THE strange, almost incredible, and yet evidently truthful1 confession2 of old Peter, fell upon the heart of Mr. Mordecai with a weight that broke its stubbornness, and at once softened3 his wrath4 toward his unhappy and unfortunate daughter.
The thought that she was alone in the world, alone since the mysterious disappearance5 of her husband from his Cuban home-alone and undoubtedly6 struggling with life for existence, grew upon him with maddening intensity7. His heart became tender, and he resolved to seek her face, and once again assure her of his love. Immediately carrying out this good resolve, he sought her, first in Cuba, but did not find her; and to his bitter disappointment, all his subsequent efforts proved unavailing. Months passed, and grieving from day to day over the unfilled hope of meeting her and atoning9 for his severity by a manifold manifestation10 of tenderness, Mr. Mordecai lived on in sorrow as the months slowly passed by.
He little dreamt that, not many leagues from his door, his lovely daughter was performing, in weakness, in sorrow, even broken-hearted, the wearisome task that gave daily bread to herself and child.
And yet Leah had often seen her father, so changed by sorrow since she last embraced him; seen him only to creep away into deeper obscurity, dreading11 to confront his anger, and determined12 not to meet his coldness. And so changed indeed was she, that not a single soul among the scores she often passed, and who were once friends, had ever suspected her identity. Such were the workings of sorrow and misfortune.
In quiet Bellevue street in the Queen City, still stood the only monument erected13 there during the war, that was worthy14 of perpetuation15. It was the Bellevue Street Home for the Friendless. During the war, this institution was known as the Bellevue Street Hospital, and there many brave soldiers perished, and many recovered from ghastly wounds under the kindly16 care and attention of its efficient managers.
After the first shock of her grief was passed, Eliza Heartwell Marshall had been called to the position of matron in this institution of mercy.
It should be mentioned that, by the death of a maternal17 uncle during her married life, this noble woman had inherited a handsome estate, consisting largely of valuable lands upon some of the fertile islands adjacent to the coast.
Much of this land the government had appropriated to its own uses, during the war; but upon the restoration of peace, by dint18 of skilful19 negotiation20 the rightful owner had regained22 possession of the confiscated23 property.
Thus Mrs. Marshall was enabled to carry on her noble work of charity, after the carnage had ceased and the hospital was no longer needed for the soldiers. So, endowing the Bellevue Hospital from her own private funds, she transformed it at once into a Home for receiving those who, by reason of misfortune, were unable to help themselves.
Here, during the two years of peace that had smiled upon the desolate24 waste left by the war, she had toiled25, prayed, and wept over the sufferings of humanity, till she was deemed, and rightly so, an angel of mercy.
Time passed on. Though the Queen City had not regained its former prosperity the Home prospered26. Its charitable walls were full, crowded even to their utmost capacity; its business pressing, its necessities great.
"Miss Lizzie," said Maum Isbel one day, as the vigilant27 matron was performing her accustomed round of duty, "Mrs. Moses, de lady who do de small washin', have sent word that she is sick an' can't do it dis week. De chile who came said she were wery sick, an' would like to see you."
"Do you know where she lives, Maum Isbel?"
"No. 15 Market street, ma'am, de chile said; please remember."
"Get me another woman, Maum Isbel, to fill her place; the work cannot stop. I will go at once to see her. Poor creature! She has looked pale and delicate ever since she sought work at the Home."
Without delay, Mrs. Marshall hurried out on her mission of charity, and tarried not until she stood confronting a low, miserable28 looking tenement29 house on Market street. Her knock at the designated door was answered by an untidy, rough-looking woman, who came into the narrow dingy30 entry, and after eyeing the matron sharply, said coarsely:
"What do you want?"
"Does Mrs. Moses live here?"
"Yes; but she's very poorly to-day; ain't been up at all. Indeed she's been poorly for a week or more."
"Can I see her?"
"Yes, come in; she's in thar," pointing to a small room cut off from the end of the narrow hall-way.
Mrs. Marshall approached the small room, and answered the summons of a feeble voice that said, "Come in."
On entering the room, she found the woman prostrated31 on a low, comfortless bed; pale, feeble, and exhausted32. By the bed-side, on a chair, were a phial and a Hebrew prayer-book.
"I am so glad you have come," said the sick woman, "I am so weak this morning. You see I coughed all night. I felt that I must see you. I hope it gave you no trouble to come."
"None whatever. Why have you not sent for me before?"
"I hoped, from day to day, to be strong enough to do the washing for the Home again. But instead of growing better, I have grown worse daily. Heaven only knows what I'll do when I cannot work."
"Where is your little daughter?"
"Gone to the baker's, to get me a warm bun. She fancied I could eat one, dear child!"
Touched by these surroundings of poverty and distress33, Mrs. Marshall could scarcely repress her tears; but said:
"If you will allow me, I'll give you some brandy; that will revive you."
"Indeed, I have none; I used the last drop yesterday."
"Then I beg that you will allow me to remove you to the Home till you are recovered. There, under Dr. Gibbs's kind care, you may convalesce34 rapidly. Here, you are suffering for every comfort, and cannot hope to recover soon. I beg you to go."
For a moment, the sick woman made no reply, but her lips trembled with emotion, and at length she said sadly:
"I fear I shall never be well again."
"Oh, yes; be cheerful. I promise that you shall want for nothing at the Home."
"Can my child go with me there?"
"Yes, you will need her there, as you do here."
"But I have no money."
"There is none needed. Just promise to go, and I'll see that you are removed at once."
Reluctantly and tearfully Mrs. Moses at last yielded to the matron's entreaties35, repeatedly assuring her that she would endeavor to pay her, when she should regain21 her health and strength.
Mrs. Marshall remained a while, awaiting the return of the little child. At length she came bounding in with a bright, happy face, holding aloft the coveted36 bun, and exclaiming wildly, "See, mamma! here it is, nice and warm. Eat it, mamma!"
The matron then departed, promising37 to make immediate8 preparations for the mother's speedy removal.
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truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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atoning
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的现在分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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perpetuation
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| n.永存，不朽 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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convalesce
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| v.康复，复原 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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