phrases
from their real meaning to answer your own purposes. Thus, I agree with
you that people should not look upon common honesty as anything beyond a
simple duty which they would be culpable _not_ to perform. But I am as
well assured that honesty, even in this world, meets with its reward, as
I am that it is our duty, when we find the poor and uneducated
distinguished by this quality, to show our sense of it, and so make
ourselves the instruments of this earthly reward, by every means in our
power. I addressed you, Charles, on the subject, because I fondly hoped
it would give you pleasure to offer some assistance in the matter;
besides which, I thought that you might be more likely to hit upon
something which in a pleasing manner would be of service to a boy of your
own age--although only a cottager's child--than I could be. I am
disappointed in this expectation, however, and can think of no other plan
than giving him a small present in money, with some of your old clothes;
he is, if anything, less than you, so there is very little doubt of the
latter being of use to him."

Now it happened that the honest little boy, who was named Thomas Bennett,
had stood in the hall the whole time, and thus overheard the
conversation. I am sure that you cannot wonder that he remembered it,
with feelings far removed from love or gratitude to Charles Sidney.

Any one who observed Charles Sidney, while his mamma examined his
wardrobe to find what clothes she might choose to spare, would have been
shocked at perceiving the selfish expression of his countenance.

It seemed absolute pain for him to part even with articles which, he
having quite outgrown them, were utterly useless to him, and which very
likely the moths would soon have destroyed: for to accumulate and keep
made the rule of his life. You may imagine what a serious trouble this
unhappy disposition of her son was to Mrs. Sidney, who felt perhaps the
more from contrasting his character with that of an elder brother, who
had died from a lingering illness about two years previously, and who had
been equally distinguished for a generous nature, which had sometimes led
him to the opposite extreme of improvidence.

Indeed, poor Frank had been known to debar himself of necessary comforts
for the sake of assisting others. His pocket money was given away within
an hour of its being received; his books were often torn or lost, from
being indiscriminately lent; and the cold h