A FEW miles distant from the lived an farmer, who had a son named Bounce. He had so strong a to the military life, that he was observed to be continually shouldering his hoe, and treating it in other respects as a gun. He was fond of the company of soldiers, and took great delight in hearing them repeat their accounts of sieges and battles.  
When he had reached the eighteenth year of his age, he in one of the marching ; and as he had learned at school to read, write, and cast up common accounts, he became so useful in his present station, that he was first made a corporal, and soon after was advanced to the higher state of a serjeant.
 
Much about this time, war was declared between England and France, and, by a succession of the most fortunate circumstances, at the commencement of the campaign, he had a lieutenantcy given him. He behaved with great conduct on all occasions, and whenever any bold and daring enterprise was to be undertaken, he was always appointed to command it, and constantly came off with honour. The examples he set others of his bravery, made every soldier under him as brave as himself.
 
So strongly had his conduct recommended him to the favour of his general, that he soon after presented him with a company, in order that his fortune might raise in the common soldiers an to imitate his conduct. He had not long enjoyed this new , when a most desperate battle was fought, which proved fatal to several superior officers. On this occasion, Bounce, who had performed wonders during the battle, was instantly appointed a major.
 
His exploits had often been recorded in the public papers, which being read in his native village, all the inhabitants ran to congratulate his parents on the occasion. His parents and brothers, , were not a little flattered with the bravery and good fortune of Bounce. The tear of joy would frequently steal down their cheeks when these matters were mentioned. They longed for the happy day in which he was to return, that they might have the inexpressible pleasure of embracing a son and brother in their arms, whose bravery had done so much honour to his family, and raised himself to such an elevated situation.
 
We have hitherto only surveyed the brilliant colourings of the picture; but we must now proceed to examine its shades. All his good qualities were by one predominant and , which was pride. In relating the history of his own achievements, he would consider himself as little less than an Alexander or a Cæsar. He paid himself all the compliments for his heroic actions, which the most flatterer would give a prince in his presence.—He assumed to himself all the honours of every battle he had been engaged in, without allowing the least merit to any other officer.
 
All parties being at last tired of the war, many thousands of their subjects having perished in the contest, many widows left to their husbands, and a great number of children to the loss of their fathers, a general peace put an end to this carnage of human beings. It so happened, that the to which Bounce belonged was directed to pass along the road on which his father's house was , in order to proceed to Windsor, where it was to be disbanded.
 
By this time, his father and mother had paid their last debt to nature; but his brothers, who were still living, hearing of his approach, ran to meet him, accompanied by many others in the village. They soon found him at the head of his , exercising his men, in quality of captain and major.
 
They ran to him with open arms, saying, "O dear Bounce! were but our parents now living, what joy would this give to their hearts! My brother and I have been long sighing for this moment of seeing and embracing you. Thanks to that God who has preserved you through so many dangers, and at last has afforded us this inexpressible pleasure!" Having thus said, the two brothers attempted to embrace him.
 
The major, however, was very much , that men, who had no cockades in their hats, should presume to take these freedoms with him, and call him brother. He pushed them from him, and treated their marks of affection with and contempt. "What do you mean," said he, "by taking these freedoms with me?"—"Is it possible," replied the younger brother, "that you have forgotten us? Look at me, I am George, whom you loved, whom you taught to dig and sow this ground,220 when I was but a little one, and not higher than the length of the sword which now by your side."
 
This put the major into a violent rage, and he threatened he would have them as impostors, if they did not ............