"
"I did not come in the stage yesterday, mother," said William, as they
took their seats at the breakfast table, "because I had purchased this
light wagon and horse for you to ride to church in, and I came down in
it. I reached the river last night, but could not cross. The old
ferryman had gone to bed, and would not rise. Well, after breakfast,
dear mother, I shall have the pleasure of driving you to church in
your own carriage!" added William, smiling.
"Ah! William, what a blessing you are to me, my dear son; but it must
have taken the whole of your quarter's salary to buy this for me?" And
she glanced, with pain, at his rusty and threadbare suit of black, and
at his napless hat.
"Ah, mother, I was selfish after all, and deserve no credit, for I
laid the money out in the way which would give myself the most
pleasure. But, see, here is old Jake to tell us the carriage is ready.
Come, mother, I will hand you in, and as we go along I will unfold to
you some excellent news, which I am dying to deliver." So saying, he
placed his mother carefully in the little carriage, and seating
himself beside her drove off, leaving old Jake in charge of the house.
"There is plenty of time, dear mother; so we will drive slowly, that
we may talk with more comfort.
Pages:
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273