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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 Excerpt:... after the fruit is ripe and fully grown," replied Mr. Hilman; "besides, I suppose it is impossible for your father,to be in two places at once and you recollect he has been working for me for the last six weeks." "Joe looked somewhat confounded, but before he could answer, Mr. Hilman turned to Harry and said: "Henry Carton, why were you so anxious to persuade your brother to keep the peach in a box instead of on the shelf?" "Because I wanted him to keep it as long as he could, sir," replied Harry. "That is not true," returned Mr. Hilman; "you know that you tried by every means to persuade him to eat it." Still the boys persisted--it was wonderful with what effrontery they did so--in denying all knowledge of the key, and in inventing all kinds of falsehoods to make Mr. Hilman believe what they said. But this was of no use, appearances were so strong against them, and they so frequently contradicted themselves and each other, that he could not help feeling convinced of their guilt. For nearly an hour did they stand before him, while he made use of every argument that kindness could suggest, to arouse fear in their minds, or sorrow in their hearts, for the sin they were committing. But all seemed of no avail. There they stood, if anything more hardened,more determined than when they first entered the room. Certainly, it was so with Harry. As we have before remarked, he was much agitated at first, but now, no doubt emboldened by Joe's effrontery, he was as cool and calm as if nothing had happened. At length Mr. Hilman paused, for a few minutes appearing in deep meditation, as indeed he was, for deeply did it grieve his soul to see two beings, so young in years, apparently so hardened in ways of wicked...