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diff --git a/39461-h/39461-h.htm b/39461-h/39461-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79606c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/39461-h/39461-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14322 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of I've Been Thinking, by A. S. Roe. + </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;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.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; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of I've Been Thinking;, by Azel Stevens Roe + +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/license + + +Title: I've Been Thinking; + or, the Secret of Success + +Author: Azel Stevens Roe + +Release Date: April 16, 2012 [EBook #39461] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK I'VE BEEN THINKING; *** + + + + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + +<h1>I'VE BEEN THINKING;</h1> + +<h3>OR,</h3> + +<h2><i>THE SECRET OF SUCCESS</i>.</h2> + +<h2>BY A. S. ROE,</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "LOOKING ROUND."</h3> + + +<p class="center">WARD, LOCK AND CO.<br /> +LONDON, NEW YORK, AND MELBOURNE</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>I'VE BEEN THINKING.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>'Where is the use, Jim, of our working and working to raise so many +vegetables? we never can use them all. Mother said last year there was +no necessity for raising more than we could eat, and now this potato +patch is larger than ever.' And as he said this, the little speaker +threw himself upon the soft ground, struck his hoe into the soil, and +looked up at his brother to see how he would take it.</p> + +<p>Jim, as he was called, rested a moment on his hoe, eyed his brother +closely, and then, with something of a smile, replied:</p> + +<p>'Come, Ned, don't give up to lazy feelings; the things will do somebody +good; and you know my father always told us, that it was better to be at +work, even if we got no pay for it: and besides, I have been thinking of +a plan by which we may do something with what we raise, if we have more +than we can use.'</p> + +<p>'What plan, Jim?' and Ned raised himself from his prostrate position, +and sitting with both hands resting on the ground, looked very +inquiringly at his brother.</p> + +<p>'Why, suppose we should try to sell some of the things we raise?'</p> + +<p>'Try to <i>sell</i>, Jim? ha, ha, ha!' and the little fellow threw himself +upon the ground, and indulged in a hearty fit of laughter. Jim laughed a +little himself, resuming his work, and hauling the dirt up faster around +the potatoes he was hilling.</p> + +<p>'Come, Ned, you had better go to work; the sun will soon be down, and we +shall not get our task done.'</p> + +<p>'Well, tell me then <i>where</i> you are going to sell the things; that's +all.'</p> + +<p>'I shall say no more about it now, at any rate; you will only laugh at +it. So come, take up your row.'</p> + +<p>Ned, perceiving that Jim was working upon both rows, was ashamed to +waste any more time, and inspirited by his brother's kindness, sprang to +his feet, and the two boys worked away with alacrity.</p> + +<p>The sun had gone down, the cow had been milked and the pigs fed, the +hens had all gone to roost, and the two brothers had sauntered towards +the river which ran before their dwelling, and taken a seat together on +a rock under the branches of a huge oak, of which there were several +around the premises. Before them lay, <i>first</i>; a gentle slope of short +greensward, part of what was known as the town commons, where every +body's cow, or pig, or goose, could roam unmolested; beyond <i>this</i> lay a +smooth sandy shore, washed by a river, whose waters had not far to go +before they mingled with the ocean, or with a large arm of the ocean; +along the shore, as far as the eye could reach, was the same, or nearly +the same, strip of green commons, dotted here and there with small rude +dwellings, the abodes of a few fishermen, who existed on the products of +the river that rolled before them; a few small boats lay drawn up on the +shore, and occasionally a row of stakes running out into the water, told +where the fishermen had planted their nets. The only house in sight that +had any appearance of comfort was the one these brothers called their +home—a plain one-story building, with a little wing to it; a paling ran +in front and around three sides, enclosing the patch of ground used as +their garden; a few fine old trees threw their shadows over and around +the premises, adding much to the domestic aspect of the place; a +pleasant country spread back from the river, and in the distance could +be seen here and there the chimney top, or the peaked roof of some +obscure dwelling, making no greater pretensions than those described.</p> + +<p>'I wonder what Sam Oakum is doing along shore there?'</p> + +<p>'Where, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'Down by that clump of rocks. Don't you see him?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, he is picking up horse-shoes; he has not fed his pigs yet; I +suppose his father is drunk to-day, and the pigs are squealing, and Sam +has gone to look for something for them to eat; poor fellow!'</p> + +<p>'Sam is a clever fellow; I do wish his father would act differently. I +cannot see what is to become of him. They who have no father are bad +enough off, but I think poor Sam is worse off still.'</p> + +<p>'Do you think, Jim, if father had lived, that we should have stayed +here?'</p> + +<p>'I cannot say—I suppose we should. Why do you ask that question, Ned?'</p> + +<p>'Because I think it is a poor place to get a living in; nor do I see how +we are going to get along here; it is hard hoeing for it any how.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Hard hoeing?</i> I don't think so, Ned; it is a great deal harder doing +nothing.'</p> + +<p>'Perhaps it is; I should like to try it once, and see.'</p> + +<p>'I believe it to be true what father often said, that "hard work made +short nights and sweet food," and if we should give up work, what would +become of mother and Ellen?'</p> + +<p>'I will work for them, Jim, as long as I have got any fingers to work +with; but we may hoe and hoe here all our lives, and what will it amount +to?'</p> + +<p>'I have been thinking a great deal about that, Ned, and therefore I +spoke to you as I did to-day when you laughed so at me.'</p> + +<p>'Well, tell me <i>now</i>, Jim; I promise you I will not laugh any more.'</p> + +<p>'I have been thinking for some time, just as you say, Ned, "that we must +hoe and hoe all our lives," and without much hope of making our +condition any better.'</p> + +<p>'Why you see, Jim, if there was any one here to buy what we raised, more +than we wanted to eat, there would be some use in raising all we could.'</p> + +<p>'I know it, Ned; and the great trouble is, that the folks all round here +are as poor as we are, and the most of them not so well off; they live +from hand to mouth, and would never want any thing we could raise.'</p> + +<p>'Why, I suppose they would like our strawberries and peaches well +enough, if we would give them away; but they will never take the trouble +to raise any for themselves, and I am very sure they will never have any +money to buy them with.'</p> + +<p>'That is it, Ned; you are right now. Father has taught us to raise such +things, you know, and if we had any way to dispose of them, we could +raise many more than we do.'</p> + +<p>'Then you would see how I could work, Jim, and we would stuff the old +garden full of every thing.'</p> + +<p>'I have been thinking—now, you won't laugh again?'</p> + +<p>'No, I won't, I promise you.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I have been thinking—you know, just over the other side of the +island is that large fort; sometimes there is quite a company of +soldiers, and always some officers and their families there; the grounds +about there are so rocky and sandy, that they cannot raise any thing if +they would; they no doubt get their provisions in large quantities from +a distance, but the officers and their families might like some of our +fruits and vegetables, as we could supply them fresh; the only thing is, +how to get there?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, Jim, that would be the trouble; we have no boat, and we should not +know how to manage one if we had it, and mother would be so afraid to +let us go such a distance on the water.'</p> + +<p>'I have thought of these difficulties, Ned, but I believe we can get +along with them. I know it will be difficult getting to the fort +sometimes, in rough weather; and then, as you say, we have no boat, and +we should not be able to manage one if we had it; but how would it do to +ask Sam Oakum to join us?'</p> + +<p>'Sam Oakum is the very fellow, just the very fellow; but stop, Jim, Sam +has not got a boat.'</p> + +<p>'I know that; but no doubt he can borrow one for the first trip, and +then, if our plan should succeed, perhaps we could hire it until we were +able to buy one for ourselves.'</p> + +<p>Ned could stand it no longer; he jumped from the rock, clapped his +hands, huzzaed, caught hold of Jowler, who had sprung up, and was +barking away in answer to Ned's huzza, and down they went on the green +sward together.</p> + +<p>'Don't go crazy, Ned, we may be disappointed after all; mother may not +give her consent, Sam may be unwilling to go, or not able to get a +boat.'</p> + +<p>'Do stop, Jim, bringing up difficulties; I don't want to hear them now. +I know mother will let us go, and I know Sam will like dearly to join +us; he can get a boat, I am sure he can.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Ned, the first thing we must do is, to get mother's consent.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and you will speak to her this very night, won't you, Jim? I will +put in a word once in a while, just to help along.'</p> + +<p>Twilight was past; the stars were shining through a clear bright sky, +when these two brothers retraced their steps towards home. It is +pleasant to see them so cheerfully complying with that command, 'Honor +thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which +the Lord thy God giveth thee.'</p> + +<p>And now I suppose my readers may be anxious to know some particulars +about our boys, and the place where they lived.</p> + +<p>Their father, Mr. James Montjoy, who had died a few months before the +period at which our story commences, was rather a plain man in his +appearance and manners, and lived on a small pension just enough to +sustain his family, so that he left nothing for their support but the +house and garden. I think he must have been a good man, for his boys +revered his name, and often repeated his sayings to each other; and on +no account would they deviate from what they believed would have been +his will.</p> + +<p>As to the place where they lived, I have already partly described it; it +was a very retired spot, a few farm-houses were scattered about at +irregular intervals, but all wearing the same general aspect. A want of +enterprise was manifest on every side; poor roads, poor fences, broken +barns, patched windows in almost every house, miserable-looking waggons +and horses, and people in appearance as uncouth and woe-begone as their +teams.</p> + +<p>There was but one store in the place, and how that was supplied was +somewhat mysterious; for no boats sailed from or to this lone spot. I +have heard, that once in a year a large lumber waggon, that came from a +distance, brought a load of casks and boxes, which contained all the +goods necessary to supply the few wants of its customers, a little tea, +and sugar, and molasses, and a few coarse dry goods, with an undue +proportion of whiskey. The storekeeper looked no better than his +customers; he was a dried-up, wrinkled little man, with a very red nose; +always clad in a suit of grey clothes, with a broad-brimmed greasy hat, +turned up in front, and a pair of iron spectacles, through which stared +two very large eyes, somewhat the worse for the use of cider and +whiskey.</p> + +<p>The store itself was a long, low, tumble-down-looking place, with a shed +running along its front, under which might almost always be seen a +certain number of miserably dressed persons, the customers of the +store.</p> + +<p>It will be of no use to any of my readers to be told the real name of +this place, nor its exact locality. I have mentioned that it was on a +river, and not far from where that river emptied itself into a sound, or +arm of the sea; but as there are a great many rivers and sounds in our +beautiful country, I must leave you all to guess the right one. And +perhaps many of you will pass this place, or have already passed it many +times, and when you have seen, or shall see, the beautiful church spire +that now rises from the midst of the trees which embower it, and the +neat white houses along the shore, and the trim vessels that line the +wharves, and hear the lively—'Yo, heave yo!' of the sailors, as they +hoist the white sail to the breeze, you will little dream that it was +once as I have described it.</p> + +<p>And now we must see how Jim gets along in gaining the consent of his +mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Montjoy was a good mother, and loved her three children most +tenderly; but as all mothers who truly love their children must +sometimes deny their wishes, Jim and Ned had learned some lessons, which +made them feel less and less confident the more they thought of the +matter. At length the former, taking up the candle, whispered to his +brother.—</p> + +<p>'Perhaps, Ned, we had better not say anything about it until to-morrow.'</p> + +<p>'I think so too, Jim.'</p> + +<p>So, kissing their mother and little Ellen, up they went to their garret +room, talking and laughing in great spirits.</p> + +<p>'The poor dear children,' thought Mrs. Montjoy, 'it makes my heart ache +to hear them; they think not of the future. May God, in his mercy, open +some way, for I see but a poor prospect before them. And it may be that +prayer was heard, and the God of the widow and the fatherless was +preparing the means by which these unprotected children would prove the +light of their native place, and her stay and comfort. Had she seen them +as they knelt down by the bedside together, she would have felt that her +children were not fatherless.</p> + +<p>The next morning the boys had a long conference with their mother; and +after she had listened to their plans, and stated to them, more +particularly than she had ever before done, the straitened circumstances +to which they were reduced, and expressed many fears on account of their +exposure on the water, she finally agreed that they might try what they +could do.</p> + +<p>No sooner had they reached the door, after thus accomplishing their +wishes, than Ned started on the full run, jumped over the first thing +that stood in his way—which happened to be old Jowler—caught up his +hoe from under the shed, and entering the garden by a cross cut, began +tearing the dirt around the potato hills with all his might.</p> + +<p>Jim walked very leisurely to his work, and for some time permitted his +brother to go on, thinking that he would soon become tired, and relax +his efforts; but seeing that Ned was coming back on <i>his</i> row,—</p> + +<p>'You had better keep your own row, Ned; I shall get along soon enough +with mine, and you will only tire yourself by working so fast.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I am in such a hurry, Jim; I want to get these potato hills +finished, so that we can go and talk with Sam Oakum about the boat.'</p> + +<p>'I am as much in a hurry as you are, Ned; but we have quite a patch to +hill yet, and we shall get through sooner, by working steadily, besides +doing our work better; we can get along with them by the middle of the +afternoon, and that will give us time enough to see Sam.'</p> + +<p>And as Jim had said, by the middle of the afternoon the last hill of +potatoes was finished; and, having made all their arrangements, and +agreed upon all they would say to Sam, they had nothing to do but go to +the tree where they placed their tools, and hang up their hoes for that +day.</p> + +<p>As Sam Oakum will be a prominent character in our story, I must +introduce him more particularly to my reader. His father lived in one of +the huts which I have said were scattered along the shore of the river +for some distance, and followed the occupation which <i>his</i> father had +followed before him, that of a fisherman; or, in other words, that of +catching a few fish or clams, sufficient to satisfy the cravings of +hunger for the day, and spending the rest of it in idleness and +drinking, without enterprise or ambition. As their fathers had done for +generations back, so did they; they seemed to feel that it was their +luck to be poor, and, to all appearance, felt willing that their +children should follow in their steps.</p> + +<p>Sam Oakum's father was rather a superior man to his neighbors; he had +some knowledge, too, of boat-building; he had never learned the trade, +but, being ingenious, could put together a small craft quite decently, +and the few poor boats which the fisherman owned were the work of his +hands; but he also exceeded many of his neighbors in the use of strong +drink, and too frequently it was feared that his wife and children +suffered for the necessaries of life, because the father was away, and +in no condition to get home. For a few years past, however, since Sam +had become able to manage a boat, he would see that there was food for +his mother and sisters, although there had been as yet no opening for +him by which he could do any more than this. There was no ground +attached to their poor house for him to cultivate; there was no work in +the vicinity that he could get; and the boat, by means of which he could +procure their supply from the water, he was obliged to borrow.</p> + +<p>Sam was now about sixteen years of age; a good-looking fellow he was +too, although his clothes were old and patched; his hair was black as a +coal, and very much disposed to curl; he had a good open countenance, +very bright black eyes, and a fine nut-brown complexion. As we shall +learn his character in the progress of our story, it will not be +necessary to describe him any closer at present.</p> + +<p>On the day that Jim and Ned had been so successful in obtaining the +consent of their mother to put their plan into execution, Sam had +experienced a severe trial: his father had indulged more freely his +dreadful appetite, and although in general kind to his family, had begun +to manifest a morose and sullen temper.</p> + +<p>Sam's mother was a good-natured, inoffensive woman, always endeavouring +to make the best of things; managing as well as she could with what was +in the house, and although sorely pinched sometimes, never finding fault +with her husband.</p> + +<p>'It would do no good,' she said, 'to be dinging at Oakum; it would only +make him worse.'</p> + +<p>So the poor soul went on from day to day, doing her best, and always +hoping, woman like, that he would be different one of these days; but on +this eventful morning her accumulated grievances could no longer be +repressed, and as her husband was about to leave the house, only to +return at evening in a wretched condition, she ventured to say to him—</p> + +<p>'Oakum, don't you think you'd better not go up to the store to-day?'</p> + +<p>'Don't I <i>think</i> I'd better <i>not</i>? <i>No</i>, I don't—what makes you ask +me?'</p> + +<p>'Oh well, I didn't mean no harm; only you have been away so much +lately.'</p> + +<p>'Well, supposing I have, whose business is <i>that</i>, I want to know?'</p> + +<p>'Why nobody's, I suppose; only you know, Oakum, we ain't got nothing in +the house but them two fish you brought in this morning; there ain't no +meal nor nothing.'</p> + +<p>'No meal nor nothing; yes, there is meal: didn't I bring home some +yesterday?'</p> + +<p>'Well, you know how that was, the pigs got at it.'</p> + +<p>'The pigs got at it—then why didn't you take care of it, and not let +the pigs get the children's bread?'</p> + +<p>'It wasn't mother's fault,' said Sam, who was by at the time, and knew +all the circumstances.</p> + +<p>'Whose fault was it then, you little vagabond?'</p> + +<p>'I ain't a vagabond yet; but we shall all be soon, if you keep going to +Grizzle's every day.'</p> + +<p>Sam's father was utterly confounded; he took off his hat and sat down.</p> + +<p>'What, are my children going to rise up against me? Go out of the house, +sir.'</p> + +<p>Poor Mrs. Oakum was in great trouble. Sam had said what was true; his +father had, in a state of unconsciousness, left the flour at the mercy +of the pigs; but she felt sorry that he had spoken, and Sam soon felt +very sorry for it too; his conscience upbraided him; he went out of the +house and kept as busy as he could, but he could not feel happy.</p> + +<p>By little and little Oakum found out from his wife all about the meal; +he was thoroughly ashamed, asked for another bag, and immediately took +his hat and departed.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the afternoon Sam sauntered along the shore to a +large flat rock that stood just at the water's edge. He took a seat upon +it, and with his eye stretched far over the beautiful bay, mused on his +sad condition and hopeless prospects. Was life to be as it had ever +been—a scene of idleness and want, a waste, with nothing to cheer or +stimulate his youthful mind? without education (not being able even to +read), without a trade, or the prospect of one, or any employment that +offered the least inducement to exertion? His conscience sorely troubled +him also on account of the disrespect he had shown to his father that +morning; and as he mused, his excited feelings started the tears down +his sunburnt face, and in the agony of the moment he exclaimed,</p> + +<p>'I wish I was—'</p> + +<p>'What do you wish?' said Ned Montjoy, as he stole up behind, and put his +hands over Sam's eyes.</p> + +<p>'But what is it, Sam?' you are in trouble; tell us right away. 'Can Jim +and I help you?'</p> + +<p>Sam wiped away his tears as he best could, but was unable at once to +make any reply.</p> + +<p>'Come, Sam, tell us, has anything happened to day?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, nothing particular, Ned; only sometimes I get tired of living as I +do.'</p> + +<p>'Oh well, Sam, if that is all, come cheer up; for Ned and I have a plan +in view, and if you will join us, perhaps things will be better for us +all.'</p> + +<p>'I'll join you and Ned in any thing, but I don't see what use I can be +to you.'</p> + +<p>'So much use, that we can do nothing without you <i>do</i> join us Sam. Can +we, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'No, I fear we cannot.'</p> + +<p>'Well, what is it, boys? Come, I'm ready for any thing.'</p> + +<p>'You tell him, Jim, all about it. I say, Sam, it's the best thing you +ever heard of. I tell you <i>what</i>, won't it be nice though?'</p> + +<p>And Ned kicked up his heels, ran a few steps, caught up a smooth flat +stone, and away it went skimming the surface of the water, and in +plunged Jowler, as he had often done before, on a fruitless search after +it. Jim took a seat alongside of Sam, and soon unfolded his scheme for +adventure. Sam's countenance brightened as Jim went on, and he was too +impatient to wait until the whole was regularly told.</p> + +<p>'And you want me to manage the boat, and you will sell the things?'</p> + +<p>'That is it, Sam.'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Jim, who put all this in your head? I wonder why I +never thought about taking clams and oysters there! I am sure they will +buy them: I might try some, couldn't I?'</p> + +<p>'Certainly—but how are we to get a boat? your father has none, has he?'</p> + +<p>'No, not now, but I know where I can borrow one; it has a sail to +it—it is old and leaky though, but a little calking will make all +tight.'</p> + +<p>No sooner had Sam said this, than Ned started off again on another +gallop; he took quite a circuit this time, and coming back caught Sam by +the back of his collar, and pulled him over flat upon the rock.</p> + +<p>'Didn't I tell you, Jim, that Sam Oakum was the fellow for us?'</p> + +<p>'Don't, Ned, act so crazy; let Sam go.'</p> + +<p>'Oh let him alone, Jim; he is so full, he must let out a little.'</p> + +<p>Sam rolled himself off from the rock, and picked up his little tarred +hat, which had fallen upon the sand.</p> + +<p>'Well, boys, when shall we go,—to-morrow?'</p> + +<p>'Why, can you get the boat ready by that time, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, that is, if old Andrews will let me have it; I guess there will be +no fear of that.'</p> + +<p>'Well, how shall we know? for if we go to-morrow, we must be up early +and pick our strawberries. Shall we come down here to-night, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'No; I tell you what we'll do—if I can get the boat, and father will +let me go, I won't come up; so, if you don't see me, you may conclude we +shall go.'</p> + +<p>'Agreed, Sam.'</p> + +<p>Sam was on good terms with the old man from whom he expected to get the +boat, and found no difficulty on that score; it occupied him, however, +the remainder of the afternoon in putting her in a condition suitable +for their voyage, and even then it was but a frail concern to venture +in, where at times the winds were strong and the waters rough. But Sam +knew no fear; so taking the oars and thanking his old friend very +heartily for his kindness, 'lay to,' and the little skiff flew through +the smooth water like a bird.</p> + +<p>He had accomplished, however, but one part of his work; he had yet to +meet his father and obtain his consent, and his heart sunk within him +when he thought of home, and the probable condition of things there. He +had resolved what course to pursue—he had done wrong, he had spoken +improperly to his parent, he must ask his forgiveness before he could be +happy. But he knew not in what condition he might find that parent. He +rowed his boat up to the rock where he had held the conversation with +Jim and Ned—hauled her up on the shore as far as he was able, carried +the stone anchor on land, and walked directly towards home, strong in +good resolutions, and with some faint hope that things might be better +than he feared. He gathered up the horse-shoes as he went along which he +had collected on the beach in the afternoon, enough to make a good +supper for his pigs; and throwing them over into their pen as he passed, +was just entering the door of his dwelling when he met his father, who +had his hat on and was going out. Sam saw at a glance that all was +right—he cast his eyes down:</p> + +<p>'Father, I'm sorry I spoke so this morning.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, never mind now, Sam.' And as he saw Sam wiping his eyes, for the +tears came fast, 'Never mind now, my boy; it has gone by, and a good +many other things I hope too—go in and get your supper.'</p> + +<p>Sam entered the room, happier than he had been for many a day; his +mother's countenance was lighted up with a smile, and his little sister +came up and whispered,</p> + +<p>'Father ain't been to Grizzle's to day.' Sam looked at his mother and +she at him—tears were glistening in both their eyes, but they told only +of joy and hope.</p> + +<p>He soon communicated to his mother his plan for the next day; she made +no objections, only she hoped he would take care of himself.</p> + +<p>'And may be you'd better speak to your father, Sam.'</p> + +<p>Just then Mr. Oakum came in, and Sam proceeded at once to tell him what +had been proposed, and what he had done about it.</p> + +<p>'I thought I saw a boat laying up by the rock there, and I couldn't +think where it came from—is that Andrew's skiff? don't it leak badly?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I've calked her, Father, she is tight as a whistle now.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Sam, you must take care of yourself, you know it's rough +sometimes round the point; you most keep close to shore, that skiff +won't stand much. I don't think it will be of much use for you to go +there, but you may try.'</p> + +<p>Early the next morning—so early that a faint streak of light was barely +visible in the east—Sam was off with his skiff, raking for clams and +oysters as his share of the freight; and by the time Jim and Ned were at +the shore with their baskets, he was ready to receive them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>It was a bright and beautiful morning, the water as calm and peaceful as +it was possible for water to be so near the restless ocean. Ned stood on +the shore, delighted to see the little skiff cut her way through its +glassy surface, and to hear the sound of Sam's oars reverberating for a +great distance along the opposite shore.</p> + +<p>He watched as it receded, until thinking it was about as far as he could +make them hear, hallooed with his loudest call, 'Good bye, boys!' He saw +them both look towards the shore, and heard in return, 'Good bye, Ned!' +coming as from a great distance. He took off his hat and waved it, then +went on his way to his daily task.</p> + +<p>Sam, although not experienced in long excursions, knew enough of the +labor of rowing, not to expend his strength at starting. They had ten +miles to pass over before they could reach their place of destination, +and the latter part would require much more exertion than the +commencement of their voyage; so, like an experienced mariner, he made +but little effort at first, and suffered his boat to flow along with the +tide. Jim was quite a novice in such matters but Sam had placed him at +the helm, and given him sundry directions how to steer.</p> + +<p>'The tide is just beginning to fall, and I guess it will bring me up +with the point without much rowing, if you will just keep her head right +there?'</p> + +<p>'I'll try, Sam; but don't you think I had better help you to row?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no; it's easy work now. She goes a pretty good jog; and I only just +dip my oars and take them out again. I guess, though, there will be some +pulling when we get round the point; but perhaps we shall have a little +breeze, and then we can put up our sail.'</p> + +<p>Sam's guessing turned out to be very correct; it required but little +effort to make the point; and as they turned their course in the +opposite direction to that in which they had been steering, and were no +longer sheltered by the island which formed their beautiful harbor, but +were fairly in the outer bay, across whose waters they could see the +haze of the ocean and the white beacon that lighted its weary voyagers +to their desired haven, the wind blew gently, and Sam lost no time in +taking advantage of it; there was just enough to carry them along +against the tide, which was no longer in their favor.</p> + +<p>The fort to which our little voyagers were steering had been erected +about ten years. It was intended to command the channel through which +vessels of ordinary size must pass, in their way from the ocean to one +of our most valuable cities. It was built with two tiers of ports, and +of sufficient strength for heavy guns; and as our foreign relations were +in an unsettled state, it had, at the period under consideration, its +full complement of men. It was erected at some distance from the shore +on a ledge of rocks which, at low water, formed a passage to the main +land; but when the tide was in, a few only of the highest rocks could be +seen.</p> + +<p>The nearer they approached the place of their destination, the more +serious did the matter appear to them.</p> + +<p>'Do you think, Sam, there is danger they won't let us in?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know; I hope not, Jim. It would be too bad, after all our +trouble, not to get even a chance to sell any thing.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Sam, we can but try, you know. We have only to tell them what +we've come for;—but I <i>say</i>, Sam, it makes my heart beat to look at it: +what high walls it has; and see, there are the sentinels walking up and +down—how their guns glitter in the sunshine!'</p> + +<p>'Halloo! halloo! where are you bound, my hearties?'</p> + +<p>The boys were startled by the gruff tones in which they had been +accosted; and, turning their eyes toward the shore from whence the +sounds seemed to come, saw an elderly man dressed in a sailor's habit, +seated on a rock, and beckoning to them, or rather, by a motion, +endeavouring to stop their progress.</p> + +<p>'Halloo! my boys; don't go ahead there, or you'll be foul of the rocks.'</p> + +<p>Sam immediately turned the skiff toward the shore, and they were soon in +close contact with the stranger. He was sitting on the rock, with one +leg swinging backwards and forwards, and the stump of the other sticking +straight out. His dress was a true sailor's rig, of blue originally, but +now much soiled, and of many colors. Spots of tar were pretty well +sprinkled over both, coat and trousers; vest he had none; but instead +thereof, a dark blue shirt, trimmed around the collar and bosom with +something that had once been white. On his head sat (for the crown was +too low to permit much of any thing to enter into it) a glazed hat, +which, from its bright appearance, had lately received a fresh coat of +tar; large bushy locks of sandy-colored hair stood out from beneath, +based by a thick mat of whiskers, extending under his chin, and covering +his whole neck; while down his back hung a queue of enormous size, +reaching nearly to the rock on which he sat. His features, what could be +seen of them, were not forbidding, although very much doubled and +twisted by the wear and tear of time and rough weather.</p> + +<p>'We were going to the fort,' said Jim; 'and can you tell us, good man, +if they will let us in!'</p> + +<p>'That's accordin' as to what your business is—if you got an arr'nd to +the major or his lady, or any of his folks, or to the lieutenant and his +lady, or so on—why the case is, they'll have to pass you right in; but +if it's only one of the privates you see, that's another thing.'</p> + +<p>'But we have no particular errand to anybody; we have got a few things +to sell, and would be glad to dispose of them at the fort.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, that's a new case—things to sell, ha! I guess it will depend +upon what things you've got. If it's contraband goods, and you're +thinking to git the better of Uncle Sam, you've come to the wrong +market; the major'll make short work with you.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know what you mean by contraband goods or trying to get the +better of anybody,' said Jim; 'we only thought they might be in want of +a few fresh vegetables and some strawberries.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, that's clean another case, there's no contraband in them; but +where under the blessed heaven have you come from? these things can't +grow nowheres round here.'</p> + +<p>'I shouldn't think they could,' said Jim, looking significantly at the +dreary waste of sand and stunted pine that spread as far as he could +see; 'strawberries might grow up in the pines there, but I guess not +such as these.' With that Jim stopped, and taking up a basket, pulled +off the covering of green leaves, and held them out for the old man to +look at.</p> + +<p>'Of all sights my eyes ever looked at!—--'</p> + +<p>'I think you'll find them as good as they look,' taking a double +handful, and holding them out towards the old man.</p> + +<p>'No, no,' shaking his weather-beaten face, 'I've no money to buy 'em; +you must go to the major.'</p> + +<p>'Take them and welcome, sir; I had no thought of asking you for pay; +you're very welcome to them.'</p> + +<p>'God bless your young heart!' and holding out his hands he soon showed +that he knew how to dispose of them; as soon as he had finished he +jumped down on his one leg, and adjusted his crutches.</p> + +<p>'Now, my hearties, I tell you what do you do; steer that craft o' your'n +right straight across to the fort, and just where you see that ledge of +rocks ends, you'll come foul of a pair o' stairs; haul up there, and +wait till I hobble round to my boat, and I'll be with you afore you've +made all fast.'</p> + +<p>Away went the old man, his crutches making the sand fly in his haste to +get to his boat, which lay a short distance from where he had been +sitting.</p> + +<p>The boys obeyed his directions, and had scarcely made their boat fast, +ere the old man was alongside.</p> + +<p>'Now, my hearties, you just hold on awhile here, till I see the major.'</p> + +<p>The moments seem long when we are in suspense, and our boys, in their +anxiety, began to fear that they should see no more of the old sailor; +it appeared so long, so very long that he stayed. After gazing intently +at the gate until their eyes were aching, all at once the sentinel +stopped, made a peculiar motion with his musket, and put his hand to his +cap; a gentleman of fine appearance passed out, followed at a respectful +distance by the crutches. He came directly to the stairs, and accosting +the boys in a very pleasant manner, inquired where they had come from, +and what they had for sale. Jim, in a straightforward, manly way, +answered his queries.</p> + +<p>'But, my little fellow, what ever put it into your head to come so far +as this in search of a market?'</p> + +<p>'We could think, sir, of no other place where there would be the least +chance to sell any thing; the people in this region are too poor to buy +such things.'</p> + +<p>'You may well say so, my lad, and they are like to be so; for a lazier +set I never saw; but I am glad to find that you, boys, are disposed to +do something. Peter tells me that you have some choice things for sale.'</p> + +<p>Peter, as we must call him hereafter, touched his hat when his name was +mentioned, but otherwise remained perfectly still, at a respectful +distance, saying nothing.</p> + +<p>Jim immediately uncovered the different articles, and with his hat off, +looked up at the officer, who smiled as he surveyed the little stock of +goods.</p> + +<p>'You have made out a pretty good assortment—those strawberries are +fine, indeed; are there plenty such raised in your area?'</p> + +<p>'None, sir, but in our garden; my father used to be very fond of fruit, +and he taught us to raise it.'</p> + +<p>'Is your father living?'</p> + +<p>'He is not, sir.'</p> + +<p>A shade of sadness at once passed over the countenance of the officer, +and his eye settled more intently upon the boy.</p> + +<p>'Well, my lad, have you fixed upon a price for your articles?'</p> + +<p>'I leave that to yourself, sir, as I am entirely ignorant of their +value.'</p> + +<p>Major Morris then ordered the different articles to be measured, and +putting down prices to them such as he was accustomed to pay, handed the +paper to Jim.</p> + +<p>'Not reckoning the strawberries, which I must pay something extra for, +the amount is one dollar and a half.'</p> + +<p>Jim looked up with astonishment.</p> + +<p>'I have calculated them at city prices, but if that is not enough——'</p> + +<p>'Oh yes, sir; yes, sir. I was not thinking of that; it is much more than +I expected.'</p> + +<p>'And now for the strawberries, what shall I say for them? they are finer +than those I usually purchase.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, sir, I cannot think of taking any thing for them, since you allow +me so much for the others; if you will only let me take some out and +give that good man there (pointing to Peter), you are welcome to the +rest.'</p> + +<p>'Certainly, certainly, here Peter.' But Peter had other views of the +matter, and instead of advancing to receive them, made two or three +retrograde steps with his crutches, at the same time putting his hand +upon his long queue and smoothing it down—a custom of his when at all +confused, and rolling a tremendous quid from one side of his mouth to +the other.</p> + +<p>'The young gentleman wishes to give you some of these, Peter.'</p> + +<p>'Thankee, sir, thankee;' nodding his head very fast all the time; 'no +occasion at all.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Peter, since you refuse them, take this basket and hand it to +Mrs. Morris yourself.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir;' and away went Peter in double-quick time.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Sam manifested no impatience, although somewhat +anxious as to what would be <i>his</i> fate; the moment Jim could with +propriety, he directed the attention of the gentleman to Sam's little +heap of clams and oysters.</p> + +<p>Sam took off the seaweed which he had thrown over them, and blushed +deeply as he met the keen black eye of Major Morris, which having +glanced a moment at <i>them</i>, was scrutinizing with apparent interest the +appearance of their owner.</p> + +<p>As Sam had no more idea of fixing a price than Jim had, the buyer was +obliged to pay for them on his own terms; so handing him fifty cents, he +said,</p> + +<p>'I fear it will not compensate you for the trouble of bringing them so +far, but it is the rate for which I buy them.'</p> + +<p>Sam expressed his perfect satisfaction the best way he could; for the +eye of the major was so long fixed upon him, that it quite took away his +self-possession.</p> + +<p>Having made arrangements to bring such articles as their garden afforded +twice a week, with light and happy hearts, lighter and happier than can +be well described, they pointed their sail and bent their course for +home. The rock was to be their landing-place, and long before they +reached it, Ned could be seen throwing stones and cutting capers with +Jowler.</p> + +<p>'Well, boys, how are you? what luck—sold any thing? I know by your +looks you haven't!'</p> + +<p>'How are you, Ned? any thing happened? You look sober.'</p> + +<p>'No, nothing.'</p> + +<p>All this was said while the boat was nearing shore, the moment it +touched the land Ned was on board; he looked at the empty baskets, and +then at Jim and Sam. Jim smiled, and held out his hand, full of silver +pieces, and Sam held out his; and then they told him of their success, +and what arrangements they had made for the future.</p> + +<p>Ned was somewhat confounded at the good news; but no sooner did he +comprehend it fully, than he took hold of both of them at once, shaking +them, and pushing them about, and hallooing.</p> + +<p>'How are you, boys? huzza! huzza!'</p> + +<p>'Do, Ned, stop your noise, and don't carry on so; you'll have us all in +the water.'</p> + +<p>'Never mind, Jim, we'll soon work ourselves dry. Huzza! huzza!'</p> + +<p>'I'm afraid you'll set the old boat a leaking, Ned.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Sam, I'll stop; but how can you fellows keep so still when you've +had such good luck?'</p> + +<p>Sam would have been perfectly contented with the product of his clams +and oysters for his day's work, but Jim would insist upon giving him a +certain proportion of what <i>he</i> had received, which was finally fixed at +one quarter; so that Sam was to have, besides all he could procure from +the sale of his own articles, one-fourth of whatever other things were +sold, as his pay for the boat, and his labor in rowing.</p> + +<p>And when Sam took the money which Jim handed to him, and put it with +what he had already received, and looked at it, a crowd of thoughts +rushed into his mind. Parents, sisters, home, the past, the present, and +the future—and that future bright with prospect of employment, and the +means of making those he loved as happy as himself. He could make no +answer to the cheerful 'Good bye' of Ned and Jim, but he turned his +bright and glistening eye towards them; and they went on their way the +happier that they saw how full of joy Sam was.</p> + +<p>Sam kept his money in his hand until he reached home, and, going +directly to his mother, put the whole of his treasure into her lap.</p> + +<p>'Why, Sam, where did you get all this?'</p> + +<p>'Earned it, mother;' and then he told her all about it, and what he was +expecting to do in future.</p> + +<p>'Oh,' said his mother, laying down her work, and clasping her hands +together in strong emotion, 'isn't this good! And now, Sam, you'll have +something to do all the time, and may be, your father will help you; and +may be he'll feel encouraged to do different; and may be——.' But the +hope of what might be, was too bright for her to utter it; and so she +sat and looked at Sam, and then she turned and looked out at the window; +and who can tell what a pleasing picture was painted out before her on +the sandy shore and the glassy river.</p> + +<p>Sam had designed that his mother should keep the money, and use it for +their need; but she refused.</p> + +<p>'No, no; keep it yourself, Sam; or, if you please, hand it to your +father. I see he's coming yonder, and all seems to be right with him.'</p> + +<p>And so it proved; he had been to work for a neighbor where no restraint +would have been placed upon his appetite; but, strange to say, he had +not indulged. He had received no money for his services, for there was +seldom any of that to be got; but he had a bunch of fish in one hand, +and a kettle with flour in the other.</p> + +<p>'Why, Sam, you got back? that is clever. What luck? not much, I guess.'</p> + +<p>Sam made no reply, but as soon as his father had laid down his things he +handed out his little store.</p> + +<p>'Here, father, please to take this.'</p> + +<p>'Why, Sam, you didn't sell your things for all this, did you?'</p> + +<p>And then Sam told him all the story, while his father looked in +amazement at the money, and at Sam, and then at his wife; as soon as he +had finished he held out his hand.</p> + +<p>'Here, my boy, go give it to your mother; it's better with her than with +me.'</p> + +<p>'No, father, I'd rather you would take it, and do what you please with +it.'</p> + +<p>Blessings on you, Sam, that you had the good sense and good feeling to +answer as you did. You have poured a cordial into that father's heart, +which will do more to heal his weaknesses, and strengthen his good +resolutions, than could have been done by all the world beside. He feels +that he is yet a father, all is not lost—his <i>children yet</i> trust in +him—the bright happy look of that boy has accomplished a work which an +angel would gladly have been commissioned to perform. God bless you, +Sam, for this one act, to your latest day.</p> + +<p>'Well, Sam, then keep it yourself, and add as much to it as you can; for +you are a good boy.'</p> + +<p>'They shall have it tho' yet, in some way or other,' said Sam to +himself, as he put it into his little chest. 'I shan't keep it for +myself; that <i>I shan't</i>.'</p> + +<p>It would have required two smart talkers to have answered all Ned's +questions as fast as he put them; and as Jim never talked fast, he was +not half through answering when they reached home: their lively +conversation brought their mother out to meet them as they were entering +the front yard.</p> + +<p>'Oh mother, what <i>do</i> you think? Jim has sold all the things for ever so +much; see the empty baskets, and (striking Jim's pocket) hear that—hear +the money jingle.'</p> + +<p>Both smiled at Ned's earnestness; and entering the house, a little +circle was soon formed around Jim, who went through with his story in +his own way.</p> + +<p>'And now, mother,' said Ned, as soon as his brother had finished, +'you'll see how I can work; and if you will only give me a little bite +of something, I will go at once and finish my hoeing, for I was so +anxious to see the boys come back, that I have done nothing all the +afternoon but look over to the point.'</p> + +<p>'You now feel, boys, the benefit of having been taught to work; it is no +hardship to you now.'</p> + +<p>'Why, mother, I would rather work than play.'</p> + +<p>'You thought differently the other day, Ned.'</p> + +<p>'I know that, Jim; but you see the case is altered—that plan of yours +which I laughed so much about, makes altogether a great difference. I +don't believe any body would want to work just for the sake of it, would +they, mother?'</p> + +<p>'No doubt, my dear, we need some stimulus to make us exert ourselves +cheerfully; but your father always said that it was better to be at +work, even if it did not amount to much; it was impossible, he said, for +an idle person to be happy.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Montjoy said but little by way of encouragement, for she saw that +the boys were both highly elated with their success and the prospect +before them; but she secretly admired and gratefully acknowledged the +overruling of that kind Providence, which had opened a way for her +children's usefulness and the supply of their wants.</p> + +<p>The next morning Jim and Ned did not need to be awaked; there was real +business on their hands now, and they must use their time to the best +advantage; so at it they went while the sun was but just rising, and by +the time their breakfast was prepared, had completed hilling their +cabbages: as they ceased work, Jim leaned on his hoe, and looking at his +brother,—</p> + +<p>'I've been thinking, Ned, what we've got to do.'</p> + +<p>'I knew you'd been thinking, for you haven't spoken a word this half +hour; twice I asked you about old Peter, and you only answered, "Ha!"'</p> + +<p>'Did I, Ned? well, I was thinking what we are going to do about these +cabbages.'</p> + +<p>'I don't see any thing to do about them; ain't they well hoed?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, they are doing well enough; but what will the cow do!'</p> + +<p>'Why, eat them; I am sure none of us wants them.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, but Ned, how can the cow have them if we sell them?'</p> + +<p>'That, to be sure; but where can we put any more—the garden is full?'</p> + +<p>'We can put one here, and another there, and there in those vacant +spots; there will be room for one hundred heads and more.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Jim; any thing more?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I've been thinking where we could plant some more potatoes.'</p> + +<p>'There is no use of thinking about that, Jim; for when these cabbages +are planted, every spot will be occupied; you don't think of digging up +the walks, do you?'</p> + +<p>'No, not exactly that, Ned; but there is that strip of turf, south of +the path running to the barn; the grass is of no value, and if mother +would let us take it, we might turn it over with our spades, and raise +twenty bushels of potatoes there.'</p> + +<p>'Any thing else, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'That will do for to-day, won't it, Ned?'</p> + +<p>'I think we shall find it will—it makes my back ache already to think +about that digging. I wish it was a little cooler.'</p> + +<p>The pleasant voice of their little sister was now heard calling them to +breakfast, for which they were both well prepared by their early labors.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>Sam's first care after awaking on the morning which succeeded the scenes +in the last chapter, was to make some arrangement with old Mr. Andrews +for the boat. The old man was of the easy sort; he had never done much +when young, and now in advanced life depended entirely for the few clams +he wanted upon his son, who lived a short distance from him, and was +growing up in his father's likeness.</p> + +<p>'You're welcome, Sam, to use the boat as long as you're amind to, and I +won't ax you nothin' for it; only once in awhile you may bring the old +woman a few clam.'</p> + +<p>'I thank you very much, Uncle John; I will take good care of the boat, +and will bring you some clams every day.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, no, no, Sam; I don't want no sich thing as that; only once in a +while, you see. Jack, he's a gettin' lazy like, and sometimes the old +woman gets tired of fish, and then a few clams is a kind of change for +her.'</p> + +<p>Sam's next business was to visit Mr. Grizzle's store, that he might +purchase some article his mother needed.</p> + +<p>'There shan't be no more trust, if I can help it,' said he, as he took +up his money-box, and put some of its precious contents into his pocket. +It was quite early in the day, yet several of Mr. Grizzle's customers +were already assembled when Sam reached the store; he had a great +reluctance to enter it, associated as it was in his mind with all that +had been dark and sorrowful in his past experience; but nowhere else +could supplies be obtained. Old Mr. Grizzle was busy behind his counter, +twirling the toddy-stick, saying smart things, or what he took to be so, +for he laughed very heartily at his own wit; and his customers, poor +souls! were so much in his debt that they were obliged to laugh too.