ulty still continued. Had the
irregularity been very great, it would have been necessary to have taken
more immediate measures, but he thought the case admitted of a little
delay. In the meantime, he took a little pains to cultivate the
acquaintance of the boy, to discover and to show that he noticed what
was good in his character and conduct, occasionally to get from him some
little assistance, and thus to gain some personal ascendancy over him.

One day, when every thing had gone smoothly and pleasantly, the teacher
told the boy, at the close of school, that he wanted to talk with him a
little, and asked him to walk home with him. It was not uncommon for the
teacher to associate thus, with his pupils, out of school, and this
request, accordingly, attracted no special attention. On the walk, the
teacher thus accosted the criminal.

"Do you like frank, open dealing, James?"

James hesitated a moment, and then answered faintly, "Yes sir."

"Most boys do, and I do; and I supposed that you would prefer being
treated in that way. Do you?"

"Yes sir."

"Well, I am going to tell you of one of your faults. I have asked you to
walk with me, because I supposed it would be pleasanter for you to have
me see you privately, than to bring it up in school."

James said it would be pleasanter.

"Well, the fault is, being disorderly at prayer time. Now if you like
frank and open dealing, and are willing to deal so with me, I should
like to talk with you a little about it, but if you are not willing, I
will dismiss the subject. I do not wish to talk with you now about it,
unless you yourself desire it. But if we talk at all, we must both be
open, and honest, and sincere. Now should you rather have me talk with
you or not?"

"Yes sir, I should rather have you talk with me now, than in school."

The teacher then described his conduct, in a mild manner, using the
style of simple narration,--admitting no harsh epithets,--no terms of
reproach. The boy was surprised, for he supposed he had not been
noticed. He thought, perhaps he should have been punished, if he had
been observed. The teacher said in conclusion:

"Now, James, I do not suppose you have done this from any designed
irreverence towards God, or deliberate intention of giving me trouble
and pain. You have several times lately, assisted me, in various ways,
and I know from the cheerful manner with which you comply with my
wishes, that your prevailing desire is, to give m