Susanna Moodie

“ I only feel for poor George; and, in contemplating his sufferings, such trifles are disregarded by me.”
“Dear Josiah, the longer I know you, the more I esteem and love you,” [57] cried Henry, warmly pressing the young Quaker’s hand. “You have performed a great and noble action to-day; you almost make me guilty of that wicked passion, envy, for I wish this day I was Josiah Shirley!”
The gentle boy shook his head. “Do not flatter me, Henry; I have not merited such praise for performing a mere act of duty, which we all owe to each other. ”

“ The mischievous pranks he had hitherto played had been more the result of violent and uncontrolled spirits,—the hasty flashings of an impetuous temper, than any actual wish to commit crime: they had been performed in the day, in the sight of the injured; but he was now going to steal out like a thief in the night, to commit a vile and premeditated act of malice.
The better feelings of his heart strongly urged him to recede; but the idea of being laughed at by his wicked companion overcame the scruples of conscience, when he heard his rough voice grumble beneath the window. ”

“ The face of Josiah Shirley glowed with indignation, as, turning his eyes on the sordid wretch, he sternly replied—
“Daniel Simpson, I will spare thee so great a crime. That heart must be hard indeed, that, for the sake of a few paltry pieces of silver, would yield up an erring fellow-creature. Go! I neither want such advice or assistance.”
As Josiah finished speaking, his foot struck against something in the path, and, on stooping to pick it up, it proved to be the poor Irishman’s hatchet. ”

“ It was not that Simpson was afraid of doing this cruel piece of mischief by himself, that he insisted on George Hope’s accompanying him, but he knew it would place the unfortunate youth so completely in his power, that he could from that moment fearlessly defraud him of his pocket-money, by basely threatening to inform Mr. Hope of his son’s depravity; and he was too good a judge of human nature to fear that such a boy as George would ever have resolution to own his transgression.
[22] How carefully ought young people to guard against the gratification of evil passions ”

“ He paused, expecting George to make some answer; but the sullen boy hung down his head in obstinate silence; whilst Josiah, still hoping to convince him of the error of his ways, continued:—
“George, I once more entreat thee to take my advice: forsake these idle pursuits, which must end in shame and misery; whilst every effort made towards self-improvement will be crowned with the blessings and esteem of a worthy parent, and the approval of thine own conscience. ”

“ Then casting his eyes to the ground, in faltering accents, he continued—
“Josiah, you suspected that poor Irishman of having broken your trees. The dear, honest creature is innocent. I was the perpetrator, in conjunction with that wretched Simpson.”
Josiah started back, whilst the surprise he felt was strongly marked on his countenance.
“Thee, George Hope! Oh, poor Lary, how basely I have injured him.”
“Oh, do not—do not say so!” cried George, weeping bitterly. “I only am to blame. Ah, Josiah! dear good Josiah! ”

“ A bed of sickness brings an awful picture before our eyes. When George comes to reflect on his late providential escape from death, his heart will soften, and he will remember his past conduct with feelings of painful regret ”

“ It is always dangerous to listen to the advice of those whose education and pursuits are greatly beneath us; or to make confidants and companions of servants. Their offers of service to a young man, against the wishes of his parent, cannot be sincere; if they will deceive their master, think not they will spare his son; but, taking advantage of his weakness, they will not only render him a tool to their own vices, but too often prove his final ruin.
By nature, George Hope possessed good abilities ”

“ Come, let us play in their meadow, if it is only to spite that sly-faced hypocrite, Josiah.”
“It will certainly be good sport,” replied William, “to see the geese waddle and scream, flapping their wide [10] wings, which look exactly like young broadbrim’s hat.”
George laughed heartily at this sally. “Yes! yes! William, Master Graveairs dare not fight, if he can scold; so make no more scruples, but follow your leader:” and, with the greatest dexterity, climbing over the pales, these wicked boys safely descended into Mrs. Shirley’s meadow. ”

