted, and then filled
their hats and started for home. On his way
back Nathan bethought himself that it would
not do to carry his plums home, as he would
thus be discovered. He thought at first that
he would bury them in the garden, but then he
would be seen digging, and his secret discover
ed He next conc uded to sit down aud eat
them; but this he thought would certainly
make him sick, and thus again would he be
wished he had been quietly in school during
,he hours of study! Heartily sick of the trou-
blesome fruit, as lie passed bridge, he turned
his hat over, and away il went into the river.


But there was new difficulty; the damsons
had stained the lining Of his hat Now he cer-
tainly would be found out. In vain he rubbed
and washed il, but the stain was not to be
removed


With fearful forebodngs he entered the
house, and placed his hat upside down upon
the stand. Every time his mother looked to-
wards him, or spoke to him, he started as if
just awaked from sleep, expecting to be qnes-
roned about his absence from school. For
days, whenever his mother went near his hat,
his heart would rise to his mouth, he felt SO
fearful his mother had discovered him. Surely,
in his case, !" the way of the transgressor was
hard" Dearly did he pay for his disobedience.
Time passed on, however, and he was not
found out, but it was weeks before he was
entirely relieved from fear. This was the last
of his playing the truant; he is grown man
now, but this day he vividly remembers the
anguish he suffered during the days that imme-
diately followed his sin.


Be assured little readers, however sweet sin
may be in the beginning, in the end it "biteth
like serpent and stngeth like an adder"