hool is in
itself a recommendation."

I also handed her the names of several ladies well known in the city,
telling her she was at liberty to make any enquiries of them she might
think proper. She replied that she felt almost certain she would engage
me, but that she would send me a decided answer in the course of two or
three days. I thanked her, and, bidding her good morning, set out on my
return home, much elated with the success of this my first application.

The salary offered by Mrs. Leighton was a weighty consideration to me,
and although aware that my duties would often prove unpleasant and
irksome, I felt that I could endure much with the consciousness that I
was assisting my dear mother.

My mother advised me not to be too sanguine as I might not obtain the
situation; but, on the third day after my application, my suspense was
relieved by receiving a note from Mrs. Leighton, saying that she would
gladly engage me, if I still wished for the situation; and she named an
early day when she wished me to enter upon my duties. I replied that I
gladly accepted the situation, and would be ready to begin duties at the
day appointed.

Now that I had accepted the position, I began to experience many doubts
as to my success in the undertaking. I had no knowledge as yet of the
dispositions of the children that were to be committed to my care, not
having even seen them; but my mother told me I was wrong to allow such
thoughts to trouble me, and that the blessing of God would surely rest
upon my labors so long as I continued in the path of duty. I therefore
cast away all my desponding fears, and hastened the preparations for my
departure to the home of the Leightons.

I was kindly received by Mrs. Leighton upon my arrival; and, when we
were seated in the parlor, she summoned the children for the purpose of
introducing them to me.

"My dears," said she, addressing the children, "this is Miss Roscom,
your governess."

Then, turning to me, she introduced them each by name. I must confess
that I was not prepossessed in favor of the eldest of the girls. She was
very tall for her age; she had a dark complexion, with very black eyes
and hair, and had, as it seemed to me, rather a forbidding expression of
countenance. She also gave me, as I thought, rather pert replies to the
few remarks I addressed to her. There was not the slightest resemblance
between her and her younger sister; her name was Georgania. There was
something