Page 124 - Child's own book

honestly in this world* She not only furnished the house of
the schoolmaster and mistress, but allowed them a competent
salary for their support* and supplied the school with books.
Lady Margery Jones did not forget her old friend, Mr. Smith,
for whom she procured a very good living, which happened to
become vacant, iu the gift of the family ; and to which she added
a good sum of mouey to furnish (he parsonage and to repair it.
As he uas oppressed by Sir Thomas Gripe^ the justice> she
defended him, and the cause was tried in Westminster-hall,
where Mr, Smith gained a verdict -f and it appearing thai Sir
Thomas had behaved most scandaJously as a justice of the
peace, be was no longer permitted to act iu (hat capacity*
This was a sharp stroke to a man of his imperious disposition ;
and this was followed by one yet more severe; for a relation
of hb, who had an undoubted right to the Mouldwell estate,
laid claim to it, brought his action, and recovered the whole
manor of Mould well; and being afterwards inclined to sell it,
he made Lady Margery the fir$t offer. She purchased the
whole, and threw it into small farms, that the poor might he
no longt r under the dominion of an overgrown man. This was
a great mortification to Sir Thomas, who, from this time,
experienced nothing but misfortunes, and was soon dispossessed
of all his wealth ; but Lady Margery wished his children to be
treated with tenderness; 4,1 for they," said she, “'are noways
accountable for the actions of their father." She paid great
regard to the poor; and to induce them (o go regularly to
church, she ordered a loaf to be given to any one who would
accept it. This brought many to church, who by degrees learned
their duty, and then came from a more noble principle. She also
took care to encouragc matrimony ; and, in order to induce her
tenants and neighbours to enter into that happy state, she always
gave the young couple something towards housekeeping, and