IT is in the spring of 1847 this history commences.
"Steady a bit! Here I am, boys, turned up again-a subject of this moral reform school, of moral old Charleston. If my good old mother thinks it'll reform a cast-off remnant of human patchwork1 like me, I've nothing to say in protest. Yes, here I am, comrades (poor Tom Swiggs, as you used to call me), with rum my victor, and modern vengeance2 hastening my destruction." This is the exclamation3 of poor Tom Swiggs (as his jail companions are pleased to call him), who, in charge of two officers of the law, neither of whom are inclined to regard him with sympathy, is being dragged back again to the Charleston jail. The loathsome5 wreck6 of a once respectable man, he staggers into the corridor, utters a wild shriek7 as the iron gate closes upon him, and falls headlong upon the floor of the vestibule, muttering, incoherently, "there is no hope for one like me." And the old walls re-echo his lamentation8.
"His mother, otherwise a kind sort of woman, sends him here. She believes it will work his reform. I pity her error-for it is an error to believe reform can come of punishment, or that virtue9 may be nurtured10 among vice11." Thus responds the brusque but kind-hearted old jailer, who view swith an air of compassion12 his new comer, as he lays, a forlorn mass, exposed to the gaze of the prisoners gathering13 eagerly about him.
The dejected man gives a struggle, raises himself to his haunches, and with his coarse, begrimed hands resting on his knees, returns the salutation of several of his old friends. "This, boys, is the seventh time," he pursues, as if his scorched15 brain were tossed on a sea of fire, "and yet I'm my mother's friend. I love her still-yes, I love her still!" and he shakes his head, as his bleared eyes fill with tears. "She is my mother," he interpolates, and again gives vent14 to his frenzy16: "fellows! bring me brandy-whiskey-rum-anything to quench17 this flame that burns me up. Bring it, and when I'm free of this place of torment18, I will stand enough for you all to swim in."
"Shut your whiskey-pipe. You don't appreciate the respectability of the company you've got among. I've heard of you," ejaculates a voice in the crowd of lookers-on.
"What of a citizen are you?" inquires Tom, his head dropping sleepily.
"A vote-cribber-Milman Mingle19 by name; and, like yourself, in for formal reform," retorts the voice. And the burly figure of a red, sullen-faced man, comes forward, folds his arms, and looks for some minutes with an air of contempt upon the poor inebriate20.
"You're no better than you ought to be," incoherently continues Tom, raising his glassy eyes as if to sight his seemingly querulous companion.
"Better, at all events, than you," emphatically replies the man. "I'm only in for cribbing voters; which, be it known, is commonly called a laudable enterprise just before our elections come off, and a henious offence when office-seekers have gained their ends. But what use is it discussing the affairs of State with a thing like you?" The vote-cribber, inclined to regard the new-comer as an inferior mortal, shrugs21 his shoulders, and walks away, contemplatively humming an air.
"If here ain't Tom Swiggs again!" exclaims a lean, parchment-faced prisoner, pressing eagerly his way through the circle of bystanders, and raising his hands as he beholds22 the wreck upon the floor.
"Fate, and my mother, have ordered it so," replies Tom, recognizing the voice, and again imploring23 the jailer to bring him some brandy to quench the fires of his brain. The thought of his mother floated uppermost, and recurred24 brightest to the wandering imagination of this poor outcast.
"There's no rum here, old bloat. The mother having you for a son is to be pitied-you are to be pitied, too; but the jail is bankrupt, without a shilling to relieve you in the liquor line," interposes another, as one by one the prisoners begin to leave and seek their several retreats.
"That breath of yours," interrupts the vote-cribber, who, having returned, stands regarding the outcast man with singular interest, "would make drunk the whole jail. A week in 'Mount Rascal25' The upper story used for the confinement26 of felons27. will be necessary to transmute28 you, as they call it, into something Christian29. On 'the Mount' you will have a chance to philosophize-mollify the temperature of your nervous system-which is out of fix just now."
