By Jessie P.

Sarah lies again in the lavish chamber of her suitor awaiting the morning sun. Yet, for now, dusk fills the room, and suffocates their love. Their life together is verging on nonexistence and their love on impossibility. Arthur is twenty-one and on his way to Harvard. Sarah is nineteen and on her way home.

Sarah came to the Manchester Mansion eleven years earlier in 1840. She was the third of six children born to an Irish immigrant working class family. She helped her mother with her sewing work for the factory and sometimes looted with her brother Charlie. Her youngest sister Annie had died of Yellow Fever when Sarah was eleven. Sarahâs life in the Five Points was never-ending and painful. Surviving each day was a triumph, and yet, there was always another one right around the corner.

Sarah was forced to take the live-in job at Manchester after her father died. There was little money in the home to support eight as it was, but losing a paycheck could put the family over the edge. The last thing her mother said to her was, ãya knows I luv ya and Iâd neâer wants ya ta leave, but chile, de hell yur fader lef tus wid is too damn much. So go, and ya come back, ya Îear whens youse a rich.ä Her mother handed her a nickel and saw her to the trolley. From then on Sarah sent every paycheck home, and dreamed of the day when she could be in the loving company of her sister Annie and her brother Charlie.

Charlie was two years older than Sarah, and belonged to a gang called the Plug-Uglies. It was very popular for young boys to join gangs in impoverished neighborhoods. it gave them a sense of pride, of individuality and of worth. Charlie was the perfect gang member . He was very responsible, for even if he spent the majority of the day fighting with his rival gang the Chi-chesters, he would always come home with something for the family.

The mansion was located on Sixty-First Street and Fifth Avenue. It had the most beautiful and expensive view of the new park. When Sarah moved in the first thing the Manchesterâs did was promenade with her in the park. They took a family picnic in their ãfavoriteä spot. Sarah had never been on a picnic, but she always wanted to go. She remembered the time when her mother saved up ten cents to take Sarah up to the park. They sat on a lawn with all the other poor people, whereas the rich people sat in carriages, and together they listened to music.

The day Sarah left the Five Points was the hardest day of her life. She loved her father and she missed him dearly. Her sister Annie was ill, and needed her love. Her brother Charlie was intolerable, but still her favorite. Her mother, Mrs. Tanner, needed her to keep it all together. There was a litany of reasons why she shouldnât have gone, yet there was that one unwavering reason why she did leave, money. The determination to help her family took precedent over her selfishness. The choice, although not at all hers, was simple; go quietly and come back when youâre rich.

When she arrived at the Manchester Mansion, Anabelle Manchester, the lady of the house, told her, ãDear, I know you do not wish to be here, but I doubt the choice was yours. Know that you can, of course, have a day-off once every four months to visit you family, provided you behave properly and follow the rules.ä Lady Manchester spoke eloquently and directly. She had a kind directness in her tone that confused Sarah some. She had never met a woman who knew at all times exactly what she was saying and what she was going to say next.

Lady Manchester had two children, Arthur, and Adeline. She had a third girl, Margaret, who died of a brain tumor as an infant. She was Adelineâs twin. When Sarah came to live at the mansion, Arthur was ten and Adeline was eight. Adeline was beautiful, elegant, and erudite. She was so prestigious and so sure of herself. Sarah hated her immediately.

Sarah was given a guest bedroom over a maidâs room, she thought because the maidâs room was already taken. She ended up on the third floor, between Arthurâs room and the Nannyâs room. The day she came she was given twenty minutes to unpack her stuff and settle in. She really need only two of those twenty. So she spent the remaining time staring out her window onto the park.

ãIt is a beautiful view, wouldnât you agree?ä said Arthur in a gentle voice.

ãYes. It used to be my sisterâs room, however, I find the corner room much more suitable and pleasing.ä said Adeline in a loud, dominant voice.

ãIs perty,ä said Sarah nervously. She didnât know how to speak or think like them. For the first time ever, Sarah was ashamed of herself and her background.

ãYou will address me as Miss Adeline, and you will speak to me formally, leaving out words such as Îperty.â Understand?ä Adeline was abrupt, and yet very calm. She waited for a response and proceeded to exit the room.

Yeez, Mizz Adeline,ä Sarah forced out. Formal speech was going to be a problem for Sarah since she had never attended school. She already revered Adeline, but was also quite afraid of her. She didnât know how the Manchesterâs would treat her if their children were so strict.

