Page:History of Charles Jones, the footman (1).pdf/17

 Tom, I am come to take care of thee, and make thee better, if I can.' 'Alas! mother, (answered he, putting his clay-cold hand into hers,) it is all too late. I have but a few hours to live. It is by neglecting your advice that I am brought to this. Gaming and drink, bad company and bad women have been my ruin! O what will become of my soul! if I could but live my life over again.—Here he was seized with a sudden fit, and though he lived some hours, he never spoke after; and died that evening in my mother's arms.

After recounting the sorrowful history of my unhappy brother, I must now hasten to conclude my own. About a twelvemonth after the offer of a place in Sir Robert S——'s family, my master, in consideration, as hohe [sic] said, of my faithful services, made me his butler. He was indeed so kind and friendly to me on all occasions, that I found it necessary to be extremely cautious lest I should grow proud, or saucy, or familiar, which some servants, when they have lived long in a place, and find themselves in favour, are apt to do. After enjoying this post about six years, our family being now removed into the country, I made acquaintance with a farmer's daughter living near the great house, whom, on account of her religious and industrious principles, and her amiable and cheerful temper, I wished to make my wife. She was no flaunter in fine clothes, none of your dancing, flirting, forward lasses, that run about to christenings, and revels, and hopes, that will ruin a man before he knows where hohe [sic] is; but a pious, sober, stay-at-home, industrious young woman; else I am sure any body might have had her for me. As I had never been guilty of any unnecessary expencoexpence [sic], for nobody will call that unnecessary which I sent