rows to God, and prayed earnestly to be directed what to do. She thought, that if she could by any means procure a little room, where she might keep herself warm, and take care of herself, she might perhaps get stouter, and where, also, she might take in work when unable to go out; and in this way, if she did not become worse, she felt certain she could maintain herself. Jessy thought and prayed over this plan, and then went to consult her steady and kind friend the school-mistress. In doing so, she was -obliged to tell more of what she had to endure from the sinful scenes she constantly witnessed at home, than she had ever imparted to any one before. This she did with tears and shame : and when the mistress had heard all she strongly advised her to leave such a place of wickedness, where she had so long endeavoured in vain to be of use, and to trust the future to that God who had hitherto been so gracious to her. The mistress then offered to assist her in finding a room. Jessy knew that

there was a very small one to be got at the top of the stair in which her friend Mary Scott lived, and begged the mistress to look at it, and settle the taking of it for her. She then went with a lighter heart to get some work. This work she took home, as she could not venture to stay at the shop, and walk back in the cold evening air.

When she got home, her mother was sitting close over the fire, her pipe in her mouth, and the room filled with smoke. Jessy left the door a little open, to clear it

away.

'What are you leaving the door open for?' asked her mother, in a scolding tone of voice.

6 For the smoke, mother. I cannot take out this fine clean work, till it has cleared away a little.'

Wark!-wark!' scolded out her mother; you and your work are mair fash than if ye maintained the whole family. One time the door maunna be open for your cough, and anither time it maunna be

shut for your work. Shut it this minute, I tell ye, and just find some ither place to live in, if ye maun hae sae mony fikes, and mak naething after a.’

Jessy's heart filled, and she could not

6

speak for a little. She then said, Mother, I have been thinking of doing as you say. I have been thinking, if I had another place to live in, I could maintain myself. At any rate, I will not any longer be a burden on you,-I trust the Lord will provide for me.'

Oh! ay, begin to preach, ye can aye do that at any rate, and much good it has done you,' said her mother scornfully.

'I am going to take a room, and try to maintain myself, mother,' said Jessy, more firmly; and whatever the Lord sees fit for me, he will send. I have cause to say, that knowing him has done me much good; and now I am going to give up every earthly trust, and rest only in him.'

Mrs. Grey looked up in Jessy's face, What's a' this, Jessy? What is it you. mean?'

I mean, mother, just what I have said, -I cannot work here. You know I have already had some things so much dirtied, that I was ashamed to take them back. I cannot expect always to be let pass without being made answerable, as the other workers are, for such accidents. My health and strength are failing, so that I cannot go out to the shop. You say that I need not look to you to maintain me; I am therefore going to try what I can do for myself, and leave the future with God.'

'A fine story, indeed!' said Mrs. Grey, not believing that Jessy was in earnest. Jessy assured her that she was, and said it would be a pleasure to her to have her free consent.

• Consent!' you are most welcome to do as you like,' replied her mother; we'll see if we hear of this again. Consent! mind, do not say it was want of my consent kept you at home.'

In a few days the room was taken, and a little bed, which the Mistress had lent Jessy

money to purchase, and some other little necessary articles, were placed in it. On Saturday she received her wages, and work for another week. She then returned home, and giving her mother half the money, bade her good-night; and promising to see her next day, took her small bundle of clothes, and had reached her own little room, before her mother had recovered from her surprise.

Mary Scott had busied herself in making this little room as comfortable as possible. It had been newly white-washed, and the floor made nicely clean, and now a good fire gave it a most cheerful appearance. To be sure, all the furniture in it was a bed, a small deal table, a stool, and some other trifling articles; but all were perfectly clean and orderly, and to Jessy her new abode seemed delightful. Mary and she had some pleasant conversation together, and, before they parted, read a portion of Scripture.

When Mary was gone, poor Jessy could not help thinking of her mother, and the