things, you know how very good he has been to this woman." "Yes, indeed, mother, Mr. Cooper is very liberal.' 66 66 Stephen perceived that Mrs. Finch seemed pained that her daughter's praise of Mr. Cooper was qualified, for Jemima did not speak of him in the warm terms which she thought he merited, she said a few minutes after, "Your Mr. Lascelles is every thing with Jemima, pray how does he do, Mr. Stephen?" Very well, Madam, he goes on doing every body good." "Oh yes, he does every body good, I dare say, he is a very good sort of man I believe: but I think there are other good men in the world besides Mr. Lascelles.' Jemima was silent. Stephen only replied, Certainly, Ma'am. How is your son, Madam, Mr. James Finch ?" Nearly as tall as you, Stephen, he makes his mother look an old woman." "Master was saying, Madam, he expected him in our parts. "Yes, it will not be his fault if he does not soon make one of your family at the Brow, but I hardly know how to spare him. You may tell Mr. Kemp I do not forget his promise to be a father to this boy if ever he loses his mother," and the tear trembled in her eye as she spoke. "I am sure I don't know any one I would trust him to sooner. I am happy to say 66 66 he is very steady." "Yes," said Jemima, you may tell Mr. Kemp that he will give him no anxiety, Stephen, that he will be quite content to stay at home." "Yes," said Mrs. Finch, with a very peculiar look, "he is almost as good as his sister, tell your master." Jemima walked away without saying one word, and Stephen admired, what he justly thought her wise conduct. This young woman had made up her mind to be guided completely by the word of God, this was her first determination, every other was contingent: all her views were fixed beyond time; she was like a traveller on a wide plain, who knowing that his path lies to the west, keeps his eye on some bright illuminated spot in the distance, and tramples beneath his feet without ever knowing it, thousands of vivid flowrets which attract other travellers: to him they are nothing, his object is distant, and all which can divert him from that end is indifferent to him, or disregarded by him. Jemima carefully avoided all 66 that could offend her mother, and never contended for immaterial things. She would often say to herself, Dear, excellent mother, in nothing that is immaterial or indifferent will I ever oppose thee." Thus resolved, life glided by, its trials were met in a spirit of resignation, and its pleasures hailed with gratitude and warmth, and in all essential points the firmness of this excellent girl was never to be shaken. "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint ye must be born again: without me ye can do nothing: he will give his Holy Spirit to them that ask it: look unto me and be ye saved.” In the spirit and the letter these texts she never would resign, and it was on these subjects alone, where every pharisaical pretension was shaken to the root, that Jemima and her mother ever disagreed. Mr. Cooper, the amiable, charitable Mr. Cooper, was Mrs. Finch's standard of perfection, and she knew she stood high in his opinion, and was perfectly astonished, that such a young girl as Jemima should have an opinion on such subjects and poor Jemima was sometimes astonished herself, but then she would say again, 66 My poor mother, I cannot give it up. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,' and oh how precious to me is thy soul, my mother." How often she prayed, and how fervently, can hardly be conceived by any who do not feel like anxiety for the eternal happiness of their relatives. Of all this the mother was ig 66 norant, she only fancied that her poor girl had picked up some notions, concerning which she showed strange obstinacy, and she would often feel really astonished that she should stand out for such trifles, and frequently repeated, Why, child, this is very well to the Bible people, but what is it to you and me?" My dear mother, it is every thing to us, it is our hope, it is our life!" "I can't see it, Jemima." 66 Oh, my dear mother, I do wish you could, my uncle saw it and felt it." "My poor dear child, thy uncle had got some odd notions, and your head has been crammed with them ever since." 66 No, indeed, mother, not my head, but I can say my heart is warmed by them, and I look forward to a reunion with my beloved uncle through these hopes alone." "Well, Jemima, you are a good girl, and very dutiful to your mother, and I do love you most sincerely, and confide in you entirely, but to talk about that which I do not understand, and of which I cannot see the utility, you couldn't wish it, child," and thus their converse generally ended. We must return to the Level Bit, and watch the waking of the little Michael. His young uncle had scarcely any patience with his charge. Rose had desired 66 If you him not to attempt waking him. do," said Rose," "brother Stephen will never have you to the mill." This threat was hardly sufficient to keep Frank at his post; and now he touched him just with the tip of his finger, then again he pretended to lay the clothes straight, then he went to the window, and he coughed as loud as he could. At last he succeeded, and baby opened his eye to the great delight of the young prisoner. But no sooner was his eye opened, than it closed again, not indeed from weariness, but he saw not the object he sought, and he was fearful: at length hearing no one speak to him, he raised himself on his little fat elbow, and called loudly for Stephen: Rose immediately ran up to him, but every effort was ineffectual, he would not suffer her to touch him, and until his father returned, he sat vainly attempting to dress himself. But the manly child shed no tears, nor betrayed other impatience, except now and then calling, Stephen, Stephen," to the great amusement of every member of the family who gathered round him. The fond father was soon at his side, and his boy's hand was clasped round him, and, Where you been? where you go? where Fanny? where uncle Michael? Get my hat." Not yet my boy, we must have 66 66 E |