--- title: The Merchant and His Sons. — Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth · full text with trees description: The Merchant and His Sons., «Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth» by Anonymous: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: A certain merchant had two sons, the eldest of whom was of so bad a disposition as to behave with great hatred and ill-natu --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62868/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Oriental tales, for the entertainment…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62868/) / The Merchant and His Sons. # The Merchant and His Sons. The Merchant and His Sons. of «Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth» by Anonymous: the whole text, 24 sentences and 657 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. A certain merchant had two sons, the eldest of whom was of so bad a disposition as to behave with great hatred and ill-nature towards the younger, who was of a temper more mild and gentle.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") It happened that the old gentleman, after having acquired a large estate by his trade, left it by his will to his eldest son, together with all his ships and stock in merchandize, desiring him to continue in the business, and support his brother.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") The father was no sooner dead than the elder began to shew his ill-will to his brother.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") He desired him to leave his house, and, without giving him any thing for his support, turned him loose into the wide world.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") The young man was much dejected with this treatment; but, considering that in his father’s life-time he had acquired some knowledge of business, he applied to a neighbouring merchant, offering to serve him in the way of trade.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The merchant received him into his house, and finding from long experience that he was prudent, virtuous, and diligent in his business, gave him his daughter and only child in marriage, and, when he died, bequeathed to him his whole fortune.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The young man, after the death of his father-in-law, retired with his wife into a distant part of the country, where he purchased a fine estate, with a splendid dwelling; and there he lived with great credit and reputation.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The elder brother, after the father’s death, for some time had great success in trade.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") At length, however, a violent storm tore to pieces many of his ships, which were coming home richly laden.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") About the same time some persons failing, who had much of their money in his hands, he was reduced to great want.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") To complete his misfortunes, the little which he had left at home was consumed by a sudden fire, which burnt his house, and every thing in it; so that he was brought into a state of beggary.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") In this forlorn condition, he had no other resource to keep himself from starving than to wander up and down the country, imploring the assistance of well-disposed persons.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") It happened one day, that having travelled many miles, and obtained but little relief, he saw a gentleman walking in the fields, not far from a fine seat.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") To this gentleman he addressed himself, and having laid before him his misfortunes and his present necessitous condition, he earnestly entreated him to grant him some assistance.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The gentleman, who happened to be no other than his own brother, did not at first know him; but after some discourse with him, he perceived who he was.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") At first, however, he did not make it appear that he had any knowledge of him, but brought him home, and ordered his servants to take care of him, and furnish him for that night with lodgings and victuals.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") In the mean time he resolved to discover himself to his brother next morning, and offer him a constant habitation in his house, after he had got the consent of his wife to the proposal.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Accordingly, next morning, he ordered the poor man to be sent for.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") When he was come into his presence, he asked if he knew him.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") The poor man answered, he did not.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") I am, said he, bursting into tears, your only brother! and immediately fell on his neck, and embraced him with great tenderness.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The elder, quite astonished at this accident, fell to the ground, and began to make many excuses, and to beg pardon for his former cruel behaviour.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") To whom the other answered, “Brother, let us forget those things; I heartily forgive you all that is past; you need not range up and down the world; you shall be welcome to live with me.”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") He readily accepted the proposal, and they lived together with great comfort and happiness till death.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Opening](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62868/1/) - next →: [Story of Mencius.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62868/3/) - ↑ back to [Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg62868/)