There is an inert30 aristocracy, a love of distinction, among the lowest dregs of society, as there is also a love of plush and other insignificant31 tawdry among our more wealthy republicans. Few would have thought of one inebriate affecting superiority over another, (the vote-cribber was an inebriate, as we shall show,) but so it was, nevertheless.
"I own up," rejoins Tom, "I own up; I love my mother, and am out of sorts. You may call me a mass of filth32-what you please!"
"Never mind; I am your friend, Tom," interrupts the brusque old jailer, stooping down and taking him gently by the arm. "Good may come of the worst filth of nature-evil may come of what seemeth the best; and trees bearing sound pippins may have come of rotten cores. Cheer up!"
The cool and unexpected admonition of the "vote-cribber" leaves a deep impression in Tom's feelings. He attempts, heaving a sigh, to rise, but has not strength, and falls languidly back upon the floor. His countenance33, for a few moments, becomes dark and desponding; but the kind words that fall from the jailer's lips inspire him with confidence; and, turning partly on his side, he thrusts his begrimed hands into a pair of greasy34 pockets, whistling "Yankee Doodle," with great composure.
The jailer glances about him for assistance, saying it will be necessary to get him up and carry him to his cell.
"To a cell-a cell-a cell!" reiterates35 the inebriate. "Well, as the legal gentry36 say," he continues, "I'll enter a 'non-contender.' I only say this by way of implication, to show my love for the fellow who gathers fees by making out writs37 on my account."
In reply to a question from the jailer, he says they mistake Tom Swiggs, if they think he has no pride left.
"After all, there's something more in you than I thought, Tom. Give us your hand," says the vote-cribber, extending cordially his hand, as if a change for the better had come over him, and grasping firmly that of the inebriate. Raising his besotted head, Tom gazes distrustfully at the cribber, as if questioning his sincerity38. "I am not dead to shame," he mutters, struggling at the same time to suppress his emotions.
"There are, Tom," continues the cribber, playfully, "two claims on you-two patent claims! (He lets go the inebriate's hand, and begins teasing his long, red beard.) And, are you disposed to come out on the square, in the liquor line, you may redeem39 yourself--"
"Name 'em!" interposed Tom, stopping short in his tune40.
"The gentleman commonly called Mister Jones, and a soap-chandler, are contesting a claim upon you. The one wants your body, the other your clothes. Now, as I am something of a lawyer, having had large dealings in elections, I may say, as a friend, that it is only a question of time, so far as you are concerned. Take my advice, then, and cheat both, by selling out, in advance. The student and the janitor41 pay good prices for such things as you. Give the last-named worthy42 a respondentia bond on yourself, redeemable43 before death, or resign the body after, (any lawyer will make the lien44 valid,) and the advance will produce floods of whiskey. Come out, Tom, like a hero, on the square."
An outcast, hurled45 deep into the gulf46 of despair, and surrounded by victims of poverty and votaries47 of crime, the poor inebriate has yet left him one lingering spark of pride. As if somewhat revived, he scrambles48 to his feet, staggers into the room of a poor debtor49, on the left of the long, sombre aisle50, and drawing from his pocket a ten-cent piece, throws it upon the table, with an air of great importance.
"I am not moneyless," he exclaims--"not I!" and he staggers to the great chimney-place, rebounding51 to the floor, saying, "Take that-bring her in-quench my burning thirst!"
Tom is the only surviving, and now the outcast, member of a somewhat respectable family, that has moved in the better walks of society. His mother, being scrupulous52 of her position in society, and singularly proud withal, has reared and educated her son in idleness, and ultimately slights and discards him, because he, as she alleges53, sought society inferior to his position and her dignity. In his better days he had been erect54 of person, and even handsome; but the thraldom55 of the destroyer has brought him to the dust, a pitiable wreck.
