Detecting a Culprit

1893

The Rev. Joseph Haven, who preached in Rochester, N. H., during the last quarter of the last century, has been always remembered for his genial spirit and his inexhaustible humor. One story told of him has many parallels, but it is quite as likely to be true in his case as in any.

The boy had been guilty of some grave offense, and yet would not confess it.

"I can tell who did it," said the parson, and accordingly he called together all the boys suspected and explained to them that he had confined a rooster under a kettle in a darkened room. One after another they must pass in and touch the kettle. When the guilty boy touched it, he might expect to hear the rooster crow.

The lads filed in and out again and were made to display their fingers. All but those of one lad were sooty. He, the guilty one, had not ventured to touch the telltale kettle. — Youth's Companion.