part of
their time in such household or other drudgery, as to deprive them
of the opportunity of acquiring their trade. This practice is not
the less unjust because it is common.

Mr. Williams soon found out that his favorite Jack would be of
little use to him in the shop; for though he worked well enough, he
did not care how little he did. Nor could he be of the least use to
his master in keeping an account, or writing out a bill upon
occasion, for, as he never could be made to learn to cipher, he did
not know addition from multiplication.

One day one of the customers called at the shop in a great hurry,
and desired his bill might be made out that minute. Mr. Williams,
having taken a cup too much, made several attempts to put down a
clear account, but the more he tried, the less he found himself able
to do it. James, who was sitting at his last, rose up, and with
great modesty asked his master if he would please give him leave to
make out the bill, saying, that though but a poor scholar, he would
do his best, rather than keep the gentleman waiting. Williams gladly
accepted his offer, and confused as his head was with liquor, he
yet was able to observe with what neatness, dispatch, and exactness,
the account was drawn out. From that time he no longer considered
James as a drudge, but as one fitted for the high departments of the
trade, and he was now regularly employed to manage the accounts,
with which all the customers were so well pleased, that it
contributed greatly to raise him in his master's esteem; for there
were now never any of those blunders of false charges for which the
shop had before been so famous.

James went on in a regular course of industry, and soon became the
best workman Mr. Williams had; but there were many things in the
family which he greatly disapproved. Some of the journeymen used to
swear, drink, and sing very licentious songs. All these things were
a great grief to his sober mind; he complained to his master, who
only laughed at him; and, indeed, as Williams did the same himself,
he put it out of his power to correct his servants, if he had been
so disposed. James, however, used always to reprove them, with great
mildness indeed, but with great seriousness also. This, but still
more his own excellent example, produced at length very good effects
on such of the men as were not quite hardened in sin.

What grieved him most, was the manner in which the Sunday was spent.
The master lay