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PIRICE 01TE 'PENNY. The names of the Writers will be sufficient guarantee as to the character and interest of these Tales. PAYING THE PENALTY. By CHARLES THREE TIMES TRIED. By B. L. FARJEON. GIBBON. By the Author of FEATHER. GOLDEN A TERRIBLE INHERITANCE. By GRANT " MEHALAh," &C. OR DICK'S SAKE. By Mrs. RIDDELL, ALLEN. By G. MANVILLE MARINE ARMOUR. IN Author of" GEORGE GEITH," &c. FENN. SLIPPING AWAY. By the Author of"VICTA MY SOLDIER KEEPER. By C. PHILLIPPSVIcTRIX." WOLLEY. SAVED BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. By HELEN SHIPTON. LORD JOHN. By G. MANVILLE FENN. GONE. By KATHARINE S. BY TELEGRAPH. By J. MACLAREN COBBAN. CONSTABLE A 1. By JESSIE M. E. SAXBY. STAUNCH-A Story of Steel. By G. MANVILLE FENN. MACQUOID. Volumes containing Six Stories ineach, in papar boards, price 6d. NEW PENNY SERIES OF POPULAR TALES. Imperial 8vo, 16 pages, Illustrated Paper Cover'. AN EVENTFUL NIGHT, and What Came' THE TWO WHALERS: or, Adventures of it. in the Pacific. By the late W. H. G. KINGSTON. THE LILY OF LEY.DEN. By the late ROB NIXON, the Old White Trapper; a W. H. G. KINGSTON. Tale of British North America. By the late WV. H. G. KINGSTON. MOUNTAIN MOGGY; or, the Stoning of WHITER THAN SNOW. the Witch. By the late W. H. G. KINGSTON. L SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, London: Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, W.C.; 43, Queen Victoria St., E.G. Brighton: 135, North St. BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON .IN HIS MOUTH. BY THE REV. P. B. POWER, M.A., AUTHOR OF " THE OILED FEATHER." LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, NORTIHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C,; 43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C. BRIGHTON: SEW YORK: 135, NORTH STREET. E. & J. B. YOUNG & CO. The Right of Translation is reserved.J BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. CHAPTER I. " TDON'T believe in silver spoons," said John Harding to his wife, as they both stood by the side of the cradle of their firstborn child. "I believe in a great many things-in thunder and lightning; in roast beef and plum pudding; in tea and toast; in shrimps, when I get them for tea, and in the sea-serpent; but, Jenny, I don't believe in silver spoons-I don't believe they're true; and if they were true, I'd have faith in them none the more." "I wish our babe had been born with one," said Mrs. Harding. "I've often heard mother say of grand folk that, ' they were born with silver spoons in their mouth;' and to look at them in their carriages, it seemed a fine thing for them." " And who has been putting all this stuff into your head ?" said honest John Harding to his wife. "I'm sure that troublesome old Goody Grey has been herewhenever you have a visit from her, you're never like the same woman; and ever since the baby was born, she has been in and out more than usual. I wish she would not come here," said John Harding; "she'll be sure to do mischief before she's done" And, in truth, it would have + BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. been very desirable if John Harding's wish had been fulfilled; for Goody Grey was the town gossip, and had done no end of mischief in the place, in one way and another. Goody Grey was possessed of an independent income of £45 a year; and on that she managed to live without doing anything; so she had ample leisure to do as much mischief as came in her way. Not that she intended to do it, or wished to do any harm; but she was a foolish woman, and unhappily found plenty of foolish people to listen to her. John Harding's wife was one of these; and as Mrs. Grey had made herself very useful in dressing the baby, and doing odd jobs of one kind and another, when its mother could not attend to them, she was now in high favour with Mrs. Harding. It was she who had been telling the young mother all about people being "born with silver spoons in their mouths;" and as Mrs. Harding had often heard her own mother make use of the same expression, she was all the more prepared to entertain the idea, and believe there was something in it. John Harding's wife was not so easily to be put down; for, in truth, people generally cling more tightly to what is superstitious than to what is real; so she now argued the matter pretty stiffly with her husband; and the argument ended by John Harding's saying in his own blunt honest way-"Well then, wife, I'll tell you what it is; I believe that if ever children have been born with silver spoons in their mouths, a lot of them have been choked -that's all;" and John took his departure to his work. "That's the way with men, always," said Mrs. Harding; "I don't see why a thing shouldn't be true because Mrs. Grey says it; one would suppose John thought I meant a real spoon, by the way he went on; but that's just like men-there's never any arguing with them. I only wish you had the silver spoon, my pretty dear," said the young mother, taking the child up out of the cradle. "I'm a great believer in luck, my child; and I'll hope you'll be lucky, that's all," BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MIOUT!. Whatever chance there might have been of John Harding's knocking, by his blunt speech, his wife's foolish ideas out of her head, it was now entirely lost; for at this moment the beforementioned Mrs. Grey came into the house, just to look at the child's frock and hood, for it was to be baptized to-morrow. She came also to have, as was her wont, a little talk about other folk. Mrs. Grey was not long in finding a subject on the present occasion; for on to-morrow also, the child of the foreman of the factory where John Harding worked was to be baptized; and Mrs. Grey had just been in there, and seen the little dear and what it was to wear. As is, alas ! too often the case, very little was said on the important subject of the baptism itself; the whole talk was about what Mrs. Windus the foreman's wife was to wear; and what her baby; and who was to be at the christening; and the like matters were discussed about the Harding christening too. "'And only think," said Mrs. Grey; "that boy of theirs has been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Depend upon it he has, for Miss Stratton is going to be his godmother; and this very morning she sent the baby a little case, with a knife, and fork, and spoon, in it; and there's no knowing what she'll do for it by-andbye. I wonder now," said Mrs. Grey, " how they ever got Miss Stratton to stand for the child; I never knew her to stand for any one in the parish before; and only to think of the lot of money she has-- 3oo a year, and no one to leave it to; at least, so they say; well! the Winduses are lucky, that's all I can say. I think Windus and his wife must both have been born with silver spoons in their mouths, to have such luck as this." "Look here, my dear," said Mrs. Grey, opening her bag with great care, "I got leave from Mrs. Windus to show them to you;" and Mrs. Harding's visitor produced a carefully papered parcel, in which, in a morocco case, were the fork, knife, and spoon. Mrs. Harding might have been 6 