CHAPTER FIVE.
A TURN IN BEN'S HISTORY.
Little Ben had now sufficiently recovered to follow his former business,for though not as strong as before his accident, he calculated ongetting an occasional lift in a cart, so as to make his rounds with lessdifficulty. The first day he went down to the beach when the boats camein, he was welcomed with a friendly smile from all the fishermen. Theyhad heard how he had saved the little children from being run over bythe horse and cart. First one brought him a couple of fine fish,saying, "That's for you, Ben. Don't talk of payment this time." Thenanother did the same thing, and another, and another, till his basketwas so full that he could scarcely carry it. He thanked the kindfishermen all very much, and said that he was sure he did not deservethat from them; but they replied that they were better judges than hewas of that matter, and that they only wished they could afford to fillhis basket in the same manner every morning. This was very pleasant toBen's feelings, and he got so good a price for the fish, which were veryfine, that he was ever afterwards able to pay ready money for all hebought.
Day after day Ben went his rounds; but, though he generally got a fairprice for the fish he sold, he could scarcely gain sufficient to procurefood and clothing for himself and his mother, and firing and lights, andto pay the taxes with which even they were charged. Sometimes he didnot sell all the fish he had bought, and, as fish will not keep long, heand his mother had to eat them themselves, or to sell them to other poorpeople at a low rate. Then he wore out a good many pairs of shoes, aswell as other clothes, as he had to be out in all weathers; for thosewho wanted a dish of fish for dinner would not have been satisfied hadhe waited till the next morning to bring it to them on account of astorm of rain or snow. Mrs Hadden had thought of taking to sell fishherself, to relieve Ben somewhat, but he urged her not to make theattempt. She was not strong, and, although a fisherman's wife, had beenunaccustomed to out-door work. She had been in service during heryounger days as a nurse, where she enjoyed every comfort she coulddesire. When she married, though no man's cottage was better kept thanJohn Hadden's, and no children were better cared for and brought up, shecould not help him in the way the wives of most of the fishermen wereexpected to do. "But then," as John remarked, when some of his friendswarned him that he was a lout to marry a fine lady and a useless person,"she is a God-fearing, pious woman, and she'll do her best in whatever Iwish her to do." So she did, and till the day of his death John neverhad reason to regret his choice.
"God will show us what ought to be done, and give the strength to do it,if I ought to go out and sell fish to obtain our daily food," said MrsHadden, after she had one day been talking over the subject with Ben.
"Yes, mother, there is no doubt but that God will show us what ought tobe done," he answered. "But the minister was telling us on Sunday thatGod brings about what He wishes to take place through human means, anddoes not work what we call miracles; so I think that, if He hasn't givenyou the strength of body to carry about a basket of fish through thecountry, He does not wish you so to employ yourself."
The discussion was cut short by the appearance of Lieutenant Charlton,who had ridden up to the door of the cottage. Ben ran out to welcomehim and to hold his horse, but he said, "No, we must get somebody elseto take care of the animal while you and I have a talk with your motherover matters." Ben easily found a lad to lead his kind friend's horseup and down on the sand, and then he accompanied the lieutenant into thecottage.
"I have a great deal to say to you, Mrs Hadden, and so I hope that youwill hear me patiently," said the lieutenant, sitting down in the chairJohn Hadden used to occupy. "First, I must tell you that I am goingaway to sea. I have a mother who is a great invalid, and requires theconstant attendance of a sensible, good-tempered Christian woman who canread to her, and talk and amuse her. I know no person so well qualifiedfor the post as you are. My sister, who lives with her, thinks solikewise, and will be most thankful to have your assistance. In thisway, if you will accept our offer, you yourself will be well providedfor. Now, with regard to little Ben. Selling fish is a veryrespectable occupation, but not a very profitable one, I suspect, fromwhat I can hear, and I think that your son is fitted for somethingbetter. To be sure, he may some day become a full-grown fishmonger, butthat can only be some years hence; and, from what he has told me, I findthat he has a strong wish to go to sea, though, unless you werecomfortably provided for, nothing would tempt him to leave you. Now yousee my plan: you shall take care of my mother, and I will take care ofyour son. What do you say to it?"
"That I am most grateful to you for your kindness, sir," answered thewidow in a trembling voice; "thus much I can say at once; but I am surethat you will excuse me for not giving a decided answer immediately. Ishould wish to lay the matter before God in prayer, and Ben and I willgo over to-morrow morning to give you our reply, if you can kindly waitso long. I wish to do what is right; but ah, sir, it is a hard thing tohave to part from my only boy, after having lost so many!"
"Though my time is short before I must join my ship, of which I am firstlieutenant, and I am much hurried, I will gladly wait till to-morrowmorning, that you may decide for the best," answered the lieutenant. "Ishall not be, I hope, less your friend, though you may differ in opinionwith me and decline my offer." The kind officer, however, before hetook his departure, told Mrs Hadden, in case she should give Ben leaveto accompany him, what preparations she should make for him, saying thatall expenses would be borne by the friends who wished to serve her. Heassured her that Ben would be well treated, and would probably find manygood men on board ship, who would support him in doing right, though hewould of course find many who would do their utmost to lead him astray;that, if he continued as he had begun, he would certainly be made apetty officer, and very likely, if he wished it, a warrant-officer, whenhe would be able to retire on a comfortable pension, and at all events,in case of being wounded, he would have Greenwich Hospital to fall backon.
Mrs Hadden and little Ben thought and talked and prayed over thesubject after the lieutenant was gone, and the result was that his offerwas accepted. Instead of leaping for joy, as Ben thought he should doif this conclusion were come to, he threw his arms round his mother'sneck, exclaiming, "Oh, mother, mother, how can I be so cruel andhard-hearted as to think of leaving you! I'll stay with you, and workfor you as before, if you wish it, indeed I will. I would rather stay--I shall be very happy at home with you."