Tom has seen thirty summers, presents a full, rounded figure, and stands some five feet ten. He wears an old brown coat, cut after the fashion of a surtout, that might have fitted him, he says, when he was a man. But it has lost the right cuff56, the left flap, and a part of the collar; the nefarious57 moths58, too, have made a sieve59 of its back. His trowsers are of various colors, greasy down the sides, ragged4 at the bottoms, and revealing two encrusted ancles, with feet stuck into old shoes, turned under at the heels for convenience sake. A remark from the cribber touches his pride, and borrowing a few pins he commences pinning together the shattered threads of his nether60 garment. A rope-yarn secured about his waist gives a sailor-like air to his outfit61. But, notwithstanding Tom affects the trim of the craft, the skilled eye can easily detect the deception62; for the craftsman63, even under a press of head sail, preserves a becoming rig.
Indeed, Tom might have attempted without effect, during his natural life, to transform himself into a sailor. The destroyer was his victor; the inner man was but a reflex of the outer. He pulled an old cloth cap over his face, which was immersed in a massive black beard, bordering two red, swollen64 cheeks; and with his begrimed hands he rubbed lustily his inflamed65 eyes--once brown, large, and earnest--now glassy and sunken.
"I'm all square, ain't I?" he inquires, looking with vacant stare into the faces of those who tease him with facetious66 remarks, then scans his haberdashery. There yet remains67 something displeasing68 to him. His sense of taste is at stake. This something proves to be a sooty striped shirt, open in front, and disclosing the remains of a red flannel69 under-garment. Every few minutes will he, as if touched with a sense of shame, wriggle70 his shoulders, and pull forward the wreck of his collarless coat, apparently71 much annoyed that it fails to cover the breastwork of his distress72.
Again he thrusts his hands into his pockets, and with an air of apparent satisfaction, struts73 twice or thrice across the dingy74 room, as if he would show how far he has gained his equilibrium75. "I shall go straight mad; yes, mad, if the whiskey be not brought in," he pursues, stopping short in one of his sallies, and with a rhetorical flourish, pointing at the piece of silver he so exultingly76 tossed upon the table. As if his brain were again seized by the destroyer's flame, his countenance becomes livid, his eyes glare wildly upon each object near him; then he draws himself into a tragic77 attitude, contorts hideously79 his more hideous78 face, throws his cap scornfully to the ground, and commences tearing from his head the matted black hair that confusedly covers it. "If my mother thinks this a fit place for me--" He pauses in the middle of his sentence, gives an imploring stare at his companions, shakes and hangs down his head; then his brain reels, and his frame trembles, and like a lifeless mass he falls to the floor.
"I'm gone now--gone--gone--gone!" he mutters, with a spasmodic effort, covering his face with his hands.
"He'll go mad; you can only save him with a hair of the same dog," one of the prisoner's measuredly suggests, folding his arms, and looking mechanically upon the wretched man.
A second agrees with the first; a third says he is past cure, though a gallon of whiskey were wasted upon him.
Mr. Mingle, the vote-cribber--regarded good authority in such matters--interposes. He has not the shadow of a doubt but that a speedy cure can be effected, by his friends drinking the whiskey, (he will join them, without an objection,) and just letting Tom smell the glass.
A fifth says, without prejudice to the State of South Carolina, if he knew Tom's mother, he would honestly recommend her to send him special minister to Maine. There, drinking is rather an aristocratic indulgence, enjoyed only on the sly.
Suddenly the poor inebriate gives vent to his frenzy. The color of his face changes from pale livid to sickly blue; his hands seem more shrunken and wiry; his body convulses and writhes80 upon the floor; he is become more the picture of a wild beast, goaded81 and aggravated82 in his confinement. A narcotic83, administered by the hand of the jailer, produces quiet, and with the assistance of two prisoners is he raised to his feet, and supported into the corridor, to receive the benefit of fresh air. Here he remains some twenty minutes, stretched upon two benches, and eyed sharply by the vote-cribber, who paces in a circle round him, regarding him with a half suspicious leer, and twice or thrice pausing to fan his face with the drab felt hat he carries under his arm.
"A curious mother that sends you here for reform," muses84 the vote-cribber; "but he must be a perfect fleshhook on the feelings of the family."
