“If your sense of obligation is unpleasant, there is one consideration that may diminish it.  A man of spirit, whose folly had placed him in the position I occupied towards you, would have eagerly sought an opportunity to render you any service, and would have done his poor best in your behalf.  When it was accomplished he would not have been covetous of thanks, and might hope that it would be taken as some recompense for the past, and only ask to forget and be forgotten.  No matter; so little that is pleasant has happened to me, that you surely can permit me to enjoy the full luxury of having saved you without having that diminished by the receipt of anything, in any form, from anybody, by reason of it.  It is in your power to explain one thing to your father; by which he will see that I must be left to my own exertions so far as he is concerned.  I do believe that your gracious mother was my one friend, who looked kindly upon my many faults, and who will rejoice if I ever escape from them.

“When in Newbury hereafter I shall feel at liberty to call at your father’s house.

“With the sincerest wishes for your welfare, I remain

“Your obedient servant,

“A.B.E.”

To the Judge: 

“Hon. EDWARD MARKHAM: 

“Dear Sir,—­I am in receipt of yours.  It was, perhaps, necessary for you to say some words to me.  I may not judge of what would be fitting; I feel that you have said more than was required.  I had a boy’s sincere liking for you; but when I failed to secure the good-will of anybody, it is certain that there were radical defects in my character, and you but entertained the common feeling towards me.  It was an honest, hearty dislike, which I have accepted—­as I accept other things—­without complaint or appeal.  There is one near you who can explain how impossible it is that I can become an object of your interest or care.  I am poor; let me remain so; I like it.  Let me alone to buffet and be buffetted.  The atmosphere in which I live is cold and thin, and exercise is needful for me.  I have not deserved well of the world, and the world has not been over kind to forget it.  Leave me to wage the war with it in my own way.  It was God’s pleasure to remove from me those upon whom I had natural claims, and I do not murmur, nor do I allude to it only as an indication that I am to go on alone.

“I am aware that I do not meet you in the spirit which prompts your generous and manly kindness—­no matter.  Think that it proceeds from something ignoble in my nature, and be glad that you may in no way be involved in any failure that awaits me.

“I am sure Mrs. Markham has always been most kind to me, and if on the miserable night when I left my own mother I could have stolen to her somewhere, and have touched her robe with my lips, it would have been most grateful to me.  We shall meet probably again, and I am sure our intercourse may be that at least of pleasant acquaintances.