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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34920-8.txt b/34920-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..32e3559 --- /dev/null +++ b/34920-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9889 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Silver Pitchers: and Independence, by Louisa May Alcott + +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: Silver Pitchers: and Independence + A Centennial Love Story + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: January 11, 2011 [EBook #34920] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE, + + A Centennial Love Story. + + By LOUISA M. ALCOTT, + +AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN," "EIGHT +COUSINS," "WORK," "HOSPITAL SKETCHES," ETC. + + + BOSTON: + ROBERTS BROTHERS. + + 1888. + + _Copyright_, + BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT. + 1876. + + UNIVERSITY PRESS: JOHN WILSON & SON, + CAMBRIDGE. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +SILVER PITCHERS + +ANNA'S WHIM + +TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS + +THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY + +MY ROCOCO WATCH + +BY THE RIVER + +LETTY'S TRAMP + +SCARLET STOCKINGS + +INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY + + + + +SILVER PITCHERS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_HOW IT BEGAN._ + + +"We can do nothing about it except show our displeasure in some proper +manner," said Portia, in her most dignified tone. + +"_I_ should like to cut them all dead for a year to come; and I'm not +sure that I won't!" cried Pauline, fiercely. + +"We _ought_ to make it impossible for such a thing to happen again, and +I think we _might_," added Priscilla, so decidedly that the others +looked at her in surprise. + +The three friends sat by the fire "talking things over," as girls love +to do. Pretty creatures, all of them, as they nestled together on the +lounge in dressing-gowns and slippers, with unbound hair, eyes still +bright with excitement, and tongues that still wagged briskly. + +Usually the chat was of dresses, compliments, and all the little +adventures that befall gay girls at a merry-making. But to-night +something of uncommon interest absorbed the three, and kept them talking +earnestly long after they should have been asleep. + +Handsome Portia looked out from her blonde locks with a disgusted +expression, as she sipped the chocolate thoughtful mamma had left inside +the fender. Rosy-faced Pauline sat staring indignantly at the fire; +while in gentle Priscilla's soft eyes the shadow of a real sorrow seemed +to mingle with the light of a strong determination. + +Yes, something had happened at this Thanksgiving festival which much +offended the three friends, and demanded grave consideration on their +part; for the "Sweet P's," as Portia, Pris, and Polly were called, were +the belles of the town. One ruled by right of beauty and position, one +by the power of a character so sweet and strong that its influence was +widely felt, and one by the wit and winsomeness of a high yet generous +spirit. + +It had been an unusually pleasant evening, for after the quilting bee in +the afternoon good Squire Allen had given a bountiful supper, and all +the young folks of the town had joined in the old-fashioned games, which +made the roof ring with hearty merriment. + +All would have gone well if some one had not privately introduced +something stronger than the cider provided by the Squire,--a mysterious +and potent something, which caused several of the young men to betray +that they were decidedly the worse for their libations. + +That was serious enough; but the crowning iniquity was the putting of +brandy into the coffee, which it was considered decorous for the young +girls to prefer instead of cider. + +Who the reprobates were remained a dead secret, for the young men +laughed off the dreadful deed as a joke, and the Squire apologized in +the handsomest manner. + +But the girls felt much aggrieved and would not be appeased, though the +elders indulgently said, "Young men will be young men," even while they +shook their heads over the pranks played and the nonsense spoken under +the influence of the wine that had been so slyly drank. + +Now what should be done about it? The "Sweet P's" knew that their mates +would look to them for guidance at this crisis, for they were the +leaders in all things. So they must decide on some line of conduct for +all to adopt, as the best way of showing their disapproval of such +practical jokes. + +When Pris spoke, the others looked at her with surprise; for there was a +new expression in her face, and both asked wonderingly, "How?" + +"There are several ways, and we must decide which is the best. One is to +refuse invitations to the sociable next week." + +"But I've just got a lovely new dress expressly for it!" cried Portia, +tragically. + +"Then we might decline providing any supper," began Pris. + +"That wouldn't prevent the boys from providing it, and I never could get +through the night without a morsel of something!" exclaimed Polly, who +loved to see devoted beings bending before her, with offerings of ice, +or struggling manfully to steer a glass of lemonade through a tumultuous +sea of silk and broadcloth, feeling well repaid by a word or smile from +her when they landed safely. + +"True, and it _would_ be rather rude and resentful; for I am sure they +will be models of deportment next time," and gentle Pris showed signs of +relenting, though that foolish joke bad cost her more than either of the +others. + +For a moment all sat gazing thoughtfully at the fire, trying to devise +some awful retribution for the sinners, no part of which should fall +upon themselves. Suddenly Polly clapped her hands, crying with a +triumphant air,-- + +"I've got it, girls! I've got it!" + +"What? How? Tell us quick!" + +"We _will_ refuse to go to the first sociable, and that will make a +tremendous impression, for half the nice girls will follow our lead, and +the boys will be in despair. Every one will ask why we are not there; +and what can those poor wretches say but the truth? Won't that be a +bitter pill for my lords and gentlemen?" + +"It will certainly be one to us," said Portia, thinking of the "heavenly +blue dress" with a pang. + +"Wait a bit; our turn will come at the next sociable. To this we can go +with escorts of our own choosing, or none at all, for they are free and +easy affairs, you know. So we need be under no obligation to any of +those sinners, and can trample upon them as much as we please." + +"But how about the games, the walks home, and all the pleasant little +services the young men of our set like to offer and we to receive?" +asked Portia, who had grown up with these "boys," as Polly called them, +and found it hard to turn her back on the playmates who had now become +friends or lovers. + +"Bless me! I forgot that the feud might last more than one evening. Give +me an idea, Pris," and Polly's triumph ended suddenly. + +"I will," answered Pris, soberly; "for at this informal sociable we can +institute a new order of things. It will make a talk, but I think we +have a right to do it, and I'm sure it will have a good effect, if we +only hold out, and don't mind being laughed at. Let us refuse to +associate with the young men whom we know to be what is called 'gay,' +and accept as friends those of whose good habits we are sure. If they +complain, as of course they will, we can say their own misconduct made +it necessary, and there we have them." + +"But, Pris, who ever heard of such an idea? People will say all sorts of +things about us!" said Portia, rather startled at the proposition. + +"Let them! I say it's a grand plan, and I'll stand by you, Pris, through +thick and thin!" cried Polly, who enjoyed the revolutionary spirit of +the thing. + +"We can but try it, and give the young men a lesson; for, girls, matters +are coming to a pass, when it is our _duty_ to do something. I cannot +think it is right for us to sit silent and see these fine fellows +getting into bad habits because no one dares or cares to speak out, +though we gossip and complain in private." + +"Do you want us to begin a crusade?" asked Portia, uneasily. + +"Yes, in the only way we girls can do it. We can't preach and pray in +streets and bar-rooms, but we may at home, and in our own little world +show that we want to use our influence for good. I know that you two can +do any thing you choose with the young people in this town, and it is +just that set who most need the sort of help you can give, if you will." + +"You have more influence than both of us put together; so don't be +modest, Pris, but tell us what to do, and I'll do it, even if I'm hooted +at," cried warm-hearted Polly, won at once. + +"You must do as you think right; but _I_ have made up my mind to protest +against wine-drinking in every way I can. I know it will cost me much, +for I have nothing to depend upon but the good opinion of my friends; +nevertheless, I shall do what seems my duty, and I may be able to save +some other girl from the heart-aches I have known." + +"You won't lose our good opinion, you dear little saint! Just tell us +how to begin and we will follow our leader," cried both Portia and +Polly, fired with emulation by their friend's quiet resolution. + +Pris looked from one to the other, and, seeing real love and confidence +in their faces, was moved to deepen the impression she had made, by +telling them the sad secret of her life. Pressing her hands tightly +together, and drooping her head, she answered in words that were the +more pathetic for their brevity,-- + +"Dear girls, don't think me rash or sentimental, for I _know_ what I am +trying to do, and you will understand my earnestness better when I tell +you that a terrible experience taught me to dread this appetite more +than death. It killed my father, broke mother's heart, and left me all +alone." + +As she paused, poor Pris hid her face and shrank away, as if by this +confession she had forfeited her place in the respect of her mates. But +the girlish hearts only clung the closer to her, and proved the +sincerity of their affection by sympathetic tears and tender words, as +Portia and Polly held her fast, making a prettier group than the marble +nymphs on the mantelpiece; for the Christian graces quite outdid the +heathen ones. + +Polly spoke first, and spoke cheerfully, feeling, with the instinct of a +fine nature, that Priscilla's grief was too sacred to be talked about, +and that they could best show their appreciation of her confidence by +proving themselves ready to save others from a sorrow like hers. + +"Let us be a little society of three, and do what we can. I shall begin +at home, and watch over brother Ned; for lately he has been growing away +from me somehow, and I'm afraid he is beginning to be 'gay.' I shall get +teased unmercifully; but I won't mind if I keep him safe." + +"I have no one at home to watch over but papa, and he is in no danger, +of course; so I shall show Charley Lord that I am not pleased with him," +said Portia, little dreaming where her work was to be done. + +"And you will set about reforming that delightful scapegrace, Phil +Butler?" added Polly, peeping archly into the still drooping face of +Pris. + +"I have lost my right to do it, for I told him to-night that love and +respect must go together in my heart," and Pris wiped her wet eyes with +a hand that no longer wore a ring. + +Portia and Polly looked at one another in dismay, for by this act Pris +proved how thoroughly in earnest she was. + +Neither had any words of comfort for so great a trouble, and sat +silently caressing her, till Pris looked up, with her own serene smile +again, and said, as if to change the current of their thoughts,-- + +"We must have a badge for the members of our new society, so let us each +wear one of these tiny silver pitchers. I've lost the mate to mine, but +Portia has a pair just like them. You can divide, then we are all +provided for." + +Portia ran to her jewel-case, caught up a pair of delicate filigree +ear-rings, hastily divided a narrow velvet ribbon into three parts, +attached to each a silver pitcher, and, as the friends smilingly put on +these badges, they pledged their loyalty to the new league by a silent +good-night kiss. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE._ + + +Great was the astonishment of their "set" when it was known that the +"Sweet P's" had refused all invitations to the opening sociable. + +The young men were in despair, the gossips talked themselves hoarse +discussing the affair, and the girls exulted; for, as Polly predicted, +the effect of their first step was "tremendous." + +When the evening came, however, by one accord they met in Portia's room, +to support each other through that trying period. They affected to be +quite firm and cheerful; but one after the other broke down, and sadly +confessed that the sacrifice to principle was harder than they expected. +What added to their anguish was the fact that the Judge's house stood +just opposite the town-hall, and every attempt to keep away from certain +windows proved a dead failure. + +"It is _so_ trying to see those girls go in with their dresses bundled +up, and not even know what they wear," mourned Portia, watching shrouded +figures trip up the steps that led to the paradise from which she had +exiled herself. + +"They must be having a capital time, for every one seems to have gone. I +wonder who Phil took," sighed Pris, when at length the carriages ceased +to roll. + +"Girls! I wish to be true to my vow, but if you don't hold me I shall +certainly rush over there and join in the fun, for that music is too +much for me," cried Polly, desperately, as the singing began. + +It was an endless evening to the three pretty pioneers, though they went +early to bed, and heroically tried to sleep with that distracting music +in their ears. Slumber came at last, but as the clocks were striking +twelve a little ghost emerged from Portia's room, and gliding to the +hall window vanished among the heavy damask curtains. + +Presently another little ghost appeared from the same quarter, and +stealing softly to the same window was about to vanish in the same +capacious draperies, when a stifled cry was heard, and Portia, the +second sprite, exclaimed in an astonished whisper,-- + +"Why, Pris, are you here, too? I saw Polly creep away from me, and came +to take her back. How dare you go wandering about and startling me out +of my wits in this way?" + +"I was only looking to see if it was all over," quavered Pris, meekly, +emerging from the right-hand curtain. + +"So was I!" laughed Polly, bouncing out from the left-hand one. + +There was a sound of soft merriment in that shadowy hall for a moment, +and then the spirits took a look at the world outside, for the moon was +shining brightly. Yes, the fun was evidently over, for the lamps were +being extinguished, and several young men stood on the steps exchanging +last words. One wore a cloak theatrically thrown over the shoulder, and +Polly knew him at once. + +"That's Ned! I _must_ hear what they are saying. Keep quiet and I'll +listen," she whispered, rolling herself in the dark folds of the curtain +and opening the window a crack, so that a frosty breeze could blow +freely into her left ear. + +"You'll get your death," murmured Portia, shivering in her quilted +wrapper. + +"O, never mind!" cried Pris, who recognized the tallest man in the +group, and was wild to catch a word from "poor Phil." + +"They think they've done a fine thing; but, bless their little hearts, +we'll show that we can do without them by not asking them to the next +sociable, or taking notice of them if they go. That will bring them +round without fail," said one masculine voice, with a jolly laugh. + +"Many thanks for letting us know your plots, Mr. Lord. Now we can +arrange a nice little surprise for _you_," and Portia made a scornful +courtesy in the dark. + +"Faith! I don't blame the girls much, for that was a confoundedly +ungentlemanly trick of yours, and I'll thank you not to lay any of the +blame of it on me; I've got as much as I can carry without that," said +the tall figure, stalking away alone. + +"I'm _so_ glad to know that Phil had nothing to do with it!" breathed +Pris, gratefully. + +"Come on, Charley! I must get home as soon as possible, or Polly will be +down on me, for she has taken a new tack lately, and holds forth on the +error of my ways like a granny." + +"Won't I give Ned an extra lecture for that speech, the rascal!" and +Polly shook a small fist at him as her brother passed under the window, +blissfully unconscious of the avenging angels up aloft. + +"'Tis well; let us away and take sweet counsel how we may annihilate +them," added Polly, melodramatically, as the three ghosts vanished from +the glimpses of the moon. + +Every one turned out to the sociables, for they were town affairs, and +early hours, simple suppers, and games of all sorts, made it possible +for old and young to enjoy them together. + +On the night of the second one there was a goodly gathering, for the +public rebuke administered to the young men had made a stir, and +everybody was curious to see what the consequences would be when the +parties met. + +There was a sensation, therefore, when a whisper went round that the +"Sweet P's" had come, and a general smile of wonder and amusement +appeared when the girls entered, Portia on the arm of her father, Polly +gallantly escorted by her twelve-year-old brother Will, and Pris beside +Belinda Chamberlain, whose five feet seven made her a capital cavalier. + +"Outwitted!" laughed Charley Lord, taking the joke at once as he saw +Portia's gray-headed squire. + +"I _knew_ Polly was plotting mischief, she has been so quiet lately," +muttered Ned, eying his little brother with lofty scorn. + +Phil said nothing, but he gave a sigh of relief on seeing that Pris had +chosen an escort of whom it was impossible to be jealous. + +The Judge seldom honored these gatherings, but Portia ruled papa, and +when she explained the peculiar state of things, he had heroically left +his easy chair to cast himself into the breach. + +Master Will was in high feather at his sudden promotion, and bore +himself gallantly, though almost as much absorbed by his wristbands as +Mr. Toots; for Polly had got him up regardless of expense, with a gay +tie, new gloves, and, O, crowning splendor! a red carnation in his +button-hole. + +Buxom Belinda was delighted with the chance to play cavalier, and so get +her fair share of all the fun going, for usually she stood in a corner +smiling at an unappreciative world, like a patient sunflower. + +The faces of the young men were a study as the games began, and the +three girls joined in them with the partners they had chosen. + +"The Judge is evidently on his mettle, but he can't stand that sort of +thing long, even to please Portia; and then her Majesty will have to +give in, or condescend to some one out of our set," thought Charley +Lord, longing already to be taken into favor again. + +"Polly will have to come and ask me to lead, if she wants to sing her +favorite songs; for I'll be hanged if I do it till she has humbled +herself by asking," said Ned, feeling sure that his sister would soon +relent. + +"If it was any one but Belinda, I don't think I could stand it," +exclaimed Phil, as he watched his lost sweetheart with wistful eyes; +for, though he submitted to the sentence which he knew he deserved, he +could not relinquish so much excellence without deep regret. + +But the young men underrated the spirit of the girls, and overrated +their own strength. The "Sweet P's" went on enjoying themselves, +apparently quite indifferent to the neglect of their once devoted +friends. But to the outcasts it was perfectly maddening to see stately +Portia promenading with stout Major Quackenboss, who put his best foot +foremost with the air of a conquering hero; also to behold sweet Pris +playing games with her little pupils in a way that filled their small +souls with rapture. But the most aggravating spectacle of all was +captivating Polly, chatting gayly with young Farmer Brown, who was +evidently losing both head and heart in the light of her smiles. + +"It's no use, boys; I _must_ have one turn with Portia, and you may hang +me for a traitor immediately afterward," cried Charley at last, +recklessly casting both pride and promise to the winds. + +"O, very well; if you are going to give in, we may as well all eat +humble pie 'together,'" and Ned imitated his weak-minded friend, glad of +an excuse to claim the leadership of the little choir who led off the +weekly "sing." + +Phil dared not follow their example as far as Pris was concerned, but +made his most elegant bow to Belinda, and begged to have the honor of +seeing her home. His chagrin may be imagined when the lofty wall-flower +replied, with a significant emphasis that made his face burn,-- + +"No, thank you. I need a very _steady_ escort, for I shouldn't take a +fall into a snow-bank as lightly as Pris did not long ago." + +Charley met with a like fate at Portia's hands, for she outraged +established etiquette by coldly declining his meek invitation to +promenade, and two minutes later graciously accepting that of an +unfashionable young man, who was known to belong to a temperance lodge. + +But Ned's repulse was the most crushing of all, for in reply to his +condescending hint,-- + +"I suppose people won't be satisfied unless we give them our favorites, +hey, Polly?" he received a verbal box on the ear in the sharp answer,-- + +"We don't want _you_, for I intend to lead myself, and introduce a new +set of songs which won't be at all to your taste." + +Then, to his utter amazement and confusion, Miss Polly began to sing one +of the good old temperance songs, the burden whereof was,-- + + "O, that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, + O, that will be joyful, + When young men drink no more!" + +It was taken up all over the hall, and the chorus rang out with an +energy that caused sundry young men to turn red and dodge behind any +capacious back they could find, for every one understood Polly's motive, +and looked approvingly upon her as she stood singing, with an occasional +quiver in the voice that usually was as clear and sweet as a +blackbird's. + +This unexpected manoeuvre on the part of the fair enemy produced +direful perplexity and dismay in the opposing camp, whither the +discomfited trio fled with tidings of their defeat. None of them dared +try again in that quarter, but endeavored to console themselves by +flirting wildly with such girls as still remained available, for, sad to +relate, many of the most eligible took courage and followed the example +of the "Sweet P's." This fact cast added gloom over the hapless +gentlemen of the offending set, and caused them to fear that a social +revolution would follow what they had considered merely a girlish freak. + +"Shouldn't wonder if they got up a praying-band after this," groaned +Ned, preparing himself for the strongest measures. + +"Portia had better lead off, then, for the first time I indulged too +freely in the 'rosy' was at her father's house," added Charley, laying +all the blame of his expulsion from Eden upon Eve, like a true Adam. + +"Look here, boys, we ought to thank, not blame them, for they want to +help us, I'm sure, and some of us need help, God knows!" sighed Phil, +with a look and tone that made his comrades forget their pique in sudden +self-reproach; for not one of them could deny his words, or help feeling +that the prayers of such innocent souls would avail much. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_WHAT PORTIA DID._ + + +"I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my +little chair and amuse you till papa comes in." + +As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver +pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye. + +"Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she +asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile. + +"No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a +temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered +Portia, wondering how her mother would take it. + +"Dear little girls! God bless and help you in your good work!" was the +quick reply, that both surprised and touched her by its fervency. + +"Then you don't mind, or think us silly to try and do even a very little +towards curing this great evil?" she asked, with a sweet seriousness +that was new and most becoming to her. + +"My child, I feel as if it was a special providence," began her mother, +then checked herself and added more quietly, "Tell me all about this +league, dear, unless it is a secret." + +"I have no secrets from you, mother," and nestling into her low chair +Portia told her story, ending with an earnestness that showed how much +she had the new plan at heart. + +"So you see Polly is trying to keep Ned safe, and Pris prays for Phil; +not in vain, I think, for he has been very good lately, they tell me. +But _I_ have neither brother nor lover to help, and I cannot go out to +find any one, because I am only a girl. Now what _can_ I do, mamma, for +I truly want to do my share?" + +The mother lay silent for a moment, then, as if yielding to an +irresistible impulse, drew her daughter nearer, and whispered with lips +that trembled as they spoke,-- + +"You can help your father, dear." + +"Mamma, what can you mean?" cried Portia, in a tone of indignant +surprise. + +"Listen patiently, child, or I shall regret that your confidence +inspired me with courage to give you mine. Never think for one moment +that I accuse my husband of any thing like drunkenness. He has always +taken his wine like a gentleman, and never more than was good for him +till of late. For this there are many excuses; he is growing old, his +life is less active than it was, many of the pleasures he once enjoyed +fail now, and he has fallen into ways that harm his health." + +"I know, mamma; he doesn't care for company as he used to, or business, +either, but seems quite contented to sit among his papers half the +morning, and doze over the fire half the evening. I've wondered at it, +for he is not really old, and looks as hale and handsome as ever," said +Portia, feeling that something hovered on her mother's lips which she +found it hard to utter. + +"You are right; it is _not_ age alone that makes him so unlike his once +cheerful, active self; it is--bend lower, dear, and never breathe to any +one what I tell you now, only that you may help me save your father's +life, perhaps." + +Startled by the almost solemn earnestness of these words, Portia laid +her head upon the pillow, and twilight wrapt the room in its soft gloom, +as if to shut out all the world, while the mother told the daughter the +danger that threatened him whom they both so loved and honored. + +"Papa has fallen into the way of taking more wine after dinner than is +good for him. He does not know how the habit is growing upon him, and is +hurt if I hint at such a thing. But Dr. Hall warned me of the danger +after papa's last ill turn, saying that at his age and with his +temperament apoplexy would be sure to follow over-indulgence of this +sort." + +"O mamma, what can I do?" whispered Portia, with a thrill, as the words +of Pris returned to her with sudden force, "It killed my father, broke +mother's heart, and left me all alone." + +"Watch over him, dear, amuse him as you only can, and wean him from this +unsuspected harm by all the innocent arts your daughterly love can +devise. I have kept this to myself, because it is hard for a wife to see +any fault in her husband; still harder for her to speak of it even to so +good a child as mine. But my anxiety unfits me to do all I might, so I +need help; and of whom can I ask it but of you? My darling, make a +little league with mother, and let us watch and pray in secret for this +dear man who is all in all to us." + +What Portia answered, what comfort she gave, and what further +confidences she received, may not be told, for this household covenant +was too sacred for report. No visible badge was assumed, no audible vow +taken, but in the wife's face, as it smiled on her husband that night, +there was a tenderer light than ever, and the kiss that welcomed papa +was the seal upon a purpose as strong as the daughter's love. + +Usually the ladies left the Judge to read his paper and take his wine in +the old-fashioned way, while they had coffee in the drawing-room. As +they rose, Portia saw the shadow fall upon her mother's face, which she +had often seen before, but never understood till now; for _this_ was the +dangerous hour, this the moment when the child must stand between +temptation and her father, if she could. + +That evening, very soon after the servant had cleared the table of all +but the decanters, a fresh young voice singing blithely in the parlor +made the Judge put down his glass to listen in pleased surprise. + +Presently he stepped across the hall to set both doors open, saying, in +a half reproachful tone,-- + +"Sing away, my lark, and let papa hear you, for he seldom gets a chance +nowadays." + +"Then he must stay and applaud me, else I shall think that speech only +an empty compliment," answered Portia, as she beckoned with her most +winsome smile. + +The Judge never dreamed that his good angel spoke; but he saw his +handsome girl beaming at him from the music stool, and strolled in, +meaning to go back when the song ended. + +But the blue charmer in the parlor proved more potent than the red one +in the dining-room, and he sat on, placidly sipping the excellent +coffee, artfully supplied by his wife, quite unconscious of the little +plot to rob him of the harmful indulgence which too often made his +evenings a blank, and his mornings a vain attempt to revive the spirits +that once kept increasing years from seeming burdensome. + +That was the beginning of Portia's home mission; and from that hour she +devoted herself to it, thinking of no reward, for such "secret service" +could receive neither public sympathy nor praise. + +It was not an easy task, as she soon found, in spite of the stanch and +skilful ally who planned the attacks she dutifully made upon the enemy +threatening their domestic peace. + +When music ceased to have charms, and the Judge declared he _must_ get +his "forty winks" after dinner, Portia boldly declared that she would +stay and see that he had them comfortably. So papa laughed and +submitted, took a brief nap, and woke in such good-humor that he made no +complaint on finding the daughter replacing the decanter. + +This answered for a while; and when its effacacy seemed about to fail, +unexpected help appeared; for mamma's eyes began to trouble her, and +Portia proposed that her father should entertain the invalid in the +evening, while she served her through the day. + +This plan worked capitally, for the Judge loved his good wife almost as +much as she deserved, and devoted himself to her so faithfully that the +effort proved a better stimulant than any his well-stocked cellar could +supply. + +Dr. Hall prescribed exercise and cheerful society for his new patient, +and in seeing that these instructions were obeyed the Judge got the +benefit of them, and found no time for solitary wine-bibbing. + +"I do believe I'm growing young again, for the old dulness is quite +gone, and all this work and play does not seem to tire me a bit," he +said, after an unusually lively evening with the congenial guests Portia +took care to bring about him. + +"But it must be very stupid for you, my dear, as we old folks have all +the fun. Why don't you invite the young people here oftener?" he added, +as his eye fell on Portia, gazing thoughtfully into the fire. + +"I wish I dared tell you why," she answered wistfully. + +"Afraid of your old papa?" and he looked both surprised and grieved. + +"I won't be, for you are the kindest father that ever a girl had, and I +know you'll help me, as you always do, papa. I don't dare ask my young +friends here because I'm not willing to expose some of them to +temptation," began Portia, bravely. + +"What temptation? This?" asked her father, turning her half-averted face +to the light, with a smile full of paternal pride. + +"No, sir; a far more dangerous one than ever I can be." + +"Then I should like to see it!" and the old gentleman looked about him +for this rival of his lovely daughter. + +"It is these," she said, pointing to the bottles and glasses on the +side-board. + +The Judge understood her then, and knit his brows but before he could +reply Portia went steadily on, though her cheeks burned, and her eyes +were bent upon the fire again. + +"Father, I belong to a society of three, and we have promised to do all +we can for temperance. As yet I can only show bravely the faith that is +in me; therefore I can never offer any friend of mine a drop of wine, +and so I do not ask them here, where it would seem most uncourteous to +refuse." + +"I trust no gentleman ever had cause to reproach me for the hospitality +I was taught to show my guests," began the Judge, in his most stately +manner. + +But he got no further, for a soft hand touched his lips, and Portia +answered sorrowfully,-- + +"One man has, sir; Charley Lord says the first time he took too much was +in this house, and it has grieved me to the heart, for it is true. O +papa, never let any one have the right to say that again of us! Forgive +me if I seem undutiful, but I _must_ speak out, for I want my dear +father to stand on my side, and set an example which will make me even +fonder and prouder of him than I am now." + +As Portia paused, half frightened at her own frankness, she put her arms +about his neck, and hid her face on his breast, still pleading her cause +with the silent eloquence so hard to resist. + +The Judge made no reply for several minutes, and in that pause many +thoughts passed through his mind, and a vague suspicion that had haunted +him of late became a firm conviction. For suddenly he seemed to see his +own weakness in its true light, to understand the meaning of the +watchful love, the patient care that had so silently and helpfully +surrounded him; and in Portia's appeal for younger men, he read a tender +warning to himself. + +He was a proud man, but a very just one; and though a flush of anger +swept across his face at first, he acknowledged the truth of the words +that were so hard to speak. + +With his hand laid fondly on the head that was half-hidden, lest a look +should seem to reproach him, this brave old gentleman proved that he +loved his neighbor better than himself, and honestly confessed his own +shortcomings. + +"No man shall ever say again that _I_ tempted him." + +Then as Portia lifted up a happy face, he looked straight into the +grateful eyes that dimmed with sudden tears, and added tenderly,-- + +"My daughter, I am not too proud to own a fault, nor, please God, too +old to mend it." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_WHAT POLLY DID._ + + +Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take +good care of the boys. But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it +sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to +emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and +do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice. + +Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister. At times he felt +strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for +since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful +creature to cheer and strengthen him. + +Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" +to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters +especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of +his twenty years, and snubbed Polly. + +Will had not yet developed this unpleasant trait, but his sister +expected it, and often exclaimed, despairingly, to her bosom friends,-- + +"When _he_ follows Ned's example, and begins to rampage, what _will_ +become of me?" + +The father--a learned and busy man--was so occupied by the duties of his +large parish, or so absorbed in the abstruse studies to which his brief +leisure was devoted, that he had no time left for his children. Polly +took good care of him and the house, and the boys seemed to be doing +well, so he went his way in peace, quite unconscious that his eldest son +needed all a father's care to keep him from the temptations to which a +social nature, not evil propensities, exposed him. + +Polly saw the danger, and spoke of it; but Mr. Snow only answered +absently,-- + +"Tut, tut, my dear; you are over-anxious, and forget that young men all +have a few wild oats to sow." + +While Ned silenced her with that other familiar and harmful phrase, "I'm +only seeing life a bit, so don't you fret, child," little dreaming that +such "seeing life" too often ends in seeing death. + +So Polly labored in vain, till something happened which taught them all +a lesson. Ned went on a sleighing frolic with the comrades whom of all +others his sister dreaded most. + +"Do be careful and not come home as you did last time, for father will +be in, and it would shock him dreadfully if I shouldn't be able to keep +you quiet," she said anxiously. + +"You little granny, I wasn't tipsy, only cheerful, and that scared you +out of your wits. I've got my key, so don't sit up. I hate to have a +woman glowering at me when I come in," was Ned's ungracious reply; for +the memory of that occasion was not a pleasant one. + +"If a woman had not been sitting up, you'd have frozen on the door-mat, +you ungrateful boy," cried Polly, angrily. + +Ned began to whistle, and was going off without a word, when Polly's +loving heart got the better of her quick temper, and, catching up a +splendid tippet she had made for him, she ran after her brother. She +caught him just as he opened the front door, and, throwing both her arms +and her gift about his neck, said, with a kiss that produced a sensation +in the sleigh-full of gentlemen at the gate,-- + +"Ah, do be friends, for I can't bear to part so." + +Now if no one had been by, Ned would have found that pleasant mingling +of soft arms and worsted a genuine comforter; but masculine pride would +not permit him to relent before witnesses, and the fear of being laughed +at by "those fellows" made him put both sister and gift roughly aside, +with a stern,-- + +"I won't be molly-coddled! Let me alone and shut the door!" + +Polly did let him alone, with a look that haunted him, and shut the door +with a spirited bang, that much amused the gentlemen. + +"I'll never try to do any thing for Ned again! It's no use, and he may +go to the bad for all I care!" said Polly to herself, after a good cry. + +But she bitterly repented that speech a few hours later, when her +brother was brought back, apparently dead, by such of the "cheerful" +party as escaped unhurt from a dangerous upset. + +There was no concealing this sad home-coming from her father, though +poor Ned was quiet enough now, being stunned by the fall, which had +wounded his head and broken his right arm. + +It _was_ a shock, both to the man and the minister; and, when the worst +was over, he left Polly to watch her brother, with eyes full of +penitential tears, and went away, to reproach himself in private for +devoting to ancient Fathers the time and thought he should have given to +modern sons. + +Ned was very ill, and when, at last, he began to mend, his helplessness +taught him to see and love the sweetest side of Polly's character; for +she was in truth his right hand, and waited on him with a zeal that +touched his heart. + +Not one reproach did she utter, not even by a look did she recall past +warnings, or exult in the present humiliation, which proved how needful +they had been. Every thing was forgotten except the fact that she had +the happy privilege of caring for him almost as tenderly as a mother. + +Not quite, though, and the memory of her whose place it was impossible +to fill seemed to draw them closer together; as if the silent voice +repeated its last injunctions to both son and daughter, "Take care of +the boys, dear;" "Be good to your sister, Ned." + +"I've been a regular brute to her, and the dear little soul is heaping +coals of fire on my head by slaving over me like an angel," thought the +remorseful invalid, one day, as he lay on the sofa, with a black patch +adorning his brow, and his arm neatly done up in splints. + +Polly thought he was asleep, and sat quietly rolling bandages till a +head popped in at the door, and Will asked, in a sepulchral whisper,-- + +"I've got the book Ned wanted. Can I come and give it to you?" + +Polly nodded, and he tiptoed in to her side, with a face so full of +good-will and spirits that it was as refreshing as a breath of fresh air +in that sick room. + +"Nice boy! he never forgets to do a kindness and be a comfort to his +Polly," she said, leaning her tired head on his buttony jacket, as he +stood beside her. + +Will wasn't ashamed to show affection for "his Polly," so he patted the +pale cheeks with a hand as red as his mittens, and smiled down at her +with his honest blue eyes full of the protecting affection it was so +pleasant to receive. + +"Yes, _I'm_ going to be a tiptop boy, and never make you and father +ashamed of me, as you were once of somebody we know. Now don't you +laugh, and I'll show you something; it's the best I could do, and I +wanted to prove that I mean what I say; truly, truly, wish I may die if +I don't." + +As he spoke, Will pulled out of his vest-pocket a little pewter +cream-pot, tied to a shoe-string, and holding it up said, with a funny +mixture of boyish dignity and defiance,-- + +"I bought it of Nelly Hunt, because her tea-set was half-smashed up. +Folks may laugh at my badge, but I don't care; and if you won't have me +in your society I'll set up all alone, for I'm going into the temperance +business, any way!" + +Polly hugged him on the spot, and made his youthful countenance glow +with honest pride by saying solemnly,-- + +"William G. Snow, I consider our league honored by the addition of so +valuable a member; for a boy who can bear to be laughed at, and yet +stick to his principles, is a treasure." + +"The fellows _do_ laugh at me, and call me 'Little Pitcher;' but I'd +rather be that than 'Champagne Charlie,' as Ned called Mr. Lord," said +Will, stoutly. + +"Bless the little pitchers!" cried Polly, enthusiastically surveying +both the pewter pot and its wearer. + +A great tear was lying on her cheek, checked in its fall by the dimple +that came as she looked at her brother's droll badge. Will caught it +dexterously in the tiny cup, saying, with a stifled laugh,-- + +"Now you've baptized it, Polly, and it's as good as silver; for your +tear shines in there like a great big diamond. Wonder how many it would +take to fill it?" + +"You'll never make me cry enough to find out. Now go and get my little +silver chain, for that dear pewter pot deserves a better one than an old +shoe-string," said Polly, looking after him with a happy face, as the +small youth gave one ecstatic skip and was off. + +"I'm afraid we've waked you up," she added, as Ned stirred. + +"I was only day-dreaming; but I mean this one shall come true," and Ned +rose straight up, with an energy that surprised his sister. + +"Come and have your lunch, for it's time. Which will you take, Mrs. +Neal's wine-jelly or my custard?" asked Polly, settling him in his big +chair. + +To her astonishment, Ned pitched the little mould of amber jelly into +the fire, and tried to eat the custard with his left hand. + +"My dear boy, have you lost your senses?" she ejaculated. + +"No; I've just found them," he answered, with a flash of the eye, that +seemed to enlighten Polly without more words. + +Taking her usual seat on the arm of the chair, she fed her big nursling +in silence, till a sigh made her ask tenderly,-- + +"Isn't it right? I put in lots of sugar because you like it sweet." + +"All the sugar in the world won't sweeten it to me, Polly; for there's a +bitter drop at the bottom of all my cups. Will said your tear shone like +a diamond in his little pitcher, and well it might. But you can't cry +happy tears over me, though I've made you shed enough sad ones to fill +the big punch-bowl." + +Ned tried to laugh, but somehow the custard choked him; and Polly laid +the poor, cropped head on her shoulder for a minute, saying softly,-- + +"Never mind, dear, I wouldn't think about the old troubles now." + +She got no farther, for with a left-handed thump that made all the cups +dance wildly on the table, Ned cried out,-- + +"But I _will_ think about the old troubles, for I don't intend to have +any new ones of that sort! Do you suppose I'll see that snip of a boy +standing up for what is right, and not have the pluck to do the same? Do +you suppose I'll make my own father ashamed of me more than once? Or let +the dearest little girl in the world wear herself out over me, and I not +try to thank her in the way she likes best? Polly, my dear, you can't be +as proud of your elder brother as you are of the younger, but you shall +never have cause to blush for him again; _never_, sir, _never_!" + +Ned lifted his hand for another emphatic thump, but changed his mind, +and embraced his sister as closely as one arm could do it. + +"I ought to have a badge if I'm going to belong to your select society; +but I don't know any lady who will give me an ear-ring or a cream-pot," +said Ned, when the conversation got round again to the cheerful side of +the question. + +"I'll give you something better than either," answered Polly, as she +transferred a plain locket from her watch-guard to the one lying on the +table. + +Ned knew that a beloved face and a lock of gray hair were inside; and +when his sister added, with a look full of sweet significance, "For her +sake, dear," he answered manfully,-- + +"I'll try, Polly!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_WHAT PRIS DID._ + + +Priscilla, meantime, was racking her brain to discover how she could +help Philip; for since she had broken off her engagement no one spoke of +him to her, and she could only judge of how things were going with him +by what she saw and heard as she went about her daily task. + +Pris kept school, and the road which she must take twice a day led +directly by the office where Phil was studying medicine with old Dr. +Buffum. Formerly she always smiled and nodded as she passed, or stopped +to chat a moment with the student, who usually chanced to be taking a +whiff of fresh air at that instant. Little notes flew in and out, and +often her homeward walk was cheered by a companion, who taught the +pretty teacher lessons she found it very easy to learn. + +A happy time! But it was all over now, and brief glimpses of a brown +head bent above a desk near that window was the only solace poor Pris +had. The head never turned as she went by, but she felt sure that Phil +knew her step, and found that moment, as she did, the hardest of the +day. + +She longed to relent, but dared not yet. He longed to show that he +repented, but found it difficult without a sign of encouragement. So +they went their separate ways, seldom meeting, for Phil stuck to his +books with dogged resolution, and Pris had no heart for society. + +Of course the affair was discussed with all the exasperating freedom of +a country town, some blaming Pris for undue severity, some praising her +spirit, and some, friends,--not gossips,--predicting that both would be +the better for the trial, which would not separate them long. Of this +latter class were Portia and Polly, who felt it their duty to lend a +hand when matters reached a certain point. + +"Pris, dear, may I tell you something that I think you'd be glad to +know?" began Polly, joining her friend one afternoon, as she went home +weary and alone. + +"_You_ may tell me any thing," and Pris took her arm as if she felt the +need of sympathy. + +"You know Dr. Buffum let Phil help with Ned, so we have seen a good deal +of him, and that is how I found out what I've got to tell you." + +"He spoke of me, then?" whispered Pris, eagerly. + +"Not a word till Ned made him. My boy is fond of your boy, and they had +confidences which seem to have done them both good. Of course Ned didn't +tell me all about it, as _we_ tell things (men never do, they are so +proud and queer), but he said this,-- + +"'Look here, Polly, you must be very kind to Phil, and stand by him all +you can, or he will go down. He is doing his best, and will hold on as +long as he can, but a fellow _must_ have comfort and encouragement of +some sort, and if he don't get the right kind he'll try the wrong.'" + +"O Polly! you will stand by him?" + +"I have; for I just took Phil in a weakish moment, and found out all I +wanted to know. Ned is right and you are wrong, Pris,--not in giving +back the ring, but in seeming to cast him off entirely. He does not +deserve that, for he was not to blame half so much as you think. But he +won't excuse himself, for he feels that you are unjust; yet he loves you +dearly, and you could do any thing with him, if you chose." + +"I do choose, Polly; but how _can_ I marry a man whom I cannot trust?" +began Pris, sadly. + +"Now, my child, I'm going to talk to you like a mother, for I've had +experience with boys, and I know how to manage them," interrupted Polly, +with such a charmingly maternal air that Pris laughed in spite of her +trouble. "Be quiet and listen to the words of wisdom," continued her +friend, seriously. + +"Since I've taken care of Ned, I've learned a great deal, for the poor +lad was so sick and sorry he couldn't shut his heart against me any +more. So now I understand how to help and comfort him, for hearts are +very much alike, Pris, and all need lots of love and patience to keep +them good and happy. Ned told me his troubles, and I made up my mind +that as _we_ don't have so many temptations as boys, we should do all we +can to help them, and make them the sort of men we can both love and +trust." + +"You are right, Polly. I've often thought how wrong it is for us to sit +safe and silent while we know things are going wrong, just because it +isn't considered proper for us to speak out. Then when the harm is done +we are expected to turn virtuously away from the poor soul we might +perhaps have saved if we had dared. God does not do so to us, and we +ought not to do so to those over whom we have so much power," said Pris, +with a heart full of sad and tender memories. + +"We won't!" cried Polly, firmly. "We began in play, but we will go on in +earnest, and use our youth, our beauty, our influence for something +nobler than merely pleasing men's eyes, or playing with their hearts. +We'll help them to be good, and brave, and true, and in doing this we +shall become better women, and worthier to be loved, I know." + +"Why, Polly, you are quite inspired!" and Pris stopped in the snowy road +to look at her. + +"It isn't all _my_ wisdom. I've talked with father as well as Ned and +Phil, and they have done me good. I've discovered that confidence is +better than compliments, and friendship much nicer than flirting; so I'm +going to turn over a new leaf, and use my good gifts for higher ends." + +"Dear thing, what a comfort you are!" said Pris, pressing Polly's hands, +and looking into her bright face with grateful eyes. "You have given me +courage to do my duty, and I'll follow your example as fast as I can. +Don't come any farther, please: I'd better be alone when I pass Phil's +window, for I'm going to nod and smile, as I used to in the happy time. +Then he will see that I don't cast him off and leave him to 'go down' +for want of help, but am still his friend until I dare be more." + +"Now, Pris, that's just lovely of you, and I know it will work wonders. +Smile and nod away, dear, and try to do your part, as I'm trying to do +mine." + +For an instant the little gray hat and the jaunty one with the scarlet +feather were bent close together; but what went on under the brims, who +can say? Then Polly trotted off as fast as she could go, and Pris turned +into a certain street with a quicker step and a brighter color than she +had known for weeks. + +She was late, for she had lingered with Polly, and she feared that +patient watcher at the window would be gone. No; the brown head was +there, but it lay wearily on the arms folded over a big book, and the +eyes that stared out at the wintry sky had something tragic in them. + +Poor Phil did need encouragement, and was in the mood to take the worst +sort if the best failed him, for life looked very dark just then, and +solitude was growing unbearable. + +Suddenly, between him and the ruddy sunset a face appeared,--the dearest +and the loveliest in the world to him. Not half averted now, nor set +straightforward, cold and quiet as a marble countenance, but bent +towards him, with a smile on the lips, and a wistful look in the tender +eyes that made his heart leap up with sudden hope. Then it vanished; and +when he sprung to the window nothing could be seen but the last wave of +a well-known cloak, fluttering round the corner. + +But Priscilla's first effort was a great success; for the magic of a +kind look glorified the dingy office, and every bottle on the shelves +might have been filled with the elixir of life, so radiant did Phil's +face become. The almost uncontrollable desire to rush away and +recklessly forget his loneliness in the first companionship that offered +was gone now, for a happy hope peopled his solitude with helpful +thoughts and resolutions; the tragic look left the eyes, that still saw +a good angel instead of a tempting demon between them and the evening +sky; and when Phil shut up the big book he had been vainly trying to +study, he felt that he had discovered a new cure for one of the sharpest +pains the heart can suffer. + +Next morning Pris unconsciously started for school too soon, so when she +passed that window the room was empty. Resolved that Phil should not +share her disappointment, she lifted the sash and dropped a white azalea +on his desk. She smiled as she did it, and then whisked away as if she +had taken instead of left a treasure. But the smile remained with the +flower, I think, and Phil found it there when he hurried in to discover +this sweet good-morning waiting for him. + +He put it in the wine-glass which he had sworn never should be filled +again with any thing but water, and sitting down before it listened to +the little sermon the flower preached; for the delicate white azalea was +Pris to him, and the eloquence of a pure and tender heart flowed from +it, working miracles. One of them was that when sunset came it shone on +two faces at the window, and the little snow-birds heard two voices +breaking a long silence. + +"God bless you, Pris!" + +"God help you, Phil!" + +That was all, but from that hour the girl felt her power for good, and +used it faithfully; and from that hour the young man worked bravely to +earn the respect and confidence without which no love is safe and happy. + +"We are friends now," they said, when they were seen together again; and +friends they remained, in spite of shrugs and smiles, ill-natured +speeches, and more than one attempt to sow discord between them, for +people did not understand the new order of things. + +"I trust him," was the only answer Pris gave to all warnings and +criticisms. + +"I _will_ be worthy of her," the vow that kept Phil steady in spite of +the ridicule that is so hard to bear, and gave him courage to flee from +the temptation he was not yet strong enough to meet face to face. + +Portia and Polly stood by them stanchly; for having made her father's +house a safe refuge, Portia offered Phil all the helpful influences of a +happy home. Polly, with Ned to lend a hand, gave his comrade many a +friendly lift; and when it was understood that the Judge, the minister, +and the "Sweet P's" indorsed the young M. D., no one dared cast a stone +at him. + +All this took time, of course, but Phil got his reward at last, for one +night a little thing happened which showed him his own progress, and +made Pris feel that she might venture to wear the ring again. + +At a party Phil was graciously invited to take wine with a lady, and +refused. It was a very hard thing to do, for the lady was his hostess, a +handsome woman, and the mother of a flock of little children, who all +preferred the young doctor to the old one; and, greatest trial of all, +several of his most dreaded comrades stood by to laugh at him, if he +dared to let principle outweigh courtesy. + +But he did it, though he grew pale with the effort to say steadily,-- + +"Will Mrs. Ward pardon me if I decline the honor? I am"-- + +There he stopped and turned scarlet, for a lie was on his lips,--a lie +so much easier to tell than the honest truth that many would have +forgiven its utterance at that minute. + +His hostess naturally thought ill health was his excuse, and, pitying +his embarrassment, said, smiling,-- + +"Ah! you doctors don't prescribe wine for your own ailments as readily +as for those of your patients." + +But Phil, angry at his own weakness, spoke out frankly, with a look that +said more than his words,-- + +"I cannot even accept the kind excuse you offer me, for I am not ill. It +may be my duty to order wine sometimes for my patients, but it is also +my duty to prescribe water for myself." + +A dreadful little pause followed that speech; but Mrs. Ward understood +now, and though she thought the scruple a foolish one, she accepted the +apology like a well-bred woman, and, with a silent bow that ended the +matter, turned to other guests, leaving poor Phil to his fate. + +Not a pleasant one, but he bore it as well as he could, and when his +mates left him stranded in a corner, he said, half aloud, with a long +breath, as if the battle had been a hard one,-- + +"Yes, I suppose I _have_ lost my best patient, but I've kept my own +respect, and that ought to satisfy me." + +"Let me add mine, and wish you health and happiness, dear Phil," said a +voice behind him, and turning quickly he saw Pris standing there with +two goblets of water, and a smile full of love and pride. + +"You know what that toast means for me?" he whispered, with sudden +sunshine in his face, as he took the offered glass. + +"Yes; and I drink it with all my heart," she answered, with her hand in +his. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_HOW IT ENDED._ + + +The leaven dropped by three girls in that little town worked so slowly +that they hardly expected to do more than "raise their own patty-cakes," +as Polly merrily expressed it. But no honest purpose is ever wasted, and +by-and-by the fermentation began. + +Several things helped it amazingly. The first of these was a temperance +sermon, preached by Parson Snow, which produced a deep impression, +because in doing this he had the courage, like Brutus, to condemn his +own son. The brave sincerity, the tender earnestness of that sermon, +touched the hearts of his people as no learned discourse had ever done, +and bore fruit that well repaid him for the effort it cost. + +It waked up the old people, set the young ones to thinking, and showed +them all that they had a work to do. For those who were down felt that +they might be lifted up again, those who were trifling ignorantly or +recklessly with temptation saw their danger, and those who had longed to +speak out now dared to do it because he led the way. + +So, warned by the wolf in his own fold, this shepherd of souls tried to +keep his flock from harm, and, in doing it, found that his Christianity +was the stronger, wiser, and purer for his humanity. + +Another thing was the fact that the Judge was the first to follow his +pastor's example, and prove by deeds that he indorsed his words. It was +hard for the hospitable old gentleman to banish wine from his table, and +forego the pleasant customs which long usage and many associations +endeared to him; but he made his sacrifice handsomely, and his daughter +helped him. + +She kept the side-board from looking bare by filling the silver tankards +with flowers, offered water to his guests with a grace that made a +cordial of it, and showed such love and honor for her father that he was +a very proud and happy man. + +What the Judge did was considered "all right" by his neighbors, for he +was not only the best-born, but the richest man in town, and with a +certain class these facts had great weight. Portia knew this, and +counted on it when she said she wanted him on her side; so she exulted +when others followed the new fashion, some from principle, but many +simply because he set it. + +At first the young reformers were disappointed that every one was not as +enthusiastic as themselves, and as ready to dare and do for the cause +they had espoused. But wiser heads than those on their pretty shoulders +curbed their impetuosity, and suggested various ways of gently +insinuating the new idea, and making it so attractive that others would +find it impossible to resist; for sunshine often wins when bluster makes +us wrap our prejudices closer around us, like the traveller in the +fable. + +Portia baited _her_ trap with Roman parties,--for she had been +abroad,--and made them so delightful that no one complained when only +cake and tea was served (that being the style in the Eternal City), but +went and did likewise. + +Artful Polly set up a comic newspaper, to amuse Ned, who was an invalid +nearly all winter, and in it freed her mind on many subjects in such a +witty way that the "Pollyanthus," as her brother named it, circulated +through their set, merrily sowing good seed; for young folks will +remember a joke longer than a sermon, and this editor made all hers +tell. + +Pris was not behindhand in her efforts, but worked in a different way, +and got up a branch society among her little pupils, called "The Water +Babies." That captivated the mothers at once, and even the fathers found +it difficult to enjoy their wine with blue eyes watching them wistfully +over the rims of silver mugs; while the few topers of the town hid +themselves like night-birds flying from the sun, when, led by their +gentle General, that little army of innocents marched through the +streets with banners flying, blithe voices singing, rosy faces shining, +and childish hearts full of the sweet delusion that _they_ could save +the world. + +Of course the matrons discussed these events at the sewing-circle, and +much talk went on of a more useful sort than the usual gossip about +servants, sickness, dress, and scandal. + +Mrs. Judge waxed eloquent upon the subject, and, being president, every +one listened with due respect. Mrs. Ward seconded all her motions, for +this lady had much surprised the town, not only by installing Phil as +family physician, but by coming out strong for temperance. Somebody had +told her all about the girls' labor of love, and she had felt ashamed to +be outdone by them; so, like a conscientious woman, she decided to throw +her influence into the right scale, take time by the forelock, and help +to make the town a safer place for her five sons to grow up in than it +was then. + +These two leading ladies kept the ball rolling so briskly that others +were soon converted and fell into rank, till a dozen or so were heartily +in earnest. And then the job was half done; for in a great measure women +make society what they choose to have it. + +"We are told that home is our sphere, and advised to keep in it; so let +us see that it is what it should be, and then we shall have proved our +fitness for larger fields of labor, if we care to claim them," said Mrs. +Judge, cutting out red flannel with charitable energy, on one occasion. + +"Most of us will find that quite as much as we can accomplish, I fancy," +answered Mrs. Ward, thinking of her own riotous lads, who were probably +pulling the house about their ears, while she made hoods for Mrs. +Flanagan's bare-headed lasses. + +"'Pears to me we hain't no call to interfere in other folks's affairs. +This never was a drinkin' town, and things is kep' in fustrate order, so +_I_ don't see the use of sech a talk about temperance," remarked Miss +Simmons, an acid spinster, whose principal earthly wealth consisted of a +choice collection of cats. + +"If your tabbies took to drinking, you _would_ see the use, I'm sure," +laughed Polly, from the corner, which was a perfect posy-bed of girls. + +"Thank goodness, _I've_ no men folks to pester myself about," began Miss +Simmons, with asperity. + +"Ah, but you should; for if you refuse to make them happy, you ought at +least to see that they console themselves in ways which can work them no +further woe," continued Polly, gravely, though her black eyes danced +with fun. + +"Well, that wouldn't be no more than fair, I'm free to confess; but, +sakes alive, I couldn't attend to 'em all!" said Miss Simmons, bridling +with a simper that nearly upset the whole bevy of girls. + +"Do make the effort, and help us poor things who haven't had your +experience," added Pris, in her most persuasive voice. + +"I declare I will! I'll have Hiram Stebbins in to tea; and when he's as +good-natured as muffins and pie can make him, I'll set to and see if I +can't talk him out of his attachment to that brandy bottle," cried Miss +Simmons, with a sudden yearning towards the early sweetheart, who had +won, but never claimed her virgin affections. + +"I think you'll do it; and, if so, you will have accomplished what no +one else could, and you shall have any prize you choose," cried Portia, +smiling so hopefully that the faded old face grew almost young again, as +Miss Simmons went home with something better to do than tend her +tabbies. + +"We've bagged that bird," said Polly, with real satisfaction. + +"That's the way we set people to work," added Portia, smiling. + +"She will do what we can't, for her heart is in it," said Pris, softly; +and it was pleasant to see the blooming girls rejoice that poor old +Hiram was in a fair way to be saved. + +So the year went round, and Thanksgiving came again, with the home +jollity that makes a festival throughout the land. The day would not be +perfect if it did not finish with a frolic of some sort, and for reasons +of their own the young gentlemen decided to have the first sociable of +the year an unusually pleasant one. + +"Everybody is going, and Ned says the supper is to be water-ice and +ice-water," said Polly, taking a last look at herself in the long +mirror, when the three friends were ready on that happy evening. + +"I needn't sigh now over other girls' pretty dresses, as I did last +year;" and Portia plumed herself like a swan, as she settled Charley's +roses in her bosom. + +"And I needn't wonder who Phil will take," added Pris, stopping, with +her glove half on, to look at the little ring back again from its long +banishment in somebody's waistcoat pocket. + +Never had the hall looked so elegant and gay, for it was charmingly +decorated; couches were provided for the elders, mirrors for the +beauties, and music of the best sounded from behind a thicket of shrubs +and flowers. Every one seemed in unusually good spirits; the girls +looked their loveliest, and the young men were models of propriety; +though a close observer might have detected a suspicious twinkle in the +eyes of the most audacious, as if they plotted some new joke. + +The girls saw it, were on the watch, and thought the secret was out when +they discovered that the gentlemen of their set all wore tiny pitchers, +hanging like orders from the knots of sweet-peas in their button-holes. +But, bless their innocent hearts! that was only a ruse, and they were +taken entirely by surprise when, just before supper, the band struck up, + + "Drink to me only with thine eyes;" + +and every one looked smilingly at the three girls who were standing +together near the middle of the hall. + +They looked about them in pretty confusion, but in a moment beheld a +spectacle that made them forget themselves; for the Judge, in an +impressive white waistcoat, marched into the circle gathered about them, +made a splendid bow, and said, with a smile that put the gas to shame,-- + +"Young ladies! I am desired by the gentlemen now present to beg your +acceptance of a slight token of their gratitude, respect, and penitence. +As the first man who joined the society which has proved a blessing to +our town, Mr. William Snow will now have the honor of presenting the +gift." + +Then appeared Mr. William Snow, looking as proud as a peacock; and well +he might, for on the salver which he bore stood a stately silver +pitcher. A graceful little Hebe danced upon the handle, three names +shone along the fretted brim, and three white lilies rose from the +slender vase,--fit emblems of the maiden founders of the league. + +Arriving before them, Master Will nearly upset the equilibrium of his +precious burden in attempting to make a bow equal to the Judge's; but +recovered himself gallantly, and delivered the following remarkable +poem, which the public was expected to believe an emanation of his own +genius:-- + + "Hebe poured the nectar forth + When gods of old were jolly, + But graces three _our_ goblets fill, + Fair Portia, Pris and Polly. + Their draughts make every man who tastes + Happier, better, richer; + So here we vow ourselves henceforth + Knights of the Silver Pitcher." + + + + +ANNA'S WHIM. + + +"Now just look at that!" cried a young lady, pausing suddenly in her +restless march to and fro on one of the wide piazzas of a seaside hotel. + +"At what?" asked her companion, lazily swinging in a hammock. + +"The difference in those two greetings. It's perfectly disgraceful!" was +the petulant reply. + +"I didn't see any thing. Do tell me about it," said Clara, opening her +drowsy eyes with sudden interest. + +"Why, young Barlow was lounging up the walk, and met pretty Miss Ellery. +Off went his hat; he gave her a fine bow, a gracious smile, a worn-out +compliment, and then dawdled on again. The next minute Joe King came +along. Instantly Barlow woke up, laughed out like a pleased boy, gave +him a hearty grip of the hand, a cordial 'How are you, old fellow? I'm +no end glad to see you!' and, linking arms, the two tramped off, quite +beaming with satisfaction." + +"But, child, King is Barlow's best friend; Kitty Ellery only an +acquaintance. Besides, it wouldn't do to greet a woman like a man." + +"Yes, it would, especially in this case; for Barlow adores Kate, and +might, at least, treat her to something better than the nonsense he +gives other girls. But, no, it's proper to simper and compliment; and +he'll do it till his love gets the better of 'prunes and prisms,' and +makes him sincere and earnest." + +"This is a new whim of yours. You surely wouldn't like to have any man +call out 'How are you, Anna?' slap you on the shoulder, and nearly shake +your hand off, as Barlow did King's, just now," said Clara, laughing at +her friend. + +"Yes, I would," answered Anna, perversely, "if he really meant it to +express affection or pleasure. A good grip of the hand and a plain, +hearty word would please me infinitely better than all the servile +bowing down and sweet nonsense I've had lately. I'm not a fool; then, +why am I treated like one?" she continued, knitting her handsome brows +and pacing to and fro like an angry leopardess. "Why don't men treat me +like a reasonable being?--talk sense to me, give me their best ideas, +tell me their plans and ambitions, let me enjoy the real man in them, +and know what they honestly are? I don't want to be a goddess stuck up +on a pedestal. I want to be a woman down among them, to help and be +helped by our acquaintance." + +"It wouldn't do, I fancy. They wouldn't like it, and would tell you to +keep to your own sex." + +"But my own sex don't interest or help me one bit. Women have no hope +but to be married, and that is soon told; no ideas but dress and show, +and I'm tired to death of both; no ambition but to outshine their +neighbors, and I despise that." + +"Thank you, love," blandly murmured Clara. + +"It is true, and you know it. There _are_ sensible women; but not in my +set. And I don't seem to find them. I've tried the life set down for +girls like me, and for three years I've lived and enjoyed it. Now I'm +tired of it. I want something better, and I mean to have it. Men _will_ +follow, admire, flatter, and love me; for I please them and they enjoy +my society. Very well. Then it's fair that I should enjoy theirs. And I +should if they would let me. It's perfectly maddening to have flocks of +brave, bright fellows round me, full of every thing that is attractive, +strong, and helpful, yet not be able to get at it, because society +ordains twaddle between us, instead of sensible conversation and sincere +manners." + +"What shall we do about it, love?" asked Clara, enjoying her friend's +tirade. + +"_You_ will submit to it, and get a mental dyspepsia, like all the other +fashionable girls. I won't submit, if I can help it; even if I shock +Mrs. Grundy by my efforts to get plain bread and beef instead of +confectionery." + +Anna walked in silence for a moment, and then burst out again, more +energetically than ever. + +"Oh! I do wish I could find one sensible man, who would treat me as he +treats his male friends,--even roughly, if he is honest and true; who +would think me worthy of his confidence, ask my advice, let me give him +whatever I have that is wise and excellent, and be my friend in all good +faith." + +"Ahem!" said Clara, with a significant laugh, that angered Anna. + +"You need not try to abash me with your jeers. I know what I mean, and I +stand by my guns, in spite of your 'hems.' I do _not_ want lovers. I've +had dozens, and am tired of them. I will not marry till I know the man +thoroughly; and how _can_ I know him with this veil between us? They +don't guess what I really am; and I want to prove to them and to myself +that I possess brains and a heart, as well as 'heavenly eyes,' a +'queenly figure,' and a 'mouth made for kissing.'" + +The scorn with which Anna uttered the last words amused her friend +immensely, for the petulant beauty had never looked handsomer than at +that moment. + +"If any man saw you now, he'd promise whatever you ask, no matter how +absurd. But don't excite yourself, dear child; it is too warm for +heroics." + +Anna leaned on the wide baluster a moment, looking thoughtfully out upon +the sea; and as she gazed a new expression stole over her charming face, +changing its disdainful warmth to soft regret. + +"This is not all a whim. I know what I covet, because I had it once," +she said, with a sigh. "I had a boy friend when I was a girl, and for +several years we were like brother and sister. Ah! what happy times we +had together, Frank and I. We played and studied, quarrelled and made +up, dreamed splendid dreams, and loved one another in our simple child +fashion, never thinking of sex, rivalry, or any of the forms and follies +that spoil maturer friendships." + +"What became of him? Did he die angelically in his early bloom, or +outgrow his Platonics with round jackets?" asked Clara. + +"He went to college. I went abroad, to be 'finished off;' and when we +met a year ago the old charm was all gone, for we were 'in society' and +had our masks on." + +"So the boy and girl friendship did not ripen into love and end the +romance properly?" + +"No, thank Heaven! no flirtation spoilt the pretty story. Frank was too +wise, and I too busy. Yet I remember how glad I was to see him; though I +hid it properly, and pretended to be quite unconscious that I was any +thing but a belle. I got paid for my deceit, though; for, in spite of +his admiration, I saw he was disappointed in me. I should not have cared +if I had been disappointed in him; but I was quick to see that he was +growing one of the strong, superior men who command respect. I wanted to +keep his regard, at least; and I seemed to have nothing but beauty to +give in return. I think I never was so hurt in my life as I was by his +not coming to see me after a week or two, and hearing him say to a +friend, one night, when I thought I was at my very best, 'She is spoilt, +like all the rest.'" + +"I do believe you loved him, and that is why you won't love any one +else," cried Clara, who had seen her friend in her moods before; but +never understood them, and thought she had found a clew now. + +"No," said Anna, with a quiet shake of the head. "No, I only wanted my +boy friend back, and could not find him. The fence between us was too +high; and I could not climb over, as I used to do when I leaped the +garden-wall to sit in a tree and help Frank with his lessons." + +"Has the uncivil wretch never come back?" asked Clara, interested in the +affair. + +"Never. He is too busy shaping his life bravely and successfully to +waste his time on a frivolous butterfly like Anna West." + +An eloquent little gesture of humility made the words almost pathetic. +Kind-hearted Clara was touched by the sight of tears in the "heavenly +eyes," and tumbling out of the hammock she embraced the "queenly figure" +and warmly pressed the "lips that were made for kissing," thereby +driving several approaching gentlemen to the verge of distraction. + +"Now don't be tragical, darling. You have nothing to cry for, I'm sure. +Young, lovely, rich, and adored, what more _can_ any girl want?" said +Clara, gushingly. + +"Something besides admiration to live for," answered Anna, adding, with +a shrug, as she saw several hats fly off and several manly countenances +beam upon her, "Never mind, my fit is over now; let us go and dress for +tea." + +Miss West usually took a brisk pull in her own boat before breakfast; a +habit which lured many indolent young gentlemen out of their beds at +unaccustomed hours, in the hope that they might have the honor of +splashing their legs helping her off, the privilege of wishing her "_Bon +voyage_," or the crowning rapture of accompanying her. + +On the morning after her "fit," as she called the discontent of a really +fine nature with the empty life she led, she was up and out unusually +early; for she had kept her room with a headache all the evening, and +now longed for fresh air and exercise. + +As she prepared the "Gull" for a start, she was idly wondering what +early bird would appear eager to secure the coveted worm, when a loud +and cheerful voice was heard calling,-- + +"Hullo, Anna!" and a nautically attired gentleman hove in sight, waving +his hat as he hailed her. + +She started at the unceremonious salute and looked back. Then her whole +face brightened beautifully as she sprang up the bank, saying, with a +pretty mixture of hesitation and pleasure,-- + +"Why, Frank, is that you?" + +"Do you doubt it?" + +And the new-comer shook both her hands so vigorously that she winced a +little as she said, laughing,-- + +"No, I don't. That is the old squeeze with extra power in it." + +"How are you? Going for a pull? Take me along and show me the lions. +There's a good soul." + +"With pleasure. When did you come?" asked Anna, settling the black +ribbon under the sailor collar which set off her white throat +charmingly. + +"Last night. I caught a glimpse of you at tea; but you were surrounded +then and vanished immediately afterward. So when I saw you skipping over +the rocks just now, I gave chase, and here I am. Shall I take an oar?" +asked Frank, as she motioned him to get in. + +"No, thank you. I prefer to row myself and don't need any help," she +answered, with an imperious little wave of the hand; for she was glad to +show him she could do something besides dance, dress, and flirt. + +"All right. Then I'll do the luxurious and enjoy myself." And, without +offering to help her in, Frank seated himself, folded his arms, +stretched out his long legs, and placidly remarked,-- + +"Pull away, skipper." + +Anna was pleased with his frank and friendly greeting, and, feeling as +if old times had come again, sprang in, prepared to astonish him with +her skill. + +"Might I suggest that you"--began Frank, as she pushed off. + +"No suggestions or advice allowed aboard this ship. I know what I'm +about, though I _am_ a woman," was the severe answer, as the boat glided +from the wharf. + +"Ay, ay, sir!" And Frank meekly subsided, with a twinkle of amusement in +the eyes that rested approvingly on the slender figure in a blue boating +suit and the charming face under the sailor hat. + +Anna paddled her way dexterously out from among the fleet of boats +riding at anchor in the little bay; then she seated herself, adjusted +one oar, and looked about for the other rowlock. It was nowhere visible; +and, after a silent search, she deigned to ask,-- + +"Have you seen the thing anywhere?" + +"I saw it on the bank." + +"Why didn't you tell me before?" + +"I began to, but was quenched; so I obeyed orders." + +"You haven't forgotten how to tease," said Anna, petulantly. + +"Nor you to be wilful." + +She gave him a look that would have desolated most men; but only made +Frank smile affably as she paddled laboriously back, recovered the +rowlock and then her temper, as, with a fine display of muscle, she +pulled out to sea. + +Getting into the current, she let the boat drift, and soon forgot time +and space in the bewildering conversation that followed. + +"What have you been doing since I saw you last?" she asked, looking as +rosy as a milkmaid, as she stopped rowing and tied up her wind-tossed +hair. + +"Working like a beaver. You see"--and then, to her utter amazement, +Frank entered into an elaborate statement of his affairs, quite as if +she understood all about it and her opinion was valuable. It was all +Greek to Anna, but she was immensely gratified; for it was just the way +the boy used to tell her his small concerns in the days when each had +firm faith in the other's wisdom. She tried to look as if she understood +all about "investments, percentage, and long credit;" but she was out of +her depth in five minutes, and dared say nothing, lest she should betray +her lamentable ignorance on all matters of business. She got out of the +scrape by cleverly turning the conversation to old times, and youthful +reminiscences soon absorbed them both. + +The faint, far-off sound of a gong recalled her to the fact that +breakfast was nearly ready; and, turning the boat, she was dismayed to +see how far they had floated. She stopped talking and rowed her best; +but wind and tide were against her, she was faint with hunger, and her +stalwart passenger made her task doubly hard. He offered no help, +however; but did the luxurious to the life, leaning back, with his hat +off, and dabbling his hands in the way that most impedes the progress of +a boat. + +Pride kept Anna silent till her face was scarlet, her palms blistered, +and her breath most gone. Then, and not till then, did she condescend to +say, with a gasp, poorly concealed by an amiable smile,-- + +"Do you care to row? I ought to have asked you before." + +"I'm very comfortable, thank you," answered Frank. Then, as an +expression of despair flitted over poor Anna's face, he added bluntly, +"I'm getting desperately hungry, so I don't care if I do shorten the +voyage a bit." + +With a sigh of relief, she rose to change seats, and, expecting him to +help her, she involuntarily put out her hands, as she passed. But Frank +was busy turning back his cuffs, and never stirred a finger; so that she +would have lost her balance and gone overboard if she had not caught his +arm. + +"What's the matter, skipper?" he asked, standing the sudden grip as +steadily as a mast. + +"Why didn't you help me? You have no more manners than a turtle!" cried +Anna, dropping into the seat with the frown of a spoiled beauty, +accustomed to be gallantly served and supported at every step. + +Frank only added to his offence by laughing, as he said carelessly,-- + +"You seemed so independent, I didn't like to interfere." + +"So, if I had gone overboard, you would not have fished me out, unless I +asked you to do it, I suppose?" + +"In that case, I'm afraid I shouldn't have waited for orders. We can't +spare you to the mermen yet." + +Something in the look he gave her appeased Anna's resentment; and she +sat silently admiring the strong swift strokes that sent the "Gull" +skimming over the water. + +"Not too late for breakfast, after all," she said graciously, as they +reached the wharf, where several early strollers stood watching their +approach. + +"Poor thing! You look as if you needed it," answered Frank. But he let +her get out alone, to the horror of Messrs. Barlow, King, & Co.; and, +while she fastened the boat, Frank stood settling his hatband, with the +most exasperating unconsciousness of his duty. + +"What are you going to do with yourself this morning?" she asked, as she +walked up the rocky path, with no arm to lean upon. + +"Fish. Will you come along?" + +"No, thank you. One gets so burnt. I shall go to my hammock under the +pine," was the graciously suggestive reply of the lady who liked a slave +to fan or swing her, and seldom lacked several to choose from. + +"See you at dinner, then. My room is in the Cottage. So by-by for the +present." And, with a nod, Frank strolled away, leaving the lovely Miss +West to mount the steps and cross the hall unescorted. + +"The dear fellow's manners need polish. I must take him in hand, I see. +And yet he is very nice, in spite of his brusque ways," thought Anna, +indulgently. And more than once that morning she recalled his bluff +"Hullo, Anna!" as she swung languidly in her hammock, with a devoted +being softly reading Tennyson to her inattentive ears. + +At dinner she appeared in unusual spirits, and kept her end of the table +in a ripple of merriment by her witty and satirical sallies, privately +hoping that her opposite neighbor would discover that she could talk +well when she chose to do so. But Frank was deep in politics, discussing +some new measure with such earnestness and eloquence that Anna, pausing +to listen for a moment, forgot her lively gossip in one of the great +questions of the hour. + +She was listening with silent interest, when Frank suddenly appealed to +her to confirm some statement he had just made; and she was +ignominiously obliged to confess she knew too little about the matter to +give any opinion. No compliment ever paid her was more flattering than +his way of turning to her now and then, as if including her in the +discussion as a matter of course; and never had she regretted any thing +more keenly than she did her ignorance on a subject that every man and +woman should understand and espouse. + +She did her best to look intelligent; racked her brain to remember facts +which she had heard discussed for weeks, without paying any attention to +them; and, thanks to her quick wit and womanly sympathy, she managed to +hold her own, saying little, but looking much. + +The instant dinner was over, she sent a servant to the reading-room for +a file of late papers, and, retiring to a secluded corner, read up with +a diligence that not only left her with clearer ideas on one subject, +but also a sense of despair at her own deficiencies in the knowledge of +many others. + +"I really must have a course of solid reading. I do believe that is what +I need; and I'll ask Frank where to begin. He always was an intelligent +boy; but I was surprised to hear how well he talked. I was actually +proud of him. I wonder where he is, by the way. Clara wants to be +introduced, and I want to see how he strikes her." + +Leaving her hiding-place, Anna walked forth in search of her friends, +looking unusually bright and beautiful, for her secret studies had waked +her up and lent her face the higher charm it needed. Clara appeared +first. The new-comer had already been presented to her, and she +professed herself "perfectly fascinated." "Such a personable man! Quite +distinguished, you know, and so elegant in his manners! Devoted, +graceful, and altogether charming." + +"You like his manners, do you?" and Anna smiled at Clara's enthusiasm. + +"Of course I do; for they have all the polish of foreign travel, with +the indescribable something which a really fine character lends to every +little act and word." + +"Frank has never been abroad, and if I judged his character by his +manners I should say he was rather a rough customer," said Anna, finding +fault because Clara praised. + +"You are so fastidious, nothing ever suits you, dear. I didn't expect to +like this old friend of yours. But I frankly confess I do immensely; so, +if you are tired of him, I'll take him off your hands." + +"Thank you, love. You are welcome to poor Frank, if you can win him. Men +are apt to be more loyal to friendship than women; and I rather fancy, +from what I saw this morning, that he is in no haste to change old +friends for new." + +Anna spoke sweetly, but at heart was ill pleased with Clara's admiration +of her private property, as she considered "poor Frank," and inwardly +resolved to have no poaching on her preserves. + +Just then the gentleman in question came up, saying to Anna, in his +abrupt way,-- + +"Every one is going to ride, so I cannot get the best horses; but I've +secured two, and now I want a companion. Will you come for a good +old-time gallop?" + +Anna thought of her blistered hands, and hesitated, till a look at +Clara's hopeful face decided her to accept. She did so, and rode like an +Amazon for several hours, in spite of heat, dust, and a hard-mouthed +horse, who nearly pulled her arms out of the sockets. + +She hoped to find a chance to consult Frank about her course of useful +reading; but he seemed intent on the "old-time gallop," and she kept up +gallantly till the ride was over, when she retired to her room, quite +exhausted, but protesting with heroic smiles that she had had a +delightful time. + +She did not appear at tea; but later in the evening, when an informal +dance was well under way, she sailed in on the arm of a distinguished +old gentleman, "evidently prepared to slay her thousands," as young +Barlow said, observing the unusual brilliancy of her eyes and the +elaborate toilette she had made. + +"She means mischief to-night. Who is to be the victim, I wonder?" said +another man, putting up his glass for a survey of the charmer. + +"Not the party who came last evening. He is only an old friend," she +says. + +"He might be her brother or her husband, judging by the cavalier way in +which he treats her. I could have punched his head this morning, when he +let her pull up that boat alone," cried a youthful adorer, glaring +irefully at the delinquent, lounging in a distant doorway. + +"If she said he was an old friend, you may be sure he is an accepted +lover. The dear creatures all fib in these matters; so I'll lay wagers +to an enormous amount that all this splendor is for the lord and master, +not for our destruction," answered Barlow, who was wise in the ways of +women and wary as a moth should be who had burnt his wings more than +once at the same candle. + +Clara happened to overhear these pleasing remarks, and five minutes +after they were uttered she breathed them tenderly into Anna's ear. A +scornful smile was all the answer she received; but the beauty was both +pleased and annoyed, and awaited with redoubled interest the approach of +the old friend, who was regarded in the light of a successful lover. But +he seemed in no haste to claim his privileges, and dance after dance +went by, while he sat talking with the old general or absently watching +the human teetotums that spun about before him. + +"I can't stand this another moment!" said Anna to herself, at last, and +beckoned the recreant knight to approach, with a commanding gesture. + +"Why don't you dance, sir?" + +"I've forgotten how, ma'am." + +"After all the pains I took with you when we had lessons together, years +ago?" + +"I've been too busy to attend to trifles of that sort." + +"Elegant accomplishments are not trifles, and no one should neglect them +who cares to make himself agreeable." + +"Well, I don't know that I do care, as a general thing." + +"You ought to care; and, as a penance for that rude speech, you must +dance this dance with me. I cannot let you forget all your +accomplishments for the sake of business; so I shall do my duty as a +friend and take you in hand," said Anna, severely. + +"You are very kind; but is it worth the trouble?" + +"Now, Frank, don't be provoking and ungrateful. You know you like to +give pleasure, to be cared for, and to do credit to your friends; so +just rub up your manners a bit, and be as well-bred as you are sensible +and brave and good." + +"Thank you, I'll try. May I have the honor, Miss West?" and he bowed low +before her, with a smile on his lips that both pleased and puzzled Anna. + +They danced the dance, and Frank acquitted himself respectably, but +relapsed into his objectionable ways as soon as the trial ended; for the +first thing he said, with a sigh of relief, was,-- + +"Come out and talk; for upon my life I can't stand this oven any +longer." + +Anna obediently followed, and, seating herself in a breezy corner, +waited to be entertained. But Frank seemed to have forgotten that +pleasing duty; for, perching himself on the wide baluster of the piazza, +he not only proceeded to light a cigarette, without even saying, "By +your leave," but coolly offered her one also. + +"How dare you!" she said, much offended at this proceeding. "I am not +one of the fast girls who do such things, and I dislike it exceedingly." + +"You used to smoke sweet-fern in corn-cob pipes, you remember; and these +are not much stronger," he said, placidly restoring the rejected +offering to his pocket. + +"I did many foolish things then which I desire to forget now." + +"And some very sweet and sensible ones, also. Ah, well! it can't be +helped, I suppose." + +Anna sat silent a moment, wondering what he meant; and when she looked +up, she found him pensively staring at her, through a fragrant cloud of +smoke. + +"What is it?" she asked, for his eyes seemed seeking something. + +"I was trying to see some trace of the little Anna I used to know. I +thought I'd found her again this morning in the girl in the round hat; +but I don't find her anywhere to-night." + +"Indeed, Frank, I'm not so much changed as I seem. At least, to you I am +the same, as far as I can be. Do believe it, and be friends, for I want +one very much?" cried Anna, forgetting every thing but the desire to +reestablish herself in his good opinion. As she spoke, she turned her +face toward the light and half extended her hand, as if to claim and +hold the old regard that seemed about to be withdrawn from her. + +Frank bent a little and scanned the upturned face with a keen glance. It +flushed in the moonlight and the lips trembled like an anxious child's; +but the eyes met his with a look both proud and wistful, candid and +sweet,--a look few saw in those lovely eyes, or, once seeing, ever +forgot. Frank gave a little nod, as if satisfied, and said, with that +perplexing smile of his,-- + +"Most people would see only the beautiful Miss West, in a remarkably +pretty gown; but I think I catch a glimpse of little Anna, and I am very +glad of it. You want a friend? Very good. I'll do my best for you; but +you must take me as I am, thorns and all." + +"I will, and not mind if they wound sometimes. I've had roses till I'm +tired of them, in spite of their sweetness." + +As he spoke, Frank had taken the hand she offered, and, having gravely +shaken it, held the "white wonder" for an instant, glancing from the +little blisters on the delicate palm to the rings that shone on several +fingers. + +"Are you reading my fortune?" asked Anna, wondering if he was going to +be sentimental and kiss it. + +"After a fashion; for I am looking to see if there is a suspicious +diamond anywhere about. Isn't it time there was one?" + +"That is not a question for you to ask;" and Anna caught away her hand, +as if one of the thorns he spoke of had suddenly pricked. + +"Why not? We always used to tell each other every thing; and, if we are +to go on in the old friendly way, we must be confidential and +comfortable, you know." + +"You can begin yourself then, and I'll see how I like it," said Anna, +aroused and interested, in spite of her maidenly scruples about the new +arrangement. + +"I will, with all my heart. To own the truth, I've been longing to tell +you something; but I wasn't sure that you'd take any interest in it," +began Frank, eating rose-leaves with interesting embarrassment. + +"I can imagine what it is," said Anna, quickly, while her heart began to +flutter curiously, for these confidences were becoming exciting. "You +have found your fate, and are dying to let everybody know how happy you +are." + +"I think I have. But I'm not happy yet. I'm desperately anxious, for I +cannot decide whether it is a wise or foolish choice." + +"Who is it?" + +"Never mind the name. I haven't spoken yet, and perhaps never shall; so +I may as well keep that to myself,--for the present, at least." + +"Tell me what you like then, and I will ask no more questions," said +Anna, coldly; for this masculine discretion annoyed her. + +"Well, you see, this dear girl is pretty, rich, accomplished, and +admired. A little spoilt, in fact; but very captivating, in spite of it. +Now, the doubt in my mind is whether it is wise to woo a wife of this +sort; for I know I shall want a companion in all things, not only a +pretty sweetheart or a graceful mistress for my house." + +"I should say it was _not_ wise," began Anna, decidedly; then hastened +to add, more quietly: "But perhaps you only see one side of this girl's +character. She may have much strength and sweetness hidden away under +her gay manner, waiting to be called out when the right mate comes." + +"I often think so myself, and long to learn if I am the man; but some +frivolous act, thoughtless word, or fashionable folly on her part +dampens my ardor, and makes me feel as if I had better go elsewhere +before it is too late." + +"You are not madly in love, then?" + +"Not yet; but I should be if I saw much of her, for when I do I rather +lose my head, and am tempted to fall upon my knees, regardless of time, +place, and consequences." + +Frank spoke with sudden love and longing in his voice, and stretched out +his arms so suggestively that Anna started. But he contented himself +with gathering a rose from the clusters that hung all about, and Anna +slapped an imaginary mosquito as energetically as if it had been the +unknown lady, for whom she felt a sudden and inexplicable dislike. + +"So you think I'd better not say to my love, like the mad gentleman to +Mrs. Nickleby, 'Be mine, be mine'?" was Frank's next question, as he sat +with his nose luxuriously buried in the fragrant heart of the rose. + +"Decidedly not. I'm sure, from the way you speak of her, that she is not +worthy of you; and your passion cannot be very deep if you can quote +Dickens's nonsense at such a moment," said Anna, more cheerfully. + +"It grows rapidly, I find; and I give you my word, if I should pass a +week in the society of that lovely butterfly, it would be all over with +me by Saturday night." + +"Then don't do it." + +"Ah! but I want to desperately. Do say that I may, just for a last +nibble at temptation, before I take your advice and go back to my +bachelor life again," he prayed beseechingly. + +"Don't go back, love somebody else, and be happy. There are plenty of +superior women in the world who would be just the thing for you. I am +sure you are going to be a man of mark, and you _must_ have a good +wife,--not a silly little creature, who will be a clog upon you all your +life. So _do_ take my advice, and let me help you, if I can." + +Anna spoke earnestly, and her face quite shone with friendly zeal; while +her eyes were full of unspoken admiration and regard for this friend, +who seemed tottering on the verge of a precipice. She expected a serious +reply,--thanks, at least, for her interest; and great was her surprise +to see Frank lean back against the vine-wreathed pillar behind him, and +laugh till a shower of rose-leaves came fluttering down on both their +heads. + +"I don't see any cause for such unseemly merriment," was her dignified +reproof of this new impropriety. + +"I beg your pardon. I really couldn't help it, for the comical contrast +between your sage counsels and your blooming face upset me. Your manner +was quite maternal and most impressive, till I looked at you in your +French finery, and then it was all up with me," said Frank, penitently, +though his eyes still danced with mirth. + +The compliment appeased Anna's anger; and, folding her round white arms +on the railing in front of her, she looked up at him with a laugh as +blithe as his own. + +"I dare say I was absurdly sober and important; but you see it is so +long since I have had a really serious thought in my head or felt a +really sincere interest in any one's affairs but my own that I overdid +the matter. If you don't care for my advice, I'll take it all back; and +you can go and marry your butterfly as soon as you like." + +"I rather think I shall," said Frank, slowly. "For I fancy she _has_ got +a hidden self, as you suggested, and I'd rather like to find it out. One +judges people so much by externals that it is not fair. Now, you, for +instance, if you won't mind my saying it, don't show half your good +points; and a casual observer would consider you merely a fashionable +woman,--lovely, but shallow." + +"As you did the last time we met," put in Anna, sharply. + +If she expected him to deny it, she was mistaken for he answered, with +provoking candor,-- + +"Exactly. And I quite grieved about it; for I used to be very fond of my +little playmate and thought she'd make a fine woman. I'm glad I've seen +you again; for I find I was unjust in my first judgment, and this +discovery gives me hope that I may have been mistaken in the same way +about my--well, we'll say sweetheart. It's a pretty old word and I like +it." + +"If he only _would_ forget that creature a minute and talk about +something more interesting!" sighed Anna to herself. But she answered, +meekly enough: "I knew you were disappointed in me, and I did not wonder +for I am not good for much, thanks to my foolish education and the life +I have led these last few years. But I do sincerely wish to be more of a +woman, only I have no one to tell me how. Everybody flatters me and"-- + +"I don't!" cried Frank, promptly. + +"That's true." And Anna could not help laughing in the middle of her +confessions at the tone of virtuous satisfaction with which he repelled +the accusation. "No," she continued, "you are honest enough for any one; +and I like it, though it startles me now and then, it is so new." + +"I hope I'm not disrespectful," said Frank, busily removing the thorns +from the stem of his flower. + +"Oh, no! Not that exactly. But you treat me very much as if I was a +sister or a--masculine friend." Anna meant to quote the expression Clara +had reported; but somehow the word "wife" was hard to utter, and she +finished the sentence differently. + +"And you don't like it?" asked Frank, lifting the rose to hide the +mischievous smile that lurked about his mouth. + +"Yes, I do,--infinitely better than the sentimental homage other men pay +me or the hackneyed rubbish they talk. It does me good to be a little +neglected; and I don't mind it from you, because you more than atone for +it by talking to me as if I could understand a man's mind and had one of +my own." + +"Then you don't quite detest me for my rough ways and egotistical +confidences?" asked Frank, as if suddenly smitten with remorse for the +small sins of the day. + +"No, I rather fancy it, for it seems like old times, when you and I +played together. Only then I could help you in many ways, as you helped +me; but now I don't seem to know any thing, and can be of no use to you +or any one else. I should like to be; and I think, if you would kindly +tell me what books to read, what people to know, and what faculties to +cultivate, I might become something besides 'a fashionable woman, lovely +but shallow.'" + +There was a little quiver of emotion in Anna's voice as she uttered the +last words that did not escape her companion's quick ear. But he only +smiled a look of heartfelt satisfaction to the rose, and answered +soberly: + +"Now that is a capital idea, and I'll do it with pleasure. I have often +wondered how you bright girls _could_ be contented with such an empty +sort of life. We fellows are just as foolish for a time, I know,--far +worse in the crops of wild oats we sow; but we have to pull up and go to +work, and that makes men of us. Marriage ought to do that for women, I +suppose; but it doesn't seem to nowadays, and I do pity you poor little +things from the bottom of my heart." + +"I'm ready now to 'pull up and go to work.' Show me how, Frank, and I'll +change your pity into respect," said Anna, casting off her lace shawl, +as if preparing for immediate action; for his tone of masculine +superiority rather nettled her. + +"Come, I'll make a bargain with you. I'll give you something strong and +solid to brace up your mind, and in return you shall polish my manners, +see to my morals, and keep my heart from wasting itself on false idols. +Shall we do this for one another, Anna?" + +"Yes, Frank," she answered heartily. Then, as Clara was seen +approaching, she added playfully, "All this is _sub rosa_, you +understand." + +He handed her the flower without a word, as if the emblem of silence was +the best gage he could offer. Many flowers had been presented to the +beauty; but none were kept so long and carefully as the thornless rose +her old friend gave her, with a cordial smile that warmed her heart. + +A great deal can happen in a week, and the seven days that followed that +moonlight _tête-à-tête_ seemed to Anna the fullest and the happiest she +had ever known. She had never worked so hard in her life; for her new +tutor gave her plenty to do, and she studied in secret to supply sundry +deficiencies which she was too proud to confess. No more novels now; no +more sentimental poetry, lounging in a hammock. She sat erect upon a +hard rock and read Buckle, Mill, and Social Science Reports with a +diligence that appalled the banished dawdlers who usually helped her +kill time. There was early boating, vigorous horse exercise, and tramps +over hill and dale, from which she returned dusty, brown, and tired, but +as happy as if she had discovered something fairer and grander than wild +flowers or the ocean in its changeful moods. There were afternoon +concerts in the breezy drawing-rooms, when others were enjoying siestas, +and Anna sang to her one listener as she had never sung before. But best +of all were the moonlight _séances_ among the roses; for there they +interchanged interesting confidences and hovered about those dangerous +but delightful topics that need the magic of a midsummer night to make +the charm quite perfect. + +Anna intended to do her part honorably; but soon forgot to correct her +pupil's manners, she was so busy taking care of his heart. She presently +discovered that he treated other women in the usual way; and at first it +annoyed her that she was the only one whom he allowed to pick up her own +fan, walk without an arm, row, ride, and take care of herself as if she +was a man. But she also discovered that she was the only woman to whom +he talked as to an equal, in whom he seemed to find sympathy, +inspiration, and help, and for whom he frankly showed not admiration +alone, but respect, confidence, and affection. + +This made the loss of a little surface courtesy too trifling for +complaint or reproof; this stimulated and delighted her; and, in +striving to deserve and secure it, she forgot every thing else, prouder +to be one man's true friend than the idol of a dozen lovers. + +What the effect of this new league was upon the other party was less +evident; for, being of the undemonstrative sex, he kept his +observations, discoveries, and satisfaction to himself, with no sign of +especial interest, except now and then a rapturous allusion to his +sweetheart, as if absence was increasing his passion. + +Anna tried to quench his ardor, feeling sure, she said that it was a +mistake to lavish so much love upon a person who was so entirely +unworthy of it. But Frank seemed blind on this one point; and Anna +suffered many a pang, as day after day showed her some new virtue, +grace, or talent in this perverse man, who seemed bent on throwing his +valuable self away. She endeavored to forget it, avoided the subject as +much as possible, and ignored the existence of this inconvenient being +entirely. But as the week drew to an end a secret trouble looked out at +her eyes, a secret unrest possessed her, and every moment seemed to grow +more precious as it passed, each full of a bitter sweet delight never +known before. + +"I must be off to-morrow," said Frank, on the Saturday evening, as they +strolled together on the beach, while the sun set gloriously and the +great waves broke musically on the sands. + +"Such a short holiday, after all those months of work!" answered Anna, +looking away, lest he should see how wistful her tell-tale eyes were. + +"I may take a longer holiday, the happiest a man can have, if somebody +will go with me. Anna, I've made up my mind to try my fate," he added +impetuously. + +"I have warned you, I can do no more." Which was quite true, for the +poor girl's heart sunk at his words, and for a moment all the golden sky +was a blur before her eyes. + +"I won't be warned, thank you; for I'm quite sure now that I love her. +Nothing like absence to settle that point. I've tried it, and I can't +get on without her; so I'm going to 'put my fortune to the touch and win +or lose it all.'" + +"If you truly love her, I hope you will win, and find her the wife you +deserve. But think well before you put your happiness into any woman's +hands," said Anna, bravely trying to forget herself. + +"Bless you! I've hardly thought of any thing else this week! I've +enjoyed myself, though; and am very grateful to you for making my visit +so pleasant," Frank added warmly. + +"Have I? I'm so glad!" said Anna, as simply as a pleased child; for real +love had banished all her small coquetries, vanities, and affectations, +as sunshine absorbs the mists that hide a lovely landscape. + +"Indeed, you have. All the teaching has not been on my side, I assure +you; and I'm not too proud to own my obligation to a woman! We lonely +fellows, who have neither mother, sister, nor wife, need some gentle +soul to keep us from getting selfish, hard, and worldly; and few are so +fortunate as I in having a friend like little Anna." + +"Oh, Frank! what have I done for you? I haven't dared to teach one so +much wiser and stronger than myself. I've only wanted to, and grieved +because I was so ignorant, so weak, and silly," cried Anna, glowing +beautifully with surprise and pleasure at this unexpected revelation. + +"Your humility blinded you; yet your unconsciousness was half the charm. +I'll tell you what you did, dear. A man's moral sense gets blunted +knocking about this rough-and-tumble world, where the favorite maxim is, +'Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.' It is so with +me; and in many of our conversations on various subjects, while I seemed +to be teaching you, your innocent integrity was rebuking my worldly +wisdom, your subtle instincts were pointing out the right which is above +all policy, your womanly charity softening my hard judgments, and your +simple faith in the good, the beautiful, the truly brave was waking up +the high and happy beliefs that lay, not dead, but sleeping, in my soul. +All this you did for me, Anna, and even more; for, in showing me the +hidden side of your nature, I found it so sweet and deep and worshipful +that it restores my faith in womankind, and shows me all the lovely +possibilities that may lie folded up under the frivolous exterior of a +fashionable woman." + +Anna's heart was so full she could not speak for a moment; then like a +dash of cold water came the thought, "And all this that I have done has +only put him further from me, since it has given him courage to love and +trust that woman." She tried to show only pleasure at his praise; but +for the life of her she could not keep a tone of bitterness out of her +voice as she answered gratefully,-- + +"You are too kind, Frank. I can hardly believe that I have so many +virtues; but if I have, and they, like yours, have been asleep, remember +you helped wake them up, and so you owe me nothing. Keep your sweet +speeches for the lady you go to woo. I am contented with honest words +that do not flatter." + +"You shall have them;" and a quick smile passed over Frank's face, as if +he knew what thorn pricked her just then, and was not ill pleased at the +discovery. "Only, if I lose my sweetheart, I may be sure that my old +friend won't desert me?" he asked, with a sincere anxiety that was a +balm to Anna's sore heart. + +She did not speak, but offered him her hand with a look which said much. +He took it as silently, and, holding it in a firm, warm grasp, led her +up to a cleft in the rocks, where they often sat to watch the great +breakers thunder in. As she took her seat, he folded his plaid about her +so tenderly that it felt like a friendly arm shielding her from the +fresh gale that blew up from the sea. It was an unusual attention on his +part, and coming just then it affected her so curiously that, when he +lounged down beside her, she felt a strong desire to lay her head on his +shoulder and sob out,-- + +"Don't go and leave me! No one loves you half as well as I, or needs you +half so much!" + +Of course, she did nothing of the sort; but began to sing, as she +covertly whisked away a rebellious tear. Frank soon interrupted her +music, however, by a heavy sigh; and followed up that demonstration with +the tragical announcement,-- + +"Anna, I've got something awful to tell you." + +"What is it?" she asked, with the resignation of one who has already +heard the worst. + +"It is so bad that I can't look you in the face while I tell it. Listen +calmly till I am done, and then pitch me overboard if you like, for I +deserve it," was his cheerful beginning. + +"Go on." And Anna prepared herself to receive some tremendous shock with +masculine firmness. + +Frank pulled his hat over his eyes, and, looking away from her, said +rapidly, with an odd sound in his voice.-- + +"The night I came I was put in a room opening on the back piazza; and, +lying there to rest and cool after my journey, I heard two ladies +talking. I knocked my boots about to let them know I was near; but they +took no notice, so I listened. Most women's gabble would have sent me to +sleep in five minutes; but this was rather original, and interested me, +especially when I found by the names mentioned that I knew one of the +parties. I've been trying your experiment all the week. Anna, how do you +like it?" + +She did not answer for a moment, being absorbed in swift retrospection. +Then she colored to her hat-brim, looked angry, hurt, amused, gratified, +and ashamed, all in a minute, and said slowly, as she met his laughing +eyes,-- + +"Better than I thought I should." + +"That's good! Then you forgive me for my eavesdropping, my rudeness, and +manifold iniquities? It was abominable; but I could not resist the +temptation of testing your sincerity. It was great fun; but I'm not sure +that I shall not get the worst of it, after all," said Frank, sobering +suddenly. + +"You have played so many jokes upon me in old times that I don't find it +hard to forgive this one; though I think it rather base in you to +deceive me so. Still, as I have enjoyed and got a good deal out of it, I +don't complain, and won't send you overboard yet," said Anna, +generously. + +"You always were a forgiving angel." And Frank settled the plaid again +more tenderly than before. + +"It was this, then, that made you so brusque to me alone, so odd and +careless? I could not understand it and it hurt me at first; but I +thought it was because we had been children together and soon forgot it, +you were so kind and confidential, so helpful and straightforward. It +_was_ 'great fun,' for I always knew you meant what you said; and that +was an unspeakable comfort to me in this world of flattery and +falsehood. Yes, you may laugh at me, Frank, and leave me to myself +again. I can bear it, for I've proved that my whim was a possibility. I +see my way now, and can go on alone to a truer, happier life than that +in which you found me." + +She spoke out bravely, and looked above the level sands and beyond the +restless sea, as if she had found something worth living for and did not +fear the future. Frank watched her an instant, for her face had never +worn so noble an expression before. Sorrow as well as strength had come +into the lovely features, and pain as well as patience touched them with +new beauty. His own face changed as he looked, as if he let loose some +deep and tender sentiment, long held in check, now ready to rise and +claim its own. + +"Anna," he said penitently, "I've got one other terrible confession to +make, and then my conscience will be clear. I want to tell you who my +sweetheart is. Here's her picture. Will you look at it?" + +She gave a little shiver, turned steadily, and looked where he pointed. +But all she saw was her own astonished face reflected in the shallow +pool behind them. One glance at Frank made any explanation needless; +indeed, there was no time for her to speak before something closer than +the plaid enfolded her, something warmer than tears touched her cheek, +and a voice sweeter to her than wind or wave whispered tenderly in her +ear,-- + +"All this week I have been studying and enjoying far more than you; for +I have read a woman's heart and learned to trust and honor what I have +loved ever since I was a boy. Absence proved this to me: so I came to +look for little Anna, and found her better and dearer than ever. May I +ask her to keep on teaching me? Will she share my work as well as +holiday, and be the truest friend a man can have?" + +And Anna straightway answered, "Yes." + + + + +TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS. + +A CHAPTER FROM AN UNWRITTEN ROMANCE. + + +On the first day of June, 184--, a large wagon, drawn by a small horse +and containing a motley load, went lumbering over certain New England +hills, with the pleasing accompaniments of wind, rain, and hail. A +serene man with a serene child upon his knee was driving, or rather +being driven, for the small horse had it all his own way. A brown boy +with a William Penn style of countenance sat beside him, firmly +embracing a bust of Socrates. Behind them was an energetic-looking +woman, with a benevolent brow, satirical mouth, and eyes brimful of hope +and courage. A baby reposed upon her lap, a mirror leaned against her +knee, and a basket of provisions danced about at her feet, as she +struggled with a large, unruly umbrella. Two blue-eyed little girls, +with hands full of childish treasures, sat under one old shawl, chatting +happily together. + +In front of this lively party stalked a tall, sharp-featured man, in a +long blue cloak; and a fourth small girl trudged along beside him +through the mud as if she rather enjoyed it. + +The wind whistled over the bleak hills; the rain fell in a despondent +drizzle, and twilight began to fall. But the calm man gazed as +tranquilly into the fog as if he beheld a radiant bow of promise +spanning the gray sky. The cheery woman tried to cover every one but +herself with the big umbrella. The brown boy pillowed his head on the +bald pate of Socrates and slumbered peacefully. The little girls sang +lullabies to their dolls in soft, maternal murmurs. The sharp-nosed +pedestrian marched steadily on, with the blue cloak streaming out behind +him like a banner; and the lively infant splashed through the puddles +with a duck-like satisfaction pleasant to behold. + +Thus these modern pilgrims journeyed hopefully out of the old world, to +found a new one in the wilderness. + +The editors of "The Transcendental Tripod" had received from Messrs. +Lion & Lamb (two of the aforesaid pilgrims) a communication from which +the following statement is an extract:-- + +"We have made arrangements with the proprietor of an estate of about a +hundred acres which liberates this tract from human ownership. Here we +shall prosecute our effort to initiate a Family in harmony with the +primitive instincts of man. + +"Ordinary secular farming is not our object. Fruit, grain, pulse, herbs, +flax, and other vegetable products, receiving assiduous attention, will +afford ample manual occupation, and chaste supplies for the bodily +needs. It is intended to adorn the pastures with orchards, and to +supersede the labor of cattle by the spade and the pruning-knife. + +"Consecrated to human freedom, the land awaits the sober culture of +devoted men. Beginning with small pecuniary means, this enterprise must +be rooted in a reliance on the succors of an ever-bounteous Providence, +whose vital affinities being secured by this union with uncorrupted +field and unworldly persons, the cares and injuries of a life of gain +are avoided. + +"The inner nature of each member of the Family is at no time neglected. +Our plan contemplates all such disciplines, cultures, and habits as +evidently conduce to the purifying of the inmates. + +"Pledged to the spirit alone, the founders anticipate no hasty or +numerous addition to their numbers. The kingdom of peace is entered only +through the gates of self-denial; and felicity is the test and the +reward of loyalty to the unswerving law of Love." + +This prospective Eden at present consisted of an old red farm-house, a +dilapidated barn, many acres of meadow-land, and a grove. Ten ancient +apple-trees were all the "chaste supply" which the place offered as yet; +but, in the firm belief that plenteous orchards were soon to be evoked +from their inner consciousness, these sanguine founders had christened +their domain Fruitlands. + +Here Timon Lion intended to found a colony of Latter Day Saints, who, +under his patriarchal sway, should regenerate the world and glorify his +name for ever. Here Abel Lamb, with the devoutest faith in the high +ideal which was to him a living truth, desired to plant a Paradise, +where Beauty, Virtue, Justice, and Love might live happily together, +without the possibility of a serpent entering in. And here his wife, +unconverted but faithful to the end, hoped, after many wanderings over +the face of the earth, to find rest for herself and a home for her +children. + +"There is our new abode," announced the enthusiast, smiling with a +satisfaction quite undamped by the drops dripping from his hat-brim, as +they turned at length into a cart-path that wound along a steep hillside +into a barren-looking valley. + +"A little difficult of access," observed his practical wife, as she +endeavored to keep her various household gods from going overboard with +every lurch of the laden ark. + +"Like all good things. But those who earnestly desire and patiently seek +will soon find us," placidly responded the philosopher from the mud, +through which he was now endeavoring to pilot the much-enduring horse. + +"Truth lies at the bottom of a well, Sister Hope," said Brother Timon, +pausing to detach his small comrade from a gate, whereon she was perched +for a clearer gaze into futurity. + +"That's the reason we so seldom get at it, I suppose," replied Mrs. +Hope, making a vain clutch at the mirror, which a sudden jolt sent +flying out of her hands. + +"We want no false reflections here," said Timon, with a grim smile, as +he crunched the fragments under foot in his onward march. + +Sister Hope held her peace, and looked wistfully through the mist at her +promised home. The old red house with a hospitable glimmer at its +windows cheered her eyes; and, considering the weather, was a fitter +refuge than the sylvan bowers some of the more ardent souls might have +preferred. + +The new-comers were welcomed by one of the elect precious,--a regenerate +farmer, whose idea of reform consisted chiefly in wearing white cotton +raiment and shoes of untanned leather. This costume, with a snowy beard, +gave him a venerable, and at the same time a somewhat bridal appearance. + +The goods and chattels of the Society not having arrived, the weary +family reposed before the fire on blocks of wood, while Brother Moses +White regaled them with roasted potatoes, brown bread and water, in two +plates, a tin pan, and one mug; his table service being limited. But, +having cast the forms and vanities of a depraved world behind them, the +elders welcomed hardship with the enthusiasm of new pioneers, and the +children heartily enjoyed this foretaste of what they believed was to be +a sort of perpetual picnic. + +During the progress of this frugal meal, two more brothers appeared. One +a dark, melancholy man, clad in homespun, whose peculiar mission was to +turn his name hind part before and use as few words as possible. The +other was a bland, bearded Englishman, who expected to be saved by +eating uncooked food and going without clothes. He had not yet adopted +the primitive costume, however; but contented himself with meditatively +chewing dry beans out of a basket. + +"Every meal should be a sacrament, and the vessels used should be +beautiful and symbolical," observed Brother Lamb, mildly, righting the +tin pan slipping about on his knees. "I priced a silver service when in +town, but it was too costly; so I got some graceful cups and vases of +Britannia ware." + +"Hardest things in the world to keep bright. Will whiting be allowed in +the community?" inquired Sister Hope, with a housewife's interest in +labor-saving institutions. + +"Such trivial questions will be discussed at a more fitting time," +answered Brother Timon, sharply, as he burnt his fingers with a very hot +potato. "Neither sugar, molasses, milk, butter, cheese, nor flesh are to +be used among us, for nothing is to be admitted which has caused wrong +or death to man or beast." + +"Our garments are to be linen till we learn to raise our own cotton or +some substitute for woollen fabrics," added Brother Abel, blissfully +basking in an imaginary future as warm and brilliant as the generous +fire before him. + +"Haou abaout shoes?" asked Brother Moses, surveying his own with +interest. + +"We must yield that point till we can manufacture an innocent substitute +for leather. Bark, wood, or some durable fabric will be invented in +time. Meanwhile, those who desire to carry out our idea to the fullest +extent can go barefooted," said Lion, who liked extreme measures. + +"I never will, nor let my girls," murmured rebellious Sister Hope, under +her breath. + +"Haou do you cattle'ate to treat the ten-acre lot? Ef things ain't +'tended to right smart, we shan't hev no crops," observed the practical +patriarch in cotton. + +"We shall spade it," replied Abel, in such perfect good faith that Moses +said no more, though he indulged in a shake of the head as he glanced at +hands that had held nothing heavier than a pen for years. He was a +paternal old soul and regarded the younger men as promising boys on a +new sort of lark. + +"What shall we do for lamps, if we cannot use any animal substance? I do +hope light of some sort is to be thrown upon the enterprise," said Mrs. +Lamb, with anxiety, for in those days kerosene and camphene were not, +and gas unknown in the wilderness. + +"We shall go without till we have discovered some vegetable oil or wax +to serve us," replied Brother Timon, in a decided tone, which caused +Sister Hope to resolve that her private lamp should be always trimmed, +if not burning. + +"Each member is to perform the work for which experience, strength, and +taste best fit him," continued Dictator Lion. "Thus drudgery and +disorder will be avoided and harmony prevail. We shall rise at dawn, +begin the day by bathing, followed by music, and then a chaste repast of +fruit and bread. Each one finds congenial occupation till the meridian +meal; when some deep-searching conversation gives rest to the body and +development to the mind. Healthful labor again engages us till the last +meal, when we assemble in social communion, prolonged till sunset, when +we retire to sweet repose, ready for the next day's activity." + +"What part of the work do you incline to yourself?" asked Sister Hope, +with a humorous glimmer in her keen eyes. + +"I shall wait till it is made clear to me. Being in preference to doing +is the great aim, and this comes to us rather by a resigned willingness +than a wilful activity, which is a check to all divine growth," +responded Brother Timon. + +"I thought so." And Mrs. Lamb sighed audibly, for during the year he had +spent in her family Brother Timon had so faithfully carried out his idea +of "being, not doing," that she had found his "divine growth" both an +expensive and unsatisfactory process. + +Here her husband struck into the conversation, his face shining with the +light and joy of the splendid dreams and high ideals hovering before +him. + +"In these steps of reform, we do not rely so much on scientific +reasoning or physiological skill as on the spirit's dictates. The +greater part of man's duty consists in leaving alone much that he now +does. Shall I stimulate with tea, coffee, or wine? No. Shall I consume +flesh? Not if I value health. Shall I subjugate cattle? Shall I claim +property in any created thing? Shall I trade? Shall I adopt a form of +religion? Shall I interest myself in politics? To how many of these +questions--could we ask them deeply enough and could they be heard as +having relation to our eternal welfare--would the response be +'Abstain'?" + +A mild snore seemed to echo the last word of Abel's rhapsody, for +Brother Moses had succumbed to mundane slumber and sat nodding like a +massive ghost. Forest Absalom, the silent man, and John Pease, the +English member, now departed to the barn; and Mrs. Lamb led her flock to +a temporary fold, leaving the founders of the "Consociate Family" to +build castles in the air till the fire went out and the symposium ended +in smoke. + +The furniture arrived next day, and was soon bestowed; for the principal +property of the community consisted in books. To this rare library was +devoted the best room in the house, and the few busts and pictures that +still survived many flittings were added to beautify the sanctuary, for +here the family was to meet for amusement, instruction, and worship. + +Any housewife can imagine the emotions of Sister Hope, when she took +possession of a large, dilapidated kitchen, containing an old stove and +the peculiar stores out of which food was to be evolved for her little +family of eleven. Cakes of maple sugar, dried peas and beans, barley and +hominy, meal of all sorts, potatoes, and dried fruit. No milk, butter, +cheese, tea, or meat, appeared. Even salt was considered a useless +luxury and spice entirely forbidden by these lovers of Spartan +simplicity. A ten years' experience of vegetarian vagaries had been good +training for this new freak, and her sense of the ludicrous supported +her through many trying scenes. + +Unleavened bread, porridge, and water for breakfast; bread, vegetables, +and water for dinner; bread, fruit, and water for supper was the bill of +fare ordained by the elders. No tea-pot profaned that sacred stove, no +gory steak cried aloud for vengeance from her chaste gridiron; and only +a brave woman's taste, time, and temper were sacrificed on that domestic +altar. + +The vexed question of light was settled by buying a quantity of bayberry +wax for candles; and, on discovering that no one knew how to make them, +pine-knots were introduced, to be used when absolutely necessary. Being +summer, the evenings were not long, and the weary fraternity found it no +great hardship to retire with the birds. The inner light was sufficient +for most of them. But Mrs. Lamb rebelled. Evening was the only time she +had to herself, and while the tired feet rested the skilful hands mended +torn frocks and little stockings, or anxious heart forgot its burden in +a book. + +So "mother's lamp" burned steadily, while the philosophers built a new +heaven and earth by moonlight; and through all the metaphysical mists +and philanthropic pyrotechnics of that period Sister Hope played her own +little game of "throwing light," and none but the moths were the worse +for it. + +Such farming probably was never seen before since Adam delved. The band +of brothers began by spading garden and field; but a few days of it +lessened their ardor amazingly. Blistered hands and aching backs +suggested the expediency of permitting the use of cattle till the +workers were better fitted for noble toil by a summer of the new life. + +Brother Moses brought a yoke of oxen from his farm,--at least, the +philosophers thought so till it was discovered that one of the animals +was a cow; and Moses confessed that he "must be let down easy, for he +couldn't live on garden sarse entirely." + +Great was Dictator Lion's indignation at this lapse from virtue. But +time pressed, the work must be done; so the meek cow was permitted to +wear the yoke and the recreant brother continued to enjoy forbidden +draughts in the barn, which dark proceeding caused the children to +regard him as one set apart for destruction. + +The sowing was equally peculiar, for, owing to some mistake, the three +brethren, who devoted themselves to this graceful task, found when about +half through the job that each had been sowing a different sort of grain +in the same field; a mistake which caused much perplexity, as it could +not be remedied; but, after a long consultation and a good deal of +laughter, it was decided to say nothing and see what would come of it. + +The garden was planted with a generous supply of useful roots and herbs; +but, as manure was not allowed to profane the virgin soil, few of these +vegetable treasures ever came up. Purslane reigned supreme, and the +disappointed planters ate it philosophically, deciding that Nature knew +what was best for them, and would generously supply their needs, if they +could only learn to digest her "sallets" and wild roots. + +The orchard was laid out, a little grafting done, new trees and vines +set, regardless of the unfit season and entire ignorance of the +husbandmen, who honestly believed that in the autumn they would reap a +bounteous harvest. + +Slowly things got into order, and rapidly rumors of the new experiment +went abroad, causing many strange spirits to flock thither, for in those +days communities were the fashion and transcendentalism raged wildly. +Some came to look on and laugh, some to be supported in poetic idleness, +a few to believe sincerely and work heartily. Each member was allowed to +mount his favorite hobby and ride it to his heart's content. Very queer +were some of the riders, and very rampant some of the hobbies. + +One youth, believing that language was of little consequence if the +spirit was only right, startled new-comers by blandly greeting them with +"good-morning, damn you," and other remarks of an equally mixed order. A +second irrepressible being held that all the emotions of the soul should +be freely expressed, and illustrated his theory by antics that would +have sent him to a lunatic asylum, if, as an unregenerate wag said, he +had not already been in one. When his spirit soared, he climbed trees +and shouted; when doubt assailed him, he lay upon the floor and groaned +lamentably. At joyful periods, he raced, leaped, and sang; when sad, he +wept aloud; and when a great thought burst upon him in the watches of +the night, he crowed like a jocund cockerel, to the great delight of the +children and the great annoyance of the elders. One musical brother +fiddled whenever so moved, sang sentimentally to the four little girls, +and put a music-box on the wall when he hoed corn. + +Brother Pease ground away at his uncooked food, or browsed over the farm +on sorrel, mint, green fruit, and new vegetables. Occasionally he took +his walks abroad, airily attired in an unbleached cotton _poncho_, which +was the nearest approach to the primeval costume he was allowed to +indulge in. At midsummer he retired to the wilderness, to try his plan +where the woodchucks were without prejudices and huckleberry-bushes were +hospitably full. A sunstroke unfortunately spoilt his plan, and he +returned to semi-civilization a sadder and wiser man. + +Forest Absalom preserved his Pythagorean silence, cultivated his fine +dark locks, and worked like a beaver, setting an excellent example of +brotherly love, justice, and fidelity by his upright life. He it was who +helped overworked Sister Hope with her heavy washes, kneaded the endless +succession of batches of bread, watched over the children, and did the +many tasks left undone by the brethren, who were so busy discussing and +defining great duties that they forgot to perform the small ones. + +Moses White placidly plodded about, "chorin' raound," as he called it, +looking like an old-time patriarch, with his silver hair and flowing +beard, and saving the community from many a mishap by his thrift and +Yankee shrewdness. + +Brother Lion domineered over the whole concern; for, having put the most +money into the speculation, he was resolved to make it pay,--as if any +thing founded on an ideal basis could be expected to do so by any but +enthusiasts. + +Abel Lamb simply revelled in the Newness, firmly believing that his +dream was to be beautifully realized, and in time not only little +Fruitlands, but the whole earth, be turned into a Happy Valley. He +worked with every muscle of his body, for _he_ was in deadly earnest. He +taught with his whole head and heart; planned and sacrificed, preached +and prophesied, with a soul full of the purest aspirations, most +unselfish purposes, and desires for a life devoted to God and man, too +high and tender to bear the rough usage of this world. + +It was a little remarkable that only one woman ever joined this +community. Mrs. Lamb merely followed wheresoever her husband led,--"as +ballast for his balloon," as she said, in her bright way. + +Miss Jane Gage was a stout lady of mature years, sentimental, amiable, +and lazy. She wrote verses copiously, and had vague yearnings and +graspings after the unknown, which led her to believe herself fitted for +a higher sphere than any she had yet adorned. + +Having been a teacher, she was set to instructing the children in the +common branches. Each adult member took a turn at the infants; and, as +each taught in his own way, the result was a chronic state of chaos in +the minds of these much-afflicted innocents. + +Sleep, food, and poetic musings were the desires of dear Jane's life, +and she shirked all duties as clogs upon her spirit's wings. Any thought +of lending a hand with the domestic drudgery never occurred to her; and +when to the question, "Are there any beasts of burden on the place?" +Mrs. Lamb answered, with a face that told its own tale, "Only one +woman!" the buxom Jane took no shame to herself, but laughed at the +joke, and let the stout-hearted sister tug on alone. + +Unfortunately, the poor lady hankered after the flesh-pots, and +endeavored to stay herself with private sips of milk, crackers, and +cheese, and on one dire occasion she partook of fish at a neighbor's +table. + +One of the children reported this sad lapse from virtue, and poor Jane +was publicly reprimanded by Timon. + +"I only took a little bit of the tail," sobbed the penitent poetess. + +"Yes, but the whole fish had to be tortured and slain that you might +tempt your carnal appetite with that one taste of the tail. Know ye not, +consumers of flesh meat, that ye are nourishing the wolf and tiger in +your bosoms?" + +At this awful question and the peal of laughter which arose from some of +the younger brethren, tickled by the ludicrous contrast between the +stout sinner, the stern judge, and the naughty satisfaction of the young +detective, poor Jane fled from the room to pack her trunk, and return to +a world where fishes' tails were not forbidden fruit. + +Transcendental wild oats were sown broadcast that year, and the fame +thereof has not yet ceased in the land; for, futile as this crop seemed +to outsiders, it bore an invisible harvest, worth much to those who +planted in earnest. As none of the members of this particular community +have ever recounted their experiences before, a few of them may not be +amiss, since the interest in these attempts has never died out and +Fruitlands was the most ideal of all these castles in Spain. + +A new dress was invented, since cotton, silk, and wool were forbidden as +the product of slave-labor, worm-slaughter, and sheep-robbery. Tunics +and trowsers of brown linen were the only wear. The women's skirts were +longer, and their straw hat-brims wider than the men's, and this was the +only difference. Some persecution lent a charm to the costume, and the +long-haired, linen-clad reformers quite enjoyed the mild martyrdom they +endured when they left home. + +Money was abjured, as the root of all evil. The produce of the land was +to supply most of their wants, or be exchanged for the few things they +could not grow. This idea had its inconveniences; but self-denial was +the fashion, and it was surprising how many things one can do without. +When they desired to travel, they walked, if possible, begged the loan +of a vehicle, or boldly entered car or coach, and, stating their +principles to the officials, took the consequences. Usually their dress, +their earnest frankness, and gentle resolution won them a passage; but +now and then they met with hard usage, and had the satisfaction of +suffering for their principles. + +On one of these penniless pilgrimages they took passage on a boat, and, +when fare was demanded, artlessly offered to talk, instead of pay. As +the boat was well under way and they actually had not a cent, there was +no help for it. So Brothers Lion and Lamb held forth to the assembled +passengers in their most eloquent style. There must have been something +effective in this conversation, for the listeners were moved to take up +a contribution for these inspired lunatics, who preached peace on earth +and good-will to man so earnestly, with empty pockets. A goodly sum was +collected; but when the captain presented it the reformers proved that +they were consistent even in their madness, for not a penny would they +accept, saying, with a look at the group about them, whose indifference +or contempt had changed to interest and respect, "You see how well we +get on without money;" and so went serenely on their way, with their +linen blouses flapping airily in the cold October wind. + +They preached vegetarianism everywhere and resisted all temptations of +the flesh, contentedly eating apples and bread at well-spread tables, +and much afflicting hospitable hostesses by denouncing their food and +taking away their appetites, discussing the "horrors of shambles," the +"incorporation of the brute in man," and "on elegant abstinence the sign +of a pure soul." But, when the perplexed or offended ladies asked what +they should eat, they got in reply a bill of fare consisting of "bowls +of sunrise for breakfast," "solar seeds of the sphere," "dishes from +Plutarch's chaste table," and other viands equally hard to find in any +modern market. + +Reform conventions of all sorts were haunted by these brethren, who said +many wise things and did many foolish ones. Unfortunately, these +wanderings interfered with their harvest at home; but the rule was to do +what the spirit moved, so they left their crops to Providence and went +a-reaping in wider and, let us hope, more fruitful fields than their +own. + +Luckily, the earthly providence who watched over Abel Lamb was at hand +to glean the scanty crop yielded by the "uncorrupted land," which, +"consecrated to human freedom," had received "the sober culture of +devout men." + +About the time the grain was ready to house, some call of the Oversoul +wafted all the men away. An easterly storm was coming up and the yellow +stacks were sure to be ruined. Then Sister Hope gathered her forces. +Three little girls, one boy (Timon's son), and herself, harnessed to +clothes-baskets and Russia-linen sheets, were the only teams she could +command; but with these poor appliances the indomitable woman got in the +grain and saved food for her young, with the instinct and energy of a +mother-bird with a brood of hungry nestlings to feed. + +This attempt at regeneration had its tragic as well as comic side, +though the world only saw the former. + +With the first frosts, the butterflies, who had sunned themselves in the +new light through the summer, took flight, leaving the few bees to see +what honey they had stored for winter use. Precious little appeared +beyond the satisfaction of a few months of holy living. + +At first it seemed as if a chance to try holy dying also was to be +offered them. Timon, much disgusted with the failure of the scheme, +decided to retire to the Shakers, who seemed to be the only successful +community going. + +"What is to become of us?" asked Mrs. Hope, for Abel was heart-broken at +the bursting of his lovely bubble. + +"You can stay here, if you like, till a tenant is found. No more wood +must be cut, however, and no more corn ground. All I have must be sold +to pay the debts of the concern, as the responsibility rests with me," +was the cheering reply. + +"Who is to pay us for what we have lost? I gave all I had,--furniture, +time, strength, six months of my children's lives,--and all are wasted. +Abel gave himself body and soul, and is almost wrecked by hard work and +disappointment. Are we to have no return for this, but leave to starve +and freeze in an old house, with winter at hand, no money, and hardly a +friend left, for this wild scheme has alienated nearly all we had. You +talk much about justice. Let us have a little, since there is nothing +else left." + +But the woman's appeal met with no reply but the old one: "It was an +experiment. We all risked something, and must bear our losses as we +can." + +With this cold comfort, Timon departed with his son, and was absorbed +into the Shaker brotherhood, where he soon found that the order of +things was reversed, and it was all work and no play. + +Then the tragedy began for the forsaken little family. Desolation and +despair fell upon Abel. As his wife said, his new beliefs had alienated +many friends. Some thought him mad, some unprincipled. Even the most +kindly thought him a visionary, whom it was useless to help till he took +more practical views of life. All stood aloof, saying: "Let him work out +his own ideas, and see what they are worth." + +He had tried, but it was a failure. The world was not ready for Utopia +yet, and those who attempted to found it only got laughed at for their +pains. In other days, men could sell all and give to the poor, lead +lives devoted to holiness and high thought, and, after the persecution +was over, find themselves honored as saints or martyrs. But in modern +times these things are out of fashion. To live for one's principles, at +all costs, is a dangerous speculation; and the failure of an ideal, no +matter how humane and noble, is harder for the world to forgive and +forget than bank robbery or the grand swindles of corrupt politicians. + +Deep waters now for Abel, and for a time there seemed no passage +through. Strength and spirits were exhausted by hard work and too much +thought. Courage failed when, looking about for help, he saw no +sympathizing face, no hand outstretched to help him, no voice to say +cheerily,-- + +"We all make mistakes, and it takes many experiences to shape a life. +Try again, and let us help you." + +Every door was closed, every eye averted, every heart cold, and no way +open whereby he might earn bread for his children. His principles would +not permit him to do many things that others did; and in the few fields +where conscience would allow him to work, who would employ a man who had +flown in the face of society, as he had done? + +Then this dreamer, whose dream was the life of his life, resolved to +carry out his idea to the bitter end. There seemed no place for him +here,--no work, no friend. To go begging conditions was as ignoble as to +go begging money. Better perish of want than sell one's soul for the +sustenance of his body. Silently he lay down upon his bed, turned his +face to the wall, and waited with pathetic patience for death to cut the +knot which he could not untie. Days and nights went by, and neither food +nor water passed his lips. Soul and body were dumbly struggling +together, and no word of complaint betrayed what either suffered. + +His wife, when tears and prayers were unavailing, sat down to wait the +end with a mysterious awe and submission; for in this entire resignation +of all things there was an eloquent significance to her who knew him as +no other human being did. + +"Leave all to God," was his belief; and in this crisis the loving soul +clung to this faith, sure that the All-wise Father would not desert this +child who tried to live so near to Him. Gathering her children about +her, she waited the issue of the tragedy that was being enacted in that +solitary room, while the first snow fell outside, untrodden by the +footprints of a single friend. + +But the strong angels who sustain and teach perplexed and troubled souls +came and went, leaving no trace without, but working miracles within. +For, when all other sentiments had faded into dimness, all other hopes +died utterly; when the bitterness of death was nearly over, when body +was past any pang of hunger or thirst, and soul stood ready to depart, +the love that outlives all else refused to die. Head had bowed to +defeat, hand had grown weary with too heavy tasks, but heart could not +grow cold to those who lived in its tender depths, even when death +touched it. + +"My faithful wife, my little girls,--they have not forsaken me, they are +mine by ties that none can break. What right have I to leave them alone? +What right to escape from the burden and the sorrow I have helped to +bring? This duty remains to me, and I must do it manfully. For their +sakes, the world will forgive me in time; for their sakes, God will +sustain me now." + +Too feeble to rise, Abel groped for the food that always lay within his +reach, and in the darkness and solitude of that memorable night ate and +drank what was to him the bread and wine of a new communion, a new +dedication of heart and life to the duties that were left him when the +dreams fled. + +In the early dawn, when that sad wife crept fearfully to see what change +had come to the patient face on the pillow, she found it smiling at her, +saw a wasted hand outstretched to her, and heard a feeble voice cry +bravely, "Hope!" + +What passed in that little room is not to be recorded except in the +hearts of those who suffered and endured much for love's sake. Enough +for us to know that soon the wan shadow of a man came forth, leaning on +the arm that never failed him, to be welcomed and cherished by the +children, who never forgot the experiences of that time. + +"Hope" was the watchword now; and, while the last logs blazed on the +hearth, the last bread and apples covered the table, the new commander, +with recovered courage, said to her husband,-- + +"Leave all to God--and me. He has done his part; now I will do mine." + +"But we have no money, dear." + +"Yes, we have. I sold all we could spare, and have enough to take us +away from this snow-bank." + +"Where can we go?" + +"I have engaged four rooms at our good neighbor, Lovejoy's. There we can +live cheaply till spring. Then for new plans and a home of our own, +please God." + +"But, Hope, your little store won't last long, and we have no friends." + +"I can sew and you can chop wood. Lovejoy offers you the same pay as he +gives his other men; my old friend, Mrs. Truman, will send me all the +work I want; and my blessed brother stands by us to the end. Cheer up, +dear heart, for while there is work and love in the world we shall not +suffer." + +"And while I have my good angel Hope, I shall not despair, even if I +wait another thirty years before I step beyond the circle of the sacred +little world in which I still have a place to fill." + +So one bleak December day, with their few possessions piled on an +ox-sled, the rosy children perched atop, and the parents trudging arm in +arm behind, the exiles left their Eden and faced the world again. + +"Ah, me! my happy dream. How much I leave behind that never can be mine +again," said Abel, looking back at the lost Paradise, lying white and +chill in its shroud of snow. + +"Yes, dear; but how much we bring away," answered brave-hearted Hope, +glancing from husband to children. + +"Poor Fruitlands! The name was as great a failure as the rest!" +continued Abel, with a sigh, as a frostbitten apple fell from a leafless +bough at his feet. + +But the sigh changed to a smile as his wife added, in a half-tender, +half-satirical tone,-- + +"Don't you think Apple Slump would be a better name for it, dear?" + + + + +THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY. + + +"What shall we do about Rose? We have tried Saratoga, and that failed to +cheer her up; we tried the sea-shore, and that failed; now we have tried +the mountains, and they are going to fail, like the rest. See if your +woman's wit can't devise something to help the child, Milly." + +"Time and tenderness will work the cure; and she will be all the better +for this experience, I hope." + +"So do I. But I don't pretend to understand these nervous ailments; so, +if air, exercise, and change of scene don't cure the vapors, I give it +up. Girls didn't have such worries in my day." + +And the old gentleman shook his head, as if modern ills perplexed him +very much. + +But Milly smiled the slow, wise smile of one who had learned much from +experience; among other things, the wisdom of leaving certain troubles +to cure themselves. + +"Has the child expressed a wish for any thing? If so, out with it, and +she shall be gratified, if it can be done," began Uncle Ben, after a +moment of silence, as they sat watching the moonlight, that glorified +the summer night. + +"The last wish is one that we can easily gratify, if you don't mind the +fatigue. The restless spirit that possesses her keeps suggesting new +things. Much exercise does her good, and is an excellent way to work off +this unrest. She likes to tire herself out; for then she sleeps, poor +dear." + +"Well, well, what does the poor dear want to do?" asked Uncle Ben, +quickly. + +"She said to-day that, instead of going off on excursions, as we have +been doing, she would like to stroll away some pleasant morning, and +follow the road wherever it led, finding and enjoying any little +adventures that might come along,--as Richter's heroes do." + +"Yes, I see: white butterflies, morning red, disguised counts, +philosophic plowmen, and all the rest of the romantic rubbish. Bless the +child, does she expect to find things of that sort anywhere out of a +German novel?" + +"Plenty of butterflies and morning-glories, uncle, and a girl's +imagination will supply the romance. Perhaps we can get up some little +surprise to add flavor to our day's adventures," said Milly, who rather +favored the plan, for much romance still lay hidden in that quiet heart +of hers. + +"Where shall we go? What shall we do? I don't know how this sort of +thing is managed." + +"Do nothing but follow us. Let her choose her road; and we will merely +see that she has food and rest, protection, and as much pleasure as we +can make for her out of such simple materials. Having her own way will +gratify her, and a day in the open air do her good. Shall we try it, +sir?" + +"With all my heart, if the fancy lasts till morning. I'll have some +lunch put up, and order Jim to dawdle after us with the wagon full of +waterproofs, and so on, in case we break down. I rather like the idea, +now I fairly take it in." And Uncle Ben quite beamed with interest and +good-will; for a kinder-hearted man never breathed, and, in spite of his +fifty years, he was as fond of adventures as any boy. + +"Then, as we must be up and away very early, I'll say good-night, sir," +and Milly rose to go, looking well satisfied with the success of her +suggestion. + +"Good-night, my dear," and Uncle Ben rose also, flung away his cigar, +and offered his hand with the old-fashioned courtesy which he always +showed his niece's friend; for Milly only called him uncle to please +him. + +"You are sure this wild whim won't be too much for _you_? You are such a +self-sacrificing soul, I'm afraid my girl will wear you out," he said, +looking down at her with a fatherly expression, very becoming to his +comely countenance. + +"Not a bit, sir. I like it, and would gladly do any thing to please and +help Rose. I'm very fond of her, and love to pet and care for her. I'm +so alone in the world I cling to my few friends, and feel as if I +couldn't do enough for them." + +Something in Milly's face made Uncle Ben hold her hand close in both of +his a moment, and look as if he was going to stoop and kiss her. But he +seemed to think better of it; for he only shook the soft hand warmly, +and said, in his hearty tone,-- + +"I don't know what we should do without you, my dear. You are one of the +women born to help and comfort others, and ask no reward but love." + +As the first streaks of dawn touched the eastern sky, three faces +appeared at three different windows of the great hotel. One was a +masculine face, a ruddy, benevolent countenance, with kind eyes, grayish +hair cheerfully erect upon the head, and a smile on the lips, that +softly whistled the old air of + + "A southerly wind and a cloudy sky + Proclaim a hunting morning." + +The second was one of those serene, sweet faces, possessing an +attraction more subtle than beauty; eyes always full of silent sympathy, +a little wistful sometimes, but never sad, and an expression of peace +and patience that told of battles fought and victories won. A happy, +helpful soul shone from that face and made it lovely, though its first +bloom was past and a solitary future lay before it. + +The third was rich in the charms that youth and health lend any +countenance. But, in spite of the bloom on the rounded cheeks, the +freshness of the lips, and the soft beauty of the eyes, the face that +looked out from the bonny brown hair, blowing in the wind, was not a +happy one. Discontent, unrest, and a secret hunger seemed to sadden and +sharpen all its outlines, making it pathetic to those who could read the +language of an unsatisfied heart. + +Poor little Rose was waiting, as all women must wait, for the good gift +that brightens life; and, while she waited, patience and passion were +having a hard fight in the proud silence of her heart. + +"It will be a capital day, girls," called Uncle Ben, in his cheery +voice. + +"I thought it would be," answered Milly, nodding back, with a smile. + +"I know it will pour before night," added Rose, who saw every thing just +then through blue spectacles. + +"Breakfast is ready for us. Come on, girls, or you'll miss your morning +red," called Uncle Ben, retiring, with a laugh. + +"I lost mine six months ago," sighed Rose, as she listlessly gathered up +the brown curls, that were once her pride. + +"Hark! hark! the lark at Heaven's gate sings," sounded from Milly's +room, in her blithe voice. + +"Tiresome little bird! Why don't he stay in his nest and cheer his +mate?" muttered Rose, refusing to be cheered. + +"Now lead on, my dear, we'll follow till we drop," said Uncle Ben, +stoutly, as they stood on the piazza, half an hour later, with no one +but a sleepy waiter to watch and wonder at the early start. + +"I have always wondered where that lonely road went to, and now I shall +find out," answered Rose, with an imperious little gesture, as she led +the way. The others followed so slowly that she felt alone, and enjoyed +it, in spite of herself. + +It was the most eloquent hour of the day, for all was beautiful, all was +fresh; nothing was out of order, nothing disturbed eye or ear, and the +world seemed to welcome her with its morning face. The road wound +between forests full of the green gloom no artist can ever paint. Pines +whispered, birches quivered, maples dropped grateful shadows, and a +little river foamed and sparkled by, carrying its melodious message from +the mountains to the sea. Glimpses of hoary peaks broke on her now and +then, dappled with shadows or half-veiled in mists, floating and fading +like incense from altars fit for a cathedral not built with hands. Leafy +vistas opened temptingly on either side, berries blushed ripely in the +grass, cow-bells tinkled pleasantly along the hillsides, and that busy +little farmer, the "Peabody bird," cried from tree to tree, "Sow your +wheat, Peabody! Peabody! Peabody!" with such musical energy one ceased +to wonder that fields were wrested from the forest, to wave like green +and golden breast-knots on the bosoms of the hills. + +The fresh beauty and the healthful peace of the hour refreshed the girl +like dew. The human rose lifted up her drooping head and smiled back at +the blithe sunshine, as if she found the world a pleasant place, in +spite of her own thorns. Presently a yellow butterfly came wandering by; +and she watched it as she walked, pleasing herself with the girlish +fancy that it was a symbol of herself. + +At first it fluttered idly from side to side, now lighting on a purple +thistle-top, then away to swing on a dewy fern; now vanishing among the +low-hanging boughs overhead, then settling in the dust of the road, +where a ray of light glorified its golden wings, unmindful of its lowly +seat. + +"Little Psyche is looking for her Cupid everywhere, as I have looked for +mine. I wonder if she ever found and lost him, as I did? If she does +find him again, I'll accept it as a good omen." + +Full of this fancy, Rose walked quickly after her airy guide, leaving +her comrades far behind. Some tenderhearted spirit surely led that +butterfly, for it never wandered far away, but floated steadily before +the girl, till it came at last to a wild rose-bush, full of delicate +blossoms. Above it a cloud of yellow butterflies were dancing in the +sun; and from among them one flew to meet and welcome the new-comer. +Together they fluttered round the rosy flowers for a moment, then rose +in graceful circles, till they vanished in the wood. + +Rose followed them with eyes that slowly dimmed with happy tears, for +the innocent soul accepted the omen and believed it gratefully. + +"He will come," she said softly to herself, as she fastened a knot of +wild roses in her bosom and sat down to rest and wait. + +"Tired out, little girl?" asked Uncle Ben, coming up at a great pace, +rather amazed at this sudden burst of energy, but glad to see it. + +"No, indeed! It was lovely!" and Rose looked up with a brighter face +than she had worn for weeks. + +"Upon my word, I think we have hit upon the right thing at last," said +Uncle Ben, aside, to Milly. "What have you been doing to get such a look +as that?" he added aloud. + +"Chasing butterflies," was all the answer Rose gave; for she could not +tell the foolish little fancy that had comforted her so much. + +"Then, my dear, I beg you will devote yourself to that amusement. I +never heard it recommended, but it seems to be immensely beneficial; so +keep it up, Rosy, keep it up." + +"I will, sir," and on went Rose, as if in search of another one. + +For an hour or two she strolled along the woody road, gathering red +raspberries, with the dew still on them, garlanding her hat with +fragrant Linnæea wreaths, watching the brown brooks go singing away into +the forest, and wishing the little wood creatures good-morrow, as they +went fearlessly to and fro, busy with their sylvan housekeeping. At +every turn of the road Rose's wistful eyes looked forward, as if hoping +to see some much-desired figure approaching. At every sound of steps she +lifted her head like a deer, listening and watching till the stranger +had gone by; and down every green vista she sent longing looks, as if +memory recalled happy hours in green nooks like those. + +Presently the road wound over a bridge, below which flowed a wide, +smooth river, flecked with alternate sun and shadow. + +"How beautiful it is! I must float down this stream a little way. It is +getting warm and I am tired, yet don't want to stop or turn back yet," +said Rose; adding, as her quick eye roved to and fro: "I see a boat down +there, and a lazy man reading. I'll hire or borrow it; so come on." + +Away she went into the meadow, and, accosting the countryman, who lay in +the shade, she made her request. + +"I get my livin' in summer by rowin' folks down to the Falls. It ain't +fur. Will you go, Miss?" he said, smiling all over his brown face, as he +regarded the pretty vision that so suddenly appeared beside him. + +Rose accepted the proposition at once; but half regretted it a minute +after, for, as the man rose, she saw that he had a wooden leg. + +"I'm afraid we shall be too heavy a load for you," she began, as he +stumped about, preparing his boat. + +The young fellow laughed and squared his broad shoulders, with a quick +look, that thanked her for the pitiful glance she gave him, as he +answered, in a bluff, good-natured tone,-- + +"Don't be afraid. I could row a dozen of you. I look rather the worse +for wear; but my old mother thinks I'm about the strongest man in the +State. Now, then, give us your hand, Miss, and there you are." + +With that he helped her in. The others obediently followed their +capricious leader, and in a moment they were floating down the river, +with a fresh wind cooling their hot faces. + +"You have been in the army, I take it?" began Uncle Ben, in his social +way, as he watched the man pulling with long, easy strokes. + +"Pretty nigh through the war, sir," with a nod and a glance at the +wooden leg. + +Uncle Ben lifted his hat, and Rose turned with a sudden interest from +the far-off bend of the river to the honest face before her. + +"Oh! tell us about it. I love to hear brave men fight their battles +over," she cried, with a look half pleading, half commanding, and wholly +charming. + +"Sho! It ain't much to tell. No more than the rest of 'em; not so much +as some. I done my best, lost my leg, got a few bullets here and there, +and ain't much use any way now." + +A shadow passed over the man's face as he spoke; and well it might, for +it was hard to be disabled at twenty-five with a long life of partial +helplessness before him. Uncle Ben, who was steering, forgot his duty in +his sympathy, and regarded the wooden leg with silent interest. + +Milly showed hers by keeping the mosquitoes off him by gently waving a +green bough, as she sat behind him. But Rose's soft eyes shone upon him +full of persuasive interest, and a new tone of respect was in her voice +as she said, with a martial salute,-- + +"Please tell about your last battle. I had a cousin in the war, and feel +as if every soldier was my friend and comrade since then." + +"Thanky, Miss. I'll tell you that with pleasure, though it ain't much, +any way." And, pushing back his hat, the young man rested on his oars, +as he rapidly told his little tale. + +"My last battle was----," naming one of the latest and bloodiest of the +war. "We were doing our best, when there came a shell and scattered +half-a-dozen of us pretty lively. I was knocked flat. But I didn't feel +hurt, only mad, and jumped up to hit 'em agin; but just dropped, with an +awful wrench, and the feeling that both my legs was gone." + +"Did no one stop to help you?" cried Rose. + +"Too busy for that, Miss. The boys can't stop to pick up their mates +when there are Rebs ahead to be knocked down. I knew there was no more +fighting for me; and just laid still, with the balls singing round me, +and wondering where they'd hit next." + +"How did you feel?" questioned the girl, eagerly. + +"Dreadful busy at first; for every thing I'd ever said, seen, or done, +seemed to go spinning through my head, till I got so dizzy trying to +keep my wits stiddy that I lost 'em altogether. I didn't find 'em again +till some one laid hold of me. Two of our boys were luggin' me along +back; but they had to dodge behind walls and cut up and down, for the +scrimmage was going on all round us. One of the fellers was hit in the +shoulder and the other in the face, but not bad; and they managed to get +me into a sort of a ravine, out of danger. There I begged 'em to leave +me. I thought I was bleeding to death rapid, and just wanted to die in +peace." + +"But they didn't leave you?" And Rose's face was all alive with interest +now. + +"Guess they didn't," answered the man, giving a stroke or two, and +looking as if he found it pleasant to tell his story to so winsome a +listener. "Just as they were at their wit's end what to do with me, we +come upon a young surgeon, lurking there to watch the fight or to +hide,--don't know which. There he was any way, looking scared half to +death. Tom Hunt, my mate, made him stop and look at me. My leg was +smashed, and ought to come off right away, he said. 'Do it, then!' says +Tom. He was one of your rough-and-readys, Tom was; but at heart as kind +as a--well, as a woman." + +And the boatman gave a smile and a nod at the one opposite him. + +"Thanks; but do tell on. It is so interesting." + +And Rose let all her flowers stray down into the bottom of the boat, as +she clasped her hands and leaned forward to listen. + +"Don't know as I'd better tell this part. It ain't pleasant," began the +man. + +"You must. I want it all. Dreadful things do me good, and other people's +sufferings teach me how to bear my own," said Rose, in her imperious +way. + +"You don't look as if you ought to have any." + +And the man's eyes rested on the delicate face opposite, full of a +pleasant blending of admiration, pity, and protection. + +"I have; but not like yours. Go on, please." + +"Well, if you say so, here goes. The surgeon was worried, and said he +couldn't do nothing,--hadn't got his instruments, and so on. 'Yes, you +have. Out with em,' says Tom, rapping on a case he sees in the chap's +breast-pocket. 'Can't do it without bandages,' he says next. 'Here they +are, and more where they came from,' says Tom; and off came his +shirt-sleeves, and was stripped up in a jiffy. 'I must have help,' says +that confounded surgeon, dawdling round, and me groaning my life out at +his feet. 