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gestures and all outward appearances that he much exceeded the character
that the country gave of him； took a mighty liking to him； insomuch that
he told him； if he would go with him into Pembrokeshire； he would be
kind to him； and take care of him as long as he lived。
This kind and unexpected offer was so welcome to poor Dickory； that
without any farther consideration； he got a pen and ink and writ a note；
and in a very handsome and submissive manner returned him thanks for
his favour； assuring him he would do his best to continue and improve it；
and that he would be ready to wait upon him whenever he should be
pleased to command。
To shorten the account as much as possible； all things were concluded
to their mutual satisfaction； and in about a fortnight's time they set forward
for Wales； where Dickory； notwithstanding his dumbness； behaved himself
with so much diligence and affability； that he not only gained the love of
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the family where he lived； but of everybody round him。
In this station he continued till the death of his master； which happened
about twenty years afterwards； in all which time； as has been confirmed by
several of the family； he was never observed to be any ways disguised by
drinking； or to be guilty of any of the follies and irregularities incident to
servants in gentlemen's houses。 On the contrary； when he had any spare
time； his constant custom was to retire with some good book into a private
place within call； and there employ himself in reading； and then writing
down his observations upon what he read。
After the death of his master； whose loss afflicted him to the last
degree； one Mrs。 Mary Mordant； a gentlewoman of great virtue and piety；
and a very good fortune； took him into her service； and carried him with
her； first to Bath； and then to Bristol； where； after a lingering distemper；
which continued for about four years； she died likewise。
Upon the loss of his mistress； Dickory grew again exceeding
melancholy and disconsolate； at length； reflecting that death is but a
common debt which all mortals owe to nature； and must be paid sooner or
later； he became a little better satisfied； and so determines to get together
what he had saved in his service； and then to return to his native country；
and there finish his life in privacy and retirement。
Having been； as has been mentioned； about twenty…four years a
servant； and having； in the interim； received two legacies； viz。； one of
thirty pounds； left him by his master； and another of fifteen pounds by his
mistress； and being always very frugal； he had got by him in the whole
upwards of sixty pounds。 This； thinks he； with prudent management； will
be enough to support me as long as I live； and so I'll e'en lay aside all
thoughts of future business； and make the best of my way to Cornwall； and
there find out some safe and solitary retreat； where I may have liberty to
meditate and make my melancholy observations upon the several
occurrences of human life。
This resolution prevailed so far； that no time was let slip to get
everything in readiness to go with the first ship。 As to his money； he
always kept that locked up by him； unless he sometimes lent it to a friend
without interest； for he had a mortal hatred to all sorts of usury or
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extortion。 His books； of which he had a considerable quantity； and some
of them very good ones； together with his other equipage； he got packed
up； that nothing might be wanting against the first opportunity。
In a few days he heard of a vessel bound to Padstow； the very port he
wished to go to； being within four or five miles of the place where he was
born。 When he came thither； which was in less than a week； his first
business was to inquire after the state of his family。 It was some time
before he could get any information of them； until an old man that knew
his father and mother； and remembered they had a son was born dumb；
recollected him； and after a great deal of difficulty； made him understand
that all his family except his youngest sister were dead； and that she was a
widow； and lived at a little town called St。 Helen's； about ten miles farther
in the country。
This doleful news； we must imagine； must be extremely shocking； and
add a new sting to his former affliction； and here it was that he began to
exercise the philosopher； and to demonstrate himself both a wise and a
good man。 All these things； thinks he； are the will of Providence； and
must not be disputed； and so he bore up under them with an entire
resignation； resolving that； as soon as he could find a place where he
might deposit his trunk and boxes with safety； he would go to St。 Helen's
in quest of his sister。
How his sister and he met； and how transported they were to see each
other after so long an interval； I think is not very material。 It is enough for
the present purpose that Dickory soon recollected his sister； and she him；
and after a great many endearing tokens of love and tenderness； he wrote
to her； telling her that he believed Providence had bestowed on him as
much as would support him as long as he lived； and that if she thought
proper he would come and spend the remainder of his days with her。
The good woman no sooner read his proposal than she accepted it；
adding； withal； that she could wish her entertainment was better； but if he
would accept of it as it was； she would do her best to make everything
easy； and that he should be welcome upon his own terms； to stay with her
as long as he pleased。
This affair being so happily settled to his full satisfaction； he returns to
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Padstow to fetch the things he had left behind him； and the next day came
back to St。 Helen's； where； according to his own proposal； he continued to
the day of his death； which happened upon the 29th of May； 1718； about
the same hour in which he was born。