Mrs Hadden knew that these feelings were very natural, and, believingthat it was to Ben's advantage that he should go to sea with so kind anofficer as Lieutenant Charlton, she would not allow her resolution to beshaken, though her mother's heart was saying all the time, "Let him giveit up, and stay at home with you." Children often but little understandhow much parents give up for what they, at all events, believe willbenefit those children.
The lieutenant had desired Mrs Hadden to let him know as soon as shehad decided, as, should Ben not go with him, he should take some otherboy in his place. In spite of all she could do, tears blotted the paperas she wrote her humble thanks accepting his offer. The lieutenantremarked it, observing, "Poor woman! I suppose it must be a trial toher to part with her boy--I did not think much of that."
"Indeed it must be, my son," said Mrs Charlton, his mother, whooverheard him: "I found it very hard to part with you--though I did sobecause I thought it was right."
"You did, mother, I am sure, and providentially I fell into good hands,and have every reason to be thankful that I went to sea," said thelieutenant.
"I trust that Mrs Hadden will hear little Ben say the same when hecomes back from sea," said Mrs Charlton.
"I pray that I may be able to do my duty towards the boy, and watchcarefully over him," said the lieutenant.
"Depend on it, God will aid you. He always does those who trust in Himand desire to serve Him," answered Mrs Charlton. "Tell the boy also,should he at any time appear anxious about his mother, that I also willdo my best
to take care of her."
Mrs Hadden had indeed reason to say, "Truly God careth for thefatherless and widows who put their trust in Him."
Ben's outfitting operations now went on briskly. Some kind ladies senta piece of strong calico to make him some shirts, and from morning tonight Mrs Hadden's busy fingers were plying her needle till they werefinished. Other friends supplied his different wants, and he was soonquite ready to accompany Lieutenant Charlton. The day to leave homecame. The worst part of the business was parting from his mother; yet,great as was the pain, it was not so great as might have been expected.People when conscious of doing right are saved much grief and suffering;especially, if they trust in God, they know that He can and will deliverthem out of all their troubles.
"I shall come back, mother, to you; I know I shall. God will take careof me; I will try and do right, and serve Him faithfully; and perhaps,mother, I may bring back Ned with me," said Ben to his mother, who hadtaken up her abode with Mrs Charlton. These were his last words to heras he again and again embraced her, and then, tearing himself away, heran after the lieutenant, who was walking rapidly down the streettowards the inn from which the coach started that was to convey them toPortsmouth.
Ben felt as if he had reached a new world even as he travelled along theroad, much more so when he entered London itself, where Mr Charltonwent to the house of a relation. Ben was shown into the kitchen, andhanded over to the care of the page. He found that, at the very outsetof his career, he was to meet with temptation to do wrong. After thelate dinner, the page came down with two rich-looking dishes untouched,and took them into a little room, where he had invited Ben to meet him.
"Be quick, let us eat them up," he said, "all but a small part of each;the housekeeper will never find it out, and I can tell cook how much Iheard people praising them."
"No; unless the housekeeper or cook gives it to us, I will touchnothing," answered Ben stoutly.
"Nonsense! wherever did you learn such stuff?" exclaimed the page insurprise. "Why, we think nothing of that sort of thing; what harm cancome of it?"
"I don't see that that has anything to do with the matter," said Ben."I've been taught always to do right, whatever comes of it; and 'tisdoing very far from right to take what doesn't belong to one; it isdoing very wrong--it is stealing."
"I never should have thought that," said the page; "I wouldn't stealsixpence from no one, that I wouldn't! but just taking something out ofa dish of good things that comes down from the parlour is altogetherdifferent."
"Now I don't see any difference at all," said Ben, more earnestly thanbefore; "the long and the short of the matter is, that it's wrong, andwe mustn't do wrong even if we fancy good is to come out of it. Justthe contrary: we must do right, whatever we think may come out of it.God says, `_Do right_.' He'll take care of the rest."
The page did not utter another word, and Ben had the satisfaction ofseeing him take the dishes into the housekeeper's room. This was agreat encouragement to him. "If I can persuade one person to do rightin what he thinks a trifle, I may persuade others; and, at all events, Iwill go on, with God's help, doing so whenever I have an opportunity,"said Ben to himself. "That is right, I know."
The page was not at all the less friendly after this, but he treated Benwith much more respect, and Ben was very sorry to part with him. Nearlyhis last words to him were, "Never mind what you have been accustomed tothink or to do, but just remember to do right at all times. JesusChrist, who came on earth to save us, and to teach us how to live andact in the world, has left us an example that we should walk in Hissteps. And if we were always to ask ourselves what He would have doneif He had been put in our place, and do accordingly, that will be theright thing for us."
Ben spoke so naturally and so earnestly, that the page didn't think itanything like canting; but he answered, "I'll try and do what you say,Ben, and when you're away at sea perhaps you'll remember me, and ask Godto show me what's right. He's more likely to listen to you than to me."
"Oh no, no! don't suppose that for a moment!" exclaimed Ben. "He'sready to hear all who call upon Him faithfully. He's very kind, andloving, and gentle. He waits to be gracious. We should never getbetter if we waited to get better of ourselves. We must go to Him justas we are, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to wash away our sins; thatwill do it--nothing else."
Little Ben had an advantage over a very large number of people, educatedand rich, as well as poor and humble. He had been all his lifeaccustomed to read the Bible, and so he knew more about God and Hiswill, and could talk more rightly about Him, than those who do not readGod's Word can possibly do. He went daily to the fountain, and kept hispitcher full of the water of life. They who seldom or never go, musthave their pitchers empty.
Ben Hadden; or, Do Right Whatever Comes Of It Page 5