</p> + +<p>Sam glanced his eye over them all—some were bald with age; some in the +prime of life; and one, he knew him well, a lad but two years older than +himself, was draining the last sweet drop from the cup of poison as Sam +stepped up to the counter.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Grizzle, what do you charge for seven pounds of flour?'</p> + +<p>'What do I charge?' At the same time putting his spectacles upon his +forehead.</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir, what is the price?'</p> + +<p>'The price, boy? Why, how does your father want it? for fish or for +trust?'</p> + +<p>'We don't want it for neither, sir, but for the money.'</p> + +<p>'Ah!—the money. Well, I s'pose we must try to let you have it a little +less; but flour is plaguy dear any how, and I aint got none but rye.'</p> + +<p>Sam succeeded in procuring a small deduction, and with that he purchased +some tar.</p> + +<p>'I shall tar my boat with what I have saved by paying the money,' said +Sam to himself, as he laid down his cash on the counter; then taking up +his goods went straight on his way.</p> + +<p>'That seems to be rather a 'cute boy, Mr. Grizzle—that young Oakum.'</p> + +<p>'The younker, I guess, will go ahead of the old man,' said Grizzle, as +he dropped the money Sam had given him through a little hole in the +counter.</p> + +<p>An old man, with his thin white locks dangling on his shoulders, placed +his half-emptied tumbler on the bench beside him, and turning his head +very emphatically on one side, said, 'Oakum is naturally a smart man, +and he has got a clever wife, but somehow he don't get along much—no +better than the rest of us.'</p> + +<p>'And what is the reason, Uncle John,' said another, addressing the last +speaker, 'that we are all so poor?'</p> + +<p>'Why, I s'pose it's to be so—it's our luck, as I take it.'</p> + +<p>'Our <i>luck</i>?' said the young man, who stood by the door with his hands +in his pockets, looking at the receding form of Sam Oakum, whose light +steps were carrying him far on his way—he laid a strong emphasis on the +word luck.</p> + +<p>'Yes, as I take it, it's our luck; a man may work ever so hard, but if +luck is agin him, it's no use.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, it is use,' said the same young man; 'that is, if a man would let +rum alone—that makes the bad luck; I wish there had never been a drop +made.'</p> + +<p>'What's that you say, Bill? I guess your bitters is gone down the wrong +way this morning.' And old Grizzle laughed heartily, and so did his +customers. Bill, as he was called, laughed a little too, but not as the +rest did.</p> + +<p>'S'pose you mix Bill another glass, Mr. Grizzle, and see how that will +go?' And they all laughed again; and to carry the joke through, Grizzle +did prepare another glass, and placing it on the counter,</p> + +<p>'There, try that, Bill; but may be you darsen't, you seem to be so +afraid all at once.'</p> + +<p>Bill hesitated a moment; the fear of ridicule was too powerful. He +seized the glass, and pouring its contents hastily down his throat, left +the store amidst the uproarious laughter of his companions.</p> + +<p>Jim and Ned had collected a much larger quantity of vegetables for their +second trip, and to the baskets of strawberries which they designed as +gifts, added a beautiful nosegay of the earlier flowers.</p> + +<p>'Strawberries and flowers,' said Sam, as he was pushing the boat from +the shore; 'your things look tempting indeed; I guess old Peter will hop +round when he sees these.'</p> + +<p>'I have brought that small basket on purpose for him; and the flowers I +thought the ladies might be pleased with—I don't think they see many +where they are.'</p> + +<p>'It almost makes me feel bad, Jim, to think that I have nothing to carry +worth looking at.'</p> + +<p>'Why, it is all one concern, you know, Sam; and I mean to have you hand +them the flowers.'</p> + +<p>'I shan't do it, Jim—I should make a pretty figure, with my old patched +clothes and bare feet, handing flowers to ladies and gentlemen!'</p> + +<p>'Sam Oakum, if you talk so, you'll make me feel bad; who cares for your +clothes?'</p> + +<p>'<i>You</i> don't Jim, I know; but all don't feel as you and Ned do—Keep her +head to the point, Jim, straight as you can.'</p> + +<p>Sam had much more rowing to do than on the former trip, the wind not +coming quite so soon to their aid.</p> + +<p>Peter was on the look-out for them, and hailed them before they reached +the landing.</p> + +<p>'Halloo, my hearties! keep her jist about so—there—ease up—in with +your oars; you've had a long pull to-day—but you'll learn to take it +sailor-fashion after a while.'</p> + +<p>The boys were very busy fastening their boat and taking down their sail, +and did not at the moment perceive that any one was present but the old +sailor, until attracted by the bunch of flowers lying on one of the +baskets, he exclaimed,—</p> + +<p>'Susie, Susie, look here! did you ever see such posies as these?'</p> + +<p>Sam at once seated himself in the stern of the boat, as far out of the +way as possible; while Jim, taking up the flowers, handed them to Peter, +and blushing very much,—</p> + +<p>'These are for the lady, if you will be so good as to give them to +her—and this basket of strawberries; and here is one for yourself, sir, +if you will please accept it.'</p> + +<p>'Bless your young hearts, to think of the old sailor. I thank you +kindly, boys; but'—putting his face down to Jim, and whispering—'you +won't mind my giving them to this little pet of mine;'—then raising +himself up—'Here, Susie, you carry these flowers to your Ma, and I'll +carry the strawberries;'—then stooping down again, and speaking in a +low voice—'the Major will be here pretty soon; he's busy now—you won't +be none the loser for these, I tell you. He's a real gentleman, and a +liberal soul, and he's got plenty to do with.' And the old man shook his +head very knowingly, making his long queue, as it stuck out in the air, +perform some strange manoeuvres; the boys, however, were diverted from +observing its wonderful gyrations by a sudden attraction towards the +flowers. It must have been that Peter's rapturous praises, or the +delight which they seem to have afforded Miss Susan, had unfolded new +beauties to our boys, for their eyes followed <i>the flowers</i>, even when +the young lady buried her pretty face among them to enjoy a fulness of +their fragrance—it could not possibly have been any thing else, Sam was +so very bashful, and Jim so very discreet—but their eyes followed the +flowers, even until the lovely little maiden that carried them was lost +to their view, and entered the castle gate.</p> + +<p>Major Morris appeared well pleased with the variety Jim had brought, and +arranged every thing, as to price and measurement, in the same business +manner as before. He then proceeded to speak with him in reference to a +supply for the ensuing winter, enumerating a variety of articles, and +among them beans and potatoes.</p> + +<p>'Potatoes we shall have, sir, and perhaps a few beans.'</p> + +<p>'I wish to engage three hundred bushels of potatoes, to be well +selected, and of good size, and fifty bushels of beans. If you choose to +make a contract to deliver me these articles in the fall'—at the same +time handing to Jim a strip of paper with the prices annexed—'on these +terms, you can do so; and if you have not so many of your own, you can +doubtless purchase them of your neighbors, so as to pay you well for +your trouble.'</p> + +<p>The boys were so confounded by the magnitude of the business proposed to +them, that when the Major ceased speaking, Sam looked at Jim and he at +Sam, and neither of them the wiser for any thing gained from the +countenance of the other—until Sam, as though it was more than he could +stand under, sat down; in doing so, however, he stumbled over his clams +and oysters, which attracted the notice of the Major to them.</p> + +<p>'Ah, what have you got there? clams and oysters? I had like to have +forgotten to inquire for them.'</p> + +<p>This brought Sam to his senses again; clams and oysters, almost in any +quantities, were familiar to him, but where three hundred bushels of +potatoes and fifty bushels of beans were to come from, was beyond his +comprehension. He soon had his part of the cargo on shore, and as Major +Morris handed him the money, thanked him in a very civil manner.</p> + +<p>It was some time before Jim gave any reply to the proposal which had +been made to him, he was so absorbed in thinking; his mind had to run +over all the names of persons likely to have such articles for sale, and +the probable quantity each might be willing to spare. At length, after +thanking Major Morris for giving him such a chance—for he had sense +enough to perceive that it was all in kindness that the offer had been +made—he agreed to accept it.</p> + +<p>'And now, my lads, you must go with me, as Mrs. Morris wishes to thank +you personally for the flowers and fruit.'</p> + +<p>Again the boys looked at each other, and Sam turned very pale and then +very red, and finally sat down, and made signs to Jim to go along.</p> + +<p>Jim knew that it would not be proper to hesitate under such +circumstances, so he prepared at once to follow; while Peter, who always +observed the most perfect silence in the presence of the Major, as soon +as he saw him on the way to the fort, began to make the most furious +gestures imaginable, motioning with his head so violently, that his +queue flew round behind him like a fly-brush; and when he thought there +was no danger of being overheard,—</p> + +<p>'Go along; go along, I say! he's axed you himself—go along; it will be +the makin' of you.'</p> + +<p>But it was of no avail. Sam shook his head and sat still, until the old +man, having exhausted his means of persuasion, took a seat beside him, +muttering something about 'dumb-founded perverseness.'</p> + +<p>Jim had a great curiosity to see what was within the walls of the fort; +but he had only time to catch a glimpse of large guns on +wheel-carriages, and soldiers with glittering muskets; for Major Morris +passed quickly on, and opening a side door in the hall, was at once in +an elegantly furnished apartment, and in the presence of several +fine-looking ladies and the little girl, who still held the bunch of +flowers in close contact with her face.</p> + +<p>Jim was not allowed to suffer the least embarrassment; for immediately +on his entrance Mrs. Morris arose, and coming toward him with a pleasant +smile and kindly salutation, thanked him so heartily for the present he +had sent to her, and talked so familiarly with him about his home and +his garden, that he felt as much freedom as though he had been long +acquainted.</p> + +<p>'I regret exceedingly,' said Mrs. Morris, 'that I have nothing to offer +you in return for such beautiful fruit; but you must not refuse to taste +some of my cake. Susie, lay down your flowers, if you can part with them +so long, and hand that plate to our young visitor.'</p> + +<p>Susie did at once as she was bidden: but she looked so very serious +about it, and walked so very slowly, that Jim would just at that moment +have preferred being in the boat by the side of Sam. She came directly +towards him with the silver plate in her hand, and some rich-looking +cake lying on it; so he had no alternative but to step towards her, and +in the politest manner he could, select a piece. His attention was, of +necessity, directed to the plate; but he could not help giving a glance +at other things. And indeed, Jim, you are not to blame for blushing as +you did, when you encountered the gaze of those sweet blue eyes, which, +in all the unaffected simplicity of youth, were fastened upon you. Her +golden-colored hair, parted smoothly from the fair forehead, and hung in +such a cluster of curls upon her snow-white neck—the rich color that +painted her parting lips, just tinged with the slightest blush her +dimpled cheek. She meant nothing by her gaze; it was only the expression +of an innocent curiosity in reference to the young gentleman she was +waiting upon. His clothes, to be sure, were coarse, and such as well +became the work in which he was engaged; but his collar was very white, +and neatly tied with a black ribbon; and his light-brown hair, so soft +and silky; his fair complexion, his pleasant voice, and good manners, +all made a contrast which she did not understand; and it would seem that +some of the company present, much older than Susie, were equally +surprised.</p> + +<p>'What a fine, manly-looking boy! and how well he behaves,' said Mrs. +Morris, as soon as Jim had retired, to an elderly lady richly dressed, +and who, from the peculiar glance she gave to another lady much younger +than herself, while Mrs. Morris and Susie were paying so much attention +to our Jim, felt anything but satisfied at the scene.</p> + +<p>'I say, aunt, what a fine little fellow that is!'</p> + +<p>'Well, Lettie,' said the elderly lady, shaking her sides a little, as +though it was something so ludicrous that she must laugh—she could not +help it, 'I didn't see anything very extraordinary. Where is he from? +who is he? a son of some of the gentlemen down in the pines here? Mary +and I saw some specimens of their houses—a mansion or two;' and the old +lady laughed so heartily, that she could say nothing more, and the young +lady had to put her handkerchief to her face to hide the emotion which +was agitating her. Mrs. Morris was aware of the peculiarities of this +lady, an aunt of her husband's, and as she unintentionally had opened +the way for a long lecture on the plebeian notions of herself and +husband, she was much relieved by the entrance of the Major, who, full +of praises of 'those manly little fellows,' as he called Jim and Sam, +whom he had just parted with, drew upon himself the storm which Mrs. +Morris came near enduring alone.</p> + +<p>'I felt disposed to laugh, I must say, Philip,' addressing the Major, +'to see Lettie paying as much personal respect and attention to a little +market boy, as it seems he is, as though he had belonged to one of our +best and most respectable families. I say, I felt at first disposed to +laugh, but I must say, Philip,' and the old lady straightened herself in +a very decided manner, and began fanning herself very earnestly—'I must +say, that when I saw that dear child, at her mother's bidding, waiting +upon a young clown as though he had been a very gentleman, and when I +thought what blood ran in her veins, it fired my indignation. Such +things ought not to be, Philip; you will demolish all distinctions in +society, or at any rate, bring your own family to feel that it is no +matter whom they associate with, and that one is as good as another.'</p> + +<p>The Major suffered his aunt to 'say her say out,' and, knowing as he did +what reason he had personally to set a high estimate on the pedigree to +which she seemed to think it was such an honor to be allied, was +designing some palpable hits for the special benefit of his kindred, +drawn from his own experience; but being a wise man, as well as a +noble-hearted one, he concluded to treat the matter as he saw his wife +was doing, and laugh it off.</p> + +<p>'Why, aunt! I thought you had given me up long ago as an incorrigible +boy, who would have his own way. You know, aunt, I began very early in +life to do as I pleased; and having worked my own way up the ladder so +far, it is not strange if I should be a little headstrong, or my notions +of such matters as you have touched upon somewhat peculiar.'</p> + +<p>His good aunt had heard enough to refresh her memory on a matter that, +now the subject of it had, as he reminded her, raised himself to +distinction, she, as well as the rest of his kindred, would have been +willing should pass into oblivion; and was well satisfied when the Major +invited her and the other ladies to walk with him upon the ramparts to +witness a fine sight, the passing of a ship of the largest class, under +full sail.</p> + +<p>This lady and her daughter will not be subjects of our story; so I will +not trouble the reader with any farther description of them. They belong +to a class often met with in the common walks of life, who, because of +some imaginary value which they attach to the ancestry from which they +have descended, gauge their estimate of others by what they think to be +the equality, or inequality, of their station to that which they suppose +themselves to occupy. Major Morris estimated society by a different +standard; and, as we shall have much to do with him, it may be well to +trace the causes which led him thus to judge.</p> + +<p>He was born in a part of our country where the distinctions which +formerly prevailed between the classes of society were still kept up. +His parents were allied to those who claimed the higher ranks of life as +theirs by birth, and struggled hard to maintain their station; but +poverty and death are great levellers, and young Morris found himself, +at twelve years of age, an orphan, without a home, or the means of +support, except that which was afforded him by the charity of his +kindred. He was invited by an uncle to make his house a home, and for a +while enjoyed the privilege of dwelling within a splendid mansion, and +faring sumptuously, and mingling amongst the gay youth that thronged +where abundance flowed. But he soon found that poverty was thought to be +a disgrace, even in nearest kin, by those who would have scorned the +idea of his engaging in any lawful calling whereby he could have earned +his bread, if that calling was not one which, in their view, his +peculiar class could engage in. Young Morris knew nothing of such +distinctions; but he knew that he was poor, and was made, on more than +one occasion, to feel his dependence. His high spirit rebelled; he left +his place of refuge, and took shelter beneath the roof of a poor family, +with whom he labored for a time most cheerfully in earning his daily +bread. From thence he obtained employment in one of our large cities in +the mercantile line; but as he reached the age in which generally a +choice is made of an occupation for life, his feelings prompted to the +military profession. Through the influence of a friend, whom his own +correct deportment had gained, he obtained a commission. His strict +attention to all the rules of the service, his entire devotedness to +every duty committed to him, and his well-established reputation as a +noble-minded and chivalrous officer, gave him favor in high places, and +he rose rapidly to the grade he then held. To a commanding appearance +and most polished manners, he united a kind and benevolent heart, warm +in its sympathies towards every object of distress; and he would have +poured out full streams to every child of want, to the very extent of +his ability. But well for him, as for those he would aid, he had learned +not only to bring others under wholesome discipline, but himself also; +he had learned that some of our best feelings must be under subjection +to prudent counsel, and that he who scatters in profusion, even from the +promptings of a noble heart, is as likely to do evil as good. He had +abundance to bestow, for he had married a lady of great wealth, and the +whole responsibility of its proper use was devolved on him; his lovely +wife had not only committed herself, but all she possessed, entirely to +him. 'She wanted nothing to call her own,' she said, 'but her husband's +heart.'</p> + +<p>Nothing could have been more gratifying to Major Morris than his +introduction to our boys. He could sympathise in their feelings; he +could value properly their enterprising spirit, and he had an +opportunity of indulging his kindness of heart in a way that would +stimulate them to exertion.</p> + +<p>It would be no easy task to describe the happiness which our boys Jim +and Sam enjoyed, as they drew their skiff to shore that evening, and +separated, each for their several homes. Sam found every thing as +peaceful as his heart could wish, while the wonderful story which he had +to tell excited the astonishment of his parents.</p> + +<p>'I don't believe tho', Sam,' said his father, 'you will find so many +beans and potatoes to sell in all this place; and then I don't see how +you are goin' to carry them, nor how you are goin' to pay for them.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know much about it, father; but I guess Jim will work it out +some way. He didn't hardly speak a word all the way home; he was +thinking, I know.'</p> + +<p>'Perhaps he may manage it, somehow; but I don't well see through it all, +Sam. I can't do much for you myself; only if I had the stuff, I might +build you a bigger boat, and one that would stand the waves better than +the old one you've got.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, would you, father?' and Sam's eyes began to glisten; and his +mother, good soul, had to wipe away the tears that her joyful heart +could not restrain—some of the <i>may-bes</i> which had so lately played in +pleasant vision before her, were indeed realised.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>The place where the scene of this story is laid, I have said was a lone +village; it had no communication with other places by means of boats, +although its water privileges were abundant; and between it and +neighbouring towns intervened an extent of country, consisting of +pine-barrens, where no settlements could exist, or at least any that +deserved the name. There were those, however, who dwelt amid its dreary +solitudes, and called it home. Scattered here and there upon an area of +ten to fifteen miles square, might be seen, sometimes alone and +sometimes in clusters of three or four, a few miserable dwellings, made +principally of logs. A door, and one window without glass, were the only +openings to these abodes; and a rude chimney running up against the +outside, formed a receptacle for the pine logs, which blazed often +through the long winter nights, the only light they could afford, as +well as almost their only protection from the searching cold.</p> + +<p>Poverty and wretchedness generally make sad havoc with the human frame; +the haggard countenance, the dry and skinny hands, the stoop, the +feeble, tottering gait, we expect and look for, when visiting abodes +that betoken destitution. But miserable as was the appearance of these +dwellings, the aspect of their inhabitants was generally that of health +and sufficiency; their swarthy complexions, and fine athletic forms, +almost compelled the traveller through these lonely regions to believe +that he had alighted upon a tribe of those sons of the forest who once +called our country all their own.</p> + +<p>The moral character of this people was in keeping with the aspect of +their dwellings. Having no regular religious instruction, seldom hearing +the voice of a living teacher, with scarce a Bible to be found within +their gloomy houses, they were but little in advance of the heathen as +to religious knowledge, and far too near allied to them in many of their +vicious habits.</p> + +<p>They earned their daily bread by laboring amid the lofty and dense +forests, in levelling the majestic pines, cutting them into lengths +suitable for transportation, and conveying them to the outskirts of the +barrens: their hire was but a pittance when considered as a remuneration +for their toil, but it enabled them to live; it procured for them food, +coarse indeed, but enough to satisfy their appetite, and the plain and +simple clothing which necessity demanded, or to which perhaps their +taste aspired.</p> + +<p>The owners of these forests lived at some distance, and employed an +agent to attend to all the various labors of preparing the timber and +conveying it to market.</p> + +<p>Cross, the individual employed for this business, had grown up amid +these solitudes, and labored with his axe for some years. Gifted by +nature with shrewdness, and not very particular on the score of +morality, he had managed to obtain the post he occupied, and with most +of the proprietors stood on good terms; he was active, prompt, and +efficient, and perhaps, for the business intrusted to him, did as well +as any one could. But he was, beyond measure, grasping and avaricious; +and as he could not well gain undue advantage from those who employed +him, being bound by contracts not easily evaded, he made up such +deficiency by 'grinding the faces' of the poor laborers.</p> + +<p>Without any means of gaining a livelihood besides, they had become +entirely dependent on the good-will of Mr. Cross. He fixed their wages, +supplied them from his store with the necessaries of life at his own +price, and in that way managed to bring them, at the close of every +month, either without any surplus, or most generally a trifle in debt.</p> + +<p>On the border of these barrens, and near the principal scene of our +story, lived the widow Mary Brown; her husband had been one of the +woodcutters, an intemperate man, who had caused her much trouble while +he lived, and when he died left her with two orphans. She had to +struggle hard to support herself and little ones. But as a light in a +dark place, so was this widow among these outcasts. She was generally +known throughout the region where she lived, and the wildest and most +abandoned never brought against her a railing accusation—they never +spoke lightly of her not her religion; for the garb of piety she wore +was so unassuming, the light that shone around her humble path was so +mild and unobtrusive:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Like the soft fleecy cloud at the close of day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That far in the west where the sun's last ray<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rests bright on its bosom—its mellow light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Steals to our heart, as we gaze in delight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No glare to dazzle, we love to view<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its changing tints and its golden hue.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Having a very humbling view of herself, she felt great pity for the +deluded ones around her; she never chid them for their follies, but +would weep and pray in secret, and when called to watch at their dying +bed, she had such a quiet, happy way of holding up before the weak and +guilty spirit the Saviour in his love and pity, that many a poor +wanderer took courage from her message of mercy, and ere the spirit +fled, it was enabled to look in faith, and go its lone way in peace. +Wherever sorrow or sickness visited, there was she sent for, as one who +carried with her a charm that could neutralize their power.</p> + +<p>Her dwelling was a log hut like those in that vicinity, but it had an +air of comfort the others had not. Her plain door was white-washed, and +a little curtain hung across the window; and there was a box of flowers +by the step, and every useless thing was removed from around the house, +and the ground swept neatly, and beneath some of the large pines that +afforded a grateful shade to her lonely abode, were rude seats, as +though made for the wayfaring man, on which to rest and be refreshed.</p> + +<p>Her children, though helpless little ones when their father died, had +now grown up to an age when each of them, in different ways, could +materially aid her. She felt no longer a dread of want, although often +sighing in secret that her son was compelled to labor with those whose +example could only lead astray, and that her daughter had no brighter +prospect than a residence among these uncultivated foresters. But she +had done what she could. Of worldly wisdom she knew nothing; but she had +a Bible, and could read it. Its requirements and its doctrines were all +plain to her, she loved them, and taught them to her children; they +learned passages from them on the long, still Sabbath days, and as she +sat in the shade of the large pines by her door, they would come and sit +near her, to hear and listen to some story she would tell them of those +whose names have been recorded, and their history handed down for the +benefit of every coming generation. But other influences have now begun +to exert a counteracting power; William is eighteen, a man in size and +strength, a hardy laborer, and much from home. He still brings all he +earns, or nearly all, to the common stock; he still reverences his +mother, and listens to her instructions, and treats with kindness his +only sister; but rumours have reached his home that his chosen +associates were some whose names had become by-words for rude and evil +doings, and any heart but a mother's would have given up his chance for +any future good.</p> + +<p>'She had hope for William,' she said, 'although he might be led astray +by evil companions.'</p> + +<p>And she had good cause for hoping—for she had fastened to his heart +that golden chain, each link of which a mother's prayers and gentle +teachings and untiring love had formed. He felt its power even in his +hours of revelling, and although he never met with an upbraiding word or +look from her, his conscience had no rest.</p> + +<p>The daughter was all that her mother could ask; she had no desire to +depart from the beautiful precepts of the Bible—because she loved them. +Her mind was active, thoughtful, and discerning beyond her years; of +kind and generous disposition, ever ready for any work of love, and +cheerful and happy in the consciousness of good-will to all. Her moral +character was well matched with a beauty of person rarely found, even +under every advantage. Hettie had no ornaments to set off her beauty, +and no graces imparted by culture to heighten the natural ease of her +movements; her complexion, though dark, was brightened by the rich color +which adorned her cheeks, and her jet-black eyes were softened by the +long dark lashes that gave to their expression almost the languor of a +southern clime, while her dark hair dangled in luxuriant curls, very +much to her annoyance, for she often said:—</p> + +<p>'She did wish her hair was straight like other girls; it was always +getting into such a tangle.'</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Brown—or the Widow Brown, as she was universally called—lived +nearer to the open and more cultivated settlement than any of the other +inhabitants of the barrens, she was well known among the farmers' +families, although intimate with very few. Hettie had some associates +there, which her mother preferred for her to those in her own immediate +vicinity. Of these, the family of the Widow Andrews was one to which +they were peculiarly attached. They could sympathize with each other; +the mothers were both widows, and each had two children of about the +same age. They both loved good things; they could converse bout their +past trials, and present hopes and fears. But while many things in their +circumstances were similar, there were others in which they were very +unlike to each other; for the Widow Andrews was much under the power of +strong natural feelings, easily excited by joy or grief, and her +passions when aroused seemed at times to know no bounds: no sooner was a +chord struck that touched a tender point in her heart, than she would +begin to talk very rapidly and to weep freely; her words flowing faster +and faster, and louder and louder, until, between weeping and talking, +she would finally break into a flood of tears, and all was over.</p> + +<p>The Widow Brown was aware of this weakness in her neighbor, and lamented +it, for she knew that at times it did real evil; but there were so many +things that she loved her for, this she considered as a mere weakness, +for which she should be pitied.</p> + +<p>In reference to worldly goods, too, there was a dissimilarity. The Widow +Andrews had a much better house, although a very plain one; still it was +called a house, and not a log hut; and she had a few acres of land +attached to it, and a small barn, old and shackling to be sure, and a +few head of cattle, and had been enabled, hitherto, to make out to live +in a very frugal way from her own resources.</p> + +<p>Mary, her daughter, was not pretty, like Hettie Brown, nor was she so +intelligent; but she had a kind heart, and was obedient to her mother, +and being about Hettie's age, the two girls became much attached.</p> + +<p>The son had promised fair to be a support to his mother, and a good +member of society, but a dark cloud had arisen upon all such +prospects—bad company had now begun to have attractions for him. He +neglected his work, disobeyed his mother, lost his ambition, and was in +a fair way to make a wreck of body and soul. His mother had been proud +of her William—of his good behavior, of his efficiency at work, of his +industrious habits; and not a little proud was she of his fine +appearance—it was a mother's weakness; but we will not judge her +harshly. He had, indeed, a very pleasant expression to his countenance; +his lively eye looked so kindly at you; there was such a play of +roguishness and good-nature about his mouth; and when he spoke, a +musical voice brought out the words so soft and clear—all tended to +interest both friends and strangers. But all the love which his mother +bore towards him, and all her pride in him, caused her to be more +violent in her rebukes. She poured out such a torrent of invective at +him, that much as he felt he deserved her displeasure, he could not +stand the violence of it. Every bad feeling of his heart was aroused; he +began to dread his home and his mother's voice, and sought refuge where, +alas! ruin alone could be the end thereof.</p> + +<p>He was now eighteen years of age, and as my reader was first introduced +to him at Mr. Grizzle's store, we will follow him as he left that den of +evil. His conscience was troubled; there was something in the appearance +and behavior of Sam Oakum that morning, that revived the memory of what +he himself had once been. We saw how he watched Sam when he left the +store, as far his eye could follow him; how madly he poured down the +offered glass, and rushed from the scene of his shame.</p> + +<p>Whither to direct his steps he knew not, but onward he went; he was glad +to be in the open air, it was so much better than the poisonous +atmosphere he had just left. Soon his attention was arrested by the +appearance of a dwelling and its precincts that he was about to pass. It +was a scene of desolation—the house and all its accompaniments; the +windows stuffed with every variety of color and substance to supply the +places of broken panes; the door hung sideways by one hinge, the boards +loose and flapping against the timbers of the house, the roof broken in, +and apparently ready to fall upon the inmates, and the inclosures around +the place lying prostrate or scattered about the grounds. A woman was +outside, picking up what rubbish she could meet with to replenish the +fire; sorrow was plainly marked upon her withered features; and as she +walked into the house with a few faggots in her hand, there was such a +deadness in her step, such a bowing down under the weight of some too +heavy burden—ambition, comfort, hope, all seemed to have departed, and +left her in her misery with a broken spirit.</p> + +<p>William halted in his rapid course; he looked upon the scene and +considered it well.</p> + +<p>This was the house of one of those whom he had just left; the one most +forward to complain of bad luck, and who joined most heartily in the +laugh which had been excited at his expense. He had been familiar with +this place; often had he seen it, just as it then appeared, but never +had its desolate condition affected him before;—a light from heaven +seemed pouring upon it, and singling it out from all other objects. He +could look at nothing else. 'It was the vineyard of the man void of +understanding, and the field of the slothful; the stone wall thereof was +broken down; it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles covered the +face thereof.'</p> + +<p>William looked upon it, and received instruction: slowly and sadly he +passed along.</p> + +<p>A little by-road now crossed the public highway. Instinctively almost, +he turned into it; the trees which lined it formed a grateful shade, and +seemed to invite him therein to cool his heated, feverish frame.</p> + +<p>Near to this path, and not far from the highway he had left, was a pure, +bright, bubbling spring; it came up through the clean white sand, and +the green turf formed its only curb. On one side it had cleared an +opening, and meandered away through a little bed of fine gravel stones, +which sparkled in the sunbeams as they stole through the branches of the +willows which encircled the fountain. His throat parched with thirst, +and his mind and body in an excited condition, he threw himself upon the +velvet turf, and allayed his thirst from the pure stream. He tried to +think, but his thoughts ran wild into each other; he turned his head +towards the roots of one of the willows, and rested it there. It +throbbed against the cool green turf; its coolness was refreshing to +him, and there he slept.</p> + +<p>Hettie Brown had that morning left her home in the barrens to do an +errand for her mother in Mr. Grizzle's store; she stopped at the Widow +Andrews', and found the mother and daughter in tears, and had to listen +to a long tale of William's delinquencies.</p> + +<p>'And he's gone off to Grizzle's, now again, I <i>know</i> he has; and there +he'll sit and drink, and he'll come home drunk yet one of these days, +and he'll be a drunkard and a vagabond.'</p> + +<p>And the good woman went off into another hard crying spell. Hettie made +no reply; she was not in the habit of talking much, nor did she shed any +tears—she was not given to that either. A few expressions of sympathy +she dropped as she parted from Mary, telling her to hope for the best, +and making a short call, went on her way to the store.</p> + +<p>She was anxious to see William, and therefore she hastened her steps. +She seemed to feel a consciousness of power to lead him away from the +path of ruin. He had been her playmate when a little child; nor had he +ever, by word or deed, done aught to offend her. The intimacy of +childhood had indeed passed away—her wise mother had cautioned her on +matters referring especially to William, and of late she had seldom seen +him; but she felt that she possessed an influence over him, and she +meant now to exert it.</p> + +<p>As she crossed the by-path we have already mentioned, she thought of the +little spring, and how refreshing it would be to drink of its cool +water. She turned, and followed the path towards the willows which +marked the spot.</p> + +<p>When William Andrews awoke, it was from a troubled dream, and the quiet +which surrounded him was grateful to his spirits. He arose and drank +freely from the spring—the birds were singing sweetly in the hedges and +on the trees; there was no sound beside, but the rippling of the little +rill that stole gently away from the fountain where he had slaked his +thirst. His feelings, late so hurried and disturbed, were calm—the +storm had lulled, a dark and dreadful gulf seemed to have been passed, +and now he was upon a path where all above and around him combined to +make it light and pleasant. This change, however, was but the effect of +that rest which sleep had given to his frame; 'twas the pure fresh +feeling which the soul enjoys when waked by morning's dawn, before the +hopes and fears, the business and the cares of life, have time to urge +their claims. Scarce had he quenched his thirst, and fully awaked to a +consciousness of his situation, ere the scenes of the morning rushed +back upon him. As the tumult of his thoughts arose, he stood and leaned +against one of the willows, and cast his eye down at the little +fountain, bubbling up so incessantly and with so little disturbance, +that it came to the surface with no alloy of earth about it; and he saw +how fresh and rank was the greensward all along its course—it not only +gave from its little receptacle a full supply for all who needed, but +virtue seemed to emanate throughout its meanderings, and to bless +wherever it flowed.</p> + +<p>'This spring,' said he, 'is like the life of one that is good—pure at +the fountain, and the whole life a blessing, making things better and +happier all around him; but <i>my</i> life—oh, what has it been?' And his +cheek flushed, and tears of anguish fell fast, while with hands firmly +clasped, and still leaning against the tree, he looked down at the +bubbling water.</p> + +<p>'Why William!'</p> + +<p>He started at the well-knows voice.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Hettie, is this <i>you</i>? how glad I am to see you.'</p> + +<p>She extended her hand towards him, but there was something in the sight +of Hettie that caused the cup, already full, to overflow; he did not +take the offered hand, but covering his face, gave way to a passionate +burst of weeping.</p> + +<p>Hettie was much surprised, but she attempted not to interfere; nor did +she weep with him, but waited silently until the violence of the storm +had passed, and he was sufficiently composed to address her.</p> + +<p>'I am very unhappy, Hettie, and have been so for a long time.'</p> + +<p>'I have thought so, William, and I am very glad of an opportunity to say +something to you about it. I was certain that you must be unhappy. There +can be no peace for us when we have left the path of duty, until we +return from our crooked ways: it would not be best for us that we should +be happy when our doings are not right.'</p> + +<p>'Well, mine are not right, and I am afraid they will never be any +better.'</p> + +<p>'Why not, William? are you willing still to be unhappy, and to break +your mother's heart, and fill the minds of all your friends with +sorrow?'</p> + +<p>'I have been far astray, Hettie. I have sunk myself very low, and have +struggled hard at times to break the charm that was leading me to ruin; +but I feel now as I have not felt before; and if you will only not +despise me, if you will let me hope that a new course of life may yet +gain your respect, it will be a helper to me—a great helper to me. And +oh! Hettie, you cannot tell how much I need your aid.'</p> + +<p>Hettie was wise perhaps beyond her years. She felt much interest for the +youth who had grown with her from childhood.</p> + +<p>'I fear, William, that the struggle you will be compelled to encounter +will need help greater than a creature can give. You must look to Him +who made you, and relying on his strength, resolve to do your duty, cost +what it may. All that I can promise is my feeble prayer; and whenever I +offer it for myself, I will offer it for you too, William. And now I +must leave you, for I have an errand to the store, and mother will be +uneasy at my absence.'</p> + +<p>And the happy girl, smiling a pleasant good-by, went on her way. William +watched her until she turned into the public road, and then, with one +strong cry to Heaven for help, turned towards his home, a happier person +than he had been for many long months.</p> + +<p><i>He had resolved to do right.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>The difficulties which presented themselves to our boys in fulfilling +the engagement they had made with Major Morris were of no trifling +account, for it was a great question if so large a quantity could be +found in the place, above what was pledged to Mr. Grizzle for debts +already incurred. Again, if they should succeed in finding the quantity, +how could they pay for them? and lastly, where was a boat to be +procured, in which to carry them at a season of the year when storms and +high winds were to be expected? But as difficulties are apt to vanish +before a resolute mind, Jim felt not at all daunted by them.</p> + +<p>He had resolved, first of all, to make a thorough trial as to the +possibility of finding persons willing to engage specific quantities to +him. And it was for this purpose that the boys were assembled early in +the morning of a bright and beautiful day in June; Jim and Sam to go on +the expedition, and Ned to see them off.</p> + +<p>'Well, boys, I hope you'll find all you'll want; but it looks to me like +a hard case.'</p> + +<p>'So it does to me, Ned, too; but Jim has been thinking it all out, you +know. I should feel better, however, if we knew where the <i>money</i> was to +come from to pay for them; I do hate so to ask folks to trust us.'</p> + +<p>'I have no idea, Sam, of doing any such thing; I mean to offer them the +money down as soon as they deliver the potatoes.'</p> + +<p>'Just hear <i>that</i> Ned,' said Sam, looking verily confounded.</p> + +<p>'Well,' said Ned, kicking away a small stone that lay in reach of his +foot, 'that is a good plan enough if one had the money; but it will take +all of a hundred dollars: and it looks dark to me where such a sum as +that is to come from.'</p> + +<p>'That is the least of the difficulties, boys; we shall make, I hope, by +our summer's work enough money to pay for twenty-five bushels of +potatoes, which will be the most we shall be able to carry at a trip, +and Major Morris will pay us for them as we deliver them to him.'</p> + +<p>Ned and Sam looked at each other. 'I told you, Ned, that Jim would think +it out somehow.'</p> + +<p>'And besides,' continued Jim, 'I have great hope that our offering them +the money on delivery, will induce them to sell to us in preference to +Grizzle. But what troubles me the most is, how to get a boat sufficient +for our purpose.'</p> + +<p>'Supposing I should say'—and Sam's bright eyes sparkled as he looked +from one to the other of his companions, while a smile played around the +corners of his mouth—'I hope to have a good new boat, not very +handsome, but tight and strong, and able to go in rough weather, and +carry twenty-five bushels of potatoes at a load; what would you say to +that?'</p> + +<p>'Now, Sam Oakum, what do you mean?'</p> + +<p>'I mean just what I say. My father told me last night, that as soon as +he could get the stuff, he would go right to work and build a boat as +large as that, and that it should be mine; and I am going to take my +money as I can earn it, and buy the stuff. What do you think of that, +Jim?'</p> + +<p>'It is the best news I have heard this long while;—how strangely things +work! but look out for Ned there.'</p> + +<p>The warning was too late, for Sam was lying on his back, laughing +heartily; and Jim was scolding Ned for his folly, and Jowler was barking +at them all. As soon as matters were composed again, Jim and Sam started +on their expedition; while Ned, with Jowler at his heels, went with +right good-will to his work in the garden.</p> + +<p>A blacksmith's shop is a very necessary article in all social +establishments, as the place where persons are likely to be met with and +news collected or circulated. The one which answered the demands of this +place was not a very extensive establishment; it was a little +dark-looking hovel, with an exceedingly high chimney. It was situated at +the meeting of several roads, and was surrounded with a multitude of +articles that had once seen better days, but <i>when</i>, the oldest +inhabitant could scarcely remember. Mr. Cutter, the proprietor of this +establishment, was now somewhat advanced in life, but by no means so old +as his appearance indicated. From some cause not well ascertained, he +had begun about his thirtieth year to increase in flesh, and had for +more than twenty years been adding to his stock; neither wielding the +sledge-hammer in his shop, nor the worrying of his good wife in the +house, could keep it back; but I believe it was all the increase, of any +consequence, that resulted from his labors, and yet he was, in +comparison with his neighbors, 'well to do in the world.' He was, +moreover, of a good disposition, ready to oblige, and of sound judgment, +and as well acquainted with persons and things for many miles round as +any other man in the place, and a little better.</p> + +<p>Our boys had determined to make their first call at 'Uncle Sam +Cutter's,' as he was generally styled.</p> + +<p>'He's a clever man,' said Sam, 'and he knows every body, and all about +every thing in the place; and it may save us a great many steps.'</p> + +<p>It was a very warm day, and Uncle Sam was sitting outside his shop, on +what had once been the hub of a large cart-wheel; there was a fine shade +where he sat, a large apple tree which stood in an adjoining lot, +extending its branches almost to his shop door. He had his hat in his +hand, and was using it violently as a fan; the heat was making terrible +work with him, for on his bald head and down his fat cheeks and sunburnt +breast, the perspiration was running in streams.</p> + +<p>'A pretty warm day, Uncle Sam, ain't it?'</p> + +<p>'Here, you young rogue, take this, and blow a little wind on to me, if +there's any to be got, for I'm most dead,' (handing Sam his great +broad-brimmed chip hat.) 'I guess you'd think it warm, blowing them +tarnel old bellows all day long, with such a lump of fat lugging to you +as I've got; I can't hardly waddle under it, let alone handling them +bellows.'</p> + +<p>'Why don't you have the boys blow for you, Uncle Sam?'</p> + +<p>'The boys! ah yes, the boys! I'd like any one to tell me what the hul +kit on 'em is good for, but to eat mush and milk. Do blow away Sam, if +there's any wind in all creation any more. I want to git this carcass o' +mine cool a little, just so I shan't go <i>all</i> to soap-grease. Talk of +the boys, they're wus than wild cats; I wouldn't give my old mare for +all the boys between this and the barrens—don't talk to me about boys, +Sam—don't stop blowing, or I'm a dead man. Here, Jim, my good fellow, +spell him a little.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, that I will, with pleasure, sir.'</p> + +<p>'That's like a man, there's no boy about that—ah, Jim, I knew your +father well, and a likelier man never came to this place; but what he +came <i>here</i> for was more than I could ever see—it seems to me there's +a cus on it; the men are bad enough, but the boys are the old Nick's +property altogether. I tell you what, if we don't have a preacher, or +something of that kind, along here pretty soon, we're a gone case; +there'll be another sort of bellows blowin' than my old groaner, I tell +you. Ah, Jim, that feels good, I won't touch a hammer agin' to day; if +Grizzle wants his old plough mended, he may come and sweat away at it +himself, it will do his old dry carcass good, won't it Sam? It won't +hurt him, will it?' And the old man went off into a good hearty laugh, +his whole body shaking like a lump of jelly—the idea of sweating +Grizzle amused him so much, that he forgot about the heat, and taking +his hat clapped it on his head.</p> + +<p>'And now, boys, what are you up to? going crabbing down to the mill, I +know; for my boys have been there this hul blessed morning.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no sir,' said Jim, 'we were not thinking about that this morning; +but are wishing to find out who would be willing to engage some beans +and potatoes for the fall.'</p> + +<p>'Beans and potatoes? why, you blessed child, are you crazy? You ain't +grown up here, not to know better than to try to sell sich things in +this place. You must go to Grizzle with them, and he won't take them +only for jist what you owe him.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, but we don't want to sell, but to buy.'</p> + +<p>'Want to buy!—you're wus off than I thought you was. Why, didn't you +plant any? How did you think you was goin' to live? like Bill Moore and +his brother down the lane here? eh?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no sir, we have plenty for our use; but we can sell quite a +quantity of these articles, more than we shall have.'</p> + +<p>'And pray tell me what you call a quantity, mister.'</p> + +<p>'Why, we want two or three hundred bushels.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Two or three hundred bushels!</i>' And the old man took off his hat and +began to fan himself again very fast. '<i>Two or three hundred +bushels!</i>—you boys wasn't neither on you brought up to lie, but I don't +know but you've taken up the trade; it's pretty easy larnt, to be sure.'</p> + +<p>'It's true, Uncle Sam, what Jim tells you; <i>true</i> as we stand here.'</p> + +<p>'Sam Oakum, them eyes o' yourn warn't made to help a lyin' tongue; so +don't stand there looking so honest, and telling me sich stuff as +that.'</p> + +<p>'It is true, Mr. Cutter, just as Sam says; we are telling you the truth, +and no joke about it.'</p> + +<p>But the old man kept shaking his head and fanning himself; so that Jim +felt called upon to tell their whole story.</p> + +<p>'Now boys, <i>is</i> this <i>true</i>, you're tellin' me? Sam, you're a smilin'; +there's some catch about it, ain't there, you rogue?'</p> + +<p>'No, there ain't, Uncle Sam, upon my honor.'