LETTER IX.
WILLIAM to his MOTHER.
Ah, Mama! a great misfortune has happened here. Edward has fallen into the water, he is very ill. Lady Grandison is indisposed, and we are much afflicted. If he had not got help quickly, he would certainly have been drowned.
It was yesterday afternoon; he had not wrote his theme, and his uncle ordered him to stay in his room to make it. He is always disobedient; he was never taught to obey when he was not in the presence of those who had a right to command him. He went down notwithstanding what his uncle had said, and came to us; but I must tell you all.
We were going to a farm-house, not far off, to drink some warm milk. Edward ran himself out of breath to overtake us. Seeing him running, we waited for him, thinking that he had obtained leave to go with us. After we had walked a little way together, we met a boy with a wheel-barrow, on which there was a barrel of vinegar. He made us a bow. Soon after his wheel-barrow was turned over, and the vinegar barrel fell out on the ground. The poor boy was in great distress, for he was not able to lift the barrel on the wheel-barrow again; and there was nobody near him who could offer him their assistance. Charles ran to him, Come William, come Edward, said he, let us help this little boy, we shall all four be able to put the barrel in the wheel-barrow. Are you foolish, cried Edward? do you think I would demean myself to such low work? There is no meanness, replied Charles, in doing a good action. Let us see, said I, we three are strong enough, it is not very heavy; in short, mama, we placed the barrel on the barrow—while Edward did nothing but sing, and call us fools. The little boy was very much obliged to us, and wheeled away.
Fine young gentlemen, said Edward, you will soon be able to wheel a vinegar barrel. Very well, cousin, answered Charles, laughing, then if my vinegar barrel was to fall, I should be very thankful to any person who would help me up with it. Laugh as you will, continued Edward, but what would your father say, if he was told what you have done? He would commend Charles, said Emilia, my father is good, he would have done just the same himself. And I, said Edward, am ashamed of this affair; what had we to do with that poor boy? Oh! replied Charles, we must not only be serviceable to others who have need of assistance because it is our duty; but we must do it to gratify humane feelings, which, my father says, are in every good heart. I should not have enjoyed the treat we are going to have, if I had left the boy vainly attempting to replace his barrel. Besides, that very boy might have it in his power, some time or other, to assist us; but this is not a motive, a good action is its own reward.
We had not been many minutes in the farm-house before Edward proposed sailing in a small boat on a little river near the house. Charles and Emilia refused, saying, that he knew very well that their father and Dr. Bartlett had forbid them. But they will not know any thing about it, replied Edward. Yes, returned Charles, I might conceal it without telling a positive lie; but I could not meet their eyes in the evening, nor say my prayers if I had deceived them.
Well then, answered Edward, if you will not go on the water, I will return home; for I do not find any amusement here.
We all thought he meant to do so; but would you believe it, he went into the boat without our perceiving it.—In about half an hour we heard some one crying out for help. We ran to the place, with the farmer and his son.—But what a terrible sight! We quickly saw it was Edward who had fallen into the river; and there was in the water with him a boy, who was vainly endeavouring to draw him to the bank. The farmer hastened to their assistance, and dragged them both out of the water; but Edward was insensible. Emilia wept aloud, and I was so surprised and terrified I could not speak: Charles only had presence of mind. He ordered that they should carry his cousin to the mansion-house; and entreated his sister to try to compose herself; your tears, said he, will frighten our parents: we must hasten to inform them in the gentlest manner of this misfortune. We soon reached the house. Lady Grandison turned pale, and could scarcely follow Sir Charles, who ran to meet the motionless body which the farmer and his son supported.
At last, dear mother, Edward came to himself; but he is still in bed, for he caught a very violent cold. Perhaps this accident may do him good, I wish it may! Farewel, dear mother, I shall write soon again.
WILLIAM.