The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, and Other TalesMore, Hannah
General
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, and Other Tales
More, Hannah
Christian life -- Fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction; Short stories
"Betty," said the lady, "I am glad to see you so well disposed, and
will do what I can for you. Your present way of life, to be sure,
exposes you to much danger; but the trade is not unlawful in itself,
and we may please God in any calling, provided it be not a dishonest
one. In this great town there must be barrow-women to sell fruit. Do
you, then, instead of forsaking your business, set a good example to
those in it, and show them, that though a dangerous trade, it need
not be a wicked one. Till Providence points out some safer way of
getting your bread, let your companions see that it is possible to
be good even in this. Your trade being carried on in the open
street, and your fruit bought in an open shop, you are not so much
obliged to keep sinful company as may be thought. Take a garret in
an honest house, to which you may go home in safety at night. I will
give you a bed, and a few necessaries to furnish your room; and I
will also give you a constant Sunday's dinner. A barrow-woman,
blessed be God and our good laws, is as much her own mistress on
Sundays as a duchess; and the church and the Bible are as much open
to her. You may soon learn as much of religion as you are expected
to know. A barrow-woman may pray as heartily morning and night, and
serve God as acceptably all day, while she is carrying on her little
trade, as if she had her whole time to spare.
"To do this well, you must mind the following
RULES FOR RETAIL DEALERS.
"Resist every temptation to cheat.
"Never impose bad goods on false pretenses.
"Never put off bad money for good.
"Never use profane or uncivil language.
"Never swear your goods cost so much, when you know it is false. By
so doing you are guilty of two sins in one breath, a lie and an
oath.
"To break these rules will be your chief temptation. God will mark
how you behave under them, and will reward or punish you
accordingly. These temptations will be as great to you, as higher
trials are to higher people; but you have the same God to look to
for strength to resist them as they have. You must pray to him to
give you this strength. You shall attend a Sunday School, where you
will be taught these good things; and I will promote you as you
shall be found to deserve."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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