AddressedtoParentsOurgreatlexicographer，inhiscelebratedeulogiumonDr。Watts，thusspeaksincommendationofthoseproductionswhichhesosuccessfullypennedforthepleasureandinstructionofthejuvenileportionofthecommunity。
Forchildren，saysDr。Johnson，hecondescendedtolayasidethephilosopher，thescholar，andthewit，towritelittlepoemsofdevotion，andsystemsofinstructionadaptedtotheirwantsandcapacities，fromthedawnofreasontoitsgradationofadvanceinthemorningoflife。
Everymanacquaintedwiththecommonprinciplesofhumanaction，willlookwithvenerationonthewriter，whoisatonetimecombatingLocke，andatanothertimemakingacatechismforCHILDRENINTHEIRFOURTHYEAR。
Avoluntarydescentfromthedignityofscienceisperhapsthehardestlessonwhichhumilitycanteach。
Itseems，however，noveryeasytasktowriteforchildren。Thoseonlywhohavebeeninterestedintheeducationofafamily，whohavepatientlyfollowedchildrenthroughthefirstprocessesofreasoning，whohavedailywatchedovertheirthoughtsandfeelings——thoseonlywhoknowwithwhateaseandrapiditytheearlyassociationofideasareformed，onwhichthefuturetaste，characterandhappinessdepend，canfeelthedangersanddifficultiesofsuchanundertaking。
Indeed，inallsciencesthegranddifficultyhasbeentoascertainfacts——
adifficultywhich，inthescienceofeducation，peculiarcircumstancesconspiretoincrease。Heretheobjectsofeveryexperimentaresointerestingthatwecannotholdourmindsindifferenttotheresult。Norisittobeexpectedthatmanyregistersofexperiments，successfulandunsuccessful，shouldbekept，muchlessshouldbepublished，whenweconsiderthatthecombinedpowersofaffectionandvanity，ofpartialitytohischildandtohistheory，willactuponthemindofaparent，inoppositiontotheabstractloveofjustice，andthegeneraldesiretoincreasethewisdomandhappinessofmankind。Notwithstandingthesedifficulties，anattempttokeepsucharegisterhasactuallybeenmade。
Thedesignhasfromtimetotimebeenpursued。Thoughmuchhasnotbeencollected，everycircumstanceandconversationthathavebeenpreservedarefaithfullyandaccuratelyrelated，andthesenoteshavebeenofgreatadvantagetothewriterofthefollowingstories。
Thequestion，whethersocietycouldexistwithoutthedistinctionofranks，isaquestioninvolvingavarietyofcomplicateddiscussions，whichweleavetothepoliticianandthelegislator。Atpresentitisnecessarythattheeducationofdifferentranksshould，insomerespects，bedifferent。Theyhavefewideas，fewhabitsincommon。theirpeculiarvicesandvirtuesdonotarisefromthesamecauses，andtheirambitionistobedirectedtodifferentobjects。Butjustice，truth，andhumanityareconfinedtonoparticularrank，andshouldbeenforcedwithequalcareandenergyuponthemindsofyoungpeopleofeverystation。anditishopedthattheseprincipleshaveneverbeenforgotteninthefollowingpages。
Astheideasofchildrenmultiply，thelanguageoftheirbooksshouldbecomelesssimple。elsetheirtastewillquicklybedisgusted，orwillremainstationary。Childrenthatlivewithpeoplewhoconversewithelegancewillnotbecontentedwithastyleinferiortowhattheyhearfromeverybodynearthem。
Allpoeticalallusions，however，havebeenavoidedinthisbook。suchsituationsonlyaredescribedaschildrencaneasilyimagine，andwhichmayconsequentlyinteresttheirfeelings。Suchexamplesofvirtuearepaintedasarenotabovetheirconceptionofexcellence，ortheirpowersofsympathyandemulation。
ItisnoteasytogiveREWARDStochildrenwhichshallnotindirectlydothemharmbyfosteringsomehurtfultasteorpassion。InthestoryofLazyLawrence，wheretheobjectwastoexciteaspiritofindustry，carehasbeentakentoproportiontherewardtotheexertion，andtodemonstratethatpeoplefeelcheerfulandhappywhilsttheyareemployed。
Therewardofourindustriousboy，thoughitbemoney，isonlymoneyconsideredasthemeansofgratifyingabenevolentwish。Inacommercialnationitisespeciallynecessarytoseparate，asmuchaspossible，thespiritofindustryandavarice。andtobewarelestweintroduceViceundertheformofVirtue。
InthestoryofTarltonandLoveitarerepresentedthedangerandthefollyofthatweaknessofmind，andthateasinesstobeled，whichtoooftenpassforgoodnature。andinthetaleoftheFalseKeyarepointedoutsomeoftheevilstowhichawelleducatedboy，onfirstgoingtoservice，isexposedfromtheprofligacyofhisfellowservants。
IntheBirthdayPresent，andinthecharacterofMrs。TheresaTattle，theParent’sAssistanthaspointedoutthedangerswhichmayariseineducationfromabadservant，oracommonacquaintance。
IntheBarringOuttheerrorstowhichahighspiritandtheloveofpartyareapttoleadhavebeenmadethesubjectofcorrection，anditishopedthatthecommonfaultofmakingthemostmischievouscharactersappearthemostACTIVEandthemostingenious，hasbeenasmuchaspossibleavoided。UNSUCCESSFULcunningwillnotbeadmired，andcannotinduceimitation。
Ithasbeenattempted，inthesestories，toprovideantidotesagainstill-humour，theepidemicragefordissipation，andthefatalpropensitytoadmireandimitatewhateverthefashionofthemomentmaydistinguish。
Wereyoungpeople，eitherinpublicschools，orinprivatefamilies，absolutelyfreefrombadexamples，itwouldnotbeadvisabletointroducedespicableandviciouscharactersinbooksintendedfortheirimprovement。ButinreallifetheyMUSTseevice，anditisbestthattheyshouldbeearlyshockedwiththerepresentationofwhattheyaretoavoid。Thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweeninnocenceandignorance。
Topreventthepreceptsofmoralityfromtiringtheearandthemind，itwasnecessarytomakethestoriesinwhichtheyareintroducedinsomemeasuredramatic。tokeepalivehopeandfearandcuriosity，bysomedegreeofintricacy。Atthesametime，carehasbeentakentoavoidinflamingtheimagination，orexcitingarestlessspiritofadventure，byexhibitingfalseviewsoflife，andcreatinghopeswhich，intheordinarycourseofthings，cannotberealized。
CONTENTS。
THEORPHANS
LAZYLAWRENCE
THEFALSEKEY
SIMPLESUSAN
THEWHITEPIGEON
THEBIRTHDAYPRESENT
ETONMONTEM
FORGIVEANDFORGET
WASTENOT，WANTNOT。OR，TWOSTRINGSTOYOURBOW
OLDPOZ
THEMIMIC
THEBARRINGOUT。OR，PARTYSPIRIT
THEBRACELETS
THELITTLEMERCHANTS
TARLTON
THEBASKETWOMAN
THEORPHANS。
NeartheruinsofthecastleofRossmore，inIreland，isasmallcabin，inwhichthereoncelivedawidowandherfourchildren。Aslongasshewasabletowork，shewasveryindustrious，andwasaccountedthebestspinnerintheparish。butsheoverworkedherselfatlast，andfellill，sothatshecouldnotsittoherwheelassheusedtodo，andwasobligedtogiveituptohereldestdaughter，Mary。
Marywasatthistimeabouttwelveyearsold。Oneeveningshewassittingatthefootofhermother’sbedspinning，andherlittlebrothersandsistersweregatheredroundthefireeatingtheirpotatoesandmilkforsupper。Blessthem，thepooryoungcreatures！saidthewidow，who，asshelayonherbed，whichsheknewmustbeherdeathbed，wasthinkingofwhatwouldbecomeofherchildrenaftershewasgone。Marystoppedherwheel，forshewasafraidthatthenoiseofithadwakenedhermother，andwouldhinderherfromgoingtosleepagain。
Noneedtostopthewheel，Mary，dear，forme，saidhermother，Iwasnotasleep。norisitTHATwhichkeepsmefromsleep。Butdon’toverworkyourself，Mary。
Oh，nofearofthat，repliedMary。I’mstrongandhearty。
SowasIonce，saidhermother。
Andsoyouwillbeagain，Ihope，saidMary，whenthefineweathercomesagain。
Thefineweatherwillnevercomeagaintome，saidhermother。’Tisafolly，Mary，tohopeforthat。butwhatIhopeis，thatyou’llfindsomefriend——somehelp——orphansasyou’llsoonallofyoube。Andonethingcomfortsmyheart，evenasIAMlyinghere，thatnotasoulinthewideworldIamleavinghastocomplainofme。ThoughpoorIhavelivedhonest，andIhavebroughtyouuptobethesame，Mary。andIamsurethelittleoneswilltakeafteryou。foryou’llbegoodtothem——asgoodtothemasyoucan。
