Young Grandison, volume 1 (of 2): A series of letters from young persons to their friendsCambon, Madame de (Maria Geertruida van de Werken)
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Young Grandison, volume 1 (of 2): A series of letters from young persons to their friends
Cambon, Madame de (Maria Geertruida van de Werken)
Conduct of life -- Juvenile literature; Epistolary fiction
We were going to a farm-house, not far off, to drink some warm milk.
Edward ran himself out of breath to overtake us. Seeing him running, we
waited for him, thinking that he had obtained leave to go with us. After
we had walked a little way together, we met a boy with a wheel-barrow,
on which there was a barrel of vinegar. He made us a bow. Soon after his
wheel-barrow was turned over, and the vinegar barrel fell out on the
ground. The poor boy was in great distress, for he was not able to lift
the barrel on the wheel-barrow again; and there was nobody near him who
could offer him their assistance. Charles ran to him, Come William, come
Edward, said he, let us help this little boy, we shall all four be able
to put the barrel in the wheel-barrow. Are you foolish, cried Edward? do
you think I would demean myself to such low work? There is no meanness,
replied Charles, in doing a good action. Let us see, said I, we three
are strong enough, it is not very heavy; in short, mama, we placed the
barrel on the barrow—while Edward did nothing but sing, and call us
fools. The little boy was very much obliged to us, and wheeled away.
Fine young gentlemen, said Edward, you will soon be able to wheel a
vinegar barrel. Very well, cousin, answered Charles, laughing, then if
my vinegar barrel was to fall, I should be very thankful to any person
who would help me up with it. Laugh as you will, continued Edward, but
what would your father say, if he was told what you have done? He would
commend Charles, said Emilia, my father is good, he would have done just
the same himself. And I, said Edward, am ashamed of this affair; what
had we to do with that poor boy? Oh! replied Charles, we must not only
be serviceable to others who have need of assistance because it is our
duty; but we must do it to gratify humane feelings, which, my father
says, are in every good heart. I should not have enjoyed the treat we
are going to have, if I had left the boy vainly attempting to replace
his barrel. Besides, that very boy might have it in his power, some time
or other, to assist us; but this is not a motive, a good action is its
own reward.
We had not been many minutes in the farm-house before Edward proposed
sailing in a small boat on a little river near the house. Charles and
Emilia refused, saying, that he knew very well that their father and Dr.
Bartlett had forbid them. But they will not know any thing about it,
replied Edward. Yes, returned Charles, I might conceal it without
telling a positive lie; but I could not meet their eyes in the evening,
nor say my prayers if I had deceived them.
Well then, answered Edward, if you will not go on the water, I will
return home; for I do not find any amusement here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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