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THE VISIT.

IN the afternoon of this day, the children enjoyed a great treat: they had been some time invited to spend an afternoon at a mill, about a mile distant. The miller had lately married Mary, a servant who had lived a long time with Mrs. Johnson, and was very much attached to her and her children; the children were as fond of Mary as she was of them, and they wished much to pay her a visit. The day being very fine, their mamma told them, if they made haste, and got all their lessons done soon and well, she would take them, in the afternoon, to the mill; and she sent a servant to ask Mary if t would be quite convenient for hem to receive her and

the children. Mary Atkins returned answer, that she would be delighted to see them all; and, accordingly, immediately after dinner, they set out for the mill. They found Atkins and his wife seated on a bench at the door, as clean and neat as possible. As soon as Mary saw her young favourites, she laid down her knitting, and ran to meet them. She kissed them again and again, and assured Mrs. Johnson she had given her great pleasure, by coming to visit her little dwelling.

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When they entered the cottage, which joined the mill, they were delighted with its nice appearance. A large oak table, and the seat of the window, were rubbed as bright as a looking-glass; and on the hearth stood a large jar, filled with roses and woodbines, which perfumed the room most delightfully. They also

perceived another pleasant smell, different from the scent of the rose. Mary Atkins presently shewed what occasioned this agreeable smell,— and, as soon as they were seated, she opened a neat little corner-cupboard, and produced a large dish of strawberries, saying, she had just gathered them out of her little garden, hoping her mistress (as she still called Mrs. Johnson) and the children would find them refreshing after their walk, such a hot day. She then drew a table before them, and placed the strawberries on it, and a jug full of nice cream, a bason of sugar, and some plates and tea-spoons. The strawberries were a most delicious treat,—and 'Mary's kindness made it still more grateful. When they had made an end of the strawberries, Mr. Atkins requested Mrs. Johnson would allow

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the children to go with him to the mill, assuring her he would take all proper care of them, and saying, he was sure they would be gratified with the sight of the mill. Mrs. Johnson very readily consented to let the children go, but she charged them to mind all Mr. Atkins said to them, observing, that a mill was rather a dangerous place, if people were not careful to avoid the wheels, which turn round with great force. She had heard of many sad accidents happening to children and heedless persons, in consequence of want of proper care and attention. The children promised to attend strictly to Mr. Atkins; and he said his man should take charge of Frederic, and he would take care of Lucy. Mrs. Johnson knew that her children always kept their promises: therefore, when they said they would

attend strictly to Mr. Atkins, she felt quite satisfied; and told them she would not go with them, as she had seen a mill several times, and now wanted to talk to Mary about some spinning. The mill was a water-mill; and the children were astonished to see the great wheel, which was turned by the force of water, cause so many more wheels to turn, and put the whole work in motion. They saw, first, how a sack of corn was drawn up by a until it was raised over a square box, called a hopper; this box had a round hole in the bottom, and a small pipe, similar to a funnel, through which the corn gradually fell between two large, flat, heavy stones, which, being turned round very quickly, bruised the grains of corn into a fine powder; and, when it became a powder, it again fell,

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