</p> + +<p>'Well, it's a queer story, any how; <i>three hundred bushels potatoes</i>; +why you'll take all that's raised, and Grizzle won't have none for Cross +this year; you know he sends all he takes in up to Cross, who keeps the +store or tavern, or whatever they call it, in the barrens; but it ain't +much matter, they're two precious rogues, both on 'em. And you say you +want to know where you can find so many: I raally can't say; but the +Widow Andrews would be like to have <i>some</i>. Bill tell'd me he had +planted a considerable patch, beans and potatoes too; but whether +they'll come to any thing I don't know, for he's got like the rest on +'em—he's round to Grizzle's too much, I guess. Sorry for it; Bill's a +likely fellow if he'd mind his own business. And then there's my +namesake, Cutter; he may have a few, not a great many. I tell you what, +you'll have to hunt considerable, boys, afore you'll find all you want. +And then there's Billy Bloodgood, deaf Billy, you know him; but you'll +have to holler loud enough to wake the dead to make him hear—he ought +to have a speakin' trumpet fastened into his ear, it's enough to give a +man the consumption to talk with him. And may be I'll have a few myself, +and I would as leave you'd have them as Grizzle, the old varmint; I +don't believe I shall owe him much this year. What are you goin' to +give, boys?'</p> + +<p>Sam looked at Jim for an answer.</p> + +<p>'Why, if they are fair-sized potatoes, we can give twenty-five cents a +bushel.'</p> + +<p>'I wish I had more on 'em, for that's double what Grizzle gives; and +<i>beans</i> you want <i>too</i>; well, I guess I shall have three or four +bushels. I can't say but they ought to be hoed now, and I can't do it, +no how; for a man like me to work out in the sun, it's idle to talk +about it. Why I should die in the operation, and the boys don't care for +nothin'; but when they hear what a price you're givin', it may spur them +up a little.'</p> + +<p>The boys thanked him for his information, and started off at a good +pace on their way to the Widow Andrews'. Bill was at work in the field, +fighting manfully with a large growth of weeds; he greeted them kindly, +but continued his labors.</p> + +<p>'You will excuse me if I don't stop working; things are so behind-hand +with me, that if I don't labor hard, I shall not catch up with my work, +all summer.'</p> + +<p>'By no means stop,' said Jim; 'we can say what we wish to, just as well +while your hoe is going.' He made known their errand in few words, but +no sooner did Bill hear what Jim had to say than he stopped hoeing, and +looked with some surprise, first at one and then at the other of the +boys.</p> + +<p>'Yes, certainly, you shall have them; how many bushels do you want? +Haven't you planted any this year?'</p> + +<p>Jim then acquainted him with his reasons for wanting them, and the +quantity he wished; stating also the price he could afford to give.</p> + +<p>'And the money shall be paid to you when you deliver them.'</p> + +<p>'You shall have every potato and bean I have for sale. I supposed I +should be obliged to let Grizzle have them, but he may whistle for them, +for all me; he allowed me last year but ten cents for potatoes, and +fifty cents for beans. He will be angry, probably, but if I can have the +money to pay, I shall not fear him any more than you seemed to the other +day'—looking at Sam.</p> + +<p>'No, I don't fear him; and all I wish is that father didn't owe him any +thing.'</p> + +<p>'Well, he is a very bad man, and will injure us all, if he can in any +way, when he finds he is to be disappointed in getting things at his own +price. He and Cross work into each other's hands, and they will not, if +they can help it, have any one interfere with them; but I don't well see +how they can.'</p> + +<p>William Andrews was not mistaken in his views of the effect these things +would have upon the minds of such men. But it will be time enough to +meet trouble when it comes; at present we must hasten with our boys on +their way to Billy Bloodgood's, much elated with their success, and with +the change which seemed to have taken place in the views and feelings of +young Andrews.</p> + +<p>Mr. William Bloodgood—or Billy, as he was generally called—was the +best to do of any of the folks for miles round, that is, he had more +land, and a few more head of cattle, and managed a little better than +his neighbors. But his house was rather a small concern, and his fences +were in all sorts of shape, and his barn had far too many rents in it, +and things lay in all directions around. Still, he did better than his +neighbors, for Billy did not drink, and he kept himself busy, flying +round on his farm, and made out almost always to raise quite a +respectable quantity of one thing and another. He was a very +good-natured man, and was blessed, as many good-natured men are, with a +wife that could take his part, and her own too, sometimes. He had a +peculiar way with him of going from one piece of work to another, +without finishing either. Before his field of corn was half hoed, he +would begin the potato patch, and leaving that unfinished, would be +among the beans; and so on. This habit he carried with him into smaller +matters, to his disadvantage, certainly, and very much to his +discomfort; for his good woman was sorely annoyed by it, and whatever +troubled her, he was sure to be obliged to bear a part of it. They lived +happily however; for although Billy did not practise sound philosophy in +his work, he did in that very delicate matter of conjugal relationship. +He knew it would never answer for both to have their own way, one or the +other must rule sometimes; and as he saw very soon that it would be a +very difficult matter, if not an impossibility to get his better half to +yield, unless she had a mind to it, he very properly decided to give up +the reins to her. He was a wiser man than many took him to be.</p> + +<p>As the boys entered the gate, Billy was coming out of the house, having +just finished his dinner; he had a knife in one hand, and a piece of +pigtail in the other, from which cutting a fair allowance, he put it +into his mouth with a manifest relish. Without apparently noticing the +boys who were walking towards him, he made directly to a great pile of +brush which lay in the yard, and commenced chopping. They walked up to +him, and endeavored to catch his eye, but he took no notice of them. +After cutting a few sticks, he threw down the axe, and, looking at Jim, +asked in a very loud voice,</p> + +<p>'Did you speak to me?'</p> + +<p>Jim shook his head in the negative, and then began to say something +about his errand; he spoke, as he thought, in a pretty loud voice. But +Billy only noticed his negative reply to the question he had put, and +started for another corner of the yard, where lay a heap of farming +utensils, and began dragging forth an old one-horse plough. After +separating it from the rest, he commenced tinkering the rigging; Jim, in +the meantime, trying to catch his eye, long enough to let him know +that, although he had not yet spoken to him, he wished to do so. Twice, +as he raised himself, Jim made a desperate effort, and called out as +loud as he thought necessary,</p> + +<p>'Mr. Bloodgood!'</p> + +<p>But it availed nothing. He stared at him an instant, and then ran across +to another side of the yard to a little old corn crib; and jumping into +it, began to overhaul a box of old irons, for something probably that +belonged to the plough. In the midst of all his hurry, however, he would +find time every now and then to put his hand into his vest pocket, and +taking out large pinches of snuff, would regale his olfactory sense, and +apparently with great zest. The boys began to feel that it was a +desperate case, and at the same time were so amused, that they could +with difficulty refrain from showing it. In fact, Jim did once or twice +give a kind of whine, just the beginning of a peculiar laugh he had, and +Sam would go off with a very slight sneeze. As Billy appeared to be in +no hurry to come out of the crib, they walked slowly across to where he +was.</p> + +<p>'You try him this time, Sam? see if you can make him hear.'</p> + +<p>'I can't, Jim, no how. I should burst out laughing in his face.'</p> + +<p>'I am afraid, then, we must give it up, for I can't get him to look at +me.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood, however, saw their dilemma, and out she came. The boys +hardly knew whether she was for peace or war, for she advanced towards +them with tremendous strides, muttering as she came. Her appearance was +indeed rather dubious, for her hair was flying, and her face was very +red, from the joint exercise of cooking and eating, and helping half a +dozen children. And as to the dress, having great respect for the female +sex we will say nothing about it; it was, moreover, very warm weather, +and a Calamink petticoat was warm enough without the burden of its upper +companion, the short gown—but she was just as she was, and we cannot +help it. She had a little more nose than most women, that is, it was a +very long, sharp, and crooked nose; but the good woman had use for it. +And never were boys more astonished when they saw how well it answered +her turn; it was a veritable speaking-trumpet, and, although the sounds +which issued from it were rather of the nasal order, they were the +better calculated to penetrate the very narrow passages to her husband's +sounding-board. Having been so long accustomed to use a very high pitch +in her communications with the good man, she made no allowance for the +more delicate organs of other people, but so drove the sounds into them +as truly made their ears to tingle, not only at the time, but a great +while after.</p> + +<p>'What is it you're wanting?'</p> + +<p>Jim started; he could not help it.</p> + +<p>'Do you want to speak to Bloodgood?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, ma'am; I should like to speak with him about some beans and +potatoes.'</p> + +<p>With that she made off to the crib, where she met her good man coming +out with a piece of old iron in his hand, and making for the other side +of the yard where the plough was. He seemed as regardless of her as he +had been of the boys; but as he was stooping over the plough, she put +her hand on his shoulder, and gave such a blast in his ear that his soul +must have stept out of his body not to have heard it; he immediately +raised himself, and, looking at the boys, roared back to her in a strain +scarcely less loud,—</p> + +<p>'What do they want?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know; something about potatoes and beans.'</p> + +<p>'Bees? We 'aint got no bees;' and with that he took one of his +tremendous pinches of snuff.</p> + +<p>'Beans, beans! don't you hear <i>that</i>?' And then turning to Jim and Sam, +who had walked up beside her—</p> + +<p>'He grows wus and wus; and it's my candid belief that it's his snuffin' +and snuffin' all the time so; his ears, I s'pose, is all stopped clean +up; and the only way the sound can git into his head is through his +nose, like; and when he stuffs that full, it's like hollerin' agin' a +log.'</p> + +<p>But he did hear <i>beans</i>, as she last spoke it.</p> + +<p>'Beans? What of 'em?'</p> + +<p>'Well, do tell <i>me</i>, boys, what you want on 'em, and I'll try to make +him hear, for <i>you</i> never can.'</p> + +<p>With that Jim communicated to her his business, and when she understood +it clearly, appeared not a little pleased.</p> + +<p>'I didn't know but you'd come from Grizzle's, and I don't like him; he's +a good-for-nothin' old varmint, and he's spilin' all the men and boys in +the place; and I told Bloodgood I'd rather throw the potatoes in the +creek than let him have one on 'em.' So she went to work with a good +will to tell their errand.</p> + +<p>'Who sent 'em? Grizzle?'</p> + +<p>'No, no; you think there is nobody in the whole creation world to buy +anything but Grizzle.' And then raising her voice to the very loudest—</p> + +<p>'Nobody sent 'em; they come o' themselves, and they'll pay you the money +right down when you take 'em the things.'</p> + +<p>'Well, well, that will do,'—and he smiled then, for the first time, as +he looked at the boys—'that'll do; you shall have 'em; let me know when +you want 'em.'</p> + +<p>And now Mrs. Bloodgood would insist upon their going in, and taking +something to eat. In vain it was they protested that they were not +hungry, having eaten a lunch on their way.</p> + +<p>'I know better than that. I know what boys are; they can always eat; so +if you won't go in, don't either on you stir one step till I come out.'</p> + +<p>In she ran, and in a moment appeared again with one-half of a large +bread-cake, which she had just taken from the griddle, with a lump of +butter on the top of it, and she with a knife spreading it on; but there +was no occasion for the knife, for the butter was running like snow in +summer, and dripping over the sides of the cake.</p> + +<p>'Here, boys, take this;' breaking it in two, and giving each half 'I +<i>know</i> it will taste good.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>A few evenings after the events recorded in the last chapter, Sam +started from home on his way to meet Jim and Ned. When but a short +distance from his house, to his surprise he met William Andrews; he was +on his way to visit the Montjoys, and designed calling upon Sam that he +might accompany him to their house.</p> + +<p>'I am going to see them,' said Sam; 'but they will not be at the house. +Such fine evenings as this we meet at a large rock near by—they will be +as glad to see you as I am.'</p> + +<p>The rock was large enough to accommodate the whole of them; but Ned +preferred the grass for his seat; he and Jowler had always some business +of their own to attend to, and very frequently they would both be +rolling together on the ground. The moon was rising beautifully, and a +long streak of light played across the expanse of water at a distance, +dancing on the waves that were formed by the fresh sea-breeze, and, +nearer the shore, where the water lay smooth and unruffled, marking a +line of clear silver light, as from the surface of a mirror.</p> + +<p>There is always something peculiarly fascinating in the formation of +youthful friendships—everything seems so fair; the interchange of +confidence is so mutual, so whole-hearted—there is no secret standing +on our guard—no cautious feeling of our way, to see whether we can +safely trust. The heart has not yet been deceived, and therefore yields +implicit confidence. One short hour, in our boyhood's days, will do more +to knit our hearts in bonds strong and true, than months can accomplish, +after the coldness and selfishness of the world have set us on our +guard.</p> + +<p>William Andrews had yielded to the impulses of a kind and social +disposition, and thereby had been led sadly astray; but the charm was +now broken, and he turned away with disgust and loathing from his past +habits and companions. He had formed no friendships with those who were +his partners in the idle hour, and the place of temptation. His heart +was yet in its freshness, with a love of the pure and good, more intense +for what he had seen of impiety and evil. His spirit panted for +communion with those on whom it could confide, and longed to pour out +its breathings into the ear of virtue and truth.</p> + +<p>And now, under the great oak-tree, seated on the large flat rock, he +confessed all his delinquencies, related the narrative of what he +believed to be a change for life, and its happy influence upon his daily +routine of duties.</p> + +<p>'I can work, now, without being wearied; I can go home and meet my +mother without the fear of rebuke; and I can lie down to rest at night +without my head throbbing, or my body burning as in a fever; and when I +awake in the morning, the stupor of deadness I used to feel is gone; I +am happy, and ready for my business.'</p> + +<p>Jim and Sam had no such personal experience of their own to tell. Sam +might, indeed, have unfolded scenes of misery in his own past history; +but in his own bosom must now for ever rest all that had been bitter in +his own experience.</p> + +<p>But there was no lack of subjects, and the evening was gone before they +had said the one half they had to say; and long before the evening was +spent, they were as intimate, and as much one in their feelings, as +though they, had associated for years.</p> + +<p>Sam's heart was full of happiness that night as he walked along the +shore, and saw the water glistening in the moonlight, and heard the soft +sound of the distant waves; and as he beheld the little light that +twinkled in his lowly home, it seemed as bright to him—yea, brighter +than does many an illuminated palace to its princely owner. Dark is the +heart, Sam, that would bring a cloud over your pleasant sky; but such +there are, sitting in council beneath the same pleasant moonlight which +you are enjoying;—well for you that you see them, hear them not.</p> + +<p>Had we the power of knowing what is going on at the same time in +different places—could we look into the hearts of the actors in these +various scenes—could we know how very near, sometimes, are the plotters +of mischief and spite to the unconscious, inoffensive objects of their +malice, it would be a cause of misery to us, unless our power was equal +to our knowledge. Happy is it for us, that but one place, and one set of +circumstances, can engross our minds.</p> + +<p>Not far from where these happy youths held sweet counsel together, +encouraging each other in the path of manliness and virtue, beneath the +same clear sky and bright shining moon, sat two specimens of humanity, +beneath the shed that ran along the front of Mr. Grizzle's store:—one +of these the owner thereof, and the other a miserable-looking bloated +youth, of about eighteen years of age.</p> + +<p>'Do you say, Bill Tice, that they've been round buying up all the +potatoes, and giving twenty-five cents a bushel?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, it's fact. Old Sam Cutter told his boys on it, and they told me; +and they said the old man wanted them to go to work and hoe 'em out, +because they were goin' to bring sich a price, and he didn't mean to let +old Grizzle have none on 'em.'</p> + +<p>'He did, ha? Ay, ay, well, well.'</p> + +<p>'And they'd bought all Billy Bloodgood's, and Bill Andrews', and ever so +many more.'</p> + +<p>'They have, eh? and gin' twenty-five cents a bushel, you say? that's a +putty business, Bill.' And Grizzle turned his bleared and spectacled +eyes full upon his companion. 'A putty business, Bill, ain't it? And who +is to have potatoes and sich things to sell in the dead o'winter to poor +folks, who may be ain't raised none? What would your folks have done +last winter in sich a case?'</p> + +<p>'Sure enough, we might starve; they wouldn't care.'</p> + +<p>'And then if you was jist to help yourself a little,' (giving him a +slight hunch,) 'why they'd be the first to complain on you; and away you +must go another three months in the old cage.</p> + +<p>'I hate them Montjoy boys, they always look as if no one was good enough +for 'em; goin' round with their shirt collars on their necks, and shoes +on their feet.'</p> + +<p>'And you say Oakum is with 'em, ha?'</p> + +<p>'Why yes, Oakum's boy is with 'em, and you know it must be the old man +that does it; the boy aint got nothin'.'</p> + +<p>'No, nor the old one neither, when his debts is paid; but I'll see, I'll +see. Folks musn't git in debt to me, and then come out agin' me; that +won't do, Bill Tice.'</p> + +<p>'I shouldn't think it would.'</p> + +<p>'And you say Oakum is goin' to build a boat for his boy?'</p> + +<p>'That's what Dick Cutter tell'd me.'</p> + +<p>'To carry away everything we've got here, and make things so high, poor +folks must starve or else work hard, one or the two.'</p> + +<p>'They don't care.'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Bill, you and I know one another; you've done some +little jobs for me, and may be I've done some little things for you.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I know that.'</p> + +<p>'Well now, Bill, this business must be stopped by fair means as foul.'</p> + +<p>'That boat shan't never be built.'</p> + +<p>'Whist, Bill, whist, don't be too fast; time enough yet.'</p> + +<p>'What will you do, then?'</p> + +<p>'What will I do—jist take the law on Oakum. Don't you see if I tie his +hands the boat can't be built; and the old one they've got now, will +only sink 'em to the bottom of the bay, if they try to take a load in +her. I can make out a bill, I guess, that will keep him tight for three +months at any rate.'</p> + +<p>'That's a good idee.'</p> + +<p>'Well, what I want of you is, to go some time to-morrow or next day, and +jist ask Dick Tucker to come and see me, and may be I'll give him a job. +You ain't afraid of Dick, now, are you?'</p> + +<p>'No, I don't <i>care</i> nothin' for him; I should like just once to turn the +key upon him, and see how he'd like it.'</p> + +<p>'He'd rather turn it upon you and me, Bill; but you jist go there and +tell him what I say. But keep mum, Bill.'</p> + +<p>'No fear o' me.'</p> + +<p>With that the old man patted Bill on the back.</p> + +<p>'Come, come in and take something afore you go.' And in they went, and +down went the fiery draught, and away went Bill Tice, a wretched victim +to the hateful cup—a youth in age, but already old in ways of +wickedness. Along the highway he plodded, his hat pulled down over his +eyes, his head bent over, and his look fixed upon the path he was +treading. He heeded not the beautiful moon that was lighting him on his +way—brightly it shone upon him and his home, but only to expose +wretchedness and vice waiting upon each other.</p> + +<p>The path of duty is said to be the path of safety. When considered in +reference to all final results, this is doubtless true; but to go +steadily forward in our daily or weekly routine, we must expect to +encounter more or less exposure to danger and disaster.</p> + +<p>The little 'craft,' as Peter called the boat in which Jim and Sam made +their voyages, was by no means suitable for the work; and again and +again did the old sailor warn them, that 'they must look out for the +southeasters, and never venture in no sich thing as that.'</p> + +<p>It was the only one at present that they could procure, and they must +either run the risk or give up their trade—a thing not to be +contemplated for a moment.</p> + +<p>It was early in July; the weather for some days had been oppressively +warm. A dense fog covered the land and the water; and as our boys +started upon their usual trip, they were obliged to lay their course as +they best could, as there was nothing visible beyond a few lengths of +their boat. The water was smooth without a ripple; not a breath of air +could be felt from any direction. Sam's father had endeavored to +dissuade him from venturing on the water at such a time.</p> + +<p>'There's no telling what kind of weather we may have when this goes off, +and I'm most sure I heerd it thunder a while ago.'</p> + +<p>'I guess it wasn't thunder, father; and you know I can hardly miss my +way in crossing the river; and when we get on the other shore, it will +be easy to make the point; and by the time we get there, the wind will +rise and the fog will go off.'</p> + +<p>Sam's reasoning was well enough, but his father was not quite satisfied +that it was best for them to go; however, as he saw their minds were set +upon it, and all their things on board, he made no further objections.</p> + +<p>As Sam had said, he was able to make the other shore without much +difficulty; and that once reached, by keeping close to it, the point +was also gained; but when about to turn into the open bay, Sam had some +misgivings as to what was best to be done. The fog still surrounded +them, as dense as ever, the shore could be seen only a few oars' length +from it; and if they could keep within sight, they might proceed with +their voyage, although by following the windings of the shore the +distance would be greatly increased. This, however, would not have +discouraged Sam, if he had not known that there were spots where close +hugging the shore was impossible, as ledges of rocks ran off from it, +which must be avoided. Thinking that he could keep the shore in sight +until these were reached, and then venture out a little to avoid them, +and not willing to turn back, he concluded to try the experiment. Jim +knew nothing of the dangers to which they were exposed in being once out +of sight of land, with no possible guide, in a small open boat, on the +bosom of a bay that opened fair to the ocean. He therefore made no +objections to any of Sam's movements. There was no wind, of course the +sail was not up, and Sam handled the oars. Jim had his usual place at +the helm, at which he had become quite expert.</p> + +<p>'Keep her along shore, Jim, and don't lose sight of the land for any +thing. Tell me when you see the large white rock, or the big tree; but I +don't much think you will be able to see <i>that</i> to-day, but keep a sharp +look-out for the rock.' The tree, as Sam expected, was not visible; but +after half an hour's rowing, Jim pointed out the rock to which Sam had +alluded.</p> + +<p>'You remember, Jim, that near to this is the first ledge of rocks—turn +her off shore a little—there, that will do; look sharp for the rocks, +for if we lose sight of them and the shore too, we are gone.'</p> + +<p>Jim did look sharp; for he perceived, from the anxious countenance of +his companion, that there was some peculiar difficulty to be +apprehended: in a few moments, however, they lost sight of the shore. +This Sam expected; but instead thereof, anticipated making use of the +large rocks, which usually protruded above the ledge or sunken reef, as +his beacon. He exerted his utmost strength in the direction, as he +supposed, they would be found, and the little boat skimmed rapidly +through the water. Not a sign, however, of rock or shore could they +discover; and, to add to their confusion, Sam, by accident, slipped an +oar. Jim sprang to assist him in securing it, his tiller shifted, and +the points of the compass were lost to them; the fog, too, evidently +thickened around them—</p> + +<p>'Don't you feel a breeze, Sam? I did just then.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and I think I know where it comes from; you see the fog grows +thicker; it is driving in from the sea, and this wind must be from the +east. Father said this morning he thought we should have the wind from +that quarter—here it comes again, Jim.'</p> + +<p>In a few moments a fresh and steady breeze came on; Sam, too, confident +in the direction from which it came, hastened to spread his sail, and +taking the helm into his own hands, put her head, as he supposed, in a +direction that would carry them towards the fort, and at the same time +bring them near the shore. For a while after the breeze sprung up, the +fog was by no means diminished; but at length it began to recede, and as +the circle of their horizon enlarged, anxiously they watched on the +quarter where they were confident the land lay.</p> + +<p>'We must be wrong, Sam, or we certainly could see the land by this +time.'</p> + +<p>Sam answered not, for other signs than the non-appearance of the land +convinced him that he had mistaken his bearings. The wind had not +increased much since it had at first sprung up, and, in fact, was giving +tokens of ceasing or changing, by its frequent lulls; yet the water was +becoming very rough; in fact, the waves were different from any they had +ever encountered yet, threatening at times to fill their boat;—he +began, indeed, to fear that he had been running out instead of nearing +shore. At length the covering which had so long enveloped them rolled +off, the distant points of land appeared, and their truly critical +position was clearly exposed. Far off, in nearly an opposite direction +to the one they were steering for, loomed up the fort; and the shore, +which they had trusted was near at hand, could just be seen through the +creeping vapors which yet clung to the land rising in patches slowly +into the atmosphere. Before them was the open ocean, and the +southeastern shores of the bay in a proximity to them, which in their +present circumstances was any thing but agreeable.</p> + +<p>Sam's first impulse, of course, was to steer directly for the haven they +had started for; this, a moment's reflection upon the state of things +convinced him would be madness.</p> + +<p>Several times, while still enveloped in the fog, they had distinctly +heard peals of thunder, which had by no means been a source of +quietude; and now, far over the western sky, had gathered a dark and +threatening mass of vapours, heaps on heaps rolling together, and +spreading to the north, where the blackness of darkness seemed to have +settled. Beneath that heavy mass, at the edge of the horizon, was a long +light streak, showing where in the far distance the storm had already +begun, and the winds lifting it up and bearing it towards them. In the +direction of the storm was the shore they had left; to reach that or the +fort, before it should burst upon them, was utterly impossible, and to +be caught in their frail boat by such a tempest would be certain +destruction. On the south and south-east lay a long line of shore, not +much nearer than that on the west; yet from it, there ran out for a mile +from the land, in a circular direction, a bar of sand; at high tide this +bar was nearly covered, but when the tide was out, some acres of hard +white sand were exposed, and afforded a firm landing-place. Sam knew of +this; and, in fact, he could plainly discern its white surface in the +distance, for the tide had been for some time running out, and was the +main cause why he had, in so short a time, made so long a stretch.</p> + +<p>'What shall we do, Sam? It looks black there, don't it?'</p> + +<p>'Black enough—we must run away from it.'</p> + +<p>At once, Sam tied up the sail as carefully as he could, and stowed it as +near the bottom of the skiff as possible.</p> + +<p>'Where will you run, Sam? we are most out to sea now.'</p> + +<p>'We must go a little nearer yet, for all that <i>I</i> see;—<i>quick</i>, Jim, +take the helm; you see that white streak, don't you, running out from +the shore yonder?'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'It is a mile nearer to us than any place we can get to; make for +that—it is our only chance.'</p> + +<p>Jim did as directed; for, on the water, he yielded implicitly to Sam. +The oars were out, and Sam's utmost strength was tasked; their lives +depended on the fact of his ability to reach that bar before the storm +should overtake them. As they progressed, the waves sensibly increased; +and occasionally, through Jim's inexperience in steering, water enough +would be shipped, not only to wet them thoroughly, but to endanger the +feeble craft.</p> + +<p>Sam's eye was steadily fixed upon the rising gust; he heeded not the +waves—death was behind them—if they reached not that landing-place in +time, they must be his prey. Vivid streaks of lightning ran along the +curling edges of the clouds, and heavy-rolling thunder, increasing in +loudness at every clap; far off upon the distant land could be seen +volumes of dust rolling high up in the air; and when the thunder ceased, +the sullen roar of the tempest was distinctly heard.</p> + +<p>'How fast it comes, Sam!'</p> + +<p>'Keep her straight for that bar, Jim.'</p> + +<p>'Do you hear the roaring, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'Are we near the bar? Keep her as straight as you can—it's coming +fast.'</p> + +<p>Already had the storm reached the water. Sam knew now what they had to +expect; for before it arose a mass of spray like a thick low mist. +Rising on his feet, and throwing himself back with all his force, the +little fellow did all that in him lay to reach the shore.</p> + +<p>'Don't let go the helm, Jim.'</p> + +<p>And Jim immediately braced himself upon the bottom of the boat, holding +with main strength to the tiller. As the wind struck them, Sam was +obliged to throw himself down in the boat; he could not face its fury. +In an instant, all sights and sounds but that of the storm were lost; +they were at its mercy, or more properly, at the mercy of Him who +directed it. A few moments, their little boat tossed and floated amid +the tumult, and then struck heavily upon the beach.</p> + +<p>'Out, Jim! out, and hold on!'</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The days when the little skiff was expected at the fort began to be +looked forward to with much pleasure by old Peter and his little charge. +Seated on the parapet which surrounded the fort, with a spyglass in his +hand, he would watch a bend of the shore, around which the little boat +could first be seen. Susie would be near him, looking at the play of the +waters among the broken rocks which formed the foundation of the fort, +or listening to marvellous stories of sea life, of which Peter had the +usual supply.</p> + +<p>This day they had watched until the storm came, and after it had cleared +away; until giving up all expectation of seeing the boat, Peter had +hobbled into the fort to attend to some little matters, and Susie sought +for amusement in her usual play-ground—the narrow strip of land, about +twenty feet in width, encircling them. It has been mentioned that a +ledge of rocks connected with the main-land, being formed partly by +nature and partly by a deposit of large broken stones—the design +apparently was to have formed a passage to the shore without the aid of +a boat, but for some cause or other it was not carried out. At low +water, one acquainted with the locality might have made his way across +it, from rock to rock, without much difficulty; but when the tide was +in, all communication was cut off. At the rising and falling of the +tide, the water flowed through the narrow passages with great rapidity; +and a very expert swimmer would have needed much muscular strength not +to have been swept away with it. Peter never ventured upon this rough +causeway himself, for two very good reasons: first, because it was no +place for crutches to travel over; and, secondly, considering it unsafe, +he did not wish to set the little girl an example which might lead her +into danger.</p> + +<p>Tired, however, with her narrow promenade, when she reached the ledge +spoken of, without any misgivings, she rambled across the rough pavement +of broken stones, until she came to a large rock forming the terminus. +On one side this rock was shelving. Fearless she walked down to the +water's edge: the tide was running swiftly past, and this peculiar +motion of the water being new to her, she laid herself down, and watched +the coursing of the dark current with delight.</p> + +<p>When Peter returned, he saw nothing of Susie; and thinking she had gone +to the other side of the fort, was hobbling round to look after her; +when to his surprise, on turning the first angle, he saw the little boat +close at hand, and apparently coming from a very different quarter than +usual.</p> + +<p>'Hulloa, my hearties: where do you hail from now?'</p> + +<p>'The Horse Shoe,' said Sam, putting his hand to his mouth, and making as +grum a noise as old Peter did.</p> + +<p>'The Horse Shoe! What! druv down there in the gale?'</p> + +<p>'Got lost in the fog, and made for the sand-bar; when the storm came up, +we had a hard time of it.'</p> + +<p>Peter began to chew hard on his cud, and shake his head very violently; +at the same time resting on his crutches, he doubled up his fist, and +held it in a very threatening manner towards Sam.</p> + +<p>'The fog—lost in the fog—and didn't you know better than to venture +off shore, with no <i>pints of compass</i>, and <i>no reckoning</i> and <i>no +nothing</i> to steer by, in <i>sich a craft</i> as <i>that</i>? That ain't fit to +trust a man's life in on a mill pond.'</p> + +<p>Sam smiled.</p> + +<p>'It aint no laughing matter, my young man, to foller the water; I've +tell'd you <i>that</i>, many a time; it ain't like the land, where you can +lay to, and hold on jist as you likes. No, no; them that deals with the +winds and the waves must keep a sharp look-out, and watch their chances; +its nothin' more nor less but a temptin' o' Providence with your +dumb-founded perverseness. But howsomever, I'm glad to see you; so jist +haul up, and I'll call the Major.'</p> + +<p>Peter hobbled towards the landing-place, to which Sam urged his boat. +Just as she struck the stairs, a loud scream was heard. Sam sprang from +the boat, and ran with lightning speed across the ledge of broken rocks. +He had seen what those on the dock could not see. The little girl had +caught a view of the boat, and rising to return, had ventured to tread +upon a part of the rock which was covered with sea-weed; her foot had +slipped, and when Sam beheld her, she was hanging just above the water, +clinging to the rock, and screaming in her agony. Almost distracted, +Peter called aloud for help; although he could see nothing, as yet, of +the child. Sam felt that life or death depended upon his exertions; and +none but one accustomed, as he had been, from infancy, to tread with +bare feet the flinty shore, could have made such fearful haste over that +rough pavement. One false step would, in all probability, have cost his +life. He reached the rock—she was still clinging; he grasped at her—it +was too late—and down she plunged into the deep water, and was borne +swiftly along by the current. But Sam was with her; he waited not to +calculate the chances against his own life—in an instant he plunged, +and then arose a cry from the fort, that brought help and dear friends +to witness the heart-rending spectacle; for there could be little doubt +in the minds of all that both must perish. Major Morris, at the first +alarm, rushed to the spot. His distress at seeing the idol of his heart +sinking in the deep water, cannot be described. He flew with one or two +attendants to his own boat, which lay near at hand; and made all the +haste the most intense anxiety could urge, to reach the struggling +children. But Peter was before him, in the little skiff with Jim; the +moment he understood the case, he threw down his crutches, sprang into +the boat, and like a master workman, made her fly through the water.</p> + +<p>'Hold on, my darlings, don't be frightened; I'll soon be with you.'</p> + +<p>But no answer was returned; Sam had not calculated his own strength, and +had no idea of the desperate energy it would require to sustain himself +with another clinging to him. His arms could afford him no assistance; +the little girl had grasped them with such energy, that the most he +could do, was just to keep her head from beneath the water. Every thing +was done with the greatest speed from the moment their situation was +observed; but it took some little time to reach them. Sam felt his +strength failing, he could not even call for help—intent upon one only +object, he struggled on; and when he could raise his head above water to +speak, he tried to encourage her. But the powers of nature could do no +more, and he felt the water rushing above his head, and was conscious +that all was over with him; when a hand, strong and steady, grasped his +arms, still extended, and bearing up their precious burden.</p> + +<p>'She's saved! she's saved!' hallooed Peter, with his loudest voice. +'She's saved! God be praised!—she ain't hurt a bit.' With one hand he +took Susie from her hold on Sam, and raised her into the boat; and with +the other supported him, so that his head was above the water.</p> + +<p>'Thank God!' exclaimed Major Morris—'But the <i>boy</i>—is he alive?'</p> + +<p>'Oh yes,' said Peter; at the same time raising Sam, and laying him down +in the boat.</p> + +<p>'No, no, he ain't,' said Jim, throwing himself on the body of Sam. 'He's +dead!—oh dear—he's dead! he's dead!'</p> + +<p>'I tell you he ain't—he ain't; he's only swooned like—he ain't dead: +no, no.'</p> + +<p>But when Major Morris saw his pale and deathlike countenance, he was in +great alarm.</p> + +<p>'To shore, instantly; he has saved my child, but I fear with the loss of +his own life.' And while he hugged the darling of his heart to his +bosom, and thanked God for his mercy, he could not restrain the big +tears as he looked at the pallid features, and felt the cold and clammy +temples of the brave heart that had saved her. Frantic with grief and +joy alternate, Mrs. Morris watched every motion, from the stairs to +which she had flown, at the first summons of the danger of her child. +Receiving her from the arms of the father, crying and kissing her in the +wildness of her joy, surrounded by attendants, she hurried into the +fort; while Major Morris took the lifeless body of Sam in his arms, +followed by Peter and Jim, who was almost beside himself with grief and +terror.</p> + +<p>It seemed a long, long time to those who, under the direction of the +surgeon of the garrison, were using means to resuscitate him; and +scarcely less rejoiced was Major Morris when he received his own child +alive in his arms, than when he perceived the signs of returning +consciousness in Sam. At length he awoke as from a troubled dream. With +an expression of deep anxiety he looked upon the circle which surrounded +him. Mrs. Morris was bending over him, parting the wet and tangled locks +from off his pale forehead; beside her stood the Major, holding his +hands, and rejoicing in the warmth which he felt was returning to his +system. Peter stood at the foot of the bed, chewing incessantly a +tremendous quid of tobacco, which he had found leisure to slip into his +mouth even in the midst of all the confusion. He had done great +execution in the way of rubbing; his hands, very unlike his heart, were +rough, and well calculated for such a purpose. He had, however, now +ceased rubbing, and was looking alternately at Sam and at a short, +red-faced personage, the Irish servant woman, who stood at his elbow. +Endowed with all the feelings of her sex and her nation, she continued +to be in great agitation. Her arms were crossed upon her breast, her +eyes turned up to the ceiling, and with her body swinging to and fro, +she was uttering certain groans and exclamations.</p> + +<p>'Is the little girl safe?' said Sam, looking full into the face of Major +Morris.</p> + +<p>'Yes, my fine fellow, she is safe and well; thanks to you, under a kind +Providence, for it.'</p> + +<p>Sam shut his eyes again; he said nothing further; but there was a +tremulous motion on his lips, and about the muscles of his face. Some +cordial was administered, and he was allowed to fall asleep. As he +slept, the powers of nature began to assume their natural energy, a +gentle warmth spread over his frame, the color again glowed on his +cheek, and his whole countenance told the story to those anxious +watchers, that he was doing well. All breathed more freely; the scene so +late full of terror and dismay, was changing, like the black clouds +which bring the thunder storm, into beautiful visions for the eye to +rest upon and enjoy.</p> + +<p>When Sam again awoke, Jim alone was with him. He was much refreshed, +and asked whether they had not better return home.</p> + +<p>'Whenever you are well enough, we will do so. Every thing is settled +for—I have got your money and mine too.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, have you? Well, I have not thought much about money, or any thing +else; I have been in a kind of dream, I believe.'</p> + +<p>'Don't you remember any thing that has happened, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'Why, I remember seeing that little girl hanging on the rock:—oh Jim, +how I <i>did</i> feel; and I remember running as fast as I could, and just as +I put my hand on her to catch her, off she slipped. I remember <i>that</i>, +Jim; and I don't believe I shall ever forget it: and I remember holding +her up out of the water, and trying to call for help; and then, just as +I was giving up and going down, I felt something take hold of me; and +after that, all seems to be confused. I thought they told me she was +saved; and I thought I saw her once looking at me; but I don't know—may +be I only dreamt it.' And Sam looked very anxiously at Jim.</p> + +<p>'No, it's no dream, Sam; for she has been here a good while by you, and +when she saw how pale you looked, she cried.'</p> + +<p>'Did she?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and they all cried. And you don't know what Mr. Morris says—he +says if it hadn't been for you, she would have been drowned before any +of them could possibly have reached her: and that you have saved her +life.'</p> + +<p>Sam could make no reply. The thought that he had saved a life, and the +life of one so beautiful and so much beloved, was too full of happiness, +and it overpowered him. The door now opened slowly, and Peter's shaggy +head made its appearance. He had a bundle under his arm—Sam's clothes, +which had been dried and ironed for him. Seeing Sam sitting up, he +hobbled to the bedside, took both his crutches under one arm, and +throwing the other around Sam, gave him a hug—well meant, no doubt, and +expressive of his kind feelings; but which would have been much more in +keeping had Peter been holding on to a main-top-gallant-mast in a gale +of wind.</p> + +<p>Sam was soon arrayed in his old but clean garments. While he was +dressing, Peter stood with his crutches properly adjusted for moving, +his jaws working very rapidly, and his head nodding approvingly at Sam.</p> + +<p>'And now, come, my hearty, you're all rigged. The ladies want to see you +in t'other room; come.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, no, no; I can't do that; I can't go, no how.'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what it is, you're a good fellow of your age as ever handled +an oar; but you are too dumbfounded perverse in your own ways. Here is +you been a saving this child, riskin' your own life; and when they want +jist to say to you, "God bless you," and kind o' relieve their own +minds, you up and won't go.'</p> + +<p>But Sam persisted; he would jump into the water again if that was +necessary; but as to going into a fine parlor, and being looked at by +fine ladies, it was not to be thought of. Peter was about to make some +violent pleas against Sam's 'perverseness,' as he called it; when seeing +the Major, he suddenly adjusted his crutches, stroked down his queue, +and backed off to another part of the room.</p> + +<p>We must now leave Sam to the care of these friends, and see what is +going on beneath the humble roof of his parents; an eventful day it +proved for him and for them.</p> + +<p>Bill Tice had done the errand which Mr. Grizzle intrusted to him. A few +days after, the old yellow gig of Mr. Richard Tucker was seen standing +at Mr. Grizzle's door, while the two worthies were sitting together in a +little back room, adjoining the store, with an old greasy account-book +lying on the table beside them, and sundry papers in Mr. Tucker's +handwriting open, and almost ready to be folded up and put into a dirty +pocket-book belonging to said Mr. Tucker; which was also lying there, +and waiting to inclose within its clasp an instrument fully charged with +a power to torture, only surpassed by the wheel, which, in former days, +twisted the joints of the wretched victims from their strong fastenings.</p> + +<p>'A larger bill, Mr. Dick, than I thought I could muster up; and now you +make the most of it.'</p> + +<p>'Trust me for that; all I want to know is what my principal +requires—that's all.'</p> + +<p>And Mr. Tucker knit his bushy brows, and went on tying up, with a dirty +blue string, the papers which had been lying on the table.</p> + +<p>After securing them in this manner, he opened his pocket-book, and +deposited them in it; and then, in the same careful manner, thrust the +whole into an inside pocket of his threadbare coat. Mr. Tucker was +about to do a very dirty job, and he was a man well fitted for the duty. +He had a heart, doubtless, that beat and threw the vital current about +his frame, just as other men have; and he had bones, and sinews, and +flesh, and these could suffer pain as other flesh and blood; but to say +that Mr. Tucker had a heart as others have, that would beat in sympathy +with his fellow in distress, or that he could be made to feel shame, or +pain, or sorrow, or regard, in that secret fountain where springs so +much that sweetens or embitters life, would be wrong—wrong to him, +because it would be saying that of him which was not true—wrong to the +mass of mankind, who <i>have</i> feelings that can be touched. Mr. Tucker's +appearance was in keeping with his character—little leaden-colored +eyes, sunk deep in his head, over which scowled dark shaggy brows; a +pale, cadaverous countenance, with no expression that one could lay hold +of in an hour of distress, on which to found a hope that any compassion +might be felt, or any mercy shown. A fit minister was he of that stern +and barbarous code which legalised the torturing of the <i>poor</i> +man—which allowed the tearing him away from the charities of home, and +entombing him in the charnel-house of vice, debauchery, and filth.</p> + +<p>Some feelings of compunction seemed yet to be lingering in the breast of +Mr. Grizzle; for as Mr. Richard put his hat on his head, and buttoned up +his coat, and fumbled about in the act of departing, he stammered out—</p> + +<p>'It's right, you know; I ought to have my own. Folks cannot expect me to +wait always for 'em—pay-day must come.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Right!</i> to be sure it's right; and as you say he's running against +you, and setting up his boy and others to hurt your trade—why, muzzle +him, I say—who wouldn't?'</p> + +<p>'I suppose it wouldn't be much use taking the timber and stuff that he +is building that boat with?—there is nothing else to take.'</p> + +<p>'No use in that; he hasn't done much to it but put the ribs +together—it's of no value as it is. No—shut him up; that's the +way—that will stop boat and all.'</p> + +<p>'Well, well; you know the law, Dick, let it work. I shall have to find +him in bread and water—that won't cost much.'</p> + +<p>The day was drawing to a close, and the shades of evening were deepened +by a heavy cloud which was rising in the west, and into which the sun +was sinking. A muttering of distant thunder hastened the departure of +Mr. Tucker. He sprang into his crazy old gig, and drove off at a quick +pace to his deed of mischief.</p> + +<p>Oakum had worked diligently on his boat all day, and continued his labor +till a later hour than usual, in expectation that the little skiff would +be along, and Sam would accompany him home. He had felt much uneasiness +for the safety of the boys, and was very desirous of witnessing their +return. Darkness was coming on, and a storm threatening; so taking a +long look across the water, and meeting no signs of the boat, with +rather a sad heart he walked towards his home. Their evening meal was +eaten in silence, while, as long as the light permitted any view of +distant objects, the eyes of the parents were directed across the water. +They felt, as they had never before, how dependent they were upon their +boy for his smile and his voice to cheer their hearts.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had they finished their supper, when the yellow gig of Mr. +Tucker drove up. Oakum and his wife cast their eyes at the gig, and then +at each other. Instantly she perceived that trouble was at hand; for her +husband grew very pale, and even faltered in his step as he walked to +the door to admit their visitor. Mr. Tucker did not use much formality +in his official visits, and entered without knocking.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Oakum, I believe.'</p> + +<p>'At your service, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Here is an account, sir, I believe against you, lately put into my +hands'—at the same time opening his pocket-book, and taking out one of +the papers which he had so carefully put there but a short time since, +in the little back room of Mr. Grizzle's store. Mr. Oakum took the +paper, and asking Mr. Tucker to be seated, availed himself of the same +privilege—for, to tell the truth, he was completely unnerved. He knew +well what office Mr. Tucker held: he also knew something of the man; and +a strange weakness came over him, so that when he unfolded the paper, +and held it up to the light of the window, his hands trembled so +violently, it was impossible for him to make out the sum that was +charged against him.</p> + +<p>'This is from Mr. Grizzle, I suppose, Mr. Tucker?'</p> + +<p>'It is, sir.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know that I can make out exactly what the amount is; but I +suppose it is right. I owe Mr. Grizzle something, but I thought it +wasn't much.'</p> + +<p>'Much or little, sir, you've got it there; it is something over thirty +dollars.'