What shall I do, I have not learned any business, would you have me work in the fields?
CHARLES.
There is nothing shameful in pursuing any honest employment; but you are not reduced to that situation. Any one who has a tolerable understanding, and has had a good education, may make himself friends by his diligence: in short, there is no one who is virtuous and industrious but may gain a subsistence, and secure himself respect and esteem. Come, consent; let me conduct you to your mother; she has lived for you, you in your turn ought to live for her. Our parents are our best friends, whose loss nothing can recompense; let those go to sea who have no parents to weep for them, who have no abilities to push them forward in the employments which require mental exertions; it becomes not you who have such qualifications.
BRADLEY.
It is too late, I have already entered; I have no alternative; go I must.
CHARLES.
That difficulty may easily be removed. Come, throw yourself at your mother’s feet, and give her cause to weep for joy.—At last I persuaded him, and he silently followed me, very much distressed.
The mother no sooner saw us enter the room, than she fell on his neck. Oh! William, how tender is the affection of a mother for her children. Bradley seemed truly penitent and abashed; but I shall not attempt to describe all the affecting circumstances. Afterwards he took me aside, and said, I am really sorry to leave my mother, yet I must fulfil my engagement, for I have spent the bounty money; and the captain would not be willing to part with a stout hand supposing I could return it, which is impossible. I bid him be easy, and if he would promise to remain with his mother, I did not doubt but that I should prevail on my father to use his interest with the captain. I said the same to his mother, whose acknowledgment made me blush, and, to avoid them, I hastened our departure, and thought the road very tedious till I arrived at Grandison Hall, and had interested my father in this poor woman’s favour. I am to see Bradley next Friday: I desired him to call on me; before that time my father will take me to the neighbouring sea-port, where the vessel is fitting out for sea.—You shall hear all about it: till then adieu.
LETTER V.
Charles to William.
Well, my dear friend, my father has exerted his interest, and the captain has consented to release young Bradley from his engagement. I returned the bounty money; my father would have reimbursed me, but I wished to do something myself.