ãDonât mind her, sheâs moody. Iâm Arthur, and of course, you can call me Arthur.ä he was very polite and very gentle. Sarah knew right away that they would get along.

ãIâma Sarah, Sarah Tanna.ä

ãWell, Sarah Tanner, love it was lovely speaking with you.ä he disappeared out the door and down a long dark hallway.

Sarah had never seen such a large living space for one person. Her room back was bigger than the room she shared with eight people back home. She was so overwhelmed with luxury and elegance that her eyes and mind had trouble taking it in.

Lady Manchesterâs footsteps were as dear as chimes; she practically floated down the hallway and into Sarahâs room. ãAre you comfortable here? Itâs my favorite room in the house. It used to be Margaretâs room. She was so young: too, too young.ä Lady Manchester turned and faced the window to hide her tears. ãIf you need anything, just ask.ä Lady Manchester turned and forced out a smile with wells of tears in her eyes. Now, to continue, your duties are as follows. You are to do the laundry chores, that includes ironing and tailoring, you were said to be excellent with a needle, and you will be Adelineâs and Arthurâs schoolmate, learning all the accomplishments of a well brought up young lady. That includes dancing, music and French. That awful accent will have to go aswell. Are you clear on all that.ä

ãYeez Lady Manchester.ä

ãYou start work tomorrow. Today you will accompany the family to the park.ä She had a gentle voice, which is where Arthur probably inherited it. She was kind and delicate, yet direct and firm. Sarah was impressed and relieved that she finally knew what she was doing uptown. She was going to be a pseudo-slave or so she thought.

An average day for Sarah went like this. She would wake up at six A.M. and go downstairs to set the table and feed the pets. At six thirty she would wake Adeline and Arthur, and pick up their dirty laundry. At quarter to seven the help would eat in the kitchen. At seven the family would eat in the crystal room and Sarah would bust the table after. At eight Sarah would have to take lessons with Adeline and Arthur. At Eleven-thirty classes would finish and Sarah would set the table for lunch, and eat in the kitchen with the help. At twelve Sarah would do her laundry chores and at two she would walk Dana and Ricky, the family dogs. This would continue with much of the same and by the night Sarah would be so exhausted she would go right to bed.

Arthur came into Sarahâs room one night when she was eight. He sat down in the big yellow chair in the corner and turned on the light. He opened a book and began to read.

ãÎChapter 1, In which I do not heed my fatherâs advice. I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner, of Bremen, who settled first at Hull: he got a good estate by merchandise, and leaving off his trade, lived afterward at York...â would you like me to read to you Sarah.ä ãYeez, Iâd like.ä and so he did. It started as once or twice a month, whenever her could fit her in, but as they got older he came more frequently. He began with Robinson Crusoe, a good choice indeed, and moved on to Moby Dick. Sarah loved those nights and awaited them keenly.

As the years went by Sarah began understanding more and more of what she was being taught in the lessons. She was able to read to herself by the age of ten, a feat no one in her family ever accomplished. She was able to talk to Adeline Îformallyâ, a task she didnât revel in. Her favorite of her new talents was artistry. She began painting and drawing when she was about eleven. Lady Manchester would often come home with new charcoals, oil paints, and canvases. Sarahâs favorite subject to portray was nature. She loved painting the park from her window, or sometimes painting the family in the park on one of their Sunday picnics, to which she was always invited. Lady Manchester delighted in Sarahâs skill and often invited her friends over to see Sarahâs new works.

When Sarah was twelve Lady DiWinter, one of Lady Manchesterâs tea associates, offered to purchase a landscape for ten dollars. Sarah reluctantly sold the painting, because she knew how far ten dollars could stretch. That was how Sarahâs ephemeral painting carreer began. By thirteen she was be called on by some of the wealthiest familes in New York to paint family portraits in the park. Her reknowned works were of such impressive families as the Astorâs and the Rockefellers.

Lady Manchester flaunted Sarah all around town. She was very proud of Sarah and all of her accomplishments. One day lady Manchester took Sarah to A.T. Stewarts department store to purchase new clothing. They were in one of the new safety elevators showcased in the Crystal Palace when one of Lady Manchesters aqaintances stepped in.

ãAnabelle! How nice to see you.ä The woman said to Lady Manchester.