</p> + +<p>'Thirty dollars! Ain't there some mistake, Mr. Tucker?' and Mr. Oakum +looked at his wife in amazement. She, poor thing, stood like a statue, +not comprehending the matter, but fearing it was something dreadful.</p> + +<p>'I guess there is no mistake, sir. Mr. Grizzle took it from his book, +and he ain't apt to make mistakes; but that is between you and him—it +is no concern of mine.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, sir; you are not to blame. I know I owe Mr. Grizzle, and I have +thought of it a great deal, and am trying to get a little something +ahead to give him; he shall have all I honestly owe him just as soon as +my hands can earn it. I will call and see Mr. Grizzle to-morrow, and +take him a little.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tucker now arose from his seat, put his hat on his head, and +stepping up to Mr. Oakum—</p> + +<p>'All <i>that</i> is well enough, sir; but it don't pay the bill. If you +cannot settle it at once, you will please go along with me'—at the same +time putting his hand on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>'I have a warrant to take you, unless you can give me the money, or +goods in the place of it. Shall I read the warrant?'</p> + +<p>'There is no occasion for that, sir. I have not got the money, if it was +to save my life; and goods I have none, only what you see here.'</p> + +<p>'Well, sir, if you go peaceably, it is well enough; if not, I must read +the warrant, for I have no time to lose—it is getting dark.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Oakum arose, but his limbs could scarcely sustain him; big drops of +sweat stood on his pale forehead, and a deadly sickness was at his +heart.</p> + +<p>'Oakum, Oakum! tell me what it is. What does this man want?'</p> + +<p>'I don't see, Mr. Tucker, what good it is going to do Mr. Grizzle to +shut me up in jail. I can't do no work there. And what are my wife and +children to do? must they starve?'</p> + +<p>'<i>Jail! jail!</i> Ah, sir; you ain't going to put my husband in <i>jail</i>! +What hurt has he done you, or any body else?'</p> + +<p>And she flew to her husband, and putting her arms around his neck, wept +as though her heart had broken. But Mr. Tucker was not to be balked in +the discharge of his official duties by the tears of either man or +woman—some harsh things he said, which aroused the humbled spirits of +this suffering husband and wife. Mrs. Oakum hushed her grief for the +time, in order to quiet the distressed children, who were clinging to +their father, and screaming in their agony when they learned whither he +was going. Mr. Oakum, however, made no resistance to the imperious +demands of the officer; but quieting the feelings of his family as far +as he could, entered the gig with Mr. Tucker, and was driven rapidly +away amid the darkness of the gathering storm.</p> + +<p>As soon as Mrs. Oakum was enabled to collect her thoughts, apprehensions +on Sam's account again oppressed her. She took her seat by the window, +and looked in every direction; but the darkness had increased so +rapidly, that objects could be discerned at only a short distance from +the house. Occasionally the vivid lightning would, for an instant, throw +its bright glare across the water, making the prospect distinctly +visible. On one occasion, she thought she saw a small white sail; and +every succeeding flash she watched, until her eyes were nearly blinded +by the dazzling light, but nothing more of it could she discern. A +startling peal of thunder proclaimed that the storm was at hand, and the +rain began to patter in large drops, and then to pour its floods upon +them. Just at that moment the door opened; and Sam, with his cheerful +smile and pleasant words, was in the midst of them. They all flew to +caress him; but missing his father, and seeing the marks of distress in +his mother's countenance—</p> + +<p>'Where is father?' he cried, 'is anything wrong—do tell me quick, +mother.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, Sam! what shall we do?'</p> + +<p>All Sam's bright hopes were dashed at once; he durst ask no further. The +day had been one of severe toil and imminent danger; but he had been +richly rewarded in the approbation of those he esteemed so highly; he +had been caressed by those whose rank in life was among the first in the +land; and he had then about him a jewel of no inconsiderable value, +given to him by Mrs. Morris as a token of her high approbation of his +manly conduct, and of the obligation she should ever feel for the rescue +of her child. All this had raised his spirits; and full of the fond +anticipation of making his parents glad with the tidings of the day, he +had landed with a happy heart, and hurried to his home. But now, alas! +his father has yielded to the tempter, never, perhaps, to be restored, +and all his proud dreams are gone.</p> + +<p>'You need not tell me about it, mother. But I must go and try to find +him; he may be somewhere on the road, unable to help himself, and +exposed to this storm.'</p> + +<p>His mother looked earnestly at him, as though not clearly comprehending +what he meant; but it soon became evident to her.</p> + +<p>'Oh! it is not that, Sam. Your father has been hard at work all day, and +we were only worrying a little about you, as he felt so anxious ever +since the storm we had in the morning—if it hadn't been for that, we +should have been as happy as could be—when, all at once, that +good-for-nothing creature Richard Tucker came in, and said he was sent +by Grizzle; and in spite of all we could say or do, he has took him off +to the jail.'</p> + +<p>And she broke out again in a passionate flood of tears. Poor Sam was in +a sad strait; but his heart was not so heavy as when under the +impression that his father had fallen again into his evil habits. He +resolved, however, immediately what course to pursue.</p> + +<p>'I am going out, mother. Perhaps I can get him clear; if not, I shall +stay with him till morning. I cannot leave my father alone in that +dreadful place to-night.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam! what are you talking about? You cannot go out in such a storm, +and then to stay all night in that awful jail.'</p> + +<p>'I don't care for the storm, mother; and the jail won't be worse for me +than it will be for him.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Sam, I don't know what to say, my poor head is so bewildered. If +it wasn't for these little ones, I would go with you.'</p> + +<p>Sam immediately went to his chest, and taking out all his little store +of money, put it with that which he had brought home that day—in all it +amounted to three dollars. He then took the jewel which had been +presented to him—a handsome broach, in the form of a harp, and set with +stones, worth no small sum in money; but to Sam more valuable than +hoards of gold, and which no money would have purchased from him—and +placed it in the bag with his little treasure, then threw on an old +garment, to protect himself in some measure from the rain, and telling +his mother 'to keep up a good heart,' left the house. He took the road +leading to Mr. Grizzle's store, and forgetting the fatigue of the day, +hurried along as fast as the storm would permit. Mr. Grizzle was sitting +at his counter, resting his feet on an old rickety bench, and humming a +tune by way of company, for the usual visitors of the evening were not +in.</p> + +<p>Sam took off his hat as he entered, and walking up to Mr. Grizzle looked +him full in the face, but was too much out of breath to speak.</p> + +<p>The old man stopped his tune, and looked quite smilingly at Sam.</p> + +<p>'Well, my lad, how do you do this evening? All well at home?'</p> + +<p>'Here, Mr. Grizzle, is all the money we have; it is not much—but I +thought may be you would take it; and here is something that is worth a +good deal—you may keep it until we bring you the rest of the money. We +can only get a little at a time, but you shall have it all as fast as we +can raise it.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Money</i>, boy! Who has said any thing to you about money? I +haven't—have I?'</p> + +<p>'Why, sir, I suppose you sent Mr. Tucker to our house?'</p> + +<p>'Mr. Tucker! He has been to see you, has he? Well, he is a pretty hard +customer. Why not give him the money?'</p> + +<p>'But he has taken my father to jail, sir; and says he must have the +whole of the money—and this is all we have got,' holding up to Mr. +Grizzle his little handful of change. 'Here is three dollars, sir, and I +will soon get you some more, and you may keep <i>this</i> until I bring it,' +taking up also his brooch.</p> + +<p>'What, gold, ha! You must be pretty well off at your house—pretty well +off.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Do</i>, Mr. Grizzle, take this, and let my father go. We will pay you +every cent he owes, just as fast as we can; I promise you, sir, upon my +honor.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, you had better go to Mr. Tucker's, he will take the money, I +guess—and that thing too; may be he can find an owner for it. It don't +look as if it had been living among poor folks.'</p> + +<p>Sam's heart was beginning to sink; he perceived that Mr. Grizzle was +only mocking him. But he did not quite understand what he meant by +'finding an owner for it.'</p> + +<p>'I am the owner of this, Mr. Grizzle.'</p> + +<p>'Are you? you look a good deal like it.' And he cast his eye down at +Sam, surveying him from head to foot. This was more than he could bear; +his heart beat quick, his face reddened; he could not then have asked a +favour of that old withered wretch, had it been to save himself or his +family from certain ruin. He put his money and jewel back again into his +pocket, picked up his hat from the bench on which he had laid it, and +turning his back on the store and its owner, hurried away, wishing that +he might never see either again.</p> + +<p>The building used for the graceless evil-doers and penniless paupers of +this vicinity was not a very sightly object, and its appearance was in +keeping with its hideous character. It was a square, two-storied +building, without any paint; the clapboards and roof were gray and +mossy; storms and sunshine had played upon it for fifty years; and it +was none the better for its age. In the upper story could be seen one +room, with a small window at the end, with iron bars crossing +sufficiently near together to keep a prisoner from getting through, if +he was somewhat corpulent; but most rogues and poor men, that were not +very stout, could, if so disposed, have found a way out with a little +hard squeezing. But whether any did ever get out in that way I never +learned—perhaps the sight of the iron was enough. The other apartments +of the house had windows open as one could desire; glass may once have +formed some obstruction, to the birds at least; but it had disappeared +'long time ago,' and in that place thereof, shingles, old hats, old +clothes—any thing that would keep out the rain and the cold for the +time being, was substituted. It was inhabited by a family, which, for +want of all those qualities and qualifications that would have fitted +them for any other situation, were content to abide here. Old Adam Tice +had never been able to comprehend the difference between mine and thine. +He was not particularly bad in any other way; but it was generally +thought that his boys would, in time, carry out his principles a little +beyond their parent; and his son Bill, whom we have been introduced to +at Mr. Grizzle's, had, on more than one occasion, enjoyed the occupancy +of the room with the grated window.</p> + +<p>As there was but one apartment in this building suited for close +confinement, it sometimes occurred that an unfortunate debtor, who had +no friend to bail him out, so as to allow him the privilege, if such he +should esteem it, of ranging the lot on which the house was built, and +taking up his abode with Mr. Tice, must share the grated room with some +vile character whose deeds against humanity had brought him there; and +such was the case now. Two notorious vagabonds, guilty of flagrant +crimes, the very offscouring of the earth, were there; and nightly they +filled the old jail with noise and riot, as though fiends were holding +their orgies. It made even old Tice shudder, as their horrid oaths rang +through the building in the darkness of the night; and he almost +regretted that he had procured the liquor which had thus given them the +inspiration of demons.</p> + +<p>I shall not attempt to describe the feelings of poor Mr. Oakum when he +heard the key turned upon him, and found himself in such company. Some +straw was placed for him at one end of the room, out of the reach of his +fellow-prisoners, who were chained. He tottered towards it, and was glad +to cast himself down upon it. Sorrow will sometimes lull her suffering +children to sleep: oblivion, like a handmaid of charity, steals upon +them and shuts up the senses. Helpless, and almost hopeless, his mind +could no longer bear the thoughts that haunted it, but settled down into +unconsciousness. Occasionally some dreadful oath would rouse him, or the +deep rolling thunder, but only for a moment; when thoughts of home, and +wife, and children, would with lightning speed flash upon his mind, and +then, overpowered with his sad condition, he would again sink into +unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>At length he started from his bed of straw, awakened by the spring of +the heavy bolt that was suddenly drawn back. He cast his eager glance +upon the door; a light glimmered through a small square aperture at the +top—the latch was raised—his senses he feared were leaving him; for +there stood Sam, his dear, good child. Mr. Tice threw the light of his +lamp upon that corner of the room, and Sam walked directly to his +father.</p> + +<p>'Oh, my dear boy, is that you? is it you, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'I thought I would come and stay with you to-night, father.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, I do not mind this for my own sake; I deserve it: my own +foolishness has brought this on to me.'</p> + +<p>'Don't talk so, father; you haven't done wrong. I will get you out, yet, +and it will all be better than ever.'</p> + +<p>His father could make no reply; his heart was melted, and thoughts +different from any he had ever indulged before began to agitate him. God +had not forsaken him; this child was an angel of mercy, sent to cheer +his gloom and give hope to his heart. New and strange feelings towards +his God arose from within—how good, how forbearing, how full of +compassion. New feelings in regard to himself oppressed him. A great +sinner, both towards God and the dear ones God had given him, could he +be pardoned? He remembered the thief upon the cross; and his whole heart +arose in one strong impulse—'Lord, help me! save me!' It was a simple +prayer—it was only breathed—but it was heard in heaven. And swift as +angels fly, sweet peace came down and stole into his bosom, and there, +amid that gloom and in that dire abode, whispered of pardon, and hope, +and a Friend above.</p> + +<p>But where did Sam obtain that strong assurance that all would yet be +well—<i>better</i> than ever? It was no fiction invented to soothe his +father's troubled mind. Sam really felt and truly believed it would be +so. Ever since that dark hour upon the rock by the water-side, when his +companions came to him with their plan of enterprise, had <i>resolution</i>, +strong as his love of life, nerved his heart. He had since then tasted +the rich fruits of honest labor; and his eyes were enlightened, and his +hope and courage made strong. His parents and sisters had already been +made happy by his exertions, and his way was enlarging before him. The +present hour was one of severe trial, but his courage was not shaken by +it, and he believed most firmly that it would be with them 'better than +it had ever been.'</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful morning when Sam left the jail, and hurried on his +way to carry what comfort he could to his home. He would have avoided +every human being if he could, but just as he was about to pass the road +which ran down to the blacksmith's shop, Mr. Cutter's two boys saw him, +and being social fellows, ran up, and began, in their free-and-easy +boy's style, to question him about what he was doing there that time of +day, and where he had been, and so on. Sam's heart was about as full as +it could hold. They were wild boys, but of a kind nature, and felt a +right good-will towards Sam. They perceived that he was in trouble, for +the tears stood in his eyes when they spoke to him.</p> + +<p>'Now, Sam, what's the matter? tell me who's been hurting you. I'll give +it to him—who is it? See if I don't.' And Bill Cutter doubled up his +fists, and put himself in a posture to go right at it. Sam Cutter was a +little softer in his composition than his brother; and while Bill was +putting himself into a great rage with somebody or other, he did not +care who, Sam put his hand on the shoulder of his companion:</p> + +<p>'Tell me, Sam, what's the matter.' The storm, which had been so long +pent up, broke forth; this made both boys more solicitous to find out +the cause of his trouble, until Sam was compelled to tell the whole.</p> + +<p>No sooner had they heard the story, than, seizing Sam, each by an arm, +they fairly forced him along.</p> + +<p>'Come along, right in, Sam Oakum, and tell father all about it.'</p> + +<p>And on he had to go, straight through the old shop, into a little back +yard, and then into a little old house. The table was in the middle of +the floor, on which lay the remains of the breakfast which had just been +eaten.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cutter was stooping over the fire, and doing something with a +kettle which hung there; and as they entered, she turned her very large +eyes upon the boys. I say large, because they were naturally very +expansive, and because she wore on the bridge of her nose, right before +them, a pair of nose spectacles; they were large, too, in contrast with +the other features of her countenance, for while these were very round +and full, everything else in sight was very long and sharp; her nose was +long, and her chin was long, and her hands and arms were long; and other +limbs long too, for when she let go the kettle and raised herself up, +she appeared all length—of breadth there was nothing to mention, except +the eyes.</p> + +<p>'What upon airth is the matter? what are you doin' with that boy? See, +Cutter, they've been a hurtin' on him—he's a cryin' now—oh the massys! +Let him go, you good-for-<i>nothins you</i>, let him <i>go</i>.'</p> + +<p>'No, we ain't been hurting him, neither—what do you think, father? +they've been putting Sam Oakum's father in the old cage, they have.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter was sitting yet at the table; <i>he</i> and his good woman were +the reverse of each other, in more ways than one. He was, as we have +seen, very large and full-bodied. Standing and walking and going about, +seemed to be, each of them, her natural situation; while with him, +standing was not to be thought of if there was any chance for a seat; +and when once at the table he seemed willing there to stay, until Mrs. +Cutter had cleared plates, dishes, and the table itself from before him. +As the boys entered he pushed himself round, and looked in quiet +amazement at them.</p> + +<p>'Who is <i>they</i>? who's put him in jail?'</p> + +<p>'Old Grizzle, father; only think. If I ain't a mind to kill the old +varmint; I'll burn his house down.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Whist, hush, hold your tongue</i>, you scoundrel; how dare you talk so?'</p> + +<p>And the old man, in his energy to do something to show his displeasure +at such threats, caught hold of the pitcher, which yet stood on the +table before him, and thinking not of its contents, elevated it above +his head in a threatening manner at his lawless son. Cider he liked well +enough in its proper place; but a shower of it on his bald head, and in +his eyes, and so on, was another thing. It took him by surprise—he let +the pitcher go, and put his hands to the afflicted parts.</p> + +<p>Crockery is brittle stuff; it could not stand every thing, any more than +Mrs. Cutter's temper could. To see the look of horror she cast upon the +dripping head of her husband, and then at the broken pieces of her +pitcher, the very last thing in the house 'her mother gin' her,' as she +often said; with her long arms and bony fingers stretched out in the +air, was rather frightful: The moment the old man could recover himself +sufficiently to realize what he had done, and what he had to expect, he +exclaimed, very significantly,</p> + +<p>'Oh dear!' and rose up as hastily as he could, designing to retreat to +his shop, his usual refuge from a storm.</p> + +<p>'<i>Oh dear!</i> you may well say so—of <i>all things</i>. Well, Cutter, now you +see what you've done. I've told you it would be so; the very last thing +my mother gin' me—slam it right down on the harth—isn't that purty? +you've been breakin' and breakin' all your life; and now you've broke +the pitcher.'</p> + +<p>He said not a word in reply, but taking hold of Sam Oakum pulled him +along towards the shop. Finding that her husband was fast retreating +from the sound of her voice, she turned the battery upon her two boys, +who were eyeing the broken crockery with no very equivocal looks,</p> + +<p>'And <i>you</i>, you villains! comin' and settin' your father crazy with your +lies—<i>out</i> of the house with you, this instant.' And she made a push +for the broomstick. They understood her kind intentions right well, +having had large experience in that way, and did not wait for any +further instructions; but made after their father with all speed.</p> + +<p>Once in the shop, the old man felt safe. He had kept fast hold of Sam, +and sitting down on his usual block, held him off at arms-length with +one hand, while with the other, and the aid of an old handkerchief, he +wiped down his bald head, and round, good-natured countenance.</p> + +<p>'Oh dear! it was unlucky about that pitcher, I shall never hear the last +on it. Tell me now, Sam, what is all this? It ain't true—is it? that +old varmint ain't put your father in jail, has he? Don't cry now, but +just tell me the whole on it.'</p> + +<p>Sam told his story as well as he could, but it was hard work. He could +command his feelings very well, when only thinking about it; but when +compelled to speak his father's name, his lip trembled, and the words +came out with great difficulty. Mr. Cutter had a very tender heart of +his own, and Sam's story and appearance worked upon him more and more; +so that he kept the old handkerchief wiping away long after the cider +shower had dried off.</p> + +<p>'And why didn't you come to me, and tell me about it? Ain't I known your +father from a boy, and your mother too—bless her good soul; and do you +think I would have let such doings as these gone on? That old +varmint—is that the way he is goin' to serve folks? Send 'em to jail, +to lay there with them dreadful rapscallions? Oh dear!—jist to think on +it! And you was comin' here to tell me about it this morning; wasn't +you, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'No, sir, I was going home.'</p> + +<p>'Going <i>home</i>? Why, where have you been?'</p> + +<p>'I've been with father all night.'</p> + +<p>'<i>You?</i> He didn't put you there <i>too</i>, did he? the old sinner!'</p> + +<p>'Oh no, sir, but I went there to stay with him. I thought father would +feel so bad.'</p> + +<p>'You blessed child! Oh dear, what are we comin' to? And you ain't had no +breakfast. Here, boys, go in and ask your mother to give this poor child +a little something.'</p> + +<p>'Oh no, sir, I thank you; I can't stay; for mother will feel bad if I +don't go home; and I ain't hungry a bit.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, you are hungry—you know you are—only you feel so bad, you can't +eat. But I tell you, don't feel bad; you mustn't. Your father <i>shan't</i> +stay there in that hole; I tell you he <i>shan't</i>! He shall see that he's +got some friends. We ain't all dead and buried yet, I hope.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Mr. Cutter!' and Sam, as he said this, caught hold of him with both +his hands; 'if you can do any thing to help to get my father out of that +dreadful place, I will thank you all my life for it, and I will pay you +every cent of the money, just as fast as I can earn it.' And he looked +so earnestly into Mr. Cutter's face, and his bright black eyes sparkled +with such an intensity of feeling, that the old man's heart must have +been made of much <i>sterner</i> stuff than it was, not to have felt the +appeal.</p> + +<p>'There, go home—go home, Sam; don't say no more.' And he fairly pushed +Sam away from him; and then he kept the old handkerchief going for some +time, not saying a word to either of his boys, who stood looking after +Sam, as he went away, and pitying him from their hearts.</p> + +<p>'Now, boys, go and catch the old mare, and hitch her to the cart; and +one of you must drive me to Billy Bloodgood's. Billy must help about +this business, if I can only make him hear any thing; but it's like +raising the dead.'</p> + +<p>The boys went off with a good will, and soon had the old nag tackled to +the cart, her harness being of a very simple kind, and easily adjusted.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter had a way of his own about almost every thing, and it +extended even to his manner of riding. Too bulky to climb very high +places, he chose, generally, the lowest seat he could find; and the tail +of the cart being more easily attained than any other part, and +moreover, being easily resigned in case of accident, whenever Mr. Cutter +rode, <i>that</i> was his place. He would sit pretty well in on the body, +with his legs dangling behind, and one hand on each of the side-boards. +To an observer, it appeared to be a very uneasy situation; for the mare +had a peculiar gait, something between a rack and a pace, which not only +imparted a quick up-and-down motion to the stern of the vehicle, but a +lateral one likewise; so that from the time she started until she +stopped, Mr. Cutter was not only carried onward, but every which way: +there was no quiet for his body. He never complained of it, however, nor +seemed to realize any thing out of the way.</p> + +<p>Billy Bloodgood was just going out of his gate when Mr. Cutter drove up. +Knowing that it would be useless trying to hold a parley with him out +there, he told his son to drive close to the door; and taking Mr. +Bloodgood by the arm, pulled him along, determined not to let him go, as +he was well acquainted with his peculiarities. So, holding on with one +hand to the side of the doorway, and with the other to his friend, he +entered into Mrs. Bloodgood's sanctum—her kitchen, parlor, and bedroom. +Puffing and blowing, he seized the first chair he could find, and +bestowed himself upon it.</p> + +<p>'Now, woman, do you make this husband of your's sit down, for I want to +talk to him; and he'll be running off if you don't see to him.'</p> + +<p>'Why, what's the matter, Uncle Sam? you're all in a heat, and out o' +breath. Ain't nothing happened to home, has there?'</p> + +<p>'Happened? Yes, there has something happened—there's always something +or other happening in this world; but that ain't neither here nor there. +I can get along with that. The wind will have its blow out, and then it +will stop, and so must a woman's tongue. But I tell you, make that man +of your's sit down, and do you come and listen to me, and then try to +git it into his head, for it's beyond me to do it.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood did as she was bidden; for she had great respect for +Uncle Sam Cutter. She placed a seat close beside him for her husband, +and another for herself, immediately before him.</p> + +<p>'Do you know that our neighbor Oakum is in jail?'</p> + +<p>'In jail! Oh dear, how you <i>do</i> talk!'</p> + +<p>'It is true—I tell you so.'</p> + +<p>'Then it's Grizzle—I know it is. First, he's 'ticed him to drink, and +then he's come upon him. Ain't it so, Uncle Sam?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; but hear me. Oakum ain't the man he was—don't you know that? He's +a clean changed man. He's to work now every day, and brings home all his +earnings every night to his family, and stays to home, and acts like a +man; and his wife looks like a new critter, and things all round his +house look so you wouldn't hardly know it. And now, jist as they are +beginning to be a little like folks, and have things right end up, that +old varmint takes the law on him, and puts him in the old cage, among +them rapscallions there, jist as if he was a thief or a murderer.'</p> + +<p>'Oh dear! jist to think on it.'</p> + +<p>'And there's that blessed child of his been through all the rain and +thunder and lightning, and went and stayed there all night, because he +couldn't bear to leave his father alone—jist think of that; and that +poor woman, all stark alone with them little children—jist think of +that. Don't it make your heart ache?'</p> + +<p>'Oh dear, dear! what are we comin' to?—jist think of it.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood had her own peculiar ways, and was not always very +particular what she said or did, when overcome by the little vexations +of life; but she had a feeling heart, and would cry as hard as she would +scold, if there was any thing calculated in an especial manner to bring +tears; and now they were chasing each other down her cheeks faster than +she could wipe them away.</p> + +<p>'I don't wonder you cry about it. I tell you what: when that little +fellow took hold on me this morning, and begged me to help his father, +and looked up at me so pitiful, and said that he would thank me all his +life, and pay every cent of the debt as fast as he could earn it—why I +tell you, Sally, I cried like a child. And now, I tell you what it is; +we mustn't leave that man lying there like a thief. I can't eat, nor +sleep—I can't do it, Sally. I haven't got but little; but Billy must +help—it's thirty dollars. I know it's a great deal for poor folks to +raise, but it must be done, somehow—mustn't it, Sally?'</p> + +<p>Mr. Bloodgood had been a silent spectator of the scene—he could not be +said to be a listener. He saw that Mr. Cutter was very much engaged, and +that his wife was quite to the other extremity of her feelings; but what +was to pay he did not know. He kept looking first at one, and then at +the other, for some explanation, taking large pinches of snuff all the +time from a horn box which he held in his hand.</p> + +<p>'Any body <i>dead</i>?'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood put her nose close to his ear, and hallooed—'No!'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter pushed his chair back a little—the unearthly noise startled +him.</p> + +<p>'Why! do you have to holler at that rate? I should think you'd split +your throat, or your nose, or something or other. I never heard such a +noise.'</p> + +<p>'Oh dear! I tell you, Uncle Sam, he gits wus and wus. I do candidly +believe it's the snuff; he stops every thing up with it. His head ain't +got no more sound to it than the harth stone.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I don't know but it's the best thing he can do, if he's got to +have sich noises as them made in it. I should want to stop every thing +up too; and how upon airth you are ever going to tell him what I want, I +don't see. Let me get a little ways off afore you begin; my head sings +now like a dozen teakettles.'</p> + +<p>With that the old man pushed his chair off against the opposite wall, +while Mrs. Bloodgood undertook the task of explaining matters to her +husband, and she accomplished it in much less time than could have been +expected. Being nowise friendly to Mr. Grizzle, she handled his name in +a very free way; and as her husband confided in her management, when she +was through with the story, he looked at her very significantly—</p> + +<p>'Shall I do it, Sally?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, yes; do it—quick.'</p> + +<p>So he looked at Mr. Cutter, smiled, and nodded, and then left the room.</p> + +<p>'Well, well; all things was made for some use. I often wondered what +your nose was made for, but I see now. But it will be the death of you, +yet; you'll split something or other one of these days.'</p> + +<p>'Why, no, Uncle Sam, you see I'm used to it; but it does make me weak at +the stomach like, it takes sich a power of wind to keep it up any time +so; a body can holler pretty loud two or three words, and not mind it. +But I s'pose it's my lot, and I must be content with it.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Bloodgood soon returned, making signs to Uncle Sam to draw up to the +table. We must leave them to arrange matters, and carry out their kind +designs as best they may be able.</p> + +<p>How beautifully the water sparkled with the bright rays of the morning +sun, and how clean the shore looked, and how fresh every thing appeared, +as Sam drew near to his home; but how very sad his heart was, none but +such as have suffered like him can well imagine. But sad as were his +feelings, it did not hinder his attending to all the duties which +devolved upon him. The net was examined, and the fish for the morning's +meal brought up. The pigs were fed, and the boat looked after, and all +things done as usual. It was a solitary meal, <i>that breakfast</i>, and soon +ended. But the best fish were frying by the fire, and on the griddle was +a fine thick bread-cake cooking, and a little basket was brought and +placed on the table, and a clean cloth lay beside the basket; and Sam +had his hat in his hand, and was leaning against the fireplace, watching +his mother, as she went about the little room getting things together.</p> + +<p>'May be he'd like a little pickle, mother. You know he eats it sometimes +with his breakfast.' And the mother made no reply; but wiping away the +tears that started as reference was made to him, she went directly to +the cupboard and brought the pot of pickles; and then the fish was taken +from the fire, and placed on a plate and put into the basket; and the +cake was taken from the griddle, and broken in two and laid on the fish; +and the pickle, and a little salt and pepper, and a knife and fork; and +then the clean cloth was put over the whole, and Sam, taking the basket, +walked straight out of the house, and his mother threw herself into the +chair, and wept aloud.</p> + +<p>As Sam ascended the little rise of ground behind their dwelling, he +looked across to the house of his friends, Jim and Ned, to see if they +were out—as he then felt a sight of them would be good. There they +were, working away in their garden. Presently one of them stops and +looks round, walks to the fence, jumps over, and is running toward Sam, +with Jowler after him.</p> + +<p>'There comes Ned. What shall I say to him?'</p> + +<p>'Sam, how are you? ain't this a beautiful morning? What have you got in +your basket? where are you going?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I am going a short distance.'</p> + +<p>'If you are not going too far, I'll go with you. I'm tired of hoeing. +Jim has had me up ever since daybreak, and I mean to rest a few minutes. +But what is the matter, Sam? What makes you look so? You ain't well, are +you?'</p> + +<p>Sam did look pale, for he was alarmed at Ned's offer to accompany him.</p> + +<p>'Oh, I think you had better not go with me: it is something of a walk, +and as you have been at work so long, you will be tired.'</p> + +<p>'No; I shan't be tired. But now, Sam Oakum, tell me what's the matter,' +at the same time taking hold of him. 'There is something the matter, I +know—you always tell me every thing.'</p> + +<p>'I know I do, Ned; but somehow I do not like to tell you this. Haven't +you heard any thing.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Heard</i> any thing? No. Do you think we should not have been down to see +you, if we had known that any thing was the matter? But <i>do</i> tell me, +Sam.'</p> + +<p>'Father is in jail.'</p> + +<p>'That's Grizzle.'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>Ned stooped and caught up a good-sized stone, and aiming it at another +still larger, sent it with such force that it was shivered into small +fragments. He then looked at Sam a moment, with his hands in his +pockets. He dared not speak, for his heart was aching so hard. It would +have been a great relief to have cried; but Ned never cried—he could do +any thing but that. He felt so much like it now though, as he kept his +eyes on Sam, who looked so sad and pale, that all at once he turned +short round, and walked away towards home; and Sam went on his way +toward the jail.</p> + +<p>The two miserable beings who had filled the old jail with their ravings +through most of the night, were now asleep; and as Sam was admitted +again into the miserable room, he cast his eye upon them as they lay in +all their loathsomeness. Never before had he seen human nature in such +an appalling form—their garments filthy, and torn into shreds; their +hair, long and matted, lay over their faces and among the straw which +formed their bed; their faces bloated, bruised, and bloody. He shrunk +back involuntarily. He cast his eye to the further end of the room, and +it met the smile of his father. He hurried past these dreadful objects, +and placed his basket beside his pale and sorrow-stricken parent. Sam +started, when he saw how <i>very</i> pale he looked, and how great a change +his countenance had undergone since he last saw the daylight shine upon +it. He took off the cloth which covered the basket, and upon that he +placed the good breakfast his mother had prepared; and then he saw his +father put his hands together, and that his eyes were closed, and his +lips moved. He had never known him to do so before. Could it be that he +was praying for a blessing, ere he tasted this token of love from +earthly dear ones and heaven's bounteous King? Oh, Sam! how little can +you realize the ordeal that parent has passed since the last setting +sun. But the agony that racked his spirit has purified it also; and it +has turned, 'trembling, hoping,' to its God. When years have passed, and +you shall stand by his dying bed, and walk in the church-yard where +rises the little mound of earth over the resting-place of his body, you +will think of this night, and you will bless God for his goodness to you +and your's.</p> + +<p>'It is very good, Sam; and it is very kind in you all to think of me +so.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, father, don't say so; it makes me feel so bad.'</p> + +<p>'To think how much trouble I have been to my family.'</p> + +<p>Sam could stand it no longer, but wept aloud.</p> + +<p>'I don't wish to make you feel bad, Sam; but all your kind feelings, +and all your mother's kind feelings, make me think how wrong I have +acted, and wonder how anybody can care for me.'</p> + +<p>'But they do care for you—everybody cares for you. Uncle Sam Cutter +says you shan't stay here—<i>that</i> you shan't.'</p> + +<p>'Did he say so? Well, I thank him for his kind feelings; and I hope, if +the Lord please, I may get my liberty soon, that I may be able to work +and earn an honest living, and pay my debts. But, Sam, this place ain't +so bad, gloomy as it looks. A bad life and a guilty conscience are +harder things to get along with than this jail. I have spent worse +hours, looking at you and your mother, and the little ones, with a fire +burning in my bosom, than I spent here last night. I never knew before +that there could be such things.'</p> + +<p>'What things, father?'</p> + +<p>'Why, Sam, that there could be such peace within, when all about me was +so horrible. But I believe God has done it—and all for my good. He does +everything for good.'</p> + +<p>Sam was utterly confounded at hearing such words from his father; but he +rejoiced to hear them. He sat as long as he thought consistent with +duties at home, and was preparing to return, when their attention was +arrested by a bustle below stairs, and a loud puffing and blowing of +some one ascending to the room.</p> + +<p>'What steps you've got here, Mr. Tice!—so high, I can hardly get my old +carcass up. Oh, dear, dear, dear; what a world this is!'</p> + +<p>The heavy bolt was drawn; and as the door, creaking on its hinges, +slowly opened, the portly form of Mr. Samuel Cutter appeared, filling +the open space, and looking with a wild stare into and around the room.</p> + +<p>'You can go clean in, Mr. Cutter, an you like to; and I'll shut the +door, and you may stay as long as you like.'</p> + +<p>'You will, hey? No, no, Mr. Tice, thank you, I'll do well enough here;' +at the same time putting his hand out, and holding fast to the door. +'None of your shutting up; it's bad enough to look at, without your +turning the old lock on a body. <i>Of all sights!</i>—are these men dead?'</p> + +<p>'Oh it ain't nothin', Mr. Cutter; only they've been a little lively last +night, and they're a sleepin' it out, I guess, this mornin'.'</p> + +<p>'You don't call them human critters, laying there in that shape, Mr. +Tice, do you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, they <i>be</i>, only their hair is got tangled a little. I should +a'most think they'd been a fightin', by their looks—they <i>do</i> look bad, +that's a fact.'</p> + +<p>More noises were now heard below, and there was the trampling of horses +at the door, and soon a lively treading up the stairs.</p> + +<p>'What does this mean, Mr. Tice? the jail door open, and people going in +and out. Are the prisoners gone?' And Mr. Richard Tucker bustled up into +the room. He was followed by Billy Bloodgood, and Uncle Sam Cutter's two +boys. Mr. Richard seeing the doorway barricaded by a pretty large body, +made no apology for hastily pushing through, and fairly taking the old +gentleman quite into the room. He was about to shut the door when his +arm was seized, and held by a grip as effectual as though an iron vice +had embraced it.</p> + +<p>'Stop, stop, man; none of your shutting up, with my carcass in such a +den as this. And besides, you came here now to let folks out; so the +sooner you set about it, the better.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard was full of wrath, but he knew whom he had to deal with; and +seeing likewise that Billy Bloodgood was looking at him very earnestly, +and pointing towards Mr. Oakum at the other end of the room, he had no +alternative; so called aloud in a very quick manner,</p> + +<p>'Mr. Oakum, you are at liberty, you are released; you can go.'</p> + +<p>Sam jumped up, and caught hold of his father:</p> + +<p>'Oh, father! come, come, father, quick!' And he fairly pulled his father +along; who, amazed at the suddenness of his delivery, and weak with the +agitation his mind had endured, almost staggered as he followed Sam to +the door.</p> + +<p>'Come along, man, come along; don't stay a minute longer.' And old Mr. +Cutter hobbled out, partly leaning on Mr. Oakum, and partly pulling him +down the stairs, and out of doors.</p> + +<p>To describe all Mr. Oakum's feelings, when he found himself at liberty, +and learned that a full settlement of his account had been made, and +that it had dwindled down, under the scrutinizing eye of Billy +Bloodgood, to the sum of twenty dollars, and that he could pay this +amount back at his own convenience; or to describe the joy which danced +in the heart of Sam when he saw his father once out of that place, and +Uncle Sam Cutter shaking him with both hands; and Mr. Bloodgood nodding +his head, and smiling, and running round—it would be vain to attempt.</p> + +<p>It was a bright spot in Sam's life, and it was a good day for more +hearts than one; for it was the means of winning into the little circle +of working boys the two sons of old Mr. Cutter: they became diligent +from that day forward, and were constant in aiding their father, either +in the garden, the shop, or the field.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>The establishment of Mr. Cross, up in the barrens, had not much to boast +of as to its architecture or location. It consisted of a long, low +building, formed of logs, but covered with boards, and the roof +shingled. Attached to it were several buildings, constructed entirely of +logs, but well shingled roofs were over the whole of them, and they were +otherwise finished, so as to impress the beholder with the idea that the +owner was in very different circumstances from those who occupied such +buildings for many miles circuit. In front of this main house ran a +piazza, its full length; while upon a tall pine tree, nearly opposite +the centre of the premises, hung a rude sign, with the owner's name, D. +Cross, in large letters on the bottom. The inside of the building +presented a mongrel appearance of store and tavern; a little of both, +and not much of either. There was a counter, and small scales upon it; +with decanters, and a few dirty tumblers at one end. Barrels were +standing in different parts of the room. There were one or two plain +board tables, and a few benches, besides two chairs with backs, and +several without. Three large casks were placed together against one side +of the wall, and the faucets in them clearly told for what purpose they +were used. Behind the counter ran some long shelves, upon which lay +jumbled together a little iron ware, a little crockery, and very limited +assortment of dry goods.</p> + +<p>The location was not an unpleasant one for those who admire the +seclusion of a forest; for lofty pines towered on all sides of it, +except to the north, where a clearing having been made, probably when +the house was erected, a thick growth of scrub pines had come forward, +and presented the appearance of a swamp.</p> + +<p>There was, however, somewhat of a clear space immediately around the +building, formed by the meeting of three or four roads, running off into +different directions, and pointing out this spot to be, as it really +was, the centre of attraction and influence to all that region.</p> + +<p>The owner of this domain, Mr. David Cross, had become, from causes which +have been explained in a previous chapter, a person of some +consideration; he owned quite a number of acres of heavily timbered +land, connectively with his house; and by various means had managed to +bring the whole population, at least for some miles circuit, into a +state of dependence upon himself. He was not gifted by nature with a +very commanding form, being rather under than over the medium height. +This deficiency, however, he did all he could to remedy, by holding +himself very erect; and as he was a little inclined to be fleshy, it +sometimes even appeared that he leaned backwards in his efforts to make +the most of himself.</p> + +<p>The only member of Mr. Cross's family in any wise related to him, was +his son David; a young man of some activity in the way of business. But +having been tutored entirely by his father, it may be supposed he had +not the most correct notions in matters of morality; although, as yet, +no very flagrant charges had been laid up against him in the minds of +those who dealt there; for the very good reason, that the elder Mr. +Cross chose to keep things in his own hand, and bear all responsibility. +As to the mother of David, little was known respecting her—it was +supposed she had died when her child was an infant, for he had no +remembrance of her.</p> + +<p>David was not unpopular with the inhabitants of the barrens. Being of a +lively turn, and of careless, open manners, they felt a freedom in his +presence, which was quite in contrast with the servile subjection they +ever had to realize when dealing with his father.</p> + +<p>As the tavern of Mr. Cross was the only place where the laborers he +employed could find a lodging place during the season of the year when +their services were required—the distance from their own homes being +often too great to allow of return until the close of the week—it was +seldom that the place was without sojourners; and too many of them had +but a scanty allowance for their families, after their six days' toil.</p> + +<p>It was a very warm day among the pines; no breeze abroad, and the air +from the heated sand almost suffocating. Mr. Cross was behind his +counter, busily employed in stirring the toddy stick, and waiting upon +those who were calling for their favourite mixture; some were leaning +over the counter, some resting on the benches, and not a few were lying +at full length upon the piazza, and in the shade of the pine, scanty as +it was, which served for the sign-post of the tavern, when the rumbling +of a carriage was heard, and the unusual sound attracted the notice of +all present. Those who were prostrate, arose at once, and looked forth +through the different openings; and those who were in the act of +drinking, suspended operations, and held their glasses on the counter, +casting glances of inquiry at Mr. Cross and at each other.</p> + +<p>'It's Dave, I suppose,' said Mr. Cross; 'although I didn't think he'd be +along this hour yet.'</p> + +<p>'That aint Dave,' replied one of the men; 'for it comes very slow, and +sounds heavy: I can tell Dave's buggy a mile off, by its rattle.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross, apparently satisfied that there was truth in the remark, +walked slowly from behind the counter, and approaching the door, those +who were standing there hastily made way, and left the post of +observation to him alone; they collecting in groups on the outside. +Convinced that it was not his son's carriage that approached, the little +man stood with his hands in his pockets, his person straightened up, and +his eye intently fixed on the road upon which the heavy vehicle was +rumbling, and glimpses of which could be seen through occasional small +openings in the pines.</p> + +<p>Soon the cleared space before the tavern was gained, and every eye +turned instinctively towards Cross, as though asking an explanation from +his countenance. The ruddy, or rather purple hue which it usually bore, +immediately assumed a higher color; his hands were withdrawn from their +resting-places, his head uncovered, and bustling through the crowd which +surrounded his door, he was bowing, and smiling, and doing his best to +play the agreeable, the moment the superb vehicle drew up before his +sign-post.</p> + +<p>The travellers were indeed persons of no small consideration, if an +opinion could be formed from their equipage. The carriage was large and +airy, hanging low and gracefully upon long sweeping springs; of a dark +olive color, which contrasted finely with the light drab linings of the +inside. The horses were two noble blacks, caparisoned in brass mounted +harness, and driven by a negro somewhat advanced in life, and perched +upon a heavy luxurious cushion. He was neatly dressed, in the fashion of +days that were passing away, and was very much absorbed in the +management of his team; which, although covered with lather and dust, +were evidently full of mettle, and not at all fagged by their travel. +Within sat a gentleman and lady, youthful in appearance, with two +children; the eldest not over six years of age.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross did not wait for the footman to alight, but advancing to the +door.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Rutherford, your servant, sir,' opened it, and threw down the +steps, before the gentleman had time to inform him that he was not +intending to leave the carriage.</p> + +<p>'Your lady will surely want to rest a little; our accommodations, +indeed, are not much to boast of, but poor as they are, we shall be +proud to have you use them.'</p> + +<p>The lady bowed to Mr. Cross, acknowledging that she felt obliged for his +offer.</p> + +<p>'You must excuse us at present, Mr. Cross; we have some miles farther to +ride, and if you will show the footman where to procure a little water +for our horses, I will be much obliged to you.'</p> + +<p>'Certainly, certainly; here, men, water, water; don't you hear? some +water for these horses.' There was a great rush among those standing +near to accomplish the request; but whether to obey Mr. Cross, or to +oblige the traveller, may be questioned; for they had heard his name, +and therefore knew that a man of more importance than Mr. Cross was +present.</p> + +<p>But as there were reasons why the last-named gentleman should, if +possible, have an interview with his visitor, he felt that an effort +must be made to obtain one.</p> + +<p>'If Mr. Rutherford could favor me by stepping aside, but for a moment, +it will not detain—'</p> + +<p>'It would be scarcely worth while, Mr. Cross. I presume I know what you +wish to converse about; and I am not just now prepared to give you an +answer.'