THE FIRST DECEPTION.
When I was a boy, and attended school, I was like a great many other boys, more inclined to play and read story books than I was to study my lessons; it was a rule at our school to carry a book home every night and study the lesson for the following day; but I would avoid this by some deception, and of course the next morning my recitation would be very imperfect.
One morning I awoke quite early, and I remembered that we were to have a very difficult lesson on that morning, and I had neglected it that I might join in a game of foot-ball. It was too late then to commit it to memory, and I felt ashamed to go to school without it, for I knew that I should be punished, and be obliged to remain in at recess to make up the lesson. I did not want to play truant, for I was fearful of detection, so I went to my father and feigned headache, and plead that I might remain at home that day. The wish was granted, and for a moment I felt relieved, but at breakfast or dinner, I was not allowed to eat anything; I was obliged to remain in doors all day, although the sun was shining brightly out of doors, and with a conscience restless and reproving me all the time, I passed a wretched day.
My father, always kind and attentive to his children, would lay his hand upon my head and pity me, so that my heart ached when I thought how wickedly I was deceiving him. The day passed, and I went to my bed, but I could not sleep. I had told my father a lie, and the thought of it lay like a weight upon my heart. I slept a little, but it was a troubled and unhappy sleep. When I arose in the morning, I went to my father, and with tearful eyes confessed my deception. He was surprised and grieved. I stood before him with my head hung down, feeling thoroughly ashamed. I asked forgiveness of him and it was granted. I was then told to go to school and tell the teacher of my fault, and promise never to attempt such a wrong again.
I have grown a man since then, but the memory of that error is still fresh in my mind. It was the last time I ever attempted to deceive my father. I have no father or mother now, but the lesson which that day I learned, will guard me through life from any attempt at deceiving those to whom I am indebted for kindness and love. If any little boy should read this story, let him be mindful and avoid all temptations, which, if yielded to, will cause him in after years many bitter pangs and hearty remorse.