The Parent's Assistant

custom was, b

rvance due to

yd

, between Oswestry and Shrewsbury, it is st

heir nosegays for the morning and to choose their queen. Their customary place of meeting is at a hawthorn, which stands in a little green noo

ious temper, that he was constantly at variance with his simple and peaceable neighbours. Some pig, or dog, or goat, or goose was for ever trespassing. His complaints and his extortions wearied and alarmed the whole hamlet. The paths in his fields were at length unfrequented, his stiles were blocked up with stones or st

appointed to a considerable agency, he began to think of making his children a little genteel. He sent his son to learn Latin; he hired a maid to wait upon his daughter Barbara; and he strictly forbade her thenceforward to keep company with any of the poor children, who had hitherto

Price, a sweet tempered, modest, sprightly, industrious lass, who was the pride and delight of the

was kneeling at her beehive with fresh flowers for her bees; sometimes she was in the poultry yard, scattering corn from her sieve amongst the eager chickens; an

r good mother, who was very fond of her, a

as famous for baking excellent bread and breakfast cakes. She was respected in the village, for her conduct as a wife and as a mother, and all were

group assembled upon their little green. Barbara was now walking in sullen state in her father's garden. She heard th

peated Philip, stopping short in the middle of a new tune that he was playing on his pipe. "

ill give me some thread to tie up my nosegays, and she'll show me where the fresh violets grow; and she

are to be found in the lanes and meadows," said they. "She must make up the gar

s not come!"

ent assembly, "that she would answer for it Susan would come as soon as sh

ss should give way to theirs, and Rose was

: though that is not true, I'm sure; for Farmer Price knows, and says, it was always open to the road. The Attorney wants to get our playground, so he does. I wish he and his daughter Bab, or Miss Barbara, as she

an; and with all her fine clothes she never looks half so neat. Mamma says she wishes I may be like Susan, when I g

ks, and of Susan, too; for Susan was in her garden, bending down a branch of the laburnum-tree, looking at its yellow flowers, which were just come out; and when the gentleman asked her how many miles it was from Shrewsbury, she answered him so modest!-not bashful, like as if she had never seen nobody

and twice put on wood to make a cheerful blaze for him; but at last, when he did come in, he took no notice of the blaze or of Susan; and when his wife asked him how he did, he made no answer, but stood with his back to the fire, looking

ttle cheerful wood fire in the evening; and there was a gre

-"I shall soon have no coat to dry-and take my

, who was not well; she had this day fatigued herself with baking; and now, alarmed by her husband's moody behaviou

such a daughter as Susan!-her unaltered sweetness of temper, and her playful

she ran to her neat chicken-yard; but, alas! her guinea-hen was not there-it had strayed into the attorney's garden. She saw it through the paling, and timidly opening the little gate, she asked Miss Barbara, who was walking slowly by, to let her come in and take her gu

flying in here, and plaguing us, and my father says it is a trespasser; and he told me I might catch it and keep it the

cried Susan, as they hunted the frightene

" said Betty, holding

ood-bye to your pretty guinea-hen,"

s?" said Susan; "tell

ng," said

Susan; "I have but sixpence of my

said Barbara, t

come in to look for its eggs. I only want one fo

e can eat none but guinea-hen's eggs?" said Barbara. "If you w

n with a sigh, as she looked at her favourite, which was in

father's cottage she saw her friend Rose, who w

dear Susan," cried Rose, running to meet her, at the moment she saw her. "You are cho

arden, "gather those for poor little Mary; I promised them to her, and tell her the violets are under a hedge just opposite

ou a moment; only tell me what's the matter,"

ld not have vexed me-to be sure I should have clipped my guinea-hen's wings, and then she could not

ner by the attorney's daughter, she exclaimed, with all the honest warmth

Price, starting from the thoughtful attitude in which he

hould hear what he was going to say, retired from behind his chair. "Susan, don't go; sit you down here, my sweet Susan," said he, making

was main glad to hear that I could get off by paying eight or nine guineas for a substitute-only I had not the nine guineas-for, you know, we had bad luck with our sheep this year, and they died away one after another-but that was no excuse, so I went to Attorney Case, and, with a power of difficulty, I got him to lend me the money; for which, to be sure, I gave him something, and left my lease of our farm with him, as he insisted upon i

and his wife and Susan looked up i

with a short sigh; "I must le

sat up, begged that her husband would go on, and that nothing might be concealed from her. Her husband had no wish indeed to conceal anything from a wife he loved so well; but, firm as he was, and stea