</p> + +<p>'Ay—well, sir—I won't presume to dictate, sir; only you know we +usually make our contracts about this time, so that we may make some +calculations for hands, etc.'</p> + +<p>'That's true, sir; but to be plain, Mr. Cross, I am not sure that I +shall not make some other arrangement, at least, so far as my interest +goes in these barrens. I do not feel satisfied with our present plan—we +pay great wages, you must be aware.'</p> + +<p>'Stand back, men, stand back; don't you know civility enough not to be +crowding the gentleman?' Mr. Cross had his own reasons for not wishing +too many listeners; for some ideas might possibly be conveyed to them +not consonant with his interest.</p> + +<p>'Our people are rough, as you see, madam,' addressing the lady, 'and +you'll pardon their ill manners.'</p> + +<p>'No pardon at all necessary, Mr. Cross; these good people are not the +least in our way.' This the lady said in a voice sufficiently loud to be +heard by all present; and then, with a pleasant smile cast upon the +group, she asked,</p> + +<p>'Will one of you be kind enough to bring me a glass of water for my +little girl?'</p> + +<p>Not one, but several glasses were, in an instant almost, at the carriage +door. The lady took them all; and as they were returned to the brawny +hands held out to receive them, dropped a piece of silver in each.</p> + +<p>'God bless you, lady!' responded at once each of the lucky attendants, +and a smile of pleasure lighted up all the dark countenances of the half +savage-looking beings, who were gazing in wonder at the equipage and its +inmates.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross was compelled to be a silent spectator of this little scene; +but the dark scowl which passed across his features told plainly that it +was not quite agreeable to him.</p> + +<p>'Am I in the direct road to Widow Brown's?' inquired Mr. Rutherford, +casting a glance at the little man, and then around upon those present, +as though it was a matter of no consequence from whom he received the +answer. It came readily from many of the bystanders; the voice of Mr. +Cross being lost in their louder exclamations; even if he answered at +all, which is doubtful.</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir—yes, sir; its about six miles from here; but you must turn to +the right hand when you get to the edge of the great swamp.'</p> + +<p>'Thank you, thank you all; and here is a trifle for you, my friend,' +singling out the one who had procured the water for the horses, and +tossing him a silver dollar.</p> + +<p>'God bless you, sir—you're a gentleman.'</p> + +<p>'Good day, Mr. Cross.' He bowed respectfully to the host, and to all +the admiring group, and the heavy carriage rolled on its way.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross walked back into his stronghold with a very dissatisfied air, +while the men gathered outside in little knots, discussing the +strangeness of the whole scene, and wondering what ailed the old man, +'he seemed so out of sorts.' Scarcely had the carriage disappeared, when +a rattling was heard, and the rapid and heavy stamping of horses' feet, +and David Cross tore up to the door, among the groups of foresters, +scattering them to either side, with as little consideration as though +they had been so many sheep. Curses deep arose in their hearts, but came +not forth at their lips.</p> + +<p>'Here, Jo, you put Bony in the stable, and rub him down—won't you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir,' was the ready answer. But the man addressed shook his head +so significantly, and jerked the horse so rudely, as he turned him +round, that if Mr. David, Junior, could have seen it, he would have +understood that his exploit in driving was not much relished by others, +if very agreeable to himself.</p> + +<p>The elder Mr. Cross immediately led his son into a private room +adjoining the store, and with much anxiety in his countenance waited for +the result of the errand upon which he had been sent.</p> + +<p>'Foster says, he has closed the bargain with old Ross; he is to give you +a quit-claim deed for all his right and title to the property in the +barrens, for the sum you named.'</p> + +<p>'That's good—did he say anything further?'</p> + +<p>'He said something about my telling you that he was on the look out; +that he would hunt like a cat for a mouse; but the old fool was afraid +to tell me what he meant.'</p> + +<p>'Michael Foster is no fool; but, I suppose, he thinks it best to be mum. +Yet do you know Rutherford has been here?'</p> + +<p>'No: has he?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; and he refuses to make any contract this year; and I could see, by +his management with the men, what he's at: but he'll miss it. He'll have +to stoop his head yet, high as he holds it now.'</p> + +<p>David made no reply; but, whistling a lively tune, walked away, and +mingled with the men, who were again gathering around the counter.</p> + +<p>The travellers experienced no difficulty in finding their way, and soon +drew up before the humble residence of the widow.</p> + +<p>'It looks better, my dear Mary, than I expected,' said Mr. Rutherford, +as he alighted from the carriage. He was about to enter the dwelling, +when Mrs. Brown appeared at the door. She was neatly dressed for one +living in so poor a place—that is, her plain dark calico was put on +with care, and she wore shoes and stockings—articles not often seen in +the barrens. She wore no cap, for her light brown hair was not at all +changed by age, and her countenance was as fresh and fair, almost, as at +twenty-one. She seemed surprised for an instant—</p> + +<p>'Have you forgotten me, Aunt Mary?'</p> + +<p>'This ain't Mr. George Rutherford?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, it is—once your little Georgie.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, dear! how glad I am to see you;' and the tears started to her eyes. +'And that is Mrs. Rutherford, and these are your dear little children. +How they <i>do</i> look <i>just</i> as you used to look.'</p> + +<p>'We are all well acquainted with you, Mrs. Brown; for my husband is +continually talking about you.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, dear! I never thought to see any of you again; for I did not +suppose you would ever get so far out of the world as to come here. I +cannot ask you to go into my poor house; but there are some seats under +the trees, where your lady might sit down, and—'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Mrs. Brown, you don't think that your Georgie, as you used to call +him, has got a wife who would not go into a house many times worse than +yours, to see one he thinks so much of; so, with your leave, we will all +go in, for we have come on purpose to see you.'</p> + +<p>'I am very happy, if he has got a lady who knows his worth.'</p> + +<p>'Take care, Mrs. Brown, what you say; I am afraid you did a little +towards spoiling him when a boy: he is not out of danger yet.'</p> + +<p>The family now passed into the cottage, while the widow and old Cæsar +had a few kind salutations to make, 'ere she followed and took her seat +among them.</p> + +<p>Many were the questions asked about the old homestead, for twelve years +had passed by since she was last there. Deaths, births, marriages, +changes of circumstances, and relations, how they had accumulated during +that period! and how often the tears would start, and the lip tremble, +as the recital went on! Her own story was but a short one; for many +things she was obliged to pass over, or touch lightly upon.</p> + +<p>'But where is the little girl you had with you, when last at my +father's? she must be almost grown up now.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no; she is but a little girl still; she is only sixteen now; but +she is very obedient and kind-hearted.'</p> + +<p>'Just like her mother.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I don't know as to that, ma'am; but she is an obedient child, and a +great comfort to me—and the best of all is, I hope she is a Christian.'</p> + +<p>'That is good,' exclaimed Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, at the same time.</p> + +<p>'Ah—then you both love good things yourselves; don't you?'</p> + +<p>'We hope we do.'</p> + +<p>'The Lord be praised for his mercies. It seems to me always a great +thing for the rich to be pious—they can do so much good.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, if they have a heart to do good. Is your daughter at home, Mrs. +Brown?'</p> + +<p>'No, ma'am; but she will be here soon. She has gone to visit a neighbour +a little south of us, among the farmers. We have but a poor +neighbourhood around us; and you know young people want some one of +their own age to be with and talk to.'</p> + +<p>'Why is it, Mrs. Brown, that the people in the barrens are so poor, and +apparently so degraded?—they get work enough, and are well paid for it. +My husband is very anxious about the matter, and wishes to remedy it if +he can.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, well, ma'am; I don't know that I have got the right idea of things; +but it has appeared to me these many years that there must be wrong +management. Our men work hard, but are only able barely to live, as you +see; and for so many people to be all poor together, is a great evil.'</p> + +<p>'Do you think, Mrs. Brown, that they get their pay?'</p> + +<p>'I think they do, ma'am, in a certain way. Mr. Cross settles with them +every month, and keeps things square; but you know, ma'am, when a man +gets so much power into his hands as Mr. Cross has, he may be tempted to +do wrong because no one can bring him to account for it. The men are +obliged to take the wages he sees fit to allow them, as there is no one +in this region to give them employment.'</p> + +<p>'And charges them what he pleases for the goods they must purchase?'</p> + +<p>'It is pretty much so, ma'am. They must have the necessaries of life you +know, ma'am; and although they purchase only such things as their +families absolutely need, yet it is so managed, that they are brought a +little in debt at each settlement. Some think that he charges almost +double what the goods cost him; but, situated as they are, no one dares +complain, and so they go on from year to year.'</p> + +<p>'This is slavery I think, Mary, with a vengeance,' said Mr. Rutherford, +looking at his wife.</p> + +<p>'It is just as we expected, my dear.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I hope, Mr. Rutherford, that I have not done injustice to Mr. +Cross. He has been good to me and mine. Perhaps, after all, the people +think hard of him without sufficient cause.'</p> + +<p>'You have only confirmed my suspicions of the state of things here. You +know that I own a large part of these barrens; and, therefore, it is my +duty to look into matters, and not suffer evils to exist, if I can +remedy them.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford then proceeded to touch upon matters more immediately +relating to the widow's personal interests, and which, in fact, had been +one of the objects of his visit. It was in reference to her removal from +this region, so destitute of privileges, to her former home, beneath his +own roof, where her children could be usefully employed, and herself +made comfortable.</p> + +<p>It was some time before she could make any reply to this generous offer.</p> + +<p>'You must not hesitate, Mrs. Brown, to accept this offer; for I assure +you, that I heartily join with my husband in it.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I thank you, ma'am; I believe you are sincere, and are acting from +the kindest motives, and perhaps you will think it strange that I should +hesitate a moment about accepting it.'</p> + +<p>Just then, the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Hettie. +Her appearance surprised Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford—the fine glow on her +cheek, the raven blackness of her hair and eyes, the pleasant smile that +immediately lighted up her countenance, the simple curtsey that she +dropped, all so pretty and so natural—they had not expected to meet so +lovely a flower in such a waste; and the widow must not be blamed if she +indulged some little pride as she presented her to their friend. Hettie +was her bright star; hope always rose when she appeared. An increasing +interest was excited in the minds of Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, and the +subject of her removal again introduced.</p> + +<p>'You cannot tell,' replied the widow, 'how much I feel the kindness of +your offer; and were only the interest of myself and Hettie to be +consulted, I should not long hesitate. But, oh! Mrs. Rutherford, you +cannot yet tell how a mother feels towards a wayward son. William is not +just what I could wish he was, but he still clings to me. I know he will +not be willing to leave these parts, unpromising as they are: for me to +separate from him, and allow him to go without restraint in the midst of +so many temptations, would be like giving him up to ruin; and I cannot +but hope he will one day be different from what he now is; the Lord, you +know, has many ways to bring back the wanderer.'</p> + +<p>Her friends could urge no further the whole of their request, but +ventured to say—</p> + +<p>'Will you not, Mrs. Brown, let us have Hettie? We will do for her as +well as we can.'</p> + +<p>This proposal was one that she felt it her duty to accept, however +trying to be separated from one she loved so dearly.</p> + +<p>After a short consultation with her daughter it was decided that she +should accompany them. Wishing to give them an opportunity to make some +little preparation, Mr. Rutherford concluded to drive into the open +country, which lay a little to the south of the widow's cottage—the +scene where our story commenced.</p> + +<p>It was with an united exclamation that they first met the view which +opened to them, as they emerged from the pines.</p> + +<p>'Ah, how beautiful!'</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, a striking contrast to the region through which they had +been travelling.</p> + +<p>The country was little varied by hill and dale, and in no wise improved +by the hand of man: for the houses which could be seen were but +unsightly buildings, and all the enclosures of the rudest kind; yet +common-place as was the face of the land, in connection with the +extensive water view, there was much to justify the exclamation—it was +a panorama delightful to those who had been so long riding amid the dark +monotony of a pine-forest.</p> + +<p>On either side of the strip of country which lay immediately before +them, and around the whole view in front, was water: first a clear river +stealing down on the right, and then another on the left, each +hastening to mingle their waters in the beautiful bay, ere they rolled +to the ocean; in the distance, a long line of land stretching towards +the east, as far as the eye could reach, encircling an immense bay, and +losing itself where sky, and earth, and water are mingled in one; while +beautifully breaking the wild expanse of water, a strip of land ran out +into the bay, over whose crest could be seen, in the distance, the white +sail winging its way to the broad ocean.</p> + +<p>Even old Cæsar felt the animating influence of the scenery; and urging +on his horses by a cheering word, the carriage rolled along as fast as +was becoming such a stately concern.</p> + +<p>'Whoa-a, whoa-up—whoa there.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Cæsar! what's the matter?'</p> + +<p>There was, at the same time, a fearful leaning to one side.</p> + +<p>'Nuttin', missus; only de wheel cum off.'</p> + +<p>It was, to be sure, nothing else; but that of itself was sufficient to +prevent any farther progress for the time being. Cæsar and his master +were soon down; the horses detached from the carriage, and the wheel +picked up and brought to its place.</p> + +<p>''Tis all right, Massa George, only de linch-pin is gone; may be me find +um.'</p> + +<p>And very diligent was the search for the lost pin, but to no purpose; +the prospect, indeed, was not the most agreeable; for a long road must +be retraced ere home could be reached.</p> + +<p>A young man from an adjoining field, seeing their dilemma, hastened to +offer his aid. Very soon rails were procured, and by means of them the +heavy coach was raised, and the recusant wheel replaced; and then the +young man who showed much readiness to assist, as well as ingenuity, +procuring a bit of hard wood, began whittling it into the shape of a +pin.</p> + +<p>'Mister, what a' yo goin' to do wid dat 'tick?'</p> + +<p>'I'm making a pin for you, daddy.'</p> + +<p>'My golly! you no t'ink dat hold dem big wheel on. No blacksmith nowhere +here?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; there is one not far off; but you want something to keep your +wheel on until you can get the carriage there.'</p> + +<p>'Why me no bring him here when he makes de pin?'</p> + +<p>'Why, you see, daddy, he will want the measure of the hole to make it +by; and the old man does not like to walk very much, as he is fat and +clumsy. It will be as much as we can do to get him to make the pin at +all; he don't like to work such hot weather.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay. Well, den; you right, bubby.'</p> + +<p>With that Cæsar prepared to attach the horses to the carriage, while the +family walked on towards the little low building with a high chimney, +which was pointed out to them.</p> + +<p>As the carriage drove up, a very fleshy person was seen waddling towards +the door, and putting one arm out on each side, supported himself in the +doorway. He looked at the coach, and the horses, and the driver, +alternately, in great astonishment. He saw the old black smile, but took +no notice of it; and fixed his eye at length on the long sweeping +braces, as though wondering where such powerful springs were made.</p> + +<p>'Massa Cutter forget me.' The old man cast his eye up.</p> + +<p>'Massa Cutter no 'member Cæsar?'</p> + +<p>'Cæsar—Cæsar—what, not Cæsar Rutherford? No—yes—so it is—why, you +old rascal, how do you do? Give us your fist. I thought, when you showed +your teeth at me, that I'd seen you before. But you grow old, man—your +head is all getting white.'</p> + +<p>'Ha, ha, ha; Massa Cutter growin' old, too, and big! My! what a sight! +Good livin' I 'tink here, Massa Cutter.'</p> + +<p>'Good living—there's no living at all—it's too hot to live; nothing +but salamanders could stand it. But what's brought you here?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, you see, Massa Cutter, me lose de linch-pin; so dis young gemman +tell me de blacksmith close by; but I no 'spect to see Massa Cutter—ha, +ha, ha!'</p> + +<p>'And you want me to make a new one, do you?'</p> + +<p>'If you please.'</p> + +<p>'Here, Bill Andrews, since you have been so helpful to these folks, and +helped them here, you may just come and help me; so take hold of them +'tarnal old bellows, and blow for your life.'</p> + +<p>'That I will, Uncle Sam.'</p> + +<p>The old man, although reluctant to move about much, made expeditious +work with his hammer; the pin was soon made and fitted to its place, and +the carriage ready for another start. Before this, however, Mr. +Rutherford had reached the shop, having left Mrs. Rutherford and the +children to enjoy a fine shade at a little distance. As Mr. Cutter had +been acquainted with his father, it afforded the former an opportunity +of making many inquiries about events long transpired, some of which, +being connected with Mr. Cutter's removal to his present house, +occasioned, on his part, very long and heavy sighs, and serious shakes +of the head. At length he could hold in no longer.</p> + +<p>'Oh, dear, oh, dear! it makes me feel bad all over to hear you talk +about them places and things;—to think what an old fool I've been to +come to such a place as this.'</p> + +<p>'It does not look like a very thriving place, Mr. Cutter.'</p> + +<p>'Thriving! there's nothing thrives here but rum and deviltry. +<i>Thriving!</i>—I tell you what, the <i>old 'un</i> thrives here, no one else, +and a great haul he'll have—he's fixing for it. No schools, no +meetin'-houses, and no nothing that's good;—the men most all drunk and +lazy, and the boys going to the d——l, if I must say so, asking your +pardon, as fast as they can.'</p> + +<p>'This is a poor account of your place, Mr. Cutter. What do you suppose +has caused such a state of things?'</p> + +<p>'It is beyond me to say, sir; there seems to be a kind of curse on the +place; and it is my candid opinion, if something ain't done here +soon—some preaching, or something else of that sort—we're a gone +case;—even a dumb Quaker would be better than nothing. He might walk +round in his square coat, and frighten the old 'un a little.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford could not restrain a smile at the earnestness of the old +man, and the singularity of his idea.</p> + +<p>'From your description, Mr. Cutter, you are not much better off here +than our people in the barrens.'</p> + +<p>'Not much to boast on, I tell you, sir. Only they can't raise nothing, +and must depend upon old Cross for work to buy their bread with, and he +charges them just what he pleases; and if they should grumble, or ask +for their money to spend elsewhere, he would turn them off entirely, and +then they might live on huckle berries and pine knots.'</p> + +<p>'They are badly off, I believe, sir; but I hope to be able to make some +change in things there. The people are, no doubt, imposed upon, and I +shall not allow it to be so if I can help it.'</p> + +<p>'Bless your young heart for saying so; but you must look out for Cross; +he's a precious villain—I <i>tell</i> you.'</p> + +<p>'I believe he is no better than he should be; but I shall try to manage +it, so as not to injure the poor folks, at any rate.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I'm glad on it, for there are some clever people among them. +There's the widow Brown; why you must know her? she used to live in your +father's family.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes, I know her well, Mr. Cutter; and part of my errand down was to +see her. Her daughter, I hope, will go home with me to live.'</p> + +<p>'What! Hettie! Hettie ain't going away—and yet she ought to go out of +such a hole as this. She is too pretty and too good to be round here. +What's the matter, Bill? Where's the use of keeping the old bellows +creaking, when there's no iron in the fire?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I didn't think. You are done, ain't you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I hope so. I've pounded myself all in a heat. But what makes you +look so pale, man?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, nothing; I ain't pale, am I?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, you are pale—go sit down, man.'</p> + +<p>'No; I thank you, Uncle Sam. I believe I will go home now, if I can be +of no more use to the gentleman.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford, seeing him about to depart, stepped up, and cordially +thanked him for his kind and efficient services; and taking out his +purse, was about to remunerate him handsomely for his trouble.</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, sir, nothing; I thank you.'</p> + +<p>'But it has taken your time, and you have been of great service to me; +allow me to make you some compensation—thanks from a stranger are not +worth much.'</p> + +<p>'They are worth a good deal to <i>me</i>, sir, since I have found out who you +are.'</p> + +<p>'Why, what do you know of me?'</p> + +<p>'My father removed from your place, sir; and I have often heard him +speak of your folks, how kind they were to him; perhaps you may remember +him, Zechariah Andrews?'</p> + +<p>'Remember him? certainly I do; and are you his son? Well, this is +strange indeed:' at the same time taking Bill's hand and giving it a +hearty shake. Many inquiries were made and answered; and the interview +closed by an invitation on the part of Mr. Rutherford, that whenever he +might need a friend he would call upon him.</p> + +<p>'And now, Mr. Cutter, good by,' giving the old man his hand; 'I hope you +may live to see things look brighter than they now do.</p> + +<p>'I hope so, sir; but I tell you there is but little chance of it. The +old fellow has danced here so long, it will be hard getting him off the +ground—preachin' might do it. But I want to say one thing to you—look +out for Cross; he ain't too good in my opinion for any thing—he's a +dangerous man, depend on it. But I won't keep you waiting. God bless +you, and keep you out of harm's way.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>I suppose my readers are about tired with following our heroes on their +little voyages; but as this is to be the last they will make in the old +skiff, and as it is connected with some interesting circumstances +regarding our friend Sam, we must go with them once again.</p> + +<p>It was but a short period after the scene of trial through which Sam and +his family were called to pass. A pleasant sail they had made to the +fort that morning; their stock of goods had been disposed of, their +empty baskets stowed away, and they were just on the point of casting +off for their return, when Peter appeared, coming through the gate of +the castle. As soon as he passed the sentinel, he hobbled along towards +them as fast as crutches would let him.</p> + +<p>'Hulloa; 'vast, there, my hearties.'</p> + +<p>The boys readily stopped, and waited his approach.</p> + +<p>'Here, you Sam, jist come here, follow me.'</p> + +<p>Sam was utterly at a loss as to what was to pay now; but as Peter turned +short about, and was making his way back again, as though he expected of +course his summons to be obeyed, Sam had no alternative but to jump +ashore and hasten after him, and he had much ado to get up with the old +man before he entered the gate. Peter hobbled along through the hall at +the entrance, then turned to the right, and, by a narrow door, entered a +dark passage, saying nothing all the while, only turning his head back +occasionally to see that Sam was following; then up a broad stairs, into +a long gallery studded with doors. Into one of these Peter entered, and, +waiting until Sam passed in, shut it.</p> + +<p>'Now, my hearty, see what I've got for you. Take off them old duds o' +your'n, jist as fast as you can.' Sam being somewhat in amaze, was +looking at the queer little room, with the hammock hung up at one side +of it, wondering how Peter ever contrived to stow himself away in it; in +the meantime Peter was busy untying a large bundle, and taking out +sundry articles.</p> + +<p>'Here, you sonny, jist put these on, and see how they'll fit;' holding +up at the same time a pair of blue broadcloth pantaloons. 'But what are +you about? why don't you doff your jacket and trousers? You ain't a goin +to put these on over, are you?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, sir: but you don't mean to have me put on such fine things as +these?'</p> + +<p>'And why not? didn't my lady git 'em 'spressly for you? and didn't she +take me along with her, purpose to pick out a true sailor's rig? So off +with the old riggin', it's stood long enough.'</p> + +<p>'Did <i>she</i> get them? Oh, she is very good. I am sure I don't deserve—'</p> + +<p>'<i>Don't deserve!</i> Yes, you do <i>deserve</i>; so down with your dumbfounded +perverseness, for once, and do as you are bid.'</p> + +<p>Sam was indeed confounded, but he could not do otherwise than put them +on. A better fit could not have been, and the suit was complete +throughout. Blue roundabout, and trousers to match, of good broadcloth, +finer than anything Sam had ever felt of before. Suspenders of blue and +white, all finely figured; blue check shirt, with a large flowing +collar, around the edge of which and down the bosom ran an ornament of +white. Vest there was none, as Peter said 'it was of no mortal use.'</p> + +<p>Never was a father prouder of a son, than was Peter, when the whole rig +was on. He turned Sam round to all points of the compass; examined him, +as he said, ''fore and aft.' The shoes were the only articles Peter did +not fancy.</p> + +<p>'Pumps is the only things fit to go on a sailor's foot, but my lady +reasoned me out of it. They're good taut under-strappers, no doubt, and +they'll do you a deal of service; but they spoil the looks, and there +ain't no shuffle in 'em. But howsomever, perhaps as you're along shore +now, they'll do you a good turn. But, do you hear? never put your foot +on a ship's deck in such clumpers as them.'</p> + +<p>'Oh dear! how good they are to me.'</p> + +<p>'Good? to be sure they're good. But mind, my hearty, <i>there's One +above</i>'—and Peter pointed his finger upward, as he said this—'who has +made the wind shift round for you so fair and square; mind <i>that</i>, and +don't think it's all luck that's made such big folks kind to you. You're +but a youngster now, and can't be 'spected to understand how all these +things are brought about; but an old sailor like me, that has sailed in +all weathers, has seen things that will make a man feel that there is +<i>One</i> at the helm can steer for him when he can't do nothing for +himself.'</p> + +<p>Sam looked at the old man with fixed attention, and drank in every word, +his eyes sparkling with the deep emotion they aroused within him. He +thought Peter no longer a poor maimed sailor, but some being from a +better world, who had put on for a time a rough and forbidding garb.</p> + +<p>'And now, my hearty, see here.' And Peter began to pull out sundry other +articles of dress.</p> + +<p>'That there rig you've got on ain't for storms, nor everyday sarvice; a +man wants something tight and tidy for Sundays, and sich like—but +here's your real stuff to brave all weathers in. This will stand you for +rough and tumble and all sorts of work. These trousers is the regular +duck; jist feel 'em, Sam. They're stiff like, I know, but you'll soon +make 'em limber; and this here jacket is the jinivine blue nanking; +there's no tear about it that I'll warrant you.'</p> + +<p>Sam had given up in amazement at the multitude of good things showered +upon him. He knew not whether to laugh or cry—he did a little of +both—it was so good, so far above any thing he had been thinking of; +the feeling which came over him, and which we all, in our youthful days, +have experienced when clad in a new suit, was so <i>very new</i> to him, that +he was oppressed by it; and as Peter held up the duck trousers and the +blue nankeen coat, he proceeded to unrobe himself, thinking he was +required to try them on too.</p> + +<p>'Now, what is the lad about?—Hands off; let alone. Ain't you going +right down to show my lady what a spanking fit it is? So we'll jist +bundle these up with the old duds, and you'll take 'em along—you hear? +and let 'em lay in the boat till you git home.'</p> + +<p>Sam would have made some objections, if he dared; but Peter took things +in his own hands, and seemed to feel that, for once, at least, he must +be minded: so rolling the whole together, and tying them in a very +knowing manner,</p> + +<p>'Now come along, my hearty,' he stumped it out of the room, and through +the gallery, and down the stairs, and laying the bundle in the hall, +crossed to the apartment where Sam had formerly been introduced to the +presence of Mrs. Morris; and before he had time to reflect or make +opposition, Peter was knocking at the door.</p> + +<p>A very pleasant smile and exclamation of delight, on the part of Mrs. +Morris, greeted Sam as he entered.</p> + +<p>'Why, Peter!—who would have thought they could have fitted so well; and +how very apropos they look. A sailor boy, he is now—is he not, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'All but the shoes, please you, madam.' And Peter, not having his hat +on, touched his queue.</p> + +<p>'Oh, well; I think master Sam will be much pleased with the shoes, +especially as he is on shore now. But let him come here—give me the +neckerchief, Susie.'</p> + +<p>Susie walked to the table, and brought the little parcel and placed it +in her mother's hand.</p> + +<p>'Here is a present from Susie; she has hemmed it herself, and I suppose +ought to honor you by tying it on; but as she is a little bashful about +it, I must do it for her.'</p> + +<p>Sam was too much confounded to make any opposition; but his flushed +countenance told how he felt.</p> + +<p>'I suppose I cannot put it on after true sailor fashion, but I believe +it must have a single tie, and hang loose, in this style. Will that do, +Peter?'</p> + +<p>'That's the thing, madam.'</p> + +<p>'What shall I ever do for you, ma'am, you are so good to me?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, perhaps you will do a great deal for us yet; and you know, my dear +boy, that we are under obligations to you we cannot soon get rid of.'</p> + +<p>'I am sure, ma'am'—and Sam looked intently at Mrs. Morris, his whole +countenance beaming with honest emotion—'I don't know what I have done +that you should say so. If you mean my trying to save Miss Susan, why I +am sure, ma'am, if I had not done it, I wouldn't be fit to live. I would +do it again, if I knew I should die for it; I am sure I would, and so +would any one.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Morris could not repress the starting tear, nor could she make an +immediate reply. Sam's whole demeanor took her by surprise—she did not +expect such a burst of genuine gallantry.</p> + +<p>'God bless you, my good fellow! you have a noble heart, and will make a +proud station for yourself, yet; but keep in mind, that <i>the path to +honor lies through difficulties and dangers</i>.'</p> + +<p>As she said this, her hand was smoothing down the dark curls which lay, +in all their natural carelessness, around Sam's fine forehead.</p> + +<p>'But, Peter, only think! we have forgotten the hat—what a pity!'</p> + +<p>Peter made no reply, otherwise than by handling his queue, and rolling +his quid from one side of his mouth to the other.</p> + +<p>'How could you let me forget it, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, ma'am, don't think of it; you have given me too many things +already.'</p> + +<p>'Please, my lady, he'll do well enough, for all that. If my lady has no +further orders, I must go.'</p> + +<p>'Nothing further, Peter.'</p> + +<p>Sam made the best bow he could, both to Mrs. Morris and to Susie; and +Susie ventured, for the first time, as Sam made his obeisance to her, to +say, very gently indeed, 'Good by.' It was not much beyond a whisper, +but Sam heard it. Whenever the scene in that room came up before +him—and it kept presenting itself very often—he loved to dwell on that +part of it. Susie would be before him with her pretty smile, and those +words, so soft, 'Good by,' would ring and ring in his ears.</p> + +<p>To say that Jim was astonished at the change in Sam's appearance, as he +came from the fort and took his station in the boat, would describe but +a very little of what Jim really did feel. He was amazed—he was +pleased—no, he was delighted. He loved Sam like a brother; and when he +heard from Sam's own lips what had been done for him,</p> + +<p>'They are the best people, Sam, I ever knew. But what will they say at +home? I wonder what Ned will do? You must take care, or he will pull you +down in the dirt. Clothes <i>do</i> make some difference, don't they?'</p> + +<p>'Stop, my hearties.'</p> + +<p>The boys looked back.</p> + +<p>'Just come ashore here,' beckoning to Sam. 'You see my lady forgot about +the hat, but, thinks I, there's a chance for me now; so I stops in +slyly, and rummaging the old wallet, found enough stowage there to get +this little shiner: so try it on, sonny, try it on.'</p> + +<p>'But you shouldn't do so: I am—'</p> + +<p>'No you ain't; so try it on.' And suiting the action to the word, he +displaced Sam's little old tarred hat, and mounted a new one, all +glistening with its bright polish.</p> + +<p>'That's the rig, now; it don't sit quite ship-shape as it ought, but it +will work to the head, and it will keep the rain out, I'll warrant +<i>that</i>. But I can't stop here, for the Major's boots must be cleaned; so +a good passage to you, my hearties.'</p> + +<p>With that he bore away for the fort in quick time, paying no kind of +heed to all Sam said about thanks.</p> + +<p>'I tell you, Sam Oakum, I should not know you if I met you in the road. +Nobody will know you; Ned won't know you, see if he does.'</p> + +<p>'I don't hardly know myself, Jim, I feel so queer.'</p> + +<p>The wonder which Sam's appearance excited on their return was full as +great as Jim had anticipated. On reaching the shore, Ned and Jowler +stood ready to receive them. Ned stepped up to Jim, who had jumped +ashore, and was carrying the little stone anchor out as far as the rope +would reach, and whispered,</p> + +<p>'Who's that? Where's Sam?' Then Sam walked deliberately from the stern, +and jumped ashore. Jowler set up a bark at him, and Ned fixed his eye +upon him in some doubt until Sam smiled. He then commenced a retrograde +movement, increasing the distance between him and Sam, and going round +and round him, eyeing him from head to foot; while Jowler kept by his +side, barking as he followed Ned round the circle. Ned knew <i>Sam</i>; he +was <i>sure</i> he did, and so did <i>Jowler</i>, as soon as Sam spoke to him, and +began to sneeze and wriggle himself about, and to manifest great shame +that he had made such a mistake. Ned was too much surprised this time; +it sobered him. He knew it was <i>Sam</i>, his old playmate; but <i>such</i> a +change! How had it come about? He felt a kind of diffidence in +approaching him; he almost wished for the old patched clothes and the +little flat hat; but that feeling was only momentary, a flash through +the mind. The neat trim of the clothes, the improved appearance of Sam's +whole exterior, really delighted him; and instead of flying off into +some extravagances, he took Sam's hand, and shaking it with all his +might,</p> + +<p>'Did Major Morris give you this suit, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'No, it was the lady.'</p> + +<p>'She <i>is</i> a lady. I should think you would love her, Sam, very much. +Ain't they nice, though, Jim? Just look at this shirt collar and the +bosom, and this handkerchief round his neck, and the hat and shoes. Oh, +Sam, I am so glad you need not wear the old clothes any more;—<i>do</i>, +won't you come and let mother see you and Ellen, just to see what they +will say.'</p> + +<p>'But he will want to go home, first, Ned, and show himself there.'</p> + +<p>'I will come up this evening, right after supper.'</p> + +<p>And again they separated for their different homes, and Sam hastened, +with his bundle under his arm, hardly able to keep from a run, he was so +anxious to see how they would feel.</p> + +<p>They were at supper as Sam entered. His mother dropped her knife and +fork and jumped up from the table; her hands were raised, and her whole +countenance expressive of the most pleasant surprise.</p> + +<p>'Why, Sam! where <i>did</i> you get these from? Oh, how nice! do father, look +at him.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Oakum had pushed his chair, and a smile passed over his +weather-beaten countenance as he looked at Sam; and his heart blessed +God for him. He was pleased, indeed, and almost proud to perceive what a +fine-looking boy he was, but he knew his worth as few could know it. He +could not speak, but he felt of the clothes and smiled, and then wiped +the tears that would come in spite of every effort to keep them back. He +felt that there was something more than good luck in all this. Sam was +already reaping the fruits of the promise, 'Thy days shall be long in +the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>How swiftly pass the beautiful months of summer; its flowers and its +fruits come and go in succession, and must be enjoyed in their season, +or not at all.</p> + +<p>To our boys it seemed to have flown more rapidly than ever; the constant +occupation of every day and almost every working hour, caused the days +and weeks to pass away imperceptibly and pleasantly.</p> + +<p>And now, the long wished-for period has arrived, when the great contract +with Major Morris is to be fulfilled. The boat is ready, and will carry +quite a load. The farmers are busy digging, and each is anxious to +deliver his quota as soon as possible. It was well for Jim that he +stipulated in the bargain to receive them only as he wanted them. Jim's +thinking habits were of great service to him.</p> + +<p>A new hand must be obtained to assist in navigating their little vessel; +her size, the quantity of freight, and the season of the year, all +demanded it. Sam Oakum felt that this devolved upon him, but Jim +insisted upon it that they would unitedly pay for the extra help.</p> + +<p>'I shall not allow that, Jim, no how. You give me now one-third of all +we make, and you do all the business. So you see I am going this very +night to speak to Sam Cutter; he will be a good fellow to row with me, +and you can steer, and I shall pay Sam out of my own money.'</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word, and found Sam Cutter ready enough to go with +him; so a bargain was soon made, and as Mr. Cutter's potatoes were the +first engaged, twenty-five bushels of the lot were carted early in the +morning, and put on board. Jim was there ready to receive them, and as +soon as delivered, counted out the money.</p> + +<p>'There, William, is six dollars and twenty-five cents. It is all in +quarters, but it is just as good. Give that to your father, and when I +take the next load I will pay for that in the same way. Twenty-five +bushels, at twenty-five cents a bushel, make just six dollars and +twenty-five cents, don't it?'</p> + +<p>Jim said this because William Cutter seemed to be in a maze, as though +not exactly comprehending the matter.</p> + +<p>'Oh yes, it's all right, no doubt; but I say, Jim Montjoy, where did you +get all this money from? I tell you what, I mean to work, see if I +don't, if it brings in money at this rate.'</p> + +<p>'Why, we have had some pretty hard pulls for it, have we not, Sam?—or +rather you have.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, we both have, but no matter for that; it makes the money all the +sweeter. You see now, William, how this thing works—your brother and +yourself have been busily engaged all summer, cultivating your potatoes +and other things; now you have dug them and received your money, that +pays you for your work; we now carry them off to a distance, where they +are wanted more than they are here, and sell them for enough to pay us +for our risk, and labor, and expense of freight. If you had not labored +and raised them, we should not have them to carry away, and make a +profit on; on the other hand, if we could not find a market for them +abroad, you would not have received half the value for them you now get; +so you see how your plough and hoe, and our boat, help one another.'</p> + +<p>'And your <i>head</i>, you ought to have added, Jim; for my boat and his +potatoes would not have been worth much, without that head of yours.'</p> + +<p>William Cutter was no great philosopher, and perhaps did not clearly +comprehend the drift of Jim's argument; but he felt the silver pieces in +his hand, and realized that it was a larger sum than had ever been there +before; and he was satisfied, that in some way it had been obtained by +the enterprise and labor of Jim and Sam and as he walked along towards +home he said to himself a great many times,</p> + +<p>'If working will do it, I'll work, see if I don't; there will be more +potatoes and beans to sell another year, see if there ain't.'</p> + +<p>The new boat proved her value on her first trip; she was not a fast +sailer, but she rode the waves well, and would bear a stiff breeze. How +rejoiced was Sam, as he sat at the helm, to witness the beautiful manner +in which she would meet the swell, and bound over it like a bird of the +water.</p> + +<p>Old Peter had also much to say in her praise.</p> + +<p>'He did not 'spect to see such a ship-shape craft; she ain't made to run +fast, but she'll bear the wind, and she'll ride the waves, and that's +what you want, my hearties. But what's her name?'</p> + +<p>'Oh! we have not given her a name yet, we haven't thought about that!'</p> + +<p>'Never thought about that? but you must think about it; what is a boat +without a name? but I s'pose it ain't worth while to do no such thing on +this craft o' your'n, seeing she is launched, and in sailing trim; but I +tell you what, if you ain't given her a name, I'll do it; you must call +her Susie, do you hear?'</p> + +<p>'Would you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes would I; and where can you get a prettier name, or one that will +bring you better luck than that?'</p> + +<p>'Well, if you say so; it's a pretty name, ain't it, Jim?'</p> + +<p>Old Peter was determined to see that his favorite name was fastened to +the boat; and in a manner that could not have been expected from him, +printed it, in very legible characters, on the inside of her stern.</p> + +<p>'Now, good luck to her! and don't you, boy, ever leave her while there's +a plank to stand on; hear that?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir; I shall not leave her for a trifle.'</p> + +<p>The potatoes and beans proved very satisfactory to Major Morris. Jim +received his money for each load, and was thus enabled to carry out his +plan of paying for them. No sooner was a quantity brought down to him, +measured and put into the boat, than he was ready with the pay; it was +counted out to them in good silver money. Many wondered where it came +from, and made up their minds that Mr. Montjoy had left his family quite +a property, for all that was said about his dying poor.</p> + +<p>No time was lost by Jim in completing the contract; every day that would +answer was seized upon to carry a load. He neither counted profits, nor +indulged in the least recreation, until the whole matter was settled.</p> + +<p>A full month passed, using their utmost diligence, before they took on +board the last load, and had the satisfaction of delivering it safely, +and receiving from Major Morris, not only the full balance due, but an +expression of his perfect satisfaction with the whole affair. One +hundred dollars Jim and Ned could now call their own, for although Ned +said that it ought to belong to Jim, he would hear of no such thing; +Ned, he said, had worked as hard as either of them, and sometimes +harder.</p> + +<p>'Well, Jim, what would all the working have amounted to without those +thoughts of yours? and only to think how I laughed at you.'</p> + +<p>'We won't mind that now, Ned; but if you won't laugh, I will tell you +what I have been thinking about again.'</p> + +<p>'Do tell, Jim? I will never ridicule any of your thoughts after this.'</p> + +<p>It happened that the boys were sitting on their favorite rock, enjoying +the calm decline of one of autumn's loveliest days.</p> + +<p>'Come, Jim, I promise you I won't laugh.'</p> + +<p>'Why, to tell you the truth, Ned, I have been thinking whether there was +no way that we might be supplied with such things as we need from a +store, without going to Grizzle's; I am tired of it, for my part.'</p> + +<p>'There is no use of thinking about that, Jim, or talking about it +either; we have had that over long enough; we cannot help ourselves, and +there's the end of it.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know that; I think we might help ourselves.'</p> + +<p>'How, Jim? Come, let me hear.'</p> + +<p>'Do you remember, Ned, I once told you about a boat I saw at the fort, +which had come from a distance with stores for the garrison? there were +large square chests of tea, just as they came from China, and barrels of +molasses and sugar, and casks of rice, and a great variety of things, +enough to have completely filled Mr. Grizzle's store.'</p> + +<p>'Yes; I remember you told us about it, when you came home. But what of +it, Jim? What good will they do us?'</p> + +<p>'I do not expect that those particular articles will benefit us, +especially, but I have thought a great deal about the matter since then; +and now, what I was going to propose is, to put your money with mine, +and let me lay it out in tea, and molasses, and sugar and some other +things.'</p> + +<p>'Why, Jim, now you <i>are</i> crazy. Why, when should we ever eat up a +hundred dollars' worth of such things?'</p> + +<p>'But you are too fast, Ned; you don't wait to hear what I have to say. I +intended, when we had procured these things, to let the neighbors know +of it, and when they wanted, we could sell to them for a small profit. I +know many would prefer buying of us rather than of Grizzle.'</p> + +<p>'Why, Jim!' and Ned jumped down from the rock, and placing himself +immediately before his brother, looked up at him with great earnestness.</p> + +<p>'You mean that we should set up a little store—don't you, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, it would be something like that.'</p> + +<p>'And then, perhaps, after a while we should have a great many things, +and a great many people would come to buy of us; I know they would, for +they all like you so much.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know about that, Ned; but I think we could sell things cheaper +than they have been accustomed to buy them, and, if so, they will +surely come; and if we can take such little things from them as we have +sold at the fort, and give them a fair price—'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Jim, only think of it—hurra, hurra!'</p> + +<p>'Do, Ned, stop; you will frighten all the folks.'</p> + +<p>'What is to pay now, Ned?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, is that you? hurra, Sam.'</p> + +<p>'What ails him, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, he has got into one of his tantrums again.'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Sam Oakum, you don't know what Jim has been thinking +about this time; it beats his <i>old</i> thinking, I tell you.'</p> + +<p>'Why, what is it, Ned? Come, tell.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, Jim is going to set up a store, and do all manner of things.'</p> + +<p>Jim and Sam could stand no more; so they broke out into a hearty fit of +laughter. Sam, supposing it to be a joke, took no farther notice of the +matter.</p> + +<p>'You make me laugh, Ned, whether I will or no; but I don't feel much +like laughing just now.'</p> + +<p>'Why, what's the matter, Sam?' said both boys at once.</p> + +<p>'There has nothing happened to me; but I have just been talking with +Bill Andrews—he feels pretty bad. Bill is in trouble.'</p> + +<p>'There, Jim; I told you so. Don't you remember the day your boat was put +into the water, Sam? I saw then that something was the matter with +Bill.'</p> + +<p>'I hope he has not taken to any of his old ways.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, Jim; I don't think Bill will ever take to them again. But you +know Bill's mother?'</p> + +<p>'She has not turned him away, has she?'</p> + +<p>'No, Ned, not exactly; but I am afraid he will go away.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam! don't say so, for Bill is such a clever fellow.'</p> + +<p>'I know he is'—and Sam's eyes began to glisten, and his lip to +tremble—'he is a real clever fellow; and to think how well he has +behaved, and how different he is from what he once was. I should not +think his mother could do so.'</p> + +<p>'Has she been scolding him, Sam?'</p> + +<p>'Pretty much so, Ned. You know how Bill used to let things go—almost +any how—he says he did. Bill is sorry for all that; he is very sorry—I +know he is. But I tell you what I believe, boys, that when we have done +wrong, even if we are sorry for it, and try to do better, something or +other comes up after a while to make us smart for it; perhaps we did +not feel sorry enough, or may be it is to make us sorry all our lives; I +suppose we ought to be. Well, as I was saying, Bill used to be much at +Grizzle's, and Grizzle let him run in debt as much as he pleased.'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Sam Oakum, I would not go in debt for any thing. I had +rather live on raw clams and sea-weed.'</p> + +<p>'So would I, Ned. But, as I was saying, Grizzle knew well enough that +Bill's mother had land. He knew he should get his pay.'</p> + +<p>'But don't you remember, Sam, when you and I went there last summer to +engage potatoes, Bill said he only owed Grizzle a trifle?'</p> + +<p>'I know he did, Jim, and so he thought, but Bill has been careless. He +has taken potatoes there every year, as he thought, enough to square his +account; but he never saw how it was, nor had any settlement made, and +it has run on until lately; and when Bill asked him, for the first time, +for his account—what do you think? Grizzle up's with a bill of more +than eighty dollars.'