Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/84

Rh mercy on us! There was a woman in the ſhip, and, as I could ſwim, I tried to save her, and Pompey followed me; but I loſt him—poor fellow! I declare I cried like a child when I ſaw his dead body. However I brought the woman to ſhore; and aſſiſted ſome more of my meſs-mates; but, ſtanding in the water ſo long, I loſt the uſe of my limbs—yet Heaven was good to me; Madam, there, ſent a cart for us all, and took care of us; but I never recovered the uſe of my limbs. So ſhe aſked me all about my misfortunes, and ſent for wife, who came directly, and we have lived here ever ſince. We catch fiſh for Madam, and watch for a ſtorm, hoping ſome time or other to be as kind to a poor periſhing soul as she has been to me. Indeed we are very happy—I might now have been begging about the ſtreets, but for Madam, God bleſs her!

A tear ſtrayed down Mrs. Maſon's cheek, while a ſmile of benevolence lighted up her countenance—the little girls caught each hand—They were all ſilent a few minutes, when ſhe, willing to turn the diſcourſe, Rh