Herethechildren，whohadfinishedeatingtheirsuppers，cameroundthebed，tolistentowhattheirmotherwassaying。Shewastiredofspeaking，forshewasveryweak。butshetooktheirlittlehands，astheylaidthemonthebedandjoiningthemalltogether，shesaid，Blessyou，dears。blessyou。loveandhelponeanotherallyoucan。Goodnight！——
good-bye！
Marytookthechildrenawaytotheirbed，forshesawthattheirmotherwastooilltosaymore。butMarydidnotherselfknowhowillshewas。
Hermotherneverspokerightlyafterwards，buttalkedinaconfusedwayaboutsomedebts，andoneinparticular，whichsheowedtoaschoolmistressforMary’sschooling。andthenshechargedMarytogoandpayit，becauseshewasnotabletoGOINwithit。Attheendoftheweekshewasdeadandburied，andtheorphanswereleftaloneintheircabin。
Thetwoyoungestgirls，PeggyandNancy，weresixandsevenyearsold。
Edmundwasnotyetnine，buthewasastout-grown，healthyboy，andwelldisposedtowork。Hehadbeenusedtobringhometurffromthebogonhisback，toleadcart-horses，andoftentogoonerrandsforgentlemen’sfamilies，whopaidhimasixpenceorashilling，accordingtothedistancewhichhewent，sothatEdmund，bysomeorotheroftheselittleemployments，was，ashesaid，likelyenoughtoearnhisbread。andhetoldMarytohaveagoodheart，forthatheshouldeveryyeargrowabletodomoreandmore，andthatheshouldneverforgethismother’swordswhenshelastgavehimherblessing，andjoinedtheirhandsalltogether。
AsforPeggyandNancy，itwaslittlethattheycoulddo。buttheyweregoodchildren，andMary，whensheconsideredthatsomuchdependeduponher，wasresolvedtoexertherselftotheutmost。Herfirstcarewastopaythosedebtswhichhermotherhadmentionedtoher，forwhichsheleftmoneydoneupcarefullyinseparatepapers。Whenallthesewerepaidaway，therewasnotenoughlefttopayboththerentofthecabinandayear’sschoolingforherselfandsisterswhichwasduetotheschoolmistressinaneighbouringvillage。
Marywasinhopesthattherentwouldnotbecalledforimmediately，butinthisshewasdisappointed。Mr。Harvey，thegentlemanonwhoseestateshelived，wasinEngland，and，inhisabsence，allwasmanagedbyaMr。
Hopkins，anagent，whowasaHARDMAN。*ThedrivercametoMaryaboutaweekafterhermother’sdeath，andtoldherthattherentmustbebroughtinthenextday，andthatshemustleavethecabin，foranewtenantwascomingintoit。thatshewastooyoungtohaveahousetoherself，andthattheonlythingshehadtodowastogetsomeneighbourtotakeherandherbrotherandhersistersinforcharity’ssake。
*Ahard-heartedman。
Thedriverfinishedbyhintingthatshewouldnotbesohardlyusedifshehadnotbroughtuponherselftheill-willofMissAlice，theagent’sdaughter。Mary，itistrue，hadrefusedtogiveMissAliceagoatuponwhichshehadsetherfancy。butthiswastheonlyoffenceofwhichshehadbeenguilty，andatthetimesherefusedithermotherwantedthegoat’smilk，whichwastheonlythingshethenlikedtodrink。
MarywentimmediatelytoMr。Hopkins，theagent，topayherrent。andshebeggedofhimtoletherstayanotheryearinhercabin。butthisherefused。ItwasnowSeptember25th，andhesaidthatthenewtenantmustcomeinonthe29th，sothatshemustquititdirectly。MarycouldnotbearthethoughtsofbegginganyoftheneighbourstotakeherandherbrotherandsistersinFORCHARITY’SSAKE。fortheneighbourswereallpoorenoughthemselves。SoshebethoughtherselfthatshemightfindshelterintheruinsoftheoldcastleofRossmorewheresheandherbrother，inbettertimes，hadoftenplayedathideandseek。Thekitchenandtwootherroomsnearitwereyetcoveredintolerablywell。andalittlethatch，shethought，wouldmakethemcomfortablethroughthewinter。Theagentconsentedtoletherandherbrotherandsistersgointhere，uponherpayinghimhalfaguineainhand，andpromisingtopaythesameyearly。
Intotheselodgingstheorphansnowremoved，takingwiththemtwobedsteads，astool，chairandatable，asortofpress，whichcontainedwhatlittleclothestheyhad，andachestinwhichtheyhadtwohundredofmeal。Thechestwascarriedforthembysomeofthecharitableneighbours，wholikewiseaddedtotheirscantystockofpotatoesandturfwhatwouldmakeitlastthroughthewinter。
Thesechildrenwerewellthoughtofandpitied，becausetheirmotherwasknowntohavebeenallherlifehonestandindustrious。Sure，saysoneoftheneighbours，wecandonolessthangiveahelpinghandtothepoororphans，thataresoreadytohelpthemselves。Soonehelpedtothatchtheroominwhichtheyweretosleep，andanothertooktheircowtograzeuponhisbitoflandonconditionofhavinghalfthemilk。andoneandallsaidtheyshouldbewelcometotakeshareoftheirpotatoesandbuttermilkiftheyshouldfindtheirowneverfallshort。
Thehalf-guineawhichMr。Hopkins，theagent，requiredforlettingMaryintothecastle，waspartofwhatshehadtopaytotheschoolmistress，towhomaboveaguineawasdue。Marywenttoher，andtookhergoatalongwithher，andoffereditinpartofpaymentofthedebt，buttheschoolmistresswouldnotreceivethegoat。ShesaidthatshecouldaffordtowaitforhermoneytillMarywasabletopayit。thatsheknewhertobeanhonest，industriouslittlegirl，andshewouldtrustherwithmorethanaguinea。Marythankedher。andshewasgladtotakethegoathomeagain，asshewasveryfondofit。
Beingnowsettledintheirhouse，theywenteverydayregularlytowork。
Maudspunninecutsaday，besidesdoingallthatwastobedoneinthehouse。Edmundgotfourpenceadaybyhiswork。andPeggyandAnnieearnedtwopenceapieceatthepaper-millsnearNavan，wheretheywereemployedtosortrags，andtocutthemintosmallpieces。
Whentheyhaddoneworkoneday，Anniewenttothemasterofthepaper-
millandaskedhimifshemighthavetwosheetsoflargewhitepaperwhichwerelyingonthepress。Sheofferedapennyforthepaper。butthemasterwouldnottakeanythingfromher，butgaveherthepaperwhenhefoundthatshewantedittomakeagarlandforhermother’sgrave。
AnnieandPeggycutoutthegarland，andMary，whenitwasfinished，wentalongwiththemandEdmundtoputitup。Itwasjustamonthaftertheirmother’sdeath。
Ithappened，atthetimetheorphanswereputtingupthisgarland，thattwoyoungladies，whowerereturninghomeaftertheireveningwalk，stoppedatthegateofthechurchyardtolookattheredlightwhichthesettingsuncastuponthewindowofthechurch。Astheladieswerestandingatthegate，theyheardavoicenearthemcrying，O，mother！
mother！areyougoneforever？Theycouldnotseeanyone，sotheywalkedsoftlyroundtotheothersideofthechurch，andtheretheysawMarykneelingbesideagrave，onwhichherbrothersandsisterswerehangingtheirwhitegarlands。
Thechildrenallstoodstillwhentheysawthetwoladiespassingnearthem。butMarydidnotknowanybodywaspassing，forherfacewashidinherhands。
IsabellaandCarolinesotheseladieswerecalledwouldnotdisturbthepoorchildren。buttheystoppedinthevillagetoinquireaboutthem。Itwasatthehouseoftheschoolmistressthattheystopped，andshegavethemagoodaccountoftheseorphans。SheparticularlycommendedMary’shonesty，inhavingimmediatelypaidallhermother’sdebtstotheutmostfarthing，asfarashermoneywouldgo。ShetoldtheladieshowMaryhadbeenturnedoutofherhouse，andhowshehadofferedhergoat，ofwhichshewasveryfond，todischargeadebtdueforherschooling。and，inshort，theschoolmistress，whohadknownMaryforseveralyears，spokesowellofherthattheseladiesresolvedthattheywouldgototheoldcastleofRossmoretoseeherthenextday。
