Young Oliver: or the Thoughtless Boy. A Tale

by Anonymous

On the morrow he recollected what agreeable chat and good liquor he had at the alehouse. It filled his mind; and he was not scrupulous about spending one shilling more. The alehouse was near; he again stepped in. He tried wine. He had never drank any before. He liked it exceedingly, and determined to have a pint more.

On the days following he longed for more liquor, and constantly visited his beloved alehouse. He began to drink each time more than the preceding. You know, he began with six-pence, then he spent a shilling; now, each time, he spends half-a-crown. He made indeed at the first half-crown, a short reflection; but, afterwards, he consoled himself with saying, "'Tis but two-and-six-pence I am spending. O, I need not fear but I shall have enough left to carry on my trade."

So powerful is habit; so deluding is temptation to low indulgencies! reason would now and then urge a contrary conduct; but company led him on, and he was inexperienced in the world.

Oliver's money at first was one hundred pounds. He had yet ninety pounds left. He now determined to begin business. He made bargains, which never were transacted but in his favourite alehouse. He must needs have some liquor at every bargain, and some more when payment was made. The people of whom he bought wood could not afford to spend money and sell cheap; so were obliged to charge a good deal more to Oliver than to other persons. Oliver thus lost his time, laid in his goods too high, and attended very little to his shop.

Would Oliver have done well, he should have been sober and diligent as formerly. The good employment of all his money depended on a careful use of the smallest part. These thoughts did not at all strike him.

You may perceive, my little friends, how by want of thought Oliver by degrees became fond of liquor, low company, and a vagrant life. Check, therefore, the most trifling inclination to the company of bad boys, who deserve whipping till they grow better, and be careful to avoid bad ways. You that have parents, listen to their advice and never forget what they say to you. So will you be loved by good men, and prosper in the world. Oliver had no parents; but had he listened to reason and common sense he would have acted quite differently.

After he received the money from his best friend, the merchant, Oliver never called any more at his house. He was ashamed to see him, conscious he was acting wrong.

The merchant made enquiries frequently about Oliver; wondering much he did not hear some account from his own lips. The merchant having required no recompense for the use of his money, thought gratitude would have induced Oliver to have now and then called to give some account of his success in business. The merchant considered himself Oliver's best friend, having proved himself so by lending him money at a time when it was not likely any other person would have done the like. Besides, as Oliver had been unfortunate in losing his parents, who loved him more than any one, the merchant expected he would have wanted some advice in many things of which youth are ignorant.