ãYes, what a delightful surprise, indeed.ä Lady Manchester replied.

ãOh, I see you brought young Sarah with you today.ä She said smiling at Sarah as if she were five. She turned to face Lady Manchester and said. ãYour daughters are both quite beautiful. Where is Adeline, anyway?ä

Miss Manchester replied imperviously, ãI thought Iâd take a day with Sarah alone.ä

ãWell, that is just pleasant.ä She said contentiously. ãSarah, are you free to do a portrait of my family any time soon?ä the woman questioned.

ãSarah is free on Thursday if you would like her to paint you then, Iâm sure she would be more than happy. Wouldnât you dear?ä

ãYes, I would be delighted.ä Sarah replied politely, trying to restrain her accent. Lady Manchester did not talk about what passed in the elevator. She continued along with her business as if nothing had happened. But Sarah knew something was happening. Things around her were changing. Lady Manchester had hired a new seamstress to almost completely take over Sarahâs chores, and began treating Sarah as one of her own.

Originally Sarah had assumed that Kathy, the new seamstress, was hired to relieve some the burden on Sarah, so that she could concentrate on her painting. But slowly she was beginning to notice that she was not only being treated as one of the family, but as of that day, being referred to as one of Lady Manchesterâs daughters.

As the years went by her visits home became more infrequent. Up until she was twelve she went every time she had a chance and stayed as long as she could. However, the visits lost their thrill, and became frankly banal. She started to see the five points as outsiders did; dirty, downtrodden, desolate, and filled with debauchery. After her sister Anne died, she found going home painful.

She continued to get along better with everyone in the household, except for Adeline. Adeline was rude, callous and the only member of the family that made Sarah feel like a servant. The envy Sarah felt of Adeline never faltered, but the enmity burgeoned. Adeline was beautiful, elegant and had the most respectable suitors. No matter what face Sarah put on, she knew deep down, that she did not belong. She had her fair share of respectable men, which made Adeline jealous, but she did not enjoy them. Men from Adelineâs world were arrogant and domineering. They acted respectably in social situations but were really rather surly and full of themselves.

One night when Sarah was sixteen she heard a yelping noise coming from Adelineâs room. She ran in to she if everything was all right to find Adeline and her suitor displaying the most untoward behavior.

ãOut, get out now, Cinderella.ä

ãI apologize Adeline, I didnât mean to...ä

ãAre you dumb, get out, and donât breathe a word of this to anyone.ä

Sarah immediately went to Arthurâs room to tell him what she saw. Arthur was playing his piano and humming to himself. When he heard the news he wasnât the least bit surprised.

ãYou didnât know she did that?ä he asked as he continued to play.

ãNo, of course not, I always thought she was chaste.ä

ãWell, thatâs Adeline for you.ä

ãItâs alright if she loves him.ä Sarah questioned Arthurâs complacency. Arthur stopped playing, ãI suppose it would if she did love them, but she doesnât. She goes through men like clothing; wears them only once.ä

ãA shame.ä

ãYou know sheâs competing with you.ä

ãHow so?ä ãShe sees how beautiful you are, and how much attention you get, not only from men, but also from Mother. She just wants to be noticed again. She wants to be everyoneâs angel.ä Arthur recommenced his playing.

Sarah saw Adeline no longer as a refined, together young lady, but rather as a scared, jealous, little girl. She reminded her of Daisy, a woman of the night from back home. Adeline was wasting away under a cover of wealth, whereas, Sarah was flourishing. She felt remarkable relief about leaving the five-points before they got to her the way uptown got to Adeline.

Sarah never mentioned that incident to Adeline, but she worried about her incessantly. About half a year later, Adeline approached Sarah with a problem.

ãSarah,ä she said with big weepy eyes. ãI think I am pregnant.ä

ãOh my!ä was Sarahâs innate response. ãHow did this happen?ä she questioned. ãI was with Marcus Smith a couple weeks ago, and he suggested that we go over to his friends house. So I went, not knowing any better. When I got there he and his friend wanted to·ä Adeline stopped and began to weep hysterically.

ãThey wanted to what, tell me what.ä Sarah persisted as she reached for Adelineâs hand. ãI cannot·they· I·ä Adeline was too hysterical to make any sense, but Sarah began to catch on.

