to lay by carefully.
Whenever you can show me anything that you have begun, and voluntarily
finished, you may at the same time bring with you one of these things,
beginning with those of least value, to which I will immediately add
the part that is deficient. Thus, by degrees, you may have them all
completed; and if by this means you should acquire the wise and
virtuous habit of perseverance, it will be far more valuable to you
than the richest present you could possibly receive."

THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF LITTLE GOODY TWO-SHOES

Ascribed to OLIVER GOLDSMITH

INTRODUCTION

All the world must allow that Two-Shoes was not her real name. No; her
father's name was Meanwell; and he was for many years a considerable
farmer in the parish where Margery was born; but by the misfortunes
which he met with in business, and the wicked persecutions of Sir
Timothy Gripe, and an overgrown farmer called Graspall, he was
effectually ruined.

The case was thus: The parish of Mould well, where they lived, had for
many ages been let by the lord of the manor in twelve different farms,
in which the tenants lived comfortably, brought up large families, and
carefully supported the poor people who labored for them, until the
estate by marriage and by death came into the hands of Sir Timothy.

This, gentleman, who loved himself better than all his neighbors,
thought it was less trouble to write one receipt for his rent than
twelve; and Farmer Graspall offering to take all the farms as the
leases expired, Sir Timothy agreed with him, and in process of time he
was possessed of every farm but that occupied by little Margery's
father, which he also wanted; for as Mr. Meanwell was a charitable,
good man, he stood up for the poor at the parish meetings, and was
unwilling to have them oppressed by Sir Timothy and this avaricious
farmer. Judge, O kind, humane, and courteous reader, what a terrible
situation the poor must be in, when this covetous man was perpetual
overseer, and everything for their maintenance was drawn from his hard
heart and cruel hand. But he was not only perpetual overseer, but
perpetual churchwarden; and judge, O ye Christians, what state the
church must be in, when supported by a man without religion or
virtue. He was also perpetual surveyor of the highways, and what sort
of roads he kept up for the convenience of travelers, those best knew
who have had the misfortune to pass through that parish. Complaints
ind