'Here's help,--lots of it,' says Tom, taking my head on his +arm; while Parkes tied up his wounded face and stood ready to lend a +hand. Seeing no way out of it, the surgeon went to work. Good Lord, but +that _was_ awful!" + +The mere memory of it made the speaker shut his eyes with a shiver, as +if he felt again the sharp agony of shattered bones, rent flesh, and +pitiless knife. + +"Never mind that. Tell how you got comfortable again," said Milly, +shaking her head at Rose. + +"I wasn't comfortable for three months, ma'am. Don't mind telling about +it, 'cause Tom done so well, and I'm proud of him," said the rower, with +kindling eyes. "Things of that sort are hard enough done well, with +chloroform and every thing handy. But laying on the bare ground, with +nothing right, and a scared boy of a surgeon hacking away at you, it's +torment and no mistake. I never could have stood it, if it hadn't been +for Tom. He held me close and as steady as a rock; but he cried like a +baby the whole time, and that did me good. Don't know why; but it did. +As for Parkes, he gave out at once and went off for help. I'll never +forget that place, if I live to be a hundred. Seems as if I could see +the very grass I tore up; the muddy brook they laid me by; the steep +bank, with Parkes creeping up; Tom's face, wet and white, but so full of +pity; the surgeon, with his red hands; and all the while such a roar of +guns I could hardly hear myself groaning for some one to shoot me and +put me out of my misery." + +"How did you get to the hospital?" asked Uncle Ben, anxious to get over +this part of the story, for Rose was now as pale as if she actually saw +the scene described. + +"Don't know, sir. There come a time when I couldn't bear any more, and +what happened then I've never been very clear about. I didn't know much +for a day or two; then I was brought round by being put in a transport. +I was packed with a lot of poor fellows, and was beginning to wish I'd +stayed queer, till I heard Tom's voice saying, 'Never mind, boys; put me +down anywheres, and tend to the others. I can wait.' That set me up. I +sung out, and they stowed him alongside. It was so dark down there I +could hardly see his face; but his voice and ways were just as hearty +and comforting as ever, and he kept up my spirits wonderful that day. I +was pretty weak, and kept dozing off; but whenever I woke I felt for +Tom, and he was always there. He told me, when Parkes came with help, he +saw me off, and then went back for another go at the Rebs; but got a +ball in the breast, and was in rather a bad way, he guessed. He couldn't +lay down; but sat by me, leaning back, with his hand on my pillow, where +I could find it easy. He talked to me all he could, till his voice give +out; for he got very weak, and there was a dreadful groaning all around +us." + +"I know, I know. I went aboard one of those transports to help; but +couldn't stay, it was so terrible," said Uncle Ben, with a groan at the +mere memory of it. + +"That was a long day, and I thought it was my last; for when night came +I felt so gone I reckoned I was 'most over Jordan. I gave my watch to +Tom as a keepsake, and told him to say good-by to the boys for me. I +hadn't any folks of my own, so it wasn't hard to go. Tom had a +sweetheart, an old mother, and lots of friends; but he didn't repine a +word,--only said: 'If you do pull through, Joel, just tell mother I done +my best, and give Hetty my love.' I promised, and dropped asleep, +holding on to Tom as if he was my sheet-anchor. So he was; but I can't +tell all he done for me in different ways." + +For a minute Joel rowed in silence, and no one asked a question. Then he +pushed up his old hat again, and went on, as if anxious to be done. + +"Soon's ever I woke, next morning, I looked round to thank Tom, for his +blanket was over me. He was sitting as I left him, his hand on my +pillow, his face toward me, so quiet and happy-looking I couldn't +believe he was gone. But he was, and I have had no mate since." + +"Where did he live?" asked Rose, as softly as if speaking of one she had +known and loved. + +"Over yonder." And Joel pointed to a little brown house on the hillside. + +"Are his mother and Hetty there?" + +"Hetty married a number of years ago; but the old lady is there." + +"And you are visiting her?" + +"I live with her. You see Tom was all she had; and, when Hetty left, it +was only natural that I tried to take Tom's place. Can't never fill it +of course; but I do what I can, and she's comfortable." + +"So _she_ is the 'old mother' who thinks so much of you? Well she may," +said Rose, giving him her brightest smile. + +"Yes, she's all I've got now. Couldn't do no less, could I, seein' how +much Tom done for me?" answered the man, with a momentary quiver of +emotion in his rough voice. + +"You're a trump!" said Uncle Ben, emphatically. + +"Thanky, sir. Starboard, if you please. I don't care to get into the +rapids just here." + +Joel seemed to dislike telling this part of the story; but the three +listeners beamed upon him with such approving faces that he took to his +oars in self-defence, rowing with all his might, till the roar of the +Fall was faintly heard. + +"Now, where shall I land you, sir?" + +"Let us lunch on the island," proposed Rose. + +"I see a tent, and fancy some one is camping there," said Milly. + +"A lot of young fellows have been there this three days," said Joel. + +"Then we will go on, and take to the grove above the Fall," ordered +Uncle Ben. + +Alas! alas! for Rose. That decision delayed her happiness a whole half +day; for on that island, luxuriously reading "The Lotus Eaters," as he +lay in the long grass, was the Gabriel this modern Evangeline was +waiting for. She never dreamed he was so near. And the brown-bearded +student never lifted up his head as the boat floated by, carrying the +lady of his love. + +"I want to give him more than his fare. So I shall slip my cigar-case +into the pocket of this coat," whispered Uncle Ben, as Joel was busy +drawing up the boat and getting a stone or two to facilitate the ladies' +landing dryshod. + +"I shall leave my book for him. He was poring over an old newspaper, as +if hungry for reading. The dash and daring of 'John Brent' will charm +him; and the sketch of Winthrop's life in the beginning will add to its +value, I know." And, hastily scribbling his name in it, Rose slipped the +book under the coat. + +But Milly, seeing how old that coat was, guessed that Joel gave his +earnings to the old woman to whom he dutifully played a son's part. +Writing on a card "For Tom's mother and mate," she folded a five-dollar +bill round it, fastened it with a little pearl cross from her own +throat, and laid it in the book. + +Then all landed, and, with a cordial hand-shake and many thanks, left +Joel to row away, quite unconscious that he was a hero in the pretty +girl's eyes, till he found the tokens of his passengers' regard and +respect. + +"Now that is an adventure after my own heart," said Rose, as they +rustled along the grassy path toward the misty cloud that hung over the +Fall. + +"We have nothing but sandwiches and sherry for lunch, unless we find a +house and add to our stores," said Uncle Ben, beginning to feel hungry +and wondering how far his provisions would go. + +"There is a little girl picking berries. Call her and buy some," +suggested Milly, who had her doubts about the state of the sandwiches, +as the knapsack had been sat upon. + +A shout from Uncle Ben caused the little girl to approach,--timidly at +first; but, being joined by a boy, her courage rose, and when the idea +of a "trade" was impressed upon their minds fear was forgotten and the +Yankee appeared. + +"How much a quart?" + +"Eight cents, sir." + +"But that birch-bark thing is not full." + +"Now it is," and the barefooted, tow-headed lad filled the girl's +pannier from his own. + +"Here's chivalry for you," said Rose, watching the children with +interest; for the girl was pretty, and the boy evidently not her +brother. + +"You don't pick as fast as she does," said Milly, while Uncle Ben hunted +up the money. + +"He's done his stent, and was helpin' me. I'll have to pick a lot before +I git my quarter," said the girl, defending her friend, in spite of her +bashfulness. + +"Must you each make a quarter?" + +"Yes'm. We don't have to; but we wanter, so we can go to the circus +that's comin' to-morrer. He made his'n ketchin' trout; so he's helpin' +me," explained the girl. + +"Where do you get your trout?" asked Uncle Ben, sniffing the air, as if +he already smelt them cooking. + +"In the brook. I ain't sold mine yet. Want to buy 'em? Six big ones for +a quarter," said the boy, seeing hunger in the good man's eye and many +greenbacks in the corpulent purse. + +"Yes, if you'll clean them." + +"But, Uncle, we can't cook them," began Milly. + +"_I_ can. Let an old campaigner alone for getting up a gipsy lunch. You +wanted a surprise; so I'll give you one. Now, Billy, bring on your +fish." + +"My name is Daniel Webster Butterfield Brown," returned the boy, with +dignity; adding, with a comical change of tone: "Them fish _is_ cleaned, +or you'd a got 'em cheaper." + +"Very well. Hand them over." + +Off ran the boy to the brook; and the girl was shyly following, when +Rose said,-- + +"Will you sell me that pretty bark pannier of yours? I want one for my +flowers." + +"No'm. I guess I'd ruther not." + +"I'll give you a quarter for it. Then you can go to the circus without +working any more." + +"Dan made this for me, real careful; and I couldn't sell it, no way. He +wouldn't go without me. And I'll pick stiddy all day, and git my money. +See if I don't!" answered the child, hugging her treasure close. + +"Here's your romance in the bud," said Uncle Ben, trying not to laugh. + +"It's beautiful!" said Rose, with energy. "What is your name, dear?" + +"Gusty Medders, please'm." + +"Dan isn't your brother?" + +"No'm. He lives to the poor-house. But he's real smart, and we play +together. And him and me is going to the show. He always takes care o' +me; and my mother thinks a sight of him, and so do I," returned the +child, in a burst of confidence. + +"Happy little Gusty!" said Rose, to herself. + +"Thrice happy Dan," added Uncle Ben, producing the fat pocket-book +again, with the evident intention of bestowing a fortune on the small +couple. + +"Don't spoil the pretty little romance. Don't rob it of its +self-sacrifice and simplicity. Let them earn their money. Then they will +enjoy it more," cried Milly, holding his hand. + +Uncle Ben submitted, and paid Dan his price, without adding a penny. + +"The lady wanted to buy my basket. But I didn't sell it, Danny; 'cause +you give it as a keepsake," they heard Gusty say, as the children turned +away. + +"Good for you, Gus; but I'll sell mine." And back came Dan, to dispose +of his for the desired quarter. "Now we're fixed complete, and you +needn't pick a darned berry. We've got fifty cents for the show, and +eight, over for peanuts and candy. Won't we have a good time, though?" + +With which joyful remark Dan turned a somersault, and then the little +pair vanished in the wood, with shining faces, to revel in visions of +the splendors to come. + +"Now you have got your elephant, what are you going to do with him?" +asked Rose, as they went on again,--she with her pretty basket of fruit, +and he with a string of fish wrapped in leaves. + +"Come on a bit, and you will see." + +Uncle Ben led them to the shade of a great maple, on a green slope, in +sight of the noisy Fall, leaping from rock to rock, till the stream went +singing away through wide, green meadows below. + +"Now rest and cool yourselves, while I cook the dinner." And away +bustled the good man, on hospitable thoughts intent. + +Plenty of dry drift-wood lay about the watercourse, and soon a brisk +fire burned on the rocks not far away. Shingles for plates, with pointed +sticks for forks, seemed quite in keeping with the rustic feast; and +when the edibles were set forth on leaves the girls were charmed, and +praised the trout, as it came hot from the coals, till even the flushed +cook was satisfied. + +"I'd like to live so always. It is so interesting to pick up your food +as you go, and eat it when and where you like. I think I could be quite +happy leading a wild life like this," said Rose, as she lay in the +grass, dropping berries one by one into her mouth. + +"You would soon tire of it, Miss Caprice; but, if it amuses for a single +day, I am satisfied," answered Milly, with her motherly smile, as she +stroked the bright head in her lap, feeling sure that happiness was in +store for so much youth and beauty. + +Lulled by the soft caress, and the song of the waterfall, Rose fell +asleep, and for an hour dreamed blissfully, while the maple dropped its +shadows on her placid face, and all the wholesome influences of the +place worked their healing spell on soul and body. + +"A thunder-shower is rolling up in the west, my dears. We must be +getting toward some shelter, unless we are to take a drenching as part +of the day's pleasure," said Uncle Ben, rising briskly after his own +nap. + +"I see no house anywhere; but a big barn down in the intervale, and a +crowd of people getting in their hay. Let us make for that, and lie on +the sweet haycocks till the shower comes," proposed Milly. + +As they went down the steep path, Rose began to sing; and at the +unwonted sound her uncle and friend exchanged glances of satisfaction, +for not a note had she sung for weeks. A happy mood seemed to have taken +possession of her; and when they reached the intervale she won the old +farmer's heart by catching up a rake and working stoutly, till the first +heavy drops began to fall. Then she rode up to the barn on a fragrant +load, and was so charmed with the place that she declined his invitation +to "Come up and see the old woman and set a spell," and declared that +she depended on enjoying the thunder-storm where she was. + +The farmer and his men went their way, and Rose was just settling +herself at the upper window, where the hay had been pitched in, when a +long line of gay red vans came rattling down the road, followed by +carriages and gilded cars, elephants and camels, fine horses and frisky +ponies, all more or less excited by the coming storm. + +"It's the circus! How I wish Gusty and Dan could see it!" cried Rose, +clapping her hands like a child. "I do believe they are coming here. Now +that will be charming, and the best adventure of all," she added, as a +carriage and several vans turned into the grassy road leading to the +barn. + +A pair of elephants slowly lumbered after, with a camel or two, and the +finest gilded car. The rest rattled on, hoping to reach the town in +time. In a moment the quiet country scene was changed, and the big barn +transformed into a theatrical Babel. + +Our party retreated to a loft, and sat looking down on the show, +enjoying it heartily; especially Rose, who felt as if suddenly +translated into an Eastern tale. The storm came on dark and wild, rain +poured, thunder rolled, and lightning gave lurid glimpses of the strange +surroundings. + +The elephants placidly ate hay; the tired camels lay down with gusty +sighs and queer groanings; but the lion in his lonely van roared royally +at intervals, and the tigers snarled and tore about their cage like +restless demons. + +The great golden car lit up the gloom; and in it sat, or lay, the +occupants of the carriage,--a big, dark man, and a little blonde +creature, with a pretty, tired, painted face. Rose soon found herself +curiously attracted to this pair, for they were evidently lovers; and +there was a certain frank, melodramatic air about them that took her +fancy. The dark man lay on the red cushion, smoking tranquilly; while +the girl hovered about him with all manner of small attentions. +Presently he seemed to drop asleep, undisturbed by the thunder without +or the clamor within. Then the small creature smoothed her gay yet +shabby dress, and braided up her hair, as composedly as if in her own +room. That done, she looked about her for amusement; and, spying Rose's +interested face peering down at her from above, she nodded, and called +out, in a saucy voice,-- + +"How do you like us? Shall I come up and make you a visit?" + +"I beg you will," answered Rose, in spite of a warning touch from Milly. + +Up sprang the little circus-rider; and, disdaining the ladder, skipped +to the gilded dome of the car, and then took a daring leap on to the +loft, landing near them with a laugh. + +For a minute she eyed the others with a curious mixture of coolness and +hesitation, as if it suddenly struck her that they were not country +girls, to be dazzled by her audacity. Milly saw and understood the +pause, liked the girl for it, and said, as courteously as if to a lady +in her own parlor,-- + +"There is plenty of room for us all. Pray sit down and enjoy this fine +view with us. The storm is passing over now, and it will soon be fair." + +"Thank you!" said the girl, dropping on to the hay, with her bold, +bright eyes, full of admiration, fixed on Rose, who smiled, and said +quickly,-- + +"You belong to the troop, I suppose?" + +"First lady rider," replied the girl, with a toss of the head. + +"It must be very romantic to lead such a life, and go driving from place +to place in this way." + +"It's a hard life, any way; and not much romance, you'd better believe." + +"Not even for _you_." And Rose glanced at the sleeper below. + +The girl smiled. Her bold eyes turned to him with a softened look, and +the natural color deepened on her painted cheeks, as she said, in a +lower voice,-- + +"Yes, Joe does make a difference for me. We've only been married three +weeks." + +"What does he do?" + +"He's the lion-tamer." And the girl gave them a glance of wifely pride +in her husband's prowess. + +"Oh! tell me about it!" cried Rose. "I admire courage so much." + +"You ought to see him do Daniel in the lion's den, then. Or his great +tiger act, where he piles four of 'em up, and lays on top. It's just +splendid!" + +"But very dangerous! Does he never fear them? And do they never hurt +him?" + +"He don't fear any thing in the world," said the girl, entirely +forgetting herself, in enthusiastic praise of her husband. + +"Cæsar, the lion, loves him like a dog; and Joe trusts him as he does +me. But them tigers are deceitful beasts, and can't be trusted a minute. +Judas went at Joe once, and half killed him. He seems tame enough now; +but I hate him, for they say that if a tiger once tastes a man's blood +he's sure to kill him sooner or later. So I don't have a minute's peace +when Joe is in that cage." And the little woman shivered with very +genuine anxiety at the thought of her husband's danger. + +"And, knowing this, he runs the risk every day! What a life!" said Uncle +Ben, looking down at the unconscious Joe. + +"A brave life, Uncle, and full of excitement. The minutes in that cage +must be splendid. I wish I could see him once!" cried Rose, with the +restless look in her eyes again. + +"He'd do it, if he had his things here. He'll do any thing _I_ ask him," +said the girl, evidently proud of her power over the lion-tamer. + +"We will come and see him to-morrow. Can't you tell us how he manages to +subdue these wild animals? I always wanted to know about it," said Rose, +wondering if she could not get some hints for the taming of men. + +"Joe'll tell you." And, calling from her perch, the girl waked the +sleeper and ordered him up to amuse the gentle-folk. + +The big man came, with comical meekness; and, lounging on the hay, +readily answered the questions showered upon him. Rose enjoyed that hour +intensely; for the tales Joe told were full of wild adventure, +hair-breadth escapes, and feats of strength or skill, that kept his +listeners half breathless with interest. The presence of the little wife +gave an added charm to these stories; for it was evident that the tamer +of lions was completely subdued by the small woman. His brown, scarred +face softened as it turned to her. While he talked, the strong hands +that clutched lions by the throat were softly stroking the blonde head +at his side; and, when he told of the fierce struggle with Judas, he +grew so eloquent over the account of Kitty's nursing him that it was +plain to see he was prouder of the conquest of her girl's heart than of +his hard-won victory over the treacherous tiger. + +The man's courage lent romance to his vulgar life, and his love ennobled +his whole nature for a time. Kitty ate peanuts while he thrilled his +hearers with his feats; but her face was so full of pride and affection +all the while that no one minded what she did, and even Milly forgave +the painted cheeks and cotton velvet dress for the sake of the womanly +heart underneath. + +The storm passed, the circus people bestirred themselves, and in a few +minutes were on their way again. Joe and Kitty said "Good-by" as +heartily as if that half-hour had made them friends; and, packing +themselves into the little carriage drawn by the calico tandem, dashed +away as gayly as if their queer honeymoon journey had just begun. Like +parts of a stage pageant, the gilded car, the elephants and camels, +frisky ponies, and gay red vans vanished along the winding road, leaving +the old barn to silence and the scandalized swallows twittering among +the rafters. + +"I feel as if I'd been to an Arabian Night's entertainment," said Rose, +as they descended and turned toward home. + +"It was very interesting, and I do hope that brave Joe won't get eaten +up by the tigers. What would poor Kitty do?" returned Milly, warmly. + +"It would be sad and dreadful; but she would have the comfort of knowing +how much he loved her. Some women don't even have that," added Rose, +under her breath. + +"A capital fellow and a nice little woman. We'll go and see them +to-morrow; though I fancy I shall not like Mrs. Kitty half so well in +gauze and spangles, jumping through hoops and over banners on horseback, +as I did on the hayloft. And I shall be desperately anxious till Joe is +safely out of the tiger's cage," said Uncle Ben, who had been as +interested as a boy in the wild tales told them. + +For an hour they walked back along the river-side, enjoying the wood +odors brought out by the shower, the glories of the sunset sky, and the +lovely rainbow that arched overhead,--a bow of promise to those who +seemed passing under it from the old life to a new one, full of tender +promise. + +"I see a nice old woman in that kitchen, and I want to stop and ask for +some new milk. Perhaps she will give us our supper, and then we can go +on by moonlight," said Rose, as they came to a weather-beaten +farm-house, standing under an ancient elm, with its door hospitably +open, and a grandmotherly figure going to and fro within. + +Rose's request was most graciously received, for the old woman seemed to +regard them as most welcome cheerers of her solitude, and bustled about +with an infectious cordiality that set them at their ease directly. + +"Do tell! Caught in the shower? It come so suddin', I mistrusted some +folks would get a duckin'. You kin hev supper jest as wal as not. +'Tain't a mite o' trouble, ef you don't mind plain vittles. Enos and me +lives alone, and he ain't no gret of an eater; but I allers catle'ate to +hev a good store of pervision on hand this time a year, there's such a +sight of strangers round the mountains. The table's all set; and I'll +jest add a pinch of tea and a couple of pies, and there we be. Now draw +right up, and do the best you kin." + +The cheery old soul was so hospitable that her presence gave a grace to +her homely table and added flavor to her plain fare. Uncle Ben's eyes +twinkled when he saw dainty Rose eating brown-bread and milk out of a +yellow bowl, with the appetite of a dairymaid; and Milly rejoiced over +the happy face opposite; wishing that it might always wear that +self-forgetful look. + +Enos was a feeble, bed-ridden, old man, who lay in a small room opening +from the kitchen. A fretful invalid he seemed to be, hard to suit and +much given to complaint. But the tender old wife never lost patience +with him; and it was beautiful to see how cheerfully she trotted to and +fro, trying to gratify every whim, without a reproachful word or thought +of weariness. + +After tea, as Rose wanted to wait till moonrise, Uncle Ben went in to +chat with the invalid, while Milly insisted on wiping the cups for the +old lady; and Rose sat on the doorstep, listening to their chat, and +watching twilight steal softly up the valley. Presently her attention +was fixed by something the old lady said in answer to Milly's praises of +the quaint kitchen. + +"Yes, dear, I've lived here all my days. Was born in that bed-room; and +don't ask no better than to die there when my time comes." + +"Most people are not fortunate enough to keep their old home when they +marry. It must be very dear to you, having spent both your maiden and +married life here," said Milly, interested in her hostess. + +"Wal, you see my maiden life lasted sixty year; and my married life +ain't but jest begun," answered the old lady, with a laugh as gay as a +girl's. + +Seeing curiosity in the quick glance Rose involuntarily gave her, the +chatty old soul went on, as if gossip was dear to her heart, and her +late-coming happiness still so new that she loved to tell it. + +"I s'pose that sounds sing'lar to you young things; but, you see, though +me and Enos was engaged at twenty or so, we warn't married till two year +ago. Things was dreadful con'try, and we kep a waitin' and a waitin', +till I declare for't I really did think I should die an old maid." And +she laughed again, as if her escape was the best joke in the world. + +"And you waited forty years?" cried Rose, with her great eyes full of +wonder. + +"Yes, dear. I had other chances; but somehow they didn't none of them +suit, and the more unfort'nate Enos was the more I kinder held on to +him. He was one of them that's allers tryin' new things, and didn't +never seem to make a fortin out of any on 'em. He kept a tryin' because +he had nothin', and would'nt marry till he was wal off. My mother was +dead, and left a family to be took care on. I was the oldest gal, and so +I nat'rally kept house for father till he died, and the children grew up +and married off. So I warn't idle all them years, and got on first-rate, +allers hopin' Enos's luck would turn. But it didn't (them cups goes in +the right-hand corner, dear); and so I waited and waited, and hoped and +hoped." + +"Oh! how could you?" sighed Rose, from the soft gloom of the doorway. + +"'Pears to me strength is give us most wonderful to bear trials, if we +take 'em meek. I used to think I couldn't bear it no way when I was left +here alone, while Enos was in Californy; and I didn't know for seven +year whether he was dead or alive. His folks give him up; but I never +did, and kept on hopin' and prayin' for him till he come back." + +"How happy you were then!" cried Rose, as if she could sympathize +heartily with that joy. + +"No, I warn't, dear. That was the hardest part on't; for Enos was +married to a poor, shiftless thing, that was a burden to him for ten +year." + +"That _was_ hard," and Rose gave a groan, as if a new trouble had +suddenly come upon her. + +"I done my best for 'em, in their ups and downs, till they went West. +Then I settled down to end my days here alone. My folks was all dead or +fur away, and it was uncommon lonesome. But I kinder clung to the old +place, and had it borne in upon me strong that Enos would turn up agin +in time. I wanted him to find me here, ready to give him a helpin' hand +whenever and however he come." + +"And he did, at last?" asked Rose, with a sympathetic quiver in her +voice that went to the old woman's heart. + +"Yes, my deary; he did come at last," she said, in a voice full of a +satisfaction that was almost solemn in its intensity. "Ruther mor'n two +years ago he knocked at that door, a poor, broken-down old man, without +wife, or child, or money, or home,--nothin' in the wide world but me. He +didn't think I'd take him in, he was so mis'able. But, Lord love him, +what else had I been a waitin' for them forty year? It warn't the Enos +that I loved fust; but that didn't matter one mite. And when he sat +sobbin' in that chair, and sayin' he had no friend but me, why I just +answered back: 'My home is your'n, Enos; and I give it jest as hearty as +I did when you fust pupposed, under the laylock bushes, in the back +gardin. Rest here, my poor dear, and let Becky take care on you till she +dies.'" + +"So he stayed?" said Milly, with tears in her voice, for Rose's head was +down on her knees, so eloquent had been the pathos of that old voice, +telling its little tale of faithful love. + +"Certin. And we was married, so no one need make no talk. Folks said it +was a dreadful poor match, and took on about my doin' on't; for I'm wal +off, and Enos hadn't a cent. But we was satisfied, and I ain't never +repented of that day's work; for he took to his bed soon after, and +won't quit it, the doctor says, till he's took to his grave." + +"You dear soul, I must kiss you for that lovely deed of yours, and thank +you from my heart for this lesson in fidelity." And, obeying an +irresistible impulse, Rose threw her arms round the old lady's neck, +kissing the wrinkled cheek with real reverence and tenderness. + +"Sakes alive! Wal, I never did see sech a softhearted little creter. +Why, child, what I done warn't nothin' but a pleasure. We women are such +queer things, we don't care how long we wait, ef we only hev our way at +last." + +As she spoke, the old woman hugged the blooming girl with a motherly +warmth, most sweet and comfortable to see; yet the longing look, the +lingering touch, betrayed how much the tender old heart would have loved +to pillow there a child of its own. + +Just then Uncle Ben appeared, and the early moon peeped over the +mountain-top, plainly hinting that it was time for the wanderers to turn +homeward. Bidding their hospitable hostess good night, they came again +into the woody road, now haunted with soft shadows and silvery with +falling dew. The brown brooks were singing lullabies, the pines +whispering musically in the wind, the mellow moonlight was falling +everywhere, and the world was full of the magical beauty of a +midsummer's night. + +"Go on, please, and let me follow alone. I want to think over my +pleasant day, and finish it with waking dreams, as I go through this +enchanted wood," said Rose, whose mind was full of sweet yet sober +thoughts; for she had gathered herbs of grace while carelessly pulling +wayside flowers, and from the simple adventures of the day had +unconsciously received lessons that never were forgotten. + +The other walked on, and the girl followed, living over again the happy +winter during which she had learned to know and love the young neighbor +who had become the hero of her dreams. She had felt sure he loved her, +though the modest youth had never told her so, except with eloquent +glances and tender devotion. She believed in him, loved him truly, and +waited with maidenly patience to hear the words that would unseal her +lips. They did not come, and he had left her with no hope but such as +she could find in the lingering pressure of his hand and the warmly +uttered "I shall see you again." + +Since then, no line, no word; and all through the lovely spring she had +looked and waited for the brown-bearded student,--looked and waited in +vain. Then unrest took possession of her, anxiety tormented her, and +despair made her young face pathetic. Only the sad, simple old story, +but as bitter to live through now as in poor Dido's day; more bitter, +perhaps, because we cannot erect funeral pyres and consume the body with +a flame less fierce than that which burns away the soul unseen. + +Now in the silence of that summer night a blessed peace seemed to fall +on the girl's unquiet heart, as she trod thoughtfully along the shadowy +road. Courage and patience seemed to spring up within her. To wait and +hope and love without return became a possibility; and, though a few hot +tears rolled down the cheeks, that had lost their roses, the eyes that +shed them were more tender for the tears, and the heart that echoed the +old wife's words--"Strength is given us to bear our trials, if we take +them meekly"--was worthier of life's best blessing, love, because of its +submission. + +As she paused a moment to wipe away the tell-tale drops, before she +joined the others, the sound of far-off music came on the wings of the +wind,--a man's voice, singing one of the love-lays that are never old. +As if spell-bound, Rose stood motionless in the broad streak of light +that fell athwart the road. She knew the voice, the sweet old song +seemed answering her prayer, and now it needed no golden butterfly to +guide her to her lover. + +Nearer and nearer came the singer, pouring out his lay as if his heart +was in it. Brighter and brighter glowed the human rose, as the +featherless nightingale told his tale in music, unconsciously +approaching the happy sequel with each step. + +Out from the gloom he came, at last; saw her waiting for him in the +light; seemed to read the glad truth in her face, and stretched both +hands to her without a word. She took them; and what followed who shall +say? For the moon, best friend of lovers, discreetly slipped behind a +cloud, and the pines whispered their congratulations as they wrapped the +twain in deepest shadow. + +When, half an hour later, they joined the other pair (who, strange to +say, had quite forgotten their charge), Uncle Ben exclaimed, as he +welcomed the new-comer with unusual cordiality: "Why, Rose! You look +quite glorified in this light and as well as ever. We must try this cure +again." + +"No need, sir. I have done with the heartache, and here is my +physician," answered Rose, with a look at her lover which told the story +better than the best chosen words. + +"And here is mine," echoed Milly, leaning on Uncle Ben's arm as if it +belonged to her; as it did, for the moonlight had been too much for the +old bachelor, and, in spite of his fifty years, he had wooed and won +Milly as ardently as any boy. So the lonely future she had accepted so +cheerfully suddenly bloomed with happy hopes; and the older couple +looked as blissfully content as the young pair, who greeted with the +blithest laughter that ever woke the echoes of the wood, this fit ending +to the romance of a summer day. + + + + +MY ROCOCO WATCH. + + +All three of us were inspired with an intense desire to possess one of +these quaint watches, the moment we saw one hanging at the side of a +certain lovely woman at a party where it created a great sensation. + +Imitations we would not have, and the genuine article could not be found +even in Geneva, the paradise of time-pieces. My sisters soon ceased to +pine for the impossible, and contented themselves with other antique +gauds. Fan rejoiced in a very ugly Cinque-Cento ring like a tiny coffin, +and Mary was the proud possessor of a Roman necklace composed of gods +and goddesses. + +I, however, remained true to my first love and refused to be satisfied +with any thing but a veritable rococo watch, for that, I maintained, +united the useful and the beautiful. Resisting the temptations of Rome, +Paris, and Geneva, I skilfully lured my unsuspecting party into all +sorts of out-of-the-way places under pretence of studying up the old +French cathedrals. + +The girls did the churches faithfully, but I shirked them and spent my +shining hours poking about dirty streets and staring in at the windows +of ancient jewelry shops, patiently seeking for the watch of my dreams. +I was rallied unmercifully upon my mania, and many jokes were played +upon me by the frolicksome girls, who more than once sent me posting off +by reports of some remarkable trinket in some almost unattainable place. + +But, nothing daunted, I continued my vain search all through France, and +never relinquished my hope till we left St. Malo on our way to Brest, +whence we were to sail for home. Then I despaired, and, having nothing +more to toil for, began to enjoy myself with a free mind, and then it +was that capricious fortune chose to smile upon me and reward my long +quest. + +Finding that we had a day before us, we explored the queer old town, +and, as our tastes varied, each went a different way. I roamed about the +narrow streets, seeking some odd souvenir to carry away, and was peering +into a dark lane, attracted by some fine shells, when suddenly I was +arrested by a sight which caused me to pause in the middle of a puddle, +exclaiming dramatically, "At last! at last!" + +Yes, there, in the dusty window of a pawnbroker's shop, hung the most +enchanting watch, crystal ball, silver chains, enamelled medallions, and +cluster of charms, all encrusted with pearls, garnets, and turquoises +set in the genuine antique style. One long gaze, one rapturous +exclamation, and I skipped from the puddle to the doorstep, bent on +securing the prize at all costs. + +Bouncing in upon a withered little man, who was taking coffee in a +shadowy recess, I demanded the price of the watch. Of course the little +man was on the alert at once, and began by protesting that it was not +for sale; but I saw the fib in his eye, and sweetly insisted that I must +have it. Then he improvised a mournful tale about a family of rank +reduced by misfortune and forced to dispose of their cherished relics in +some private manner. I affected to believe the touching romance, and +offered a handsome sum for the watch, which, on closer inspection, +struck me as rather more antique than even I desired. + +Instantly the little man clasped his hands and protested that it was an +insult to propose such a paltry price for so beautiful and perfect a +treasure. Double the sum might be a temptation, but not a sou less. + +This was so absurd that I tried to haggle a little; but I never +succeeded in that line, so my attempt ended in both of us getting angry, +when the little man tore the watch from my hands, and I left the shop as +precipitately as I entered it. + +Retiring to the square to cool my indignation, I was reposing on a +bench, when I beheld the little man approaching with the blandest +expression, and, bowing profoundly, he resumed the subject as if we had +parted amicably. + +"If madame would allow him to consult the owner of this so charming +watch, the affair might yet be arranged in a satisfactory manner. If +madame would leave her address, he would report to her in a few hours, +and have the happiness of obliging the dear lady." + +I consented, but preferred to return to his shop later in the day, for I +wished to astonish the girls by producing my prize at some opportune +moment, and I much feared if I told them of my discovery that the +bargain would never be made. + +I suffered agonies of suspense for hours, but basely attributed my +restlessness to the heat and weariness. Five o'clock and dinner, but I +declined going down, and slipped away to my tryst with the little old +man. He was ready for me with another romance of the noble owner's +reluctance to part with an heirloom for less than the price he had +named. In vain I talked, wheedled, and protested; the crafty little man +saw that I meant to have that watch, and was firm. At last I pretended +to give it up, and, thanking him for his trouble, retired mournfully, +hoping he would follow me again, for I had told him that I should leave +in the steamer expected next day. + +But the evening passed, and no little man appeared, although I sat on +the balcony till the moon rose. Morning came, and with it the steamer, +but still no watch arrived, as other coveted articles had often done, +when we firmly refused to be imposed upon. + +My secret agitation increased, and my temptation waxed stronger and +stronger as the hour of departure approached. The girls thought me +nervous about the voyage, but were too busy to heed my preoccupation, +while I was too much ashamed of my infatuation to confess it and ask +advice. + +Fifteen minutes before we started for the wharf, I gave in, and +muttering something about looking up the carriage, I flew round the +corner, demanded the watch, paid an abominable price for it, and sneaked +back, knowing I had been cheated by the sly old fellow, who had +evidently expected me, and whom I left chuckling over his bargain, as +well he might, the rascal! + +The moment the deed was done my spirits returned, and I beamed upon my +sisters as benignly as if I carried a boundless supply of good humor in +my pocket instead of that costly watch packed up in a shabby little box. + +We sailed, and for several days I forgot every thing but my own woe; +then came a calm, and then choosing a moment when the girls were +comparing their treasures with those of other returning voyagers, I +proudly produced my watch. The effect was superb. Cries of admiration +greeted it from all but my sisters, who looked at one another in comic +dismay and burst into fits of laughter. + +"We saw it and tried to get it, but it cost so much we gave it up, and +never told lest Penelope should be tempted beyond her strength. We might +have spared our pains, for it was to be, and it is vain to fight against +fate, only do tell us if you paid that Shylock what he asked us?" said +Mary, naming a smaller sum than my first handsome offer. + +"I did not pay that, and I shall never tell what it cost, for you +wouldn't believe me if I did. It was a good bargain, I assure you--for +Shylock," I added to myself, and kept my secret jealously, knowing I +never should hear the last of it if the awful truth was known. + +My treasure was so much admired that I was afraid it would be ravished +from me, and I hid it in all sorts of places, like a magpie with a +stolen spoon. I never went on deck without taking it with me for safe +keeping. I never woke in the morning without burrowing under my mattress +to see if it was safe, and never turned in for the night without seeing +that I was prepared for shipwreck by having my life-preserver handy and +half-a-dozen ship biscuits, a bottle of water, and the precious box +lashed firmly together, for with that dearly bought watch I was resolved +to sink or swim, live or die. + +Being permitted to reach land in safety, I prepared to eclipse Fan's +ring and Mary's necklace with my rich and rare rococo watch. But I found +it impossible to set it going, though I tried all the keys in the house, +so I took it to an experienced watchmaker and left it to be regulated. +Every one knows what that means, and can imagine my impatience as week +after week went by and still that blessed thing was not done. It came at +last, however, and with it a bill that startled me; but I could not +dispute it, for the job was a difficult one, owing to the antiquity of +the works and the skill required to set a watch going that probably had +not been wound up for half a century. + +It went for a week, and then stopped for ever; for the general verdict +was that no modern tinkering would restore its tone, since the springs +of life were broken and the venerable wheels at a dead lock. + +"Well, it is ornamental if not useful, only I am sorry I gave away my +good old watch, thinking this would be all I needed," I said, making the +best of what I alone knew to be a desperately bad bargain. + +So I hung the silent thing to my girdle and went forth to awaken the +envy and admiration of all beholders. But, alas! the second time I wore +it, one of the medallions was lost, could not be found, and its place +had to be filled with a modern one, entirely out of keeping with the +others. Bill the second was paid with much lamentation, and again I +tried to enjoy my watch. But the fates seemed to be against me, for +presently it was stolen by a maid who admired mediæval jewelry as well +as her mistress. + +What a state of excitement we were in then, to be sure! Cousin Dick took +the matter in hand, and searched for the lost watch with the patience, +if not the skill, of a detective. Mysterious men came to examine the +servants, dreadful questions as to its value were put to me, and, worst +of all, I knew that this sort of hide-and-go-seek was a fearfully +expensive game, and of course I wasn't going to let Dick pay for it. + +It was found at last, and restored to me somewhat the worse for the +rough handling of curious admirers. Bill the third was paid with the +calmness of despair, for I really began to think some evil spell was +hidden in that crystal ball; a spell which attracted, then infatuated, +and now controlled me, leading me slowly and surely, through tribulation +after tribulation, to the poor-house in the end. + +The accidents that befell that fatal watch would fill a chapter, and the +narrow escapes it had would make a thrilling tale. Babies half choked +themselves with the charms, little Tommy was discovered trying to divest +it of all incumbrances that he might use it as a "jolly big marble." It +was always falling off, catching in buttons, or bobbing wildly about +when I danced, and more than once I was cut to the soul by hearing +benighted people wonder at Miss Pen's bad taste in wearing Salom +jewelry. Salom, be it known to the ignorant, is an excellent man who +deals in mock ornaments of great brilliancy and cheapness. + +Soon the jewels began to fall out, and I scattered pearls about me like +the young lady in the fairy tale. Then the chain broke, and the charms +were lost. In one of the many falls, the crystal got cracked; the silver +tarnished till it looked like dingy lead, and at last no beauty remained +to reconcile me to its utter uselessness. My poor watch was the standing +joke of the family, and kept every one merry but its owner. To me it was +a disgrace, and I suffered endless disappointments and delays by having +no trusty time-keeper at hand. Pride prevented my applying to others, +and bitterly I mourned in secret for the true old friend I had deserted +when the false new one came. + +I ceased to wear the hollow mockery, and hoped people would forget it, +but the girls still displayed their more successful ornaments; and I was +forced to tell the sad tale of my mortifying failure in reply to the +natural question,-- + +"And what charming old trinket did Pen get?" + +But this was not the worst of it. Like little Rosamond in the moral +tale, I had to wear my old shoes when the purple jar proved a delusion +and a snare. I had overrun my allowance by that rash purchase, and had +to economize just when I most wished to be fine. "Beauty unadorned," and +that sort of thing, is all nonsense when a woman burns to look her +loveliest in the eyes of certain persons, and the anguish I endured when +I looked at that rubbishy old watch, and thought what sweet things could +have been bought with the money recklessly lavished upon it, can better +be imagined than described. + +Fain would I have sold my treasure for a quarter what I gave for it, but +who would buy the ruined relic now? And the mere idea of having it even +partially repaired made my blood run cold. So I laid it away as a +warning example of woman's folly, and began to save up, that I might +replace it by a modern watch with all the improvements procurable for +money. + +I was effectually cured of my passion for antiquities, and hated the +sound of the word _rococo_. Nothing could be too new for me now, and I +privately studied up on watches, being bound never to buy another, +which, though it might last to all eternity, yet had no connection with +time. + +Slowly the memory of that temptation and fall seemed to fade from all +minds but my own; slowly my little hoard increased at the expense of +many an ungratified whim, inviting bargain, or girlish vanity, and +slowly I decided what sort of watch would most entirely combine the +solid virtues and modest graces I desired to possess in the new one I +intended to choose so wisely and well. + +But just as my hundred dollars was nearly completed, I discovered that +Dick's younger brother, Geordie, had got himself into a boyish scrape, +and was planning to run away to sea as the best means of settling the +difficulty. I was immediately possessed with an intense desire to help +the poor lad, and, having won his confidence in a desponding moment, I +offered my little hoard as a loan, to be paid in time, if he would +accept it on no other condition. + +I really don't think I could have done it for any one but Dick's +brother, and I did not desire any praise for it, since I made the boy +take a solemn vow that it should be a secret between us for ever. It was +reward enough to know that I had spared dear Dick another care, and done +something to be more worthy of him, though it was only a little +sacrifice like this. + +So Geordie was a free man again, and my devoted slave from that day +forth, causing much merry wonderment in the family, and actually making +Dick jealous by his grateful gallantry. + +My sacrifice cost me something more than the loss of my watch, however, +for with a part of the money I had planned to get a fine Christmas gift +for some one, and now I was obliged to content myself with such a poor +little offering that the girls called me mean, and nearly broke my heart +by insisting that I did not care for somebody who cared a great deal for +me. I bore it all and kept Geordie's secret faithfully; but I will +confess that, in a paroxysm of anger with myself, I clashed that hateful +rococo watch upon the floor and trampled on it as the only adequate vent +for the conflicting emotions which possessed me. + +But the good fairies who fly about at Christmas time set every thing +right, and broke the evil spell cast over me by the Breton magician in +his gloomy cell. As we sat about the breakfast-table, talking over our +gifts on the morning of that happy day, Dick and Geordie came in to see +how we were after the fatigues of a grand family frolic the night +before. + +"Here's a new conundrum; guess it, girls," said Geordie, who had the +Dundreary fever upon him just at that time. "I was sent to India and +stopped there; I came back because I did not go there. Now what was it?" + +We puzzled over it, but gave it up at last, and when Geordie answered, +"A watch," there was a general laugh, for since my ruinous speculation +that word always produced a sensation among us. + +"The place mentioned should have been Brittany, not India, hey, Pen?" +said Dick, with a wicked twinkle of the eye. + +"Don't," I began, pathetically, as the girls giggled, and Mary added, +with mock sympathy, "Hush, boys, and let that sacred sorrow be for ever +hidden in Pen's own breast." + +"Watch and pray, dear, watch and pray, for I'm sure you have need of +both," cried Fan, seeing my rising wrath. + +"Put your hands before your face but don't strike, I beg of you," cut in +Geordie, trying to be witty. + +"It is a sad case, but I think I have a key that will wind up the affair +and set all going right," began Dick, still twinkling with fun. + +To have him join the enemy was too much for me, because he had always +been very careful to avoid that tender point. + +"If you say another word, I'll throw the horrid thing into the fire, for +I'm sick to death of hearing bad jokes made on it," I cried, feeling a +strong desire to shake them all round. + +"No doubt; give it to me, and you shall never see or hear of it again. I +like old trinkets, and I'll never tell the story of that one, on my +honor as a gentleman," said Dick, in a tone that appeased my wrath at +once. + +"Do you really want it?" I asked, pleased and surprised, yet still a +little suspicious of some new joke. + +"I do, because, although it will never go again, it will always remind +me of some of the happiest hours and minutes of my life, Pen." + +There was no fun in Dick's eyes as he said that, and I was glad to hide +the sudden color in my cheeks by running away to get the poor old watch. +But I found there _was_ a surprise, and a very pleasant one, in store +for me; for, as I thrust the shabby box into Dick's pocket, he handed me +a little parcel prettily tied up with white ribbons, saying in his most +captivating way, "Fair exchange is no robbery, you know, so you must +take this, and then we shall be square." + +"It looks like wedding cake," I said, surveying it with curiosity, and +wondering why Geordie and the girls did not stop to see the mystery +unfolded. + +"No, that comes later, dear," answered Dick, in a tone that made me +devote myself to the white ribbons with sudden zeal. + +A blue velvet case appeared, and I could not resist saying, in a voice +more tender than reproachful, "You extravagant man! I know it is +something costly and beautiful in return for the disgracefully mean gift +I gave you." + +"Bless your innocent heart, did you think you could hide any thing from +me? Geordie couldn't keep a secret, and I'm only paying his debt, Pen +dear, with the sort of interest women like," Dick answered, with an +audacious arm around my waist and a brown beard close to my cheek. + +As I did not refuse the offered interest, he added, in a softer tone, +"My own debt I never can settle unless with all my worldly goods I thee +endow; my heart you have had for years. Say yes, dear, and be my little +_châtelaine_." + +Never mind what I said, but I assure you if it had not been for Dick's +arm I should have gone under the table, when, a few minutes later, I +lifted the blue velvet lid and saw a dainty watch luxuriously lying on +its white satin bed. + + + + +BY THE RIVER. + +A LEGEND OF THE ASSABET. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the shadow of the bridge a boy lay reading on the grass,--a slender +lad, broad-browed and clear-eyed, barefooted and clad in homespun, yet +happy as a king; for health sat on his sunburned cheeks, a magic book +lay open before him, and sixteen years of innocence gave him a passport +to the freshest pleasures life can offer. + +"Nat! Nat! come here and see!" cried a shrill voice from among the +alders by the river-side. + +But Nat only shook his head as if a winged namesake had buzzed about his +ears, and still read on. Presently a twelve-years child came scrambling +up the bank, dragging a long rod behind her with a discontented air. + +"I wish you'd come and help me. The fish won't bite and my line is in a +grievous snarl. Don't read any more. I'm tired of playing all alone." + +"I forgot you, Ruthy, and it was ill done of me. Sit here and rest while +I undo the tangle," and Nat looked up good-naturedly at the small figure +before him, with its quaint pinafore, checked linen gown, and buckled +shoes; for this little maid lived nearly a hundred years ago and this +lad had seen Washington face to face. + +"Now tell me a story while I wait. Not out of that stupid play-book you +are always reading, but about something that really happened, with +naughty children and nice folks in it, and have it end good," said Ruth, +beginning a dandelion chain; for surely it is safe to believe that our +honored grandmothers enjoyed that pretty pastime in their childhood. + +Nat lay in the grass, dreamily regarding the small personage who ruled +him like a queen and whom he served with the devotion of a loyal heart. +Now the royal command was for a story, and, stifling a sigh, this rustic +gentleman closed the book, whose magic had changed the spring morning to +a Midsummer Night's Dream for an hour, and set himself to gratify the +little damsel's whim. + +"You liked the last tale about the children who were lost. Shall I tell +one about a child who was found? It really happened, and you never heard +it before," he asked. + +"Yes; but first put your head in my lap, for there are ants in the grass +and I like to see your eyes shine when you spin stories. Tell away." + +"Once upon a time there was a great snow-storm," began Nat, obediently +pillowing his head on the blue pinafore. + +"Whereabouts?" demanded Ruth. + +"Don't spoil the story by interrupting. It was in this town, and I can +show you the very house I'm going to tell about." + +"I like to know things straight along, and not bounce into a snow-storm +all in a minute. I'll be good. Go on." + +"Well, it snowed so hard that people stayed indoors till the storm had +beat and blown itself away. Right in the worst of it, as a farmer and +his wife sat by the fire that night, they heard a cry at the door. You +see they were sitting very still, the man smoking his pipe and the woman +knitting, both thinking sorrowfully of their only son, who had just +died." + +"Don't have it doleful, Nat," briskly suggested Ruth, working busily +while the narrator's hands lay idle, and his eyes looked as if they +actually saw the little scene his fancy conjured up. + +"No, I won't; only it really was like that," apologized Nat, seeing that +sentiment was not likely to suit his matter-of-fact auditor. "When the +cry came a second time, both of these people ran to the door. No one was +to be seen, but on the wide step they saw a little mound not there an +hour before. Brushing off the snow, they found a basket; and, when they +opened it, there lay a little baby, who put out its arms with a pitiful +cry, that went to their hearts. The woman hugged it close, fed it, and +hushed it to sleep as if it had been her own. Her husband let her do as +she liked, while he tried to find where it came from; but no trace +appeared, and there was no name or mark on the poor thing's clothes." + +"Did they keep it?" asked Ruth, tickling Nat's nose with a curly +dandelion stem, to goad him on, as he lay silent for a moment. + +"Yes, they kept it; for their hearts were sore and empty, and the +forlorn baby seemed to fill them comfortably. The townsfolk gossiped +awhile, but soon forgot it; and it grew up as if it had been born in the +farmer's house. I've often wondered if it wasn't the soul of the little +son who died, come back in another shape to comfort those good people." + +"Now don't go wandering off, Nat; but tell me if he was a pretty, nice, +smart child," said Ruth, with an eye to the hero's future capabilities. + +"Not a bit pretty," laughed Nat, "for he grew up tall and thin, with big +eyes and a queer brow. He wasn't 'nice,' either, if you mean good, for +he got angry sometimes and was lazy; but he tried,--oh! yes, he truly +tried to be a dutiful lad. He wasn't 'smart,' Ruth; for he hated to +study, and only loved story books, ballads, and plays, and liked to +wander round alone in the woods better than to be with other boys. +People laughed at him because of his queersome ways; but he couldn't +help it,--he was born so, and it would come out." + +"He was what Aunt Becky calls shiftless, I guess. She says you are; but +I don't mind as long as you take care of me and tell me stories." + +The boy sighed and shook his head as if a whole swarm of gnats were +annoying him now. "He was grateful, anyhow, this fellow I'm telling +about; for he loved the good folks and worked on the farm with all his +might to pay them for their pity. He never complained; but he hated it, +for delving day after day in the dirt made him feel as if he was nothing +but a worm." + +"We are all worms," Deacon Hurd says; "so the boy needn't have minded," +said Ruth, trying to assume a primly pious expression, that sat very ill +upon her blooming little face. + +"But some worms can turn into butterflies, if they get a chance; so the +boy did mind, Ruthy." And Nat looked out into the summer world with a +longing glance, which proved that he already felt conscious of the +folded wings and was eager to try them. + +"Was he a God-fearing boy?" asked Ruth, with a tweak of the ear; for her +friend showed signs of "wandering off" again into a world where her +prosaic little mind could not follow him. + +"He didn't _fear_ God; he loved Him. Perhaps it was wrong; but somehow +he couldn't believe in a God of wrath when he saw how good and beautiful +the world was and how kind folks were to him. He felt as if the Lord was +his father, for he had no other; and when he was lonesomest that thought +was right comfortable and helpful to him. Was it wrong?" asked Nat of +the child. + +"I'm afraid Aunt Becky would think so. She's awful pious, and boxed my +ears with a psalm-book last Sabbath, when I said I wished the lions +would bite Daniel in the den, I was so tired of seeing them stare and +roar at him. She wouldn't let me look at the pictures in the big Bible +another minute, and gave me a long hymn to learn, shut up in the back +bed-room. She's a godly woman, Deacon Hurd says; but I think she's +uncommon strict." + +"Shall I tell any more, or are you tired of this stupid boy?" said Nat, +modestly. + +"Yes, you may as well finish. But do have something happen. Make him +grow a great man, like Whittington, or some of the story-book folks, +it's so nice to read about," answered Ruth, rather impatiently. + +"I hope he did something better than trade cats and be lord mayor of +London. But that part of the story hasn't come yet; so I'll tell you of +two things that happened, one sad and one merry. When the boy was +fourteen, the good woman died, and that nearly broke his heart; for she +had made things easy for him, and he loved her dearly. The farmer sent +for his sister to keep house, and then the boy found it harder than ever +to bear his life; for the sister was a notable woman, well-meaning, but +as strict as Aunt Becky, and she pestered the lad as Aunt pesters me. +You see, Ruthy, it grew harder every year for him to work on the farm, +for he longed to be away somewhere quiet among books and learned folk. +He was not like those about him, and grew more unlike all the time, and +people often said: 'He's come of gentle blood. That's plain to see.' He +loved to think it was true,--not because he wanted to be rich and fine, +but to find his own place and live the life the Lord meant him to. This +feeling made him so unhappy that he was often tempted to run away, and +would have done it but for the gratitude that kept him. + +"Lack-a-daisy! What a bad boy, when he had good clothes and victuals and +folks were clever to him! But did he ever find his grand relations?" +asked Ruth, curiosity getting the better of the reproof she thought it +her duty to administer. + +"I don't know yet. But he did find something that made him happier and +more contented. Listen now; for you'll like this part, I know. One +night, as he came home with the cows, watching the pretty red in the +sky, hearing the crickets chirp, and picking flowers along the way, +because he liked to have 'em in his room, he felt uncommon lonesome, and +kept wishing he'd meet a fairy who'd give him all he wanted. When he got +to the house, he thought the fairy had really come; for there on the +door-stone stood a little lass, looking at him. A right splendid little +lass, Ruth, with brown hair long upon her shoulders, blue eyes full of +smiles, and a face like one of the pink roses in Madam Barrett's +garden." + +"Did she have good clothes?" demanded Ruth, eagerly, for this part of +the tale did interest her, as Nat foretold. + +"Let me see. Yes, nice clothes; but sad-colored, for the riding-cloak +that hung over her white dimity frock was black. Yet she stood on a pair +of the trimmest feet ever seen, wearing hose with fine clocks, and +silver buckles in the little shoes. You may believe the boy stared well, +for he had never seen so pretty a sight in all his days, and before he +knew it he had given her his nosegay of sheepsbane, fern, and +honeysuckle. She took it, looking pleased, and made him as fine a +courtesy as any lady; whereat he turned red and foolish, being shy, and +hurried off into the barn. But she came skipping after, and peeped at +him as he milked, watched how he did it for a bit, and then said, like a +little queen, 'Boy, get up and let me try.' That pleased him mightily; +so, taking little madam on his knee, he let her try. But something went +amiss, for all at once Brindle kicked over the pail, away went the +three-legged stool, and both the milkers lay in the dirt." + +"Why, Nat! why, Nat! that was you and I," cried Ruth, clapping her hands +delightedly, as this catastrophe confirmed the suspicions which had been +growing in her mind since the appearance of the child. + +"Hush! or I'll never tell how they got up," said Nat, hurrying on with a +mirthful face. "The boy thought the little maid would cry over her +bruised arm or go off in a pet at sight of the spoilt frock. But no; she +only laughed, patted old Brindle, and sat down, saying stoutly, 'I shall +try again and do it right.' So she did, and while she milked she told +how she was an orphan and had come to be Uncle Dan's girl all her life. +That was a pleasant hearing for the lad, and he felt as if the fairy had +done better by him than he had hoped. They were friends at once, and +played cat's cradle on the kitchen settle all the evening. But, when the +child was put to bed in a strange room, her little heart failed her, and +she fell a-sobbing for her mother. Nothing would comfort her till the +boy went up and sang her to sleep, with her pretty hand in his and all +her tears quite gone. That was nigh upon two years ago; but from that +night they were fast friends, and happier times began for the boy, +because he had something to love and live for besides work. She was very +good to him, and nowhere in all the world was there a dearer, sweeter +lass than Nat Snow's little maid." + +During the latter part of this tale "founded upon fact," Ruth had been +hugging her playmate's head in both her chubby arms, and when he ended +by drawing down the rosy face to kiss it softly on the lips it grew a +very April countenance, as she exclaimed, with a childish burst of +affection, curiosity, and wonder,-- + +"Dear Nat, how good you were to me that night and ever since! Did you +really come in a basket, and don't you know any thing about your folks? +Good lack! And to think you may turn out a lord's son, after all!" + +"How could I help being good to you, dear? Yes, I'll show you the very +basket, if Aunt Becky has not burnt it up as rubbish. I know nought +about my folk, and have no name but Snow. Uncle Dan gave me that because +I came in the storm, and the dear mother added Nathaniel, her own boy's +name, since I was sent to take his place, she said. As for being a +lord's son, I'd rather be a greater man than that." + +And Nat rose up with sudden energy in his voice, a sudden kindling of +the eyes, that pleased Ruth, and made her ask, with firm faith in the +possibility of his being any thing he chose,-- + +"You mean a king?" + +"No, a poet!" + +"But that's not fine at all!" and Ruth looked much disappointed. + +"It is the grandest thing in the world! Look now, the man who wrote this +play was a poet, and, though long dead, he is still loved and honored, +when the kings and queens he told about would be forgotten but for him. +Who cares for them, with all their splendor? Who does not worship +William Shakespeare, whose genius made him greater than the whole of +them!" cried Nat, hugging the dingy book, his face all aglow with the +beautiful enthusiasm of a true believer. + +"Was Master Shakespeare rich and great?" asked Ruth, staring at him with +round eyes. + +"Never rich or great in the way you mean, or even famous, till after he +was dead." + +"Then I'd rather have you like Major Wild, for he owns much land, lives +in a grand house, and wears the finest-laced coat in all the town. Will +you be like him, please, Nat?" + +"No, I won't!" answered the lad, with emphatic brevity, as the image of +the red-faced, roystering Major passed before his mind's eye. + +His bluntness ruffled his little sovereign's temper for a moment, and +she asked with a frown,-- + +"What do you think Aunt Becky said yesterday, when we found ever so many +of your verses hidden in the clothes-press, where we went to put +lavender among the linen?" + +"Something sharp, and burnt the papers, I'll warrant," replied Nat, with +the resignation of one used to such trials. + +"No, she kept 'em to cover jam-pots with, and she said you were either a +fool or a genus. Is a genus very bad, Nat?" added Ruth, relenting as she +saw his dreamy eyes light up with what she fancied was a spark of anger. + +"Aunt Becky thinks so; but I don't, and, though I may not be one, sooner +or later folks shall see that I'm no fool, for I feel, I know, I was not +born to hoe corn and feed pigs all my life." + +"What will you do?" cried Ruth, startled by the almost passionate energy +with which he spoke. + +"Till I'm twenty-one I'll stay to do my duty. When the time comes, I'll +break away and try my own life, for I shall have a right to do it then." + +"And leave me? Nay, I'll not let you go." And Ruth threw her dandelion +chain about his neck, claiming her bondsman with the childish tyranny he +found so sweet. + +He laughed and let her hold him, seeing how frail the green links were; +little dreaming how true a symbol it was of the stronger tie by which +she would hold him when the time came to choose between liberty and +love. + +"Five years is a long time, Ruthy. You will get tired of my odd ways, +and be glad to have me go. But never fret about it; for, whatever +happens, I'll not forget you." + +Quite satisfied with this promise, the little maid fell to sticking +buttercups in the band of the straw hat her own nimble fingers had +braided, as if bent on securing one crown for her friend. But Nat, +leaning his head upon his hand, sat watching the sunshine glitter on the +placid stream that rippled at his feet, with such intentness that Ruth +presently disturbed him by demanding curiously,-- + +"What is it? A kingfisher or a turtle?" + +"It's the river, dear. It seems to sing to me as it goes by. I always +hear it, yet I never understand what it says. Do you?" + +Ruth fixed her blue eyes on the bluer water, listened for an instant, +then laughed out blithely, and sprung up, saying,-- + +"It sings: 'Come and fish, Nat. Come and fish!'" + +The boy's face fell, the dreamy look faded, and, with a patient sort of +sigh, he rose and followed her, leaving his broken dream with his +beloved book among the buttercups. But, though he sat by Ruth in the +shadow of the alder-bushes, his rod hung idly from his hand, for he was +drawing bright fancies from a stream she never saw, was dimly feeling +that he had a harder knot to disentangle than his little friend's, and +faintly hearing a higher call than hers, in the ripple of the river. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Five years later Ruth was in the dairy making up butter, surrounded by +tier above tier of shining pans, whence proceeded a breath as fresh and +fragrant as if the ghosts of departed king-cups and clover still haunted +the spot. Standing before a window where morning-glories rung their +colored bells in the balmy air, she was as pleasant a sight as any eye +need wish to see upon a summer's day; for the merry child had bloomed +into a sprightly girl, rich in rustic health and beauty. All practical +virtues were hers; and, while they wore so comely a shape, they +possessed a grace that hid the lack of those finer attributes which give +to womanhood its highest charm. The present was all in all to Ruth. Its +homely duties were her world, its petty griefs and joys her life, and +her ambition was bounded by her desire to show her mates the finest +yarn, the sweetest butter, the gayest cardinal, and the handsomest +sweetheart, in the town. An essentially domestic character, cheery as +the blaze upon the hearth, contented as the little kettle singing there, +and so affectionate, discreet, and diligent that she was the model +damsel of the town, the comfort of Uncle Daniel's age, the pride of Aunt +Becky's heart, the joy of Nat's life, and the desire of his eyes. + +Unlike as ever, the pair were still fast friends. Nay, more, for the +past year had been imperceptibly transforming that mild sentiment into a +much warmer one by the magic of beauty, youth, and time. Year after year +Nat had patiently toiled on, for gratitude controlled ambition, and +Ruth's presence made his life endurable. But Nature was stronger than +duty or love, and as the boy ripened into the man he looked wistfully +beyond the narrow present into the great future, which allures such as +he with vague, sweet prophecies, hard to be resisted. Silently the +struggle went on, steadily the inborn longing strengthened, and slowly +the resolution was fixed to put his one gift to the test and learn if it +was a vain delusion or a lovely possibility. Each year proved to himself +and those about him that their world was not his world, their life his +life; for, like Andersen's young swan, the barnyard was no home to him, +and when the other fowls cackled, hissed, and scolded, he could only put +his head under his wing and sigh for the time when he should join "the +beautiful white birds among the rushes of the stream that flowed through +the poet's garden, where the sun shone and the little children played." + +Ruth knew his dreams and desires; but, as she could not understand them, +she tried to cure them by every innocent art in her power, and nursed +him through many a fit of the heart-sickness of hope deferred as +patiently as she would have done through any less occult disease that +flesh is heir to. She was thinking of him as she worked that day, and +wishing she could mould his life as easily as she did the yellow lumps +before her, stamping them with her own mark, and setting them away for +her own use. She felt that some change was about to befall Nat, for she +had listened to the murmur of voices as the old man and the young sat +talking far into the night. What the result had been was as yet unknown; +for Uncle Daniel was unusually taciturn that morning, and Nat had been +shut up in his room since breakfast, though spring work waited for him +all about the farm. + +An unwonted sobriety sat on Ruth's usually cheerful face, and she was +not singing as she worked, but listening intently for a well-known step +to descend the creaking stairs. Presently it came, paused a moment in +the big kitchen, where Aunt Becky was flying about like a domestic +whirlwind, and Ruth heard Nat ask for her with a ring in his voice that +made her heart begin to flutter. + +"She's in the dairy. But for landsake where are you a-going, boy? I +declare for't, you look so fine and chirk I scursely knew yer," answered +the old lady, pausing in her work to stare at the astonishing spectacle +of Nat in his Sunday best upon a week day. + +"I'm going to seek my fortune, Aunty. Won't you wish me luck?" replied +Nat, cheerily. + +Aunt Becky had a proverb for every occasion, and could not lose this +opportunity for enriching the malcontent with a few suited to his case. + +"Yes, child, the best of lucks; but it's my opinion that, if we 'get +spindle and distaff ready, the Lord will send the flax,' without our +goin' to look for't. 'Every road has its puddle,' and 'he that prieth +into a cloud may get struck by lightenin'.' God bless you, my dear, and +remember that 'a handful of good life is wuth a bushel of learnin'.'" + +"I will, Ma'am; and also bear in mind that 'he who would have eggs must +bear the cackling of hens,'" with which return shot Nat vanished, +leaving the old lady to expend her energies and proverbs upon the bread +she was kneading with a vigor that set the trough rocking like a cradle. + +Why Ruth began to sing just then, and why she became so absorbed in her +oleaginous sculpture as to seem entirely unconscious of the appearance +of a young man at the dairy door, are questions which every woman will +find no difficulty in answering. Actuated by one of the whims which +often rule the simplest of the sex, she worked and sang as if no anxiety +had ruffled her quiet heart; while Nat stood and watched her with an +expression which would have silenced her, had she chosen to look up and +meet it. + +The years that had done much for Ruth had been equally kind to Nat, in +giving him a generous growth for the figure leaning in the doorway +seemed full of the vigor of wholesome country life. But the head that +crowned it was such as one seldom sees on a farmer's shoulders; for the +brown locks, gathered back into a ribbon, after the fashion of the time, +showed a forehead of harmonious outline, overarching eyes full of the +pathos and the passion that betray the presence of that gift which is +divine when young. The mouth was sensitive as any woman's, and the lips +were often folded close, as if pride controlled the varying emotions +that swayed a nature ardent and aspiring as a flame of fire. Few could +read the language of this face, yet many felt the beauty that it owed to +a finer source than any grace of shape or color, and wondered where the +subtle secret lay. + +"Ruth, may I tell you something?" + +"Of course you may. Only don't upset the salt-box or sit down upon the +churn." + +Nat did neither, but still leaned in the doorway and still watched the +trim figure before him, as if it was very pleasant to his eyes; while +Ruth, after a brief glance over her shoulder, a nod and a smile, spatted +away as busily as ever. + +"You know I was one-and-twenty yesterday?" + +"I'm not like to forget it, after sewing my eyes out to work a smart +waistcoat as a keepsake." + +"Nor I; for there's not such another in the town, and every rosebud is +as perfect as if just pulled from our bush yonder. See, I've put it on +as knights put on their armor when they went to fight for fortune and +their ladies' love." + +As he spoke, Nat smilingly thrust his hands into the pockets of a +long-flapped garment, which was a master-piece of the needlework in +vogue a century ago. Ruth glanced up at him with eyes full of hearty +admiration for the waistcoat and its wearer. But something in those last +words of his filled her with a trouble both sweet and bitter, as she +asked anxiously,-- + +"Are you going away, Nat?" + +"For a week only. Uncle has been very kind, and given me a chance to +prove which road it's best for me to take, since the time has come when +I must choose. I ride to Boston this afternoon, Ruth, carrying my poems +with me, that I may submit them to the criticism of certain learned +gentlemen, who can tell me if I deceive myself or not. I have agreed to +abide by their decision, and if it is in my favor--as God grant it +be--Uncle leaves me free to live the life I love, among my books and all +that makes this world glorious. Think, Ruth,--a poet in good truth, to +sing when I will, and delve no more! Will you be pleased and proud if I +come back and tell you this?" + +"Indeed, I will, if it makes you happy. And yet"--She paused there, +looking wistfully into his face, now all aglow with the hope and faith +that are so blissful and so brief. + +"What is it, lass? Speak out and tell me all that's in your heart, for I +mean to show you mine," he said in a commanding tone seldom heard +before, for he seemed already to have claimed the fair inheritance that +makes the poet the equal of the prince. + +Ruth felt the change with a thrill of pride, yet dared suggest the +possibility of failure, as a finer nature would have shrunk from doing +in such a happy, hopeful hour as that. + +"If the learned gentlemen decide that the poems have no worth, what +then?" + +He looked at her an instant, like one fallen from the clouds, then +squared his shoulders, as if resettling the burden put off for a day, +and answered bravely, though a sudden shadow crossed his face, +"Then I give up my dream and fall to work again,--no poet, but a man, +who will do his best to be an honest one. I have promised Uncle to abide +by this decision, and I'll keep my word." + +"Will it be very hard, Nat?" and Ruth's eyes grew pitiful, for in his +she read how much the sacrifice would cost him. + +"Ay, lass, very hard," he said briefly; then added, with an eloquent +change in voice and face, "unless you help me bear it. Sweetheart, +whichever road I take, I had no thought to go alone. Will you walk with +me, Ruth? God knows I'll make the way as smooth and pleasant as a +faithful husband can." + +The busy hands stopped working there, for Nat held them fast in his, and +all her downcast eyes could see were the gay flowers her needle wrought, +agitated by the beating of the man's heart underneath. Her color +deepened beautifully and her lips trembled, in spite of the arch smile +they wore, as she said half-tenderly, half-wilfully,-- + +"But I should be afeared to marry a poet, if they are such strange and +delicate creatures as I've heard tell. 'Twould be like keeping house for +a butterfly. I tried to cage one once; but the poor thing spoilt its +pretty wings beating against the bars, and when I let it go it just +dropped down and died among the roses there." + +"But if I be no poet, only a plain farmer, with no ambition except how I +may prosper and make my wife a happy woman, what answer then, Ruth?" he +asked, feeling as the morning-glories might have felt if a cold wind had +blown over them. + +"Dear lad, it's this!" and, throwing both arms about his neck, the +honest little creature kissed his brown cheek heartily. + +After that no wonder if Ruth forgot her work, never saw an audacious +sunbeam withering the yellow roses she had caused to bloom, never heard +the buzz of an invading fly, nor thought to praise the labor of her +hands, though her plump cheek was taking off impressions of the buttons +on the noble waistcoat. While to Nat the little dairy had suddenly +become a Paradise, life for a moment was all poetry, and nothing in the +wide world seemed impossible. + +"Ruth! Ruth! The cat's fell into the pork-kag, and my hands is in the +dough. For massy sake, run down suller and fish her out!" + +That shrill cry from Aunt Becky broke the spell, dissolved the blissful +dream, for, true to her instincts, Ruth forgot the lover in the +housewife, and vanished, leaving Nat alone with his love--and the +butter-pats. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +He rode gallantly away to Boston that afternoon, and ten days later came +riding slowly home again, with the precious manuscript still in his +saddle-bag. + +"What luck, boy?" asked Uncle Dan, with a keen glance from under his +shaggy brows, as the young man came into the big kitchen, where they all +sat together when the day's work was done. + +"Pretty much what you foretold, sir," answered Nat, trying to smile +bravely as he took his place beside Ruth on the settle, where she sat +making up cherry-colored breast-knots by the light of one candle. + +"Fools go out to shear and come home shorn," muttered Aunt Becky from +the chimney-corner, where she sat reeling yarn and brooding over some +delectable mess that simmered on the coals. + +Nat did not hear the flattering remark; for he was fingering a little +packet that silently told the story of failure in its dog-eared leaves, +torn wrappers, and carelessly knotted string. + +"Yes," he said rapidly, as if anxious to have a hard task over, "I +showed my poems to sundry gentlemen, as I proposed. One liked them much, +and said they showed good promise of better things; but added that it +was no time for such matters now, and advised me to lay them by till I +was older. A very courteous and friendly man this was, and I felt much +beholden to him for his gracious speeches. The second criticized my work +sharply, and showed me how I should mend it. But, when he was done, I +found all the poetry had gone out of my poor lines, and nothing was left +but fine words; so I thanked him and went away, thinking better of my +poems than when I entered. The third wise man gave me his opinion very +briefly, saying, as he handed back the book, 'Put it in the fire.'" + +"Nay! but that was too harsh. They are very pretty verses, Nat, though +most of them are far beyond my poor wits," said Ruth, trying to lighten +the disappointment that she saw weighed heavily on her lover's spirit. + +"In the good gentleman's study, I had a sight of some of the great poets +of the world, and while he read my verses I got a taste of Milton, +Spenser, and my own Shakespeare's noble sonnets. I saw what mine lacked; +yet some of them rang true, so I took heart and trimmed them up in the +fashion my masters set me. Let me read you one or two, Ruth, while you +tie your true lover's knots." + +And, eagerly opening the beloved book, Nat began to read by the dim +light of the tallow candle, blind to the resigned expression Ruth's face +assumed, deaf to Aunt Becky's muttered opinion that "an idle brain is +the devil's workshop," and quite unconscious that Uncle Dan spread a +checked handkerchief over his bald pate, ready for a nap. Absorbed in +his delightful task, the young poet went on reading his most perfect +lines, with a face that brightened blissfully, till, just as he was +giving a love-lay in his tenderest tone, a mild snore checked his +heavenward flight, and brought him back to earth with a rude shock. He +started, paused, and looked about him, like one suddenly wakened from a +happy dream. Uncle Dan was sound asleep, Aunt Becky busily counting her +tidy skeins, and Ruth, making a mirror of one of the well-scoured pewter +platters on the dresser, was so absorbed in studying the effect of the +gay breast-knots that she innocently betrayed her inattention by +exclaiming, with a pretty air of regret,-- + +"And that's the end?" + +"That is the end," he answered, gently closing the book which no one +cared to hear, and, hiding his reproachful eyes behind his hand, he sat +silent, till Uncle Dan, roused by the cessation of the melodious murmur +that had soothed his ear, demanded with kindly bluntness,-- + +"Well, boy, which is it to be, moonshine or money? I want you to be spry +about decidin', for things is gittin' behindhand, and I cattle'ate to +hire if you mean to quit work." + +"Sakes alive! No man in his senses would set long on the fence when +there's a good farm and a smart wife a-waitin' on one side and nothin' +but poetry and starvation on the other!" ejaculated Aunt Becky, briskly +clattering the saucepan-lid, as if to add the savory temptations of the +flesh to those of filthy lucre. + +Ruth said nothing, but looked up at Nat with the one poetic sentiment of +her nature shining in her eyes and touching her with its tender magic, +till it seemed an easy thing to give up liberty for love. The dandelion +chain the child wove round the boy had changed to a flowery garland now, +but the man never saw the thorns among the roses, and let the woman +fetter him again; for, as he looked at her, Nat flung the cherished book +into the fire with one hand, and with the other took possession of the +only bribe that could win him from that other love. + +"I decide as you would have me, sir. Not for the sake of the farm you +promise me, but for love of her who shall one day be its happy mistress, +please God." + +"Now that's sensible and hearty, and I'm waal pleased, my boy. You jest +buckle to for a year stiddy and let your ink-horn dry, and we'll have as +harnsome a weddin' as man could wish,--always providin' Ruth don't +change her mind," said Uncle Dan, beaming benignantly at the young pair +through a cloud of tobacco smoke; while Aunt Becky poked the condemned +manuscript deeper into the coals, as if anxious to exorcise its +witchcraft by fire, in the good old fashion. + +But even in Ruth's arms Nat cast one longing, loving glance at his +first-born darling on its funeral-pyre; then turned his head resolutely +away, and whispered to the girl,-- + +"Never doubt that I love you, sweetheart, since for your sake I have +given up the ambition of my life. I don't regret it, but be patient with +me till I learn to live without my 'moonshine,' as you call it." + +"Sunshine is better, and I'll make it for you, if I can. So cheer up, +dear lad, fall to work like a man, and you'll soon forget your pretty +nonsense," answered Ruth, with firm faith in the cure she proposed. + +"I'll try." + +And, folding his wings, Pegasus bent his neck to the yoke and fell to +ploughing. + +Nat kept his word and did try manfully, working early and late, with an +energy that delighted Uncle Dan, made Aunt Becky bestir herself to +bleach her finest webs for the wedding outfit, and caused Ruth to +believe that he had forgotten the "pretty nonsense;" for the pen lay +idle and he gave all his leisure to her, discussing house-gear and stock +with as deep an interest as herself apparently. All summer long he +toiled like one intent only on his crops; all winter he cut wood and +tended cattle, as if he had no higher hope than to sell so many cords +and raise likely calves for market. + +Outwardly he was a promising young farmer, with a prosperous future and +a notable wife awaiting him. But deep in the man's heart a spark of the +divine fire still burned, unquenched by duty, love, or time. The spirit +that made light in Milton's darkness, walked with Burns beside the +plough, and lifted Shakespeare higher than the royal virgin's hand, sang +to Nat in the airy whisper of the pines, as he labored in the wintry +wood, smiled back at him in every ox-eyed daisy his scythe laid low +along the summer fields, and solaced him with visions of a fairer future +than any buxom Ruth could paint. It would not leave him, and he learned +too late that it was the life of his life, a gift that could not be +returned, a blessing turned into a curse; for, though he had burned the +little book, from its ashes rose a flame that consumed him, since it +could find no vent. Even the affection, for which he had made a costlier +sacrifice than he knew, looked pale and poor beside the loftier +loveliness that dawned upon him in the passionate struggle, ripening +heart and soul to sudden manhood; and the life that lay before him +seemed very bleak and barren when he returned from playing truant in the +enchanted world Imagination opens to her gifted children. + +Ruth vaguely felt the presence of this dumb despair, dimly saw its +shadow in the eyes that sometimes wore a tragic look, and fancied that +the hand working so faithfully for her was slipping from her hold, it +grew so thin and hot with the inward fever, which no herb in all her +garden could allay. She vainly tried to rise to his level; but the busy +sparrow could not follow the aspiring lark, singing at heaven's gate. It +could only chirp its little lay and build its nest, with no thought +beyond a straw, a worm, and the mate that was to come. + +Nat never spoke of the past, and Ruth dared not, for she grew to feel +that he did "regret it" bitterly, though too generous for a word of +reproach or complaint. + +"I'll make it up to him when we are married; and he will learn to love +the farm when he has little lads and lasses of his own to work for," she +often said to herself, as she watched her lover sit among them, after +his day's work, listening to their gossip with a pathetic sort of +patience, or, pleading a weariness there was no need to feign, lie on +the old settle, lost in thoughts that made his face shine like one who +talked with angels. + +So the year rolled round, and May came again. Uncle Dan was well +satisfied, Aunt Becky's preparations were completed, and Ruth had not +"changed her mind." + +"Settle about the weddin' as soon as you like, my girl, and I'll see +that it is a merry one," said the old man, coming in from work, as Ruth +blew the horn from the back porch one night at sunset. + +"Nat must decide that. Where is he, Uncle?" asked the girl, looking out +upon the quiet landscape, touched with spring's tenderest green. + +"Down in the medder, ploughin'. It's a toughish bit, and he'll be late, +I reckon; for he took a long noon-spell, and I give him a piece of my +mind about it, so I'll venter to say he won't touch a bit of victuals +till the last furrow is laid," answered Uncle Dan, plodding away to wash +his hands at the horse-trough. + +"Nay, Uncle, it is his birthday, and surely he had a right to a little +rest, for he works like a slave, to please us, though far from well, I'm +thinking." And, waiting for no reply, Ruth hurried in, filled a tankard +with cider, and tripped away to bring her lover home, singing as she +went, for Nat loved to hear her voice. + +Down the green lane toward the river the happy singer stepped, thinking +in what sweet words she could give the old man's message. But the song +died on her lips and the smiling eyes grew wistful suddenly; for, +passing by the willow-trees, she saw the patient oxen standing in the +field alone. + +"Nat is hunting violets for me," she thought, with a throb of pleasure; +for she was jealous of a viewless rival, and valued every token of +fidelity her lover gave her. + +But as she drew nearer Ruth frowned; for Nat lay beside the river, +evidently quite forgetful of scolding, supper, and sweetheart. No, not +of the latter; for a little nosegay of violets lay ready near the paper +on which he seemed to be writing a song or sonnet to accompany the gift. + +Seeing this, the frown faded, as the girl stole noiselessly across the +grass, to peep over his shoulder, with a soft rebuke for his imprudence +and delay. + +Alas for Ruth! One glance at the placid face, pillowed on his arm, told +her that this birthday was Nat's last; for the violets were less white +than the cheek they touched, the pencil had fallen from nerveless +fingers, and Death's hand had written "Finis" to both life and lay. With +a bitter cry, she gathered the weary head into her arms, fearing she had +come too late to say good-by. But the eyes that opened were so tranquil, +and the pale lips that answered wore such a happy smile, she felt that +tears would mar his peace, and hushed her sobs, to listen as he +whispered brokenly, with a glance that brightened as it turned from the +wide field where his last hard day's work lay finished, to the quiet +river, whose lullaby was soothing him to sleep. + +"Tell Uncle I did not stop till the job was done, nor break my promise; +for the year is over now, and it was so sweet to write again that I +forgot to go home till it was too late." + +"O Nat, not too late. You shall work no more, but write all day, without +a care. We have been too hard upon you, and you too patient with our +blindness. Dear lad, forgive us, and come home to live a happier year +than this has been," cried Ruth, trying with remorseful tenderness to +keep the delicate spirit that was escaping from her hold, like the +butterfly that died among her roses with broken wings. + +But Nat had no desire to stay; for he _was_ going home, to feel hunger, +thirst, and weariness no more, to find a love Ruth could not give, and +to change earth's prose to heaven's immortal poetry. Yet he lingered on +the threshold to look back and whisper gently: "It is better so, +sweetheart. There was no place for me here, and I was homesick for my +own friends and country. I'm going to find them, and I'm quite content. +Forget me and be happy; or remember me only in the springtime, when the +world is loveliest and my birthday comes. See, this is all I had to give +you; but my heart was in it." + +He tried to lift the unfinished song and give it to her; but it +fluttered down upon his breast, and the violets dropped after, lying +there unstirred by any breath, for with the words a shadow deeper than +that twilight laid upon the fields stole over the face on Ruth's bosom, +and all the glory of the sunset sky could only touch it with a pathetic +peace, as the poet lay asleep beside the river. + +He lies there still, the legend says, under the low green mound, where +violets bloom earliest, where the old willows drop their golden tassels +in the spring, and blackbirds fill the air with their melodious ecstasy. +No song of his lived after him; no trace of him remains, except that +nameless grave; and few ever heard of one who came and went like the +snow for which they christened him. Yet it seems as if his gentle ghost +still haunted those sunny meadows, still listened to the enchanted +river, and touched with some mysterious charm the places that knew him +once. For strangers find a soft attraction in the quiet landscape; +lovers seek those green solitudes to tell the story that is always new; +and poets muse beside the shadowy stream, hearing, as he heard, a call +to live the life that lifts them highest by unwavering fidelity to the +gift Heaven sends. + + + + +LETTY'S TRAMP. + + +Letty sat on the doorstep one breezy summer day, looking down the road +and wishing with all her heart that something pleasant would happen. She +often did this; and one of her earliest delights when a lonely child was +to sit there with a fairy book upon her knee, waiting and watching in +all good faith for something wonderful to happen. + +In those days, Cinderella's golden coach dashing round the corner to +carry her away was the favorite dream; but at eighteen one thinks more +of the prince than either golden coach or splendid ball. But no prince +as yet had cut his way through the grove of "laylocks" round the gate, +and the little beauty still dreamed waking dreams on the doorstep, with +her work forgotten in her lap. + +Behind her in the quaint, quiet room Aunt Liddy dozed in her easy chair, +the clock ticked, the bird chirped, old Bran snapped lazily at the +flies, and nothing else broke the hush that brooded over the place. It +was always so, and Letty often felt as if an earthquake would be a +blessed relief to the dreadful monotony of her life. + +To-day it was peculiarly trying, for a slight incident had ruffled the +calm; and, though it lasted but a moment, it had given Letty a glimpse +into that lovely "new world which is the old." A carriage containing a +gay young couple on their honeymoon trip had stopped at the gate, for +the bride had a fancy for a draught from the mossy well, and the +bridegroom blandly demanded that her whim be gratified. + +Letty served them, and while one pretty girl slaked her thirst the other +watched her with admiring eyes and a tender interest, touched by envy. +It was all over in a minute. Then bonny bride and enamoured bridegroom +rolled away on that enchanted journey which is taken but once in a +lifetime, leaving a cloud of dust behind and a deeper discontent in +Letty's heart. + +With a long sigh she had gone back to her seat, and, closing her eyes +upon a world that could offer her so little, fell a-dreaming again, till +a rough voice startled her wide awake. + +"I say, miss, can you give a poor fellow a bite and a sup?" + +Opening her eyes, she saw a sturdy tramp leaning over the low gate, so +ragged, dusty, worn, and weary that she forgave the look of admiration +in the bold black eyes which had been fixed on her longer than she knew. +Before she could answer, however, Aunt Liddy, a hospitable old soul, +called out from within,-- + +"Certin, certin. Set right down on the doorstep and rest a spell, while +we see what we can do about vittles." + +Letty vanished into the pantry, and the man threw himself down in the +shady porch, regardless of Bran's suspicious growl. He pulled off his +hat, stretched out his tired limbs, and leaned his rough head back among +the woodbine leaves, with a long breath, as if nearly spent. + +When Letty brought him a plate of bread and meat, he took it from her so +eagerly and with such a ravenous look that she shrank back +involuntarily. Seeing which he said, with a poor attempt at a laugh,-- + +"You needn't be afraid. I look like a rough customer; but I won't hurt +you. + +"Lawful sakes! We ain't no call to be afraid of no one, though we be +lone women; for Bran is better'n a dozen men. A lamb to them he knows; +but let any one try to pester Letty, and I never see a fercer beast," +said Aunt Liddy, as the girl went back for more food, seeing the +stranger's need. + +"He knows _I'm_ all right, and makes friends at once, you see," answered +the tramp, with a satisfied nod, as Bran, after a brief investigation, +sat down beside him, with a pacific wag of the tail. + +"Well, I never! He don't often do that to strangers. Guess you're fond +of dumb critters," said Aunt Liddy, much impressed by Bran's unusual +condescension. + +"They've been my best friends, and I don't forget it," returned the man, +giving the dog a bone, though half-starved himself. + +Something in the tone, the act, touched Letty's tender heart, and made +her own voice very sweet and cordial as she said,-- + +"Please have some milk. It's nice and cold." + +The tramp put up both hands to take the bowl, and as he did so looked +into a face so full of compassion that it seemed like an angel's leaning +down to comfort a lost and weary soul. Hard as life had been to the poor +fellow, it had not spoiled him yet, as was plainly proved by the change +that softened his whole face like magic, and trembled in the voice that +said, as if it were a sort of grace, "God bless you, Miss," as he bent +his head and drank. + +Only a look of human sympathy and human gratitude; yet, in the drawing +of a breath, it cast out Letty's fear, and made the stranger feel as if +he had found friends, for it was the touch of Nature that makes the +whole world kin. Every one seemed to feel its influence. Bran turned his +benevolent eyes approvingly from his mistress to his new friend: the +girl sat down confidingly; and the old lady began to talk, for, being +fond of chat, she considered a stranger as a special providence. + +"Where be you travellin'?" + +"Nowhere in particular." + +"Where did you come from, then?" continued Aunt Liddy, undaunted by the +short answer. + +"California." + +"Do tell! Guess you've been one of the rovin' sort, ain't you?" + +"Haven't done much else." + +"It don't appear to have agreed with you remarkable well," said the +blunt old lady, peering at him over her spectacles. + +"If I hadn't had the devil's own luck, I'd have been a rich man, instead +of a beggar," answered the tramp, with a grim look and an ireful +knitting of his black brows. + +"Been unfort'nate, have you? I'm sorry for that; but it 'pears to me +them as stays to home and works stiddy does better than them that goes +huntin' after luck," observed Aunt Liddy, feeling it her duty to give a +word of advice. + +"Shouldn't wonder if you were right, ma'am. But some folks haven't got +any home to stay in; and fellows of my sort have to hunt after luck, for +it won't come to 'em." + +"Ain't you got no friends, young man?" + +"Not one. Lost the last yesterday." + +"Took suddin, I suppose?" and the old lady's face was full of interest +as she put the question. + +"Drowned." + +"Merciful sakes! How did it happen?" + +"Got hurt, couldn't be cured, so I drowned him, and"-- + +"What!" shrieked Aunt Liddy, upsetting her footstool with a horrified +start. + +"Only a dog, ma'am. I couldn't carry him, wouldn't leave him to suffer; +so put him out of pain and came on alone." + +The tramp had ceased eating, and sat with his head on his hand in a +despondent attitude, that told his story better than words. His voice +was gruffer than ever as he spoke of his dog; but the last word was +husky, and he put his hand on Bran's head with a touch that won the good +creature's heart entirely, and made him lick the downcast face, with a +little whine of sympathy and satisfaction. + +Letty's eyes were full, and Aunt Liddy took snuff and settled her +footstool, feeling that something must be done for one who showed signs +of being worth the saving. + +"Poor creter! And you was fond of him?" she said in a motherly tone; for +the man of five or six and twenty was but a boy to her. + +"I'd have been a brute if I wasn't fond of him, for he stuck to me when +all the other fellows cut me, and tried to drag himself along with a +broken leg, rather than leave me. Talk about friends! Give me a dumb +animal if you want one worth having." + +A bitter tone was in the man's voice and a wrathful spark kindled in his +eyes, as if wrong as well as want had made him what he was. + +"Rest a little, and tell us about California. A neighbor went there, and +we like to hear news of that great, splendid place." + +Letty spoke, and the half-eager, half-timid voice was very winning, +especially to one who seldom heard such now. Seeing her kindly interest, +and glad to pay for his meal in the only way he could, the man told some +of his adventures in brief but graphic words, while the old woman plied +him with questions and the young one listened with a face so full of +pretty wonder that the story-teller was inspired to do his best. + +Aunt Liddy's cap-frills stood erect with horror at some of the +hair-breadth escapes recounted; but to Letty it was better than any +romance she had ever read to listen to tales full of danger and +hardship, told by a living voice and face to face with the chief actor +in them all, who unconsciously betrayed that he possessed many of the +manly attributes women most admire. + +"After adventures like these, I don't wonder it seems hard to settle +down, as other folks do," she said warmly, when the man stopped short, +as if ashamed of talking so much of his own affairs. + +"I wouldn't mind trying it, though," he answered, as he glanced about +the sunny little room, so home-like and reposeful, and so haunted by all +the sweet influences that touch men's hearts when most forlorn. + +"You'd better," said Aunt Liddy, decidedly. "Git work and stick to it; +and, if luck don't come, bread and butter will, and in a world of woe +mebby that's about as much as any one on us ought to expect." + +"I have tried to get it. But I'm such a hard-looking chap no one wants +me; and I don't blame 'em. Look at that hat, now! Ain't that enough to +spoil a man's chance, let alone his looks?" The young fellow held up a +battered object with such a comical mixture of disgust and indignation +that Letty could not help laughing; and the blithe sound was so +contagious that the wanderer joined in it, cheered already by rest and +food and kindly words. + +"It's singular what store men-folks do set by their hats. My Moses +couldn't never read his paper till he'd put on his'n, and as for drivin' +a nail bare-headed, in doors or out, he'd never think of such a thing," +said Aunt Liddy, with the air of one well versed in the mysterious ways +of men-folks. + +But Letty clapped her hands, as if a brilliant idea had flashed upon +her, and, running to the back entry, returned with a straw hat, brown +and dusty, but shady, whole, and far more appropriate to the season than +the ragged felt the man was eying hopelessly. + +"It isn't very good; but it might do for a time. We only keep it to +scare folks, and I don't feel afraid now. Would you mind if I gave it to +you?" stammered Letty, coloring up, as she tried to offer her poor gift +courteously. + +"Mind! I guess I'd be glad to get it, fit or no fit," and, dropping the +old hat, the tramp clapped on the new one, making his mirror of the +bright eyes before him. + +"It does nicely, and you're very welcome," said the girl, getting rosier +still, for there was something beside gratitude in the brown face that +had lost the dogged, dangerous look it wore at first. + +"Now, if you was to wash up and smooth that hair of yourn a trifle, +you'd be a likely-looking young man; and, if you're civil-spoken and +willin' to lend a hand anywheres, you'll git work, I ain't a doubt," +observed Aunt Liddy, feeling a growing interest in the wayfarer, and, +womanlike, acknowledging the necessity of putting the best foot +foremost. + +Letty ran for basin and towel, and, pointing to the well, modestly +retired into the kitchen, while Aunt Liddy watched the vigorous +scrubbing that went on in the yard; for the tramp splashed the water +about like a Newfoundland dog, and Bran assisted at the brief toilet +with hospitable zeal. + +It seemed as if a different man came out from that simple baptism; for +the haggard cheek had a glow upon it, the eyes had lost their +hopelessness, and something like courage and self-respect shone in the +face that looked in at the door as the stranger gave back basin and +towel, saying, with a wave of the old straw hat,-- + +"I'm heartily obliged, ma'am. Would you kindly tell me how far it is to +the next big town?" + +"Twenty miles. The cars will take you right there, and the deepo ain't +fur," answered Aunt Liddy, showing the way. + +The man glanced at his ragged shoes, then squared his broad shoulders, +as if bracing himself for the twenty long hot miles that his weary feet +must carry him, since his pockets were empty, and he could not bring +himself to ask for any thing but food enough to keep life in him. + +"Good-by, ma'am, and God bless you." And, slouching the hat over his +eyes, he limped away, escorted to the gate by Bran. + +At the turn of the road he stopped and looked back as wistfully as ever +Letty had done along the shadowy road, and as he looked it seemed as if +he saw a younger self setting off with courage, hope, and energy upon +the journey, which alas! had ended here. His eye went to the old well, +as if there had been some healing in its water; then turned to the +porch, where he had been fed and comforted, and lingered there as if +some kindly memory warmed his solitary heart. + +Just then a little figure in blue gingham ran out and came fluttering +after him, accompanied by Bran, in a state of riotous delight. Rosy and +breathless, Letty hurried to him, and, looking up with a face full of +the innocent compassion that never can offend, she said, offering a +parcel neatly folded up,-- + +"Aunt Liddy sends you some dinner; and this, so that you needn't walk, +unless you like, you are so lame." + +As if more touched than he cared to show, the man took the food, but +gently put away the little roll of greenbacks, saying quickly,-- + +"Thank you for this; but I can't take your money." + +"We ain't rich, but we love to help folks. So you needn't be proud about +it." And Letty looked ruffled at his refusal. + +"I'll take something else, if you don't mind," said the tramp, pulling +off his hat, with a sudden smile that made his face look young and +comely. + +"What is it?" And Letty looked up so innocently that it was impossible +to resist the impulse of a grateful heart. + +His answer was to stoop and kiss the blooming cheek, that instantly grew +scarlet with girlish shame and anger as she turned to fly. Catching her +by the hand, he said penitently,-- + +"I couldn't help it, you're so good to me. Don't begrudge me a kiss for +luck. I need it, God knows!" + +The man's real destitution and despair broke out in these words, and he +grasped the little hand as if it was the only thing that kept him from +the manifold temptations of a desperate mood. + +It thrilled the girl like a cry for help, and made her forget everything +except that a fellow-creature suffered. She shook the big hand warmly, +and said, with all her heart,-- + +"You're welcome, if it helps you. Good-by and good luck to you!" and ran +away as fast as she had come. + +The man stood motionless, and watched her till she vanished, then turned +and tramped sturdily on, muttering to himself, with a suspicious +gruffness in his voice,-- + +"If I had a little mate like that alongside, I know my luck would turn." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +A wild December night, with bitter wind and blinding snow, reigned +outside the long, rude building, lighted only by furnace fires, that +went roaring up the tall chimneys, whence poured clouds of smoke and +showers of sparks, like beacons through the storm. No living thing +appeared in that shadowy place except a matronly gray cat, sitting bolt +upright upon an old rug spread over a heap of sand near one of the +fires. A newspaper and a tin pail were beside her, and she seemed to +have mounted guard, while the watchman of the Foundry went his rounds. + +A door stood half-open upon the sheltered side of the building; and +suddenly, as if blown thither like a storm-driven bird, a little figure +came fluttering in, breathless, half-frozen, and quite bewildered by a +long struggle with the pitiless gale. Feebly brushing away the snow that +blinded her, the poor thing looked about her with frightened eyes; and, +seeing no one but the cat, seemed to take courage and crept toward the +fire, as if suffering for the moment conquered fear. + +"Oh! Pussy, let me warm myself one minute, for I'm perished with the +cold," she whispered, stretching two benumbed hands to the blaze. + +The cat opened her yellow eyes, and, evidently glad to meet one of her +own sex, began to purr hospitably as she rustled across the newspaper to +greet her guest. There was something inexpressibly comforting in the +sound; and, reassured by it, the girl pushed back her drenched hat, +shook her snowy garments, and drew a long breath, like one nearly spent. +Yet, even while she basked in the warmth that was salvation, her timid +eyes glanced about the great, gloomy place, and her attitude was that of +one ready to fly at a moment's warning. + +Presently a step sounded on a flight of stairs leading to some loft +above. The wanderer started like a hare, and, drawing nearer to the +door, paused as if to catch a glimpse of the approaching face before she +fled away into the storm, that howled just then with a violence which +might well daunt a stouter heart. + +A tall man, in a rough coat, with grizzled hair and beard under an old +fur cap, came slowly down the steps, whistling softly to himself, as he +swung his lantern to and fro. + +"An old man, and the cat is fond of him. I guess I'll dare to ask my +way, or I'll never get home," thought the girl, as her eye scanned the +new-comer with a woman's quickness. + +An involuntary rustle of her dress caught his ear, and, lifting the +lantern, he saw her at once; but did not speak, as if afraid of +frightening her still more, for her pale face and the appealing gesture +of the outstretched hand told her fear and need better than her hurried +words,-- + +"Oh! please, I've lost my way and am nearly frozen. Could I warm myself +a bit and find out where I am?" + +"Of course, you may. Why, bless your heart, I wouldn't turn a dog out +such a night as this, much less a poor little soul like you," answered +the man, in a hearty tone, that rang true on the listening ear of the +girl. + +Then he hung up the lantern, put a stool nearer the fire, and beckoned +her to approach. But even the kindly words and act failed to win the +timid creature; for she drew back as he advanced, gave a glance at the +door, and said, as if appealing to the best instincts of the man, whom +she longed yet feared to trust,-- + +"Thank you; but it's getting late, and I ought to be getting on, if I +knew the way. Perhaps you've got some girls of your own, so you can +understand how scared I am to be lost at night and in such a strange +place as this." + +The man stared, then laughed, and, shaking the snow from his curly hair +and beard, showed himself to be a young and pleasant-looking fellow, +with a merry eye, an honest brown face, and a hearty voice. + +"You thought I was an old chap, did you? Wish I was, if it would be any +comfort to you. I've got no little girls, neither, more's the pity; but +you needn't be afraid of me, though it is late and lonely. Why, Lord +love you, child, I'm not a brute! Sit down and thaw out, while you tell +me where you want to go." + +The half-indignant tone of the man made his guest feel as if she had +insulted him; and she obeyed with a docility which appeased his anger at +once. Seating herself upon the stool, she leaned toward the fire with an +irrepressible shiver, and tried to keep her teeth from chattering as she +told her little story. + +"I want work badly, and went a long way, hoping to get some. But I +didn't find it, and that discouraged me very much. I had no money, so +had to walk, and the storm got so bad I lost my way. Then I was scared +and half-frozen, and so bewildered I think I'd have died if I hadn't +seen the light and come in here." + +"I guess you would. And the best thing you can do now is to stop till +the storm lifts. Shouldn't wonder if it did about midnight," said the +man, stirring up the red embers, as if anxious to do something for her +comfort. + +"But that is so late, and I must be ever so far away from home; for I +came over the wrong bridge. Oh, me! What shall I do?" And the poor thing +wrung her hands in dismay. + +"Won't your folks go to look for you?" + +"I haven't any one in the world to care for me. The woman where I board +won't trouble herself; or she'll think I've run away, because I owe her +money. I might be dead in the river, and no one would mind!" sighed the +girl, leaning her head on her hands, while some bright, dishevelled hair +fell over her face, as if to hide its youth and innocence from a world +that seemed to have no shelter for either. + +"That's hard! But don't you be down-hearted, child. Things often mend +when they seem worst. I know; for I've been through the mill, and had +friends raised up to me when I'd about done with living, as a bad job. I +can't leave here till sunrise; but I'll do the best I can for you till +then. Sam will be along early, and he'll see to you, if you can't trust +me; for he is as gray as a badger, and he's got six girls of his own, if +that's a recommendation. I've got nothing but a cat; and she trusts me. +Don't you, old Sally?" + +As he spoke, the man sat down upon the sand-heap, and Sally leaped to +his knee, rubbing her head against his cheek, with a soft sound of +confidence and contentment which seemed to afford her friend great +satisfaction. The girl smiled faintly, and said, in an apologetic tone, +for there had been something like reproach in the man's voice, as he +asked the dumb animal to vouch for his character,-- + +"I don't believe I'd have dared to come in here if I hadn't seen Pussy. +But I thought anyone who was good to her would be good to me; and now +I'm sure of it." + +"That's right. You see, I'm a lonesome sort of a chap and like something +to pet. So I took old Sally, and we get on capitally. She won't let the +other fellows touch her, but always comes and sits with me when I am +alone here nights. And it's surprising what good company she is." + +He laughed as he spoke, as if half-ashamed of the amiable weakness, yet +anxious to put his guest at her ease. He evidently succeeded; for she +stretched two shabby little boots toward the fire and leaned her head +against a grimy beam, saying, with a sigh of weariness,-- + +"It is very comfortable; but the heat makes me feel queer and dizzy." + +"You're just about used up; and I'm going to give you a cup of hot +coffee. That'll bring you round in a jiffy. It's time for supper. Hey, +Sally?" + +As he spoke, the man set his pail in the hot ashes, unfolded a parcel of +bread and meat, and, laying a rude sandwich on a clean bit of paper, +offered it with a hospitable-- + +"Have a bit. Do, now. You've had a hard pull and need something to set +you up." + +Leaning forward to give and take, two faces came into the clear red glow +of the furnace-fire, and a look of recognition flashed into each so +suddenly that it startled both man and maid into involuntary frankness +of expression. + +"Why, it's little Letty!" + +"And you are my tramp!" + +A change so rapid as to be almost ludicrous came over the pair in the +drawing of a breath. She smoothed back her hair and hid the shabby +boots, yet sat more erect upon the stool, as if she had a right there +and felt no longer any fear. He pulled off his cap, with a pleasant +mixture of respect, surprise, and satisfaction in his manner, as he +said, in a half-proud, half-humble tone,-- + +"No, miss; for, thanks to you, I'm a decent man now." + +"Then you did find work and get on?" she exclaimed, with a bright, +wistful look, that touched him very much. + +"Didn't you get my letter?" he asked eagerly. "I sent you the first +dollar I earned, and told you and the old lady I was all right." + +Letty shook her head, and all the light passed out of her face, leaving +it pathetic in its patient sorrow. + +"Aunt Liddy died a week after you were there, so suddenly that every +thing was in confusion, and I never got the letter. I wish _she_ had +known of it, because it would have pleased her so. We often talked about +you and hoped you'd do well. We led such quiet lives, you see, that any +little thing interested us for a long time." + +"It was a little thing to you, I dare say; but it was salvation to me. +Not the money or the food only, but the kindness of the old lady, +and--and the look in your sweet face, miss. I'd got so far down, through +sickness and bad luck, that there didn't seem any thing left for me but +deviltry or death. That day it was a toss-up between any bad job that +came along first and drowning, like my dog. That seemed sort of mean, +though; and I felt more like being revenged somehow on the world, that +had been so hard on me." + +He stopped short, breathing hard, with a sudden spark in his black eyes +and a nervous clenching of the strong hands that made Letty shrink; for +he seemed to speak in spite of himself, as if the memory of that time +had left its impress on his life. + +"But you didn't do any thing bad. I'm sure you didn't; for Aunt Liddy +said there was the making of a man in you, because you were so quick to +feel a little bit of kindness and take good advice." + +The soft, eager voice of the girl seemed to work the miracle anew, for a +smile broke over his face, the angry spark was quenched, and the +clenched hand opened to offer again all it had to give, as he said, with +a characteristic mingling of fun and feeling in his voice,-- + +"I don't know much about angels; but I felt as if I'd met a couple that +day, for they saved me from destruction. You cast your bread upon the +waters, and it's come back when, maybe, you need it 'most as much as I +did then. 'Tisn't half as nice as yours; but perhaps a blessing will do +as well as butter." + +Letty took the brown bread, feeling that he had said the best grace over +it; and while she ate he talked, evidently moved to open his heart by +the memory of the past, and eager to show that he had manfully persisted +in the well-doing his angels had advised. + +"That was nearly two years ago, you know, and I've been hard at it ever +since. I took any thing that come along, and was glad to get it. The hat +did that, I firmly believe." And he laughed a short laugh, adding +soberly, "But I didn't take to work at first, for I'd been a rover and +liked it; so it took a long pull and a strong pull and a pull all +together before I settled down steady. The hat and the"--he was going to +say "kiss;" but a look at the lonely little creature sitting there so +confidingly made him change the word to--"the money seemed to bring me +luck; and I followed the advice of the good old lady, and stuck to my +work till I got to liking it. I've been here more than a year now, and +am getting on so well I shall be overseer before long. I'm only watchman +for a short time. Old Sam has been sick, and they wanted some one they +could trust, so they chose me." + +It was good to see him square his broad shoulders and throw back his +head as he said that; and pretty to see Letty nod and smile with +sincerest pleasure in his success, as she said,-- + +"It looks dark and ugly now; but I've seen a foundry when they were +casting, and it was splendid to watch the men manage the furnaces and do +wonderful things with great hammers and moulds and buckets of red-hot +melted iron. I like to know you do such things, and now I'm not afraid. +It seems sort of romantic and grand to work in this place, where every +one must be strong and brave and skilful to get on." + +"That's it. That's why I like it; don't you see?" he answered, +brightening with pleasure at her artless praise. "You just come some +casting day, and I'll show you sights you won't forget in a hurry. If +there wasn't danger and noise and good hard work wrastling with fire and +iron, and keeping a rough set of fellows in order, I shouldn't stay; for +the restless fit comes on sometimes, and I feel as if I must cut away +somewhere. Born so, and can't help it. Maybe I could, if I had something +to anchor me; but, as you say, 'Nobody would care much if I was in the +river,' and that's bad for a chap like me." + +"Sally would care," said the girl, quite soberly; for she sympathized +now with the man's loneliness as she could not have done two years ago. + +"So she would; but I'll take her with me when I leave--not for the +river, mind you. I'm in no danger of that nonsense now. But, if I go on +a tramp (and I may, if the fit gets too strong for me), she shall go +too; and we'll be Dick Whittington and his cat over again." + +He spoke in a devil-may-care tone, and patted the plump Tabby with a +curious mixture of boyish recklessness and a man's sad knowledge of life +in his face. + +"Don't go," pleaded Letty, feeling that she had a certain responsibility +in the matter. "I should mind, as well as Sally; for, if Aunt Liddy and +I helped put you in a good way, it would be a disappointment to have you +go wrong. Please stop here, and I'll try and come to see you work some +day, if I can get time. I'm likely to have plenty of it, I'm afraid." + +She began eagerly, but ended with a despondent droop of the whole +figure, that made her new friend forget himself in interest for her. + +"I'll stop, honor bright. And you come and look after me now and then. +That'll keep me steady. See if it don't. But tell me how you are getting +on? Little down on your luck just now, I guess? Come, I've told my +story, you tell yours, and maybe I can lend a hand. I owe you a good +turn, you know; and I'm one that likes to pay his debts, if he can." + +"You did pay yours; but I never got the letter, for I came away after +Aunty died. You see I wasn't her own niece,--only sort of a distant +relation; and she took me because my own people were gone. Her son had +all she left,--it wasn't much; and she told him to be good to me. But I +soon saw that I was a burden, and couldn't bear to stay. So I went away, +to take care of myself. I liked it at first; but this winter, times are +so hard and work so scarce, I don't get on at all." + +"What do you do, miss?" asked Whittington, with added respect; because +in her shabby dress and altered face he read the story of a struggle +Letty was too proud to tell. + +"I sew," she answered briefly, smoothing out her wet shawl with a hand +so thin and small it was pathetic to see, when one remembered that +nothing but a needle in those slender fingers kept want and sin at bay. + +The kindly fellow seemed to feel that; and, as his eye went from his own +strong right arm to the sledge-hammer it often swung, the instinct of +protection so keen in manly men made him long to stand between poor +Letty and the hard world he knew so well. The magnetism of sympathy +irresistibly attracted iron to steel, while little needle felt assured +that big hammer would be able to beat down many of the obstacles which +now seemed insurmountable, if she only dared to ask for aid. But help +came without the asking. + +"Been after work, you say? Why, we could give you heaps of it, if you +don't mind it's being coarse and plain. This sort of thing, you know," +touching his red shirt with a business-like air. "Our men use 'em +altogether, and like 'em strong in the seams. Some ain't, and buttons +fly off just looking at 'em. That makes a fellow mad, and swearing comes +easy." + +But Letty shook her head, though she couldn't help smiling at his sober +way of explaining the case and its sad consequences. + +"I've tried that work, and it doesn't pay. Six cents for a shirt, and +sometimes only four, isn't enough to earn one's board and clothes and +fire, even if one made half a dozen a day. _You_ can't get them for +that, and somebody grows rich while _we_ starve. + +"Hanged if I ever buy another! See here, you make me enough for a year, +and we'll have a fair bargain between us. That is, if you can't do +better and don't mind," he added, suddenly abating his warmth and +looking almost bashful over the well-meant proposal. + +"I'd love to do it. Only you mustn't pay too much," said Letty, glad of +any thing to keep her hands and thoughts busy, for life was very bare +and cold just then. + +"All right. I'll see to it directly, and nobody be the wiser," returned +her new employer, privately resolving to order a bale of red flannel on +the morrow, and pay fabulous prices for the work of the little friend +who had once kept him from worse than starvation. + +It was not much to offer, and red flannel was not a romantic subject of +conversation; but something in the prompt relief and the hearty +good-will of the man went to Letty's heart, already full to overflowing +with many cares and troubles. She tried to thank him, but could only +cover up her face and sob. It was so sweet and comfortable to find any +one who cared enough for her to lift her out of the slough of despond, +which was to her as dangerous a mood as the desperate one he had known. +There were hands enough to beckon the winsome creature to the wrong side +of the quagmire, where so many miss the stepping-stones; but she felt +that this was the right side, and the hand an honest one, though rough +and grimy with hard work. So the tears were glad and grateful tears, and +she let them flow, melting the fatal frost that had chilled her hope and +faith in God and man. + +But the causer of them could not bear the sight, for the contrast +between this forlorn girl and the blithe, blooming Letty of that +memorable day was piteous. Manlike, he tried to express his sympathy in +deeds as well as words, and, hastily filling a tin cup from the +coffee-can, pressed it upon her with a fatherly stroke of the bent head +and a soothing,-- + +"Now, my dear, just take a sip of this, and don't cry any more. We'll +straighten things out. So cheer up, and let me lend a hand anywhere, +anyhow." + +But hunger and fear, weariness and cold, had been too much for poor +Letty; and, in the act of lifting up her wet face to thank him, the +light left her eyes, and she would have slipped to the ground, if he had +not caught her. + +In a minute she was herself again, lying on the old rug, with snow upon +her forehead and some one fanning her with a newspaper. + +"I thought I was going to die," she whispered, looking about her in a +dazed sort of way. + +"Not a bit of it! You're going to sleep. That's what you want, and old +Sally's going to sit by while you do it. It's a hardish pillow; but I've +put my handkerchief over it, and, being Monday, its spick-and-span +clean." + +Letty smiled as she turned her cheek to the faded silk handkerchief laid +over the rolled-up coat under her head, for Pussy was nestling close +beside her, as if her presence was both a comfort and defence. Yet the +girl's eyes filled even while she smiled, for, when most desolate, a +friend had been raised up to her; and, though the face bending over her +was dark and shaggy, there was no fear in her own, as she said +half-appealingly, half-confidingly,-- + +"I don't believe I could go if I tried, I'm so worn out. But you'll take +care of me, and in the morning show me the way home?" + +"Please God, I will!" he answered, as solemnly as if taking an oath, +adding, as he stepped back to the stool she had left: "I shall stay here +and read my paper. Nothing shall scare you; so make yourself +comfortable, and drop off with an easy mind." + +Sitting there, he saw her lay her hands together, as if she said some +little prayer; then, turning her face from the light, she fell asleep, +lulled by the drowsy purr of the humble friend to whom she clung even in +her dreams. He only looked a minute, for something that was neither the +shimmer of firelight nor the glitter of snow-dust made the quiet group +dance mistily before his eyes; and, forgetting his paper, he fell to +drying Letty's hat. + +It was both comical and pleasant to see how tenderly he touched the +battered thing, with what interest he surveyed it, perched on his big +hand, and how carefully he smoothed out the ribbons, evidently much +bewildered as to which was the front and which the back. Giving up the +puzzle, he hung it on the handle of the great hammer, and, leaning his +chin on his hand, began to build castles in the air and watch the red +embers, as if he saw in them some vision of the future that was very +pleasant. + +Hour after hour struck from the city clocks across the river; the +lantern burned itself out, untrimmed; the storm died away; and a soft, +white silence followed the turmoil of the night. Still Letty slept like +a tired child, still old Sally, faithful to her trust, lay in the circle +of the girl's arm; and still the watchman sat before the fire, dreaming +waking dreams, as he had often done before; but never any half so +earnest, sweet, and hopeful as those that seemed to weave a tender +romance about the innocent sleeper, to whom he was loyally paying a debt +of gratitude with such poor hospitality as he could show. + +Dawn came up rosy and clear along the east; and the first level ray of +wintry sunlight, as it struck across the foundry walls, fell on Letty's +placid face, with the bright hair shining like a halo round it. + +Feeling very much as if he had entertained an angel unaware, the man +stood enjoying the pretty picture, hesitating to wake her, yet fearing +that a gruff hallo from old Sam might do it too suddenly. Somehow he +hated to have her go; for the gloomy foundry seemed an enchanted sort of +place this morning, with a purer heaven and earth outside, and within +the "little mate" whom he felt a strong desire to keep "always +alongside," for something better than luck's sake. + +He was smiling to himself over the thought, yet half ashamed to own how +it had grown and strengthened in a night, when Letty opened wide a pair +of eyes full of the peace sleep brings and the soft lustre that comes +after tears. Involuntarily the man drew back, and waited silently for +her to speak. She looked bewildered for a moment, then remembered, and +sprang up, full of the relief and fresh gratitude that came with her +first waking thought. + +"How long I've slept! How very kind you were to me! I can go now, if you +will start me right." + +"You are heartily welcome! I can take you home at once, unless you'd +rather wait for Sam," he answered, with a quick look toward the door, as +if already jealous of the venerable Samuel. + +"I'd rather go before any one comes. But perhaps you ought not to leave +yet? I wouldn't like to take you from your duty," began Letty, looking +about her for her hat. + +"Duty be--hanged! I'm going to see you safe home, if you'll let me. +Here's your hat. I dried it; but it don't look quite shipshape somehow." +And taking the shabby little object from the nail where it hung, he +presented it with such respectful care that a glimmer of the old +mirthfulness came into Letty's face, as she said, surveying it with much +disfavor,-- + +"It is almost as bad as the one I gave you; but it must do." + +"I've got that old thing up at my place now. Keep it for luck. Wish I +had one for you. Hold on! Here's a tippet--nice and warm. Have it for a +hood. You'll find it cold outside." + +He was so intent on making her comfortable that Letty could not refuse, +and tied on the tippet, while he refilled the cup with hot coffee, +carefully saved for her. + +"Little Red Riding Hood! Blest if you ain't!" he exclaimed admiringly, +as he turned to her again, and saw the sweet face in its new head-gear. + +"But you are not the wolf," she answered, with a smile like sunshine, +bending to drink from the cup he held. + +As she lifted her head, the blue eyes and the black exchanged again the +subtle glance of sympathy that made them friends before; only now the +blue ones looked up full of gratitude, and the black ones looked down +soft with pity. Neither spoke; but Letty stooped, and, gathering old +Sally in her arms, kissed the friendly creature, then followed her guide +to the door. + +"How beautiful!" she cried, as the sun came dazzling down upon the snow, +that hid all dark and ugly things with a veil of purity. + +"Looks kind of bridal, don't it?" said the man, taking a long breath of +the frosty air, and straightening himself up, as if anxious to look his +best by daylight. + +He never had looked better, in spite of the old coat and red shirt; for +the glow of the furnace-fire still seemed to touch his brown face, the +happy visions of the night still shone in his eyes, and the protective +kindliness of a generous nature gave dignity to the rough figure, as he +strode into the snow and stretched his hand to Letty, saying cheerily,-- + +"Pretty deep, but hold on to me, and I'll get you through. Better take +my hand; I washed it a-purpose." + +Letty did take it in both her little ones; and they went away together +through the deserted streets, feeling as if they were the only pair +alive in the still white world that looked so lovely in the early +sunshine. + +The girl was surprised to find how short the way seemed; for, in spite +of drifts, she got on bravely, with a strong arm to help and a friendly +voice to encourage her. Yet when she reached the last corner she +stopped, and said, with a sudden shyness which he understood and +liked,-- + +"I'd best go on alone now. But I'm very grateful to you! Please tell me +your name. I'd love to know who my friend is, though I never shall +forget his kindness." + +"Nor I yours. Joe Stone is my name. But I'd rather you called me your +tramp till we get something better," he answered, with a laugh in his +eyes, as he bent toward her for a hearty shake of the slender hand that +had grown warm in his. + +"I will! Good-by, good-by!" And, suddenly remembering how they parted +before, Letty blushed like a rose, and ran away as fast as the drifts +would let her. + +"And I'll call you my Letty some day, if I'm not much mistaken," Joe +said to himself, with a decided nod, as he went back to the foundry, +feeling that the world looked more "sort of bridal" than ever. + +He was not mistaken; for, when spring budded, his dream came true, and +in the little sewing-girl, who bound him with a silken thread so soft +and strong it never broke, he found an anchor that held him fast to +happiness and home. To Letty something wonderful happened at last. The +prince came when most she needed him; and, though even when the beggar's +rags fell off his only crown was the old hat, his royal robes red +flannel and fustian, his sceptre a sledge-hammer, she knew and loved +him, for + + "The man was a man for a' that." + + + + +SCARLET STOCKINGS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_HOW THEY WALKED INTO LENNOX'S LIFE_ + + +"Come out for a drive, Harry?" + +"Too cold." + +"Have a game of billiards?" + +"Too tired." + +"Go and call on the Fairchilds?" + +"Having an unfortunate prejudice against country girls, I respectfully +decline." + +"What will you do, then?" + +"Nothing, thank you." + +And, settling himself more luxuriously upon the couch, Lennox closed his +eyes, and appeared to slumber tranquilly. Kate shook her head, and stood +regarding her brother despondently, till a sudden idea made her turn +toward the window, exclaiming abruptly,-- + +"Scarlet stockings, Harry!" + +"Where?" and, as if the words were a spell to break the deepest +day-dream, Lennox hurried to the window, with an unusual expression of +interest in his listless face. + +"I thought that would succeed! She isn't there, but I've got you up, and +you are not to go down again," laughed Kate, taking possession of the +sofa. + +"Not a bad manoeuvre. I don't mind: it's about time for the one +interesting event of the day to occur, so I'll watch for myself, thank +you," and Lennox took the easy chair by the window with a shrug and a +yawn. + +"I'm glad any thing does interest you," said Kate, petulantly. "I don't +think it amounts to much, for, though you perch yourself at the window +every day to see that girl pass, you don't care enough about it to ask +her name." + +"I've been waiting to be told." + +"It's Belle Morgan, the doctor's daughter, and my dearest friend." + +"Then, of course, she is a blue-belle?" + +"Don't try to be witty or sarcastic with her, for she will beat you at +that." + +"Not a dumb-belle, then?" + +"Quite the reverse: she talks a good deal, and very well, too, when she +likes." + +"She is very pretty: has anybody the right to call her 'Ma belle'?" + +"Many would be glad to do so, but she won't have any thing to say to +them." + +"A Canterbury belle, in every sense of the word, then?" + +"She might be, for all Canterbury loves her; but she isn't fashionable, +and has more friends among the poor than among the rich." + +"Ah, I see, a diving-bell, who knows how to go down into a sea of +troubles, and bring up the pearls worth having." + +"I'll tell her that, it will please her. You are really waking up, +Harry," and Kate smiled approvingly upon him. + +"This page of 'Belle's Life' is rather amusing, so read away," said +Lennox, glancing up-the street, as if he awaited the appearance of the +next edition with pleasure. + +"There isn't much to tell; she is a nice, bright, energetic, +warm-hearted dear; the pride of the doctor's heart, and a favorite with +every one, though she is odd." + +"How odd?" + +"Does and says what she likes, is very blunt and honest, has ideas and +principles of her own, goes to parties in high dresses, won't dance +round dances, and wears red stockings, though Mrs. Plantagenet says it's +fast." + +"Rather a jolly little person, I fancy. Why haven't we met her at some +of the tea-fights and muffin-worries we've been to lately?" + +"It may make you angry, but it will do you good, so I'll tell. She +didn't care enough about seeing the distinguished stranger to come; +that's the truth." + +"Sensible girl, to spare herself hours of mortal dulness, gossip, and +dyspepsia," was the placid reply. + +"She has seen you, though, at church, and dawdling about town, and she +called you 'Sir Charles Coldstream,' on the spot. How does that suit?" +asked Kate, maliciously. + +"Not bad; I rather like that. Wish she'd call some day, and stir us up." + +"She won't; I asked her, but she said she was very busy, and told Jessy +Tudor she wasn't fond of peacocks." + +"I don't exactly see the connection." + +"Stupid boy! she meant you, of course." + +"Oh, I'm peacocks, am I?" + +"I don't wish to be rude, but I really do think you _are_ vain of your +good looks, elegant accomplishments, and the impression you make +wherever you go. When it's worth while, you exert yourself, and are +altogether fascinating; but the 'I come-see-and-conquer' air you put on +spoils it all for sensible people." + +"It strikes me that Miss Morgan has slightly infected you with her +oddity, as far as bluntness goes. Fire away! it's rather amusing to be +abused when one is dying of ennui." + +"That's grateful and complimentary to me, when I have devoted myself to +you ever since you came. But every thing bores you, and the only sign of +interest you've shown is in those absurd red hose. I _should_ like to +know what the charm is," said Kate, sharply. + +"Impossible to say; accept the fact calmly as I do, and be grateful that +there is one glimpse of color, life, and spirit in this aristocratic +tomb of a town." + +"You are not obliged to stay in it!" fiercely. + +"Begging your pardon, my dove, but I am. I promised to give you my +enlivening society for a month, and a Lennox keeps his word, even at the +cost of his life." + +"I'm sorry I asked such a sacrifice; but I innocently thought that, +after being away for five long years, you might care to see your orphan +sister," and the dove produced her handkerchief with a plaintive sniff. + +"Now, my dear creature, don't be melodramatic, I beg of you!" cried her +brother, imploringly. "I wished to come, I pined to embrace you, and, I +give you my word, I don't blame you for the stupidity of this confounded +place." + +"It never was so gay as since you came, for every one has tried to make +it pleasant for you," cried Kate, ruffled at his indifference to the +hospitable efforts of herself and friends. "But you don't care for any +of our simple amusements, because you are spoilt by the flattery, +gayety, and nonsense of foreign society. If I didn't know it was half +affectation, I should be in despair, you are so _blasé_ and absurd. It's +always the way with men: if one happens to be handsome, accomplished, +and talented, he puts on as many airs, and is as vain as any silly +girl." + +"Don't you think if you took breath you'd get on faster, my dear?" asked +the imperturbable gentleman, as Kate paused with a gasp. + +"I know it's useless for me to talk, as you don't care a straw what I +say; but it's true, and some day you'll wish you had done something +worth doing all these years. I was so proud of you, so fond of you, that +I can't help being disappointed to find you with no more ambition than +to kill time comfortably, no interest in any thing but your own +pleasures, and only energy enough to amuse yourself with a pair of +scarlet stockings." + +Pathetic as poor Kate's face and voice were, it was impossible to help +laughing at the comical conclusion of her lament. Lennox tried to hide +the smile on his lips by affecting to curl his moustache with care, and +to gaze pensively out as if touched by her appeal. But he wasn't,--oh, +bless you, no! she was only his sister, and, though she might have +talked with the wisdom of Solomon and the eloquence of Demosthenes, it +wouldn't have done a particle of good. Sisters do very well to work for +one, to pet one, and play confidante when one's love affairs need +feminine wit to conduct them; but when they begin to reprove, or +criticise, or moralize, it won't do, and can't be allowed, of course. +Lennox never snubbed anybody, but blandly extinguished them by a polite +acquiescence in all their affirmations, for the time being, and then +went on in his own way as if nothing had been said. + +"I dare say you are right; I'll go and think over your very sensible +advice," and, as if roused to unwonted exertion by the stings of an +accusing conscience, he left the room abruptly. + +"I do believe I've made an impression at last! He's actually gone out to +think over what I've said. Dear Harry, I was sure he had a heart, if one +only knew how to get at it!" and with a sigh of satisfaction Kate went +to the window to behold the "Dear Harry" going briskly down the street +after a pair of scarlet stockings. A spark of anger kindled in her eyes +as she watched him, and when he vanished she still stood knitting her +brows in deep thought, for a grand idea was dawning upon her. + +It _was_ a dull town; no one could deny that, for everybody was so +intensely proper and well-born that nobody dared to be jolly. All the +houses were square, aristocratic mansions with Revolutionary elms in +front and spacious coach-houses behind. The knockers had a supercilious +perk to their bronze or brass noses, the dandelions on the lawns had a +highly connected air, and the very pigs were evidently descended from +"our first families." Stately dinner-parties, decorous dances, moral +picnics, and much tea-pot gossiping were the social resources of the +place. Of course, the young people flirted, for that diversion is +apparently irradicable even in the "best society," but it was done with +a propriety which was edifying to behold. + +One can easily imagine that such a starched state of things would not be +particularly attractive to a travelled young gentleman like Lennox, who, +as Kate very truly said, _had_ been spoilt by the flattery, luxury, and +gayety of foreign society. He did his best, but by the end of the first +week ennui claimed him for its own, and passive endurance was all that +was left him. From perfect despair he was rescued by the scarlet +stockings, which went tripping by one day as he stood at the window, +planning some means of escape. + +A brisk, blithe-faced girl passed in a gray walking suit with a +distracting pair of high-heeled boots and glimpses of scarlet at the +ankle. Modest, perfectly so, I assure you, were the glimpses; but the +feet were so decidedly pretty that one forgot to look at the face +appertaining thereunto. It wasn't a remarkably lovely face, but it was a +happy, wholesome one, with all sorts of good little dimples in cheek and +chin, sunshiny twinkles in the black eyes, and a decided yet lovable +look about the mouth that was quite satisfactory. A busy, bustling +little body she seemed to be, for sack-pockets and muff were full of +bundles, and the trim boots tripped briskly over the ground, as if the +girl's heart were as light as her heels. Somehow this active, pleasant +figure seemed to wake up the whole street, and leave a streak of +sunshine behind it, for every one nodded as it passed, and the primmest +faces relaxed into smiles, which lingered when the girl had gone. + +"Uncommonly pretty feet,--she walks well, which American girls seldom +do,--all waddle or prance,--nice face, but the boots are French, and it +does my heart good to see them." + +Lennox made these observations to himself as the young lady approached, +nodded to Kate at another window, gave a quick but comprehensive glance +at himself and trotted round the corner, leaving the impression on his +mind that a whiff of fresh spring air had blown through the street in +spite of the December snow. He didn't trouble himself to ask who it was, +but fell into the way of lounging in the bay-window at about three P.M., +and watching the gray and scarlet figure pass with its blooming cheeks, +bright eyes, and elastic step. Having nothing else to do, he took to +petting this new whim, and quite depended on the daily stirring up which +the sight of the energetic damsel gave him. Kate saw it all, but took no +notice till the day of the little tiff above recorded; after that she +was as soft as a summer sea, and by some clever stroke had Belle Morgan +to tea that very week. + +Lennox was one of the best-tempered fellows in the world, but the +"peacocks" did rather nettle him, because there was some truth in the +insinuation; so he took care to put on no airs or try to be fascinating +in the presence of Miss Belle. In truth, he soon forgot himself +entirely, and enjoyed her oddities with a relish, after the prim +proprieties of the other young ladies who had simpered and sighed before +him. For the first time in his life, the "Crusher," as his male friends +called him, got crushed; for Belle, with the subtle skill of a +quick-witted, keen-sighted girl, soon saw and condemned the elegant +affectations which others called foreign polish. A look, a word, a +gesture from a pretty woman, is often more eloquent and impressive than +moral essays or semi-occasional twinges of conscience; and in the +presence of one satirical little person Sir Charles Coldstream soon +ceased to deserve the name. + +Belle seemed to get over her hurry and to find time for occasional +relaxation, but one never knew in what mood he might find her, for the +weathercock was not more changeable than she. Lennox liked that, and +found the muffin-worries quite endurable with this _sauce piquante_ to +relieve their insipidity. Presently he discovered that he was suffering +for exercise, and formed the wholesome habit of promenading the town +about three P.M.; Kate said, to follow the scarlet stockings. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_WHERE THEY LED HIM._ + + +"Whither away, Miss Morgan?" asked Lennox, as he overtook her one bitter +cold day. + +"I'm taking my constitutional." + +"So am I." + +"With a difference," and Belle glanced at the blue-nosed, muffled-up +gentleman strolling along beside her with an occasional shiver and +shrug. + +"After a winter in the south of France, one does not find arctic weather +like this easy to bear," he said, with a disgusted air. + +"I like it, and do my five or six miles a day, which keeps me in what +fine ladies call 'rude health,'" answered Belle, walking him on at a +pace which soon made his furs a burden. + +She was a famous pedestrian, and a little proud of her-powers; but she +outdid all former feats that day, and got over the ground in gallant +style. Something in her manner put her escort on his mettle; and his +usual lounge was turned into a brisk march, which set his blood dancing, +face glowing, and spirits effervescing as they had not done for many a +day. + +"There! you look more like your real self now," said Belle, with the +first sign of approval she had ever vouch-safed him, as he rejoined her +after a race to recover her veil, which the wind whisked away over hedge +and ditch. + +"Are you sure you know what my real self is?" he asked, with a touch of +the "conquering hero" air. + +"Not a doubt of it. I always know a soldier when I see one," returned +Belle, decidedly. + +"A soldier! that's the last thing I should expect to be accused of," and +Lennox looked both surprised and gratified. + +"There's a flash in your eye and a ring to your voice, occasionally, +which made me suspect that you had fire and energy enough if you only +chose to show it, and the spirit with which you have just executed the +'Morgan Quickstep' proves that I was right," returned Belle, laughing. + +"Then I am not altogether a 'peacock'?" said Lennox, significantly, for +during the chat, which had been as brisk as the walk, Belle had given +his besetting sins several sly hits, and he couldn't resist one return +shot, much as her unexpected compliment pleased him. + +Poor Belle blushed up to her forehead, tried to look as if she did not +understand, and gladly hid her confusion behind the recovered veil +without a word. + +There was a decided display both of the "flash" and the "ring," as +Lennox looked at the suddenly subdued young lady, and, quite satisfied +with his retaliation, gave the order, "Forward, march!" which brought +them to the garden-gate breathless, but better friends than before. + +The next time the young people met, Belle was in such a hurry that she +went round the corner with an abstracted expression which was quite a +triumph of art. Just then, off tumbled the lid of the basket she +carried; and Lennox, rescuing it from a puddle, obligingly helped +readjust it over a funny collection of bottles, dishes, and tidy little +rolls of all sorts. + +"It's very heavy, mayn't I carry it for you?" he asked, in an +insinuating manner. + +"No, thank you," was on Belle's lips; but, observing that he was dressed +with unusual elegance to pay calls, she couldn't resist the temptation +of making a beast of burden of him, and took him at his word. + +"You may, if you like. I've got more bundles to take from the store, and +another pair of hands won't come amiss." + +Lennox lifted his eyebrows, also the basket; and they went on again, +Belle very much absorbed in her business, and her escort wondering where +she was going with all that rubbish. Filling his unoccupied hand with +sundry brown paper parcels, much to the detriment of the light glove +that covered it, Belle paraded him down the main street before the +windows of the most aristocratic mansions, and then dived into a dirty +back-lane, where the want and misery of the town was decorously kept out +of sight. + +"You don't mind scarlet fever, I suppose?" observed Belle, as they +approached the unsavory residence of Biddy O'Brien. + +"Well, I'm not exactly partial to it," said Lennox, rather taken aback. + +"You needn't go in if you are afraid, or speak to me afterwards, so no +harm will be done--except to your gloves." + +"Why do _you_ come here, if I may ask? It isn't the sort of amusement I +should recommend," he began, evidently disapproving of the step. + +"Oh, I'm used to it, and like to play nurse where father plays doctor. +I'm fond of children and Mrs. O'Brien's are little dears," returned +Belle, briskly, threading her way between ash-heaps and mud-puddles as +if bound to a festive scene. + +"Judging from the row in there, I should infer that Mrs. O'Brien had +quite a herd of little dears." + +"Only nine." + +"And all sick?" + +"More or less." + +"By Jove! it's perfectly heroic in you to visit this hole in spite of +dirt, noise, fragrance, and infection," cried Lennox, who devoutly +wished that the sense of smell if not of hearing were temporarily denied +him. + +"Bless you, it's the sort of thing I enjoy, for there's no nonsense +here; the work you do is pleasant if you do it heartily, and the thanks +you get are worth having, I assure you." + +She put out her hand to relieve him of the basket, but he gave it an +approving little shake, and said briefly,-- + +"Not yet, I'm coming in." + +It's all very well to rhapsodize about the exquisite pleasure of doing +good, to give carelessly of one's abundance, and enjoy the delusion of +having remembered the poor. But it is a cheap charity, and never brings +the genuine satisfaction which those know who give their mite with heart +as well as hand, and truly love their neighbor as themselves. Lennox had +seen much fashionable benevolence, and laughed at it even while he +imitated it, giving generously when it wasn't inconvenient. But this was +a new sort of thing entirely; and in spite of the dirt, the noise, and +the smells, he forgot the fever, and was glad he came when poor Mrs. +O'Brien turned from her sick babies, exclaiming, with Irish fervor at +sight of Belle,-- + +"The Lord love ye, darlin, for remimberin us when ivery one, barrin' the +doctor, and the praste, turns the cowld shouldther in our throuble!" + +"Now if you really want to help, just keep this child quiet while I see +to the sickest ones," said Belle, dumping a stout infant on to his knee, +thrusting an orange into his hand, and leaving him aghast while she +unpacked her little messes, and comforted the maternal bird. + +With the calmness of desperation, her aid-de-camp put down his best +beaver on the rich soil which covered the floor, pocketed his gloves, +and, making a bib of his cambric handkerchief, gagged young Pat +deliciously with bits of orange whenever he opened his mouth to roar. At +her first leisure moment, Belle glanced at him to see how he was getting +on, and found him so solemnly absorbed in his task that she went off +into a burst of such infectious merriment that the O'Briens, sick and +well, joined in it to a man. + +"Good fun, isn't it?" she asked, turning down her cuffs when the last +spoonful of gruel was administered. + +"I've no doubt of it, when one is used to the thing. It comes a little +hard at first, you know," returned Lennox, wiping his forehead, with a +long breath, and seizing his hat as if quite ready to tear himself away. + +"You've done very well for a beginner; so kiss the baby and come home," +said Belle approvingly. + +"No, thank you," muttered Lennox, trying to detach the bedaubed +innocent. But little Pat had a grateful heart, and, falling upon his new +nurse's neck with a rapturous crow, clung there like a burr. + +"Take him off! Let me out of this! He's one too many for me!" cried the +wretched young man in comic despair. + +Being freed with much laughter, he turned and fled, followed by a shower +of blessings from Mrs. O'Brien. + +As they came up again into the pleasant highways, Lennox said, awkwardly +for him,-- + +"The thanks of the poor _are_ excellent things to have, but I think I'd +rather receive them by proxy. Will you kindly spend this for me in +making that poor soul comfortable?" + +But Belle wouldn't take what he offered her; she put it back, saying +earnestly,-- + +"Give it yourself; one can't buy blessings,--they must be _earned_ or +they are not worth having. Try it, please, and, if you find it a +failure, then I'll gladly be your almoner." + +There was a significance in her words which he could not fail to +understand. He neither shrugged, drawled, nor sauntered now, but gave +her a look in which respect and self-reproach were mingled, and left +her, simply saying, "I'll try it, Miss Morgan." + +"Now isn't she odd?" whispered Kate to her brother, as Belle appeared at +a little dance at Mrs. Plantagenet's in a high-necked dress, knitting +away on an army-sock, as she greeted the friends who crowded round her. + +"Charmingly so. Why don't you do that sort of thing when you can?" +answered her brother, glancing at her thin, bare shoulders, and hands +rendered nearly useless by the tightness of the gloves. + +"Gracious, no! It's natural to her to do so, and she carries it off +well; I couldn't, therefore I don't try, though I admire it in her. Go +and ask her to dance, before she is engaged." + +"She doesn't dance round dances, you know." + +"She is dreadfully prim about some things, and so free and easy about +others: I can't understand it, do you?" + +"Well, yes, I think I do. Here's Forbes coming for you, I'll go and +entertain Belle by a quarrel." + +He found her in a recess out of the way of the rushing and romping, busy +with her work, yet evidently glad to be amused. + +"I admire your adherence to principle, Miss Belle; but don't you find it +a little hard to sit still while your friends are enjoying themselves?" +he asked, sinking luxuriously into the lounging chair beside her. + +"Yes, very," answered Belle with characteristic candor. "But father does +not approve of that sort of exercise, so I console myself with something +useful till my chance comes." + +"Your work can't exactly be called ornamental," said Lennox, looking at +the big sock. + +"Don't laugh at it, sir; it is for the foot of the brave fellow who is +going to fight for me and his country." + +"Happy fellow! May I ask who he is?" and Lennox sat up with an air of +interest. + +"My substitute: I don't know his name, for father has not got him yet; +but I'm making socks, and towels, and a comfort-bag for him, so that +when found he may be off at once." + +"You really mean it?" cried Lennox. + +"Of course I do; I can't go myself, but I _can_ buy a pair of strong +arms to fight for me, and I intend to do it. I only hope he'll have the +right sort of courage, and be a credit to me." + +"What do you call the right sort of courage?" asked Lennox, soberly. + +"That which makes a man ready and glad to live or die for a principle. +There's a chance for heroes now, if there ever was. When do you join +your regiment?" she added, abruptly. + +"Haven't the least idea," and Lennox subsided again. + +"But you intend to do so, of course?" + +"Why should I?" + +Belle dropped her work. "Why should you? What a question! Because you +have health, and strength, and courage, and money to help on the good +cause, and every man should give his best, and not _dare_ to stay at +home when he is needed." + +"You forget that I am an Englishman, and we rather prefer to be strictly +neutral just now." + +"You are only half English; and for your mother's sake you should be +proud and glad to fight for the North," cried Belle warmly. + +"I don't remember my mother,--" + +"That's evident!" + +"But, I was about to add, I've no objection to lend a hand if it isn't +too much trouble to get off," said Lennox indifferently, for he liked to +see Belle's color rise, and her eyes kindle while he provoked her. + +"Do you expect to go South in a bandbox? You'd better join one of the +kid-glove regiments; they say the dandies fight well when the time +comes." + +"I've been away so long, the patriotic fever hasn't seized me yet; and, +as the quarrel is none of mine, I think perhaps I'd better take care of +Kate, and let you fight it out among yourselves. Here's the Lancers, may +I have the honor?" + +But Belle, being very angry at this lukewarmness, answered in her +bluntest manner,-- + +"Having reminded me that you are a 'strictly neutral' Englishman, you +must excuse me if I decline; _I_ dance only with loyal Americans," and, +rolling up her work with a defiant flourish, she walked away, leaving +him to lament his loss and wonder how he could retrieve it. She did not +speak to him again till he stood in the hall waiting for Kate; then +Belle came down in a charming little red hood, and going straight up to +him with her hand out, a repentant look and a friendly smile, said +frankly,-- + +"I was very rude; I want to beg pardon of the English, and shake hands +with the American, half." + +So peace was declared, and lasted unbroken for the remaining week of his +stay, when he proposed to take Kate to the city for a little gayety. +Miss Morgan openly approved the plan, but secretly felt as if the town +was about to be depopulated, and tried to hide her melancholy in her +substitute's socks. They were not large enough, however, to absorb it +all; and, when Lennox went to make his adieu, it was perfectly evident +that the Doctor's Belle was out of tune. The young gentleman basely +exulted over this, till she gave him something else to think about by +saying gravely: + +"Before you go, I feel as if I ought to tell you something, since Kate +won't. If you are offended about it please don't blame her; she meant it +kindly, and so did I." Belle paused as if it was not an easy thing to +tell and then went on quickly, with her eyes upon her work. + +"Three weeks ago Kate asked me to help her in a little plot; and I +consented, for the fun of the thing She wanted something to amuse and +stir you up, and, finding that my queer ways diverted you, she begged me +to be neighborly and let you do what you liked. I didn't care +particularly about amusing you, but I did think you needed rousing; so +for her sake I tried to do it, and you very good-naturedly bore my +lecturing. I don't like deceit of any kind, so I confess; but I can't +say I'm sorry, for I really think you are none the worse for the teasing +and teaching you've had." + +Belle didn't see him flush and frown as she made her confession, and +when she looked up he only said, half gratefully, half reproachfully,-- + +"I'm a good deal the better for it, I dare say, and ought to be very +thankful for your friendly exertions. But two against one was hardly +fair, now, was it?" + +"No, it was sly and sinful in the highest degree, but we did it for your +good; so I know you'll forgive us, and as a proof of it sing one or two +of my favorites for the last time." + +"You don't deserve any favor; but I'll do it, to show you how much more +magnanimous men are than women." + +Not at all loth to improve his advantages, Lennox warbled his most +melting lays _con amore_, watching, as he sung, for any sign of +sentiment in the girlish face opposite. But Belle wouldn't be +sentimental; and sat rattling her knitting-needles industriously, though +"The Harbor Bar was moaning" dolefully, though "Douglas" was touchingly +"tender and true," and the "Wind of the Summer Night" sighed +romantically through the sitting-room. + +"Much obliged. Must you go?" she said, without a sign of soft confusion +as he rose. + +"I must; but I shall come again before I leave the country. May I?" he +asked, holding her hand. + +"If you come in a uniform." + +"Good night, Belle," tenderly.--"Good-by, Sir Charles," with a wicked +twinkle of the eye, which lasted till he closed the hall-door, growling +irefully,-- + +"I thought I'd had some experience, but one never _can_ understand these +women!" + +Canterbury did become a desert to Belle after her dear friend had gone +(of course the dear friend's brother had nothing to do with the +desolation); and as the weeks dragged slowly Belle took to reading +poetry, practising plaintive ballads, and dawdling over her work at a +certain window which commanded a view of the railway station and hotel. + +"You're dull, my dear; run up to town with me to-morrow, and see your +young man off," said the Doctor one evening, as Belle sat musing with a +half-mended red stocking in her hand. + +"My young man?" she ejaculated, turning with a start and a blush. + +"Your substitute, child. Stephens attended to the business for me, and +he's off to-morrow. I began to tell you about the fellow last week, but +you were wool-gathering, so I stopped." + +"Yes, I remember, it was all very nice. Goes to-morrow, does he? I'd +like to see him; but do you think we can both leave home at once? Some +one might come you know, and I fancy it's going to snow," said Belle, +putting her face behind the curtain to inspect the weather. + +"You'd better go, the trip will do you good; you can take your things to +Tom Jones, and see Kate on the way: she's got back from Philadelphia." + +"Has she? I'll go, then; it will please her, and I do need change. You +are a dear, to think of it;" and, giving her father a hasty glimpse of a +suddenly excited countenance, Belle slipped out of the room to prepare +her best array, with a most reckless disregard of the impending storm. + +It did not snow on the morrow, and up they went to see the --th regiment +off. Belle did not see "her young man," however, for while her father +went to carry him her comforts and a patriotic nosegay of red and white +flowers, tied up with a smart blue ribbon, she called on Kate. But Miss +Lennox was engaged, and sent an urgent request that her friend would +call in the afternoon. Much disappointed and a little hurt, Belle then +devoted herself to the departing regiment, wishing she was going with +it, for she felt in a warlike mood. It was past noon when a burst of +martial music, the measured tramp of many feet, and enthusiastic cheers +announced that "the boys" were coming. From the balcony where she stood +with her father, Belle looked down upon the living stream that flowed by +like a broad river, with a steely glitter above the blue. All her petty +troubles vanished at the sight; her heart beat high, her face glowed, +her eyes filled, and she waved her handkerchief as zealously as if she +had a dozen friends and lovers in the ranks below. + +"Here comes your man; I told him to stick the posy where it would catch +my eye, so I could point him out to you. Look, it's the tall fellow at +the end of the front line," said the Doctor in an excited tone, as he +pointed and beckoned. + +Belle looked and gave a little cry, for there, in a private's uniform, +with her nosegay at his button-hole, and on his face a smile she never +forgot, was Lennox! For an instant she stood staring at him as pale and +startled as if he were a ghost; then the color rushed into her face, she +kissed both hands to him, and cried bravely, "Good-by, good-by; God +bless you, Harry!" and immediately laid her head on her father's +shoulder, sobbing as if her heart was broken. + +When she looked up, her substitute was lost in the undulating mass +below, and for her the spectacle was over. + +"Was it really he? Why wasn't I told? What does it all mean?" she +demanded, looking bewildered, grieved, and ashamed. + +"He's really gone, my dear. It's a surprise of his, and I was bound over +to silence. Here, this will explain the joke, I suppose," and the Doctor +handed her a cocked-hat note, done up like a military order. + + "A Roland for your Oliver, Mademoiselle! I came home for the + express purpose of enlisting, and only delayed a month on + Kate's account. If I ever return, I will receive my bounty at + your hands. Till then please comfort Kate, think as kindly as + you can of 'Sir Charles,' and sometimes pray a little prayer + for + + "Your unworthy + + "Substitute." + +Belle looked very pale and meek when she put the note in her pocket, but +she only said, "I must go and comfort Kate;" and the Doctor gladly +obeyed, feeling that the joke was more serious than he had imagined. + +The moment her friend appeared, Miss Lennox turned on her tears, and +"played away," pouring forth lamentations, reproaches, and regrets in a +steady stream. + +"I hope you are satisfied now, you cruel girl!" she began, refusing to +be kissed. "You've sent him off with a broken heart to rush into danger +and be shot, or get his arms and legs spoiled. You know he loved you and +wanted to tell you so, but you wouldn't let him; and now you've driven +him away, and he's gone as an insignificant private with his head +shaved, and a heavy knapsack breaking his back, and a horrid gun that +will be sure to explode: and he _would_ wear those immense blue socks +you sent, for he adores you, and you only teased and laughed at him, my +poor, deluded, deserted brother!" And, quite overwhelmed by the +afflicting picture, Kate lifted up her voice and wept again. + +"I _am_ satisfied, for he's done what I hoped he would; and he's none +the less a gentleman because he's a private and wears my socks. I pray +they will keep him safe, and bring him home to us when he has done his +duty like a man, as I know he will. I'm proud of my brave substitute, +and I'll try to be worthy of him," cried Belle, kindling beautifully as +she looked out into the wintry sunshine with a new softness in the eyes +that still seemed watching that blue-coated figure marching away to +danger, perhaps death. + +"It's ill playing with edged tools; we meant to amuse him, and we may +have sent him to destruction. I'll never forgive you for your part, +never!" said Kate, with the charming inconsistency of her sex. + +But Belle turned away her wrath by a soft answer, as she whispered, with +a tender choke in her voice,-- + +"We both loved him, dear; let's comfort one another." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_WHAT BECAME OF THEM._ + + +Private Lennox certainly _had_ chosen pretty hard work, for the --th was +not a "kid-glove" regiment by any means; fighting in mid-winter was not +exactly festive, and camps do not abound in beds of roses even at the +best of times. But Belle was right in saying she knew a soldier when she +saw him, for, now that he was thoroughly waked up, he proved that there +was plenty of courage, energy, and endurance in him. + +It is my private opinion that he might now and then have slightly +regretted the step he had taken, had it not been for certain +recollections of a sarcastic tongue and a pair of keen eyes, not to +mention the influence of one of the most potent rulers of the human +heart; namely, the desire to prove himself worthy the respect, if +nothing more, of somebody at home. Belle's socks did seem to keep him +safe, and lead him straight in the narrow path of duty. Belle's +comfort-bag was such in very truth, for not one of the stout needles on +the tri-colored cushion but what seemed to wink its eye approvingly at +him; not one of the tidy balls of thread that did not remind him of the +little hand he coveted, and the impracticable scissors were cherished as +a good omen, though he felt that the sharpest steel that ever came from +Sheffield couldn't cut his love in twain. And Belle's lessons, short as +they had been, were not forgotten, but seemed to have been taken up by a +sterner mistress, whose rewards were greater, if not so sweet, as those +the girl could give. There was plenty of exercise nowadays, and of hard +work that left many a tired head asleep for ever under the snow. There +were many opportunities for diving "into the depths and bringing up +pearls worth having" by acts of kindness among the weak, the wicked, and +the suffering all about him. He learned now how to earn, not buy, the +thanks of the poor, and unconsciously proved in the truest way that a +private _could_ be a gentleman. But best of all was the steadfast +purpose "to live and die for a principle," which grew and strengthened +with each month of bitter hardship, bloody strife, and dearly bought +success. Life grew earnest to him, time seemed precious, self was +forgotten, and all that was best and bravest rallied round the flag on +which his heart inscribed the motto, "Love and Liberty." + +Praise and honor he could not fail to win, and had he never gone back to +claim his bounty he would have earned the great "Well done," for he kept +his oath loyally, did his duty manfully, and loved his lady faithfully, +like a knight of the chivalrous times. He knew nothing of her secret, +but wore her blue ribbon like an order, never went into battle without +first, like many another poor fellow, kissing something which he carried +next his heart, and with each day of absence felt himself a better man, +and braver soldier, for the fondly foolish romance he had woven about +the scarlet stockings. + +Belle and Kate did comfort one another, not only with tears and kisses, +but with womanly work which kept hearts happy and hands busy. How Belle +bribed her to silence will always remain the ninth wonder of the world; +but, though reams of paper passed between brother and sister during +those twelve months, not a hint was dropped on one side in reply to +artful inquiries from the other. Belle never told her love in words; but +she stowed away an unlimited quantity of the article in the big boxes +that went to gladden the eyes and--alas for romance!