ãThey raped you! Why did you not come to me right away?ä Sarah exclaimed

ãWell, I am here now.ä Adeline snapped back.

ãI see that. This is what we are going to have to do.ä Sarah began to divulge her plans to covertly aid Adeline. She had recently read an advertisement for an abortionist who called herself Madame Restell. She pulled out the advertisement from her under her bed and read it out loud.

ãÎIn how many instances does the hard-working father, and more especially the mother, of a poor family remain slaves throughout their lives, "urging at the oar of incessant labor, toiling to live, living but to toil," when they might have enjoyed comfort and comparative affluence; and if care and toil have weighted down the spirit, and at last broken the health of the father, how often is the widow left, unable, with the most virtuous intentions, to save her fatherless offspring from becoming degraded objects of charity or profligate votaries of vice? Is it desirable, then, is it moral for parents to increase their families, regardless of consequences to themselves, or the well-being of their offspring, when a simple, easy, healthy, and certain remedy is within our control?â Well, I am sure how much of this actually applies to you, but it is worth a shot. What do you think.ä

ãIf this works then I will be forever grateful. Please keep this a secret just between you and I.ä Adeline smiled as her tears subsided and gave Sarah a hug.

Sarah took it upon herself to set up an appointment and take care of everything for Adeline. Everything worked out perfectly, and, for a short period of time, Adeline and Sarah were actually friends. Sadly though, Adeline went back to her frivolous live style, in moderation of course, but still disregarding all the pain it had put her through. It is even more wrenching that Adeline reverted back to treating Sarah poorly, and not gratefully. Sarah felt bad that all her effort had been spoiled on such an irreversible life, but she was also comforted by the thought that Adeline would come to her for help. With that in mind, Sarah assumed, for the meantime, that Adeline would be just fine.

That year Sarahâs mother passed away. She went home for the first time since she was thirteen. Although her visits didnât persist her financial aid continued. Now, it was up to Charlie to be the head of the household. Sarah feared that the responsibility would be too great for Charlie and he would probably run away. He had a tendency to run away when the going got tough. When Annie died, Charlie disappeared for almost three months. He had apparently been arrested and sent to the Tombs for breaking and entering.

Lady Manchester agreed to allow Sarah stay downtown for a couple of days to straiten out some family matters. She did not specifically know what needed to be done, but she was positive it was important. She did not want to lose Sarah because of some legal guardianship business that she didnât quite comprehend. Sarah assured her that everything would be all right. Her father used to be affiliated with Boss Tweed and she knew he owed her family a favor. It had something to do with voting ballots, but she was not really sure.

Arthur had lately been investing in the services of Josie Woods, however he found the women insipid and degrading. He and Sarah often discussed their romantic endeavors. They both had qualms about their actual affection for their partners. They talked to each other like best friends would, sharing their deepest, darkest secrets and all of their fears.

It was obvious to Sarah that Arthur feared real relationships. He always had some complaint about women, whether it be their horse-like hair, or the way they ate their desert. Either way, his complains were predictably petty, and ridiculous reasons to stop seeing someone. Truthfully, none of those girls made him happy. They were all ostentatious and fake. Sadly, had he not unconsciously compared all of them to Sarah, he would have probably found one that he got along with. However, he eventually rejected every girl that crossed his path, leaving him lonely and melancholy.

Sarahâs absence enlightened Arthur to his intense adoration of her. He saw her departure as a potentially permanent thing and he was not pleased. He also considered the social impediments on their love. Sarah was, sadly still, just a poor girl in rich rags. The likelihood of successful crossing over on either side was slim, but Arthur was willing to give it a try. When Sarah returned, four days later, Arthur welcomed her with an unexpected kiss.

ãTu mâa embrassJe.ä Sarah said practicing her French. She and Arthur often spoke lightheartedly in French to establish their fluency.

ãI know.ä Arthur replied bluntly in English.

ãMais pouquoi?ä Sarah questioned trying to act normally.

ãEnough Sarah. I do not wish to play right now. ä Arthur retorted rather coldly.

ãI understand, I apologize, please continue.ä Sarah said as she reached for his hand. She pulled away quickly realizing that this was not a normal conversation. She retreated to her yellow chair in the corner of her room and seated herself.

