badly hurt, Harry, and you are very sick. Now, let me
ask you one question: Which would you rather be, Harry West, sick as
you are, or Ben Smart, who struck the blow?"

"I had rather be myself," replied he, promptly.

"You ought to be glad that you are Harry West, instead of Ben Smart.
Sick as you are, I am sure you are a great deal happier than he can
be, even if he is not punished for striking you."

"You are right, Julia. I have been very wicked. Here I have been
grumbling and growling all the time for four days. I have learned
better. It is lucky for me that I am Harry, instead of Ben."

"I am sure I have been a great deal better since I was sick than
before. When I lay on the bed, hardly able to move, I kept thinking
all the time; and my thoughts did me a great deal of good."

Harry had learned his lesson, and Julia's presence was indeed an
angel's visit. For an hour longer she sat by his bed, and her words
were full of inspiration; and when her father called for her he could
hardly repress a tear as she bade him good night.

After she had gone Harry begged Mrs. Flint and Katy to forgive him for
being so cross, promising to be patient in the future. And he kept his
promise. The next day Julia came again. She read to him, conversed
with him about the scenes of the preceding autumn in the woods, and
told him again about her own illness. In the afternoon she bade him a
final adieu, as she was to return that day to her home.

The patience and resignation which he had learned gave a favorable
turn to his sickness, and he began to improve. It was a month,
however, before he was able to take his place in the store again.
Without the assistance of Julia, perhaps, he had not learned the moral
of sickness so well. As it was, he came forth from his chamber with
truer and loftier motives, and with a more earnest desire to lead the
true life.

Ben Smart had been arrested; and, shortly after his recovery, Harry
was summoned as a witness at his trial. It was a plain case, and Ben
was sent to the house of correction for a long term.

CHAPTER XX

IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, AND ACHIEVES HIS
GREATEST TRIUMPH

Three years may appear to be a great while to the little pilgrim
through life's vicissitudes; but they soon pass away and are as "a
tale that is told." To note all the events of Harry's experience
through this period would require another volume; therefore I can only
tell the reader