at Southport all about sending her home. And now," said
he, turning suddenly to Bessy, "tell me what you were doing from home
when this happened. Did not your mother leave you in charge of all at
home?"

"Yes, sir!" said Bessy, trembling. "But, sir, I thought I could earn
money to make mother a present!"

"Thought! fiddle-de-dee. I'll tell you what; never you neglect the work
clearly laid out for you by either God or man, to go making work for
yourself, according to your own fancies. God knows what you are most fit
for. Do that. And then wait; if you don't see your next duty clearly.
You will not long be idle in this world, if you are ready for a summons.
Now let me see that you send Mary all clean and tidy to the infirmary."

Jem was holding Bessy's hand. "She has washed everything and made it fit
for a queen. Our Bessy worked all night long, and was content to let me
be with Mary (where she wished sore to be), because I could lift her
better, being the stronger."

"That's right. Even when you want to be of service to others, don't
think how to please yourself."

I have not much more to tell you about Bessy. This sad accident of
Mary's did her a great deal of good, although it cost her so much sorrow
at first. It taught her several lessons, which it is good for every
woman to learn, whether she is called upon, as daughter, sister, wife,
or mother, to contribute to the happiness of a home. And Mary herself
was hardly more thoughtful and careful to make others happy in their own
way, provided that way was innocent, than was Bessy hereafter. It was a
struggle between her and Mary which could be the least selfish, and do
the duties nearest to them with the most faithfulness and zeal. The
mother stayed at Southport her full time, and came home well and strong.
Then Bessy put her arms round her mother's neck, and told her all--and
far more severely against herself than either the doctor or Jem did,
when they related the same story afterwards.

DISAPPEARANCES.

I am not in the habit of seeing the _Household Words_ regularly; but a
friend, who lately sent me some of the back numbers, recommended me to
read "all the papers relating to the Detective and Protective Police,"
which I accordingly did--not as the generality of readers have done, as
they appeared week by week, or with pauses between, but consecutively,
as a popular history of the Metropolitan Police; and, as I suppose it
may also be considered, a histo