by the heels. I've heard it said that if you turn a lad upside down and keep him like that for a short time, it helps him to recollect where cash boxes and things are kept.'

My cry of terror must have mingled strangely with their brutal laughter, as they slipped the noose of the rope over my boots. What would happen when they began to pull the rope I easily foresaw; I should fall forward on my face, and the bonds on my hands and feet would tighten more and more. And, horrible to think of, I should be hanging head downward!

"Yes, my lad, you may well say your prayers, laughed one of them as I began to repeat the Sacred Name. No doubt if you asked my mother she would tell you that I was always a good boy, and, thanks to her training and the Catholic school I had always attended, perhaps I was not really a wicked lad.

But on that terrifying night, oh, how I wished that I had not taken religion so lightly! How I wished that I had prayed better been more attentive at Mass gone to the Sacraments oftener been less indulgent in food and candy-less quarrelsome and selfish less a score of other things. I had never been a particularly pious lad, yet, thank God! prayer had always been to me a reality, and I had made some steady efforts to be good.

Terrified as I was, I still prayed. Distinctly I

remember pleading with our Blessed Lady and begging her for the sake of my own dear mother and father to ask the Holy Child Jesus to protect me and to spare my life.

But the last thing I remember, before I rolled over on the table in a dead swoon, was the making of a promise to our dear Lord that if He would spare my life, I would give it to Him forever by joining some religious order as soon as I could.

Just how long I remained unconscious I do not know, but when I opened my eyes I found myself lying on the sofa in the house-place, my father bending over me and holding my head. Though tears were in his eyes, he smiled so happily that I felt sure everything was right—it was not until Christmas Day that I heard all the details, for when my mother and sisters came back I was already in bed.

My father had returned just as the servant was entering the house accompanied by her brother, a stalwart gamekeeper, who had insisted upon seeing her safe home. It seems that when the tramp pulled me round from facing the window my feet had caught one of the curtains and displaced it a little. Passing by the window Harriet peeped in to see me lying on the table bound hand and foot, and two men trying to force open the bureau that stood against an inner wall. Of course she screamed, and my father,

who was not far behind, quickened his horse's pace. Her brother dashed into the house, and the two thieves, already startled by the scream and preparing to bolt, were soon writhing under the very bonds they had put upon me. In a few minutes, with their hands bound behind their backs, they were walking unsteadily enough in front of the gamekeeper to the village lockup. A month or so afterwards, they were sent to penal servitude.

We had a delightful Christmas in spite of this unpleasant adventure. The thieves had taken nothing, except the cold victuals and the milk, and though for some days I was treated as an invalid and came in for more petting than a sturdy lad of thirteen had any right to expect, I soon recovered from the shock. But, for many a long day, I had red marks on my wrists and ankles. Did I keep my promise? Thank God, I did.

REV. DAVID BEARNE, S. J.

AIDS TO STUDY

Rev. David Bearne, S. J. (1856- ), a well-known writer of prose and verse, was born in England. Like the Rev. Francis J. Finn, S. J., of this country, he has written many charming stories for boys and girls.

bludgeon (bluj'un), a short stick or club.

constrain (kon stran'), to force,

cramp.

hilarious (hī lā'rĭ us), noisy, boisterous.

larder (lär'der), a place where eatables are kept.

1. What Catholic custom does this story recall? 2. Is it going out of use nowadays? 3. What is the cause of this change? 4. Who told this tale to Father Bearne? 5. Give three reasons why the boy was happy that Christmas Eve. 6. What did he do after he had milked the cows? 7. Why did he not change his boots? 8. What happened when he went out to unchain the dog? 9. Repeat the conversation which took place between the boy and the tramps. 10. What did the tramps do, and for what did they come? 11. How did they treat the boy when he would not tell them where the cash-box was? 12. When the rope was around his boots, of what did the boy think? 13. Did he say his prayers? prayers? 14. Give an account of his home and school training. 15. What promise did he make to our Lord? 16. Who came to his rescue? 17. What happened to the tramps? 18. Did the boy keep his promise?

Locate the following expressions in the text, explain their meaning, and use them correctly in new sentences:

absurd as it may seem

for many a long day

but I reckon

coast's all clear

current expenses

in quest of food

it occurred to me

making taut the strap

1. Notice the frequent use of the personal pronoun I in this story, and give the reason for it. 2. If another person were to

tell this tale, what personal pronoun would be used? 3. Change the pronouns in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs from the first to the third person. If you were asked to illustrate this story, what pictures would you draw?

Whenever you meet a word in this or in any other book that you do not fully understand, be sure to consult your dictionary. In this way you will master a number of new words, and you will be able to use them intelligently both in speaking and in writing.

THE LIGHT OF BETHLEHEM

'Tis Christmas night! the snow

A flock unnumbered lies,

The old Judean stars aglow

Keep watch within the skies.

An icy stillness holds

The pulses of the night,

A deeper mystery infolds

The wondering Hosts of Light.

Till, lo, with reverence pale

That dims each diadem,

The lordliest, earthward bending, hail

The Light of Bethlehem.

REV. JOHN B. TABB.