termined to forsake Tommy Merton for ever, because he has once behaved
ill?

_Harry._--I, sir! no, I am sure. But though I am poor, I do not desire
the acquaintance of anybody that despises me. Let him keep company with
his gentlemen and ladies, I am satisfied with companions in my own
station. But surely, sir, it is not _I_ that forsake him, but _he_ that
has cast me off.

_Mr Barlow._--But if he is sorry for what he has done, and only desires
to acknowledge his faults and obtain your pardon?

_Harry._--Oh dear, sir, I should forget everything in an instant. I knew
Master Tommy was always a little passionate and headstrong, but he is at
the same time generous and good-natured; nor would he, I am sure, have
treated me so ill if he had not been encouraged to it by the other young
gentlemen.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I believe your friend is thoroughly sensible
of his faults, and that you will have little to fear for the future. He
is impatient till he sees you, and asks your forgiveness.

_Harry._--Oh, sir, I should forgive him if he had beaten me a hundred
times. But though I cannot leave the horses now, if you will be so kind
to wait a little, I daresay my father will let me go when he leaves off
ploughing.

_Mr Barlow._--No, Harry, there is no occasion for that. Tommy has indeed
used you ill, and ought to acknowledge it, otherwise he will not deserve
to be trusted again. He will call upon you, and tell you all he feels on
the occasion. In the mean time I was desired, both by him and Mr Merton,
to inquire after the poor negro that served you so materially, and saved
you from the bull.

_Harry._--He is at our house, sir, for I invited him home with me; and
when my father heard how well he had behaved, he made him up a little
bed over the stable, and gives him victuals every day, and the poor man
seems very thankful and industrious, and says he would gladly do any
kind of work to earn his subsistence.

Mr Barlow then took his leave of Harry, and after having spoken to his
father, returned to Mr Merton's.

During Mr Barlow's absence Mr Simmons had arrived there to fetch away
his niece; but when he had heard the story of the Highlander, he
perfectly recollected his name and character, and was touched with the
sincerest compassion for his sufferings. On conversing with the poor man
he found that he was extremely well acquainted with agriculture, as well
as truly industrious, and therefore instantly proposed to