This incident
was new, I suppose; it led to the appearance of my 'case' in the
newspapers. The reporters further served my interests by
describing me as 'pretty and interesting.' Subscriptions were
sent to the court. A benevolent married couple, in a respectable
sphere of life, visited the workhouse to see me. I produced a
favorable impression on them--especially on the wife. I was
literally friendless; I had no unwelcome relatives to follow me
and claim me. The wife was childless; the husband was a
good-natured man. It ended in their taking me away with them to
try me in service.
"I have always felt the aspiration, no matter how low I may have
fallen, to struggle upward to a position above me; to rise, in
spite of fortune, superior to my lot in life. Perhaps some of my
father's pride may be at the root of this restless feeling in me.
It seems to be a part of my nature. It brought me into this
house--and it will go with me out of this house. Is it my curse
or my blessing? I am not able to decide.
"On the first night when I slept in my new home I said to myself,
'They have taken me to be their servant: I will be something more
than that--they shall end in taking me for their child.
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