John. Yes, Sir, a long while agom but they are all dead and gone, or else far enough from this place.

Mary. Ay, Sir, the youngest of them, and the finest child among them, that I'll

say for him, was nursed in our house when we lived in the old spot near the green,' He was with us till he was thirteen, and a sweet behaved boy he was- I loved him as well as ever I did any of

my own children.
Harf. What became of him ?

John. Why, Sir, he was a fine, boldspirited boy, though the best tempered creature in the world so last war he would be a sailor, and fight the French and Spaniards, and away he went, nobody could stop him, and we have never heard a word of him since.

Mary. Aye, he is dead or killed, I warrant-for if he was alive and in England, I am sure nothing would

keep him from coming to see his poor daddy and mammy, as he used to call us. Many a night have I lain awake thinking of him!

Harf. ( to Beaum.) I can hold no longer !

Beaum. ( to him.) Restrain yourself awhile. Well, my friends, in return for your kindness I will tell you some news that will please you. This same Har, ford, Edward Harford

Mary. Ay, that was his name-my dear Ned—What of him, Sir, is he living ?

John. Let the gentleman speak, my dear.

Beaum. Ned Harford is now alive and well, and a lieutenant in his majesty's navy, and as brave an officer as any in the service,

John. I hope you do not jest with

Beaum. I do not, upon my honour.

Mary. O thank God—thank God if I could but see him!

John. Ay, I wish for nothing more before I die.

Harf. Here he is here he is— My dearest, best benefactors! Here I am, to pay some of the great debt of kindness I owe you. (Clasps Mary round the neck, and kisses her.)

Mary. What this gentleman my Ned! Ay, it is, it is—I see it, I see it. John. O

my old eyes !—but I know his voice now. (Stretches out his hand, which Harford grasps.)

Harf. My good old man! O that you could see me as clearly as I do

you!

John. Enough-enough-it is you, and I am contented.

Mary. O happy day! - happy

day!

weeks ago

Harf. Did you think I could ever forget you ?

John. O no—I knew you betterbut what a long while it is since we parted!

Mary. Fifteen years come Whitsuntide!

Harf. The first time I set foot in England all this long interval was three

. John. How good you were to come to us so soon.

Mary. What a tall strong man you are grown!—but you have the same sweet smile as ever.

John. I wish I could see him plain but what signifies! he's here, and I hold him by the hand. Where's the other good gentleman?

Beaum. Here--very happy to see such worthy people made so.

Harf. He has been my dearest friend for a great many years, and I am be.

holden to himn almost as much as to

you two.

Mary. Has he? God bless him and reward him !

Harf. I am grieved to think what you must have suffered from hardship and poverty.

But that is all at an end-no workhouse now!

John. God bless you! then I shall be happy still. But we must not be burdensome to you.

Harf. Don't talk of that-As long as I have a shilling, it is my duty to

I give you sixpence of it. Did you not take care of me when all the world forsook me--and treated me as your own child when I had no other parent-and

I shall I ever forsake you in your old age! Oh never-never !

Mary. Ay, you had always a kind heart of your own. I always used to think our dear Ned would some time or other prove a blessing to us,

VOL. II.