CHAP. II.

_A Scene of Distress; in the School_.


It happened one Day, when Mrs. _Two-Shoes_ was diverting the
Children after Dinner, as she usually did with some innocent Games, or
entertaining and instructive Stories, that a Man arrived with the
melancholy News of _Sally Jones's_ Father being thrown from his
Horse, and thought past all Recovery; nay, the Messenger said, that he
was seemingly dying, when he came away. Poor _Sally_ was greatly
distressed, as indeed were all the School, for she dearly loved her
Father, and Mrs. _Two-Shoes_, and all the Children dearly loved
her. It is generally said, that we never know the real Value of our
Parents or Friends till we have lost them; but poor _Sally_ felt
this by Affection, and her Mistress knew it by Experience. All the
School were in Tears, and the Messenger was obliged to return; but
before he went, Mrs. _Two-Shoes_, unknown to the Children,
ordered _Tom_ Pidgeon to go home with the Man, and bring a Letter
to inform her how Mr. _Jones_ did. They set out together, and the
Pidgeon rode on the Man's Head, (as you see here) for the Man was able
to carry the Pidgeon, though the Pidgeon was not able to carry the
Man, if he had, they would have been there much sooner, for _Tom_
Pidgeon was _very good_, and never staid on an Errand.

[Illustration]

Soon after the Man was gone the Pidgeon was lost, and the Concern the