His Free Confession

The following story, which hails from a north country town, shows tliere are widely varying ideas as to what cpnstitutes voluntary testimony on any subject. "D;d I understand you to say that this boy voluntar] ly confessed his share in the mischief done to the schoolhousé?' ' asked theinagistrate, addressing the deterrnined looking feruale parent of a small and dirty boy. "Yes, sir, he did," the woman responded. "I just had to persuado him a little, and the he told me the whole thing voluntarily. " "How did you persuade hira?" queried his wotship. "Well, flrst I gave him a good hiding, " said the firm parent, "and then I put him to bed without any supper and took his clothes away and told him he'd stay in bed till he confessed what he'd done if 'twas the rest of his days, and I should thrash him again in the mornintr: And in loss than an hour he told