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we were all silent. I at length recovered myself, and observed that we had had for many years a large share of outward comforts, for which we should be thankful, and that if it were the will of Providence that we should be poor in our old age, I hoped we would be resigned. Here my son informed me, that he had called for his brother on his way to us, and that they had agreed to make up a sum between them that would nearly amount to the interest of what I had lost; but I told him that I could not think of being any way burdensome to my children at present, as I was still able to work for my bread. You may lay by, however, I said, what you think you can spare. In that case you will be the better able to help your mother and me, at a time, when perhaps we shall be needful; and if not, it will be at any rate useful to yourselves. My second son and my two daughters came to see us next day, and renewed the offer which their elder brother had made. I repeated to them what I said to him; yet I cannot say but that this affectionate behaviour of our children was very pleasant to us amidst our losses.

As our means were now considerably reduced, both my wife and I thought it prudent to diminish our expenses as much as we could. The house we were then in we thought larger than was necessary for us, so we took this cottage, which at that time happened to be empty, and sold what furniture we could spare. After changing our situation I continued to labonr for several years, and I have reason to be thankful, that though I was not so strong as I had been, I enjoyed good health, and was able, with my wife's aid, to maintain her and myself very comfortably. At length, however, my strength failed. I had been subject to a rheumatism,

which gradually increased upon me, and laid me aside from my work. I must own, that it was with a heavy heart I came home from my labour for the last time, yet it has been a great comfort for me to reflect, that as long as Providence granted me ability, I never was a burden to any one. I now found it necessary to apply to my children. I sent for my youngest son, who was still unmarried, and who lived at no great distance.

He im

mediately came, and I mentioned to him my situation. Robert, said 1, I am thankful that my children have been always ready to assist me when they thought me in need, but I was unwilling to lay any burden upon them as long as I could maintain myself. But you see am now old and infirm, and am under the necessity of asking their aid. Your mother and I must look to you for support, I fear, during the remainder of our old age. My son, sir, is a worthy tender-hearted young man. He took me by the hand, and with tears in his eyes, said, My mother and you shall never want as long as I have strength in my arms to work for you. I will not trouble you, sir, with all that passed. My eldest son pays my house rent, and sends from time to time, according as he is able, such articles as he thinks may be useful to us; and my other children, for they are all equally dutiful, bring to me regularly at each term what they can save from their wages. In this manner we have now lived for two years. My wife spins and takes care of our household matters; and I mend a shoe, or knit a pair of stockings; and, when the weather is good, I work in my little garden, and though we are now dependant, we are comfortable, and I hope contented.

After hearing the old man's account of his life, some farther conversation passed between Mr. Edwards and

him, in which the former spoke of the Bible which he had seen lying open when he came into the cottage. The old man informed him that a great part of his time was now employed in reading that sacred book. I am thankful, he added, that my parents had me taught to read, for it is my chief consolation in old age. Often in in the evenings, when we are seated at our little fire, while my wife listens, I read the word of God. We have trusted in him through life, and have humbly endeavoured to do his will in our station; and now that our end is drawing near, it is very pleasant to think of his gracious promises.

He

As the storm had now considerably abated, Mr Edwards took leave of the cottager, expressing his regard for him, and urging his acceptance of a small token of gratitude for the civility which he had experienced. felt himself much interested in the history which he had just heard, and retained ever after a warm attachment to this humble but worthy family. He seldom passed through that part of the country without calling at the cottage to enquire after the welfare of the good old couple. He was himself by no means wealthy, being the proprietor of a small estate, and having a numerous family to maintain, but he embraced every opportunity of doing such acts of kindness to the old man and his children, as were either in his power, or as he thought they would be willing to receive.

The old man lived about four years after the adventure we have been relating, passing his time in the same humble contented manner. He had still the comfort of Being all his children doing well in their stations. During his last illness, he often spoke of this with pleasure, and mentioned how thankful he was at the prospect of

leaving

leaving his widow to the care of those who would be both able and willing to maintain her.

When he found his end approaching, he called his children to his bedside, to leave with them his last instructions. He exhorted them to continue sober and industrious. This, he said, would not secure them from misfortune. It was, however, the most likely way of prospering even in the world; but should that not be the case, they would still have the comfort of reflecting that they had done their duty. He told them, if they wished peace through life, and peace at the last, to wrong no one, to despise the wretched gains of dishonesty, to live in harmony with one another, and to be affectionate to their mother. And oh my children, he added, be sincere Christians. I cannot complain of my lot. Far from it. I have had a large share of temporal mercies. But often my heart would have sunk within me, if I had not been supported by the comforts of religion. I would not exchange for all that the world can give, the hope which I now have of laying down my head in peace. He then took farewell of them all, saying, that he was going where he trusted they would soon meet again, never to be separated any more. He lived only a few hours after this, during which he suffered considerable pain, but bore it with patience. His wife sat by his bed side, watching his last moments. About four o'clock in the morning, he took her by the hand, gently pressed it, and soon after resigned his breath.

ANON.

A Remedy for Discontent;

OR,

THE HAPPY OLD WOMAN AT DRAPER'S.

(From Keate's Sketches from Nature.)

Lovely, lasting PEACE OF MIND!
Sweet delight of human kind,
What happy region does thee please
To make the seat of calms and ease?
'Twas thus, as under shade I stood,
I sung my wishes to the wood,
It seem'd as all the quiet place,
Confess'd the presence of the Grace;
When thus she spoke :-" Go rule thy will,
"Bid thy wild passions all be still;
"Know GOD, and bring thy heart to know
"The joys which from RELIGION flow;
"Then every Grace shall prove its guest
"And I'll be there to crown the rest.".

PARNELL

A TRAVELLER should think nothing below his notice. -Every scene of life is a picture, whereof some part, or other is worth his attention.-The pencil of the Great Creator hath spread before us an eternal variety in his compositions; nor charmed us more with the sublimity of design, and the splendid colouring of some pieces, than by the modest tints and unaffected truths, by which he often wins our eyes to less distinguished subjects.—

The ladies, the other day after dinner at Clermont's, proposed that we should drink tea at Draper's; Amelia having in her walks, found among the women who inhabit that foundation, a person whom she remembered for a long course of years servant to an old lady of her acquaintance.

My reader should be informed, that DRAPER's is a charity instituted the beginning of this century by a

Quaker.

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