CHAP. VII..

Story of the Wanderer returned.

WILLIAM and myself, Sir, are some

"what turned of feventeen; our mothers

are fifters, and became widows when we "were very young.-William's father had "been all his life at fea, and at his death "had nothing to leave his family. My "father was a cutler; and my mother "made fhift to keep on the bufinefs,

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through the kindness of my father's old "mafter, who ftill followed his profeffion

at Tottenham. Thus fhe had more in "her power than my aunt, and I was lazy

many an hour when William laboured;

"for, as long as I can remember, he was

always induftrious; and whatever he "could earn, or was given him, he took "to his mother, whofe only means of life "was working at her needle and knitting. "I was regularly kept to fchool, and fo

"indeed

"indeed was William, but his mother "could not afford to pay; he therefore "worked out the expence, in whatever "the schoolmafter thought fit to employ "him; and made, in a fhort time, fuch

improvement, that there was not a boy "in the whole fchool wrote fo good a "hand; befide, if any body at Edmonton "wanted a trufty lad to do an errand, on any thing particular, they were fure to fay, "Send for William Parker; you ' may trust him with your life.-"

"Indeed, George," interrupted his coufin, blufhing, your story is fo tedious,. "that it makes one afhamed, and will "weary the gentleman."

"I am forry for it," returned George: "but I only spoke truth, as many can tef tify. Nothing material happened until we reached our fourteenth year, when "both our parents wished us to learn fome "bufinefs whereby we might gain a live"lihood: mine, indeed, was fixed, for my "mother was anxious for me to learn my father's, as his cuftomers would also›

"have continued mine-William was wit

་

"nient;

ling to learn whatever was most convebut unfortunately his mother "could pay no premium, fo that he was "not immediately placed. In the mean "time I was apprenticed to my father's old master, now much in years, and who, I "muft honeftly confefs, now I have ex

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perienced the difference, treated me like "his own child. I was however regard

lefs of his kindness, and thought it very "hard to work a few hours in the day; "for I had been accustomed to play and "amuse myself, until I began to feel as if "1 was made for no other purpose; and

frequently faid to my companions, though "I could make no reasonable objection, "that I hated the bufinefs, and would "never learn it: then, if I was fent on the *moft trivial meffage, I was fure to stay

by the way three times as long as was neceffary; fo that by the time I had ferved a quarter of a year, I fincerely "believe, my mafter was heartily tired, "though, for my parents' fake, he bore

"with me. In the mean time, my aunt "was greatly diftreffed to place William,

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when hearing that her late husband's Captain was in town, returned from a foreign station, where he had been long "fixed, fhe determined to take her fon "and confult him; for he had been a good "friend to her husband.-Captain Wells "received her with great kindness, expres"fed his forrow for her lofs, and shook Wil"liam heartily by the hand, faying,' What 'think you, my lad, of your father's profeffion? Boys and men we failed together fiveand-thirty years; drubbed our foes in 6 many an engagement, yet came off with all

6

our limbs, and he died at last in his bed

by neither powder nor ball.'-I have "heard my aunt tell this; and fhe faid fhe "could not forbear replying, God fend,

Sir, when your time comes, you may do the fame; for yours is a perilous • life.” The will of Heaven be done,' "anfwered the Captain: I fear God, and have no other fear; and in whatever shape I am to meet death, I hope it will be

• with

with the fortitude and refignation of a • Chriftian; for, in my gayeft moments, • I have never failed to remember that my life was an uncertain tenure, to be claim-. ⚫ed, perhaps, at a moment's warning.-But what fay you, my boy, to my propofal ? or rather what fays your mother, she must • determine this bufinefs? I never yet.

engaged a lad without the consent of his. parents, nor will I begin now; for a good confcience makes us fail lightly,. but an evil one is a very troublesome companion in a florm; fo I don't choose to be plagued with it."

Good Sir, answered my aunt, this poor boy is now my all.'

Why, then, you should endeavour to make a man of him,' returned he; but I would by no means perfuade you: give this business a week's reflection, ⚫ and let me know the refult. If you truft him to me, I will be his friend; or if

you prefer putting him apprentice, I will

pay his premium, for the fake of his •honeft father.'