Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/75

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CHAP. VIII.

Summer Evening's Amuſement.—The Arrival of a Family of Haymakers.—Ridicule of perſonal Defects cenſured.—A Storm.—The Fear of Death.—The Cottage of honeſt Jack, the ſhipwrecked Sailor.—The Hiſtory of Jack, and his faithful Dog Pompey.

THE evening was pleasant; Mrs. Maſon and the children walked out; and many ruſtic noiſes ſtruck their ears.  Some bells in a neighbouring village, ſoftened by the diſtance, ſounded pleaſingly; the beetles hummed, and the children purſued them, not to deſtroy them; but to obſerve their form, and aſk queſtions concerning their mode of living.  Sheep were bleating and cattle lowing, the rivulet near them babbled along, while the ſound of the distant ocean died away on the ear—or they forgot it, liſtening to the whiſtling of the hay-makers, who were returning from the field.  They met a whole family who came

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