and no alteration in my
costume was necessary, in order to present a respectable appearance.

I entertained no serious apprehensions of any great effort being made to
capture the fugitive, she having had but nine months to serve, and being
therefore a person of but little importance when viewed as a prisoner.
Moreover, I hoped that the kind-hearted chief officer of the prison
would charitably refrain from making any extraordinary exertions in the
matter. But these considerations did not prevent me from exercising a
reasonable degree of caution.

We left Pittsburg that evening, for Philadelphia, where we arrived in
due season. I immediately sought and procured employment as a writer, at
a liberal salary. A few days after our arrival in Philadelphia, Mrs.
Raymond said to me--

"My dear friend, I am not going to remain a burden to you. Listen to the
plan which I have to propose. I think of going upon the stage."

"What, and becoming an actress?"

"Yes. I flatter myself that my voice and figure are both passable; and I
really think that I possess some talent for the theatrical profession. A
respectable actress always receives a good salary. If the plan meets
with your approbation, I shall place myself under the tuition of some
competent teacher; and my _debut_ shall be made as soon as advisable."

I did not attempt to dissuade Mrs. Raymond from carrying out this plan,
which I thought, in fact, to be a very excellent idea. Once successfully
brought out upon the stage, she would have a profession which would be
to her an unfailing means of support.

According to the best of my judgment, she possessed every mental and
physical qualification necessary to constitute a good actress. Beautiful
and sprightly, talented and accomplished--possessing, too, the most
exquisite taste and skill as a vocalist and musician, I saw no reason
why she should not succeed upon the stage as well, and far better, than
many women a thousand times less talented. Therefore, encouraged by my
cordial approbation of her plan, and acting in accordance with my
recommendation, the fair aspirant to dramatic honors placed herself
under the instructions of a popular and well-known actor, who was fully
capable of the task which he had undertaken.

A few months passed away, and my fair friend announced herself as being
nearly in readiness to make her first appearance. I was delighted with
the rapid and satisfactory progress which she had made. The recitat