The Parent's Assistant by Edgeworth, Maria, 1767-1849

8/14/2019 The Parent's Assistant by Edgeworth, Maria, 1767-1849

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Title:TheParent'sAssistant

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THEPARENT'SASSISTANTORSTORIESFORCHILDREN

byMariaEdgeworth

PrefaceAddressedtoParents.

Ourgreatlexicographer,inhiscelebratedeulogiumonDr.Watts,thus

speaksincommendationofthoseproductionswhichhesosuccessfullypennedforthepleasureandinstructionofthejuvenileportionofthecommunity.

"Forchildren,"saysDr.Johnson,"hecondescendedtolayasidethephilosopher,thescholar,andthewit,towritelittlepoemsofdevotion,andsystemsofinstructionadaptedtotheirwantsandcapacities,fromthedawnofreasontoitsgradationofadvanceinthemorningoflife.Everymanacquaintedwiththecommonprinciplesofhumanaction,willlookwithvenerationonthewriter,whoisatonetimecombatingLocke,andatanothertimemakingacatechismforCHILDRENINTHEIRFOURTHYEAR.Avoluntarydescentfromthedignityofscienceisperhapsthehardestlessonwhichhumilitycanteach."

Itseems,however,noveryeasytasktowriteforchildren.Thoseonlywhohavebeeninterestedintheeducationofafamily,whohavepatientlyfollowedchildrenthroughthefirstprocessesofreasoning,whohavedailywatchedovertheirthoughtsandfeelings--thoseonlywhoknowwithwhateaseandrapiditytheearlyassociationofideasareformed,onwhichthefuturetaste,characterandhappinessdepend,canfeelthedangersanddifficultiesofsuchanundertaking.

Indeed,inallsciencesthegranddifficultyhasbeentoascertainfacts--adifficultywhich,inthescienceofeducation,peculiarcircumstancesconspiretoincrease.Heretheobjectsofeveryexperimentaresointerestingthatwecannotholdourmindsindifferenttotheresult.Nor

isittobeexpectedthatmanyregistersofexperiments,successfulandunsuccessful,shouldbekept,muchlessshouldbepublished,whenweconsiderthatthecombinedpowersofaffectionandvanity,ofpartialitytohischildandtohistheory,willactuponthemindofaparent,inoppositiontotheabstractloveofjustice,andthegeneraldesiretoincreasethewisdomandhappinessofmankind.Notwithstandingthesedifficulties,anattempttokeepsucharegisterhasactuallybeenmade.Thedesignhasfromtimetotimebeenpursued.Thoughmuchhasnotbeencollected,everycircumstanceandconversationthathavebeenpreservedarefaithfullyandaccuratelyrelated,andthesenoteshavebeenofgreat


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advantagetothewriterofthefollowingstories.

Thequestion,whethersocietycouldexistwithoutthedistinctionofranks,isaquestioninvolvingavarietyofcomplicateddiscussions,whichweleavetothepoliticianandthelegislator.Atpresentitisnecessarythattheeducationofdifferentranksshould,insomerespects,bedifferent.Theyhavefewideas,fewhabitsincommon;theirpeculiarvicesandvirtuesdonotarisefromthesamecauses,andtheirambitionistobedirectedtodifferentobjects.Butjustice,truth,andhumanityareconfinedtonoparticularrank,andshouldbeenforcedwithequalcareandenergyuponthemindsofyoungpeopleofeverystation;anditishopedthattheseprincipleshaveneverbeenforgotteninthefollowingpages.

Astheideasofchildrenmultiply,thelanguageoftheirbooksshouldbecomelesssimple;elsetheirtastewillquicklybedisgusted,orwillremainstationary.Childrenthatlivewithpeoplewhoconversewithelegancewillnotbecontentedwithastyleinferiortowhattheyhearfromeverybodynearthem.

Allpoeticalallusions,however,havebeenavoidedinthisbook;suchsituationsonlyaredescribedaschildrencaneasilyimagine,andwhichmayconsequentlyinteresttheirfeelings.Suchexamplesofvirtuearepaintedasarenotabovetheirconceptionofexcellence,ortheirpowers

ofsympathyandemulation.

ItisnoteasytogiveREWARDStochildrenwhichshallnotindirectlydothemharmbyfosteringsomehurtfultasteorpassion.Inthestoryof"LazyLawrence,"wheretheobjectwastoexciteaspiritofindustry,carehasbeentakentoproportiontherewardtotheexertion,andtodemonstratethatpeoplefeelcheerfulandhappywhilsttheyareemployed.Therewardofourindustriousboy,thoughitbemoney,isonlymoneyconsideredasthemeansofgratifyingabenevolentwish.Inacommercialnationitisespeciallynecessarytoseparate,asmuchaspossible,thespiritofindustryandavarice;andtobewarelestweintroduceViceundertheformofVirtue.

Inthestoryof"TarltonandLoveit"arerepresentedthedangerandthefollyofthatweaknessofmind,andthateasinesstobeled,whichtoooftenpassforgoodnature;andinthetaleofthe"FalseKey"arepointedoutsomeoftheevilstowhichawelleducatedboy,onfirstgoingtoservice,isexposedfromtheprofligacyofhisfellowservants.

Inthe"BirthdayPresent,"andinthecharacterofMrs.TheresaTattle,the"Parent'sAssistant"haspointedoutthedangerswhichmayariseineducationfromabadservant,oracommonacquaintance.

Inthe"BarringOut"theerrorstowhichahighspiritandtheloveofpartyareapttoleadhavebeenmadethesubjectofcorrection,anditishopedthatthecommonfaultofmakingthemostmischievouscharacters

appearthemostACTIVEandthemostingenious,hasbeenasmuchaspossibleavoided.UNSUCCESSFULcunningwillnotbeadmired,andcannotinduceimitation.

Ithasbeenattempted,inthesestories,toprovideantidotesagainstill-humour,theepidemicragefordissipation,andthefatalpropensitytoadmireandimitatewhateverthefashionofthemomentmaydistinguish.Wereyoungpeople,eitherinpublicschools,orinprivatefamilies,absolutelyfreefrombadexamples,itwouldnotbeadvisabletointroducedespicableandviciouscharactersinbooksintendedfortheir


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improvement.ButinreallifetheyMUSTseevice,anditisbestthattheyshouldbeearlyshockedwiththerepresentationofwhattheyaretoavoid.Thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweeninnocenceandignorance.

Topreventthepreceptsofmoralityfromtiringtheearandthemind,itwasnecessarytomakethestoriesinwhichtheyareintroducedinsomemeasuredramatic;tokeepalivehopeandfearandcuriosity,bysomedegreeofintricacy.Atthesametime,carehasbeentakentoavoidinflamingtheimagination,orexcitingarestlessspiritofadventure,byexhibitingfalseviewsoflife,andcreatinghopeswhich,intheordinarycourseofthings,cannotberealized.

CONTENTS.

THEORPHANSLAZYLAWRENCETHEFALSEKEYSIMPLESUSANTHEWHITEPIGEONTHEBIRTHDAYPRESENT

ETONMONTEMFORGIVEANDFORGETWASTENOT,WANTNOT;OR,TWOSTRINGSTOYOURBOWOLDPOZTHEMIMICTHEBARRINGOUT;OR,PARTYSPIRITTHEBRACELETSTHELITTLEMERCHANTSTARLTONTHEBASKETWOMAN

THEORPHANS.

NeartheruinsofthecastleofRossmore,inIreland,isasmallcabin,inwhichthereoncelivedawidowandherfourchildren.Aslongasshewasabletowork,shewasveryindustrious,andwasaccountedthebestspinnerintheparish;butsheoverworkedherselfatlast,andfellill,sothatshecouldnotsittoherwheelassheusedtodo,andwasobligedtogiveituptohereldestdaughter,Mary.

Marywasatthistimeabouttwelveyearsold.Oneeveningshewassittingatthefootofhermother'sbedspinning,andherlittlebrothersandsistersweregatheredroundthefireeatingtheirpotatoesandmilkforsupper."Blessthem,thepooryoungcreatures!"saidthewidow,who,

asshelayonherbed,whichsheknewmustbeherdeathbed,wasthinkingofwhatwouldbecomeofherchildrenaftershewasgone.Marystoppedherwheel,forshewasafraidthatthenoiseofithadwakenedhermother,andwouldhinderherfromgoingtosleepagain.

"Noneedtostopthewheel,Mary,dear,forme,"saidhermother,"Iwasnotasleep;norisitTHATwhichkeepsmefromsleep.Butdon'toverworkyourself,Mary."

"Oh,nofearofthat,"repliedMary;"I'mstrongandhearty."


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"SowasIonce,"saidhermother.

"Andsoyouwillbeagain,Ihope,"saidMary,"whenthefineweathercomesagain."

"Thefineweatherwillnevercomeagaintome,"saidhermother."'Tisafolly,Mary,tohopeforthat;butwhatIhopeis,thatyou'llfindsomefriend--somehelp--orphansasyou'llsoonallofyoube.Andonethingcomfortsmyheart,evenasIAMlyinghere,thatnotasoulinthewideworldIamleavinghastocomplainofme.ThoughpoorIhavelivedhonest,andIhavebroughtyouuptobethesame,Mary;andIamsurethelittleoneswilltakeafteryou;foryou'llbegoodtothem--asgoodtothemasyoucan."

Herethechildren,whohadfinishedeatingtheirsuppers,cameroundthebed,tolistentowhattheirmotherwassaying.Shewastiredofspeaking,forshewasveryweak;butshetooktheirlittlehands,astheylaidthemonthebedandjoiningthemalltogether,shesaid,"Blessyou,dears;blessyou;loveandhelponeanotherallyoucan.Goodnight!--good-bye!"

Marytookthechildrenawaytotheirbed,forshesawthattheirmotherwastooilltosaymore;butMarydidnotherselfknowhowillshewas.

Hermotherneverspokerightlyafterwards,buttalkedinaconfusedwayaboutsomedebts,andoneinparticular,whichsheowedtoaschoolmistressforMary'sschooling;andthenshechargedMarytogoandpayit,becauseshewasnotabletoGOINwithit.Attheendoftheweekshewasdeadandburied,andtheorphanswereleftaloneintheircabin.

Thetwoyoungestgirls,PeggyandNancy,weresixandsevenyearsold.Edmundwasnotyetnine,buthewasastout-grown,healthyboy,andwelldisposedtowork.Hehadbeenusedtobringhometurffromthebogonhisback,toleadcart-horses,andoftentogoonerrandsforgentlemen'sfamilies,whopaidhimasixpenceorashilling,accordingtothedistancewhichhewent,sothatEdmund,bysomeorotheroftheselittle

employments,was,ashesaid,likelyenoughtoearnhisbread;andhetoldMarytohaveagoodheart,forthatheshouldeveryyeargrowabletodomoreandmore,andthatheshouldneverforgethismother'swordswhenshelastgavehimherblessing,andjoinedtheirhandsalltogether.

AsforPeggyandNancy,itwaslittlethattheycoulddo;buttheyweregoodchildren,andMary,whensheconsideredthatsomuchdependeduponher,wasresolvedtoexertherselftotheutmost.Herfirstcarewastopaythosedebtswhichhermotherhadmentionedtoher,forwhichsheleftmoneydoneupcarefullyinseparatepapers.Whenallthesewerepaidaway,therewasnotenoughlefttopayboththerentofthecabinandayear'sschoolingforherselfandsisterswhichwasduetotheschoolmistressinaneighbouringvillage.

