y hanging him to the nearest tree. Nevertheless, law triumphed, and he was
hanged. Justice held up her equal scales with satisfaction, and there was
much trumpeting forth of this consummation, in which even the women,
merciful, tender-hearted women, seemed to take delight.

"Perceiving the boy's life to be waning, I endeavored one day to turn his
mind to religious subjects, apprehending no difficulty in one so young; but
he always evaded the topic. I asked him if he had said his prayers. He
replied--

"'_Once_, always--_now_, never.'

"This answer surprised me very much; and I endeavored gently to impress him
with the fact that a more devout frame of mind would be becoming in him,
and with the great necessity of his being prepared to die; but he remained
silent.

"A few days afterwards, I asked him whether he would not permit me to send
for the Rev. Dr. B----, a most kind man in sickness, who would be of the
utmost service to him in his present situation. He declined firmly and
positively. _Then_ I determined to solve this mystery, and to understand
this strange phase of character in a mere child. 'My dear boy,' said I, 'I
implore you not to act in this manner. What can so have disturbed your
young mind? You certainly believe there is a God, to whom you owe a debt of
gratitude?'

"His eye kindled, and to my surprise, I might almost say horror, I heard
from his young lips--

"'No, I don't _believe_ that there is a God!'

"Yes, that little boy, young as he was, was an atheist; and he even
reasoned in a logical manner for a mere child like him.

"'I cannot believe there is a God,' said he; 'for if there were a God, he
must be merciful and just; and he never, _never_, NEVER could have
permitted _my father_, who was innocent, to be hanged! Oh, my father! my
father!' he exclaimed, passionately, burying his face in the pillow, and
sobbing as if his heart would break.

"I was overcome by my own emotion; but all that I could say would not
change his determination; he would have no minister of God beside him--no
prayers by his bedside. I was unable, with all my endeavors, to apply any
balm to his wounded heart.

"A few days after this, I called, as usual, in the morning, and at once saw
very clearly that the little boy must soon depart.

"'Willie,' said I, 'I have got good news for you to-day. Do you think that
you can bear to hear it?' for I really was at a loss how to break to him
what I had to communicate.

"He