WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK?

HESTER DOUGLAS was the eldest of a large family. Perhaps it was this circumstance, combined with the constant ill-health of her mother, which had given an air of unusual energy and decision to her character, for she was naturally timid and retiring. She was early obliged to think and to act for herself, and her excellent father had taught her to regulate her conduct by right principles. Hester was accustomed simply to decide whether the contemplated action was right or wrong, and then to pursue the path of duty, whatever might be its consequences. Much as she valued the approbation of

others, she felt that she was not dependent on it for her happiness; and, therefore, the fear of their ridicule or disapproval rarely deterred her from following the dictates of her own conscience. This habit of mind led her also, in minor affairs, to act freely and independently. It is in reference to these trifling incidents-so trifling, that we should not have alluded to them had we not observed how much they affect the the peace and happiness of young ladies

-that we wish to review some of Hester's youthful days.

One sunny afternoon, as Hester was watering and arranging her plants, Mr. Douglas came into the parlour. He had just returned from his walk, and he seemed grave and thoughtful. Hester

looked inquiringly at her father, and she was going to ask him if anything unpleasant had occurred, when he said, "I have been to see a poor woman, Hester, who is very ill, and in a state of great destitution. Her little children are really in want of food. She lives in that low, miserable-looking cottage at the end of Falcon-street. I will tell you more about her at another time, for I want you now to get ready a basket of things for her. Your mother will tell you what will be most proper."

Hester, who was glad to find that she could be of any use, immediately began to prepare the poor woman's basket, in which benevolent employment she was readily joined by her cousin Amelia.

Amelia was staying for a few months with her relatives. The cousins had not met before for some time, but they were very fond of each other, although characters more dissimilar could not easily have been found.

The two girls had nearly finished. their pleasant engagement, when Amelia suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, Hester! what shall we do? You know Fanny is spending the day with her mother, and Betty is gone to Fairfield, so there is nobody to send with the basket."

"Well, then, we must take it ourselves," replied her cousin. "I should like to see the poor little children; only think how pleased they will look!"

"Yes," said Amelia, hesitating; "but the basket, Hester-I do not exactly

like to carry that. We shall be sure to meet somebody we know."

"Never mind if we do," answered

Hester, smiling.

"But," persisted Amelia, "everybody will take us for servants."

"Not everybody," rejoined her cousin. "Our friends will certainly not make such a mistake, and strangers are not likely to take any notice of us. And even if they should set us down for servants, we need not be offended, for they are a very useful and respectable part of the community."

Amelia was neither convinced nor consoled by these remarks. Indeed, she would have acceded to her cousin's proposition of remaining at home, if she could have alleged any reason but the