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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31837-h.zip b/31837-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a706d30 --- /dev/null +++ b/31837-h.zip diff --git a/31837-h/31837-h.htm b/31837-h/31837-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3999ec4 --- /dev/null +++ b/31837-h/31837-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12912 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Little Wolf, by Mrs. M. A. Cornelius. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .chaphead {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 1.2em; + font-variant: small-caps;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em; text-align: center; + padding: 0 10px 0 0;} + + p.dropcap {text-indent: -10px; } + p.author {text-align: right; margin-right: 2em;} + .regards {text-align: right; margin-right: 4em;} + .salute {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Wolf, by M. A. Cornelius + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Little Wolf + A Tale of the Western Frontier + +Author: M. A. Cornelius + +Release Date: April 1, 2010 [EBook #31837] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE WOLF *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from scans of public domain material produced by +Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h1>Little Wolf.</h1> + +<h2>A TALE<br /> +<small>OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER.</small></h2> + + +<h5>BY<br /> +<big>MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS.</big></h5> + +<h5><big>CINCINNATI:</big><br /> +JOURNAL AND MESSENGER,<br /> +<small>No. 178 ELM STREET.</small></h5> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h5>Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by<br /> +MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS,<br /> +In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.<br /> +</h5> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS:</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p>A sad breakfast—The Sherman Family—The Language +of Flowers—What a Young Man was sure of—The Parting +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_5">5</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p>Pendleton—The Revelation at the Saloon—Euphonious +names—The Encounter—Our Heroine Appears +and Highwaymen Disappear +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<p>A Reign of Confusion—Bloody Jim—Little Wolf's Allies +Prepare for Defence—Family Trouble +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER IV.</h4> + +<p>More Troubles—Who was Bloody Jim—His Attempt +at Kidnapping Little Wolf—The Cause of His Hatred +and the Terror he Inspired +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_41">41</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER V.</h4> + +<p>Dr. Goodrich leaves with Daddy as Guide—Daddy's +War-like Preparations—His Testimony to the Curse of Strong +Drink—What they Discovered on their way to the Village +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_53">53</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER VI.</h4> + +<p>The Saloon Keeper—Comforting Reflections—The +Unwelcome Call—Diabolical Plotting +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_70">70</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER VII.</h4> + +<p>Music—The Warning—Preparations for Winter +Interrupted—The Welcome Boat +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER VIII.</h4> + +<p>The Love-letter—Discussion—A Quick Ride—Too +Late—Violence and Death +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_89">89</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER IX.</h4> + +<p>Bloody Jim's Advantages—The Fainting Captive—The +Tragic Quarrel—Outwitted at Last—The Refuge +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_100">100</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER X.</h4> + +<p>The Kidnapper's Surprise—On the Wrong Track—Bloody +Jim's Capture—The Rotten Plank +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_108">108</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XI.</h4> + +<p>Harmless Conspiracy—The Ghost—The Wife Murderer—Tippling +and Tattling—Misrepresentations +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XII.</h4> + +<p>The Cottage in the Grove—The Disguise—Back to +Health—Impatience—Searching the Box—Antoinette +La Clair's Story +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_129">129</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XIII.</h4> + +<p>Twofold Agony—Dr. Goodrich's Promise—Home +Again—Lilly Foot—The Convalescent—The Neighborhood +Wedding—News from Chimney Rock—The Sherman Family at the West +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XIV.</h4> + +<p>Rough Roads—The Happy Bridegroom—Jacob Mentor's +Experience—Fairy Knoll—A Joyful Meeting +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_160">160</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XV.</h4> + +<p>Busy Preparations and the Climax—The Lovers—Tom +Tinknor's Discovery—General Rejoicings—The Idol Defaced +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_170">170</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XVI.</h4> + +<p>Painful Recollections—The Last Boat of the Season—Ruffled +Plumes—Reconciliation +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_181">181</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XVII.</h4> + +<p>Winter Sports—The Doctor's Visits—Preparations +for New Year's Day—A Discussion +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_189">189</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XVIII.</h4> + +<p>The New Year's Ball—A Check to Festivity—The +Midnight Ride—Death in the Old Brown House +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_201">201</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XIX.</h4> + +<p>Neighborly Sympathy—Little Wolf's Bosom Friend +A Disappointed Lover +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_215">215</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XX.</h4> + +<p>A Weight of Sorrow—Marrying a Drunkard—Suspense +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_227">227</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXI.</h4> + +<p>Daddy's Diplomacy—A Passage at Arms—Fannie +Green—A Catastrophe +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_235">235</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXII.</h4> + +<p>The Rescue +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIII.</h4> + +<p>An Indian Messenger—Frozen to Death +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_260">260</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIV.</h4> + +<p>A Crisis—Pride and Folly +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_271">271</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXV.</h4> + +<p>The Sleighing Party—Clara Hastings—Mother and Son +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_280">280</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXVI.</h4> + +<p>Letter Writing—Daddy's Nocturnal Labors and early Walk +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_294">294</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXVII.</h4> + +<p>Doing and Getting Good—Wycoff's Reform +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_308">308</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h4> + +<p>Daddy's Soliloqy—A Beer-Soaker—A Knock-Down +Argument—A Present for Little Wolf +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_323">323</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXIX.</h4> + +<p>A Chapter of Accidents and Deliverances +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_333">333</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXX.</h4> + +<p>Another Saloon Scene—The Bridal Trousseau—The Lovely Nurse +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_341">341</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXI.</h4> + +<p>Threats—Little Wolf and Black Hawk—Tragic Death of Hank Glutter +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_354">354</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXII.</h4> + +<p>The May Day Weddings—Miss Orrecta Lippincott's +Surprise—How Old Lovers Behave +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_367">367</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h4> + +<p>The Old Brown House Deserted—The Pearl and Diamond +Ring—Mr. and Mrs. Marsden's Conjectures +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_380">380</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h4> + +<p>A Trip to California—Jumping Overboard—The +Grand Supper and what Came of it—The Captain's Little Daughter +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_393">393</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXV.</h4> + +<p>A Visit to Mrs. Sherman's Room—Daddy and his +New Spouse—Ominous Signs +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_408">408</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h4> + +<p>More News from Little Wolf—Tom Tinknor's Testimony +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_415">415</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h4> + +<p>Another Death in the Old Brown House +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_423">423</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h4> + +<p>Daddy's Temperance Lecture +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_430">430</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h4> + +<p>Death in Mid Ocean—Love Making and a Double Wedding +<span class='pagenum'><a href="#Page_448">448</a></span></p> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h1>LITTLE WOLF.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A sad breakfast—The Sherman Family—The +language of flowers—What a Young Man was sure of—The +Parting.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capE.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="E" title="E" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">arly in the morning of a long ago midsummer's +day, the inmates of a quiet +New England home were making unusual +preparations for the approaching repast. +The mistress of the house was ostensibly +overseeing the table; but there was an uncertainty +in her movements, which indicated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +a contradictory mingling of interest and abstraction, +such as agitates the mind, when +trifles intrude on more weighty matters. Not +so the maid in attendance, who had served +in her present capacity for more than twenty +years, and was without dispute an adept in +the culinary department, if not in affairs of +the heart. She was not so obtuse, however, +in the present instance, as not to perceive the +uncomfortable state of her mistress, and, notwithstanding the pressure +of business in hand, she magnanimously paused a moment to attempt a +word of comfort. How to approach a subject which had been continually +on the lips of the whole family for weeks, was now the poor girl's +difficulty. Every instant was precious. She was in a measure +neglecting the smoking viands under her supervision, and her long +established reputation as cook was in jeopardy. At this critical +juncture she blundered out, "Mrs. Sherman, it's a pity; indeed, it is, +that he, that Edward, is bent on going."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, Recta," interrupted a musical voice +reproachfully, "ma is already convinced that +it is a pity Edward is going. It remains for +us to persuade her that he will speedily return."</p> + +<p>"Bless my heart, is that Miss Louise?" +said Recta, turning to the person who had so +unceremoniously interrupted her condolements. +"Well, now, I declare," she continued, +"if I ain't beat. Young girls have great arts +of covering up their feelings. There's Miss +Louise taking on, and walking her chamber +all night, and now she's telling me what to +say as unconcerned as if this wasn't the last +meal she was going to enjoy with her only +brother."</p> + +<p>"O fie, Recta, haven't I told you that Edward +is coming home again soon," said Louise, +and, she added with a blush, "You must +have heard kitty in your dreams, and magnified +her step into mine. You know you have +often said my tread was as light as Tabby's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But it wasn't, last night," persisted the +other, "it was as heavy as lead."</p> + +<p>The blush deepened on the young lady's +cheek; not so much on account of the audacity +with which this privileged servant had +assailed her veracity, as for other and more +private reasons, herein unfolded. It was not +indeed, the distress occasioned by her brother's +departure, which, as intimated in the +preceding conversation, was about to occur, +that she desired to hide; but there was one +to accompany him, on whom she had bestowed +more than a sister's love, and furthermore, +this friend, having arrived the day before, +had progressed, perhaps farther in his suit +than on any former occasion, Such being +the state of the case, it was natural, that, +with her lover under the same roof, she should +be jealous of exhibiting feelings, others than +a sister's love would warrant. To cover her +confusion, therefore, which Recta secretly exulted +in having occasioned, she retorted;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Heavy footsteps! ridiculous! Look at +me," and she drew up her slight little figure; +"for shame, Recta; confess it was your heavy +ears, and I'll forgive you."</p> + +<p>Recta compressed her lips and Louise immediately +changed her tactics.</p> + +<p>"What a nice breakfast! Recta knows +what Ned likes, don't she, ma? Fie! Ned +wont stay long away from Recta and broiled +chickens, will he, ma?"</p> + +<p>Recta's lips visibly expanded. "I reckon +he won't stay long away from Miss Louise +and flowers," said she, glancing at a beautiful +bouquet, which Louise held in her hand.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they lovely, Recta? I've just +gathered them fresh for Edward. Now I'll +arrange them on the table, while you put on +the hot dishes.'"</p> + +<p>"Gathered for Edward, as much as they +are for me," muttered the unconquered servant. +"Roses and forget-me-nots mean—well, +George Goodrich will know what they +mean; that's enough."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>As dispatch was no mean part of the cook's +accomplishments, it was not long before the +parties mentioned in her private conjectures +were seated at the breakfast table, in company +with the family, the names of all of whom +we know already. It will be observed that +allusion has been made to but one parent. +The memory of the other, still lived fresh in +the affections of his wife and children, and +deserves first notice among those whose plans +and persons we shall endeavor in a few words, +to introduce more minutely to the reader.</p> + +<p>Judge Sherman was a man, who, through a +long and active life, was distinguished for inflexible +integrity, and, by means of sterling +talents, he rose to the first rank in his +profession as a lawyer. He married at an +early age, although his courtship approached +closely to the term of years which Jacob +served for Rachel. Political differences of +opinion were the obstacles which opposed his +suit. In those days the Federalists and Democrats +indulged in animosities as bitter as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +those which existed between the Jews and +Samaritans. The latter party, being in its +infancy, could ill afford to lose even a petticoat +from its ranks. Luckily for the young +Federalist, the lady of his choice was in her +heart a rebel to her father's will and purposes. +But after she became Mrs. Sherman, +the united influences of both did not annihilate +the opposite party, as its future history, +clearly demonstrates. The ball, set rolling +by Jefferson, continued to roll on, and Judge +Sherman, to the day of his death, never saw +his favorite principles triumph. In his efforts +of a pecuniary nature he was more successful. +He had accumulated a handsome property, +consisting mainly of many broad acres of well-cultivated +Massachusetts soil, which, for a long course of years, had been in +charge of a faithful and efficient tenant, occupying a cottage a short +distance from his own dwelling, a plain old-fashioned house, situated +on an airy knoll near the centre of his domains.</p> + +<p>Here, for nearly two years after her husband's +death, Mrs. Sherman lived in seclusion,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +receiving only occasional visits from her children, +Edward and Louise. The son being +engaged in studying his father's profession, +while the daughter was at school preparing +herself, it would be safe to say, to follow her +mother's business. Indeed, it was a fixed +fact in her own mind, that when George +Goodrich, her brother's warm friend and her +ladyship's still warmer admirer, should become +established in his profession as a physician, +she would then trust herself to his care, +without fear of poverty or disease. But the +young M. D. having no patrimony, and becoming +disgusted with the slow path in which +he was treading to fortune, resolved to turn +his course into a rougher road at the far +West.</p> + +<p>About the same time, Edward Sherman, +having been admitted to the Bar, with no +other reason except Yankee restlessness and +craving, turned his thoughts in a similar +direction. On discovering to each other their +mutual proclivities, the friends determined to +set out together, as soon as Edward could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +gain his mother's consent, for the Territory +of Minnesota. With characteristic nobleness +and fortitude, Mrs. Sherman sacrificed her +her own to her son's wishes, and it was not +until the morning of his departure, that her +courage faltered.</p> + +<p>Mother-like she sat at the head of the +table, unable to swallow a mouthful herself, +while urging every delicacy upon her darling +son.</p> + +<p>"Do, dear Edward, have another cup of +coffee," she pleaded, observing that his cup +was empty, while his breakfast remained untasted.</p> + +<p>"Well, just to accommodate," said Edward +smiling. "I really have not much appetite +this morning."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you can relish it, Mr. Edward," +said Recta, in a whining tone. "It's seasoned +with old Spot's cream, and I'm thinking it +will be a long time before you'll taste any +more tame milk, out there among them wild +cattle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this remark, the great square dining-room +rang with the laughter of the younger +occupants of the old-fashioned straight backed +chairs,—this being the only room in the house, +to which the progressive spirit had not yet +extended, except, indeed, that which was +manifested in the cut glass decanters, standing +<i>empty</i> on the handsome sideboard.</p> + +<p>A deep convulsive sob broke from Mrs. +Sherman, and the merriment instantly ceased. +The mother leaned forward and covering her +face with her hands, gave vent to her long +suppressed feelings. Edward was by her side +in an instant, and throwing his arms around +her neck, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Mother, I will not leave you!"</p> + +<p>"Then I can't go alone," whispered George +Goodrich to Louise.</p> + +<p>"Ma," said Louise, "Dr. Goodrich says he +will stay, too."</p> + +<p>"No, not quite that," said the embarrassed +lover.</p> + +<p>"O, you must both go," interrupted Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +Sherman, recovering with an effort her presence +of mind; "and we are wasting precious +time," she continued, pointing to the clock, +with returning firmness.</p> + +<p>The old clock which occupied one corner +in seven feet grandeur, would as soon have +thought of stopping to indulge in sighs and +tears, as would Mrs. Sherman, when her +spirit was moved to the necessity for action. +So, all the scruples of her son were peremptorily +shut out of existence, and Recta, +frowned into silence, withheld the probe, +which, having fallen into the common error, +she had mistaken for the healing salve.</p> + +<p>In passing briefly over the season of parting, +there is an item which should claim +special attention for a moment, as it is intimately +connected with the destination of our +adventurers.</p> + +<p>As Edward stood by the family carriage, +which was to transport them to the public +conveyance, while waiting for his friend, who +had appropriated to himself a private moment +with Louise, Mrs. Sherman inquired rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +anxiously, "Edward, have you that letter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother," and, more to fill up an unpleasant +gap of time than to prove his veracity, +he produced from his pocket the missive. +It was superscribed, "Dr. DeWolf, +Chimney Rock, Minnesota Territory."</p> + +<p>Prompted by the same motive which had +actuated the other, Mrs. Sherman repeated +some of her previous instructions.</p> + +<p>"Now, Edward, when you arrive at Penddleton, +by all means make an immediate +effort to discover the whereabouts of Dr. DeWolf. +I should much like to hear from your +father's early friend. I think he states, in +the only letter we have ever received from +him, that he has fixed his home at Chimney +Rock, in the vicinity of Pendleton. However, +he may have removed from there by +this time, although he was not of a roving +disposition. The persuasions of an affectionate +wife, who saw with anxiety, her husband's +growing love for the wine cup, induced him +to emigrate to the far West. In breaking +away from the associations which led him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +form the habit, she hoped he might attain +that rank in his profession, which his brilliant +youth had promised. Edward," and here +Mrs. Sherman's voice sank to a whisper, +"your father was saved about that time. It +was by signing the Washingtonian Temperance +Pledge. Be warned, my son, and flee +the temptation which had well nigh stigmatized +you as a drunkard's son. I have always +intended to tell you this, but the subject was +too harrowing. I could not do it."</p> + +<p>"You might have saved yourself the pain, +now, mother," said Edward proudly; "There +is no danger of <i>me</i>."</p> + +<p>That positive declaration came from just +such a son, as many a widowed mother and +affectionate sister have doted on. Generous, +warm-hearted, and strikingly handsome, Edward +Sherman, appeared a perfect type of +manhood. Were it not that the noblest forms +have sometimes hid blemished souls the world +had not so often been baptized in tears.</p> + +<p>The lovers were now at hand. Time had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +flown with them on a "dove's wings," and its +flutterings lightened their last adieu.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Pendleton—The Revelation at the +Saloon—Euphonious names—The encounter—Our +heroine appears and highwaymen disappear.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capA.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="A" title="A" /> +</div><p class="dropcap"> journey of a few days brought +our travellers to the lively, bustling +village, which for convenience we have +named Pendleton, situated on the Upper Mississippi. +After several hours of rest and refreshment +at their hotel, they sallied out to +enjoy a pedestrian excursion in the cool of +the day. Not much of the place of their sojourn +was visible. Gaslight, had not wandered +so far from its birthplace. The enterprising +inhabitants, however, had manufac<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>tured +an article by the same name, but it was +never known to generate light. The wagging +of the machinery was all that came of it.</p> + +<p>"Lager Beer," pronounced Edward Sherman, +glancing at the gilt letters, that stood +out in bold relief on the illumined window of +a fashionable saloon, which they were at the +moment passing.</p> + +<p>"Yes, lager beer," repeated George Goodrich, +musingly. "Ned, what a nation of +beer drinkers we are becoming. Not at the +east only, but these western towns seem to +have a beer saloon at every corner."</p> + +<p>"Well, Doctor, what is more harmless than +beer? Come, let us turn back and take a +glass;" and suiting the action to the word, Edward +had passed behind the screen which +shaded the entrance, before the expostulations +of his companion, who followed mechanically, +could reach his ear.</p> + +<p>While Edward was leisurely sipping his +lager, the loud and angry voices of a party +of young men, who were in the act of leav<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>ing +an adjoining apartment, used as a billiard +saloon, attracted his attention. As a lady +proved to be the cause of the altercation, we +will do them the justice to state that they were +decidedly under the influence of stimulants, +One of their number, less insane than his +companions, was endeavoring to quell the +disturbance.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "the name of a +lady, whom we all respect should not be used +too freely."</p> + +<p>"Just so," chimed in another, "I say, let +the matter rest."</p> + +<p>"The hatchet is buried. Peace, peace, to +Dr. DeWolf and his lovely daughter, forever," +sang out the third.</p> + +<p>The name and place, introduced in the +quarrel, quite satisfied Edward that the +daughter of his father's friend was the subject +of the altercation.</p> + +<p>"I've had a revelation to-night, George," +said Edward, when they were again in the +street.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then your eyes were opened, and you +saw the handwriting on the wall, did you? +Pity, those poor fools we left behind, could +not borrow your optics."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Doctor, you're on the wrong track. +It has been revealed to me, that Dr. DeWolf +has a lovely daughter, and—come, now, don't +interrupt me with your old-fashioned, worn-out +temperance hobby—as I was about to +say, I have in my possession a letter of introtion +to said DeWolf. He was formerly a +friend of father's, and, of course, it will be +my duty to cultivate his acquaintance and +that of his lovely daughter, as early as possible,—say +to-morrow. What say you, friend +sober-sides? You know, my particular weakness +is a lovely lady."</p> + +<p>"Why, it's no affair of mine, Ned. Flirting +is out of my line. But, how do you +know the lady is lovely?"</p> + +<p>"Why, was it not revealed to me, through +the imprudence of a whole bevy of her admirers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, but, Ned, the ravings of a set of +drunken rowdies is not conclusive evidence."</p> + +<p>"True," said Edward more seriously, "but," +smiling again, "it's a young lady, anyhow, +and I hope she is handsome."</p> + +<p>Nothing further was said on the subject +that evening, but, on the day following, +young Sherman was informed by the landlord, +of whom he inquired, that Dr. DeWolf resided +at Chimney Rock, about five miles distant, +and to the question, "Has he a family?" +replied, "But one daughter, a beauty of +some celebrity."</p> + +<p>The informant observed the gratified +twinkle in the eye of his guest and was not +surprised when Edward ordered a carriage to +be in readiness for him directly after dinner.</p> + +<p>"The road is precipitous in some places, +and horseback riding is considered safer," +suggested the landlord.</p> + +<p>"Well, two saddle horses, then," replied +the other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Accordingly, at the time above specified, +our adventurers, each mounted on a dapple +gray, set out for Chimney Rock. The scorching +sun, and dusty streets, and poor little +withered flowers by the wayside, prodigals +from the adjoining valley, were soon exchanged +for the "Valley Road," fringed with +the loveliest specimens of the floral family, +and cooled by the shade of the surrounding +bluffs. Like all other things in life, this part +of their journey was of short duration.</p> + +<p>"Half a mile on this road," said Edward, +reining in his steed, and repeating previous +instructions, "brings us to the 'Siamese Twins' +a double bluff singularly joined towards the +top by the projection of an enormous rock. +Now, we are here, and no mistake, then turn +to the right."</p> + +<p>"And keep the road as best we may," +said Dr. Goodrich, raising his hat, and wiping +the perspiration from his brow. "Well, +come on."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>They went on, on and on, over rocks and +ledges and fallen trees; fording streams and +climbing heights (for they had lost their way) +until the lengthened twilight, attendant on +the summer evenings of Minnesota, began to +darken into night.</p> + +<p>At this junction, when it may be readily +imagined that Edward Sherman's ardor had +somewhat cooled, and the emotions of his +fellow traveller were not of the most agreeable +nature, alternate snatches of song-singing +and whistling were heard, not far distant. +The bewildered parties rode hastily forward, +and met the musician.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell how far we are from Chimney +Rock, my friend? We have lost our +way," said Edward frankly.</p> + +<p>"Why no, you ain't lost your way neither," +replied the stranger roughly. "You +are there, now. Just ride round the 'tother +side of this bluff, and you'll see all there is +of it."</p> + +<p>"Well, can you inform me where Dr. DeWolf +lives?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess I can. Keep right straight +ahead, when you get the 'tother side of the +Pass, there. That road takes you down to +Hog Run, and the Run takes you to Beer +Holler, and the brewery is right in the Holler, +and 'tother side of that, on the hill, is Dr. +DeWolf's."</p> + +<p>"What a huddle of euphonious names," +exclaimed the Doctor, after having proffered +a "Thank you, sir," to the individual who +had so opportunely appeared. "Beer Hollow +will be just suited to your mind, Ned. In +that romantic spot, inhaling the perfume of +your favorite beverage, love making will be +doubly intoxicating."</p> + +<p>"Hush, Doctor, eavesdroppers ahead," +said Edward, pointing towards the Pass.</p> + +<p>Now, the Pass was nothing more than a +narrow strip of table land, serving as a passage +way between the Mississippi River, and +a towering bluff. The view of the river was +here intercepted by a thick grove of trees +and shrubbery, which our horsemen had already +entered. They did not, therefore, see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +the tiny green skiff, with its sprinkling of +white letters on the bow, christening it "Comet," +shoot ahead, and dart into the little cove +near by, one of the most romantic and cosy +of those emerald-hung parlors opening from +the grand reception hall, of the "Father of +Waters." Neither did they see the fair occupant +rise on tip-toe, and peep mischieveously, +through the festooned loopholes of the forest.</p> + +<p>But they saw the dark objects to which +the last speaker had called attention, partially +concealed by the trees. The beast on +which Edward was mounted stopped suddenly, +shivering, apparently with fear. Instantaneously, +two dark figures darted from +their lurking places, and, in low gutteral tones +demanded money. Unarmed, and completely +in the power of the ruffians, who each, pistol +in hand, held firmly by bit and bridle, the +horse of his victim, the part of wisdom, +seemed to be to surrender.</p> + +<p>At that instant, a slight figure glided from +the thicket behind the waylayers, and cau<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>tiously +drawing forth a revolver which projected +from the belt of the nearest, placed +the muzzle at his back and fired. He fell +with a deep groan. Another discharge followed +quickly, and his companion reeled +several yards, seizing convulsively trees and +shrubbery, and finally, was heard sliding +down the bank towards the river.</p> + +<p>"Now, ride for your lives, there's more of +them," said their deliverer, in a voice husky +with excitement.</p> + +<p>"What will you do?" said Edward.</p> + +<p>"Take my skiff."</p> + +<p>"No, mount here, quick," and he drew her +up, and set off at full speed.</p> + +<p>"Now, turn here, now up that hill; now +we are there," the lady faintly articulated, as +they flew along, and drew up before her +father's door.</p> + +<p>The house at which they had arrived, was +the residence of Dr. DeWolf, and the heroine +of the adventure, was no other than the +Doctor's only daughter, quaintly named, Lit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>tle +Wolf. She had been, as was her wont, +on a short independent trip up the river. In +the full enjoyment of the romantic scenery +and twilight hour, night had stolen upon her +unawares. Warned of her imprudence by +the distant clatter of horses, she immediately +turned homeward. The swift current aided +her efforts, and she neared the Pass, just in +time to overhear all that was said. Not satisfied +with the dim outline of objects, which +a peep through the leaves disclosed, she +sprang to the shore, and catching by the +branch of an overhanging tree, drew herself +up the steep bank. The part which she performed +in the perilous encounter is already +known to the reader, but the leading motives +which prompted it, will be better understood +hereafter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A reign of confusion—Bloody Jim—Little +Wolf's allies prepare for defence—Family trouble.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capA.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="A" title="A" /> +</div><p class="dropcap"> shout from the fugitives brought +several faces to the window, and from +the door hobbled an old man. He +cautiously peered into the gloom, and finally +at the sound of a familliar voice sidled up to +Edward and his charge.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, what's the matter?" +said he.</p> + +<p>"It's me, help me down, daddy, do, I'm +tired," said Little Wolf, in feeble tones.</p> + +<p>"O, lamb, O, honey, O, pet, is it you?" ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>claimed +the old dotard, trembling with apprehension. +"'Tween you and me, what has +happened to the darling?"</p> + +<p>"O, nothing, daddy, only I saw Bloody +Jim, and I'm afraid there's more of them."</p> + +<p>"O, my Lord, did you? O, my Lord, the +men are down to the brewery. O, my, +'tween you and me, what <i>shall</i> we do?"</p> + +<p>Perceiving the old man's utter incapacity +to the exigency, Edward threw his rein to +the Doctor, and immediately bore the young +lady into the house. The old man followed, +grasping his arm, and shouting in his ear at +every step, "'Tween you and me, she saw +Bloody Jim, did she—she saw him—did +she—ha!"</p> + +<p>"In the ante-room, they were met by a +little bustling elderly woman, in cap and +spectacles. "O, daddy, what is it?" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"O, mammy," he cried, releasing Edward, +and laying hold on his wife,—a method by +which he invaribly compelled attention,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +"'tween you and me, she's seen Bloody Jim +she has; she says there's more of them, she +does."</p> + +<p>"Why, you, old fool, why don't you do +something?" said the woman, shaking him +off with a jerk. "Lock the doors, shut the +windows, call Sorrel Top; blow the horn. Is +the love hurt?" turning anxiously to Little +Wolf, who was reclining on the sofa.</p> + +<p>Mammy had hastily snatched up the small +lamp, with which the apartment was dimly +lighted, and, as she was scrutinizing her pet, +Edward obtained a full view of the young +lady's features. He gave a sudden start, and +the blood rushed to his face. Was it the +lady he had so frequently seen on Broadway, +a few months since? he asked himself. Yes, +the very same; that countenance was not +easily forgotten. Why, she was a New York +belle, was his first reflection. Our heroine's +voice was still low and agitated as she replied, +"O, no, mammy, not hurt, only frightened. +You attend to the gentlemen and the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +I can take care of myself. I feel better +now."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, rest here, love; you look +pale. Now don't move; don't get excited; +nobody shall hurt the pet, I'll tell Sorrel +Top to bring you a glass of water."</p> + +<p>Amidst the slamming of doors and rattling +of windows, mammy was heard calling at +the top of her voice, "Sorrel Top, Sorrel, +take a glass of water to the parlor;" and to +the parlor hastened Sorrel Top. But meeting +daddy at the door, she was forcibly detained, +and subjected to his deafening vociferations, +rendered doubly aggravating, by his +using the ear of his auditor as one would a +speaking trumpet. The burden of his song, +was still "Bloody Jim, Bloody Jim!"</p> + +<p>"Who cares for Bloody Jim;" said Sorrel +Top angrily; "I don't care for him, nor none +of his tribe. Let me go, you, torment."</p> + +<p>Daddy held his ground, for he bore in +mind firstly: that Sorrel Top was his fellow +servant; secondly, she possessed no great +strength of muscle or nerve, and, thirdly and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +lastly, that she was a helpless widow, whom +it was no sin to call Sorrel Top, because of +her enormous growth of reddish hair.</p> + +<p>Edward stepped forward to relieve Sorrel +Top of the glass of water, which she was +holding at arm's length, and at the same +time suggested that a little brandy might be +beneficial to the lady.</p> + +<p>"Brandy! Brandy! did you say?" sounded +in his ear like a knell, and he was caught in +the old man's trap. "Laws! young man, +she'd as soon drink a rattle snake; she's +down on brandy; she's down on the hull of +that infarnel stuff. Spirits of every kind is +her abhorrence.</p> + +<p>The Doctor was highly amused at his +friend's predicament, and, giving him a sly +wink, remarked, "Beer will do as well, Ned, +and it is perfectly harmless, you know."</p> + +<p>The Doctor's turn had come, In a still +higher stage of excitment, daddy pounced upon +him. "Young man," he thundered, "beer +harmless? 'tween you and me, lager beer is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +the devil's pison, slow but sure. Don't you +believe me?"</p> + +<p>"Coax him away, Sorrel Top," said Little +Wolf, rousing herself.</p> + +<p>"Come, daddy, Miss DeWolf wants us to +be off, she says so," said Sorrel Top, resolutely +approaching him.</p> + +<p>"Me go! O, no, 'tween you an' me, I +must stay and protect the love." The Doctor +was instantly released. His assailant had +embarked in a new enterprise. But Sorrel +Top was firm.</p> + +<p>"What good are you doing, I should like +to know," she said.</p> + +<p>"What good be you a doing, you, hussy?" +reiterated daddy; don't you hear mammy +blowing the horn; 'tween me an' you, she's +short winded. I'll protect the pet."</p> + +<p>"Never mind me, daddy," said the young +mistress, now quite revived; "if you ain't +afraid, you had better assist mammy."</p> + +<p>She had touched her would-be-protector in +a sensitive spot, and he vehemently ejaculated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +"me afraid; not I. 'Tween you and me, +what should I be afraid of, I would like to +know?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of Bloody Jim."</p> + +<p>The old man glanced dubiously towards +the door, and slid out.</p> + +<p>Edward eagerly seized the propitious +moment to formerly introduce himself and +companion, to their fair preserver. Mutual +explanation followed, and Little Wolf cordially +welcomed our friends to Chimney Rock. +"Father is at the brewery," she said, "he'll +be in directly; the horn is our alarm bell."</p> + +<p>"Is there any further danger to be apprehended?" +said Edward; "I think you killed +them both."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf suddenly changed countenance.</p> + +<p>Her beautiful, bewitching face had been +half hidden by curls, and covered with +blushes, from the moment her faintness had +passed off, and, but for the twinkle of those +mischief-loving brown eyes, and certain unmistakable +movements of her slight figure,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +she might have passed for meekness itself. +To those, therefore, who were unacquainted +with her peculiarly nervous and impulsive +temperament, the change in her apperance +was rather surprising. With one sweep of +her plump little hand, she tossed back the +ringlets from her brow, and frowningly declared +she wished she had killed them. "I +didn't kill them, though," she said, "or, at +all events, I killed but one; the other, +Bloody Jim, he's called, I cannot kill. I've +tried it before. He's my evil genius. He +carried me off bodily, once, just before I +went away to school."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Edward, deeply interested, +"how did you escape?"</p> + +<p>"O, a gentleman rescued me."</p> + +<p>Edward said "indeed" again, but his tone +was <i>slightly</i> changed. He did not feel <i>quite</i> +as comfortable, as he had a moment before; +but in the unpleasant scene which immediately +followed, his chagrin passed unnoticed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sound of the horn, had brought to the +house, all the loungers at the brewery who +were in a condition to render aid, and some +who were not. Among the last named was +Dr. DeWolf, who staggered to the parlor, and +boisterously demanded, "What's all this fuss +about?"</p> + +<p>He was in the first stage of drunkenness, +and consequently more difficult to manage +than he would have been an hour or two +later, when he was usually brought home in +a helpless condition.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf made a desperate struggle to +appear composed.</p> + +<p>"O, nothing," she replied with the slightest +possible quiver in her voice, "I saw Bloody +Jim, that's all."</p> + +<p>"That's enough," murmured the parent, +sinking into a chair. The very mention of +that name seemed to have completely sobered +him. For, bloated and inebriated though he +was, paternal love still lived, a green spot in +the waste, which alcoholic fires had not yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +burned out. He sat for a moment in silence, +pressing his hand to his brow, and then, without +appearing to notice his guests, abruptly +left the room.</p> + +<p>His daughter hastily excused herself, and +followed him. Once outside the door, she +drew a long breath, but shill choking down +her mortified feelings, she bounded across +the adjoining room, and meeting mammy, +paused to give a few necessary orders.</p> + +<p>"O, laws, honey," objected mammy, "I can't +do nothing, and I can't get nobody else to do +nothing. O, laws, honey, what if Bloody +Jim should come? the men are half of 'em +drunk; we'll all go to destruction together."</p> + +<p>"O, fudge, mammy, Bloody Jim is shot; +there's no danger. Come, now, you do as I +tell you. I <i>must</i> go to my room a minute." +and she flew into the hall and up the long +staircase, as if she had wings, leaving mammy +muttering to herself.</p> + +<p>"Poor motherless child; sich as this is +enough to make the honey stiddy; dear me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +there's no stiddying her—clean gone mad, I +declare.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>More troubles—Who was Bloody Jim—his +attempt at kidnapping Little Wolf—The cause of his hatred and +of the terror he inspired.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capQ.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="Q" title="Q" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">uite like a little fury, Little Wolf +burst into her own private apartment. +Locking the door, she stopped suddenly +and stamped, in a paroxism of grief and +vexation.</p> + +<p>"A drunkard's child!" she said scornfully +"Disgrace!—I hate everybody!—I wish I'd +shot myself!—I wish I was dead!—I wish +father—" she did not finish the sentence; a +loud knock at the door interrupted her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who's there?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Me," said Sorrel Top.</p> + +<p>"Go away," said her young mistress, imperatively.</p> + +<p>"Mammy sent me," said Sorrel Top, "the +Doctor is dying."</p> + +<p>"O, God!" exclaimed Little Wolf, in an +agony, "I have got my wish."</p> + +<p>Trembling violently, she descended to the +parlor and found her father stretched out on +the sofa in an apoplectic fit. Wild and reckless +as her words had been, Little Wolf +would not for the world have seen her wishes +fulfilled, and she was spared the remorse, +which under the peculiar circumstances, her +father's death would have occasioned.</p> + +<p>Not having perceived how completely her +information respecting Bloody Jim, had +brought her father to his senses, she little +dreamed that, while she was giving orders to +mammy, he was in another part of the house +inspecting the fastenings of the doors and +shutters. Finding all secure, he returned to +the parlor, in order to learn the particulars of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +her meeting with the being, whose very name +had created such terror and dismay throughout +the household. Observing young Sherman +and Dr. Goodrich, he attempted to +address them, but suddenly lost the power of +speech.</p> + +<p>It was many hours before Dr. Goodrich +dared give any encouragement of his recovery +to his almost distracted daughter. All night +long, she watched, with the young physician +and Edward, by his bedside.</p> + +<p>Daddy and others, kept a bright look out +for the enemy; but he had been too badly +wounded, to attempt any further violence +that night.</p> + +<p>For reasons unknown to any except the +parties concerned, Dr. DeWolf had, in the +person of Bloody Jim, a revengeful and +deadly enemy. He belonged to the Red +River half-breeds. Several years before, +while a company of his people were encamped +in the vicinity of St. Paul, on the upper Mississippi, +for the purpose of trafficking with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +the whites, Dr. DeWolf had paid them a +chance visit.</p> + +<p>As some alleviation to the insupportable +loneliness, which the recent death of his wife +occasioned, he accepted the invitation, of his +friend and financial adviser, Squire Tinknor, +to spend a few weeks with him, in the place +above mentioned. This friend, was unfortunately, +for a man of the Doctor's irregular +habits, wealthy, wild and dissipated. Together +they sought out and visited every +place of amusement. Returning in company, +from a horse race, one pleasant afternoon, +they came in sight of the tented village, +occupied by this demi-savage people. +The novelty attracted the Doctor's attention +and he insisted on alighting. "I must see +what they've got in there," he said, pointing +towards a tent from which the sound of music +was heard.</p> + +<p>Peeping slyly through a crack in the canvas, +he saw the music-maker, a young girl, +carelessly drawing a bow across the strings of +a dilapitated violin, while her own very sweet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +voice, dropped out a gay stanza, in broken +English. She was alone; so the Doctor +boldly lifted the door and went in. Five, +ten and fifteen minutes, his companion impatiently +awaited his appearance, and at length, +seriously disturbed at his absence, he shouted +his name.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said the Doctor from within, +"I'm coming."</p> + +<p>"What detained you so deuced long," +said his friend, when they were again on +their way.</p> + +<p>"O, playing the agreeable to a little fool, +who was sawing away on a greasy fiddle," +said the recent widower of forty-five, or +more. He was careful not to mention that +the "little fool," was beautifully formed, +with ruddy checks, with dark, loving eyes +and, being rather handsome himself, he +had conceived the idea of captivating her +silly heart. The story of the "Spider and +the fly," fitly illustrates the means by which +his purpose was afterwards accomplished.</p> + +<p>His inamorata had innocently informed him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +that her protector, "brother Jim," spent the +most of his time in the city, and the Doctor +soon discovered that her savage looking relative +frequently drank to excess. Under such +favorable circumstances it required but little +management to elude his vigilance. But, +after the mischief was done, it was not so +easy to escape a brother's revenge; especially +as that brother's naturally ferocious nature +had already acquired him the title of "Bloody +Jim."</p> + +<p>Not many months after the Doctor had +returned home, his punishment began. He +had just gone to the brewery to spend the +evening, when his little daughter came running +in.</p> + +<p>"O, papa," she exclaimed, panting for +breath, "I met such a great tall man out +here—he wasn't an Injin—he talked a little +like one, though. He had on a blue coat +with bright buttons, and he had such <i>awful</i> +eyes; O, dear!"</p> + +<p>"What did he say, daughter?" said the +Doctor, catching up his child, and pressing +her to his heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, he said, 'what name?' I told him papa +always called me daughter, mamma used to +call me Little Wolf, and daddy and mammy +called me honey, pet, dove, love, and <i>every +thing</i>, I wish I had a regular name, papa—I +mean to give orders to be called Little Wolf, +for mamma knew best, and she called me so."</p> + +<p>"Little Wolf it shall be," said obedient +papa. "But what next did the man say?"</p> + +<p>"O, he said 'papa's name.' I said Dr. DeWolf; +than he made such a coarse noise in +his throat, just like an Injin; I thought he +wanted to get me, so I ran in here, quick."</p> + +<p>Dr. DeWolf groaned in bitterness of spirit. +He thought of Bloody Jim, and was tortured +with vague fears of what might be. He did +not spend that evening in drinking at the +brewery. But it was the last night his child +knew a father's care. After that, he did +nothing but drink, drink. He had drank +before, in spite of the pleadings of his wife, +whom his conduct had brought to a premature +grave, and, as trouble increased, he +drank yet the more.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the moment Bloody Jim saw the +Doctor's beautiful child, he worked to gain +possession of her and spared her father's life +for a time. In pursuance of his plans he returned +to the Red River country and gathered +about him a set of lawless wretches, +whom he had before led on to deeds of violence, +and brought them to Chimney Rock. +The gang secreted themselves among the +towering bluffs in the vicinity, and, while +watching for their prey, robbed all who came +in their way. The frequent outrages committed +on travellers, spread alarm throughout +the surrounding country, and officers of justice +were dispatched in search of the perpetrators. +In this state of affairs, Bloody Jim, +resolved at once to make a bold attempt to +capture the coveted prize, and quit the +country. Selecting for his purpose, the hour +when the Doctor was in the habit of leaving +home for the brewery, he lurked in ambush, +until Little Wolf, who usually accompanied +her father the most of the way, should return +home alone, and, when the opportunity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +came, seized suddenly upon her, and, in spite +of her struggles, bore her away towards the +river. Leaping into a canoe, he threatened +her with instant death, if she made the +slightest resistance, and pushed out for the +opposite shore. It was quite dusk when +they landed on the other side. The poor +frightened child, now for the first time broke +the silence. She begged to be taken home +again; but her captor only laughed horribly. +"I Bloody Jim," said he; "how you like to +be my wife?"</p> + +<p>"O, take me home, I'm only a little girl," +pleaded Little Wolf with quivering lip.</p> + +<p>"You be big, by and by."</p> + +<p>As he said this, an unseen hand laid him +senseless on the beach. The same individual +who dealt the blow, returned the child safely +to her home, and leaving her to tell her own +story, disappeared.</p> + +<p>A chill of horror crept over the Doctor, +when mammy, the next morning, related to +him, her pet's adventure. He wrote immediately +to his friend, Squire Tinknor, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +advice. "Send the child away to boarding +school," was the counsel given, and forthwith, +the Doctor acted upon it.</p> + +<p>Four years at school, and a winter of fashionable +life in New York, transformed the +little miss into an accomplished young lady.</p> + +<p>When about to return home, she purchased +a superb brace of pistols. At her request, +Mr. Marston, the brother of the young lady +whose hospitality she had shared, selected +them for her. As he was one of those quiet, +fatherly sort of young men, who naturally +win the confidence, if not the love, of young +ladies, she felt no hesitancy in opening her +heart to him, on the subject of the pistols. +She also related to him the story of her wonderful +escape from Bloody Jim, and positively +declared that if he ever came near her again, +she intended to shoot him through the heart.</p> + +<p>"But how would you reward the person +who rescued you," said Mr. Marston, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"O, I'd do anything in the world for him," +she replied, "if I only knew who he was."</p> + +<p>"Would you love him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I'd love him."</p> + +<p>Just then the peculiar expression of her +sober friend's face startled her, and she +added, with one of her merry laughs, "provided +he was not a poky old bachelor."</p> + +<p>The bachelor perceiving that his time had +not yet come, allowed the little would-be +Amazon to depart, without again making the +slightest approach to the subject nearest his +heart.</p> + +<p>Her skill in the use of the silver-mounted +weapons, excited great admiration in the +breast of daddy, whom she usually allowed +to assist in setting up a target, because she +could not well get rid of him. His eulogies +were, on the whole, rather gratifying to her +vanity, for before his sight failed him, he had +been no mean marksman.</p> + +<p>Entirely unconscious of the dangerous resistance +to be met, Bloody Jim made his +second attempt on Little Wolf's freedom. +She was returning from a long tedious walk, +among the bluffs, at the close of a Spring +day; her revolvers hid away in the holders,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +beneath her mantle, when suddenly, her +enemy appeared in her path. Little Wolf +stood for a moment as if spell-bound. Again +she heard that horrid guttural laugh and saw +those fiendish black eyes. "I got you now," +was all he had time to say, before a ball from +her pistol pierced him. She saw him fall, +and fled. As nothing more was heard from +him, or his men, it was generally supposed +that Little Wolf had put an end to his life.</p> + +<p>Like one risen from the dead, he appeared +to her in his attack upon Dr. Goodrich and +Edward Sherman, at the Pass. She knew he +must have gone there to watch for her, and +in saving others, she had also saved herself.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Dr. Goodrich leaves with Daddy as +Guide—daddy's war-like preparations—His +testimony to the curse of strong drink—What they discovered +on their way to the Village.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/capM.jpg" width="140" height="160" alt="M" title="M" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">orning dawned fresh and beautiful. +Dr. DeWolf's symptoms continued +favorable. Refreshed and +re-invigorated, after an hour's repose, the +watchers gathered around the breakfast table +with cheerful faces. Too young and mirthful +to be very seriously affected, for any +great length of time, by what had occured, +Little Wolf joined with her guests in sipping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +coffee, and talking over the events of the +preceeding evening with becoming composure.</p> + +<p>During the meal, she slipped out to peep +into the invalid's apartment. As she flitted +from the room, the Doctor turned to Edward, +who was gazing after her with an expression +of intense admiration. "Ah, Ned," said he +"your time has come."</p> + +<p>"Fact, Doctor, I do feel queer. The little +witch is too much for me."</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?" said the Doctor, +with a professional nod.</p> + +<p>"O, leave me here to-day, Doctor. Positively, +I can't go back with you."</p> + +<p>"What, Ned, allow me to fight my way +alone, through a band of desperadoes?" said +the Doctor, with feigned trepidation.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, Doctor! there's no danger; their +chief is dead, or wounded, and they've fled +long before this time."</p> + +<p>Their young hostess broke in upon the +conference with a smiling face. "Papa is +resting very quietly," she said; "but I fear +a return of his complaint. I shall feel anx<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>ious +'till you return, Doctor, if indeed, you +still think you must go back this morning. +Could not Mr. Sherman go for you? Daddy +might show him the way."</p> + +<p>Edward cast an imploring look towards +the Doctor, who magnanimously sacrificed +his own ease to the wishes of his friend. +"It will be necessary, for me to go myself," +he replied; "but give yourself no uneaseiness, +Miss DeWolf. I do not think your +father will have a second attack. I will +accept your offer of a guide, and, with your +permission will leave my friend, Mr. Sherman, +as my proxy."</p> + +<p>There was a slight dash of malice in the +Doctor's last words, which Edward was too +grateful to notice.</p> + +<p>When the hour for setting out arrived, +daddy appeared, armed and equipped, for +what his fears had magnified into an exceedingly +perilous journey. At sight him, of Little +Wolf burst into an uncontrollable fit of +laughter. His little, insignificant figure was +girded by an old leathern belt, which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +literally stuck full, of such weapons as he +could hastily pick up, about the premises.</p> + +<p>"Bless me! what do you expect to do with +that outlandish outfit?" said his young mistress, +when she was able to speak.</p> + +<p>"Why 'fend myself, to be sure," replied +the old man indignantly.</p> + +<p>"O, fie, daddy," said she coaxingly; take +off that heavy old belt. Why it makes you +look so, and sweat so, too. Come, now, if +you will, I'll lend you one of my pistols."</p> + +<p>The old man's rising temper was quite +mollified, at the proposal of Little Wolf; for +to sport those pistols, had been an honor, to +which he had hitherto aspired in vain.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, I'll explain the case, honey," +said he, attempting to approach her; "'tween +you and me—"</p> + +<p>"O, no, no," said Little Wolf, putting her +fingers to her ears, and slipping our of his +way.</p> + +<p>"Bless her heart," said daddy, turning to +the Doctor; "that's just the way she used to +run away from me, when she was a little gal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +'Tween you and me, though, I was only going +to tell her, how it wasn't the heft of this +ere belt, that made me sweat so. It was +sharpening these ere, on the old grindstone," +and he drew forth a couple of large butcher +knives, which glistened brightly in the sunbeams.</p> + +<p>"O, those knives are just what mammy +wants in the kitchen; I heard her say so," +said Little Wolf appearing on the piazza +with the pistols.</p> + +<p>It required a vast amount of coaxing to +bring the old man to terms, but finally a compromise +was effected, and stowing a knife +away in his coat pocket, he set out with one +of the pistols, the Doctor being armed with +the other.</p> + +<p>Instead of the short cut of the night before, +the Doctor chose the more circuitous +route through the village; if a cluster of +dilapidated houses might be dignified by that +name. Dr. DeWolf's old brown residence, +situated on a high hill, with its piazza stretching +across the front, was the most imposing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +edifice to be seen. The remaining comfortless +dwellings, mostly log cabins, and board +shanties, with their broken windows and ragged +inmates, who flocked out to gaze at the +strangers, presented an appearance desolate +in the extreme. Even the shadow cast by +old Chimney Rock, after which the place was +named, added a darker aspect to the scene. +Chinmey Rock was an irregular old bluff, +standing like a grim old castle by the riverside, +its chimney-like summit, rocky and bare, +the most conspicuous object in the landscape.</p> + +<p>"What a God-forsaken place," exclaimed +the doctor, involuntarily.</p> + +<p>"'Tis so, this ere is a broke-down, one-horse +concern, and that ain't the wust on't, +nuther," said his companion; who was almost +bursting with communicativeness.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is the worst of it?" inquired +the Doctor, as much to gratify the old man's +weakness, as to satisfy his own curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Why, Doctor, 'tween you an' me, there's +awful doin's here. Ye see, sence that saloon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +was sot up in one end of the old brewery, all +the men here have got to drinking, and 'tis +astonishing how men will act, when they git +soaked in liquor. I've heered temperance +lecturers tell stories that would make your +har stand on ind; that was when I was +young, and there was a great excitement on +the subject. I signed the pledge then, and I +never broke my word on no account, or I expect +I should be as bad as the rest of them +here. I've had to stand out agin hard persuasions. +They've tried to git me to take a +glass of lager; sez they, 'lager won't hurt +nobody;' sez I, 'it's hurt you.' You see, it +don't require no argument, I can pint 'em +to facts. Now, there's Prime Hawley; when +he come here to live, he was a fine, stiddy +young man; his wife was as pretty as a rose, +and as happy as a lark. Somehow, Prime +got to going to that saloon. Well, I gin him +fair waning. Sez I, 'Prime, they'll get the +halter on ye, if ye go there;' sez he 'I guess +not, a glass of lager won't hurt nobody;' +but now, sure as fate, he's the worst of 'em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +all. He's whipped and frightened his putty +wife most to death, and she's got sickly now. +Some say he's even jined Bloody Jim's gang. +'Tween—"</p> + +<p>"Hark!" said the Doctor, suddenly interrupting +the narrator.</p> + +<p>Deep, agonizing groans were distinctly +heard in the direction of the Pass, which they +were nearing.</p> + +<p>"O, murder, what's that?" shouted +daddy; and he wheeled his horse about and +gallopped homeward.</p> + +<p>"Stop, come back here," shouted the Doctor, +at the top of his voice.</p> + +<p>The old man reluctantly obeyed. Approaching +within a short distance of the Doctor, +he motioned that individual towards him. +"O, Doctor, 'twont do fur to go furder," +said he; "'tween you and me, I've heern +say, that's jist the way them robbers do, +when they want to ketch anybody. There +goes that yell agin. O, that ere <i>is</i> awful; +we'll get ketched; it won't do fur to stay +here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Exasperated beyond endurance at the cowardice +of his guide, the Doctor bade him remain +where he was, while he went forward +to reconnoitre. A short ride round the point +of the bluff brought him directly upon the +bleeding form of the desperado, who had +attacked him the preceeding evening. Hailing +daddy, he alighted and approached the +apparently dying man.</p> + +<p>"Prime Hawley, by gol!" exclaimed daddy, +as he came up. "Why, Prime," said he, +hopping briskly down from his saddle; "twixt +you and me, how did you get in this ere +fix?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh!" groaned Prime, "take me +home; I'm dying."</p> + +<p>"I'll take him home if you say so, Doctor," +said daddy, "his heft is nothing, and it's near +by."</p> + +<p>"Very well, I'll follow with the horses."</p> + +<p>"I say, Prime," said the old man, when +they had nearly reached the home of the +sufferer, "tween you and me, aint had nothin' +to do with Bloody Jim, have you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I have; curse him!"</p> + +<p>"He ain't nowhere 'bout here now, is +he?"</p> + +<p>"I expect not, oh! oh! I wish he was suffering +as I am."</p> + +<p>"O, Miss Hawley, 'tween you an' me, +here's a sore trial fur you," said daddy to a +pale-faced, delicate looking woman, who met +him at the cabin door with looks of alarm.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hawley trembled violently, and her +pale face grew a shade paler, but she asked +no questions, as she led the way to the bed. +Her silence, at first, impressed the Doctor +with the idea that she was accessory to her +husband's guilt, and he watched her closely. +No tear dimmed her eye, no sigh escaped +her, yet she seemed painfully alive to the +agony which her miserable husband endured, +while the Doctor was dressing his wound.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he will live, Doctor?" she +enquired in a sort of hopeless, melancholy +tone, as Dr. Goodrich was about to leave.</p> + +<p>"It is an exceedingly critical case," replied +the Doctor, "he may possibly recover."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me," said daddy, coming +between them, "I'd like to know how Prime +got that shot?"</p> + +<p>Poor Prime shook his head imploringly +towards the Doctor, who went to him, and +quieted his apprehensions in a few whispered +words. "I don't care," said Prime, "only +it would kill her to know it."</p> + +<p>As they were passing the old brewery, +when they were again on their way, a man +came out and accosted them. "Hello, old +Roarer," said he, addressing daddy, "how is +Dr. DeWolf, this morning"</p> + +<p>The old man straightened himself in his +saddle, and preserved a dignified silence.</p> + +<p>With an oath, the man commanded him to +speak, but daddy rode calmly on; his indignation +got the better of his cautiousness.</p> + +<p>"I'll pound you to a jelly," shouted the man after him,</p> + +<p>"I'll risk it," said daddy addressing the +Doctor.</p> + +<p>Now daddy was not really a natural coward. +But it cannot be denied that old age<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +and extreme cautionsness had greatly moderated +the courage which he possessed in his +youth. "'Tween you and me," he continued, +"that Hank Glutter is the meanest critter +that ever trod shoe-leather. I've heern poor +Mrs. Hawley plead with him not to sell Prime +liquor, and I've heern him order her out of +the saloon, and I've follered her hum, to see +how she took it. Well, it was dreadful to +see her goings on. She'd bounce on to the +bed and groan there, then she'd bounce up +and throw herself on the floor and groan +there, and moan and holler right out; O, it +seemed 'zif she never would get cool. She'd +walk the floor, and wring her hands and take +on awful. Them was the times when she +was young and was full of grit—I've been +watching her lately, and she's acted rather +different. Ye see she was down to the +brewery night afore last, I seen her coming +hum and I knowed she was dreadful riled +about something, so I kept my eyes on her; +Lord! if she didn't drop, right down on her +knees afore her bed, and let off all her feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>ins +in a wonderful strange way. Seems 'zif +she just talked to the Lord. When she riz +up, she looked kinder quiet and resigned +like, just as she did to-day; sez I to myself, +if there's a God in heaven, he's heern that +woman. I expected he would send fire down +and burn that old brewery that very night, +but there it stands and that old cuss, that +hollered after me, is alive yet. 'Tween you +and me, them things is kinder strange, now +aint they, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Rather strange," replied the Doctor +dryly.</p> + +<p>After riding a few moments in silence, +daddy ventured to make still another attempt +to open a conversation. "'Tween you and +me, Doctor, was you acquainted with Miss +Sherman?"</p> + +<p>"What Miss Sherman?" said the Doctor +in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, young Edward's mother, down in +the old Bay State. I ain't heern nothin' +from the folks down thar since I left. I +seed young Edward didn't know me, but I've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +dandled him on my knee many a time, when +he was a leetle shaver. 'Tween you and me +there was a gal working at Judge Sherman's +that I had a liking fur, so Sundays, I used to +go down thar sparking, I'd kinder like to +know if that gal's spliced yet."</p> + +<p>"What was her name?"</p> + +<p>"Her name was Miss Orrecta Lippincott; +they generally called her Recta, in the +Judge's family."</p> + +<p>"Recta is single yet, I saw her just before +we left; but why did'nt you marry her?"</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Doctor, I was a fool, +I've allers felt a kinder hankering after her. +I can't get over them fust feelings I had, to +this ere day. Is she handsome yit, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Not very."</p> + +<p>"Well, I used to tell her if she got old +and grey, it wouldn't make no difference in +my feelins," said the old man, rubbing his +great, coarse hand across his eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't natur," he began after a moment's +pause, "to keep our feelings shet in allers. +Now, mammy is chuck full of spunk since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +she's married me, so I aint let on to nobody. +Ye see, if she got hold on't, she'd never give +me a minute's peace."</p> + +<p>"Well, why didn't you marry Miss Lippincott?"</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Doctor, I got it into +my head that she liked Sam Brown. Ye +see, there was a man told me that he seed +him and her kiss, right afore Judge Sherman's +gate. Wall, this feller was allers puttin' me +up to think that Orrecta was flirty like, and +I was jest fool enough to believe him, so I +jest packed up my duds and cum out West, +with Dr. DeWolf. He'd been teasing me to +cum 'long with him fur some time. Ye see, +I'd allers been his gardener, ever since he +was married. Miss DeWolf that's dead now, +she sot heaps by me. 'Now, Philip,' says +she—ye see my real name is Philip Roarer—'we +can't get 'long without you, fur to +milk the cow and make the garden'. I could +see that her eyes was a leetle watery like, +and I knew that she hated to cum off alone, +with the Doctor, 'cause sometimes when he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +got a leetle tight, he didn't treat her nun too +well. But the Doctor got 'long fust rate, +when he fust got here; he didn't drink much +and he made heaps of money, he and a crony +of hisn, named Squire Tinknor. He lives in +St. Paul now, and does the Doctor's business +fur him yet. Ye see, Squire Tinknor can +drink a barrel of liquor and not feel it, +but the Doctor gets crazy enough, on +nothing but lager. 'Tween you an' me, +that old brewery in the holler has played +the devil with the Doctor. I told Hank +Glutter how it would be, when he fust +sot up the saloon in't. Sez I, 'Mr. Glutter, +I'd rather you'd chop this ere right hand of +mine right off, than to place that are temptation +afore Dr. DeWolf.' Sez he, 'What's the +harm of a leetle beer?' Sez I, 'Ain't you goin' +to sell nothin' else?' Sez he, 'O, I may +keep a few liquors jest for variety.' Seems +zif I should sink when he said that are, but I +jest felt zif I couldn't gin up, so I let right +into him. It didn't do no kinder good +though. Sez he, 'If I don't sell it somebody<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +else will, and I might as will make money on +it as anybody.' Well, the long and short of +it is, Doctor, he has got rich on't and now, +'tween you and me, he's kinder hanging +'round the honey, but I guess he'll git his +walkin' papers afore long; ye see, the honey +she's alive, every inch on her."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Saloon Keeper—Comforting Reflections—The +Unwelcome Call—Diabolical Plotting.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capS.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="S" title="S" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">wearing vengeance on daddy, who +had treated him with such unqualified +contempt, Hank Glutter entered his +saloon. He was a young man of about thirty +years of age, rather below medium height. +His form was well developed, his complexion +light, and his hair curled in luxuriant ringlets. +He was exceedingly vain of his appearance, +and, when in good humor, caressed his whiskers +incessantly. He was of a respectable +family and his education was liberal, and yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +he was nothing more than a smooth-tongued, +hard-hearted, revengeful villain.</p> + +<p>He had aspired to Little Wolf's hand, but, +on making some unmistakable advances to +that lady, he was promptly repelled.</p> + +<p>The supreme contempt with which she +invariably treated him exasperated him to +such a degree, that he conceived the diabolical +project of placing her in the power of +Bloody Jim, with whom he had already had +some secret dealings.</p> + +<p>At his suggestion, Bloody Jim made overtures +to Prime Hawley to assist in the undertaking. +Prime, being in exceedingly indigent +circumstances, could not resist the tempting +reward offered.</p> + +<p>The plan to capture Little Wolf, and convey +her across the river, in her own skiff, to +a point, where, having in mind his defeat on +a former occasion, he had stationed a guard, +was well laid, but miscarried, as we have +already seen.</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim was but slightly wounded, and +he soon recovered sufficiently to seek a place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +of safety, leaving Prime Hawley, as he supposed, +dead.</p> + +<p>Hank Glutter could gather no satisfactory +information from the intoxicated set, who that +night returned from Dr. DeWolf's, and, as +we have seen, daddy was disinclined to relieve +his suspense; therefore, he resolved to +go in person to the Doctor's, and ascertain, if +possible, the precise position of affairs.</p> + +<p>By way of smoothing his ruffled plumes, +he hastily swallowed a stimulating draught, +and very soon a more complacent expression +settled upon his countenance.</p> + +<p>Approaching a large mirror, he bestowed a +momentary attention upon his dress, but +lingered lovingly over his glossy ringlets. +"Miss DeWolf was a fool to turn the cold +shoulder to me," said he to himself, as he +gave the finishing touch to his soft flaxen +hair. "I wonder if Bloody Jim really got +her. If he has, wouldn't she be glad to fly +to my arms, though."</p> + +<p>These comforting reflections were entirely +dispelled, when a few moments afterwards, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +was ushered into the parlor at Dr. DeWolf's, +and in utter astonishment, beheld Little Wolf +on apparently intimate terms with the handsome +stranger. She was holding an earnest +conversation with Edward concerning her +father, and did not at first notice the presence +of the intruder, who was, by this time, +heartily wishing himself behind his bar again. +But, contrary to his expectations, the young +lady granted him a gracious reception, and +introducing him to Mr. Sherman, almost immediately +excused herself to attend upon the +invalid.</p> + +<p>The young men left alone entered into +conversation, and, so well did Hank Glutter +conceal his true character, that Edward was +quite well pleased with his appearance, and +at the close of the interview, accepted a +polite invitation to accompany Hank to his +saloon, and when there, was easily persuaded +to take a glass of lager beer. The day was +hot and the lager of the finest quality, so +before he left, he drank several glasses more, +and while thus engaged, confided to his en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>tertainer +the whole story of his adventure +with Bloody Jim.</p> + +<p>"But what became of the men who were +shot," said Hank, burning with impatience to +learn the fate of his accomplices.</p> + +<p>"O, we left the dead to bury their dead, +Mr. Glutter. Miss DeWolf is confident there +is a gang of the ruffians. I intend to make +it my business to look after them a little."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Hank, and as soon as Mr. +Sherman was gone, he proceeded to put his +dangerous threat into execution, by calling +upon Mrs. Hawley.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mrs. Hawley," said he in +his blandest tone, as she slowly approached +the open door, in answer to his gentle tap. +"Is Prime at home?"</p> + +<p>He was about to enter, but Mrs. Hawley +quietly motioned him back, and herself +stepped outside, "Mr. Hawley is very ill," +said she, "and unable to see company."</p> + +<p>"May I not be allowed to see him a moment?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just for a moment," he persisted, "I am +really anxious to see Prime."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; his life might be the forfeit."</p> + +<p>"Now, really, Mrs. Hawley—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Glutter," said she, interrupting him, +"have you forgotten your conduct to me the +last time we met?" and a burning spot came +to her cheeks, and scathing words dropped +from her lips. "You know too well, sir, that +my home is desolate, my heart is broken, and +my husband is murdered, all through the influence +of your cursed business. I thought I +would treat you politely, Mr. Glutter, but I +cannot. God forgive me. Leave me; the +very sight of you makes me desperate. Leave +me, I say, if you would not again have the +curse of a drunkard's wife fall upon your +blackened soul."</p> + +<p>"What a perfect she-devil you are," said +Hank, now throwing off all restraint. "I +mean to see Prime, spite of you."</p> + +<p>"Try it, if you dare," said she, and her +eyes flashed and sparkled with a desperate +purpose, as she planted herself in the door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then, Dr. Goodrich and daddy, on their +return trip, were seen approaching.</p> + +<p>"You'll repent this," said her persecutor +with an oath, and immediately withdrew.</p> + +<p>He went directly to the cove where Little +Wolf's boat was usually moored. It was not +there, and he took courage.</p> + +<p>"Bloody Jim could not be hurt much," he +soliloquized in an undertone, "or he couldn't +have taken the boat away. I shall manage +that girl yet, and that Sherman, too, if he +don't take care of himself. They'll be lovers, +I see that plainly enough. So much the +better; moonlight walks will follow, as a +matter of course. Now we'll see who will +beat in this game."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Music—The Warning—Preparations +For Winter Interrupted—The Welcome Boat.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">hree months had passed, and during +that time, Dr. DeWolf had entirely recovered +his health. Prime Hawley was +up and doing, following with renewed vigor +his former pursuits; threats and entreaties +had wrung from him a half-hearted confession, +but, out of pity for his wife, the affair +was hushed up, and he was saved from merited +punishment.</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim had not been seen or heard of,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +and he alone carried the secret of Hank +Glutter's criminal designs.</p> + +<p>Edward Sherman had become an almost +daily visitor at Dr. DeWolf's, and while his +friend Dr. Goodrich was establishing himself +in his profession at Pendleton, he was gradually +gaining a more certain hold, on the affections +of Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>Our heroine was still, to all appearance, +the same little bundle of contradictions that +she had always been.</p> + +<p>"There, I'm always sure to do the very +thing I say I will not do," she said to herself +half pettishly, as she opened her piano with +a jerk, and ran her fingers carelessly, over the +keys, one fine October day.</p> + +<p>Very soon she was quite absorbed, in practicing +a difficult piece of music, which her +lover had, heretofore, recommended in vain.</p> + +<p>"O, Miss DeWolf, there's a squaw here +that wants to see you," said Sorrel Top, +bursting suddenly into the room.</p> + +<p>"O, she's begging, no doubt. Give her +what she wants, Sorrel Top, I'm engaged just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +now," and Little Wolf went on with her +music.</p> + +<p>"There, I told you so. I knowed Miss +DeWolf wouldn't have nothing to do with +squaws, or injins, nor nothing else that's low," +exclaimed Sorrel Top, loud enough to be +heard by her young mistress, who always +made it a point to do the very thing it was +expected she would not do.</p> + +<p>The dumpy little copper-colored creature, +enveloped in an Indian blanket, before whom +Sorrel Top had drawn herself up with a triumphant +toss of the head, was just making a +second plea, when Little Wolf made her appearance.</p> + +<p>"I want to hear music, do tell the lady I +want to hear music," she said in very good +English.</p> + +<p>"O, if that's what you want, come this +way," said Little Wolf, leading on to the +parlor.</p> + +<p>The Indian followed, pattering along in +her soft moccasins, leaving Sorrel Top quite +crest fallen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now here is where the music comes from," +said Little Wolf, placing her hand upon the +instrument, and following her piece of information +with a lively air.</p> + +<p>"Now, how do you like that?"</p> + +<p>"It is very pretty; may I try to make +music?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Little Wolf, vacating +her seat with infinite condescention. The +maiden drew her blanket more closely around +her, and made it fast. Her exceedingly small +and finely formed hands were now at liberty, +and, instead of the discordant notes which +her auditor fully expected, a flood of harmonious +sounds burst upon her ear.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" exclaimed Little +Wolf in utter astonishment, when the strains +had ceased.</p> + +<p>The performer bent upon her a long searching +look, and enquired, "Are you Miss De +Wolf?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>The strange visitor immediately rose and +approached the door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There! stop; who are you?" demanded +Little Wolf, vehemently.</p> + +<p>"Hush! I was going to bolt the door," +and she deliberately turned the key in the +lock. "I'm your friend, young lady, and +I'm come to warn you of impending danger."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf slightly paled, but she stood +firm awaiting further developments.</p> + +<p>"Too much time has been wasted already," +she began, "Bloody Jim is here, at Chimney +Rock, waiting for the first favorable moment +to kidnap you, and murder your servants, +and set fire to your home. He is now more +daring and reckless than ever. Three times +you have thwarted him, and he still carries +the scars he has received at your hands. +This is the day, and, for ought I know, the +very hour, that he designs to fall upon you. +It was to be when your father was helplessly +intoxicated, and yourself entirely off your +guard. I think he has two or three accomplices +living in this place. I love Bloody +Jim, steeped in crime as he is, and I beg of +you, if it shall be possible for you to save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +yourself without taking his life, you will do +so. I have now done all I can for you; good +bye."</p> + +<p>"There, you shall not go," exclaimed Little +Wolf, springing towards her, "you must stay +and assist me."</p> + +<p>"I can do nothing more for you, Miss De +Wolf, indeed, I cannot. I have told you all +I know. My journey has been exceedingly +painful and perilous, and I am completely +exhausted. If I am discovered, I must inevitably +lose my life. I do not dread death, +but if alive, and you should be captured, I +might possibly render you some assistance. +Now you must not detain me."</p> + +<p>"Well, but who are you," persisted Little +Wolf, "that you are able to give me all this +information, and yet cannot give me any +aid?"</p> + +<p>"I can, in all probability, aid you more by +going than by remaining," said the other hurriedly. +"My skin is stained, my clothes are +stuffed to give me this fleshy appearance, but +you will recognize me if we meet again. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +name is Antoinette Le Claire. Now I <i>must</i> +go. The good Lord help you," and she waddled +off, in precise imitation of a fat old +squaw.</p> + +<p>"Now I must be brave," thought Little +Wolf, pressing her hand on her brow, while +she tried to think what plan to pursue.</p> + +<p>Her first thought was for her father's safety, +who was, as usual, at the brewery, where +he had gone soon after dinner, and as he had +not been there long, she hoped he was not, as +yet, intoxicated.</p> + +<p>Stepping to the door, she hailed daddy, +who was busy storing away some vegetables +in the cellar, for winter use. "See here, +daddy, I want you to go down to the brewery +as quick as you can, and tell father—well, +tell him I'm sick, and want to see him right +away."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, honey,"—</p> + +<p>"O, go, this minute, daddy," and she shut +the door in his face, and proceeded to the +kitchen, where she found mammy quietly +smoking her pipe in the corner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, mammy, where is Sorrel Top?" said +she.</p> + +<p>"Sorrel Top, why she's picking grapes for +that are jelly you wanted made. I'm going +to help her when I git rested, and slick up a +leetle."</p> + +<p>"No, mammy, you must help me. Bloody +Jim is around here somewhere, and he's going +to try to kill us all and burn the house. +I've just sent daddy for father, and you had +better call Sorrel Top. I'll get my pistols, +and we'll secure the house."</p> + +<p>"O, laws a mercy! how did you find it +out, honey?"</p> + +<p>"Wait 'till we are safe and I'll tell you."</p> + +<p>"O, honey, did you tell daddy?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"O, I'm awful glad, he'd be so flustrated +you know."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know; now don't you get flustrated, +and let it out quite yet, you had better +tell Sorrel Top, though."</p> + +<p>Sorrel Top was duly informed, and they +all set to work, and had made what arrange<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>ments +for their safety they could, when daddy +returned.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Honey, the Doctor can't come."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf knew, by the expression on the +old servant's face, why her father could not +come, and she went up close to him, and whispered, +"Is he very bad, daddy?"</p> + +<p>"O yes, pet, 'tween you and me, he's dead drunk."</p> + +<p>A shiver ran through the daughter at this +intelligence, and she now felt strong suspicions +that Hank Glutter was implicated in +her enemy's plot, and the condition of her +father indicated that the crisis was near at +hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, daddy, cannot you get him some +way?" she enquired, after a moment's thought, +"can't you get some of the men to help +you?"</p> + +<p>"There ain't nobody there but Hank Glutter."</p> + +<p>"Well, won't he assist you?"</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart, honey, no—he ordered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +me off when I was there just now, and said +things it wouldn't do for you to hear, no +how."</p> + +<p>"If you should write him a little billet and +ask him, may be he would," suggested mammy.</p> + +<p>The note was speedily dispatched, and ran +thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Will Mr. Glutter do Miss DeWolf the +favor to assist the bearer, in bringing her +father home."</p></div> + +<p>"Now, honey, 'tween you and me," said +daddy, who soon after returned in high displeasure, +"that Hank Glutter can lie as fast +as a hoss can trot. He turned red clar up to +his har, when he read your billet, and sez he +to me, 'go tell Miss DeWolf that I've sprained +my right arm, and can't lift a pound.'"</p> + +<p>"The Lord be praised, there's a steamer +coming," exclaimed Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>All eyes were instantly turned in the direction +of the river, and several miles away, +the smoke bursting from the tall pipes of a +steamboat, and curling towards the clouds, +was distinctly visible.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, daddy, you must take that boat +and carry a letter to—to Mr. Sherman, and +we'll see if we can't outwit Mr. Glutter."</p> + +<p>"O, but, honey, 'tween you and me, them +'taters and things must be got in. What if +we should have a frost to-night, and spile +'em. Hank will send the Doctor home when +it's time to lock up, and it don't make much +difference whether he's here or there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it does, daddy, and I'm bound to +have father home, now I've set out, so you +run to the landing, and give the signal."</p> + +<p>"Hurry him up, mammy," she whispered +to her housekeeper, and immediately went to +her writing desk.</p> + +<p>"Laws, how can I leave them are taters, +mammy?" he said, appealing to his better-half.</p> + +<p>"Laws, you can git back in time to kiver +'em up; you'll better let 'em spile and keep +on the right side of the pet. Likely she's +got something <i>particular</i> she wants to say to +Mr. Sherman; girls is up to sich things. +There, now, you'd better leave, that are boat +is heaving in sight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>Chimney Rock was one of those insignificant +points, on the Upper Mississippi, where +steamers seldom had occasion to land, and it +became necessary to hoist a signal, when any +of the inhabitants wished to take passage on +a boat from that place.</p> + +<p>Daddy vigorously waved his red flag to +and fro, and the result was, in ten minutes, +he had embarked on board the steamer "Golden +Era," with Little Wolf's communication +stowed safely away in his pocket.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Love-Letter—Discussion—A quick +Ride—Too Late—Violence and death.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capD.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="D" title="D" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">r. Goodrich's cosey office, situated +on the corner of Second and Centre +Streets, in the village of Pendleton, was +a convenient lounging place for Edward Sherman, +and it so happened that on the very day +that Little Wolf had dispatched her messenger, +he had repaired thither to read his newspapers +and letters, smoke cigars, and indulge in the +comfort which a confidential chat with a +friend, generally affords to a companionable +mind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"See here, Doctor," said he, depositing the +bundle of mail matter on the office table, and +seating himself in an arm-chair beside it.</p> + +<p>"Anything for me?" said the Doctor, who +was busy arranging some papers.</p> + +<p>"A letter from <i>her</i>," said Edward, with +slow, droll emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Really, Ned, that is decidedly cool. How +long do you propose to make me wait for it?"</p> + +<p>"Help yourself, Doctor. It's there among +the papers," said Edward, lighting a cigar.</p> + +<p>Occasionally, Edward glanced over the top +of his newspaper to observe the animated +countenance of his friend, as he perused the +lines traced by the hand of love.</p> + +<p>Having thus marked his progress to the +end, he enquired, "Now, Doctor, what says +my little sister?"</p> + +<p>"She says, Ned, 'this is now the middle of +Autumn.'"</p> + +<p>"O, is that <i>all</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the next in order is,'and mother is +expecting Edward home soon.'"</p> + +<p>"That is just what I have been expecting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +to hear for a week past, Doctor. You know +I have made my success with Miss De Wolf +the condition on which I should be induced +to locate here. Well, I'm pretty sure of her, +and I have at length determined to hang out +my shingle, and go to work. I can see no +way but to persuade mother and Louise to +come out here and live with us."</p> + +<p>"Then, you are really engaged to Miss De +Wolf, Ned?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no, not exactly. I doubt whether +we shall ever, really, be formally engaged. I +wouldn't be surprised if she told me, an hour +before our marriage, that she didn't intend to +take me; but then, I know she will. Poor +old daddy has frequently volunteered the +information that the Pet will never marry +a man, who has been guilty of drinking a +glass of lager beer. He says she is bitterly +opposed to anything that will <i>'toxicate</i>, but I +suspect the experience she has had with her +father has put those ultra notions into her +head."</p> + +<p>"No wonder, Ned; the fact that there are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +hundreds of such cases as Dr. De Wolf's has +influenced my opinion on the subject to a +greater extent, perhaps, than any other, and +really, I'm glad Miss De Wolf favors total +abstinence; I hope she will convert you."</p> + +<p>"Never, my friend. I shall always adhere +to the principle that a man is capable of controlling +his appetite, within the bounds of +reason. Let a man but <i>will</i> to drink moderately, +and he can."</p> + +<p>"But, Ned, a person seldom <i>wills</i> to drink +moderately, but ends by <i>willing</i> to drink immoderately. +Now in such cases what becomes +of your theory?"</p> + +<p>"The fact is, Doctor, you and I have so +often discussed the subject, that I believe +there is nothing new left to be said, on either +side. I wish Hank Glutter was here, and he +would show you in five minutes, why we +should not deprive ourselves of the gifts of +Providence, simply because others have abused +them."</p> + +<p>"I pity a drunkard, Ned," said the Doctor, +very quietly, "but I despise a drunkard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>-maker, +and the less conversation I have with +one of that class, the better."</p> + +<p>The color quickly mounted to Edward's +face, but a loud knock at the door suspended +his reply.</p> + +<p>"Come in," said the Doctor, and in stalked +daddy.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Mr. Sherman," said +he, approaching Edward, "the honey has +sent you a letter; here it is."</p> + +<p>Edward received the letter with a mixture +of surprise and pleasure, which he could not +conceal.</p> + +<p>Unfolding it with nervous haste, he ran his +eye over the few brief lines. "Good heavens!" +he exclaimed, starting to his feet, +"Bloody Jim is at Chimney Rock again."</p> + +<p>Daddy sprang forward, with dilated eyes +and open mouth, and fastened his grip upon +Edward, who comprehended in an instant +why the old man had not been apprized of +the nature of his errand, and he resolved on +returning him to his former state of blissful +ignorance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me see; have I made a mistake?" +said he, again looking over the letter, "Bloody +Jim is not at Chimney-Rock, after all."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, what made you +think he was?" said daddy, whose panic began +to subside.</p> + +<p>"O, I saw his name, and took it for granted +he was there. I did not quite make out +what was said."</p> + +<p>"The billet was writ in a hurry, Mr. Sherman; +you must excuse it. The honey is the +most distinctest writer I knows on. She got +a wonderful edication down thar, in New +York; 'tween—</p> + +<p>"Miss DeWolf wants me to go to Chimney +Rock immediately," said Edward, arresting +the words on the lips of his garrulous visitor.</p> + +<p>"Sartain, I know'd it."</p> + +<p>"The Doctor will go with us, and I want +you to go to Frink's stable and order the +horses; we will be ready by the time you +come round."</p> + +<p>"I'll dew it."</p> + +<p>"Now in the name of wonder, what does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +all this mean?" exclaimed the Doctor, as +daddy slammed the door behind him.</p> + +<p>Edward handed him Little Wolf's letter, +which merely stated that Bloody Jim was at +Chimney Rock, and she was momentarily expecting +violence at his hands.</p> + +<p>No time was lost in vain conjectures; a +constable was engaged, and the friends had +already buckled on their armor, which consisted +of pistols and bowie knives, when +daddy returned with their horses. They +were fleet-footed animals, and he was himself +well mounted.</p> + +<p>Not long were the horsemen in reaching +the well-known "Pass," and as they emerged +from the trees, and approached the house, no +indication of the threatened hostilities appeared. +But still they dashed along over +the fallen leaves and faded turf, and drew up +in front of Dr. De Wolf's.</p> + +<p>All was quiet about the old brown house. +They dismounted and approached the door, +daddy leading the way, with the air of a +conqueror. He saw in imagination his young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +mistress triumphing over the discomfited Hank +Glutter, and he greatly gloried in the anticipated +conquest.</p> + +<p>His companions were secretly uneasy at +the unusual stillness which reigned around, +and when he attempted to open the front +door, and it resisted his efforts, Edward anxiously +stepped forward and knocked loudly +and hurriedly.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said the old man complacently, +"I guess them women folks have gone +out. I'll just step around the back way, and +let you in."</p> + +<p>The gentlemen followed him without ceremony +into the kitchen, and the first object +that met their horrified sight, was mammy, +stretched lifeless on the floor.</p> + +<p>It would be impossible to describe the grief +and terror which took possession of daddy, +or the agony of doubt which sent Edward +like a madman through the house. As he +flung open the door of a spacious sleeping +apartment on the second floor, clouds of smoke +and flame drove him back. A pile of light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +bedding and other inflammable articles had +been set on fire near the centre of the room, +but the fire had not, as yet, communicated +itself to the building, and Edward, finding +water near by, soon succeeded in extinguishing +the flames.</p> + +<p>While he was thus engaged, Sorrel Top +emerged from an adjoining chamber, trembling +so as to be scarcely able to stand.</p> + +<p>"Where is Miss De Wolf?" exclaimed Edward.</p> + +<p>"O, they've carried her off; oh! oh! oh!"—and +a long shudder shook her frame.</p> + +<p>"Sorrel Top," said Edward, assuming calmness +in order to allay her fears, "there is no +immediate danger, and I want you to tell me +as distinctly as you can, all that has occurred."</p> + +<p>"O, Mr. Sherman, Bloody Jim has been +here. I expect it was he, and we were watching +for him, too, but we didn't any of us see +him come. I was watching on the east side +of the house, and mammy was watching in +the kitchen, and I could see Miss De Wolf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +through the long hall, standing right by that +window there, looking out, and Bloody Jim +came up behind her sly, and catched her before +she saw him at all. She screeched out, +and tried to get away, but he held her tight, +and hollered, 'come on, boys.' and two men +run right in, and they tied her hands, and +stopped her mouth, and just strapped a big +blanket around her, and carried her off, and +I ran and hid, for I thought they'd kill me if +they saw me."</p> + +<p>"How long since they were here?" said +Edward, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"O, it's only a little while, and may be +you can ketch 'em," said Sorrel Top, brightening +up a little.</p> + +<p>Sorrel Top's reply infused a bright ray of +hope into Edward's highly wrought feelings, +and, accompanied by his friends, he immediately +started in pursuit.</p> + +<p>Just outside the house they met Mrs. Hawley, +who informed them, that sometime before +she had seen three men going towards the +brewery. To the brewery they quickly went.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +The wily proprietor denied having seen the +fugitives, and feigned excessive emotion when +informed of their inhuman deeds.</p> + +<p>"In what direction would you advise us +to search, Mr. Glutter?" said Edward.</p> + +<p>"O, you had better strike off among the +bluffs. They could hardly take the river by +daylight without being discovered. Probably +they will reach some point above here after +dark, and cross to the other side under cover +of night. I will dispatch a messenger to +Pendleton for aid. My men, unfortunately, +are gone after grain, and I am uncertain when +they will return. Dr. DeWolf, I am sorry to +say, is perfectly helpless to-day. While I +was out a few minutes he helped himself too +freely."</p> + +<p>Hank Glutter faithfully performed his +promises. The same evening officers of justice +were sent out from Pendleton, and a +party of young men volunteered their services, +and like Edward and the Doctor, +travelled many miles. But all in vain, Bloody +Jim had escaped with his prize.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Bloody Jim's Advantages—The Fainting +Captive—The Tragic Quarrel—Outwitted at Last—The Refuge.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capH.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="H" title="H" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">is intimate acquaintance with the wild +region of country, over which he directed +his course, gave Bloody Jim an +immense advantage over his pursuers.</p> + +<p>While they were floundering in treacherous +sloughs, or climbing unknown heights, he was +riding safely and swiftly along in company +with his prisoner and the two villians, whom +Sorrel Top described as having assisted in +kidnapping her mistress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>Little Wolf was so narrowly watched by +the trio that escape seemed impossible. As +each hour bore her farther from civilization, +and nearer to the Red River country, her +heart sank within her.</p> + +<p>She was compelled to pursue her journey +a large portion of each night, and when her +captors stopped for rest and refreshment, she +was either lashed to a tree, or bound, so as to +be unable to rest with the slightest ease or +comfort.</p> + +<p>Under such rigorous treatment her strength +rapidly declined, and, at the close of the third +day, entirely failed. They had reached the +foot of a beautiful wooded bluff at a bend in +the Mississippi, where the town of St. Cloud +has since been located. Here they were suddenly +brought to a stand; the poor jaded +captive had fainted.</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim saw her reeling in her saddle +and instantly threw his brawny arm around +her frail form. Dismounting, and laying his +unconscious burden on a bed of dry leaves, +which the wind had gathered under a huge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +oak, he produced from his knapsack a bottle +of brandy, and proceeded to wet her face, +and force a few drops into her mouth.</p> + +<p>At the sight of the long-concealed bottle, +his men chuckled with delight, and as soon +as Little Wolf exhibited signs of returning +life, they requested a "treat."</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim, now deeming himself beyond +pursuit for one night at least, acceded to their +wishes, and also himself indulged in his favorite +beverage.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf gathered from their conversation +and movements that they designed to +camp for the night at their present station, +and their occasional rude allusions to herself +filled her with terror. She struggled to throw +off the oppressive faintness which she felt a +second time stealing upon her, but, when she +saw Bloody Jim approaching her, the horrors +of her situation completely overcame her, and +she again swooned.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!" grunted the disappointed savage, +giving her inanimate form a rude kick.</p> + +<p>"She wake before morning," suggested one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +of his comrades encouragingly, as he passed +him the precious bottle.</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim took it, put it to his lips, +drained it dry, and handed it back.</p> + +<p>This was too much for his already +half drunk consoler; he angrily flung the +empty bottle into Bloody Jim's face, and in +retaliation received in a twinkling his death +stab.</p> + +<p>Half breed No. 3 observed the transaction +with evident satisfaction. He applauded the +murderer and cajoled him into furnishing +from, the bowels of his knapsack a fresh supply +of the poisonous liquor.</p> + +<p>After gratifying their rum appetite to the +full, the athletic men gradually became as +helpless as infants, and, sinking on the ground +as the darkness gathered around them, they +fell into heavy sleep.</p> + +<p>In about an hour Little Wolf partially recovered, +but, supposing herself to be closely +guarded, and still suffering from extreme +lassitude, she closed her eyes, and gradually +fell into profound slumber.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>The hours glided on. The waning moon +looked sadly in through the branches of the old +oaks upon the sleepers. There lay the murdered +man with his upturned, ghastly face; +scattered near him were the fragments of the +broken bottle. Yet a little further on were +the prostrate forms of his guilty fellows, and +still beyond reclined the innocent one.</p> + +<p>There was a rustling among the leaves and +light footsteps drew near, and Antoinette Le +Clare gazed upon the scene. She was still +habited in her Indian costume. Softly approaching +Little Wolf she as softly awoke +her.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf looked up wildly into the dark +face that bent over her and recognized it in a +moment. Antoinette silently assisted her to +rise, undid her fetters, and taking her hand, +noiselessly led her from the spot.</p> + +<p>The staggering gait of her companion disclosed +to Antoinette her extreme weakness +hoping to revive her drooping energies she +whispered "Courage a little longer, Miss de +Wolf, and you are safe."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've courage enough to put an end to +them," said Little Wolf, with a momentary +flash of her wonted spirit, "but I'm so dizzy."</p> + +<p>"Well, rest here while I bring my pony."</p> + +<p>"No, I'll go with you," and by an act of +the will Little Wolf forced herself along until +they reached the shaggy little Indian pony +on the glade.</p> + +<p>This they both mounted, Little Wolf still +struggling bravely with her increasing illness. +But it was all in vain; a violent fever was +seizing upon her. She was alternately distressed +with hot flashes and cold chills, and +worse still, her mind began to wander.</p> + +<p>Antoinette was in deep distress. Her plan +to fly for protection to the nearest settlement +was completely frustrated. It was too far; +she could not hope to reach it in safety. +But, thinking she might possibly discover a +place of refuge in some other direction, she +turned her horse and dashed off she knew not +whither.</p> + +<p>Having rode on for several miles over prairie +and oak openings, determining to put all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +possible distance between herself and Bloody +Jim, a most welcome sight met her view.