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN vexed at the idea of such a tide of prosperity setting in upon her neighbour's child so early in life -born the same day, and almost the same hour as her own; were it not that, she felt she had now secured a triumph over her husband. Here was an instance of what she had just said -- the truth would now be brought home to her husband's very door-hard as men were to be convinced, what could he say now ! But it was necessary for John Harding's good that, he should see that spoon; accordingly, his wife sent Mrs. Grey over to the Windus people to ask permission for that purpose; and Mrs. Windus, being not a little proud of her darling's present, had no objection. "Now, John," said his wife, when the worthy man had come home, " now look here -- you needn't go far to find people who are born with silver spoons in their mouths; look at this-here is a present for little Windus from his godmother-Miss Stratton; and if a child begins in this style, 'tisn't anything but reason to expect that he'll go on. Miss Strat- HIS MOUTH. ton has no one to leave her money to--no doubt she'll remember the baby in her will, and, perhaps, leave him all she has." " How you do run on," said John Harding to his wife-" I suppose the baby has been born with a knife, and fork, and tablecloth in its mouth, as well as a spoon." " But you don't deny the spoon, John, do you ?" "I only hope young Windus will always have something good to eat with it, that's all," said Harding; "if folk are born with silver spoons in their mouths, all I can say is, that very often they die without them. There's something in the world better than good luck, or silver spoons either; and that, I hope our boy will have, Jenny; that's all. Let him but serve the God truly to whom he is to be given to-morrow, and walk with him, and with his fellow man, as a Christian ought to do, and he need not envy any one his silver spoon, or anything else." The following day two christening parties met at the church. Mr. Windus and honest John BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN Harding were each there, with their firstborn child. And on this important occasion, they both shook hands; they did not often perform this operation, for Mr. HIS MOUTH. Windus was foreman of the factory where John Harding worked ; and consequently looked upon himself, in some degree, as the latter's master. But now a kind ! - "fir 1 f "' LOOK AT THIS-HERE IS A PRESENT FOR LITTLE WINDUS FROM HIS GODMOTHER." ' of fellow-feeling made the foreman forget the factory, and think only of the cradle; and accordingly, he put out his hand to our husband in condescension, and partly because she could do it with safety, as her baby was worthy friend ; and Mrs. Windus, partly not to be outdone by her grandly than Mrs. Harding'sand, moreover, had a richer god- dressed ever so much more BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN 8 mother; and further, was in her belief, at least a pound and a quarter heavier-did the same. And to her great satisfaction, Mrs. Harding did not presume upon her condescension by violently shaking her hand; but showed that she knew her place, by adding a little kind of curtsey as she shook hands in turn. All this was very soothing to Mrs. Windus's feelings; which were further gratified by the mother's being able to introduce Miss Stratton as godmotherdid Mrs. Harding take in this fact? yes, it was plain she did; and didn't Mrs. Windus believe, in the bottom of her heart, that Mrs. Harding would have given the eyes out of her head to have had her to stand for her child ! That completed Mrs. Windus's happiness; what more could enter into her imagination ? what more could she desire ? CHAPTER II. WHEN hda some women get an into their heads, you may HIS MOUTH. take a pail full of arguments and try to mop it out; but, unless of their own free will, they part with it, you will not succeed. We don't mean to say that John Harding's wife was, in all matters, a woman of this kind; only that in this particular thought of the silver spoon, she was not easily to be moved. To all her husband's arguments she had one answer, viz., that " time would tell;" and as time had yet a long way to run on, what answer could John give to that. At last he said, " I must fight her with her own weapons and say too, 'time will tell.' And to be sure," said John Harding, as he thought over the matter, "so it will--'tis a pity I didn't take up this idea myself; however, as she has hold of one end of the stick, I can't do better than take hold of the other. We must not throw away a good argument because our opponent has got hold of it -aye, aye, 'time will tell,' sure enough." When people have made up their minds to let time prove things, they often have to put up with a great deal; and tq BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. exercise no patience. small amount of This was the case with John Harding. For a long time his wife had it all her own way; and with her end of the stick she belaboured her hnsband well; while with his end, he had as much, and more than he could do, to defend himself. Indeed, all the odds were against poor John; for, not only had he to wait for years, to prove that he was right; but he had to fight his battle alone, while his wife had a faithful and energetic ally in Goody Grey. The two women had a further advantage, they need not depend upon mere theory; they always had an example to prove what they said, close at hand. Little Windus had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth; and scarce a day passed but that the end of it might, so to speak, be seen sticking out. Mrs. Harding might have been envious of all the good things young Windus's godmother did for him, were it not that every one of them was useful to poke into her husband's ribs; and make him feel that she was right, and he was wrong. It certainly was wonderful what old Miss Stratton did for little Windus; she gave him no end of toys; she knitted warm socks for his feet, and comforters for his neck; in fact. she spoiled the child. "Ah, Mr. Harding," said Goody Grey one evening, "there's no standing out against what one sees with one's own eyes. Look at that new dress that Tommy Windus was going about in today, and look at the frosted cake that Miss Stretton has been and ordered at the confectioner's for him, with a man, and a gun, and two birds in a tree on the top of it; and two horses, with jockeys on them, running round-why, they were sent for to London, on purpose; he would have them, small as he is; and she wrote oft for them at once." Goody Grey was not often asked to tea at John Harding's-the latter had forbidden too many invitations of the kind, for he knew what mischief came of them; but this was his little Jacob's birthday, and on these S0 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. occasions, there was always joiced in a neighbour's good something extra; and Goody luck." "And 'twould have been all Grey was always a guest. "Now, Mr. Harding," said the more Christian-like," said his Goody, " nobody has given Jacob wife, "-because Jacob had nothing anything, except that little horse of the kind." and cart I bought