Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-02-19

had been sitting alone, one afternoon, fuf oi
bitter, melancholy 1forebo odings, when . car.
riage stopped before window "A young man,
wrapped in large cloak, got out FIRST, thena
lady. Jessie knew them. It was young
Louis Ralston and his mother, Mrs Ralston
had been very kind in sending her messages
and delicacies, during her Illness, but she had
not visited her before. Mrs. Harris was out
had gone to take home some sewing -an3
George was with her so the visitors, enter
ing the little kitchen, found Jessie alone. They
came to her chair, ana stood ,one on each side.
Fpr moment, 20 there was . deep silence; and
then, with q great cry, Mrs Ralston bent over,
the e}lild ~ she >cristf Il and then she knet
down and buried yheri face in Jessie'sAp,
While her whole frame shook with :convnlsive
sobs, - The young man seemed as powerful
~ affected, and unable to sp ak.9lAt last,
bending down, he said . JNAfy preserver, may
God IN heaven bless and comfort you'll Oh,
Jessie J Jessie! that tlis should be your re-
ward for saving my,life !iguo.di .s.gor bn.!4qr,
On Mr.. Ralston, 81 Jessie began, ina.o0 ds
| "" No, mol call me Louis !; we are brothers
and sisters now this has made 1s So |
should have been here before but the physi-
but am well again. o: -si!.g .! 4 sTota q
" JESSIE said Mrs. Ralston. STA mothers
| prayers and gratitude for the saver of his
1 yours I! But for you, / should be childless.
You will think of this, my child, and let it
comfort your a .371oG 2d5 2uiyqoo a.
II will will God forgive me for COM
| planning when He has let Inc save a life p
And for the first time, great peace shone in
child's face --..' gro 2" s,...
From that day there was no desire of Jes-
| sic 8 heart that was not granted. Young
| Ralston himself provided her with books, pic
lures and instruction aud 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 chang
ed since Ralston's first visited the cottage
With prayer, with hopeful, loving trust in the
Almighty hand that had seen fit to PROSTATE
her, she stined all repinings, andswas truly
grateful for the love and kindness shown
her. I'D u
Six years passed on and again wish to
take my readers to the little cottage The
widow is at her sewing still ina chair by the
fireside; opposite TO her is seated Jessie, who
looks older than when we last saw her, in
other respects, somewhat changed The rich,
dark hair is gathered off from her broad,
white shoulders. Her face is pale, but very
beautiful in its sweet, loving expression and
the large, soft eyes, shaded by long, dark lash
es, are full of intelligence 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 a
sum. ''' 80 90 l'.-'.' '.' vi" ~ 'i.' H.
A low sigh from Jessie made her mother
look up. 1@a II H.. .a4s g,-. r.; .-, ,c,;.i :.
is the matter, darling
C. was wishing, mother, that I was of
some use in the world'' -...'. .-.. .''-
Why, Jessie, you are of use. You help
me in my sewing; you draw now most beau
tifully, so Mr.. Ralston says, and you knit
great deal" Is aeL 6.Tfr: l.lt.' r.a7.r3 p
4" Besides helping me in my studles," chin
ed in George, 40 .', ''
"Yes,pisaid Jessie, thoughtfully I" but
have great deal of useless time You know
it wearies me to draw or sew for many hours
-teGether and -LXas, thinking hoy Lean en-,
plby this time, and not be useless burden on
my dear, kind friends H
Jessie ~ said the mother, warningly.
swell, won't say it again. Now, l have
a proposition to make. You know that, in
the village, there are many children who are
too poor to pay for their education at the vii
lage school !; and they are now growing up ig-
n0rant, and some Of them vicious. Can l.
not help to remedy this Would it not be
good work to have them here for a few
hours every day, and try to instruct them ?"
7 ?" But, JESSIE said Harris, i"they are the
very scum of the village All the decent child
rem are at the village school," .-........
/ al know that"
!" Some of them swear fearfully,"t said
George stand fear many Of them would
he impertinent if anything displeased them"
-Y."' VIII you let me try L do so long to be,
of some use in the world"
"Why, Jessie p said frank voice at the
door, ais that you hear talking in such
a plaintive tone What's the matter -,J|
"Oh, Louis {! are you there o. a., ..
" Yes, half frozen. It's, showing"
Jessie started, whispering :"'It's the ami
versary" "1H9ti ,aw atG9sluaGJ ii iaiI7
With admirable tact, young Ralston bent
over her, saying: 81 left my mother praying
for the preserver of her sons lfe''
Jessie thanked him with bright, beaming
smile, and then told him her scheme. At first,
he shook his head but seeing that her heart
was set on the idea, h. consented to act as
her ambassador in the village, and collect all
the C. little ragmuftins " that were willing to
come. .."'.
|, One week later, Jessie awaited with fast
beating heart the arrival of her first class. 1t
was very small. One little girl only had sum-
moned up courage to come Her report was
so favorable that, the next day, three little
girls and two boys came, and in the course of
a month, the room was filed each day. There
was something in the pale pure face, and slight
frame of the teacher that awed the class at
first, then won their respectful love. .9''r'e
No profane word ever fell on the ears of
the young girl. Errors to correct she found
in plenty but, with a low, sweet voice, and
that indescribable holiness that encircled her,
She drove away all impiety, all profanity. -
Rough boys and girls went home with
their minds filled with higher ambi-
ton and purer- thoughts than they had
ever before felt. Girls bent to her sat their
departure with their minds, blessing the sweet,
gentle teacher who had won them from their
her life. Trials she had among her class but,
with gentle patience she made rough places
smooth. Some ingratitude, too, came to trou.
ble her !; but she never failed in her Efforts
1t is now thirty years since Jessie Harris fell
down the quarry !; and if in passing through
Snowdonvine, you ask who is the most useful
and best beloved person in the village, they
will point out little cottage, and tell you its
occupant Jessie Harris, fills the place. Mrs.
Harris is dead George is a lawyer at the
South and Jessie lives alone, excepting her
maid, one of her old scholars, who almost
worships her mistress. Gentle, meek, and
hopeful she lives an example that none are SO
unfortunate that they can be of no use in the
world. ...- i a..-.t .,..... s-- g..-lg ~.-, /.
w Woman loves or abors; man admires
or despises. o. A,-4 .'.1i.8T'- 2. n. .s5 100. |
Woman loves with her heart man with his
head. -.- IL - - LII - ---l IL Il