--the stomach of +Private Lennox. If pickles could typify passion, cigars prove constancy, +and gingerbread reveal the longings of the soul, then would the +above-mentioned gentleman have been the happiest of lovers. But +camp-life had doubtless dulled his finer intuitions: for he failed to +understand the new language of love, and gave away these tender tokens +with lavish prodigality. Concealment preyed a trifle on Belle's damask +cheek, it must be confessed, and the keen eyes grew softer with the +secret tears that sometimes dimmed them; the sharp tongue seldom did +mischief now, but uttered kindly words to every one, as if doing penance +for the past; and a sweet seriousness toned down the lively spirit, +which was learning many things in the sleepless nights that followed +when the "little prayer" for the beloved substitute was done. + +"I'll wait and see if he is all I hope he will be, before I let him +know. I shall read the truth the instant I see him, and if he has stood +the test I'll run into his arms and tell him every thing," she said to +herself, with delicious thrills at the idea; but you may be sure she did +nothing of the sort when the time came. + +A rumor flew through the town one day that Lennox had arrived; upon +receipt of which joyful tidings, Belle had a panic and hid herself in +the garret. But when she had quaked, and cried, and peeped, and listened +for an hour or two, finding that no one came to hunt her up, she +composed her nerves and descended to pass the afternoon in the parlor +and a high state of dignity. All sorts of reports reached her: he was +mortally wounded; he had been made a major or a colonel or a general, no +one knew exactly which; he was dead, was going to be married, and hadn't +come at all. Belle fully expiated all her small sins by the agonies of +suspense she suffered that day, and when at last a note came from Kate, +begging her "to drop over to see Harry," she put her pride in her pocket +and went at once. + +The drawing-room was empty and in confusion, there was a murmur of +voices upstairs, a smell of camphor in the air, and an empty wine-glass +on the table where a military cap was lying. Belle's heart sunk, and she +covertly kissed the faded blue coat as she stood waiting breathlessly, +wondering if Harry had any arms for her to run into. She heard the +chuckling Biddy lumber up and announce her, then a laugh, and a +half-fond, half-exulting, "Ah, ha, I thought she'd come!" + +That spoilt it all; Belle took out her pride instanter, rubbed a quick +color into her white cheeks, and, snatching up a newspaper, sat herself +down with as expressionless a face as it was possible for an excited +young woman to possess. Lennox came running down. "Thank Heaven, his +legs are safe!" sighed Belle, with her eyes glued to the price of beef. +He entered with both hands extended, which relieved her mind upon +another point; and he beamed upon her, looking so vigorous, manly, and +martial, that she cried within herself, "My beautiful brown soldier!" +even while she greeted him with an unnecessarily brief, "How do you do, +Mr. Lennox?" + +The sudden eclipse which passed over his joyful countenance would have +been ludicrous, if it hadn't been pathetic; but he was used to hard +knocks now, and bore this, his hardest, like a man. He shook hands +heartily; and, as Belle sat down again (not to betray that she was +trembling a good deal), he stood at ease before her, talking in a way +which soon satisfied her that he _had_ borne the test, and that bliss +was waiting for her round the corner. But she had made it such a very +sharp corner she couldn't turn it gracefully, and while she pondered how +to do so he helped her with a cough. She looked up quickly, discovering +all at once that he was very thin, rather pale in spite of the nice tan, +and breathed hurriedly as he stood with one hand in his breast. + +"Are you ill, wounded, in pain?" she asked, forgetting herself entirely. + +"Yes, all three," he answered, after a curious look at her changing +color and anxious eyes. + +"Sit down--tell me about it--can I do any thing?" and Belle began to +plump up the pillows on the couch with nervous eagerness. + +"Thank you, I'm past help," was the mournful reply accompanied by a +hollow cough which made her shiver. + +"Oh, don't say so! Let me bring father; he is very skilful. Shall I call +Kate?" + +"He can do nothing; Kate doesn't know this, and I beg you won't tell +her. I got a shot in the breast and made light of it, but it will finish +me sooner or later. I don't mind telling you, for you are one of the +strong, cool sort, you know, and are not affected by such things. But +Kate is so fond of me, I don't want to shock and trouble her yet awhile. +Let her enjoy my little visit, and after I'm gone you can tell her the +truth." + +Belle had sat like a statue while he spoke with frequent pauses and an +involuntary clutch or two at the suffering breast. As he stopped and +passed his hand over his eyes, she said slowly, as if her white lips +were stiff,-- + +"Gone! where?" + +"Back to my place. I'd rather die fighting than fussed and wailed over +by a parcel of women. I expected to stay a week or so, but a battle is +coming off sooner than we imagined, so I'm away again to-morrow. As I'm +not likely ever to come back, I just wanted to ask you to stand by poor +Kate when I'm finished, and to say good-by to you, Belle, before I go." +He put out his hand, but, holding it fast in both her own, she laid her +tearful face down on it, whispering imploringly,-- + +"Oh, Harry, stay!" + +Never mind what happened for the next ten minutes; suffice it to say +that the enemy having surrendered, the victor took possession with great +jubilation and showed no quarter. + +"Bang the field-piece, toot the fife, and beat the rolling drum, for +ruse number three has succeeded. Come down, Kate, and give us your +blessing!" called Lennox, taking pity on his sister, who was anxiously +awaiting the _dénouement_ on the stairs. + +In she rushed, and the young ladies laughed and cried, kissed and talked +tumultuously, while their idol benignantly looked on, vainly endeavoring +to repress all vestiges of unmanly emotion. + +"And you are not dying, really, truly?" cried Belle, when fair weather +set in after the flurry. + +"Bless your dear heart, no! I'm as sound as a nut, and haven't a wound +to boast of, except this ugly slash on the head." + +"It's a splendid wound, and I'm proud of it," and Belle set a rosy +little seal on the scar, which quite reconciled her lover to the +disfigurement of his handsome forehead. "You've learned to fib in the +army, and I'm disappointed in you," she added, trying to look +reproachful and failing entirely. + +"No, only the art of strategy. You quenched me by your frosty reception, +and I thought it was all up till you put the idea of playing invalid +into my head. It succeeded so well that I piled on the agony, resolving +to fight it out on that line, and if I failed again to make a masterly +retreat. You gave me a lesson in deceit once, so don't complain if I +turned the tables and made your heart ache for a minute, as you've made +mine for a year." + +Belle's spirit was rapidly coming back, so she gave him a capital +imitation of his French shrug, and drawled out in his old way,-- + +"I have my doubts about that, _mon ami_." + +"What do you say to this--and this--and this?" he retorted, pulling out +and laying before her with a triumphant flourish a faded blue ribbon, a +fat pincushion with a hole through it, and a daintily painted little +picture of a pretty girl in scarlet stockings. + +"There, I've carried those treasures in my breast-pocket for a year, and +I'm firmly convinced that they have all done their part toward keeping +me safe. The blue ribbon bound me fast to you, Belle; the funny cushion +caught the bullet that otherwise might have finished me; and the blessed +little picture was my comfort during those dreadful marches, my +companion on picket-duty with treachery and danger all about me, and my +inspiration when the word 'Charge!' went down the line, for in the +thickest of the fight I always saw the little gray figure beckoning me +on to my duty." + +"Oh, Harry, you won't go back to all those horrors, will you? I'm sure +you've done enough, and may rest now and enjoy your reward," said Kate, +trying not to feel that "two is company, and three is none." + +"I've enlisted for the war, and shall not rest till either it or I come +to an end. As for my reward, I had it when Belle kissed me." + +"You are right, I'll wait for you, and love you all the better for the +sacrifice," whispered Belle. "I only wish I could share your hardships, +dear, for while you fight and suffer I can only love and pray." + +"Waiting is harder than working to such as you; so be contented with +your share, for the thought of you will glorify the world generally for +me. I'll tell you what you _can_ do while I'm away: it's both useful and +amusing, so it will occupy and cheer you capitally. Just knit lots of +red hose, because I don't intend you to wear any others hereafter, Mrs. +Lennox." + +"Mine are not worn out yet," laughed Belle, getting merry at the +thought. + +"No matter for that; those are sacred articles, and henceforth must be +treasured as memorials of our love. Frame and hang them up; or, if the +prejudices of society forbid that flight of romance, lay them carefully +away where moths can't devour nor thieves steal them, so that years +hence, when my descendants praise me for any virtues I may possess, any +good I may have done, or any honor I may have earned, I can point to +those precious relics and say proudly,-- + +"My children, for all that I am, or hope to be, you must thank your +honored mother's scarlet stockings." + + + + +INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_MISS DOLLY._ + + +"Stupid-looking old place! Dare say I shall have to waste half an hour +listening to centennial twaddle before I get what I want! The whole +thing is a bore, but I can't quarrel with my bread and butter, so here +goes;" and, with an air of resignation, the young man applied himself to +the rusty knocker. + +"Rather a nice old bit; maybe useful, so I'll book it;" and, whipping +out a sketch-book, the stranger took a hasty likeness of the griffin's +head on the knocker. + +"Deaf as posts; try, try, try again;" and, pocketing his work, the +artist gave an energetic rat, tat, tat, that echoed through the house. + +Having rashly concluded that the inhabitants of the ancient mansion were +proportionately aged, he assumed a deferential expression as steps +approached, and prepared to prefer with all due respect the request +which he had come many miles to make. The door opened with unexpected +rapidity, but the neatly arranged speech did not glide glibly off the +young man's tongue, and the change which came over him was comically +sudden; for, instead of an old woman, a blooming girl stood upon the +threshold, with a petulant expression on her charming face, which only +made it more charming still. + +"What did you wish, sir?" asked the rosy mouth, involuntarily relaxing +from a vain attempt to look severe, while the hazel eyes softened with a +mirthful gleam as they rested on the comely, but embarrassed countenance +before her. + +"Beg pardon for making such a noise. I merely wished to inquire if the +famous chair in which Washington sat when he visited the town is here," +replied the stranger, clutching off his hat with a very different sort +of respect from that which he had intended to show, and feeling as if he +had received a shock of some new and delightful sort of electricity. + +"Yes;" and the girl began to close the door, as if she knew what +question was coming next. + +"Could I be allowed to sketch it for 'The Weekly Portfolio'? All such +relics are so valuable this year that we venture to ask many favors, and +this is such a famous affair I've no doubt you are often troubled by +requests of this sort," continued the artist, with the persuasive tone +of one accustomed to make his way everywhere. + +"This is the fifth time this week," replied the damsel, demurely; though +her lips still struggled not to smile. + +"It's very good of you, I'm sure, to let us fellows in, but the public +demand is immense just now, and we only obey orders, you know," began +the fifth intruder, fervently hoping the other four had been refused. + +"But Mrs. Hill never does let artists or reporters in," was the gentle +quencher which arrested him, as he was industriously wiping his feet on +the door-mat. + +"Never?" he asked, stopping short, while an expression of alarm changed +suddenly to one of satisfaction. + +"Never," answered the damsel, like a sweet-voiced echo. + +"Then the other fellows lost their chance, and that makes the old thing +doubly valuable. If I could see Mrs. Hill for a moment, I've no doubt +she will allow _me_ to sketch the chair." + +"She is not at home." + +"So much the better; for, when I tell you that I've come fifty miles to +pick up antiquities in this town, I know you _won't_ have the heart to +send me away without the gem of the collection," replied the artist, +nothing daunted; for his quick eye read the artless face before him, and +saw a defiant expression come over it, which made him suspect that there +had been a falling out between mistress and maid, if such they were. He +was sure of it when the girl threw open the door with a decisive +gesture, saying briefly,-- + +"Walk in, if you please; she won't be home for an hour." + +"What a little beauty!" thought the young man, admiring her spirit, and +feeling that the "stupid old place" contained unexpected treasures, as +he followed her into the room where the ubiquitous Father of his Country +was reported to have dried his august boots, and drunk a mug of cider +some hundred years ago. + +It seemed as if the ghosts of many of the homely household articles used +then had come back to celebrate the anniversary of that thrilling event; +for there was nothing modern in the little room but the girl and her +guest, who stared about him at the tall andirons on the hearth, the +bright, brass candlesticks above it, the spinning-wheel on one side, a +dresser on the other strewn with pewter platters, porringers, and old +china, while antique garments hung over the settle by the fire. + +"Bless my soul, what a capital old place!" he ejaculated, taking it all +in with an artist's keen appreciation. "I feel as if I'd gone back a +century, and the General might come in at any minute." + +"_That_ is the chair he used, and _this_ the tankard he drank from," +answered the girl, pointing out the sacred objects with a reverential +air which warned her visitor that he must treat the ancient and +honorable relics with due respect. + +Then feeling that this was an unusual stroke of luck, he hastened to +make the most of it, by falling to work at once, saying, as he took a +seat, and pointed his pencils,-- + +"There is such a lot of treasures here that I don't know where to begin. +I hope I shall not be very much in your way." + +"Oh, no! if you don't mind my going on with my work; for I can't leave +it very well. All these things are to be sent away to-morrow, that's why +the place is in such confusion," replied the girl, as she fell to +polishing up a brass snuffer-tray. + +"Here's richness!" thought the artist, with a sigh of satisfaction, as +he dashed at his work, feeling wonderfully inspired by his picturesque +surroundings. + +The dull winter sky gloomed without, and a chilly wind sighed through +the leafless elms; but within the little room fairly glowed with the +ruddy firelight that shone in the bright brasses, glimmered over the +tarnished silver of the quaint vests on the settle, and warmed the +artist's busy hand, as if it liked to help him in his task. But the +jolly flames seemed to dance most lovingly about their little mistress; +bathing the sweet face with a softer bloom, touching the waves of brown +hair with gold, peeping under the long lashes at the downcast eyes that +peeped back again half arch, half shy; glorifying the blue apron that +seemed to clasp the trim waist as if conscious of its advantages, and +showing up the dimples in the bare arms working so briskly that even the +verdigris of ages yielded to their persuasive touch. + +"Who can this pretty Priscilla be? I must make her talk and find out. +Never shall get the eyes right, if she doesn't look up," thought the +artist, who, instead of devoting himself to the historical chair, was +basely sketching the girl whose youth and beauty were wonderfully +enhanced by the antiquity around her. + +"Mrs. Hill is a rich woman, if all these treasures have a history. Even +if they haven't, they would bring a good price; for things of this sort +are all the rage now, and the older the better," he said aloud in a +sociable tone, as he affected to study the left arm of the famous chair. + +"They are not hers to sell, for they belonged to the first Mrs. Hill, +who was a Quincy, and had a right to be proud of them. The present Mrs. +Hill doesn't value them a bit; but _she_ was a Smith, so _her_ family +relics are nothing to boast of," answered the girl, using her bit of +wash-leather as if the entire race of Smith ought to be rubbed out of +existence. + +"And she is going to sell all these fine old things, is she?" asked the +artist, with an eye to bargains. + +"No, indeed! they belong to--to the first Mrs. Hill's daughter, named +after her, Dorothy Quincy," the girl began impetuously, but checked +herself, and ended very quietly with a suddenly averted head. + +"A fine name, and I shouldn't think she would be in haste to change it," +said the artist, wondering if Miss Dorothy Quincy was before him. + +"Not much hope of that, poor thing," with a shake of the head that made +several brown curls tumble out of the net which tried to confine a +riotous mass of them. + +"Ah, I see, a spinster?" and the young man returned to his work with +greatly abated interest in the subject. + +The bright eyes glanced quickly up, and when they fell the snuffer-tray +reflected a merry twinkle in them, as their owner answered gravely,-- + +"Yes, a spinster." + +"Is she one of the amiable sort?" + +"Oh, dear, no! very quick in her temper and sharp with her tongue. But +then she has a good deal to try her, as I happen to know." + +"Sorry for that. Spinsterhood _is_ trying, I fancy, so we should be +patient with the poor old ladies. Why I asked was because I thought I +might induce Miss Dolly to let me have some of her relics. Do you think +she would?" he asked, holding his sketch at arm's length, and studying +it with his head on one side. + +"I'm very sure she won't, for these old things are all she has in the +world, and she loves them dearly. People used to laugh at her for it, +but now they are glad to own her and her 'duds,' as they called them. +The Smiths are looking up every thing they can find of that sort, even +poor relations. All these things are going down to a fair to-morrow, and +Miss Dolly with them." + +"As one of the relics?" suggested the artist, glancing at a green calash +and a plum-colored quilted petticoat lying on the settle. + +"Exactly," laughed the girl, adding with a touch of bitterness in her +voice, "Poor Miss Dolly never got an invitation before, and I'm afraid +it's foolish of her to go now, since she is only wanted to show off the +old-fashioned things, and give the Smiths something to boast of." + +"You are fond of the old lady in spite of her temper, I see." + +"She is the only friend I've got;" and the speaker bent over the tray as +if to hide emotion of some sort. + +"I shall probably have to 'do' that fair for our paper; if so, I'll +certainly pay my respects to Miss Dolly. Why not? Is she so very awful?" +he asked quickly, as the girl looked up with a curious mixture of mirth +and malice in her face. + +"Very!" with a lifting of the brows and a pursing up of the lips +delightful to behold. + +"You think I won't dare address the peppery virgin? I never saw the +woman yet whom I was afraid of, or the man either for that matter, so I +give you my word I'll not only speak to Miss Dolly, but win her old +heart by my admiration for her and her ancestral treasures, said the +artist, accepting the challenge he read in the laughing eyes. + +"We shall see, for I'm going with her. I do the spinning, and it's great +fun," said the girl, prudently changing the conversation, though she +evidently enjoyed it. + +"I never saw it done. Could you give me an idea of the thing, if it is +not asking too much?" proposed the artist in his most persuasive tone, +for somehow play of this sort was much more interesting than the study +of old furniture. + +With amiable alacrity the girl set the big wheel buzzing, and deftly +drew out the yarn from the spindle, stepping briskly to and fro, +twirling and twisting with an ease and grace which convinced the +admiring observer that the best thing ever invented to show off a round +arm, a pretty foot, a fine figure, and a charming face, was a +spinning-wheel. + +This opinion was so plainly expressed upon his own countenance that the +color deepened in the girl's cheeks as she looked over her shoulder to +see how he liked it, and dropping the thread she left the wheel still +whirling, and went back to her work without a word. + +"Thank you very much; it's beautiful! Don't see how in the world you do +it," murmured the young man, affecting to examine the wheel, while his +own head seemed to whirl in sympathy, for that backward glance had +unconsciously done great execution. + +A moon-faced clock behind the door striking eleven recalled the idler to +his task, and resuming his seat he drew silently till the chair was +done; then he turned a page, and looked about for the next good bit. + +"Rather warm work," he said, smiling, as he shook the hair off his +forehead, and pushed his chair back from the hearth. + +"This is what makes the place so hot. I've been learning to make +old-fashioned dishes for the fair, and this batch is going down to show +what I can do." + +As she spoke, the girl threw open the door of a cavernous oven, and with +an air of housewifely pride displayed a goodly array of brown loaves +round as cannon-balls, earthen crocks suggestive of baked beans and +Indian pudding, and near the door a pan of spicy cakes delectable to +smell and see. These she drew forth and set upon the table, turning from +the oven after a careful inspection of its contents with the complexion +of a damask rose. + +"Delicious spectacle!" exclaimed the artist, with his eyes upon the +pretty cook, while hers were on her handiwork. + +"You shall taste them, for they are made from a very old receipt and are +called sweethearts," said the innocent creature, setting them forth on a +large platter, while a smile went dimpling round her lips. + +"Capital name! they'll sell faster than you can make them. But it seems +to me you are to have all the work, and Miss Dolly all the credit," +added this highly appreciative guest, subduing with difficulty the rash +impulse to embrace Miss Dolly's rosy handmaid on the spot. + +She seemed to feel the impending danger, and saying hastily, "You must +have some cider to go with your cake: that's the correct thing, you +know," she tripped away with hospitable zeal. + +"Upon my soul, I begin to feel like the Prince of the fairy tale in this +quiet place where every thing seems to have been asleep for a hundred +years. The little beauty ought to have been asleep too, and given me a +chance to wake her. More of a Cinderella than a princess, I fancy, and +leads a hard life of it between Miss Dolly and the second Mrs. Hill. +Wonder what happy fellow will break the spell and set her free?" and the +young man paced the kitchen, humming softly,-- + + "And on her lover's arm she leant, + And round her waist she felt it fold; + And far across the hills they went, + In that new world which is the old," + +till the sound of a light step made him dart into a chair, saying to +himself with a sudden descent from poetry to prose, "Bless her little +heart, I'll drink her cider if it's as sour as vinegar." + +In came the maid, bearing a tankard on a salver; and, adding several +sweethearts, she offered the homely lunch with a curtsey and a smile +that would have glorified even pork and beans. + +"You are sitting in the General's chair, and here is the tankard he +used; you can drink his health, if you like." + +"I'd rather drink that of the maker of sweethearts;" and, rising, the +artist did so, gallantly regardless of consequences. + +But the cider was excellent, and subsiding into the immortal chair he +enjoyed his lunch with the hearty appetite of a boy, while the damsel +began to fold up the garments airing on the settle, and lay them into a +chest standing near; the one quite unconscious that he was drinking +draughts of a far more potent liquor than apple-juice, the other that +she had begun to spin a golden thread instead of yarn when she turned +the great wheel that day. + +An eloquent sort of silence filled the room for a moment, and a ray of +sunshine glanced from the silver tankard to the bright head bent over +the chest, as if to gild the first page of the romance which is as fresh +and sweet to-day as when the stately George wooed his beloved Martha. A +shrill voice suddenly broke that delicious pause, exclaiming, as a door +opened with a bang,-- + +"Not packed yet! I won't have this rubbish cluttering round another +minute--" There the voice abruptly fell, and the stranger had time to +see a withered, yellow face in a pumpkin hood stare sharply at him +before it vanished with an exclamation of unmistakable disapproval. + +"Miss Dolly seems more afraid of me than I of her, you see," began the +young man, much amused at the retreat of the enemy; for such he regarded +any one who disturbed this delightful _tête-à-tête_. + +"She has only gone to put her cap on, and when she comes back you can +pay your respects to--Mrs. Hill;" and the girl looked over the lid of +the chest with dancing eyes. + +"Then I'd better be off, since reporters and artists are not allowed on +the premises," exclaimed the visitor, rising with more haste than +dignity. + +"Don't hurry; she is only a woman, and you are not afraid, you know." + +"I'm afraid _you_ will get a scolding," began the artist, pocketing his +sketch-book, and grasping his hat. + +"I'm used to that," answered the girl, evidently enjoying the rout with +naughty satisfaction. + +But the sharp, black eyes and the shrill voice had effectually broken +the pleasant day-dream; and Mrs. Hill in a pumpkin hood was quite enough +for his nerves, without a second appearance in one of the awe-inspiring +caps such ladies affect. + +"I couldn't think of repaying your kindness by intruding any longer, now +that I've got my sketch. A thousand thanks; good-morning;" and, opening +the first door he came to, the dismayed man was about to plunge into the +buttery, when the girl arrested his flight and led him through the long +hall. + +On the steps he took breath, returned thanks again with grateful warmth, +and pulling out a card presented it, as if anxious to leave some token +behind which should prevent being forgotten by one person at least. + +"John Hancock Harris" read the card, and glancing up from it, with +sudden interest in her eyes, the girl exclaimed impulsively,-- + +"Why, then you must be a relation of--" + +"No, I regret to say I'm not related to the famous Governor, only named +for him to please my father. I've always been contented with a modest +initial until now; but this year every one does their best to hang on to +the past, so I've got proud of my middle name, and find it useful as +well as ornamental," hastily explained the honest young fellow, though +just then he would have liked to claim kinship with every member of the +Continental Congress. + +"I hope you will be worthy of it," answered the damsel with a little +bow, as if saluting the man for his name's sake. + +"I try to be," he said soberly, adding with that engaging smile of his, +"May I ask to whom I am indebted for this very profitable and agreeable +call?" + +Instantly the sweet sobriety vanished, and every feature of the pretty +face shone with mirthful malice as the girl answered sweetly,-- + +"Miss Dolly. Good-morning," and closed the door, leaving him to stare +blankly at the griffin on the knocker, which appeared to stare back +again with a derisive grin. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_A CINDER AND A SPARK._ + + +One of the few snow-storms of the memorably mild winter of 1876 was +coming quietly down, watched with lazy interest by the passengers in a +certain train that rumbled leisurely toward the city. Without it was +cold and wintry enough, but within as hot as an oven; for, with the +usual American disregard of health, there was a roaring fire in the +stove, every ventilator shut, and only one man in the crowded car had +his window open. + +Toward this reckless being many a warning or reproachful glance was cast +by rheumatic old gentlemen or delicate women who led the lives of +hot-house flowers. But the hearty young fellow sat buried in his +newspapers, regardless alike of these expressive glances and the fresh +wind that blew in an occasional snow-flake to melt upon his shoulder, +hair, or beard. + +If his face had not been obscured by the great sheet held before it, an +observer might have watched with interest the varying expressions of +amusement, contempt, indignation, and disgust which passed over it as he +read; for it was a very expressive face, and too young yet to have put +on the mask men so soon learn to wear. He was evidently one of the +strong, cheery, sympathetic sort of fellows who make their way +everywhere, finding friends as they go from the simple fact that they +are so full of courage and good-will it is impossible to resist them. +This had been proved already; for during that short journey three old +ladies had claimed his services in one way or another, a shy little girl +had sat upon his knee for half an hour and left him with a kiss, and an +obstreperous Irish baby had been bribed to hold its tongue by the +various allurements he devised, to the great amusement, as well as +gratitude, of his neighbors. + +Just now, however, he looked rather grim, knit his brows as he read, and +finally kicked his paper under the seat with an expression which proved +that he had as much energy as kindliness in his composition, and no +taste for the sorrowful record of scandal, dishonesty, and folly daily +offered the American public. + +"Upon my word, if this sort of thing goes on much longer, the country +won't be fit for a decent man to live in," he said to himself, taking a +mouthful of fresh air, and letting his eyes wander over the faces of his +fellow-travellers as if wondering which of the eminently respectable +gentlemen about him would next startle the world by some explosion of +iniquity. Even the women did not escape the scrutiny of the keen blue +eyes, which softened, however, as they went from one possible Delilah to +another; for John Harris had not yet lost his reverence for womankind. + +Suddenly his wandering glance was arrested, a look of recognition +brightened his whole countenance, and an involuntary "Hullo!" rose to +his lips, instead of the romantic "Ha, 'tis she!" with which novel +heroes are supposed to greet the advent of the charmer. + +The object which wrought so swift and pleasant a change in the young +man's mood and manner was a girl's face seen in profile some seats in +front of him. A modest little hat with a sweeping feather rested easily +on a mass of wavy hair, which was not spoilt by any fashionable device, +but looped up in a loose sort of braid from which rebellious tendrils +here and there escaped to touch her white throat or shade her temples. +One particularly captivating little curl twined round her ear and seemed +to be whispering some pleasant secret, for the blooming cheek dimpled +now and then, the soft lips smiled, and the eyes were full of a dreamy +thoughtfulness. A book lay in her lap, but her own fancies seemed more +interesting, and she sat watching the snow-flakes flutter down, lost in +one of the delightful reveries girls love, quite unconscious of the +admiration of her neighbors, or the fixed stare of the young man behind +her. + +"Miss Dolly, by all that's good!" he said to himself, suddenly +forgetting the sins of his native land, and finding it quite possible to +stop a little longer in it. "She said she was going to town with the old +things, and there she is, prettier than ever. If it hadn't been for +those provoking papers, I should have seen her when she got in, and +might have secured a seat by her. That stout party evidently doesn't +appreciate his advantages. I can't order him out, but I'll watch my +chance, for I really ought to apologize for my stupidity yesterday. +Wonder if she has forgotten all about it?" + +And John fell into a reverie likewise, for he was in just the mood to +enjoy any thing so innocent and fresh and sweet as the memory of little +Dolly at her spinning-wheel. It all came back to him with a redoubled +charm, for there was a home-like warmth and simplicity about it that +made the recollection very pleasant to a solitary fellow knocking about +the world with no ties of any sort to keep him safe and steady. He felt +the need of them, and was all ready to give away his honest heart, if he +could find any amiable creature who could be satisfied with that alone, +for he had nothing else to offer. He was rather fastidious, however, +having an artist's refined taste in the matter of beauty, and a manly +man's love of the womanliness which shows itself in character, not +clothes. But he had few opportunities to discover his ideal woman, and +no desire to worship a fashion plate, so here was an excellent heart to +let, and no one knew it, unless they had the skill to read the notice in +the window. + +The reveries of both young people were rudely disturbed by the "stout +party," who having finished his paper, and taken a comprehensive survey +of his thoughtful little neighbor, suddenly began to talk as if he did +"appreciate his advantages," and meant to make the most of them. + +John watched this performance with deep interest, and it soon became +rather exciting; for Miss Dolly's face was a tell-tale, and plainly +betrayed the rapid transitions of feeling through which she passed. The +respectful attention she at first gave in deference to the age of the +speaker changed to surprise, then to annoyance, lastly to girlish +confusion and distress; for the old gentleman was evidently of the +Pecksniffian order, and took advantage of his gray hairs to harass the +pretty damsel with his heavy gallantry. + +Poor Miss Dolly looked vainly about her for any means of escape, but +every seat was full, and she was quite unconscious that an irate young +man behind her was burning to rush to the rescue if he had only known +how. As no way appeared, John was forced to content himself with +directing such fiery glances at the broad back of the ancient beau it +was a wonder they did not act like burning-glasses and set that expanse +of broadcloth in a blaze. + +A crisis soon arrived, and woman's wit turned the tables capitally; for +when the old gentleman confiscated her book under pretence of looking at +it, and then, laying his arm over the back of the seat, went on talking +with a fat smile that exasperated her beyond endurance, Dolly gave him +one indignant glance and opened her window, letting in a blast of cold +air that made her tormentor start and shiver as if she had boxed his +ears. + +"Good! if that does not rout the enemy, I'm much mistaken," said John to +himself, enjoying it all with the relish of a young man who sees an old +one usurping his privileges. + +The enemy was not routed, but his guns were silenced; for, having +expostulated with paternal solicitude, he turned up his coat-collar and +retired behind his paper, evidently much disgusted at finding that two +could play at the game of annoyance, though the girl had to call the +elements to her aid. + +"If I dared, I'd offer to change seats with him; not because he is +suffering agonies at the idea of getting tic-douloureux or a stiff neck, +that would only serve him right, but because _she_ will get the worst of +it. There, she has already! Confound that cinder! why didn't it go into +his eye instead of hers?" added John, as he saw the girl shrink +suddenly, and begin to wink and rub her eye with distressful haste, +while the "stout party" took advantage of the mishap to close the window +with an expression of vengeful satisfaction on his rubicund visage. He +offered no help, for his first rebuff still rankled in his memory, but +placidly twirled his thumbs, with a sidelong glance now and then at his +companion, who, finding all her winking and rubbing in vain, shrouded +her face in a veil, and sat a pathetic picture of beauty in distress, +with an occasional tear rolling over her cheek and her dear little nose +reddening rapidly with the general inflammation caused by that fatal +cinder. + +This affecting spectacle was too much for John, who not only felt the +chivalrous desire of a man to help the gentle sex, but remembered that +he owed the girl a good turn for her hospitality the day before, not to +mention the apology he quite burned to make. Knowing that the train +would soon stop a few minutes for the passengers to lunch, he resolved +then and there to cast himself into the breach and deliver the doubly +afflicted damsel at all costs. + +Happily the station was reached before any great damage was done to the +girl's features, or the young man's impatience became uncontrollable. +The instant the stout gentleman rose to seek refreshment John dived for +his valise, and, cleaving his way through the crowded aisle, presented +himself beside the empty place, asking, with an attempt to look and +speak like a stranger, which would not have deceived Dolly a bit, had +she not been half-blind, "Is this seat engaged, madam?" + +"No, sir," she answered, unveiling to discover what new affliction fate +had sent her. + +It was delightful to see the one wistful eye light up with a look of +recognition, the one visible cheek flush with pleasure, and the lips +smile as they added, with the impulsive frankness of a tormented girl, +"Oh, please take it quickly, or that dreadful man will come back!" + +Quite satisfied with his welcome, John slipped into the coveted place, +resolving to keep it in spite of a dozen stout gentlemen. + +"Thanks, now what else can I do for you?" he asked, with such an evident +desire to lend a hand somewhere that it was impossible to decline his +services. + +"_Could_ you take this thing out of my eye? It hurts dreadfully, and I +shall be a spectacle by the time I get to Aunt Maria's," answered Dolly, +with a little moan that rent the hearer's susceptible heart. + +"That is just what I want to do, and you may trust me; for I've been a +great traveller, and have had much experience in the extraction of +cinders," said John, adding, as he produced a pencil in a capable sort +of way, "now open your eye wide, and we'll have it out in a jiffy." + +Dolly obeyed with a courage and confidence most flattering, and John +peered into the suffering eye with an intensity which it was impossible +for the most artful cinder to escape. + +"I see it!" he cried, and turning back the lid over his pencil he +delicately removed the black atom with a corner of Dolly's veil. + +It was all over in an instant, and both displayed great nerve and +coolness during the operation; but, as soon as it was done, Dolly +retired into her handkerchief, and John found himself as flushed and +breathless as if he had faced some great danger, instead of merely +looking into a girl's eye. Ah! but it was a very eloquent eye in spite +of the cinder,--large and soft, tearful and imploring, and the instant +during which he had bent to examine it had been a most exciting one; for +the half-open lips were so near his own their hurried breath fanned his +cheek, the inquisitive little curl tumbled over her ear to touch his +wrist as he held up the eyelid, and a small hand had unconsciously +clutched softly at his arm during the inspection. Bless you! the famous +scene between Uncle Toby and the Widow Wadman was entirely surpassed on +this occasion, because the actors were both young and neither artful. + +"Such relief!" sighed Dolly, emerging from a brief retirement, with a +face so full of gratitude that it was like a burst of sunshine after an +eclipse. + +"Let me see if it is all right;" and John could not resist another look +into the clear depths through which he seemed to catch delicious +glimpses of an innocent young heart before maiden modesty drew the +curtain and shut him out. As the long lashes fell, a sudden color in her +cheeks seemed to be reflected upon his, and with a hasty,-- + +"It is a good deal inflamed, so I'm going to prescribe a wet bandage for +a few minutes, if you can spare your handkerchief,"--he hurried away to +the water tank near by. + +"That's very comforting. Thank you so much!" and Dolly patted her +invalid eye assiduously; while John, feeling that he had earned his +place, planted his valise on the seat with a defiant glance over his +shoulder, then turned to Dolly, saying, "You must have some lunch," and +waiting for no denial dashed out of the car as if on an errand of life +and death. + +He was gone but a moment or two; but in that time Dolly had smoothed her +hair, retied her hat, whisked a nicer pair of gloves out of her pocket, +and taken a rapid survey of herself in a tiny glass concealed from other +eyes in the recesses of her bag. She had just time to close and cast the +aforesaid bag recklessly upon the floor as her knight came up, bearing a +cup of tea and a block of cake, saying in the pleasantly protecting way +all women like,-- + +"Dr. Harris prescribes refreshment after the operation, and this is the +best he can find. Your aged admirer was at the counter, eating against +time and defying apoplexy," he added with a laugh, as Dolly gratefully +sipped the tea, which, by the way, was as weak as that made at the +famous Boston tea-party, when, as every one knows, water was liberally +used. + +"You saw him, then, when he was plaguing me?" + +"I did, and longed to throw him out of the window." + +"Thanks. Did you recognize me before you spoke?" + +"Of course I did, and wanted to approach, but didn't dare till the +cinder gave me an excuse." + +"The idea of being afraid of _me_!" + +"How could I help being afraid, when you told me Miss Dolly was +'awful'?" asked John, twinkling with fun, as he sat on the arm of a seat +sociably eating a sandwich, which under other circumstances would have +struck him as being a remarkable combination of sawdust and +sole-leather. + +Before Dolly could reply except by a guilty blush, a bell rang, and John +hurried away with the empty cup. + +A moment or two later the stout gentleman appeared, wiping his mouth, +evidently feeling in a better humor, and ready to make up with his +pretty neighbor. Smiling blandly, he was about to remove the valise, +when Miss Dolly laid her hand upon it, saying with great dignity, "This +seat is engaged, sir. There are plenty of others now, and I wish this +for my friend." + +Here John, who was just behind, seeing his prize in danger, gave a +gentle shove to several intervening fellow-beings, who in turn propelled +the "stout party" past the disputed place, which the young man took with +an air of entire satisfaction, and a hearty "Thank you!" which told +Dolly he had overheard her little speech. + +She colored beautifully, but said with grateful frankness,-- + +"It wasn't a fib: a friend in need is a friend indeed, and in return for +the cinder I'm glad to give you a seat." + +"Blessed be the cinder, then!" murmured John, feeling at peace with all +mankind. Then taking advantage of the propitious moment, he added in a +penitential tone,-- + +"I want to apologize for my stupidity and unintentional rudeness +yesterday." + +"About what?" asked Dolly, innocently, though her eyes began to sparkle +with amusement. + +"Why, taking it into my head that Miss Hill must be oldish, and going on +in that absurd way about spinsters." + +"Well, I _am_ a spinster, and not so young as I have been. _I_ ought to +apologize for not telling you who I was; but it was so very funny to +hear you go on in that sober way to my face, I couldn't spoil it," said +the girl, with a look that upset John's repentant gravity; and they +laughed together as only the young and happy can. + +"It is very good of you to take it so kindly, but I assure you it +weighed upon my conscience, and it is a great relief to beg pardon," he +said, feeling as if they had been friends for years. + +"Have you been sketching old things ever since?" asked Dolly, changing +the conversation with womanly tact. + +"Yes: I went to several places further on, but didn't find any thing +half so good as your chair and tankard. I suppose you are taking the +relics to town now?" + +"All but one." + +"Which is that?" + +"The pumpkin hood. It is the only thing my step-mother admires among my +treasures, and she would not give it up. You rather admired it, didn't +you?" asked Dolly, with her demurest air. + +"I deserve to be laughed at for my panic," answered John, owning up +manfully; then pulled out his sketch-book, with an eye to business even +in the middle of a joke. + +"See here! I tried to get that venerable hood into my sketch, but +couldn't quite hit it. Perhaps you can help me." + +"Let me see them all," said Dolly, taking possession of the book with a +most flattering air of interest. + +"Nothing there but queer or famous things, all a hundred years old at +least," began John, quite forgetting his stolen sketch of a pretty girl +cleaning a snuffer-tray, which he had worked up with great care the +night before. Perhaps this made the book open at that particular page, +for, as the words left his lips, Dolly's eyes fell on her own figure, +too well done to be mistaken, even if the artist's face had not betrayed +him. + +"What 'queer' or 'famous' _old_ person of the last century is that, +please?" she asked, holding it off, and looking at it through her hand, +while her lips broke into a smile in spite of her efforts to look +unconscious. + +Knowing that a pretty woman will easily forgive a liberty of that sort, +John got out of the scrape handsomely by answering with mock gravity,-- + +"Oh, that's Madam Hancock, when a girl. Did you never see the famous +portrait at Portsmouth?" + +"No. The dress is rather modern, and not quite in keeping with the +antique chair she is sitting in," observed the girl, critically. + +"That's to be added later. I have to work up things, you know,--a face +here, a costume there, and so on: all artists do." + +"So I see. There's the hood; but it wants a cape," and Dolly turned the +leaf, as much amused at his quickness as flattered by his compliment. + +There were not many sketches as yet, but she admired them all, and, when +the book was shut, chatted on about antiquities, feeling quite friendly +and comfortable; for there was respect, as well as admiration, in the +honest blue eyes, and the young man did not offend as the old one had +done. + +"As you are interested in curiosities, perhaps you may like to see some +that I have here in my bag. I am very fond and proud of them, because +they are genuine, and have histories of old times attached to them," she +said presently. + +"I shall feel much honored by being allowed to look at them," replied +the artist, remembering that "people used to laugh at poor Miss Dolly +and her 'duds.'" + +"This little pin, made of two hearts in diamonds and rubies, with a +crown above, used to be worn by my mother's great aunt, Madam Hancock. +She was a Quincy, you know. And this long garnet buckle fastened the +Governor's stock," began Dolly, displaying her store with a gentle pride +pleasant to see. + +"Most interesting! but I can't help feeling grateful that this J. H. +doesn't have to wear a stock requiring a foot-long buckle like that," +answered John, picturing himself in the costume of the past century, and +wondering if it would suit his manly face and figure. + +"Now don't laugh at this relic, for it is very curious, though _you_ +won't appreciate it as a woman would;" and Dolly unfolded an +old-fashioned housewife of red velvet, lined with faded yellow damask. +"That was made by my dear mother out of a bit of the velvet lining of +the Governor's state-coach, and the coverlet that a French Comte tore +with his spurs." + +"Come, that sounds well! I appreciate coaches and spurs, if I'm not up +to brooches and needle-books. Tell the story, please," besought John, +who found it the most delightful thing in the world to sit there, +following the pretty motions of the small hands, the changeful +expression of the winsome face, and enjoying the companionship of the +confiding creature beside him. + +"Well, you see, when Madam married Captain Scott many of the Governor's +things were taken from her, among them the state-coach. By the way, it +is said to be in existence now, stored away in somebody's barn down in +Portland. You had better go and sketch it," began Dolly, smoothing out +the old housewife, and evidently glad to tell the little story of the +ancestress whom she was said to resemble, though she modestly refrained +from mentioning a fact of which she was immensely proud. + +"I will!" and John soberly made a memorandum to visit the ancient coach. + +"When my great-great aunt was told she must give up the carriage, she +ripped out the new velvet lining, which had been put in at her expense, +and gave the bits to her various nieces. Mother made a spencer of hers, +and when it was worn out kept enough for this needle-book. The lining is +a scrap of the yellow damask counterpane that was on the bed in which +the Frenchman should have slept when he came with Lafayette to visit +Madam, only he was so tipsy he laid on the outside, and tore the fine +cover with his spurs. There's a nice Comte for you!" + +"I'd like to see the spurs, nevertheless. Any more treasures?" and John +peered into the bag, as if he thirsted for more antiquarian knowledge. + +"Only one, and this is the most valuable of all. Stoop down and look: +I'm afraid I may be robbed, if I display my things carelessly." + +John obediently bent till the sweeping feather of her hat touched his +cheek, to the great annoyance of the banished peri, who viewed these +pleasant passages from afar with much disfavor. + +"This is said to be Madam's wedding ring. I like to think so, and am +very proud to be named for her, because she was a good woman as well as +a"-- + +"Beauty," put in John, as the speaker paused to open a faded case in +which lay a little ring of reddish gold. + +"I was going to say--as well as a brave one; for I need courage," added +the girl, surveying the old-fashioned trinket with such a sober face +that the young man refrained from alluding to the remarkable coincidence +of another John and Dolly looking at the wedding ring together. + +She seemed to have forgotten all about her companion for a moment, and +be busy with her own thoughts, as she put away her treasures with a care +which made it a pleasure to watch her tie knots, adjust covers, repack +her little bag, and finally fold her hands over it, saying gravely,-- + +"I love to think about those times; for it seems as if people were +better then,--the men more honest, the women more womanly, and every +thing simpler and truer than now. Does it ever seem so to you?" + +"Indeed it does; for this very day, as I read the papers, I got quite +low-spirited, thinking what a shameful state things have got into. Money +seems to be the one idea, and men are ready to sell their souls for it," +answered John, as soberly as she. + +"Money is a good thing to have, though;" and Dolly gave a little sigh, +as she drew her scarf over the worn edges of her jacket. + +"So it is!" echoed John, with the hearty acquiescence of a man who had +felt the need of it. + +"My name and these old treasures are all my fortune, and I used to be +contented with it; but I'm not now, dependence is so hateful!" added the +girl, impulsively; then bit her lip, as if the words had escaped in +spite of her. + +"And this is all mine," said John, twirling the pencil which he still +held; giving confidence for confidence, and glad to do it, if it made +them better friends, for he pitied little Miss Dolly, suspecting what +was true, that her home was not a happy one. + +She thanked him mutely for the kind look he gave her, and said +prettily,-- + +"Skill is money; and it must be a very pleasant life to go about drawing +beautiful or curious things." + +"So it is sometimes,--yesterday, for instance," he answered, laughing. + +"_I_ have no modern accomplishments to earn a living by. Mine are all +old-fashioned; and no one cares for such nowadays, except in servants. I +may be very glad of them, though; for playing lady doesn't seem half so +honest as going out to service, when one has nothing but an empty pair +of hands," she said with a wistful yet courageous look at the wintry +world outside, which made her companion feel a strong desire to counsel +and protect this confiding young Columbus, who knew so little of the +perils which would beset her voyage in search of a woman's El Dorado. + +"Come to me for a recommendation before you try it. I can vouch for your +cooking, you know. But I'd advise you to play lady till you discover a +good safe place. I don't believe you'll find it hard, for the world is +likely to be very kind to such as you," he answered, so cheerily that +she brightened like a flower to which a stray sunbeam is very welcome. + +A shrill whistle announced that the journey was over, and everybody +began at once to fuss and fumble. John got up to take his valise from +the rack, and Dolly began to struggle into her rubbers. She was still +bending down to do this, with as little damage as possible to her best +gloves, when she heard a sounding slap and a hearty voice cry out,-- + +"Hullo, John!" then add in a lower tone, "So there _is_ a Mrs. Harris, +you sly dog, you?" + +"Hush! there isn't. How are you, George?" returned another voice, +beginning in a hurried whisper and ending in an unnecessarily loud +salutation. + +What happened for a minute or two after that Dolly did not know; for the +rubbers proved so refractory that she only rose from the encounter +flushed and hurried, as the train entered the station. + +"Let me make myself useful in looking after your baggage," said her +self-constituted escort, handing her out with great respect and care. + +"Thank you: all my things come by express, so I've nothing to do but get +into a carriage." + +"Then allow me to see you safely there, for the sake of the treasures, +if nothing else;" and John led her away, utterly ignoring the presence +of "George," who stood looking after them, with a face full of +good-humored interest and amusement. + +"I'm very much obliged. Good-by," said Dolly, from the coach window. + +"Not good-by: I'm coming to the fair, you know," answered John, +lingering at the door as if loath to lose sight of his little friend. + +"I forgot all about it!" + +"I didn't; for I depend on the cakes and ale and all the other good +things promised me." + +"You will find them there," with a smile, and then a sudden blush as she +remembered that he had not only agreed to speak to "Miss Dolly," but to +"win her old heart." + +He remembered also, and laughed as he bowed with the same audacious look +he had worn when he made that rash vow. + +"I wonder if he _will_ come?" thought the girl, as she drove away. + +"As if _I_ should forget!" said John to himself, as he trudged through +the snow, quite regardless of his waiting friend; for from the little +cinder had been kindled a spark of the divine fire that moves one of the +great engines which transport mankind all the world over. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_CONFIDENTIAL._ + + +John Harris promised to "do" the fair, and kept his word handsomely; for +he was there every day for a week, lunching in the old-fashioned +kitchen, and then, in his official capacity, sketching every relic he +could lay his eyes on. Such punctuality caused the pretty waiters to +smile affably upon this faithful devourer of primitive viands, and the +matrons to predict great things from the young artist's application to +his work. + +Little guessed the girls and the gossips that love was ravaging their +generous patron's heart more persistently than he did their tables, and +that nature not art caused his devotion to modern beauty rather than +ancient ugliness. For all John saw in the crowd that filled the place +was Dolly, tripping to and fro tray in hand, spinning at her wheel, or +resting beside Aunt Maria, twin sister of Mrs. Hill, in an imposing cap +instead of the pumpkin hood. Pretty Dolly was the belle of the kitchen; +for she alone of all the dozen damsels on duty looked her part, and was +in truth a country girl, rich in the old-fashioned gifts and graces of +health, modesty, housewifely skill, and the sweet maidenliness which +girls who come out at sixteen soon lose for ever. Her dress, too, was +wonderfully complete and becoming, though only a pink and white chintz, +a mob-cap, and an uncompromising apron, with the pin-ball, scissors, +keys, and linen pocket hanging at the side. The others looked like stage +soubrettes, and acted like coquettish young ladies who knew nothing +about their work. But Dolly was genuine throughout, so she proved a +great success; and Aunt Maria took all the credit of it to herself, felt +that she had done a good thing in bringing so much youth, energy, and +loveliness to market, and expressed her satisfaction by talking a great +deal about "our family," which, as she was a Smith, was certainly large +enough to furnish endless gossip. + +Another person watched, admired, and hovered about the girl like a +blue-bottle fly about a rose; and that was Mr. Aaron Parker, a dapper +little man of fifty, who, having made a snug fortune, was now anxious to +marry and settle. Aunt Maria was evidently his confidant and friend; and +it was soon apparent that Aunt Maria intended to make a match between +her niece and this amiable gentleman, who set about his wooing with +old-fashioned formality and deliberation. + +All this John saw, heard, or divined with the keenness of a lover, while +he watched the events of that week; for he very soon made up his mind +that he adored "Miss Dolly," as he always called her to himself. The +short time which had elapsed between the car episode and the opening of +the fair seemed endless to him; and, when he came beaming into the +kitchen the very first day, his heart sang for joy at sight of that +bonny face once more. She welcomed him so kindly, served him so +prettily, and showed such frank and friendly pleasure at meeting him +again, that the lonely fellow felt as if he had suddenly found a large +and attached family, and yielded to the charm without a struggle. She +seemed to belong to him somehow, as if he had discovered her, and had +the first right to admire, help, and love her; for he alone of all the +men there had seen her at home, had looked deepest into the shy, bright +eyes, and heard her call him "friend." + +This delightful state of things lasted for a few days, during which he +felt as if quaffing nectar and tasting ambrosia, while he drank the +promised cider and ate the spicy "sweethearts" which Dolly always +brought him with a smile that went directly to his head, and produced a +delicious sort of intoxication. He never could have but a word or two, +she was so busy; but, as he sat apart, pretending to sketch, he was +living over those brief, blissful moments, and concocting wonderfully +witty, wise, or tender speeches for the morrow. + +Well for him that no one looked over his shoulder at such times, for his +portfolio would have betrayed him, since it was a wild jumble of +andirons and mob-caps, antique pepper-pots and pretty profiles, +spinning-wheels, and large eyes with a profusion of lash; while a dainty +pair of feet in high-heeled slippers seemed to dance from page after +page, as if the artist vainly sought to exorcise some persistent fancy +by booking it over and over again. + +Suddenly a change appeared both in the man and in his work; for Parker +had arrived, and clouds began to gather on the horizon which was rosy +with the dawn of love. Now John discovered that the cider was sour and +the cake stale, for the calls of a voracious rival cruelly abbreviated +his moments of bliss. Now he glared and brooded in corners where once he +had revelled in dreams of a dim but delightful future. Now the pages of +his sketch-book bore grotesque likenesses of a round, snub-nosed +countenance in all sorts of queer places, such as a clock-face, under a +famous cocked hat, or peeping out of a memorable warming-pan; while a +dapper figure was seen in various trying attitudes, the most frequent +being prone before the dancing feet, one of which was usually spurning a +fat money-bag, with contempt in every line of the pretty slipper. + +At this stage, the fair ended, and Aunt Maria bore the charmer away, +leaving John to comfort himself with the memory of a parting look of +regret from behind Governor Hancock's punch-bowl, which Dolly embraced +with one arm, while the other guarded Madam's best china tea-pot. + +Maddening was it to haunt the street before Aunt Maria's door, and hear +a gay voice singing inside fit to melt a paving stone, to say nothing of +a young man's heart. More maddening still to catch occasional glimpses +of the girl shut up in a carriage with the dragon, or at concerts and +theatres under the escort of Mr. Parker. But most maddening of all was +the frequent spectacle of this enamoured gentleman trotting up the +street, simpering to himself as he went, and freely entering at the door +which shut the younger lover out of Paradise. + +At such trying periods, John (now very far gone indeed, for love feeds +on air) would feel a wild desire to knock the little man down, storm +Aunt Maria's mansion, and carry his Dolly away from what he felt assured +was an irksome bondage to the girl. But, alas! where could he carry the +dear creature when he had got her? For all the home he possessed was one +room in a dull boarding-house, and his only fortune the salary his +pencil earned him. Then, as he groaned over these sad facts, a great +temptation would assail him; for he remembered that with a word he could +work the miracle which would give him half a million, and make all +things possible but the keeping of his own self-respect. + +Hard times just then for John Harris; and for some weeks he went about +his daily duties with such a divided mind and troubled spirit that the +stoniest heart might have pitied him. But comfort came when least +expected, and in trying to help another he got help himself and hope +beside. + +One gusty March morning he arrayed himself in his best, put a posy in +his button-hole, and went gallantly away to Aunt Maria's door, bound to +make a call in spite of her frowns at the fair, and evident desire to +ignore his existence since. Boldly ringing the forbidden bell, he +inquired for the ladies. Both were engaged; and, as if nothing should be +wanting to his chagrin, as he went down the steps Mr. Parker, bearing a +suggestive bouquet, went up and was instantly admitted. + +It was too much for poor John, who rushed away into the park, and +pulling his hat over his eyes tramped wrathfully down the mall, +muttering to himself,-- + +"It's no use; I _must_ give in; for with a fortune in my pocket I could +carry all before me,--bribe Aunt Maria, outbid Aaron, and win my Dolly, +if I'm not much mistaken." + +Just then a sharp yelp roused him from his excited reverie, and looking +up he found that he had kicked a fat poodle, who was waddling slowly +along, while some way before him went a little figure in a gray hat, at +sight of which John's heart gave a leap. Here was bliss! Dolly alone at +last, and he could defy the dragon and all her machinations. Parker and +his fine bouquet were nowhere; Harris and his button-hole posy had the +best of it now; and, leaving the fat poodle to whine and waddle at its +own sweet will, the happy man hurried forward to make the most of this +propitious moment. + +As he drew near, he observed that a handkerchief went more than once to +the face which drooped in a thoughtful way as the feet paced slowly on. + +"Bless her heart! she is catching cold, and dreaming dreams, here all +alone," thought John, as, stepping to her side, he said gently, that he +might not startle her, "Good-morning, Miss Dolly." + +He did startle her, nevertheless, and himself as well; for, as she +turned quickly, he saw that her face was bathed in tears. Instantly all +his own troubles took wing; and, with no thought but how to comfort her, +he said impetuously,-- + +"I beg pardon, but do tell me what is the matter?" He came upon her so +suddenly that there was no time to hide the tell-tale tears. He looked +so eager, kind, and helpful, she could not be offended at his words; and +just then she needed a friend so much, it was hard to resist confiding +in him. Yet, womanlike, she tried to hide her little worries, to make +light of her girlish grief, and turn a brave face to the world. So she +brushed the drops from her eyes, put on a smile, and answered stoutly,-- + +"It was very foolish of me to cry, but it is so dull and lonely here I +think I was a little homesick." + +"Then perhaps you won't mind if I walk on a bit with you and apologize +for kicking your little dog?" said John, artfully availing himself of +this excuse. + +"No, indeed. He is Aunt Maria's dog; but how came you to do it?" asked +the girl, plainly showing that a human companion was very welcome. + +"I was in a brown study, and did it by accident. He's so fat it didn't +hurt him much," answered the young man, assuming his gayest manner for +her sake. Then he added, with an excuse which did not deceive her a +bit,-- + +"The fact is, I'd ventured to call on you to see if I could get a sketch +of the punch-bowl; but you were engaged, the girl said, and I was rather +disappointed." + +"What a fib! I'm sorry I was out; but the house was gloomy and Aunt +rather cross, so I ran away under pretence of giving old Tip an airing." + +"Ah, you don't know what you lost! Mr. Parker went in as I came out, +with such a nosegay!--for Aunt Maria, I suppose?" and John tried to look +quite easy and gay as he spoke. + +Dolly's face darkened ominously, and a worried look came into her eyes +as she glanced behind her, then quickened her steps, saying, with a +little groan that was both comic and pathetic,-- + +"It does seem as if it was my doom to be tormented by old gentlemen! I +wish you'd get rid of this one as you did of the other." + +"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," answered John, with such +heartiness that a sudden color dried Dolly's wet cheeks, as she +remembered that he had got rid of tormentor number one by taking his +place. + +Cheered by the knowledge that a champion was ready to defend her, she +ventured to show him a safer way in which to serve her, saying very +soberly,-- + +"I think I may be glad of the recommendation you once promised me. +Should you mind giving it?" + +"Are you tired of 'playing lady' so soon?" he asked anxiously. + +"So tired that I felt to-day as if I'd like to run away and take service +with the first person who would engage me." + +"Don't!" exclaimed John, with such energy that the fat poodle barked +shrilly and made a feeble charge at his boots, feeling that something +was wrong somewhere. "Run away home, if you must run, but pray don't get +discouraged and do any thing rash," he went on with great earnestness; +for he saw by her face that she was in some real trouble. + +"I haven't even a home to run to; for Mrs. Hill agrees with Aunt that +it's time I ceased to be a burden. It's very hard, when I only ask a +safe corner in the world, and am willing to work for it," cried the +girl, with an irrepressible sob; for the trials of many weeks had grown +unbearable, and a kind word made the full heart overflow. + +Neither spoke for a minute, then John said with a respectful earnestness +which touched her very much,-- + +"Miss Dolly, you once called me a friend, and I was very proud to be so +honored. Forget that I am any thing else, and, if you have no one wiser +and older to consult, trust me, and let me help you. I've knocked about +the world enough to know how hard it is for a man to get an honest +living, doubly hard for a woman, especially one as young and beautiful +as you are. There are safe corners, I am sure; but it takes time to find +them, so pray be patient and do nothing without care." + +"I called you a friend in need, and so you are; for, strange as it may +seem, there is no one to whom I can go for disinterested advice. I know +so little of the world that I'm afraid to trust my own judgment, yet I +am driven to decide between dependence of a sort I despise, or to stand +alone and take care of myself. _Will_ you advise me?" and she looked up +with an appealing glance, which read such a reassuring answer in the +honest eyes full of sincerest sympathy that she was comforted before he +spoke. + +"Indeed I will! for what are we all here for, if not to help one +another? Do you know I think there is a sort of fate about these things, +and it's no use to struggle against it. We seem to be two 'lone, lorn' +creatures thrown together in queer ways, so let's agree to be old +friends and stand by each other. Come, is it a bargain?" + +He seemed so firmly convinced of the inevitability of this fate that the +girl felt relieved from farther scruples, and agreed in all good faith. + +"Now about the troubles?" began John, trying to look old, reliable, and +wise; for he guessed the one she was most reluctant to tell. + +"I suppose marrying for an establishment or earning their bread is a +question most poor girls have to settle sooner or later," observed +Dolly, in a general sort of way, as an opening; for, in spite of his +praiseworthy efforts, her young counsellor did not succeed in looking +like a sage. + +"If pretty, yes; if plain, no. We needn't discuss the latter class, but +go on to the question," returned John, keeping to the subject in hand +with masculine pertinacity. + +"I'd rather be an old man's housekeeper than his wife; but people won't +believe it, and laugh at me for being what they call so foolish," said +the girl, petulantly; for she did not seem to be getting on well with +her confidences. + +"I thought from what I saw at the fair that Parker seemed ready to offer +both situations for your acceptance." + +John could not help saying that, for a jealous pang assailed him at the +mere idea. He feared that he had spoilt the _rôle_ he was trying to +play; but it happened to be the best thing he could have done, for the +introduction of that name made things much easier for Dolly, as she +proved by kindling up as suddenly as if the word had been a match to +fire a long train of grievances. + +"He did; and Aunt scolds me from morning till night, because I won't +accept the fine establishment he offers me. That's what I was sent here +for! My step-mother wants me out of the way, Aunt Maria hands me over to +Mr. Parker, and he takes me because I know how to cook and nurse. I +might as well be put up at auction and sold to the highest bidder!" she +cried, with eyes flashing through indignant tears. + +"It's abominable!" echoed John, with equal indignation, though the words +"highest bidder" rung in his ears, as he thought of the fortune waiting +for him, and the youth which would tell so strongly in the race against +"old Parker," as he irreverently called the little man; for fifty seems +a patriarchal age to four-and-twenty. + +"I know that sort of thing is done every day, and thought quite right; +but I am so old-fashioned it seems terrible to marry merely for a home. +Yet I'm very tired of being poor, and I _should_ like a taste of ease +and pleasure while I can enjoy them," added Dolly, with a very natural +longing for the bright and happy side of life. + +"And I could give her all she wants," thought John, with the temptation +getting stronger every minute. But he only said a little bitterly, +"You'd better give in, if you want ease and pleasure, for money can buy +any thing." + +"No, it can't buy love, and that is better than all the splendor in the +world," answered the girl, in a tone that thrilled her hearer to the +heart. "What _I_ call love seems to have gone out of fashion; and that +is what troubles me; because, if there _isn't_ any such thing, I may as +well take the next best, and try to be contented. No one seems to value +love for itself alone, to feel the need of it as much as light and air, +to miss it when it goes, or try to earn and keep it as the most precious +thing in the world. Money and position are every thing, and men work and +women marry for these, as if they had no other hope or end; and I'm +frightened at the things I see and hear in what is called society." + +"Poor child, I don't wonder; but I assure you there _is_ an ocean of +love in the world, only it gets put out of sight in the rush, wasted on +those who don't deserve it, or dammed up by adverse circumstances. It +exists though, the real genuine article, waiting for a market. _Do_ +believe it, and wait for it, and I'm sure it will come in time." + +John was so divided between a rash impulse to prove his point by a +declaration then and there, and the conviction that it would be +altogether premature, his metaphors got rather mixed, and he had to pull +himself up abruptly. But Dolly thought it a beautiful speech, was glad +to believe every word of it, and accepted this piece of advice with +admirable docility. + +"I'll wait, and meantime be looking about for the safe corner to run to +when Aunt Maria gets tired of me, because I don't mean to go home again +to be a burden." Then, as if anxious to slip away from a too interesting +topic, she asked with a very winning expression of interest and +good-will,-- + +"Now what can I do for you? I'm sure you have worries as well as I, and, +though not very wise, perhaps I might advise in my turn." + +"You are very good, but I couldn't think of troubling you;" and the +young man looked both pleased and flurried by the girl's offer. + +"We agreed to help one another, you remember; and I must do my part, or +the bargain won't be a fair one. Tell me what the brown study was about, +and I'll forgive the kick poor Tip got," persisted Dolly; for her +feminine instinct told her that a heavy cloud of some sort had been +lifted to let sunshine through for her. + +John did long to know her opinion on a certain matter, but a man's pride +would not let him speak as freely as the girl had done, so he took +refuge in a mild subterfuge, and got advice on false pretences. + +"It was only a quandary I was in about a friend of mine. He wants my +judgment in a case something like yours, and perhaps you _could_ help me +with an opinion; for women are very wise in such matters sometimes." + +"Please tell me, if you may. I should so love to pay my debts by being +of some use;" and Dolly was all attention, as she pushed back her vail +as if to get a clear and impartial view of the case about to be +submitted. + +Fixing his eyes on the sparrows who were disporting themselves among the +budding elm-boughs, John plunged abruptly into his story, never once +looking at his hearer and speaking so rapidly that he was rather red and +breathless when he got through. + +"You see, Jack was plodding along after a fashion all by himself, his +people being dead, when an old friend of his father's took it into his +head to say, 'Come and be a son to me, and I'll leave you a handsome +fortune when I die.' A capital thing it seemed, and Jack accepted, of +course. But he soon found that he had given up his liberty, and was a +slave to a very tyrannical master, who claimed him soul and body, heart +and mind. That didn't suit Jack, and he would have broken away; but, as +you say, he was 'tired of being poor, and wanted a little ease and +pleasure in his life.' The old man was failing, and the money would soon +be his, so he held on, till he suddenly discovered that this fortune for +which he was waiting was not honest money, but, like many another great +fortune, had been ground out of the poor, swindled out of honest men, or +stolen from trusting friends, and hoarded up for a long lifetime, to be +left to Jack with the curse of dishonesty upon it. Would you advise him +to take it?" + +"No," answered the girl, without a moment's hesitation. + +"Well, he didn't, but turned his back on the ill-gotten money, and went +to work again with clean but empty hands," added John, still looking +away, though his face wore a curiously excited expression under its +enforced composure. + +"I'm glad, very glad he did! Wasn't it noble of him?" asked Dolly, full +of admiring interest in this unknown Jack. + +"It was very hard; for you see he loved somebody, and stood a poor +chance of winning her without a penny in his pocket." + +"All the nobler in him then; and, if she was worth winning, she'd love +him the more for the sacrifice," said Dolly, warmly; for the romance of +the story took her fancy, though it was poorly told. + +"Think so? I'll mention that to Jack: it will cheer him up immensely, +for he's afraid to try his fate with nothing to offer but his earnings." + +"What's his business?" asked Dolly suddenly. + +"Connected with newspapers,--fair salary, good prospects,--not ashamed +to work," answered John, staring hard at the sparrows, and wiping his +forehead, as if he found the bleak day getting too warm for him. + +"Is the girl pretty?" + +"The most captivating little creature I ever beheld!" cried John, +rapturously. + +"Oh, indeed," and Dolly glanced at him sharply, while a shadow passed +over her face, as she asked with redoubled interest, "Is she rich?" + +"Has nothing but her sweet face and good name I believe." + +"Isn't that enough?" + +"Indeed it is! but Jack wants to make life beautiful and easy for her, +and he can by saying a word. He is awfully tempted to say it; for the +old man is dying, has sent for him to come back, and there is yet time +to secure a part of the fortune. He won't take it all, but has a fancy +that, if he leaves half to charity, it would be a sort of purification +to the other half; and he might enjoy it with his love. Don't you think +so?" + +"No, it would spoil the whole thing. Why cannot they be contented to +begin with nothing but love, and work up together, earning every clean +and honest penny they spend. It would be a comfort to see such a pair in +this mercenary world, and I do hope they will do it," said the girl, +heartily, though a slightly pensive tone had come into her voice, and +she stifled a small sigh, as she put down her vail as if there was +nothing worth seeing in the landscape. + +"I think they _will_ try it!" answered John, with decision, as he smiled +sympathetically at a pair of sparrows chirping together at the door of +one of the desirable family mansions provided for their use. + +Here Tip ended the dangerous dialogue by sitting down before Dolly with +a howl of despair, which recalled her to her duty. + +"The poor old thing is tired, and must go in. Good-morning, and many +thanks," she said, turning toward the steps, which they would have +passed unseen but for the prudent poodle's hint. + +"Good-by, and a thousand pardons for boring you with my affairs," began +John, with a penitent, yet very grateful glance. + +"By the way, I've been so interested in Jack's affairs that I've +forgotten exactly what your advice was to me," she added, pausing on the +upper step for a last word. + +With his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes, John looked up and +answered in a tone that made few words necessary,-- + +"Don't sell yourself for a home." + +And Dolly answered back with a sweet, shrewd smile that made him flush +guiltily,-- + +"Don't smother your conscience with a fortune." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_APRIL FOOLS._ + + +Tip's constitutionals were taken with praiseworthy regularity about that +time, and the poor asthmatic animal was nearly walked off his legs by +the vigor with which his little mistress paraded the park at +unfashionable hours. A robust young man, who did not look as if he +needed early walks, was continually meeting Dolly by accident as it +were, till on the fourth _rencontre_ they both burst out laughing, gave +up all further subterfuge, and felt that it was vain to struggle against +fate. The next time they met, both looked very sober; and John said, +watching her face as he spoke,-- + +"It is all over with me, Miss Dolly. The old man is dead, and my chance +is lost for ever." + +"You look so solemn, I'm afraid he left you something, after all." + +"Not a penny. All went to various charities, and I have nothing but my +salary and these two hands." + +"I'm glad of that! I'd like to shake those honest hands, and wish them +all success. May I?" she said, putting out her own with such cordial +approval in voice and eyes that John lost his head, and, holding both +the small hands fast in his, answered all in one fervently incoherent +burst,-- + +"May you? Let me keep them, and then I _shall_ succeed! Dearest Dolly, +you said you didn't want any thing but love; and here's a whole heart +full, aching to be poured out. You said you'd like to see Jack and his +wife working their way up together, contented to be poor. Here's Jack +and the wife he wants, if she cares enough for him to try that beautiful +experiment. You said you hadn't any home to run to when those cruel +women called you a burden. Run to me, my darling, and be the pride and +joy and comfort of my life!" + +No one saw what Dolly did but Tip, who sat lolling out his tongue in an +imbecile manner; and no one heard what she said but some bright-faced +crocuses blooming early in that lonely corner of the park. But from what +took place afterward, it was evident that her reply had not been +entirely unpropitious; for her hand lay on John's arm, her face was in +an April state between smiles and tears, and to her eyes midsummer +warmth and radiance seemed to have fallen suddenly upon the earth. It is +hardly necessary to mention that the other party in this little +transaction looked as if _he_ owned the entire world, was yearning to +embrace all mankind, and had nothing more to ask of Heaven in the way of +happiness. + +"You don't regret saying yes, like an angel," asked this unreasonable +lover, five minutes after he had surprised her into uttering that +momentous monosyllable. + +"Not yet." + +"You know that it is very selfish of me to ask you, when I've nothing to +give; and very unwise in you to take me, because you have much to lose." + +"Why, what?" + +"The devoted Parker and his plump pocket-book." + +It was good to hear Dolly laugh at that, and to see John glance +defiantly at an elderly gentleman in the distance, as if all that +harmless portion of the race ought to be exterminated, to leave room for +happy young fellows like himself. + +"He will believe now that, when I say 'No,' I mean it," answered Dolly, +with an assumption of dignity, which changed with comic suddenness to +one of dismay, as she added, "Oh, my heart, what _will_ Aunt Maria say!" + +"Don't tell her just yet, or she will shut you up, whisk you away, or do +some awful thing to part us. Keep this delicious secret for a little +while, and we can enjoy many happy minutes in peace." + +"Yes, John," with a docility that was altogether captivating to the new +commander-in-chief. + +"I must look about me, and be getting ready to take you into my home as +well as my heart, when the storm breaks. There is sure to be one, I +fancy; and, for my part, I rather relish the idea. The air will be +clearer and things more settled after it." + +"I don't know what they will say and do to me, but I shall not mind, now +I have you to take care of me;" and Dolly's other hand went to join the +one on John's arm, with a confiding gesture which glorified the old +coat-sleeve, in his eyes, more than any badge it could have worn. + +"I suppose we _must_ live somewhere, and eat occasionally, since we are +mortal. Love certainly _is_ the best capital to start on, but a trifle +of cash is necessary likewise; so we must take a little thought for the +morrow. Wish the city would provide us with a house rent free, and board +thrown in, as it does our feathery confidants here," observed the +husband elect, eying the sparrows with a vague sense of domestic cares +already stealing over his masculine mind. + +"Don't think of all those worries yet. Just love and be happy for a +time, and things will settle themselves somehow," cried Dolly, whose +womanly nature would not be so soon defrauded of the sweet romance which +comes but once in a lifetime. + +"Very well. We'll give a month to clear bliss, and then talk about the +honeymoon." + +But, with the charming inconsistency of her sex, no sooner had she +forbidden a subject than she felt an intense desire to talk about it; +and after a moment's pause, during which her lover had been looking down +at her thoughtful face in silent rapture, Dolly emerged from a brief +reverie, clapping her hands and exclaiming,-- + +"John, I've got the most delicious idea that ever was. Now don't laugh +and say, 'It isn't practical,' for I know it is; and it would be so new +and appropriate and economical, and altogether nice, that I hope you'll +approve. We shall want a home by and by, shall we not?" + +"I want it now, if you've no objection." + +"Be serious. Well, a room or two must content us at first, and we want +them to be decent, not to say pretty and comfortable, don't we?" + +"They can't help being all three, if you are there, my Dolly." + +"No, John, not in public! Now answer me this: won't you have to save up +a long time, to get enough to buy furniture and things, no matter how +simple?" + +"I'm afraid I should; for at present my housekeeping stock is about as +large and varied as that of Tommy Traddles. His consisted of a bird-cage +and a toasting-fork, I believe; mine, of an easel and a boot-jack. +Wouldn't they do to begin with?" + +"Please don't joke, but listen; for _this_ is the new idea. Take my dear +old relics and furnish our nest with them! What _could_ be more +economical, picturesque, and appropriate for this centennial year?" + +Dolly stopped short to see how this amazing proposal struck her lord and +master. It seemed to take him off his legs; for he sat suddenly down +upon a seat that fortunately was behind him, and looked up at the +beaming little woman with an expression of admiration and contentment, +which answered her question so emphatically that she nestled down beside +him with all her doubts laid at rest. + +"I thought you'd like it! Now let's plan it all out, and see what we've +got. Every thing is as old as the hills, you know; but still so good and +strong we can get years of wear out of it. We don't have such well-made +furniture nowadays," she went on, happily blind to the deficiencies of +the time-worn chairs, clumsy tables, and cracked china, which were all +her store. + +"My blessing on every stick of it! I wasn't thinking about the +furniture, though. I was rejoicing over the fact that, if I needn't save +up for that sort of thing, we could be married all the sooner. That's +the beauty of the idea, don't you see?" and John regarded the originator +thereof with unmitigated satisfaction. + +"So we can; but _do_ think about the furniture, because you ought to be +interested in helping me make an artistic home," said Dolly, knowing +that the word "artistic" would arrest his attention, and keep him to the +subject in hand; for as yet the other idea was too new to bear much +discussion. + +"I will. In fact, I see it now, all complete. Two or three rooms in an +old house, if possible,--they are always the cheapest, my love; so don't +look as if you saw cobwebs and blue mould, and felt black beetles +running over your feet. In one room we'll have that spider-legged table +on which you cleaned the snuffer tray, and the claw-footed chairs: there +were three, I think,--one for each of us, and the third for a friend. +Then on the dresser we'll put all the porringers out of which we are to +eat mush and milk, and the pewter platters for an occasional 'biled +dish,'--that's the proper name for the mess, isn't it? Likewise the dear +fat tea-pots, the red china cups, all cracked, the green-handled knives +and forks, the wooden spoons, funny pepper-pots, and all the rest of the +droll rattletraps." + +"Don't forget _the_ tankard," cried Dolly, as John paused for breath in +the middle of his rhapsody. + +"That will be in our parlor, set forth in state on the little stand I +used to have my lunch at during the fair. I'm afraid I scratched your +initials all over it, that being a trick of mine about that time." + +"I thought you did it! Never mind, but go on, please." + +"We shall put flowers in the immortal mug, and I shall paint them, earn +sums, and grow famous, such will be the inspiration of my surroundings. +For, while I sit in the General's chair at my delightful work, you in +the pretty chintz gown and the fly-away cap,--promise me to wear it, or +I won't go on?" + +"I'll wear any thing you like, in the house, and can have a water-proof +and a linen duster for the street. Artists' wives usually do have to +make guys of themselves, I believe." + +"Thank you, dear. Well, you will always be doing one of three things, +making sweethearts, spinning, or looking over my shoulder. I prefer the +latter occupation on the whole, and when I'm at home that will be your +mission. During my absence, you can attend to the housework you love so +well, and do so prettily. Never did I see such brilliant candlesticks in +my life; and as for the copper tea-kettle, it was like a mirror. I saw +you steal peeps at it more than once, Little Vanity, that day as I sat +stealing a sketch of you." + +"Then you think it can be done, John?" ignoring the accusation. + +"It not only _can_, but it _shall_ be done, and I shouldn't wonder if we +set the fashion of furnishing bridal bowers with relics of all sorts, +throwing in a glue-pot gratis, to mend up the old things when they +tumble to pieces. I'm great at that, and can get my living as a +cabinetmaker when art fails." + +"I do believe you can do every thing, John!" + +"No, I couldn't cure pneumonia, if you should get it by sitting in this +chilly wind. Now I've got you, I intend to take great care of you, my +little treasure." + +It was so sweet to Dolly to be cared for, and so delightful to John to +do it, that they forgot all about poor Tip till he tumbled into the +pond, and was with difficulty fished out by his ears and tail, being too +fat to do any thing but float. This catastrophe shortened an interview +which might otherwise have been prolonged till nightfall, for + + "Lightly falls the foot of time + That only treads on flowers." + +"Why, John, do you know that this is the first of April?" asked Dolly, +as they went homeward, with Tip forlornly dripping in the rear. "A very +fitting day for such an imprudent couple as we are to begin their +journey," she added, enjoying the idea immensely. + +"So it is! Never mind! we'll prove that we are no fools, though a +mercenary world may call us so," returned John, as blithe as she. + +Alas, poor things! they thought their troubles were all over, now they +had found each other; whereas a cruel fate was laughing at them round +the corner. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE._ + + +Unfortunately for these deluded young persons, their month of bliss +turned out to be the most tempestuous one they had ever passed; for, +before the first week was over, some malignant imp inspired Aunt Maria +to spy, from a certain end window which commanded a corner of the park, +the lingering adieux of the lovers, and then it was all up with them. + +A single stormy debate, during which John manfully claimed his Dolly, +she stoutly defended her right to love whom she chose, and Aunt Maria +thundered and lightened unavailingly, resulted in the banishment of the +claimant, the strict seclusion of the damsel, and the redoubled devotion +of the decorous but determined Parker, who, cheered on by his ally, +still besieged the rebellious heart, undaunted by the reinforcements +lately received. + +The prospect was certainly not a hopeful one; but the young people never +lost courage, rather enjoyed it on the whole, and revolved endless +schemes in their busy brains, which they confided to one another by +means of notes slipped under Tip's collar when he took his solitary +airings on the steps. For a time persecution lent its zest to their +love; but presently separation grew unbearable, and they were ready for +revolt. + +"I _must_ see you," wrote John, in note number 37. + +"You _shall_," answered Dolly, and bade him meet her at one of the many +Centennial Balls which afflicted the world in 1875-76. + +To hear was to obey; and though said ball was to be eminently select, +thanks to a skilful use of his middle name, John was able to keep the +appointed tryst, well knowing that there is no solitude like that to be +found in a crowd. Costumes were in order; and there was a general +resurrection of ancient finery, which made the handsome hall look as if +time had rolled back a hundred years. Every one who had a hair powdered +it, and those who had not made up the deficiency by imposing wigs. +Spindle-legged gentlemen affected top-boots and spurs; those blessed +with a manly development of calf pranced in silk stockings and buckled +shoes. British and Continental uniforms amicably marched shoulder to +shoulder; dimity and brocade mingled prettily together; and patriotic +ardor animated the hearts under the lace stomachers and embroidered +waistcoats as warmly as of old, for the spirit of '76 was all alive +again. + +Aunt Maria looked like a parrot of the most brilliant plumage; for the +good lady burned to distinguish herself, and had vainly tried to wear a +suit of Madam Hancock's belonging to Dolly. Fortunately, Madam was a +small woman, and Aunt Maria quite the reverse; so she was forced to give +it up, and content herself with being one of many Martha Washingtons who +filled the dowagers' corner. + +So Dolly bloomed into the sweetest little old-time lady ever seen, and +was in truth by nature as by name a Dorothy Quincy. Not as the matron, +but as the maid, with all her curly locks turned over a roller before +they fell on her white neck, where shone the jewelled hearts she prized +so much. Lilies of the valley embroidered her white gown, and nestled +among the lace that rose and fell upon her bosom. From under her quilted +satin petticoat "her little feet stole in and out," wearing Madam's +wedding-shoes, so high in the heels and so pointed at the toes that +Dolly suffered martyrdom with a smiling face, and danced at the risk of +her life. Long gloves, with Lafayette's likeness stamped on the back, +kept splitting at the time-worn seams, so plump were the arms inside. A +quaint scent-bottle hung at her waist; and she hid her blushes behind a +great fan, whose dim mirror had reflected faces history has made +immortal. + +"You are simply perfect, Miss Hill, and nothing could be added," +whispered the still hopeful Parker, who was on duty and much elated by +the fact; for the girl was unusually friendly that evening for reasons +of her own. + +"Except the Governor," she answered, peeping over her fan with eyes full +of anxiety as well as merriment; for John had not yet appeared, and the +little man beside her was very funny in a voluminous white neckcloth, +furred coat-collar, and square-toed shoes, carefully kept in the "first +position." He had longed to personate the character she suggested. +Stature forbade, however; and he had contented himself with personating +Benjamin Franklin, flattering himself that his placid countenance and +neat legs would be remarkably effective, also the fact that he had been +connected with the printing interest in early life. + +"If you had only told me, I would have attempted it for your sake: you +have but to express a wish, and I am charmed to gratify it," murmured +the enamoured Benjamin, with a tenderly reproachful sigh, which stirred +his rampant shirt-frill like a passing breeze. + +At that moment, as if a wish _had_ brought him, a veritable John Hancock +stood before them, looking comelier than ever, in a velvet suit, as he +laid his cocked hat upon his heart and asked, with a bow so deep that it +afforded a fine view of the garnet buckle in his stock,-- + +"May I have the honor, Madam?" + +Glad to hide a traitorously happy face, Dolly made him a splendid +curtsey, and took his arm with a hasty-- + +"Excuse me, Mr. Parker. Please tell Aunt I'm going to dance." + +"But--but--but--my dear Miss, I promised not to lose sight of you," +stammered the defrauded Franklin, turning red with helpless rage, as the +full audacity of the lovers burst upon him. + +"Well, you needn't. Wait for me here till my dance is over, then Aunt +won't know any thing about it," laughed wilful Dolly over her shoulder, +as she was swept away into the many-colored whirlpool that circled round +the hall to the entrancing music of a waltz. + +While it lasted, words were needless; for eyes did the talking, smiles +proud or tender telegraphed volumes of poetry, the big hand held the +little one so close that it burst quite out of the old glove rosy with +the pressure, and the tall head was often so near the short one that the +light locks powdered the dark ones. + +"A heavenly waltz!" panted Dolly, when it ended, feeling that she could +go on for ever, blind to the droll despair of poor Parker, as, +heroically faithful to his trust, he struggled frantically to keep the +happy pair in sight. + +"Now we'll have a still more heavenly promenade in the corridor. Ben is +busy apologizing to half a dozen ladies whose trains he has walked up in +his mad career after us, so we are safe for a time," answered John, +ready to brave the wrath of many Aunt Marias; for the revolutionary +spirit was high within him, and he had quite made up his mind that +resistance to tyrants _was_ obedience to the little god he served just +then. + +"Oh, John, how glad I am to see you after all this worry, and how nice +it was of you to come in such grand style to-night! I was so afraid you +couldn't manage it," said Dolly, hanging on his arm and surveying her +gallant Governor with pardonable pride. + +"My blessed girl, there was nothing I couldn't manage with the prospect +of meeting you before me. Hasn't it been hard times for both of us? +You've had the hardest, I'm afraid, shut up with the dragon and no +refuge from daily nagging and Parker's persecution. If you hadn't the +bravest little heart in the world, you'd have given up by this;" and, +taking advantage of a shadowy corner, John embraced his idol, under +pretence of drawing her cloak about her. + +"I'll never give up the ship!" cried the girl, quoting Lawrence of the +"Chesapeake," with a flash of the eye good to see. + +"Stand to your guns, and we'll yet say, 'We've met the enemy, and they +are ours,'" answered John, in the words of brave Perry, and with a ring +to his voice which caused a passing waiter to pause, fancying he was +called. + +Beckoning to him, John gave Dolly a glass of lemonade, and, taking one +himself, said with a look that made the toast a very eloquent one to +both of them,-- + +"The love of liberty--and--the liberty of love." + +They drank it silently, then paced on again, so intent upon their own +emotions that neither saw a flushed and agitated countenance regard them +from a doorway, and then vanish, smiling darkly. + +"Governor!" + +"Dearest Madam!" + +"Things have come to a crisis, and I've taken a resolution," began +Dolly, remembering that time was short. + +"So have I." + +"This is mine,--I'm going to Philadelphia." + +"No!" + +"Yes." + +"How? when? why?" + +"Be calm and listen. Aunt has given me just three days to choose between +accepting P. and being sent home in disgrace. I don't intend to do +either, but take matters into my own hands, and cease to be a burden." + +"Hear! hear! but how?" + +"At the fair the kitchen was a success, and there is to be a grand one +at the Exposition. Girls are wanted to wait there as here; they are +taken care of, and all expenses paid while they serve. I know some nice +people who are going for fun, and I'm to join them for a month at least. +That gives me a start, and afterward I certainly can find something to +do in the city of Brotherly Love." + +"The knowledge that _I'm_ to be there on duty had nothing to do with +this fine plan of yours, hey, my Dolly?" and John beamed at her with +such a rapturous expression she had to turn him round, lest an advancing +couple should fancy he had been imbibing something stronger than +lemonade and love. + +"Why, of course it had," she answered with adorable candor. "Don't you +see how lovely it will be to meet every day and talk over our prospects +in peace, while we are working away together till we have earned enough +to try the experiment we planned in the park?" + +Stopping short, John grasped the hand that lay on his arm, looking as if +suddenly inspired, and exclaimed in a solemn yet excited tone,-- + +"_I've_ got a plan, a superb plan, only it may startle you a bit at +first. Why not marry and go together?" + +Before Dolly could find breath to answer this momentous question, a +bomb-shell, in the shape of Aunt Maria, exploded before them, and put an +end to the privy conspiracy and rebellion. + +"You will _not_ go anywhere together, for my niece is in the care of +this gentleman. I did think we should be free from annoyance here, but I +see I was mistaken. Mr. Parker, will you oblige me by taking Dolly home +at once?" + +Every feather in the old lady's gray wig trembled with ire, as she +plucked the girl from one lover and gave her to the charge of the other, +in whom the conflicting emotions of triumph and trepidation were so +visible that the contrast between his countenance and costume was more +comical than ever. + +"But, Aunt, it isn't time to go yet," protested Dolly, finding +submission very hard after her taste of freedom. + +"It is quite time for persons who don't know how to behave with +propriety in public. Not a word! Take my wrap, and go at once. Mr. +Parker, please leave her in Mrs. Cobb's care, and return to enjoy +yourself. There is no reason why _your_ evening should be spoilt;" and +Aunt Maria bundled poor Dolly into an ugly shawl, which made her look +like a lovely tea-rose done up in brown paper. + +This sudden fall from the height of happiness to the depths of helpless +indignation left John speechless for an instant, during which he with +difficulty resisted a strong desire to shake Aunt Maria, and spit +Benjamin Franklin on the sword that hung at his side. The sight of his +Dolly reft from him, and ruthlessly led away from the gayety she loved, +reminded him that discretion was the better part of valor, and for her +sake he tried to soften the dragon by taking all the blame upon himself, +and promising to go away at once. But, while he was expostulating, the +wary Parker carried off the prize; and, when John turned to say +good-night, she had vanished, and Aunt Maria stalked away, with a grim +laugh at his defeat. + +That laugh made him desperate; and, rushing downstairs, he was about to +walk away in the rain, regardless of the damage to his costly suit, when +the sound of a voice checked his reckless flight, and, looking back, he +saw Dolly pausing on the stairs to say, with a glance from the ancestral +shoes to the wet pavement outside, "I don't mind wetting my feet, but I +cannot spoil these precious slippers. Please get my overshoes from the +dressing-room: I'll wait for you here." + +"Certainly, certainly; and my coat also: we must be prudent after such +heat and excitement," replied Mr. Parker, glad to guard himself against +the rheumatism twinges which already began to afflict his lightly clad +extremities. + +As he hurried back, a voice whispered, "Dolly!" and, regardless of the +perilously high heels, she ran down to join a black velvet gentleman +below, who said in her ear, as he led her toward the door,-- + +"I _must_ have a word more. Let me take you home; any carriage will do, +and it's our last chance." + +"Yes, John, yes; but oh, my shoes!" and for one instant Dolly lingered, +as reverence for her relics contended with love for her Governor. + +But he was equal to the occasion, and, having no cloak to lay under his +queen's feet, just took her in his arms, and before she knew it both +were in the coach, an order given, and they were off. + +"Oh, John, how could you?" was all she said, casting away the big shawl, +to put both hands on the powdery shoulders before her; for her escort +was on his knees, quite in the style of the days when Sir Charles +Willoughby carried Evelina off in his chariot. + +How he did it John never knew; but there he was, as unconscious of his +long limbs as if he had been a cherub, so intent was he on improving +this precious moment. + +"I'd like to do a great deal more than that, but not to-night, though +I'm sorely tempted to run away with you, Dolly," he answered, feeling as +if it would be impossible to relinquish the little bundle of silk and +swan's down his arm enclosed. + +"Oh, John, please don't! How could I in this dress, and no place to go +to, or any thing?" + +"Don't be frightened, dear: I won't be rash. But, seriously, it must +come to that, and the sooner the better; so make up your mind to it, and +I'll manage all the rest. This is my plan, and yours will make it all +the easier. We _will_ go to Philadelphia; but we'll be married first, +and that shall be our wedding journey." + +"But I'm not ready; we haven't any money; and only three days! I +couldn't, John, I couldn't!" and Dolly hid her face, glad, yet +half-frightened, at this prospect of such a release from all her woes. + +"I knew it would startle you at first; but getting married is the +easiest thing in life when you set about it. You don't want any wedding +finery, I've got money enough, and can borrow more if I need it; and +three days is plenty of time to pack your trunk, have a farewell fight +with Aunt Maria, and run away to be the happiest little wife that ever +was. Say yes, darling; trust every thing to me, and, please God, you +never shall regret it." + +Dolly had doubted the existence of genuine love nowadays, and John had +assured her that there were oceans of it. There certainly seemed to be +that night; and it was impossible to doubt the truth of his assertion +while listening to the tender prayers and plans and protestations he +poured into her ear, as they rolled on, regardless of the avenging +furies behind, and the untried fate before them. Storms raged without, +but peace reigned within; for Dolly showed signs of yielding, though she +had not consented when the run-away ride ended. + +As John set her down in the hall, he added as a last appeal,-- + +"Remember, there were 'Daughters of Liberty,' as well as sons, in the +old times you love so well. Be one, and prove yourself worthy of your +name, as you bid me be of mine. Come, sweetheart, resist tyranny, face +poverty, love liberty, and declare your independence as bravely as they +did." + +"I will!" and Dolly signed the declaration her Hancock headed, by giving +him her hand and sealing the oath with a kiss. + +"One word more," he said hurriedly, as the clatter of an approaching +carriage sounded through the street: "I may not be able to see you +again, but we can each be getting ready, and meet on Monday morning, +when you leave for '_home_' in good truth. Put a lamp in the end window +the last thing Sunday night as the bells ring nine, then I shall be sure +that all is right, and have no delay in the morning." + +"Yes, John." + +"Good-night, and God bless you!" + +There was no time for more; and as distracted Parker burst out of one +carriage, and Aunt Maria "came tumbling after," happy John Harris +stepped into the other, with a wave of the cocked hat, and drove away in +triumph. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_PEACE IS DECLARED._ + + +The age of miracles is not over yet, and our young people wrought +several during those three days; for in love's vocabulary there is no +such word as fail. + +Dolly "stood to her guns" womanfully, and not only chose to go "home," +but prepared for her banishment with an outward meekness and an inward +joy which made each hour memorable. Aunt Maria had her suspicions and +kept a vigilant watch, she and her maid Cobb mounting guard by turns. +Parker, finding that "no surrender" was the countersign, raised the +siege and retreated in good order, though a trifle demoralized in +dignity when he looked back during the evacuation and saw Tip bolt +upright in the end window, with the rebel flag proudly displayed. + +John meanwhile was circulating briskly through the city, and showing +such ardent interest in the approaching Exposition that his mates +christened him "Centennial Harris;" while the higher powers felt that +they had done a good thing in giving him the job, and increased his +salary to make sure of so excellent a servant. Other arrangements of a +private but infinitely more interesting nature were successfully made; +and he went about smiling to himself, as if the little parcel done up in +silver paper, which he was constantly feeling for in his vest pocket, +had been a talisman conferring all good gifts upon its happy owner. + +When the third night came, he was at his post long before the time, so +great was his impatience; for the four-footed traitor had been +discovered and ordered into close confinement, where he suffered, not +the fate of André, but the pangs of indigestion for lack of exercise +after the feast of tidbits surreptitiously administered by one who never +forgot all she owed to her "fat friend." + +It seemed as if nine o'clock would never come; and, if a policeman ever +was where he should be, the guardian of that beat would have considered +John a suspicious character as he paced to and fro in the April +starlight. At last the bells began to chime, promptly the light +appeared, and, remembering how the bell of the old State House rang out +the glad tidings a hundred years ago, John waved his cherished parcel, +joyfully exclaiming, "Independence is declared! ring! ring! ring!" then +raced across the park like another Paul Revere when the signal light +shone in the steeple of the old North Church. + +Next morning at an early hour a carriage drove to Aunt Maria's door, and +with a stern farewell from her nightcapped relative Dolly was sent forth +to banishment, still guarded by the faithful Cobb. The mutinous damsel +looked pale and anxious, but departed with a friendly adieu and waved +her handkerchief to Tip, disconsolate upon the door-mat. The instant +they turned the corner, however, a singular transformation took place in +both the occupants of that carriage; for Dolly caught Cobb round the +neck and kissed her, while smiles broke loose on either face, as she +said gleefully,-- + +"You dear old thing, what _should_ I have done without you? Am I all +right? I do hope it's becoming. I had to give up every thing else, so I +was resolved not to be married without a new bonnet." + +"It's as sweet as sweet can be, and not a bit the worse for being +smuggled home in a market-basket," returned the perjured Cobb, surveying +with feminine pride and satisfaction the delicate little bonnet which +emerged from the thick veil by which its glories had been prudently +obscured. + +"Here's a glass to see it in. Such a nice carriage, with white horses, +and a tidy driver; so appropriate you know. It's a happy accident, and +I'm so pleased," prattled the girl, looking about her with the delight +of an escaped prisoner. + +"Bless your heart, Miss, it's all Mr. Harris's doings: he's been dodging +round the corner ever since daylight; and there he is now, I do declare. +I may as well go for a walk till your train is off, so good-by, and the +best of lucks, my dear." + +There was barely time for this brief but very hearty congratulation, +when a remarkably well-dressed highwayman stopped the carriage, without +a sign of resistance from the grinning driver. Cobb got out, the +ruffian, armed not with a pistol, but a great bouquet of white roses, +got in, and the coach went on its way through the quiet streets. + +"May day, and here are your flowers, my little queen." + +"Oh, John!" + +A short answer, but a very eloquent one, when accompanied with full +eyes, trembling lips, and a face as sweet and lovely as the roses. + +It was quite satisfactory to John; and, having slightly damaged the +bridal bonnet without reproof, he, manlike, mingled bliss and business, +by saying, in a tone that made poetry of his somewhat confused +remarks,-- + +"Heaven bless my wife! We ought to have had the Governor's coach to-day. +Isn't Cobb a trump to get us off so nicely? Never saw a woman yet who +could resist the chance of her helping on a wedding. Remembered every +thing I told her. That reminds me. Wasn't it lucky that your relics were +boxed up in dear Aunt Maria's shed, so all Cobb had to do was to alter +the directions and send them off to Philadelphia instead of home?" + +"I've been in a tremble for three days, because it seemed as if it +couldn't be possible that so much happiness was coming to me. Are you +quite sure you want me, John?" asked Dolly, careless for once of her +cherished treasures; for she had been busy with hopes and fears, while +he was attending to more material affairs. + +"So sure, that I've got something here to bind you with. Do you mind +trying it on to see if it fits, for I had to guess at the size," +answered John, producing his talisman with all a bridegroom's pride and +eagerness. + +"Please let me wear that as a guard, and use this one to be married +with. I've a superstition about it, for it suits us and the year better +than any other;" and Dolly laid the little ring of reddish gold beside +the heavier one in John's palm. + +"So it does, and you shall have it as you like. Do you know, when you +showed it to me three months ago, I had a fancy that it would be the +proper thing for me to put it on your finger; but I didn't dream I ever +should. Are you very certain that you don't regret the advice you gave +my friend Jack?" asked the young man, thinking with fond solicitude of +the great experiment that lay before them; for he knew by experience how +hard this world's ways sometimes are, and longed to smooth the rough +places for the confiding little creature at his side. + +"Do I look as if I did?" she answered simply, but with a face so full of +a true woman's instinctive faith in the power of love to lighten labor, +sweeten poverty, and make a heaven of the plainest home, that it was +impossible to doubt her courage or fear her disloyalty. + +Quite satisfied, John pocketed the rings and buttoned Dolly's gloves, +saying, while she buttoned his, both marvellously enjoying this first +service for each other, "Almost there now, and in less than half an hour +we shall be so safe that all the Aunt Marias in Christendom can't part +us any more. George has stood by me like a man and a brother, and +promised that every thing should be all right. The church will look a +trifle empty, I dare say, with only five of us to fill it; but I shall +like it better than being made a spectacle of; so will you, I fancy." + +"The church? I thought runaways were married in an office, by a justice, +and without much ceremony to make it solemn. I'm very glad it isn't so, +for I shall never have but one wedding, and I'd love to have it in a +sacred place," faltered Dolly, as a sudden sense of all it meant came +over her, filling her girlish heart with tender awe. + +"I knew that, dear, and so I did my best to make you feel no lack of +love, as I could not give you any splendor. I wish I had a mother to be +with you to-day; but George has lent me his, so there will be a woman's +arms to cry in, if you want to drop a tear; and fatherly old Dr. King +will give you to the happiest man alive. Well, well, my Dolly, if you'd +rather, cry here, and then let me dry your tears, as, please Heaven, I +will do all your life." + +"So kind, John, so very kind! I can't thank you in words, but I'll show +by deeds how much I honor, trust, and love my husband;" and nobly Dolly +kept her word. + +No one saw them as they went in, but the early sunshine made a golden +path for them to tread, and the May wind touched them with its balmy +kiss. No congratulatory clamor greeted them as they came out; but the +friendly sparrows twittered a wedding march, and the jovial George sent +them merrily away, by saying, as he gave John's hand a parting grasp,-- + +"I was right, you see, and there _is_ a Mrs. Harris?" + +If any one doubts it, let him look well about him, and he may discover +the best thing America could send to her Exposition: an old-fashioned +home, and in it an ambitious man who could not be bought, a beautiful +woman who would not be sold; a young couple happy in their love and +labor, consecrating this centennial year, by practising the +old-fashioned virtues, honesty and thrift, independence and content. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Pitchers: and Independence, by +Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 34920-8.txt or 34920-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/2/34920/ + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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ALCOTT. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Silver Pitchers: and Independence, by Louisa May Alcott + +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: Silver Pitchers: and Independence + A Centennial Love Story + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: January 11, 2011 [EBook #34920] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE,</h1> + +<h3>A Centennial Love Story.</h3> + +<h2><span class="smcap">By</span> LOUISA M. ALCOTT,</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN," "EIGHT +COUSINS," "WORK," "HOSPITAL SKETCHES," ETC.</h3> + + +<h3>BOSTON:<br /> +ROBERTS BROTHERS.</h3> + +<h3>1888.</h3> + +<h3><i>Copyright</i>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By Louisa M. Alcott.</span><br /> +1876.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">University Press: John Wilson & Son,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Cambridge.</span></h3> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#SILVER_PITCHERS">SILVER PITCHERS.</a><br /> +<a href="#ANNAS_WHIM">ANNA'S WHIM.</a><br /> +<a href="#TRANSCENDENTAL_WILD_OATS">TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS.</a><br /> +<a href="#THE_ROMANCE_OF_A_SUMMER_DAY">THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY.</a><br /> +<a href="#MY_ROCOCO_WATCH">MY ROCOCO WATCH.</a><br /> +<a href="#BY_THE_RIVER">BY THE RIVER.</a><br /> +<a href="#LETTYS_TRAMP">LETTY'S TRAMP.</a><br /> +<a href="#SCARLET_STOCKINGS">SCARLET STOCKINGS.</a><br /> +<a href="#INDEPENDENCE_A_CENTENNIAL_LOVE_STORY">INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY.</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SILVER_PITCHERS" id="SILVER_PITCHERS"></a>SILVER PITCHERS.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3><i>HOW IT BEGAN.</i></h3> + + +<p>"We can do nothing about it except show our displeasure in some proper +manner," said Portia, in her most dignified tone.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> should like to cut them all dead for a year to come; and I'm not +sure that I won't!" cried Pauline, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"We <i>ought</i> to make it impossible for such a thing to happen again, and +I think we <i>might</i>," added Priscilla, so decidedly that the others +looked at her in surprise.</p> + +<p>The three friends sat by the fire "talking things over," as girls love +to do. Pretty creatures, all of them, as they nestled together on the +lounge in dressing-gowns and slippers, with unbound hair, eyes still +bright with excitement, and tongues that still wagged briskly.</p> + +<p>Usually the chat was of dresses, compliments, and all the little +adventures that befall gay girls at a merry-making. But to-night +something of uncommon interest absorbed the three, and kept them talking +earnestly long after they should have been asleep.</p> + +<p>Handsome Portia looked out from her blonde locks with a disgusted +expression, as she sipped the chocolate thoughtful mamma had left inside +the fender. Rosy-faced Pauline sat staring indignantly at the fire; +while in gentle Priscilla's soft eyes the shadow of a real sorrow seemed +to mingle with the light of a strong determination.</p> + +<p>Yes, something had happened at this Thanksgiving festival which much +offended the three friends, and demanded grave consideration on their +part; for the "Sweet P's," as Portia, Pris, and Polly were called, were +the belles of the town. One ruled by right of beauty and position, one +by the power of a character so sweet and strong that its influence was +widely felt, and one by the wit and winsomeness of a high yet generous +spirit.</p> + +<p>It had been an unusually pleasant evening, for after the quilting bee in +the afternoon good Squire Allen had given a bountiful supper, and all +the young folks of the town had joined in the old-fashioned games, which +made the roof ring with hearty merriment.</p> + +<p>All would have gone well if some one had not privately introduced +something stronger than the cider provided by the Squire,—a mysterious +and potent something, which caused several of the young men to betray +that they were decidedly the worse for their libations.</p> + +<p>That was serious enough; but the crowning iniquity was the putting of +brandy into the coffee, which it was considered decorous for the young +girls to prefer instead of cider.</p> + +<p>Who the reprobates were remained a dead secret, for the young men +laughed off the dreadful deed as a joke, and the Squire apologized in +the handsomest manner.</p> + +<p>But the girls felt much aggrieved and would not be appeased, though the +elders indulgently said, "Young men will be young men," even while they +shook their heads over the pranks played and the nonsense spoken under +the influence of the wine that had been so slyly drank.</p> + +<p>Now what should be done about it? The "Sweet P's" knew that their mates +would look to them for guidance at this crisis, for they were the +leaders in all things. So they must decide on some line of conduct for +all to adopt, as the best way of showing their disapproval of such +practical jokes.</p> + +<p>When Pris spoke, the others looked at her with surprise; for there was a +new expression in her face, and both asked wonderingly, "How?"</p> + +<p>"There are several ways, and we must decide which is the best. One is to +refuse invitations to the sociable next week."</p> + +<p>"But I've just got a lovely new dress expressly for it!" cried Portia, +tragically.</p> + +<p>"Then we might decline providing any supper," began Pris.</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't prevent the boys from providing it, and I never could get +through the night without a morsel of something!" exclaimed Polly, who +loved to see devoted beings bending before her, with offerings of ice, +or struggling manfully to steer a glass of lemonade through a tumultuous +sea of silk and broadcloth, feeling well repaid by a word or smile from +her when they landed safely.</p> + +<p>"True, and it <i>would</i> be rather rude and resentful; for I am sure they +will be models of deportment next time," and gentle Pris showed signs of +relenting, though that foolish joke bad cost her more than either of the +others.</p> + +<p>For a moment all sat gazing thoughtfully at the fire, trying to devise +some awful retribution for the sinners, no part of which should fall +upon themselves. Suddenly Polly clapped her hands, crying with a +triumphant air,—</p> + +<p>"I've got it, girls! I've got it!"</p> + +<p>"What? How? Tell us quick!"</p> + +<p>"We <i>will</i> refuse to go to the first sociable, and that will make a +tremendous impression, for half the nice girls will follow our lead, and +the boys will be in despair. Every one will ask why we are not there; +and what can those poor wretches say but the truth? Won't that be a +bitter pill for my lords and gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>"It will certainly be one to us," said Portia, thinking of the "heavenly +blue dress" with a pang.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit; our turn will come at the next sociable. To this we can go +with escorts of our own choosing, or none at all, for they are free and +easy affairs, you know. So we need be under no obligation to any of +those sinners, and can trample upon them as much as we please."</p> + +<p>"But how about the games, the walks home, and all the pleasant little +services the young men of our set like to offer and we to receive?" +asked Portia, who had grown up with these "boys," as Polly called them, +and found it hard to turn her back on the playmates who had now become +friends or lovers.</p> + +<p>"Bless me! I forgot that the feud might last more than one evening. Give +me an idea, Pris," and Polly's triumph ended suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I will," answered Pris, soberly; "for at this informal sociable we can +institute a new order of things. It will make a talk, but I think we +have a right to do it, and I'm sure it will have a good effect, if we +only hold out, and don't mind being laughed at. Let us refuse to +associate with the young men whom we know to be what is called 'gay,' +and accept as friends those of whose good habits we are sure. If they +complain, as of course they will, we can say their own misconduct made +it necessary, and there we have them."</p> + +<p>"But, Pris, who ever heard of such an idea? People will say all sorts of +things about us!" said Portia, rather startled at the proposition.</p> + +<p>"Let them! I say it's a grand plan, and I'll stand by you, Pris, through +thick and thin!" cried Polly, who enjoyed the revolutionary spirit of +the thing.</p> + +<p>"We can but try it, and give the young men a lesson; for, girls, matters +are coming to a pass, when it is our <i>duty</i> to do something. I cannot +think it is right for us to sit silent and see these fine fellows +getting into bad habits because no one dares or cares to speak out, +though we gossip and complain in private."</p> + +<p>"Do you want us to begin a crusade?" asked Portia, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Yes, in the only way we girls can do it. We can't preach and pray in +streets and bar-rooms, but we may at home, and in our own little world +show that we want to use our influence for good. I know that you two can +do any thing you choose with the young people in this town, and it is +just that set who most need the sort of help you can give, if you will."</p> + +<p>"You have more influence than both of us put together; so don't be +modest, Pris, but tell us what to do, and I'll do it, even if I'm hooted +at," cried warm-hearted Polly, won at once.</p> + +<p>"You must do as you think right; but <i>I</i> have made up my mind to protest +against wine-drinking in every way I can. I know it will cost me much, +for I have nothing to depend upon but the good opinion of my friends; +nevertheless, I shall do what seems my duty, and I may be able to save +some other girl from the heart-aches I have known."</p> + +<p>"You won't lose our good opinion, you dear little saint! Just tell us +how to begin and we will follow our leader," cried both Portia and +Polly, fired with emulation by their friend's quiet resolution.</p> + +<p>Pris looked from one to the other, and, seeing real love and confidence +in their faces, was moved to deepen the impression she had made, by +telling them the sad secret of her life. Pressing her hands tightly +together, and drooping her head, she answered in words that were the +more pathetic for their brevity,—</p> + +<p>"Dear girls, don't think me rash or sentimental, for I <i>know</i> what I am +trying to do, and you will understand my earnestness better when I tell +you that a terrible experience taught me to dread this appetite more +than death. It killed my father, broke mother's heart, and left me all +alone."</p> + +<p>As she paused, poor Pris hid her face and shrank away, as if by this +confession she had forfeited her place in the respect of her mates. But +the girlish hearts only clung the closer to her, and proved the +sincerity of their affection by sympathetic tears and tender words, as +Portia and Polly held her fast, making a prettier group than the marble +nymphs on the mantelpiece; for the Christian graces quite outdid the +heathen ones.</p> + +<p>Polly spoke first, and spoke cheerfully, feeling, with the instinct of a +fine nature, that Priscilla's grief was too sacred to be talked about, +and that they could best show their appreciation of her confidence by +proving themselves ready to save others from a sorrow like hers.</p> + +<p>"Let us be a little society of three, and do what we can. I shall begin +at home, and watch over brother Ned; for lately he has been growing away +from me somehow, and I'm afraid he is beginning to be 'gay.' I shall get +teased unmercifully; but I won't mind if I keep him safe."</p> + +<p>"I have no one at home to watch over but papa, and he is in no danger, +of course; so I shall show Charley Lord that I am not pleased with him," +said Portia, little dreaming where her work was to be done.</p> + +<p>"And you will set about reforming that delightful scapegrace, Phil +Butler?" added Polly, peeping archly into the still drooping face of +Pris.</p> + +<p>"I have lost my right to do it, for I told him to-night that love and +respect must go together in my heart," and Pris wiped her wet eyes with +a hand that no longer wore a ring.</p> + +<p>Portia and Polly looked at one another in dismay, for by this act Pris +proved how thoroughly in earnest she was.</p> + +<p>Neither had any words of comfort for so great a trouble, and sat +silently caressing her, till Pris looked up, with her own serene smile +again, and said, as if to change the current of their thoughts,—</p> + +<p>"We must have a badge for the members of our new society, so let us each +wear one of these tiny silver pitchers. I've lost the mate to mine, but +Portia has a pair just like them. You can divide, then we are all +provided for."</p> + +<p>Portia ran to her jewel-case, caught up a pair of delicate filigree +ear-rings, hastily divided a narrow velvet ribbon into three parts, +attached to each a silver pitcher, and, as the friends smilingly put on +these badges, they pledged their loyalty to the new league by a silent +good-night kiss.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3><i>A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.</i></h3> + + +<p>Great was the astonishment of their "set" when it was known that the +"Sweet P's" had refused all invitations to the opening sociable.</p> + +<p>The young men were in despair, the gossips talked themselves hoarse +discussing the affair, and the girls exulted; for, as Polly predicted, +the effect of their first step was "tremendous."</p> + +<p>When the evening came, however, by one accord they met in Portia's room, +to support each other through that trying period. They affected to be +quite firm and cheerful; but one after the other broke down, and sadly +confessed that the sacrifice to principle was harder than they expected. +What added to their anguish was the fact that the Judge's house stood +just opposite the town-hall, and every attempt to keep away from certain +windows proved a dead failure.</p> + +<p>"It is <i>so</i> trying to see those girls go in with their dresses bundled +up, and not even know what they wear," mourned Portia, watching shrouded +figures trip up the steps that led to the paradise from which she had +exiled herself.</p> + +<p>"They must be having a capital time, for every one seems to have gone. I +wonder who Phil took," sighed Pris, when at length the carriages ceased +to roll.</p> + +<p>"Girls! I wish to be true to my vow, but if you don't hold me I shall +certainly rush over there and join in the fun, for that music is too +much for me," cried Polly, desperately, as the singing began.</p> + +<p>It was an endless evening to the three pretty pioneers, though they went +early to bed, and heroically tried to sleep with that distracting music +in their ears. Slumber came at last, but as the clocks were striking +twelve a little ghost emerged from Portia's room, and gliding to the +hall window vanished among the heavy damask curtains.</p> + +<p>Presently another little ghost appeared from the same quarter, and +stealing softly to the same window was about to vanish in the same +capacious draperies, when a stifled cry was heard, and Portia, the +second sprite, exclaimed in an astonished whisper,—</p> + +<p>"Why, Pris, are you here, too? I saw Polly creep away from me, and came +to take her back. How dare you go wandering about and startling me out +of my wits in this way?"</p> + +<p>"I was only looking to see if it was all over," quavered Pris, meekly, +emerging from the right-hand curtain.</p> + +<p>"So was I!" laughed Polly, bouncing out from the left-hand one.</p> + +<p>There was a sound of soft merriment in that shadowy hall for a moment, +and then the spirits took a look at the world outside, for the moon was +shining brightly. Yes, the fun was evidently over, for the lamps were +being extinguished, and several young men stood on the steps exchanging +last words. One wore a cloak theatrically thrown over the shoulder, and +Polly knew him at once.</p> + +<p>"That's Ned! I <i>must</i> hear what they are saying. Keep quiet and I'll +listen," she whispered, rolling herself in the dark folds of the curtain +and opening the window a crack, so that a frosty breeze could blow +freely into her left ear.</p> + +<p>"You'll get your death," murmured Portia, shivering in her quilted +wrapper.</p> + +<p>"O, never mind!" cried Pris, who recognized the tallest man in the +group, and was wild to catch a word from "poor Phil."</p> + +<p>"They think they've done a fine thing; but, bless their little hearts, +we'll show that we can do without them by not asking them to the next +sociable, or taking notice of them if they go. That will bring them +round without fail," said one masculine voice, with a jolly laugh.</p> + +<p>"Many thanks for letting us know your plots, Mr. Lord. Now we can +arrange a nice little surprise for <i>you</i>," and Portia made a scornful +courtesy in the dark.</p> + +<p>"Faith! I don't blame the girls much, for that was a confoundedly +ungentlemanly trick of yours, and I'll thank you not to lay any of the +blame of it on me; I've got as much as I can carry without that," said +the tall figure, stalking away alone.</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>so</i> glad to know that Phil had nothing to do with it!" breathed +Pris, gratefully.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Charley! I must get home as soon as possible, or Polly will be +down on me, for she has taken a new tack lately, and holds forth on the +error of my ways like a granny."</p> + +<p>"Won't I give Ned an extra lecture for that speech, the rascal!" and +Polly shook a small fist at him as her brother passed under the window, +blissfully unconscious of the avenging angels up aloft.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well; let us away and take sweet counsel how we may annihilate +them," added Polly, melodramatically, as the three ghosts vanished from +the glimpses of the moon.</p> + +<p>Every one turned out to the sociables, for they were town affairs, and +early hours, simple suppers, and games of all sorts, made it possible +for old and young to enjoy them together.</p> + +<p>On the night of the second one there was a goodly gathering, for the +public rebuke administered to the young men had made a stir, and +everybody was curious to see what the consequences would be when the +parties met.</p> + +<p>There was a sensation, therefore, when a whisper went round that the +"Sweet P's" had come, and a general smile of wonder and amusement +appeared when the girls entered, Portia on the arm of her father, Polly +gallantly escorted by her twelve-year-old brother Will, and Pris beside +Belinda Chamberlain, whose five feet seven made her a capital cavalier.</p> + +<p>"Outwitted!" laughed Charley Lord, taking the joke at once as he saw +Portia's gray-headed squire.</p> + +<p>"I <i>knew</i> Polly was plotting mischief, she has been so quiet lately," +muttered Ned, eying his little brother with lofty scorn.</p> + +<p>Phil said nothing, but he gave a sigh of relief on seeing that Pris had +chosen an escort of whom it was impossible to be jealous.</p> + +<p>The Judge seldom honored these gatherings, but Portia ruled papa, and +when she explained the peculiar state of things, he had heroically left +his easy chair to cast himself into the breach.</p> + +<p>Master Will was in high feather at his sudden promotion, and bore +himself gallantly, though almost as much absorbed by his wristbands as +Mr. Toots; for Polly had got him up regardless of expense, with a gay +tie, new gloves, and, O, crowning splendor! a red carnation in his +button-hole.</p> + +<p>Buxom Belinda was delighted with the chance to play cavalier, and so get +her fair share of all the fun going, for usually she stood in a corner +smiling at an unappreciative world, like a patient sunflower.</p> + +<p>The faces of the young men were a study as the games began, and the +three girls joined in them with the partners they had chosen.</p> + +<p>"The Judge is evidently on his mettle, but he can't stand that sort of +thing long, even to please Portia; and then her Majesty will have to +give in, or condescend to some one out of our set," thought Charley +Lord, longing already to be taken into favor again.</p> + +<p>"Polly will have to come and ask me to lead, if she wants to sing her +favorite songs; for I'll be hanged if I do it till she has humbled +herself by asking," said Ned, feeling sure that his sister would soon +relent.</p> + +<p>"If it was any one but Belinda, I don't think I could stand it," +exclaimed Phil, as he watched his lost sweetheart with wistful eyes; +for, though he submitted to the sentence which he knew he deserved, he +could not relinquish so much excellence without deep regret.</p> + +<p>But the young men underrated the spirit of the girls, and overrated +their own strength. The "Sweet P's" went on enjoying themselves, +apparently quite indifferent to the neglect of their once devoted +friends. But to the outcasts it was perfectly maddening to see stately +Portia promenading with stout Major Quackenboss, who put his best foot +foremost with the air of a conquering hero; also to behold sweet Pris +playing games with her little pupils in a way that filled their small +souls with rapture. But the most aggravating spectacle of all was +captivating Polly, chatting gayly with young Farmer Brown, who was +evidently losing both head and heart in the light of her smiles.</p> + +<p>"It's no use, boys; I <i>must</i> have one turn with Portia, and you may hang +me for a traitor immediately afterward," cried Charley at last, +recklessly casting both pride and promise to the winds.</p> + +<p>"O, very well; if you are going to give in, we may as well all eat +humble pie 'together,'" and Ned imitated his weak-minded friend, glad of +an excuse to claim the leadership of the little choir who led off the +weekly "sing."</p> + +<p>Phil dared not follow their example as far as Pris was concerned, but +made his most elegant bow to Belinda, and begged to have the honor of +seeing her home. His chagrin may be imagined when the lofty wall-flower +replied, with a significant emphasis that made his face burn,—</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. I need a very <i>steady</i> escort, for I shouldn't take a +fall into a snow-bank as lightly as Pris did not long ago."</p> + +<p>Charley met with a like fate at Portia's hands, for she outraged +established etiquette by coldly declining his meek invitation to +promenade, and two minutes later graciously accepting that of an +unfashionable young man, who was known to belong to a temperance lodge.</p> + +<p>But Ned's repulse was the most crushing of all, for in reply to his +condescending hint,—</p> + +<p>"I suppose people won't be satisfied unless we give them our favorites, +hey, Polly?" he received a verbal box on the ear in the sharp answer,—</p> + +<p>"We don't want <i>you</i>, for I intend to lead myself, and introduce a new +set of songs which won't be at all to your taste."</p> + +<p>Then, to his utter amazement and confusion, Miss Polly began to sing one +of the good old temperance songs, the burden whereof was,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O, that will be joyful, joyful, joyful,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">O, that will be joyful,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When young men drink no more!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It was taken up all over the hall, and the chorus rang out with an +energy that caused sundry young men to turn red and dodge behind any +capacious back they could find, for every one understood Polly's motive, +and looked approvingly upon her as she stood singing, with an occasional +quiver in the voice that usually was as clear and sweet as a +blackbird's.</p> + +<p>This unexpected manœuvre on the part of the fair enemy produced +direful perplexity and dismay in the opposing camp, whither the +discomfited trio fled with tidings of their defeat. None of them dared +try again in that quarter, but endeavored to console themselves by +flirting wildly with such girls as still remained available, for, sad to +relate, many of the most eligible took courage and followed the example +of the "Sweet P's." This fact cast added gloom over the hapless +gentlemen of the offending set, and caused them to fear that a social +revolution would follow what they had considered merely a girlish freak.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if they got up a praying-band after this," groaned +Ned, preparing himself for the strongest measures.</p> + +<p>"Portia had better lead off, then, for the first time I indulged too +freely in the 'rosy' was at her father's house," added Charley, laying +all the blame of his expulsion from Eden upon Eve, like a true Adam.</p> + +<p>"Look here, boys, we ought to thank, not blame them, for they want to +help us, I'm sure, and some of us need help, God knows!" sighed Phil, +with a look and tone that made his comrades forget their pique in sudden +self-reproach; for not one of them could deny his words, or help feeling +that the prayers of such innocent souls would avail much.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3><i>WHAT PORTIA DID.</i></h3> + + +<p>"I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my +little chair and amuse you till papa comes in."</p> + +<p>As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver +pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye.</p> + +<p>"Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she +asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile.</p> + +<p>"No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a +temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered +Portia, wondering how her mother would take it.</p> + +<p>"Dear little girls! God bless and help you in your good work!" was the +quick reply, that both surprised and touched her by its fervency.</p> + +<p>"Then you don't mind, or think us silly to try and do even a very little +towards curing this great evil?" she asked, with a sweet seriousness +that was new and most becoming to her.</p> + +<p>"My child, I feel as if it was a special providence," began her mother, +then checked herself and added more quietly, "Tell me all about this +league, dear, unless it is a secret."</p> + +<p>"I have no secrets from you, mother," and nestling into her low chair +Portia told her story, ending with an earnestness that showed how much +she had the new plan at heart.</p> + +<p>"So you see Polly is trying to keep Ned safe, and Pris prays for Phil; +not in vain, I think, for he has been very good lately, they tell me. +But <i>I</i> have neither brother nor lover to help, and I cannot go out to +find any one, because I am only a girl. Now what <i>can</i> I do, mamma, for +I truly want to do my share?"</p> + +<p>The mother lay silent for a moment, then, as if yielding to an +irresistible impulse, drew her daughter nearer, and whispered with lips +that trembled as they spoke,—</p> + +<p>"You can help your father, dear."</p> + +<p>"Mamma, what can you mean?" cried Portia, in a tone of indignant +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Listen patiently, child, or I shall regret that your confidence +inspired me with courage to give you mine. Never think for one moment +that I accuse my husband of any thing like drunkenness. He has always +taken his wine like a gentleman, and never more than was good for him +till of late. For this there are many excuses; he is growing old, his +life is less active than it was, many of the pleasures he once enjoyed +fail now, and he has fallen into ways that harm his health."</p> + +<p>"I know, mamma; he doesn't care for company as he used to, or business, +either, but seems quite contented to sit among his papers half the +morning, and doze over the fire half the evening. I've wondered at it, +for he is not really old, and looks as hale and handsome as ever," said +Portia, feeling that something hovered on her mother's lips which she +found it hard to utter.</p> + +<p>"You are right; it is <i>not</i> age alone that makes him so unlike his once +cheerful, active self; it is—bend lower, dear, and never breathe to any +one what I tell you now, only that you may help me save your father's +life, perhaps."</p> + +<p>Startled by the almost solemn earnestness of these words, Portia laid +her head upon the pillow, and twilight wrapt the room in its soft gloom, +as if to shut out all the world, while the mother told the daughter the +danger that threatened him whom they both so loved and honored.</p> + +<p>"Papa has fallen into the way of taking more wine after dinner than is +good for him. He does not know how the habit is growing upon him, and is +hurt if I hint at such a thing. But Dr. Hall warned me of the danger +after papa's last ill turn, saying that at his age and with his +temperament apoplexy would be sure to follow over-indulgence of this +sort."</p> + +<p>"O mamma, what can I do?" whispered Portia, with a thrill, as the words +of Pris returned to her with sudden force, "It killed my father, broke +mother's heart, and left me all alone."</p> + +<p>"Watch over him, dear, amuse him as you only can, and wean him from this +unsuspected harm by all the innocent arts your daughterly love can +devise. I have kept this to myself, because it is hard for a wife to see +any fault in her husband; still harder for her to speak of it even to so +good a child as mine. But my anxiety unfits me to do all I might, so I +need help; and of whom can I ask it but of you? My darling, make a +little league with mother, and let us watch and pray in secret for this +dear man who is all in all to us."</p> + +<p>What Portia answered, what comfort she gave, and what further +confidences she received, may not be told, for this household covenant +was too sacred for report. No visible badge was assumed, no audible vow +taken, but in the wife's face, as it smiled on her husband that night, +there was a tenderer light than ever, and the kiss that welcomed papa +was the seal upon a purpose as strong as the daughter's love.</p> + +<p>Usually the ladies left the Judge to read his paper and take his wine in +the old-fashioned way, while they had coffee in the drawing-room. As +they rose, Portia saw the shadow fall upon her mother's face, which she +had often seen before, but never understood till now; for <i>this</i> was the +dangerous hour, this the moment when the child must stand between +temptation and her father, if she could.</p> + +<p>That evening, very soon after the servant had cleared the table of all +but the decanters, a fresh young voice singing blithely in the parlor +made the Judge put down his glass to listen in pleased surprise.</p> + +<p>Presently he stepped across the hall to set both doors open, saying, in +a half reproachful tone,—</p> + +<p>"Sing away, my lark, and let papa hear you, for he seldom gets a chance +nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Then he must stay and applaud me, else I shall think that speech only +an empty compliment," answered Portia, as she beckoned with her most +winsome smile.</p> + +<p>The Judge never dreamed that his good angel spoke; but he saw his +handsome girl beaming at him from the music stool, and strolled in, +meaning to go back when the song ended.</p> + +<p>But the blue charmer in the parlor proved more potent than the red one +in the dining-room, and he sat on, placidly sipping the excellent +coffee, artfully supplied by his wife, quite unconscious of the little +plot to rob him of the harmful indulgence which too often made his +evenings a blank, and his mornings a vain attempt to revive the spirits +that once kept increasing years from seeming burdensome.</p> + +<p>That was the beginning of Portia's home mission; and from that hour she +devoted herself to it, thinking of no reward, for such "secret service" +could receive neither public sympathy nor praise.</p> + +<p>It was not an easy task, as she soon found, in spite of the stanch and +skilful ally who planned the attacks she dutifully made upon the enemy +threatening their domestic peace.</p> + +<p>When music ceased to have charms, and the Judge declared he <i>must</i> get +his "forty winks" after dinner, Portia boldly declared that she would +stay and see that he had them comfortably. So papa laughed and +submitted, took a brief nap, and woke in such good-humor that he made no +complaint on finding the daughter replacing the decanter.</p> + +<p>This answered for a while; and when its effacacy seemed about to fail, +unexpected help appeared; for mamma's eyes began to trouble her, and +Portia proposed that her father should entertain the invalid in the +evening, while she served her through the day.</p> + +<p>This plan worked capitally, for the Judge loved his good wife almost as +much as she deserved, and devoted himself to her so faithfully that the +effort proved a better stimulant than any his well-stocked cellar could +supply.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hall prescribed exercise and cheerful society for his new patient, +and in seeing that these instructions were obeyed the Judge got the +benefit of them, and found no time for solitary wine-bibbing.</p> + +<p>"I do believe I'm growing young again, for the old dulness is quite +gone, and all this work and play does not seem to tire me a bit," he +said, after an unusually lively evening with the congenial guests Portia +took care to bring about him.</p> + +<p>"But it must be very stupid for you, my dear, as we old folks have all +the fun. Why don't you invite the young people here oftener?" he added, +as his eye fell on Portia, gazing thoughtfully into the fire.</p> + +<p>"I wish I dared tell you why," she answered wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Afraid of your old papa?" and he looked both surprised and grieved.</p> + +<p>"I won't be, for you are the kindest father that ever a girl had, and I +know you'll help me, as you always do, papa. I don't dare ask my young +friends here because I'm not willing to expose some of them to +temptation," began Portia, bravely.</p> + +<p>"What temptation? This?" asked her father, turning her half-averted face +to the light, with a smile full of paternal pride.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; a far more dangerous one than ever I can be."</p> + +<p>"Then I should like to see it!" and the old gentleman looked about him +for this rival of his lovely daughter.</p> + +<p>"It is these," she said, pointing to the bottles and glasses on the +side-board.</p> + +<p>The Judge understood her then, and knit his brows but before he could +reply Portia went steadily on, though her cheeks burned, and her eyes +were bent upon the fire again.</p> + +<p>"Father, I belong to a society of three, and we have promised to do all +we can for temperance. As yet I can only show bravely the faith that is +in me; therefore I can never offer any friend of mine a drop of wine, +and so I do not ask them here, where it would seem most uncourteous to +refuse."</p> + +<p>"I trust no gentleman ever had cause to reproach me for the hospitality +I was taught to show my guests," began the Judge, in his most stately +manner.</p> + +<p>But he got no further, for a soft hand touched his lips, and Portia +answered sorrowfully,—</p> + +<p>"One man has, sir; Charley Lord says the first time he took too much was +in this house, and it has grieved me to the heart, for it is true. O +papa, never let any one have the right to say that again of us! Forgive +me if I seem undutiful, but I <i>must</i> speak out, for I want my dear +father to stand on my side, and set an example which will make me even +fonder and prouder of him than I am now."</p> + +<p>As Portia paused, half frightened at her own frankness, she put her arms +about his neck, and hid her face on his breast, still pleading her cause +with the silent eloquence so hard to resist.</p> + +<p>The Judge made no reply for several minutes, and in that pause many +thoughts passed through his mind, and a vague suspicion that had haunted +him of late became a firm conviction. For suddenly he seemed to see his +own weakness in its true light, to understand the meaning of the +watchful love, the patient care that had so silently and helpfully +surrounded him; and in Portia's appeal for younger men, he read a tender +warning to himself.</p> + +<p>He was a proud man, but a very just one; and though a flush of anger +swept across his face at first, he acknowledged the truth of the words +that were so hard to speak.</p> + +<p>With his hand laid fondly on the head that was half-hidden, lest a look +should seem to reproach him, this brave old gentleman proved that he +loved his neighbor better than himself, and honestly confessed his own +shortcomings.</p> + +<p>"No man shall ever say again that <i>I</i> tempted him."</p> + +<p>Then as Portia lifted up a happy face, he looked straight into the +grateful eyes that dimmed with sudden tears, and added tenderly,—</p> + +<p>"My daughter, I am not too proud to own a fault, nor, please God, too +old to mend it."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3><i>WHAT POLLY DID.</i></h3> + + +<p>Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take +good care of the boys. But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it +sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to +emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and +do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice.</p> + +<p>Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister. At times he felt +strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for +since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful +creature to cheer and strengthen him.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" +to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters +especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of +his twenty years, and snubbed Polly.</p> + +<p>Will had not yet developed this unpleasant trait, but his sister +expected it, and often exclaimed, despairingly, to her bosom friends,—</p> + +<p>"When <i>he</i> follows Ned's example, and begins to rampage, what <i>will</i> +become of me?"</p> + +<p>The father—a learned and busy man—was so occupied by the duties of his +large parish, or so absorbed in the abstruse studies to which his brief +leisure was devoted, that he had no time left for his children. Polly +took good care of him and the house, and the boys seemed to be doing +well, so he went his way in peace, quite unconscious that his eldest son +needed all a father's care to keep him from the temptations to which a +social nature, not evil propensities, exposed him.</p> + +<p>Polly saw the danger, and spoke of it; but Mr. Snow only answered +absently,—</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, my dear; you are over-anxious, and forget that young men all +have a few wild oats to sow."</p> + +<p>While Ned silenced her with that other familiar and harmful phrase, "I'm +only seeing life a bit, so don't you fret, child," little dreaming that +such "seeing life" too often ends in seeing death.</p> + +<p>So Polly labored in vain, till something happened which taught them all +a lesson. Ned went on a sleighing frolic with the comrades whom of all +others his sister dreaded most.</p> + +<p>"Do be careful and not come home as you did last time, for father will +be in, and it would shock him dreadfully if I shouldn't be able to keep +you quiet," she said anxiously.</p> + +<p>"You little granny, I wasn't tipsy, only cheerful, and that scared you +out of your wits. I've got my key, so don't sit up. I hate to have a +woman glowering at me when I come in," was Ned's ungracious reply; for +the memory of that occasion was not a pleasant one.</p> + +<p>"If a woman had not been sitting up, you'd have frozen on the door-mat, +you ungrateful boy," cried Polly, angrily.</p> + +<p>Ned began to whistle, and was going off without a word, when Polly's +loving heart got the better of her quick temper, and, catching up a +splendid tippet she had made for him, she ran after her brother. She +caught him just as he opened the front door, and, throwing both her arms +and her gift about his neck, said, with a kiss that produced a sensation +in the sleigh-full of gentlemen at the gate,—</p> + +<p>"Ah, do be friends, for I can't bear to part so."</p> + +<p>Now if no one had been by, Ned would have found that pleasant mingling +of soft arms and worsted a genuine comforter; but masculine pride would +not permit him to relent before witnesses, and the fear of being laughed +at by "those fellows" made him put both sister and gift roughly aside, +with a stern,—</p> + +<p>"I won't be molly-coddled! Let me alone and shut the door!"</p> + +<p>Polly did let him alone, with a look that haunted him, and shut the door +with a spirited bang, that much amused the gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"I'll never try to do any thing for Ned again! It's no use, and he may +go to the bad for all I care!" said Polly to herself, after a good cry.</p> + +<p>But she bitterly repented that speech a few hours later, when her +brother was brought back, apparently dead, by such of the "cheerful" +party as escaped unhurt from a dangerous upset.</p> + +<p>There was no concealing this sad home-coming from her father, though +poor Ned was quiet enough now, being stunned by the fall, which had +wounded his head and broken his right arm.</p> + +<p>It <i>was</i> a shock, both to the man and the minister; and, when the worst +was over, he left Polly to watch her brother, with eyes full of +penitential tears, and went away, to reproach himself in private for +devoting to ancient Fathers the time and thought he should have given to +modern sons.</p> + +<p>Ned was very ill, and when, at last, he began to mend, his helplessness +taught him to see and love the sweetest side of Polly's character; for +she was in truth his right hand, and waited on him with a zeal that +touched his heart.</p> + +<p>Not one reproach did she utter, not even by a look did she recall past +warnings, or exult in the present humiliation, which proved how needful +they had been. Every thing was forgotten except the fact that she had +the happy privilege of caring for him almost as tenderly as a mother.</p> + +<p>Not quite, though, and the memory of her whose place it was impossible +to fill seemed to draw them closer together; as if the silent voice +repeated its last injunctions to both son and daughter, "Take care of +the boys, dear;" "Be good to your sister, Ned."</p> + +<p>"I've been a regular brute to her, and the dear little soul is heaping +coals of fire on my head by slaving over me like an angel," thought the +remorseful invalid, one day, as he lay on the sofa, with a black patch +adorning his brow, and his arm neatly done up in splints.</p> + +<p>Polly thought he was asleep, and sat quietly rolling bandages till a +head popped in at the door, and Will asked, in a sepulchral whisper,—</p> + +<p>"I've got the book Ned wanted. Can I come and give it to you?"</p> + +<p>Polly nodded, and he tiptoed in to her side, with a face so full of +good-will and spirits that it was as refreshing as a breath of fresh air +in that sick room.</p> + +<p>"Nice boy! he never forgets to do a kindness and be a comfort to his +Polly," she said, leaning her tired head on his buttony jacket, as he +stood beside her.</p> + +<p>Will wasn't ashamed to show affection for "his Polly," so he patted the +pale cheeks with a hand as red as his mittens, and smiled down at her +with his honest blue eyes full of the protecting affection it was so +pleasant to receive.</p> + +<p>"Yes, <i>I'm</i> going to be a tiptop boy, and never make you and father +ashamed of me, as you were once of somebody we know. Now don't you +laugh, and I'll show you something; it's the best I could do, and I +wanted to prove that I mean what I say; truly, truly, wish I may die if +I don't."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Will pulled out of his vest-pocket a little pewter +cream-pot, tied to a shoe-string, and holding it up said, with a funny +mixture of boyish dignity and defiance,—</p> + +<p>"I bought it of Nelly Hunt, because her tea-set was half-smashed up. +Folks may laugh at my badge, but I don't care; and if you won't have me +in your society I'll set up all alone, for I'm going into the temperance +business, any way!"</p> + +<p>Polly hugged him on the spot, and made his youthful countenance glow +with honest pride by saying solemnly,—</p> + +<p>"William G. Snow, I consider our league honored by the addition of so +valuable a member; for a boy who can bear to be laughed at, and yet +stick to his principles, is a treasure."</p> + +<p>"The fellows <i>do</i> laugh at me, and call me 'Little Pitcher;' but I'd +rather be that than 'Champagne Charlie,' as Ned called Mr. Lord," said +Will, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Bless the little pitchers!" cried Polly, enthusiastically surveying +both the pewter pot and its wearer.</p> + +<p>A great tear was lying on her cheek, checked in its fall by the dimple +that came as she looked at her brother's droll badge. Will caught it +dexterously in the tiny cup, saying, with a stifled laugh,—</p> + +<p>"Now you've baptized it, Polly, and it's as good as silver; for your +tear shines in there like a great big diamond. Wonder how many it would +take to fill it?"</p> + +<p>"You'll never make me cry enough to find out. Now go and get my little +silver chain, for that dear pewter pot deserves a better one than an old +shoe-string," said Polly, looking after him with a happy face, as the +small youth gave one ecstatic skip and was off.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we've waked you up," she added, as Ned stirred.</p> + +<p>"I was only day-dreaming; but I mean this one shall come true," and Ned +rose straight up, with an energy that surprised his sister.</p> + +<p>"Come and have your lunch, for it's time. Which will you take, Mrs. +Neal's wine-jelly or my custard?" asked Polly, settling him in his big +chair.</p> + +<p>To her astonishment, Ned pitched the little mould of amber jelly into +the fire, and tried to eat the custard with his left hand.</p> + +<p>"My dear boy, have you lost your senses?" she ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"No; I've just found them," he answered, with a flash of the eye, that +seemed to enlighten Polly without more words.</p> + +<p>Taking her usual seat on the arm of the chair, she fed her big nursling +in silence, till a sigh made her ask tenderly,—</p> + +<p>"Isn't it right? I put in lots of sugar because you like it sweet."</p> + +<p>"All the sugar in the world won't sweeten it to me, Polly; for there's a +bitter drop at the bottom of all my cups. Will said your tear shone like +a diamond in his little pitcher, and well it might. But you can't cry +happy tears over me, though I've made you shed enough sad ones to fill +the big punch-bowl."</p> + +<p>Ned tried to laugh, but somehow the custard choked him; and Polly laid +the poor, cropped head on her shoulder for a minute, saying softly,—</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dear, I wouldn't think about the old troubles now."</p> + +<p>She got no farther, for with a left-handed thump that made all the cups +dance wildly on the table, Ned cried out,—</p> + +<p>"But I <i>will</i> think about the old troubles, for I don't intend to have +any new ones of that sort! Do you suppose I'll see that snip of a boy +standing up for what is right, and not have the pluck to do the same? Do +you suppose I'll make my own father ashamed of me more than once? Or let +the dearest little girl in the world wear herself out over me, and I not +try to thank her in the way she likes best? Polly, my dear, you can't be +as proud of your elder brother as you are of the younger, but you shall +never have cause to blush for him again; <i>never</i>, sir, <i>never</i>!"</p> + +<p>Ned lifted his hand for another emphatic thump, but changed his mind, +and embraced his sister as closely as one arm could do it.</p> + +<p>"I ought to have a badge if I'm going to belong to your select society; +but I don't know any lady who will give me an ear-ring or a cream-pot," +said Ned, when the conversation got round again to the cheerful side of +the question.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you something better than either," answered Polly, as she +transferred a plain locket from her watch-guard to the one lying on the +table.</p> + +<p>Ned knew that a beloved face and a lock of gray hair were inside; and +when his sister added, with a look full of sweet significance, "For her +sake, dear," he answered manfully,—</p> + +<p>"I'll try, Polly!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3><i>WHAT PRIS DID.</i></h3> + + +<p>Priscilla, meantime, was racking her brain to discover how she could +help Philip; for since she had broken off her engagement no one spoke of +him to her, and she could only judge of how things were going with him +by what she saw and heard as she went about her daily task.</p> + +<p>Pris kept school, and the road which she must take twice a day led +directly by the office where Phil was studying medicine with old Dr. +Buffum. Formerly she always smiled and nodded as she passed, or stopped +to chat a moment with the student, who usually chanced to be taking a +whiff of fresh air at that instant. Little notes flew in and out, and +often her homeward walk was cheered by a companion, who taught the +pretty teacher lessons she found it very easy to learn.</p> + +<p>A happy time! But it was all over now, and brief glimpses of a brown +head bent above a desk near that window was the only solace poor Pris +had. The head never turned as she went by, but she felt sure that Phil +knew her step, and found that moment, as she did, the hardest of the +day.</p> + +<p>She longed to relent, but dared not yet. He longed to show that he +repented, but found it difficult without a sign of encouragement. So +they went their separate ways, seldom meeting, for Phil stuck to his +books with dogged resolution, and Pris had no heart for society.</p> + +<p>Of course the affair was discussed with all the exasperating freedom of +a country town, some blaming Pris for undue severity, some praising her +spirit, and some, friends,—not gossips,—predicting that both would be +the better for the trial, which would not separate them long. Of this +latter class were Portia and Polly, who felt it their duty to lend a +hand when matters reached a certain point.</p> + +<p>"Pris, dear, may I tell you something that I think you'd be glad to +know?" began Polly, joining her friend one afternoon, as she went home +weary and alone.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> may tell me any thing," and Pris took her arm as if she felt the +need of sympathy.</p> + +<p>"You know Dr. Buffum let Phil help with Ned, so we have seen a good deal +of him, and that is how I found out what I've got to tell you."</p> + +<p>"He spoke of me, then?" whispered Pris, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Not a word till Ned made him. My boy is fond of your boy, and they had +confidences which seem to have done them both good. Of course Ned didn't +tell me all about it, as <i>we</i> tell things (men never do, they are so +proud and queer), but he said this,—</p> + +<p>"'Look here, Polly, you must be very kind to Phil, and stand by him all +you can, or he will go down. He is doing his best, and will hold on as +long as he can, but a fellow <i>must</i> have comfort and encouragement of +some sort, and if he don't get the right kind he'll try the wrong.'"</p> + +<p>"O Polly! you will stand by him?"</p> + +<p>"I have; for I just took Phil in a weakish moment, and found out all I +wanted to know. Ned is right and you are wrong, Pris,—not in giving +back the ring, but in seeming to cast him off entirely. He does not +deserve that, for he was not to blame half so much as you think. But he +won't excuse himself, for he feels that you are unjust; yet he loves you +dearly, and you could do any thing with him, if you chose."</p> + +<p>"I do choose, Polly; but how <i>can</i> I marry a man whom I cannot trust?" +began Pris, sadly.</p> + +<p>"Now, my child, I'm going to talk to you like a mother, for I've had +experience with boys, and I know how to manage them," interrupted Polly, +with such a charmingly maternal air that Pris laughed in spite of her +trouble. "Be quiet and listen to the words of wisdom," continued her +friend, seriously.</p> + +<p>"Since I've taken care of Ned, I've learned a great deal, for the poor +lad was so sick and sorry he couldn't shut his heart against me any +more. So now I understand how to help and comfort him, for hearts are +very much alike, Pris, and all need lots of love and patience to keep +them good and happy. Ned told me his troubles, and I made up my mind +that as <i>we</i> don't have so many temptations as boys, we should do all we +can to help them, and make them the sort of men we can both love and +trust."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Polly. I've often thought how wrong it is for us to sit +safe and silent while we know things are going wrong, just because it +isn't considered proper for us to speak out. Then when the harm is done +we are expected to turn virtuously away from the poor soul we might +perhaps have saved if we had dared. God does not do so to us, and we +ought not to do so to those over whom we have so much power," said Pris, +with a heart full of sad and tender memories.</p> + +<p>"We won't!" cried Polly, firmly. "We began in play, but we will go on in +earnest, and use our youth, our beauty, our influence for something +nobler than merely pleasing men's eyes, or playing with their hearts. +We'll help them to be good, and brave, and true, and in doing this we +shall become better women, and worthier to be loved, I know."</p> + +<p>"Why, Polly, you are quite inspired!" and Pris stopped in the snowy road +to look at her.</p> + +<p>"It isn't all <i>my</i> wisdom. I've talked with father as well as Ned and +Phil, and they have done me good. I've discovered that confidence is +better than compliments, and friendship much nicer than flirting; so I'm +going to turn over a new leaf, and use my good gifts for higher ends."</p> + +<p>"Dear thing, what a comfort you are!" said Pris, pressing Polly's hands, +and looking into her bright face with grateful eyes. "You have given me +courage to do my duty, and I'll follow your example as fast as I can. +Don't come any farther, please: I'd better be alone when I pass Phil's +window, for I'm going to nod and smile, as I used to in the happy time. +Then he will see that I don't cast him off and leave him to 'go down' +for want of help, but am still his friend until I dare be more."</p> + +<p>"Now, Pris, that's just lovely of you, and I know it will work wonders. +Smile and nod away, dear, and try to do your part, as I'm trying to do +mine."</p> + +<p>For an instant the little gray hat and the jaunty one with the scarlet +feather were bent close together; but what went on under the brims, who +can say? Then Polly trotted off as fast as she could go, and Pris turned +into a certain street with a quicker step and a brighter color than she +had known for weeks.</p> + +<p>She was late, for she had lingered with Polly, and she feared that +patient watcher at the window would be gone. No; the brown head was +there, but it lay wearily on the arms folded over a big book, and the +eyes that stared out at the wintry sky had something tragic in them.</p> + +<p>Poor Phil did need encouragement, and was in the mood to take the worst +sort if the best failed him, for life looked very dark just then, and +solitude was growing unbearable.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, between him and the ruddy sunset a face appeared,—the dearest +and the loveliest in the world to him. Not half averted now, nor set +straightforward, cold and quiet as a marble countenance, but bent +towards him, with a smile on the lips, and a wistful look in the tender +eyes that made his heart leap up with sudden hope. Then it vanished; and +when he sprung to the window nothing could be seen but the last wave of +a well-known cloak, fluttering round the corner.</p> + +<p>But Priscilla's first effort was a great success; for the magic of a +kind look glorified the dingy office, and every bottle on the shelves +might have been filled with the elixir of life, so radiant did Phil's +face become. The almost uncontrollable desire to rush away and +recklessly forget his loneliness in the first companionship that offered +was gone now, for a happy hope peopled his solitude with helpful +thoughts and resolutions; the tragic look left the eyes, that still saw +a good angel instead of a tempting demon between them and the evening +sky; and when Phil shut up the big book he had been vainly trying to +study, he felt that he had discovered a new cure for one of the sharpest +pains the heart can suffer.</p> + +<p>Next morning Pris unconsciously started for school too soon, so when she +passed that window the room was empty. Resolved that Phil should not +share her disappointment, she lifted the sash and dropped a white azalea +on his desk. She smiled as she did it, and then whisked away as if she +had taken instead of left a treasure. But the smile remained with the +flower, I think, and Phil found it there when he hurried in to discover +this sweet good-morning waiting for him.</p> + +<p>He put it in the wine-glass which he had sworn never should be filled +again with any thing but water, and sitting down before it listened to +the little sermon the flower preached; for the delicate white azalea was +Pris to him, and the eloquence of a pure and tender heart flowed from +it, working miracles. One of them was that when sunset came it shone on +two faces at the window, and the little snow-birds heard two voices +breaking a long silence.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Pris!"</p> + +<p>"God help you, Phil!"</p> + +<p>That was all, but from that hour the girl felt her power for good, and +used it faithfully; and from that hour the young man worked bravely to +earn the respect and confidence without which no love is safe and happy.</p> + +<p>"We are friends now," they said, when they were seen together again; and +friends they remained, in spite of shrugs and smiles, ill-natured +speeches, and more than one attempt to sow discord between them, for +people did not understand the new order of things.</p> + +<p>"I trust him," was the only answer Pris gave to all warnings and +criticisms.</p> + +<p>"I <i>will</i> be worthy of her," the vow that kept Phil steady in spite of +the ridicule that is so hard to bear, and gave him courage to flee from +the temptation he was not yet strong enough to meet face to face.</p> + +<p>Portia and Polly stood by them stanchly; for having made her father's +house a safe refuge, Portia offered Phil all the helpful influences of a +happy home. Polly, with Ned to lend a hand, gave his comrade many a +friendly lift; and when it was understood that the Judge, the minister, +and the "Sweet P's" indorsed the young M. D., no one dared cast a stone +at him.</p> + +<p>All this took time, of course, but Phil got his reward at last, for one +night a little thing happened which showed him his own progress, and +made Pris feel that she might venture to wear the ring again.</p> + +<p>At a party Phil was graciously invited to take wine with a lady, and +refused. It was a very hard thing to do, for the lady was his hostess, a +handsome woman, and the mother of a flock of little children, who all +preferred the young doctor to the old one; and, greatest trial of all, +several of his most dreaded comrades stood by to laugh at him, if he +dared to let principle outweigh courtesy.</p> + +<p>But he did it, though he grew pale with the effort to say steadily,—</p> + +<p>"Will Mrs. Ward pardon me if I decline the honor? I am"—</p> + +<p>There he stopped and turned scarlet, for a lie was on his lips,—a lie +so much easier to tell than the honest truth that many would have +forgiven its utterance at that minute.</p> + +<p>His hostess naturally thought ill health was his excuse, and, pitying +his embarrassment, said, smiling,—</p> + +<p>"Ah! you doctors don't prescribe wine for your own ailments as readily +as for those of your patients."</p> + +<p>But Phil, angry at his own weakness, spoke out frankly, with a look that +said more than his words,—</p> + +<p>"I cannot even accept the kind excuse you offer me, for I am not ill. It +may be my duty to order wine sometimes for my patients, but it is also +my duty to prescribe water for myself."</p> + +<p>A dreadful little pause followed that speech; but Mrs. Ward understood +now, and though she thought the scruple a foolish one, she accepted the +apology like a well-bred woman, and, with a silent bow that ended the +matter, turned to other guests, leaving poor Phil to his fate.</p> + +<p>Not a pleasant one, but he bore it as well as he could, and when his +mates left him stranded in a corner, he said, half aloud, with a long +breath, as if the battle had been a hard one,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose I <i>have</i> lost my best patient, but I've kept my own +respect, and that ought to satisfy me."</p> + +<p>"Let me add mine, and wish you health and happiness, dear Phil," said a +voice behind him, and turning quickly he saw Pris standing there with +two goblets of water, and a smile full of love and pride.</p> + +<p>"You know what that toast means for me?" he whispered, with sudden +sunshine in his face, as he took the offered glass.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I drink it with all my heart," she answered, with her hand in +his.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3><i>HOW IT ENDED.</i></h3> + + +<p>The leaven dropped by three girls in that little town worked so slowly +that they hardly expected to do more than "raise their own patty-cakes," +as Polly merrily expressed it. But no honest purpose is ever wasted, and +by-and-by the fermentation began.</p> + +<p>Several things helped it amazingly. The first of these was a temperance +sermon, preached by Parson Snow, which produced a deep impression, +because in doing this he had the courage, like Brutus, to condemn his +own son. The brave sincerity, the tender earnestness of that sermon, +touched the hearts of his people as no learned discourse had ever done, +and bore fruit that well repaid him for the effort it cost.</p> + +<p>It waked up the old people, set the young ones to thinking, and showed +them all that they had a work to do. For those who were down felt that +they might be lifted up again, those who were trifling ignorantly or +recklessly with temptation saw their danger, and those who had longed to +speak out now dared to do it because he led the way.</p> + +<p>So, warned by the wolf in his own fold, this shepherd of souls tried to +keep his flock from harm, and, in doing it, found that his Christianity +was the stronger, wiser, and purer for his humanity.</p> + +<p>Another thing was the fact that the Judge was the first to follow his +pastor's example, and prove by deeds that he indorsed his words. It was +hard for the hospitable old gentleman to banish wine from his table, and +forego the pleasant customs which long usage and many associations +endeared to him; but he made his sacrifice handsomely, and his daughter +helped him.</p> + +<p>She kept the side-board from looking bare by filling the silver tankards +with flowers, offered water to his guests with a grace that made a +cordial of it, and showed such love and honor for her father that he was +a very proud and happy man.</p> + +<p>What the Judge did was considered "all right" by his neighbors, for he +was not only the best-born, but the richest man in town, and with a +certain class these facts had great weight. Portia knew this, and +counted on it when she said she wanted him on her side; so she exulted +when others followed the new fashion, some from principle, but many +simply because he set it.</p> + +<p>At first the young reformers were disappointed that every one was not as +enthusiastic as themselves, and as ready to dare and do for the cause +they had espoused. But wiser heads than those on their pretty shoulders +curbed their impetuosity, and suggested various ways of gently +insinuating the new idea, and making it so attractive that others would +find it impossible to resist; for sunshine often wins when bluster makes +us wrap our prejudices closer around us, like the traveller in the +fable.</p> + +<p>Portia baited <i>her</i> trap with Roman parties,—for she had been +abroad,—and made them so delightful that no one complained when only +cake and tea was served (that being the style in the Eternal City), but +went and did likewise.</p> + +<p>Artful Polly set up a comic newspaper, to amuse Ned, who was an invalid +nearly all winter, and in it freed her mind on many subjects in such a +witty way that the "Pollyanthus," as her brother named it, circulated +through their set, merrily sowing good seed; for young folks will +remember a joke longer than a sermon, and this editor made all hers +tell.</p> + +<p>Pris was not behindhand in her efforts, but worked in a different way, +and got up a branch society among her little pupils, called "The Water +Babies." That captivated the mothers at once, and even the fathers found +it difficult to enjoy their wine with blue eyes watching them wistfully +over the rims of silver mugs; while the few topers of the town hid +themselves like night-birds flying from the sun, when, led by their +gentle General, that little army of innocents marched through the +streets with banners flying, blithe voices singing, rosy faces shining, +and childish hearts full of the sweet delusion that <i>they</i> could save +the world.</p> + +<p>Of course the matrons discussed these events at the sewing-circle, and +much talk went on of a more useful sort than the usual gossip about +servants, sickness, dress, and scandal.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Judge waxed eloquent upon the subject, and, being president, every +one listened with due respect. Mrs. Ward seconded all her motions, for +this lady had much surprised the town, not only by installing Phil as +family physician, but by coming out strong for temperance. Somebody had +told her all about the girls' labor of love, and she had felt ashamed to +be outdone by them; so, like a conscientious woman, she decided to throw +her influence into the right scale, take time by the forelock, and help +to make the town a safer place for her five sons to grow up in than it +was then.</p> + +<p>These two leading ladies kept the ball rolling so briskly that others +were soon converted and fell into rank, till a dozen or so were heartily +in earnest. And then the job was half done; for in a great measure women +make society what they choose to have it.</p> + +<p>"We are told that home is our sphere, and advised to keep in it; so let +us see that it is what it should be, and then we shall have proved our +fitness for larger fields of labor, if we care to claim them," said Mrs. +Judge, cutting out red flannel with charitable energy, on one occasion.