The Runaway | Page 8

a bar covered with bottles and glasses,

behind which stood a large, red-faced man, with a big nose, and little
ferret, fiery eyes, now grinning like a satyr, now scowling like a demon,
dealing out burning liquors to his miserable customers.
A man fell beastly drunk from a bench upon the floor. "Take him up
stairs," said the man at the bar. Rodney followed the two men who
carried him up, and looked into the sleeping apartment. The floor was
covered with dirty straw, where lodgers were accommodated for three
cents a night. Here the poor wretches were huddled together every
night, to get what sleep they could in the only home they had on earth.
Thus does vice humble, and degrade, and scourge those who are taken
in its toils. From the threshold of the house of guilty pleasure there may
issue the song and laugh of boisterous mirth; but those who enter
within shall find disgrace and infamy, woe and death.
CHAPTER VI.
THE PUNISHMENT BEGINS.
Bill Seegor found the woman he sought, and soon they returned to her
house. Here the bottle was brought out and passed round; and, after
much blasphemous and ribaldrous conversation, a straw bed was made
up on the floor, and Rodney laid down. Before he went to sleep, he
heard Bill tell the woman that he was entirely out of money, and beg
her to lend him five dollars for a few days. After some hesitation she
consented, and drew out from under the bed an old trunk, which she
unlocked, and from which she took five dollars in silver and gave it to
him. Bill, looking over her shoulder, saw that she took it from a little
pile of silver that lay in the corner of the trunk.
For a long time Rodney could not sleep. The scenes of the last eventful
week were vividly recalled to his mind, and, in spite of his fatigue, kept
him awake. He tried to make himself believe that it was a glorious life
he had begun to lead,--that now he was free from restraint, and entering
upon the flowery paths of independence and enjoyment. Though he had
met with some difficulties at the start, he thought that they were now
nearly passed, and that soon he should be upon the blue water, and in

foreign countries, a happy sailor boy.
But conscience would interpose its reproaches and warnings, and
remind him of the horrible company into which he had been cast,--of
the scenes of sin which he had witnessed, and in which he had
participated; and he could not but shudder when he thought of the
probable termination of such a life.
But he felt that, having forsaken his home,--and he was not even yet
sorry that he had done so,--he was now in the current, and that there
was no way of reaching the shore, even had he been disposed to try;
and that he must continue to float along the stream, leaving his
destination to be determined by circumstances.
It is very easy to find the paths of sin. It is easy, and, for a season, may
seem pleasant, to travel in them. The entrance is inviting, the way is
broad, companions are numerous and gay. But when the disappointed
and alarmed traveller, terrified at the thought of its termination, seeks
to escape, and hunts for the narrow path of virtue, he finds obstacles
and entanglements which he cannot climb over nor break. It requires an
Omnipotent arm to help him then.
Rodney fell asleep.
How long he had slept he knew not; but he was awakened by a violent
shaking and by terrible oaths. The side-door leading into the yard was
open, and three or four wretched-looking women were scolding and
swearing angrily about him. He was confused, bewildered, but soon
perceived that something unusual had happened; and he became very
much frightened as he at last learned the truth from the excited women.
Bill Seegor was gone. He had got up quietly when all were asleep, and,
drawing the woman's trunk from under her bed, had carried it out into
the yard, pried open the lock, stolen the money, and escaped.
The woman was in a terrible passion, and her raving curses were fearful
to hear. Rodney pitied her, though she cursed him. He was indignant at
his companion's rascality, and offered to go with her and try to find him.

It was two o'clock in the morning. He looked round for his hat, collar,
and handkerchief; but they were gone. The thief had taken them with
him. Taking Bill's old hat, he went out with the woman, and looked into
the oyster-cellars and grog-shops, some of which they found still open;
but they could find no trace of Bill Seegor.
The woman