from school just for one day. You can manage so that
nobody will know it; and if they should find it out, it won't make any
difference a hundred years hence. Come, now, I 'll tell you what I 'll
do; if you two will go around with us to-day, I 'll give you a quarter
of a dollar apiece."

Oscar and Alfred, after some little hesitation, yielded to their
request, and the four boys started on their tramp. It was not without
many misgivings, however, that Oscar decided to accompany them. With
him, the chances of detection were much greater than with Alfred. No
brothers of the latter attended school, to notice and report his
absence. With Oscar, the case was different, and he did not see
exactly how his truancy was to be concealed from his parents and
teachers. But as Alfred was going with the boys, he finally concluded
that he, too, would run the risk for at least half a day, and trust to
luck to escape punishment.

It was decided to go over to the neighboring city of Charlestown,
first, and visit the Monument and Navy-Yard, both of which the young
strangers were quite anxious to see. Joseph, the oldest and most
forward, began to be on quite intimate terms with Oscar and Alfred. He
threw off every restraint, and laughed and talked with them just as if
they were old acquaintances. One thing very noticeable about him, was
his profanity. Neither Alfred nor Oscar, I am sorry to say, was
entirely free from this wicked and disgusting habit; but they had made
so little advance in this vice, compared with their new friend, that
even they were slightly shocked by the frequent and often startling
oaths of Joseph.

The younger lad, whose name was Stephen, appeared to be quite unlike
his brother. Though sociable, he was less gay and more reserved than
Joseph, but he seemed to be much interested in the novel sights that
met his eye at every step.

On their way, the boys came to a cellar which was occupied by a dealer
in fruits and other refreshments. Around the entrance were arranged
numerous boxes of oranges, apples, nuts, candy, and similar articles,
to tempt the passer-by to stop and purchase. The owner was not in
sight, and Joseph, as he passed along, boldly helped himself from one
of the boxes, taking a good hand-full of walnuts. On looking around, a
moment after, he saw a man running up the cellar steps, and concluded
that he, too, had better quicken his pace. He accordingly started on a
brisk run, the other bo