Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

"The next day, just before she died, she made us come close to her, and putting one of her poor cold arms round each of our necks, raised her eyes, prayed,— sighed, blessed us,-and-and so, Sir, she spoke no more." The boy's voice became inarticulate; the girl sobbed aloud: Charles began mechanically to stir the fire, and Mary to twist the corners of her handkerchief, while her tears flowed fast, and fell upon her bosom.

Mr. Richardson contemplated the whole party with satisfaction.-"Ah!" said he, mentally, as he looked on his children, 66 may it be in my power to cherish, and bring to perfection, those dawnings of humanity; may they never be stifled by the errors of a corrupt education, nor overwhelmed in the labyrinths of depravity and folly they must necessarily meet in their journey through life."

After a short pause, the boy wiped his eyes and continued:-"So, Sir, in one week we lost both father and mother; and the second day after her burial we

[ocr errors]

were taken before the parish officers to see what could be done with us. After some consideration they said I should be sent to sea, and poor Patty, who was not ten years old, put prentice to the very man who seized our father's goods, and kept a pot-house. Patty cried, and I cried to see her cry; not that I disliked going to sea, but I could not bear to leave her in such a service, and with a master that I had seen myself beat his prentices worse than dogs. -Well, Sir, the overseers scolded us, and said we should be bound the next week, when I was to be sent off directly to go on shipboard. Patty cried sadly all the evening, and said, that when I was gone she should have no friend left. I wished to see the world, but could not tell what to do on her account; until at last it came into my head, that as it would soon be hayharvest, I might get employment for the whole summer, if we were but once out of the reach of the parish. Next day I told Patty what I had been thinking of,

and she was greatly delighted, and we agreed to run away that very night, while the people were at supper, which we accordingly did; saving our shares, and taking nothing with us but my father's flageolet, and my mother's prayer-book.

"It was a fine moonlight night, and we got out easy enough, and went for the last time, to take leave of our good parents' grave: but, Sir, who should be lying on the sod, but our dog Shock, as thin as a skeleton; the poor beast got up on seeing us, wagged his tail, then scratched on the grave, and gave a dismal whine. - Indeed, Sir, it made both Patty and I cry afresh; however, we knelt down and said our prayers, begging of God to guide and forgive us if we had done amiss. then looked about and found a piece of a broken grave-stone, which I stuck in the ground, that if ever we came back we might know the spot. Our poor dog,

I

who was almost starved, we next fed with some of the bread and cheese, and then set off as fast our legs could carry us;

C

Shock leaping before, as if he was glad we were met again. We walked all night, for fear of being caught, and the next morning found ourselves nine miles from Warwick, when Patty was so tired, she could go no farther; so I begged of a man who was working in a barn, to let us rest on the straw for an hour or two, which he gave us leave to do; first asking what we were, and from whence we came? I answered him truly, that we came from Warwick, and were destitute orphans, but did not say we run away, for fear of being sent back.

"We were so tired that we slept late, without once waking; which, when we did, we were very hungry; and were just going out of the barn, when we met the farmer. Why,' said he, 'tis too late to go on to-night, so you had better lie in the barn, and set off early; and I suppose, though you are tight clothed, you are not overstocked with money, so come with me and get some supper.'-Well, Sir, we slept there that night, and in the morn

ing, when we set off, the farmer's wife, who was as kind as himself, gave us a great lump of cheese, half a big loaf, and some old stockings, a shirt, and a shift and apron. God bless her; and if ever her

-

children want it, I hope they will meet with as good a friend. We wandered on all day, and at night began to think we were pretty secure from the parish officers and having refreshed ourselves, I began to play on my flageolet, when two or three threshers came up, and gave us a penny. This, Sir, first put it into my head to play for money, which I began the next day; saying, that we were orphan children, and had nothing else to trust to until the harvest, when I would work a-field. Thus, Sir, we got on till hay-time, when I was lucky enough to find work for the whole summer, and Patty used to run of errands for the reapers; so that we did very well indeed until about six weeks ago, when there being no work to be got, I was obliged to take to my flageolet again; however, I hope soon,

« ZurückWeiter »