. Case had been agent. The baronet died suddenly, and his estate and title devolved to a younger brother, who was now just arrived in the country, and to whom Mr. Case was eager to pay his court, in hopes of obtaining his favour

d with you, if you please. Walk on here, man, beside my horse, and you'll hear me. You have

Case?" said

ut its not belonging to me, when you hear

said Price,

aring that he would have his revenge; but, as his passions were habitually attentive to the letter of the law, he ref

under the necessity of calling in the money I lent you some time ago, and you will please to take notice, th

substitute, has not left our village yet. I'll get the money back from

that he had no wish to drive him to such an extremity; that it would be the height of folly in him to run his hea

id! it's none of mine, I never

said Mr. Case; "but then you have no in

on

bout it, Price? All

yours nor mine. In my memory, since the new lane was made, it has always been open to the parish; and no man shall i

urse, to your cost," cried the attorney, exasperat

d the door of his own cottage with resolute steps, however, and went through the village in search of the man who had engaged to be his substitute. He found him, told him how the matter stood; and luckily

ight forward into his room, and laying the money down upon his desk, "There,

hand. "We'll give you a taste of the law, my good sir, or I'm mistake

mind of it by the attorney's imprudent threat. "Give me my lease, Mr. Case. I've paid my mo

e points of the law. Good night to you. I cannot in conscience return a lease to a tenant in which I know there is a capital flaw. It is my duty to show it to my employe

midated. Many a man returns home with a gloomy count

r whole soul was intent upon her poor mother, who, notwithstanding her utmos

er ran high for some hours; but towards morning it abated, and s

lent: the grey light of the morning was now spreading over every object; the sun rose slowly, and Susan stood at the lattice window, looking through the small leaded, cross-barred panes at the splendid spectacle. A few birds began to chirp; but, as Susan was listening to them, her mother started in her sleep, and spoke unintelligibly. Susan hung up a white apron before the window to keep out the light, and just

y." "And here's her crown!" cried Rose, pressing forward; but Susan put her finger

ve her, you know." Then gently putting aside the crown,

ng May morning," added she, with a smile; "good-bye. We sha'n't hear your voices or the pip

y," said Philip: "I've n

come with us," said all the children; and li

mell how sweet the violets are in my bosom, and kiss me quick, for I shall be left behind."

I be grateful enough to such a mother as this?" said Susan to h

on with the row, in the middle of which her hand stopped the preceding evening. "She taught me to knit, she taught

heard music; but that the drum frightened her, because she thought it was the signal for her husband to be carried away by a whole regiment of soldiers, who h

ts, she recalled the circumstances of the preceding evening. She was too certain that she had heard from her husband's o

starting up. "I must get his linen ready for him. I'm afr

usan's affectionate, dexterous, sensible activity was never more wanted, or more effectual. She understood so readily, she obeyed so exactly; and when she was left

y at the window, and beckoned to her to come out. She went o

r, tha

e have all agreed about it. This is the money that has been given to us in the village this May morning. At every door they gave silver. See how generous they have been-

person that was visible at the attorney's house. Rose insisted upon seeing Miss Barbara herself, and she was shown int

w Rose behind the maid, she put on a scornful air. "Could not ye say I was not at home,

on from whom she came did not send her either to beg or borrow; that she was able to pay the full value of that for which she came to ask; and, producing her well filled purse, "I beli

lease. I would have taken a shilling yesterday, if it had been paid at the time properly; but I told Susan, that

th a keen eye; and her penetration discovered that it contained at least ten shillings. With proper

ily Barbara, incautiously exclaimed, "Whatever it costs us, we are determined to have Susan's

e, as she threw them down one after another,

that she had the game in her own hands, preserved a cold, cruel silence. Rose went on rapidly, bidding shilling after shilling, till she had completely

wly-recovered prudence observed that she must go back to consult her friends. Her generous little friends were amazed at Barbara's meanness, but with one accord declared that they were most willing, for their parts, to give up every farthing of th

give, but few know how to accept a gift properly. Susan was touched, but not astonished, by the kindn