Marywasinhopesthattherentwouldnotbecalledforimmediately,butinthisshewasdisappointed.Mr.Harvey,thegentlemanonwhoseestateshelived,wasinEngland,and,inhisabsence,allwasmanagedbyaMr.Hopkins,anagent,whowasaHARDMAN.*ThedrivercametoMaryaboutaweekafterhermother'sdeath,andtoldherthattherentmustbebroughtinthenextday,andthatshemustleavethecabin,foranewtenantwascomingintoit;thatshewastooyoungtohaveahousetoherself,andthattheonlythingshehadtodowastogetsomeneighbourtotakeherandherbrotherandhersistersinforcharity'ssake.


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*Ahard-heartedman.

Thedriverfinishedbyhintingthatshewouldnotbesohardlyusedifshehadnotbroughtuponherselftheill-willofMissAlice,theagent'sdaughter.Mary,itistrue,hadrefusedtogiveMissAliceagoatuponwhichshehadsetherfancy;butthiswastheonlyoffenceofwhichshehadbeenguilty,andatthetimesherefusedithermotherwantedthegoat'smilk,whichwastheonlythingshethenlikedtodrink.

MarywentimmediatelytoMr.Hopkins,theagent,topayherrent;andshebeggedofhimtoletherstayanotheryearinhercabin;butthisherefused.ItwasnowSeptember25th,andhesaidthatthenewtenantmustcomeinonthe29th,sothatshemustquititdirectly.MarycouldnotbearthethoughtsofbegginganyoftheneighbourstotakeherandherbrotherandsistersinFORCHARITY'SSAKE;fortheneighbourswereallpoorenoughthemselves.SoshebethoughtherselfthatshemightfindshelterintheruinsoftheoldcastleofRossmorewheresheandherbrother,inbettertimes,hadoftenplayedathideandseek.Thekitchenandtwootherroomsnearitwereyetcoveredintolerablywell;andalittlethatch,shethought,wouldmakethemcomfortablethroughthewinter.Theagentconsentedtoletherandherbrotherandsistersgointhere,uponherpayinghimhalfaguineainhand,andpromisingtopaythesameyearly.

Intotheselodgingstheorphansnowremoved,takingwiththemtwobedsteads,astool,chairandatable,asortofpress,whichcontainedwhatlittleclothestheyhad,andachestinwhichtheyhadtwohundredofmeal.Thechestwascarriedforthembysomeofthecharitableneighbours,wholikewiseaddedtotheirscantystockofpotatoesandturfwhatwouldmakeitlastthroughthewinter.

Thesechildrenwerewellthoughtofandpitied,becausetheirmotherwasknowntohavebeenallherlifehonestandindustrious."Sure,"saysoneoftheneighbours,"wecandonolessthangiveahelpinghandtothepoororphans,thataresoreadytohelpthemselves."Soonehelpedtothatchtheroominwhichtheyweretosleep,andanothertooktheircow

tograzeuponhisbitoflandonconditionofhavinghalfthemilk;andoneandallsaidtheyshouldbewelcometotakeshareoftheirpotatoesandbuttermilkiftheyshouldfindtheirowneverfallshort.

Thehalf-guineawhichMr.Hopkins,theagent,requiredforlettingMaryintothecastle,waspartofwhatshehadtopaytotheschoolmistress,towhomaboveaguineawasdue.Marywenttoher,andtookhergoatalongwithher,andoffereditinpartofpaymentofthedebt,buttheschoolmistresswouldnotreceivethegoat.ShesaidthatshecouldaffordtowaitforhermoneytillMarywasabletopayit;thatsheknewhertobeanhonest,industriouslittlegirl,andshewouldtrustherwithmorethanaguinea.Marythankedher;andshewasgladtotakethegoathomeagain,asshewasveryfondofit.

Beingnowsettledintheirhouse,theywenteverydayregularlytowork;Maudspunninecutsaday,besidesdoingallthatwastobedoneinthehouse;Edmundgotfourpenceadaybyhiswork;andPeggyandAnnieearnedtwopenceapieceatthepaper-millsnearNavan,wheretheywereemployedtosortrags,andtocutthemintosmallpieces.

Whentheyhaddoneworkoneday,Anniewenttothemasterofthepaper-millandaskedhimifshemighthavetwosheetsoflargewhitepaperwhichwerelyingonthepress.Sheofferedapennyforthepaper;but


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themasterwouldnottakeanythingfromher,butgaveherthepaperwhenhefoundthatshewantedittomakeagarlandforhermother'sgrave.AnnieandPeggycutoutthegarland,andMary,whenitwasfinished,wentalongwiththemandEdmundtoputitup.Itwasjustamonthaftertheirmother'sdeath.

Ithappened,atthetimetheorphanswereputtingupthisgarland,thattwoyoungladies,whowerereturninghomeaftertheireveningwalk,stoppedatthegateofthechurchyardtolookattheredlightwhichthesettingsuncastuponthewindowofthechurch.Astheladieswerestandingatthegate,theyheardavoicenearthemcrying,"O,mother!mother!areyougoneforever?"Theycouldnotseeanyone,sotheywalkedsoftlyroundtotheothersideofthechurch,andtheretheysawMarykneelingbesideagrave,onwhichherbrothersandsisterswerehangingtheirwhitegarlands.

Thechildrenallstoodstillwhentheysawthetwoladiespassingnearthem;butMarydidnotknowanybodywaspassing,forherfacewashidinherhands.

IsabellaandCaroline(sotheseladieswerecalled)wouldnotdisturbthepoorchildren;buttheystoppedinthevillagetoinquireaboutthem.Itwasatthehouseoftheschoolmistressthattheystopped,andshegavethemagoodaccountoftheseorphans.SheparticularlycommendedMary's

honesty,inhavingimmediatelypaidallhermother'sdebtstotheutmostfarthing,asfarashermoneywouldgo.ShetoldtheladieshowMaryhadbeenturnedoutofherhouse,andhowshehadofferedhergoat,ofwhichshewasveryfond,todischargeadebtdueforherschooling;and,inshort,theschoolmistress,whohadknownMaryforseveralyears,spokesowellofherthattheseladiesresolvedthattheywouldgototheoldcastleofRossmoretoseeherthenextday.

Whentheywentthere,theyfoundtheroominwhichthechildrenlivedascleanandneatassucharuinedplacecouldbemade.Edmundwasoutworkingwithafarmer,Marywasspinning,andherlittlesistersweremeasuringoutsomebogberries,ofwhichtheyhadgatheredabasketful,forsale.Isabella,aftertellingMarywhatanexcellentcharactershe

hadheardofher,inquiredwhatitwasshemostwanted;andMarysaidthatshehadjustworkedupallherflax,andshewasmostinwantofmoreflaxforherwheel.

Isabellapromisedthatshewouldsendherafreshsupplyofflax,andCarolineboughtthebogberriesfromthelittlegirls,andgavethemmoneyenoughtobuyapoundofcoarsecottonforknitting,asMarysaidthatshecouldteachthemhowtoknit.

Thesupplyofflax,whichIsabellasentthenextday,wasofgreatservicetoMary,asitkeptherinemploymentforaboveamonth;andwhenshesoldtheyarnwhichshehadspunwithit,shehadmoneyenoughtobuysomewarmflannelforwinterwear.Besidesspinningwell,shehad

learnedatschooltodoplainworktolerablyneatly,andIsabellaandCarolineemployedhertoworkforthem;bywhichsheearnedagreatdealmorethanshecouldbyspinning.Atherleisurehoursshetaughthersisterstoreadandwrite;andEdmund,withpartofthemoneywhichheearnedbyhisworkoutofdoors,paidaschoolmasterforteachinghimalittlearithmetic.Whenthewinternightscameon,heusedtolighthisrushcandlesforMarytoworkby.HehadgatheredandstrippedagoodprovisionofrushesinthemonthofAugust,andaneighbourgavehimgreasetodipthemin.


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Oneevening,justashehadlightedhiscandles,afootmancamein,whowassentbyIsabellawithsomeplainworktoMary.ThisservantwasanEnglishman,andhewasbutnewlycomeovertoIreland.Therushcandlescaughthisattention;forhehadneverseenanyofthembefore,ashecamefromapartofEnglandwheretheywerenotused.Edmund,whowasreadytooblige,andproudthathiscandleswerenoticedshowedtheEnglishmanhowtheyweremade,andgavehimabundleofrushes.*

[*"Theproperspeciesofrush,"saysWhite,inhis'NaturalHistoryofSelborne,'"seemstobetheJuncuseffusus,orcommonsoftrush,whichistobefoundinmoistpastures,bythesidesofstreams,andunderhedges.Theserushesareinbestconditionintheheightofsummer,butmaybegatheredsoastoservethepurposewellquiteontoautumn.Thelargestandlongestarethebest.Decayedlabourers,women,andchildrenmakeittheirbusinesstoprocureandpreparethem.Assoonastheyarecut,theymustbeflungintowater,andkeptthere;forotherwisetheywilldryandshrink,andthepeelwillnotrun.Whenthesejunciarethusfarprepared,theymustlieoutonthegrasstobebleachedandtakethedewforsomenights,andafterwardsbedriedinthesun.Someaddressisrequiredindippingtheserushesinthescaldingfatorgrease;butthisknackisalsotobeattainedbypractice.Apoundofcommongreasemaybeprocuredforfourpence,andaboutsixpoundsofgreasewilldipapoundofrushesandonepoundofrushesmaybeboughtforoneshilling;sothatapoundofrushes,medicatedandreadyforuse,

willcostthreeshillings."]

Theservantwaspleasedwithhisgoodnatureinthistriflinginstance,andremembereditlongafteritwasforgottenbyEdmund.Wheneverhismasterwantedtosendamessengeranywhere,Gilbert(forthatwastheservant'sname)alwaysemployedhislittlefriendEdmund,whom,uponfurtheracquaintance,helikedbetterandbetter.HefoundthatEdmundwasbothquickandexactinexecutingcommissions.

Oneday,afterhehadwaitedagreatwhileatagentleman'shouseforananswertoaletter,hewassoimpatienttogethomethatheranoffwithoutit.WhenhewasquestionedbyGilbertwhyhedidnotbringananswer,hedidnotattempttomakeanyexcuse;hedidnotsay,"Therewas

noanswer,pleaseyourhonour,"or,"Theybidmenottowait,"etc.;buthetoldexactlythetruth;andthoughGilbertscoldedhimforbeingsoimpatientasnottowait,yethistellingthetruthwasmoretotheboy'sadvantagethananyexcusehecouldhavemade.Afterthishewasalwaysbelievedwhenhesaid,"Therewasnoanswer,"or,"Theybidmenotwait";forGilbertknewthathewouldnottellalietosavehimselffrombeingscolded.

Theorphanscontinuedtoassistoneanotherintheirworkaccordingtotheirstrengthandabilities;andtheywentoninthismannerforthreeyears.WithwhatMarygotbyherspinningandplainwork,andEdmundbyleadingofcart-horses,goingonerrands,etc.,andwithlittlePeggyandAnne'searnings,thefamilycontrivedtolivecomfortably.Isabellaand

Carolineoftenvisitedthem,andsometimesgavethemclothes,andsometimesflaxorcottonfortheirspinningandknitting;andthesechildrendidnotEXPECT,thatbecausetheladiesdidsomethingforthem,theyshoulddoeverything.Theydidnotgrowidleorwasteful.

