The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-02-22
From Godsy's Ladys Book
OUR JESSIE,
OR THE EXCLUSIVES.
BY MRS. EMMA c. EMBURT.

"Lzzv, who was that pretty girl | met
on the stairs this morning?" said Frederick
Carleton, as he threw himself into wei
cushioned chair beside his sister; "she
was some intimate friend, / presua1e, tor
she went into your apartment"
Il suppose it was Sarah Morton, as
she is the only person / am in the habit Of
admitting to my dressing-room; was she
very pretty"
Beautiful"
"Iow was she drcsscd!"
"Wi:h the utmost simplicity and neat,
ness"
"It must have been Sarah; she dresses
with great taste. Did the lady you met
wear black velvet mantilla, with white
hat and willow fea:hcr?"
"Pshaw! black velvet fddestick. Do
YOU call that simplicity! No, the lovely
creature Imean wore a little straw bon
net and blacd silk apron; her dark hair
was parted smoothly upon her snowy
forehead; she had soft blue eyes, and a
mouth like an opening rosebud; no'o, can
YOU tell me who she is?'
"Oh," exclaimed L;zzy, "it must have
been our Jessie
"Aad Pc r-cy, vho IS 'c@' JTsc@"sci"?' ask /
her brother.
"Only our seamstrcsy, Fred; pretty
little creature who looks scarcely sixteen
by Jupiter! if that cir! is scamstrcss,
Fortune never made q greater mistake
it can't be-"
"Well, we can soon decide the matter.
Fred; Jessie is now at work in OR little
sewing room, and as | ain going up to
give her some directions YOU can accom-
pany me-
Frederick Carleton obcycd his sisters
suggestion, and sauntercd into the room
half hoping his sister was mistaken. But
no; there sat the object Of his admiration
there sat car Jessie, surrounded by pieces
and patches, shaping and sewing with the
utmost diligence, and scarccl y raising her
eyes from her work. Seating himself at
a little distance, under pretence of wait
ing his sisters leisure, Frederick busted
himself in studying the countcnance of
the unconscious girl.
"Her features are not perfectly regular
thought he: "but what soft eyes she has;
what lovely mouth, and how beautifully
her fine forehead shines out between those
bands of raven hair; her voice too, is soft
and low. 'an excellent thing in woman.
What pity such a creature should be the
sc T,ebi,p,blo ptc
Tell me-" said he to his eldest sister
Mrs. De Grey, as he returned to the din
ing-room, "tcll me Who is our jeSs'e!'
"Her story is soon told," said Mrs. Dc
Grey, laughing, sand for your sake, my
susceptible brother, l am sorry she is not
a heroine of romance. Jessie Murray's
father was printer, who, meeting with
a severe accidental injury. was confined
to his bed for several years before his
death, during which time his wife sup.
ported the family by seamstress work and
dress-making. Mr.. Murray was always a
reading man, and after he was disabled
he diverted his weary hours by books and
the education of his children. have
been told that he studied Latin and Greek
in order that be might teach his son, anc
thus fit him, if possible, for college. while
he carefully instructed Jessie in all the
branches he deemed essential to good
education. After her fathers death
which occurred not long since, when Jes
sic was about eighteen years Of age, she
determined to fulfil his wishes respecting
her young brother, and secure for him {
collegiate education. She therefore adj
opted her present employment; she is 9
neat seamstress and an excellent dress
maker. Her services arc highly estimat
ed, and she works for few customer