Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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“ The doctor’s opinion was decidedly favourable : he said that there was nothing
radically wrong with the patient, but that country air and nourishing food were all she
required. Mrs Bertram, who had taken as great a fancy to the mother as she had
formerly done to the son, interested herself in procuring a quiet lodging in the country,
to which in a few days Mrs Davidson removed with her children.
“ For nearly two months the widow and her family tasted all the sweets of
country life, and at the end of that time returned to the city with the mother’s health
completely re-established. On her return Mrs Davidson was offered the situation of
j female superintendent in a school under the real and not merely nominal patronage of
Mrs Bertram. This offer the widow accepted with expressions of the most heartfelt
gratitude, and poured many blessings on the head of her kind benefactress. Charles
was received into the boys’ department of the same school, and Bertie was placed along
with other little children of her own age in the infants’ class, where she was under the
special superintendence of her mother. Not once or twice, but many times have I
accompanied my mistress to the new dwelling of her proteges, where not one rose-
plant, but flowers of various kinds, brought from their country home, give the city
room a refreshing rural look.”
A long silence here ensued, which the knitted purse at length broke by asking
if that was all that its companion had to relate.
“ Yes, in the meantime,” returned the other, “ Mrs Davidson is still in her situ¬
ation, where, I believe, she gives great satisfaction ; Charles’ master frequently assures
my mistress that ho is one of his most promising pupils; and little Bertie is receiving
the kind of instruction usually imparted in infant schools. Mrs Bertram, much as
she has done in the course of her useful life, has never performed a deed of benevolence
of which she has seen more precious fruits ; and the widow has had reason to say that,
without taking into account those higher principles which should ever prompt to
I uprightness of conduct, on almost every occasion, ‘ Honesty is the best policy.’ ”
All furtheii-conversation on the part of the two friends was here prevented by
the opening of the drawer by their mistress, who took out the silken purse, and carried
it away to the lady for whom it had been wrought. It was not without a pang of
regret that it saw itself separated from its companion, but the pleasant thought that it
was about to bid good-bye to idleness, and enter on a career of usefulness speedily
consoled it.
It is not impossible that the two friends may meet again and relate some of
their several experiences, but till that time we must bid them farewell.
Agatha.