him; and what's "Surely, you don't grudge that to all that Tommy Windus Tommy Windus his luck; do has had? Only to think of those you ?" asked Goody. things being sent for, all the way " Or those couple of little ornato London, for him. People may ments?" chimed in John Hardsay what they like, but I believe ing's wife. "Not I," said John, who was there is such a thing as being 'born with a silver spoon in being stung by the two women one's mouth; ' and I'm sure on every side-" not I, indeedTommy Windus has one in except for the harm such things his." do the teeth, and sometimes the As it was time that was to tell stomach too. Perhaps, some day, whether Tommy had been born poor Tommy Windus will find with this spoon at all-and if he that these things are the cause of had been, whether it were sterling something else besides a silver silver or no; poor John Harding spoon being put in his mouth. I'd felt that it was not much use to much rather he had them than argue; still, he was not to be al- Jacob." "Well, then, what do you mean together muzzled, so he told his visitor that, 'he was very sorry to about being sorry ?" asked Goody hear about the ornaments on the Grey. "Why, this," said John Hardcake. "Well now I call that very ing, "that these horses racing, unkind, Mr. Harding," said and this man with the gun, are Goody Grey. "I should have most probably the beginning of thought that, like a good tastes which may yet prove poor Christian, you would have re- Tommy's ruin; and I fear his BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN II you've done." But Goody and Mrs. Harding had sense enough to see that the man was likely to have the best of them this time; so they turned their attention to poor little Jacob, who, up to the pre- superior glories of Tommy Windus. "Well, though Jacob wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he's not so badly off either," said his father. "Now Jacob, my boy, stand up on that chair; and let us have a look at your limbs-see here, Mrs. Grey," and John Harding gave Jacob's legs a good pinch, which the latter bore heroically without a wince, "you feel that boy's arms and legs--they're as hard as iron -- and I'd rather have a pair of iron arms on my body any day, than a silverspoon in my mouth. Now you look at Jacob's eyes, aren't they sparkling and bright? }and that shows he's healthy in his body, and intelligent in his mind-the silver spoon isn't any brighter than they; and now, Jacob, you bring your book and read us a bit;" and the boy read out very prettily a piece of a chapter out of one of the Gospels. " I call that something nice to come out of a boy's mouth, even though there's no silver spoon in it," said John Harding. "I think more of a boy's principles, than I sent, had been entirely eclipsed do of his luck-more of his educa- heart was set upon them, as they had to be sent for on purpose to London." "Aye, indeed; I heard Miss Stratton say that he said he wouldn't have a cake at all, unless he had these things on it; and after telling him he was a naughty boy; she said, 'and Tommy, some day you shall have a gun yourself, and, perhaps, go to the races too."' " Exactly so," said John Harding; "and to be given a gun and sent sporting, instead of attending to his business-that will be a silver spoon in Tommy Windus's mouth, won't it ? and to be sent to races, and probably get himself mixed up with gamblers and blacklegs, that will be another? Go on, Goody-tell us a little more of what Miss Stratton said-no doubt, you'll make out the half dozen of spoons before by HIS IMOUTH. the I2 BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN tion, than of godmother's gifts; and I hold to it that our Jacob, without a silver spoon, will do as well as Tommy Windus, with a dozen of them, aye, even tho' one HIS MOUTH. of them were a soup ladle, in the long run." "Time will tell," said the two women. "So it will," answered John Jiil " I'D RATHER HAVE A PAIR OF I IRON ARMS ON MY BODY ANY DAY, THAN A SILVER SP(OON IN MY MOUTH." Harding; but give it time-that's all - and don't make out that you're going to be right always, just because you seem to have it all your own way now. You come down .hard upon me now with every little thing that Tommy Windus gets; but, perhaps, I'll come hard on you some day," said Harding; "so go easy, and don't be laying up too much in store for yourselves." BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN And in truth, good reader, John Harding was right; good principles will always beat good luck in the long run-what seems so good in luck, often turns out not to be good at all; the luck goes, no body knows where, but the principles stand good to the end. Look well after the principles; you can't give good luck, but you can instil good principle; and when you feel that you have done your part, then let the matter rest. "Luck," as it is called, is generally very sudden-often as much so too, in going, as in coming; but the principle is something substantial; it often takes a long time to root, and a long time to fruit; but give it time; as John Harding said, "time will tell." We don't deny that silver spoons are very good things; and we should like to see half a dozen in every cottage in the land, if it were for nothing but to be brought forth on state occasions, and holidays; but we are quite sure that, if they ever come into any house, it will not be in babies' mouths. Whatever way we turn the matter, we say, " give HIS MOUTH. 13 us the principle, let who will have the luck." CHAPTER III. As time wore on, it operated upon the limbs, and by consequence, on the garments, which covered the limbs of both Tommy Windus and Jacob Harding. Tommy's luck did not make him grow a bit bigger than Jacob--indeed, it acted in the opposite direction, for it prevented his growing so much-not in the way of height, for Tommy was as tall as Jacob; but his legs and arms were of a very different kind. Tommy Windus's face, moreover, was pasty, and his eyes were somewhat fishy; and on the whole, he did not look like a youth who had any great run of luck inside, whatever he might be having in the matters of outer life. And for this, as for almost all other things, there was a reason. The fact was, Tommy Windus had not the same chance of getting on as Jacob. 14. BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. It was expected that his godmother, Miss Stratton, would leave him no end of money; so she was allowed to have the boy as much as she liked; and to do with him pretty much as she pleased; and as she fed him on pastry, and kept him up to all hours, what wonder if he did not get on ? But all that was part of what was in the silver spoon, which was in Tommy's mouth when he was born. The silver spoon has always something in it; and that something is by no means always conducive to the health of body, or mind. Mrs. WVindus had now a couple more children, so she was not sorry to have Tommy almost always provided for under Miss Stratton's charge; and that lady, as we have said, did with him pretty much as she liked. Amongst these doings, was dressing up Tommy Windus a good deal above his station in life. This excited the unqualified admiration of Mrs. Harding, and her friend Goody Grey-and when Tommy appeared one day with a gold breast-pin, which was the gift of Miss Stratton, there was no denying that matters were looking bright, for him at any rate. But John Harding still stuck out that, " ' time will tell' whether these things were such good luck after all." " I don't call it any particular good luck," said he, "to be dressed above one's station; and to have notions put into one's head, which lead to extravagance, and raise expectations which may never be realised in after life. Jacob gets on very well with a sailor's knot on his handkerchief; he does'nt get a sore throat for want of a breast-pin; or come to any harm that I know of," said his father. "Depend upon it, 'tis better for a boy in these things to know what he does not want, than what he does-what he can do without, than what he can do with; even as far as this world goes, these are the people who get on. Jacob will be better off with the price of the pin, than the pin itself.;" and John Harding put an extra ten shillings into the savings bank to his boy's account. BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS lOUTH. 15 For, be it known to the reader; what fortunes had been made by little Jacob was, to some extent, the right use of a much smaller a monied man. capital than that! and what were His father never heard of any John Harding's paltry savings on special piece of luck befalling his boy's behalf, in comparison Tommy Windus, but that he put with such a sum as that I If ever something extra, according as he John Harding had the least belief could afford it, into the savings in the silver spoon, now was the bank on his boy's behalf; and time when it must work on his when the proper time came, John mind; but he withstood the tempHarding would be prepared to tation firmly; and only hoped shew that principle was not so those who were to see to Tommy Windus after Miss Stratton was far behind after all. It required no little constancy gone would execute their trust and determination on the worthy faithfully. Miss Stratton made no secret parent's part to do this, for Miss Stratton's gifts were generally of the contents of her will. She something far beyond his means had her god-child with her continually during her illness; and to cope with; but he said, "never mind, a little money with good told him that she had left him all principle often does a good deal." she had. And Tommy Windus One sore trial poor John Hard- quite took in the idea; and was heard to say the no end of things ing had. Miss Stratton fell ill; and it was not thought that she he'd do when his old godmother could recover. Then she sent for was dead. But it so happened a lawyer to make her will; and that Miss Stratton did not die by it she left £2,000 to her god- just then; to the surprise of every child, Thomas Windus. It was pretty nearly all she had to leave, as a distant relative came in for the rest of her property. But what a sum £2,ooo was to a boy in Tommy's rank of life-and one she recovered; but as far as her godchild was concerned, the mischief was done; he knew that he was to have a considerable sum of money; therefore, why need he work; £ 2,ooo was in his 16 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON"IN eyes a sum that he could never get to the end of; what was the money for but to enjoy himself with ? IS MOUTH. teach him how to use it; indeed, I'd give him a double education; first, I'd teach him how not to make a bad use, and secondly, A little money, or the prospect how to make a good use of the of it, has been the ruin of many money; but as we haven't it, a young man. Leaning against there's no use in talking over the this back, he has not put forth matter; I'll take care that Jacob his energies so as to be able to makes the best of what he has. stand by himself; consequently, Believe me, mother," said John when the little money has gone, Harding to his wife, "our businothing has been behind. Some ness is with what we have, and of those who have done worst in not with what we have not: if life, have been people who had a once we trouble ourselves about little money to look forward to. what we have not, we may put And in this case, the know- all the cares of the world upon ledge that he would have this our shoulders; we must make the £2,000 had a very bad effect on best of our Jacob that we can; Tommy Windus-if it was a sil- and I don't think that that best ver spoon in his mouth, it was will be bad. Don't you observe, one that was not likely to stay mother, that the boy is always at there. the top of the class; and that he It need be scarcely said, that is getting on wonderfully with his young Windus attended neither sums ? the master says he's one to education, nor anything else of the most industrious boys he that could do him any good-ever came across ; and that in any"why need he?" said Goody thing in which he is not particularly bright, he manages to get on, Grey "he'll have enough." "Well," said John Harding, nevertheless, by patient plodding; "even if I had £2,000 to give and, depend upon it, this will Jacob, I would educate him as if come to something in the end. he were to have nothing-at any 'Tis astonishing how the plodding rate, I'd educate him so as to people get on--they don't make I i tliiiiiii~~ii i-lilt! iii iiiiiiiiii < i, iii!iiiii iiiiii iiiiii iiiiijiii iiii ;iiiiiiiiiiiiii :iiir{iiiii~iiiiiiiiiii % i ii ii!iii lllllllifll :i.il'iii, iiii i~i _iii!!l:II:I -~ii~iiii sr~ii aksTlike lver iillli leanser and Po The Wrld'smost arvelous arelikeMirorsSpolessEarhen lie Ne, Coppr lke GldPain Bass like i:~ Mal~iirble, Marbiile~iii Wh=~it.'i''=~~ :llii ware, Crockery A D C EMITS SOLD~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii BY::::: GROERS IR NMO GER, Yrooke " monkey + +] Brand." 8@e"E For Cleaning, Of erg~3dZ Scouring, Scrubbing, Polishing, METALS, MARBLE, PAINT, CUTLERY, CROCKERY, MACHINERY, GLASSWARE, EARTHENWARE, WINDOWS, OIL-CLOTHS, BATHS, BRASS PLATES, STAIR-RODS. 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SIMPLE, RAPID, CLEAN, CHEAP. sky . polish the Efr}khebrighte And we botl declare, ashalf the world knows, Thotl a capital couple, we WONT WASH CLOTHES BROOKE'S MONKEY SOAP. BRAND. Large Bar. 4d. a The World's most marvellous Cleanser and Polisher. Makes Tin like Silver, Copper like Gold, Paint like New, Brass Ware like Mirrors, Spotless Earthenware, Crockery like Marble, Marble White. SOLD BY GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, AND CHEMISTS. BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUT. any noise or splash in the world, but they come to the front at last; and you'll generally find that they have a dozen of silver spoons in the cupboard, even though they were not born with one in their mouth. Indeed, no one knows where those spoons, that people are born with, go to; if one wanted to make a collection of them, I don't believe many of them could be found." " I tell Jacob to be industrious and honest, and to be self-reliant, and to put his trust in God; and he'll have as many silver spoons Let as he wants, by-and-by. him first trust God; and then, as far as this world goes, lean on