They might have torn me to pieces then, and I
would have thanked them! I cannot tell you the goodness of the
Fields. It could not comfort me then, but I have wondered over it
often since." (There were blistered, blotted tear marks here.)
"They knew it was not safe for me to remain, for there had been wild
talk of a warrant out against us for manslaughter. They would have
had me leave my little darling's form to their care, but they saw I
dreaded (unreasonably I now think) some insult from those ruffians
for her father's sake. Mr. Field said I should lay my little one to
her rest myself. They found a long basket like a cradle. We laid
her there in her own night-dress, looking so sweet and lovely. Mr.
Field himself went out and dug the little grave, close to Annie's,
and there by moonlight we laid her, and the good man put one of the
many wreaths from Annie's grave upon hers, and there we knelt and he
prayed. I don't know what denomination his may be, but a Christian I
know he is. Cruel as the very sight of me must have been, they kept
me in bed all the next day; and the minister went to see what he
could save for me. Finding no one, the mob had wreaked their
vengeance on our medicine bottles and glasses, smashed everything,
and made terrible havoc of all our books, clothes and furniture.
Pages:
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902