. He loved
_fun_; and those who do should always see that it be harmless, and
that they do not give up more for it than it is worth. I am not
going to say a word against innocent merriment. I like it myself.
But what the proverb says of gold, may be said of mirth; it may be
bought too dear. If a young man finds that what he fancies is a good
joke may possibly offend God, hurt his neighbor, afflict his parent,
or make a modest girl blush, let him then be assured it is not fun,
but wickedness, and he had better let it alone.

Jack Brown then, as _good a heart_ as he had, did not know what it
was to deny himself any thing. He was so _good-natured_ indeed, that
he never in his life refused to make one of a jolly set; but he was
not good-natured enough to consider that those men whom he kept up
all night roaring and laughing, had wives and children at home, who
had little to eat, and less to wear, because _they_ were keeping up
the character of merry fellows, and good hearts at the public house.

THE MOUNTEBANK.

One day he saw his father's plow-boy come galloping up to the door
in great haste. This boy brought Brown word that his mother was
dangerously ill, and that his father had sent his own best bay mare
Smiler, that his son might lose no time, but set out directly to see
his mother before she died. Jack burst into tears, lamented the
danger of so fond a mother, and all the people in the shop extolled
his _good heart_.

He sent back the boy directly, with a message that he would follow
him in half an hour, as soon as the mare had baited: for he well
knew that his father would not thank him for any haste he might make
if Smiler was hurt.

Jack accordingly set off, and rode with such speed to the next town,
that both himself and Smiler had a mind to another bait. They
stopped at the Star; unluckily it was fair-day, and as he was
walking about while Smiler was eating her oats, a bill was put in
his hand setting forth, that on the stage opposite the Globe a
mountebank was showing away, and his Andrew performing the finest
tricks that ever were seen. He read--he stood still--he went on--"It
will not hinder me," said he; "Smiler must rest; and I shall see my
poor dear mother quite as soon if I just take a peep, as if I sit
moping at the Star."

The tricks were so merry that the time seemed short, and when they
were over he could not forbear going into the Globe and treating
these choice spirits with a bowl of punch.