Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-04

Strange that i, brought up in the strict conduct
of convent, should find myself in parley with
an enemy that had been most educated to
shun. believe thought / was in dream ;
yet, in my destitution and despair, what hope
had / then of bettering myself was not in
the vein of sleeping; and as the proprietress
saw me trans6xed in thought, she took me by
the shoulder, saying she would let me see her
company to drive away the unpleasant thoughts
had. Twas led back TO the parlor Several
OF the girls whom you have seen in this room
were seated there talking and familiarly sitting
beside some well-dressed men. When entered
each girl closely scrutinized me- but two ap.
preached me as took a seat and preferred a
welcome. One was Emily, who sat beside me,
and seemed interested in meas she told me
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS my conduct reminded her
of hers on similar first step. must have sat
an hour. As showed diffidence and reluct-
ance in moving with the others about the room,
they summed me- They were not encouraged TO
think that was-One Of them, or perhaps they
were, like Emily, too painfully reminded Of
their first step by my initistory. At any rate
We were repulsive to each other Shortly
a gentleman of pleasing exterior approached
me, and cOmplimented me on my appearance
and looks, at the same time placing his hand
under my chin, which L repulsed without a
word Involuntarily tears cOursed my cheek,
yet was not ashamed; they were more from
feeling of desttution and loneliness was
not again disturbed. When they all left the
room L was shown TO this apartment A few
minutes elapsed when the proprietress entered,
and in rather brusque tone said
"' Well, my little miss, you have come to
live with me, and L hope you know where you
are But where is your baggage or clothes?
Il informed her where my trunk was and
that not having paid my board was the reason
1t was left. Invent to bed without saying my
prayers; could not pray; thought it bias
phemy. L thought the ear of my God was
deaf TO me. / locked my door, and in a few
minutes the fatigue and excitement L had en-
countered induced sound sleep In the
morning, on.awakening, was informed that
my trunk was at hand, ready to be brought
into my room. .
At breakfast, which was late, all the es-
tablishment was assembled The girls were
neatly dressed in blouses most of them with
their faces powdered, and took their seats
without exchange of salutation. There was
no more attention to me, by word or look that
noticed, than if had been longer with them.
Though all the furniture of the house is so ele-
CANT, the set-Out of the table was meagre and
sloyenly, but not dirty. Broken cups and
saucers, and dishes set without any regularity
Eggs, which were in a large bowl Of hot water,
and buttered ccrn-cakes, seemed the most in
request. Of these and some figs I made my
first repast. Not word was spoken loud
during the meal As each one finished, she
LETT the table and joined a companion for a
talk. How initiative of my convent life in
one respect, how widely different in another
thought l was the cause of this silence at
meal, being stranger, but / was since in
formed that it was always so. A perfect in
difference to each other reigns throughout.
"As they change their names with their
new life, they desire not confidants to remind
them of that which they have left. said a
not ind
should except-yes, do except-when one
OF them is sick; for never has been greater
silent sympathy for any one than tor me in
their inquiries of the nurse, and their desire
to sit by my bedside for hours in the day,
musing in their own thoughts, anticipating
my wishes, but giving me no verbal comfort,
except, again, Emily. Well, worried myself
all day, thinking of my situation. 1 could not
realize the reality. was blind to the future,
and desperate in meeting it. At noon l felt
wearled, and lay upon my bed for repOse. In
the evening was reused to consciousness by
the violent exertions of several TO put me in a
hot bath. l had violent fever, with the
strongest symptoms. Cupping, nursing, and
medlcines-your visits-and you know the
rest"
Exhausted by this recital, the interest of
which enlisted my feelings to the exclusion of
any regard for the imprudence of the indul-
gence. she rolled on her side with a sigh; then
resumed her former position, gazing on va
cancy, awaiting reply from me to rouse her
suggestions for her good passed one by one be-
fore me. She was not entirely lost, and here
was signal triumph within my reach felt
her brow, then her pulse There was a slight
agitation to the latter, bat a healthy glow to
the former, albeit intense thought had caused
the perspiration TO roll in torrents on her pil-
low. The poor girl was now sensible of her
ait NJ aal IL A.. L
70 save her from the brink of destruction. as
II In acknowledgment of the greatest boon
could ask, l told her that was grateful for
this opportunity to meet her expectations In
the fullest of mortal ability, so far as to supply
means to send her home, and to extricate her
from her perilous situation. He who has
created the poison and the antidote flashed a
ray OF hope through the heart of this unhappy
one. She saw she was not all lost to virtue from
an indifference to vice. The link to the latter
was broken; the magnetic power of good had
not lost its binding and attractive power
Mary" said, "you will be we'll enoug Oh
to leave tomorrow. will, in the meantime.
procure you a room in private house, where
you will remain until you are we'll enough to
return to your home"
begged her to be composed, and to place
full reliance upon what promised told her
that the recital Of her past sufferings would be
injurious If prolonged, and that would post
Pone what more she had to say until returned
the next day.
On the evening of the next day called with
carriage to take her away. now asked the
pr0prietress, who had not been apprised of this
before, for her bill of her board At first she
demurred then supposing, from a remark that
purposely made, that she would be returned
in few days, suddenly acquiesced. AS we
passed through the corridor several of the
6oarders nodded good-by while the girl called
Emily cane toward Mary, and, with tears in
her eyes, whispered some parting words
-Four days after her release Mary was placed
by me on steamer destined for her home.
Upon acquainting the captain with jsst enough
OF her history to awaken compassion for de-
serted female, with the noble charity so often
tested under similar circumstances and char
acteristic Of the commanders of our western
boats, he refunded her the passage money As
l bade her adieu, 1 told her l interded one
day to recur to the late incidents in her life as
romance Of reality She replied
No one would believe it for the subject, as