CHAP. XVII.

The Inconvenience of too much Money.—A Letter respecting Frank Williams and his Sister.-Personal Qualifications ought to be no particular Recommendation to Objects of Charity.

On their arrival at home, in the hall they found the young sailor, William Parker, who was waiting Mr. Richardson's commands when he should enter into his service.

Mr. Richardson ordered him into the parlour, and seeing him look more chearful than usual, said, "Young man, I hope "business goes well with you; at least your countenance appears to bespeak it.'

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Indeed, fir," replied William, "am much happier than I was; for my

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poor aunt will, I hope, recover-George's

good behaviour appears to have given her "new life; and, to complete all, with part "of the money that I received I have placed "my

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my mother in a little haberdasher's shop, "where I hope she will be able to get a living, and likewise to assist my aunt,

"who is come to reside with her.

And

now, sir, I have but one wish unsatisfied, " which is, to enter my new employ, and "endeavour to merit your goodness."

Mr. Richardson replied, that he might come when he pleased, if he had transacted all his business.

William bowed, and though the permission was obtained, appeared in no hurry to depart, but rather as if he had something to request which he did not know perfectly how to utter.

“If you have any thing to say, William, speak without restraint; my assistance or "advice are both at your service."

"Then, sir," answered William, though "I am ashamed to ask it-If you would "condescend to tell me how to dispose of my money, I should consider it a fresh obligation."

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"How much have you remaining ?" said Mr. Richardson.

" Near

"Near a hundred and fifty pounds, sir; "and so much money is a very great charge;

for, in the first place, neither my mother "nor myself can sleep, we are so afraid of 66 being robbed, and when I am abroad I "am tempted to buy so many fine things "that I never before thought of, that I "don't choose to trust myself."

"It is ever good to be diffident of our"selves, and carefully to avoid tempta"tion," answered Mr. Richardson; " I "will therefore speak to my first clerk, "who will instruct you how to settle this "business properly."

William renewed his thanks, made his bow, and left the room, apparently rejoiced at the promise of being relieved from a charge which he knew not how to manage.

The servant at that moment brought in letters for Mr. Richardson. On reading one of them, he said to his children, “This "letter is an answer to one I wrote to the 786 overseers of Frank and Patty's parish.

I find they have spoken truth; and it is

"likewise

"likewise added, that their parents were

very worthy, honest people: but to shew

you how imprudent and wicked it was of "them to distrust the goodness of God, "three weeks after their departure, a gen"tleman arrived at their village and in"quired for their parents, and finding

them dead, made all possible search after "their family-even causing these young run-aways to be constantly advertised in all the country papers for a long time; "an event which, but for our fortunately "meeting with them, in all probability "they would never have known, and per"haps have continued wandering vaga"bonds all their lives."

"And are you informed who the person is that has inquired for them, sir ?" said Charles.

"Not particularly; but that he is a re"lation. I shall therefore write to the "overseers this evening, and inform them where the children are to be found." "Then," said Mary, mournfully, "I. dare say I shall loose Patty, and I shall be very sorry for that."

"I have

"I have that opinion, Mary, of the goodness of your heart, that you will, "on the contrary, be much rejoiced, if it "should happen for her good; you may "easily find some proper object on whom "to transfer your bounty."

Yes, papa, very possibly: but I don't "think I shall ever meet with one so pretty, and that sings so well."

"As to these qualifications," replied Mr. Richardson, "I really cannot pro"mise; but I should be very sorry to think

they were particularly necessary to "awaken your sensibility; for in that case "your charities must be very circumscribed. "Besides, do you not think a homely per

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son suffers as much as a handsome one? "Are they not susceptible of the sare hunger, the same cold, the same pains of "body, and the same distress? For my part, did I make any discrimination of objects-which, however, I never shall "I should be rather inclined to favour "those who were possessed of no personal "advantages, as they would be the least Q 2

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likely