91. The driver, who was equally pleased with the generosity of James, and the gratitude of the soldier, consented to take them both into the cart, and they rode on together.

92. On their way, the soldier informed James, that when they last parted, he was going fifty miles the contrary way, in pursuit of an old captain, under whom he had formerly served, to procure a recommendation to Greenwich hospital; but that, on his way, he was informed that his old commander had removed to another part of the country, to which he was now go. ing.

93. The soldier said further, that being on his way, the honest driver, in compassion to his infirmities, had offered to give him a lift as far as he went with his cart, and he added, that he thought himself doubly indebted to him for the same service to his little friend.

94. Nor was this all; the poor fellow's purse had been recruited since he left James, and he now positively insisted upon dividing it with him. "Well, thought James, a good turn is never lost 1 assisted this poor soldier in his necessity; and now, when I least expected it, he has rendered me a service far greater."

95. Happily for James, the driver was going within a mile of the town where the Mayor lived, for he was so completely worn out with fatigue, that this last twenty miles seemed more to him than all that he had travelled before. The hour of parting being come, James, after expressing his hearty thanks to the driver, and the generous soldier, took a friendly

leave of them, and proceeded to the town where the Mayor lived.

96. Having inquired out the house, and with difficulty obtained admittance, on account of the shabbiness of his appearance, he produced the leathern purse which contained the forty crowns, and delivered them, in the name of the pedlar to the Mayor.

97. The Mayor, who during ten years, had heard no tidings of the pedlar, inquired kindly after his old domestic, and asked James wheth er he was related to him. James replied that he was not; and modestly informed the Mayor' of the manner in which he became acquainted with the pedlar, of his death, and the dying charge which he had given him to deliver the forty crowns to the owner.

98. The Mayor praised the honesty of the pedlar, but much more did he admire the integrity of poor James and it was with difficulty that he concealed his admiration, when he reflected that a poor boy reduced to extreme want, should nobly preserve his integrity, and withstand so powerful a temptation; he did not, however, discover all he felt upon this occasion.

99. When James had ended his account, he asked him whether either of his parents were alive? James sighed and said, that he had neither parents nor friends. No! said the mayor, that is hard indeed for so good a boy.

100. At this instant news was brought, that two countrymen,' who had taken up a youth on suspicion of committing a robbery, waited in the hall. The Mayor ordered them to be admit

ted: but what was the horror and astonishment of James, when in the robber he discovered his old friend and treacherous companion Mar

tin.

101. One of the countrymen testified, that having observed a variety of articles in the youth's possession, which he had, a few wee before, seen in the box of an honest pedlar who lodged at his house, and judging from the appearance of the lad, that he could not have purchased them, he was led to question him on the subject; and from his confusion and vague replies, he was persuaded that he did not come honestly by the goods; on which account he had brought him before his honour.

102. The Mayor, who had just been inform ed of the legacy which the pedlar had left to James, and of the manner in which he had lost it, was persuaded that this was the very youth who had robbed him: he therefore immediately called James, who stood overwhelmed with horror and surprise in one corner of the room, to come forward and face the accused.

103. James advanced reluctantly, but Martin no sooner observed him, than thinking it in vain to dissemble, he fell upon his knees before the Mayor, and confessed that whilst James slept, he had carried off the articles contained in the pedlar's box, and to prevent an early dis covery, had placed stones in their stead.

104. James was astonished at the treachery of his old comrade, and the Mayor, after having made some observations on his baseness, related to all present the noble conduct of

James, and then turning to him, said, "You refused the forty crowns, at the expense of your hoesty, now my noble boy, receive them as the reward of it. So saying, he put the leathern purse, containing the forty crowns, into James' hand, who, in a transport of joy and gratitude, threw himself at the feet of the Mayor, and expressed his acknowledgment, in the strongest

terms.

105. The good Mayor kindly raised him, and assured him, that this was but a small part of what he intended to do for him, "You say, continued he, you have neither parents nor friends; your virtue, my honest lad, has gained you both in me; for from this moment I mean to take you under my protection.

106. "But while I am mindful, said the Mayor, to reward virtue, let me not forget to punish guilt. Saying this, he ordered Martin to be seized and conveyed to prison, there to await the punishment of his crime. But James, whose present happiness did not make him unmindful of the wretchedness of his old companion, threw himself at the feet of the Mayor, in the greatest agitation, and with tears entreated him to pardon his unhappy friend.

107, The Mayor at first seemed inflexible; but at length, overcome by the distress of James, he yielded to his entreaties. "Go, said he to Martin; at the request of your friend, I leave your punishment to God, and you to the stings of your own conscience-Go-and from your own disgrace, and the example of your honest friend, may you learn this useful lesson,

that although guilt may flourish for a time, yet virtue and honesty are the most certain roads to happiness and honour."

108. Having said this, he dismissed Martin, overwhelmed with shame and disgrace: James, through the generosity of the Mayor and his own diligence, obtained a liberal education; and the secretary of his patron dying, in a few years, James was thought capable of supplying his place, which he did with so much honour and integrity, that he gained the esteem and approbation of all, and more especially of his generous patron; who during his life, loaded him with favours, and at his death, left him a considerable legacy, with which he purchased a little estate, about a mile from his native village, upon which he lived happily to the end of his days.

BLACK GILES THE POACHER.

With the history of the Widow Brown's Apple Tree.

1. Poaching Giles lived at the mud cottage, with the broken windows, stuffed with dirty rags, just beyond the gate, which divides the upper from the lower moor, in Somersetshire. You may know the house, at a good distance, by the ragged tiles on the roof, and the loose stones which are ready to drop out from the chimney.

2. As Giles had never learnt any thing that