Whentheywentthere，theyfoundtheroominwhichthechildrenlivedascleanandneatassucharuinedplacecouldbemade。Edmundwasoutworkingwithafarmer，Marywasspinning，andherlittlesistersweremeasuringoutsomebogberries，ofwhichtheyhadgatheredabasketful，forsale。Isabella，aftertellingMarywhatanexcellentcharactershehadheardofher，inquiredwhatitwasshemostwanted。andMarysaidthatshehadjustworkedupallherflax，andshewasmostinwantofmoreflaxforherwheel。
Isabellapromisedthatshewouldsendherafreshsupplyofflax，andCarolineboughtthebogberriesfromthelittlegirls，andgavethemmoneyenoughtobuyapoundofcoarsecottonforknitting，asMarysaidthatshecouldteachthemhowtoknit。
Thesupplyofflax，whichIsabellasentthenextday，wasofgreatservicetoMary，asitkeptherinemploymentforaboveamonth。andwhenshesoldtheyarnwhichshehadspunwithit，shehadmoneyenoughtobuysomewarmflannelforwinterwear。Besidesspinningwell，shehadlearnedatschooltodoplainworktolerablyneatly，andIsabellaandCarolineemployedhertoworkforthem。bywhichsheearnedagreatdealmorethanshecouldbyspinning。Atherleisurehoursshetaughthersisterstoreadandwrite。andEdmund，withpartofthemoneywhichheearnedbyhisworkoutofdoors，paidaschoolmasterforteachinghimalittlearithmetic。Whenthewinternightscameon，heusedtolighthisrushcandlesforMarytoworkby。HehadgatheredandstrippedagoodprovisionofrushesinthemonthofAugust，andaneighbourgavehimgreasetodipthemin。
Oneevening，justashehadlightedhiscandles，afootmancamein，whowassentbyIsabellawithsomeplainworktoMary。ThisservantwasanEnglishman，andhewasbutnewlycomeovertoIreland。Therushcandlescaughthisattention。forhehadneverseenanyofthembefore，ashecamefromapartofEnglandwheretheywerenotused。Edmund，whowasreadytooblige，andproudthathiscandleswerenoticedshowedtheEnglishmanhowtheyweremade，andgavehimabundleofrushes。*
[*Theproperspeciesofrush，saysWhite，inhis’NaturalHistoryofSelborne，’seemstobetheJuncuseffusus，orcommonsoftrush，whichistobefoundinmoistpastures，bythesidesofstreams，andunderhedges。Theserushesareinbestconditionintheheightofsummer，butmaybegatheredsoastoservethepurposewellquiteontoautumn。Thelargestandlongestarethebest。Decayedlabourers，women，andchildrenmakeittheirbusinesstoprocureandpreparethem。Assoonastheyarecut，theymustbeflungintowater，andkeptthere。forotherwisetheywilldryandshrink，andthepeelwillnotrun。Whenthesejunciarethusfarprepared，theymustlieoutonthegrasstobebleachedandtakethedewforsomenights，andafterwardsbedriedinthesun。Someaddressisrequiredindippingtheserushesinthescaldingfatorgrease。butthisknackisalsotobeattainedbypractice。Apoundofcommongreasemaybeprocuredforfourpence，andaboutsixpoundsofgreasewilldipapoundofrushesandonepoundofrushesmaybeboughtforoneshilling。sothatapoundofrushes，medicatedandreadyforuse，willcostthreeshillings。]
Theservantwaspleasedwithhisgoodnatureinthistriflinginstance，andremembereditlongafteritwasforgottenbyEdmund。Wheneverhismasterwantedtosendamessengeranywhere，Gilbertforthatwastheservant’snamealwaysemployedhislittlefriendEdmund，whom，uponfurtheracquaintance，helikedbetterandbetter。HefoundthatEdmundwasbothquickandexactinexecutingcommissions。
Oneday，afterhehadwaitedagreatwhileatagentleman’shouseforananswertoaletter，hewassoimpatienttogethomethatheranoffwithoutit。WhenhewasquestionedbyGilbertwhyhedidnotbringananswer，hedidnotattempttomakeanyexcuse。hedidnotsay，Therewasnoanswer，pleaseyourhonour，or，Theybidmenottowait，etc……buthetoldexactlythetruth。andthoughGilbertscoldedhimforbeingsoimpatientasnottowait，yethistellingthetruthwasmoretotheboy’sadvantagethananyexcusehecouldhavemade。Afterthishewasalwaysbelievedwhenhesaid，Therewasnoanswer，or，Theybidmenotwait。
forGilbertknewthathewouldnottellalietosavehimselffrombeingscolded。
Theorphanscontinuedtoassistoneanotherintheirworkaccordingtotheirstrengthandabilities。andtheywentoninthismannerforthreeyears。WithwhatMarygotbyherspinningandplainwork，andEdmundbyleadingofcart-horses，goingonerrands，etc。，andwithlittlePeggyandAnne’searnings，thefamilycontrivedtolivecomfortably。IsabellaandCarolineoftenvisitedthem，andsometimesgavethemclothes，andsometimesflaxorcottonfortheirspinningandknitting。andthesechildrendidnotEXPECT，thatbecausetheladiesdidsomethingforthem，theyshoulddoeverything。Theydidnotgrowidleorwasteful。
WhenEdmundwasabouttwelveyearsold，hisfriendGilbertsentforhimoneday，andtoldhimthathismasterhadgivenhimleavetohaveaboyinthehousetoassisthim，andthathismastertoldhimhemightchooseoneintheneighbourhood。Severalwereanxioustogetintosuchagoodplace：butGilbertsaidthathepreferredEdmundbeforethemall，becauseheknewhimtobeanindustrious，honest，goodnaturedlad，whoalwaystoldthetruth。SoEdmundwentintoserviceatthevicarage。andhismasterwasthefatherofIsabellaandCaroline。Hefoundhisnewwayoflifeverypleasant。forhewaswellfed，wellclothed，andwelltreated。andheeverydaylearnedmoreofhisbusiness，inwhichatfirsthewasratherawkward。HewasmindfultodoallthatMr。Gilbertrequiredofhim。andhewassoobligingtoallhisfellow-servantsthattheycouldnothelplikinghim。Buttherewasonethingwhichwasatfirstratherdisagreeabletohim：hewasobligedtowearshoesandstockings，andtheyhurthisfeet。Besidesthis，whenhewaitedatdinnerhemadesuchanoiseinwalkingthathisfellow-servantslaughedathim。HetoldhissisterMaryofhisdistress，andshemadeforhim，aftermanytrials，apairofclothshoes，withsolesofplattedhemp。*
Inthesehecouldwalkwithoutmakingtheleastnoise。andastheseshoescouldnotbewornoutofdoors，hewasalwayssuretochangethembeforehewentout。andconsequentlyhehadalwayscleanshoestowearinthehouse。
[*Theauthorhasseenapairofshoes，suchasheredescribed，madeinafewhours。]
Itwassoonremarkedbythemen-servantsthathehadleftoffclumpingsoheavily，anditwasobservedbythemaidsthatheneverdirtiedthestairsorpassageswithhisshoes。Whenhewaspraisedforthesethings，hesaiditwashissisterMarywhoshouldbethanked，andnothe。andheshowedtheshoeswhichshehadmadeforhim。
Isabella’smaidbespokeapairimmediately，andsentMaryapieceofprettycalicofortheoutside。Thelast-makermadealastforher，andoverthisMarysewedthecalicovampstight。Herbrotheradvisedhertotryplattedpackthreadinsteadofhempforthesoles。andshefoundthatthislookedmoreneatthanthehempsoles，andwaslikelytolastlonger。
Sheplattedthepackthreadtogetherinstrandsofabouthalfaninchthick，andthesewereservedfirmlytogetheratthebottomoftheshoe。
Whentheywerefinishedtheyfittedwell，andthemaidshowedthemtohermistress。
IsabellaandCarolineweresowellpleasedwithMary’singenuityandkindnesstoherbrother，thattheybespokefromhertwodozenoftheseshoes，andgaveherthreeyardsofcolouredfustiantomakethemof，andgalloonforthebinding。Whentheshoeswerecompleted，IsabellaandCarolinedisposedofthemforheramongsttheiracquaintance，andgotthreeshillingsapairforthem。Theyoungladies，assoonastheyhadcollectedthemoney，walkedtotheoldcastle，wheretheyfoundeverythingneatandcleanasusual。Theyhadgreatpleasureingivingtothisindustriousgirltherewardofheringenuity，whichshereceivedwithsomesurpriseandmoregratitude。Theyadvisedhertocontinuetheshoemakingtrade，astheyfoundtheshoeswereliked，andtheyknewthattheycouldhaveasaleforthemattheRepositoryinDublin。
Mary，encouragedbythesekindfriends，wentonwithherlittlemanufacturewithincreasedactivity。PeggyandAnneplattedthepackthread，andbastedthevampsandliningstogetherreadyforher。
Edmundwasallowedtocomehomeforanhoureverymorning，providedhewasbackagainbeforeeighto’clock。Itwassummertime，andhegotupearly，becausehelikedtogohometoseehissisters，andhetookhisshareinthemanufactory。Itwashisbusinesstohammerthesolesflat：
