The Lincoln County herald., 1868-11-12
JESSIE GLENDUsV'S GUIDE.

There lived once in q lonely Scottish
farmhouse family named Glenburn. 1t
consisted Of uu old man and his wife, and
their grand daughter, q young woman VI
seventeen years, aud tw" uncieut servants.
Save in the busy harvest time. no other
help Was needed on the little place,
thou sh old G!cnburn was not poor, but
we'll enough off to be considered quite
great man by the po,r cottagers, and to
lie looked to for many acts Of charity,
when crops failed and rents raised. aud
sheep had died Of. 1t was frugal aud
careful giving surely. but il was kindly,
too. and though no tippling bcggar ever
had . penny to spend for drink, oatmeal
aud bacon filled many otherwise empty
stomachs from tho GIenburn !aruI, and
many cold feet were furnished with
worsted stockings, for which the wool
grew on the backs of the Glenburn farm
sheep.
lSu.ic of all in works Of charity was
Jessie & G.enbu.n. Her blue eyes and gol
den hair and plump, we'll rounded form,
were welcomed by the poor as some vision
Of saints or angels might have been for,
she not only gave, but comforted. Old
Glenburn aud his wife were just little
proud to speak of nistortunes as well.lc.
served jud.me"t., and to prophecy future
woe; but Jessie always had word Of
hope, and compassionate glance, u re.
mem5rance that ottentimcs, who.n the
Lord loveth lie chastcncth."
People who were in dilemmas always
hoped to get Jessie Glenburn's ear, even
il no more came OF it, rather thau that Of
her grand parents. ..-.
s'ne longed particularly to do this who
hovered about the house one bitter winter
night, pecping through the shutters, from
which the golden lamplight streamed.
aud growing colder and hungricr every
moment. At last, in o sort Of dcspera
ton, she tapped ut the door, and it was
opened to her BY Maggie, the old servant
woman
"Who's there ?" she cried. as she peepcd
out into the darkness. "Why it's na
you Jean Moon! I" and the "you" said
volumes.
''It's jist me-" said the woman, with q
faint sigh, "and let me speak to the mis-.
tress. I've walked miles and miles since
nightfall. just lot me speak to her, or to
Miss Jessie"
"Wait, and I'll see," said Maggie shut
ting the door in her face and going back
to the warm kitchen with the news that
Jean M'Comb was without.
jean M'Comb! What call has that
good for. naught ut honest folks doors"
said Mrs. Glenburn.
'She's come to beg, no doubt" said
Maggie. "I've heard she and her child
we're starving and l didn't know her a,
once, her eye is SO hollow, and her checks
so thin. Its no Jean NJ omb that
stands there, but her ghost"
"Bid her come 10, Maggie" said Jes-
sic. from her seat by the IRE; "bad o,
good, it will not hurt Us to give her q
bearing"
Aud before Mrs. Gleuburn could inter.
pose, or the old nan rise from bis chair
Jean had entered the room and stood
before them. A wretched spectacle
Heaven knows-wan and worn and rug
ged, she looked at them sadly and wrun4
her hands.
"Dinna look 90 stern," she sobbed
II can't expect friendly welcome. bu
just have pity. I'd nae hA'e crossed you
sill but for the BARN. I'd haze starved
my aiusel, but how could see him dee
and he will, II l cant feed aud warm hin
10 tho bit hot on the Hill side. There
none Of my kin left but my bro ther .
Abeddeers, and he cursed me long ago
aud woaldn't lift . hand to save me