Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/148

Rh As the ſnow began to melt, I took a walk, and obſerved the birds hopping about with drooping wings, or mute on the leafleſs boughs. The mountain, whoſe ſides had loſt the ſnow, looked black; yet ſtill ſome remained on the ſummit, and formed a contraſt to diverſify the dreary proſpect.

I walked thoughtfully along, when the appearance of a poor man, who did not beg, ſtruck me very forcibly. His ſhivering limbs were ſcarcely ſheltered from the cold by the tattered garments that covered him; and he had a ſharp, famiſhed look. I ſtretched out my hand with ſome relief in it—I would not enquire into the particulars of ſuch obvious diſtreſs. The poor wretch caught my hand, and haſtily dropping on his knees, thanked me in an extacy, as if he had almoſt loſt ſight of hope, and was overcome by the ſudden relief. His attitude, for I cannot bear to ſee a fellow-creature kneel, and eager thanks, oppreſſed my weak ſpirits, so that I could not for a moment aſk him any more queſtions; but as ſoon as I recollected myself, I learned from Rh