andassoonashecamehomeeverymorningheperformedhistaskwithsomuchcheerfulnessandsangsomerrilyathiswork，thatthehourofhisarrivalwasalwaysanhourofjoytothefamily。
Maryhadpresentlyemploymentenoughuponherhands。Orderscametoherforshoesfrommanyfamiliesintheneighbourhood，andshecouldnotgetthemfinishedfastenough。She，however，inthemidstofherhurry，foundtimetomakeaveryprettypair，withneatroses，asapresentforherschoolmistress，who，nowthatshesawherpupilinagoodwayofbusiness，consentedtoreceivetheamountofherolddebt。SeveralofthechildrenwhowenttoherschoolweredelightedwiththesightofMary’spresent，andwenttothelittlemanufactoryatRossmoreCastle，tofindouthowtheseshoesweremade。Somewentfromcuriosity，othersfromidleness。butwhentheysawhowhappythelittleshoemakersseemedwhilstbusyatwork，theylongedtotakesomeshareinwhatwasgoingforward。OnebeggedMarytoletherplatsomepackthreadforthesoles。
anotherhelpedPeggyandAnnetobasteinthelinings。andallwhocouldgetemploymentwerepleased，fortheidleoneswereshovedoutoftheway。Itbecameacustomwiththechildrenofthevillagetoresorttotheoldcastleattheirplayhours。anditwassurprisingtoseehowmuchwasdonebytenortwelveofthem，eachdoingbutalittleatatime。
OnemorningEdmundandthelittlemanufacturerswereassembledveryearly，andtheywerebusyattheirwork，allsittingroundthemealchest，whichservedthemforatable。
Myhandsmustbewashed，saidGeorge，alittleboywhocamerunningin。
IransofastthatImightbeintime，togotoworkalongwithyouall，thatItumbleddown，andlookhowIhavedirtiedmyhands。Mosthasteworstspeed。MyhandsmustbewashedbeforeIcandoanything。
WhilstGeorgewaswashinghishands，twootherlittlechildren，whohadjustfinishedtheirmorning’swork，cametohimtobegthathewouldblowsomesoapbubblesforthem，andtheywereallthreeeagerlyblowingbubbles，andwatchingthemmountintotheair，whensuddenlytheywerestartledbyanoiseasloudasthunder。Theywereinasortofoutercourtofthecastle，nexttotheroominwhichalltheircompanionswereatwork，andtheyranprecipitatelyintotheroom，exclaiming，Didyouhearthatnoise？
IthoughtIheardaclapofthunder，saidMary，butwhydoyoulooksofrightened？
Asshefinishedspeaking，anotherandaloudernoise，andthewallsroundaboutthemshook。Thechildrenturnedpaleandstoodmotionless。butEdmundthrewdownhishammer，andranouttoseewhatwasthematter。
Maryfollowedhim，andtheysawthatagreatchimneyoftheoldruinsatthefarthestsideofthecastlehadfallendown，andthiswasthecauseoftheprodigiousnoise。
Thepartofthecastleinwhichtheylivedseemed，asEdmundsaid，tobeperfectlysafe。butthechildrenofthevillagewereterrified，andthinkingthatthewholewouldcometumblingdowndirectly，theyrantotheirhomesasfastastheycould。Edmund，whowasacourageouslad，andproudofshowinghiscourage，laughedattheircowardice。butMary，whowasveryprudent，persuadedherbrothertoaskanexperiencedmason，whowasbuildingathismaster’s，tocomeandgivehisopinion，whethertheirpartofthecastlewassafetoliveinornot。Themasoncame，andgaveitashisopinionthattheroomstheyinhabitedmightlastthroughthewinterbutthatnopartoftheruinscouldstandanotheryear。Marywassorrytoleaveaplaceofwhichshehadgrownfond，poorasitwas，havinglivedinitinpeaceandcontentmenteversincehermother’sdeath，whichwasnownearlyfouryears。butshedeterminedtolookoutforsomeotherplacetolivein。andshehadnowmoneyenoughtopaytherentofacomfortablecabin。Withoutlosinganytime，shewenttothevillagethatwasattheendoftheavenueleadingtothevicarage，forshewishedtogetalodginginthisvillagebecauseitwassoneartoherbrother，andtotheladieswhohadbeensokindtoher。Shefoundthattherewasonenewlybuilthouseinthisvillageunoccupied。itbelongedtoMr。Harvey，herlandlord，whowasstillinEngland。itwasslated，andneatlyfittedupinside。buttherentofitwassixguineasayear，andthiswasfarabovewhatMarycouldaffordtopay。Threeguineasayearshethoughtwasthehighestrentforwhichshecouldventuretoengage。
Besides，sheheardthatseveralproposalshadbeenmadetoMr。Harveyforthishouse，andsheknewthatMr。Hopkins，theagent，wasnotherfriend。
thereforeshedespairedofgettingit。Therewasnoothertobehadinthisvillage。Herbrotherwasstillmorevexedthanshewas，thatshecouldnotfindaplacenearhim。Heofferedtogiveaguineayearlytowardstherentoutofhiswages。andMr。Gilbertspokeaboutitforhimtothesteward，andinquiredwhether，amongstanyofthosewhohadgiveninproposals，theremightnotbeonewhowouldbecontentwithapartofthehouse，andwhowouldjoinwithMaryinpayingtherent。Nonecouldbefoundbutawoman，whowasagreatscold，andamanwhowasfamousforgoingtolawabouteverytriflewithhisneighbours。Marydidnotchoosetohaveanythingtodowiththesepeople。ShedidnotliketospeakeithertoMissIsabellaorCarolineaboutit，becauseshewasnotofanencroachingtemper。andwhentheyhaddonesomuchforher，shewouldhavebeenashamedtobegformore。Shereturnedhometotheoldcastle，mortifiedthatshehadnogoodnewstotellAnneandPeggy，whosheknewexpectedtohearthatshehadfoundanicehousefortheminthevillageneartheirbrother。
Badnewsforyou，Peggy，criedshe，assoonasshegothome。Andbadnewsforyou，Mary，repliedhersisters，wholookedverysorrowful。
What’sthematter？
Yourpoorgoatisdead，repliedPeggy。Theresheis，yonder，lyingunderthegreatcornerstone。youcanjustseeherleg。Wecannotliftthestonefromoffher，itissoheavy。Betsy[oneoftheneighbour’sgirls]sayssheremembers，whenshecametoustoworkearlythismorning，shesawthegoatrubbingitself，andbuttingwithitshornsagainstthatoldtotteringchimney。
Many’sthetime，saidMary，thatIhavedriventhepoorthingawayfromthatplace。Iwasalwaysafraidshewouldshakethatgreatuglystonedownuponheratlast。
Thegoat，whohadlongbeenthefavouriteofMaryandhersisters，waslamentedbythemall。WhenEdmundcame，hehelpedthemtomovethegreatstonefromoffthepooranimal，whowascrushedsoastobeaterriblesight。Astheyweremovingawaythisstoneinordertoburythegoat，Annefoundanodd-lookingpieceofmoney，whichseemedneitherlikeahalfpenny，norashilling，noraguinea。
Herearemore，agreatmanymoreofthem，criedPeggy。anduponsearchingamongsttherubbish，theydiscoveredasmallironpot，whichseemedasifithadbeenfilledwiththesecoins，asavastnumberofthemwerefoundaboutthespotwhereitfell。Onexaminingthesecoins，Edmundthoughtthatseveralofthemlookedlikegold，andthegirlsexclaimedwithgreatjoy——Oh，Mary！Mary！thisiscometousjustinrighttime——nowyoucanpayfortheslatedhouse。Neverwasanythingsolucky！
ButMary，thoughnothingcouldhavepleasedherbetterthantohavebeenabletopayforthehouse，observedthattheycouldnothonestlytouchanyofthistreasure，asitbelongedtotheownerofthecastle。Edmundagreedwithher，thattheyoughttocarryitallimmediatelytoMr。
Hopkins，theagent。PeggyandAnnewereconvincedbywhatMarysaid，andtheybeggedtogoalongwithherandtheirbrother，totakethecoinstoMr。Hopkins。Ontheirwaytheystoppedatthevicarage，toshowthetreasuretoMr。Gilbert，whotookittotheyoungladies，IsabellaandCaroline，andtoldthemhowithadbeenfound。
Itisnotonlybytheirsuperiorriches，butitisyetmorebytheirsuperiorknowledge，thatpersonsinthehigherrankoflifemayassistthoseinalowercondition。
