Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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To one of the officers of the prison she communicated the intelligence that she had an important revelation to make to Mrs. Clifton, and absolutely refused to make it unless the lady would visit her in prison.
Scarcely had Mrs. Clifton returned home, after recovering her child, than the bell rang, and a stranger was introduced.
โIs this Mrs. Clifton?โ he inquired.
โIt is.โ
โThen I have a message for you.โ
The lady inclined her head.
โYou must know, madam, that I am one of the officers connected with the City Prison. A woman was placed in confinement this morning, who says she has a most important communication to make to you, but declines to make it except to you in person.โ
โCan you bring her here, sir?โ
โThat is impossible. We will give you every facility, however, for visiting her in prison.โ
โIt must be Peg,โ whispered Ida; โthe woman that carried me off.โ
Such a request Mrs. Clifton could not refuse. She at once made ready to accompany the officer. She resolved to carry Ida with her, fearful that, unless she kept her in her immediate presence, she might disappear again as before.
As Jack had not yet returned, a hack was summoned, and they proceeded at once to the prison. Ida shuddered as she passed beneath the gloomy portal which shut out hope and the world from so many.
โThis way, madam!โ
They followed the officer through a gloomy corridor, until they came to the cell in which Peg was confined.
The tenant of the cell looked surprised to find Mrs. Clifton accompanied by Ida.
โHow do you do, Ida?โ she said, smiling grimly; โyou see I've moved. Just tell your mother she can sit down on the bed. I'm sorry I haven't any rocking-chair or sofa to offer you.โ
โO Peg,โ said Ida, her tender heart melted by the woman's misfortunes; โhow sorry I am to find you here!โ
โAre you sorry?โ asked Peg, looking at her in surprise.
โYou haven't much cause to be. I've been your worst enemy, or one of the worst.โ
โI can't help it,โ said the child, her face beaming with a divine compassion; โit must be so sad to be shut up here, and not be able to go out into the bright sunshine. I do pity you.โ
Peg's heart was not wholly hardened. Few are. But it was long since it had been touched as it was now by this great pity on the part of one she had injured.
โYou're a good girl, Ida,โ she said; โand I'm sorry I've injured you. I didn't think I should ever ask forgiveness of anybody; but I do ask your forgiveness.โ
The child rose, and advancing towards Peg, took her large hand in (sic) her's and said, โI forgive you, Peg.โ
โFrom your heart?โ
โWith all my heart.โ
โThank you, child. I feel better now. There have been times when I thought I should like to lead a better life.โ
โIt is not too late now, Peg.โ
Peg shook her head.
โWho will trust me after I have come from here?โ
โI will,โ said Mrs. Clifton, speaking for the first time.
โYou will?โ
โYes.โ
โAnd yet you have much to forgive. But it was not my plan to steal your daughter from you. I was poor, and money tempted me.โ
โWho could have had an interest in doing me this cruel wrong?โ
โOne whom you know well,โMr. John Somerville.โ
โSurely, you are wrong!โ exclaimed Mrs. Clifton, in unbounded astonishment. โIt cannot be. What object could he have had?โ
โCan you think of none?โ queried Peg, looking at her shrewdly.
Mrs. Clifton changed color. โPerhaps so,โ she said. โGo on.โ
Peg told the whole story, so circumstantially, that there was no room left for doubt.
โI did not believe him capable of such wickedness,โ she ejaculated. โIt was a base, unmanly revenge. How could you lend yourself to it?โ
โHow could I?โ repeated Peg. โMadam, you are rich. You have always had whatever wealth could procure. How can you understand the temptations of the poor? When want and hunger stare us in the face, we have not the strength to resist that you have in your luxurious homes.โ
โPardon me,โ said Mrs. Clifton, touched by these words, half bitter, half pathetic; โlet me, at any rate, thank you for the service you have done me now. When you are released from your confinement, come to me. If you wish to change your mode of life and live honestly henceforth, I will give you the chance.โ
โYou will!โ said Peg, eagerly.
โI will.โ
โAfter all the injury I have done you, you will trust me still?โ
โWho am I that I should condemn you? Yes, I will trust you, and forgive you.โ
โI never expected to hear such words,โ said Peg, her heart softened, and her arid eyes moistened by unwonted emotion, โleast of all from you. I should like to ask one thing.โ
โWhat is it?โ
โWill you let her come and see me sometimes?โ she pointed to Ida as she spoke; โit will remind me that this is not all a dreamโthese words which you have spoken.โ
โShe shall come,โ said Mrs. Clifton, โand I will come too, sometimes.โ
โThank you,โ said Peg.
They left the prison behind them, and returned home.
โMr. Somerville is in the drawing-room,โ said the servant. โHe wishes to see you.โ
Mrs. Clifton's face flushed.
โI will go down,โ she said. โIda, you will remain here.โ
She descended to the drawing-room, and met the man who had injured her. He had come with the resolve to stake his all upon a single cast. His fortunes were desperate. Through the mother's love for the daughter whom she had mourned so long, whom, as he believed he had it in his power to restore to her, he hoped to obtain her consent to a marriage, which would
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