Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1890-08-07
JESSIE'S OPPORTUNITY.
1t Was Improved and Resulted
Very Satisfactorily.

"Wickliffe"-said Mr.. Stone one
morning as he looked up from the pc
rusal OF note he had found on his
breakfast plate, and fixed his eyes
sternly on the face of his only SON
miss Hall writes me that you are late
Mt school so frequently that she con-
siders 1T necessary to call my attention
to the fact There Is no excuse what
ever for such tardiness, and If it hap
pens again shall punish you severely.
You understand me?"
''Yes, SIR" answered Wickliffe, meek
ly, his eyes on his plate, and his voice
trembling little. II do try to get to
school in time, father, but somehow OF
other"
"You are generally late" finished his
father as the boy hesitated. well,
this bad habit must be broken up, or it
Will be hindrance to you all your life.
i hope will not be called upon to pun
ish you, but shall deem it my duty to do
so If occasion requires"
Poor Wiclll He found it difficult to
eat his breakfast with those ominous
words ringing in his ears. He knew by
past experience what was meant by
punishment as interpreted by his father,
and his appetite for the buckwheat
didn't look at his mother, for he knew
he couldn't bear very we'll the loving
sympathy he felt sure was in her eyes.
And he did not look at his sister Jessie
for he felt equally sure she wore look
of intense satisfaction.
He and Jessie had quarreled, and had
not spoken to each other for two days.
1t was all about blue silk umbrella
with gold knob on the handle, which
had been a gift to Jessie from her
father on her last birthday. Wick had
borrowed it one rainy day without
asking, and had lost it. Jessie, who
had very hot temper was extremely
angry when she heard her brothers con-
fession, and the result was quarrel,
during which both had made somo very
unjust and unkind remarks.
They didn't often quarrel. Wick
loved his sister dearly, and was slow to
anger-slow about every thing in fact
but Jessie's sharp tongue had stung
him into saying a good deal that he
afterwards regretted. But he wouldn't
say so while she maintained that
naughty manner and sullen silence. He
knew that while she was in that state
no apology, however humble, would be
accepted.
Jessie had no desire to heal the
breach. The loss of her umbrella
rankled still. and her anger and resent
ment received fresh fuel from the fact
that she had to carry an old cotton UNI
brella when she went to visit the Art
Gallery with Stina Ward, whose cos
tune was perfect in every detail, and
who smiled faintly-or so it seemed to
sensitive Jessie-when the cotton
atrocity in all Its faded ugliness was
raised during brief shower.
1t generally hurt Jessie as much to
have Wick reprimanded as to be repri.
manded horsclt But this morning she
was not sorry for him at all, and
thought her father ought to have said
a great deal more.
"That clock in the hall is to blame
for Wick's being late," SAID Mrs. Stone
when breakfast was nearly over, and
Wick was gathering up his books. "l'
runs little slow. think | had better
alter the pendulum tride."
"Do not let him offer that as an ex.
cuse," said Mr.. Stone, II will not ac'
cept it. He can find out the time by
some other clock if the one in the hall
is not to be depended on"
al think can make it run correctly,
said Mrs. Stone.
She went out into the hall, and Wick
followed her to get his overcoat from
the rack.
at will keep good time now." she
said. as she raised the pendulum OF the
clock, and turned the hands ahead ter
minutes. "You will be able to depend
on it after this, think"
"You are always so indulgent to Wick
mother" said Jessie, when her brother
had pone, and Mr.. Stone had retired tt
the library to read the morning paper
"And YOU make so many excuses fol
him. And as father says he has hd6'
of being slow, which ought to be broker
while he is young. You know he II
never in time for any thing"
"Remember about the moat and the
beam. little daughter" said Mrs. Stone
~ know some one who ought to try t.
curb her temper while young, that
NAV not lead her into sorrow and caus'
her bitter regret Score small victor!
with each day, and the grand resul
will be gained before ycu are reail,
aware Of it"
Jessie flushed. .hotly under her mother.
tender glance. and went upstairs ieei
inr decidedly uncomfortable. She ha'
determined again and again to begin
war on her hot temper, but had let ont
opportunity after another slip oy, ane
now, though she knew she ought =
make up' that quarrel with Wick. sh'
wasn't ready to do IL while nes near
WAS so full of resentment
She had been obliged to leave scnoo
Cor time on account Of some sffscnol
Of her eyes. and as she could nealee
sew nor read, time hung rather hef :
on her hands and she was abs
more thinking than she exact