Isabella，whohadsomeknowledgeofchemistry，discovered，bytouchingthecoinswithnitricacid，thatseveralofthemwereofgold，andconsequentlyofgreatvalue。Carolinealsofoundoutthatmanyofthecoinswereveryvaluableascuriosities。Sherecollectedherfather’shavingshowntohertheprintsofthecoinsattheendofeachking’sreign，inRapin’sHistoryofEngland。anduponcomparingtheseimpressionswiththecoinsfoundbytheorphans，sheperceivedthatmanyofthemwereofthereignofHenrytheSeventh，which，fromtheirscarcity，werehighlyappreciatedbynumismaticcollectors。
IsabellaandCaroline，knowingsomethingofthecharacterofMr。Hopkins，theagent，hadtheprecautiontocountthecoins，andtomarkeachofthemwithacross，sosmallthatitwasscarcelyvisibletothenakedeye，thoughitwaseasilytobeseenthroughamagnifyingglass。Theyalsobeggedthattheirfather，whowaswellacquaintedwithMr。Harvey，thegentlemantowhomRossmoreCastlebelonged，towritetohim，andtellhimhowwelltheseorphanshadbehavedaboutthetreasurewhichtheyhadfound。Thevalueofthecoinswasestimatedataboutthirtyorfortyguineas。
AfewdaysafterthefallofthechimneyatRossmoreCastle，asMaryandhersistersweresittingattheirwork，therecamehobblinginanoldwoman，leaningonacrabstick，thatseemedtohavebeennewlycut。Shehadabrokentobacco-pipeinhermouth。herheadwaswrappedupintwolargeredandbluehandkerchiefs，withtheircrookedcornershangingfardownoverthebackofherneck，noshoesonherbroadfeet，norstockingsonhermany-colouredlegs。Herpetticoatwasjaggedatthebottom，andtheskirtofhergownturnedupoverhershoulders，toserveinsteadofacloak，whichshehadsoldforwhisky。ThisoldwomanwaswellknownamongstthecountrypeoplebythenameofGoodyGrope：*becauseshehad，formanyyears，beeninthehabitofgropinginoldcastles，andinmoats，**andatthebottomofaroundtower***intheneighbourhood，insearchoftreasure。Inheryouthshehadheardsomeonetalking，inawhisper，ofanoldprophecy，foundinabog，whichsaidthatbeforemanySt。Patrick’sdaysshouldcomeabout，TherewouldbefoundAtreasureunderground，Byonewithintwentymilesround。
Thisprophecymadeadeepimpressionuponher。Shealsodreamedofitthreetimes：andasthedream，shethought，wasasuretokenthattheprophecywastocometrue，she，fromthattimeforwards，gaveupherspinning-wheelandherknitting，andcouldthinkofnothingbuthuntingforthetreasure，thatwastobefoundbyonewithintwentymilesround。
[*GoodyisnotawordusedinIreland。CollyoghistheIrishappellationofanoldwoman：butasCollyoghmightsoundstrangelytoEnglishears，wehavetranslateditbythewordGoody。
**WhatareinIrelandcalledmoats，are，inEngland，calledDanishmounds，orbarrows。
***NearKells，inIreland，thereisaroundtower，whichwasinimminentdangerofbeingpulleddownbyanoldwoman’srootingatitsfoundation，inhopesoffindingtreasure。]
YearafteryearSt。Patrick’sdaycameabout，withouthereverfindingafarthingbyallhergroping。andasshewasalwaysidle，shegrewpoorerandpoorer。Besides，tocomfortherselfforherdisappointments，andtogiveherspiritsforfreshsearches，shetooktodrinking。Shesoldallshehadbydegrees。butstillshefanciedthattheluckydaywouldcomesoonerorlater，THATWOULDPAYFORALL。
GoodyGrope，however，reachedhersixtiethyear，withouteverseeingthisluckyday。andnow，inheroldage，shewasabeggar，withoutahousetoshelterher，abedtolieon，orfoodtoputintohermouth，butwhatshebeggedfromthecharityofthosewhohadtrustedmorethanshehadtoindustryandlesstoLUCK。
Ah，Mary，honey！givemeapotatoandasupofsomething，fortheloveo’mercy。fornotabithaveIhadallday，excepthalfaglassofwhiskyandahalfpennyworthoftobacco！
Maryimmediatelysetbeforehersomemilk，andpickedagoodpotatooutofthebowlforher。Shewassorrytoseesuchanoldwomaninsuchawretchedcondition。GoodyGropesaidshewouldratherhavespiritsofsomekindorotherthanmilk。butMaryhadnospiritstogiveher。soshesatherselfdownclosetothefire，andaftershehadsighedandgroanedandsmokedforsometime，shesaidtoMary，Well，andwhathaveyoudonewiththetreasureyouhadthelucktofind？MarytoldherthatshehadcarriedittoMr。Hopkins，theagent。
That’snotwhatIwouldhavedoneinyourplace，repliedtheoldwoman。
Whengoodluckcametoyou，whatashametoturnyourbackuponit！Butitisidletalkingofwhat’sdone——that’spast。butI’lltrymyluckinthisherecastlebeforenextSt。Patrick’sdaycomesabout。IwastolditwasmorethantwentymilesfromourbogorIwouldhavebeenherelongago。butbetterlatethannever。
Marywasmuchalarmed，andnotwithoutreason，atthisspeech。forsheknewthatifGoodyGropeoncesettoworkatthefoundationoftheoldcastleofRossmore，shewouldsoonbringitalldown。ItwasinvaintotalktoGoodyGropeofthedangerofburyingherselfundertheruins，oroftheimprobabilityofhermeetingwithanotherpotofgoldcoins。Shesetherelbowuponherknees，andstoppingherearswithherhandsbidMaryandhersistersnottowastetheirbreathadvisingtheirelders。forthat，letthemsaywhattheywould，shewouldfalltoworkthenextmorning，BARRINGyou’llmakeitworthmywhiletoletitalone。
Andwhatwillmakeitworthyourwhiletoletitalone？saidMary。forshesawthatshemusteithergetintoaquarrelorgiveupherhabitation，orcomplywiththeconditionsofthisprovokingoldwoman。
Halfacrown，GoodyGropesaid，wastheleastshecouldbecontenttotake。Marypaidthehalf-crown，andwasinhopesthatshehadgotridforeverofhertormentor，butshewasmistaken，forscarcelywastheweekatanendbeforetheoldwomanappearedbeforeheragain，andrepeatedherthreatsoffallingtoworkthenextmorning，unlessshehadsomethinggiventohertobuytobacco。
Thenextdayandthenext，andthenext，GoodyGropecameonthesameerrand，andpoorMary，whocouldill-affordtosupplyherconstantlywithhalfpence，atlastexclaimed，Iamsurethefindingofthistreasurehasnotbeenanygoodlucktous，butquitethecontrary。andIwishweneverhadfoundit。
Marydidnotyetknowhowmuchshewastosufferonaccountofthisunfortunatepotofgoldcoins。Mr。Hopkins，theagent，imaginedthatnooneknewofthediscoveryofthistreasurebuthimselfandthesepoorchildren。so，notbeingashonestastheywere，heresolvedtokeepitforhisownuse。Hewassurprisedsomeweeksafterwardstoreceivealetterfromhisemployer，Mr。Harvey，demandingfromhimthecoinswhichhadbeendiscoveredatRossmoreCastle。Hopkinshadsoldthegoldcoins，andsomeoftheothers。andheflatteredhimselfthatthechildren，andtheyoungladies，towhomhenowfoundtheyhadbeenshown，couldnottellwhetherwhattheyhadseenweregoldornot，andhewasnotintheleastapprehensivethatthoseofHenrytheSeventh’sreignshouldbereclaimedfromhimashethoughttheyhadescapedattention。Sohesentoverthesilvercoinsandothersoflittlevalue，andapologizedforhisnothavingmentionedthembefore，bysayingthatheconsideredthemasmererubbish。
Mr。Harvey，inreply，observedthathecouldnotconsiderasrubbishthegoldcoinswhichwereamongstthemwhentheywerediscovered。andheinquiredwhythesegoldcoins，andthoseofthereignofHenrytheSeventh，werenotnowsenttohim。
Mr。Hopkinsdeniedthathehadeverreceivedanysuch。buthewasthunderstruckwhenMr。Harvey，inreplytothisfalsehood，senthimalistofthecoinswhichtheorphanshaddepositedwithhim，andexactdrawingsofthosethatweremissing。Heinformedhimthatthislistandthesedrawingscamefromtwoladieswhohadseenthecoinsinquestion。
Mr。Hopkinsthoughtthathehadnomeansofescapebutbyboldlypersistinginfalsehood。Hereplied，thatitwasverylikelysuchcoinshadbeenfoundatRossmoreCastle，andthattheladiesalludedtohadprobablyseenthem。buthepositivelydeclaredthattheynevercametohishands。thathehadrestoredallthatweredepositedwithhim。andthat，astotheothers，hesupposedtheymusthavebeentakenoutofthepotbythechildren，orbyEdmundorMaryontheirwayfromtheladies’
housetohis。
Theorphanswereshockedandastonishedwhentheyheard，fromIsabellaandCaroline，thechargethatwasmadeagainstthem。Theylookedatoneanotherinsilenceforsomemoments。ThenPeggyexclaimed——Sure！Mr。
