* * * * *
John Davis and his wife were very poor people, but as they worked very
hard, they could just get a living for themselves. John worked for a
farmer in the parish, and his wife took in needle-work.
They did pretty well, when John had work; but for nearly two years
John's master could not employ him always, and he was brought almost to
distress. But his wife always used to keep up his spirits by saying, "Be
content, and thank God if you can but live; brighter hours will come."
Sometimes John was quite spirit-broken, and said he should leave home
and try to get work somewhere else. He was forced to sell some of his
goods to buy food, and did not know which way to turn. But his wife
never failed to wear a cheerful face, and used to be always saying to
him, "Do your best, and be content to take what God appoints."
John loved his wife very much; but he was sometimes half vexed because
she was never sad like he was. He would tell her that it was a very good
thing to be cheerful and happy when they could get a good living. She
then used to say to him, that there was no virtue in being content when
all was going on well; and that the proper time to try to be cheerful
was, when things were going amiss.
At last, better times came. John got into work on the estate of a rich
man who lived near; and as he was a very honest man and knew his work,
his master soon put him in a place of trust, raised his wages, and gave
him a good house to live in.
John had by this time got five children, and he could no longer deny
that he had reason enough to be a happy man. You may see him and his
wife and children in the picture, enjoying a fine Summer's evening in
front of their house.
I knew John when I was young, and he was always ready to say how much
was due to his good wife. He told me that he owed all his good fortune
to her cheerful spirits and good advice to him; and added, that now he
was well off he found the truth of what she had told him, that the
proper time to try to be cheerful was, when things were going amiss. I
have never forgot that lesson, and I hope I never shall; and I beg my
young friends to keep in mind that 'Contentment is a constant feast.'
[Illustration: CONTENTMENT]