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Story
June 15, 1872
Frostburg Mining Journal
Frostburg, Allegany County, Maryland
What is this article about?
A teacher questions two boys, Willie and Freddy, about delaying their water-fetching errand. Willie gives a partial truth about spilling the water, while Freddy fully confesses to playing with another child first. The story highlights the value of complete honesty.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The Difference.
"Willie, why were you gone so long for water?" asked the teacher of a little boy.
"We spilled it, and had to go back and fill the bucket again," was the prompt reply; but the bright, noble face was a shade less bright, less noble than usual, and the eyes dropped beneath the teacher's gaze.
The teacher crossed the room and stood by another, who had been Willie's companion.
"Freddy, were you not gone for the water longer than was necessary?"
For an instant Freddy's eyes were fixed on the floor, and his face wore a troubled look. But it was only for an instant--he looked frankly up to his teacher's face.
"Yes, ma'am," he bravely answered: "we met little Harry Braden and stopped to play with him, and then we spilled the water and had to go back."
Little friends, what was the difference in the answers of the two boys? Neither of them told anything that was not strictly true. Which one of them do you think the teacher trusted more fully after that? And which was the happier of the two?
"Willie, why were you gone so long for water?" asked the teacher of a little boy.
"We spilled it, and had to go back and fill the bucket again," was the prompt reply; but the bright, noble face was a shade less bright, less noble than usual, and the eyes dropped beneath the teacher's gaze.
The teacher crossed the room and stood by another, who had been Willie's companion.
"Freddy, were you not gone for the water longer than was necessary?"
For an instant Freddy's eyes were fixed on the floor, and his face wore a troubled look. But it was only for an instant--he looked frankly up to his teacher's face.
"Yes, ma'am," he bravely answered: "we met little Harry Braden and stopped to play with him, and then we spilled the water and had to go back."
Little friends, what was the difference in the answers of the two boys? Neither of them told anything that was not strictly true. Which one of them do you think the teacher trusted more fully after that? And which was the happier of the two?
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Anecdote
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Honesty
Partial Truth
Confession
Schoolboys
Moral Lesson
What entities or persons were involved?
Willie
Freddy
Harry Braden
Teacher
Where did it happen?
School
Story Details
Key Persons
Willie
Freddy
Harry Braden
Teacher
Location
School
Story Details
Two boys, Willie and Freddy, delay fetching water by playing with Harry Braden and spilling it. Willie omits the playing in his answer, while Freddy confesses fully. The narrative contrasts partial versus complete honesty, implying the teacher trusts and the fully honest boy is happier.