Send him up into Rogue's Hall," exclaims a deep, sonorous85 voice, that echoes along the aisle. The vote-cribber, having paused over Tom, as if to contemplate86 his degradation87, turns inquiringly, to see from whence comes the voice. "It is me!" again the voice resounds88. Two glaring eyes, staring anxiously through the small iron grating of a door leading to a close cell on the left of the corridor, betrays the speaker. "It's Tom Swiggs. I know him--he's got the hydrophobia; its common with him! Take him in tow, old Spunyarn, give him a good berth89, and let him mellow90 at thirty cents a day," continues the voice.
The last sentence the speaker addressed to a man of comely91 figure and frank countenance, who has just made his appearance, dressed in the garb92 of a sailor. This man stoops over Tom, seems to recognize in him an old acquaintance, for his face warms with kindliness93, and he straightway commences wiping the sun-scorched face of the inebriate with his handkerchief, and with his hand smooths and parts, with an air of tenderness, his hair; and when he has done this, he spreads the handkerchief over the wretched man's face, touches the querulous vote-cribber on the arm, and with a significant wink94 beckons95 him away, saying, "Come away, now, he has luffed into the wind. A sleep will do him good."
收听单词发音 |
1
patchwork
|
|
| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
loathsome
|
|
| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
shriek
|
|
| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
lamentation
|
|
| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
nurtured
|
|
| 养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
vice
|
|
| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
scorched
|
|
| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
quench
|
|
| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
torment
|
|
| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
mingle
|
|
| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
inebriate
|
|
| v.使醉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
shrugs
|
|
| n.耸肩（以表示冷淡，怀疑等）( shrug的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
beholds
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的第三人称单数 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
imploring
|
|
| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
recurred
|
|
| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
felons
|
|
| n.重罪犯( felon的名词复数 )；瘭疽；甲沟炎；指头脓炎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
transmute
|
|
| vt.使变化，使改变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
inert
|
|
| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
filth
|
|
| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
greasy
|
|
| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
reiterates
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
gentry
|
|
| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
writs
|
|
| n.书面命令，令状( writ的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
redeem
|
|
| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
janitor
|
|
| n.看门人，管门人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
redeemable
|
|
| 可赎回的，可补救的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
lien
|
|
| n.扣押权，留置权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
gulf
|
|
| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
votaries
|
|
| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
48
scrambles
|
|
| n.抢夺( scramble的名词复数 )v.快速爬行( scramble的第三人称单数 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
debtor
|
|
| n.借方，债务人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
rebounding
|
|
| 蹦跳运动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
scrupulous
|
|
| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
alleges
|
|
| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
thraldom
|
|
| n.奴隶的身份，奴役，束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
56
cuff
|
|
| n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
nefarious
|
|
| adj.恶毒的，极坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
moths
|
|
| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
sieve
|
|
| n.筛，滤器，漏勺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
nether
|
|
| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
outfit
|
|
| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
deception
|
|
| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
craftsman
|
|
| n.技工，精于一门工艺的匠人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
swollen
|
|
| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
inflamed
|
|
| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
facetious
|
|
| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
displeasing
|
|
| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
flannel
|
|
| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
wriggle
|
|
| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
struts
|
|
| （框架的）支杆( strut的名词复数 )； 支柱； 趾高气扬的步态； （尤指跳舞或表演时）卖弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
dingy
|
|
| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
equilibrium
|
|
| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
exultingly
|
|
| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
tragic
|
|
| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
hideously
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
writhes
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
goaded
|
|
| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
aggravated
|
|
| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
narcotic
|
|
| n.麻醉药，镇静剂；adj.麻醉的，催眠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
muses
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的第三人称单数 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
sonorous
|
|
| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
contemplate
|
|
| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
degradation
|
|
| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
resounds
|
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的第三人称单数 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
berth
|
|
| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
mellow
|
|
| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
comely
|
|
| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
kindliness
|
|
| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
beckons
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |