168 RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIP. 



I married ! Ten pounds formed the bulk of my fortune, and my 

 grounds consisted of one room, at a yearly rent of five pounds. 

 The first fortnight was a fortnight of idleness, without the annoy- 

 ance of a visit. To pass another such I thought wrong ; and 

 reflecting, that as I had long laboured for my father, I could as 

 agreeably, if not more so, labour for myself. There is a good 

 feeling among the working classes," continued Mr. Crumplehorn, 

 "The first I asked for a job, answered, *Yes, I 'm sure master 

 will employ Mr. Tim, for he wants a good hand.' I therefore 

 engaged myself— and so cheerful was my labour, and so quickly 

 flew my time, that nothing of my former better lot passed half 

 so agreeably, and nothing, I really think, has since equalled it." 



" Thus flitted away twelve months, when, one evening, returning 

 much fatigued, Peggy told me that two messages had been sent 

 from home. 'And if twenty,* I answered, Mt matters not.' 

 * Oh ! Mr. C said Peggy, 'do n't say so; nothing will prosper 

 without love to your parents.' * Well, Peggy, you are right — 

 I am wrong ;* and while I was finishing my words, void of the 

 least desire to follow Peggy's good advice, another message 

 arrived. »T is a foolish thing to be obstinate. I might have 

 dearly paid for my folly; but the bearer of the third message 

 being one of my father's household with whom I was always 

 most friendly, I clad myself in Sunday's best, and off I went; 

 though I was ignorant of the cause of the errand.'' 



" Ah, Mr. though I did not shew my feelings to the 



messenger, my heart was full and sorrowful. I saw my father's 

 workmen in the fields as I passed, and envied their easier labour 

 and better fare. Some spoke cheerfully enough. Some coolly 

 — and some were indifferently silent. I arrived at the house. 

 I knocked. The knock thrilled through me as if it had been a 

 voice from the tomb. I never so felt before — I shall never so 

 feel again ! The first person that answered the knock was my 

 mother, who, noticing my unwillingness to enter a home so lately 

 and so long familiar, burst into tears. This was too much for 

 me. I wept, my sisters wept — at which I wondered. What 

 transpired before my introduction to father, I knew not, but when 

 I approached the stair-head, I discovered him in his large arm 

 chair, also weeping, a circumstance yet more wonderful, he being 

 so stern a man. All, so far, was to me a mystery. I could not 

 bear suspence. Thinking something had gone amiss, I immedi- 

 ately rallied, and assured him and mother, that, as their child, I 

 would die to serve them, if in my power. This tended to renew 



