“Charles burst into tears when he beheld the picture, and threw himself in an agony of despair upon his bed, when a letter was brought him by the servant from an acquaintance, which informed him that his brother George was very ill. Charles, for the first time in his life, felt that he had neglected his brother, for the portrait of Attention had made an impression upon his mind. He arose immediately, and went to the house of Mr. George Wilson, but found that he kept his bed: he was however admitted; and George, who had not expected such a visitor, was nearly overcome at the sight of his brother. They embraced: and Charles, who had happened to have heard of a case similar to his brother’s which had been managed with great success by his own physician, sent for him, while he remained at the bed-side. In the course of conversation, George inquired very kindly after the state of his brother’s affairs, and told him, that he hoped he was going on prosperously. Charles, with a heart full of pain, only gave evasive answers; and on his brother’s insisting that something pressed on his spirits, took his leave.
“Mr. George Wilson presently got well by the advice of the physician, who understood his case perfectly; and the very first thing that he did was to call upon his brother Charles, to thank him for his kind Attention, which had been the means of restoring him to health.
“George, having found the door open, walked immediately towards his brother’s counting-house, when he heard some very strong language, and found his brother engaged in conversation with one of his principal creditors, who threatened to make him a bankrupt, if he did not immediately come to a settlement.
“George had been noticed by his brother, and could see, in his turn, that Charles was sensible that he had heard every thing. George, therefore, begged of the creditor to acquaint him of the cause of his treating a merchant of eminence with so little respect. The creditor made answer, that payment had been put off continually, and that he would wait no longer. George requested to know the amount of the debt, which was five thousand pounds, and, with a heart full of love and joy, sat down instantly at the desk, and having drawn a cheque on his banker for that amount, put it into the hands of his brother, saying at the same time, ‘My dear Charles, this is but a small return for the kind Attention you shewed me a few days ago.’—The creditor retired satisfied, and Charles embraced his brother, while the tears of gratitude for such a timely assistance flowed from his eyes.
“George now desired to know the real state of his brother’s affairs, which, after some difficulty, he was prevailed upon to disclose, and which were as bad as they could be. However, such was the prudence and Attention of Mr. George Wilson, that he soon presented his brother with a plan, by which, with Attention, he might extricate himself. Charles, thoroughly sensible of his brother’s advice, forsook his former propensities, and paid the necessary Attention to his affairs; when his difficulties lessened by degrees; and at length he had the pleasure to find himself out of debt, and is now a rich man.—Thus, my dear children, you see that the very first mark of Attention of Charles was blessed with a speedy and successful return of good, and led to prosperity. It was too much to expect that he should reap as great a harvest as his brother, because he had been wanting of the same industry; nevertheless, as soon as he determined to be industrious and careful, he found that—To pay Attention, is to receive Profit.”
The young people had been extremely attentive during the whole time that Mr. Willock was relating the history of George and Charles Wilson, and seemed not only very much pleased with the story, but convinced of the truth of its moral—that to pay attention is to receive profit.
Caroline began now to show some impatience to see the next picture, and contrived to peep under one corner, when she cried out, “Oh dear! what a beautiful face!”—It was
ADMIRATION.
