MORAL TALES.

FATAL EFFECTS OF FALSEHOOD.

AN honest tradesman, who had lived several years a widower in a sea-port town, earning with difficulty a scanty subsistence for himself and an only son, died in very indifferent circumstances, leaving this son almost destitute. His distress induced Mr. Stevens, a respectable merchant, who had known the father, to receive the orphan into his house. He gave young Williams,-this was the orphan's name—an excellent education, by which the boy benefited so much, that he gained the friendship of his benefactor, who took him into his counting-house, and gradually entrusted him with the entire management of his commercial affairs.

Williams had for several years rendered the

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most essential services to Mr. Stevens, when the latter availed himself of an opportunity that offered to reward them. He was guardian to a young lady, the presumptive heiress of an uncle, whom fame reported to have amassed great wealth in the East Indies. Her hopes of a brilliant fortune had just begun to be a little less sanguine, on account of the length of time which had elapsed since she had last heard from her East-Indian relation, when she at length received a letter from Bengal, by which her uncle informed her, that, being in the decline of life, he wished for the company of his niece; but, if her youth and the delicacy of her sex disinclined her to the voyage, he requested a trustworthy person to be sent to him, that he might regulate with him every thing respecting the fortune, which he intended to leave her. Emily had scarcely attained her fifteenth year; Mr. Stevens thought her much too young to be exposed to the inconveniences and dangers of a long voyage; he preferred giving full powers, in her name, to a confidential person, and selected his clerk, Williams, for this office. The latter accepted the commission with pleasure. Independently of the great advantages held out by Emily's uncle, he was glad to visit the East Indies, the cradle of man

kind, or, at least, of civilization. He remained two years at Calcutta, where he gained the friendship of Emily's old uncle to such a degree, that the latter would not suffer him to think of returning to England. But his death having happened some time after, Williams was very much surprised, when he found that the old man had assigned him a rather moderate sum for his expenses back to Europe, and commissioned him to take his sealed will and all his property, converted into bills of exchange, to his niece. Though seriously disappointed, Williams did not grumble at his fate. His prudent economy and the valuable presents which he had occasionally received of the rich East-Indian gentleman, had enabled him to amass a little property, with which he felt satisfied. He had no sooner settled all necessary business, than he embarked for England, where he arrived safely with his treasures. These he deposited in the hands of the guardian of Emily, whose accomplishments now equalled her beauty.

A few lines, written by the testator on the outside of the will, directed that it should be read in the presence of a magistrate and of Emily and her guardian, by Williams himself. The prescribed formalities having been attended to, Wil

liams opened the paper, and, seeing the tremulous handwriting of an old man, who, for more than two successive years, had treated him with parental affection, began to read it slowly with considerable emotion. Emily was appointed sole heiress of her uncle's ample fortune, on a condition, however, which startled Williams. He found himself unable to proceed, placed the will in the hands of Emily's guardian, and hastily quitted the room, articulating a few indistinct sounds in his retreat. This condition was, that Emily should marry Williams; and, if she felt any objection to a marriage, which the testator had much at heart, she was to cede to Williams onethird of her inheritance. Emily did not hesitate to comply with her uncle's wishes; she cheerfully gave her hand to Williams, who had already gained her heart, and they were soon married.

By this marriage, Williams became at once the richest man of his native place. He gratefully remembered how much he was indebted to Mr. Stevens; but the latter would not consent to accept any substantial marks of his gratitude; only, on his death-bed, he recommended his son, Anthony, to Williams, who felt delighted at having it in his power to acknowledge by his kindest attentions to the child, the great benefits

which had been conferred upon him by the parent. He had little Anthony Stevens educated in his house, along with his son Edward, who was nearly of the same age. He insisted upon it, that no difference should be made between the two boys: but mothers rarely have sufficient strength of mind to attend to such directions, though it be their honest intention to comply with them.

Emily at first took particular care not to shew any visible preference to her son Edward; but her maternal jealousy was gradually aroused; every one found young Anthony more amiable than her child; and every body was right. Blinded by her excessive affection, she spoiled Edward completely, by disguising his faults and palliating his vices. The mischief, which he did from malice, she regarded as innocent tricks; and the most wicked of his actions were in her eyes mere youthful frolics. On the contrary, the more her severity towards young Anthony increased, the more did he avoid giving any offence; and the contrast between the two boys soon became so striking, that, one day, Mr. Williams, in a fit of bad humour, bluntly declared, that he would readily exchange his own offspring for his adopted child. These words, uttered in anger, and with