such events."

"Come, Sam, you are a little too bad," said Ben. "I don't think you'd
like it very well if Frank should kill your gray squirrel the first
chance he has."

Sam found it difficult to argue the case with his brother Ben against
him, who had really been converted over to the other side by the tears
of Frank and Nat. Ben was always a better boy than Sam, but he often
yielded to his wicked counsels because Sam was the eldest. Ben was made
worse by his brother's influence. This was the general impression in
the neighborhood. Sam also, owed a spite to good boys in general, who
ranked higher than himself in school, and were thought more highly of in
the community. He knew that Nat was a favorite, in school and out, with
all who knew him, and so he was envious and vindictive. He twitted him
about thinking more of himself than he ought, although he did not really
think so. The fact was, Nat was far in advance of Sam in reading,
writing, arithmetic, and every branch of study, although the latter was
three years older. This circumstance probably excited the ill-will of
Sam, as he had an evil disposition, made more evil every day by his
vicious course. What he said and did on that day was the result of his
jealousy and envy, in connection with his bad temper and reckless
spirit. Probably he did not think of killing Trip, when he gave him a
kick, for he was utterly reckless, and scarcely ever stopped to consider
consequences. But this was no excuse. It is evidence rather of a more
dangerous temper of mind.

Sam gave Ben a wink, and both hurried away together, leaving Nat and
Frank alone, as they were glad to be.

"How cruel Sam is!" said Frank, breaking the silence that prevailed
after they were left alone.

"Worse than that," added Nat. "I begin to think that what Mr. Bond said
the other day about him will prove true."

"What _did_ he say?"

"He said that Sam would become a very bad man, unless he turned his
course soon, and that he should not be surprised if he came to the
gallows. I thought at once of a story which I read the other day about a
boy."

"Do you mean a boy like Sam?"

"Yes; very much like him. He lived in England, and he was neighbor to a
minister there. The minister had two or three sons whom he warned not to
associate with this bad boy. He told them that he would come to some bad
end because he did not obey his parents, and was so wicked in other
respects. And it proved true; for, in a few