“A Boy with the Spirit of Christ.” Two boys—Bob Jones and Ben Christie—were left alone in a country school-house between the morning and afternoon sessions. Contrary to the master’s express orders Bob Jones set off some fireworks. When afternoon school began, the master called up the two boys, to find out who had done the mischief.
“Bob, did you set off those fireworks?”
“No, sir,” said Bob.
“Did you do it, Ben?” was the next question.
But Ben refused to answer; and so the master flogged him severely for his obstinacy.
At the afternoon recess the boys were alone together. “Ben, why didn’t you deny it?” asked his companion.
“Because there were only us two there, and one of us must have lied,” said Ben.
“Then why didn’t you say I did it?”
“Because you had said you didn’t, and I would rather take the flogging than fasten the lie on you.”
Bob’s heart melted under this. Ben’s noble spirit quite overcame him. He felt that he never could allow his companion to lie under the charge of the wrong that he had done.