“ Most sincerely did George promise amendment for the future; and Josiah was not backward in assisting him in the arduous task of self-improvement.
Whilst watching by his sick pillow, for George was confined to his bed many weeks, Shirley read to him passages from the best of our moral works, and daily portions of the divine gospels, whilst, in his simple language, he set before him the dreadful consequences which generally followed disobedience to parents, and keeping company with vicious people.
Every day added to young Hope’s mental improvement ”

“ He turned his eyes from one to the other, and looked [47] like a person just awakened out of sleep, who as yet scarcely knew whether the objects that met his eyes were real or imaginary; till, turning to his son, in a voice trembling with passion, he said:—
“Roderick, if you have stolen the gentleman’s rabbits, I will beat you severely!”
“Hold, friend!” cried Josiah, stepping in between the enraged Irishman and his son, “remember thy own offence, and calm this unreasonable passion:” then turning to the boy, he said,—“Roderick, how came thee by that rabbit?” ”

“ What language can describe the horror [78] they felt, when, on turning the projection of the lane, they beheld the mangled body of Daniel Simpson, lying dead across the path.
This wretched young man had stayed drinking late at the fair; and, returning home in a taxed cart, in a state of intoxication, the horse took fright, and, turning suddenly down this narrow lane, Simpson lost his balance, and fell out of the cart, with violence to the ground; and, the wheel going over his head, he was killed on the spot. ”

“ This last speech overcame young Hope’s remaining scruples; the idea of not being thought a fine fellow extinguished the remaining spark of virtue in his bosom: and with affected gaiety he said—
“Simpson, you are a clever fellow, but how shall we be able to steal unobserved out of the house?”
“Oh! that is the easiest part of the [21] business,” said Dan, “particularly as you have an apartment to yourself. After the family are in bed, I will raise a ladder against your window; and, when I throw a pebble against the sash, you must dress yourself, and come down directly. ”

“ The burning blush of shame, for a few moments, suffused the countenance of the misguided youth; he bit his lips, and remained for some time silent, till, fearing that Simpson would realize his threat, he used the most abject submission, to hinder him from betraying his wicked schemes to his father; nor would the artful servant pacify his apprehensions, till he had succeeded in frightening him out of every sixpence of pocket-money he was worth.
“Well, Master George,” said the groom, “I have hit upon a notable piece of [18] mischief; but I cannot put it into execution without your assistance.” ”

“ Josiah accepted his submission; and, [46] after a long lecture on the ill effects of drinking, he said:—
“And now, friend Lary, I would thank thee to restore my cousin Rachel’s rabbits, which I suppose thee took by mistake last night.”
“Rabbits!” exclaimed both the inhabitants of the cottage at once. “Master Shirley, we have seen no rabbits.”
“It is useless to deny the fact,” said Josiah; “I saw them just now with my own eyes, in thy son Roderick’s arms.”
“Saving your honour’s presence, then your two little eyes must have seen a great story!” cried Pat, colouring deeply. ”

“ But to return to Josiah Shirley; when [53] he beheld the pale ghastly countenance of the youth for whose life he had so nobly risked his own, the first idea that entered his mind was that George had already paid the debt of nature, and, turning to Lary, in a hurried voice, he said—
“Oh, Patrick! he does not breathe or move! I fear he is quite dead!”
“I doubt, Master Shirley,” said Lary, as he raised the body in his arms, “he is quite gone: his poor father will be distracted at his loss; for, in spite of his faults, ’tis a fine youth.” ”

“ With the sun, the wild tribes of nature awake to adore the goodness of their Creator; whilst the children of men, on whom he has conferred the greatest marks of his divine favour,—who, in intellectual endowments, so far surpass the animals round them, are often the last of all his creatures to leave a state of indolent ease, to return him thanks for the blessings he has bestowed on them. ”

“ They see him, it is true, in the height of his power; but, at his uprising, the air is filled with harmonious sounds, the insect tribes are on the wing, and unite their feeble voice in the universal notes of praise. ”

