Thoughts. My Fortune was now reduced to
less than Forty Pounds a Year; I had already two Children, and my dear Amelia
was again with Child.
    One Day the Doctor found me sitting by my self, and employed in melancholy
Contemplations on this Subject. He told me he had observed me growing of late
very serious; that he knew the Occasion, and neither wondered at, nor blamed me.
He then asked me if I had any Prospect of going again into the Army; if not,
what Scheme of Life I proposed to myself.
    I told him, that as I had no powerful Friends, I could have but little
Expectations in a military Way; that I was as incapable of thinking of any other
Scheme, as all Business required some Knowledge or Experience, and likewise
Money to set up with; of all which I was destitute.
    You must know then, Child, said the Doctor, that I have been thinking on
this Subject as well as you: for I can think, I promise you, with a pleasant
Countenance. These were his Words. As to the Army, perhaps Means might be found
of getting you another Commission; but my Daughter seems to have a violent
Objection to it; and to be plain, I fancy you yourself will find no Glory make
you amends for your Absence from her. And for my Part, said he, I never think
those Men wise who for any worldly Interest forego the greatest Happiness of
their Lives. If I mistake not, said he, a Country Life, where you could be
always together, would make you both much happier People.
    I answered, that of all Things I preferred it most; and I believed Amelia
was of the same Opinion.
    The Doctor, after a little Hesitation, proposed to me to turn Farmer, and
offered to let me his Parsonage, which was then become vacant. He said, it was a
Farm which required but little Stock, and that little should not be wanting.
    I embraced this Offer very eagerly, and with great Thankfulness, and
immediately repaired to Amelia to communicate it to her, and to know her
Sentiments.
    Amelia received the News with the highest Transports of Joy; she said that
her greatest Fear had always been of my entring again into the Army. She was so
kind as to say, that all Stations of Life were equal to her, unless as one
afforded her more of my Company than another. And as to our Children, said she,
let us breed them up to an humble Fortune; and they will be contented with it:
For none