himself, and not on other folk; and he'll do well. Every man was meant to stand on his own legs-that's what he was given legs for; if you stand on other people's, you never know the moment they will give under you. There's Tommy Windus, he's standing on Miss Stratton's legs; and he hopes to run about upon them when she's dead; but he'd be much better if he were upon his own. 1 hope Jacob will always stand on his own legs, and 17 then he'll know what he's about; and where he is; and where he's going to. If you're standing on other people's legs, you never know where they will carry you -they've stopped precious short with some folk of where they wanted to go; and they've carried others a precious deal too far; however, 'time will tell,' --I'll back Jacob against Tommy any day; honesty and industry, and self-reliance, and trust in God, against a silver spoon in a baby's mouth." CHAPTER IV. THE factory in which John Harding worked as a mechanic, and in which Mr. Windus was foreman, was carried on under the name of "Spindle Bros. & Co." Spindle Bros. & Co.,. were manufacturers of machinery, and were doing an increasing business; but they were a struggling firm to some extent; and had not large capital at command. At the time of which we write, 18 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN they were particularly in want of money, for one of the partners had just died; and his share of HIS MO UTH. " 0 no I'm not," continued his brother. " You know the boy Windus has a godmother." the capital, amounting to £2,000, " I suppose he has." would have to be paid out to his "And she spoils him--" widow, within a few weeks. "I dare say she does." A long talk was now being "And she's going to do someheld in the counting-house be- thing for him." tween the two surviving partners, "Very likely she is." as to how the money was to be "And 'tis out of what she's raised; when one of them sud- going to do for him that I'm denly slapped his hand upon his going to get the money for Spinthigh, and said, " I have a bright dle Bros. & Co. But we must idea; I think I know where we be prepared on our part to make some sacrifices; and if we are, I can get it." Mr. David Spindle looked at think the matter can be arranged, and the cash can be had." his brother as if he were mad; but as matters were not to be fur"Go on," said Mr. David thered bylooking longin that way, Spindle. "Windus has often been speakhe, in a very incredulous, but at the same time curious, tone of' ing to me about this boy. It seems that his godmother, old voice said, "where ?" "David," said Mr. Matthew Miss Stratton, of South Street, Spindle, "you know our foreman has taken him up ever since the Windus." day of the christening, and as "I suppose I do," said David. Windus says, even the day be" And you know Windus has a fore; for she began by giving him a silver knife and fork, and son," continued Mr. Matthew. " And what of that ?" spoon; and she has lately made "'Tis just there I mean to get her will, and left him all she can dispose of, that is £2,000; and the money," said Mr. Matthew. a donkey," said £2,000, David, is just the money "Then you're we want, to a farthing. Windus Mr. David. BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN has been asking me to take the boy as a clerk--he says he couldn't think of letting a lad with his expectations enter the factory as an artizan; he wants him to be a gentleman; or as near one as he can; and if only you'll make proper terms with the Windus people and Miss Stratton, you may have the money." "Well, you work it, if you can," said Mr. David Spindle; and he took up his hat and went off to some particular work he had going on. Mr. Matthew Spindle left to his own devices forthwith called the foreman into the office. "I have been thinking, Windus," said the master, " that it wouldn't be impossible to get a berth here for your boy. Let me see, how old is he?" "Just upon fourteen," said the foreman. "Fourteen! ah yes, a very good age for a lad to beginmany a lad who has begun at this age has lived to be the head of the firm, where he commenced. That's the way some of the great old merchants got on. Perhaps HIS IMOUTH. '9 your boy might do the same. Some have got on without any capital at all-nothing but their wits and industry." At the mention of industry Mr. Windus's heart sank; for he knew that that was a very scarce article with his son. " But," continued Mr. Matthew Spindle, "there's no denying a little capital has often been a wonderful help. We must think whether we cannot do something for your boy." "As you have mentioned capital, Mr. Matthew," said his foreman, "I might perhaps say that, by-and-by my boy will have something very nice." "Why, where in the world would he get it ?" said Mr. Matthew, as though he had never heard of Miss Stratton. "His godmother," answered Windus, "will leave him what she has; they say about £2,ooo or so." " Ah," said Mr. Matthew, " that is a fine sum of money for a young boy to have; he might be a partner in a very good house with such a capital to begin with. I don't say in one of the great 20 BORN WITH A SIL VEE SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. "Please, Mr. Matthew, my boy houses like 'Clipalong and Comis now nearly fourteen years of pany,' that's out of the question; but in a very tidy house-say age; and my Missus and I are now one like ours; and ours is a "thinking that, it is time to do growing house, Windus-there's something with him; and there's no knowing what we may come no place vws'd rather have him in to yet, if only we have capital than here, especially if he might enough in the works. If your work under my eye." boy had that much capital at "Well, this is odd," said Mr. command, we wouldn't mind Matthew as he gave his thigh making a small partner of him another slap; "one would think some day," said Mr. Matthew, you had both put your heads who then burst into a fit of together to come the same day; laughter, as though that were here's Windus here about his about one of the funniest things boy; and now here you are too that could happen. "But we'll about yours. Windus, I'll talk see whether there is an opening to you again about your lad;" for him as a clerk. Come in," and the workman and his master said Mr. Matthew as he heard a were left alone. knock at the door; and in walked "Let me see," said Mr. Mathonest John Harding, who had thew, you'd like your boy, Hardjust left work for dinner; and ing, to be in the factory, and availed himself of this leisure under you. Has he any fancy hour to speak with Mr. Matthew upon a matter of importance. " Well, honest John," said Mr. Matthew Spindle, "what can we do for you-want a holiday? if you do, you shall have one, for you work hard always; and I never believed you'd get that engine out of the yard on Tuesday last. What is it ? " for the business; how has he been brought up ?" "Well, sir," answered the workman, "Jacob would rather make machines than do anything elsehere's a thing that he made," and Harding produced a small wood model from under his apron. "'Tis true 'tis only a toy; still it shows where his taste lies. I've BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN kept the boy at school until now, and he has for a long time been at the top of it; he's a lad that will work hard and perseveringly; and though I say it of him," said Harding, "still 'tis true-he's as honest as the sun; and you can rely on every word he says. I've brought him up to depend first upon God, and then on himself-on the use of all that God has given to him; and if you take him into the factory, he'll be a credit to you some day." "Just call Windus," said Mr. Matthew, who had examined the little model carefully, and been much struck by it. "Here, Windus, have we a place for Harding's boy? he's just the age of your lad." "That boy Crane is going to leave in a month, he can have his place if you like, sir." And then and there it was settled that, Jacob Harding was to be taken as an apprentice into the factory. HIS MOUTH. 