ãWith all of my expensive education, I rue saying that I am not that eloquent. So, I will just speak plainly. I do not know when or how this happened, but in these past eight years I have fallen in love with you. I know what I am about to say is a ridiculous platitude, but it applies. Our love is forbidden, and although, you have seemingly assimilated to this class, you are still of a different world. I do not care about any of that. I care about you. And I·.ä Sarah interrupted his disclaimers with a lustful kiss of agreement and acceptance.

About a month later Lady Manchester decided to take Sarah out in her carriage. They entered the park in one of the most elegant carriages around. It was abnormal for a lady to ride without a male companion, but lady Manchester wished to show Sarah around alone.

ãLook at those Arrivistes.ä Said Lady Manchester pointing out people in a carriage that looked just like theirs. ãThey are so ostentatious. It is ridiculous.ä

ãOh yes!ä Agreed Sarah. ãJust sickening.ä She said pointing out the nouveau riche, without recognizing her awkwardness in the conversation.

ãThese daily carriage drives are a pleasant and liberating experience. I am glad you were able to join me this afternoon.ä Said Lady Manchester in a grateful tone.

ãYes. I assume it is nice to relax instead of your usual arduous calling.ä Questioned Sarah.

ãOf course! It helps me assert some control over my life. Maybe tomorrow Arthur can take you out so you can really experience the joys of a carriage ride.ä

ãMaybe.ä Sarah said as she leaned back to enjoy the pleasantry.

The next day Arthur did take Sarah out in one of the families carriages. He took her to the same spot she had gone with her mother almost ten years earlier. Except this time, she was up in the carriage instead of down on the ground with the other outsiders.

That day was a beautiful August Wednesday. The birds were chirping, the bees were buzzing, and love was, of course, in the air. Sarah was in a state of euphoria and levity. The carriage ride with Arthur was picturesque, even fairy-tale like. Sarah felt like Cinderella with prince charming, the epitomy of ãrags to riches.ä

Sarahâs life for the next year and a half was much of the same. She covertly loved Arthur, and continued to spend time with Lady Manchester. Her art business was thriving and her fame was soaring. All her customers knew her as Sarah, just plain Sarah. It was an unimposing and unassuming name, but it was also a very common name. Sarah liked it because it took away her identity.

Adeline became very ill when she was eighteen and had to be sent to Blackwells Island Asylum. The family was not as upset to lose Adeline, as much as they were to explain what happened to her. In reality Adeline was lost years ago. She was so distant, that she could go an entire week without speaking to anyone.

Sarah spent some time trying to console her and assuage her pain, but Adeline was unmoved by Sarahâs efforts. Sarah was an altruistic person, but only to a certain point. She could not continue getting Adeline out of jams without being paid any gratitude. Therefore, when Adeline left, Sarah was quite relieved. She no longer had to put herself on the line to save someone who was, in the long run, helpless.

Her relentless joy ended, however, on the morning of November 24th 1851, when she was caught in the bed of the Manchester pride and joy, Arthur.

ãGood Morning Arthur·Sarah?ä Said Lady Manchester as she opened the door to Arthurâs room. ãWhat in Gods name is going on here? Arthur?ä Lady Manchesterâs eyes began to tear.

ãI can explain Mother, I swear.ä Arthur pleaded.

ãDo not swear in this house, young man. And as for you Sarah, I trusted you. I expected more from a young lady of the Manchester House, but then again, you are not one, you are just a dirty, promiscuous, piece of Irish trash. Why did you have to corrupt my son?ä Lady Manchester said fuming with tears looming in her eyes.

ãBelieve me, I was not corrupting Arthur, we are in love. Arenât we Arthur?ä said Sarah trying to rescue herself. ãArthur?ä she said again after receiving no reply.

ãI do not know what you are talking about.ä said Arthur. ãI got drunk and woke up with you in my bed.ä

ãWhat are you saying? That is a lie. Pourquoi est-ce que tu mens.ä Sarah said trying to appeal to him in their special way.

ãMaybe, you should go Sarah.ä Concluded Lady Manchester. ãHere is a nickel. Take the trolley to where the rest of the trashy harlots live.ä Lady Manchester said handing her a nickel.

ãThank you.ä Sarah said with bitterness on her face. ãI guess if you have wealth, love and friendship donât matter.ä She flicked her hair and parted the chamber.