WhenEdmundwasabouttwelveyearsold,hisfriendGilbertsentforhimoneday,andtoldhimthathismasterhadgivenhimleavetohaveaboyinthehousetoassisthim,andthathismastertoldhimhemightchooseoneintheneighbourhood.Severalwereanxioustogetintosuchagoodplace:butGilbertsaidthathepreferredEdmundbeforethemall,


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becauseheknewhimtobeanindustrious,honest,goodnaturedlad,whoalwaystoldthetruth.SoEdmundwentintoserviceatthevicarage;andhismasterwasthefatherofIsabellaandCaroline.Hefoundhisnewwayoflifeverypleasant;forhewaswellfed,wellclothed,andwelltreated;andheeverydaylearnedmoreofhisbusiness,inwhichatfirsthewasratherawkward.HewasmindfultodoallthatMr.Gilbertrequiredofhim;andhewassoobligingtoallhisfellow-servantsthattheycouldnothelplikinghim.Buttherewasonethingwhichwasatfirstratherdisagreeabletohim:hewasobligedtowearshoesandstockings,andtheyhurthisfeet.Besidesthis,whenhewaitedatdinnerhemadesuchanoiseinwalkingthathisfellow-servantslaughedathim.HetoldhissisterMaryofhisdistress,andshemadeforhim,aftermanytrials,apairofclothshoes,withsolesofplattedhemp.*Inthesehecouldwalkwithoutmakingtheleastnoise;andastheseshoescouldnotbewornoutofdoors,hewasalwayssuretochangethembeforehewentout;andconsequentlyhehadalwayscleanshoestowearinthehouse.

[*Theauthorhasseenapairofshoes,suchasheredescribed,madeinafewhours.]

Itwassoonremarkedbythemen-servantsthathehadleftoffclumpingsoheavily,anditwasobservedbythemaidsthatheneverdirtiedthestairsorpassageswithhisshoes.Whenhewaspraisedforthesethings,

hesaiditwashissisterMarywhoshouldbethanked,andnothe;andheshowedtheshoeswhichshehadmadeforhim.

Isabella'smaidbespokeapairimmediately,andsentMaryapieceofprettycalicofortheoutside.Thelast-makermadealastforher,andoverthisMarysewedthecalicovampstight.Herbrotheradvisedhertotryplattedpackthreadinsteadofhempforthesoles;andshefoundthatthislookedmoreneatthanthehempsoles,andwaslikelytolastlonger.Sheplattedthepackthreadtogetherinstrandsofabouthalfaninchthick,andthesewereservedfirmlytogetheratthebottomoftheshoe.Whentheywerefinishedtheyfittedwell,andthemaidshowedthemtohermistress.

IsabellaandCarolineweresowellpleasedwithMary'singenuityandkindnesstoherbrother,thattheybespokefromhertwodozenoftheseshoes,andgaveherthreeyardsofcolouredfustiantomakethemof,andgalloonforthebinding.Whentheshoeswerecompleted,IsabellaandCarolinedisposedofthemforheramongsttheiracquaintance,andgotthreeshillingsapairforthem.Theyoungladies,assoonastheyhadcollectedthemoney,walkedtotheoldcastle,wheretheyfoundeverythingneatandcleanasusual.Theyhadgreatpleasureingivingtothisindustriousgirltherewardofheringenuity,whichshereceivedwithsomesurpriseandmoregratitude.Theyadvisedhertocontinuetheshoemakingtrade,astheyfoundtheshoeswereliked,andtheyknewthattheycouldhaveasaleforthemattheRepositoryinDublin.

Mary,encouragedbythesekindfriends,wentonwithherlittlemanufacturewithincreasedactivity.PeggyandAnneplattedthepackthread,andbastedthevampsandliningstogetherreadyforher.Edmundwasallowedtocomehomeforanhoureverymorning,providedhewasbackagainbeforeeighto'clock.Itwassummertime,andhegotupearly,becausehelikedtogohometoseehissisters,andhetookhisshareinthemanufactory.Itwashisbusinesstohammerthesolesflat:andassoonashecamehomeeverymorningheperformedhistaskwithsomuchcheerfulnessandsangsomerrilyathiswork,thatthehourofhisarrivalwasalwaysanhourofjoytothefamily.


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Maryhadpresentlyemploymentenoughuponherhands.Orderscametoherforshoesfrommanyfamiliesintheneighbourhood,andshecouldnotgetthemfinishedfastenough.She,however,inthemidstofherhurry,foundtimetomakeaveryprettypair,withneatroses,asapresentforherschoolmistress,who,nowthatshesawherpupilinagoodwayofbusiness,consentedtoreceivetheamountofherolddebt.SeveralofthechildrenwhowenttoherschoolweredelightedwiththesightofMary'spresent,andwenttothelittlemanufactoryatRossmoreCastle,tofindouthowtheseshoesweremade.Somewentfromcuriosity,othersfromidleness;butwhentheysawhowhappythelittleshoemakersseemedwhilstbusyatwork,theylongedtotakesomeshareinwhatwasgoingforward.OnebeggedMarytoletherplatsomepackthreadforthesoles;anotherhelpedPeggyandAnnetobasteinthelinings;andallwhocouldgetemploymentwerepleased,fortheidleoneswereshovedoutoftheway.Itbecameacustomwiththechildrenofthevillagetoresorttotheoldcastleattheirplayhours;anditwassurprisingtoseehowmuchwasdonebytenortwelveofthem,eachdoingbutalittleatatime.

OnemorningEdmundandthelittlemanufacturerswereassembledveryearly,andtheywerebusyattheirwork,allsittingroundthemealchest,whichservedthemforatable.

"Myhandsmustbewashed,"saidGeorge,alittleboywhocamerunningin;

"IransofastthatImightbeintime,togotoworkalongwithyouall,thatItumbleddown,andlookhowIhavedirtiedmyhands.Mosthasteworstspeed.MyhandsmustbewashedbeforeIcandoanything."

WhilstGeorgewaswashinghishands,twootherlittlechildren,whohadjustfinishedtheirmorning'swork,cametohimtobegthathewouldblowsomesoapbubblesforthem,andtheywereallthreeeagerlyblowingbubbles,andwatchingthemmountintotheair,whensuddenlytheywerestartledbyanoiseasloudasthunder.Theywereinasortofoutercourtofthecastle,nexttotheroominwhichalltheircompanionswereatwork,andtheyranprecipitatelyintotheroom,exclaiming,"Didyouhearthatnoise?"

"IthoughtIheardaclapofthunder,"saidMary,"butwhydoyoulooksofrightened?"

Asshefinishedspeaking,anotherandaloudernoise,andthewallsroundaboutthemshook.Thechildrenturnedpaleandstoodmotionless;butEdmundthrewdownhishammer,andranouttoseewhatwasthematter.Maryfollowedhim,andtheysawthatagreatchimneyoftheoldruinsatthefarthestsideofthecastlehadfallendown,andthiswasthecauseoftheprodigiousnoise.

Thepartofthecastleinwhichtheylivedseemed,asEdmundsaid,tobeperfectlysafe;butthechildrenofthevillagewereterrified,andthinkingthatthewholewouldcometumblingdowndirectly,theyranto

theirhomesasfastastheycould.Edmund,whowasacourageouslad,andproudofshowinghiscourage,laughedattheircowardice;butMary,whowasveryprudent,persuadedherbrothertoaskanexperiencedmason,whowasbuildingathismaster's,tocomeandgivehisopinion,whethertheirpartofthecastlewassafetoliveinornot.Themasoncame,andgaveitashisopinionthattheroomstheyinhabitedmightlastthroughthewinterbutthatnopartoftheruinscouldstandanotheryear.Marywassorrytoleaveaplaceofwhichshehadgrownfond,poorasitwas,havinglivedinitinpeaceandcontentmenteversincehermother'sdeath,whichwasnownearlyfouryears;butshedeterminedtolookout


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forsomeotherplacetolivein;andshehadnowmoneyenoughtopaytherentofacomfortablecabin.Withoutlosinganytime,shewenttothevillagethatwasattheendoftheavenueleadingtothevicarage,forshewishedtogetalodginginthisvillagebecauseitwassoneartoherbrother,andtotheladieswhohadbeensokindtoher.Shefoundthattherewasonenewlybuilthouseinthisvillageunoccupied;itbelongedtoMr.Harvey,herlandlord,whowasstillinEngland;itwasslated,andneatlyfittedupinside;buttherentofitwassixguineasayear,andthiswasfarabovewhatMarycouldaffordtopay.Threeguineasayearshethoughtwasthehighestrentforwhichshecouldventuretoengage.Besides,sheheardthatseveralproposalshadbeenmadetoMr.Harveyforthishouse,andsheknewthatMr.Hopkins,theagent,wasnotherfriend;thereforeshedespairedofgettingit.Therewasnoothertobehadinthisvillage.Herbrotherwasstillmorevexedthanshewas,thatshecouldnotfindaplacenearhim.Heofferedtogiveaguineayearlytowardstherentoutofhiswages;andMr.Gilbertspokeaboutitforhimtothesteward,andinquiredwhether,amongstanyofthosewhohadgiveninproposals,theremightnotbeonewhowouldbecontentwithapartofthehouse,andwhowouldjoinwithMaryinpayingtherent.Nonecouldbefoundbutawoman,whowasagreatscold,andamanwhowasfamousforgoingtolawabouteverytriflewithhisneighbours.Marydidnotchoosetohaveanythingtodowiththesepeople.ShedidnotliketospeakeithertoMissIsabellaorCarolineaboutit,becauseshewasnotofanencroachingtemper;andwhentheyhaddonesomuchforher,shewould

havebeenashamedtobegformore.Shereturnedhometotheoldcastle,mortifiedthatshehadnogoodnewstotellAnneandPeggy,whosheknewexpectedtohearthatshehadfoundanicehousefortheminthevillageneartheirbrother.

"Badnewsforyou,Peggy,"criedshe,assoonasshegothome."Andbadnewsforyou,Mary,"repliedhersisters,wholookedverysorrowful.

"What'sthematter?"

"Yourpoorgoatisdead,"repliedPeggy."Theresheis,yonder,lyingunderthegreatcornerstone;youcanjustseeherleg.Wecannotliftthestonefromoffher,itissoheavy.Betsy[oneoftheneighbour's

girls]sayssheremembers,whenshecametoustoworkearlythismorning,shesawthegoatrubbingitself,andbuttingwithitshornsagainstthatoldtotteringchimney."

"Many'sthetime,"saidMary,"thatIhavedriventhepoorthingawayfromthatplace;Iwasalwaysafraidshewouldshakethatgreatuglystonedownuponheratlast."

Thegoat,whohadlongbeenthefavouriteofMaryandhersisters,waslamentedbythemall.WhenEdmundcame,hehelpedthemtomovethegreatstonefromoffthepooranimal,whowascrushedsoastobeaterriblesight.Astheyweremovingawaythisstoneinordertoburythegoat,Annefoundanodd-lookingpieceofmoney,whichseemedneitherlikea

halfpenny,norashilling,noraguinea.

"Herearemore,agreatmanymoreofthem,"criedPeggy;anduponsearchingamongsttherubbish,theydiscoveredasmallironpot,whichseemedasifithadbeenfilledwiththesecoins,asavastnumberofthemwerefoundaboutthespotwhereitfell.Onexaminingthesecoins,Edmundthoughtthatseveralofthemlookedlikegold,andthegirlsexclaimedwithgreatjoy--"Oh,Mary!Mary!thisiscometousjustinrighttime--nowyoucanpayfortheslatedhouse.Neverwasanythingsolucky!"


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ButMary,thoughnothingcouldhavepleasedherbetterthantohavebeenabletopayforthehouse,observedthattheycouldnothonestlytouchanyofthistreasure,asitbelongedtotheownerofthecastle.Edmundagreedwithher,thattheyoughttocarryitallimmediatelytoMr.Hopkins,theagent.PeggyandAnnewereconvincedbywhatMarysaid,andtheybeggedtogoalongwithherandtheirbrother,totakethecoinstoMr.Hopkins.Ontheirwaytheystoppedatthevicarage,toshowthetreasuretoMr.Gilbert,whotookittotheyoungladies,IsabellaandCaroline,andtoldthemhowithadbeenfound.

Itisnotonlybytheirsuperiorriches,butitisyetmorebytheirsuperiorknowledge,thatpersonsinthehigherrankoflifemayassistthoseinalowercondition.

