[See page 107.]
A LESSON OF MERCY.
It was the month of January; the fields and houses were covered with snow, and the skaiters and sliders were gliding on the ice; the streets of the towns were covered with snow, and the poor people crowded to the wood merchants,[A] some to buy faggots, while others could only afford to purchase a few billets, just enough to make a little fire in their humble cottages.
Among them was a girl named Margaret, not quite ten years old. She was but poorly dressed, and she shivered with cold.
The little girl stood near a shed where a great many faggots were piled. She looked first at the wood and then at the money in her hand, yet did not enter the shed, but stood shivering in the street.
On the opposite side of the way lived Mr. Basil. His eldest son, Joseph, happened to be at the window and saw this little girl examining the bundles of wood.
After looking at her for a few minutes, he thought she was some workman’s daughter, and might not have money enough to buy the wood she was sent for. He was very sorry for this, and crossed over the road to her.
Joseph. It is very cold, my little girl, and you have neither bonnet nor gloves.
Margaret. I never had any, Sir; but I am not very cold.
J. What are you doing here; do you wish to buy one of these bundles of wood?