A FEW WORDS WITH THE READER
THE abruptness1 with which we were compelled to conclude this history, may render it necessary to make a few explanations. Indeed, we fancy we hear the reader demanding them.
By some mysterious process, known only to Keepum and Snivel, the old Antiquary was found at large on the day following Tom Swiggs' return, notwithstanding the Appeal Court did not sit for some six weeks. It is some months since Tom returned, and although he has provided a comfortable home for the Antiquary, the queer old man still retains a longing2 for the old business, and may be seen of a fine morning, his staff in his right hand, his great-bowed spectacles mounted, and his infirm step, casting many an anxious look up at his old shop, and thinking how much more happy he would be if he were installed in business, selling curiosities to his aristocratic customers, and serving the chivalry3 in general.
As for Keepum, why he lost no time in assuring Tom of his high regard for him, and has several times since offered to lend him a trifle, knowing full well that he stands in no need of it.
Snivel is a type of our low, intriguing4 politician and justice, a sort of cross between fashionable society and rogues5, who, notwithstanding they are a great nuisance to the community, manage to get a sort of windy popularity, which is sure to carry them into high office. He is well thought of by our ignorant crackers6, wire-grassmen, and sand-pitters, who imagine him the great medium by which the Union is to be dissolved, and South Carolina set free to start a species of government best suited to her notions of liberty, which are extremely contracted. It may here be as well to add, that he is come rich, but has not yet succeeded in his darling project of dissolving the Union.
Judge Sleepyhorn thinks of withdrawing into private life, of which he regards himself an exquisite8 ornament9. This, some say, is the result of the tragic10 death of Anna Bonard, as well as his love of hanging negroes having somewhat subsided11.
Madame Montford takes her journeys abroad, where she finds herself much more popular than at home. Nevertheless, she suffers the punishment of a guilty heart, and this leaves her no peace in body or mind. It is, however, some relief to her that she has provided a good, comfortable home for the woman Munday. Tenacious12 of her character, she still finds a refuge for her pride in the hope that the public is ignorant on the score of the child.
Brother Spyke is in Antioch, and writes home that he finds the Jews the most intractable beings he ever had to deal with. He, however, has strong hopes of doing much good. The field is wide, and with a few thousand dollars more-well, a great deal of light may be reflected over Antioch.
Sister Slocum is actively13 employed in the good cause of dragging up and evangelizing the heathen world generally. She has now on hand fourteen nice couples, young, earnest, and full of the best intentions. She hopes to get them all off to various dark fields of missionary14 labor15 as soon as the requisite16 amount of funds is scraped up.
There came very near being a little misunderstanding between the House of the Foreign Missions and the House of the Tract7 Society, in reference to the matter of burying Mrs. Swiggs. The Secretary of the Tract Society, notwithstanding he had strong leanings to the South, and would not for the world do aught to offend the dignity of the "peculiar17 institution," did not see his way so clearly in the matter of contributing to the burial expenses of the sister who had so long labored18 in the cause of their tracts19. However, the case was a peculiar one, and called for peculiar generosity20; hence, after consulting "The Board," the matter was compromised by the "Tract Society" paying a third of the amount.
If you would have strong arguments in favor of reform in the Points just look in at the House of the Nine Nations. There you will find Mr. Krone and his satellites making politicians, and deluging21 your alms-houses and graveyards22 with his victims, while he himself is one of the happiest fellows in the world. And after you have feasted your eyes on his den23, then come out and pay your homage24 to the man who, like a fearless Hercules, has sacrificed his own comfort, and gone nobly to work to drag up this terrible heathen world at your own door. Give him of your good gifts, whisper an encouraging word in his ear (he has multiplied the joys of the saved inebriate), and bid him God-speed in his labor of love.
A word in reference to the young theologian. He continues his visits to the old jail, and has rendered solace25 to many a drooping26 heart. But he is come a serious obstacle to Mr. Sheriff Hardscrabble, who, having an eye to profit, regards a "slim goal" in anything but a favorable light.
Old Spunyarn has made a voyage to the Mediterranean27, and returned with a bag full of oranges for Tom Swiggs; but now that he sees him in possession of such a fine craft as Maria, he proposes that she have the oranges, while his hearty28 good wishes can just as well be expressed over a bumper29 of wine. He hopes Tom may always have sunshine, a gentle breeze, and a smooth sea. Farther, he pledges that he will hereafter keep clear of the "land-sharks," nor ever again give the fellow with the face like a snatch-block a chance to run him aboard the "Brig Standfast."
As for Mr. Detective Fitzgerald, he still pursues his profession, and is one of the kindest and most efficient officers of his corps30.
And now, ere we close our remarks, and let the curtain fall, we must say a word of Tom and Maria. Tom, then, is one of the happiest fellows of the lot. He occupies a nice little villa31 on the banks of the "mill-dam." And here his friends, who having found wings and returned with his fortunes, look in now and then, rather envy the air of comfort that reigns32 in his domicil, and are surprised to find Maria really so beautiful. Tom so far gained the confidence of his employer, that he is now a partner in the concern; and, we venture to say, will never forfeit33 his trust. About Maria there is an air of self-command-a calmness and intelligence of manner, and a truthfulness34 in her devotion to Tom, that we can only designate with the word "nobleness." And, too, there is a sweetness and earnestness in her face that seems to bespeak35 the true woman, while leaving nothing that can add to the happiness of him she now looks up to and calls her deliverer.
The End
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1
abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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3
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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4
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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5
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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6
crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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7
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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8
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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9
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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10
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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11
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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12
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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13
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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14
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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15
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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16
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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17
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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18
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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19
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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20
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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21
deluging
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| v.使淹没( deluge的现在分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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graveyards
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| 墓地( graveyard的名词复数 )； 垃圾场； 废物堆积处； 收容所 | |
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23
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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24
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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25
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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26
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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27
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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28
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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29
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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30
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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31
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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32
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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33
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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34
truthfulness
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| n. 符合实际 | |
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35
bespeak
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| v.预定；预先请求 | |
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