Isabella,whohadsomeknowledgeofchemistry,discovered,bytouchingthecoinswithnitricacid,thatseveralofthemwereofgold,andconsequentlyofgreatvalue.Carolinealsofoundoutthatmanyofthecoinswereveryvaluableascuriosities.Sherecollectedherfather'shavingshowntohertheprintsofthecoinsattheendofeachking'sreign,in"Rapin'sHistoryofEngland;"anduponcomparingtheseimpressionswiththecoinsfoundbytheorphans,sheperceivedthatmanyofthemwereofthereignofHenrytheSeventh,which,fromtheirscarcity,werehighlyappreciatedbynumismaticcollectors.

IsabellaandCaroline,knowingsomethingofthecharacterofMr.Hopkins,theagent,hadtheprecautiontocountthecoins,andtomarkeachofthemwithacross,sosmallthatitwasscarcelyvisibletothenakedeye,thoughitwaseasilytobeseenthroughamagnifyingglass.Theyalsobeggedthattheirfather,whowaswellacquaintedwithMr.Harvey,thegentlemantowhomRossmoreCastlebelonged,towritetohim,andtellhimhowwelltheseorphanshadbehavedaboutthetreasurewhichtheyhadfound.Thevalueofthecoinswasestimatedataboutthirtyorfortyguineas.

AfewdaysafterthefallofthechimneyatRossmoreCastle,asMaryandhersistersweresittingattheirwork,therecamehobblinginanold

woman,leaningonacrabstick,thatseemedtohavebeennewlycut.Shehadabrokentobacco-pipeinhermouth;herheadwaswrappedupintwolargeredandbluehandkerchiefs,withtheircrookedcornershangingfardownoverthebackofherneck,noshoesonherbroadfeet,norstockingsonhermany-colouredlegs.Herpetticoatwasjaggedatthebottom,andtheskirtofhergownturnedupoverhershoulders,toserveinsteadofacloak,whichshehadsoldforwhisky.ThisoldwomanwaswellknownamongstthecountrypeoplebythenameofGoodyGrope:*becauseshehad,formanyyears,beeninthehabitofgropinginoldcastles,andinmoats,**andatthebottomofaroundtower***intheneighbourhood,insearchoftreasure.Inheryouthshehadheardsomeonetalking,inawhisper,ofanoldprophecy,foundinabog,whichsaidthatbeforemany

"St.Patrick'sdaysshouldcomeabout,TherewouldbefoundAtreasureunderground,Byonewithintwentymilesround."

Thisprophecymadeadeepimpressionuponher.Shealsodreamedofitthreetimes:andasthedream,shethought,wasasuretokenthattheprophecywastocometrue,she,fromthattimeforwards,gaveupherspinning-wheelandherknitting,andcouldthinkofnothingbuthuntingforthetreasure,thatwastobefoundbyone"withintwentymiles


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round."

[*GoodyisnotawordusedinIreland.CollyoghistheIrishappellationofanoldwoman:butasCollyoghmightsoundstrangelytoEnglishears,wehavetranslateditbythewordGoody.**WhatareinIrelandcalledmoats,are,inEngland,calledDanishmounds,orbarrows.***NearKells,inIreland,thereisaroundtower,whichwasinimminentdangerofbeingpulleddownbyanoldwoman'srootingatitsfoundation,inhopesoffindingtreasure.]

YearafteryearSt.Patrick'sdaycameabout,withouthereverfindingafarthingbyallhergroping;andasshewasalwaysidle,shegrewpoorerandpoorer.Besides,tocomfortherselfforherdisappointments,andtogiveherspiritsforfreshsearches,shetooktodrinking.Shesoldallshehadbydegrees;butstillshefanciedthattheluckydaywouldcomesoonerorlater,THATWOULDPAYFORALL.

GoodyGrope,however,reachedhersixtiethyear,withouteverseeingthisluckyday;andnow,inheroldage,shewasabeggar,withoutahousetoshelterher,abedtolieon,orfoodtoputintohermouth,butwhatshebeggedfromthecharityofthosewhohadtrustedmorethanshehadtoindustryandlesstoLUCK.

"Ah,Mary,honey!givemeapotatoandasupofsomething,fortheloveo'mercy;fornotabithaveIhadallday,excepthalfaglassofwhiskyandahalfpennyworthoftobacco!"

Maryimmediatelysetbeforehersomemilk,andpickedagoodpotatooutofthebowlforher.Shewassorrytoseesuchanoldwomaninsuchawretchedcondition.GoodyGropesaidshewouldratherhavespiritsofsomekindorotherthanmilk;butMaryhadnospiritstogiveher;soshesatherselfdownclosetothefire,andaftershehadsighedandgroanedandsmokedforsometime,shesaidtoMary,"Well,andwhathaveyoudonewiththetreasureyouhadthelucktofind?"MarytoldherthatshehadcarriedittoMr.Hopkins,theagent.

"That'snotwhatIwouldhavedoneinyourplace,"repliedtheoldwoman."Whengoodluckcametoyou,whatashametoturnyourbackuponit!Butitisidletalkingofwhat'sdone--that'spast;butI'lltrymyluckinthisherecastlebeforenextSt.Patrick'sdaycomesabout.IwastolditwasmorethantwentymilesfromourbogorIwouldhavebeenherelongago;butbetterlatethannever."

Marywasmuchalarmed,andnotwithoutreason,atthisspeech;forsheknewthatifGoodyGropeoncesettoworkatthefoundationoftheoldcastleofRossmore,shewouldsoonbringitalldown.ItwasinvaintotalktoGoodyGropeofthedangerofburyingherselfundertheruins,oroftheimprobabilityofhermeetingwithanotherpotofgoldcoins.Shesetherelbowuponherknees,andstoppingherearswithherhandsbid

Maryandhersistersnottowastetheirbreathadvisingtheirelders;forthat,letthemsaywhattheywould,shewouldfalltoworkthenextmorning,"BARRINGyou'llmakeitworthmywhiletoletitalone."

"Andwhatwillmakeitworthyourwhiletoletitalone?"saidMary;forshesawthatshemusteithergetintoaquarrelorgiveupherhabitation,orcomplywiththeconditionsofthisprovokingoldwoman.

Halfacrown,GoodyGropesaid,wastheleastshecouldbecontenttotake.Marypaidthehalf-crown,andwasinhopesthatshehadgotrid


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foreverofhertormentor,butshewasmistaken,forscarcelywastheweekatanendbeforetheoldwomanappearedbeforeheragain,andrepeatedherthreatsoffallingtoworkthenextmorning,unlessshehadsomethinggiventohertobuytobacco.

Thenextdayandthenext,andthenext,GoodyGropecameonthesameerrand,andpoorMary,whocouldill-affordtosupplyherconstantlywithhalfpence,atlastexclaimed,"Iamsurethefindingofthistreasurehasnotbeenanygoodlucktous,butquitethecontrary;andIwishweneverhadfoundit."

Marydidnotyetknowhowmuchshewastosufferonaccountofthisunfortunatepotofgoldcoins.Mr.Hopkins,theagent,imaginedthatnooneknewofthediscoveryofthistreasurebuthimselfandthesepoorchildren;so,notbeingashonestastheywere,heresolvedtokeepitforhisownuse.Hewassurprisedsomeweeksafterwardstoreceivealetterfromhisemployer,Mr.Harvey,demandingfromhimthecoinswhichhadbeendiscoveredatRossmoreCastle.Hopkinshadsoldthegoldcoins,andsomeoftheothers;andheflatteredhimselfthatthechildren,andtheyoungladies,towhomhenowfoundtheyhadbeenshown,couldnottellwhetherwhattheyhadseenweregoldornot,andhewasnotintheleastapprehensivethatthoseofHenrytheSeventh'sreignshouldbereclaimedfromhimashethoughttheyhadescapedattention.Sohesentoverthesilvercoinsandothersoflittlevalue,andapologizedforhis

nothavingmentionedthembefore,bysayingthatheconsideredthemasmererubbish.

Mr.Harvey,inreply,observedthathecouldnotconsiderasrubbishthegoldcoinswhichwereamongstthemwhentheywerediscovered;andheinquiredwhythesegoldcoins,andthoseofthereignofHenrytheSeventh,werenotnowsenttohim.

Mr.Hopkinsdeniedthathehadeverreceivedanysuch;buthewasthunderstruckwhenMr.Harvey,inreplytothisfalsehood,senthimalistofthecoinswhichtheorphanshaddepositedwithhim,andexactdrawingsofthosethatweremissing.Heinformedhimthatthislistandthesedrawingscamefromtwoladieswhohadseenthecoinsinquestion.

Mr.Hopkinsthoughtthathehadnomeansofescapebutbyboldlypersistinginfalsehood.Hereplied,thatitwasverylikelysuchcoinshadbeenfoundatRossmoreCastle,andthattheladiesalludedtohadprobablyseenthem;buthepositivelydeclaredthattheynevercametohishands;thathehadrestoredallthatweredepositedwithhim;andthat,astotheothers,hesupposedtheymusthavebeentakenoutofthepotbythechildren,orbyEdmundorMaryontheirwayfromtheladies'housetohis.

Theorphanswereshockedandastonishedwhentheyheard,fromIsabellaandCaroline,thechargethatwasmadeagainstthem.Theylookedatoneanotherinsilenceforsomemoments.ThenPeggyexclaimed--"Sure!Mr.

Hopkinshasforgottenhimselfstrangely.DoesnotherememberEdmund'scountingthethingstohimuponthegreattableinhishall,andweallstandingby!Irememberitaswellasifitwasthisinstant."

"AndsodoI,"criedAnne."Anddon'tyourecollect,Mary,yourpickingoutthegoldones,andtellingMr.Hopkinsthattheyweregold;andhesaidyouknewnothingofthematter;andIwasgoingtotellhimthatMissIsabellahadtriedthem,andknewthattheyweregold?butjustthentherecameinsometenantstopaytheirrent,andhepushedusout,andtwitchedfrommyhandthepieceofgoldwhichIhadtakenuptoshowhim


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thebrightspotwhichMissIsabellahadcleanedbythestuffthatshehadpouredonit?IbelievehewasafraidIshouldstealit;hetwitcheditfrommyhandinsuchahurry.Do,Edmund;do,Mary--letusgotohim,andputhiminmindofallthis."

"I'llgotohimnomore,"saidEdmund,sturdily."Heisabadman--I'llnevergotohimagain.Mary,don'tbecastdown--wehavenoneedtobecastdown--wearehonest."

"True,"saidMary;"butisnotitahardcasethatwe,whohavelived,asmymotherdidallherlifebeforeus,inpeaceandhonestywithalltheworld,shouldnowhaveourgoodnametakenfromus,when--"Mary'svoicefalteredandstopped.

"Itcan'tbetakenfromus,"criedEdmund,"poororphansthoughweare,andhearichgentleman,ashecallshimself.Lethimsayanddowhathewill,hecan'thurtourgoodname."

Edmundwasmistaken,alas!andMaryhadbuttoomuchreasonforherfears.Theaffairwasagreatdealtalkedof;andtheagentsparednopainstohavethestorytoldhisownway.Theorphans,consciousoftheirowninnocence,tooknopainsaboutthematter;andtheconsequencewas,thatallwhoknewthemwellhadnodoubtoftheirhonesty;butmany,whoknewnothingofthem,concludedthattheagentmustbeintheright

andthechildreninthewrong.Thebuzzofscandalwentonforsometimewithoutreachingtheirears,becausetheylivedveryretiredly.Butoneday,whenMarywenttosellsomestockingsofPeggy'sknittingattheneighbouringfair,themantowhomshesoldthembidherwritehernameonthebackofanote,andexclaimed,onseeingit--"Ho!ho!mistress;I'dnothavehadanydealingswithyou,hadIknownyournamesooner.Where'sthegoldthatyoufoundatRossmoreCastle?"

ItwasinvainthatMaryrelatedthefact.Shesawthatshegainednobelief,ashercharacterwasnotknowntothisman,ortoanyofthosewhowerepresent.Sheleftthefairassoonasshecould;andthoughshestruggledagainstit,shefeltverymelancholy.Stillsheexertedherselfeverydayatherlittlemanufacture;andsheendeavouredto

consoleherselfbyreflectingthatshehadtwofriendsleftwhowouldnotgiveuphercharacter,andwhocontinuedsteadilytoprotectherandhersisters.

IsabellaandCarolineeverywhereassertedtheirbeliefintheintegrityoftheorphans,buttoproveitwasinthisinstanceoutoftheirpower.Mr.Hopkins,theagent,andhisfriends,constantlyrepeatedthatthegoldcoinsweretakenawayincomingfromtheirhousetohis;andtheseladieswereblamedbymanypeopleforcontinuingtocountenancethosethatwere,withgreatreason,suspectedtobethieves.Theorphanswereinaworseconditionthaneverwhenthewintercameon,andtheirbenefactressesleftthecountrytospendsomemonthsinDublin.Theoldcastle,itwastrue,waslikelytolastthroughthewinter,asthemason

said;butthoughthewantofacomfortablehousetoliveinwas,alittlewhileago,theuppermostthinginMary'sthoughts,nowitwasnotso.

OnenightasMarywasgoingtobed,sheheardsomeoneknockinghardatthedoor."Mary,areyouup?letusin,"criedavoice,whichsheknewtobethevoiceofBetsyGreen,thepostmaster'sdaughter,wholivedinthevillagenearthem.

SheletBetsyin,andaskedwhatshecouldwantatsuchatimeofnight.


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containingadismissalofthedishonestagent,andarewardforthehonestandindustriousorphans.Mr.HarveydesiredthatMaryandhersistersmighthavetheslatedhouse,rentfree,fromthistimeforward,underthecareofladiesIsabellaandCaroline,aslongasMaryorhersistersshouldcarryoninitanyusefulbusiness.ThiswasthejoyfulnewswhichEdmundhadtotellhissisters.

Alltheneighbourssharedintheirjoy,andthedayoftheirremovalfromtheruinsofRossmoreCastletotheirnewhousewasthehappiestoftheChristmasholidays.Theywerenotenviedfortheirprosperity;becauseeverybodysawthatitwastherewardoftheirgoodconduct;everybodyexceptGoodyGrope.Sheexclaimed,asshewrungherhandswithviolentexpressionsofsorrow--"Badlucktome!badlucktome!--Whydidn'tIgosoonertothattherecastle?Itisallluck,allluckinthisworld;butIneverhadnoluck.Thinkoftheluckofthesechilder,thathavefoundapotofgold,andsuchgreat,grandfriends,andaslatedhouse,andall:andhereamI,withscarcearagtocoverme,andnotapotatotoputintomymouth!--I,thathavebeenlookingundergroundallmydaysfortreasure,nottohaveahalfpennyatthelast,tobuymetobacco!"

"Thatistheveryreasonthatyouhavenotahalfpenny,"saidBetsy."HereMaryhasbeenworkinghard,andsohavehertwolittlesistersandherbrother,forthesefiveyearspast;andtheyhavemademoneyforthemselvesbytheirownindustry--andfriendstoo--notbyluck,butby--"

"Phoo!phoo!"interruptedGoodyGrope;"don'tbeprating;don'tIknowaswellasyoudo,thattheyfoundapotofgold,BYGOODLUCK?andisnotthatthecausewhytheyaregoingtoliveinaslatedhousenow?"

"No,"repliedthepostmaster'sdaughter;"thishouseisgiventothemASAREWARD--thatwasthewordintheletter;forIsawit.Edmundshowedittome,andwillshowittoanyonethatwantstosee.Thishousewasgiventothem'ASAREWARDFORTHEIRHONESTY.'"

LAZYLAWRENCE.

InthepleasantvalleyofAshtontherelivedanelderlywomanofthenameofPreston.Shehadasmallneatcottage,andtherewasnotaweedtobeseeninhergarden.Itwasuponhergardenthatshechieflydependedforsupport;itconsistedofstrawberrybeds,andonesmallborderforflowers.Thepinksandrosesshetiedupinnicenosegays,andsenteithertoCliftonorBristoltobesold.Astoherstrawberries,shedidnotsendthemtomarket,becauseitwasthecustomfornumbersofpeopletocomefromClifton,inthesummertime,toeatstrawberriesandcreamatthegardensinAshton.

Now,thewidowPrestonwassoobliging,activeandgood-humoured,thateveryonewhocametoseeherwaspleased.Shelivedhappilyinthis

mannerforseveralyears;but,alas!oneautumnshefellsick,and,duringherillness,everythingwentwrong;hergardenwasneglected,hercowdied,andallthemoneywhichshehadsavedwasspentinpayingformedicines.Thewinterpassedaway,whileshewassoweakthatshecouldearnbutlittlebyherwork;andwhenthesummercame,herrentwascalledfor,andtherentwasnotreadyinherlittlepurseasusual.Shebeggedafewmonths'delay,andtheyweregrantedtoher;butattheendofthattimetherewasnoresourcebuttosellherhorseLightfoot.NowLightfoot,thoughperhapshehadseenhisbestdays,wasaverygreatfavourite.Inhisyouthhehadalwayscarriedthedametothemarket


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behindherhusband;anditwasnowherlittlesonJem'sturntoridehim.ItwasJem'sbusinesstofeedLightfoot,andtotakecareofhim--achargewhichheneverneglected,for,besidesbeingaverygoodnatured,hewasaveryindustriousboy.

"ItwillgoneartobreakmyJem'sheart,"saidDamePrestontoherself,asshesatoneeveningbesidethefirestirringtheembers,andconsideringhowshehadbestopenthemattertoherson,whostoodoppositetoher,eatingadrycrustofbreadveryheartilyforsupper.

"Jem,"saidtheoldwoman,"what,ar'thungry?"

"ThatIam,braveandhungry!"

"Ay!nowonder,you'vebeenbravehardatwork--Eh?"

"Bravehard!Iwishitwasnotsodark,mother,thatyoumightjuststepoutandseethegreatbedI'vedug;Iknowyou'dsayitwasnobadday'swork--andoh,mother!I'vegoodnews:FarmerTruckwillgiveusthegiantstrawberries,andI'mtogofor'emtomorrowmorning,andI'llbebackaforebreakfast."

"Godblesstheboy!howhetalks!--Fourmilethere,andfourmilebackagain,aforebreakfast."

"Ay,uponLightfoot,youknow,mother,veryeasily;mayn'tI?"

"Ay,child!"

"Whydoyousigh,mother?"

"Finishthysupper,child."

"I'vedone!"criedJem,swallowingthelastmouthfulhastily,asifhethoughthehadbeentoolongatsupper--"andnowforthegreatneedle;ImustseeandmendLightfoot'sbridleaforeIgotobed."

Toworkheset,bythelightofthefire,andthedamehavingoncemorestirredit,beganagainwith"Jem,dear,doeshegolameatallnow?"

"What,Lightfoot!Oh,la,no,nothe--neverwassowellofhislamenessinallhislife.He'sgrownquiteyoungagain,Ithink,andthenhe'ssofathecanhardlywag."

"Godblesshim--that'sright.Wemustsee,Jem,andkeephimfat."

"Forwhat,mother?"

"ForMondayfortnightatthefair.He'stobe--sold!"

"Lightfoot!"criedJem,andletthebridlefallfromhishand;"andWILLmothersellLightfoot?"

"WILL?no:butIMUST,Jem."

"MUST!whosaysyouMUST?whyMUSTyou,mother?"

"Imust,Isay,child.Why,mustnotIpaymydebtshonestly;andmustnotIpaymyrent,andwasnotitcalledforlongandlongago;andhavenotIhadtime;anddidnotIpromisetopayitforcertainMonday


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fortnight,andamnotItwoguineasshort;andwhereamItogettwoguineas?Sowhatsignifiestalking,child?"saidthewidow,leaningherheaduponherarm."LightfootMUSTgo."

Jemwassilentforafewminutes--"Twoguineas,that'sagreat,greatdeal.IfIworked,andworked,andworkedeversohard,IcouldnowaysearntwoguineasAFOREMondayfortnight--couldI,mother?"

"Lordhelpthee,no;notan'workthyselftodeath."

"ButIcouldearnsomething,though,Isay,"criedJem,proudly;"andIWILLearnSOMETHING--ifitbeeversolittle,itwillbeSOMETHING--andIshalldomyverybest;soIwill."

"ThatI'msureof,mychild,"saidhismother,drawinghimtowardsherandkissinghim;"youwerealwaysagood,industriouslad,THATIwillsayaforeyourfaceorbehindyourback;--butitwon'tdonow--LightfootMUSTgo."

Jemturnedawaystrugglingtohidehistears,andwenttobedwithoutsayingawordmore.Butheknewthatcryingwoulddonogood;sohepresentlywipedhiseyes,andlayawake,consideringwhathecouldpossiblydotosavethehorse."IfIgeteversolittle,"hestillsaidtohimself,"itwillbeSOMETHING;andwhoknowsbutlandlordmightthen

waitabitlonger?andwemightmakeitallupintime;forapennyadaymightcometotwoguineasintime."

Buthowtogetthefirstpennywasthequestion.Thenherecollectedthatoneday,whenhehadbeensenttoCliftontosellsomeflowers,hehadseenanoldwomanwithaboardbesidehercoveredwithvarioussparklingstones,whichpeoplestoppedtolookatastheypassed,andherememberedthatsomepeopleboughtthestones;onepaidtwopence,anotherthreepence,andanothersixpenceforthem;andJemheardhersaythatshegotthemamongsttheneighbouringrocks:sohethoughtthatifhetriedhemightfindsometoo,andsellthemasshehaddone.

Earlyinthemorninghewakenedfullofthisscheme,jumpedup,dressed

himself,and,havinggivenonelookatpoorLightfootinhisstable,setofftoCliftoninsearchoftheoldwoman,toinquirewhereshefoundhersparklingstones.Butitwastooearlyinthemorning,theoldwomanwasnotatherseat;soheturnedbackagain,disappointed.Hedidnotwastehistimewaitingforher,butsaddledandbridledLightfoot,andwenttoFarmerTruck'sforthegiantstrawberries.

Agreatpartofthemorningwasspentinputtingthemintotheground;and,assoonasthatwasfinished,hesetoutagaininquestoftheoldwoman,whom,tohisgreatjoy,hespiedsittingathercornerofthestreetwithherboardbeforeher.Butthisoldwomanwasdeafandcross;andwhenatlastJemmadeherhearhisquestions,hecouldgetnoanswerfromher,butthatshefoundthefossilswherehewouldneverfindany

more."Butcan'tIlookwhereyoulooked?"

"Lookaway,nobodyhindersyou,"repliedtheoldwoman;andtheseweretheonlywordsshewouldsay.

Jemwasnot,however,aboytobeeasilydiscouraged;hewenttotherocks,andwalkedslowlyalong,lookingatallthestonesashepassed.Presentlyhecametoaplacewhereanumberofmenwereatworklooseningsomelargerocks,andoneamongsttheworkmenwasstoopingdownlookingforsomethingveryeagerly;Jemranup,andaskedifhecouldhelphim.


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"Yes,"saidtheman,"youcan;I'vejustdropped,amongstthisheapofrubbish,afinepieceofcrystalthatIgotto-day."

"Whatkindofalookingthingisit?"saidJem.

