A certain merchant had two sons, the eldest of whom was of so bad a
disposition as to behave with great hatred and ill-nature towards the
younger, who was of a temper more mild and gentle. It happened that the
old gentleman, after having acquired a large estate by his trade, left it
by his will to his eldest son, together with all his ships and stock in
merchandize, desiring him to continue in the business, and support his
brother.
The father was no sooner dead than the elder began to shew his ill-will
to his brother. He desired him to leave his house, and, without giving
him any thing for his support, turned him loose into the wide world. The
young man was much dejected with this treatment; but, considering that
in his father’s life-time he had acquired some knowledge of business, he
applied to a neighbouring merchant, offering to serve him in the way of
trade.
The merchant received him into his house, and finding from long
experience that he was prudent, virtuous, and diligent in his business,
gave him his daughter and only child in marriage, and, when he died,
bequeathed to him his whole fortune. The young man, after the death of
his father-in-law, retired with his wife into a distant part of the
country, where he purchased a fine estate, with a splendid dwelling; and
there he lived with great credit and reputation.
The elder brother, after the father’s death, for some time had great
success in trade. At length, however, a violent storm tore to pieces many
of his ships, which were coming home richly laden. About the same time
some persons failing, who had much of their money in his hands, he was
reduced to great want. To complete his misfortunes, the little which he
had left at home was consumed by a sudden fire, which burnt his house,
and every thing in it; so that he was brought into a state of beggary.
In this forlorn condition, he had no other resource to keep himself from
starving than to wander up and down the country, imploring the assistance
of well-disposed persons. It happened one day, that having travelled many
miles, and obtained but little relief, he saw a gentleman walking in the
fields, not far from a fine seat. To this gentleman he addressed himself,
and having laid before him his misfortunes and his present necessitous
condition, he earnestly entreated him to grant him some assistance. The
gentleman, who happened to be no other than his own brother, did not
at first know him; but after some discourse with him, he perceived who
he was. At first, however, he did not make it appear that he had any
knowledge of him, but brought him home, and ordered his servants to take
care of him, and furnish him for that night with lodgings and victuals.
In the mean time he resolved to discover himself to his brother next
morning, and offer him a constant habitation in his house, after he had
got the consent of his wife to the proposal. Accordingly, next morning,
he ordered the poor man to be sent for. When he was come into his
presence, he asked if he knew him. The poor man answered, he did not. I
am, said he, bursting into tears, your only brother! and immediately fell
on his neck, and embraced him with great tenderness. The elder, quite
astonished at this accident, fell to the ground, and began to make many
excuses, and to beg pardon for his former cruel behaviour. To whom the
other answered, “Brother, let us forget those things; I heartily forgive
you all that is past; you need not range up and down the world; you shall
be welcome to live with me.” He readily accepted the proposal, and they
lived together with great comfort and happiness till death.