21 his wish, and secured Jacob a place in the factory; he yet determined to say nothing to his wife about it, until the time came for the boy to go. "There is many a slip between the cup and the lip," said the worthy man, " we can't tell what may happen before the time comes; and if anything should happen, I shall never hear the end of it. That boy Tommy Windus will be sure to be held up to me; and my wife and Goody Grey will be at me worse than ever. I shall never hear the end of it. One of them will say 'Ah, if it had been Tommy Windus, he'd have gone all right; depend upon it there would have been no mistake there; there's many a slip between the cup and the lip; but there's no mistake when a boy is born with a silver spoon in his mouth from the very beginning.' There's no knowing what they will be saying; but this time I'll have the whip hand of them; I'll bring the matter right out all of a sudden; and it shall CHAPTER V. DELIGHTED as John Harding was at having so easily obtained be my turn for once. They're always saying that, all the industry and perseverance in the zz BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. world is not to be compared to luck and their silver spoon; but they're wrong for once. I believe Jacob spent half a year over that little model, always going at it like a man, whatever difficulties he met with; and I could see that Mr. Matthew was struck by it. I watched him pretty close as he looked at it; and who knows.? Jacob has a turn for these thing, he may have a dozen of silver spoons in his cupboard yet; but 'time will tell.'" This interval of the month was a very important one to many persons-to the Windus, family, and the firm of Spindle and Company, and Miss Stratton, as well as to Jacob Harding. The idea so skilfully brought before Mr. Windus's mind by Mr. Matthew Spindle, did not lie barren there; but kept that individual in a continual ferment. Immense visions of greatness for his boy rose before the foreman's mind. What was to hinder Tommy's rising to be head clerk; nay, to his becoming a partner in the house of Spindle Bros. & Co.? Had not Mr. Matthew given him to understand that, if Tommy had a capital of a couple of thousand pounds, he might become a junior partner; not all at once, no doubt; but he might begin as a clerk, and go on, until he attained the partnership ; and Windus and his wife held many consultations over the matter. At last they called in the advice of a lawyer, and laid the whole matter before him. Mr. Dodge assured them that, if only Miss Stratton could be induced to give her consent, the whole thing could be managed without any difficulty. Her £2,000 could be put into the firm of Spindle Bros. & Co., on condition that they gave proper security for it, and that young Windus was to be taken in as a clerk, and finally as a partner. At her death that £2,000 was to be her godchild's capital in the concern, and meanwhile, Spindle & Co. were to pay her interest upon it. Nothing could be fairer than this, if only Miss Stratton was willing to part with her money; and Mr. Dodge agreed to lay the matter before her. Great was the joy of the Windus BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. family, when the lawyer dropped in a few evenings afterwards to say, there were no difficulties in the way; and now it only remained that the affair should be settled with Spindle & Co.; and there was no reason to anticipate any difficulty in that quarter. Not that a difficulty had not arisen, though the Windus people knew nothing about it; but it was all over now. Mr. David Spindle knew young Windus by sight, and as he said, 'did not like the look of him at all.' Moreover he had been making it his business to inquire into the lad's character; and the accounts he received of him were not what he could have wished. But all this was overridden by Mr. Matthew, who asked his brother where the money was to be got; "if you don't agree to this plan, then," said he, "you must get the money yourself, for I don't know where to look for it." As Mr. David Spindle didn't know where to look for the money either, and if he did, felt pretty sure he would not be able to find 23 it, he came in to his brother's wishes; and thus the way was made quite smooth for the operations of Mr. Dodge. The exultation of Mr. and Mrs. Windus was great indeed, when the lawyer returned, and announced that the whole matter was arranged. The parents were vastly pleased at the prospects of their son. Miss Stratton equally rejoiced at the excellent provision for her godchild; there was one only who was not over-well satisfied; and that was one of the principal parties in the arrangement, viz., Mr. Tommy Windus himself. That amiable youth did not at all like the prospect of being kept close to business, and would much rather have had his godmother's to spend without any control; but he could not help himself, so he had to put as good a face on the matter as he could. He comforted himself with the thought that he need not do much work; if.Spindle and Co. got his £2,000 they could not well turn him off. Mr. Dodge had no doubt seen to that; and after he had been in his situation for a £2,000 24 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS IMOUTH. while, he would do just as he partner by-and-by in the establishment of Spindle Bros. & Co. pleased. The first impulse of Mrs. Grey The happy day at last arrived, when honest John Harding was was to rush off and tell her neighto have some reward for all his bours the Hardings, scarce giving waiting, and his training of Jacob her visitor time to finish all she in ways of industry, and other had to say ; but on second good ways also, of diverse kinds. thoughts she determined to reOften had he chuckled internally strain herself, and teaze John during the month, as he thought Harding to the last degree; 'he of the surprise he had in store for had never held with her silver his wife, and his triumph over her spoons-not he-he was too wise, and Goody Grey. he was a very good man, no When, and how, was the good doubt, and she liked him very news to be announced. John much; but he need not have been Harding settled on twenty differ- such an unbeliever in what every ent plans; at last he determined one else believed-at least in that this time he would be the one what she believed ; but this to invite Goody ; who was