| Our friend Tom, who had been in the kitchen... 140 |
[Jan. 31st, 2010|02:37 am] |
Our friend Tom, who had been in the kitchen during the conversation with the old rusk-woman, had followed her out into the streetHe saw her go on, giving every once in a while a suppressed groanAt last she set her basket down on a doorstep, and began arranging the old, faded shawl which covered her shoulders
?I?ll carry your basket a piece,? said Tom, compassionately
?Why should ye?? said the woman?I don?t want no help
?You seem to be sick, or in trouble, or somethin?,? said Tom
?I an?t sick,? said the woman, shortly
?I wish,? said Tom, looking at her earnestly,??I wish I could persuade you to leave off drinkingDon?t you know it will be the ruin of ye, body and soul??
?I knows I?m gwine to torment,? said the woman, sullenly?Ye don?t need to tell me that arI ?s ugly, I ?s wicked,?I ?s gwine straight to tormentO, Lord! I wish I ?s thar!?
Tom shuddered at these frightful words, spoken with a sullen, impassioned earnestness
?O, Lord have mercy on ye! poor critturHan?t ye never heard of Jesus Christ??
?Jesus Christ,?who?s he??
?Why, he?s the Lord,? said Tom
?I think I?ve hearn tell o? the Lord, and the judgment and torment
?But didn?t anybody ever tell you of the Lord Jesus, that loved us poor sinners, and died for us??
?Don?t know nothin? ?bout that,? said the woman |
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