Page:History of Whittington and his cat (3).pdf/5

5 waggoner's whistle, without the least fear or dread of what might become of him.

When left for the night in the waggon, his little mind began to set itself to work; he was without one relation in the world, whilst other little boys had a father and mother to protect them, he had neither friends nor money. What could he then hope for? What had he not to fear? But recollecting the last words of his dear friend, that there was a Father to the fatherless, and that he would bless and preserve him if he was only a good child. He implored his pity to a poor helpless child, promising evermore, to the best of his power, to deserve it, and then composed himself to sleep.

He was far on his way when he awoke in the morning; and being relieved in mind and body, he joined his fellow traveller, until the happy moment arrived that he was bid to look up, for there was London before his eyes.

The waggoner having made him partake of his supper, and given him a few pence for the morning, out of pure good nature, left him asleep in the hay loft, into which he had lifted him; bidding good-bye being somewhat touching, he believed, to others feelings as well as his own; but as the people of the inn had no motives, in their opinion, for treating any body kindly, he was early roused by the ostler, and told to go about his business.

Poor WhittingtouWhittington [sic] instantly obeyed the word of command, but knew not where to go. All around him was astonishing—he was delighted! Every body seemed happy—every body seemed employed: whence, according to his arithmetic, every body must be getting money; he could therefore have nothing more to do than to seek to gain a master. It was true, indeed, (and he could not help sighing deeply whilst he acknowledged that truth,) he had been bred to no trade whatever—could neither read nor write—"But then," whispered Hope, "you have feet to walk upon, far and wide; hands to work, where no particular skill is required; and a tongue to speak your wants, or deliver a message you may be intrusted with." The poor boy was so enlivened by this hint, that he cried out aloud, "Who is afraid? I have, moreover, in my pocket, sufficient to buy me this day's food. I will therefore spend this whole day in seeing London."

Whittington, however, soon discovered that seeing London was not so pleasurable a task as he had flattered himself he should find it; for wherever he stopped to gaze on any object that took his fancy, he was driven on this side, and pushed on that: and, in a word, to his great surprise, when he little thought he was in any body's way, he found himself in every body's way.