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"round London, and fo, as faft as Patty "could walk, refolved to go there; be

fide, another thing made me wish it: I "was told, by the fervant of a gentlewo"man that once relieved us, that there

was a number of ladies near town, who "had established fchools for poor chil“dren, and had them clothed, fed, and

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taught; nay, that they did not even "fcorn to look to their improvement them"felves ;---fo I thought that God might "lead us to fome of these, who would even "condefcend to help my poor fifter; for my heart bleeds for her when I think of "the long winter before us."

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"It is true," replied Mr. Richardfon, "that fuch women have lately stepped

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forth, to the honour of their sex, mi

niftering, like beings of a fuperior order, "to the wants of helpless childhood; but "to thefe, fome recommendation, or ac"count of your paft conduct, would be neceffary."

"Ah, Sir," returned the boy, forrowfully, "I did not confider my deserving; "I only thought of their goodness."

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"Welly

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"Well, we will speak more of this fently; but tell me, Patty, have you "preserved your mother's prayer-book ?"

"Yes, an't please you," dropping a fhort curtfey; and drawing it out of her pocket, wrapped firft in a bit of white rag, and then in a paper; "here it is, Sir."

Mr. Richardfon, took the book, and opening it, found written, in a decent hand, the date of their parents marriage; likewise the time of the children's birth and their names,---Francis and Martha Williams.

"Whofe writing is this?" faid he.

"My father's, Sir," returned the boy; "I can write a little myself; I learned be"fore his death; but perhaps I may al"moft have forgotten it, for I have had no pens or paper fince."

"Well, Patty, faid Mr. Richardson, returning the book, " have acted pro

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you

perly in taking care of your mother's legacy;---for the prefent go down and "fit by the kitchen-fire; I will order you fome dinner, and if your dog Shock is

"still with you, pray let him be of the 66 party."

"Thank-you, thank-you, Sir," cried both, with great pleasure; "Shock is fure enough with us, and now waiting at the "door."

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Well, call him in, and let him be fed," faid Mr. Richardfon ;---" I will see you "again after dinner." He then rang the bell, and gave them to the care of the waiter,

CHAP.

CHAP. III.

The Satisfaction attending various Actions:

On the departure of the children, both Charles and Mary expected their father to fpeak; but he remained filent, until Mary, whose heart, as well as eyes, was full, at length faid, "Poor things; what will be"come of them! I wonder they have not "died of hunger before this, and the wea"ther now is growing very cold."

"Why, I really, Mary," replied Mr. Richardfon, "I don't think them impoftors, "though they certainly acted very wrong "in running away, and unbecoming the

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religious education they appear to have "received from their parents, which ought "to have taught them to depend more on "the goodness of God. However, as you "proposed, I would have you give them "half a crown; it will fupport them, with care, for a few days: to be fure we may "expect the weather to be very fevere "shortly

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"fhortly, for the air is frofty, and the next

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month, November, is ufually very tem

peftuous; in which cafe I know not "what will become of them, for barns and "fheds afford but poor fhelter against the inclemency of the weather."

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"Oh dear!” cried Mary, "half a crown "won't do much service; for when that is gone, they must perish."

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"I wish we had not fo foolishly spent "our Michaelmas quarter's allowance," replied Charles; "mine all went for bats,

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balls, kites, and tops; yours to fee rarée

fhows, dancing-dogs, wax-work, and "monkeys; things that can do neither "of us the leaft good; whereas, if we had "it now, it would fupport these poor "children through all the bad weather."

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"I wish the man had not brought fuch "foolish things to Reading," replied Mary, or that Mrs. Bennet had refused "to let me go to see them; but 'tis of no "ufe to wish now; if I knew where to find "these poor things at Christmas, I would "fend them every farthing."

"Extra

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