Page 166 - Child's own book

and tried a pair for sporty but found them so cumbersome, that
J could not walk, and I would not wear such things, even if the
lafly would give me another half-crown for doing it; so I laid
my money out in a warm jacket for you, because the winter is
coming on, and you seem to be more afraid of cold than for­
merly.1’ Many such instances of good conduct did Jack display*
by which it is easy to perceive that he had an excel lent soul
and generous temper. One failing, indeed, Jack was liable to :
though a very good-natured boy, he was a little too jealous of
his honour. His daddy had taught him the use of his hands
and legs; and Jack hud such a disposition for boxing,
that he could beat every boy in the neighbourhood of his age
ami m e. Even if they were a bead taller, it made no difference
to Jack, provided they said anything to wound his honour; for
otherwise lie was the must mild, pacific creature in the world.
In this manner lived Little Jack until he was twelve years
old : at this time, his poor old daddy fell sick, and became inca­
pable of moving about. Jack did everything he could think of
for the poor m an; he made him broths,, he fed him with his
own hands* he watched whole nights by his bedside, supporting
his head, and helping him when he wanted to move* But
it was all in vain ; his poor daddy grew daily worse, and per­
ceived it impossible that he should recover. He one day, there­
fore, called little Jack to his bedside, and, pressing his hand
affectionately, told him that he was just going to die. Little
Jack burst into a flood of tears at this information ; but his
daddy desired him to compose himself, and attend to the last
advice he should be able to give him. u I have lived," said the
old man, “ a great many years in poverty, but I do not know
that I have been worse off than if I had been rich. I have
avoided, perhaps, many faults and many uneasinesses, which I
should have incurred hud I been in another situation; and