"White,andlikeglass,"saidtheman,andwentonworkingwhilstJemlookedverycarefullyovertheheapofrubbishforagreatwhile.

"Come,"saidtheman,"it'sgoneforever;don'ttroubleyourselfanymore,myboy."

"It'snotrouble;I'lllookalittlelonger;we'llnotgiveitupsosoon,"saidJem;andafterhehadlookedalittlelonger,hefoundthepieceofcrystal.

"Thank'e,"saidtheman,"youareafinelittleindustriousfellow."

Jem,encouragedbythetoneofvoiceinwhichthemanspokethis,venturedtoaskhimthesamequestionswhichhehadaskedtheoldwoman.

"Onegoodturndeservesanother,"saidtheman;"wearegoingtodinnerjustnow,andshallleaveoffwork--waitformehere,andI'llmakeitworthyourwhile."

Jemwaited;and,ashewasveryattentivelyobservinghowtheworkmenwentonwiththeirwork,heheardsomebodynearhimgiveagreatyawn,and,turninground,hesawstretcheduponthegrass,besidetheriver,aboyabouthisownage,who,inthevillageofAshton,asheknew,wentbythenameofLazyLawrence--anamewhichhemostjustlydeserved,forheneverdidanythingfrommorningtonight.Heneitherworkednorplayed,butsaunteredorloungedaboutrestlessandyawning.Hisfatherwasanale-housekeeper,andbeinggenerallydrunk,couldtakenocareofhisson;sothatLazyLawrencegreweverydayworseandworse.However,someoftheneighbourssaidthathewasagoodnatured,poorfellowenough,andwouldneverdoanyoneharmbuthimself;whilstothers,whowerewiser,oftenshooktheirheads,andtoldhimthatidlenesswastheroot

ofallevil.

"What,Lawrence!"criedJemtohim,whenhesawhimlyinguponthegrass;"what,areyouasleep?"

"Notquite."

"Areyouawake?"

"Notquite."

"Whatareyoudoingthere?"

"Nothing."

"Whatareyouthinkingof?"

"Nothing."

"Whatmakesyouliethere?"

"Idon'tknow--becauseIcan'tfindanybodytoplaywithmeto-day.Willyoucomeandplay?"


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"No,Ican't;I'mbusy."

"Busy,"criedLawrence,stretchinghimself,"youarealwaysbusy.Iwouldnotbeyoufortheworld,tohavesomuchtodoalways."

"AndI,"saidJem,laughing,"wouldnotbeyoufortheworld,tohavenothingtodo."

Theythenparted,fortheworkmanjustthencalledJemtofollowhim.Hetookhimhometohisownhouse,andshowedhimaparceloffossils,whichhehadgathered,hesaid,onpurposetosell,buthadneverhadtimeenoughtosellthem.Now,however,hesetaboutthetask;andhavingpickedoutthosewhichhejudgedtobethebest,heputtheminasmallbasket,andgavethemtoJemtosell,uponconditionthatheshouldbringhimhalfofwhathegot.Jem,pleasedtobeemployed,wasreadytoagreetowhatthemanproposed,providedhismotherhadnoobjection.Whenhewenthometodinner,hetoldhismotherhisscheme,andshesmiled,andsaidhemightdoashepleased;forshewasnotafraidofhisbeingfromhome."Youarenotanidleboy,"saidshe;"sothereislittledangerofyourgettingintoanymischief."

AccordinglyJemthateveningtookhisstand,withhislittlebasket,uponthebankoftheriver,justattheplacewherepeoplelandfromaferry-

boat,andthewalkturnstothewells,andnumbersofpeopleperpetuallypasstodrinkthewaters.Hechosehisplacewell,andwaitednearlyalltheevening,offeringhisfossilswithgreatassiduitytoeverypassenger;butnotonepersonboughtany.

"Hallo!"criedsomesailors,whohadjustrowedaboattoland,"bearahandhere,willyou,mylittlefellow,andcarrytheseparcelsforusintoyonderhouse?"

Jemrandownimmediatelyfortheparcels,anddidwhathewasaskedtodosoquickly,andwithsomuchgood-will,thatthemasteroftheboattooknoticeofhim,and,whenhewasgoingaway,stoppedtoaskhimwhathehadgotinhislittlebasket;andwhenhesawthattheywerefossils,he

immediatelytoldJemtofollowhim,forthathewasgoingtocarrysomeshellshehadbroughtfromabroadtoaladyintheneighbourhoodwhowasmakingagrotto."Shewillverylikelybuyyourstonesintothebargain.Comealong,mylad;wecanbuttry."

Theladylivedbutaverylittlewayoff,sothattheyweresoonatherhouse.Shewasaloneinherparlour,andwassortingabundleoffeathersofdifferentcolours;theylayonasheetofpasteboarduponawindowseat,andithappenedthatasthesailorwasbustlingroundthetabletoshowoffhisshells,heknockeddownthesheetofpasteboard,andscatteredallthefeathers.Theladylookedverysorry,whichJemobserving,hetooktheopportunity,whilstshewasbusylookingoverthesailor'sbagofshells,togathertogetherallthefeathers,andsort

themaccordingtotheirdifferentcolours,ashehadseenthemsortedwhenhefirstcameintotheroom.

"Whereisthelittleboyyoubroughtwithyou?IthoughtIsawhimherejustnow."

"AndhereIam,ma'am,"criedJem,creepingfromunderthetable,withsomefewremainingfeatherswhichhehadpickedfromthecarpet;"Ithought,"addedhe,pointingtotheothers,"Ihadbetterbedoingsomethingthanstandingidle,ma'am."Shesmiled,and,pleasedwithhis


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activityandsimplicity,begantoaskhimseveralquestions;suchaswhohewas,wherehelived,whatemploymenthehad,andhowmuchadayheearnedbygatheringfossils.

"ThisisthefirstdayIevertried,"saidJem;"Ineversoldanyyet,andifyoudon'tbuy'emnow,ma'am,I'mafraidnobodyelsewill;forI'veaskedeverybodyelse."

"Come,then,"saidthelady,laughing,"ifthatisthecase,IthinkIhadbetterbuythemall."So,emptyingallthefossilsoutofhisbasket,sheputhalfacrownintoit.

Jem'seyessparkledwithjoy."Oh,thankyou,ma'am,"saidhe,"Iwillbesureandbringyouasmanymore,to-morrow."

"Yes,butIdon'tpromiseyou,"saidshe,"togiveyouhalfacrown,to-morrow."

"But,perhaps,thoughyoudon'tpromiseit,youwill."

"No,"saidthelady,"donotdeceiveyourself;IassureyouthatIwillnot.THAT,insteadofencouragingyoutobeindustrious,wouldteachyoutobeidle."

Jemdidnotquiteunderstandwhatshemeantbythis,butanswered,"I'msureIdon'twishtobeidle;whatIwantistoearnsomethingeveryday,ifIknowhow;I'msureIdon'twishtobeidle.Ifyouknewall,you'dknowIdidnot."

"Howdoyoumean,IFIKNEWALL?"

"Why,Imean,ifyouknewaboutLightfoot."

"Who'sLightfoot?"

"Why,mammy'shorse,"addedJem,lookingoutofthewindow;"Imustmakehastehome,andfeedhimaforeitgetsdark;he'llwonderwhat'sgone

withme."

"Lethimwonderafewminuteslonger,"saidthelady,"andtellmetherestofyourstory."

"I'venostory,ma'am,totell,butashowmammysayshemustgotothefairMondayfortnight,tobesold,ifshecan'tgetthetwoguineasforherrent;andIshouldbemainsorrytopartwithhim,forIlovehim,andhelovesme;soI'llworkforhim,Iwill,allIcan.Tobesure,asmammysays,Ihavenochance,suchalittlefellowasIam,ofearningtwoguineasaforeMondayfortnight."

"Butareyouwillingearnestlytowork?"saidthelady;"youknowthere

isagreatdealofdifferencebetweenpickingupafewstones,andworkingsteadilyeveryday,andalldaylong."

"But,"saidJem,"Iwouldworkeveryday,andalldaylong."

"Then,"saidthelady,"Iwillgiveyouwork.Comehere,to-morrowmorning,andmygardenerwillsetyoutoweedtheshrubberies,andIwillpayyousixpenceaday.Remember,youmustbeatthegatesbysixo'clock."Jembowed,thankedher,andwentaway.


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Itwaslateintheevening,andJemwasimpatienttogethometofeedLightfoot;yetherecollectedthathehadpromisedthemanwhohadtrustedhimtosellthefossils,thathewouldbringhimhalfofwhathegotforthem;sohethoughtthathehadbettergotohimdirectly;andawayhewent,runningalongbythewatersideaboutaquarterofamile,tillhecametotheman'shouse.Hewasjustcomehomefromwork,andwassurprisedwhenJemshowedhimthehalf-crown,saying,"LookwhatIgotforthestones;youaretohavehalf,youknow."

"No,"saidtheman,whenhehadheardhisstory,"Ishallnottakehalfofthat;itwasgiventoyou.Iexpectedbutashillingatthemost,andthehalfofthatisbutsixpence,andthatI'lltake.Wife,givetheladtwoshillings,andtakethishalf-crown."Sothewifeopenedanoldglove,andtookouttwoshillings;andtheman,assheopenedtheglove,putinhisfingers,andtookoutalittlesilverpenny."There,heshallhavethatintothebargainforhishonesty--honestyisthebestpolicy--there'saluckypennyforyou,thatI'vekepteversinceIcanremember."

"Don'tyouevergotopartwithit,doyehear!"criedthewoman.

"Lethimdowhathewillwithit,wife,"saidtheman.

"But,"arguedthewife,"anotherpennywoulddojustaswelltobuygingerbread;andthat'swhatitwillgofor."

"No,thatitshallnot,Ipromiseyou,"saidJem;andsoheranawayhome,fedLightfoot,strokedhim,wenttobed,jumpedupatfiveo'clockinthemorning,andwentsingingtoworkasgayasalark.

Fourdaysheworked"everydayandalldaylong";andeveryeveningthelady,whenshecameouttowalkinhergardens,lookedathiswork.Atlastshesaidtohergardener,"Thislittleboyworksveryhard."

"Neverhadsogoodalittleboyaboutthegrounds,"saidthegardener;"he'salwaysathiswork,letmecomebywhenIwill,andhehasgottwiceasmuchdoneasanotherwoulddo;yes,twiceasmuch,ma'am;forlookhere--hebeganatthis'ererose-bush,andnowhe'sgottowhereyou

stand,ma'am;andhereistheday'sworkthatt'otherboy,andhe'sthreeyearsoldertoo,didto-day--Isay,measureJem'sfairly,andit'stwiceasmuch,I'msure."

"Well,"saidtheladytohergardener,"showmehowmuchisafairday'sworkforaboyofhisage."

"Comeatsixo'clockandgoatsix?why,aboutthismuch,ma'am,"saidthegardener,markingoffapieceoftheborderwithhisspade.

"Then,littleboy,"saidthelady,"somuchshallbeyourtaskeveryday.Thegardenerwillmarkitoffforyou;andwhenyou'vedone,therestofthedayyoumaydowhatyouplease."

Jemwasextremelygladofthis;andthenextdayhehadfinishedhistaskbyfouro'clock;sothathehadalltherestoftheeveningtohimself.Hewasasfondofplayasanylittleboycouldbe;andwhenhewasatitheplayedwithalltheeagernessandgaietyimaginable;soassoonashehadfinishedhistask,fedLightfoot,andputbythesixpencehehadearnedthatday,herantotheplaygroundinthevillage,wherehefoundapartyofboysplaying,andamongstthemLazyLawrence,whoindeedwasnotplaying,butlounginguponagate,withhisthumbinhismouth.Therestwereplayingatcricket.Jemjoinedthem,andwasthemerriestand


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mostactiveamongstthem;till,atlast,whenquiteoutofbreathwithrunning,hewasobligedtogiveuptoresthimself,andsatdownuponthestile,closetothegateonwhichLazyLawrencewasswinging.

