SOME GOOD SAMARITANS 



but generally cared for him in quite a fatherly 

 way. At the end of the week, when the show was 

 approaching its termination, these kind-hearted 

 shepherds they were mainly those looking after 

 the Shropshires and Hampshire Downs began to 

 bethink themselves what else they could do for 

 the boy, for they did not like to leave him the 

 tattered and forlorn waif they found him. They 

 might have fallen back upon the rates to do any- 

 thing further, and have told him to go to the 

 workhouse. They did nothing of the sort, how- 

 ever, but they had a whip round among them- 

 selves, quite in a quiet and unostentatious way, 

 and thus collected twenty-three shillings ; no 

 small sum when one considers the means of the 

 donors, and the fact that there was no published 

 subscription list to trumpet their good deeds 

 abroad. Their charity, moreover, was thoroughly 

 practical. They did not pour their little collection 

 of coins into the boy's lap, heedless of what he 

 might do with them, and with the feeling that 

 they had behaved handsomely and had no further 

 responsibility in the matter. They were willing 

 to give time and trouble besides money, so they 

 spent the latter in the best possible way by escort- 

 ing the lad to an outfitter's and providing him with 

 a complete rig-out. Beyond this, one of the shep- 

 herds offered, if nothing better were forthcoming, 

 to take him back with him into the country in the 

 belief that he could find him a situation there. 



During the quietude of the Sunday in the 

 show week, when the yard in contrast to the 

 scene of bustle and excitement it presents on 

 other days is one of the most reposeful places I 



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