Masterman's property had been
left in trust to build an hospital and almshouses. He said that the
insurance on the vessel was three thousand pounds, and that one-third
of the vessel belonged to my father, so that a thousand pounds were due
to him, which the interest for so many years would increase to above
two thousand pounds. This was good news for me, and you may suppose I
readily agreed to all he proposed. He set to work at once, and having
called together the mayor and corporation of the town, and proved the
document, they immediately agreed that I was entitled to the money, and
that it should be paid to me without any contest. Thus you see, Master
William, was a new temptation thrown in my way."
"How do you mean a temptation? It surely was very fortunate, Ready,"
said William.
"Yes, William, it was, as people say, fortunate, according to the ideas
of the world; every one congratulated me, and I was myself so inflated
with my good fortune, that I forgot all the promises of amendment, all
the vows of leading a good life, which I made over my poor mother's
grave. Now do you perceive why I called it a temptation, Master
William?"
"My dear child," said Mr.
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