Jessie Carlton Part 26

"What, _you_ come here again, Kate Carlton!"

Uncle Morris kissed her, and spoke very kindly to her. Somehow, his instincts told him that her sudden coming to Glen Morris, was caused by some unexpected evil.

Kate returned these greetings very stiffly. She had a cold nature, which did not readily respond to the emotions of others. She was tired, she said, and would like to be shown to her room as soon as possible. Jessie accordingly conducted her to Mrs. Carlton's room, who was as much surprised to see her, as the others had been.

As soon as she left the parlor, Mr. Carlton, who had been reading the letter which came with her, placed his hand upon his forehead, looked very gravely at Mr. Morris, and said:

"Bad news! Bad news! My brother is a defaulter in the ---- Bank, of which he was president. He left the city last night, for parts unknown. His wife is half distracted, and has gone home to her father. She has sent Kate here."

"A sad case!" remarked Mr. Morris, soothingly. "But are you sure it is true?"

"Too true, I doubt not. This letter is from my friend, Mr. Estal, a leading director in the bank. There can be no mistake. It is terrible. Had my brother lost all his property by honorable misfortune, or had he died as a good man dies, it would have been nothing to this. Now he is ruined and disgraced. Terrible! Terrible!"

Mr. Carlton groaned as he uttered these words. His anguish was painful to witness. His brother's crime pierced his heart. Happily he was able to weep, and thus relieve the violence of his feelings.

"It is terrible indeed," replied Uncle Morris. "But while we deplore his fall, let us be thankful that _our_ honor is unstained by his crime. Let us also strive not to give way to useless grief, but let us spend our energies in efforts to break the fall of his unfortunate wife and child, whom he has dragged down with himself to poverty, if not to shame. If _you_ will give Kate a home, I will see to her education, and will provide her with clothing."

"Spoken like your n.o.ble self!" rejoined Mr. Carlton. "Of course, she shall have a home, so long as I have one."

A free conversation, between all present, followed this remark, during which Mr. Carlton tried to make his sons feel, that the most absolute poverty if combined with integrity, is preferable to wealth allied with dishonesty, and that it is better to die a pauper's death, than to be guilty of a dishonorable act.

As for Jessie, her heart was swelling with generous impulses, towards poor Kate. "I will be a sister to her," said she, in reply to a reference made by Guy, to Kate's bad behavior during her visit, the previous summer, "and will do my best to make her both happy and good!"

"Take care, Jessie!" said Guy, laughing. "Perhaps she will tempt the wizard to forsake his bride, and to take to his old pranks again. What will you do then?"

"I will try to keep on such good terms with Perseverance, his wife, as to prevent that," replied Jessie. "See if I don't?"

"Good! I'll request Corporal Try to place your name in his roll of honor,"

said Guy; "but the tea-bell rings, let us go to tea!"

Concluding Note.

Jessie Carlton will appear again in future volumes of the Glen Morris Stories, in which it will be seen whether her victory over the little wizard was temporary or lasting; and whether she fulfilled her purpose, to do her best to make Kate Carlton both happy and good.

THE ALDEN SERIES.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

I.

CHOICE STORIES FOR THE YOUNG 37-1/2 By Joseph Alden, D.D.

II.

RUPERT CABELL, AND OTHER TALES 37-1/2 By Joseph Alden, D.D.

III.

THE OLD REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER 37-1/2 By Joseph Alden, D.D.

IV.

DAYS OF BOYHOOD 37-1/2 FOURTEEN INTERESTING STORIES.

V.

LITTLE CLARA; OR, SELF-CONTROL, &c. 37-1/2 By Mrs. Anna Bache.

VI.

LITTLE DORA; OR, THE FOUR SEASONS 37-1/2 By a Lady of Charleston.

VII.

PEBBLES FROM THE SEA-Sh.o.r.e, OR LIZZIE'S FIRST GLEANINGS 37-1/2 By a Father.

VIII.

THE GOOD BOY'S AND GIRL'S PICTURE GALLERY, WITH ENTERTAINING STORIES 37-1/2 By Morton.