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was undone. He told Charles the whole affair was just what people of common sense call a fool-trap, to catch silly boys.

14. "The man is rich," said Jack, "who does his duty to those around him, so as to maintain a good character, and support himself by his own fair earnings. All your schemes to get money without sober industry, will only make you contemptible, and end in disappointment."

15. Charles said he was of a different opinion, and did not want such a little fellow to preach to him.

16. "You will sing a different tune," said he," when you see me fetch home the bags of chink, and the bundles of bank notes for my prize. I intend, if I live, to make some figure, like Major Sturgeon, and young Mr. Splash. Now the people don't know who I am, nor take notice of me. If I get rich, and show out in a proper way, they will make bows to me, and want to stop and shake hands, as I walk along the streets.”

17. "Yes," said Jack, "but if you live long enough, you will find that bows made to rich men, are not always bows of true respect."

18. At last the trying time came, and it was found that, by some totally unexpected turning of the wheel, Charles had unluckily drawn another blank, and lost his insurance money into the bargain; but the lottery dealers said this was a mere trifle, and he had no reason to complain, seeing he had come so very near getting four hundred dollars; with a pretty good prospect of twenty thousand.

19. When their uncle Jacob found in what a silly manner Charles, and his own son, had spent their money, he was highly offended. He told the boys, that useful business, well followed, is the only solid wealth for individuals or nations. "In all places," said he, "the best men are those who have raised themselves by their own merit,

20. "The silver and gold mines of America made Spain poor, because they made the people proud and lazy. But lotteries are the disgrace of a free country; a broad scheme of gambling, fraud, and falsehood, under another name; the poisoned bait to lure children and fools to destruction; and every good citizen is bound to use his influence against them."

Questions-Did the silver and gold mines of America, which the Spaniards discovered, enrich or impoverish them? Why? What did uncle Jacob say was the only solid wealth? Who did he say are the best men? What is said in Prov. xvi. 33, about the lot?

LESSON XXXV.

Health preferable to Riches.

1. LITTLE Martin was a poor boy, who gained his living by going on errands. One day, as he was returning from a village very far from his own, he found himself much fa tigued; and, sitting down at the door of the little inn, he procured a small glass of beer, and a piece of bread.

2. While he was taking this humble refreshment, a young gentleman and his tutor stopped in a carriage at the door of the inn. They were elegantly dressed, and followed by servants on horseback.

3. The inn-keeper immediately came to the door, and asked if the travellers would do him the honor of alighting. This, however, they declined; and, without getting out of the carriage, they regaled themselves on part of a cold fowl and some wine and water, which were brought to them in an instant.

4. Martin, having now finished his little repast, fixed his eyes upon them with much attention, and looked as if he would say, "Those gentlemen are making a very good dinner, and I have had a very bad one."

5. The tutor, having accidentally cast his eyes upon little Martin, guessed his thoughts, and said to his pupil, “Look, how that little boy's eyes are fixed upon us! I imagine that he says within himself, 'I wish I were in that young gentleman's place.'

6. "Well," said the youth, who, though extremely unwell, was of a gay temper, "let us make the proposition, for a moment, of changing places with me."

7. The tutor immediately beckoned Martin to the carriage, and said to him, " Seeing how attentively you look at this young gentleman, it appears to me, my little friend, you would like to be in his place. Will you change with him?"

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8. "Ah, sir," replied Martin, " you are in jest; but, if the young gentleman be willing, it shall soon be done. Ah, ha! what a gainer I shall be by my journey! Our neigh bors will be confounded, when they see me return home this evening in a fine carriage!"

9. "I take you at your word," said the young gentleman; "I am going to resign to you my carriage and my horses.

And I engage to give you every thing that you have not; provided that you, on the other hand, give me every thing that you have, and that I want."

10. Martin having agreed to these conditions, the young traveller called his servants, and desired them to assist him in getting out of his carriage. Alas, what a sight! The legs of the amiable invalid were completely crooked, and incapable of supporting him. He was therefore obliged to be held by the servants till crutches were brought, on which he propped himself.

11. " Now," said he to little Martin, "have you still an inclination to change with me?"

12. "O dear, no, sir! I have no such wish," cried Martin, retreating from one who no longer excited his envy. "No, I do not wish to change. The health which I enjoy, and the use of my limbs, are of more value than any thing you can give me. I had rather eat my dry bread, and not want any body to help me to walk; and I had rather be without poultry and wine, than be carried like an image. Good afternoon, sir," added he, and immediately ran homeward.

