An Outcast; Or, Virtue and FaithAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
An Outcast; Or, Virtue and Faith
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
Conduct of life -- Fiction; United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Vice -- Fiction
Scarcely has the representative of our chivalry entered the room when
Sister Slocum, with all the ardor of a lover of seventeen, runs to her
with open arms, embraces her, and kisses her with an affection truly
grateful. Choking to relate her curious adventure, she is suddenly
heaped with adulations, told how the time of her coming was looked to,
as an event of no common occurrence--how Brothers Sharp, Spyke, and
Phills, expressed apprehensions for her safety this morning, each in
turn offering in the kindest manner to get a carriage and go in pursuit.
The good-natured fat man gets down from his high seat, and receives her
with pious congratulations; the man in the spectacles looks askant, and
advances with extended hand. To use a convenient phrase, she is received
with open arms; and so meek and good is the aspect, that she finds her
thoughts transported to an higher, a region where only is bliss.
Provided with a seat in a conspicuous place, she is told to consider
herself the guest of the society. Sundry ovations, Sister Slocum gives
her to understand, will be made in her honor, ere long. The fact must
here be disclosed that Sister Slocum had prepared the minds of those
present for the reception of an embodiment of perfect generosity.
No sooner has Lady Swiggs time to breathe freely, than she changes the
wondrous kind aspect of the assembly, and sends it into a paroxysm of
fright, by relating her curious adventure among the denizens of the
Points. Brother Spyke nearly makes up his mind to faint; the
good-natured fat man turns pale; the wise man in the spectacles is seen
to tremble; the neatly-attired females, so pious-demeanored, express
their horror of such a place; and Sister Slocum stands aghast. "Oh!
dear, Sister Swiggs," she says, "your escape from such a vile place is
truly marvellous! Thank God you are with us once more." The good-natured
fat man says, "A horrible world, truly!" and sighs. Brother Spyke shrugs
his shoulders, adding, "No respectable person here ever thinks of going
into such a place; the people there are so corrupt." Brother Sharp says
he shudders at the very thought of such a place. He has heard much said
of the dark deeds nightly committed in it--of the stubborn vileness of
the dwellers therein. God knows he never wants to descend into it.
"Truly," Brother Phills interposes, "I walked through it once, and
beheld with mine eyes such sights, such human deformity! O, God! Since
then, I am content to go to my home through Broadway. I never forget to
shudder when I look into the vile place from a distance, nevertheless."
Brother Phills says this after the manner of a philosopher, fretting his
fingers, and contorting his comely face the while. Sister Slocum, having
recovered somewhat from the shock (the shock had no permanent effect on
any of them), hopes Sister Swiggs did not lend an ear to their false
pleadings, nor distribute charity among the vile wretches. "Such would
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