</p> + +<p>It was a log cabin standing on an eminence, +comfortable in appearance and snugly embosomed +in a grove of trees.</p> + +<p>As there was no enclosure around it, she +rode close to the door, and, without dismounting; +knocked loudly with her riding whip.</p> + +<p>An echo was her only reply. The same +results followed repeated attempts to obtain a +hearing, and she came to the conclusion that +the house was either unoccupied, or the inmates +were insensible to noise. The former +proved to be the case, and what was more +unpleasant, the door was firmly fastened.</p> + +<p>Letting the invalid—whom she had supported +partly by her arm and partly by fastening +her blanket around both—slide softly +to the ground, Antoinette dismounted and +effected an entrance through a small window. +There was but one room in the dwelling, and +this was scantily furnished. A bed, a cook-stove, +a flour barrel and a chest occupied each +a corner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>On a couple of hooks that were fastened to +a beam overhead rested a rifle, and from a +peg at the side was suspended a violin. A +hat, an old pair of boots, pushed partly under +the bed, and several other articles of men's +wearing apparel lying about the room, proclaimed +the abode of a single man.</p> + +<p>The door was secured within by a wooden +bar, which Antoinette speedily removed, and, +by extraordinary exertions on the part of her +friend, Little Wolf was removed to a comfortable +couch in the cabin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Kidnapper's Surprise—On the +Wrong Track—Bloody Jim's Capture—The Power of Habit—Dispair—The +Rotten Plank.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capI.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="I" title="I" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">t was late on the following morning +when Bloody Jim awoke. He rubbed +his eyes and scratched his head with a +vacant stare, for he did not at first remember +where he was. When the objects by which +he was surrounded had sufficiently refreshed +his memory he began to look about for his +prisoner and, behold, she was nowhere to be +seen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>He ground his teeth with rage. "Ketchum," +he said, giving his still snoring companion +a tremendous shake, "wake up, that +d——d gal is gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" exclaimed Ketchum, starting up +and beating around among the bushes, "she +aint gone far I reckon."</p> + +<p>"She has too," said Bloody Jim, following +his exclamation with an oath.</p> + +<p>"How do you know, Jim?"</p> + +<p>"That horse she's taken, Ketchum, will +travel like lightning."</p> + +<p>Now it so happened that the animal alluded +to had broken loose during the night, and, +as Bloody Jim had appropriated his services +without consulting his master, who was an +honest farmer living in the vicinity of St. +Paul, the sagacious beast deliberately set out +to return to his former comfortable quarters.</p> + +<p>The natural conclusion of the villains was +that Little Wolf had fled on their missing +horse, and so when they had succeeded in +finding his track they followed it. Mile after +mile of their former route was retraced.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +Hour after hour they plodded on, scarcely +stopping to give their beasts necessary rest +until the night overtook them, and then were +only delayed for a short time. They rose +with the moon, and, in a few hours actually +came in sight of the deserter. He was drinking +at the river's brink within sound of the +roar of St. Anthony's Falls. Perceiving his +pursuers approaching, the noble beast threw +up his head, gave a loud snort and darted off.</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim gave an impatient grunt, but +Ketchum clapped his hands with delight. +"Golly: the gal must be near here," said he.</p> + +<p>"No, me think she got to the tavern on +yonder hill. We must find a hiding place, +Ketchum, and me have the gal yet, or the +constable have me."</p> + +<p>Bloody Jim little thought when he made +his boast that he would be in the power of +the constable before night, but so it was. +The riderless horse having been seen at St. +Anthony's, suspicions were aroused, a search +was instituted, and the result was the capture +of the imprudent and high-handed outlaw.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<p>To all questions put to him concerning Little +Wolf, he had but one answer, "me not +know."</p> + +<p>Threats and bribes elicited nothing more +and it was generally supposed that he had +murdered her. But as the whole affair was +shrouded in mystery, there was some few inclined +to the opinion, that she was secreted +in some place, from which the protracted absence +of Bloody Jim would give her an opportunity +to escape. Among the last named +was Dr. Goodrich and Edward Sherman.</p> + +<p>The Doctor was not at the examination of +the prisoner, and Edward hastened to inform +him of the result. He was at his old haunt, +and, as usual, under the influence of stimulus +when Edward entered.</p> + +<p>"No satisfactory information could be obtained +from the old scoundrel," said he, +throwing himself upon a lounge.</p> + +<p>The events of the past few days had worn +upon him, and his anxious look did not escape +Hank Glutter, who turned away to conceal +his exultation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor fellow, he too mourns for her," +thought Edward, mistaking his movement for +one of grief.</p> + +<p>After a moment's silence, Hank poured out +something from the bar. "Drink this, Sherman," +said he, passing it to Edward, "I see +you are tired; it will strengthen you."</p> + +<p>Since Edward's entrance, Dr. DeWolf had +sat gazing at him fixedly. The bleared, dull +light of his eyes gave place to a keen, wild +expression as Edward accepted the proffered +glass.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sherman," said he, in an unusually +strong voice, "do you see what is in that +cup?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, doctor; it is wine."</p> + +<p>"Yes, surely it is wine," replied the other +"and your inexperienced eye sees nothing +more than a harmless beverage; neither did +this bleared and bloated old man see more than +that in his wine years ago. Ah! could he +have seen in his youth the vision in his cup +which he now sees in that which you now +hold to your lips, he might have been saved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +from a life of disgrace and ruin. The chain +which once bound me was as light as that +which now binds you."</p> + +<p>"No chain binds <i>me</i>," said Edward proudly. +"I need not drink this unless I choose."</p> + +<p>"It seems but yesterday, Edward Sherman +since I addressed similar language to your +father, and well do I remember his arguments +to induce me to abandon every beverage that +could intoxicate. I recollect how I loathed +the drunkard, as you do me, and how my +proud heart rebelled at the humiliating +thought that habit would ever become too +strong to be controlled by my will; but boastings +were vain; the time will shortly come +when I shall sink into a drunkard's hell—and +you, poor Hank, will be there too," he +continued, turning to Hank Glutter, "you +will be sent down to wait upon your customers. +You must stand behind your flaming +bar and pour out the liquid fire and brimstone +for such as I; but, never mind, the traffic will +enrich you with showers of molten gold. No +drop from God's pure fountain to cool your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +parched tongue. One long eternal blaze shall +light up your saloon. Drunken devils reeling +to and fro—Oh! I see them now"—and +the doctor gave, a fearful shriek and fell upon +the floor.</p> + +<p>He raved frightfully for hours, but in an +interval of calmness was removed to his desolate +home.</p> + +<p>The loss of his wife had entirely unfitted +daddy for active service, and Sorrel Top, on +account of her youth and inexperience, was +an inefficient nurse: consequently Mrs. Hawley's +services were engaged. Edward also +bestowed every attention in his power, but +the delirium tremens had fixed upon his aged +friend and his horrid imaginings continued for +days.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for Edward, who was the +soul of humanity, to witness unmoved the +doctor's terrible agony, and, at such seasons, +he would invariably resolve that he would +put forth an effort to reclaim him. "I will +reason with him and show him the folly of +his course," said he to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the invalid was able to bear conversation, +Edward approached him on the subject +as delicately as possible.</p> + +<p>"Dr.," said he, "I am young to advise one +like you, but if you would permit me, I think +I could prescribe a remedy for your disease, +and one that would ensure you a hale, hearty +old age."</p> + +<p>"I know what you would say, Edward," +replied the Dr., rising upon his elbow, "but +I cannot do it. I cannot let drink alone. I +must drink if it kills me. Times without +number I have forsworn it, and I will never +add another broken vow to my perjured soul. +If you would be useful in the cause of temperance, +Edward, if you would save such as +I, and, what is more important, if you would +save the young, then use all your influence +to stop the liquor traffic."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not at all ultra," said Edward, +somewhat embarrassed, "I have never given +the subject which you mention much +thought."</p> + +<p>"Then it is high time you should," said the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +Dr., warming up with a look of lofty enthusiasm, +"I am sober now, Edward, and I may +never be in my right mind again. I <i>must</i> +drink to-day, I know I can get it, and I will +have it; I suppose you would say, 'if he will +go to the devil, let him go;' but I say, if +there was no drink to be had, if it were not +sold here, if it were not sold elsewhere, I +could not get it, and I should be saved. A +law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks +is what is most needed. I know these sentiments +coming from one like me sound strangely, +but, Edward, such a law enforced in my +native state would have saved me, and I know +it. Such a law now enforced in all our states +would restore many a besotted husband to a +broken-hearted wife; many a lost son to a +widowed mother, many a darling brother to +a distressed and mortified sister. It would +bring light and gladness to thousands of sorrowful +hearts and homes; it would feed the +hungry, clothe the naked. Less blood would +cry aloud to heaven for vengeance, and less +crime of every description would be commit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>ted. +This lovely territory will soon become +a state; here you will rise to eminence in +your profession. I know it will be so. You +possess your father's talents, and you also +possess his high social qualities, which, at one +time, brought him to the verge of ruin. +Judge Sherman did not at first love drink, +but he often drank to please his friends. His +associates tarried at the wine, and he would +be one with them. The secret, Edward, of +the fall of nine-tenths of our young men is +social drinking; now, moral suasion has saved +many, and no doubt will save many more. +But would you give the serpent his death +wound, then bring the arm of the law down +upon him and it is done."</p> + +<p>"The prohibitory liquor law of Maine has +been said to have worked wonders," said Edward +rather faintly, "but it is thought to be +unconstitutional, by many of our best lawyers."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly it has been so declared," +said the Dr., "but I would be sorry to believe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +the opinion correct; would not you, Edward?"</p> + +<p>The Dr. fixed his piercing eyes upon Edward, +for he began to suspect that his young +friend's views did not coincide with those +which he had expressed.</p> + +<p>Edward moved uneasily in his chair, bit +his lips, and finally stammered out, "Well, I +don't know Dr., really, it seems like depriving +a man of his liberty to legislate upon +what he shall, or shall not sell."</p> + +<p>"Even if he sells that which he knows will +craze his neighbor's brain, and cause him to +commit the most atrocious crimes? When +an individual directly, or indirectly aids and +abets crime, ought he to escape punishment?"</p> + +<p>Edward saw that he stood upon a plank of +the rotten old platform, upon which so many +have broken through, though they still hold +to the decaying posts, and he ingeniously +evaded the question.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, Dr., you are over-exerting +yourself," said he, "I will leave you to rest +while I walk out and breathe the fresh air."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Harmless Conspiracy—The Ghost—The +Wife Murderer—Tippling and Tattling—Misrepresentations.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/capM.jpg" width="140" height="160" alt="M" title="M" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">r. Glutter, Dr. DeWolf wants you to +fill this flask with brandy," said Sorrel +Top entering the saloon of the former, +about an hour after Edward had left the latter +to repose.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Hank, with a bland smile.</p> + +<p>"Allow me to speak with you a moment, +Mr. Glutter," said Edward Sherman, hastily +leaving his seat near a billiard table, where +he was watching the progress of a game, and +taking Hank aside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + +<p>They whispered earnestly together for a few +moments. "Very well," said Hank in conclusion, +"I am willing to try that experiment +if you wish it, but the Dr. is very stubborn, +I have often tried to check him." Then +turning to Sorrel Top, "Tell the Dr. I have +no brandy."</p> + +<p>"Has no brandy?" exclaimed the Dr. as +Sorrel Top delivered her message; "it's a lie. +O, I see how it is; Mr. Sherman was there, +was he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Here the subject dropped, and the Dr. was +unusually quiet and patient during the remainder +of the day. But when Edward kindly +offered to sit by him during the night, he +would not listen to him.</p> + +<p>"No, no," said he "I am quite well; the +parade of watchers would only disturb my +rest," so Edward contented himself to retire +about midnight.</p> + +<p>The Dr. lay perfectly quiet for an hour or +two after Edward left him; he then crept +softly out of bed, partially dressed himself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +noiselessly out of bed, partially dressed himself, +and then wrapping a sheet around him, +crept out of the house, by a window which +opened from the room to the piazza. Gliding +down the steps and along the well-worn +path he soon reached the brewery, and, as he +was familiar with every part of the establishment, +found no difficulty in gaining access to +the saloon.</p> + +<p>The proprietor was lying fast asleep in a +room from which he could see and be seen by +any one behind the bar. At the first click +of the bottles he partially aroused and opened +his eyes upon his ghost-like visitor.</p> + +<p>Enveloped in white, and seen in the obscure +light, the Dr.'s. most familiar friends +could not possibly have recognized him, and +to Hank's half awakened vision, he presented +a really supernatural appearance.</p> + +<p>Hank was not naturally superstitious, and, +obeying his first impulse, he shouted out, +"Who in the d——l are you?"</p> + +<p>The Dr. made a warning gesture with his +hand, as if to compel silence, and the auda<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>cious +questioner instinctively recoiled further +back in his bed. His courage began to fail +him, and a mixture of fear and astonishment +kept him silent while his visitor remained, +which was only long enough to secure the +prize he was seeking among the contents of +the shelves.</p> + +<p>Not suspecting the full extent of the paralyzing +effect his presence had had upon Hank, +and fearing he might attempt to follow, the +Dr. took a circuitous route home, and in his +haste stumbled over something which he discovered +to be a shivering, half naked child, +crouched upon the ground.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing out here this time of +night, my little fellow?" said he.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid of papa," sobbed the child, "he +said he'd skin me alive if I didn't get out of +his sight."</p> + +<p>"What is your name? Where do you live? +what bad thing have you been doing?" said +the Dr., all in a breath.</p> + +<p>"I live in a shanty out there, I am Fanny +Green. I ain't done anything bad but cry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +and I couldn't help it, for papa was striking +mamma so."</p> + +<p>"Well, come with me, Fanny, I'll take you +to your home, and I won't let your papa hurt +you."</p> + +<p>"Are you an angel?" said Fanny, feeling +of the hand that held hers.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm a man, my little girl."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were one of those angels +dressed in white that mamma told me about; +they take folks to heaven, and I want to go +there, I don't want to go home."</p> + +<p>They had now reached the wretched hovel +that the child called her home, and she began +to weep afresh.</p> + +<p>"O, no, no! I dare not go in," she said, +clinging convulsively to her protector, "I'm +afraid he will kill me."</p> + +<p>While she was speaking, the door was +roughly flung open, and her unnatural parent +rushed out, brandishing a heavy club; but, +at sight of the figure clad in white, he dropped +his bludgeon and ran off, howling like a +wild beast deprived of its prey.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a glad cry the child bounded into the +shanty, and he heard her childish voice saying +"mamma, don't be afraid any more, papa +has gone way off."</p> + +<p>On reaching his room, the Dr. was relieved +to find that his absence had remained undiscovered, +and he drank himself off to sleep. +He was, however, suddenly awakened quite +early in the morning by loud exclamations +coming from daddy, and, in the intervals, he +distinguished the sound of the same childlike +voice which was associated with his night's +adventure. Immediately calling his old servant, +he inquired the meaning of the commotion.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me," said daddy indignantly, +"there's more distruction; little Fanny +Green's mother is dead; that brute of a +husband has fairly killed her; knocked her +skull in with a club."</p> + +<p>"When did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"O, in the night; Fanny had run out door +for to get out of his reach, and 'tween you +and me, she says a man with a white dress on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +led her back, and she found her mother dead +on the floor. O! we're havin' on't dreadful +now days; spirits walking the airth, never no +good comes of sich things."</p> + +<p>The murder and the reputed ghost, whom +several of the inhabitants testified to having +seen at the midnight hour, was the absorbing +topic of conversation in the immediate neighborhood +where the tragedy was enacted.</p> + +<p>For several days succeeding the affair Hank +Glutter's saloon was the general rendezvous +of the wonder-loving country people round +about. All appeared to enjoy the tippling +vastly more than Hank himself.</p> + +<p>It was not the thought of the needy wife +sighing for the hard earned shilling, with +which to provide for the many little forms +that must go half clad, and the little feet uncovered +during the approaching winter, for +want of those bits of metal ringing out so sadly +as they fell into his drawer, that clouded +his unusually complacent smile; neither was +it the remembrance of the cruel part he had +acted in Little Wolf's abduction that shook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +his sin-stained soul. He affected to discredit +the appearance of the much-talked-of apparition, +and yet he was continually tormented +with a vague dread of a second visit from his +ghost-ship, which he would have pursuaded +himself was entirely a creature of the imagination, +had not his missing fourth proof brandy +bottle proved the contrary.</p> + +<p>He had resolved not to mention the occurrence +that had so strangely disturbed him, +but, being one day alone with Edward, who +had called particularly to make one of a company +who were going out the day following +to renew the search for Little Wolf, he ventured +to communicate his secret to him.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mr. Glutter, why didn't you tell +me before?" said Edward smiling in spite of +the sad errand that had brought him there, +"all this time you have needlessly tormented +yourself."</p> + +<p>"How so, Mr. Sherman?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Dr. DeWolf swallows a portion of +that fourth proof every day. I have no doubt +it was he who paid you the visit. I am cer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>tain +that he knows something about the murder +of Mrs. Green, and he must have been +the man in white that little Fanny talks +about. I see it all clearly now; Dr. DeWolf +is the ghost, and he has kept his bed to prevent +suspicion."</p> + +<p>"I was confident," said Hank with a look +of infinite relief, "that the Dr. would have +his dram, spite of our machinations. I have +known several such cases of apparently insatiable +thirst, and it was impossible to keep +liquor away from them. Sorrel Top's husband, +Harry Herrick, was the worst case of +the kind that ever came under my observation. +He drank quite moderately at first, +but suddenly appeared to have lost all control +over his appetite. I reasoned with him +in vain, and finally, out of pity to his family +I refused him admission here altogether. +Well, the result was he stole from my cellar +what he could not beg; for the miserable +creature was penniless, and before I was +aware of it, he actually drank himself to death. +It happened while Miss DeWolf was away at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +school, and on her return my conduct was +basely misrepresented to her, and she espoused +the widow's cause and took her into her +family, and ever after has treated me with +contempt. However, I harbor no ill will towards +Miss DeWolf. I would gladly make +one of your party, were it not entirely impossible +for me to leave here; but believe me, I +wish you success, Mr. Sherman."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Cottage in the Grove—The Disguise—Back +to Health—Impatience—Searching the Box—Antoinette La +Clair's Story.</b></p></div> + + +<p>Very sad and dreary seemed the hours to +Antoinette La Clair, as she watched by Little +Wolf's bed side. While her loving hand +bathed the burning brow, and her soft musical +voice soothed the wild ravings of the invalid, +she thought much upon the strange +loneliness of their situation. Day after day +passed by, and no living soul approached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +cottage. She often wondered why it's owner +came not, and it was a mystery to her, why +Bloody Jim had not discovered their retreat.</p> + +<p>From the first, she had taken the precaution +whenever she appeared outside to disguise +herself in the various articles of clothing, +which she found strewn about the house, +and, as she went to procure water from the +spring, which was at some distance from the +house, she would assume the air and gait of +a logy country boy. Her sun-burnt straw +hat with its crown piece flapping about in the +wind; great coarse boots slipping hither and +thither on her little feet and her other generally +loose fitting attire would, but for her absorbing +anxiety, have excited rather more than +a smile on her usually melancholly countenance.</p> + +<p>It was well that the fact of having remained +unmolested for nearly three weeks did not +lesson her vigilance on one eventful occasion. +It was about sun rise; as she was toiling up +the eminence with a heavy bucket of water, +which an occasional mis-step would send<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +splashing over her great awkward boots, she +saw a man approaching the spring. It was +Ketchum; and, as she recognized him, her +breath came quicker and she hurried onward +and upward. She had nearly reached the top +of the hill when she heard him calling out,</p> + +<p>"Hello there, boy!"</p> + +<p>She turned round, sat down her bucket and +stood in a listening attitude.</p> + +<p>"I say boy, who lives yonder?"</p> + +<p>"I du," she replied in exact imitation of +backwoodsman twang, and, taking a step or +two downward, she stooped forward and appeared +to be attentively eyeing her new acquaintance.</p> + +<p>"Be you the man they're looking fur?" +she at length drawled out.</p> + +<p>"Who's looking fur?" said he with a start.</p> + +<p>"Them men at our house."</p> + +<p>"No, you fool of a boy."</p> + +<p>The last she saw of Ketchum he was hurrying +off with all his might.</p> + +<p>Antoinette fairly ran into the house and +closing and barring the door she fell upon her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +knees, and, from her full heart went up to +Heaven a song of thankfulness. Blessings +multiply when gratitude reigns in the soul; +so while Antoinette still knelt a change came +over Little Wolf and consciousness returned.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" she faintly articulated, as +her watchful and tender nurse arose and approached +the bed.</p> + +<p>"You are safe, thank God," said Antoinette +bursting into tears.</p> + +<p>Antoinette now felt new courage, and, +when Little Wolf was able to bear it, she related +to her that part of their flight of which +the illness of the other prevented her having +any recollection; but carefully avoided any +allusion to her own personal history.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf longed to penetrate the mystery +that hung over her benefactress, and she +would often say to herself, as she sat propped +up with pillows watching Antoinette's quiet +movements about the house, "how I wish I +knew more about her; what a romance!"</p> + +<p>But as her strength increased, other desires +shared her thoughts more largely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How are we to get out of this place?" +she frequently exclaimed, and, as often, Antoinette +would meekly reply, "The Lord will +provide a way."</p> + +<p>"Well why don't the Lord provide a way +to get us away from here?" she said one day +rather impatiently as she sat by the window +looking out into the sunshine, "I'm sure I'm +well enough to travel now, and winter is coming +on and, when once the snow falls, we +shall freeze and starve shut up here."</p> + +<p>"We shall hardly freeze with that big wood +pile at the door, or starve with a cellar full of +vegetables," said Antoinette pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"O Antoinette, I'm sure your faith hangs +on the cellar and woodpile; but, dear me, +I've seen neither; I must peep into the cellar +right away."</p> + +<p>"Let me lift the door for you Miss DeWolf."</p> + +<p>A light trap door led to the vegetable kingdom +underneath. One glance at the potatoes, +cabbages and onions, which were only +a part of the products of the garden, piled up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +in this ten by twelve hole in the ground was +enough, as Little Wolf declared, to strengthen +the weakest faith.</p> + +<p>"Now, if we only had wings, we might +mount to that nice dried venison in the garret," +she said, glancing upward through a +square opening cut in the rough boards overhead. +"I wonder how they managed to hang +it so high; I do believe the place has been inhabited +by a giant. Now where shall we +hide when we see him coming? O, I'll get +into that huge chest, we little folks might +both hide there. I wonder I hadn't thought +of it before. Why I'm just beginning to feel +like myself; I see how it is, I've been petted +and babied too long. Please help me lift +this heavy lid. O, its locked—O here's the +key sticking just in this niche, O—what a +sight!"</p> + +<p>Here indeed our heroine had penetrated into +the mysteries of a heterogeneous mass. +Cooking utensils, carpenters' tools, crockery, +salt, pepper, and various other condiments +used in the culinary department were hud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>dled +together in one end, while the remainder +of the space was appropriated to books and +clothing, and a bachelor's work box, which, +for all the order it boasted, might have belonged +to the indulgent mother of ten children.</p> + +<p>Antoinette watched her friend with an +amused expression of countenance, as she flew +from one article to another really delighted +to find some amusement, however simple, to +while away the tedious hours.</p> + +<p>"O, John Hanford is our landlord's name. +Here it is on the fly leaf of this book, and +here is a book purporting to be the property +of Antoinette La Clare. Why Antoinette, I +thought the honor of discovering the contents +of this box belonged to me; but really I see +you have been here before me."</p> + +<p>"No, Miss DeWolf, I never saw the inside +of the box before, I thought there was no +key."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible? Why what does it mean? +Here is surely an old bible with your name<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +written in it in full, 'Antoinette La Clare,' +now here it is, you can see for yourself.</p> + +<p>Antoinette eagerly took the book, and, having +examined the name, proceeded to look it +carefully through. It was a pocket bible of +the English version in old fashioned binding, +and bore marks of long and frequent use.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf watched Antoinette's varying +countenance as she turned over the leaves. +A ray of pleasure, at first, lighted up her sad, +wistful face, but slowly faded leaving her apparently +more wan and sad than ever, as she +returned the volume in silence.</p> + +<p>A vague suspicion of evil crept into Little +Wolf's mind. How came Antoinette's name +in the book and why was she so silent, and +why had she appeared so satisfied to remain +where they were, if she knew no more about +their present abode than she had professed, +were a few of the many questions, which +awakened distrust, suggested to her busy +brain.</p> + +<p>The chest had lost its interest and down +came the cover with a bang, sadly startling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +poor Antoinette, who had walked to the window +to hide her fast falling tears.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf saw the tears and Antoinette +felt that she had seen them, and the way was +made easy for her to say, "O, Miss DeWolf, +I'm a child of sorrow. I am sometimes almost +overwhelmed with sorrow. Come, let us sit +down together, and I will try to tell you why +it is. It seems but a few days since I gaily +roamed about my childhood's home, hand in +hand with brother Jim, or bloody Jim, as he +is called."</p> + +<p>"Bloody Jim your brother! It cannot be +so!" interrupted Little Wolf in amazement, +"I thought he was a half breed."</p> + +<p>"So he is a half breed; and he is also my +half brother; my father was of French descent +and, when a young man, he went to the Red +River country and engaged in trapping, and +trading with the Indians. For several years +he made his home principally among the Chippewas, +and, like many others of his class, +married an Indian women; brother Jim was +the fruit of this marriage. His mother was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +accidentally drowned when he was quite an +infant; soon afterwards my father returned +to Canada, leaving his little son in charge of +his Indian grandmother. While there he became +acquainted with my mother, whom he +made his wife with the understanding that +she should accompany him to his wild home +and be a mother to his motherless child. Perhaps +it may be a mystery to you, Miss DeWolf, +that a young and cultivated woman +could have been so readily induced to expose +herself to the hardships and dangers of frontier +life."</p> + +<p>"O, no!" broke in Little Wolf, enthusiastically, +"not if she did it for love."</p> + +<p>"What do you know about love, Miss DeWolf?"</p> + +<p>A conscious blush overspread the pale +young face, for Antoinette accompanied the +question with a wistful enquiring look, that +seemed to reach to her very heart.</p> + +<p>"O nothing, my very good, penetrating +friend; please go on with your story. Was +your mother happy?" she asked with a kind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +of nervous haste, as if to compel an immediate +compliance with her request.</p> + +<p>"I can not say," said Antoinette very obligingly +relieving the embarrassment she had +occasioned, "I should think she must have +been happy, though, for I believe her short +life was a very useful one. She died at my +birth having been a wife but one year. During +that time, she had by many acts of kindness +greatly endeared herself to the savages, +and the young Indian woman, who had assisted +her in nursing brother Jim, for the love she +bore my mother, reared her little daughter +with unusually tender care. My father survived +her loss but a few weeks, and then +brother Jim and myself were thrown entirely +upon the care of our kind nurse. My mother +had taught her to read and she in turn imparted +such instruction to us as she had received, +or rather I should say her pains were mostly +bestowed upon me, for I was her pet.</p> + +<p>Brother Jim grew up like the savages +around him, only, if possible, more vindictive +and revengeful in his nature. I was the only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +being for whom he seemed to entertain the +least affection, and he certainly lavished upon +me wonderful tenderness and love. In his +early youth he gathered for me the rarest +flowers, and, as he grew older, he brought me +game and the choicest fruits, and seemed +never so happy as when promoting my comfort. +For my amusement he brought me a +violin from the distant settlement of Pembinaw, +and at length, gratified my curiosity by +taking me with him in one of his frequent +visits thither. While there my fair skin attracted +the attention of a missionary's family, +and as brother Jim was rather proud of my +parentage, they readily elicited a correct account +of my birth from him, and by appealing +to his pride, at length wrung from him a reluctant +consent to place me for a time under their +tutorage, where, beside making rapid progress, +I cultivated my naturally correct taste +for music. Under their hospitable roof, amid +the refinements and courtisies of civilized life +I spent many happy months."</p> + +<p>"At length the last painful illness of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +faithful nurse, who had never ceased to mourn +my absence, recalled me to her. After her +death I was exceedingly sad and lonely, and, +to add to my sorrows, brother Jim had acquired +a love for strong drink, and frequently +came to our lodge in a state of intoxication. +I grieved over his infatuation and reasoned +with him in his sober hours, but all in vain; +he grew worse and worse, and often treated +me harshly, In despair I went to the trader +who I knew supplied him with whiskey and +entreated him with tears not to sell him any +more. I received from him only insults."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you might have known what +to expect from one of that class," said Little +Wolf with flashing eyes, "I discovered long +ago, that there was no mercy in the heart of +the liquor dealer. They know it's a mean +business and any one who engages in it must +first harden his heart enough to turn away +from tears of blood."</p> + +<p>"I don't think <i>all</i> who engage in the traffic +realize the consequences accruing from it," +Antoinette mildly replied. "I am sure no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +humane person would continue in it, if they +once took into consideration the vast amount +of misery occasioned by it. I am sure brother +Jim was bad enough before he began to drink; +but after that he became as unmanageable +as a wild beast. Still, alone in the world, I +clung to him with all the warm affection of +my nature.</p> + +<p>"A few months after the death of my nurse, +he was pursuaded to join a party from Pembinaw, +who were going on their annual visit to +St. Paul for the purpose of trading with the +whites. At my earnest request he permitted +me to accompany him. I was then in my +fifteenth year, and mere child as I was, he +left me the first day of our arrival entirely +alone in our encampment at St. Paul, while +he went with the rest of the company to the +city.</p> + +<p>"By chance a gentleman passing, heard +the sound of the violin, with which I was beguiling +the tedious hours, and came into my +tent. At first I was quite alarmed at sight +of a stranger, but his words and manner im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>mediately +won my confidence, and put my +fears to rest, and, I confess, I was lonelier +when he left me and glad when he came again. +He knew my unprotected situation, and always +made it a point to come when brother +Jim was absent. It would be quite impossible +for me to describe to you the subtile influence +which this person gained over me. I +learned to love him with all the ardor of which +my passionate and imaginative nature was +capable. It was the first unbounded devotion +of a warm and innocent heart that he betrayed. +I have no words with which to convey +an adequate idea of the anguish which I suffered +at parting with him. He promised to +follow me and make me his wife, but he never +came, and at a time when I was least able +to bear it, I was subject to brother Jim's fury. +His cruelty brought me near to death, and +my sufferings only aggravated his bitterness +and wrath. With awful curses he swore vengeance +on the man for whom I would even +then have laid down my life.</p> + +<p>"As soon as my strength would permit, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +fled to my friends at Pembinaw. I told them +all, even of my shame, which a little grave +had forever hid from the world. Like true +Christians they soothed my sorrows, and gave +me the place in their family which their only +daughter, who had married and left them +during my absence, had occupied. Several +years had passed away, and the good missionary +died. His wife soon followed him, and I +was again left alone. I had never seen brother +Jim since I left him, but had frequently +heard of his wicked deeds. I thought now +that I would go with my life in my hand and +seek him out and try once more by affectionate +pursuasion, to induce him to give up his +reckless life. Accordingly, I mounted my +pony and set out for my former wild home. +Reaching the lodge after nightfall, to my surprise +I heard voices within. I did not go in, +but stood listening at the entrance. I heard +brother Jim and his companions propose a +plan to capture you. They were to start that +very night; so I hid myself among the trees +and waited until they were gone. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +I went in for the night, and the next morning +set out to do what I could towards rescuing +you.</p> + +<p>"Now I have told you all, Miss DeWolf, +and our Heavenly Father alone knows our +future. As for my name in that bible, you +know as much about it as I do. I never saw +the book before."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Twofold agony—Dr. Goodrich's promise—Home +Again—Lilly Foot—The Convalescent—The Neighborhood +Wedding—News from Chimney Rock—The Sherman Family at the West.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capE.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="E" title="E" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">dward Sherman was still where we +left him, listening graciously to the pretended +good wishes of Hank Glutter, +when Dr. Goodrich, who happened to pass +that way, saw him through the window and +beckoned him out side.</p> + +<p>"I expected to have met you at Dr. DeWolf's," +said he, "and I brought a letter for +you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>Edward took the letter and read it carefully +through, turning very pale as he did so. +It was from his sister Louise, and contained +a brief account of the dangerous illness of his +mother, with a request for his immediate presence +at home. His extreme paleness and the +trembling hand, with which he in silence offered +the open sheet for the Doctor's persual +were all the outward sign of his soul's agony; +agony for a beloved and dying mother; agony +for the beloved, lost one, for whom, in company +with a few friends, he was about to go +in quest.</p> + +<p>While the Doctor was running over the communication, +Edward tried to calm the surging +tempest within, sufficiently to decide him +how to act.</p> + +<p>"Doctor," said he, "I must go to mother, +can you, I know it will be difficult, but <i>can</i> you +take my place in the company to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"I will go, and, by the love I bear your +sister, I promise to do what I can."</p> + +<p>"Let me hear from you by mail," said Edward, +wringing his hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>Edward had now barely time to return to +Pendleton, and hastily get his trunk in readiness +for the forthcoming steamer.</p> + +<p>At the sound of the bell he was ready to +embark and a few days rapid travelling +brought him worn and weary to the old homestead. +It was evening when he arrived, and, +as he approached the house, he saw a light in +his mother's room. His apprehensions were +so great that he had not the courage to enter, +and, listening near the window, he distinguished +his mother's voice in conversation +with Louise.</p> + +<p>"I would not be surprised to see him this +very evening," he heard his sister say.</p> + +<p>"Miss Louise," called out Recta's familiar +voice. "Miss Louise, won't you please come +here quick. Old Spot has got into the front +yard; there she is nibbling at that rose bush +under the window. I can't see nothing but +the white spot in her face; but I know it +must be her, she's such an unruly critter; +won't you just hold the light while I hist her +out?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O where's Lilly Foot," said Louise, +"she'll drive her out while you open the gate. +Here, Lilly Foot."</p> + +<p>Lilly Foot came growling along from the +vicinity of the barn, where, after the fatigue +of bringing the cows from the distant meadow, +she had gone to rest and recruit for night +watching.</p> + +<p>Having forgotten at the beginning of our +story to introduce Lilly Foot under the family +head we will pause for a moment and give +her the notice to which her position and worth +entitle her. She was a very respectable looking +animal of the canine species originally +coal black with the exception of one white +foot, from which she derived her name, but +now grown grey in the service of the family.</p> + +<p>From puppyhood to old age, this faithful +creature had made it her daily business to +keep the cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry each +in their proper places, and, having been raised +on a quiet, orderly New England farm, had +never in the course of her whole life, had occasion +to perform more onerous nightly duties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +than to sleep with one eye open; consequently, +she had come to consider regular rest as +her lawful right, and was in no mood to bear +the present encroachment.</p> + +<p>"I believe the dog is getting old and cross," +said Recta in a voice very like that which had +occasioned her censure. "Here Lilly Foot, +there's Old Spot; take her."</p> + +<p>The words had scarcely left Recta's lips before +Lilly Foot saw and flew violently at the +object indicated,</p> + +<p>"Lilly Foot."</p> + +<p>They all heard—Edward's voice that came +from the rose bush, and it would be difficult +to say from which of the three, Louise, Recta, +or Lilly Foot, he received the warmest greeting.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman had passed the crisis, of her +disease, and Edward, assured of her convalesence, +sought her bedside with a buoyant +step.</p> + +<p>"My dear son, to have you here is all the +medicine I need now," she said, as she held +him to her bosom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>The first greetings over, Edward's unnatural +strength produced by anxiety and excitement +gave way, and he lay down to rest that +night prostrated in body and mind.</p> + +<p>Confused images of his mother, Little +Wolf, and Bloody Jim crowded his unquiet +dreams, and he awoke in the morning comparatively +unrefreshed, and the old load in +his bosom but little lightened. Soon after +breakfast he signified his intention of riding +over to the Post Office, two miles distant.</p> + +<p>"O no," said his sister playfully, "mother +will be disappointed; she expects to have you +all to herself this morning. I made it a point +to go for the mail every day until she was +taken sick. Let me go this time, I really +need a horseback ride. If I get a letter for +you, you shall have it in just fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>"From now?"</p> + +<p>"No; from the time I get it."</p> + +<p>"I am overruled," laughed Edward, and +he went to his mother's room. Scarcely had +he seated himself when Mrs. Sherman enquired,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Has Dr. DeWolf's daughter been found +yet, Edward?"</p> + +<p>"No, mother."</p> + +<p>"How dreadful! Dr. Goodrich said in his +last letter he had but little hope of seeing her +alive. I was gratified to hear that you were +in pursuit, and that you were situated so you +could do your father's old friend a favor. I +wish you would tell me the particulars of the +sad affair."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman wondered at Edward's prolonged +silence, as he sat there utterly unable +to say a word. She was beginning to have a +vague conception of the truth, when he turned +to her and said in a voice which the effort +to control rendered scarcely audible.</p> + +<p>"Mother, I expected to have made Miss +De Wolf my wife. I can not talk about it +now."</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Sherman led him gently on by +means which true mothers know so well how +to use, to unburden his heart, and ere long +her sympathy ran so high as to propose that +he should return to Minnesota, and if need<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +he should return to Minnesota, and if need +be spend the winter there.</p> + +<p>"If I could take you and Louise with me," +said he.</p> + +<p>Just then Louise came, in high spirits.</p> + +<p>"O mother," said she, "you must hurry +and get well in time to attend Maria Dole's +wedding. I met her going to shop. She +wants me to be one of her bridesmaids. Now +guess who she is going to marry; but of +course you'd never guess for you are not acquainted +with the gentleman; so I may as +well toll you at once; John Hanford, from the +wilds of Minnesota. Maria says she is afraid +of being carried off by the bears, but still too +willing to venture a home in the woods for +her dear Johnny's sake. I did not tell her +about Dr. DeWolf's daughter, I was afraid it +would stop the wedding, Maria is such a timid +creature. Brother, do tell me about that horrible +affair."</p> + +<p>"Tell her mother," said Edward and immediately +left the room.</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Sherman was explaining the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +matter, Edward was walking up and down +the lawn in front of the house, vainly considering +the probabilities of a favorable termination +of his troubles.</p> + +<p>"What can we do for poor Edward?" said +Louise, after a long silence, "I think he +ought to go back."</p> + +<p>"He was saying when you came in if he +could only take you and me."</p> + +<p>"Well why not?" said Louise eagerly, "I +am sure if you keep on getting well as rapidly +as you have for a few days you'll be about +the house in a week."</p> + +<p>"When we hear from Dr. Goodrich, my +dear, we shall be better able to decide what +is best for us to do."</p> + +<p>"Then all we can do is to wait in patience."</p> + +<p>Wait they did for over a week before the +looked-for intelligence arrived, and the following +is the contents of Dr. Goodrich's letter.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sherman.</span> All our efforts have +proved unavailing. We could not find the +least clue to aid us in our search. I am now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +inclined to think that Miss DeWolf has voluntarily +secreted herself until such times as +she hopes to return unmolested by Bloody +Jim, whom, if my conjectures are correct, she +no doubt thinks still at large. As for Bloody +Jim his lips are forever closed. In attempting +to escape from prison last evening he was +shot dead.</p> + +<p>I learn with pleasure from your letter +which I have just received, that your mother's +health is rapidly improving. Take courage +Ned, the same hand that restored one +loved one can also restore the other. You +say you must return. Why not bring your +mother and sister with you? A change of +climate would no doubt benefit both. I think +there will be time for you to come before +navigation closes. The weather continues +splendid. I am now at Dr. DeWolf's. He +is worse again; I think he cannot last long. +He is literally drinking himself to death. +Mrs. Hawley still attends on him. Sorrel Top +and daddy do not get along very well together, +but between them the Doctor's house is +well cared for.</p> + +<p>If it will be any comfort to you I will say +that I have sanguine expectations of again +seeing Miss DeWolf safe at home,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Yours with more sympathy than I can express.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">G. Goodrich</span>."<br /> +</p> + +<p>Louise received a letter from the same hand, +but it being an entirely private affair we can +only speculate upon its contents. Doubtless +among other things there were unanswerable +arguments in favor of a western trip, for +when the reading was over, she was the first +one to say.</p> + +<p>"I think we had all better get ready as +soon as we can and start for Minnesota."</p> + +<p>Edward being of the same mind, and Mrs. +Sherman willing to gratify her children, it +was not many days before the arrangments +were all made for the journey. Recta and +Lilly Foot were to be left in sole charge of the +house; the tenant having promised the assistance +of one of his sons when required.</p> + +<p>The wedding ceremony of John Hanford +and Maria Dole having been performed the +evening previous to their departure, they +traveled in company with the bridal pair.</p> + +<p>Maria Dole was the only daughter of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +neighboring farmer, and the two girls had +from childhood been on intimate terms, and +Louise had hoped some day to call her sister; +but she loved the gentle girl none the less for +the step she had taken, and Edward's regard +for her seemed to have suddenly increased. +The conduct of her husband who was a bashful +soul, exceedingly shy, and sparing of his +husbandly attentions, gave Edward frequent +opportunities during their trip of cultivating +a more familiar acquaintance with her than +he had ever imagined possible.</p> + +<p>"Some women appear to better advantage +after marriage and Maria Dole is one of them," +he said in a very decided manner to his sister +after having been engaged in a long conversation +with the newly-made wife. "She can +converse now and she never could before."</p> + +<p>"Yon mean, brother, you were afraid of +each other before. It was my fault; you both +knew what my wishes were, and it spoiled all. +To have carried out the romance of the thing, +you ought to have discovered her perfections +before it was too late."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<p>Louise quite forgot for the moment her +brother's affliction, but on second thought said +no more.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry Mr. Hanford is going to take +her so far from any settlement," said Edward, +not appearing to notice what had been said, +"he tells me his nearest neighbor is ten miles +distant."</p> + +<p>"How lonely Maria will be, I'm glad we +are all to visit her in the Spring," said Louise, +alluding to a promise made to that effect.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hanford rather insists upon my going +out with them now, but I could not promise +until I had seen the Doctor. If I decide to +go I can overtake him by the next steamer, +as he will stop for a day or two at St. Paul."</p> + +<p>The next day after the above conversation, +the party having arrived at Pendleton, separated; +Mr. and Mrs. Hanford continuing up +the river to the head of navigation, while the +Sherman family were introduced to comfortable +quarters provided by the forethought of +Dr. Goodrich.</p> + +<p>By the advice of his friends, who plainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +saw, that under the circumstances, he could +not content himself to remain where he was, +Edward decided to join Mr. Hanford at St. +Paul, and the following chapter will chronicle +the result.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Rough Roads—the Happy Bridegroom—Jacob +Mentor's Experience—Fairy Knoll—A Joyful Meeting.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he prospect of a change from steamboat +navigation, always so delightful on +the upper Mississippi, to jolting and +jarring over a rough extent of country in a +heavy, lumbering wagon, suited to the unimproved +state of the roads, was anything but +agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Hanford, as they +surveyed the uncomely vehicle drawn up before +their hotel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p>Edward had overtaken them, and with Mr. +and Mrs. Hanford, stood waiting on the porch, +while Mr. Hanford made every arrangement +for their comfort, of which the state of the +case would admit. The cushions and buffalos +at length fixed to his satisfaction he assisted +in his wife, and after a small strife, in +which each contended for the seat which +neither wanted, Edward prevailed, and planted +himself beside the driver, while Mr. Hanford, +looking remarkably happy for a vanquished +man, took his place beside his wife.</p> + +<p>The sober driver, Jacob Mentor by name, +looked over his shoulder and carefully surveyed +his load before starting. The trunks +were firmly strapped on behind, and a half a +dozen chairs were also disposed of in the +same way. A small sized dining table, bed +downward, rested behind the seats, so hugged +up by boxes and bundles, that it appeared +impossible for any number of bumps or +thumps to disturb its quiet. The two beaming +faces, just in the van of all this array, did +not escape the eyes of honest Jacob.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess yer pretty comfortable to start +on," said he.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Mr. Hanford, "drive on."</p> + +<p>It would be a matter of surprise how it had +entered into the head of a plain, common-sense, +matter-of-fact young man like John +Hanford, to bestow the name of "Fairy +Knoll" on the little hillock in the wilderness, +where stood his solitary cabin, did we not remember +that at the time he was completely +under love's influence. The name given under +such circumstances was music to him as +it fell frequently from the lips of his young +bride on their toilsome journey thither.</p> + +<p>"I hope the fairies at Fairy Knoll will have +a nice fire to welcome us, she said, as the day +was drawing to a close, and they were nearing +her future home.</p> + +<p>"Are you very cold?" said her husband, +drawing her more closely to his side.</p> + +<p>The day had been unusually chilly, and +towards night the autumn winds got up a +boisterous frolic, and swept past, dashing from +their wings light flurries of snow directly in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +the faces of our travelers, and the delicate +bride, unused to such rough play, had at last +hid her face behind her veil and wished for +the warm fireside. Before she had had time +to reply to Mr. Hanford's question, Edward +produced a neat little flask encased in silver, +and unfastening from the stopper a tiny cup +of the same make, he filled it with the sparkling +fluid, at the same time giving orders for +the wagon to stop.</p> + +<p>"Now here is something almost equal to a +warm fire," he said offering Mrs. Hanford the +cup.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" said she, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Pure domestic wine, some of Col. Wilson's +best, ho presented it to me just before I left +home, and gave me his word it was unadulterated," +said Edward, with great assurance.</p> + +<p>"Col. Wilson's wines are justly popular," +said Mrs. Hanford, sipping the beverage; but +it is whispered that the Colonel uses alcohol in +their preparation."</p> + +<p>"O, very likely," said Edward carelessly. +"I have no doubt of it, but this he assured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +me was unadulterated. Have some, Mr. +Hanford?"</p> + +<p>"I don't care if I do. It is really very +fine," he said, returning the cup, "quite stimulating, +but I prefer a little brandy to any +other stimulant; it takes right hold."</p> + +<p>"You surely don't drink brandy!" exclamed +the young wife, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Only a little, occasionally, when I need it +to keep the cold out. O never fear, my +dear," he continued observing the look of +concern upon his wife's countenance. "I'm +a good temperance man, but not a teetotaler; +that is drawing the reins rather too tight."</p> + +<p>Meantime, Edward had offered the driver +a drink, but the man shook his head; "No, +thank you," said he, "I'd rather not take +any."</p> + +<p>"Not take any!" said Edward, "why, sir, +it will do you good."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sick," said the other.</p> + +<p>"But you are cold," said Edward, mistaking +his modest demeanor for bashfulness.</p> + +<p>But the earnest and decided shake of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +head by which he refused the second invitation, +signified more than words that he was +an adherent of the total abstinence principles.</p> + +<p>"What a simpleton," said Edward to himself, +as the individual by his side shiveringly +gathered up the reins and drove on.</p> + +<p>But the individual's ruminations were of +quite a different character, and something after +this wise: "Shiver away, old man, it is +better to shiver than to drink." Be it known +that for many years this grey headed man had +without measure, poured down the alcoholic +fire. When at length overcome by it, a good +Samaritan had discovered him lying sick by +the wayside, and had humanely assisted him +to rise, and had set him upon the beast commonly +known as "Total Abstinence," upon +which he had ridden with great comfort and +safety up to the time of our story. Moreover +being satisfied that the animal was of good +parts and <i>sure-footed</i>, he was not at all inclined +to exchange the faithful old creature +for any of the best bloods belonging to the +domestic wine family. He had not forgotten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +that apparently harmless little hobby-horse +whose <i>cognomen</i> was Lager Beer, which he +had sported in his youth, but which at last +got unruly; whether from having been stabled +with vicious beasts, or from a bad quality +which it inherently possessed, he was not +in a condition to inquire the first time it played +off its pranks upon him. But one thing +was certain, after several months of docile behavior, +one fine morning his pet landed him +very unceremoniously in the gutter, after +which, on various occasions, he mounted nearly +all the beasts in the stable, whiskey, rum, +brandy, etc., but they, one and all, proved +vastly more refractory than the first named, +and, as we have seen, he was at length left +battered and bruised by the way side.</p> + +<p>It is needless to state that Jacob Mentor's +experience had not, nor was it likely to benefit +any so much as himself; for who, among +the thousands tampering with stimulating +drinks, could be made to believe that a glass +of beer, or an occasional sip of wine would +result in their final overthow?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such, at all events, was not the opinion of +our young friends journeying in the direction +of "Fairy Knoll; for more than once the +wine went round as the night winds whistled +colder. But the tedious road had at length +an end, and about dark, the heavy wagon +lumbered up under the shadows of Fairy +Knoll.</p> + +<p>"It won't do to drive up that hill with this +heavy load, the horses are too much jaded," +said Jacob.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll walk up," said Mr. Hanford, +jumping out. "Come now, Mrs. Hanford," +proudly stretching out his arms, "I will carry +you up. Mr. Sherman follow me; the path +is a little slippery, and we shall have to step +carefully."</p> + +<p>By reason of his burden and the icy path, +Mr. Hanford was sometime in reaching his +cabin, but he made short work of getting inside; +for, having bestowed several impatient +thumps upon the window which he declared +frozen down, he suddenly threw himself +against the door, and crack went the wooden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +fastening, and open flew the door, and a most +unexpected scene burst upon his astonished +vision.</p> + +<p>Surely here were the fairies, and here the +warm fire for which his shivering little wife +had been wishing. Surprise held him upon +the threshold; but Edward, who instantly +recognized in one of the so-called fairies, the +person of Little Wolf, sprang forward with a +shout of joy.</p> + +<p>"The honey, sure as I'm alive," cried Jacob +Mentor, pressing eagerly after him. "Laws," +said he, precipitately dropping his bundles in +the middle of the floor, and rushing up to Edward, +"how came the little creature here?"</p> + +<p>Edward silently held the little creature in +his arms as if he would keep back the dear +life that appeared leaving her, and when Jacob's +eye fell upon the white, upturned face, +he drew back with a look of alarm.</p> + +<p>When this and that restorative had been +resorted to with happy effect, and Little Wolf +no longer required undivided attention, at her +suggestion Antoinette La Clare briefly relat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>ed +the story of their escape from Bloody Jim. +Mutual explanations followed, discovering to +Antoinette the fact, that she had taken refuge +in the house of her cousin, for such John +Hanford proved to be, his mother's sister having +married Antoinette's father.</p> + +<p>Amid the general rejoicings and congratulations, +Edward naturally alluded to the death +of Bloody Jim, and the means by which it +was accomplished. "We are fairly rid of him +now," he said, turning to Little Wolf, who +had quietly slipped from his embrace and +perched herself upon the big chest, "the ball +made sure work."</p> + +<p>The color had come to her cheek, and there +was great joy in her eye, but Edward's unlucky +words made her pale again, and she +looked quickly and apprehensively towards +Antoinette.</p> + +<p>The poor girl shiveringly hid her face in +her hands and sobbed audibly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Busy Preparations and the Climax—The +Lovers—Tom Tinknor's Discovery—General +Rejoicings—The Idol Defaced.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he next morning the cottage on the +knoll presented a scene of busy preparation, +the climax of which brought forth +Little Wolf rosy, and roguish, wrapped in +blankets and shawls, sufficient, we doubt not, +to have covered over more land than the +nether garments of the famous Ten Breeches.</p> + +<p>She was now in readiness for her homeward +journey. The long-wished-for time had +come, and with it, ten thousand joyous emo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>tions, +which, amid all the changes of after +life, she never forgot. Her heart had put +forth its life flower, and who ever forgot a +like season of bloom.</p> + +<p>Edward was here, there, and everywhere, +arranging for her comfort, and he looked very +proud indeed when he handed, or rather lifted +the lady in blankets into the big wagon, +and took his seat beside her.</p> + +<p>They were to go alone, Antoinette having +accepted a pressing invitation to remain with +her newly-found cousins. The driver of the +day before did not, as on a previous occasion, +wait for orders. Before the adieus were fairly +spoken he cracked his whip and drove off +at a rate, which, in his cooler moments, he +would have pronounced absolutely ruinous to +his carefully preserved establishment. The +fact that said establishment comprised all the +earthly possessions of honest Jacob, was of itself +a sufficient guarantee for the safe transportation +of his employers. But when added +to this was a natural cautiousness and benevolence +of disposition, which could not but be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +observed on the most casual acquaintance, +few could have lost their assurance, even on +the verge of a precipice, when he held the +reins.</p> + +<p>His extreme caution made him a favorite +teamster, not only overland, but especially on +the Mississippi; when at certain seasons there +was danger in travelling on the ice. At such +times, Squire Tinknor and Dr. DeWolf had +taken some pains to secure his services, when +exchanging family visits, and he had frequently +been entrusted with the sole charge of +Little Wolf, when she was but a child, and +delighted with the long icy trip.</p> + +<p>In those days, the little lady had completely +won the heart of her protector, and he had +never before had occasion to be jealous of attentions +which she was pleased to receive +from any of her friends, except, indeed, when +Daddy would sometimes infringe upon his +rights, by officiously lifting her in and out of +his sleigh. Nor could he be said to be jealous +now. It was only the same disagreeable sensation +which affectionate sisters sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +experience on the occasion of the marriage of +a favorite brother. Had Jacob been questioned +on the subject, he would have stoutly +declared that he was glad of it; for that was +just what he tried to say to himself, when he +saw Edward put his dearly beloved pet into +the wagon. But even his fine horses, which +he hurried off with such unseemly haste, +ought to have known it was not so.</p> + +<p>"Why, what has got into the man? he has +almost taken your breath away," said Edward +tenderly.</p> + +<p>"A little more careful, sir," he said, as Jacob +turned his head at his loud exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; I beg pardon, I was careless."</p> + +<p>The speaker was evidently ashamed of his +freak. A second look at the happy couple, +and a kind word from his pet, "Dear Jacob, +I believe old Grey and Bill remember how I +used to want to go fast when we went so +much together," soothed his turbulent feelings +and he went on quite slowly, picking up +some crumbs of comfort in default of the +whole loaf.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<p>The loaf, be it remembered, had fallen into +the hands of the voracious couple just behind +him, and if greedily devouring it during the +entire day would have made a finish of it, the +deed would have been done. But the more +they fed on it, the larger and sweeter it grew, +and, by the time they had arrived at Squire +Tinknor's, their loaf had grown to be almost +as much as they could carry.</p> + +<p>Squire Tinknor, it will be remembered, was +an old acquaintance of Dr. DeWolf, and, as +we have elsewhere stated, the two gentlemen +were on intimate terms. Having at one time +been his partner in some extensive land speculations, +the Squire had, since that period, +acted as the doctor's financial agent and advisor. +He was generally shrewd and reliable +in his business transactions, although his appetite +for drink occasionally got the better of +his judgment. This known discrepancy of +character was tolerated in society rather as an +amiable weakness, than a vile habit, for none +had the hardihood to frown openly upon a +man of Squire Tinknor's wealth and position.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>His family consisted of a wife and one son. +The latter, a handsome, dashing young man, +he had secretly desired to see attracted +towards the daughter of his friend, and in +this had not been disappointed. Thomas +Tinknor had, from a boy, bestowed his choicest +attentions upon the young lady, and when +she was carried off, he had sworn to bring her +back, or "die in the attempt." To this end +he had faithfully mounted his horse each day +since her disappearance, and had ridden several +miles into the woods, always going out in +high spirits, and returning somewhat dejected.</p> + +<p>It was in this condition that he might have +been seen approaching his father's house just +as Jacob Mentor drew up before the gate. +His heart beat quickly, for he instantly recognized +the toss of that little head, enveloped +as it was in hood and veil. He was not +slow in extending to Little Wolf a warm welcome. +So warm indeed, was it, and of such +vapory stuff is comfort made, that Edward's +ponderous loaf evaporated, leaving only a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +small fragment such as could be drawn from +a stolen glance of the eye, while she was being +carried into the house, and transported +from the arms of Mr. Tinknor the younger, to +the arms of Mr. Tinknor the elder, and lastly, +affectionately folded in the embrace of Mrs. +Tinknor.</p> + +<p>"You see everything I have on is borrowed," +said Little wolf, as Mrs. Tinknor was assisting +her in undoing her wrappings, "but I +hope to be at home in a day or two."</p> + +<p>"Home in a day or two!" interrupted Tom, +"Not in a month or two, if I can prevent it."</p> + +<p>"I intend to be at home to-morrow, provided +the steamers are still running," said the +young lady decidedly.</p> + +<p>"O, now, you are too bad to treat us so +shabbily," said Tom, coaxingly, "do stay until +the river freezes, and I'll take you down +on the ice."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Tinknor, I must go to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tom Tinknor, knew from past experience +that to attempt further persuasion was entire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>ly +useless, and he said no more, silently indulging +the hope that the ice would blockade +the river before morning. His desires were +in part gratified. The next day it was ascertained +that no steamers would venture forth +among the floating ice cakes, and Tom was +exultant.</p> + +<p>In this mood he determined to give Little +Wolf a surprise party, and thus alleviate, in +some degree her disappointment. His parents +heartily co-operated in his project, and the +trio immediately set about making preparations +for the entertainment of a large circle of +friends.</p> + +<p>It was decided that Edward should be initiated +into the secret, and the task of hoodwinking +their prying and discontented young +guest, was assigned to him. By ways and +means known only to a masterly hand, Edward +contrived on that eventful day to perform +the feat, in which, no doubt, the whole +Tinknor family combined would have failed.</p> + +<p>For when evening came on, and the company +were assembled, Little Wolf most un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>expectedly +found herself in the midst, an object +of universal interest. A more beautiful +object could scarce have been found. At all +events, so thought Edward Sherman, as he +mingled in the throng, great billows of gladness +surging in his soul. His cup of joy was +large and full. He was holding it with a +firm hand, and he said in his heart, "I shall +never be moved."</p> + +<p>The evening was drawing to a close, but +the feasting and toasting was still kept up. +The wine went round, and the adventures of +our heroine continued to be commemorated +in appropriate sentiments. While the guests +still lingered, a shade of anxiety might occasionally +be traced on many a fair face, as husband +or brother, or "that other," exhibited +unmistakable signs of an overheated brain.</p> + +<p>Little Wolfs cheek grew pale, as from time +to time she observed the rising flush on Edward's +brow. He was exceedingly susceptible +to the use of stimulants, and was rapidly +thrown into a highly exhilarated condition, +making him for a time brilliant, but finally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +entangling his talk in a labyrinth of meaningless +and silly words. When in the latter +condition which was not observable until just +before the party broke up, he conceived the +unlucky idea of urging upon Little Wolf a +glass of his favorite drink. "Permit me," +said he, stepping, or rather swaggering up to +where the lady stood, "to—to—," and suddenly +appearing to notice the extreme pallor +that overspread her countenance, he stammered, +"to bring the blushes to those cheeks."</p> + +<p>It was enough. The heart at once threw +its crimson mantle upon her face, but alas! it +was dyed in shame. Poor Little Wolf had +no words at command. There, before her, +stood the man in whom, a few hours before +she had felt so much pride and confidence. +Her heart's best feelings had gone out to him, +and here was her idol horribly defaced, and +he knew it not. He even held invitingly towards +her the instrument that had done the +mischief, and, while the cup still shook in his +trembling hand, he began to wonder at her +silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>She once or twice moved her lips, as if to +speak, but the words died away. She was +not faint or weak, but was for the moment +paralyzed. When the quick reaction came, +on fire with indignation she acted with characteristic +energy and decision, and all heard +the crash of the goblet, as with one rapid +sweep of her little hand she dashed it to the +floor, and fled from the room.</p> + +<p>Did she forgive him? She said in her +heart she would not.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Painful Recollections—The Last Boat +of the Season—Ruffled Plumes—Reconciliation.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/capW.jpg" width="140" height="160" alt="W" title="W" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">hen Little Wolf awoke the next +morning, her mind instantly reverted +to the painful subject, that had banished +sleep from her eyes the greater part of +the night, and, as the shameful scene came +up again vividly before her, she buried her +face in her pillow and groaned aloud. While +thus indulging afresh her grief and mortification, +she was aroused by a sound which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +turned her thoughts in another direction. +She started up eagerly and threw open the +window which commanded an extended view +of the river, and, in the distance, she could +just discern through the fast falling snow, a +brave little steamer, as if by magic ploughing +its way up through snow and ice.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf hung out of the window half +in fear lest the welcome vision should vanish; +but it kept steadily onward, drawing nearer +and nearer to its destination, and soon she +had the satisfaction of seeing it safely moored, +and, by the active discharge of freight, it was +evident that it would attempt a downward +trip.</p> + +<p>The thought of home banished every other +from her mind, and she hastily drew inside +and shook the white flakes from her glossy +hair, and began to arrange them in curls. +But the unruly locks had blown about so +long in the wind, and got so cold and tangled +and required so much coaxing and brushing, +that Little Wolf began to despair of ever +getting them in order.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then she observed on the dresser a +bottle of what she supposed to be pomatum, +but in reality, a mixture for the lungs, made +of honey and other ingredients, which by +exposure to the cold had partially congealed. +She caught it up and literally saturated her +hair in the contents and then with great spirit +proceeded to her task.</p> + +<p>At the first onset the brush stuck fast; +"Dear me what ails it?" she ejaculated +throwing down the brush and making desperate +dives with a coarse tooth comb.</p> + +<p>By this time her pretty tangled ringlets had +stiffened into a striking resemblance to cork +screws interspersed with porcupine quills. +By a succession of impatient jerks she endeavored +to bring the wayward mass to submission; +but the more she attempted to separate +and arrange, the closer the loving locks +embraced each other, and she was beginning +to despair of conquering the difficulty, when +she heard a light knock and Mrs. Tinknor's +kind voice said "May I come in?"</p> + +<p>"O dear, yes," said Little Wolf, springing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +to the door, "do come in, my dear Mrs. Tinknor, +and tell me what this horrid pomade is +made of."</p> + +<p>"Why, dear child, what have you been +doing to yourself? your hair looks as if ten +thousand furies had been tearing it."</p> + +<p>"O Mrs. Tinknor, it is this horrid pomade."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tinknor's eye fell upon the offending +preparation. "Why, bless your heart my +child," she exclaimed in dismay, "you have +been using Aunt Betsy's cough medicine."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf threw herself on the bed convulsed +with laughter, and Mrs. Tinknor heartily +joined in the merry peals.</p> + +<p>"I came to tell you," said Mrs. Tinknor, +when somewhat composed, "that a steamer +has just arrived, and Mr. Tinknor and Tom +have gone out to ascertain when she will +return, if at all.</p> + +<p>"O, I know she's going back right away," +said Little Wolf springing up. "I saw them +hurrying off the freight; O dear, what shall +I do with my hair?" She was beginning to +feel too anxious to laugh now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come to my room, dear, it is warmer there +and I can soon wash it out for you. Now +put this shawl around you; never mind dressing, +we have the house all to ourselves you know."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I were to get caught in this ridiculous +plight," said Little Wolf, pushing her +feet into her slippers, "I wouldn't have Tom +see me for the world."</p> + +<p>"Then run along quickly and make sure," +said Mrs. Tinknor, laughingly, "I think we +needn't feel concerned about the gentlemen +coming back for half an hour," she added, as +Little Wolf ran on before.</p> + +<p>Now the gentlemen had already returned, +bringing Edward with them. The latter, +having forstalled them at the boat, met them +as he was hurrying to Little Wolf with the +necessary information. On coming in they +unluckily took possession of the very room +through which the ladies would pass in order +to reach Mrs. Tinknor's apartment.</p> + +<p>Reassured by her hostess, Little Wolf +pushed confidently forward, making bold and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +decisive charges at the obstructing doors, +and in this manner, made her way directly +into the presence of the two young gentlemen, +Mr. Tinknor having gone in search of his wife.</p> + +<p>Here she was brought to a sudden stand, +but it was only for an instant, for Little Wolf, +like a true womanly general, was skilled in +retreat when caught in rumpled uniform. +She turned and darted through the door +which stood accommodatingly open, and although +Edward's suppressed smile, and Tom's +uproarious laugh, goaded her on, she stopped +long enough to lock them in, thus cutting off +pursuit which Tom evidently meditated; he +having, in consideration of their long and intimate +acquaintance, felt himself warranted +in chasing after her, and was at her heels, +when he suddenly found himself a prisoner.</p> + +<p>"O Wolf, Wolf, he shouted, pounding upon +the door, "the boat, the boat, she'll leave"—</p> + +<p>"When will she leave?" said Little Wolf, stopping short.</p> + +<p>"Let me out and I'll tell you, come, be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +quick, there's no time to be lost. If you +want to go here's Mr. Sherman to take charge +of you."</p> + +<p>"I can take care of myself," muttered +Little Wolf, but, while she paused she had +additional cause for mortification; for Squire +Tinknor had found his way to his wife, and +her only refuge was behind Mrs. Tinknor's +flowing skirts. Here she partially screened +herself, while he informed them that the boat +would attempt a downward trip in the course +of an hour. "Ha, ha, ha," concluded the +Squire, "if sis is bent on going, she must +make haste out of that plight."</p> + +<p>By the united efforts of her friends, Little +Wolf took passage for Chimney Rock, and +Edward, looking very handsome and self-possessed, +acted as her escort.</p> + +<p>Without explanation, without apology, +without so much as a look of contrition from +her travelling companion, at the first interview +Little Wolf forgave all the pain and +mortification he had made her feel. She +had forgiven him without knowing it. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +thought herself still angry because her heart +ached.</p> + +<p>Edward was surprised. He had expected +to meet indignant looks, and perhaps reproachful +words; he had feared even worse, for he +well knew the decision that marked Little +Wolf's forming character, and he had armed +himself to meet the treatment which he felt +he justly merited. But his chosen weapon +of defense was pride and so was useless when +opposed to Little Wolf's unusual gentleness. +He was subdued, and when man's proud +spirit is once subdued by the forbearance of +the woman he loves, that woman henceforth +becomes to him an object of adoration.</p> + +<p>Edward had the day before called Little +Wolf, darling, now he called her angel, and +before he parted from her he had said "my +angel," and she had smiled upon him when +he said it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Winter Sports—The Doctor's Visits—Preparations +for New Year's Day—A Discussion.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/capW.jpg" width="140" height="160" alt="W" title="W" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">inter had fairly set in. The December +winds had for several weeks, +blown upon the "Father of Waters," +and he slept like a huge giant, all unmindful +of the western breezes which came to fetter +and play their pranks upon him. Many wild +revelries did those winged sprites hold upon +his grim visage, and many a day did the +pleasure loving inhabitants of the lively village +of Pendleton go forth and join the grand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +revel. On such occasions the newly made +playground resounded with merry shouts and +tinkling bells, for there skating and sleigh-riding +and other winter sports were brought +to perfection.</p> + +<p>Our young friends of the "Bay State" +were quite at home amid such scenes, and +nearly every day, might be seen dashing +up before their hotel, a fanciful little sleigh +drawn by a fine spirited grey, who chafed +and stamped, and shook his necklace of silver +bells, as if to signal the fair lady, whose coming +he so impatiently waited. His temper, +however, was seldom severely tested, for it +was Dr. Goodrich who sported this elegant +little establishment, and Louise Sherman well +knew at what hour of the day to be in readiness +for a ride.</p> + +<p>Occasionally the duties of his profession +detained the doctor beyond his usual time, +and then came Louise's turn to feel the least +bit in the world uneasy and anxious. But +one day there was a delay of the kind which +passed apparently unheeded by her. She had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +as usual brought out her little fur cap with +its red ribbon ties and deposited it with her +gloves upon the table, and having arranged +her mantle near the fire, and put her overshoes +in a warm place upon the hearth, she +seated herself by the window, just opposite +her mother who has taking her afternoon nap +in an easy chair. Here she sat for some time +anxiously watching the sleeper, and evidently +waiting for her to awaken. At length +Mrs. Sherman opened her eyes, and, as she +caught Louise's eager glance gave a little +start. "Hasn't the doctor come yet?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"No mother, but I'm all ready, and I'm +glad you are awake, for I wanted to tell you +before I left, that Edward had ordered wine +for New Year's, and he said if it came while +he was out, he wished it put in his private +room."</p> + +<p>"Wine for New Year's! exclaimed Mrs. +Sherman in unfeigned astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Why yes, mother, Edward says our friends +will expect it of us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I cannot consent to it," said Mrs. Sherman +decidedly, "we shall have a plentiful +supply of refreshments, and, Louise, I'm surprised +that you should, in the remotest manner, +give your sanction to your brother's foolish +proposal."</p> + +<p>"But, mother, said Louise, eagerly, "Edward +says that it is pure domestic wine, and +I don't see what harm that can do."</p> + +<p>"It was pure domestic wine that made +Noah drunk, my dear."</p> + +<p>"O dear," said Louise rather impatiently, +"I wish old Noah had never got drunk, if"—</p> + +<p>Just then she happened to glance out of +the window, and saw the doctor drive up, +and consequently her frowns and Noah's sins +were burried in oblivion, and a smile and a +blush bloomed upon their tomb.</p> + +<p>Louise had just done tying on her cap when +the doctor appeared at the door, and, while +he was exchanging civilities with her mother, +she slipped out and ran to her brother whom +she saw coming in the passage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We can't have it Ned," she whispered, +"mother has set her foot down."</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Yes Ned, she has."</p> + +<p>Edward frowned slightly, but said nothing, +for by that time, the doctor was hastening his +sister away and his mother was gently calling +him.</p> + +<p>"Edward."</p> + +<p>"Yes mother," and, entering her room, he +threw himself carelessly into the seat which +Louise had vacated.</p> + +<p>For a few moments both were silent, and +as the son looked into the mother's face, he +plainly saw that she was filled with grief and +anxiety; and his heart smote him for he really +loved and revered his mother; but he resolved +to appear as if he had observed nothing +amiss, and, taking his hat to leave, he +said quite cheerfully, "well mother what are +your commands?"</p> + +<p>"Edward I have a request to make of you," +replied Mrs. Sherman with some feeling in her +tone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Speak, mother dear," said he, falling +pleasantly into his seat.</p> + +<p>"It is my request, Edward, that you do not +provide wine, or any other stimulant for our +New Year's entertainment."</p> + +<p>"What, not coffee, mother?" said Edward +laughingly.</p> + +<p>"You know very well what I mean," said +Mrs. Sherman with a faint smile.</p> + +<p>"Of course it shall be as you wish," said +he more seriously, "but really, mother, I +think you are too strict. I am afraid our +friends will have a mean opinion of our hospitality."</p> + +<p>"They will, of course, understand that we +are principled against the use of intoxicating +drinks.</p> + +<p>"As a beverage," chimed in Edward with +a touch of irony in his tone.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman looked hurt, and Edward repented +again. "Mother," said he, "forgive +me, I did not intend to wound you. Let us +drop a subject upon which we cannot agree.</p> + +<p>"But, Edward, I cannot bear that we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +should differ. I have always endeavored to +instil correct principles into the minds of my +children, and now, just as they are on the +threshold of what might be a useful life, I +find the tares which an enemy had sown beginning +to spring up.</p> + +<p>"But mother, you know I do not approve +of indulging to excess any more than you do. +It is only the total abstinence principles to +which I object, and even Louise says she can +see no harm in an occasional social glass."</p> + +<p>"Does Miss DeWolf say the same," said +Mrs. Sherman fixing her eyes on Edward.</p> + +<p>"I do not know, I am sure," replied Edward +nervously twirling his hat, "I have +never had any conversation with her on the +subject."</p> + +<p>"Miss DeWolf is orthodox, I am prepared +to testify," exclaimed Louise, tripping into +the room, and, before any question could be +put as to the cause of her sudden return, she +gratuitously gave the information.</p> + +<p>"A man had a fit or something," she said, +"and I must forsooth, lose my ride, for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +doctor's motto is business before pleasure; a +very good motto when I am not concerned, +but if the man could only have been taken +an hour or two later, it would have been a +great accommodation. However," and she +glanced archly at her brother, "I should then +have lost the opportunity of eavesdropping, +and consequently of giving in my testimony +in favor of my future sister-in-law."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I suppose you obtained your +information of my future brother-in-law."</p> + +<p>"No matter how I got it, but I'm fully +prepared to prove that the young lady's principles +are severely 'touch not, taste not, handle +not.' We have a great work before us, +Ned, for they will not easily be persuaded to +our opinions I can assure you."</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to influence my friends to +think just as I do," said Edward, proudly.</p> + +<p>"Well, somehow you have managed to +make me think as you do, for you know I was +once as strict as mother."</p> + +<p>"I hope you have not changed your views +on my account, Louise."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, not exactly, Ned, yet, I must confess, +your arguments have had great weight with +me."</p> + +<p>"I would advise you to reconsider, and +think independently," said Edward rather +sharply.</p> + +<p>Louise was silent, and Mrs. Sherman now +seized the opportunity to change the topic to +one more intimately connected with their future +plans and prospects. In this the attention +of the trio was absorbed until towards +evening, when they were interrupted by the +doctor's well known knock.</p> + +<p>The doctor looked pale and worn, and, as +he seated himself, Edward remarked, "you +look tired doctor."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I <i>am</i> tired," replied the doctor, "I +am tired of the world, or rather I am tired of +the way we are living in it. I have had an +aggravated case of delirium tremens on my +hands this afternoon, and I wish every liquor +seller in Pendleton could have looked in upon +that distressed family. A young and interesting +wife, and several small children<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +were compelled to witness a scene of suffering, +the horrors of which were truly appalling."</p> + +<p>"It is strange," said Edward, "that men +will make such beasts of themselves."</p> + +<p>"It is strange," said the doctor, "that if +men have no hearts of pity, that we can not +have laws to prevent the sale of the poison."</p> + +<p>"But, doctor, men are not compelled to +buy it."</p> + +<p>"But, Sherman, men <i>will</i> buy it, and will +drink it, the proof of which is before us every +day we live. These temperance societies are +no doubt most of them useful to society, but +they do not deal the death-blow to the monster. +Nothing but the law can do that. I +know your opinion, Sherman, but in the name +of humanity, what are we to do?"</p> + +<p>"Why, doctor, we shall have to let men +kill themselves if they will be so foolish. We +cannot forbid the sale of pistols, because men +often use them for purposes of committing +suicide; and, even to suppose that a man is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +quite certain when he sells a deadly weapon +to another, that he will use it for the purpose +of self distruction, I hold that he has the legal +right to sell it; that he has no moral right +I readily admit."</p> + +<p>"I do not understand law, Sherman; <i>perhaps</i> +our constitution is so framed that the +people have not the power to say whether or +not, our nation shall become a nation of +drunkards; perhaps the thousands of intelligent +men, who, heart-sick as I am this day in +view of the dreadful consequences accruing +from the sale of intoxicating drinks, have ignorantly +petitioned their state legislature for +a prohibitory law, which they had no power +to enact; perhaps those judges are correct +who have said their state can not have a law +that would restore peace and happiness to +thousands of families, whose sorrow it is too +harrowing to think upon. I say, <i>perhaps</i>, for, +I cannot but hope that judges who are equally +intelligent and who have told us differently +may not be mistaken. One thing is certain, +the hand of the liquor dealer must be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +stayed, or in every house there will be one +dead."</p> + +<p>"Public opinion might do much towards +accomplishing the desired object," suggested +Mrs. Sherman."</p> + +<p>"True enough, Mrs. Sherman, said the +doctor, "but public opinion must have its +naps, and at best it is seldom half awake and +it requires an immoderate amount of force to +bring the sleepy thing to the right standpoint."</p> + +<p>"Well, doctor, I am willing to use my little +strength in the cause, although I regret to +say that my efforts as far as my family are +concerned have proved entirely fruitless."</p> + +<p>The doctor turned a surprised look towards +Louise, whose face was instantly suffused +with blushes.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The New Year's Ball—A Check to +Festivity—The Midnight Ride—Death +in the Old Brown House.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capH.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="H" title="H" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">oliday festivities and dancing parties +were words synonymous in the early +settlement of Minnesota, and, although +Mrs. Sherman would have been shocked at +the bare idea of her daughter attending a +public ball in her native village, the influences +of a new country so wrought upon her +prejudices, that her scruples gradually yielded; +and, when Louise rather doubtfully asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +permission to attend a party of the kind to be +given on New Year's Eve, she gained a reluctant +consent.</p> + +<p>"I could not consent on any account, +Louise," said her mother with a view to excuse +this apparant departure from her principles, +"if I had not sometime ago had some +conversation with the doctor on the subject. +I have great confidence in his judgment, and, +I am sure he would not desire it, if it were +not a proper place for you. However, I have +my misgivings, for I never was allowed to go +to such a place when I was young," and she +sighed, "but as the Doctor says, there is no +other amusement for the young in this new +country," and she sighed again. "Is Miss +DeWolf going, Louise?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother, Ned says he had hard work +to persuade her to go. She don't like to +leave her father. What a pity he is such a +sot. I believe I should detest such a father. +I don't see how she can be so good to him."</p> + +<p>"She is a dutiful daughter, Louise, and a +noble girl, and I hope nothing will ever hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>pen +to prevent her becoming Edward's wife."</p> + +<p>"What can prevent it mother? I'm sure +Ned is handsome, and talented and rich +enough for anybody."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what could prevent it, +Louise, but I shall be glad when they are really +married. I think a wife of the right stamp +would have a great influence on Edward."</p> + +<p>"Why, mother, I'm sure Ned's principles +are good, and he is steady enough for a young +man; I don't see what particular advantage +a wife would be to him."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman only sighed.</p> + +<p>Louise looked a little disconcerted. "Why, +mother," said she, "you act as if you thought +something terrible was going to happen to +Ned and me, and our only escape was matrimony."</p> + +<p>"Louise," said Mrs. Sherman after a pause, +"could not Miss DeWolf be prevailed upon +to spend the day of the party with us; she +would only be a few hours longer away from +her father."</p> + +<p>"Why yes, I think so," said Louise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +thoughtfully. "Ned could go for her in the +morning. O yes," she concluded decidedly, +"Ned can manage that I know."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf spent the day above mentioned +in Mrs. Sherman's family. She was happy; +happier than she had been since her return +home. The memory of the dreadful night +which she passed at Squire Tinknor's had +ever since haunted her. It was only when +in Edward's presence that she forgot it, and +it would even sometimes cloud a moment of +such companionship, as comes only to those +whose very life is bound up in another's. +She often said to herself, it was his first mistake, +it would never be repeated; he would +not dare to indulge again, now that he was +convinced how a stimulant would effect him. +But, spite of all her attempts at self-control, +whenever the well remembered scene came +up before her, she was ready to cry out with +anguish. The society of Edward's mother, +comforted, and reassured her. The son of +such a mother was exalted, if that were possible, +in her opinion, and she instinctively<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +gathered renewed confidence in her own future +happiness.</p> + +<p>During the day, Mrs. Sherman's penetrating +eye was frequently fixed upon Little +Wolf, as if she would read her very soul, and +the glimpses which she caught, shining out +in her words and actions were on the whole +satisfactory.</p> + +<p>Louise, who was naturally rather yielding +and dependent, involuntarily deferred to her +young companion, whose opinions were always +independent and often expressed with +marked decision. In fact, before the day was +ended, Little Wolf's force of character was +felt and silently acknowledged; and little, +and rosy, and curly though she was, she had +become a power in the Sherman family. But +what beauty, what sweetness, what love is +potent when opposed to a depraved appetite? +But why anticipate?</p> + +<p>As Edward was busy in his office the greater +part of the day, and the doctor in his professional +duties, they saw but little of the +ladies, and Mrs. Sherman, anticipating their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +wishes, advised Little Wolf and Louise to +dress at an early hour of the evening, in order +to enjoy a quiet social hour all together +before the party.</p> + +<p>The mysteries of the toilet occupied more +time than they had calculated upon, and, just +as they were in the midst of an important +discussion, as to whether pink or white flowers +became Louise best, they heard the gentlemen +come in.</p> + +<p>"There they come," said Louise, "I hear +them in the parlor; do, mother, tell them we +are most ready!"</p> + +<p>"Now Miss DeWolf," said she, turning to +Little Wolf, as her mother left the room, +"how do you think I look?"</p> + +<p>"Why you look like a prim puritan. The +roses in your hair look as if they had been +taught to grow very properly all their lives +and they were not going to depart from early +habits, even if they were going to a 'hop.'"</p> + +<p>"Now, do you think they look stiff?" said +Louise anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Just a little, Miss Louise."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Please arrange them for me," said Louise, +stepping up to Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf gave the offending flowers +several slight twiches, this way, and that. +"There, how do you think they look now," +said she.</p> + +<p>"O they do look lovely," said Louise, glancing +at herself, admiringly in the mirror, +why could not I fix them so?"</p> + +<p>Little Wolf gave her head a slight toss of +triumph, thereby creating a breezy excitement, +quite becoming among her ringlets, and +the moss rose buds with which they were ornamented. +Her dress was white and gauzy, +and her every movement floated it gracefully +about her slender figure.</p> + +<p>Louise was also dressed in white, but there +was an air of precision about her, with which +although it accorded well with her conservative +character, she was evidently dissatisfied, +when comparing her appearance with Little +Wolf's.</p> + +<p>"I wish my hair would curl like yours," +she said, glancing from the reflection of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +own smoothly braided locks, to Little Wolf's +dancing ringlets.</p> + +<p>"Why I'm sure you look very beautiful indeed, +beautiful as a bride, Miss Louise; now, +go ask the doctor if you don't. Don't wait +for me, the doctor is waiting for you; I'll +come directly when I get this lace fixed."</p> + +<p>"Well, remember <i>somebody</i> is waiting for +you," said Louise, as she left the room.</p> + +<p>A shower of compliments fell upon Louise +as she presented herself to her brother and +lover. "Now don't waste any more admiration +on me, either of you," said she, "save it +for Miss DeWolf, she is the most beautiful +thing I ever saw. She is grace itself. She +touches a ribbon and it knots itself into an +exquisite shape, she lays her hand upon lace +and it fastens and floats, she gently pats a +flower, and it instantly assumes its most +graceful attitude. O Ned, how happy you +will be."</p> + +<p>The words were still upon Louise's lips +when Little Wolf joined the circle, and somehow, +she instantly caught the expression of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +Edward's face, and read in it those emotions, +with which our pen intermedleth not.</p> + +<p>It was very pleasant to look into that quiet +parlor, presided over by Mrs. Sherman, who +sat regarding her happy children with so +much tenderness and pride. But we must +not linger, for there are other scenes to be +presented.</p> + +<p>It was near the midnight hour when pleasure +ran highest in the brilliantly lighted ballroom +that Edward might be seen leading Little +Wolf to a seat. She had appeared on the +floor many times, and had at length acknowledged +herself weary.</p> + +<p>"What a handsome couple," whispered +Louise to the doctor, nodding significantly towards +them, and her whisper was echoed by +many others.</p> + +<p>There was a deep red spot in Edward's +cheek, and a flash in his eye, which some +might have attributed to the excitement of +the occasion, but the doctor and those who +knew him well, interpreted it differently. +He had several times during the evening left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +the room with one or two of his friends, who +were in the habit of indulging in a social +glass, and Edward's principles were not such, +as to shield him from their influence.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf's quick eye followed him when +he went and when he came; not indeed with +a suspicion of the truth, for it did not occur +to her that he was being led into temptation, +but the fact was about to burst upon her.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me for a few moments, love," +whispered Edward as he seated her, "I will +be back in time to dance the old year out and +the new year in with you; the next is to be +our wedding year, is it not?"</p> + +<p>Little Wolf smiled and fluttered her fan to +conceal her confusion.</p> + +<p>Two gentlemen were engaged in conversation +near Little Wolf, and, as Edward left +her one of them remarked, "What a pity so +many of our promising young men are falling +into the habit of drinking. There is young +Sherman, if I am not mistaken, under the +influence of stimulant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although not intended for her ear, Little +Wolf caught the words, and her bright smile +faded, and her busy little fan dropped in her +lap. The wound so lately healed was reopened, +and in it had fallen a corrosive poison. +She felt the aching pain, and the eating smart, +she begged Dr. Goodrich to take her from the +room. She had arisen and was leaning on his +arm when Edward returned.</p> + +<p>"I see my bird is on the wing," said he +claiming Little Wolf's hand for the forming +cotillion.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf caught his breath as he leaned +towards her, and grew paler, "I cannot +dance," said she drawing back.</p> + +<p>Edward looked surprised, but the doctor +knew what all meant and he turned with her +towards the door, when who should they see, +but daddy, making his way towards them.</p> + +<p>He had evidently come in haste, for his +great rough over-coat was only partly buttoned, +his leggins were put on awry, his over +shoes were untied and the strings dangled +under his feet somewhat retarding his shuf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>fling +locomotion. With fur cap drawn low +so as to protect his face as much as possible +from the biting winds, beard white with +frost, and clusters of snow flakes resting upon +his broad shoulders, Daddy pushed forward +into the throng.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf no sooner saw than she ran up +to him, "What's the matter Daddy?" said +she.</p> + +<p>"Twixt you and me, Honey," said he +clutching her by the arm, "the doctor is pretty +nigh done fur."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf waited for no futher explanation. +She gave her little dimpled arm a jerk +and was out of the room in a twinkling.</p> + +<p>"Bless me, twixt you an'me, it will go +hard with the Honey," said Daddy addressing +Dr. Goodrich, "your services is needed. +Miss Hawley said fetch you right along with +the Honey, and, doctor hev' her wrap up right +smart, its awful cold and blowy—howsoever, +I clapped in two big buffaloes, for I know'd +putty well how gals is dressed at sich places. +Laws, I expect them are buffaloes would keep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +her warm if she hadn't nothing on but that +are outside fish net."</p> + +<p>For once Daddy made no useless delays. +He saw that Little Wolf was well wrapped +in as they sped along the frozen river. The +horses were put to their utmost speed, but in +vain. Little Wolf arrived a few minutes too +late to attend her dying father.</p> + +<p>With a despairing wail she threw herself +beside his dead body. She did not weep, but +moaned so pitifully that it was distressing to +listen to her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hawley at length went to her and +gently raised her up and removed her hood +and cloak. In her haste, Little Wolf had +made no change in her dress, and she was too +much absorbed in grief to once think of her +appearance. The rose buds fell from her hair +on the still face of the corpse and her white +robes floated over it, while Mrs. Hawley tried +to soothe and speak words of comfort to her.