"shall I go back

as she contemplated the purse. "Certainly I do long to see my pretty guinea-hen

the militia instead of her husband. "This, to be sure, will go but a little way," thought Susan; "but still it may be of some use to my father." She told

hole world. Why, I'll answer for it, the guinea-hen won't make her happy, and you'll be happy even without; because you are good. Let me come and help you to-morrow," continued she, looking at Susan's work, "if you have any more men

dle, and that she would most willingly accept of her services, but th

won't tell you what it is that I have to do, for I am afraid I shall not succeed; but

ble to procure any that was tolerable. Mrs. Price's last baking failed for want of good barm. She was not now strong enough to attempt another herself; and when the brewer's boy came with eagerness to tell her that he had some fine fresh yeast, she thanked him, but sighed, and said it would be of no use to her. Accordingly she went to work with much prudent care, and when her bread the next morning cam

likely to look at; for handsome is that handsome does; she thinks no more of her being handsome than I do myself; yet she has as proper a respect for herself, ma'am, as you have; and I always see her neat, and with her mother, ma'am, or fit people, as a girl should be. As for her mother, she dotes upon her, as well she

ity," said her mistress; "pray send for her imme

o obey a summons without a long preparation. She had, it is true, been very busy; but orderly people can be busy and neat at the s

f the answers she gave to all the questions that were asked her, please

the mere love of managing, or the want of something to do. They were judiciously generous; and whilst they wished to diffuse happiness, they were not peremptory in requiring that people should be happy precisely their own way. With these dispositions, a

nquired for her brother; but Sir Arthur was in hi

e would not detain her. Miss Somers told her, with a smile, when she t

nd her gossiping maid. They watched eagerly for the moment of her return, that they might satisfy their curiosity.

ted her purposes, from the height of insolent pri

marigolds and some parsle

e up to her before she perceived it,

ay, she says, ma'am-thank you,"

ab, winking at her maid. "One may see you've been in good c

es, or was it only the housekeep

continued Bab. "Did you see

s So

bout it. Can't you stop gathering those things

for my mother's broth is just wanted,

she is, and simple she will be, all the world over. For my part, I think she's little better than a downright simpleton. But, however, simple or not, I'll get what I want out of

th. "Is it ready?" said Bab, peeping into the pot that was over the fire. "Dear, how savoury it

a smile; for at this instant she forgot the guinea-hen; "I have bu

not learn exactly how each of the ladies was dressed, and what there was to be for dinner at the Abbey; and she was curious beyond measure to find

aid," replied Susan, "that she

else did she mean, think you? People, you know, don't always me

rch smile, which convinced Barbara

ring,-"oh, then I suppose you have s

t thinking about Miss Somer

does look," resumed B

t orange marigolds, it looked very tempting. She tasted it, and added now a littl

," said Bab, taking

rembling at the large mouthfuls which B

r broth you shall affront me, if you dare! The next time I set my foot in this house, you shall be as saucy to

ning of this speech; but the concludi

iscovered that he was likely to have more than his share; and in a simple tone of expostulation she said to him, "Take a poon, pig." [77] The saying become proverbial in the village. Susan's little companions repeated it, and applied it upon many occasions, whenever anyone claimed more than his share of anything good. Barbara, who was then not Miss Barbara, but plain Bab, and

dered you did her the honour to set your foot within her doors. What need have you to trouble her for news about th

ysterious even to his own family about his morning rides. He never chose to be asked where he was g

ask questions; his pen was across his mouth, and his brown wig pushed oblique upon his contracted forehead. The wig was always pushed crooked whenever he was in a brown or rather, a black study. Barbara, who did not, like Susan, bear with her father's testy humour fro

d with his morning's work at the Abbey. Sir Arthur Somers, the new man, did not suit him, and he beg