She was gone by that morning. She took Lady Manchesterâs advice and rode the trolley home to the Five Points. She headed strait for her tenement, because she didnât belong anywhere else. As she walked down Chatham Street towards the collect pond, she noticed how out of place she was. She was dressed in the most elegant attire, with a bonnet on her head, and fancy high-heeled shoes.

When she arrived at her tenement, she went upstairs to the third floor, walked through two rooms until she was near the airshaft, which was where her family lived. However, instead of finding Charlie, or one of her little sisters surrounded by a bunch of strangers, she found a bunch of strangers surrounded by a bunch of strangers. She asked around to find out if anyone knew where her family was.

ãWould any of you young gentlemen happen to know when I could find the Tanners?ä she questioned in a gentle voice.

ãWhat, was da hell youse a talking bout.ä Answer a young man in a the corner. ãyouse a looking for Chalie?ä

ãYes Charlie, where is Charlie Tanner?ä she repeated her question.

ãChalieâs a gun.ä Replied the man. ãHeâs a gun fa good.ä

Sarahâs heart dropped down into her stomach. She was unable to talk to these people, but she desperately need to know where Charlie was. She left the tenement downtrodden and disillusioned. She assumed that Charlie was dead, but she didnât know how or why. Moreover, where were her younger siblings? They had to be around twelve years old, old enough to fend for themselves. Yet they were nowhere to be found.

Sarah left the tenement and walked. She walked slowly, with no particular intent for almost an hour, until she found herself on Corlaerâs Hook, a well-known prostitution area.

ãSarah?ä said a weak voice. ãSarah Tanna? Is dat youse?ä

Sarah turned around to see where the voice was coming from. She noticed a small, dark haired girl, just about the age of twelve. She didnât recognize her at all, so continued to walk.

ãSarah Tanna!ä the girl repeated as she chased her down the street. ãIs a me, Mary, Mary Tanna.ä Sarah stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around and looked at Mary. The last time she had seen her she was an infant, only a year old.

ãHow did you recognize me?ä asked Sarah suspiciously.

ãHow? Iâves seens youse. Youse a comes down some time Îgo. ÎMember? After Ma died.ä Sarah didnât remember ever seeing this girl, but she wanted to believe her immensely. ãI hid frum a youse. Ise was afreards a youse. But now I aint gots nobody, ands youse a here.ä Sarah let out a small smile and slowly walked toward Mary. ãWhys a youse heâ anyways?ä Mary questioned.

ãI have come home dear. I have come home.ä Sarah wanted to embrace Mary for comfort, but was too embarrassed to touch her. Mary was filthy, and uneducated. Sarah would never forget what Lady Manchester said about people from the points, ãDonât get to close or their poverty will rub off on you.ä

Sarah did not realize that she was no longer a part of that upper-class society that she had grown into. She did not know how to behave in the points. She did not speak their dialect, and they did not speak hers. As far as she could tell, she was out of place and she belonged uptown. However, to Mary, she was a downtown girl in uptown clothing.

Sarah had a dilemma. She could either leave the city for the hope of a respectable future, or she could stay with Mary and try to make it in the Points. Her first option was neither possible nor plausible. She didnât have the means, or, any longer, the connections to make in elsewhere. But she did have the talent. She was a brilliant artist, renowned all over the wealthier parts of the city. But she was known as Sarah, the artist of the rich. Not Sarah, the sketcher from the slums.

Sarahâs decision was obvious but hard. Since she and Arthur were over with, and she had no chance of getting him back. And since if she claimed to be the Sarah all the rich people sought after, she would be disregarded as an imposter. So, therefore, there was only one thing to do. Live in the slums with her sister Mary, and support her habit until her habit would be able to support her.

Sarah tried desperately to manage in the Points, but she was no longer adept at being a poor immigrant Irish girl. She was trained to be an accomplished upper-class woman. Being taken advantage of by uncouth and unkempt men was not preferable to Sarah. She could only take prostitution for a week before having to quit. She took up sewing with the hopes that she would soon make enough money to buy art supplies, but she was out of practice and frustrated.

Sarah never made it in the Five Points. She was too refined, too assimilated to the Manchester Mansion, to ever break back into the mold of poverty. During the two years she lived in the Points, she never changed out of her long, flowing, expensive, Victorian dress. Her misery soon got the better of her. She became very weak when she was twenty-one, and developed Yellow Fever. She passed away shortly there after. I guess itâs true, then, that the Five Points is for the Pointers only; it gets the better of everyone else.