ven　years　old；　my　friends；　on　a　holiday；　filled　my　pocket　with　coppers。　I　went　directly　to　a　shop　where　they　sold　toys　for　children；　and　being　charmed　with　the　sound　of　a　whistle；　that　I　met　by　the　way　in　the　hands　of　another　boy；　I　voluntarily　offered　and　gave　all　my　money　for　one。　I　then　came　home；　and　went　whistling　all　over　the　house；　much　pleased　with　my　whistle；　but　disturbing　all　the　family。　My　brothers；　and　sisters；　and　cousins；　understanding　the　bargain　I　had　made；　told　me　I　had　given　four　times　as　much　for　it　as　it　was　worth；　put　me　in　mind　what　good　things　I　might　have　bought　with　the　rest　of　the　money；　and　laughed　at　me　so　much　for　my　folly；　that　I　cried　with　vexation；　and　the　reflections　gave　me　more　chagrin　than　the　whistle　gave　me　pleasure。

This；　however；　was　afterward　of　use　to　me；　the　impression　continuing　on　my　mind；　so　that　often；　when　I　was　tempted　to　buy　some　unnecessary　thing；　I　said　to　myself；　Don’t　give　too　much　for　the　whistle；　and　I　saved　my　money。

As　I　grew　up；　came　into　the　world；　and　observed　the　actions　of　men；　I　thought　I　met　with　many；　very　many；　who　gave　too　much　for　the　whistle。

When　I　saw　one　too　ambitious　of　court　favor；　sacrificing　his　time　in　attendance　on　levees；　his　repose；　his　liberty；　his　virtue；　and　perhaps　his　friends；　to　attain　it；　I　have　said　to　myself；　This　man　gives　too　much　for　his　whistle。

When　I　saw　another　fond　of　popularity；　constantly　employing　himself　in　political　bustles；　neglecting　his　own　af