letter, and, commencing there, he
read, assuming a high-pitched voice:

"Lovely creeter!"

The school broke out into a laugh, as did also Mr. Bright. "Dodd"
raised his eyes for an instant to catch the cause of their mirth, only
to meet the approving smile of the teacher, and the slightest nod of
admiration from him. He flushed with a glow of wholesome pride, and
the next instant shouted, in the deep, husky guttural of "Old Tony":

"Stop! A glass o' the inwariable, my dear!" and so he continued with
the dialogue.

It was a revelation to the school, this reading of "Dodd's." After the
first floating breath of laughter had passed over the room, every pupil
was full of attention, and was listening to the reading of this
proverbially bad boy.

"Dodd" read to the end of the letter and then sat down.

Mr. Bright said, "Very well!" and marked him 9 1/2! The two walked
home to dinner together, at noon!

For many weeks after this "Dodd" continued as he had begun, and grew in
favor with the pupils in general and with Mr. Bright in particular. He
came regularly to school, studied fairly, and advanced quite rapidly in
his work. This was very satisfactory to his parents, who saw their
son, whom they had mourned as worse than dead, once more "clothed and
in his right mind." The Elder was happy and felt that at last the
personal influence of one good man had done for "Dodd" what a half
dozen revival conversions had failed to do for him. Perhaps he did not
say it just that way, even to himself; but we often hear voices within
us saying things that we dare not say ourselves, even to ourselves. It
was a voice within that said this to the parson. I merely record the
fact without further comment. Why should anyone comment on such a fact?

But there came a day--there are always days a-coming. There came, too,
a deed, and there are always deeds a-coming. It was in this wise.

School had just begun, after dinner, when suddenly "Dodd" Weaver arose
to leave the room. There was nothing remarkable in this, for it was
not unlawful for pupils to leave Mr. Bright's room without special
permission. They were permitted to come and go at pleasure, subject,
always, to the direction of the teacher in each or every case.

Mr. Bright did not notice the young man till he had nearly reached the
door; then, suddenly, it occurred to him that there was no good reason
for his going out.

"Why are you leaving the room, 'Dodd'?" he inqu