</p> + +<p>But suddenly her eye fell upon a form at +the opposite side of the bed. It was Hank +Glutter. She was pale before, but at sight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +of him she became absolutely ghastly. Slowly +she arose to her feet and went around to +where he stood. "Mr. Glutter," said she +solemly, raising her hand, as if to pronounce +upon him some dreadful anathema.</p> + +<p>"Miss DeWolf," said Hank, eagerly interrupting her, "do not curse me."</p> + +<p>"Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith +the Lord," burst from Little Wolfs white lips.</p> + +<p>Is there not a curse which the liquor seller cannot escape?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Neighborly Sympathy—Little Wolf's +Bosom Friend—A Disappointed Lover.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he news of the sudden and unexpected +death of Dr. DeWolf, quickly spread +among the few poor families living in +the vicinity, casting a gloom over the little +community, where he had been so long well +known, and, before strong drink got the mastery +of him, greatly respected and beloved. +Many a sorrowful face looked out from doors +and windows towards the old brown house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +on New Year's morning, and one after another, +the sympathising neighbors offered their +assistance at the door of the bereaved, whose +sunny face had often cheered their own quiet +homes.</p> + +<p>But poor Little Wolf at the time knew +nothing of their kind intentions. After the +first burst of grief, leaving all arrangements +which the occasion required to Dr. Goodrich, +she shut herself in her own room, and none +dared intrude upon her night of sorrow, except +indeed Daddy, who was indefatigable in +his attentions. The kind hearted old man +wrapped himself in blankets, and lay down +near her door, and, at intervals, during the +hours of that cold January morning, he crept +in softly and replenished the fire, and, after +lingering a moment in the vain hope that she +would notice and speak to him, he would go +away muttering pitifully to himself, "poor +Pet, poor Honey."</p> + +<p>About daylight, worn out with anxiety and +fatigue, he fell asleep, and a few hours afterwas +awakened by a hard thump on the head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +and starting up, he saw Sorrel Top, just gathering +herself up from a fall.</p> + +<p>Who told you to lie down there like a dog, +for folks to stumble over?" said she angrily, +I thought you were going to take care of Little +Wolf, and here I find you snoring away +and she may be frozen to death, for all you +know."</p> + +<p>"Tween you an'me," said Daddy looking +rather mortified, "I'm afeared that are fire +has gin' out."</p> + +<p>"Of course it has—there ain't a good fire +in the hull house. It takes Mrs. Hawley all +the time to tend the door and tell the folks +we don't want their help, and when the funeral +will be;—I tell ye, we ain't hardly had +a mite of rest since the doctor was brought +home."</p> + +<p>"Tell Miss Hawley I'll be down there in +five minutes," said Daddy decidedly.</p> + +<p>"It don't make much difference whether +he's here or not," said Mrs. Hawley, when +Sorrel Top had delivered his message.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O he'll be handy to talk," replied Sorrel +Top with a grim smile.</p> + +<p>"Tween you an' me, it ain't no time fur to +be jokin," said Daddy, who had come in time +to catch a few words, and had a suspicion of +what was passing between the women, "I +guess," he continued "if you could see how +broke down the Honey is, you'd begin to +think it was a serious matter."</p> + +<p>"We do already think it a very serious +matter, Daddy," said Mrs. Hawley with great +feeling, and I wish Miss DeWolf would let +me do something for her."</p> + +<p>"Taint no use saying a word to her, I don't +open my head when I go into the room, but +I'd lay down my life fur to ease her," said +Daddy the tears coming to his eyes. "Tween +you and me, it ain't no common trouble workin' +on the pet," he said, coming close to the +two and speaking low, "I've knowed her +sence she was a baby, I've seen all of her putty +ways, and none of her bad ways, fur she +never had none; she hes growd up perfect +and she allers treated the doctor dutiful, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +she's got nothin' to reproach herself fur. +I'm afered," and he sank his voice to a whisper, +"the Honey has got a separate trouble."</p> + +<p>"What that trouble was Daddy did not define +for he was interrupted by a knock at the +door, which he opened and ushered in the +Sherman family.</p> + +<p>"Tween you and me, the Honey ain't spoke +nor slept, nor eat," said Daddy, in answer to +Mrs. Sherman's enquiry after Little Wolf, +"but maybe it will ease her a leetle to know +that you are here," he said, looking sideways +at Edward.</p> + +<p>Daddy fidgeted around Little Wolf for several +moments, before he could muster courage +to break the silence, and tell her who +were waiting below, and he almost regretted +having done so, when he saw the look of agony, +which the information brought to her +face.</p> + +<p>"Daddy," said she in a choking voice, "ask +Mrs. Sherman to my room, the others will excuse +me to-day."</p> + +<p>It was some alleviation to Edward's disap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>pointment, +as he rode home with Louise, to +know that his mother was to be Little Wolf's +companion and consoler until the arrival of +her old friends, the Tinknors, who had been +sent for, to be present at the funeral.</p> + +<p>During the few days they were together, +Mrs. Sherman strove by every means she +could devise to give her young friend some +relief from the distress of mind, under which +it was evident she was laboring. But she +was at length obliged to return home, leaving +to Mrs. Tinknor's skill the trying case, which +had baffled her own benevolent efforts.</p> + +<p>It was the day on which her father's remains +had been consigned to their last resting +place in a secluded part of his grounds, beside +the grave of her mother, that Little Wolf +sat alone by her upper window looking sadly +out towards the burial spot, which she had +left only a few hours previously.</p> + +<p>The Squire and Mrs. Tinknor were in the +parlor below, engaged in conversation concerning +the events of the past few days, and +Tom Tinknor, to whom the solemnities of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +occasion had been extremely irksome, was +wandering aimlessly about the house with +hands in his pockets, occasionally checking +himself in the very act of whistling away the +oppressive silence.</p> + +<p>The sudden opening of a door gave him +quite a start, and turning quickly, he saw +Daddy, who said good naturedly, "I guess +ye're skeered ain't ye? 'Tween you an' me +I've felt ruther shaky myself lately in this ere +great big house, where there is so much spare +room, fur ghosts and sperits of pussens is apt +fur to hang around the house where they +die."</p> + +<p>"O, that's all nonsense, Daddy," said Tom, +"I thought you knew too much to believe in +such things."</p> + +<p>"Wall, I don't really believe in 'em, but I +did feel kinder queer like, last night when I +went through that are long hall to the Honey's +room, but I never hev really seen a sperit +yet, but I've seen shaders that looked +mighty like 'em, and I ain't no doubt, if there +is any, I shell see 'em, fur the Honey says I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +uncommon sharp that are way. Laws, she +ain't afeared of nothin: why, she went inter +the doctor's room, the next day after he was +laid out, and stayed thar ever so long all +alone, and wouldn't even come out fur to see +Mr. Sherman, 'Tween you an' me, I guess +the Honey is throwin off on that are Sherman, +fur ye see I hed to go right inter the +ball-room fur her, the night the doctor died, +and I see her, with my own eyes, draw away +from him as if he had hurt her, and I kinder +hed a inklin that may be he'd been drinking +a leetle too much, fur, to my sartin knowledge, +she ain't 'lowed him fur to come nigh +her sence. But I guess its affectin' her serious, +fur she does 'pear to feel the wust she +ever did, and I used to say, sometimes, when +the doctor was brung hum dead drunk, she +couldn't feel no wuss if he was really dead; +but them times was nothin' to the way she +broke down the night he died. 'Tween you +an' me," said Daddy, as if suddenly recollecting +himself, "it wouldn't be best fur to +say nothin' about this to nobody, fur the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +Honey likes to keep her own affairs strict."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," said Tom, and he walked +straight to the parlor, and repeated to his +parents every word he had heard.</p> + +<p>"She certainly grieves more than is natural +considering the circumstances," said the +Squire, "and if the old man's conjectures are +correct, you are here just in the nick of time, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Tom, +rather dubiously, "she will have to change +wonderfully if she gives a fellow a chance to +see or speak to her while we stay."</p> + +<p>"I shall try to prevail upon the poor child +to come down awhile this evening," said Mrs. +Tinknor very gently.</p> + +<p>"A handsome fortune is not to be obtained +by marriage every day," said the Squire.</p> + +<p>"A noble-hearted, whole-souled woman +like Little Wolf is not to be obtained every +day," said Mrs. Tinknor, "but, I never +thought," said she affectionately regarding +her son, "that Little Wolf cherished other +than a sister's love for Tom."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tom was silent, and, after a short pause, +Mrs. Tinknor said, "when you came in Tom, +I was telling your father of a conversation I +had with Little Wolf last evening, concerning +her going home with us, but she thinks +it best, on account of her dependent family, +not to break up house-keeping before Spring."</p> + +<p>"Displaying thereby very little financial +ability," said Tom, rather contemptously.</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut," said the Squire, "Little Wolf +is posted. She knows just as much about +her father's affairs as I do, She would give +me no rest months ago, until I spread out the +whole thing before her, and I believe her to +be as capable of managing the property, as a +woman can be.</p> + +<p>"I reminded her of the extra expense attending +house-keeping," said Mrs. Tinknor, +"but she said she felt it her duty to provide +for those poor creatures in her employment. +There's Daddy, you know, cannot, more than +earn his board, and Mrs. Hawley besides being +feeble, has no other home, and nobody +would do as well by an inefficient girl like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +Sorrel Top, as she does, and then she has decided +to take Fanny Green into her family +for the winter."</p> + +<p>"Now, who is Fanny Green?" broke in +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why, she is the little girl whose father +killed his wife in a fit of intoxication, and +then ran off leaving the child to the charity of +strangers, and I think Little Wolf said, she +was cruelly treated in the family where she is +now living, and the family do not wish to be +burdened with her.</p> + +<p>"Well, <i>well</i>" said Tom, drawing a long +breath, "I'm convinced Little Wolf will be a +moping old maid, dressed in black, managing +well her property, devising philanthropic plans +for the benefit of paupers, she is getting too +good for any man that lives."</p> + +<p>"The best of it is, she does not even know +she is doing a good thing," said Mrs. Tinknor +smilingly.</p> + +<p>Tom got up and walked impatiently to the +window. Having accompanied his parents, +with a view, to himself wipe away the few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +natural tears, that he imagined bedewed the +rosy cheeks of Little Wolf, and pour into her +willing ear a volume of cheering words, as he +should ride by her side on their return trip, +and, finally, to prevail upon her to reward his +unequalled constancy, by becoming his wife, +he was quite unprepared to meet the pale anguished +face beneath the long black veil of +which, for the first time, he caught a glimpse +on the funeral day. Having witnessed the +quiver that shook her delicate frame, as the +grave received its dead, he lost all confidence +in his pre-arranged means of consolation, and +the words of his mother, not having been calculated +to reassure him he was now thoroughly +annoyed at the course things had +taken.</p> + +<p>But as Mrs. Tinknor well knew that Tom's +feelings were evanescent, and seldom went +beyond the surface, she immediately arose to +go to Little Wolf, comforting herself with the +reflection, that the storm she was leaving +would be of short duration.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A Weight of Sorrow—Marrying a +Drunkard—Suspense.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 140px;"> +<img src="images/capM.jpg" width="140" height="160" alt="M" title="M" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">eantime Little Wolf had not stirred +from her place by the window, +neither had she withdrawn her gaze +from the desolate scene without. All nature +was shrouded in snow. On the ground, on +every tree and shrub, and in the air; snow +was everywhere. But Little Wolf was too +much absorbed in her own reflections to bestow +a thought upon the raging storm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the graves of her parents, dimly seen +through the whirling flakes, her mind had +wandered to an equally painful subject, upon +which the timely appearance of her beloved +friend, Mrs. Tinknor, gave her the longed for +opportunity to converse. She had always +confided in that lady, as in a mother, and in +the present instance, nothing was witheld +pertaining to her feelings past and present towards +Edward Sherman, and the relation in +which he stood to her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tinknor's previous interview with +Tom had in a measure prepared her for Little +Wolf's communication, but the tearless eye, +so full of anguish, the white cheek and compressed +lips, all so unlike her brilliant little +friend, struck her painfully; and indignation +towards the author of so much wretchedness +was the uppermost feeling as, in conclusion, +Little Wolf pleadingly asked, "what can I +do, my dear Mrs. Tinknor?"</p> + +<p>Now Mrs. Tinknor was a mild, undemonstrative +woman, not prone to giving advice, +but the memory of all the wrongs which she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +had endured through the intemperance of her +husband, wrongs which had sunk deep within +her bleeding heart, nerved her to raise a +warning voice, to save, if possible, one whom +she really loved from a life, to which it made +her shudder to look forward, and she freely +and earnestly answered.</p> + +<p>"Think no more of one, who, if you were +to become his wife, would make your life, beyond +all expression, miserable."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf laid her hand quickly on that +of her friend and looking straight into her +eyes said vehemently, "I cannot, no, I cannot +do that, could you?"</p> + +<p>"Could I, rather, did I," said Mrs. Tinknor, +drawing a long breath, "I had not the decision +that marks your character, darling, and +consequently am a drunkard's wife."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tinknor's voice fell very low, as she +repeated the last words, and Little Wolf involuntarily +clasped more closely the hand on +which she had laid her own.</p> + +<p>"You are not, really, what you called yourself, +Mrs. Tinknor," she whispered, "nobody<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +calls Squire Tinknor that, oh, do not talk so."</p> + +<p>"I do not like to say it my dear, and I +never said it before, but for your sake I lay +open the hidden part of my life, and after you +have heard me through I shall never give another +word of advice as to your future +course."</p> + +<p>"I was just of your age, darling, and about +to be married when an intimate friend said to +me," "I'm afraid Mr. Tinknor is fond of +drink, I saw him go into one of those drinking +saloons." I answered carelessly; for I +did not wish her to know that she had made +me anxious; but that evening I repeated her +words to my lover. He made light of it, and +said a friend invited him to drink and he did +not like to refuse; that he might be a man +among men, that there was no danger, he +could stop when he pleased, he only drank +socially, never for the love of it.</p> + +<p>"But my fears were aroused and I begged +him with tears, to give up social drinking all +together, and he finally appeared hurt, and +finally asked me if I could not trust him, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>I said yes; for he was so noble, so full of +warm affection, that I was sure I could win +him from those habits, which threatened to +darken our sky. I ventured forth on a dangerous +sea, and clouds and storms have been +my portion.</p> + +<p>"Spite of all you love him, and he loves +you," Little Wolf ventured to say, "and +while there is love there is hope, and some +little comfort; life is not entirely aimless and +barren."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tinknor so pitied Little Wolf, who +had so bravely risen above all the misfortunes +to which her young life had been subjected, +only to sacrifice herself to a most unfortunate +attachment, that, for the moment, she was +silent not knowing what to say.</p> + +<p>"O do not look so hopeless, dear Mrs. +Tinknor," said Little Wolf eagerly, "tell me +there is something to live for."</p> + +<p>"We may, to be good, and do good," said +Mrs. Tinknor slowly, as if to make quite sure +of answering wisely.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf caught at the words, "that is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +just what you are doing," she said, "and +why may not I? I know you think I could +not do as you have done; but you do not +know how my heart is in this thing. I did +not know myself until the trial came, why, +Mrs. Tinknor, I could sacrifice my soul for his +sake."</p> + +<p>"O darling, darling, I cannot bear to hear +you say so. I cannot bear to have you sacrifice +yourself to one who would not even control +a vitiated appetite for your sake. Believe +me you will regret it, if you become the +wife of an inebriate."</p> + +<p>"O he is not that, he is not that."</p> + +<p>"He may not have come to that yet, +dear child, but you have seen and heard +enough to convince you that he is on the road +from which few turn back. He has already +felt the debasing effects of intoxicating drink +and still he keeps on, and shall that noble +soul of yours be for a whole life time bound +to one with whom eventually there can be no +sympathy? God forbid. You may remember, +although you were very young, what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +your dear mother's sufferings were; could she +speak to you now, what think you would be +her advice?"</p> + +<p>"O my dear, patient, loving, broken hearted +mother," and Little Wolf burst into a +paroxysm of tears.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tinknor leaned very tenderly over her +young friend and kissed her cheek, and, after +this little act of love and sympathy, she went +down stairs, without so much as having hinted +at the object for which she came. However +to the surprise of all, Little Wolf spent +the evening in the parlor with her guests, +and at her earnest solicitation, they consented +to delay their intended departure for a +few days.</p> + +<p>It was a sore disappointment to Edward +Sherman to be obliged to meet Little Wolf +day after day under the watchful eye of Tom +Tinknor. But, to Little Wolf it was an infinite +relief, for Mrs. Tinknor's words "think +no more of one who if you were to become +his wife, would make your life beyond all expression, +miserable," rang continually in her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +ears: and, while her heart prompted her to a +different course, her intellect in a measure +approved the advice. Consequently she naturally +shrank from a private interview, before +her mind was fully prepared to meet the +exigency.</p> + +<p>The subject was not again broached between +Mrs. Tinknor and herself until the +morning that the first named started for her +home, and it was only at the moment of their +last fond leave taking, that Little Wolf leaned +over the side of the sleigh and whispered +in her ear, "I shall never be able to write to +you about it, but if <i>he</i> refuses to accept the +condition which I feel I <i>ought</i> to make, I will +just send you a lock of my hair and you will +know it is all over with us."</p> + +<p>Her lip quivered as she turned away and +as the Squire drove off, Tom who had observed +her agitation said to his mother, "she is +tender hearted, that savage Little Wolf after +all."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Daddy's Diplomacy—A Passage at +Arms—Fannie Green—A Catastrophe.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capA.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="A" title="A" /> +</div><p class="dropcap"> sudden sense of responsibility seemed +to fall upon Daddy, as with Little +Wolf, he watched the Squire's swift +gliding sleigh, and its occupants, until they +had dwindled together, a mere speck on the +silent river.</p> + +<p>'Tween you and me, Honey, it won't du +for you to be shiverin, here in the snow. Mr. +Tom said I was fur to take care of you when +he was gone; 'tween you and me Mr. Tom is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +oncommon nice young man, oncommon, considerin +his father, very oncommon."</p> + +<p>"How so Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me he's a teetotaler, out +and out, and the Squire ain't. I ketched +him sneakin off down to the brewery several +times. I kinder think Tom takes after his +mother, and its a good sign fur boys to take +after their mother. Now there's Mr. Sherman, +he takes after his father. His every +motion is like the judge. To be sure, the +Judge was a wonderful smart man, but then +when I lived in them parts he was in the +habit of drinkin, pretty heavy. Afore I left +he signed the pledge, but there ain't no tellin +how he would have turned out if he had +lived."</p> + +<p>It was plainly to be seen in whose interest +Daddy was enlisted. His diplomatic efforts +were listened to with great composure and he +could only speculate on the result as he went +into the house with Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>The parlor was in a state of confusion, Mrs. +Hawley and Sorrel Tom having combined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +forces to raise the greatest possible amount +of dust and disorder out of the material at +hand; such as the ashes from the Squire's +segar inadvertantly dropped, the dirt from +Tom's boots which he never remembered to +clean, and Daddy's careless litter in making +the fire. The light litter was easily disposed +of, but the inevitable stain left by the melted +snow upon the carpet occasioned an angry +outburst from Sorrel Top, who did not see +her young mistress just behind.</p> + +<p>"Tom Tinknor is a filthy fellow," said she, +and I'm glad he's gone; he kept me cleaning +up after him all the time, and now here's two +more great spots to be scrubbed."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me Tom didn't make +them are," said Daddy indignantly.</p> + +<p>"He did, too."</p> + +<p>"He didn't nuther, I see Mr. Sherman set +in that are very spot yesterday."</p> + +<p>At the commencement of the dispute, Little +Wolf slipped away and sought refuge in +her own room, and Daddy embraced the opportunity +to lecture Sorrel Top soundly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, you've disgusted the +Honey," said he, "speakin so unrespectful +of her friends."</p> + +<p>"She don't know nothing about it," said +Sorrel Top.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me she stood right behind +you and heered the hull," said Daddy +triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it," said Sorrel Top, getting +very red in the face.</p> + +<p>"I'll leave it to Miss Hawley," said Daddy.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hawley corrobarated the statement +and Daddy continued his lecture.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't never best to speak disrespectful +of nobody," said he, "I never du, except of +them are liquor sellers, and sich low critters. +'Tween you an' me, Mr. Tinknor is a very +respectable young man; he told me he'd +never drunk a drop of liquor in his hull life, +except once when he had the colic, and it +ain't likely he'll ever tech the infarnel stuff +agin, for he ain't subject to colic, and if he +should be tackled with it, I've told him how +to doctor with hot plates and yarb tea. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +advised him not to send fur no doctor, fur +ten chances tu one, they would prescribe +brandy. Them doctors, as a general thing, +don't know no better than to prescribe things +fur young men that gits 'em in the habit of +drinkin. I wouldn't hev the Honey heard +you run down Mr. Tom, as you did, fur no +money. I hope this will be a warnin fur you +to be oncommon keerful of that are tongue +of yourn in futur."</p> + +<p>"I guess Miss DeWolf can tend to her +own affairs without anybody's help," said +Sorrel Top, not in the least dismayed by +Daddy's expostulations. "I wonder what +has sot you agin Mr. Sherman, he is much +more agreeable than Tom Tinknor, and I had +rather clean up his dirt a thousand times, +than so much as set a chair for that silly +Tom."</p> + +<p>"You never had no penetration, no how," +said Daddy contemptously, "if you ever +marry you'll get a drunken loafer to wait on, +no doubt."</p> + +<p>With this unkind prophesy on his lips,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +Daddy got himself out of the sound of Sorrel +Top's retort as quickly as possible, and, as he +could whenever it suited him, make an errand +to Little Wolf's room, he very soon made it +convenient to start with an armful of wood +in that direction.</p> + +<p>The fire was burning very briskly and Little +Wolf sat before it in an attitude of deep +thought, so Daddy very gently put down the +wood, and was going out, when his young +mistress called after him.</p> + +<p>"Daddy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Honey."</p> + +<p>"Daddy, I've been thinking of going for +Fanny Green to-day."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, its a oncommon fair +day, likely you wouldn't take no cold.</p> + +<p>"Well, daddy, we will drive over for her, +early this afternoon."</p> + +<p>The honor of riding with Little Wolf and +the errand on which, they were going combined +to form an occasion of deep interest with +Daddy who hastened down, eager to impart +the information he had obtained. But, as on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>ly +Sorrel Top was visible, and she in a fit of +sulks, in the bringing on of which he had +been instrumental, he delayed his important +communication for a more appreciative audience, +and contented himself with the performance +of what he considered a solemn +duty.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, its never best to +pout," said he, "I've seen many a handsome +face spiled by it."</p> + +<p>Having administered this inflammatory admonition, +Daddy betook himself to the wood +pile, where he pecked away with uncommon +assiduity until he was called to dinner.</p> + +<p>Putting away his ax with alacrity, he hurried +into the house, with an air of a man of +business, and soon, under the influence of a +very palatable dinner, his tongue loosed more +agreeably.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, the Honey and me +have been talkin the matter over," said he, +"and we are going fur to fetch Fanny this +afternoon."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You ain't told us no news," said Sorrel +Top, "has he Miss Hawley?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't go fur to tell no news, a man +never expects to tell <i>women</i> any news."</p> + +<p>Daddy told this little fib good naturedly, +although it was evident that he was the least +bit annoyed.</p> + +<p>Sorrel Top delighted in view of Daddy's +discomfiture, and her temper restored, condescended +to disclose the part she was to act +in the matter.</p> + +<p>"I've just been fixing a bed for her in the +little room inside of Miss DeWolf's," said she +"and as it ain't at all likely she'll be very +tidy, brought up as she has been in that old +shanty, I expect to have to teach her to keep +it in order."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, it's time I was gittin +ready fur to fetch her," said Daddy glad of +an excuse to terminate the interview.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf was on the veranda when +Daddy drove up, for she was aware that her +spirited little saddle horse, Fleet Foot, was +as a general thing rather restive in harness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +However, on the present occasion, his behavior +was unexceptionable, and, in a few minutes, +he was trotting off, the perfection of +docility.</p> + +<p>It was about a half an hour's drive to Mr. +Wycoff's the farmer in whose family Fanny +Green was living, and it was not to be expected +that Daddy could by any means remain +silent for that length of time, and as the subject +most likely to interest his young mistress, +he fixed upon Fleet Foot.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Fleet Foot is oncommon +stiddy to-day."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Little Wolf, absently.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me hosses is like pussens, +they ken be coaxed better than driv, +fur generally speakin, coaxing brings 'em +round when driving won't. It always makes +my blood brile tu see a hoss abused, and the +men that du it ain't much better than them +are liquor sellers, and I have always said that +they were the meanest of God's creation. +'Tween you and me, if common folks had had +the care of Fleet Foot, you couldn't do noth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>in +with him. He's naturally as full of fire as +an egg is of meat, and he's a very knowin +hoss tu; the minute you're in the saddle he +pricks up his ears, and dances off like a young +colt, fur he knows you like fur to have him +prance and show off; but when I back him, +he knows just as well he's got a stiddy old +man aboard. When I fust took him out this +afternoon, he went a caperin and carcerin +round, and one spell I cum mighty nigh not +gitting harness on him, but laws if anybody +ken manage a hoss I ken," and Daddy unconsciously +gave the reins a triumphant jerk, +which instantly increased Fleet Foot's speed +to what the careful old man considered an +alarming degree, and by the time they had +reached their destination, he was nearly out +of breath, and had become quite nervous in +his efforts to check the spirited animal.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, it wont du to keep +Fleet Foot standing long in the cold," suggested +Daddy anxiously as Little Wolf was +alighting.</p> + +<p>Sharing Daddy's anxiety Little Wolf stated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +to Mrs. Wycoff as concisely as possible, the +object of her visit, and that individual brought +the affair to a crisis in the following summary +manner.</p> + +<p>"Here's the girl, take her. Fanny put on +your hood, and that old cloak that was your +mother's. Mr. Wycoff has given you to this +lady, and she's in a hurry. Now be quick."</p> + +<p>Fanny's little white tear stained face fairly +shone with delight, as she followed her new +found friend to the sleigh. No alteration had +been made in the mantle which was once her +mother's, and Daddy wrapped her carefully +in its ample folds and stowed her away at +his feet, and she looked her last upon a house +where she had suffered, as ill treated, motherless +children sometimes do suffer.</p> + +<p>From the day of her mother's death, she +had excited Daddy's earnest sympathy. He +had seen her carried home by Mr. Wycoff, +whom he knew to be a hard man, and fond +of strong drink. Mrs. Wycoff had the reputation +of being no better than her husband, +and Fanny's fate was generally commiserated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +when it was known that she was to be nurse +and chore girl in that family. She had been +there but a few months, however, when the +infant under her charge suddenly sickened +and died, and as she was too small and delicate +to be put to hard labor, the family had +no futher use for her. These facts coming +to Little Wolf's knowledge through Daddy, +she had successfully employed him to gain +Mr. Wycoff's consent to give the child up to +her."</p> + +<p>There was a world of gratitude in Fanny's +sweet blue eyes, when occasionally she would +modestly turn them up to Little Wolf as +they rode in silence.</p> + +<p>Daddy was to much absorbed in holding +the reins to think of anything else, and as +they neared the last long hill he drew a sigh +of relief, "'tween you an' me, we're all right +so fur," he said.</p> + +<p>The words were scarcely out of his mouth +before they were half way up the hill. Just +on the brow they saw a two horse team, +which as the road was narrow and the sides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +precipitous and rocky could only be passed +with safety where it then was. Imagine +then the dismay of the little party as they +saw the heavy sled descending, and the +driver madly urging on his horses.</p> + +<p>Daddy shouted at the top of his voice, Little +Wolf sprang upon her feet and waved +her handkerchief with all her might, and little +Fanny said dispairingly, "Oh its Mr. +Wycoff, he is drunk, oh he <i>will</i> run over us."</p> + +<p>Down, down, with fearful rapidity came +the heavy team, the driver flourishing his +whip and shouting dreadful oaths; while like +lightning leaped Fleet Foot onward to his +destiny. An instant more and Little Wolf +had thrown Fanny from the sleigh and leaped +after her down the side hill. There was +a crash, a prolonged neigh; Fleet Foot's +death yell, as, for an instant, he hung suspended +from the sleigh, which had caught on +a projecting rock, and all was silent save the +distant clatter of horses' hoofs and the faint +hallos of the drunken maniac.</p> + +<p>At the moment of the collision, Daddy had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +risen to his feet and was in some unaccountable +way thrown uninjured into the road. +Although stunned and bewildered by the fall, +his faculties gradually brightened and he was +soon in a condition to survey the scene.</p> + +<p>On a ledge of rocks overhanging the precipice +was the forlorn wreck of the once fanciful +little sleigh. In the depths below lay +Fleet Foot, stretched motionless upon the +rocky bottom. The deep ravine into which +he had been plunged ran angling, and formed +the point, where by her presense of mind +Little Wolf had saved herself, and Fanny +from almost certain death.</p> + +<p>At this point the hill was less steep, and +the snow had fallen to a great depth, forming +a bed as soft as down, and cushioning the +very rocks. Upon this capacious couch of +unsullied whiteness, lay Little Wolf and +Fanny.</p> + +<p>Powerless himself to render any assistance, +Daddy opened his mouth and there went +forth a wail such as caused Little Wolf to +start and shudder as she thought of what it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +might portend. But her worst fears were in +a moment dispelled, as she saw Daddy's anxious +face bending imploringly over the bank.</p> + +<p>"Honey" said he most dolefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Daddy."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, you ain't hurt nun, +be you?"</p> + +<p>"Not very much, Daddy, but when I try +to rise I only sink deeper in the snow. +Hark! I hear the sound of bells."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, if there ain't Mr. Sherman +coming down the hill," said Daddy delightfully. +"'Tween you and me, Honey, that +are Mr. Sherman will hev fur to help you git +out. His legs is a heap longer than these +old stumps of mine."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Rescue.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he circumstances which had brought +Edward Sherman so opportunely to the +scene of disaster were simply these:</p> + +<p>On his way to call upon Little Wolf he had +ridden round to Hank Glutter's saloon in order +to leave a package of Eastern papers, as +an act of courtesy in return for previous favors +from Hank. As he pulled up before the +door, Mr. Wycoff, urged by the proprietor, +came reeling out with blood-shot eyes, and +swearing that he would never leave the place +without another drink. Hank had some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +trouble in coaxing him on to his sled, and +getting him started for home. Having rid +himself of his troublesome customer, he turned +his attention to Edward.</p> + +<p>"Come in, Mr. Sherman," said he, "I am +at liberty now. That man Wycoff has been +quite an annoyance to me of late. He has +no control over his appetite, and consequently +ought never to drink; but I can't refuse +him, and it wouldn't mend the matter if I +did, for he can easily get it elsewhere, and, +perhaps, where no discrimination would be +used, and he would become too much intoxicated +to get home at all; but drunken loafers +are not allowed to hang around here."</p> + +<p>"I have brought some papers which I +thought you might like to look at," said Edward +taking no notice of what the other had +said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Sherman, you had better +come in a while. I have just received +some sherry said to be very fine. I would +like your judgment upon the quality of the +article."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Another time, Mr. Glutter; I am in something +of a hurry to-day."</p> + +<p>"Well, just wait a minute," said Hank, +and he darted in and brought out a bottle +and slipped it in the corner of the sleigh under +the buffalo. "There," said he, "try it at +your leisure, Mr. Sherman."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Glutter,—good day," +and Edward hastened to the home of Little +Wolf.</p> + +<p>When informed by Sorrel Top that Little +Wolf had gone to Mr. Wycoff's for Fanny, +his pride was at the moment piqued; for he +well knew that she had reason to suppose +that he would visit her that afternoon. Since +the memorable New Year's eve, when leaning +upon Dr. Goodrich's arm, she had so resolutely +turned away from him, he felt that +all was not right between them; and he had +looked forward with longing impatience for +the hour, when, once more alone with her, he +could ask an explanation. Although he was +confident that she was then absent purposely +to avoid him, alarm for her safety over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>came +every other feeling, and with a foreboding +heart, he turned in the direction she had +taken.</p> + +<p>From the top of the hill he saw enough to +hasten him down to Daddy, and from thence +through snow and rocks to Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, darling?" he said, eagerly +grasping her hand.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf uttered an exclamation of pain +and fainted. Edward turned pale. "Daddy," +he shouted, throw down that bottle in the +corner of the sleigh."</p> + +<p>"What is it you want fur to give her," said +Daddy, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"It's wine; throw it down here quickly."</p> + +<p>"She won't tech the infarnel stuff."</p> + +<p>"She has fainted, you simpleton; give me +the wine."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, there ain't no bottle +here," said Daddy, doggedly. "Sprinkle a +little snow in her face, and she'll come too."</p> + +<p>"Daddy," thundered Edward, completely +exasperated, "throw down that wine, or I'll +know the reason why."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The reason why, is," said Daddy, deliberately, +"there ain't no bottle in this ere +sleigh—'tween you and me, this ere hoss of +yourn is gettin mighty oneasy, I'm obleeged +fur tu stand at his head every minute."</p> + +<p>"Hitch him somewhere, Daddy, and throw +the buffalo over him—the bottle is under +the buffalo, you'll find it and bring it."</p> + +<p>"No I won't bring it nuther," muttered +Daddy to himself."</p> + +<p>"I guess there's something the matter with +Miss DeWolf's arm, she couldn't use it when +she tried to get up," said a voice close behind +Edward.</p> + +<p>He turned and saw that the suggestion had +come from Fanny Green, who lay a short distance +off, cosily wrapped in the form of a little +black bundle.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Fanny?" he said.</p> + +<p>"O no, I'm not hurt a bit," she answered +brightly. "I prayed that I might be saved, +and I was saved."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would pray we might get safe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>ly +up this steep place into the road," said Edward.</p> + +<p>"Miss DeWolf is very little, replied Fanny +hopefully, "I guess you can carry her up. +If my cloak was off, I think I could walk by +myself."</p> + +<p>Edward undid her cloak and stood her upon +her feet. He then raised Little Wolf in +his arms, and staggered a few feet in the +snow, and laid her down again, almost discouraged. +But as he could devise no other +plan to rescue her from her unpleasant situation, +he redoubled his efforts. He occasionally +stumbled against rocks, and fell into +drifts, but always so as to shield his burden +from harm.</p> + +<p>Daddy was stubborn in witholding the bottle, +and Little Wolf at length awoke to consciousness +without it. Awoke to feel herself +pressed close to Edward's throbbing breast, +to listen to endearing words, that warmed into +new life and vigor the hope in which she +had indulged. The hope, that possibly, +through her influence, he might be persuaded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +to give up the only habit which marred his +otherwise unblemished, character.</p> + +<p>"Darling, darling, you are safe now with +me," he whispered, as she unclosed her eyes; +"were you hurt by the fall?"</p> + +<p>"Only my arm, Edward; it is very painful. +I'm afraid it is broken—oh, put me down, +the pain makes me faint."</p> + +<p>"I love so to hold you to my heart," he +said as he let her slip softly on the snow, and +examined the wounded member.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> really broken, just above the wrist," +he said in surprise, how careless I have +been!"</p> + +<p>Edward was not skilful in surgery, but he +did the best he could with pocket handkerchief +bandages.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf nerved herself to bear the pain +which every movement aggravated, and Edward +again lifted her up.</p> + +<p>"Now, darling, we shall soon get to the +top."</p> + +<p>"Where is Fanny?" said Little Wolf, suddenly +remembering her protege.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, she is somewhere, working her way +along in my track," said Edward.</p> + +<p>Both looked back, and not far behind saw +Fanny kneeling with closed eyes beside a +snow capped rock. Her tiny hand, rough +and red with cold and toil, clasped devoutly +upon her breast, and her lips moved as if in +prayer. The little black quilted hood she +wore had fallen back, revealing soft golden +hair, radiant in the slant rays of the declining +sun, and upon her cheek a tear glistened like +a dew-drop on a flower.</p> + +<p>"The tears came to Little Wolf's eyes. +"Poor little thing! she feels forsaken," she +whispered, "let us wait and encourage her."</p> + +<p>While they were waiting a neighboring +farmer happened along; a strong, stalwart +man, who joined right heartily in helping +them out of their difficulty.</p> + +<p>The first thing that Edward did when he +reached the sleigh was to search for the bottle +of sherry. "Strange," said he to Little +Wolf, "Mr. Glutter certainly put a bottle of +sherry here as I came along, and now it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> +nowhere to be found. I wish I had it for +your sake."</p> + +<p>Daddy glanced furtively at Little Wolf, +who, suspecting the truth, murmured something +about feeling better.</p> + +<p>"He ain't a goin fur to git none of that infarnel +stuff down the honey," said Daddy to +himself, as the sleigh with Edward, Little +Wolf, and Fanny disappeared down the other +side of the hill.</p> + +<p>A consultation was next held between +Daddy and the farmer as to the probable condition +of Fleet Foot, which was speedily ascertained +by the latter who chanced to have +a rope with him suitable for letting himself +down to where he could test the case. Scaleing +the rocks with his temporary ladder, he returned +the verdict "died of a broken neck."</p> + +<p>"I was pretty nigh sartin he was stun +dead," said Daddy, gravely. "I'm much, +obleeged to ye, neighbor; I guess I'll go hum, +bein I can't du nothin fur the poor critter.—I +tell ye, neighbor, these are things takes +right hold on me. Fleet Foot was a buster,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +and I sot heaps by him, and so did the honey. +'Tween you and me, that cussed, infarnel +liquor drinkin is at the bottom of a awful +heap of trouble. If I could make the laws, +the hull infarnel stuff would be handled like +pison and pistols, ruther keerful."</p> + +<p>"Wycoff is pretty well off, I guess he can +be made to pay pretty heavy damages," said +the farmer.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, that ere is poor consolation. +Supposen the honey's neck had +been broken, and the chances was agin her, +what money du ye think could pay for her +life? I tell ye what, the thing is all wrong, +liquor makin and liquor sellin does mischief +that no money can't pay fur."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>An Indian Messenger—Frozen to +Death.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he evening hour drew on. Little +Wolf lay upon her bed feverish with +pain. Her arm was in bandages, and +Dr. Goodrich stood by soothing and encouraging +her. Louise Sherman having arrived, +kindly relieved Mrs. Hawley, who embraced +the opportunity to slip out and regale herself +with a cup of tea.</p> + +<p>As she approached the kitchen, the sound +of Daddy's voice reached her ear, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +few words that she caught hastened her footsteps +thither.</p> + +<p>"It was as much as ever I could du fur to +hold Fleet Foot," he was saying as she opened +the door.</p> + +<p>"Go on, Daddy," said Mrs. Hawley as he +paused at her entrance, "I want to hear all +about it."</p> + +<p>"Wall, as I was a tellin Sorrel Top," he +continued, "I was pretty nigh done out a +holdin Fleet Foot, when we got tu that are +long hill, fur I was a leetle afeared he might +git the better on me, but the Honey want, +she ain't never afeared of nothin nor never +was, but she was oncommon quiet, she hadn't +spoke for a long time—when, all at once, +jest as we was agoin up the hill, what should +we see but Wycoff's big team a tearin down +like Jehu. He was a swearin and a cussin +and there want no dodging of him. I riz +right up and hollered, and the Honey riz up +and hollered and shook her handkerchief, +but it want no use. Down, down it cum like +lightning, sled and all. Fleet Foot got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +skeered with the hollerin and he jest <i>went +it</i>. Wall, the Honey ketched up Fanny +in a jiff, and tossed her out, and was out herself +afore I knowed it, and I was jest a goin +fur to git out when the teams cum together +kersmash, and I was pitched head fust clean +over Wycoff's sled inter the road, and would +no doubt hev been killed but my time hadn't +come. 'Tween you and me, it is <i>foreordinated</i> +that we won't die till our time comes. +Fur you may pitch a man about, and break +him all tu bits and he lives and gits well. +But when his time comes, the prick of a pin +will kill him and nothin on airth ken save him. +Wall, the fust thing I did when I found myself +alive, was to look for the Honey, and +afore I hed a chance fur to help her, that are +Sherman happened along, and left me in +charge of his hoss, while he went fur to fetch +her. The fust thing I hearn was a great +hollerin fur a bottle of wine that he had in +his sleigh. Wall, I took the infarnel stuff +and slung it as fur as I could see and told +him there want nun there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Miss DeWolf would give you fits if she +knew what you'd done," said Sorrel Top, +"the wine want yourn."</p> + +<p>"Wall, it was the devil's, and I slung it tu +him," retorted Daddy triumphantly, "that +are Sherman was riled, and I let him sweat, +fur I want a goin fur to hev him pour pisen +down the Honey. No doubt, if he had gin it +tu her, her blood would hev got heated and +fever hev sot in. Some folks don't seem to +know nothin about them things," said the +speaker darting a contemptous glance at +Sorrel Top.</p> + +<p>"Well, Daddy, what happened next?" said Mrs. Hawley, soothingly.</p> + +<p>"I ain't a goin fur to tell nothin more tonight," +said Daddy decidedly. "If folks +can't listen without interruptin me, they may +wait till they ken," and he shot another +meaning glance at the offending Sorrel Top.</p> + +<p>"I guess," said Sorrel Top with some asperity +"you're not the only one that can tell +me about it, is he Fanny?" she said turning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +to Fanny Green, whom she discovered to +have fallen fast asleep in her chair.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an me," said Daddy rather +dryly, "I guess you won't hear no more of +that are story to-night."</p> + +<p>Sorrel Top's temper was slightly ruffled +and she began to shake Fanny rather roughly. +"Wake up, Fanny," said she "wake +up."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mrs. Wycoff, don't whip me," +mourned Fanny piteously, as she opened her +eyes, "I didn't mean to go to sleep, but I +was so tired."</p> + +<p>"Don't you know no better than to treat +a little motherless thing in that are way?" +said Daddy coming indignantly forward. +"Come here, Fanny," and he took the child +tenderly in his arms; "if anybody speaks a +cross word to you in this are house, they'll +git reported."</p> + +<p>By degrees Fanny awoke, and was borne +off to bed by Mrs. Hawley.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had they gone when a new object +of interest attracted Daddy's attention.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +There was a slight rustling at the outside +door, and in stalked a sturdy Indian in blanket +and leggins and soft moccasins, causing +his firm tread to fall noiselessly, and giving +Daddy a superstitious start, as if he had +seen an apparition. The red man stated in +broken English that he had brought a letter +a long way from the "lodge of the pale face, +to the Wolf squaw."</p> + +<p>Daddy hastened to put the letter in Little +Wolf's hand. It proved to be a rather +lengthy communication from Antoinette La +Claire, and as all were interested, at Little +Wolf's request, Louise proceeded to read it +aloud.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="author"> +"Fairy Knoll, Jan. 20th, 18—. +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss DeWolf</span>:</p> + +<p>A faithful Indian, known for a long time +to cousin John, has called here on his route +to Chimney Rock and I embrace the opportunity +to write to you, as it will probably be +the last I shall have before spring opens.</p> + +<p>Cousin John has fitted up a cosy little +room for me in the loft. It is hung around +with skins and blankets, and is made com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>fortably +warm by the fire below. There is +one little window from which I obtain a fine +view of the "City of Trees," which you used +so much to admire. They are now shorn of +their foliage, and snow and ice cover the +branches, and, forsaken by their summer inhabitants, +they stand and sadly moan day +and night.</p> + +<p>But these mournful sounds pass unheeded, +by the happy couple in this peaceful cottage. +Not a cloud has yet darkened their "honeymoon." +All their hours are pleasant hours, +and all their dreams are pleasant dreams. +On these wintry mornings we rise rather late; +after the sun has peeped in at the window a +long time.</p> + +<p>Cousin John goes out in the warmest part +of the day to split rails, but, even then, he +finds it convenient to take his brandy bottle +with him. He is a firm believer in the efficacy +of brandy to keep out the cold. But +when, with the experience I have had, I see +him in perfect strength and health, go out +day after day with that little flask in his side +pocket, I pray that it may never become a +snare to him.</p> + +<p>Yesterday morning, as he was about starting, +I ventured to remonstrate with him. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>"Cousin John" I said, "I would not take +the brandy to-day, I do not think you will +miss it." He laughed good naturedly, and +turning to Cousin Maria, he said, 'Maria +dear, Antoinette is concerned about my morals. +Shall I tell her of a certain lady who +drained Mr. Sherman's wine bottle on her +way to Fairy Knoll?"</p> + +<p>Cousin Maria blushed and said, "I am sorry +John that I ever touched it. Let us now +mutually pledge ourselves never again to +drink anything that will intoxicate." But +Cousin John only laughed, and kissed his +young wife tenderly and went away to the +wood, taking the brandy bottle with him.</p> + +<p>When he came home at night, and the supper +was over, and he had, as usual, seated +himself by Maria and taken her hand in his, +(at which signal I invariably become suddenly +sleepy and am obliged to retire,) I stole +away from the scene, and sitting down by +my little window, looked out into the faint +moonlight, and thought much and long upon +the joys and sorrows of earth, but most upon +its sorrows, for the "whole creation groaneth," +and my own heart is always sorrowful.</p> + +<p>I do not know why, but it may have been, +and probably was, because all the anguish +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>and sorrow that has ever come under my personal +observation, has been occasioned by +that drink that "biteth like a serpent, and +stingeth like an adder," that the scene of the +morning mingled with the thought of my +cousins below eagerly quaffing their cup of +bliss; the sweetest that earth offers to youthful +lips. 'Can bitter drops ever mingle +there?' thought I. 'Can the honey become +wormword and gall, and every joy be forgotten? +Can the little speck that I thought I +saw this morning on the horizon become a +great cloud and overshadow us all?' In imagination +I saw lovely cousin Maria pale and +faded, and careworn, and cousin John's noble +and manly countenance bloated and brutish, +as I have seen men become by the use of +stimulating drinks, and involuntarily I threw +up my hands and cried, 'Is there none to +help?'</p> + +<p>It may have been a morbid condition of the +mind that wrought these sad fancies, and I +am sure those who have never realized the +danger of the cup would treat them lightly, +but you dear friend, know that from just such +beginnings the most harrowing sorrows have +sprung.</p> + +<p>I know cousin John would smile if he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>knew what a serious matter I have made of a +thing that he considers so trifling, and he is +so good and kind to me, and his whole soul +so free from vice, that I almost regret having +put these thoughts on paper. But out of the +fulness of my anxious heart I have written +as perhaps I ought not.</p> + +<p>God grant that all my fears may prove +groundless, and that the serpent's sting may +never, never more through another's infatuation +reach our hearts, or yours.</p> + +<p>I was at length aroused from my reverie by +our Indian visitor. I caught a glimpse of him +just as he emerged from the woods, and before +I could go down to announce his coming, +he was within, and by his noiseless footfall +had taken my cousins greatly by surprise. +Maria was smoothing her rumpled hair and +looking rather annoyed at the unceremonious +intrusion, while cousin John and his visitor +were deep in the mysteries of "jargon," +which being interpreted by my humble self +was truly startling and shocking.</p> + +<p>He stated that two "pale faces," were lying +a short distance off, frozen to death. His +supposition was that they had indulged too +freely in "fire water."</p> + +<p>Cousin John immediately accompanied him +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>to the spot, and found indeed two men cold +and stiff in death, and the empty bottle found +upon their persons gave evidence of the +cause. The Indian recognized one, having +seen him with my dead brother, and said he +was "no good pale face," and his name was +Prime Hawley. They found in the pocket +of the other an old letter addressed to "Hiram +Green, Chimney Rock." You may possibly +know something about the latter.</p></div> + +<p>"Fanny Green's father, and Mrs. Hawley's +husband," ejaculated Little Wolf. "Hark, +Louise," she added in a whisper, "they have +heard it all."</p> + +<p>Sounds of distress were heard in the adjoining +room where Mrs. Hawley was engaged +in putting her little charge to rest. Both +she and Fanny had heard every word of the +letter and the news of the unhappy death of +the husband of the one, and the father of the +other, burst suddenly upon them, and deep +and tearless groans of Mrs. Hawley and Fanny's +heart breaking sobs mingled together.</p> + +<p>"Put the letter away Louise, <i>do</i>," said Little +Wolf, turning her face away with a heart +truly sick.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A Crisis—pride and Folly.</b></p></div> + + +<p>For weeks Antoinette's letter lay in the +drawer where Louise had hastily thrust it, +and no one had read it to the end.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hawley's health, which had been feeble +for a long time, rapidly declined after the +news of her husband's death, and in a few +days she took to her bed, and shortly after +died. The sickness and death of a member +of her family, combined with her own sufferings +so absorbed the mind of Little Wolf, +that at the time she thought of but little else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +But when it was all over, and her arm had +partially healed, she began to realize acutely +the anomalous position in which the purpose +she had formed placed her to Edward.</p> + +<p>It is true he came every day, and always +with words upon his lips that sent the hot +blood to her cheek, and each time she strove +in vain for courage to approach the subject +upon which hung her destiny. It was no +wonder that she thus halted; that her heart +stood still at the bare possibility of losing its +idol; for, orphaned and alone, beyond it she +saw no light in her path; only fearful darkness +like the shadows of death.</p> + +<p>There had been no word of explanation, +and Edward seemed to have forgotten that +he had ever desired any, and he had settled +into his former assurance. His mother had, +of late, spoken to her confidentially of the +time when, as Edward's wife it would be her +pleasure to relieve her of all troublesome +cares; and Little Wolf listened in silence and +in agony. She longed to unbosom her feelings +but restrained herself with the resolve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +that she would, without delay, make them +known to Edward.</p> + +<p>In this state of mind she one day opened +the drawer where lay Antoinette's letter and +taking it out sat down to read it. She found +nothing of interest in the contents, except +that which she had previously heard, until +her eye caught the postscript at the bottom +which read thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One day later. The Indian stayed yesterday +to assist in burying the dead. He has +just breakfasted and will start in a few moments, +and I hasten to tell you the good +news. Rejoice with me, all my fears are put +to flight. Last night my conscience told me +that I ought to invite cousin John to read +this letter. He looked so serious when he +had done so, that I was afraid I had offended +him. But this morning to my utter astonishment +he handed me a Total Abstinence +Pledge, drawn up in due form, with his own +name and Maria's signed to it, and playfully +bade me write my name with theirs. "For," +said he, "Antoinette, I intend in future to +look well to the morals of my household, and +see that they touch not, taste not, handle not, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>any beverage that will intoxicate." I burst +into tears, and he said, "O well, if you feel +so badly about it, you need not sign it," but +he well knew they were tears of joy, and +there would be no trouble about signing +it. Would that the head of every family in +the land, might do as cousin John has done. +Then indeed, there would be rejoicing around +many a fireside, where now sits sorrow and +despair.</p> + +<p class="regards">In love and haste,</p> + +<p class="author">"<span class="smcap">Antoinette</span>,"</p></div> + +<p>Little Wolf sat pondering over what she +had read, never dreaming that her lover was +peeping in upon her through the half open +door. But Edward was to full of what he +had come that day especially to say, to delay +long, and he tapped lightly to attract her +attention. Little Wolf welcomed him to her +side, with the determination that she would +then and there speak frankly upon the subject, +which had so long pressed upon her +mind.</p> + +<p>But Edward had scarcely seated himself +before he began in high spirits to speak of +family arrangements.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Louise and the doctor," said he, "have +finally fixed upon their wedding, and darling," +he said, lowering his voice, and speaking +earnestly, "it remains for you to say +whether or not, ours shall be at the same +time.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf's pulse quickened almost to +suffocation, but she controlled herself bravely, +and placing her finger on the last passage +in Antoinette's letter, she said, "read that, +Edward."</p> + +<p>Edward did as she desired, and again turned +upon her a questioning look.</p> + +<p>"Now, Edward," said Little Wolf, smiling +although her lip slightly quivered, "I am +ready to set up house-keeping with you any +time, provided you will put your name with +mine to a pledge like that of which you have +just read."</p> + +<p>Although she had spoken playfully, Edward +saw she was deeply in earnest, and his +pride kindled, as the truth flashed upon him.</p> + +<p>"Darling," said he, reproachfully, "I may +have given you reason once, in an unguarded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +moment, to fear for me, but I had hoped that +that scene had long since been forgotten."</p> + +<p>"It will never more be remembered, nothing +of the kind will <i>ever</i> be remembered," +Little Wolf hastened to say, "If I but have +your promise."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said Edward clasping her in +his arms, "I promise."</p> + +<p>In due time Little Wolf disengaged herself +and opening her writing desk, she drew him +towards it, saying, "Now, Edward, you draw +up the document, and we will both sign it.</p> + +<p>"What document do you wish me to draw +up? Is not my pledged word to love, cherish +and protect you not enough, you little infidel?" +said Edward gayly."</p> + +<p>"It is my request that you draw up a +pledge promising to abstain from all intoxicating +drinks, and sign your name to it, and I +will put mine to the same," said Little Wolf, +in the same gay humor.</p> + +<p>"Why, darling," said Edward, in surprise, +"my promise was all you asked."</p> + +<p>"O yes, your promise to sign a total absti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>nence +pledge was all I did ask," said Little +Wolf cheerily, "and now, all I ask is that +you do as you agreed."</p> + +<p>"I did not understand it so," said Edward, +"but never mind, darling; now listen to me. +Would you, provided it were in your power, +prevent my taking a harmless glass of beer in +a warm summer day?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Edward, of course I would not +wish to prevent your indulging in any <i>harmless</i> +enjoyment, but don't people sometimes +get intoxicated on beer?"</p> + +<p>"Only slightly elevated," said Edward +laughingly.</p> + +<p>"O, Edward!" broke forth Little Wolf in +agony, "I wish you could see this thing as +I do but you cannot."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments, +which Edward broke by saying, sympathizingly, +"I know why you feel as you do, darling, +and I do not wonder at it, but warned +by my own, as well as the experience of +others, I shall keep a strict watch over my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>self +for your dear sake, and I assure you +there is no danger of me."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Little Wolf, despairingly, "I +cannot persuade you to pledge yourself to total +abstinence?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Edward decidedly, his pride +deeply wounded by her implied doubts of his +inability to control his appetite, "if you feel +that you cannot trust yourself with me after +all I have said, I can say no more."</p> + +<p>Had Edward fallen dead at her feet, Little +Wolf could not have looked at him more +hopelessly. But Edward was blind to her +mute anguish, and mortified and impatient at +her silence, and little dreaming of what her +answer would be, he at length asked rather +coolly, "Do you really feel that you cannot +trust your happiness with me?"</p> + +<p>Little Wolf struggled a moment for composure, +and then bowed her head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>Edward's flushed face suddenly paled. +"Very well," said he proudly, and without +another word abruptly withdrew. His quick,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +impetuous footsteps echoed through the hall; +the front door opened and closed, and soon +the distant tinkling of bells announced that +he had really gone.</p> + +<p>As the lovely violet closes its leaves when +the shadows of night gather round, so closed +the flower, which, in the sunshine of love, +had bloomed in the heart of Little Wolf. She +neither wept nor made any other demonstration +of sorrow, but as she sat silent and alone +her lips grew firm, and her eyes brightened +and the pupils expanded, and her whole being +seemed rising up in supernatural strength +to bear the blow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The Sleighing Party—Clara Hastings—Mother +and Son.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capO.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="O" title="O" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">n his way home, Edward Sherman +found himself suddenly assailed by a +chorus of eager voices, as he unexpectedly +encountered a sleighing party of gay +young friends. They were bound for a settlement +near by, where rural festivities were +in anticipation.</p> + +<p>As he reluctantly drew up alongside of the +capacious establishment, where nearly a dozen +ladies, (including his own sister), and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +about the same number of gentlemen were +cozily stowed away, he was beset with urgent +solicitations to join their company.</p> + +<p>The affair, they stated, had been gotten up +on a short notice during his brief absence +from the city, and his sister had been inveigled +into it, with the expectation of meeting +her brother, and particular friend Dr. +Goodrich. But the doctor had given them +the slip, and they could not, on any account +dispense with his society. Louise joined her +entreaties with the others. "I will ride with +you, brother," she said, if you will only go."</p> + +<p>"No, no;" objected the gentleman who +sat next her, "I will propose a more fitting +expedient. Let Mr. Sherman close his eyes +and throw a soft snow ball into the crowd, +and upon whomsoever the ball shall rest, let +her be transferred to his sleigh."</p> + +<p>The proposition at first occasioned quite a +tumult, but finally all laughingly agreed to +it. Into their midst quickly flew the lump +of glittering snow and rested upon the belle +of the party, Miss Clara Hastings, and Ed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>ward +in triumph bore off the crested prize.</p> + +<p>Miss Hastings, we have said, was the belle +of the party, nor was this all; she was one of +the most popular young ladies in the city of +Pendleton. Her father, Judge Hastings, a +man of talent, and high standing, had bestowed +every advantage upon his only child, +and she, petted and caressed in society as well +as in the family circle, handsome and dashing +in appearance, with spirits unbroken, gave +life and interest to every amusement in which +she was engaged. The turn the affair had +taken was therefore as much regretted by her +friends, as it was gratifying to Edward, to +have obtained so agreeable a companion.</p> + +<p>The lady herself did not appear in the least +disturbed by the change. On the contrary, +as they started off in advance of the rest, her +smiling face indicated the satisfaction which +she felt at the result; for from the first of her +acquaintance with Edward, she had conceived +a decided partiality for him.</p> + +<p>"It will be nice to get there and rest and +warm before the others arrive," she said, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +they rapidly outdistanced the other sleigh.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and have a little time all to ourselves," +Edward replied, in pretty much the +same style in which he would have addressed +Little Wolf, had she been by his side.</p> + +<p>Miss Hastings looked surprised and tossed +her head proudly, freeing the plumes in her +jaunty little cap of their snowy remains, and, +as the soft particles showered upon Edward, +and pelting his cheek, he turned and looking +her full in the face said, "those little ice +bolts, Miss Hastings, serve to remind me +of what a lucky individual I have been this +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Have you always been lucky, Mr. Sherman?" +said Miss Hastings waiving the intended +compliment.</p> + +<p>A look of pain crossed Edward's face, but +he answered quickly, almost defiantly, "Not +always," and giving his horse a smart cut, he +created such a jingling among the bells, that +farther conversation was rendered impracticable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The destination was soon reached, and, +being joined by the remainder of the party, +the evening hours charged with pleasure flew +rapidly, to most of the assembled guests. +But neither Edward, nor Miss Hastings +were in their happiest mood, and the latter +complaining of a headache Edward signified +his willingness to conduct her home before +the party broke up.</p> + +<p>Again in the open air, her indisposition +was relieved, and she chatted cheerily, and +made herself so agreeable, that her companion +really became quite interested, and, loth +to part with her, as they drove up before her +father's house, he proposed to prolong their +ride.</p> + +<p>"It is early yet," he said, "and your head +is so much better in the open air, would you +not like to drive out of the city again for half +an hour?"</p> + +<p>"O no, I thank you, Mr. Sherman," she +said with a gratified smile," "the family are +up waiting for me, and I would be happy to +have you go in and see papa. He will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +treat you to a glass of superior domestic +wine."</p> + +<p>Edward went in and drank the wine, and +spent a pleasant half hour. Shortly after +leaving he fell in with some friends, who invited +him into another place where choice +wines were kept, and he drank again and yet +again, and finally went home quite exhilerated +under the influence of stimulant. He found +that his sister had arrived some time previously, +and she and his mother, and the doctor +were quietly seated around the center-table, +and had been wondering at his non-arrival.</p> + +<p>"Give an account of yourself, loiterer," +said Louise, playfully, as he joined the circle.</p> + +<p>"We had a fine time Lou, did we not?" +said he patting her cheek.</p> + +<p>"O, if by <i>we</i> you mean yourself and Miss +Hastings I suppose you did have a good time, +but I did not enjoy myself a bit."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, are you quite sure? I thought +I saw you smile very benignly on a certain +young getleman, who objected to your riding +with me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + +<p>"An optical dulusion, brother, entirely so, +I would have much preferred to have gone +with you."</p> + +<p>"Now I'll kiss you for that," said Edward, +suiting the action to the word.</p> + +<p>"O Ned, what have you been drinking? +Your breath smells of <i>something</i>."</p> + +<p>"O, I went in and took a glass of domestic +wine with Judge Hastings," said Edward +carelessly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman instantly took the alarm. +"I am afraid," she said, that these domestic +wines create an appetite for more hurtful +drinks. Don't you think so, Edward?"</p> + +<p>"Why no, mother. If every family kept +a supply of pure domestic wine in the cellar, +and were at liberty to drink when they pleased, +there would, in my opinion, be much less +drunkenness than there is at present. Plenty +of pure wine would soon do away with the +adulterated liquors so common in public +places and social drinking would become +much more harmless than it is at present. I +would advise you, mother, to keep up a vig<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>orous +correspondence with Recta on the subject, +about currant time next summer, for it +is getting quite fashionable to manufacture +your own wines."</p> + +<p>"Mark my words, Edward, the fashion +will prove an injury to society; frequent indulgences +in any drink that will intoxicate, +it is well known, has always proved more or +less fatal to the peace and prosperity of communities, +as well as individuals. I can well +remember the time when social drinking was +practised in almost every family, and at all +fashionable entertainments, and I well remember +the consequences. The ruin it +wrought cannot be told. It was wine in the +cellar, and on the side board, Edward, as +well as stronger drinks that did the mischief. +Good men and brave, felt its effects and gave +the alarm, and great efforts were made to +put a stop to the evil, and thousands were +reclaimed from drunkenness, but, of late +years, the agitation has in a measure subsided, +and the evil is again on the increase, insinuating +itself into families in the form of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +domestic wines, which are generally supposed +to be so harmless, but which are, in reality, +the foundation of intemperance."</p> + +<p>"You cannot make people believe that +mother."</p> + +<p>"The time will come when they will be +forced to believe it, my son; for the free use +of domestic wines in families, is not going to +keep husbands, brothers and friends from the +lager beer saloons where the feet of the unwary +become so easily entangled. On the +contrary, past experience proves that the +taste for stimulating drinks acquired at home +rather has a tendency to lead men to frequent +such places."</p> + +<p>"But, mother, remember it is not the use +of these things, but the abuse, that does the +harm."</p> + +<p>"True, my son, but the use in nine cases +out of ten, leads to the abuse, and it is strange +that mothers and sisters will imperil their +happiness for fashion's sake. I would rather +that Judge Hastings had offered you an adder +in the cup, than the drink which he did;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +for had you seen the poisonous reptile, you +would have turned from it, but, hidden in +the enticing wine, the serpent's sting fastens +itself upon the vitals and its victim knows it +not."</p> + +<p>O, mother, you are perfectly beside yourself +on the subject. Judge Hastings is a man +who, I make no doubt, has drank moderately +all his life; and who among us is more +vigorous in mind and body? It is all nonsense, +the idea that a man must necessarily +become a drunkard, because he occasionally +indulges in stimulants."</p> + +<p>"Ma, ma," broke in Louise, who saw that +her mother felt hurt, "you might as well +hand Edward over to the persuasion of Miss +DeWolf. If anybody can convert him she +can. The doctor says she becomes more +beautiful and interesting every day. What +do you think, Ned? The doctor was there +this afternoon while we were out sleigh riding; +he confesses it himself.</p> + +<p>"I must bid you good night," said Edward +abruptly, and, quite to the surprise of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +trio he withdrew without another word.</p> + +<p>His mother suspecting something wrong, +followed him to his room, and with true +motherly solicitude sought out the cause. +"Edward," said she, "when you were a boy, +you used to confide all your annoyances to +your mother. Can it be that anything has +been said this evening to wound your feelings?"</p> + +<p>"There are none that love like a mother," +said Edward, putting his arm tenderly around +her neck, "and there is none in whom I can +so safely confide as in you, mother, but manhood's +griefs are not so easily soothed as boyhood's. +It is not now a broken kite to mend, +or a bruised finger to bind up, would it were; +would that I had not lived to see this day."</p> + +<p>"Why, Edward, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean, mother, that Miss DeWolf has +refused to become my wife, and all because I +would not consent to pledge myself to total +abstinence from all liquors. I would not deceive +her and bind myself to pursue a different +course from that which I intend. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +habits, I believe, are generally considered +good, and if a woman cannot take me as I +am, I would not ask her to take me at all."</p> + +<p>"O Edward, Edward," said Mrs. Sherman +beseechingly, "do not let wounded pride, +and self-will, come between you and the woman +you really love, for I do assure you, +young ladies like Miss DeWolf are very rare."</p> + +<p>"Were she a thousand times more lovely +and interesting, beloved more she could not +be, but, mother, I shall never yield the point, +and admit that I am incapable of controlling +my appetite. When it suits me to take a social +glass with a friend, I shall do it; and +when I choose to decline it shall be of my own +free will."</p> + +<p>"You are a free agent, certainly, Edward, +you may pursue the course you have marked +out for yourself, and go through life a moderate +drinker, and young men may point to you +as you have to Judge Hastings, and make +your escape an excuse for venturing in the +same dangerous path, and thus go down to a +drunkard's grave; or you may yourself ven<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>ture +to near the precipice, and before you are +aware take the fatal plunge; for drunkenness, +like death, generally takes the victim +unawares. In either case your influence +must inevitably act upon those with whom +you associate, and you cannot escape the +fearful responsibility. Then judgment day +alone will open the records of those who +have been forever ruined through the influence +of moderate drinkers, as well as the confirmed +drunkard. The preponderating influence, +however, lies with the moderate +drinker; with such men as Judge Hastings; +who, perhaps, have given the subject but little +thought, and who having through a long +course of years tampered without apparent +injury, with the intoxicating cup, deem that +others may do as he has done.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and so they may, mother, if they +choose. Every man must answer for his own +crimes and not for the crimes of others."</p> + +<p>"True Edward, and if your neighbor become +a drunkard, see to it that the sin lies +not at your door."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> + +<p>Edward made a gesture of impatience. +"Mother" he said bitterly, "I am not in a +mood to hear much more to-night. I am sorry +that we do not think alike, but, as we +never shall, perhaps the less said about it the +better."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman silently kissed her son, and, +with a foreboding heart, withdrew to her own +room.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Letter Writing—Daddy's Nocturnal +Labors and Early Walk.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">here were two letters written by +lamp light in the old brown house, the +day Edward left so unceremoniously. +One was by Little Wolf to her confidential +friend, Mrs. Tinknor. A few hasty hopeless +lines traced upon the dainty sheet; a long +glossy curl folded within and her task was +done.</p> + +<p>The other, Daddy addressed to the sweet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>heart +of his youth, Miss Orrecta Lippincott. +He had for some time meditated opening +a correspondence with the object of his early +affections on the subject of matrimony, but +the magnitude of the undertaking had hitherto +deterred him; and, at last, he was only +brought to the point by the encouragement +of his young mistress.</p> + +<p>He had resorted to his regularly organized +plan of loitering in her room under pretext +of mending the fire, while he marked with +admiration the easy movements of her pen.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Honey," said he, +when she had finished, "I wish I could write +like that. I've been wanting fur to write a +letter fur sometime.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf, without the remotest idea of +what the subject of the letter in contemplation +was to be, said kindly, "Well, Daddy, +you may sit right down here if you like, and +use my pen and ink."</p> + +<p>Daddy shuffled along hesitatingly towards +the vacant seat. "Tween you and me I'm +afeared I shall make a very sorry job on it,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +said he, "I ain't writ none to speak on this +forty year."</p> + +<p>"Shall I write it for you Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"O no, Honey. I'll try myself, fust anyhow."</p> + +<p>"O well, I'll go down to the parlor and +you shall have the room all to yourself."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't stand it no-how fur ter hev +the Honey laugh at the old man's foolishness," +muttered Daddy to himself, as Little Wolf +slipped away, glad to be relieved of all responsibility +in the matter, and feeling less +perhaps like laughing at the old man's eccentricities +than ever before in her life; and, indeed, +it was a long time afterwards before she +felt like laughing at all.</p> + +<p>In the hall leading to the parlor, she met +Sorrel Top, who blushingly begged a private +interview, which Little Wolf was too obliging +to deny, although she panted to indulge +her thoughts alone.</p> + +<p>The interview, however, did not detain her +long. Sorrel Top had under consideration +an offer of marriage and wished to ask advice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +which Little Wolf gave without a smile, or +change of countenance.</p> + +<p>"Well, Sorrel Top, if he is as you say a +man of good habits, and loves you and you +love him, I see no objection to your getting +married as soon as you like."</p> + +<p>While Sorrel Top's affair was being thus +satisfactorily disposed of, Daddy was anxiously +bending over the sheet, upon which he +could not get courage to make the first mark. +There he sat silent and anxious, looking vacantly +first at the ceiling, then at the pen +which stood exactly perpendicular between +his clumsy fingers. At length in dispair he +arose and began to walk the floor, and then +for the first time he observed Fanny Green +quietly playing with her pet kitten.</p> + +<p>"Fanny," said he, "do you know how to +write?"</p> + +<p>"O yes, Daddy, a little; mamma taught +me to make all the letters."</p> + +<p>"Well, Fanny," said he coaxingly, "come +here and make a D for me; won't you? +"'Tween you and me I've forgot which side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +the plaguey quirl goes. Here take this ere +piece of paper, you might spile the sheet, and +I'm mighty particular about hevin it in prime +order."</p> + +<p>As she took the pen Fanny suddenly began +to distrust her memory. "Maybe I've +forgot myself, Daddy;" rolling up her blue +eyes to the anxious face bending over her. +But she succeeded admirably in performing +her task, which Daddy duly approved, by +declaring that the quirl was almost equal to +the Honey's quirls. His effort to copy it +was also a success.</p> + +<p>"See here, Fanny," said he pausing again, +"you spell dear, d-e-r-e, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"O no, Daddy, I spell it d-e-e-r. It's spelled +so right under the picture of one in my +book."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, I don't mean that +ere kind of a dear, Fanny, I guess it's d-e-r-e, +I mean. Howsoever, I'll spell it so and risk +it. Now, Fanny," said he, again dipping his +pen in the ink, "you stand right here, fur +there may be more letters that I've forgot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +how tu make, and if you'll show me, and +help me fur to spell a letter, I'll mend your +sled for you to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Thus encouraged, the child, with visions +of coasting in her pretty little head, combined +wisdom with Daddy's, who also had his +visions, while he wrote as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Dere Orrecta.</span></p> + +<p>"Mi hart has allers ben yourn, it is old +now, but it ain't dride up nun. will yu +marry me now iv got tu be a poor old man. +if yu wil i wil cum fur yu on the fust bote. +iv got a leetle muny lade up fur a wet day. i +hev allers ben stidy, and never drunk anything +in my hull life. if yu wil hev me let me +no as quick as lightnin figerative speekin.</p> + +<p class="regards">your old flame,</p> +<p class="author">philip Roarer</p> + +<p>Chimney Rock. Minnesota territory."</p></div> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me I reckon that ere is +tu the pint, anyhow," said Daddy, proudly +folding the letter, upon which he had spent +two hours of hard mental labor. "I wonder +what keeps the honey away so long; it must +be monstrous cold in the parlor. Tom Tink<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>nor +wont thank me fur lettin the Honey git +cold; bless her heart. That ere sled will git +fixed to-morrow, you may depend on't, Fanny, +fur I shall feel fust rate;" and Daddy +capered out of the room as jolly as a half +grown boy, with a plum pudding in anticipation. +But, we will do him the justice to say, +that there was a depth and earnestness of +feeling in this life-long devotion, to which the +ebullitions of youth can bear no comparison.</p> + +<p>How to break the matter to Little Wolf +was Daddy's next anxiety. He stood in mortal +dread of the ridicule of his young mistress, +but still felt that he ought to confide +in her. After taking several fidgety turns +before the parlor door, he finally resolved to +make the <i>denouement</i>, and boldly face the +consequences.</p> + +<p>But the condition in which he found Little +Wolf changed the course which he had +marked out. She had lain down upon the +sofa where fearfully pale and cold and still, +she rested, utterly prostrated by the events +of the day. Daddy had never seen such a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +ghastly look upon her face before, and the +vague fear that life had fled horrified him, +as he stood gazing at her in mute astonishment.</p> + +<p>At a movement of the slight little figure +Daddy was reassured, and he bent over her +in tender solicitude, "O Honey, O Pet, be +you sick? you look awful pale?"</p> + +<p>A groan escaped Little Wolf, and, with a +long drawn sigh, she rose up languidly. "I +don't feel quite well to-night, Daddy," she +said.</p> + +<p>"O, Honey, you ought fur to have somebody +to nuss you; old Daddy don't know +nothin about gals, and Sorrel Top don't +know nothin about nussin neither. Now +here's the letter I've jest writ, if you feel able +fur to read it, Honey, you will see that I am +tryin fur to git somebody here fur to take +care of you suitable."</p> + +<p>Daddy watched closely the effect upon +Little Wolf, while she purused the letter, and +as he discovered no symptoms of ridicule, he +fairly worshipped her for her forbearance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> +"Honey," said he, "what du you think on +it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Little Wolf absently, +"I think on the whole it will do very +well."</p> + +<p>Daddy's face fairly shone. "I know'd you +would agree tu it," said he, "you allers had +uncommon penetration."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf sat shivering and silent, while +Daddy pronounced his eulogy, and the old +man began again to be alarmed. "O Honey," +he broke forth, "what makes you so +sick? the doctor said you was doin fust rate +this afternoon. I guess I'd better go fur to +fetch him right off."</p> + +<p>"O no, Daddy, I'm only chilled; you may +light me to my room."</p> + +<p>"Sartin I will, Honey, and I'll keep a fire +fur you all night, fur I shouldn't sleep a wink +nohow."</p> + +<p>True to his word, Daddy diligently tended +the fire, creating in Little Wolf's apartment +a general disturbance by his nocturnal labors. +Had she been so inclined, sleep would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +been impossible, while Daddy's enthusiasm +raged, for a series of disasters attended his +most careful efforts. The bedroom door +creaked, the stove door grated on its hinges, +the shovel and tongs would rattle, and there +was sure to be an occasional downfall of +wood, which echoed through the lonely house +like the voice of seven thunders.</p> + +<p>It was therefore quite a relief to Little +Wolf when the grey morning hours began to +dawn and Daddy consented to seek a little +repose, with the promise that he should not +be allowed to over-sleep, "fur," said he, "I +must start airly fur to post them are letters, +and you won't mind a calling of me, Honey, +bein you had such a oncommon night's rest, +fur I took particular pains not to disturb +you."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf did not think it worth while to +mention that she had lain awake the entire +night, for there was then no counting upon +the effect such a communication might have +upon Daddy's already over-wrought sensibilities. +As it was, he left her, flattering him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>self +that he had greatly contributed to her +health and comfort, and, with an approving +conscience, laid him down and slept.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time he was awakened +by Fanny, and rubbing open his eyes, he asked, +"Is the Honey up yet?"</p> + +<p>"O yes, Daddy and we've all had breakfast, +and I've got my sled all ready for you +to mend," said Fanny cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"Why yes, Fanny, I know I promised fur +tu mend it; but, 'tween you and me, I've got +fur to go to Pendleton first." Howsoever, +I'll fix it afore night."</p> + +<p>Fanny looked rather grave.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, I'm sorry fur tu disappoint +you, Fanny, but the Honey would +be wuss disappointed if I did not post her +letter."</p> + +<p>"Yours too, Daddy, you musn't forget it," +said Fanny thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding Fanny's exhortation Daddy +actually forgot both letters, having neglected +to take them from his pocket when he +changed his coat, Imagine then his conster<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>nation, +when, having arrived at the post-office +and rummaged his pockets in vain he +discovered his mistake.</p> + +<p>At this critical juncture young Sherman +and Dr. Goodrich, arm in arm, happened to +drop in at the office, and Daddy, for reasons +of his own, pounced upon the latter and held +him fast. "Doctor," said he, "'tween you +an' me, was you a going fur tu see the Honey +to-day? She was took very poorly last +night. I was afeared she was clean gone one +spell."</p> + +<p>"Did Miss DeWolf send for me, Daddy?" +said the doctor uneasily regarding the grip +that the old man had fastened upon his coat +sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Why no, doctor; she sent me fur to mail +some important letters, and I actually left +'em at home in my tother coat. One of +'em was fur to go tu Miss Tinknor; 'tween +you an me the Honey is mighty fond of Miss +Tinknor. I'm kinder calculatin the old lady +will be the Honey's mother-in-law some +day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> + +<p>The start which Edward gave at this announcement +was perceptible to both Daddy +and the doctor. The former, not relishing +such a demonstration of interest from so questionable +a source, inwardly resolved to put +to flight the false hopes by which he imagined +the young man was agitated. Casting a +side long glance at his intended victim he added, +"Mr. Tom is a very uncommon fine +young man; he is stidy; he never drinks +nothin. The Honey has know'd him allers; +they played together when they was children +and has allers been uncommon attached. +Tom particularly requested me fur tu take +good care of her while he was gone, and I +ain't no doubt if the good Lord was fur tu +take her away it would nigh about break his +heart."</p> + +<p>The doctor, conscious that Edward did +not relish the subject, and anxious himself to +terminate the interview, waved the matter, +simply saying, "I shall be going that way +by-and-by, Daddy, and will call upon Miss +DeWolf if I have time."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +On this assurance Daddy's grasp readily +relaxed, and his prisoner, taking advantage +of this favorable symptom, made his escape.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Doing and Getting Good—Wycoff's Reform.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he day was mild and spring-like, and +Daddy had not been long gone, when +the snow began to yield to the soft +touches of the sun's bright rays.</p> + +<p>Fanny stood by the window and sighed, +and wished audibly that the sun would "put +on a veil."</p> + +<p>The wish and manner so entirely foreign to +the child's naturally cheerful and contented +disposition attracted Little Wolf's attention.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why Fanny, do you complain of this +lovely day?" she said, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"O no, Miss DeWolf, but I was afraid the +snow would all melt away before my sled +was mended, and I love so much to be out of +doors coasting."</p> + +<p>"How would you like to take a walk with +me?" said Little Wolf, willing to amuse the +child, for whom she had already conceived a +warm affection.</p> + +<p>"O I would like it ever so much," said +Fanny, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Now where shall we go, Fanny?" said +Little Wolf, as they started out.</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know," said Fanny hesitatingly; +"when mamma used to take me +out, she said we must go somewhere where +we could do good. Sometimes we went over +to old Mrs. Peters'; she is sick all the time, +and has no one to help her except her grandson, +Charley. Mamma used to make her bed, +and read the bible and pray with her, and +comfort her all she could. Poor mamma often +wished she could carry her something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +nice to eat, but we hadn't hardly anything to +eat ourselves. May be you wouldn't like to +go there, though?" said Fanny, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf hesitated.</p> + +<p>"She used to know your mamma," said +Fanny, "and she said that Mrs. DeWolf was +one of the kindest friends she ever had."</p> + +<p>"We will go there, Fanny," said Little +Wolf decidedly</p> + +<p>Their way lay over the very hill where occurred +their disastrous collision with Mr. +Wycoff; about half a mile from the foot of +which, on a cross road, lived Mrs. Peters. +Fanny ran joyously on before, occasionally +turning back to call Little Wolf's attention +to a squirrel, or a bird, never dreaming that +her companion was less interested than herself. +In this way they reached the top of the +hill, and began the descent, when suddenly +Fanny began to look grave and loiter beside +Little Wolf. At length she spoke in a subdued +whisper, "There lies poor Fleet Foot, +Miss DeWolf; he will never breathe again."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf sank upon a rock by the way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>side, +and hid her face in her hands. She +thought and said aloud, "O, why was I spared +to be so wretched?"</p> + +<p>Fanny burst into a flood of tears. "What +would have become of me if you had been +killed?" she sobbed.</p> + +<p>Surprised at this demonstration of affection, +Little Wolf looked up and drew Fanny towards +her. The child's words, she knew not +why, had consoled and strengthened her. +"Fanny," said she, "everybody must have +something to live for, and I have you"</p> + +<p>"O yes, mamma used to say we must all +live to do good," said Fanny, brightening.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf rose and struggled bravely to +choke down her rising feelings, for just then +she was comparing the bright voyage of life, +which she had so lately pictured for herself, +with the dark and stormy reality. At that +moment, when she would have scorned to +indulge in pusillanimous grief, her noble spirit +recognized and bowed in willing obedience to +the sublime principle involved in Fanny's +life-inspiring words.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, Fanny," she replied, "if I do live, +I hope it will not be in vain. I'm afraid I've +been very wicked and selfish all my life."</p> + +<p>"O, Miss DeWolf I'm sure you are the +<i>bestest</i>, <i>preciousest</i> woman next to my mother, +that I ever saw in all my life."</p> + +<p>Fanny made this declaration with the air +and assurance of one whose years had embraced +a century; but at that moment, an +object met her eye, which reminded her that +she was but a helpless child. "O, there is +Mr. Wycoff!" she exclaimed suddenly, as +the rough farmer was seen coming up the +hill.</p> + +<p>Fanny trembled violently, for she feared +this man. But Little Wolf, constitutionally +brave, in her present state of mind feared +nothing, composedly seated herself again upon +the rock.</p> + +<p>The farmer advanced slowly, and recognized +Little Wolf with a bow, and reassured +Fanny with a cordial "How are you, Fanny?" +Then, as he observed traces of tears +on Fanny's cheek, and Little Wolf's sad look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +and mourning dress, he stopped short. "Now +Miss DeWolf," said he, bluntly, "I may as +well say it first as last, I did not mean to run +over you that day, but I had been drinking, +and did not know what I was about. Whatever +you say is right, I will pay you, for I +have felt mean about it ever since; 'specially +as you haven't made any fuss about it."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf appeared noble indeed, as she +feelingly replied, "Mr. Wycoff, I would +cheerfully make the same sacrifice again, if +by that means I could persuade you never to +taste another drop of intoxicating drink."</p> + +<p>"O, I cannot agree to that," said Wycoff, +"but I shall do the fair thing by you, for you +have acted like a lady."</p> + +<p>Then Little Wolf, with a sudden impulse, +arose and stepped forward, and began to plead +earnestly and eloquently with the man to +give up the use of the intoxicating cup. Nor +did she plead in vain. The strong man at +length yielded to her persuasions; persuasions +around which hung the fragrance of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +bruised heart, from which they emanated; +touching, irresistible.</p> + +<p>Inspirational hours are often the fruit of +anguish unutterable. The suffering soul begins +unconsciously to feel upward, and, at +the propitious moment, heaven appoints its +work. Thus Little Wolf received her mission, +which, with characteristic energy she +delayed not to fulfil.</p> + +<p>His word having been pledged to total abstinence, +Wycoff turned back towards home.</p> + +<p>"I was only going to the brewery to meet +a few friends," he said, "and if I don't drink +with them I may as well keep away."</p> + +<p>He walked along with Little Wolf and +Fanny as far as the cross road, and when +they parted, again renewed his vow right +heartily. "Never fear, Miss DeWolf," he +said, "I shall never taste another drop of +liquor, so help me Almighty God."</p> + +<p>"There, now we are <i>certain</i>, ain't we, Miss +DeWolf? for he asked God to help him. O, +I'm so glad, I'm so glad you have lived to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +good," said Fanny, as the farmer passed on.</p> + +<p>Fanny was exuberant. Her little heart +overflowed, and, at intervals during the remainder +of their walk, "I'm so glad, I'm so +glad," rang out on the still air in sweet, +childish accents, mingling with the songs of +spring birds, and echoing through the lonely +woods.</p> + +<p>Arrived at the cottage, they met a warm +welcome from Mrs. Peters. For many +years, widowed and bed ridden, she had lingered +in pain and poverty. Her grandson +Charley, a bright, active youth, orphaned at +an early age, had, since the death of his +mother, been her constant companion and +faithful nurse.</p> + +<p>He was her pride and her delight, and she +in turn shared his warmest affections. It +was beautiful indeed to see the noble-hearted +boy yielding all his young strength in providing +for her wants. His small earnings at +wood cutting, combined with the charity of a +few kind hearted neighbors, had during the +winter, kept them from absolute want. No<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +wonder, then, that the ambitious youth, anxious +to escape the pinches of poverty, was +eager to accept a situation in Hank Glutter's +saloon, that morning liberally offered by the +proprietor in person. No wonder that, grieved +and disheartened by the opposition of his +grandmother, he met Little Wolf and Fanny, +(who had interrupted their discussion of the +matter), with a downcast countenance.</p> + +<p>Conscious that his manner had been observed, +the old lady hastened to apologize, +"My Charley is feeling quite badly just now," +she said. "Mr. Glutter called here this +morning on the way to one of our neighbors, +and offered him a clerkship. He will call +soon for his answer, and I was just telling +Charley that I was unwilling to have him go +where he would be exposed to so many temptations."</p> + +<p>"Grandmother needs the money," said +Charley, "and it is for her sake I want to +go. She needn't be afraid of my getting bad +habits."</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, we will talk about it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +again bye and bye," said the old lady, soothingly.</p> + +<p>"But there's Mr. Glutter, now, grandma," +said the boy springing to the door, "do let +me tell him that I will go, <i>do</i> grandma," he +begged with painful earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Do as your grandma think's best, and +you will not be sorry," said Little Wolf in +an undertone as Hank approached the door.</p> + +<p>"Well, my man," said Hank with great +assurance.</p> + +<p>"I must do as grandma says," and Charley +threw the door wide open.</p> + +<p>At sight of Mrs. Peters' visitors, Hank +gave a start of surprise, but quickly recovering +himself, he bestowed upon each a gentlemanly +greeting, and without futher ceremony, +plunged into the business upon which he had +come.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mrs. Peters, have you decided to +accept my offer?"</p> + +<p>"You are very kind and generous, Mr. +Glutter, and I thank you," said the old lady, +anxious to soften her refusal; but too honest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +to give any except the true reason, she continued, +"the truth is, I do not like to have +Charley go where the influence will be so unfavorable +to his becoming a good, sober man."</p> + +<p>Had she studied to make it so, Mrs. Peters' +guileless reply could not have been more +inflammatory to Hank's temper, for, like +others of his class, he was peculiarly sensitive +to any reflection cast upon his business. His +eyes flashed, and his lip curled scornfully, +but having in mind Little Wolf's presence, +he responded smoothly enough, "Very well, +Mrs. Peters. Good morning; good morning, +ladies," and bowed himself out of the room.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Peters drew a sigh of relief, but poor +Charley, after struggling a moment for composure, +left the apartment with quivering lip, +and Little Wolf soon caught a view of him +through the window, wiping his eyes with his +coat sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Poor dear Charley," said his grandmother, +"it comes hard on him now, but, God +willing, I hope he will live to thank me for it."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf rose hastily. "I must go out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +and have a little talk with Charley," she +said.</p> + +<p>"She is just like her father," said Mrs. +Peters, as Little Wolf flitted from the room, +"when he first came to Chimney Rock he was +a princely looking man.</p> + +<p>"O, she is the beautifulest lady I ever +saw," was Fanny's enthusiastic rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"I have understood that she is very gay +and fashionable since she came from boarding +school."</p> + +<p>Fanny was at first rather doubtful as to +what construction to put upon the reports +which had reached the ears of the old lady, +and she hesitated to endorse anything of the +nature of which she was not quite clear; but +she finally compromised the matter by saying, +"if it is very good to be gay and fashionable, +then she is, for she is nothing else but good."</p> + +<p>"Well, if she is only a humble, devoted +Christian like her mother, I shall be satisfied," +sighed Mrs. Peters.</p> + +<p>Fanny had by this time come to the conclusion +that gay and fashionable was only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +another name for superior goodness, and she +answered accordingly. "Why, Mrs. Peters, +she is really a very gay, humble, fashionable, +devoted Christion. She is gooder than her +mother, for she never took me away from bad +people as she did."</p> + +<p>Not deeming it worth while to enter into +any troublesome explanations, Mrs. Peters +determined to suit her language to the child's +comprehension, said simply, "Well, I hope +she loves God, and will teach you to love him +too."</p> + +<p>"O, she does love God, Mrs. Peters. I +heard her speak to him ever so many times +last night, and I was teached to love him +before she had me," said Fanny very seriously.</p> + +<p>At this instant the object of their conversation +made her appearance followed by +Charley, whose countenance exhibited quite +a different aspect from that which it had +worn a short time previously.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf had successfully held the cup +of consolation to him in the form of a pres<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>ent +and a promise, and she was now about to +take her leave, but Mrs. Peters detained her. +Never came one into her presence that she +allowed to depart without first satisfying herself +as to whether, as she expressed it, they +had "got religion."