said into the country to another service, the captain's wife. could not find her, which very much troubled her; for hearing she was gone from the child, she had resolved. to hire her into her own house, to look after her own children.

This was Margy's loss, and the captain's wife's also. At first it was Margy's loss, because she had not the money which was intended for her; and it was the family's loss, because they missed of so good and so faithful a servant in the house among the children, which were then very young; but the loss was fully repaired at last.

After some time the captain came home, and brought a vast wealth with him, he had met with great success abroad, and he came home resolved to go no more to sea. But he had withal, the bad news to receive at his coming home that his wife was dead; which was a great affliction to him, she being both a very good wife to him, and a very tender mother to his children.

He had not long considered the circumstances of his family and children, and the want they stood in of a careful, faithful hand to guide and bring them up, but he bethought himself of honest Margy.

He soon found she had been gone some time from the child, and this made him desirous to find her out,—but he could by no means hear whither she was gone. However, that he might have some account of her conduct, and how she had discharged herself of the trust he committed to her, he applied himself to the gentlewoman, the cousin, who, was present when he engaged her, and when he gave her the money to take charge of the child.

He had from her the whole history of the family, and particularly of Margy's behaviour, how careful she had been of the child, and with what good success, as has been said. He also learned from her, that the second sum of money he had sent her, had not been paid, because neither his wife nor she herself could learn whither the maid was gone.

It troubled him exceedingly that he could not hear of her because upon the loss of his wife he had altered bis resolution not going to sea any more, but was greatly concerned whom to leave the government of his children to in his absence; and being not only a tender father, as to their being provided for, but a most religious father, as to their being well instructed, he would have been very glad to have left them in the conduct of such a servant as Margy.

It happened at this juncture, that the captain going by water in a wherry from his ship, which lay about Deptford; the boat accidentally run foul of another boat, in which there was a maid and a child. The maid appeared very much frighted at the accident, and the captain said to her, sweet heart, do not be afraid, there is no danger. She made no answer, being still in some disorder, and particularly afraid for the child that was with her, yet he observed afterwards that she bowed two or three times to him, very respectfully.

The boats being clear, the captain's boat, which was oars, and consequently had two watermen, went before the maid's boat, which was but a sculler; and as he passed by looking at the weuch, he thought he knew her face, but did not call to mind who she was; however, he had not gone far but he recollected his memory, and it came into his thoughts that it must be honest Margy upon which he stopped the boat, and spoke to her, and soon found Margy indeed.

He asked her where she lived, and she told him in the country, not far from Warwick. He asked her, if she had that child in keeping? She said, yes, and two more : that her master, who was a baronet, and his lady, were both at Greenwich,-and she was sent up to their lodging in London with that child, because it was not well. He inquired where her master's lodging was, adding, that he must needs speak with her; and desired her, if she could be spared, to come to his house the next day, and to bring

the gentlewoman with her last spoken of. She told him, she believed she could not be spared so soon, but that the first day she could get leave she would wait on him. And as he was going away she made him a bow, and humbly thanked him for his having been so mindful of her, as to send her money, which, she added, she was no way able to deserve. He told her, part of his business was to inquire what she had done to deserve it; and that though he did not question but she had done her part, yet he wanted the satisfaction of knowing what success she had: then he asked her, how much she had received? She told him five guineas. Well, Margy, said he, but you were to blame not to leave word whither you were gone, for I sent you ten more, but my wife could by no means find you out,— however, says he, it shall not be your loss.

He rowed away again, but could not be satisfied to leave her, till he had talked with her more effectually; so he rowed back a second time, and asked her, if she could not as well be spared now as at another time for half an hour's discourse, or thereabouts; and that being near the place where the gentlewoman lived, if she would land and go thither, he would come to her to the house; she readily agreed to it, and he came accordingly where the following dialogue may give some account of their discourse.

Well, Margy, says the captain, you know whom I . hired you for,-what account can you give of your service?

Marg. Truly, sir, I acknowledge I have but ill deserved

my wages.

Capt. How so, Margy? I hope your little charge did not prove unteachble.

Marg. No indeed, sir; on the contrary, he soon learned more than I was abie to teach him.

Capt. I did not hire you to do more for him than you could, but as much as you could.

Marg, He was able to teach me and all the family before he was 11 years old.

Capt. I expected he would be such a child as never was before; and that was the reason I concerned myself for him, but pray tell me, Margy, give me an account of bim.

Marg. Sir, he has taught religion and good principles to old and young; he has reformed I know not how many children that have been only his play-mates, he has instructed every body; people have come far and near to inquire after him: he has converted his father, confounded his mother, and much reformed two of his sisters,-and yet he is not now 12 years old: and they are not without good reason to believe that his mother, who is surely one of the most hardened and obstinate creatures under the sun, is at a little stand, and checked in her usual course of profaneness by him.

[Here she told him the story of the child's father's change, and of his debate with his mother, upon the subject mentioned.]

Capt. Well, and why then, Margy, do you say you have ill deserved your wages?

Marg. Alas, sir! what is all this to my part? I have no pretence to any share in it; he is taught from heaven, and would have been all that he is now, if he had never seen my face.

Capt. I do not know that, Margy: God works by means; you were his first instructor.

Marg. I could teach him but little, sir,-he is taught of God.

Capt. God has been pleased to bless your teaching, Margy; you should rejoice in that, not disown it,—you taught him his first knowledge of God, and you taught him first to read the word of God.

Marg. If I had not, God would have found instruments, he never wants servants where he has work to do.

Capt. Well, but he appointed you to the work; are you ashamed of your master that employed you?

Marg. No, sir, the Lord forbid,—I am glad I was instrumental to do any good to my little dear master,-sure there never was such a child upon earth.

Capt. Well, Margy I told you 1 would hire you to a good master, and I intended to have paid you your wages better, but you could not be found.

Marg. I have been very well paid, sir, and particularly by you, of whom I deserved nothing; for I had my wages very well paid besides.

Capt. Well, Margy, it is no matter for that, I promised you wages for God too, as I hired you for the work of God; and I sent it you too, but my wife could not find you; but you shall not lose it; here, bear witness that I have paid you your wages, and the Lord reward your labour of love to that poor orphan, for such he was; I say, the Lord give you his blessing, and reward you for it, both here and for

ever.

[He gives her ten guineas, and blesses her heartily.]

Marg. Sir, I neither expected this, nor can I say I have deserved any part of it.

Capt. I think you have fully deserved it, Margy; and may the eternal Judge at the great day, say to you, that for asmuch as you did this to that little one, you did it unto him, and reward you openly.

She bowed in token of her thanks to him,-but could not speak, her heart was so overcome with what he had said to her.

Capt. But Margy, 1 would hire you again in earnest, if you are willing.

Marg. For whom, sir? I have no more little masters like that to instruct.

Capt. But I have Margy, I have two little sons, and two little daughters, and they want their mother.

Marg. How so sir! I believe your lady wants no assistant to that work.

Capt. My wife, Margy, did not want help,-but I want my wife, Margy; God has deprived me of the comfort,