to become an expert needle-woman. No sooner did my aunt find that I was
mistress of this latter accomplishment, than she took me at once from
school, and compelled me to toil day and night at my needle, refusing me
at the same time all necessary rest and recreation.

'Young and high-spirited as I then was, I found it impossible to bear
such brutal treatment, and one day when I was about fourteen years of
age, in a fit of anger and despair, I left the home of my cruel aunt,
and found myself a wretched wanderer in the streets of London, without
money, home, or friends. Still I wandered on, not realizing the horror
of my situation, till the shades of evening began to cover the city, and
the harsh knawings of cruel hunger, began inexorably to crave their
natural satisfaction. Then it was that I felt myself compelled to look
around for some place of shelter, but could find none, and would have
returned again to my cruel aunt, but alas, all my efforts to find her
habitation proved utterly fruitless, and having by this time reached the
banks of the Thames, I plunged without a moment's hesitation, into its
dark waters, resolving to end at once a life which promised nothing to
its possessor, but wretchedness and wo. But my fatal resolution was
frustrated by a man, who, unperceived had for some time previous watched
my wild and desperate course, and who jumped into the water as I a
second time rose to its surface, caught me by the arm, and held me
tightly with one hand, whilst with the other he swam toward a small
vessel, which, being but a short distance off, he managed to reach in
safety.

'Having received on board this vessel every attention which the greatest
delicacy and kindness could dictate, I soon became impressed with a
strong desire to become acquainted, with the character and designs of
the person who had so disinterestedly preserved my life. It so happened