James Selton was one of the most insolent boys in the village where he resided. He would rarely pass people in the street, without uttering some unbecoming remark, or committing some sort of abuse. If a person were well dressed, he would cry out "Dandy!" If a person's clothes were dirty or torn, he would throw stones at him, and annoy him in every way that he could.

One afternoon, just as the school was dismissed, a stranger passed through the village. His dress was plain and somewhat old, but neat and clean. He carried a curiously shaped cane in his hand, on the end of which was a bundle, and he wore a broad-brimmed hat on his head. No sooner did James see the stranger, than he winked to his comrades, and said, "Now for some fun!"

He then silently approached the stranger from behind, and knocking off his hat, ran away. The man turned and saw him, but James was out of hearing before he could speak. The stranger put on his hat and proceeded on his way. Again did James approach; but this time, the man caught him by the arm, and held him fast.

However, he contented himself with looking James a moment in the face, and then pushed him from him. No sooner did the naughty boy find himself free again, than he called around him some of the most mischievous of his comrades, and began to pelt the stranger with dirt and stones.

But he grew frightened when the "rowdy," as he foolishly nicknamed the man, was hit on the head by a brick, and seriously injured. All the boys now ran away, and James skulked across the fields to his home. As he approached the house, his little sister Caroline came out to meet him, holding a beautiful gold chain, and some new books.

She told James, as fast as she could talk, that their uncle, who had been living several years in South America, had come home and paid them a visit, and was now in the house; that he had brought beautiful presents for the whole family; that he had left his carriage at the tavern, a mile or two off, and walked on foot, so as to surprise his brother, their father; that as he was coming through the village, some wicked boys threw stones at him, and hit him just over the eye, and that her mother had bound up the wound. "But what makes you look so pale?" asked Caroline, changing her tone.

The guilty boy told her that nothing was the matter with him; and running into the house, he went up stairs into his chamber. Soon after, he heard his father calling him to come down; and, trembling from head to foot, he obeyed. When he reached the parlor door, he stood, fearing to enter.

His mother said, "James, why do you not come in? You are not used to be so bashful. See this elegant watch, which your uncle has brought for you." What a sense of shame did James now feel! Little Caroline seized his arm, and pulled him into the room; but he hung down his head, and covered his face with his hands.

His uncle approached him, and kindly taking away his hands, said, "James will you not bid me welcome?" But quickly starting back, he exclaimed, "Brother, this is not your son; it is the boy who so shamefully insulted me in the street!"

With surprise and grief did the good father and mother learn this fact. James had already suffered the severest punishment, in the pain which his own conscience had inflicted. His uncle was inclined to forgive him and forget the injury he had received; but his father would never permit James to have the gold watch, nor the beautiful books which his uncle had brought for him.

The rest of the children were loaded with presents; James was obliged to content himself with seeing them happy. He never forgot this lesson as long as he lived: and my young readers will allow, that it is not very strange that it cured him entirely of his low and insolent manners.