"Soon as I arrived at the house, no words can express my dread and consternation on observing it shut up and without signs of any inhabitant. "I sat myself down on a bank close by, and ruminated on the awful circumstance which my indiscretion had, in all probability, produced. "So strong were my ideas at the present moment, that I burst into a flood of tears, pondered over my unfortunate baby, and beheld him as the only source of comfort left me in the world. "While I was sitting in a pensive and almost insensible state, there came by a gentleman and lady whom I had formerly known. 66 They paused, and surveyed me with attention, while I endeavoured to to conceal my face with the mantle that covered me. "They soon drew nigh, and cast an eye of pity on my child. Pretty creature,” cried the lady "thy homely appearance but ill becomes thy beauty;" and, putting a half-crown piece in each hand, exclaimed---"May the gift become the harbinger of better fortune to thee, my pretty cherub !" "As they departed, I thought I heard them drop some hints, which I fancied as allusions to my present reverse of fortune. "I had not been long in this spot, when some labouring people happening to pass by, I enquired how long my father had left his habitation? "Above a twelvemonth," cried the man to whom I put the question. "Aye," exclaims another, " poor man! things were strangely altered with him before he went away." "Upon what account," cried I, ready to die with agitation. "Something very disagreeable in his family happened---I never knew the rights of it---and then some great man went to law with him, which, I believe, nearly broke his heart; for he went away very disconsolate, and we have been informed, is dying for want in a wretched hovel many miles from here." "Can you tell me the name of the place?" cried I, in a tone of vehemence and impatience. "I can't "I can't say for a certainty," answered the labourer; "but I believe they call it Rippon, a great way from here, somewhere in Yorkshire." "I rose immediately, and, thanking my informer, with frantic steps directed my way towards that place. "I soon got intelligence of the road, which I travelled on foot in an agony not to be conceived; when a dreadful tempest overtaking me in my way, I took refuge in the barn, to which you, my dear miss, had resorted. "I have now related to you the general heads of my misfortunes; what follows will appear incredible. "They are particulars known only to myself, and I should forbear describing them, did I not know that the goodness of your heart will com miserate my sufferings to the utmost, and consider them as some small atonement for the indiscretion I have been guilty of. "Often have I dipped the hard crust into the brook, when almost ready to perish, and swallowed it with a greediness as if it had been the choicest luxury. And, at times, to such an ex-treme of want have I been driven, as would have made me fly to participate of even such homely fare. "At the close of day, when destitute of the means of procuring my child a pillow, I have resorted to the barn, where, by glimpse of moonlight, I have pondered over his innocent countenance, and praised God he was insensible of his woe! " I will |