Hopkinshasforgottenhimselfstrangely。DoesnotherememberEdmund’scountingthethingstohimuponthegreattableinhishall，andweallstandingby！Irememberitaswellasifitwasthisinstant。
AndsodoI，criedAnne。Anddon’tyourecollect，Mary，yourpickingoutthegoldones，andtellingMr。Hopkinsthattheyweregold。andhesaidyouknewnothingofthematter。andIwasgoingtotellhimthatMissIsabellahadtriedthem，andknewthattheyweregold？butjustthentherecameinsometenantstopaytheirrent，andhepushedusout，andtwitchedfrommyhandthepieceofgoldwhichIhadtakenuptoshowhimthebrightspotwhichMissIsabellahadcleanedbythestuffthatshehadpouredonit？IbelievehewasafraidIshouldstealit。hetwitcheditfrommyhandinsuchahurry。Do，Edmund。do，Mary——letusgotohim，andputhiminmindofallthis。
I’llgotohimnomore，saidEdmund，sturdily。Heisabadman——I’llnevergotohimagain。Mary，don’tbecastdown——wehavenoneedtobecastdown——wearehonest。
True，saidMary。butisnotitahardcasethatwe，whohavelived，asmymotherdidallherlifebeforeus，inpeaceandhonestywithalltheworld，shouldnowhaveourgoodnametakenfromus，when——Mary’svoicefalteredandstopped。
Itcan’tbetakenfromus，criedEdmund，poororphansthoughweare，andhearichgentleman，ashecallshimself。Lethimsayanddowhathewill，hecan’thurtourgoodname。
Edmundwasmistaken，alas！andMaryhadbuttoomuchreasonforherfears。Theaffairwasagreatdealtalkedof。andtheagentsparednopainstohavethestorytoldhisownway。Theorphans，consciousoftheirowninnocence，tooknopainsaboutthematter。andtheconsequencewas，thatallwhoknewthemwellhadnodoubtoftheirhonesty。butmany，whoknewnothingofthem，concludedthattheagentmustbeintherightandthechildreninthewrong。Thebuzzofscandalwentonforsometimewithoutreachingtheirears，becausetheylivedveryretiredly。Butoneday，whenMarywenttosellsomestockingsofPeggy’sknittingattheneighbouringfair，themantowhomshesoldthembidherwritehernameonthebackofanote，andexclaimed，onseeingit——Ho！ho！mistress。
I’dnothavehadanydealingswithyou，hadIknownyournamesooner。
Where’sthegoldthatyoufoundatRossmoreCastle？
ItwasinvainthatMaryrelatedthefact。Shesawthatshegainednobelief，ashercharacterwasnotknowntothisman，ortoanyofthosewhowerepresent。Sheleftthefairassoonasshecould。andthoughshestruggledagainstit，shefeltverymelancholy。Stillsheexertedherselfeverydayatherlittlemanufacture。andsheendeavouredtoconsoleherselfbyreflectingthatshehadtwofriendsleftwhowouldnotgiveuphercharacter，andwhocontinuedsteadilytoprotectherandhersisters。
IsabellaandCarolineeverywhereassertedtheirbeliefintheintegrityoftheorphans，buttoproveitwasinthisinstanceoutoftheirpower。
Mr。Hopkins，theagent，andhisfriends，constantlyrepeatedthatthegoldcoinsweretakenawayincomingfromtheirhousetohis。andtheseladieswereblamedbymanypeopleforcontinuingtocountenancethosethatwere，withgreatreason，suspectedtobethieves。Theorphanswereinaworseconditionthaneverwhenthewintercameon，andtheirbenefactressesleftthecountrytospendsomemonthsinDublin。Theoldcastle，itwastrue，waslikelytolastthroughthewinter，asthemasonsaid。butthoughthewantofacomfortablehousetoliveinwas，alittlewhileago，theuppermostthinginMary’sthoughts，nowitwasnotso。
OnenightasMarywasgoingtobed，sheheardsomeoneknockinghardatthedoor。Mary，areyouup？letusin，criedavoice，whichsheknewtobethevoiceofBetsyGreen，thepostmaster’sdaughter，wholivedinthevillagenearthem。
SheletBetsyin，andaskedwhatshecouldwantatsuchatimeofnight。
Givemesixpence，andI’lltellyou，saidBetsy。butwakenAnneandPeggy。Here’saletterjustcomebypostforyou，andIsteppedovertoyouwithit。becauseIguessedyou’dbegladtohaveit，seeingitisyourbrother’shandwriting。
PeggyandAnneweresoonroused，whentheyheardthattherewasaletterfromEdmund。ItwasbyoneofhisrushcandlesthatMaryreadit。andtheletterwasasfollows：——
DEARMARY，NANCY，ANDLITTLEPEG，——
Joy！joy！——Ialwayssaidthetruthwouldcomeoutatlast。andthathecouldnottakeourgoodnamefromus。ButIwillnottellyouhowitallcameabouttillwemeet，whichwillbenextweek，asweareImean，masterandmistress，andtheyoungladies——blessthem！——andMr。GilbertandIcomingdowntothevicaragetokeepChristmas。andahappyChristmas’tislikelytobeforhonestfolks。Asfortheythatarenothonest，itisnotforthemtoexpecttobehappy，atChristmas，oranyothertime。Youshallknowallwhenwemeet。So，tillthen，fareyewell，dearMary，Nancy，andlittlePeg。
Yourjoyfulandaffectionatebrother，EDMUND。
TocomprehendwhyEdmundisjoyful，ourreadersmustbeinformedofcertainthingswhichhappenedafterIsabellaandCarolinewenttoDublin。
Onemorningtheywentwiththeirfatherandmothertoseethemagnificentlibraryofanobleman，whotookgenerousandpolitepleasureinthussharingtheadvantagesofhiswealthandstationwithallwhohadanypretensionstoscienceorliterature。Knowingthatthegentlemanwhowasnowcometoseehislibrarywasskilledinantiquities，thenoblemanopenedadrawerofmedals，toaskhisopinionconcerningtheageofsomecoins，whichhehadlatelypurchasedatahighprice。TheyweretheverysamewhichtheorphanshadfoundatRossmoreCastle。IsabellaandCarolineknewthemagaininstantly。andasthecrosswhichIsabellahadmadeoneachofthemwasstillvisiblethroughamagnifyingglass，therecouldbenopossibilityofdoubt。
Thenobleman，whowasmuchinterestedbothbythestoryoftheseorphans，andthemannerinwhichitwastoldtohim，sentimmediatelyforthepersonfromwhomhehadpurchasedthecoins。HewasaJewbroker。Atfirstherefusedtotellthemfromwhomhegotthem，becausehehadboughtthem，hesaid，underapromiseofsecrecy。Beingfurtherpressed，heacknowledgedthatitwasmadeaconditioninhisbargainthatheshouldnotsellthemtoanyoneinIreland，butthathehadbeentemptedbythehighpricethepresentnoblepossessorhadoffered。
Atlast，whentheJewwasinformedthatthecoinswerestolen，andthathewouldbeproceededagainstasareceiverofstolengoods，ifhedidnotconfessthewholetruth，hedeclaredthathehadpurchasedthemfromagentleman，whomhehadneverseenbeforeorsince。butheadded，thathecouldsweartohisperson，ifhesawhimagain。
Now，Mr。Hopkins，theagent，wasatthistimeinDublin，andCaroline’sfatherpostedtheJew，thenextday，intheback-parlourofabanker’shouse，withwhomMr。Hopkinshad，onthisday，appointedtosettlesomeaccounts。Mr。Hopkinscame——theJewknewhim——sworethathewasthemanwhohadsoldthecoinstohim。andthustheguiltoftheagentandtheinnocenceoftheorphanswerecompletelyproved。
AfullaccountofallthathappenedwassenttoEnglandtoMr。Harvey，theirlandlord，andafewpostsafterwardstherecamealetterfromhim，containingadismissalofthedishonestagent，andarewardforthehonestandindustriousorphans。Mr。HarveydesiredthatMaryandhersistersmighthavetheslatedhouse，rentfree，fromthistimeforward，underthecareofladiesIsabellaandCaroline，aslongasMaryorhersistersshouldcarryoninitanyusefulbusiness。ThiswasthejoyfulnewswhichEdmundhadtotellhissisters。
Alltheneighbourssharedintheirjoy，andthedayoftheirremovalfromtheruinsofRossmoreCastletotheirnewhousewasthehappiestoftheChristmasholidays。Theywerenotenviedfortheirprosperity。becauseeverybodysawthatitwastherewardoftheirgoodconduct。everybodyexceptGoodyGrope。Sheexclaimed，asshewrungherhandswithviolentexpressionsofsorrow——Badlucktome！badlucktome！——Whydidn’tIgosoonertothattherecastle？Itisallluck，allluckinthisworld。butIneverhadnoluck。Thinkoftheluckofthesechilder，thathavefoundapotofgold，andsuchgreat，grandfriends，andaslatedhouse，andall：andhereamI，withscarcearagtocoverme，andnotapotatotoputintomymouth！——I，thathavebeenlookingundergroundallmydaysfortreasure，nottohaveahalfpennyatthelast，tobuymetobacco！