</p> + +<p>Now, it was her belief that pure and undefiled +religion before God is this: "To visit +the widow and fatherless in their affliction, +and to keep ourselves unspotted from the +world." An intimate acquaintance with the +book in which these sentiments are to be +found, had quickened her perceptions as to +their true meaning, and, as by that standard +she gave judgment, it was not easy to deceive +her.</p> + +<p>Highly as Little Wolf had risen in her esteem, +and highly as Fanny had eulogized the +piety of her young benefactress, there yet remained +a doubt in the old lady's mind as to +the entire soundness of her religious principles. +A straightforward question while she +still held Little Wolf's hand in her parting +grasp, "Dear child, I know you visit the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +widow and fatherless in their affliction, but +do you keep yourself unspotted from the +world?"</p> + +<p>The innocent rejoinder, "I do not quite +know what that means, 'to keep yourself unspotted +from the world,'" resolved her +doubts.</p> + +<p>"Well, dear child, read your Bible carefully +and you will find out all about it," exhorted +Mrs. Peters, "I might give you my opinion, +but it is better to get your ideas fresh +from the fountain head. You will find that +those spotless robes hang very high, but not +beyond the reach of the arms of faith."</p> + +<p>Our heroine went away deeply pondering +the words of her newly found friend.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Daddy's Soliloquy—A Beer-Soaker—A +Knock Down Argument—A Present for Little Wolf.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capI.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="I" title="I" /> +</div><p class="dropcap"> guess that ere Sherman won't be +a hanging round the Honey no great +deal after this; if he does I'll put another +flea in his ear fur I ain't a going fur tu +see her throwd away on no beer-soaker."</p> + +<p>Thus soliloquized Daddy, as he watched +with evident satisfaction, the hurried departure +of the young gentleman, whom, when we +last left him he had just released from his inevitable +trap.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> + +<p>A horrible oath sounded in Daddy's ear, +and he lay sprawling on the pavement. "Call +me a beer-soaker again will you," and out +rolled another oath, but Daddy did not hear +it. The fall had stunned him, and he was +taken up insensible.</p> + +<p>Absorbed in the subject which was agitating +his mind at the time he received the blow +Daddy had raised his voice to a high pitch, +and, "beer-soaker," rang out loud and clear, +reaching the ear of a passer-by, who, being +pretty well soaked in the beverage mentioned, +or in something stronger, resented the imagined +insult after the manner described.</p> + +<p>Proud of his achievement, which he had +just sense enough to see was not generally +approved by the crowd that had gathered +round, Daddy's assailant proceeded defiantly +to defend his cruel deed. "He'd better +never say beer-soaker to me again, the cursed +scoundrel, nor look it either, curse him. +Let any man in this crowd say that he didn't +deserve what he got, and I'll——</p> + +<p>"You'll come right along with me, my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +friend," and the foolish boaster was marched +off by the city authorities, whom from past +experience, he well knew it was useless to resist.</p> + +<p>This same man, now led away amid the +exertions of Daddy's friends, had gone out +from his humble home that beautiful sunny +morning with the solemn promise on his lips +to keep sober for that one day at least. His +hopeful long-suffering wife had watched +lovingly his receding footsteps, as in days, +when a fond husband and father, he always +returned sober. All day long she went trustingly +about her work with kind glad words +to her little children, whose pleased surprise +to receive, as of old, their father's fond caress, +she delighted to imagine.</p> + +<p>But alas! it was the old story. The man's +will was too weak to withstand the pursuasions +of drinking companions, and the tempttations +of the liquor seller. He yielded, and, +when once he had got the taste, wife and +children and all were forgotten. At a late +hour that night the little ones were put sadly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +away to bed; the supper table, spread in joy, +was cleared away in sorrow, and the wife +and mother was again doomed to wait, and +watch, and weep.</p> + +<p>But let us return to Daddy. Stretched +on a couch of suffering he lies; impatient, +vociferous and generally unmanageable.</p> + +<p>"Hurry up that ere doctor afore I die," he +exclaims; "hurry him up I say. Lord, that +ere pain in my shoulder; now its in my long +ribs; now its in my short ribs; I ken feel it +clare down to my heel cord and toe cord. +Take away that ere infernal brandy," he +cried, raising his voice to its highest pitch, +"ye don't spose I want fur to drink pison, do +ye, when I'm most dead already?"</p> + +<p>"But it will strengthen you, Daddy," said +the attendant soothingly.</p> + +<p>"It won't nuther. It will set me all on +fire and I'll mortify afore the doctor gits +here."</p> + +<p>When Dr. Goodrich at length made his +appearance, there was then enacted a scene, +if possible, still more uproarious. Poor Dad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>dy +winced and groaned at every touch, and +oftimes, commanded his physician to desist in +his examinations of the injured parts. +"Don't! Hold on there doctor, you'll yank +me all to bits. There; stop that yanking; +for the lord's sake, doctor, hold on there."</p> + +<p>"I am holding on, Daddy," said the doctor +very firmly, as he mended the dislocated +shoulder.</p> + +<p>The necessary surgical operation performed, +and an opiate administrated, with the assurance +that no serious results were to be apprehended, +and Daddy's mind and body were +soon at rest.</p> + +<p>Meantime, in happy ignorance of Daddy's +accident, Little Wolf and Fanny plodded +homeward; the former deeply absorbed in +thought, the latter blithe and airy, singing +with the birds, and tripping and slipping in +the dissolving snow.</p> + +<p>The exuberance of Fanny's delight, however, +began perceptibly to wane as they were +about repassing the spot, where, a few hours +before, they had paused to mourn and lament.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> +Again she loitered by her companion's side, +again she sighed, "Poor Fleet Foot;" but +not again did Little Wolf yield to her feelings. +Her tearless eyes looked straight forward, +and she hurried by the frightful gorge, +where lay the remains of her high-mettled +and much loved pet.</p> + +<p>On the brow of the hill she paused in surprise, +for again she saw Wycoff with his face +turned towards the brewery. On the present +occasion he was mounted upon his favorite +horse Black Hawk, and, having overtaken +Hank Glutter, the two men were engaged in +a conversation which we will here transcribe.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Wycoff? Bound for the +brewery this fine day?"</p> + +<p>"Why no, Mr. Glutter, I have about made +up my mind that you have got your share of +my hard earnings this year, I guess I'll pay +up my debts and keep clear of the brewery, +and see how I'll come out about this time +next spring."</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought you were doing well +enough, Wycoff," said Hank, uneasily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm sure your bill at the brewery is not +large, considering."</p> + +<p>"O, I don't complain of the charges, Mr. +Glutter. As Miss DeWolf says, money is not +the only thing you part with at a drinking +saloon."</p> + +<p>"O, you're being nosed about by Miss DeWolf, +are you," said Hank contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"I had as leif be nosed by a fine lady, as +by a saloon keeper," said Wycoff, drawing +himself up in his saddle.</p> + +<p>"D——m the fine lady," said Hank between +his closed teeth, "I'll attend to her +case."</p> + +<p>"Shame on the man that will threaten a +lady," said Wycoff hotly.</p> + +<p>"When women stoop to interfere with +men's business, they must take the consequences, +Wycoff. Shall I tell you what was +done to a woman who went whining around +trying to raise a prejudice against a respectable +liquor dealer in the place where I once +lived? One dark night her house was pretty +well pelted with stones and brickbats.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +The windows and doors were broken in, and +I do not know what the enraged crowd +would have done had she not made good her +escape."</p> + +<p>"A low cowardly set, to attack a defenceless +woman," said Wycoff, "but I've drank +enough myself to know that under the influence +of liquor, men will do almighty mean +things. Every time I've passed the place +where Fleet Foot lays, I have tried to make +up my mind to give up drinking, and pay +Miss De Wolf for the horse, like a man; and +to-day I've come to the sticking point; I have +promised to give up liquor, and in a few minutes +I shall present Black Hawk to Miss DeWolf."</p> + +<p>"Well, she had better mind her own business +after this," said Hank with a sneer. +"She has cheated me out of getting a first-rate +clerk this morning. I will not brook her +interference in my affairs. Let her beware, +or I'll make this place too hot for her."</p> + +<p>Wycoff's eyes flashed, and he extended his +clenched fist towards Hank. "You will, will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> +you?" said he defiantly; "now listen, you +Glutter. If ever you attempt to harm that +lady, I swear to you that this fist of mine +shall batter your brains, and on Black Hawk +she shall ride over your lifeless body."</p> + +<p>Black Hawk pawed and snorted and turned +his firey black eyes very wickedly upon +Hank, as if to enforce his master's threat. +He was a most magnificent animal; coal +black, his silken coat, now curried with special +care, shone resplendent in the noon-day +sun.</p> + +<p>As Wycoff rode off, Hank muttered to himself, +"She shall never ride that horse."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, Hank had the mortification +of beholding Little Wolf flying past +his door seated, like a little queen, upon +Black Hawk's back.</p> + +<p>"She shall never ride that horse again," +said the enraged saloon keeper, with an oath.</p> + +<p>Wycoff had great difficulty in pursuading +Little Wolf to except his present. Indeed +she only consented when she became convinced +that he would be seriously displeased by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +her refusal. Further to gratify the giver, she +took her first ride under his immediate supervision; +and, at his request, she had followed +the road by the brewery, making a circle of +about a quarter of a mile.</p> + +<p>"Now that's what I call neatly done," said +Wycoff, as Little Wolf drew up, and leaped +from the saddle. "You are the first lady +that ever backed Black Hawk," he said, patting +the animal's neck. "The fact is, I had +my doubts about your being able to ride him +at all. I was afraid I would have to sell him +and get a gentler beast, and I hated to do +that, for I have raised him from a colt. As +a general thing, he won't allow a stranger to +come nigh him. I had to ride him myself at +the races last September, for everybody was +afraid of him. I won five hundred dollars +on him though. I guess I had better stable +him now; hadn't I? I'll be up here early +to-morrow morning to see how Daddy gets +along with him. I reckon the old man won't +dare to go nigh him till he gets used to him."</p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A Chapter of Accidents and Deliverances.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capL.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="L" title="L" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">ittle Wolf was glad to see Black +Hawk led away, for she was now thoroughly +weary. The events of the last +twenty-four hours had worn upon her; and +the cozy fire and warm dinner, which awaited +her within, were duly appreciated.</p> + +<p>An hour later, nestled upon the parlor sofa +she was burried in profound slumber. +Fanny moved softly about the room, tiptoeing +occasionally to the window to watch for +Daddy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> + +<p>Towards night he was brought home on +a stretcher, comfortably arranged in a large +sleigh, Dr. Goodrich accompanying him. +The first intimation that Little Wolf had of +their arrival was a loud ring at the door, +which suddenly roused her from dreams, in +which she was living over again the happiest +moments of her life.</p> + +<p>It was some little time before she could +collect her scattered thoughts; but Daddy's +roarings and vociferations at length brought +her to a realizing sense of her responsibilities.</p> + +<p>Although assured by his physician that his +hurts would in a few weeks at furthest all be +healed, the old man was not content. He +had a lurking infidelity in regard to the opinions +of the medical profession generally, and, +as soon as Dr. Goodrich had departed, he +confided to Little Wolf his fears.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Honey," said he, +"them ere doctors hev been knowd to tell a +pussen that he was a goin fur tu git well, and +just as that pussen had made all his calculations +fur tu live, (and may be git married),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +the fust thing he knew, he would be a dead +man. Now 'tween you and me, its my opinion, +I shan't live twenty-four hours, fur I feel +awful gone like."</p> + +<p>"O, its the opiate that makes you feel so, +Daddy. I shall nurse you up and you'll get +well and marry, what's her name?"</p> + +<p>"Recta," said Daddy brightening. "Recta, +Miss Orrecta Lippincott. May be, Honey, +with good nussing I shall make out fur tu +stand it. 'Tween you and me, there's nuthin +like good nussin, after the bones is all set +proper."</p> + +<p>His wise young nurse did not think it +worth while to remind the invalid that not +one of his bones had been broken, but she +assiduously set herself to work to meet his +accumulating wants. With liniments and +bandages, and cooling drinks, and consoling +words, she stood patiently over him, until +near the midnight hour, he fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Shading the lamp, so that scarcely a ray of +light was visible, Little Wolf curled in behind +the window curtain, where she could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +peep through the crevices of the blinds out +on the distant stars and ever shifting clouds, +which in the solitude of the night, speak so +eloquently to the human heart.</p> + +<p>Calm and cold was the still hour. The +warm, thawing winds had ceased to blow, the +eaves had ceased their droppings and were +beautifully fringed with icicles. The snow +had become crusted over, but so slightly, indeed, +that the lightest footfall would crush +the treacherous coating, and the cracking of +the icy fragments betray the presence of +prowlers.</p> + +<p>By such sounds as we have described, +Little Wolf's meditations were at length disturbed. +Indistinctly at first, but soon with +unmistakable clearness, she recognized approaching +footsteps.</p> + +<p>Daddy's room overlooked the stable, and +in that quarter, a human figure was just visible. +Slowly and stealthily it drew near; +and now with dilated eyes and quickly beating +heart, the watcher peered eagerly into +the darkness. Nearer, and still nearer the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +form approached, until close against the +house, just where she could conveniently note +every motion, it paused. A moment of suspense, +and a small flame shot up revealing +Hank Glutter in the act of firing the house.</p> + +<p>Quick as thought Little Wolf sprang for +her pistol, which to gratify Daddy she had +stored in his room; and hiding it in the folds +of her dress she flew to meet the incendiary.</p> + +<p>During the few seconds consumed in reaching +the spot, Hank had disappeared, and having +strong suspicions that he meditated mischief +to Black Hawk, Little Wolf scattered +the pile of slowly burning faggots, (the fire +not having yet communicated itself to the +building), and made a dash for the stable.</p> + +<p>Hank was there just in the act of lighting +a match. He had completely surrounded +Black Hawk with hay and straw, and, in an +instant more, the helpless animal would have +been enveloped in flames.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Glutter, the brewery is on fire!" +shouted Little Wolf breathlessly.</p> + +<p>The match fell from Hank's nerveless hand,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +for he saw through the wide open door that +the announcement was but too true. To +spring past Little Wolf and rush to secure +his property, was his first thought.</p> + +<p>But he was too late. Neither he, nor all +the crowd that quickly gathered there, could +stay the consuming element. The old brewery +burned to the ground, and, for miles +around the country was illuminated by what +to many a poor broken-hearted woman, was +a grand and festive bonfire.</p> + +<p>Among the first who discovered the conflagration was Wycoff, and he +was much relieved, on ascertaining the precise location of the fire; +for he had started out filled with apprehensions for Little Wolf. To +his great satisfaction, the old brown house stood out in full relief, +unharmed.</p> + +<p>A critical survey of the premises, however, +discovered to him the stable door standing +open, and, by the brilliant blaze, he could +distinctly see Black Hawk, pawing and floundering +in the midst of the hay which Hank +had arranged for his funeral pile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> + +<p>Quite as distinctly from the upper window +could Little Wolf see the former, and she +hastened to make him acquainted with her +narrow escape and claim his protection.</p> + +<p>While he listened, the man's worst passions +were aroused. There was murder in +his heart, and, but for the entreaties of Little +Wolf, another day would never have +dawned upon Hank Glutter.</p> + +<p>As for Hank; having the bitter consciousness +that he had brought the calamity upon +himself, he raved and swore like a mad man. +To all questions as to the cause of the fire he +had but one answer, "I suppose I must have +left the confounded lamp too near the bed." +This admission was invariably followed by +oaths and curses, as he passed up and down +before the burning building.</p> + +<p>How different were Daddy's emotions! It +was amusing to behold him bolstered up in +bed, exultant to the highest degree. His old +wrinkled face fairly shone with delight, and +he frequently ejaculated as he watched the +progress of the flames, "Thank the Lord God +Almighty, for that dispensation!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the light began to die away, he turned +to Little Wolf and whispered confidentially. +"'Tween you and me, Honey, if I should +happen fur tu hev any children, Recta wont +feel any consarn about the boys gittin to +drinking, now that ere old brewery is out of +the way. Some folks say if a man is tu be a +drunkard, he'll be one any how; but if there's +no liquor, I'd like fur to know how he is going +fur tu git it? I guess nobody ever got +burnt that never see a fire."</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Another Saloon Scene—The Bridal +Trousseau—The Lovely Nurse.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capA.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="A" title="A" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">s Hank Glutter's was unfortunately not +the only saloon in the world, we will +now open the scene on another place +of the same sort, not many miles away from +the smoking ruins; a place, where, for various +reasons, men did congregate; some to +gratify a vitiated appetite, others simply to +indulge in a social glass, and still others because +they had no where else to go; some because +they were glad, and some because they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +were sad; each and all forgetting the words +of the wise man, "Look not upon the wine."</p> + +<p>The door had just opened to admit a small +party of young men. Among the number is +Edward Sherman. There he stands, a little +apart from the rest, just under the chandelier. +Directly opposite, the shelves glitter in +Bohemian and cut glass, and all the attractive +features of the bar. Mark his proud and +lofty bearing, as he steps forward and lifts +the goblet to his lips.</p> + +<p>Again, and yet again, the cup goes round, +until no longer he stands firmly among his +companions. See him now, reeling, tottering, +staggering, as he is borne away for the first +time in his life, helplessly intoxicated, borne +to his loving mother, whose grey hairs blanched +whiter in that night of sorrow.</p> + +<p>In a desperate mood young Sherman had +permitted himself to be thus overcome, and, +when the effects of the stimulant had worn +off, he strove by the most affectionate attentions +to make amends for the pain he had occasioned +his mother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p> + +<p>He even went so far as to bend his proud +spirit to offer something like an apology.</p> + +<p>"Mother," said he, as he placed his morning +kiss upon her care worn face, before going +to his office, "do not worry; I shall not +again forget myself. It was foolish, I know, +but I cared not at the time what became of +me. Now don't worry. There is no danger +of me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman sighed as the door closed on +her darling. "So like his father," she murmured.</p> + +<p>Could she have seen him an hour later, the +resemblance to his father might have struck +her still more forcibly, for the social glass was +again at his lips.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the dear old lady, there +were other claims upon her attention, and, +from a sense of duty, she strove very hard to +bury her anxiety for her son in the folds of +silk and laces which were to constitute the +wedding paraphernalia of her daughter.</p> + +<p>Lacking independence of thought, that +young lady relied almost entirely upon the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +opinion of others, and the consequence was +that not a ribbon, or a flower met her approval +until she had first consulted half a dozen +young friends, who, being apt to differ, kept +her mind in a perpetual tumult.</p> + +<p>The mooted question on the morning before +mentioned, was the exact length required +for the bridal veil, Her confidents all +differed in opinion, and, in despair, she appealed +to her mother. "Mamma, Isabel +thinks the veil is two inches too long, and +Clara says it is only half an inch, and Caroline +says it is just right. Now what do you +think?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it seems to be entirely a matter of +taste, my dear; perhaps you had better put +it on and ask the doctor's advice."</p> + +<p>"O, mamma, the doctor knows nothing at +all about the fashions, and if he did, he would +not follow them I know," said she rather petishly. +"He won't do anything anybody else +does."</p> + +<p>"Why, Louise!" said her mother in surprise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I can't help it, mamma; Ned and I had +set our hearts upon having wine at the wedding, +for it is quite fashionable now, and we +were very sure that we could coax you to let +us, and when I confided in the doctor, and +asked him to use his influence in our favor, +he declared flatly that he would never give +his consent, if it was ever so fashionable. I +declare, it made me almost wish I was going +to marry Charley Horton. You know he and +Isabel Merton are engaged, and the other day +when we were all together, Isabel told me +that she had never asked but one favor of +Charley which he was not willing to grant, +and that was, that he would promise not to +use wine in his family nor offer it to his +friends. She said she felt uncomfortable +whenever she thought of the matter, but she +hoped to be able to influence him to give it +up after they were married. Caroline Wyndam +was there, and she said she would not +<i>dare</i> to say a word to her lover on the subject, +although she would give the world to have +him leave off social drinking. But Clara<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> +Hastings and the other girls said they did not +think a little wine or beer would hurt anybody, +and they would not give a fig for a man +that could not control his appetite. Clara +Hastings said if she ever got married, she +would have wine at the wedding. When I +told Ned about it he said Clara was the girl +for him. I wonder what Miss DeWolf would +say to that.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman tried to choke down her feelings, +but the bitter, burning tears would come +and one by one they coursed down her withered +cheek.</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few minutes, and +Louise would have left the room, but her +mother gently detained her. "Edward wished +me to say to you that his intimacy with +Miss DeWolf was broken off, and he further +requested that you would never mention the +subject to him."</p> + +<p>Great consternation was depicted on +Louise's countenance. Oh! it is too bad," +she exclaimed; "and just as she had promised +to show me how that beautiful trimming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> +was made which Miss Marsdon sent her from +New York. I wonder what it means. Do +you know, mamma?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, my dear; it means that Miss +DeWolf is possessed of a sensible, well-balanced +mind, and that your brother has acted +very foolishly."</p> + +<p>Just at that moment the conversation was +interrupted by the appearance of one of +Louise's friends and advisers, and the two +girls were soon absorbed in discussing the +merits of some article of dress belonging to +the trousseau.</p> + +<p>Thus the hours slipped away, until about +one o'clock, Edward came for dinner. He +knew as soon as his eye rested upon his demonstrative +sister that she had been made +acquainted with his disappointment, and, as +he naturally shrank from receiving sympathy, +either by word or look, he exerted himself +to appear much more cheerful than he really +felt.</p> + +<p>Louise inwardly resolved that she would be +very watchful, and not cloud her brother's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +spirits by any allusion whatever to Chimney +Rock, and the next moment she suddenly remembered +having seen at the midnight hour +a very bright light from her chamber window +in that direction. Without second thought, +she related the circumstance, and caught herself +making the inquiry, "Did you see it, +Ned?"</p> + +<p>Edward's face flushed scarlet, as he answered +evasively, "O, that was the brewery +on fire. I met Mr. Glutter in the city this +morning. He came to make arrangements to +open another saloon here. I never saw a +man of more indomitable will and perseverance. +Although he lost an immense amount +he is not in the least disheartened."</p> + +<p>"Brave fellow," said Louise, cordially embracing +her brother's estimate of the man's +character. "I wonder what occasioned the +fire."</p> + +<p>"Why, he placed the lamp too near his +bed, while he went out to learn if there was +any trouble at Miss DeWolf's. It seems that +he had always had a friendly care for her,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +and, hearing noises in that direction, he was +so kind as to run over. Finding it all quiet +about the house, he followed the sounds to +the stable, and discovered that it was only a +horse, which Mr. Wycoff had, a few hours before +presented to Miss DeWolf, that had occasioned +the disturbance. The horse had +broken loose, and just as Mr. Glutter was +fastening him in the stall, he saw the flames +bursting from the saloon; and so his benevolent +trip cost him his brewery."</p> + +<p>While Louise was listening with interest to +the recital, Mrs. Sherman and Dr. Goodrich +entered the room. The latter was evidently +disgusted with the expression, "poor fellow," +that fell once or twice from the lips of the +young lady, and his annoyance reached the +climax when, a moment's pause, she ventured +to assert with one eye on her brother, that +"the poor fellow" would never get any +thanks, "for," said she, "Miss DeWolf detests +him, I know she does."</p> + +<p>There was a short, awkward silence, which +Mrs. Sherman broke, by saying, deprecating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>ly +she was sure she could not blame Miss DeWolf +for feeling bitterly towards the saloon +keeper.</p> + +<p>"Blame her!" exclaimed Dr. Goodrich, +who could no longer keep silence. "Blame +Miss DeWolf! I would as soon think of +blaming an angel in heaven. What has she +to thank Hank Glutter for, I should like to +know? He whose hands are red in the blood +of her father. He who has made orphans +and widows at her very door. He who has +more than once endangered her very life by +selling those cursed drinks which so infuriate +men. He who would, I doubt not, take her +life this day, if by so doing he could escape +punishment, and add another penny to his +cursed store."</p> + +<p>"With your sentiments you are hardly +prepared to do the man justice," said Edward +forestalling a reply upon his sister's pouting +lips.</p> + +<p>"Had a man by his nefarious business, +blasted every hope in my Louise's life save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> +one, and were I that one, think you I could +speak favorably of the wretch? No." said +the doctor, impetuously.</p> + +<p>Louise, partially restored to good humor, +had managed to slip behind her brother, +where she stood making all sorts of admonitory +gestures to her lover, who had not as yet, +been let into the secret of the change in his +friends's relation to Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>But the doctor could not; or would not +take Louise's hints, and he went on hotly. +"Curse the business! I say. Curse the man, +who, with his eyes open to the consequences, +engages in it. The law could, and should, +make him responsible. Hank Glutter is the +man who ought to have been compelled to +indemnify Miss DeWolf for the losses she sustained +on that dreadful day when Wycoff +came so near dashing her over the precipice. +It was he who tempted the man to drink, until +he became drunk, and did the mischief, +to repair which he sacrificed his favorite +horse. Thank God it was by Hank's own +confession, the animal's noise that brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> +about the burning of the brewery. It is some +comfort that God now and then legislates on +the traffic, when men will not."</p> + +<p>The doctor paused, and, as no one seemed +inclined to make any comments, he began to +speak more calmly, and on a subject which +he flattered himself would be more agreeable.</p> + +<p>"I have just been down to bind up Daddy's +bruises," he said, "but his lovely nurse +had done all that was necessary. Then turning +to Edward with a meaning smile, "Ned, +she is a right regal nurse. I almost wished +myself in Daddy's place this morning. It +must be very consoling in hours of pain to +have a little angel smoothing your pillow, +and hovering over you with sweet words and +gentle touches."</p> + +<p>The doctor suddenly stopped short. There +was an expression of sharp agony on Edward's +face that could not be mistaken. +Louise had never looked on him so before. +Added to her sympathy for her brother, was +an indefinable pang occasioned by her lover's +warm praises of another. Mrs. Sherman,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> +the picture of distress, looked helplessly from +one to the other.</p> + +<p>The dinner bell was at that moment a welcome +sound.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Threats—Little Wolf and Black +Hawk—Tragic Death of Hank Glutter.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capH.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="H" title="H" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">is business arrangements satisfactorily +completed, towards night, Hank Glutter +was seen setting out for Chimney +Rock.</p> + +<p>To say the truth, he appeared secretly uneasy, +glancing furtively behind at every +sound as he hurried forward like one pursued. +By, and by, out on the solitary highway he +walked on with more confidence, and finally,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +after assuring himself that he was quite alone, +began to let fall some very energetic expressions +in which were mingled the names of +Miss DeWolf, of Black Hawk and of Wycoff.</p> + +<p>"She shall never ride Black Hawk again," +he muttered, "Miss DeWolf can't circumvent +me. If she has dared to betray me, she +will never tell the story again. I guess my +word is as good as hers—I defy Wycoff." +Then followed such expletives as the speaker +deemed suitable to the occasion: but which +were suddenly interrupted by the appearance +of Mr. Wycoff mounted upon Black Hawk +and apparently in good humor with himself +and all the world.</p> + +<p>He evidently did not wish to remember the +unpleasant scene of the previous day, for he +partly halted as he came up to Hank, and +said pleasantly, "What luck to-day, Mr. +Glutter?"</p> + +<p>Hank seeing in him a future victim to his +wiles, spread his net right warily: "Well, +Wycoff," he replied," "I have had the good +luck to secure the most desirable corner in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> +the city for my business, and I intend to keep +on hand first class liquors, just such as you +like best; and I consider you a judge of the +article."</p> + +<p>"How unfortunate that I have given up +drinking," said Wycoff with great gravity.</p> + +<p>The corners of Hank's mouth drew down a +little, but he replied in the most persuasive +manner, "O well, its never best to drink to +excess, but I hope to have the pleasure, Mr. +Wycoff, of treating you to many a harmless +glass."</p> + +<p>"I must be going back," said Wycoff, +abruptly wheeling round, "I just rode out a +little way to get some of the spirit out of the +horse before Miss DeWolf takes her evening +ride."</p> + +<p>Hank shook his fist after him, "I'll take +the spirit out of the horse, and out of the girl +too," he threatened. "Lucky she hasn't told +Wycoff, I can tell my own story all the better."</p> + +<p>Hank had just entered the "pass" when he +again caught a view of Black Hawk in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +distance; but this time Little Wolf was the +rider. He drew his breath hard, and in an +instant his hand was upon his dirk. "Now +is my time," came from between his closed +teeth and he threw himself behind the trunk +of a tree, and in the twilight not a shadow of +him was visible.</p> + +<p>On came Little Wolf, sitting her splendid +steed right regally. Her proud, fearless little +face was slightly shaded by the waving +plumes in her velvet cap, and her long black +robes floated on the evening breeze.</p> + +<p>By constant petting from the hour that he +became hers, Black Hawk had been won, and +the intractable, fiery creature, who had hitherto +spurned all control but Wycoff's, readily +yielded to Little Wolf's guiding hand. The +sagacious creature had exhibited no little +pride in bearing off his precious burden under +the eye of his old master. His new mistress +glorying in her power over him bade +him forward and without a suspicion of danger, +entered the fatal pass.</p> + +<p>In a moment they were opposite Hank's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +hiding place, who concentrating all his energies, +made a cat-like spring and caught at +Black Hawk's bridle.</p> + +<p>To sheer off, rear high in the air, and plant +his fore foot right into the would-be-murderer's +brain, was a feat performed without a +sign from Little Wolf, who sat like one paralyzed, +while Black Hawk in a fury trampled +their assailant under his feet. She saw +Hank's ghastly face and flaxen ringlets go +down, and she saw his life blood spurting far +over the pure white snow, and the next instant +she was borne swiftly away from the +terrible scene.</p> + +<p>For some little time Black Hawk had it all +his own way, and they were far out on the +main traveled road to Pendleton before Little +Wolf made an effort to check his speed. +But suddenly she drew the rein with no gentle +hand.</p> + +<p>They had overtaken a lady and gentleman, +who were riding leisurely, evidently quite +absorbed in each other's society. One quick, +searching glance revealed the parties to Lit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>tle +Wolf; and she curled her lip in scorn, as +she saw those attentions which Edward had +so lately lavished upon herself, now given to +Clara Hastings.</p> + +<p>Well might Edward start and strain his +eyes after the retreating figure to which the +loud clatter of hoofs had called his attention, +for fleeing fast away was one in whose true +heart, he had planted still another arrow, +which would there rankle long, spite of the +vow of eternal forgetfulness even then upon +her proud lips.</p> + +<p>In order to avoid "The Pass," and its horrors, +Little Wolf took a circuitous route +home. She emerged from the wild, unbroken +path through the forest just as Wycoff +was begining to feel seriously uneasy at her +prolonged absence.</p> + +<p>He eagerly caught at the bridle, "I was +afraid Black Hawk had been playing pranks," +he said, patting the animal's neck: "Why, +here's blood upon the beast; I guess he's got +rubbed agin a tree. It wan't exactly safe to +come that way, anyhow, but girls will be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> +girls, there's a natural tendancy in 'em to go +into crooked ways," and Wycoff laughed, as +he thought that he had perpetrated a good +joke, and looked at Little Wolf as if he expected +her too appreciate it.</p> + +<p>"It is Mr. Glutter's blood," gasped Little +Wolf, "he attempted to stop us in the Pass, +and Black Hawk trampled upon him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's it, eh?" said Wycoff. "A +knowing critter, that. He's got the instincts +of a woman, and I ain't sure but he knows +as much as a man. Well, I hope Hank is +dead, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say so, Mr. Wycoff," said Little +Wolf, every particle of color forsaking her +face.</p> + +<p>"Well, now if I ain't beat," said the rough +man, "I thought you would be tickled to +dance on Hank's grave."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf turned silently away and went +into the house.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," and Wycoff bent a look of +inquiry upon Sorrel Top, who had been out +sharing his solicitude for her mistress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess she feels kinder horrible like, +about seeing him mashed," was Sorrel Top's +explanatory reply.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll jest go round and see what his +condition is, anyhow."</p> + +<p>While Wycoff was on his mission and Little +Wolf shut up in her room, Sorrel Top +hastened to communicate the news to Daddy.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me I'm glad on't," said +Daddy, exultingly. I hope he's dead."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, that's heathenish, Daddy, to +wish a feller critter dead."</p> + +<p>"He wan't no feller critter," said Daddy, +indignantly, "he was nothin' but a liquor-seller: +the wust kind tu, fur he knowed just +what mischief he wus a doing to the human +race. Yes, and to the brute race tu, fur I've +seen men whallop their hosses nigh about tu +death when they was in liquor."</p> + +<p>"I've seen 'em wallop 'em when they want +in liquor," said Sorrel Top, determined as +usual to combat Daddy at all hazards.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, sich men ain't feller +critters, nuther, I reckon they'll live next +door to liquor sellers, by and by," said Daddy, +with self righteous-assurance.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know where you expect to go +when you die?" said Sorrel Top, with a toss +of the head."</p> + +<p>"Why, I'll go tu that ere place where +folks go that du the best they know."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're lucky if you can say you +have always done the best you could," said +the other in a tone which clearly indicated a +doubt of Daddy's entire veracity.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, I've been thinking +that I might hev been more active in the +temperance cause. I guess afore long I'll git +up a temperance lectur and go round deliverin' +of it."</p> + +<p>"O, pshaw, you wouldn't git no <i>ordiance</i>. +Would he Fanny?" said Sorrel Top, appealing +to Fanny Green, who had been a silent +but not uninterested listener to the conversation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess he would," said Fanny, hopefully, +"I would attend."</p> + +<p>"Of course you would," said Daddy, excitedly, +"and the Honey would too."</p> + +<p>"Well, you couldn't tell me nothing more +than I know on that pint," said Sorrel Top, +flinging herself out of the room with an air +of unqualified contempt.</p> + +<p>Left alone with Daddy, Fanny ventured to +say softly, "Daddy have you ever prayed +about it?"</p> + +<p>"About what, Fanny?"</p> + +<p>"Why, about people's drinking and selling +liquor and those things that you talk about?"</p> + +<p>"Pray about it? why no. What should I +pray about it fur? I never pray about nothing."</p> + +<p>Fanny looked shocked. "Don't you know +the Bible tells us to pray, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I spose it does," Daddy admitted, +"but somehow I hev never said my prayers, +since I was a little shaver; I reckon it don't +do no good fur tu pray, no how. My religion +is tu do the best I ken."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But, Daddy, if God tells you to ask for +what you want, and you don't do it, is that +doing the best you can?"</p> + +<p>"I ruther guess you've got the best of old +Daddy, this ere time," said the old man, +stroking the child's sunny locks. "'Tween +you and me, Fanny, I don't know nothin' at +all about the Bible. My father and mother +died afore I was old enough fur tu read, and +I was bound tu a man that didn't gin me a +big edication, I never seen a Bible in his +house,"</p> + +<p>"Then you don't know about Jesus +Christ?" said Fanny, quite pitifully</p> + +<p>"Laws yes, I've heern ministers preach a +leetle about him once in a while when I went +to church fur tu go hum with Recta; but, +somehow, I want much took up with him."</p> + +<p>"O, but Daddy, you would have been if +you had understood that he was the best +friend you ever had. My mamma used to +tell me how he came to die for us, and how +we could not get to Heaven without him. I +will tell you all about it, Daddy, shall I? I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> +told Miss DeWolf, yesterday, and she looked +real glad."</p> + +<p>"Laws, Fanny, the Honey is high edicated +and knows a heap more than we do."</p> + +<p>"O, yes, of course, Daddy, but then she +had never heard it just as mamma used to +tell it; for you know mamma talked just as +if she had lived in the same house with Him, +and He had told her Himself all about the +beautiful place for all those that He can take +there."</p> + +<p>"Well, He may take me," said Daddy.</p> + +<p>"O, but you will have to ask him to take +you, Daddy," said his little instructress, opening +wide her eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, there's the stick, +Fanny, I really don't know how fur tu ask +him."</p> + +<p>"Why, Daddy, how would you ask him for +bread if you were starving?"</p> + +<p>"I calculate I'd beg mighty hard if I was +in sich a tight place."</p> + +<p>Fanny's eyes filled, and Daddy feeling rather +uncomfortable, patted her cheek tenderly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're a fust rate leetle gal, Fanny," he +said, "and I'm kinder thinking I'll look into +this ere matter by and by, when I get my +lectur writ."</p> + +<p>"May be, if you should ask Him, God +would make you think what is the best thing +to say in your lecture," persisted the child.</p> + +<p>"Laws, Fanny, I ken think of them ere +things myself. All the help I want is a leetle +mite from you about the spellin.</p> + +<p>"Wycoff now appeared looking very grave +and reported Hank, "stone dead."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The May day Weddings—Miss Orrecta +Lippincott's Surprise—How old Lovers Behave.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capS.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="S" title="S" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">pring opened slowly. It is true, at +the first fierce glance of the sun, the +sensitive snow dissolved in tears; but +he was forced to call to his aid the strong +winds to blow long upon the ice-bound river, +ere it yielded and permitted the beautiful +steamers again to ride upon its throbbing +bosom.</p> + +<p>There were those who eagerly counted the +weeks that brought about these changes, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> +each hour drew them nearer to their bridal +morning, and one fair May day, when the +earth was decked in her garments of green, +Louise Sherman, arrayed in her bridal robes, +was led by Dr. Goodrich to the marriage altar.</p> + +<p>Edward Sherman also was there, to celebrate +the same rite, for, in a few short weeks +he had wooed and won Miss Clara Hastings. +It was with no small degree of pride, that he +looked upon that tall, elegant woman and +called her wife.</p> + +<p>Clara was equally proud of her husband. +Talented, handsome, and, as she supposed, +on the road to wealth, she asked no more. +Thus they set out in life together.</p> + +<p>The ceremony over, the wedding parties, +including Mrs. Sherman, started on a tour to +the old homestead, where it was their intention +to pass a few weeks, and finally to +change it for a permanent home in Minnesota.</p> + +<p>They had given Recta timely notice of +their coming, and, had she had no interruption, +the housekeeper's preparations would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> +indeed have been elaborate. She had received +and answered Daddy's letter favorably, +and was in daily expectation of a second communication +from the same source. The plan +which she had arranged in her own mind was +to remain until after the arrival of the family, +and then to spend a few weeks with a married +sister, whose assistance she would require +in the preperation of her bridal outfit. As a +general thing Recta's head was pretty clear, +but in this case, she did not count upon the +proverbial impetuosity of a widower, and, +consequently, signally failed.</p> + +<p>One bright morning, when all the bed and +table linen, and every bleachable thing to be +found in the house, were spread upon the +grass; when feather beds and blankets, and +carpets, were hung out to air; when soap-suds +and white-wash stood side by side; +when the china closet had disgorged its treasures, +and the silver was spread out for extra +polishing; when all the ingredients for a +mammoth fruit cake were marshalled on the +kitchen table; when chairs and other furni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>ture +were gathered in clusters, as if discussing +the general uproar; when poor old Lilly +Foot had been driven forth with a sharp reproof +and a cold breakfast, and forlorn kitty, +hid away in a dark corner, where only her +green eyes were visible, mewed disconsolate, +a loud knock was heard at the door.</p> + +<p>"I do wonder who is going to hinder me +now?" fretted Recta, as lifting her dripping +hands from her scrubbing suds, and drying +them upon her apron she obeyed the summons.</p> + +<p>At the first glance at the intruder she recognized +Daddy, and turning pale and then +red by turns, she sank speedily into a chair.</p> + +<p>How changed were both since they last +met. She was then a blooming, brown haired, +rather coquettishly dressed country girl, +and he black haired, dapper and gay. Now +he beheld her in faded calico, sallow, wrinkled +and grey; and she looked upon a white +haired, shrivelled up, little old man.</p> + +<p>Both were for the moment, silent and disappointed, +but Daddy was the first to recov<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>er +his presence of mind. "'Tween you and +me, don't you know me, Recta?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon I do, Philip," said Recta +instinctively covered her face with her apron.</p> + +<p>A smile of delight broke over Daddy's features, +and his first disappointment was forgotten. +"That's jest as you used to sarve +me, Recta; now I'm agoin fur tu sarve you +one of my old tricks," and, by an adroit +movement to which he encountered a very +slight resistance, Recta's features were again +visible.</p> + +<p>There was a deep red spot on either cheek, +and she looked rather foolish, but it was not +long before the old lovers were living over +again their youthful hours.</p> + +<p>Oblivious of the flight of time, the mid-day +sun shone in upon them, still absorbed in +each other. It would be impossible to say +how long this state of things might have continued +had not Daddy inadvertantly called +Recta's attention to her household duties.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, I want fur tu git +married afore night," he was saying, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +Recta suddenly sprang to her feet in dire +dismay.</p> + +<p>"Why Philip," she exclaimed, "how can +I get married and all this work on hand?"</p> + +<p>"I'm kinder thinkin we ken hev the job +did, and then I ken help you fur to do the +work."</p> + +<p>Recta, demurred, but overwhelmed with +persuasions, she finally consented to confer +with her sister, living near by, and the result +was, they were married before night, which +fully accorded with Daddy's desires.</p> + +<p>The next morning the atmosphere of the +house had materially changed: but the aspect +not. Lilly Foot luxuriated on a warm +breakfast, and strutted about the house complacently +wagging his tail, and green-eyed +pussy purred contentedly behind the kitchen +stove.</p> + +<p>But still confronting Recta was the untouched +white-wash, unwashed china, unpolished +silver, unmade cake, and the undone +condition of things generally.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, I wouldn't go fur tu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +du no work to-day," advised Daddy, as Recta +made a movement towards setting the +house in order.</p> + +<p>"I reckon, Philip, Miss Sherman will be +here in a few days, and I wouldn't get ketched +in this plight for nothing.</p> + +<p>"You ain't a mite like mammy was," said +Daddy, holding affectionately on to Recta's +dress. "Laws, she would jerk herself away +from me, and afore I knowd it be a flying +around the house like a whirl-wind, orderin +me round 'till I didn' know what fur tu du +fust."</p> + +<p>"O, well, you must let me go now, Philip," +said Recta, good-naturedly, "or I won't git +nothing done to-day. Now don't tech me +again until I git them dishes washed and sot +up."</p> + +<p>"Laws, Recta, don't ask me fur tu wait +that long; I'd like fur tu help you, so you'd +get through quicker. Now set me tu work, +du,"</p> + +<p>"Well, Philip, them things on the line<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> +ought to be brought in. I forgot 'em last +night."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, what made ye forgit +'em?" said Daddy, mischievously.</p> + +<p>"I reckon when anybody is tagged to me +every minute, I can't remember nothing, +Philip."</p> + +<p>At this mild rebuke Daddy laughed immoderately, +but he was none the less at her +heels. Turn whichever way she would, he +was always there, and consequently her work +progressed slowly; so slowly, indeed, that the +bridal party arrived, and found her illy prepared +to meet them.</p> + +<p>But when the circumstances became +known, she was at once absolved from all +blame, and loaded with congratulations and +presents made wondrously happy.</p> + +<p>As their services were indispensable, it was +decided that the useful old couple should remain +through the breaking up and moving +season.</p> + +<p>While the younger portion of the household +gave themselves up to a succession of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> +pleasure parties given in their honor, Daddy +and Recta spent their evenings in social chat +by the kitchen fire. At such times Daddy +was the chief speaker, and Recta never wearied +of listening to his wonderful stories.</p> + +<p>Especially was she interested in Little +Wolf's career. Her wonderful escape from +Bloody Jim, her triumphal ride over Hank +Glutter, her astonishing beauty, talents, and +virtues were subjects upon which he descanted +with great fluency.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you an' me, Recta," said he, being +in an uncommonly confidential frame on +one of these occasions, "I used fur tu think +that are Edward Sherman was a hanging +around the Honey, and I sot myself tu put a +stop to it, and that are day I was knocked +down, and had my shoulder put out of jint, +I jest gin him a hint that a nice young man +was a goin fur tu git her."</p> + +<p>"Why, Philip, I thought Edward was +about the nicest young man in the world," +Recta ventured to assert.</p> + +<p>Daddy elevated his eyebrows, and hitch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>ing +up very close to his companion, whispered, +"'Tween you an' me, didn't you know he +drunk nothin?"</p> + +<p>"You don't say so, Philip!" exclaimed +Recta, in tones in which were blended surprise +and grief.</p> + +<p>"I've seed him," declared Daddy, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Dear me, how I wish he had always staid +to home. Dear me, I can't bear to have it +so; he was such a sweet little feller, when I +nussed and tended on him. He don't drink +hard, does he, Philip?"</p> + +<p>"I guess about middlin. I never seed him +dead drunk, but I've ketched him a few +times about as full as he could hold. He +cum hum pretty tight from the party last +night."</p> + +<p>"You don't say! I guess that's what's +made his mother so low-spirited all day."</p> + +<p>"I kinder think that are wife of hisen don't +feel nun tu nice over it nuther, fur she 'pears +ruther down in the mouth. I happened fur +tu hear her a tellin him this morning, that fur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +tu drink moderate was genteel, but tu over +drink was vulgar. It's my opinion he ain't +got a fur-seein woman, or she wouldn't hev +preached no sech doctrine as that are. You +wouldn't have ketched the Honey a doin of +it; she thinks it's all vulgar and wicked tu."</p> + +<p>"I think it's a sin to pass it around at +them parties, Philip."</p> + +<p>"Sartin, Recta; young fellers will get a +liking for it, and get ruined in that are way."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what makes folks do it when +they know it's such dangerous practice."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, it's the devil," said +Daddy bluntly. "He has allers tempted good +folks as well as bad with his pison. He manages +somehow fur tu make 'em believe there +ain't no harm in it. I should think nobody +could help a knowin of it. I heered some +women talkin on the steamer, and one of 'em +said she knowed a lady what was in the habit +of treating gentlemen friends to all sorts of +fancy drinks, and she was a real nice lady, +tu, and got lots of 'em to attend her church +jest by them means. They said it was so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> +popular to drink wine now-a-days, that the +best of folks didn't think there was no harm +in it."</p> + +<p>"That was the common way of thinking +when I was young. I remember very clear +when the minister used to come here with the +judge, and the judge was very apt to go off +and have a spree after it. Miss Sherman +mourned herself most to death, but when +the minister came out strong on the side of +temperance and preached and practised, and +the judge had signed the pledge, we had different +times, I tell you. Them decanters +have stood empty on the side board ever +since."</p> + +<p>"I wish, they were smashed," said Daddy, +emphatically.</p> + +<p>"So do I," echoed Recta. "I'd like to +sarve 'em as the heathen do their idols when +they git converted to Christianity."</p> + +<p>"Be you a Christian, Recta."</p> + +<p>Recta looked down confusedly, twirled her +thumbs, and finally answered in a constrained +tone, "I belong to the church."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Du ye? well, may be I'll jine it tu. I +promised Fanny fur tu tend tu that are matter +when I got my lectur done, but I hed fur +to tend tu gittin married fust."</p> + +<p>"Your what done, Philip?"</p> + +<p>"My lectur, I writ one on temperance +when I was sick. I calculate fur tu go round +deliverin of it next winter when we git settled. +'Tween you and me, I may clare a little +money on it. Lecturers are apt tu, I've +heern say."</p> + +<p>"You had better lectur on cabbages if you +want tu make money on it," was the wise response.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>The old Brown House Deserted—The +Pearl and Diamond Ring—Mr. and Mrs. Marsden's Conjectures.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he old brown house was desolate; the +doors bolted, the shutters closed, and +not a sound to be heard within its walls. +The stable too, was deserted, for now Black +Hawk freely roamed in the pastures of his +former master.</p> + +<p>But in more ways than one had he done +our heroine good service. Day after day, +during that unhappy Spring she had, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +striving to banish thought, ridden him +through the wildest of wild forest paths, reckless +alike of her own safety and his. The +noble animal forded swollen streams, floundered +through treacherous sloughs, leaped over +fallen trees and climbed rocky precipices, and +had not heaven ordained it otherwise, both +horse and rider must have fallen a prey to +the dangers of the way.</p> + +<p>Although indulging in this abandonment +of feeling, Little Wolf neglected none of her +duties. Indeed, she seemed determined +never to let a moment escape unoccupied. +While Daddy was confined to his room, and +Mrs. Peters lived, she faithfully supplied their +wants, but after the former became convalescent, +and started for his wife, and the latter +went to her last rest, blessing her benefactress +with her latest breath, she had no one +but Fanny on whom to bestow her care, except, +indeed, Mrs. Peters' grandson Charley, +for whom she soon obtained a desirable situation.</p> + +<p>About this time, she received repeated and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +pressing invitations from her much loved +school friend, Miss Marsden, to accompany +herself and brother on a tour to California, +upon which they expected to set out sometime +in June. The marriage of Sorrel Top, +with whom she had made arrangements for +Fanny Green to remain, until such times as +Daddy and his wife should return and take +possession of the old homestead, and the +charge of the child was most opportune: for +she was now at liberty to avail herself of the +change so affectionately urged upon her.</p> + +<p>In addition to the allusions before made to +Alfred and Annie Marsden, we will here simply +state, that the brother and sister were +orphans, and heirs of considerable property, a +part of which consisted in an elegant city residence. +Here they had lived since the death +of their parents, which occured a short time +previous to the period when Little Wolf and +their daughter left school together.</p> + +<p>The son, a bachelor of about thirty, had, a +number of years before, visited Minnesota in +quest of health. His proclivity for hunting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +and fishing led him to the vicinity of Chimney +Rock, and he it was, who, when she was +a small child, rescued Little Wolf from the +hands of Bloody Jim.</p> + +<p>But this was his own secret most carefully +guarded from our heroine, who, during her +former visit had learned to regard him in the +light of an elder brother; but, as will be seen +hereafter his feelings towards her were of a +warmer character.</p> + +<p>Having, therefore, paid a flying visit to St. +Paul, and wept her adieus upon the bosom +of her sympathizing friend, Mrs. Tinknor, +having pouted at Tom, and made her financial +arrangements with the Squire, we now +behold Little Wolf in the embrace of one, +who had so long stretched forth her arms to +receive her.</p> + +<p>The first raptures over, we hear Miss Marsden +saying, "we will never part with our +Little Wolf again, will we, brother?"</p> + +<p>The response is, "Not if I can help it."</p> + +<p>We know not why, it may have been that +these words of affection, brought suddenly to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> +her mind all that she had loved and lost, or +she might have intuitively divined young +Marsden's sentiments towards her, we only +know that her lip quivered, and she trembled +and grew pale and sank helpless upon the +sofa.</p> + +<p>Her extreme agitation created in her friends +no little alarm, but it soon passed off, and as +they could not but observe that any futher +allusion to the matter was annoying to her, +the brother and sister exchanged expressive +glances which, being interpreted, signified, +"resolved that the subject be indefinitely +postponed." But it was again mooted on the +first occasion of the absence of their guest; +Miss Marsden being the first to bring it under +consideration.</p> + +<p>"O, it was only fatigue," said her brother, +in reply to her various surmises.</p> + +<p>"No, it was not fatigue," she insisted with +an arch smile. "It is my opinion she was +laboring under some powerful emotion. I +once saw her almost as much agitated in one +of our school exhibitions, in which she was to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> +act a prominent part; but she went through +it splendidly, the determined little thing."</p> + +<p>"O well, it might have been excess of joy +at meeting you."</p> + +<p>"At meeting <i>me</i>, do you say, sir? Now +brother, don't try to crawl out of it, for I +have determined to extort the truth from you. +Was she not overjoyed at meeting <i>you</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, my dear sister, the truth is, I +think not. You must have noticed she takes +special pains to address me as brother, and +always to treat me as such, and you young +ladies rarely faint at the sight of a brother."</p> + +<p>"O, but you are only an adopted brother,"—slyly.</p> + +<p>"That's all," sighed the young man.</p> + +<p>"I think her father's death has changed her +a little. She appears more thoughtful and +womanly: don't she brother?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be surprised if she were in +love," suggested the other.</p> + +<p>"O fie, brother, she's not in love, unless it +be with you; or she would have confided it +to me. Moreover," she continued, seeing an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> +incredulous smile playing upon her brother's +lips, "you must yourself admit that it would +be a very strange freak for a young lady in +love to voluntarily put the ocean between +herself and the object of her affections. I +verily believe our Little Wolf is more anxious +if possible, to start on the tour than we +are."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so do I," admitted her brother, "and +I can't account for it."</p> + +<p>"O, it is simply to run away from Mr. Alfred +Marsden," was the ironic reply.</p> + +<p>"I do assure you, sister, that you greatly +mistake our mutual sentiments."</p> + +<p>"Not yours, certainly, brother, and I think +not hers; but I'll find out."</p> + +<p>"For Heaven's sake, don't broach the +matter to her, sister," said young Marsden in +alarm, "It would spoil all the pleasure of our +trip. Indeed, I know she would not go at +all."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, brother, do you think me a +goose? I would not be so indelicate; no indeed. +There are more ways than you have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> +dreamed of, for ferreting out a love secret."</p> + +<p>"O yes, I know such secrets develope +themselves in a thousand forms, and if there +is anything of that nature in her breast it will +transpire in due time."</p> + +<p>"It was not long before the young man's +prediction came near proving true, and thus +it happened.</p> + +<p>"The two young ladies, Annie and Little +Wolf were out shopping, and becoming wearied, +they stepped into a fashionable place of +resort for rest and refreshment. While waiting, +a small party, two ladies and a gentleman, +came in and were seated at a table not +far removed from their own. Little Wolf's +back was to the party, but Annie, being opposite +her friend, faced them.</p> + +<p>At the first sound of their voices, Little +Wolf turned partly round, and behold there +was Edward Sherman with his wife and sister. +Her movement not having been observed, +she was unrecognized by the trio. But +so violently did she tremble and so deathly +was her countenance, that Annie would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +betrayed her by an exclamation of alarm, had +not a warning gesture from Little Wolf stayed +the word upon her lips.</p> + +<p>In a moment Little Wolf recovered herself +sufficiently to write upon her tablets, "Do +not speak to me, Annie, I do not wish to be +known by the party opposite."</p> + +<p>"Annie read the request, and returned the +answer, "You will faint, let me order wine."</p> + +<p>"No, I shall not faint," wrote Little Wolf's +trembling fingers, and her erect little figure +involuntarily drew itself up.</p> + +<p>"Poor things, they are mutes;" said +Louise, compassionately regarding the means +of communication between the silent young +ladies.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherman assented, and the lively +young bride's acting on this supposition, imposed +no restraint upon their conversation. +They talked about the past, and unveiled +their future plans; sipped their fancy drinks +and ate cake while Little Wolf and Miss +Marsden vigorously plied their pencils.</p> + +<p>Edward alone remained unoccupied except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> +indeed, the use he was making of his eyes, +and they were riveted upon Little Wolf. He +was watching those busy little hands, and +there came over him a strange feeling of heart +sickness, as he saw on one dimpled finger a +well remembered ring, a golden hoop with +diamonds uniquely set in pearls. It was a +relic of the past, having been presented to +Little Wolf's mother on her wedding day. +He knew well it's history, for the present +owner had told it to him, and blushed when +he said to her, "My Little Wolf will wear +another on her wedding day."</p> + +<p>Then, in the thought there was bliss, now, +naught but anguish.</p> + +<p>The longer he gazed, the more he became +convinced that it was none other than Little +Wolf whom he saw, and anxious to conceal +the fact from his wife and sister, he made a +hasty movement to leave.</p> + +<p>"Why, Edward, what possesses you?" exclaimed +his wife, "going already, and your +wine untasted. I believe you are crazy. Sit +still a moment, I'm not ready. The stimu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span>lant +hasn't got into my feet, but I feel it going +down. Come, do drink a little, you look +as pale as a ghost."</p> + +<p>"Do, brother," chimed in Louise, "I feel +a great deal brighter; but don't tell the doctor +I have been taking anything strong."</p> + +<p>"Strong," repeated Clara, "I hope you +don't call a little light claret, strong."</p> + +<p>"O no, I don't, but the doctor does, and I +may as well keep his mind easy," replied +Louise.</p> + +<p>Edward had risen to his feet, and waited +silently but evidently impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Can't I persuade you to take a little before +we go? Do; you look so pale this +morning," persisted Mrs. Sherman, herself +lifting the goblet towards her husband.</p> + +<p>Determined not to have any more words, +Edward hastily drank the proffered beverage, +and immediately left the place.</p> + +<p>When they had fairly disappeared, Little +Wolf sank back in her chair, and breathed +hard as if awaking from a terrible night +mare.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> + +<p>"O, I was so afraid they would discover +me," she gasped. "They were once good +friends of mine," she continued with an effort +at composure, "but you won't care will you, +dear good Annie, if I don't tell you how it +came to be otherwise?"</p> + +<p>Annie looked a little disappointed, but she +magnanimously put Little Wolf at her ease by +saying, "No indeed, for I'm sure it was no +fault of yours."</p> + +<p>In absence of evidence, Annie of course, +put her own construction on what had occured, +and mentally voted Edward a villain, and +his wife and sister his accomplices. This +opinion she expressed to her brother, when +in an hour of confidence, she glowingly pictured +the scene.</p> + +<p>"I think the young man must be at the +bottom of the mischief," she said, "for he +was even more agitated than Little Wolf. +He had recognized her from the first, although +I cannot devine how, for she sat with her +back to them."</p> + +<p>"I would have known her among a thous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span>and," +cried young Marsden, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"O, then, I suppose he must have been an +old lover," said his sister mischievously.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A Trip to California—Jumping Overboard—-The +Grand Supper and what Came of it—The Captain's Little Daughter.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capA.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="A" title="A" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">s the most agreeable method of conveying +to the reader a correct account +of Little Wolf's adventures, and personal +feelings during her journeying, we will +quote largely from letters addressed from time +to time to her friend, Mrs. Tinknor.</p> + +<p>"From the first we take the following:</p> + +<p>"While I write, the Captain's little daugh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>ter +sits beside me. We have met several +times on the hurricane deck—Flora and I—and +are on quite intimate terms, considering +the shortness of our acquaintance. The first +twenty four hours she was seasick, 'wery, +wery sick,' she informed me, and her pale +face bore traces of the ordeal through which +she had passed; and, indeed, the countenances +of most of the passengers are suggestive +of Tompsonian doctors. To such, our three +days at sea must have been uncommonly disagreeable, +the weather having been rough the +entire period. Yesterday, we were favored +with a storm. The commencement was most +sublime, but all having been unwillingly ordered +below I was borne resisting into the +cabin and the splendid exhibition of nature +shut from my view, of course I could not keep +on my feet, but I managed to climb upon a +stand, and holding on with all my might, I +could see the waves through the port hole +run mountains high, and what silly thing do +you think I did? I actually cried with vexation, +shut up in that miserable place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It was as if Black Hawk had been bearing +me exultant on a wild gallop in the face +of winds that shook the very foundations of +the earth, and, the loftiest enthusiasm having +been enkindled, I was suddenly plunged into +a sickening, stifling, dismal cavern, and shut +out from light and liberty.</p> + +<p>"I made frantic assaults upon the porthole, +and the remonstrances of the ship carpenter, +who chanced to spy me, would have +availed him nothing had he not forcibly lifted +me down, and seated me upon the floor of +my state-room.</p> + +<p>"The miserable creature imagined me +frightened out of my senses. 'No immediate +danger Miss,' said he, 'compose yourself; the +ship will right up directly—throwing all the +light trash overboard—chicken coops just +gone over.'</p> + +<p>"'Man,' moaned a woman on whose face +was blended an expression of benevolence +and nausea, 'did you open those coops, and +let out those fowls, that they may not drift +about and starve?'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'The sea, madam,' said the builder of +ships, grandly, 'the sea has swallowed them +coops and all.'</p> + +<p>"Miss Flora has just asked me if my letter +is not most finished, 'for,' said the cunning +little elf 'you might put in that papa called +you a stubborn little wretch yesterday, when +you wouldn't go down to the cabin.'</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he dared to say it, I suppose +I looked incredulous, for the little mischief +continues to reiterate the assertion, but she +consolingly adds, 'He was wery, wery angry +then, and he knew you wouldn't hear him. +You don't care, do you?'</p> + +<p>"I have almost told a fib, and said, 'no indeed.'</p> + +<p>Two days later.</p> + +<p>"I have had my revenge on the captain by +jumping overboard.</p> + +<p>"Yesterday Flora and myself were lounging +upon the stationary seat, attached to the +railing of the hurricane deck. Both of us had +been silent for some time. I had been gazing +dreamily down into the deep, blue waters<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> +thinking of, I hardly know what, but, I remember +that a strange impulse occasionally +seized me to plunge beneath those snow-capped +waves and rest my poor head upon the +ocean's bed, for it is not as easy to hold it up +now as it once was, when mammy lived, and +took me in her arms and bade the 'Honey +hold up her blessed little head, and never let +that droop whatever might come.' Precious +old creature, she too bore a life long sorrow, +and bravely bore it. Daddy never suspected, +that his bustling, little grey wife had a tender +secret burried beneath the tumult of activity, +which continually bubbled up within her generous +breast.</p> + +<p>"But I am digressing from the subject of +my sea bath, of which Miss Flora was the +immediate occasion. She had incautiously +leaned too far over the railing, and, losing +her balance, fell. I was startled from my +reverie by a slight scream, and in an instant +more, she was beneath the waves. I knew +that I could swim, and had I not, I would +have plunged after her all the same.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I discovered, however, that the waves in +a quiet cove of the Mississippi, were but ripples +compared with the surging waters of the +ocean, and my childhood paddle in the former +but a poor preparation for battle. I sank +deep and rose breathless, and almost helpless, +but fortunately, Flora was dashed within my +reach, and I clutched her dress, and we were +both saved.</p> + +<p>"The captain had witnessed the accident +from the deck and was the first to come to +our rescue. Spars were thrown out, and +several hardy sailors leaped in and helped to +bear us up until the life boat was lowered, +and we were all once more transported on +board of our staunch ship.</p> + +<p>"I have been flattered and feted ever +since. A grand supper was given in my +honor last evening, and, as I was in such high +favor, I made bold to accept my invitation on +condition that the table should be innocent +of wine. The Captain cordially complied +with the condition, although Flora had previously +volunteered the information, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> +'papa was wery fond of wine, but mamma +did not like him to drink it.'</p> + +<p>"The dear child has much to say about her +mama, who, 'died, a wery, wery long time +ago.' One little year has she been motherless, +and what sweet graphic pictures does she +draw of the lost one. 'Mama had wery soft +curls, papa called 'em golden; mama had +wery blue eyes, papa called 'em wiolet, and +she had wery pink cheeks, and papa called +'em sea shells, and he called her wery little +mouth, a rose bud and her wery soft hands, +welvet, and what do you think he named her +wery, wery, cunning little feets?—mices.—He +read all about 'em in a book one evening, +how they stoled in and out like little mices,—now +wasn't that wery, wery nice?'</p> + +<p>"She is more devoted to me than ever, +since her narrow escape from the sea, and she +is sure that I will not be sent into the cabin +when the next storm comes on. Indeed I exacted +a promise from the Captain, while at +the feast to that effect. He said I might be +lashed to the rigging and blown to pieces if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> +I wished, and I do wish—O how I long for +another storm,"</p> + +<p>Three days later.</p> + +<p>"The sky is clear, the sea smooth, and the +passengers are mostly upon deck, enjoying +the fine weather.</p> + +<p>"Mr. and Miss Marsden have appeared for +the first time, and we have had a general rejoicing. +The Captain is an old friend of +theirs and we were invited into his room and +treated to wine on the occasion. All drank +socially except myself and Flora, who, when +she saw that I had taken none, set her glass +down untasted.</p> + +<p>'The influence of good example,' said the +Captain smiling approvingly on Flora.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think the example good?" +I asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"'Most certainly, my dear Miss DeWolf, +my wife would have acted precisely the same. +She did not approve social drinking, but one +in my position acquires the habit almost from +necessity. My associations are mostly with a +class that expect it of me. I do not care for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> +it myself, but I do not like to appear unsocial.'</p> + +<p>"'Nor do I,' chimed in Miss Marsden, sipping +her glass.</p> + +<p>"'We tempt and are tempted on every +hand,' said Mr. Marsden thoughtfully. 'Society +demands the social glass and we yield +to its demands, and why? Because we have +not the moral courage to do otherwise.'</p> + +<p>"We have! I exclaimed, we have! you +have, your sister has, the Captain has. You +have never tried. You have never fully +realized whither it tended—I have. Shall I +tell you?</p> + +<p>"At any ordinary time I would not have +drawn the heart rending picture of the consequences +of social drinking which I was then +inspired to do. It was as if a frightful panorama +of ruined fortunes, and ruined families +was passing before me and I described all I +saw and when the view became too painful, +too revolting for words, I bowed my head and +wept.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'For heavens sake, say no more,' cried out +the Captain.</p> + +<p>"Flora flung her arms around my neck, +and mingled her tears with mine. 'What +shall we do?' she asked plaintively.</p> + +<p>"'We might draw up a total abstinence +pledge and all put our names to it,' said Sir. +Marsden quite cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"After some pleasent discussion, his suggestion +obtained favor, and was carried out +without delay, and in half an hour's time we +were all pledged to total abstinence from intoxicating +drinks. The matter was duly explained +to Flora, and she added her mark +with an air of consequence quite amusing.</p> + +<p>"Nor was that all; the enthusiastic little +missionary stated that she knew of several +wery nice sailors who would like to put their +names on the paper, for she had seen them +drink something out of bottles. She was accordingly +permitted to present this pledge to +her particular friends, who, it transpired, included +the whole crew.</p> + +<p>"I was much affected by a little scene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> +which I witnessed in connection with her labors. +A weather-beaten old sailor, whose only +fault was his uncontrollable appetite for +rum, read the pledge carefully, and, shaking +his head quite hopelessly, handed it back. 'I +can't agree to that, little pet,' said he, 'I +can't abstain, I'd give the world if I could, +but I can't. I lay in bed the morning we set +sail and thought it all over. I thought of +my little boy and gal sleeping in their trundle +bed. I thought of the pleadings of my patient +wife, and I resolved to let liquor alone, but +I can't do it—I was the worse for it yesterday. +No, I can't abstain,' and his voice +quivered.</p> + +<p>"'May be, if you'd try again, wery, wery +hard,' persisted Flora, who did not comprehend +how uncontrollable the appetite becomes.</p> + +<p>"'No, my little pet—no—none but God +Almighty can save me now—I'm in the +breakers.'</p> + +<p>"His look of despair moved me to step forward +and interpose. Would not Flora have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> +perished in the deep water, had there been +no effort made to save her? I questioned.</p> + +<p>"'You're a brave gal,' said he. 'I saw +you go after her; you would have saved her +if you could, and you would save me but you +can't.'</p> + +<p>"That's true, I replied, but God can. +Jesus Christ will bring you safely out of the +breakers, if you will cling to him. You are +in great peril but it is not too late. Never +give up the ship.</p> + +<p>"Thus I talked until hope began to reanimate +him, and he said 'when I get back to +New York I'll try again to give up my dram +and be a Christian.'</p> + +<p>"Now—now, there's no time like now, I +persisted, and finally he yielded, and said, +'Now it shall be. I'll put my name to the +paper, and may God Almighty help me.'</p> + +<p>"His name, John Hopkins, stands in full +upon the pledge; the large crooked letters +bearing traces of the struggle by which he +was shaken.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad that I ever read the Bible to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> +dear old Mrs. Peters, for it was there that I +learned the lesson, which I so lately taught +the despairing seamen, and nothing can now +wrest the sweet knowledge of a Saviour's +love from me. My heart has found refuge in +it.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember the day that Tom +dressed in your blue apron, with a bunch of +keys at his belt and pretended to personate me +at the head of an orphan asylum, how we all +laughed? Well, I secretly wished myself capable +of doing good in that way, and you +may tell Tom that if I should ever attempt +anything of the kind, I will give him a lucrative +situation as general overseer of the establishment."</p> + +<p>Two days later.</p> + +<p>"Last evening we arrived at Aspinwall +having made the trip from New York in ten +days. This morning we bade adieu to our +kind friends of the steamship, 'Northern +Star' and crossed the Isthmus of Panama, a +distance of about twenty miles, by railroad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> +A fine large steamer lay upon the waters of +the Pacific awaiting our arrival.</p> + +<p>"Having embarked, I found a little vacant +nook, under the awning, where I am now +writing, while the scenes of to-day are still +fresh in my mind.</p> + +<p>"I was enchanted as we passed swiftly over +the narrow neck of land dividing the two +oceans. The dense, vine-clad forests, alive +with birds of every brilliant hue, and bordered +with gorgeous flowers; the low thatched +huts of the natives, and the natives themselves +in holiday dress of thin white, all conspired +to awaken the most pleasing emotions.</p> + +<p>"The villages at both ends of the route +were swarming with natives, the women with +baskets of cake and fruit and beautiful birds +for sale, the men eager to carry our luggage +for 'two bits.'</p> + +<p>"A small proportion of the women were +bright and pretty; one really beautiful, with +liquid eyes and smooth jet braids, upon which +were fantastically perched a pair of green,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> +trained birds, was very popular with the passengers, +and soon emptied her basket.</p> + +<p>"I purchased her pet paroquets and sent +them to console Flora, whom I left sobbing +quite piteously in the Captain's arms. We +promised her papa to make our arrangements +to return on his steamer and his promise to +lash me to the rigging in the event of a storm +still holds good."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>A visit to Mrs. Sherman's Room—Daddy +and his new Spouse—Ominous Signs.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 65px;"> +<img src="images/capB.jpg" width="65" height="90" alt="B" title="B" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">efore opening another letter, let us +pay a flying visit to the Sherman family, +and also to Daddy and his spouse.</p> + +<p>The former are to be found in their old +quarters at Pendleton, the latter installed in +the brown house at Chimney Rock.</p> + +<p>It is near midnight, rather an unseasonable +hour to intrude upon our friends, but no matter; +at the house we shall first enter; regular +habits do not prevail.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> + +<p>We will now imagine ourselves in the +broad hall, on the second floor of the finest +hotel in Pendleton.</p> + +<p>Open softly the door at your right. There +the eldest Mrs. Sherman lies sleeping. Her +grey hair is parted smoothly under her white +frilled cap, her hands are folded resignedly +upon her breast, and the angel of her dreams +has imprinted upon her features the chastened +smile so often seen upon the face of age.</p> + +<p>We would fain prolong her slumbers, for, +alas, we cannot stay the swiftly drifting cloud, +that is coming to darken her waking hours: +the silver lining of which she will not see, +until, a spirit winged for glory, she soars +above it.</p> + +<p>A confusion of sounds from below reaches +us. Footsteps are upon the stairs, uncertain, +shuffling, as if grouping in darkness. Low, +persuasive voices are heard, a sharp retort +follows. "No, Clara is fiendish when I have +been drinking, I will not meet her."</p> + +<p>A woman has just brushed past us. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> +stands at the head of the stairs, pale and determined.</p> + +<p>"Bring him not here," she hisses between +her closed teeth, to the men who are assisting +her husband to mount. "Take him to your +own homes—listen to his ravings. Bear his +insults; blows if need be. Perform the most +disagreeable services for him. Yes, even imperil +your lives in his service, you who are +his disinterested friends. You, who have enjoyed +your bacchanalian revels with him, +take the consequences. Bring him not to +me. I despise, I hate the man who cannot +control his appetite—I tell you away with +him!" she shrieked, as his friends continued +to urge him upward.</p> + +<p>"Clara." A hand is laid gently on her +arm. Her mother-in-law stands trembling +beside her; the noise has awakened her, and +she has come out in her night dress. "I will +take Edward to my room and quiet him; he +shall not disturb you, my daughter."</p> + +<p>"I am not your daughter. I will no longer +be his wife. I will leave the house this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> +moment never to return. He has disgraced +me long enough. I will not bear it. I will +not be the wife of a drunkard. I have told +him so times without number. You may +soothe him if you like—pet him—give him +peppermint—I will not live with a man who +cannot control his appetite."</p> + +<p>Tears and entreaties, are of no avail; the +determination of the high-spirited wife remains +unaltered, and she has gone forth to +her father's house, leaving her mother-in-law +not quite alone with the invalid, for Louise +and the doctor have been summoned.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, how thrives Daddy?</p> + +<p>We shall see by the morning sun. It has +just risen, and so has Daddy. He peeps out +and the sun peeps in, blinding his old eyes +and cheering his old heart. He and Recta +are happy now. Hear him whistle like a boy +as he dresses. Recta helps him put his rheumatic +arm into his coat sleeve, and he kisses +Recta.</p> + +<p>Both leave the room, and as they pass a +door standing ajar, push it open; Here is lit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>tle +Fanny Green standing with bare feet before +the open window, brushing out her flaxen +hair.</p> + +<p>"O, Daddy," she exclaims, "a bird flew in +here awhile ago, a real live bird flew right in +at the window, and throbbed his wings so +hard against the glass that he woke me. +Why, before I could catch him, he flew out. +Do you think it would have been wicked to +have caught him, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Laws, no, Fanny. 'Tween you and me, +the Honey would have ketched him in a second. +She was uncommon spry when she was +a leetle gal."</p> + +<p>"O, Daddy, may—"</p> + +<p>"You musn't hinder me now; I must go +fur tu milk the cows."</p> + +<p>"O, well, you won't feed the chickens 'till +I come, will you, Daddy? I'll dress, O, ever +so quick, and say a very little prayer, and +come right out. I want to feed the speckled +hen and the little yellow chicks; please Daddy +don't forget me, will you?"</p> + +<p>Recta looks very much disturbed as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> +pass on together. "That bird," she mutters +very mysteriously, "it's a very bad sign."</p> + +<p>"What's a bad sign, Recta?"</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you know, Phillip, when a +bird comes into the house it's a sure sign of +death in the family? I have never known it +to fail. There was Squire Billings died in +less than a year after a bird flew in at the +winder. Sally told me they was a watching +for some one to die and it turned out to be +the Squire."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, Recta, that was +singular; now I think on't I've noticed lately +that Fanny has looked ruther pimpin. We +must not cross her in nuthin. I shan't tech +the chicken feed 'til she comes; 'tween you +and me, hadn't we better write to the Honey?"</p> + +<p>"May be she don't believe in signs, some +don't," said Recta, reflectively.</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, we might tell her +about Squire Billings."</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't make any difference, Phillip, +you can't convince some people. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> +may as well not write until Fanny is really +taken sick. I wonder if she had ever had the +measles: Neighbor Wycoff is awful sick with +them."</p> + +<p>"'Tween you and me, I guess we had better +write," persists Daddy, struck with a new +terror.</p> + +<p>There is a sudden hush, and Fanny trips +in bright as a May morning.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>More News From Little Wolf—Tom +Tinknor's Testimony.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capH.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="H" title="H" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">ere again is news from Little Wolf. +The postmark is San Francisco; a few +hurried lines running thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"We arrived here last evening. Mr. Marsden +has the Panama fever. His sister and +myself watch over him day and night. His +physician is hopeful, but says the disease is +exceedingly tedious. We shall probably be +detained here for a long time.</p></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>Please write as soon as you receive this. +I am anxious to hear from Daddy and Fanny.</p> + +<p class="regards"> +Your affectionate</p> +<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Little Wolf</span>."</p></div> + +<p>From Mrs. Tinknor's answer we extract +the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As we had not heard from Daddy for +some time, I persuaded Tom to go down and +see how they were getting along. He has +just returned and stands ready to relieve +your anxiety. I will leave him to give an +account of affairs in his own language."</p> + +<p>"I am requested to give my testimony +which is this: The house was in apple-pie +order. Not a fly had the temerity to approach +the parlor. Miss Fanny had learned +to knit, and had constructed a pair of stockings. +Mrs. Recta says if she <i>lives</i> she will +make a good housekeeper. I shall marry her +when she is old enough. The old folks are +sure she will die 'afore the year is out, 'cause +a bird flew in at her winder.' I told them +the bird was after Daddy, and the superstitious +old man was instantly seized with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> +violent pain in his big toe. I am afraid he +will feel it is his duty to die. He and Recta +bill and coo like two old fools.</p> + +<p>I am ready to swear to the above testimony.</p> + +<p class="author">T. T.</p> + +<p>P. S. Daddy saw six ghosts last evening +in the pasture where half a dozen sheep were +grazing.</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Tom.</span>"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, my dear, that Tom's nonsense +has illy prepared your mind for the sad +news I have to communicate concerning your +friends the Shermans. The elder and the +younger Mrs. Sherman are both dead. The +elder died last week; it is said of a broken +heart. The other accidently put an end to +her own life several weeks ago. She had +parted from her husband, he having returned +home several times intoxicated. Being in a +very unhappy frame of mind in her father's +house, she resorted to morphine to induce +sleep, and, unaccustomed to its effects, swallowed +an over dose. The mistake was discovered +when too late to save her. It is said +that Edward's remorse is fearful, and he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> +solemly sworn never to taste another drop of +intoxicating drink. His home is now with +Dr. Goodrich and his sister, who have commenced +house-keeping in a nice little cottage."</p></div> + +<p>Extract from Little Wolf's reply.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Many thanks to Tom for his share of the +letter. I hope he will frequently repeat his +visits to Chimney Rock, and acquaint me +with the results. It will discipline him for +the work I shall assign him in my orphan +asylum, and moreover I feel concerned about +the pain in Daddy's big toe.</p> + +<p>"All jesting aside, so many unforseen events +have crowded into the months of my absense +that I feel prepared for almost any change. +It is well that I know that you will be a +mother to Fanny in the event of any change +in Daddy's family. According to Tom's account, +he is to be her husband. I will draw +a picture of their courtship for him.</p> + +<p>"A slender, fair haired girl and a gallant +youth seated—let me think—<i>three feet +apart</i> in the grape arbor at the old brown<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> +house. Their eyes meet and speak a language +quite familiar to gallant youths and +fair haired girls in general, and to those two +in particular. How prettily the white throat +of the beautiful blonde swells, and how the +frill of lace around it trembles, as if fanned +by the passing breeze.</p> + +<p>"They do not see the white haired old +man who is silently gathering grapes without +the arbor, occasionally peering cautiously +through the vines and lattice work at them.</p> + +<p>"He is a loquacious old fellow, (that Daddy) +and he will doubtless complete the picture +for us by and by.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Marsden's fever has left him broken +in health and spirits. His lungs have never +been strong, having been subject to occasional +hemorrhages. He complains of constant +pain in his chest, and I fear it will be a long +time before he recovers. His physician +thinks it will not be safe for him to return +home this fall, and we shall probably spend +the winter in this mild climate.</p> + +<p>"We have formed quite a pleasant circle of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> +acquaintances, and our evenings are musical, +conversational or <i>gamical</i>, as best suits the +invalid, who lies upon the sofa and dictates +the programme. Last evening we did nothing +but talk. An editor of one of our city +journals was present, having just returned +from an extensive tour through the wine +growing districts of the State. He says that +wine making is fraught with dire evils to the +producer and to the country. That it has +become almost as cheap as milk, and as freely +drank, till many once sober men are now +habitually intoxicated. He was told that in +one neighborhood, young girls seventeen +years of age, reeled in the streets under the +intoxication of pure California wine. Men +whom he once knew to be of worth he found +lost to society, and becoming a fear and disgrace +to their families. One leading man +whom he met, enumerated five of his acquaintances, +who, once noble men, are now +to be called drunkards through wine. He +thinks that the production of the article, now +fearfully on the increase, must become a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> +curse to the whole land if persevered in.</p> + +<p>"In going through the wine growing regions +he found it expected, as an act of politeness, +that wine must everywhere be presented +and drank, and if he consented at all +to drink, he would be compelled to drink +many times a day, and would become a wine +toper with others. He declared that touch +not, taste not, handle not the accursed thing, +was the only rule of safety.</p> + +<p>"He said if each grape grower would grow +only the raisin grape for sale, there would be +no end to the profitable disposal of all which +he could ever produce without sin or danger +to any one.</p> + +<p>"I remarked that European travellers told +us that very few drank to intoxication in +those places where wine was made from the +pure juice of the grape, and it was generally +supposed that the manufacture of pure domestic +wine in this country would do away +almost entirety with intemperance.</p> + +<p>"In answer, he read us a letter which he +had just received from his friend, a well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> +known resident of this city now in France. +It contained a flat contradiction of the statements +to which I had alluded, and drew a +dark picture of the intemperance in the wine +producing districts of France and Germany. +In fact, it was a radical plea—as Daddy +would say—'agin the hull infarnel stuff.'"</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Another Death in the Old Brown +House.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capI.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="I" title="I" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">t was late in the month of December +when Little Wolf received from Mrs. +Tinknor the following sad account of +the Death Angel's visit to the old brown +house:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"My dear child:</p> + +<p>What I am about to write +will give you great pain, for I know how +dearly you loved poor old Daddy, and how +it will grieve you to hear that you will never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> +see him again in this world. He died on the +morning of the fifteenth, after a short illness +of ten days.</p> + +<p>"Tom had been down on a visit and returned +saying that Daddy was complaining of +rheumatic pains, and he was much worse the +day he left, and his wife was much concerned +about him. As Tom urged it, I went +down hoping to cheer up the old couple.</p> + +<p>"When I arrived I found Daddy confined +to his bed, and groaning with pain, while his +wife and Fanny and several of the neighbors, +were flying about, applying hot fomentations, +and a variety of liniments. (It is astonishing +how many busy feet one sick man can +keep in motion.)</p> + +<p>"I immediately sent for Dr. Goodrich, although +Daddy's wife mentioned to me in confidence, +that a 'parcel of old women were +worth a dozen doctors who killed more than +they cured; and Daddy himself managed to +gasp out, ''Tween you an' me, Miss Tinknor +a leetle good nussin is the most I need. +Doctors can't cure rheumatiz.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span></p> + +<p>"However, he looked forward very anxiously +to the Doctor's arrival. When he did +come and prescribed the free use of brandy, +all of Daddy's prejudices were at once aroused, +and no persuasions could induce him to +use 'the devil's pison outside or in.'</p> + +<p>"I believe had he been stretched upon the +rack he would have died rather than yield +the point; for to the last, he adhered firmly +to his total abstinence principles, and at the +eleventh hour he entered his master's vineyard.</p> + +<p>"It was beautiful indeed to witness the +ministrations of little Fanny. From the first +of his illness she wept over and prayed for +him, and taught him, who had gone all his +life long a hungry prodigal, the way to his +Father's house. I never shall forget those +lessons, which so sweetly fell from her childish +lips and the joy that beamed in her speaking +face, when Daddy at length appeared to +have a clear understanding of her teachings.</p> + +<p>"''Tween you and me, Fanny, you've +pinted straight this time,' said he one day,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> +after having listened a while to her conversation. +'It's all plain now—I see my Father, +I see my elder brother, the Lord Jusus interceding +for me—I see the table spread, and +I ain't had no hand in the spreadin of it. +He'll hev to reach down and take me jest as +I am, and he'll du it—I'm sartin of it, cause +Fanny, you know it is said <i>whosoever</i>. That +are <i>whosoever</i> is the <i>comprehendest</i> word in +the hull Bible. Miss Peters pinted it out to +the Honey, and the Honey told me about it +jest afore I started fur Recta, and some how +it went into one ear and out 'tother. Howsoever, +I could see the Honey was a heap +changed by it, though it don't take away nun +of her pretty.—She was more tenderer like, +and when she spoke tu me about it, the tears +cum into her bright eyes, jest like the pearls +sot around the diamonds in her ring. I'm +kinder thinkin we shall talk that are matter +over when she comes back.'</p> + +<p>"Up to the last day he was hopeful of getting +well, and none of us felt specially concerned +about him. The doctor came and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> +went with words of cheer, and I was making +preparations to go home, when the unexpected +summons came. His pain seemed suddenly +to change to the region of his heart, +and I heard him say to Fanny, ''Tween you +an me, Fanny, the pain is in my heart. I +believe I'm called fur, and I ain't done no +good in the world yet. My temperance lectur +didn't amount to nothin. I'm glad I +never delivered it, fur it ain't got none of +Jesus's love in it, and men du need the Almighty's +lovin hand in that are thing. Fur +it's the devil's pison and mighty hard to fight +agin. Wouldn't the Honey be glad though, +if she knew what a fine man that are Sherman +is since he give up drinkin. Tell her +that poor old Daddy blessed her with his dyin +breath. Call Recta, Fanny.'</p> + +<p>"I sprang to his bedside, and in a moment +Recta was there also. The dying man took +my hand and thanked me for all my attentions +to him, and then his eyes rested tenderly +upon his wife. He tried to speak, but a +spasm of pain checked him, and Recta bent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> +low to catch the words. He pointed upwards, +threw his arms around her neck, and +was gone.</p> + +<p>"We buried him at the left of your parents +beside mammy, and when I left a mantle of +soft, white snow was flung over all.</p> + +<p>"I brought Fanny home with me, and +Recta is living with Dr. Goodrich's family. +Having previously been so many years their +servant, she is much attached to the doctor's +wife and Edward Sherman.</p> + +<p>"Edward Sherman was very attentive to +Daddy during his illness, frequently riding +down with the doctor and remaining until +his next morning's visit. There is certainly +a striking change in his appearance. I honor +him for the straight-forward, high-minded +course he has of late taken. Having learned +his weakness before it was too late, it has become +to him an element of strength, and his +influence over his associates speaks well for +his future usefulness.</p> + +<p>"We all long to see you again, Fanny in +particular wishes for your return every day,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span> +although she seems quite content with us, +and is a great favorite with Tom, who amuses +himself by plying her with difficult questions, +which she patiently puzzles her ingenious little +brain to answer.</p> + +<p>P.S. I obtained permission of Recta to +send you Daddy's temperance lecture, with +the request that you carefully preserve and +return it to her."</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="500" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Daddy's Temperance Lecture.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 110px;"> +<img src="images/capH.jpg" width="110" height="160" alt="H" title="H" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">aving slightly modified the spelling +in Daddy's lecture, in order to make it +the more easily read, and at the same +time to render it in his own diction, we now +place it, with the preliminary arrangments, +"fur tu be read silent," before the reader.</p> + +<p>"Fust, haul out my specks.</p> + +<p>Second, haul out my yeller silk hankercher.</p> + +<p>Third, wipe them air specks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fourth, put them air specks on my nose.</p> + +<p>Fifth, put that air yeller silk handkercher +in my pocket.</p> + +<p>Sixth, clar my throat.</p> + +<p>Seventh, go at it loud.</p> + +<p>I don't expect fur to say nothin new on the +subject of temperance, but it wont du fur tu +say nothin cause you can't get up no new +ideas. Now supposen a neat housekeeper +shouldn't hev nothin fur to say, tu a parcel +of careless heedless boys and gals, cause she +must say the same old thing over every day. +Hezekiah clean yer feet. Matilda, hang up +yer shawl. Susan Maria put away yer gloves, +what kind of a house du ye think that air +would be, all topsy turvey and kivered with +dirt? If them air children don't mind at +fust, she keeps up that air kind of talk from +one year's end tu 'tother, and ginerally speaking +they grow up tu be orderly men and women.</p> + +<p>Just so we've got to hammer and ding +away at the temperance cause from genera<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>tion +to generation, if we want our children tu +be nice temperate men. Never mind gitten +up no new ideas: tech not, taste not, handle +not, is good enough for any age. Then agin, +ken ye expect yer boys fur tu be tidy when +yer own feet are dirty and yer things out of +place over the hull house? Them are little +shavers think it's big tu du what daddy does +and they are pretty nigh sartin fur to drink +that air nasty lager beer if daddy does. Hev +a mat at yer door and keep yer own feet +clean, and hev Hezekiah and Matilda and +Susan Maria put theirn there, tu. That's +the way fur tu du.</p> + +<p>Some say, a little wine won't hurt a pussen; +some say, lager beer won't hurt a pussen; +some say, cider won't hurt nobody: but +I say, the infarnel stuff which makes men +drunk, no matter what name it goes by, is +the stuff fur to let alone. It's the infarnel +stuff, that makes holes in yer wallets and +holes in yer breeches, and holes in yer winders, +and holes in yer wife's heart, and kivers +yer children all over with holes; and last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> +of all opens a big hole in the ground fur ye +tu slide through inter the infarnel regions.