While this series of books is designed to furnish a succession of pleasant and instructive lessons and recreations for boys and girls, each volume has also a specific aim, more or less prominently wrought into its woof. The special object of Jessie is to kindle in the hearts of the young, especially the children of misfortune and poverty, a pure and noble ambition, and to encourage them to strive for that “good name” whose price is far above rubies, and that “conscience void of offence” which is of still more inestimable value.
CONTENTS
| CHAPTER I. | |
| THE NEW HOME. | |
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| The trunk—What made it so heavy—Jessie’s gold—The Hapley family—The separation—Jessie’s new position—Her mother’s departure—The Pages—Going to work—Ronald’s flag—A patriotic appeal—A job for Jessie—The flag-staff—Ronald’s shrewdness questioned—Some criticisms on the flag—Worth all it cost—Alterations proposed—An unexpected difficulty—How to make an American flag—The repairs completed—The flag hoisted—A surprise—Crying before breakfast—Two sober ones—Jessie in retirement—Traces of tears—Henry’s visit—Homesickness—A dory voyage across the ocean—What Marcus was thinking about—Celebrating Washington’s birth-day—Marcus explains his plan—An objection to a bonfire—The committee of arrangements—Preparations for the celebration—The pictures—Washington and his home—A busy time—The programme—The parlor and the audience—The exercises—The tableau—A scene not in the bill—Sound sleepers, | [19] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| SOMETHING ABOUT DIARIES. | |
| How Jessie happened to keep a journal—Advantages of the habit—The blank book—The title-page—origin of the motto—Abby Leonard—A cutting remark—Its effect—Jessie’s resolution—Divine aid sought—Abby conquered by kindness—The first record in the journal—Benny’s death—Specimen of a Diary in Dry Measure—One in Long Measure—One in Solid Measure—Which is best, | [41] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| SNOW AND ICE. | |
| Building a snow-house—A disagreement—The work goes on—Another dispute—Obstinacy—View of the snow-hut—Going to see the ice-boat—Angry words—Ronald’s early life—Esquimaux snow-houses—A traveller’s testimony—An ice-boat—Round Hill Pond—A lively scene—The coasters—Description of the ice-boat—sailing wrong end first—A western ice-boat—Invitation declined—The boat under sail—Going home—The snow-slide—A vast heap of snow—A narrow escape—Thoroughly alarmed—Ronald’s snow-hut, | [57] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| THE REFEREE CASE. | |
| Henry missing—Oscar’s account of the falling out—Jessie incredulous—Henry’s defence—A reluctant admission—Jessie’s plan for settling the quarrel—Rights of partners—Henry obstinate—Another proposal—Referees—Henry’s reluctance—He yields—The award to be binding—Ronald’s version of the quarrel—Wherein he was to blame—He agrees to the referee plan—The referees chosen—The meeting—Henry’s arrival—His embarrassment—Ronald’s talkativeness—Fast skating—Subsiding into silence—Examination of the two parties—Ronald’s comments on the proceedings—Anticipating the decision—Making up—Summoned to the tribunal—The referees surprised—They take it coolly—Looking after the fees—Reading the award—The decision carried out—The gallery of literary portraits—Jessie’s taste for drawing—Twenty-four characters enigmatically expressed—The key, | [71] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| A DAY AT SCHOOL. | |
