Satan tempted
me, and I took from him his badge, 213. I see the hated
figures now. When he woke, he knew not he had lost it.
The car started, and he walked to the rear. With the
badge on my coat I collected eight fares within, stepped
forward, and sprang into the street. Poverty is my only
apology for the crime. I concealed myself in a cellar
where men were playing with props. Fear is my only
excuse. Lest they should suspect me, I joined their
game, and my forty cents were soon three dollars and
seventy. With these ill-gotten gains I visited the gold
exchange, then open evenings. My superior intelligence
enabled me to place well my modest means, and at
midnight I had a competence. Let me be a warning to all
young men. Since that night I have never gambled more.
I threw the hated badge into the river. I bought a
palace on Murray Hill, and led an upright and honorable
life. But since that night of terror the sound of the
horse-cars oppresses me. Always since, to go up town or
down, I order my own coupe, with George to drive me; and
never have I entered the cleanly, sweet, and airy
carriage provided for the public. I cannot; conscience
is too much for me. You see in me a monument of crime.
I said no more. A moment's pause, a few natural
tears, and a single sigh hushed the assembly; then
Bertha, with her siren voice, told
THE WIFE OF BIDDEFORD'S STORY
At the time you speak of I was the private governess
of two lovely boys, Julius and Pompey--Pompey the senior
of the two.
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