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of the wonderful rule of Providence: depart In peace, resign yourself to the will of your Creator, and sin no more. With that the angel disappeared, and the hermit sought his ancient place, where he spent the remainder of his life in piety and contentment.
THE FARMER AND HIS SERVANT.
A Poor man had three sons who was under the necessity of sending the eldest from home, to provide for himself in the best manner he could. He left his father's house early one morning, and after travelling all day, he came to a rich farmer's house, where he inquired if he could employ him. What can you do, said he? Sir, said the boy, I can do any thing I am put to, but I will not engage myself longer than to the cuckoo sings. I will, said the farmer, give you ten guineas a year, if you do every thing faithfully, and refuse nothing you are commanded to do, but remember, the first that is angry, either you or me, is to to flogged on the bare back as long as the other pleases, and then the bargain is at an end; so if you think proper, you are welcome to stay. I hope, Sir, said the boy, there will be no occasion for either of us to be angry during my time here, so I believe on these terms I will stay.
In the morning the boy was sent out to the field, and his master told him he must plough all the land his dog would run over before eating or drinking. The dog being taught for the purpose, ran over the whole field before he stopped, which would be a good day's work.
Before he had finished his task, it was near sunset, and the poor fellow had not tasted any thing the whole day, but instead of getting his dinner as he expected, he was compelled by his master to begin work again in the barn. He complained of this treatment, and said no one would submit to such usage. Are you angry, said the farmer? I cannot help being angry, said the boy. Well, your time is expired, said he, and getting two or three persons to hold him, he most unmercifully flogged him. The next morning he got up and went home, and sorely grieved that he had had the bad luck to fall in with such a rogue: he told his brother all that happened him, and showing him his wounds, said, all he wanted was revenge. Well, said his brother, I will go in the morning and see what I can make of him. Accordingly he set off pretty early, came to the same farmer's house before sunset, and inquired if he knew any one wanting a boy in the neighbourhood. What is your name, said he? John, Sir; I would
