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 be like
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