When the poor lady saw her child borne towards her she could scarcely speak; and, when he leaped into her arms, she fell down in a fainting fit.
Paul’s father soon came home, and was rejoiced to see his son. He took John up also in his arms, and pressed him to his heart, for saving his son.
“I offered a hundred pounds reward to any one who would find him, dead or alive,” said his father. “You shall have the hundred pounds, my little fellow; nay, more, I will give you the best pony in my stable.”
“What for, sir?” said John.
“Why, for being such a brave little fellow.”
“No,” said John, “one good turn deserves another: you remember the nice rosy apple you gave me the first day I went to school, Paul.”
Nothing could prevail upon John, or his father, to take the reward: “To pay my son for doing his duty,” said the poor man, “would spoil all.”
From this time Paul and John were firm friends, and grew up together like brothers. At last Paul became a very rich man, and John was his steward.—English Periodical.
The Selfish Boy.
The selfish boy is one who loves himself solely, and nobody else; who does not care who he deprives of enjoyment, so that he can obtain it. Should he have anything given him, he will keep it all to himself. Should it be a cake, he will keep it in his box, and eat it alone: sometimes creeping up stairs in the day-time, to munch when nobody sees him; at others, getting out of bed at night, to cram himself in the dark.