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be expected to convey the tidings that William Green's cottage had lapsed to the landlord. Many shared in the concern expressed by the neighbours for the result of an application which the kind clergyman had promised to make to the landlord; and in the discomfiture occasioned by the short reply, containing merely a reference to the agent, as being empowered to arrange all such matters in that quarter. This functionary being immediately, but privately applied to by Mr. Barlow, frankly told him that the rent thenceforth to be demanded was so entirely beyond the poor widow's means, that he had felt at liberty to promise a new lease to one who had closed with his terms. The clergyman wisely refrained from communicating this to the family, while as yet the life remained; but secretly busied himself in devising plans for their future support.

One Saturday morning, while the widow Green was occupied in scouring up her house, assisted by Helen, two gentlemen tapped at the door. On their entrance, Mr. Stratton was recognized: the other was a stranger. A respectful reception, and ready answers to some general enquiries having been given, the visitors seated themselves, Mr. Stratton insisting that the widow should do the same, and desiring Helen to continue her employment. He then proceeded:

There is much kind feeling excited on your behalf, my good woman: matters look very unpromising as to your lease; and I suppose you are prepared for the worst.'

A slight quiver passed over the widow's lip, as she replied, 'I trust, sir, that He who orders all things for us, will give us grace to receive it thankfully at

his hand whether it may be what we call good, or what we call evil.'

'Very right: a truly religious person like you can never be cast down by a change in outward affairs; particularly when, as you seem to say, what we call evil may turn out to be really for our good.'

That is true enough,' said his companion, many can testify.'

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This gentleman,' continued Mr. Stratton, is a friend of mine, passing through our place. He comes from a distant town where there are hundred of families, led by different circumstances to settle there, all of whom are now thankful enough for any event that helped to fix them in such a prosperous place.'

The widow glanced around her, and towards the pretty little window which commanded a wide prospect.

'I understand your feelings,' resumed her friend ; 'it is very hard to leave a spot we have been attached to for years, and break up old ties; but, I doubt not, any tie would be easier for you to break than the one binding you to the children to whom you have been both mother and father, these many years.'

It is true, sir,' answered the poor woman: 'the worst pain that ever smites me is when I think we may be parted and scattered abroad-and they so young!'

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And you in the decline of life, and likely soon to be wanting the comfort from them that they have found you so ready to impart,' added Mr. Stratton, looking towards Helen, who was leaning on the dresser with her face concealed.

I do hope, I do trust,' cried the poor widow, while her tears burst forth, that it may please the

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Lord, in his goodness, to order it so as not to part us yet.'

Mr. Stratton nodded to his companion, who, drawing his chair nearer to her, began: 'That is what we have been considering of, my good lady. You must know, the town where I live is one of the first places in England for furnishing good, healthful, profitable employment for industrious people, from those of your own age down to the small children, whose little nimble fingers get so expert at the easy tasks given to them, that if you happened to have a little boy even of seven years old, he would make a good round sum at the week's end by his own work-or play, you may almost call it.'

'What work may it be, sir?'

'Different sorts: you see we are great manufacturers, and have a vast deal of employment to giveso we had need, for the crowds who come begging for a share in it would distract us, if we had not. As it is, the numbers who are sent away make it a difficult thing to get; but I being able to influence the gentlemen, can always secure a person against disappointment, and get you all into a capital

mill.'

Is it the factories?' said the widow, starting.

'I don't wonder at your being surprised to hear you may be certain of employment,' replied the other; but depend on it I shan't deceive you.'

'I have heard much about the factories, sir, but little enough in their favour.'

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To be sure,' observed Mr. Stratton, laughing. Those who succeed settle there, and are too well engaged to run about gossipping; while the disappointed folks spread far and wide, proclaiming, like

the fox in the fable, how very sour are the grapes they could not reach.'

'That may be,' remarked the widow thoughtfully.

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'It is, I assure you,' said the stranger. Those who are lucky enough to get fully engaged soon come to live like gentlemen. Good lodging, capital clothing, the best to eat, and plenty of it: kind neighbours, generous masters, skilful doctors'

'And fine preachers,' added Mr. Stratton.

'Oh, for those that like fine preaching it is as good as London itself: lots of Bible Societies, missionary meetings, tract depositories,'

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And schools?' asked the widow anxiously.

'Capital schools: day, evening and Sunday schools to no end.'

'We cannot stop long now,' observed Mr. Stratton. 'Think over what you have heard, but don't mention a word of it to anybody at present. In the first place, my friend would be exposed to so many applications he might not be able to serve you effectually; and in the next place, the life in the lease has not yet expired: so you have a chance still.'

I will not mention it, sir; unless to Mr. Barlow, who is always my true friend.'

'Mr. Barlow! oh no, by no means: he is the best man alive, and your friend; but then he is other people's friend too. Come, I have good reason for desiring you to promise you wont name the matter to any body till we talk it over again.'

The widow promised; adding that she would answer for Helen too.

Come here, Helen,' said the kind neighbour. Why you are grown quite a woman. Don't you think it would be a nice plan to stop with your

good old friend, instead of going out to all sorts of drudgery?'

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Indeed, sir, I should not mind drudgery: but I could not part with her,' casting her tearful eyes towards the old lady.

Nor need you,' said the stranger; " a strong healthy girl like you may earn enough, and easily, to keep her old hands both quiet and warm. Good bye

to you.' And the gentlemen departed.

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Why did you not tell them, granny,' said Helen, when the visitors had left the cottage, that you had relations in the factories?'

'It would have done no good, my dear; and indeed I wanted to have their own account of the matter: for I often thought my daughter Wright had a little over-rated the comforts of the place, because she went against the judgment of her friends; and she is one of those, Helen, who don't like to own they are disappointed.'

'But what a fine thing it must be, if all this is true.'

'It isn't all true, to my knowledge; but the Parliament has been making new laws they say, and all for the benefit of the working people: so it may be truer than I thought at first. Well, we must wait, and see how things turn out, Helen. A higher hand than ours is overruling all for good.'

They resumed their employments; and on the morrow the young people attended the Sunday school, with faces as cheerful and hearts as light as any in the village. Helen taught her class, Richard his, and the three children, as usual, gave perfect satisfaction to their instructors. From the school they went in modest order to the church, where the widow

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