equence was that, though Master Merton had everything he wanted, he
was fretful and unhappy, made himself disagreeable to everybody, and
often met with very dangerous accidents. He was also so delicately
brought up that he was perpetually ill.

Very near to Mr. Merton's seat lived a plain, honest farmer named
Sandford, whose only son, Harry, was not much older than Master Merton,
but who, as he had always been accustomed to run about in the fields, to
follow the labourers when they were ploughing, and to drive the sheep to
their pasture, was active, strong, hardy, and fresh-coloured. Harry had
an honest, good-natured countenance, was never out of humour, and took
the greatest pleasure in obliging others, in helping those less
fortunate than himself, and in being kind to every living thing. Harry
was a great favourite, particularly with Mr. Barlow, the clergyman of
the parish, who taught him to read and write, and had him almost always
with him.

One summer morning, while Master Merton and a maid were walking in the
fields, a large snake suddenly started up and curled itself round
Tommy's leg. The maid ran away, shrieking for help, whilst the child, in
his terror, dared not move. Harry, who happened to be near, ran up, and
seizing the snake by the neck, tore it from Tommy's leg, and threw it to
a great distance. Mrs. Merton wished to adopt the boy who had so bravely
saved her son, and Harry's intelligence so appealed to Mr. Merton that
he thought it would be an excellent thing if Tommy could also benefit by
Mr. Barlow's instruction. With this view he decided to propose to the
farmer to pay for the board and education of Harry that he might be a
constant companion to Tommy. Mr. Barlow, on being consulted, agreed to
take Tommy for some months under his care; but refused any monetary
recompense.

The day after Tommy went to Mr. Barlow's the clergyman took his two
pupils into the garden, and, taking a spade in his own hand, and giving
Harry a hoe, they both began to work. "Everybody that eats," he said,
"ought to assist in procuring food. This is my bed, and that is Harry's.
If, Tommy, you choose to join us, I will mark you out a piece of ground,
all the produce of which shall be your own."

"No, indeed," said Tommy; "I am a gentleman, and don't choose to slave
like a ploughboy."

"Just as you please, Mr. Gentleman," said Mr. Barlow. And Tommy, not
being asked to share the plate of ripe cherries with which Mr. Barlow
a