Young Oliver: or the Thoughtless Boy. A Tale Read online

Olivernever called any more at his house. He was ashamed to see him,conscious he was acting wrong.

  The merchant made enquiries frequently about Oliver; wondering muchhe did not hear some account from his own lips. The merchant havingrequired no recompense for the use of his money, thought gratitudewould have induced Oliver to have now and then called to give someaccount of his success in business. The merchant considered himselfOliver's best friend, having proved himself so by lending him moneyat a time when it was not likely any other person would have done thelike. Besides, as Oliver had been unfortunate in losing his parents,who loved him more than any one, the merchant expected he would havewanted some advice in many things of which youth are ignorant.

&
nbsp; The merchant had much experience, and would have taken great pleasurein pointing out what was best. He had received some hints of Oliver'sproceedings, but wished to think better of him than was represented.He concluded, Oliver would by and by call at his house, and clear upevery evil report. He hoped, at present, Oliver was too busy in histrade and could not spare time. The merchant's good disposition causedhim to judge too favourably of the vices of others. In this instancehe was sadly deceived; the case was different.

  (keys)]

  Oliver found no longer any joy in industry. He frequently locked uphis shop to go to the alehouse. He thought not of the evil days thatwere to come.--Days that might have been pleasant to him. He thoughtonly of the money in his pocket, which was likely to last yet a longtime. He trusted to some good fortune, as he called it, for more.From day to day his present stock was diminishing. What blindness,what folly could lead him on thus madly!

  Conviction at last came. Came like a clap of thunder. Alas! it cametoo late. His creditors wanted money; he had none left. He couldask no more of the merchant, he knew he would not lend him any. Themerchant perceived he had done Oliver an injury. Elated with havingso much money, he acted as if it would never have diminished. Themerchant had not considered the MIND of Oliver.

  (butterfly)]

  Oliver's mind was weak and trifling; and might be compared to abutterfly, always roving about, but never gaining any thing by it.As he mixed only with low company, his ideas were grovelling; and,though an excellent workman, his genius, was of an ordinary kind. Hewas not formed for the execution of any thing great or noble. He had,indeed, natural good sense sufficient, but he did not hearken to whatit dictated; bad habits had suppressed every generous principle of themind.

  Overcome with shame and grief, he sought to stifle reflection by harddrinking. The frightful moment came. His few effects were sold anddivided among his creditors. Thus did ruin fall on him. He was nowdisgusted with industry. He would not work. He was himself an objectof horror. Life became a burden. A scene of poverty opened before him.

  (pirate ship)]

  He fled from his country; followed by goadings of conscience, anddespair. He joined a gang of smugglers, formidable for the ravagesthey spread through every country on the coast. God did not permittheir violence to continue for a long time unpunished. Their ship wastaken, the whole gang were seized, and Oliver, with the rest, wascommitted to prison. He was put into a solitary cell, loaded withfetters, deprived nearly of light, and allowed only bread and waterto subsist upon. His bed was composed of straw. In this miserablesituation he remained two months. He was then tried, found guiltyof many crimes, and condemned to be shot to death. I will spare youthe pain you would feel on hearing the account of his exit. Let thissuffice, he ended his short term of wickedness by much repentance anda disgraceful death.

  (man shooting rifle)]

  Alas! had Oliver listened at first to reason, his case would not havebeen thus. Had the dictates of conscience been regarded, all wouldhave been well. His situation would have been easy; his pleasurestemperate, as become a sensible being. He would have enjoyedrepute and honour, and the repose of opulent old age; have livedrespectably, and died happily.

  Surely, my young friends, you shudder at such lamentable folly. Ihope as _you_ grow up you will avoid bad company, and the love ofmore liquor than nature requires. Always attend to what your friendsadvise. So may God prosper your pursuits. Be good, and you will sooneror later be happy. If not in this life, in that beyond the grave.

  Be always careful of your money; laying it out on something that maybe useful. Money is intended for some good purpose. You may sometimewant it extremely. Never buy any thing, without asking your friendswhat is most proper for your age and capacity. Never spend it withoutthought.

  Days, months, and years pass on. At times, look back, and examine ifa good use has been made of them, and if we may not do somethingbetter in future. The design of this life is to prepare our mindsand dispositions to enter upon a state of existence perfectly happy;where no care or misery is known, but where all people, who have beenvirtuous here, enjoy complete felicity. In that future state, thosewho have done evil actions in this world, feel misery that cannot bedescribed; and better would it have been for them, had they neverpossessed rational faculties, but have been brute beasts, withoutunderstanding, yea, never to have existed.

  (boar)]

  If vice at any time appears to us in an engaging dress, it isoccasioned by overlooking the deformities it endeavours to hide. Thedisposition of a wolf is not changed, though he put on the clothingof a sheep. If vice ensnares for a moment, think of the story of YoungOliver, and be wise ere it is too late.

  (decorative)]

  (decorative border)]

  TWO WAYS _OF ATTAINING WISDOM_.

  (decorative)]

  The two sons of a certain gentleman repaired, one afternoon, to thegarden, for an airing. The gardener, seeing them approach a bee-hive,begged they would keep at a greater distance, lest the enraged insectsshould sting them.

  (bee hive)]

  "I have never yet been stung!" said Harry, daringly; and walked on,regardless of the caution which he had received. Before the gardenercould turn round, master Harry was saluted by a most excruciatingimpression on his cheek. Thus, by _doleful experience_, he becamewise.

  Constantine, on the contrary, following the gardener's advice,owed his wisdom to timely _instruction_.--Now, Children, which ofthese two young gentlemen had the greatest claim to superiority ofunderstanding? Not one of you will hesitate to give Constantine thatpreference to which he is so justly entitled!

  A Tinker. (front inside cover)]

  A Jew. (back inside cover)]

  * * * * * *

  Transcriber's note:

  Minor punctuation errors were silently corrected.

  Illustrations were moved to avoid breaking up paragraphs of text.

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