Jessie now opened her box. Taking a bright little object from its velvet lining, she placed it on her finger, and holding it up, exclaimed:
“What a dear little thimble! Oh! isn’t it pretty?”
It was a golden thimble with her name inscribed upon it. It came from her uncle, as a token of his approval of her many efforts to bring her impulses under the control of the law of duty.
“I hope,” he said to her after receiving her caresses, “that your hardest struggles with your old enemy are over. But no doubt the little fellow will sometimes try to separate himself from his good resolutions and from his bride Perseverance. When he does so, you will be in danger again. But be brave! Be thoughtful! Be prayerful! Trust in the Great Teacher! Try, and try again, and Uncle Morris will never have need to blush for his niece, Jessie Carlton.”
After dinner our young folks got up a grand romp in the parlor. Their father and uncle joined them, and the jocund hours passed so swiftly, that the dusk stole upon them unawares.
“Dear me! How early it is dark to-night,” said Jessie, as panting with excitement, she sat down in her own little chair.
“Hours fly on eagle’s wings, when people are pleased and busy, as we have been this afternoon,” observed Uncle Morris in reply; “but hark! our door-bell rings! Somebody is coming in. Boys, put the chairs to rights!”
Before the disordered room could be made fit for a reception, the servant opened the door, and said:
“Mr. Carlton, will you please step to the door?”
Going to the door, Mr. Carlton found a man standing on the door-step with a letter in his hand. A carriage stood in front of the piazza. Bowing to Mr. Carlton, the man handed him the letter, and said: