untimely end. He was engaged in a quarrel at a public-house, and following the person (in a hurry) down the stairs his foot slipped, and his head struck forcibly on some of the stones which lay at the bottom of the rough staircase: he received a violent blow on the temple: his medical attendant saw no immediate danger, but the fever which succeeded, was increased by the indiscreet use of strong liquor. I'm sorry to say his end was very awful. No contrition, but a rebellious, hardened spirit was manifest through the whole. His wife and children are come to the parish, but should she behave prudently, she will not want friends. Poor Mr. Kemp was never forgiven that removal, and Mrs. Fairbrother has gone so far as to say, it was the ruin of the family. Mr. Cooper, whose love of justice you well know, was so displeased by this, that he called on her, and insisted she should retract this unjust aspersion; he assured her if she did not, he should regard her as a person dangerous, and no longer consider her as an object worthy his accustomed attention. This alarmed her, for Mr. Cooper is a most liberal benefactor in many ways to this perverse woman: and Jemima, my dear, though you don't quite agree with Mr. Cooper, I believe in some 66 things, you know how very good he has been to this woman.' "Yes, indeed, mother, Mr. Cooper is very liberal." 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." 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. 66 "Oh yes, 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 he is very steady." 66 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 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." 66 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 66 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." "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." 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. 66 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 |