Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/171

Rh found a place in their lengthened viſages. Life was nipped in the bud; ſhut up juſt as it began to unfold itself. "A froſt, a killing froſt," had deſtroyed the parent's hopes: they ſeemed to come into the world only to crawl half formed—to ſuffer, and to die.

Mrs. Maſon deſired the girls to relieve the family; Caroline hung down her head abaſhed—wiſhing the paltry ornaments which ſhe had thoughtlessly bought, in the bottom of the ſea. Mary, meanwhile, proud of the new privilege, emptied her purſe; and Caroline, in a ſupplicating tone, entreated Mrs. Maſon to allow her to give her neck-handkerchief to the little infant.

Mrs. Maſon deſired the woman to call on her the next day; and they left the family cheered by their bounty.

Caroline expected the reproof that ſoon proceeded from the mouth of her true friend. I am glad that this accident has occurred, to prove to you that prodigality and generoſity are incompatible. Rh