</p> + +<p>I hev had it thrown inter my face that Jesus +Christ hisself, made wine out of water, +fur weddins, and the govenor of the feast said +it was the best they hed hed. I ain't no +doubt of it nuther, jest fur two reasons, fust, +it was made of water, second, Jesus Christ +hisself made it, and ye may bet all yer new +clothes, <i>He</i> wouldn't hev done nothin to hurt +nobody, I wouldn't have been afeared myself, +fur tu drink wine made of water, by Jesus +Christ. I reckon we don't get no such now +days. Like enough, one reason for his makin +it was fur tu hender 'em from gittin any +more of the miserable intoxicating stuff. One +thing is sartin, if he was God, he wouldn't +dispute hisself, and the Bible expressly says, +'Look not upon the wine—fur in the end it +biteth like a sarpent and stingeth like an adder.'</p> + +<p>I don't profess fur tu know much about +scriptur, but a nice leetle gal pinted that air +varse out to me, and she pinted out another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> +which said, 'No drunkard ken enter the +kingdom of heaven.' Howsoever, I ain't no +preacher, and like enough tham air black +coats hev got up some big idee that clars up +the hull subject. My religion is tu do the +best we kin, and we needn't be shaky about +the futur. I've been a advocating that air +doctrine this sixty years and folks ginerally +sarve me as two leetle boys did not long ago. +They was a making a puny leetle dog draw a +heavy loaded sled, and I said to them are leetle +shavers, 'you'd better turn in and push +the sled and help that air tired weakly dog +of yourn;' and when I looked back a few +minutes after, them air leetle rascals was +both riding on top of the load, and had their +fingers at their noses a pintin at me.</p> + +<p>What people want is fur to have their +hearts teched deep, and I don't know how +fur tu du it. I could tell stories about what +liquor has done, that orter set every one of +ye a snivellin powerful, but I reckon you'd +ruther hear something funny. Temperance +lecturers is generally expected fur tu tell fun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span>ny +stories jest as a farmer is expected fur tu +feed out his husks tu them air animals that +loves fur tu chaw husks. The grain goes +futher when he fodders in that air way.</p> + +<p>But I don't know nothin funny connected +with the subject of drinking. It is all kivered +over with groans and sighs and tears and +blood, and ye'd shudder fur tu hear about it, +and yer feelins may be would get tu tossin +and bilin like mad, but yer wouldn't <i>du</i> nothin. +My be in a few minutes you'd treat me +as them air boys did, and take a glass of beer +with yer neighbors, cause all that biling and +tossin is on the surface. It don't go deep +enough fur tu make ye act.</p> + +<p>T'other night a neighbor of mine was a +walkin hum with me and we went past the +house of an old Scothman, who gits drunk +every time he ken git trusted, or treated or +ken git change enough fur tu buy the whiskey, +and his wife ain't no better than he is. +They hev two nice leetle children, a boy and +a gal, and them air unfeeling wretches, hed, +in a fit of drunken madness, actually shet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> +their leetle boy and gal out of doors that cold +freezing night. The poor babies was half +naked, and they had curled powerful close +together on the door step, where the winds +blowed around and gnawed away at their +half froze bodies, until the stout hearted boy +cried with pain as he tuck off his Scotch bonnet +and put his sister's poor, little, red, frostbit +feet inter it. His own feet was bare, and +their heads was bare, and in a little while +they might hev froze to death, hed we not +passed that air way. Wall, we stopped and +tried fur tu make them air critters inside +open the door, but they hed locked up, and +settled down inter a drunken sleep, and the +children begged us not fur tu disturb 'em for +them are children was afeared of being mauled +tu death. They'd ruther freeze than ventur +in. So one of 'em I tuck and my neighbor +tuck t'other hum. He was a swearing +away all the time at them air folks making +such beasts of themselves.</p> + +<p>Now, what du yer think he did hisself the +next day? He got so tight he couldn't walk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span> +straight. I met him a going hum smellin like +a whiskey barrel and raising his feet powerful +high. Says I, 'Neighbor G., I wouldn't hev +thought you would ever hev teched another +mite of liquor after what we see last night.' +Says he, 'Mr. Roarer, I ken control my appetite. +I know jest when fur tu stop. I +shall go hum and kiss my wife and children +and not drive 'em out of doors as Scotch +Billy did.'</p> + +<p>Says I, 'Thats just the way Scotch Billy +talked five years ago.' 'Wall, wall,' says he, +'I ain't one of yer Scotch Billys; I know +when fur tu stop.'</p> + +<p>But ye won't du it; ye'll cave under by +and by. Them air kind that brag that they +know jest when fur tu stop is generally the +very ones that go under afore they know it, +I thinked tu myself as he staggered off.</p> + +<p>If there is an old toper present, or a young +toper, let 'em take the warning of an old +man who has been awatching the gradual +down fall of moderate drinkers for threescore +years. I've seen 'em live, and I've seen 'em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span> +die. <i>Die</i> ain't no name fur the last struggle +I've seen 'em go through with. Jest picture +tu yourself a grapery, stretchin miles away, +and in that air grapery is walkin men of +every age and condition, and all are a pluckin +them are big purple grapes. Some eat +many, some, few; some grow red and portly, +some grow pale and thin, (them air pale ones +take the longest strides and get to the end +fust.) They hev all been warned that that +air fruit hes been pisened, and some of them +git a leetle frightened at seein the strange +way it effects companions, and they turn +back, but the most on 'em go on, plucking +and eating, heedless of the cries of them +without. O, they know jest how many fur tu +eat and not die. Their friends needn't worry: +they ken take care of theirselves.</p> + +<p>'Mother,' says a youth, lookin through the +lattices, with a glow upon his cheek, 'I'm all +right, don't bother about me. See Mr. Moderate +Drinker ahead there,—see how hale +he looks—he'll live longer than any of ye +outside.' But afore long that air smart<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span> +youth goes reeling past Mr. Moderate Drinker, +toward the end.—It is too late now—let +his mother cry to heaven and wring her +hands and lie in the ashes upon the hearth. +It is all in vain.—'My boy, oh, my boy!' +rings unheeded in his ear. A mother's voice, +a mother's tears, a mother's anguish, what +are they compared with the fruit, which he +has lost the power to resist, and which his +companions are constantly urging upon him? +But look! He suddenly starts back pale and +fearful. He has seen the precipice and the +black gulfs with open jaws jest afore him? +No, ah no, the heavy clusters and the interlaced +vines hide that. But he heard the despairing +shriek of a feller traveller as he +plunged in; and for a moment he tremblingly +questions, what is there?</p> + +<p>Ah, there is no clusters, no leaves, no +vines, between that spot and his devoted +mother's eye. She has long looked fearfully +towards it, and, just upon the verge, she sees +him falter.</p> + +<p>A faint hope springs up within her, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span> +with the courage of desperation, she cries out +in a voice that might pierce the skies, 'Turn, +oh, my boy, turn, flee fur yer life—one step +forward and ye are lost!' Her last words +are drowned in the jeers of his companions, +and his senses are deadened by the odors of +the purple cluster just ahead, and to reach it +he takes the fatal step. Fur a moment he +hangs suspended over the abyss, clutchin the +vines whose roots take hold on hell, and as +with bloodshot eyes and fearful shrieks, he +tugs and strains to regain his footin, a foul +sarpent winds its way among the leaves, and +stealthily strikes his fangs inter the branch +to which he clings, and gnaws his last refuge.</p> + +<p>That air is the way they die.</p> + +<p>Now, can't nothin be done fur to keep +folks out of that air grapery? If the law +would only put a door tu it, and shet it tight, +I recken there wouldn't be many that would +git in thar. Some old topers that hev got a +strong hankerin after that pisen fruit, might +crawl through the lattices to get it. When +the place is wide open and everything looks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> +temptin, and they see a crowd a going that +air way, it is easy fur tu foller, but when it's +all shet up they turn away tu somethin better, +fur almost any thin is better than sech a +place as I hev described.</p> + +<p>I know that a passel of big lawyers and +judges say that we can't make a effectual +door cause there ain't no timber in the constitution +fur tu make it of and so some is fur +putting up a rickety kind of a barricade fur +tu keep folks on Sundays and lection days, +and some is fur hevin a gate that them air +sarpents inside will hev fur tu pay a big pile +of money fur tu get the privilege of openin. +But I don't see why on airth, if they ken git +timber fur them air half way consarns, they +can't git it fur a hull door. If they can't, +they hed better graft, some law agin liquor +sellin branches inter that air constitutional +tree, and hev them air infarnel roads to the +infarnel regions blocked up entirely.</p> + +<p>Howsoever, while its open a single crack +we must du the best we ken fur tu keep the +people out of the wrong track. Them air<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> +temperance societies, and temperance pledges +is mighty good, but there ain't enough of 'em +and they ain't active enough. Now, a nice, +smart, rosy-cheeked gal instead of passin +round wine tu her little party of friends, +might pass a temperance pledge, and coax +them air beaux of hern inter puttin their +names tu it, and give 'em a nice cup of coffee +fur tu top off with. There might be lots of +them air kind of things did, if folks only set +themselves to work in earnest. Instead of +telling yer friends that it won't hurt'em, as +I've heerd of some infatuated pussons doin, +tell 'em total abstinence won't hurt 'em, and +I'll ventur fur tu say they'll thank ye fur it, +instead of cussin of ye tu all eternity fur puttin +the glass to their lips. That air reminds +me of another scriptur that that air little gal +pinted out to me, 'Woe tu him that putteth +the glass to his neighbor's lips.' That air is +all the scriptur I ken quote correct 'tween +Genesis and Revelation. I larned it fur tu +throw in the face of one of them black coats, +that hes invited me fur tu tend his church.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span> +Sez I tu him, 'If ye'll preach from that air +text I'll go.' Sez he, 'I preach the gospel. +I can't be givin my valooble time to politics +and temperance lecturs, but I'll read that air +chapter to my congregation if ye'll come.' +Sez I, 'no-siree! I don't believe in no half +way business.' Ye see I had an inkling that +he was afeered of that air rich hullsale liquor +dealer that tended his church. Them that +retail the stuff is generally looked down upon, +but them air that is rich enough to shovel +it out by the hullsale is looked up tu on the +principle, turn yer back tu a poor devil, take +off yer hat to a rich devil.</p> + +<p>I never could think of anythin bad enough +fur tu say about the mischief them air liquor +dealers du, and rather guess on that account +I'll hev fur tu leave 'em to the cuss which +God Almighty hisself has passed upon 'em. +I hev no doubt but that air cuss has been +echoed and rechoed by millions upon millions +of their victims. I would hate to have all +the cusses of the widows and orphans, and +the wus than widows and orphans that them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span> +air ginerations of vipers hev made, and bit.</p> + +<p>But there is another pint which consarns +every one of us. Hev we a right to stand by +silent and see these things did?</p> + +<p>That air is a big question that some folks +would like fur to dodge, cause maybe if they +took a active part agin drunkard makin, it +might interfere with their dollars, or with +their friends or with their interests in other +ways. But ye can't dodge the question; its +afore ye, and there it shall stand until Gabriel +blows his big horn, and you'll hev fur tu answer +it, tu the Almighty, hisself.</p> + +<p>Don't the Bible say that every tub shall +stand on its own bottom? I've heerd it did, +and I'm a thinkin that all of them air useless +tubs that stand out a sunning theirselves, will +fall down and not hev any bottom fur tu +stand on when they are fur, and will only be +fit fur firewood. Fur my part I don't blame +God Almighty fur pitchin folks inter the infarnel +regions when they won't du nothin fur +tu keep things right in this ere world, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span> +some actually hender others from doing anything.</p> + +<p>Now, supposen there was a big hole in the +end of our street and a passel of citizens +should du all they could to keep that air hole +open fur people to fall inter, and you'd hear +'em hollerin out tu folks that was a tryin to +stop it up; 'Let that air hole alone, everybody +knows its there, if they don't want fur +tu git inter it let em go another way; there +is plenty of streets;' wouldn't yer think them +air rascals ought to be singed to all etarnity? +Well, what's the mighty difference 'tween +them air, and a passel of citizens that'll set +by and see their feller citizens go straight inter +that air hole and say nothin? I believe +in men's minding their own business, and I +hold its a man's business to save a drownding +feller critter if he ken.</p> + +<p>I hev now come to my last pint. It is this. +Shall we hev laws that will save our nation +from becoming a nation of drunkards, or +shall we not? Just picture to yourself a +drunken president. We hev hed him. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> +picture a passel of drunken senators. We +hev hed them, tu. Seems zif the more big +men ken circulate the devil's pisen, the better +they like it, and that air in my opinion is +one reason why we can't get laws tu shet +down the making and selling of the infarnel +stuff. Why, keep that air kind of men in +office, and figuratively speakin, the fust we +know, a pair of the president's breeches will +be stuffed inter a broken winder of that air +White House. Fur if we keep a sendin men +tu Washington, that is friendly tu that air +sarpent with many heads, it will git so big +that it will sartin bust every thing to flinters. +It's leetle young ones are a crawlin everywhere +now. They lay coiled on the hearth +of the rich man and the poor man, and woe +to the infatuated pussen who gits inter their +slimy folds. O, what wretched slaves they +do make of their victims. What tears, what +anguish, what poverty, what degradation du +they bring them tu!</p> + +<p>Shall we, the free born sons of America, +consent fur tu be made slaves, and lay among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span> +the pots? Shall we walk in rags and stagger +in fetters with the blood of the innercent +on our hands? I say, shall this big proud +nation be made fur tu totter and tu reel like +a helpless baby a learnin fur tu walk? Shall +that air many headed sarpent rule us, or shall +we rule it?</p> + +<p>Haul out yer temperance pledges! Float +the banner of total abstinence! Wave high +the flag of freedom; and fight long and fight +well fur freedom; from the intoxicatin cup!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="225" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="500" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<div class="chaphead"><p><b>Death in Mid Ocean—Love Making and +a Double Wedding.</b></p></div> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/capT.jpg" width="100" height="160" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="dropcap">he birds are mating, and the spring +will soon open, and when the little songsters +come to you, I am coming with +them," wrote Little Wolf to Mrs. Tinknor in +the month of February.</p> + +<p>So now, dear reader, let us skip the intervening +months, and go half way to meet her. +Her friends having planned to carry out their +promise to Captain Green, whose acquain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span>tance +and that of his little daughter Flora, it +will be remembered, she formed on her outward +trip; all we have to do is to take passage +on the steamship "Northern Star," Captain +Green, commander, and we will soon have +the pleasure of greeting our heroine.</p> + +<p>Little Flora, who has once more been permitted +to accompany her papa, is all impatience, +and almost every hour of the day she +may be heard singing, "O dear, I am so wery, +wery, anxious to see dear Miss DeWolf," and +"papa, ain't you wery, wery, anxious to see +Miss DeWolf?"</p> + +<p>The Captain assures his daughter that he +is "wery anxious," and, indeed, when he +says so, his dark eyes kindle, and his fine, +sunburnt countenance glows and warms expressively +under his broad brimmed hat.</p> + +<p>The day has come at last, and Little Wolf's +party are aboard, but oh, how changed are +they all!</p> + +<p>Consumption has fastened itself upon poor +Alfred Marsden. His days are numbered, +and for earth he seems to have but one de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span>sire, +to see again his childhood home, and die +there. His faithful nurses, Annie and Little +Wolf, have grown pale and thin, His sister's +eyes are tear stained, and Little Wolf's also +grief shaded, for together they have watched +over and tended him, striving to drive away +that unseen something, which makes his +cheeks and lips so white, and takes fast hold +upon his vitals, determined to wrench him +away from those he loves.</p> + +<p>It will not even grant his last wish; for +here, in mid ocean, he grapples with death. +All day long those fair young faces have bent +over him, and his friend, the Captain, has +been there with them, and little Flora has +hovered near with trembling lips, whispering +softly, "I am so wery, wery, sorry."</p> + +<p>As the evening draws on, the sick man revives +a little, and in a low, rapid tone, says +something to his sister, which we do not hear, +but with a few hurried words to Little Wolf, +she moves away with the Captain and Flora, +and Little Wolf is left alone with the dying. +All that he is breathing into her ear we shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> +never know; but her cheek changes, and her +lip quivers, and she bends over and kisses +him tenderly.</p> + +<p>That hungry look in his eyes is gone. He +is satisfied, and now, surrounded by those he +loves, he dies with a smile upon his lips.</p> + +<p>His body will not rest in the place prepared +for him in Greenwood, beside his parents, +but will sink into the ocean's Greenwood, +where the sea shall ever kiss his lips, where +flowers bloom, and things of beauty are perpetual, +and coral monuments are raised, out-rivalling +those of the cemeteries of art.</p> + +<p>The fair moon shines out upon the waves +and the winding sheet, and the burial is over.</p> + +<p>Three days more, and we shall be on shore +again," says Little Wolf, half regretfully.</p> + +<p>The Captain is by her side, and he bends +over and says something which we do not +hear.</p> + +<p>Little Wolf shakes her head, and her ingenuous +little face says no, as plainly as +words could.</p> + +<p>A shade of disappointment manifests itself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> +in the Captain's manner, and again he speaks.</p> + +<p>His companion still replies in the negative.</p> + +<p>"Then he was but a deer friend, and I +may be the same," says the Captain, now loud +enough to be heard.</p> + +<p>Now Little Wolf says distinctly, "yes, you +may be the same, Captain Green. You rescued +me in perils by sea, and he in perils by +land. He told me with his latest breath how +he had saved me from certain destruction +when I was a little child, and—"</p> + +<p>"And how he loved you in after years, and +how he longed to kiss you," said the Captain, +seeing her hesitate.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain," said Little Wolf solemnly, +he told me that, and more which you must +not hear."</p> + +<p>"I know how he felt," says the Captain, +folding his arms across his breast, "for I +would be willing to die, if you would but kiss +me."</p> + +<p>"Captain," Little Wolf's cheek grows scarlet, +and she pauses to choke down a strong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> +emotion, "there is a man <i>living</i> whom I have +kissed, and I shall never kiss another."</p> + +<p>The Captain's voice sinks very low in reply, +but Little Wolf warmly takes his proffered +hand, and it is easily to be seen that +more than a common friendship has sprung +up between them.</p> + +<p>Now the Captain, Little Wolf, Miss Marsden, +and little Flora, have become almost inseparable. +A permanent parting is not once +spoken of between them. Their last day at +sea is spent in planning to be together for the +summer.</p> + +<p>It has transpired that Little Wolf's protege, +Fanny Green, is a niece of the Captain's. +His elder brother, Fanny's father, having +formed bad habits, ran away from home, and +it was supposed, went to sea, and had not +been heard of by his family up to the time of +the Captain's acquaintance with Little Wolf.</p> + +<p>In the course of a few weeks, the Captain +and Flora, are to accompany Little Wolf and +Miss Marsden to Minnesota, where they ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span>pect +to greet their newly discovered little +relative.</p> + +<p>A few weeks later, and everything was in +company order at Squire Tinknor's, and +Fanny Green's demure little face looked out +of the window, almost the entire day that +Little Wolf and her friends were to arrive, +and when, just at twilight, a carriage brought +them to the gate, she shrank away in the +folds of the curtain, and Little Wolf found +her there sobbing for joy.</p> + +<p>Her cousin Flora greeted her with the remark, +"Why, dear me, how wery, wery large +you are, cousin Fanny; I thought you would +be smaller than me."</p> + +<p>Little Wolf found letters awaiting her from +the Hanfords, and Antoinette Le Clare, urging +her to come with her friends and spend a +few weeks at Fairy Knoll.</p> + +<p>It was decided that they should accept the +invitation, and accordingly, on a warm summer +morning, a requisition was made on +Squire Tinknor's horses and carriage, and +Tom was installed as driver.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fanny and Flora were to be left with Mrs. +Tinknor, and, as Tom tenderly kissed the +former, his charge to her was, "Take care of +yourself, Fanny dear, for you know you have +promised to be my little wife," and Flora said +that was "wery, wery nice."</p> + +<p>The Captain occupied a seat beside Miss +Marsden, and Little Wolf sat by Tom, whom, +having ceased to be a lover, she found to be +quite entertaining, and they amused themselves +by building air castles and earth castles, +such as baloons and orphan asylums; and +indeed, by the time Fairy Knoll loomed up +before them in the moonlight, they had become +warmer friends than they had ever +been.</p> + +<p>As they neared the cottage, Little Wolf +could not repress a sigh, for too well did she +remember her emotions on that wintry morning, +when she and Edward Sherman left that +spot together, so light of heart, so full of hope +and joy.</p> + +<p>Out sprang the watchers from within, to +welcome their guests, and into the arms of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> +Edward Sherman sprang Little Wolf. She +had instantly recognized him, and a glad cry +escaped her, as he caught her to his breast.</p> + +<p>The Captain saw all at a glance, and he +then knew whom Little Wolf had kissed, and +who was kissing her. Light also seemed to +have suddenly dawned on Tom's benighted +vision.</p> + +<p>Without ceremony or apology, Edward +bore our heroine away to a retired spot in the +grove surrounding the cottage. Their interview +was not interrupted, until Tom, in the +course of half an hour had the temerity to +venture out, and suggest the propriety of Little +Wolf's partaking of a cup of tea.</p> + +<p>"Did we not manage it nicely?" said Antoinette +Le Clare to Little Wolf when they +were alone. "Mr. Sherman came out for a +little recreation, and did not think of seeing +you. We made him think that it was his +sister we were expecting, and when he rushed +to meet her and saw who it was you ought +to have seen his face."</p> + +<p>On the subject of lovemaking, which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> +witnessed by the trees in the grove at Fairy +Knoll, we will be silent. But the double +wedding which followed was public and +grand, and took place at St. Paul, under Mrs. +Tinknor's supervision.</p> + +<p>Miss Marsden returned to New York as +Mrs. Captain Green, and little Flora declared +herself "wery, wery fond of her new mama."</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Sherman accompanied them +as far as the city of Pendleton, where Edward +proposes to make his future home.</p> + +<p>At parting Tom wickedly mentioned to +Little Wolf that he was concerned for the +prosperity of that much talked of orphan asylum. +Whereupon the dignified Mrs. Sherman +assured him that having proved himself +so capable of preparing an asylum for the +orphan in which they were mutually interested, +she thought him better adapted to carry +out her benevolent projects than she was, +and consequently would leave the matter in +his hands for the present.</p> + +<p>Not long after their marriage Edward Sherman +discovered in his wife's secretary a total<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> +abstinence pledge, to which was appended a +long list of names. It was the same which +Mr. Marsden had drawn up on shipboard, +and "Alfred Marsden," headed the list.</p> + +<p>Edward took it from its place, and he was +in the act of signing his own name at the bottom, +when a bright curly head came between +him and the paper, and rosy lips whispered, +"Thank you, Edward love, for this free will +offering."</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><b>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</b> Spelling and punctuation left as found in the original text.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Wolf, by M. A. 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A. Cornelius + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Little Wolf + A Tale of the Western Frontier + +Author: M. A. Cornelius + +Release Date: April 1, 2010 [EBook #31837] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE WOLF *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from scans of public domain material produced by +Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.) + + + + + + + + + + Little Wolf. + + A TALE + OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER. + + BY + MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS. + + + CINCINNATI: + JOURNAL AND MESSENGER, + No. 178 ELM STREET. + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by + MRS. M. A. CORNELIUS, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +CONTENTS: + + + CHAPTER I. + A sad breakfast--The Sherman Family--The Language of + Flowers--What a Young Man was sure of--The Parting 5 + + CHAPTER II. + Pendleton--The Revelation at the Saloon--Euphonious + names--The Encounter--Our Heroine Appears and Highwaymen + Disappear 19 + + CHAPTER III. + A Reign of Confusion--Bloody Jim--Little Wolf's Allies + Prepare for Defence--Family Trouble 30 + + CHAPTER IV. + More Troubles--Who was Bloody Jim--His Attempt at Kidnapping + Little Wolf--The Cause of His Hatred and the Terror he + Inspired 41 + + CHAPTER V. + Dr. Goodrich leaves with Daddy as Guide--Daddy's War-like + Preparations--His Testimony to the Curse of Strong + Drink--What they Discovered on their way to the Village 53 + + CHAPTER VI. + The Saloon Keeper--Comforting Reflections--The Unwelcome + Call--Diabolical Plotting 70 + + CHAPTER VII. + Music--The Warning--Preparations for Winter Interrupted--The + Welcome Boat 77 + + CHAPTER VIII. + The Love-letter--Discussion--A Quick Ride--Too Late--Violence + and Death 89 + + CHAPTER IX. + Bloody Jim's Advantages--The Fainting Captive--The Tragic + Quarrel--Outwitted at Last--The Refuge 100 + + CHAPTER X. + The Kidnapper's Surprise--On the Wrong Track--Bloody Jim's + Capture--The Rotten Plank 108 + + CHAPTER XI. + Harmless Conspiracy--The Ghost--The Wife Murderer--Tippling + and Tattling--Misrepresentations 119 + + CHAPTER XII. + The Cottage in the Grove--The Disguise--Back to + Health--Impatience--Searching the Box--Antoinette + La Clair's Story 129 + + CHAPTER XIII. + Twofold Agony--Dr. Goodrich's Promise--Home Again--Lilly + Foot--The Convalescent--The Neighborhood Wedding--News from + Chimney Rock--The Sherman Family at the West 146 + + CHAPTER XIV. + Rough Roads--The Happy Bridegroom--Jacob Mentor's + Experience--Fairy Knoll--A Joyful Meeting 160 + + CHAPTER XV. + Busy Preparations and the Climax--The Lovers--Tom Tinknor's + Discovery--General Rejoicings--The Idol Defaced 170 + + CHAPTER XVI. + Painful Recollections--The Last Boat of the Season--Ruffled + Plumes--Reconciliation 181 + + CHAPTER XVII. + Winter Sports--The Doctor's Visits--Preparations for New + Year's Day--A Discussion 189 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + The New Year's Ball--A Check to Festivity--The Midnight + Ride--Death in the Old Brown House 201 + + CHAPTER XIX. + Neighborly Sympathy--Little Wolf's Bosom Friend A + Disappointed Lover 215 + + CHAPTER XX. + A Weight of Sorrow--Marrying a Drunkard--Suspense 227 + + CHAPTER XXI. + Daddy's Diplomacy--A Passage at Arms--Fannie Green--A + Catastrophe 235 + + CHAPTER XXII. + The Rescue 248 + + CHAPTER XXIII. + An Indian Messenger--Frozen to Death 260 + + CHAPTER XXIV. + A Crisis--Pride and Folly 271 + + CHAPTER XXV. + The Sleighing Party--Clara Hastings--Mother and Son 280 + + CHAPTER XXVI. + Letter Writing--Daddy's Nocturnal Labors and early Walk 294 + + CHAPTER XXVII. + Doing and Getting Good--Wycoff's Reform 308 + + CHAPTER XXVIII. + Daddy's Soliloqy--A Beer-Soaker--A Knock-Down Argument--A + Present for Little Wolf 323 + + CHAPTER XXIX. + A Chapter of Accidents and Deliverances 333 + + CHAPTER XXX. + Another Saloon Scene--The Bridal Trousseau--The Lovely Nurse 341 + + CHAPTER XXXI. + Threats--Little Wolf and Black Hawk--Tragic Death of Hank + Glutter 354 + + CHAPTER XXXII. + The May Day Weddings--Miss Orrecta Lippincott's + Surprise--How Old Lovers Behave 367 + + CHAPTER XXXIII. + The Old Brown House Deserted--The Pearl and Diamond + Ring--Mr. and Mrs. Marsden's Conjectures 380 + + CHAPTER XXXIV. + A Trip to California--Jumping Overboard--The Grand Supper + and what Came of it--The Captain's Little Daughter 393 + + CHAPTER XXXV. + A Visit to Mrs. Sherman's Room--Daddy and his New + Spouse--Ominous Signs 408 + + CHAPTER XXXVI. + More News from Little Wolf--Tom Tinknor's Testimony 415 + + CHAPTER XXXVII. + Another Death in the Old Brown House 423 + + CHAPTER XXXVIII. + Daddy's Temperance Lecture 430 + + CHAPTER XXXIX. + Death in Mid Ocean--Love Making and a Double Wedding 448 + + + + +LITTLE WOLF. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + A SAD BREAKFAST--THE SHERMAN FAMILY--THE LANGUAGE OF + FLOWERS--WHAT A YOUNG MAN WAS SURE OF--THE PARTING. + + +Early in the morning of a long ago midsummer's day, the inmates of a +quiet New England home were making unusual preparations for the +approaching repast. The mistress of the house was ostensibly +overseeing the table; but there was an uncertainty in her movements, +which indicated a contradictory mingling of interest and abstraction, +such as agitates the mind, when trifles intrude on more weighty +matters. Not so the maid in attendance, who had served in her present +capacity for more than twenty years, and was without dispute an adept +in the culinary department, if not in affairs of the heart. She was +not so obtuse, however, in the present instance, as not to perceive +the uncomfortable state of her mistress, and, notwithstanding the +pressure of business in hand, she magnanimously paused a moment to +attempt a word of comfort. How to approach a subject which had been +continually on the lips of the whole family for weeks, was now the +poor girl's difficulty. Every instant was precious. She was in a +measure neglecting the smoking viands under her supervision, and her +long established reputation as cook was in jeopardy. At this critical +juncture she blundered out, "Mrs. Sherman, it's a pity; indeed, it is, +that he, that Edward, is bent on going." + +"Why, Recta," interrupted a musical voice reproachfully, "ma is +already convinced that it is a pity Edward is going. It remains for us +to persuade her that he will speedily return." + +"Bless my heart, is that Miss Louise?" said Recta, turning to the +person who had so unceremoniously interrupted her condolements. "Well, +now, I declare," she continued, "if I ain't beat. Young girls have +great arts of covering up their feelings. There's Miss Louise taking +on, and walking her chamber all night, and now she's telling me what +to say as unconcerned as if this wasn't the last meal she was going to +enjoy with her only brother." + +"O fie, Recta, haven't I told you that Edward is coming home again +soon," said Louise, and, she added with a blush, "You must have heard +kitty in your dreams, and magnified her step into mine. You know you +have often said my tread was as light as Tabby's." + +"But it wasn't, last night," persisted the other, "it was as heavy as +lead." + +The blush deepened on the young lady's cheek; not so much on account +of the audacity with which this privileged servant had assailed her +veracity, as for other and more private reasons, herein unfolded. It +was not indeed, the distress occasioned by her brother's departure, +which, as intimated in the preceding conversation, was about to occur, +that she desired to hide; but there was one to accompany him, on whom +she had bestowed more than a sister's love, and furthermore, this +friend, having arrived the day before, had progressed, perhaps farther +in his suit than on any former occasion, Such being the state of the +case, it was natural, that, with her lover under the same roof, she +should be jealous of exhibiting feelings, others than a sister's love +would warrant. To cover her confusion, therefore, which Recta secretly +exulted in having occasioned, she retorted; + +"Heavy footsteps! ridiculous! Look at me," and she drew up her slight +little figure; "for shame, Recta; confess it was your heavy ears, and +I'll forgive you." + +Recta compressed her lips and Louise immediately changed her tactics. + +"What a nice breakfast! Recta knows what Ned likes, don't she, ma? +Fie! Ned wont stay long away from Recta and broiled chickens, will he, +ma?" + +Recta's lips visibly expanded. "I reckon he won't stay long away from +Miss Louise and flowers," said she, glancing at a beautiful bouquet, +which Louise held in her hand. + +"Aren't they lovely, Recta? I've just gathered them fresh for Edward. +Now I'll arrange them on the table, while you put on the hot dishes.'" + +"Gathered for Edward, as much as they are for me," muttered the +unconquered servant. "Roses and forget-me-nots mean--well, George +Goodrich will know what they mean; that's enough." + +As dispatch was no mean part of the cook's accomplishments, it was not +long before the parties mentioned in her private conjectures were +seated at the breakfast table, in company with the family, the names +of all of whom we know already. It will be observed that allusion has +been made to but one parent. The memory of the other, still lived +fresh in the affections of his wife and children, and deserves first +notice among those whose plans and persons we shall endeavor in a few +words, to introduce more minutely to the reader. + +Judge Sherman was a man, who, through a long and active life, was +distinguished for inflexible integrity, and, by means of sterling +talents, he rose to the first rank in his profession as a lawyer. He +married at an early age, although his courtship approached closely to +the term of years which Jacob served for Rachel. Political differences +of opinion were the obstacles which opposed his suit. In those days +the Federalists and Democrats indulged in animosities as bitter as +those which existed between the Jews and Samaritans. The latter party, +being in its infancy, could ill afford to lose even a petticoat from +its ranks. Luckily for the young Federalist, the lady of his choice +was in her heart a rebel to her father's will and purposes. But after +she became Mrs. Sherman, the united influences of both did not +annihilate the opposite party, as its future history, clearly +demonstrates. The ball, set rolling by Jefferson, continued to roll +on, and Judge Sherman, to the day of his death, never saw his favorite +principles triumph. In his efforts of a pecuniary nature he was more +successful. He had accumulated a handsome property, consisting mainly +of many broad acres of well-cultivated Massachusetts soil, which, for +a long course of years, had been in charge of a faithful and efficient +tenant, occupying a cottage a short distance from his own dwelling, a +plain old-fashioned house, situated on an airy knoll near the centre +of his domains. + +Here, for nearly two years after her husband's death, Mrs. Sherman +lived in seclusion, receiving only occasional visits from her +children, Edward and Louise. The son being engaged in studying his +father's profession, while the daughter was at school preparing +herself, it would be safe to say, to follow her mother's business. +Indeed, it was a fixed fact in her own mind, that when George +Goodrich, her brother's warm friend and her ladyship's still warmer +admirer, should become established in his profession as a physician, +she would then trust herself to his care, without fear of poverty or +disease. But the young M. D. having no patrimony, and becoming +disgusted with the slow path in which he was treading to fortune, +resolved to turn his course into a rougher road at the far West. + +About the same time, Edward Sherman, having been admitted to the Bar, +with no other reason except Yankee restlessness and craving, turned +his thoughts in a similar direction. On discovering to each other +their mutual proclivities, the friends determined to set out together, +as soon as Edward could gain his mother's consent, for the Territory +of Minnesota. With characteristic nobleness and fortitude, Mrs. +Sherman sacrificed her her own to her son's wishes, and it was not +until the morning of his departure, that her courage faltered. + +Mother-like she sat at the head of the table, unable to swallow a +mouthful herself, while urging every delicacy upon her darling son. + +"Do, dear Edward, have another cup of coffee," she pleaded, observing +that his cup was empty, while his breakfast remained untasted. + +"Well, just to accommodate," said Edward smiling. "I really have not +much appetite this morning." + +"I'm glad you can relish it, Mr. Edward," said Recta, in a whining +tone. "It's seasoned with old Spot's cream, and I'm thinking it will +be a long time before you'll taste any more tame milk, out there among +them wild cattle." + +At this remark, the great square dining-room rang with the laughter +of the younger occupants of the old-fashioned straight backed +chairs,--this being the only room in the house, to which the +progressive spirit had not yet extended, except, indeed, that which +was manifested in the cut glass decanters, standing _empty_ on the +handsome sideboard. + +A deep convulsive sob broke from Mrs. Sherman, and the merriment +instantly ceased. The mother leaned forward and covering her face with +her hands, gave vent to her long suppressed feelings. Edward was by +her side in an instant, and throwing his arms around her neck, +exclaimed: + +"Mother, I will not leave you!" + +"Then I can't go alone," whispered George Goodrich to Louise. + +"Ma," said Louise, "Dr. Goodrich says he will stay, too." + +"No, not quite that," said the embarrassed lover. + +"O, you must both go," interrupted Mrs. Sherman, recovering with an +effort her presence of mind; "and we are wasting precious time," she +continued, pointing to the clock, with returning firmness. + +The old clock which occupied one corner in seven feet grandeur, would +as soon have thought of stopping to indulge in sighs and tears, as +would Mrs. Sherman, when her spirit was moved to the necessity for +action. So, all the scruples of her son were peremptorily shut out of +existence, and Recta, frowned into silence, withheld the probe, which, +having fallen into the common error, she had mistaken for the healing +salve. + +In passing briefly over the season of parting, there is an item which +should claim special attention for a moment, as it is intimately +connected with the destination of our adventurers. + +As Edward stood by the family carriage, which was to transport them to +the public conveyance, while waiting for his friend, who had +appropriated to himself a private moment with Louise, Mrs. Sherman +inquired rather anxiously, "Edward, have you that letter?" + +"Yes, mother," and, more to fill up an unpleasant gap of time than to +prove his veracity, he produced from his pocket the missive. It was +superscribed, "Dr. DeWolf, Chimney Rock, Minnesota Territory." + +Prompted by the same motive which had actuated the other, Mrs. Sherman +repeated some of her previous instructions. + +"Now, Edward, when you arrive at Penddleton, by all means make an +immediate effort to discover the whereabouts of Dr. DeWolf. I should +much like to hear from your father's early friend. I think he states, +in the only letter we have ever received from him, that he has fixed +his home at Chimney Rock, in the vicinity of Pendleton. However, he +may have removed from there by this time, although he was not of a +roving disposition. The persuasions of an affectionate wife, who saw +with anxiety, her husband's growing love for the wine cup, induced him +to emigrate to the far West. In breaking away from the associations +which led him to form the habit, she hoped he might attain that rank +in his profession, which his brilliant youth had promised. Edward," +and here Mrs. Sherman's voice sank to a whisper, "your father was +saved about that time. It was by signing the Washingtonian Temperance +Pledge. Be warned, my son, and flee the temptation which had well nigh +stigmatized you as a drunkard's son. I have always intended to tell +you this, but the subject was too harrowing. I could not do it." + +"You might have saved yourself the pain, now, mother," said Edward +proudly; "There is no danger of _me_." + +That positive declaration came from just such a son, as many a widowed +mother and affectionate sister have doted on. Generous, warm-hearted, +and strikingly handsome, Edward Sherman, appeared a perfect type of +manhood. Were it not that the noblest forms have sometimes hid +blemished souls the world had not so often been baptized in tears. + +The lovers were now at hand. Time had flown with them on a "dove's +wings," and its flutterings lightened their last adieu. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + PENDLETON--THE REVELATION AT THE SALOON--EUPHONIOUS + NAMES--THE ENCOUNTER--OUR HEROINE APPEARS AND HIGHWAYMEN + DISAPPEAR. + + +A journey of a few days brought our travellers to the lively, bustling +village, which for convenience we have named Pendleton, situated on +the Upper Mississippi. After several hours of rest and refreshment at +their hotel, they sallied out to enjoy a pedestrian excursion in the +cool of the day. Not much of the place of their sojourn was visible. +Gaslight, had not wandered so far from its birthplace. The +enterprising inhabitants, however, had manufactured an article by the +same name, but it was never known to generate light. The wagging of +the machinery was all that came of it. + +"Lager Beer," pronounced Edward Sherman, glancing at the gilt letters, +that stood out in bold relief on the illumined window of a fashionable +saloon, which they were at the moment passing. + +"Yes, lager beer," repeated George Goodrich, musingly. "Ned, what a +nation of beer drinkers we are becoming. Not at the east only, but +these western towns seem to have a beer saloon at every corner." + +"Well, Doctor, what is more harmless than beer? Come, let us turn back +and take a glass;" and suiting the action to the word, Edward had +passed behind the screen which shaded the entrance, before the +expostulations of his companion, who followed mechanically, could +reach his ear. + +While Edward was leisurely sipping his lager, the loud and angry +voices of a party of young men, who were in the act of leaving an +adjoining apartment, used as a billiard saloon, attracted his +attention. As a lady proved to be the cause of the altercation, we +will do them the justice to state that they were decidedly under the +influence of stimulants, One of their number, less insane than his +companions, was endeavoring to quell the disturbance. + +"Gentlemen," he said, "the name of a lady, whom we all respect should +not be used too freely." + +"Just so," chimed in another, "I say, let the matter rest." + +"The hatchet is buried. Peace, peace, to Dr. DeWolf and his lovely +daughter, forever," sang out the third. + +The name and place, introduced in the quarrel, quite satisfied Edward +that the daughter of his father's friend was the subject of the +altercation. + +"I've had a revelation to-night, George," said Edward, when they were +again in the street. + +"Then your eyes were opened, and you saw the handwriting on the wall, +did you? Pity, those poor fools we left behind, could not borrow your +optics." + +"Ah, Doctor, you're on the wrong track. It has been revealed to me, +that Dr. DeWolf has a lovely daughter, and--come, now, don't interrupt +me with your old-fashioned, worn-out temperance hobby--as I was about +to say, I have in my possession a letter of introtion to said DeWolf. +He was formerly a friend of father's, and, of course, it will be my +duty to cultivate his acquaintance and that of his lovely daughter, as +early as possible,--say to-morrow. What say you, friend sober-sides? +You know, my particular weakness is a lovely lady." + +"Why, it's no affair of mine, Ned. Flirting is out of my line. But, +how do you know the lady is lovely?" + +"Why, was it not revealed to me, through the imprudence of a whole +bevy of her admirers." + +"O, but, Ned, the ravings of a set of drunken rowdies is not +conclusive evidence." + +"True," said Edward more seriously, "but," smiling again, "it's a +young lady, anyhow, and I hope she is handsome." + +Nothing further was said on the subject that evening, but, on the day +following, young Sherman was informed by the landlord, of whom he +inquired, that Dr. DeWolf resided at Chimney Rock, about five miles +distant, and to the question, "Has he a family?" replied, "But one +daughter, a beauty of some celebrity." + +The informant observed the gratified twinkle in the eye of his guest +and was not surprised when Edward ordered a carriage to be in +readiness for him directly after dinner. + +"The road is precipitous in some places, and horseback riding is +considered safer," suggested the landlord. + +"Well, two saddle horses, then," replied the other. + +Accordingly, at the time above specified, our adventurers, each +mounted on a dapple gray, set out for Chimney Rock. The scorching sun, +and dusty streets, and poor little withered flowers by the wayside, +prodigals from the adjoining valley, were soon exchanged for the +"Valley Road," fringed with the loveliest specimens of the floral +family, and cooled by the shade of the surrounding bluffs. Like all +other things in life, this part of their journey was of short +duration. + +"Half a mile on this road," said Edward, reining in his steed, and +repeating previous instructions, "brings us to the 'Siamese Twins' a +double bluff singularly joined towards the top by the projection of an +enormous rock. Now, we are here, and no mistake, then turn to the +right." + +"And keep the road as best we may," said Dr. Goodrich, raising his +hat, and wiping the perspiration from his brow. "Well, come on." + +They went on, on and on, over rocks and ledges and fallen trees; +fording streams and climbing heights (for they had lost their way) +until the lengthened twilight, attendant on the summer evenings of +Minnesota, began to darken into night. + +At this junction, when it may be readily imagined that Edward +Sherman's ardor had somewhat cooled, and the emotions of his fellow +traveller were not of the most agreeable nature, alternate snatches of +song-singing and whistling were heard, not far distant. The bewildered +parties rode hastily forward, and met the musician. + +"Can you tell how far we are from Chimney Rock, my friend? We have +lost our way," said Edward frankly. + +"Why no, you ain't lost your way neither," replied the stranger +roughly. "You are there, now. Just ride round the 'tother side of this +bluff, and you'll see all there is of it." + +"Well, can you inform me where Dr. DeWolf lives?" + +"I guess I can. Keep right straight ahead, when you get the 'tother +side of the Pass, there. That road takes you down to Hog Run, and the +Run takes you to Beer Holler, and the brewery is right in the Holler, +and 'tother side of that, on the hill, is Dr. DeWolf's." + +"What a huddle of euphonious names," exclaimed the Doctor, after +having proffered a "Thank you, sir," to the individual who had so +opportunely appeared. "Beer Hollow will be just suited to your mind, +Ned. In that romantic spot, inhaling the perfume of your favorite +beverage, love making will be doubly intoxicating." + +"Hush, Doctor, eavesdroppers ahead," said Edward, pointing towards the +Pass. + +Now, the Pass was nothing more than a narrow strip of table land, +serving as a passage way between the Mississippi River, and a towering +bluff. The view of the river was here intercepted by a thick grove of +trees and shrubbery, which our horsemen had already entered. They did +not, therefore, see the tiny green skiff, with its sprinkling of +white letters on the bow, christening it "Comet," shoot ahead, and +dart into the little cove near by, one of the most romantic and cosy +of those emerald-hung parlors opening from the grand reception hall, +of the "Father of Waters." Neither did they see the fair occupant rise +on tip-toe, and peep mischieveously, through the festooned loopholes +of the forest. + +But they saw the dark objects to which the last speaker had called +attention, partially concealed by the trees. The beast on which Edward +was mounted stopped suddenly, shivering, apparently with fear. +Instantaneously, two dark figures darted from their lurking places, +and, in low gutteral tones demanded money. Unarmed, and completely in +the power of the ruffians, who each, pistol in hand, held firmly by +bit and bridle, the horse of his victim, the part of wisdom, seemed to +be to surrender. + +At that instant, a slight figure glided from the thicket behind the +waylayers, and cautiously drawing forth a revolver which projected +from the belt of the nearest, placed the muzzle at his back and fired. +He fell with a deep groan. Another discharge followed quickly, and his +companion reeled several yards, seizing convulsively trees and +shrubbery, and finally, was heard sliding down the bank towards the +river. + +"Now, ride for your lives, there's more of them," said their +deliverer, in a voice husky with excitement. + +"What will you do?" said Edward. + +"Take my skiff." + +"No, mount here, quick," and he drew her up, and set off at full +speed. + +"Now, turn here, now up that hill; now we are there," the lady faintly +articulated, as they flew along, and drew up before her father's door. + +The house at which they had arrived, was the residence of Dr. DeWolf, +and the heroine of the adventure, was no other than the Doctor's only +daughter, quaintly named, Little Wolf. She had been, as was her wont, +on a short independent trip up the river. In the full enjoyment of the +romantic scenery and twilight hour, night had stolen upon her +unawares. Warned of her imprudence by the distant clatter of horses, +she immediately turned homeward. The swift current aided her efforts, +and she neared the Pass, just in time to overhear all that was said. +Not satisfied with the dim outline of objects, which a peep through +the leaves disclosed, she sprang to the shore, and catching by the +branch of an overhanging tree, drew herself up the steep bank. The +part which she performed in the perilous encounter is already known to +the reader, but the leading motives which prompted it, will be better +understood hereafter. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + A REIGN OF CONFUSION--BLOODY JIM--LITTLE WOLF'S ALLIES + PREPARE FOR DEFENCE--FAMILY TROUBLE. + + +A shout from the fugitives brought several faces to the window, and +from the door hobbled an old man. He cautiously peered into the gloom, +and finally at the sound of a familliar voice sidled up to Edward and +his charge. + +"'Tween you and me, what's the matter?" said he. + +"It's me, help me down, daddy, do, I'm tired," said Little Wolf, in +feeble tones. + +"O, lamb, O, honey, O, pet, is it you?" exclaimed the old dotard, +trembling with apprehension. "'Tween you and me, what has happened to +the darling?" + +"O, nothing, daddy, only I saw Bloody Jim, and I'm afraid there's more +of them." + +"O, my Lord, did you? O, my Lord, the men are down to the brewery. O, +my, 'tween you and me, what _shall_ we do?" + +Perceiving the old man's utter incapacity to the exigency, Edward +threw his rein to the Doctor, and immediately bore the young lady into +the house. The old man followed, grasping his arm, and shouting in his +ear at every step, "'Tween you and me, she saw Bloody Jim, did +she--she saw him--did she--ha!" + +"In the ante-room, they were met by a little bustling elderly woman, +in cap and spectacles. "O, daddy, what is it?" she exclaimed. + +"O, mammy," he cried, releasing Edward, and laying hold on his +wife,--a method by which he invaribly compelled attention, "'tween +you and me, she's seen Bloody Jim she has; she says there's more of +them, she does." + +"Why, you, old fool, why don't you do something?" said the woman, +shaking him off with a jerk. "Lock the doors, shut the windows, call +Sorrel Top; blow the horn. Is the love hurt?" turning anxiously to +Little Wolf, who was reclining on the sofa. + +Mammy had hastily snatched up the small lamp, with which the apartment +was dimly lighted, and, as she was scrutinizing her pet, Edward +obtained a full view of the young lady's features. He gave a sudden +start, and the blood rushed to his face. Was it the lady he had so +frequently seen on Broadway, a few months since? he asked himself. +Yes, the very same; that countenance was not easily forgotten. Why, +she was a New York belle, was his first reflection. Our heroine's +voice was still low and agitated as she replied, "O, no, mammy, not +hurt, only frightened. You attend to the gentlemen and the house I +can take care of myself. I feel better now." + +"Well, then, rest here, love; you look pale. Now don't move; don't get +excited; nobody shall hurt the pet, I'll tell Sorrel Top to bring you +a glass of water." + +Amidst the slamming of doors and rattling of windows, mammy was heard +calling at the top of her voice, "Sorrel Top, Sorrel, take a glass of +water to the parlor;" and to the parlor hastened Sorrel Top. But +meeting daddy at the door, she was forcibly detained, and subjected to +his deafening vociferations, rendered doubly aggravating, by his using +the ear of his auditor as one would a speaking trumpet. The burden of +his song, was still "Bloody Jim, Bloody Jim!" + +"Who cares for Bloody Jim;" said Sorrel Top angrily; "I don't care for +him, nor none of his tribe. Let me go, you, torment." + +Daddy held his ground, for he bore in mind firstly: that Sorrel Top +was his fellow servant; secondly, she possessed no great strength of +muscle or nerve, and, thirdly and lastly, that she was a helpless +widow, whom it was no sin to call Sorrel Top, because of her enormous +growth of reddish hair. + +Edward stepped forward to relieve Sorrel Top of the glass of water, +which she was holding at arm's length, and at the same time suggested +that a little brandy might be beneficial to the lady. + +"Brandy! Brandy! did you say?" sounded in his ear like a knell, and he +was caught in the old man's trap. "Laws! young man, she'd as soon +drink a rattle snake; she's down on brandy; she's down on the hull of +that infarnel stuff. Spirits of every kind is her abhorrence. + +The Doctor was highly amused at his friend's predicament, and, giving +him a sly wink, remarked, "Beer will do as well, Ned, and it is +perfectly harmless, you know." + +The Doctor's turn had come, In a still higher stage of excitment, +daddy pounced upon him. "Young man," he thundered, "beer harmless? +'tween you and me, lager beer is the devil's pison, slow but sure. +Don't you believe me?" + +"Coax him away, Sorrel Top," said Little Wolf, rousing herself. + +"Come, daddy, Miss DeWolf wants us to be off, she says so," said +Sorrel Top, resolutely approaching him. + +"Me go! O, no, 'tween you an' me, I must stay and protect the love." +The Doctor was instantly released. His assailant had embarked in a new +enterprise. But Sorrel Top was firm. + +"What good are you doing, I should like to know," she said. + +"What good be you a doing, you, hussy?" reiterated daddy; don't you +hear mammy blowing the horn; 'tween me an' you, she's short winded. +I'll protect the pet." + +"Never mind me, daddy," said the young mistress, now quite revived; +"if you ain't afraid, you had better assist mammy." + +She had touched her would-be-protector in a sensitive spot, and he +vehemently ejaculated "me afraid; not I. 'Tween you and me, what +should I be afraid of, I would like to know?" + +"Why, of Bloody Jim." + +The old man glanced dubiously towards the door, and slid out. + +Edward eagerly seized the propitious moment to formerly introduce +himself and companion, to their fair preserver. Mutual explanation +followed, and Little Wolf cordially welcomed our friends to Chimney +Rock. "Father is at the brewery," she said, "he'll be in directly; the +horn is our alarm bell." + +"Is there any further danger to be apprehended?" said Edward; "I think +you killed them both." + +Little Wolf suddenly changed countenance. + +Her beautiful, bewitching face had been half hidden by curls, and +covered with blushes, from the moment her faintness had passed off, +and, but for the twinkle of those mischief-loving brown eyes, and +certain unmistakable movements of her slight figure, she might have +passed for meekness itself. To those, therefore, who were unacquainted +with her peculiarly nervous and impulsive temperament, the change in +her apperance was rather surprising. With one sweep of her plump +little hand, she tossed back the ringlets from her brow, and +frowningly declared she wished she had killed them. "I didn't kill +them, though," she said, "or, at all events, I killed but one; the +other, Bloody Jim, he's called, I cannot kill. I've tried it before. +He's my evil genius. He carried me off bodily, once, just before I +went away to school." + +"Indeed," said Edward, deeply interested, "how did you escape?" + +"O, a gentleman rescued me." + +Edward said "indeed" again, but his tone was _slightly_ changed. He +did not feel _quite_ as comfortable, as he had a moment before; but in +the unpleasant scene which immediately followed, his chagrin passed +unnoticed. + +The sound of the horn, had brought to the house, all the loungers at +the brewery who were in a condition to render aid, and some who were +not. Among the last named was Dr. DeWolf, who staggered to the parlor, +and boisterously demanded, "What's all this fuss about?" + +He was in the first stage of drunkenness, and consequently more +difficult to manage than he would have been an hour or two later, when +he was usually brought home in a helpless condition. + +Little Wolf made a desperate struggle to appear composed. + +"O, nothing," she replied with the slightest possible quiver in her +voice, "I saw Bloody Jim, that's all." + +"That's enough," murmured the parent, sinking into a chair. The very +mention of that name seemed to have completely sobered him. For, +bloated and inebriated though he was, paternal love still lived, a +green spot in the waste, which alcoholic fires had not yet burned +out. He sat for a moment in silence, pressing his hand to his brow, +and then, without appearing to notice his guests, abruptly left the +room. + +His daughter hastily excused herself, and followed him. Once outside +the door, she drew a long breath, but shill choking down her mortified +feelings, she bounded across the adjoining room, and meeting mammy, +paused to give a few necessary orders. + +"O, laws, honey," objected mammy, "I can't do nothing, and I can't get +nobody else to do nothing. O, laws, honey, what if Bloody Jim should +come? the men are half of 'em drunk; we'll all go to destruction +together." + +"O, fudge, mammy, Bloody Jim is shot; there's no danger. Come, now, +you do as I tell you. I _must_ go to my room a minute." and she flew +into the hall and up the long staircase, as if she had wings, leaving +mammy muttering to herself. + +"Poor motherless child; sich as this is enough to make the honey +stiddy; dear me, there's no stiddying her--clean gone mad, I +declare. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + MORE TROUBLES--WHO WAS BLOODY JIM--HIS ATTEMPT AT KIDNAPPING + LITTLE WOLF--THE CAUSE OF HIS HATRED AND OF THE TERROR HE + INSPIRED. + + +Quite like a little fury, Little Wolf burst into her own private +apartment. Locking the door, she stopped suddenly and stamped, in a +paroxism of grief and vexation. + +"A drunkard's child!" she said scornfully "Disgrace!--I hate +everybody!--I wish I'd shot myself!--I wish I was dead!--I wish +father--" she did not finish the sentence; a loud knock at the door +interrupted her. + +"Who's there?" she asked. + +"Me," said Sorrel Top. + +"Go away," said her young mistress, imperatively. + +"Mammy sent me," said Sorrel Top, "the Doctor is dying." + +"O, God!" exclaimed Little Wolf, in an agony, "I have got my wish." + +Trembling violently, she descended to the parlor and found her father +stretched out on the sofa in an apoplectic fit. Wild and reckless as +her words had been, Little Wolf would not for the world have seen her +wishes fulfilled, and she was spared the remorse, which under the +peculiar circumstances, her father's death would have occasioned. + +Not having perceived how completely her information respecting Bloody +Jim, had brought her father to his senses, she little dreamed that, +while she was giving orders to mammy, he was in another part of the +house inspecting the fastenings of the doors and shutters. Finding all +secure, he returned to the parlor, in order to learn the particulars +of her meeting with the being, whose very name had created such +terror and dismay throughout the household. Observing young Sherman +and Dr. Goodrich, he attempted to address them, but suddenly lost the +power of speech. + +It was many hours before Dr. Goodrich dared give any encouragement of +his recovery to his almost distracted daughter. All night long, she +watched, with the young physician and Edward, by his bedside. + +Daddy and others, kept a bright look out for the enemy; but he had +been too badly wounded, to attempt any further violence that night. + +For reasons unknown to any except the parties concerned, Dr. DeWolf +had, in the person of Bloody Jim, a revengeful and deadly enemy. He +belonged to the Red River half-breeds. Several years before, while a +company of his people were encamped in the vicinity of St. Paul, on +the upper Mississippi, for the purpose of trafficking with the +whites, Dr. DeWolf had paid them a chance visit. + +As some alleviation to the insupportable loneliness, which the recent +death of his wife occasioned, he accepted the invitation, of his +friend and financial adviser, Squire Tinknor, to spend a few weeks +with him, in the place above mentioned. This friend, was +unfortunately, for a man of the Doctor's irregular habits, wealthy, +wild and dissipated. Together they sought out and visited every place +of amusement. Returning in company, from a horse race, one pleasant +afternoon, they came in sight of the tented village, occupied by this +demi-savage people. The novelty attracted the Doctor's attention and +he insisted on alighting. "I must see what they've got in there," he +said, pointing towards a tent from which the sound of music was heard. + +Peeping slyly through a crack in the canvas, he saw the music-maker, a +young girl, carelessly drawing a bow across the strings of a +dilapitated violin, while her own very sweet voice, dropped out a gay +stanza, in broken English. She was alone; so the Doctor boldly lifted +the door and went in. Five, ten and fifteen minutes, his companion +impatiently awaited his appearance, and at length, seriously disturbed +at his absence, he shouted his name. + +"Yes, yes," said the Doctor from within, "I'm coming." + +"What detained you so deuced long," said his friend, when they were +again on their way. + +"O, playing the agreeable to a little fool, who was sawing away on a +greasy fiddle," said the recent widower of forty-five, or more. He was +careful not to mention that the "little fool," was beautifully formed, +with ruddy checks, with dark, loving eyes and, being rather handsome +himself, he had conceived the idea of captivating her silly heart. The +story of the "Spider and the fly," fitly illustrates the means by +which his purpose was afterwards accomplished. + +His inamorata had innocently informed him that her protector, +"brother Jim," spent the most of his time in the city, and the Doctor +soon discovered that her savage looking relative frequently drank to +excess. Under such favorable circumstances it required but little +management to elude his vigilance. But, after the mischief was done, +it was not so easy to escape a brother's revenge; especially as that +brother's naturally ferocious nature had already acquired him the +title of "Bloody Jim." + +Not many months after the Doctor had returned home, his punishment +began. He had just gone to the brewery to spend the evening, when his +little daughter came running in. + +"O, papa," she exclaimed, panting for breath, "I met such a great tall +man out here--he wasn't an Injin--he talked a little like one, though. +He had on a blue coat with bright buttons, and he had such _awful_ +eyes; O, dear!" + +"What did he say, daughter?" said the Doctor, catching up his child, +and pressing her to his heart. + +"O, he said, 'what name?' I told him papa always called me daughter, +mamma used to call me Little Wolf, and daddy and mammy called me +honey, pet, dove, love, and _every thing_, I wish I had a regular +name, papa--I mean to give orders to be called Little Wolf, for mamma +knew best, and she called me so." + +"Little Wolf it shall be," said obedient papa. "But what next did the +man say?" + +"O, he said 'papa's name.' I said Dr. DeWolf; than he made such a +coarse noise in his throat, just like an Injin; I thought he wanted to +get me, so I ran in here, quick." + +Dr. DeWolf groaned in bitterness of spirit. He thought of Bloody Jim, +and was tortured with vague fears of what might be. He did not spend +that evening in drinking at the brewery. But it was the last night his +child knew a father's care. After that, he did nothing but drink, +drink. He had drank before, in spite of the pleadings of his wife, +whom his conduct had brought to a premature grave, and, as trouble +increased, he drank yet the more. + +From the moment Bloody Jim saw the Doctor's beautiful child, he worked +to gain possession of her and spared her father's life for a time. In +pursuance of his plans he returned to the Red River country and +gathered about him a set of lawless wretches, whom he had before led +on to deeds of violence, and brought them to Chimney Rock. The gang +secreted themselves among the towering bluffs in the vicinity, and, +while watching for their prey, robbed all who came in their way. The +frequent outrages committed on travellers, spread alarm throughout the +surrounding country, and officers of justice were dispatched in search +of the perpetrators. In this state of affairs, Bloody Jim, resolved at +once to make a bold attempt to capture the coveted prize, and quit the +country. Selecting for his purpose, the hour when the Doctor was in +the habit of leaving home for the brewery, he lurked in ambush, until +Little Wolf, who usually accompanied her father the most of the way, +should return home alone, and, when the opportunity came, seized +suddenly upon her, and, in spite of her struggles, bore her away +towards the river. Leaping into a canoe, he threatened her with +instant death, if she made the slightest resistance, and pushed out +for the opposite shore. It was quite dusk when they landed on the +other side. The poor frightened child, now for the first time broke +the silence. She begged to be taken home again; but her captor only +laughed horribly. "I Bloody Jim," said he; "how you like to be my +wife?" + +"O, take me home, I'm only a little girl," pleaded Little Wolf with +quivering lip. + +"You be big, by and by." + +As he said this, an unseen hand laid him senseless on the beach. The +same individual who dealt the blow, returned the child safely to her +home, and leaving her to tell her own story, disappeared. + +A chill of horror crept over the Doctor, when mammy, the next morning, +related to him, her pet's adventure. He wrote immediately to his +friend, Squire Tinknor, for advice. "Send the child away to boarding +school," was the counsel given, and forthwith, the Doctor acted upon +it. + +Four years at school, and a winter of fashionable life in New York, +transformed the little miss into an accomplished young lady. + +When about to return home, she purchased a superb brace of pistols. At +her request, Mr. Marston, the brother of the young lady whose +hospitality she had shared, selected them for her. As he was one of +those quiet, fatherly sort of young men, who naturally win the +confidence, if not the love, of young ladies, she felt no hesitancy in +opening her heart to him, on the subject of the pistols. She also +related to him the story of her wonderful escape from Bloody Jim, and +positively declared that if he ever came near her again, she intended +to shoot him through the heart. + +"But how would you reward the person who rescued you," said Mr. +Marston, eagerly. + +"O, I'd do anything in the world for him," she replied, "if I only +knew who he was." + +"Would you love him?" + +"Yes, I'd love him." + +Just then the peculiar expression of her sober friend's face startled +her, and she added, with one of her merry laughs, "provided he was not +a poky old bachelor." + +The bachelor perceiving that his time had not yet come, allowed the +little would-be Amazon to depart, without again making the slightest +approach to the subject nearest his heart. + +Her skill in the use of the silver-mounted weapons, excited great +admiration in the breast of daddy, whom she usually allowed to assist +in setting up a target, because she could not well get rid of him. His +eulogies were, on the whole, rather gratifying to her vanity, for +before his sight failed him, he had been no mean marksman. + +Entirely unconscious of the dangerous resistance to be met, Bloody Jim +made his second attempt on Little Wolf's freedom. She was returning +from a long tedious walk, among the bluffs, at the close of a Spring +day; her revolvers hid away in the holders, beneath her mantle, when +suddenly, her enemy appeared in her path. Little Wolf stood for a +moment as if spell-bound. Again she heard that horrid guttural laugh +and saw those fiendish black eyes. "I got you now," was all he had +time to say, before a ball from her pistol pierced him. She saw him +fall, and fled. As nothing more was heard from him, or his men, it was +generally supposed that Little Wolf had put an end to his life. + +Like one risen from the dead, he appeared to her in his attack upon +Dr. Goodrich and Edward Sherman, at the Pass. She knew he must have +gone there to watch for her, and in saving others, she had also saved +herself. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + DR. GOODRICH LEAVES WITH DADDY AS GUIDE--DADDY'S WAR-LIKE + PREPARATIONS--HIS TESTIMONY TO THE CURSE OF STRONG + DRINK--WHAT THEY DISCOVERED ON THEIR WAY TO THE VILLAGE. + + +Morning dawned fresh and beautiful. Dr. DeWolf's symptoms continued +favorable. Refreshed and re-invigorated, after an hour's repose, the +watchers gathered around the breakfast table with cheerful faces. Too +young and mirthful to be very seriously affected, for any great length +of time, by what had occured, Little Wolf joined with her guests in +sipping coffee, and talking over the events of the preceeding evening +with becoming composure. + +During the meal, she slipped out to peep into the invalid's apartment. +As she flitted from the room, the Doctor turned to Edward, who was +gazing after her with an expression of intense admiration. "Ah, Ned," +said he "your time has come." + +"Fact, Doctor, I do feel queer. The little witch is too much for me." + +"What can I do for you?" said the Doctor, with a professional nod. + +"O, leave me here to-day, Doctor. Positively, I can't go back with +you." + +"What, Ned, allow me to fight my way alone, through a band of +desperadoes?" said the Doctor, with feigned trepidation. + +"Pshaw, Doctor! there's no danger; their chief is dead, or wounded, +and they've fled long before this time." + +Their young hostess broke in upon the conference with a smiling face. +"Papa is resting very quietly," she said; "but I fear a return of his +complaint. I shall feel anxious 'till you return, Doctor, if indeed, +you still think you must go back this morning. Could not Mr. Sherman +go for you? Daddy might show him the way." + +Edward cast an imploring look towards the Doctor, who magnanimously +sacrificed his own ease to the wishes of his friend. "It will be +necessary, for me to go myself," he replied; "but give yourself no +uneaseiness, Miss DeWolf. I do not think your father will have a +second attack. I will accept your offer of a guide, and, with your +permission will leave my friend, Mr. Sherman, as my proxy." + +There was a slight dash of malice in the Doctor's last words, which +Edward was too grateful to notice. + +When the hour for setting out arrived, daddy appeared, armed and +equipped, for what his fears had magnified into an exceedingly +perilous journey. At sight him, of Little Wolf burst into an +uncontrollable fit of laughter. His little, insignificant figure was +girded by an old leathern belt, which was literally stuck full, of +such weapons as he could hastily pick up, about the premises. + +"Bless me! what do you expect to do with that outlandish outfit?" said +his young mistress, when she was able to speak. + +"Why 'fend myself, to be sure," replied the old man indignantly. + +"O, fie, daddy," said she coaxingly; take off that heavy old belt. Why +it makes you look so, and sweat so, too. Come, now, if you will, I'll +lend you one of my pistols." + +The old man's rising temper was quite mollified, at the proposal of +Little Wolf; for to sport those pistols, had been an honor, to which +he had hitherto aspired in vain. + +"Well, now, I'll explain the case, honey," said he, attempting to +approach her; "'tween you and me--" + +"O, no, no," said Little Wolf, putting her fingers to her ears, and +slipping our of his way. + +"Bless her heart," said daddy, turning to the Doctor; "that's just the +way she used to run away from me, when she was a little gal. 'Tween +you and me, though, I was only going to tell her, how it wasn't the +heft of this ere belt, that made me sweat so. It was sharpening these +ere, on the old grindstone," and he drew forth a couple of large +butcher knives, which glistened brightly in the sunbeams. + +"O, those knives are just what mammy wants in the kitchen; I heard her +say so," said Little Wolf appearing on the piazza with the pistols. + +It required a vast amount of coaxing to bring the old man to terms, +but finally a compromise was effected, and stowing a knife away in his +coat pocket, he set out with one of the pistols, the Doctor being +armed with the other. + +Instead of the short cut of the night before, the Doctor chose the +more circuitous route through the village; if a cluster of dilapidated +houses might be dignified by that name. Dr. DeWolf's old brown +residence, situated on a high hill, with its piazza stretching across +the front, was the most imposing edifice to be seen. The remaining +comfortless dwellings, mostly log cabins, and board shanties, with +their broken windows and ragged inmates, who flocked out to gaze at +the strangers, presented an appearance desolate in the extreme. Even +the shadow cast by old Chimney Rock, after which the place was named, +added a darker aspect to the scene. Chinmey Rock was an irregular old +bluff, standing like a grim old castle by the riverside, its +chimney-like summit, rocky and bare, the most conspicuous object in +the landscape. + +"What a God-forsaken place," exclaimed the doctor, involuntarily. + +"'Tis so, this ere is a broke-down, one-horse concern, and that ain't +the wust on't, nuther," said his companion; who was almost bursting +with communicativeness. + +"Well, what is the worst of it?" inquired the Doctor, as much to +gratify the old man's weakness, as to satisfy his own curiosity. + +"Why, Doctor, 'tween you an' me, there's awful doin's here. Ye see, +sence that saloon was sot up in one end of the old brewery, all the +men here have got to drinking, and 'tis astonishing how men will act, +when they git soaked in liquor. I've heered temperance lecturers tell +stories that would make your har stand on ind; that was when I was +young, and there was a great excitement on the subject. I signed the +pledge then, and I never broke my word on no account, or I expect I +should be as bad as the rest of them here. I've had to stand out agin +hard persuasions. They've tried to git me to take a glass of lager; +sez they, 'lager won't hurt nobody;' sez I, 'it's hurt you.' You see, +it don't require no argument, I can pint 'em to facts. Now, there's +Prime Hawley; when he come here to live, he was a fine, stiddy young +man; his wife was as pretty as a rose, and as happy as a lark. +Somehow, Prime got to going to that saloon. Well, I gin him fair +waning. Sez I, 'Prime, they'll get the halter on ye, if ye go there;' +sez he 'I guess not, a glass of lager won't hurt nobody;' but now, +sure as fate, he's the worst of 'em all. He's whipped and frightened +his putty wife most to death, and she's got sickly now. Some say he's +even jined Bloody Jim's gang. 'Tween--" + +"Hark!" said the Doctor, suddenly interrupting the narrator. + +Deep, agonizing groans were distinctly heard in the direction of the +Pass, which they were nearing. + +"O, murder, what's that?" shouted daddy; and he wheeled his horse +about and gallopped homeward. + +"Stop, come back here," shouted the Doctor, at the top of his voice. + +The old man reluctantly obeyed. Approaching within a short distance of +the Doctor, he motioned that individual towards him. "O, Doctor, +'twont do fur to go furder," said he; "'tween you and me, I've heern +say, that's jist the way them robbers do, when they want to ketch +anybody. There goes that yell agin. O, that ere _is_ awful; we'll get +ketched; it won't do fur to stay here." + +Exasperated beyond endurance at the cowardice of his guide, the Doctor +bade him remain where he was, while he went forward to reconnoitre. A +short ride round the point of the bluff brought him directly upon the +bleeding form of the desperado, who had attacked him the preceeding +evening. Hailing daddy, he alighted and approached the apparently +dying man. + +"Prime Hawley, by gol!" exclaimed daddy, as he came up. "Why, Prime," +said he, hopping briskly down from his saddle; "twixt you and me, how +did you get in this ere fix?" + +"Oh! oh!" groaned Prime, "take me home; I'm dying." + +"I'll take him home if you say so, Doctor," said daddy, "his heft is +nothing, and it's near by." + +"Very well, I'll follow with the horses." + +"I say, Prime," said the old man, when they had nearly reached the +home of the sufferer, "tween you and me, aint had nothin' to do with +Bloody Jim, have you!" + +"Yes, I have; curse him!" + +"He ain't nowhere 'bout here now, is he?" + +"I expect not, oh! oh! I wish he was suffering as I am." + +"O, Miss Hawley, 'tween you an' me, here's a sore trial fur you," said +daddy to a pale-faced, delicate looking woman, who met him at the +cabin door with looks of alarm. + +Mrs. Hawley trembled violently, and her pale face grew a shade paler, +but she asked no questions, as she led the way to the bed. Her +silence, at first, impressed the Doctor with the idea that she was +accessory to her husband's guilt, and he watched her closely. No tear +dimmed her eye, no sigh escaped her, yet she seemed painfully alive to +the agony which her miserable husband endured, while the Doctor was +dressing his wound. + +"Do you think he will live, Doctor?" she enquired in a sort of +hopeless, melancholy tone, as Dr. Goodrich was about to leave. + +"It is an exceedingly critical case," replied the Doctor, "he may +possibly recover." + +"'Tween you and me," said daddy, coming between them, "I'd like to +know how Prime got that shot?" + +Poor Prime shook his head imploringly towards the Doctor, who went to +him, and quieted his apprehensions in a few whispered words. "I don't +care," said Prime, "only it would kill her to know it." + +As they were passing the old brewery, when they were again on their +way, a man came out and accosted them. "Hello, old Roarer," said he, +addressing daddy, "how is Dr. DeWolf, this morning" + +The old man straightened himself in his saddle, and preserved a +dignified silence. + +With an oath, the man commanded him to speak, but daddy rode calmly +on; his indignation got the better of his cautiousness. + +"I'll pound you to a jelly," shouted the man after him, + +"I'll risk it," said daddy addressing the Doctor. + +Now daddy was not really a natural coward. But it cannot be denied +that old age and extreme cautionsness had greatly moderated the +courage which he possessed in his youth. "'Tween you and me," he +continued, "that Hank Glutter is the meanest critter that ever trod +shoe-leather. I've heern poor Mrs. Hawley plead with him not to sell +Prime liquor, and I've heern him order her out of the saloon, and I've +follered her hum, to see how she took it. Well, it was dreadful to see +her goings on. She'd bounce on to the bed and groan there, then she'd +bounce up and throw herself on the floor and groan there, and moan and +holler right out; O, it seemed 'zif she never would get cool. She'd +walk the floor, and wring her hands and take on awful. Them was the +times when she was young and was full of grit--I've been watching her +lately, and she's acted rather different. Ye see she was down to the +brewery night afore last, I seen her coming hum and I knowed she was +dreadful riled about something, so I kept my eyes on her; Lord! if she +didn't drop, right down on her knees afore her bed, and let off all +her feelins in a wonderful strange way. Seems 'zif she just talked to +the Lord. When she riz up, she looked kinder quiet and resigned like, +just as she did to-day; sez I to myself, if there's a God in heaven, +he's heern that woman. I expected he would send fire down and burn +that old brewery that very night, but there it stands and that old +cuss, that hollered after me, is alive yet. 'Tween you and me, them +things is kinder strange, now aint they, Doctor?" + +"Rather strange," replied the Doctor dryly. + +After riding a few moments in silence, daddy ventured to make still +another attempt to open a conversation. "'Tween you and me, Doctor, +was you acquainted with Miss Sherman?" + +"What Miss Sherman?" said the Doctor in surprise. + +"Why, young Edward's mother, down in the old Bay State. I ain't heern +nothin' from the folks down thar since I left. I seed young Edward +didn't know me, but I've dandled him on my knee many a time, when he +was a leetle shaver. 'Tween you and me there was a gal working at +Judge Sherman's that I had a liking fur, so Sundays, I used to go down +thar sparking, I'd kinder like to know if that gal's spliced yet." + +"What was her name?" + +"Her name was Miss Orrecta Lippincott; they generally called her +Recta, in the Judge's family." + +"Recta is single yet, I saw her just before we left; but why did'nt +you marry her?" + +"'Tween you and me, Doctor, I was a fool, I've allers felt a kinder +hankering after her. I can't get over them fust feelings I had, to +this ere day. Is she handsome yit, Doctor?" + +"Not very." + +"Well, I used to tell her if she got old and grey, it wouldn't make no +difference in my feelins," said the old man, rubbing his great, coarse +hand across his eyes. + +"'Tain't natur," he began after a moment's pause, "to keep our +feelings shet in allers. Now, mammy is chuck full of spunk since +she's married me, so I aint let on to nobody. Ye see, if she got hold +on't, she'd never give me a minute's peace." + +"Well, why didn't you marry Miss Lippincott?" + +"'Tween you and me, Doctor, I got it into my head that she liked Sam +Brown. Ye see, there was a man told me that he seed him and her kiss, +right afore Judge Sherman's gate. Wall, this feller was allers puttin' +me up to think that Orrecta was flirty like, and I was jest fool +enough to believe him, so I jest packed up my duds and cum out West, +with Dr. DeWolf. He'd been teasing me to cum 'long with him fur some +time. Ye see, I'd allers been his gardener, ever since he was married. +Miss DeWolf that's dead now, she sot heaps by me. 'Now, Philip,' says +she--ye see my real name is Philip Roarer--'we can't get 'long without +you, fur to milk the cow and make the garden'. I could see that her +eyes was a leetle watery like, and I knew that she hated to cum off +alone, with the Doctor, 'cause sometimes when he got a leetle tight, +he didn't treat her nun too well. But the Doctor got 'long fust rate, +when he fust got here; he didn't drink much and he made heaps of +money, he and a crony of hisn, named Squire Tinknor. He lives in St. +Paul now, and does the Doctor's business fur him yet. Ye see, Squire +Tinknor can drink a barrel of liquor and not feel it, but the Doctor +gets crazy enough, on nothing but lager. 'Tween you an' me, that old +brewery in the holler has played the devil with the Doctor. I told +Hank Glutter how it would be, when he fust sot up the saloon in't. Sez +I, 'Mr. Glutter, I'd rather you'd chop this ere right hand of mine +right off, than to place that are temptation afore Dr. DeWolf.' Sez +he, 'What's the harm of a leetle beer?' Sez I, 'Ain't you goin' to +sell nothin' else?' Sez he, 'O, I may keep a few liquors jest for +variety.' Seems zif I should sink when he said that are, but I jest +felt zif I couldn't gin up, so I let right into him. It didn't do no +kinder good though. Sez he, 'If I don't sell it somebody else will, +and I might as will make money on it as anybody.' Well, the long and +short of it is, Doctor, he has got rich on't and now, 'tween you and +me, he's kinder hanging 'round the honey, but I guess he'll git his +walkin' papers afore long; ye see, the honey she's alive, every inch +on her." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + THE SALOON KEEPER--COMFORTING REFLECTIONS--THE UNWELCOME + CALL--DIABOLICAL PLOTTING. + + +Swearing vengeance on daddy, who had treated him with such unqualified +contempt, Hank Glutter entered his saloon. He was a young man of about +thirty years of age, rather below medium height. His form was well +developed, his complexion light, and his hair curled in luxuriant +ringlets. He was exceedingly vain of his appearance, and, when in good +humor, caressed his whiskers incessantly. He was of a respectable +family and his education was liberal, and yet he was nothing more +than a smooth-tongued, hard-hearted, revengeful villain. + +He had aspired to Little Wolf's hand, but, on making some unmistakable +advances to that lady, he was promptly repelled. + +The supreme contempt with which she invariably treated him exasperated +him to such a degree, that he conceived the diabolical project of +placing her in the power of Bloody Jim, with whom he had already had +some secret dealings. + +At his suggestion, Bloody Jim made overtures to Prime Hawley to assist +in the undertaking. Prime, being in exceedingly indigent +circumstances, could not resist the tempting reward offered. + +The plan to capture Little Wolf, and convey her across the river, in +her own skiff, to a point, where, having in mind his defeat on a +former occasion, he had stationed a guard, was well laid, but +miscarried, as we have already seen. + +Bloody Jim was but slightly wounded, and he soon recovered +sufficiently to seek a place of safety, leaving Prime Hawley, as he +supposed, dead. + +Hank Glutter could gather no satisfactory information from the +intoxicated set, who that night returned from Dr. DeWolf's, and, as we +have seen, daddy was disinclined to relieve his suspense; therefore, +he resolved to go in person to the Doctor's, and ascertain, if +possible, the precise position of affairs. + +By way of smoothing his ruffled plumes, he hastily swallowed a +stimulating draught, and very soon a more complacent expression +settled upon his countenance. + +Approaching a large mirror, he bestowed a momentary attention upon his +dress, but lingered lovingly over his glossy ringlets. "Miss DeWolf +was a fool to turn the cold shoulder to me," said he to himself, as he +gave the finishing touch to his soft flaxen hair. "I wonder if Bloody +Jim really got her. If he has, wouldn't she be glad to fly to my arms, +though." + +These comforting reflections were entirely dispelled, when a few +moments afterwards, he was ushered into the parlor at Dr. DeWolf's, +and in utter astonishment, beheld Little Wolf on apparently intimate +terms with the handsome stranger. She was holding an earnest +conversation with Edward concerning her father, and did not at first +notice the presence of the intruder, who was, by this time, heartily +wishing himself behind his bar again. But, contrary to his +expectations, the young lady granted him a gracious reception, and +introducing him to Mr. Sherman, almost immediately excused herself to +attend upon the invalid. + +The young men left alone entered into conversation, and, so well did +Hank Glutter conceal his true character, that Edward was quite well +pleased with his appearance, and at the close of the interview, +accepted a polite invitation to accompany Hank to his saloon, and when +there, was easily persuaded to take a glass of lager beer. The day was +hot and the lager of the finest quality, so before he left, he drank +several glasses more, and while thus engaged, confided to his +entertainer the whole story of his adventure with Bloody Jim. + +"But what became of the men who were shot," said Hank, burning with +impatience to learn the fate of his accomplices. + +"O, we left the dead to bury their dead, Mr. Glutter. Miss DeWolf is +confident there is a gang of the ruffians. I intend to make it my +business to look after them a little." + +"So do I," said Hank, and as soon as Mr. Sherman was gone, he +proceeded to put his dangerous threat into execution, by calling upon +Mrs. Hawley. + +"Good morning, Mrs. Hawley," said he in his blandest tone, as she +slowly approached the open door, in answer to his gentle tap. "Is +Prime at home?" + +He was about to enter, but Mrs. Hawley quietly motioned him back, and +herself stepped outside, "Mr. Hawley is very ill," said she, "and +unable to see company." + +"May I not be allowed to see him a moment?" + +"No, sir." + +"Just for a moment," he persisted, "I am really anxious to see Prime." + +"No, sir; his life might be the forfeit." + +"Now, really, Mrs. Hawley--" + +"Mr. Glutter," said she, interrupting him, "have you forgotten your +conduct to me the last time we met?" and a burning spot came to her +cheeks, and scathing words dropped from her lips. "You know too well, +sir, that my home is desolate, my heart is broken, and my husband is +murdered, all through the influence of your cursed business. I thought +I would treat you politely, Mr. Glutter, but I cannot. God forgive me. +Leave me; the very sight of you makes me desperate. Leave me, I say, +if you would not again have the curse of a drunkard's wife fall upon +your blackened soul." + +"What a perfect she-devil you are," said Hank, now throwing off all +restraint. "I mean to see Prime, spite of you." + +"Try it, if you dare," said she, and her eyes flashed and sparkled +with a desperate purpose, as she planted herself in the door. + +Just then, Dr. Goodrich and daddy, on their return trip, were seen +approaching. + +"You'll repent this," said her persecutor with an oath, and +immediately withdrew. + +He went directly to the cove where Little Wolf's boat was usually +moored. It was not there, and he took courage. + +"Bloody Jim could not be hurt much," he soliloquized in an undertone, +"or he couldn't have taken the boat away. I shall manage that girl +yet, and that Sherman, too, if he don't take care of himself. They'll +be lovers, I see that plainly enough. So much the better; moonlight +walks will follow, as a matter of course. Now we'll see who will beat +in this game." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + MUSIC--THE WARNING--PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER INTERRUPTED--THE + WELCOME BOAT. + + +Three months had passed, and during that time, Dr. DeWolf had entirely +recovered his health. Prime Hawley was up and doing, following with +renewed vigor his former pursuits; threats and entreaties had wrung +from him a half-hearted confession, but, out of pity for his wife, the +affair was hushed up, and he was saved from merited punishment. + +Bloody Jim had not been seen or heard of, and he alone carried the +secret of Hank Glutter's criminal designs. + +Edward Sherman had become an almost daily visitor at Dr. DeWolf's, and +while his friend Dr. Goodrich was establishing himself in his +profession at Pendleton, he was gradually gaining a more certain hold, +on the affections of Little Wolf. + +Our heroine was still, to all appearance, the same little bundle of +contradictions that she had always been. + +"There, I'm always sure to do the very thing I say I will not do," she +said to herself half pettishly, as she opened her piano with a jerk, +and ran her fingers carelessly, over the keys, one fine October day. + +Very soon she was quite absorbed, in practicing a difficult piece of +music, which her lover had, heretofore, recommended in vain. + +"O, Miss DeWolf, there's a squaw here that wants to see you," said +Sorrel Top, bursting suddenly into the room. + +"O, she's begging, no doubt. Give her what she wants, Sorrel Top, I'm +engaged just now," and Little Wolf went on with her music. + +"There, I told you so. I knowed Miss DeWolf wouldn't have nothing to +do with squaws, or injins, nor nothing else that's low," exclaimed +Sorrel Top, loud enough to be heard by her young mistress, who always +made it a point to do the very thing it was expected she would not do. + +The dumpy little copper-colored creature, enveloped in an Indian +blanket, before whom Sorrel Top had drawn herself up with a triumphant +toss of the head, was just making a second plea, when Little Wolf made +her appearance. + +"I want to hear music, do tell the lady I want to hear music," she +said in very good English. + +"O, if that's what you want, come this way," said Little Wolf, leading +on to the parlor. + +The Indian followed, pattering along in her soft moccasins, leaving +Sorrel Top quite crest fallen. + +"Now here is where the music comes from," said Little Wolf, placing +her hand upon the instrument, and following her piece of information +with a lively air. + +"Now, how do you like that?" + +"It is very pretty; may I try to make music?" + +"Certainly," said Little Wolf, vacating her seat with infinite +condescention. The maiden drew her blanket more closely around her, +and made it fast. Her exceedingly small and finely formed hands were +now at liberty, and, instead of the discordant notes which her auditor +fully expected, a flood of harmonious sounds burst upon her ear. + +"What does this mean?" exclaimed Little Wolf in utter astonishment, +when the strains had ceased. + +The performer bent upon her a long searching look, and enquired, "Are +you Miss De Wolf?" + +"I am." + +The strange visitor immediately rose and approached the door. + +"There! stop; who are you?" demanded Little Wolf, vehemently. + +"Hush! I was going to bolt the door," and she deliberately turned the +key in the lock. "I'm your friend, young lady, and I'm come to warn +you of impending danger." + +Little Wolf slightly paled, but she stood firm awaiting further +developments. + +"Too much time has been wasted already," she began, "Bloody Jim is +here, at Chimney Rock, waiting for the first favorable moment to +kidnap you, and murder your servants, and set fire to your home. He is +now more daring and reckless than ever. Three times you have thwarted +him, and he still carries the scars he has received at your hands. +This is the day, and, for ought I know, the very hour, that he designs +to fall upon you. It was to be when your father was helplessly +intoxicated, and yourself entirely off your guard. I think he has two +or three accomplices living in this place. I love Bloody Jim, steeped +in crime as he is, and I beg of you, if it shall be possible for you +to save yourself without taking his life, you will do so. I have now +done all I can for you; good bye." + +"There, you shall not go," exclaimed Little Wolf, springing towards +her, "you must stay and assist me." + +"I can do nothing more for you, Miss De Wolf, indeed, I cannot. I have +told you all I know. My journey has been exceedingly painful and +perilous, and I am completely exhausted. If I am discovered, I must +inevitably lose my life. I do not dread death, but if alive, and you +should be captured, I might possibly render you some assistance. Now +you must not detain me." + +"Well, but who are you," persisted Little Wolf, "that you are able to +give me all this information, and yet cannot give me any aid?" + +"I can, in all probability, aid you more by going than by remaining," +said the other hurriedly. "My skin is stained, my clothes are stuffed +to give me this fleshy appearance, but you will recognize me if we +meet again. My name is Antoinette Le Claire. Now I _must_ go. The +good Lord help you," and she waddled off, in precise imitation of a +fat old squaw. + +"Now I must be brave," thought Little Wolf, pressing her hand on her +brow, while she tried to think what plan to pursue. + +Her first thought was for her father's safety, who was, as usual, at +the brewery, where he had gone soon after dinner, and as he had not +been there long, she hoped he was not, as yet, intoxicated. + +Stepping to the door, she hailed daddy, who was busy storing away some +vegetables in the cellar, for winter use. "See here, daddy, I want you +to go down to the brewery as quick as you can, and tell father--well, +tell him I'm sick, and want to see him right away." + +"'Tween you and me, honey,"-- + +"O, go, this minute, daddy," and she shut the door in his face, and +proceeded to the kitchen, where she found mammy quietly smoking her +pipe in the corner. + +"O, mammy, where is Sorrel Top?" said she. + +"Sorrel Top, why she's picking grapes for that are jelly you wanted +made. I'm going to help her when I git rested, and slick up a leetle." + +"No, mammy, you must help me. Bloody Jim is around here somewhere, and +he's going to try to kill us all and burn the house. I've just sent +daddy for father, and you had better call Sorrel Top. I'll get my +pistols, and we'll secure the house." + +"O, laws a mercy! how did you find it out, honey?" + +"Wait 'till we are safe and I'll tell you." + +"O, honey, did you tell daddy?" + +"No." + +"O, I'm awful glad, he'd be so flustrated you know." + +"Yes, I know; now don't you get flustrated, and let it out quite yet, +you had better tell Sorrel Top, though." + +Sorrel Top was duly informed, and they all set to work, and had made +what arrangements for their safety they could, when daddy returned. + +"'Tween you and me, Honey, the Doctor can't come." + +Little Wolf knew, by the expression on the old servant's face, why her +father could not come, and she went up close to him, and whispered, +"Is he very bad, daddy?" + +"O yes, pet, 'tween you and me, he's dead drunk." + +A shiver ran through the daughter at this intelligence, and she now +felt strong suspicions that Hank Glutter was implicated in her enemy's +plot, and the condition of her father indicated that the crisis was +near at hand. + +"Well, daddy, cannot you get him some way?" she enquired, after a +moment's thought, "can't you get some of the men to help you?" + +"There ain't nobody there but Hank Glutter." + +"Well, won't he assist you?" + +"Bless your heart, honey, no--he ordered me off when I was there just +now, and said things it wouldn't do for you to hear, no how." + +"If you should write him a little billet and ask him, may be he +would," suggested mammy. + +The note was speedily dispatched, and ran thus:-- + + "Will Mr. Glutter do Miss DeWolf the favor to assist the + bearer, in bringing her father home." + +"Now, honey, 'tween you and me," said daddy, who soon after returned +in high displeasure, "that Hank Glutter can lie as fast as a hoss can +trot. He turned red clar up to his har, when he read your billet, and +sez he to me, 'go tell Miss DeWolf that I've sprained my right arm, +and can't lift a pound.'" + +"The Lord be praised, there's a steamer coming," exclaimed Little +Wolf. + +All eyes were instantly turned in the direction of the river, and +several miles away, the smoke bursting from the tall pipes of a +steamboat, and curling towards the clouds, was distinctly visible. + +"Now, daddy, you must take that boat and carry a letter to--to Mr. +Sherman, and we'll see if we can't outwit Mr. Glutter." + +"O, but, honey, 'tween you and me, them 'taters and things must be got +in. What if we should have a frost to-night, and spile 'em. Hank will +send the Doctor home when it's time to lock up, and it don't make much +difference whether he's here or there." + +"Yes, it does, daddy, and I'm bound to have father home, now I've set +out, so you run to the landing, and give the signal." + +"Hurry him up, mammy," she whispered to her housekeeper, and +immediately went to her writing desk. + +"Laws, how can I leave them are taters, mammy?" he said, appealing to +his better-half. + +"Laws, you can git back in time to kiver 'em up; you'll better let +'em spile and keep on the right side of the pet. Likely she's got +something _particular_ she wants to say to Mr. Sherman; girls is up to +sich things. There, now, you'd better leave, that are boat is heaving +in sight." + +Chimney Rock was one of those insignificant points, on the Upper +Mississippi, where steamers seldom had occasion to land, and it became +necessary to hoist a signal, when any of the inhabitants wished to +take passage on a boat from that place. + +Daddy vigorously waved his red flag to and fro, and the result was, in +ten minutes, he had embarked on board the steamer "Golden Era," with +Little Wolf's communication stowed safely away in his pocket. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + THE LOVE-LETTER--DISCUSSION--A QUICK RIDE--TOO LATE--VIOLENCE + AND DEATH. + + +Dr. Goodrich's cosey office, situated on the corner of Second and +Centre Streets, in the village of Pendleton, was a convenient lounging +place for Edward Sherman, and it so happened that on the very day that +Little Wolf had dispatched her messenger, he had repaired thither to +read his newspapers and letters, smoke cigars, and indulge in the +comfort which a confidential chat with a friend, generally affords to +a companionable mind. + +"See here, Doctor," said he, depositing the bundle of mail matter on +the office table, and seating himself in an arm-chair beside it. + +"Anything for me?" said the Doctor, who was busy arranging some +papers. + +"A letter from _her_," said Edward, with slow, droll emphasis. + +"Really, Ned, that is decidedly cool. How long do you propose to make +me wait for it?" + +"Help yourself, Doctor. It's there among the papers," said Edward, +lighting a cigar. + +Occasionally, Edward glanced over the top of his newspaper to observe +the animated countenance of his friend, as he perused the lines traced +by the hand of love. + +Having thus marked his progress to the end, he enquired, "Now, Doctor, +what says my little sister?" + +"She says, Ned, 'this is now the middle of Autumn.'" + +"O, is that _all_?" + +"Well, the next in order is,'and mother is expecting Edward home +soon.'" + +"That is just what I have been expecting to hear for a week past, +Doctor. You know I have made my success with Miss De Wolf the +condition on which I should be induced to locate here. Well, I'm +pretty sure of her, and I have at length determined to hang out my +shingle, and go to work. I can see no way but to persuade mother and +Louise to come out here and live with us." + +"Then, you are really engaged to Miss De Wolf, Ned?" + +"Why, no, not exactly. I doubt whether we shall ever, really, be +formally engaged. I wouldn't be surprised if she told me, an hour +before our marriage, that she didn't intend to take me; but then, I +know she will. Poor old daddy has frequently volunteered the +information that the Pet will never marry a man, who has been guilty +of drinking a glass of lager beer. He says she is bitterly opposed to +anything that will _'toxicate_, but I suspect the experience she has +had with her father has put those ultra notions into her head." + +"No wonder, Ned; the fact that there are hundreds of such cases as +Dr. De Wolf's has influenced my opinion on the subject to a greater +extent, perhaps, than any other, and really, I'm glad Miss De Wolf +favors total abstinence; I hope she will convert you." + +"Never, my friend. I shall always adhere to the principle that a man +is capable of controlling his appetite, within the bounds of reason. +Let a man but _will_ to drink moderately, and he can." + +"But, Ned, a person seldom _wills_ to drink moderately, but ends by +_willing_ to drink immoderately. Now in such cases what becomes of +your theory?" + +"The fact is, Doctor, you and I have so often discussed the subject, +that I believe there is nothing new left to be said, on either side. I +wish Hank Glutter was here, and he would show you in five minutes, why +we should not deprive ourselves of the gifts of Providence, simply +because others have abused them." + +"I pity a drunkard, Ned," said the Doctor, very quietly, "but I +despise a drunkard-maker, and the less conversation I have with one +of that class, the better." + +The color quickly mounted to Edward's face, but a loud knock at the +door suspended his reply. + +"Come in," said the Doctor, and in stalked daddy. + +"'Tween you and me, Mr. Sherman," said he, approaching Edward, "the +honey has sent you a letter; here it is." + +Edward received the letter with a mixture of surprise and pleasure, +which he could not conceal. + +Unfolding it with nervous haste, he ran his eye over the few brief +lines. "Good heavens!" he exclaimed, starting to his feet, "Bloody Jim +is at Chimney Rock again." + +Daddy sprang forward, with dilated eyes and open mouth, and fastened +his grip upon Edward, who comprehended in an instant why the old man +had not been apprized of the nature of his errand, and he resolved on +returning him to his former state of blissful ignorance. + +"Let me see; have I made a mistake?" said he, again looking over the +letter, "Bloody Jim is not at Chimney-Rock, after all." + +"'Tween you and me, what made you think he was?" said daddy, whose +panic began to subside. + +"O, I saw his name, and took it for granted he was there. I did not +quite make out what was said." + +"The billet was writ in a hurry, Mr. Sherman; you must excuse it. The +honey is the most distinctest writer I knows on. She got a wonderful +edication down thar, in New York; 'tween-- + +"Miss DeWolf wants me to go to Chimney Rock immediately," said Edward, +arresting the words on the lips of his garrulous visitor. + +"Sartain, I know'd it." + +"The Doctor will go with us, and I want you to go to Frink's stable +and order the horses; we will be ready by the time you come round." + +"I'll dew it." + +"Now in the name of wonder, what does all this mean?" exclaimed the +Doctor, as daddy slammed the door behind him. + +Edward handed him Little Wolf's letter, which merely stated that +Bloody Jim was at Chimney Rock, and she was momentarily expecting +violence at his hands. + +No time was lost in vain conjectures; a constable was engaged, and the +friends had already buckled on their armor, which consisted of pistols +and bowie knives, when daddy returned with their horses. They were +fleet-footed animals, and he was himself well mounted. + +Not long were the horsemen in reaching the well-known "Pass," and as +they emerged from the trees, and approached the house, no indication +of the threatened hostilities appeared. But still they dashed along +over the fallen leaves and faded turf, and drew up in front of Dr. De +Wolf's. + +All was quiet about the old brown house. They dismounted and +approached the door, daddy leading the way, with the air of a +conqueror. He saw in imagination his young mistress triumphing over +the discomfited Hank Glutter, and he greatly gloried in the +anticipated conquest. + +His companions were secretly uneasy at the unusual stillness which +reigned around, and when he attempted to open the front door, and it +resisted his efforts, Edward anxiously stepped forward and knocked +loudly and hurriedly. + +"Never mind," said the old man complacently, "I guess them women folks +have gone out. I'll just step around the back way, and let you in." + +The gentlemen followed him without ceremony into the kitchen, and the +first object that met their horrified sight, was mammy, stretched +lifeless on the floor. + +It would be impossible to describe the grief and terror which took +possession of daddy, or the agony of doubt which sent Edward like a +madman through the house. As he flung open the door of a spacious +sleeping apartment on the second floor, clouds of smoke and flame +drove him back. A pile of light bedding and other inflammable +articles had been set on fire near the centre of the room, but the +fire had not, as yet, communicated itself to the building, and Edward, +finding water near by, soon succeeded in extinguishing the flames. + +While he was thus engaged, Sorrel Top emerged from an adjoining +chamber, trembling so as to be scarcely able to stand. + +"Where is Miss De Wolf?" exclaimed Edward. + +"O, they've carried her off; oh! oh! oh!"