--Coxe.

The little seed that had been planted in Elmer's heart was not long in
sending forth a sturdy sprout; for it was in fertile soil, and there was
nothing to hinder rapid growth. Not only did he continue to watch Edwin's
pockets for coveted articles like the stones, but from the match-safe in
the kitchen to the purse of Mrs. Fischer in the bureau-drawer he stole
frequently. Nor did it stop with this. At the village grocery he often
slipped behind the counter and took articles for which he did not pay, and
finally he visited the combination money-drawer.

Of much of Elmer's dishonesty Edwin was aware; but, feeling that his mother
would believe no report about his cousin that he might bring, and dreading
her punishments for tattling, he kept all such knowledge to himself. Even
when blamed and abused for the things that Elmer had done, he bore it
patiently, unless questioned; then he told the truth and took the
consequences, usually a beating.

Elmer, on the other hand, while endeavoring to cover up his misdeeds, told
lie after lie, and when accused and blamed by the grocer and others, he was
screened and helped out of his difficulties by Mrs. Fischer.

When Edwin was about ten years of age, his mother moved from the village in
which she had been living to a farm among the foothills of the Alleghany
Mountains. Here it was that Edwin for the first time saw an outline of the
wonderful Blue Mountain of which he had at Christmas time heard many weird
and frightful legends. Blue Mountain was one of the tall mountain-peaks
that stood out a little apart from the main ridge and was known among the
people as the home of St. Nicholas and his elves. Strange stories were
connected with the place, and all who believed them were full of