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in the right moment, impress itself upon the mind! ⟨We⟩ meet, as we pass through the world, so much of rude selfishness, that we guard ourselves against it, and scarcely feel its effects. But spontaneous kindness comes so rarely, that we are surprised when it appears, and delighted and refreshed as by the perfumes of flowers in the dreary winter. Wheu we were a small boy, an orphan, and with the memory of home for evet lost too vivid in our young heart, a mau, into whose beautiful garden we stood looking, pulled a few flowers, and handed them through the fence, speaking a kind word as he did so. He did not know, and perhaps never will know, how deeply we were touched by his act From a little boy we loved the flowers, and ere that heaviest affliction a child ever knows—the loss of parents—fell upon us, we almost lived among them. But death separated between us and all ⟨those⟩ tender associations and affections that, to the hearts of children, are like the dew to the tender grass. We entered the dwelling of a stranger, and were treated thenceforth, as if wo had, or ought to have, no feelings, no hopes, no weaknesses. The harsh command ⟨came⟩ daily and almost hourly to our ears: and not even for work well done, or faithful service, were we cheered by words of commendation.
"One day—we were not more than eleven years old—something turned our thoughts back upon the earlier ⟨and⟩ happier time, when we had a true home, and were ⟨loved⟩ and cared for. We were once more in the garden ⟨and⟩ among the sweet blossoms, as of old, and the mother, ⟨on⟩ whose bosom w« had slept, sat under the grape arbour while he filled her lap with flowers. There was a smile ⟨of⟩ love on her dear face, and her lips were parting with ⟨some⟩ word of affection, when, to scatter into nothing these ⟨dear⟩ images of the lonely boy, came the sharp command of ⟨the⟩ master. and in obedience we started forth to perform ⟨some⟩ needed service. Our way was by the garden of which ⟨we⟩
