Page:History of Charles Jones, the footman (1).pdf/15

 shillings. As soon as I discovered it, I said to myself, here now is an opportunity for getting twenty shillings without any risk of detection; but God forbid that I should do it, as it would ruin my peace of mind, and destroy my soul. I therefore pointed out the error to my master the first opportunity—'Charles,' said he, 'you are right, the mistake is obvious, I acknowledge I made it purposely to try your honesty. You will find that this affair will turn out, before long, to your ad- vantage.' Now, though I do not think it quite fair of masters to lay this kind of trap, for their servants' integrity, yet as I know by experience they sometimes do it, we must be doubly on our guard. Indeed, dishonesty is never safe, it always will out somehow or other. I have seen surprising instances of it, when it seemed to have been committed with such cunning as to be impossible to be detected.

One day as I was going to market, I met Sir Robert S——'s butler, who told me, that having long observed my sobriety and diligence, he was happy to have it now in his power to offer me a place in his master's family, where my wages would be raised two guineas a year. I thanked him, and told him he should have his answer next evening. In thothe [sic] meantime I called upon a pious and worthy friend, whom I consulted in all difficulties, and askodasked [sic] his opinion. After mature deliberation, he said, 'Charles, don't go. When once yonyou [sic] have got into a good place, stick to it like a leech. The rolling stone gets no moss. The more years you continue in one service, the more you are respected by your master and all the world. A good family considers an old servant as one of themselves, and can no more see him want than a