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Annie Nelles

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by MRS. ANNIE NELLES, In the Clerk's office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE.

The favor and kindness with which a former work by the authoress has been received by a generous public has induced her to once more solicit their indulgence. But in the preparation of this work she has been actuated by motives entirely different from those which prompted the publication of "The Life of a Book Agent." Now she has no personal object to accomplish, but is moved to the publication of this work solely as a means and in the hope of accomplishing some good to her fellow-creatures; and in introducing it she desires to present a few plain, practical questions to each one of her readers.

Do you know any poor outcast in your own city, village or neighborhood, who, either deservedly or otherwise, is loathed, detested and despised by almost the entire community; against whom every door is closed, and who looks in vain for any aid or countenance in the effort to escape from the worse than Egyptian bondage which enthralls them? And do you ever stop to consider that these poor, wretched, despised beings have immortal souls to be saved at last, as well as yourself? What is your conduct toward these poor unfortunates? Does your benevolence embrace even them also?

It was one of the reproaches cast on our Savior during His ministrations on earth, by the Pharisees, that He stooped too low in this respect, and that He seemed to take the part of wicked and undeserving people. "Behold," said they, "a friend of publicans and sinners;" and again, "This woman is a sinner." But he silenced and confounded them by saying, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." And herein He set an example to His followers which we fear, alas! is but seldom emulated.

Are you, my reader, like Him, a friend to this most discreditable class of sinners? Is their reputed unworthiness no argument with you for declining an opportunity of doing them good, or making an earnest, christian effort to save their immortal souls? Do you each do what in you lieth to effect their redemption, and not despair of them despite the sneers of the world and the scoffs of unchristian people? Or, on the contrary, does the dread of suffering in your own reputation continually check and restrain you in the just exercise of your beneficence?

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Our Savior was remarkable for His condescension, humility and indifference to worldly praise, and His love has respect chiefly to the souls of mankind.

Are you chiefly concerned also about the souls of your fellow-men, and especially of the class of which we have been speaking? Do you seek by all means in your power to promote men's eternal interests? Do you labor to enlighten, to elevate, to instruct, to invite, to warn, and to reclaim the outcast as did our Redeemer, and do you weep over the case of impenitent sinners as He wept over Jerusalem? Or, on the contrary, are you of those who make light of men's spiritual interests—who seem almost to forget that their fellow-creatures have immortal souls, and who at the utmost can only be prevailed on to show a little humanity to their bodies while their souls are left to perish?

These are questions which each must answer for himself, only remembering that there are none so sunken in infamy, and want, and woe, but His loving hand can reach them, and that all were once pure and innocent babes, as were you when you lay at your mother's breast.

In the hope that this little volume may lead some to more earnest reflection upon the path of duty and strengthen them to walk therein; may be the means of leading some stray lamb back to the fold, and may be received and judged by a generous public with the same kindness and favor awarded the other work, it is respectfully submitted by

DEDICATION.

To that noble band of heroic men and women, who, despising the reproach of the world, and having an eye single to the glory of God, labor with might and main, never wearying and never looking backward, to effect the elevation and redemption of fallen humanity, this work is respectfully dedicated.

May He who has said "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few," add dally to your numbers; may He crown your every effort with success; and may you at the last be gathered to eternal rest in His mansion, "Bringing your sheaves with you," is the earnest, heartfelt prayer of

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

• CHAPTER I. Ravenia's birth and parentage—Death of her father—Death of her mother—She goes to Dr. Armstrong's—Altercation between the Doctor and his wife. 9
• CHAPTER II. Cruelty of Mrs. Armstrong to the orphan—Almost frozen to death—Mrs. Day delivers her—She receives a severe beating from Mrs. Armstrong—Kittie carries her to the house of Dr. Day—She is adopted by him—The trial—Kitty goes to live at Dr. Day's. 22
• CHAPTER III. Happiness of Ravenia at Dr. Day's—Their judicious management of her—They decide to send her to boarding school—She goes—Harry Day. 32
• CHAPTER IV. Harry and his aunt visit Ravenia—Harry in love—The game of draughts—William Myers. 41
• CHAPTER V. The visit continued—Sabbath School—The villainy of Myers—Ravenia visits her home—The greeting—Harry's proposal. 56
• CHAPTER VI. The Scene at the tea-table—Interview between Harry and Kitty in the garden—Kitty is to accompany Ravenia on her return to school—Ravenia's delight. 70
• CHAPTER VII. Ravenia's return to school—Kitty's illness—The new chambermaid—Myer's proposal. Acceptance—Ravenia's dream. 80
• CHAPTER VIII. The forged letters—Arrangements for the marriage of Ravenia and Myers—Her innocent, unsuspecting nature—His falsehoods. 92
• CHAPTER IX. The elopement—The journey to Blairsville—Pretended relatives—Fearful disclosure of Myers's plot. 100
• CHAPTER X. Misery and wretchedness—Alone—Myers's return—The journey to Pittsburgh—The quarrel—Myers goes away—She writes to her father—Myers's return—The final departure. 107
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• CHAPTER XI. Retrospective—Effect of Ravenia's elopement—Mrs. Day and Harry arrive at Huntingdon—Mystery—Vain efforts to find her—More forgeries—Death of Dr. Day—Death of Harry—Sale of the Homestead—Ravenia driven into the street, became an outcast. 120
• CHAPTER XII. Ravenia in Cincinnati—Her desire to escape from her present mode of life—Meets Lieutenant ——,—He befriends her—She is turned into the street by Mrs. ———,—Her despair—She finds shelter and kindness. 132
• CHAPTER XIII. Mrs. Weston and her family—Their kindness to our heroine—Guss ———He falls in love with Ravenia—The proposal—The revelation—Engaged. 150
• CHAPTER XIV. Francis Wills—Failure of Ravenia's lover—He goes to Idaho—His faithlessness and desertion. 158
• CHAPTER XV. Wills proposes to Ravenia—Is accepted—Their marriage—Remove to Indianapolis—His death. 167
• CHAPTER XVI. The funeral—Ravenia learns the photographer's art—Eva Earl—Her history—Her little boy. 177
• CHAPTER XVII. Commencement of the intimacy between Ravenia and Eva—The walk in the garden—She sends a holiday gift to her former lover. 191
• CHAPTER XVIII. Ravenia's efforts to do good—Alva Vance, Marcia Howard—Redeemed—The journey to Cleveland. 197
• CHAPTER XIX. Letters—Marcia's wedding—The visit to Cincinnati—Return home—Adventure of Eva Earl in New York—The lunatic asylum—Anna Bird. 208
• CHAPTER XX. Eva's illness—Ravenia's care of her—Taken sick herself—Her recovery. 222
• CHAPTER XXI. The "Woman question"—Its discussion. 231
• CHAPTER XXII. The strange photograph—Sanford Bentley—Clara's wedding—The double wedding—Surprises—Conclusion. 242