"Andwhydon'tyouplay,Lawrence?"saidhe.

"I'mtired,"saidLawrence.

"Tiredofwhat?"

"Idon'tknowwellwhattiresme;grandmothersaysI'mill,andImusttakesomething--Idon'tknowwhatailsme."

"Oh,pugh!takeagoodrace--one,two,three,andaway--andyou'llfindyourselfaswellasever.Come,run--one,two,three,andaway."

"Ah,no,Ican'trun,indeed,"saidhe,hangingbackheavily;"youknowIcanplayalldaylongifIlikeit,soIdon'tmindplayasyoudo,whohaveonlyonehourforit."

"Somuchtheworseforyou.Come,now,I'mquitefreshagain,willyouhaveonegameatball?do."

"No,ItellyouIcan't;I'mastiredasifIhadbeenworkingallday

longashardasahorse."

"Tentimesmore,"saidJem,"forIhavebeenworkingalldaylong,ashardasahorse,andyetyouseeI'mnotabittired,onlyalittleoutofbreathjustnow."

"That'sveryodd,"saidLawrence,andyawned,forwantofsomebetteranswer;thentakingoutahandfulofhalfpence,--"SeewhatIgotfromfathertoday,becauseIaskedhimjustattherighttime,whenhehaddrunkaglassortwo;thenIcangetanythingIwantoutofhim--see!apenny,twopence,threepence,fourpence--there'seightpenceinall;wouldnotyoubehappyifyouhadEIGHTPENCE?"

"Why,Idon'tknow,"saidJem,laughing,"foryoudon'tseemhappy,andyouHAVEEIGHTPENCE."

"Thatdoesnotsignify,though.I'msureyouonlysaythatbecauseyouenvyme.Youdon'tknowwhatitistohaveeightpence.Youneverhadmorethantwopenceorthreepenceatatimeinallyourlife."

Jemsmiled."Oh,astothat,"saidhe,"youaremistaken,forIhaveatthisverytimemorethantwopence,threepence,oreightpenceeither.Ihave--letme--see--stones,twoshillings;thenfivedays'work--that'sfivesixpences,that'stwoshillingsandsixpence;inall,makesfourshillingsandsixpence;andmysilverpenny,isfourandsevenpence--fourandsevenpence!"

"Youhavenot!"saidLawrence,rousedsoasabsolutelytostandupright,"fourandsevenpence,haveyou?Showitme,andthenI'llbelieveyou."

"Followme,then,"criedJem,"andI'llsoonmakeyoubelieveme;come."

"Isitfar?"saidLawrence,followinghalf-running,half-hobbling,tillhecametothestable,whereJemshowedhimhistreasure."Andhowdidyoucomebyit--honestly?"


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"Honestly!tobesureIdid;Iearneditall."

"Lordblessme,earnedit!well,I'veagreatmindtowork;butthenit'ssuchhotweather,besides,grandmothersaysI'mnotstrongenoughyetforhardwork;andbesides,IknowhowtocoaxdaddyoutofmoneywhenIwantit,soIneednotwork.Butfourandsevenpence;let'ssee,whatwillyoudowithitall?"

"That'sasecret,"saidJem,lookinggreat.

"Icanguess;IknowwhatI'ddowithitifitwasmine.First,I'dbuypocketfulsofgingerbread;thenI'dbuyeversomanyapplesandnuts.Don'tyoulovenuts?I'dbuynutsenoughtolastmefromthistimetoChristmas,andI'dmakelittleNewtoncrack'emforme,forthat'stheworstofnuts;there'sthetroubleofcracking'em."

"Well,youneverdeservetohaveanut."

"Butyou'llgivemesomeofyours,"saidLawrence,inafawningtone;forhethoughtiteasiertocoaxthantowork--"you'llgivemesomeofyourgoodthings,won'tyou?"

"Ishallnothaveanyofthosegoodthings,"saidJem.

"Then,whatwillyoudowithallyourmoney?"

"Oh,Iknowverywellwhattodowithit;but,asItoldyou,that'sasecret,andIsha'n'ttellitanybody.Comenow,let'sgobackandplay--theirgame'sup,Idaresay."

Lawrencewentbackwithhim,fullofcuriosity,andoutofhumourwithhimselfandhiseightpence."IfIhadfourandsevenpence,"saidhetohimself,"Icertainlyshouldbehappy!"

Thenextday,asusual,Jemjumpedupbeforesixo'clockandwenttohiswork,whilstLazyLawrencesaunteredaboutwithoutknowingwhattodowithhimself.Inthecourseoftwodayshelaidoutsixpenceofhis

moneyinapplesandgingerbread;andaslongastheselasted,hefoundhimselfwellreceivedbyhiscompanions;but,atlengththethirddayhespenthislasthalfpenny,andwhenitwasgone,unfortunatelysomenutstemptedhimverymuch,buthehadnomoneytopayforthem;soheranhometocoaxhisfather,ashecalledit.

Whenhegothomeheheardhisfathertalkingveryloud,andatfirsthethoughthewasdrunk;butwhenheopenedthekitchendoor,hesawthathewasnotdrunk,butangry.

"Youlazydog!"criedhe,turningsuddenlyuponLawrence,andgavehimsuchaviolentboxontheearasmadethelightflashfromhiseyes;"youlazydog!Seewhatyou'vedoneforme--look!--look,look,Isay!"

Lawrencelookedassoonashecametotheuseofhissenses,andwithfear,amazementandremorse,beheldatleastadozenbottlesburst,andthefineWorcestershireciderstreamingoverthefloor.

"Now,didnotIorderyouthreedaysagotocarrythesebottlestothecellar,anddidnotIchargeyoutowirethecorks?answerme,youlazyrascal;didnotI?"

"Yes,"saidLawrence,scratchinghishead.


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"Andwhywasnotitdone,Iaskyou?"criedhisfather,withrenewedanger,asanotherbottleburstatthemoment."Whatdoyoustandtherefor,youlazybrat?whydon'tyoumove,Isay?No,no,"catchingholdofhim,"Ibelieveyoucan'tmove;butI'llmakeyou."AndheshookhimtillLawrencewassogiddyhecouldnotstand."Whathadyoutothinkof?Whathadyoutodoalldaylongthatyoucouldnotcarrymycider,myWorcestershirecider,tothecellarwhenIbidyou?Butgo,you'llneverbegoodforanything;youaresuchalazyrascal--getoutofmysight!"Sosaying,hepushedhimoutofthehousedoor,andLawrencesneakedoff,seeingthatthiswasnotimetomakehispetitionforhalfpence.

Thenextdayhesawthenutsagain,andwishingforthemmorethanever,hewenthome,inhopesthathisfather,ashesaidtohimself,wouldbeinabetterhumour.Buttheciderwasstillfreshinhisrecollection;andthemomentLawrencebegantowhispertheword"halfpenny"inhisear,hisfatherswore,withaloudoath,"Iwillnotgiveyouahalfpenny,no,notafarthing,foramonthtocome.Ifyouwantmoney,goworkforit;I'vehadenoughofyourlaziness--gowork!"

AttheseterriblewordsLawrenceburstintotears,and,goingtothesideofaditch,satdownandcriedforanhour;andwhenhehadcriedtillhecouldcrynomore,heexertedhimselfsofarastoemptyhispockets,to

seewhethertheremightnothappentobeonehalfpennyleft;and,tohisgreatjoy,inthefarthestcornerofhispocketonehalfpennywasfound.Withthisheproceededtothefruitwoman'sstall.Shewasbusyweighingoutsomeplums,sohewasobligedtowait;andwhilsthewaswaitingheheardsomepeoplenearhimtalkingandlaughingveryloud.

Thefruitwoman'sstallwasatthegateofaninnyard;andpeepingthroughthegateinthisyard,Lawrencesawapostilionandastableboy,abouthisownsize,playingatpitchfarthing.Hestoodbywatchingthemforafewminutes."Ibeganbutwithonehalfpenny,"criedthestableboy,withanoath,"andnowI'vegottwopence!"addedhe,jinglingthehalfpenceinhiswaistcoatpocket.Lawrencewasmovedatthesound,andsaidtohimself,"If_I_beginwithonehalfpennyImayend,likehim,

withhavingtwopence;anditiseasiertoplayatpitchfarthingthantowork."

Sohesteppedforward,presentinghishalfpenny,offeringtotossupwiththestableboy,who,afterlookinghimfullintheface,acceptedtheproposal,andthrewhishalfpennyintotheair."Headortail?"criedhe."Head,"repliedLawrence,anditcameuphead.Heseizedthepenny,surprisedathisownsuccess,andwouldhavegoneinstantlytohavelaiditoutinnuts;butthestableboystoppedhim,andtemptedhimtothrowagain.ThistimeLawrencelost;hethrewagainandwon;andsohewenton,sometimeslosing,butmostfrequentlywinning,tillhalfthemorningwaslost.Atlast,however,findinghimselfthemasterofthreehalfpence,saidhewouldplaynomore.

Thestableboy,grumbling,sworehewouldhavehisrevengeanothertime,andLawrencewentandboughthisnuts."Itisagoodthing,"saidhetohimself,"toplayatpitchfarthing;thenexttimeIwantahalfpennyI'llnotaskmyfatherforit,norgotoworkneither."Satisfiedwiththisresolution,hesatdowntocrackhisnutsathisleisure,uponthehorseblockintheinnyard.Here,whilstheate,heoverheardtheconversationofthestableboysandpostilions.Atfirsttheirshockingoathsandloudwranglingfrightenedandshockedhim;forLawrence,thoughlazy,hadnotyetlearnedtobeawickedboy.But,bydegrees,hewas


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accustomedtotheswearingandquarrelling,andtookadelightandinterestintheirdisputesandbattles.Asthiswasanamusementwhichhecouldenjoywithoutanysortofexertion,hesoongrewsofondofit,thateverydayhereturnedtothestableyard,andthehorseblockbecamehisconstantseat.Herehefoundsomerelieffromtheinsupportablefatigueofdoingnothing,andhere,hourafterhour,withhiselbowsonhisknees,andhisheadonhishands,hesat,thespectatorofwickedness.Gaming,cheatingandlyingsoonbecamefamiliartohim;and,tocompletehisruin,heformedasuddenandcloseintimacywiththestableboy(averybadboy)withwhomhehadfirstbeguntogame.

Theconsequencesofthisintimacyweshallpresentlysee.ButitisnowtimetoinquirewhatlittleJemhadbeendoingallthiswhile.

Oneday,afterJemhadfinishedhistask,thegardeneraskedhimtostayalittlewhile,tohelphimtocarrysomegeraniumpotsintothehall.Jem,alwaysactiveandobliging,readilystayedfromplay,andwascarryinginaheavyflowerpot,whenhismistresscrossedthehall."Whataterriblelitter!"saidshe,"youaremakinghere--whydon'tyouwipeyourshoesuponthemat?"Jemturnedtolookforthemat,buthesawnone."Oh,"saidtheladyrecollectingherself,"Ican'tblameyou,forthereisnomat."

"No,ma'am,"saidthegardener,"norIdon'tknowwhen,ifever,theman

willbringhomethosematsyoubespoke,ma'am."

"Iamverysorrytohearthat,"saidthelady;"Iwishwecouldfindsomebodywhowoulddothem,ifhecan't.Ishouldnotcarewhatsortofmatstheywere,sothatonecouldwipeone'sfeetonthem."