| Two new comers—The academy—The opening exercises—The sentence on the blackboard—The definition of wisdom—Knowledge brings promotion—Education a good investment—Cuffee and the calf—Charging for “the know how”—Building a house—The laborers—Masons and carpenters—The “boss”—The architect—Knowledge promotes a man in other ways—Jessie’s appointment as assistant—The monitorial desk—The dinner hour—Good riddance—The slow boy—A good time among the girls—Abby and her pickles—The cake—Bragging—The squint-eyed girl—Making fun of Abby—How she tried to make herself pale—Is it scandal to tell the truth?—Evil speaking—Jessie called to account—Lucy Grant—Strabismus, or squinting—A surgical operation—The slight put upon Lucy—Jessie dispels the clouds—Closing the afternoon session—Mr. Upton’s remarks—The evening hymn, | [91] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| SWEETS AND BITTERS. | |
| The Home Wreath—Jessie’s doubts about the nature of scandal—Light from the dictionary—A note of inquiry—Henry missing—His appearance—The temple of peace abandoned—Henry’s explanation—His troubles—Mrs. Allen—Making husk mats—What Jessie said—How to be loved—Jessie’s entreaties—The promise—The sugar season—Ronald’s sugar enterprise—Tapping the trees—The sap—Sugar grown, not made—Boiling down the sap—Clarifying it—“Sugaring off”—The cakes—Going to a sugar camp—Who went, and who did not—Description and view of the camp—Appearance of the Home Wreath—Editorial reply to Jessie’s inquiry—The Bible on scandal—Writers on moral science—Scandal is the worst kind of robbery—Cases in which it is right to speak evil of another—Prevalence of scandal—A noble exception—A secret well kept—Oscar’s career, | [110] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| HOW TO BE HAPPY. | |
| What Henry thought of his promise—The real origin of Henry’s troubles—Mrs. Allen’s rigid neatness—Scrubbing through the floor—Henry roughly touches her weak point—Grows reckless—The change in Mrs. Allen—The scolding—A forgotten duty—Dressing up—Henry’s altered bearing—His explanation about the wood—Attending school—Work and play—A decided improvement—An approving conscience—Disappointment—Voluntary mat-braiding—A welcome order—Another disappointment—How Henry bore it—Story of the tornado—A stage-coach blown over—Freaks of the wind—Firm buildings—A song—Learning it—Henry’s pictures—The top in rhyme—A story—An abrupt ending—Willie’s talk about sending Henry to the “Boy-Tamer”—A call from Jessie—Her gratification—Mrs. Allen’s return, | [130] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| SABBATH LESSONS. | |
| The miniature—Sad Associations—A life history—Melancholy thoughts—Going to church—The sermon—The universal burden—Laughing it away—Moping over it—Running away from it—The man who was haunted by a goblin—One only true remedy for sorrow—How to cast our burdens on the Lord—The Sabbath School—The lesson—Why prayer is a duty—God requires it—Our dependence upon Him—Not to pray is unnatural—Our need of forgiveness—The boy who was too old to pray—A talk with him—His great mistake—A ridiculous excuse—The climax of meanness—Conscience prompts us to pray—Prayer a natural and universal instinct—Prayer of infidels—Prayer brings blessings—Its happy influence on our hearts—Good men have always been praying men—Examples from history—Recapitulation—Jessie’s eighth argument for prayer—Evening devotions, | [149] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| RAINY-DAY DIVERSIONS. | |
| The equinoctial storm—An argument postponed—Distribution of work—An afternoon of leisure—Nothing to do—Andrew Airpump and his comrades—An unceremonious check—Alliteration—Univocalic verses—Task verses—Thread-paper poetry—How to write it—A specimen—Cento verses—Pith-tumblers—The Grand Mufti—The sleepy Brahmin—Balancing a coin on a needle—The trick explained—Ronald’s experiment—The Moslem oracle—Its five responses—Kate’s cento poem—How she found the lines—Contents of the Wreath—Arithmetical puzzles and answers, | [169] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| ALL FOOLS’ DAY. | |
