Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/126

Rh CHAP. XV.

Prayer.—A Moon-light Scene.—Reſignation.

HE harper would frequently ſit under a large elm, a few paces from the houſe, and play some of the moſt plaintive Welſh tunes. While the people were eating their ſupper, Mrs. Maſon deſired him to play her ſome favourite airs; and ſhe and the children walked round the tree under which he ſat, on the stump of another.

The moon roſe in cloudleſs majeſty, and a number of ſtars twinkled near her. The ſoftened landſcape inſpired tranquillity, while the ſtrain of ruſtic melody gave a pleaſing melancholy to the whole, and made the tear ſtart, whoſe ſource could ſcarcely be traced. The pleaſure the ſsight of harmleſss mirth gave riſe to in Mrs. Maſon's boſom rouſed every tender feeling, and ſet in motion her ſpirits. She laughed with the poor whom ſhe had made happy, and Rh