</p> + +<p>"Most of us will find that quite as much as we can accomplish, I fancy," +answered Mrs. Ward, thinking of her own riotous lads, who were probably +pulling the house about their ears, while she made hoods for Mrs. +Flanagan's bare-headed lasses.</p> + +<p>"'Pears to me we hain't no call to interfere in other folks's affairs. +This never was a drinkin' town, and things is kep' in fustrate order, so +<i>I</i> don't see the use of sech a talk about temperance," remarked Miss +Simmons, an acid spinster, whose principal earthly wealth consisted of a +choice collection of cats.</p> + +<p>"If your tabbies took to drinking, you <i>would</i> see the use, I'm sure," +laughed Polly, from the corner, which was a perfect posy-bed of girls.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, <i>I've</i> no men folks to pester myself about," began Miss +Simmons, with asperity.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but you should; for if you refuse to make them happy, you ought at +least to see that they console themselves in ways which can work them no +further woe," continued Polly, gravely, though her black eyes danced +with fun.</p> + +<p>"Well, that wouldn't be no more than fair, I'm free to confess; but, +sakes alive, I couldn't attend to 'em all!" said Miss Simmons, bridling +with a simper that nearly upset the whole bevy of girls.</p> + +<p>"Do make the effort, and help us poor things who haven't had your +experience," added Pris, in her most persuasive voice.</p> + +<p>"I declare I will! I'll have Hiram Stebbins in to tea; and when he's as +good-natured as muffins and pie can make him, I'll set to and see if I +can't talk him out of his attachment to that brandy bottle," cried Miss +Simmons, with a sudden yearning towards the early sweetheart, who had +won, but never claimed her virgin affections.</p> + +<p>"I think you'll do it; and, if so, you will have accomplished what no +one else could, and you shall have any prize you choose," cried Portia, +smiling so hopefully that the faded old face grew almost young again, as +Miss Simmons went home with something better to do than tend her +tabbies.</p> + +<p>"We've bagged that bird," said Polly, with real satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"That's the way we set people to work," added Portia, smiling.</p> + +<p>"She will do what we can't, for her heart is in it," said Pris, softly; +and it was pleasant to see the blooming girls rejoice that poor old +Hiram was in a fair way to be saved.</p> + +<p>So the year went round, and Thanksgiving came again, with the home +jollity that makes a festival throughout the land. The day would not be +perfect if it did not finish with a frolic of some sort, and for reasons +of their own the young gentlemen decided to have the first sociable of +the year an unusually pleasant one.</p> + +<p>"Everybody is going, and Ned says the supper is to be water-ice and +ice-water," said Polly, taking a last look at herself in the long +mirror, when the three friends were ready on that happy evening.</p> + +<p>"I needn't sigh now over other girls' pretty dresses, as I did last +year;" and Portia plumed herself like a swan, as she settled Charley's +roses in her bosom.</p> + +<p>"And I needn't wonder who Phil will take," added Pris, stopping, with +her glove half on, to look at the little ring back again from its long +banishment in somebody's waistcoat pocket.</p> + +<p>Never had the hall looked so elegant and gay, for it was charmingly +decorated; couches were provided for the elders, mirrors for the +beauties, and music of the best sounded from behind a thicket of shrubs +and flowers. Every one seemed in unusually good spirits; the girls +looked their loveliest, and the young men were models of propriety; +though a close observer might have detected a suspicious twinkle in the +eyes of the most audacious, as if they plotted some new joke.</p> + +<p>The girls saw it, were on the watch, and thought the secret was out when +they discovered that the gentlemen of their set all wore tiny pitchers, +hanging like orders from the knots of sweet-peas in their button-holes. +But, bless their innocent hearts! that was only a ruse, and they were +taken entirely by surprise when, just before supper, the band struck up,</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Drink to me only with thine eyes;"</p></blockquote> + +<p>and every one looked smilingly at the three girls who were standing +together near the middle of the hall.</p> + +<p>They looked about them in pretty confusion, but in a moment beheld a +spectacle that made them forget themselves; for the Judge, in an +impressive white waistcoat, marched into the circle gathered about them, +made a splendid bow, and said, with a smile that put the gas to shame,—</p> + +<p>"Young ladies! I am desired by the gentlemen now present to beg your +acceptance of a slight token of their gratitude, respect, and penitence. +As the first man who joined the society which has proved a blessing to +our town, Mr. William Snow will now have the honor of presenting the +gift."</p> + +<p>Then appeared Mr. William Snow, looking as proud as a peacock; and well +he might, for on the salver which he bore stood a stately silver +pitcher. A graceful little Hebe danced upon the handle, three names +shone along the fretted brim, and three white lilies rose from the +slender vase,—fit emblems of the maiden founders of the league.</p> + +<p>Arriving before them, Master Will nearly upset the equilibrium of his +precious burden in attempting to make a bow equal to the Judge's; but +recovered himself gallantly, and delivered the following remarkable +poem, which the public was expected to believe an emanation of his own +genius:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hebe poured the nectar forth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">When gods of old were jolly,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But graces three <i>our</i> goblets fill,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fair Portia, Pris and Polly.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their draughts make every man who tastes<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Happier, better, richer;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So here we vow ourselves henceforth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Knights of the Silver Pitcher."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ANNAS_WHIM" id="ANNAS_WHIM"></a>ANNA'S WHIM.</h2> + + +<p>"Now just look at that!" cried a young lady, pausing suddenly in her +restless march to and fro on one of the wide piazzas of a seaside hotel.</p> + +<p>"At what?" asked her companion, lazily swinging in a hammock.</p> + +<p>"The difference in those two greetings. It's perfectly disgraceful!" was +the petulant reply.</p> + +<p>"I didn't see any thing. Do tell me about it," said Clara, opening her +drowsy eyes with sudden interest.</p> + +<p>"Why, young Barlow was lounging up the walk, and met pretty Miss Ellery. +Off went his hat; he gave her a fine bow, a gracious smile, a worn-out +compliment, and then dawdled on again. The next minute Joe King came +along. Instantly Barlow woke up, laughed out like a pleased boy, gave +him a hearty grip of the hand, a cordial 'How are you, old fellow? I'm +no end glad to see you!' and, linking arms, the two tramped off, quite +beaming with satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"But, child, King is Barlow's best friend; Kitty Ellery only an +acquaintance. Besides, it wouldn't do to greet a woman like a man."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it would, especially in this case; for Barlow adores Kate, and +might, at least, treat her to something better than the nonsense he +gives other girls. But, no, it's proper to simper and compliment; and +he'll do it till his love gets the better of 'prunes and prisms,' and +makes him sincere and earnest."</p> + +<p>"This is a new whim of yours. You surely wouldn't like to have any man +call out 'How are you, Anna?' slap you on the shoulder, and nearly shake +your hand off, as Barlow did King's, just now," said Clara, laughing at +her friend.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would," answered Anna, perversely, "if he really meant it to +express affection or pleasure. A good grip of the hand and a plain, +hearty word would please me infinitely better than all the servile +bowing down and sweet nonsense I've had lately. I'm not a fool; then, +why am I treated like one?" she continued, knitting her handsome brows +and pacing to and fro like an angry leopardess. "Why don't men treat me +like a reasonable being?—talk sense to me, give me their best ideas, +tell me their plans and ambitions, let me enjoy the real man in them, +and know what they honestly are? I don't want to be a goddess stuck up +on a pedestal. I want to be a woman down among them, to help and be +helped by our acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't do, I fancy. They wouldn't like it, and would tell you to +keep to your own sex."</p> + +<p>"But my own sex don't interest or help me one bit. Women have no hope +but to be married, and that is soon told; no ideas but dress and show, +and I'm tired to death of both; no ambition but to outshine their +neighbors, and I despise that."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, love," blandly murmured Clara.</p> + +<p>"It is true, and you know it. There <i>are</i> sensible women; but not in my +set. And I don't seem to find them. I've tried the life set down for +girls like me, and for three years I've lived and enjoyed it. Now I'm +tired of it. I want something better, and I mean to have it. Men <i>will</i> +follow, admire, flatter, and love me; for I please them and they enjoy +my society. Very well. Then it's fair that I should enjoy theirs. And I +should if they would let me. It's perfectly maddening to have flocks of +brave, bright fellows round me, full of every thing that is attractive, +strong, and helpful, yet not be able to get at it, because society +ordains twaddle between us, instead of sensible conversation and sincere +manners."</p> + +<p>"What shall we do about it, love?" asked Clara, enjoying her friend's +tirade.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> will submit to it, and get a mental dyspepsia, like all the other +fashionable girls. I won't submit, if I can help it; even if I shock +Mrs. Grundy by my efforts to get plain bread and beef instead of +confectionery."</p> + +<p>Anna walked in silence for a moment, and then burst out again, more +energetically than ever.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I do wish I could find one sensible man, who would treat me as he +treats his male friends,—even roughly, if he is honest and true; who +would think me worthy of his confidence, ask my advice, let me give him +whatever I have that is wise and excellent, and be my friend in all good +faith."</p> + +<p>"Ahem!" said Clara, with a significant laugh, that angered Anna.</p> + +<p>"You need not try to abash me with your jeers. I know what I mean, and I +stand by my guns, in spite of your 'hems.' I do <i>not</i> want lovers. I've +had dozens, and am tired of them. I will not marry till I know the man +thoroughly; and how <i>can</i> I know him with this veil between us? They +don't guess what I really am; and I want to prove to them and to myself +that I possess brains and a heart, as well as 'heavenly eyes,' a +'queenly figure,' and a 'mouth made for kissing.'"</p> + +<p>The scorn with which Anna uttered the last words amused her friend +immensely, for the petulant beauty had never looked handsomer than at +that moment.</p> + +<p>"If any man saw you now, he'd promise whatever you ask, no matter how +absurd. But don't excite yourself, dear child; it is too warm for +heroics."</p> + +<p>Anna leaned on the wide baluster a moment, looking thoughtfully out upon +the sea; and as she gazed a new expression stole over her charming face, +changing its disdainful warmth to soft regret.</p> + +<p>"This is not all a whim. I know what I covet, because I had it once," +she said, with a sigh. "I had a boy friend when I was a girl, and for +several years we were like brother and sister. Ah! what happy times we +had together, Frank and I. We played and studied, quarrelled and made +up, dreamed splendid dreams, and loved one another in our simple child +fashion, never thinking of sex, rivalry, or any of the forms and follies +that spoil maturer friendships."</p> + +<p>"What became of him? Did he die angelically in his early bloom, or +outgrow his Platonics with round jackets?" asked Clara.</p> + +<p>"He went to college. I went abroad, to be 'finished off;' and when we +met a year ago the old charm was all gone, for we were 'in society' and +had our masks on."</p> + +<p>"So the boy and girl friendship did not ripen into love and end the +romance properly?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank Heaven! no flirtation spoilt the pretty story. Frank was too +wise, and I too busy. Yet I remember how glad I was to see him; though I +hid it properly, and pretended to be quite unconscious that I was any +thing but a belle. I got paid for my deceit, though; for, in spite of +his admiration, I saw he was disappointed in me. I should not have cared +if I had been disappointed in him; but I was quick to see that he was +growing one of the strong, superior men who command respect. I wanted to +keep his regard, at least; and I seemed to have nothing but beauty to +give in return. I think I never was so hurt in my life as I was by his +not coming to see me after a week or two, and hearing him say to a +friend, one night, when I thought I was at my very best, 'She is spoilt, +like all the rest.'"</p> + +<p>"I do believe you loved him, and that is why you won't love any one +else," cried Clara, who had seen her friend in her moods before; but +never understood them, and thought she had found a clew now.</p> + +<p>"No," said Anna, with a quiet shake of the head. "No, I only wanted my +boy friend back, and could not find him. The fence between us was too +high; and I could not climb over, as I used to do when I leaped the +garden-wall to sit in a tree and help Frank with his lessons."</p> + +<p>"Has the uncivil wretch never come back?" asked Clara, interested in the +affair.</p> + +<p>"Never. He is too busy shaping his life bravely and successfully to +waste his time on a frivolous butterfly like Anna West."</p> + +<p>An eloquent little gesture of humility made the words almost pathetic. +Kind-hearted Clara was touched by the sight of tears in the "heavenly +eyes," and tumbling out of the hammock she embraced the "queenly figure" +and warmly pressed the "lips that were made for kissing," thereby +driving several approaching gentlemen to the verge of distraction.</p> + +<p>"Now don't be tragical, darling. You have nothing to cry for, I'm sure. +Young, lovely, rich, and adored, what more <i>can</i> any girl want?" said +Clara, gushingly.</p> + +<p>"Something besides admiration to live for," answered Anna, adding, with +a shrug, as she saw several hats fly off and several manly countenances +beam upon her, "Never mind, my fit is over now; let us go and dress for +tea."</p> + +<p>Miss West usually took a brisk pull in her own boat before breakfast; a +habit which lured many indolent young gentlemen out of their beds at +unaccustomed hours, in the hope that they might have the honor of +splashing their legs helping her off, the privilege of wishing her "<i>Bon +voyage</i>," or the crowning rapture of accompanying her.</p> + +<p>On the morning after her "fit," as she called the discontent of a really +fine nature with the empty life she led, she was up and out unusually +early; for she had kept her room with a headache all the evening, and +now longed for fresh air and exercise.</p> + +<p>As she prepared the "Gull" for a start, she was idly wondering what +early bird would appear eager to secure the coveted worm, when a loud +and cheerful voice was heard calling,—</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Anna!" and a nautically attired gentleman hove in sight, waving +his hat as he hailed her.</p> + +<p>She started at the unceremonious salute and looked back. Then her whole +face brightened beautifully as she sprang up the bank, saying, with a +pretty mixture of hesitation and pleasure,—</p> + +<p>"Why, Frank, is that you?"</p> + +<p>"Do you doubt it?"</p> + +<p>And the new-comer shook both her hands so vigorously that she winced a +little as she said, laughing,—</p> + +<p>"No, I don't. That is the old squeeze with extra power in it."</p> + +<p>"How are you? Going for a pull? Take me along and show me the lions. +There's a good soul."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. When did you come?" asked Anna, settling the black +ribbon under the sailor collar which set off her white throat +charmingly.</p> + +<p>"Last night. I caught a glimpse of you at tea; but you were surrounded +then and vanished immediately afterward. So when I saw you skipping over +the rocks just now, I gave chase, and here I am. Shall I take an oar?" +asked Frank, as she motioned him to get in.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. I prefer to row myself and don't need any help," she +answered, with an imperious little wave of the hand; for she was glad to +show him she could do something besides dance, dress, and flirt.</p> + +<p>"All right. Then I'll do the luxurious and enjoy myself." And, without +offering to help her in, Frank seated himself, folded his arms, +stretched out his long legs, and placidly remarked,—</p> + +<p>"Pull away, skipper."</p> + +<p>Anna was pleased with his frank and friendly greeting, and, feeling as +if old times had come again, sprang in, prepared to astonish him with +her skill.</p> + +<p>"Might I suggest that you"—began Frank, as she pushed off.</p> + +<p>"No suggestions or advice allowed aboard this ship. I know what I'm +about, though I <i>am</i> a woman," was the severe answer, as the boat glided +from the wharf.</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" And Frank meekly subsided, with a twinkle of amusement in +the eyes that rested approvingly on the slender figure in a blue boating +suit and the charming face under the sailor hat.</p> + +<p>Anna paddled her way dexterously out from among the fleet of boats +riding at anchor in the little bay; then she seated herself, adjusted +one oar, and looked about for the other rowlock. It was nowhere visible; +and, after a silent search, she deigned to ask,—</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the thing anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"I saw it on the bank."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me before?"</p> + +<p>"I began to, but was quenched; so I obeyed orders."</p> + +<p>"You haven't forgotten how to tease," said Anna, petulantly.</p> + +<p>"Nor you to be wilful."</p> + +<p>She gave him a look that would have desolated most men; but only made +Frank smile affably as she paddled laboriously back, recovered the +rowlock and then her temper, as, with a fine display of muscle, she +pulled out to sea.</p> + +<p>Getting into the current, she let the boat drift, and soon forgot time +and space in the bewildering conversation that followed.</p> + +<p>"What have you been doing since I saw you last?" she asked, looking as +rosy as a milkmaid, as she stopped rowing and tied up her wind-tossed +hair.</p> + +<p>"Working like a beaver. You see"—and then, to her utter amazement, +Frank entered into an elaborate statement of his affairs, quite as if +she understood all about it and her opinion was valuable. It was all +Greek to Anna, but she was immensely gratified; for it was just the way +the boy used to tell her his small concerns in the days when each had +firm faith in the other's wisdom. She tried to look as if she understood +all about "investments, percentage, and long credit;" but she was out of +her depth in five minutes, and dared say nothing, lest she should betray +her lamentable ignorance on all matters of business. She got out of the +scrape by cleverly turning the conversation to old times, and youthful +reminiscences soon absorbed them both.</p> + +<p>The faint, far-off sound of a gong recalled her to the fact that +breakfast was nearly ready; and, turning the boat, she was dismayed to +see how far they had floated. She stopped talking and rowed her best; +but wind and tide were against her, she was faint with hunger, and her +stalwart passenger made her task doubly hard. He offered no help, +however; but did the luxurious to the life, leaning back, with his hat +off, and dabbling his hands in the way that most impedes the progress of +a boat.</p> + +<p>Pride kept Anna silent till her face was scarlet, her palms blistered, +and her breath most gone. Then, and not till then, did she condescend to +say, with a gasp, poorly concealed by an amiable smile,—</p> + +<p>"Do you care to row? I ought to have asked you before."</p> + +<p>"I'm very comfortable, thank you," answered Frank. Then, as an +expression of despair flitted over poor Anna's face, he added bluntly, +"I'm getting desperately hungry, so I don't care if I do shorten the +voyage a bit."</p> + +<p>With a sigh of relief, she rose to change seats, and, expecting him to +help her, she involuntarily put out her hands, as she passed. But Frank +was busy turning back his cuffs, and never stirred a finger; so that she +would have lost her balance and gone overboard if she had not caught his +arm.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, skipper?" he asked, standing the sudden grip as +steadily as a mast.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you help me? You have no more manners than a turtle!" cried +Anna, dropping into the seat with the frown of a spoiled beauty, +accustomed to be gallantly served and supported at every step.</p> + +<p>Frank only added to his offence by laughing, as he said carelessly,—</p> + +<p>"You seemed so independent, I didn't like to interfere."</p> + +<p>"So, if I had gone overboard, you would not have fished me out, unless I +asked you to do it, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"In that case, I'm afraid I shouldn't have waited for orders. We can't +spare you to the mermen yet."</p> + +<p>Something in the look he gave her appeased Anna's resentment; and she +sat silently admiring the strong swift strokes that sent the "Gull" +skimming over the water.</p> + +<p>"Not too late for breakfast, after all," she said graciously, as they +reached the wharf, where several early strollers stood watching their +approach.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing! You look as if you needed it," answered Frank. But he let +her get out alone, to the horror of Messrs. Barlow, King, & Co.; and, +while she fastened the boat, Frank stood settling his hatband, with the +most exasperating unconsciousness of his duty.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with yourself this morning?" she asked, as she +walked up the rocky path, with no arm to lean upon.</p> + +<p>"Fish. Will you come along?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. One gets so burnt. I shall go to my hammock under the +pine," was the graciously suggestive reply of the lady who liked a slave +to fan or swing her, and seldom lacked several to choose from.</p> + +<p>"See you at dinner, then. My room is in the Cottage. So by-by for the +present." And, with a nod, Frank strolled away, leaving the lovely Miss +West to mount the steps and cross the hall unescorted.</p> + +<p>"The dear fellow's manners need polish. I must take him in hand, I see. +And yet he is very nice, in spite of his brusque ways," thought Anna, +indulgently. And more than once that morning she recalled his bluff +"Hullo, Anna!" as she swung languidly in her hammock, with a devoted +being softly reading Tennyson to her inattentive ears.</p> + +<p>At dinner she appeared in unusual spirits, and kept her end of the table +in a ripple of merriment by her witty and satirical sallies, privately +hoping that her opposite neighbor would discover that she could talk +well when she chose to do so. But Frank was deep in politics, discussing +some new measure with such earnestness and eloquence that Anna, pausing +to listen for a moment, forgot her lively gossip in one of the great +questions of the hour.</p> + +<p>She was listening with silent interest, when Frank suddenly appealed to +her to confirm some statement he had just made; and she was +ignominiously obliged to confess she knew too little about the matter to +give any opinion. No compliment ever paid her was more flattering than +his way of turning to her now and then, as if including her in the +discussion as a matter of course; and never had she regretted any thing +more keenly than she did her ignorance on a subject that every man and +woman should understand and espouse.</p> + +<p>She did her best to look intelligent; racked her brain to remember facts +which she had heard discussed for weeks, without paying any attention to +them; and, thanks to her quick wit and womanly sympathy, she managed to +hold her own, saying little, but looking much.</p> + +<p>The instant dinner was over, she sent a servant to the reading-room for +a file of late papers, and, retiring to a secluded corner, read up with +a diligence that not only left her with clearer ideas on one subject, +but also a sense of despair at her own deficiencies in the knowledge of +many others.</p> + +<p>"I really must have a course of solid reading. I do believe that is what +I need; and I'll ask Frank where to begin. He always was an intelligent +boy; but I was surprised to hear how well he talked. I was actually +proud of him. I wonder where he is, by the way. Clara wants to be +introduced, and I want to see how he strikes her."</p> + +<p>Leaving her hiding-place, Anna walked forth in search of her friends, +looking unusually bright and beautiful, for her secret studies had waked +her up and lent her face the higher charm it needed. Clara appeared +first. The new-comer had already been presented to her, and she +professed herself "perfectly fascinated." "Such a personable man! Quite +distinguished, you know, and so elegant in his manners! Devoted, +graceful, and altogether charming."</p> + +<p>"You like his manners, do you?" and Anna smiled at Clara's enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do; for they have all the polish of foreign travel, with +the indescribable something which a really fine character lends to every +little act and word."</p> + +<p>"Frank has never been abroad, and if I judged his character by his +manners I should say he was rather a rough customer," said Anna, finding +fault because Clara praised.</p> + +<p>"You are so fastidious, nothing ever suits you, dear. I didn't expect to +like this old friend of yours. But I frankly confess I do immensely; so, +if you are tired of him, I'll take him off your hands."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, love. You are welcome to poor Frank, if you can win him. Men +are apt to be more loyal to friendship than women; and I rather fancy, +from what I saw this morning, that he is in no haste to change old +friends for new."</p> + +<p>Anna spoke sweetly, but at heart was ill pleased with Clara's admiration +of her private property, as she considered "poor Frank," and inwardly +resolved to have no poaching on her preserves.</p> + +<p>Just then the gentleman in question came up, saying to Anna, in his +abrupt way,—</p> + +<p>"Every one is going to ride, so I cannot get the best horses; but I've +secured two, and now I want a companion. Will you come for a good +old-time gallop?"</p> + +<p>Anna thought of her blistered hands, and hesitated, till a look at +Clara's hopeful face decided her to accept. She did so, and rode like an +Amazon for several hours, in spite of heat, dust, and a hard-mouthed +horse, who nearly pulled her arms out of the sockets.</p> + +<p>She hoped to find a chance to consult Frank about her course of useful +reading; but he seemed intent on the "old-time gallop," and she kept up +gallantly till the ride was over, when she retired to her room, quite +exhausted, but protesting with heroic smiles that she had had a +delightful time.</p> + +<p>She did not appear at tea; but later in the evening, when an informal +dance was well under way, she sailed in on the arm of a distinguished +old gentleman, "evidently prepared to slay her thousands," as young +Barlow said, observing the unusual brilliancy of her eyes and the +elaborate toilette she had made.</p> + +<p>"She means mischief to-night. Who is to be the victim, I wonder?" said +another man, putting up his glass for a survey of the charmer.</p> + +<p>"Not the party who came last evening. He is only an old friend," she +says.</p> + +<p>"He might be her brother or her husband, judging by the cavalier way in +which he treats her. I could have punched his head this morning, when he +let her pull up that boat alone," cried a youthful adorer, glaring +irefully at the delinquent, lounging in a distant doorway.</p> + +<p>"If she said he was an old friend, you may be sure he is an accepted +lover. The dear creatures all fib in these matters; so I'll lay wagers +to an enormous amount that all this splendor is for the lord and master, +not for our destruction," answered Barlow, who was wise in the ways of +women and wary as a moth should be who had burnt his wings more than +once at the same candle.</p> + +<p>Clara happened to overhear these pleasing remarks, and five minutes +after they were uttered she breathed them tenderly into Anna's ear. A +scornful smile was all the answer she received; but the beauty was both +pleased and annoyed, and awaited with redoubled interest the approach of +the old friend, who was regarded in the light of a successful lover. But +he seemed in no haste to claim his privileges, and dance after dance +went by, while he sat talking with the old general or absently watching +the human teetotums that spun about before him.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this another moment!" said Anna to herself, at last, and +beckoned the recreant knight to approach, with a commanding gesture.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you dance, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I've forgotten how, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"After all the pains I took with you when we had lessons together, years +ago?"</p> + +<p>"I've been too busy to attend to trifles of that sort."</p> + +<p>"Elegant accomplishments are not trifles, and no one should neglect them +who cares to make himself agreeable."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know that I do care, as a general thing."</p> + +<p>"You ought to care; and, as a penance for that rude speech, you must +dance this dance with me. I cannot let you forget all your +accomplishments for the sake of business; so I shall do my duty as a +friend and take you in hand," said Anna, severely.</p> + +<p>"You are very kind; but is it worth the trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Now, Frank, don't be provoking and ungrateful. You know you like to +give pleasure, to be cared for, and to do credit to your friends; so +just rub up your manners a bit, and be as well-bred as you are sensible +and brave and good."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I'll try. May I have the honor, Miss West?" and he bowed low +before her, with a smile on his lips that both pleased and puzzled Anna.</p> + +<p>They danced the dance, and Frank acquitted himself respectably, but +relapsed into his objectionable ways as soon as the trial ended; for the +first thing he said, with a sigh of relief, was,—</p> + +<p>"Come out and talk; for upon my life I can't stand this oven any +longer."</p> + +<p>Anna obediently followed, and, seating herself in a breezy corner, +waited to be entertained. But Frank seemed to have forgotten that +pleasing duty; for, perching himself on the wide baluster of the piazza, +he not only proceeded to light a cigarette, without even saying, "By +your leave," but coolly offered her one also.</p> + +<p>"How dare you!" she said, much offended at this proceeding. "I am not +one of the fast girls who do such things, and I dislike it exceedingly."</p> + +<p>"You used to smoke sweet-fern in corn-cob pipes, you remember; and these +are not much stronger," he said, placidly restoring the rejected +offering to his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I did many foolish things then which I desire to forget now."</p> + +<p>"And some very sweet and sensible ones, also. Ah, well! it can't be +helped, I suppose."</p> + +<p>Anna sat silent a moment, wondering what he meant; and when she looked +up, she found him pensively staring at her, through a fragrant cloud of +smoke.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she asked, for his eyes seemed seeking something.</p> + +<p>"I was trying to see some trace of the little Anna I used to know. I +thought I'd found her again this morning in the girl in the round hat; +but I don't find her anywhere to-night."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Frank, I'm not so much changed as I seem. At least, to you I am +the same, as far as I can be. Do believe it, and be friends, for I want +one very much?" cried Anna, forgetting every thing but the desire to +reestablish herself in his good opinion. As she spoke, she turned her +face toward the light and half extended her hand, as if to claim and +hold the old regard that seemed about to be withdrawn from her.</p> + +<p>Frank bent a little and scanned the upturned face with a keen glance. It +flushed in the moonlight and the lips trembled like an anxious child's; +but the eyes met his with a look both proud and wistful, candid and +sweet,—a look few saw in those lovely eyes, or, once seeing, ever +forgot. Frank gave a little nod, as if satisfied, and said, with that +perplexing smile of his,—</p> + +<p>"Most people would see only the beautiful Miss West, in a remarkably +pretty gown; but I think I catch a glimpse of little Anna, and I am very +glad of it. You want a friend? Very good. I'll do my best for you; but +you must take me as I am, thorns and all."</p> + +<p>"I will, and not mind if they wound sometimes. I've had roses till I'm +tired of them, in spite of their sweetness."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Frank had taken the hand she offered, and, having gravely +shaken it, held the "white wonder" for an instant, glancing from the +little blisters on the delicate palm to the rings that shone on several +fingers.</p> + +<p>"Are you reading my fortune?" asked Anna, wondering if he was going to +be sentimental and kiss it.</p> + +<p>"After a fashion; for I am looking to see if there is a suspicious +diamond anywhere about. Isn't it time there was one?"</p> + +<p>"That is not a question for you to ask;" and Anna caught away her hand, +as if one of the thorns he spoke of had suddenly pricked.</p> + +<p>"Why not? We always used to tell each other every thing; and, if we are +to go on in the old friendly way, we must be confidential and +comfortable, you know."</p> + +<p>"You can begin yourself then, and I'll see how I like it," said Anna, +aroused and interested, in spite of her maidenly scruples about the new +arrangement.</p> + +<p>"I will, with all my heart. To own the truth, I've been longing to tell +you something; but I wasn't sure that you'd take any interest in it," +began Frank, eating rose-leaves with interesting embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"I can imagine what it is," said Anna, quickly, while her heart began to +flutter curiously, for these confidences were becoming exciting. "You +have found your fate, and are dying to let everybody know how happy you +are."</p> + +<p>"I think I have. But I'm not happy yet. I'm desperately anxious, for I +cannot decide whether it is a wise or foolish choice."</p> + +<p>"Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the name. I haven't spoken yet, and perhaps never shall; so +I may as well keep that to myself,—for the present, at least."</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you like then, and I will ask no more questions," said +Anna, coldly; for this masculine discretion annoyed her.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, this dear girl is pretty, rich, accomplished, and +admired. A little spoilt, in fact; but very captivating, in spite of it. +Now, the doubt in my mind is whether it is wise to woo a wife of this +sort; for I know I shall want a companion in all things, not only a +pretty sweetheart or a graceful mistress for my house."</p> + +<p>"I should say it was <i>not</i> wise," began Anna, decidedly; then hastened +to add, more quietly: "But perhaps you only see one side of this girl's +character. She may have much strength and sweetness hidden away under +her gay manner, waiting to be called out when the right mate comes."</p> + +<p>"I often think so myself, and long to learn if I am the man; but some +frivolous act, thoughtless word, or fashionable folly on her part +dampens my ardor, and makes me feel as if I had better go elsewhere +before it is too late."</p> + +<p>"You are not madly in love, then?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet; but I should be if I saw much of her, for when I do I rather +lose my head, and am tempted to fall upon my knees, regardless of time, +place, and consequences."</p> + +<p>Frank spoke with sudden love and longing in his voice, and stretched out +his arms so suggestively that Anna started. But he contented himself +with gathering a rose from the clusters that hung all about, and Anna +slapped an imaginary mosquito as energetically as if it had been the +unknown lady, for whom she felt a sudden and inexplicable dislike.</p> + +<p>"So you think I'd better not say to my love, like the mad gentleman to +Mrs. Nickleby, 'Be mine, be mine'?" was Frank's next question, as he sat +with his nose luxuriously buried in the fragrant heart of the rose.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly not. I'm sure, from the way you speak of her, that she is not +worthy of you; and your passion cannot be very deep if you can quote +Dickens's nonsense at such a moment," said Anna, more cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"It grows rapidly, I find; and I give you my word, if I should pass a +week in the society of that lovely butterfly, it would be all over with +me by Saturday night."</p> + +<p>"Then don't do it."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but I want to desperately. Do say that I may, just for a last +nibble at temptation, before I take your advice and go back to my +bachelor life again," he prayed beseechingly.</p> + +<p>"Don't go back, love somebody else, and be happy. There are plenty of +superior women in the world who would be just the thing for you. I am +sure you are going to be a man of mark, and you <i>must</i> have a good +wife,—not a silly little creature, who will be a clog upon you all your +life. So <i>do</i> take my advice, and let me help you, if I can."</p> + +<p>Anna spoke earnestly, and her face quite shone with friendly zeal; while +her eyes were full of unspoken admiration and regard for this friend, +who seemed tottering on the verge of a precipice. She expected a serious +reply,—thanks, at least, for her interest; and great was her surprise +to see Frank lean back against the vine-wreathed pillar behind him, and +laugh till a shower of rose-leaves came fluttering down on both their +heads.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any cause for such unseemly merriment," was her dignified +reproof of this new impropriety.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon. I really couldn't help it, for the comical contrast +between your sage counsels and your blooming face upset me. Your manner +was quite maternal and most impressive, till I looked at you in your +French finery, and then it was all up with me," said Frank, penitently, +though his eyes still danced with mirth.</p> + +<p>The compliment appeased Anna's anger; and, folding her round white arms +on the railing in front of her, she looked up at him with a laugh as +blithe as his own.</p> + +<p>"I dare say I was absurdly sober and important; but you see it is so +long since I have had a really serious thought in my head or felt a +really sincere interest in any one's affairs but my own that I overdid +the matter. If you don't care for my advice, I'll take it all back; and +you can go and marry your butterfly as soon as you like."</p> + +<p>"I rather think I shall," said Frank, slowly. "For I fancy she <i>has</i> got +a hidden self, as you suggested, and I'd rather like to find it out. One +judges people so much by externals that it is not fair. Now, you, for +instance, if you won't mind my saying it, don't show half your good +points; and a casual observer would consider you merely a fashionable +woman,—lovely, but shallow."</p> + +<p>"As you did the last time we met," put in Anna, sharply.</p> + +<p>If she expected him to deny it, she was mistaken for he answered, with +provoking candor,—</p> + +<p>"Exactly. And I quite grieved about it; for I used to be very fond of my +little playmate and thought she'd make a fine woman. I'm glad I've seen +you again; for I find I was unjust in my first judgment, and this +discovery gives me hope that I may have been mistaken in the same way +about my—well, we'll say sweetheart. It's a pretty old word and I like +it."</p> + +<p>"If he only <i>would</i> forget that creature a minute and talk about +something more interesting!" sighed Anna to herself. But she answered, +meekly enough: "I knew you were disappointed in me, and I did not wonder +for I am not good for much, thanks to my foolish education and the life +I have led these last few years. But I do sincerely wish to be more of a +woman, only I have no one to tell me how. Everybody flatters me and"—</p> + +<p>"I don't!" cried Frank, promptly.</p> + +<p>"That's true." And Anna could not help laughing in the middle of her +confessions at the tone of virtuous satisfaction with which he repelled +the accusation. "No," she continued, "you are honest enough for any one; +and I like it, though it startles me now and then, it is so new."</p> + +<p>"I hope I'm not disrespectful," said Frank, busily removing the thorns +from the stem of his flower.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Not that exactly. But you treat me very much as if I was a +sister or a—masculine friend." Anna meant to quote the expression Clara +had reported; but somehow the word "wife" was hard to utter, and she +finished the sentence differently.</p> + +<p>"And you don't like it?" asked Frank, lifting the rose to hide the +mischievous smile that lurked about his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do,—infinitely better than the sentimental homage other men pay +me or the hackneyed rubbish they talk. It does me good to be a little +neglected; and I don't mind it from you, because you more than atone for +it by talking to me as if I could understand a man's mind and had one of +my own."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't quite detest me for my rough ways and egotistical +confidences?" asked Frank, as if suddenly smitten with remorse for the +small sins of the day.</p> + +<p>"No, I rather fancy it, for it seems like old times, when you and I +played together. Only then I could help you in many ways, as you helped +me; but now I don't seem to know any thing, and can be of no use to you +or any one else. I should like to be; and I think, if you would kindly +tell me what books to read, what people to know, and what faculties to +cultivate, I might become something besides 'a fashionable woman, lovely +but shallow.'"</p> + +<p>There was a little quiver of emotion in Anna's voice as she uttered the +last words that did not escape her companion's quick ear. But he only +smiled a look of heartfelt satisfaction to the rose, and answered +soberly:</p> + +<p>"Now that is a capital idea, and I'll do it with pleasure. I have often +wondered how you bright girls <i>could</i> be contented with such an empty +sort of life. We fellows are just as foolish for a time, I know,—far +worse in the crops of wild oats we sow; but we have to pull up and go to +work, and that makes men of us. Marriage ought to do that for women, I +suppose; but it doesn't seem to nowadays, and I do pity you poor little +things from the bottom of my heart."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready now to 'pull up and go to work.' Show me how, Frank, and I'll +change your pity into respect," said Anna, casting off her lace shawl, +as if preparing for immediate action; for his tone of masculine +superiority rather nettled her.</p> + +<p>"Come, I'll make a bargain with you. I'll give you something strong and +solid to brace up your mind, and in return you shall polish my manners, +see to my morals, and keep my heart from wasting itself on false idols. +Shall we do this for one another, Anna?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Frank," she answered heartily. Then, as Clara was seen +approaching, she added playfully, "All this is <i>sub rosa</i>, you +understand."</p> + +<p>He handed her the flower without a word, as if the emblem of silence was +the best gage he could offer. Many flowers had been presented to the +beauty; but none were kept so long and carefully as the thornless rose +her old friend gave her, with a cordial smile that warmed her heart.</p> + +<p>A great deal can happen in a week, and the seven days that followed that +moonlight <i>tête-à-tête</i> seemed to Anna the fullest and the happiest she +had ever known. She had never worked so hard in her life; for her new +tutor gave her plenty to do, and she studied in secret to supply sundry +deficiencies which she was too proud to confess. No more novels now; no +more sentimental poetry, lounging in a hammock. She sat erect upon a +hard rock and read Buckle, Mill, and Social Science Reports with a +diligence that appalled the banished dawdlers who usually helped her +kill time. There was early boating, vigorous horse exercise, and tramps +over hill and dale, from which she returned dusty, brown, and tired, but +as happy as if she had discovered something fairer and grander than wild +flowers or the ocean in its changeful moods. There were afternoon +concerts in the breezy drawing-rooms, when others were enjoying siestas, +and Anna sang to her one listener as she had never sung before. But best +of all were the moonlight <i>séances</i> among the roses; for there they +interchanged interesting confidences and hovered about those dangerous +but delightful topics that need the magic of a midsummer night to make +the charm quite perfect.</p> + +<p>Anna intended to do her part honorably; but soon forgot to correct her +pupil's manners, she was so busy taking care of his heart. She presently +discovered that he treated other women in the usual way; and at first it +annoyed her that she was the only one whom he allowed to pick up her own +fan, walk without an arm, row, ride, and take care of herself as if she +was a man. But she also discovered that she was the only woman to whom +he talked as to an equal, in whom he seemed to find sympathy, +inspiration, and help, and for whom he frankly showed not admiration +alone, but respect, confidence, and affection.</p> + +<p>This made the loss of a little surface courtesy too trifling for +complaint or reproof; this stimulated and delighted her; and, in +striving to deserve and secure it, she forgot every thing else, prouder +to be one man's true friend than the idol of a dozen lovers.</p> + +<p>What the effect of this new league was upon the other party was less +evident; for, being of the undemonstrative sex, he kept his +observations, discoveries, and satisfaction to himself, with no sign of +especial interest, except now and then a rapturous allusion to his +sweetheart, as if absence was increasing his passion.</p> + +<p>Anna tried to quench his ardor, feeling sure, she said that it was a +mistake to lavish so much love upon a person who was so entirely +unworthy of it. But Frank seemed blind on this one point; and Anna +suffered many a pang, as day after day showed her some new virtue, +grace, or talent in this perverse man, who seemed bent on throwing his +valuable self away. She endeavored to forget it, avoided the subject as +much as possible, and ignored the existence of this inconvenient being +entirely. But as the week drew to an end a secret trouble looked out at +her eyes, a secret unrest possessed her, and every moment seemed to grow +more precious as it passed, each full of a bitter sweet delight never +known before.</p> + +<p>"I must be off to-morrow," said Frank, on the Saturday evening, as they +strolled together on the beach, while the sun set gloriously and the +great waves broke musically on the sands.</p> + +<p>"Such a short holiday, after all those months of work!" answered Anna, +looking away, lest he should see how wistful her tell-tale eyes were.</p> + +<p>"I may take a longer holiday, the happiest a man can have, if somebody +will go with me. Anna, I've made up my mind to try my fate," he added +impetuously.</p> + +<p>"I have warned you, I can do no more." Which was quite true, for the +poor girl's heart sunk at his words, and for a moment all the golden sky +was a blur before her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I won't be warned, thank you; for I'm quite sure now that I love her. +Nothing like absence to settle that point. I've tried it, and I can't +get on without her; so I'm going to 'put my fortune to the touch and win +or lose it all.'"</p> + +<p>"If you truly love her, I hope you will win, and find her the wife you +deserve. But think well before you put your happiness into any woman's +hands," said Anna, bravely trying to forget herself.</p> + +<p>"Bless you! I've hardly thought of any thing else this week! I've +enjoyed myself, though; and am very grateful to you for making my visit +so pleasant," Frank added warmly.</p> + +<p>"Have I? I'm so glad!" said Anna, as simply as a pleased child; for real +love had banished all her small coquetries, vanities, and affectations, +as sunshine absorbs the mists that hide a lovely landscape.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, you have. All the teaching has not been on my side, I assure +you; and I'm not too proud to own my obligation to a woman! We lonely +fellows, who have neither mother, sister, nor wife, need some gentle +soul to keep us from getting selfish, hard, and worldly; and few are so +fortunate as I in having a friend like little Anna."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank! what have I done for you? I haven't dared to teach one so +much wiser and stronger than myself. I've only wanted to, and grieved +because I was so ignorant, so weak, and silly," cried Anna, glowing +beautifully with surprise and pleasure at this unexpected revelation.</p> + +<p>"Your humility blinded you; yet your unconsciousness was half the charm. +I'll tell you what you did, dear. A man's moral sense gets blunted +knocking about this rough-and-tumble world, where the favorite maxim is, +'Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.' It is so with +me; and in many of our conversations on various subjects, while I seemed +to be teaching you, your innocent integrity was rebuking my worldly +wisdom, your subtle instincts were pointing out the right which is above +all policy, your womanly charity softening my hard judgments, and your +simple faith in the good, the beautiful, the truly brave was waking up +the high and happy beliefs that lay, not dead, but sleeping, in my soul. +All this you did for me, Anna, and even more; for, in showing me the +hidden side of your nature, I found it so sweet and deep and worshipful +that it restores my faith in womankind, and shows me all the lovely +possibilities that may lie folded up under the frivolous exterior of a +fashionable woman."</p> + +<p>Anna's heart was so full she could not speak for a moment; then like a +dash of cold water came the thought, "And all this that I have done has +only put him further from me, since it has given him courage to love and +trust that woman." She tried to show only pleasure at his praise; but +for the life of her she could not keep a tone of bitterness out of her +voice as she answered gratefully,—</p> + +<p>"You are too kind, Frank. I can hardly believe that I have so many +virtues; but if I have, and they, like yours, have been asleep, remember +you helped wake them up, and so you owe me nothing. Keep your sweet +speeches for the lady you go to woo. I am contented with honest words +that do not flatter."</p> + +<p>"You shall have them;" and a quick smile passed over Frank's face, as if +he knew what thorn pricked her just then, and was not ill pleased at the +discovery. "Only, if I lose my sweetheart, I may be sure that my old +friend won't desert me?" he asked, with a sincere anxiety that was a +balm to Anna's sore heart.</p> + +<p>She did not speak, but offered him her hand with a look which said much. +He took it as silently, and, holding it in a firm, warm grasp, led her +up to a cleft in the rocks, where they often sat to watch the great +breakers thunder in. As she took her seat, he folded his plaid about her +so tenderly that it felt like a friendly arm shielding her from the +fresh gale that blew up from the sea. It was an unusual attention on his +part, and coming just then it affected her so curiously that, when he +lounged down beside her, she felt a strong desire to lay her head on his +shoulder and sob out,—</p> + +<p>"Don't go and leave me! No one loves you half as well as I, or needs you +half so much!"</p> + +<p>Of course, she did nothing of the sort; but began to sing, as she +covertly whisked away a rebellious tear. Frank soon interrupted her +music, however, by a heavy sigh; and followed up that demonstration with +the tragical announcement,—</p> + +<p>"Anna, I've got something awful to tell you."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she asked, with the resignation of one who has already +heard the worst.</p> + +<p>"It is so bad that I can't look you in the face while I tell it. Listen +calmly till I am done, and then pitch me overboard if you like, for I +deserve it," was his cheerful beginning.</p> + +<p>"Go on." And Anna prepared herself to receive some tremendous shock with +masculine firmness.</p> + +<p>Frank pulled his hat over his eyes, and, looking away from her, said +rapidly, with an odd sound in his voice.—</p> + +<p>"The night I came I was put in a room opening on the back piazza; and, +lying there to rest and cool after my journey, I heard two ladies +talking. I knocked my boots about to let them know I was near; but they +took no notice, so I listened. Most women's gabble would have sent me to +sleep in five minutes; but this was rather original, and interested me, +especially when I found by the names mentioned that I knew one of the +parties. I've been trying your experiment all the week. Anna, how do you +like it?"</p> + +<p>She did not answer for a moment, being absorbed in swift retrospection. +Then she colored to her hat-brim, looked angry, hurt, amused, gratified, +and ashamed, all in a minute, and said slowly, as she met his laughing +eyes,—</p> + +<p>"Better than I thought I should."</p> + +<p>"That's good! Then you forgive me for my eavesdropping, my rudeness, and +manifold iniquities? It was abominable; but I could not resist the +temptation of testing your sincerity. It was great fun; but I'm not sure +that I shall not get the worst of it, after all," said Frank, sobering +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"You have played so many jokes upon me in old times that I don't find it +hard to forgive this one; though I think it rather base in you to +deceive me so. Still, as I have enjoyed and got a good deal out of it, I +don't complain, and won't send you overboard yet," said Anna, +generously.</p> + +<p>"You always were a forgiving angel." And Frank settled the plaid again +more tenderly than before.</p> + +<p>"It was this, then, that made you so brusque to me alone, so odd and +careless? I could not understand it and it hurt me at first; but I +thought it was because we had been children together and soon forgot it, +you were so kind and confidential, so helpful and straightforward. It +<i>was</i> 'great fun,' for I always knew you meant what you said; and that +was an unspeakable comfort to me in this world of flattery and +falsehood. Yes, you may laugh at me, Frank, and leave me to myself +again. I can bear it, for I've proved that my whim was a possibility. I +see my way now, and can go on alone to a truer, happier life than that +in which you found me."</p> + +<p>She spoke out bravely, and looked above the level sands and beyond the +restless sea, as if she had found something worth living for and did not +fear the future. Frank watched her an instant, for her face had never +worn so noble an expression before. Sorrow as well as strength had come +into the lovely features, and pain as well as patience touched them with +new beauty. His own face changed as he looked, as if he let loose some +deep and tender sentiment, long held in check, now ready to rise and +claim its own.</p> + +<p>"Anna," he said penitently, "I've got one other terrible confession to +make, and then my conscience will be clear. I want to tell you who my +sweetheart is. Here's her picture. Will you look at it?"</p> + +<p>She gave a little shiver, turned steadily, and looked where he pointed. +But all she saw was her own astonished face reflected in the shallow +pool behind them. One glance at Frank made any explanation needless; +indeed, there was no time for her to speak before something closer than +the plaid enfolded her, something warmer than tears touched her cheek, +and a voice sweeter to her than wind or wave whispered tenderly in her +ear,—</p> + +<p>"All this week I have been studying and enjoying far more than you; for +I have read a woman's heart and learned to trust and honor what I have +loved ever since I was a boy. Absence proved this to me: so I came to +look for little Anna, and found her better and dearer than ever. May I +ask her to keep on teaching me? Will she share my work as well as +holiday, and be the truest friend a man can have?"</p> + +<p>And Anna straightway answered, "Yes."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TRANSCENDENTAL_WILD_OATS" id="TRANSCENDENTAL_WILD_OATS"></a>TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS.</h2> + +<h3>A CHAPTER FROM AN UNWRITTEN ROMANCE.</h3> + + +<p>On the first day of June, 184—, a large wagon, drawn by a small horse +and containing a motley load, went lumbering over certain New England +hills, with the pleasing accompaniments of wind, rain, and hail. A +serene man with a serene child upon his knee was driving, or rather +being driven, for the small horse had it all his own way. A brown boy +with a William Penn style of countenance sat beside him, firmly +embracing a bust of Socrates. Behind them was an energetic-looking +woman, with a benevolent brow, satirical mouth, and eyes brimful of hope +and courage. A baby reposed upon her lap, a mirror leaned against her +knee, and a basket of provisions danced about at her feet, as she +struggled with a large, unruly umbrella. Two blue-eyed little girls, +with hands full of childish treasures, sat under one old shawl, chatting +happily together.</p> + +<p>In front of this lively party stalked a tall, sharp-featured man, in a +long blue cloak; and a fourth small girl trudged along beside him +through the mud as if she rather enjoyed it.</p> + +<p>The wind whistled over the bleak hills; the rain fell in a despondent +drizzle, and twilight began to fall. But the calm man gazed as +tranquilly into the fog as if he beheld a radiant bow of promise +spanning the gray sky. The cheery woman tried to cover every one but +herself with the big umbrella. The brown boy pillowed his head on the +bald pate of Socrates and slumbered peacefully. The little girls sang +lullabies to their dolls in soft, maternal murmurs. The sharp-nosed +pedestrian marched steadily on, with the blue cloak streaming out behind +him like a banner; and the lively infant splashed through the puddles +with a duck-like satisfaction pleasant to behold.</p> + +<p>Thus these modern pilgrims journeyed hopefully out of the old world, to +found a new one in the wilderness.</p> + +<p>The editors of "The Transcendental Tripod" had received from Messrs. +Lion & Lamb (two of the aforesaid pilgrims) a communication from which +the following statement is an extract:—</p> + +<p>"We have made arrangements with the proprietor of an estate of about a +hundred acres which liberates this tract from human ownership. Here we +shall prosecute our effort to initiate a Family in harmony with the +primitive instincts of man.</p> + +<p>"Ordinary secular farming is not our object. Fruit, grain, pulse, herbs, +flax, and other vegetable products, receiving assiduous attention, will +afford ample manual occupation, and chaste supplies for the bodily +needs. It is intended to adorn the pastures with orchards, and to +supersede the labor of cattle by the spade and the pruning-knife.</p> + +<p>"Consecrated to human freedom, the land awaits the sober culture of +devoted men. Beginning with small pecuniary means, this enterprise must +be rooted in a reliance on the succors of an ever-bounteous Providence, +whose vital affinities being secured by this union with uncorrupted +field and unworldly persons, the cares and injuries of a life of gain +are avoided.</p> + +<p>"The inner nature of each member of the Family is at no time neglected. +Our plan contemplates all such disciplines, cultures, and habits as +evidently conduce to the purifying of the inmates.</p> + +<p>"Pledged to the spirit alone, the founders anticipate no hasty or +numerous addition to their numbers. The kingdom of peace is entered only +through the gates of self-denial; and felicity is the test and the +reward of loyalty to the unswerving law of Love."</p> + +<p>This prospective Eden at present consisted of an old red farm-house, a +dilapidated barn, many acres of meadow-land, and a grove. Ten ancient +apple-trees were all the "chaste supply" which the place offered as yet; +but, in the firm belief that plenteous orchards were soon to be evoked +from their inner consciousness, these sanguine founders had christened +their domain Fruitlands.</p> + +<p>Here Timon Lion intended to found a colony of Latter Day Saints, who, +under his patriarchal sway, should regenerate the world and glorify his +name for ever. Here Abel Lamb, with the devoutest faith in the high +ideal which was to him a living truth, desired to plant a Paradise, +where Beauty, Virtue, Justice, and Love might live happily together, +without the possibility of a serpent entering in. And here his wife, +unconverted but faithful to the end, hoped, after many wanderings over +the face of the earth, to find rest for herself and a home for her +children.</p> + +<p>"There is our new abode," announced the enthusiast, smiling with a +satisfaction quite undamped by the drops dripping from his hat-brim, as +they turned at length into a cart-path that wound along a steep hillside +into a barren-looking valley.</p> + +<p>"A little difficult of access," observed his practical wife, as she +endeavored to keep her various household gods from going overboard with +every lurch of the laden ark.</p> + +<p>"Like all good things. But those who earnestly desire and patiently seek +will soon find us," placidly responded the philosopher from the mud, +through which he was now endeavoring to pilot the much-enduring horse.</p> + +<p>"Truth lies at the bottom of a well, Sister Hope," said Brother Timon, +pausing to detach his small comrade from a gate, whereon she was perched +for a clearer gaze into futurity.</p> + +<p>"That's the reason we so seldom get at it, I suppose," replied Mrs. +Hope, making a vain clutch at the mirror, which a sudden jolt sent +flying out of her hands.</p> + +<p>"We want no false reflections here," said Timon, with a grim smile, as +he crunched the fragments under foot in his onward march.</p> + +<p>Sister Hope held her peace, and looked wistfully through the mist at her +promised home. The old red house with a hospitable glimmer at its +windows cheered her eyes; and, considering the weather, was a fitter +refuge than the sylvan bowers some of the more ardent souls might have +preferred.</p> + +<p>The new-comers were welcomed by one of the elect precious,—a regenerate +farmer, whose idea of reform consisted chiefly in wearing white cotton +raiment and shoes of untanned leather. This costume, with a snowy beard, +gave him a venerable, and at the same time a somewhat bridal appearance.</p> + +<p>The goods and chattels of the Society not having arrived, the weary +family reposed before the fire on blocks of wood, while Brother Moses +White regaled them with roasted potatoes, brown bread and water, in two +plates, a tin pan, and one mug; his table service being limited. But, +having cast the forms and vanities of a depraved world behind them, the +elders welcomed hardship with the enthusiasm of new pioneers, and the +children heartily enjoyed this foretaste of what they believed was to be +a sort of perpetual picnic.</p> + +<p>During the progress of this frugal meal, two more brothers appeared. One +a dark, melancholy man, clad in homespun, whose peculiar mission was to +turn his name hind part before and use as few words as possible. The +other was a bland, bearded Englishman, who expected to be saved by +eating uncooked food and going without clothes. He had not yet adopted +the primitive costume, however; but contented himself with meditatively +chewing dry beans out of a basket.</p> + +<p>"Every meal should be a sacrament, and the vessels used should be +beautiful and symbolical," observed Brother Lamb, mildly, righting the +tin pan slipping about on his knees. "I priced a silver service when in +town, but it was too costly; so I got some graceful cups and vases of +Britannia ware."</p> + +<p>"Hardest things in the world to keep bright. Will whiting be allowed in +the community?" inquired Sister Hope, with a housewife's interest in +labor-saving institutions.</p> + +<p>"Such trivial questions will be discussed at a more fitting time," +answered Brother Timon, sharply, as he burnt his fingers with a very hot +potato. "Neither sugar, molasses, milk, butter, cheese, nor flesh are to +be used among us, for nothing is to be admitted which has caused wrong +or death to man or beast."</p> + +<p>"Our garments are to be linen till we learn to raise our own cotton or +some substitute for woollen fabrics," added Brother Abel, blissfully +basking in an imaginary future as warm and brilliant as the generous +fire before him.</p> + +<p>"Haou abaout shoes?" asked Brother Moses, surveying his own with +interest.</p> + +<p>"We must yield that point till we can manufacture an innocent substitute +for leather. Bark, wood, or some durable fabric will be invented in +time. Meanwhile, those who desire to carry out our idea to the fullest +extent can go barefooted," said Lion, who liked extreme measures.</p> + +<p>"I never will, nor let my girls," murmured rebellious Sister Hope, under +her breath.</p> + +<p>"Haou do you cattle'ate to treat the ten-acre lot? Ef things ain't +'tended to right smart, we shan't hev no crops," observed the practical +patriarch in cotton.</p> + +<p>"We shall spade it," replied Abel, in such perfect good faith that Moses +said no more, though he indulged in a shake of the head as he glanced at +hands that had held nothing heavier than a pen for years. He was a +paternal old soul and regarded the younger men as promising boys on a +new sort of lark.</p> + +<p>"What shall we do for lamps, if we cannot use any animal substance? I do +hope light of some sort is to be thrown upon the enterprise," said Mrs. +Lamb, with anxiety, for in those days kerosene and camphene were not, +and gas unknown in the wilderness.</p> + +<p>"We shall go without till we have discovered some vegetable oil or wax +to serve us," replied Brother Timon, in a decided tone, which caused +Sister Hope to resolve that her private lamp should be always trimmed, +if not burning.</p> + +<p>"Each member is to perform the work for which experience, strength, and +taste best fit him," continued Dictator Lion. "Thus drudgery and +disorder will be avoided and harmony prevail. We shall rise at dawn, +begin the day by bathing, followed by music, and then a chaste repast of +fruit and bread. Each one finds congenial occupation till the meridian +meal; when some deep-searching conversation gives rest to the body and +development to the mind. Healthful labor again engages us till the last +meal, when we assemble in social communion, prolonged till sunset, when +we retire to sweet repose, ready for the next day's activity."</p> + +<p>"What part of the work do you incline to yourself?" asked Sister Hope, +with a humorous glimmer in her keen eyes.</p> + +<p>"I shall wait till it is made clear to me. Being in preference to doing +is the great aim, and this comes to us rather by a resigned willingness +than a wilful activity, which is a check to all divine growth," +responded Brother Timon.</p> + +<p>"I thought so." And Mrs. Lamb sighed audibly, for during the year he had +spent in her family Brother Timon had so faithfully carried out his idea +of "being, not doing," that she had found his "divine growth" both an +expensive and unsatisfactory process.</p> + +<p>Here her husband struck into the conversation, his face shining with the +light and joy of the splendid dreams and high ideals hovering before +him.</p> + +<p>"In these steps of reform, we do not rely so much on scientific +reasoning or physiological skill as on the spirit's dictates. The +greater part of man's duty consists in leaving alone much that he now +does. Shall I stimulate with tea, coffee, or wine? No. Shall I consume +flesh? Not if I value health. Shall I subjugate cattle? Shall I claim +property in any created thing? Shall I trade? Shall I adopt a form of +religion? Shall I interest myself in politics? To how many of these +questions—could we ask them deeply enough and could they be heard as +having relation to our eternal welfare—would the response be +'Abstain'?"</p> + +<p>A mild snore seemed to echo the last word of Abel's rhapsody, for +Brother Moses had succumbed to mundane slumber and sat nodding like a +massive ghost. Forest Absalom, the silent man, and John Pease, the +English member, now departed to the barn; and Mrs. Lamb led her flock to +a temporary fold, leaving the founders of the "Consociate Family" to +build castles in the air till the fire went out and the symposium ended +in smoke.</p> + +<p>The furniture arrived next day, and was soon bestowed; for the principal +property of the community consisted in books. To this rare library was +devoted the best room in the house, and the few busts and pictures that +still survived many flittings were added to beautify the sanctuary, for +here the family was to meet for amusement, instruction, and worship.</p> + +<p>Any housewife can imagine the emotions of Sister Hope, when she took +possession of a large, dilapidated kitchen, containing an old stove and +the peculiar stores out of which food was to be evolved for her little +family of eleven. Cakes of maple sugar, dried peas and beans, barley and +hominy, meal of all sorts, potatoes, and dried fruit. No milk, butter, +cheese, tea, or meat, appeared. Even salt was considered a useless +luxury and spice entirely forbidden by these lovers of Spartan +simplicity. A ten years' experience of vegetarian vagaries had been good +training for this new freak, and her sense of the ludicrous supported +her through many trying scenes.</p> + +<p>Unleavened bread, porridge, and water for breakfast; bread, vegetables, +and water for dinner; bread, fruit, and water for supper was the bill of +fare ordained by the elders. No tea-pot profaned that sacred stove, no +gory steak cried aloud for vengeance from her chaste gridiron; and only +a brave woman's taste, time, and temper were sacrificed on that domestic +altar.</p> + +<p>The vexed question of light was settled by buying a quantity of bayberry +wax for candles; and, on discovering that no one knew how to make them, +pine-knots were introduced, to be used when absolutely necessary. Being +summer, the evenings were not long, and the weary fraternity found it no +great hardship to retire with the birds. The inner light was sufficient +for most of them. But Mrs. Lamb rebelled. Evening was the only time she +had to herself, and while the tired feet rested the skilful hands mended +torn frocks and little stockings, or anxious heart forgot its burden in +a book.</p> + +<p>So "mother's lamp" burned steadily, while the philosophers built a new +heaven and earth by moonlight; and through all the metaphysical mists +and philanthropic pyrotechnics of that period Sister Hope played her own +little game of "throwing light," and none but the moths were the worse +for it.</p> + +<p>Such farming probably was never seen before since Adam delved. The band +of brothers began by spading garden and field; but a few days of it +lessened their ardor amazingly. Blistered hands and aching backs +suggested the expediency of permitting the use of cattle till the +workers were better fitted for noble toil by a summer of the new life.</p> + +<p>Brother Moses brought a yoke of oxen from his farm,—at least, the +philosophers thought so till it was discovered that one of the animals +was a cow; and Moses confessed that he "must be let down easy, for he +couldn't live on garden sarse entirely."</p> + +<p>Great was Dictator Lion's indignation at this lapse from virtue. But +time pressed, the work must be done; so the meek cow was permitted to +wear the yoke and the recreant brother continued to enjoy forbidden +draughts in the barn, which dark proceeding caused the children to +regard him as one set apart for destruction.</p> + +<p>The sowing was equally peculiar, for, owing to some mistake, the three +brethren, who devoted themselves to this graceful task, found when about +half through the job that each had been sowing a different sort of grain +in the same field; a mistake which caused much perplexity, as it could +not be remedied; but, after a long consultation and a good deal of +laughter, it was decided to say nothing and see what would come of it.</p> + +<p>The garden was planted with a generous supply of useful roots and herbs; +but, as manure was not allowed to profane the virgin soil, few of these +vegetable treasures ever came up. Purslane reigned supreme, and the +disappointed planters ate it philosophically, deciding that Nature knew +what was best for them, and would generously supply their needs, if they +could only learn to digest her "sallets" and wild roots.</p> + +<p>The orchard was laid out, a little grafting done, new trees and vines +set, regardless of the unfit season and entire ignorance of the +husbandmen, who honestly believed that in the autumn they would reap a +bounteous harvest.</p> + +<p>Slowly things got into order, and rapidly rumors of the new experiment +went abroad, causing many strange spirits to flock thither, for in those +days communities were the fashion and transcendentalism raged wildly. +Some came to look on and laugh, some to be supported in poetic idleness, +a few to believe sincerely and work heartily. Each member was allowed to +mount his favorite hobby and ride it to his heart's content. Very queer +were some of the riders, and very rampant some of the hobbies.</p> + +<p>One youth, believing that language was of little consequence if the +spirit was only right, startled new-comers by blandly greeting them with +"good-morning, damn you," and other remarks of an equally mixed order. A +second irrepressible being held that all the emotions of the soul should +be freely expressed, and illustrated his theory by antics that would +have sent him to a lunatic asylum, if, as an unregenerate wag said, he +had not already been in one. When his spirit soared, he climbed trees +and shouted; when doubt assailed him, he lay upon the floor and groaned +lamentably. At joyful periods, he raced, leaped, and sang; when sad, he +wept aloud; and when a great thought burst upon him in the watches of +the night, he crowed like a jocund cockerel, to the great delight of the +children and the great annoyance of the elders. One musical brother +fiddled whenever so moved, sang sentimentally to the four little girls, +and put a music-box on the wall when he hoed corn.</p> + +<p>Brother Pease ground away at his uncooked food, or browsed over the farm +on sorrel, mint, green fruit, and new vegetables. Occasionally he took +his walks abroad, airily attired in an unbleached cotton <i>poncho</i>, which +was the nearest approach to the primeval costume he was allowed to +indulge in. At midsummer he retired to the wilderness, to try his plan +where the woodchucks were without prejudices and huckleberry-bushes were +hospitably full. A sunstroke unfortunately spoilt his plan, and he +returned to semi-civilization a sadder and wiser man.</p> + +<p>Forest Absalom preserved his Pythagorean silence, cultivated his fine +dark locks, and worked like a beaver, setting an excellent example of +brotherly love, justice, and fidelity by his upright life. He it was who +helped overworked Sister Hope with her heavy washes, kneaded the endless +succession of batches of bread, watched over the children, and did the +many tasks left undone by the brethren, who were so busy discussing and +defining great duties that they forgot to perform the small ones.</p> + +<p>Moses White placidly plodded about, "chorin' raound," as he called it, +looking like an old-time patriarch, with his silver hair and flowing +beard, and saving the community from many a mishap by his thrift and +Yankee shrewdness.</p> + +<p>Brother Lion domineered over the whole concern; for, having put the most +money into the speculation, he was resolved to make it pay,—as if any +thing founded on an ideal basis could be expected to do so by any but +enthusiasts.</p> + +<p>Abel Lamb simply revelled in the Newness, firmly believing that his +dream was to be beautifully realized, and in time not only little +Fruitlands, but the whole earth, be turned into a Happy Valley. He +worked with every muscle of his body, for <i>he</i> was in deadly earnest. He +taught with his whole head and heart; planned and sacrificed, preached +and prophesied, with a soul full of the purest aspirations, most +unselfish purposes, and desires for a life devoted to God and man, too +high and tender to bear the rough usage of this world.</p> + +<p>It was a little remarkable that only one woman ever joined this +community. Mrs. Lamb merely followed wheresoever her husband led,—"as +ballast for his balloon," as she said, in her bright way.</p> + +<p>Miss Jane Gage was a stout lady of mature years, sentimental, amiable, +and lazy. She wrote verses copiously, and had vague yearnings and +graspings after the unknown, which led her to believe herself fitted for +a higher sphere than any she had yet adorned.</p> + +<p>Having been a teacher, she was set to instructing the children in the +common branches. Each adult member took a turn at the infants; and, as +each taught in his own way, the result was a chronic state of chaos in +the minds of these much-afflicted innocents.</p> + +<p>Sleep, food, and poetic musings were the desires of dear Jane's life, +and she shirked all duties as clogs upon her spirit's wings. Any thought +of lending a hand with the domestic drudgery never occurred to her; and +when to the question, "Are there any beasts of burden on the place?" +Mrs. Lamb answered, with a face that told its own tale, "Only one +woman!" the buxom Jane took no shame to herself, but laughed at the +joke, and let the stout-hearted sister tug on alone.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, the poor lady hankered after the flesh-pots, and +endeavored to stay herself with private sips of milk, crackers, and +cheese, and on one dire occasion she partook of fish at a neighbor's +table.</p> + +<p>One of the children reported this sad lapse from virtue, and poor Jane +was publicly reprimanded by Timon.</p> + +<p>"I only took a little bit of the tail," sobbed the penitent poetess.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but the whole fish had to be tortured and slain that you might +tempt your carnal appetite with that one taste of the tail. Know ye not, +consumers of flesh meat, that ye are nourishing the wolf and tiger in +your bosoms?"</p> + +<p>At this awful question and the peal of laughter which arose from some of +the younger brethren, tickled by the ludicrous contrast between the +stout sinner, the stern judge, and the naughty satisfaction of the young +detective, poor Jane fled from the room to pack her trunk, and return to +a world where fishes' tails were not forbidden fruit.</p> + +<p>Transcendental wild oats were sown broadcast that year, and the fame +thereof has not yet ceased in the land; for, futile as this crop seemed +to outsiders, it bore an invisible harvest, worth much to those who +planted in earnest. As none of the members of this particular community +have ever recounted their experiences before, a few of them may not be +amiss, since the interest in these attempts has never died out and +Fruitlands was the most ideal of all these castles in Spain.</p> + +<p>A new dress was invented, since cotton, silk, and wool were forbidden as +the product of slave-labor, worm-slaughter, and sheep-robbery. Tunics +and trowsers of brown linen were the only wear. The women's skirts were +longer, and their straw hat-brims wider than the men's, and this was the +only difference. Some persecution lent a charm to the costume, and the +long-haired, linen-clad reformers quite enjoyed the mild martyrdom they +endured when they left home.</p> + +<p>Money was abjured, as the root of all evil. The produce of the land was +to supply most of their wants, or be exchanged for the few things they +could not grow. This idea had its inconveniences; but self-denial was +the fashion, and it was surprising how many things one can do without. +When they desired to travel, they walked, if possible, begged the loan +of a vehicle, or boldly entered car or coach, and, stating their +principles to the officials, took the consequences. Usually their dress, +their earnest frankness, and gentle resolution won them a passage; but +now and then they met with hard usage, and had the satisfaction of +suffering for their principles.</p> + +<p>On one of these penniless pilgrimages they took passage on a boat, and, +when fare was demanded, artlessly offered to talk, instead of pay. As +the boat was well under way and they actually had not a cent, there was +no help for it. So Brothers Lion and Lamb held forth to the assembled +passengers in their most eloquent style. There must have been something +effective in this conversation, for the listeners were moved to take up +a contribution for these inspired lunatics, who preached peace on earth +and good-will to man so earnestly, with empty pockets. A goodly sum was +collected; but when the captain presented it the reformers proved that +they were consistent even in their madness, for not a penny would they +accept, saying, with a look at the group about them, whose indifference +or contempt had changed to interest and respect, "You see how well we +get on without money;" and so went serenely on their way, with their +linen blouses flapping airily in the cold October wind.</p> + +<p>They preached vegetarianism everywhere and resisted all temptations of +the flesh, contentedly eating apples and bread at well-spread tables, +and much afflicting hospitable hostesses by denouncing their food and +taking away their appetites, discussing the "horrors of shambles," the +"incorporation of the brute in man," and "on elegant abstinence the sign +of a pure soul." But, when the perplexed or offended ladies asked what +they should eat, they got in reply a bill of fare consisting of "bowls +of sunrise for breakfast," "solar seeds of the sphere," "dishes from +Plutarch's chaste table," and other viands equally hard to find in any +modern market.</p> + +<p>Reform conventions of all sorts were haunted by these brethren, who said +many wise things and did many foolish ones. Unfortunately, these +wanderings interfered with their harvest at home; but the rule was to do +what the spirit moved, so they left their crops to Providence and went +a-reaping in wider and, let us hope, more fruitful fields than their +own.</p> + +<p>Luckily, the earthly providence who watched over Abel Lamb was at hand +to glean the scanty crop yielded by the "uncorrupted land," which, +"consecrated to human freedom," had received "the sober culture of +devout men."</p> + +<p>About the time the grain was ready to house, some call of the Oversoul +wafted all the men away. An easterly storm was coming up and the yellow +stacks were sure to be ruined. Then Sister Hope gathered her forces. +Three little girls, one boy (Timon's son), and herself, harnessed to +clothes-baskets and Russia-linen sheets, were the only teams she could +command; but with these poor appliances the indomitable woman got in the +grain and saved food for her young, with the instinct and energy of a +mother-bird with a brood of hungry nestlings to feed.</p> + +<p>This attempt at regeneration had its tragic as well as comic side, +though the world only saw the former.</p> + +<p>With the first frosts, the butterflies, who had sunned themselves in the +new light through the summer, took flight, leaving the few bees to see +what honey they had stored for winter use. Precious little appeared +beyond the satisfaction of a few months of holy living.</p> + +<p>At first it seemed as if a chance to try holy dying also was to be +offered them. Timon, much disgusted with the failure of the scheme, +decided to retire to the Shakers, who seemed to be the only successful +community going.</p> + +<p>"What is to become of us?" asked Mrs. Hope, for Abel was heart-broken at +the bursting of his lovely bubble.</p> + +<p>"You can stay here, if you like, till a tenant is found. No more wood +must be cut, however, and no more corn ground. All I have must be sold +to pay the debts of the concern, as the responsibility rests with me," +was the cheering reply.</p> + +<p>"Who is to pay us for what we have lost? I gave all I had,—furniture, +time, strength, six months of my children's lives,—and all are wasted. +Abel gave himself body and soul, and is almost wrecked by hard work and +disappointment. Are we to have no return for this, but leave to starve +and freeze in an old house, with winter at hand, no money, and hardly a +friend left, for this wild scheme has alienated nearly all we had. You +talk much about justice. Let us have a little, since there is nothing +else left."</p> + +<p>But the woman's appeal met with no reply but the old one: "It was an +experiment. We all risked something, and must bear our losses as we +can."</p> + +<p>With this cold comfort, Timon departed with his son, and was absorbed +into the Shaker brotherhood, where he soon found that the order of +things was reversed, and it was all work and no play.</p> + +<p>Then the tragedy began for the forsaken little family. Desolation and +despair fell upon Abel. As his wife said, his new beliefs had alienated +many friends. Some thought him mad, some unprincipled. Even the most +kindly thought him a visionary, whom it was useless to help till he took +more practical views of life. All stood aloof, saying: "Let him work out +his own ideas, and see what they are worth."</p> + +<p>He had tried, but it was a failure. The world was not ready for Utopia +yet, and those who attempted to found it only got laughed at for their +pains. In other days, men could sell all and give to the poor, lead +lives devoted to holiness and high thought, and, after the persecution +was over, find themselves honored as saints or martyrs. But in modern +times these things are out of fashion. To live for one's principles, at +all costs, is a dangerous speculation; and the failure of an ideal, no +matter how humane and noble, is harder for the world to forgive and +forget than bank robbery or the grand swindles of corrupt politicians.</p> + +<p>Deep waters now for Abel, and for a time there seemed no passage +through. Strength and spirits were exhausted by hard work and too much +thought. Courage failed when, looking about for help, he saw no +sympathizing face, no hand outstretched to help him, no voice to say +cheerily,—</p> + +<p>"We all make mistakes, and it takes many experiences to shape a life. +Try again, and let us help you."</p> + +<p>Every door was closed, every eye averted, every heart cold, and no way +open whereby he might earn bread for his children. His principles would +not permit him to do many things that others did; and in the few fields +where conscience would allow him to work, who would employ a man who had +flown in the face of society, as he had done?</p> + +<p>Then this dreamer, whose dream was the life of his life, resolved to +carry out his idea to the bitter end. There seemed no place for him +here,—no work, no friend. To go begging conditions was as ignoble as to +go begging money. Better perish of want than sell one's soul for the +sustenance of his body. Silently he lay down upon his bed, turned his +face to the wall, and waited with pathetic patience for death to cut the +knot which he could not untie. Days and nights went by, and neither food +nor water passed his lips. Soul and body were dumbly struggling +together, and no word of complaint betrayed what either suffered.</p> + +<p>His wife, when tears and prayers were unavailing, sat down to wait the +end with a mysterious awe and submission; for in this entire resignation +of all things there was an eloquent significance to her who knew him as +no other human being did.</p> + +<p>"Leave all to God," was his belief; and in this crisis the loving soul +clung to this faith, sure that the All-wise Father would not desert this +child who tried to live so near to Him. Gathering her children about +her, she waited the issue of the tragedy that was being enacted in that +solitary room, while the first snow fell outside, untrodden by the +footprints of a single friend.</p> + +<p>But the strong angels who sustain and teach perplexed and troubled souls +came and went, leaving no trace without, but working miracles within. +For, when all other sentiments had faded into dimness, all other hopes +died utterly; when the bitterness of death was nearly over, when body +was past any pang of hunger or thirst, and soul stood ready to depart, +the love that outlives all else refused to die. Head had bowed to +defeat, hand had grown weary with too heavy tasks, but heart could not +grow cold to those who lived in its tender depths, even when death +touched it.</p> + +<p>"My faithful wife, my little girls,—they have not forsaken me, they are +mine by ties that none can break. What right have I to leave them alone? +What right to escape from the burden and the sorrow I have helped to +bring? This duty remains to me, and I must do it manfully. For their +sakes, the world will forgive me in time; for their sakes, God will +sustain me now."</p> + +<p>Too feeble to rise, Abel groped for the food that always lay within his +reach, and in the darkness and solitude of that memorable night ate and +drank what was to him the bread and wine of a new communion, a new +dedication of heart and life to the duties that were left him when the +dreams fled.</p> + +<p>In the early dawn, when that sad wife crept fearfully to see what change +had come to the patient face on the pillow, she found it smiling at her, +saw a wasted hand outstretched to her, and heard a feeble voice cry +bravely, "Hope!"</p> + +<p>What passed in that little room is not to be recorded except in the +hearts of those who suffered and endured much for love's sake. Enough +for us to know that soon the wan shadow of a man came forth, leaning on +the arm that never failed him, to be welcomed and cherished by the +children, who never forgot the experiences of that time.</p> + +<p>"Hope" was the watchword now; and, while the last logs blazed on the +hearth, the last bread and apples covered the table, the new commander, +with recovered courage, said to her husband,—</p> + +<p>"Leave all to God—and me. He has done his part; now I will do mine."</p> + +<p>"But we have no money, dear."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we have. I sold all we could spare, and have enough to take us +away from this snow-bank."</p> + +<p>"Where can we go?"</p> + +<p>"I have engaged four rooms at our good neighbor, Lovejoy's. There we can +live cheaply till spring. Then for new plans and a home of our own, +please God."</p> + +<p>"But, Hope, your little store won't last long, and we have no friends."</p> + +<p>"I can sew and you can chop wood. Lovejoy offers you the same pay as he +gives his other men; my old friend, Mrs. Truman, will send me all the +work I want; and my blessed brother stands by us to the end. Cheer up, +dear heart, for while there is work and love in the world we shall not +suffer."</p> + +<p>"And while I have my good angel Hope, I shall not despair, even if I +wait another thirty years before I step beyond the circle of the sacred +little world in which I still have a place to fill."</p> + +<p>So one bleak December day, with their few possessions piled on an +ox-sled, the rosy children perched atop, and the parents trudging arm in +arm behind, the exiles left their Eden and faced the world again.</p> + +<p>"Ah, me! my happy dream. How much I leave behind that never can be mine +again," said Abel, looking back at the lost Paradise, lying white and +chill in its shroud of snow.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear; but how much we bring away," answered brave-hearted Hope, +glancing from husband to children.</p> + +<p>"Poor Fruitlands! The name was as great a failure as the rest!" +continued Abel, with a sigh, as a frostbitten apple fell from a leafless +bough at his feet.</p> + +<p>But the sigh changed to a smile as his wife added, in a half-tender, +half-satirical tone,—</p> + +<p>"Don't you think Apple Slump would be a better name for it, dear?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_ROMANCE_OF_A_SUMMER_DAY" id="THE_ROMANCE_OF_A_SUMMER_DAY"></a>THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY.</h2> + + +<p>"What shall we do about Rose? We have tried Saratoga, and that failed to +cheer her up; we tried the sea-shore, and that failed; now we have tried +the mountains, and they are going to fail, like the rest. See if your +woman's wit can't devise something to help the child, Milly."</p> + +<p>"Time and tenderness will work the cure; and she will be all the better +for this experience, I hope."</p> + +<p>"So do I. But I don't pretend to understand these nervous ailments; so, +if air, exercise, and change of scene don't cure the vapors, I give it +up. Girls didn't have such worries in my day."</p> + +<p>And the old gentleman shook his head, as if modern ills perplexed him +very much.</p> + +<p>But Milly smiled the slow, wise smile of one who had learned much from +experience; among other things, the wisdom of leaving certain troubles +to cure themselves.</p> + +<p>"Has the child expressed a wish for any thing? If so, out with it, and +she shall be gratified, if it can be done," began Uncle Ben, after a +moment of silence, as they sat watching the moonlight, that glorified +the summer night.</p> + +<p>"The last wish is one that we can easily gratify, if you don't mind the +fatigue. The restless spirit that possesses her keeps suggesting new +things. Much exercise does her good, and is an excellent way to work off +this unrest. She likes to tire herself out; for then she sleeps, poor +dear."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, what does the poor dear want to do?" asked Uncle Ben, +quickly.</p> + +<p>"She said to-day that, instead of going off on excursions, as we have +been doing, she would like to stroll away some pleasant morning, and +follow the road wherever it led, finding and enjoying any little +adventures that might come along,—as Richter's heroes do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see: white butterflies, morning red, disguised counts, +philosophic plowmen, and all the rest of the romantic rubbish. Bless the +child, does she expect to find things of that sort anywhere out of a +German novel?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty of butterflies and morning-glories, uncle, and a girl's +imagination will supply the romance. Perhaps we can get up some little +surprise to add flavor to our day's adventures," said Milly, who rather +favored the plan, for much romance still lay hidden in that quiet heart +of hers.</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go? What shall we do? I don't know how this sort of +thing is managed."</p> + +<p>"Do nothing but follow us. Let her choose her road; and we will merely +see that she has food and rest, protection, and as much pleasure as we +can make for her out of such simple materials. Having her own way will +gratify her, and a day in the open air do her good. Shall we try it, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"With all my heart, if the fancy lasts till morning. I'll have some +lunch put up, and order Jim to dawdle after us with the wagon full of +waterproofs, and so on, in case we break down. I rather like the idea, +now I fairly take it in." And Uncle Ben quite beamed with interest and +good-will; for a kinder-hearted man never breathed, and, in spite of his +fifty years, he was as fond of adventures as any boy.</p> + +<p>"Then, as we must be up and away very early, I'll say good-night, sir," +and Milly rose to go, looking well satisfied with the success of her +suggestion.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, my dear," and Uncle Ben rose also, flung away his cigar, +and offered his hand with the old-fashioned courtesy which he always +showed his niece's friend; for Milly only called him uncle to please +him.</p> + +<p>"You are sure this wild whim won't be too much for <i>you</i>? You are such a +self-sacrificing soul, I'm afraid my girl will wear you out," he said, +looking down at her with a fatherly expression, very becoming to his +comely countenance.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, sir. I like it, and would gladly do any thing to please and +help Rose. I'm very fond of her, and love to pet and care for her. I'm +so alone in the world I cling to my few friends, and feel as if I +couldn't do enough for them."</p> + +<p>Something in Milly's face made Uncle Ben hold her hand close in both of +his a moment, and look as if he was going to stoop and kiss her. But he +seemed to think better of it; for he only shook the soft hand warmly, +and said, in his hearty tone,—</p> + +<p>"I don't know what we should do without you, my dear. You are one of the +women born to help and comfort others, and ask no reward but love."</p> + +<p>As the first streaks of dawn touched the eastern sky, three faces +appeared at three different windows of the great hotel. One was a +masculine face, a ruddy, benevolent countenance, with kind eyes, grayish +hair cheerfully erect upon the head, and a smile on the lips, that +softly whistled the old air of</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Proclaim a hunting morning."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The second was one of those serene, sweet faces, possessing an +attraction more subtle than beauty; eyes always full of silent sympathy, +a little wistful sometimes, but never sad, and an expression of peace +and patience that told of battles fought and victories won. A happy, +helpful soul shone from that face and made it lovely, though its first +bloom was past and a solitary future lay before it.</p> + +<p>The third was rich in the charms that youth and health lend any +countenance. But, in spite of the bloom on the rounded cheeks, the +freshness of the lips, and the soft beauty of the eyes, the face that +looked out from the bonny brown hair, blowing in the wind, was not a +happy one. Discontent, unrest, and a secret hunger seemed to sadden and +sharpen all its outlines, making it pathetic to those who could read the +language of an unsatisfied heart.</p> + +<p>Poor little Rose was waiting, as all women must wait, for the good gift +that brightens life; and, while she waited, patience and passion were +having a hard fight in the proud silence of her heart.</p> + +<p>"It will be a capital day, girls," called Uncle Ben, in his cheery +voice.</p> + +<p>"I thought it would be," answered Milly, nodding back, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I know it will pour before night," added Rose, who saw every thing just +then through blue spectacles.</p> + +<p>"Breakfast is ready for us. Come on, girls, or you'll miss your morning +red," called Uncle Ben, retiring, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I lost mine six months ago," sighed Rose, as she listlessly gathered up +the brown curls, that were once her pride.</p> + +<p>"Hark! hark! the lark at Heaven's gate sings," sounded from Milly's +room, in her blithe voice.</p> + +<p>"Tiresome little bird! Why don't he stay in his nest and cheer his +mate?" muttered Rose, refusing to be cheered.</p> + +<p>"Now lead on, my dear, we'll follow till we drop," said Uncle Ben, +stoutly, as they stood on the piazza, half an hour later, with no one +but a sleepy waiter to watch and wonder at the early start.</p> + +<p>"I have always wondered where that lonely road went to, and now I shall +find out," answered Rose, with an imperious little gesture, as she led +the way. The others followed so slowly that she felt alone, and enjoyed +it, in spite of herself.</p> + +<p>It was the most eloquent hour of the day, for all was beautiful, all was +fresh; nothing was out of order, nothing disturbed eye or ear, and the +world seemed to welcome her with its morning face. The road wound +between forests full of the green gloom no artist can ever paint. Pines +whispered, birches quivered, maples dropped grateful shadows, and a +little river foamed and sparkled by, carrying its melodious message from +the mountains to the sea. Glimpses of hoary peaks broke on her now and +then, dappled with shadows or half-veiled in mists, floating and fading +like incense from altars fit for a cathedral not built with hands. Leafy +vistas opened temptingly on either side, berries blushed ripely in the +grass, cow-bells tinkled pleasantly along the hillsides, and that busy +little farmer, the "Peabody bird," cried from tree to tree, "Sow your +wheat, Peabody! Peabody! Peabody!" with such musical energy one ceased +to wonder that fields were wrested from the forest, to wave like green +and golden breast-knots on the bosoms of the hills.</p> + +<p>The fresh beauty and the healthful peace of the hour refreshed the girl +like dew. The human rose lifted up her drooping head and smiled back at +the blithe sunshine, as if she found the world a pleasant place, in +spite of her own thorns. Presently a yellow butterfly came wandering by; +and she watched it as she walked, pleasing herself with the girlish +fancy that it was a symbol of herself.</p> + +<p>At first it fluttered idly from side to side, now lighting on a purple +thistle-top, then away to swing on a dewy fern; now vanishing among the +low-hanging boughs overhead, then settling in the dust of the road, +where a ray of light glorified its golden wings, unmindful of its lowly +seat.</p> + +<p>"Little Psyche is looking for her Cupid everywhere, as I have looked for +mine. I wonder if she ever found and lost him, as I did? If she does +find him again, I'll accept it as a good omen."</p> + +<p>Full of this fancy, Rose walked quickly after her airy guide, leaving +her comrades far behind. Some tenderhearted spirit surely led that +butterfly, for it never wandered far away, but floated steadily before +the girl, till it came at last to a wild rose-bush, full of delicate +blossoms. Above it a cloud of yellow butterflies were dancing in the +sun; and from among them one flew to meet and welcome the new-comer. +Together they fluttered round the rosy flowers for a moment, then rose +in graceful circles, till they vanished in the wood.</p> + +<p>Rose followed them with eyes that slowly dimmed with happy tears, for +the innocent soul accepted the omen and believed it gratefully.</p> + +<p>"He will come," she said softly to herself, as she fastened a knot of +wild roses in her bosom and sat down to rest and wait.</p> + +<p>"Tired out, little girl?" asked Uncle Ben, coming up at a great pace, +rather amazed at this sudden burst of energy, but glad to see it.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! It was lovely!" and Rose looked up with a brighter face +than she had worn for weeks.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, I think we have hit upon the right thing at last," said +Uncle Ben, aside, to Milly. "What have you been doing to get such a look +as that?" he added aloud.</p> + +<p>"Chasing butterflies," was all the answer Rose gave; for she could not +tell the foolish little fancy that had comforted her so much.</p> + +<p>"Then, my dear, I beg you will devote yourself to that amusement. I +never heard it recommended, but it seems to be immensely beneficial; so +keep it up, Rosy, keep it up."</p> + +<p>"I will, sir," and on went Rose, as if in search of another one.</p> + +<p>For an hour or two she strolled along the woody road, gathering red +raspberries, with the dew still on them, garlanding her hat with +fragrant Linnæea wreaths, watching the brown brooks go singing away into +the forest, and wishing the little wood creatures good-morrow, as they +went fearlessly to and fro, busy with their sylvan housekeeping. At +every turn of the road Rose's wistful eyes looked forward, as if hoping +to see some much-desired figure approaching. At every sound of steps she +lifted her head like a deer, listening and watching till the stranger +had gone by; and down every green vista she sent longing looks, as if +memory recalled happy hours in green nooks like those.</p> + +<p>Presently the road wound over a bridge, below which flowed a wide, +smooth river, flecked with alternate sun and shadow.</p> + +<p>"How beautiful it is! I must float down this stream a little way. It is +getting warm and I am tired, yet don't want to stop or turn back yet," +said Rose; adding, as her quick eye roved to and fro: "I see a boat down +there, and a lazy man reading. I'll hire or borrow it; so come on."</p> + +<p>Away she went into the meadow, and, accosting the countryman, who lay in +the shade, she made her request.</p> + +<p>"I get my livin' in summer by rowin' folks down to the Falls. It ain't +fur. Will you go, Miss?" he said, smiling all over his brown face, as he +regarded the pretty vision that so suddenly appeared beside him.</p> + +<p>Rose accepted the proposition at once; but half regretted it a minute +after, for, as the man rose, she saw that he had a wooden leg.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we shall be too heavy a load for you," she began, as he +stumped about, preparing his boat.</p> + +<p>The young fellow laughed and squared his broad shoulders, with a quick +look, that thanked her for the pitiful glance she gave him, as he +answered, in a bluff, good-natured tone,—</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid. I could row a dozen of you. I look rather the worse +for wear; but my old mother thinks I'm about the strongest man in the +State. Now, then, give us your hand, Miss, and there you are."</p> + +<p>With that he helped her in. The others obediently followed their +capricious leader, and in a moment they were floating down the river, +with a fresh wind cooling their hot faces.</p> + +<p>"You have been in the army, I take it?" began Uncle Ben, in his social +way, as he watched the man pulling with long, easy strokes.</p> + +<p>"Pretty nigh through the war, sir," with a nod and a glance at the +wooden leg.</p> + +<p>Uncle Ben lifted his hat, and Rose turned with a sudden interest from +the far-off bend of the river to the honest face before her.</p> + +<p>"Oh! tell us about it. I love to hear brave men fight their battles +over," she cried, with a look half pleading, half commanding, and wholly +charming.</p> + +<p>"Sho! It ain't much to tell. No more than the rest of 'em; not so much +as some. I done my best, lost my leg, got a few bullets here and there, +and ain't much use any way now."</p> + +<p>A shadow passed over the man's face as he spoke; and well it might, for +it was hard to be disabled at twenty-five with a long life of partial +helplessness before him. Uncle Ben, who was steering, forgot his duty in +his sympathy, and regarded the wooden leg with silent interest.</p> + +<p>Milly showed hers by keeping the mosquitoes off him by gently waving a +green bough, as she sat behind him. But Rose's soft eyes shone upon him +full of persuasive interest, and a new tone of respect was in her voice +as she said, with a martial salute,—</p> + +<p>"Please tell about your last battle. I had a cousin in the war, and feel +as if every soldier was my friend and comrade since then."</p> + +<p>"Thanky, Miss. I'll tell you that with pleasure, though it ain't much, +any way." And, pushing back his hat, the young man rested on his oars, +as he rapidly told his little tale.</p> + +<p>"My last battle was——," naming one of the latest and bloodiest of the +war. "We were doing our best, when there came a shell and scattered +half-a-dozen of us pretty lively. I was knocked flat. But I didn't feel +hurt, only mad, and jumped up to hit 'em agin; but just dropped, with an +awful wrench, and the feeling that both my legs was gone."</p> + +<p>"Did no one stop to help you?" cried Rose.</p> + +<p>"Too busy for that, Miss. The boys can't stop to pick up their mates +when there are Rebs ahead to be knocked down. I knew there was no more +fighting for me; and just laid still, with the balls singing round me, +and wondering where they'd hit next."</p> + +<p>"How did you feel?" questioned the girl, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Dreadful busy at first; for every thing I'd ever said, seen, or done, +seemed to go spinning through my head, till I got so dizzy trying to +keep my wits stiddy that I lost 'em altogether. I didn't find 'em again +till some one laid hold of me. Two of our boys were luggin' me along +back; but they had to dodge behind walls and cut up and down, for the +scrimmage was going on all round us. One of the fellers was hit in the +shoulder and the other in the face, but not bad; and they managed to get +me into a sort of a ravine, out of danger. There I begged 'em to leave +me. I thought I was bleeding to death rapid, and just wanted to die in +peace."</p> + +<p>"But they didn't leave you?" And Rose's face was all alive with interest +now.</p> + +<p>"Guess they didn't," answered the man, giving a stroke or two, and +looking as if he found it pleasant to tell his story to so winsome a +listener. "Just as they were at their wit's end what to do with me, we +come upon a young surgeon, lurking there to watch the fight or to +hide,—don't know which. There he was any way, looking scared half to +death. Tom Hunt, my mate, made him stop and look at me. My leg was +smashed, and ought to come off right away, he said. 'Do it, then!' says +Tom. He was one of your rough-and-readys, Tom was; but at heart as kind +as a—well, as a woman."</p> + +<p>And the boatman gave a smile and a nod at the one opposite him.</p> + +<p>"Thanks; but do tell on. It is so interesting."</p> + +<p>And Rose let all her flowers stray down into the bottom of the boat, as +she clasped her hands and leaned forward to listen.</p> + +<p>"Don't know as I'd better tell this part. It ain't pleasant," began the +man.</p> + +<p>"You must. I want it all. Dreadful things do me good, and other people's +sufferings teach me how to bear my own," said Rose, in her imperious +way.</p> + +<p>"You don't look as if you ought to have any."</p> + +<p>And the man's eyes rested on the delicate face opposite, full of a +pleasant blending of admiration, pity, and protection.</p> + +<p>"I have; but not like yours. Go on, please."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you say so, here goes. The surgeon was worried, and said he +couldn't do nothing,—hadn't got his instruments, and so on. 'Yes, you +have. Out with em,' says Tom, rapping on a case he sees in the chap's +breast-pocket. 'Can't do it without bandages,' he says next. 'Here they +are, and more where they came from,' says Tom; and off came his +shirt-sleeves, and was stripped up in a jiffy. 'I must have help,' says +that confounded surgeon, dawdling round, and me groaning my life out at +his feet. 'Here's help,—lots of it,' says Tom, taking my head on his +arm; while Parkes tied up his wounded face and stood ready to lend a +hand. Seeing no way out of it, the surgeon went to work. Good Lord, but +that <i>was</i> awful!"</p> + +<p>The mere memory of it made the speaker shut his eyes with a shiver, as +if he felt again the sharp agony of shattered bones, rent flesh, and +pitiless knife.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that. Tell how you got comfortable again," said Milly, +shaking her head at Rose.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't comfortable for three months, ma'am. Don't mind telling about +it, 'cause Tom done so well, and I'm proud of him," said the rower, with +kindling eyes. "Things of that sort are hard enough done well, with +chloroform and every thing handy. But laying on the bare ground, with +nothing right, and a scared boy of a surgeon hacking away at you, it's +torment and no mistake. I never could have stood it, if it hadn't been +for Tom. He held me close and as steady as a rock; but he cried like a +baby the whole time, and that did me good. Don't know why; but it did. +As for Parkes, he gave out at once and went off for help. I'll never +forget that place, if I live to be a hundred. Seems as if I could see +the very grass I tore up; the muddy brook they laid me by; the steep +bank, with Parkes creeping up; Tom's face, wet and white, but so full of +pity; the surgeon, with his red hands; and all the while such a roar of +guns I could hardly hear myself groaning for some one to shoot me and +put me out of my misery."</p> + +<p>"How did you get to the hospital?" asked Uncle Ben, anxious to get over +this part of the story, for Rose was now as pale as if she actually saw +the scene described.</p> + +<p>"Don't know, sir. There come a time when I couldn't bear any more, and +what happened then I've never been very clear about. I didn't know much +for a day or two; then I was brought round by being put in a transport. +I was packed with a lot of poor fellows, and was beginning to wish I'd +stayed queer, till I heard Tom's voice saying, 'Never mind, boys; put me +down anywheres, and tend to the others. I can wait.' That set me up. I +sung out, and they stowed him alongside. It was so dark down there I +could hardly see his face; but his voice and ways were just as hearty +and comforting as ever, and he kept up my spirits wonderful that day. I +was pretty weak, and kept dozing off; but whenever I woke I felt for +Tom, and he was always there. He told me, when Parkes came with help, he +saw me off, and then went back for another go at the Rebs; but got a +ball in the breast, and was in rather a bad way, he guessed. He couldn't +lay down; but sat by me, leaning back, with his hand on my pillow, where +I could find it easy. He talked to me all he could, till his voice give +out; for he got very weak, and there was a dreadful groaning all around +us."</p> + +<p>"I know, I know. I went aboard one of those transports to help; but +couldn't stay, it was so terrible," said Uncle Ben, with a groan at the +mere memory of it.</p> + +<p>"That was a long day, and I thought it was my last; for when night came +I felt so gone I reckoned I was 'most over Jordan. I gave my watch to +Tom as a keepsake, and told him to say good-by to the boys for me. I +hadn't any folks of my own, so it wasn't hard to go. Tom had a +sweetheart, an old mother, and lots of friends; but he didn't repine a +word,—only said: 'If you do pull through, Joel, just tell mother I done +my best, and give Hetty my love.' I promised, and dropped asleep, +holding on to Tom as if he was my sheet-anchor. So he was; but I can't +tell all he done for me in different ways."</p> + +<p>For a minute Joel rowed in silence, and no one asked a question. Then he +pushed up his old hat again, and went on, as if anxious to be done.</p> + +<p>"Soon's ever I woke, next morning, I looked round to thank Tom, for his +blanket was over me. He was sitting as I left him, his hand on my +pillow, his face toward me, so quiet and happy-looking I couldn't +believe he was gone. But he was, and I have had no mate since."</p> + +<p>"Where did he live?" asked Rose, as softly as if speaking of one she had +known and loved.</p> + +<p>"Over yonder." And Joel pointed to a little brown house on the hillside.</p> + +<p>"Are his mother and Hetty there?"</p> + +<p>"Hetty married a number of years ago; but the old lady is there."</p> + +<p>"And you are visiting her?"</p> + +<p>"I live with her. You see Tom was all she had; and, when Hetty left, it +was only natural that I tried to take Tom's place. Can't never fill it +of course; but I do what I can, and she's comfortable."</p> + +<p>"So <i>she</i> is the 'old mother' who thinks so much of you? Well she may," +said Rose, giving him her brightest smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's all I've got now. Couldn't do no less, could I, seein' how +much Tom done for me?" answered the man, with a momentary quiver of +emotion in his rough voice.</p> + +<p>"You're a trump!" said Uncle Ben, emphatically.</p> + +<p>"Thanky, sir. Starboard, if you please. I don't care to get into the +rapids just here."</p> + +<p>Joel seemed to dislike telling this part of the story; but the three +listeners beamed upon him with such approving faces that he took to his +oars in self-defence, rowing with all his might, till the roar of the +Fall was faintly heard.</p> + +<p>"Now, where shall I land you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Let us lunch on the island," proposed Rose.</p> + +<p>"I see a tent, and fancy some one is camping there," said Milly.</p> + +<p>"A lot of young fellows have been there this three days," said Joel.</p> + +<p>"Then we will go on, and take to the grove above the Fall," ordered +Uncle Ben.</p> + +<p>Alas! alas! for Rose. That decision delayed her happiness a whole half +day; for on that island, luxuriously reading "The Lotus Eaters," as he +lay in the long grass, was the Gabriel this modern Evangeline was +waiting for. She never dreamed he was so near. And the brown-bearded +student never lifted up his head as the boat floated by, carrying the +lady of his love.</p> + +<p>"I want to give him more than his fare. So I shall slip my cigar-case +into the pocket of this coat," whispered Uncle Ben, as Joel was busy +drawing up the boat and getting a stone or two to facilitate the ladies' +landing dryshod.</p> + +<p>"I shall leave my book for him. He was poring over an old newspaper, as +if hungry for reading. The dash and daring of 'John Brent' will charm +him; and the sketch of Winthrop's life in the beginning will add to its +value, I know." And, hastily scribbling his name in it, Rose slipped the +book under the coat.</p> + +<p>But Milly, seeing how old that coat was, guessed that Joel gave his +earnings to the old woman to whom he dutifully played a son's part. +Writing on a card "For Tom's mother and mate," she folded a five-dollar +bill round it, fastened it with a little pearl cross from her own +throat, and laid it in the book.</p> + +<p>Then all landed, and, with a cordial hand-shake and many thanks, left +Joel to row away, quite unconscious that he was a hero in the pretty +girl's eyes, till he found the tokens of his passengers' regard and +respect.</p> + +<p>"Now that is an adventure after my own heart," said Rose, as they +rustled along the grassy path toward the misty cloud that hung over the +Fall.</p> + +<p>"We have nothing but sandwiches and sherry for lunch, unless we find a +house and add to our stores," said Uncle Ben, beginning to feel hungry +and wondering how far his provisions would go.</p> + +<p>"There is a little girl picking berries. Call her and buy some," +suggested Milly, who had her doubts about the state of the sandwiches, +as the knapsack had been sat upon.</p> + +<p>A shout from Uncle Ben caused the little girl to approach,—timidly at +first; but, being joined by a boy, her courage rose, and when the idea +of a "trade" was impressed upon their minds fear was forgotten and the +Yankee appeared.</p> + +<p>"How much a quart?"</p> + +<p>"Eight cents, sir."</p> + +<p>"But that birch-bark thing is not full."</p> + +<p>"Now it is," and the barefooted, tow-headed lad filled the girl's +pannier from his own.</p> + +<p>"Here's chivalry for you," said Rose, watching the children with +interest; for the girl was pretty, and the boy evidently not her +brother.</p> + +<p>"You don't pick as fast as she does," said Milly, while Uncle Ben hunted +up the money.</p> + +<p>"He's done his stent, and was helpin' me. I'll have to pick a lot before +I git my quarter," said the girl, defending her friend, in spite of her +bashfulness.</p> + +<p>"Must you each make a quarter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes'm. We don't have to; but we wanter, so we can go to the circus +that's comin' to-morrer. He made his'n ketchin' trout; so he's helpin' +me," explained the girl.</p> + +<p>"Where do you get your trout?" asked Uncle Ben, sniffing the air, as if +he already smelt them cooking.</p> + +<p>"In the brook. I ain't sold mine yet. Want to buy 'em? Six big ones for +a quarter," said the boy, seeing hunger in the good man's eye and many +greenbacks in the corpulent purse.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you'll clean them."</p> + +<p>"But, Uncle, we can't cook them," began Milly.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> can. Let an old campaigner alone for getting up a gipsy lunch. You +wanted a surprise; so I'll give you one. Now, Billy, bring on your +fish."</p> + +<p>"My name is Daniel Webster Butterfield Brown," returned the boy, with +dignity; adding, with a comical change of tone: "Them fish <i>is</i> cleaned, +or you'd a got 'em cheaper."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Hand them over."</p> + +<p>Off ran the boy to the brook; and the girl was shyly following, when +Rose said,—</p> + +<p>"Will you sell me that pretty bark pannier of yours? I want one for my +flowers."</p> + +<p>"No'm. I guess I'd ruther not."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a quarter for it. Then you can go to the circus without +working any more."</p> + +<p>"Dan made this for me, real careful; and I couldn't sell it, no way. He +wouldn't go without me. And I'll pick stiddy all day, and git my money. +See if I don't!" answered the child, hugging her treasure close.</p> + +<p>"Here's your romance in the bud," said Uncle Ben, trying not to laugh.</p> + +<p>"It's beautiful!" said Rose, with energy. "What is your name, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Gusty Medders, please'm."</p> + +<p>"Dan isn't your brother?"</p> + +<p>"No'm. He lives to the poor-house. But he's real smart, and we play +together. And him and me is going to the show. He always takes care o' +me; and my mother thinks a sight of him, and so do I," returned the +child, in a burst of confidence.</p> + +<p>"Happy little Gusty!" said Rose, to herself.</p> + +<p>"Thrice happy Dan," added Uncle Ben, producing the fat pocket-book +again, with the evident intention of bestowing a fortune on the small +couple.</p> + +<p>"Don't spoil the pretty little romance. Don't rob it of its +self-sacrifice and simplicity. Let them earn their money. Then they will +enjoy it more," cried Milly, holding his hand.</p> + +<p>Uncle Ben submitted, and paid Dan his price, without adding a penny.</p> + +<p>"The lady wanted to buy my basket. But I didn't sell it, Danny; 'cause +you give it as a keepsake," they heard Gusty say, as the children turned +away.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Gus; but I'll sell mine." And back came Dan, to dispose +of his for the desired quarter. "Now we're fixed complete, and you +needn't pick a darned berry. We've got fifty cents for the show, and +eight, over for peanuts and candy. Won't we have a good time, though?"</p> + +<p>With which joyful remark Dan turned a somersault, and then the little +pair vanished in the wood, with shining faces, to revel in visions of +the splendors to come.</p> + +<p>"Now you have got your elephant, what are you going to do with him?" +asked Rose, as they went on again,—she with her pretty basket of fruit, +and he with a string of fish wrapped in leaves.</p> + +<p>"Come on a bit, and you will see."</p> + +<p>Uncle Ben led them to the shade of a great maple, on a green slope, in +sight of the noisy Fall, leaping from rock to rock, till the stream went +singing away through wide, green meadows below.</p> + +<p>"Now rest and cool yourselves, while I cook the dinner." And away +bustled the good man, on hospitable thoughts intent.</p> + +<p>Plenty of dry drift-wood lay about the watercourse, and soon a brisk +fire burned on the rocks not far away. Shingles for plates, with pointed +sticks for forks, seemed quite in keeping with the rustic feast; and +when the edibles were set forth on leaves the girls were charmed, and +praised the trout, as it came hot from the coals, till even the flushed +cook was satisfied.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to live so always. It is so interesting to pick up your food +as you go, and eat it when and where you like. I think I could be quite +happy leading a wild life like this," said Rose, as she lay in the +grass, dropping berries one by one into her mouth.</p> + +<p>"You would soon tire of it, Miss Caprice; but, if it amuses for a single +day, I am satisfied," answered Milly, with her motherly smile, as she +stroked the bright head in her lap, feeling sure that happiness was in +store for so much youth and beauty.</p> + +<p>Lulled by the soft caress, and the song of the waterfall, Rose fell +asleep, and for an hour dreamed blissfully, while the maple dropped its +shadows on her placid face, and all the wholesome influences of the +place worked their healing spell on soul and body.</p> + +<p>"A thunder-shower is rolling up in the west, my dears. We must be +getting toward some shelter, unless we are to take a drenching as part +of the day's pleasure," said Uncle Ben, rising briskly after his own +nap.</p> + +<p>"I see no house anywhere; but a big barn down in the intervale, and a +crowd of people getting in their hay. Let us make for that, and lie on +the sweet haycocks till the shower comes," proposed Milly.</p> + +<p>As they went down the steep path, Rose began to sing; and at the +unwonted sound her uncle and friend exchanged glances of satisfaction, +for not a note had she sung for weeks. A happy mood seemed to have taken +possession of her; and when they reached the intervale she won the old +farmer's heart by catching up a rake and working stoutly, till the first +heavy drops began to fall. Then she rode up to the barn on a fragrant +load, and was so charmed with the place that she declined his invitation +to "Come up and see the old woman and set a spell," and declared that +she depended on enjoying the thunder-storm where she was.</p> + +<p>The farmer and his men went their way, and Rose was just settling +herself at the upper window, where the hay had been pitched in, when a +long line of gay red vans came rattling down the road, followed by +carriages and gilded cars, elephants and camels, fine horses and frisky +ponies, all more or less excited by the coming storm.</p> + +<p>"It's the circus! How I wish Gusty and Dan could see it!" cried Rose, +clapping her hands like a child. "I do believe they are coming here. Now +that will be charming, and the best adventure of all," she added, as a +carriage and several vans turned into the grassy road leading to the +barn.</p> + +<p>A pair of elephants slowly lumbered after, with a camel or two, and the +finest gilded car. The rest rattled on, hoping to reach the town in +time. In a moment the quiet country scene was changed, and the big barn +transformed into a theatrical Babel.</p> + +<p>Our party retreated to a loft, and sat looking down on the show, +enjoying it heartily; especially Rose, who felt as if suddenly +translated into an Eastern tale. The storm came on dark and wild, rain +poured, thunder rolled, and lightning gave lurid glimpses of the strange +surroundings.</p> + +<p>The elephants placidly ate hay; the tired camels lay down with gusty +sighs and queer groanings; but the lion in his lonely van roared royally +at intervals, and the tigers snarled and tore about their cage like +restless demons.</p> + +<p>The great golden car lit up the gloom; and in it sat, or lay, the +occupants of the carriage,—a big, dark man, and a little blonde +creature, with a pretty, tired, painted face. Rose soon found herself +curiously attracted to this pair, for they were evidently lovers; and +there was a certain frank, melodramatic air about them that took her +fancy. The dark man lay on the red cushion, smoking tranquilly; while +the girl hovered about him with all manner of small attentions. +Presently he seemed to drop asleep, undisturbed by the thunder without +or the clamor within. Then the small creature smoothed her gay yet +shabby dress, and braided up her hair, as composedly as if in her own +room. That done, she looked about her for amusement; and, spying Rose's +interested face peering down at her from above, she nodded, and called +out, in a saucy voice,—</p> + +<p>"How do you like us? Shall I come up and make you a visit?"</p> + +<p>"I beg you will," answered Rose, in spite of a warning touch from Milly.</p> + +<p>Up sprang the little circus-rider; and, disdaining the ladder, skipped +to the gilded dome of the car, and then took a daring leap on to the +loft, landing near them with a laugh.</p> + +<p>For a minute she eyed the others with a curious mixture of coolness and +hesitation, as if it suddenly struck her that they were not country +girls, to be dazzled by her audacity. Milly saw and understood the +pause, liked the girl for it, and said, as courteously as if to a lady +in her own parlor,—</p> + +<p>"There is plenty of room for us all. Pray sit down and enjoy this fine +view with us. The storm is passing over now, and it will soon be fair."</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" said the girl, dropping on to the hay, with her bold, +bright eyes, full of admiration, fixed on Rose, who smiled, and said +quickly,—</p> + +<p>"You belong to the troop, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"First lady rider," replied the girl, with a toss of the head.</p> + +<p>"It must be very romantic to lead such a life, and go driving from place +to place in this way."</p> + +<p>"It's a hard life, any way; and not much romance, you'd better believe."</p> + +<p>"Not even for <i>you</i>." And Rose glanced at the sleeper below.</p> + +<p>The girl smiled. Her bold eyes turned to him with a softened look, and +the natural color deepened on her painted cheeks, as she said, in a +lower voice,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, Joe does make a difference for me. We've only been married three +weeks."</p> + +<p>"What does he do?"</p> + +<p>"He's the lion-tamer." And the girl gave them a glance of wifely pride +in her husband's prowess.</p> + +<p>"Oh! tell me about it!" cried Rose. "I admire courage so much."</p> + +<p>"You ought to see him do Daniel in the lion's den, then. Or his great +tiger act, where he piles four of 'em up, and lays on top. It's just +splendid!"</p> + +<p>"But very dangerous! Does he never fear them? And do they never hurt +him?"</p> + +<p>"He don't fear any thing in the world," said the girl, entirely +forgetting herself, in enthusiastic praise of her husband.</p> + +<p>"Cæsar, the lion, loves him like a dog; and Joe trusts him as he does +me. But them tigers are deceitful beasts, and can't be trusted a minute. +Judas went at Joe once, and half killed him. He seems tame enough now; +but I hate him, for they say that if a tiger once tastes a man's blood +he's sure to kill him sooner or later. So I don't have a minute's peace +when Joe is in that cage." And the little woman shivered with very +genuine anxiety at the thought of her husband's danger.</p> + +<p>"And, knowing this, he runs the risk every day! What a life!" said Uncle +Ben, looking down at the unconscious Joe.</p> + +<p>"A brave life, Uncle, and full of excitement. The minutes in that cage +must be splendid. I wish I could see him once!" cried Rose, with the +restless look in her eyes again.</p> + +<p>"He'd do it, if he had his things here. He'll do any thing <i>I</i> ask him," +said the girl, evidently proud of her power over the lion-tamer.</p> + +<p>"We will come and see him to-morrow. Can't you tell us how he manages to +subdue these wild animals? I always wanted to know about it," said Rose, +wondering if she could not get some hints for the taming of men.</p> + +<p>"Joe'll tell you." And, calling from her perch, the girl waked the +sleeper and ordered him up to amuse the gentle-folk.</p> + +<p>The big man came, with comical meekness; and, lounging on the hay, +readily answered the questions showered upon him. Rose enjoyed that hour +intensely; for the tales Joe told were full of wild adventure, +hair-breadth escapes, and feats of strength or skill, that kept his +listeners half breathless with interest. The presence of the little wife +gave an added charm to these stories; for it was evident that the tamer +of lions was completely subdued by the small woman. His brown, scarred +face softened as it turned to her. While he talked, the strong hands +that clutched lions by the throat were softly stroking the blonde head +at his side; and, when he told of the fierce struggle with Judas, he +grew so eloquent over the account of Kitty's nursing him that it was +plain to see he was prouder of the conquest of her girl's heart than of +his hard-won victory over the treacherous tiger.</p> + +<p>The man's courage lent romance to his vulgar life, and his love ennobled +his whole nature for a time. Kitty ate peanuts while he thrilled his +hearers with his feats; but her face was so full of pride and affection +all the while that no one minded what she did, and even Milly forgave +the painted cheeks and cotton velvet dress for the sake of the womanly +heart underneath.</p> + +<p>The storm passed, the circus people bestirred themselves, and in a few +minutes were on their way again. Joe and Kitty said "Good-by" as +heartily as if that half-hour had made them friends; and, packing +themselves into the little carriage drawn by the calico tandem, dashed +away as gayly as if their queer honeymoon journey had just begun. Like +parts of a stage pageant, the gilded car, the elephants and camels, +frisky ponies, and gay red vans vanished along the winding road, leaving +the old barn to silence and the scandalized swallows twittering among +the rafters.</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I'd been to an Arabian Night's entertainment," said Rose, +as they descended and turned toward home.</p> + +<p>"It was very interesting, and I do hope that brave Joe won't get eaten +up by the tigers. What would poor Kitty do?" returned Milly, warmly.</p> + +<p>"It would be sad and dreadful; but she would have the comfort of knowing +how much he loved her. Some women don't even have that," added Rose, +under her breath.</p> + +<p>"A capital fellow and a nice little woman. We'll go and see them +to-morrow; though I fancy I shall not like Mrs. Kitty half so well in +gauze and spangles, jumping through hoops and over banners on horseback, +as I did on the hayloft. And I shall be desperately anxious till Joe is +safely out of the tiger's cage," said Uncle Ben, who had been as +interested as a boy in the wild tales told them.</p> + +<p>For an hour they walked back along the river-side, enjoying the wood +odors brought out by the shower, the glories of the sunset sky, and the +lovely rainbow that arched overhead,—a bow of promise to those who +seemed passing under it from the old life to a new one, full of tender +promise.</p> + +<p>"I see a nice old woman in that kitchen, and I want to stop and ask for +some new milk. Perhaps she will give us our supper, and then we can go +on by moonlight," said Rose, as they came to a weather-beaten +farm-house, standing under an ancient elm, with its door hospitably +open, and a grandmotherly figure going to and fro within.</p> + +<p>Rose's request was most graciously received, for the old woman seemed to +regard them as most welcome cheerers of her solitude, and bustled about +with an infectious cordiality that set them at their ease directly.</p> + +<p>"Do tell! Caught in the shower? It come so suddin', I mistrusted some +folks would get a duckin'. You kin hev supper jest as wal as not. +'Tain't a mite o' trouble, ef you don't mind plain vittles. Enos and me +lives alone, and he ain't no gret of an eater; but I allers catle'ate to +hev a good store of pervision on hand this time a year, there's such a +sight of strangers round the mountains. The table's all set; and I'll +jest add a pinch of tea and a couple of pies, and there we be. Now draw +right up, and do the best you kin."</p> + +<p>The cheery old soul was so hospitable that her presence gave a grace to +her homely table and added flavor to her plain fare. Uncle Ben's eyes +twinkled when he saw dainty Rose eating brown-bread and milk out of a +yellow bowl, with the appetite of a dairymaid; and Milly rejoiced over +the happy face opposite; wishing that it might always wear that +self-forgetful look.</p> + +<p>Enos was a feeble, bed-ridden, old man, who lay in a small room opening +from the kitchen. A fretful invalid he seemed to be, hard to suit and +much given to complaint. But the tender old wife never lost patience +with him; and it was beautiful to see how cheerfully she trotted to and +fro, trying to gratify every whim, without a reproachful word or thought +of weariness.</p> + +<p>After tea, as Rose wanted to wait till moonrise, Uncle Ben went in to +chat with the invalid, while Milly insisted on wiping the cups for the +old lady; and Rose sat on the doorstep, listening to their chat, and +watching twilight steal softly up the valley. Presently her attention +was fixed by something the old lady said in answer to Milly's praises of +the quaint kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, I've lived here all my days. Was born in that bed-room; and +don't ask no better than to die there when my time comes."</p> + +<p>"Most people are not fortunate enough to keep their old home when they +marry. It must be very dear to you, having spent both your maiden and +married life here," said Milly, interested in her hostess.</p> + +<p>"Wal, you see my maiden life lasted sixty year; and my married life +ain't but jest begun," answered the old lady, with a laugh as gay as a +girl's.</p> + +<p>Seeing curiosity in the quick glance Rose involuntarily gave her, the +chatty old soul went on, as if gossip was dear to her heart, and her +late-coming happiness still so new that she loved to tell it.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose that sounds sing'lar to you young things; but, you see, though +me and Enos was engaged at twenty or so, we warn't married till two year +ago. Things was dreadful con'try, and we kep a waitin' and a waitin', +till I declare for't I really did think I should die an old maid." And +she laughed again, as if her escape was the best joke in the world.</p> + +<p>"And you waited forty years?" cried Rose, with her great eyes full of +wonder.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. I had other chances; but somehow they didn't none of them +suit, and the more unfort'nate Enos was the more I kinder held on to +him. He was one of them that's allers tryin' new things, and didn't +never seem to make a fortin out of any on 'em. He kept a tryin' because +he had nothin', and would'nt marry till he was wal off. My mother was +dead, and left a family to be took care on. I was the oldest gal, and so +I nat'rally kept house for father till he died, and the children grew up +and married off. So I warn't idle all them years, and got on first-rate, +allers hopin' Enos's luck would turn. But it didn't (them cups goes in +the right-hand corner, dear); and so I waited and waited, and hoped and +hoped."</p> + +<p>"Oh! how could you?" sighed Rose, from the soft gloom of the doorway.</p> + +<p>"'Pears to me strength is give us most wonderful to bear trials, if we +take 'em meek. I used to think I couldn't bear it no way when I was left +here alone, while Enos was in Californy; and I didn't know for seven +year whether he was dead or alive. His folks give him up; but I never +did, and kept on hopin' and prayin' for him till he come back."</p> + +<p>"How happy you were then!" cried Rose, as if she could sympathize +heartily with that joy.</p> + +<p>"No, I warn't, dear. That was the hardest part on't; for Enos was +married to a poor, shiftless thing, that was a burden to him for ten +year."</p> + +<p>"That <i>was</i> hard," and Rose gave a groan, as if a new trouble had +suddenly come upon her.</p> + +<p>"I done my best for 'em, in their ups and downs, till they went West. +Then I settled down to end my days here alone. My folks was all dead or +fur away, and it was uncommon lonesome. But I kinder clung to the old +place, and had it borne in upon me strong that Enos would turn up agin +in time. I wanted him to find me here, ready to give him a helpin' hand +whenever and however he come."</p> + +<p>"And he did, at last?" asked Rose, with a sympathetic quiver in her +voice that went to the old woman's heart.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my deary; he did come at last," she said, in a voice full of a +satisfaction that was almost solemn in its intensity. "Ruther mor'n two +years ago he knocked at that door, a poor, broken-down old man, without +wife, or child, or money, or home,—nothin' in the wide world but me. He +didn't think I'd take him in, he was so mis'able. But, Lord love him, +what else had I been a waitin' for them forty year? It warn't the Enos +that I loved fust; but that didn't matter one mite. And when he sat +sobbin' in that chair, and sayin' he had no friend but me, why I just +answered back: 'My home is your'n, Enos; and I give it jest as hearty as +I did when you fust pupposed, under the laylock bushes, in the back +gardin. Rest here, my poor dear, and let Becky take care on you till she +dies.'"</p> + +<p>"So he stayed?" said Milly, with tears in her voice, for Rose's head was +down on her knees, so eloquent had been the pathos of that old voice, +telling its little tale of faithful love.</p> + +<p>"Certin. And we was married, so no one need make no talk. Folks said it +was a dreadful poor match, and took on about my doin' on't; for I'm wal +off, and Enos hadn't a cent. But we was satisfied, and I ain't never +repented of that day's work; for he took to his bed soon after, and +won't quit it, the doctor says, till he's took to his grave."</p> + +<p>"You dear soul, I must kiss you for that lovely deed of yours, and thank +you from my heart for this lesson in fidelity." And, obeying an +irresistible impulse, Rose threw her arms round the old lady's neck, +kissing the wrinkled cheek with real reverence and tenderness.</p> + +<p>"Sakes alive! Wal, I never did see sech a softhearted little creter. +Why, child, what I done warn't nothin' but a pleasure. We women are such +queer things, we don't care how long we wait, ef we only hev our way at +last."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, the old woman hugged the blooming girl with a motherly +warmth, most sweet and comfortable to see; yet the longing look, the +lingering touch, betrayed how much the tender old heart would have loved +to pillow there a child of its own.</p> + +<p>Just then Uncle Ben appeared, and the early moon peeped over the +mountain-top, plainly hinting that it was time for the wanderers to turn +homeward. Bidding their hospitable hostess good night, they came again +into the woody road, now haunted with soft shadows and silvery with +falling dew. The brown brooks were singing lullabies, the pines +whispering musically in the wind, the mellow moonlight was falling +everywhere, and the world was full of the magical beauty of a +midsummer's night.</p> + +<p>"Go on, please, and let me follow alone. I want to think over my +pleasant day, and finish it with waking dreams, as I go through this +enchanted wood," said Rose, whose mind was full of sweet yet sober +thoughts; for she had gathered herbs of grace while carelessly pulling +wayside flowers, and from the simple adventures of the day had +unconsciously received lessons that never were forgotten.</p> + +<p>The other walked on, and the girl followed, living over again the happy +winter during which she had learned to know and love the young neighbor +who had become the hero of her dreams. She had felt sure he loved her, +though the modest youth had never told her so, except with eloquent +glances and tender devotion. She believed in him, loved him truly, and +waited with maidenly patience to hear the words that would unseal her +lips. They did not come, and he had left her with no hope but such as +she could find in the lingering pressure of his hand and the warmly +uttered "I shall see you again."</p> + +<p>Since then, no line, no word; and all through the lovely spring she had +looked and waited for the brown-bearded student,—looked and waited in +vain. Then unrest took possession of her, anxiety tormented her, and +despair made her young face pathetic. Only the sad, simple old story, +but as bitter to live through now as in poor Dido's day; more bitter, +perhaps, because we cannot erect funeral pyres and consume the body with +a flame less fierce than that which burns away the soul unseen.</p> + +<p>Now in the silence of that summer night a blessed peace seemed to fall +on the girl's unquiet heart, as she trod thoughtfully along the shadowy +road. Courage and patience seemed to spring up within her. To wait and +hope and love without return became a possibility; and, though a few hot +tears rolled down the cheeks, that had lost their roses, the eyes that +shed them were more tender for the tears, and the heart that echoed the +old wife's words—"Strength is given us to bear our trials, if we take +them meekly"—was worthier of life's best blessing, love, because of its +submission.</p> + +<p>As she paused a moment to wipe away the tell-tale drops, before she +joined the others, the sound of far-off music came on the wings of the +wind,—a man's voice, singing one of the love-lays that are never old. +As if spell-bound, Rose stood motionless in the broad streak of light +that fell athwart the road. She knew the voice, the sweet old song +seemed answering her prayer, and now it needed no golden butterfly to +guide her to her lover.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the singer, pouring out his lay as if his heart +was in it. Brighter and brighter glowed the human rose, as the +featherless nightingale told his tale in music, unconsciously +approaching the happy sequel with each step.</p> + +<p>Out from the gloom he came, at last; saw her waiting for him in the +light; seemed to read the glad truth in her face, and stretched both +hands to her without a word. She took them; and what followed who shall +say? For the moon, best friend of lovers, discreetly slipped behind a +cloud, and the pines whispered their congratulations as they wrapped the +twain in deepest shadow.</p> + +<p>When, half an hour later, they joined the other pair (who, strange to +say, had quite forgotten their charge), Uncle Ben exclaimed, as he +welcomed the new-comer with unusual cordiality: "Why, Rose! You look +quite glorified in this light and as well as ever. We must try this cure +again."</p> + +<p>"No need, sir. I have done with the heartache, and here is my +physician," answered Rose, with a look at her lover which told the story +better than the best chosen words.</p> + +<p>"And here is mine," echoed Milly, leaning on Uncle Ben's arm as if it +belonged to her; as it did, for the moonlight had been too much for the +old bachelor, and, in spite of his fifty years, he had wooed and won +Milly as ardently as any boy. So the lonely future she had accepted so +cheerfully suddenly bloomed with happy hopes; and the older couple +looked as blissfully content as the young pair, who greeted with the +blithest laughter that ever woke the echoes of the wood, this fit ending +to the romance of a summer day.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MY_ROCOCO_WATCH" id="MY_ROCOCO_WATCH"></a>MY ROCOCO WATCH.</h2> + + +<p>All three of us were inspired with an intense desire to possess one of +these quaint watches, the moment we saw one hanging at the side of a +certain lovely woman at a party where it created a great sensation.</p> + +<p>Imitations we would not have, and the genuine article could not be found +even in Geneva, the paradise of time-pieces. My sisters soon ceased to +pine for the impossible, and contented themselves with other antique +gauds. Fan rejoiced in a very ugly Cinque-Cento ring like a tiny coffin, +and Mary was the proud possessor of a Roman necklace composed of gods +and goddesses.</p> + +<p>I, however, remained true to my first love and refused to be satisfied +with any thing but a veritable rococo watch, for that, I maintained, +united the useful and the beautiful. Resisting the temptations of Rome, +Paris, and Geneva, I skilfully lured my unsuspecting party into all +sorts of out-of-the-way places under pretence of studying up the old +French cathedrals.</p> + +<p>The girls did the churches faithfully, but I shirked them and spent my +shining hours poking about dirty streets and staring in at the windows +of ancient jewelry shops, patiently seeking for the watch of my dreams. +I was rallied unmercifully upon my mania, and many jokes were played +upon me by the frolicksome girls, who more than once sent me posting off +by reports of some remarkable trinket in some almost unattainable place.</p> + +<p>But, nothing daunted, I continued my vain search all through France, and +never relinquished my hope till we left St. Malo on our way to Brest, +whence we were to sail for home. Then I despaired, and, having nothing +more to toil for, began to enjoy myself with a free mind, and then it +was that capricious fortune chose to smile upon me and reward my long +quest.</p> + +<p>Finding that we had a day before us, we explored the queer old town, +and, as our tastes varied, each went a different way. I roamed about the +narrow streets, seeking some odd souvenir to carry away, and was peering +into a dark lane, attracted by some fine shells, when suddenly I was +arrested by a sight which caused me to pause in the middle of a puddle, +exclaiming dramatically, "At last! at last!"</p> + +<p>Yes, there, in the dusty window of a pawnbroker's shop, hung the most +enchanting watch, crystal ball, silver chains, enamelled medallions, and +cluster of charms, all encrusted with pearls, garnets, and turquoises +set in the genuine antique style. One long gaze, one rapturous +exclamation, and I skipped from the puddle to the doorstep, bent on +securing the prize at all costs.</p> + +<p>Bouncing in upon a withered little man, who was taking coffee in a +shadowy recess, I demanded the price of the watch. Of course the little +man was on the alert at once, and began by protesting that it was not +for sale; but I saw the fib in his eye, and sweetly insisted that I must +have it. Then he improvised a mournful tale about a family of rank +reduced by misfortune and forced to dispose of their cherished relics in +some private manner. I affected to believe the touching romance, and +offered a handsome sum for the watch, which, on closer inspection, +struck me as rather more antique than even I desired.</p> + +<p>Instantly the little man clasped his hands and protested that it was an +insult to propose such a paltry price for so beautiful and perfect a +treasure. Double the sum might be a temptation, but not a sou less.</p> + +<p>This was so absurd that I tried to haggle a little; but I never +succeeded in that line, so my attempt ended in both of us getting angry, +when the little man tore the watch from my hands, and I left the shop as +precipitately as I entered it.</p> + +<p>Retiring to the square to cool my indignation, I was reposing on a +bench, when I beheld the little man approaching with the blandest +expression, and, bowing profoundly, he resumed the subject as if we had +parted amicably.</p> + +<p>"If madame would allow him to consult the owner of this so charming +watch, the affair might yet be arranged in a satisfactory manner. If +madame would leave her address, he would report to her in a few hours, +and have the happiness of obliging the dear lady."</p> + +<p>I consented, but preferred to return to his shop later in the day, for I +wished to astonish the girls by producing my prize at some opportune +moment, and I much feared if I told them of my discovery that the +bargain would never be made.</p> + +<p>I suffered agonies of suspense for hours, but basely attributed my +restlessness to the heat and weariness. Five o'clock and dinner, but I +declined going down, and slipped away to my tryst with the little old +man. He was ready for me with another romance of the noble owner's +reluctance to part with an heirloom for less than the price he had +named. In vain I talked, wheedled, and protested; the crafty little man +saw that I meant to have that watch, and was firm. At last I pretended +to give it up, and, thanking him for his trouble, retired mournfully, +hoping he would follow me again, for I had told him that I should leave +in the steamer expected next day.</p> + +<p>But the evening passed, and no little man appeared, although I sat on +the balcony till the moon rose. Morning came, and with it the steamer, +but still no watch arrived, as other coveted articles had often done, +when we firmly refused to be imposed upon.</p> + +<p>My secret agitation increased, and my temptation waxed stronger and +stronger as the hour of departure approached. The girls thought me +nervous about the voyage, but were too busy to heed my preoccupation, +while I was too much ashamed of my infatuation to confess it and ask +advice.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes before we started for the wharf, I gave in, and +muttering something about looking up the carriage, I flew round the +corner, demanded the watch, paid an abominable price for it, and sneaked +back, knowing I had been cheated by the sly old fellow, who had +evidently expected me, and whom I left chuckling over his bargain, as +well he might, the rascal!</p> + +<p>The moment the deed was done my spirits returned, and I beamed upon my +sisters as benignly as if I carried a boundless supply of good humor in +my pocket instead of that costly watch packed up in a shabby little box.</p> + +<p>We sailed, and for several days I forgot every thing but my own woe; +then came a calm, and then choosing a moment when the girls were +comparing their treasures with those of other returning voyagers, I +proudly produced my watch. The effect was superb. Cries of admiration +greeted it from all but my sisters, who looked at one another in comic +dismay and burst into fits of laughter.</p> + +<p>"We saw it and tried to get it, but it cost so much we gave it up, and +never told lest Penelope should be tempted beyond her strength. We might +have spared our pains, for it was to be, and it is vain to fight against +fate, only do tell us if you paid that Shylock what he asked us?" said +Mary, naming a smaller sum than my first handsome offer.</p> + +<p>"I did not pay that, and I shall never tell what it cost, for you +wouldn't believe me if I did. It was a good bargain, I assure you—for +Shylock," I added to myself, and kept my secret jealously, knowing I +never should hear the last of it if the awful truth was known.</p> + +<p>My treasure was so much admired that I was afraid it would be ravished +from me, and I hid it in all sorts of places, like a magpie with a +stolen spoon. I never went on deck without taking it with me for safe +keeping. I never woke in the morning without burrowing under my mattress +to see if it was safe, and never turned in for the night without seeing +that I was prepared for shipwreck by having my life-preserver handy and +half-a-dozen ship biscuits, a bottle of water, and the precious box +lashed firmly together, for with that dearly bought watch I was resolved +to sink or swim, live or die.</p> + +<p>Being permitted to reach land in safety, I prepared to eclipse Fan's +ring and Mary's necklace with my rich and rare rococo watch. But I found +it impossible to set it going, though I tried all the keys in the house, +so I took it to an experienced watchmaker and left it to be regulated. +Every one knows what that means, and can imagine my impatience as week +after week went by and still that blessed thing was not done. It came at +last, however, and with it a bill that startled me; but I could not +dispute it, for the job was a difficult one, owing to the antiquity of +the works and the skill required to set a watch going that probably had +not been wound up for half a century.</p> + +<p>It went for a week, and then stopped for ever; for the general verdict +was that no modern tinkering would restore its tone, since the springs +of life were broken and the venerable wheels at a dead lock.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is ornamental if not useful, only I am sorry I gave away my +good old watch, thinking this would be all I needed," I said, making the +best of what I alone knew to be a desperately bad bargain.</p> + +<p>So I hung the silent thing to my girdle and went forth to awaken the +envy and admiration of all beholders. But, alas! the second time I wore +it, one of the medallions was lost, could not be found, and its place +had to be filled with a modern one, entirely out of keeping with the +others. Bill the second was paid with much lamentation, and again I +tried to enjoy my watch. But the fates seemed to be against me, for +presently it was stolen by a maid who admired mediæval jewelry as well +as her mistress.</p> + +<p>What a state of excitement we were in then, to be sure! Cousin Dick took +the matter in hand, and searched for the lost watch with the patience, +if not the skill, of a detective. Mysterious men came to examine the +servants, dreadful questions as to its value were put to me, and, worst +of all, I knew that this sort of hide-and-go-seek was a fearfully +expensive game, and of course I wasn't going to let Dick pay for it.</p> + +<p>It was found at last, and restored to me somewhat the worse for the +rough handling of curious admirers. Bill the third was paid with the +calmness of despair, for I really began to think some evil spell was +hidden in that crystal ball; a spell which attracted, then infatuated, +and now controlled me, leading me slowly and surely, through tribulation +after tribulation, to the poor-house in the end.</p> + +<p>The accidents that befell that fatal watch would fill a chapter, and the +narrow escapes it had would make a thrilling tale. Babies half choked +themselves with the charms, little Tommy was discovered trying to divest +it of all incumbrances that he might use it as a "jolly big marble." It +was always falling off, catching in buttons, or bobbing wildly about +when I danced, and more than once I was cut to the soul by hearing +benighted people wonder at Miss Pen's bad taste in wearing Salom +jewelry. Salom, be it known to the ignorant, is an excellent man who +deals in mock ornaments of great brilliancy and cheapness.</p> + +<p>Soon the jewels began to fall out, and I scattered pearls about me like +the young lady in the fairy tale. Then the chain broke, and the charms +were lost. In one of the many falls, the crystal got cracked; the silver +tarnished till it looked like dingy lead, and at last no beauty remained +to reconcile me to its utter uselessness. My poor watch was the standing +joke of the family, and kept every one merry but its owner. To me it was +a disgrace, and I suffered endless disappointments and delays by having +no trusty time-keeper at hand. Pride prevented my applying to others, +and bitterly I mourned in secret for the true old friend I had deserted +when the false new one came.</p> + +<p>I ceased to wear the hollow mockery, and hoped people would forget it, +but the girls still displayed their more successful ornaments; and I was +forced to tell the sad tale of my mortifying failure in reply to the +natural question,—</p> + +<p>"And what charming old trinket did Pen get?"</p> + +<p>But this was not the worst of it. Like little Rosamond in the moral +tale, I had to wear my old shoes when the purple jar proved a delusion +and a snare. I had overrun my allowance by that rash purchase, and had +to economize just when I most wished to be fine. "Beauty unadorned," and +that sort of thing, is all nonsense when a woman burns to look her +loveliest in the eyes of certain persons, and the anguish I endured when +I looked at that rubbishy old watch, and thought what sweet things could +have been bought with the money recklessly lavished upon it, can better +be imagined than described.</p> + +<p>Fain would I have sold my treasure for a quarter what I gave for it, but +who would buy the ruined relic now? And the mere idea of having it even +partially repaired made my blood run cold. So I laid it away as a +warning example of woman's folly, and began to save up, that I might +replace it by a modern watch with all the improvements procurable for +money.</p> + +<p>I was effectually cured of my passion for antiquities, and hated the +sound of the word <i>rococo</i>. Nothing could be too new for me now, and I +privately studied up on watches, being bound never to buy another, +which, though it might last to all eternity, yet had no connection with +time.</p> + +<p>Slowly the memory of that temptation and fall seemed to fade from all +minds but my own; slowly my little hoard increased at the expense of +many an ungratified whim, inviting bargain, or girlish vanity, and +slowly I decided what sort of watch would most entirely combine the +solid virtues and modest graces I desired to possess in the new one I +intended to choose so wisely and well.</p> + +<p>But just as my hundred dollars was nearly completed, I discovered that +Dick's younger brother, Geordie, had got himself into a boyish scrape, +and was planning to run away to sea as the best means of settling the +difficulty. I was immediately possessed with an intense desire to help +the poor lad, and, having won his confidence in a desponding moment, I +offered my little hoard as a loan, to be paid in time, if he would +accept it on no other condition.</p> + +<p>I really don't think I could have done it for any one but Dick's +brother, and I did not desire any praise for it, since I made the boy +take a solemn vow that it should be a secret between us for ever. It was +reward enough to know that I had spared dear Dick another care, and done +something to be more worthy of him, though it was only a little +sacrifice like this.</p> + +<p>So Geordie was a free man again, and my devoted slave from that day +forth, causing much merry wonderment in the family, and actually making +Dick jealous by his grateful gallantry.</p> + +<p>My sacrifice cost me something more than the loss of my watch, however, +for with a part of the money I had planned to get a fine Christmas gift +for some one, and now I was obliged to content myself with such a poor +little offering that the girls called me mean, and nearly broke my heart +by insisting that I did not care for somebody who cared a great deal for +me. I bore it all and kept Geordie's secret faithfully; but I will +confess that, in a paroxysm of anger with myself, I clashed that hateful +rococo watch upon the floor and trampled on it as the only adequate vent +for the conflicting emotions which possessed me.</p> + +<p>But the good fairies who fly about at Christmas time set every thing +right, and broke the evil spell cast over me by the Breton magician in +his gloomy cell. As we sat about the breakfast-table, talking over our +gifts on the morning of that happy day, Dick and Geordie came in to see +how we were after the fatigues of a grand family frolic the night +before.</p> + +<p>"Here's a new conundrum; guess it, girls," said Geordie, who had the +Dundreary fever upon him just at that time. "I was sent to India and +stopped there; I came back because I did not go there. Now what was it?"</p> + +<p>We puzzled over it, but gave it up at last, and when Geordie answered, +"A watch," there was a general laugh, for since my ruinous speculation +that word always produced a sensation among us.</p> + +<p>"The place mentioned should have been Brittany, not India, hey, Pen?" +said Dick, with a wicked twinkle of the eye.</p> + +<p>"Don't," I began, pathetically, as the girls giggled, and Mary added, +with mock sympathy, "Hush, boys, and let that sacred sorrow be for ever +hidden in Pen's own breast."</p> + +<p>"Watch and pray, dear, watch and pray, for I'm sure you have need of +both," cried Fan, seeing my rising wrath.</p> + +<p>"Put your hands before your face but don't strike, I beg of you," cut in +Geordie, trying to be witty.</p> + +<p>"It is a sad case, but I think I have a key that will wind up the affair +and set all going right," began Dick, still twinkling with fun.</p> + +<p>To have him join the enemy was too much for me, because he had always +been very careful to avoid that tender point.</p> + +<p>"If you say another word, I'll throw the horrid thing into the fire, for +I'm sick to death of hearing bad jokes made on it," I cried, feeling a +strong desire to shake them all round.</p> + +<p>"No doubt; give it to me, and you shall never see or hear of it again. I +like old trinkets, and I'll never tell the story of that one, on my +honor as a gentleman," said Dick, in a tone that appeased my wrath at +once.</p> + +<p>"Do you really want it?" I asked, pleased and surprised, yet still a +little suspicious of some new joke.</p> + +<p>"I do, because, although it will never go again, it will always remind +me of some of the happiest hours and minutes of my life, Pen."</p> + +<p>There was no fun in Dick's eyes as he said that, and I was glad to hide +the sudden color in my cheeks by running away to get the poor old watch. +But I found there <i>was</i> a surprise, and a very pleasant one, in store +for me; for, as I thrust the shabby box into Dick's pocket, he handed me +a little parcel prettily tied up with white ribbons, saying in his most +captivating way, "Fair exchange is no robbery, you know, so you must +take this, and then we shall be square."</p> + +<p>"It looks like wedding cake," I said, surveying it with curiosity, and +wondering why Geordie and the girls did not stop to see the mystery +unfolded.</p> + +<p>"No, that comes later, dear," answered Dick, in a tone that made me +devote myself to the white ribbons with sudden zeal.</p> + +<p>A blue velvet case appeared, and I could not resist saying, in a voice +more tender than reproachful, "You extravagant man! I know it is +something costly and beautiful in return for the disgracefully mean gift +I gave you."</p> + +<p>"Bless your innocent heart, did you think you could hide any thing from +me? Geordie couldn't keep a secret, and I'm only paying his debt, Pen +dear, with the sort of interest women like," Dick answered, with an +audacious arm around my waist and a brown beard close to my cheek.</p> + +<p>As I did not refuse the offered interest, he added, in a softer tone, +"My own debt I never can settle unless with all my worldly goods I thee +endow; my heart you have had for years. Say yes, dear, and be my little +<i>châtelaine</i>."</p> + +<p>Never mind what I said, but I assure you if it had not been for Dick's +arm I should have gone under the table, when, a few minutes later, I +lifted the blue velvet lid and saw a dainty watch luxuriously lying on +its white satin bed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BY_THE_RIVER" id="BY_THE_RIVER"></a>BY THE RIVER.</h2> + +<h3>A LEGEND OF THE ASSABET.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>In the shadow of the bridge a boy lay reading on the grass,—a slender +lad, broad-browed and clear-eyed, barefooted and clad in homespun, yet +happy as a king; for health sat on his sunburned cheeks, a magic book +lay open before him, and sixteen years of innocence gave him a passport +to the freshest pleasures life can offer.</p> + +<p>"Nat! Nat! come here and see!" cried a shrill voice from among the +alders by the river-side.</p> + +<p>But Nat only shook his head as if a winged namesake had buzzed about his +ears, and still read on. Presently a twelve-years child came scrambling +up the bank, dragging a long rod behind her with a discontented air.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd come and help me. The fish won't bite and my line is in a +grievous snarl. Don't read any more. I'm tired of playing all alone."</p> + +<p>"I forgot you, Ruthy, and it was ill done of me. Sit here and rest while +I undo the tangle," and Nat looked up good-naturedly at the small figure +before him, with its quaint pinafore, checked linen gown, and buckled +shoes; for this little maid lived nearly a hundred years ago and this +lad had seen Washington face to face.</p> + +<p>"Now tell me a story while I wait. Not out of that stupid play-book you +are always reading, but about something that really happened, with +naughty children and nice folks in it, and have it end good," said Ruth, +beginning a dandelion chain; for surely it is safe to believe that our +honored grandmothers enjoyed that pretty pastime in their childhood.</p> + +<p>Nat lay in the grass, dreamily regarding the small personage who ruled +him like a queen and whom he served with the devotion of a loyal heart. +Now the royal command was for a story, and, stifling a sigh, this rustic +gentleman closed the book, whose magic had changed the spring morning to +a Midsummer Night's Dream for an hour, and set himself to gratify the +little damsel's whim.</p> + +<p>"You liked the last tale about the children who were lost. Shall I tell +one about a child who was found? It really happened, and you never heard +it before," he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but first put your head in my lap, for there are ants in the grass +and I like to see your eyes shine when you spin stories. Tell away."</p> + +<p>"Once upon a time there was a great snow-storm," began Nat, obediently +pillowing his head on the blue pinafore.</p> + +<p>"Whereabouts?" demanded Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Don't spoil the story by interrupting. It was in this town, and I can +show you the very house I'm going to tell about."</p> + +<p>"I like to know things straight along, and not bounce into a snow-storm +all in a minute. I'll be good. Go on."</p> + +<p>"Well, it snowed so hard that people stayed indoors till the storm had +beat and blown itself away. Right in the worst of it, as a farmer and +his wife sat by the fire that night, they heard a cry at the door. You +see they were sitting very still, the man smoking his pipe and the woman +knitting, both thinking sorrowfully of their only son, who had just +died."</p> + +<p>"Don't have it doleful, Nat," briskly suggested Ruth, working busily +while the narrator's hands lay idle, and his eyes looked as if they +actually saw the little scene his fancy conjured up.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't; only it really was like that," apologized Nat, seeing that +sentiment was not likely to suit his matter-of-fact auditor. "When the +cry came a second time, both of these people ran to the door. No one was +to be seen, but on the wide step they saw a little mound not there an +hour before. Brushing off the snow, they found a basket; and, when they +opened it, there lay a little baby, who put out its arms with a pitiful +cry, that went to their hearts. The woman hugged it close, fed it, and +hushed it to sleep as if it had been her own. Her husband let her do as +she liked, while he tried to find where it came from; but no trace +appeared, and there was no name or mark on the poor thing's clothes."</p> + +<p>"Did they keep it?" asked Ruth, tickling Nat's nose with a curly +dandelion stem, to goad him on, as he lay silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they kept it; for their hearts were sore and empty, and the +forlorn baby seemed to fill them comfortably. The townsfolk gossiped +awhile, but soon forgot it; and it grew up as if it had been born in the +farmer's house. I've often wondered if it wasn't the soul of the little +son who died, come back in another shape to comfort those good people."</p> + +<p>"Now don't go wandering off, Nat; but tell me if he was a pretty, nice, +smart child," said Ruth, with an eye to the hero's future capabilities.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit pretty," laughed Nat, "for he grew up tall and thin, with big +eyes and a queer brow. He wasn't 'nice,' either, if you mean good, for +he got angry sometimes and was lazy; but he tried,—oh! yes, he truly +tried to be a dutiful lad. He wasn't 'smart,' Ruth; for he hated to +study, and only loved story books, ballads, and plays, and liked to +wander round alone in the woods better than to be with other boys. +People laughed at him because of his queersome ways; but he couldn't +help it,—he was born so, and it would come out."</p> + +<p>"He was what Aunt Becky calls shiftless, I guess. She says you are; but +I don't mind as long as you take care of me and tell me stories."</p> + +<p>The boy sighed and shook his head as if a whole swarm of gnats were +annoying him now. "He was grateful, anyhow, this fellow I'm telling +about; for he loved the good folks and worked on the farm with all his +might to pay them for their pity. He never complained; but he hated it, +for delving day after day in the dirt made him feel as if he was nothing +but a worm."</p> + +<p>"We are all worms," Deacon Hurd says; "so the boy needn't have minded," +said Ruth, trying to assume a primly pious expression, that sat very ill +upon her blooming little face.</p> + +<p>"But some worms can turn into butterflies, if they get a chance; so the +boy did mind, Ruthy." And Nat looked out into the summer world with a +longing glance, which proved that he already felt conscious of the +folded wings and was eager to try them.</p> + +<p>"Was he a God-fearing boy?" asked Ruth, with a tweak of the ear; for her +friend showed signs of "wandering off" again into a world where her +prosaic little mind could not follow him.</p> + +<p>"He didn't <i>fear</i> God; he loved Him. Perhaps it was wrong; but somehow +he couldn't believe in a God of wrath when he saw how good and beautiful +the world was and how kind folks were to him. He felt as if the Lord was +his father, for he had no other; and when he was lonesomest that thought +was right comfortable and helpful to him. Was it wrong?" asked Nat of +the child.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid Aunt Becky would think so. She's awful pious, and boxed my +ears with a psalm-book last Sabbath, when I said I wished the lions +would bite Daniel in the den, I was so tired of seeing them stare and +roar at him. She wouldn't let me look at the pictures in the big Bible +another minute, and gave me a long hymn to learn, shut up in the back +bed-room. She's a godly woman, Deacon Hurd says; but I think she's +uncommon strict."</p> + +<p>"Shall I tell any more, or are you tired of this stupid boy?" said Nat, +modestly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may as well finish. But do have something happen. Make him +grow a great man, like Whittington, or some of the story-book folks, +it's so nice to read about," answered Ruth, rather impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I hope he did something better than trade cats and be lord mayor of +London. But that part of the story hasn't come yet; so I'll tell you of +two things that happened, one sad and one merry. When the boy was +fourteen, the good woman died, and that nearly broke his heart; for she +had made things easy for him, and he loved her dearly. The farmer sent +for his sister to keep house, and then the boy found it harder than ever +to bear his life; for the sister was a notable woman, well-meaning, but +as strict as Aunt Becky, and she pestered the lad as Aunt pesters me. +You see, Ruthy, it grew harder every year for him to work on the farm, +for he longed to be away somewhere quiet among books and learned folk. +He was not like those about him, and grew more unlike all the time, and +people often said: 'He's come of gentle blood. That's plain to see.' He +loved to think it was true,—not because he wanted to be rich and fine, +but to find his own place and live the life the Lord meant him to. This +feeling made him so unhappy that he was often tempted to run away, and +would have done it but for the gratitude that kept him.</p> + +<p>"Lack-a-daisy! What a bad boy, when he had good clothes and victuals and +folks were clever to him! But did he ever find his grand relations?" +asked Ruth, curiosity getting the better of the reproof she thought it +her duty to administer.</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet. But he did find something that made him happier and +more contented. Listen now; for you'll like this part, I know. One +night, as he came home with the cows, watching the pretty red in the +sky, hearing the crickets chirp, and picking flowers along the way, +because he liked to have 'em in his room, he felt uncommon lonesome, and +kept wishing he'd meet a fairy who'd give him all he wanted. When he got +to the house, he thought the fairy had really come; for there on the +door-stone stood a little lass, looking at him. A right splendid little +lass, Ruth, with brown hair long upon her shoulders, blue eyes full of +smiles, and a face like one of the pink roses in Madam Barrett's +garden."</p> + +<p>"Did she have good clothes?" demanded Ruth, eagerly, for this part of +the tale did interest her, as Nat foretold.</p> + +<p>"Let me see. Yes, nice clothes; but sad-colored, for the riding-cloak +that hung over her white dimity frock was black. Yet she stood on a pair +of the trimmest feet ever seen, wearing hose with fine clocks, and +silver buckles in the little shoes. You may believe the boy stared well, +for he had never seen so pretty a sight in all his days, and before he +knew it he had given her his nosegay of sheepsbane, fern, and +honeysuckle. She took it, looking pleased, and made him as fine a +courtesy as any lady; whereat he turned red and foolish, being shy, and +hurried off into the barn. But she came skipping after, and peeped at +him as he milked, watched how he did it for a bit, and then said, like a +little queen, 'Boy, get up and let me try.' That pleased him mightily; +so, taking little madam on his knee, he let her try. But something went +amiss, for all at once Brindle kicked over the pail, away went the +three-legged stool, and both the milkers lay in the dirt."</p> + +<p>"Why, Nat! why, Nat! that was you and I," cried Ruth, clapping her hands +delightedly, as this catastrophe confirmed the suspicions which had been +growing in her mind since the appearance of the child.</p> + +<p>"Hush! or I'll never tell how they got up," said Nat, hurrying on with a +mirthful face. "The boy thought the little maid would cry over her +bruised arm or go off in a pet at sight of the spoilt frock. But no; she +only laughed, patted old Brindle, and sat down, saying stoutly, 'I shall +try again and do it right.' So she did, and while she milked she told +how she was an orphan and had come to be Uncle Dan's girl all her life. +That was a pleasant hearing for the lad, and he felt as if the fairy had +done better by him than he had hoped. They were friends at once, and +played cat's cradle on the kitchen settle all the evening. But, when the +child was put to bed in a strange room, her little heart failed her, and +she fell a-sobbing for her mother. Nothing would comfort her till the +boy went up and sang her to sleep, with her pretty hand in his and all +her tears quite gone. That was nigh upon two years ago; but from that +night they were fast friends, and happier times began for the boy, +because he had something to love and live for besides work. She was very +good to him, and nowhere in all the world was there a dearer, sweeter +lass than Nat Snow's little maid."</p> + +<p>During the latter part of this tale "founded upon fact," Ruth had been +hugging her playmate's head in both her chubby arms, and when he ended +by drawing down the rosy face to kiss it softly on the lips it grew a +very April countenance, as she exclaimed, with a childish burst of +affection, curiosity, and wonder,—</p> + +<p>"Dear Nat, how good you were to me that night and ever since! Did you +really come in a basket, and don't you know any thing about your folks? +Good lack! And to think you may turn out a lord's son, after all!"</p> + +<p>"How could I help being good to you, dear? Yes, I'll show you the very +basket, if Aunt Becky has not burnt it up as rubbish. I know nought +about my folk, and have no name but Snow. Uncle Dan gave me that because +I came in the storm, and the dear mother added Nathaniel, her own boy's +name, since I was sent to take his place, she said. As for being a +lord's son, I'd rather be a greater man than that."</p> + +<p>And Nat rose up with sudden energy in his voice, a sudden kindling of +the eyes, that pleased Ruth, and made her ask, with firm faith in the +possibility of his being any thing he chose,—</p> + +<p>"You mean a king?"</p> + +<p>"No, a poet!"</p> + +<p>"But that's not fine at all!" and Ruth looked much disappointed.</p> + +<p>"It is the grandest thing in the world! Look now, the man who wrote this +play was a poet, and, though long dead, he is still loved and honored, +when the kings and queens he told about would be forgotten but for him. +Who cares for them, with all their splendor? Who does not worship +William Shakespeare, whose genius made him greater than the whole of +them!" cried Nat, hugging the dingy book, his face all aglow with the +beautiful enthusiasm of a true believer.</p> + +<p>"Was Master Shakespeare rich and great?" asked Ruth, staring at him with +round eyes.</p> + +<p>"Never rich or great in the way you mean, or even famous, till after he +was dead."</p> + +<p>"Then I'd rather have you like Major Wild, for he owns much land, lives +in a grand house, and wears the finest-laced coat in all the town. Will +you be like him, please, Nat?"</p> + +<p>"No, I won't!" answered the lad, with emphatic brevity, as the image of +the red-faced, roystering Major passed before his mind's eye.</p> + +<p>His bluntness ruffled his little sovereign's temper for a moment, and +she asked with a frown,—</p> + +<p>"What do you think Aunt Becky said yesterday, when we found ever so many +of your verses hidden in the clothes-press, where we went to put +lavender among the linen?"</p> + +<p>"Something sharp, and burnt the papers, I'll warrant," replied Nat, with +the resignation of one used to such trials.</p> + +<p>"No, she kept 'em to cover jam-pots with, and she said you were either a +fool or a genus. Is a genus very bad, Nat?" added Ruth, relenting as she +saw his dreamy eyes light up with what she fancied was a spark of anger.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Becky thinks so; but I don't, and, though I may not be one, sooner +or later folks shall see that I'm no fool, for I feel, I know, I was not +born to hoe corn and feed pigs all my life."</p> + +<p>"What will you do?" cried Ruth, startled by the almost passionate energy +with which he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Till I'm twenty-one I'll stay to do my duty. When the time comes, I'll +break away and try my own life, for I shall have a right to do it then."</p> + +<p>"And leave me? Nay, I'll not let you go." And Ruth threw her dandelion +chain about his neck, claiming her bondsman with the childish tyranny he +found so sweet.</p> + +<p>He laughed and let her hold him, seeing how frail the green links were; +little dreaming how true a symbol it was of the stronger tie by which +she would hold him when the time came to choose between liberty and +love.</p> + +<p>"Five years is a long time, Ruthy. You will get tired of my odd ways, +and be glad to have me go. But never fret about it; for, whatever +happens, I'll not forget you."</p> + +<p>Quite satisfied with this promise, the little maid fell to sticking +buttercups in the band of the straw hat her own nimble fingers had +braided, as if bent on securing one crown for her friend. But Nat, +leaning his head upon his hand, sat watching the sunshine glitter on the +placid stream that rippled at his feet, with such intentness that Ruth +presently disturbed him by demanding curiously,—</p> + +<p>"What is it? A kingfisher or a turtle?"</p> + +<p>"It's the river, dear. It seems to sing to me as it goes by. I always +hear it, yet I never understand what it says. Do you?"</p> + +<p>Ruth fixed her blue eyes on the bluer water, listened for an instant, +then laughed out blithely, and sprung up, saying,—</p> + +<p>"It sings: 'Come and fish, Nat. Come and fish!'"</p> + +<p>The boy's face fell, the dreamy look faded, and, with a patient sort of +sigh, he rose and followed her, leaving his broken dream with his +beloved book among the buttercups. But, though he sat by Ruth in the +shadow of the alder-bushes, his rod hung idly from his hand, for he was +drawing bright fancies from a stream she never saw, was dimly feeling +that he had a harder knot to disentangle than his little friend's, and +faintly hearing a higher call than hers, in the ripple of the river.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>Five years later Ruth was in the dairy making up butter, surrounded by +tier above tier of shining pans, whence proceeded a breath as fresh and +fragrant as if the ghosts of departed king-cups and clover still haunted +the spot. Standing before a window where morning-glories rung their +colored bells in the balmy air, she was as pleasant a sight as any eye +need wish to see upon a summer's day; for the merry child had bloomed +into a sprightly girl, rich in rustic health and beauty. All practical +virtues were hers; and, while they wore so comely a shape, they +possessed a grace that hid the lack of those finer attributes which give +to womanhood its highest charm. The present was all in all to Ruth. Its +homely duties were her world, its petty griefs and joys her life, and +her ambition was bounded by her desire to show her mates the finest +yarn, the sweetest butter, the gayest cardinal, and the handsomest +sweetheart, in the town. An essentially domestic character, cheery as +the blaze upon the hearth, contented as the little kettle singing there, +and so affectionate, discreet, and diligent that she was the model +damsel of the town, the comfort of Uncle Daniel's age, the pride of Aunt +Becky's heart, the joy of Nat's life, and the desire of his eyes.</p> + +<p>Unlike as ever, the pair were still fast friends. Nay, more, for the +past year had been imperceptibly transforming that mild sentiment into a +much warmer one by the magic of beauty, youth, and time. Year after year +Nat had patiently toiled on, for gratitude controlled ambition, and +Ruth's presence made his life endurable. But Nature was stronger than +duty or love, and as the boy ripened into the man he looked wistfully +beyond the narrow present into the great future, which allures such as +he with vague, sweet prophecies, hard to be resisted. Silently the +struggle went on, steadily the inborn longing strengthened, and slowly +the resolution was fixed to put his one gift to the test and learn if it +was a vain delusion or a lovely possibility. Each year proved to himself +and those about him that their world was not his world, their life his +life; for, like Andersen's young swan, the barnyard was no home to him, +and when the other fowls cackled, hissed, and scolded, he could only put +his head under his wing and sigh for the time when he should join "the +beautiful white birds among the rushes of the stream that flowed through +the poet's garden, where the sun shone and the little children played."</p> + +<p>Ruth knew his dreams and desires; but, as she could not understand them, +she tried to cure them by every innocent art in her power, and nursed +him through many a fit of the heart-sickness of hope deferred as +patiently as she would have done through any less occult disease that +flesh is heir to. She was thinking of him as she worked that day, and +wishing she could mould his life as easily as she did the yellow lumps +before her, stamping them with her own mark, and setting them away for +her own use. She felt that some change was about to befall Nat, for she +had listened to the murmur of voices as the old man and the young sat +talking far into the night. What the result had been was as yet unknown; +for Uncle Daniel was unusually taciturn that morning, and Nat had been +shut up in his room since breakfast, though spring work waited for him +all about the farm.</p> + +<p>An unwonted sobriety sat on Ruth's usually cheerful face, and she was +not singing as she worked, but listening intently for a well-known step +to descend the creaking stairs. Presently it came, paused a moment in +the big kitchen, where Aunt Becky was flying about like a domestic +whirlwind, and Ruth heard Nat ask for her with a ring in his voice that +made her heart begin to flutter.</p> + +<p>"She's in the dairy. But for landsake where are you a-going, boy? I +declare for't, you look so fine and chirk I scursely knew yer," answered +the old lady, pausing in her work to stare at the astonishing spectacle +of Nat in his Sunday best upon a week day.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to seek my fortune, Aunty. Won't you wish me luck?" replied +Nat, cheerily.</p> + +<p>Aunt Becky had a proverb for every occasion, and could not lose this +opportunity for enriching the malcontent with a few suited to his case.</p> + +<p>"Yes, child, the best of lucks; but it's my opinion that, if we 'get +spindle and distaff ready, the Lord will send the flax,' without our +goin' to look for't. 'Every road has its puddle,' and 'he that prieth +into a cloud may get struck by lightenin'.' God bless you, my dear, and +remember that 'a handful of good life is wuth a bushel of learnin'.'"</p> + +<p>"I will, Ma'am; and also bear in mind that 'he who would have eggs must +bear the cackling of hens,'" with which return shot Nat vanished, +leaving the old lady to expend her energies and proverbs upon the bread +she was kneading with a vigor that set the trough rocking like a cradle.</p> + +<p>Why Ruth began to sing just then, and why she became so absorbed in her +oleaginous sculpture as to seem entirely unconscious of the appearance +of a young man at the dairy door, are questions which every woman will +find no difficulty in answering. Actuated by one of the whims which +often rule the simplest of the sex, she worked and sang as if no anxiety +had ruffled her quiet heart; while Nat stood and watched her with an +expression which would have silenced her, had she chosen to look up and +meet it.</p> + +<p>The years that had done much for Ruth had been equally kind to Nat, in +giving him a generous growth for the figure leaning in the doorway +seemed full of the vigor of wholesome country life. But the head that +crowned it was such as one seldom sees on a farmer's shoulders; for the +brown locks, gathered back into a ribbon, after the fashion of the time, +showed a forehead of harmonious outline, overarching eyes full of the +pathos and the passion that betray the presence of that gift which is +divine when young. The mouth was sensitive as any woman's, and the lips +were often folded close, as if pride controlled the varying emotions +that swayed a nature ardent and aspiring as a flame of fire. Few could +read the language of this face, yet many felt the beauty that it owed to +a finer source than any grace of shape or color, and wondered where the +subtle secret lay.</p> + +<p>"Ruth, may I tell you something?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you may. Only don't upset the salt-box or sit down upon the +churn."</p> + +<p>Nat did neither, but still leaned in the doorway and still watched the +trim figure before him, as if it was very pleasant to his eyes; while +Ruth, after a brief glance over her shoulder, a nod and a smile, spatted +away as busily as ever.</p> + +<p>"You know I was one-and-twenty yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not like to forget it, after sewing my eyes out to work a smart +waistcoat as a keepsake."</p> + +<p>"Nor I; for there's not such another in the town, and every rosebud is +as perfect as if just pulled from our bush yonder. See, I've put it on +as knights put on their armor when they went to fight for fortune and +their ladies' love."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Nat smilingly thrust his hands into the pockets of a +long-flapped garment, which was a master-piece of the needlework in +vogue a century ago. Ruth glanced up at him with eyes full of hearty +admiration for the waistcoat and its wearer. But something in those last +words of his filled her with a trouble both sweet and bitter, as she +asked anxiously,—</p> + +<p>"Are you going away, Nat?"</p> + +<p>"For a week only. Uncle has been very kind, and given me a chance to +prove which road it's best for me to take, since the time has come when +I must choose. I ride to Boston this afternoon, Ruth, carrying my poems +with me, that I may submit them to the criticism of certain learned +gentlemen, who can tell me if I deceive myself or not. I have agreed to +abide by their decision, and if it is in my favor—as God grant it +be—Uncle leaves me free to live the life I love, among my books and all +that makes this world glorious. Think, Ruth,—a poet in good truth, to +sing when I will, and delve no more! Will you be pleased and proud if I +come back and tell you this?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I will, if it makes you happy. And yet"—She paused there, +looking wistfully into his face, now all aglow with the hope and faith +that are so blissful and so brief.</p> + +<p>"What is it, lass? Speak out and tell me all that's in your heart, for I +mean to show you mine," he said in a commanding tone seldom heard +before, for he seemed already to have claimed the fair inheritance that +makes the poet the equal of the prince.</p> + +<p>Ruth felt the change with a thrill of pride, yet dared suggest the +possibility of failure, as a finer nature would have shrunk from doing +in such a happy, hopeful hour as that.</p> + +<p>"If the learned gentlemen decide that the poems have no worth, what +then?"</p> + +<p>He looked at her an instant, like one fallen from the clouds, then +squared his shoulders, as if resettling the burden put off for a day, +and answered bravely, though a sudden shadow crossed his face, +"Then I give up my dream and fall to work again,—no poet, but a man, +who will do his best to be an honest one. I have promised Uncle to abide +by this decision, and I'll keep my word."</p> + +<p>"Will it be very hard, Nat?" and Ruth's eyes grew pitiful, for in his +she read how much the sacrifice would cost him.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lass, very hard," he said briefly; then added, with an eloquent +change in voice and face, "unless you help me bear it. Sweetheart, +whichever road I take, I had no thought to go alone. Will you walk with +me, Ruth? God knows I'll make the way as smooth and pleasant as a +faithful husband can."</p> + +<p>The busy hands stopped working there, for Nat held them fast in his, and +all her downcast eyes could see were the gay flowers her needle wrought, +agitated by the beating of the man's heart underneath. Her color +deepened beautifully and her lips trembled, in spite of the arch smile +they wore, as she said half-tenderly, half-wilfully,—</p> + +<p>"But I should be afeared to marry a poet, if they are such strange and +delicate creatures as I've heard tell. 'Twould be like keeping house for +a butterfly. I tried to cage one once; but the poor thing spoilt its +pretty wings beating against the bars, and when I let it go it just +dropped down and died among the roses there."</p> + +<p>"But if I be no poet, only a plain farmer, with no ambition except how I +may prosper and make my wife a happy woman, what answer then, Ruth?" he +asked, feeling as the morning-glories might have felt if a cold wind had +blown over them.</p> + +<p>"Dear lad, it's this!" and, throwing both arms about his neck, the +honest little creature kissed his brown cheek heartily.</p> + +<p>After that no wonder if Ruth forgot her work, never saw an audacious +sunbeam withering the yellow roses she had caused to bloom, never heard +the buzz of an invading fly, nor thought to praise the labor of her +hands, though her plump cheek was taking off impressions of the buttons +on the noble waistcoat. While to Nat the little dairy had suddenly +become a Paradise, life for a moment was all poetry, and nothing in the +wide world seemed impossible.</p> + +<p>"Ruth! Ruth! The cat's fell into the pork-kag, and my hands is in the +dough. For massy sake, run down suller and fish her out!"</p> + +<p>That shrill cry from Aunt Becky broke the spell, dissolved the blissful +dream, for, true to her instincts, Ruth forgot the lover in the +housewife, and vanished, leaving Nat alone with his love—and the +butter-pats.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>He rode gallantly away to Boston that afternoon, and ten days later came +riding slowly home again, with the precious manuscript still in his +saddle-bag.</p> + +<p>"What luck, boy?" asked Uncle Dan, with a keen glance from under his +shaggy brows, as the young man came into the big kitchen, where they all +sat together when the day's work was done.</p> + +<p>"Pretty much what you foretold, sir," answered Nat, trying to smile +bravely as he took his place beside Ruth on the settle, where she sat +making up cherry-colored breast-knots by the light of one candle.</p> + +<p>"Fools go out to shear and come home shorn," muttered Aunt Becky from +the chimney-corner, where she sat reeling yarn and brooding over some +delectable mess that simmered on the coals.</p> + +<p>Nat did not hear the flattering remark; for he was fingering a little +packet that silently told the story of failure in its dog-eared leaves, +torn wrappers, and carelessly knotted string.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said rapidly, as if anxious to have a hard task over, "I +showed my poems to sundry gentlemen, as I proposed. One liked them much, +and said they showed good promise of better things; but added that it +was no time for such matters now, and advised me to lay them by till I +was older. A very courteous and friendly man this was, and I felt much +beholden to him for his gracious speeches. The second criticized my work +sharply, and showed me how I should mend it. But, when he was done, I +found all the poetry had gone out of my poor lines, and nothing was left +but fine words; so I thanked him and went away, thinking better of my +poems than when I entered. The third wise man gave me his opinion very +briefly, saying, as he handed back the book, 'Put it in the fire.'"</p> + +<p>"Nay! but that was too harsh. They are very pretty verses, Nat, though +most of them are far beyond my poor wits," said Ruth, trying to lighten +the disappointment that she saw weighed heavily on her lover's spirit.</p> + +<p>"In the good gentleman's study, I had a sight of some of the great poets +of the world, and while he read my verses I got a taste of Milton, +Spenser, and my own Shakespeare's noble sonnets. I saw what mine lacked; +yet some of them rang true, so I took heart and trimmed them up in the +fashion my masters set me. Let me read you one or two, Ruth, while you +tie your true lover's knots."</p> + +<p>And, eagerly opening the beloved book, Nat began to read by the dim +light of the tallow candle, blind to the resigned expression Ruth's face +assumed, deaf to Aunt Becky's muttered opinion that "an idle brain is +the devil's workshop," and quite unconscious that Uncle Dan spread a +checked handkerchief over his bald pate, ready for a nap. Absorbed in +his delightful task, the young poet went on reading his most perfect +lines, with a face that brightened blissfully, till, just as he was +giving a love-lay in his tenderest tone, a mild snore checked his +heavenward flight, and brought him back to earth with a rude shock. He +started, paused, and looked about him, like one suddenly wakened from a +happy dream. Uncle Dan was sound asleep, Aunt Becky busily counting her +tidy skeins, and Ruth, making a mirror of one of the well-scoured pewter +platters on the dresser, was so absorbed in studying the effect of the +gay breast-knots that she innocently betrayed her inattention by +exclaiming, with a pretty air of regret,—</p> + +<p>"And that's the end?"</p> + +<p>"That is the end," he answered, gently closing the book which no one +cared to hear, and, hiding his reproachful eyes behind his hand, he sat +silent, till Uncle Dan, roused by the cessation of the melodious murmur +that had soothed his ear, demanded with kindly bluntness,—</p> + +<p>"Well, boy, which is it to be, moonshine or money? I want you to be spry +about decidin', for things is gittin' behindhand, and I cattle'ate to +hire if you mean to quit work."</p> + +<p>"Sakes alive! No man in his senses would set long on the fence when +there's a good farm and a smart wife a-waitin' on one side and nothin' +but poetry and starvation on the other!" ejaculated Aunt Becky, briskly +clattering the saucepan-lid, as if to add the savory temptations of the +flesh to those of filthy lucre.</p> + +<p>Ruth said nothing, but looked up at Nat with the one poetic sentiment of +her nature shining in her eyes and touching her with its tender magic, +till it seemed an easy thing to give up liberty for love. The dandelion +chain the child wove round the boy had changed to a flowery garland now, +but the man never saw the thorns among the roses, and let the woman +fetter him again; for, as he looked at her, Nat flung the cherished book +into the fire with one hand, and with the other took possession of the +only bribe that could win him from that other love.</p> + +<p>"I decide as you would have me, sir. Not for the sake of the farm you +promise me, but for love of her who shall one day be its happy mistress, +please God."</p> + +<p>"Now that's sensible and hearty, and I'm waal pleased, my boy. You jest +buckle to for a year stiddy and let your ink-horn dry, and we'll have as +harnsome a weddin' as man could wish,—always providin' Ruth don't +change her mind," said Uncle Dan, beaming benignantly at the young pair +through a cloud of tobacco smoke; while Aunt Becky poked the condemned +manuscript deeper into the coals, as if anxious to exorcise its +witchcraft by fire, in the good old fashion.</p> + +<p>But even in Ruth's arms Nat cast one longing, loving glance at his +first-born darling on its funeral-pyre; then turned his head resolutely +away, and whispered to the girl,—</p> + +<p>"Never doubt that I love you, sweetheart, since for your sake I have +given up the ambition of my life. I don't regret it, but be patient with +me till I learn to live without my 'moonshine,' as you call it."</p> + +<p>"Sunshine is better, and I'll make it for you, if I can. So cheer up, +dear lad, fall to work like a man, and you'll soon forget your pretty +nonsense," answered Ruth, with firm faith in the cure she proposed.</p> + +<p>"I'll try."</p> + +<p>And, folding his wings, Pegasus bent his neck to the yoke and fell to +ploughing.</p> + +<p>Nat kept his word and did try manfully, working early and late, with an +energy that delighted Uncle Dan, made Aunt Becky bestir herself to +bleach her finest webs for the wedding outfit, and caused Ruth to +believe that he had forgotten the "pretty nonsense;" for the pen lay +idle and he gave all his leisure to her, discussing house-gear and stock +with as deep an interest as herself apparently. All summer long he +toiled like one intent only on his crops; all winter he cut wood and +tended cattle, as if he had no higher hope than to sell so many cords +and raise likely calves for market.</p> + +<p>Outwardly he was a promising young farmer, with a prosperous future and +a notable wife awaiting him. But deep in the man's heart a spark of the +divine fire still burned, unquenched by duty, love, or time. The spirit +that made light in Milton's darkness, walked with Burns beside the +plough, and lifted Shakespeare higher than the royal virgin's hand, sang +to Nat in the airy whisper of the pines, as he labored in the wintry +wood, smiled back at him in every ox-eyed daisy his scythe laid low +along the summer fields, and solaced him with visions of a fairer future +than any buxom Ruth could paint. It would not leave him, and he learned +too late that it was the life of his life, a gift that could not be +returned, a blessing turned into a curse; for, though he had burned the +little book, from its ashes rose a flame that consumed him, since it +could find no vent. Even the affection, for which he had made a costlier +sacrifice than he knew, looked pale and poor beside the loftier +loveliness that dawned upon him in the passionate struggle, ripening +heart and soul to sudden manhood; and the life that lay before him +seemed very bleak and barren when he returned from playing truant in the +enchanted world Imagination opens to her gifted children.</p> + +<p>Ruth vaguely felt the presence of this dumb despair, dimly saw its +shadow in the eyes that sometimes wore a tragic look, and fancied that +the hand working so faithfully for her was slipping from her hold, it +grew so thin and hot with the inward fever, which no herb in all her +garden could allay. She vainly tried to rise to his level; but the busy +sparrow could not follow the aspiring lark, singing at heaven's gate. It +could only chirp its little lay and build its nest, with no thought +beyond a straw, a worm, and the mate that was to come.</p> + +<p>Nat never spoke of the past, and Ruth dared not, for she grew to feel +that he did "regret it" bitterly, though too generous for a word of +reproach or complaint.</p> + +<p>"I'll make it up to him when we are married; and he will learn to love +the farm when he has little lads and lasses of his own to work for," she +often said to herself, as she watched her lover sit among them, after +his day's work, listening to their gossip with a pathetic sort of +patience, or, pleading a weariness there was no need to feign, lie on +the old settle, lost in thoughts that made his face shine like one who +talked with angels.</p> + +<p>So the year rolled round, and May came again. Uncle Dan was well +satisfied, Aunt Becky's preparations were completed, and Ruth had not +"changed her mind."</p> + +<p>"Settle about the weddin' as soon as you like, my girl, and I'll see +that it is a merry one," said the old man, coming in from work, as Ruth +blew the horn from the back porch one night at sunset.</p> + +<p>"Nat must decide that. Where is he, Uncle?" asked the girl, looking out +upon the quiet landscape, touched with spring's tenderest green.</p> + +<p>"Down in the medder, ploughin'. It's a toughish bit, and he'll be late, +I reckon; for he took a long noon-spell, and I give him a piece of my +mind about it, so I'll venter to say he won't touch a bit of victuals +till the last furrow is laid," answered Uncle Dan, plodding away to wash +his hands at the horse-trough.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Uncle, it is his birthday, and surely he had a right to a little +rest, for he works like a slave, to please us, though far from well, I'm +thinking." And, waiting for no reply, Ruth hurried in, filled a tankard +with cider, and tripped away to bring her lover home, singing as she +went, for Nat loved to hear her voice.</p> + +<p>Down the green lane toward the river the happy singer stepped, thinking +in what sweet words she could give the old man's message. But the song +died on her lips and the smiling eyes grew wistful suddenly; for, +passing by the willow-trees, she saw the patient oxen standing in the +field alone.</p> + +<p>"Nat is hunting violets for me," she thought, with a throb of pleasure; +for she was jealous of a viewless rival, and valued every token of +fidelity her lover gave her.</p> + +<p>But as she drew nearer Ruth frowned; for Nat lay beside the river, +evidently quite forgetful of scolding, supper, and sweetheart. No, not +of the latter; for a little nosegay of violets lay ready near the paper +on which he seemed to be writing a song or sonnet to accompany the gift.</p> + +<p>Seeing this, the frown faded, as the girl stole noiselessly across the +grass, to peep over his shoulder, with a soft rebuke for his imprudence +and delay.</p> + +<p>Alas for Ruth! One glance at the placid face, pillowed on his arm, told +her that this birthday was Nat's last; for the violets were less white +than the cheek they touched, the pencil had fallen from nerveless +fingers, and Death's hand had written "Finis" to both life and lay. With +a bitter cry, she gathered the weary head into her arms, fearing she had +come too late to say good-by. But the eyes that opened were so tranquil, +and the pale lips that answered wore such a happy smile, she felt that +tears would mar his peace, and hushed her sobs, to listen as he +whispered brokenly, with a glance that brightened as it turned from the +wide field where his last hard day's work lay finished, to the quiet +river, whose lullaby was soothing him to sleep.</p> + +<p>"Tell Uncle I did not stop till the job was done, nor break my promise; +for the year is over now, and it was so sweet to write again that I +forgot to go home till it was too late."</p> + +<p>"O Nat, not too late. You shall work no more, but write all day, without +a care. We have been too hard upon you, and you too patient with our +blindness. Dear lad, forgive us, and come home to live a happier year +than this has been," cried Ruth, trying with remorseful tenderness to +keep the delicate spirit that was escaping from her hold, like the +butterfly that died among her roses with broken wings.</p> + +<p>But Nat had no desire to stay; for he <i>was</i> going home, to feel hunger, +thirst, and weariness no more, to find a love Ruth could not give, and +to change earth's prose to heaven's immortal poetry. Yet he lingered on +the threshold to look back and whisper gently: "It is better so, +sweetheart. There was no place for me here, and I was homesick for my +own friends and country. I'm going to find them, and I'm quite content. +Forget me and be happy; or remember me only in the springtime, when the +world is loveliest and my birthday comes. See, this is all I had to give +you; but my heart was in it."</p> + +<p>He tried to lift the unfinished song and give it to her; but it +fluttered down upon his breast, and the violets dropped after, lying +there unstirred by any breath, for with the words a shadow deeper than +that twilight laid upon the fields stole over the face on Ruth's bosom, +and all the glory of the sunset sky could only touch it with a pathetic +peace, as the poet lay asleep beside the river.</p> + +<p>He lies there still, the legend says, under the low green mound, where +violets bloom earliest, where the old willows drop their golden tassels +in the spring, and blackbirds fill the air with their melodious ecstasy. +No song of his lived after him; no trace of him remains, except that +nameless grave; and few ever heard of one who came and went like the +snow for which they christened him. Yet it seems as if his gentle ghost +still haunted those sunny meadows, still listened to the enchanted +river, and touched with some mysterious charm the places that knew him +once. For strangers find a soft attraction in the quiet landscape; +lovers seek those green solitudes to tell the story that is always new; +and poets muse beside the shadowy stream, hearing, as he heard, a call +to live the life that lifts them highest by unwavering fidelity to the +gift Heaven sends.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LETTYS_TRAMP" id="LETTYS_TRAMP"></a>LETTY'S TRAMP.</h2> + + +<p>Letty sat on the doorstep one breezy summer day, looking down the road +and wishing with all her heart that something pleasant would happen. She +often did this; and one of her earliest delights when a lonely child was +to sit there with a fairy book upon her knee, waiting and watching in +all good faith for something wonderful to happen.</p> + +<p>In those days, Cinderella's golden coach dashing round the corner to +carry her away was the favorite dream; but at eighteen one thinks more +of the prince than either golden coach or splendid ball. But no prince +as yet had cut his way through the grove of "laylocks" round the gate, +and the little beauty still dreamed waking dreams on the doorstep, with +her work forgotten in her lap.</p> + +<p>Behind her in the quaint, quiet room Aunt Liddy dozed in her easy chair, +the clock ticked, the bird chirped, old Bran snapped lazily at the +flies, and nothing else broke the hush that brooded over the place. It +was always so, and Letty often felt as if an earthquake would be a +blessed relief to the dreadful monotony of her life.</p> + +<p>To-day it was peculiarly trying, for a slight incident had ruffled the +calm; and, though it lasted but a moment, it had given Letty a glimpse +into that lovely "new world which is the old." A carriage containing a +gay young couple on their honeymoon trip had stopped at the gate, for +the bride had a fancy for a draught from the mossy well, and the +bridegroom blandly demanded that her whim be gratified.</p> + +<p>Letty served them, and while one pretty girl slaked her thirst the other +watched her with admiring eyes and a tender interest, touched by envy. +It was all over in a minute. Then bonny bride and enamoured bridegroom +rolled away on that enchanted journey which is taken but once in a +lifetime, leaving a cloud of dust behind and a deeper discontent in +Letty's heart.</p> + +<p>With a long sigh she had gone back to her seat, and, closing her eyes +upon a world that could offer her so little, fell a-dreaming again, till +a rough voice startled her wide awake.</p> + +<p>"I say, miss, can you give a poor fellow a bite and a sup?"</p> + +<p>Opening her eyes, she saw a sturdy tramp leaning over the low gate, so +ragged, dusty, worn, and weary that she forgave the look of admiration +in the bold black eyes which had been fixed on her longer than she knew. +Before she could answer, however, Aunt Liddy, a hospitable old soul, +called out from within,—</p> + +<p>"Certin, certin. Set right down on the doorstep and rest a spell, while +we see what we can do about vittles."</p> + +<p>Letty vanished into the pantry, and the man threw himself down in the +shady porch, regardless of Bran's suspicious growl. He pulled off his +hat, stretched out his tired limbs, and leaned his rough head back among +the woodbine leaves, with a long breath, as if nearly spent.</p> + +<p>When Letty brought him a plate of bread and meat, he took it from her so +eagerly and with such a ravenous look that she shrank back +involuntarily. Seeing which he said, with a poor attempt at a laugh,—</p> + +<p>"You needn't be afraid. I look like a rough customer; but I won't hurt +you.</p> + +<p>"Lawful sakes! We ain't no call to be afraid of no one, though we be +lone women; for Bran is better'n a dozen men. A lamb to them he knows; +but let any one try to pester Letty, and I never see a fercer beast," +said Aunt Liddy, as the girl went back for more food, seeing the +stranger's need.</p> + +<p>"He knows <i>I'm</i> all right, and makes friends at once, you see," answered +the tramp, with a satisfied nod, as Bran, after a brief investigation, +sat down beside him, with a pacific wag of the tail.</p> + +<p>"Well, I never! He don't often do that to strangers. Guess you're fond +of dumb critters," said Aunt Liddy, much impressed by Bran's unusual +condescension.</p> + +<p>"They've been my best friends, and I don't forget it," returned the man, +giving the dog a bone, though half-starved himself.</p> + +<p>Something in the tone, the act, touched Letty's tender heart, and made +her own voice very sweet and cordial as she said,—</p> + +<p>"Please have some milk. It's nice and cold."</p> + +<p>The tramp put up both hands to take the bowl, and as he did so looked +into a face so full of compassion that it seemed like an angel's leaning +down to comfort a lost and weary soul. Hard as life had been to the poor +fellow, it had not spoiled him yet, as was plainly proved by the change +that softened his whole face like magic, and trembled in the voice that +said, as if it were a sort of grace, "God bless you, Miss," as he bent +his head and drank.</p> + +<p>Only a look of human sympathy and human gratitude; yet, in the drawing +of a breath, it cast out Letty's fear, and made the stranger feel as if +he had found friends, for it was the touch of Nature that makes the +whole world kin. Every one seemed to feel its influence. Bran turned his +benevolent eyes approvingly from his mistress to his new friend: the +girl sat down confidingly; and the old lady began to talk, for, being +fond of chat, she considered a stranger as a special providence.</p> + +<p>"Where be you travellin'?"</p> + +<p>"Nowhere in particular."</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from, then?" continued Aunt Liddy, undaunted by the +short answer.</p> + +<p>"California."</p> + +<p>"Do tell! Guess you've been one of the rovin' sort, ain't you?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't done much else."</p> + +<p>"It don't appear to have agreed with you remarkable well," said the +blunt old lady, peering at him over her spectacles.</p> + +<p>"If I hadn't had the devil's own luck, I'd have been a rich man, instead +of a beggar," answered the tramp, with a grim look and an ireful +knitting of his black brows.</p> + +<p>"Been unfort'nate, have you? I'm sorry for that; but it 'pears to me +them as stays to home and works stiddy does better than them that goes +huntin' after luck," observed Aunt Liddy, feeling it her duty to give a +word of advice.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if you were right, ma'am. But some folks haven't got +any home to stay in; and fellows of my sort have to hunt after luck, for +it won't come to 'em."</p> + +<p>"Ain't you got no friends, young man?"</p> + +<p>"Not one. Lost the last yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Took suddin, I suppose?" and the old lady's face was full of interest +as she put the question.</p> + +<p>"Drowned."</p> + +<p>"Merciful sakes! How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"Got hurt, couldn't be cured, so I drowned him, and"—</p> + +<p>"What!" shrieked Aunt Liddy, upsetting her footstool with a horrified +start.</p> + +<p>"Only a dog, ma'am. I couldn't carry him, wouldn't leave him to suffer; +so put him out of pain and came on alone."</p> + +<p>The tramp had ceased eating, and sat with his head on his hand in a +despondent attitude, that told his story better than words. His voice +was gruffer than ever as he spoke of his dog; but the last word was +husky, and he put his hand on Bran's head with a touch that won the good +creature's heart entirely, and made him lick the downcast face, with a +little whine of sympathy and satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Letty's eyes were full, and Aunt Liddy took snuff and settled her +footstool, feeling that something must be done for one who showed signs +of being worth the saving.</p> + +<p>"Poor creter! And you was fond of him?" she said in a motherly tone; for +the man of five or six and twenty was but a boy to her.</p> + +<p>"I'd have been a brute if I wasn't fond of him, for he stuck to me when +all the other fellows cut me, and tried to drag himself along with a +broken leg, rather than leave me. Talk about friends! Give me a dumb +animal if you want one worth having."</p> + +<p>A bitter tone was in the man's voice and a wrathful spark kindled in his +eyes, as if wrong as well as want had made him what he was.</p> + +<p>"Rest a little, and tell us about California. A neighbor went there, and +we like to hear news of that great, splendid place."</p> + +<p>Letty spoke, and the half-eager, half-timid voice was very winning, +especially to one who seldom heard such now. Seeing her kindly interest, +and glad to pay for his meal in the only way he could, the man told some +of his adventures in brief but graphic words, while the old woman plied +him with questions and the young one listened with a face so full of +pretty wonder that the story-teller was inspired to do his best.</p> + +<p>Aunt Liddy's cap-frills stood erect with horror at some of the +hair-breadth escapes recounted; but to Letty it was better than any +romance she had ever read to listen to tales full of danger and +hardship, told by a living voice and face to face with the chief actor +in them all, who unconsciously betrayed that he possessed many of the +manly attributes women most admire.</p> + +<p>"After adventures like these, I don't wonder it seems hard to settle +down, as other folks do," she said warmly, when the man stopped short, +as if ashamed of talking so much of his own affairs.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind trying it, though," he answered, as he glanced about +the sunny little room, so home-like and reposeful, and so haunted by all +the sweet influences that touch men's hearts when most forlorn.</p> + +<p>"You'd better," said Aunt Liddy, decidedly. "Git work and stick to it; +and, if luck don't come, bread and butter will, and in a world of woe +mebby that's about as much as any one on us ought to expect."</p> + +<p>"I have tried to get it. But I'm such a hard-looking chap no one wants +me; and I don't blame 'em. Look at that hat, now! Ain't that enough to +spoil a man's chance, let alone his looks?" The young fellow held up a +battered object with such a comical mixture of disgust and indignation +that Letty could not help laughing; and the blithe sound was so +contagious that the wanderer joined in it, cheered already by rest and +food and kindly words.</p> + +<p>"It's singular what store men-folks do set by their hats. My Moses +couldn't never read his paper till he'd put on his'n, and as for drivin' +a nail bare-headed, in doors or out, he'd never think of such a thing," +said Aunt Liddy, with the air of one well versed in the mysterious ways +of men-folks.</p> + +<p>But Letty clapped her hands, as if a brilliant idea had flashed upon +her, and, running to the back entry, returned with a straw hat, brown +and dusty, but shady, whole, and far more appropriate to the season than +the ragged felt the man was eying hopelessly.</p> + +<p>"It isn't very good; but it might do for a time. We only keep it to +scare folks, and I don't feel afraid now. Would you mind if I gave it to +you?" stammered Letty, coloring up, as she tried to offer her poor gift +courteously.</p> + +<p>"Mind! I guess I'd be glad to get it, fit or no fit," and, dropping the +old hat, the tramp clapped on the new one, making his mirror of the +bright eyes before him.</p> + +<p>"It does nicely, and you're very welcome," said the girl, getting rosier +still, for there was something beside gratitude in the brown face that +had lost the dogged, dangerous look it wore at first.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you was to wash up and smooth that hair of yourn a trifle, +you'd be a likely-looking young man; and, if you're civil-spoken and +willin' to lend a hand anywheres, you'll git work, I ain't a doubt," +observed Aunt Liddy, feeling a growing interest in the wayfarer, and, +womanlike, acknowledging the necessity of putting the best foot +foremost.</p> + +<p>Letty ran for basin and towel, and, pointing to the well, modestly +retired into the kitchen, while Aunt Liddy watched the vigorous +scrubbing that went on in the yard; for the tramp splashed the water +about like a Newfoundland dog, and Bran assisted at the brief toilet +with hospitable zeal.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if a different man came out from that simple baptism; for +the haggard cheek had a glow upon it, the eyes had lost their +hopelessness, and something like courage and self-respect shone in the +face that looked in at the door as the stranger gave back basin and +towel, saying, with a wave of the old straw hat,—</p> + +<p>"I'm heartily obliged, ma'am. Would you kindly tell me how far it is to +the next big town?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty miles. The cars will take you right there, and the deepo ain't +fur," answered Aunt Liddy, showing the way.</p> + +<p>The man glanced at his ragged shoes, then squared his broad shoulders, +as if bracing himself for the twenty long hot miles that his weary feet +must carry him, since his pockets were empty, and he could not bring +himself to ask for any thing but food enough to keep life in him.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, ma'am, and God bless you." And, slouching the hat over his +eyes, he limped away, escorted to the gate by Bran.</p> + +<p>At the turn of the road he stopped and looked back as wistfully as ever +Letty had done along the shadowy road, and as he looked it seemed as if +he saw a younger self setting off with courage, hope, and energy upon +the journey, which alas! had ended here. His eye went to the old well, +as if there had been some healing in its water; then turned to the +porch, where he had been fed and comforted, and lingered there as if +some kindly memory warmed his solitary heart.</p> + +<p>Just then a little figure in blue gingham ran out and came fluttering +after him, accompanied by Bran, in a state of riotous delight. Rosy and +breathless, Letty hurried to him, and, looking up with a face full of +the innocent compassion that never can offend, she said, offering a +parcel neatly folded up,—</p> + +<p>"Aunt Liddy sends you some dinner; and this, so that you needn't walk, +unless you like, you are so lame."</p> + +<p>As if more touched than he cared to show, the man took the food, but +gently put away the little roll of greenbacks, saying quickly,—</p> + +<p>"Thank you for this; but I can't take your money."</p> + +<p>"We ain't rich, but we love to help folks. So you needn't be proud about +it." And Letty looked ruffled at his refusal.</p> + +<p>"I'll take something else, if you don't mind," said the tramp, pulling +off his hat, with a sudden smile that made his face look young and +comely.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" And Letty looked up so innocently that it was impossible +to resist the impulse of a grateful heart.</p> + +<p>His answer was to stoop and kiss the blooming cheek, that instantly grew +scarlet with girlish shame and anger as she turned to fly. Catching her +by the hand, he said penitently,—</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help it, you're so good to me. Don't begrudge me a kiss for +luck. I need it, God knows!"</p> + +<p>The man's real destitution and despair broke out in these words, and he +grasped the little hand as if it was the only thing that kept him from +the manifold temptations of a desperate mood.</p> + +<p>It thrilled the girl like a cry for help, and made her forget everything +except that a fellow-creature suffered. She shook the big hand warmly, +and said, with all her heart,—</p> + +<p>"You're welcome, if it helps you. Good-by and good luck to you!" and ran +away as fast as she had come.</p> + +<p>The man stood motionless, and watched her till she vanished, then turned +and tramped sturdily on, muttering to himself, with a suspicious +gruffness in his voice,—</p> + +<p>"If I had a little mate like that alongside, I know my luck would turn."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>A wild December night, with bitter wind and blinding snow, reigned +outside the long, rude building, lighted only by furnace fires, that +went roaring up the tall chimneys, whence poured clouds of smoke and +showers of sparks, like beacons through the storm. No living thing +appeared in that shadowy place except a matronly gray cat, sitting bolt +upright upon an old rug spread over a heap of sand near one of the +fires. A newspaper and a tin pail were beside her, and she seemed to +have mounted guard, while the watchman of the Foundry went his rounds.</p> + +<p>A door stood half-open upon the sheltered side of the building; and +suddenly, as if blown thither like a storm-driven bird, a little figure +came fluttering in, breathless, half-frozen, and quite bewildered by a +long struggle with the pitiless gale. Feebly brushing away the snow that +blinded her, the poor thing looked about her with frightened eyes; and, +seeing no one but the cat, seemed to take courage and crept toward the +fire, as if suffering for the moment conquered fear.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Pussy, let me warm myself one minute, for I'm perished with the +cold," she whispered, stretching two benumbed hands to the blaze.</p> + +<p>The cat opened her yellow eyes, and, evidently glad to meet one of her +own sex, began to purr hospitably as she rustled across the newspaper to +greet her guest. There was something inexpressibly comforting in the +sound; and, reassured by it, the girl pushed back her drenched hat, +shook her snowy garments, and drew a long breath, like one nearly spent. +Yet, even while she basked in the warmth that was salvation, her timid +eyes glanced about the great, gloomy place, and her attitude was that of +one ready to fly at a moment's warning.</p> + +<p>Presently a step sounded on a flight of stairs leading to some loft +above. The wanderer started like a hare, and, drawing nearer to the +door, paused as if to catch a glimpse of the approaching face before she +fled away into the storm, that howled just then with a violence which +might well daunt a stouter heart.</p> + +<p>A tall man, in a rough coat, with grizzled hair and beard under an old +fur cap, came slowly down the steps, whistling softly to himself, as he +swung his lantern to and fro.</p> + +<p>"An old man, and the cat is fond of him. I guess I'll dare to ask my +way, or I'll never get home," thought the girl, as her eye scanned the +new-comer with a woman's quickness.</p> + +<p>An involuntary rustle of her dress caught his ear, and, lifting the +lantern, he saw her at once; but did not speak, as if afraid of +frightening her still more, for her pale face and the appealing gesture +of the outstretched hand told her fear and need better than her hurried +words,—</p> + +<p>"Oh! please, I've lost my way and am nearly frozen. Could I warm myself +a bit and find out where I am?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, you may. Why, bless your heart, I wouldn't turn a dog out +such a night as this, much less a poor little soul like you," answered +the man, in a hearty tone, that rang true on the listening ear of the +girl.</p> + +<p>Then he hung up the lantern, put a stool nearer the fire, and beckoned +her to approach. But even the kindly words and act failed to win the +timid creature; for she drew back as he advanced, gave a glance at the +door, and said, as if appealing to the best instincts of the man, whom +she longed yet feared to trust,—</p> + +<p>"Thank you; but it's getting late, and I ought to be getting on, if I +knew the way. Perhaps you've got some girls of your own, so you can +understand how scared I am to be lost at night and in such a strange +place as this."</p> + +<p>The man stared, then laughed, and, shaking the snow from his curly hair +and beard, showed himself to be a young and pleasant-looking fellow, +with a merry eye, an honest brown face, and a hearty voice.</p> + +<p>"You thought I was an old chap, did you? Wish I was, if it would be any +comfort to you. I've got no little girls, neither, more's the pity; but +you needn't be afraid of me, though it is late and lonely. Why, Lord +love you, child, I'm not a brute! Sit down and thaw out, while you tell +me where you want to go."</p> + +<p>The half-indignant tone of the man made his guest feel as if she had +insulted him; and she obeyed with a docility which appeased his anger at +once. Seating herself upon the stool, she leaned toward the fire with an +irrepressible shiver, and tried to keep her teeth from chattering as she +told her little story.</p> + +<p>"I want work badly, and went a long way, hoping to get some. But I +didn't find it, and that discouraged me very much. I had no money, so +had to walk, and the storm got so bad I lost my way. Then I was scared +and half-frozen, and so bewildered I think I'd have died if I hadn't +seen the light and come in here."</p> + +<p>"I guess you would. And the best thing you can do now is to stop till +the storm lifts. Shouldn't wonder if it did about midnight," said the +man, stirring up the red embers, as if anxious to do something for her +comfort.</p> + +<p>"But that is so late, and I must be ever so far away from home; for I +came over the wrong bridge. Oh, me! What shall I do?" And the poor thing +wrung her hands in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Won't your folks go to look for you?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't any one in the world to care for me. The woman where I board +won't trouble herself; or she'll think I've run away, because I owe her +money. I might be dead in the river, and no one would mind!" sighed the +girl, leaning her head on her hands, while some bright, dishevelled hair +fell over her face, as if to hide its youth and innocence from a world +that seemed to have no shelter for either.</p> + +<p>"That's hard! But don't you be down-hearted, child. Things often mend +when they seem worst. I know; for I've been through the mill, and had +friends raised up to me when I'd about done with living, as a bad job. I +can't leave here till sunrise; but I'll do the best I can for you till +then. Sam will be along early, and he'll see to you, if you can't trust +me; for he is as gray as a badger, and he's got six girls of his own, if +that's a recommendation. I've got nothing but a cat; and she trusts me. +Don't you, old Sally?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the man sat down upon the sand-heap, and Sally leaped to +his knee, rubbing her head against his cheek, with a soft sound of +confidence and contentment which seemed to afford her friend great +satisfaction. The girl smiled faintly, and said, in an apologetic tone, +for there had been something like reproach in the man's voice, as he +asked the dumb animal to vouch for his character,—</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I'd have dared to come in here if I hadn't seen Pussy. +But I thought anyone who was good to her would be good to me; and now +I'm sure of it."</p> + +<p>"That's right. You see, I'm a lonesome sort of a chap and like something +to pet. So I took old Sally, and we get on capitally. She won't let the +other fellows touch her, but always comes and sits with me when I am +alone here nights. And it's surprising what good company she is."</p> + +<p>He laughed as he spoke, as if half-ashamed of the amiable weakness, yet +anxious to put his guest at her ease. He evidently succeeded; for she +stretched two shabby little boots toward the fire and leaned her head +against a grimy beam, saying, with a sigh of weariness,—</p> + +<p>"It is very comfortable; but the heat makes me feel queer and dizzy."</p> + +<p>"You're just about used up; and I'm going to give you a cup of hot +coffee. That'll bring you round in a jiffy. It's time for supper. Hey, +Sally?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the man set his pail in the hot ashes, unfolded a parcel of +bread and meat, and, laying a rude sandwich on a clean bit of paper, +offered it with a hospitable—</p> + +<p>"Have a bit. Do, now. You've had a hard pull and need something to set +you up."</p> + +<p>Leaning forward to give and take, two faces came into the clear red glow +of the furnace-fire, and a look of recognition flashed into each so +suddenly that it startled both man and maid into involuntary frankness +of expression.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's little Letty!"</p> + +<p>"And you are my tramp!"</p> + +<p>A change so rapid as to be almost ludicrous came over the pair in the +drawing of a breath. She smoothed back her hair and hid the shabby +boots, yet sat more erect upon the stool, as if she had a right there +and felt no longer any fear. He pulled off his cap, with a pleasant +mixture of respect, surprise, and satisfaction in his manner, as he +said, in a half-proud, half-humble tone,—</p> + +<p>"No, miss; for, thanks to you, I'm a decent man now."</p> + +<p>"Then you did find work and get on?" she exclaimed, with a bright, +wistful look, that touched him very much.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you get my letter?" he asked eagerly. "I sent you the first +dollar I earned, and told you and the old lady I was all right."</p> + +<p>Letty shook her head, and all the light passed out of her face, leaving +it pathetic in its patient sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Liddy died a week after you were there, so suddenly that every +thing was in confusion, and I never got the letter. I wish <i>she</i> had +known of it, because it would have pleased her so. We often talked about +you and hoped you'd do well. We led such quiet lives, you see, that any +little thing interested us for a long time."</p> + +<p>"It was a little thing to you, I dare say; but it was salvation to me. +Not the money or the food only, but the kindness of the old lady, +and—and the look in your sweet face, miss. I'd got so far down, through +sickness and bad luck, that there didn't seem any thing left for me but +deviltry or death. That day it was a toss-up between any bad job that +came along first and drowning, like my dog. That seemed sort of mean, +though; and I felt more like being revenged somehow on the world, that +had been so hard on me."</p> + +<p>He stopped short, breathing hard, with a sudden spark in his black eyes +and a nervous clenching of the strong hands that made Letty shrink; for +he seemed to speak in spite of himself, as if the memory of that time +had left its impress on his life.</p> + +<p>"But you didn't do any thing bad. I'm sure you didn't; for Aunt Liddy +said there was the making of a man in you, because you were so quick to +feel a little bit of kindness and take good advice."</p> + +<p>The soft, eager voice of the girl seemed to work the miracle anew, for a +smile broke over his face, the angry spark was quenched, and the +clenched hand opened to offer again all it had to give, as he said, with +a characteristic mingling of fun and feeling in his voice,—</p> + +<p>"I don't know much about angels; but I felt as if I'd met a couple that +day, for they saved me from destruction. You cast your bread upon the +waters, and it's come back when, maybe, you need it 'most as much as I +did then. 'Tisn't half as nice as yours; but perhaps a blessing will do +as well as butter."</p> + +<p>Letty took the brown bread, feeling that he had said the best grace over +it; and while she ate he talked, evidently moved to open his heart by +the memory of the past, and eager to show that he had manfully persisted +in the well-doing his angels had advised.</p> + +<p>"That was nearly two years ago, you know, and I've been hard at it ever +since. I took any thing that come along, and was glad to get it. The hat +did that, I firmly believe." And he laughed a short laugh, adding +soberly, "But I didn't take to work at first, for I'd been a rover and +liked it; so it took a long pull and a strong pull and a pull all +together before I settled down steady. The hat and the"—he was going to +say "kiss;" but a look at the lonely little creature sitting there so +confidingly made him change the word to—"the money seemed to bring me +luck; and I followed the advice of the good old lady, and stuck to my +work till I got to liking it. I've been here more than a year now, and +am getting on so well I shall be overseer before long. I'm only watchman +for a short time. Old Sam has been sick, and they wanted some one they +could trust, so they chose me."</p> + +<p>It was good to see him square his broad shoulders and throw back his +head as he said that; and pretty to see Letty nod and smile with +sincerest pleasure in his success, as she said,—</p> + +<p>"It looks dark and ugly now; but I've seen a foundry when they were +casting, and it was splendid to watch the men manage the furnaces and do +wonderful things with great hammers and moulds and buckets of red-hot +melted iron. I like to know you do such things, and now I'm not afraid. +It seems sort of romantic and grand to work in this place, where every +one must be strong and brave and skilful to get on."</p> + +<p>"That's it. That's why I like it; don't you see?" he answered, +brightening with pleasure at her artless praise. "You just come some +casting day, and I'll show you sights you won't forget in a hurry. If +there wasn't danger and noise and good hard work wrastling with fire and +iron, and keeping a rough set of fellows in order, I shouldn't stay; for +the restless fit comes on sometimes, and I feel as if I must cut away +somewhere. Born so, and can't help it. Maybe I could, if I had something +to anchor me; but, as you say, 'Nobody would care much if I was in the +river,' and that's bad for a chap like me."</p> + +<p>"Sally would care," said the girl, quite soberly; for she sympathized +now with the man's loneliness as she could not have done two years ago.</p> + +<p>"So she would; but I'll take her with me when I leave—not for the +river, mind you. I'm in no danger of that nonsense now. But, if I go on +a tramp (and I may, if the fit gets too strong for me), she shall go +too; and we'll be Dick Whittington and his cat over again."</p> + +<p>He spoke in a devil-may-care tone, and patted the plump Tabby with a +curious mixture of boyish recklessness and a man's sad knowledge of life +in his face.</p> + +<p>"Don't go," pleaded Letty, feeling that she had a certain responsibility +in the matter. "I should mind, as well as Sally; for, if Aunt Liddy and +I helped put you in a good way, it would be a disappointment to have you +go wrong. Please stop here, and I'll try and come to see you work some +day, if I can get time. I'm likely to have plenty of it, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>She began eagerly, but ended with a despondent droop of the whole +figure, that made her new friend forget himself in interest for her.</p> + +<p>"I'll stop, honor bright. And you come and look after me now and then. +That'll keep me steady. See if it don't. But tell me how you are getting +on? Little down on your luck just now, I guess? Come, I've told my +story, you tell yours, and maybe I can lend a hand. I owe you a good +turn, you know; and I'm one that likes to pay his debts, if he can."</p> + +<p>"You did pay yours; but I never got the letter, for I came away after +Aunty died. You see I wasn't her own niece,—only sort of a distant +relation; and she took me because my own people were gone. Her son had +all she left,—it wasn't much; and she told him to be good to me. But I +soon saw that I was a burden, and couldn't bear to stay. So I went away, +to take care of myself. I liked it at first; but this winter, times are +so hard and work so scarce, I don't get on at all."</p> + +<p>"What do you do, miss?" asked Whittington, with added respect; because +in her shabby dress and altered face he read the story of a struggle +Letty was too proud to tell.</p> + +<p>"I sew," she answered briefly, smoothing out her wet shawl with a hand +so thin and small it was pathetic to see, when one remembered that +nothing but a needle in those slender fingers kept want and sin at bay.</p> + +<p>The kindly fellow seemed to feel that; and, as his eye went from his own +strong right arm to the sledge-hammer it often swung, the instinct of +protection so keen in manly men made him long to stand between poor +Letty and the hard world he knew so well. The magnetism of sympathy +irresistibly attracted iron to steel, while little needle felt assured +that big hammer would be able to beat down many of the obstacles which +now seemed insurmountable, if she only dared to ask for aid. But help +came without the asking.</p> + +<p>"Been after work, you say? Why, we could give you heaps of it, if you +don't mind it's being coarse and plain. This sort of thing, you know," +touching his red shirt with a business-like air. "Our men use 'em +altogether, and like 'em strong in the seams. Some ain't, and buttons +fly off just looking at 'em. That makes a fellow mad, and swearing comes +easy."</p> + +<p>But Letty shook her head, though she couldn't help smiling at his sober +way of explaining the case and its sad consequences.</p> + +<p>"I've tried that work, and it doesn't pay. Six cents for a shirt, and +sometimes only four, isn't enough to earn one's board and clothes and +fire, even if one made half a dozen a day. <i>You</i> can't get them for +that, and somebody grows rich while <i>we</i> starve.</p> + +<p>"Hanged if I ever buy another! See here, you make me enough for a year, +and we'll have a fair bargain between us. That is, if you can't do +better and don't mind," he added, suddenly abating his warmth and +looking almost bashful over the well-meant proposal.</p> + +<p>"I'd love to do it. Only you mustn't pay too much," said Letty, glad of +any thing to keep her hands and thoughts busy, for life was very bare +and cold just then.</p> + +<p>"All right. I'll see to it directly, and nobody be the wiser," returned +her new employer, privately resolving to order a bale of red flannel on +the morrow, and pay fabulous prices for the work of the little friend +who had once kept him from worse than starvation.</p> + +<p>It was not much to offer, and red flannel was not a romantic subject of +conversation; but something in the prompt relief and the hearty +good-will of the man went to Letty's heart, already full to overflowing +with many cares and troubles. She tried to thank him, but could only +cover up her face and sob. It was so sweet and comfortable to find any +one who cared enough for her to lift her out of the slough of despond, +which was to her as dangerous a mood as the desperate one he had known. +There were hands enough to beckon the winsome creature to the wrong side +of the quagmire, where so many miss the stepping-stones; but she felt +that this was the right side, and the hand an honest one, though rough +and grimy with hard work. So the tears were glad and grateful tears, and +she let them flow, melting the fatal frost that had chilled her hope and +faith in God and man.</p> + +<p>But the causer of them could not bear the sight, for the contrast +between this forlorn girl and the blithe, blooming Letty of that +memorable day was piteous. Manlike, he tried to express his sympathy in +deeds as well as words, and, hastily filling a tin cup from the +coffee-can, pressed it upon her with a fatherly stroke of the bent head +and a soothing,—</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear, just take a sip of this, and don't cry any more. We'll +straighten things out. So cheer up, and let me lend a hand anywhere, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>But hunger and fear, weariness and cold, had been too much for poor +Letty; and, in the act of lifting up her wet face to thank him, the +light left her eyes, and she would have slipped to the ground, if he had +not caught her.</p> + +<p>In a minute she was herself again, lying on the old rug, with snow upon +her forehead and some one fanning her with a newspaper.</p> + +<p>"I thought I was going to die," she whispered, looking about her in a +dazed sort of way.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it! You're going to sleep. That's what you want, and old +Sally's going to sit by while you do it. It's a hardish pillow; but I've +put my handkerchief over it, and, being Monday, its spick-and-span +clean."</p> + +<p>Letty smiled as she turned her cheek to the faded silk handkerchief laid +over the rolled-up coat under her head, for Pussy was nestling close +beside her, as if her presence was both a comfort and defence. Yet the +girl's eyes filled even while she smiled, for, when most desolate, a +friend had been raised up to her; and, though the face bending over her +was dark and shaggy, there was no fear in her own, as she said +half-appealingly, half-confidingly,—</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I could go if I tried, I'm so worn out. But you'll take +care of me, and in the morning show me the way home?"</p> + +<p>"Please God, I will!" he answered, as solemnly as if taking an oath, +adding, as he stepped back to the stool she had left: "I shall stay here +and read my paper. Nothing shall scare you; so make yourself +comfortable, and drop off with an easy mind."</p> + +<p>Sitting there, he saw her lay her hands together, as if she said some +little prayer; then, turning her face from the light, she fell asleep, +lulled by the drowsy purr of the humble friend to whom she clung even in +her dreams. He only looked a minute, for something that was neither the +shimmer of firelight nor the glitter of snow-dust made the quiet group +dance mistily before his eyes; and, forgetting his paper, he fell to +drying Letty's hat.</p> + +<p>It was both comical and pleasant to see how tenderly he touched the +battered thing, with what interest he surveyed it, perched on his big +hand, and how carefully he smoothed out the ribbons, evidently much +bewildered as to which was the front and which the back. Giving up the +puzzle, he hung it on the handle of the great hammer, and, leaning his +chin on his hand, began to build castles in the air and watch the red +embers, as if he saw in them some vision of the future that was very +pleasant.</p> + +<p>Hour after hour struck from the city clocks across the river; the +lantern burned itself out, untrimmed; the storm died away; and a soft, +white silence followed the turmoil of the night. Still Letty slept like +a tired child, still old Sally, faithful to her trust, lay in the circle +of the girl's arm; and still the watchman sat before the fire, dreaming +waking dreams, as he had often done before; but never any half so +earnest, sweet, and hopeful as those that seemed to weave a tender +romance about the innocent sleeper, to whom he was loyally paying a debt +of gratitude with such poor hospitality as he could show.</p> + +<p>Dawn came up rosy and clear along the east; and the first level ray of +wintry sunlight, as it struck across the foundry walls, fell on Letty's +placid face, with the bright hair shining like a halo round it.</p> + +<p>Feeling very much as if he had entertained an angel unaware, the man +stood enjoying the pretty picture, hesitating to wake her, yet fearing +that a gruff hallo from old Sam might do it too suddenly. Somehow he +hated to have her go; for the gloomy foundry seemed an enchanted sort of +place this morning, with a purer heaven and earth outside, and within +the "little mate" whom he felt a strong desire to keep "always +alongside," for something better than luck's sake.</p> + +<p>He was smiling to himself over the thought, yet half ashamed to own how +it had grown and strengthened in a night, when Letty opened wide a pair +of eyes full of the peace sleep brings and the soft lustre that comes +after tears. Involuntarily the man drew back, and waited silently for +her to speak. She looked bewildered for a moment, then remembered, and +sprang up, full of the relief and fresh gratitude that came with her +first waking thought.</p> + +<p>"How long I've slept! How very kind you were to me! I can go now, if you +will start me right."</p> + +<p>"You are heartily welcome! I can take you home at once, unless you'd +rather wait for Sam," he answered, with a quick look toward the door, as +if already jealous of the venerable Samuel.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather go before any one comes. But perhaps you ought not to leave +yet? I wouldn't like to take you from your duty," began Letty, looking +about her for her hat.</p> + +<p>"Duty be—hanged! I'm going to see you safe home, if you'll let me. +Here's your hat. I dried it; but it don't look quite shipshape somehow." +And taking the shabby little object from the nail where it hung, he +presented it with such respectful care that a glimmer of the old +mirthfulness came into Letty's face, as she said, surveying it with much +disfavor,—</p> + +<p>"It is almost as bad as the one I gave you; but it must do."</p> + +<p>"I've got that old thing up at my place now. Keep it for luck. Wish I +had one for you. Hold on! Here's a tippet—nice and warm. Have it for a +hood. You'll find it cold outside."</p> + +<p>He was so intent on making her comfortable that Letty could not refuse, +and tied on the tippet, while he refilled the cup with hot coffee, +carefully saved for her.</p> + +<p>"Little Red Riding Hood! Blest if you ain't!" he exclaimed admiringly, +as he turned to her again, and saw the sweet face in its new head-gear.</p> + +<p>"But you are not the wolf," she answered, with a smile like sunshine, +bending to drink from the cup he held.</p> + +<p>As she lifted her head, the blue eyes and the black exchanged again the +subtle glance of sympathy that made them friends before; only now the +blue ones looked up full of gratitude, and the black ones looked down +soft with pity. Neither spoke; but Letty stooped, and, gathering old +Sally in her arms, kissed the friendly creature, then followed her guide +to the door.</p> + +<p>"How beautiful!" she cried, as the sun came dazzling down upon the snow, +that hid all dark and ugly things with a veil of purity.</p> + +<p>"Looks kind of bridal, don't it?" said the man, taking a long breath of +the frosty air, and straightening himself up, as if anxious to look his +best by daylight.</p> + +<p>He never had looked better, in spite of the old coat and red shirt; for +the glow of the furnace-fire still seemed to touch his brown face, the +happy visions of the night still shone in his eyes, and the protective +kindliness of a generous nature gave dignity to the rough figure, as he +strode into the snow and stretched his hand to Letty, saying cheerily,—</p> + +<p>"Pretty deep, but hold on to me, and I'll get you through. Better take +my hand; I washed it a-purpose."</p> + +<p>Letty did take it in both her little ones; and they went away together +through the deserted streets, feeling as if they were the only pair +alive in the still white world that looked so lovely in the early +sunshine.</p> + +<p>The girl was surprised to find how short the way seemed; for, in spite +of drifts, she got on bravely, with a strong arm to help and a friendly +voice to encourage her. Yet when she reached the last corner she +stopped, and said, with a sudden shyness which he understood and +liked,—</p> + +<p>"I'd best go on alone now. But I'm very grateful to you! Please tell me +your name. I'd love to know who my friend is, though I never shall +forget his kindness."</p> + +<p>"Nor I yours. Joe Stone is my name. But I'd rather you called me your +tramp till we get something better," he answered, with a laugh in his +eyes, as he bent toward her for a hearty shake of the slender hand that +had grown warm in his.</p> + +<p>"I will! Good-by, good-by!" And, suddenly remembering how they parted +before, Letty blushed like a rose, and ran away as fast as the drifts +would let her.</p> + +<p>"And I'll call you my Letty some day, if I'm not much mistaken," Joe +said to himself, with a decided nod, as he went back to the foundry, +feeling that the world looked more "sort of bridal" than ever.</p> + +<p>He was not mistaken; for, when spring budded, his dream came true, and +in the little sewing-girl, who bound him with a silken thread so soft +and strong it never broke, he found an anchor that held him fast to +happiness and home. To Letty something wonderful happened at last. The +prince came when most she needed him; and, though even when the beggar's +rags fell off his only crown was the old hat, his royal robes red +flannel and fustian, his sceptre a sledge-hammer, she knew and loved +him, for</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">"The man was a man for a' that."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SCARLET_STOCKINGS" id="SCARLET_STOCKINGS"></a>SCARLET STOCKINGS.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3><i>HOW THEY WALKED INTO LENNOX'S LIFE</i></h3> + + +<p>"Come out for a drive, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"Too cold."</p> + +<p>"Have a game of billiards?"</p> + +<p>"Too tired."</p> + +<p>"Go and call on the Fairchilds?"</p> + +<p>"Having an unfortunate prejudice against country girls, I respectfully +decline."</p> + +<p>"What will you do, then?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, thank you."</p> + +<p>And, settling himself more luxuriously upon the couch, Lennox closed his +eyes, and appeared to slumber tranquilly. Kate shook her head, and stood +regarding her brother despondently, till a sudden idea made her turn +toward the window, exclaiming abruptly,—</p> + +<p>"Scarlet stockings, Harry!"</p> + +<p>"Where?" and, as if the words were a spell to break the deepest +day-dream, Lennox hurried to the window, with an unusual expression of +interest in his listless face.</p> + +<p>"I thought that would succeed! She isn't there, but I've got you up, and +you are not to go down again," laughed Kate, taking possession of the +sofa.</p> + +<p>"Not a bad manœuvre. I don't mind: it's about time for the one +interesting event of the day to occur, so I'll watch for myself, thank +you," and Lennox took the easy chair by the window with a shrug and a +yawn.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad any thing does interest you," said Kate, petulantly. "I don't +think it amounts to much, for, though you perch yourself at the window +every day to see that girl pass, you don't care enough about it to ask +her name."</p> + +<p>"I've been waiting to be told."</p> + +<p>"It's Belle Morgan, the doctor's daughter, and my dearest friend."</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, she is a blue-belle?"</p> + +<p>"Don't try to be witty or sarcastic with her, for she will beat you at +that."</p> + +<p>"Not a dumb-belle, then?"</p> + +<p>"Quite the reverse: she talks a good deal, and very well, too, when she +likes."</p> + +<p>"She is very pretty: has anybody the right to call her 'Ma belle'?"</p> + +<p>"Many would be glad to do so, but she won't have any thing to say to +them."</p> + +<p>"A Canterbury belle, in every sense of the word, then?"</p> + +<p>"She might be, for all Canterbury loves her; but she isn't fashionable, +and has more friends among the poor than among the rich."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see, a diving-bell, who knows how to go down into a sea of +troubles, and bring up the pearls worth having."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell her that, it will please her. You are really waking up, +Harry," and Kate smiled approvingly upon him.</p> + +<p>"This page of 'Belle's Life' is rather amusing, so read away," said +Lennox, glancing up-the street, as if he awaited the appearance of the +next edition with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much to tell; she is a nice, bright, energetic, +warm-hearted dear; the pride of the doctor's heart, and a favorite with +every one, though she is odd."</p> + +<p>"How odd?"</p> + +<p>"Does and says what she likes, is very blunt and honest, has ideas and +principles of her own, goes to parties in high dresses, won't dance +round dances, and wears red stockings, though Mrs. Plantagenet says it's +fast."</p> + +<p>"Rather a jolly little person, I fancy. Why haven't we met her at some +of the tea-fights and muffin-worries we've been to lately?"</p> + +<p>"It may make you angry, but it will do you good, so I'll tell. She +didn't care enough about seeing the distinguished stranger to come; +that's the truth."</p> + +<p>"Sensible girl, to spare herself hours of mortal dulness, gossip, and +dyspepsia," was the placid reply.</p> + +<p>"She has seen you, though, at church, and dawdling about town, and she +called you 'Sir Charles Coldstream,' on the spot. How does that suit?" +asked Kate, maliciously.</p> + +<p>"Not bad; I rather like that. Wish she'd call some day, and stir us up."</p> + +<p>"She won't; I asked her, but she said she was very busy, and told Jessy +Tudor she wasn't fond of peacocks."</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly see the connection."</p> + +<p>"Stupid boy! she meant you, of course."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm peacocks, am I?"</p> + +<p>"I don't wish to be rude, but I really do think you <i>are</i> vain of your +good looks, elegant accomplishments, and the impression you make +wherever you go. When it's worth while, you exert yourself, and are +altogether fascinating; but the 'I come-see-and-conquer' air you put on +spoils it all for sensible people."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me that Miss Morgan has slightly infected you with her +oddity, as far as bluntness goes. Fire away! it's rather amusing to be +abused when one is dying of ennui."</p> + +<p>"That's grateful and complimentary to me, when I have devoted myself to +you ever since you came. But every thing bores you, and the only sign of +interest you've shown is in those absurd red hose. I <i>should</i> like to +know what the charm is," said Kate, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Impossible to say; accept the fact calmly as I do, and be grateful that +there is one glimpse of color, life, and spirit in this aristocratic +tomb of a town."</p> + +<p>"You are not obliged to stay in it!" fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Begging your pardon, my dove, but I am. I promised to give you my +enlivening society for a month, and a Lennox keeps his word, even at the +cost of his life."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I asked such a sacrifice; but I innocently thought that, +after being away for five long years, you might care to see your orphan +sister," and the dove produced her handkerchief with a plaintive sniff.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear creature, don't be melodramatic, I beg of you!" cried her +brother, imploringly. "I wished to come, I pined to embrace you, and, I +give you my word, I don't blame you for the stupidity of this confounded +place."</p> + +<p>"It never was so gay as since you came, for every one has tried to make +it pleasant for you," cried Kate, ruffled at his indifference to the +hospitable efforts of herself and friends. "But you don't care for any +of our simple amusements, because you are spoilt by the flattery, +gayety, and nonsense of foreign society. If I didn't know it was half +affectation, I should be in despair, you are so <i>blasé</i> and absurd. It's +always the way with men: if one happens to be handsome, accomplished, +and talented, he puts on as many airs, and is as vain as any silly +girl."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think if you took breath you'd get on faster, my dear?" asked +the imperturbable gentleman, as Kate paused with a gasp.</p> + +<p>"I know it's useless for me to talk, as you don't care a straw what I +say; but it's true, and some day you'll wish you had done something +worth doing all these years. I was so proud of you, so fond of you, that +I can't help being disappointed to find you with no more ambition than +to kill time comfortably, no interest in any thing but your own +pleasures, and only energy enough to amuse yourself with a pair of +scarlet stockings."</p> + +<p>Pathetic as poor Kate's face and voice were, it was impossible to help +laughing at the comical conclusion of her lament. Lennox tried to hide +the smile on his lips by affecting to curl his moustache with care, and +to gaze pensively out as if touched by her appeal. But he wasn't,—oh, +bless you, no! she was only his sister, and, though she might have +talked with the wisdom of Solomon and the eloquence of Demosthenes, it +wouldn't have done a particle of good. Sisters do very well to work for +one, to pet one, and play confidante when one's love affairs need +feminine wit to conduct them; but when they begin to reprove, or +criticise, or moralize, it won't do, and can't be allowed, of course. +Lennox never snubbed anybody, but blandly extinguished them by a polite +acquiescence in all their affirmations, for the time being, and then +went on in his own way as if nothing had been said.</p> + +<p>"I dare say you are right; I'll go and think over your very sensible +advice," and, as if roused to unwonted exertion by the stings of an +accusing conscience, he left the room abruptly.</p> + +<p>"I do believe I've made an impression at last! He's actually gone out to +think over what I've said. Dear Harry, I was sure he had a heart, if one +only knew how to get at it!" and with a sigh of satisfaction Kate went +to the window to behold the "Dear Harry" going briskly down the street +after a pair of scarlet stockings. A spark of anger kindled in her eyes +as she watched him, and when he vanished she still stood knitting her +brows in deep thought, for a grand idea was dawning upon her.</p> + +<p>It <i>was</i> a dull town; no one could deny that, for everybody was so +intensely proper and well-born that nobody dared to be jolly. All the +houses were square, aristocratic mansions with Revolutionary elms in +front and spacious coach-houses behind. The knockers had a supercilious +perk to their bronze or brass noses, the dandelions on the lawns had a +highly connected air, and the very pigs were evidently descended from +"our first families." Stately dinner-parties, decorous dances, moral +picnics, and much tea-pot gossiping were the social resources of the +place. Of course, the young people flirted, for that diversion is +apparently irradicable even in the "best society," but it was done with +a propriety which was edifying to behold.</p> + +<p>One can easily imagine that such a starched state of things would not be +particularly attractive to a travelled young gentleman like Lennox, who, +as Kate very truly said, <i>had</i> been spoilt by the flattery, luxury, and +gayety of foreign society. He did his best, but by the end of the first +week ennui claimed him for its own, and passive endurance was all that +was left him. From perfect despair he was rescued by the scarlet +stockings, which went tripping by one day as he stood at the window, +planning some means of escape.</p> + +<p>A brisk, blithe-faced girl passed in a gray walking suit with a +distracting pair of high-heeled boots and glimpses of scarlet at the +ankle. Modest, perfectly so, I assure you, were the glimpses; but the +feet were so decidedly pretty that one forgot to look at the face +appertaining thereunto. It wasn't a remarkably lovely face, but it was a +happy, wholesome one, with all sorts of good little dimples in cheek and +chin, sunshiny twinkles in the black eyes, and a decided yet lovable +look about the mouth that was quite satisfactory. A busy, bustling +little body she seemed to be, for sack-pockets and muff were full of +bundles, and the trim boots tripped briskly over the ground, as if the +girl's heart were as light as her heels. Somehow this active, pleasant +figure seemed to wake up the whole street, and leave a streak of +sunshine behind it, for every one nodded as it passed, and the primmest +faces relaxed into smiles, which lingered when the girl had gone.</p> + +<p>"Uncommonly pretty feet,—she walks well, which American girls seldom +do,—all waddle or prance,—nice face, but the boots are French, and it +does my heart good to see them."</p> + +<p>Lennox made these observations to himself as the young lady approached, +nodded to Kate at another window, gave a quick but comprehensive glance +at himself and trotted round the corner, leaving the impression on his +mind that a whiff of fresh spring air had blown through the street in +spite of the December snow. He didn't trouble himself to ask who it was, +but fell into the way of lounging in the bay-window at about three <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, +and watching the gray and scarlet figure pass with its blooming cheeks, +bright eyes, and elastic step. Having nothing else to do, he took to +petting this new whim, and quite depended on the daily stirring up which +the sight of the energetic damsel gave him. Kate saw it all, but took no +notice till the day of the little tiff above recorded; after that she +was as soft as a summer sea, and by some clever stroke had Belle Morgan +to tea that very week.</p> + +<p>Lennox was one of the best-tempered fellows in the world, but the +"peacocks" did rather nettle him, because there was some truth in the +insinuation; so he took care to put on no airs or try to be fascinating +in the presence of Miss Belle. In truth, he soon forgot himself +entirely, and enjoyed her oddities with a relish, after the prim +proprieties of the other young ladies who had simpered and sighed before +him. For the first time in his life, the "Crusher," as his male friends +called him, got crushed; for Belle, with the subtle skill of a +quick-witted, keen-sighted girl, soon saw and condemned the elegant +affectations which others called foreign polish. A look, a word, a +gesture from a pretty woman, is often more eloquent and impressive than +moral essays or semi-occasional twinges of conscience; and in the +presence of one satirical little person Sir Charles Coldstream soon +ceased to deserve the name.</p> + +<p>Belle seemed to get over her hurry and to find time for occasional +relaxation, but one never knew in what mood he might find her, for the +weathercock was not more changeable than she. Lennox liked that, and +found the muffin-worries quite endurable with this <i>sauce piquante</i> to +relieve their insipidity. Presently he discovered that he was suffering +for exercise, and formed the wholesome habit of promenading the town +about three <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>; Kate said, to follow the scarlet stockings.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3><i>WHERE THEY LED HIM.</i></h3> + + +<p>"Whither away, Miss Morgan?" asked Lennox, as he overtook her one bitter +cold day.</p> + +<p>"I'm taking my constitutional."</p> + +<p>"So am I."</p> + +<p>"With a difference," and Belle glanced at the blue-nosed, muffled-up +gentleman strolling along beside her with an occasional shiver and +shrug.</p> + +<p>"After a winter in the south of France, one does not find arctic weather +like this easy to bear," he said, with a disgusted air.</p> + +<p>"I like it, and do my five or six miles a day, which keeps me in what +fine ladies call 'rude health,'" answered Belle, walking him on at a +pace which soon made his furs a burden.</p> + +<p>She was a famous pedestrian, and a little proud of her-powers; but she +outdid all former feats that day, and got over the ground in gallant +style. Something in her manner put her escort on his mettle; and his +usual lounge was turned into a brisk march, which set his blood dancing, +face glowing, and spirits effervescing as they had not done for many a +day.</p> + +<p>"There! you look more like your real self now," said Belle, with the +first sign of approval she had ever vouch-safed him, as he rejoined her +after a race to recover her veil, which the wind whisked away over hedge +and ditch.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you know what my real self is?" he asked, with a touch of +the "conquering hero" air.</p> + +<p>"Not a doubt of it. I always know a soldier when I see one," returned +Belle, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"A soldier! that's the last thing I should expect to be accused of," and +Lennox looked both surprised and gratified.</p> + +<p>"There's a flash in your eye and a ring to your voice, occasionally, +which made me suspect that you had fire and energy enough if you only +chose to show it, and the spirit with which you have just executed the +'Morgan Quickstep' proves that I was right," returned Belle, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Then I am not altogether a 'peacock'?" said Lennox, significantly, for +during the chat, which had been as brisk as the walk, Belle had given +his besetting sins several sly hits, and he couldn't resist one return +shot, much as her unexpected compliment pleased him.</p> + +<p>Poor Belle blushed up to her forehead, tried to look as if she did not +understand, and gladly hid her confusion behind the recovered veil +without a word.</p> + +<p>There was a decided display both of the "flash" and the "ring," as +Lennox looked at the suddenly subdued young lady, and, quite satisfied +with his retaliation, gave the order, "Forward, march!" which brought +them to the garden-gate breathless, but better friends than before.</p> + +<p>The next time the young people met, Belle was in such a hurry that she +went round the corner with an abstracted expression which was quite a +triumph of art. Just then, off tumbled the lid of the basket she +carried; and Lennox, rescuing it from a puddle, obligingly helped +readjust it over a funny collection of bottles, dishes, and tidy little +rolls of all sorts.</p> + +<p>"It's very heavy, mayn't I carry it for you?" he asked, in an +insinuating manner.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," was on Belle's lips; but, observing that he was dressed +with unusual elegance to pay calls, she couldn't resist the temptation +of making a beast of burden of him, and took him at his word.</p> + +<p>"You may, if you like. I've got more bundles to take from the store, and +another pair of hands won't come amiss."</p> + +<p>Lennox lifted his eyebrows, also the basket; and they went on again, +Belle very much absorbed in her business, and her escort wondering where +she was going with all that rubbish. Filling his unoccupied hand with +sundry brown paper parcels, much to the detriment of the light glove +that covered it, Belle paraded him down the main street before the +windows of the most aristocratic mansions, and then dived into a dirty +back-lane, where the want and misery of the town was decorously kept out +of sight.</p> + +<p>"You don't mind scarlet fever, I suppose?" observed Belle, as they +approached the unsavory residence of Biddy O'Brien.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not exactly partial to it," said Lennox, rather taken aback.</p> + +<p>"You needn't go in if you are afraid, or speak to me afterwards, so no +harm will be done—except to your gloves."</p> + +<p>"Why do <i>you</i> come here, if I may ask? It isn't the sort of amusement I +should recommend," he began, evidently disapproving of the step.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm used to it, and like to play nurse where father plays doctor. +I'm fond of children and Mrs. O'Brien's are little dears," returned +Belle, briskly, threading her way between ash-heaps and mud-puddles as +if bound to a festive scene.</p> + +<p>"Judging from the row in there, I should infer that Mrs. O'Brien had +quite a herd of little dears."</p> + +<p>"Only nine."</p> + +<p>"And all sick?"</p> + +<p>"More or less."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! it's perfectly heroic in you to visit this hole in spite of +dirt, noise, fragrance, and infection," cried Lennox, who devoutly +wished that the sense of smell if not of hearing were temporarily denied +him.</p> + +<p>"Bless you, it's the sort of thing I enjoy, for there's no nonsense +here; the work you do is pleasant if you do it heartily, and the thanks +you get are worth having, I assure you."</p> + +<p>She put out her hand to relieve him of the basket, but he gave it an +approving little shake, and said briefly,—</p> + +<p>"Not yet, I'm coming in."</p> + +<p>It's all very well to rhapsodize about the exquisite pleasure of doing +good, to give carelessly of one's abundance, and enjoy the delusion of +having remembered the poor. But it is a cheap charity, and never brings +the genuine satisfaction which those know who give their mite with heart +as well as hand, and truly love their neighbor as themselves. Lennox had +seen much fashionable benevolence, and laughed at it even while he +imitated it, giving generously when it wasn't inconvenient. But this was +a new sort of thing entirely; and in spite of the dirt, the noise, and +the smells, he forgot the fever, and was glad he came when poor Mrs. +O'Brien turned from her sick babies, exclaiming, with Irish fervor at +sight of Belle,—</p> + +<p>"The Lord love ye, darlin, for remimberin us when ivery one, barrin' the +doctor, and the praste, turns the cowld shouldther in our throuble!"</p> + +<p>"Now if you really want to help, just keep this child quiet while I see +to the sickest ones," said Belle, dumping a stout infant on to his knee, +thrusting an orange into his hand, and leaving him aghast while she +unpacked her little messes, and comforted the maternal bird.</p> + +<p>With the calmness of desperation, her aid-de-camp put down his best +beaver on the rich soil which covered the floor, pocketed his gloves, +and, making a bib of his cambric handkerchief, gagged young Pat +deliciously with bits of orange whenever he opened his mouth to roar. At +her first leisure moment, Belle glanced at him to see how he was getting +on, and found him so solemnly absorbed in his task that she went off +into a burst of such infectious merriment that the O'Briens, sick and +well, joined in it to a man.</p> + +<p>"Good fun, isn't it?" she asked, turning down her cuffs when the last +spoonful of gruel was administered.</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt of it, when one is used to the thing. It comes a little +hard at first, you know," returned Lennox, wiping his forehead, with a +long breath, and seizing his hat as if quite ready to tear himself away.</p> + +<p>"You've done very well for a beginner; so kiss the baby and come home," +said Belle approvingly.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," muttered Lennox, trying to detach the bedaubed +innocent. But little Pat had a grateful heart, and, falling upon his new +nurse's neck with a rapturous crow, clung there like a burr.</p> + +<p>"Take him off! Let me out of this! He's one too many for me!" cried the +wretched young man in comic despair.</p> + +<p>Being freed with much laughter, he turned and fled, followed by a shower +of blessings from Mrs. O'Brien.</p> + +<p>As they came up again into the pleasant highways, Lennox said, awkwardly +for him,—</p> + +<p>"The thanks of the poor <i>are</i> excellent things to have, but I think I'd +rather receive them by proxy. Will you kindly spend this for me in +making that poor soul comfortable?"</p> + +<p>But Belle wouldn't take what he offered her; she put it back, saying +earnestly,—</p> + +<p>"Give it yourself; one can't buy blessings,—they must be <i>earned</i> or +they are not worth having. Try it, please, and, if you find it a +failure, then I'll gladly be your almoner."</p> + +<p>There was a significance in her words which he could not fail to +understand. He neither shrugged, drawled, nor sauntered now, but gave +her a look in which respect and self-reproach were mingled, and left +her, simply saying, "I'll try it, Miss Morgan."</p> + +<p>"Now isn't she odd?" whispered Kate to her brother, as Belle appeared at +a little dance at Mrs. Plantagenet's in a high-necked dress, knitting +away on an army-sock, as she greeted the friends who crowded round her.</p> + +<p>"Charmingly so. Why don't you do that sort of thing when you can?" +answered her brother, glancing at her thin, bare shoulders, and hands +rendered nearly useless by the tightness of the gloves.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, no! It's natural to her to do so, and she carries it off +well; I couldn't, therefore I don't try, though I admire it in her. Go +and ask her to dance, before she is engaged."</p> + +<p>"She doesn't dance round dances, you know."</p> + +<p>"She is dreadfully prim about some things, and so free and easy about +others: I can't understand it, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I think I do. Here's Forbes coming for you, I'll go and +entertain Belle by a quarrel."</p> + +<p>He found her in a recess out of the way of the rushing and romping, busy +with her work, yet evidently glad to be amused.</p> + +<p>"I admire your adherence to principle, Miss Belle; but don't you find it +a little hard to sit still while your friends are enjoying themselves?" +he asked, sinking luxuriously into the lounging chair beside her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very," answered Belle with characteristic candor. "But father does +not approve of that sort of exercise, so I console myself with something +useful till my chance comes."</p> + +<p>"Your work can't exactly be called ornamental," said Lennox, looking at +the big sock.</p> + +<p>"Don't laugh at it, sir; it is for the foot of the brave fellow who is +going to fight for me and his country."</p> + +<p>"Happy fellow! May I ask who he is?" and Lennox sat up with an air of +interest.</p> + +<p>"My substitute: I don't know his name, for father has not got him yet; +but I'm making socks, and towels, and a comfort-bag for him, so that +when found he may be off at once."</p> + +<p>"You really mean it?" cried Lennox.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do; I can't go myself, but I <i>can</i> buy a pair of strong +arms to fight for me, and I intend to do it. I only hope he'll have the +right sort of courage, and be a credit to me."</p> + +<p>"What do you call the right sort of courage?" asked Lennox, soberly.</p> + +<p>"That which makes a man ready and glad to live or die for a principle. +There's a chance for heroes now, if there ever was. When do you join +your regiment?" she added, abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Haven't the least idea," and Lennox subsided again.</p> + +<p>"But you intend to do so, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Why should I?"</p> + +<p>Belle dropped her work. "Why should you? What a question! Because you +have health, and strength, and courage, and money to help on the good +cause, and every man should give his best, and not <i>dare</i> to stay at +home when he is needed."</p> + +<p>"You forget that I am an Englishman, and we rather prefer to be strictly +neutral just now."</p> + +<p>"You are only half English; and for your mother's sake you should be +proud and glad to fight for the North," cried Belle warmly.</p> + +<p>"I don't remember my mother,—"</p> + +<p>"That's evident!"</p> + +<p>"But, I was about to add, I've no objection to lend a hand if it isn't +too much trouble to get off," said Lennox indifferently, for he liked to +see Belle's color rise, and her eyes kindle while he provoked her.</p> + +<p>"Do you expect to go South in a bandbox? You'd better join one of the +kid-glove regiments; they say the dandies fight well when the time +comes."</p> + +<p>"I've been away so long, the patriotic fever hasn't seized me yet; and, +as the quarrel is none of mine, I think perhaps I'd better take care of +Kate, and let you fight it out among yourselves. Here's the Lancers, may +I have the honor?"</p> + +<p>But Belle, being very angry at this lukewarmness, answered in her +bluntest manner,—</p> + +<p>"Having reminded me that you are a 'strictly neutral' Englishman, you +must excuse me if I decline; <i>I</i> dance only with loyal Americans," and, +rolling up her work with a defiant flourish, she walked away, leaving +him to lament his loss and wonder how he could retrieve it. She did not +speak to him again till he stood in the hall waiting for Kate; then +Belle came down in a charming little red hood, and going straight up to +him with her hand out, a repentant look and a friendly smile, said +frankly,—</p> + +<p>"I was very rude; I want to beg pardon of the English, and shake hands +with the American, half."</p> + +<p>So peace was declared, and lasted unbroken for the remaining week of his +stay, when he proposed to take Kate to the city for a little gayety. +Miss Morgan openly approved the plan, but secretly felt as if the town +was about to be depopulated, and tried to hide her melancholy in her +substitute's socks. They were not large enough, however, to absorb it +all; and, when Lennox went to make his adieu, it was perfectly evident +that the Doctor's Belle was out of tune. The young gentleman basely +exulted over this, till she gave him something else to think about by +saying gravely:</p> + +<p>"Before you go, I feel as if I ought to tell you something, since Kate +won't. If you are offended about it please don't blame her; she meant it +kindly, and so did I." Belle paused as if it was not an easy thing to +tell and then went on quickly, with her eyes upon her work.</p> + +<p>"Three weeks ago Kate asked me to help her in a little plot; and I +consented, for the fun of the thing She wanted something to amuse and +stir you up, and, finding that my queer ways diverted you, she begged me +to be neighborly and let you do what you liked. I didn't care +particularly about amusing you, but I did think you needed rousing; so +for her sake I tried to do it, and you very good-naturedly bore my +lecturing. I don't like deceit of any kind, so I confess; but I can't +say I'm sorry, for I really think you are none the worse for the teasing +and teaching you've had."</p> + +<p>Belle didn't see him flush and frown as she made her confession, and +when she looked up he only said, half gratefully, half reproachfully,—</p> + +<p>"I'm a good deal the better for it, I dare say, and ought to be very +thankful for your friendly exertions. But two against one was hardly +fair, now, was it?"</p> + +<p>"No, it was sly and sinful in the highest degree, but we did it for your +good; so I know you'll forgive us, and as a proof of it sing one or two +of my favorites for the last time."</p> + +<p>"You don't deserve any favor; but I'll do it, to show you how much more +magnanimous men are than women."</p> + +<p>Not at all loth to improve his advantages, Lennox warbled his most +melting lays <i>con amore</i>, watching, as he sung, for any sign of +sentiment in the girlish face opposite. But Belle wouldn't be +sentimental; and sat rattling her knitting-needles industriously, though +"The Harbor Bar was moaning" dolefully, though "Douglas" was touchingly +"tender and true," and the "Wind of the Summer Night" sighed +romantically through the sitting-room.</p> + +<p>"Much obliged. Must you go?" she said, without a sign of soft confusion +as he rose.</p> + +<p>"I must; but I shall come again before I leave the country. May I?" he +asked, holding her hand.</p> + +<p>"If you come in a uniform."</p> + +<p>"Good night, Belle," tenderly.—"Good-by, Sir Charles," with a wicked +twinkle of the eye, which lasted till he closed the hall-door, growling +irefully,—</p> + +<p>"I thought I'd had some experience, but one never <i>can</i> understand these +women!"</p> + +<p>Canterbury did become a desert to Belle after her dear friend had gone +(of course the dear friend's brother had nothing to do with the +desolation); and as the weeks dragged slowly Belle took to reading +poetry, practising plaintive ballads, and dawdling over her work at a +certain window which commanded a view of the railway station and hotel.</p> + +<p>"You're dull, my dear; run up to town with me to-morrow, and see your +young man off," said the Doctor one evening, as Belle sat musing with a +half-mended red stocking in her hand.</p> + +<p>"My young man?" she ejaculated, turning with a start and a blush.</p> + +<p>"Your substitute, child. Stephens attended to the business for me, and +he's off to-morrow. I began to tell you about the fellow last week, but +you were wool-gathering, so I stopped."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember, it was all very nice. Goes to-morrow, does he? I'd +like to see him; but do you think we can both leave home at once? Some +one might come you know, and I fancy it's going to snow," said Belle, +putting her face behind the curtain to inspect the weather.</p> + +<p>"You'd better go, the trip will do you good; you can take your things to +Tom Jones, and see Kate on the way: she's got back from Philadelphia."</p> + +<p>"Has she? I'll go, then; it will please her, and I do need change. You +are a dear, to think of it;" and, giving her father a hasty glimpse of a +suddenly excited countenance, Belle slipped out of the room to prepare +her best array, with a most reckless disregard of the impending storm.</p> + +<p>It did not snow on the morrow, and up they went to see the —th regiment +off. Belle did not see "her young man," however, for while her father +went to carry him her comforts and a patriotic nosegay of red and white +flowers, tied up with a smart blue ribbon, she called on Kate. But Miss +Lennox was engaged, and sent an urgent request that her friend would +call in the afternoon. Much disappointed and a little hurt, Belle then +devoted herself to the departing regiment, wishing she was going with +it, for she felt in a warlike mood. It was past noon when a burst of +martial music, the measured tramp of many feet, and enthusiastic cheers +announced that "the boys" were coming. From the balcony where she stood +with her father, Belle looked down upon the living stream that flowed by +like a broad river, with a steely glitter above the blue. All her petty +troubles vanished at the sight; her heart beat high, her face glowed, +her eyes filled, and she waved her handkerchief as zealously as if she +had a dozen friends and lovers in the ranks below.</p> + +<p>"Here comes your man; I told him to stick the posy where it would catch +my eye, so I could point him out to you. Look, it's the tall fellow at +the end of the front line," said the Doctor in an excited tone, as he +pointed and beckoned.</p> + +<p>Belle looked and gave a little cry, for there, in a private's uniform, +with her nosegay at his button-hole, and on his face a smile she never +forgot, was Lennox! For an instant she stood staring at him as pale and +startled as if he were a ghost; then the color rushed into her face, she +kissed both hands to him, and cried bravely, "Good-by, good-by; God +bless you, Harry!" and immediately laid her head on her father's +shoulder, sobbing as if her heart was broken.</p> + +<p>When she looked up, her substitute was lost in the undulating mass +below, and for her the spectacle was over.</p> + +<p>"Was it really he? Why wasn't I told? What does it all mean?" she +demanded, looking bewildered, grieved, and ashamed.</p> + +<p>"He's really gone, my dear. It's a surprise of his, and I was bound over +to silence. Here, this will explain the joke, I suppose," and the Doctor +handed her a cocked-hat note, done up like a military order.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"A Roland for your Oliver, Mademoiselle! I came home for the +express purpose of enlisting, and only delayed a month on +Kate's account. If I ever return, I will receive my bounty at +your hands. Till then please comfort Kate, think as kindly as +you can of 'Sir Charles,' and sometimes pray a little prayer +for</p> + +<p>"Your unworthy</p> + +<p>"Substitute."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Belle looked very pale and meek when she put the note in her pocket, but +she only said, "I must go and comfort Kate;" and the Doctor gladly +obeyed, feeling that the joke was more serious than he had imagined.</p> + +<p>The moment her friend appeared, Miss Lennox turned on her tears, and +"played away," pouring forth lamentations, reproaches, and regrets in a +steady stream.</p> + +<p>"I hope you are satisfied now, you cruel girl!" she began, refusing to +be kissed. "You've sent him off with a broken heart to rush into danger +and be shot, or get his arms and legs spoiled. You know he loved you and +wanted to tell you so, but you wouldn't let him; and now you've driven +him away, and he's gone as an insignificant private with his head +shaved, and a heavy knapsack breaking his back, and a horrid gun that +will be sure to explode: and he <i>would</i> wear those immense blue socks +you sent, for he adores you, and you only teased and laughed at him, my +poor, deluded, deserted brother!" And, quite overwhelmed by the +afflicting picture, Kate lifted up her voice and wept again.</p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i> satisfied, for he's done what I hoped he would; and he's none +the less a gentleman because he's a private and wears my socks. I pray +they will keep him safe, and bring him home to us when he has done his +duty like a man, as I know he will. I'm proud of my brave substitute, +and I'll try to be worthy of him," cried Belle, kindling beautifully as +she looked out into the wintry sunshine with a new softness in the eyes +that still seemed watching that blue-coated figure marching away to +danger, perhaps death.</p> + +<p>"It's ill playing with edged tools; we meant to amuse him, and we may +have sent him to destruction. I'll never forgive you for your part, +never!" said Kate, with the charming inconsistency of her sex.</p> + +<p>But Belle turned away her wrath by a soft answer, as she whispered, with +a tender choke in her voice,—</p> + +<p>"We both loved him, dear; let's comfort one another."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3><i>WHAT BECAME OF THEM.</i></h3> + + +<p>Private Lennox certainly <i>had</i> chosen pretty hard work, for the —th was +not a "kid-glove" regiment by any means; fighting in mid-winter was not +exactly festive, and camps do not abound in beds of roses even at the +best of times. But Belle was right in saying she knew a soldier when she +saw him, for, now that he was thoroughly waked up, he proved that there +was plenty of courage, energy, and endurance in him.</p> + +<p>It is my private opinion that he might now and then have slightly +regretted the step he had taken, had it not been for certain +recollections of a sarcastic tongue and a pair of keen eyes, not to +mention the influence of one of the most potent rulers of the human +heart; namely, the desire to prove himself worthy the respect, if +nothing more, of somebody at home. Belle's socks did seem to keep him +safe, and lead him straight in the narrow path of duty. Belle's +comfort-bag was such in very truth, for not one of the stout needles on +the tri-colored cushion but what seemed to wink its eye approvingly at +him; not one of the tidy balls of thread that did not remind him of the +little hand he coveted, and the impracticable scissors were cherished as +a good omen, though he felt that the sharpest steel that ever came from +Sheffield couldn't cut his love in twain. And Belle's lessons, short as +they had been, were not forgotten, but seemed to have been taken up by a +sterner mistress, whose rewards were greater, if not so sweet, as those +the girl could give. There was plenty of exercise nowadays, and of hard +work that left many a tired head asleep for ever under the snow. There +were many opportunities for diving "into the depths and bringing up +pearls worth having" by acts of kindness among the weak, the wicked, and +the suffering all about him. He learned now how to earn, not buy, the +thanks of the poor, and unconsciously proved in the truest way that a +private <i>could</i> be a gentleman. But best of all was the steadfast +purpose "to live and die for a principle," which grew and strengthened +with each month of bitter hardship, bloody strife, and dearly bought +success. Life grew earnest to him, time seemed precious, self was +forgotten, and all that was best and bravest rallied round the flag on +which his heart inscribed the motto, "Love and Liberty."</p> + +<p>Praise and honor he could not fail to win, and had he never gone back to +claim his bounty he would have earned the great "Well done," for he kept +his oath loyally, did his duty manfully, and loved his lady faithfully, +like a knight of the chivalrous times. He knew nothing of her secret, +but wore her blue ribbon like an order, never went into battle without +first, like many another poor fellow, kissing something which he carried +next his heart, and with each day of absence felt himself a better man, +and braver soldier, for the fondly foolish romance he had woven about +the scarlet stockings.</p> + +<p>Belle and Kate did comfort one another, not only with tears and kisses, +but with womanly work which kept hearts happy and hands busy. How Belle +bribed her to silence will always remain the ninth wonder of the world; +but, though reams of paper passed between brother and sister during +those twelve months, not a hint was dropped on one side in reply to +artful inquiries from the other. Belle never told her love in words; but +she stowed away an unlimited quantity of the article in the big boxes +that went to gladden the eyes and—alas for romance!—the stomach of +Private Lennox. If pickles could typify passion, cigars prove constancy, +and gingerbread reveal the longings of the soul, then would the +above-mentioned gentleman have been the happiest of lovers. But +camp-life had doubtless dulled his finer intuitions: for he failed to +understand the new language of love, and gave away these tender tokens +with lavish prodigality. Concealment preyed a trifle on Belle's damask +cheek, it must be confessed, and the keen eyes grew softer with the +secret tears that sometimes dimmed them; the sharp tongue seldom did +mischief now, but uttered kindly words to every one, as if doing penance +for the past; and a sweet seriousness toned down the lively spirit, +which was learning many things in the sleepless nights that followed +when the "little prayer" for the beloved substitute was done.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait and see if he is all I hope he will be, before I let him +know. I shall read the truth the instant I see him, and if he has stood +the test I'll run into his arms and tell him every thing," she said to +herself, with delicious thrills at the idea; but you may be sure she did +nothing of the sort when the time came.</p> + +<p>A rumor flew through the town one day that Lennox had arrived; upon +receipt of which joyful tidings, Belle had a panic and hid herself in +the garret. But when she had quaked, and cried, and peeped, and listened +for an hour or two, finding that no one came to hunt her up, she +composed her nerves and descended to pass the afternoon in the parlor +and a high state of dignity. All sorts of reports reached her: he was +mortally wounded; he had been made a major or a colonel or a general, no +one knew exactly which; he was dead, was going to be married, and hadn't +come at all. Belle fully expiated all her small sins by the agonies of +suspense she suffered that day, and when at last a note came from Kate, +begging her "to drop over to see Harry," she put her pride in her pocket +and went at once.</p> + +<p>The drawing-room was empty and in confusion, there was a murmur of +voices upstairs, a smell of camphor in the air, and an empty wine-glass +on the table where a military cap was lying. Belle's heart sunk, and she +covertly kissed the faded blue coat as she stood waiting breathlessly, +wondering if Harry had any arms for her to run into. She heard the +chuckling Biddy lumber up and announce her, then a laugh, and a +half-fond, half-exulting, "Ah, ha, I thought she'd come!"</p> + +<p>That spoilt it all; Belle took out her pride instanter, rubbed a quick +color into her white cheeks, and, snatching up a newspaper, sat herself +down with as expressionless a face as it was possible for an excited +young woman to possess. Lennox came running down. "Thank Heaven, his +legs are safe!" sighed Belle, with her eyes glued to the price of beef. +He entered with both hands extended, which relieved her mind upon +another point; and he beamed upon her, looking so vigorous, manly, and +martial, that she cried within herself, "My beautiful brown soldier!" +even while she greeted him with an unnecessarily brief, "How do you do, +Mr. Lennox?"</p> + +<p>The sudden eclipse which passed over his joyful countenance would have +been ludicrous, if it hadn't been pathetic; but he was used to hard +knocks now, and bore this, his hardest, like a man. He shook hands +heartily; and, as Belle sat down again (not to betray that she was +trembling a good deal), he stood at ease before her, talking in a way +which soon satisfied her that he <i>had</i> borne the test, and that bliss +was waiting for her round the corner. But she had made it such a very +sharp corner she couldn't turn it gracefully, and while she pondered how +to do so he helped her with a cough. She looked up quickly, discovering +all at once that he was very thin, rather pale in spite of the nice tan, +and breathed hurriedly as he stood with one hand in his breast.</p> + +<p>"Are you ill, wounded, in pain?" she asked, forgetting herself entirely.</p> + +<p>"Yes, all three," he answered, after a curious look at her changing +color and anxious eyes.</p> + +<p>"Sit down—tell me about it—can I do any thing?" and Belle began to +plump up the pillows on the couch with nervous eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I'm past help," was the mournful reply accompanied by a +hollow cough which made her shiver.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say so! Let me bring father; he is very skilful. Shall I call +Kate?"</p> + +<p>"He can do nothing; Kate doesn't know this, and I beg you won't tell +her. I got a shot in the breast and made light of it, but it will finish +me sooner or later. I don't mind telling you, for you are one of the +strong, cool sort, you know, and are not affected by such things. But +Kate is so fond of me, I don't want to shock and trouble her yet awhile. +Let her enjoy my little visit, and after I'm gone you can tell her the +truth."</p> + +<p>Belle had sat like a statue while he spoke with frequent pauses and an +involuntary clutch or two at the suffering breast. As he stopped and +passed his hand over his eyes, she said slowly, as if her white lips +were stiff,—</p> + +<p>"Gone! where?"</p> + +<p>"Back to my place. I'd rather die fighting than fussed and wailed over +by a parcel of women. I expected to stay a week or so, but a battle is +coming off sooner than we imagined, so I'm away again to-morrow. As I'm +not likely ever to come back, I just wanted to ask you to stand by poor +Kate when I'm finished, and to say good-by to you, Belle, before I go." +He put out his hand, but, holding it fast in both her own, she laid her +tearful face down on it, whispering imploringly,—</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry, stay!"</p> + +<p>Never mind what happened for the next ten minutes; suffice it to say +that the enemy having surrendered, the victor took possession with great +jubilation and showed no quarter.</p> + +<p>"Bang the field-piece, toot the fife, and beat the rolling drum, for +ruse number three has succeeded. Come down, Kate, and give us your +blessing!" called Lennox, taking pity on his sister, who was anxiously +awaiting the <i>dénouement</i> on the stairs.</p> + +<p>In she rushed, and the young ladies laughed and cried, kissed and talked +tumultuously, while their idol benignantly looked on, vainly endeavoring +to repress all vestiges of unmanly emotion.</p> + +<p>"And you are not dying, really, truly?" cried Belle, when fair weather +set in after the flurry.</p> + +<p>"Bless your dear heart, no! I'm as sound as a nut, and haven't a wound +to boast of, except this ugly slash on the head."</p> + +<p>"It's a splendid wound, and I'm proud of it," and Belle set a rosy +little seal on the scar, which quite reconciled her lover to the +disfigurement of his handsome forehead. "You've learned to fib in the +army, and I'm disappointed in you," she added, trying to look +reproachful and failing entirely.</p> + +<p>"No, only the art of strategy. You quenched me by your frosty reception, +and I thought it was all up till you put the idea of playing invalid +into my head. It succeeded so well that I piled on the agony, resolving +to fight it out on that line, and if I failed again to make a masterly +retreat. You gave me a lesson in deceit once, so don't complain if I +turned the tables and made your heart ache for a minute, as you've made +mine for a year."</p> + +<p>Belle's spirit was rapidly coming back, so she gave him a capital +imitation of his French shrug, and drawled out in his old way,—</p> + +<p>"I have my doubts about that, <i>mon ami</i>."</p> + +<p>"What do you say to this—and this—and this?" he retorted, pulling out +and laying before her with a triumphant flourish a faded blue ribbon, a +fat pincushion with a hole through it, and a daintily painted little +picture of a pretty girl in scarlet stockings.</p> + +<p>"There, I've carried those treasures in my breast-pocket for a year, and +I'm firmly convinced that they have all done their part toward keeping +me safe. The blue ribbon bound me fast to you, Belle; the funny cushion +caught the bullet that otherwise might have finished me; and the blessed +little picture was my comfort during those dreadful marches, my +companion on picket-duty with treachery and danger all about me, and my +inspiration when the word 'Charge!' went down the line, for in the +thickest of the fight I always saw the little gray figure beckoning me +on to my duty."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry, you won't go back to all those horrors, will you? I'm sure +you've done enough, and may rest now and enjoy your reward," said Kate, +trying not to feel that "two is company, and three is none."</p> + +<p>"I've enlisted for the war, and shall not rest till either it or I come +to an end. As for my reward, I had it when Belle kissed me."</p> + +<p>"You are right, I'll wait for you, and love you all the better for the +sacrifice," whispered Belle. "I only wish I could share your hardships, +dear, for while you fight and suffer I can only love and pray."</p> + +<p>"Waiting is harder than working to such as you; so be contented with +your share, for the thought of you will glorify the world generally for +me. I'll tell you what you <i>can</i> do while I'm away: it's both useful and +amusing, so it will occupy and cheer you capitally. Just knit lots of +red hose, because I don't intend you to wear any others hereafter, Mrs. +Lennox."</p> + +<p>"Mine are not worn out yet," laughed Belle, getting merry at the +thought.</p> + +<p>"No matter for that; those are sacred articles, and henceforth must be +treasured as memorials of our love. Frame and hang them up; or, if the +prejudices of society forbid that flight of romance, lay them carefully +away where moths can't devour nor thieves steal them, so that years +hence, when my descendants praise me for any virtues I may possess, any +good I may have done, or any honor I may have earned, I can point to +those precious relics and say proudly,—</p> + +<p>"My children, for all that I am, or hope to be, you must thank your +honored mother's scarlet stockings."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INDEPENDENCE_A_CENTENNIAL_LOVE_STORY" id="INDEPENDENCE_A_CENTENNIAL_LOVE_STORY"></a>INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3><i>MISS DOLLY.</i></h3> + + +<p>"Stupid-looking old place! Dare say I shall have to waste half an hour +listening to centennial twaddle before I get what I want! The whole +thing is a bore, but I can't quarrel with my bread and butter, so here +goes;" and, with an air of resignation, the young man applied himself to +the rusty knocker.</p> + +<p>"Rather a nice old bit; maybe useful, so I'll book it;" and, whipping +out a sketch-book, the stranger took a hasty likeness of the griffin's +head on the knocker.</p> + +<p>"Deaf as posts; try, try, try again;" and, pocketing his work, the +artist gave an energetic rat, tat, tat, that echoed through the house.</p> + +<p>Having rashly concluded that the inhabitants of the ancient mansion were +proportionately aged, he assumed a deferential expression as steps +approached, and prepared to prefer with all due respect the request +which he had come many miles to make. The door opened with unexpected +rapidity, but the neatly arranged speech did not glide glibly off the +young man's tongue, and the change which came over him was comically +sudden; for, instead of an old woman, a blooming girl stood upon the +threshold, with a petulant expression on her charming face, which only +made it more charming still.</p> + +<p>"What did you wish, sir?" asked the rosy mouth, involuntarily relaxing +from a vain attempt to look severe, while the hazel eyes softened with a +mirthful gleam as they rested on the comely, but embarrassed countenance +before her.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon for making such a noise. I merely wished to inquire if the +famous chair in which Washington sat when he visited the town is here," +replied the stranger, clutching off his hat with a very different sort +of respect from that which he had intended to show, and feeling as if he +had received a shock of some new and delightful sort of electricity.</p> + +<p>"Yes;" and the girl began to close the door, as if she knew what +question was coming next.</p> + +<p>"Could I be allowed to sketch it for 'The Weekly Portfolio'? All such +relics are so valuable this year that we venture to ask many favors, and +this is such a famous affair I've no doubt you are often troubled by +requests of this sort," continued the artist, with the persuasive tone +of one accustomed to make his way everywhere.</p> + +<p>"This is the fifth time this week," replied the damsel, demurely; though +her lips still struggled not to smile.</p> + +<p>"It's very good of you, I'm sure, to let us fellows in, but the public +demand is immense just now, and we only obey orders, you know," began +the fifth intruder, fervently hoping the other four had been refused.</p> + +<p>"But Mrs. Hill never does let artists or reporters in," was the gentle +quencher which arrested him, as he was industriously wiping his feet on +the door-mat.</p> + +<p>"Never?" he asked, stopping short, while an expression of alarm changed +suddenly to one of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Never," answered the damsel, like a sweet-voiced echo.</p> + +<p>"Then the other fellows lost their chance, and that makes the old thing +doubly valuable. If I could see Mrs. Hill for a moment, I've no doubt +she will allow <i>me</i> to sketch the chair."</p> + +<p>"She is not at home."</p> + +<p>"So much the better; for, when I tell you that I've come fifty miles to +pick up antiquities in this town, I know you <i>won't</i> have the heart to +send me away without the gem of the collection," replied the artist, +nothing daunted; for his quick eye read the artless face before him, and +saw a defiant expression come over it, which made him suspect that there +had been a falling out between mistress and maid, if such they were. He +was sure of it when the girl threw open the door with a decisive +gesture, saying briefly,—</p> + +<p>"Walk in, if you please; she won't be home for an hour."</p> + +<p>"What a little beauty!" thought the young man, admiring her spirit, and +feeling that the "stupid old place" contained unexpected treasures, as +he followed her into the room where the ubiquitous Father of his Country +was reported to have dried his august boots, and drunk a mug of cider +some hundred years ago.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if the ghosts of many of the homely household articles used +then had come back to celebrate the anniversary of that thrilling event; +for there was nothing modern in the little room but the girl and her +guest, who stared about him at the tall andirons on the hearth, the +bright, brass candlesticks above it, the spinning-wheel on one side, a +dresser on the other strewn with pewter platters, porringers, and old +china, while antique garments hung over the settle by the fire.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, what a capital old place!" he ejaculated, taking it all +in with an artist's keen appreciation. "I feel as if I'd gone back a +century, and the General might come in at any minute."</p> + +<p>"<i>That</i> is the chair he used, and <i>this</i> the tankard he drank from," +answered the girl, pointing out the sacred objects with a reverential +air which warned her visitor that he must treat the ancient and +honorable relics with due respect.</p> + +<p>Then feeling that this was an unusual stroke of luck, he hastened to +make the most of it, by falling to work at once, saying, as he took a +seat, and pointed his pencils,—</p> + +<p>"There is such a lot of treasures here that I don't know where to begin. +I hope I shall not be very much in your way."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! if you don't mind my going on with my work; for I can't leave +it very well. All these things are to be sent away to-morrow, that's why +the place is in such confusion," replied the girl, as she fell to +polishing up a brass snuffer-tray.</p> + +<p>"Here's richness!" thought the artist, with a sigh of satisfaction, as +he dashed at his work, feeling wonderfully inspired by his picturesque +surroundings.</p> + +<p>The dull winter sky gloomed without, and a chilly wind sighed through +the leafless elms; but within the little room fairly glowed with the +ruddy firelight that shone in the bright brasses, glimmered over the +tarnished silver of the quaint vests on the settle, and warmed the +artist's busy hand, as if it liked to help him in his task. But the +jolly flames seemed to dance most lovingly about their little mistress; +bathing the sweet face with a softer bloom, touching the waves of brown +hair with gold, peeping under the long lashes at the downcast eyes that +peeped back again half arch, half shy; glorifying the blue apron that +seemed to clasp the trim waist as if conscious of its advantages, and +showing up the dimples in the bare arms working so briskly that even the +verdigris of ages yielded to their persuasive touch.</p> + +<p>"Who can this pretty Priscilla be? I must make her talk and find out. +Never shall get the eyes right, if she doesn't look up," thought the +artist, who, instead of devoting himself to the historical chair, was +basely sketching the girl whose youth and beauty were wonderfully +enhanced by the antiquity around her.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Hill is a rich woman, if all these treasures have a history. Even +if they haven't, they would bring a good price; for things of this sort +are all the rage now, and the older the better," he said aloud in a +sociable tone, as he affected to study the left arm of the famous chair.</p> + +<p>"They are not hers to sell, for they belonged to the first Mrs. Hill, +who was a Quincy, and had a right to be proud of them. The present Mrs. +Hill doesn't value them a bit; but <i>she</i> was a Smith, so <i>her</i> family +relics are nothing to boast of," answered the girl, using her bit of +wash-leather as if the entire race of Smith ought to be rubbed out of +existence.</p> + +<p>"And she is going to sell all these fine old things, is she?" asked the +artist, with an eye to bargains.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! they belong to—to the first Mrs. Hill's daughter, named +after her, Dorothy Quincy," the girl began impetuously, but checked +herself, and ended very quietly with a suddenly averted head.</p> + +<p>"A fine name, and I shouldn't think she would be in haste to change it," +said the artist, wondering if Miss Dorothy Quincy was before him.</p> + +<p>"Not much hope of that, poor thing," with a shake of the head that made +several brown curls tumble out of the net which tried to confine a +riotous mass of them.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see, a spinster?" and the young man returned to his work with +greatly abated interest in the subject.</p> + +<p>The bright eyes glanced quickly up, and when they fell the snuffer-tray +reflected a merry twinkle in them, as their owner answered gravely,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, a spinster."</p> + +<p>"Is she one of the amiable sort?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, no! very quick in her temper and sharp with her tongue. But +then she has a good deal to try her, as I happen to know."</p> + +<p>"Sorry for that. Spinsterhood <i>is</i> trying, I fancy, so we should be +patient with the poor old ladies. Why I asked was because I thought I +might induce Miss Dolly to let me have some of her relics. Do you think +she would?" he asked, holding his sketch at arm's length, and studying +it with his head on one side.</p> + +<p>"I'm very sure she won't, for these old things are all she has in the +world, and she loves them dearly. People used to laugh at her for it, +but now they are glad to own her and her 'duds,' as they called them. +The Smiths are looking up every thing they can find of that sort, even +poor relations. All these things are going down to a fair to-morrow, and +Miss Dolly with them."</p> + +<p>"As one of the relics?" suggested the artist, glancing at a green calash +and a plum-colored quilted petticoat lying on the settle.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," laughed the girl, adding with a touch of bitterness in her +voice, "Poor Miss Dolly never got an invitation before, and I'm afraid +it's foolish of her to go now, since she is only wanted to show off the +old-fashioned things, and give the Smiths something to boast of."</p> + +<p>"You are fond of the old lady in spite of her temper, I see."</p> + +<p>"She is the only friend I've got;" and the speaker bent over the tray as +if to hide emotion of some sort.</p> + +<p>"I shall probably have to 'do' that fair for our paper; if so, I'll +certainly pay my respects to Miss Dolly. Why not? Is she so very awful?" +he asked quickly, as the girl looked up with a curious mixture of mirth +and malice in her face.</p> + +<p>"Very!" with a lifting of the brows and a pursing up of the lips +delightful to behold.</p> + +<p>"You think I won't dare address the peppery virgin? I never saw the +woman yet whom I was afraid of, or the man either for that matter, so I +give you my word I'll not only speak to Miss Dolly, but win her old +heart by my admiration for her and her ancestral treasures, said the +artist, accepting the challenge he read in the laughing eyes.</p> + +<p>"We shall see, for I'm going with her. I do the spinning, and it's great +fun," said the girl, prudently changing the conversation, though she +evidently enjoyed it.</p> + +<p>"I never saw it done. Could you give me an idea of the thing, if it is +not asking too much?" proposed the artist in his most persuasive tone, +for somehow play of this sort was much more interesting than the study +of old furniture.</p> + +<p>With amiable alacrity the girl set the big wheel buzzing, and deftly +drew out the yarn from the spindle, stepping briskly to and fro, +twirling and twisting with an ease and grace which convinced the +admiring observer that the best thing ever invented to show off a round +arm, a pretty foot, a fine figure, and a charming face, was a +spinning-wheel.</p> + +<p>This opinion was so plainly expressed upon his own countenance that the +color deepened in the girl's cheeks as she looked over her shoulder to +see how he liked it, and dropping the thread she left the wheel still +whirling, and went back to her work without a word.</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much; it's beautiful! Don't see how in the world you do +it," murmured the young man, affecting to examine the wheel, while his +own head seemed to whirl in sympathy, for that backward glance had +unconsciously done great execution.</p> + +<p>A moon-faced clock behind the door striking eleven recalled the idler to +his task, and resuming his seat he drew silently till the chair was +done; then he turned a page, and looked about for the next good bit.</p> + +<p>"Rather warm work," he said, smiling, as he shook the hair off his +forehead, and pushed his chair back from the hearth.</p> + +<p>"This is what makes the place so hot. I've been learning to make +old-fashioned dishes for the fair, and this batch is going down to show +what I can do."</p> + +<p>As she spoke, the girl threw open the door of a cavernous oven, and with +an air of housewifely pride displayed a goodly array of brown loaves +round as cannon-balls, earthen crocks suggestive of baked beans and +Indian pudding, and near the door a pan of spicy cakes delectable to +smell and see. These she drew forth and set upon the table, turning from +the oven after a careful inspection of its contents with the complexion +of a damask rose.</p> + +<p>"Delicious spectacle!" exclaimed the artist, with his eyes upon the +pretty cook, while hers were on her handiwork.</p> + +<p>"You shall taste them, for they are made from a very old receipt and are +called sweethearts," said the innocent creature, setting them forth on a +large platter, while a smile went dimpling round her lips.</p> + +<p>"Capital name! they'll sell faster than you can make them. But it seems +to me you are to have all the work, and Miss Dolly all the credit," +added this highly appreciative guest, subduing with difficulty the rash +impulse to embrace Miss Dolly's rosy handmaid on the spot.</p> + +<p>She seemed to feel the impending danger, and saying hastily, "You must +have some cider to go with your cake: that's the correct thing, you +know," she tripped away with hospitable zeal.</p> + +<p>"Upon my soul, I begin to feel like the Prince of the fairy tale in this +quiet place where every thing seems to have been asleep for a hundred +years. The little beauty ought to have been asleep too, and given me a +chance to wake her. More of a Cinderella than a princess, I fancy, and +leads a hard life of it between Miss Dolly and the second Mrs. Hill. +Wonder what happy fellow will break the spell and set her free?" and the +young man paced the kitchen, humming softly,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And on her lover's arm she leant,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And round her waist she felt it fold;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And far across the hills they went,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In that new world which is the old,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>till the sound of a light step made him dart into a chair, saying to +himself with a sudden descent from poetry to prose, "Bless her little +heart, I'll drink her cider if it's as sour as vinegar."</p> + +<p>In came the maid, bearing a tankard on a salver; and, adding several +sweethearts, she offered the homely lunch with a curtsey and a smile +that would have glorified even pork and beans.</p> + +<p>"You are sitting in the General's chair, and here is the tankard he +used; you can drink his health, if you like."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather drink that of the maker of sweethearts;" and, rising, the +artist did so, gallantly regardless of consequences.</p> + +<p>But the cider was excellent, and subsiding into the immortal chair he +enjoyed his lunch with the hearty appetite of a boy, while the damsel +began to fold up the garments airing on the settle, and lay them into a +chest standing near; the one quite unconscious that he was drinking +draughts of a far more potent liquor than apple-juice, the other that +she had begun to spin a golden thread instead of yarn when she turned +the great wheel that day.</p> + +<p>An eloquent sort of silence filled the room for a moment, and a ray of +sunshine glanced from the silver tankard to the bright head bent over +the chest, as if to gild the first page of the romance which is as fresh +and sweet to-day as when the stately George wooed his beloved Martha. A +shrill voice suddenly broke that delicious pause, exclaiming, as a door +opened with a bang,—</p> + +<p>"Not packed yet! I won't have this rubbish cluttering round another +minute—" There the voice abruptly fell, and the stranger had time to +see a withered, yellow face in a pumpkin hood stare sharply at him +before it vanished with an exclamation of unmistakable disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Miss Dolly seems more afraid of me than I of her, you see," began the +young man, much amused at the retreat of the enemy; for such he regarded +any one who disturbed this delightful <i>tête-à-tête</i>.</p> + +<p>"She has only gone to put her cap on, and when she comes back you can +pay your respects to—Mrs. Hill;" and the girl looked over the lid of +the chest with dancing eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then I'd better be off, since reporters and artists are not allowed on +the premises," exclaimed the visitor, rising with more haste than +dignity.</p> + +<p>"Don't hurry; she is only a woman, and you are not afraid, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid <i>you</i> will get a scolding," began the artist, pocketing his +sketch-book, and grasping his hat.</p> + +<p>"I'm used to that," answered the girl, evidently enjoying the rout with +naughty satisfaction.</p> + +<p>But the sharp, black eyes and the shrill voice had effectually broken +the pleasant day-dream; and Mrs. Hill in a pumpkin hood was quite enough +for his nerves, without a second appearance in one of the awe-inspiring +caps such ladies affect.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't think of repaying your kindness by intruding any longer, now +that I've got my sketch. A thousand thanks; good-morning;" and, opening +the first door he came to, the dismayed man was about to plunge into the +buttery, when the girl arrested his flight and led him through the long +hall.</p> + +<p>On the steps he took breath, returned thanks again with grateful warmth, +and pulling out a card presented it, as if anxious to leave some token +behind which should prevent being forgotten by one person at least.</p> + +<p>"John Hancock Harris" read the card, and glancing up from it, with +sudden interest in her eyes, the girl exclaimed impulsively,—</p> + +<p>"Why, then you must be a relation of—"</p> + +<p>"No, I regret to say I'm not related to the famous Governor, only named +for him to please my father. I've always been contented with a modest +initial until now; but this year every one does their best to hang on to +the past, so I've got proud of my middle name, and find it useful as +well as ornamental," hastily explained the honest young fellow, though +just then he would have liked to claim kinship with every member of the +Continental Congress.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will be worthy of it," answered the damsel with a little +bow, as if saluting the man for his name's sake.</p> + +<p>"I try to be," he said soberly, adding with that engaging smile of his, +"May I ask to whom I am indebted for this very profitable and agreeable +call?"</p> + +<p>Instantly the sweet sobriety vanished, and every feature of the pretty +face shone with mirthful malice as the girl answered sweetly,—</p> + +<p>"Miss Dolly. Good-morning," and closed the door, leaving him to stare +blankly at the griffin on the knocker, which appeared to stare back +again with a derisive grin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3><i>A CINDER AND A SPARK.</i></h3> + + +<p>One of the few snow-storms of the memorably mild winter of 1876 was +coming quietly down, watched with lazy interest by the passengers in a +certain train that rumbled leisurely toward the city. Without it was +cold and wintry enough, but within as hot as an oven; for, with the +usual American disregard of health, there was a roaring fire in the +stove, every ventilator shut, and only one man in the crowded car had +his window open.</p> + +<p>Toward this reckless being many a warning or reproachful glance was cast +by rheumatic old gentlemen or delicate women who led the lives of +hot-house flowers. But the hearty young fellow sat buried in his +newspapers, regardless alike of these expressive glances and the fresh +wind that blew in an occasional snow-flake to melt upon his shoulder, +hair, or beard.</p> + +<p>If his face had not been obscured by the great sheet held before it, an +observer might have watched with interest the varying expressions of +amusement, contempt, indignation, and disgust which passed over it as he +read; for it was a very expressive face, and too young yet to have put +on the mask men so soon learn to wear. He was evidently one of the +strong, cheery, sympathetic sort of fellows who make their way +everywhere, finding friends as they go from the simple fact that they +are so full of courage and good-will it is impossible to resist them. +This had been proved already; for during that short journey three old +ladies had claimed his services in one way or another, a shy little girl +had sat upon his knee for half an hour and left him with a kiss, and an +obstreperous Irish baby had been bribed to hold its tongue by the +various allurements he devised, to the great amusement, as well as +gratitude, of his neighbors.</p> + +<p>Just now, however, he looked rather grim, knit his brows as he read, and +finally kicked his paper under the seat with an expression which proved +that he had as much energy as kindliness in his composition, and no +taste for the sorrowful record of scandal, dishonesty, and folly daily +offered the American public.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, if this sort of thing goes on much longer, the country +won't be fit for a decent man to live in," he said to himself, taking a +mouthful of fresh air, and letting his eyes wander over the faces of his +fellow-travellers as if wondering which of the eminently respectable +gentlemen about him would next startle the world by some explosion of +iniquity. Even the women did not escape the scrutiny of the keen blue +eyes, which softened, however, as they went from one possible Delilah to +another; for John Harris had not yet lost his reverence for womankind.</p> + +<p>Suddenly his wandering glance was arrested, a look of recognition +brightened his whole countenance, and an involuntary "Hullo!" rose to +his lips, instead of the romantic "Ha, 'tis she!" with which novel +heroes are supposed to greet the advent of the charmer.</p> + +<p>The object which wrought so swift and pleasant a change in the young +man's mood and manner was a girl's face seen in profile some seats in +front of him. A modest little hat with a sweeping feather rested easily +on a mass of wavy hair, which was not spoilt by any fashionable device, +but looped up in a loose sort of braid from which rebellious tendrils +here and there escaped to touch her white throat or shade her temples. +One particularly captivating little curl twined round her ear and seemed +to be whispering some pleasant secret, for the blooming cheek dimpled +now and then, the soft lips smiled, and the eyes were full of a dreamy +thoughtfulness. A book lay in her lap, but her own fancies seemed more +interesting, and she sat watching the snow-flakes flutter down, lost in +one of the delightful reveries girls love, quite unconscious of the +admiration of her neighbors, or the fixed stare of the young man behind +her.</p> + +<p>"Miss Dolly, by all that's good!" he said to himself, suddenly +forgetting the sins of his native land, and finding it quite possible to +stop a little longer in it. "She said she was going to town with the old +things, and there she is, prettier than ever. If it hadn't been for +those provoking papers, I should have seen her when she got in, and +might have secured a seat by her. That stout party evidently doesn't +appreciate his advantages. I can't order him out, but I'll watch my +chance, for I really ought to apologize for my stupidity yesterday. +Wonder if she has forgotten all about it?"</p> + +<p>And John fell into a reverie likewise, for he was in just the mood to +enjoy any thing so innocent and fresh and sweet as the memory of little +Dolly at her spinning-wheel. It all came back to him with a redoubled +charm, for there was a home-like warmth and simplicity about it that +made the recollection very pleasant to a solitary fellow knocking about +the world with no ties of any sort to keep him safe and steady. He felt +the need of them, and was all ready to give away his honest heart, if he +could find any amiable creature who could be satisfied with that alone, +for he had nothing else to offer. He was rather fastidious, however, +having an artist's refined taste in the matter of beauty, and a manly +man's love of the womanliness which shows itself in character, not +clothes. But he had few opportunities to discover his ideal woman, and +no desire to worship a fashion plate, so here was an excellent heart to +let, and no one knew it, unless they had the skill to read the notice in +the window.</p> + +<p>The reveries of both young people were rudely disturbed by the "stout +party," who having finished his paper, and taken a comprehensive survey +of his thoughtful little neighbor, suddenly began to talk as if he did +"appreciate his advantages," and meant to make the most of them.</p> + +<p>John watched this performance with deep interest, and it soon became +rather exciting; for Miss Dolly's face was a tell-tale, and plainly +betrayed the rapid transitions of feeling through which she passed. The +respectful attention she at first gave in deference to the age of the +speaker changed to surprise, then to annoyance, lastly to girlish +confusion and distress; for the old gentleman was evidently of the +Pecksniffian order, and took advantage of his gray hairs to harass the +pretty damsel with his heavy gallantry.</p> + +<p>Poor Miss Dolly looked vainly about her for any means of escape, but +every seat was full, and she was quite unconscious that an irate young +man behind her was burning to rush to the rescue if he had only known +how. As no way appeared, John was forced to content himself with +directing such fiery glances at the broad back of the ancient beau it +was a wonder they did not act like burning-glasses and set that expanse +of broadcloth in a blaze.</p> + +<p>A crisis soon arrived, and woman's wit turned the tables capitally; for +when the old gentleman confiscated her book under pretence of looking at +it, and then, laying his arm over the back of the seat, went on talking +with a fat smile that exasperated her beyond endurance, Dolly gave him +one indignant glance and opened her window, letting in a blast of cold +air that made her tormentor start and shiver as if she had boxed his +ears.</p> + +<p>"Good! if that does not rout the enemy, I'm much mistaken," said John to +himself, enjoying it all with the relish of a young man who sees an old +one usurping his privileges.</p> + +<p>The enemy was not routed, but his guns were silenced; for, having +expostulated with paternal solicitude, he turned up his coat-collar and +retired behind his paper, evidently much disgusted at finding that two +could play at the game of annoyance, though the girl had to call the +elements to her aid.</p> + +<p>"If I dared, I'd offer to change seats with him; not because he is +suffering agonies at the idea of getting tic-douloureux or a stiff neck, +that would only serve him right, but because <i>she</i> will get the worst of +it. There, she has already! Confound that cinder! why didn't it go into +his eye instead of hers?" added John, as he saw the girl shrink +suddenly, and begin to wink and rub her eye with distressful haste, +while the "stout party" took advantage of the mishap to close the window +with an expression of vengeful satisfaction on his rubicund visage. He +offered no help, for his first rebuff still rankled in his memory, but +placidly twirled his thumbs, with a sidelong glance now and then at his +companion, who, finding all her winking and rubbing in vain, shrouded +her face in a veil, and sat a pathetic picture of beauty in distress, +with an occasional tear rolling over her cheek and her dear little nose +reddening rapidly with the general inflammation caused by that fatal +cinder.</p> + +<p>This affecting spectacle was too much for John, who not only felt the +chivalrous desire of a man to help the gentle sex, but remembered that +he owed the girl a good turn for her hospitality the day before, not to +mention the apology he quite burned to make. Knowing that the train +would soon stop a few minutes for the passengers to lunch, he resolved +then and there to cast himself into the breach and deliver the doubly +afflicted damsel at all costs.</p> + +<p>Happily the station was reached before any great damage was done to the +girl's features, or the young man's impatience became uncontrollable. +The instant the stout gentleman rose to seek refreshment John dived for +his valise, and, cleaving his way through the crowded aisle, presented +himself beside the empty place, asking, with an attempt to look and +speak like a stranger, which would not have deceived Dolly a bit, had +she not been half-blind, "Is this seat engaged, madam?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir," she answered, unveiling to discover what new affliction fate +had sent her.</p> + +<p>It was delightful to see the one wistful eye light up with a look of +recognition, the one visible cheek flush with pleasure, and the lips +smile as they added, with the impulsive frankness of a tormented girl, +"Oh, please take it quickly, or that dreadful man will come back!"</p> + +<p>Quite satisfied with his welcome, John slipped into the coveted place, +resolving to keep it in spite of a dozen stout gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, now what else can I do for you?" he asked, with such an evident +desire to lend a hand somewhere that it was impossible to decline his +services.</p> + +<p>"<i>Could</i> you take this thing out of my eye? It hurts dreadfully, and I +shall be a spectacle by the time I get to Aunt Maria's," answered Dolly, +with a little moan that rent the hearer's susceptible heart.</p> + +<p>"That is just what I want to do, and you may trust me; for I've been a +great traveller, and have had much experience in the extraction of +cinders," said John, adding, as he produced a pencil in a capable sort +of way, "now open your eye wide, and we'll have it out in a jiffy."</p> + +<p>Dolly obeyed with a courage and confidence most flattering, and John +peered into the suffering eye with an intensity which it was impossible +for the most artful cinder to escape.</p> + +<p>"I see it!" he cried, and turning back the lid over his pencil he +delicately removed the black atom with a corner of Dolly's veil.</p> + +<p>It was all over in an instant, and both displayed great nerve and +coolness during the operation; but, as soon as it was done, Dolly +retired into her handkerchief, and John found himself as flushed and +breathless as if he had faced some great danger, instead of merely +looking into a girl's eye. Ah! but it was a very eloquent eye in spite +of the cinder,—large and soft, tearful and imploring, and the instant +during which he had bent to examine it had been a most exciting one; for +the half-open lips were so near his own their hurried breath fanned his +cheek, the inquisitive little curl tumbled over her ear to touch his +wrist as he held up the eyelid, and a small hand had unconsciously +clutched softly at his arm during the inspection. Bless you! the famous +scene between Uncle Toby and the Widow Wadman was entirely surpassed on +this occasion, because the actors were both young and neither artful.</p> + +<p>"Such relief!" sighed Dolly, emerging from a brief retirement, with a +face so full of gratitude that it was like a burst of sunshine after an +eclipse.</p> + +<p>"Let me see if it is all right;" and John could not resist another look +into the clear depths through which he seemed to catch delicious +glimpses of an innocent young heart before maiden modesty drew the +curtain and shut him out. As the long lashes fell, a sudden color in her +cheeks seemed to be reflected upon his, and with a hasty,—</p> + +<p>"It is a good deal inflamed, so I'm going to prescribe a wet bandage for +a few minutes, if you can spare your handkerchief,"—he hurried away to +the water tank near by.</p> + +<p>"That's very comforting. Thank you so much!" and Dolly patted her +invalid eye assiduously; while John, feeling that he had earned his +place, planted his valise on the seat with a defiant glance over his +shoulder, then turned to Dolly, saying, "You must have some lunch," and +waiting for no denial dashed out of the car as if on an errand of life +and death.</p> + +<p>He was gone but a moment or two; but in that time Dolly had smoothed her +hair, retied her hat, whisked a nicer pair of gloves out of her pocket, +and taken a rapid survey of herself in a tiny glass concealed from other +eyes in the recesses of her bag. She had just time to close and cast the +aforesaid bag recklessly upon the floor as her knight came up, bearing a +cup of tea and a block of cake, saying in the pleasantly protecting way +all women like,—</p> + +<p>"Dr. Harris prescribes refreshment after the operation, and this is the +best he can find. Your aged admirer was at the counter, eating against +time and defying apoplexy," he added with a laugh, as Dolly gratefully +sipped the tea, which, by the way, was as weak as that made at the +famous Boston tea-party, when, as every one knows, water was liberally +used.</p> + +<p>"You saw him, then, when he was plaguing me?"</p> + +<p>"I did, and longed to throw him out of the window."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. Did you recognize me before you spoke?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I did, and wanted to approach, but didn't dare till the +cinder gave me an excuse."</p> + +<p>"The idea of being afraid of <i>me</i>!"</p> + +<p>"How could I help being afraid, when you told me Miss Dolly was +'awful'?" asked John, twinkling with fun, as he sat on the arm of a seat +sociably eating a sandwich, which under other circumstances would have +struck him as being a remarkable combination of sawdust and +sole-leather.</p> + +<p>Before Dolly could reply except by a guilty blush, a bell rang, and John +hurried away with the empty cup.</p> + +<p>A moment or two later the stout gentleman appeared, wiping his mouth, +evidently feeling in a better humor, and ready to make up with his +pretty neighbor. Smiling blandly, he was about to remove the valise, +when Miss Dolly laid her hand upon it, saying with great dignity, "This +seat is engaged, sir. There are plenty of others now, and I wish this +for my friend."</p> + +<p>Here John, who was just behind, seeing his prize in danger, gave a +gentle shove to several intervening fellow-beings, who in turn propelled +the "stout party" past the disputed place, which the young man took with +an air of entire satisfaction, and a hearty "Thank you!" which told +Dolly he had overheard her little speech.</p> + +<p>She colored beautifully, but said with grateful frankness,—</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a fib: a friend in need is a friend indeed, and in return for +the cinder I'm glad to give you a seat."</p> + +<p>"Blessed be the cinder, then!" murmured John, feeling at peace with all +mankind. Then taking advantage of the propitious moment, he added in a +penitential tone,—</p> + +<p>"I want to apologize for my stupidity and unintentional rudeness +yesterday."</p> + +<p>"About what?" asked Dolly, innocently, though her eyes began to sparkle +with amusement.</p> + +<p>"Why, taking it into my head that Miss Hill must be oldish, and going on +in that absurd way about spinsters."</p> + +<p>"Well, I <i>am</i> a spinster, and not so young as I have been. <i>I</i> ought to +apologize for not telling you who I was; but it was so very funny to +hear you go on in that sober way to my face, I couldn't spoil it," said +the girl, with a look that upset John's repentant gravity; and they +laughed together as only the young and happy can.</p> + +<p>"It is very good of you to take it so kindly, but I assure you it +weighed upon my conscience, and it is a great relief to beg pardon," he +said, feeling as if they had been friends for years.</p> + +<p>"Have you been sketching old things ever since?" asked Dolly, changing +the conversation with womanly tact.</p> + +<p>"Yes: I went to several places further on, but didn't find any thing +half so good as your chair and tankard. I suppose you are taking the +relics to town now?"</p> + +<p>"All but one."</p> + +<p>"Which is that?"</p> + +<p>"The pumpkin hood. It is the only thing my step-mother admires among my +treasures, and she would not give it up. You rather admired it, didn't +you?" asked Dolly, with her demurest air.</p> + +<p>"I deserve to be laughed at for my panic," answered John, owning up +manfully; then pulled out his sketch-book, with an eye to business even +in the middle of a joke.</p> + +<p>"See here! I tried to get that venerable hood into my sketch, but +couldn't quite hit it. Perhaps you can help me."</p> + +<p>"Let me see them all," said Dolly, taking possession of the book with a +most flattering air of interest.</p> + +<p>"Nothing there but queer or famous things, all a hundred years old at +least," began John, quite forgetting his stolen sketch of a pretty girl +cleaning a snuffer-tray, which he had worked up with great care the +night before. Perhaps this made the book open at that particular page, +for, as the words left his lips, Dolly's eyes fell on her own figure, +too well done to be mistaken, even if the artist's face had not betrayed +him.</p> + +<p>"What 'queer' or 'famous' <i>old</i> person of the last century is that, +please?" she asked, holding it off, and looking at it through her hand, +while her lips broke into a smile in spite of her efforts to look +unconscious.</p> + +<p>Knowing that a pretty woman will easily forgive a liberty of that sort, +John got out of the scrape handsomely by answering with mock gravity,—</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's Madam Hancock, when a girl. Did you never see the famous +portrait at Portsmouth?"</p> + +<p>"No. The dress is rather modern, and not quite in keeping with the +antique chair she is sitting in," observed the girl, critically.</p> + +<p>"That's to be added later. I have to work up things, you know,—a face +here, a costume there, and so on: all artists do."</p> + +<p>"So I see. There's the hood; but it wants a cape," and Dolly turned the +leaf, as much amused at his quickness as flattered by his compliment.</p> + +<p>There were not many sketches as yet, but she admired them all, and, when +the book was shut, chatted on about antiquities, feeling quite friendly +and comfortable; for there was respect, as well as admiration, in the +honest blue eyes, and the young man did not offend as the old one had +done.</p> + +<p>"As you are interested in curiosities, perhaps you may like to see some +that I have here in my bag. I am very fond and proud of them, because +they are genuine, and have histories of old times attached to them," she +said presently.</p> + +<p>"I shall feel much honored by being allowed to look at them," replied +the artist, remembering that "people used to laugh at poor Miss Dolly +and her 'duds.'"</p> + +<p>"This little pin, made of two hearts in diamonds and rubies, with a +crown above, used to be worn by my mother's great aunt, Madam Hancock. +She was a Quincy, you know. And this long garnet buckle fastened the +Governor's stock," began Dolly, displaying her store with a gentle pride +pleasant to see.</p> + +<p>"Most interesting! but I can't help feeling grateful that this J. H. +doesn't have to wear a stock requiring a foot-long buckle like that," +answered John, picturing himself in the costume of the past century, and +wondering if it would suit his manly face and figure.</p> + +<p>"Now don't laugh at this relic, for it is very curious, though <i>you</i> +won't appreciate it as a woman would;" and Dolly unfolded an +old-fashioned housewife of red velvet, lined with faded yellow damask. +"That was made by my dear mother out of a bit of the velvet lining of +the Governor's state-coach, and the coverlet that a French Comte tore +with his spurs."</p> + +<p>"Come, that sounds well! I appreciate coaches and spurs, if I'm not up +to brooches and needle-books. Tell the story, please," besought John, +who found it the most delightful thing in the world to sit there, +following the pretty motions of the small hands, the changeful +expression of the winsome face, and enjoying the companionship of the +confiding creature beside him.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, when Madam married Captain Scott many of the Governor's +things were taken from her, among them the state-coach. By the way, it +is said to be in existence now, stored away in somebody's barn down in +Portland. You had better go and sketch it," began Dolly, smoothing out +the old housewife, and evidently glad to tell the little story of the +ancestress whom she was said to resemble, though she modestly refrained +from mentioning a fact of which she was immensely proud.</p> + +<p>"I will!" and John soberly made a memorandum to visit the ancient coach.</p> + +<p>"When my great-great aunt was told she must give up the carriage, she +ripped out the new velvet lining, which had been put in at her expense, +and gave the bits to her various nieces. Mother made a spencer of hers, +and when it was worn out kept enough for this needle-book. The lining is +a scrap of the yellow damask counterpane that was on the bed in which +the Frenchman should have slept when he came with Lafayette to visit +Madam, only he was so tipsy he laid on the outside, and tore the fine +cover with his spurs. There's a nice Comte for you!"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see the spurs, nevertheless. Any more treasures?" and John +peered into the bag, as if he thirsted for more antiquarian knowledge.</p> + +<p>"Only one, and this is the most valuable of all. Stoop down and look: +I'm afraid I may be robbed, if I display my things carelessly."</p> + +<p>John obediently bent till the sweeping feather of her hat touched his +cheek, to the great annoyance of the banished peri, who viewed these +pleasant passages from afar with much disfavor.</p> + +<p>"This is said to be Madam's wedding ring. I like to think so, and am +very proud to be named for her, because she was a good woman as well as +a"—</p> + +<p>"Beauty," put in John, as the speaker paused to open a faded case in +which lay a little ring of reddish gold.</p> + +<p>"I was going to say—as well as a brave one; for I need courage," added +the girl, surveying the old-fashioned trinket with such a sober face +that the young man refrained from alluding to the remarkable coincidence +of another John and Dolly looking at the wedding ring together.</p> + +<p>She seemed to have forgotten all about her companion for a moment, and +be busy with her own thoughts, as she put away her treasures with a care +which made it a pleasure to watch her tie knots, adjust covers, repack +her little bag, and finally fold her hands over it, saying gravely,—</p> + +<p>"I love to think about those times; for it seems as if people were +better then,—the men more honest, the women more womanly, and every +thing simpler and truer than now. Does it ever seem so to you?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed it does; for this very day, as I read the papers, I got quite +low-spirited, thinking what a shameful state things have got into. Money +seems to be the one idea, and men are ready to sell their souls for it," +answered John, as soberly as she.</p> + +<p>"Money is a good thing to have, though;" and Dolly gave a little sigh, +as she drew her scarf over the worn edges of her jacket.</p> + +<p>"So it is!" echoed John, with the hearty acquiescence of a man who had +felt the need of it.</p> + +<p>"My name and these old treasures are all my fortune, and I used to be +contented with it; but I'm not now, dependence is so hateful!" added the +girl, impulsively; then bit her lip, as if the words had escaped in +spite of her.</p> + +<p>"And this is all mine," said John, twirling the pencil which he still +held; giving confidence for confidence, and glad to do it, if it made +them better friends, for he pitied little Miss Dolly, suspecting what +was true, that her home was not a happy one.</p> + +<p>She thanked him mutely for the kind look he gave her, and said +prettily,—</p> + +<p>"Skill is money; and it must be a very pleasant life to go about drawing +beautiful or curious things."</p> + +<p>"So it is sometimes,—yesterday, for instance," he answered, laughing.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> have no modern accomplishments to earn a living by. Mine are all +old-fashioned; and no one cares for such nowadays, except in servants. I +may be very glad of them, though; for playing lady doesn't seem half so +honest as going out to service, when one has nothing but an empty pair +of hands," she said with a wistful yet courageous look at the wintry +world outside, which made her companion feel a strong desire to counsel +and protect this confiding young Columbus, who knew so little of the +perils which would beset her voyage in search of a woman's El Dorado.</p> + +<p>"Come to me for a recommendation before you try it. I can vouch for your +cooking, you know. But I'd advise you to play lady till you discover a +good safe place. I don't believe you'll find it hard, for the world is +likely to be very kind to such as you," he answered, so cheerily that +she brightened like a flower to which a stray sunbeam is very welcome.</p> + +<p>A shrill whistle announced that the journey was over, and everybody +began at once to fuss and fumble. John got up to take his valise from +the rack, and Dolly began to struggle into her rubbers. She was still +bending down to do this, with as little damage as possible to her best +gloves, when she heard a sounding slap and a hearty voice cry out,—</p> + +<p>"Hullo, John!" then add in a lower tone, "So there <i>is</i> a Mrs. Harris, +you sly dog, you?"</p> + +<p>"Hush! there isn't. How are you, George?" returned another voice, +beginning in a hurried whisper and ending in an unnecessarily loud +salutation.</p> + +<p>What happened for a minute or two after that Dolly did not know; for the +rubbers proved so refractory that she only rose from the encounter +flushed and hurried, as the train entered the station.</p> + +<p>"Let me make myself useful in looking after your baggage," said her +self-constituted escort, handing her out with great respect and care.</p> + +<p>"Thank you: all my things come by express, so I've nothing to do but get +into a carriage."</p> + +<p>"Then allow me to see you safely there, for the sake of the treasures, +if nothing else;" and John led her away, utterly ignoring the presence +of "George," who stood looking after them, with a face full of +good-humored interest and amusement.</p> + +<p>"I'm very much obliged. Good-by," said Dolly, from the coach window.</p> + +<p>"Not good-by: I'm coming to the fair, you know," answered John, +lingering at the door as if loath to lose sight of his little friend.</p> + +<p>"I forgot all about it!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't; for I depend on the cakes and ale and all the other good +things promised me."</p> + +<p>"You will find them there," with a smile, and then a sudden blush as she +remembered that he had not only agreed to speak to "Miss Dolly," but to +"win her old heart."</p> + +<p>He remembered also, and laughed as he bowed with the same audacious look +he had worn when he made that rash vow.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he <i>will</i> come?" thought the girl, as she drove away.</p> + +<p>"As if <i>I</i> should forget!" said John to himself, as he trudged through +the snow, quite regardless of his waiting friend; for from the little +cinder had been kindled a spark of the divine fire that moves one of the +great engines which transport mankind all the world over.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3><i>CONFIDENTIAL.</i></h3> + + +<p>John Harris promised to "do" the fair, and kept his word handsomely; for +he was there every day for a week, lunching in the old-fashioned +kitchen, and then, in his official capacity, sketching every relic he +could lay his eyes on. Such punctuality caused the pretty waiters to +smile affably upon this faithful devourer of primitive viands, and the +matrons to predict great things from the young artist's application to +his work.</p> + +<p>Little guessed the girls and the gossips that love was ravaging their +generous patron's heart more persistently than he did their tables, and +that nature not art caused his devotion to modern beauty rather than +ancient ugliness. For all John saw in the crowd that filled the place +was Dolly, tripping to and fro tray in hand, spinning at her wheel, or +resting beside Aunt Maria, twin sister of Mrs. Hill, in an imposing cap +instead of the pumpkin hood. Pretty Dolly was the belle of the kitchen; +for she alone of all the dozen damsels on duty looked her part, and was +in truth a country girl, rich in the old-fashioned gifts and graces of +health, modesty, housewifely skill, and the sweet maidenliness which +girls who come out at sixteen soon lose for ever. Her dress, too, was +wonderfully complete and becoming, though only a pink and white chintz, +a mob-cap, and an uncompromising apron, with the pin-ball, scissors, +keys, and linen pocket hanging at the side. The others looked like stage +soubrettes, and acted like coquettish young ladies who knew nothing +about their work. But Dolly was genuine throughout, so she proved a +great success; and Aunt Maria took all the credit of it to herself, felt +that she had done a good thing in bringing so much youth, energy, and +loveliness to market, and expressed her satisfaction by talking a great +deal about "our family," which, as she was a Smith, was certainly large +enough to furnish endless gossip.</p> + +<p>Another person watched, admired, and hovered about the girl like a +blue-bottle fly about a rose; and that was Mr. Aaron Parker, a dapper +little man of fifty, who, having made a snug fortune, was now anxious to +marry and settle. Aunt Maria was evidently his confidant and friend; and +it was soon apparent that Aunt Maria intended to make a match between +her niece and this amiable gentleman, who set about his wooing with +old-fashioned formality and deliberation.</p> + +<p>All this John saw, heard, or divined with the keenness of a lover, while +he watched the events of that week; for he very soon made up his mind +that he adored "Miss Dolly," as he always called her to himself. The +short time which had elapsed between the car episode and the opening of +the fair seemed endless to him; and, when he came beaming into the +kitchen the very first day, his heart sang for joy at sight of that +bonny face once more. She welcomed him so kindly, served him so +prettily, and showed such frank and friendly pleasure at meeting him +again, that the lonely fellow felt as if he had suddenly found a large +and attached family, and yielded to the charm without a struggle. She +seemed to belong to him somehow, as if he had discovered her, and had +the first right to admire, help, and love her; for he alone of all the +men there had seen her at home, had looked deepest into the shy, bright +eyes, and heard her call him "friend."</p> + +<p>This delightful state of things lasted for a few days, during which he +felt as if quaffing nectar and tasting ambrosia, while he drank the +promised cider and ate the spicy "sweethearts" which Dolly always +brought him with a smile that went directly to his head, and produced a +delicious sort of intoxication. He never could have but a word or two, +she was so busy; but, as he sat apart, pretending to sketch, he was +living over those brief, blissful moments, and concocting wonderfully +witty, wise, or tender speeches for the morrow.</p> + +<p>Well for him that no one looked over his shoulder at such times, for his +portfolio would have betrayed him, since it was a wild jumble of +andirons and mob-caps, antique pepper-pots and pretty profiles, +spinning-wheels, and large eyes with a profusion of lash; while a dainty +pair of feet in high-heeled slippers seemed to dance from page after +page, as if the artist vainly sought to exorcise some persistent fancy +by booking it over and over again.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a change appeared both in the man and in his work; for Parker +had arrived, and clouds began to gather on the horizon which was rosy +with the dawn of love. Now John discovered that the cider was sour and +the cake stale, for the calls of a voracious rival cruelly abbreviated +his moments of bliss. Now he glared and brooded in corners where once he +had revelled in dreams of a dim but delightful future. Now the pages of +his sketch-book bore grotesque likenesses of a round, snub-nosed +countenance in all sorts of queer places, such as a clock-face, under a +famous cocked hat, or peeping out of a memorable warming-pan; while a +dapper figure was seen in various trying attitudes, the most frequent +being prone before the dancing feet, one of which was usually spurning a +fat money-bag, with contempt in every line of the pretty slipper.</p> + +<p>At this stage, the fair ended, and Aunt Maria bore the charmer away, +leaving John to comfort himself with the memory of a parting look of +regret from behind Governor Hancock's punch-bowl, which Dolly embraced +with one arm, while the other guarded Madam's best china tea-pot.</p> + +<p>Maddening was it to haunt the street before Aunt Maria's door, and hear +a gay voice singing inside fit to melt a paving stone, to say nothing of +a young man's heart. More maddening still to catch occasional glimpses +of the girl shut up in a carriage with the dragon, or at concerts and +theatres under the escort of Mr. Parker. But most maddening of all was +the frequent spectacle of this enamoured gentleman trotting up the +street, simpering to himself as he went, and freely entering at the door +which shut the younger lover out of Paradise.</p> + +<p>At such trying periods, John (now very far gone indeed, for love feeds +on air) would feel a wild desire to knock the little man down, storm +Aunt Maria's mansion, and carry his Dolly away from what he felt assured +was an irksome bondage to the girl. But, alas! where could he carry the +dear creature when he had got her? For all the home he possessed was one +room in a dull boarding-house, and his only fortune the salary his +pencil earned him. Then, as he groaned over these sad facts, a great +temptation would assail him; for he remembered that with a word he could +work the miracle which would give him half a million, and make all +things possible but the keeping of his own self-respect.</p> + +<p>Hard times just then for John Harris; and for some weeks he went about +his daily duties with such a divided mind and troubled spirit that the +stoniest heart might have pitied him. But comfort came when least +expected, and in trying to help another he got help himself and hope +beside.</p> + +<p>One gusty March morning he arrayed himself in his best, put a posy in +his button-hole, and went gallantly away to Aunt Maria's door, bound to +make a call in spite of her frowns at the fair, and evident desire to +ignore his existence since. Boldly ringing the forbidden bell, he +inquired for the ladies. Both were engaged; and, as if nothing should be +wanting to his chagrin, as he went down the steps Mr. Parker, bearing a +suggestive bouquet, went up and was instantly admitted.</p> + +<p>It was too much for poor John, who rushed away into the park, and +pulling his hat over his eyes tramped wrathfully down the mall, +muttering to himself,—</p> + +<p>"It's no use; I <i>must</i> give in; for with a fortune in my pocket I could +carry all before me,—bribe Aunt Maria, outbid Aaron, and win my Dolly, +if I'm not much mistaken."</p> + +<p>Just then a sharp yelp roused him from his excited reverie, and looking +up he found that he had kicked a fat poodle, who was waddling slowly +along, while some way before him went a little figure in a gray hat, at +sight of which John's heart gave a leap. Here was bliss! Dolly alone at +last, and he could defy the dragon and all her machinations. Parker and +his fine bouquet were nowhere; Harris and his button-hole posy had the +best of it now; and, leaving the fat poodle to whine and waddle at its +own sweet will, the happy man hurried forward to make the most of this +propitious moment.</p> + +<p>As he drew near, he observed that a handkerchief went more than once to +the face which drooped in a thoughtful way as the feet paced slowly on.</p> + +<p>"Bless her heart! she is catching cold, and dreaming dreams, here all +alone," thought John, as, stepping to her side, he said gently, that he +might not startle her, "Good-morning, Miss Dolly."</p> + +<p>He did startle her, nevertheless, and himself as well; for, as she +turned quickly, he saw that her face was bathed in tears. Instantly all +his own troubles took wing; and, with no thought but how to comfort her, +he said impetuously,—</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon, but do tell me what is the matter?" He came upon her so +suddenly that there was no time to hide the tell-tale tears. He looked +so eager, kind, and helpful, she could not be offended at his words; and +just then she needed a friend so much, it was hard to resist confiding +in him. Yet, womanlike, she tried to hide her little worries, to make +light of her girlish grief, and turn a brave face to the world. So she +brushed the drops from her eyes, put on a smile, and answered stoutly,—</p> + +<p>"It was very foolish of me to cry, but it is so dull and lonely here I +think I was a little homesick."</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps you won't mind if I walk on a bit with you and apologize +for kicking your little dog?" said John, artfully availing himself of +this excuse.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. He is Aunt Maria's dog; but how came you to do it?" asked +the girl, plainly showing that a human companion was very welcome.</p> + +<p>"I was in a brown study, and did it by accident. He's so fat it didn't +hurt him much," answered the young man, assuming his gayest manner for +her sake. Then he added, with an excuse which did not deceive her a +bit,—</p> + +<p>"The fact is, I'd ventured to call on you to see if I could get a sketch +of the punch-bowl; but you were engaged, the girl said, and I was rather +disappointed."</p> + +<p>"What a fib! I'm sorry I was out; but the house was gloomy and Aunt +rather cross, so I ran away under pretence of giving old Tip an airing."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you don't know what you lost! Mr. Parker went in as I came out, +with such a nosegay!—for Aunt Maria, I suppose?" and John tried to look +quite easy and gay as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Dolly's face darkened ominously, and a worried look came into her eyes +as she glanced behind her, then quickened her steps, saying, with a +little groan that was both comic and pathetic,—</p> + +<p>"It does seem as if it was my doom to be tormented by old gentlemen! I +wish you'd get rid of this one as you did of the other."</p> + +<p>"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," answered John, with such +heartiness that a sudden color dried Dolly's wet cheeks, as she +remembered that he had got rid of tormentor number one by taking his +place.</p> + +<p>Cheered by the knowledge that a champion was ready to defend her, she +ventured to show him a safer way in which to serve her, saying very +soberly,—</p> + +<p>"I think I may be glad of the recommendation you once promised me. +Should you mind giving it?"</p> + +<p>"Are you tired of 'playing lady' so soon?" he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"So tired that I felt to-day as if I'd like to run away and take service +with the first person who would engage me."</p> + +<p>"Don't!" exclaimed John, with such energy that the fat poodle barked +shrilly and made a feeble charge at his boots, feeling that something +was wrong somewhere. "Run away home, if you must run, but pray don't get +discouraged and do any thing rash," he went on with great earnestness; +for he saw by her face that she was in some real trouble.</p> + +<p>"I haven't even a home to run to; for Mrs. Hill agrees with Aunt that +it's time I ceased to be a burden. It's very hard, when I only ask a +safe corner in the world, and am willing to work for it," cried the +girl, with an irrepressible sob; for the trials of many weeks had grown +unbearable, and a kind word made the full heart overflow.</p> + +<p>Neither spoke for a minute, then John said with a respectful earnestness +which touched her very much,—</p> + +<p>"Miss Dolly, you once called me a friend, and I was very proud to be so +honored. Forget that I am any thing else, and, if you have no one wiser +and older to consult, trust me, and let me help you. I've knocked about +the world enough to know how hard it is for a man to get an honest +living, doubly hard for a woman, especially one as young and beautiful +as you are. There are safe corners, I am sure; but it takes time to find +them, so pray be patient and do nothing without care."</p> + +<p>"I called you a friend in need, and so you are; for, strange as it may +seem, there is no one to whom I can go for disinterested advice. I know +so little of the world that I'm afraid to trust my own judgment, yet I +am driven to decide between dependence of a sort I despise, or to stand +alone and take care of myself. <i>Will</i> you advise me?" and she looked up +with an appealing glance, which read such a reassuring answer in the +honest eyes full of sincerest sympathy that she was comforted before he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I will! for what are we all here for, if not to help one +another? Do you know I think there is a sort of fate about these things, +and it's no use to struggle against it. We seem to be two 'lone, lorn' +creatures thrown together in queer ways, so let's agree to be old +friends and stand by each other. Come, is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>He seemed so firmly convinced of the inevitability of this fate that the +girl felt relieved from farther scruples, and agreed in all good faith.</p> + +<p>"Now about the troubles?" began John, trying to look old, reliable, and +wise; for he guessed the one she was most reluctant to tell.</p> + +<p>"I suppose marrying for an establishment or earning their bread is a +question most poor girls have to settle sooner or later," observed +Dolly, in a general sort of way, as an opening; for, in spite of his +praiseworthy efforts, her young counsellor did not succeed in looking +like a sage.</p> + +<p>"If pretty, yes; if plain, no. We needn't discuss the latter class, but +go on to the question," returned John, keeping to the subject in hand +with masculine pertinacity.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather be an old man's housekeeper than his wife; but people won't +believe it, and laugh at me for being what they call so foolish," said +the girl, petulantly; for she did not seem to be getting on well with +her confidences.</p> + +<p>"I thought from what I saw at the fair that Parker seemed ready to offer +both situations for your acceptance."</p> + +<p>John could not help saying that, for a jealous pang assailed him at the +mere idea. He feared that he had spoilt the <i>rôle</i> he was trying to +play; but it happened to be the best thing he could have done, for the +introduction of that name made things much easier for Dolly, as she +proved by kindling up as suddenly as if the word had been a match to +fire a long train of grievances.</p> + +<p>"He did; and Aunt scolds me from morning till night, because I won't +accept the fine establishment he offers me. That's what I was sent here +for! My step-mother wants me out of the way, Aunt Maria hands me over to +Mr. Parker, and he takes me because I know how to cook and nurse. I +might as well be put up at auction and sold to the highest bidder!" she +cried, with eyes flashing through indignant tears.</p> + +<p>"It's abominable!" echoed John, with equal indignation, though the words +"highest bidder" rung in his ears, as he thought of the fortune waiting +for him, and the youth which would tell so strongly in the race against +"old Parker," as he irreverently called the little man; for fifty seems +a patriarchal age to four-and-twenty.</p> + +<p>"I know that sort of thing is done every day, and thought quite right; +but I am so old-fashioned it seems terrible to marry merely for a home. +Yet I'm very tired of being poor, and I <i>should</i> like a taste of ease +and pleasure while I can enjoy them," added Dolly, with a very natural +longing for the bright and happy side of life.</p> + +<p>"And I could give her all she wants," thought John, with the temptation +getting stronger every minute. But he only said a little bitterly, +"You'd better give in, if you want ease and pleasure, for money can buy +any thing."</p> + +<p>"No, it can't buy love, and that is better than all the splendor in the +world," answered the girl, in a tone that thrilled her hearer to the +heart. "What <i>I</i> call love seems to have gone out of fashion; and that +is what troubles me; because, if there <i>isn't</i> any such thing, I may as +well take the next best, and try to be contented. No one seems to value +love for itself alone, to feel the need of it as much as light and air, +to miss it when it goes, or try to earn and keep it as the most precious +thing in the world. Money and position are every thing, and men work and +women marry for these, as if they had no other hope or end; and I'm +frightened at the things I see and hear in what is called society."</p> + +<p>"Poor child, I don't wonder; but I assure you there <i>is</i> an ocean of +love in the world, only it gets put out of sight in the rush, wasted on +those who don't deserve it, or dammed up by adverse circumstances. It +exists though, the real genuine article, waiting for a market. <i>Do</i> +believe it, and wait for it, and I'm sure it will come in time."</p> + +<p>John was so divided between a rash impulse to prove his point by a +declaration then and there, and the conviction that it would be +altogether premature, his metaphors got rather mixed, and he had to pull +himself up abruptly. But Dolly thought it a beautiful speech, was glad +to believe every word of it, and accepted this piece of advice with +admirable docility.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait, and meantime be looking about for the safe corner to run to +when Aunt Maria gets tired of me, because I don't mean to go home again +to be a burden." Then, as if anxious to slip away from a too interesting +topic, she asked with a very winning expression of interest and +good-will,—</p> + +<p>"Now what can I do for you? I'm sure you have worries as well as I, and, +though not very wise, perhaps I might advise in my turn."</p> + +<p>"You are very good, but I couldn't think of troubling you;" and the +young man looked both pleased and flurried by the girl's offer.</p> + +<p>"We agreed to help one another, you remember; and I must do my part, or +the bargain won't be a fair one. Tell me what the brown study was about, +and I'll forgive the kick poor Tip got," persisted Dolly; for her +feminine instinct told her that a heavy cloud of some sort had been +lifted to let sunshine through for her.</p> + +<p>John did long to know her opinion on a certain matter, but a man's pride +would not let him speak as freely as the girl had done, so he took +refuge in a mild subterfuge, and got advice on false pretences.</p> + +<p>"It was only a quandary I was in about a friend of mine. He wants my +judgment in a case something like yours, and perhaps you <i>could</i> help me +with an opinion; for women are very wise in such matters sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Please tell me, if you may. I should so love to pay my debts by being +of some use;" and Dolly was all attention, as she pushed back her vail +as if to get a clear and impartial view of the case about to be +submitted.</p> + +<p>Fixing his eyes on the sparrows who were disporting themselves among the +budding elm-boughs, John plunged abruptly into his story, never once +looking at his hearer and speaking so rapidly that he was rather red and +breathless when he got through.</p> + +<p>"You see, Jack was plodding along after a fashion all by himself, his +people being dead, when an old friend of his father's took it into his +head to say, 'Come and be a son to me, and I'll leave you a handsome +fortune when I die.' A capital thing it seemed, and Jack accepted, of +course. But he soon found that he had given up his liberty, and was a +slave to a very tyrannical master, who claimed him soul and body, heart +and mind. That didn't suit Jack, and he would have broken away; but, as +you say, he was 'tired of being poor, and wanted a little ease and +pleasure in his life.' The old man was failing, and the money would soon +be his, so he held on, till he suddenly discovered that this fortune for +which he was waiting was not honest money, but, like many another great +fortune, had been ground out of the poor, swindled out of honest men, or +stolen from trusting friends, and hoarded up for a long lifetime, to be +left to Jack with the curse of dishonesty upon it. Would you advise him +to take it?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered the girl, without a moment's hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Well, he didn't, but turned his back on the ill-gotten money, and went +to work again with clean but empty hands," added John, still looking +away, though his face wore a curiously excited expression under its +enforced composure.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad, very glad he did! Wasn't it noble of him?" asked Dolly, full +of admiring interest in this unknown Jack.</p> + +<p>"It was very hard; for you see he loved somebody, and stood a poor +chance of winning her without a penny in his pocket."</p> + +<p>"All the nobler in him then; and, if she was worth winning, she'd love +him the more for the sacrifice," said Dolly, warmly; for the romance of +the story took her fancy, though it was poorly told.</p> + +<p>"Think so? I'll mention that to Jack: it will cheer him up immensely, +for he's afraid to try his fate with nothing to offer but his earnings."</p> + +<p>"What's his business?" asked Dolly suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Connected with newspapers,—fair salary, good prospects,—not ashamed +to work," answered John, staring hard at the sparrows, and wiping his +forehead, as if he found the bleak day getting too warm for him.</p> + +<p>"Is the girl pretty?"</p> + +<p>"The most captivating little creature I ever beheld!" cried John, +rapturously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed," and Dolly glanced at him sharply, while a shadow passed +over her face, as she asked with redoubled interest, "Is she rich?"</p> + +<p>"Has nothing but her sweet face and good name I believe."</p> + +<p>"Isn't that enough?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed it is! but Jack wants to make life beautiful and easy for her, +and he can by saying a word. He is awfully tempted to say it; for the +old man is dying, has sent for him to come back, and there is yet time +to secure a part of the fortune. He won't take it all, but has a fancy +that, if he leaves half to charity, it would be a sort of purification +to the other half; and he might enjoy it with his love. Don't you think +so?"</p> + +<p>"No, it would spoil the whole thing. Why cannot they be contented to +begin with nothing but love, and work up together, earning every clean +and honest penny they spend. It would be a comfort to see such a pair in +this mercenary world, and I do hope they will do it," said the girl, +heartily, though a slightly pensive tone had come into her voice, and +she stifled a small sigh, as she put down her vail as if there was +nothing worth seeing in the landscape.</p> + +<p>"I think they <i>will</i> try it!" answered John, with decision, as he smiled +sympathetically at a pair of sparrows chirping together at the door of +one of the desirable family mansions provided for their use.</p> + +<p>Here Tip ended the dangerous dialogue by sitting down before Dolly with +a howl of despair, which recalled her to her duty.</p> + +<p>"The poor old thing is tired, and must go in. Good-morning, and many +thanks," she said, turning toward the steps, which they would have +passed unseen but for the prudent poodle's hint.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, and a thousand pardons for boring you with my affairs," began +John, with a penitent, yet very grateful glance.</p> + +<p>"By the way, I've been so interested in Jack's affairs that I've +forgotten exactly what your advice was to me," she added, pausing on the +upper step for a last word.</p> + +<p>With his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes, John looked up and +answered in a tone that made few words necessary,—</p> + +<p>"Don't sell yourself for a home."</p> + +<p>And Dolly answered back with a sweet, shrewd smile that made him flush +guiltily,—</p> + +<p>"Don't smother your conscience with a fortune."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3><i>APRIL FOOLS.</i></h3> + + +<p>Tip's constitutionals were taken with praiseworthy regularity about that +time, and the poor asthmatic animal was nearly walked off his legs by +the vigor with which his little mistress paraded the park at +unfashionable hours. A robust young man, who did not look as if he +needed early walks, was continually meeting Dolly by accident as it +were, till on the fourth <i>rencontre</i> they both burst out laughing, gave +up all further subterfuge, and felt that it was vain to struggle against +fate. The next time they met, both looked very sober; and John said, +watching her face as he spoke,—</p> + +<p>"It is all over with me, Miss Dolly. The old man is dead, and my chance +is lost for ever."</p> + +<p>"You look so solemn, I'm afraid he left you something, after all."</p> + +<p>"Not a penny. All went to various charities, and I have nothing but my +salary and these two hands."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad of that! I'd like to shake those honest hands, and wish them +all success. May I?" she said, putting out her own with such cordial +approval in voice and eyes that John lost his head, and, holding both +the small hands fast in his, answered all in one fervently incoherent +burst,—</p> + +<p>"May you? Let me keep them, and then I <i>shall</i> succeed! Dearest Dolly, +you said you didn't want any thing but love; and here's a whole heart +full, aching to be poured out. You said you'd like to see Jack and his +wife working their way up together, contented to be poor. Here's Jack +and the wife he wants, if she cares enough for him to try that beautiful +experiment. You said you hadn't any home to run to when those cruel +women called you a burden. Run to me, my darling, and be the pride and +joy and comfort of my life!"</p> + +<p>No one saw what Dolly did but Tip, who sat lolling out his tongue in an +imbecile manner; and no one heard what she said but some bright-faced +crocuses blooming early in that lonely corner of the park. But from what +took place afterward, it was evident that her reply had not been +entirely unpropitious; for her hand lay on John's arm, her face was in +an April state between smiles and tears, and to her eyes midsummer +warmth and radiance seemed to have fallen suddenly upon the earth. It is +hardly necessary to mention that the other party in this little +transaction looked as if <i>he</i> owned the entire world, was yearning to +embrace all mankind, and had nothing more to ask of Heaven in the way of +happiness.</p> + +<p>"You don't regret saying yes, like an angel," asked this unreasonable +lover, five minutes after he had surprised her into uttering that +momentous monosyllable.</p> + +<p>"Not yet."</p> + +<p>"You know that it is very selfish of me to ask you, when I've nothing to +give; and very unwise in you to take me, because you have much to lose."</p> + +<p>"Why, what?"</p> + +<p>"The devoted Parker and his plump pocket-book."</p> + +<p>It was good to hear Dolly laugh at that, and to see John glance +defiantly at an elderly gentleman in the distance, as if all that +harmless portion of the race ought to be exterminated, to leave room for +happy young fellows like himself.</p> + +<p>"He will believe now that, when I say 'No,' I mean it," answered Dolly, +with an assumption of dignity, which changed with comic suddenness to +one of dismay, as she added, "Oh, my heart, what <i>will</i> Aunt Maria say!"</p> + +<p>"Don't tell her just yet, or she will shut you up, whisk you away, or do +some awful thing to part us. Keep this delicious secret for a little +while, and we can enjoy many happy minutes in peace."</p> + +<p>"Yes, John," with a docility that was altogether captivating to the new +commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>"I must look about me, and be getting ready to take you into my home as +well as my heart, when the storm breaks. There is sure to be one, I +fancy; and, for my part, I rather relish the idea. The air will be +clearer and things more settled after it."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what they will say and do to me, but I shall not mind, now +I have you to take care of me;" and Dolly's other hand went to join the +one on John's arm, with a confiding gesture which glorified the old +coat-sleeve, in his eyes, more than any badge it could have worn.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we <i>must</i> live somewhere, and eat occasionally, since we are +mortal. Love certainly <i>is</i> the best capital to start on, but a trifle +of cash is necessary likewise; so we must take a little thought for the +morrow. Wish the city would provide us with a house rent free, and board +thrown in, as it does our feathery confidants here," observed the +husband elect, eying the sparrows with a vague sense of domestic cares +already stealing over his masculine mind.</p> + +<p>"Don't think of all those worries yet. Just love and be happy for a +time, and things will settle themselves somehow," cried Dolly, whose +womanly nature would not be so soon defrauded of the sweet romance which +comes but once in a lifetime.</p> + +<p>"Very well. We'll give a month to clear bliss, and then talk about the +honeymoon."</p> + +<p>But, with the charming inconsistency of her sex, no sooner had she +forbidden a subject than she felt an intense desire to talk about it; +and after a moment's pause, during which her lover had been looking down +at her thoughtful face in silent rapture, Dolly emerged from a brief +reverie, clapping her hands and exclaiming,—</p> + +<p>"John, I've got the most delicious idea that ever was. Now don't laugh +and say, 'It isn't practical,' for I know it is; and it would be so new +and appropriate and economical, and altogether nice, that I hope you'll +approve. We shall want a home by and by, shall we not?"</p> + +<p>"I want it now, if you've no objection."</p> + +<p>"Be serious. Well, a room or two must content us at first, and we want +them to be decent, not to say pretty and comfortable, don't we?"</p> + +<p>"They can't help being all three, if you are there, my Dolly."</p> + +<p>"No, John, not in public! Now answer me this: won't you have to save up +a long time, to get enough to buy furniture and things, no matter how +simple?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I should; for at present my housekeeping stock is about as +large and varied as that of Tommy Traddles. His consisted of a bird-cage +and a toasting-fork, I believe; mine, of an easel and a boot-jack. +Wouldn't they do to begin with?"</p> + +<p>"Please don't joke, but listen; for <i>this</i> is the new idea. Take my dear +old relics and furnish our nest with them! What <i>could</i> be more +economical, picturesque, and appropriate for this centennial year?"</p> + +<p>Dolly stopped short to see how this amazing proposal struck her lord and +master. It seemed to take him off his legs; for he sat suddenly down +upon a seat that fortunately was behind him, and looked up at the +beaming little woman with an expression of admiration and contentment, +which answered her question so emphatically that she nestled down beside +him with all her doubts laid at rest.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd like it! Now let's plan it all out, and see what we've +got. Every thing is as old as the hills, you know; but still so good and +strong we can get years of wear out of it. We don't have such well-made +furniture nowadays," she went on, happily blind to the deficiencies of +the time-worn chairs, clumsy tables, and cracked china, which were all +her store.</p> + +<p>"My blessing on every stick of it! I wasn't thinking about the +furniture, though. I was rejoicing over the fact that, if I needn't save +up for that sort of thing, we could be married all the sooner. That's +the beauty of the idea, don't you see?" and John regarded the originator +thereof with unmitigated satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"So we can; but <i>do</i> think about the furniture, because you ought to be +interested in helping me make an artistic home," said Dolly, knowing +that the word "artistic" would arrest his attention, and keep him to the +subject in hand; for as yet the other idea was too new to bear much +discussion.</p> + +<p>"I will. In fact, I see it now, all complete. Two or three rooms in an +old house, if possible,—they are always the cheapest, my love; so don't +look as if you saw cobwebs and blue mould, and felt black beetles +running over your feet. In one room we'll have that spider-legged table +on which you cleaned the snuffer tray, and the claw-footed chairs: there +were three, I think,—one for each of us, and the third for a friend. +Then on the dresser we'll put all the porringers out of which we are to +eat mush and milk, and the pewter platters for an occasional 'biled +dish,'—that's the proper name for the mess, isn't it? Likewise the dear +fat tea-pots, the red china cups, all cracked, the green-handled knives +and forks, the wooden spoons, funny pepper-pots, and all the rest of the +droll rattletraps."</p> + +<p>"Don't forget <i>the</i> tankard," cried Dolly, as John paused for breath in +the middle of his rhapsody.</p> + +<p>"That will be in our parlor, set forth in state on the little stand I +used to have my lunch at during the fair. I'm afraid I scratched your +initials all over it, that being a trick of mine about that time."</p> + +<p>"I thought you did it! Never mind, but go on, please."</p> + +<p>"We shall put flowers in the immortal mug, and I shall paint them, earn +sums, and grow famous, such will be the inspiration of my surroundings. +For, while I sit in the General's chair at my delightful work, you in +the pretty chintz gown and the fly-away cap,—promise me to wear it, or +I won't go on?"</p> + +<p>"I'll wear any thing you like, in the house, and can have a water-proof +and a linen duster for the street. Artists' wives usually do have to +make guys of themselves, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear. Well, you will always be doing one of three things, +making sweethearts, spinning, or looking over my shoulder. I prefer the +latter occupation on the whole, and when I'm at home that will be your +mission. During my absence, you can attend to the housework you love so +well, and do so prettily. Never did I see such brilliant candlesticks in +my life; and as for the copper tea-kettle, it was like a mirror. I saw +you steal peeps at it more than once, Little Vanity, that day as I sat +stealing a sketch of you."</p> + +<p>"Then you think it can be done, John?" ignoring the accusation.</p> + +<p>"It not only <i>can</i>, but it <i>shall</i> be done, and I shouldn't wonder if we +set the fashion of furnishing bridal bowers with relics of all sorts, +throwing in a glue-pot gratis, to mend up the old things when they +tumble to pieces. I'm great at that, and can get my living as a +cabinetmaker when art fails."</p> + +<p>"I do believe you can do every thing, John!"</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't cure pneumonia, if you should get it by sitting in this +chilly wind. Now I've got you, I intend to take great care of you, my +little treasure."</p> + +<p>It was so sweet to Dolly to be cared for, and so delightful to John to +do it, that they forgot all about poor Tip till he tumbled into the +pond, and was with difficulty fished out by his ears and tail, being too +fat to do any thing but float. This catastrophe shortened an interview +which might otherwise have been prolonged till nightfall, for</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Lightly falls the foot of time<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That only treads on flowers."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Why, John, do you know that this is the first of April?" asked Dolly, +as they went homeward, with Tip forlornly dripping in the rear. "A very +fitting day for such an imprudent couple as we are to begin their +journey," she added, enjoying the idea immensely.</p> + +<p>"So it is! Never mind! we'll prove that we are no fools, though a +mercenary world may call us so," returned John, as blithe as she.</p> + +<p>Alas, poor things! they thought their troubles were all over, now they +had found each other; whereas a cruel fate was laughing at them round +the corner.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3><i>THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.</i></h3> + + +<p>Unfortunately for these deluded young persons, their month of bliss +turned out to be the most tempestuous one they had ever passed; for, +before the first week was over, some malignant imp inspired Aunt Maria +to spy, from a certain end window which commanded a corner of the park, +the lingering adieux of the lovers, and then it was all up with them.</p> + +<p>A single stormy debate, during which John manfully claimed his Dolly, +she stoutly defended her right to love whom she chose, and Aunt Maria +thundered and lightened unavailingly, resulted in the banishment of the +claimant, the strict seclusion of the damsel, and the redoubled devotion +of the decorous but determined Parker, who, cheered on by his ally, +still besieged the rebellious heart, undaunted by the reinforcements +lately received.</p> + +<p>The prospect was certainly not a hopeful one; but the young people never +lost courage, rather enjoyed it on the whole, and revolved endless +schemes in their busy brains, which they confided to one another by +means of notes slipped under Tip's collar when he took his solitary +airings on the steps. For a time persecution lent its zest to their +love; but presently separation grew unbearable, and they were ready for +revolt.</p> + +<p>"I <i>must</i> see you," wrote John, in note number 37.</p> + +<p>"You <i>shall</i>," answered Dolly, and bade him meet her at one of the many +Centennial Balls which afflicted the world in 1875-76.</p> + +<p>To hear was to obey; and though said ball was to be eminently select, +thanks to a skilful use of his middle name, John was able to keep the +appointed tryst, well knowing that there is no solitude like that to be +found in a crowd. Costumes were in order; and there was a general +resurrection of ancient finery, which made the handsome hall look as if +time had rolled back a hundred years. Every one who had a hair powdered +it, and those who had not made up the deficiency by imposing wigs. +Spindle-legged gentlemen affected top-boots and spurs; those blessed +with a manly development of calf pranced in silk stockings and buckled +shoes. British and Continental uniforms amicably marched shoulder to +shoulder; dimity and brocade mingled prettily together; and patriotic +ardor animated the hearts under the lace stomachers and embroidered +waistcoats as warmly as of old, for the spirit of '76 was all alive +again.</p> + +<p>Aunt Maria looked like a parrot of the most brilliant plumage; for the +good lady burned to distinguish herself, and had vainly tried to wear a +suit of Madam Hancock's belonging to Dolly. Fortunately, Madam was a +small woman, and Aunt Maria quite the reverse; so she was forced to give +it up, and content herself with being one of many Martha Washingtons who +filled the dowagers' corner.</p> + +<p>So Dolly bloomed into the sweetest little old-time lady ever seen, and +was in truth by nature as by name a Dorothy Quincy. Not as the matron, +but as the maid, with all her curly locks turned over a roller before +they fell on her white neck, where shone the jewelled hearts she prized +so much. Lilies of the valley embroidered her white gown, and nestled +among the lace that rose and fell upon her bosom. From under her quilted +satin petticoat "her little feet stole in and out," wearing Madam's +wedding-shoes, so high in the heels and so pointed at the toes that +Dolly suffered martyrdom with a smiling face, and danced at the risk of +her life. Long gloves, with Lafayette's likeness stamped on the back, +kept splitting at the time-worn seams, so plump were the arms inside. A +quaint scent-bottle hung at her waist; and she hid her blushes behind a +great fan, whose dim mirror had reflected faces history has made +immortal.</p> + +<p>"You are simply perfect, Miss Hill, and nothing could be added," +whispered the still hopeful Parker, who was on duty and much elated by +the fact; for the girl was unusually friendly that evening for reasons +of her own.</p> + +<p>"Except the Governor," she answered, peeping over her fan with eyes full +of anxiety as well as merriment; for John had not yet appeared, and the +little man beside her was very funny in a voluminous white neckcloth, +furred coat-collar, and square-toed shoes, carefully kept in the "first +position." He had longed to personate the character she suggested. +Stature forbade, however; and he had contented himself with personating +Benjamin Franklin, flattering himself that his placid countenance and +neat legs would be remarkably effective, also the fact that he had been +connected with the printing interest in early life.</p> + +<p>"If you had only told me, I would have attempted it for your sake: you +have but to express a wish, and I am charmed to gratify it," murmured +the enamoured Benjamin, with a tenderly reproachful sigh, which stirred +his rampant shirt-frill like a passing breeze.</p> + +<p>At that moment, as if a wish <i>had</i> brought him, a veritable John Hancock +stood before them, looking comelier than ever, in a velvet suit, as he +laid his cocked hat upon his heart and asked, with a bow so deep that it +afforded a fine view of the garnet buckle in his stock,—</p> + +<p>"May I have the honor, Madam?"</p> + +<p>Glad to hide a traitorously happy face, Dolly made him a splendid +curtsey, and took his arm with a hasty—</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Parker. Please tell Aunt I'm going to dance."</p> + +<p>"But—but—but—my dear Miss, I promised not to lose sight of you," +stammered the defrauded Franklin, turning red with helpless rage, as the +full audacity of the lovers burst upon him.</p> + +<p>"Well, you needn't. Wait for me here till my dance is over, then Aunt +won't know any thing about it," laughed wilful Dolly over her shoulder, +as she was swept away into the many-colored whirlpool that circled round +the hall to the entrancing music of a waltz.</p> + +<p>While it lasted, words were needless; for eyes did the talking, smiles +proud or tender telegraphed volumes of poetry, the big hand held the +little one so close that it burst quite out of the old glove rosy with +the pressure, and the tall head was often so near the short one that the +light locks powdered the dark ones.</p> + +<p>"A heavenly waltz!" panted Dolly, when it ended, feeling that she could +go on for ever, blind to the droll despair of poor Parker, as, +heroically faithful to his trust, he struggled frantically to keep the +happy pair in sight.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll have a still more heavenly promenade in the corridor. Ben is +busy apologizing to half a dozen ladies whose trains he has walked up in +his mad career after us, so we are safe for a time," answered John, +ready to brave the wrath of many Aunt Marias; for the revolutionary +spirit was high within him, and he had quite made up his mind that +resistance to tyrants <i>was</i> obedience to the little god he served just +then.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John, how glad I am to see you after all this worry, and how nice +it was of you to come in such grand style to-night! I was so afraid you +couldn't manage it," said Dolly, hanging on his arm and surveying her +gallant Governor with pardonable pride.</p> + +<p>"My blessed girl, there was nothing I couldn't manage with the prospect +of meeting you before me. Hasn't it been hard times for both of us? +You've had the hardest, I'm afraid, shut up with the dragon and no +refuge from daily nagging and Parker's persecution. If you hadn't the +bravest little heart in the world, you'd have given up by this;" and, +taking advantage of a shadowy corner, John embraced his idol, under +pretence of drawing her cloak about her.</p> + +<p>"I'll never give up the ship!" cried the girl, quoting Lawrence of the +"Chesapeake," with a flash of the eye good to see.</p> + +<p>"Stand to your guns, and we'll yet say, 'We've met the enemy, and they +are ours,'" answered John, in the words of brave Perry, and with a ring +to his voice which caused a passing waiter to pause, fancying he was +called.</p> + +<p>Beckoning to him, John gave Dolly a glass of lemonade, and, taking one +himself, said with a look that made the toast a very eloquent one to +both of them,—</p> + +<p>"The love of liberty—and—the liberty of love."</p> + +<p>They drank it silently, then paced on again, so intent upon their own +emotions that neither saw a flushed and agitated countenance regard them +from a doorway, and then vanish, smiling darkly.</p> + +<p>"Governor!"</p> + +<p>"Dearest Madam!"</p> + +<p>"Things have come to a crisis, and I've taken a resolution," began +Dolly, remembering that time was short.</p> + +<p>"So have I."</p> + +<p>"This is mine,—I'm going to Philadelphia."</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How? when? why?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm and listen. Aunt has given me just three days to choose between +accepting P. and being sent home in disgrace. I don't intend to do +either, but take matters into my own hands, and cease to be a burden."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! but how?"</p> + +<p>"At the fair the kitchen was a success, and there is to be a grand one +at the Exposition. Girls are wanted to wait there as here; they are +taken care of, and all expenses paid while they serve. I know some nice +people who are going for fun, and I'm to join them for a month at least. +That gives me a start, and afterward I certainly can find something to +do in the city of Brotherly Love."</p> + +<p>"The knowledge that <i>I'm</i> to be there on duty had nothing to do with +this fine plan of yours, hey, my Dolly?" and John beamed at her with +such a rapturous expression she had to turn him round, lest an advancing +couple should fancy he had been imbibing something stronger than +lemonade and love.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course it had," she answered with adorable candor. "Don't you +see how lovely it will be to meet every day and talk over our prospects +in peace, while we are working away together till we have earned enough +to try the experiment we planned in the park?"</p> + +<p>Stopping short, John grasped the hand that lay on his arm, looking as if +suddenly inspired, and exclaimed in a solemn yet excited tone,—</p> + +<p>"<i>I've</i> got a plan, a superb plan, only it may startle you a bit at +first. Why not marry and go together?"</p> + +<p>Before Dolly could find breath to answer this momentous question, a +bomb-shell, in the shape of Aunt Maria, exploded before them, and put an +end to the privy conspiracy and rebellion.</p> + +<p>"You will <i>not</i> go anywhere together, for my niece is in the care of +this gentleman. I did think we should be free from annoyance here, but I +see I was mistaken. Mr. Parker, will you oblige me by taking Dolly home +at once?"</p> + +<p>Every feather in the old lady's gray wig trembled with ire, as she +plucked the girl from one lover and gave her to the charge of the other, +in whom the conflicting emotions of triumph and trepidation were so +visible that the contrast between his countenance and costume was more +comical than ever.</p> + +<p>"But, Aunt, it isn't time to go yet," protested Dolly, finding +submission very hard after her taste of freedom.</p> + +<p>"It is quite time for persons who don't know how to behave with +propriety in public. Not a word! Take my wrap, and go at once. Mr. +Parker, please leave her in Mrs. Cobb's care, and return to enjoy +yourself. There is no reason why <i>your</i> evening should be spoilt;" and +Aunt Maria bundled poor Dolly into an ugly shawl, which made her look +like a lovely tea-rose done up in brown paper.</p> + +<p>This sudden fall from the height of happiness to the depths of helpless +indignation left John speechless for an instant, during which he with +difficulty resisted a strong desire to shake Aunt Maria, and spit +Benjamin Franklin on the sword that hung at his side. The sight of his +Dolly reft from him, and ruthlessly led away from the gayety she loved, +reminded him that discretion was the better part of valor, and for her +sake he tried to soften the dragon by taking all the blame upon himself, +and promising to go away at once. But, while he was expostulating, the +wary Parker carried off the prize; and, when John turned to say +good-night, she had vanished, and Aunt Maria stalked away, with a grim +laugh at his defeat.</p> + +<p>That laugh made him desperate; and, rushing downstairs, he was about to +walk away in the rain, regardless of the damage to his costly suit, when +the sound of a voice checked his reckless flight, and, looking back, he +saw Dolly pausing on the stairs to say, with a glance from the ancestral +shoes to the wet pavement outside, "I don't mind wetting my feet, but I +cannot spoil these precious slippers. Please get my overshoes from the +dressing-room: I'll wait for you here."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, certainly; and my coat also: we must be prudent after such +heat and excitement," replied Mr. Parker, glad to guard himself against +the rheumatism twinges which already began to afflict his lightly clad +extremities.</p> + +<p>As he hurried back, a voice whispered, "Dolly!" and, regardless of the +perilously high heels, she ran down to join a black velvet gentleman +below, who said in her ear, as he led her toward the door,—</p> + +<p>"I <i>must</i> have a word more. Let me take you home; any carriage will do, +and it's our last chance."</p> + +<p>"Yes, John, yes; but oh, my shoes!" and for one instant Dolly lingered, +as reverence for her relics contended with love for her Governor.</p> + +<p>But he was equal to the occasion, and, having no cloak to lay under his +queen's feet, just took her in his arms, and before she knew it both +were in the coach, an order given, and they were off.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John, how could you?" was all she said, casting away the big shawl, +to put both hands on the powdery shoulders before her; for her escort +was on his knees, quite in the style of the days when Sir Charles +Willoughby carried Evelina off in his chariot.</p> + +<p>How he did it John never knew; but there he was, as unconscious of his +long limbs as if he had been a cherub, so intent was he on improving +this precious moment.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to do a great deal more than that, but not to-night, though +I'm sorely tempted to run away with you, Dolly," he answered, feeling as +if it would be impossible to relinquish the little bundle of silk and +swan's down his arm enclosed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, John, please don't! How could I in this dress, and no place to go +to, or any thing?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, dear: I won't be rash. But, seriously, it must +come to that, and the sooner the better; so make up your mind to it, and +I'll manage all the rest. This is my plan, and yours will make it all +the easier. We <i>will</i> go to Philadelphia; but we'll be married first, +and that shall be our wedding journey."</p> + +<p>"But I'm not ready; we haven't any money; and only three days! I +couldn't, John, I couldn't!" and Dolly hid her face, glad, yet +half-frightened, at this prospect of such a release from all her woes.</p> + +<p>"I knew it would startle you at first; but getting married is the +easiest thing in life when you set about it. You don't want any wedding +finery, I've got money enough, and can borrow more if I need it; and +three days is plenty of time to pack your trunk, have a farewell fight +with Aunt Maria, and run away to be the happiest little wife that ever +was. Say yes, darling; trust every thing to me, and, please God, you +never shall regret it."</p> + +<p>Dolly had doubted the existence of genuine love nowadays, and John had +assured her that there were oceans of it. There certainly seemed to be +that night; and it was impossible to doubt the truth of his assertion +while listening to the tender prayers and plans and protestations he +poured into her ear, as they rolled on, regardless of the avenging +furies behind, and the untried fate before them. Storms raged without, +but peace reigned within; for Dolly showed signs of yielding, though she +had not consented when the run-away ride ended.</p> + +<p>As John set her down in the hall, he added as a last appeal,—</p> + +<p>"Remember, there were 'Daughters of Liberty,' as well as sons, in the +old times you love so well. Be one, and prove yourself worthy of your +name, as you bid me be of mine. Come, sweetheart, resist tyranny, face +poverty, love liberty, and declare your independence as bravely as they +did."</p> + +<p>"I will!" and Dolly signed the declaration her Hancock headed, by giving +him her hand and sealing the oath with a kiss.</p> + +<p>"One word more," he said hurriedly, as the clatter of an approaching +carriage sounded through the street: "I may not be able to see you +again, but we can each be getting ready, and meet on Monday morning, +when you leave for '<i>home</i>' in good truth. Put a lamp in the end window +the last thing Sunday night as the bells ring nine, then I shall be sure +that all is right, and have no delay in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Yes, John."</p> + +<p>"Good-night, and God bless you!"</p> + +<p>There was no time for more; and as distracted Parker burst out of one +carriage, and Aunt Maria "came tumbling after," happy John Harris +stepped into the other, with a wave of the cocked hat, and drove away in +triumph.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3><i>PEACE IS DECLARED.</i></h3> + + +<p>The age of miracles is not over yet, and our young people wrought +several during those three days; for in love's vocabulary there is no +such word as fail.</p> + +<p>Dolly "stood to her guns" womanfully, and not only chose to go "home," +but prepared for her banishment with an outward meekness and an inward +joy which made each hour memorable. Aunt Maria had her suspicions and +kept a vigilant watch, she and her maid Cobb mounting guard by turns. +Parker, finding that "no surrender" was the countersign, raised the +siege and retreated in good order, though a trifle demoralized in +dignity when he looked back during the evacuation and saw Tip bolt +upright in the end window, with the rebel flag proudly displayed.</p> + +<p>John meanwhile was circulating briskly through the city, and showing +such ardent interest in the approaching Exposition that his mates +christened him "Centennial Harris;" while the higher powers felt that +they had done a good thing in giving him the job, and increased his +salary to make sure of so excellent a servant. Other arrangements of a +private but infinitely more interesting nature were successfully made; +and he went about smiling to himself, as if the little parcel done up in +silver paper, which he was constantly feeling for in his vest pocket, +had been a talisman conferring all good gifts upon its happy owner.</p> + +<p>When the third night came, he was at his post long before the time, so +great was his impatience; for the four-footed traitor had been +discovered and ordered into close confinement, where he suffered, not +the fate of André, but the pangs of indigestion for lack of exercise +after the feast of tidbits surreptitiously administered by one who never +forgot all she owed to her "fat friend."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if nine o'clock would never come; and, if a policeman ever +was where he should be, the guardian of that beat would have considered +John a suspicious character as he paced to and fro in the April +starlight. At last the bells began to chime, promptly the light +appeared, and, remembering how the bell of the old State House rang out +the glad tidings a hundred years ago, John waved his cherished parcel, +joyfully exclaiming, "Independence is declared! ring! ring! ring!" then +raced across the park like another Paul Revere when the signal light +shone in the steeple of the old North Church.</p> + +<p>Next morning at an early hour a carriage drove to Aunt Maria's door, and +with a stern farewell from her nightcapped relative Dolly was sent forth +to banishment, still guarded by the faithful Cobb. The mutinous damsel +looked pale and anxious, but departed with a friendly adieu and waved +her handkerchief to Tip, disconsolate upon the door-mat. The instant +they turned the corner, however, a singular transformation took place in +both the occupants of that carriage; for Dolly caught Cobb round the +neck and kissed her, while smiles broke loose on either face, as she +said gleefully,—</p> + +<p>"You dear old thing, what <i>should</i> I have done without you? Am I all +right? I do hope it's becoming. I had to give up every thing else, so I +was resolved not to be married without a new bonnet."</p> + +<p>"It's as sweet as sweet can be, and not a bit the worse for being +smuggled home in a market-basket," returned the perjured Cobb, surveying +with feminine pride and satisfaction the delicate little bonnet which +emerged from the thick veil by which its glories had been prudently +obscured.</p> + +<p>"Here's a glass to see it in. Such a nice carriage, with white horses, +and a tidy driver; so appropriate you know. It's a happy accident, and +I'm so pleased," prattled the girl, looking about her with the delight +of an escaped prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart, Miss, it's all Mr. Harris's doings: he's been dodging +round the corner ever since daylight; and there he is now, I do declare. +I may as well go for a walk till your train is off, so good-by, and the +best of lucks, my dear."</p> + +<p>There was barely time for this brief but very hearty congratulation, +when a remarkably well-dressed highwayman stopped the carriage, without +a sign of resistance from the grinning driver. Cobb got out, the +ruffian, armed not with a pistol, but a great bouquet of white roses, +got in, and the coach went on its way through the quiet streets.</p> + +<p>"May day, and here are your flowers, my little queen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, John!"</p> + +<p>A short answer, but a very eloquent one, when accompanied with full +eyes, trembling lips, and a face as sweet and lovely as the roses.</p> + +<p>It was quite satisfactory to John; and, having slightly damaged the +bridal bonnet without reproof, he, manlike, mingled bliss and business, +by saying, in a tone that made poetry of his somewhat confused +remarks,—</p> + +<p>"Heaven bless my wife! We ought to have had the Governor's coach to-day. +Isn't Cobb a trump to get us off so nicely? Never saw a woman yet who +could resist the chance of her helping on a wedding. Remembered every +thing I told her. That reminds me. Wasn't it lucky that your relics were +boxed up in dear Aunt Maria's shed, so all Cobb had to do was to alter +the directions and send them off to Philadelphia instead of home?"</p> + +<p>"I've been in a tremble for three days, because it seemed as if it +couldn't be possible that so much happiness was coming to me. Are you +quite sure you want me, John?" asked Dolly, careless for once of her +cherished treasures; for she had been busy with hopes and fears, while +he was attending to more material affairs.</p> + +<p>"So sure, that I've got something here to bind you with. Do you mind +trying it on to see if it fits, for I had to guess at the size," +answered John, producing his talisman with all a bridegroom's pride and +eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Please let me wear that as a guard, and use this one to be married +with. I've a superstition about it, for it suits us and the year better +than any other;" and Dolly laid the little ring of reddish gold beside +the heavier one in John's palm.</p> + +<p>"So it does, and you shall have it as you like. Do you know, when you +showed it to me three months ago, I had a fancy that it would be the +proper thing for me to put it on your finger; but I didn't dream I ever +should. Are you very certain that you don't regret the advice you gave +my friend Jack?" asked the young man, thinking with fond solicitude of +the great experiment that lay before them; for he knew by experience how +hard this world's ways sometimes are, and longed to smooth the rough +places for the confiding little creature at his side.</p> + +<p>"Do I look as if I did?" she answered simply, but with a face so full of +a true woman's instinctive faith in the power of love to lighten labor, +sweeten poverty, and make a heaven of the plainest home, that it was +impossible to doubt her courage or fear her disloyalty.</p> + +<p>Quite satisfied, John pocketed the rings and buttoned Dolly's gloves, +saying, while she buttoned his, both marvellously enjoying this first +service for each other, "Almost there now, and in less than half an hour +we shall be so safe that all the Aunt Marias in Christendom can't part +us any more. George has stood by me like a man and a brother, and +promised that every thing should be all right. The church will look a +trifle empty, I dare say, with only five of us to fill it; but I shall +like it better than being made a spectacle of; so will you, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"The church? I thought runaways were married in an office, by a justice, +and without much ceremony to make it solemn. I'm very glad it isn't so, +for I shall never have but one wedding, and I'd love to have it in a +sacred place," faltered Dolly, as a sudden sense of all it meant came +over her, filling her girlish heart with tender awe.</p> + +<p>"I knew that, dear, and so I did my best to make you feel no lack of +love, as I could not give you any splendor. I wish I had a mother to be +with you to-day; but George has lent me his, so there will be a woman's +arms to cry in, if you want to drop a tear; and fatherly old Dr. King +will give you to the happiest man alive. Well, well, my Dolly, if you'd +rather, cry here, and then let me dry your tears, as, please Heaven, I +will do all your life."</p> + +<p>"So kind, John, so very kind! I can't thank you in words, but I'll show +by deeds how much I honor, trust, and love my husband;" and nobly Dolly +kept her word.</p> + +<p>No one saw them as they went in, but the early sunshine made a golden +path for them to tread, and the May wind touched them with its balmy +kiss. No congratulatory clamor greeted them as they came out; but the +friendly sparrows twittered a wedding march, and the jovial George sent +them merrily away, by saying, as he gave John's hand a parting grasp,—</p> + +<p>"I was right, you see, and there <i>is</i> a Mrs. Harris?"</p> + +<p>If any one doubts it, let him look well about him, and he may discover +the best thing America could send to her Exposition: an old-fashioned +home, and in it an ambitious man who could not be bought, a beautiful +woman who would not be sold; a young couple happy in their love and +labor, consecrating this centennial year, by practising the +old-fashioned virtues, honesty and thrift, independence and content.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Pitchers: and Independence, by +Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 34920-h.htm or 34920-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/2/34920/ + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Silver Pitchers: and Independence + A Centennial Love Story + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: January 11, 2011 [EBook #34920] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE, + + A Centennial Love Story. + + By LOUISA M. ALCOTT, + +AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN," "EIGHT +COUSINS," "WORK," "HOSPITAL SKETCHES," ETC. + + + BOSTON: + ROBERTS BROTHERS. + + 1888. + + _Copyright_, + BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT. + 1876. + + UNIVERSITY PRESS: JOHN WILSON & SON, + CAMBRIDGE. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +SILVER PITCHERS + +ANNA'S WHIM + +TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS + +THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY + +MY ROCOCO WATCH + +BY THE RIVER + +LETTY'S TRAMP + +SCARLET STOCKINGS + +INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY + + + + +SILVER PITCHERS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_HOW IT BEGAN._ + + +"We can do nothing about it except show our displeasure in some proper +manner," said Portia, in her most dignified tone. + +"_I_ should like to cut them all dead for a year to come; and I'm not +sure that I won't!" cried Pauline, fiercely. + +"We _ought_ to make it impossible for such a thing to happen again, and +I think we _might_," added Priscilla, so decidedly that the others +looked at her in surprise. + +The three friends sat by the fire "talking things over," as girls love +to do. Pretty creatures, all of them, as they nestled together on the +lounge in dressing-gowns and slippers, with unbound hair, eyes still +bright with excitement, and tongues that still wagged briskly. + +Usually the chat was of dresses, compliments, and all the little +adventures that befall gay girls at a merry-making. But to-night +something of uncommon interest absorbed the three, and kept them talking +earnestly long after they should have been asleep. + +Handsome Portia looked out from her blonde locks with a disgusted +expression, as she sipped the chocolate thoughtful mamma had left inside +the fender. Rosy-faced Pauline sat staring indignantly at the fire; +while in gentle Priscilla's soft eyes the shadow of a real sorrow seemed +to mingle with the light of a strong determination. + +Yes, something had happened at this Thanksgiving festival which much +offended the three friends, and demanded grave consideration on their +part; for the "Sweet P's," as Portia, Pris, and Polly were called, were +the belles of the town. One ruled by right of beauty and position, one +by the power of a character so sweet and strong that its influence was +widely felt, and one by the wit and winsomeness of a high yet generous +spirit. + +It had been an unusually pleasant evening, for after the quilting bee in +the afternoon good Squire Allen had given a bountiful supper, and all +the young folks of the town had joined in the old-fashioned games, which +made the roof ring with hearty merriment. + +All would have gone well if some one had not privately introduced +something stronger than the cider provided by the Squire,--a mysterious +and potent something, which caused several of the young men to betray +that they were decidedly the worse for their libations. + +That was serious enough; but the crowning iniquity was the putting of +brandy into the coffee, which it was considered decorous for the young +girls to prefer instead of cider. + +Who the reprobates were remained a dead secret, for the young men +laughed off the dreadful deed as a joke, and the Squire apologized in +the handsomest manner. + +But the girls felt much aggrieved and would not be appeased, though the +elders indulgently said, "Young men will be young men," even while they +shook their heads over the pranks played and the nonsense spoken under +the influence of the wine that had been so slyly drank. + +Now what should be done about it? The "Sweet P's" knew that their mates +would look to them for guidance at this crisis, for they were the +leaders in all things. So they must decide on some line of conduct for +all to adopt, as the best way of showing their disapproval of such +practical jokes. + +When Pris spoke, the others looked at her with surprise; for there was a +new expression in her face, and both asked wonderingly, "How?" + +"There are several ways, and we must decide which is the best. One is to +refuse invitations to the sociable next week." + +"But I've just got a lovely new dress expressly for it!" cried Portia, +tragically. + +"Then we might decline providing any supper," began Pris. + +"That wouldn't prevent the boys from providing it, and I never could get +through the night without a morsel of something!" exclaimed Polly, who +loved to see devoted beings bending before her, with offerings of ice, +or struggling manfully to steer a glass of lemonade through a tumultuous +sea of silk and broadcloth, feeling well repaid by a word or smile from +her when they landed safely. + +"True, and it _would_ be rather rude and resentful; for I am sure they +will be models of deportment next time," and gentle Pris showed signs of +relenting, though that foolish joke bad cost her more than either of the +others. + +For a moment all sat gazing thoughtfully at the fire, trying to devise +some awful retribution for the sinners, no part of which should fall +upon themselves. Suddenly Polly clapped her hands, crying with a +triumphant air,-- + +"I've got it, girls! I've got it!" + +"What? How? Tell us quick!" + +"We _will_ refuse to go to the first sociable, and that will make a +tremendous impression, for half the nice girls will follow our lead, and +the boys will be in despair. Every one will ask why we are not there; +and what can those poor wretches say but the truth? Won't that be a +bitter pill for my lords and gentlemen?" + +"It will certainly be one to us," said Portia, thinking of the "heavenly +blue dress" with a pang. + +"Wait a bit; our turn will come at the next sociable. To this we can go +with escorts of our own choosing, or none at all, for they are free and +easy affairs, you know. So we need be under no obligation to any of +those sinners, and can trample upon them as much as we please." + +"But how about the games, the walks home, and all the pleasant little +services the young men of our set like to offer and we to receive?" +asked Portia, who had grown up with these "boys," as Polly called them, +and found it hard to turn her back on the playmates who had now become +friends or lovers. + +"Bless me! I forgot that the feud might last more than one evening. Give +me an idea, Pris," and Polly's triumph ended suddenly. + +"I will," answered Pris, soberly; "for at this informal sociable we can +institute a new order of things. It will make a talk, but I think we +have a right to do it, and I'm sure it will have a good effect, if we +only hold out, and don't mind being laughed at. Let us refuse to +associate with the young men whom we know to be what is called 'gay,' +and accept as friends those of whose good habits we are sure. If they +complain, as of course they will, we can say their own misconduct made +it necessary, and there we have them." + +"But, Pris, who ever heard of such an idea? People will say all sorts of +things about us!" said Portia, rather startled at the proposition. + +"Let them! I say it's a grand plan, and I'll stand by you, Pris, through +thick and thin!" cried Polly, who enjoyed the revolutionary spirit of +the thing. + +"We can but try it, and give the young men a lesson; for, girls, matters +are coming to a pass, when it is our _duty_ to do something. I cannot +think it is right for us to sit silent and see these fine fellows +getting into bad habits because no one dares or cares to speak out, +though we gossip and complain in private." + +"Do you want us to begin a crusade?" asked Portia, uneasily. + +"Yes, in the only way we girls can do it. We can't preach and pray in +streets and bar-rooms, but we may at home, and in our own little world +show that we want to use our influence for good. I know that you two can +do any thing you choose with the young people in this town, and it is +just that set who most need the sort of help you can give, if you will." + +"You have more influence than both of us put together; so don't be +modest, Pris, but tell us what to do, and I'll do it, even if I'm hooted +at," cried warm-hearted Polly, won at once. + +"You must do as you think right; but _I_ have made up my mind to protest +against wine-drinking in every way I can. I know it will cost me much, +for I have nothing to depend upon but the good opinion of my friends; +nevertheless, I shall do what seems my duty, and I may be able to save +some other girl from the heart-aches I have known." + +"You won't lose our good opinion, you dear little saint! Just tell us +how to begin and we will follow our leader," cried both Portia and +Polly, fired with emulation by their friend's quiet resolution. + +Pris looked from one to the other, and, seeing real love and confidence +in their faces, was moved to deepen the impression she had made, by +telling them the sad secret of her life. Pressing her hands tightly +together, and drooping her head, she answered in words that were the +more pathetic for their brevity,-- + +"Dear girls, don't think me rash or sentimental, for I _know_ what I am +trying to do, and you will understand my earnestness better when I tell +you that a terrible experience taught me to dread this appetite more +than death. It killed my father, broke mother's heart, and left me all +alone." + +As she paused, poor Pris hid her face and shrank away, as if by this +confession she had forfeited her place in the respect of her mates. But +the girlish hearts only clung the closer to her, and proved the +sincerity of their affection by sympathetic tears and tender words, as +Portia and Polly held her fast, making a prettier group than the marble +nymphs on the mantelpiece; for the Christian graces quite outdid the +heathen ones. + +Polly spoke first, and spoke cheerfully, feeling, with the instinct of a +fine nature, that Priscilla's grief was too sacred to be talked about, +and that they could best show their appreciation of her confidence by +proving themselves ready to save others from a sorrow like hers. + +"Let us be a little society of three, and do what we can. I shall begin +at home, and watch over brother Ned; for lately he has been growing away +from me somehow, and I'm afraid he is beginning to be 'gay.' I shall get +teased unmercifully; but I won't mind if I keep him safe." + +"I have no one at home to watch over but papa, and he is in no danger, +of course; so I shall show Charley Lord that I am not pleased with him," +said Portia, little dreaming where her work was to be done. + +"And you will set about reforming that delightful scapegrace, Phil +Butler?" added Polly, peeping archly into the still drooping face of +Pris. + +"I have lost my right to do it, for I told him to-night that love and +respect must go together in my heart," and Pris wiped her wet eyes with +a hand that no longer wore a ring. + +Portia and Polly looked at one another in dismay, for by this act Pris +proved how thoroughly in earnest she was. + +Neither had any words of comfort for so great a trouble, and sat +silently caressing her, till Pris looked up, with her own serene smile +again, and said, as if to change the current of their thoughts,-- + +"We must have a badge for the members of our new society, so let us each +wear one of these tiny silver pitchers. I've lost the mate to mine, but +Portia has a pair just like them. You can divide, then we are all +provided for." + +Portia ran to her jewel-case, caught up a pair of delicate filigree +ear-rings, hastily divided a narrow velvet ribbon into three parts, +attached to each a silver pitcher, and, as the friends smilingly put on +these badges, they pledged their loyalty to the new league by a silent +good-night kiss. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE._ + + +Great was the astonishment of their "set" when it was known that the +"Sweet P's" had refused all invitations to the opening sociable. + +The young men were in despair, the gossips talked themselves hoarse +discussing the affair, and the girls exulted; for, as Polly predicted, +the effect of their first step was "tremendous." + +When the evening came, however, by one accord they met in Portia's room, +to support each other through that trying period. They affected to be +quite firm and cheerful; but one after the other broke down, and sadly +confessed that the sacrifice to principle was harder than they expected. +What added to their anguish was the fact that the Judge's house stood +just opposite the town-hall, and every attempt to keep away from certain +windows proved a dead failure. + +"It is _so_ trying to see those girls go in with their dresses bundled +up, and not even know what they wear," mourned Portia, watching shrouded +figures trip up the steps that led to the paradise from which she had +exiled herself. + +"They must be having a capital time, for every one seems to have gone. I +wonder who Phil took," sighed Pris, when at length the carriages ceased +to roll. + +"Girls! I wish to be true to my vow, but if you don't hold me I shall +certainly rush over there and join in the fun, for that music is too +much for me," cried Polly, desperately, as the singing began. + +It was an endless evening to the three pretty pioneers, though they went +early to bed, and heroically tried to sleep with that distracting music +in their ears. Slumber came at last, but as the clocks were striking +twelve a little ghost emerged from Portia's room, and gliding to the +hall window vanished among the heavy damask curtains. + +Presently another little ghost appeared from the same quarter, and +stealing softly to the same window was about to vanish in the same +capacious draperies, when a stifled cry was heard, and Portia, the +second sprite, exclaimed in an astonished whisper,-- + +"Why, Pris, are you here, too? I saw Polly creep away from me, and came +to take her back. How dare you go wandering about and startling me out +of my wits in this way?" + +"I was only looking to see if it was all over," quavered Pris, meekly, +emerging from the right-hand curtain. + +"So was I!" laughed Polly, bouncing out from the left-hand one. + +There was a sound of soft merriment in that shadowy hall for a moment, +and then the spirits took a look at the world outside, for the moon was +shining brightly. Yes, the fun was evidently over, for the lamps were +being extinguished, and several young men stood on the steps exchanging +last words. One wore a cloak theatrically thrown over the shoulder, and +Polly knew him at once. + +"That's Ned! I _must_ hear what they are saying. Keep quiet and I'll +listen," she whispered, rolling herself in the dark folds of the curtain +and opening the window a crack, so that a frosty breeze could blow +freely into her left ear. + +"You'll get your death," murmured Portia, shivering in her quilted +wrapper. + +"O, never mind!" cried Pris, who recognized the tallest man in the +group, and was wild to catch a word from "poor Phil." + +"They think they've done a fine thing; but, bless their little hearts, +we'll show that we can do without them by not asking them to the next +sociable, or taking notice of them if they go. That will bring them +round without fail," said one masculine voice, with a jolly laugh. + +"Many thanks for letting us know your plots, Mr. Lord. Now we can +arrange a nice little surprise for _you_," and Portia made a scornful +courtesy in the dark. + +"Faith! I don't blame the girls much, for that was a confoundedly +ungentlemanly trick of yours, and I'll thank you not to lay any of the +blame of it on me; I've got as much as I can carry without that," said +the tall figure, stalking away alone. + +"I'm _so_ glad to know that Phil had nothing to do with it!" breathed +Pris, gratefully. + +"Come on, Charley! I must get home as soon as possible, or Polly will be +down on me, for she has taken a new tack lately, and holds forth on the +error of my ways like a granny." + +"Won't I give Ned an extra lecture for that speech, the rascal!" and +Polly shook a small fist at him as her brother passed under the window, +blissfully unconscious of the avenging angels up aloft. + +"'Tis well; let us away and take sweet counsel how we may annihilate +them," added Polly, melodramatically, as the three ghosts vanished from +the glimpses of the moon. + +Every one turned out to the sociables, for they were town affairs, and +early hours, simple suppers, and games of all sorts, made it possible +for old and young to enjoy them together. + +On the night of the second one there was a goodly gathering, for the +public rebuke administered to the young men had made a stir, and +everybody was curious to see what the consequences would be when the +parties met. + +There was a sensation, therefore, when a whisper went round that the +"Sweet P's" had come, and a general smile of wonder and amusement +appeared when the girls entered, Portia on the arm of her father, Polly +gallantly escorted by her twelve-year-old brother Will, and Pris beside +Belinda Chamberlain, whose five feet seven made her a capital cavalier. + +"Outwitted!" laughed Charley Lord, taking the joke at once as he saw +Portia's gray-headed squire. + +"I _knew_ Polly was plotting mischief, she has been so quiet lately," +muttered Ned, eying his little brother with lofty scorn. + +Phil said nothing, but he gave a sigh of relief on seeing that Pris had +chosen an escort of whom it was impossible to be jealous. + +The Judge seldom honored these gatherings, but Portia ruled papa, and +when she explained the peculiar state of things, he had heroically left +his easy chair to cast himself into the breach. + +Master Will was in high feather at his sudden promotion, and bore +himself gallantly, though almost as much absorbed by his wristbands as +Mr. Toots; for Polly had got him up regardless of expense, with a gay +tie, new gloves, and, O, crowning splendor! a red carnation in his +button-hole. + +Buxom Belinda was delighted with the chance to play cavalier, and so get +her fair share of all the fun going, for usually she stood in a corner +smiling at an unappreciative world, like a patient sunflower. + +The faces of the young men were a study as the games began, and the +three girls joined in them with the partners they had chosen. + +"The Judge is evidently on his mettle, but he can't stand that sort of +thing long, even to please Portia; and then her Majesty will have to +give in, or condescend to some one out of our set," thought Charley +Lord, longing already to be taken into favor again. + +"Polly will have to come and ask me to lead, if she wants to sing her +favorite songs; for I'll be hanged if I do it till she has humbled +herself by asking," said Ned, feeling sure that his sister would soon +relent. + +"If it was any one but Belinda, I don't think I could stand it," +exclaimed Phil, as he watched his lost sweetheart with wistful eyes; +for, though he submitted to the sentence which he knew he deserved, he +could not relinquish so much excellence without deep regret. + +But the young men underrated the spirit of the girls, and overrated +their own strength. The "Sweet P's" went on enjoying themselves, +apparently quite indifferent to the neglect of their once devoted +friends. But to the outcasts it was perfectly maddening to see stately +Portia promenading with stout Major Quackenboss, who put his best foot +foremost with the air of a conquering hero; also to behold sweet Pris +playing games with her little pupils in a way that filled their small +souls with rapture. But the most aggravating spectacle of all was +captivating Polly, chatting gayly with young Farmer Brown, who was +evidently losing both head and heart in the light of her smiles. + +"It's no use, boys; I _must_ have one turn with Portia, and you may hang +me for a traitor immediately afterward," cried Charley at last, +recklessly casting both pride and promise to the winds. + +"O, very well; if you are going to give in, we may as well all eat +humble pie 'together,'" and Ned imitated his weak-minded friend, glad of +an excuse to claim the leadership of the little choir who led off the +weekly "sing." + +Phil dared not follow their example as far as Pris was concerned, but +made his most elegant bow to Belinda, and begged to have the honor of +seeing her home. His chagrin may be imagined when the lofty wall-flower +replied, with a significant emphasis that made his face burn,-- + +"No, thank you. I need a very _steady_ escort, for I shouldn't take a +fall into a snow-bank as lightly as Pris did not long ago." + +Charley met with a like fate at Portia's hands, for she outraged +established etiquette by coldly declining his meek invitation to +promenade, and two minutes later graciously accepting that of an +unfashionable young man, who was known to belong to a temperance lodge. + +But Ned's repulse was the most crushing of all, for in reply to his +condescending hint,-- + +"I suppose people won't be satisfied unless we give them our favorites, +hey, Polly?" he received a verbal box on the ear in the sharp answer,-- + +"We don't want _you_, for I intend to lead myself, and introduce a new +set of songs which won't be at all to your taste." + +Then, to his utter amazement and confusion, Miss Polly began to sing one +of the good old temperance songs, the burden whereof was,-- + + "O, that will be joyful, joyful, joyful, + O, that will be joyful, + When young men drink no more!" + +It was taken up all over the hall, and the chorus rang out with an +energy that caused sundry young men to turn red and dodge behind any +capacious back they could find, for every one understood Polly's motive, +and looked approvingly upon her as she stood singing, with an occasional +quiver in the voice that usually was as clear and sweet as a +blackbird's. + +This unexpected manoeuvre on the part of the fair enemy produced +direful perplexity and dismay in the opposing camp, whither the +discomfited trio fled with tidings of their defeat. None of them dared +try again in that quarter, but endeavored to console themselves by +flirting wildly with such girls as still remained available, for, sad to +relate, many of the most eligible took courage and followed the example +of the "Sweet P's." This fact cast added gloom over the hapless +gentlemen of the offending set, and caused them to fear that a social +revolution would follow what they had considered merely a girlish freak. + +"Shouldn't wonder if they got up a praying-band after this," groaned +Ned, preparing himself for the strongest measures. + +"Portia had better lead off, then, for the first time I indulged too +freely in the 'rosy' was at her father's house," added Charley, laying +all the blame of his expulsion from Eden upon Eve, like a true Adam. + +"Look here, boys, we ought to thank, not blame them, for they want to +help us, I'm sure, and some of us need help, God knows!" sighed Phil, +with a look and tone that made his comrades forget their pique in sudden +self-reproach; for not one of them could deny his words, or help feeling +that the prayers of such innocent souls would avail much. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_WHAT PORTIA DID._ + + +"I know your head aches, mamma, so lie here and rest while I sit in my +little chair and amuse you till papa comes in." + +As Portia bent to arrange the sofa-cushions comfortably, the tiny silver +pitcher hanging at her neck swung forward and caught her mother's eye. + +"Is it the latest fashion to wear odd ear-rings instead of lockets?" she +asked, touching the delicate trinket with an amused smile. + +"No, mamma, it is something better than a fashion; it is the badge of a +temperance league that Pris, Polly, and I have lately made," answered +Portia, wondering how her mother would take it. + +"Dear little girls! God bless and help you in your good work!" was the +quick reply, that both surprised and touched her by its fervency. + +"Then you don't mind, or think us silly to try and do even a very little +towards curing this great evil?" she asked, with a sweet seriousness +that was new and most becoming to her. + +"My child, I feel as if it was a special providence," began her mother, +then checked herself and added more quietly, "Tell me all about this +league, dear, unless it is a secret." + +"I have no secrets from you, mother," and nestling into her low chair +Portia told her story, ending with an earnestness that showed how much +she had the new plan at heart. + +"So you see Polly is trying to keep Ned safe, and Pris prays for Phil; +not in vain, I think, for he has been very good lately, they tell me. +But _I_ have neither brother nor lover to help, and I cannot go out to +find any one, because I am only a girl. Now what _can_ I do, mamma, for +I truly want to do my share?" + +The mother lay silent for a moment, then, as if yielding to an +irresistible impulse, drew her daughter nearer, and whispered with lips +that trembled as they spoke,-- + +"You can help your father, dear." + +"Mamma, what can you mean?" cried Portia, in a tone of indignant +surprise. + +"Listen patiently, child, or I shall regret that your confidence +inspired me with courage to give you mine. Never think for one moment +that I accuse my husband of any thing like drunkenness. He has always +taken his wine like a gentleman, and never more than was good for him +till of late. For this there are many excuses; he is growing old, his +life is less active than it was, many of the pleasures he once enjoyed +fail now, and he has fallen into ways that harm his health." + +"I know, mamma; he doesn't care for company as he used to, or business, +either, but seems quite contented to sit among his papers half the +morning, and doze over the fire half the evening. I've wondered at it, +for he is not really old, and looks as hale and handsome as ever," said +Portia, feeling that something hovered on her mother's lips which she +found it hard to utter. + +"You are right; it is _not_ age alone that makes him so unlike his once +cheerful, active self; it is--bend lower, dear, and never breathe to any +one what I tell you now, only that you may help me save your father's +life, perhaps." + +Startled by the almost solemn earnestness of these words, Portia laid +her head upon the pillow, and twilight wrapt the room in its soft gloom, +as if to shut out all the world, while the mother told the daughter the +danger that threatened him whom they both so loved and honored. + +"Papa has fallen into the way of taking more wine after dinner than is +good for him. He does not know how the habit is growing upon him, and is +hurt if I hint at such a thing. But Dr. Hall warned me of the danger +after papa's last ill turn, saying that at his age and with his +temperament apoplexy would be sure to follow over-indulgence of this +sort." + +"O mamma, what can I do?" whispered Portia, with a thrill, as the words +of Pris returned to her with sudden force, "It killed my father, broke +mother's heart, and left me all alone." + +"Watch over him, dear, amuse him as you only can, and wean him from this +unsuspected harm by all the innocent arts your daughterly love can +devise. I have kept this to myself, because it is hard for a wife to see +any fault in her husband; still harder for her to speak of it even to so +good a child as mine. But my anxiety unfits me to do all I might, so I +need help; and of whom can I ask it but of you? My darling, make a +little league with mother, and let us watch and pray in secret for this +dear man who is all in all to us." + +What Portia answered, what comfort she gave, and what further +confidences she received, may not be told, for this household covenant +was too sacred for report. No visible badge was assumed, no audible vow +taken, but in the wife's face, as it smiled on her husband that night, +there was a tenderer light than ever, and the kiss that welcomed papa +was the seal upon a purpose as strong as the daughter's love. + +Usually the ladies left the Judge to read his paper and take his wine in +the old-fashioned way, while they had coffee in the drawing-room. As +they rose, Portia saw the shadow fall upon her mother's face, which she +had often seen before, but never understood till now; for _this_ was the +dangerous hour, this the moment when the child must stand between +temptation and her father, if she could. + +That evening, very soon after the servant had cleared the table of all +but the decanters, a fresh young voice singing blithely in the parlor +made the Judge put down his glass to listen in pleased surprise. + +Presently he stepped across the hall to set both doors open, saying, in +a half reproachful tone,-- + +"Sing away, my lark, and let papa hear you, for he seldom gets a chance +nowadays." + +"Then he must stay and applaud me, else I shall think that speech only +an empty compliment," answered Portia, as she beckoned with her most +winsome smile. + +The Judge never dreamed that his good angel spoke; but he saw his +handsome girl beaming at him from the music stool, and strolled in, +meaning to go back when the song ended. + +But the blue charmer in the parlor proved more potent than the red one +in the dining-room, and he sat on, placidly sipping the excellent +coffee, artfully supplied by his wife, quite unconscious of the little +plot to rob him of the harmful indulgence which too often made his +evenings a blank, and his mornings a vain attempt to revive the spirits +that once kept increasing years from seeming burdensome. + +That was the beginning of Portia's home mission; and from that hour she +devoted herself to it, thinking of no reward, for such "secret service" +could receive neither public sympathy nor praise. + +It was not an easy task, as she soon found, in spite of the stanch and +skilful ally who planned the attacks she dutifully made upon the enemy +threatening their domestic peace. + +When music ceased to have charms, and the Judge declared he _must_ get +his "forty winks" after dinner, Portia boldly declared that she would +stay and see that he had them comfortably. So papa laughed and +submitted, took a brief nap, and woke in such good-humor that he made no +complaint on finding the daughter replacing the decanter. + +This answered for a while; and when its effacacy seemed about to fail, +unexpected help appeared; for mamma's eyes began to trouble her, and +Portia proposed that her father should entertain the invalid in the +evening, while she served her through the day. + +This plan worked capitally, for the Judge loved his good wife almost as +much as she deserved, and devoted himself to her so faithfully that the +effort proved a better stimulant than any his well-stocked cellar could +supply. + +Dr. Hall prescribed exercise and cheerful society for his new patient, +and in seeing that these instructions were obeyed the Judge got the +benefit of them, and found no time for solitary wine-bibbing. + +"I do believe I'm growing young again, for the old dulness is quite +gone, and all this work and play does not seem to tire me a bit," he +said, after an unusually lively evening with the congenial guests Portia +took care to bring about him. + +"But it must be very stupid for you, my dear, as we old folks have all +the fun. Why don't you invite the young people here oftener?" he added, +as his eye fell on Portia, gazing thoughtfully into the fire. + +"I wish I dared tell you why," she answered wistfully. + +"Afraid of your old papa?" and he looked both surprised and grieved. + +"I won't be, for you are the kindest father that ever a girl had, and I +know you'll help me, as you always do, papa. I don't dare ask my young +friends here because I'm not willing to expose some of them to +temptation," began Portia, bravely. + +"What temptation? This?" asked her father, turning her half-averted face +to the light, with a smile full of paternal pride. + +"No, sir; a far more dangerous one than ever I can be." + +"Then I should like to see it!" and the old gentleman looked about him +for this rival of his lovely daughter. + +"It is these," she said, pointing to the bottles and glasses on the +side-board. + +The Judge understood her then, and knit his brows but before he could +reply Portia went steadily on, though her cheeks burned, and her eyes +were bent upon the fire again. + +"Father, I belong to a society of three, and we have promised to do all +we can for temperance. As yet I can only show bravely the faith that is +in me; therefore I can never offer any friend of mine a drop of wine, +and so I do not ask them here, where it would seem most uncourteous to +refuse." + +"I trust no gentleman ever had cause to reproach me for the hospitality +I was taught to show my guests," began the Judge, in his most stately +manner. + +But he got no further, for a soft hand touched his lips, and Portia +answered sorrowfully,-- + +"One man has, sir; Charley Lord says the first time he took too much was +in this house, and it has grieved me to the heart, for it is true. O +papa, never let any one have the right to say that again of us! Forgive +me if I seem undutiful, but I _must_ speak out, for I want my dear +father to stand on my side, and set an example which will make me even +fonder and prouder of him than I am now." + +As Portia paused, half frightened at her own frankness, she put her arms +about his neck, and hid her face on his breast, still pleading her cause +with the silent eloquence so hard to resist. + +The Judge made no reply for several minutes, and in that pause many +thoughts passed through his mind, and a vague suspicion that had haunted +him of late became a firm conviction. For suddenly he seemed to see his +own weakness in its true light, to understand the meaning of the +watchful love, the patient care that had so silently and helpfully +surrounded him; and in Portia's appeal for younger men, he read a tender +warning to himself. + +He was a proud man, but a very just one; and though a flush of anger +swept across his face at first, he acknowledged the truth of the words +that were so hard to speak. + +With his hand laid fondly on the head that was half-hidden, lest a look +should seem to reproach him, this brave old gentleman proved that he +loved his neighbor better than himself, and honestly confessed his own +shortcomings. + +"No man shall ever say again that _I_ tempted him." + +Then as Portia lifted up a happy face, he looked straight into the +grateful eyes that dimmed with sudden tears, and added tenderly,-- + +"My daughter, I am not too proud to own a fault, nor, please God, too +old to mend it." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_WHAT POLLY DID._ + + +Since their mother's death, Polly had tried to fill her place, and take +good care of the boys. But the poor little damsel had a hard time of it +sometimes; for Ned, being a year or two older, thought it his duty to +emancipate himself from petticoat government as rapidly as possible, and +do as he pleased, regardless of her warnings or advice. + +Yet at heart he was very fond of his pretty sister. At times he felt +strongly tempted to confide his troubles and perplexities to her, for +since the loss of his mother he often longed for a tender, helpful +creature to cheer and strengthen him. + +Unfortunately he had reached the age when boys consider it "the thing" +to repress every sign of regard for their own women-folk, sisters +especially; so Ned barricaded himself behind the manly superiority of +his twenty years, and snubbed Polly. + +Will had not yet developed this unpleasant trait, but his sister +expected it, and often exclaimed, despairingly, to her bosom friends,-- + +"When _he_ follows Ned's example, and begins to rampage, what _will_ +become of me?" + +The father--a learned and busy man--was so occupied by the duties of his +large parish, or so absorbed in the abstruse studies to which his brief +leisure was devoted, that he had no time left for his children. Polly +took good care of him and the house, and the boys seemed to be doing +well, so he went his way in peace, quite unconscious that his eldest son +needed all a father's care to keep him from the temptations to which a +social nature, not evil propensities, exposed him. + +Polly saw the danger, and spoke of it; but Mr. Snow only answered +absently,-- + +"Tut, tut, my dear; you are over-anxious, and forget that young men all +have a few wild oats to sow." + +While Ned silenced her with that other familiar and harmful phrase, "I'm +only seeing life a bit, so don't you fret, child," little dreaming that +such "seeing life" too often ends in seeing death. + +So Polly labored in vain, till something happened which taught them all +a lesson. Ned went on a sleighing frolic with the comrades whom of all +others his sister dreaded most. + +"Do be careful and not come home as you did last time, for father will +be in, and it would shock him dreadfully if I shouldn't be able to keep +you quiet," she said anxiously. + +"You little granny, I wasn't tipsy, only cheerful, and that scared you +out of your wits. I've got my key, so don't sit up. I hate to have a +woman glowering at me when I come in," was Ned's ungracious reply; for +the memory of that occasion was not a pleasant one. + +"If a woman had not been sitting up, you'd have frozen on the door-mat, +you ungrateful boy," cried Polly, angrily. + +Ned began to whistle, and was going off without a word, when Polly's +loving heart got the better of her quick temper, and, catching up a +splendid tippet she had made for him, she ran after her brother. She +caught him just as he opened the front door, and, throwing both her arms +and her gift about his neck, said, with a kiss that produced a sensation +in the sleigh-full of gentlemen at the gate,-- + +"Ah, do be friends, for I can't bear to part so." + +Now if no one had been by, Ned would have found that pleasant mingling +of soft arms and worsted a genuine comforter; but masculine pride would +not permit him to relent before witnesses, and the fear of being laughed +at by "those fellows" made him put both sister and gift roughly aside, +with a stern,-- + +"I won't be molly-coddled! Let me alone and shut the door!" + +Polly did let him alone, with a look that haunted him, and shut the door +with a spirited bang, that much amused the gentlemen. + +"I'll never try to do any thing for Ned again! It's no use, and he may +go to the bad for all I care!" said Polly to herself, after a good cry. + +But she bitterly repented that speech a few hours later, when her +brother was brought back, apparently dead, by such of the "cheerful" +party as escaped unhurt from a dangerous upset. + +There was no concealing this sad home-coming from her father, though +poor Ned was quiet enough now, being stunned by the fall, which had +wounded his head and broken his right arm. + +It _was_ a shock, both to the man and the minister; and, when the worst +was over, he left Polly to watch her brother, with eyes full of +penitential tears, and went away, to reproach himself in private for +devoting to ancient Fathers the time and thought he should have given to +modern sons. + +Ned was very ill, and when, at last, he began to mend, his helplessness +taught him to see and love the sweetest side of Polly's character; for +she was in truth his right hand, and waited on him with a zeal that +touched his heart. + +Not one reproach did she utter, not even by a look did she recall past +warnings, or exult in the present humiliation, which proved how needful +they had been. Every thing was forgotten except the fact that she had +the happy privilege of caring for him almost as tenderly as a mother. + +Not quite, though, and the memory of her whose place it was impossible +to fill seemed to draw them closer together; as if the silent voice +repeated its last injunctions to both son and daughter, "Take care of +the boys, dear;" "Be good to your sister, Ned." + +"I've been a regular brute to her, and the dear little soul is heaping +coals of fire on my head by slaving over me like an angel," thought the +remorseful invalid, one day, as he lay on the sofa, with a black patch +adorning his brow, and his arm neatly done up in splints. + +Polly thought he was asleep, and sat quietly rolling bandages till a +head popped in at the door, and Will asked, in a sepulchral whisper,-- + +"I've got the book Ned wanted. Can I come and give it to you?" + +Polly nodded, and he tiptoed in to her side, with a face so full of +good-will and spirits that it was as refreshing as a breath of fresh air +in that sick room. + +"Nice boy! he never forgets to do a kindness and be a comfort to his +Polly," she said, leaning her tired head on his buttony jacket, as he +stood beside her. + +Will wasn't ashamed to show affection for "his Polly," so he patted the +pale cheeks with a hand as red as his mittens, and smiled down at her +with his honest blue eyes full of the protecting affection it was so +pleasant to receive. + +"Yes, _I'm_ going to be a tiptop boy, and never make you and father +ashamed of me, as you were once of somebody we know. Now don't you +laugh, and I'll show you something; it's the best I could do, and I +wanted to prove that I mean what I say; truly, truly, wish I may die if +I don't." + +As he spoke, Will pulled out of his vest-pocket a little pewter +cream-pot, tied to a shoe-string, and holding it up said, with a funny +mixture of boyish dignity and defiance,-- + +"I bought it of Nelly Hunt, because her tea-set was half-smashed up. +Folks may laugh at my badge, but I don't care; and if you won't have me +in your society I'll set up all alone, for I'm going into the temperance +business, any way!" + +Polly hugged him on the spot, and made his youthful countenance glow +with honest pride by saying solemnly,-- + +"William G. Snow, I consider our league honored by the addition of so +valuable a member; for a boy who can bear to be laughed at, and yet +stick to his principles, is a treasure." + +"The fellows _do_ laugh at me, and call me 'Little Pitcher;' but I'd +rather be that than 'Champagne Charlie,' as Ned called Mr. Lord," said +Will, stoutly. + +"Bless the little pitchers!" cried Polly, enthusiastically surveying +both the pewter pot and its wearer. + +A great tear was lying on her cheek, checked in its fall by the dimple +that came as she looked at her brother's droll badge. Will caught it +dexterously in the tiny cup, saying, with a stifled laugh,-- + +"Now you've baptized it, Polly, and it's as good as silver; for your +tear shines in there like a great big diamond. Wonder how many it would +take to fill it?" + +"You'll never make me cry enough to find out. Now go and get my little +silver chain, for that dear pewter pot deserves a better one than an old +shoe-string," said Polly, looking after him with a happy face, as the +small youth gave one ecstatic skip and was off. + +"I'm afraid we've waked you up," she added, as Ned stirred. + +"I was only day-dreaming; but I mean this one shall come true," and Ned +rose straight up, with an energy that surprised his sister. + +"Come and have your lunch, for it's time. Which will you take, Mrs. +Neal's wine-jelly or my custard?" asked Polly, settling him in his big +chair. + +To her astonishment, Ned pitched the little mould of amber jelly into +the fire, and tried to eat the custard with his left hand. + +"My dear boy, have you lost your senses?" she ejaculated. + +"No; I've just found them," he answered, with a flash of the eye, that +seemed to enlighten Polly without more words. + +Taking her usual seat on the arm of the chair, she fed her big nursling +in silence, till a sigh made her ask tenderly,-- + +"Isn't it right? I put in lots of sugar because you like it sweet." + +"All the sugar in the world won't sweeten it to me, Polly; for there's a +bitter drop at the bottom of all my cups. Will said your tear shone like +a diamond in his little pitcher, and well it might. But you can't cry +happy tears over me, though I've made you shed enough sad ones to fill +the big punch-bowl." + +Ned tried to laugh, but somehow the custard choked him; and Polly laid +the poor, cropped head on her shoulder for a minute, saying softly,-- + +"Never mind, dear, I wouldn't think about the old troubles now." + +She got no farther, for with a left-handed thump that made all the cups +dance wildly on the table, Ned cried out,-- + +"But I _will_ think about the old troubles, for I don't intend to have +any new ones of that sort! Do you suppose I'll see that snip of a boy +standing up for what is right, and not have the pluck to do the same? Do +you suppose I'll make my own father ashamed of me more than once? Or let +the dearest little girl in the world wear herself out over me, and I not +try to thank her in the way she likes best? Polly, my dear, you can't be +as proud of your elder brother as you are of the younger, but you shall +never have cause to blush for him again; _never_, sir, _never_!" + +Ned lifted his hand for another emphatic thump, but changed his mind, +and embraced his sister as closely as one arm could do it. + +"I ought to have a badge if I'm going to belong to your select society; +but I don't know any lady who will give me an ear-ring or a cream-pot," +said Ned, when the conversation got round again to the cheerful side of +the question. + +"I'll give you something better than either," answered Polly, as she +transferred a plain locket from her watch-guard to the one lying on the +table. + +Ned knew that a beloved face and a lock of gray hair were inside; and +when his sister added, with a look full of sweet significance, "For her +sake, dear," he answered manfully,-- + +"I'll try, Polly!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_WHAT PRIS DID._ + + +Priscilla, meantime, was racking her brain to discover how she could +help Philip; for since she had broken off her engagement no one spoke of +him to her, and she could only judge of how things were going with him +by what she saw and heard as she went about her daily task. + +Pris kept school, and the road which she must take twice a day led +directly by the office where Phil was studying medicine with old Dr. +Buffum. Formerly she always smiled and nodded as she passed, or stopped +to chat a moment with the student, who usually chanced to be taking a +whiff of fresh air at that instant. Little notes flew in and out, and +often her homeward walk was cheered by a companion, who taught the +pretty teacher lessons she found it very easy to learn. + +A happy time! But it was all over now, and brief glimpses of a brown +head bent above a desk near that window was the only solace poor Pris +had. The head never turned as she went by, but she felt sure that Phil +knew her step, and found that moment, as she did, the hardest of the +day. + +She longed to relent, but dared not yet. He longed to show that he +repented, but found it difficult without a sign of encouragement. So +they went their separate ways, seldom meeting, for Phil stuck to his +books with dogged resolution, and Pris had no heart for society. + +Of course the affair was discussed with all the exasperating freedom of +a country town, some blaming Pris for undue severity, some praising her +spirit, and some, friends,--not gossips,--predicting that both would be +the better for the trial, which would not separate them long. Of this +latter class were Portia and Polly, who felt it their duty to lend a +hand when matters reached a certain point. + +"Pris, dear, may I tell you something that I think you'd be glad to +know?" began Polly, joining her friend one afternoon, as she went home +weary and alone. + +"_You_ may tell me any thing," and Pris took her arm as if she felt the +need of sympathy. + +"You know Dr. Buffum let Phil help with Ned, so we have seen a good deal +of him, and that is how I found out what I've got to tell you." + +"He spoke of me, then?" whispered Pris, eagerly. + +"Not a word till Ned made him. My boy is fond of your boy, and they had +confidences which seem to have done them both good. Of course Ned didn't +tell me all about it, as _we_ tell things (men never do, they are so +proud and queer), but he said this,-- + +"'Look here, Polly, you must be very kind to Phil, and stand by him all +you can, or he will go down. He is doing his best, and will hold on as +long as he can, but a fellow _must_ have comfort and encouragement of +some sort, and if he don't get the right kind he'll try the wrong.'" + +"O Polly! you will stand by him?" + +"I have; for I just took Phil in a weakish moment, and found out all I +wanted to know. Ned is right and you are wrong, Pris,--not in giving +back the ring, but in seeming to cast him off entirely. He does not +deserve that, for he was not to blame half so much as you think. But he +won't excuse himself, for he feels that you are unjust; yet he loves you +dearly, and you could do any thing with him, if you chose." + +"I do choose, Polly; but how _can_ I marry a man whom I cannot trust?" +began Pris, sadly. + +"Now, my child, I'm going to talk to you like a mother, for I've had +experience with boys, and I know how to manage them," interrupted Polly, +with such a charmingly maternal air that Pris laughed in spite of her +trouble. "Be quiet and listen to the words of wisdom," continued her +friend, seriously. + +"Since I've taken care of Ned, I've learned a great deal, for the poor +lad was so sick and sorry he couldn't shut his heart against me any +more. So now I understand how to help and comfort him, for hearts are +very much alike, Pris, and all need lots of love and patience to keep +them good and happy. Ned told me his troubles, and I made up my mind +that as _we_ don't have so many temptations as boys, we should do all we +can to help them, and make them the sort of men we can both love and +trust." + +"You are right, Polly. I've often thought how wrong it is for us to sit +safe and silent while we know things are going wrong, just because it +isn't considered proper for us to speak out. Then when the harm is done +we are expected to turn virtuously away from the poor soul we might +perhaps have saved if we had dared. God does not do so to us, and we +ought not to do so to those over whom we have so much power," said Pris, +with a heart full of sad and tender memories. + +"We won't!" cried Polly, firmly. "We began in play, but we will go on in +earnest, and use our youth, our beauty, our influence for something +nobler than merely pleasing men's eyes, or playing with their hearts. +We'll help them to be good, and brave, and true, and in doing this we +shall become better women, and worthier to be loved, I know." + +"Why, Polly, you are quite inspired!" and Pris stopped in the snowy road +to look at her. + +"It isn't all _my_ wisdom. I've talked with father as well as Ned and +Phil, and they have done me good. I've discovered that confidence is +better than compliments, and friendship much nicer than flirting; so I'm +going to turn over a new leaf, and use my good gifts for higher ends." + +"Dear thing, what a comfort you are!" said Pris, pressing Polly's hands, +and looking into her bright face with grateful eyes. "You have given me +courage to do my duty, and I'll follow your example as fast as I can. +Don't come any farther, please: I'd better be alone when I pass Phil's +window, for I'm going to nod and smile, as I used to in the happy time. +Then he will see that I don't cast him off and leave him to 'go down' +for want of help, but am still his friend until I dare be more." + +"Now, Pris, that's just lovely of you, and I know it will work wonders. +Smile and nod away, dear, and try to do your part, as I'm trying to do +mine." + +For an instant the little gray hat and the jaunty one with the scarlet +feather were bent close together; but what went on under the brims, who +can say? Then Polly trotted off as fast as she could go, and Pris turned +into a certain street with a quicker step and a brighter color than she +had known for weeks. + +She was late, for she had lingered with Polly, and she feared that +patient watcher at the window would be gone. No; the brown head was +there, but it lay wearily on the arms folded over a big book, and the +eyes that stared out at the wintry sky had something tragic in them. + +Poor Phil did need encouragement, and was in the mood to take the worst +sort if the best failed him, for life looked very dark just then, and +solitude was growing unbearable. + +Suddenly, between him and the ruddy sunset a face appeared,--the dearest +and the loveliest in the world to him. Not half averted now, nor set +straightforward, cold and quiet as a marble countenance, but bent +towards him, with a smile on the lips, and a wistful look in the tender +eyes that made his heart leap up with sudden hope. Then it vanished; and +when he sprung to the window nothing could be seen but the last wave of +a well-known cloak, fluttering round the corner. + +But Priscilla's first effort was a great success; for the magic of a +kind look glorified the dingy office, and every bottle on the shelves +might have been filled with the elixir of life, so radiant did Phil's +face become. The almost uncontrollable desire to rush away and +recklessly forget his loneliness in the first companionship that offered +was gone now, for a happy hope peopled his solitude with helpful +thoughts and resolutions; the tragic look left the eyes, that still saw +a good angel instead of a tempting demon between them and the evening +sky; and when Phil shut up the big book he had been vainly trying to +study, he felt that he had discovered a new cure for one of the sharpest +pains the heart can suffer. + +Next morning Pris unconsciously started for school too soon, so when she +passed that window the room was empty. Resolved that Phil should not +share her disappointment, she lifted the sash and dropped a white azalea +on his desk. She smiled as she did it, and then whisked away as if she +had taken instead of left a treasure. But the smile remained with the +flower, I think, and Phil found it there when he hurried in to discover +this sweet good-morning waiting for him. + +He put it in the wine-glass which he had sworn never should be filled +again with any thing but water, and sitting down before it listened to +the little sermon the flower preached; for the delicate white azalea was +Pris to him, and the eloquence of a pure and tender heart flowed from +it, working miracles. One of them was that when sunset came it shone on +two faces at the window, and the little snow-birds heard two voices +breaking a long silence. + +"God bless you, Pris!" + +"God help you, Phil!" + +That was all, but from that hour the girl felt her power for good, and +used it faithfully; and from that hour the young man worked bravely to +earn the respect and confidence without which no love is safe and happy. + +"We are friends now," they said, when they were seen together again; and +friends they remained, in spite of shrugs and smiles, ill-natured +speeches, and more than one attempt to sow discord between them, for +people did not understand the new order of things. + +"I trust him," was the only answer Pris gave to all warnings and +criticisms. + +"I _will_ be worthy of her," the vow that kept Phil steady in spite of +the ridicule that is so hard to bear, and gave him courage to flee from +the temptation he was not yet strong enough to meet face to face. + +Portia and Polly stood by them stanchly; for having made her father's +house a safe refuge, Portia offered Phil all the helpful influences of a +happy home. Polly, with Ned to lend a hand, gave his comrade many a +friendly lift; and when it was understood that the Judge, the minister, +and the "Sweet P's" indorsed the young M. D., no one dared cast a stone +at him. + +All this took time, of course, but Phil got his reward at last, for one +night a little thing happened which showed him his own progress, and +made Pris feel that she might venture to wear the ring again. + +At a party Phil was graciously invited to take wine with a lady, and +refused. It was a very hard thing to do, for the lady was his hostess, a +handsome woman, and the mother of a flock of little children, who all +preferred the young doctor to the old one; and, greatest trial of all, +several of his most dreaded comrades stood by to laugh at him, if he +dared to let principle outweigh courtesy. + +But he did it, though he grew pale with the effort to say steadily,-- + +"Will Mrs. Ward pardon me if I decline the honor? I am"-- + +There he stopped and turned scarlet, for a lie was on his lips,--a lie +so much easier to tell than the honest truth that many would have +forgiven its utterance at that minute. + +His hostess naturally thought ill health was his excuse, and, pitying +his embarrassment, said, smiling,-- + +"Ah! you doctors don't prescribe wine for your own ailments as readily +as for those of your patients." + +But Phil, angry at his own weakness, spoke out frankly, with a look that +said more than his words,-- + +"I cannot even accept the kind excuse you offer me, for I am not ill. It +may be my duty to order wine sometimes for my patients, but it is also +my duty to prescribe water for myself." + +A dreadful little pause followed that speech; but Mrs. Ward understood +now, and though she thought the scruple a foolish one, she accepted the +apology like a well-bred woman, and, with a silent bow that ended the +matter, turned to other guests, leaving poor Phil to his fate. + +Not a pleasant one, but he bore it as well as he could, and when his +mates left him stranded in a corner, he said, half aloud, with a long +breath, as if the battle had been a hard one,-- + +"Yes, I suppose I _have_ lost my best patient, but I've kept my own +respect, and that ought to satisfy me." + +"Let me add mine, and wish you health and happiness, dear Phil," said a +voice behind him, and turning quickly he saw Pris standing there with +two goblets of water, and a smile full of love and pride. + +"You know what that toast means for me?" he whispered, with sudden +sunshine in his face, as he took the offered glass. + +"Yes; and I drink it with all my heart," she answered, with her hand in +his. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_HOW IT ENDED._ + + +The leaven dropped by three girls in that little town worked so slowly +that they hardly expected to do more than "raise their own patty-cakes," +as Polly merrily expressed it. But no honest purpose is ever wasted, and +by-and-by the fermentation began. + +Several things helped it amazingly. The first of these was a temperance +sermon, preached by Parson Snow, which produced a deep impression, +because in doing this he had the courage, like Brutus, to condemn his +own son. The brave sincerity, the tender earnestness of that sermon, +touched the hearts of his people as no learned discourse had ever done, +and bore fruit that well repaid him for the effort it cost. + +It waked up the old people, set the young ones to thinking, and showed +them all that they had a work to do. For those who were down felt that +they might be lifted up again, those who were trifling ignorantly or +recklessly with temptation saw their danger, and those who had longed to +speak out now dared to do it because he led the way. + +So, warned by the wolf in his own fold, this shepherd of souls tried to +keep his flock from harm, and, in doing it, found that his Christianity +was the stronger, wiser, and purer for his humanity. + +Another thing was the fact that the Judge was the first to follow his +pastor's example, and prove by deeds that he indorsed his words. It was +hard for the hospitable old gentleman to banish wine from his table, and +forego the pleasant customs which long usage and many associations +endeared to him; but he made his sacrifice handsomely, and his daughter +helped him. + +She kept the side-board from looking bare by filling the silver tankards +with flowers, offered water to his guests with a grace that made a +cordial of it, and showed such love and honor for her father that he was +a very proud and happy man. + +What the Judge did was considered "all right" by his neighbors, for he +was not only the best-born, but the richest man in town, and with a +certain class these facts had great weight. Portia knew this, and +counted on it when she said she wanted him on her side; so she exulted +when others followed the new fashion, some from principle, but many +simply because he set it. + +At first the young reformers were disappointed that every one was not as +enthusiastic as themselves, and as ready to dare and do for the cause +they had espoused. But wiser heads than those on their pretty shoulders +curbed their impetuosity, and suggested various ways of gently +insinuating the new idea, and making it so attractive that others would +find it impossible to resist; for sunshine often wins when bluster makes +us wrap our prejudices closer around us, like the traveller in the +fable. + +Portia baited _her_ trap with Roman parties,--for she had been +abroad,--and made them so delightful that no one complained when only +cake and tea was served (that being the style in the Eternal City), but +went and did likewise. + +Artful Polly set up a comic newspaper, to amuse Ned, who was an invalid +nearly all winter, and in it freed her mind on many subjects in such a +witty way that the "Pollyanthus," as her brother named it, circulated +through their set, merrily sowing good seed; for young folks will +remember a joke longer than a sermon, and this editor made all hers +tell. + +Pris was not behindhand in her efforts, but worked in a different way, +and got up a branch society among her little pupils, called "The Water +Babies." That captivated the mothers at once, and even the fathers found +it difficult to enjoy their wine with blue eyes watching them wistfully +over the rims of silver mugs; while the few topers of the town hid +themselves like night-birds flying from the sun, when, led by their +gentle General, that little army of innocents marched through the +streets with banners flying, blithe voices singing, rosy faces shining, +and childish hearts full of the sweet delusion that _they_ could save +the world. + +Of course the matrons discussed these events at the sewing-circle, and +much talk went on of a more useful sort than the usual gossip about +servants, sickness, dress, and scandal. + +Mrs. Judge waxed eloquent upon the subject, and, being president, every +one listened with due respect. Mrs. Ward seconded all her motions, for +this lady had much surprised the town, not only by installing Phil as +family physician, but by coming out strong for temperance. Somebody had +told her all about the girls' labor of love, and she had felt ashamed to +be outdone by them; so, like a conscientious woman, she decided to throw +her influence into the right scale, take time by the forelock, and help +to make the town a safer place for her five sons to grow up in than it +was then. + +These two leading ladies kept the ball rolling so briskly that others +were soon converted and fell into rank, till a dozen or so were heartily +in earnest. And then the job was half done; for in a great measure women +make society what they choose to have it. + +"We are told that home is our sphere, and advised to keep in it; so let +us see that it is what it should be, and then we shall have proved our +fitness for larger fields of labor, if we care to claim them," said Mrs. +Judge, cutting out red flannel with charitable energy, on one occasion. + +"Most of us will find that quite as much as we can accomplish, I fancy," +answered Mrs. Ward, thinking of her own riotous lads, who were probably +pulling the house about their ears, while she made hoods for Mrs. +Flanagan's bare-headed lasses. + +"'Pears to me we hain't no call to interfere in other folks's affairs. +This never was a drinkin' town, and things is kep' in fustrate order, so +_I_ don't see the use of sech a talk about temperance," remarked Miss +Simmons, an acid spinster, whose principal earthly wealth consisted of a +choice collection of cats. + +"If your tabbies took to drinking, you _would_ see the use, I'm sure," +laughed Polly, from the corner, which was a perfect posy-bed of girls. + +"Thank goodness, _I've_ no men folks to pester myself about," began Miss +Simmons, with asperity. + +"Ah, but you should; for if you refuse to make them happy, you ought at +least to see that they console themselves in ways which can work them no +further woe," continued Polly, gravely, though her black eyes danced +with fun. + +"Well, that wouldn't be no more than fair, I'm free to confess; but, +sakes alive, I couldn't attend to 'em all!" said Miss Simmons, bridling +with a simper that nearly upset the whole bevy of girls. + +"Do make the effort, and help us poor things who haven't had your +experience," added Pris, in her most persuasive voice. + +"I declare I will! I'll have Hiram Stebbins in to tea; and when he's as +good-natured as muffins and pie can make him, I'll set to and see if I +can't talk him out of his attachment to that brandy bottle," cried Miss +Simmons, with a sudden yearning towards the early sweetheart, who had +won, but never claimed her virgin affections. + +"I think you'll do it; and, if so, you will have accomplished what no +one else could, and you shall have any prize you choose," cried Portia, +smiling so hopefully that the faded old face grew almost young again, as +Miss Simmons went home with something better to do than tend her +tabbies. + +"We've bagged that bird," said Polly, with real satisfaction. + +"That's the way we set people to work," added Portia, smiling. + +"She will do what we can't, for her heart is in it," said Pris, softly; +and it was pleasant to see the blooming girls rejoice that poor old +Hiram was in a fair way to be saved. + +So the year went round, and Thanksgiving came again, with the home +jollity that makes a festival throughout the land. The day would not be +perfect if it did not finish with a frolic of some sort, and for reasons +of their own the young gentlemen decided to have the first sociable of +the year an unusually pleasant one. + +"Everybody is going, and Ned says the supper is to be water-ice and +ice-water," said Polly, taking a last look at herself in the long +mirror, when the three friends were ready on that happy evening. + +"I needn't sigh now over other girls' pretty dresses, as I did last +year;" and Portia plumed herself like a swan, as she settled Charley's +roses in her bosom. + +"And I needn't wonder who Phil will take," added Pris, stopping, with +her glove half on, to look at the little ring back again from its long +banishment in somebody's waistcoat pocket. + +Never had the hall looked so elegant and gay, for it was charmingly +decorated; couches were provided for the elders, mirrors for the +beauties, and music of the best sounded from behind a thicket of shrubs +and flowers. Every one seemed in unusually good spirits; the girls +looked their loveliest, and the young men were models of propriety; +though a close observer might have detected a suspicious twinkle in the +eyes of the most audacious, as if they plotted some new joke. + +The girls saw it, were on the watch, and thought the secret was out when +they discovered that the gentlemen of their set all wore tiny pitchers, +hanging like orders from the knots of sweet-peas in their button-holes. +But, bless their innocent hearts! that was only a ruse, and they were +taken entirely by surprise when, just before supper, the band struck up, + + "Drink to me only with thine eyes;" + +and every one looked smilingly at the three girls who were standing +together near the middle of the hall. + +They looked about them in pretty confusion, but in a moment beheld a +spectacle that made them forget themselves; for the Judge, in an +impressive white waistcoat, marched into the circle gathered about them, +made a splendid bow, and said, with a smile that put the gas to shame,-- + +"Young ladies! I am desired by the gentlemen now present to beg your +acceptance of a slight token of their gratitude, respect, and penitence. +As the first man who joined the society which has proved a blessing to +our town, Mr. William Snow will now have the honor of presenting the +gift." + +Then appeared Mr. William Snow, looking as proud as a peacock; and well +he might, for on the salver which he bore stood a stately silver +pitcher. A graceful little Hebe danced upon the handle, three names +shone along the fretted brim, and three white lilies rose from the +slender vase,--fit emblems of the maiden founders of the league. + +Arriving before them, Master Will nearly upset the equilibrium of his +precious burden in attempting to make a bow equal to the Judge's; but +recovered himself gallantly, and delivered the following remarkable +poem, which the public was expected to believe an emanation of his own +genius:-- + + "Hebe poured the nectar forth + When gods of old were jolly, + But graces three _our_ goblets fill, + Fair Portia, Pris and Polly. + Their draughts make every man who tastes + Happier, better, richer; + So here we vow ourselves henceforth + Knights of the Silver Pitcher." + + + + +ANNA'S WHIM. + + +"Now just look at that!" cried a young lady, pausing suddenly in her +restless march to and fro on one of the wide piazzas of a seaside hotel. + +"At what?" asked her companion, lazily swinging in a hammock. + +"The difference in those two greetings. It's perfectly disgraceful!" was +the petulant reply. + +"I didn't see any thing. Do tell me about it," said Clara, opening her +drowsy eyes with sudden interest. + +"Why, young Barlow was lounging up the walk, and met pretty Miss Ellery. +Off went his hat; he gave her a fine bow, a gracious smile, a worn-out +compliment, and then dawdled on again. The next minute Joe King came +along. Instantly Barlow woke up, laughed out like a pleased boy, gave +him a hearty grip of the hand, a cordial 'How are you, old fellow? I'm +no end glad to see you!' and, linking arms, the two tramped off, quite +beaming with satisfaction." + +"But, child, King is Barlow's best friend; Kitty Ellery only an +acquaintance. Besides, it wouldn't do to greet a woman like a man." + +"Yes, it would, especially in this case; for Barlow adores Kate, and +might, at least, treat her to something better than the nonsense he +gives other girls. But, no, it's proper to simper and compliment; and +he'll do it till his love gets the better of 'prunes and prisms,' and +makes him sincere and earnest." + +"This is a new whim of yours. You surely wouldn't like to have any man +call out 'How are you, Anna?' slap you on the shoulder, and nearly shake +your hand off, as Barlow did King's, just now," said Clara, laughing at +her friend. + +"Yes, I would," answered Anna, perversely, "if he really meant it to +express affection or pleasure. A good grip of the hand and a plain, +hearty word would please me infinitely better than all the servile +bowing down and sweet nonsense I've had lately. I'm not a fool; then, +why am I treated like one?" she continued, knitting her handsome brows +and pacing to and fro like an angry leopardess. "Why don't men treat me +like a reasonable being?--talk sense to me, give me their best ideas, +tell me their plans and ambitions, let me enjoy the real man in them, +and know what they honestly are? I don't want to be a goddess stuck up +on a pedestal. I want to be a woman down among them, to help and be +helped by our acquaintance." + +"It wouldn't do, I fancy. They wouldn't like it, and would tell you to +keep to your own sex." + +"But my own sex don't interest or help me one bit. Women have no hope +but to be married, and that is soon told; no ideas but dress and show, +and I'm tired to death of both; no ambition but to outshine their +neighbors, and I despise that." + +"Thank you, love," blandly murmured Clara. + +"It is true, and you know it. There _are_ sensible women; but not in my +set. And I don't seem to find them. I've tried the life set down for +girls like me, and for three years I've lived and enjoyed it. Now I'm +tired of it. I want something better, and I mean to have it. Men _will_ +follow, admire, flatter, and love me; for I please them and they enjoy +my society. Very well. Then it's fair that I should enjoy theirs. And I +should if they would let me. It's perfectly maddening to have flocks of +brave, bright fellows round me, full of every thing that is attractive, +strong, and helpful, yet not be able to get at it, because society +ordains twaddle between us, instead of sensible conversation and sincere +manners." + +"What shall we do about it, love?" asked Clara, enjoying her friend's +tirade. + +"_You_ will submit to it, and get a mental dyspepsia, like all the other +fashionable girls. I won't submit, if I can help it; even if I shock +Mrs. Grundy by my efforts to get plain bread and beef instead of +confectionery." + +Anna walked in silence for a moment, and then burst out again, more +energetically than ever. + +"Oh! I do wish I could find one sensible man, who would treat me as he +treats his male friends,--even roughly, if he is honest and true; who +would think me worthy of his confidence, ask my advice, let me give him +whatever I have that is wise and excellent, and be my friend in all good +faith." + +"Ahem!" said Clara, with a significant laugh, that angered Anna. + +"You need not try to abash me with your jeers. I know what I mean, and I +stand by my guns, in spite of your 'hems.' I do _not_ want lovers. I've +had dozens, and am tired of them. I will not marry till I know the man +thoroughly; and how _can_ I know him with this veil between us? They +don't guess what I really am; and I want to prove to them and to myself +that I possess brains and a heart, as well as 'heavenly eyes,' a +'queenly figure,' and a 'mouth made for kissing.'" + +The scorn with which Anna uttered the last words amused her friend +immensely, for the petulant beauty had never looked handsomer than at +that moment. + +"If any man saw you now, he'd promise whatever you ask, no matter how +absurd. But don't excite yourself, dear child; it is too warm for +heroics." + +Anna leaned on the wide baluster a moment, looking thoughtfully out upon +the sea; and as she gazed a new expression stole over her charming face, +changing its disdainful warmth to soft regret. + +"This is not all a whim. I know what I covet, because I had it once," +she said, with a sigh. "I had a boy friend when I was a girl, and for +several years we were like brother and sister. Ah! what happy times we +had together, Frank and I. We played and studied, quarrelled and made +up, dreamed splendid dreams, and loved one another in our simple child +fashion, never thinking of sex, rivalry, or any of the forms and follies +that spoil maturer friendships." + +"What became of him? Did he die angelically in his early bloom, or +outgrow his Platonics with round jackets?" asked Clara. + +"He went to college. I went abroad, to be 'finished off;' and when we +met a year ago the old charm was all gone, for we were 'in society' and +had our masks on." + +"So the boy and girl friendship did not ripen into love and end the +romance properly?" + +"No, thank Heaven! no flirtation spoilt the pretty story. Frank was too +wise, and I too busy. Yet I remember how glad I was to see him; though I +hid it properly, and pretended to be quite unconscious that I was any +thing but a belle. I got paid for my deceit, though; for, in spite of +his admiration, I saw he was disappointed in me. I should not have cared +if I had been disappointed in him; but I was quick to see that he was +growing one of the strong, superior men who command respect. I wanted to +keep his regard, at least; and I seemed to have nothing but beauty to +give in return. I think I never was so hurt in my life as I was by his +not coming to see me after a week or two, and hearing him say to a +friend, one night, when I thought I was at my very best, 'She is spoilt, +like all the rest.'" + +"I do believe you loved him, and that is why you won't love any one +else," cried Clara, who had seen her friend in her moods before; but +never understood them, and thought she had found a clew now. + +"No," said Anna, with a quiet shake of the head. "No, I only wanted my +boy friend back, and could not find him. The fence between us was too +high; and I could not climb over, as I used to do when I leaped the +garden-wall to sit in a tree and help Frank with his lessons." + +"Has the uncivil wretch never come back?" asked Clara, interested in the +affair. + +"Never. He is too busy shaping his life bravely and successfully to +waste his time on a frivolous butterfly like Anna West." + +An eloquent little gesture of humility made the words almost pathetic. +Kind-hearted Clara was touched by the sight of tears in the "heavenly +eyes," and tumbling out of the hammock she embraced the "queenly figure" +and warmly pressed the "lips that were made for kissing," thereby +driving several approaching gentlemen to the verge of distraction. + +"Now don't be tragical, darling. You have nothing to cry for, I'm sure. +Young, lovely, rich, and adored, what more _can_ any girl want?" said +Clara, gushingly. + +"Something besides admiration to live for," answered Anna, adding, with +a shrug, as she saw several hats fly off and several manly countenances +beam upon her, "Never mind, my fit is over now; let us go and dress for +tea." + +Miss West usually took a brisk pull in her own boat before breakfast; a +habit which lured many indolent young gentlemen out of their beds at +unaccustomed hours, in the hope that they might have the honor of +splashing their legs helping her off, the privilege of wishing her "_Bon +voyage_," or the crowning rapture of accompanying her. + +On the morning after her "fit," as she called the discontent of a really +fine nature with the empty life she led, she was up and out unusually +early; for she had kept her room with a headache all the evening, and +now longed for fresh air and exercise. + +As she prepared the "Gull" for a start, she was idly wondering what +early bird would appear eager to secure the coveted worm, when a loud +and cheerful voice was heard calling,-- + +"Hullo, Anna!" and a nautically attired gentleman hove in sight, waving +his hat as he hailed her. + +She started at the unceremonious salute and looked back. Then her whole +face brightened beautifully as she sprang up the bank, saying, with a +pretty mixture of hesitation and pleasure,-- + +"Why, Frank, is that you?" + +"Do you doubt it?" + +And the new-comer shook both her hands so vigorously that she winced a +little as she said, laughing,-- + +"No, I don't. That is the old squeeze with extra power in it." + +"How are you? Going for a pull? Take me along and show me the lions. +There's a good soul." + +"With pleasure. When did you come?" asked Anna, settling the black +ribbon under the sailor collar which set off her white throat +charmingly. + +"Last night. I caught a glimpse of you at tea; but you were surrounded +then and vanished immediately afterward. So when I saw you skipping over +the rocks just now, I gave chase, and here I am. Shall I take an oar?" +asked Frank, as she motioned him to get in. + +"No, thank you. I prefer to row myself and don't need any help," she +answered, with an imperious little wave of the hand; for she was glad to +show him she could do something besides dance, dress, and flirt. + +"All right. Then I'll do the luxurious and enjoy myself." And, without +offering to help her in, Frank seated himself, folded his arms, +stretched out his long legs, and placidly remarked,-- + +"Pull away, skipper." + +Anna was pleased with his frank and friendly greeting, and, feeling as +if old times had come again, sprang in, prepared to astonish him with +her skill. + +"Might I suggest that you"--began Frank, as she pushed off. + +"No suggestions or advice allowed aboard this ship. I know what I'm +about, though I _am_ a woman," was the severe answer, as the boat glided +from the wharf. + +"Ay, ay, sir!" And Frank meekly subsided, with a twinkle of amusement in +the eyes that rested approvingly on the slender figure in a blue boating +suit and the charming face under the sailor hat. + +Anna paddled her way dexterously out from among the fleet of boats +riding at anchor in the little bay; then she seated herself, adjusted +one oar, and looked about for the other rowlock. It was nowhere visible; +and, after a silent search, she deigned to ask,-- + +"Have you seen the thing anywhere?" + +"I saw it on the bank." + +"Why didn't you tell me before?" + +"I began to, but was quenched; so I obeyed orders." + +"You haven't forgotten how to tease," said Anna, petulantly. + +"Nor you to be wilful." + +She gave him a look that would have desolated most men; but only made +Frank smile affably as she paddled laboriously back, recovered the +rowlock and then her temper, as, with a fine display of muscle, she +pulled out to sea. + +Getting into the current, she let the boat drift, and soon forgot time +and space in the bewildering conversation that followed. + +"What have you been doing since I saw you last?" she asked, looking as +rosy as a milkmaid, as she stopped rowing and tied up her wind-tossed +hair. + +"Working like a beaver. You see"--and then, to her utter amazement, +Frank entered into an elaborate statement of his affairs, quite as if +she understood all about it and her opinion was valuable. It was all +Greek to Anna, but she was immensely gratified; for it was just the way +the boy used to tell her his small concerns in the days when each had +firm faith in the other's wisdom. She tried to look as if she understood +all about "investments, percentage, and long credit;" but she was out of +her depth in five minutes, and dared say nothing, lest she should betray +her lamentable ignorance on all matters of business. She got out of the +scrape by cleverly turning the conversation to old times, and youthful +reminiscences soon absorbed them both. + +The faint, far-off sound of a gong recalled her to the fact that +breakfast was nearly ready; and, turning the boat, she was dismayed to +see how far they had floated. She stopped talking and rowed her best; +but wind and tide were against her, she was faint with hunger, and her +stalwart passenger made her task doubly hard. He offered no help, +however; but did the luxurious to the life, leaning back, with his hat +off, and dabbling his hands in the way that most impedes the progress of +a boat. + +Pride kept Anna silent till her face was scarlet, her palms blistered, +and her breath most gone. Then, and not till then, did she condescend to +say, with a gasp, poorly concealed by an amiable smile,-- + +"Do you care to row? I ought to have asked you before." + +"I'm very comfortable, thank you," answered Frank. Then, as an +expression of despair flitted over poor Anna's face, he added bluntly, +"I'm getting desperately hungry, so I don't care if I do shorten the +voyage a bit." + +With a sigh of relief, she rose to change seats, and, expecting him to +help her, she involuntarily put out her hands, as she passed. But Frank +was busy turning back his cuffs, and never stirred a finger; so that she +would have lost her balance and gone overboard if she had not caught his +arm. + +"What's the matter, skipper?" he asked, standing the sudden grip as +steadily as a mast. + +"Why didn't you help me? You have no more manners than a turtle!" cried +Anna, dropping into the seat with the frown of a spoiled beauty, +accustomed to be gallantly served and supported at every step. + +Frank only added to his offence by laughing, as he said carelessly,-- + +"You seemed so independent, I didn't like to interfere." + +"So, if I had gone overboard, you would not have fished me out, unless I +asked you to do it, I suppose?" + +"In that case, I'm afraid I shouldn't have waited for orders. We can't +spare you to the mermen yet." + +Something in the look he gave her appeased Anna's resentment; and she +sat silently admiring the strong swift strokes that sent the "Gull" +skimming over the water. + +"Not too late for breakfast, after all," she said graciously, as they +reached the wharf, where several early strollers stood watching their +approach. + +"Poor thing! You look as if you needed it," answered Frank. But he let +her get out alone, to the horror of Messrs. Barlow, King, & Co.; and, +while she fastened the boat, Frank stood settling his hatband, with the +most exasperating unconsciousness of his duty. + +"What are you going to do with yourself this morning?" she asked, as she +walked up the rocky path, with no arm to lean upon. + +"Fish. Will you come along?" + +"No, thank you. One gets so burnt. I shall go to my hammock under the +pine," was the graciously suggestive reply of the lady who liked a slave +to fan or swing her, and seldom lacked several to choose from. + +"See you at dinner, then. My room is in the Cottage. So by-by for the +present." And, with a nod, Frank strolled away, leaving the lovely Miss +West to mount the steps and cross the hall unescorted. + +"The dear fellow's manners need polish. I must take him in hand, I see. +And yet he is very nice, in spite of his brusque ways," thought Anna, +indulgently. And more than once that morning she recalled his bluff +"Hullo, Anna!" as she swung languidly in her hammock, with a devoted +being softly reading Tennyson to her inattentive ears. + +At dinner she appeared in unusual spirits, and kept her end of the table +in a ripple of merriment by her witty and satirical sallies, privately +hoping that her opposite neighbor would discover that she could talk +well when she chose to do so. But Frank was deep in politics, discussing +some new measure with such earnestness and eloquence that Anna, pausing +to listen for a moment, forgot her lively gossip in one of the great +questions of the hour. + +She was listening with silent interest, when Frank suddenly appealed to +her to confirm some statement he had just made; and she was +ignominiously obliged to confess she knew too little about the matter to +give any opinion. No compliment ever paid her was more flattering than +his way of turning to her now and then, as if including her in the +discussion as a matter of course; and never had she regretted any thing +more keenly than she did her ignorance on a subject that every man and +woman should understand and espouse. + +She did her best to look intelligent; racked her brain to remember facts +which she had heard discussed for weeks, without paying any attention to +them; and, thanks to her quick wit and womanly sympathy, she managed to +hold her own, saying little, but looking much. + +The instant dinner was over, she sent a servant to the reading-room for +a file of late papers, and, retiring to a secluded corner, read up with +a diligence that not only left her with clearer ideas on one subject, +but also a sense of despair at her own deficiencies in the knowledge of +many others. + +"I really must have a course of solid reading. I do believe that is what +I need; and I'll ask Frank where to begin. He always was an intelligent +boy; but I was surprised to hear how well he talked. I was actually +proud of him. I wonder where he is, by the way. Clara wants to be +introduced, and I want to see how he strikes her." + +Leaving her hiding-place, Anna walked forth in search of her friends, +looking unusually bright and beautiful, for her secret studies had waked +her up and lent her face the higher charm it needed. Clara appeared +first. The new-comer had already been presented to her, and she +professed herself "perfectly fascinated." "Such a personable man! Quite +distinguished, you know, and so elegant in his manners! Devoted, +graceful, and altogether charming." + +"You like his manners, do you?" and Anna smiled at Clara's enthusiasm. + +"Of course I do; for they have all the polish of foreign travel, with +the indescribable something which a really fine character lends to every +little act and word." + +"Frank has never been abroad, and if I judged his character by his +manners I should say he was rather a rough customer," said Anna, finding +fault because Clara praised. + +"You are so fastidious, nothing ever suits you, dear. I didn't expect to +like this old friend of yours. But I frankly confess I do immensely; so, +if you are tired of him, I'll take him off your hands." + +"Thank you, love. You are welcome to poor Frank, if you can win him. Men +are apt to be more loyal to friendship than women; and I rather fancy, +from what I saw this morning, that he is in no haste to change old +friends for new." + +Anna spoke sweetly, but at heart was ill pleased with Clara's admiration +of her private property, as she considered "poor Frank," and inwardly +resolved to have no poaching on her preserves. + +Just then the gentleman in question came up, saying to Anna, in his +abrupt way,-- + +"Every one is going to ride, so I cannot get the best horses; but I've +secured two, and now I want a companion. Will you come for a good +old-time gallop?" + +Anna thought of her blistered hands, and hesitated, till a look at +Clara's hopeful face decided her to accept. She did so, and rode like an +Amazon for several hours, in spite of heat, dust, and a hard-mouthed +horse, who nearly pulled her arms out of the sockets. + +She hoped to find a chance to consult Frank about her course of useful +reading; but he seemed intent on the "old-time gallop," and she kept up +gallantly till the ride was over, when she retired to her room, quite +exhausted, but protesting with heroic smiles that she had had a +delightful time. + +She did not appear at tea; but later in the evening, when an informal +dance was well under way, she sailed in on the arm of a distinguished +old gentleman, "evidently prepared to slay her thousands," as young +Barlow said, observing the unusual brilliancy of her eyes and the +elaborate toilette she had made. + +"She means mischief to-night. Who is to be the victim, I wonder?" said +another man, putting up his glass for a survey of the charmer. + +"Not the party who came last evening. He is only an old friend," she +says. + +"He might be her brother or her husband, judging by the cavalier way in +which he treats her. I could have punched his head this morning, when he +let her pull up that boat alone," cried a youthful adorer, glaring +irefully at the delinquent, lounging in a distant doorway. + +"If she said he was an old friend, you may be sure he is an accepted +lover. The dear creatures all fib in these matters; so I'll lay wagers +to an enormous amount that all this splendor is for the lord and master, +not for our destruction," answered Barlow, who was wise in the ways of +women and wary as a moth should be who had burnt his wings more than +once at the same candle. + +Clara happened to overhear these pleasing remarks, and five minutes +after they were uttered she breathed them tenderly into Anna's ear. A +scornful smile was all the answer she received; but the beauty was both +pleased and annoyed, and awaited with redoubled interest the approach of +the old friend, who was regarded in the light of a successful lover. But +he seemed in no haste to claim his privileges, and dance after dance +went by, while he sat talking with the old general or absently watching +the human teetotums that spun about before him. + +"I can't stand this another moment!" said Anna to herself, at last, and +beckoned the recreant knight to approach, with a commanding gesture. + +"Why don't you dance, sir?" + +"I've forgotten how, ma'am." + +"After all the pains I took with you when we had lessons together, years +ago?" + +"I've been too busy to attend to trifles of that sort." + +"Elegant accomplishments are not trifles, and no one should neglect them +who cares to make himself agreeable." + +"Well, I don't know that I do care, as a general thing." + +"You ought to care; and, as a penance for that rude speech, you must +dance this dance with me. I cannot let you forget all your +accomplishments for the sake of business; so I shall do my duty as a +friend and take you in hand," said Anna, severely. + +"You are very kind; but is it worth the trouble?" + +"Now, Frank, don't be provoking and ungrateful. You know you like to +give pleasure, to be cared for, and to do credit to your friends; so +just rub up your manners a bit, and be as well-bred as you are sensible +and brave and good." + +"Thank you, I'll try. May I have the honor, Miss West?" and he bowed low +before her, with a smile on his lips that both pleased and puzzled Anna. + +They danced the dance, and Frank acquitted himself respectably, but +relapsed into his objectionable ways as soon as the trial ended; for the +first thing he said, with a sigh of relief, was,-- + +"Come out and talk; for upon my life I can't stand this oven any +longer." + +Anna obediently followed, and, seating herself in a breezy corner, +waited to be entertained. But Frank seemed to have forgotten that +pleasing duty; for, perching himself on the wide baluster of the piazza, +he not only proceeded to light a cigarette, without even saying, "By +your leave," but coolly offered her one also. + +"How dare you!" she said, much offended at this proceeding. "I am not +one of the fast girls who do such things, and I dislike it exceedingly." + +"You used to smoke sweet-fern in corn-cob pipes, you remember; and these +are not much stronger," he said, placidly restoring the rejected +offering to his pocket. + +"I did many foolish things then which I desire to forget now." + +"And some very sweet and sensible ones, also. Ah, well! it can't be +helped, I suppose." + +Anna sat silent a moment, wondering what he meant; and when she looked +up, she found him pensively staring at her, through a fragrant cloud of +smoke. + +"What is it?" she asked, for his eyes seemed seeking something. + +"I was trying to see some trace of the little Anna I used to know. I +thought I'd found her again this morning in the girl in the round hat; +but I don't find her anywhere to-night." + +"Indeed, Frank, I'm not so much changed as I seem. At least, to you I am +the same, as far as I can be. Do believe it, and be friends, for I want +one very much?" cried Anna, forgetting every thing but the desire to +reestablish herself in his good opinion. As she spoke, she turned her +face toward the light and half extended her hand, as if to claim and +hold the old regard that seemed about to be withdrawn from her. + +Frank bent a little and scanned the upturned face with a keen glance. It +flushed in the moonlight and the lips trembled like an anxious child's; +but the eyes met his with a look both proud and wistful, candid and +sweet,--a look few saw in those lovely eyes, or, once seeing, ever +forgot. Frank gave a little nod, as if satisfied, and said, with that +perplexing smile of his,-- + +"Most people would see only the beautiful Miss West, in a remarkably +pretty gown; but I think I catch a glimpse of little Anna, and I am very +glad of it. You want a friend? Very good. I'll do my best for you; but +you must take me as I am, thorns and all." + +"I will, and not mind if they wound sometimes. I've had roses till I'm +tired of them, in spite of their sweetness." + +As he spoke, Frank had taken the hand she offered, and, having gravely +shaken it, held the "white wonder" for an instant, glancing from the +little blisters on the delicate palm to the rings that shone on several +fingers. + +"Are you reading my fortune?" asked Anna, wondering if he was going to +be sentimental and kiss it. + +"After a fashion; for I am looking to see if there is a suspicious +diamond anywhere about. Isn't it time there was one?" + +"That is not a question for you to ask;" and Anna caught away her hand, +as if one of the thorns he spoke of had suddenly pricked. + +"Why not? We always used to tell each other every thing; and, if we are +to go on in the old friendly way, we must be confidential and +comfortable, you know." + +"You can begin yourself then, and I'll see how I like it," said Anna, +aroused and interested, in spite of her maidenly scruples about the new +arrangement. + +"I will, with all my heart. To own the truth, I've been longing to tell +you something; but I wasn't sure that you'd take any interest in it," +began Frank, eating rose-leaves with interesting embarrassment. + +"I can imagine what it is," said Anna, quickly, while her heart began to +flutter curiously, for these confidences were becoming exciting. "You +have found your fate, and are dying to let everybody know how happy you +are." + +"I think I have. But I'm not happy yet. I'm desperately anxious, for I +cannot decide whether it is a wise or foolish choice." + +"Who is it?" + +"Never mind the name. I haven't spoken yet, and perhaps never shall; so +I may as well keep that to myself,--for the present, at least." + +"Tell me what you like then, and I will ask no more questions," said +Anna, coldly; for this masculine discretion annoyed her. + +"Well, you see, this dear girl is pretty, rich, accomplished, and +admired. A little spoilt, in fact; but very captivating, in spite of it. +Now, the doubt in my mind is whether it is wise to woo a wife of this +sort; for I know I shall want a companion in all things, not only a +pretty sweetheart or a graceful mistress for my house." + +"I should say it was _not_ wise," began Anna, decidedly; then hastened +to add, more quietly: "But perhaps you only see one side of this girl's +character. She may have much strength and sweetness hidden away under +her gay manner, waiting to be called out when the right mate comes." + +"I often think so myself, and long to learn if I am the man; but some +frivolous act, thoughtless word, or fashionable folly on her part +dampens my ardor, and makes me feel as if I had better go elsewhere +before it is too late." + +"You are not madly in love, then?" + +"Not yet; but I should be if I saw much of her, for when I do I rather +lose my head, and am tempted to fall upon my knees, regardless of time, +place, and consequences." + +Frank spoke with sudden love and longing in his voice, and stretched out +his arms so suggestively that Anna started. But he contented himself +with gathering a rose from the clusters that hung all about, and Anna +slapped an imaginary mosquito as energetically as if it had been the +unknown lady, for whom she felt a sudden and inexplicable dislike. + +"So you think I'd better not say to my love, like the mad gentleman to +Mrs. Nickleby, 'Be mine, be mine'?" was Frank's next question, as he sat +with his nose luxuriously buried in the fragrant heart of the rose. + +"Decidedly not. I'm sure, from the way you speak of her, that she is not +worthy of you; and your passion cannot be very deep if you can quote +Dickens's nonsense at such a moment," said Anna, more cheerfully. + +"It grows rapidly, I find; and I give you my word, if I should pass a +week in the society of that lovely butterfly, it would be all over with +me by Saturday night." + +"Then don't do it." + +"Ah! but I want to desperately. Do say that I may, just for a last +nibble at temptation, before I take your advice and go back to my +bachelor life again," he prayed beseechingly. + +"Don't go back, love somebody else, and be happy. There are plenty of +superior women in the world who would be just the thing for you. I am +sure you are going to be a man of mark, and you _must_ have a good +wife,--not a silly little creature, who will be a clog upon you all your +life. So _do_ take my advice, and let me help you, if I can." + +Anna spoke earnestly, and her face quite shone with friendly zeal; while +her eyes were full of unspoken admiration and regard for this friend, +who seemed tottering on the verge of a precipice. She expected a serious +reply,--thanks, at least, for her interest; and great was her surprise +to see Frank lean back against the vine-wreathed pillar behind him, and +laugh till a shower of rose-leaves came fluttering down on both their +heads. + +"I don't see any cause for such unseemly merriment," was her dignified +reproof of this new impropriety. + +"I beg your pardon. I really couldn't help it, for the comical contrast +between your sage counsels and your blooming face upset me. Your manner +was quite maternal and most impressive, till I looked at you in your +French finery, and then it was all up with me," said Frank, penitently, +though his eyes still danced with mirth. + +The compliment appeased Anna's anger; and, folding her round white arms +on the railing in front of her, she looked up at him with a laugh as +blithe as his own. + +"I dare say I was absurdly sober and important; but you see it is so +long since I have had a really serious thought in my head or felt a +really sincere interest in any one's affairs but my own that I overdid +the matter. If you don't care for my advice, I'll take it all back; and +you can go and marry your butterfly as soon as you like." + +"I rather think I shall," said Frank, slowly. "For I fancy she _has_ got +a hidden self, as you suggested, and I'd rather like to find it out. One +judges people so much by externals that it is not fair. Now, you, for +instance, if you won't mind my saying it, don't show half your good +points; and a casual observer would consider you merely a fashionable +woman,--lovely, but shallow." + +"As you did the last time we met," put in Anna, sharply. + +If she expected him to deny it, she was mistaken for he answered, with +provoking candor,-- + +"Exactly. And I quite grieved about it; for I used to be very fond of my +little playmate and thought she'd make a fine woman. I'm glad I've seen +you again; for I find I was unjust in my first judgment, and this +discovery gives me hope that I may have been mistaken in the same way +about my--well, we'll say sweetheart. It's a pretty old word and I like +it." + +"If he only _would_ forget that creature a minute and talk about +something more interesting!" sighed Anna to herself. But she answered, +meekly enough: "I knew you were disappointed in me, and I did not wonder +for I am not good for much, thanks to my foolish education and the life +I have led these last few years. But I do sincerely wish to be more of a +woman, only I have no one to tell me how. Everybody flatters me and"-- + +"I don't!" cried Frank, promptly. + +"That's true." And Anna could not help laughing in the middle of her +confessions at the tone of virtuous satisfaction with which he repelled +the accusation. "No," she continued, "you are honest enough for any one; +and I like it, though it startles me now and then, it is so new." + +"I hope I'm not disrespectful," said Frank, busily removing the thorns +from the stem of his flower. + +"Oh, no! Not that exactly. But you treat me very much as if I was a +sister or a--masculine friend." Anna meant to quote the expression Clara +had reported; but somehow the word "wife" was hard to utter, and she +finished the sentence differently. + +"And you don't like it?" asked Frank, lifting the rose to hide the +mischievous smile that lurked about his mouth. + +"Yes, I do,--infinitely better than the sentimental homage other men pay +me or the hackneyed rubbish they talk. It does me good to be a little +neglected; and I don't mind it from you, because you more than atone for +it by talking to me as if I could understand a man's mind and had one of +my own." + +"Then you don't quite detest me for my rough ways and egotistical +confidences?" asked Frank, as if suddenly smitten with remorse for the +small sins of the day. + +"No, I rather fancy it, for it seems like old times, when you and I +played together. Only then I could help you in many ways, as you helped +me; but now I don't seem to know any thing, and can be of no use to you +or any one else. I should like to be; and I think, if you would kindly +tell me what books to read, what people to know, and what faculties to +cultivate, I might become something besides 'a fashionable woman, lovely +but shallow.'" + +There was a little quiver of emotion in Anna's voice as she uttered the +last words that did not escape her companion's quick ear. But he only +smiled a look of heartfelt satisfaction to the rose, and answered +soberly: + +"Now that is a capital idea, and I'll do it with pleasure. I have often +wondered how you bright girls _could_ be contented with such an empty +sort of life. We fellows are just as foolish for a time, I know,--far +worse in the crops of wild oats we sow; but we have to pull up and go to +work, and that makes men of us. Marriage ought to do that for women, I +suppose; but it doesn't seem to nowadays, and I do pity you poor little +things from the bottom of my heart." + +"I'm ready now to 'pull up and go to work.' Show me how, Frank, and I'll +change your pity into respect," said Anna, casting off her lace shawl, +as if preparing for immediate action; for his tone of masculine +superiority rather nettled her. + +"Come, I'll make a bargain with you. I'll give you something strong and +solid to brace up your mind, and in return you shall polish my manners, +see to my morals, and keep my heart from wasting itself on false idols. +Shall we do this for one another, Anna?" + +"Yes, Frank," she answered heartily. Then, as Clara was seen +approaching, she added playfully, "All this is _sub rosa_, you +understand." + +He handed her the flower without a word, as if the emblem of silence was +the best gage he could offer. Many flowers had been presented to the +beauty; but none were kept so long and carefully as the thornless rose +her old friend gave her, with a cordial smile that warmed her heart. + +A great deal can happen in a week, and the seven days that followed that +moonlight _tete-a-tete_ seemed to Anna the fullest and the happiest she +had ever known. She had never worked so hard in her life; for her new +tutor gave her plenty to do, and she studied in secret to supply sundry +deficiencies which she was too proud to confess. No more novels now; no +more sentimental poetry, lounging in a hammock. She sat erect upon a +hard rock and read Buckle, Mill, and Social Science Reports with a +diligence that appalled the banished dawdlers who usually helped her +kill time. There was early boating, vigorous horse exercise, and tramps +over hill and dale, from which she returned dusty, brown, and tired, but +as happy as if she had discovered something fairer and grander than wild +flowers or the ocean in its changeful moods. There were afternoon +concerts in the breezy drawing-rooms, when others were enjoying siestas, +and Anna sang to her one listener as she had never sung before. But best +of all were the moonlight _seances_ among the roses; for there they +interchanged interesting confidences and hovered about those dangerous +but delightful topics that need the magic of a midsummer night to make +the charm quite perfect. + +Anna intended to do her part honorably; but soon forgot to correct her +pupil's manners, she was so busy taking care of his heart. She presently +discovered that he treated other women in the usual way; and at first it +annoyed her that she was the only one whom he allowed to pick up her own +fan, walk without an arm, row, ride, and take care of herself as if she +was a man. But she also discovered that she was the only woman to whom +he talked as to an equal, in whom he seemed to find sympathy, +inspiration, and help, and for whom he frankly showed not admiration +alone, but respect, confidence, and affection. + +This made the loss of a little surface courtesy too trifling for +complaint or reproof; this stimulated and delighted her; and, in +striving to deserve and secure it, she forgot every thing else, prouder +to be one man's true friend than the idol of a dozen lovers. + +What the effect of this new league was upon the other party was less +evident; for, being of the undemonstrative sex, he kept his +observations, discoveries, and satisfaction to himself, with no sign of +especial interest, except now and then a rapturous allusion to his +sweetheart, as if absence was increasing his passion. + +Anna tried to quench his ardor, feeling sure, she said that it was a +mistake to lavish so much love upon a person who was so entirely +unworthy of it. But Frank seemed blind on this one point; and Anna +suffered many a pang, as day after day showed her some new virtue, +grace, or talent in this perverse man, who seemed bent on throwing his +valuable self away. She endeavored to forget it, avoided the subject as +much as possible, and ignored the existence of this inconvenient being +entirely. But as the week drew to an end a secret trouble looked out at +her eyes, a secret unrest possessed her, and every moment seemed to grow +more precious as it passed, each full of a bitter sweet delight never +known before. + +"I must be off to-morrow," said Frank, on the Saturday evening, as they +strolled together on the beach, while the sun set gloriously and the +great waves broke musically on the sands. + +"Such a short holiday, after all those months of work!" answered Anna, +looking away, lest he should see how wistful her tell-tale eyes were. + +"I may take a longer holiday, the happiest a man can have, if somebody +will go with me. Anna, I've made up my mind to try my fate," he added +impetuously. + +"I have warned you, I can do no more." Which was quite true, for the +poor girl's heart sunk at his words, and for a moment all the golden sky +was a blur before her eyes. + +"I won't be warned, thank you; for I'm quite sure now that I love her. +Nothing like absence to settle that point. I've tried it, and I can't +get on without her; so I'm going to 'put my fortune to the touch and win +or lose it all.'" + +"If you truly love her, I hope you will win, and find her the wife you +deserve. But think well before you put your happiness into any woman's +hands," said Anna, bravely trying to forget herself. + +"Bless you! I've hardly thought of any thing else this week! I've +enjoyed myself, though; and am very grateful to you for making my visit +so pleasant," Frank added warmly. + +"Have I? I'm so glad!" said Anna, as simply as a pleased child; for real +love had banished all her small coquetries, vanities, and affectations, +as sunshine absorbs the mists that hide a lovely landscape. + +"Indeed, you have. All the teaching has not been on my side, I assure +you; and I'm not too proud to own my obligation to a woman! We lonely +fellows, who have neither mother, sister, nor wife, need some gentle +soul to keep us from getting selfish, hard, and worldly; and few are so +fortunate as I in having a friend like little Anna." + +"Oh, Frank! what have I done for you? I haven't dared to teach one so +much wiser and stronger than myself. I've only wanted to, and grieved +because I was so ignorant, so weak, and silly," cried Anna, glowing +beautifully with surprise and pleasure at this unexpected revelation. + +"Your humility blinded you; yet your unconsciousness was half the charm. +I'll tell you what you did, dear. A man's moral sense gets blunted +knocking about this rough-and-tumble world, where the favorite maxim is, +'Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.' It is so with +me; and in many of our conversations on various subjects, while I seemed +to be teaching you, your innocent integrity was rebuking my worldly +wisdom, your subtle instincts were pointing out the right which is above +all policy, your womanly charity softening my hard judgments, and your +simple faith in the good, the beautiful, the truly brave was waking up +the high and happy beliefs that lay, not dead, but sleeping, in my soul. +All this you did for me, Anna, and even more; for, in showing me the +hidden side of your nature, I found it so sweet and deep and worshipful +that it restores my faith in womankind, and shows me all the lovely +possibilities that may lie folded up under the frivolous exterior of a +fashionable woman." + +Anna's heart was so full she could not speak for a moment; then like a +dash of cold water came the thought, "And all this that I have done has +only put him further from me, since it has given him courage to love and +trust that woman." She tried to show only pleasure at his praise; but +for the life of her she could not keep a tone of bitterness out of her +voice as she answered gratefully,-- + +"You are too kind, Frank. I can hardly believe that I have so many +virtues; but if I have, and they, like yours, have been asleep, remember +you helped wake them up, and so you owe me nothing. Keep your sweet +speeches for the lady you go to woo. I am contented with honest words +that do not flatter." + +"You shall have them;" and a quick smile passed over Frank's face, as if +he knew what thorn pricked her just then, and was not ill pleased at the +discovery. "Only, if I lose my sweetheart, I may be sure that my old +friend won't desert me?" he asked, with a sincere anxiety that was a +balm to Anna's sore heart. + +She did not speak, but offered him her hand with a look which said much. +He took it as silently, and, holding it in a firm, warm grasp, led her +up to a cleft in the rocks, where they often sat to watch the great +breakers thunder in. As she took her seat, he folded his plaid about her +so tenderly that it felt like a friendly arm shielding her from the +fresh gale that blew up from the sea. It was an unusual attention on his +part, and coming just then it affected her so curiously that, when he +lounged down beside her, she felt a strong desire to lay her head on his +shoulder and sob out,-- + +"Don't go and leave me! No one loves you half as well as I, or needs you +half so much!" + +Of course, she did nothing of the sort; but began to sing, as she +covertly whisked away a rebellious tear. Frank soon interrupted her +music, however, by a heavy sigh; and followed up that demonstration with +the tragical announcement,-- + +"Anna, I've got something awful to tell you." + +"What is it?" she asked, with the resignation of one who has already +heard the worst. + +"It is so bad that I can't look you in the face while I tell it. Listen +calmly till I am done, and then pitch me overboard if you like, for I +deserve it," was his cheerful beginning. + +"Go on." And Anna prepared herself to receive some tremendous shock with +masculine firmness. + +Frank pulled his hat over his eyes, and, looking away from her, said +rapidly, with an odd sound in his voice.-- + +"The night I came I was put in a room opening on the back piazza; and, +lying there to rest and cool after my journey, I heard two ladies +talking. I knocked my boots about to let them know I was near; but they +took no notice, so I listened. Most women's gabble would have sent me to +sleep in five minutes; but this was rather original, and interested me, +especially when I found by the names mentioned that I knew one of the +parties. I've been trying your experiment all the week. Anna, how do you +like it?" + +She did not answer for a moment, being absorbed in swift retrospection. +Then she colored to her hat-brim, looked angry, hurt, amused, gratified, +and ashamed, all in a minute, and said slowly, as she met his laughing +eyes,-- + +"Better than I thought I should." + +"That's good! Then you forgive me for my eavesdropping, my rudeness, and +manifold iniquities? It was abominable; but I could not resist the +temptation of testing your sincerity. It was great fun; but I'm not sure +that I shall not get the worst of it, after all," said Frank, sobering +suddenly. + +"You have played so many jokes upon me in old times that I don't find it +hard to forgive this one; though I think it rather base in you to +deceive me so. Still, as I have enjoyed and got a good deal out of it, I +don't complain, and won't send you overboard yet," said Anna, +generously. + +"You always were a forgiving angel." And Frank settled the plaid again +more tenderly than before. + +"It was this, then, that made you so brusque to me alone, so odd and +careless? I could not understand it and it hurt me at first; but I +thought it was because we had been children together and soon forgot it, +you were so kind and confidential, so helpful and straightforward. It +_was_ 'great fun,' for I always knew you meant what you said; and that +was an unspeakable comfort to me in this world of flattery and +falsehood. Yes, you may laugh at me, Frank, and leave me to myself +again. I can bear it, for I've proved that my whim was a possibility. I +see my way now, and can go on alone to a truer, happier life than that +in which you found me." + +She spoke out bravely, and looked above the level sands and beyond the +restless sea, as if she had found something worth living for and did not +fear the future. Frank watched her an instant, for her face had never +worn so noble an expression before. Sorrow as well as strength had come +into the lovely features, and pain as well as patience touched them with +new beauty. His own face changed as he looked, as if he let loose some +deep and tender sentiment, long held in check, now ready to rise and +claim its own. + +"Anna," he said penitently, "I've got one other terrible confession to +make, and then my conscience will be clear. I want to tell you who my +sweetheart is. Here's her picture. Will you look at it?" + +She gave a little shiver, turned steadily, and looked where he pointed. +But all she saw was her own astonished face reflected in the shallow +pool behind them. One glance at Frank made any explanation needless; +indeed, there was no time for her to speak before something closer than +the plaid enfolded her, something warmer than tears touched her cheek, +and a voice sweeter to her than wind or wave whispered tenderly in her +ear,-- + +"All this week I have been studying and enjoying far more than you; for +I have read a woman's heart and learned to trust and honor what I have +loved ever since I was a boy. Absence proved this to me: so I came to +look for little Anna, and found her better and dearer than ever. May I +ask her to keep on teaching me? Will she share my work as well as +holiday, and be the truest friend a man can have?" + +And Anna straightway answered, "Yes." + + + + +TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS. + +A CHAPTER FROM AN UNWRITTEN ROMANCE. + + +On the first day of June, 184--, a large wagon, drawn by a small horse +and containing a motley load, went lumbering over certain New England +hills, with the pleasing accompaniments of wind, rain, and hail. A +serene man with a serene child upon his knee was driving, or rather +being driven, for the small horse had it all his own way. A brown boy +with a William Penn style of countenance sat beside him, firmly +embracing a bust of Socrates. Behind them was an energetic-looking +woman, with a benevolent brow, satirical mouth, and eyes brimful of hope +and courage. A baby reposed upon her lap, a mirror leaned against her +knee, and a basket of provisions danced about at her feet, as she +struggled with a large, unruly umbrella. Two blue-eyed little girls, +with hands full of childish treasures, sat under one old shawl, chatting +happily together. + +In front of this lively party stalked a tall, sharp-featured man, in a +long blue cloak; and a fourth small girl trudged along beside him +through the mud as if she rather enjoyed it. + +The wind whistled over the bleak hills; the rain fell in a despondent +drizzle, and twilight began to fall. But the calm man gazed as +tranquilly into the fog as if he beheld a radiant bow of promise +spanning the gray sky. The cheery woman tried to cover every one but +herself with the big umbrella. The brown boy pillowed his head on the +bald pate of Socrates and slumbered peacefully. The little girls sang +lullabies to their dolls in soft, maternal murmurs. The sharp-nosed +pedestrian marched steadily on, with the blue cloak streaming out behind +him like a banner; and the lively infant splashed through the puddles +with a duck-like satisfaction pleasant to behold. + +Thus these modern pilgrims journeyed hopefully out of the old world, to +found a new one in the wilderness. + +The editors of "The Transcendental Tripod" had received from Messrs. +Lion & Lamb (two of the aforesaid pilgrims) a communication from which +the following statement is an extract:-- + +"We have made arrangements with the proprietor of an estate of about a +hundred acres which liberates this tract from human ownership. Here we +shall prosecute our effort to initiate a Family in harmony with the +primitive instincts of man. + +"Ordinary secular farming is not our object. Fruit, grain, pulse, herbs, +flax, and other vegetable products, receiving assiduous attention, will +afford ample manual occupation, and chaste supplies for the bodily +needs. It is intended to adorn the pastures with orchards, and to +supersede the labor of cattle by the spade and the pruning-knife. + +"Consecrated to human freedom, the land awaits the sober culture of +devoted men. Beginning with small pecuniary means, this enterprise must +be rooted in a reliance on the succors of an ever-bounteous Providence, +whose vital affinities being secured by this union with uncorrupted +field and unworldly persons, the cares and injuries of a life of gain +are avoided. + +"The inner nature of each member of the Family is at no time neglected. +Our plan contemplates all such disciplines, cultures, and habits as +evidently conduce to the purifying of the inmates. + +"Pledged to the spirit alone, the founders anticipate no hasty or +numerous addition to their numbers. The kingdom of peace is entered only +through the gates of self-denial; and felicity is the test and the +reward of loyalty to the unswerving law of Love." + +This prospective Eden at present consisted of an old red farm-house, a +dilapidated barn, many acres of meadow-land, and a grove. Ten ancient +apple-trees were all the "chaste supply" which the place offered as yet; +but, in the firm belief that plenteous orchards were soon to be evoked +from their inner consciousness, these sanguine founders had christened +their domain Fruitlands. + +Here Timon Lion intended to found a colony of Latter Day Saints, who, +under his patriarchal sway, should regenerate the world and glorify his +name for ever. Here Abel Lamb, with the devoutest faith in the high +ideal which was to him a living truth, desired to plant a Paradise, +where Beauty, Virtue, Justice, and Love might live happily together, +without the possibility of a serpent entering in. And here his wife, +unconverted but faithful to the end, hoped, after many wanderings over +the face of the earth, to find rest for herself and a home for her +children. + +"There is our new abode," announced the enthusiast, smiling with a +satisfaction quite undamped by the drops dripping from his hat-brim, as +they turned at length into a cart-path that wound along a steep hillside +into a barren-looking valley. + +"A little difficult of access," observed his practical wife, as she +endeavored to keep her various household gods from going overboard with +every lurch of the laden ark. + +"Like all good things. But those who earnestly desire and patiently seek +will soon find us," placidly responded the philosopher from the mud, +through which he was now endeavoring to pilot the much-enduring horse. + +"Truth lies at the bottom of a well, Sister Hope," said Brother Timon, +pausing to detach his small comrade from a gate, whereon she was perched +for a clearer gaze into futurity. + +"That's the reason we so seldom get at it, I suppose," replied Mrs. +Hope, making a vain clutch at the mirror, which a sudden jolt sent +flying out of her hands. + +"We want no false reflections here," said Timon, with a grim smile, as +he crunched the fragments under foot in his onward march. + +Sister Hope held her peace, and looked wistfully through the mist at her +promised home. The old red house with a hospitable glimmer at its +windows cheered her eyes; and, considering the weather, was a fitter +refuge than the sylvan bowers some of the more ardent souls might have +preferred. + +The new-comers were welcomed by one of the elect precious,--a regenerate +farmer, whose idea of reform consisted chiefly in wearing white cotton +raiment and shoes of untanned leather. This costume, with a snowy beard, +gave him a venerable, and at the same time a somewhat bridal appearance. + +The goods and chattels of the Society not having arrived, the weary +family reposed before the fire on blocks of wood, while Brother Moses +White regaled them with roasted potatoes, brown bread and water, in two +plates, a tin pan, and one mug; his table service being limited. But, +having cast the forms and vanities of a depraved world behind them, the +elders welcomed hardship with the enthusiasm of new pioneers, and the +children heartily enjoyed this foretaste of what they believed was to be +a sort of perpetual picnic. + +During the progress of this frugal meal, two more brothers appeared. One +a dark, melancholy man, clad in homespun, whose peculiar mission was to +turn his name hind part before and use as few words as possible. The +other was a bland, bearded Englishman, who expected to be saved by +eating uncooked food and going without clothes. He had not yet adopted +the primitive costume, however; but contented himself with meditatively +chewing dry beans out of a basket. + +"Every meal should be a sacrament, and the vessels used should be +beautiful and symbolical," observed Brother Lamb, mildly, righting the +tin pan slipping about on his knees. "I priced a silver service when in +town, but it was too costly; so I got some graceful cups and vases of +Britannia ware." + +"Hardest things in the world to keep bright. Will whiting be allowed in +the community?" inquired Sister Hope, with a housewife's interest in +labor-saving institutions. + +"Such trivial questions will be discussed at a more fitting time," +answered Brother Timon, sharply, as he burnt his fingers with a very hot +potato. "Neither sugar, molasses, milk, butter, cheese, nor flesh are to +be used among us, for nothing is to be admitted which has caused wrong +or death to man or beast." + +"Our garments are to be linen till we learn to raise our own cotton or +some substitute for woollen fabrics," added Brother Abel, blissfully +basking in an imaginary future as warm and brilliant as the generous +fire before him. + +"Haou abaout shoes?" asked Brother Moses, surveying his own with +interest. + +"We must yield that point till we can manufacture an innocent substitute +for leather. Bark, wood, or some durable fabric will be invented in +time. Meanwhile, those who desire to carry out our idea to the fullest +extent can go barefooted," said Lion, who liked extreme measures. + +"I never will, nor let my girls," murmured rebellious Sister Hope, under +her breath. + +"Haou do you cattle'ate to treat the ten-acre lot? Ef things ain't +'tended to right smart, we shan't hev no crops," observed the practical +patriarch in cotton. + +"We shall spade it," replied Abel, in such perfect good faith that Moses +said no more, though he indulged in a shake of the head as he glanced at +hands that had held nothing heavier than a pen for years. He was a +paternal old soul and regarded the younger men as promising boys on a +new sort of lark. + +"What shall we do for lamps, if we cannot use any animal substance? I do +hope light of some sort is to be thrown upon the enterprise," said Mrs. +Lamb, with anxiety, for in those days kerosene and camphene were not, +and gas unknown in the wilderness. + +"We shall go without till we have discovered some vegetable oil or wax +to serve us," replied Brother Timon, in a decided tone, which caused +Sister Hope to resolve that her private lamp should be always trimmed, +if not burning. + +"Each member is to perform the work for which experience, strength, and +taste best fit him," continued Dictator Lion. "Thus drudgery and +disorder will be avoided and harmony prevail. We shall rise at dawn, +begin the day by bathing, followed by music, and then a chaste repast of +fruit and bread. Each one finds congenial occupation till the meridian +meal; when some deep-searching conversation gives rest to the body and +development to the mind. Healthful labor again engages us till the last +meal, when we assemble in social communion, prolonged till sunset, when +we retire to sweet repose, ready for the next day's activity." + +"What part of the work do you incline to yourself?" asked Sister Hope, +with a humorous glimmer in her keen eyes. + +"I shall wait till it is made clear to me. Being in preference to doing +is the great aim, and this comes to us rather by a resigned willingness +than a wilful activity, which is a check to all divine growth," +responded Brother Timon. + +"I thought so." And Mrs. Lamb sighed audibly, for during the year he had +spent in her family Brother Timon had so faithfully carried out his idea +of "being, not doing," that she had found his "divine growth" both an +expensive and unsatisfactory process. + +Here her husband struck into the conversation, his face shining with the +light and joy of the splendid dreams and high ideals hovering before +him. + +"In these steps of reform, we do not rely so much on scientific +reasoning or physiological skill as on the spirit's dictates. The +greater part of man's duty consists in leaving alone much that he now +does. Shall I stimulate with tea, coffee, or wine? No. Shall I consume +flesh? Not if I value health. Shall I subjugate cattle? Shall I claim +property in any created thing? Shall I trade? Shall I adopt a form of +religion? Shall I interest myself in politics? To how many of these +questions--could we ask them deeply enough and could they be heard as +having relation to our eternal welfare--would the response be +'Abstain'?" + +A mild snore seemed to echo the last word of Abel's rhapsody, for +Brother Moses had succumbed to mundane slumber and sat nodding like a +massive ghost. Forest Absalom, the silent man, and John Pease, the +English member, now departed to the barn; and Mrs. Lamb led her flock to +a temporary fold, leaving the founders of the "Consociate Family" to +build castles in the air till the fire went out and the symposium ended +in smoke. + +The furniture arrived next day, and was soon bestowed; for the principal +property of the community consisted in books. To this rare library was +devoted the best room in the house, and the few busts and pictures that +still survived many flittings were added to beautify the sanctuary, for +here the family was to meet for amusement, instruction, and worship. + +Any housewife can imagine the emotions of Sister Hope, when she took +possession of a large, dilapidated kitchen, containing an old stove and +the peculiar stores out of which food was to be evolved for her little +family of eleven. Cakes of maple sugar, dried peas and beans, barley and +hominy, meal of all sorts, potatoes, and dried fruit. No milk, butter, +cheese, tea, or meat, appeared. Even salt was considered a useless +luxury and spice entirely forbidden by these lovers of Spartan +simplicity. A ten years' experience of vegetarian vagaries had been good +training for this new freak, and her sense of the ludicrous supported +her through many trying scenes. + +Unleavened bread, porridge, and water for breakfast; bread, vegetables, +and water for dinner; bread, fruit, and water for supper was the bill of +fare ordained by the elders. No tea-pot profaned that sacred stove, no +gory steak cried aloud for vengeance from her chaste gridiron; and only +a brave woman's taste, time, and temper were sacrificed on that domestic +altar. + +The vexed question of light was settled by buying a quantity of bayberry +wax for candles; and, on discovering that no one knew how to make them, +pine-knots were introduced, to be used when absolutely necessary. Being +summer, the evenings were not long, and the weary fraternity found it no +great hardship to retire with the birds. The inner light was sufficient +for most of them. But Mrs. Lamb rebelled. Evening was the only time she +had to herself, and while the tired feet rested the skilful hands mended +torn frocks and little stockings, or anxious heart forgot its burden in +a book. + +So "mother's lamp" burned steadily, while the philosophers built a new +heaven and earth by moonlight; and through all the metaphysical mists +and philanthropic pyrotechnics of that period Sister Hope played her own +little game of "throwing light," and none but the moths were the worse +for it. + +Such farming probably was never seen before since Adam delved. The band +of brothers began by spading garden and field; but a few days of it +lessened their ardor amazingly. Blistered hands and aching backs +suggested the expediency of permitting the use of cattle till the +workers were better fitted for noble toil by a summer of the new life. + +Brother Moses brought a yoke of oxen from his farm,--at least, the +philosophers thought so till it was discovered that one of the animals +was a cow; and Moses confessed that he "must be let down easy, for he +couldn't live on garden sarse entirely." + +Great was Dictator Lion's indignation at this lapse from virtue. But +time pressed, the work must be done; so the meek cow was permitted to +wear the yoke and the recreant brother continued to enjoy forbidden +draughts in the barn, which dark proceeding caused the children to +regard him as one set apart for destruction. + +The sowing was equally peculiar, for, owing to some mistake, the three +brethren, who devoted themselves to this graceful task, found when about +half through the job that each had been sowing a different sort of grain +in the same field; a mistake which caused much perplexity, as it could +not be remedied; but, after a long consultation and a good deal of +laughter, it was decided to say nothing and see what would come of it. + +The garden was planted with a generous supply of useful roots and herbs; +but, as manure was not allowed to profane the virgin soil, few of these +vegetable treasures ever came up. Purslane reigned supreme, and the +disappointed planters ate it philosophically, deciding that Nature knew +what was best for them, and would generously supply their needs, if they +could only learn to digest her "sallets" and wild roots. + +The orchard was laid out, a little grafting done, new trees and vines +set, regardless of the unfit season and entire ignorance of the +husbandmen, who honestly believed that in the autumn they would reap a +bounteous harvest. + +Slowly things got into order, and rapidly rumors of the new experiment +went abroad, causing many strange spirits to flock thither, for in those +days communities were the fashion and transcendentalism raged wildly. +Some came to look on and laugh, some to be supported in poetic idleness, +a few to believe sincerely and work heartily. Each member was allowed to +mount his favorite hobby and ride it to his heart's content. Very queer +were some of the riders, and very rampant some of the hobbies. + +One youth, believing that language was of little consequence if the +spirit was only right, startled new-comers by blandly greeting them with +"good-morning, damn you," and other remarks of an equally mixed order. A +second irrepressible being held that all the emotions of the soul should +be freely expressed, and illustrated his theory by antics that would +have sent him to a lunatic asylum, if, as an unregenerate wag said, he +had not already been in one. When his spirit soared, he climbed trees +and shouted; when doubt assailed him, he lay upon the floor and groaned +lamentably. At joyful periods, he raced, leaped, and sang; when sad, he +wept aloud; and when a great thought burst upon him in the watches of +the night, he crowed like a jocund cockerel, to the great delight of the +children and the great annoyance of the elders. One musical brother +fiddled whenever so moved, sang sentimentally to the four little girls, +and put a music-box on the wall when he hoed corn. + +Brother Pease ground away at his uncooked food, or browsed over the farm +on sorrel, mint, green fruit, and new vegetables. Occasionally he took +his walks abroad, airily attired in an unbleached cotton _poncho_, which +was the nearest approach to the primeval costume he was allowed to +indulge in. At midsummer he retired to the wilderness, to try his plan +where the woodchucks were without prejudices and huckleberry-bushes were +hospitably full. A sunstroke unfortunately spoilt his plan, and he +returned to semi-civilization a sadder and wiser man. + +Forest Absalom preserved his Pythagorean silence, cultivated his fine +dark locks, and worked like a beaver, setting an excellent example of +brotherly love, justice, and fidelity by his upright life. He it was who +helped overworked Sister Hope with her heavy washes, kneaded the endless +succession of batches of bread, watched over the children, and did the +many tasks left undone by the brethren, who were so busy discussing and +defining great duties that they forgot to perform the small ones. + +Moses White placidly plodded about, "chorin' raound," as he called it, +looking like an old-time patriarch, with his silver hair and flowing +beard, and saving the community from many a mishap by his thrift and +Yankee shrewdness. + +Brother Lion domineered over the whole concern; for, having put the most +money into the speculation, he was resolved to make it pay,--as if any +thing founded on an ideal basis could be expected to do so by any but +enthusiasts. + +Abel Lamb simply revelled in the Newness, firmly believing that his +dream was to be beautifully realized, and in time not only little +Fruitlands, but the whole earth, be turned into a Happy Valley. He +worked with every muscle of his body, for _he_ was in deadly earnest. He +taught with his whole head and heart; planned and sacrificed, preached +and prophesied, with a soul full of the purest aspirations, most +unselfish purposes, and desires for a life devoted to God and man, too +high and tender to bear the rough usage of this world. + +It was a little remarkable that only one woman ever joined this +community. Mrs. Lamb merely followed wheresoever her husband led,--"as +ballast for his balloon," as she said, in her bright way. + +Miss Jane Gage was a stout lady of mature years, sentimental, amiable, +and lazy. She wrote verses copiously, and had vague yearnings and +graspings after the unknown, which led her to believe herself fitted for +a higher sphere than any she had yet adorned. + +Having been a teacher, she was set to instructing the children in the +common branches. Each adult member took a turn at the infants; and, as +each taught in his own way, the result was a chronic state of chaos in +the minds of these much-afflicted innocents. + +Sleep, food, and poetic musings were the desires of dear Jane's life, +and she shirked all duties as clogs upon her spirit's wings. Any thought +of lending a hand with the domestic drudgery never occurred to her; and +when to the question, "Are there any beasts of burden on the place?" +Mrs. Lamb answered, with a face that told its own tale, "Only one +woman!" the buxom Jane took no shame to herself, but laughed at the +joke, and let the stout-hearted sister tug on alone. + +Unfortunately, the poor lady hankered after the flesh-pots, and +endeavored to stay herself with private sips of milk, crackers, and +cheese, and on one dire occasion she partook of fish at a neighbor's +table. + +One of the children reported this sad lapse from virtue, and poor Jane +was publicly reprimanded by Timon. + +"I only took a little bit of the tail," sobbed the penitent poetess. + +"Yes, but the whole fish had to be tortured and slain that you might +tempt your carnal appetite with that one taste of the tail. Know ye not, +consumers of flesh meat, that ye are nourishing the wolf and tiger in +your bosoms?" + +At this awful question and the peal of laughter which arose from some of +the younger brethren, tickled by the ludicrous contrast between the +stout sinner, the stern judge, and the naughty satisfaction of the young +detective, poor Jane fled from the room to pack her trunk, and return to +a world where fishes' tails were not forbidden fruit. + +Transcendental wild oats were sown broadcast that year, and the fame +thereof has not yet ceased in the land; for, futile as this crop seemed +to outsiders, it bore an invisible harvest, worth much to those who +planted in earnest. As none of the members of this particular community +have ever recounted their experiences before, a few of them may not be +amiss, since the interest in these attempts has never died out and +Fruitlands was the most ideal of all these castles in Spain. + +A new dress was invented, since cotton, silk, and wool were forbidden as +the product of slave-labor, worm-slaughter, and sheep-robbery. Tunics +and trowsers of brown linen were the only wear. The women's skirts were +longer, and their straw hat-brims wider than the men's, and this was the +only difference. Some persecution lent a charm to the costume, and the +long-haired, linen-clad reformers quite enjoyed the mild martyrdom they +endured when they left home. + +Money was abjured, as the root of all evil. The produce of the land was +to supply most of their wants, or be exchanged for the few things they +could not grow. This idea had its inconveniences; but self-denial was +the fashion, and it was surprising how many things one can do without. +When they desired to travel, they walked, if possible, begged the loan +of a vehicle, or boldly entered car or coach, and, stating their +principles to the officials, took the consequences. Usually their dress, +their earnest frankness, and gentle resolution won them a passage; but +now and then they met with hard usage, and had the satisfaction of +suffering for their principles. + +On one of these penniless pilgrimages they took passage on a boat, and, +when fare was demanded, artlessly offered to talk, instead of pay. As +the boat was well under way and they actually had not a cent, there was +no help for it. So Brothers Lion and Lamb held forth to the assembled +passengers in their most eloquent style. There must have been something +effective in this conversation, for the listeners were moved to take up +a contribution for these inspired lunatics, who preached peace on earth +and good-will to man so earnestly, with empty pockets. A goodly sum was +collected; but when the captain presented it the reformers proved that +they were consistent even in their madness, for not a penny would they +accept, saying, with a look at the group about them, whose indifference +or contempt had changed to interest and respect, "You see how well we +get on without money;" and so went serenely on their way, with their +linen blouses flapping airily in the cold October wind. + +They preached vegetarianism everywhere and resisted all temptations of +the flesh, contentedly eating apples and bread at well-spread tables, +and much afflicting hospitable hostesses by denouncing their food and +taking away their appetites, discussing the "horrors of shambles," the +"incorporation of the brute in man," and "on elegant abstinence the sign +of a pure soul." But, when the perplexed or offended ladies asked what +they should eat, they got in reply a bill of fare consisting of "bowls +of sunrise for breakfast," "solar seeds of the sphere," "dishes from +Plutarch's chaste table," and other viands equally hard to find in any +modern market. + +Reform conventions of all sorts were haunted by these brethren, who said +many wise things and did many foolish ones. Unfortunately, these +wanderings interfered with their harvest at home; but the rule was to do +what the spirit moved, so they left their crops to Providence and went +a-reaping in wider and, let us hope, more fruitful fields than their +own. + +Luckily, the earthly providence who watched over Abel Lamb was at hand +to glean the scanty crop yielded by the "uncorrupted land," which, +"consecrated to human freedom," had received "the sober culture of +devout men." + +About the time the grain was ready to house, some call of the Oversoul +wafted all the men away. An easterly storm was coming up and the yellow +stacks were sure to be ruined. Then Sister Hope gathered her forces. +Three little girls, one boy (Timon's son), and herself, harnessed to +clothes-baskets and Russia-linen sheets, were the only teams she could +command; but with these poor appliances the indomitable woman got in the +grain and saved food for her young, with the instinct and energy of a +mother-bird with a brood of hungry nestlings to feed. + +This attempt at regeneration had its tragic as well as comic side, +though the world only saw the former. + +With the first frosts, the butterflies, who had sunned themselves in the +new light through the summer, took flight, leaving the few bees to see +what honey they had stored for winter use. Precious little appeared +beyond the satisfaction of a few months of holy living. + +At first it seemed as if a chance to try holy dying also was to be +offered them. Timon, much disgusted with the failure of the scheme, +decided to retire to the Shakers, who seemed to be the only successful +community going. + +"What is to become of us?" asked Mrs. Hope, for Abel was heart-broken at +the bursting of his lovely bubble. + +"You can stay here, if you like, till a tenant is found. No more wood +must be cut, however, and no more corn ground. All I have must be sold +to pay the debts of the concern, as the responsibility rests with me," +was the cheering reply. + +"Who is to pay us for what we have lost? I gave all I had,--furniture, +time, strength, six months of my children's lives,--and all are wasted. +Abel gave himself body and soul, and is almost wrecked by hard work and +disappointment. Are we to have no return for this, but leave to starve +and freeze in an old house, with winter at hand, no money, and hardly a +friend left, for this wild scheme has alienated nearly all we had. You +talk much about justice. Let us have a little, since there is nothing +else left." + +But the woman's appeal met with no reply but the old one: "It was an +experiment. We all risked something, and must bear our losses as we +can." + +With this cold comfort, Timon departed with his son, and was absorbed +into the Shaker brotherhood, where he soon found that the order of +things was reversed, and it was all work and no play. + +Then the tragedy began for the forsaken little family. Desolation and +despair fell upon Abel. As his wife said, his new beliefs had alienated +many friends. Some thought him mad, some unprincipled. Even the most +kindly thought him a visionary, whom it was useless to help till he took +more practical views of life. All stood aloof, saying: "Let him work out +his own ideas, and see what they are worth." + +He had tried, but it was a failure. The world was not ready for Utopia +yet, and those who attempted to found it only got laughed at for their +pains. In other days, men could sell all and give to the poor, lead +lives devoted to holiness and high thought, and, after the persecution +was over, find themselves honored as saints or martyrs. But in modern +times these things are out of fashion. To live for one's principles, at +all costs, is a dangerous speculation; and the failure of an ideal, no +matter how humane and noble, is harder for the world to forgive and +forget than bank robbery or the grand swindles of corrupt politicians. + +Deep waters now for Abel, and for a time there seemed no passage +through. Strength and spirits were exhausted by hard work and too much +thought. Courage failed when, looking about for help, he saw no +sympathizing face, no hand outstretched to help him, no voice to say +cheerily,-- + +"We all make mistakes, and it takes many experiences to shape a life. +Try again, and let us help you." + +Every door was closed, every eye averted, every heart cold, and no way +open whereby he might earn bread for his children. His principles would +not permit him to do many things that others did; and in the few fields +where conscience would allow him to work, who would employ a man who had +flown in the face of society, as he had done? + +Then this dreamer, whose dream was the life of his life, resolved to +carry out his idea to the bitter end. There seemed no place for him +here,--no work, no friend. To go begging conditions was as ignoble as to +go begging money. Better perish of want than sell one's soul for the +sustenance of his body. Silently he lay down upon his bed, turned his +face to the wall, and waited with pathetic patience for death to cut the +knot which he could not untie. Days and nights went by, and neither food +nor water passed his lips. Soul and body were dumbly struggling +together, and no word of complaint betrayed what either suffered. + +His wife, when tears and prayers were unavailing, sat down to wait the +end with a mysterious awe and submission; for in this entire resignation +of all things there was an eloquent significance to her who knew him as +no other human being did. + +"Leave all to God," was his belief; and in this crisis the loving soul +clung to this faith, sure that the All-wise Father would not desert this +child who tried to live so near to Him. Gathering her children about +her, she waited the issue of the tragedy that was being enacted in that +solitary room, while the first snow fell outside, untrodden by the +footprints of a single friend. + +But the strong angels who sustain and teach perplexed and troubled souls +came and went, leaving no trace without, but working miracles within. +For, when all other sentiments had faded into dimness, all other hopes +died utterly; when the bitterness of death was nearly over, when body +was past any pang of hunger or thirst, and soul stood ready to depart, +the love that outlives all else refused to die. Head had bowed to +defeat, hand had grown weary with too heavy tasks, but heart could not +grow cold to those who lived in its tender depths, even when death +touched it. + +"My faithful wife, my little girls,--they have not forsaken me, they are +mine by ties that none can break. What right have I to leave them alone? +What right to escape from the burden and the sorrow I have helped to +bring? This duty remains to me, and I must do it manfully. For their +sakes, the world will forgive me in time; for their sakes, God will +sustain me now." + +Too feeble to rise, Abel groped for the food that always lay within his +reach, and in the darkness and solitude of that memorable night ate and +drank what was to him the bread and wine of a new communion, a new +dedication of heart and life to the duties that were left him when the +dreams fled. + +In the early dawn, when that sad wife crept fearfully to see what change +had come to the patient face on the pillow, she found it smiling at her, +saw a wasted hand outstretched to her, and heard a feeble voice cry +bravely, "Hope!" + +What passed in that little room is not to be recorded except in the +hearts of those who suffered and endured much for love's sake. Enough +for us to know that soon the wan shadow of a man came forth, leaning on +the arm that never failed him, to be welcomed and cherished by the +children, who never forgot the experiences of that time. + +"Hope" was the watchword now; and, while the last logs blazed on the +hearth, the last bread and apples covered the table, the new commander, +with recovered courage, said to her husband,-- + +"Leave all to God--and me. He has done his part; now I will do mine." + +"But we have no money, dear." + +"Yes, we have. I sold all we could spare, and have enough to take us +away from this snow-bank." + +"Where can we go?" + +"I have engaged four rooms at our good neighbor, Lovejoy's. There we can +live cheaply till spring. Then for new plans and a home of our own, +please God." + +"But, Hope, your little store won't last long, and we have no friends." + +"I can sew and you can chop wood. Lovejoy offers you the same pay as he +gives his other men; my old friend, Mrs. Truman, will send me all the +work I want; and my blessed brother stands by us to the end. Cheer up, +dear heart, for while there is work and love in the world we shall not +suffer." + +"And while I have my good angel Hope, I shall not despair, even if I +wait another thirty years before I step beyond the circle of the sacred +little world in which I still have a place to fill." + +So one bleak December day, with their few possessions piled on an +ox-sled, the rosy children perched atop, and the parents trudging arm in +arm behind, the exiles left their Eden and faced the world again. + +"Ah, me! my happy dream. How much I leave behind that never can be mine +again," said Abel, looking back at the lost Paradise, lying white and +chill in its shroud of snow. + +"Yes, dear; but how much we bring away," answered brave-hearted Hope, +glancing from husband to children. + +"Poor Fruitlands! The name was as great a failure as the rest!" +continued Abel, with a sigh, as a frostbitten apple fell from a leafless +bough at his feet. + +But the sigh changed to a smile as his wife added, in a half-tender, +half-satirical tone,-- + +"Don't you think Apple Slump would be a better name for it, dear?" + + + + +THE ROMANCE OF A SUMMER DAY. + + +"What shall we do about Rose? We have tried Saratoga, and that failed to +cheer her up; we tried the sea-shore, and that failed; now we have tried +the mountains, and they are going to fail, like the rest. See if your +woman's wit can't devise something to help the child, Milly." + +"Time and tenderness will work the cure; and she will be all the better +for this experience, I hope." + +"So do I. But I don't pretend to understand these nervous ailments; so, +if air, exercise, and change of scene don't cure the vapors, I give it +up. Girls didn't have such worries in my day." + +And the old gentleman shook his head, as if modern ills perplexed him +very much. + +But Milly smiled the slow, wise smile of one who had learned much from +experience; among other things, the wisdom of leaving certain troubles +to cure themselves. + +"Has the child expressed a wish for any thing? If so, out with it, and +she shall be gratified, if it can be done," began Uncle Ben, after a +moment of silence, as they sat watching the moonlight, that glorified +the summer night. + +"The last wish is one that we can easily gratify, if you don't mind the +fatigue. The restless spirit that possesses her keeps suggesting new +things. Much exercise does her good, and is an excellent way to work off +this unrest. She likes to tire herself out; for then she sleeps, poor +dear." + +"Well, well, what does the poor dear want to do?" asked Uncle Ben, +quickly. + +"She said to-day that, instead of going off on excursions, as we have +been doing, she would like to stroll away some pleasant morning, and +follow the road wherever it led, finding and enjoying any little +adventures that might come along,--as Richter's heroes do." + +"Yes, I see: white butterflies, morning red, disguised counts, +philosophic plowmen, and all the rest of the romantic rubbish. Bless the +child, does she expect to find things of that sort anywhere out of a +German novel?" + +"Plenty of butterflies and morning-glories, uncle, and a girl's +imagination will supply the romance. Perhaps we can get up some little +surprise to add flavor to our day's adventures," said Milly, who rather +favored the plan, for much romance still lay hidden in that quiet heart +of hers. + +"Where shall we go? What shall we do? I don't know how this sort of +thing is managed." + +"Do nothing but follow us. Let her choose her road; and we will merely +see that she has food and rest, protection, and as much pleasure as we +can make for her out of such simple materials. Having her own way will +gratify her, and a day in the open air do her good. Shall we try it, +sir?" + +"With all my heart, if the fancy lasts till morning. I'll have some +lunch put up, and order Jim to dawdle after us with the wagon full of +waterproofs, and so on, in case we break down. I rather like the idea, +now I fairly take it in." And Uncle Ben quite beamed with interest and +good-will; for a kinder-hearted man never breathed, and, in spite of his +fifty years, he was as fond of adventures as any boy. + +"Then, as we must be up and away very early, I'll say good-night, sir," +and Milly rose to go, looking well satisfied with the success of her +suggestion. + +"Good-night, my dear," and Uncle Ben rose also, flung away his cigar, +and offered his hand with the old-fashioned courtesy which he always +showed his niece's friend; for Milly only called him uncle to please +him. + +"You are sure this wild whim won't be too much for _you_? You are such a +self-sacrificing soul, I'm afraid my girl will wear you out," he said, +looking down at her with a fatherly expression, very becoming to his +comely countenance. + +"Not a bit, sir. I like it, and would gladly do any thing to please and +help Rose. I'm very fond of her, and love to pet and care for her. I'm +so alone in the world I cling to my few friends, and feel as if I +couldn't do enough for them." + +Something in Milly's face made Uncle Ben hold her hand close in both of +his a moment, and look as if he was going to stoop and kiss her. But he +seemed to think better of it; for he only shook the soft hand warmly, +and said, in his hearty tone,-- + +"I don't know what we should do without you, my dear. You are one of the +women born to help and comfort others, and ask no reward but love." + +As the first streaks of dawn touched the eastern sky, three faces +appeared at three different windows of the great hotel. One was a +masculine face, a ruddy, benevolent countenance, with kind eyes, grayish +hair cheerfully erect upon the head, and a smile on the lips, that +softly whistled the old air of + + "A southerly wind and a cloudy sky + Proclaim a hunting morning." + +The second was one of those serene, sweet faces, possessing an +attraction more subtle than beauty; eyes always full of silent sympathy, +a little wistful sometimes, but never sad, and an expression of peace +and patience that told of battles fought and victories won. A happy, +helpful soul shone from that face and made it lovely, though its first +bloom was past and a solitary future lay before it. + +The third was rich in the charms that youth and health lend any +countenance. But, in spite of the bloom on the rounded cheeks, the +freshness of the lips, and the soft beauty of the eyes, the face that +looked out from the bonny brown hair, blowing in the wind, was not a +happy one. Discontent, unrest, and a secret hunger seemed to sadden and +sharpen all its outlines, making it pathetic to those who could read the +language of an unsatisfied heart. + +Poor little Rose was waiting, as all women must wait, for the good gift +that brightens life; and, while she waited, patience and passion were +having a hard fight in the proud silence of her heart. + +"It will be a capital day, girls," called Uncle Ben, in his cheery +voice. + +"I thought it would be," answered Milly, nodding back, with a smile. + +"I know it will pour before night," added Rose, who saw every thing just +then through blue spectacles. + +"Breakfast is ready for us. Come on, girls, or you'll miss your morning +red," called Uncle Ben, retiring, with a laugh. + +"I lost mine six months ago," sighed Rose, as she listlessly gathered up +the brown curls, that were once her pride. + +"Hark! hark! the lark at Heaven's gate sings," sounded from Milly's +room, in her blithe voice. + +"Tiresome little bird! Why don't he stay in his nest and cheer his +mate?" muttered Rose, refusing to be cheered. + +"Now lead on, my dear, we'll follow till we drop," said Uncle Ben, +stoutly, as they stood on the piazza, half an hour later, with no one +but a sleepy waiter to watch and wonder at the early start. + +"I have always wondered where that lonely road went to, and now I shall +find out," answered Rose, with an imperious little gesture, as she led +the way. The others followed so slowly that she felt alone, and enjoyed +it, in spite of herself. + +It was the most eloquent hour of the day, for all was beautiful, all was +fresh; nothing was out of order, nothing disturbed eye or ear, and the +world seemed to welcome her with its morning face. The road wound +between forests full of the green gloom no artist can ever paint. Pines +whispered, birches quivered, maples dropped grateful shadows, and a +little river foamed and sparkled by, carrying its melodious message from +the mountains to the sea. Glimpses of hoary peaks broke on her now and +then, dappled with shadows or half-veiled in mists, floating and fading +like incense from altars fit for a cathedral not built with hands. Leafy +vistas opened temptingly on either side, berries blushed ripely in the +grass, cow-bells tinkled pleasantly along the hillsides, and that busy +little farmer, the "Peabody bird," cried from tree to tree, "Sow your +wheat, Peabody! Peabody! Peabody!" with such musical energy one ceased +to wonder that fields were wrested from the forest, to wave like green +and golden breast-knots on the bosoms of the hills. + +The fresh beauty and the healthful peace of the hour refreshed the girl +like dew. The human rose lifted up her drooping head and smiled back at +the blithe sunshine, as if she found the world a pleasant place, in +spite of her own thorns. Presently a yellow butterfly came wandering by; +and she watched it as she walked, pleasing herself with the girlish +fancy that it was a symbol of herself. + +At first it fluttered idly from side to side, now lighting on a purple +thistle-top, then away to swing on a dewy fern; now vanishing among the +low-hanging boughs overhead, then settling in the dust of the road, +where a ray of light glorified its golden wings, unmindful of its lowly +seat. + +"Little Psyche is looking for her Cupid everywhere, as I have looked for +mine. I wonder if she ever found and lost him, as I did? If she does +find him again, I'll accept it as a good omen." + +Full of this fancy, Rose walked quickly after her airy guide, leaving +her comrades far behind. Some tenderhearted spirit surely led that +butterfly, for it never wandered far away, but floated steadily before +the girl, till it came at last to a wild rose-bush, full of delicate +blossoms. Above it a cloud of yellow butterflies were dancing in the +sun; and from among them one flew to meet and welcome the new-comer. +Together they fluttered round the rosy flowers for a moment, then rose +in graceful circles, till they vanished in the wood. + +Rose followed them with eyes that slowly dimmed with happy tears, for +the innocent soul accepted the omen and believed it gratefully. + +"He will come," she said softly to herself, as she fastened a knot of +wild roses in her bosom and sat down to rest and wait. + +"Tired out, little girl?" asked Uncle Ben, coming up at a great pace, +rather amazed at this sudden burst of energy, but glad to see it. + +"No, indeed! It was lovely!" and Rose looked up with a brighter face +than she had worn for weeks. + +"Upon my word, I think we have hit upon the right thing at last," said +Uncle Ben, aside, to Milly. "What have you been doing to get such a look +as that?" he added aloud. + +"Chasing butterflies," was all the answer Rose gave; for she could not +tell the foolish little fancy that had comforted her so much. + +"Then, my dear, I beg you will devote yourself to that amusement. I +never heard it recommended, but it seems to be immensely beneficial; so +keep it up, Rosy, keep it up." + +"I will, sir," and on went Rose, as if in search of another one. + +For an hour or two she strolled along the woody road, gathering red +raspberries, with the dew still on them, garlanding her hat with +fragrant Linnaeea wreaths, watching the brown brooks go singing away into +the forest, and wishing the little wood creatures good-morrow, as they +went fearlessly to and fro, busy with their sylvan housekeeping. At +every turn of the road Rose's wistful eyes looked forward, as if hoping +to see some much-desired figure approaching. At every sound of steps she +lifted her head like a deer, listening and watching till the stranger +had gone by; and down every green vista she sent longing looks, as if +memory recalled happy hours in green nooks like those. + +Presently the road wound over a bridge, below which flowed a wide, +smooth river, flecked with alternate sun and shadow. + +"How beautiful it is! I must float down this stream a little way. It is +getting warm and I am tired, yet don't want to stop or turn back yet," +said Rose; adding, as her quick eye roved to and fro: "I see a boat down +there, and a lazy man reading. I'll hire or borrow it; so come on." + +Away she went into the meadow, and, accosting the countryman, who lay in +the shade, she made her request. + +"I get my livin' in summer by rowin' folks down to the Falls. It ain't +fur. Will you go, Miss?" he said, smiling all over his brown face, as he +regarded the pretty vision that so suddenly appeared beside him. + +Rose accepted the proposition at once; but half regretted it a minute +after, for, as the man rose, she saw that he had a wooden leg. + +"I'm afraid we shall be too heavy a load for you," she began, as he +stumped about, preparing his boat. + +The young fellow laughed and squared his broad shoulders, with a quick +look, that thanked her for the pitiful glance she gave him, as he +answered, in a bluff, good-natured tone,-- + +"Don't be afraid. I could row a dozen of you. I look rather the worse +for wear; but my old mother thinks I'm about the strongest man in the +State. Now, then, give us your hand, Miss, and there you are." + +With that he helped her in. The others obediently followed their +capricious leader, and in a moment they were floating down the river, +with a fresh wind cooling their hot faces. + +"You have been in the army, I take it?" began Uncle Ben, in his social +way, as he watched the man pulling with long, easy strokes. + +"Pretty nigh through the war, sir," with a nod and a glance at the +wooden leg. + +Uncle Ben lifted his hat, and Rose turned with a sudden interest from +the far-off bend of the river to the honest face before her. + +"Oh! tell us about it. I love to hear brave men fight their battles +over," she cried, with a look half pleading, half commanding, and wholly +charming. + +"Sho! It ain't much to tell. No more than the rest of 'em; not so much +as some. I done my best, lost my leg, got a few bullets here and there, +and ain't much use any way now." + +A shadow passed over the man's face as he spoke; and well it might, for +it was hard to be disabled at twenty-five with a long life of partial +helplessness before him. Uncle Ben, who was steering, forgot his duty in +his sympathy, and regarded the wooden leg with silent interest. + +Milly showed hers by keeping the mosquitoes off him by gently waving a +green bough, as she sat behind him. But Rose's soft eyes shone upon him +full of persuasive interest, and a new tone of respect was in her voice +as she said, with a martial salute,-- + +"Please tell about your last battle. I had a cousin in the war, and feel +as if every soldier was my friend and comrade since then." + +"Thanky, Miss. I'll tell you that with pleasure, though it ain't much, +any way." And, pushing back his hat, the young man rested on his oars, +as he rapidly told his little tale. + +"My last battle was----," naming one of the latest and bloodiest of the +war. "We were doing our best, when there came a shell and scattered +half-a-dozen of us pretty lively. I was knocked flat. But I didn't feel +hurt, only mad, and jumped up to hit 'em agin; but just dropped, with an +awful wrench, and the feeling that both my legs was gone." + +"Did no one stop to help you?" cried Rose. + +"Too busy for that, Miss. The boys can't stop to pick up their mates +when there are Rebs ahead to be knocked down. I knew there was no more +fighting for me; and just laid still, with the balls singing round me, +and wondering where they'd hit next." + +"How did you feel?" questioned the girl, eagerly. + +"Dreadful busy at first; for every thing I'd ever said, seen, or done, +seemed to go spinning through my head, till I got so dizzy trying to +keep my wits stiddy that I lost 'em altogether. I didn't find 'em again +till some one laid hold of me. Two of our boys were luggin' me along +back; but they had to dodge behind walls and cut up and down, for the +scrimmage was going on all round us. One of the fellers was hit in the +shoulder and the other in the face, but not bad; and they managed to get +me into a sort of a ravine, out of danger. There I begged 'em to leave +me. I thought I was bleeding to death rapid, and just wanted to die in +peace." + +"But they didn't leave you?" And Rose's face was all alive with interest +now. + +"Guess they didn't," answered the man, giving a stroke or two, and +looking as if he found it pleasant to tell his story to so winsome a +listener. "Just as they were at their wit's end what to do with me, we +come upon a young surgeon, lurking there to watch the fight or to +hide,--don't know which. There he was any way, looking scared half to +death. Tom Hunt, my mate, made him stop and look at me. My leg was +smashed, and ought to come off right away, he said. 'Do it, then!' says +Tom. He was one of your rough-and-readys, Tom was; but at heart as kind +as a--well, as a woman." + +And the boatman gave a smile and a nod at the one opposite him. + +"Thanks; but do tell on. It is so interesting." + +And Rose let all her flowers stray down into the bottom of the boat, as +she clasped her hands and leaned forward to listen. + +"Don't know as I'd better tell this part. It ain't pleasant," began the +man. + +"You must. I want it all. Dreadful things do me good, and other people's +sufferings teach me how to bear my own," said Rose, in her imperious +way. + +"You don't look as if you ought to have any." + +And the man's eyes rested on the delicate face opposite, full of a +pleasant blending of admiration, pity, and protection. + +"I have; but not like yours. Go on, please." + +"Well, if you say so, here goes. The surgeon was worried, and said he +couldn't do nothing,--hadn't got his instruments, and so on. 'Yes, you +have. Out with em,' says Tom, rapping on a case he sees in the chap's +breast-pocket. 'Can't do it without bandages,' he says next. 'Here they +are, and more where they came from,' says Tom; and off came his +shirt-sleeves, and was stripped up in a jiffy. 'I must have help,' says +that confounded surgeon, dawdling round, and me groaning my life out at +his feet. 'Here's help,--lots of it,' says Tom, taking my head on his +arm; while Parkes tied up his wounded face and stood ready to lend a +hand. Seeing no way out of it, the surgeon went to work. Good Lord, but +that _was_ awful!" + +The mere memory of it made the speaker shut his eyes with a shiver, as +if he felt again the sharp agony of shattered bones, rent flesh, and +pitiless knife. + +"Never mind that. Tell how you got comfortable again," said Milly, +shaking her head at Rose. + +"I wasn't comfortable for three months, ma'am. Don't mind telling about +it, 'cause Tom done so well, and I'm proud of him," said the rower, with +kindling eyes. "Things of that sort are hard enough done well, with +chloroform and every thing handy. But laying on the bare ground, with +nothing right, and a scared boy of a surgeon hacking away at you, it's +torment and no mistake. I never could have stood it, if it hadn't been +for Tom. He held me close and as steady as a rock; but he cried like a +baby the whole time, and that did me good. Don't know why; but it did. +As for Parkes, he gave out at once and went off for help. I'll never +forget that place, if I live to be a hundred. Seems as if I could see +the very grass I tore up; the muddy brook they laid me by; the steep +bank, with Parkes creeping up; Tom's face, wet and white, but so full of +pity; the surgeon, with his red hands; and all the while such a roar of +guns I could hardly hear myself groaning for some one to shoot me and +put me out of my misery." + +"How did you get to the hospital?" asked Uncle Ben, anxious to get over +this part of the story, for Rose was now as pale as if she actually saw +the scene described. + +"Don't know, sir. There come a time when I couldn't bear any more, and +what happened then I've never been very clear about. I didn't know much +for a day or two; then I was brought round by being put in a transport. +I was packed with a lot of poor fellows, and was beginning to wish I'd +stayed queer, till I heard Tom's voice saying, 'Never mind, boys; put me +down anywheres, and tend to the others. I can wait.' That set me up. I +sung out, and they stowed him alongside. It was so dark down there I +could hardly see his face; but his voice and ways were just as hearty +and comforting as ever, and he kept up my spirits wonderful that day. I +was pretty weak, and kept dozing off; but whenever I woke I felt for +Tom, and he was always there. He told me, when Parkes came with help, he +saw me off, and then went back for another go at the Rebs; but got a +ball in the breast, and was in rather a bad way, he guessed. He couldn't +lay down; but sat by me, leaning back, with his hand on my pillow, where +I could find it easy. He talked to me all he could, till his voice give +out; for he got very weak, and there was a dreadful groaning all around +us." + +"I know, I know. I went aboard one of those transports to help; but +couldn't stay, it was so terrible," said Uncle Ben, with a groan at the +mere memory of it. + +"That was a long day, and I thought it was my last; for when night came +I felt so gone I reckoned I was 'most over Jordan. I gave my watch to +Tom as a keepsake, and told him to say good-by to the boys for me. I +hadn't any folks of my own, so it wasn't hard to go. Tom had a +sweetheart, an old mother, and lots of friends; but he didn't repine a +word,--only said: 'If you do pull through, Joel, just tell mother I done +my best, and give Hetty my love.' I promised, and dropped asleep, +holding on to Tom as if he was my sheet-anchor. So he was; but I can't +tell all he done for me in different ways." + +For a minute Joel rowed in silence, and no one asked a question. Then he +pushed up his old hat again, and went on, as if anxious to be done. + +"Soon's ever I woke, next morning, I looked round to thank Tom, for his +blanket was over me. He was sitting as I left him, his hand on my +pillow, his face toward me, so quiet and happy-looking I couldn't +believe he was gone. But he was, and I have had no mate since." + +"Where did he live?" asked Rose, as softly as if speaking of one she had +known and loved. + +"Over yonder." And Joel pointed to a little brown house on the hillside. + +"Are his mother and Hetty there?" + +"Hetty married a number of years ago; but the old lady is there." + +"And you are visiting her?" + +"I live with her. You see Tom was all she had; and, when Hetty left, it +was only natural that I tried to take Tom's place. Can't never fill it +of course; but I do what I can, and she's comfortable." + +"So _she_ is the 'old mother' who thinks so much of you? Well she may," +said Rose, giving him her brightest smile. + +"Yes, she's all I've got now. Couldn't do no less, could I, seein' how +much Tom done for me?" answered the man, with a momentary quiver of +emotion in his rough voice. + +"You're a trump!" said Uncle Ben, emphatically. + +"Thanky, sir. Starboard, if you please. I don't care to get into the +rapids just here." + +Joel seemed to dislike telling this part of the story; but the three +listeners beamed upon him with such approving faces that he took to his +oars in self-defence, rowing with all his might, till the roar of the +Fall was faintly heard. + +"Now, where shall I land you, sir?" + +"Let us lunch on the island," proposed Rose. + +"I see a tent, and fancy some one is camping there," said Milly. + +"A lot of young fellows have been there this three days," said Joel. + +"Then we will go on, and take to the grove above the Fall," ordered +Uncle Ben. + +Alas! alas! for Rose. That decision delayed her happiness a whole half +day; for on that island, luxuriously reading "The Lotus Eaters," as he +lay in the long grass, was the Gabriel this modern Evangeline was +waiting for. She never dreamed he was so near. And the brown-bearded +student never lifted up his head as the boat floated by, carrying the +lady of his love. + +"I want to give him more than his fare. So I shall slip my cigar-case +into the pocket of this coat," whispered Uncle Ben, as Joel was busy +drawing up the boat and getting a stone or two to facilitate the ladies' +landing dryshod. + +"I shall leave my book for him. He was poring over an old newspaper, as +if hungry for reading. The dash and daring of 'John Brent' will charm +him; and the sketch of Winthrop's life in the beginning will add to its +value, I know." And, hastily scribbling his name in it, Rose slipped the +book under the coat. + +But Milly, seeing how old that coat was, guessed that Joel gave his +earnings to the old woman to whom he dutifully played a son's part. +Writing on a card "For Tom's mother and mate," she folded a five-dollar +bill round it, fastened it with a little pearl cross from her own +throat, and laid it in the book. + +Then all landed, and, with a cordial hand-shake and many thanks, left +Joel to row away, quite unconscious that he was a hero in the pretty +girl's eyes, till he found the tokens of his passengers' regard and +respect. + +"Now that is an adventure after my own heart," said Rose, as they +rustled along the grassy path toward the misty cloud that hung over the +Fall. + +"We have nothing but sandwiches and sherry for lunch, unless we find a +house and add to our stores," said Uncle Ben, beginning to feel hungry +and wondering how far his provisions would go. + +"There is a little girl picking berries. Call her and buy some," +suggested Milly, who had her doubts about the state of the sandwiches, +as the knapsack had been sat upon. + +A shout from Uncle Ben caused the little girl to approach,--timidly at +first; but, being joined by a boy, her courage rose, and when the idea +of a "trade" was impressed upon their minds fear was forgotten and the +Yankee appeared. + +"How much a quart?" + +"Eight cents, sir." + +"But that birch-bark thing is not full." + +"Now it is," and the barefooted, tow-headed lad filled the girl's +pannier from his own. + +"Here's chivalry for you," said Rose, watching the children with +interest; for the girl was pretty, and the boy evidently not her +brother. + +"You don't pick as fast as she does," said Milly, while Uncle Ben hunted +up the money. + +"He's done his stent, and was helpin' me. I'll have to pick a lot before +I git my quarter," said the girl, defending her friend, in spite of her +bashfulness. + +"Must you each make a quarter?" + +"Yes'm. We don't have to; but we wanter, so we can go to the circus +that's comin' to-morrer. He made his'n ketchin' trout; so he's helpin' +me," explained the girl. + +"Where do you get your trout?" asked Uncle Ben, sniffing the air, as if +he already smelt them cooking. + +"In the brook. I ain't sold mine yet. Want to buy 'em? Six big ones for +a quarter," said the boy, seeing hunger in the good man's eye and many +greenbacks in the corpulent purse. + +"Yes, if you'll clean them." + +"But, Uncle, we can't cook them," began Milly. + +"_I_ can. Let an old campaigner alone for getting up a gipsy lunch. You +wanted a surprise; so I'll give you one. Now, Billy, bring on your +fish." + +"My name is Daniel Webster Butterfield Brown," returned the boy, with +dignity; adding, with a comical change of tone: "Them fish _is_ cleaned, +or you'd a got 'em cheaper." + +"Very well. Hand them over." + +Off ran the boy to the brook; and the girl was shyly following, when +Rose said,-- + +"Will you sell me that pretty bark pannier of yours? I want one for my +flowers." + +"No'm. I guess I'd ruther not." + +"I'll give you a quarter for it. Then you can go to the circus without +working any more." + +"Dan made this for me, real careful; and I couldn't sell it, no way. He +wouldn't go without me. And I'll pick stiddy all day, and git my money. +See if I don't!" answered the child, hugging her treasure close. + +"Here's your romance in the bud," said Uncle Ben, trying not to laugh. + +"It's beautiful!" said Rose, with energy. "What is your name, dear?" + +"Gusty Medders, please'm." + +"Dan isn't your brother?" + +"No'm. He lives to the poor-house. But he's real smart, and we play +together. And him and me is going to the show. He always takes care o' +me; and my mother thinks a sight of him, and so do I," returned the +child, in a burst of confidence. + +"Happy little Gusty!" said Rose, to herself. + +"Thrice happy Dan," added Uncle Ben, producing the fat pocket-book +again, with the evident intention of bestowing a fortune on the small +couple. + +"Don't spoil the pretty little romance. Don't rob it of its +self-sacrifice and simplicity. Let them earn their money. Then they will +enjoy it more," cried Milly, holding his hand. + +Uncle Ben submitted, and paid Dan his price, without adding a penny. + +"The lady wanted to buy my basket. But I didn't sell it, Danny; 'cause +you give it as a keepsake," they heard Gusty say, as the children turned +away. + +"Good for you, Gus; but I'll sell mine." And back came Dan, to dispose +of his for the desired quarter. "Now we're fixed complete, and you +needn't pick a darned berry. We've got fifty cents for the show, and +eight, over for peanuts and candy. Won't we have a good time, though?" + +With which joyful remark Dan turned a somersault, and then the little +pair vanished in the wood, with shining faces, to revel in visions of +the splendors to come. + +"Now you have got your elephant, what are you going to do with him?" +asked Rose, as they went on again,--she with her pretty basket of fruit, +and he with a string of fish wrapped in leaves. + +"Come on a bit, and you will see." + +Uncle Ben led them to the shade of a great maple, on a green slope, in +sight of the noisy Fall, leaping from rock to rock, till the stream went +singing away through wide, green meadows below. + +"Now rest and cool yourselves, while I cook the dinner." And away +bustled the good man, on hospitable thoughts intent. + +Plenty of dry drift-wood lay about the watercourse, and soon a brisk +fire burned on the rocks not far away. Shingles for plates, with pointed +sticks for forks, seemed quite in keeping with the rustic feast; and +when the edibles were set forth on leaves the girls were charmed, and +praised the trout, as it came hot from the coals, till even the flushed +cook was satisfied. + +"I'd like to live so always. It is so interesting to pick up your food +as you go, and eat it when and where you like. I think I could be quite +happy leading a wild life like this," said Rose, as she lay in the +grass, dropping berries one by one into her mouth. + +"You would soon tire of it, Miss Caprice; but, if it amuses for a single +day, I am satisfied," answered Milly, with her motherly smile, as she +stroked the bright head in her lap, feeling sure that happiness was in +store for so much youth and beauty. + +Lulled by the soft caress, and the song of the waterfall, Rose fell +asleep, and for an hour dreamed blissfully, while the maple dropped its +shadows on her placid face, and all the wholesome influences of the +place worked their healing spell on soul and body. + +"A thunder-shower is rolling up in the west, my dears. We must be +getting toward some shelter, unless we are to take a drenching as part +of the day's pleasure," said Uncle Ben, rising briskly after his own +nap. + +"I see no house anywhere; but a big barn down in the intervale, and a +crowd of people getting in their hay. Let us make for that, and lie on +the sweet haycocks till the shower comes," proposed Milly. + +As they went down the steep path, Rose began to sing; and at the +unwonted sound her uncle and friend exchanged glances of satisfaction, +for not a note had she sung for weeks. A happy mood seemed to have taken +possession of her; and when they reached the intervale she won the old +farmer's heart by catching up a rake and working stoutly, till the first +heavy drops began to fall. Then she rode up to the barn on a fragrant +load, and was so charmed with the place that she declined his invitation +to "Come up and see the old woman and set a spell," and declared that +she depended on enjoying the thunder-storm where she was. + +The farmer and his men went their way, and Rose was just settling +herself at the upper window, where the hay had been pitched in, when a +long line of gay red vans came rattling down the road, followed by +carriages and gilded cars, elephants and camels, fine horses and frisky +ponies, all more or less excited by the coming storm. + +"It's the circus! How I wish Gusty and Dan could see it!" cried Rose, +clapping her hands like a child. "I do believe they are coming here. Now +that will be charming, and the best adventure of all," she added, as a +carriage and several vans turned into the grassy road leading to the +barn. + +A pair of elephants slowly lumbered after, with a camel or two, and the +finest gilded car. The rest rattled on, hoping to reach the town in +time. In a moment the quiet country scene was changed, and the big barn +transformed into a theatrical Babel. + +Our party retreated to a loft, and sat looking down on the show, +enjoying it heartily; especially Rose, who felt as if suddenly +translated into an Eastern tale. The storm came on dark and wild, rain +poured, thunder rolled, and lightning gave lurid glimpses of the strange +surroundings. + +The elephants placidly ate hay; the tired camels lay down with gusty +sighs and queer groanings; but the lion in his lonely van roared royally +at intervals, and the tigers snarled and tore about their cage like +restless demons. + +The great golden car lit up the gloom; and in it sat, or lay, the +occupants of the carriage,--a big, dark man, and a little blonde +creature, with a pretty, tired, painted face. Rose soon found herself +curiously attracted to this pair, for they were evidently lovers; and +there was a certain frank, melodramatic air about them that took her +fancy. The dark man lay on the red cushion, smoking tranquilly; while +the girl hovered about him with all manner of small attentions. +Presently he seemed to drop asleep, undisturbed by the thunder without +or the clamor within. Then the small creature smoothed her gay yet +shabby dress, and braided up her hair, as composedly as if in her own +room. That done, she looked about her for amusement; and, spying Rose's +interested face peering down at her from above, she nodded, and called +out, in a saucy voice,-- + +"How do you like us? Shall I come up and make you a visit?" + +"I beg you will," answered Rose, in spite of a warning touch from Milly. + +Up sprang the little circus-rider; and, disdaining the ladder, skipped +to the gilded dome of the car, and then took a daring leap on to the +loft, landing near them with a laugh. + +For a minute she eyed the others with a curious mixture of coolness and +hesitation, as if it suddenly struck her that they were not country +girls, to be dazzled by her audacity. Milly saw and understood the +pause, liked the girl for it, and said, as courteously as if to a lady +in her own parlor,-- + +"There is plenty of room for us all. Pray sit down and enjoy this fine +view with us. The storm is passing over now, and it will soon be fair." + +"Thank you!" said the girl, dropping on to the hay, with her bold, +bright eyes, full of admiration, fixed on Rose, who smiled, and said +quickly,-- + +"You belong to the troop, I suppose?" + +"First lady rider," replied the girl, with a toss of the head. + +"It must be very romantic to lead such a life, and go driving from place +to place in this way." + +"It's a hard life, any way; and not much romance, you'd better believe." + +"Not even for _you_." And Rose glanced at the sleeper below. + +The girl smiled. Her bold eyes turned to him with a softened look, and +the natural color deepened on her painted cheeks, as she said, in a +lower voice,-- + +"Yes, Joe does make a difference for me. We've only been married three +weeks." + +"What does he do?" + +"He's the lion-tamer." And the girl gave them a glance of wifely pride +in her husband's prowess. + +"Oh! tell me about it!" cried Rose. "I admire courage so much." + +"You ought to see him do Daniel in the lion's den, then. Or his great +tiger act, where he piles four of 'em up, and lays on top. It's just +splendid!" + +"But very dangerous! Does he never fear them? And do they never hurt +him?" + +"He don't fear any thing in the world," said the girl, entirely +forgetting herself, in enthusiastic praise of her husband. + +"Caesar, the lion, loves him like a dog; and Joe trusts him as he does +me. But them tigers are deceitful beasts, and can't be trusted a minute. +Judas went at Joe once, and half killed him. He seems tame enough now; +but I hate him, for they say that if a tiger once tastes a man's blood +he's sure to kill him sooner or later. So I don't have a minute's peace +when Joe is in that cage." And the little woman shivered with very +genuine anxiety at the thought of her husband's danger. + +"And, knowing this, he runs the risk every day! What a life!" said Uncle +Ben, looking down at the unconscious Joe. + +"A brave life, Uncle, and full of excitement. The minutes in that cage +must be splendid. I wish I could see him once!" cried Rose, with the +restless look in her eyes again. + +"He'd do it, if he had his things here. He'll do any thing _I_ ask him," +said the girl, evidently proud of her power over the lion-tamer. + +"We will come and see him to-morrow. Can't you tell us how he manages to +subdue these wild animals? I always wanted to know about it," said Rose, +wondering if she could not get some hints for the taming of men. + +"Joe'll tell you." And, calling from her perch, the girl waked the +sleeper and ordered him up to amuse the gentle-folk. + +The big man came, with comical meekness; and, lounging on the hay, +readily answered the questions showered upon him. Rose enjoyed that hour +intensely; for the tales Joe told were full of wild adventure, +hair-breadth escapes, and feats of strength or skill, that kept his +listeners half breathless with interest. The presence of the little wife +gave an added charm to these stories; for it was evident that the tamer +of lions was completely subdued by the small woman. His brown, scarred +face softened as it turned to her. While he talked, the strong hands +that clutched lions by the throat were softly stroking the blonde head +at his side; and, when he told of the fierce struggle with Judas, he +grew so eloquent over the account of Kitty's nursing him that it was +plain to see he was prouder of the conquest of her girl's heart than of +his hard-won victory over the treacherous tiger. + +The man's courage lent romance to his vulgar life, and his love ennobled +his whole nature for a time. Kitty ate peanuts while he thrilled his +hearers with his feats; but her face was so full of pride and affection +all the while that no one minded what she did, and even Milly forgave +the painted cheeks and cotton velvet dress for the sake of the womanly +heart underneath. + +The storm passed, the circus people bestirred themselves, and in a few +minutes were on their way again. Joe and Kitty said "Good-by" as +heartily as if that half-hour had made them friends; and, packing +themselves into the little carriage drawn by the calico tandem, dashed +away as gayly as if their queer honeymoon journey had just begun. Like +parts of a stage pageant, the gilded car, the elephants and camels, +frisky ponies, and gay red vans vanished along the winding road, leaving +the old barn to silence and the scandalized swallows twittering among +the rafters. + +"I feel as if I'd been to an Arabian Night's entertainment," said Rose, +as they descended and turned toward home. + +"It was very interesting, and I do hope that brave Joe won't get eaten +up by the tigers. What would poor Kitty do?" returned Milly, warmly. + +"It would be sad and dreadful; but she would have the comfort of knowing +how much he loved her. Some women don't even have that," added Rose, +under her breath. + +"A capital fellow and a nice little woman. We'll go and see them +to-morrow; though I fancy I shall not like Mrs. Kitty half so well in +gauze and spangles, jumping through hoops and over banners on horseback, +as I did on the hayloft. And I shall be desperately anxious till Joe is +safely out of the tiger's cage," said Uncle Ben, who had been as +interested as a boy in the wild tales told them. + +For an hour they walked back along the river-side, enjoying the wood +odors brought out by the shower, the glories of the sunset sky, and the +lovely rainbow that arched overhead,--a bow of promise to those who +seemed passing under it from the old life to a new one, full of tender +promise. + +"I see a nice old woman in that kitchen, and I want to stop and ask for +some new milk. Perhaps she will give us our supper, and then we can go +on by moonlight," said Rose, as they came to a weather-beaten +farm-house, standing under an ancient elm, with its door hospitably +open, and a grandmotherly figure going to and fro within. + +Rose's request was most graciously received, for the old woman seemed to +regard them as most welcome cheerers of her solitude, and bustled about +with an infectious cordiality that set them at their ease directly. + +"Do tell! Caught in the shower? It come so suddin', I mistrusted some +folks would get a duckin'. You kin hev supper jest as wal as not. +'Tain't a mite o' trouble, ef you don't mind plain vittles. Enos and me +lives alone, and he ain't no gret of an eater; but I allers catle'ate to +hev a good store of pervision on hand this time a year, there's such a +sight of strangers round the mountains. The table's all set; and I'll +jest add a pinch of tea and a couple of pies, and there we be. Now draw +right up, and do the best you kin." + +The cheery old soul was so hospitable that her presence gave a grace to +her homely table and added flavor to her plain fare. Uncle Ben's eyes +twinkled when he saw dainty Rose eating brown-bread and milk out of a +yellow bowl, with the appetite of a dairymaid; and Milly rejoiced over +the happy face opposite; wishing that it might always wear that +self-forgetful look. + +Enos was a feeble, bed-ridden, old man, who lay in a small room opening +from the kitchen. A fretful invalid he seemed to be, hard to suit and +much given to complaint. But the tender old wife never lost patience +with him; and it was beautiful to see how cheerfully she trotted to and +fro, trying to gratify every whim, without a reproachful word or thought +of weariness. + +After tea, as Rose wanted to wait till moonrise, Uncle Ben went in to +chat with the invalid, while Milly insisted on wiping the cups for the +old lady; and Rose sat on the doorstep, listening to their chat, and +watching twilight steal softly up the valley. Presently her attention +was fixed by something the old lady said in answer to Milly's praises of +the quaint kitchen. + +"Yes, dear, I've lived here all my days. Was born in that bed-room; and +don't ask no better than to die there when my time comes." + +"Most people are not fortunate enough to keep their old home when they +marry. It must be very dear to you, having spent both your maiden and +married life here," said Milly, interested in her hostess. + +"Wal, you see my maiden life lasted sixty year; and my married life +ain't but jest begun," answered the old lady, with a laugh as gay as a +girl's. + +Seeing curiosity in the quick glance Rose involuntarily gave her, the +chatty old soul went on, as if gossip was dear to her heart, and her +late-coming happiness still so new that she loved to tell it. + +"I s'pose that sounds sing'lar to you young things; but, you see, though +me and Enos was engaged at twenty or so, we warn't married till two year +ago. Things was dreadful con'try, and we kep a waitin' and a waitin', +till I declare for't I really did think I should die an old maid." And +she laughed again, as if her escape was the best joke in the world. + +"And you waited forty years?" cried Rose, with her great eyes full of +wonder. + +"Yes, dear. I had other chances; but somehow they didn't none of them +suit, and the more unfort'nate Enos was the more I kinder held on to +him. He was one of them that's allers tryin' new things, and didn't +never seem to make a fortin out of any on 'em. He kept a tryin' because +he had nothin', and would'nt marry till he was wal off. My mother was +dead, and left a family to be took care on. I was the oldest gal, and so +I nat'rally kept house for father till he died, and the children grew up +and married off. So I warn't idle all them years, and got on first-rate, +allers hopin' Enos's luck would turn. But it didn't (them cups goes in +the right-hand corner, dear); and so I waited and waited, and hoped and +hoped." + +"Oh! how could you?" sighed Rose, from the soft gloom of the doorway. + +"'Pears to me strength is give us most wonderful to bear trials, if we +take 'em meek. I used to think I couldn't bear it no way when I was left +here alone, while Enos was in Californy; and I didn't know for seven +year whether he was dead or alive. His folks give him up; but I never +did, and kept on hopin' and prayin' for him till he come back." + +"How happy you were then!" cried Rose, as if she could sympathize +heartily with that joy. + +"No, I warn't, dear. That was the hardest part on't; for Enos was +married to a poor, shiftless thing, that was a burden to him for ten +year." + +"That _was_ hard," and Rose gave a groan, as if a new trouble had +suddenly come upon her. + +"I done my best for 'em, in their ups and downs, till they went West. +Then I settled down to end my days here alone. My folks was all dead or +fur away, and it was uncommon lonesome. But I kinder clung to the old +place, and had it borne in upon me strong that Enos would turn up agin +in time. I wanted him to find me here, ready to give him a helpin' hand +whenever and however he come." + +"And he did, at last?" asked Rose, with a sympathetic quiver in her +voice that went to the old woman's heart. + +"Yes, my deary; he did come at last," she said, in a voice full of a +satisfaction that was almost solemn in its intensity. "Ruther mor'n two +years ago he knocked at that door, a poor, broken-down old man, without +wife, or child, or money, or home,--nothin' in the wide world but me. He +didn't think I'd take him in, he was so mis'able. But, Lord love him, +what else had I been a waitin' for them forty year? It warn't the Enos +that I loved fust; but that didn't matter one mite. And when he sat +sobbin' in that chair, and sayin' he had no friend but me, why I just +answered back: 'My home is your'n, Enos; and I give it jest as hearty as +I did when you fust pupposed, under the laylock bushes, in the back +gardin. Rest here, my poor dear, and let Becky take care on you till she +dies.'" + +"So he stayed?" said Milly, with tears in her voice, for Rose's head was +down on her knees, so eloquent had been the pathos of that old voice, +telling its little tale of faithful love. + +"Certin. And we was married, so no one need make no talk. Folks said it +was a dreadful poor match, and took on about my doin' on't; for I'm wal +off, and Enos hadn't a cent. But we was satisfied, and I ain't never +repented of that day's work; for he took to his bed soon after, and +won't quit it, the doctor says, till he's took to his grave." + +"You dear soul, I must kiss you for that lovely deed of yours, and thank +you from my heart for this lesson in fidelity." And, obeying an +irresistible impulse, Rose threw her arms round the old lady's neck, +kissing the wrinkled cheek with real reverence and tenderness. + +"Sakes alive! Wal, I never did see sech a softhearted little creter. +Why, child, what I done warn't nothin' but a pleasure. We women are such +queer things, we don't care how long we wait, ef we only hev our way at +last." + +As she spoke, the old woman hugged the blooming girl with a motherly +warmth, most sweet and comfortable to see; yet the longing look, the +lingering touch, betrayed how much the tender old heart would have loved +to pillow there a child of its own. + +Just then Uncle Ben appeared, and the early moon peeped over the +mountain-top, plainly hinting that it was time for the wanderers to turn +homeward. Bidding their hospitable hostess good night, they came again +into the woody road, now haunted with soft shadows and silvery with +falling dew. The brown brooks were singing lullabies, the pines +whispering musically in the wind, the mellow moonlight was falling +everywhere, and the world was full of the magical beauty of a +midsummer's night. + +"Go on, please, and let me follow alone. I want to think over my +pleasant day, and finish it with waking dreams, as I go through this +enchanted wood," said Rose, whose mind was full of sweet yet sober +thoughts; for she had gathered herbs of grace while carelessly pulling +wayside flowers, and from the simple adventures of the day had +unconsciously received lessons that never were forgotten. + +The other walked on, and the girl followed, living over again the happy +winter during which she had learned to know and love the young neighbor +who had become the hero of her dreams. She had felt sure he loved her, +though the modest youth had never told her so, except with eloquent +glances and tender devotion. She believed in him, loved him truly, and +waited with maidenly patience to hear the words that would unseal her +lips. They did not come, and he had left her with no hope but such as +she could find in the lingering pressure of his hand and the warmly +uttered "I shall see you again." + +Since then, no line, no word; and all through the lovely spring she had +looked and waited for the brown-bearded student,--looked and waited in +vain. Then unrest took possession of her, anxiety tormented her, and +despair made her young face pathetic. Only the sad, simple old story, +but as bitter to live through now as in poor Dido's day; more bitter, +perhaps, because we cannot erect funeral pyres and consume the body with +a flame less fierce than that which burns away the soul unseen. + +Now in the silence of that summer night a blessed peace seemed to fall +on the girl's unquiet heart, as she trod thoughtfully along the shadowy +road. Courage and patience seemed to spring up within her. To wait and +hope and love without return became a possibility; and, though a few hot +tears rolled down the cheeks, that had lost their roses, the eyes that +shed them were more tender for the tears, and the heart that echoed the +old wife's words--"Strength is given us to bear our trials, if we take +them meekly"--was worthier of life's best blessing, love, because of its +submission. + +As she paused a moment to wipe away the tell-tale drops, before she +joined the others, the sound of far-off music came on the wings of the +wind,--a man's voice, singing one of the love-lays that are never old. +As if spell-bound, Rose stood motionless in the broad streak of light +that fell athwart the road. She knew the voice, the sweet old song +seemed answering her prayer, and now it needed no golden butterfly to +guide her to her lover. + +Nearer and nearer came the singer, pouring out his lay as if his heart +was in it. Brighter and brighter glowed the human rose, as the +featherless nightingale told his tale in music, unconsciously +approaching the happy sequel with each step. + +Out from the gloom he came, at last; saw her waiting for him in the +light; seemed to read the glad truth in her face, and stretched both +hands to her without a word. She took them; and what followed who shall +say? For the moon, best friend of lovers, discreetly slipped behind a +cloud, and the pines whispered their congratulations as they wrapped the +twain in deepest shadow. + +When, half an hour later, they joined the other pair (who, strange to +say, had quite forgotten their charge), Uncle Ben exclaimed, as he +welcomed the new-comer with unusual cordiality: "Why, Rose! You look +quite glorified in this light and as well as ever. We must try this cure +again." + +"No need, sir. I have done with the heartache, and here is my +physician," answered Rose, with a look at her lover which told the story +better than the best chosen words. + +"And here is mine," echoed Milly, leaning on Uncle Ben's arm as if it +belonged to her; as it did, for the moonlight had been too much for the +old bachelor, and, in spite of his fifty years, he had wooed and won +Milly as ardently as any boy. So the lonely future she had accepted so +cheerfully suddenly bloomed with happy hopes; and the older couple +looked as blissfully content as the young pair, who greeted with the +blithest laughter that ever woke the echoes of the wood, this fit ending +to the romance of a summer day. + + + + +MY ROCOCO WATCH. + + +All three of us were inspired with an intense desire to possess one of +these quaint watches, the moment we saw one hanging at the side of a +certain lovely woman at a party where it created a great sensation. + +Imitations we would not have, and the genuine article could not be found +even in Geneva, the paradise of time-pieces. My sisters soon ceased to +pine for the impossible, and contented themselves with other antique +gauds. Fan rejoiced in a very ugly Cinque-Cento ring like a tiny coffin, +and Mary was the proud possessor of a Roman necklace composed of gods +and goddesses. + +I, however, remained true to my first love and refused to be satisfied +with any thing but a veritable rococo watch, for that, I maintained, +united the useful and the beautiful. Resisting the temptations of Rome, +Paris, and Geneva, I skilfully lured my unsuspecting party into all +sorts of out-of-the-way places under pretence of studying up the old +French cathedrals. + +The girls did the churches faithfully, but I shirked them and spent my +shining hours poking about dirty streets and staring in at the windows +of ancient jewelry shops, patiently seeking for the watch of my dreams. +I was rallied unmercifully upon my mania, and many jokes were played +upon me by the frolicksome girls, who more than once sent me posting off +by reports of some remarkable trinket in some almost unattainable place. + +But, nothing daunted, I continued my vain search all through France, and +never relinquished my hope till we left St. Malo on our way to Brest, +whence we were to sail for home. Then I despaired, and, having nothing +more to toil for, began to enjoy myself with a free mind, and then it +was that capricious fortune chose to smile upon me and reward my long +quest. + +Finding that we had a day before us, we explored the queer old town, +and, as our tastes varied, each went a different way. I roamed about the +narrow streets, seeking some odd souvenir to carry away, and was peering +into a dark lane, attracted by some fine shells, when suddenly I was +arrested by a sight which caused me to pause in the middle of a puddle, +exclaiming dramatically, "At last! at last!" + +Yes, there, in the dusty window of a pawnbroker's shop, hung the most +enchanting watch, crystal ball, silver chains, enamelled medallions, and +cluster of charms, all encrusted with pearls, garnets, and turquoises +set in the genuine antique style. One long gaze, one rapturous +exclamation, and I skipped from the puddle to the doorstep, bent on +securing the prize at all costs. + +Bouncing in upon a withered little man, who was taking coffee in a +shadowy recess, I demanded the price of the watch. Of course the little +man was on the alert at once, and began by protesting that it was not +for sale; but I saw the fib in his eye, and sweetly insisted that I must +have it. Then he improvised a mournful tale about a family of rank +reduced by misfortune and forced to dispose of their cherished relics in +some private manner. I affected to believe the touching romance, and +offered a handsome sum for the watch, which, on closer inspection, +struck me as rather more antique than even I desired. + +Instantly the little man clasped his hands and protested that it was an +insult to propose such a paltry price for so beautiful and perfect a +treasure. Double the sum might be a temptation, but not a sou less. + +This was so absurd that I tried to haggle a little; but I never +succeeded in that line, so my attempt ended in both of us getting angry, +when the little man tore the watch from my hands, and I left the shop as +precipitately as I entered it. + +Retiring to the square to cool my indignation, I was reposing on a +bench, when I beheld the little man approaching with the blandest +expression, and, bowing profoundly, he resumed the subject as if we had +parted amicably. + +"If madame would allow him to consult the owner of this so charming +watch, the affair might yet be arranged in a satisfactory manner. If +madame would leave her address, he would report to her in a few hours, +and have the happiness of obliging the dear lady." + +I consented, but preferred to return to his shop later in the day, for I +wished to astonish the girls by producing my prize at some opportune +moment, and I much feared if I told them of my discovery that the +bargain would never be made. + +I suffered agonies of suspense for hours, but basely attributed my +restlessness to the heat and weariness. Five o'clock and dinner, but I +declined going down, and slipped away to my tryst with the little old +man. He was ready for me with another romance of the noble owner's +reluctance to part with an heirloom for less than the price he had +named. In vain I talked, wheedled, and protested; the crafty little man +saw that I meant to have that watch, and was firm. At last I pretended +to give it up, and, thanking him for his trouble, retired mournfully, +hoping he would follow me again, for I had told him that I should leave +in the steamer expected next day. + +But the evening passed, and no little man appeared, although I sat on +the balcony till the moon rose. Morning came, and with it the steamer, +but still no watch arrived, as other coveted articles had often done, +when we firmly refused to be imposed upon. + +My secret agitation increased, and my temptation waxed stronger and +stronger as the hour of departure approached. The girls thought me +nervous about the voyage, but were too busy to heed my preoccupation, +while I was too much ashamed of my infatuation to confess it and ask +advice. + +Fifteen minutes before we started for the wharf, I gave in, and +muttering something about looking up the carriage, I flew round the +corner, demanded the watch, paid an abominable price for it, and sneaked +back, knowing I had been cheated by the sly old fellow, who had +evidently expected me, and whom I left chuckling over his bargain, as +well he might, the rascal! + +The moment the deed was done my spirits returned, and I beamed upon my +sisters as benignly as if I carried a boundless supply of good humor in +my pocket instead of that costly watch packed up in a shabby little box. + +We sailed, and for several days I forgot every thing but my own woe; +then came a calm, and then choosing a moment when the girls were +comparing their treasures with those of other returning voyagers, I +proudly produced my watch. The effect was superb. Cries of admiration +greeted it from all but my sisters, who looked at one another in comic +dismay and burst into fits of laughter. + +"We saw it and tried to get it, but it cost so much we gave it up, and +never told lest Penelope should be tempted beyond her strength. We might +have spared our pains, for it was to be, and it is vain to fight against +fate, only do tell us if you paid that Shylock what he asked us?" said +Mary, naming a smaller sum than my first handsome offer. + +"I did not pay that, and I shall never tell what it cost, for you +wouldn't believe me if I did. It was a good bargain, I assure you--for +Shylock," I added to myself, and kept my secret jealously, knowing I +never should hear the last of it if the awful truth was known. + +My treasure was so much admired that I was afraid it would be ravished +from me, and I hid it in all sorts of places, like a magpie with a +stolen spoon. I never went on deck without taking it with me for safe +keeping. I never woke in the morning without burrowing under my mattress +to see if it was safe, and never turned in for the night without seeing +that I was prepared for shipwreck by having my life-preserver handy and +half-a-dozen ship biscuits, a bottle of water, and the precious box +lashed firmly together, for with that dearly bought watch I was resolved +to sink or swim, live or die. + +Being permitted to reach land in safety, I prepared to eclipse Fan's +ring and Mary's necklace with my rich and rare rococo watch. But I found +it impossible to set it going, though I tried all the keys in the house, +so I took it to an experienced watchmaker and left it to be regulated. +Every one knows what that means, and can imagine my impatience as week +after week went by and still that blessed thing was not done. It came at +last, however, and with it a bill that startled me; but I could not +dispute it, for the job was a difficult one, owing to the antiquity of +the works and the skill required to set a watch going that probably had +not been wound up for half a century. + +It went for a week, and then stopped for ever; for the general verdict +was that no modern tinkering would restore its tone, since the springs +of life were broken and the venerable wheels at a dead lock. + +"Well, it is ornamental if not useful, only I am sorry I gave away my +good old watch, thinking this would be all I needed," I said, making the +best of what I alone knew to be a desperately bad bargain. + +So I hung the silent thing to my girdle and went forth to awaken the +envy and admiration of all beholders. But, alas! the second time I wore +it, one of the medallions was lost, could not be found, and its place +had to be filled with a modern one, entirely out of keeping with the +others. Bill the second was paid with much lamentation, and again I +tried to enjoy my watch. But the fates seemed to be against me, for +presently it was stolen by a maid who admired mediaeval jewelry as well +as her mistress. + +What a state of excitement we were in then, to be sure! Cousin Dick took +the matter in hand, and searched for the lost watch with the patience, +if not the skill, of a detective. Mysterious men came to examine the +servants, dreadful questions as to its value were put to me, and, worst +of all, I knew that this sort of hide-and-go-seek was a fearfully +expensive game, and of course I wasn't going to let Dick pay for it. + +It was found at last, and restored to me somewhat the worse for the +rough handling of curious admirers. Bill the third was paid with the +calmness of despair, for I really began to think some evil spell was +hidden in that crystal ball; a spell which attracted, then infatuated, +and now controlled me, leading me slowly and surely, through tribulation +after tribulation, to the poor-house in the end. + +The accidents that befell that fatal watch would fill a chapter, and the +narrow escapes it had would make a thrilling tale. Babies half choked +themselves with the charms, little Tommy was discovered trying to divest +it of all incumbrances that he might use it as a "jolly big marble." It +was always falling off, catching in buttons, or bobbing wildly about +when I danced, and more than once I was cut to the soul by hearing +benighted people wonder at Miss Pen's bad taste in wearing Salom +jewelry. Salom, be it known to the ignorant, is an excellent man who +deals in mock ornaments of great brilliancy and cheapness. + +Soon the jewels began to fall out, and I scattered pearls about me like +the young lady in the fairy tale. Then the chain broke, and the charms +were lost. In one of the many falls, the crystal got cracked; the silver +tarnished till it looked like dingy lead, and at last no beauty remained +to reconcile me to its utter uselessness. My poor watch was the standing +joke of the family, and kept every one merry but its owner. To me it was +a disgrace, and I suffered endless disappointments and delays by having +no trusty time-keeper at hand. Pride prevented my applying to others, +and bitterly I mourned in secret for the true old friend I had deserted +when the false new one came. + +I ceased to wear the hollow mockery, and hoped people would forget it, +but the girls still displayed their more successful ornaments; and I was +forced to tell the sad tale of my mortifying failure in reply to the +natural question,-- + +"And what charming old trinket did Pen get?" + +But this was not the worst of it. Like little Rosamond in the moral +tale, I had to wear my old shoes when the purple jar proved a delusion +and a snare. I had overrun my allowance by that rash purchase, and had +to economize just when I most wished to be fine. "Beauty unadorned," and +that sort of thing, is all nonsense when a woman burns to look her +loveliest in the eyes of certain persons, and the anguish I endured when +I looked at that rubbishy old watch, and thought what sweet things could +have been bought with the money recklessly lavished upon it, can better +be imagined than described. + +Fain would I have sold my treasure for a quarter what I gave for it, but +who would buy the ruined relic now? And the mere idea of having it even +partially repaired made my blood run cold. So I laid it away as a +warning example of woman's folly, and began to save up, that I might +replace it by a modern watch with all the improvements procurable for +money. + +I was effectually cured of my passion for antiquities, and hated the +sound of the word _rococo_. Nothing could be too new for me now, and I +privately studied up on watches, being bound never to buy another, +which, though it might last to all eternity, yet had no connection with +time. + +Slowly the memory of that temptation and fall seemed to fade from all +minds but my own; slowly my little hoard increased at the expense of +many an ungratified whim, inviting bargain, or girlish vanity, and +slowly I decided what sort of watch would most entirely combine the +solid virtues and modest graces I desired to possess in the new one I +intended to choose so wisely and well. + +But just as my hundred dollars was nearly completed, I discovered that +Dick's younger brother, Geordie, had got himself into a boyish scrape, +and was planning to run away to sea as the best means of settling the +difficulty. I was immediately possessed with an intense desire to help +the poor lad, and, having won his confidence in a desponding moment, I +offered my little hoard as a loan, to be paid in time, if he would +accept it on no other condition. + +I really don't think I could have done it for any one but Dick's +brother, and I did not desire any praise for it, since I made the boy +take a solemn vow that it should be a secret between us for ever. It was +reward enough to know that I had spared dear Dick another care, and done +something to be more worthy of him, though it was only a little +sacrifice like this. + +So Geordie was a free man again, and my devoted slave from that day +forth, causing much merry wonderment in the family, and actually making +Dick jealous by his grateful gallantry. + +My sacrifice cost me something more than the loss of my watch, however, +for with a part of the money I had planned to get a fine Christmas gift +for some one, and now I was obliged to content myself with such a poor +little offering that the girls called me mean, and nearly broke my heart +by insisting that I did not care for somebody who cared a great deal for +me. I bore it all and kept Geordie's secret faithfully; but I will +confess that, in a paroxysm of anger with myself, I clashed that hateful +rococo watch upon the floor and trampled on it as the only adequate vent +for the conflicting emotions which possessed me. + +But the good fairies who fly about at Christmas time set every thing +right, and broke the evil spell cast over me by the Breton magician in +his gloomy cell. As we sat about the breakfast-table, talking over our +gifts on the morning of that happy day, Dick and Geordie came in to see +how we were after the fatigues of a grand family frolic the night +before. + +"Here's a new conundrum; guess it, girls," said Geordie, who had the +Dundreary fever upon him just at that time. "I was sent to India and +stopped there; I came back because I did not go there. Now what was it?" + +We puzzled over it, but gave it up at last, and when Geordie answered, +"A watch," there was a general laugh, for since my ruinous speculation +that word always produced a sensation among us. + +"The place mentioned should have been Brittany, not India, hey, Pen?" +said Dick, with a wicked twinkle of the eye. + +"Don't," I began, pathetically, as the girls giggled, and Mary added, +with mock sympathy, "Hush, boys, and let that sacred sorrow be for ever +hidden in Pen's own breast." + +"Watch and pray, dear, watch and pray, for I'm sure you have need of +both," cried Fan, seeing my rising wrath. + +"Put your hands before your face but don't strike, I beg of you," cut in +Geordie, trying to be witty. + +"It is a sad case, but I think I have a key that will wind up the affair +and set all going right," began Dick, still twinkling with fun. + +To have him join the enemy was too much for me, because he had always +been very careful to avoid that tender point. + +"If you say another word, I'll throw the horrid thing into the fire, for +I'm sick to death of hearing bad jokes made on it," I cried, feeling a +strong desire to shake them all round. + +"No doubt; give it to me, and you shall never see or hear of it again. I +like old trinkets, and I'll never tell the story of that one, on my +honor as a gentleman," said Dick, in a tone that appeased my wrath at +once. + +"Do you really want it?" I asked, pleased and surprised, yet still a +little suspicious of some new joke. + +"I do, because, although it will never go again, it will always remind +me of some of the happiest hours and minutes of my life, Pen." + +There was no fun in Dick's eyes as he said that, and I was glad to hide +the sudden color in my cheeks by running away to get the poor old watch. +But I found there _was_ a surprise, and a very pleasant one, in store +for me; for, as I thrust the shabby box into Dick's pocket, he handed me +a little parcel prettily tied up with white ribbons, saying in his most +captivating way, "Fair exchange is no robbery, you know, so you must +take this, and then we shall be square." + +"It looks like wedding cake," I said, surveying it with curiosity, and +wondering why Geordie and the girls did not stop to see the mystery +unfolded. + +"No, that comes later, dear," answered Dick, in a tone that made me +devote myself to the white ribbons with sudden zeal. + +A blue velvet case appeared, and I could not resist saying, in a voice +more tender than reproachful, "You extravagant man! I know it is +something costly and beautiful in return for the disgracefully mean gift +I gave you." + +"Bless your innocent heart, did you think you could hide any thing from +me? Geordie couldn't keep a secret, and I'm only paying his debt, Pen +dear, with the sort of interest women like," Dick answered, with an +audacious arm around my waist and a brown beard close to my cheek. + +As I did not refuse the offered interest, he added, in a softer tone, +"My own debt I never can settle unless with all my worldly goods I thee +endow; my heart you have had for years. Say yes, dear, and be my little +_chatelaine_." + +Never mind what I said, but I assure you if it had not been for Dick's +arm I should have gone under the table, when, a few minutes later, I +lifted the blue velvet lid and saw a dainty watch luxuriously lying on +its white satin bed. + + + + +BY THE RIVER. + +A LEGEND OF THE ASSABET. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In the shadow of the bridge a boy lay reading on the grass,--a slender +lad, broad-browed and clear-eyed, barefooted and clad in homespun, yet +happy as a king; for health sat on his sunburned cheeks, a magic book +lay open before him, and sixteen years of innocence gave him a passport +to the freshest pleasures life can offer. + +"Nat! Nat! come here and see!" cried a shrill voice from among the +alders by the river-side. + +But Nat only shook his head as if a winged namesake had buzzed about his +ears, and still read on. Presently a twelve-years child came scrambling +up the bank, dragging a long rod behind her with a discontented air. + +"I wish you'd come and help me. The fish won't bite and my line is in a +grievous snarl. Don't read any more. I'm tired of playing all alone." + +"I forgot you, Ruthy, and it was ill done of me. Sit here and rest while +I undo the tangle," and Nat looked up good-naturedly at the small figure +before him, with its quaint pinafore, checked linen gown, and buckled +shoes; for this little maid lived nearly a hundred years ago and this +lad had seen Washington face to face. + +"Now tell me a story while I wait. Not out of that stupid play-book you +are always reading, but about something that really happened, with +naughty children and nice folks in it, and have it end good," said Ruth, +beginning a dandelion chain; for surely it is safe to believe that our +honored grandmothers enjoyed that pretty pastime in their childhood. + +Nat lay in the grass, dreamily regarding the small personage who ruled +him like a queen and whom he served with the devotion of a loyal heart. +Now the royal command was for a story, and, stifling a sigh, this rustic +gentleman closed the book, whose magic had changed the spring morning to +a Midsummer Night's Dream for an hour, and set himself to gratify the +little damsel's whim. + +"You liked the last tale about the children who were lost. Shall I tell +one about a child who was found? It really happened, and you never heard +it before," he asked. + +"Yes; but first put your head in my lap, for there are ants in the grass +and I like to see your eyes shine when you spin stories. Tell away." + +"Once upon a time there was a great snow-storm," began Nat, obediently +pillowing his head on the blue pinafore. + +"Whereabouts?" demanded Ruth. + +"Don't spoil the story by interrupting. It was in this town, and I can +show you the very house I'm going to tell about." + +"I like to know things straight along, and not bounce into a snow-storm +all in a minute. I'll be good. Go on." + +"Well, it snowed so hard that people stayed indoors till the storm had +beat and blown itself away. Right in the worst of it, as a farmer and +his wife sat by the fire that night, they heard a cry at the door. You +see they were sitting very still, the man smoking his pipe and the woman +knitting, both thinking sorrowfully of their only son, who had just +died." + +"Don't have it doleful, Nat," briskly suggested Ruth, working busily +while the narrator's hands lay idle, and his eyes looked as if they +actually saw the little scene his fancy conjured up. + +"No, I won't; only it really was like that," apologized Nat, seeing that +sentiment was not likely to suit his matter-of-fact auditor. "When the +cry came a second time, both of these people ran to the door. No one was +to be seen, but on the wide step they saw a little mound not there an +hour before. Brushing off the snow, they found a basket; and, when they +opened it, there lay a little baby, who put out its arms with a pitiful +cry, that went to their hearts. The woman hugged it close, fed it, and +hushed it to sleep as if it had been her own. Her husband let her do as +she liked, while he tried to find where it came from; but no trace +appeared, and there was no name or mark on the poor thing's clothes." + +"Did they keep it?" asked Ruth, tickling Nat's nose with a curly +dandelion stem, to goad him on, as he lay silent for a moment. + +"Yes, they kept it; for their hearts were sore and empty, and the +forlorn baby seemed to fill them comfortably. The townsfolk gossiped +awhile, but soon forgot it; and it grew up as if it had been born in the +farmer's house. I've often wondered if it wasn't the soul of the little +son who died, come back in another shape to comfort those good people." + +"Now don't go wandering off, Nat; but tell me if he was a pretty, nice, +smart child," said Ruth, with an eye to the hero's future capabilities. + +"Not a bit pretty," laughed Nat, "for he grew up tall and thin, with big +eyes and a queer brow. He wasn't 'nice,' either, if you mean good, for +he got angry sometimes and was lazy; but he tried,--oh! yes, he truly +tried to be a dutiful lad. He wasn't 'smart,' Ruth; for he hated to +study, and only loved story books, ballads, and plays, and liked to +wander round alone in the woods better than to be with other boys. +People laughed at him because of his queersome ways; but he couldn't +help it,--he was born so, and it would come out." + +"He was what Aunt Becky calls shiftless, I guess. She says you are; but +I don't mind as long as you take care of me and tell me stories." + +The boy sighed and shook his head as if a whole swarm of gnats were +annoying him now. "He was grateful, anyhow, this fellow I'm telling +about; for he loved the good folks and worked on the farm with all his +might to pay them for their pity. He never complained; but he hated it, +for delving day after day in the dirt made him feel as if he was nothing +but a worm." + +"We are all worms," Deacon Hurd says; "so the boy needn't have minded," +said Ruth, trying to assume a primly pious expression, that sat very ill +upon her blooming little face. + +"But some worms can turn into butterflies, if they get a chance; so the +boy did mind, Ruthy." And Nat looked out into the summer world with a +longing glance, which proved that he already felt conscious of the +folded wings and was eager to try them. + +"Was he a God-fearing boy?" asked Ruth, with a tweak of the ear; for her +friend showed signs of "wandering off" again into a world where her +prosaic little mind could not follow him. + +"He didn't _fear_ God; he loved Him. Perhaps it was wrong; but somehow +he couldn't believe in a God of wrath when he saw how good and beautiful +the world was and how kind folks were to him. He felt as if the Lord was +his father, for he had no other; and when he was lonesomest that thought +was right comfortable and helpful to him. Was it wrong?" asked Nat of +the child. + +"I'm afraid Aunt Becky would think so. She's awful pious, and boxed my +ears with a psalm-book last Sabbath, when I said I wished the lions +would bite Daniel in the den, I was so tired of seeing them stare and +roar at him. She wouldn't let me look at the pictures in the big Bible +another minute, and gave me a long hymn to learn, shut up in the back +bed-room. She's a godly woman, Deacon Hurd says; but I think she's +uncommon strict." + +"Shall I tell any more, or are you tired of this stupid boy?" said Nat, +modestly. + +"Yes, you may as well finish. But do have something happen. Make him +grow a great man, like Whittington, or some of the story-book folks, +it's so nice to read about," answered Ruth, rather impatiently. + +"I hope he did something better than trade cats and be lord mayor of +London. But that part of the story hasn't come yet; so I'll tell you of +two things that happened, one sad and one merry. When the boy was +fourteen, the good woman died, and that nearly broke his heart; for she +had made things easy for him, and he loved her dearly. The farmer sent +for his sister to keep house, and then the boy found it harder than ever +to bear his life; for the sister was a notable woman, well-meaning, but +as strict as Aunt Becky, and she pestered the lad as Aunt pesters me. +You see, Ruthy, it grew harder every year for him to work on the farm, +for he longed to be away somewhere quiet among books and learned folk. +He was not like those about him, and grew more unlike all the time, and +people often said: 'He's come of gentle blood. That's plain to see.' He +loved to think it was true,--not because he wanted to be rich and fine, +but to find his own place and live the life the Lord meant him to. This +feeling made him so unhappy that he was often tempted to run away, and +would have done it but for the gratitude that kept him. + +"Lack-a-daisy! What a bad boy, when he had good clothes and victuals and +folks were clever to him! But did he ever find his grand relations?" +asked Ruth, curiosity getting the better of the reproof she thought it +her duty to administer. + +"I don't know yet. But he did find something that made him happier and +more contented. Listen now; for you'll like this part, I know. One +night, as he came home with the cows, watching the pretty red in the +sky, hearing the crickets chirp, and picking flowers along the way, +because he liked to have 'em in his room, he felt uncommon lonesome, and +kept wishing he'd meet a fairy who'd give him all he wanted. When he got +to the house, he thought the fairy had really come; for there on the +door-stone stood a little lass, looking at him. A right splendid little +lass, Ruth, with brown hair long upon her shoulders, blue eyes full of +smiles, and a face like one of the pink roses in Madam Barrett's +garden." + +"Did she have good clothes?" demanded Ruth, eagerly, for this part of +the tale did interest her, as Nat foretold. + +"Let me see. Yes, nice clothes; but sad-colored, for the riding-cloak +that hung over her white dimity frock was black. Yet she stood on a pair +of the trimmest feet ever seen, wearing hose with fine clocks, and +silver buckles in the little shoes. You may believe the boy stared well, +for he had never seen so pretty a sight in all his days, and before he +knew it he had given her his nosegay of sheepsbane, fern, and +honeysuckle. She took it, looking pleased, and made him as fine a +courtesy as any lady; whereat he turned red and foolish, being shy, and +hurried off into the barn. But she came skipping after, and peeped at +him as he milked, watched how he did it for a bit, and then said, like a +little queen, 'Boy, get up and let me try.' That pleased him mightily; +so, taking little madam on his knee, he let her try. But something went +amiss, for all at once Brindle kicked over the pail, away went the +three-legged stool, and both the milkers lay in the dirt." + +"Why, Nat! why, Nat! that was you and I," cried Ruth, clapping her hands +delightedly, as this catastrophe confirmed the suspicions which had been +growing in her mind since the appearance of the child. + +"Hush! or I'll never tell how they got up," said Nat, hurrying on with a +mirthful face. "The boy thought the little maid would cry over her +bruised arm or go off in a pet at sight of the spoilt frock. But no; she +only laughed, patted old Brindle, and sat down, saying stoutly, 'I shall +try again and do it right.' So she did, and while she milked she told +how she was an orphan and had come to be Uncle Dan's girl all her life. +That was a pleasant hearing for the lad, and he felt as if the fairy had +done better by him than he had hoped. They were friends at once, and +played cat's cradle on the kitchen settle all the evening. But, when the +child was put to bed in a strange room, her little heart failed her, and +she fell a-sobbing for her mother. Nothing would comfort her till the +boy went up and sang her to sleep, with her pretty hand in his and all +her tears quite gone. That was nigh upon two years ago; but from that +night they were fast friends, and happier times began for the boy, +because he had something to love and live for besides work. She was very +good to him, and nowhere in all the world was there a dearer, sweeter +lass than Nat Snow's little maid." + +During the latter part of this tale "founded upon fact," Ruth had been +hugging her playmate's head in both her chubby arms, and when he ended +by drawing down the rosy face to kiss it softly on the lips it grew a +very April countenance, as she exclaimed, with a childish burst of +affection, curiosity, and wonder,-- + +"Dear Nat, how good you were to me that night and ever since! Did you +really come in a basket, and don't you know any thing about your folks? +Good lack! And to think you may turn out a lord's son, after all!" + +"How could I help being good to you, dear? Yes, I'll show you the very +basket, if Aunt Becky has not burnt it up as rubbish. I know nought +about my folk, and have no name but Snow. Uncle Dan gave me that because +I came in the storm, and the dear mother added Nathaniel, her own boy's +name, since I was sent to take his place, she said. As for being a +lord's son, I'd rather be a greater man than that." + +And Nat rose up with sudden energy in his voice, a sudden kindling of +the eyes, that pleased Ruth, and made her ask, with firm faith in the +possibility of his being any thing he chose,-- + +"You mean a king?" + +"No, a poet!" + +"But that's not fine at all!" and Ruth looked much disappointed. + +"It is the grandest thing in the world! Look now, the man who wrote this +play was a poet, and, though long dead, he is still loved and honored, +when the kings and queens he told about would be forgotten but for him. +Who cares for them, with all their splendor? Who does not worship +William Shakespeare, whose genius made him greater than the whole of +them!" cried Nat, hugging the dingy book, his face all aglow with the +beautiful enthusiasm of a true believer. + +"Was Master Shakespeare rich and great?" asked Ruth, staring at him with +round eyes. + +"Never rich or great in the way you mean, or even famous, till after he +was dead." + +"Then I'd rather have you like Major Wild, for he owns much land, lives +in a grand house, and wears the finest-laced coat in all the town. Will +you be like him, please, Nat?" + +"No, I won't!" answered the lad, with emphatic brevity, as the image of +the red-faced, roystering Major passed before his mind's eye. + +His bluntness ruffled his little sovereign's temper for a moment, and +she asked with a frown,-- + +"What do you think Aunt Becky said yesterday, when we found ever so many +of your verses hidden in the clothes-press, where we went to put +lavender among the linen?" + +"Something sharp, and burnt the papers, I'll warrant," replied Nat, with +the resignation of one used to such trials. + +"No, she kept 'em to cover jam-pots with, and she said you were either a +fool or a genus. Is a genus very bad, Nat?" added Ruth, relenting as she +saw his dreamy eyes light up with what she fancied was a spark of anger. + +"Aunt Becky thinks so; but I don't, and, though I may not be one, sooner +or later folks shall see that I'm no fool, for I feel, I know, I was not +born to hoe corn and feed pigs all my life." + +"What will you do?" cried Ruth, startled by the almost passionate energy +with which he spoke. + +"Till I'm twenty-one I'll stay to do my duty. When the time comes, I'll +break away and try my own life, for I shall have a right to do it then." + +"And leave me? Nay, I'll not let you go." And Ruth threw her dandelion +chain about his neck, claiming her bondsman with the childish tyranny he +found so sweet. + +He laughed and let her hold him, seeing how frail the green links were; +little dreaming how true a symbol it was of the stronger tie by which +she would hold him when the time came to choose between liberty and +love. + +"Five years is a long time, Ruthy. You will get tired of my odd ways, +and be glad to have me go. But never fret about it; for, whatever +happens, I'll not forget you." + +Quite satisfied with this promise, the little maid fell to sticking +buttercups in the band of the straw hat her own nimble fingers had +braided, as if bent on securing one crown for her friend. But Nat, +leaning his head upon his hand, sat watching the sunshine glitter on the +placid stream that rippled at his feet, with such intentness that Ruth +presently disturbed him by demanding curiously,-- + +"What is it? A kingfisher or a turtle?" + +"It's the river, dear. It seems to sing to me as it goes by. I always +hear it, yet I never understand what it says. Do you?" + +Ruth fixed her blue eyes on the bluer water, listened for an instant, +then laughed out blithely, and sprung up, saying,-- + +"It sings: 'Come and fish, Nat. Come and fish!'" + +The boy's face fell, the dreamy look faded, and, with a patient sort of +sigh, he rose and followed her, leaving his broken dream with his +beloved book among the buttercups. But, though he sat by Ruth in the +shadow of the alder-bushes, his rod hung idly from his hand, for he was +drawing bright fancies from a stream she never saw, was dimly feeling +that he had a harder knot to disentangle than his little friend's, and +faintly hearing a higher call than hers, in the ripple of the river. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Five years later Ruth was in the dairy making up butter, surrounded by +tier above tier of shining pans, whence proceeded a breath as fresh and +fragrant as if the ghosts of departed king-cups and clover still haunted +the spot. Standing before a window where morning-glories rung their +colored bells in the balmy air, she was as pleasant a sight as any eye +need wish to see upon a summer's day; for the merry child had bloomed +into a sprightly girl, rich in rustic health and beauty. All practical +virtues were hers; and, while they wore so comely a shape, they +possessed a grace that hid the lack of those finer attributes which give +to womanhood its highest charm. The present was all in all to Ruth. Its +homely duties were her world, its petty griefs and joys her life, and +her ambition was bounded by her desire to show her mates the finest +yarn, the sweetest butter, the gayest cardinal, and the handsomest +sweetheart, in the town. An essentially domestic character, cheery as +the blaze upon the hearth, contented as the little kettle singing there, +and so affectionate, discreet, and diligent that she was the model +damsel of the town, the comfort of Uncle Daniel's age, the pride of Aunt +Becky's heart, the joy of Nat's life, and the desire of his eyes. + +Unlike as ever, the pair were still fast friends. Nay, more, for the +past year had been imperceptibly transforming that mild sentiment into a +much warmer one by the magic of beauty, youth, and time. Year after year +Nat had patiently toiled on, for gratitude controlled ambition, and +Ruth's presence made his life endurable. But Nature was stronger than +duty or love, and as the boy ripened into the man he looked wistfully +beyond the narrow present into the great future, which allures such as +he with vague, sweet prophecies, hard to be resisted. Silently the +struggle went on, steadily the inborn longing strengthened, and slowly +the resolution was fixed to put his one gift to the test and learn if it +was a vain delusion or a lovely possibility. Each year proved to himself +and those about him that their world was not his world, their life his +life; for, like Andersen's young swan, the barnyard was no home to him, +and when the other fowls cackled, hissed, and scolded, he could only put +his head under his wing and sigh for the time when he should join "the +beautiful white birds among the rushes of the stream that flowed through +the poet's garden, where the sun shone and the little children played." + +Ruth knew his dreams and desires; but, as she could not understand them, +she tried to cure them by every innocent art in her power, and nursed +him through many a fit of the heart-sickness of hope deferred as +patiently as she would have done through any less occult disease that +flesh is heir to. She was thinking of him as she worked that day, and +wishing she could mould his life as easily as she did the yellow lumps +before her, stamping them with her own mark, and setting them away for +her own use. She felt that some change was about to befall Nat, for she +had listened to the murmur of voices as the old man and the young sat +talking far into the night. What the result had been was as yet unknown; +for Uncle Daniel was unusually taciturn that morning, and Nat had been +shut up in his room since breakfast, though spring work waited for him +all about the farm. + +An unwonted sobriety sat on Ruth's usually cheerful face, and she was +not singing as she worked, but listening intently for a well-known step +to descend the creaking stairs. Presently it came, paused a moment in +the big kitchen, where Aunt Becky was flying about like a domestic +whirlwind, and Ruth heard Nat ask for her with a ring in his voice that +made her heart begin to flutter. + +"She's in the dairy. But for landsake where are you a-going, boy? I +declare for't, you look so fine and chirk I scursely knew yer," answered +the old lady, pausing in her work to stare at the astonishing spectacle +of Nat in his Sunday best upon a week day. + +"I'm going to seek my fortune, Aunty. Won't you wish me luck?" replied +Nat, cheerily. + +Aunt Becky had a proverb for every occasion, and could not lose this +opportunity for enriching the malcontent with a few suited to his case. + +"Yes, child, the best of lucks; but it's my opinion that, if we 'get +spindle and distaff ready, the Lord will send the flax,' without our +goin' to look for't. 'Every road has its puddle,' and 'he that prieth +into a cloud may get struck by lightenin'.' God bless you, my dear, and +remember that 'a handful of good life is wuth a bushel of learnin'.'" + +"I will, Ma'am; and also bear in mind that 'he who would have eggs must +bear the cackling of hens,'" with which return shot Nat vanished, +leaving the old lady to expend her energies and proverbs upon the bread +she was kneading with a vigor that set the trough rocking like a cradle. + +Why Ruth began to sing just then, and why she became so absorbed in her +oleaginous sculpture as to seem entirely unconscious of the appearance +of a young man at the dairy door, are questions which every woman will +find no difficulty in answering. Actuated by one of the whims which +often rule the simplest of the sex, she worked and sang as if no anxiety +had ruffled her quiet heart; while Nat stood and watched her with an +expression which would have silenced her, had she chosen to look up and +meet it. + +The years that had done much for Ruth had been equally kind to Nat, in +giving him a generous growth for the figure leaning in the doorway +seemed full of the vigor of wholesome country life. But the head that +crowned it was such as one seldom sees on a farmer's shoulders; for the +brown locks, gathered back into a ribbon, after the fashion of the time, +showed a forehead of harmonious outline, overarching eyes full of the +pathos and the passion that betray the presence of that gift which is +divine when young. The mouth was sensitive as any woman's, and the lips +were often folded close, as if pride controlled the varying emotions +that swayed a nature ardent and aspiring as a flame of fire. Few could +read the language of this face, yet many felt the beauty that it owed to +a finer source than any grace of shape or color, and wondered where the +subtle secret lay. + +"Ruth, may I tell you something?" + +"Of course you may. Only don't upset the salt-box or sit down upon the +churn." + +Nat did neither, but still leaned in the doorway and still watched the +trim figure before him, as if it was very pleasant to his eyes; while +Ruth, after a brief glance over her shoulder, a nod and a smile, spatted +away as busily as ever. + +"You know I was one-and-twenty yesterday?" + +"I'm not like to forget it, after sewing my eyes out to work a smart +waistcoat as a keepsake." + +"Nor I; for there's not such another in the town, and every rosebud is +as perfect as if just pulled from our bush yonder. See, I've put it on +as knights put on their armor when they went to fight for fortune and +their ladies' love." + +As he spoke, Nat smilingly thrust his hands into the pockets of a +long-flapped garment, which was a master-piece of the needlework in +vogue a century ago. Ruth glanced up at him with eyes full of hearty +admiration for the waistcoat and its wearer. But something in those last +words of his filled her with a trouble both sweet and bitter, as she +asked anxiously,-- + +"Are you going away, Nat?" + +"For a week only. Uncle has been very kind, and given me a chance to +prove which road it's best for me to take, since the time has come when +I must choose. I ride to Boston this afternoon, Ruth, carrying my poems +with me, that I may submit them to the criticism of certain learned +gentlemen, who can tell me if I deceive myself or not. I have agreed to +abide by their decision, and if it is in my favor--as God grant it +be--Uncle leaves me free to live the life I love, among my books and all +that makes this world glorious. Think, Ruth,--a poet in good truth, to +sing when I will, and delve no more! Will you be pleased and proud if I +come back and tell you this?" + +"Indeed, I will, if it makes you happy. And yet"--She paused there, +looking wistfully into his face, now all aglow with the hope and faith +that are so blissful and so brief. + +"What is it, lass? Speak out and tell me all that's in your heart, for I +mean to show you mine," he said in a commanding tone seldom heard +before, for he seemed already to have claimed the fair inheritance that +makes the poet the equal of the prince. + +Ruth felt the change with a thrill of pride, yet dared suggest the +possibility of failure, as a finer nature would have shrunk from doing +in such a happy, hopeful hour as that. + +"If the learned gentlemen decide that the poems have no worth, what +then?" + +He looked at her an instant, like one fallen from the clouds, then +squared his shoulders, as if resettling the burden put off for a day, +and answered bravely, though a sudden shadow crossed his face, +"Then I give up my dream and fall to work again,--no poet, but a man, +who will do his best to be an honest one. I have promised Uncle to abide +by this decision, and I'll keep my word." + +"Will it be very hard, Nat?" and Ruth's eyes grew pitiful, for in his +she read how much the sacrifice would cost him. + +"Ay, lass, very hard," he said briefly; then added, with an eloquent +change in voice and face, "unless you help me bear it. Sweetheart, +whichever road I take, I had no thought to go alone. Will you walk with +me, Ruth? God knows I'll make the way as smooth and pleasant as a +faithful husband can." + +The busy hands stopped working there, for Nat held them fast in his, and +all her downcast eyes could see were the gay flowers her needle wrought, +agitated by the beating of the man's heart underneath. Her color +deepened beautifully and her lips trembled, in spite of the arch smile +they wore, as she said half-tenderly, half-wilfully,-- + +"But I should be afeared to marry a poet, if they are such strange and +delicate creatures as I've heard tell. 'Twould be like keeping house for +a butterfly. I tried to cage one once; but the poor thing spoilt its +pretty wings beating against the bars, and when I let it go it just +dropped down and died among the roses there." + +"But if I be no poet, only a plain farmer, with no ambition except how I +may prosper and make my wife a happy woman, what answer then, Ruth?" he +asked, feeling as the morning-glories might have felt if a cold wind had +blown over them. + +"Dear lad, it's this!" and, throwing both arms about his neck, the +honest little creature kissed his brown cheek heartily. + +After that no wonder if Ruth forgot her work, never saw an audacious +sunbeam withering the yellow roses she had caused to bloom, never heard +the buzz of an invading fly, nor thought to praise the labor of her +hands, though her plump cheek was taking off impressions of the buttons +on the noble waistcoat. While to Nat the little dairy had suddenly +become a Paradise, life for a moment was all poetry, and nothing in the +wide world seemed impossible. + +"Ruth! Ruth! The cat's fell into the pork-kag, and my hands is in the +dough. For massy sake, run down suller and fish her out!" + +That shrill cry from Aunt Becky broke the spell, dissolved the blissful +dream, for, true to her instincts, Ruth forgot the lover in the +housewife, and vanished, leaving Nat alone with his love--and the +butter-pats. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +He rode gallantly away to Boston that afternoon, and ten days later came +riding slowly home again, with the precious manuscript still in his +saddle-bag. + +"What luck, boy?" asked Uncle Dan, with a keen glance from under his +shaggy brows, as the young man came into the big kitchen, where they all +sat together when the day's work was done. + +"Pretty much what you foretold, sir," answered Nat, trying to smile +bravely as he took his place beside Ruth on the settle, where she sat +making up cherry-colored breast-knots by the light of one candle. + +"Fools go out to shear and come home shorn," muttered Aunt Becky from +the chimney-corner, where she sat reeling yarn and brooding over some +delectable mess that simmered on the coals. + +Nat did not hear the flattering remark; for he was fingering a little +packet that silently told the story of failure in its dog-eared leaves, +torn wrappers, and carelessly knotted string. + +"Yes," he said rapidly, as if anxious to have a hard task over, "I +showed my poems to sundry gentlemen, as I proposed. One liked them much, +and said they showed good promise of better things; but added that it +was no time for such matters now, and advised me to lay them by till I +was older. A very courteous and friendly man this was, and I felt much +beholden to him for his gracious speeches. The second criticized my work +sharply, and showed me how I should mend it. But, when he was done, I +found all the poetry had gone out of my poor lines, and nothing was left +but fine words; so I thanked him and went away, thinking better of my +poems than when I entered. The third wise man gave me his opinion very +briefly, saying, as he handed back the book, 'Put it in the fire.'" + +"Nay! but that was too harsh. They are very pretty verses, Nat, though +most of them are far beyond my poor wits," said Ruth, trying to lighten +the disappointment that she saw weighed heavily on her lover's spirit. + +"In the good gentleman's study, I had a sight of some of the great poets +of the world, and while he read my verses I got a taste of Milton, +Spenser, and my own Shakespeare's noble sonnets. I saw what mine lacked; +yet some of them rang true, so I took heart and trimmed them up in the +fashion my masters set me. Let me read you one or two, Ruth, while you +tie your true lover's knots." + +And, eagerly opening the beloved book, Nat began to read by the dim +light of the tallow candle, blind to the resigned expression Ruth's face +assumed, deaf to Aunt Becky's muttered opinion that "an idle brain is +the devil's workshop," and quite unconscious that Uncle Dan spread a +checked handkerchief over his bald pate, ready for a nap. Absorbed in +his delightful task, the young poet went on reading his most perfect +lines, with a face that brightened blissfully, till, just as he was +giving a love-lay in his tenderest tone, a mild snore checked his +heavenward flight, and brought him back to earth with a rude shock. He +started, paused, and looked about him, like one suddenly wakened from a +happy dream. Uncle Dan was sound asleep, Aunt Becky busily counting her +tidy skeins, and Ruth, making a mirror of one of the well-scoured pewter +platters on the dresser, was so absorbed in studying the effect of the +gay breast-knots that she innocently betrayed her inattention by +exclaiming, with a pretty air of regret,-- + +"And that's the end?" + +"That is the end," he answered, gently closing the book which no one +cared to hear, and, hiding his reproachful eyes behind his hand, he sat +silent, till Uncle Dan, roused by the cessation of the melodious murmur +that had soothed his ear, demanded with kindly bluntness,-- + +"Well, boy, which is it to be, moonshine or money? I want you to be spry +about decidin', for things is gittin' behindhand, and I cattle'ate to +hire if you mean to quit work." + +"Sakes alive! No man in his senses would set long on the fence when +there's a good farm and a smart wife a-waitin' on one side and nothin' +but poetry and starvation on the other!" ejaculated Aunt Becky, briskly +clattering the saucepan-lid, as if to add the savory temptations of the +flesh to those of filthy lucre. + +Ruth said nothing, but looked up at Nat with the one poetic sentiment of +her nature shining in her eyes and touching her with its tender magic, +till it seemed an easy thing to give up liberty for love. The dandelion +chain the child wove round the boy had changed to a flowery garland now, +but the man never saw the thorns among the roses, and let the woman +fetter him again; for, as he looked at her, Nat flung the cherished book +into the fire with one hand, and with the other took possession of the +only bribe that could win him from that other love. + +"I decide as you would have me, sir. Not for the sake of the farm you +promise me, but for love of her who shall one day be its happy mistress, +please God." + +"Now that's sensible and hearty, and I'm waal pleased, my boy. You jest +buckle to for a year stiddy and let your ink-horn dry, and we'll have as +harnsome a weddin' as man could wish,--always providin' Ruth don't +change her mind," said Uncle Dan, beaming benignantly at the young pair +through a cloud of tobacco smoke; while Aunt Becky poked the condemned +manuscript deeper into the coals, as if anxious to exorcise its +witchcraft by fire, in the good old fashion. + +But even in Ruth's arms Nat cast one longing, loving glance at his +first-born darling on its funeral-pyre; then turned his head resolutely +away, and whispered to the girl,-- + +"Never doubt that I love you, sweetheart, since for your sake I have +given up the ambition of my life. I don't regret it, but be patient with +me till I learn to live without my 'moonshine,' as you call it." + +"Sunshine is better, and I'll make it for you, if I can. So cheer up, +dear lad, fall to work like a man, and you'll soon forget your pretty +nonsense," answered Ruth, with firm faith in the cure she proposed. + +"I'll try." + +And, folding his wings, Pegasus bent his neck to the yoke and fell to +ploughing. + +Nat kept his word and did try manfully, working early and late, with an +energy that delighted Uncle Dan, made Aunt Becky bestir herself to +bleach her finest webs for the wedding outfit, and caused Ruth to +believe that he had forgotten the "pretty nonsense;" for the pen lay +idle and he gave all his leisure to her, discussing house-gear and stock +with as deep an interest as herself apparently. All summer long he +toiled like one intent only on his crops; all winter he cut wood and +tended cattle, as if he had no higher hope than to sell so many cords +and raise likely calves for market. + +Outwardly he was a promising young farmer, with a prosperous future and +a notable wife awaiting him. But deep in the man's heart a spark of the +divine fire still burned, unquenched by duty, love, or time. The spirit +that made light in Milton's darkness, walked with Burns beside the +plough, and lifted Shakespeare higher than the royal virgin's hand, sang +to Nat in the airy whisper of the pines, as he labored in the wintry +wood, smiled back at him in every ox-eyed daisy his scythe laid low +along the summer fields, and solaced him with visions of a fairer future +than any buxom Ruth could paint. It would not leave him, and he learned +too late that it was the life of his life, a gift that could not be +returned, a blessing turned into a curse; for, though he had burned the +little book, from its ashes rose a flame that consumed him, since it +could find no vent. Even the affection, for which he had made a costlier +sacrifice than he knew, looked pale and poor beside the loftier +loveliness that dawned upon him in the passionate struggle, ripening +heart and soul to sudden manhood; and the life that lay before him +seemed very bleak and barren when he returned from playing truant in the +enchanted world Imagination opens to her gifted children. + +Ruth vaguely felt the presence of this dumb despair, dimly saw its +shadow in the eyes that sometimes wore a tragic look, and fancied that +the hand working so faithfully for her was slipping from her hold, it +grew so thin and hot with the inward fever, which no herb in all her +garden could allay. She vainly tried to rise to his level; but the busy +sparrow could not follow the aspiring lark, singing at heaven's gate. It +could only chirp its little lay and build its nest, with no thought +beyond a straw, a worm, and the mate that was to come. + +Nat never spoke of the past, and Ruth dared not, for she grew to feel +that he did "regret it" bitterly, though too generous for a word of +reproach or complaint. + +"I'll make it up to him when we are married; and he will learn to love +the farm when he has little lads and lasses of his own to work for," she +often said to herself, as she watched her lover sit among them, after +his day's work, listening to their gossip with a pathetic sort of +patience, or, pleading a weariness there was no need to feign, lie on +the old settle, lost in thoughts that made his face shine like one who +talked with angels. + +So the year rolled round, and May came again. Uncle Dan was well +satisfied, Aunt Becky's preparations were completed, and Ruth had not +"changed her mind." + +"Settle about the weddin' as soon as you like, my girl, and I'll see +that it is a merry one," said the old man, coming in from work, as Ruth +blew the horn from the back porch one night at sunset. + +"Nat must decide that. Where is he, Uncle?" asked the girl, looking out +upon the quiet landscape, touched with spring's tenderest green. + +"Down in the medder, ploughin'. It's a toughish bit, and he'll be late, +I reckon; for he took a long noon-spell, and I give him a piece of my +mind about it, so I'll venter to say he won't touch a bit of victuals +till the last furrow is laid," answered Uncle Dan, plodding away to wash +his hands at the horse-trough. + +"Nay, Uncle, it is his birthday, and surely he had a right to a little +rest, for he works like a slave, to please us, though far from well, I'm +thinking." And, waiting for no reply, Ruth hurried in, filled a tankard +with cider, and tripped away to bring her lover home, singing as she +went, for Nat loved to hear her voice. + +Down the green lane toward the river the happy singer stepped, thinking +in what sweet words she could give the old man's message. But the song +died on her lips and the smiling eyes grew wistful suddenly; for, +passing by the willow-trees, she saw the patient oxen standing in the +field alone. + +"Nat is hunting violets for me," she thought, with a throb of pleasure; +for she was jealous of a viewless rival, and valued every token of +fidelity her lover gave her. + +But as she drew nearer Ruth frowned; for Nat lay beside the river, +evidently quite forgetful of scolding, supper, and sweetheart. No, not +of the latter; for a little nosegay of violets lay ready near the paper +on which he seemed to be writing a song or sonnet to accompany the gift. + +Seeing this, the frown faded, as the girl stole noiselessly across the +grass, to peep over his shoulder, with a soft rebuke for his imprudence +and delay. + +Alas for Ruth! One glance at the placid face, pillowed on his arm, told +her that this birthday was Nat's last; for the violets were less white +than the cheek they touched, the pencil had fallen from nerveless +fingers, and Death's hand had written "Finis" to both life and lay. With +a bitter cry, she gathered the weary head into her arms, fearing she had +come too late to say good-by. But the eyes that opened were so tranquil, +and the pale lips that answered wore such a happy smile, she felt that +tears would mar his peace, and hushed her sobs, to listen as he +whispered brokenly, with a glance that brightened as it turned from the +wide field where his last hard day's work lay finished, to the quiet +river, whose lullaby was soothing him to sleep. + +"Tell Uncle I did not stop till the job was done, nor break my promise; +for the year is over now, and it was so sweet to write again that I +forgot to go home till it was too late." + +"O Nat, not too late. You shall work no more, but write all day, without +a care. We have been too hard upon you, and you too patient with our +blindness. Dear lad, forgive us, and come home to live a happier year +than this has been," cried Ruth, trying with remorseful tenderness to +keep the delicate spirit that was escaping from her hold, like the +butterfly that died among her roses with broken wings. + +But Nat had no desire to stay; for he _was_ going home, to feel hunger, +thirst, and weariness no more, to find a love Ruth could not give, and +to change earth's prose to heaven's immortal poetry. Yet he lingered on +the threshold to look back and whisper gently: "It is better so, +sweetheart. There was no place for me here, and I was homesick for my +own friends and country. I'm going to find them, and I'm quite content. +Forget me and be happy; or remember me only in the springtime, when the +world is loveliest and my birthday comes. See, this is all I had to give +you; but my heart was in it." + +He tried to lift the unfinished song and give it to her; but it +fluttered down upon his breast, and the violets dropped after, lying +there unstirred by any breath, for with the words a shadow deeper than +that twilight laid upon the fields stole over the face on Ruth's bosom, +and all the glory of the sunset sky could only touch it with a pathetic +peace, as the poet lay asleep beside the river. + +He lies there still, the legend says, under the low green mound, where +violets bloom earliest, where the old willows drop their golden tassels +in the spring, and blackbirds fill the air with their melodious ecstasy. +No song of his lived after him; no trace of him remains, except that +nameless grave; and few ever heard of one who came and went like the +snow for which they christened him. Yet it seems as if his gentle ghost +still haunted those sunny meadows, still listened to the enchanted +river, and touched with some mysterious charm the places that knew him +once. For strangers find a soft attraction in the quiet landscape; +lovers seek those green solitudes to tell the story that is always new; +and poets muse beside the shadowy stream, hearing, as he heard, a call +to live the life that lifts them highest by unwavering fidelity to the +gift Heaven sends. + + + + +LETTY'S TRAMP. + + +Letty sat on the doorstep one breezy summer day, looking down the road +and wishing with all her heart that something pleasant would happen. She +often did this; and one of her earliest delights when a lonely child was +to sit there with a fairy book upon her knee, waiting and watching in +all good faith for something wonderful to happen. + +In those days, Cinderella's golden coach dashing round the corner to +carry her away was the favorite dream; but at eighteen one thinks more +of the prince than either golden coach or splendid ball. But no prince +as yet had cut his way through the grove of "laylocks" round the gate, +and the little beauty still dreamed waking dreams on the doorstep, with +her work forgotten in her lap. + +Behind her in the quaint, quiet room Aunt Liddy dozed in her easy chair, +the clock ticked, the bird chirped, old Bran snapped lazily at the +flies, and nothing else broke the hush that brooded over the place. It +was always so, and Letty often felt as if an earthquake would be a +blessed relief to the dreadful monotony of her life. + +To-day it was peculiarly trying, for a slight incident had ruffled the +calm; and, though it lasted but a moment, it had given Letty a glimpse +into that lovely "new world which is the old." A carriage containing a +gay young couple on their honeymoon trip had stopped at the gate, for +the bride had a fancy for a draught from the mossy well, and the +bridegroom blandly demanded that her whim be gratified. + +Letty served them, and while one pretty girl slaked her thirst the other +watched her with admiring eyes and a tender interest, touched by envy. +It was all over in a minute. Then bonny bride and enamoured bridegroom +rolled away on that enchanted journey which is taken but once in a +lifetime, leaving a cloud of dust behind and a deeper discontent in +Letty's heart. + +With a long sigh she had gone back to her seat, and, closing her eyes +upon a world that could offer her so little, fell a-dreaming again, till +a rough voice startled her wide awake. + +"I say, miss, can you give a poor fellow a bite and a sup?" + +Opening her eyes, she saw a sturdy tramp leaning over the low gate, so +ragged, dusty, worn, and weary that she forgave the look of admiration +in the bold black eyes which had been fixed on her longer than she knew. +Before she could answer, however, Aunt Liddy, a hospitable old soul, +called out from within,-- + +"Certin, certin. Set right down on the doorstep and rest a spell, while +we see what we can do about vittles." + +Letty vanished into the pantry, and the man threw himself down in the +shady porch, regardless of Bran's suspicious growl. He pulled off his +hat, stretched out his tired limbs, and leaned his rough head back among +the woodbine leaves, with a long breath, as if nearly spent. + +When Letty brought him a plate of bread and meat, he took it from her so +eagerly and with such a ravenous look that she shrank back +involuntarily. Seeing which he said, with a poor attempt at a laugh,-- + +"You needn't be afraid. I look like a rough customer; but I won't hurt +you. + +"Lawful sakes! We ain't no call to be afraid of no one, though we be +lone women; for Bran is better'n a dozen men. A lamb to them he knows; +but let any one try to pester Letty, and I never see a fercer beast," +said Aunt Liddy, as the girl went back for more food, seeing the +stranger's need. + +"He knows _I'm_ all right, and makes friends at once, you see," answered +the tramp, with a satisfied nod, as Bran, after a brief investigation, +sat down beside him, with a pacific wag of the tail. + +"Well, I never! He don't often do that to strangers. Guess you're fond +of dumb critters," said Aunt Liddy, much impressed by Bran's unusual +condescension. + +"They've been my best friends, and I don't forget it," returned the man, +giving the dog a bone, though half-starved himself. + +Something in the tone, the act, touched Letty's tender heart, and made +her own voice very sweet and cordial as she said,-- + +"Please have some milk. It's nice and cold." + +The tramp put up both hands to take the bowl, and as he did so looked +into a face so full of compassion that it seemed like an angel's leaning +down to comfort a lost and weary soul. Hard as life had been to the poor +fellow, it had not spoiled him yet, as was plainly proved by the change +that softened his whole face like magic, and trembled in the voice that +said, as if it were a sort of grace, "God bless you, Miss," as he bent +his head and drank. + +Only a look of human sympathy and human gratitude; yet, in the drawing +of a breath, it cast out Letty's fear, and made the stranger feel as if +he had found friends, for it was the touch of Nature that makes the +whole world kin. Every one seemed to feel its influence. Bran turned his +benevolent eyes approvingly from his mistress to his new friend: the +girl sat down confidingly; and the old lady began to talk, for, being +fond of chat, she considered a stranger as a special providence. + +"Where be you travellin'?" + +"Nowhere in particular." + +"Where did you come from, then?" continued Aunt Liddy, undaunted by the +short answer. + +"California." + +"Do tell! Guess you've been one of the rovin' sort, ain't you?" + +"Haven't done much else." + +"It don't appear to have agreed with you remarkable well," said the +blunt old lady, peering at him over her spectacles. + +"If I hadn't had the devil's own luck, I'd have been a rich man, instead +of a beggar," answered the tramp, with a grim look and an ireful +knitting of his black brows. + +"Been unfort'nate, have you? I'm sorry for that; but it 'pears to me +them as stays to home and works stiddy does better than them that goes +huntin' after luck," observed Aunt Liddy, feeling it her duty to give a +word of advice. + +"Shouldn't wonder if you were right, ma'am. But some folks haven't got +any home to stay in; and fellows of my sort have to hunt after luck, for +it won't come to 'em." + +"Ain't you got no friends, young man?" + +"Not one. Lost the last yesterday." + +"Took suddin, I suppose?" and the old lady's face was full of interest +as she put the question. + +"Drowned." + +"Merciful sakes! How did it happen?" + +"Got hurt, couldn't be cured, so I drowned him, and"-- + +"What!" shrieked Aunt Liddy, upsetting her footstool with a horrified +start. + +"Only a dog, ma'am. I couldn't carry him, wouldn't leave him to suffer; +so put him out of pain and came on alone." + +The tramp had ceased eating, and sat with his head on his hand in a +despondent attitude, that told his story better than words. His voice +was gruffer than ever as he spoke of his dog; but the last word was +husky, and he put his hand on Bran's head with a touch that won the good +creature's heart entirely, and made him lick the downcast face, with a +little whine of sympathy and satisfaction. + +Letty's eyes were full, and Aunt Liddy took snuff and settled her +footstool, feeling that something must be done for one who showed signs +of being worth the saving. + +"Poor creter! And you was fond of him?" she said in a motherly tone; for +the man of five or six and twenty was but a boy to her. + +"I'd have been a brute if I wasn't fond of him, for he stuck to me when +all the other fellows cut me, and tried to drag himself along with a +broken leg, rather than leave me. Talk about friends! Give me a dumb +animal if you want one worth having." + +A bitter tone was in the man's voice and a wrathful spark kindled in his +eyes, as if wrong as well as want had made him what he was. + +"Rest a little, and tell us about California. A neighbor went there, and +we like to hear news of that great, splendid place." + +Letty spoke, and the half-eager, half-timid voice was very winning, +especially to one who seldom heard such now. Seeing her kindly interest, +and glad to pay for his meal in the only way he could, the man told some +of his adventures in brief but graphic words, while the old woman plied +him with questions and the young one listened with a face so full of +pretty wonder that the story-teller was inspired to do his best. + +Aunt Liddy's cap-frills stood erect with horror at some of the +hair-breadth escapes recounted; but to Letty it was better than any +romance she had ever read to listen to tales full of danger and +hardship, told by a living voice and face to face with the chief actor +in them all, who unconsciously betrayed that he possessed many of the +manly attributes women most admire. + +"After adventures like these, I don't wonder it seems hard to settle +down, as other folks do," she said warmly, when the man stopped short, +as if ashamed of talking so much of his own affairs. + +"I wouldn't mind trying it, though," he answered, as he glanced about +the sunny little room, so home-like and reposeful, and so haunted by all +the sweet influences that touch men's hearts when most forlorn. + +"You'd better," said Aunt Liddy, decidedly. "Git work and stick to it; +and, if luck don't come, bread and butter will, and in a world of woe +mebby that's about as much as any one on us ought to expect." + +"I have tried to get it. But I'm such a hard-looking chap no one wants +me; and I don't blame 'em. Look at that hat, now! Ain't that enough to +spoil a man's chance, let alone his looks?" The young fellow held up a +battered object with such a comical mixture of disgust and indignation +that Letty could not help laughing; and the blithe sound was so +contagious that the wanderer joined in it, cheered already by rest and +food and kindly words. + +"It's singular what store men-folks do set by their hats. My Moses +couldn't never read his paper till he'd put on his'n, and as for drivin' +a nail bare-headed, in doors or out, he'd never think of such a thing," +said Aunt Liddy, with the air of one well versed in the mysterious ways +of men-folks. + +But Letty clapped her hands, as if a brilliant idea had flashed upon +her, and, running to the back entry, returned with a straw hat, brown +and dusty, but shady, whole, and far more appropriate to the season than +the ragged felt the man was eying hopelessly. + +"It isn't very good; but it might do for a time. We only keep it to +scare folks, and I don't feel afraid now. Would you mind if I gave it to +you?" stammered Letty, coloring up, as she tried to offer her poor gift +courteously. + +"Mind! I guess I'd be glad to get it, fit or no fit," and, dropping the +old hat, the tramp clapped on the new one, making his mirror of the +bright eyes before him. + +"It does nicely, and you're very welcome," said the girl, getting rosier +still, for there was something beside gratitude in the brown face that +had lost the dogged, dangerous look it wore at first. + +"Now, if you was to wash up and smooth that hair of yourn a trifle, +you'd be a likely-looking young man; and, if you're civil-spoken and +willin' to lend a hand anywheres, you'll git work, I ain't a doubt," +observed Aunt Liddy, feeling a growing interest in the wayfarer, and, +womanlike, acknowledging the necessity of putting the best foot +foremost. + +Letty ran for basin and towel, and, pointing to the well, modestly +retired into the kitchen, while Aunt Liddy watched the vigorous +scrubbing that went on in the yard; for the tramp splashed the water +about like a Newfoundland dog, and Bran assisted at the brief toilet +with hospitable zeal. + +It seemed as if a different man came out from that simple baptism; for +the haggard cheek had a glow upon it, the eyes had lost their +hopelessness, and something like courage and self-respect shone in the +face that looked in at the door as the stranger gave back basin and +towel, saying, with a wave of the old straw hat,-- + +"I'm heartily obliged, ma'am. Would you kindly tell me how far it is to +the next big town?" + +"Twenty miles. The cars will take you right there, and the deepo ain't +fur," answered Aunt Liddy, showing the way. + +The man glanced at his ragged shoes, then squared his broad shoulders, +as if bracing himself for the twenty long hot miles that his weary feet +must carry him, since his pockets were empty, and he could not bring +himself to ask for any thing but food enough to keep life in him. + +"Good-by, ma'am, and God bless you." And, slouching the hat over his +eyes, he limped away, escorted to the gate by Bran. + +At the turn of the road he stopped and looked back as wistfully as ever +Letty had done along the shadowy road, and as he looked it seemed as if +he saw a younger self setting off with courage, hope, and energy upon +the journey, which alas! had ended here. His eye went to the old well, +as if there had been some healing in its water; then turned to the +porch, where he had been fed and comforted, and lingered there as if +some kindly memory warmed his solitary heart. + +Just then a little figure in blue gingham ran out and came fluttering +after him, accompanied by Bran, in a state of riotous delight. Rosy and +breathless, Letty hurried to him, and, looking up with a face full of +the innocent compassion that never can offend, she said, offering a +parcel neatly folded up,-- + +"Aunt Liddy sends you some dinner; and this, so that you needn't walk, +unless you like, you are so lame." + +As if more touched than he cared to show, the man took the food, but +gently put away the little roll of greenbacks, saying quickly,-- + +"Thank you for this; but I can't take your money." + +"We ain't rich, but we love to help folks. So you needn't be proud about +it." And Letty looked ruffled at his refusal. + +"I'll take something else, if you don't mind," said the tramp, pulling +off his hat, with a sudden smile that made his face look young and +comely. + +"What is it?" And Letty looked up so innocently that it was impossible +to resist the impulse of a grateful heart. + +His answer was to stoop and kiss the blooming cheek, that instantly grew +scarlet with girlish shame and anger as she turned to fly. Catching her +by the hand, he said penitently,-- + +"I couldn't help it, you're so good to me. Don't begrudge me a kiss for +luck. I need it, God knows!" + +The man's real destitution and despair broke out in these words, and he +grasped the little hand as if it was the only thing that kept him from +the manifold temptations of a desperate mood. + +It thrilled the girl like a cry for help, and made her forget everything +except that a fellow-creature suffered. She shook the big hand warmly, +and said, with all her heart,-- + +"You're welcome, if it helps you. Good-by and good luck to you!" and ran +away as fast as she had come. + +The man stood motionless, and watched her till she vanished, then turned +and tramped sturdily on, muttering to himself, with a suspicious +gruffness in his voice,-- + +"If I had a little mate like that alongside, I know my luck would turn." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +A wild December night, with bitter wind and blinding snow, reigned +outside the long, rude building, lighted only by furnace fires, that +went roaring up the tall chimneys, whence poured clouds of smoke and +showers of sparks, like beacons through the storm. No living thing +appeared in that shadowy place except a matronly gray cat, sitting bolt +upright upon an old rug spread over a heap of sand near one of the +fires. A newspaper and a tin pail were beside her, and she seemed to +have mounted guard, while the watchman of the Foundry went his rounds. + +A door stood half-open upon the sheltered side of the building; and +suddenly, as if blown thither like a storm-driven bird, a little figure +came fluttering in, breathless, half-frozen, and quite bewildered by a +long struggle with the pitiless gale. Feebly brushing away the snow that +blinded her, the poor thing looked about her with frightened eyes; and, +seeing no one but the cat, seemed to take courage and crept toward the +fire, as if suffering for the moment conquered fear. + +"Oh! Pussy, let me warm myself one minute, for I'm perished with the +cold," she whispered, stretching two benumbed hands to the blaze. + +The cat opened her yellow eyes, and, evidently glad to meet one of her +own sex, began to purr hospitably as she rustled across the newspaper to +greet her guest. There was something inexpressibly comforting in the +sound; and, reassured by it, the girl pushed back her drenched hat, +shook her snowy garments, and drew a long breath, like one nearly spent. +Yet, even while she basked in the warmth that was salvation, her timid +eyes glanced about the great, gloomy place, and her attitude was that of +one ready to fly at a moment's warning. + +Presently a step sounded on a flight of stairs leading to some loft +above. The wanderer started like a hare, and, drawing nearer to the +door, paused as if to catch a glimpse of the approaching face before she +fled away into the storm, that howled just then with a violence which +might well daunt a stouter heart. + +A tall man, in a rough coat, with grizzled hair and beard under an old +fur cap, came slowly down the steps, whistling softly to himself, as he +swung his lantern to and fro. + +"An old man, and the cat is fond of him. I guess I'll dare to ask my +way, or I'll never get home," thought the girl, as her eye scanned the +new-comer with a woman's quickness. + +An involuntary rustle of her dress caught his ear, and, lifting the +lantern, he saw her at once; but did not speak, as if afraid of +frightening her still more, for her pale face and the appealing gesture +of the outstretched hand told her fear and need better than her hurried +words,-- + +"Oh! please, I've lost my way and am nearly frozen. Could I warm myself +a bit and find out where I am?" + +"Of course, you may. Why, bless your heart, I wouldn't turn a dog out +such a night as this, much less a poor little soul like you," answered +the man, in a hearty tone, that rang true on the listening ear of the +girl. + +Then he hung up the lantern, put a stool nearer the fire, and beckoned +her to approach. But even the kindly words and act failed to win the +timid creature; for she drew back as he advanced, gave a glance at the +door, and said, as if appealing to the best instincts of the man, whom +she longed yet feared to trust,-- + +"Thank you; but it's getting late, and I ought to be getting on, if I +knew the way. Perhaps you've got some girls of your own, so you can +understand how scared I am to be lost at night and in such a strange +place as this." + +The man stared, then laughed, and, shaking the snow from his curly hair +and beard, showed himself to be a young and pleasant-looking fellow, +with a merry eye, an honest brown face, and a hearty voice. + +"You thought I was an old chap, did you? Wish I was, if it would be any +comfort to you. I've got no little girls, neither, more's the pity; but +you needn't be afraid of me, though it is late and lonely. Why, Lord +love you, child, I'm not a brute! Sit down and thaw out, while you tell +me where you want to go." + +The half-indignant tone of the man made his guest feel as if she had +insulted him; and she obeyed with a docility which appeased his anger at +once. Seating herself upon the stool, she leaned toward the fire with an +irrepressible shiver, and tried to keep her teeth from chattering as she +told her little story. + +"I want work badly, and went a long way, hoping to get some. But I +didn't find it, and that discouraged me very much. I had no money, so +had to walk, and the storm got so bad I lost my way. Then I was scared +and half-frozen, and so bewildered I think I'd have died if I hadn't +seen the light and come in here." + +"I guess you would. And the best thing you can do now is to stop till +the storm lifts. Shouldn't wonder if it did about midnight," said the +man, stirring up the red embers, as if anxious to do something for her +comfort. + +"But that is so late, and I must be ever so far away from home; for I +came over the wrong bridge. Oh, me! What shall I do?" And the poor thing +wrung her hands in dismay. + +"Won't your folks go to look for you?" + +"I haven't any one in the world to care for me. The woman where I board +won't trouble herself; or she'll think I've run away, because I owe her +money. I might be dead in the river, and no one would mind!" sighed the +girl, leaning her head on her hands, while some bright, dishevelled hair +fell over her face, as if to hide its youth and innocence from a world +that seemed to have no shelter for either. + +"That's hard! But don't you be down-hearted, child. Things often mend +when they seem worst. I know; for I've been through the mill, and had +friends raised up to me when I'd about done with living, as a bad job. I +can't leave here till sunrise; but I'll do the best I can for you till +then. Sam will be along early, and he'll see to you, if you can't trust +me; for he is as gray as a badger, and he's got six girls of his own, if +that's a recommendation. I've got nothing but a cat; and she trusts me. +Don't you, old Sally?" + +As he spoke, the man sat down upon the sand-heap, and Sally leaped to +his knee, rubbing her head against his cheek, with a soft sound of +confidence and contentment which seemed to afford her friend great +satisfaction. The girl smiled faintly, and said, in an apologetic tone, +for there had been something like reproach in the man's voice, as he +asked the dumb animal to vouch for his character,-- + +"I don't believe I'd have dared to come in here if I hadn't seen Pussy. +But I thought anyone who was good to her would be good to me; and now +I'm sure of it." + +"That's right. You see, I'm a lonesome sort of a chap and like something +to pet. So I took old Sally, and we get on capitally. She won't let the +other fellows touch her, but always comes and sits with me when I am +alone here nights. And it's surprising what good company she is." + +He laughed as he spoke, as if half-ashamed of the amiable weakness, yet +anxious to put his guest at her ease. He evidently succeeded; for she +stretched two shabby little boots toward the fire and leaned her head +against a grimy beam, saying, with a sigh of weariness,-- + +"It is very comfortable; but the heat makes me feel queer and dizzy." + +"You're just about used up; and I'm going to give you a cup of hot +coffee. That'll bring you round in a jiffy. It's time for supper. Hey, +Sally?" + +As he spoke, the man set his pail in the hot ashes, unfolded a parcel of +bread and meat, and, laying a rude sandwich on a clean bit of paper, +offered it with a hospitable-- + +"Have a bit. Do, now. You've had a hard pull and need something to set +you up." + +Leaning forward to give and take, two faces came into the clear red glow +of the furnace-fire, and a look of recognition flashed into each so +suddenly that it startled both man and maid into involuntary frankness +of expression. + +"Why, it's little Letty!" + +"And you are my tramp!" + +A change so rapid as to be almost ludicrous came over the pair in the +drawing of a breath. She smoothed back her hair and hid the shabby +boots, yet sat more erect upon the stool, as if she had a right there +and felt no longer any fear. He pulled off his cap, with a pleasant +mixture of respect, surprise, and satisfaction in his manner, as he +said, in a half-proud, half-humble tone,-- + +"No, miss; for, thanks to you, I'm a decent man now." + +"Then you did find work and get on?" she exclaimed, with a bright, +wistful look, that touched him very much. + +"Didn't you get my letter?" he asked eagerly. "I sent you the first +dollar I earned, and told you and the old lady I was all right." + +Letty shook her head, and all the light passed out of her face, leaving +it pathetic in its patient sorrow. + +"Aunt Liddy died a week after you were there, so suddenly that every +thing was in confusion, and I never got the letter. I wish _she_ had +known of it, because it would have pleased her so. We often talked about +you and hoped you'd do well. We led such quiet lives, you see, that any +little thing interested us for a long time." + +"It was a little thing to you, I dare say; but it was salvation to me. +Not the money or the food only, but the kindness of the old lady, +and--and the look in your sweet face, miss. I'd got so far down, through +sickness and bad luck, that there didn't seem any thing left for me but +deviltry or death. That day it was a toss-up between any bad job that +came along first and drowning, like my dog. That seemed sort of mean, +though; and I felt more like being revenged somehow on the world, that +had been so hard on me." + +He stopped short, breathing hard, with a sudden spark in his black eyes +and a nervous clenching of the strong hands that made Letty shrink; for +he seemed to speak in spite of himself, as if the memory of that time +had left its impress on his life. + +"But you didn't do any thing bad. I'm sure you didn't; for Aunt Liddy +said there was the making of a man in you, because you were so quick to +feel a little bit of kindness and take good advice." + +The soft, eager voice of the girl seemed to work the miracle anew, for a +smile broke over his face, the angry spark was quenched, and the +clenched hand opened to offer again all it had to give, as he said, with +a characteristic mingling of fun and feeling in his voice,-- + +"I don't know much about angels; but I felt as if I'd met a couple that +day, for they saved me from destruction. You cast your bread upon the +waters, and it's come back when, maybe, you need it 'most as much as I +did then. 