invited would finish him; and she'd adaccordingly, and promised to minister the dose to him in such come. a way, that he'd have no more to Certainly poor John Harding say for the rest of his life.' had not been born with a silver Any one with ordinary powers spoon in his mouth, so far as this of observation would have seen occasion was concerned; for just that John Harding looked with a as Goody Grey was starting for very peculiar expression of counhis house, Mrs. Windus had tenance at Goody Grey, as he sat called, and informed her of the opposite her at tea; and that arrangement for Tommy, magni- Goody looked at him with somefying and touching it up a little what the same. At last the workfrom her own imagination; but man broke silence. still keeping to the truth when "Well, what a great boy Jacob she said that Tommy was to be a is growing; I think, Mrs. Grey, BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN we must be soon thinking of what we are to do with him." " Ah," sighed his mother, "'tisn't easy to find anything for boys to do now-a-days. I wish we could get Jacob into the factory with his father; he'd do better there than anywhere else, for he has a turn for wheels and that sort of thing; but, dear me ! he hasn't a chance of getting in there, 'twould be the making of him, if he had." "Perhaps if he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth he might have been taken then as an apprentice," said Mrs. Grey, looking maliciously at John Harding; " but some people won't be convinced, even though things happen under their very nose. Now if Jacob had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he might have been a partner in Spindle's house if he had liked." " Don't talk nonsense, Goody," said John Harding. "All I can tell you is," said Goody Grey, making a great effort to look quite unconcerned as she sipped her tea, " that a young man I once knew, I believe you knew him too, is going to be a HIS IOUTH. O partner in Spindle's--he z5 is a young man that was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; but that's the difference betweenTommy Windus I -- and acob Harding!" "Wife," said John Harding, "Goody Grey is going mad." " If she is," said the latter individual, "so are Mr. Matthew and David Spindle, who have signed the partnership deed; and so is Mr. Dodge the lawyer, who drew it; and so is Miss Stratton, who paid down £2,000 to buy the partnership for Tommy-no doubt we're all mad together; but Tom Windus is to be a partner at Spindle's for all that; and the queerest part of it all will be that, he'll be your master, Mr. Harding; and if this isn't a silver spoon, I don't know what is; I'll give it up." Was there ever a greater slip between the cup and the lip than in the case of poor John, who would only have been laughed at by his wife and her old companion, if he said anything about Jacob's prospects as an af5renlice! To put Jacob and Tommy side by side would be ridiculous; z6 BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN the one beginning life as an apprentice, and the other as a partner; if not a partner at once, at least one for whom a partnership had been secured. It will be easily imagined that, the remainder of the meal was not very pleasant to John Harding, whose mind was divided between speculations as to whether Goody Grey was mad, and the marvel of such a thing as the foreman's son becoming a partner in the factory, if indeed it were true. Certainly, many strange things happen in business ; and not a few had happened to Master Tommy Windus in his private capacity; but this was one of the strangest he had ever heard of in all his life. When Mrs. Grey had taken her departure, John Harding's wife set to at him, and asked him 'What he now thought of silver spoons in general, and of Tommy Windus's in particular. She didn't expect him to be convinced-oh no ! there were some men who never could be convinced, but what did he make out of it, that was all.' "But is it true, can it be true ?" asked Harding. HIS MOUTH. "Well, whatever you have to say against Goody Grey," said Mrs. Harding, "you never found her out in a lie; but I'll just step across and see Mrs. Windus myself, and hear all about it." Mrs. Harding started on her errand immediately, leaving her husband pacing up and down the little garden. And it must not be denied that, many a bitter thought started up in the good man's mind. Who was Tommy Windus that he should be upraised above his boy, aye, even above his own father? why should he, without toil or character, or anything on earth to recommend him, except that he had Miss Stratton for his godmother, jump head over heels into the factory and fall upon his legs, and turn up a partner? Was there anything in these silver spoons after all? was there a mystery which he could not understand, but which was on that account none the less true ? Why should his boy be going to be an apprentice with long toil before him, ere he could earn anything; while this other lad was going to be made a gentleman out of BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. hand ? And such a difference too as there was between the characters of the two! and not only their characters but their talents. What good was all Jacob's industry, and his evident talent for mechanism, and the money his father had saved to apprentice him, if a fast worthless youth like Tommy Windus was to bound over his head in a single jump ? Was there really such a thing as the silver spoon; and if there were, had it done this? But John Harding soon got the better of these feelings, and the various temptations which had begun to cling about him in this matter ; he felt that having fought these fourteen years against the silver spoon, it was unworthy to give in now. "I'll back industry, and honesty, and capability, against it yet; aye, against silver spoons, or tea-pots, or anything else," said Harding. "'Tis a bitter pill to have to swallow; but time will tell." Mrs. Harding now returned with the news that all Goody Grey had said was quite true; but that it was plainly in the 27 agreement that Tommy Windus was to be only a clerk until he was twenty-one; "but, John," said Harding's wife, "it would take a silver spoon even to make him that." "Wife," said Harding after a pause, "sit down here by me," and he began slowly and deliberately to tell her his mind. "It was only this very day, and at tea time too, that I had intended to tell you what I had arranged for our Jacob. He is to go as apprentice into the factory. Now stop, don't say anything until I have done. I see you're going to begin again on young Windus, and look with scorn on your boy being an apprentice in the place where he will be a partner; don't speak, till I have done; for I'm determined to have out my say this time without You and Goody interruption. have talked to me, and at me, these fourteen years; now I'll talk to you. "Your boy was born an honest man's son, aye, and an honest woman's too (and John gave a proper husband's look at his wife), aye, a true-hearted, comely 28 BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN woman's son; and I have faith in the boy, and in the principles he has been brought up