Page:History of Whittington and his cat (3).pdf/10

10 proved herself to be a useful one, and was the whole solace of his life. In one of these happy moments, for they were the only happy moments he ever enjoyed, out of his kind master and mistress's presence, he was at length surprised by his young lady; for cook being gone out, he forgot to guard against other visitors; and, at his young mistress's request, Puss went through all her pretty manoeuvrings, with equal honour to herself and her master.

Whittington besought the young lady not to mention a word of her discovery to any person on earth, and she was so good as to promise she would comply with his request; and being, moreover, greatly pleased with Puss, she contrived to have a quarter of an hour's play with her every day, when the family dined at home.

Puss, as well as her master, improving much on acquaintance, Miss Fitzwarren (though drawing was taught but to few in those days) drew Whittington and his cat to perfection; and was so kind as to let the picture become an ornament of his loft, and proud enough hohe [sic] was of possessing such a gift. These happy moments were, however, short-lived, for the poor boy was the slave of a barbarous woman's temper, who not only made him turnspit, but spurned him and beat him at will.

Miss Fitzwarren and Whittington were nearly of the same age; her person was not beautiful, but the very first-rate of agreeable, and her disposition truly amiable, No wonder, therefore, that to a poor lad, smarting under all the evils of a contrary disposition, she should appear nothing less than an angel; whilst the modesty of Whittington's demeanour, his uncommonly good language for his condition, his grateful and respectful conduct, made her his friend; insomuch, that she begged her father would let one of the clerks teach the poor fellow to write, as he was an orphan, and had no other chance of learning what might be so useful to him in future. One of the clerks was therefore ordered to set him copies, and hear him read; and his improvement was astonishing.

Mr. Fitzwarren being a silk mercer, and a great merchant, imported large quantities of silk from India, just in the state it was spun by the little worms, thence called silk worms. Of course this gentleman sent out such articles as were best received abroad in exchange; and it being his benevolent custom, when a ship, freighted at his own expense, was ready to sail, to call his family around him, that every one might provide a little venture, according to their wishes or abilities, to be improved to the best advantage by the kind care of the captain, who was a man after his own heart. On looking about him on such an occasion, hohe [sic] missed Whittington, and had him sought for; but