Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 100: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 o, and gazed with a halt frightened stare upon Jack. . Tn an instant Jack was at her side, and taking her hand in his own, he said, in a commiserating tone— ‘“‘T am happy, Miss Folder—for such I have learned your name to be—to see you thus far re- covered.” Then, turning to Jerry and salid— “My friends, will you leave us alone for a few moments 2” Jerry and Peter looked at each other, and then the latter, spitting out a mouthful. of to- bacco juice, stepped up in front of Jack, and in reply, said— ‘“‘ Now, look here, mate. Iam a rough sort of fellow, but I got a heart in my bosom. I ain’t going to say as you are a bit of a scoundrel, for I don’t think you are by your looks; but we don’t know each other, and some of your mealy- mouthed chaps. ain’t worth a stale quid ; but I believe you’re square and right ; and if I didn’t, I’d see you darned first before I’d leave you alone with that poor gal, for ’m sure it’s been trouble as drove her into the river. You may be her friend, and I won’t say you ain't; but I tell you what, if you say anything to her as she don’t like, and she can scream out, may I be cussed if I don’t chuck you overboard !” “My friend,” said Jack, “did I wish her harm, I had not risked my life to save her. I am not a man to profess what I do not feel, nor am J the man to insult a weak and defenceless woman. I wish to be a friend to her, not a foe. I admire your feelings, and I pledge you my word that I have no intention, either by word or act, to cause her one moment's pain, or add one pang to her sufferings ; but if Miss Folder fears to be left alone with me, I will not press you to leave the cabin.” He turned to her for a reply. ““ Who are you ?” she asked, “that you know my name, and sought to rob me of the grave which suffering drove me to seek 2” ‘A friend, believe me,” replied Jack; ‘‘ one who can sympathise with and pity you.” “1 will believe you, though friends ara few indeed to the poor and suffering.” “JT will take a turn on deck, Jerry,” said Peter, ‘‘ and leave ’em alone; but if he acts like a pirate, he'll find my maulers on his biscuit _ trap ’afore he knows where he is.” Jack merely smiled, and seated himself ona sea-chest as the two men left the cabin, and closed the door after them. | | Jack and the seamstress continued to gaze at each other for some few moments in silence, and then Ellen timidly asked— “Sir, who are you, that evince so much in- terest in me, an entire stranger ?” “‘T. will tell you,” said Jack; **but let not surprise or the mention of my name lead you to utter a sound that would induce those rough, but good-hearted men, to think I intend you harm. We have met before, twice to-night ; once in your own wretched habitation, in the deserted streets, and nowhere. It was I who she had been reclining his messmate, saved you from violence at the hands of the drunken .ruffan you called landlord, I who SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. strove to arrest your:course lo a suicide’s grave. oH Hush! Iam Spring-heeled Jack!” 5 ~~ | _A cry rose to the girl’s lips, but Jack held up | his hand deprecatingly, and the poor seamstress | stifled it ere it escaped, oe er) “ ‘You—you Spring-heeled Jack ?” she gasped, : ‘The same, but fear me not, for lam aman! | Ay! and one who can pity the helpless and the | suffering. Lhere are those who look uponme | as one devoid of all feeling, all respect, but they — do me injustice. JI have no wish to deny my | failings, but among them is not numbered | heartlessness. By an accident, I became. ac- ‘ e quainted with your sufferigs, and I determined — . to aid youall in my power. Do not fear me, | Believe me, | would be your friend.” == ~——|_ He took her hand in his own, and told-herhow | he had got on to the roof of her wretched dwel- | ling, and what had transpired after she fled | — frishtened down the stairs—the scene in the | vault—and every circumstance upto themoment | he stood before her. ~ ve tis aA ‘The world,” he said, *‘ has been cruel to you. I, perhaps, have been cruel to the world, but I would aid you—take you from that life of misery and toil which has worn you to a shadow, and led you to seek a brighter existence in another world. Nay, fear not to accept my offer, for I am rich, and can well afford to be bountiful, I | ask nothing in return but your good opinion of me whom many condemn; Now, tell me—how can I serve you.” | io aed Ellen burst into tears. iqads ‘‘ Kind, generous man,” she said, “‘I deserve not symouathy.” | : Weta ‘‘The poor and the wretched ever deserve it at the hands of their more fortunate fellow-crea- tures,” said Jack. | oS ‘Death would be preferable to me to aught — else,” said Ellen. Li als Lane “Not so. You are young: The world is be- The meanest of God’s creatures have rive fore you. something to live for—some destiny to fulfil. Pardon me if I say it, but it is wicked to seek to end that life which has been given us—wicked to usurp heaven’s perogative, and fly unbidden before your Makér.? jee uo yipeat! oli ofl | Eten looked fixedly at the man before her for | some minutes. | of Qe Ptite Could this be Spring-heel’d Jack—this the man who had been the terror to the metro- polis and its surroundings? Could this be he who now spoke such words to her? Surely, then, he was not the wretch he had been repre- sented—not all bad ? i te There was some redeeming qualities in his | heart, and Ellen felt her soul: warm towards | im. poy She could not but acknowledge to herself the | wickedness of the act she had meditated, but she | excused it by suffering, poverty, and wrong, | | ‘Oh! sir,” she said, after a pause, “ how ean I thank you for the interest you take in one who is unworthy of sympathy—whose poverty has - caused her to herd with the lowest?” =~ | * But not whose inclinations,” interrupted Jack. ‘Trideed; holi8y sit yatiorvinehtvie ace “You have seen better days—of that I feel assured,” said Jack, | 1M Killen sighed. | ’ i ‘ F . _ Y 7 i e a | | | | om