126 THE HISTORY OF

young men, and some of the young women,
joined in his mirth.

But the old woman shook her head, and,
turning to another woman who stood by, she
said, “I do not quite relish all this jesting;
none but fools, as the Scriptures say, would
mock at sin.” (Prov. xiv. 9.)

‘Very true,” replied the other: “for my
part, I do not feel much disposed to laugh. I
cannot help feeling very sorry for the poor mo-
ther of that bold hussy.”

“« Why, as to that,” returned the old woman,
“one is very sorry for any one who is incon-
siderate, and lays up for himself stores of mise-
ry. But Mrs. Owen may thank herself for what
has happened. Why did she train up her child
to the love of finery and vanity? Why did she
wish to make a smart lady of her, instead of a
modest, unpresuming, decent girl? Why did
she herself practise lying and deceiving before
her; and neglect her duty to God, spending the
Sabbath in idleness, feasting, and gossiping?
As the wise man says, Train up a child in the
way he should go; and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.” (Prov. xxii. 6.)

We all then sat down upon the grass to our
dinner, and I heard no more of this discourse
at that time. But the shocking wickedness of
the Captain still dwelt very heavily on my heart.

* Alas! alas!” I thought, ‘ what will be the
end of all these crimes?”

I did not that day earn half my wages; for I
was so weak, that I was often forced to sit down
‘to rest myself. A mortal disease had already