“Oh, sir, I am indeed obliged by this kind offer.”
“Then you consent?”
“Most willingly.”
“In prison you will meet with criminals of the worst type—you will also meet with many whom a timely word of warning will turn to the path of rectitude. It will be a fine arena for you to study the human character, and in a very short time you will have a practical knowlede of erring man. Your salary will not be very large, but will suffice for your immediate necessities, and I will give you a certain sum of money to expend upon books and whatever else you may deem necessary for the good of those placed under your charge. Keep an account of this money, with a diary of your doings, and send them to me every three months.”
“Accept my most sincere and heartfelt thanks,” cried the young minister.
“When I see that you have grown wise enough to be the leader of a mission,” said his patron with a winning smile, “I will liberate you from your apprenticeship.”
Leverall applied for the appointment, which he readily obtained, through the influence of his friend and counsellor.
Had Laura Stanbridge been able to see into this young man’s heart, which was so gentle and so pure—could she have guessed this divine scheme which was germinating in his brain, and which raised him above all vulgar passions, she would perhaps have despaired of destroying in a few days that which had been implanted at his birth, and which gave promise of such fair fruit.
He was not satisfied with the one hour of communion with the prisoners appointed by the law—it was his practice to visit them all in their cells privately every day.
He had heard that No. 43 was a noted female thief, and he approached her cell with some little mistrust. This statement, however, was altogether erroneous, as many other statements sometimes are, either out of prison or within its walls.