--and a long shudder shook +her frame. + +"Sorrel Top," said Edward, assuming calmness in order to allay her +fears, "there is no immediate danger, and I want you to tell me as +distinctly as you can, all that has occurred." + +"O, Mr. Sherman, Bloody Jim has been here. I expect it was he, and we +were watching for him, too, but we didn't any of us see him come. I +was watching on the east side of the house, and mammy was watching in +the kitchen, and I could see Miss De Wolf through the long hall, +standing right by that window there, looking out, and Bloody Jim came +up behind her sly, and catched her before she saw him at all. She +screeched out, and tried to get away, but he held her tight, and +hollered, 'come on, boys.' and two men run right in, and they tied her +hands, and stopped her mouth, and just strapped a big blanket around +her, and carried her off, and I ran and hid, for I thought they'd kill +me if they saw me." + +"How long since they were here?" said Edward, eagerly. + +"O, it's only a little while, and may be you can ketch 'em," said +Sorrel Top, brightening up a little. + +Sorrel Top's reply infused a bright ray of hope into Edward's highly +wrought feelings, and, accompanied by his friends, he immediately +started in pursuit. + +Just outside the house they met Mrs. Hawley, who informed them, that +sometime before she had seen three men going towards the brewery. To +the brewery they quickly went. The wily proprietor denied having seen +the fugitives, and feigned excessive emotion when informed of their +inhuman deeds. + +"In what direction would you advise us to search, Mr. Glutter?" said +Edward. + +"O, you had better strike off among the bluffs. They could hardly take +the river by daylight without being discovered. Probably they will +reach some point above here after dark, and cross to the other side +under cover of night. I will dispatch a messenger to Pendleton for +aid. My men, unfortunately, are gone after grain, and I am uncertain +when they will return. Dr. DeWolf, I am sorry to say, is perfectly +helpless to-day. While I was out a few minutes he helped himself too +freely." + +Hank Glutter faithfully performed his promises. The same evening +officers of justice were sent out from Pendleton, and a party of young +men volunteered their services, and like Edward and the Doctor, +travelled many miles. But all in vain, Bloody Jim had escaped with his +prize. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + BLOODY JIM'S ADVANTAGES--THE FAINTING CAPTIVE--THE TRAGIC + QUARREL--OUTWITTED AT LAST--THE REFUGE. + + +His intimate acquaintance with the wild region of country, over which +he directed his course, gave Bloody Jim an immense advantage over his +pursuers. + +While they were floundering in treacherous sloughs, or climbing +unknown heights, he was riding safely and swiftly along in company +with his prisoner and the two villians, whom Sorrel Top described as +having assisted in kidnapping her mistress. + +Little Wolf was so narrowly watched by the trio that escape seemed +impossible. As each hour bore her farther from civilization, and +nearer to the Red River country, her heart sank within her. + +She was compelled to pursue her journey a large portion of each night, +and when her captors stopped for rest and refreshment, she was either +lashed to a tree, or bound, so as to be unable to rest with the +slightest ease or comfort. + +Under such rigorous treatment her strength rapidly declined, and, at +the close of the third day, entirely failed. They had reached the foot +of a beautiful wooded bluff at a bend in the Mississippi, where the +town of St. Cloud has since been located. Here they were suddenly +brought to a stand; the poor jaded captive had fainted. + +Bloody Jim saw her reeling in her saddle and instantly threw his +brawny arm around her frail form. Dismounting, and laying his +unconscious burden on a bed of dry leaves, which the wind had gathered +under a huge oak, he produced from his knapsack a bottle of brandy, +and proceeded to wet her face, and force a few drops into her mouth. + +At the sight of the long-concealed bottle, his men chuckled with +delight, and as soon as Little Wolf exhibited signs of returning life, +they requested a "treat." + +Bloody Jim, now deeming himself beyond pursuit for one night at least, +acceded to their wishes, and also himself indulged in his favorite +beverage. + +Little Wolf gathered from their conversation and movements that they +designed to camp for the night at their present station, and their +occasional rude allusions to herself filled her with terror. She +struggled to throw off the oppressive faintness which she felt a +second time stealing upon her, but, when she saw Bloody Jim +approaching her, the horrors of her situation completely overcame her, +and she again swooned. + +"Ugh!" grunted the disappointed savage, giving her inanimate form a +rude kick. + +"She wake before morning," suggested one of his comrades +encouragingly, as he passed him the precious bottle. + +Bloody Jim took it, put it to his lips, drained it dry, and handed it +back. + +This was too much for his already half drunk consoler; he angrily +flung the empty bottle into Bloody Jim's face, and in retaliation +received in a twinkling his death stab. + +Half breed No. 3 observed the transaction with evident satisfaction. +He applauded the murderer and cajoled him into furnishing from, the +bowels of his knapsack a fresh supply of the poisonous liquor. + +After gratifying their rum appetite to the full, the athletic men +gradually became as helpless as infants, and, sinking on the ground as +the darkness gathered around them, they fell into heavy sleep. + +In about an hour Little Wolf partially recovered, but, supposing +herself to be closely guarded, and still suffering from extreme +lassitude, she closed her eyes, and gradually fell into profound +slumber. + +The hours glided on. The waning moon looked sadly in through the +branches of the old oaks upon the sleepers. There lay the murdered man +with his upturned, ghastly face; scattered near him were the fragments +of the broken bottle. Yet a little further on were the prostrate forms +of his guilty fellows, and still beyond reclined the innocent one. + +There was a rustling among the leaves and light footsteps drew near, +and Antoinette Le Clare gazed upon the scene. She was still habited in +her Indian costume. Softly approaching Little Wolf she as softly awoke +her. + +Little Wolf looked up wildly into the dark face that bent over her and +recognized it in a moment. Antoinette silently assisted her to rise, +undid her fetters, and taking her hand, noiselessly led her from the +spot. + +The staggering gait of her companion disclosed to Antoinette her +extreme weakness hoping to revive her drooping energies she whispered +"Courage a little longer, Miss de Wolf, and you are safe." + +"I've courage enough to put an end to them," said Little Wolf, with a +momentary flash of her wonted spirit, "but I'm so dizzy." + +"Well, rest here while I bring my pony." + +"No, I'll go with you," and by an act of the will Little Wolf forced +herself along until they reached the shaggy little Indian pony on the +glade. + +This they both mounted, Little Wolf still struggling bravely with her +increasing illness. But it was all in vain; a violent fever was +seizing upon her. She was alternately distressed with hot flashes and +cold chills, and worse still, her mind began to wander. + +Antoinette was in deep distress. Her plan to fly for protection to the +nearest settlement was completely frustrated. It was too far; she +could not hope to reach it in safety. But, thinking she might possibly +discover a place of refuge in some other direction, she turned her +horse and dashed off she knew not whither. + +Having rode on for several miles over prairie and oak openings, +determining to put all possible distance between herself and Bloody +Jim, a most welcome sight met her view. + +It was a log cabin standing on an eminence, comfortable in appearance +and snugly embosomed in a grove of trees. + +As there was no enclosure around it, she rode close to the door, and, +without dismounting; knocked loudly with her riding whip. + +An echo was her only reply. The same results followed repeated +attempts to obtain a hearing, and she came to the conclusion that the +house was either unoccupied, or the inmates were insensible to noise. +The former proved to be the case, and what was more unpleasant, the +door was firmly fastened. + +Letting the invalid--whom she had supported partly by her arm and +partly by fastening her blanket around both--slide softly to the +ground, Antoinette dismounted and effected an entrance through a small +window. There was but one room in the dwelling, and this was scantily +furnished. A bed, a cook-stove, a flour barrel and a chest occupied +each a corner. + +On a couple of hooks that were fastened to a beam overhead rested a +rifle, and from a peg at the side was suspended a violin. A hat, an +old pair of boots, pushed partly under the bed, and several other +articles of men's wearing apparel lying about the room, proclaimed the +abode of a single man. + +The door was secured within by a wooden bar, which Antoinette speedily +removed, and, by extraordinary exertions on the part of her friend, +Little Wolf was removed to a comfortable couch in the cabin. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + THE KIDNAPPER'S SURPRISE--ON THE WRONG TRACK--BLOODY JIM'S + CAPTURE--THE POWER OF HABIT--DISPAIR--THE ROTTEN PLANK. + + +It was late on the following morning when Bloody Jim awoke. He rubbed +his eyes and scratched his head with a vacant stare, for he did not at +first remember where he was. When the objects by which he was +surrounded had sufficiently refreshed his memory he began to look +about for his prisoner and, behold, she was nowhere to be seen. + +He ground his teeth with rage. "Ketchum," he said, giving his still +snoring companion a tremendous shake, "wake up, that d----d gal is +gone." + +"Gone!" exclaimed Ketchum, starting up and beating around among the +bushes, "she aint gone far I reckon." + +"She has too," said Bloody Jim, following his exclamation with an +oath. + +"How do you know, Jim?" + +"That horse she's taken, Ketchum, will travel like lightning." + +Now it so happened that the animal alluded to had broken loose during +the night, and, as Bloody Jim had appropriated his services without +consulting his master, who was an honest farmer living in the vicinity +of St. Paul, the sagacious beast deliberately set out to return to his +former comfortable quarters. + +The natural conclusion of the villains was that Little Wolf had fled +on their missing horse, and so when they had succeeded in finding his +track they followed it. Mile after mile of their former route was +retraced. Hour after hour they plodded on, scarcely stopping to give +their beasts necessary rest until the night overtook them, and then +were only delayed for a short time. They rose with the moon, and, in a +few hours actually came in sight of the deserter. He was drinking at +the river's brink within sound of the roar of St. Anthony's Falls. +Perceiving his pursuers approaching, the noble beast threw up his +head, gave a loud snort and darted off. + +Bloody Jim gave an impatient grunt, but Ketchum clapped his hands with +delight. "Golly: the gal must be near here," said he. + +"No, me think she got to the tavern on yonder hill. We must find a +hiding place, Ketchum, and me have the gal yet, or the constable have +me." + +Bloody Jim little thought when he made his boast that he would be in +the power of the constable before night, but so it was. The riderless +horse having been seen at St. Anthony's, suspicions were aroused, a +search was instituted, and the result was the capture of the imprudent +and high-handed outlaw. + +To all questions put to him concerning Little Wolf, he had but one +answer, "me not know." + +Threats and bribes elicited nothing more and it was generally supposed +that he had murdered her. But as the whole affair was shrouded in +mystery, there was some few inclined to the opinion, that she was +secreted in some place, from which the protracted absence of Bloody +Jim would give her an opportunity to escape. Among the last named was +Dr. Goodrich and Edward Sherman. + +The Doctor was not at the examination of the prisoner, and Edward +hastened to inform him of the result. He was at his old haunt, and, as +usual, under the influence of stimulus when Edward entered. + +"No satisfactory information could be obtained from the old +scoundrel," said he, throwing himself upon a lounge. + +The events of the past few days had worn upon him, and his anxious +look did not escape Hank Glutter, who turned away to conceal his +exultation. + +"Poor fellow, he too mourns for her," thought Edward, mistaking his +movement for one of grief. + +After a moment's silence, Hank poured out something from the bar. +"Drink this, Sherman," said he, passing it to Edward, "I see you are +tired; it will strengthen you." + +Since Edward's entrance, Dr. DeWolf had sat gazing at him fixedly. The +bleared, dull light of his eyes gave place to a keen, wild expression +as Edward accepted the proffered glass. + +"Mr. Sherman," said he, in an unusually strong voice, "do you see what +is in that cup?" + +"Why, yes, doctor; it is wine." + +"Yes, surely it is wine," replied the other "and your inexperienced +eye sees nothing more than a harmless beverage; neither did this +bleared and bloated old man see more than that in his wine years ago. +Ah! could he have seen in his youth the vision in his cup which he now +sees in that which you now hold to your lips, he might have been +saved from a life of disgrace and ruin. The chain which once bound me +was as light as that which now binds you." + +"No chain binds _me_," said Edward proudly. "I need not drink this +unless I choose." + +"It seems but yesterday, Edward Sherman since I addressed similar +language to your father, and well do I remember his arguments to +induce me to abandon every beverage that could intoxicate. I recollect +how I loathed the drunkard, as you do me, and how my proud heart +rebelled at the humiliating thought that habit would ever become too +strong to be controlled by my will; but boastings were vain; the time +will shortly come when I shall sink into a drunkard's hell--and you, +poor Hank, will be there too," he continued, turning to Hank Glutter, +"you will be sent down to wait upon your customers. You must stand +behind your flaming bar and pour out the liquid fire and brimstone for +such as I; but, never mind, the traffic will enrich you with showers +of molten gold. No drop from God's pure fountain to cool your parched +tongue. One long eternal blaze shall light up your saloon. Drunken +devils reeling to and fro--Oh! I see them now"--and the doctor gave, a +fearful shriek and fell upon the floor. + +He raved frightfully for hours, but in an interval of calmness was +removed to his desolate home. + +The loss of his wife had entirely unfitted daddy for active service, +and Sorrel Top, on account of her youth and inexperience, was an +inefficient nurse: consequently Mrs. Hawley's services were engaged. +Edward also bestowed every attention in his power, but the delirium +tremens had fixed upon his aged friend and his horrid imaginings +continued for days. + +It was impossible for Edward, who was the soul of humanity, to witness +unmoved the doctor's terrible agony, and, at such seasons, he would +invariably resolve that he would put forth an effort to reclaim him. +"I will reason with him and show him the folly of his course," said he +to himself. + +When the invalid was able to bear conversation, Edward approached him +on the subject as delicately as possible. + +"Dr.," said he, "I am young to advise one like you, but if you would +permit me, I think I could prescribe a remedy for your disease, and +one that would ensure you a hale, hearty old age." + +"I know what you would say, Edward," replied the Dr., rising upon his +elbow, "but I cannot do it. I cannot let drink alone. I must drink if +it kills me. Times without number I have forsworn it, and I will never +add another broken vow to my perjured soul. If you would be useful in +the cause of temperance, Edward, if you would save such as I, and, +what is more important, if you would save the young, then use all your +influence to stop the liquor traffic." + +"Oh, I'm not at all ultra," said Edward, somewhat embarrassed, "I have +never given the subject which you mention much thought." + +"Then it is high time you should," said the Dr., warming up with a +look of lofty enthusiasm, "I am sober now, Edward, and I may never be +in my right mind again. I _must_ drink to-day, I know I can get it, +and I will have it; I suppose you would say, 'if he will go to the +devil, let him go;' but I say, if there was no drink to be had, if it +were not sold here, if it were not sold elsewhere, I could not get it, +and I should be saved. A law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating +drinks is what is most needed. I know these sentiments coming from one +like me sound strangely, but, Edward, such a law enforced in my native +state would have saved me, and I know it. Such a law now enforced in +all our states would restore many a besotted husband to a +broken-hearted wife; many a lost son to a widowed mother, many a +darling brother to a distressed and mortified sister. It would bring +light and gladness to thousands of sorrowful hearts and homes; it +would feed the hungry, clothe the naked. Less blood would cry aloud to +heaven for vengeance, and less crime of every description would be +committed. This lovely territory will soon become a state; here you +will rise to eminence in your profession. I know it will be so. You +possess your father's talents, and you also possess his high social +qualities, which, at one time, brought him to the verge of ruin. Judge +Sherman did not at first love drink, but he often drank to please his +friends. His associates tarried at the wine, and he would be one with +them. The secret, Edward, of the fall of nine-tenths of our young men +is social drinking; now, moral suasion has saved many, and no doubt +will save many more. But would you give the serpent his death wound, +then bring the arm of the law down upon him and it is done." + +"The prohibitory liquor law of Maine has been said to have worked +wonders," said Edward rather faintly, "but it is thought to be +unconstitutional, by many of our best lawyers." + +"Undoubtedly it has been so declared," said the Dr., "but I would be +sorry to believe the opinion correct; would not you, Edward?" + +The Dr. fixed his piercing eyes upon Edward, for he began to suspect +that his young friend's views did not coincide with those which he had +expressed. + +Edward moved uneasily in his chair, bit his lips, and finally +stammered out, "Well, I don't know Dr., really, it seems like +depriving a man of his liberty to legislate upon what he shall, or +shall not sell." + +"Even if he sells that which he knows will craze his neighbor's brain, +and cause him to commit the most atrocious crimes? When an individual +directly, or indirectly aids and abets crime, ought he to escape +punishment?" + +Edward saw that he stood upon a plank of the rotten old platform, upon +which so many have broken through, though they still hold to the +decaying posts, and he ingeniously evaded the question. + +"I'm afraid, Dr., you are over-exerting yourself," said he, "I will +leave you to rest while I walk out and breathe the fresh air." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + HARMLESS CONSPIRACY--THE GHOST--THE WIFE MURDERER--TIPPLING + AND TATTLING--MISREPRESENTATIONS. + + +"Mr. Glutter, Dr. DeWolf wants you to fill this flask with brandy," +said Sorrel Top entering the saloon of the former, about an hour after +Edward had left the latter to repose. + +"Certainly," said Hank, with a bland smile. + +"Allow me to speak with you a moment, Mr. Glutter," said Edward +Sherman, hastily leaving his seat near a billiard table, where he was +watching the progress of a game, and taking Hank aside. + +They whispered earnestly together for a few moments. "Very well," said +Hank in conclusion, "I am willing to try that experiment if you wish +it, but the Dr. is very stubborn, I have often tried to check him." +Then turning to Sorrel Top, "Tell the Dr. I have no brandy." + +"Has no brandy?" exclaimed the Dr. as Sorrel Top delivered her +message; "it's a lie. O, I see how it is; Mr. Sherman was there, was +he not?" + +"Yes, sir." + +Here the subject dropped, and the Dr. was unusually quiet and patient +during the remainder of the day. But when Edward kindly offered to sit +by him during the night, he would not listen to him. + +"No, no," said he "I am quite well; the parade of watchers would only +disturb my rest," so Edward contented himself to retire about +midnight. + +The Dr. lay perfectly quiet for an hour or two after Edward left him; +he then crept softly out of bed, partially dressed himself, +noiselessly out of bed, partially dressed himself, and then wrapping a +sheet around him, crept out of the house, by a window which opened +from the room to the piazza. Gliding down the steps and along the +well-worn path he soon reached the brewery, and, as he was familiar +with every part of the establishment, found no difficulty in gaining +access to the saloon. + +The proprietor was lying fast asleep in a room from which he could see +and be seen by any one behind the bar. At the first click of the +bottles he partially aroused and opened his eyes upon his ghost-like +visitor. + +Enveloped in white, and seen in the obscure light, the Dr.'s. most +familiar friends could not possibly have recognized him, and to Hank's +half awakened vision, he presented a really supernatural appearance. + +Hank was not naturally superstitious, and, obeying his first impulse, +he shouted out, "Who in the d----l are you?" + +The Dr. made a warning gesture with his hand, as if to compel silence, +and the audacious questioner instinctively recoiled further back in +his bed. His courage began to fail him, and a mixture of fear and +astonishment kept him silent while his visitor remained, which was +only long enough to secure the prize he was seeking among the contents +of the shelves. + +Not suspecting the full extent of the paralyzing effect his presence +had had upon Hank, and fearing he might attempt to follow, the Dr. +took a circuitous route home, and in his haste stumbled over something +which he discovered to be a shivering, half naked child, crouched upon +the ground. + +"What are you doing out here this time of night, my little fellow?" +said he. + +"I'm afraid of papa," sobbed the child, "he said he'd skin me alive if +I didn't get out of his sight." + +"What is your name? Where do you live? what bad thing have you been +doing?" said the Dr., all in a breath. + +"I live in a shanty out there, I am Fanny Green. I ain't done anything +bad but cry, and I couldn't help it, for papa was striking mamma so." + +"Well, come with me, Fanny, I'll take you to your home, and I won't +let your papa hurt you." + +"Are you an angel?" said Fanny, feeling of the hand that held hers. + +"No, I'm a man, my little girl." + +"I thought you were one of those angels dressed in white that mamma +told me about; they take folks to heaven, and I want to go there, I +don't want to go home." + +They had now reached the wretched hovel that the child called her +home, and she began to weep afresh. + +"O, no, no! I dare not go in," she said, clinging convulsively to her +protector, "I'm afraid he will kill me." + +While she was speaking, the door was roughly flung open, and her +unnatural parent rushed out, brandishing a heavy club; but, at sight +of the figure clad in white, he dropped his bludgeon and ran off, +howling like a wild beast deprived of its prey. + +With a glad cry the child bounded into the shanty, and he heard her +childish voice saying "mamma, don't be afraid any more, papa has gone +way off." + +On reaching his room, the Dr. was relieved to find that his absence +had remained undiscovered, and he drank himself off to sleep. He was, +however, suddenly awakened quite early in the morning by loud +exclamations coming from daddy, and, in the intervals, he +distinguished the sound of the same childlike voice which was +associated with his night's adventure. Immediately calling his old +servant, he inquired the meaning of the commotion. + +"'Tween you and me," said daddy indignantly, "there's more +distruction; little Fanny Green's mother is dead; that brute of a +husband has fairly killed her; knocked her skull in with a club." + +"When did it happen?" + +"O, in the night; Fanny had run out door for to get out of his reach, +and 'tween you and me, she says a man with a white dress on led her +back, and she found her mother dead on the floor. O! we're havin' on't +dreadful now days; spirits walking the airth, never no good comes of +sich things." + +The murder and the reputed ghost, whom several of the inhabitants +testified to having seen at the midnight hour, was the absorbing topic +of conversation in the immediate neighborhood where the tragedy was +enacted. + +For several days succeeding the affair Hank Glutter's saloon was the +general rendezvous of the wonder-loving country people round about. +All appeared to enjoy the tippling vastly more than Hank himself. + +It was not the thought of the needy wife sighing for the hard earned +shilling, with which to provide for the many little forms that must go +half clad, and the little feet uncovered during the approaching +winter, for want of those bits of metal ringing out so sadly as they +fell into his drawer, that clouded his unusually complacent smile; +neither was it the remembrance of the cruel part he had acted in +Little Wolf's abduction that shook his sin-stained soul. He affected +to discredit the appearance of the much-talked-of apparition, and yet +he was continually tormented with a vague dread of a second visit from +his ghost-ship, which he would have pursuaded himself was entirely a +creature of the imagination, had not his missing fourth proof brandy +bottle proved the contrary. + +He had resolved not to mention the occurrence that had so strangely +disturbed him, but, being one day alone with Edward, who had called +particularly to make one of a company who were going out the day +following to renew the search for Little Wolf, he ventured to +communicate his secret to him. + +"Why, Mr. Glutter, why didn't you tell me before?" said Edward smiling +in spite of the sad errand that had brought him there, "all this time +you have needlessly tormented yourself." + +"How so, Mr. Sherman?" + +"Why, Dr. DeWolf swallows a portion of that fourth proof every day. I +have no doubt it was he who paid you the visit. I am certain that he +knows something about the murder of Mrs. Green, and he must have been +the man in white that little Fanny talks about. I see it all clearly +now; Dr. DeWolf is the ghost, and he has kept his bed to prevent +suspicion." + +"I was confident," said Hank with a look of infinite relief, "that the +Dr. would have his dram, spite of our machinations. I have known +several such cases of apparently insatiable thirst, and it was +impossible to keep liquor away from them. Sorrel Top's husband, Harry +Herrick, was the worst case of the kind that ever came under my +observation. He drank quite moderately at first, but suddenly appeared +to have lost all control over his appetite. I reasoned with him in +vain, and finally, out of pity to his family I refused him admission +here altogether. Well, the result was he stole from my cellar what he +could not beg; for the miserable creature was penniless, and before I +was aware of it, he actually drank himself to death. It happened while +Miss DeWolf was away at school, and on her return my conduct was +basely misrepresented to her, and she espoused the widow's cause and +took her into her family, and ever after has treated me with contempt. +However, I harbor no ill will towards Miss DeWolf. I would gladly make +one of your party, were it not entirely impossible for me to leave +here; but believe me, I wish you success, Mr. Sherman." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + THE COTTAGE IN THE GROVE--THE DISGUISE--BACK TO + HEALTH--IMPATIENCE--SEARCHING THE BOX--ANTOINETTE + LA CLAIR'S STORY. + + +Very sad and dreary seemed the hours to Antoinette La Clair, as she +watched by Little Wolf's bed side. While her loving hand bathed the +burning brow, and her soft musical voice soothed the wild ravings of +the invalid, she thought much upon the strange loneliness of their +situation. Day after day passed by, and no living soul approached the +cottage. She often wondered why it's owner came not, and it was a +mystery to her, why Bloody Jim had not discovered their retreat. + +From the first, she had taken the precaution whenever she appeared +outside to disguise herself in the various articles of clothing, which +she found strewn about the house, and, as she went to procure water +from the spring, which was at some distance from the house, she would +assume the air and gait of a logy country boy. Her sun-burnt straw hat +with its crown piece flapping about in the wind; great coarse boots +slipping hither and thither on her little feet and her other generally +loose fitting attire would, but for her absorbing anxiety, have +excited rather more than a smile on her usually melancholly +countenance. + +It was well that the fact of having remained unmolested for nearly +three weeks did not lesson her vigilance on one eventful occasion. It +was about sun rise; as she was toiling up the eminence with a heavy +bucket of water, which an occasional mis-step would send splashing +over her great awkward boots, she saw a man approaching the spring. It +was Ketchum; and, as she recognized him, her breath came quicker and +she hurried onward and upward. She had nearly reached the top of the +hill when she heard him calling out, + +"Hello there, boy!" + +She turned round, sat down her bucket and stood in a listening +attitude. + +"I say boy, who lives yonder?" + +"I du," she replied in exact imitation of backwoodsman twang, and, +taking a step or two downward, she stooped forward and appeared to be +attentively eyeing her new acquaintance. + +"Be you the man they're looking fur?" she at length drawled out. + +"Who's looking fur?" said he with a start. + +"Them men at our house." + +"No, you fool of a boy." + +The last she saw of Ketchum he was hurrying off with all his might. + +Antoinette fairly ran into the house and closing and barring the door +she fell upon her knees, and, from her full heart went up to Heaven a +song of thankfulness. Blessings multiply when gratitude reigns in the +soul; so while Antoinette still knelt a change came over Little Wolf +and consciousness returned. + +"Where am I?" she faintly articulated, as her watchful and tender +nurse arose and approached the bed. + +"You are safe, thank God," said Antoinette bursting into tears. + +Antoinette now felt new courage, and, when Little Wolf was able to +bear it, she related to her that part of their flight of which the +illness of the other prevented her having any recollection; but +carefully avoided any allusion to her own personal history. + +Little Wolf longed to penetrate the mystery that hung over her +benefactress, and she would often say to herself, as she sat propped +up with pillows watching Antoinette's quiet movements about the house, +"how I wish I knew more about her; what a romance!" + +But as her strength increased, other desires shared her thoughts more +largely. + +"How are we to get out of this place?" she frequently exclaimed, and, +as often, Antoinette would meekly reply, "The Lord will provide a +way." + +"Well why don't the Lord provide a way to get us away from here?" she +said one day rather impatiently as she sat by the window looking out +into the sunshine, "I'm sure I'm well enough to travel now, and winter +is coming on and, when once the snow falls, we shall freeze and starve +shut up here." + +"We shall hardly freeze with that big wood pile at the door, or starve +with a cellar full of vegetables," said Antoinette pleasantly. + +"O Antoinette, I'm sure your faith hangs on the cellar and woodpile; +but, dear me, I've seen neither; I must peep into the cellar right +away." + +"Let me lift the door for you Miss DeWolf." + +A light trap door led to the vegetable kingdom underneath. One glance +at the potatoes, cabbages and onions, which were only a part of the +products of the garden, piled up in this ten by twelve hole in the +ground was enough, as Little Wolf declared, to strengthen the weakest +faith. + +"Now, if we only had wings, we might mount to that nice dried venison +in the garret," she said, glancing upward through a square opening cut +in the rough boards overhead. "I wonder how they managed to hang it so +high; I do believe the place has been inhabited by a giant. Now where +shall we hide when we see him coming? O, I'll get into that huge +chest, we little folks might both hide there. I wonder I hadn't +thought of it before. Why I'm just beginning to feel like myself; I +see how it is, I've been petted and babied too long. Please help me +lift this heavy lid. O, its locked--O here's the key sticking just in +this niche, O--what a sight!" + +Here indeed our heroine had penetrated into the mysteries of a +heterogeneous mass. Cooking utensils, carpenters' tools, crockery, +salt, pepper, and various other condiments used in the culinary +department were huddled together in one end, while the remainder of +the space was appropriated to books and clothing, and a bachelor's +work box, which, for all the order it boasted, might have belonged to +the indulgent mother of ten children. + +Antoinette watched her friend with an amused expression of +countenance, as she flew from one article to another really delighted +to find some amusement, however simple, to while away the tedious +hours. + +"O, John Hanford is our landlord's name. Here it is on the fly leaf of +this book, and here is a book purporting to be the property of +Antoinette La Clare. Why Antoinette, I thought the honor of +discovering the contents of this box belonged to me; but really I see +you have been here before me." + +"No, Miss DeWolf, I never saw the inside of the box before, I thought +there was no key." + +"Is it possible? Why what does it mean? Here is surely an old bible +with your name written in it in full, 'Antoinette La Clare,' now here +it is, you can see for yourself. + +Antoinette eagerly took the book, and, having examined the name, +proceeded to look it carefully through. It was a pocket bible of the +English version in old fashioned binding, and bore marks of long and +frequent use. + +Little Wolf watched Antoinette's varying countenance as she turned +over the leaves. A ray of pleasure, at first, lighted up her sad, +wistful face, but slowly faded leaving her apparently more wan and sad +than ever, as she returned the volume in silence. + +A vague suspicion of evil crept into Little Wolf's mind. How came +Antoinette's name in the book and why was she so silent, and why had +she appeared so satisfied to remain where they were, if she knew no +more about their present abode than she had professed, were a few of +the many questions, which awakened distrust, suggested to her busy +brain. + +The chest had lost its interest and down came the cover with a bang, +sadly startling poor Antoinette, who had walked to the window to hide +her fast falling tears. + +Little Wolf saw the tears and Antoinette felt that she had seen them, +and the way was made easy for her to say, "O, Miss DeWolf, I'm a child +of sorrow. I am sometimes almost overwhelmed with sorrow. Come, let us +sit down together, and I will try to tell you why it is. It seems but +a few days since I gaily roamed about my childhood's home, hand in +hand with brother Jim, or bloody Jim, as he is called." + +"Bloody Jim your brother! It cannot be so!" interrupted Little Wolf in +amazement, "I thought he was a half breed." + +"So he is a half breed; and he is also my half brother; my father was +of French descent and, when a young man, he went to the Red River +country and engaged in trapping, and trading with the Indians. For +several years he made his home principally among the Chippewas, and, +like many others of his class, married an Indian women; brother Jim +was the fruit of this marriage. His mother was accidentally drowned +when he was quite an infant; soon afterwards my father returned to +Canada, leaving his little son in charge of his Indian grandmother. +While there he became acquainted with my mother, whom he made his wife +with the understanding that she should accompany him to his wild home +and be a mother to his motherless child. Perhaps it may be a mystery +to you, Miss DeWolf, that a young and cultivated woman could have been +so readily induced to expose herself to the hardships and dangers of +frontier life." + +"O, no!" broke in Little Wolf, enthusiastically, "not if she did it +for love." + +"What do you know about love, Miss DeWolf?" + +A conscious blush overspread the pale young face, for Antoinette +accompanied the question with a wistful enquiring look, that seemed to +reach to her very heart. + +"O nothing, my very good, penetrating friend; please go on with your +story. Was your mother happy?" she asked with a kind of nervous +haste, as if to compel an immediate compliance with her request. + +"I can not say," said Antoinette very obligingly relieving the +embarrassment she had occasioned, "I should think she must have been +happy, though, for I believe her short life was a very useful one. She +died at my birth having been a wife but one year. During that time, +she had by many acts of kindness greatly endeared herself to the +savages, and the young Indian woman, who had assisted her in nursing +brother Jim, for the love she bore my mother, reared her little +daughter with unusually tender care. My father survived her loss but a +few weeks, and then brother Jim and myself were thrown entirely upon +the care of our kind nurse. My mother had taught her to read and she +in turn imparted such instruction to us as she had received, or rather +I should say her pains were mostly bestowed upon me, for I was her +pet. + +Brother Jim grew up like the savages around him, only, if possible, +more vindictive and revengeful in his nature. I was the only being +for whom he seemed to entertain the least affection, and he certainly +lavished upon me wonderful tenderness and love. In his early youth he +gathered for me the rarest flowers, and, as he grew older, he brought +me game and the choicest fruits, and seemed never so happy as when +promoting my comfort. For my amusement he brought me a violin from the +distant settlement of Pembinaw, and at length, gratified my curiosity +by taking me with him in one of his frequent visits thither. While +there my fair skin attracted the attention of a missionary's family, +and as brother Jim was rather proud of my parentage, they readily +elicited a correct account of my birth from him, and by appealing to +his pride, at length wrung from him a reluctant consent to place me +for a time under their tutorage, where, beside making rapid progress, +I cultivated my naturally correct taste for music. Under their +hospitable roof, amid the refinements and courtisies of civilized life +I spent many happy months." + +"At length the last painful illness of my faithful nurse, who had +never ceased to mourn my absence, recalled me to her. After her death +I was exceedingly sad and lonely, and, to add to my sorrows, brother +Jim had acquired a love for strong drink, and frequently came to our +lodge in a state of intoxication. I grieved over his infatuation and +reasoned with him in his sober hours, but all in vain; he grew worse +and worse, and often treated me harshly, In despair I went to the +trader who I knew supplied him with whiskey and entreated him with +tears not to sell him any more. I received from him only insults." + +"Of course, you might have known what to expect from one of that +class," said Little Wolf with flashing eyes, "I discovered long ago, +that there was no mercy in the heart of the liquor dealer. They know +it's a mean business and any one who engages in it must first harden +his heart enough to turn away from tears of blood." + +"I don't think _all_ who engage in the traffic realize the +consequences accruing from it," Antoinette mildly replied. "I am sure +no humane person would continue in it, if they once took into +consideration the vast amount of misery occasioned by it. I am sure +brother Jim was bad enough before he began to drink; but after that he +became as unmanageable as a wild beast. Still, alone in the world, I +clung to him with all the warm affection of my nature. + +"A few months after the death of my nurse, he was pursuaded to join a +party from Pembinaw, who were going on their annual visit to St. Paul +for the purpose of trading with the whites. At my earnest request he +permitted me to accompany him. I was then in my fifteenth year, and +mere child as I was, he left me the first day of our arrival entirely +alone in our encampment at St. Paul, while he went with the rest of +the company to the city. + +"By chance a gentleman passing, heard the sound of the violin, with +which I was beguiling the tedious hours, and came into my tent. At +first I was quite alarmed at sight of a stranger, but his words and +manner immediately won my confidence, and put my fears to rest, and, +I confess, I was lonelier when he left me and glad when he came again. +He knew my unprotected situation, and always made it a point to come +when brother Jim was absent. It would be quite impossible for me to +describe to you the subtile influence which this person gained over +me. I learned to love him with all the ardor of which my passionate +and imaginative nature was capable. It was the first unbounded +devotion of a warm and innocent heart that he betrayed. I have no +words with which to convey an adequate idea of the anguish which I +suffered at parting with him. He promised to follow me and make me his +wife, but he never came, and at a time when I was least able to bear +it, I was subject to brother Jim's fury. His cruelty brought me near +to death, and my sufferings only aggravated his bitterness and wrath. +With awful curses he swore vengeance on the man for whom I would even +then have laid down my life. + +"As soon as my strength would permit, I fled to my friends at +Pembinaw. I told them all, even of my shame, which a little grave had +forever hid from the world. Like true Christians they soothed my +sorrows, and gave me the place in their family which their only +daughter, who had married and left them during my absence, had +occupied. Several years had passed away, and the good missionary died. +His wife soon followed him, and I was again left alone. I had never +seen brother Jim since I left him, but had frequently heard of his +wicked deeds. I thought now that I would go with my life in my hand +and seek him out and try once more by affectionate pursuasion, to +induce him to give up his reckless life. Accordingly, I mounted my +pony and set out for my former wild home. Reaching the lodge after +nightfall, to my surprise I heard voices within. I did not go in, but +stood listening at the entrance. I heard brother Jim and his +companions propose a plan to capture you. They were to start that very +night; so I hid myself among the trees and waited until they were +gone. Then I went in for the night, and the next morning set out to +do what I could towards rescuing you. + +"Now I have told you all, Miss DeWolf, and our Heavenly Father alone +knows our future. As for my name in that bible, you know as much about +it as I do. I never saw the book before." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + TWOFOLD AGONY--DR. GOODRICH'S PROMISE--HOME AGAIN--LILLY + FOOT--THE CONVALESCENT--THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEDDING--NEWS FROM + CHIMNEY ROCK--THE SHERMAN FAMILY AT THE WEST. + + +Edward Sherman was still where we left him, listening graciously to +the pretended good wishes of Hank Glutter, when Dr. Goodrich, who +happened to pass that way, saw him through the window and beckoned him +out side. + +"I expected to have met you at Dr. DeWolf's," said he, "and I brought +a letter for you." + +Edward took the letter and read it carefully through, turning very +pale as he did so. It was from his sister Louise, and contained a +brief account of the dangerous illness of his mother, with a request +for his immediate presence at home. His extreme paleness and the +trembling hand, with which he in silence offered the open sheet for +the Doctor's persual were all the outward sign of his soul's agony; +agony for a beloved and dying mother; agony for the beloved, lost one, +for whom, in company with a few friends, he was about to go in quest. + +While the Doctor was running over the communication, Edward tried to +calm the surging tempest within, sufficiently to decide him how to +act. + +"Doctor," said he, "I must go to mother, can you, I know it will be +difficult, but _can_ you take my place in the company to-morrow?" + +"I will go, and, by the love I bear your sister, I promise to do what +I can." + +"Let me hear from you by mail," said Edward, wringing his hand. + +Edward had now barely time to return to Pendleton, and hastily get his +trunk in readiness for the forthcoming steamer. + +At the sound of the bell he was ready to embark and a few days rapid +travelling brought him worn and weary to the old homestead. It was +evening when he arrived, and, as he approached the house, he saw a +light in his mother's room. His apprehensions were so great that he +had not the courage to enter, and, listening near the window, he +distinguished his mother's voice in conversation with Louise. + +"I would not be surprised to see him this very evening," he heard his +sister say. + +"Miss Louise," called out Recta's familiar voice. "Miss Louise, won't +you please come here quick. Old Spot has got into the front yard; +there she is nibbling at that rose bush under the window. I can't see +nothing but the white spot in her face; but I know it must be her, +she's such an unruly critter; won't you just hold the light while I +hist her out?" + +"O where's Lilly Foot," said Louise, "she'll drive her out while you +open the gate. Here, Lilly Foot." + +Lilly Foot came growling along from the vicinity of the barn, where, +after the fatigue of bringing the cows from the distant meadow, she +had gone to rest and recruit for night watching. + +Having forgotten at the beginning of our story to introduce Lilly Foot +under the family head we will pause for a moment and give her the +notice to which her position and worth entitle her. She was a very +respectable looking animal of the canine species originally coal black +with the exception of one white foot, from which she derived her name, +but now grown grey in the service of the family. + +From puppyhood to old age, this faithful creature had made it her +daily business to keep the cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry each in +their proper places, and, having been raised on a quiet, orderly New +England farm, had never in the course of her whole life, had occasion +to perform more onerous nightly duties than to sleep with one eye +open; consequently, she had come to consider regular rest as her +lawful right, and was in no mood to bear the present encroachment. + +"I believe the dog is getting old and cross," said Recta in a voice +very like that which had occasioned her censure. "Here Lilly Foot, +there's Old Spot; take her." + +The words had scarcely left Recta's lips before Lilly Foot saw and +flew violently at the object indicated, + +"Lilly Foot." + +They all heard--Edward's voice that came from the rose bush, and it +would be difficult to say from which of the three, Louise, Recta, or +Lilly Foot, he received the warmest greeting. + +Mrs. Sherman had passed the crisis, of her disease, and Edward, +assured of her convalesence, sought her bedside with a buoyant step. + +"My dear son, to have you here is all the medicine I need now," she +said, as she held him to her bosom. + +The first greetings over, Edward's unnatural strength produced by +anxiety and excitement gave way, and he lay down to rest that night +prostrated in body and mind. + +Confused images of his mother, Little Wolf, and Bloody Jim crowded his +unquiet dreams, and he awoke in the morning comparatively unrefreshed, +and the old load in his bosom but little lightened. Soon after +breakfast he signified his intention of riding over to the Post +Office, two miles distant. + +"O no," said his sister playfully, "mother will be disappointed; she +expects to have you all to herself this morning. I made it a point to +go for the mail every day until she was taken sick. Let me go this +time, I really need a horseback ride. If I get a letter for you, you +shall have it in just fifteen minutes." + +"From now?" + +"No; from the time I get it." + +"I am overruled," laughed Edward, and he went to his mother's room. +Scarcely had he seated himself when Mrs. Sherman enquired, + +"Has Dr. DeWolf's daughter been found yet, Edward?" + +"No, mother." + +"How dreadful! Dr. Goodrich said in his last letter he had but little +hope of seeing her alive. I was gratified to hear that you were in +pursuit, and that you were situated so you could do your father's old +friend a favor. I wish you would tell me the particulars of the sad +affair." + +Mrs. Sherman wondered at Edward's prolonged silence, as he sat there +utterly unable to say a word. She was beginning to have a vague +conception of the truth, when he turned to her and said in a voice +which the effort to control rendered scarcely audible. + +"Mother, I expected to have made Miss De Wolf my wife. I can not talk +about it now." + +But Mrs. Sherman led him gently on by means which true mothers know so +well how to use, to unburden his heart, and ere long her sympathy ran +so high as to propose that he should return to Minnesota, and if need +he should return to Minnesota, and if need be spend the winter there. + +"If I could take you and Louise with me," said he. + +Just then Louise came, in high spirits. + +"O mother," said she, "you must hurry and get well in time to attend +Maria Dole's wedding. I met her going to shop. She wants me to be one +of her bridesmaids. Now guess who she is going to marry; but of course +you'd never guess for you are not acquainted with the gentleman; so I +may as well toll you at once; John Hanford, from the wilds of +Minnesota. Maria says she is afraid of being carried off by the bears, +but still too willing to venture a home in the woods for her dear +Johnny's sake. I did not tell her about Dr. DeWolf's daughter, I was +afraid it would stop the wedding, Maria is such a timid creature. +Brother, do tell me about that horrible affair." + +"Tell her mother," said Edward and immediately left the room. + +While Mrs. Sherman was explaining the matter, Edward was walking up +and down the lawn in front of the house, vainly considering the +probabilities of a favorable termination of his troubles. + +"What can we do for poor Edward?" said Louise, after a long silence, +"I think he ought to go back." + +"He was saying when you came in if he could only take you and me." + +"Well why not?" said Louise eagerly, "I am sure if you keep on getting +well as rapidly as you have for a few days you'll be about the house +in a week." + +"When we hear from Dr. Goodrich, my dear, we shall be better able to +decide what is best for us to do." + +"Then all we can do is to wait in patience." + +Wait they did for over a week before the looked-for intelligence +arrived, and the following is the contents of Dr. Goodrich's letter. + + "DEAR SHERMAN. All our efforts have proved unavailing. We + could not find the least clue to aid us in our search. I + am now inclined to think that Miss DeWolf has voluntarily + secreted herself until such times as she hopes to return + unmolested by Bloody Jim, whom, if my conjectures are + correct, she no doubt thinks still at large. As for Bloody + Jim his lips are forever closed. In attempting to escape + from prison last evening he was shot dead. + + I learn with pleasure from your letter which I have just + received, that your mother's health is rapidly improving. + Take courage Ned, the same hand that restored one loved one + can also restore the other. You say you must return. Why not + bring your mother and sister with you? A change of climate + would no doubt benefit both. I think there will be time for + you to come before navigation closes. The weather continues + splendid. I am now at Dr. DeWolf's. He is worse again; I + think he cannot last long. He is literally drinking himself + to death. Mrs. Hawley still attends on him. Sorrel Top and + daddy do not get along very well together, but between them + the Doctor's house is well cared for. + + If it will be any comfort to you I will say that I have + sanguine expectations of again seeing Miss DeWolf safe at + home, + + Yours with more sympathy than I can express. + + G. GOODRICH." + +Louise received a letter from the same hand, but it being an entirely +private affair we can only speculate upon its contents. Doubtless +among other things there were unanswerable arguments in favor of a +western trip, for when the reading was over, she was the first one to +say. + +"I think we had all better get ready as soon as we can and start for +Minnesota." + +Edward being of the same mind, and Mrs. Sherman willing to gratify her +children, it was not many days before the arrangments were all made +for the journey. Recta and Lilly Foot were to be left in sole charge +of the house; the tenant having promised the assistance of one of his +sons when required. + +The wedding ceremony of John Hanford and Maria Dole having been +performed the evening previous to their departure, they traveled in +company with the bridal pair. + +Maria Dole was the only daughter of a neighboring farmer, and the two +girls had from childhood been on intimate terms, and Louise had hoped +some day to call her sister; but she loved the gentle girl none the +less for the step she had taken, and Edward's regard for her seemed to +have suddenly increased. The conduct of her husband who was a bashful +soul, exceedingly shy, and sparing of his husbandly attentions, gave +Edward frequent opportunities during their trip of cultivating a more +familiar acquaintance with her than he had ever imagined possible. + +"Some women appear to better advantage after marriage and Maria Dole +is one of them," he said in a very decided manner to his sister after +having been engaged in a long conversation with the newly-made wife. +"She can converse now and she never could before." + +"Yon mean, brother, you were afraid of each other before. It was my +fault; you both knew what my wishes were, and it spoiled all. To have +carried out the romance of the thing, you ought to have discovered her +perfections before it was too late." + +Louise quite forgot for the moment her brother's affliction, but on +second thought said no more. + +"I am sorry Mr. Hanford is going to take her so far from any +settlement," said Edward, not appearing to notice what had been said, +"he tells me his nearest neighbor is ten miles distant." + +"How lonely Maria will be, I'm glad we are all to visit her in the +Spring," said Louise, alluding to a promise made to that effect. + +"Mr. Hanford rather insists upon my going out with them now, but I +could not promise until I had seen the Doctor. If I decide to go I can +overtake him by the next steamer, as he will stop for a day or two at +St. Paul." + +The next day after the above conversation, the party having arrived at +Pendleton, separated; Mr. and Mrs. Hanford continuing up the river to +the head of navigation, while the Sherman family were introduced to +comfortable quarters provided by the forethought of Dr. Goodrich. + +By the advice of his friends, who plainly saw, that under the +circumstances, he could not content himself to remain where he was, +Edward decided to join Mr. Hanford at St. Paul, and the following +chapter will chronicle the result. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + ROUGH ROADS--THE HAPPY BRIDEGROOM--JACOB MENTOR'S + EXPERIENCE--FAIRY KNOLL--A JOYFUL MEETING. + + +The prospect of a change from steamboat navigation, always so +delightful on the upper Mississippi, to jolting and jarring over a +rough extent of country in a heavy, lumbering wagon, suited to the +unimproved state of the roads, was anything but agreeable to Mr. and +Mrs. Hanford, as they surveyed the uncomely vehicle drawn up before +their hotel. + +Edward had overtaken them, and with Mr. and Mrs. Hanford, stood +waiting on the porch, while Mr. Hanford made every arrangement for +their comfort, of which the state of the case would admit. The +cushions and buffalos at length fixed to his satisfaction he assisted +in his wife, and after a small strife, in which each contended for the +seat which neither wanted, Edward prevailed, and planted himself +beside the driver, while Mr. Hanford, looking remarkably happy for a +vanquished man, took his place beside his wife. + +The sober driver, Jacob Mentor by name, looked over his shoulder and +carefully surveyed his load before starting. The trunks were firmly +strapped on behind, and a half a dozen chairs were also disposed of in +the same way. A small sized dining table, bed downward, rested behind +the seats, so hugged up by boxes and bundles, that it appeared +impossible for any number of bumps or thumps to disturb its quiet. The +two beaming faces, just in the van of all this array, did not escape +the eyes of honest Jacob. + +"I guess yer pretty comfortable to start on," said he. + +"All right," said Mr. Hanford, "drive on." + +It would be a matter of surprise how it had entered into the head of a +plain, common-sense, matter-of-fact young man like John Hanford, to +bestow the name of "Fairy Knoll" on the little hillock in the +wilderness, where stood his solitary cabin, did we not remember that +at the time he was completely under love's influence. The name given +under such circumstances was music to him as it fell frequently from +the lips of his young bride on their toilsome journey thither. + +"I hope the fairies at Fairy Knoll will have a nice fire to welcome +us, she said, as the day was drawing to a close, and they were nearing +her future home. + +"Are you very cold?" said her husband, drawing her more closely to his +side. + +The day had been unusually chilly, and towards night the autumn winds +got up a boisterous frolic, and swept past, dashing from their wings +light flurries of snow directly in the faces of our travelers, and +the delicate bride, unused to such rough play, had at last hid her +face behind her veil and wished for the warm fireside. Before she had +had time to reply to Mr. Hanford's question, Edward produced a neat +little flask encased in silver, and unfastening from the stopper a +tiny cup of the same make, he filled it with the sparkling fluid, at +the same time giving orders for the wagon to stop. + +"Now here is something almost equal to a warm fire," he said offering +Mrs. Hanford the cup. + +"What is it?" said she, hesitatingly. + +"Pure domestic wine, some of Col. Wilson's best, ho presented it to me +just before I left home, and gave me his word it was unadulterated," +said Edward, with great assurance. + +"Col. Wilson's wines are justly popular," said Mrs. Hanford, sipping +the beverage; but it is whispered that the Colonel uses alcohol in +their preparation." + +"O, very likely," said Edward carelessly. "I have no doubt of it, but +this he assured me was unadulterated. Have some, Mr. Hanford?" + +"I don't care if I do. It is really very fine," he said, returning the +cup, "quite stimulating, but I prefer a little brandy to any other +stimulant; it takes right hold." + +"You surely don't drink brandy!" exclamed the young wife, anxiously. + +"Only a little, occasionally, when I need it to keep the cold out. O +never fear, my dear," he continued observing the look of concern upon +his wife's countenance. "I'm a good temperance man, but not a +teetotaler; that is drawing the reins rather too tight." + +Meantime, Edward had offered the driver a drink, but the man shook his +head; "No, thank you," said he, "I'd rather not take any." + +"Not take any!" said Edward, "why, sir, it will do you good." + +"I'm not sick," said the other. + +"But you are cold," said Edward, mistaking his modest demeanor for +bashfulness. + +But the earnest and decided shake of the head by which he refused the +second invitation, signified more than words that he was an adherent +of the total abstinence principles. + +"What a simpleton," said Edward to himself, as the individual by his +side shiveringly gathered up the reins and drove on. + +But the individual's ruminations were of quite a different character, +and something after this wise: "Shiver away, old man, it is better to +shiver than to drink." Be it known that for many years this grey +headed man had without measure, poured down the alcoholic fire. When +at length overcome by it, a good Samaritan had discovered him lying +sick by the wayside, and had humanely assisted him to rise, and had +set him upon the beast commonly known as "Total Abstinence," upon +which he had ridden with great comfort and safety up to the time of +our story. Moreover being satisfied that the animal was of good parts +and _sure-footed_, he was not at all inclined to exchange the faithful +old creature for any of the best bloods belonging to the domestic wine +family. He had not forgotten that apparently harmless little +hobby-horse whose _cognomen_ was Lager Beer, which he had sported in +his youth, but which at last got unruly; whether from having been +stabled with vicious beasts, or from a bad quality which it inherently +possessed, he was not in a condition to inquire the first time it +played off its pranks upon him. But one thing was certain, after +several months of docile behavior, one fine morning his pet landed him +very unceremoniously in the gutter, after which, on various occasions, +he mounted nearly all the beasts in the stable, whiskey, rum, brandy, +etc., but they, one and all, proved vastly more refractory than the +first named, and, as we have seen, he was at length left battered and +bruised by the way side. + +It is needless to state that Jacob Mentor's experience had not, nor +was it likely to benefit any so much as himself; for who, among the +thousands tampering with stimulating drinks, could be made to believe +that a glass of beer, or an occasional sip of wine would result in +their final overthow? + +Such, at all events, was not the opinion of our young friends +journeying in the direction of "Fairy Knoll; for more than once the +wine went round as the night winds whistled colder. But the tedious +road had at length an end, and about dark, the heavy wagon lumbered up +under the shadows of Fairy Knoll. + +"It won't do to drive up that hill with this heavy load, the horses +are too much jaded," said Jacob. + +"Then we'll walk up," said Mr. Hanford, jumping out. "Come now, Mrs. +Hanford," proudly stretching out his arms, "I will carry you up. Mr. +Sherman follow me; the path is a little slippery, and we shall have to +step carefully." + +By reason of his burden and the icy path, Mr. Hanford was sometime in +reaching his cabin, but he made short work of getting inside; for, +having bestowed several impatient thumps upon the window which he +declared frozen down, he suddenly threw himself against the door, and +crack went the wooden fastening, and open flew the door, and a most +unexpected scene burst upon his astonished vision. + +Surely here were the fairies, and here the warm fire for which his +shivering little wife had been wishing. Surprise held him upon the +threshold; but Edward, who instantly recognized in one of the +so-called fairies, the person of Little Wolf, sprang forward with a +shout of joy. + +"The honey, sure as I'm alive," cried Jacob Mentor, pressing eagerly +after him. "Laws," said he, precipitately dropping his bundles in the +middle of the floor, and rushing up to Edward, "how came the little +creature here?" + +Edward silently held the little creature in his arms as if he would +keep back the dear life that appeared leaving her, and when Jacob's +eye fell upon the white, upturned face, he drew back with a look of +alarm. + +When this and that restorative had been resorted to with happy effect, +and Little Wolf no longer required undivided attention, at her +suggestion Antoinette La Clare briefly related the story of their +escape from Bloody Jim. Mutual explanations followed, discovering to +Antoinette the fact, that she had taken refuge in the house of her +cousin, for such John Hanford proved to be, his mother's sister having +married Antoinette's father. + +Amid the general rejoicings and congratulations, Edward naturally +alluded to the death of Bloody Jim, and the means by which it was +accomplished. "We are fairly rid of him now," he said, turning to +Little Wolf, who had quietly slipped from his embrace and perched +herself upon the big chest, "the ball made sure work." + +The color had come to her cheek, and there was great joy in her eye, +but Edward's unlucky words made her pale again, and she looked quickly +and apprehensively towards Antoinette. + +The poor girl shiveringly hid her face in her hands and sobbed +audibly. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + BUSY PREPARATIONS AND THE CLIMAX--THE LOVERS--TOM TINKNOR'S + DISCOVERY--GENERAL REJOICINGS--THE IDOL DEFACED. + + +The next morning the cottage on the knoll presented a scene of busy +preparation, the climax of which brought forth Little Wolf rosy, and +roguish, wrapped in blankets and shawls, sufficient, we doubt not, to +have covered over more land than the nether garments of the famous Ten +Breeches. + +She was now in readiness for her homeward journey. The long-wished-for +time had come, and with it, ten thousand joyous emotions, which, amid +all the changes of after life, she never forgot. Her heart had put +forth its life flower, and who ever forgot a like season of bloom. + +Edward was here, there, and everywhere, arranging for her comfort, and +he looked very proud indeed when he handed, or rather lifted the lady +in blankets into the big wagon, and took his seat beside her. + +They were to go alone, Antoinette having accepted a pressing +invitation to remain with her newly-found cousins. The driver of the +day before did not, as on a previous occasion, wait for orders. Before +the adieus were fairly spoken he cracked his whip and drove off at a +rate, which, in his cooler moments, he would have pronounced +absolutely ruinous to his carefully preserved establishment. The fact +that said establishment comprised all the earthly possessions of +honest Jacob, was of itself a sufficient guarantee for the safe +transportation of his employers. But when added to this was a natural +cautiousness and benevolence of disposition, which could not but be +observed on the most casual acquaintance, few could have lost their +assurance, even on the verge of a precipice, when he held the reins. + +His extreme caution made him a favorite teamster, not only overland, +but especially on the Mississippi; when at certain seasons there was +danger in travelling on the ice. At such times, Squire Tinknor and Dr. +DeWolf had taken some pains to secure his services, when exchanging +family visits, and he had frequently been entrusted with the sole +charge of Little Wolf, when she was but a child, and delighted with +the long icy trip. + +In those days, the little lady had completely won the heart of her +protector, and he had never before had occasion to be jealous of +attentions which she was pleased to receive from any of her friends, +except, indeed, when Daddy would sometimes infringe upon his rights, +by officiously lifting her in and out of his sleigh. Nor could he be +said to be jealous now. It was only the same disagreeable sensation +which affectionate sisters sometimes experience on the occasion of +the marriage of a favorite brother. Had Jacob been questioned on the +subject, he would have stoutly declared that he was glad of it; for +that was just what he tried to say to himself, when he saw Edward put +his dearly beloved pet into the wagon. But even his fine horses, which +he hurried off with such unseemly haste, ought to have known it was +not so. + +"Why, what has got into the man? he has almost taken your breath +away," said Edward tenderly. + +"A little more careful, sir," he said, as Jacob turned his head at his +loud exclamation. + +"Yes, yes; I beg pardon, I was careless." + +The speaker was evidently ashamed of his freak. A second look at the +happy couple, and a kind word from his pet, "Dear Jacob, I believe old +Grey and Bill remember how I used to want to go fast when we went so +much together," soothed his turbulent feelings and he went on quite +slowly, picking up some crumbs of comfort in default of the whole +loaf. + +The loaf, be it remembered, had fallen into the hands of the voracious +couple just behind him, and if greedily devouring it during the entire +day would have made a finish of it, the deed would have been done. But +the more they fed on it, the larger and sweeter it grew, and, by the +time they had arrived at Squire Tinknor's, their loaf had grown to be +almost as much as they could carry. + +Squire Tinknor, it will be remembered, was an old acquaintance of Dr. +DeWolf, and, as we have elsewhere stated, the two gentlemen were on +intimate terms. Having at one time been his partner in some extensive +land speculations, the Squire had, since that period, acted as the +doctor's financial agent and advisor. He was generally shrewd and +reliable in his business transactions, although his appetite for drink +occasionally got the better of his judgment. This known discrepancy of +character was tolerated in society rather as an amiable weakness, than +a vile habit, for none had the hardihood to frown openly upon a man of +Squire Tinknor's wealth and position. + +His family consisted of a wife and one son. The latter, a handsome, +dashing young man, he had secretly desired to see attracted towards +the daughter of his friend, and in this had not been disappointed. +Thomas Tinknor had, from a boy, bestowed his choicest attentions upon +the young lady, and when she was carried off, he had sworn to bring +her back, or "die in the attempt." To this end he had faithfully +mounted his horse each day since her disappearance, and had ridden +several miles into the woods, always going out in high spirits, and +returning somewhat dejected. + +It was in this condition that he might have been seen approaching his +father's house just as Jacob Mentor drew up before the gate. His heart +beat quickly, for he instantly recognized the toss of that little +head, enveloped as it was in hood and veil. He was not slow in +extending to Little Wolf a warm welcome. So warm indeed, was it, and +of such vapory stuff is comfort made, that Edward's ponderous loaf +evaporated, leaving only a small fragment such as could be drawn from +a stolen glance of the eye, while she was being carried into the +house, and transported from the arms of Mr. Tinknor the younger, to +the arms of Mr. Tinknor the elder, and lastly, affectionately folded +in the embrace of Mrs. Tinknor. + +"You see everything I have on is borrowed," said Little wolf, as Mrs. +Tinknor was assisting her in undoing her wrappings, "but I hope to be +at home in a day or two." + +"Home in a day or two!" interrupted Tom, "Not in a month or two, if I +can prevent it." + +"I intend to be at home to-morrow, provided the steamers are still +running," said the young lady decidedly. + +"O, now, you are too bad to treat us so shabbily," said Tom, +coaxingly, "do stay until the river freezes, and I'll take you down on +the ice." + +"Thank you, Mr. Tinknor, I must go to-morrow." + +Tom Tinknor, knew from past experience that to attempt further +persuasion was entirely useless, and he said no more, silently +indulging the hope that the ice would blockade the river before +morning. His desires were in part gratified. The next day it was +ascertained that no steamers would venture forth among the floating +ice cakes, and Tom was exultant. + +In this mood he determined to give Little Wolf a surprise party, and +thus alleviate, in some degree her disappointment. His parents +heartily co-operated in his project, and the trio immediately set +about making preparations for the entertainment of a large circle of +friends. + +It was decided that Edward should be initiated into the secret, and +the task of hoodwinking their prying and discontented young guest, was +assigned to him. By ways and means known only to a masterly hand, +Edward contrived on that eventful day to perform the feat, in which, +no doubt, the whole Tinknor family combined would have failed. + +For when evening came on, and the company were assembled, Little Wolf +most unexpectedly found herself in the midst, an object of universal +interest. A more beautiful object could scarce have been found. At all +events, so thought Edward Sherman, as he mingled in the throng, great +billows of gladness surging in his soul. His cup of joy was large and +full. He was holding it with a firm hand, and he said in his heart, "I +shall never be moved." + +The evening was drawing to a close, but the feasting and toasting was +still kept up. The wine went round, and the adventures of our heroine +continued to be commemorated in appropriate sentiments. While the +guests still lingered, a shade of anxiety might occasionally be traced +on many a fair face, as husband or brother, or "that other," exhibited +unmistakable signs of an overheated brain. + +Little Wolfs cheek grew pale, as from time to time she observed the +rising flush on Edward's brow. He was exceedingly susceptible to the +use of stimulants, and was rapidly thrown into a highly exhilarated +condition, making him for a time brilliant, but finally entangling +his talk in a labyrinth of meaningless and silly words. When in the +latter condition which was not observable until just before the party +broke up, he conceived the unlucky idea of urging upon Little Wolf a +glass of his favorite drink. "Permit me," said he, stepping, or rather +swaggering up to where the lady stood, "to--to--," and suddenly +appearing to notice the extreme pallor that overspread her +countenance, he stammered, "to bring the blushes to those cheeks." + +It was enough. The heart at once threw its crimson mantle upon her +face, but alas! it was dyed in shame. Poor Little Wolf had no words at +command. There, before her, stood the man in whom, a few hours before +she had felt so much pride and confidence. Her heart's best feelings +had gone out to him, and here was her idol horribly defaced, and he +knew it not. He even held invitingly towards her the instrument that +had done the mischief, and, while the cup still shook in his trembling +hand, he began to wonder at her silence. + +She once or twice moved her lips, as if to speak, but the words died +away. She was not faint or weak, but was for the moment paralyzed. +When the quick reaction came, on fire with indignation she acted with +characteristic energy and decision, and all heard the crash of the +goblet, as with one rapid sweep of her little hand she dashed it to +the floor, and fled from the room. + +Did she forgive him? She said in her heart she would not. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + PAINFUL RECOLLECTIONS--THE LAST BOAT OF THE SEASON--RUFFLED + PLUMES--RECONCILIATION. + + +When Little Wolf awoke the next morning, her mind instantly reverted +to the painful subject, that had banished sleep from her eyes the +greater part of the night, and, as the shameful scene came up again +vividly before her, she buried her face in her pillow and groaned +aloud. While thus indulging afresh her grief and mortification, she +was aroused by a sound which turned her thoughts in another +direction. She started up eagerly and threw open the window which +commanded an extended view of the river, and, in the distance, she +could just discern through the fast falling snow, a brave little +steamer, as if by magic ploughing its way up through snow and ice. + +Little Wolf hung out of the window half in fear lest the welcome +vision should vanish; but it kept steadily onward, drawing nearer and +nearer to its destination, and soon she had the satisfaction of seeing +it safely moored, and, by the active discharge of freight, it was +evident that it would attempt a downward trip. + +The thought of home banished every other from her mind, and she +hastily drew inside and shook the white flakes from her glossy hair, +and began to arrange them in curls. But the unruly locks had blown +about so long in the wind, and got so cold and tangled and required so +much coaxing and brushing, that Little Wolf began to despair of ever +getting them in order. + +Just then she observed on the dresser a bottle of what she supposed to +be pomatum, but in reality, a mixture for the lungs, made of honey and +other ingredients, which by exposure to the cold had partially +congealed. She caught it up and literally saturated her hair in the +contents and then with great spirit proceeded to her task. + +At the first onset the brush stuck fast; "Dear me what ails it?" she +ejaculated throwing down the brush and making desperate dives with a +coarse tooth comb. + +By this time her pretty tangled ringlets had stiffened into a striking +resemblance to cork screws interspersed with porcupine quills. By a +succession of impatient jerks she endeavored to bring the wayward mass +to submission; but the more she attempted to separate and arrange, the +closer the loving locks embraced each other, and she was beginning to +despair of conquering the difficulty, when she heard a light knock and +Mrs. Tinknor's kind voice said "May I come in?" + +"O dear, yes," said Little Wolf, springing to the door, "do come in, +my dear Mrs. Tinknor, and tell me what this horrid pomade is made of." + +"Why, dear child, what have you been doing to yourself? your hair +looks as if ten thousand furies had been tearing it." + +"O Mrs. Tinknor, it is this horrid pomade." + +Mrs. Tinknor's eye fell upon the offending preparation. "Why, bless +your heart my child," she exclaimed in dismay, "you have been using +Aunt Betsy's cough medicine." + +Little Wolf threw herself on the bed convulsed with laughter, and Mrs. +Tinknor heartily joined in the merry peals. + +"I came to tell you," said Mrs. Tinknor, when somewhat composed, "that +a steamer has just arrived, and Mr. Tinknor and Tom have gone out to +ascertain when she will return, if at all. + +"O, I know she's going back right away," said Little Wolf springing +up. "I saw them hurrying off the freight; O dear, what shall I do with +my hair?" She was beginning to feel too anxious to laugh now. + +"Come to my room, dear, it is warmer there and I can soon wash it out +for you. Now put this shawl around you; never mind dressing, we have +the house all to ourselves you know." + +"Suppose I were to get caught in this ridiculous plight," said Little +Wolf, pushing her feet into her slippers, "I wouldn't have Tom see me +for the world." + +"Then run along quickly and make sure," said Mrs. Tinknor, laughingly, +"I think we needn't feel concerned about the gentlemen coming back for +half an hour," she added, as Little Wolf ran on before. + +Now the gentlemen had already returned, bringing Edward with them. The +latter, having forstalled them at the boat, met them as he was +hurrying to Little Wolf with the necessary information. On coming in +they unluckily took possession of the very room through which the +ladies would pass in order to reach Mrs. Tinknor's apartment. + +Reassured by her hostess, Little Wolf pushed confidently forward, +making bold and decisive charges at the obstructing doors, and in +this manner, made her way directly into the presence of the two young +gentlemen, Mr. Tinknor having gone in search of his wife. + +Here she was brought to a sudden stand, but it was only for an +instant, for Little Wolf, like a true womanly general, was skilled in +retreat when caught in rumpled uniform. She turned and darted through +the door which stood accommodatingly open, and although Edward's +suppressed smile, and Tom's uproarious laugh, goaded her on, she +stopped long enough to lock them in, thus cutting off pursuit which +Tom evidently meditated; he having, in consideration of their long and +intimate acquaintance, felt himself warranted in chasing after her, +and was at her heels, when he suddenly found himself a prisoner. + +"O Wolf, Wolf, he shouted, pounding upon the door, "the boat, the +boat, she'll leave"-- + +"When will she leave?" said Little Wolf, stopping short. + +"Let me out and I'll tell you, come, be quick, there's no time to be +lost. If you want to go here's Mr. Sherman to take charge of you." + +"I can take care of myself," muttered Little Wolf, but, while she +paused she had additional cause for mortification; for Squire Tinknor +had found his way to his wife, and her only refuge was behind Mrs. +Tinknor's flowing skirts. Here she partially screened herself, while +he informed them that the boat would attempt a downward trip in the +course of an hour. "Ha, ha, ha," concluded the Squire, "if sis is bent +on going, she must make haste out of that plight." + +By the united efforts of her friends, Little Wolf took passage for +Chimney Rock, and Edward, looking very handsome and self-possessed, +acted as her escort. + +Without explanation, without apology, without so much as a look of +contrition from her travelling companion, at the first interview +Little Wolf forgave all the pain and mortification he had made her +feel. She had forgiven him without knowing it. She thought herself +still angry because her heart ached. + +Edward was surprised. He had expected to meet indignant looks, and +perhaps reproachful words; he had feared even worse, for he well knew +the decision that marked Little Wolf's forming character, and he had +armed himself to meet the treatment which he felt he justly merited. +But his chosen weapon of defense was pride and so was useless when +opposed to Little Wolf's unusual gentleness. He was subdued, and when +man's proud spirit is once subdued by the forbearance of the woman he +loves, that woman henceforth becomes to him an object of adoration. + +Edward had the day before called Little Wolf, darling, now he called +her angel, and before he parted from her he had said "my angel," and +she had smiled upon him when he said it. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + WINTER SPORTS--THE DOCTOR'S VISITS--PREPARATIONS FOR NEW + YEAR'S DAY--A DISCUSSION. + + +Winter had fairly set in. The December winds had for several weeks, +blown upon the "Father of Waters," and he slept like a huge giant, all +unmindful of the western breezes which came to fetter and play their +pranks upon him. Many wild revelries did those winged sprites hold +upon his grim visage, and many a day did the pleasure loving +inhabitants of the lively village of Pendleton go forth and join the +grand revel. On such occasions the newly made playground resounded +with merry shouts and tinkling bells, for there skating and +sleigh-riding and other winter sports were brought to perfection. + +Our young friends of the "Bay State" were quite at home amid such +scenes, and nearly every day, might be seen dashing up before their +hotel, a fanciful little sleigh drawn by a fine spirited grey, who +chafed and stamped, and shook his necklace of silver bells, as if to +signal the fair lady, whose coming he so impatiently waited. His +temper, however, was seldom severely tested, for it was Dr. Goodrich +who sported this elegant little establishment, and Louise Sherman well +knew at what hour of the day to be in readiness for a ride. + +Occasionally the duties of his profession detained the doctor beyond +his usual time, and then came Louise's turn to feel the least bit in +the world uneasy and anxious. But one day there was a delay of the +kind which passed apparently unheeded by her. She had as usual +brought out her little fur cap with its red ribbon ties and deposited +it with her gloves upon the table, and having arranged her mantle near +the fire, and put her overshoes in a warm place upon the hearth, she +seated herself by the window, just opposite her mother who has taking +her afternoon nap in an easy chair. Here she sat for some time +anxiously watching the sleeper, and evidently waiting for her to +awaken. At length Mrs. Sherman opened her eyes, and, as she caught +Louise's eager glance gave a little start. "Hasn't the doctor come +yet?" she asked. + +"No mother, but I'm all ready, and I'm glad you are awake, for I +wanted to tell you before I left, that Edward had ordered wine for New +Year's, and he said if it came while he was out, he wished it put in +his private room." + +"Wine for New Year's! exclaimed Mrs. Sherman in unfeigned +astonishment. + +"Why yes, mother, Edward says our friends will expect it of us." + +"I cannot consent to it," said Mrs. Sherman decidedly, "we shall have +a plentiful supply of refreshments, and, Louise, I'm surprised that +you should, in the remotest manner, give your sanction to your +brother's foolish proposal." + +"But, mother, said Louise, eagerly, "Edward says that it is pure +domestic wine, and I don't see what harm that can do." + +"It was pure domestic wine that made Noah drunk, my dear." + +"O dear," said Louise rather impatiently, "I wish old Noah had never +got drunk, if"-- + +Just then she happened to glance out of the window, and saw the doctor +drive up, and consequently her frowns and Noah's sins were burried in +oblivion, and a smile and a blush bloomed upon their tomb. + +Louise had just done tying on her cap when the doctor appeared at the +door, and, while he was exchanging civilities with her mother, she +slipped out and ran to her brother whom she saw coming in the +passage. + +"We can't have it Ned," she whispered, "mother has set her foot down." + +"Yes?" + +"Yes Ned, she has." + +Edward frowned slightly, but said nothing, for by that time, the +doctor was hastening his sister away and his mother was gently calling +him. + +"Edward." + +"Yes mother," and, entering her room, he threw himself carelessly into +the seat which Louise had vacated. + +For a few moments both were silent, and as the son looked into the +mother's face, he plainly saw that she was filled with grief and +anxiety; and his heart smote him for he really loved and revered his +mother; but he resolved to appear as if he had observed nothing amiss, +and, taking his hat to leave, he said quite cheerfully, "well mother +what are your commands?" + +"Edward I have a request to make of you," replied Mrs. Sherman with +some feeling in her tone. + +"Speak, mother dear," said he, falling pleasantly into his seat. + +"It is my request, Edward, that you do not provide wine, or any other +stimulant for our New Year's entertainment." + +"What, not coffee, mother?" said Edward laughingly. + +"You know very well what I mean," said Mrs. Sherman with a faint +smile. + +"Of course it shall be as you wish," said he more seriously, "but +really, mother, I think you are too strict. I am afraid our friends +will have a mean opinion of our hospitality." + +"They will, of course, understand that we are principled against the +use of intoxicating drinks. + +"As a beverage," chimed in Edward with a touch of irony in his tone. + +Mrs. Sherman looked hurt, and Edward repented again. "Mother," said +he, "forgive me, I did not intend to wound you. Let us drop a subject +upon which we cannot agree. + +"But, Edward, I cannot bear that we should differ. I have always +endeavored to instil correct principles into the minds of my children, +and now, just as they are on the threshold of what might be a useful +life, I find the tares which an enemy had sown beginning to spring up. + +"But mother, you know I do not approve of indulging to excess any more +than you do. It is only the total abstinence principles to which I +object, and even Louise says she can see no harm in an occasional +social glass." + +"Does Miss DeWolf say the same," said Mrs. Sherman fixing her eyes on +Edward. + +"I do not know, I am sure," replied Edward nervously twirling his hat, +"I have never had any conversation with her on the subject." + +"Miss DeWolf is orthodox, I am prepared to testify," exclaimed Louise, +tripping into the room, and, before any question could be put as to +the cause of her sudden return, she gratuitously gave the information. + +"A man had a fit or something," she said, "and I must forsooth, lose +my ride, for the doctor's motto is business before pleasure; a very +good motto when I am not concerned, but if the man could only have +been taken an hour or two later, it would have been a great +accommodation. However," and she glanced archly at her brother, "I +should then have lost the opportunity of eavesdropping, and +consequently of giving in my testimony in favor of my future +sister-in-law." + +"Thank you, I suppose you obtained your information of my future +brother-in-law." + +"No matter how I got it, but I'm fully prepared to prove that the +young lady's principles are severely 'touch not, taste not, handle +not.' We have a great work before us, Ned, for they will not easily be +persuaded to our opinions I can assure you." + +"I do not wish to influence my friends to think just as I do," said +Edward, proudly. + +"Well, somehow you have managed to make me think as you do, for you +know I was once as strict as mother." + +"I hope you have not changed your views on my account, Louise." + +"No, not exactly, Ned, yet, I must confess, your arguments have had +great weight with me." + +"I would advise you to reconsider, and think independently," said +Edward rather sharply. + +Louise was silent, and Mrs. Sherman now seized the opportunity to +change the topic to one more intimately connected with their future +plans and prospects. In this the attention of the trio was absorbed +until towards evening, when they were interrupted by the doctor's well +known knock. + +The doctor looked pale and worn, and, as he seated himself, Edward +remarked, "you look tired doctor." + +"Yes, I _am_ tired," replied the doctor, "I am tired of the world, or +rather I am tired of the way we are living in it. I have had an +aggravated case of delirium tremens on my hands this afternoon, and I +wish every liquor seller in Pendleton could have looked in upon that +distressed family. A young and interesting wife, and several small +children were compelled to witness a scene of suffering, the horrors +of which were truly appalling." + +"It is strange," said Edward, "that men will make such beasts of +themselves." + +"It is strange," said the doctor, "that if men have no hearts of pity, +that we can not have laws to prevent the sale of the poison." + +"But, doctor, men are not compelled to buy it." + +"But, Sherman, men _will_ buy it, and will drink it, the proof of +which is before us every day we live. These temperance societies are +no doubt most of them useful to society, but they do not deal the +death-blow to the monster. Nothing but the law can do that. I know +your opinion, Sherman, but in the name of humanity, what are we to +do?" + +"Why, doctor, we shall have to let men kill themselves if they will be +so foolish. We cannot forbid the sale of pistols, because men often +use them for purposes of committing suicide; and, even to suppose that +a man is quite certain when he sells a deadly weapon to another, that +he will use it for the purpose of self distruction, I hold that he has +the legal right to sell it; that he has no moral right I readily +admit." + +"I do not understand law, Sherman; _perhaps_ our constitution is so +framed that the people have not the power to say whether or not, our +nation shall become a nation of drunkards; perhaps the thousands of +intelligent men, who, heart-sick as I am this day in view of the +dreadful consequences accruing from the sale of intoxicating drinks, +have ignorantly petitioned their state legislature for a prohibitory +law, which they had no power to enact; perhaps those judges are +correct who have said their state can not have a law that would +restore peace and happiness to thousands of families, whose sorrow it +is too harrowing to think upon. I say, _perhaps_, for, I cannot but +hope that judges who are equally intelligent and who have told us +differently may not be mistaken. One thing is certain, the hand of the +liquor dealer must be stayed, or in every house there will be one +dead." + +"Public opinion might do much towards accomplishing the desired +object," suggested Mrs. Sherman." + +"True enough, Mrs. Sherman, said the doctor, "but public opinion must +have its naps, and at best it is seldom half awake and it requires an +immoderate amount of force to bring the sleepy thing to the right +standpoint." + +"Well, doctor, I am willing to use my little strength in the cause, +although I regret to say that my efforts as far as my family are +concerned have proved entirely fruitless." + +The doctor turned a surprised look towards Louise, whose face was +instantly suffused with blushes. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + THE NEW YEAR'S BALL--A CHECK TO FESTIVITY--THE MIDNIGHT + RIDE--DEATH IN THE OLD BROWN HOUSE. + + +Holiday festivities and dancing parties were words synonymous in the +early settlement of Minnesota, and, although Mrs. Sherman would have +been shocked at the bare idea of her daughter attending a public ball +in her native village, the influences of a new country so wrought upon +her prejudices, that her scruples gradually yielded; and, when Louise +rather doubtfully asked permission to attend a party of the kind to +be given on New Year's Eve, she gained a reluctant consent. + +"I could not consent on any account, Louise," said her mother with a +view to excuse this apparant departure from her principles, "if I had +not sometime ago had some conversation with the doctor on the subject. +I have great confidence in his judgment, and, I am sure he would not +desire it, if it were not a proper place for you. However, I have my +misgivings, for I never was allowed to go to such a place when I was +young," and she sighed, "but as the Doctor says, there is no other +amusement for the young in this new country," and she sighed again. +"Is Miss DeWolf going, Louise?" + +"Yes, mother, Ned says he had hard work to persuade her to go. She +don't like to leave her father. What a pity he is such a sot. I +believe I should detest such a father. I don't see how she can be so +good to him." + +"She is a dutiful daughter, Louise, and a noble girl, and I hope +nothing will ever happen to prevent her becoming Edward's wife." + +"What can prevent it mother? I'm sure Ned is handsome, and talented +and rich enough for anybody." + +"I don't know what could prevent it, Louise, but I shall be glad when +they are really married. I think a wife of the right stamp would have +a great influence on Edward." + +"Why, mother, I'm sure Ned's principles are good, and he is steady +enough for a young man; I don't see what particular advantage a wife +would be to him." + +Mrs. Sherman only sighed. + +Louise looked a little disconcerted. "Why, mother," said she, "you act +as if you thought something terrible was going to happen to Ned and +me, and our only escape was matrimony." + +"Louise," said Mrs. Sherman after a pause, "could not Miss DeWolf be +prevailed upon to spend the day of the party with us; she would only +be a few hours longer away from her father." + +"Why yes, I think so," said Louise thoughtfully. "Ned could go for +her in the morning. O yes," she concluded decidedly, "Ned can manage +that I know." + +Little Wolf spent the day above mentioned in Mrs. Sherman's family. +She was happy; happier than she had been since her return home. The +memory of the dreadful night which she passed at Squire Tinknor's had +ever since haunted her. It was only when in Edward's presence that she +forgot it, and it would even sometimes cloud a moment of such +companionship, as comes only to those whose very life is bound up in +another's. She often said to herself, it was his first mistake, it +would never be repeated; he would not dare to indulge again, now that +he was convinced how a stimulant would effect him. But, spite of all +her attempts at self-control, whenever the well remembered scene came +up before her, she was ready to cry out with anguish. The society of +Edward's mother, comforted, and reassured her. The son of such a +mother was exalted, if that were possible, in her opinion, and she +instinctively gathered renewed confidence in her own future +happiness. + +During the day, Mrs. Sherman's penetrating eye was frequently fixed +upon Little Wolf, as if she would read her very soul, and the glimpses +which she caught, shining out in her words and actions were on the +whole satisfactory. + +Louise, who was naturally rather yielding and dependent, involuntarily +deferred to her young companion, whose opinions were always +independent and often expressed with marked decision. In fact, before +the day was ended, Little Wolf's force of character was felt and +silently acknowledged; and little, and rosy, and curly though she was, +she had become a power in the Sherman family. But what beauty, what +sweetness, what love is potent when opposed to a depraved appetite? +But why anticipate? + +As Edward was busy in his office the greater part of the day, and the +doctor in his professional duties, they saw but little of the ladies, +and Mrs. Sherman, anticipating their wishes, advised Little Wolf and +Louise to dress at an early hour of the evening, in order to enjoy a +quiet social hour all together before the party. + +The mysteries of the toilet occupied more time than they had +calculated upon, and, just as they were in the midst of an important +discussion, as to whether pink or white flowers became Louise best, +they heard the gentlemen come in. + +"There they come," said Louise, "I hear them in the parlor; do, +mother, tell them we are most ready!" + +"Now Miss DeWolf," said she, turning to Little Wolf, as her mother +left the room, "how do you think I look?" + +"Why you look like a prim puritan. The roses in your hair look as if +they had been taught to grow very properly all their lives and they +were not going to depart from early habits, even if they were going to +a 'hop.'" + +"Now, do you think they look stiff?" said Louise anxiously. + +"Just a little, Miss Louise." + +"Please arrange them for me," said Louise, stepping up to Little Wolf. + +Little Wolf gave the offending flowers several slight twiches, this +way, and that. "There, how do you think they look now," said she. + +"O they do look lovely," said Louise, glancing at herself, admiringly +in the mirror, why could not I fix them so?" + +Little Wolf gave her head a slight toss of triumph, thereby creating a +breezy excitement, quite becoming among her ringlets, and the moss +rose buds with which they were ornamented. Her dress was white and +gauzy, and her every movement floated it gracefully about her slender +figure. + +Louise was also dressed in white, but there was an air of precision +about her, with which although it accorded well with her conservative +character, she was evidently dissatisfied, when comparing her +appearance with Little Wolf's. + +"I wish my hair would curl like yours," she said, glancing from the +reflection of her own smoothly braided locks, to Little Wolf's +dancing ringlets. + +"Why I'm sure you look very beautiful indeed, beautiful as a bride, +Miss Louise; now, go ask the doctor if you don't. Don't wait for me, +the doctor is waiting for you; I'll come directly when I get this lace +fixed." + +"Well, remember _somebody_ is waiting for you," said Louise, as she +left the room. + +A shower of compliments fell upon Louise as she presented herself to +her brother and lover. "Now don't waste any more admiration on me, +either of you," said she, "save it for Miss DeWolf, she is the most +beautiful thing I ever saw. She is grace itself. She touches a ribbon +and it knots itself into an exquisite shape, she lays her hand upon +lace and it fastens and floats, she gently pats a flower, and it +instantly assumes its most graceful attitude. O Ned, how happy you +will be." + +The words were still upon Louise's lips when Little Wolf joined the +circle, and somehow, she instantly caught the expression of Edward's +face, and read in it those emotions, with which our pen intermedleth +not. + +It was very pleasant to look into that quiet parlor, presided over by +Mrs. Sherman, who sat regarding her happy children with so much +tenderness and pride. But we must not linger, for there are other +scenes to be presented. + +It was near the midnight hour when pleasure ran highest in the +brilliantly lighted ballroom that Edward might be seen leading Little +Wolf to a seat. She had appeared on the floor many times, and had at +length acknowledged herself weary. + +"What a handsome couple," whispered Louise to the doctor, nodding +significantly towards them, and her whisper was echoed by many others. + +There was a deep red spot in Edward's cheek, and a flash in his eye, +which some might have attributed to the excitement of the occasion, +but the doctor and those who knew him well, interpreted it +differently. He had several times during the evening left the room +with one or two of his friends, who were in the habit of indulging in +a social glass, and Edward's principles were not such, as to shield +him from their influence. + +Little Wolf's quick eye followed him when he went and when he came; +not indeed with a suspicion of the truth, for it did not occur to her +that he was being led into temptation, but the fact was about to burst +upon her. + +"Excuse me for a few moments, love," whispered Edward as he seated +her, "I will be back in time to dance the old year out and the new +year in with you; the next is to be our wedding year, is it not?" + +Little Wolf smiled and fluttered her fan to conceal her confusion. + +Two gentlemen were engaged in conversation near Little Wolf, and, as +Edward left her one of them remarked, "What a pity so many of our +promising young men are falling into the habit of drinking. There is +young Sherman, if I am not mistaken, under the influence of +stimulant." + +Although not intended for her ear, Little Wolf caught the words, and +her bright smile faded, and her busy little fan dropped in her lap. +The wound so lately healed was reopened, and in it had fallen a +corrosive poison. She felt the aching pain, and the eating smart, she +begged Dr. Goodrich to take her from the room. She had arisen and was +leaning on his arm when Edward returned. + +"I see my bird is on the wing," said he claiming Little Wolf's hand +for the forming cotillion. + +Little Wolf caught his breath as he leaned towards her, and grew +paler, "I cannot dance," said she drawing back. + +Edward looked surprised, but the doctor knew what all meant and he +turned with her towards the door, when who should they see, but daddy, +making his way towards them. + +He had evidently come in haste, for his great rough over-coat was only +partly buttoned, his leggins were put on awry, his over shoes were +untied and the strings dangled under his feet somewhat retarding his +shuffling locomotion. With fur cap drawn low so as to protect his +face as much as possible from the biting winds, beard white with +frost, and clusters of snow flakes resting upon his broad shoulders, +Daddy pushed forward into the throng. + +Little Wolf no sooner saw than she ran up to him, "What's the matter +Daddy?" said she. + +"Twixt you and me, Honey," said he clutching her by the arm, "the +doctor is pretty nigh done fur." + +Little Wolf waited for no futher explanation. She gave her little +dimpled arm a jerk and was out of the room in a twinkling. + +"Bless me, twixt you an'me, it will go hard with the Honey," said +Daddy addressing Dr. Goodrich, "your services is needed. Miss Hawley +said fetch you right along with the Honey, and, doctor hev' her wrap +up right smart, its awful cold and blowy--howsoever, I clapped in two +big buffaloes, for I know'd putty well how gals is dressed at sich +places. Laws, I expect them are buffaloes would keep her warm if she +hadn't nothing on but that are outside fish net." + +For once Daddy made no useless delays. He saw that Little Wolf was +well wrapped in as they sped along the frozen river. The horses were +put to their utmost speed, but in vain. Little Wolf arrived a few +minutes too late to attend her dying father. + +With a despairing wail she threw herself beside his dead body. She did +not weep, but moaned so pitifully that it was distressing to listen to +her. + +Mrs. Hawley at length went to her and gently raised her up and removed +her hood and cloak. In her haste, Little Wolf had made no change in +her dress, and she was too much absorbed in grief to once think of her +appearance. The rose buds fell from her hair on the still face of the +corpse and her white robes floated over it, while Mrs. Hawley tried to +soothe and speak words of comfort to her. + +But suddenly her eye fell upon a form at the opposite side of the bed. +It was Hank Glutter. She was pale before, but at sight of him she +became absolutely ghastly. Slowly she arose to her feet and went +around to where he stood. "Mr. Glutter," said she solemly, raising her +hand, as if to pronounce upon him some dreadful anathema. + +"Miss DeWolf," said Hank, eagerly interrupting her, "do not curse me." + +"Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord," burst from +Little Wolfs white lips. + +Is there not a curse which the liquor seller cannot escape?