'I agree wid you in that, Ellen; but you don"t know how my heart sinks

when I think of your an" my own poverty
'I agree wid you in that, Ellen; but you don"t know how my heart sinks
when I think of your an" my own poverty. My poor father, since the
strange disappearance of little Alice, never was able to raise his head;
and indeed my mother was worse. If the child had died, an" that we knew
she slept with ourselves, it would be a comfort. But not to know what
became of her--whether she was drowned or kidnapped--that was what
crushed their hearts. I must say that since I grew up, we"re improvin";
an" I hope, God willin", now that my father laves the management of the
farm to myself, we"ll still improve more an" more. I hope it for their
sakes, but--more, if possible, for yours. I don"t know what I wouldn"t
do to make you happy, Ellen. If my life could do it, I think I could lay
it down to show the love I bear you. I could take to the highway and rob
for your sake, if I thought it would bring me means to make you happy.'