Jem,ashewassweepingawaythelitter,whenheheardtheselastwords,saidtohimself,"PerhapsIcouldmakeamat."Andallthewayhome,ashetrudgedalongwhistling,hewasthinkingoveraschemeformakingmats,which,howeverbolditmayappear,hedidnotdespairofexecuting,withpatienceandindustry.Manywerethedifficultieswhichhis"propheticeye"foresaw;buthefeltwithinhimselfthatspiritwhichspursmenontogreatenterprises,andmakesthem"trampleon

impossibilities."Inthefirstplace,herecollectedthathehadseenLazyLawrence,whilstheloungeduponthegate,twistabitofheathintodifferentshapes;andhethought,thatifhecouldfindsomewayofplaitingheathfirmlytogether,itwouldmakeaveryprettygreensoftmat,whichwoulddoverywellforonetowipeone'sshoeson.Aboutamilefromhismother'shouse,onthecommonwhichJemrodeoverwhenhewenttoFarmerTruck'sforthegiantstrawberries,herememberedtohaveseenagreatquantityofthisheath;and,asitwasnowonlysixo'clockintheevening,heknewthatheshouldhavetimetofeedLightfoot,strokehim,gotothecommon,return,andmakeonetrialofhisskillbeforehewenttobed.

Lightfootcarriedhimswiftlytothecommon,andthereJemgatheredas

muchoftheheathashethoughtheshouldwant.Butwhattoil!whattime!whatpainsdiditcosthim,beforehecouldmakeanythinglikeamat!Twentytimeshewasreadytothrowasidetheheath,andgiveuphisproject,fromimpatienceofrepeateddisappointments.Butstillhepersevered.NothingTRULYGREATcanbeaccomplishedwithouttoilandtime.Twohoursheworkedbeforehewenttobed.Allhisplayhoursthenextdayhespentathismat;which,inall,madefivehoursoffruitlessattempts.Thesixth,however,repaidhimforthelaboursoftheotherfive.Heconqueredhisgranddifficultyoffasteningtheheathsubstantiallytogether,andatlengthcompletelyfinishedamat,which


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farsurpassedhismostsanguineexpectations.Hewasextremelyhappy--sang,dancedroundit--whistled--lookedatitagainandagain,andcouldhardlyleaveofflookingatitwhenitwastimetogotobed.Helaiditbyhisbedside,thathemightseeitthemomentheawokeinthemorning.

Andnowcamethegrandpleasureofcarryingittohismistress.Shelookedfullyasmuchsurprisedasheexpected,whenshesawit,andwhensheheardwhomadeit.Afterhavingdulyadmiredit,sheaskedhowmuchheexpectedforhismat."Expect!--Nothing,ma'am,"saidJem;"Imeanttogiveityou,ifyou'dhaveit;Ididnotmeantosellit.Imadeitinmyplayhours,Iwasveryhappyinmakingit;andI'mveryglad,too,thatyoulikeit;andifyoupleasetokeepit,ma'am,that'sall."

"Butthat'snotall,"saidthelady."Spendyourtimenomoreinweedinginmygarden,youcanemployyourselfmuchbetter;youshallhavetherewardofyouringenuityaswellasofyourindustry.Makeasmanymoresuchmatsasyoucan,andIwilltakecareanddisposeofthemforyou."

"Thank'e,ma'am,"saidJem,makinghisbestbow,forhethoughtbythelady'slooksthatshemeanttodohimafavour,thoughherepeatedtohimself,"Disposeofthem,whatdoesthatmean?"

Thenextdayhewenttoworktomakemoremats,andhesoonlearnedtomakethemsowellandquickly,thathewassurprisedathisownsuccess.

Ineveryonehemadehefoundlessdifficulty,sothat,insteadofmakingtwo,hecouldsoonmakefourinaday.Inafortnighthemadeeighteen.

ItwasSaturdaynightwhenhefinished,andhecarried,atthreejourneys,hiseighteenmatstohismistress'house;piledthemallupinthehall,andstoodwithhishatoff,withalookofproudhumility,besidethepile,waitingforhismistress'appearance.Presentlyafolding-door,atoneendofthehall,opened,andhesawhismistress,withagreatmanygentlemenandladies,risingfromseveraltables.

"Oh!thereismylittleboyandhismats,"criedthelady;and,followedbyalltherestofthecompany,shecameintothehall.Jemmodestlyretiredwhilsttheylookedathismats;butinaminuteortwohis

mistressbeckonedtohim,andwhenhecameintothemiddleofthecircle,hesawthathispileofmatshaddisappeared.

"Well,"saidthelady,smiling,"whatdoyouseethatmakesyoulooksosurprised?"

"Thatallmymatsaregone,"saidJem;"butyouareverywelcome."

"Arewe?"saidthelady,"well,takeupyourhatandgohomethen,foryouseethatitisgettinglate,andyouknowLightfootwillwonderwhat'sbecomeofyou."Jemturnedroundtotakeuphishat,whichhehadleftonthefloor.

Buthowhiscountenancechanged!thehatwasheavywithshillings.Everyonewhohadtakenamathadputintwoshillings;sothatfortheeighteenmatshehadgotthirty-sixshillings."Thirty-sixshillings,"saidthelady;"fiveandsevenpenceIthinkyoutoldmeyouhadearnedalready--howmuchdoesthatmake?Imustadd,Ibelieve,oneothersixpencetomakeoutyourtwoguineas."

"Twoguineas!"exclaimedJem,nowquiteconqueringhisbashfulness,foratthemomentheforgotwherehewas,andsawnobodythatwasby."Twoguineas!"criedhe,clappinghishandstogether,--"O,Lightfoot!O,


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mother!"Then,recollectinghimself,hesawhismistress,whomhenowlookeduptoquiteasafriend."WillYOUthankthemall?"saidhe,scarcelydaringtoglancehiseyesrounduponthecompany;"willYOUthank'em,foryouknowIdon'tknowhowtothank'emRIGHTLY."Everybodythought,however,thattheyhadbeenthankedRIGHTLY.

"Nowwewon'tkeepyouanylonger,only,"saidhismistress,"Ihaveonethingtoaskyou,thatImaybebywhenyoushowyourtreasuretoyourmother."

"Come,then,"saidJem,"comewithmenow."

"Notnow,"saidthelady,laughing;"butIwillcometoAshtonto-morrowevening;perhapsyourmothercanfindmeafewstrawberries."

"Thatshewill,"saidJem:"I'llsearchthegardenmyself."

Henowwenthome,butfeltitagreatrestrainttowaittillto-morroweveningbeforehetoldhismother.Toconsolehimselfheflewtothestable:--"Lightfoot,you'renottobesoldonMonday,poorfellow!"saidhe,pattinghim,andthencouldnotrefrainfromcountingouthismoney.Whilsthewasintentuponthis,Jemwasstartledbyanoiseatthedoor:somebodywastryingtopullupthelatch.Itopened,andtherecameinLazyLawrence,withaboyinaredjacket,whohadacockunderhisarm.

Theystartedwhentheygotintothemiddleofthestable,andwhentheysawJem,whohadbeenatfirsthiddenbythehorse.

"We--we--wecame,"stammeredLazyLawrence--"Imean,Icameto--to--to--"

"Toaskyou,"continuedthestable-boy,inaboldtone,"whetheryouwillgowithustothecock-fightonMonday?See,I'veafinecockhere,andLawrencetoldmeyouwereagreatfriendofhis;soIcame."

Lawrencenowattemptedtosaysomethinginpraiseofthepleasuresofcock-fightingandinrecommendationofhisnewcompanion.ButJemlookedatthestable-boywithdislike,andasortofdread.Thenturninghiseyesuponthecockwithalookofcompassion,said,inalowvoice,to

Lawrence,"Shallyouliketostandbyandseeitseyespeckedout?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidLawrence,"astothat;buttheysayacockfight'safinesight,andit'snomorecruelinmetogothananother;andagreatmanygo,andI'venothingelsetodo,soIshallgo."

"ButIhavesomethingelsetodo,"saidJem,laughing,"soIshallnotgo."

"But,"continuedLawrence,"youknowMondayisthegreatBristolfair,andonemustbemerrythen,ofallthedaysintheyear."

"Onedayintheyear,sure,there'snoharminbeingmerry,"saidthe

stableboy.

"Ihopenot,"saidJem;"forIknowformypart,Iammerryeverydayintheyear."

"That'sveryodd,"saidLawrence;"butIknowformypart,Iwouldnotforalltheworldmissgoingtothefair,foratleastitwillbesomethingtotalkofforhalfayearafter.Come,you'llgo,won'tyou?"

"No,"saidJem,stilllookingasifhedidnotliketotalkbeforethe


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ill-lookingstranger.

"Thenwhatwillyoudowithallyourmoney?"

"I'lltellyouaboutthatanothertime,"whisperedJem;"anddon'tyougotoseethatcock'seyespeckedout;itwon'tmakeyoumerry,I'msure."

"IfIhadanythingelsetodivertme,"saidLawrence,hesitatingandyawning.

"Come,"criedthestableboy,seizinghisstretchingarm,"comealong,"criedhe;and,pullinghimawayfromJem,uponwhomhecastalookofextremecontempt;"leavehimalone,he'snotthesort.

"Whatafoolyouare,"saidhetoLawrence,themomenthegothimoutofthestable;"youmighthaveknownhewouldnotgo,elseweshouldsoonhavetrimmedhimoutofhisfourandsevenpence.Buthowcameyoutotalkoffourandsevenpence.Isawinthemangerahatfullofsilver."

"Indeed!"exclaimedLawrence.

"Yes,indeed;butwhydidyoustammersowhenwefirstgotin?Youhadlikedtohaveblownusallup."

"Iwassoashamed,"saidLawrence,hangingdownhishead.

"Ashamed!butyoumustnottalkofshamenowyouareinforit,andIsha'n'tletyouoff;youoweushalfacrown,recollect,andImustbepaidto-night,soseeandgetthemoneysomehoworother."Afteraconsiderablepauseheadded,"Ianswerforithe'dnevermisshalfacrownoutofallthatsilver."

"Buttosteal,"saidLawrence,drawingbackwithhorror,"IneverthoughtIshouldcometothat--andfrompoorJem,too--themoneythathehasworkedsohardfor,too."

"Butitisnotstealing;wedon'tmeantosteal;onlytoborrowit;and

ifwewin,whichwecertainlyshall,atthecock-fight,payitbackagain,andhe'llneverknowanythingaboutthematter,andwhatharmwillitdohim?Besides,whatsignifiestalking,youcan'tgotothecock-fight,orthefaireither,ifyoudon't;andItellyewedon'tmeantostealit;we'llpayitbyMondaynight."

Lawrencemadenoreply,andtheypartedwithouthiscomingtoanydetermination.

Hereletuspauseinourstory.Wearealmostafraidtogoon.Therestisveryshocking.Ourlittlereaderswillshudderastheyread.Butitisbetterthattheyshouldknowthetruth,andseewhattheidleboycametoatlast.

Inthedeadofthenight,Lawrenceheardsomebodytapathiswindow.Heknewwellwhoitwas,forthiswasthesignalagreeduponbetweenhimandhiswickedcompanion.Hetrembledatthethoughtsofwhathewasabouttodo,andlayquitestill,withhisheadunderthebedclothes,tillheheardthesecondtap.Thenhegotup,dressedhimself,andopenedhiswindow.Itwasalmostevenwiththeground.Hiscompanionsaidtohim,inahollowvoice,"Areyouready?"Hemadenoanswer,butgotoutofthewindowandfollowed.


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Whenhegottothestableablackcloudwasjustpassingoverthemoon,anditwasquitedark."Whereareyou?"whisperedLawrence,gropinga

The Parent's Assistant by Edgeworth, Maria, 1767-1849

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Transcript of The Parent's Assistant by Edgeworth, Maria, 1767-1849