he parish
in which the worthy curate lived.

On Mr. Glover's arrival there, he found the worthy curate reading a
letter, on which he had shed some tears. He explained the cause of his
visit to this worthy divine, and asked him, if he knew what was become
of the father of the two little unfortunate children. The curate
replied, that it was not a quarter of an hour since he received a letter
from him to his wife. "It was," said the curate, "inclosed in one to me,
and contains a small draft for the use of his wife; he requests me to
deliver it to her, and to console her for his absence. As she is dead, I
have opened the letter, and here it is; be so kind as to read it." Mr.
Glover took the letter, the particulars of which were as follow:

He hoped his wife would not give herself any uneasiness on account of
his absence. As he was going to the clergyman's house, he began to think
that it could be of no use to go thus a begging, and, if he should
borrow money, he was not sure he should be able to pay it, which he
thought would be as bad as thieving. At this instant a thought struck
into his head, that he was young and hearty, stout and able-bodied, and
therefore could see no harm if he entered on board a man of war for a
few years, where he might stand a chance of getting a fortune for his
wife and children, at least get enough to pay all his debts. While he
was thinking of this matter, a press-gang came up, and asked him if he
would enter, telling him that they would give him five pounds bounty.
The thought of receiving five pounds fixed his determination at once,
and he accordingly entered, received the money, and sent every farthing
of it to his wife, with his love and blessing, and hoping they would all
join in their prayers to God for him. He hoped the war would soon be
over, and that he should then return with inexpressible joy to his dear
wife.

Mr. Glover's eyes swimmed with tears all the time he was reading the
letter. When he had finished it, "This man," said he, "may indeed be
justly called a good husband, a tender father, and an honest man. There
is an expressive pleasure in being a friend to such characters as these.
I will pay John's debts, and enable him to set up his trade again. Let
his money be kept for the children, to be divided between them, as soon
as they shall be at an age to know how to make use of it, and I will add
something to this sacred deposit."

So greatly was the worthy curate affected, t