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Mary Jones was a poor woman whose husband had gone to sea on a long
voyage. She lived in a house by the road side, and got her living by
washing. She had two little boys, who were her great comfort, and whom
she used to call Ned and Tom.
For some time after her husband had left, she got on very well, and was
able to send the boys to school: but she caught a fever and was forced
to keep her bed. Her neighbour, Sarah Smith, was very kind to her, and
used to come to the house every morning and evening to do what she could
to help her. But she was a poor woman, and could not afford to give Mary
Jones anything that cost money; so poor Mary was forced to part with a
great many things that she might get food.
Ned and Tom at this time took turns to go to school. Tom used to go to
school one day, while Ned waited on his mother; and the next day Ned
went to school and Tom staid at home. One morning when Ned was going to
school, the thought of his poor mother pressed hard on his heart; and
after he had gone a little way, he burst out crying.
He had not gone far along the narrow lane towards the school, when two
young ladies met him and asked him why he was crying. He told them that
he was thinking of his poor sick mother. The ladies then asked him his
name and where he lived, and said they would go and call upon his
mother. He thanked them and dried up his tears, and went on to school
with a much lighter heart.
Soon after he reached home in the evening, the two kind ladies came to
his mother's house with a foot-boy, who brought a basket filled with
bread and meat, and some things fit for the poor sick woman.
They told Mary Jones how they had met Ned in the lane, and what he had
told them; and she thanked them for what they had brought, and said that
she hoped God would bless them for their goodness to her. They then
asked about Ned and Tom, and said they would get their father to do what
he could for them.
The young ladies then went home, told their father and mother what they
had seen and heard, and thanked God that they had been able to make a
poor woman and her two sons happy.