fifty, but, although a shopkeeper for so many years, never obtained any knowledge of ciphering, much less writing; yet, in the whole course of that time, never had a dispute as to the accuracy of her accounts. By a method which she taught herself, she was enabled to reckon with facility, and even to register her transactions, so as to enable her to convey the necessary information to her employers, to whom she regularly carried that, and the day-book every night, and never permitted any circumstance to excuse them from entering it; being, in this particular, as pertinacious in obtaining attention, as in every other, she was found modest, retiring, and submissive, at once a humble servant, and yet an unwearied benefactor, as many now living can testify. Poor thing! how happy was it for her, that, when all the labours of her long life were over, she could find such pleasure in reading; books of travels were her principal delight, which, probably, arose from the interest she took in every thing relative to me; but much higher were the comforts she derived from studying the New Testament, and reading such tracts of divinity as lift the heart to heaven, through the mediation of the Redeemer: ah! how truly might it be said, we took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends.'" The sergeant arose, and took several turns in the room, before he could subdue the emotion, the remembrance of his sister naturally excited; but when William observed, that his wonted resignation to the divine will (and the calm hope of a happy re-union, which was the food of comfort to his mind,) had regained its power, he pressed upon him his ardent wishes, that he would remove to his place of residence, and seek, in the affectionate society of Betsy and himself, a poor substitute for the excellent companion of "'Tis true," said William, "you will have a great loss of your good friend and invaluable minister, Mr. G, but our rector is also a very good man; and, though we have not so many nice churches as you have here, yet we have preaching very near us, and now and then, it is very good, I assure you." "I doubt not it is, and now and then I shall be happy to hear it; for God forbid that I should dare to despise that which he has, in many instances, evidently blessed; but if I come amongst you, William, I must insist upon it, that I have perfect liberty to do as I please in this respect, that I am neither way-laid, exhorted, reproached, or tormented in any way, by the good people about you; no not even by Elizabeth herself." "She is the last person living, who would think of such a thing. Oh no! her humility is genuine, not affected; besides she is a constant church-woman herself. I don't know one person who would think of lecturing you, unless it was Susan Humphries, and she is now leaving the country." On further enquiry, as the good sergeant found, that Mr. Humphries was likely to be admitted soon to fill that place as a round preacher, which the ambition of his wife had so long desired, he consented that whenever two people removed, whom he considered as the only impediments to his comforts and liberty of action, he would once more change his abode, and seek, in the evening of his days, for those childlike attentions, and duteous cares, which the warm heart of William so evidently accorded him; and delighted with this promise, the young man departed. CHAP. XV, The broken soldier kindly bade to stay, Talk'd o'er his wounds, with tales of battle done, Shoulder'd his crutch, and show'd how fields were won. GOLDSMITH. WHEN William presented himself at Elizabeth's cottage, the joyful welcome with which he was received, and the events he related, were listened to with a sympathy which exceeded even that so lately accorded to Charles. Betty with characteristic piety, observed that," she thought that his erring parent, of the two, came to a better end than the rich sin ner had done," but, observing, that on this subject, William could not take the comfort she wished to bestow, with her |