Thatistheveryreasonthatyouhavenotahalfpenny，saidBetsy。
HereMaryhasbeenworkinghard，andsohavehertwolittlesistersandherbrother，forthesefiveyearspast。andtheyhavemademoneyforthemselvesbytheirownindustry——andfriendstoo——notbyluck，butby——
Phoo！phoo！interruptedGoodyGrope。don’tbeprating。don’tIknowaswellasyoudo，thattheyfoundapotofgold，BYGOODLUCK？andisnotthatthecausewhytheyaregoingtoliveinaslatedhousenow？
No，repliedthepostmaster’sdaughter。thishouseisgiventothemAS
AREWARD——thatwasthewordintheletter。forIsawit。Edmundshowedittome，andwillshowittoanyonethatwantstosee。Thishousewasgiventothem’ASAREWARDFORTHEIRHONESTY。’
LAZYLAWRENCE。
InthepleasantvalleyofAshtontherelivedanelderlywomanofthenameofPreston。Shehadasmallneatcottage，andtherewasnotaweedtobeseeninhergarden。Itwasuponhergardenthatshechieflydependedforsupport。itconsistedofstrawberrybeds，andonesmallborderforflowers。Thepinksandrosesshetiedupinnicenosegays，andsenteithertoCliftonorBristoltobesold。Astoherstrawberries，shedidnotsendthemtomarket，becauseitwasthecustomfornumbersofpeopletocomefromClifton，inthesummertime，toeatstrawberriesandcreamatthegardensinAshton。
Now，thewidowPrestonwassoobliging，activeandgood-humoured，thateveryonewhocametoseeherwaspleased。Shelivedhappilyinthismannerforseveralyears。but，alas！oneautumnshefellsick，and，duringherillness，everythingwentwrong。hergardenwasneglected，hercowdied，andallthemoneywhichshehadsavedwasspentinpayingformedicines。Thewinterpassedaway，whileshewassoweakthatshecouldearnbutlittlebyherwork。andwhenthesummercame，herrentwascalledfor，andtherentwasnotreadyinherlittlepurseasusual。Shebeggedafewmonths’delay，andtheyweregrantedtoher。butattheendofthattimetherewasnoresourcebuttosellherhorseLightfoot。NowLightfoot，thoughperhapshehadseenhisbestdays，wasaverygreatfavourite。Inhisyouthhehadalwayscarriedthedametothemarketbehindherhusband。anditwasnowherlittlesonJem’sturntoridehim。
ItwasJem’sbusinesstofeedLightfoot，andtotakecareofhim——achargewhichheneverneglected，for，besidesbeingaverygoodnatured，hewasaveryindustriousboy。
ItwillgoneartobreakmyJem’sheart，saidDamePrestontoherself，asshesatoneeveningbesidethefirestirringtheembers，andconsideringhowshehadbestopenthemattertoherson，whostoodoppositetoher，eatingadrycrustofbreadveryheartilyforsupper。
Jem，saidtheoldwoman，what，ar’thungry？
ThatIam，braveandhungry！
Ay！nowonder，you’vebeenbravehardatwork——Eh？
Bravehard！Iwishitwasnotsodark，mother，thatyoumightjuststepoutandseethegreatbedI’vedug。Iknowyou’dsayitwasnobadday’swork——andoh，mother！I’vegoodnews：FarmerTruckwillgiveusthegiantstrawberries，andI’mtogofor’emtomorrowmorning，andI’llbebackaforebreakfast。
Godblesstheboy！howhetalks！——Fourmilethere，andfourmilebackagain，aforebreakfast。
Ay，uponLightfoot，youknow，mother，veryeasily。mayn’tI？
Ay，child！
Whydoyousigh，mother？
Finishthysupper，child。
I’vedone！criedJem，swallowingthelastmouthfulhastily，asifhethoughthehadbeentoolongatsupper——andnowforthegreatneedle。I
mustseeandmendLightfoot’sbridleaforeIgotobed。
Toworkheset，bythelightofthefire，andthedamehavingoncemorestirredit，beganagainwithJem，dear，doeshegolameatallnow？
What，Lightfoot！Oh，la，no，nothe——neverwassowellofhislamenessinallhislife。He’sgrownquiteyoungagain，Ithink，andthenhe’ssofathecanhardlywag。
Godblesshim——that’sright。Wemustsee，Jem，andkeephimfat。
Forwhat，mother？
ForMondayfortnightatthefair。He’stobe——sold！
Lightfoot！criedJem，andletthebridlefallfromhishand。andWILL
mothersellLightfoot？
WILL？no：butIMUST，Jem。
MUST！whosaysyouMUST？whyMUSTyou，mother？
Imust，Isay，child。Why，mustnotIpaymydebtshonestly。andmustnotIpaymyrent，andwasnotitcalledforlongandlongago。andhavenotIhadtime。anddidnotIpromisetopayitforcertainMondayfortnight，andamnotItwoguineasshort。andwhereamItogettwoguineas？Sowhatsignifiestalking，child？saidthewidow，leaningherheaduponherarm。LightfootMUSTgo。
Jemwassilentforafewminutes——Twoguineas，that’sagreat，greatdeal。IfIworked，andworked，andworkedeversohard，IcouldnowaysearntwoguineasAFOREMondayfortnight——couldI，mother？
Lordhelpthee，no。notan’workthyselftodeath。
ButIcouldearnsomething，though，Isay，criedJem，proudly。andI
WILLearnSOMETHING——ifitbeeversolittle，itwillbeSOMETHING——andI
shalldomyverybest。soIwill。
ThatI’msureof，mychild，saidhismother，drawinghimtowardsherandkissinghim。youwerealwaysagood，industriouslad，THATIwillsayaforeyourfaceorbehindyourback——butitwon’tdonow——LightfootMUSTgo。
Jemturnedawaystrugglingtohidehistears，andwenttobedwithoutsayingawordmore。Butheknewthatcryingwoulddonogood。sohepresentlywipedhiseyes，andlayawake，consideringwhathecouldpossiblydotosavethehorse。IfIgeteversolittle，hestillsaidtohimself，itwillbeSOMETHING。andwhoknowsbutlandlordmightthenwaitabitlonger？andwemightmakeitallupintime。forapennyadaymightcometotwoguineasintime。
Buthowtogetthefirstpennywasthequestion。Thenherecollectedthatoneday，whenhehadbeensenttoCliftontosellsomeflowers，hehadseenanoldwomanwithaboardbesidehercoveredwithvarioussparklingstones，whichpeoplestoppedtolookatastheypassed，andherememberedthatsomepeopleboughtthestones。onepaidtwopence，anotherthreepence，andanothersixpenceforthem。andJemheardhersaythatshegotthemamongsttheneighbouringrocks：sohethoughtthatifhetriedhemightfindsometoo，andsellthemasshehaddone。
Earlyinthemorninghewakenedfullofthisscheme，jumpedup，dressedhimself，and，havinggivenonelookatpoorLightfootinhisstable，setofftoCliftoninsearchoftheoldwoman，toinquirewhereshefoundhersparklingstones。Butitwastooearlyinthemorning，theoldwomanwasnotatherseat。soheturnedbackagain，disappointed。Hedidnotwastehistimewaitingforher，butsaddledandbridledLightfoot，andwenttoFarmerTruck’sforthegiantstrawberries。
Agreatpartofthemorningwasspentinputtingthemintotheground。
and，assoonasthatwasfinished，hesetoutagaininquestoftheoldwoman，whom，tohisgreatjoy，hespiedsittingathercornerofthestreetwithherboardbeforeher。Butthisoldwomanwasdeafandcross。
andwhenatlastJemmadeherhearhisquestions，hecouldgetnoanswerfromher，butthatshefoundthefossilswherehewouldneverfindanymore。Butcan’tIlookwhereyoulooked？
Lookaway，nobodyhindersyou，repliedtheoldwoman。andtheseweretheonlywordsshewouldsay。
Jemwasnot，however，aboytobeeasilydiscouraged。hewenttotherocks，andwalkedslowlyalong，lookingatallthestonesashepassed。
Presentlyhecametoaplacewhereanumberofmenwereatworklooseningsomelargerocks，andoneamongsttheworkmenwasstoopingdownlookingforsomethingveryeagerly。Jemranup，andaskedifhecouldhelphim。
Yes，saidtheman，youcan。I’vejustdropped，amongstthisheapofrubbish，afinepieceofcrystalthatIgotto-day。
Whatkindofalookingthingisit？saidJem。
White，andlikeglass，saidtheman，andwentonworkingwhilstJemlookedverycarefullyovertheheapofrubbishforagreatwhile。
Come，saidtheman，it’sgoneforever。don’ttroubleyourselfanymore，myboy。
It’snotrouble。I’lllookalittlelonger。we’llnotgiveitupsosoon，saidJem。andafterhehadlookedalittlelonger，hefoundthepieceofcrystal。
Thank’e，saidtheman，youareafinelittleindustriousfellow。
Jem，encouragedbythetoneofvoiceinwhichthemanspokethis，venturedtoaskhimthesamequestionswhichhehadaskedtheoldwoman。
