book2

GIVING TO BEGGARS. 83
" I have plenty of work to be done," said Mr.
Williams, " and am willing to pay for it : how
would you like to work for me ?"
" 0 dear," said he, " I can't work ; I am so
lame !" So saying, he hobbled about to show
Mr. Williams how exceedingly lame he was ; at
the same time he kept saying over,
" A poor old
man needs a few pennies, — "
a lame old man !
Mr. Williams had heard his story several times
before, and had once talked with him, in a similar
way, about his laboring for him ; so he told him
plainly what to depend on : that he would em
ploy him, and pay him for his labor ; or, if he
would not work, he would give him something
to eat; but as for money neither he nor his
family could give him any :
" If others choose to
do so," said he,
" they may."