it generally is with every body else, that
he lost more than he gained by his avarice. If any body gave him any
sweetmeats, he would get into some private corner of the house and there
swallow them, for fear any of his acquaintance should want part of them.
His father, in order to cure him of this greedy disposition, used, while
he was feasting in private, to give a double portion to his companions.
He perceived this, and therefore left off hiding himself; but he no
sooner fixed his eyes on any nicety, than he appeared ready to devour it
at once; and pursued the hand of those that held it, as a vulture does
its prey.

From what has been already said, his father may be supposed to be much
hurt at this conduct; and, in order to save himself as much vexation as
possible, he ceased to give him any more niceties, or even have them
within his house, so that they might not, at any rate, be within the
reach of his voracious son.

If Samuel had a pleasing toy of any kind, he would never show it, but
conceal himself in the enjoyment of it, without ever being happy. If he
had any sort of fruit, he would not share it with his playmates, but
devour it in private, even refusing any to those he happened to love
most. Consequently, none of his playmates would ever give him a part of
what they had, and seemed always desirous of shunning his company. When
he chanced to be engaged in a quarrel with any one, none appeared ready
to take his part, not even when they knew him in the right; and, when he
was in the wrong, every one joined against him.

It one day happened, that a little boy observed him with an apple in his
hand, and gave him by surprise a knock on the elbow, which made him let
the apple fall. However, he picked it up hastily, and, in order to
revenge himself on the boy, set off to catch him; but, in running, fell
into a hog-pond, and had like to have been suffocated in the soil. He
exerted all his power to get out, but to no effect: he endeavoured, but
without succeeding, to prevail on his playmates to take hold of his hand
and help him out.

Instead of assisting him, they laughed at his distress, and joyously
danced about the pond, from which he could not relieve himself. They
told him to ask the assistance of those to whom he had done the least
kindness; but among all his playmates, there was not one whose help he
could demand on that score. At last one of the boys, who took pity on
him, came forward and gave him his han