</p> + +<p>'Eighty dollars!'</p> + +<p>'Yes, Jim, eighty dollars and upwards. Bill said when he saw it, he felt +as if he should drop down.'</p> + +<p>'Did he pay any of it? I would not have paid one cent of it until it had +been pretty well examined. You remember your father's account?'</p> + +<p>'Bill says he was confounded by it, and so afraid that his mother should +hear any thing about it—for you know she is such a queer woman—that he +paid Grizzle all the money that he received from you—thirty dollars.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, what a pity!'</p> + +<p>'Well, you see, Jim, Bill was so afraid his mother would know it he said +it would make her about crazy.'</p> + +<p>'Yes; but for all that, he ought to have told his mother.'</p> + +<p>'I suppose he ought; but she soon knew it. For what did Grizzle do, but +send Dick Tucker there; and he has taken the cattle, and other things, +to pay the bill.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, I am sorry for Bill. I wonder what his mother did say?'</p> + +<p>'Bill says she called him every thing she could think of; and then she +cried and hallooed so loud, that he had to go for the Widow Brown to +come and pacify her. But he says he can stay at home no longer; so he is +going across the barrens to see a Mr. Rutherford, who promised to be a +friend to him; and he says he never means to come back, until he gets +money enough to pay that account; and he is coming here to bid you good +bye.'</p> + +<p>'Sam Oakum, this is too bad. I have been thinking how Bill might be a +great help to us, and himself too.'</p> + +<p>'It is no use; he is done for—his cattle are gone, and so there is an +end of it. But don't say any thing to Bill about this, nor let him see +that you feel bad towards him.'</p> + +<p>'We don't feel bad towards him. Why, Sam Oakum, we like Bill Andrews +almost as well as we do you; but there he comes.'</p> + +<p>Bill never appeared to better advantage than he did that evening: his +countenance was naturally one of those bright and playful ones, over +which there could always be seen some streaks of sunshine. He had really +been through a severe trial; and had not his principles been well +established, he might have been driven by desperation to his old habits; +but his resolution against those evil ways was strong. And although +Hettie had been for some time absent, yet her advice was before him, +lifting his mind to better things, and creating a true disgust for what +was low and corrupting. His look was sad, but not cast down. He gave his +hand to the boys, and shook theirs with great cordiality. His eye indeed +glistened, and his lip quivered; but these were only tokens of the pain +it gave him to part from friends whom he loved so well. Few words were +spoken. Ned had an abhorrence for tears. He therefore turned suddenly +away, and began throwing stones very violently at some invisible object. +Jim and Sam were not made of such stern material; and I do not suppose +it ought to be set down against them, that, as soon as Bill's back was +fairly turned, and on his way, they had between them quite a time of it.</p> + +<p>On the morrow, just as the sun was beginning to pour forth a flood of +glorious light, Bill shut the little gate that led from his mother's +door-yard, and turning round as he did so, gave a smile through the +tears which were flowing to his mother and sister, who stood wringing +their hands and weeping aloud, on the little stoop that projected from +their front door. He smiled, to let them see that he had no unkindness +in his heart; and his tears were witness that he was on no errand of +pleasure. Yet he lingered not, but, brushing away the tears, and putting +his bundle closer under his arm, walked with a firm step straight on his +way. The sky was clear and blue, except where the beautiful sun-light +was expanding in the east, and imparting a rich golden tint. The earth +was whitened with the autumnal frost, and crisped under his footsteps, +and the thick leaves rustled as he brushed along and disturbed their +repose. His course was directed towards the Widow Brown's, where he must +stop and say 'Good-bye,' and perhaps get a message to Hettie, whom he +expected to meet before the day was over.</p> + +<p>He walked briskly on; the sun had not yet penetrated the thick pines, +and the cold air of the night still floated undisturbed as he entered +the barrens. A lively fire was crackling on the widow's hearth, and at a +plain, but clean-looking table, sat Mrs. Brown and her son. Coarse but +wholesome was the fare spread out upon it; and both arose as William +entered, urging him to sit down and partake with them; having had but a +little appetite when he left his home, the keen air and the walk had +prepared him to enjoy refreshment. Their meal ended, a little parcel +taken for Hettie, a warm shake of the hand, and God's blessing implored +upon him, and he was off.</p> + +<p>This going to seek one's fortune is no trifling matter; the battle of +life, where each is striving for his own particular benefit, and cares +not who sinks so long as he himself securely floats, demands all the +vital strength; and little else must claim our care or notice, save the +great struggle.</p> + +<p>Bill was yet a stranger to life, only as it glided along in the quiet +seclusion, and that seclusion not the best adapted to bring forth man's +noblest efforts; beyond a bare support, and perhaps sometimes a thought +of sharing his humble portion with her who had been a sort of guardian +angel to him, his wishes had not hitherto aspired. No wonder, then, if +trifles had a power to disturb him, which, to those immersed in scenes +of busy life, would be but as an insect's buzz—a gentle brush, and it +is gone. William Brown had left the cottage with him, and pleasant had +been their chat together for a few miles; when about to separate, he +merely said,</p> + +<p>'Well, I wish you good luck; and if you see Hettie, please say to her +that Dave Cross will be along by Rutherford's next week, and that he +will stop and bring any word home that she wishes to send; but I guess, +between you and me, it is only an excuse to have a chat with Hettie.'</p> + +<p>Immediately after parting, Bill crossed the old bridge by the mill, and +went on his way; but something had disturbed the inner man, for, as he +ascended the hill, he paused where two roads met, one leading to Mr. +Rutherford's, the other to the nearest town. A large stone lay at the +point where they met: he threw his little bundle down, with an air that +might mean, perhaps it did,</p> + +<p>'I don't care what becomes of you or me either;' and then took a seat on +the stone, leaned his chin on the head of his hickory staff, and looked +at the grass and the stones and the old fence, and occasionally at a +stray bird, as though there was something wrong about them. He waited a +good long hour, in thinking, and hesitating, and vexing himself, and +then trying to make the best of it; and finally picked up his bundle and +started off, not in the direction of the town, but straight towards Mr. +Rutherford's. It was late in the afternoon before he accomplished his +journey, and found himself entering the gate which opened into the +extensive grounds surrounding, as it was commonly called, the Rutherford +House. He had never seen any thing like it before, and a more pleasant +or home-looking place was seldom to be met with. There was a beautiful +green lawn, with a long broad gravel road extending to the house; and +there were large trees, spreading their long and drooping branches, +scattered thickly over the lawn and lining the road, and the house was +nestled beneath the shelter of some of the very largest and most +graceful of the trees. It made no pretensions to architectural beauty, +but it was large and well built; and the multitude of outhouses, and +extensive range of barns and sheds, all in good order, spoke of room for +man and beast, and of comfort too. Bill thought nothing of all this, his +heart was full of misgivings as to how he should be received; to him it +was all fine, too fine for the like of him; and he looked at some of the +outbuildings, as he passed along, to see if there was any place he could +feel at home in, for the night.</p> + +<p>George Rutherford, the inheritor of this lovely spot, had of earthly +goods a bounteous store; but he had, also, what many an inheritor of +earthly substance does not possess, a noble heart, large in its embrace +of his fellow-man in all conditions, ever going out in its kindly +feelings towards some object of benevolence; humble in every thought +connected with himself, and with devoted zeal seeking to aid, to +comfort, and to gratify the most menial of his dependents, and the most +degraded and sorrow-stricken of his neighbours, far or near. Although +rich blessings crowned his days, and sweet was the cup of life he +quaffed, he felt most truly that no desert of his had earned them. Gifts +of mercy he called them all; abounding gifts—too good, but as the +tokens of Infinite Benevolence to the most unworthy.</p> + +<p>He wanted, with all this, something of that shrewdness so essential to +the getting or preserving property; this world so teems with those who +covet all their eyes behold, who ask no counsel from the law of heaven +or the code of earthly justice, so long as forms of law will screen them +in their sly grasping after acres and goods, that a man needs, with all +the piety of a saint, something of the serpent's cunning. It is not +enough that he covets no man's silver or gold, that he wrongs no man of +his due, that he extends his hand to the helpless, that he be ever ready +to lift to his own level those who are struggling below him: he must +take care for himself. Riches are fleeting substances, with wings ever +ready for flight; he who enjoys the blessings they can bring, must give +all diligence to 'see well to his flocks and herds; for riches are not +for ever'; nor do they descend to many generations. Mr. Rutherford had +already experienced some trials in this way; his confidence had been too +strong, his sensibility for others' feelings too acute, and there was +great danger that he might yet be a heavy sufferer, because he did not +learn wisdom, as he might, from some of the trials he had already passed +through.</p> + +<p>Whatever doubts may have disturbed Bill's mind as he was walking up the +broad avenue, they were all dissipated the moment he was recognized by +Mr. Rutherford. He grasped his hand with the cordiality of a friend, +took him at once into the house, and into the presence of his lovely +wife.</p> + +<p>'You remember, my dear, the young man who so kindly assisted us at the +time of the accident to our carriage.'</p> + +<p>'Indeed I do,' said Mrs. Rutherford, rising and bidding him a hearty +welcome.</p> + +<p>Bill was put at once at ease; he never before could have supposed, that +persons who lived so very differently from what he had been accustomed +to, could be so affable; they seemed to him to feel and act as if he was +as good as any of them; asked him as many questions as old Sam Cutter +would have done, and seemed as pleased with all the little news he +communicated, as though he had been a city resident, loaded with tidings +from the gay and stirring world. The little children, too, in all their +sprightliness and beauty—those speaking images of the parent's +heart—came fondling round him; his plain rough garments were unheeded +by them, and he was soon as familiar with the little prattlers as though +they had been the children of his nearest neighbor.</p> + +<p>But where was Hettie? Bill wondered much why she was not among the first +to come and greet him. He did not ask; he heard her name spoken by the +little ones, and his heart would beat and his breath grow short, and +once he thought he heard her light step in the passage; and then sad +thoughts would come and sink his spirits, so buoyant from his kind +reception. But Bill had yet to learn some lessons in the school of life.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford soon invited him to walk abroad, thus affording an +opportunity to unburthen his mind, for he evidently had come for some +express object. With much patience Mr. R. listened to his whole story, +making no reply whatever until the budget was empty, nor, indeed, until +some time after. Poor William thought that he had come to little +purpose, and was anything than a welcome visitor. Mr. Rutherford, +however, was only thinking in what way he could best serve the young +man. He might indeed have taken him into his own family, and given him +such employment as he had been accustomed to; but he thought he could +perceive talents fitting him for a different sphere of life.</p> + +<p>'How would you like to go to the city, and try your hand in a store?'</p> + +<p>'I don't care where I go, sir, nor what the employment; if I can only +have a chance to take care of myself honestly.'</p> + +<p>'It will be very different from anything you have been accustomed to; +the work may not be any harder, but it will be very constant, and +without much chance for relaxation, merchants think that business is a +substitute for everything else.'</p> + +<p>But William was not to be daunted by any prospect of toil; and Mr. +Rutherford, after telling him all he knew of the routine of business, +proposed to give him a letter to a friend of his in an extensive +business.</p> + +<p>'He will do all that can be done to procure you a situation, and then +you must do the rest yourself; but remember, William, that the most +strict attention to everything you are called to do, an unflinching +integrity, and a determined perseverance, will be requisite to gain +success; and unless you have made up your mind to exert every energy, +you had better return and engage yourself with whatever you can best at +home.'</p> + +<p>William's fine countenance was animated with an expression that told how +his heart was touched.</p> + +<p>'So far, sir, as any exertions, day or night, to make myself useful and +acceptable will do it, I fear not; and I hope my friends will never have +to regret any efforts in my favor. A sense of gratitude, if nothing +else, I trust will keep me watchful over myself.'</p> + +<p>'Well, William, I will write this evening; I hope you will succeed, and +I think you will.'</p> + +<p>As they entered the house on their return, Hettie was just coming into +the hall. Her appearance seemed to be accidental; perhaps it was. She +blushed deeply, smiled a very little, and gave her hand to William in +rather a timid manner. He was prepared to accost her warmly, but the +peculiarity of her address chilled him; he felt a restraint he could not +overcome, and his greeting was much like her own. She asked after her +mother's health, thanked him for his trouble in bringing the little +parcel for her, and then withdrew, leaving him to follow Mr. Rutherford, +who was waiting at the parlor door to receive him.</p> + +<p>William was tired enough that night to have slept soundly, but his +thoughts would not be quiet; so he hailed the dawn with delight, and was +ready immediately after breakfast to go on his way. Mr. Rutherford took +him into a small room adjoining the parlor, and handing him the letter,</p> + +<p>'There, William, I hope you will find this sufficient, and here is a +trifle for you in case of need; if ever you become a rich man, you can +return it: let me hear from you how you succeed.' So saying, he placed a +little roll of bills in his hand, and bidding him God-speed, at once +opened the door, apparently wishing to avoid the shower of thanks which +he saw beaming from the eye of the young man.</p> + +<p>'Oh, sir, I never shall forget your kindness, and I hope I may yet prove +it to you.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford made no reply; he was not indifferent to gratitude, but +he did not care to be thanked personally. It was reward enough for him +that he had made a fellow creature happy, and done what he could to give +a helping hand to one just venturing on the deep waters. Long may that +heart enjoy such draughts of pure happiness; and when, in years to +come, you meet reverse of fortune, if such shall be thy fate, these +stores, laid by in heaven's chancery, will be a refuge at your utmost +need; and little deeds of love like this, long, long forgotten, will +come like heavenly messengers, and with interest accumulated beyond the +miser's compound gain. In the dark hour when clouds, blacker than the +tempest's murky robe, shroud all the prospects of your earthly comfort, +when hope of all deliverance that man may bring has gone, and your +sickened heart turns away from earth, then shall you know that good +deeds are not lost, even here below; and what your generous heart, +inspired from above, devised to aid, to comfort, and to bless your +fellows, has been a hidden treasure reserved against the time of deepest +need.</p> + +<p>William went joyfully on his way, he had unrolled his little treasure, +and counted fifty dollars. How his heart blessed the noble man; what a +spring of love and hope burst forth from it, sending a quickening +influence through all his frame; how elastic his step; what a cheerful +light sparkles from his eye. The prospect before him is no longer dark.</p> + +<p>Immediately after passing the house, the road wound gradually around the +premises; on one side skirted by a clump of woods, and on the other by a +heavy stone wall, surmounted by shrubbery, so thick that nothing could +be seen through it. Suddenly a little gate opened, and Hettie came down +the steps, her face wearing that sweet smile with which she had in days +past always met him.</p> + +<p>'I was afraid, William, that you would be past before I could get here, +and I felt as if I must see you, just to say, good-by.'</p> + +<p>William was taken by surprise; he seized her offered hand, and grasped +it warmly, but he could not speak.</p> + +<p>'I have wanted to see you very much, William, and to have a long talk +with you about many things; but I suppose you must be going, and I must +be back to my work. But, William, do you think you will like it in the +city? You know things are so different from what you have been used to.'</p> + +<p>He was intending to be very stiff in all his bearing towards Hettie, but +he made awkward work of it. There was she, looking up into his face with +all her wonted interest, and how could he meet those eyes, and not +return their look of pure and kindly feeling? So he gave it up: all his +bad intentions flew off like mist, and his eye glanced as kindly as +hers, and his voice softened into the old tones of friendship.</p> + +<p>'I know, Hettie, that they will be different; but I think I shall soon +get used to them, and then I feel like taking care of myself, and who +knows but I may get along as well as some others who go there, and come +back with plenty of money in my pocket? I think, then, that some of my +friends will not be ashamed to speak to me, or to acknowledge old +friendships.' And as William said this, he looked at Hettie with so much +meaning, that she could not mistake its reference to her.</p> + +<p>'If you think, William, that your prosperity will make a difference in +the feelings of your friends towards you, or, at least, of some of them, +you are mistaken. You may succeed as you anticipate, or you may not; you +may return wealthy or poor, as you now are; if you only bring back as +true and kind a heart, William, you will find some to welcome you, who +will rejoice more in that, than in any great change in your +circumstances.'</p> + +<p>And Hettie cast such a meaning in her look, too, as she fixed her eye +full upon him, that he could not mistake its reference either. He saw +the tears glistening in her mild eyes, and he could have done all manner +of things to himself for speaking as he did.</p> + +<p>'Forgive me, Hettie, forgive me, if I have said any thing to trouble +you; I know that you, at least, will not be affected by my condition, if +my character is only good.'</p> + +<p>'I cannot say any thing more about the future, William, than that I am +very sure I shall ever feel a deep interest in your welfare, and my +ardent prayer shall be, that you may be kept from the many evils which I +am told lurk around one going into the city, as you do, a stranger to +its temptations.'</p> + +<p>'I know, Hettie, they say that I shall run a great risk in many ways, +and I feel that I need something to keep my mind fastened on that will +help me to avoid the evil, whatever it may be, and that will strengthen +me in doing right. You have been such a helper to me, Hettie; you know +from what a dreadful state you once delivered me; you have great power +over me. I am now going from you; will you not let me carry along with +me that promise which I have often asked? If you would only say that it +<i>might</i> be one of these days, I should go away happy; the hope would be +like your presence with me.'</p> + +<p>Hettie cast down her eyes as William continued talking; she heard him +quietly through, and then replied, in a voice that trembled indeed, but +the words were well chosen, and came from her heart.</p> + +<p>'That promise, William, I cannot make now any more than I could have +done before this; you and I are to be separated for many years perhaps; +great changes may take place in that time; you will see many things very +unlike what you have been accustomed to; your views about persons and +things may change with your circumstances, I shall think of you as a +dear friend, as a brother, if you wish it; I will pray for you when I do +for myself, and as earnestly, William; but farther than this, you must +not ask me.'</p> + +<p>William ceased, for he knew Hettie well enough to be certain that she +would yield nothing more. He parted from her as a brother might leave a +sister, dearly loved; he saw the deep color mantling in her cheek, and +the tear that artlessly rolled over it; he could not say the parting +word. She stepped back through the little gate, and as it closed, he +went on his way to seek that fortune, which, at times, played before his +fancy in all the witching forms of earthly prosperity. How often will +this parting scene haunt his waking and sleeping dreams, through the +long years that will intervene ere a sight of one so dear to him now +will bless his eyes again; and how often will he admire the firmness and +prudence of this earthly friend of his heart!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>Sam Oakum had not forgotten the promise he had given old Mr. Cutter in +the hour of his deep trouble; nor had he forgotten the kindness which +prompted the old man to fly to the rescue of his parent. Every cent was +precious in Sam's eyes, as sacred to repay that offering of mercy; he +would no sooner have squandered it than he would have stolen; week after +week, on every return from a trip, he would slip up to his little chest, +and deposit there the earnings of the day. The additions were small, for +he was obliged, occasionally, to expend some part of what he earned for +little comforts that his mother needed; his father being rarely able to +procure money for his labor. Small, however, as were the additions, the +store increased. He had already carried to Mr. Cutter five dollars, and +received his hearty blessing, and such a squeeze of his hand as Sam did +not forget for the rest of the day.</p> + +<p>Jim had squared up with him the moment he had received the last payment; +and as Sam looked at the heap of money which Jim said was his share of +their enterprise, he was too happy to say any thing. He looked up at +Jim, whose calm clear eye turned from the money to Sam, and then back +again to the money, as much as to say—</p> + +<p>'It's your's, Sam, honestly come by;—it's all right, why don't you take +it?'</p> + +<p>Ned, who was standing by also, and watching Sam, understood better than +Jim what the matter was.</p> + +<p>'Why don't you hurra, Sam, and let it out, and not keep choking up so? I +know how you feel;—shall I go it for you? Hurra, hurra, hurra!'</p> + +<p>'Ned, what does ail you? what is the use of making such a noise?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, nothing; only you see I want to help Sam out with some of his +feelings; he is too full to hold.'</p> + +<p>Sam had to smile, and that started a tear or two, and then he tried to +say something about gratitude to the boys; but Jim stopped him short.</p> + +<p>'Now, Sam, you must not feel so; you have earned that heap of money just +as much as we have ours, and we ought to thank you; for how should we +ever have got along without you and your boat.'</p> + +<p>'Oh,' said Sam, as he began to gather up his money, and looking archly +at Jim, 'you would have thought out some other way, I know.'</p> + +<p>Jim had to smile a little; and Ned, throwing his arms on Sam's +shoulders, and leaning over him, as he picked up the pieces of money.</p> + +<p>'Sam Oakum, I am as glad to see you put that money in your pocket as I +should be to put it into my own; and so is Jim, I know.'</p> + +<p>Sam believed every word that Ned had spoken, and after making a plan to +meet together that evening, he went on his way. His pockets were heavy, +but his heart was light; and as he passed the rock which had ever been +memorable to him since the hour when he sat there in his despondency, +and the boys came to him with this plan of enterprise, he could not but +say to himself,</p> + +<p>'What a grand thing it has been that Jim Montjoy had those thoughts.'</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Oakum were just about to sit down at their humble board as +Sam entered.</p> + +<p>'Here, father; see what the boat has done.'</p> + +<p>'What is it, Sam?' said his mother, looking earnestly at him, her hands +raised, and her countenance expressing great anxiety. Sam made no reply, +but commenced unlading his pockets, and piling the money in little heaps +on the table.</p> + +<p>'It is father's; it has all come of the boat. If father had not built +that boat, we never could have got all this; and now he can pay Billy +Bloodgood the fifteen dollars, and then we shall not owe a single cent +to any one; there is the whole of it—twenty-five dollars—don't it look +nice, mother?'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Oakum let her hands drop as soon as she understood the matter; but +it was only to take up her apron—they had work to do with that. While +the father, overcome with the sight of such abundance, and the noble +spirit of his boy, could only say, in a very trembling voice,</p> + +<p>'God bless you, Sam.'</p> + +<p><i>That</i> was a happy meal, though plain and coarse. A spring of living joy +was bubbling in each heart, and sparkling forth in pure and blessed +thoughts towards God and man.</p> + +<p>Sam would gladly have had his father carry the money which was to repay +Mr. Bloodgood, and never been known as the procurer of it. But to this +the kind parent would not consent. He felt, and truly too, that it would +be a mark upon his son's early life, not soon obliterated: and he was +willing to have himself forgotten, if the dear boy might but be +strengthened in the path of honor and virtue.</p> + +<p>The next morning Sam was up with the early dawn, and busy with his daily +routine, that he might be ready to go on his pleasing errand. Breakfast +over, he dressed himself in his best blue suit, and with the money in +his pocket and his parent's blessing, started off, his heart as full of +happiness as it could well be. Thoughts of the dark scene which he had +passed through, when kind friends, like angels of mercy, came to his +aid, he could not repress, nor did he wish to; the darker <i>then</i>, the +brighter <i>now</i>. How his heart beat with pleasure as he walked briskly +on, and drew near to the humble abode of Billy Bloodgood—rough, to be +sure, was the exterior, and the peculiar habits of its owner too visible +in the strange confusion around the premises; but Sam thought only of +his kind heart and ready hand in an hour of need.</p> + +<p>Things had not yet been put to rights at neighbor Bloodgood's, and as +Sam entered the house, there was not only a confused state of pots and +kettles, and relics of the early meal, but the good woman herself was +all wrong somehow; she was in quite an undress, and moved about amid the +domestic articles surrounding her, with that quick, jerky air, which +generally denotes an unsettled state of the inner man or woman.</p> + +<p>Sam wondered why things did not break, they rang against each other so +sharply. If he was somewhat surprised at this, he was much more so at +sight of a stranger, seated near the door, but a little behind it, which +circumstances prevented him from noticing before. He was a stranger, not +only to Sam, but he must have been to all those parts, for he was like +nothing seen in that region for many miles' circuit; his air and contour +was that of a gentleman. Sam had already seen enough of the world to +know that. He was quite a youth, probably not over nineteen years of +age; his countenance manly, and rather stern at the first glance; but +Sam thought, from a particular twist of the corner of his mouth, that he +was more amused than vexed with the state of things around him. His form +was slender, and his complexion pale, like one who had never yet been +exposed to the wear and tear of life; his light brown hair was thrown +carelessly back from his forehead, and displayed to great advantage that +index of the mind.</p> + +<p>He arose almost immediately upon Sam's entering, and with his hat in +hand, bowed to the mistress of the house, who cast but a sideling glance +at him, and then stooped down to rattle some of the dishes, without, +apparently, any other motive than to let him see that she was too busy +to attend to <i>him</i>.</p> + +<p>'You think then, madam, there would be no use in my waiting to see your +husband?'</p> + +<p>'No; I don't think there's no earthly use in seeing <i>him</i>. I tell'd you, +again and again, we ain't got no young ones to send—and that's the long +and short on it.'</p> + +<p>'Good morning, madam.'</p> + +<p>The young man spoke kindly and courteously, and then left the house, +walking with an erect carriage towards the highway.</p> + +<p>'Good morning, Aunt Sally.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood, then, lifting herself up, and putting a hand on each +hip, looked with a very stern and fixed gaze through the open door, +until the stranger had fairly got out of hearing; and then, without +answering Sam's salutation, began to rattle away in her usual style, +when by any cause somewhat excited.</p> + +<p>'<i>Him</i> set up for a schoolmaster, with his fine clothes on, and his bran +new hat, and his bowin' and scrapin', and his <i>madam</i>, and all that kind +of palaver; he ain't nothin' but a chicken himself. No, no: I've seen +enough on 'em in my day; there ain't no good comes on 'em; they put more +mischief in the heads of the young 'uns than they've got naturally, and +that's enough we all know.'</p> + +<p>'What's the matter, Aunt Sally?'</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Sam Oakum, I don't want none of them Yankees round me. +I don't see why the critters can't stay in their own country, and do +some honest thing there for a livin', and not come trampussing away down +here with their larnin', that don't do no airthly good, but make the +young 'uns lazy, and wanting to be gentlemen like themselves; and what +old Molly Brown sent the critter here for, I don't see.'</p> + +<p>'Does he want to set up a school, aunt Sally?' said Sam, looking at her +with a very anxious countenance.</p> + +<p>'He <i>did</i> want to; but I guess he's got enough on it; and I'm so glad +he's took himself off 'fore Bloodgood come in, for he's just fool enough +to be clean took with him; and he's got his head set about havin' a +schoolmaster, and I don't want none of the varmints round.' But looking +at Sam very closely, and coming up to him, and feeling his coat and his +trousers, and then holding him off at arm's length.</p> + +<p>'<i>Do tell!</i> where upon airth, Sam, did you get this? How smart you <i>do</i> +look. This has been gi'n to you, I know, by them great folks over the +water there?'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'Well, ain't that clever on 'em, Sam? but you're desarvin' of it, and +I'm glad on it. It does a body's heart good to see your mother's child +look so smart and tidy. I didn't hardly know you when you come in, and +that plaguy man put me into such a pucker, I didn't hardly know what I +was about.'</p> + +<p>Sam had become very impatient to be off; he had anticipated a great deal +of joy from his errand, in the proud satisfaction of paying a just +debt; but he thought not of that now. He had learned enough to know what +the stranger's business was, and he could not endure the thought of his +leaving the place in such a manner; so taking out his money, and handing +it to Mrs. Bloodgood,</p> + +<p>'There, Aunt Sally, is the money which Mr. Bloodgood, so kindly helped +my father to, when he was in trouble; won't you please tell him that we +all thank him very much, and hope we shall never forget how good he has +been to us?'</p> + +<p>'You dear, blessed child!' Aunt Sally could say no more, for she saw the +tears in Sam's eyes, and her own heart was very peculiar—it was soon +set on fire.</p> + +<p>'You will tell him, won't you, Aunt Sally? and that father says, if he +will only let him know any time that he can do any thing for him, or for +you, day or night, he will gladly do it; and mother says so too; for you +don't know how happy it made us all, when you lent this money, and how +very happy we are now, to be able to give it back to you.'</p> + +<p>Aunt Sally sat down, and taking up her apron with both hands, cried as +hard as she had scolded but a few moments before. Sam laid the money on +the table beside her, and wishing her good morning, made speed towards +the highway. He saw the young man at a distance, walking rapidly, and +bending his course away from the place, on the direct road to the +barrens; his only chance to overtake him was by a cross cut over the +fields, and through a little clump of wood, around which the road to the +barrens passed. And while Sam is hurrying across the lots, I must +introduce the young stranger a little more particularly to my reader.</p> + +<p>Henry Tracy was indeed descended from New England parents, but was not, +as good Mrs. Bloodgood supposed, a real Yankee; for his father had +emigrated from the state of Maine when quite a youth, and his mother +from another of the goodly sisterhood, when a child. They had settled in +one of the middle States, and Henry's birthplace was one of our largest +cities; great pains had been taken with his education; his mind was +uncommonly well stored for one of his age, and his manners distinguished +by a gentlemanly grace; but, above all this, his heart had been nurtured +by the tender care of a mother, whose love for the truth, whose meek and +blameless life, and whose heavenly-minded temper, gave a power to the +pure and holy thoughts which she was ever breathing into the ear of her +son; they stole into his heart like the dew upon the tender plant.</p> + +<p>He was now an orphan, and cast upon the world, with the choice of +depending upon the charity of friends to assist him in completing his +education, or using what education he had already received as a means of +support, and of further progress; he wisely chose the latter. Having a +slight acquaintance with Mr. Rutherford, he had, on calling to visit the +family, been directed to this region, and the "Widow Brown, to whom Mr. +Rutherford advised him to apply, could think of no one more likely to +take an interest in a school than Billy Bloodgood. His reception there, +and the general appearance of things, had discouraged him from any +further attempt, and he was hastening back to seek a spot more congenial +to his own feelings, and where there might be at least some desire for +instruction.</p> + +<p>Sam had to be expeditious, and was barely able to accomplish his object +by running across one entire lot, and through the clump of woods. +Breathless with his haste, he was unable to communicate his wishes, or +to apologize to the young man for coming upon him in so abrupt a manner, +who looked with much surprise at him for an explanation.</p> + +<p>'I hope you will excuse me, sir, for stopping you; I met you, just now, +at Mr. Bloodgood's. I did not know what your business was, sir. But do +come back, we want you very much.'</p> + +<p>'Want me! What do they know about <i>me</i>?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, I mean, Sir, they want a teacher.'</p> + +<p>'Mrs. Bloodgood says that no one here wishes a teacher, that the people +think they are better off without any instruction.'</p> + +<p>'But they do not all feel so, sir; do come back with me, and I will take +you to a man that will tell you all about it.'</p> + +<p>Sam's appearance pleased Mr. Tracy, and the earnestness of his entreaty +induced him to consent to return and see what new feature the place +might present.</p> + +<p>They were not long in reaching the spot to which Sam wished to conduct +him, a very unlikely place in appearance to give encouragement to +literature, being no other than the workshop of old Sam Cutter. The old +man was in his usual seat, holding, or rather leaning upon the handle of +his large hammer, and from his short breathing and flushed face, showing +signs of his having just been wielding it. Running round the shop, with +a tongs in one hand and a hammer in the other, was Billy Bloodgood, +helping himself, with some directions and aid on Mr. Cutter's part, in +repairing an old farming tool. He paid, as usual, no attention to the +new-comers, except a slight nod of his head, and a pleasant smile to +Sam.</p> + +<p>As Sam entered and motioned to Mr. Tracy to come in, Mr. Cutter passed +his broad hand across the top of his head, smoothing down his bald +forehead, at the same time saying.</p> + +<p>'Your sarvant, sir.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tracy bowed to him politely, taking off his hat with as much respect +as if in the presence of one of the great ones of the earth.</p> + +<p>Sam Oakum lost no time in communicating to Mr. Cutter the object of the +visitor, and the circumstances under which he had met with him and +brought him back.</p> + +<p>'Right, Sam, right; but of all things, to think of Sally Bloodgood +treating the gentleman in that sort. But that's the way with them; +they're a match for the old one, any time; all but your mother, Sam, she +ain't like the rest on 'em.' And then turning to the young man,</p> + +<p>'Sorry, sir, you've had such an indifferent reception, but what can't be +cured must be endured. Billy there knows that; but you see it don't +matter to him whether she scolds or coaxes; he can't hear nothin' no +more than the iron he's poundin' on.'</p> + +<p>'Is that Mr. Bloodgood? Mrs. Brown advised me to call upon him; but his +good wife gave me such an account of things, that, but for this young +gentleman, I should have made no further effort.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, Sam knew well enough, the young rogue, who to come to; but dear +me, you look like a lad that has seen fair weather and easy work; do you +know what kind of a place you've come to?'</p> + +<p>'Only what I have seen of it this morning, sir; and Mrs. Brown said that +she thought a teacher was much needed.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, that she might well say, much needed; that is, if you can teach +them any better manners than they've got now: they're a hard case, my +dear young man, most gone to the evil one altogether.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tracy smiled. 'I hope not quite so bad as that, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Not much short on it, I tell you; but things look a little better than +they have, and I ain't sure but a considerable lot on 'em might be got +together; that is, the boys, I mean but—' and the old man regarded his +young visitor with a very inquisitive countenance—'you don't look as if +you could live on clam shells and oyster shells, and eels, and sich +like; I'm afear'd you ain't used to them.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes, sir, I can eat what the rest of you do.'</p> + +<p>'Well, my young friend, you can't judge always from the looks, what kind +of fare a man has; but howsomever, if you can get along with such things +as I've tell'd you of, why you won't starve, for you see we've got +plenty on 'em; and as to the boys, do you, Sam Oakum, up and tell the +gentleman what you know about it, and not stand stretching your mouth +and grinnin' at me.'</p> + +<p>Sam soon numbered quite a company of boys, and girls too, that he knew +would be very glad of a chance for schooling, and many more that would +no doubt come if the gentleman 'would only make a beginning, and open a +school.'</p> + +<p>As Henry Tracy had perhaps full as much desire to do good, as to receive +compensation for his labors, seeing the strong desire manifested by Sam, +and hearing him tell how very anxious some of his companions were to +learn something, he made up his mind to try the experiment.</p> + +<p>Sam was almost beside himself for joy; it was the only one thing now +wanting in his cup of happiness. His deficiency in every kind of +knowledge acquired from books, was felt by him daily as a sore evil. 'If +he could only read and write, and calculate like Jim Montjoy,' was for +ever coming into his mind, a wish unalloyed by envy or any other evil +feeling towards Jim, but filling his heart with sadness. Old Sam Cutter +was no less rejoiced, for his boys were but little in advance of Sam +Oakum, and now that they had taken such a favourable turn in their +course of conduct, the old man felt that a school would be a crowning +mercy. Some little difficulty presented itself as to where the teacher +should take up his abode; there were good reasons why Mr. Cutter could +not offer a residence under his own roof; the house was but small, <i>too +small</i>, he found for himself, sometimes, and he durst not venture upon +an addition.</p> + +<p>Sam Oakum would have rejoiced could his home have afforded +accommodations such as he might ask a stranger to partake of, and a +person of Mr. Tracy's appearance. Mrs. Montjoy's was the only place that +Sam could think of where any thing like comfort could be had.</p> + +<p>'I know—I know all that, Sam; Mrs. Montjoy is a nice woman, and the +house, though small, is tidy-like, and the boys are good fellows, a +credit to the place; but you see, Sam, we must 'be wise as sarpants' +about this business. You know how the folks feel, full of their +jealousies and nonsense; and if the teacher should go there, they would +say that he felt himself above folks, that he was too good for the like +of them, and all that, and you see,' looking at Mr. Tracy, 'we've got to +take folks as they are, and make the best on 'em.' And then turning his +eye towards Sam, 'The Widow Andrews' is the place. Bill, you know, is +gone; sorry for that, but he's gone, and no help for it; the old woman +is queer, but where is one on 'em that ain't, sometimes? Yet she is +pretty good in the main, and she'll be proud to do her best; and if the +gentleman won't be frightened at a little squall once in a while, he'll +git along pretty comfortable there: now, don't you think so, Sam?'</p> + +<p>Sam thought just as Mr. Cutter did; and as Mr. Tracy was not particular +as to accommodations, provided they were cleanly, and he could have a +room to himself, it was accordingly decided that he should accompany Sam +there, and see what could be done. There was nothing very inviting in +the appearance of things, to one who had been accustomed to a very +different style of living: the house was a one-story building, placed +very flat on the ground; both the roof and the sides were covered with +shingles. Moss had accumulated so as to contend with the shingles for +the precedence, and if the latter did the most good, the former was the +most distinctly to be seen. But it was situated in the midst of a green +grass plot, and the grass was short and velvety to the tread, and a few +old cedar trees surrounded it, which tended to screen its imperfections, +and make it pass for full as much as it deserved. A fence ran before it, +much dilapidated, sufficient, however, to keep out the larger animals, +where the green short grass grew up to the window.</p> + +<p>The widow was evidently flattered by the proposal, only she feared 'the +gentleman might find their living very different from what he had been +used to.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tracy was satisfied, from the appearance of things within doors, +that neatness was one trait which the widow certainly had, whatever +others he might discover on further acquaintance. She showed him her +best room, and which she was perfectly willing to yield up to his use. +It was large enough, with an agreeable view of the surrounding country, +and Henry thought, when he should get his books around him, he could +make himself at home.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter would have been glad to introduce the young man to Billy +Bloodgood, but he dared not undertake the task, and suffered Billy to +hammer away, and took no notice of the inquisitive glances which his +good neighbor kept casting towards him. As soon, however, as the visitor +had departed, still holding the hammer and tongs, he made up to Mr. +Cutter, and putting his head close to his ear, hallooed in a voice +almost sufficient to have made the sound reach his own tympanum.</p> + +<p>'Who's that?'</p> + +<p>'I ain't deaf; you needn't holler at that rate into a man.'</p> + +<p>'Who did you say? I didn't hear you.'</p> + +<p>'Dear me, what <i>shall</i> I do? I'm all out of breath a talkin' to that +youngster.'</p> + +<p>'Don't hear.'</p> + +<p>Uncle Sam made a desperate effort, opened his mouth, drew in a long +breath, put his hand up to form a trumpet, and applying the machinery as +near as possible to Billy's head, called out,</p> + +<p>'He's a teacher.'</p> + +<p>'A preacher?' and Billy nodded and smiled; 'that's <i>good</i> going to stay +here?'</p> + +<p>'Bless my soul, what <i>shall</i> I do? I shan't try agin', no how.'</p> + +<p>'Sally'll be glad to hear that; where is he from?'</p> + +<p>Uncle Sam looked first one way and then the other, as though meditating +an escape; but he hated to move, and in fact he knew there would be +little use in trying it, for Billy would be after him so he finally cast +an imploring eye up to his neighbor, who stooping down and looking very +inquiringly into his face.</p> + +<p>'O dear, dear! I ain't got no breath to do it.'</p> + +<p>Billy shook his head.</p> + +<p>'Don't hear.'</p> + +<p>'No, nor you won't if the sound has got to come out of me; it can't be +done.'</p> + +<p>'Don't hear what you say; speak a little louder.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know.' Old Sam made noise enough this time, and if it could +have been concentrated might have gone to the place, but Billy had heard +something, so he nodded his head.</p> + +<p>'From below? what place? anywhere near by?'</p> + +<p>'Dear, dear, he'll be the death of me!' Uncle Sam was indeed in a bad +case; he had at no time any breath to spare, and to be called upon to +expend it, first in working with the big hammer, and then in blowing +trumpets, was a little more than his good-nature could stand. He was +very red in the face, breathed short and heavy, and with his old straw +hat flapping violently to catch fresh supplies of air, looked wildly +about for some loophole whereby to creep out from this dilemma. Just at +that moment, and as Billy was again upon the point of asking for more +light on the obscurity of the last sound that reached him, the shop door +was darkened by the entrance of no less a personage than Sally Bloodgood +herself. She came in so rapidly, that she was nigh being foul of Uncle +Sam; as it was, she only impeded the motion of the old hat. She was not +at all in a visiting dress, having come, as she said, 'just as she was,' +to see her neighbor, Mrs. Cutter, for a minute. 'But do, la, Uncle Sam, +what ails you? your face is as red as a turkey's comb. You seem to be +all blowed out. It's Bloodgood, I know it is. He's been asking you +questions, I know he has. You hadn't ought to try to talk to him, Uncle +Sam; it's enough to kill you.'</p> + +<p>'I believe you,' turning his eyes up at her very expressively; 'you're +right there, Sally.'</p> + +<p>Billy Bloodgood now engrossed his wife's attention, by telling her the +great news, 'that there was a preacher come, a nice-looking young man.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood looked at Mr. Cutter for an explanation.</p> + +<p>'Do <i>tell</i>, Uncle Sam, was he a very youngerly man, very fine and +delicate like?'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter nodded assent.</p> + +<p>'La, me, I wonder if it's the same one that called to see Bloodgood, +this mornin'. A preacher?—who upon airth would have thought it? he +never said nothin' about preach'n'.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood had her own reasons for being so surprised; and as Uncle +Sam Cutter saw clearly that her thoughts were very much troubled about +the matter, he came to the conclusion to let her enjoy her mistake:</p> + +<p>'It will teach her, may be, to be a little more careful of her tongue.'</p> + +<p>But, as Billy Bloodgood was the principal man to whom Mr. Cutter looked +for aid in sustaining and encouraging the young man, the fact that he +wished to teach a young school among them, must be communicated to him. +Utterly hopeless of any power in himself to do the thing, he, without +any ceremony, took hold of the loose covering which hung about the +person of the lady, and fairly forcing her down upon a rough seat, near +himself,</p> + +<p>'Now you see, woman, I give it clean up; I shan't never try no more to +drive a word into Billy's head. I can't do it—it will kill me.'</p> + +<p>''Tis hard work, Uncle Sam, ain't it? it takes such a power of wind. But +you see somebody's got to make him hear, and I 'spose it's my lot; and +what a body's got to do, you know, Uncle Sam, why, they must submit to +it: but it takes my breath clean away sometimes, and makes me so faint +and gone, that I can't hardly hold myself together.' And the good woman, +pressing her hands very hard against her sides, exhibited to Uncle Sam +the desperate efforts she had to make, at times, to keep things in their +place.</p> + +<p>Billy stood close by, with one hand on Uncle Sam's shoulder, looking +very complacently at his wife, and nodding every once in a while, as +though he understood perfectly what she was saying.</p> + +<p>'Fine-looking young man; smart, I guess.' And then stooping over, and +looking into Mr. Cutter's face, 'You didn't tell me what place he came +from.'</p> + +<p>'Where is it, Uncle Sam? jist tell me, and I'll make him hear, I'll +warrant.'</p> + +<p>'Why, Sally, I don't know where he's come from. No doubt Heaven has sent +him from somewhere or another, and I don't much care, I am so glad to +see any thing in a decent shape come to do a little good among us: he +may have dropped right down, for all I know.'</p> + +<p>'Do, la, Uncle Sam, how you talk; you're enough to frighten a body. But +I must tell Bloodgood somethin' or another.' So, raising herself a +little, putting one hand on each knee, and placing her prominent member +close to her husband's ear, who was still bending down and looking +earnestly at Mr. Cutter, she was about to give one of her blasts, when +she was suddenly arrested by the powerful hand of the latter.</p> + +<p>'Stop, Sally, stop!—not now: none of your hollering here, I can't +stand it. Wait till you git home, and then you can tell Billy all about +it.'</p> + +<p>Billy, finding that there was a sudden interruption to all +correspondence for some cause he could not well define, and being +accustomed to such events, put a stop to his inquiries for the present.</p> + +<p>How vast a change of feeling is sometimes effected by the passing away +of sunlight, with the bustle of its busy hours and the silent shades of +evening!</p> + +<p>Henry Tracy had made a busy day of it; he had met with unexpected +success in engaging scholars, and had procured a room in a building, +once used as a court-house, in which to hold his school. Gratified with +his prospects, he sat down to the clean supper table with the Widow +Andrews and her daughter, with feelings much more buoyant than could +have been expected in one so young, for the first time a sojourner among +strangers. He delighted them by the ease and pleasantness of his +manners, so that when he retired, which he did soon after supper, the +Widow Andrews looked at her daughter, and lifting her hands in +expression of her admiration—</p> + +<p>'Who could ever ha' thought of it? Why, it's jist as easy talkin' to him +as to Uncle Sam Cutter.