this! to have my only child, and my only fifter, at once reftored to me by one and the fame hand! Teach me, teach me, Mr Fenton, by fome new method of gratitude, to exprefs a part of the fense of what I owe you!

You have already, Sir, cried Mr Fenton, done and faid by much too much upon that head, and have thereby given me great pain inftead of gratification. The payment that I get is a treasure hidden from all men, fave him to whom it is given. I will not, however, do you the offence to return you your bill, but fhall difpofe of it in a manner that, I trust, will be nearly as equitable. Meanwhile, my dear friend, I moft cordially congratulate you on the fignal evidences that have been given of the favour of your God to you, and of his watchful and intending providence over you and yours. I fuppofe you will foon fet out, with your amiable fifter here, on your visit to your friend and brother the worthy Mr Catharines. I fhall heartily pray for a blifsful iffue to the union of the fainted pair, and I requeft you to favour me with a call on your way.

Within an hour after, Mr Fielding fet off for London, on horfeback; and Harry accompanied his fifter, in Mr Fenton's

poft

poft-chaife, upon a short vifit to his friend Ned.

As foon as they were departed, Mr Fenton took paper, and wrote the follow ing letter to Mr Catherines.

Reverend and dear Sir.

"Allow a ftranger, but a very warm " lover of yours, to felicitate you with "his whole heart on the fuccefs of af"fairs. Our precious Phæbe was recei"ved with transport by her brother, and "you cannot be more impatient than "he is for your union. He generously "prefented me with the inclofed bill for "2000l. merely because God had ap"pointed me an humble inftrument for "doing him fome little matter of fer"vice. Though I determined not to ac"cept any part thereof, yet I dreaded to "grieve him by an avowed refufal. I "therefore reftore it to you and your "Phæbe, as a matter of equity next to "that of returning it to himself. It is "furely full as proper that your family "should take charge of that wherewith "providence had been pleased to intruft "them, as that I should be incumbered "with the difpofal thereof. And indeed, 66 my dear Sir, I am already burdened "with more trufts of this nature than,

.

"I fear, I fhall be able duly to account " for.

"That your heart may always continue "where your true treasure is already laid up, is the wish of, dear Sir," &c.

When he had folded and fealed his letter, he took bills from his pocket-book, to the amount of 1300l. and, on Harry's return from London, prefented them to him. Here, my dear, faid he, here is what will enable you to be more than juft to your engagements, it will enable you to be generous alfo. And I defire, my Harry, in matters of charity, that you may never ftint the fweet emotions of your heart; for we have enough, my child, and we are but the ftewards of the bounty of our God.

Here Harry's fpeech was ftopped, but his filence was more eloquent than a thoufand harangues. He fuddenly threw his arms about his dear dada, and, hiding his face in his bofom, he there vented the tears of that pleasure, love, and gratitude, with which he found himself affected.

On the afternoon of the following day, Harry and Arabella went to drink tea with the widow Neighbourly, who received them with a countenance that fpoke an uncommon welcome. Some other company had arrived before them, and rofe on

their

their entrance. When all were again feat ed, Mrs Neighbourly very affectionately queftioned Harry concerning his dada.

On hearing the name of mafter Fenton, an elderly gentlewoman ftarted. Pray, madam, faid the eagerly, is this mafter Fenton, the fon of that noble gentleman who lives on the hill? He is, madam, faid Mrs Neighbourly. My God! exclaimed the ftranger, can this fuckling be the fa ther of the orphan and the widow? Is this he who goes about turning forrow into joy who wipes the tears from the afflicted, and heals the broken of heart? Permit me then, thou beloved child of the Father which is in heaven, permit me to approach and throw myfelf at the feet of my preferver!

So faying, fhe rofe with a rapturous motion, and, dropping at Harry's knees, The clafped his legs and kiffed his feet, before he could prevent her.

Poor Harry, much to be pitied, fat afonifhed, abalhed, and diftieffed to the laft degree. At length, recollecting, and difengaging himself with difficulty, My dear madam, he cried, you hurt me greatly; what have I done that you thould put me to fo much pain?

Babe of my heart, fhe cried, I am the wife of your Vindex, your own Vindex, whom

whom you redeemed from beggary and flavery; whom you reftored to his wretched partner, whom you reftored to his infant-daughter; all pining and perifhing apart from each other, but now united by you, my angel, in joy and thanksgiving! Here, her words were fuffocated, and throwing herself back in her chair, the was not ashamed to give way to her tears, and, putting her handkerchief to her face, the vented her paffion aloud.

Harry then rifing, and going tenderly to her, put his arms about her, and kiffed her forehead, and then her lips. You owe me nothing, my dear Mrs Vindex, faid he, I am still greatly in your debt: I was the very naughty boy who brought your misfortunes upon you. But I am willing to make you amends, and that will do me a great pleasure, inftead of the punishment which I deserve.

The tea-table was now laid, and Mrs Vindex grew more compofed; when her husband entered, leading his daughter by the hand, a very pretty little girl of about fix years old. Harry inftantly fprung up, and running, and throwing himself with a great leap upon him, he hung about his neck, crying, How glad I an to fee you, my dear Mr Vindex! Boy of boys, cried Vindex,