| The boys’ chamber—Early and late rising—Ronald’s trick—Otis enjoys a long nap—The clean plate—Suspicions allayed—More tricks—Imaginary chalk—The railroad whistle—Easter—Easter eggs—Trial of strength—Another trial—The soft egg—The pitched seat—Otis missed at school—Inquiries—Aunt Fanny’s discovery—Vexation—Otis at school—Interview with Ronald—A talk about April-fooling—Difference of opinion—A court proposed—A family custom—How the court managed business—The trial—The prosecuting Attorney’s speech—The complaint—The plea of “not guilty”—The first witness—Amusing cross-examination—Other witnesses—The prisoner’s speech—A question arises—The judge’s decision—The prisoner’s admission—His argument and appeal—The prosecuting attorney’s closing plea—An interruption—Can you tell a lie to a hen?—Conclusion of the argument—The charge—The verdict—The sentence—Its execution, | [185] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| SCHOLARS. | |
| Good spelling—A spelling match—Choosing sides—Evils attending spelling matches—An incident—Jessie blamed for an act of kindness—Another incident—The last of choosing sides—Jessie’s rank in school—Disadvantages—Secret of her success—Good and poor memories—Abby’s memory—Lord Adolphus D’Orsay—The list of irregular verbs—Saying over lessons before sleep—A contrast—The good and the poor scholar—Concentrating the mind—Luther’s testimony—Anecdote of St. Bernard—Power of early culture and discipline—Why Jessie and Abby associated—Novel reading—Its effects on Abby—Objections to it—Jessie proof against the temptation, | [209] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| A FEW BUSINESS MATTERS. | |
| Driving a bargain—Beating down the price—Jessie’s rule, in trading—Mrs. Page’s practice—How Jessie got her new dress so cheap—Shillings and pence—Was Jessie to blame?—Selling for less than cost—Motives for doing so—Meanness—Getting out of debt—An unexpected application of good advice—Ronald’s debt—The lost Reader—Plans frustrated—Dunning—An arrangement effected—The note of hand—Interest—The receipt—Negotiating the note—A good rule—Keeping account of expenses—Jessie’s poverty—Longings—Uncle Morrison—His proposal to adopt Jessie—Jessie’s perplexity—Her uncle’s tavern—His character—His wife—The decision—Surprise—Further proposals—Jessie firm—A wise choice, | [222] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| THE NEW GAME. | |
| Family portraits in the Home Wreath—A startling announcement—Portrait of the sociable contributor—Portrait of the high-minded contributor—Ronald’s literary enterprise—A new pleasure heralded—Directions for playing the game—Transformations—Literary patchwork—Literary puzzle—Peter Coddle’s Trip to New York—Setting out on the journey—Peter’s sudden return—State of excitement—Conjectures—Peter’s own story—His departure from home—A smash-up—The ruins—The railroad depot—Riding in the cars—Curious sights—Quizzed by a dandy—Returning the compliment—The dandy in a rage—A long nap—Unceremonious awaking—Peter in New York—Incidents in the depot—The music—Peter accosted by a stranger—Disinterested benevolence—The boarding-house—Private grief—The nice little room—Something to drink—The pictures—Queer feelings—The dream—The awaking—Unpleasant discoveries—Inquiries—Peter’s eyes opened—He is overwhelmed—A walk out—A free ticket for home—His safe arrival—Settling down for life—List of phrases to supply the blanks, | [236] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| JUST OUT OF JAIL. | |
| Sam’s sentence—Changes during his imprisonment—Unanswered letters—The note to Jessie—The meeting—Sam’s appearance—His refusal to see any one—Why he came to see Jessie—His selfish purpose thwarted—Jessie’s appeal—The promise—A call at Mr. Allen’s—An early morning walk—The package for Sam—Henry’s burden—A talk about Mrs. Allen—Henry informed of Sam’s visit—The graveyard—The two hillocks—Setting out the trees—Sam’s non-appearance—Disappointment, | [260] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| SHOW AND SUBSTANCE. | |
