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diff --git a/31837.txt b/31837.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8896f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/31837.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9184 @@ +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: 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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