reakfast, the two friends stepped
across to Lary's cottage.

They found the poor Irishman sitting on the bench before his door,
trimming some plants to put in 'Squire Hope's garden; and, taking a seat
on either side of him, the young gentlemen informed him of the cause of
their visit. The Irishman listened to them with surprise and wonder;
but, when they proceeded to ask his forgiveness, Pat interrupted them,
by saying, "That it was not fit for young gentlemen like them to ask
pardon of a poor fellow, such as the likes of Pat Lary; and that he
forgave them from his very soul; and as to the poor lad that's gone,
he has been punished enough, Heaven knows; Pat Lary bears no malice
against him."

"But, Patrick, why did not thee boldly deny the charge I brought against
thee?" said Josiah.

"Why, your honour, I was not sober, and I thought I might have done it,"
replied honest Pat; "besides, was there not my hatchet staring me in
the face, as much as to say, 'Pat Lary, you know you did it?' Would it
have been right, Master Shirley, to have denied my own? However, I
always thought one day I should find out I did not do it."

This speech would have upset the young gentlemen's gravity at another
time: and Josiah could scarcely forbear smiling, as Pat continued--

"And since you gave me that good advice, Master Shirley, I have never
been intoxicated since; and, now I have seen the shocking end of that
poor lad, I think I shall never give way to strong drink again."

"In truth, friend," said Josiah, shaking hands with him, "if thou hadst
been soberly inclined, Simpson never dare have taken thy tools, and I
never had suspected thee."

They then made the poor gardener a handsome present, and returned home.

When once this painful load was removed from George Hope's mind, he
rapidly improved in health and spirits; and, before the midsummer
vacation commenced, Mr. Carter proclaimed him sufficiently recovered to
return to school.

The young friends parted mutually attached to each other; and, on
leaving the house of the good Quakers, George grasped Josiah firmly by
the hand, and said--

"Accept, my dear Josiah, my boundless gratitude and affection. You have
taught me a lesson I never shall forget during the remainder of a life I
owe to your care,--that moral virtues are confined to no rank or station
in life; that such exist among every class and sect of people; and that
the greatest of all weaknesses is that of despising a