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 peculiarly attractive in the countenance and manner of Bertha, or Birdie, as she was called by all the family.  She was indeed a child formed to attract the admiration and love of all who saw her.  Her complexion would have appeared almost too pale but for the rose-tint on either cheek; she had beautiful eyes of a dark blue, and her soft brown hair fell in luxuriant curls upon her shoulders.  She came forward as her mother called her name and placed her hand in mine.  I thought at the time that I had never before seen so lovely and engaging a child.  The little boy, Lewis, was a manly looking little fellow for his age, although I feared, from his countenance that he might possess a temper and a will not easy to be controlled.  He somewhat resembled his sister Georgania, as his complexion and eyes were dark; but he had a more pleasing expression of countenance.  When Mrs. Leighton had dismissed the children from the room, she turned to me, remarking that probably I would like to retire for a time to my own room, she called one of the servants and requested her to show me to my apartment.  As I was leaving the parlor she informed me that tea would be ready at half-past six o’clock.  The room appropriated to my use was very pleasant, and was also tastefully furnished.  At the tea-table I was introduced to Mr. Leighton, whom I had not before seen.  I was very much pleased by his manner, which had none of that patronizing condescension with which the rich so often address the poor.  I found him a gentleman, in the truest sense of the word.