he thought, be better fecured: and the rightful poffeffor if he should ever meet with him, could not be a lofer.

The rector approved the project, and the purchafe was foon made. As Perrin was now proprietor of the land which he had farmed, he beftowed more pains in the cultivation of it. His fields kept in better order, and more improved, yielded a larger produce; he lived in that eafe and abundance which he had been ambitious to maintain for Lucetta. Two children fucceffively bleffed their union; they rejoiced to fee themfelves renewed in thofe tender pledges of their love. Perrin, in returning from the field, was usually met by his wife, who prefented his children to him; he embraced them with transport and then clasped Lucetta in his arms. The children were eagerly officious about their father; one wiped the sweat from his face; the other attempted to cafe him of the fpade. He smiled at their feeble efforts; he careffed them again, and thanked Heaven for having given him an affectionate wife and children who refembled him.

Some years after the old rector died. Perrin and Lucetta lamented his death; their minds dwelt afresh on what they owed to his humanity; the reflection made them contemplate their own fitu

ation.

ation. We too fhall die, faid they, and we fhall leave our farm to our children. It is not our pro.perty. If he to whom it belongs fhould return, he would be deprived of it for ever; we shall take the right of another with us to the grave. This idea they could not fupport; delicate in their integrity, they could not be happy while their consciences charged them with the least appearance of fraud. They immediately had a declaration drawn, and figned by the principle inhabitants of the village, which fet forth the tenure by which they held their farm. They lodged the declaration in the hands of the new rector. This precaution, which they thought neceffary to enforce a reftitution that justice might exact of their children, set their minds at ease.

Perrin had now been fettled ten years in his farm. One day, after a forenoon's hard labour, as he was going home to dinner, he saw two men overturned in a chaife, on the high road, at a small diftance from his houfe. He ran to their affiftance; he offered them his draught horfes to convey their baggage; he begged of them to go with him, and accept fuch refreshment as his humble roof afforded. The travellers were not hurt by their fall.This is a very unlucky place to me, faid one of them; I cannot pafs it without fome misfortune.

A great

A great mifchance befell me here about twelve years ago; I was returning from the fair of Vitre, and near this spot I loft twelve thousand livres in gold. But did you neglect, faid Perrin, who heard him with attention to make proper enquiries for your money? It was not in my power replied the stranger, to take the usual ways to recover it. I was just going to make a voyage to the East-Indies; the veffel in which I was to fail would not have waited for me; all the expedients I could have fallen upon, to regain my money, would undoubtedly have been fruitlefs; and the delay which they would have occafioned would have been more prejudicial to me than the lofs of it.

This discourse made Perrin's heart leap for joy; he repeated his invitation with more earneftnefs; he intreated the gentlemen to accept of the asylum which he offered them; he affured them that his houfe was the nearest, and the most commodious habitation of the place: They complied with his request: He went on the firft to fhew them the way. He foon met his wife, who according to cuflom, came to meet him. He defired her to haften home, and prepare a dinner for his guests. On their arrival at his houfe, he brought them a refreshment, and renewed the converfation on the lofs of the twelve thoufand livres. By the fequel

of

of the traveller's discourse, he was convinced that he was the man to whom he owed a reftitution; he went to the new rector, informed him of what he had learned, and begged that he would do him the favour to dine with him. He accepted his invitation, and accompanied him; admiring, as he went, the joy of the peasant on a discovery which would be his ruin.

Dinner is ferved up: the travellers are charmed with the hofpitality of Perrin: They admire his domeftic economy, the benevolence of his heart, the franknefs of his behaviour, the ingenuous and engaging manner of Lucetta, her affiduities, and her kindnefs; they carefs the children. After dinner Perrin fhews them his houfe, his garden, and his cattle; he informs them of the fituation, the fertility, and the produce of his fields. All this, added he to the traveller, on whofe account he was fo particular, belongs to you. The money which you loft fell into my hands; when I found it was not likely to be reclaimed, I bought this farm with it; which I always intended to give up to him who fhould convince me that he had a right to it.-I now refign it to you; if I had died without finding you, the rector has a deed which confirms your property.

The

The ftranger was for fome moments loft in amafement. He read the writing which the rector

put into his hands. He looked earnestly on Per rin, on Lucetta, and their children.-Where am I, at length exclaimed he! and what have I heard! What an uncommon manner of proceeding! What virtue, what nobleness of foul, and in what a station of life do I find them!-Have you nothing to depend upon but this farm, added he?-No; but, if you do not fell it, you will need a farmer, and I hope you will give me the preference.-Your probity deserves a different recompence. It is now twelve years fince I loft the fum which you found: In that time God has bleffed my commerce, it has been greatly extended; it has prof pered. It is long fince I ceafed to feel the effects of my lofs. Your reftitution now would not make me richer. You merit this little fortune; Provi dence has made you a prefent of it: I could not take it from you without offending my Creator. Keep it; it belongs to you; or, if I must have a right to it, I give it to you. You might have kept it; I fhould never have reclaimed it; what man would have acted like you!

He immediately tore the deed which the rector had given him. The world, faid he, should be acquainted with your generous action. A deed