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + NEIGHBORLY SYMPATHY--LITTLE WOLF'S BOSOM FRIEND--A + DISAPPOINTED LOVER. + + +The news of the sudden and unexpected death of Dr. DeWolf, quickly +spread among the few poor families living in the vicinity, casting a +gloom over the little community, where he had been so long well known, +and, before strong drink got the mastery of him, greatly respected and +beloved. Many a sorrowful face looked out from doors and windows +towards the old brown house on New Year's morning, and one after +another, the sympathising neighbors offered their assistance at the +door of the bereaved, whose sunny face had often cheered their own +quiet homes. + +But poor Little Wolf at the time knew nothing of their kind +intentions. After the first burst of grief, leaving all arrangements +which the occasion required to Dr. Goodrich, she shut herself in her +own room, and none dared intrude upon her night of sorrow, except +indeed Daddy, who was indefatigable in his attentions. The kind +hearted old man wrapped himself in blankets, and lay down near her +door, and, at intervals, during the hours of that cold January +morning, he crept in softly and replenished the fire, and, after +lingering a moment in the vain hope that she would notice and speak to +him, he would go away muttering pitifully to himself, "poor Pet, poor +Honey." + +About daylight, worn out with anxiety and fatigue, he fell asleep, and +a few hours afterwas awakened by a hard thump on the head and +starting up, he saw Sorrel Top, just gathering herself up from a fall. + +Who told you to lie down there like a dog, for folks to stumble over?" +said she angrily, I thought you were going to take care of Little +Wolf, and here I find you snoring away and she may be frozen to death, +for all you know." + +"Tween you an'me," said Daddy looking rather mortified, "I'm afeared +that are fire has gin' out." + +"Of course it has--there ain't a good fire in the hull house. It takes +Mrs. Hawley all the time to tend the door and tell the folks we don't +want their help, and when the funeral will be;--I tell ye, we ain't +hardly had a mite of rest since the doctor was brought home." + +"Tell Miss Hawley I'll be down there in five minutes," said Daddy +decidedly. + +"It don't make much difference whether he's here or not," said Mrs. +Hawley, when Sorrel Top had delivered his message. + +"O he'll be handy to talk," replied Sorrel Top with a grim smile. + +"Tween you an' me, it ain't no time fur to be jokin," said Daddy, who +had come in time to catch a few words, and had a suspicion of what was +passing between the women, "I guess," he continued "if you could see +how broke down the Honey is, you'd begin to think it was a serious +matter." + +"We do already think it a very serious matter, Daddy," said Mrs. +Hawley with great feeling, and I wish Miss DeWolf would let me do +something for her." + +"Taint no use saying a word to her, I don't open my head when I go +into the room, but I'd lay down my life fur to ease her," said Daddy +the tears coming to his eyes. "Tween you and me, it ain't no common +trouble workin' on the pet," he said, coming close to the two and +speaking low, "I've knowed her sence she was a baby, I've seen all of +her putty ways, and none of her bad ways, fur she never had none; she +hes growd up perfect and she allers treated the doctor dutiful, and +she's got nothin' to reproach herself fur. I'm afered," and he sank +his voice to a whisper, "the Honey has got a separate trouble." + +"What that trouble was Daddy did not define for he was interrupted by +a knock at the door, which he opened and ushered in the Sherman +family. + +"Tween you and me, the Honey ain't spoke nor slept, nor eat," said +Daddy, in answer to Mrs. Sherman's enquiry after Little Wolf, "but +maybe it will ease her a leetle to know that you are here," he said, +looking sideways at Edward. + +Daddy fidgeted around Little Wolf for several moments, before he could +muster courage to break the silence, and tell her who were waiting +below, and he almost regretted having done so, when he saw the look of +agony, which the information brought to her face. + +"Daddy," said she in a choking voice, "ask Mrs. Sherman to my room, +the others will excuse me to-day." + +It was some alleviation to Edward's disappointment, as he rode home +with Louise, to know that his mother was to be Little Wolf's companion +and consoler until the arrival of her old friends, the Tinknors, who +had been sent for, to be present at the funeral. + +During the few days they were together, Mrs. Sherman strove by every +means she could devise to give her young friend some relief from the +distress of mind, under which it was evident she was laboring. But she +was at length obliged to return home, leaving to Mrs. Tinknor's skill +the trying case, which had baffled her own benevolent efforts. + +It was the day on which her father's remains had been consigned to +their last resting place in a secluded part of his grounds, beside the +grave of her mother, that Little Wolf sat alone by her upper window +looking sadly out towards the burial spot, which she had left only a +few hours previously. + +The Squire and Mrs. Tinknor were in the parlor below, engaged in +conversation concerning the events of the past few days, and Tom +Tinknor, to whom the solemnities of the occasion had been extremely +irksome, was wandering aimlessly about the house with hands in his +pockets, occasionally checking himself in the very act of whistling +away the oppressive silence. + +The sudden opening of a door gave him quite a start, and turning +quickly, he saw Daddy, who said good naturedly, "I guess ye're skeered +ain't ye? 'Tween you an' me I've felt ruther shaky myself lately in +this ere great big house, where there is so much spare room, fur +ghosts and sperits of pussens is apt fur to hang around the house +where they die." + +"O, that's all nonsense, Daddy," said Tom, "I thought you knew too +much to believe in such things." + +"Wall, I don't really believe in 'em, but I did feel kinder queer +like, last night when I went through that are long hall to the Honey's +room, but I never hev really seen a sperit yet, but I've seen shaders +that looked mighty like 'em, and I ain't no doubt, if there is any, I +shell see 'em, fur the Honey says I'm uncommon sharp that are way. +Laws, she ain't afeared of nothin: why, she went inter the doctor's +room, the next day after he was laid out, and stayed thar ever so long +all alone, and wouldn't even come out fur to see Mr. Sherman, 'Tween +you an' me, I guess the Honey is throwin off on that are Sherman, fur +ye see I hed to go right inter the ball-room fur her, the night the +doctor died, and I see her, with my own eyes, draw away from him as if +he had hurt her, and I kinder hed a inklin that may be he'd been +drinking a leetle too much, fur, to my sartin knowledge, she ain't +'lowed him fur to come nigh her sence. But I guess its affectin' her +serious, fur she does 'pear to feel the wust she ever did, and I used +to say, sometimes, when the doctor was brung hum dead drunk, she +couldn't feel no wuss if he was really dead; but them times was +nothin' to the way she broke down the night he died. 'Tween you an' +me," said Daddy, as if suddenly recollecting himself, "it wouldn't be +best fur to say nothin' about this to nobody, fur the Honey likes to +keep her own affairs strict." + +"Certainly not," said Tom, and he walked straight to the parlor, and +repeated to his parents every word he had heard. + +"She certainly grieves more than is natural considering the +circumstances," said the Squire, "and if the old man's conjectures are +correct, you are here just in the nick of time, Tom." + +"I don't know about that," said Tom, rather dubiously, "she will have +to change wonderfully if she gives a fellow a chance to see or speak +to her while we stay." + +"I shall try to prevail upon the poor child to come down awhile this +evening," said Mrs. Tinknor very gently. + +"A handsome fortune is not to be obtained by marriage every day," said +the Squire. + +"A noble-hearted, whole-souled woman like Little Wolf is not to be +obtained every day," said Mrs. Tinknor, "but, I never thought," said +she affectionately regarding her son, "that Little Wolf cherished +other than a sister's love for Tom." + +Tom was silent, and, after a short pause, Mrs. Tinknor said, "when you +came in Tom, I was telling your father of a conversation I had with +Little Wolf last evening, concerning her going home with us, but she +thinks it best, on account of her dependent family, not to break up +house-keeping before Spring." + +"Displaying thereby very little financial ability," said Tom, rather +contemptously. + +"Tut, tut," said the Squire, "Little Wolf is posted. She knows just as +much about her father's affairs as I do, She would give me no rest +months ago, until I spread out the whole thing before her, and I +believe her to be as capable of managing the property, as a woman can +be. + +"I reminded her of the extra expense attending house-keeping," said +Mrs. Tinknor, "but she said she felt it her duty to provide for those +poor creatures in her employment. There's Daddy, you know, cannot, +more than earn his board, and Mrs. Hawley besides being feeble, has no +other home, and nobody would do as well by an inefficient girl like +Sorrel Top, as she does, and then she has decided to take Fanny Green +into her family for the winter." + +"Now, who is Fanny Green?" broke in Tom. + +"Why, she is the little girl whose father killed his wife in a fit of +intoxication, and then ran off leaving the child to the charity of +strangers, and I think Little Wolf said, she was cruelly treated in +the family where she is now living, and the family do not wish to be +burdened with her. + +"Well, _well_" said Tom, drawing a long breath, "I'm convinced Little +Wolf will be a moping old maid, dressed in black, managing well her +property, devising philanthropic plans for the benefit of paupers, she +is getting too good for any man that lives." + +"The best of it is, she does not even know she is doing a good thing," +said Mrs. Tinknor smilingly. + +Tom got up and walked impatiently to the window. Having accompanied +his parents, with a view, to himself wipe away the few natural tears, +that he imagined bedewed the rosy cheeks of Little Wolf, and pour into +her willing ear a volume of cheering words, as he should ride by her +side on their return trip, and, finally, to prevail upon her to reward +his unequalled constancy, by becoming his wife, he was quite +unprepared to meet the pale anguished face beneath the long black veil +of which, for the first time, he caught a glimpse on the funeral day. +Having witnessed the quiver that shook her delicate frame, as the +grave received its dead, he lost all confidence in his pre-arranged +means of consolation, and the words of his mother, not having been +calculated to reassure him he was now thoroughly annoyed at the course +things had taken. + +But as Mrs. Tinknor well knew that Tom's feelings were evanescent, and +seldom went beyond the surface, she immediately arose to go to Little +Wolf, comforting herself with the reflection, that the storm she was +leaving would be of short duration. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + A WEIGHT OF SORROW--MARRYING A DRUNKARD--SUSPENSE. + + +Meantime Little Wolf had not stirred from her place by the window, +neither had she withdrawn her gaze from the desolate scene without. +All nature was shrouded in snow. On the ground, on every tree and +shrub, and in the air; snow was everywhere. But Little Wolf was too +much absorbed in her own reflections to bestow a thought upon the +raging storm. + +From the graves of her parents, dimly seen through the whirling +flakes, her mind had wandered to an equally painful subject, upon +which the timely appearance of her beloved friend, Mrs. Tinknor, gave +her the longed for opportunity to converse. She had always confided in +that lady, as in a mother, and in the present instance, nothing was +witheld pertaining to her feelings past and present towards Edward +Sherman, and the relation in which he stood to her. + +Mrs. Tinknor's previous interview with Tom had in a measure prepared +her for Little Wolf's communication, but the tearless eye, so full of +anguish, the white cheek and compressed lips, all so unlike her +brilliant little friend, struck her painfully; and indignation towards +the author of so much wretchedness was the uppermost feeling as, in +conclusion, Little Wolf pleadingly asked, "what can I do, my dear Mrs. +Tinknor?" + +Now Mrs. Tinknor was a mild, undemonstrative woman, not prone to +giving advice, but the memory of all the wrongs which she had endured +through the intemperance of her husband, wrongs which had sunk deep +within her bleeding heart, nerved her to raise a warning voice, to +save, if possible, one whom she really loved from a life, to which it +made her shudder to look forward, and she freely and earnestly +answered. + +"Think no more of one, who, if you were to become his wife, would make +your life, beyond all expression, miserable." + +Little Wolf laid her hand quickly on that of her friend and looking +straight into her eyes said vehemently, "I cannot, no, I cannot do +that, could you?" + +"Could I, rather, did I," said Mrs. Tinknor, drawing a long breath, "I +had not the decision that marks your character, darling, and +consequently am a drunkard's wife." + +Mrs. Tinknor's voice fell very low, as she repeated the last words, +and Little Wolf involuntarily clasped more closely the hand on which +she had laid her own. + +"You are not, really, what you called yourself, Mrs. Tinknor," she +whispered, "nobody calls Squire Tinknor that, oh, do not talk so." + +"I do not like to say it my dear, and I never said it before, but for +your sake I lay open the hidden part of my life, and after you have +heard me through I shall never give another word of advice as to your +future course." + +"I was just of your age, darling, and about to be married when an +intimate friend said to me," "I'm afraid Mr. Tinknor is fond of drink, +I saw him go into one of those drinking saloons." I answered +carelessly; for I did not wish her to know that she had made me +anxious; but that evening I repeated her words to my lover. He made +light of it, and said a friend invited him to drink and he did not +like to refuse; that he might be a man among men, that there was no +danger, he could stop when he pleased, he only drank socially, never +for the love of it. + +"But my fears were aroused and I begged him with tears, to give up +social drinking all together, and he finally appeared hurt, and +finally asked me if I could not trust him, and I said yes; for he was +so noble, so full of warm affection, that I was sure I could win him +from those habits, which threatened to darken our sky. I ventured +forth on a dangerous sea, and clouds and storms have been my portion. + +"Spite of all you love him, and he loves you," Little Wolf ventured to +say, "and while there is love there is hope, and some little comfort; +life is not entirely aimless and barren." + +Mrs. Tinknor so pitied Little Wolf, who had so bravely risen above all +the misfortunes to which her young life had been subjected, only to +sacrifice herself to a most unfortunate attachment, that, for the +moment, she was silent not knowing what to say. + +"O do not look so hopeless, dear Mrs. Tinknor," said Little Wolf +eagerly, "tell me there is something to live for." + +"We may, to be good, and do good," said Mrs. Tinknor slowly, as if to +make quite sure of answering wisely. + +Little Wolf caught at the words, "that is just what you are doing," +she said, "and why may not I? I know you think I could not do as you +have done; but you do not know how my heart is in this thing. I did +not know myself until the trial came, why, Mrs. Tinknor, I could +sacrifice my soul for his sake." + +"O darling, darling, I cannot bear to hear you say so. I cannot bear +to have you sacrifice yourself to one who would not even control a +vitiated appetite for your sake. Believe me you will regret it, if you +become the wife of an inebriate." + +"O he is not that, he is not that." + +"He may not have come to that yet, dear child, but you have seen and +heard enough to convince you that he is on the road from which few +turn back. He has already felt the debasing effects of intoxicating +drink and still he keeps on, and shall that noble soul of yours be for +a whole life time bound to one with whom eventually there can be no +sympathy? God forbid. You may remember, although you were very young, +what your dear mother's sufferings were; could she speak to you now, +what think you would be her advice?" + +"O my dear, patient, loving, broken hearted mother," and Little Wolf +burst into a paroxysm of tears. + +Mrs. Tinknor leaned very tenderly over her young friend and kissed her +cheek, and, after this little act of love and sympathy, she went down +stairs, without so much as having hinted at the object for which she +came. However to the surprise of all, Little Wolf spent the evening in +the parlor with her guests, and at her earnest solicitation, they +consented to delay their intended departure for a few days. + +It was a sore disappointment to Edward Sherman to be obliged to meet +Little Wolf day after day under the watchful eye of Tom Tinknor. But, +to Little Wolf it was an infinite relief, for Mrs. Tinknor's words +"think no more of one who if you were to become his wife, would make +your life beyond all expression, miserable," rang continually in her +ears: and, while her heart prompted her to a different course, her +intellect in a measure approved the advice. Consequently she naturally +shrank from a private interview, before her mind was fully prepared to +meet the exigency. + +The subject was not again broached between Mrs. Tinknor and herself +until the morning that the first named started for her home, and it +was only at the moment of their last fond leave taking, that Little +Wolf leaned over the side of the sleigh and whispered in her ear, "I +shall never be able to write to you about it, but if _he_ refuses to +accept the condition which I feel I _ought_ to make, I will just send +you a lock of my hair and you will know it is all over with us." + +Her lip quivered as she turned away and as the Squire drove off, Tom +who had observed her agitation said to his mother, "she is tender +hearted, that savage Little Wolf after all." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + DADDY'S DIPLOMACY--A PASSAGE AT ARMS--FANNIE GREEN--A + CATASTROPHE. + + +A sudden sense of responsibility seemed to fall upon Daddy, as with +Little Wolf, he watched the Squire's swift gliding sleigh, and its +occupants, until they had dwindled together, a mere speck on the +silent river. + +'Tween you and me, Honey, it won't du for you to be shiverin, here in +the snow. Mr. Tom said I was fur to take care of you when he was gone; +'tween you and me Mr. Tom is oncommon nice young man, oncommon, +considerin his father, very oncommon." + +"How so Daddy?" + +"'Tween you and me he's a teetotaler, out and out, and the Squire +ain't. I ketched him sneakin off down to the brewery several times. I +kinder think Tom takes after his mother, and its a good sign fur boys +to take after their mother. Now there's Mr. Sherman, he takes after +his father. His every motion is like the judge. To be sure, the Judge +was a wonderful smart man, but then when I lived in them parts he was +in the habit of drinkin, pretty heavy. Afore I left he signed the +pledge, but there ain't no tellin how he would have turned out if he +had lived." + +It was plainly to be seen in whose interest Daddy was enlisted. His +diplomatic efforts were listened to with great composure and he could +only speculate on the result as he went into the house with Little +Wolf. + +The parlor was in a state of confusion, Mrs. Hawley and Sorrel Tom +having combined forces to raise the greatest possible amount of dust +and disorder out of the material at hand; such as the ashes from the +Squire's segar inadvertantly dropped, the dirt from Tom's boots which +he never remembered to clean, and Daddy's careless litter in making +the fire. The light litter was easily disposed of, but the inevitable +stain left by the melted snow upon the carpet occasioned an angry +outburst from Sorrel Top, who did not see her young mistress just +behind. + +"Tom Tinknor is a filthy fellow," said she, and I'm glad he's gone; he +kept me cleaning up after him all the time, and now here's two more +great spots to be scrubbed." + +"'Tween you and me Tom didn't make them are," said Daddy indignantly. + +"He did, too." + +"He didn't nuther, I see Mr. Sherman set in that are very spot +yesterday." + +At the commencement of the dispute, Little Wolf slipped away and +sought refuge in her own room, and Daddy embraced the opportunity to +lecture Sorrel Top soundly. + +"'Tween you and me, you've disgusted the Honey," said he, "speakin so +unrespectful of her friends." + +"She don't know nothing about it," said Sorrel Top. + +"'Tween you and me she stood right behind you and heered the hull," +said Daddy triumphantly. + +"I don't believe it," said Sorrel Top, getting very red in the face. + +"I'll leave it to Miss Hawley," said Daddy. + +Mrs. Hawley corrobarated the statement and Daddy continued his +lecture. + +"'Tain't never best to speak disrespectful of nobody," said he, "I +never du, except of them are liquor sellers, and sich low critters. +'Tween you an' me, Mr. Tinknor is a very respectable young man; he +told me he'd never drunk a drop of liquor in his hull life, except +once when he had the colic, and it ain't likely he'll ever tech the +infarnel stuff agin, for he ain't subject to colic, and if he should +be tackled with it, I've told him how to doctor with hot plates and +yarb tea. I advised him not to send fur no doctor, fur ten chances tu +one, they would prescribe brandy. Them doctors, as a general thing, +don't know no better than to prescribe things fur young men that gits +'em in the habit of drinkin. I wouldn't hev the Honey heard you run +down Mr. Tom, as you did, fur no money. I hope this will be a warnin +fur you to be oncommon keerful of that are tongue of yourn in futur." + +"I guess Miss DeWolf can tend to her own affairs without anybody's +help," said Sorrel Top, not in the least dismayed by Daddy's +expostulations. "I wonder what has sot you agin Mr. Sherman, he is +much more agreeable than Tom Tinknor, and I had rather clean up his +dirt a thousand times, than so much as set a chair for that silly +Tom." + +"You never had no penetration, no how," said Daddy contemptously, "if +you ever marry you'll get a drunken loafer to wait on, no doubt." + +With this unkind prophesy on his lips, Daddy got himself out of the +sound of Sorrel Top's retort as quickly as possible, and, as he could +whenever it suited him, make an errand to Little Wolf's room, he very +soon made it convenient to start with an armful of wood in that +direction. + +The fire was burning very briskly and Little Wolf sat before it in an +attitude of deep thought, so Daddy very gently put down the wood, and +was going out, when his young mistress called after him. + +"Daddy." + +"Yes, Honey." + +"Daddy, I've been thinking of going for Fanny Green to-day." + +"'Tween you and me, its a oncommon fair day, likely you wouldn't take +no cold. + +"Well, daddy, we will drive over for her, early this afternoon." + +The honor of riding with Little Wolf and the errand on which, they +were going combined to form an occasion of deep interest with Daddy +who hastened down, eager to impart the information he had obtained. +But, as only Sorrel Top was visible, and she in a fit of sulks, in +the bringing on of which he had been instrumental, he delayed his +important communication for a more appreciative audience, and +contented himself with the performance of what he considered a solemn +duty. + +"'Tween you and me, its never best to pout," said he, "I've seen many +a handsome face spiled by it." + +Having administered this inflammatory admonition, Daddy betook himself +to the wood pile, where he pecked away with uncommon assiduity until +he was called to dinner. + +Putting away his ax with alacrity, he hurried into the house, with an +air of a man of business, and soon, under the influence of a very +palatable dinner, his tongue loosed more agreeably. + +"'Tween you and me, the Honey and me have been talkin the matter +over," said he, "and we are going fur to fetch Fanny this afternoon." + +"You ain't told us no news," said Sorrel Top, "has he Miss Hawley?" + +"I didn't go fur to tell no news, a man never expects to tell _women_ +any news." + +Daddy told this little fib good naturedly, although it was evident +that he was the least bit annoyed. + +Sorrel Top delighted in view of Daddy's discomfiture, and her temper +restored, condescended to disclose the part she was to act in the +matter. + +"I've just been fixing a bed for her in the little room inside of Miss +DeWolf's," said she "and as it ain't at all likely she'll be very +tidy, brought up as she has been in that old shanty, I expect to have +to teach her to keep it in order." + +"'Tween you and me, it's time I was gittin ready fur to fetch her," +said Daddy glad of an excuse to terminate the interview. + +Little Wolf was on the veranda when Daddy drove up, for she was aware +that her spirited little saddle horse, Fleet Foot, was as a general +thing rather restive in harness. However, on the present occasion, +his behavior was unexceptionable, and, in a few minutes, he was +trotting off, the perfection of docility. + +It was about a half an hour's drive to Mr. Wycoff's the farmer in +whose family Fanny Green was living, and it was not to be expected +that Daddy could by any means remain silent for that length of time, +and as the subject most likely to interest his young mistress, he +fixed upon Fleet Foot. + +"'Tween you and me, Fleet Foot is oncommon stiddy to-day." + +"Yes," said Little Wolf, absently. + +"'Tween you and me hosses is like pussens, they ken be coaxed better +than driv, fur generally speakin, coaxing brings 'em round when +driving won't. It always makes my blood brile tu see a hoss abused, +and the men that du it ain't much better than them are liquor sellers, +and I have always said that they were the meanest of God's creation. +'Tween you and me, if common folks had had the care of Fleet Foot, you +couldn't do nothin with him. He's naturally as full of fire as an egg +is of meat, and he's a very knowin hoss tu; the minute you're in the +saddle he pricks up his ears, and dances off like a young colt, fur he +knows you like fur to have him prance and show off; but when I back +him, he knows just as well he's got a stiddy old man aboard. When I +fust took him out this afternoon, he went a caperin and carcerin +round, and one spell I cum mighty nigh not gitting harness on him, but +laws if anybody ken manage a hoss I ken," and Daddy unconsciously gave +the reins a triumphant jerk, which instantly increased Fleet Foot's +speed to what the careful old man considered an alarming degree, and +by the time they had reached their destination, he was nearly out of +breath, and had become quite nervous in his efforts to check the +spirited animal. + +"'Tween you and me, it wont du to keep Fleet Foot standing long in the +cold," suggested Daddy anxiously as Little Wolf was alighting. + +Sharing Daddy's anxiety Little Wolf stated to Mrs. Wycoff as +concisely as possible, the object of her visit, and that individual +brought the affair to a crisis in the following summary manner. + +"Here's the girl, take her. Fanny put on your hood, and that old cloak +that was your mother's. Mr. Wycoff has given you to this lady, and +she's in a hurry. Now be quick." + +Fanny's little white tear stained face fairly shone with delight, as +she followed her new found friend to the sleigh. No alteration had +been made in the mantle which was once her mother's, and Daddy wrapped +her carefully in its ample folds and stowed her away at his feet, and +she looked her last upon a house where she had suffered, as ill +treated, motherless children sometimes do suffer. + +From the day of her mother's death, she had excited Daddy's earnest +sympathy. He had seen her carried home by Mr. Wycoff, whom he knew to +be a hard man, and fond of strong drink. Mrs. Wycoff had the +reputation of being no better than her husband, and Fanny's fate was +generally commiserated when it was known that she was to be nurse and +chore girl in that family. She had been there but a few months, +however, when the infant under her charge suddenly sickened and died, +and as she was too small and delicate to be put to hard labor, the +family had no futher use for her. These facts coming to Little Wolf's +knowledge through Daddy, she had successfully employed him to gain Mr. +Wycoff's consent to give the child up to her." + +There was a world of gratitude in Fanny's sweet blue eyes, when +occasionally she would modestly turn them up to Little Wolf as they +rode in silence. + +Daddy was to much absorbed in holding the reins to think of anything +else, and as they neared the last long hill he drew a sigh of relief, +"'tween you an' me, we're all right so fur," he said. + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth before they were half way up +the hill. Just on the brow they saw a two horse team, which as the +road was narrow and the sides precipitous and rocky could only be +passed with safety where it then was. Imagine then the dismay of the +little party as they saw the heavy sled descending, and the driver +madly urging on his horses. + +Daddy shouted at the top of his voice, Little Wolf sprang upon her +feet and waved her handkerchief with all her might, and little Fanny +said dispairingly, "Oh its Mr. Wycoff, he is drunk, oh he _will_ run +over us." + +Down, down, with fearful rapidity came the heavy team, the driver +flourishing his whip and shouting dreadful oaths; while like lightning +leaped Fleet Foot onward to his destiny. An instant more and Little +Wolf had thrown Fanny from the sleigh and leaped after her down the +side hill. There was a crash, a prolonged neigh; Fleet Foot's death +yell, as, for an instant, he hung suspended from the sleigh, which had +caught on a projecting rock, and all was silent save the distant +clatter of horses' hoofs and the faint hallos of the drunken maniac. + +At the moment of the collision, Daddy had risen to his feet and was +in some unaccountable way thrown uninjured into the road. Although +stunned and bewildered by the fall, his faculties gradually brightened +and he was soon in a condition to survey the scene. + +On a ledge of rocks overhanging the precipice was the forlorn wreck of +the once fanciful little sleigh. In the depths below lay Fleet Foot, +stretched motionless upon the rocky bottom. The deep ravine into which +he had been plunged ran angling, and formed the point, where by her +presense of mind Little Wolf had saved herself, and Fanny from almost +certain death. + +At this point the hill was less steep, and the snow had fallen to a +great depth, forming a bed as soft as down, and cushioning the very +rocks. Upon this capacious couch of unsullied whiteness, lay Little +Wolf and Fanny. + +Powerless himself to render any assistance, Daddy opened his mouth and +there went forth a wail such as caused Little Wolf to start and +shudder as she thought of what it might portend. But her worst fears +were in a moment dispelled, as she saw Daddy's anxious face bending +imploringly over the bank. + +"Honey" said he most dolefully. + +"Yes, Daddy." + +"'Tween you an' me, you ain't hurt nun, be you?" + +"Not very much, Daddy, but when I try to rise I only sink deeper in +the snow. Hark! I hear the sound of bells." + +"Well, now, if there ain't Mr. Sherman coming down the hill," said +Daddy delightfully. "'Tween you and me, Honey, that are Mr. Sherman +will hev fur to help you git out. His legs is a heap longer than these +old stumps of mine." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + THE RESCUE. + + +The circumstances which had brought Edward Sherman so opportunely to +the scene of disaster were simply these: + +On his way to call upon Little Wolf he had ridden round to Hank +Glutter's saloon in order to leave a package of Eastern papers, as an +act of courtesy in return for previous favors from Hank. As he pulled +up before the door, Mr. Wycoff, urged by the proprietor, came reeling +out with blood-shot eyes, and swearing that he would never leave the +place without another drink. Hank had some trouble in coaxing him on +to his sled, and getting him started for home. Having rid himself of +his troublesome customer, he turned his attention to Edward. + +"Come in, Mr. Sherman," said he, "I am at liberty now. That man Wycoff +has been quite an annoyance to me of late. He has no control over his +appetite, and consequently ought never to drink; but I can't refuse +him, and it wouldn't mend the matter if I did, for he can easily get +it elsewhere, and, perhaps, where no discrimination would be used, and +he would become too much intoxicated to get home at all; but drunken +loafers are not allowed to hang around here." + +"I have brought some papers which I thought you might like to look +at," said Edward taking no notice of what the other had said. + +"Thank you, Mr. Sherman, you had better come in a while. I have just +received some sherry said to be very fine. I would like your judgment +upon the quality of the article." + +"Another time, Mr. Glutter; I am in something of a hurry to-day." + +"Well, just wait a minute," said Hank, and he darted in and brought +out a bottle and slipped it in the corner of the sleigh under the +buffalo. "There," said he, "try it at your leisure, Mr. Sherman." + +"Thank you, Mr. Glutter,--good day," and Edward hastened to the home +of Little Wolf. + +When informed by Sorrel Top that Little Wolf had gone to Mr. Wycoff's +for Fanny, his pride was at the moment piqued; for he well knew that +she had reason to suppose that he would visit her that afternoon. +Since the memorable New Year's eve, when leaning upon Dr. Goodrich's +arm, she had so resolutely turned away from him, he felt that all was +not right between them; and he had looked forward with longing +impatience for the hour, when, once more alone with her, he could ask +an explanation. Although he was confident that she was then absent +purposely to avoid him, alarm for her safety overcame every other +feeling, and with a foreboding heart, he turned in the direction she +had taken. + +From the top of the hill he saw enough to hasten him down to Daddy, +and from thence through snow and rocks to Little Wolf. + +"Are you hurt, darling?" he said, eagerly grasping her hand. + +Little Wolf uttered an exclamation of pain and fainted. Edward turned +pale. "Daddy," he shouted, throw down that bottle in the corner of the +sleigh." + +"What is it you want fur to give her," said Daddy, doubtfully. + +"It's wine; throw it down here quickly." + +"She won't tech the infarnel stuff." + +"She has fainted, you simpleton; give me the wine." + +"'Tween you and me, there ain't no bottle here," said Daddy, doggedly. +"Sprinkle a little snow in her face, and she'll come too." + +"Daddy," thundered Edward, completely exasperated, "throw down that +wine, or I'll know the reason why." + +"The reason why, is," said Daddy, deliberately, "there ain't no bottle +in this ere sleigh--'tween you and me, this ere hoss of yourn is +gettin mighty oneasy, I'm obleeged fur tu stand at his head every +minute." + +"Hitch him somewhere, Daddy, and throw the buffalo over him--the +bottle is under the buffalo, you'll find it and bring it." + +"No I won't bring it nuther," muttered Daddy to himself." + +"I guess there's something the matter with Miss DeWolf's arm, she +couldn't use it when she tried to get up," said a voice close behind +Edward. + +He turned and saw that the suggestion had come from Fanny Green, who +lay a short distance off, cosily wrapped in the form of a little black +bundle. + +"Are you hurt, Fanny?" he said. + +"O no, I'm not hurt a bit," she answered brightly. "I prayed that I +might be saved, and I was saved." + +"I wish you would pray we might get safely up this steep place into +the road," said Edward. + +"Miss DeWolf is very little, replied Fanny hopefully, "I guess you can +carry her up. If my cloak was off, I think I could walk by myself." + +Edward undid her cloak and stood her upon her feet. He then raised +Little Wolf in his arms, and staggered a few feet in the snow, and +laid her down again, almost discouraged. But as he could devise no +other plan to rescue her from her unpleasant situation, he redoubled +his efforts. He occasionally stumbled against rocks, and fell into +drifts, but always so as to shield his burden from harm. + +Daddy was stubborn in witholding the bottle, and Little Wolf at length +awoke to consciousness without it. Awoke to feel herself pressed close +to Edward's throbbing breast, to listen to endearing words, that +warmed into new life and vigor the hope in which she had indulged. The +hope, that possibly, through her influence, he might be persuaded to +give up the only habit which marred his otherwise unblemished, +character. + +"Darling, darling, you are safe now with me," he whispered, as she +unclosed her eyes; "were you hurt by the fall?" + +"Only my arm, Edward; it is very painful. I'm afraid it is broken--oh, +put me down, the pain makes me faint." + +"I love so to hold you to my heart," he said as he let her slip softly +on the snow, and examined the wounded member. + +"It _is_ really broken, just above the wrist," he said in surprise, +how careless I have been!" + +Edward was not skilful in surgery, but he did the best he could with +pocket handkerchief bandages. + +Little Wolf nerved herself to bear the pain which every movement +aggravated, and Edward again lifted her up. + +"Now, darling, we shall soon get to the top." + +"Where is Fanny?" said Little Wolf, suddenly remembering her protege. + +"O, she is somewhere, working her way along in my track," said Edward. + +Both looked back, and not far behind saw Fanny kneeling with closed +eyes beside a snow capped rock. Her tiny hand, rough and red with cold +and toil, clasped devoutly upon her breast, and her lips moved as if +in prayer. The little black quilted hood she wore had fallen back, +revealing soft golden hair, radiant in the slant rays of the declining +sun, and upon her cheek a tear glistened like a dew-drop on a flower. + +"The tears came to Little Wolf's eyes. "Poor little thing! she feels +forsaken," she whispered, "let us wait and encourage her." + +While they were waiting a neighboring farmer happened along; a strong, +stalwart man, who joined right heartily in helping them out of their +difficulty. + +The first thing that Edward did when he reached the sleigh was to +search for the bottle of sherry. "Strange," said he to Little Wolf, +"Mr. Glutter certainly put a bottle of sherry here as I came along, +and now it is nowhere to be found. I wish I had it for your sake." + +Daddy glanced furtively at Little Wolf, who, suspecting the truth, +murmured something about feeling better. + +"He ain't a goin fur to git none of that infarnel stuff down the +honey," said Daddy to himself, as the sleigh with Edward, Little Wolf, +and Fanny disappeared down the other side of the hill. + +A consultation was next held between Daddy and the farmer as to the +probable condition of Fleet Foot, which was speedily ascertained by +the latter who chanced to have a rope with him suitable for letting +himself down to where he could test the case. Scaleing the rocks with +his temporary ladder, he returned the verdict "died of a broken neck." + +"I was pretty nigh sartin he was stun dead," said Daddy, gravely. "I'm +much, obleeged to ye, neighbor; I guess I'll go hum, bein I can't du +nothin fur the poor critter.--I tell ye, neighbor, these are things +takes right hold on me. Fleet Foot was a buster, and I sot heaps by +him, and so did the honey. 'Tween you and me, that cussed, infarnel +liquor drinkin is at the bottom of a awful heap of trouble. If I could +make the laws, the hull infarnel stuff would be handled like pison and +pistols, ruther keerful." + +"Wycoff is pretty well off, I guess he can be made to pay pretty heavy +damages," said the farmer. + +"'Tween you an' me, that ere is poor consolation. Supposen the honey's +neck had been broken, and the chances was agin her, what money du ye +think could pay for her life? I tell ye what, the thing is all wrong, +liquor makin and liquor sellin does mischief that no money can't pay +fur." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + AN INDIAN MESSENGER--FROZEN TO DEATH. + + +The evening hour drew on. Little Wolf lay upon her bed feverish with +pain. Her arm was in bandages, and Dr. Goodrich stood by soothing and +encouraging her. Louise Sherman having arrived, kindly relieved Mrs. +Hawley, who embraced the opportunity to slip out and regale herself +with a cup of tea. + +As she approached the kitchen, the sound of Daddy's voice reached her +ear, and the few words that she caught hastened her footsteps +thither. + +"It was as much as ever I could du fur to hold Fleet Foot," he was +saying as she opened the door. + +"Go on, Daddy," said Mrs. Hawley as he paused at her entrance, "I want +to hear all about it." + +"Wall, as I was a tellin Sorrel Top," he continued, "I was pretty nigh +done out a holdin Fleet Foot, when we got tu that are long hill, fur I +was a leetle afeared he might git the better on me, but the Honey +want, she ain't never afeared of nothin nor never was, but she was +oncommon quiet, she hadn't spoke for a long time--when, all at once, +jest as we was agoin up the hill, what should we see but Wycoff's big +team a tearin down like Jehu. He was a swearin and a cussin and there +want no dodging of him. I riz right up and hollered, and the Honey riz +up and hollered and shook her handkerchief, but it want no use. Down, +down it cum like lightning, sled and all. Fleet Foot got skeered with +the hollerin and he jest _went it_. Wall, the Honey ketched up Fanny +in a jiff, and tossed her out, and was out herself afore I knowed it, +and I was jest a goin fur to git out when the teams cum together +kersmash, and I was pitched head fust clean over Wycoff's sled inter +the road, and would no doubt hev been killed but my time hadn't come. +'Tween you and me, it is _foreordinated_ that we won't die till our +time comes. Fur you may pitch a man about, and break him all tu bits +and he lives and gits well. But when his time comes, the prick of a +pin will kill him and nothin on airth ken save him. Wall, the fust +thing I did when I found myself alive, was to look for the Honey, and +afore I hed a chance fur to help her, that are Sherman happened along, +and left me in charge of his hoss, while he went fur to fetch her. The +fust thing I hearn was a great hollerin fur a bottle of wine that he +had in his sleigh. Wall, I took the infarnel stuff and slung it as fur +as I could see and told him there want nun there." + +"Miss DeWolf would give you fits if she knew what you'd done," said +Sorrel Top, "the wine want yourn." + +"Wall, it was the devil's, and I slung it tu him," retorted Daddy +triumphantly, "that are Sherman was riled, and I let him sweat, fur I +want a goin fur to hev him pour pisen down the Honey. No doubt, if he +had gin it tu her, her blood would hev got heated and fever hev sot +in. Some folks don't seem to know nothin about them things," said the +speaker darting a contemptous glance at Sorrel Top. + +"Well, Daddy, what happened next?" said Mrs. Hawley, soothingly. + +"I ain't a goin fur to tell nothin more tonight," said Daddy +decidedly. "If folks can't listen without interruptin me, they may +wait till they ken," and he shot another meaning glance at the +offending Sorrel Top. + +"I guess," said Sorrel Top with some asperity "you're not the only one +that can tell me about it, is he Fanny?" she said turning to Fanny +Green, whom she discovered to have fallen fast asleep in her chair. + +"'Tween you an me," said Daddy rather dryly, "I guess you won't hear +no more of that are story to-night." + +Sorrel Top's temper was slightly ruffled and she began to shake Fanny +rather roughly. "Wake up, Fanny," said she "wake up." + +"Oh! Mrs. Wycoff, don't whip me," mourned Fanny piteously, as she +opened her eyes, "I didn't mean to go to sleep, but I was so tired." + +"Don't you know no better than to treat a little motherless thing in +that are way?" said Daddy coming indignantly forward. "Come here, +Fanny," and he took the child tenderly in his arms; "if anybody speaks +a cross word to you in this are house, they'll git reported." + +By degrees Fanny awoke, and was borne off to bed by Mrs. Hawley. + +Scarcely had they gone when a new object of interest attracted Daddy's +attention. There was a slight rustling at the outside door, and in +stalked a sturdy Indian in blanket and leggins and soft moccasins, +causing his firm tread to fall noiselessly, and giving Daddy a +superstitious start, as if he had seen an apparition. The red man +stated in broken English that he had brought a letter a long way from +the "lodge of the pale face, to the Wolf squaw." + +Daddy hastened to put the letter in Little Wolf's hand. It proved to +be a rather lengthy communication from Antoinette La Claire, and as +all were interested, at Little Wolf's request, Louise proceeded to +read it aloud. + + "Fairy Knoll, Jan. 20th, 18--. + + MY DEAR MISS DEWOLF: + + A faithful Indian, known for a long time to cousin John, has + called here on his route to Chimney Rock and I embrace the + opportunity to write to you, as it will probably be the last + I shall have before spring opens. + + Cousin John has fitted up a cosy little room for me in the + loft. It is hung around with skins and blankets, and is made + comfortably warm by the fire below. There is one little + window from which I obtain a fine view of the "City of + Trees," which you used so much to admire. They are now shorn + of their foliage, and snow and ice cover the branches, and, + forsaken by their summer inhabitants, they stand and sadly + moan day and night. + + But these mournful sounds pass unheeded, by the happy couple + in this peaceful cottage. Not a cloud has yet darkened their + "honeymoon." All their hours are pleasant hours, and all + their dreams are pleasant dreams. On these wintry mornings we + rise rather late; after the sun has peeped in at the window a + long time. + + Cousin John goes out in the warmest part of the day to split + rails, but, even then, he finds it convenient to take his + brandy bottle with him. He is a firm believer in the efficacy + of brandy to keep out the cold. But when, with the experience + I have had, I see him in perfect strength and health, go out + day after day with that little flask in his side pocket, I + pray that it may never become a snare to him. + + Yesterday morning, as he was about starting, I ventured to + remonstrate with him. "Cousin John" I said, "I would not + take the brandy to-day, I do not think you will miss it." He + laughed good naturedly, and turning to Cousin Maria, he said, + 'Maria dear, Antoinette is concerned about my morals. Shall I + tell her of a certain lady who drained Mr. Sherman's wine + bottle on her way to Fairy Knoll?" + + Cousin Maria blushed and said, "I am sorry John that I ever + touched it. Let us now mutually pledge ourselves never again + to drink anything that will intoxicate." But Cousin John only + laughed, and kissed his young wife tenderly and went away to + the wood, taking the brandy bottle with him. + + When he came home at night, and the supper was over, and he + had, as usual, seated himself by Maria and taken her hand in + his, (at which signal I invariably become suddenly sleepy and + am obliged to retire,) I stole away from the scene, and + sitting down by my little window, looked out into the faint + moonlight, and thought much and long upon the joys and + sorrows of earth, but most upon its sorrows, for the "whole + creation groaneth," and my own heart is always sorrowful. + + I do not know why, but it may have been, and probably was, + because all the anguish and sorrow that has ever come under + my personal observation, has been occasioned by that drink + that "biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder," + that the scene of the morning mingled with the thought of my + cousins below eagerly quaffing their cup of bliss; the + sweetest that earth offers to youthful lips. 'Can bitter + drops ever mingle there?' thought I. 'Can the honey become + wormword and gall, and every joy be forgotten? Can the little + speck that I thought I saw this morning on the horizon become + a great cloud and overshadow us all?' In imagination I saw + lovely cousin Maria pale and faded, and careworn, and cousin + John's noble and manly countenance bloated and brutish, as I + have seen men become by the use of stimulating drinks, and + involuntarily I threw up my hands and cried, 'Is there none + to help?' + + It may have been a morbid condition of the mind that wrought + these sad fancies, and I am sure those who have never + realized the danger of the cup would treat them lightly, but + you dear friend, know that from just such beginnings the most + harrowing sorrows have sprung. + + I know cousin John would smile if he knew what a serious + matter I have made of a thing that he considers so trifling, + and he is so good and kind to me, and his whole soul so free + from vice, that I almost regret having put these thoughts on + paper. But out of the fulness of my anxious heart I have + written as perhaps I ought not. + + God grant that all my fears may prove groundless, and that + the serpent's sting may never, never more through another's + infatuation reach our hearts, or yours. + + I was at length aroused from my reverie by our Indian + visitor. I caught a glimpse of him just as he emerged from + the woods, and before I could go down to announce his coming, + he was within, and by his noiseless footfall had taken my + cousins greatly by surprise. Maria was smoothing her rumpled + hair and looking rather annoyed at the unceremonious + intrusion, while cousin John and his visitor were deep in the + mysteries of "jargon," which being interpreted by my humble + self was truly startling and shocking. + + He stated that two "pale faces," were lying a short distance + off, frozen to death. His supposition was that they had + indulged too freely in "fire water." + + Cousin John immediately accompanied him to the spot, and + found indeed two men cold and stiff in death, and the empty + bottle found upon their persons gave evidence of the cause. + The Indian recognized one, having seen him with my dead + brother, and said he was "no good pale face," and his name + was Prime Hawley. They found in the pocket of the other an + old letter addressed to "Hiram Green, Chimney Rock." You may + possibly know something about the latter. + +"Fanny Green's father, and Mrs. Hawley's husband," ejaculated Little +Wolf. "Hark, Louise," she added in a whisper, "they have heard it +all." + +Sounds of distress were heard in the adjoining room where Mrs. Hawley +was engaged in putting her little charge to rest. Both she and Fanny +had heard every word of the letter and the news of the unhappy death +of the husband of the one, and the father of the other, burst suddenly +upon them, and deep and tearless groans of Mrs. Hawley and Fanny's +heart breaking sobs mingled together. + +"Put the letter away Louise, _do_," said Little Wolf, turning her face +away with a heart truly sick. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + A CRISIS--PRIDE AND FOLLY. + + +For weeks Antoinette's letter lay in the drawer where Louise had +hastily thrust it, and no one had read it to the end. + +Mrs. Hawley's health, which had been feeble for a long time, rapidly +declined after the news of her husband's death, and in a few days she +took to her bed, and shortly after died. The sickness and death of a +member of her family, combined with her own sufferings so absorbed the +mind of Little Wolf, that at the time she thought of but little else. +But when it was all over, and her arm had partially healed, she began +to realize acutely the anomalous position in which the purpose she had +formed placed her to Edward. + +It is true he came every day, and always with words upon his lips that +sent the hot blood to her cheek, and each time she strove in vain for +courage to approach the subject upon which hung her destiny. It was no +wonder that she thus halted; that her heart stood still at the bare +possibility of losing its idol; for, orphaned and alone, beyond it she +saw no light in her path; only fearful darkness like the shadows of +death. + +There had been no word of explanation, and Edward seemed to have +forgotten that he had ever desired any, and he had settled into his +former assurance. His mother had, of late, spoken to her +confidentially of the time when, as Edward's wife it would be her +pleasure to relieve her of all troublesome cares; and Little Wolf +listened in silence and in agony. She longed to unbosom her feelings +but restrained herself with the resolve that she would, without +delay, make them known to Edward. + +In this state of mind she one day opened the drawer where lay +Antoinette's letter and taking it out sat down to read it. She found +nothing of interest in the contents, except that which she had +previously heard, until her eye caught the postscript at the bottom +which read thus: + + "One day later. The Indian stayed yesterday to assist in + burying the dead. He has just breakfasted and will start in a + few moments, and I hasten to tell you the good news. Rejoice + with me, all my fears are put to flight. Last night my + conscience told me that I ought to invite cousin John to read + this letter. He looked so serious when he had done so, that I + was afraid I had offended him. But this morning to my utter + astonishment he handed me a Total Abstinence Pledge, drawn up + in due form, with his own name and Maria's signed to it, and + playfully bade me write my name with theirs. "For," said he, + "Antoinette, I intend in future to look well to the morals of + my household, and see that they touch not, taste not, handle + not, any beverage that will intoxicate." I burst into tears, + and he said, "O well, if you feel so badly about it, you need + not sign it," but he well knew they were tears of joy, and + there would be no trouble about signing it. Would that the + head of every family in the land, might do as cousin John has + done. Then indeed, there would be rejoicing around many a + fireside, where now sits sorrow and despair. + + In love and haste, + + "ANTOINETTE," + +Little Wolf sat pondering over what she had read, never dreaming that +her lover was peeping in upon her through the half open door. But +Edward was to full of what he had come that day especially to say, to +delay long, and he tapped lightly to attract her attention. Little +Wolf welcomed him to her side, with the determination that she would +then and there speak frankly upon the subject, which had so long +pressed upon her mind. + +But Edward had scarcely seated himself before he began in high spirits +to speak of family arrangements. + +"Louise and the doctor," said he, "have finally fixed upon their +wedding, and darling," he said, lowering his voice, and speaking +earnestly, "it remains for you to say whether or not, ours shall be at +the same time. + +Little Wolf's pulse quickened almost to suffocation, but she +controlled herself bravely, and placing her finger on the last passage +in Antoinette's letter, she said, "read that, Edward." + +Edward did as she desired, and again turned upon her a questioning +look. + +"Now, Edward," said Little Wolf, smiling although her lip slightly +quivered, "I am ready to set up house-keeping with you any time, +provided you will put your name with mine to a pledge like that of +which you have just read." + +Although she had spoken playfully, Edward saw she was deeply in +earnest, and his pride kindled, as the truth flashed upon him. + +"Darling," said he, reproachfully, "I may have given you reason once, +in an unguarded moment, to fear for me, but I had hoped that that +scene had long since been forgotten." + +"It will never more be remembered, nothing of the kind will _ever_ be +remembered," Little Wolf hastened to say, "If I but have your +promise." + +"Well, then," said Edward clasping her in his arms, "I promise." + +In due time Little Wolf disengaged herself and opening her writing +desk, she drew him towards it, saying, "Now, Edward, you draw up the +document, and we will both sign it. + +"What document do you wish me to draw up? Is not my pledged word to +love, cherish and protect you not enough, you little infidel?" said +Edward gayly." + +"It is my request that you draw up a pledge promising to abstain from +all intoxicating drinks, and sign your name to it, and I will put mine +to the same," said Little Wolf, in the same gay humor. + +"Why, darling," said Edward, in surprise, "my promise was all you +asked." + +"O yes, your promise to sign a total abstinence pledge was all I did +ask," said Little Wolf cheerily, "and now, all I ask is that you do as +you agreed." + +"I did not understand it so," said Edward, "but never mind, darling; +now listen to me. Would you, provided it were in your power, prevent +my taking a harmless glass of beer in a warm summer day?" + +"Well, Edward, of course I would not wish to prevent your indulging in +any _harmless_ enjoyment, but don't people sometimes get intoxicated +on beer?" + +"Only slightly elevated," said Edward laughingly. + +"O, Edward!" broke forth Little Wolf in agony, "I wish you could see +this thing as I do but you cannot." + +There was silence for a few moments, which Edward broke by saying, +sympathizingly, "I know why you feel as you do, darling, and I do not +wonder at it, but warned by my own, as well as the experience of +others, I shall keep a strict watch over myself for your dear sake, +and I assure you there is no danger of me." + +"Then," said Little Wolf, despairingly, "I cannot persuade you to +pledge yourself to total abstinence?" + +"No," said Edward decidedly, his pride deeply wounded by her implied +doubts of his inability to control his appetite, "if you feel that you +cannot trust yourself with me after all I have said, I can say no +more." + +Had Edward fallen dead at her feet, Little Wolf could not have looked +at him more hopelessly. But Edward was blind to her mute anguish, and +mortified and impatient at her silence, and little dreaming of what +her answer would be, he at length asked rather coolly, "Do you really +feel that you cannot trust your happiness with me?" + +Little Wolf struggled a moment for composure, and then bowed her head +in the affirmative. + +Edward's flushed face suddenly paled. "Very well," said he proudly, +and without another word abruptly withdrew. His quick, impetuous +footsteps echoed through the hall; the front door opened and closed, +and soon the distant tinkling of bells announced that he had really +gone. + +As the lovely violet closes its leaves when the shadows of night +gather round, so closed the flower, which, in the sunshine of love, +had bloomed in the heart of Little Wolf. She neither wept nor made any +other demonstration of sorrow, but as she sat silent and alone her +lips grew firm, and her eyes brightened and the pupils expanded, and +her whole being seemed rising up in supernatural strength to bear the +blow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + THE SLEIGHING PARTY--CLARA HASTINGS--MOTHER AND SON. + + +On his way home, Edward Sherman found himself suddenly assailed by a +chorus of eager voices, as he unexpectedly encountered a sleighing +party of gay young friends. They were bound for a settlement near by, +where rural festivities were in anticipation. + +As he reluctantly drew up alongside of the capacious establishment, +where nearly a dozen ladies, (including his own sister), and about +the same number of gentlemen were cozily stowed away, he was beset +with urgent solicitations to join their company. + +The affair, they stated, had been gotten up on a short notice during +his brief absence from the city, and his sister had been inveigled +into it, with the expectation of meeting her brother, and particular +friend Dr. Goodrich. But the doctor had given them the slip, and they +could not, on any account dispense with his society. Louise joined her +entreaties with the others. "I will ride with you, brother," she said, +if you will only go." + +"No, no;" objected the gentleman who sat next her, "I will propose a +more fitting expedient. Let Mr. Sherman close his eyes and throw a +soft snow ball into the crowd, and upon whomsoever the ball shall +rest, let her be transferred to his sleigh." + +The proposition at first occasioned quite a tumult, but finally all +laughingly agreed to it. Into their midst quickly flew the lump of +glittering snow and rested upon the belle of the party, Miss Clara +Hastings, and Edward in triumph bore off the crested prize. + +Miss Hastings, we have said, was the belle of the party, nor was this +all; she was one of the most popular young ladies in the city of +Pendleton. Her father, Judge Hastings, a man of talent, and high +standing, had bestowed every advantage upon his only child, and she, +petted and caressed in society as well as in the family circle, +handsome and dashing in appearance, with spirits unbroken, gave life +and interest to every amusement in which she was engaged. The turn the +affair had taken was therefore as much regretted by her friends, as it +was gratifying to Edward, to have obtained so agreeable a companion. + +The lady herself did not appear in the least disturbed by the change. +On the contrary, as they started off in advance of the rest, her +smiling face indicated the satisfaction which she felt at the result; +for from the first of her acquaintance with Edward, she had conceived +a decided partiality for him. + +"It will be nice to get there and rest and warm before the others +arrive," she said, as they rapidly outdistanced the other sleigh. + +"Yes, and have a little time all to ourselves," Edward replied, in +pretty much the same style in which he would have addressed Little +Wolf, had she been by his side. + +Miss Hastings looked surprised and tossed her head proudly, freeing +the plumes in her jaunty little cap of their snowy remains, and, as +the soft particles showered upon Edward, and pelting his cheek, he +turned and looking her full in the face said, "those little ice bolts, +Miss Hastings, serve to remind me of what a lucky individual I have +been this afternoon." + +"Have you always been lucky, Mr. Sherman?" said Miss Hastings waiving +the intended compliment. + +A look of pain crossed Edward's face, but he answered quickly, almost +defiantly, "Not always," and giving his horse a smart cut, he created +such a jingling among the bells, that farther conversation was +rendered impracticable, + +"The destination was soon reached, and, being joined by the remainder +of the party, the evening hours charged with pleasure flew rapidly, to +most of the assembled guests. But neither Edward, nor Miss Hastings +were in their happiest mood, and the latter complaining of a headache +Edward signified his willingness to conduct her home before the party +broke up. + +Again in the open air, her indisposition was relieved, and she chatted +cheerily, and made herself so agreeable, that her companion really +became quite interested, and, loth to part with her, as they drove up +before her father's house, he proposed to prolong their ride. + +"It is early yet," he said, "and your head is so much better in the +open air, would you not like to drive out of the city again for half +an hour?" + +"O no, I thank you, Mr. Sherman," she said with a gratified smile," +"the family are up waiting for me, and I would be happy to have you go +in and see papa. He will treat you to a glass of superior domestic +wine." + +Edward went in and drank the wine, and spent a pleasant half hour. +Shortly after leaving he fell in with some friends, who invited him +into another place where choice wines were kept, and he drank again +and yet again, and finally went home quite exhilerated under the +influence of stimulant. He found that his sister had arrived some time +previously, and she and his mother, and the doctor were quietly seated +around the center-table, and had been wondering at his non-arrival. + +"Give an account of yourself, loiterer," said Louise, playfully, as he +joined the circle. + +"We had a fine time Lou, did we not?" said he patting her cheek. + +"O, if by _we_ you mean yourself and Miss Hastings I suppose you did +have a good time, but I did not enjoy myself a bit." + +"Not a bit, are you quite sure? I thought I saw you smile very +benignly on a certain young getleman, who objected to your riding with +me." + +"An optical dulusion, brother, entirely so, I would have much +preferred to have gone with you." + +"Now I'll kiss you for that," said Edward, suiting the action to the +word. + +"O Ned, what have you been drinking? Your breath smells of +_something_." + +"O, I went in and took a glass of domestic wine with Judge Hastings," +said Edward carelessly. + +Mrs. Sherman instantly took the alarm. "I am afraid," she said, that +these domestic wines create an appetite for more hurtful drinks. Don't +you think so, Edward?" + +"Why no, mother. If every family kept a supply of pure domestic wine +in the cellar, and were at liberty to drink when they pleased, there +would, in my opinion, be much less drunkenness than there is at +present. Plenty of pure wine would soon do away with the adulterated +liquors so common in public places and social drinking would become +much more harmless than it is at present. I would advise you, mother, +to keep up a vigorous correspondence with Recta on the subject, about +currant time next summer, for it is getting quite fashionable to +manufacture your own wines." + +"Mark my words, Edward, the fashion will prove an injury to society; +frequent indulgences in any drink that will intoxicate, it is well +known, has always proved more or less fatal to the peace and +prosperity of communities, as well as individuals. I can well remember +the time when social drinking was practised in almost every family, +and at all fashionable entertainments, and I well remember the +consequences. The ruin it wrought cannot be told. It was wine in the +cellar, and on the side board, Edward, as well as stronger drinks that +did the mischief. Good men and brave, felt its effects and gave the +alarm, and great efforts were made to put a stop to the evil, and +thousands were reclaimed from drunkenness, but, of late years, the +agitation has in a measure subsided, and the evil is again on the +increase, insinuating itself into families in the form of domestic +wines, which are generally supposed to be so harmless, but which are, +in reality, the foundation of intemperance." + +"You cannot make people believe that mother." + +"The time will come when they will be forced to believe it, my son; +for the free use of domestic wines in families, is not going to keep +husbands, brothers and friends from the lager beer saloons where the +feet of the unwary become so easily entangled. On the contrary, past +experience proves that the taste for stimulating drinks acquired at +home rather has a tendency to lead men to frequent such places." + +"But, mother, remember it is not the use of these things, but the +abuse, that does the harm." + +"True, my son, but the use in nine cases out of ten, leads to the +abuse, and it is strange that mothers and sisters will imperil their +happiness for fashion's sake. I would rather that Judge Hastings had +offered you an adder in the cup, than the drink which he did; for had +you seen the poisonous reptile, you would have turned from it, but, +hidden in the enticing wine, the serpent's sting fastens itself upon +the vitals and its victim knows it not." + +O, mother, you are perfectly beside yourself on the subject. Judge +Hastings is a man who, I make no doubt, has drank moderately all his +life; and who among us is more vigorous in mind and body? It is all +nonsense, the idea that a man must necessarily become a drunkard, +because he occasionally indulges in stimulants." + +"Ma, ma," broke in Louise, who saw that her mother felt hurt, "you +might as well hand Edward over to the persuasion of Miss DeWolf. If +anybody can convert him she can. The doctor says she becomes more +beautiful and interesting every day. What do you think, Ned? The +doctor was there this afternoon while we were out sleigh riding; he +confesses it himself. + +"I must bid you good night," said Edward abruptly, and, quite to the +surprise of the trio he withdrew without another word. + +His mother suspecting something wrong, followed him to his room, and +with true motherly solicitude sought out the cause. "Edward," said +she, "when you were a boy, you used to confide all your annoyances to +your mother. Can it be that anything has been said this evening to +wound your feelings?" + +"There are none that love like a mother," said Edward, putting his arm +tenderly around her neck, "and there is none in whom I can so safely +confide as in you, mother, but manhood's griefs are not so easily +soothed as boyhood's. It is not now a broken kite to mend, or a +bruised finger to bind up, would it were; would that I had not lived +to see this day." + +"Why, Edward, what do you mean?" + +"I mean, mother, that Miss DeWolf has refused to become my wife, and +all because I would not consent to pledge myself to total abstinence +from all liquors. I would not deceive her and bind myself to pursue a +different course from that which I intend. My habits, I believe, are +generally considered good, and if a woman cannot take me as I am, I +would not ask her to take me at all." + +"O Edward, Edward," said Mrs. Sherman beseechingly, "do not let +wounded pride, and self-will, come between you and the woman you +really love, for I do assure you, young ladies like Miss DeWolf are +very rare." + +"Were she a thousand times more lovely and interesting, beloved more +she could not be, but, mother, I shall never yield the point, and +admit that I am incapable of controlling my appetite. When it suits me +to take a social glass with a friend, I shall do it; and when I choose +to decline it shall be of my own free will." + +"You are a free agent, certainly, Edward, you may pursue the course +you have marked out for yourself, and go through life a moderate +drinker, and young men may point to you as you have to Judge Hastings, +and make your escape an excuse for venturing in the same dangerous +path, and thus go down to a drunkard's grave; or you may yourself +venture to near the precipice, and before you are aware take the +fatal plunge; for drunkenness, like death, generally takes the victim +unawares. In either case your influence must inevitably act upon those +with whom you associate, and you cannot escape the fearful +responsibility. Then judgment day alone will open the records of those +who have been forever ruined through the influence of moderate +drinkers, as well as the confirmed drunkard. The preponderating +influence, however, lies with the moderate drinker; with such men as +Judge Hastings; who, perhaps, have given the subject but little +thought, and who having through a long course of years tampered +without apparent injury, with the intoxicating cup, deem that others +may do as he has done. + +"Yes, and so they may, mother, if they choose. Every man must answer +for his own crimes and not for the crimes of others." + +"True Edward, and if your neighbor become a drunkard, see to it that +the sin lies not at your door." + +Edward made a gesture of impatience. "Mother" he said bitterly, "I am +not in a mood to hear much more to-night. I am sorry that we do not +think alike, but, as we never shall, perhaps the less said about it +the better." + +Mrs. Sherman silently kissed her son, and, with a foreboding heart, +withdrew to her own room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + LETTER WRITING--DADDY'S NOCTURNAL LABORS AND EARLY WALK. + + +There were two letters written by lamp light in the old brown house, +the day Edward left so unceremoniously. One was by Little Wolf to her +confidential friend, Mrs. Tinknor. A few hasty hopeless lines traced +upon the dainty sheet; a long glossy curl folded within and her task +was done. + +The other, Daddy addressed to the sweetheart of his youth, Miss +Orrecta Lippincott. He had for some time meditated opening a +correspondence with the object of his early affections on the subject +of matrimony, but the magnitude of the undertaking had hitherto +deterred him; and, at last, he was only brought to the point by the +encouragement of his young mistress. + +He had resorted to his regularly organized plan of loitering in her +room under pretext of mending the fire, while he marked with +admiration the easy movements of her pen. + +"'Tween you and me, Honey," said he, when she had finished, "I wish I +could write like that. I've been wanting fur to write a letter fur +sometime. + +Little Wolf, without the remotest idea of what the subject of the +letter in contemplation was to be, said kindly, "Well, Daddy, you may +sit right down here if you like, and use my pen and ink." + +Daddy shuffled along hesitatingly towards the vacant seat. "Tween you +and me I'm afeared I shall make a very sorry job on it," said he, "I +ain't writ none to speak on this forty year." + +"Shall I write it for you Daddy?" + +"O no, Honey. I'll try myself, fust anyhow." + +"O well, I'll go down to the parlor and you shall have the room all to +yourself." + +"I couldn't stand it no-how fur ter hev the Honey laugh at the old +man's foolishness," muttered Daddy to himself, as Little Wolf slipped +away, glad to be relieved of all responsibility in the matter, and +feeling less perhaps like laughing at the old man's eccentricities +than ever before in her life; and, indeed, it was a long time +afterwards before she felt like laughing at all. + +In the hall leading to the parlor, she met Sorrel Top, who blushingly +begged a private interview, which Little Wolf was too obliging to +deny, although she panted to indulge her thoughts alone. + +The interview, however, did not detain her long. Sorrel Top had under +consideration an offer of marriage and wished to ask advice which +Little Wolf gave without a smile, or change of countenance. + +"Well, Sorrel Top, if he is as you say a man of good habits, and loves +you and you love him, I see no objection to your getting married as +soon as you like." + +While Sorrel Top's affair was being thus satisfactorily disposed of, +Daddy was anxiously bending over the sheet, upon which he could not +get courage to make the first mark. There he sat silent and anxious, +looking vacantly first at the ceiling, then at the pen which stood +exactly perpendicular between his clumsy fingers. At length in dispair +he arose and began to walk the floor, and then for the first time he +observed Fanny Green quietly playing with her pet kitten. + +"Fanny," said he, "do you know how to write?" + +"O yes, Daddy, a little; mamma taught me to make all the letters." + +"Well, Fanny," said he coaxingly, "come here and make a D for me; +won't you? "'Tween you and me I've forgot which side the plaguey +quirl goes. Here take this ere piece of paper, you might spile the +sheet, and I'm mighty particular about hevin it in prime order." + +As she took the pen Fanny suddenly began to distrust her memory. +"Maybe I've forgot myself, Daddy;" rolling up her blue eyes to the +anxious face bending over her. But she succeeded admirably in +performing her task, which Daddy duly approved, by declaring that the +quirl was almost equal to the Honey's quirls. His effort to copy it +was also a success. + +"See here, Fanny," said he pausing again, "you spell dear, d-e-r-e, +don't you?" + +"O no, Daddy, I spell it d-e-e-r. It's spelled so right under the +picture of one in my book." + +"'Tween you an' me, I don't mean that ere kind of a dear, Fanny, I +guess it's d-e-r-e, I mean. Howsoever, I'll spell it so and risk it. +Now, Fanny," said he, again dipping his pen in the ink, "you stand +right here, fur there may be more letters that I've forgot how tu +make, and if you'll show me, and help me fur to spell a letter, I'll +mend your sled for you to-morrow." + +Thus encouraged, the child, with visions of coasting in her pretty +little head, combined wisdom with Daddy's, who also had his visions, +while he wrote as follows: + + DERE ORRECTA. + + "Mi hart has allers ben yourn, it is old now, but it ain't + dride up nun. will yu marry me now iv got tu be a poor old + man. if yu wil i wil cum fur yu on the fust bote. iv got a + leetle muny lade up fur a wet day. i hev allers ben stidy, + and never drunk anything in my hull life. if yu wil hev me + let me no as quick as lightnin figerative speekin. + + your old flame, + + philip Roarer + + Chimney Rock. Minnesota territory." + +"'Tween you an' me I reckon that ere is tu the pint, anyhow," said +Daddy, proudly folding the letter, upon which he had spent two hours +of hard mental labor. "I wonder what keeps the honey away so long; it +must be monstrous cold in the parlor. Tom Tinknor wont thank me fur +lettin the Honey git cold; bless her heart. That ere sled will git +fixed to-morrow, you may depend on't, Fanny, fur I shall feel fust +rate;" and Daddy capered out of the room as jolly as a half grown boy, +with a plum pudding in anticipation. But, we will do him the justice +to say, that there was a depth and earnestness of feeling in this +life-long devotion, to which the ebullitions of youth can bear no +comparison. + +How to break the matter to Little Wolf was Daddy's next anxiety. He +stood in mortal dread of the ridicule of his young mistress, but still +felt that he ought to confide in her. After taking several fidgety +turns before the parlor door, he finally resolved to make the +_denouement_, and boldly face the consequences. + +But the condition in which he found Little Wolf changed the course +which he had marked out. She had lain down upon the sofa where +fearfully pale and cold and still, she rested, utterly prostrated by +the events of the day. Daddy had never seen such a ghastly look upon +her face before, and the vague fear that life had fled horrified him, +as he stood gazing at her in mute astonishment. + +At a movement of the slight little figure Daddy was reassured, and he +bent over her in tender solicitude, "O Honey, O Pet, be you sick? you +look awful pale?" + +A groan escaped Little Wolf, and, with a long drawn sigh, she rose up +languidly. "I don't feel quite well to-night, Daddy," she said. + +"O, Honey, you ought fur to have somebody to nuss you; old Daddy don't +know nothin about gals, and Sorrel Top don't know nothin about nussin +neither. Now here's the letter I've jest writ, if you feel able fur to +read it, Honey, you will see that I am tryin fur to git somebody here +fur to take care of you suitable." + +Daddy watched closely the effect upon Little Wolf, while she purused +the letter, and as he discovered no symptoms of ridicule, he fairly +worshipped her for her forbearance. "Honey," said he, "what du you +think on it?" + +"I don't know," replied Little Wolf absently, "I think on the whole it +will do very well." + +Daddy's face fairly shone. "I know'd you would agree tu it," said he, +"you allers had uncommon penetration." + +Little Wolf sat shivering and silent, while Daddy pronounced his +eulogy, and the old man began again to be alarmed. "O Honey," he broke +forth, "what makes you so sick? the doctor said you was doin fust rate +this afternoon. I guess I'd better go fur to fetch him right off." + +"O no, Daddy, I'm only chilled; you may light me to my room." + +"Sartin I will, Honey, and I'll keep a fire fur you all night, fur I +shouldn't sleep a wink nohow." + +True to his word, Daddy diligently tended the fire, creating in Little +Wolf's apartment a general disturbance by his nocturnal labors. Had +she been so inclined, sleep would have been impossible, while Daddy's +enthusiasm raged, for a series of disasters attended his most careful +efforts. The bedroom door creaked, the stove door grated on its +hinges, the shovel and tongs would rattle, and there was sure to be an +occasional downfall of wood, which echoed through the lonely house +like the voice of seven thunders. + +It was therefore quite a relief to Little Wolf when the grey morning +hours began to dawn and Daddy consented to seek a little repose, with +the promise that he should not be allowed to over-sleep, "fur," said +he, "I must start airly fur to post them are letters, and you won't +mind a calling of me, Honey, bein you had such a oncommon night's +rest, fur I took particular pains not to disturb you." + +Little Wolf did not think it worth while to mention that she had lain +awake the entire night, for there was then no counting upon the effect +such a communication might have upon Daddy's already over-wrought +sensibilities. As it was, he left her, flattering himself that he had +greatly contributed to her health and comfort, and, with an approving +conscience, laid him down and slept. + +At the appointed time he was awakened by Fanny, and rubbing open his +eyes, he asked, "Is the Honey up yet?" + +"O yes, Daddy and we've all had breakfast, and I've got my sled all +ready for you to mend," said Fanny cheerfully. + +"Why yes, Fanny, I know I promised fur tu mend it; but, 'tween you and +me, I've got fur to go to Pendleton first." Howsoever, I'll fix it +afore night." + +Fanny looked rather grave. + +"'Tween you an' me, I'm sorry fur tu disappoint you, Fanny, but the +Honey would be wuss disappointed if I did not post her letter." + +"Yours too, Daddy, you musn't forget it," said Fanny thoughtfully. + +Notwithstanding Fanny's exhortation Daddy actually forgot both +letters, having neglected to take them from his pocket when he changed +his coat, Imagine then his consternation, when, having arrived at the +post-office and rummaged his pockets in vain he discovered his +mistake. + +At this critical juncture young Sherman and Dr. Goodrich, arm in arm, +happened to drop in at the office, and Daddy, for reasons of his own, +pounced upon the latter and held him fast. "Doctor," said he, "'tween +you an' me, was you a going fur tu see the Honey to-day? She was took +very poorly last night. I was afeared she was clean gone one spell." + +"Did Miss DeWolf send for me, Daddy?" said the doctor uneasily +regarding the grip that the old man had fastened upon his coat sleeve. + +"Why no, doctor; she sent me fur to mail some important letters, and I +actually left 'em at home in my tother coat. One of 'em was fur to go +tu Miss Tinknor; 'tween you an me the Honey is mighty fond of Miss +Tinknor. I'm kinder calculatin the old lady will be the Honey's +mother-in-law some day." + +The start which Edward gave at this announcement was perceptible to +both Daddy and the doctor. The former, not relishing such a +demonstration of interest from so questionable a source, inwardly +resolved to put to flight the false hopes by which he imagined the +young man was agitated. Casting a side long glance at his intended +victim he added, "Mr. Tom is a very uncommon fine young man; he is +stidy; he never drinks nothin. The Honey has know'd him allers; they +played together when they was children and has allers been uncommon +attached. Tom particularly requested me fur tu take good care of her +while he was gone, and I ain't no doubt if the good Lord was fur tu +take her away it would nigh about break his heart." + +The doctor, conscious that Edward did not relish the subject, and +anxious himself to terminate the interview, waved the matter, simply +saying, "I shall be going that way by-and-by, Daddy, and will call +upon Miss DeWolf if I have time." + +On this assurance Daddy's grasp readily relaxed, and his prisoner, +taking advantage of this favorable symptom, made his escape. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + DOING AND GETTING GOOD--WYCOFF'S REFORM. + + +The day was mild and spring-like, and Daddy had not been long gone, +when the snow began to yield to the soft touches of the sun's bright +rays. + +Fanny stood by the window and sighed, and wished audibly that the sun +would "put on a veil." + +The wish and manner so entirely foreign to the child's naturally +cheerful and contented disposition attracted Little Wolf's attention. + +"Why Fanny, do you complain of this lovely day?" she said, in +surprise. + +"O no, Miss DeWolf, but I was afraid the snow would all melt away +before my sled was mended, and I love so much to be out of doors +coasting." + +"How would you like to take a walk with me?" said Little Wolf, willing +to amuse the child, for whom she had already conceived a warm +affection. + +"O I would like it ever so much," said Fanny, joyfully. + +"Now where shall we go, Fanny?" said Little Wolf, as they started out. + +"Why, I don't know," said Fanny hesitatingly; "when mamma used to take +me out, she said we must go somewhere where we could do good. +Sometimes we went over to old Mrs. Peters'; she is sick all the time, +and has no one to help her except her grandson, Charley. Mamma used to +make her bed, and read the bible and pray with her, and comfort her +all she could. Poor mamma often wished she could carry her something +nice to eat, but we hadn't hardly anything to eat ourselves. May be +you wouldn't like to go there, though?" said Fanny, doubtfully. + +Little Wolf hesitated. + +"She used to know your mamma," said Fanny, "and she said that Mrs. +DeWolf was one of the kindest friends she ever had." + +"We will go there, Fanny," said Little Wolf decidedly + +Their way lay over the very hill where occurred their disastrous +collision with Mr. Wycoff; about half a mile from the foot of which, +on a cross road, lived Mrs. Peters. Fanny ran joyously on before, +occasionally turning back to call Little Wolf's attention to a +squirrel, or a bird, never dreaming that her companion was less +interested than herself. In this way they reached the top of the hill, +and began the descent, when suddenly Fanny began to look grave and +loiter beside Little Wolf. At length she spoke in a subdued whisper, +"There lies poor Fleet Foot, Miss DeWolf; he will never breathe +again." + +Little Wolf sank upon a rock by the wayside, and hid her face in her +hands. She thought and said aloud, "O, why was I spared to be so +wretched?" + +Fanny burst into a flood of tears. "What would have become of me if +you had been killed?" she sobbed. + +Surprised at this demonstration of affection, Little Wolf looked up +and drew Fanny towards her. The child's words, she knew not why, had +consoled and strengthened her. "Fanny," said she, "everybody must have +something to live for, and I have you" + +"O yes, mamma used to say we must all live to do good," said Fanny, +brightening. + +Little Wolf rose and struggled bravely to choke down her rising +feelings, for just then she was comparing the bright voyage of life, +which she had so lately pictured for herself, with the dark and stormy +reality. At that moment, when she would have scorned to indulge in +pusillanimous grief, her noble spirit recognized and bowed in willing +obedience to the sublime principle involved in Fanny's life-inspiring +words. + +"Well, Fanny," she replied, "if I do live, I hope it will not be in +vain. I'm afraid I've been very wicked and selfish all my life." + +"O, Miss DeWolf I'm sure you are the _bestest_, _preciousest_ woman +next to my mother, that I ever saw in all my life." + +Fanny made this declaration with the air and assurance of one whose +years had embraced a century; but at that moment, an object met her +eye, which reminded her that she was but a helpless child. "O, there +is Mr. Wycoff!" she exclaimed suddenly, as the rough farmer was seen +coming up the hill. + +Fanny trembled violently, for she feared this man. But Little Wolf, +constitutionally brave, in her present state of mind feared nothing, +composedly seated herself again upon the rock. + +The farmer advanced slowly, and recognized Little Wolf with a bow, and +reassured Fanny with a cordial "How are you, Fanny?" Then, as he +observed traces of tears on Fanny's cheek, and Little Wolf's sad look +and mourning dress, he stopped short. "Now Miss DeWolf," said he, +bluntly, "I may as well say it first as last, I did not mean to run +over you that day, but I had been drinking, and did not know what I +was about. Whatever you say is right, I will pay you, for I have felt +mean about it ever since; 'specially as you haven't made any fuss +about it." + +Little Wolf appeared noble indeed, as she feelingly replied, "Mr. +Wycoff, I would cheerfully make the same sacrifice again, if by that +means I could persuade you never to taste another drop of intoxicating +drink." + +"O, I cannot agree to that," said Wycoff, "but I shall do the fair +thing by you, for you have acted like a lady." + +Then Little Wolf, with a sudden impulse, arose and stepped forward, +and began to plead earnestly and eloquently with the man to give up +the use of the intoxicating cup. Nor did she plead in vain. The strong +man at length yielded to her persuasions; persuasions around which +hung the fragrance of the bruised heart, from which they emanated; +touching, irresistible. + +Inspirational hours are often the fruit of anguish unutterable. The +suffering soul begins unconsciously to feel upward, and, at the +propitious moment, heaven appoints its work. Thus Little Wolf received +her mission, which, with characteristic energy she delayed not to +fulfil. + +His word having been pledged to total abstinence, Wycoff turned back +towards home. + +"I was only going to the brewery to meet a few friends," he said, "and +if I don't drink with them I may as well keep away." + +He walked along with Little Wolf and Fanny as far as the cross road, +and when they parted, again renewed his vow right heartily. "Never +fear, Miss DeWolf," he said, "I shall never taste another drop of +liquor, so help me Almighty God." + +"There, now we are _certain_, ain't we, Miss DeWolf? for he asked God +to help him. O, I'm so glad, I'm so glad you have lived to do good," +said Fanny, as the farmer passed on. + +Fanny was exuberant. Her little heart overflowed, and, at intervals +during the remainder of their walk, "I'm so glad, I'm so glad," rang +out on the still air in sweet, childish accents, mingling with the +songs of spring birds, and echoing through the lonely woods. + +Arrived at the cottage, they met a warm welcome from Mrs. Peters. For +many years, widowed and bed ridden, she had lingered in pain and +poverty. Her grandson Charley, a bright, active youth, orphaned at an +early age, had, since the death of his mother, been her constant +companion and faithful nurse. + +He was her pride and her delight, and she in turn shared his warmest +affections. It was beautiful indeed to see the noble-hearted boy +yielding all his young strength in providing for her wants. His small +earnings at wood cutting, combined with the charity of a few kind +hearted neighbors, had during the winter, kept them from absolute +want. No wonder, then, that the ambitious youth, anxious to escape +the pinches of poverty, was eager to accept a situation in Hank +Glutter's saloon, that morning liberally offered by the proprietor in +person. No wonder that, grieved and disheartened by the opposition of +his grandmother, he met Little Wolf and Fanny, (who had interrupted +their discussion of the matter), with a downcast countenance. + +Conscious that his manner had been observed, the old lady hastened to +apologize, "My Charley is feeling quite badly just now," she said. +"Mr. Glutter called here this morning on the way to one of our +neighbors, and offered him a clerkship. He will call soon for his +answer, and I was just telling Charley that I was unwilling to have +him go where he would be exposed to so many temptations." + +"Grandmother needs the money," said Charley, "and it is for her sake I +want to go. She needn't be afraid of my getting bad habits." + +"Well, Charley, we will talk about it again bye and bye," said the +old lady, soothingly. + +"But there's Mr. Glutter, now, grandma," said the boy springing to the +door, "do let me tell him that I will go, _do_ grandma," he begged +with painful earnestness. + +"Do as your grandma think's best, and you will not be sorry," said +Little Wolf in an undertone as Hank approached the door. + +"Well, my man," said Hank with great assurance. + +"I must do as grandma says," and Charley threw the door wide open. + +At sight of Mrs. Peters' visitors, Hank gave a start of surprise, but +quickly recovering himself, he bestowed upon each a gentlemanly +greeting, and without futher ceremony, plunged into the business upon +which he had come. + +"Well, Mrs. Peters, have you decided to accept my offer?" + +"You are very kind and generous, Mr. Glutter, and I thank you," said +the old lady, anxious to soften her refusal; but too honest to give +any except the true reason, she continued, "the truth is, I do not +like to have Charley go where the influence will be so unfavorable to +his becoming a good, sober man." + +Had she studied to make it so, Mrs. Peters' guileless reply could not +have been more inflammatory to Hank's temper, for, like others of his +class, he was peculiarly sensitive to any reflection cast upon his +business. His eyes flashed, and his lip curled scornfully, but having +in mind Little Wolf's presence, he responded smoothly enough, "Very +well, Mrs. Peters. Good morning; good morning, ladies," and bowed +himself out of the room. + +Mrs. Peters drew a sigh of relief, but poor Charley, after struggling +a moment for composure, left the apartment with quivering lip, and +Little Wolf soon caught a view of him through the window, wiping his +eyes with his coat sleeve. + +"Poor dear Charley," said his grandmother, "it comes hard on him now, +but, God willing, I hope he will live to thank me for it." + +Little Wolf rose hastily. "I must go out and have a little talk with +Charley," she said. + +"She is just like her father," said Mrs. Peters, as Little Wolf +flitted from the room, "when he first came to Chimney Rock he was a +princely looking man. + +"O, she is the beautifulest lady I ever saw," was Fanny's enthusiastic +rejoinder. + +"I have understood that she is very gay and fashionable since she came +from boarding school." + +Fanny was at first rather doubtful as to what construction to put upon +the reports which had reached the ears of the old lady, and she +hesitated to endorse anything of the nature of which she was not quite +clear; but she finally compromised the matter by saying, "if it is +very good to be gay and fashionable, then she is, for she is nothing +else but good." + +"Well, if she is only a humble, devoted Christian like her mother, I +shall be satisfied," sighed Mrs. Peters. + +Fanny had by this time come to the conclusion that gay and fashionable +was only another name for superior goodness, and she answered +accordingly. "Why, Mrs. Peters, she is really a very gay, humble, +fashionable, devoted Christion. She is gooder than her mother, for she +never took me away from bad people as she did." + +Not deeming it worth while to enter into any troublesome explanations, +Mrs. Peters determined to suit her language to the child's +comprehension, said simply, "Well, I hope she loves God, and will +teach you to love him too." + +"O, she does love God, Mrs. Peters. I heard her speak to him ever so +many times last night, and I was teached to love him before she had +me," said Fanny very seriously. + +At this instant the object of their conversation made her appearance +followed by Charley, whose countenance exhibited quite a different +aspect from that which it had worn a short time previously. + +Little Wolf had successfully held the cup of consolation to him in the +form of a present and a promise, and she was now about to take her +leave, but Mrs. Peters detained her. Never came one into her presence +that she allowed to depart without first satisfying herself as to +whether, as she expressed it, they had "got religion." + +Now, it was her belief that pure and undefiled religion before God is +this: "To visit the widow and fatherless in their affliction, and to +keep ourselves unspotted from the world." An intimate acquaintance +with the book in which these sentiments are to be found, had quickened +her perceptions as to their true meaning, and, as by that standard she +gave judgment, it was not easy to deceive her. + +Highly as Little Wolf had risen in her esteem, and highly as Fanny had +eulogized the piety of her young benefactress, there yet remained a +doubt in the old lady's mind as to the entire soundness of her +religious principles. A straightforward question while she still held +Little Wolf's hand in her parting grasp, "Dear child, I know you visit +the widow and fatherless in their affliction, but do you keep +yourself unspotted from the world?" + +The innocent rejoinder, "I do not quite know what that means, 'to keep +yourself unspotted from the world,'" resolved her doubts. + +"Well, dear child, read your Bible carefully and you will find out all +about it," exhorted Mrs. Peters, "I might give you my opinion, but it +is better to get your ideas fresh from the fountain head. You will +find that those spotless robes hang very high, but not beyond the +reach of the arms of faith." + +Our heroine went away deeply pondering the words of her newly found +friend. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + DADDY'S SOLILOQUY--A BEER-SOAKER--A KNOCK DOWN ARGUMENT--A + PRESENT FOR LITTLE WOLF. + + +"I guess that ere Sherman won't be a hanging round the Honey no great +deal after this; if he does I'll put another flea in his ear fur I +ain't a going fur tu see her throwd away on no beer-soaker." + +Thus soliloquized Daddy, as he watched with evident satisfaction, the +hurried departure of the young gentleman, whom, when we last left him +he had just released from his inevitable trap. + +A horrible oath sounded in Daddy's ear, and he lay sprawling on the +pavement. "Call me a beer-soaker again will you," and out rolled +another oath, but Daddy did not hear it. The fall had stunned him, and +he was taken up insensible. + +Absorbed in the subject which was agitating his mind at the time he +received the blow Daddy had raised his voice to a high pitch, and, +"beer-soaker," rang out loud and clear, reaching the ear of a +passer-by, who, being pretty well soaked in the beverage mentioned, or +in something stronger, resented the imagined insult after the manner +described. + +Proud of his achievement, which he had just sense enough to see was +not generally approved by the crowd that had gathered round, Daddy's +assailant proceeded defiantly to defend his cruel deed. "He'd better +never say beer-soaker to me again, the cursed scoundrel, nor look it +either, curse him. Let any man in this crowd say that he didn't +deserve what he got, and I'll---- + +"You'll come right along with me, my friend," and the foolish boaster +was marched off by the city authorities, whom from past experience, he +well knew it was useless to resist. + +This same man, now led away amid the exertions of Daddy's friends, had +gone out from his humble home that beautiful sunny morning with the +solemn promise on his lips to keep sober for that one day at least. +His hopeful long-suffering wife had watched lovingly his receding +footsteps, as in days, when a fond husband and father, he always +returned sober. All day long she went trustingly about her work with +kind glad words to her little children, whose pleased surprise to +receive, as of old, their father's fond caress, she delighted to +imagine. + +But alas! it was the old story. The man's will was too weak to +withstand the pursuasions of drinking companions, and the tempttations +of the liquor seller. He yielded, and, when once he had got the taste, +wife and children and all were forgotten. At a late hour that night +the little ones were put sadly away to bed; the supper table, spread +in joy, was cleared away in sorrow, and the wife and mother was again +doomed to wait, and watch, and weep. + +But let us return to Daddy. Stretched on a couch of suffering he lies; +impatient, vociferous and generally unmanageable. + +"Hurry up that ere doctor afore I die," he exclaims; "hurry him up I +say. Lord, that ere pain in my shoulder; now its in my long ribs; now +its in my short ribs; I ken feel it clare down to my heel cord and toe +cord. Take away that ere infernal brandy," he cried, raising his voice +to its highest pitch, "ye don't spose I want fur to drink pison, do +ye, when I'm most dead already?" + +"But it will strengthen you, Daddy," said the attendant soothingly. + +"It won't nuther. It will set me all on fire and I'll mortify afore +the doctor gits here." + +When Dr. Goodrich at length made his appearance, there was then +enacted a scene, if possible, still more uproarious. Poor Daddy +winced and groaned at every touch, and oftimes, commanded his +physician to desist in his examinations of the injured parts. "Don't! +Hold on there doctor, you'll yank me all to bits. There; stop that +yanking; for the lord's sake, doctor, hold on there." + +"I am holding on, Daddy," said the doctor very firmly, as he mended +the dislocated shoulder. + +The necessary surgical operation performed, and an opiate +administrated, with the assurance that no serious results were to be +apprehended, and Daddy's mind and body were soon at rest. + +Meantime, in happy ignorance of Daddy's accident, Little Wolf and +Fanny plodded homeward; the former deeply absorbed in thought, the +latter blithe and airy, singing with the birds, and tripping and +slipping in the dissolving snow. + +The exuberance of Fanny's delight, however, began perceptibly to wane +as they were about repassing the spot, where, a few hours before, they +had paused to mourn and lament. Again she loitered by her companion's +side, again she sighed, "Poor Fleet Foot;" but not again did Little +Wolf yield to her feelings. Her tearless eyes looked straight forward, +and she hurried by the frightful gorge, where lay the remains of her +high-mettled and much loved pet. + +On the brow of the hill she paused in surprise, for again she saw +Wycoff with his face turned towards the brewery. On the present +occasion he was mounted upon his favorite horse Black Hawk, and, +having overtaken Hank Glutter, the two men were engaged in a +conversation which we will here transcribe. + +"How are you, Wycoff? Bound for the brewery this fine day?" + +"Why no, Mr. Glutter, I have about made up my mind that you have got +your share of my hard earnings this year, I guess I'll pay up my debts +and keep clear of the brewery, and see how I'll come out about this +time next spring." + +"Why, I thought you were doing well enough, Wycoff," said Hank, +uneasily. + +"I'm sure your bill at the brewery is not large, considering." + +"O, I don't complain of the charges, Mr. Glutter. As Miss DeWolf says, +money is not the only thing you part with at a drinking saloon." + +"O, you're being nosed about by Miss DeWolf, are you," said Hank +contemptuously. + +"I had as leif be nosed by a fine lady, as by a saloon keeper," said +Wycoff, drawing himself up in his saddle. + +"D----m the fine lady," said Hank between his closed teeth, "I'll +attend to her case." + +"Shame on the man that will threaten a lady," said Wycoff hotly. + +"When women stoop to interfere with men's business, they must take the +consequences, Wycoff. Shall I tell you what was done to a woman who +went whining around trying to raise a prejudice against a respectable +liquor dealer in the place where I once lived? One dark night her +house was pretty well pelted with stones and brickbats. The windows +and doors were broken in, and I do not know what the enraged crowd +would have done had she not made good her escape." + +"A low cowardly set, to attack a defenceless woman," said Wycoff, "but +I've drank enough myself to know that under the influence of liquor, +men will do almighty mean things. Every time I've passed the place +where Fleet Foot lays, I have tried to make up my mind to give up +drinking, and pay Miss De Wolf for the horse, like a man; and to-day +I've come to the sticking point; I have promised to give up liquor, +and in a few minutes I shall present Black Hawk to Miss DeWolf." + +"Well, she had better mind her own business after this," said Hank +with a sneer. "She has cheated me out of getting a first-rate clerk +this morning. I will not brook her interference in my affairs. Let her +beware, or I'll make this place too hot for her." + +Wycoff's eyes flashed, and he extended his clenched fist towards Hank. +"You will, will you?" said he defiantly; "now listen, you Glutter. If +ever you attempt to harm that lady, I swear to you that this fist of +mine shall batter your brains, and on Black Hawk she shall ride over +your lifeless body." + +Black Hawk pawed and snorted and turned his firey black eyes very +wickedly upon Hank, as if to enforce his master's threat. He was a +most magnificent animal; coal black, his silken coat, now curried with +special care, shone resplendent in the noon-day sun. + +As Wycoff rode off, Hank muttered to himself, "She shall never ride +that horse." + +Half an hour later, Hank had the mortification of beholding Little +Wolf flying past his door seated, like a little queen, upon Black +Hawk's back. + +"She shall never ride that horse again," said the enraged saloon +keeper, with an oath. + +Wycoff had great difficulty in pursuading Little Wolf to except his +present. Indeed she only consented when she became convinced that he +would be seriously displeased by her refusal. Further to gratify the +giver, she took her first ride under his immediate supervision; and, +at his request, she had followed the road by the brewery, making a +circle of about a quarter of a mile. + +"Now that's what I call neatly done," said Wycoff, as Little Wolf drew +up, and leaped from the saddle. "You are the first lady that ever +backed Black Hawk," he said, patting the animal's neck. "The fact is, +I had my doubts about your being able to ride him at all. I was afraid +I would have to sell him and get a gentler beast, and I hated to do +that, for I have raised him from a colt. As a general thing, he won't +allow a stranger to come nigh him. I had to ride him myself at the +races last September, for everybody was afraid of him. I won five +hundred dollars on him though. I guess I had better stable him now; +hadn't I? I'll be up here early to-morrow morning to see how Daddy +gets along with him. I reckon the old man won't dare to go nigh him +till he gets used to him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS AND DELIVERANCES. + + +Little Wolf was glad to see Black Hawk led away, for she was now +thoroughly weary. The events of the last twenty-four hours had worn +upon her; and the cozy fire and warm dinner, which awaited her within, +were duly appreciated. + +An hour later, nestled upon the parlor sofa she was burried in +profound slumber. Fanny moved softly about the room, tiptoeing +occasionally to the window to watch for Daddy. + +Towards night he was brought home on a stretcher, comfortably arranged +in a large sleigh, Dr. Goodrich accompanying him. The first intimation +that Little Wolf had of their arrival was a loud ring at the door, +which suddenly roused her from dreams, in which she was living over +again the happiest moments of her life. + +It was some little time before she could collect her scattered +thoughts; but Daddy's roarings and vociferations at length brought her +to a realizing sense of her responsibilities. + +Although assured by his physician that his hurts would in a few weeks +at furthest all be healed, the old man was not content. He had a +lurking infidelity in regard to the opinions of the medical profession +generally, and, as soon as Dr. Goodrich had departed, he confided to +Little Wolf his fears. + +"'Tween you and me, Honey," said he, "them ere doctors hev been knowd +to tell a pussen that he was a goin fur tu git well, and just as that +pussen had made all his calculations fur tu live, (and may be git +married), the fust thing he knew, he would be a dead man. Now 'tween +you and me, its my opinion, I shan't live twenty-four hours, fur I +feel awful gone like." + +"O, its the opiate that makes you feel so, Daddy. I shall nurse you up +and you'll get well and marry, what's her name?" + +"Recta," said Daddy brightening. "Recta, Miss Orrecta Lippincott. May +be, Honey, with good nussing I shall make out fur tu stand it. 