Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-09
CLEVELAND WEDNESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY g. 1859.

Oh, Jessie Jessie that this should be your re-
ward for saving my life !"
| "Mr. Ralston," Jessie began
"No, no call me Louis; we are brother and
sister now; this has made US so. l should
have been here before; but the physicians for
bade it. was somewhat injured, but am well
again"
''Jessie," said Mrs Ralston, 'if mothers
prayers and gratitude for the saver of her sons
life can comfort you, oh, how truly are they
yours But for you l should be enildless.-
You will think of this, my child, and let it COM
fort you"
"f will will God forgive me for COM
planning when he has let me save life /" And
for the first time, great peace shOne in the
From that day there was no desire of Jessie's
heart that was not granted. Young Ralston
himself provided her with books, pictures, and
! instruction; and his mother let no day pass
without visiting the cottage. They would have
been very glad to take the poor child to their
own luxurious home but Jessie refused to
leave her mother. The child's whole current of
/ thought had changed since the Ralstons first
visited the cottage. With prayer, with hope
full, loving trust in the Almighty hand that had
seen fit to PROSTATE her, she stilled all repinings
and was truly grateful for love and kindness
shown to her
Six years passed on; and again wish to
take my readers to the little cottage. The wild
ow is at her sewing still in chair by the fire.
side opposite to her is seated Jessie, who looks
older than when we last saw her, and, in other
respects somewhat changed. The rich dark
hair is gathered off from her broad white fore
head, and falls in soft curls over her shoulders.
Her face is pale, but very beautiful in its sweet,
loving expression-and the large, soft eyes,
shaded by long dark lashes, are full of intelli-
gence and pure holy light. Her small, slight
figure is covered with soft white shawl; and
the tiny white fingers are busted in knitting
George, tall, manly youth, is seated beside
her, bending over sum. -
A low sigh from Jessie made her mother look
up.
"What is the matter, darling!"
al was wishing, mother, that was of some
use in the world"
"Why, Jessie, you are of use. You helpme
in my sewing; you draw now most beautifully,
so Mr. Ralston says; and you knit great
deal"
tBesides helping me in my studies" chimed
in George.
Yes" said Jessie, thoughtfully; "but
have great deal of useless time. You know
it wearies me to draw or sew for many hours
together; and was thinking how can employ
this time, and not be a useless burden on my
dear, kind friends"
"Jessie !" said her mother, wamingly.
" Well, won't say it again. Now, have 4
proposition to make. You know that, in the
village, there are many children who are too
poor to pay for their education at the village
school; and they are growing up Ignorant, aud
some of them very vicious. Can l not help to
! remedy this Would it not be good work to
have them here for few hours every day and
: try to instruct them!"
! But, JESSIE" said Mrs. Harris, " they are
the very scum of the village. Ali the decent
children are at the village school"
l Il know that"
5 "And some of them swear fearfully," said
George; 'and fear many of them would be i'm
pertinent if anything displeased them"
: Will you let me tryl do long to be O.
!, some use in the world
"Why, JessieI" said a frank voice at the door
; [" is that you hear talking in such plaintiv,
e tone What is the matter! 7"
7 "Oh Louis are you there!"
!, "Yes, half frozen. II is showing"
n Jessie started, whispering "a 1t is the ami
|, versary"
: With admirable tact, young Ralston ben
over her, saying, Z" l left my mother praying 70
the preserver of her sons life"
It Jessie thanked him with bright, beamin
d smile, and then told him her scheme At frs
It he shook his head, but seeing that her hea1
was set on the idea, he consented to act a
,, her ambassador in the village, and collect al
k the little ragamufins" that were willing
); come.
ID One week later, Jessie awaited with fas
= beating heart, the arrival of her first class
4 was very small. One little girl only had sun
/ monad III aonraon IN coYna Har raDort rrraS G
l. favorable, that, the next day, three little cir
and two boys came, and In the course Of
1t month, the room was filed each day Thel
was something in the pale, pure face and slgl
j. frame of the teacher that awed the class at frs
l then won their respectful love.
No profane word ever fell on the ears of ii
young girl Errors to correct she found in plel
e, ty; but, with low, sweet voice, and that ind
scribable holiness that encircled her, she dro,
n away all impiety, all profanity. Rough boz
ne went home with their minds filled with high
Id ambition and purer thoughts than they had ey
w before felt. Girls bent to her, at their depar
We ure, with their minds blessing the sweet, gent
teacher who had won them from ignoraJlc
a perhaps from vice. And so passed her life.
Trials she had among her class; but, with ge
he tie patience, she made rough places smooth
ad Some ingratitude too, came to trouble her;
nd she never failed in her efforts.
,ss 1t is now thirty years since Jessie Harris f
he down the quarry and if, in passing throul
SnowdonviIle, you ask who is the most usef
sr and best beloved person in the village, they W
S point out little cottage, and tell you its occ
pant, Jessie Harris, fills the place Mrs Ha
ut ris is dead; George is a lawyer at the Soutl
N and Jessie lives alone, excepting her maid, o
ed of her old scholars, who almost worships b
ID, mistress. Gentle, meek, and hopeful, she iv
an example that none are so unfortunate tn
ct, thsy can be of no use in the world.