Onegoodturndeservesanother，saidtheman。wearegoingtodinnerjustnow，andshallleaveoffwork——waitformehere，andI’llmakeitworthyourwhile。
Jemwaited。and，ashewasveryattentivelyobservinghowtheworkmenwentonwiththeirwork，heheardsomebodynearhimgiveagreatyawn，and，turninground，hesawstretcheduponthegrass，besidetheriver，aboyabouthisownage，who，inthevillageofAshton，asheknew，wentbythenameofLazyLawrence——anamewhichhemostjustlydeserved，forheneverdidanythingfrommorningtonight。Heneitherworkednorplayed，butsaunteredorloungedaboutrestlessandyawning。Hisfatherwasanale-housekeeper，andbeinggenerallydrunk，couldtakenocareofhisson。sothatLazyLawrencegreweverydayworseandworse。However，someoftheneighbourssaidthathewasagoodnatured，poorfellowenough，andwouldneverdoanyoneharmbuthimself。whilstothers，whowerewiser，oftenshooktheirheads，andtoldhimthatidlenesswastherootofallevil。
What，Lawrence！criedJemtohim，whenhesawhimlyinguponthegrass。
what，areyouasleep？
Notquite。
Areyouawake？
Notquite。
Whatareyoudoingthere？
Nothing。
Whatareyouthinkingof？
Nothing。
Whatmakesyouliethere？
Idon’tknow——becauseIcan’tfindanybodytoplaywithmeto-day。Willyoucomeandplay？
No，Ican’t。I’mbusy。
Busy，criedLawrence，stretchinghimself，youarealwaysbusy。I
wouldnotbeyoufortheworld，tohavesomuchtodoalways。
AndI，saidJem，laughing，wouldnotbeyoufortheworld，tohavenothingtodo。
Theythenparted，fortheworkmanjustthencalledJemtofollowhim。Hetookhimhometohisownhouse，andshowedhimaparceloffossils，whichhehadgathered，hesaid，onpurposetosell，buthadneverhadtimeenoughtosellthem。Now，however，hesetaboutthetask。andhavingpickedoutthosewhichhejudgedtobethebest，heputtheminasmallbasket，andgavethemtoJemtosell，uponconditionthatheshouldbringhimhalfofwhathegot。Jem，pleasedtobeemployed，wasreadytoagreetowhatthemanproposed，providedhismotherhadnoobjection。Whenhewenthometodinner，hetoldhismotherhisscheme，andshesmiled，andsaidhemightdoashepleased。forshewasnotafraidofhisbeingfromhome。Youarenotanidleboy，saidshe。sothereislittledangerofyourgettingintoanymischief。
AccordinglyJemthateveningtookhisstand，withhislittlebasket，uponthebankoftheriver，justattheplacewherepeoplelandfromaferry-
boat，andthewalkturnstothewells，andnumbersofpeopleperpetuallypasstodrinkthewaters。Hechosehisplacewell，andwaitednearlyalltheevening，offeringhisfossilswithgreatassiduitytoeverypassenger。butnotonepersonboughtany。
Hallo！criedsomesailors，whohadjustrowedaboattoland，bearahandhere，willyou，mylittlefellow，andcarrytheseparcelsforusintoyonderhouse？
Jemrandownimmediatelyfortheparcels，anddidwhathewasaskedtodosoquickly，andwithsomuchgood-will，thatthemasteroftheboattooknoticeofhim，and，whenhewasgoingaway，stoppedtoaskhimwhathehadgotinhislittlebasket。andwhenhesawthattheywerefossils，heimmediatelytoldJemtofollowhim，forthathewasgoingtocarrysomeshellshehadbroughtfromabroadtoaladyintheneighbourhoodwhowasmakingagrotto。Shewillverylikelybuyyourstonesintothebargain。
Comealong，mylad。wecanbuttry。
Theladylivedbutaverylittlewayoff，sothattheyweresoonatherhouse。Shewasaloneinherparlour，andwassortingabundleoffeathersofdifferentcolours。theylayonasheetofpasteboarduponawindowseat，andithappenedthatasthesailorwasbustlingroundthetabletoshowoffhisshells，heknockeddownthesheetofpasteboard，andscatteredallthefeathers。Theladylookedverysorry，whichJemobserving，hetooktheopportunity，whilstshewasbusylookingoverthesailor’sbagofshells，togathertogetherallthefeathers，andsortthemaccordingtotheirdifferentcolours，ashehadseenthemsortedwhenhefirstcameintotheroom。
Whereisthelittleboyyoubroughtwithyou？IthoughtIsawhimherejustnow。
AndhereIam，ma’am，criedJem，creepingfromunderthetable，withsomefewremainingfeatherswhichhehadpickedfromthecarpet。I
thought，addedhe，pointingtotheothers，Ihadbetterbedoingsomethingthanstandingidle，ma’am。Shesmiled，and，pleasedwithhisactivityandsimplicity，begantoaskhimseveralquestions。suchaswhohewas，wherehelived，whatemploymenthehad，andhowmuchadayheearnedbygatheringfossils。
ThisisthefirstdayIevertried，saidJem。Ineversoldanyyet，andifyoudon’tbuy’emnow，ma’am，I’mafraidnobodyelsewill。forI’veaskedeverybodyelse。
Come，then，saidthelady，laughing，ifthatisthecase，IthinkI
hadbetterbuythemall。So，emptyingallthefossilsoutofhisbasket，sheputhalfacrownintoit。
Jem’seyessparkledwithjoy。Oh，thankyou，ma’am，saidhe，Iwillbesureandbringyouasmanymore，to-morrow。
Yes，butIdon’tpromiseyou，saidshe，togiveyouhalfacrown，to-
morrow。
But，perhaps，thoughyoudon’tpromiseit，youwill。
No，saidthelady，donotdeceiveyourself。IassureyouthatIwillnot。THAT，insteadofencouragingyoutobeindustrious，wouldteachyoutobeidle。
Jemdidnotquiteunderstandwhatshemeantbythis，butanswered，I’msureIdon’twishtobeidle。whatIwantistoearnsomethingeveryday，ifIknowhow。I’msureIdon’twishtobeidle。Ifyouknewall，you’dknowIdidnot。
Howdoyoumean，IFIKNEWALL？
Why，Imean，ifyouknewaboutLightfoot。
Who’sLightfoot？
Why，mammy’shorse，addedJem，lookingoutofthewindow。Imustmakehastehome，andfeedhimaforeitgetsdark。he’llwonderwhat’sgonewithme。
Lethimwonderafewminuteslonger，saidthelady，andtellmetherestofyourstory。
I’venostory，ma’am，totell，butashowmammysayshemustgotothefairMondayfortnight，tobesold，ifshecan’tgetthetwoguineasforherrent。andIshouldbemainsorrytopartwithhim，forIlovehim，andhelovesme。soI’llworkforhim，Iwill，allIcan。Tobesure，asmammysays，Ihavenochance，suchalittlefellowasIam，ofearningtwoguineasaforeMondayfortnight。
Butareyouwillingearnestlytowork？saidthelady。youknowthereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenpickingupafewstones，andworkingsteadilyeveryday，andalldaylong。
But，saidJem，Iwouldworkeveryday，andalldaylong。
Then，saidthelady，Iwillgiveyouwork。Comehere，to-morrowmorning，andmygardenerwillsetyoutoweedtheshrubberies，andIwillpayyousixpenceaday。Remember，youmustbeatthegatesbysixo’clock。Jembowed，thankedher，andwentaway。
Itwaslateintheevening，andJemwasimpatienttogethometofeedLightfoot。yetherecollectedthathehadpromisedthemanwhohadtrustedhimtosellthefossils，thathewouldbringhimhalfofwhathegotforthem。sohethoughtthathehadbettergotohimdirectly。andawayhewent，runningalongbythewatersideaboutaquarterofamile，tillhecametotheman’shouse。Hewasjustcomehomefromwork，andwassurprisedwhenJemshowedhimthehalf-crown，saying，LookwhatI
gotforthestones。youaretohavehalf，youknow。
No，saidtheman，whenhehadheardhisstory，Ishallnottakehalfofthat。itwasgiventoyou。Iexpectedbutashillingatthemost，andthehalfofthatisbutsixpence，andthatI’lltake。Wife，givetheladtwoshillings，andtakethishalf-crown。Sothewifeopenedanoldglove，andtookouttwoshillings。andtheman，assheopenedtheglove，putinhisfingers，andtookoutalittlesilverpenny。There，heshallhavethatintothebargainforhishonesty——honestyisthebestpolicy——
there’saluckypennyforyou，thatI’vekepteversinceIcanremember。
Don’tyouevergotopartwithit，doyehear！criedthewoman。
Lethimdowhathewillwithit，wife，saidtheman。
But，arguedthewife，anotherpennywoulddojustaswelltobuygingerbread。andthat’swhatitwillgofor。
No，thatitshallnot，Ipromiseyou，saidJem。andsoheranawayhome，fedLightfoot，strokedhim，wenttobed，jumpedupatfiveo’clockinthemorning，andwentsingingtoworkasgayasalark。