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, mother! its as easy agin'.'</p> + +<p>The moon was in all her splendor, and her pale rays fell trembling +through the foliage of the cottage. Taking a seat by the window, Henry +looked out upon the beautiful night, and his heart filled with emotions +to which he had hitherto been a stranger.</p> + +<p>Home, that idea so satisfying to the soul, that spot to which our wishes +fly when in sickness or sorrow, was nought to him now but the +resting-place of his past joys and trials—a beautiful vision that had +left an impress on his heart, which time could not obliterate; although, +like a vision, it had passed away, his bosom heaved with the swelling +thoughts that rolled like ocean waves heavier and mightier in upon him. +He drew from his breast a golden locket and unclasping it, held the +miniature it enclosed beneath the rays of the moon; his lips trembled, +as the sacred name of '<i>mother</i>' broke from them. 'Yes, I will ever +think of thee, thy sweet love has made my home a paradise, and thy pure +piety and gentle counsels have won me to the path of peace. My Saviour's +image hast thou ever borne before me, until my heart has learned to +love Him as my best and dearest friend. Oh, may my life be such as thy +last dying prayer entreated it might be; and may I be led by the Holy +Spirit in the way that leads to where thou art.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>It was a very bright to-morrow in Ned's imagination, as he lay down to +rest; for then he was to accompany Jim and Sam, and was to see the fort, +and old Peter and Major Morris, and perhaps little Susie too; and the +new plan of Jim's was the object of their errand. If the day in Ned's +imagination was brighter than the one which actually dawned upon them, +it must have been a beauty indeed. The sky, the water, and the land +opened in loveliness; the bright blue above was reflected from the +glassy water, and the golden beams, that poured in full glory from the +east, were thrown back by the fading forest in all variety of colors. +This was to Ned a holiday indeed, and his active spirit enjoyed it to +the full; faithfully had he toiled through the long summer days, nor +even thought of relaxation. Now, the summer labors over, sweet was the +rest, and exhilarating the prospect of new scenes and faces, which, with +that morning's dawn, came playing before his view.</p> + +<p>Major Morris was not a little pleased, as he listened to Jim's simple +exposition of the plan he had in view; his generous heart rejoiced to +know that what he had already done to aid and stimulate these youths, +had turned to so good account.</p> + +<p>'And you say that you have laid by one hundred dollars from your trading +with me this summer, and so you begin to despise your old business? You +wish to find some easier way to make a hundred dollars? Ay, ay—like all +the rest of us.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, sir—no, sir; we do not think of giving up our garden; we +expect to work at that the same as ever.'</p> + +<p>And then Jim explained how he intended to manage, which convinced Major +Morris that the scheme was not only well laid, but included much closer +attention to their work than heretofore. He looked at the boys with deep +interest; the smile, which had played round his lips while speaking to +them, passed away, and his keen black eye turned from one to the other, +as though scrutinizing their very spirits. Sam's honest eye, as black as +the one which was fixed on him, twinkled and turned aside, as the +Major, after surveying the brothers, rested his gaze on him. What he saw +in Sam, or what strange visions passed before him, wherein poor Sam +acted a conspicuous part, may one day be revealed. A sigh at last broke +the spell; he turned towards Jim.</p> + +<p>'Your plan, my good fellow, is one which meets my approbation, and any +thing I can do to assist you in it, I will do with pleasure; but you +know from past dealing with me, that my efforts will be merely directed +so as to enable you to help yourselves.'</p> + +<p>'You are very kind, sir. I thought your judgment would be safe for us to +follow, and that perhaps you could give me some directions as to +purchases, and therefore I have taken this liberty.'</p> + +<p>'Your plan of setting up a small store is a good one; on many accounts: +but you must bear in mind that great attention will be required, both in +purchasing and selling. You will be in danger of losing some of your +profits by waste in retailing; you will also be in danger of losing +goods and profits too, by selling to those who will never pay you; and +you will run some risk in the transportation of your goods, or of your +money, so far by water, although this latter risk can be guarded +against. What I would say to you then is, that this business, although +small at first, will require the most strict attention in all its +details; and I would also say another thing, if I did not fully believe +that all of you have been trained to those correct principles, without +which no man can or ought to rise to honor or prosperity.</p> + +<p>'I can assist you by introducing you to a house in the city, where you +will be well dealt with; and as our boat sails to-morrow morning, you +had better remain here, and I will accompany you.'</p> + +<p>Ned was ready for a caper; he looked at Sam, and rubbed his hands +together very fast. Sam shook his head, as much as to say, 'Be quiet, +Ned.'</p> + +<p>Jim blushed, looked at the boys, and then up at Major Morris.</p> + +<p>'I thank you, sir, for your kind offer; but having no idea of being able +to do any thing so soon, have left my money at home.'</p> + +<p>'So much the better, then there will be the less risk; I will arrange +for the payment of your goods in the city, the same as if you had your +money with you, and when we return, you can settle with me here.'</p> + +<p>Jim was not very clear about this matter; but confiding in Major +Morris, assented to remain, thanking him again for his kind interest.</p> + +<p>During this conversation, Peter stood back at some distance, leaning on +his crutches, and chewing a tremendous quid of tobacco with great +diligence, and occasionally smoothing down the end of his queue. Ned, +while listening to the Major, kept an eye on Peter, scanning him from +head to foot. No sooner had the Major withdrawn, than Peter hobbled +towards the boys, who were standing on the steps by their boat, and +making preparations to return; he threw his crutches down, and taking a +seat on the stone coping close beside the boat, listened attentively to +Jim, who was giving directions to Sam and Ned about some small matters +at home, and about their coming for him on his return to the fort.</p> + +<p>'I suppose,' said Jim, looking at Peter, 'that I shall be back here by +about three o'clock to-morrow afternoon.'</p> + +<p>'Bless your soul! what kind of a kalkelation have you run foul of now? +you are out of your reck'nin' by a whole day at the least. Why you see, +my hearty, you won't start from here 'afore say nine o'clock to-morrow +mornin'; with the wind aft, or a little quaterin', say she goes eight +knots an hour, which is good sailin' for sich kind of craft, it will +take you all of four hours and no balks to git to the landin'; so you +see' (giving his head a bob, and a corresponding motion to his queue) +'you can't be there 'afore one o'clock, no how' (another bob); 'well +then, if the wind is fair to carry you there, you don't think it is +goin' to chop round jist when you're ready to come back, and blow astern +all the way home, do you?'—looking at Jim again.—'No, no; the wind and +weather don't care for nobody; we've got to take 'em, jist as it +happens, and make the most on 'em. So you see, you may jist knock +overboard all your figurin'; it won't do you no good; you've got to stay +one night in the city, at any rate, for the boat never starts till the +next mornin'; and if you've good luck, may be about three o'clock you'll +be in, and may be not.'</p> + +<p>Jim was rather puzzled to make out from Peter's reckoning when to tell +the boys to come for him; but Peter, seeing him in doubt, gave his own +directions.</p> + +<p>'Here you, Sam, jist harkee; there won't be no need of your bein' here +afore day a'ter to-morrow; then you see, you can jist hoist sail, and +come along easy; no hurry; you be here by three o'clock, plenty time +enough. Now you see, don't make no kalkelations about goin' home that +night, 'kase—you hear me now?—sposin' the wind should take 'em right +dead ahead, they can't get in no how afore six o'clock, and may be not +then, and there's no tellin' when.'</p> + +<p>Jim found it a more serious matter, this going to the city, than he had +anticipated. Peter's experience soon convinced him of that; as he could +give no more certain directions to Sam than he had already received, he +must let him go with what he had.</p> + +<p>The sail was hoisted; Peter had untied the rope, giving at the same time +a sharp good-natured lecture to Sam, for making his boat fast in such an +unsailor-like manner. Sam took it all in good part, for, in truth, he +had not done the thing; it was some of Ned's handiwork. Jim stood on the +stairs, giving Ned all sorts of directions and injunctions.</p> + +<p>'Yes, yes, Jim; I'll see to it, never you fear.'</p> + +<p>Off goes the little craft.</p> + +<p>'Good-by, Sam; good-by, Ned. Take care of yourselves.'</p> + +<p>'Good-by, Jim.'</p> + +<p>'Good-by, my hearties; haul in that bow-line, and don't let it drag in +that fashion; and haul your peak taut; you'll have a stiff breeze, but +she'll bear it. Good luck to you.'</p> + +<p>Gently the boat turned off, and took the swelling breeze. The boys +looked back, to give a parting nod.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, who is that? ain't she a beauty though!—is that Susie? See, +Sam, she is shaking her hand to you.'</p> + +<p>Sam made no reply; he touched his hat lightly, as he had seen Peter do +to the Major.</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Sam, I don't wonder you jumped into the water; I would +have jumped, too, if I had been here.'</p> + +<p>'I wouldn't be looking round so, Ned.'</p> + +<p>'Mustn't I? Well, I'll look ahead then. I thought sister Eller was +pretty—but—but—may be it's the dress though.'</p> + +<p>Sam was in no talking mood; he kept his eye steadily fixed on the sail, +which was swelled finely out, and making their boat skim along towards +home to his heart's content; and as Ned received only monosyllables in +reply to his many questions, he soon tired of putting them.</p> + +<p>Large cities have their evils, and they are not few. Hither the idle and +the vicious throng, for here are dens to hide them from the public gaze, +and companions to uphold them in their evil courses, and finery enough +to glut their polluted appetite; but with the evils, are many things +that tend to bless society. Here the good man finds many kindred +spirits, too, and like coals to burning coals, they kindle in each other +a warmer glow, and spread around them, in a wide and fervent circle, a +cheering, healthful influence. Here busy industry plies her daily, +nightly task, and meets with large reward, and hangs out her trophies to +the gaze of the vast multitude, urging them on to diligence: here wealth +erects her glittering palace; and here the darkest den of poverty is +found. Here emulation and sympathy have each objects of heart-thrilling +interest, sufficient to awaken all the energies of the jostling throng. +Deeds of charity, which make us proud of our species, are here +originated and carried into execution: and here, too, deeds of horror +are enacted, that make us feel how like the very fiends of hell +sometimes is man.</p> + +<p>Excitement, in all its various forms, keeps up a constant whirl; all +feel the influence for good or ill, and onward all are pressing. The +mind of man is tasked, until its energies, too strongly, constantly +impelled, give way, and then the victim droops, and plods along, and +sickens at the strife, and longs to be at rest.</p> + +<p>When the first view of the city broke upon the gazing eye of our hero, +he scarcely knew what to make of it. The tall spires running up against +the distant sky; the crowded masts that, like a wintry forest, lined the +shores; the mighty mass of buildings, heaps on heaps, spreading for +miles on either side; the boats of various size and shape crossing and +recrossing, and sweeping by them with the arrow's speed; and as they +neared the land, the busy throng of people hurrying to and fro; the +confused and deafening noise, the smoke and dust, the huge hulks, old +ocean-travellers, that lay fast corded to the strong stout piles; the +long projecting piers, around whose dark-green slippery base the turbid +waters swelled, and beat, and broke—all, all were new to Jim; and in +mute wonder he looked and thought, until their little vessel glided into +her resting-place, between two vast walls of docks.</p> + +<p>"Well, James, what do you think of the city?" said Major Morris, coming +up to where he sat at the bow of the boat, and putting his hand kindly +on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know, sir; but it seems a very busy place." 'Yes, busy you +may well say, every one is in a hurry here, and we must be so, too, as +we are rather late to-day, and I fear my friend will have left his +store.'</p> + +<p>Jim hastened to accompany the Major, who, already on the wharf, was +mingling with the crowd; it took him, however, some little time to learn +how to make haste in a city, and not before he had received a few stout +thumps against some other hurrying mortals, and a few harsh curses as an +awkward country booby. But Jim heeded them not, for the Major walked +fast, and to lose sight of him would be a dilemma indeed, amidst such a +Babel. He twisted this way and that, sometimes running close to the +wall, at others jumping off from the side-walk among the carts, and then +quickly back again, over bales of cotton tumbling from the doors; around +hogsheads of molasses, barrels of flour, puncheons of rum, bars of iron, +old anchors, coils of cable, droves of little, ragged, dirty children, +huddling about empty sugar hogsheads. Verily Jim had a time of it; he +was not naturally one of the hurrying sort. To get around and through +all these obstacles, and to keep his eye on the Major, at the same time, +required more activity than he had been accustomed to use.</p> + +<p>After travelling in this way, as Jim fancied, a long distance, he +rejoiced to see the Major make a halt, and enter a large store, the +passage-way of which was blocked up with piles of tea-chests, casks, +bales, boxes, and men. Jim squeezed along behind the Major, who, opening +a glass door, entered a small neat room, where every thing was in +perfect contrast with the confusion without: a large double desk +occupied a considerable portion of the apartment; it was situated +between the two front windows, and covered with fine green cloth; every +thing upon it lay in order; each little paper seemed to be there by +design. The windows were clean, and the glasses on the shelf shone +brightly, and the floor was covered with white sand, and dust and +cobwebs appeared to have no license there. At the desk two young men +were busily employed with immense folios, working away in silence, +occasionally passing a word with each other in a very low voice, and +that only in reference to the work before them. A spell seemed to be +upon Jim as soon as he entered that room; he had never felt so before, +not even when first introduced into the parlor of Mrs. Morris; every +thing wore the appearance of so much exactness, every thing was done and +said in such a calm, thoughtful way, it was so still and orderly, it +seemed to Jim that matters of great moment alone occupied each mind.</p> + +<p>Mr. Thomas was a large dealer; hundreds of thousands passed through his +hands every year, and his extensive business was managed by him with +perfect ease, because he had grown into it; unlike too many of modern +times, who, aiming to catch the golden shower, involve themselves in a +complication of difficulties, purchase without judgment, and sell at +random, only anxious that their books shall show, at the end of the +year, a large balance in their favor, whether realized or not.</p> + +<p>He had begun in a small way, and gradually increased his business with +his means; never suffering himself to be allured by a tempting +speculation, nor to engage in any undertaking beyond what he could well +manage, he neither worried himself nor his friends. It was a busy place, +though, that store of his; from early dawn until late at night, there +was one continued round of active duty; but extensive as his sales were, +he despised not the most insignificant of his customers, bestowing equal +attention to him who wished to spend his hundred dollars, as to those +who yearly drew from his vast storehouse their tens of thousands. An +upright, manly course he had ever pursued; he was an honest dealer as +well as a wealthy merchant.</p> + +<p>Major Morris knew well the man into whose hands he committed our young +merchant; and it required but a few words in private to interest Mr. +Thomas in his welfare, almost as much as he had himself been. The story +of the youth immediately took with him, and Jim's modest and intelligent +look added force to what the Major had related concerning him; and then, +when Major Morris left the office to attend to business of his own +elsewhere, he made Jim take a seat beside him, and with the familiarity +of a friend, drew from his own lips a rehearsal of all he had done, and +what he wished to do; inquiring into all the particulars respecting the +place where he lived. Jim had but a plain and simple story to tell; but +before he had finished, the heart of the merchant was so engaged in his +plan, that he thought of him not as a customer, out of whom he might +honestly make a small gain, but as one whom it would give him great +pleasure to direct and aid. What a priceless jewel is integrity of +heart! and happy is the youth who, trained to virtue, goes forth into +the busy paths of life to act his part. A mild but steady light +illuminates his track; his very countenance is radiant, and his plain, +simple speech, which tells the meaning of his heart, wins every honest +ear, and wakes a chord respondent in each noble soul; he needs no +varnished tale, no flattering words, no cringing bows; a better passport +to the confidence of all he carries with him, in his own honest purpose.</p> + +<p>With much patience Mr. Thomas made out a list of such articles as he +thought would be the most saleable, and gave immediate directions to +have them carefully put up. He then opened to Master Jim such a method +of managing business, that he felt almost in a hurry—a thing Jim was +not often guilty of,—to start off and get to work. Jim was not given to +vanity; he had never felt that he had any thing to be proud of, but when +he saw the cart loaded with the different articles intended for him, +neatly marked with his name and place of residence, and when he received +his bill made out in the most particular manner, and receipted by the +clerk with a most significant flourish beneath the signer's name, and +when Mr. Thomas cordially shook his hand, wishing him all success, and +that he might have the pleasure of seeing him soon again, he was highly +gratified, and would not just then have exchanged his place and +prospects for any one he could think of.</p> + +<p>Sam and Ned, although somewhat confused by Peter's directions, had +reached the fort a short time before the arrival of Master Jim with his +little cargo. It was a happy meeting between the brothers, for they had +never before been separated for a single night. How Ned stared, when he +saw the boxes, and bags, and barrels with Jim's name upon them! How he +would have shouted, if he dared, but Sam was close by him.</p> + +<p>'Keep still, Ned; you know it won't do here.'</p> + +<p>'But only to think, Sam, what a grand thing it is—only think, to have a +store, and people buying things, and all that; and you in a great vessel +bringing goods to us—hurra, Sam!'</p> + +<p>'Do, for goodness' sake, Ned, stop; what will they think?'</p> + +<p>Sam was in great perplexity; he felt that their character was in danger; +but Ned promised that he would keep in, at any rate until they were out +of hearing. Jim was fortunately out of the way, having gone with Major +Morris into the fort, to settle their business matters. Old Peter, +however, was a witness of the scene, and Sam had great respect for +Peter, and feared that he would be horrified at Ned's disregard of the +rules of propriety; but the old man shut up one eye, and screwing his +countenance into a grimace almost frightful, sat and shook his sides, +and worked away at his queue, making no noise whatever. Spasm after +spasm came over him and passed away; and whenever he looked at Ned, off +he would go again, shaking and wriggling and pulling at his queue, but +making no noise. At length, beckoning to Sam to come near, he whispered,</p> + +<p>'He's full on it, I tell you;' and then another screwing of his face and +a hearty shake—'he's a real boy, every inch on him. I only wish the +Major had a heered him—how it come out, ha?' and then shake, shake, +went the old man's sides. Sam, however, was greatly rejoiced that the +Major was not there, and kept Ned very busy in stowing away the goods in +their own boat, and did not feel quite at ease, until they had left the +fort a good distance behind them.</p> + +<p>There was business enough on hand now for all our boys. The little end +building was entered upon in earnest, and soon converted into quite a +respectable-looking store, except as to size; in that respect it had not +much to boast of. Sam labored with as much interest as either of them; +and as they were all too busy to converse much while the store was in +preparation, it was not until the evening of the second day after their +return, that they could get a chance for talking. As the weather was too +cold now to meet under their favorite tree, it was concluded, for the +future, to make the store their rendezvous.</p> + +<p>'I tell you what, Sam, who would ever have thought of this six months +ago? It is a regular store—ain't it? There are the shelves and the +counter, and the barrels, and the canisters, and the scales, just as +Grizzle has them, and a great deal nicer. But that little desk which Jim +has fitted up so snug in the corner there behind the counter—that must +be some city style. I never saw such a thing round here—did you?'</p> + +<p>'No; but it looks well—don't it? and that green cloth on it. Jim means +to have everything snug here—don't he?'</p> + +<p>Ned did not reply, for Jim entered just then, and looking round with a +smile, took his seat opposite to them.</p> + +<p>'Now, Jim, tell us all about your trip, and what you saw, and how you +managed, and where you bought the things, and all about it.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Ned; I cannot tell you half that I witnessed in that great city. +You must go there yourself one of these days; it is a great place, and +every one is busy, and all seem to be in a hurry to get along, as though +they had something to do that must be done at once. It was as much as +<i>I</i> could do to get through the streets; but the gentleman to whom Major +Morris introduced me, treated me very kindly, and told me how we must +manage: said he, "You will find that the people in your place have got +very little money (which you know, boys, is true), and if they can only +buy for money, you will be able to sell very little. Now you must do +this: you must offer to take from them any thing they have for +sale—butter, eggs, yarn, wood—no matter what, in payment for whatever +they want to buy of you."'</p> + +<p>'We should be in a fine fix then, Jim; what should we do with all the +stuff—they would only take a small part at the fort, you know.'</p> + +<p>'Just wait, Ned, and you shall hear. "All these things," said he, "are +wanted in the city, and are as good here as money. As soon as you get a +supply of this kind of produce, load up your vessel and bring it to me; +I will either take it of you or dispose of it. You can get more for it +here than it is worth with you, and so you can make a profit both +ways."'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam, did you ever hear the like?'</p> + +<p>'But just wait awhile, Ned. He said also, "that as soon as the people +here found that they could purchase goods of us cheaper than they had +been accustomed to, and get a larger price for their produce than they +had ever received, which you will be able to do by trading here, you +will not only get all the business of the place, but they will be +stimulated to raise a great deal more, and so every year you will find +your trade increasing;" and he said, "before two years, you will require +a large sloop to do your carrying business."'</p> + +<p>'Just hear that, Sam—hurra!'</p> + +<p>'Now, Ned, keep quiet; it is not accomplished yet; and things may not +work just as Mr. Thomas thinks they will.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, but I say, Jim, it will work—I know it will—hurra! Only to think +of it—a large sloop in two years—hurra! Why don't you hurra, Sam? You +will be captain of her—you know you will.'</p> + +<p>'I could hurra, Ned, if it would do any good, for I feel as glad as you +do; but it is not always best to make a noise about it.'</p> + +<p>Sam had not forgotten the alarm he had received from Ned's shouting a +few day's back.</p> + +<p>'Well, I don't see what you and Jim are made of: where's the use of any +thing good, if a body can't let it out a little?'</p> + +<p>Jim soon got Ned back to real business, by asking him to read over the +bill of goods, and call off the articles, while he and Sam examined +them, and placed them away in readiness for use.</p> + +<p>We must now leave our boys, for a time, to try their new experiment, in +order that we may bring forward the other parts of our story.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>Henry Tracy found himself surrounded by not only a large number of +scholars, but such as listened to him with the strictest attention, and +applied themselves to their tasks with unusual diligence. It was, +however, to him a sad sight, to behold so many of them, and some almost +his own age, commencing the first principles of education. The labours +which devolved upon him were arduous, but the more he found to do, the +greater was the interest he took, and the more untiring his zeal for +their benefit. He walked amid his little community with no lordly air; +great indeed was the disparity between his attainments and those of his +pupils, but he felt it not, or felt it only to humble himself before +God, that so superior had been his advantages.</p> + +<p>His power over them was unbounded. An influence had been gradually +stealing over their minds, which caused them to listen to his +instructions as though he was a messenger from heaven. It proceeded from +the combined power of religion, intelligence, and refinement. He had, on +opening his school, gathered them around him in solemn act of worship, +and every day, morning and evening, he publicly commended himself and +them to God, and poured out from his feeling heart such warm petitions +for them all, that many a hard and careless youth would wipe away the +starting tear, although he could not tell why that tear had come. And +then through all the day he ministered to their intellectual wants, with +so much kindness in his manner, and so efficiently too; he threw around +him such a charm by his gentle, yet manly deportment, treating them with +the same respect that he wished to be observed towards himself, that the +most obdurate were soon softened. No harsh words ever escaped him, even +when their improprieties affected him the most keenly; nothing but the +expression of sorrow or surprise, brought out in that delicate manner, +in tones low and touching, which seldom failed to start the blush on the +cheek of the delinquent, and check at once whatever was wrong. Slowly, +too, but most effectually, an influence was stealing ever the parents. +It arose from the deep respect which they saw their children felt for +their teacher: it flashed upon them as they met him in his daily walks; +his lowliness, his pleasant smile, and his soft clear voice affected +them, they knew not why; and wrapped itself around their hearts. There +was no letting down of his own good manners, no seeming condescension to +their ignorance; he conversed with them as his equals, and poured forth +the thoughts which were uppermost in his mind, in as good language as he +could command; and he ever left an impression of his mental power and +moral worth that made them think and talk of him when he was gone, and +wish that their children at least might be like him.</p> + +<p>The error which good Mrs. Bloodgood had fallen into in regard to the +calling of the young man, was soon cleared up, but not until she was, +herself, won to him; and as she could not get rid of some troublesome +remembrances of their first interview, she took the greater pains to +trumpet abroad continually her good thoughts concerning him now.</p> + +<p>'Of all the men that ever I sot my eyes on, he's the best; he's an angel +on airth; he's clean too good for it, don't you think so, Aunt Sally +Cutter?'</p> + +<p>'Why I don't know, Sally,' and the old lady straightened herself up, and +pushed her spectacles further on her nose; '<i>men</i> is <i>men</i>, and there +ain't much angel about 'em, as ever I seed; but I 'spose he's as good as +most on 'em; but they are all clean took with him, and what do you +think?'—stretching her long arm out, and raising it over her +head;—'Cutter has taken it into his head now, that, preacher or no +preacher, he means to get him to hold some kind of a meetin' or other, +and he's gone this very blessed day with the old mare to the Widow +Andrews' to see him about it.'</p> + +<p>'Do tell, Aunt Sally, it ain't true? has Uncle Sam gone, though? Well +that's jist what Bloodgood's been talkin' on; he'll be so glad; but, +poor soul, what good will it do him?'</p> + +<p>It was indeed true; Uncle Sam Cutter had been long impressed with a +sense of the need there was for some public religious services; he had +in his youth been accustomed to mingle with those that kept 'holy +day,'—he had gone to the house of God with the multitude, and he had +never lost the savor of those solemn seasons; the remembrance came over +him as he toiled in his shop, or sat by his door in the deep shades of +evening; he mourned in secret that he had ever pitched his tent in +Sodom. Oh! how he longed once again to hear the peal of the church-bell, +calling the worshippers to the house of God; but he was now too old to +remove to strange places, or do much towards obtaining such privileges +as he felt were needed; and yet to think of leaving his family in such a +moral waste, without some effort to remedy matters, he could not. He had +listened attentively to all that his boys told at home about the +teacher, and he thought what a pity it was that some of the older +sinners also could not have the benefit of his prayers and instructions. +'We all need it bad enough,' he said to himself one day, as he sat on +his old block by the shop door; 'bad enough, bad enough. Oh dear me! to +think what a heathen set we are, goin' whip and cut to the Evil one, and +nobody to say "Whoa!" to us, no more than if we were fat sheep goin' to +the slaughter-house.' With that the old man began to fan himself very +fast with his straw hat, his lips moving all the while, as was his habit +whenever he thought hard. His train of ideas at last led to the +conclusion that something must be done; so ordering up the mare, he was +soon off for the Widow Andrews', resolved to lay before the young man +such a picture of their condition as would not fail to move him, 'if,' +said he, 'he has any bowels of mercy in him.'</p> + +<p>The Widow Andrews was much surprised to see the old cart drive up to her +door, for her good neighbour, though a very kind man, was an indifferent +visitor. She did not wait for him to alight—a business never rapidly +performed—but ran out to the little gate, and with an air of great +wonderment looked up at the old man, as he sat dangling on the tail of +his carryall.</p> + +<p>'What's the matter, Uncle Sam? there ain't no bad news, I'm hoping. But +do tell! what a pucker you're in; you are clean blowed, ain't you, Uncle +Sam? Do git down and come in, and let your boy tie the horse, and rest +you a bit, and take a little breath.'</p> + +<p>The old man was somewhat put to it, for the old mare had not been +exercised of late, and she had several additional gaits to try that day, +and the road to the Widow's was none of the best.</p> + +<p>'Is the teacher to home?'</p> + +<p>'La me! what's to pay now, Uncle Sam? there ain't no turn up, I hope? +But it's jist what I've been a fearin'; he's too good for 'em, I knew +it, and I've told a good many on 'em so: he's jist an angel. Oh dear! if +you've come to have him druv away, Uncle Sam, it will break my heart, +and it will be the ruin of the place; and where will they ever git sich +another?' And the old lady began to wring her hands, and to run upon her +high notes at such a rate, that Uncle Sam began to be restless, and +making a desperate effort to get some wind into his speaking apparatus, +he let off at her in no very moderate terms.</p> + +<p>'Do, woman, stop with your clatter; you'll frighten the mare, the next +thing, and she has a'most killed me a'ready; there ain't no need o' your +howling and caterwauling at that rate. Why, dear me! can't a body ax to +see the teacher, but you must set up all that noise and squalling? I +don't want to hurt a hair of his head; so jist put your hands down and +git into the house, and I'll come in to rights.'</p> + +<p>So telling Dick to stop yanking the beast, as it only made her worse, +and to sit there and try to keep her quiet until he came out, he let +himself down, and puffing and blowing, from his sudden and extra effort, +he waddled through the little gate, and reaching the stoop, sat down on +the low broad step.</p> + +<p>'Do please come in, Uncle Sam, and take a chair.'</p> + +<p>'You please tell me, first, if the teacher is to home.'</p> + +<p>'Why, you see, Uncle Sam,' coming up and almost whispering in his ear, +'he ain't jist to home, but he'll be here in a minute; he's gone to take +his evenin' walk down in the grove there. You see he goes out jist as +reg'lar as can be, every livin' day, right after tea, straight down to +the grove, and there he stays awhile, then back he comes agin; and Mary +and I have been tryin' to make out what it is he's a doin' all alone by +himself there. Mary says he's 'mantic like, as she calls it, but I don't +believe it's no sich thing. Do, la, there he comes, now; jist see how +still and quiet he walks along, that's the way he does every livin' day; +so come in, Uncle Sam.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cutter, however, much preferred seeing the young man, alone, and +chose to remain where he was. It was but a few minutes after the widow +had retired, that Mr. Tracy entered the gate, and seeing Mr. Cutter, +walked quickly up, gave him a cordial shake of the hand, which was as +cordially returned, and rather more so than his fingers could have +wished; and politely invited the old gentleman into his private room, +as Mr. Cutter had intimated his desire to say a few words to him.</p> + +<p>It took the old man some little time to recover himself after the +operation of being ushered into a strange apartment, and getting himself +fixed in a convenient seat. And after he had revived enough to begin to +talk, a great many commonplace things had to be said before he could get +at the subject of his errand. To that however, he was finally led by Mr. +Tracy's remarking,</p> + +<p>'That he began to be very much encouraged about his school, the boys +were attentive to their studies, and to all the regulations of the +school.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir, I believe the boys is in a fair way now to learn decency and +manners, and may be something else; but I've been a thinkin', sir, +whether you couldn't do a little something or other for the rest on us +here, who are too big and too old to go to school.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tracy was at a loss to imagine in what way his assistance could be +required, but he ventured to reply,</p> + +<p>'That any thing in his power, whereby he could be of service, consistent +with his present duties, he would gladly do.'</p> + +<p>'Glad to hear you say so, for seeing you've got the larnin', there ain't +nothin' else in the way; and sure am I, if you knew half the need there +was to have somethin' done, if it is ever so little, just by way of +decency, if nothing more, you would be more willing than you say you +are. You see, my young friend, the Evil one has got a hard grip on us, +and nothin' but preachin' and prayin' will ever make him let go; and +even that won't do some of us much good if we don't have it soon. You +see I am an old man, it ain't long that I shall be hobbling about here. +I can't put off the evil day, as you who are just beginnin'; there are a +good many things that tell me that I am 'most to the bottom of the hill, +so you must not wonder if I feel a little anxious to have things more in +a righter shape than they are with me at present. And there are a good +many in all, just about as far on the road as I am; and for folks to be +livin' on the edge of the grave, and never hear a word about any thing +good; oh, my dear sir! if there is any pity in you, you'll begin right +off, and try to do somethin' for us.'</p> + +<p>Henry Tracy was deeply affected by this address, for the old man spoke +as if in earnest, and the tears that rolled freely told how much he +felt.</p> + +<p>'I cannot, perhaps, fully understand what you would have me to do, my +dear sir. You know that I am not at all qualified to preach, and whom to +direct you to I know not.'</p> + +<p>'You can do all the preachin' that is needed, I ain't all afeared for +that. All you have got to do is to give out in the school, that next +Sabbath afternoon there will be a meetin' in the school-room, and all +can come that's a mind to. There ain't no need of nothin' further, and +God'll bless you for it.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Tracy would have made very decided resistance, had he consulted his +judgment alone; but his own feelings were too much in unison with the +old man's; the want of public religious privileges he had begun to feel +most deeply, on his own account, and for the multitude around him. He +could not resist this appeal; with a humble yet resolute heart he +replied,</p> + +<p>'Well, Mr. Cutter, I will do as you say; and may God assist me, and +grant His Spirit with us.'</p> + +<p>'May the Lord bless your dear young heart!'</p> + +<p>The old man could say no more, but with his heart overflowing with joy, +he arose, pressed the hand of Mr. Tracy, and in silence hobbled out of +the room and through the gate, and took his usual seat, waiting for his +son to untie the beast and drive him home.</p> + +<p>The tidings that their young teacher was to hold a meeting on the +Sabbath day soon spread throughout the place; and when he proceeded to +give public notice to his school, it was only a confirmation to the boys +that the report was true.</p> + +<p>It was a calm, lovely autumn day; and as Henry Tracy walked on his way +by the path which he had chosen for his daily route to the school-house, +his feelings were lulled into delicious repose; the rustling of the +leaves, the stillness that reigned in field and wood, the waning tints +of nature, the modest tones of the school-bell, calling all within its +reach to the place of meeting; the little groups which could be seen in +different roads, bending their steps thither; it seemed more like the +Sabbath day than any he had spent here yet.</p> + +<p>He had done what he could to prepare himself, and he had a strong +consciousness of being in the path of duty; and he felt a composure in +view of the undertaking which he could not have anticipated. A few +persons were collected round the door; they immediately followed him as +he entered: to his surprise a large congregation was waiting his +appearance.</p> + +<p>As he took his seat on a little platform that had been prepared for the +occasion, and cast his eye over the assembly, like a flash of light his +usually pale features were crimsoned with a deep blush, and then away it +flew, and a deadly paleness that alarmed every beholder came in its +place. A sympathy was excited in every bosom; his youth, his modesty, +his grace of manner, his unostentatious effort to do them good, like a +talisman spread its charm over all alike, and prepared them to receive +whatever he should say, with the deepest attention. Henry was obliged to +arouse himself, in order to overcome the oppressive weight that was +becoming heavier every moment; he therefore proceeded at once to the +business before him. He gave out a hymn, which he read with much +propriety, and then inquired if there was any one present who could lead +in singing; but as no one seemed ready to undertake, he commenced a +familiar tune. An electric shock could not have surprised them more, +than the melodious notes which rolled forth upon their delighted ears. +Henry Tracey was gifted—for a gift surely it was, as no power of +accomplishment could ever have imparted it—with one of those rich +voices which might have entranced the multitude on a public stage, but +its melodious tone had only rung beneath a parent's roof, and its +sweetest, most touching notes, had only been drawn forth in praise. +Quickened by the music, soon every voice that could follow joined fully +in; but above them all, louder and sweeter as the hymn went on, floated +those rich strains which Henry poured forth, as from a heart burning +with intense devotion. Enraptured, solemnized, softened, the whole +assembly, both speaker and hearer, were happily prepared for the +remaining services.</p> + +<p>The prayer which followed was short and well ordered. He addressed the +Being before whom angels veil their faces, with that humility of +expression, with that pouring out of the heart in natural tones for a +sinner's necessities, which plainly showed he was making a petition for +wants which God alone could supply, and not framing forms of sentences +to interest or please man.</p> + +<p>The passage of Scripture which he had selected was the story of the +Prodigal Son, a portion of that blessed volume peculiarly precious to +himself; and one with which he had become most familiar, and into the +touching scenes it delineated, he had entered with his whole heart.</p> + +<p>In a very simple manner, he first explained the meaning of a parable, +and the reason why our Saviour chose this method of instruction. Being +well versed in ancient manners and customs, and the scenery of the +eastern world, he delineated and filled up what was necessary to convey +to the minds of uninformed persons, a perfect idea of the whole story. +Every eye was riveted upon him, and his energies were strengthened, as +he went along, by the deep interest which he saw was awakened among his +hearers.</p> + +<p>When he had gone through with the story, and brought the prodigal back +to his father's arms, he then proceeded to show how clearly it +illustrated the sinner's erring path away from God, the fascinations +which drew him on, and the misery to which they lead. Here and there a +tear would be seen to start, and occasionally a head would droop: it was +evident that there were many before him whose real character he had +touched. At length he reached the turning point, the resolve of the +sinner in his extremity, that he will arise and return to his God. The +heart of the speaker filled with deep emotion; his voice trembled, his +language became more glowing, his words flowed rapidly; he forgot +himself, and free from all embarrassment, poured out the full feelings +of his soul. His excited audience sat wrapped in solemnity, and yielded +up their hearts to the enchanting theme: like fire in the stubble, the +flame flew from heart to heart; tears flowed freely, and when he ceased, +there was stillness like the house of mourning, interrupted only by the +stifled sob.</p> + +<p>He sat down a few moments, and then informed them that the meeting was +over. Some arose, but stopped and looked wistfully towards the desk, as +though they might yet hear something more; others sat still and wept. +Henry prepared to depart; he walked slowly through the benches, preceded +by a few persons who were leaving the house.</p> + +<p>As he approached the door, his hand was seized in a powerful grasp. He +looked round, and recognized at once his warm-hearted friend, old Mr. +Cutter. He sat on the end of one of the benches, and by his side was +Billy Bloodgood. Billy looked at him and nodded and smiled, while he +wiped away the tears that overflowed his twinkling eyes. Billy had not +heard a word, but he had a very tender heart; he was rejoiced to be +where God was worshipped, and when he saw all around him affected, he +yielded to the impulse, and wept too. Uncle Sam <i>had</i> heard, and every +word had gone deep into his heart. It was no sympathy of feeling with +those around him, that caused the big tears to flow so freely; he +thought of none but himself and his God: his sinful lost estate had +been set before him: he knew it was his own, he felt it to be true. He +listened to the voice of the speaker, telling him of the love of God, +and inviting him to trust in it; he believed, and yielding to the call +of mercy, had cast himself into the arms of his Saviour, and found +peace. No wonder that he seized with such convulsive grasp the hand of +the dear youth. Henry fixed his eyes upon the old man; he saw his +emotion, he saw his lips quivering in a vain effort to speak. His own +heart ached, and tears came to his relief. Mr. Cutter made a desperate +effort, shaking the hand which he still held,</p> + +<p>'God bless you! God bless you!'</p> + +<p>Henry hurried away to his home.</p> + +<p>Long was this day and this meeting remembered in the place. It was the +commencement of a great moral change; the darkness which had so long +brooded over it was rolled back, and the light that streams from +Heaven's mercy came to bless their spirits. A train of rich and lasting +benefits followed quick, and spread a charm over this long neglected and +desolate spot, which, from a dreary wilderness, converted it into a +garden of the Lord.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>Six years in the early part of our life makes a mighty change in our +personal appearance, the current of our feelings, and our course in +life. Childhood and youth are ever anticipating the fancied joys of +twenty-one, but that blissful period once past, and the goal reached, +how much of innocent and heartfelt happiness is left behind! But time +must on, and we must on with him, and meet each era of our being as best +we may.</p> + +<p>Six years have made a vast change in the face of things within our +village. The little store, which Jim and Ned started in the wood-shed of +their mother's house, has been transferred to a large and commodious +building situated near the water, and contiguous to a wharf, where are +snug moorings for the good sloop Fanny, now under the command of Sam +Oakum. Along the shore, where the few fishermen's huts alone gave signs +of life in former days, are now decent dwellings. Docks and building: +the frames of vessels of various size are lying in their cradles; and +the noise of the lively hammer can be heard through the long summer day. +Young men, the former companions of our boys, are now engaged at their +trades, or preparing to man the different vessels when ready for a +voyage. Above the beach, and in the town more properly, as great a +change is manifest; old houses are neatly repaired, and new lines of +fences supply the places of the old, tattered inclosures; while here and +there, on sites commanding the finest views of the beautiful water +scenery, are mansions that bespeak the wealth and taste of their owners; +and, to crown all, a neat church sends up its lofty spire from a knoll +near the water's edge, the last object that holds the eye of the mariner +as he leaves this his native home to breast the stormy ocean, and the +first to bless it on his return, and bid him think of Him whose wonders +he has seen on the deep.</p> + +<p>All these results have not been accomplished alone by those whose +youthful energies gave the first spring to life and activity in the +place.</p> + +<p>Things had, indeed, gone prosperously with them. Their trade, although +small at first, rapidly increased; the opportunity they afforded the +inhabitants to dispose of their productions advantageously, soon +stimulated to increased cultivation. A display of goods from the city +introduced a better and neater style of dress, and that led to more +neatness in their dwellings, and every thing around them. The timber +from the barrens became an article of great demand; and those +comparatively valueless wilds bade fair to yield an immense revenue to +their owners.</p> + +<p>But in addition to all this, a few wealthy families from other parts, +attracted by the pleasantness of the location, had come among them; and +with these was the early patron of our boys—Major Morris and his lovely +family. He had not retired from the service; for the sound of war was +rumbling in the distance, and dark clouds were fast rising on our +political horizon, and it was no time for a brave and good man to +withdraw from his country's need. But he was tired of the unsettled +manner of life to which he had been so long subjected, and resolved, so +soon as a favorable opportunity should offer, to retire, and enjoy the +sweets of home and domestic life. He had long admired the location, but +perhaps might not have decided to make it his place of residence, but +for an old friend of his—one whose life had been spent upon the ocean, +and who could no more be easy without the sight and smell of salt-water +than the fish who sport upon its sunny bosom—Commodore Trysail, a +bluff, high-tempered, warm-hearted sailor. He had won high honors early +in life, but for some cause, in an hour of excitement, had thrown up his +commission. He had amassed a handsome fortune since then by engaging in +the East India trade; and although never condescending to command even +his own ship, he had made several voyages to Bengal, attending solely to +business matters. He had now some fine vessels of his own, and having +relinquished all idea of going abroad, had resolved to locate where he +could enjoy what he had so long been accustomed to, without storms and +billows. Having visited the place, in company with Major Morris, he was +at once charmed, and they both decided to make it their home, and do +what they could to build up things around them. No wonder, then, if six +years has affected such an entire change in the aspect of things.</p> + +<p>Mr. Grizzle was yet alive, and kept his old place, but his stock of +goods had not been replenished for some years. The advantage of the new +store were too many for him to compete with. Goods new and cheap, a +generous price for all country produce, respectability of character, +good manners, and perfect fairness in dealing, all these made the odds +too much for Mr. Grizzle to contend against. He gave it up. One corner +of his counter yet received a few visitors; for through the day could be +frequently seen some old tottering wreck of humanity, with bald head, +and long thin locks, stirring eagerly the ancient toddy-stick in a large +flowered tumbler, and then, with trembling hand, raising the much-loved +mixture to his longing lips, already quivering with age, and soon to be +at rest in the grasp of death.</p> + +<p>There had been, for some time past, a little mystery about a +newly-erected house—and mysteries in small towns are always troublesome +things. It was a neat and pleasant cottage, finished with much taste, +and with every convenience for a small family. It had been placed on a +very pretty location, not far from the hut where Sam Oakum and his +parents lived, just on the rising ground which overlooked their humble +place of abode, and commanded a full view of the whole panorama of bay +and land and ocean, that stretched before the eye to the distant +horizon. The question could not be solved all the while it was building, +for whom this pleasant habitation was intended. Curiosity was on tiptoe; +it formed the subject for many a long gossip over cup of tea, and so +awakened the imagination of our good ladies, that all sorts of stories +were circulated in reference to it.