Tom has passed a restless night in jail. He has dreamed of bottled
snakes, with eyes wickedly glaring at him; of fiery-tailed serpents
coiling all over him; of devils in shapes he has no language to
describe; of the waltz of death, in which he danced at the mansion of
Madame Flamingo; and of his mother, (a name ever dear in his thoughts,)
who banished him to this region of vice, for what she esteemed a moral
infirmity. Further on in his dream he saw a vision, a horrible vision,
which was no less than a dispute for his person between Madame
Flamingo, a bishop, and the devil. But Madame Flamingo and the devil,
who seemed to enjoy each other’s company exceedingly, got the better of
the bishop, who was scrupulous of his dignity, and not a little anxious
about being seen in such society. And from the horrors of this dream he
wakes, surprised to find himself watched over by a kind friend—a young,
comely-featured man, in whom he recognizes the earnest theologian, as
he is plumed by the prisoners, whom he daily visits in his mission of
good. There was something so frank and gentle in this young man’s
demeanor—something so manly and radiant in his countenance—something so
disinterested and holy in his mission of love—something so opposite to
the coldness of the great world without—something so serene and
elevated in his youth, that even the most inveterate criminal awaited
his coming with emotions of joy, and gave a ready ear to his kindly
advice. Indeed, the prisoners called him their child; and he seemed not
dainty of their approach, but took them each by the hand, sat at their
side, addressed them as should one brother address another;—yea, he
made them to feel that what was their interest it was his joy to
promote.
The young theologian took him a seat close by the side of the dreaming
inebriate; and as he woke convulsively, and turned towards him his
distorted face, viewing with wild stare each object that met his sight,
the young man met his recognition with a smile and a warm grasp of the
hand. “I am sorry you find me here again—yes, I am.”
“Better men, perhaps, have been here—”
“I am ashamed of it, though; it isn’t as it should be, you see,”
interrupts Tom.
“Never mind—(the young man checks himself)—I was going to say there is
a chance for you yet; and there is a chance; and you must struggle; and
I will help you to struggle; and your friends—”
Tom interrupts by saying, “I’ve no friends.”
“I will help you to struggle, and to overcome the destroyer. Never
think you are friendless, for then you are a certain victim in the
hands of the ruthless enemy—”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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