APOLOGY FOR JACK. 
U 
claimed. “It is a judgment upon him for 
treating that poor little kitten so cruelly!” 
“I don’t think you ought to say' so, 
Annie,” said Richard. “You would not 
like to have any one say that the fever you 
had last summer was a judgment upon you, 
would you ? It never seems right to me to 
speak in that way.” 
“I agree with you, Richard,” said Mr. 
Crediton. “We are apt to be altogether 
too ready to pronounce upon the calamities 
which befall our neighbours. Jack is 
doubtless far from being a good boy; but he 
is no worse than many others, and he has 
some very good traits of character; but his 
parents are ignorant people, and have 
neglected to give him even the little in¬ 
struction in their power. I do not consider 
Jack hopeless by any means. But I must 
be off, if I am to be at home to-night.” And, 
bidding a kindly good-night to all, he was 
soon heard driving away. 
The children were settled and ready to 
listen. Annie was working a collar: she 
always liked to have her hands employed, 
and insisted that she could listen better 
when this was the case. Daisy was occu- 
r 
