"That gal's name is Ellen. I wish I knew all that has turned up at
Marston's," remarks the Elder.
"Ellen!" ejaculates the lady, looking at her more intently, placing
her left hand under her chin. "Not Ellen Juvarna?"
"Yes, good missus-the lady has distributed her nourishment among the
sick-that's my name," she says, raising her eyes with a look of
melancholy that tells the tale of her troubles. Again her feelings
subside into quiet; she seems in meditation. "I knowed you once,
good missus, but you don't know me now, I'm changed so!" she
whispers, the good lady holding her hand, as a tear courses down her
cheek-"I'm changed so!" she whispers, shaking her head.
CHAPTER XII.
A FATHER TRIES TO BE A FATHER.
WE have conducted the reader through scenes perhaps unnecessary to
our narration, nevertheless associated with and appertaining to the
object of our work. And, in this sense, the reader cannot fail to
draw from them lessons developing the corrupting influences of a
body politic that gives one man power to sell another. They go to
prove how soon a man may forget himself,--how soon he may become a
demon in the practice of abominations, how soon he can reconcile
himself to things that outrage the most sacred ties of our social
being. And, too, consoling himself with the usages of society,
making it right, gives himself up to the most barbarous practices.
When we left Marston in a former chapter, he had become sensible of
the wrong he so long assisted to inflict upon innocent and
defenceless persons; and, stung with remorse made painful by the
weight of misfortune, had avowed his object of saving his children.
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