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While they were thus employed, old Isaac, the shepherd, walked to the kitchen, leaning on his crook, and followed by his shaggy-haired dog: immediately as Hardy observed him, he started from his (illegible text)at, and ran to embrace his old play-mate and fellow-servant. The meeting was mutually delightful; they had never expected to see each other again, the sweet scenes of youthful days arose to their minds, and their feelings were so strong that they could not utter them. Seeing this, Mr. Benson beckoned to his children to come away, and leave the two old friends to themselves.
Edward and Amelia, when they were seated in the parlour, related to their parents the manner in which they had become acquainted with Hardy, and they requested their father to tell them something about the early part of his life. “Hardy's father," said Mr. Benson, “lived in the service of your grandfather, and all his children, as soon as they were able to work, were employed on his estate. Hardy was a sharp clever lad, of a remarkably easy and mild disposition. My father taught him the first principles of knowledge, and indeed was father partial to him, on account of his cheerfulness and willingness to oblige. He was quite a favourite with me, and with all my young companions, because he was so good tempered, and so fond of children: nothing please him so much as to take a walk with us, and to join in our little amusements. He seemed a well-disposed lad; but when he grew up to be a man, he became connected with some bad companions, who gradually led him astray, and at last persuaded him to despise the simple toil of a peasant's life, and to enlist as a soldier. I recollect the time when Hardy came to take leave of us: I loved hem so much that I could not refrain from tears, and he seemed exceedingly grieved to part with me. Your grandfather gave him some excellent advice, and some pious books, before he departed; but since he left us, we have heard nothing of him till the present day, and we supposed that lie had lost his life in battle,”
When Mr. Benson had concluded his account, Edward went up to him and took hold of his hand, while Amelia climbed up his knee; and they both joined in requesting their father to give Hardy the little cottage upon the hill, in which he was born, and to take care of him in his old age. Their father told them that he was delighted to see the generous warmth of their dispositions, but that benevolence should always be guided by prudence. He was pleased with what he had lately heard of Hardy's character, but it would be necessary to examine it with greater care, before they engaged to support him. “If it should appear,” said he, "on examination, that he is become a virtuous and pious man, we will then consider how we can relieve him in
