The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-05
ALMOST LOST.
pm the London Telegraph.

story has been fofwarded 10 me by Lazy
-, who takes great interest in the well
fare Of young women and girls happily
rescued from lifelong degradation and
misery. Ihaye not seen the writer, and
know nothing Of her history, excepting
what has been told me by her benefac-
tress. The latter assures me, however,
that she has TO great extent been able TO
verify the narration, and believes IL TO be
entirely correct. Such being the case, II
certainly affords striking example OF
. the timely interpOsition OF the saving
hand"
II had led life Of shame not longer
than six months, though TO me IL seemed
well-nigh as many years. My home was
in the country, and | left 10 take service
as nursemaid In square at ensington,
and | was happy and comfortable there
for nearly two years, and then fell into
the cruel snare that was prepared for me,
OF guilty folly, and Of gradually growing
more recllessly selfish and williully blind,
and forgetting those at home, who did
not know what had become OF me, and
then suddenly, dawned day ofrepentance.
II happened in this way: In the same
house where i was staying there was a
young woman, servant, who came from
Bedford. She was a well-behavcd girl,
and am quite certain that she had not the
least suspicion OF the character OF those
who had engaged her. She was good
looking, and IL was designed TO ruin her,
but her virtuous courage protected her,
and then in spite and malice the woman
who kept the place falsely accused her Of
theft and she was convicted and sent 10
prison. 1 could have proved her inno-
cence, and she was aware OF II. She
begged ON her knees that would do 50,
but dare not When the policeman was
called in TO take her into custody she
turned TO VA and exclaimed, May God for
give you, miss You can save me, but will
not. When you are an outcast and miser-
able you will be more In need OF pity than
shall be, even though they put me in
prison
at was in the winter time, and near
Christmas, and she was sentenced TO three
months imprisonment IL was late In the
afternoon when the mistress, who had been
20 the court TO give false evidence, came
back In high spirits at the result Of her
base behavior, and VIC were all glad there
were several other girls beside me. or We
made believe 10 be, rather than give her
oicnse. But that same night my eyes
were opened 10 the dreadful wickedncss
had assisted In. as well rs 10 the wretchcd
creature had become. ] could not sleep,
but lay trembling with dread and re-
morse, thinking Of poor Martha's last
words, and | resolved 10 end II some
how--anyhow-rat than continue 10
live the life ! was living. | was Ill and
fcvcrish next day, and would not get up.
They thought was unable 10 do so, but,
with the terrible resolution 10 make an
end OF Il growing stronger and stronger In
my mind In the evening. and when the
others were In their rooms dressing, /, too,
got up aud put my clothes on and left the
house unseen by any one. ! intended 10
drown myself. I was well dressed, and
had on a silk gown and a sealskin jacket,
and had moderate amount OF money
in my purse. | meant 10 throw myself oil
one d the bridges, and knew ! should
not have much chance Of doing 80 effect
ually before Il was later and the streets
were deserted. To pass tho time away,
and not, God help me, that | had any
thought Of being amused, went 10 a
theaier-to the Adelphi, / believe-but II
n not because OF anything | saw there
which impressed itself on my memory that
come 10 such determination. saw
the actors on the stage coming and going.
and the scenery changing, and heard the
pcopl. applauding. and enjoying II all,
but I might rs well have sat with my thick
veil down, or been asleep and dreaming.
was al the time thinking Of mother and
OF the home / had disgraccd, and OF poor
Martha, and the bridge and the river II
was scarcely II o'clock when the play wa'
over, and too early for me m yet
A.. .....r.l..l GfwuuI A.. sE. E...
bankmcnt, and walked 10 and fro between
Backiriars and Westminster until I.
O'Clock chimcd, and then went on 10 Ia,
bridge.
"ii was bitterly cold night. II had
been showing, but now had left of, ant
was bright moonlight, and everywhere, OF
the road and pavement, and ON the re
ccsses of the bridge all was glistcninI
white; but the water below was M blacl
~ ink, and 20 deep down that II seemed I
was ON that account, and not that | wa
afraid 10 drown myself, that did not q
once make the leap. ! tried 10 screw al
my courage, but when stood In a rcccs
and siid, Now | will, my knees shook "
could not mount up on 10 the scat, an,
had 10 walk the length Of tho bridg'
once more 20 bring all my wickcdncs
20 my mind and 10 make me- desperate
enough 10 do Il. Al lat s&mcd quit
worked up 20 II, and was standing will
my back 10 the patch, looking less airai'
down 10 the black water whom there cam'
along man who placed his hand on m.
shoulder and, addressing me In a tips.
voice, asked me 10 walk with him an'
take glass Of wine My face was tune'
from him and did notturn or make an.
reply hoping he would pass on. What !
the mattcr7' he said, laughingiy, are yol
aslecp2 You can't be frozen 20 dealt
wrapped up in that warm jacket, though
Il almost cold enough 20 freeze one
P'raps, my dear, he continued, scarccl
able 10 stand steady, You are ghost com
back 10 the bridge from which you mad
Iump and babe the world goodbye
silently turned my face towards him then
suppose mnst have been deathly pal
and strange looking, for he stepped back
instantly sobcred, a. u seemed, staring a
me. Then, with a gasping ejaculation tina
was uniniellipble, he ran OF without ono
looking back.
81 had 10 walk on again, for heard In
footsteps Of q policeman NJ no great dis
tancc. I walked Oft the bridge 10 IN
Blackfiars side, determined that ] woul
come back straight 20 the first recess an
lump from IL without further thinking