Young Oliver: or the Thoughtless Boy (Illustrated)

Little Oliver was born of respectable parents, who lived in a pleasant and fruitful part of the country. They had a small farm of their own, and were very industrious in cultivating it. Little Oliver used to drive the horses, while his[Pg 6] father held the plough. Mrs. Oliver kept the house neat and clean, and made excellent butter and cheese, which were in great repute all the country round. Their daughter milked the cows, and assisted her mother in cleaning the house, and in[Pg 7] doing any thing else that was wanted; for she was a dutiful girl, and so good-tempered, that all their neighbours directed their children to imitate the behaviour of Patty Oliver. But, notwithstanding all these prosperous circumstances, misfortunes, to[Pg 8] which all are liable, came upon them, and they were reduced to poverty.

ploughing
milking cow
The fields of Old Oliver were frequently overrun with men and dogs employed to hunt and shoot.

dog chasing deer
The fences were broken down so often, it was[Pg 9] impossible to keep them up. The hunting horses of the 'Squire over-topped the best that could be made. The corn was trod and eaten. Complaints were made in vain. Every day brought some fresh oppression. At last, the 'Squire wanted to buy it. What could the old people do? daily insulted, weary of life, they took what he chose to give them. It was not above one half the real value of the farm. Yet no other person would buy it, every body knew the[Pg 10] proud temper of the 'Squire, and his contempt of those who were in lower circumstances than himself. No poor man ever found comfort under his roof. The very dogs about his house were taught to bite those whom poverty had clothed[Pg 11] in mean garments. Old Oliver was particularly his aversion. The ground about, to the distance of ten miles, was all the 'Squire's, except that which belonged to Old Oliver, and he wished eagerly to have that likewise. He considered it disgraceful to have so mean looking a tenement on the border of his estate.

dog
Old Oliver with the sum of one hundred pounds began to open a shop, at an adjoining town. He had not been bred to any[Pg 12] business beside farming, and with that he was disgusted. He resolved therefore to try another that he imagined would render him more independant on such persons as the 'Squire.

He began to sell sugar, butter, and such articles as poor people wanted constantly to buy. Numbers flocked in as customers, and seeing Old Oliver so good-natured a man they contracted debts which they never paid. Thus was his stock reduced, and he had[Pg 13] not sufficient money to lay in more goods. He was not a judge of every article he bought, so depended on the words of those of whom he had them, and was cheated. He frequently was forced to sell such goods for less money than he had given for them.

His daughter, the comfort of his life, was lured away from him by a villain of fortune, who introduced her to the company of women that had nothing to recommend them besides[Pg 14] their fine and tawdry apparel, and a short time after went abroad, forsook her, and left her abandoned to the wide world. She never was heard of more.

fancy ladies
His wife died of a disease brought on by grief.

apprentice
He had no person now to[Pg 15] speak to but Little Oliver. The old man sold off all his goods, and paid his creditors each their share. One, more tender-hearted than the rest, returned him five guineas. With this money, he put young Oliver to school for awhile, and then bound him apprentice to the[Pg 16] trade of a joiner, and retired, for his few remaining days, to the workhouse of his parish.

Young Oliver made a quick progress in the trade. In five years he could work as well as any in the shop. In joiner's shops there are many apprentices and journeymen. Some of them were of a thoughtless disposition, and much inclined to frequent alehouses. Young Oliver had little money; he could not indulge his inclination to go[Pg 17] with them, so often as they wanted to persuade him. His master allowed him to work what is called over-hours, by which means he gained a little pocket-money. Thus the time passed, till his term of servitude was at an end.

He now wished for nothing so much as to become a master; but he wanted money.

church
A merchant, hard by, had often seen the young man, for he had done him some work in a very neat manner.[Pg 18] He knew he was remarkably industrious, and attended church regularly. Oliver heard he was a worthy man, and did all the good he could, to any person who stood in need and whom he thought deserving. Oliver mustered courage enough to[Pg 19] wait on him. He stated his case, mentioned his wishes to begin trade, and asked for assistance. The merchant lent him one hundred pounds to begin business.

You may guess at Oliver's joy. He had the money in his pocket.