"What has he done, neighbour Barnes?"

"Why," said he, "I found fault with the fellow several times, for not
making the _Helms_ properly, for thatching the ricks, and he told me as
often that he could not make them any better, and at length he put his
hand into his pocket, pulled out his purse, and with an oath declared that
he would make an Helm with me for a wager of a shilling." "Well, neighbour
Barnes, what did you do, did you accept his offer, or did you shew him how
to do it without the wager"? "Oh, no, replied he, I will send the insolent
scoundrel about his business." Upon which, guessing that my neighbour did
not understand how to make a helm himself, therefore could not shew the
man how to do it, I said, "let me see the fellow, and talk to him a
little, and hear what he has got to say for himself; and let me see
whether I cannot make him do his work better." We then rode back together
to the man, who was doing his work certainly not so well as it ought to
have been done. "Well, Rodney," said I to him, "what is all this dispute
about, between your master and you?" "Lord, Sir," replied the man, "I do
the work as well as I can; but master is always finding fault, and wont
show me how to do it better. I am very willing to learn, Sir, and if you
will please to show me how, I will do any thing to please in my power." I
then alighted from my horse, and having made some Helms, convinced the man
of his error, by ocular demonstration. He was very thankful for my
kindness, immediately followed my example, and did the remainder of his
work to the thorough satisfaction of his master as well as with ease to
himself. Barnes was now grown cool, and, while he expressed his thanks to
me, he admitted the great superiority that a man who knows the practical
part of his business had over one who only knew the theory."["]

This was the method my father took, to instruct me in useful knowledge;
and, as my sister grew better and gained strength, he by degrees began to