in. I believe he'll come out well yet. Give him time, my wife, aye, let us always, always give God time," said John Harding seriously; "don't hurry Providence; quick providences are not always the richest. And don't dishonour God by talking of silver spoons and luck ; stand by your boy, and encourage him to honesty and industry-to trust in God, and then to trust in himself; not to be leaning on every one that comes in the way, as if Providence had not given him two legs of his own to stand upon. To-morrow the boy begins his apprenticeship under my own eye. There is the fifty pounds premium that is required for him. I saved it," said his father proudly, as he laid the notes on the table, "by putting something by for him every time I heard you and Goody Grey talking about Tommy Windus's luck and silver spoon. "Now, wife, be a true-hearted mother to my boy, even as you have been a true-hearted wife to me; help him on in his efforts; HIS MOUTIH. and, one thing mind; never let me hear another word about a man's being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, until the day your boy is twenty-one." CHAPTER: VI. THE factory of Spindle bros. & Company, had now Thomas Windus and Jacob Harding in their employment; the former in a cutaway green coat, and gold pin; the latter in a leather apron and without a neckerchief, to say nothing of a pin. There was quite as much difference in the conduct of the youths, as there was in their outward appearance. Jacob Harding commenced at the lowest occupation in the foundry, and refused no work to which he was set; believing that there was something to be learned in every branch of it. Slowly, but steadily, he rose from one department to another, until at last he became a first class-workman; but a workman he continued and nothing more. Jacob knew that BORN WITH A SIL VER SPOON IN he had to make his way in the world; he had no one to rely upon but himself--always excepting God, on whom in all things he leant first of all. Many a time was he ordered about by Tommy Windus; but he never showed any impatience, or resentment; but kept right on upon his way. But Tom Windus saw no need of plodding along in any such humdrum quiet fashion. He knew he must be a partner by-and-by -- that Spindle and Company could not get on without his money, and Mr. Matthew and Mr. David often confessed to each other that they had paid a great price for the loan of that £2,000. Their eyes had been opening to this fact for some time, but they opened so wide to it one day that they never closed up again, so far as this matter was concerned. For on entering the office unexpectedly, they beheld their future partner in possession, with a couple of young bull dogs, one of which actually looked at Mr. Matthew and Mr. David, as though to ask what brought them there. It was quite plain that the clerk was being corrupted, too; HIS MOUTII. 29 and where all this would end, who could tell? At last Miss Stratton died, and the money became Tommy Windus's; only it must remain by the terms of the agreement for five years 16nger in the business. But Tommy Windus had other ideas in his mind besides using that money only for business purposes; and he would not wait five years, or any such time, to get possession of it; accordingly he contrived to lay hold of about £I,ooo in cash belonging to the firm, and disappeared. On examining his accounts there was another full £1,ooo short, and this made up the £2,000. The poor Winduses never lifted up their heads after this, it broke their hearts; and neither of them lived to see their gambling son again. There was a long consultation between Mr. Matthew and Mr. David Spindle some time after this event. They both felt that they were well rid of Tom Windus at any price. "And now," said Mr. David, " as you got us the last partner, 30 BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTII. suppose I get the next. We can't do without some one; and as "Where will you get one?" asked Mr. Matthew. we're going into a new line with "On the premises," answered Mr. David Spindle, "if you take my advice you'll take in Jacob those farming machines, we had better have a practical man." " THEY BEHELD THEIR FUTURE PARTNER IN POSSESSION, WITH A COUPLE OF YOUNG BULL DOGS." Harding. You made him foreman after old Windus' death, but he'll " He has the best of all capital," be worth more to you as a small partner than a foreman." "But he has no capital," said said Mr. David, "he has honesty, and industry, and talent; look at the improvement he made in that turnip-cutter; we have cleared Mr. Matthew. £500 by that already. Let him BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. be our inventor; and it will pay us well to have him." And so Jacob Harding became first a small partner in the house of Spindle Bros. & Co., and gradually his share was increased until he had a full third together with Mr. Matthew and Mr. David. And when a few years after Jacob Harding, who had his glorious time of John Harding's revenge. If one silver spoon came to the unfortunate Tommy Windus when he was born, two dozen had come for Jacob Harding when he was about to be married. Time had told, as John always said it would; and part of its tale is this, that industry, and integrity, and God's blessing on them, are better than father and mother to live with him, was about to get married, there came the evening before the wedding a porter from the Messrs. Spindle with a box, which father and mother, and old Goody Grey, who had just dropped in, watched with great curiosity as their son opened it. It luck. But John Harding was not going to be hard with his old wife; so he took one of the spoons, and with it gave a little poke in the ribs, first to his wife and then to old Goody Grey, just enough to make them attend to him as he said, "I think, wife, and I think, Goody, Jacob is not doing badly, even in the spoon was a silver tea and coffee service, with an inscription from spindle Bros., and two dozen of silver spoons to match. Now at last had come the line - although he PRINTED BY J. 8. was 'Born with a silver spoon his mouth.' " : END. LONDON: 31 VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, CITY ROAD. not in A SERIES OF PENNY STORIES, -By Rev. P. B. POWER, M.A., AUTHOR OF "THE FEATHER," OILED Of which this forms the First Number, is in process of publication. ONLY WANTS TURNING ROUND" is next in the Series. THE FOLLOWING " IT IS A LIST OF S.P.C.K. PENNY STORIES, 4to size, Illustrated:-- MOUNTAIN MOGGY. ROB NIXON. THE TWO WHALERS. THE LILY OF LEYDEN. WHITER THAN SNOW. AN EVENTFUL NIGHT. By the late W. H. G. KINGSTON. PENNY LIBRARY OF FICTION. Demy 8vo. 32 Pages. Pictorial paper Wrapper. Price Id. each. Three Times Tried. Paying the Penalty. By By B. L. FARJEON. Golden Feather. By the Author of "Mehalah," &c. For Dick's Sake. By Mrs. J. H. RIDDELL, author of "George Geith," &c. Slipping Away. By the Author of "Victa Victrix." Saved by the Skin of his Teeth. By HELEN SHIPTON. Lord John. By G. MANVILLE FENN. Gone., By KATHARINE S. MACQUOID. CHARLES GIBBONS. A Terrible Inheritance. By GRANT ALLEN. In Mariine Armour. By G. MANVILLE FENN. 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