human
You spoke my husband's name, she said in a hoarse tone,
gpt
He is my friend, madam, replied Harry,
human
Thank you, she answered;
gpt
There is no necessity for despondency, my good madam, observed Dr. Humphries.
human
The misfortunes which have attended you are such as all who were thrown in your situation are subject to. Our object in coming here, he continued,
gpt
My tale is briefly told, she answered.
human
Forced by the cruelty of a villain to leave my comfortable home in New Orleans, I sought refuge in the Confederate lines. I anticipated that refugees would meet with a welcome from the more fortunate people of the South. In that I was disappointed; for when my means gave out, and every endeavor to procure work to feed my children had failed--when I had not a dollar to purchase bread for my innocent babes, I applied for assistance. None but the most dire necessity would have prompted me to such a step, and, Oh, God! when it was refused--when the paltry pittance I asked for was refused, the hope which I had clung so despairingly to, vanished, and I felt myself indeed a miserable woman. Piece after piece of furniture went, until all was gone--my clothing was next sold to purchase bread. The miserable life I led, the hours spent with my children around me crying for bread--the agonizing pangs which rent my mother's heart when I felt I could not comply with their demand--all--all combined to make me an object of abject misery. But why describe my sufferings? The balance of my tale is short. I was forced out of the shelter I occupied because I could not pay the owner his rent. My oldest child was then ill, and in the bleak night wind, canopied by heaven alone, I was thrust, homeless, from a shelter owned by a man whose wealth should have made him pause ere he performed such an act. With my sick child in my arms I wandered, I knew not where, until I found she had fainted. Hurrying to a small cabin on the road, I entered and there discovered an old negro woman. From the lips of a slave I first heard words of kindness, and for the first time aid was extended to me. Applying restoratives, my child revived and I waited until next morning, when I returned once more to ask for aid. A paltry sum was handed to me, more for the sake of getting rid of the mendicant than to relieve my distress. I felt that the sum offered was insufficient to supply the demands of my sick daughter and my starving boy. I was turning in despair away when my eye lit upon a package of money resting on the safe. For a moment I hesitated, but the thought of my children rose uppermost in my mind, and, seizing the package I hurried from the store.
gpt
So you did take the money,
human
Yes, she replied,
gpt
Then the--the-- said Harry, hesitating to use the word theft,
human
No, she said,
gpt
she continued, excitedly,
human
I prayed to him in the most abject manner to leave me until my child was buried. My prayers were unavailing, and from the window of this cell I witnessed a lonely hearse pass by, followed by none other than my infant boy and the kind old negro. Oh God! Oh God! she went on, bursting into tears and throwing herself on the wretched pallet in the cell,
gpt
Not so, interrupted Dr. Humphries,
human
I trust you will live many, many years longer, to be a guardian to your child and a comfort to your husband.
gpt
It cannot be, she answered sadly.
human
The brain, overwrought, will soon give way to madness, and then a welcome death will spare me the life of a maniac. I do not speak idly, she continued, observing the look they cast upon her;
gpt
Let me know what that is, remarked Dr. Humphries,
human
Your companion spoke of my husband as his friend; does he know where he is at present, and if so, can I not see him?
gpt
I promise that you shall see your husband before many days. Until you are removed from this place I do not think it advisable, but, continued Harry,
human
I shall, on leaving this place, endeavor to secure your release.