Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/164

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deceived five hundred times, than doubt once without reaſon.

They ſtopped at a ſmall ſhop, Mrs. Maſon always ſought out ſuch; for, ſaid ſhe, I may help thoſe who perhaps want aſſiſtance; bargains I never ſeek, for I wiſh every one to receive the juſt value for their goods.

In the ſhop which they chanced to enter, they did not find the kind of pocket-book that they had previouſly fixed on, and therefore wiſhed precipitately to leave it; but were detained by their more conſiderate friend. While they had been turning over the trinkets, the countenance of the woman who ſerved them caught her eye, and ſhe obſerved her eager manner of recommending the books. You have given much unneceſſary trouble, ſaid ſhe, to the miſtreſs of the ſhop; the books are better, and more expenſive than you intended to purchaſe, but I will make up the deficiency. A beam of pleaſure enlivened the woman’s ſwollen eyes; and Mrs. Maſon, in the mild accents of compaſſion, ſaid, if it is not an

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