THE CHARITY CIRCLE.
"I AM so glad," exclaimed Lionel, overtaking Joel Barnes. "I knew that
Frank didn't take the chain; but he never would have felt right about
it, if it hadn't been found. Now I can forgive myself. You know, there
wouldn't have been any fuss, if I had had charity toward Frank as I
ought."
"That was an awful story," said Joel. "I wonder how Mr. Monks could
tell us. 'Tisn't every teacher would do so for his scholars."
"I'm sure I never shall forget it," murmured Lionel. "It makes me
ashamed every time I remember that little Annie Ross, the youngest girl
in school, was the only one who had charity for Frank, or the courage
to treat May kindly."
"Is she the little girl Sophy Lane calls a coward?"
"Yes; and she may be afraid to tread on worms, or caterpillars; or even
to kill flies; but she isn't afraid to do what she thinks is right."
"There come Frank and May behind us," said Joel. "Let's stop and see
what they have to say."
"Shall you join our Charitable Society, as Annie calls it?" asked May.
"I would like to join where they all would promise to think well of
me," answered Lionel, laughing, as he put his arm lovingly in Frank's.
"I should think it would be a good plan to have speaking on the
subject," remarked Joel.
"Yes," added May, "that is what we want, to have the boys declaim, and
the girls write their thoughts, which some one can be appointed to
read."
"Mr. Monks would approve of that," said Frank, "because it might be for
our benefit in many ways."
"Once in a while we could have a party or picnic, and celebrate our
Charity Circle," suggested May.
"That's a capital name," exclaimed a voice from behind; "and if the
rules contained in Corinthians are carried out, I prophesy that you
will revolutionize our whole town; and be voted the greatest public
benefactors that ever lived in it."
"We'll do it, Mr. Monks!" they all exclaimed. "At least we'll try."
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