13. "You are right," cried the young gentleman; “if you could only give me your legs, I would cheerfully strip myself of all that I possess in the world, to give you in return."

14. So true it is, that a poor person, with a good constitution, and well made, enjoys more true happiness than the most wealthy individual, who is a stranger to the blessings of health and strength. It must, therefore, be acknowledged hat health is preferable to riches.

LESSON XXXVI.

The Power of Conscience.

1. A JEWELLER, a man of good character and considerable wealth, having occasion, in the way of his business, to travel at some distance from the place of his abode, took along with him a servant, in order to take care of his partmanteau. He had with him some of his best jewels, and a large sum of money, to which his servant was likewise privy.

2. The master having occasion to dismount on the road, the servant, watching his opportunity, took a pistol from

his master's saddle, and shot him dead on the spot; then rifled him of his jewels and money, and, hanging a large stone to his neck, he threw him into the nearest canal.

3. With this booty, he made off to a distant part of the country, where he had reason to believe that neither he nor his master was known. There he began to trade in a very low way at first, that his obscurity might screen him from observation, and, in the course of a good many years, seemed to rise by natural progress of business into wealth and consideration; so that his good fortune appeared at once the effect and reward of industry and virtue.

4. Of these he counterfeited the appearance so well, that he grew into great credit, married into a good family, and, by laying out his sudden stores discreetly, as he saw occasion, and joining to all an universal affability, he was admitted to a share of the government of the town, and rose from one post to another, till at length he was chosen chief magistrate.

5. In this office he maintained a fair character, and continued to fill it with no small applause, both as a governor and judge; till one day, as he sat upon the bench with some of his brethren, a criminal was brought before him, who was accused of murdering his master.

6. The evidence came out full, the jury brought in their verdict that the prisoner was guilty, and the whole assembly waited the sentence of the president of the court (which he happened to be that day) with great suspense.

7. Meanwhile he appeared to be in unusual disorder and agitation of mind; his color changed often, and at length he arose from his seat, and coming down from the bench, placed himself just by the unfortunate man at the bar, to the no small astonishment of all present.

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8. "You see before you," said he, addressing himself to those who had sat on the bench with him, a striking instance of the just awards of Heaven, which, this day, after thirty years' concealment, presents to you a greater criminal than the man just now found guilty."

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9. He then made an ample confession of his guilt, and of all the aggravations of his crime. "Nor can I feel," continued he, any relief from the agonies of an awakened conscience, but by requiring that justice be forthwith done against me in the most public and solemn manner."

10. We may easily suppose the amazement of all the as

sembly, and especially of his fellow judges. However, they proceeded, upon his confession, to pass sentence upon him; and he died with all the symptoms of a penitent mind.

Questions.-Will the recollection of our past misconduct often arise to trouble us? What is that faculty of the mind called which remembers? What does the Bible say, Job, xv. 21, about the person who has committed crimes?

LESSON XXXVII.

The Twins.

1. DURING the period of the war of the revolution, there resided, in the western part of Massachusetts, a farmer by the name of Stedman. He was a man of substance, descended from a very respectable English family, well educated, distinguished for great firmness of character in general, and alike remarkable for inflexible integrity and steadfast loyalty to his king. Such was the reputation he sustained, that, even when the most violent antipathies against royalism swayed the community, it was still admitted on all hands, that farmer Stedman, though a tory, was honest in his opinions, and firmly believed them to be right.

2. The period came when Burgoyne was advancing from the north. It was a time of great anxiety with both the friends and foes of the revolution, and one which called forth their highest exertions. The patriotic militia flocked to the standard of Gates and Stark, while many of the tories resorted to the quarters of Burgoyne and Baum. Among the latter was Stedman. He had no sooner decided it to be his duty, than he took a kind farewell of his wife, a woman of uncommon beauty, gave his children, a twin boy and girl, a long embrace, then mounted his horse and departed.

3. He joined himself to the unfortunate expediti Baum, and was taken, with other prisoners of war, victorious Stark. He made no attempt to conceal his or character, which were both soon discovered, and he accordingly committed to prison as a traitor. The gaol L which he was confined, was in the western part of Massachusetts, and nearly in a ruinous condition. The farmer was one night waked from his sleep by several persons in his room. 66 Come," said they, "you can now regain your

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