he. Uncle Sam knows how to care for number one too well for that.
So hand over your half-dollar, Miss Jessie, and I will give you your
letter."

Jessie coaxed and scolded at her brother for nearly ten minutes, in vain.
Hugh loved to tease her, and so he kept on, now offering the letter, and
then holding it beyond her reach, until the poor child's patience being
all gone, she sat down and cried with vexation. This was certainly
carrying his fun too far. A little pleasant bantering at first, though not
_amiable_, might have been pardonable; but now that her feelings were hurt
he was very unkind to carry his nonsense any further. But this was one of
Hugh's faults. He was a great tease. Seeing his sister in tears, he said,
in a whining tone--

"Pretty little cry-baby! How beautiful you are, all melted into tears!"
Then dropping the whine from his tone, he added, "Here, Jessie, take your
letter!"

Jessie stretched out her arm to take the offered letter. Hugh drew it back
again and said--

"Bah! Don't you wish you may get it!"

"You unamiable boy! is that the affection which is due from a brother to
his sister? O Hugh! Hugh! I wish you had more love and less selfishness in
that idle soul of yours."

This just rebuke from the lips of Uncle Morris, who had been standing
unperceived for the last few minutes behind the half-open door, put an end
to all Master Hugh's idle, not to say wicked, teasing. He dropped the
letters into Jessie's lap, and with an angry scowl on his face left the
room.

The sunshine came back into Jessie's face in a moment. She looked her
thanks to Uncle Morris, while she nervously opened the envelope of her
letter. Having unfolded it, she read as follows:

Morristown, New Jersey, October 10th, 18--

Dear Cousin Jessie,

Pa and Ma have just given their consent to have me and my brother
Charlie visit you at Glen Morris Cottage. I am so glad I can hardly
hold my pen to write you about it. Charlie is jumping about the room,
and shouting hurrah, for joy. We are to start Thursday, in the
afternoon train, and shall get to your house to tea. With ten
thousand kisses for you, I remain,

Your affectionate cousin,
Emily Morris.
Miss Jessie Carlton.

"Oh, won't it be nice, Uncle Morris!" cried Jessie, after reading this