| How Charlie Doane made money—Maple sugar—Picking greens—Learning to be a miser—Mr. Doane and the widow’s cow—Free remarks—Marcus justifies himself—Ronald wants a new-fashioned cap—Oscar unburdens his mind—What the girls talk about—Jessie’s defence—Oscar renews the assault—Kate enters the ring—Her explanation—Her good nature for once overpowered—Oscar beats a retreat—Ronald and Otis come to the rescue—A telling shot from Kate—The debate arrested—Mrs. Page awards justice impartially—Evils and folly of thinking too much of dress—The fault not quite universal—Oscar takes back a portion of his charge—Aunt Fanny’s testimony—Little souls—A dwarfed mind—Testimony of foreign travellers—A good rule about dress—An inspired command—Failure of Abby’s father—Telegraph despatch—Free comments—Sympathy—Abby at school—An unexpected placidity, and a sudden explosion—First effect of the intelligence upon Abby—A secret struggle—Shutting herself out from sympathy—One Friend in the time of need—Lessons and consolations—How Abby received Jessie’s kind offices, | [271] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| GETTING UP IN THE WORLD. | |
| Reviewing studies—The scholar’s countersign—Step by step—How men become eminent—The idea, if not the language—Porson’s testimony—A French grenadier on the top of the pyramid—A lesson from a picture—What man has done, man may do—Kate’s promotion—Why Ronald failed—Better late than never—The Grade of Honor—A substitute for prizes—The two honorary grades—Ceremony of admission to the Grade of Fidelity—Popularity of the Grade—Exclusion from it—Difficulty of getting into the Grade of Honor—Admission ceremonies—Privileges of members—Abby called home, | [286] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| TIDINGS. | |
| Unpleasant news—Sam injured in a fight—Anxiety—The letter of inquiry—The reply—Visit to Sam—His injuries—His account of the fight—Mr. Preston’s kindness—Oscar’s proposed visit home—Jerry Preston’s return from sea—A present from Ralph to Ronald—Jessie writes to Sam—Oscar and Jerry—Their relations to one another—Capt. Page—Possibility of his survival—Ronald’s present—Cage and bird—Principle on which the toy is constructed—Other applications of the principle—Oscar’s trip to Boston—An unexpected pleasure, | [301] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| THE SURPRISE PARTY. | |
| Exhibition day—Jessie invited out to tea—The return home—A surprise—The academy party—The collation—Marcus makes a speech—The box—Its contents—The nest of boxes, and their mottoes—Jessie’s curiosity excited—The letter—The portemonnaie and its contents—A new surprise—Jessie’s acknowledgment—The Hymn—Conclusion, | [310] |
Illustrations.
| Portrait of Jessie, | [FRONTISPIECE] |
| Vignette, | [TITLE PAGE] |
| Washington and his Home, | [36] |
| The Snow-House, | [59] |
| Esquimaux Snow-Huts, | [62] |
| Gallery of Literary Portraits (twenty-four figures), | [89], [90] |
| Sugar Boiling, | [124] |
| The Miniature, | [149] |
| Grand Mufti and Sleepy Brahmin (two figures), | [176] |
| The Balanced Coin, | [177] |
| Mild Punishment, | [208] |
| Portrait of the Sociable Contributor, | [237] |
| Portrait of the High-Minded Contributor, | [238] |
| The Interview, | [262] |
| Tip-top, | [290] |
| How to Cage a Bird, | [307] |
| The Picture on the Box, | [314] |
JESSIE.
CHAPTER I.
THE NEW HOME.
It was on a dull and cold morning in February, that Jessie Hapley, a girl between fourteen and fifteen years old, stood before a window in the farm-house of Mrs. Page, watching a couple of boys who were drawing a sled on which was lashed a trunk. The sled dragged heavily through the new-fallen snow, and when yet some distance off, the cord by which it was drawn suddenly snapped asunder. After a few moments’ delay, the boys took a position behind their load, and pushed it along to its destination, without meeting with any further obstacles.
“Where will you have it, Jessie—up in your chamber?” inquired the oldest boy, as he and his companion landed the trunk in the entry.
“Yes, you may carry it up stairs, if you please,” replied Jessie.