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my poor childer a bit to eat this blessed night.”
“Never mind that,” said John; “do as I bid you, and take up the purse at on toee. the big house, and ask for the young squire I have two eakes which I brought evrey step of the way with me from England, and they will do for the children’s supper. I onght surely to remember, as good right I have what my master told me for my twelve-months’ wages; seeing I never, as yet, found what he said to be wrong.”
“And what did he say?” inquired his wife.
“That honesty is the best policy,” answered John.
“’Tis very well, and ’tis mighty easy for them to say so, that have never been sore tempted, by distress and famine, to say otherwise; but your bidding is enough for me, John.”
Straightways she went to the big house, and inquired for the young squire; but she was denied the liberty to speak to him.
“You must tell me your business, honest woman,” said a servant, with a head all powdered and frizzled like a cauliflower, and who had on a coat covered with gold and silver lace and buttons, and every thing in the world.
“If you knew but all,” said she, “I am an honest woman, for I’ve brought a purse full of gold to the young master, that my little boy picked up by the roadside; for surely it is his, as nobody else could have so much money.”
“Let me see it,” said the servant.—“Ay