“ Though Simpson merited his death, remember that God is merciful, and all-sufficient to save.”
“Oh, Josiah! I, too, have merited death!” exclaimed the agitated George, burying his face in Shirley’s bosom, and giving way to a fresh burst of grief.
[80] “We are all liable to err, George, and merit death every hour in the day, if it were only for our vile ingratitude to that great and munificent Being from whom we received the principles of our existence, and upon whose bounty we depend from day to day. We cannot be saved by our own righteousness ”

“ Lary, though a good-natured, hard-working fellow, had one great vice, which was being too fond of strong drink; and [24] often, when the labour of the day was over, Paddy would go to the village, and set in the public houses; and, when betrayed in liquor, he would swear, and play a thousand mad pranks on those around, and often had money to pay for the windows he broke coming home; and, though he was very sorry the next day, when sober, for the mischief he had done the preceding evening, he had not resolution enough to avoid the cause. ”

“ He would have thrown himself at his feet, but the noble boy prevented him, by raising him in his arms.
[82] “Indeed, George, I did not suspect thee of such a crime; but I forgive thee, from my very heart. But poor Lary! I cannot pardon myself for having suspected him, without being certain of his guilt; and then the circumstance of the hatchet being found in the garden, and Rachel’s rabbits being in his son’s possession—how could all that come about?”
“Oh, Josiah!” replied George, “the more I reveal of this dreadful business, the more shocking it will appear ”

“ On hearing the name of the visitor, Lary staggered up, and begged Josiah to be seated.
“No, Patrick,” replied Josiah, “as my [43] business is one of a very unpleasant nature, I prefer standing.”
“With all humility, I suppose, Master Shirley,” said Pat, striving to be facetious; “but please yourself, you are a dear, good young gentleman, and must have your own way;” and, unable to keep his legs any longer, Lary sunk down, a dead weight, into his seat.
“But what do you want with Pat Lary, Master Shirley; some job in the garden, I suppose?” ”

“ Daddy says every thing we find we may have, and I found these rabbits.”
“My little fellow,” said Josiah, as he took the animal out of his arms, “never appropriate property that does not belong to thee, without first diligently inquiring to whom it may appertain; for, though [48] certainly it is not so bad as stealing, it falls little short of the same crime.”
Then earnestly entreating Lary to abstain from drink and bad company, he took his leave, firmly persuaded in his own mind, that the Irishman was the author of the mischief. ”

“ Dan Simpson happened to be passing at the very moment George fell into the pond; and, on Henry West imploring him to come and rescue his unfortunate young master from a watery grave, he had the brutality to reply:—
“No! no! Master West, I am not such a fool as to risk my life for any one, much less for George Hope; but here comes Lary with a rope, who will do the job much better than I.”
“Unfeeling man!” exclaimed Henry, turning indignantly away; “you may one day know what it is to perish for want of assistance.”
The little Quaker plunges in the water to save George from drowning. p. 52. ”

“ Josiah comforted his cousin, and at length succeeded in mastering his own feelings.
“I know to repine is useless,” he said; “time and industry will repair my loss; and, though I feel it now severely, it may [34] in the end be for the best: for I own I was too proud and too fond of my garden; and often dedicated hours to that, which I might have employed more profitably in study.”
As he ceased speaking, Dan Simpson passed; and, putting his head over the pales, said in a careless manner—
“A fine morning for your work, Master Shirley! You are determined the sun shall never call you lay-a-bed.” ”

“ Josiah felt grieved at the poor woman’s panegyric, when he remembered the cause of his visit, and was almost inclined not to proceed in the business; but the hope of persuading Lary to renounce his evil [42] habit of drinking induced him to conquer his reluctance, and he silently followed Mrs. Lary into the cottage.
The first object that met Josiah’s eyes, on entering the room, was the Irishman, seated on a low stool by the fire, with his head bound up with a red handkerchief, and resting on his hands, which bandage served partly to conceal two black eyes he had received at the fair. ”