There was great excitement among
the ragged children; in fact, the atmosphere became so
dangerously full of love and charity that I commenced to feel
uncomfortable,--the shower of roses again,--and was glad to find
myself in the open air. We went for a walk and had several
drinks, which made the usual change in Dolly. I got tired of her,
determined I would leave her, spoke cruelly, and finally--after
having connection with her on the dry seaweed--rose and left her
brutally, walked away faster and faster, deaf to her
remonstrances, and careless whether or how she reached the
station....
"I had gone to lodge with a family whom I had been accustomed to
visit as a friend; there were two daughters; the elder, engaged
to a young German who was away with a survey party, had a rather
plain face, but a strong one and was herself a strong character,
and I came to like her in spite of myself; the second girl had
light golden hair, a fresh complexion, a short nose, and rather
large mouth, which contained beautiful teeth; they were both
good, obedient, innocent church-going daughters. As there was
plenty of amusement there of an evening, singing and dancing, I
did not go out, got into better ways, and gradually gave up
drinking to excess.
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