﻿HONESTY THE BEST POLICY. 



He had been taught that " Honesty is the best policy," and he was 

 evidently struggling against the temptation to conceal an act, which 

 he ought to make known. At length he resolved what to do, and 

 said to his companions, " I am going to Mr. Clarke, and shall tell 

 him I have accidentally set his barn on fire, and promise to pay him 

 for it, as soon as I can earn money enough." " Why, Edward," ex- 

 claimed William, " Mr. Clarke will punish us, and likely as not he 

 will send us to prison, if we tell him what mischief we have done." 

 " I cannot help that," replied Edward; "I will do right, come what 

 will." Upon this they set off in haste, and after walking a mile 

 they found Mr. Clarke. Edward told him the whole truth, and 

 expressed much sorrow that he had been so careless, and took all the 

 blame to himself. He promised Mr. C. that he would pay him for thf- 

 barn, if he should live long enough to earn the money. Mr. C., who 

 was a very passionate man, was very angry with Edward, and 

 treated him harshly, and told him he ought to be sent to the state's 

 prison. Edward turned away deeply mortified, not knowing what 

 to do. He went home with a heavy heart and related all that had 

 happened. As soon as the neighbors heard of the misfortune of 

 poor Edward, and how honest he had been, and how harshly he had 

 been used by Mr. C. ; they felt a sympathy for him, and generously 

 contributed money enough to pay for the barn. My young friends, 

 it is always safe to do right. " Honesty is the best policy." 





