Anecdotes for Boys

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minded and forgetful. M. Certain, who thought of nothing but of selling cloth, would ridicule him, and tell him he would never make any thing. One day he sent him and the porter with four rolls of cloth, to the hotel of M. Cenani, a French banker, who wished to buy hangings for a country house which he had purchased. The pieces were marked 1, 2, 3, and 4; and as Colbert left the house, M. Certain told him

money; and if he refuses to give it, you shall pay it out of your wages. No. 3 is wanting. No. 3 was worth-it was worth six crowns; no, eight crowns. I am quite puzzled." "Eight crowns! Eight crowns! are you sure of that?" cried Colbert. "Perhaps you would like to make out that it was I who made the mistake. I tell you No. 3, was worth eight crowns. I am half dead with fear. I will lay a wager that he sold it for six." "On the contrary," replied

ed the money. The banker asked him if he knew that he was no judge of cloth. Colbert assured him that it was not worth more than eight crowns. "And you might easily have kept this money for yourself." "I never thought of that, sir," replied the young man. "But, if you had thought of it?" inquired the banker. "It was quite impossible, sir, that such an idea could come into my head. I should as soon have thought of carrying off all that you have here." "Suppose I should make you a pres

ime, fearing some disaster had happened to him. After hearing his story, howe

nd, on arriving at manhood, he became a thorough financier. The most important duties were now entrusted to him; and he soon became the travelling agent of the bank; which enabled him also to gratify his taste for the arts and sciences. He made the tour of the French provinces, making commerce his study, and devising means to render it flourishing. In 1648, he was introduced at Court, where his rare merit and conscientiousness in all affairs gained him great esteem. He was created Marquis of Croissy, and afterwards became Prime Minister. In this capacity, he was eminently useful to

y, one would think his was such a case. But the event proved its truth. And to this single trait in his character may be traced all his greatness. His honesty and integrity made him faithful to his employers. This raised him in their esteem, and contributed to strengt

on of all true greatness. You must cultivate sincerity, honesty, and fair

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ke to try it. I would rather not have the plums than steal them, and I will run along home." "You are a coward," said Henry. "I always knew you was a coward; and if you don't want any plums, you may go without them. But I shall have some very quick." Just as Henry was climbing the wall, the owner of the field rose

to one's advantage than dishonesty. (2.) It teaches wherein true courage consists: It is, in being afraid to do wrong. Henry called Thomas a coward, because he was afraid to do

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churches in the city. But, in an evil hour, he discovered that there was a considerable amount of money in the Treasury, which had been allowed to claimants, but which had never been called for, and was not likely to be. The young man, t