and humanity. The attorney could not persuade himself to believe that his benevolence was anything but enlightened cunning, and his plain dealing he one minute dreaded as the masterpiece of art, and the next despised as the characteristic of folly. In short, he had not yet decided whether he was an honest

utation at the bar, he coolly replied, "I have left the bar." The attorney looked in unfeigned a

t people whose happiness I hope to increase." At this speech the attorney changed his ground, flattering himself that he s

le, and Farmer Price's garden came exactly across the new road for the ride. Sir Arthur looked disappoin

will not be out of lease, I believe, these ten years. I

ease these ten years, and in another it is out of lease at this present time. To come to the point at once, the lease is, ab origine, null

r's eye was fixed with a look of earnest attention.

d Sir Arthur, with apparent incredul

I'd pledge my whole credit upon

Sir Arthur, as if he was

, "a lease for the life of Peter Price, Susanna his wife, and to the survivor or survivors of them, or for the full time and term of twenty years, to be computed from the first day of May then next ensuing. Now, sir, this, you see, is a lease in reversion, which the late Sir Benja

r stood i

ing him by the button, "you have no s

," said S

You have nothing to do but to make over the lease to me. I make all safe to you with my

id enough," rep

himself up to such a pitch of professional enthusiasm, that, intent upon his vision o

we have forgotten all th

n that b

all ruin th

ad laid himself open before he was sure of Sir Arthur's real character. He softened, and said he should have h

out of the parish as soon as possible. When you go home, you will be so good, sir,

ut he could not persuade himself to take his departure

is lease of Price's," said Case; "I'll leave

if you please," r

narch a similar answer. It was this unexpected reply of Sir Arthur's which had deranged the temper of Mr. Case, and caused his

mely presents worked wonderfully upon his own mind, and he judged of others by himself. The tenants had been in the reluctant but constant practice of making him continual petty offerings; and he resolved to try the same course with Sir Arthur, whose resolution to be his own agent, he thought, argued a close, saving, avaricious disposition. He had heard the housekeeper at the Abbey

s fat as fat could be." The attorney easily caught at these words, a

h for Simple Susan. He prowled forth in search of his prey. He found Susan packing up her fat

to-day, Susan?" in

My father goe

's a

lped," said Sus

ed-how do you kno

up at him, and a sudden ray of hope

more expressive than words. "You can help it, Susan." She started up in an ecsta

-but I hav

a lamb," said the ha

b!" said Susan; "bu

look so pale, girl? Are not sheep killed every day, and don't yo

aid Susan, "but I

ol you,"

me about; I have always taken ca

ved; "if you love your lamb better than both your fath

week, did you say? My mother may get better in that time. No, I do not love my lamb half so well." Th

t?" said th

e meadow, by t

before night-fall for

rget it," said

ce in her hands. She was soon aroused by the sound of her mother's feeble voice, who was calling Susan fr

some strange voice just now talking to my child. Something's amiss, Susan," said her mother

id Susan, stooping to kiss her-"would you think it a

you don'

week;-but how burning

red her mother. "How do you know?

et him a week's longer leave of abs

" said the poor woman, joining her hands.

much pains to learn that she could write a very neat, legible hand, and she found this very useful. She was not, to be sure, particularly inclined to draw out a long bill at this instant, but business must be done. She set to work, ruled her lines for the pounds, shillings and pence, made out the bill for t

t immediately to be found; and when it was found the figures were almost rubbed out. Barbara had sat down upon it. Susan pored over the number of loav

ame in with a bill in his hand. "How's this, Susan?" said he. "How can ye be so careless, child? What is your head running upon? H

six dozen lambs, so much." She altered it, and returned it to her father; but he ha

, and I've written them

nge mistakes. Her head, indeed, had been running upon her poor lamb. She corrected all the mistakes with so much patience, and bore to be bla

to the neighbours, and collect the money himself; for that he should be very pr

n her mother's room. She was not sorry to hear him sigh as he passed the knapsack, which she had been packing up for his journey. "How

llage clock struck four, and this was the hour at which she always went to fetch her little brothers home from a dame-school near the village. She knew that they would be disappointed, if