and his conscience smote him, for disregarding the charge his master had given him, not to remain on the election ground. But more painful still, was the feeling, that his mother, who was a poor widow, and whom he really loved, would be almost heart-broken, when she knew he had been so led away from the path of duty, by an evil companion. He had promised to give her the money he had earned, and now all of it was gone. Thomas could then have done, what would have, in a great degree, eased him of his pains of body and mind-returned home, and owned his fault. Mr. Hilton, no doubt, would have received him as a repenting prodigal, and by his counsel, led him to ask the forgiveness of that all-seeing God, whose laws he had broken. But, alas! for Thomas; he had not true courage enough to do that, and he laid himself down on the floor, almost under the bench, sick and sorrowful.

Philip was so much engaged with anger for his own loss, that he forgot his companion, and left the cellar without speaking to him; determined to find the boy who had won his

money, and in some way to be revenged. He soon saw him talking to some boys; Philip joined them, and said to the boy, "I suppose you are rid of your money in the same way that you got it?" you are mistaken, my jockey, said the boy, and putting his hand into his pocket, he drew it out with some pieces of money in it, and held it open towards Philip, who quickly seized several of them and ran off. The boy cried, stop thief! and Philip was soon in the hands of a constable, who led him to the office of a magistrate, with a crowd of boys following. The boy who accused him, was questioned; and as there were several others present, who had seen Philip take the money, the magistrate told him there could be no doubt of his guilt; and directed the constable to take him to the prison. Philip, with all his boasted courage, was now filled with terror and shame; and attempted to plead with the constable, but in vain; and in the bitterness of his feelings proved the truth, That the way of transgressors is hard." The magistrate seeing his distress, told him he might remain there, and get some

one to go for his parents, if he had

any, that they might see him before he went to the prison. But Philip knew, if his father could be found, he would be in a state to increase his shame; and that if his mother came, she would get into a passion, and perhaps, abuse all around her: this wicked son of evil parents, was, therefore, led into that jail, which a few hours before, he had boasted his wit would always keep him out of. That wisdom, which is the fear of the Lord," would have kept him from such a sad condition as he now was in, if he had possessed it; but he found his wit was folly."-Betsy Radly, (Philip's mother) thought she would see what election fun was going on; and soon after her dinner, she left her daughter Sally, with a charge to stay at home, and take care of the house and of her young brother; but as soon as the mother was out of sight, Sally said, "I should like to see the election as well as she does:" come, Bill, we will go too. She took her brother by the hand, and they were soon amongst the crowd. "A girl at election! hurra!” cried a boy, and Sally found herself in a very un

pleasant situation, bold as she was; for a number of boys repeated, "a girl at election," and then laughed aloud. Hastening to get out of their sight, she let her brother's hand go, and was some distance before she missed him; she ran back, but could not find him; and dreading to hear again, the cry of "a girl at election," she determined to go home, and wait for her mother's return. She knew she would be scolded, but she did not care for that; she was an ignorant, idle girl, and her mother never tried to teach her, or have her taught, her duty to God and her parents. When the mother heard of her Bill, (as she called him) being lost, she made a great uproar, and went off to search for him; after some time, she found him screaming with terror: she shook him in anger, and made him run home.-Near ten o'clock, Peter Radly staggered home, and kicked at the door for his wife to open it; she did so; and when he entered, he cast himself down on the first chair, and threw his arms upon the table-his head was laid upon them, and for some time, he seemed as if he was asleep. At

F

smartness.

last, Betsy said, in a voice that roused him, “Where is Phil?” In jail, muttered Peter; where some of your vixen temper, which is in him, has fixed him for this night. This was as much as Peter could utter; and down sunk his head again. This information was a sad blow to Betsy's pride, which often boasted to the neighbours, of Philip's boldness and At first, she thought she would go to the jail, but she recollected it would be useless to do so; and she laid herself down upon her comfortless bed, beside her other son, who had cried himself to sleep. Sally was stretched across the foot of the bed, with her clothes on; for she had refused to take them off when her mother bid her, because she had scolded her for not remaining at home, as she had told her to do. Betsy closed her eyes for a few moments, and opened them again, on hearing Peter mutter, "Phil in jail!” and then, “hurra, for our side;" he was dreaming election day over again.-The candle which Betsy had left to burn out, as it sunk in the socket, threw a flickering light upon the shelf opposite to her bed; and, as