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Jessie Hampton
by
“What do you think?” exclaimed Fanny, about three weeks subsequently, throwing open the parlour door, where the family had assembled just before tea. “Jessie Hampton’s married!”
“What!” ejaculated Mrs. Freeman. “Married?”
“Oh yes, sure enough,” said Mr. Freeman, “I heard of it a little while before I left my counting-room. And, more surprising still, she is married to young Edgar.”
“Oh, no!” responded Mrs. Freeman, incredulously. “It’s some mistake. Never! It cannot be.”
“Oh, but it is a fact, mother,” said Fanny, with ill-concealed chagrin. “Lizzy Martin was her bridesmaid. They were married at Mrs. Carlton’s this morning, and the whole bridal party has gone off to Saratoga.”
“He’s got a good wife,” remarked the brother of Mrs. Freeman, in his quiet way. “I always liked that young man, and like him better than ever now. I knew he was a fellow of good sense; but he has showed himself to possess more of that sterling material than I thought.”
Mr. Freeman also gave his opinion, and in doing so, expressed himself pretty freely in regard to the treatment Jessie had received, while in the house.
As for his wife, when the truth assumed an undoubted form, she sunk into mortified silence, and Fanny felt even worse than her mother, and for reasons that lay nearer her heart.
In a little while the bride took her old place in society, and many who, in her seclusion, passed her coldly, or all unnoticed, met her now with smiles and with warm congratulations. Of all the changes that followed as a consequence of her marriage, there was none that filled her with so much delight as the improved prospects of her. uncle, Mr. Hartman. Her husband became his fast friend, and sustained him through every difficulty. One home held them both. How purely and brightly the stream of Jessie’s happiness flowed on, need not be told.
Virtue and integrity of character had met their just reward. In adversity she was not cast down, and when prosperity again smiled she was not unduly elated. In either relation to society, she was a dispenser of blessings to those she loved.
It is a fact worthy of notice, that those who looked down upon Jessie, and passed her unnoticed while she was only a governess, now referred to the noble, self-sacrificing spirit that prompted her to act as she had done, and spoke of her conduct with admiration.