A mercy to them who were left, I mean.

Alice was a bonny young woman, with a smile for everybody, when he wed her--a smile for every one except our John, who never could do enough to try and win one from her.

But, no! she would have none of him, but set her heart on Jack Rose, a sailor in a whale-ship.

And so they were married at last, though all her own folks were against it.

And he was a profligate sinner, and went after other women, and drank, and beat her.