been taken as soon as it had answered the end for which it had been lighted, that of boiling their potatoes. Over the chimney stood an old fashioned broad bright candlestick, and a still brighter spit; it was pretty clear that this was kept rather for ornament than use. An old carved elbow-chair, and a chest of the same date which stood in the corner, were considered as the most valuable part of the shepherd's goods, having been in his family for three generations. But all these were lightly esteemed by him, in comparison of another possession, which added to the above, made up the whole of what he had inherited from his father; and which last he would not have parted with, if no other could have been had, for a king's ransom: this was a large old Bible, which lay on the window seat, neatly covered with brown cloth, variously patched. This sacred book was most reverently preserved from dog's ears, dirt, and every other injury but such as time and much use had made it suffer in spite of care. On the clean white walls was pasted a hymn on the crucifixion of our Sa

viour, a print of the prodigal son, the shepherd's hymn, and a New History of a True Book.

After the first salutations were over, Mr. Johnson said, that if they would go on quietly with their dinner he would sit down Though a good deal ashamed, they thought it more respectful to obey the gentleman, who having cast his eye on their slender provisions, gently rebuked the shepherd for not having indulged himself, as it was Sunday, with a morsel of bacon to relish his potatoes. The shepherd said nothing, but poor Mary coloured, and hung down her head, saying, "indeed, sir, it is not my fault, I did beg my husband to allow himself a bit of meat to-day out of your honour's bounty; but he was too good to do it, and it is all for my sake." The shepherd seemed unwilling to come to an explanation, but Mr. Johnson desired Mary to go on. So she continued, "you must know, sir, that both of us next to a sin, dread a debt, and indeed in some cases a debt is a sin; but with all our care and pains we have never been able quite to pay

off the Doctor's bill, for that bad fit of the rheumatism which I had last winter. Now when you were pleased to give my husband that kind present the other day, I heartily desired him to buy a bit of meat for Sunday, as I said before, that he might have a little refreshment for himself out of your kindness. But answered he, Mary, it is never out of my mind long together that we still owe a few shillings to the Doctor, (and thank God it is all we did owe in this world.) Now if I carry him this money directly it will not only show him our honesty and our good will, but it will be an encouragement to him to come to you another time in case you should be taken once more in such a bad fit; for I must own, added my poor husband, that the thought of your being so terribly ill without any help is the only misfortune that I wan+ courage to face."

1

Here the grateful woman's tears ran down so fast that she could not go on. She wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron, and humbly begged pardon for making so free. "Indeed, sir," said the shepherd, "though

my wife is full as unwilling to be in debt as myself, yet I could hardly prevail on her to consent to my paying this money just then, because she said it was hard I should not have a taste of the gentleman's bounty myBut, for once, sir, I would have my

self.

own way.

For you must know, as I pass the best part of my time alone, tending my sheep, 'tis a great point with me, sir, to get comfortable matter for my own thoughts; so that it is rather self interest in me to allow myself in no pleasures and no practices that won't bear thinking on over and over. For when one is a good deal alone you know, sir, all one's bad deeds do so rush in upon one, as I may say, and so torment one, that there is no true comfort to be had but in keeping clear of wrong doings, and false pleasures; and that I suppose may be one reason why so many folks hate to stay a bit by them-selves. But as I was saying-when I came to think the matter over on the hill yonder, said I to myself, a good dinner is a good thing I grant, and yet it will be but cold comfort to me a week after to be able to say

-to be sure I had a nice shoulder of mutton last Sunday for dinner, thanks to the good gentleman, but then I am in debt-I had a rare dinner, that's certain, but the pleasure of that has long been over and the debt still remains. I have spent the crown, and now if any poor wife should be taken in one of those fits again, die she must, unless God work a miracle to prevent it, for I can get no help for her. This thought settled all; and I set of directly and paid the crown to the doctor with as much cheerfulness as I should have felt on sitting down at the fattest shoulder of mutton that ever was roasted. And if I was contented at the time, think how much more happy I have been at the remembrance! O sir, there are no pleasures worth the name but such as bring no plague or penitence after them.”

Mr. Johnson was satisfied with the shepherd's reasons; and agreed, that though a good dinner was not to be despised, yet it was not worthy to be compared with a contented mind, which (as the Bible truly says) is a continual feast." "But come," said