know that he was under the influence of ardent spirits.
The woman with whom I boarded seeing his condition, and
being a good Catholic, resolved to make the most of the
occasion for the benefit of the nunnery. She therefore
said to him, "You are not capable of bringing up that
child; why don't you give her to Priest Dow?"--"Will he
take her?" asked my father. "Yes," she replied, "he will
put her into the nunnery, and the nuns will take better
care of her than you can." "On what condition will they
take her?" he asked. "Give the priest one hundred dollars,"
replied the artful woman, "and he will take good care of
her as long as she lives."

This seemed a very plausible story; but I am sure my
father did not realize what he was doing. Had he waited
for a little reflection, he would never have consented
to such an arrangement, and my fate would have been quite
different. But as it was, he immediately sent for the
priest, and gave me to him, to be provided for, as his
own child, until I was of age. I was then to be allowed
to go out into the world if I chose. To this, Priest Dow
consented, in consideration of one hundred dollars, which
he received, together with a good bed and bedding. My
mother's gold ear-rings were also entrusted to his care,
until I should be old enough to wear them. But I never
saw them again. Though I was at that time but six years
old, I remember perfectly, all that passed upon that
memorable occasion. I did not then comprehend the full
meaning of what was said, but I understood enough to fill
my heart with sorrow and apprehension.