" That was Grandpa Stockton.
During the next two or three days every inducement was brought to bear
upon Willy. He was scolded and coaxed, he was promised a reward if he
would tell the truth, he was assured that he should not be punished.
Monday he was kept in his room all day, and was given nothing but
bread and milk to eat. Severer measures were hinted at, but Grandpa
Stockton put his foot down peremptorily. "That boy has never been
whipped in his whole life," said he, "an' his own folks have got to
begin it, if anybody does."
All the premises were searched for the missing coat, but no trace of
it was found. The mystery thickened and deepened. How could a boy lose
a coat going across a road in broad daylight? Why would he not confess
that he had lost it?
Finally it was decided to take him home. He was becoming all worn out
with excitement and distress. He was too delicate a child to long
endure such a strain. They thought that once at home his mother might
be able to do what none of the rest had.
All the others were getting worn out also. A good many tears had been
shed by the older members of the company. Poor Mrs. Perry took much
blame to herself for giving the coat to the boy, and so opening the
way for the difficulty.
"Mr. Perry says he thinks I ought not to have given the coat to him,
he's nothing but a child, any way," she said tearfully once.
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