Marion Marlowe's True Heart, or, How a Daughter Forgave — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

18 looked anything but attractive, and was soon on the deck as the officer had directed her. Just as she reached it a great covered wa- gon came lumbering down to the dock. “Here. she comes at. last! Here’s the ‘Black Maria!’ ”’ cried the captain; then he gave some orders and at once all was activ- ity. Marion’s eyes were widely opened when she saw what followed, for there were four- teen prisoners in the “Black Maria,” two of the worst ones being handcuffed together. In the quickest possible manner they were driven on to the-boat, a guard standing at each side of the gangplank to keep them from jumping overboard. As soon as they were all on, the order was given to start, and the boat was soon . ploughing its way up the East River and among the craft that dotted the water. - “Ts this a strange sight for you, miss?” asked a voice behind Marion. The young girl turned quickly and con- + fronted ar elderly woman. “Tt is, indeed,” said Marion promptly, “and it is about the saddest sight that I ever dreamed of,” she added. “Are you a nurse?” asked the woman again in a courteous manner. , “but I am I am on my way to “Not yet,’’ answered Marion, accepted on probation. the Charity Hospital.” The woman looked at her kindly, but Mar- ion’s gaze was wandering. to realize her extraordinary surroundings. “Those as she saw Marion staring at two of are ‘ten-day men,” said the woman, the deck hands on the steamer. “In other words, they have been sent up-for ten days ‘* and are allowed to work on the boat. Marion opened her She had never hefore heard of such eves in absolute sur- prise. an arrangement, Why, that 1s ever so much better than She was trying. MY QUEEN. ’ - terest. keeping them shut up,” she said, quickly, “Poor fellows! I am sorry for them. They haven't all got bad faces.” ‘And they are not all bad; now,” said the woman again, “I can assure you, i FS many good friends among the ieee Marion turned and looked at her with in- She seemed to be both a refined and © an intelligent person. “IT am a Bible reader,” smiling. said the woman, “I visit some of the islands every day, and my principal duty is to read the Bible to the prisoners.” Marion’s smile changed instantly into an expression of wonderment. “Do they like that, madam?” she asked, a little bluntly. Rl ’ 7 q 2 “Some of them do,” said the woman, with a peculiar laugh, “but some are very hard- ened.» I can hardly get them to listen.” “Well, I don’t wonder,” said the girl, with a heavy sigh. “I should think that some — parts of the Bible would make them feel de- ; cidedly uncomfortable. Of course, there are she added, quick- “There are those who sin through weak- many classes of criminals,” ly. ness and those who are deliberately vicious. Then, of course, there are the others who sin | . She had not expected so young a_ : ~ almost from necessity.” - The woman looked at her in a little sur- prise. girl to be so serious on this subject. “The good Word comforts each of these “Tf they are— truly sorry they will be .forgiven.” classes,"” was her only answer. Marion’s next remark showed that she was thinking more than listening, J is all to blame,” _very “If there would be:very few criminals, and none, IT am of the last class I mentioned. If you Bible to our lawmakers, “Society she said, soberly. conditions were right, sure, could only read the madam. and to the rich men and women who are mighty and all powerful.¢ GoOmIicboo! Ss)