help it, and was thus continually in the way of temptation. Several times before Jessy left the Infirmary, her mother visited her in such a state of intoxication, as to make her ashamed, besides the misery occasioned to her by the thoughts of her wretched state; and now that Jessy was getting better, if she ventured to say any thing to her mother when sober, it was very ill received.

Poor Jessy's heart sunk, as the time approached that she must return to her home. Though she had suffered much bodily pain in the Infirmary, still it had been a time of peace, and comfort, and improvement to her soul; and her heart sickened at the thought of the swearing, and drunkenness, and entire want of peace and comfort, which she must meet in all she had now to look to as her home; but she remembered that God was present every where, and that he could change the hearts of his most determined enemies. For this she prayed; and endeavouring to 'cast all her cares,' as she was commanded on the Lord,' she conti

nued to spend those few peaceful days she remained in the Infirmary, in reading her precious Bible, her dear Scots Worthies,' and in thoughts of God.

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At last Jessy's doctor pronounced her cure complete, and after giving her some advice about the management of the still tender limb, kindly took leave of her, desiring her to send immediately for him, if she ever felt the least unwell. Jessy wept as she thanked him for all his kindness; and in the afternoon of the same day, her mo ther came for her, and she returned on crutches to her home. On entering the house, Jessy was more than ever struck with its confused and dirty appearance; but her attention was soon called from regarding it, by the entrance of several of the neighbours, who, having known that her mother had gone to fetch her, had watched their return; and now she was overwhelmed with questions. I thought ye were to get a wooden leg, Jessy; must ye aye gang on crutches? O! woman, that would be an

awfu' thing.' 'I must not use my wooden leg for a little time yet,' replied Jessy;

but I walk quite easily on the crutches.' 'Poor thing! said a neighbour; but take heart, Jessy, ye'll be able to sew as well as ever, and that's a genteeler way of winning one's bread, than going to service.'

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Jessy could scarcely keep from crying, while her neighbours thus attempted to comfort her. I trust the Lord will enable me to serve him in the situation he has appointed for me,' said she at last, with much seriousness, his will must be best.' The women were silent, and on Jessy saying something more of the same kind, they, one after the other, recollected something they had to do, and went away. Poor Jessy had then time to look around her, as her mother also soon went out. All seemed worse than when she left it, and some articles of furniture were gone,-Jessy guessed too easily where. Her own little bed and her box remained, however, in their own corner of the comfortless room. Jessy put her Bible

into her box, and feeling, at least, the pleasantness of the liberty she might enjoy in her own home, began to move about slowly on her crutches, and put things a little into order. In a short time her mother returned, her conduct betraying too evidently on what errand she had gone out.

She spoke much and loud, but what she

said was quite incoherent. At a later hour, Thomas Grey also returned, in no better state than his wife ;—but it is very painful to describe wickedness, and it can do good to no one to read such descriptions. I shall therefore say little more of Thomas Grey, or his wretched wife, but as it may be necessary to account for some parts of Jessy's conduct.

A few days after her return home, her good school-mistress accompanied Jessy to the shop where she had worked before she met with her accident. She had intreated the school-mistress to go with her, because she could not now depend on her mother being sober at any part of the day, and she

feared she might disgrace herself before the shop people. The mistress, on going to the shop, explained the cause of Jessy's absence, and when the master saw her standing, rather ashamed, leaning on her crutches, he seemed very sorry for her, and assured her, that as she had always been a most diligent worker while she was with him, that now, whoever wanted work, she never should; and that, if she preferred it, she might have some to do at her own home. Jessy gratefully accepted of this offer, and for a few weeks worked at home; but as soon as she was able to walk with ease on her wooden leg, she again went regularly to the shop, as formerly, and lame Jessy Allan' soon became the best and most trusted workwoman in the shop.

Jessy continued for nearly two years thus to attend to her business, pleasing her employer, and respected by all her fellow work-people. During this time, her mother and step-father became gradually more and more enslaved to their ruling vice. Jessy's