"We cannot easily distinguish," said the stranger; "and even of the
worthless, are there not many whose imprudence, or whose vice, may
have been one dreadful consequence of misfortune?"

Harley looked again in his face, and blessed himself for his skill
in physiognomy.

By this time they had reached the end of the walk, the old gentleman
leaning on the rails to take breath, and in the meantime they were
joined by a younger man, whose figure was much above the appearance
of his dress, which was poor and shabby. Harley's former companion
addressed him as an acquaintance, and they turned on the walk
together.

The elder of the strangers complained of the closeness of the
evening, and asked the other if he would go with him into a house
hard by, and take one draught of excellent cyder. "The man who
keeps this house," said he to Harley, "was once a servant of mine.
I could not think of turning loose upon the world a faithful old
fellow, for no other reason but that his age had incapacitated him;
so I gave him an annuity of ten pounds, with the help of which he
has set up this little place here, and his daughter goes and sells
milk in the city, while her father manages his tap-room, as he calls
it, at home. I can't well ask a gentleman of your appearance to
accompany me to so paltry a place." "Sir," replied Harley,
interrupting him, "I would much rather enter it than the most
celebrated tavern in town. To give to the necessitous may sometimes
be a weakness in the man; to encourage industry is a duty in the
citizen." They entered the house accordingly.