The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-09-19
Jessie's Mission.

and mamma is out, and the children
are so noisy. | know my mission is
not with the children" By this time,
Jessie had reached the front door, and
opeded it to receive Mr.. Morris, the
minister. Frowns disappeared at once,
for Mr.. Morris was general favorite
with his young people.
How are you to-day, my young
friend?" was his kindly greeting.
81 am very well, thank you: lust
take this easy chair, Mr.. Morris.
Mamma is over at Aunt Mary's; l will
go and call her." Jennie FASTENED to
reply Nsr.. .,,,.s ,...,. mil, ,.,.,,
with you this time, and come again to
see your mother. You make quite a
good housekeeper and nursemaid when
she is away" he said, glancing across
the hall to where the children were
playing. "How nice it is that you are
able to take care Of them, You have
| great influence over your little broth
efs and sisters, remember"
Jessies fair face flushed as she re.
piled: !" Mr.. Morris, do you not think
that every girl has her mission in this
world somewhere?"
"Most certainly, and one great trouble
is, some people, it seems, cannot find
| theirs.n
"That's just it," replied Jessie. 81
feel as if | had mission somewhere,
but l don't know where to find it.
Mamma has papa and the children to
care for. SometimesI get discouraged,
and feel as if never would find any
thing to do. In fact, l don't know what
20 do, or how to find anything" Jessie
said with rising color, Mr.. Morris
sweet old face grew tender, and his
kind gray eyes beamea as he took Jes-
sizes hand and said: my dear, perhaps
| can help you to find your mission. IN
the first place, think you will not have
to go out of your home to find the be-
ginning of it,"
30, Mr.. Morrisl" exclaimed Jessie.
You have Amy, Ethel, and little
Charlie to care for. You can help
mamma and see that she has more
leisure moments. When papa comes
home tired with his days work, see
that his slippers are warmed and his
easy chair pulled up to the stand-the
paper and some books placed there. In
| the long evenings, sing or read aloud
to mamma as she works. These small
duties in your home will open the door
to outside and larger duties. Now, my
young friend, will leave you to dis
cover the remainder of your mission,
but remember to do all for Jesus sake.
| Good-by."
Perhaps he is right; anyway, l will
give his plan fair trial." Jessie said to
herself, as the door closed after the
minister.
She fastened to the family sitting
room to where the children had been
moving everything out of its proper or
der. She took baby Charlie on her
knee and sang him to sleep. Then, put
ting him in his little crib, told Ethel to
see how nice she could rock him. She
seemed to enthuse the children with
her spirit, and soon, with Amy's help,
order came out of disorder, quiet out
of confusion. The fire was burning
brightly in the CRATE, and, as she drew
her fathers easy.chair to the fire, and
placed his slippers by its side, she
glanced at the clock and saw that it
was half-past four. Five O'Clock was
supper-time, and Jessie thought that
she could start the fire, put on the cof-
| fee, and make cream toast, and this,
with cold tongue and jelly, would be
sufficient.
She Immediately set about her task,
and, just as the clock struck five, Mrs.
Reed came in, all out of breath, and
fastened to the neat little kitchen, but
on the threshold she stopped in amaze
ment. The table was neatly set for tea,
the aroma of the coffee met her, and
then she came forward and said:
"Jessie, my darling, how thankful l
am for you. Aunt Mary was quite
sick, and 1 stayed longer than in
tended, but you have everything just as
nice as Icould have done it. How
pleased papa will bel"
And so he was. Another surprise
awaited them when they adjourned to
the sitting-room and found everything
in neatest order. As the evening passed,
Jessie exerted herself to entertain the
children, 80 that her papa and mamma
could enjoy long, cosy talk. As she
kissed her mother goodnight, Mrs.
Reed said, my dear, you are such a
comfort to me-"
Once started, and finding that she
was doing right, Jessie applied herself
to her daily duties, and, day by day,
her face grew brighter. Many an old
person learned to watch for her sunny
face and listen for her quick footsteps,
but the ones who enjoyed the most
pleasure and benefit from her work
were those of her own family circle.
Some two years after the minister's
call, two ladies were standing in front
of a Target store quietly chatting, when
Jessie passed with bright smile and a
pleasant word for one of them. AS
soon as she passed, the other lady
asked, "Who is that happy-looking
girl?" "Ohl that is Jessie Reed. She
is one of the brightest, cheeriest per-
sons that l know of, always doing
something for other people. "-Morn,ng