'Tween +you and me, there's nuthin like good nussin, after the bones is all +set proper." + +His wise young nurse did not think it worth while to remind the +invalid that not one of his bones had been broken, but she assiduously +set herself to work to meet his accumulating wants. With liniments and +bandages, and cooling drinks, and consoling words, she stood patiently +over him, until near the midnight hour, he fell asleep. + +Shading the lamp, so that scarcely a ray of light was visible, Little +Wolf curled in behind the window curtain, where she could peep +through the crevices of the blinds out on the distant stars and ever +shifting clouds, which in the solitude of the night, speak so +eloquently to the human heart. + +Calm and cold was the still hour. The warm, thawing winds had ceased +to blow, the eaves had ceased their droppings and were beautifully +fringed with icicles. The snow had become crusted over, but so +slightly, indeed, that the lightest footfall would crush the +treacherous coating, and the cracking of the icy fragments betray the +presence of prowlers. + +By such sounds as we have described, Little Wolf's meditations were at +length disturbed. Indistinctly at first, but soon with unmistakable +clearness, she recognized approaching footsteps. + +Daddy's room overlooked the stable, and in that quarter, a human +figure was just visible. Slowly and stealthily it drew near; and now +with dilated eyes and quickly beating heart, the watcher peered +eagerly into the darkness. Nearer, and still nearer the form +approached, until close against the house, just where she could +conveniently note every motion, it paused. A moment of suspense, and a +small flame shot up revealing Hank Glutter in the act of firing the +house. + +Quick as thought Little Wolf sprang for her pistol, which to gratify +Daddy she had stored in his room; and hiding it in the folds of her +dress she flew to meet the incendiary. + +During the few seconds consumed in reaching the spot, Hank had +disappeared, and having strong suspicions that he meditated mischief +to Black Hawk, Little Wolf scattered the pile of slowly burning +faggots, (the fire not having yet communicated itself to the +building), and made a dash for the stable. + +Hank was there just in the act of lighting a match. He had completely +surrounded Black Hawk with hay and straw, and, in an instant more, the +helpless animal would have been enveloped in flames. + +"Mr. Glutter, the brewery is on fire!" shouted Little Wolf +breathlessly. + +The match fell from Hank's nerveless hand, for he saw through the +wide open door that the announcement was but too true. To spring past +Little Wolf and rush to secure his property, was his first thought. + +But he was too late. Neither he, nor all the crowd that quickly +gathered there, could stay the consuming element. The old brewery +burned to the ground, and, for miles around the country was +illuminated by what to many a poor broken-hearted woman, was a grand +and festive bonfire. + +Among the first who discovered the conflagration was Wycoff, and he +was much relieved, on ascertaining the precise location of the fire; +for he had started out filled with apprehensions for Little Wolf. To +his great satisfaction, the old brown house stood out in full relief, +unharmed. + +A critical survey of the premises, however, discovered to him the +stable door standing open, and, by the brilliant blaze, he could +distinctly see Black Hawk, pawing and floundering in the midst of the +hay which Hank had arranged for his funeral pile. + +Quite as distinctly from the upper window could Little Wolf see the +former, and she hastened to make him acquainted with her narrow escape +and claim his protection. + +While he listened, the man's worst passions were aroused. There was +murder in his heart, and, but for the entreaties of Little Wolf, +another day would never have dawned upon Hank Glutter. + +As for Hank; having the bitter consciousness that he had brought the +calamity upon himself, he raved and swore like a mad man. To all +questions as to the cause of the fire he had but one answer, "I +suppose I must have left the confounded lamp too near the bed." This +admission was invariably followed by oaths and curses, as he passed up +and down before the burning building. + +How different were Daddy's emotions! It was amusing to behold him +bolstered up in bed, exultant to the highest degree. His old wrinkled +face fairly shone with delight, and he frequently ejaculated as he +watched the progress of the flames, "Thank the Lord God Almighty, for +that dispensation!" + +As the light began to die away, he turned to Little Wolf and whispered +confidentially. "'Tween you and me, Honey, if I should happen fur tu +hev any children, Recta wont feel any consarn about the boys gittin to +drinking, now that ere old brewery is out of the way. Some folks say +if a man is tu be a drunkard, he'll be one any how; but if there's no +liquor, I'd like fur to know how he is going fur tu git it? I guess +nobody ever got burnt that never see a fire." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + ANOTHER SALOON SCENE--THE BRIDAL TROUSSEAU--THE LOVELY NURSE. + + +As Hank Glutter's was unfortunately not the only saloon in the world, +we will now open the scene on another place of the same sort, not many +miles away from the smoking ruins; a place, where, for various +reasons, men did congregate; some to gratify a vitiated appetite, +others simply to indulge in a social glass, and still others because +they had no where else to go; some because they were glad, and some +because they were sad; each and all forgetting the words of the wise +man, "Look not upon the wine." + +The door had just opened to admit a small party of young men. Among +the number is Edward Sherman. There he stands, a little apart from the +rest, just under the chandelier. Directly opposite, the shelves +glitter in Bohemian and cut glass, and all the attractive features of +the bar. Mark his proud and lofty bearing, as he steps forward and +lifts the goblet to his lips. + +Again, and yet again, the cup goes round, until no longer he stands +firmly among his companions. See him now, reeling, tottering, +staggering, as he is borne away for the first time in his life, +helplessly intoxicated, borne to his loving mother, whose grey hairs +blanched whiter in that night of sorrow. + +In a desperate mood young Sherman had permitted himself to be thus +overcome, and, when the effects of the stimulant had worn off, he +strove by the most affectionate attentions to make amends for the pain +he had occasioned his mother. + +He even went so far as to bend his proud spirit to offer something +like an apology. + +"Mother," said he, as he placed his morning kiss upon her care worn +face, before going to his office, "do not worry; I shall not again +forget myself. It was foolish, I know, but I cared not at the time +what became of me. Now don't worry. There is no danger of me." + +Mrs. Sherman sighed as the door closed on her darling. "So like his +father," she murmured. + +Could she have seen him an hour later, the resemblance to his father +might have struck her still more forcibly, for the social glass was +again at his lips. + +Fortunately for the dear old lady, there were other claims upon her +attention, and, from a sense of duty, she strove very hard to bury her +anxiety for her son in the folds of silk and laces which were to +constitute the wedding paraphernalia of her daughter. + +Lacking independence of thought, that young lady relied almost +entirely upon the opinion of others, and the consequence was that not +a ribbon, or a flower met her approval until she had first consulted +half a dozen young friends, who, being apt to differ, kept her mind in +a perpetual tumult. + +The mooted question on the morning before mentioned, was the exact +length required for the bridal veil, Her confidents all differed in +opinion, and, in despair, she appealed to her mother. "Mamma, Isabel +thinks the veil is two inches too long, and Clara says it is only half +an inch, and Caroline says it is just right. Now what do you think?" + +"Why, it seems to be entirely a matter of taste, my dear; perhaps you +had better put it on and ask the doctor's advice." + +"O, mamma, the doctor knows nothing at all about the fashions, and if +he did, he would not follow them I know," said she rather petishly. +"He won't do anything anybody else does." + +"Why, Louise!" said her mother in surprise. + +"I can't help it, mamma; Ned and I had set our hearts upon having wine +at the wedding, for it is quite fashionable now, and we were very sure +that we could coax you to let us, and when I confided in the doctor, +and asked him to use his influence in our favor, he declared flatly +that he would never give his consent, if it was ever so fashionable. I +declare, it made me almost wish I was going to marry Charley Horton. +You know he and Isabel Merton are engaged, and the other day when we +were all together, Isabel told me that she had never asked but one +favor of Charley which he was not willing to grant, and that was, that +he would promise not to use wine in his family nor offer it to his +friends. She said she felt uncomfortable whenever she thought of the +matter, but she hoped to be able to influence him to give it up after +they were married. Caroline Wyndam was there, and she said she would +not _dare_ to say a word to her lover on the subject, although she +would give the world to have him leave off social drinking. But Clara +Hastings and the other girls said they did not think a little wine or +beer would hurt anybody, and they would not give a fig for a man that +could not control his appetite. Clara Hastings said if she ever got +married, she would have wine at the wedding. When I told Ned about it +he said Clara was the girl for him. I wonder what Miss DeWolf would +say to that. + +Mrs. Sherman tried to choke down her feelings, but the bitter, burning +tears would come and one by one they coursed down her withered cheek. + +There was silence for a few minutes, and Louise would have left the +room, but her mother gently detained her. "Edward wished me to say to +you that his intimacy with Miss DeWolf was broken off, and he further +requested that you would never mention the subject to him." + +Great consternation was depicted on Louise's countenance. Oh! it is +too bad," she exclaimed; "and just as she had promised to show me how +that beautiful trimming was made which Miss Marsdon sent her from New +York. I wonder what it means. Do you know, mamma?" + +"Why yes, my dear; it means that Miss DeWolf is possessed of a +sensible, well-balanced mind, and that your brother has acted very +foolishly." + +Just at that moment the conversation was interrupted by the appearance +of one of Louise's friends and advisers, and the two girls were soon +absorbed in discussing the merits of some article of dress belonging +to the trousseau. + +Thus the hours slipped away, until about one o'clock, Edward came for +dinner. He knew as soon as his eye rested upon his demonstrative +sister that she had been made acquainted with his disappointment, and, +as he naturally shrank from receiving sympathy, either by word or +look, he exerted himself to appear much more cheerful than he really +felt. + +Louise inwardly resolved that she would be very watchful, and not +cloud her brother's spirits by any allusion whatever to Chimney Rock, +and the next moment she suddenly remembered having seen at the +midnight hour a very bright light from her chamber window in that +direction. Without second thought, she related the circumstance, and +caught herself making the inquiry, "Did you see it, Ned?" + +Edward's face flushed scarlet, as he answered evasively, "O, that was +the brewery on fire. I met Mr. Glutter in the city this morning. He +came to make arrangements to open another saloon here. I never saw a +man of more indomitable will and perseverance. Although he lost an +immense amount he is not in the least disheartened." + +"Brave fellow," said Louise, cordially embracing her brother's +estimate of the man's character. "I wonder what occasioned the fire." + +"Why, he placed the lamp too near his bed, while he went out to learn +if there was any trouble at Miss DeWolf's. It seems that he had always +had a friendly care for her, and, hearing noises in that direction, +he was so kind as to run over. Finding it all quiet about the house, +he followed the sounds to the stable, and discovered that it was only +a horse, which Mr. Wycoff had, a few hours before presented to Miss +DeWolf, that had occasioned the disturbance. The horse had broken +loose, and just as Mr. Glutter was fastening him in the stall, he saw +the flames bursting from the saloon; and so his benevolent trip cost +him his brewery." + +While Louise was listening with interest to the recital, Mrs. Sherman +and Dr. Goodrich entered the room. The latter was evidently disgusted +with the expression, "poor fellow," that fell once or twice from the +lips of the young lady, and his annoyance reached the climax when, a +moment's pause, she ventured to assert with one eye on her brother, +that "the poor fellow" would never get any thanks, "for," said she, +"Miss DeWolf detests him, I know she does." + +There was a short, awkward silence, which Mrs. Sherman broke, by +saying, deprecatingly she was sure she could not blame Miss DeWolf +for feeling bitterly towards the saloon keeper. + +"Blame her!" exclaimed Dr. Goodrich, who could no longer keep silence. +"Blame Miss DeWolf! I would as soon think of blaming an angel in +heaven. What has she to thank Hank Glutter for, I should like to know? +He whose hands are red in the blood of her father. He who has made +orphans and widows at her very door. He who has more than once +endangered her very life by selling those cursed drinks which so +infuriate men. He who would, I doubt not, take her life this day, if +by so doing he could escape punishment, and add another penny to his +cursed store." + +"With your sentiments you are hardly prepared to do the man justice," +said Edward forestalling a reply upon his sister's pouting lips. + +"Had a man by his nefarious business, blasted every hope in my +Louise's life save one, and were I that one, think you I could speak +favorably of the wretch? No." said the doctor, impetuously. + +Louise, partially restored to good humor, had managed to slip behind +her brother, where she stood making all sorts of admonitory gestures +to her lover, who had not as yet, been let into the secret of the +change in his friends's relation to Little Wolf. + +But the doctor could not; or would not take Louise's hints, and he +went on hotly. "Curse the business! I say. Curse the man, who, with +his eyes open to the consequences, engages in it. The law could, and +should, make him responsible. Hank Glutter is the man who ought to +have been compelled to indemnify Miss DeWolf for the losses she +sustained on that dreadful day when Wycoff came so near dashing her +over the precipice. It was he who tempted the man to drink, until he +became drunk, and did the mischief, to repair which he sacrificed his +favorite horse. Thank God it was by Hank's own confession, the +animal's noise that brought about the burning of the brewery. It is +some comfort that God now and then legislates on the traffic, when men +will not." + +The doctor paused, and, as no one seemed inclined to make any +comments, he began to speak more calmly, and on a subject which he +flattered himself would be more agreeable. + +"I have just been down to bind up Daddy's bruises," he said, "but his +lovely nurse had done all that was necessary. Then turning to Edward +with a meaning smile, "Ned, she is a right regal nurse. I almost +wished myself in Daddy's place this morning. It must be very consoling +in hours of pain to have a little angel smoothing your pillow, and +hovering over you with sweet words and gentle touches." + +The doctor suddenly stopped short. There was an expression of sharp +agony on Edward's face that could not be mistaken. Louise had never +looked on him so before. Added to her sympathy for her brother, was an +indefinable pang occasioned by her lover's warm praises of another. +Mrs. Sherman, the picture of distress, looked helplessly from one to +the other. + +The dinner bell was at that moment a welcome sound. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + THREATS--LITTLE WOLF AND BLACK HAWK--TRAGIC DEATH OF HANK + GLUTTER. + + +His business arrangements satisfactorily completed, towards night, +Hank Glutter was seen setting out for Chimney Rock. + +To say the truth, he appeared secretly uneasy, glancing furtively +behind at every sound as he hurried forward like one pursued. By, and +by, out on the solitary highway he walked on with more confidence, and +finally, after assuring himself that he was quite alone, began to let +fall some very energetic expressions in which were mingled the names +of Miss DeWolf, of Black Hawk and of Wycoff. + +"She shall never ride Black Hawk again," he muttered, "Miss DeWolf +can't circumvent me. If she has dared to betray me, she will never +tell the story again. I guess my word is as good as hers--I defy +Wycoff." Then followed such expletives as the speaker deemed suitable +to the occasion: but which were suddenly interrupted by the appearance +of Mr. Wycoff mounted upon Black Hawk and apparently in good humor +with himself and all the world. + +He evidently did not wish to remember the unpleasant scene of the +previous day, for he partly halted as he came up to Hank, and said +pleasantly, "What luck to-day, Mr. Glutter?" + +Hank seeing in him a future victim to his wiles, spread his net right +warily: "Well, Wycoff," he replied," "I have had the good luck to +secure the most desirable corner in the city for my business, and I +intend to keep on hand first class liquors, just such as you like +best; and I consider you a judge of the article." + +"How unfortunate that I have given up drinking," said Wycoff with +great gravity. + +The corners of Hank's mouth drew down a little, but he replied in the +most persuasive manner, "O well, its never best to drink to excess, +but I hope to have the pleasure, Mr. Wycoff, of treating you to many a +harmless glass." + +"I must be going back," said Wycoff, abruptly wheeling round, "I just +rode out a little way to get some of the spirit out of the horse +before Miss DeWolf takes her evening ride." + +Hank shook his fist after him, "I'll take the spirit out of the horse, +and out of the girl too," he threatened. "Lucky she hasn't told +Wycoff, I can tell my own story all the better." + +Hank had just entered the "pass" when he again caught a view of Black +Hawk in the distance; but this time Little Wolf was the rider. He +drew his breath hard, and in an instant his hand was upon his dirk. +"Now is my time," came from between his closed teeth and he threw +himself behind the trunk of a tree, and in the twilight not a shadow +of him was visible. + +On came Little Wolf, sitting her splendid steed right regally. Her +proud, fearless little face was slightly shaded by the waving plumes +in her velvet cap, and her long black robes floated on the evening +breeze. + +By constant petting from the hour that he became hers, Black Hawk had +been won, and the intractable, fiery creature, who had hitherto +spurned all control but Wycoff's, readily yielded to Little Wolf's +guiding hand. The sagacious creature had exhibited no little pride in +bearing off his precious burden under the eye of his old master. His +new mistress glorying in her power over him bade him forward and +without a suspicion of danger, entered the fatal pass. + +In a moment they were opposite Hank's hiding place, who concentrating +all his energies, made a cat-like spring and caught at Black Hawk's +bridle. + +To sheer off, rear high in the air, and plant his fore foot right into +the would-be-murderer's brain, was a feat performed without a sign +from Little Wolf, who sat like one paralyzed, while Black Hawk in a +fury trampled their assailant under his feet. She saw Hank's ghastly +face and flaxen ringlets go down, and she saw his life blood spurting +far over the pure white snow, and the next instant she was borne +swiftly away from the terrible scene. + +For some little time Black Hawk had it all his own way, and they were +far out on the main traveled road to Pendleton before Little Wolf made +an effort to check his speed. But suddenly she drew the rein with no +gentle hand. + +They had overtaken a lady and gentleman, who were riding leisurely, +evidently quite absorbed in each other's society. One quick, searching +glance revealed the parties to Little Wolf; and she curled her lip in +scorn, as she saw those attentions which Edward had so lately lavished +upon herself, now given to Clara Hastings. + +Well might Edward start and strain his eyes after the retreating +figure to which the loud clatter of hoofs had called his attention, +for fleeing fast away was one in whose true heart, he had planted +still another arrow, which would there rankle long, spite of the vow +of eternal forgetfulness even then upon her proud lips. + +In order to avoid "The Pass," and its horrors, Little Wolf took a +circuitous route home. She emerged from the wild, unbroken path +through the forest just as Wycoff was begining to feel seriously +uneasy at her prolonged absence. + +He eagerly caught at the bridle, "I was afraid Black Hawk had been +playing pranks," he said, patting the animal's neck: "Why, here's +blood upon the beast; I guess he's got rubbed agin a tree. It wan't +exactly safe to come that way, anyhow, but girls will be girls, +there's a natural tendancy in 'em to go into crooked ways," and Wycoff +laughed, as he thought that he had perpetrated a good joke, and looked +at Little Wolf as if he expected her too appreciate it. + +"It is Mr. Glutter's blood," gasped Little Wolf, "he attempted to stop +us in the Pass, and Black Hawk trampled upon him." + +"Oh! that's it, eh?" said Wycoff. "A knowing critter, that. He's got +the instincts of a woman, and I ain't sure but he knows as much as a +man. Well, I hope Hank is dead, anyhow." + +"Oh, don't say so, Mr. Wycoff," said Little Wolf, every particle of +color forsaking her face. + +"Well, now if I ain't beat," said the rough man, "I thought you would +be tickled to dance on Hank's grave." + +Little Wolf turned silently away and went into the house. + +"Well, well," and Wycoff bent a look of inquiry upon Sorrel Top, who +had been out sharing his solicitude for her mistress. + +"I guess she feels kinder horrible like, about seeing him mashed," was +Sorrel Top's explanatory reply. + +"Well, I'll jest go round and see what his condition is, anyhow." + +While Wycoff was on his mission and Little Wolf shut up in her room, +Sorrel Top hastened to communicate the news to Daddy. + +"'Tween you and me I'm glad on't," said Daddy, exultingly. I hope he's +dead." + +"Well, now, that's heathenish, Daddy, to wish a feller critter dead." + +"He wan't no feller critter," said Daddy, indignantly, "he was nothin' +but a liquor-seller: the wust kind tu, fur he knowed just what +mischief he wus a doing to the human race. Yes, and to the brute race +tu, fur I've seen men whallop their hosses nigh about tu death when +they was in liquor." + +"I've seen 'em wallop 'em when they want in liquor," said Sorrel Top, +determined as usual to combat Daddy at all hazards. + +"'Tween you and me, sich men ain't feller critters, nuther, I reckon +they'll live next door to liquor sellers, by and by," said Daddy, with +self righteous-assurance. + +"I'd like to know where you expect to go when you die?" said Sorrel +Top, with a toss of the head." + +"Why, I'll go tu that ere place where folks go that du the best they +know." + +"Well, you're lucky if you can say you have always done the best you +could," said the other in a tone which clearly indicated a doubt of +Daddy's entire veracity. + +"'Tween you and me, I've been thinking that I might hev been more +active in the temperance cause. I guess afore long I'll git up a +temperance lectur and go round deliverin' of it." + +"O, pshaw, you wouldn't git no _ordiance_. Would he Fanny?" said +Sorrel Top, appealing to Fanny Green, who had been a silent but not +uninterested listener to the conversation. + +"I guess he would," said Fanny, hopefully, "I would attend." + +"Of course you would," said Daddy, excitedly, "and the Honey would +too." + +"Well, you couldn't tell me nothing more than I know on that pint," +said Sorrel Top, flinging herself out of the room with an air of +unqualified contempt. + +Left alone with Daddy, Fanny ventured to say softly, "Daddy have you +ever prayed about it?" + +"About what, Fanny?" + +"Why, about people's drinking and selling liquor and those things that +you talk about?" + +"Pray about it? why no. What should I pray about it fur? I never pray +about nothing." + +Fanny looked shocked. "Don't you know the Bible tells us to pray, +Daddy?" + +"Well, I spose it does," Daddy admitted, "but somehow I hev never said +my prayers, since I was a little shaver; I reckon it don't do no good +fur tu pray, no how. My religion is tu do the best I ken." + +"But, Daddy, if God tells you to ask for what you want, and you don't +do it, is that doing the best you can?" + +"I ruther guess you've got the best of old Daddy, this ere time," said +the old man, stroking the child's sunny locks. "'Tween you and me, +Fanny, I don't know nothin' at all about the Bible. My father and +mother died afore I was old enough fur tu read, and I was bound tu a +man that didn't gin me a big edication, I never seen a Bible in his +house," + +"Then you don't know about Jesus Christ?" said Fanny, quite pitifully + +"Laws yes, I've heern ministers preach a leetle about him once in a +while when I went to church fur tu go hum with Recta; but, somehow, I +want much took up with him." + +"O, but Daddy, you would have been if you had understood that he was +the best friend you ever had. My mamma used to tell me how he came to +die for us, and how we could not get to Heaven without him. I will +tell you all about it, Daddy, shall I? I told Miss DeWolf, yesterday, +and she looked real glad." + +"Laws, Fanny, the Honey is high edicated and knows a heap more than we +do." + +"O, yes, of course, Daddy, but then she had never heard it just as +mamma used to tell it; for you know mamma talked just as if she had +lived in the same house with Him, and He had told her Himself all +about the beautiful place for all those that He can take there." + +"Well, He may take me," said Daddy. + +"O, but you will have to ask him to take you, Daddy," said his little +instructress, opening wide her eyes. + +"'Tween you and me, there's the stick, Fanny, I really don't know how +fur tu ask him." + +"Why, Daddy, how would you ask him for bread if you were starving?" + +"I calculate I'd beg mighty hard if I was in sich a tight place." + +Fanny's eyes filled, and Daddy feeling rather uncomfortable, patted +her cheek tenderly. + +"You're a fust rate leetle gal, Fanny," he said, "and I'm kinder +thinking I'll look into this ere matter by and by, when I get my +lectur writ." + +"May be, if you should ask Him, God would make you think what is the +best thing to say in your lecture," persisted the child. + +"Laws, Fanny, I ken think of them ere things myself. All the help I +want is a leetle mite from you about the spellin. + +"Wycoff now appeared looking very grave and reported Hank, "stone +dead." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + THE MAY DAY WEDDINGS--MISS ORRECTA LIPPINCOTT'S SURPRISE--HOW + OLD LOVERS BEHAVE. + + +Spring opened slowly. It is true, at the first fierce glance of the +sun, the sensitive snow dissolved in tears; but he was forced to call +to his aid the strong winds to blow long upon the ice-bound river, ere +it yielded and permitted the beautiful steamers again to ride upon its +throbbing bosom. + +There were those who eagerly counted the weeks that brought about +these changes, for each hour drew them nearer to their bridal +morning, and one fair May day, when the earth was decked in her +garments of green, Louise Sherman, arrayed in her bridal robes, was +led by Dr. Goodrich to the marriage altar. + +Edward Sherman also was there, to celebrate the same rite, for, in a +few short weeks he had wooed and won Miss Clara Hastings. It was with +no small degree of pride, that he looked upon that tall, elegant woman +and called her wife. + +Clara was equally proud of her husband. Talented, handsome, and, as +she supposed, on the road to wealth, she asked no more. Thus they set +out in life together. + +The ceremony over, the wedding parties, including Mrs. Sherman, +started on a tour to the old homestead, where it was their intention +to pass a few weeks, and finally to change it for a permanent home in +Minnesota. + +They had given Recta timely notice of their coming, and, had she had +no interruption, the housekeeper's preparations would indeed have +been elaborate. She had received and answered Daddy's letter +favorably, and was in daily expectation of a second communication from +the same source. The plan which she had arranged in her own mind was +to remain until after the arrival of the family, and then to spend a +few weeks with a married sister, whose assistance she would require in +the preperation of her bridal outfit. As a general thing Recta's head +was pretty clear, but in this case, she did not count upon the +proverbial impetuosity of a widower, and, consequently, signally +failed. + +One bright morning, when all the bed and table linen, and every +bleachable thing to be found in the house, were spread upon the grass; +when feather beds and blankets, and carpets, were hung out to air; +when soap-suds and white-wash stood side by side; when the china +closet had disgorged its treasures, and the silver was spread out for +extra polishing; when all the ingredients for a mammoth fruit cake +were marshalled on the kitchen table; when chairs and other furniture +were gathered in clusters, as if discussing the general uproar; when +poor old Lilly Foot had been driven forth with a sharp reproof and a +cold breakfast, and forlorn kitty, hid away in a dark corner, where +only her green eyes were visible, mewed disconsolate, a loud knock was +heard at the door. + +"I do wonder who is going to hinder me now?" fretted Recta, as lifting +her dripping hands from her scrubbing suds, and drying them upon her +apron she obeyed the summons. + +At the first glance at the intruder she recognized Daddy, and turning +pale and then red by turns, she sank speedily into a chair. + +How changed were both since they last met. She was then a blooming, +brown haired, rather coquettishly dressed country girl, and he black +haired, dapper and gay. Now he beheld her in faded calico, sallow, +wrinkled and grey; and she looked upon a white haired, shrivelled up, +little old man. + +Both were for the moment, silent and disappointed, but Daddy was the +first to recover his presence of mind. "'Tween you and me, don't you +know me, Recta?" + +"Well, I reckon I do, Philip," said Recta instinctively covered her +face with her apron. + +A smile of delight broke over Daddy's features, and his first +disappointment was forgotten. "That's jest as you used to sarve me, +Recta; now I'm agoin fur tu sarve you one of my old tricks," and, by +an adroit movement to which he encountered a very slight resistance, +Recta's features were again visible. + +There was a deep red spot on either cheek, and she looked rather +foolish, but it was not long before the old lovers were living over +again their youthful hours. + +Oblivious of the flight of time, the mid-day sun shone in upon them, +still absorbed in each other. It would be impossible to say how long +this state of things might have continued had not Daddy inadvertantly +called Recta's attention to her household duties. + +"'Tween you and me, I want fur tu git married afore night," he was +saying, when Recta suddenly sprang to her feet in dire dismay. + +"Why Philip," she exclaimed, "how can I get married and all this work +on hand?" + +"I'm kinder thinkin we ken hev the job did, and then I ken help you +fur to do the work." + +Recta, demurred, but overwhelmed with persuasions, she finally +consented to confer with her sister, living near by, and the result +was, they were married before night, which fully accorded with Daddy's +desires. + +The next morning the atmosphere of the house had materially changed: +but the aspect not. Lilly Foot luxuriated on a warm breakfast, and +strutted about the house complacently wagging his tail, and green-eyed +pussy purred contentedly behind the kitchen stove. + +But still confronting Recta was the untouched white-wash, unwashed +china, unpolished silver, unmade cake, and the undone condition of +things generally. + +"'Tween you and me, I wouldn't go fur tu du no work to-day," advised +Daddy, as Recta made a movement towards setting the house in order. + +"I reckon, Philip, Miss Sherman will be here in a few days, and I +wouldn't get ketched in this plight for nothing. + +"You ain't a mite like mammy was," said Daddy, holding affectionately +on to Recta's dress. "Laws, she would jerk herself away from me, and +afore I knowd it be a flying around the house like a whirl-wind, +orderin me round 'till I didn' know what fur tu du fust." + +"O, well, you must let me go now, Philip," said Recta, good-naturedly, +"or I won't git nothing done to-day. Now don't tech me again until I +git them dishes washed and sot up." + +"Laws, Recta, don't ask me fur tu wait that long; I'd like fur tu help +you, so you'd get through quicker. Now set me tu work, du," + +"Well, Philip, them things on the line ought to be brought in. I +forgot 'em last night." + +"'Tween you an' me, what made ye forgit 'em?" said Daddy, +mischievously. + +"I reckon when anybody is tagged to me every minute, I can't remember +nothing, Philip." + +At this mild rebuke Daddy laughed immoderately, but he was none the +less at her heels. Turn whichever way she would, he was always there, +and consequently her work progressed slowly; so slowly, indeed, that +the bridal party arrived, and found her illy prepared to meet them. + +But when the circumstances became known, she was at once absolved from +all blame, and loaded with congratulations and presents made +wondrously happy. + +As their services were indispensable, it was decided that the useful +old couple should remain through the breaking up and moving season. + +While the younger portion of the household gave themselves up to a +succession of pleasure parties given in their honor, Daddy and Recta +spent their evenings in social chat by the kitchen fire. At such times +Daddy was the chief speaker, and Recta never wearied of listening to +his wonderful stories. + +Especially was she interested in Little Wolf's career. Her wonderful +escape from Bloody Jim, her triumphal ride over Hank Glutter, her +astonishing beauty, talents, and virtues were subjects upon which he +descanted with great fluency. + +"'Tween you an' me, Recta," said he, being in an uncommonly +confidential frame on one of these occasions, "I used fur tu think +that are Edward Sherman was a hanging around the Honey, and I sot +myself tu put a stop to it, and that are day I was knocked down, and +had my shoulder put out of jint, I jest gin him a hint that a nice +young man was a goin fur tu git her." + +"Why, Philip, I thought Edward was about the nicest young man in the +world," Recta ventured to assert. + +Daddy elevated his eyebrows, and hitching up very close to his +companion, whispered, "'Tween you an' me, didn't you know he drunk +nothin?" + +"You don't say so, Philip!" exclaimed Recta, in tones in which were +blended surprise and grief. + +"I've seed him," declared Daddy, decidedly. + +"Dear me, how I wish he had always staid to home. Dear me, I can't +bear to have it so; he was such a sweet little feller, when I nussed +and tended on him. He don't drink hard, does he, Philip?" + +"I guess about middlin. I never seed him dead drunk, but I've ketched +him a few times about as full as he could hold. He cum hum pretty +tight from the party last night." + +"You don't say! I guess that's what's made his mother so low-spirited +all day." + +"I kinder think that are wife of hisen don't feel nun tu nice over it +nuther, fur she 'pears ruther down in the mouth. I happened fur tu +hear her a tellin him this morning, that fur tu drink moderate was +genteel, but tu over drink was vulgar. It's my opinion he ain't got a +fur-seein woman, or she wouldn't hev preached no sech doctrine as that +are. You wouldn't have ketched the Honey a doin of it; she thinks it's +all vulgar and wicked tu." + +"I think it's a sin to pass it around at them parties, Philip." + +"Sartin, Recta; young fellers will get a liking for it, and get ruined +in that are way." + +"I don't see what makes folks do it when they know it's such dangerous +practice." + +"'Tween you and me, it's the devil," said Daddy bluntly. "He has +allers tempted good folks as well as bad with his pison. He manages +somehow fur tu make 'em believe there ain't no harm in it. I should +think nobody could help a knowin of it. I heered some women talkin on +the steamer, and one of 'em said she knowed a lady what was in the +habit of treating gentlemen friends to all sorts of fancy drinks, and +she was a real nice lady, tu, and got lots of 'em to attend her church +jest by them means. They said it was so popular to drink wine +now-a-days, that the best of folks didn't think there was no harm in +it." + +"That was the common way of thinking when I was young. I remember very +clear when the minister used to come here with the judge, and the +judge was very apt to go off and have a spree after it. Miss Sherman +mourned herself most to death, but when the minister came out strong +on the side of temperance and preached and practised, and the judge +had signed the pledge, we had different times, I tell you. Them +decanters have stood empty on the side board ever since." + +"I wish, they were smashed," said Daddy, emphatically. + +"So do I," echoed Recta. "I'd like to sarve 'em as the heathen do +their idols when they git converted to Christianity." + +"Be you a Christian, Recta." + +Recta looked down confusedly, twirled her thumbs, and finally answered +in a constrained tone, "I belong to the church." + +"Du ye? well, may be I'll jine it tu. I promised Fanny fur tu tend tu +that are matter when I got my lectur done, but I hed fur to tend tu +gittin married fust." + +"Your what done, Philip?" + +"My lectur, I writ one on temperance when I was sick. I calculate fur +tu go round deliverin of it next winter when we git settled. 'Tween +you and me, I may clare a little money on it. Lecturers are apt tu, +I've heern say." + +"You had better lectur on cabbages if you want tu make money on it," +was the wise response. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + THE OLD BROWN HOUSE DESERTED--THE PEARL AND DIAMOND RING--MR. + AND MRS. MARSDEN'S CONJECTURES. + + +The old brown house was desolate; the doors bolted, the shutters +closed, and not a sound to be heard within its walls. The stable too, +was deserted, for now Black Hawk freely roamed in the pastures of his +former master. + +But in more ways than one had he done our heroine good service. Day +after day, during that unhappy Spring she had, while striving to +banish thought, ridden him through the wildest of wild forest paths, +reckless alike of her own safety and his. The noble animal forded +swollen streams, floundered through treacherous sloughs, leaped over +fallen trees and climbed rocky precipices, and had not heaven ordained +it otherwise, both horse and rider must have fallen a prey to the +dangers of the way. + +Although indulging in this abandonment of feeling, Little Wolf +neglected none of her duties. Indeed, she seemed determined never to +let a moment escape unoccupied. While Daddy was confined to his room, +and Mrs. Peters lived, she faithfully supplied their wants, but after +the former became convalescent, and started for his wife, and the +latter went to her last rest, blessing her benefactress with her +latest breath, she had no one but Fanny on whom to bestow her care, +except, indeed, Mrs. Peters' grandson Charley, for whom she soon +obtained a desirable situation. + +About this time, she received repeated and pressing invitations from +her much loved school friend, Miss Marsden, to accompany herself and +brother on a tour to California, upon which they expected to set out +sometime in June. The marriage of Sorrel Top, with whom she had made +arrangements for Fanny Green to remain, until such times as Daddy and +his wife should return and take possession of the old homestead, and +the charge of the child was most opportune: for she was now at liberty +to avail herself of the change so affectionately urged upon her. + +In addition to the allusions before made to Alfred and Annie Marsden, +we will here simply state, that the brother and sister were orphans, +and heirs of considerable property, a part of which consisted in an +elegant city residence. Here they had lived since the death of their +parents, which occured a short time previous to the period when Little +Wolf and their daughter left school together. + +The son, a bachelor of about thirty, had, a number of years before, +visited Minnesota in quest of health. His proclivity for hunting and +fishing led him to the vicinity of Chimney Rock, and he it was, who, +when she was a small child, rescued Little Wolf from the hands of +Bloody Jim. + +But this was his own secret most carefully guarded from our heroine, +who, during her former visit had learned to regard him in the light of +an elder brother; but, as will be seen hereafter his feelings towards +her were of a warmer character. + +Having, therefore, paid a flying visit to St. Paul, and wept her +adieus upon the bosom of her sympathizing friend, Mrs. Tinknor, having +pouted at Tom, and made her financial arrangements with the Squire, we +now behold Little Wolf in the embrace of one, who had so long +stretched forth her arms to receive her. + +The first raptures over, we hear Miss Marsden saying, "we will never +part with our Little Wolf again, will we, brother?" + +The response is, "Not if I can help it." + +We know not why, it may have been that these words of affection, +brought suddenly to her mind all that she had loved and lost, or she +might have intuitively divined young Marsden's sentiments towards her, +we only know that her lip quivered, and she trembled and grew pale and +sank helpless upon the sofa. + +Her extreme agitation created in her friends no little alarm, but it +soon passed off, and as they could not but observe that any futher +allusion to the matter was annoying to her, the brother and sister +exchanged expressive glances which, being interpreted, signified, +"resolved that the subject be indefinitely postponed." But it was +again mooted on the first occasion of the absence of their guest; Miss +Marsden being the first to bring it under consideration. + +"O, it was only fatigue," said her brother, in reply to her various +surmises. + +"No, it was not fatigue," she insisted with an arch smile. "It is my +opinion she was laboring under some powerful emotion. I once saw her +almost as much agitated in one of our school exhibitions, in which she +was to act a prominent part; but she went through it splendidly, the +determined little thing." + +"O well, it might have been excess of joy at meeting you." + +"At meeting _me_, do you say, sir? Now brother, don't try to crawl out +of it, for I have determined to extort the truth from you. Was she not +overjoyed at meeting _you_?" + +"Well, then, my dear sister, the truth is, I think not. You must have +noticed she takes special pains to address me as brother, and always +to treat me as such, and you young ladies rarely faint at the sight of +a brother." + +"O, but you are only an adopted brother,"--slyly. + +"That's all," sighed the young man. + +"I think her father's death has changed her a little. She appears more +thoughtful and womanly: don't she brother?" + +"I wouldn't be surprised if she were in love," suggested the other. + +"O fie, brother, she's not in love, unless it be with you; or she +would have confided it to me. Moreover," she continued, seeing an +incredulous smile playing upon her brother's lips, "you must yourself +admit that it would be a very strange freak for a young lady in love +to voluntarily put the ocean between herself and the object of her +affections. I verily believe our Little Wolf is more anxious if +possible, to start on the tour than we are." + +"Yes, so do I," admitted her brother, "and I can't account for it." + +"O, it is simply to run away from Mr. Alfred Marsden," was the ironic +reply. + +"I do assure you, sister, that you greatly mistake our mutual +sentiments." + +"Not yours, certainly, brother, and I think not hers; but I'll find +out." + +"For Heaven's sake, don't broach the matter to her, sister," said +young Marsden in alarm, "It would spoil all the pleasure of our trip. +Indeed, I know she would not go at all." + +"Nonsense, brother, do you think me a goose? I would not be so +indelicate; no indeed. There are more ways than you have dreamed of, +for ferreting out a love secret." + +"O yes, I know such secrets develope themselves in a thousand forms, +and if there is anything of that nature in her breast it will +transpire in due time." + +"It was not long before the young man's prediction came near proving +true, and thus it happened. + +"The two young ladies, Annie and Little Wolf were out shopping, and +becoming wearied, they stepped into a fashionable place of resort for +rest and refreshment. While waiting, a small party, two ladies and a +gentleman, came in and were seated at a table not far removed from +their own. Little Wolf's back was to the party, but Annie, being +opposite her friend, faced them. + +At the first sound of their voices, Little Wolf turned partly round, +and behold there was Edward Sherman with his wife and sister. Her +movement not having been observed, she was unrecognized by the trio. +But so violently did she tremble and so deathly was her countenance, +that Annie would have betrayed her by an exclamation of alarm, had +not a warning gesture from Little Wolf stayed the word upon her lips. + +In a moment Little Wolf recovered herself sufficiently to write upon +her tablets, "Do not speak to me, Annie, I do not wish to be known by +the party opposite." + +"Annie read the request, and returned the answer, "You will faint, let +me order wine." + +"No, I shall not faint," wrote Little Wolf's trembling fingers, and +her erect little figure involuntarily drew itself up. + +"Poor things, they are mutes;" said Louise, compassionately regarding +the means of communication between the silent young ladies. + +Mrs. Sherman assented, and the lively young bride's acting on this +supposition, imposed no restraint upon their conversation. They talked +about the past, and unveiled their future plans; sipped their fancy +drinks and ate cake while Little Wolf and Miss Marsden vigorously +plied their pencils. + +Edward alone remained unoccupied except indeed, the use he was making +of his eyes, and they were riveted upon Little Wolf. He was watching +those busy little hands, and there came over him a strange feeling of +heart sickness, as he saw on one dimpled finger a well remembered +ring, a golden hoop with diamonds uniquely set in pearls. It was a +relic of the past, having been presented to Little Wolf's mother on +her wedding day. He knew well it's history, for the present owner had +told it to him, and blushed when he said to her, "My Little Wolf will +wear another on her wedding day." + +Then, in the thought there was bliss, now, naught but anguish. + +The longer he gazed, the more he became convinced that it was none +other than Little Wolf whom he saw, and anxious to conceal the fact +from his wife and sister, he made a hasty movement to leave. + +"Why, Edward, what possesses you?" exclaimed his wife, "going already, +and your wine untasted. I believe you are crazy. Sit still a moment, +I'm not ready. The stimulant hasn't got into my feet, but I feel it +going down. Come, do drink a little, you look as pale as a ghost." + +"Do, brother," chimed in Louise, "I feel a great deal brighter; but +don't tell the doctor I have been taking anything strong." + +"Strong," repeated Clara, "I hope you don't call a little light +claret, strong." + +"O no, I don't, but the doctor does, and I may as well keep his mind +easy," replied Louise. + +Edward had risen to his feet, and waited silently but evidently +impatiently. + +"Can't I persuade you to take a little before we go? Do; you look so +pale this morning," persisted Mrs. Sherman, herself lifting the goblet +towards her husband. + +Determined not to have any more words, Edward hastily drank the +proffered beverage, and immediately left the place. + +When they had fairly disappeared, Little Wolf sank back in her chair, +and breathed hard as if awaking from a terrible night mare. + +"O, I was so afraid they would discover me," she gasped. "They were +once good friends of mine," she continued with an effort at composure, +"but you won't care will you, dear good Annie, if I don't tell you how +it came to be otherwise?" + +Annie looked a little disappointed, but she magnanimously put Little +Wolf at her ease by saying, "No indeed, for I'm sure it was no fault +of yours." + +In absence of evidence, Annie of course, put her own construction on +what had occured, and mentally voted Edward a villain, and his wife +and sister his accomplices. This opinion she expressed to her brother, +when in an hour of confidence, she glowingly pictured the scene. + +"I think the young man must be at the bottom of the mischief," she +said, "for he was even more agitated than Little Wolf. He had +recognized her from the first, although I cannot devine how, for she +sat with her back to them." + +"I would have known her among a thousand," cried young Marsden, +enthusiastically. + +"O, then, I suppose he must have been an old lover," said his sister +mischievously. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA--JUMPING OVERBOARD---THE GRAND SUPPER + AND WHAT CAME OF IT--THE CAPTAIN'S LITTLE DAUGHTER. + + +As the most agreeable method of conveying to the reader a correct +account of Little Wolf's adventures, and personal feelings during her +journeying, we will quote largely from letters addressed from time to +time to her friend, Mrs. Tinknor. + +"From the first we take the following: + +"While I write, the Captain's little daughter sits beside me. We have +met several times on the hurricane deck--Flora and I--and are on quite +intimate terms, considering the shortness of our acquaintance. The +first twenty four hours she was seasick, 'wery, wery sick,' she +informed me, and her pale face bore traces of the ordeal through which +she had passed; and, indeed, the countenances of most of the +passengers are suggestive of Tompsonian doctors. To such, our three +days at sea must have been uncommonly disagreeable, the weather having +been rough the entire period. Yesterday, we were favored with a storm. +The commencement was most sublime, but all having been unwillingly +ordered below I was borne resisting into the cabin and the splendid +exhibition of nature shut from my view, of course I could not keep on +my feet, but I managed to climb upon a stand, and holding on with all +my might, I could see the waves through the port hole run mountains +high, and what silly thing do you think I did? I actually cried with +vexation, shut up in that miserable place. + +"It was as if Black Hawk had been bearing me exultant on a wild gallop +in the face of winds that shook the very foundations of the earth, +and, the loftiest enthusiasm having been enkindled, I was suddenly +plunged into a sickening, stifling, dismal cavern, and shut out from +light and liberty. + +"I made frantic assaults upon the porthole, and the remonstrances of +the ship carpenter, who chanced to spy me, would have availed him +nothing had he not forcibly lifted me down, and seated me upon the +floor of my state-room. + +"The miserable creature imagined me frightened out of my senses. 'No +immediate danger Miss,' said he, 'compose yourself; the ship will +right up directly--throwing all the light trash overboard--chicken +coops just gone over.' + +"'Man,' moaned a woman on whose face was blended an expression of +benevolence and nausea, 'did you open those coops, and let out those +fowls, that they may not drift about and starve?' + +"'The sea, madam,' said the builder of ships, grandly, 'the sea has +swallowed them coops and all.' + +"Miss Flora has just asked me if my letter is not most finished, +'for,' said the cunning little elf 'you might put in that papa called +you a stubborn little wretch yesterday, when you wouldn't go down to +the cabin.' + +"I wonder if he dared to say it, I suppose I looked incredulous, for +the little mischief continues to reiterate the assertion, but she +consolingly adds, 'He was wery, wery angry then, and he knew you +wouldn't hear him. You don't care, do you?' + +"I have almost told a fib, and said, 'no indeed.' + +Two days later. + +"I have had my revenge on the captain by jumping overboard. + +"Yesterday Flora and myself were lounging upon the stationary seat, +attached to the railing of the hurricane deck. Both of us had been +silent for some time. I had been gazing dreamily down into the deep, +blue waters thinking of, I hardly know what, but, I remember that a +strange impulse occasionally seized me to plunge beneath those +snow-capped waves and rest my poor head upon the ocean's bed, for it +is not as easy to hold it up now as it once was, when mammy lived, and +took me in her arms and bade the 'Honey hold up her blessed little +head, and never let that droop whatever might come.' Precious old +creature, she too bore a life long sorrow, and bravely bore it. Daddy +never suspected, that his bustling, little grey wife had a tender +secret burried beneath the tumult of activity, which continually +bubbled up within her generous breast. + +"But I am digressing from the subject of my sea bath, of which Miss +Flora was the immediate occasion. She had incautiously leaned too far +over the railing, and, losing her balance, fell. I was startled from +my reverie by a slight scream, and in an instant more, she was beneath +the waves. I knew that I could swim, and had I not, I would have +plunged after her all the same. + +"I discovered, however, that the waves in a quiet cove of the +Mississippi, were but ripples compared with the surging waters of the +ocean, and my childhood paddle in the former but a poor preparation +for battle. I sank deep and rose breathless, and almost helpless, but +fortunately, Flora was dashed within my reach, and I clutched her +dress, and we were both saved. + +"The captain had witnessed the accident from the deck and was the +first to come to our rescue. Spars were thrown out, and several hardy +sailors leaped in and helped to bear us up until the life boat was +lowered, and we were all once more transported on board of our staunch +ship. + +"I have been flattered and feted ever since. A grand supper was given +in my honor last evening, and, as I was in such high favor, I made +bold to accept my invitation on condition that the table should be +innocent of wine. The Captain cordially complied with the condition, +although Flora had previously volunteered the information, that 'papa +was wery fond of wine, but mamma did not like him to drink it.' + +"The dear child has much to say about her mama, who, 'died, a wery, +wery long time ago.' One little year has she been motherless, and what +sweet graphic pictures does she draw of the lost one. 'Mama had wery +soft curls, papa called 'em golden; mama had wery blue eyes, papa +called 'em wiolet, and she had wery pink cheeks, and papa called 'em +sea shells, and he called her wery little mouth, a rose bud and her +wery soft hands, welvet, and what do you think he named her wery, +wery, cunning little feets?--mices.--He read all about 'em in a book +one evening, how they stoled in and out like little mices,--now wasn't +that wery, wery nice?' + +"She is more devoted to me than ever, since her narrow escape from the +sea, and she is sure that I will not be sent into the cabin when the +next storm comes on. Indeed I exacted a promise from the Captain, +while at the feast to that effect. He said I might be lashed to the +rigging and blown to pieces if I wished, and I do wish--O how I long +for another storm," + +Three days later. + +"The sky is clear, the sea smooth, and the passengers are mostly upon +deck, enjoying the fine weather. + +"Mr. and Miss Marsden have appeared for the first time, and we have +had a general rejoicing. The Captain is an old friend of theirs and we +were invited into his room and treated to wine on the occasion. All +drank socially except myself and Flora, who, when she saw that I had +taken none, set her glass down untasted. + +'The influence of good example,' said the Captain smiling approvingly +on Flora. + +"Do you really think the example good?" I asked eagerly. + +"'Most certainly, my dear Miss DeWolf, my wife would have acted +precisely the same. She did not approve social drinking, but one in my +position acquires the habit almost from necessity. My associations are +mostly with a class that expect it of me. I do not care for it +myself, but I do not like to appear unsocial.' + +"'Nor do I,' chimed in Miss Marsden, sipping her glass. + +"'We tempt and are tempted on every hand,' said Mr. Marsden +thoughtfully. 'Society demands the social glass and we yield to its +demands, and why? Because we have not the moral courage to do +otherwise.' + +"We have! I exclaimed, we have! you have, your sister has, the Captain +has. You have never tried. You have never fully realized whither it +tended--I have. Shall I tell you? + +"At any ordinary time I would not have drawn the heart rending picture +of the consequences of social drinking which I was then inspired to +do. It was as if a frightful panorama of ruined fortunes, and ruined +families was passing before me and I described all I saw and when the +view became too painful, too revolting for words, I bowed my head and +wept. + +"'For heavens sake, say no more,' cried out the Captain. + +"Flora flung her arms around my neck, and mingled her tears with mine. +'What shall we do?' she asked plaintively. + +"'We might draw up a total abstinence pledge and all put our names to +it,' said Sir. Marsden quite cheerfully. + +"After some pleasent discussion, his suggestion obtained favor, and +was carried out without delay, and in half an hour's time we were all +pledged to total abstinence from intoxicating drinks. The matter was +duly explained to Flora, and she added her mark with an air of +consequence quite amusing. + +"Nor was that all; the enthusiastic little missionary stated that she +knew of several wery nice sailors who would like to put their names on +the paper, for she had seen them drink something out of bottles. She +was accordingly permitted to present this pledge to her particular +friends, who, it transpired, included the whole crew. + +"I was much affected by a little scene which I witnessed in +connection with her labors. A weather-beaten old sailor, whose only +fault was his uncontrollable appetite for rum, read the pledge +carefully, and, shaking his head quite hopelessly, handed it back. 'I +can't agree to that, little pet,' said he, 'I can't abstain, I'd give +the world if I could, but I can't. I lay in bed the morning we set +sail and thought it all over. I thought of my little boy and gal +sleeping in their trundle bed. I thought of the pleadings of my +patient wife, and I resolved to let liquor alone, but I can't do it--I +was the worse for it yesterday. No, I can't abstain,' and his voice +quivered. + +"'May be, if you'd try again, wery, wery hard,' persisted Flora, who +did not comprehend how uncontrollable the appetite becomes. + +"'No, my little pet--no--none but God Almighty can save me now--I'm in +the breakers.' + +"His look of despair moved me to step forward and interpose. Would not +Flora have perished in the deep water, had there been no effort made +to save her? I questioned. + +"'You're a brave gal,' said he. 'I saw you go after her; you would +have saved her if you could, and you would save me but you can't.' + +"That's true, I replied, but God can. Jesus Christ will bring you +safely out of the breakers, if you will cling to him. You are in great +peril but it is not too late. Never give up the ship. + +"Thus I talked until hope began to reanimate him, and he said 'when I +get back to New York I'll try again to give up my dram and be a +Christian.' + +"Now--now, there's no time like now, I persisted, and finally he +yielded, and said, 'Now it shall be. I'll put my name to the paper, +and may God Almighty help me.' + +"His name, John Hopkins, stands in full upon the pledge; the large +crooked letters bearing traces of the struggle by which he was shaken. + +"I am so glad that I ever read the Bible to dear old Mrs. Peters, for +it was there that I learned the lesson, which I so lately taught the +despairing seamen, and nothing can now wrest the sweet knowledge of a +Saviour's love from me. My heart has found refuge in it. + +"Do you remember the day that Tom dressed in your blue apron, with a +bunch of keys at his belt and pretended to personate me at the head of +an orphan asylum, how we all laughed? Well, I secretly wished myself +capable of doing good in that way, and you may tell Tom that if I +should ever attempt anything of the kind, I will give him a lucrative +situation as general overseer of the establishment." + +Two days later. + +"Last evening we arrived at Aspinwall having made the trip from New +York in ten days. This morning we bade adieu to our kind friends of +the steamship, 'Northern Star' and crossed the Isthmus of Panama, a +distance of about twenty miles, by railroad. A fine large steamer lay +upon the waters of the Pacific awaiting our arrival. + +"Having embarked, I found a little vacant nook, under the awning, +where I am now writing, while the scenes of to-day are still fresh in +my mind. + +"I was enchanted as we passed swiftly over the narrow neck of land +dividing the two oceans. The dense, vine-clad forests, alive with +birds of every brilliant hue, and bordered with gorgeous flowers; the +low thatched huts of the natives, and the natives themselves in +holiday dress of thin white, all conspired to awaken the most pleasing +emotions. + +"The villages at both ends of the route were swarming with natives, +the women with baskets of cake and fruit and beautiful birds for sale, +the men eager to carry our luggage for 'two bits.' + +"A small proportion of the women were bright and pretty; one really +beautiful, with liquid eyes and smooth jet braids, upon which were +fantastically perched a pair of green, trained birds, was very +popular with the passengers, and soon emptied her basket. + +"I purchased her pet paroquets and sent them to console Flora, whom I +left sobbing quite piteously in the Captain's arms. We promised her +papa to make our arrangements to return on his steamer and his promise +to lash me to the rigging in the event of a storm still holds good." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + A VISIT TO MRS. SHERMAN'S ROOM--DADDY AND HIS NEW + SPOUSE--OMINOUS SIGNS. + + +Before opening another letter, let us pay a flying visit to the +Sherman family, and also to Daddy and his spouse. + +The former are to be found in their old quarters at Pendleton, the +latter installed in the brown house at Chimney Rock. + +It is near midnight, rather an unseasonable hour to intrude upon our +friends, but no matter; at the house we shall first enter; regular +habits do not prevail. + +We will now imagine ourselves in the broad hall, on the second floor +of the finest hotel in Pendleton. + +Open softly the door at your right. There the eldest Mrs. Sherman lies +sleeping. Her grey hair is parted smoothly under her white frilled +cap, her hands are folded resignedly upon her breast, and the angel of +her dreams has imprinted upon her features the chastened smile so +often seen upon the face of age. + +We would fain prolong her slumbers, for, alas, we cannot stay the +swiftly drifting cloud, that is coming to darken her waking hours: the +silver lining of which she will not see, until, a spirit winged for +glory, she soars above it. + +A confusion of sounds from below reaches us. Footsteps are upon the +stairs, uncertain, shuffling, as if grouping in darkness. Low, +persuasive voices are heard, a sharp retort follows. "No, Clara is +fiendish when I have been drinking, I will not meet her." + +A woman has just brushed past us. She stands at the head of the +stairs, pale and determined. + +"Bring him not here," she hisses between her closed teeth, to the men +who are assisting her husband to mount. "Take him to your own +homes--listen to his ravings. Bear his insults; blows if need be. +Perform the most disagreeable services for him. Yes, even imperil your +lives in his service, you who are his disinterested friends. You, who +have enjoyed your bacchanalian revels with him, take the consequences. +Bring him not to me. I despise, I hate the man who cannot control his +appetite--I tell you away with him!" she shrieked, as his friends +continued to urge him upward. + +"Clara." A hand is laid gently on her arm. Her mother-in-law stands +trembling beside her; the noise has awakened her, and she has come out +in her night dress. "I will take Edward to my room and quiet him; he +shall not disturb you, my daughter." + +"I am not your daughter. I will no longer be his wife. I will leave +the house this moment never to return. He has disgraced me long +enough. I will not bear it. I will not be the wife of a drunkard. I +have told him so times without number. You may soothe him if you +like--pet him--give him peppermint--I will not live with a man who +cannot control his appetite." + +Tears and entreaties, are of no avail; the determination of the +high-spirited wife remains unaltered, and she has gone forth to her +father's house, leaving her mother-in-law not quite alone with the +invalid, for Louise and the doctor have been summoned. + +Meanwhile, how thrives Daddy? + +We shall see by the morning sun. It has just risen, and so has Daddy. +He peeps out and the sun peeps in, blinding his old eyes and cheering +his old heart. He and Recta are happy now. Hear him whistle like a boy +as he dresses. Recta helps him put his rheumatic arm into his coat +sleeve, and he kisses Recta. + +Both leave the room, and as they pass a door standing ajar, push it +open; Here is little Fanny Green standing with bare feet before the +open window, brushing out her flaxen hair. + +"O, Daddy," she exclaims, "a bird flew in here awhile ago, a real live +bird flew right in at the window, and throbbed his wings so hard +against the glass that he woke me. Why, before I could catch him, he +flew out. Do you think it would have been wicked to have caught him, +Daddy?" + +"Laws, no, Fanny. 'Tween you and me, the Honey would have ketched him +in a second. She was uncommon spry when she was a leetle gal." + +"O, Daddy, may--" + +"You musn't hinder me now; I must go fur tu milk the cows." + +"O, well, you won't feed the chickens 'till I come, will you, Daddy? +I'll dress, O, ever so quick, and say a very little prayer, and come +right out. I want to feed the speckled hen and the little yellow +chicks; please Daddy don't forget me, will you?" + +Recta looks very much disturbed as they pass on together. "That +bird," she mutters very mysteriously, "it's a very bad sign." + +"What's a bad sign, Recta?" + +"Why, don't you know, Phillip, when a bird comes into the house it's a +sure sign of death in the family? I have never known it to fail. There +was Squire Billings died in less than a year after a bird flew in at +the winder. Sally told me they was a watching for some one to die and +it turned out to be the Squire." + +"'Tween you and me, Recta, that was singular; now I think on't I've +noticed lately that Fanny has looked ruther pimpin. We must not cross +her in nuthin. I shan't tech the chicken feed 'til she comes; 'tween +you and me, hadn't we better write to the Honey?" + +"May be she don't believe in signs, some don't," said Recta, +reflectively. + +"'Tween you and me, we might tell her about Squire Billings." + +"That wouldn't make any difference, Phillip, you can't convince some +people. We may as well not write until Fanny is really taken sick. I +wonder if she had ever had the measles: Neighbor Wycoff is awful sick +with them." + +"'Tween you and me, I guess we had better write," persists Daddy, +struck with a new terror. + +There is a sudden hush, and Fanny trips in bright as a May morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + MORE NEWS FROM LITTLE WOLF--TOM TINKNOR'S TESTIMONY. + + +Here again is news from Little Wolf. The postmark is San Francisco; a +few hurried lines running thus: + + "We arrived here last evening. Mr. Marsden has the Panama + fever. His sister and myself watch over him day and night. + His physician is hopeful, but says the disease is exceedingly + tedious. We shall probably be detained here for a long time. + + Please write as soon as you receive this. I am anxious to + hear from Daddy and Fanny. + + Your affectionate + + LITTLE WOLF." + +From Mrs. Tinknor's answer we extract the following: + + "As we had not heard from Daddy for some time, I persuaded + Tom to go down and see how they were getting along. He has + just returned and stands ready to relieve your anxiety. I + will leave him to give an account of affairs in his own + language." + + "I am requested to give my testimony which is this: The house + was in apple-pie order. Not a fly had the temerity to + approach the parlor. Miss Fanny had learned to knit, and had + constructed a pair of stockings. Mrs. Recta says if she + _lives_ she will make a good housekeeper. I shall marry her + when she is old enough. The old folks are sure she will die + 'afore the year is out, 'cause a bird flew in at her winder.' + I told them the bird was after Daddy, and the superstitious + old man was instantly seized with a violent pain in his big + toe. I am afraid he will feel it is his duty to die. He and + Recta bill and coo like two old fools. + + I am ready to swear to the above testimony. T. T. + + P. S. Daddy saw six ghosts last evening in the pasture where + half a dozen sheep were grazing. TOM." + + "I am afraid, my dear, that Tom's nonsense has illy prepared + your mind for the sad news I have to communicate concerning + your friends the Shermans. The elder and the younger Mrs. + Sherman are both dead. The elder died last week; it is said + of a broken heart. The other accidently put an end to her own + life several weeks ago. She had parted from her husband, he + having returned home several times intoxicated. Being in + a very unhappy frame of mind in her father's house, she + resorted to morphine to induce sleep, and, unaccustomed + to its effects, swallowed an over dose. The mistake was + discovered when too late to save her. It is said that + Edward's remorse is fearful, and he has solemly sworn never + to taste another drop of intoxicating drink. His home is + now with Dr. Goodrich and his sister, who have commenced + house-keeping in a nice little cottage." + +Extract from Little Wolf's reply. + + "Many thanks to Tom for his share of the letter. I hope he + will frequently repeat his visits to Chimney Rock, and + acquaint me with the results. It will discipline him for the + work I shall assign him in my orphan asylum, and moreover I + feel concerned about the pain in Daddy's big toe. + + "All jesting aside, so many unforseen events have crowded + into the months of my absense that I feel prepared for almost + any change. It is well that I know that you will be a mother + to Fanny in the event of any change in Daddy's family. + According to Tom's account, he is to be her husband. I will + draw a picture of their courtship for him. + + "A slender, fair haired girl and a gallant youth seated--let + me think--_three feet apart_ in the grape arbor at the old + brown house. Their eyes meet and speak a language quite + familiar to gallant youths and fair haired girls in general, + and to those two in particular. How prettily the white throat + of the beautiful blonde swells, and how the frill of lace + around it trembles, as if fanned by the passing breeze. + + "They do not see the white haired old man who is silently + gathering grapes without the arbor, occasionally peering + cautiously through the vines and lattice work at them. + + "He is a loquacious old fellow, (that Daddy) and he will + doubtless complete the picture for us by and by. + + "Mr. Marsden's fever has left him broken in health and + spirits. His lungs have never been strong, having been + subject to occasional hemorrhages. He complains of constant + pain in his chest, and I fear it will be a long time before + he recovers. His physician thinks it will not be safe for him + to return home this fall, and we shall probably spend the + winter in this mild climate. + + "We have formed quite a pleasant circle of acquaintances, + and our evenings are musical, conversational or _gamical_, as + best suits the invalid, who lies upon the sofa and dictates + the programme. Last evening we did nothing but talk. An + editor of one of our city journals was present, having just + returned from an extensive tour through the wine growing + districts of the State. He says that wine making is fraught + with dire evils to the producer and to the country. That it + has become almost as cheap as milk, and as freely drank, till + many once sober men are now habitually intoxicated. He was + told that in one neighborhood, young girls seventeen years of + age, reeled in the streets under the intoxication of pure + California wine. Men whom he once knew to be of worth he + found lost to society, and becoming a fear and disgrace to + their families. One leading man whom he met, enumerated five + of his acquaintances, who, once noble men, are now to be + called drunkards through wine. He thinks that the production + of the article, now fearfully on the increase, must become a + curse to the whole land if persevered in. + + "In going through the wine growing regions he found it + expected, as an act of politeness, that wine must everywhere + be presented and drank, and if he consented at all to drink, + he would be compelled to drink many times a day, and would + become a wine toper with others. He declared that touch not, + taste not, handle not the accursed thing, was the only rule + of safety. + + "He said if each grape grower would grow only the raisin + grape for sale, there would be no end to the profitable + disposal of all which he could ever produce without sin or + danger to any one. + + "I remarked that European travellers told us that very few + drank to intoxication in those places where wine was made + from the pure juice of the grape, and it was generally + supposed that the manufacture of pure domestic wine in this + country would do away almost entirety with intemperance. + + "In answer, he read us a letter which he had just received + from his friend, a well known resident of this city now in + France. It contained a flat contradiction of the statements + to which I had alluded, and drew a dark picture of the + intemperance in the wine producing districts of France and + Germany. In fact, it was a radical plea--as Daddy would + say--'agin the hull infarnel stuff.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + ANOTHER DEATH IN THE OLD BROWN HOUSE. + + +It was late in the month of December when Little Wolf received from +Mrs. Tinknor the following sad account of the Death Angel's visit to +the old brown house: + + "My dear child: + + What I am about to write will give you great pain, for I know + how dearly you loved poor old Daddy, and how it will grieve + you to hear that you will never see him again in this world. + He died on the morning of the fifteenth, after a short + illness of ten days. + + "Tom had been down on a visit and returned saying that Daddy + was complaining of rheumatic pains, and he was much worse the + day he left, and his wife was much concerned about him. As + Tom urged it, I went down hoping to cheer up the old couple. + + "When I arrived I found Daddy confined to his bed, and + groaning with pain, while his wife and Fanny and several of + the neighbors, were flying about, applying hot fomentations, + and a variety of liniments. (It is astonishing how many busy + feet one sick man can keep in motion.) + + "I immediately sent for Dr. Goodrich, although Daddy's wife + mentioned to me in confidence, that a 'parcel of old women + were worth a dozen doctors who killed more than they cured; + and Daddy himself managed to gasp out, ''Tween you an' me, + Miss Tinknor a leetle good nussin is the most I need. Doctors + can't cure rheumatiz.' + + "However, he looked forward very anxiously to the Doctor's + arrival. When he did come and prescribed the free use of + brandy, all of Daddy's prejudices were at once aroused, and + no persuasions could induce him to use 'the devil's pison + outside or in.' + + "I believe had he been stretched upon the rack he would have + died rather than yield the point; for to the last, he adhered + firmly to his total abstinence principles, and at the + eleventh hour he entered his master's vineyard. + + "It was beautiful indeed to witness the ministrations of + little Fanny. From the first of his illness she wept over and + prayed for him, and taught him, who had gone all his life + long a hungry prodigal, the way to his Father's house. I + never shall forget those lessons, which so sweetly fell from + her childish lips and the joy that beamed in her speaking + face, when Daddy at length appeared to have a clear + understanding of her teachings. + + "''Tween you and me, Fanny, you've pinted straight this + time,' said he one day, after having listened a while to her + conversation. 'It's all plain now--I see my Father, I see my + elder brother, the Lord Jusus interceding for me--I see the + table spread, and I ain't had no hand in the spreadin of it. + He'll hev to reach down and take me jest as I am, and he'll + du it--I'm sartin of it, cause Fanny, you know it is said + _whosoever_. That are _whosoever_ is the _comprehendest_ word + in the hull Bible. Miss Peters pinted it out to the Honey, + and the Honey told me about it jest afore I started fur + Recta, and some how it went into one ear and out 'tother. + Howsoever, I could see the Honey was a heap changed by it, + though it don't take away nun of her pretty.--She was more + tenderer like, and when she spoke tu me about it, the tears + cum into her bright eyes, jest like the pearls sot around the + diamonds in her ring. I'm kinder thinkin we shall talk that + are matter over when she comes back.' + + "Up to the last day he was hopeful of getting well, and none + of us felt specially concerned about him. The doctor came + and went with words of cheer, and I was making preparations + to go home, when the unexpected summons came. His pain seemed + suddenly to change to the region of his heart, and I heard + him say to Fanny, ''Tween you an me, Fanny, the pain is in my + heart. I believe I'm called fur, and I ain't done no good in + the world yet. My temperance lectur didn't amount to nothin. + I'm glad I never delivered it, fur it ain't got none of + Jesus's love in it, and men du need the Almighty's lovin hand + in that are thing. Fur it's the devil's pison and mighty hard + to fight agin. Wouldn't the Honey be glad though, if she knew + what a fine man that are Sherman is since he give up drinkin. + Tell her that poor old Daddy blessed her with his dyin + breath. Call Recta, Fanny.' + + "I sprang to his bedside, and in a moment Recta was there + also. The dying man took my hand and thanked me for all my + attentions to him, and then his eyes rested tenderly upon his + wife. He tried to speak, but a spasm of pain checked him, and + Recta bent low to catch the words. He pointed upwards, threw + his arms around her neck, and was gone. + + "We buried him at the left of your parents beside mammy, and + when I left a mantle of soft, white snow was flung over all. + + "I brought Fanny home with me, and Recta is living with Dr. + Goodrich's family. Having previously been so many years their + servant, she is much attached to the doctor's wife and Edward + Sherman. + + "Edward Sherman was very attentive to Daddy during his + illness, frequently riding down with the doctor and remaining + until his next morning's visit. There is certainly a striking + change in his appearance. I honor him for the + straight-forward, high-minded course he has of late taken. + Having learned his weakness before it was too late, it has + become to him an element of strength, and his influence over + his associates speaks well for his future usefulness. + + "We all long to see you again, Fanny in particular wishes for + your return every day, although she seems quite content with + us, and is a great favorite with Tom, who amuses himself by + plying her with difficult questions, which she patiently + puzzles her ingenious little brain to answer. + + P.S. I obtained permission of Recta to send you Daddy's + temperance lecture, with the request that you carefully + preserve and return it to her." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + DADDY'S TEMPERANCE LECTURE. + + +Having slightly modified the spelling in Daddy's lecture, in order to +make it the more easily read, and at the same time to render it in his +own diction, we now place it, with the preliminary arrangments, "fur +tu be read silent," before the reader. + +"Fust, haul out my specks. + +Second, haul out my yeller silk hankercher. + +Third, wipe them air specks. + +Fourth, put them air specks on my nose. + +Fifth, put that air yeller silk handkercher in my pocket. + +Sixth, clar my throat. + +Seventh, go at it loud. + +I don't expect fur to say nothin new on the subject of temperance, but +it wont du fur tu say nothin cause you can't get up no new ideas. Now +supposen a neat housekeeper shouldn't hev nothin fur to say, tu a +parcel of careless heedless boys and gals, cause she must say the same +old thing over every day. Hezekiah clean yer feet. Matilda, hang up +yer shawl. Susan Maria put away yer gloves, what kind of a house du ye +think that air would be, all topsy turvey and kivered with dirt? If +them air children don't mind at fust, she keeps up that air kind of +talk from one year's end tu 'tother, and ginerally speaking they grow +up tu be orderly men and women. + +Just so we've got to hammer and ding away at the temperance cause from +generation to generation, if we want our children tu be nice +temperate men. Never mind gitten up no new ideas: tech not, taste not, +handle not, is good enough for any age. Then agin, ken ye expect yer +boys fur tu be tidy when yer own feet are dirty and yer things out of +place over the hull house? Them are little shavers think it's big tu +du what daddy does and they are pretty nigh sartin fur to drink that +air nasty lager beer if daddy does. Hev a mat at yer door and keep yer +own feet clean, and hev Hezekiah and Matilda and Susan Maria put +theirn there, tu. That's the way fur tu du. + +Some say, a little wine won't hurt a pussen; some say, lager beer +won't hurt a pussen; some say, cider won't hurt nobody: but I say, the +infarnel stuff which makes men drunk, no matter what name it goes by, +is the stuff fur to let alone. It's the infarnel stuff, that makes +holes in yer wallets and holes in yer breeches, and holes in yer +winders, and holes in yer wife's heart, and kivers yer children all +over with holes; and last of all opens a big hole in the ground fur +ye tu slide through inter the infarnel regions. + +I hev had it thrown inter my face that Jesus Christ hisself, made wine +out of water, fur weddins, and the govenor of the feast said it was +the best they hed hed. I ain't no doubt of it nuther, jest fur two +reasons, fust, it was made of water, second, Jesus Christ hisself made +it, and ye may bet all yer new clothes, _He_ wouldn't hev done nothin +to hurt nobody, I wouldn't have been afeared myself, fur tu drink wine +made of water, by Jesus Christ. I reckon we don't get no such now +days. Like enough, one reason for his makin it was fur tu hender 'em +from gittin any more of the miserable intoxicating stuff. One thing is +sartin, if he was God, he wouldn't dispute hisself, and the Bible +expressly says, 'Look not upon the wine--fur in the end it biteth like +a sarpent and stingeth like an adder.' + +I don't profess fur tu know much about scriptur, but a nice leetle gal +pinted that air varse out to me, and she pinted out another which +said, 'No drunkard ken enter the kingdom of heaven.' Howsoever, I +ain't no preacher, and like enough tham air black coats hev got up +some big idee that clars up the hull subject. My religion is tu do the +best we kin, and we needn't be shaky about the futur. I've been a +advocating that air doctrine this sixty years and folks ginerally +sarve me as two leetle boys did not long ago. They was a making a puny +leetle dog draw a heavy loaded sled, and I said to them are leetle +shavers, 'you'd better turn in and push the sled and help that air +tired weakly dog of yourn;' and when I looked back a few minutes +after, them air leetle rascals was both riding on top of the load, and +had their fingers at their noses a pintin at me. + +What people want is fur to have their hearts teched deep, and I don't +know how fur tu du it. I could tell stories about what liquor has +done, that orter set every one of ye a snivellin powerful, but I +reckon you'd ruther hear something funny. Temperance lecturers is +generally expected fur tu tell funny stories jest as a farmer is +expected fur tu feed out his husks tu them air animals that loves fur +tu chaw husks. The grain goes futher when he fodders in that air way. + +But I don't know nothin funny connected with the subject of drinking. +It is all kivered over with groans and sighs and tears and blood, and +ye'd shudder fur tu hear about it, and yer feelins may be would get tu +tossin and bilin like mad, but yer wouldn't _du_ nothin. My be in a +few minutes you'd treat me as them air boys did, and take a glass of +beer with yer neighbors, cause all that biling and tossin is on the +surface. It don't go deep enough fur tu make ye act. + +T'other night a neighbor of mine was a walkin hum with me and we went +past the house of an old Scothman, who gits drunk every time he ken +git trusted, or treated or ken git change enough fur tu buy the +whiskey, and his wife ain't no better than he is. They hev two nice +leetle children, a boy and a gal, and them air unfeeling wretches, +hed, in a fit of drunken madness, actually shet their leetle boy and +gal out of doors that cold freezing night. The poor babies was half +naked, and they had curled powerful close together on the door step, +where the winds blowed around and gnawed away at their half froze +bodies, until the stout hearted boy cried with pain as he tuck off his +Scotch bonnet and put his sister's poor, little, red, frostbit feet +inter it. His own feet was bare, and their heads was bare, and in a +little while they might hev froze to death, hed we not passed that air +way. Wall, we stopped and tried fur tu make them air critters inside +open the door, but they hed locked up, and settled down inter a +drunken sleep, and the children begged us not fur tu disturb 'em for +them are children was afeared of being mauled tu death. They'd ruther +freeze than ventur in. So one of 'em I tuck and my neighbor tuck +t'other hum. He was a swearing away all the time at them air folks +making such beasts of themselves. + +Now, what du yer think he did hisself the next day? He got so tight he +couldn't walk straight. I met him a going hum smellin like a whiskey +barrel and raising his feet powerful high. Says I, 'Neighbor G., I +wouldn't hev thought you would ever hev teched another mite of liquor +after what we see last night.' Says he, 'Mr. Roarer, I ken control my +appetite. I know jest when fur tu stop. I shall go hum and kiss my +wife and children and not drive 'em out of doors as Scotch Billy did.' + +Says I, 'Thats just the way Scotch Billy talked five years ago.' +'Wall, wall,' says he, 'I ain't one of yer Scotch Billys; I know when +fur tu stop.' + +But ye won't du it; ye'll cave under by and by. Them air kind that +brag that they know jest when fur tu stop is generally the very ones +that go under afore they know it, I thinked tu myself as he staggered +off. + +If there is an old toper present, or a young toper, let 'em take the +warning of an old man who has been awatching the gradual down fall of +moderate drinkers for threescore years. I've seen 'em live, and I've +seen 'em die. _Die_ ain't no name fur the last struggle I've seen 'em +go through with. Jest picture tu yourself a grapery, stretchin miles +away, and in that air grapery is walkin men of every age and +condition, and all are a pluckin them are big purple grapes. Some eat +many, some, few; some grow red and portly, some grow pale and thin, +(them air pale ones take the longest strides and get to the end fust.) +They hev all been warned that that air fruit hes been pisened, and +some of them git a leetle frightened at seein the strange way it +effects companions, and they turn back, but the most on 'em go on, +plucking and eating, heedless of the cries of them without. O, they +know jest how many fur tu eat and not die. Their friends needn't +worry: they ken take care of theirselves. + +'Mother,' says a youth, lookin through the lattices, with a glow upon +his cheek, 'I'm all right, don't bother about me. See Mr. Moderate +Drinker ahead there,--see how hale he looks--he'll live longer than +any of ye outside.' But afore long that air smart youth goes reeling +past Mr. Moderate Drinker, toward the end.--It is too late now--let +his mother cry to heaven and wring her hands and lie in the ashes upon +the hearth. It is all in vain.--'My boy, oh, my boy!' rings unheeded +in his ear. A mother's voice, a mother's tears, a mother's anguish, +what are they compared with the fruit, which he has lost the power to +resist, and which his companions are constantly urging upon him? But +look! He suddenly starts back pale and fearful. He has seen the +precipice and the black gulfs with open jaws jest afore him? No, ah +no, the heavy clusters and the interlaced vines hide that. But he +heard the despairing shriek of a feller traveller as he plunged in; +and for a moment he tremblingly questions, what is there? + +Ah, there is no clusters, no leaves, no vines, between that spot and +his devoted mother's eye. She has long looked fearfully towards it, +and, just upon the verge, she sees him falter. + +A faint hope springs up within her, and, with the courage of +desperation, she cries out in a voice that might pierce the skies, +'Turn, oh, my boy, turn, flee fur yer life--one step forward and ye +are lost!' Her last words are drowned in the jeers of his companions, +and his senses are deadened by the odors of the purple cluster just +ahead, and to reach it he takes the fatal step. Fur a moment he hangs +suspended over the abyss, clutchin the vines whose roots take hold on +hell, and as with bloodshot eyes and fearful shrieks, he tugs and +strains to regain his footin, a foul sarpent winds its way among the +leaves, and stealthily strikes his fangs inter the branch to which he +clings, and gnaws his last refuge. + +That air is the way they die. + +Now, can't nothin be done fur to keep folks out of that air grapery? +If the law would only put a door tu it, and shet it tight, I recken +there wouldn't be many that would git in thar. Some old topers that +hev got a strong hankerin after that pisen fruit, might crawl through +the lattices to get it. When the place is wide open and everything +looks temptin, and they see a crowd a going that air way, it is easy +fur tu foller, but when it's all shet up they turn away tu somethin +better, fur almost any thin is better than sech a place as I hev +described. + +I know that a passel of big lawyers and judges say that we can't make +a effectual door cause there ain't no timber in the constitution fur +tu make it of and so some is fur putting up a rickety kind of a +barricade fur tu keep folks on Sundays and lection days, and some is +fur hevin a gate that them air sarpents inside will hev fur tu pay a +big pile of money fur tu get the privilege of openin. But I don't see +why on airth, if they ken git timber fur them air half way consarns, +they can't git it fur a hull door. If they can't, they hed better +graft, some law agin liquor sellin branches inter that air +constitutional tree, and hev them air infarnel roads to the infarnel +regions blocked up entirely. + +Howsoever, while its open a single crack we must du the best we ken +fur tu keep the people out of the wrong track. Them air temperance +societies, and temperance pledges is mighty good, but there ain't +enough of 'em and they ain't active enough. Now, a nice, smart, +rosy-cheeked gal instead of passin round wine tu her little party of +friends, might pass a temperance pledge, and coax them air beaux of +hern inter puttin their names tu it, and give 'em a nice cup of coffee +fur tu top off with. There might be lots of them air kind of things +did, if folks only set themselves to work in earnest. Instead of +telling yer friends that it won't hurt'em, as I've heerd of some +infatuated pussons doin, tell 'em total abstinence won't hurt 'em, and +I'll ventur fur tu say they'll thank ye fur it, instead of cussin of +ye tu all eternity fur puttin the glass to their lips. That air +reminds me of another scriptur that that air little gal pinted out to +me, 'Woe tu him that putteth the glass to his neighbor's lips.' That +air is all the scriptur I ken quote correct 'tween Genesis and +Revelation. I larned it fur tu throw in the face of one of them black +coats, that hes invited me fur tu tend his church. Sez I tu him, 'If +ye'll preach from that air text I'll go.' Sez he, 'I preach the +gospel. I can't be givin my valooble time to politics and temperance +lecturs, but I'll read that air chapter to my congregation if ye'll +come.' Sez I, 'no-siree! I don't believe in no half way business.' Ye +see I had an inkling that he was afeered of that air rich hullsale +liquor dealer that tended his church. Them that retail the stuff is +generally looked down upon, but them air that is rich enough to shovel +it out by the hullsale is looked up tu on the principle, turn yer back +tu a poor devil, take off yer hat to a rich devil. + +I never could think of anythin bad enough fur tu say about the +mischief them air liquor dealers du, and rather guess on that account +I'll hev fur tu leave 'em to the cuss which God Almighty hisself has +passed upon 'em. I hev no doubt but that air cuss has been echoed and +rechoed by millions upon millions of their victims. I would hate to +have all the cusses of the widows and orphans, and the wus than widows +and orphans that them air ginerations of vipers hev made, and bit. + +But there is another pint which consarns every one of us. Hev we a +right to stand by silent and see these things did? + +That air is a big question that some folks would like fur to dodge, +cause maybe if they took a active part agin drunkard makin, it might +interfere with their dollars, or with their friends or with their +interests in other ways. But ye can't dodge the question; its afore +ye, and there it shall stand until Gabriel blows his big horn, and +you'll hev fur tu answer it, tu the Almighty, hisself. + +Don't the Bible say that every tub shall stand on its own bottom? I've +heerd it did, and I'm a thinkin that all of them air useless tubs that +stand out a sunning theirselves, will fall down and not hev any bottom +fur tu stand on when they are fur, and will only be fit fur firewood. +Fur my part I don't blame God Almighty fur pitchin folks inter the +infarnel regions when they won't du nothin fur tu keep things right in +this ere world, and some actually hender others from doing anything. + +Now, supposen there was a big hole in the end of our street and a +passel of citizens should du all they could to keep that air hole open +fur people to fall inter, and you'd hear 'em hollerin out tu folks +that was a tryin to stop it up; 'Let that air hole alone, everybody +knows its there, if they don't want fur tu git inter it let em go +another way; there is plenty of streets;' wouldn't yer think them air +rascals ought to be singed to all etarnity? Well, what's the mighty +difference 'tween them air, and a passel of citizens that'll set by +and see their feller citizens go straight inter that air hole and say +nothin? I believe in men's minding their own business, and I hold its +a man's business to save a drownding feller critter if he ken. + +I hev now come to my last pint. It is this. Shall we hev laws that +will save our nation from becoming a nation of drunkards, or shall we +not? Just picture to yourself a drunken president. We hev hed him. +Then picture a passel of drunken senators. We hev hed them, tu. Seems +zif the more big men ken circulate the devil's pisen, the better they +like it, and that air in my opinion is one reason why we can't get +laws tu shet down the making and selling of the infarnel stuff. Why, +keep that air kind of men in office, and figuratively speakin, the +fust we know, a pair of the president's breeches will be stuffed inter +a broken winder of that air White House. Fur if we keep a sendin men +tu Washington, that is friendly tu that air sarpent with many heads, +it will git so big that it will sartin bust every thing to flinters. +It's leetle young ones are a crawlin everywhere now. They lay coiled +on the hearth of the rich man and the poor man, and woe to the +infatuated pussen who gits inter their slimy folds. O, what wretched +slaves they do make of their victims. What tears, what anguish, what +poverty, what degradation du they bring them tu! + +Shall we, the free born sons of America, consent fur tu be made +slaves, and lay among the pots? Shall we walk in rags and stagger in +fetters with the blood of the innercent on our hands? I say, shall +this big proud nation be made fur tu totter and tu reel like a +helpless baby a learnin fur tu walk? Shall that air many headed +sarpent rule us, or shall we rule it? + +Haul out yer temperance pledges! Float the banner of total abstinence! +Wave high the flag of freedom; and fight long and fight well fur +freedom; from the intoxicatin cup!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + DEATH IN MID OCEAN--LOVE MAKING AND A DOUBLE WEDDING. + + +"The birds are mating, and the spring will soon open, and when the +little songsters come to you, I am coming with them," wrote Little +Wolf to Mrs. Tinknor in the month of February. + +So now, dear reader, let us skip the intervening months, and go half +way to meet her. Her friends having planned to carry out their promise +to Captain Green, whose acquaintance and that of his little daughter +Flora, it will be remembered, she formed on her outward trip; all we +have to do is to take passage on the steamship "Northern Star," +Captain Green, commander, and we will soon have the pleasure of +greeting our heroine. + +Little Flora, who has once more been permitted to accompany her papa, +is all impatience, and almost every hour of the day she may be heard +singing, "O dear, I am so wery, wery, anxious to see dear Miss +DeWolf," and "papa, ain't you wery, wery, anxious to see Miss DeWolf?" + +The Captain assures his daughter that he is "wery anxious," and, +indeed, when he says so, his dark eyes kindle, and his fine, sunburnt +countenance glows and warms expressively under his broad brimmed hat. + +The day has come at last, and Little Wolf's party are aboard, but oh, +how changed are they all! + +Consumption has fastened itself upon poor Alfred Marsden. His days are +numbered, and for earth he seems to have but one desire, to see again +his childhood home, and die there. His faithful nurses, Annie and +Little Wolf, have grown pale and thin, His sister's eyes are tear +stained, and Little Wolf's also grief shaded, for together they have +watched over and tended him, striving to drive away that unseen +something, which makes his cheeks and lips so white, and takes fast +hold upon his vitals, determined to wrench him away from those he +loves. + +It will not even grant his last wish; for here, in mid ocean, he +grapples with death. All day long those fair young faces have bent +over him, and his friend, the Captain, has been there with them, and +little Flora has hovered near with trembling lips, whispering softly, +"I am so wery, wery, sorry." + +As the evening draws on, the sick man revives a little, and in a low, +rapid tone, says something to his sister, which we do not hear, but +with a few hurried words to Little Wolf, she moves away with the +Captain and Flora, and Little Wolf is left alone with the dying. All +that he is breathing into her ear we shall never know; but her cheek +changes, and her lip quivers, and she bends over and kisses him +tenderly. + +That hungry look in his eyes is gone. He is satisfied, and now, +surrounded by those he loves, he dies with a smile upon his lips. + +His body will not rest in the place prepared for him in Greenwood, +beside his parents, but will sink into the ocean's Greenwood, where +the sea shall ever kiss his lips, where flowers bloom, and things of +beauty are perpetual, and coral monuments are raised, out-rivalling +those of the cemeteries of art. + +The fair moon shines out upon the waves and the winding sheet, and the +burial is over. + +Three days more, and we shall be on shore again," says Little Wolf, +half regretfully. + +The Captain is by her side, and he bends over and says something which +we do not hear. + +Little Wolf shakes her head, and her ingenuous little face says no, as +plainly as words could. + +A shade of disappointment manifests itself in the Captain's manner, +and again he speaks. + +His companion still replies in the negative. + +"Then he was but a deer friend, and I may be the same," says the +Captain, now loud enough to be heard. + +Now Little Wolf says distinctly, "yes, you may be the same, Captain +Green. You rescued me in perils by sea, and he in perils by land. He +told me with his latest breath how he had saved me from certain +destruction when I was a little child, and--" + +"And how he loved you in after years, and how he longed to kiss you," +said the Captain, seeing her hesitate. + +"Yes, Captain," said Little Wolf solemnly, he told me that, and more +which you must not hear." + +"I know how he felt," says the Captain, folding his arms across his +breast, "for I would be willing to die, if you would but kiss me." + +"Captain," Little Wolf's cheek grows scarlet, and she pauses to choke +down a strong emotion, "there is a man _living_ whom I have kissed, +and I shall never kiss another." + +The Captain's voice sinks very low in reply, but Little Wolf warmly +takes his proffered hand, and it is easily to be seen that more than a +common friendship has sprung up between them. + +Now the Captain, Little Wolf, Miss Marsden, and little Flora, have +become almost inseparable. A permanent parting is not once spoken of +between them. Their last day at sea is spent in planning to be +together for the summer. + +It has transpired that Little Wolf's protege, Fanny Green, is a niece +of the Captain's. His elder brother, Fanny's father, having formed bad +habits, ran away from home, and it was supposed, went to sea, and had +not been heard of by his family up to the time of the Captain's +acquaintance with Little Wolf. + +In the course of a few weeks, the Captain and Flora, are to accompany +Little Wolf and Miss Marsden to Minnesota, where they expect to greet +their newly discovered little relative. + +A few weeks later, and everything was in company order at Squire +Tinknor's, and Fanny Green's demure little face looked out of the +window, almost the entire day that Little Wolf and her friends were to +arrive, and when, just at twilight, a carriage brought them to the +gate, she shrank away in the folds of the curtain, and Little Wolf +found her there sobbing for joy. + +Her cousin Flora greeted her with the remark, "Why, dear me, how wery, +wery large you are, cousin Fanny; I thought you would be smaller than +me." + +Little Wolf found letters awaiting her from the Hanfords, and +Antoinette Le Clare, urging her to come with her friends and spend a +few weeks at Fairy Knoll. + +It was decided that they should accept the invitation, and +accordingly, on a warm summer morning, a requisition was made on +Squire Tinknor's horses and carriage, and Tom was installed as +driver. + +Fanny and Flora were to be left with Mrs. Tinknor, and, as Tom +tenderly kissed the former, his charge to her was, "Take care of +yourself, Fanny dear, for you know you have promised to be my little +wife," and Flora said that was "wery, wery nice." + +The Captain occupied a seat beside Miss Marsden, and Little Wolf sat +by Tom, whom, having ceased to be a lover, she found to be quite +entertaining, and they amused themselves by building air castles and +earth castles, such as baloons and orphan asylums; and indeed, by the +time Fairy Knoll loomed up before them in the moonlight, they had +become warmer friends than they had ever been. + +As they neared the cottage, Little Wolf could not repress a sigh, for +too well did she remember her emotions on that wintry morning, when +she and Edward Sherman left that spot together, so light of heart, so +full of hope and joy. + +Out sprang the watchers from within, to welcome their guests, and into +the arms of Edward Sherman sprang Little Wolf. She had instantly +recognized him, and a glad cry escaped her, as he caught her to his +breast. + +The Captain saw all at a glance, and he then knew whom Little Wolf had +kissed, and who was kissing her. Light also seemed to have suddenly +dawned on Tom's benighted vision. + +Without ceremony or apology, Edward bore our heroine away to a retired +spot in the grove surrounding the cottage. Their interview was not +interrupted, until Tom, in the course of half an hour had the temerity +to venture out, and suggest the propriety of Little Wolf's partaking +of a cup of tea. + +"Did we not manage it nicely?" said Antoinette Le Clare to Little Wolf +when they were alone. "Mr. Sherman came out for a little recreation, +and did not think of seeing you. We made him think that it was his +sister we were expecting, and when he rushed to meet her and saw who +it was you ought to have seen his face." + +On the subject of lovemaking, which was witnessed by the trees in the +grove at Fairy Knoll, we will be silent. But the double wedding which +followed was public and grand, and took place at St. Paul, under Mrs. +Tinknor's supervision. + +Miss Marsden returned to New York as Mrs. Captain Green, and little +Flora declared herself "wery, wery fond of her new mama." + +Mr. and Mrs. Sherman accompanied them as far as the city of Pendleton, +where Edward proposes to make his future home. + +At parting Tom wickedly mentioned to Little Wolf that he was concerned +for the prosperity of that much talked of orphan asylum. Whereupon the +dignified Mrs. Sherman assured him that having proved himself so +capable of preparing an asylum for the orphan in which they were +mutually interested, she thought him better adapted to carry out her +benevolent projects than she was, and consequently would leave the +matter in his hands for the present. + +Not long after their marriage Edward Sherman discovered in his wife's +secretary a total abstinence pledge, to which was appended a long +list of names. It was the same which Mr. Marsden had drawn up on +shipboard, and "Alfred Marsden," headed the list. + +Edward took it from its place, and he was in the act of signing his +own name at the bottom, when a bright curly head came between him and +the paper, and rosy lips whispered, "Thank you, Edward love, for this +free will offering." + + + + THE END. + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: + +Spelling and punctuation left as found in the original text. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Wolf, by M. A. 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