'Tisn't half as nice as yours; but perhaps a blessing will do +as well as butter." + +Letty took the brown bread, feeling that he had said the best grace over +it; and while she ate he talked, evidently moved to open his heart by +the memory of the past, and eager to show that he had manfully persisted +in the well-doing his angels had advised. + +"That was nearly two years ago, you know, and I've been hard at it ever +since. I took any thing that come along, and was glad to get it. The hat +did that, I firmly believe." And he laughed a short laugh, adding +soberly, "But I didn't take to work at first, for I'd been a rover and +liked it; so it took a long pull and a strong pull and a pull all +together before I settled down steady. The hat and the"--he was going to +say "kiss;" but a look at the lonely little creature sitting there so +confidingly made him change the word to--"the money seemed to bring me +luck; and I followed the advice of the good old lady, and stuck to my +work till I got to liking it. I've been here more than a year now, and +am getting on so well I shall be overseer before long. I'm only watchman +for a short time. Old Sam has been sick, and they wanted some one they +could trust, so they chose me." + +It was good to see him square his broad shoulders and throw back his +head as he said that; and pretty to see Letty nod and smile with +sincerest pleasure in his success, as she said,-- + +"It looks dark and ugly now; but I've seen a foundry when they were +casting, and it was splendid to watch the men manage the furnaces and do +wonderful things with great hammers and moulds and buckets of red-hot +melted iron. I like to know you do such things, and now I'm not afraid. +It seems sort of romantic and grand to work in this place, where every +one must be strong and brave and skilful to get on." + +"That's it. That's why I like it; don't you see?" he answered, +brightening with pleasure at her artless praise. "You just come some +casting day, and I'll show you sights you won't forget in a hurry. If +there wasn't danger and noise and good hard work wrastling with fire and +iron, and keeping a rough set of fellows in order, I shouldn't stay; for +the restless fit comes on sometimes, and I feel as if I must cut away +somewhere. Born so, and can't help it. Maybe I could, if I had something +to anchor me; but, as you say, 'Nobody would care much if I was in the +river,' and that's bad for a chap like me." + +"Sally would care," said the girl, quite soberly; for she sympathized +now with the man's loneliness as she could not have done two years ago. + +"So she would; but I'll take her with me when I leave--not for the +river, mind you. I'm in no danger of that nonsense now. But, if I go on +a tramp (and I may, if the fit gets too strong for me), she shall go +too; and we'll be Dick Whittington and his cat over again." + +He spoke in a devil-may-care tone, and patted the plump Tabby with a +curious mixture of boyish recklessness and a man's sad knowledge of life +in his face. + +"Don't go," pleaded Letty, feeling that she had a certain responsibility +in the matter. "I should mind, as well as Sally; for, if Aunt Liddy and +I helped put you in a good way, it would be a disappointment to have you +go wrong. Please stop here, and I'll try and come to see you work some +day, if I can get time. I'm likely to have plenty of it, I'm afraid." + +She began eagerly, but ended with a despondent droop of the whole +figure, that made her new friend forget himself in interest for her. + +"I'll stop, honor bright. And you come and look after me now and then. +That'll keep me steady. See if it don't. But tell me how you are getting +on? Little down on your luck just now, I guess? Come, I've told my +story, you tell yours, and maybe I can lend a hand. I owe you a good +turn, you know; and I'm one that likes to pay his debts, if he can." + +"You did pay yours; but I never got the letter, for I came away after +Aunty died. You see I wasn't her own niece,--only sort of a distant +relation; and she took me because my own people were gone. Her son had +all she left,--it wasn't much; and she told him to be good to me. But I +soon saw that I was a burden, and couldn't bear to stay. So I went away, +to take care of myself. I liked it at first; but this winter, times are +so hard and work so scarce, I don't get on at all." + +"What do you do, miss?" asked Whittington, with added respect; because +in her shabby dress and altered face he read the story of a struggle +Letty was too proud to tell. + +"I sew," she answered briefly, smoothing out her wet shawl with a hand +so thin and small it was pathetic to see, when one remembered that +nothing but a needle in those slender fingers kept want and sin at bay. + +The kindly fellow seemed to feel that; and, as his eye went from his own +strong right arm to the sledge-hammer it often swung, the instinct of +protection so keen in manly men made him long to stand between poor +Letty and the hard world he knew so well. The magnetism of sympathy +irresistibly attracted iron to steel, while little needle felt assured +that big hammer would be able to beat down many of the obstacles which +now seemed insurmountable, if she only dared to ask for aid. But help +came without the asking. + +"Been after work, you say? Why, we could give you heaps of it, if you +don't mind it's being coarse and plain. This sort of thing, you know," +touching his red shirt with a business-like air. "Our men use 'em +altogether, and like 'em strong in the seams. Some ain't, and buttons +fly off just looking at 'em. That makes a fellow mad, and swearing comes +easy." + +But Letty shook her head, though she couldn't help smiling at his sober +way of explaining the case and its sad consequences. + +"I've tried that work, and it doesn't pay. Six cents for a shirt, and +sometimes only four, isn't enough to earn one's board and clothes and +fire, even if one made half a dozen a day. _You_ can't get them for +that, and somebody grows rich while _we_ starve. + +"Hanged if I ever buy another! See here, you make me enough for a year, +and we'll have a fair bargain between us. That is, if you can't do +better and don't mind," he added, suddenly abating his warmth and +looking almost bashful over the well-meant proposal. + +"I'd love to do it. Only you mustn't pay too much," said Letty, glad of +any thing to keep her hands and thoughts busy, for life was very bare +and cold just then. + +"All right. I'll see to it directly, and nobody be the wiser," returned +her new employer, privately resolving to order a bale of red flannel on +the morrow, and pay fabulous prices for the work of the little friend +who had once kept him from worse than starvation. + +It was not much to offer, and red flannel was not a romantic subject of +conversation; but something in the prompt relief and the hearty +good-will of the man went to Letty's heart, already full to overflowing +with many cares and troubles. She tried to thank him, but could only +cover up her face and sob. It was so sweet and comfortable to find any +one who cared enough for her to lift her out of the slough of despond, +which was to her as dangerous a mood as the desperate one he had known. +There were hands enough to beckon the winsome creature to the wrong side +of the quagmire, where so many miss the stepping-stones; but she felt +that this was the right side, and the hand an honest one, though rough +and grimy with hard work. So the tears were glad and grateful tears, and +she let them flow, melting the fatal frost that had chilled her hope and +faith in God and man. + +But the causer of them could not bear the sight, for the contrast +between this forlorn girl and the blithe, blooming Letty of that +memorable day was piteous. Manlike, he tried to express his sympathy in +deeds as well as words, and, hastily filling a tin cup from the +coffee-can, pressed it upon her with a fatherly stroke of the bent head +and a soothing,-- + +"Now, my dear, just take a sip of this, and don't cry any more. We'll +straighten things out. So cheer up, and let me lend a hand anywhere, +anyhow." + +But hunger and fear, weariness and cold, had been too much for poor +Letty; and, in the act of lifting up her wet face to thank him, the +light left her eyes, and she would have slipped to the ground, if he had +not caught her. + +In a minute she was herself again, lying on the old rug, with snow upon +her forehead and some one fanning her with a newspaper. + +"I thought I was going to die," she whispered, looking about her in a +dazed sort of way. + +"Not a bit of it! You're going to sleep. That's what you want, and old +Sally's going to sit by while you do it. It's a hardish pillow; but I've +put my handkerchief over it, and, being Monday, its spick-and-span +clean." + +Letty smiled as she turned her cheek to the faded silk handkerchief laid +over the rolled-up coat under her head, for Pussy was nestling close +beside her, as if her presence was both a comfort and defence. Yet the +girl's eyes filled even while she smiled, for, when most desolate, a +friend had been raised up to her; and, though the face bending over her +was dark and shaggy, there was no fear in her own, as she said +half-appealingly, half-confidingly,-- + +"I don't believe I could go if I tried, I'm so worn out. But you'll take +care of me, and in the morning show me the way home?" + +"Please God, I will!" he answered, as solemnly as if taking an oath, +adding, as he stepped back to the stool she had left: "I shall stay here +and read my paper. Nothing shall scare you; so make yourself +comfortable, and drop off with an easy mind." + +Sitting there, he saw her lay her hands together, as if she said some +little prayer; then, turning her face from the light, she fell asleep, +lulled by the drowsy purr of the humble friend to whom she clung even in +her dreams. He only looked a minute, for something that was neither the +shimmer of firelight nor the glitter of snow-dust made the quiet group +dance mistily before his eyes; and, forgetting his paper, he fell to +drying Letty's hat. + +It was both comical and pleasant to see how tenderly he touched the +battered thing, with what interest he surveyed it, perched on his big +hand, and how carefully he smoothed out the ribbons, evidently much +bewildered as to which was the front and which the back. Giving up the +puzzle, he hung it on the handle of the great hammer, and, leaning his +chin on his hand, began to build castles in the air and watch the red +embers, as if he saw in them some vision of the future that was very +pleasant. + +Hour after hour struck from the city clocks across the river; the +lantern burned itself out, untrimmed; the storm died away; and a soft, +white silence followed the turmoil of the night. Still Letty slept like +a tired child, still old Sally, faithful to her trust, lay in the circle +of the girl's arm; and still the watchman sat before the fire, dreaming +waking dreams, as he had often done before; but never any half so +earnest, sweet, and hopeful as those that seemed to weave a tender +romance about the innocent sleeper, to whom he was loyally paying a debt +of gratitude with such poor hospitality as he could show. + +Dawn came up rosy and clear along the east; and the first level ray of +wintry sunlight, as it struck across the foundry walls, fell on Letty's +placid face, with the bright hair shining like a halo round it. + +Feeling very much as if he had entertained an angel unaware, the man +stood enjoying the pretty picture, hesitating to wake her, yet fearing +that a gruff hallo from old Sam might do it too suddenly. Somehow he +hated to have her go; for the gloomy foundry seemed an enchanted sort of +place this morning, with a purer heaven and earth outside, and within +the "little mate" whom he felt a strong desire to keep "always +alongside," for something better than luck's sake. + +He was smiling to himself over the thought, yet half ashamed to own how +it had grown and strengthened in a night, when Letty opened wide a pair +of eyes full of the peace sleep brings and the soft lustre that comes +after tears. Involuntarily the man drew back, and waited silently for +her to speak. She looked bewildered for a moment, then remembered, and +sprang up, full of the relief and fresh gratitude that came with her +first waking thought. + +"How long I've slept! How very kind you were to me! I can go now, if you +will start me right." + +"You are heartily welcome! I can take you home at once, unless you'd +rather wait for Sam," he answered, with a quick look toward the door, as +if already jealous of the venerable Samuel. + +"I'd rather go before any one comes. But perhaps you ought not to leave +yet? I wouldn't like to take you from your duty," began Letty, looking +about her for her hat. + +"Duty be--hanged! I'm going to see you safe home, if you'll let me. +Here's your hat. I dried it; but it don't look quite shipshape somehow." +And taking the shabby little object from the nail where it hung, he +presented it with such respectful care that a glimmer of the old +mirthfulness came into Letty's face, as she said, surveying it with much +disfavor,-- + +"It is almost as bad as the one I gave you; but it must do." + +"I've got that old thing up at my place now. Keep it for luck. Wish I +had one for you. Hold on! Here's a tippet--nice and warm. Have it for a +hood. You'll find it cold outside." + +He was so intent on making her comfortable that Letty could not refuse, +and tied on the tippet, while he refilled the cup with hot coffee, +carefully saved for her. + +"Little Red Riding Hood! Blest if you ain't!" he exclaimed admiringly, +as he turned to her again, and saw the sweet face in its new head-gear. + +"But you are not the wolf," she answered, with a smile like sunshine, +bending to drink from the cup he held. + +As she lifted her head, the blue eyes and the black exchanged again the +subtle glance of sympathy that made them friends before; only now the +blue ones looked up full of gratitude, and the black ones looked down +soft with pity. Neither spoke; but Letty stooped, and, gathering old +Sally in her arms, kissed the friendly creature, then followed her guide +to the door. + +"How beautiful!" she cried, as the sun came dazzling down upon the snow, +that hid all dark and ugly things with a veil of purity. + +"Looks kind of bridal, don't it?" said the man, taking a long breath of +the frosty air, and straightening himself up, as if anxious to look his +best by daylight. + +He never had looked better, in spite of the old coat and red shirt; for +the glow of the furnace-fire still seemed to touch his brown face, the +happy visions of the night still shone in his eyes, and the protective +kindliness of a generous nature gave dignity to the rough figure, as he +strode into the snow and stretched his hand to Letty, saying cheerily,-- + +"Pretty deep, but hold on to me, and I'll get you through. Better take +my hand; I washed it a-purpose." + +Letty did take it in both her little ones; and they went away together +through the deserted streets, feeling as if they were the only pair +alive in the still white world that looked so lovely in the early +sunshine. + +The girl was surprised to find how short the way seemed; for, in spite +of drifts, she got on bravely, with a strong arm to help and a friendly +voice to encourage her. Yet when she reached the last corner she +stopped, and said, with a sudden shyness which he understood and +liked,-- + +"I'd best go on alone now. But I'm very grateful to you! Please tell me +your name. I'd love to know who my friend is, though I never shall +forget his kindness." + +"Nor I yours. Joe Stone is my name. But I'd rather you called me your +tramp till we get something better," he answered, with a laugh in his +eyes, as he bent toward her for a hearty shake of the slender hand that +had grown warm in his. + +"I will! Good-by, good-by!" And, suddenly remembering how they parted +before, Letty blushed like a rose, and ran away as fast as the drifts +would let her. + +"And I'll call you my Letty some day, if I'm not much mistaken," Joe +said to himself, with a decided nod, as he went back to the foundry, +feeling that the world looked more "sort of bridal" than ever. + +He was not mistaken; for, when spring budded, his dream came true, and +in the little sewing-girl, who bound him with a silken thread so soft +and strong it never broke, he found an anchor that held him fast to +happiness and home. To Letty something wonderful happened at last. The +prince came when most she needed him; and, though even when the beggar's +rags fell off his only crown was the old hat, his royal robes red +flannel and fustian, his sceptre a sledge-hammer, she knew and loved +him, for + + "The man was a man for a' that." + + + + +SCARLET STOCKINGS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_HOW THEY WALKED INTO LENNOX'S LIFE_ + + +"Come out for a drive, Harry?" + +"Too cold." + +"Have a game of billiards?" + +"Too tired." + +"Go and call on the Fairchilds?" + +"Having an unfortunate prejudice against country girls, I respectfully +decline." + +"What will you do, then?" + +"Nothing, thank you." + +And, settling himself more luxuriously upon the couch, Lennox closed his +eyes, and appeared to slumber tranquilly. Kate shook her head, and stood +regarding her brother despondently, till a sudden idea made her turn +toward the window, exclaiming abruptly,-- + +"Scarlet stockings, Harry!" + +"Where?" and, as if the words were a spell to break the deepest +day-dream, Lennox hurried to the window, with an unusual expression of +interest in his listless face. + +"I thought that would succeed! She isn't there, but I've got you up, and +you are not to go down again," laughed Kate, taking possession of the +sofa. + +"Not a bad manoeuvre. I don't mind: it's about time for the one +interesting event of the day to occur, so I'll watch for myself, thank +you," and Lennox took the easy chair by the window with a shrug and a +yawn. + +"I'm glad any thing does interest you," said Kate, petulantly. "I don't +think it amounts to much, for, though you perch yourself at the window +every day to see that girl pass, you don't care enough about it to ask +her name." + +"I've been waiting to be told." + +"It's Belle Morgan, the doctor's daughter, and my dearest friend." + +"Then, of course, she is a blue-belle?" + +"Don't try to be witty or sarcastic with her, for she will beat you at +that." + +"Not a dumb-belle, then?" + +"Quite the reverse: she talks a good deal, and very well, too, when she +likes." + +"She is very pretty: has anybody the right to call her 'Ma belle'?" + +"Many would be glad to do so, but she won't have any thing to say to +them." + +"A Canterbury belle, in every sense of the word, then?" + +"She might be, for all Canterbury loves her; but she isn't fashionable, +and has more friends among the poor than among the rich." + +"Ah, I see, a diving-bell, who knows how to go down into a sea of +troubles, and bring up the pearls worth having." + +"I'll tell her that, it will please her. You are really waking up, +Harry," and Kate smiled approvingly upon him. + +"This page of 'Belle's Life' is rather amusing, so read away," said +Lennox, glancing up-the street, as if he awaited the appearance of the +next edition with pleasure. + +"There isn't much to tell; she is a nice, bright, energetic, +warm-hearted dear; the pride of the doctor's heart, and a favorite with +every one, though she is odd." + +"How odd?" + +"Does and says what she likes, is very blunt and honest, has ideas and +principles of her own, goes to parties in high dresses, won't dance +round dances, and wears red stockings, though Mrs. Plantagenet says it's +fast." + +"Rather a jolly little person, I fancy. Why haven't we met her at some +of the tea-fights and muffin-worries we've been to lately?" + +"It may make you angry, but it will do you good, so I'll tell. She +didn't care enough about seeing the distinguished stranger to come; +that's the truth." + +"Sensible girl, to spare herself hours of mortal dulness, gossip, and +dyspepsia," was the placid reply. + +"She has seen you, though, at church, and dawdling about town, and she +called you 'Sir Charles Coldstream,' on the spot. How does that suit?" +asked Kate, maliciously. + +"Not bad; I rather like that. Wish she'd call some day, and stir us up." + +"She won't; I asked her, but she said she was very busy, and told Jessy +Tudor she wasn't fond of peacocks." + +"I don't exactly see the connection." + +"Stupid boy! she meant you, of course." + +"Oh, I'm peacocks, am I?" + +"I don't wish to be rude, but I really do think you _are_ vain of your +good looks, elegant accomplishments, and the impression you make +wherever you go. When it's worth while, you exert yourself, and are +altogether fascinating; but the 'I come-see-and-conquer' air you put on +spoils it all for sensible people." + +"It strikes me that Miss Morgan has slightly infected you with her +oddity, as far as bluntness goes. Fire away! it's rather amusing to be +abused when one is dying of ennui." + +"That's grateful and complimentary to me, when I have devoted myself to +you ever since you came. But every thing bores you, and the only sign of +interest you've shown is in those absurd red hose. I _should_ like to +know what the charm is," said Kate, sharply. + +"Impossible to say; accept the fact calmly as I do, and be grateful that +there is one glimpse of color, life, and spirit in this aristocratic +tomb of a town." + +"You are not obliged to stay in it!" fiercely. + +"Begging your pardon, my dove, but I am. I promised to give you my +enlivening society for a month, and a Lennox keeps his word, even at the +cost of his life." + +"I'm sorry I asked such a sacrifice; but I innocently thought that, +after being away for five long years, you might care to see your orphan +sister," and the dove produced her handkerchief with a plaintive sniff. + +"Now, my dear creature, don't be melodramatic, I beg of you!" cried her +brother, imploringly. "I wished to come, I pined to embrace you, and, I +give you my word, I don't blame you for the stupidity of this confounded +place." + +"It never was so gay as since you came, for every one has tried to make +it pleasant for you," cried Kate, ruffled at his indifference to the +hospitable efforts of herself and friends. "But you don't care for any +of our simple amusements, because you are spoilt by the flattery, +gayety, and nonsense of foreign society. If I didn't know it was half +affectation, I should be in despair, you are so _blase_ and absurd. It's +always the way with men: if one happens to be handsome, accomplished, +and talented, he puts on as many airs, and is as vain as any silly +girl." + +"Don't you think if you took breath you'd get on faster, my dear?" asked +the imperturbable gentleman, as Kate paused with a gasp. + +"I know it's useless for me to talk, as you don't care a straw what I +say; but it's true, and some day you'll wish you had done something +worth doing all these years. I was so proud of you, so fond of you, that +I can't help being disappointed to find you with no more ambition than +to kill time comfortably, no interest in any thing but your own +pleasures, and only energy enough to amuse yourself with a pair of +scarlet stockings." + +Pathetic as poor Kate's face and voice were, it was impossible to help +laughing at the comical conclusion of her lament. Lennox tried to hide +the smile on his lips by affecting to curl his moustache with care, and +to gaze pensively out as if touched by her appeal. But he wasn't,--oh, +bless you, no! she was only his sister, and, though she might have +talked with the wisdom of Solomon and the eloquence of Demosthenes, it +wouldn't have done a particle of good. Sisters do very well to work for +one, to pet one, and play confidante when one's love affairs need +feminine wit to conduct them; but when they begin to reprove, or +criticise, or moralize, it won't do, and can't be allowed, of course. +Lennox never snubbed anybody, but blandly extinguished them by a polite +acquiescence in all their affirmations, for the time being, and then +went on in his own way as if nothing had been said. + +"I dare say you are right; I'll go and think over your very sensible +advice," and, as if roused to unwonted exertion by the stings of an +accusing conscience, he left the room abruptly. + +"I do believe I've made an impression at last! He's actually gone out to +think over what I've said. Dear Harry, I was sure he had a heart, if one +only knew how to get at it!" and with a sigh of satisfaction Kate went +to the window to behold the "Dear Harry" going briskly down the street +after a pair of scarlet stockings. A spark of anger kindled in her eyes +as she watched him, and when he vanished she still stood knitting her +brows in deep thought, for a grand idea was dawning upon her. + +It _was_ a dull town; no one could deny that, for everybody was so +intensely proper and well-born that nobody dared to be jolly. All the +houses were square, aristocratic mansions with Revolutionary elms in +front and spacious coach-houses behind. The knockers had a supercilious +perk to their bronze or brass noses, the dandelions on the lawns had a +highly connected air, and the very pigs were evidently descended from +"our first families." Stately dinner-parties, decorous dances, moral +picnics, and much tea-pot gossiping were the social resources of the +place. Of course, the young people flirted, for that diversion is +apparently irradicable even in the "best society," but it was done with +a propriety which was edifying to behold. + +One can easily imagine that such a starched state of things would not be +particularly attractive to a travelled young gentleman like Lennox, who, +as Kate very truly said, _had_ been spoilt by the flattery, luxury, and +gayety of foreign society. He did his best, but by the end of the first +week ennui claimed him for its own, and passive endurance was all that +was left him. From perfect despair he was rescued by the scarlet +stockings, which went tripping by one day as he stood at the window, +planning some means of escape. + +A brisk, blithe-faced girl passed in a gray walking suit with a +distracting pair of high-heeled boots and glimpses of scarlet at the +ankle. Modest, perfectly so, I assure you, were the glimpses; but the +feet were so decidedly pretty that one forgot to look at the face +appertaining thereunto. It wasn't a remarkably lovely face, but it was a +happy, wholesome one, with all sorts of good little dimples in cheek and +chin, sunshiny twinkles in the black eyes, and a decided yet lovable +look about the mouth that was quite satisfactory. A busy, bustling +little body she seemed to be, for sack-pockets and muff were full of +bundles, and the trim boots tripped briskly over the ground, as if the +girl's heart were as light as her heels. Somehow this active, pleasant +figure seemed to wake up the whole street, and leave a streak of +sunshine behind it, for every one nodded as it passed, and the primmest +faces relaxed into smiles, which lingered when the girl had gone. + +"Uncommonly pretty feet,--she walks well, which American girls seldom +do,--all waddle or prance,--nice face, but the boots are French, and it +does my heart good to see them." + +Lennox made these observations to himself as the young lady approached, +nodded to Kate at another window, gave a quick but comprehensive glance +at himself and trotted round the corner, leaving the impression on his +mind that a whiff of fresh spring air had blown through the street in +spite of the December snow. He didn't trouble himself to ask who it was, +but fell into the way of lounging in the bay-window at about three P.M., +and watching the gray and scarlet figure pass with its blooming cheeks, +bright eyes, and elastic step. Having nothing else to do, he took to +petting this new whim, and quite depended on the daily stirring up which +the sight of the energetic damsel gave him. Kate saw it all, but took no +notice till the day of the little tiff above recorded; after that she +was as soft as a summer sea, and by some clever stroke had Belle Morgan +to tea that very week. + +Lennox was one of the best-tempered fellows in the world, but the +"peacocks" did rather nettle him, because there was some truth in the +insinuation; so he took care to put on no airs or try to be fascinating +in the presence of Miss Belle. In truth, he soon forgot himself +entirely, and enjoyed her oddities with a relish, after the prim +proprieties of the other young ladies who had simpered and sighed before +him. For the first time in his life, the "Crusher," as his male friends +called him, got crushed; for Belle, with the subtle skill of a +quick-witted, keen-sighted girl, soon saw and condemned the elegant +affectations which others called foreign polish. A look, a word, a +gesture from a pretty woman, is often more eloquent and impressive than +moral essays or semi-occasional twinges of conscience; and in the +presence of one satirical little person Sir Charles Coldstream soon +ceased to deserve the name. + +Belle seemed to get over her hurry and to find time for occasional +relaxation, but one never knew in what mood he might find her, for the +weathercock was not more changeable than she. Lennox liked that, and +found the muffin-worries quite endurable with this _sauce piquante_ to +relieve their insipidity. Presently he discovered that he was suffering +for exercise, and formed the wholesome habit of promenading the town +about three P.M.; Kate said, to follow the scarlet stockings. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_WHERE THEY LED HIM._ + + +"Whither away, Miss Morgan?" asked Lennox, as he overtook her one bitter +cold day. + +"I'm taking my constitutional." + +"So am I." + +"With a difference," and Belle glanced at the blue-nosed, muffled-up +gentleman strolling along beside her with an occasional shiver and +shrug. + +"After a winter in the south of France, one does not find arctic weather +like this easy to bear," he said, with a disgusted air. + +"I like it, and do my five or six miles a day, which keeps me in what +fine ladies call 'rude health,'" answered Belle, walking him on at a +pace which soon made his furs a burden. + +She was a famous pedestrian, and a little proud of her-powers; but she +outdid all former feats that day, and got over the ground in gallant +style. Something in her manner put her escort on his mettle; and his +usual lounge was turned into a brisk march, which set his blood dancing, +face glowing, and spirits effervescing as they had not done for many a +day. + +"There! you look more like your real self now," said Belle, with the +first sign of approval she had ever vouch-safed him, as he rejoined her +after a race to recover her veil, which the wind whisked away over hedge +and ditch. + +"Are you sure you know what my real self is?" he asked, with a touch of +the "conquering hero" air. + +"Not a doubt of it. I always know a soldier when I see one," returned +Belle, decidedly. + +"A soldier! that's the last thing I should expect to be accused of," and +Lennox looked both surprised and gratified. + +"There's a flash in your eye and a ring to your voice, occasionally, +which made me suspect that you had fire and energy enough if you only +chose to show it, and the spirit with which you have just executed the +'Morgan Quickstep' proves that I was right," returned Belle, laughing. + +"Then I am not altogether a 'peacock'?" said Lennox, significantly, for +during the chat, which had been as brisk as the walk, Belle had given +his besetting sins several sly hits, and he couldn't resist one return +shot, much as her unexpected compliment pleased him. + +Poor Belle blushed up to her forehead, tried to look as if she did not +understand, and gladly hid her confusion behind the recovered veil +without a word. + +There was a decided display both of the "flash" and the "ring," as +Lennox looked at the suddenly subdued young lady, and, quite satisfied +with his retaliation, gave the order, "Forward, march!" which brought +them to the garden-gate breathless, but better friends than before. + +The next time the young people met, Belle was in such a hurry that she +went round the corner with an abstracted expression which was quite a +triumph of art. Just then, off tumbled the lid of the basket she +carried; and Lennox, rescuing it from a puddle, obligingly helped +readjust it over a funny collection of bottles, dishes, and tidy little +rolls of all sorts. + +"It's very heavy, mayn't I carry it for you?" he asked, in an +insinuating manner. + +"No, thank you," was on Belle's lips; but, observing that he was dressed +with unusual elegance to pay calls, she couldn't resist the temptation +of making a beast of burden of him, and took him at his word. + +"You may, if you like. I've got more bundles to take from the store, and +another pair of hands won't come amiss." + +Lennox lifted his eyebrows, also the basket; and they went on again, +Belle very much absorbed in her business, and her escort wondering where +she was going with all that rubbish. Filling his unoccupied hand with +sundry brown paper parcels, much to the detriment of the light glove +that covered it, Belle paraded him down the main street before the +windows of the most aristocratic mansions, and then dived into a dirty +back-lane, where the want and misery of the town was decorously kept out +of sight. + +"You don't mind scarlet fever, I suppose?" observed Belle, as they +approached the unsavory residence of Biddy O'Brien. + +"Well, I'm not exactly partial to it," said Lennox, rather taken aback. + +"You needn't go in if you are afraid, or speak to me afterwards, so no +harm will be done--except to your gloves." + +"Why do _you_ come here, if I may ask? It isn't the sort of amusement I +should recommend," he began, evidently disapproving of the step. + +"Oh, I'm used to it, and like to play nurse where father plays doctor. +I'm fond of children and Mrs. O'Brien's are little dears," returned +Belle, briskly, threading her way between ash-heaps and mud-puddles as +if bound to a festive scene. + +"Judging from the row in there, I should infer that Mrs. O'Brien had +quite a herd of little dears." + +"Only nine." + +"And all sick?" + +"More or less." + +"By Jove! it's perfectly heroic in you to visit this hole in spite of +dirt, noise, fragrance, and infection," cried Lennox, who devoutly +wished that the sense of smell if not of hearing were temporarily denied +him. + +"Bless you, it's the sort of thing I enjoy, for there's no nonsense +here; the work you do is pleasant if you do it heartily, and the thanks +you get are worth having, I assure you." + +She put out her hand to relieve him of the basket, but he gave it an +approving little shake, and said briefly,-- + +"Not yet, I'm coming in." + +It's all very well to rhapsodize about the exquisite pleasure of doing +good, to give carelessly of one's abundance, and enjoy the delusion of +having remembered the poor. But it is a cheap charity, and never brings +the genuine satisfaction which those know who give their mite with heart +as well as hand, and truly love their neighbor as themselves. Lennox had +seen much fashionable benevolence, and laughed at it even while he +imitated it, giving generously when it wasn't inconvenient. But this was +a new sort of thing entirely; and in spite of the dirt, the noise, and +the smells, he forgot the fever, and was glad he came when poor Mrs. +O'Brien turned from her sick babies, exclaiming, with Irish fervor at +sight of Belle,-- + +"The Lord love ye, darlin, for remimberin us when ivery one, barrin' the +doctor, and the praste, turns the cowld shouldther in our throuble!" + +"Now if you really want to help, just keep this child quiet while I see +to the sickest ones," said Belle, dumping a stout infant on to his knee, +thrusting an orange into his hand, and leaving him aghast while she +unpacked her little messes, and comforted the maternal bird. + +With the calmness of desperation, her aid-de-camp put down his best +beaver on the rich soil which covered the floor, pocketed his gloves, +and, making a bib of his cambric handkerchief, gagged young Pat +deliciously with bits of orange whenever he opened his mouth to roar. At +her first leisure moment, Belle glanced at him to see how he was getting +on, and found him so solemnly absorbed in his task that she went off +into a burst of such infectious merriment that the O'Briens, sick and +well, joined in it to a man. + +"Good fun, isn't it?" she asked, turning down her cuffs when the last +spoonful of gruel was administered. + +"I've no doubt of it, when one is used to the thing. It comes a little +hard at first, you know," returned Lennox, wiping his forehead, with a +long breath, and seizing his hat as if quite ready to tear himself away. + +"You've done very well for a beginner; so kiss the baby and come home," +said Belle approvingly. + +"No, thank you," muttered Lennox, trying to detach the bedaubed +innocent. But little Pat had a grateful heart, and, falling upon his new +nurse's neck with a rapturous crow, clung there like a burr. + +"Take him off! Let me out of this! He's one too many for me!" cried the +wretched young man in comic despair. + +Being freed with much laughter, he turned and fled, followed by a shower +of blessings from Mrs. O'Brien. + +As they came up again into the pleasant highways, Lennox said, awkwardly +for him,-- + +"The thanks of the poor _are_ excellent things to have, but I think I'd +rather receive them by proxy. Will you kindly spend this for me in +making that poor soul comfortable?" + +But Belle wouldn't take what he offered her; she put it back, saying +earnestly,-- + +"Give it yourself; one can't buy blessings,--they must be _earned_ or +they are not worth having. Try it, please, and, if you find it a +failure, then I'll gladly be your almoner." + +There was a significance in her words which he could not fail to +understand. He neither shrugged, drawled, nor sauntered now, but gave +her a look in which respect and self-reproach were mingled, and left +her, simply saying, "I'll try it, Miss Morgan." + +"Now isn't she odd?" whispered Kate to her brother, as Belle appeared at +a little dance at Mrs. Plantagenet's in a high-necked dress, knitting +away on an army-sock, as she greeted the friends who crowded round her. + +"Charmingly so. Why don't you do that sort of thing when you can?" +answered her brother, glancing at her thin, bare shoulders, and hands +rendered nearly useless by the tightness of the gloves. + +"Gracious, no! It's natural to her to do so, and she carries it off +well; I couldn't, therefore I don't try, though I admire it in her. Go +and ask her to dance, before she is engaged." + +"She doesn't dance round dances, you know." + +"She is dreadfully prim about some things, and so free and easy about +others: I can't understand it, do you?" + +"Well, yes, I think I do. Here's Forbes coming for you, I'll go and +entertain Belle by a quarrel." + +He found her in a recess out of the way of the rushing and romping, busy +with her work, yet evidently glad to be amused. + +"I admire your adherence to principle, Miss Belle; but don't you find it +a little hard to sit still while your friends are enjoying themselves?" +he asked, sinking luxuriously into the lounging chair beside her. + +"Yes, very," answered Belle with characteristic candor. "But father does +not approve of that sort of exercise, so I console myself with something +useful till my chance comes." + +"Your work can't exactly be called ornamental," said Lennox, looking at +the big sock. + +"Don't laugh at it, sir; it is for the foot of the brave fellow who is +going to fight for me and his country." + +"Happy fellow! May I ask who he is?" and Lennox sat up with an air of +interest. + +"My substitute: I don't know his name, for father has not got him yet; +but I'm making socks, and towels, and a comfort-bag for him, so that +when found he may be off at once." + +"You really mean it?" cried Lennox. + +"Of course I do; I can't go myself, but I _can_ buy a pair of strong +arms to fight for me, and I intend to do it. I only hope he'll have the +right sort of courage, and be a credit to me." + +"What do you call the right sort of courage?" asked Lennox, soberly. + +"That which makes a man ready and glad to live or die for a principle. +There's a chance for heroes now, if there ever was. When do you join +your regiment?" she added, abruptly. + +"Haven't the least idea," and Lennox subsided again. + +"But you intend to do so, of course?" + +"Why should I?" + +Belle dropped her work. "Why should you? What a question! Because you +have health, and strength, and courage, and money to help on the good +cause, and every man should give his best, and not _dare_ to stay at +home when he is needed." + +"You forget that I am an Englishman, and we rather prefer to be strictly +neutral just now." + +"You are only half English; and for your mother's sake you should be +proud and glad to fight for the North," cried Belle warmly. + +"I don't remember my mother,--" + +"That's evident!" + +"But, I was about to add, I've no objection to lend a hand if it isn't +too much trouble to get off," said Lennox indifferently, for he liked to +see Belle's color rise, and her eyes kindle while he provoked her. + +"Do you expect to go South in a bandbox? You'd better join one of the +kid-glove regiments; they say the dandies fight well when the time +comes." + +"I've been away so long, the patriotic fever hasn't seized me yet; and, +as the quarrel is none of mine, I think perhaps I'd better take care of +Kate, and let you fight it out among yourselves. Here's the Lancers, may +I have the honor?" + +But Belle, being very angry at this lukewarmness, answered in her +bluntest manner,-- + +"Having reminded me that you are a 'strictly neutral' Englishman, you +must excuse me if I decline; _I_ dance only with loyal Americans," and, +rolling up her work with a defiant flourish, she walked away, leaving +him to lament his loss and wonder how he could retrieve it. She did not +speak to him again till he stood in the hall waiting for Kate; then +Belle came down in a charming little red hood, and going straight up to +him with her hand out, a repentant look and a friendly smile, said +frankly,-- + +"I was very rude; I want to beg pardon of the English, and shake hands +with the American, half." + +So peace was declared, and lasted unbroken for the remaining week of his +stay, when he proposed to take Kate to the city for a little gayety. +Miss Morgan openly approved the plan, but secretly felt as if the town +was about to be depopulated, and tried to hide her melancholy in her +substitute's socks. They were not large enough, however, to absorb it +all; and, when Lennox went to make his adieu, it was perfectly evident +that the Doctor's Belle was out of tune. The young gentleman basely +exulted over this, till she gave him something else to think about by +saying gravely: + +"Before you go, I feel as if I ought to tell you something, since Kate +won't. If you are offended about it please don't blame her; she meant it +kindly, and so did I." Belle paused as if it was not an easy thing to +tell and then went on quickly, with her eyes upon her work. + +"Three weeks ago Kate asked me to help her in a little plot; and I +consented, for the fun of the thing She wanted something to amuse and +stir you up, and, finding that my queer ways diverted you, she begged me +to be neighborly and let you do what you liked. I didn't care +particularly about amusing you, but I did think you needed rousing; so +for her sake I tried to do it, and you very good-naturedly bore my +lecturing. I don't like deceit of any kind, so I confess; but I can't +say I'm sorry, for I really think you are none the worse for the teasing +and teaching you've had." + +Belle didn't see him flush and frown as she made her confession, and +when she looked up he only said, half gratefully, half reproachfully,-- + +"I'm a good deal the better for it, I dare say, and ought to be very +thankful for your friendly exertions. But two against one was hardly +fair, now, was it?" + +"No, it was sly and sinful in the highest degree, but we did it for your +good; so I know you'll forgive us, and as a proof of it sing one or two +of my favorites for the last time." + +"You don't deserve any favor; but I'll do it, to show you how much more +magnanimous men are than women." + +Not at all loth to improve his advantages, Lennox warbled his most +melting lays _con amore_, watching, as he sung, for any sign of +sentiment in the girlish face opposite. But Belle wouldn't be +sentimental; and sat rattling her knitting-needles industriously, though +"The Harbor Bar was moaning" dolefully, though "Douglas" was touchingly +"tender and true," and the "Wind of the Summer Night" sighed +romantically through the sitting-room. + +"Much obliged. Must you go?" she said, without a sign of soft confusion +as he rose. + +"I must; but I shall come again before I leave the country. May I?" he +asked, holding her hand. + +"If you come in a uniform." + +"Good night, Belle," tenderly.--"Good-by, Sir Charles," with a wicked +twinkle of the eye, which lasted till he closed the hall-door, growling +irefully,-- + +"I thought I'd had some experience, but one never _can_ understand these +women!" + +Canterbury did become a desert to Belle after her dear friend had gone +(of course the dear friend's brother had nothing to do with the +desolation); and as the weeks dragged slowly Belle took to reading +poetry, practising plaintive ballads, and dawdling over her work at a +certain window which commanded a view of the railway station and hotel. + +"You're dull, my dear; run up to town with me to-morrow, and see your +young man off," said the Doctor one evening, as Belle sat musing with a +half-mended red stocking in her hand. + +"My young man?" she ejaculated, turning with a start and a blush. + +"Your substitute, child. Stephens attended to the business for me, and +he's off to-morrow. I began to tell you about the fellow last week, but +you were wool-gathering, so I stopped." + +"Yes, I remember, it was all very nice. Goes to-morrow, does he? I'd +like to see him; but do you think we can both leave home at once? Some +one might come you know, and I fancy it's going to snow," said Belle, +putting her face behind the curtain to inspect the weather. + +"You'd better go, the trip will do you good; you can take your things to +Tom Jones, and see Kate on the way: she's got back from Philadelphia." + +"Has she? I'll go, then; it will please her, and I do need change. You +are a dear, to think of it;" and, giving her father a hasty glimpse of a +suddenly excited countenance, Belle slipped out of the room to prepare +her best array, with a most reckless disregard of the impending storm. + +It did not snow on the morrow, and up they went to see the --th regiment +off. Belle did not see "her young man," however, for while her father +went to carry him her comforts and a patriotic nosegay of red and white +flowers, tied up with a smart blue ribbon, she called on Kate. But Miss +Lennox was engaged, and sent an urgent request that her friend would +call in the afternoon. Much disappointed and a little hurt, Belle then +devoted herself to the departing regiment, wishing she was going with +it, for she felt in a warlike mood. It was past noon when a burst of +martial music, the measured tramp of many feet, and enthusiastic cheers +announced that "the boys" were coming. From the balcony where she stood +with her father, Belle looked down upon the living stream that flowed by +like a broad river, with a steely glitter above the blue. All her petty +troubles vanished at the sight; her heart beat high, her face glowed, +her eyes filled, and she waved her handkerchief as zealously as if she +had a dozen friends and lovers in the ranks below. + +"Here comes your man; I told him to stick the posy where it would catch +my eye, so I could point him out to you. Look, it's the tall fellow at +the end of the front line," said the Doctor in an excited tone, as he +pointed and beckoned. + +Belle looked and gave a little cry, for there, in a private's uniform, +with her nosegay at his button-hole, and on his face a smile she never +forgot, was Lennox! For an instant she stood staring at him as pale and +startled as if he were a ghost; then the color rushed into her face, she +kissed both hands to him, and cried bravely, "Good-by, good-by; God +bless you, Harry!" and immediately laid her head on her father's +shoulder, sobbing as if her heart was broken. + +When she looked up, her substitute was lost in the undulating mass +below, and for her the spectacle was over. + +"Was it really he? Why wasn't I told? What does it all mean?" she +demanded, looking bewildered, grieved, and ashamed. + +"He's really gone, my dear. It's a surprise of his, and I was bound over +to silence. Here, this will explain the joke, I suppose," and the Doctor +handed her a cocked-hat note, done up like a military order. + + "A Roland for your Oliver, Mademoiselle! I came home for the + express purpose of enlisting, and only delayed a month on + Kate's account. If I ever return, I will receive my bounty at + your hands. Till then please comfort Kate, think as kindly as + you can of 'Sir Charles,' and sometimes pray a little prayer + for + + "Your unworthy + + "Substitute." + +Belle looked very pale and meek when she put the note in her pocket, but +she only said, "I must go and comfort Kate;" and the Doctor gladly +obeyed, feeling that the joke was more serious than he had imagined. + +The moment her friend appeared, Miss Lennox turned on her tears, and +"played away," pouring forth lamentations, reproaches, and regrets in a +steady stream. + +"I hope you are satisfied now, you cruel girl!" she began, refusing to +be kissed. "You've sent him off with a broken heart to rush into danger +and be shot, or get his arms and legs spoiled. You know he loved you and +wanted to tell you so, but you wouldn't let him; and now you've driven +him away, and he's gone as an insignificant private with his head +shaved, and a heavy knapsack breaking his back, and a horrid gun that +will be sure to explode: and he _would_ wear those immense blue socks +you sent, for he adores you, and you only teased and laughed at him, my +poor, deluded, deserted brother!" And, quite overwhelmed by the +afflicting picture, Kate lifted up her voice and wept again. + +"I _am_ satisfied, for he's done what I hoped he would; and he's none +the less a gentleman because he's a private and wears my socks. I pray +they will keep him safe, and bring him home to us when he has done his +duty like a man, as I know he will. I'm proud of my brave substitute, +and I'll try to be worthy of him," cried Belle, kindling beautifully as +she looked out into the wintry sunshine with a new softness in the eyes +that still seemed watching that blue-coated figure marching away to +danger, perhaps death. + +"It's ill playing with edged tools; we meant to amuse him, and we may +have sent him to destruction. I'll never forgive you for your part, +never!" said Kate, with the charming inconsistency of her sex. + +But Belle turned away her wrath by a soft answer, as she whispered, with +a tender choke in her voice,-- + +"We both loved him, dear; let's comfort one another." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_WHAT BECAME OF THEM._ + + +Private Lennox certainly _had_ chosen pretty hard work, for the --th was +not a "kid-glove" regiment by any means; fighting in mid-winter was not +exactly festive, and camps do not abound in beds of roses even at the +best of times. But Belle was right in saying she knew a soldier when she +saw him, for, now that he was thoroughly waked up, he proved that there +was plenty of courage, energy, and endurance in him. + +It is my private opinion that he might now and then have slightly +regretted the step he had taken, had it not been for certain +recollections of a sarcastic tongue and a pair of keen eyes, not to +mention the influence of one of the most potent rulers of the human +heart; namely, the desire to prove himself worthy the respect, if +nothing more, of somebody at home. Belle's socks did seem to keep him +safe, and lead him straight in the narrow path of duty. Belle's +comfort-bag was such in very truth, for not one of the stout needles on +the tri-colored cushion but what seemed to wink its eye approvingly at +him; not one of the tidy balls of thread that did not remind him of the +little hand he coveted, and the impracticable scissors were cherished as +a good omen, though he felt that the sharpest steel that ever came from +Sheffield couldn't cut his love in twain. And Belle's lessons, short as +they had been, were not forgotten, but seemed to have been taken up by a +sterner mistress, whose rewards were greater, if not so sweet, as those +the girl could give. There was plenty of exercise nowadays, and of hard +work that left many a tired head asleep for ever under the snow. There +were many opportunities for diving "into the depths and bringing up +pearls worth having" by acts of kindness among the weak, the wicked, and +the suffering all about him. He learned now how to earn, not buy, the +thanks of the poor, and unconsciously proved in the truest way that a +private _could_ be a gentleman. But best of all was the steadfast +purpose "to live and die for a principle," which grew and strengthened +with each month of bitter hardship, bloody strife, and dearly bought +success. Life grew earnest to him, time seemed precious, self was +forgotten, and all that was best and bravest rallied round the flag on +which his heart inscribed the motto, "Love and Liberty." + +Praise and honor he could not fail to win, and had he never gone back to +claim his bounty he would have earned the great "Well done," for he kept +his oath loyally, did his duty manfully, and loved his lady faithfully, +like a knight of the chivalrous times. He knew nothing of her secret, +but wore her blue ribbon like an order, never went into battle without +first, like many another poor fellow, kissing something which he carried +next his heart, and with each day of absence felt himself a better man, +and braver soldier, for the fondly foolish romance he had woven about +the scarlet stockings. + +Belle and Kate did comfort one another, not only with tears and kisses, +but with womanly work which kept hearts happy and hands busy. How Belle +bribed her to silence will always remain the ninth wonder of the world; +but, though reams of paper passed between brother and sister during +those twelve months, not a hint was dropped on one side in reply to +artful inquiries from the other. Belle never told her love in words; but +she stowed away an unlimited quantity of the article in the big boxes +that went to gladden the eyes and--alas for romance!--the stomach of +Private Lennox. If pickles could typify passion, cigars prove constancy, +and gingerbread reveal the longings of the soul, then would the +above-mentioned gentleman have been the happiest of lovers. But +camp-life had doubtless dulled his finer intuitions: for he failed to +understand the new language of love, and gave away these tender tokens +with lavish prodigality. Concealment preyed a trifle on Belle's damask +cheek, it must be confessed, and the keen eyes grew softer with the +secret tears that sometimes dimmed them; the sharp tongue seldom did +mischief now, but uttered kindly words to every one, as if doing penance +for the past; and a sweet seriousness toned down the lively spirit, +which was learning many things in the sleepless nights that followed +when the "little prayer" for the beloved substitute was done. + +"I'll wait and see if he is all I hope he will be, before I let him +know. I shall read the truth the instant I see him, and if he has stood +the test I'll run into his arms and tell him every thing," she said to +herself, with delicious thrills at the idea; but you may be sure she did +nothing of the sort when the time came. + +A rumor flew through the town one day that Lennox had arrived; upon +receipt of which joyful tidings, Belle had a panic and hid herself in +the garret. But when she had quaked, and cried, and peeped, and listened +for an hour or two, finding that no one came to hunt her up, she +composed her nerves and descended to pass the afternoon in the parlor +and a high state of dignity. All sorts of reports reached her: he was +mortally wounded; he had been made a major or a colonel or a general, no +one knew exactly which; he was dead, was going to be married, and hadn't +come at all. Belle fully expiated all her small sins by the agonies of +suspense she suffered that day, and when at last a note came from Kate, +begging her "to drop over to see Harry," she put her pride in her pocket +and went at once. + +The drawing-room was empty and in confusion, there was a murmur of +voices upstairs, a smell of camphor in the air, and an empty wine-glass +on the table where a military cap was lying. Belle's heart sunk, and she +covertly kissed the faded blue coat as she stood waiting breathlessly, +wondering if Harry had any arms for her to run into. She heard the +chuckling Biddy lumber up and announce her, then a laugh, and a +half-fond, half-exulting, "Ah, ha, I thought she'd come!" + +That spoilt it all; Belle took out her pride instanter, rubbed a quick +color into her white cheeks, and, snatching up a newspaper, sat herself +down with as expressionless a face as it was possible for an excited +young woman to possess. Lennox came running down. "Thank Heaven, his +legs are safe!" sighed Belle, with her eyes glued to the price of beef. +He entered with both hands extended, which relieved her mind upon +another point; and he beamed upon her, looking so vigorous, manly, and +martial, that she cried within herself, "My beautiful brown soldier!" +even while she greeted him with an unnecessarily brief, "How do you do, +Mr. Lennox?" + +The sudden eclipse which passed over his joyful countenance would have +been ludicrous, if it hadn't been pathetic; but he was used to hard +knocks now, and bore this, his hardest, like a man. He shook hands +heartily; and, as Belle sat down again (not to betray that she was +trembling a good deal), he stood at ease before her, talking in a way +which soon satisfied her that he _had_ borne the test, and that bliss +was waiting for her round the corner. But she had made it such a very +sharp corner she couldn't turn it gracefully, and while she pondered how +to do so he helped her with a cough. She looked up quickly, discovering +all at once that he was very thin, rather pale in spite of the nice tan, +and breathed hurriedly as he stood with one hand in his breast. + +"Are you ill, wounded, in pain?" she asked, forgetting herself entirely. + +"Yes, all three," he answered, after a curious look at her changing +color and anxious eyes. + +"Sit down--tell me about it--can I do any thing?" and Belle began to +plump up the pillows on the couch with nervous eagerness. + +"Thank you, I'm past help," was the mournful reply accompanied by a +hollow cough which made her shiver. + +"Oh, don't say so! Let me bring father; he is very skilful. Shall I call +Kate?" + +"He can do nothing; Kate doesn't know this, and I beg you won't tell +her. I got a shot in the breast and made light of it, but it will finish +me sooner or later. I don't mind telling you, for you are one of the +strong, cool sort, you know, and are not affected by such things. But +Kate is so fond of me, I don't want to shock and trouble her yet awhile. +Let her enjoy my little visit, and after I'm gone you can tell her the +truth." + +Belle had sat like a statue while he spoke with frequent pauses and an +involuntary clutch or two at the suffering breast. As he stopped and +passed his hand over his eyes, she said slowly, as if her white lips +were stiff,-- + +"Gone! where?" + +"Back to my place. I'd rather die fighting than fussed and wailed over +by a parcel of women. I expected to stay a week or so, but a battle is +coming off sooner than we imagined, so I'm away again to-morrow. As I'm +not likely ever to come back, I just wanted to ask you to stand by poor +Kate when I'm finished, and to say good-by to you, Belle, before I go." +He put out his hand, but, holding it fast in both her own, she laid her +tearful face down on it, whispering imploringly,-- + +"Oh, Harry, stay!" + +Never mind what happened for the next ten minutes; suffice it to say +that the enemy having surrendered, the victor took possession with great +jubilation and showed no quarter. + +"Bang the field-piece, toot the fife, and beat the rolling drum, for +ruse number three has succeeded. Come down, Kate, and give us your +blessing!" called Lennox, taking pity on his sister, who was anxiously +awaiting the _denouement_ on the stairs. + +In she rushed, and the young ladies laughed and cried, kissed and talked +tumultuously, while their idol benignantly looked on, vainly endeavoring +to repress all vestiges of unmanly emotion. + +"And you are not dying, really, truly?" cried Belle, when fair weather +set in after the flurry. + +"Bless your dear heart, no! I'm as sound as a nut, and haven't a wound +to boast of, except this ugly slash on the head." + +"It's a splendid wound, and I'm proud of it," and Belle set a rosy +little seal on the scar, which quite reconciled her lover to the +disfigurement of his handsome forehead. "You've learned to fib in the +army, and I'm disappointed in you," she added, trying to look +reproachful and failing entirely. + +"No, only the art of strategy. You quenched me by your frosty reception, +and I thought it was all up till you put the idea of playing invalid +into my head. It succeeded so well that I piled on the agony, resolving +to fight it out on that line, and if I failed again to make a masterly +retreat. You gave me a lesson in deceit once, so don't complain if I +turned the tables and made your heart ache for a minute, as you've made +mine for a year." + +Belle's spirit was rapidly coming back, so she gave him a capital +imitation of his French shrug, and drawled out in his old way,-- + +"I have my doubts about that, _mon ami_." + +"What do you say to this--and this--and this?" he retorted, pulling out +and laying before her with a triumphant flourish a faded blue ribbon, a +fat pincushion with a hole through it, and a daintily painted little +picture of a pretty girl in scarlet stockings. + +"There, I've carried those treasures in my breast-pocket for a year, and +I'm firmly convinced that they have all done their part toward keeping +me safe. The blue ribbon bound me fast to you, Belle; the funny cushion +caught the bullet that otherwise might have finished me; and the blessed +little picture was my comfort during those dreadful marches, my +companion on picket-duty with treachery and danger all about me, and my +inspiration when the word 'Charge!' went down the line, for in the +thickest of the fight I always saw the little gray figure beckoning me +on to my duty." + +"Oh, Harry, you won't go back to all those horrors, will you? I'm sure +you've done enough, and may rest now and enjoy your reward," said Kate, +trying not to feel that "two is company, and three is none." + +"I've enlisted for the war, and shall not rest till either it or I come +to an end. As for my reward, I had it when Belle kissed me." + +"You are right, I'll wait for you, and love you all the better for the +sacrifice," whispered Belle. "I only wish I could share your hardships, +dear, for while you fight and suffer I can only love and pray." + +"Waiting is harder than working to such as you; so be contented with +your share, for the thought of you will glorify the world generally for +me. I'll tell you what you _can_ do while I'm away: it's both useful and +amusing, so it will occupy and cheer you capitally. Just knit lots of +red hose, because I don't intend you to wear any others hereafter, Mrs. +Lennox." + +"Mine are not worn out yet," laughed Belle, getting merry at the +thought. + +"No matter for that; those are sacred articles, and henceforth must be +treasured as memorials of our love. Frame and hang them up; or, if the +prejudices of society forbid that flight of romance, lay them carefully +away where moths can't devour nor thieves steal them, so that years +hence, when my descendants praise me for any virtues I may possess, any +good I may have done, or any honor I may have earned, I can point to +those precious relics and say proudly,-- + +"My children, for all that I am, or hope to be, you must thank your +honored mother's scarlet stockings." + + + + +INDEPENDENCE: A CENTENNIAL LOVE STORY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_MISS DOLLY._ + + +"Stupid-looking old place! Dare say I shall have to waste half an hour +listening to centennial twaddle before I get what I want! The whole +thing is a bore, but I can't quarrel with my bread and butter, so here +goes;" and, with an air of resignation, the young man applied himself to +the rusty knocker. + +"Rather a nice old bit; maybe useful, so I'll book it;" and, whipping +out a sketch-book, the stranger took a hasty likeness of the griffin's +head on the knocker. + +"Deaf as posts; try, try, try again;" and, pocketing his work, the +artist gave an energetic rat, tat, tat, that echoed through the house. + +Having rashly concluded that the inhabitants of the ancient mansion were +proportionately aged, he assumed a deferential expression as steps +approached, and prepared to prefer with all due respect the request +which he had come many miles to make. The door opened with unexpected +rapidity, but the neatly arranged speech did not glide glibly off the +young man's tongue, and the change which came over him was comically +sudden; for, instead of an old woman, a blooming girl stood upon the +threshold, with a petulant expression on her charming face, which only +made it more charming still. + +"What did you wish, sir?" asked the rosy mouth, involuntarily relaxing +from a vain attempt to look severe, while the hazel eyes softened with a +mirthful gleam as they rested on the comely, but embarrassed countenance +before her. + +"Beg pardon for making such a noise. I merely wished to inquire if the +famous chair in which Washington sat when he visited the town is here," +replied the stranger, clutching off his hat with a very different sort +of respect from that which he had intended to show, and feeling as if he +had received a shock of some new and delightful sort of electricity. + +"Yes;" and the girl began to close the door, as if she knew what +question was coming next. + +"Could I be allowed to sketch it for 'The Weekly Portfolio'? All such +relics are so valuable this year that we venture to ask many favors, and +this is such a famous affair I've no doubt you are often troubled by +requests of this sort," continued the artist, with the persuasive tone +of one accustomed to make his way everywhere. + +"This is the fifth time this week," replied the damsel, demurely; though +her lips still struggled not to smile. + +"It's very good of you, I'm sure, to let us fellows in, but the public +demand is immense just now, and we only obey orders, you know," began +the fifth intruder, fervently hoping the other four had been refused. + +"But Mrs. Hill never does let artists or reporters in," was the gentle +quencher which arrested him, as he was industriously wiping his feet on +the door-mat. + +"Never?" he asked, stopping short, while an expression of alarm changed +suddenly to one of satisfaction. + +"Never," answered the damsel, like a sweet-voiced echo. + +"Then the other fellows lost their chance, and that makes the old thing +doubly valuable. If I could see Mrs. Hill for a moment, I've no doubt +she will allow _me_ to sketch the chair." + +"She is not at home." + +"So much the better; for, when I tell you that I've come fifty miles to +pick up antiquities in this town, I know you _won't_ have the heart to +send me away without the gem of the collection," replied the artist, +nothing daunted; for his quick eye read the artless face before him, and +saw a defiant expression come over it, which made him suspect that there +had been a falling out between mistress and maid, if such they were. He +was sure of it when the girl threw open the door with a decisive +gesture, saying briefly,-- + +"Walk in, if you please; she won't be home for an hour." + +"What a little beauty!" thought the young man, admiring her spirit, and +feeling that the "stupid old place" contained unexpected treasures, as +he followed her into the room where the ubiquitous Father of his Country +was reported to have dried his august boots, and drunk a mug of cider +some hundred years ago. + +It seemed as if the ghosts of many of the homely household articles used +then had come back to celebrate the anniversary of that thrilling event; +for there was nothing modern in the little room but the girl and her +guest, who stared about him at the tall andirons on the hearth, the +bright, brass candlesticks above it, the spinning-wheel on one side, a +dresser on the other strewn with pewter platters, porringers, and old +china, while antique garments hung over the settle by the fire. + +"Bless my soul, what a capital old place!" he ejaculated, taking it all +in with an artist's keen appreciation. "I feel as if I'd gone back a +century, and the General might come in at any minute." + +"_That_ is the chair he used, and _this_ the tankard he drank from," +answered the girl, pointing out the sacred objects with a reverential +air which warned her visitor that he must treat the ancient and +honorable relics with due respect. + +Then feeling that this was an unusual stroke of luck, he hastened to +make the most of it, by falling to work at once, saying, as he took a +seat, and pointed his pencils,-- + +"There is such a lot of treasures here that I don't know where to begin. +I hope I shall not be very much in your way." + +"Oh, no! if you don't mind my going on with my work; for I can't leave +it very well. All these things are to be sent away to-morrow, that's why +the place is in such confusion," replied the girl, as she fell to +polishing up a brass snuffer-tray. + +"Here's richness!" thought the artist, with a sigh of satisfaction, as +he dashed at his work, feeling wonderfully inspired by his picturesque +surroundings. + +The dull winter sky gloomed without, and a chilly wind sighed through +the leafless elms; but within the little room fairly glowed with the +ruddy firelight that shone in the bright brasses, glimmered over the +tarnished silver of the quaint vests on the settle, and warmed the +artist's busy hand, as if it liked to help him in his task. But the +jolly flames seemed to dance most lovingly about their little mistress; +bathing the sweet face with a softer bloom, touching the waves of brown +hair with gold, peeping under the long lashes at the downcast eyes that +peeped back again half arch, half shy; glorifying the blue apron that +seemed to clasp the trim waist as if conscious of its advantages, and +showing up the dimples in the bare arms working so briskly that even the +verdigris of ages yielded to their persuasive touch. + +"Who can this pretty Priscilla be? I must make her talk and find out. +Never shall get the eyes right, if she doesn't look up," thought the +artist, who, instead of devoting himself to the historical chair, was +basely sketching the girl whose youth and beauty were wonderfully +enhanced by the antiquity around her. + +"Mrs. Hill is a rich woman, if all these treasures have a history. Even +if they haven't, they would bring a good price; for things of this sort +are all the rage now, and the older the better," he said aloud in a +sociable tone, as he affected to study the left arm of the famous chair. + +"They are not hers to sell, for they belonged to the first Mrs. Hill, +who was a Quincy, and had a right to be proud of them. The present Mrs. +Hill doesn't value them a bit; but _she_ was a Smith, so _her_ family +relics are nothing to boast of," answered the girl, using her bit of +wash-leather as if the entire race of Smith ought to be rubbed out of +existence. + +"And she is going to sell all these fine old things, is she?" asked the +artist, with an eye to bargains. + +"No, indeed! they belong to--to the first Mrs. Hill's daughter, named +after her, Dorothy Quincy," the girl began impetuously, but checked +herself, and ended very quietly with a suddenly averted head. + +"A fine name, and I shouldn't think she would be in haste to change it," +said the artist, wondering if Miss Dorothy Quincy was before him. + +"Not much hope of that, poor thing," with a shake of the head that made +several brown curls tumble out of the net which tried to confine a +riotous mass of them. + +"Ah, I see, a spinster?" and the young man returned to his work with +greatly abated interest in the subject. + +The bright eyes glanced quickly up, and when they fell the snuffer-tray +reflected a merry twinkle in them, as their owner answered gravely,-- + +"Yes, a spinster." + +"Is she one of the amiable sort?" + +"Oh, dear, no! very quick in her temper and sharp with her tongue. But +then she has a good deal to try her, as I happen to know." + +"Sorry for that. Spinsterhood _is_ trying, I fancy, so we should be +patient with the poor old ladies. Why I asked was because I thought I +might induce Miss Dolly to let me have some of her relics. Do you think +she would?" he asked, holding his sketch at arm's length, and studying +it with his head on one side. + +"I'm very sure she won't, for these old things are all she has in the +world, and she loves them dearly. People used to laugh at her for it, +but now they are glad to own her and her 'duds,' as they called them. +The Smiths are looking up every thing they can find of that sort, even +poor relations. All these things are going down to a fair to-morrow, and +Miss Dolly with them." + +"As one of the relics?" suggested the artist, glancing at a green calash +and a plum-colored quilted petticoat lying on the settle. + +"Exactly," laughed the girl, adding with a touch of bitterness in her +voice, "Poor Miss Dolly never got an invitation before, and I'm afraid +it's foolish of her to go now, since she is only wanted to show off the +old-fashioned things, and give the Smiths something to boast of." + +"You are fond of the old lady in spite of her temper, I see." + +"She is the only friend I've got;" and the speaker bent over the tray as +if to hide emotion of some sort. + +"I shall probably have to 'do' that fair for our paper; if so, I'll +certainly pay my respects to Miss Dolly. Why not? Is she so very awful?" +he asked quickly, as the girl looked up with a curious mixture of mirth +and malice in her face. + +"Very!" with a lifting of the brows and a pursing up of the lips +delightful to behold. + +"You think I won't dare address the peppery virgin? I never saw the +woman yet whom I was afraid of, or the man either for that matter, so I +give you my word I'll not only speak to Miss Dolly, but win her old +heart by my admiration for her and her ancestral treasures, said the +artist, accepting the challenge he read in the laughing eyes. + +"We shall see, for I'm going with her. I do the spinning, and it's great +fun," said the girl, prudently changing the conversation, though she +evidently enjoyed it. + +"I never saw it done. Could you give me an idea of the thing, if it is +not asking too much?" proposed the artist in his most persuasive tone, +for somehow play of this sort was much more interesting than the study +of old furniture. + +With amiable alacrity the girl set the big wheel buzzing, and deftly +drew out the yarn from the spindle, stepping briskly to and fro, +twirling and twisting with an ease and grace which convinced the +admiring observer that the best thing ever invented to show off a round +arm, a pretty foot, a fine figure, and a charming face, was a +spinning-wheel. + +This opinion was so plainly expressed upon his own countenance that the +color deepened in the girl's cheeks as she looked over her shoulder to +see how he liked it, and dropping the thread she left the wheel still +whirling, and went back to her work without a word. + +"Thank you very much; it's beautiful! Don't see how in the world you do +it," murmured the young man, affecting to examine the wheel, while his +own head seemed to whirl in sympathy, for that backward glance had +unconsciously done great execution. + +A moon-faced clock behind the door striking eleven recalled the idler to +his task, and resuming his seat he drew silently till the chair was +done; then he turned a page, and looked about for the next good bit. + +"Rather warm work," he said, smiling, as he shook the hair off his +forehead, and pushed his chair back from the hearth. + +"This is what makes the place so hot. I've been learning to make +old-fashioned dishes for the fair, and this batch is going down to show +what I can do." + +As she spoke, the girl threw open the door of a cavernous oven, and with +an air of housewifely pride displayed a goodly array of brown loaves +round as cannon-balls, earthen crocks suggestive of baked beans and +Indian pudding, and near the door a pan of spicy cakes delectable to +smell and see. These she drew forth and set upon the table, turning from +the oven after a careful inspection of its contents with the complexion +of a damask rose. + +"Delicious spectacle!" exclaimed the artist, with his eyes upon the +pretty cook, while hers were on her handiwork. + +"You shall taste them, for they are made from a very old receipt and are +called sweethearts," said the innocent creature, setting them forth on a +large platter, while a smile went dimpling round her lips. + +"Capital name! they'll sell faster than you can make them. But it seems +to me you are to have all the work, and Miss Dolly all the credit," +added this highly appreciative guest, subduing with difficulty the rash +impulse to embrace Miss Dolly's rosy handmaid on the spot. + +She seemed to feel the impending danger, and saying hastily, "You must +have some cider to go with your cake: that's the correct thing, you +know," she tripped away with hospitable zeal. + +"Upon my soul, I begin to feel like the Prince of the fairy tale in this +quiet place where every thing seems to have been asleep for a hundred +years. The little beauty ought to have been asleep too, and given me a +chance to wake her. More of a Cinderella than a princess, I fancy, and +leads a hard life of it between Miss Dolly and the second Mrs. Hill. +Wonder what happy fellow will break the spell and set her free?" and the +young man paced the kitchen, humming softly,-- + + "And on her lover's arm she leant, + And round her waist she felt it fold; + And far across the hills they went, + In that new world which is the old," + +till the sound of a light step made him dart into a chair, saying to +himself with a sudden descent from poetry to prose, "Bless her little +heart, I'll drink her cider if it's as sour as vinegar." + +In came the maid, bearing a tankard on a salver; and, adding several +sweethearts, she offered the homely lunch with a curtsey and a smile +that would have glorified even pork and beans. + +"You are sitting in the General's chair, and here is the tankard he +used; you can drink his health, if you like." + +"I'd rather drink that of the maker of sweethearts;" and, rising, the +artist did so, gallantly regardless of consequences. + +But the cider was excellent, and subsiding into the immortal chair he +enjoyed his lunch with the hearty appetite of a boy, while the damsel +began to fold up the garments airing on the settle, and lay them into a +chest standing near; the one quite unconscious that he was drinking +draughts of a far more potent liquor than apple-juice, the other that +she had begun to spin a golden thread instead of yarn when she turned +the great wheel that day. + +An eloquent sort of silence filled the room for a moment, and a ray of +sunshine glanced from the silver tankard to the bright head bent over +the chest, as if to gild the first page of the romance which is as fresh +and sweet to-day as when the stately George wooed his beloved Martha. A +shrill voice suddenly broke that delicious pause, exclaiming, as a door +opened with a bang,-- + +"Not packed yet! I won't have this rubbish cluttering round another +minute--" There the voice abruptly fell, and the stranger had time to +see a withered, yellow face in a pumpkin hood stare sharply at him +before it vanished with an exclamation of unmistakable disapproval. + +"Miss Dolly seems more afraid of me than I of her, you see," began the +young man, much amused at the retreat of the enemy; for such he regarded +any one who disturbed this delightful _tete-a-tete_. + +"She has only gone to put her cap on, and when she comes back you can +pay your respects to--Mrs. Hill;" and the girl looked over the lid of +the chest with dancing eyes. + +"Then I'd better be off, since reporters and artists are not allowed on +the premises," exclaimed the visitor, rising with more haste than +dignity. + +"Don't hurry; she is only a woman, and you are not afraid, you know." + +"I'm afraid _you_ will get a scolding," began the artist, pocketing his +sketch-book, and grasping his hat. + +"I'm used to that," answered the girl, evidently enjoying the rout with +naughty satisfaction. + +But the sharp, black eyes and the shrill voice had effectually broken +the pleasant day-dream; and Mrs. Hill in a pumpkin hood was quite enough +for his nerves, without a second appearance in one of the awe-inspiring +caps such ladies affect. + +"I couldn't think of repaying your kindness by intruding any longer, now +that I've got my sketch. A thousand thanks; good-morning;" and, opening +the first door he came to, the dismayed man was about to plunge into the +buttery, when the girl arrested his flight and led him through the long +hall. + +On the steps he took breath, returned thanks again with grateful warmth, +and pulling out a card presented it, as if anxious to leave some token +behind which should prevent being forgotten by one person at least. + +"John Hancock Harris" read the card, and glancing up from it, with +sudden interest in her eyes, the girl exclaimed impulsively,-- + +"Why, then you must be a relation of--" + +"No, I regret to say I'm not related to the famous Governor, only named +for him to please my father. I've always been contented with a modest +initial until now; but this year every one does their best to hang on to +the past, so I've got proud of my middle name, and find it useful as +well as ornamental," hastily explained the honest young fellow, though +just then he would have liked to claim kinship with every member of the +Continental Congress. + +"I hope you will be worthy of it," answered the damsel with a little +bow, as if saluting the man for his name's sake. + +"I try to be," he said soberly, adding with that engaging smile of his, +"May I ask to whom I am indebted for this very profitable and agreeable +call?" + +Instantly the sweet sobriety vanished, and every feature of the pretty +face shone with mirthful malice as the girl answered sweetly,-- + +"Miss Dolly. Good-morning," and closed the door, leaving him to stare +blankly at the griffin on the knocker, which appeared to stare back +again with a derisive grin. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_A CINDER AND A SPARK._ + + +One of the few snow-storms of the memorably mild winter of 1876 was +coming quietly down, watched with lazy interest by the passengers in a +certain train that rumbled leisurely toward the city. Without it was +cold and wintry enough, but within as hot as an oven; for, with the +usual American disregard of health, there was a roaring fire in the +stove, every ventilator shut, and only one man in the crowded car had +his window open. + +Toward this reckless being many a warning or reproachful glance was cast +by rheumatic old gentlemen or delicate women who led the lives of +hot-house flowers. But the hearty young fellow sat buried in his +newspapers, regardless alike of these expressive glances and the fresh +wind that blew in an occasional snow-flake to melt upon his shoulder, +hair, or beard. + +If his face had not been obscured by the great sheet held before it, an +observer might have watched with interest the varying expressions of +amusement, contempt, indignation, and disgust which passed over it as he +read; for it was a very expressive face, and too young yet to have put +on the mask men so soon learn to wear. He was evidently one of the +strong, cheery, sympathetic sort of fellows who make their way +everywhere, finding friends as they go from the simple fact that they +are so full of courage and good-will it is impossible to resist them. +This had been proved already; for during that short journey three old +ladies had claimed his services in one way or another, a shy little girl +had sat upon his knee for half an hour and left him with a kiss, and an +obstreperous Irish baby had been bribed to hold its tongue by the +various allurements he devised, to the great amusement, as well as +gratitude, of his neighbors. + +Just now, however, he looked rather grim, knit his brows as he read, and +finally kicked his paper under the seat with an expression which proved +that he had as much energy as kindliness in his composition, and no +taste for the sorrowful record of scandal, dishonesty, and folly daily +offered the American public. + +"Upon my word, if this sort of thing goes on much longer, the country +won't be fit for a decent man to live in," he said to himself, taking a +mouthful of fresh air, and letting his eyes wander over the faces of his +fellow-travellers as if wondering which of the eminently respectable +gentlemen about him would next startle the world by some explosion of +iniquity. Even the women did not escape the scrutiny of the keen blue +eyes, which softened, however, as they went from one possible Delilah to +another; for John Harris had not yet lost his reverence for womankind. + +Suddenly his wandering glance was arrested, a look of recognition +brightened his whole countenance, and an involuntary "Hullo!" rose to +his lips, instead of the romantic "Ha, 'tis she!" with which novel +heroes are supposed to greet the advent of the charmer. + +The object which wrought so swift and pleasant a change in the young +man's mood and manner was a girl's face seen in profile some seats in +front of him. A modest little hat with a sweeping feather rested easily +on a mass of wavy hair, which was not spoilt by any fashionable device, +but looped up in a loose sort of braid from which rebellious tendrils +here and there escaped to touch her white throat or shade her temples. +One particularly captivating little curl twined round her ear and seemed +to be whispering some pleasant secret, for the blooming cheek dimpled +now and then, the soft lips smiled, and the eyes were full of a dreamy +thoughtfulness. A book lay in her lap, but her own fancies seemed more +interesting, and she sat watching the snow-flakes flutter down, lost in +one of the delightful reveries girls love, quite unconscious of the +admiration of her neighbors, or the fixed stare of the young man behind +her. + +"Miss Dolly, by all that's good!" he said to himself, suddenly +forgetting the sins of his native land, and finding it quite possible to +stop a little longer in it. "She said she was going to town with the old +things, and there she is, prettier than ever. If it hadn't been for +those provoking papers, I should have seen her when she got in, and +might have secured a seat by her. That stout party evidently doesn't +appreciate his advantages. I can't order him out, but I'll watch my +chance, for I really ought to apologize for my stupidity yesterday. +Wonder if she has forgotten all about it?" + +And John fell into a reverie likewise, for he was in just the mood to +enjoy any thing so innocent and fresh and sweet as the memory of little +Dolly at her spinning-wheel. It all came back to him with a redoubled +charm, for there was a home-like warmth and simplicity about it that +made the recollection very pleasant to a solitary fellow knocking about +the world with no ties of any sort to keep him safe and steady. He felt +the need of them, and was all ready to give away his honest heart, if he +could find any amiable creature who could be satisfied with that alone, +for he had nothing else to offer. He was rather fastidious, however, +having an artist's refined taste in the matter of beauty, and a manly +man's love of the womanliness which shows itself in character, not +clothes. But he had few opportunities to discover his ideal woman, and +no desire to worship a fashion plate, so here was an excellent heart to +let, and no one knew it, unless they had the skill to read the notice in +the window. + +The reveries of both young people were rudely disturbed by the "stout +party," who having finished his paper, and taken a comprehensive survey +of his thoughtful little neighbor, suddenly began to talk as if he did +"appreciate his advantages," and meant to make the most of them. + +John watched this performance with deep interest, and it soon became +rather exciting; for Miss Dolly's face was a tell-tale, and plainly +betrayed the rapid transitions of feeling through which she passed. The +respectful attention she at first gave in deference to the age of the +speaker changed to surprise, then to annoyance, lastly to girlish +confusion and distress; for the old gentleman was evidently of the +Pecksniffian order, and took advantage of his gray hairs to harass the +pretty damsel with his heavy gallantry. + +Poor Miss Dolly looked vainly about her for any means of escape, but +every seat was full, and she was quite unconscious that an irate young +man behind her was burning to rush to the rescue if he had only known +how. As no way appeared, John was forced to content himself with +directing such fiery glances at the broad back of the ancient beau it +was a wonder they did not act like burning-glasses and set that expanse +of broadcloth in a blaze. + +A crisis soon arrived, and woman's wit turned the tables capitally; for +when the old gentleman confiscated her book under pretence of looking at +it, and then, laying his arm over the back of the seat, went on talking +with a fat smile that exasperated her beyond endurance, Dolly gave him +one indignant glance and opened her window, letting in a blast of cold +air that made her tormentor start and shiver as if she had boxed his +ears. + +"Good! if that does not rout the enemy, I'm much mistaken," said John to +himself, enjoying it all with the relish of a young man who sees an old +one usurping his privileges. + +The enemy was not routed, but his guns were silenced; for, having +expostulated with paternal solicitude, he turned up his coat-collar and +retired behind his paper, evidently much disgusted at finding that two +could play at the game of annoyance, though the girl had to call the +elements to her aid. + +"If I dared, I'd offer to change seats with him; not because he is +suffering agonies at the idea of getting tic-douloureux or a stiff neck, +that would only serve him right, but because _she_ will get the worst of +it. There, she has already! Confound that cinder! why didn't it go into +his eye instead of hers?" added John, as he saw the girl shrink +suddenly, and begin to wink and rub her eye with distressful haste, +while the "stout party" took advantage of the mishap to close the window +with an expression of vengeful satisfaction on his rubicund visage. He +offered no help, for his first rebuff still rankled in his memory, but +placidly twirled his thumbs, with a sidelong glance now and then at his +companion, who, finding all her winking and rubbing in vain, shrouded +her face in a veil, and sat a pathetic picture of beauty in distress, +with an occasional tear rolling over her cheek and her dear little nose +reddening rapidly with the general inflammation caused by that fatal +cinder. + +This affecting spectacle was too much for John, who not only felt the +chivalrous desire of a man to help the gentle sex, but remembered that +he owed the girl a good turn for her hospitality the day before, not to +mention the apology he quite burned to make. Knowing that the train +would soon stop a few minutes for the passengers to lunch, he resolved +then and there to cast himself into the breach and deliver the doubly +afflicted damsel at all costs. + +Happily the station was reached before any great damage was done to the +girl's features, or the young man's impatience became uncontrollable. +The instant the stout gentleman rose to seek refreshment John dived for +his valise, and, cleaving his way through the crowded aisle, presented +himself beside the empty place, asking, with an attempt to look and +speak like a stranger, which would not have deceived Dolly a bit, had +she not been half-blind, "Is this seat engaged, madam?" + +"No, sir," she answered, unveiling to discover what new affliction fate +had sent her. + +It was delightful to see the one wistful eye light up with a look of +recognition, the one visible cheek flush with pleasure, and the lips +smile as they added, with the impulsive frankness of a tormented girl, +"Oh, please take it quickly, or that dreadful man will come back!" + +Quite satisfied with his welcome, John slipped into the coveted place, +resolving to keep it in spite of a dozen stout gentlemen. + +"Thanks, now what else can I do for you?" he asked, with such an evident +desire to lend a hand somewhere that it was impossible to decline his +services. + +"_Could_ you take this thing out of my eye? It hurts dreadfully, and I +shall be a spectacle by the time I get to Aunt Maria's," answered Dolly, +with a little moan that rent the hearer's susceptible heart. + +"That is just what I want to do, and you may trust me; for I've been a +great traveller, and have had much experience in the extraction of +cinders," said John, adding, as he produced a pencil in a capable sort +of way, "now open your eye wide, and we'll have it out in a jiffy." + +Dolly obeyed with a courage and confidence most flattering, and John +peered into the suffering eye with an intensity which it was impossible +for the most artful cinder to escape. + +"I see it!" he cried, and turning back the lid over his pencil he +delicately removed the black atom with a corner of Dolly's veil. + +It was all over in an instant, and both displayed great nerve and +coolness during the operation; but, as soon as it was done, Dolly +retired into her handkerchief, and John found himself as flushed and +breathless as if he had faced some great danger, instead of merely +looking into a girl's eye. Ah! but it was a very eloquent eye in spite +of the cinder,--large and soft, tearful and imploring, and the instant +during which he had bent to examine it had been a most exciting one; for +the half-open lips were so near his own their hurried breath fanned his +cheek, the inquisitive little curl tumbled over her ear to touch his +wrist as he held up the eyelid, and a small hand had unconsciously +clutched softly at his arm during the inspection. Bless you! the famous +scene between Uncle Toby and the Widow Wadman was entirely surpassed on +this occasion, because the actors were both young and neither artful. + +"Such relief!" sighed Dolly, emerging from a brief retirement, with a +face so full of gratitude that it was like a burst of sunshine after an +eclipse. + +"Let me see if it is all right;" and John could not resist another look +into the clear depths through which he seemed to catch delicious +glimpses of an innocent young heart before maiden modesty drew the +curtain and shut him out. As the long lashes fell, a sudden color in her +cheeks seemed to be reflected upon his, and with a hasty,-- + +"It is a good deal inflamed, so I'm going to prescribe a wet bandage for +a few minutes, if you can spare your handkerchief,"--he hurried away to +the water tank near by. + +"That's very comforting. Thank you so much!" and Dolly patted her +invalid eye assiduously; while John, feeling that he had earned his +place, planted his valise on the seat with a defiant glance over his +shoulder, then turned to Dolly, saying, "You must have some lunch," and +waiting for no denial dashed out of the car as if on an errand of life +and death. + +He was gone but a moment or two; but in that time Dolly had smoothed her +hair, retied her hat, whisked a nicer pair of gloves out of her pocket, +and taken a rapid survey of herself in a tiny glass concealed from other +eyes in the recesses of her bag. She had just time to close and cast the +aforesaid bag recklessly upon the floor as her knight came up, bearing a +cup of tea and a block of cake, saying in the pleasantly protecting way +all women like,-- + +"Dr. Harris prescribes refreshment after the operation, and this is the +best he can find. Your aged admirer was at the counter, eating against +time and defying apoplexy," he added with a laugh, as Dolly gratefully +sipped the tea, which, by the way, was as weak as that made at the +famous Boston tea-party, when, as every one knows, water was liberally +used. + +"You saw him, then, when he was plaguing me?" + +"I did, and longed to throw him out of the window." + +"Thanks. Did you recognize me before you spoke?" + +"Of course I did, and wanted to approach, but didn't dare till the +cinder gave me an excuse." + +"The idea of being afraid of _me_!" + +"How could I help being afraid, when you told me Miss Dolly was +'awful'?" asked John, twinkling with fun, as he sat on the arm of a seat +sociably eating a sandwich, which under other circumstances would have +struck him as being a remarkable combination of sawdust and +sole-leather. + +Before Dolly could reply except by a guilty blush, a bell rang, and John +hurried away with the empty cup. + +A moment or two later the stout gentleman appeared, wiping his mouth, +evidently feeling in a better humor, and ready to make up with his +pretty neighbor. Smiling blandly, he was about to remove the valise, +when Miss Dolly laid her hand upon it, saying with great dignity, "This +seat is engaged, sir. There are plenty of others now, and I wish this +for my friend." + +Here John, who was just behind, seeing his prize in danger, gave a +gentle shove to several intervening fellow-beings, who in turn propelled +the "stout party" past the disputed place, which the young man took with +an air of entire satisfaction, and a hearty "Thank you!" which told +Dolly he had overheard her little speech. + +She colored beautifully, but said with grateful frankness,-- + +"It wasn't a fib: a friend in need is a friend indeed, and in return for +the cinder I'm glad to give you a seat." + +"Blessed be the cinder, then!" murmured John, feeling at peace with all +mankind. Then taking advantage of the propitious moment, he added in a +penitential tone,-- + +"I want to apologize for my stupidity and unintentional rudeness +yesterday." + +"About what?" asked Dolly, innocently, though her eyes began to sparkle +with amusement. + +"Why, taking it into my head that Miss Hill must be oldish, and going on +in that absurd way about spinsters." + +"Well, I _am_ a spinster, and not so young as I have been. _I_ ought to +apologize for not telling you who I was; but it was so very funny to +hear you go on in that sober way to my face, I couldn't spoil it," said +the girl, with a look that upset John's repentant gravity; and they +laughed together as only the young and happy can. + +"It is very good of you to take it so kindly, but I assure you it +weighed upon my conscience, and it is a great relief to beg pardon," he +said, feeling as if they had been friends for years. + +"Have you been sketching old things ever since?" asked Dolly, changing +the conversation with womanly tact. + +"Yes: I went to several places further on, but didn't find any thing +half so good as your chair and tankard. I suppose you are taking the +relics to town now?" + +"All but one." + +"Which is that?" + +"The pumpkin hood. It is the only thing my step-mother admires among my +treasures, and she would not give it up. You rather admired it, didn't +you?" asked Dolly, with her demurest air. + +"I deserve to be laughed at for my panic," answered John, owning up +manfully; then pulled out his sketch-book, with an eye to business even +in the middle of a joke. + +"See here! I tried to get that venerable hood into my sketch, but +couldn't quite hit it. Perhaps you can help me." + +"Let me see them all," said Dolly, taking possession of the book with a +most flattering air of interest. + +"Nothing there but queer or famous things, all a hundred years old at +least," began John, quite forgetting his stolen sketch of a pretty girl +cleaning a snuffer-tray, which he had worked up with great care the +night before. Perhaps this made the book open at that particular page, +for, as the words left his lips, Dolly's eyes fell on her own figure, +too well done to be mistaken, even if the artist's face had not betrayed +him. + +"What 'queer' or 'famous' _old_ person of the last century is that, +please?" she asked, holding it off, and looking at it through her hand, +while her lips broke into a smile in spite of her efforts to look +unconscious. + +Knowing that a pretty woman will easily forgive a liberty of that sort, +John got out of the scrape handsomely by answering with mock gravity,-- + +"Oh, that's Madam Hancock, when a girl. Did you never see the famous +portrait at Portsmouth?" + +"No. The dress is rather modern, and not quite in keeping with the +antique chair she is sitting in," observed the girl, critically. + +"That's to be added later. I have to work up things, you know,--a face +here, a costume there, and so on: all artists do." + +"So I see. There's the hood; but it wants a cape," and Dolly turned the +leaf, as much amused at his quickness as flattered by his compliment. + +There were not many sketches as yet, but she admired them all, and, when +the book was shut, chatted on about antiquities, feeling quite friendly +and comfortable; for there was respect, as well as admiration, in the +honest blue eyes, and the young man did not offend as the old one had +done. + +"As you are interested in curiosities, perhaps you may like to see some +that I have here in my bag. I am very fond and proud of them, because +they are genuine, and have histories of old times attached to them," she +said presently. + +"I shall feel much honored by being allowed to look at them," replied +the artist, remembering that "people used to laugh at poor Miss Dolly +and her 'duds.'" + +"This little pin, made of two hearts in diamonds and rubies, with a +crown above, used to be worn by my mother's great aunt, Madam Hancock. +She was a Quincy, you know. And this long garnet buckle fastened the +Governor's stock," began Dolly, displaying her store with a gentle pride +pleasant to see. + +"Most interesting! but I can't help feeling grateful that this J. H. +doesn't have to wear a stock requiring a foot-long buckle like that," +answered John, picturing himself in the costume of the past century, and +wondering if it would suit his manly face and figure. + +"Now don't laugh at this relic, for it is very curious, though _you_ +won't appreciate it as a woman would;" and Dolly unfolded an +old-fashioned housewife of red velvet, lined with faded yellow damask. +"That was made by my dear mother out of a bit of the velvet lining of +the Governor's state-coach, and the coverlet that a French Comte tore +with his spurs." + +"Come, that sounds well! I appreciate coaches and spurs, if I'm not up +to brooches and needle-books. Tell the story, please," besought John, +who found it the most delightful thing in the world to sit there, +following the pretty motions of the small hands, the changeful +expression of the winsome face, and enjoying the companionship of the +confiding creature beside him. + +"Well, you see, when Madam married Captain Scott many of the Governor's +things were taken from her, among them the state-coach. By the way, it +is said to be in existence now, stored away in somebody's barn down in +Portland. You had better go and sketch it," began Dolly, smoothing out +the old housewife, and evidently glad to tell the little story of the +ancestress whom she was said to resemble, though she modestly refrained +from mentioning a fact of which she was immensely proud. + +"I will!" and John soberly made a memorandum to visit the ancient coach. + +"When my great-great aunt was told she must give up the carriage, she +ripped out the new velvet lining, which had been put in at her expense, +and gave the bits to her various nieces. Mother made a spencer of hers, +and when it was worn out kept enough for this needle-book. The lining is +a scrap of the yellow damask counterpane that was on the bed in which +the Frenchman should have slept when he came with Lafayette to visit +Madam, only he was so tipsy he laid on the outside, and tore the fine +cover with his spurs. There's a nice Comte for you!" + +"I'd like to see the spurs, nevertheless. Any more treasures?" and John +peered into the bag, as if he thirsted for more antiquarian knowledge. + +"Only one, and this is the most valuable of all. Stoop down and look: +I'm afraid I may be robbed, if I display my things carelessly." + +John obediently bent till the sweeping feather of her hat touched his +cheek, to the great annoyance of the banished peri, who viewed these +pleasant passages from afar with much disfavor. + +"This is said to be Madam's wedding ring. I like to think so, and am +very proud to be named for her, because she was a good woman as well as +a"-- + +"Beauty," put in John, as the speaker paused to open a faded case in +which lay a little ring of reddish gold. + +"I was going to say--as well as a brave one; for I need courage," added +the girl, surveying the old-fashioned trinket with such a sober face +that the young man refrained from alluding to the remarkable coincidence +of another John and Dolly looking at the wedding ring together. + +She seemed to have forgotten all about her companion for a moment, and +be busy with her own thoughts, as she put away her treasures with a care +which made it a pleasure to watch her tie knots, adjust covers, repack +her little bag, and finally fold her hands over it, saying gravely,-- + +"I love to think about those times; for it seems as if people were +better then,--the men more honest, the women more womanly, and every +thing simpler and truer than now. Does it ever seem so to you?" + +"Indeed it does; for this very day, as I read the papers, I got quite +low-spirited, thinking what a shameful state things have got into. Money +seems to be the one idea, and men are ready to sell their souls for it," +answered John, as soberly as she. + +"Money is a good thing to have, though;" and Dolly gave a little sigh, +as she drew her scarf over the worn edges of her jacket. + +"So it is!" echoed John, with the hearty acquiescence of a man who had +felt the need of it. + +"My name and these old treasures are all my fortune, and I used to be +contented with it; but I'm not now, dependence is so hateful!" added the +girl, impulsively; then bit her lip, as if the words had escaped in +spite of her. + +"And this is all mine," said John, twirling the pencil which he still +held; giving confidence for confidence, and glad to do it, if it made +them better friends, for he pitied little Miss Dolly, suspecting what +was true, that her home was not a happy one. + +She thanked him mutely for the kind look he gave her, and said +prettily,-- + +"Skill is money; and it must be a very pleasant life to go about drawing +beautiful or curious things." + +"So it is sometimes,--yesterday, for instance," he answered, laughing. + +"_I_ have no modern accomplishments to earn a living by. Mine are all +old-fashioned; and no one cares for such nowadays, except in servants. I +may be very glad of them, though; for playing lady doesn't seem half so +honest as going out to service, when one has nothing but an empty pair +of hands," she said with a wistful yet courageous look at the wintry +world outside, which made her companion feel a strong desire to counsel +and protect this confiding young Columbus, who knew so little of the +perils which would beset her voyage in search of a woman's El Dorado. + +"Come to me for a recommendation before you try it. I can vouch for your +cooking, you know. But I'd advise you to play lady till you discover a +good safe place. I don't believe you'll find it hard, for the world is +likely to be very kind to such as you," he answered, so cheerily that +she brightened like a flower to which a stray sunbeam is very welcome. + +A shrill whistle announced that the journey was over, and everybody +began at once to fuss and fumble. John got up to take his valise from +the rack, and Dolly began to struggle into her rubbers. She was still +bending down to do this, with as little damage as possible to her best +gloves, when she heard a sounding slap and a hearty voice cry out,-- + +"Hullo, John!" then add in a lower tone, "So there _is_ a Mrs. Harris, +you sly dog, you?" + +"Hush! there isn't. How are you, George?" returned another voice, +beginning in a hurried whisper and ending in an unnecessarily loud +salutation. + +What happened for a minute or two after that Dolly did not know; for the +rubbers proved so refractory that she only rose from the encounter +flushed and hurried, as the train entered the station. + +"Let me make myself useful in looking after your baggage," said her +self-constituted escort, handing her out with great respect and care. + +"Thank you: all my things come by express, so I've nothing to do but get +into a carriage." + +"Then allow me to see you safely there, for the sake of the treasures, +if nothing else;" and John led her away, utterly ignoring the presence +of "George," who stood looking after them, with a face full of +good-humored interest and amusement. + +"I'm very much obliged. Good-by," said Dolly, from the coach window. + +"Not good-by: I'm coming to the fair, you know," answered John, +lingering at the door as if loath to lose sight of his little friend. + +"I forgot all about it!" + +"I didn't; for I depend on the cakes and ale and all the other good +things promised me." + +"You will find them there," with a smile, and then a sudden blush as she +remembered that he had not only agreed to speak to "Miss Dolly," but to +"win her old heart." + +He remembered also, and laughed as he bowed with the same audacious look +he had worn when he made that rash vow. + +"I wonder if he _will_ come?" thought the girl, as she drove away. + +"As if _I_ should forget!" said John to himself, as he trudged through +the snow, quite regardless of his waiting friend; for from the little +cinder had been kindled a spark of the divine fire that moves one of the +great engines which transport mankind all the world over. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_CONFIDENTIAL._ + + +John Harris promised to "do" the fair, and kept his word handsomely; for +he was there every day for a week, lunching in the old-fashioned +kitchen, and then, in his official capacity, sketching every relic he +could lay his eyes on. Such punctuality caused the pretty waiters to +smile affably upon this faithful devourer of primitive viands, and the +matrons to predict great things from the young artist's application to +his work. + +Little guessed the girls and the gossips that love was ravaging their +generous patron's heart more persistently than he did their tables, and +that nature not art caused his devotion to modern beauty rather than +ancient ugliness. For all John saw in the crowd that filled the place +was Dolly, tripping to and fro tray in hand, spinning at her wheel, or +resting beside Aunt Maria, twin sister of Mrs. Hill, in an imposing cap +instead of the pumpkin hood. Pretty Dolly was the belle of the kitchen; +for she alone of all the dozen damsels on duty looked her part, and was +in truth a country girl, rich in the old-fashioned gifts and graces of +health, modesty, housewifely skill, and the sweet maidenliness which +girls who come out at sixteen soon lose for ever. Her dress, too, was +wonderfully complete and becoming, though only a pink and white chintz, +a mob-cap, and an uncompromising apron, with the pin-ball, scissors, +keys, and linen pocket hanging at the side. The others looked like stage +soubrettes, and acted like coquettish young ladies who knew nothing +about their work. But Dolly was genuine throughout, so she proved a +great success; and Aunt Maria took all the credit of it to herself, felt +that she had done a good thing in bringing so much youth, energy, and +loveliness to market, and expressed her satisfaction by talking a great +deal about "our family," which, as she was a Smith, was certainly large +enough to furnish endless gossip. + +Another person watched, admired, and hovered about the girl like a +blue-bottle fly about a rose; and that was Mr. Aaron Parker, a dapper +little man of fifty, who, having made a snug fortune, was now anxious to +marry and settle. Aunt Maria was evidently his confidant and friend; and +it was soon apparent that Aunt Maria intended to make a match between +her niece and this amiable gentleman, who set about his wooing with +old-fashioned formality and deliberation. + +All this John saw, heard, or divined with the keenness of a lover, while +he watched the events of that week; for he very soon made up his mind +that he adored "Miss Dolly," as he always called her to himself. The +short time which had elapsed between the car episode and the opening of +the fair seemed endless to him; and, when he came beaming into the +kitchen the very first day, his heart sang for joy at sight of that +bonny face once more. She welcomed him so kindly, served him so +prettily, and showed such frank and friendly pleasure at meeting him +again, that the lonely fellow felt as if he had suddenly found a large +and attached family, and yielded to the charm without a struggle. She +seemed to belong to him somehow, as if he had discovered her, and had +the first right to admire, help, and love her; for he alone of all the +men there had seen her at home, had looked deepest into the shy, bright +eyes, and heard her call him "friend." + +This delightful state of things lasted for a few days, during which he +felt as if quaffing nectar and tasting ambrosia, while he drank the +promised cider and ate the spicy "sweethearts" which Dolly always +brought him with a smile that went directly to his head, and produced a +delicious sort of intoxication. He never could have but a word or two, +she was so busy; but, as he sat apart, pretending to sketch, he was +living over those brief, blissful moments, and concocting wonderfully +witty, wise, or tender speeches for the morrow. + +Well for him that no one looked over his shoulder at such times, for his +portfolio would have betrayed him, since it was a wild jumble of +andirons and mob-caps, antique pepper-pots and pretty profiles, +spinning-wheels, and large eyes with a profusion of lash; while a dainty +pair of feet in high-heeled slippers seemed to dance from page after +page, as if the artist vainly sought to exorcise some persistent fancy +by booking it over and over again. + +Suddenly a change appeared both in the man and in his work; for Parker +had arrived, and clouds began to gather on the horizon which was rosy +with the dawn of love. Now John discovered that the cider was sour and +the cake stale, for the calls of a voracious rival cruelly abbreviated +his moments of bliss. Now he glared and brooded in corners where once he +had revelled in dreams of a dim but delightful future. Now the pages of +his sketch-book bore grotesque likenesses of a round, snub-nosed +countenance in all sorts of queer places, such as a clock-face, under a +famous cocked hat, or peeping out of a memorable warming-pan; while a +dapper figure was seen in various trying attitudes, the most frequent +being prone before the dancing feet, one of which was usually spurning a +fat money-bag, with contempt in every line of the pretty slipper. + +At this stage, the fair ended, and Aunt Maria bore the charmer away, +leaving John to comfort himself with the memory of a parting look of +regret from behind Governor Hancock's punch-bowl, which Dolly embraced +with one arm, while the other guarded Madam's best china tea-pot. + +Maddening was it to haunt the street before Aunt Maria's door, and hear +a gay voice singing inside fit to melt a paving stone, to say nothing of +a young man's heart. More maddening still to catch occasional glimpses +of the girl shut up in a carriage with the dragon, or at concerts and +theatres under the escort of Mr. Parker. But most maddening of all was +the frequent spectacle of this enamoured gentleman trotting up the +street, simpering to himself as he went, and freely entering at the door +which shut the younger lover out of Paradise. + +At such trying periods, John (now very far gone indeed, for love feeds +on air) would feel a wild desire to knock the little man down, storm +Aunt Maria's mansion, and carry his Dolly away from what he felt assured +was an irksome bondage to the girl. But, alas! where could he carry the +dear creature when he had got her? For all the home he possessed was one +room in a dull boarding-house, and his only fortune the salary his +pencil earned him. Then, as he groaned over these sad facts, a great +temptation would assail him; for he remembered that with a word he could +work the miracle which would give him half a million, and make all +things possible but the keeping of his own self-respect. + +Hard times just then for John Harris; and for some weeks he went about +his daily duties with such a divided mind and troubled spirit that the +stoniest heart might have pitied him. But comfort came when least +expected, and in trying to help another he got help himself and hope +beside. + +One gusty March morning he arrayed himself in his best, put a posy in +his button-hole, and went gallantly away to Aunt Maria's door, bound to +make a call in spite of her frowns at the fair, and evident desire to +ignore his existence since. Boldly ringing the forbidden bell, he +inquired for the ladies. Both were engaged; and, as if nothing should be +wanting to his chagrin, as he went down the steps Mr. Parker, bearing a +suggestive bouquet, went up and was instantly admitted. + +It was too much for poor John, who rushed away into the park, and +pulling his hat over his eyes tramped wrathfully down the mall, +muttering to himself,-- + +"It's no use; I _must_ give in; for with a fortune in my pocket I could +carry all before me,--bribe Aunt Maria, outbid Aaron, and win my Dolly, +if I'm not much mistaken." + +Just then a sharp yelp roused him from his excited reverie, and looking +up he found that he had kicked a fat poodle, who was waddling slowly +along, while some way before him went a little figure in a gray hat, at +sight of which John's heart gave a leap. Here was bliss! Dolly alone at +last, and he could defy the dragon and all her machinations. Parker and +his fine bouquet were nowhere; Harris and his button-hole posy had the +best of it now; and, leaving the fat poodle to whine and waddle at its +own sweet will, the happy man hurried forward to make the most of this +propitious moment. + +As he drew near, he observed that a handkerchief went more than once to +the face which drooped in a thoughtful way as the feet paced slowly on. + +"Bless her heart! she is catching cold, and dreaming dreams, here all +alone," thought John, as, stepping to her side, he said gently, that he +might not startle her, "Good-morning, Miss Dolly." + +He did startle her, nevertheless, and himself as well; for, as she +turned quickly, he saw that her face was bathed in tears. Instantly all +his own troubles took wing; and, with no thought but how to comfort her, +he said impetuously,-- + +"I beg pardon, but do tell me what is the matter?" He came upon her so +suddenly that there was no time to hide the tell-tale tears. He looked +so eager, kind, and helpful, she could not be offended at his words; and +just then she needed a friend so much, it was hard to resist confiding +in him. Yet, womanlike, she tried to hide her little worries, to make +light of her girlish grief, and turn a brave face to the world. So she +brushed the drops from her eyes, put on a smile, and answered stoutly,-- + +"It was very foolish of me to cry, but it is so dull and lonely here I +think I was a little homesick." + +"Then perhaps you won't mind if I walk on a bit with you and apologize +for kicking your little dog?" said John, artfully availing himself of +this excuse. + +"No, indeed. He is Aunt Maria's dog; but how came you to do it?" asked +the girl, plainly showing that a human companion was very welcome. + +"I was in a brown study, and did it by accident. He's so fat it didn't +hurt him much," answered the young man, assuming his gayest manner for +her sake. Then he added, with an excuse which did not deceive her a +bit,-- + +"The fact is, I'd ventured to call on you to see if I could get a sketch +of the punch-bowl; but you were engaged, the girl said, and I was rather +disappointed." + +"What a fib! I'm sorry I was out; but the house was gloomy and Aunt +rather cross, so I ran away under pretence of giving old Tip an airing." + +"Ah, you don't know what you lost! Mr. Parker went in as I came out, +with such a nosegay!--for Aunt Maria, I suppose?" and John tried to look +quite easy and gay as he spoke. + +Dolly's face darkened ominously, and a worried look came into her eyes +as she glanced behind her, then quickened her steps, saying, with a +little groan that was both comic and pathetic,-- + +"It does seem as if it was my doom to be tormented by old gentlemen! I +wish you'd get rid of this one as you did of the other." + +"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," answered John, with such +heartiness that a sudden color dried Dolly's wet cheeks, as she +remembered that he had got rid of tormentor number one by taking his +place. + +Cheered by the knowledge that a champion was ready to defend her, she +ventured to show him a safer way in which to serve her, saying very +soberly,-- + +"I think I may be glad of the recommendation you once promised me. +Should you mind giving it?" + +"Are you tired of 'playing lady' so soon?" he asked anxiously. + +"So tired that I felt to-day as if I'd like to run away and take service +with the first person who would engage me." + +"Don't!" exclaimed John, with such energy that the fat poodle barked +shrilly and made a feeble charge at his boots, feeling that something +was wrong somewhere. "Run away home, if you must run, but pray don't get +discouraged and do any thing rash," he went on with great earnestness; +for he saw by her face that she was in some real trouble. + +"I haven't even a home to run to; for Mrs. Hill agrees with Aunt that +it's time I ceased to be a burden. It's very hard, when I only ask a +safe corner in the world, and am willing to work for it," cried the +girl, with an irrepressible sob; for the trials of many weeks had grown +unbearable, and a kind word made the full heart overflow. + +Neither spoke for a minute, then John said with a respectful earnestness +which touched her very much,-- + +"Miss Dolly, you once called me a friend, and I was very proud to be so +honored. Forget that I am any thing else, and, if you have no one wiser +and older to consult, trust me, and let me help you. I've knocked about +the world enough to know how hard it is for a man to get an honest +living, doubly hard for a woman, especially one as young and beautiful +as you are. There are safe corners, I am sure; but it takes time to find +them, so pray be patient and do nothing without care." + +"I called you a friend in need, and so you are; for, strange as it may +seem, there is no one to whom I can go for disinterested advice. I know +so little of the world that I'm afraid to trust my own judgment, yet I +am driven to decide between dependence of a sort I despise, or to stand +alone and take care of myself. _Will_ you advise me?" and she looked up +with an appealing glance, which read such a reassuring answer in the +honest eyes full of sincerest sympathy that she was comforted before he +spoke. + +"Indeed I will! for what are we all here for, if not to help one +another? Do you know I think there is a sort of fate about these things, +and it's no use to struggle against it. We seem to be two 'lone, lorn' +creatures thrown together in queer ways, so let's agree to be old +friends and stand by each other. Come, is it a bargain?" + +He seemed so firmly convinced of the inevitability of this fate that the +girl felt relieved from farther scruples, and agreed in all good faith. + +"Now about the troubles?" began John, trying to look old, reliable, and +wise; for he guessed the one she was most reluctant to tell. + +"I suppose marrying for an establishment or earning their bread is a +question most poor girls have to settle sooner or later," observed +Dolly, in a general sort of way, as an opening; for, in spite of his +praiseworthy efforts, her young counsellor did not succeed in looking +like a sage. + +"If pretty, yes; if plain, no. We needn't discuss the latter class, but +go on to the question," returned John, keeping to the subject in hand +with masculine pertinacity. + +"I'd rather be an old man's housekeeper than his wife; but people won't +believe it, and laugh at me for being what they call so foolish," said +the girl, petulantly; for she did not seem to be getting on well with +her confidences. + +"I thought from what I saw at the fair that Parker seemed ready to offer +both situations for your acceptance." + +John could not help saying that, for a jealous pang assailed him at the +mere idea. He feared that he had spoilt the _role_ he was trying to +play; but it happened to be the best thing he could have done, for the +introduction of that name made things much easier for Dolly, as she +proved by kindling up as suddenly as if the word had been a match to +fire a long train of grievances. + +"He did; and Aunt scolds me from morning till night, because I won't +accept the fine establishment he offers me. That's what I was sent here +for! My step-mother wants me out of the way, Aunt Maria hands me over to +Mr. Parker, and he takes me because I know how to cook and nurse. I +might as well be put up at auction and sold to the highest bidder!" she +cried, with eyes flashing through indignant tears. + +"It's abominable!" echoed John, with equal indignation, though the words +"highest bidder" rung in his ears, as he thought of the fortune waiting +for him, and the youth which would tell so strongly in the race against +"old Parker," as he irreverently called the little man; for fifty seems +a patriarchal age to four-and-twenty. + +"I know that sort of thing is done every day, and thought quite right; +but I am so old-fashioned it seems terrible to marry merely for a home. +Yet I'm very tired of being poor, and I _should_ like a taste of ease +and pleasure while I can enjoy them," added Dolly, with a very natural +longing for the bright and happy side of life. + +"And I could give her all she wants," thought John, with the temptation +getting stronger every minute. But he only said a little bitterly, +"You'd better give in, if you want ease and pleasure, for money can buy +any thing." + +"No, it can't buy love, and that is better than all the splendor in the +world," answered the girl, in a tone that thrilled her hearer to the +heart. "What _I_ call love seems to have gone out of fashion; and that +is what troubles me; because, if there _isn't_ any such thing, I may as +well take the next best, and try to be contented. No one seems to value +love for itself alone, to feel the need of it as much as light and air, +to miss it when it goes, or try to earn and keep it as the most precious +thing in the world. Money and position are every thing, and men work and +women marry for these, as if they had no other hope or end; and I'm +frightened at the things I see and hear in what is called society." + +"Poor child, I don't wonder; but I assure you there _is_ an ocean of +love in the world, only it gets put out of sight in the rush, wasted on +those who don't deserve it, or dammed up by adverse circumstances. It +exists though, the real genuine article, waiting for a market. _Do_ +believe it, and wait for it, and I'm sure it will come in time." + +John was so divided between a rash impulse to prove his point by a +declaration then and there, and the conviction that it would be +altogether premature, his metaphors got rather mixed, and he had to pull +himself up abruptly. But Dolly thought it a beautiful speech, was glad +to believe every word of it, and accepted this piece of advice with +admirable docility. + +"I'll wait, and meantime be looking about for the safe corner to run to +when Aunt Maria gets tired of me, because I don't mean to go home again +to be a burden." Then, as if anxious to slip away from a too interesting +topic, she asked with a very winning expression of interest and +good-will,-- + +"Now what can I do for you? I'm sure you have worries as well as I, and, +though not very wise, perhaps I might advise in my turn." + +"You are very good, but I couldn't think of troubling you;" and the +young man looked both pleased and flurried by the girl's offer. + +"We agreed to help one another, you remember; and I must do my part, or +the bargain won't be a fair one. Tell me what the brown study was about, +and I'll forgive the kick poor Tip got," persisted Dolly; for her +feminine instinct told her that a heavy cloud of some sort had been +lifted to let sunshine through for her. + +John did long to know her opinion on a certain matter, but a man's pride +would not let him speak as freely as the girl had done, so he took +refuge in a mild subterfuge, and got advice on false pretences. + +"It was only a quandary I was in about a friend of mine. He wants my +judgment in a case something like yours, and perhaps you _could_ help me +with an opinion; for women are very wise in such matters sometimes." + +"Please tell me, if you may. I should so love to pay my debts by being +of some use;" and Dolly was all attention, as she pushed back her vail +as if to get a clear and impartial view of the case about to be +submitted. + +Fixing his eyes on the sparrows who were disporting themselves among the +budding elm-boughs, John plunged abruptly into his story, never once +looking at his hearer and speaking so rapidly that he was rather red and +breathless when he got through. + +"You see, Jack was plodding along after a fashion all by himself, his +people being dead, when an old friend of his father's took it into his +head to say, 'Come and be a son to me, and I'll leave you a handsome +fortune when I die.' A capital thing it seemed, and Jack accepted, of +course. But he soon found that he had given up his liberty, and was a +slave to a very tyrannical master, who claimed him soul and body, heart +and mind. That didn't suit Jack, and he would have broken away; but, as +you say, he was 'tired of being poor, and wanted a little ease and +pleasure in his life.' The old man was failing, and the money would soon +be his, so he held on, till he suddenly discovered that this fortune for +which he was waiting was not honest money, but, like many another great +fortune, had been ground out of the poor, swindled out of honest men, or +stolen from trusting friends, and hoarded up for a long lifetime, to be +left to Jack with the curse of dishonesty upon it. Would you advise him +to take it?" + +"No," answered the girl, without a moment's hesitation. + +"Well, he didn't, but turned his back on the ill-gotten money, and went +to work again with clean but empty hands," added John, still looking +away, though his face wore a curiously excited expression under its +enforced composure. + +"I'm glad, very glad he did! Wasn't it noble of him?" asked Dolly, full +of admiring interest in this unknown Jack. + +"It was very hard; for you see he loved somebody, and stood a poor +chance of winning her without a penny in his pocket." + +"All the nobler in him then; and, if she was worth winning, she'd love +him the more for the sacrifice," said Dolly, warmly; for the romance of +the story took her fancy, though it was poorly told. + +"Think so? I'll mention that to Jack: it will cheer him up immensely, +for he's afraid to try his fate with nothing to offer but his earnings." + +"What's his business?" asked Dolly suddenly. + +"Connected with newspapers,--fair salary, good prospects,--not ashamed +to work," answered John, staring hard at the sparrows, and wiping his +forehead, as if he found the bleak day getting too warm for him. + +"Is the girl pretty?" + +"The most captivating little creature I ever beheld!" cried John, +rapturously. + +"Oh, indeed," and Dolly glanced at him sharply, while a shadow passed +over her face, as she asked with redoubled interest, "Is she rich?" + +"Has nothing but her sweet face and good name I believe." + +"Isn't that enough?" + +"Indeed it is! but Jack wants to make life beautiful and easy for her, +and he can by saying a word. He is awfully tempted to say it; for the +old man is dying, has sent for him to come back, and there is yet time +to secure a part of the fortune. He won't take it all, but has a fancy +that, if he leaves half to charity, it would be a sort of purification +to the other half; and he might enjoy it with his love. Don't you think +so?" + +"No, it would spoil the whole thing. Why cannot they be contented to +begin with nothing but love, and work up together, earning every clean +and honest penny they spend. It would be a comfort to see such a pair in +this mercenary world, and I do hope they will do it," said the girl, +heartily, though a slightly pensive tone had come into her voice, and +she stifled a small sigh, as she put down her vail as if there was +nothing worth seeing in the landscape. + +"I think they _will_ try it!" answered John, with decision, as he smiled +sympathetically at a pair of sparrows chirping together at the door of +one of the desirable family mansions provided for their use. + +Here Tip ended the dangerous dialogue by sitting down before Dolly with +a howl of despair, which recalled her to her duty. + +"The poor old thing is tired, and must go in. Good-morning, and many +thanks," she said, turning toward the steps, which they would have +passed unseen but for the prudent poodle's hint. + +"Good-by, and a thousand pardons for boring you with my affairs," began +John, with a penitent, yet very grateful glance. + +"By the way, I've been so interested in Jack's affairs that I've +forgotten exactly what your advice was to me," she added, pausing on the +upper step for a last word. + +With his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes, John looked up and +answered in a tone that made few words necessary,-- + +"Don't sell yourself for a home." + +And Dolly answered back with a sweet, shrewd smile that made him flush +guiltily,-- + +"Don't smother your conscience with a fortune." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_APRIL FOOLS._ + + +Tip's constitutionals were taken with praiseworthy regularity about that +time, and the poor asthmatic animal was nearly walked off his legs by +the vigor with which his little mistress paraded the park at +unfashionable hours. A robust young man, who did not look as if he +needed early walks, was continually meeting Dolly by accident as it +were, till on the fourth _rencontre_ they both burst out laughing, gave +up all further subterfuge, and felt that it was vain to struggle against +fate. The next time they met, both looked very sober; and John said, +watching her face as he spoke,-- + +"It is all over with me, Miss Dolly. The old man is dead, and my chance +is lost for ever." + +"You look so solemn, I'm afraid he left you something, after all." + +"Not a penny. All went to various charities, and I have nothing but my +salary and these two hands." + +"I'm glad of that! I'd like to shake those honest hands, and wish them +all success. May I?" she said, putting out her own with such cordial +approval in voice and eyes that John lost his head, and, holding both +the small hands fast in his, answered all in one fervently incoherent +burst,-- + +"May you? Let me keep them, and then I _shall_ succeed! Dearest Dolly, +you said you didn't want any thing but love; and here's a whole heart +full, aching to be poured out. You said you'd like to see Jack and his +wife working their way up together, contented to be poor. Here's Jack +and the wife he wants, if she cares enough for him to try that beautiful +experiment. You said you hadn't any home to run to when those cruel +women called you a burden. Run to me, my darling, and be the pride and +joy and comfort of my life!" + +No one saw what Dolly did but Tip, who sat lolling out his tongue in an +imbecile manner; and no one heard what she said but some bright-faced +crocuses blooming early in that lonely corner of the park. But from what +took place afterward, it was evident that her reply had not been +entirely unpropitious; for her hand lay on John's arm, her face was in +an April state between smiles and tears, and to her eyes midsummer +warmth and radiance seemed to have fallen suddenly upon the earth. It is +hardly necessary to mention that the other party in this little +transaction looked as if _he_ owned the entire world, was yearning to +embrace all mankind, and had nothing more to ask of Heaven in the way of +happiness. + +"You don't regret saying yes, like an angel," asked this unreasonable +lover, five minutes after he had surprised her into uttering that +momentous monosyllable. + +"Not yet." + +"You know that it is very selfish of me to ask you, when I've nothing to +give; and very unwise in you to take me, because you have much to lose." + +"Why, what?" + +"The devoted Parker and his plump pocket-book." + +It was good to hear Dolly laugh at that, and to see John glance +defiantly at an elderly gentleman in the distance, as if all that +harmless portion of the race ought to be exterminated, to leave room for +happy young fellows like himself. + +"He will believe now that, when I say 'No,' I mean it," answered Dolly, +with an assumption of dignity, which changed with comic suddenness to +one of dismay, as she added, "Oh, my heart, what _will_ Aunt Maria say!" + +"Don't tell her just yet, or she will shut you up, whisk you away, or do +some awful thing to part us. Keep this delicious secret for a little +while, and we can enjoy many happy minutes in peace." + +"Yes, John," with a docility that was altogether captivating to the new +commander-in-chief. + +"I must look about me, and be getting ready to take you into my home as +well as my heart, when the storm breaks. There is sure to be one, I +fancy; and, for my part, I rather relish the idea. The air will be +clearer and things more settled after it." + +"I don't know what they will say and do to me, but I shall not mind, now +I have you to take care of me;" and Dolly's other hand went to join the +one on John's arm, with a confiding gesture which glorified the old +coat-sleeve, in his eyes, more than any badge it could have worn. + +"I suppose we _must_ live somewhere, and eat occasionally, since we are +mortal. Love certainly _is_ the best capital to start on, but a trifle +of cash is necessary likewise; so we must take a little thought for the +morrow. Wish the city would provide us with a house rent free, and board +thrown in, as it does our feathery confidants here," observed the +husband elect, eying the sparrows with a vague sense of domestic cares +already stealing over his masculine mind. + +"Don't think of all those worries yet. Just love and be happy for a +time, and things will settle themselves somehow," cried Dolly, whose +womanly nature would not be so soon defrauded of the sweet romance which +comes but once in a lifetime. + +"Very well. We'll give a month to clear bliss, and then talk about the +honeymoon." + +But, with the charming inconsistency of her sex, no sooner had she +forbidden a subject than she felt an intense desire to talk about it; +and after a moment's pause, during which her lover had been looking down +at her thoughtful face in silent rapture, Dolly emerged from a brief +reverie, clapping her hands and exclaiming,-- + +"John, I've got the most delicious idea that ever was. Now don't laugh +and say, 'It isn't practical,' for I know it is; and it would be so new +and appropriate and economical, and altogether nice, that I hope you'll +approve. We shall want a home by and by, shall we not?" + +"I want it now, if you've no objection." + +"Be serious. Well, a room or two must content us at first, and we want +them to be decent, not to say pretty and comfortable, don't we?" + +"They can't help being all three, if you are there, my Dolly." + +"No, John, not in public! Now answer me this: won't you have to save up +a long time, to get enough to buy furniture and things, no matter how +simple?" + +"I'm afraid I should; for at present my housekeeping stock is about as +large and varied as that of Tommy Traddles. His consisted of a bird-cage +and a toasting-fork, I believe; mine, of an easel and a boot-jack. +Wouldn't they do to begin with?" + +"Please don't joke, but listen; for _this_ is the new idea. Take my dear +old relics and furnish our nest with them! What _could_ be more +economical, picturesque, and appropriate for this centennial year?" + +Dolly stopped short to see how this amazing proposal struck her lord and +master. It seemed to take him off his legs; for he sat suddenly down +upon a seat that fortunately was behind him, and looked up at the +beaming little woman with an expression of admiration and contentment, +which answered her question so emphatically that she nestled down beside +him with all her doubts laid at rest. + +"I thought you'd like it! Now let's plan it all out, and see what we've +got. Every thing is as old as the hills, you know; but still so good and +strong we can get years of wear out of it. We don't have such well-made +furniture nowadays," she went on, happily blind to the deficiencies of +the time-worn chairs, clumsy tables, and cracked china, which were all +her store. + +"My blessing on every stick of it! I wasn't thinking about the +furniture, though. I was rejoicing over the fact that, if I needn't save +up for that sort of thing, we could be married all the sooner. That's +the beauty of the idea, don't you see?" and John regarded the originator +thereof with unmitigated satisfaction. + +"So we can; but _do_ think about the furniture, because you ought to be +interested in helping me make an artistic home," said Dolly, knowing +that the word "artistic" would arrest his attention, and keep him to the +subject in hand; for as yet the other idea was too new to bear much +discussion. + +"I will. In fact, I see it now, all complete. Two or three rooms in an +old house, if possible,--they are always the cheapest, my love; so don't +look as if you saw cobwebs and blue mould, and felt black beetles +running over your feet. In one room we'll have that spider-legged table +on which you cleaned the snuffer tray, and the claw-footed chairs: there +were three, I think,--one for each of us, and the third for a friend. +Then on the dresser we'll put all the porringers out of which we are to +eat mush and milk, and the pewter platters for an occasional 'biled +dish,'--that's the proper name for the mess, isn't it? Likewise the dear +fat tea-pots, the red china cups, all cracked, the green-handled knives +and forks, the wooden spoons, funny pepper-pots, and all the rest of the +droll rattletraps." + +"Don't forget _the_ tankard," cried Dolly, as John paused for breath in +the middle of his rhapsody. + +"That will be in our parlor, set forth in state on the little stand I +used to have my lunch at during the fair. I'm afraid I scratched your +initials all over it, that being a trick of mine about that time." + +"I thought you did it! Never mind, but go on, please." + +"We shall put flowers in the immortal mug, and I shall paint them, earn +sums, and grow famous, such will be the inspiration of my surroundings. +For, while I sit in the General's chair at my delightful work, you in +the pretty chintz gown and the fly-away cap,--promise me to wear it, or +I won't go on?" + +"I'll wear any thing you like, in the house, and can have a water-proof +and a linen duster for the street. Artists' wives usually do have to +make guys of themselves, I believe." + +"Thank you, dear. Well, you will always be doing one of three things, +making sweethearts, spinning, or looking over my shoulder. I prefer the +latter occupation on the whole, and when I'm at home that will be your +mission. During my absence, you can attend to the housework you love so +well, and do so prettily. Never did I see such brilliant candlesticks in +my life; and as for the copper tea-kettle, it was like a mirror. I saw +you steal peeps at it more than once, Little Vanity, that day as I sat +stealing a sketch of you." + +"Then you think it can be done, John?" ignoring the accusation. + +"It not only _can_, but it _shall_ be done, and I shouldn't wonder if we +set the fashion of furnishing bridal bowers with relics of all sorts, +throwing in a glue-pot gratis, to mend up the old things when they +tumble to pieces. I'm great at that, and can get my living as a +cabinetmaker when art fails." + +"I do believe you can do every thing, John!" + +"No, I couldn't cure pneumonia, if you should get it by sitting in this +chilly wind. Now I've got you, I intend to take great care of you, my +little treasure." + +It was so sweet to Dolly to be cared for, and so delightful to John to +do it, that they forgot all about poor Tip till he tumbled into the +pond, and was with difficulty fished out by his ears and tail, being too +fat to do any thing but float. This catastrophe shortened an interview +which might otherwise have been prolonged till nightfall, for + + "Lightly falls the foot of time + That only treads on flowers." + +"Why, John, do you know that this is the first of April?" asked Dolly, +as they went homeward, with Tip forlornly dripping in the rear. "A very +fitting day for such an imprudent couple as we are to begin their +journey," she added, enjoying the idea immensely. + +"So it is! Never mind! we'll prove that we are no fools, though a +mercenary world may call us so," returned John, as blithe as she. + +Alas, poor things! they thought their troubles were all over, now they +had found each other; whereas a cruel fate was laughing at them round +the corner. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE._ + + +Unfortunately for these deluded young persons, their month of bliss +turned out to be the most tempestuous one they had ever passed; for, +before the first week was over, some malignant imp inspired Aunt Maria +to spy, from a certain end window which commanded a corner of the park, +the lingering adieux of the lovers, and then it was all up with them. + +A single stormy debate, during which John manfully claimed his Dolly, +she stoutly defended her right to love whom she chose, and Aunt Maria +thundered and lightened unavailingly, resulted in the banishment of the +claimant, the strict seclusion of the damsel, and the redoubled devotion +of the decorous but determined Parker, who, cheered on by his ally, +still besieged the rebellious heart, undaunted by the reinforcements +lately received. + +The prospect was certainly not a hopeful one; but the young people never +lost courage, rather enjoyed it on the whole, and revolved endless +schemes in their busy brains, which they confided to one another by +means of notes slipped under Tip's collar when he took his solitary +airings on the steps. For a time persecution lent its zest to their +love; but presently separation grew unbearable, and they were ready for +revolt. + +"I _must_ see you," wrote John, in note number 37. + +"You _shall_," answered Dolly, and bade him meet her at one of the many +Centennial Balls which afflicted the world in 1875-76. + +To hear was to obey; and though said ball was to be eminently select, +thanks to a skilful use of his middle name, John was able to keep the +appointed tryst, well knowing that there is no solitude like that to be +found in a crowd. Costumes were in order; and there was a general +resurrection of ancient finery, which made the handsome hall look as if +time had rolled back a hundred years. Every one who had a hair powdered +it, and those who had not made up the deficiency by imposing wigs. +Spindle-legged gentlemen affected top-boots and spurs; those blessed +with a manly development of calf pranced in silk stockings and buckled +shoes. British and Continental uniforms amicably marched shoulder to +shoulder; dimity and brocade mingled prettily together; and patriotic +ardor animated the hearts under the lace stomachers and embroidered +waistcoats as warmly as of old, for the spirit of '76 was all alive +again. + +Aunt Maria looked like a parrot of the most brilliant plumage; for the +good lady burned to distinguish herself, and had vainly tried to wear a +suit of Madam Hancock's belonging to Dolly. Fortunately, Madam was a +small woman, and Aunt Maria quite the reverse; so she was forced to give +it up, and content herself with being one of many Martha Washingtons who +filled the dowagers' corner. + +So Dolly bloomed into the sweetest little old-time lady ever seen, and +was in truth by nature as by name a Dorothy Quincy. Not as the matron, +but as the maid, with all her curly locks turned over a roller before +they fell on her white neck, where shone the jewelled hearts she prized +so much. Lilies of the valley embroidered her white gown, and nestled +among the lace that rose and fell upon her bosom. From under her quilted +satin petticoat "her little feet stole in and out," wearing Madam's +wedding-shoes, so high in the heels and so pointed at the toes that +Dolly suffered martyrdom with a smiling face, and danced at the risk of +her life. Long gloves, with Lafayette's likeness stamped on the back, +kept splitting at the time-worn seams, so plump were the arms inside. A +quaint scent-bottle hung at her waist; and she hid her blushes behind a +great fan, whose dim mirror had reflected faces history has made +immortal. + +"You are simply perfect, Miss Hill, and nothing could be added," +whispered the still hopeful Parker, who was on duty and much elated by +the fact; for the girl was unusually friendly that evening for reasons +of her own. + +"Except the Governor," she answered, peeping over her fan with eyes full +of anxiety as well as merriment; for John had not yet appeared, and the +little man beside her was very funny in a voluminous white neckcloth, +furred coat-collar, and square-toed shoes, carefully kept in the "first +position." He had longed to personate the character she suggested. +Stature forbade, however; and he had contented himself with personating +Benjamin Franklin, flattering himself that his placid countenance and +neat legs would be remarkably effective, also the fact that he had been +connected with the printing interest in early life. + +"If you had only told me, I would have attempted it for your sake: you +have but to express a wish, and I am charmed to gratify it," murmured +the enamoured Benjamin, with a tenderly reproachful sigh, which stirred +his rampant shirt-frill like a passing breeze. + +At that moment, as if a wish _had_ brought him, a veritable John Hancock +stood before them, looking comelier than ever, in a velvet suit, as he +laid his cocked hat upon his heart and asked, with a bow so deep that it +afforded a fine view of the garnet buckle in his stock,-- + +"May I have the honor, Madam?" + +Glad to hide a traitorously happy face, Dolly made him a splendid +curtsey, and took his arm with a hasty-- + +"Excuse me, Mr. Parker. Please tell Aunt I'm going to dance." + +"But--but--but--my dear Miss, I promised not to lose sight of you," +stammered the defrauded Franklin, turning red with helpless rage, as the +full audacity of the lovers burst upon him. + +"Well, you needn't. Wait for me here till my dance is over, then Aunt +won't know any thing about it," laughed wilful Dolly over her shoulder, +as she was swept away into the many-colored whirlpool that circled round +the hall to the entrancing music of a waltz. + +While it lasted, words were needless; for eyes did the talking, smiles +proud or tender telegraphed volumes of poetry, the big hand held the +little one so close that it burst quite out of the old glove rosy with +the pressure, and the tall head was often so near the short one that the +light locks powdered the dark ones. + +"A heavenly waltz!" panted Dolly, when it ended, feeling that she could +go on for ever, blind to the droll despair of poor Parker, as, +heroically faithful to his trust, he struggled frantically to keep the +happy pair in sight. + +"Now we'll have a still more heavenly promenade in the corridor. Ben is +busy apologizing to half a dozen ladies whose trains he has walked up in +his mad career after us, so we are safe for a time," answered John, +ready to brave the wrath of many Aunt Marias; for the revolutionary +spirit was high within him, and he had quite made up his mind that +resistance to tyrants _was_ obedience to the little god he served just +then. + +"Oh, John, how glad I am to see you after all this worry, and how nice +it was of you to come in such grand style to-night! I was so afraid you +couldn't manage it," said Dolly, hanging on his arm and surveying her +gallant Governor with pardonable pride. + +"My blessed girl, there was nothing I couldn't manage with the prospect +of meeting you before me. Hasn't it been hard times for both of us? +You've had the hardest, I'm afraid, shut up with the dragon and no +refuge from daily nagging and Parker's persecution. If you hadn't the +bravest little heart in the world, you'd have given up by this;" and, +taking advantage of a shadowy corner, John embraced his idol, under +pretence of drawing her cloak about her. + +"I'll never give up the ship!" cried the girl, quoting Lawrence of the +"Chesapeake," with a flash of the eye good to see. + +"Stand to your guns, and we'll yet say, 'We've met the enemy, and they +are ours,'" answered John, in the words of brave Perry, and with a ring +to his voice which caused a passing waiter to pause, fancying he was +called. + +Beckoning to him, John gave Dolly a glass of lemonade, and, taking one +himself, said with a look that made the toast a very eloquent one to +both of them,-- + +"The love of liberty--and--the liberty of love." + +They drank it silently, then paced on again, so intent upon their own +emotions that neither saw a flushed and agitated countenance regard them +from a doorway, and then vanish, smiling darkly. + +"Governor!" + +"Dearest Madam!" + +"Things have come to a crisis, and I've taken a resolution," began +Dolly, remembering that time was short. + +"So have I." + +"This is mine,--I'm going to Philadelphia." + +"No!" + +"Yes." + +"How? when? why?" + +"Be calm and listen. Aunt has given me just three days to choose between +accepting P. and being sent home in disgrace. I don't intend to do +either, but take matters into my own hands, and cease to be a burden." + +"Hear! hear! but how?" + +"At the fair the kitchen was a success, and there is to be a grand one +at the Exposition. Girls are wanted to wait there as here; they are +taken care of, and all expenses paid while they serve. I know some nice +people who are going for fun, and I'm to join them for a month at least. +That gives me a start, and afterward I certainly can find something to +do in the city of Brotherly Love." + +"The knowledge that _I'm_ to be there on duty had nothing to do with +this fine plan of yours, hey, my Dolly?" and John beamed at her with +such a rapturous expression she had to turn him round, lest an advancing +couple should fancy he had been imbibing something stronger than +lemonade and love. + +"Why, of course it had," she answered with adorable candor. "Don't you +see how lovely it will be to meet every day and talk over our prospects +in peace, while we are working away together till we have earned enough +to try the experiment we planned in the park?" + +Stopping short, John grasped the hand that lay on his arm, looking as if +suddenly inspired, and exclaimed in a solemn yet excited tone,-- + +"_I've_ got a plan, a superb plan, only it may startle you a bit at +first. Why not marry and go together?" + +Before Dolly could find breath to answer this momentous question, a +bomb-shell, in the shape of Aunt Maria, exploded before them, and put an +end to the privy conspiracy and rebellion. + +"You will _not_ go anywhere together, for my niece is in the care of +this gentleman. I did think we should be free from annoyance here, but I +see I was mistaken. Mr. Parker, will you oblige me by taking Dolly home +at once?" + +Every feather in the old lady's gray wig trembled with ire, as she +plucked the girl from one lover and gave her to the charge of the other, +in whom the conflicting emotions of triumph and trepidation were so +visible that the contrast between his countenance and costume was more +comical than ever. + +"But, Aunt, it isn't time to go yet," protested Dolly, finding +submission very hard after her taste of freedom. + +"It is quite time for persons who don't know how to behave with +propriety in public. Not a word! Take my wrap, and go at once. Mr. +Parker, please leave her in Mrs. Cobb's care, and return to enjoy +yourself. There is no reason why _your_ evening should be spoilt;" and +Aunt Maria bundled poor Dolly into an ugly shawl, which made her look +like a lovely tea-rose done up in brown paper. + +This sudden fall from the height of happiness to the depths of helpless +indignation left John speechless for an instant, during which he with +difficulty resisted a strong desire to shake Aunt Maria, and spit +Benjamin Franklin on the sword that hung at his side. The sight of his +Dolly reft from him, and ruthlessly led away from the gayety she loved, +reminded him that discretion was the better part of valor, and for her +sake he tried to soften the dragon by taking all the blame upon himself, +and promising to go away at once. But, while he was expostulating, the +wary Parker carried off the prize; and, when John turned to say +good-night, she had vanished, and Aunt Maria stalked away, with a grim +laugh at his defeat. + +That laugh made him desperate; and, rushing downstairs, he was about to +walk away in the rain, regardless of the damage to his costly suit, when +the sound of a voice checked his reckless flight, and, looking back, he +saw Dolly pausing on the stairs to say, with a glance from the ancestral +shoes to the wet pavement outside, "I don't mind wetting my feet, but I +cannot spoil these precious slippers. Please get my overshoes from the +dressing-room: I'll wait for you here." + +"Certainly, certainly; and my coat also: we must be prudent after such +heat and excitement," replied Mr. Parker, glad to guard himself against +the rheumatism twinges which already began to afflict his lightly clad +extremities. + +As he hurried back, a voice whispered, "Dolly!" and, regardless of the +perilously high heels, she ran down to join a black velvet gentleman +below, who said in her ear, as he led her toward the door,-- + +"I _must_ have a word more. Let me take you home; any carriage will do, +and it's our last chance." + +"Yes, John, yes; but oh, my shoes!" and for one instant Dolly lingered, +as reverence for her relics contended with love for her Governor. + +But he was equal to the occasion, and, having no cloak to lay under his +queen's feet, just took her in his arms, and before she knew it both +were in the coach, an order given, and they were off. + +"Oh, John, how could you?" was all she said, casting away the big shawl, +to put both hands on the powdery shoulders before her; for her escort +was on his knees, quite in the style of the days when Sir Charles +Willoughby carried Evelina off in his chariot. + +How he did it John never knew; but there he was, as unconscious of his +long limbs as if he had been a cherub, so intent was he on improving +this precious moment. + +"I'd like to do a great deal more than that, but not to-night, though +I'm sorely tempted to run away with you, Dolly," he answered, feeling as +if it would be impossible to relinquish the little bundle of silk and +swan's down his arm enclosed. + +"Oh, John, please don't! How could I in this dress, and no place to go +to, or any thing?" + +"Don't be frightened, dear: I won't be rash. But, seriously, it must +come to that, and the sooner the better; so make up your mind to it, and +I'll manage all the rest. This is my plan, and yours will make it all +the easier. We _will_ go to Philadelphia; but we'll be married first, +and that shall be our wedding journey." + +"But I'm not ready; we haven't any money; and only three days! I +couldn't, John, I couldn't!" and Dolly hid her face, glad, yet +half-frightened, at this prospect of such a release from all her woes. + +"I knew it would startle you at first; but getting married is the +easiest thing in life when you set about it. You don't want any wedding +finery, I've got money enough, and can borrow more if I need it; and +three days is plenty of time to pack your trunk, have a farewell fight +with Aunt Maria, and run away to be the happiest little wife that ever +was. Say yes, darling; trust every thing to me, and, please God, you +never shall regret it." + +Dolly had doubted the existence of genuine love nowadays, and John had +assured her that there were oceans of it. There certainly seemed to be +that night; and it was impossible to doubt the truth of his assertion +while listening to the tender prayers and plans and protestations he +poured into her ear, as they rolled on, regardless of the avenging +furies behind, and the untried fate before them. Storms raged without, +but peace reigned within; for Dolly showed signs of yielding, though she +had not consented when the run-away ride ended. + +As John set her down in the hall, he added as a last appeal,-- + +"Remember, there were 'Daughters of Liberty,' as well as sons, in the +old times you love so well. Be one, and prove yourself worthy of your +name, as you bid me be of mine. Come, sweetheart, resist tyranny, face +poverty, love liberty, and declare your independence as bravely as they +did." + +"I will!" and Dolly signed the declaration her Hancock headed, by giving +him her hand and sealing the oath with a kiss. + +"One word more," he said hurriedly, as the clatter of an approaching +carriage sounded through the street: "I may not be able to see you +again, but we can each be getting ready, and meet on Monday morning, +when you leave for '_home_' in good truth. Put a lamp in the end window +the last thing Sunday night as the bells ring nine, then I shall be sure +that all is right, and have no delay in the morning." + +"Yes, John." + +"Good-night, and God bless you!" + +There was no time for more; and as distracted Parker burst out of one +carriage, and Aunt Maria "came tumbling after," happy John Harris +stepped into the other, with a wave of the cocked hat, and drove away in +triumph. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_PEACE IS DECLARED._ + + +The age of miracles is not over yet, and our young people wrought +several during those three days; for in love's vocabulary there is no +such word as fail. + +Dolly "stood to her guns" womanfully, and not only chose to go "home," +but prepared for her banishment with an outward meekness and an inward +joy which made each hour memorable. Aunt Maria had her suspicions and +kept a vigilant watch, she and her maid Cobb mounting guard by turns. +Parker, finding that "no surrender" was the countersign, raised the +siege and retreated in good order, though a trifle demoralized in +dignity when he looked back during the evacuation and saw Tip bolt +upright in the end window, with the rebel flag proudly displayed. + +John meanwhile was circulating briskly through the city, and showing +such ardent interest in the approaching Exposition that his mates +christened him "Centennial Harris;" while the higher powers felt that +they had done a good thing in giving him the job, and increased his +salary to make sure of so excellent a servant. Other arrangements of a +private but infinitely more interesting nature were successfully made; +and he went about smiling to himself, as if the little parcel done up in +silver paper, which he was constantly feeling for in his vest pocket, +had been a talisman conferring all good gifts upon its happy owner. + +When the third night came, he was at his post long before the time, so +great was his impatience; for the four-footed traitor had been +discovered and ordered into close confinement, where he suffered, not +the fate of Andre, but the pangs of indigestion for lack of exercise +after the feast of tidbits surreptitiously administered by one who never +forgot all she owed to her "fat friend." + +It seemed as if nine o'clock would never come; and, if a policeman ever +was where he should be, the guardian of that beat would have considered +John a suspicious character as he paced to and fro in the April +starlight. At last the bells began to chime, promptly the light +appeared, and, remembering how the bell of the old State House rang out +the glad tidings a hundred years ago, John waved his cherished parcel, +joyfully exclaiming, "Independence is declared! ring! ring! ring!" then +raced across the park like another Paul Revere when the signal light +shone in the steeple of the old North Church. + +Next morning at an early hour a carriage drove to Aunt Maria's door, and +with a stern farewell from her nightcapped relative Dolly was sent forth +to banishment, still guarded by the faithful Cobb. The mutinous damsel +looked pale and anxious, but departed with a friendly adieu and waved +her handkerchief to Tip, disconsolate upon the door-mat. The instant +they turned the corner, however, a singular transformation took place in +both the occupants of that carriage; for Dolly caught Cobb round the +neck and kissed her, while smiles broke loose on either face, as she +said gleefully,-- + +"You dear old thing, what _should_ I have done without you? Am I all +right? I do hope it's becoming. I had to give up every thing else, so I +was resolved not to be married without a new bonnet." + +"It's as sweet as sweet can be, and not a bit the worse for being +smuggled home in a market-basket," returned the perjured Cobb, surveying +with feminine pride and satisfaction the delicate little bonnet which +emerged from the thick veil by which its glories had been prudently +obscured. + +"Here's a glass to see it in. Such a nice carriage, with white horses, +and a tidy driver; so appropriate you know. It's a happy accident, and +I'm so pleased," prattled the girl, looking about her with the delight +of an escaped prisoner. + +"Bless your heart, Miss, it's all Mr. Harris's doings: he's been dodging +round the corner ever since daylight; and there he is now, I do declare. +I may as well go for a walk till your train is off, so good-by, and the +best of lucks, my dear." + +There was barely time for this brief but very hearty congratulation, +when a remarkably well-dressed highwayman stopped the carriage, without +a sign of resistance from the grinning driver. Cobb got out, the +ruffian, armed not with a pistol, but a great bouquet of white roses, +got in, and the coach went on its way through the quiet streets. + +"May day, and here are your flowers, my little queen." + +"Oh, John!" + +A short answer, but a very eloquent one, when accompanied with full +eyes, trembling lips, and a face as sweet and lovely as the roses. + +It was quite satisfactory to John; and, having slightly damaged the +bridal bonnet without reproof, he, manlike, mingled bliss and business, +by saying, in a tone that made poetry of his somewhat confused +remarks,-- + +"Heaven bless my wife! We ought to have had the Governor's coach to-day. +Isn't Cobb a trump to get us off so nicely? Never saw a woman yet who +could resist the chance of her helping on a wedding. Remembered every +thing I told her. That reminds me. Wasn't it lucky that your relics were +boxed up in dear Aunt Maria's shed, so all Cobb had to do was to alter +the directions and send them off to Philadelphia instead of home?" + +"I've been in a tremble for three days, because it seemed as if it +couldn't be possible that so much happiness was coming to me. Are you +quite sure you want me, John?" asked Dolly, careless for once of her +cherished treasures; for she had been busy with hopes and fears, while +he was attending to more material affairs. + +"So sure, that I've got something here to bind you with. Do you mind +trying it on to see if it fits, for I had to guess at the size," +answered John, producing his talisman with all a bridegroom's pride and +eagerness. + +"Please let me wear that as a guard, and use this one to be married +with. I've a superstition about it, for it suits us and the year better +than any other;" and Dolly laid the little ring of reddish gold beside +the heavier one in John's palm. + +"So it does, and you shall have it as you like. Do you know, when you +showed it to me three months ago, I had a fancy that it would be the +proper thing for me to put it on your finger; but I didn't dream I ever +should. Are you very certain that you don't regret the advice you gave +my friend Jack?" asked the young man, thinking with fond solicitude of +the great experiment that lay before them; for he knew by experience how +hard this world's ways sometimes are, and longed to smooth the rough +places for the confiding little creature at his side. + +"Do I look as if I did?" she answered simply, but with a face so full of +a true woman's instinctive faith in the power of love to lighten labor, +sweeten poverty, and make a heaven of the plainest home, that it was +impossible to doubt her courage or fear her disloyalty. + +Quite satisfied, John pocketed the rings and buttoned Dolly's gloves, +saying, while she buttoned his, both marvellously enjoying this first +service for each other, "Almost there now, and in less than half an hour +we shall be so safe that all the Aunt Marias in Christendom can't part +us any more. George has stood by me like a man and a brother, and +promised that every thing should be all right. The church will look a +trifle empty, I dare say, with only five of us to fill it; but I shall +like it better than being made a spectacle of; so will you, I fancy." + +"The church? I thought runaways were married in an office, by a justice, +and without much ceremony to make it solemn. I'm very glad it isn't so, +for I shall never have but one wedding, and I'd love to have it in a +sacred place," faltered Dolly, as a sudden sense of all it meant came +over her, filling her girlish heart with tender awe. + +"I knew that, dear, and so I did my best to make you feel no lack of +love, as I could not give you any splendor. I wish I had a mother to be +with you to-day; but George has lent me his, so there will be a woman's +arms to cry in, if you want to drop a tear; and fatherly old Dr. King +will give you to the happiest man alive. Well, well, my Dolly, if you'd +rather, cry here, and then let me dry your tears, as, please Heaven, I +will do all your life." + +"So kind, John, so very kind! I can't thank you in words, but I'll show +by deeds how much I honor, trust, and love my husband;" and nobly Dolly +kept her word. + +No one saw them as they went in, but the early sunshine made a golden +path for them to tread, and the May wind touched them with its balmy +kiss. No congratulatory clamor greeted them as they came out; but the +friendly sparrows twittered a wedding march, and the jovial George sent +them merrily away, by saying, as he gave John's hand a parting grasp,-- + +"I was right, you see, and there _is_ a Mrs. Harris?" + +If any one doubts it, let him look well about him, and he may discover +the best thing America could send to her Exposition: an old-fashioned +home, and in it an ambitious man who could not be bought, a beautiful +woman who would not be sold; a young couple happy in their love and +labor, consecrating this centennial year, by practising the +old-fashioned virtues, honesty and thrift, independence and content. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Pitchers: and Independence, by +Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER PITCHERS: AND INDEPENDENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 34920.txt or 34920.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/2/34920/ + +Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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