LITTLE JACK. 159

and tried a pair for sport, but found them so cumbersome, that
I could not walk, and I would not wear such things, even if the
lady would give me another half-crown for doing it; so I laid
my money out in a warm jacket for you, because the winter is
coming on, and you seem to be more afraid of cold than for-
merly.” Many such instances of good conduct did Jack display,
by which it is easy to perceive that he had an excellent soul
and generous temper. One failing, indeed, Jack was liable to:
though a very good-natured boy, he was a little too jealous of
his honour. His daddy had taught him the use of his hands
and legs; and Jack had such a disposition for boxing,
that he could beat every boy in the neighbourhood of his age
and size. Even if they were a head taller, it made no difference
to Jack, provided they said anything to wound his honour ; for
otherwise he was the most mild, pacific creature in the world.
In this manner lived Little Jack until he was twelve years
old: at this time, his poor old daddy fell sick, and became inca-
pable of moving about. Jack did everything he could think of
for the poor man; he made him broths, he fed him with his
own hands, he watched whole nights by his bedside, supporting
his head, and helping him when he wanted to move. But
it was all in vain; his poor daddy grew daily worse, and per-
ceived it impossible that he should recover. He one day, there-
fore, called little Jack to his bedside, and, pressing his hand
affectionately, told him that he was just going to die. Little
Jack burst into a flood of tears at this information ; but his
daddy desired him to compose himself, and attend to the last
advice he should be able to give him. “ I have lived,” said the
old man, “a great many years in poverty, but I do not know
that I have been worse off than if I had been rich, I have
avoided, perhaps, many faults and many uneasinesses, which I
should have incurred had I been in another situation ; and