With these words, he addreffed the lame failor, faying, "My good lad, you seem to "walk with difficulty, the exertion may be dangerous if your companion will go "back to Iflington and procure fome per"fon to affift in fupporting you, I will willingly pay then." How foothing, in the hour of forrow, is the voice of humanity; it reached at once the heart of the poor lad, who regarding Mr. Richardfon, his eyes fwimming in tears, replied, "Heaven blefs your good"nefs, Sir! there is no occafion; my "wound, though rather painful, is in no danger." "Are you lately returned from fea ?" faid Mr. Richardfon. Yes, Sir ;---we have both been on "board men of war, and both very unfor<< tunate," answered the failor that had not before spoken, "for my poor coufin "George here has loft his limb, as you fee; "and I have loft what I regard a thousand "times dearer than my life---a dear, "good "good, and fincere friend.” As he fpoke, he turned aside, and wiped off the tears that ftreamed from his eyes at the recollection. Yes, Sir," continued the lame boy, "William loft his captain; he was mor"tally wounded in the last severe engage ment, and William was fhot in the "fhoulder in leading him from the "deck." Mr. Richardfon paused a moment, then faid, "Your misfortunes have been severe; "but now you are returned, have you any "friends to receive and comfort "them?" you under The lame boy caft his eyes on the ground, in filence; but his companion replied, "I truft in God we have both mo"thers, Sir; we have been abfent two years, and are now returning home to "Edmonton." "That distance I think too far for your "relation," said Mr. Richardfon; "engage, "therefore, the first conveyance you meet; thefe young folks will willingly pay the expence, Charles and Mary wanted no fecond command; each prefenting a half-crown to the lame failor. "God's bleffings light on you, Sir," replied the boy, drawing back; "we will not impofe on your generofity; we have more than fufficient to carry us home; but you are like the "Samaritan in the Scripture. May you "be happy in this world and in that to "come! May your children be ever good "and dutiful, and then they will never fuf, "fer like me !" Mr. Richardfon, who was anxious on every fubject that could convey instruction to his children, replied, "I hope you have no occasion of self-reproach to increase your misfortunes ?" .. "Alas, Sir !" returned he, "I have "but too many; they have doubled every pang, for I have ever remembered that "I deferved all I fuffered." 66 ' "At least," replied Mr. Richardfon, you appear forry for your errors.-Mis "fortunes are often falutary; they teach "us to know ourselves, and how infignifi"cant we are without the protection of a "beneficent Creator.-Will you oblige *me with telling me all that relates to you? "I have fome experience, and advice "is often useful." 66 Ah, Sir! I have hitherto turned a "deaf ear to the voice of advice and affec<tion.-I cannot however deny you, though "I fear you will despise me when you hear "what a wicked wretch I have been; but God has punished, and, I hope, will "pardon me." ' "A repentant contrite heart was never yet rejected," replied Mr. Richardfon : "as the ground is dry, you had better be "feated." Then addreffing his children, he faid, "In this young man's account, "should you hear any thing blameable "remember that all are prone to errors; "and endeavour to avoid thofe faults "which he appears to confider as only defervedly punished by his misfor tunes. Charles |
