“What was that, Asa?” asked the minister, realizing that the shadow of the past would be likely to haunt the sensitive lad for a long while, until time had healed the wound.
“I’ll tell you, sir. It certainly did make a great impression on me,” said Asa. “There was once a boy who got to doing so many bad things that his father took him to task. He had him set up a nice clean post, and made him promise that every time he did a thing that he shouldn’t he would drive a nail into it. Then when he did a good deed he could draw a nail out.”
Mr. Holwell knew what was coming, but he only smiled, and said encouragingly when Asa stopped to catch his breath:
“Yes, go on, Asa.”
“One day, sir, as you told us, that boy suddenly began to notice that his post was getting pretty full of nails. That scared him, and made him feel bad; so he set himself to stopping his bad deeds, and did things worth while. Then one day he took his father out to look at the post. There wasn’t a nail left in it, sir. He had drawn them every one out!”
Again Asa gulped hard, and then managed to continue.
“The boy’s father was proud of him, you said, because he knew he had managed by his little scheme to make the boy think, which was just what he had wished to do. So he told him that he was pleased to see the post without a nail. And then, Mr. Holwell, the boy turned to him and said sadly: ‘But Father, the holes are still there!’ And that’s the way with me, sir. I seem to have managed to reform, but every little while I see all those terrible holes in the post to remind me of what I’ve done in the past!”
Mr. Holwell patted Asa on the shoulder.
“Cheer up, my son,” he said, heartily. “It is that regret which is bound to make your footing sure on the rocks. When any one can forget his weaknesses of the past he is in danger of slipping again. That conscience of yours is going to be your best asset. Don’t fret about what is past, but look hopefully into the future. If the chance ever comes your way, help some other fellow to get his feet on a firm and sure foundation. Remember, I believe in you, and I have no fear.”
Dick’s hand-grip, too, caused Asa to color. With such good friends beside him what boy need worry about the future? So the look of foreboding began to leave his face from that hour, and Asa showed that he could be a good comrade in the sports of the camp, as well as in its obligations.