</p> + +<p>'Can any body tell me?' said Aunt Sally Bloodgood—as she sat pouring +out tea to a select party of her own, with a tea-pot in one hand and a +water-pot in the other, dressed in her new calico gown of the freshest +pattern, and no more looking like Aunt Sally when we first saw her, than +nothing at all. Casting her eye round, as she put the two pots down, +upon the inquisitive countenances of her neighbors—'Can any body tell +me whose that house is a building <i>for</i>?' and after looking round from +one to the other, her eye finally settled upon her good friend Mrs. +Cutter, as though she expected, if any body knew, she must.</p> + +<p>'You needn't look at me, Sally; I knows nothing about it,' leaning her +long body over the table, and shaking her thin visage very +significantly. 'Cutter, you know, don't go about much, and when he does +hear any thing, he keeps it all to himself; a body has to ding their +life out to get any thing out of him. We have fixed our old house, so +that it is kind of snug like, so it ain't for us, no how; and who is +a-goin' there, the massy only knows.'</p> + +<p>'They say,' said a very comfortable-looking personage, with very round +cheeks, and ample proportions—'they say, Mrs. Andrews, that your +William is a-building that 'are place for himself; and that he's a +coming back and goin' to be married to Hettie Brown, and they are to +live there.'</p> + +<p>'Now did I <i>ever</i>!' and the Widow Andrews turned up her eyes towards the +ceiling—a common way with her—put her two hands together, and rested +them on the tea-table. 'I don't see what people mean; I ain't heered no +sich thing—have you, Mary?' appealing to her daughter, who sat beside +her, and began to move about in her chair, and to smooth down the very +stiff collar that encircled her neck. 'I don't see what people talk so +for; I believe they do a-purpose;' and the widow began to slide up on +her high notes, which at once aroused the energies of her daughter Mary.</p> + +<p>'Oh, <i>do</i> Mother! don't mind if they do talk; it don't hurt any body; it +don't make it so, you know;—does it, Mrs. Bloodgood?'</p> + +<p>'Do la, no; and if it did, where's the harm?'</p> + +<p>'Well,' said the fat lady, 'I guess you will all see: for every body +knows the two young folks is dead in love, and they say he's made a +power of money; only some say he won't have Hettie after all, jist +because she's been out to service.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bloodgood now saw that the harmony of her party was like to be +destroyed, for the Widow Andrews was beginning to fan herself, and +breathe short; so like a skilful commander, she brought all her forces +to bear, in order to turn the attitude of affairs.</p> + +<p>'Now, Aunt Peggy!' addressing the fat woman, 'do, la—I wouldn't talk +so. Folks say a great many things they don't know any thing about. +'William is a brave boy; and if he's got ahead in the world, I'm glad on +it; but who he will marry, or when he will marry, I guess there ain't +any body that knows. Don't you say so, Mrs. Andrews? But, do, la! Here +I've been a talking, and your tea is clean out; let me give you another +cup; and, Aunt Peggy, won't you hand round that plate of cake? and won't +you all help yourselves? and them baked pears, they are fresh and nice; +I did them up this very morning—but may be some of you would like the +preserves? Sally Cutter, you just hand the Widow Andrews that saucer of +preserves.'</p> + +<p>The tea, and the cake, and the preserves, now demanded general and +particular notice; and between eating and drinking, and praising the +good things, and asking for receipts, a very delightful state of +confusion and loud talking about all manner of things, showed how +successful was Aunt Sally's effort to maintain the peace.</p> + +<p>Nor was Aunt Sally Bloodgood's the only tea-circle that was disturbed by +this unaccountable affair. It was a great marvel, and the poor builder +actually lost the good-will of more than one of the tea-drinking old +ladies; but he did not seem to mind it, for he went on in a quiet way to +finish the thing. And when he had done that, he locked the door, put the +key in his pocket, shut the little gate, and went to work at another +job.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>Mary Oakum was in personal appearance a lovely young creature, and an +equally lovely spirit breathed forth in every word, sparkled from every +look, and shone forth embodied in her whole conduct. She had the same +black hair, the same flashing, deep-set hazel eye, the same laughing +mouth—she was a beautiful miniature of Sam, only replacing his +nut-brown complexion with a pure red and white. Mary was now seventeen, +not tall of her age, but gracefully formed, and very feminine.</p> + +<p>Susan, the youngest sister, was in a different style; for her hair was +light, and her eyes blue, and her complexion, though fair, without +color. Although two years younger, she was nearly as tall as her sister, +with a serious cast of countenance that made her appear at times of an +equal age.</p> + +<p>The parents and children still occupied the little house on the shore; +it was a very small, poor building, but they had kept patching it up the +best they could; and being very happy among themselves, they thought not +of its imperfections with any feelings of repining or discontent.</p> + +<p>Sam was the delight of them all; parents and sisters hung upon him with +an ardor of attachment, looked up to him with a feeling of dependence, +confidence, and joy, which made him ever the light of their humble home +when present with them, and drew their hearts after him with almost +painful interest when absent.</p> + +<p>He still wore his sailor's rig; was very neat in his dress; never +appearing among business men or at his house, in the same garb in which +he stood at the helm. How anxiously would his sisters watch for the +first glimpse of his white sail in the distance! and how elastic were +their steps, as they bounded from the house to meet him, as soon as they +descried their neat, trim sailor-boy, as they called him, turning the +angle in the shore near their house.</p> + +<p>The day of his return had come, and Mrs. Oakum and Susan were busily +employed clearing away the relics of the early meal, and putting, if +possible, a brighter polish on every thing, when Mary came into the +room, arrayed in her very best, and in one hand she held a small green +bag, and in the other her sun-bonnet.</p> + +<p>'Why, sister, whither away so early? Your new dress on too, your hair +arranged so neatly, and your best shoes and all. Where are you going to +make a call so early?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, no call, sister dear! I am only going to the store. You know I lost +my thimble the other evening, and I thought I would get another before +Sam comes; he might want me to do something, and I should be sorry to +say I had no thimble.'</p> + +<p>A deep blush spread all over Mary's white neck, and temples, and +forehead; the rich rose of her cheeks seemed, of an instant, to have +sent its crimson hue in all directions. Had Mary equivocated? Not in +the least; she had never learned that art. Was not the errand a lawful +one? Certainly it was; she told the truth in all its simplicity. She +wanted a thimble, and was going for that, and with no other motive +whatever.</p> + +<p>It was simply a flash of truth that crossed her mind—it was elicited by +the remark of her sister in reference to her dress. Susan meant nothing +in particular; nor had Mary, until then, an idea that she meant any +thing in particular by what she had done.</p> + +<p>We must look into things a little, however, while Mary is on her way to +the store; for she smiled, slipped on her bonnet, and was off.</p> + +<p>Mary was but a few years since a laughing, little romping girl, and she +had grown up in great intimacy with a very staid and rather good-looking +boy. She had sat on his lap, walked with him by the shore hand in hand, +looking for pretty stones and shells; played hide-and-seek with him, in +company with her brother and sister, among the rocks by moonlight, and +even kissed him just as she did Sam, and thought no harm of it. She has, +to be sure, long since, eschewed all such things, and stands now upon +her womanly dignity. But this boy, although grown up to manhood, has not +grown out of her interest. When the playfulness of childhood passed +away, as by right it should, other feelings began to take its place. A +deep respect for his fine character, which shone brighter and brighter +as he grew up; an admiration of his manly appearance; a feeling of +gratitude for the kind interest he took in her brother; a desire to do +whatever she heard him say he liked; in fine, to assimilate her views +and feelings, her tastes and pleasures, to his, was the unconscious +desire of her heart.</p> + +<p>But did any body know this? Not a human being. A mother's searching eye +may possibly at times have discerned a glimmering of the truth; but if +so, she had kept it to herself.</p> + +<p>Did Mary know this? No, not as the truth itself must say she did; it was +a secret, within what she could see of her little heart, into which no +human eye had yet pried; but there it was. It did sometimes betray +itself a little—a very little: that blush which seemed to come without +a cause, which sent her off so quickly from observation, was just a +token that she was a little conscious—only a little—how the matter +stood.</p> + +<p>And does he love her? If he does not, he ought to; for, let him look the +world over, he cannot find a purer, lovelier object to meet his earthly +happiness upon; he cannot find a soul that burns with an intenser ardor +towards each friend her bosom cherishes; he cannot find a heart that, +glowing with the purest earthly love, holds all its rich and priceless +treasures for himself alone, like her's.</p> + +<p>But we must stop, for she has reached the store, and quietly walks up to +the side of the counter; passes a pleasant word with the few smiling +customers who are there before her, and receives a salutation from +Edward, who, busily attending upon those immediately before him, was +using his hand and his tongue with great skill and rapidity.</p> + +<p>'Good morning, Mary, are all well at home to-day?' said James, stepping +from his place, and standing before her.</p> + +<p>Mary looked up in surprise, for she had not yet glanced her eye to see +whether the graver senior partner was at his desk.</p> + +<p>'All well—very well, I thank you.' His address, and the reply, were +delivered in a low tone, and he was leaning over the counter when he +spoke.</p> + +<p>'Any demands to-day?'</p> + +<p>'Nothing but a thimble;' and she smiled and held up her hand, preparing +to take off her glove. James immediately produced a little case, and +placed it before her, but she shook her head—</p> + +<p>'These are silver—a common kind will answer me.' Another case was +brought, and James leaned over again, and began to select what, in his +judgment, should be about the size; but somehow he picked out of the +silver case alone.</p> + +<p>'Just try this, Mary; none of those seem to fit you well;' and he gently +took the little hand, and placed the thimble on the taper finger.</p> + +<p>'You will hardly do better than to keep that.'</p> + +<p>'But it is silver, and I cannot afford to lose it; I am for ever losing +them.'</p> + +<p>'You may be more fortunate with this, for it is a present.'</p> + +<p>'Oh—thank you—thank you; it is a beautiful thimble. I shall be very +choice of it.'</p> + +<p>'Because it is silver?' and James looked at her with rather a meaning +glance.</p> + +<p>'Oh, no, not altogether; to be sure I should be sorry to lose this, +because—because it is more valuable,'—and seeing James beginning to +color—'it is not only silver, but it is a keepsake.'</p> + +<p>All this passed in a tone that could not be heard amidst the din which +Edward and his customers kept up.</p> + +<p>'I have news to tell you, likewise, and was on the point of walking to +your house to let you know that the owner of that building near you, and +about which there has been so much curiosity, is expected to arrive +to-day.'</p> + +<p>'Then you have known who was the owner?'</p> + +<p>'I suppose I may as well confess it.'</p> + +<p>'And never told us?'</p> + +<p>'You never asked me. The family I have long known; I esteem them highly, +and I think you will be much pleased with them, especially with the +eldest daughter.'</p> + +<p>Mary was silent; she wished to ask several questions, but that <i>eldest +daughter</i>—somehow the words struck a chill to her heart; she was all at +once very thoughtful.</p> + +<p>'Your brother and I are anxious to have things arranged before they get +here, and Sam particularly wishes that his father and all of you should +be there when they arrive, and I think,' said James, 'as you are to be +such near neighbors, it would be well to show them all kindness.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, by all means; certainly, we will do every thing we can to welcome +them, as they are friends of yours; but—'</p> + +<p>'But what, Mary?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, you cannot be sure that they will wish to be very intimate with us, +our circumstances will be so different.'</p> + +<p>'They are a family, Mary, that do not regard such distinctions. You will +love them—I know you will. I hope to enjoy their society much, and I am +sure you will too.'</p> + +<p>'I will be there, as soon as I can, with the key; and if you are all +willing, we will go to work, and arrange things a little for them.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, certainly; we will go with pleasure. Good morning.'</p> + +<p>James accompanied her to the door.</p> + +<p>'In an hour or so, I will be at your house. Good morning.'</p> + +<p>'And I suppose he thinks the thimble will be a bribe to induce me to be +very polite to that <i>eldest daughter</i>; but he need not fear. I shall do +every thing I can to make it pleasant. The thimble I shall return when I +have an opportunity, and shall tell him that Mary Oakum could be kind to +his friends without—'</p> + +<p>She could not say any more, and this she did not say—she only thought +it; and then she began to be very much ashamed that she had even thought +it. But there was a tumult in poor Mary's heart: at times she would hush +it, but then again it would arise, in spite of herself.</p> + +<p>James came after a while with the key, but not so soon as he expected. +Mrs. Oakum and the girls accompanied him to the house; and as Mary +resolved to put down all selfish feelings, and to be very pleasant and +agreeable, every thing wore a cheerful aspect; for Mrs. Oakum and Susan +were delighted with the idea of seeing and becoming acquainted with +their new neighbors, especially as James gave such a favorable account +of them. He had to take a little scolding from Susan, but it was done in +such a good-natured way, that the harmony was not in the least disturbed +by it.</p> + +<p>As they had never gratified their curiosity while the house was +building, as many had, it was all new to them; great was the admiration +expressed at the neatness, taste, and convenience of all its parts; the +rooms were so pleasant, and the view so charming.</p> + +<p>'And what a sweet place this is!' said Susan, as they entered one of the +upper rooms; 'how gracefully those branches of the willow hang before +the window, and how beautiful the water looks through them, and the +church and the parsonage! It is the finest view from any part of the +house, is it not, sister.'</p> + +<p>'It is very beautiful,' said Mary; and she sighed.</p> + +<p>'Now, sister dear, what was that for? You don't feel sad that we have no +such place?'</p> + +<p>'My dear sister, do you think I am covetous or envious?' And Susan threw +her arms around her neck, and kissed off a tear which she supposed her +suggestion had produced.</p> + +<p>'Covetous, envious; no, indeed, dear Mary, forgive me, if what I said +led to any such idea; but I don't think I ever heard you sigh before. +Why was it, sister?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, nothing. But we ought not to stay here, ought we, as there is so +much to do?'</p> + +<p>And down they went, and to work with good-will. Mrs. Oakum was in the +kitchen, examining with an eye of one who knew well the comfort of +conveniences there; every thing needed was close at hand: a well of +water by the door, a shed for the wood, and such a beauty of a +milk-room, it almost smelled of cream and butter; and from the kitchen +you could look out upon such a love of a garden-spot, large enough to +raise all that a moderate-sized family could possibly want; while +opening into it and near the house was a neat little stable, of +sufficient size for a cow and a horse, with their provender.</p> + +<p>'Some one,' said Mrs. Oakum, 'has contrived all this who knows what is +needful for the comfort of a family.'</p> + +<p>James was very active, and showed great skill in distributing the +several articles into the different apartments.</p> + +<p>'I guess,' said Susan, smiling archly, 'that one, who seems to know so +well where things belong, must have had something to do in getting them: +who knows,' said she, winking to Mary, 'but this house is for himself +after all; and that <i>eldest daughter</i> he talks so much about is to +be——. Dear sister, I know you are not well, you are so pale; you have +worked too hard.'</p> + +<p>'I am afraid she has,' said James, looking with much anxiety.</p> + +<p>'Oh, not at all; I am very well;—but these things, had we not better be +putting them in their places?'</p> + +<p>'These must be all for one room; they are, you see, painted white and +tipped with green,—the chairs, and the table, and washstand, they must +be for that little upper room. Don't you think so Mary?' said Susan, +catching up a chair.</p> + +<p>'I think they would be suitable there,' said Mary.</p> + +<p>'There they shall go then,' said James: and soon the little room was +furnished.</p> + +<p>'Oh, is it not sweet?' said Susan. 'But mother is calling us to help her +with the carpet,' replied Mary, and down they went. Here, however, was a +difficulty; the carpet was in a roll, and there would be no time to cut +it and sew it together.</p> + +<p>'It would take us a whole day,' said Susan, 'do our best.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Oakum, however, proposed that she should cut the breadths, and lay +them down, and some other day they would come and assist the family in +sewing it together; so Mary took out her scissors, and soon the floor +was covered; and as this was the best room, the furniture suitable was +arranged in it, and to the girls it seemed a grand place.</p> + +<p>'And now,' said Mrs. Oakum, 'the rooms seem to be all provided with +their furniture, except the kitchen, and I don't see that there is any +provision made for that. What will they do?' looking from one to the +other. James smiled, blushed, and appeared confused, and was about to +say something explanatory, when the door was opened, and Mr. Oakum +entered, dressed in his Sunday suit; this he had put on at the request +of the girls. He informed them that the sloop was in, and that Sam was +on his way up.</p> + +<p>Sam had no lack of kisses that day, and Mary even hung upon him more +fondly than ever; and Sam thought he saw a tear glistening in her eye, +but she wiped it away, and said—</p> + +<p>'It was nothing.'</p> + +<p>Ah, Mary! the world is full of such <i>nothings</i>; it is ever piercing the +heart of such sensitive beings as yourself, and forcing out the drops +that tell in mute but unmistaking language the aching within.</p> + +<p>'So, Mr. Sam, you knew the secret all the time about the house?' said +his youngest sister, coming up and hanging on him for a kiss.</p> + +<p>'Oh, you know, Susan, secrets are troublesome to ladies; I did not wish +to burden you, my dear.'</p> + +<p>'Very generous it was in you. Oh, I wish I was strong enough to shake +you;' but as she was not, she caught him round the neck, and kissed him.</p> + +<p>'But come in, and see how well we have arranged things. Will they be +here soon?'</p> + +<p>Sam made no reply to Susan's last question, but followed her immediately +into the house.</p> + +<p>They were all soon collected in the parlor, expatiating on the beauty of +the place, and were beginning to ask Sam a variety of questions, when +James all at once left the room; and Sam, drawing from his pocket a +packet neatly enveloped, his parents and sisters looked at him, +expecting some new disclosure.</p> + +<p>'My dear parents: I have practised a little deception upon you, for the +first time in my life, which I hope you will pardon when you hear the +nature of it. This house, which you have been arranging, does not belong +to any stranger, as you have been led to think—it is all your own; and +here, my dear father, is the deed which makes it and the ground around +it your's for ever,' handing to his wonder-stricken parent the paper he +had in his hand.</p> + +<p>Mr. Oakum took the paper, but was so overcome with amazement, that he +could say nothing; he looked at his wife, who, for a moment, sat with +her hands clasped before her, her eyes strained in their intense gaze on +her darling boy. She then sprang to clasp him in her arms, but the +girls were before her, and were hanging around his neck, and fairly +smothering him with their fond embrace. Sam put out his arms to receive +his mother, and she fell upon his neck, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Sam! my dear Sam! may God bless you for ever and ever.'</p> + +<p>His father, overcome by the rush of his own excited feelings and the +outburst of affection on the part of the mother and sisters, dropped the +paper, and leaning on his hands, could only shed tears of joy. It was +not the beautiful gift—valuable as it was—nor the sudden flow of +prosperity, that raised them at once from a poor and decayed tenement to +a dwelling equal in respectability to the best in the place; thoughts +far richer to a parent's heart were thrilling his bosom, and working up +his feelings into intense and overpowering emotion. To find in the man +who stood before him in his strength and ardor, the same kind, loving, +feeling fondness that the boy had manifested—in fine, to know that +prosperity and manhood had not changed his boy—it was enough: earth had +no better good, heaven could give no richer earthly solace. And could +that son have heard the thoughts which rose in gushing ardor to the +throne on high, and could his vision but have burst the veil which hides +that secret place where thoughts are registered, he would have felt that +a recompense already had been treasured for him beyond the reach of +venture or decay.</p> + +<p>Sam had made but little calculation as to the effect of this surprise, +either on his parents or himself. He had often, in boyish days, even +when all around was dark and forbidding, amused himself with visions of +the future, of all that he might be and do, and in every fancy sketch, +his mind portrayed for the comfort of his parents; the joy which, in +some unexpected way, might be infused into their spirits, was ever the +prominent figure in the scene. This object, now so happily accomplished, +had been his aim for years: for this he had resisted his inward impulse +to go abroad and visit distant climes, and seek a fortune more genial to +his bounding spirit; steadily had he pursued his calling, and faithfully +labored and stored away his earnings with almost a miser's care, to +gratify this heaven-born, filial love, and in some hour of exquisite +delight enjoy his long, long-treasured wish. And now that hour had come. +He had opened the floodgates of happiness upon these dear objects of his +affection, and was overpowered himself. He sat down beside his mother, +and mingled his tears with her's.</p> + +<p>But why has Mary left the scene? and why has she gone with such haste to +that little upper room? and why does she clasp her hands, and raise her +eye to heaven, and shed such tears as now overflow those long dark lids +and bathe her lovely cheek? Another token these of that deep feeling +which her secret heart so long has nourished; that room is pleasant now, +for hither she has come, in this moment of heart-felt bliss, to pour out +her heaving thoughts in gratitude to God; and there she hopes, in days +and years to come, to send up the incense so pleasing unto Him who loves +a contrite heart.</p> + +<p>Mary had much to think of; no longer could she hide from herself the +fact that she loved James Montjoy; and every word which he had said, and +which had caused her so much inward pain, was now a source of new and +heart-felt joy, and it was impossible for her to misunderstand those +allusions which so plainly pointed to herself; and yet she would say, +'He was only in jest; he knew it must all come out—he meant nothing by +it, nothing particular.' Thus ruminating, and with a happy heart, she +passed lightly down the little staircase and along the hall, as James +was returning from a stroll in the garden, to which, out of delicacy for +the feelings of the family, he had retired, just as Sam was about to +make the disclosure.</p> + +<p>He put out his hand to congratulate her upon the happy surprise; +overcome with the scene she had just passed through, and the rush of +feelings at the sight of him, she extended her hand, and burst into +tears.</p> + +<p>As James entered the parlor with Mary, the scene had to be in some +measure renewed; for he was so identified with all the prosperity they +had enjoyed, that a sight of him under present circumstances but added +to the full tide of feeling.</p> + +<p>'Oh,' said Mrs. Oakum, 'this has been all your doing.'</p> + +<p>'By no means, my dear madam; Sam alone has devised it, and his own +honest earnings have paid the cost.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I have no doubt of that, and Heaven's blessing he will have for +it; but you first took him by the hand and encouraged him, and—'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Mrs. Oakum, we will not go so far back now; and besides, I could no +more have done without Sam than he felt he could do without me; but we +must clear up our faces and prepare for company, for this matter will +fly like the wind when it gets abroad, and you will have the whole town +here to see you.'</p> + +<p>Commodore Trysail was one of those specimens of humanity with which we +occasionally meet, where a rough exterior and a blunt manner conceal a +warm and tender heart. In all matters of business he was prompt, +correct, and very decided; a little tenacious of authority when he saw +any disposition to slight his orders, but allowing great latitude +whenever he knew there was a desire to please and obey him.</p> + +<p>Old Peter, who had accompanied the family of Major Morris to their new +residence, was quite a favorite with the Commodore; and as the two +families were but a short distance apart, with the exception that Peter +had his hammock slung in one of the Major's out-buildings—he was as +much at home at one house as the other.</p> + +<p>It was one part of Peter's business to watch the coming in of the mail, +and see that the letters and papers for either family were distributed +in the quickest possible time; also to attend upon the departure and +arrival of the sloop, as there was always something to go or come by +that conveyance, it being the only regular one to and from the city. +This part of Peter's duty he performed with special pleasure; Sam had +ever been a favorite of his, and he never tired of telling over what he +knew of him when a boy, and extolling his fine appearance, his activity +and his correct conduct in all things, now that he had grown to be a +man.</p> + +<p>Between the Commodore and Peter Sam was often a subject of conversation, +until all that Peter knew of his favorite had been many times repeated.</p> + +<p>On this day, so distinguished in the life of his hero, Peter not only +brought along from the boat quite a number of parcels, but he had also a +weighty cargo of news, which he had gathered on his way back. After +giving Lady Morris, as he always styled her, the first of the tidings, +he hastened to the Commodore's as fast as his crutches would carry him.</p> + +<p>It was a warm afternoon, and the Commodore was seated in his veranda on +the shady side of the house, enjoying the cooling view of the expanse of +water spread out before him, and the gentle breeze that scarce moved the +long branches of the willow that hung above and around him, when he +heard the well-known sound of the crutches stumping along the hard +gravel path at double quick time. Peter was so much out of breath, and +so excited with what he had to tell, that after he had reached the stoop +and taken off his hat, and smoothed down his queue and made several +obeisances, he could only stammer out,</p> + +<p>'Your honor—'</p> + +<p>The Commodore looked at him with no little surprise, for the preparation +Peter had made betokened quite a long yarn.</p> + +<p>'A warm day, Peter.'</p> + +<p>'Very, your honor;' and Peter fumbled away at his queue, and twisted his +quid to all sides of his mouth.</p> + +<p>'You are out of breath, Peter; what is the haste to-day? any news +stirring?'</p> + +<p>'Great news, your honor, great news.'</p> + +<p>'Is war declared, or has the comet lost its tail? let me hear; out with +it, Peter.'</p> + +<p>'No war, your honor, God forbid: and I guess the comet is whizzing away +yet, though we can't see him by daylight; but your honor knows that +picture of a house up along the bank there—'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay—what, the house that has no owner? and a pretty box it is; what +of it, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'But it has got an owner, and who does your honor think it is? Our +Captain Sam; he's built it 'spressly for his father and mother, God +bless him! and he's rigged it all up for 'em, and he's put 'em in it +this blessed day, and there they are, as happy as your honor was in a +tight, new ship. And now he says, "Good-by to the old sloop, Peter; I've +got the old folks snug and happy, and now I am going to steer my way on +the broad ocean, just as you have always been wishing me to do." That's +just what he said, your honor. God bless him.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore was a match for Peter with the tobacco any day, and +whenever a little excited, was sure to clap his finger and thumb into +his vest pocket, where there was generally a supply ready cut up of +suitable length. As Peter concluded his tale, the Commodore began to +fumble for a charge.</p> + +<p>'Peter, I'm out; hand me that bit of yarn you are cutting from.'</p> + +<p>'Bless your honor, not this; no, no;' and taking out a package that had +filled the whole capacity of his jacket pocket, 'here is some, your +honor, the boys have put up for me to-day (Peter had the run of the +store free), bless their kind hearts. It's bran new, your honor; take it +all, and welcome.'</p> + +<p>Having untied the roll, cut off a liberal allowance, and given two or +three squeezes to the delicious morsel,</p> + +<p>'Do you say, Peter, that he has built that handsome place for his father +and mother, and furnished it, and given it to them out-and-out?'</p> + +<p>'It's God's truth, your honor.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Peter, all I can say is, that he has got more of a sailor's heart +in him than I thought he had; and do you think that is the reason why he +has been shoaling along shore here, when we have all been wondering why +such a smart young fellow didn't try to climb a little higher in the +world?'</p> + +<p>'Nothing else, as sure as that water is runnin' to the ocean. I always +tell'd your honor, Capt. Sam would come out bright; he wasn't never made +for a land lubber, your honor: his heart is too big, too big for that, I +always knowed it was.'</p> + +<p>'And I suppose the old folks are very happy. Did they know of it +before?'</p> + +<p>'Never, your honor, till this blessed day; and when I com'd along by +there, Miss Mary came runnin' out; 'Come in, Peter, come in and see our +new house;' and so in I goes, and sich a sight your honor never see; +there was the mother with the tears a runnin', and the father lookin' as +if he had been standin' eight-and-forty hours facing a nor'wester, and +the galls and all hold on me, and showing me every thing, and making me +eat and drink; it's the happiest family, your honor, I believe there is +at this moment on the breathin' earth; I was no better than a baby +myself, your honor.'</p> + +<p>'Peter, do you go this minute, do you hear?'—Peter had like not to have +heard, for he was on his way going somewhere, he knew not exactly for +what—'and tell Harry to rig up the carriage, and—do you hear, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir.' Peter was hardly within hailing distance.</p> + +<p>'Tell Mrs. Morris that I shall call for her.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Bless my soul! he's a fine fellow.' The Commodore was now walking up +and down very fast: 'Something must be done for him; he must let that +old sloop go to the ——;' the Commodore was not always particular +where he sent things, so that they were out of his way.</p> + +<p>There are green spots in this world of ours, which tempt us to forget +that it is a fallen world, and point us, in their exhibition of true +enjoyment, to what it might have been, and what it may yet be. There are +pleasures that seem so unalloyed by selfish, earthly dross, we almost +feel the breath of heaven fanning our spirits while we mingle in them.</p> + +<p>Such was the bright and pleasant scene that Sam had lighted up within +that circle of domestic love, his home.</p> + +<p>Nor was there any lack of friends that day to greet them kindly, or to +sympathize in their joy. The tidings soon spread, as James said they +would, and neighbor after neighbor came dropping in, some, no doubt, to +gratify their curiosity, but many, many more to give utterance to the +joy they really felt.</p> + +<p>It was about the middle of the afternoon when the equipage of Commodore +Trysail drove up. The old gentleman was a sailor, and not very +particular when dealing with men, at least not always so, to polish +either his language or his manners; but in the company of ladies he +never forgot the respect due to them; he was mild and courteous, no +matter how humble the individual or the circle to which he was +introduced. Mrs. Morris was no stranger to the family; she had often +visited them in their lonely home, and by her affable and kind manners +had won their hearts.</p> + +<p>No wonder, then, that the girls ran with such haste to welcome her, and +conducted her into their new abode with feelings, if not of pride, at +least of heart-felt pleasure. She kissed them as they met her at the +door.</p> + +<p>'I wish you joy, my dear good girls, with all my heart. Mrs. Oakum, I +congratulate you on your entrance into such a pretty home; it is a sweet +place; but it must be doubly sweet and precious to you under all the +circumstances.'</p> + +<p>Mrs. Oakum could not reply; tears alone responded to the kind greeting.</p> + +<p>'But where is that noble fellow, Sam? I must call him so yet—where is +he?'</p> + +<p>'He has run away. Do you think, Mrs. Morris,' said Mary, 'he found the +neighbors began to come in, and off he went.'</p> + +<p>'Do you tell him for me, he's a pretty fellow; and that I shall expect a +visit from him expressly in return for this.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore had been detained at the door a moment, in offering his +whole-soul congratulations to Sam's father. As he entered the room, Mrs. +Morris formally introduced him to the mother and sisters. Bowing very +low to Mrs. Oakum,</p> + +<p>'Madam, I do not wonder that your feelings are excited; he is a noble +boy, and you have every reason to be proud of him.'</p> + +<p>'He has ever been a dear, good child, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Yes; I have no doubt of that, madam; and I suspect he has had a dear, +good mother. Ah! it is these mothers that make men what they ought to +be. I had a dear, good mother once. I never shall forget her; she taught +me a great many good things, when she used to lean over me in my bed. +What a different man I should have been had I minded her; but, thank +God, I hope I have not forgotten them all.'</p> + +<p>A tear might have been seen bedewing an eye that had met the shock of +battle, and the rush of the tempest, without a twinkle.</p> + +<p>'But, bless my soul! are these two cherubs your daughters?—a kiss, +girls; a kiss.'</p> + +<p>There was no affectation in their honest hearts, and they received a +hearty salutation without blushing any more than might have been +expected.</p> + +<p>'Do you think, Commodore,' said Mrs. Morris, 'our hero has betaken +himself away!'</p> + +<p>'The rogue! I wanted to have given him a good sailor's squeeze; and to +tell him how happy I am to find that he has a true sailor's heart. But I +see how it is; he had rather do a good deed than be praised for it. Will +you tell him for me, madam,' turning to Mrs. Oakum, 'that I should be +pleased to see him at my house as early to-morrow morning as his +engagements will permit? Again, allow me, madam, to wish you much +happiness in your new abode, and many, many years to enjoy it in.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore bowed to the whole circle, and offering his arm to Mrs. +Morris, led her to the carriage.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>'Mr. Oakum, good morning to you; you will excuse me for omitting your +title; although, if you must have it, I should prefer the one which +your old friend Peter has adopted, and call you Captain Sam. I am glad +to see you, sir; walk in.'</p> + +<p>All this was said at the door of the Commodore's office, and while he +was shaking the hand of the young man with great cordiality. This office +was a small addition to his handsome mansion, jutting out from one end, +and into which was an entrance externally and independent of the passage +in the main building.</p> + +<p>Sam had made the call at the office door, and was met with the greeting +as stated above.</p> + +<p>There was a great disparity in their personal appearance, and yet either +of them would have been handsome models to represent their different +ages and standing in society. The Commodore's large, full, portly form, +ruddy face, dark-gray eyes and powdered hair, would well represent the +retired commander of sixty-five: while the trim and agile frame, the +sun-burnt face, the raven locks, the sparkling, hazel, deep-set and +deeply-shaded eye, would have answered well the idea of a young +adventurer, ready to commence the untried dangers of the deep. Sam was +decidedly a handsome fellow; and whether his sisters had been fixing him +out that morning, I cannot say, but he was dressed with much care; too +much, some might think, for his calling. It was, however, of the true +sailor fashion; and if, when engaged in his work, he was a whole man, we +can leave such matters to his fancy.</p> + +<p>'You will excuse me, Mr. Oakum, for requesting you to call upon me, or +for the inquiries I may put to you; as I have a plan in view, which I +should think would be more congenial to a young man of your abilities, +than dodging back and forth in that little sloop.'</p> + +<p>'I am very happy, sir, to wait upon you, and will very thankfully listen +to any views you may please to communicate.'</p> + +<p>'First, then, I wish you to state what are your plans for the future. I +have heard through Peter—I give you my authority—that you design to +leave your present business. If you have no objections, my young friend, +make a clean breast to me; I want to hear all about you.'</p> + +<p>Sam smiled. 'Why, sir, to tell you the truth, I am really tired, as you +say, of "dodging about in the sloop;" but hitherto duty has kept me at +the helm very much against my inclination.'</p> + +<p>'Glad to hear you say so. Duty, sir, is a glorious master, although +sometimes he drives us sadly against our wills. Then you have resolved +to start upon a new course?'</p> + +<p>'I have, sir.'</p> + +<p>'But the sea will be a new business for you. Your cruise along shore +cannot have fitted you for what you will meet with there.'</p> + +<p>'I have anticipated that, sir; and have already made three short +voyages.'</p> + +<p>Sam saw that the Commodore appeared much pleased with this information.</p> + +<p>'Since you have so kindly requested me, sir, to tell you my past doings +and present plans, I will presume upon the permission, and do so.'</p> + +<p>'That is just what I wish, sir.'</p> + +<p>'The sloop, which seems of late to have been a trouble to many of my +good friends, besides the kind-hearted old Peter (Major Morris had not +been backward to drop some broad hints in reference to it), was once the +object of my highest ambition; but like many objects when attained, +seemed only as a stepping-stone to something after which my imagination +panted, and for which, I must confess, I have been at times too +restless. But an end I had in view, and which I saw I could accomplish +by retaining my situation in the sloop, has enabled me to continue at my +post, although I must say against my fancy.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, yes; and let me tell you, my young friend, it was a noble end, and +you will be a gainer, a great gainer by it in the long-run; but'—seeing +that Sam was blushing very much, and apparently getting into a state of +confusion—'pardon me for interrupting you; please go on, and tell me +the whole story.'</p> + +<p>'Intending, so soon as that object was accomplished, to launch forth and +push my way upon the ocean, I embraced an opportunity afforded me, +during a season of the year when our navigation is obstructed, to make a +short voyage. Three several times I have been, and the last was of +peculiar advantage to me; for, experiencing a hurricane just after we +left Havana, the captain and chief mate were washed overboard by a heavy +sea that swept our decks, and the second mate did not know enough to +keep the reckoning; so at the request of all hands, I took charge of the +brig, and, although we encountered two severe gales, brought her safely +into port.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore rose, and walking across the room, turned, and fixed his +keen eye full on Sam.</p> + +<p>'You ought to have been handsomely rewarded for that, sir. Was no notice +taken of it by the owners or the under writers?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes, sir'—and Sam drew forth a fine gold watch—'this is their +token, but I should have preferred the offer of the brig; she was a fine +vessel, but I suppose they had friends who laid a stronger claim than I +could.'</p> + +<p>'Thus, you have no hesitation as to your ability to take sole command of +a vessel to any quarter of the world?'</p> + +<p>'I have not, sir.'</p> + +<p>'And you are willing to do so?'</p> + +<p>'I am very anxious to do so, sir, if I can find any owners willing to +trust me.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore resumed his seat.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Oakum, you must be well aware that our country is at present in a +critical situation. War is inevitable. I think so—I am confident of it. +The danger, then, in commercial navigation, will be of a very serious +nature. I am, as you know, somewhat engaged in the trade to China; two +of my vessels are now on the way there; one of these will not return for +some time, and the other is to receive a cargo in the usual manner, and +will probably be back a little short of one year; but I fear, that +before six months come round, we shall be at war. I must make what +preparation I can to secure my personal interest against an evil which I +foresee. My design is to hasten the return of one of my ships with her +cargo, by all possible means. You know that I have just completed a +beautiful schooner; she will sail like a witch. I have resolved to send +her express to China, and I now offer you the command of her.'</p> + +<p>Sam arose, and was about to thank the Commodore for the generous offer.</p> + +<p>'Please be seated, Mr. Oakum, you have not heard the end of the story +yet. I have business of importance to be attended to in China, and the +captain of the ship I design to order back must remain there, and you, +sir, will take his place. On your arrival out, you will find yourself +master of as fine a ship as swims the ocean.'</p> + +<p>Sam could contain himself no longer; he arose from his seat.</p> + +<p>'Commodore Trysail, I know not how to express the deep sense I feel of +obligation to you—it is the happiest moment of my life, sir.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore grasped the hand of the young and ardent sailor, and was +delighted to see the flash of joy and pride that sparkled forth from his +bright eye.</p> + +<p>'You may thank yourself, Mr. Oakum, and the manly efforts you have made +to improve your advantages.'</p> + +<p>Just then the office door was gently opened, and a shaggy head appeared, +nodding very significantly, but saying nothing.</p> + +<p>'Well, Peter, any thing new stirring?'</p> + +<p>'Why, I thought your honor would be pleased to know that the Major had +arrived, and the young lady.'</p> + +<p>'What, has Major Morris returned, and Susie with him? that is good +news.'</p> + +<p>Peter's head was immediately withdrawn, and he was heard stumping it +away at a rapid rate.</p> + +<p>'It will be no child's play, Mr. Oakum, as you will find, bringing that +vessel home; for I am determined, war or no war, that you must get her +into port at all hazards, and if I did not think that you would prove a +man in the hour of extremity, depend upon it, sir, I should never +confide such a trust to you. The risk of loss I expect to run; and after +you have done your best, should you fall into the enemies' hands, you +will not be in the least to blame. The management of every thing in +reference to this matter I leave entirely to yourself. My schooner is +ready for you. She is under your command; select your own crew, and +hands enough to make a double crew for the ship on her return.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. George Rutherford, as I have hinted in a former chapter, was +becoming entangled in his pecuniary circumstances. He had no fears as +yet that he should not be able to pay every obligation, and have a +competency left; but his sensitive spirit was keenly alive to that kind +of humiliating deference which is always more or less demanded and +received by those who, more calculating in their habits, keep their +capital at command, and are enabled to exchange their ready money for +the borrower's security.</p> + +<p>But whatever annoyance or inward torment he suffered was carefully +concealed within his own breast; he could not bear to throw a shade over +the bright and joyous heart of his wife.</p> + +<p>It was, however, impossible that one who loved with such entire +devotedness, should not perceive when some dark and troublous cloud lay +upon the object of her affection. Often would she come to him as he sat +musing, at the close of day, and ask—</p> + +<p>'What is it, George! does anything trouble you? these wrinkles are truly +beginning to be permanent. Do tell me, and let me share it with you.'</p> + +<p>And then he would smile, and kiss the fair hand, and say—</p> + +<p>'Nothing, dear Mary; nothing worth telling; there are a thousand little +vexations and cares in life, you know, which help to make the marks upon +us, I suppose, and thus show that they have been. Nothing, dear Mary.'</p> + +<p>But by degrees accumulated strokes began to bear most seriously upon +him; his property melted away by little and little; at one time an +unwise act of friendship, at another an unsuccessful negotiation in +trade, or may be, a sharper's trick; there seemed to be always some +cause at work to drive away his means.</p> + +<p>He had become largely implicated in establishing a store near to the +property he owned in the barrens, in order to afford an opposition to +Mr. Cross, hoping thereby to alleviate the condition of the poor +laborers; but the person who managed the business proved to be no match +for the wily Cross, and it only served to excite his adversary to bitter +revenge.</p> + +<p>He had, also, become involved more seriously than he as yet had any idea +of himself, with a Company that were engaged in working a quarry.</p> + +<p>The prospects held out to him were very flattering, as such things +usually are when presented by interested and designing persons; but as +each year passed by with no profit realized, and a fresh demand for +money to carry on their operations, too confiding to suspect those whose +bad management ought to have awakened his doubts, he suffered his purse +to be drained, and, worse than all, suffered his name and credit to be +used.</p> + +<p>Manfully had he borne up under all his reverses, shrinking from no loss +nor responsibility, which, however unwisely brought upon himself, was +still his own act, and, therefore, sacred as his honor.</p> + +<p>At length a storm, he saw, was rising fast, and spreading its dark and +gloomy mantle over him. He could not avert its fury; but with fortitude, +with a firm determination to maintain his integrity, he awaited the +catastrophe.</p> + +<p>The first blow which came with much severity was in the failure of +Bolton, the individual whom he had established in trade near the +barrens. Many were involved in that calamity, and he was compelled, in +order to meet the demands which would be made upon him in consequence, +to use all his means and his utmost ingenuity to maintain his credit, +now become of vital importance to him. Troubles, at times, overtake us +like the tiding-bearers to the Patriarch of old; scarce has one sad tale +been uttered, when another is ready to begin.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford had passed a sleepless night; the long hours had been +spent in running over the sad circuit of his misfortunes, and in +endeavoring to extricate himself from the tangled maze in which he was +involved. His wife would most willingly have been the partner of his +cares, and spent the day and night in labor, either of body or of mind. +But no—he must not, he cannot disturb the quiet of her bosom; he will +yet, he fondly hopes, weather it through, and she shall never know the +struggle his spirit has borne. And thus it would have been, and thus his +proud and tender heart would have ached in secret, and cloistered all +its trials, until it broke beneath the accumulated load; but a kind +Providence was watching around his sleepless bed, and knew all that he +could bear, and was preparing the way that would, in spite of himself, +break open his secret sorrows, and compel him to unbosom himself to her +whose gentle spirit would pour out its sweet consolations into his +troubled heart, brace up his worn-out feelings, and lay them calmly to +rest amid the soothings of love; earthly, it may be, but a bright emblem +of that in which the weary soul will sweetly repose when the trials and +toils of life are over.</p> + +<p>The watching and busy thoughts of the night past were too visible the +next morning to escape the eye of love; and as his Mary entered the room +where he was seated, waiting for their early meal, she could not help +saying to him,</p> + +<p>'You are sick, dear George; I know you are.'</p> + +<p>Before he could reply there was a knock at the door, and Mr. Rutherford +was summoned into an adjoining apartment.</p> + +<p>The gentleman expressed his regret for the business upon which he had +come; he handed to Mr. Rutherford a paper, which proved to be an +attachment upon his beautiful homestead, and the land connected with it.</p> + +<p>'You have, no doubt, heard, sir, that the Quarry Company has gone to +pieces; and as you appear to be the only responsible one among them, the +person named in that paper, and to whom they are largely indebted, feels +compelled to take this step, although very reluctantly.'</p> + +<p>This explanation was sufficient; Mr. Rutherford perceived the dilemma to +which things had at length come. His visitor, having no further +business, withdrew; and as he closed the door upon him, he retired again +by himself, and was seated by a table with the paper in his hand, when +his wife entered the room, and closed the door.</p> + +<p>'My dear George, you must let me know what is the matter. You cannot +hide from me, that there is some great trouble upon you. Tell me, my +dear husband, tell me what it is'—and she threw herself upon her knees +before him, and clasping her arms about him, looked up with intense +interest beaming from her dark hazel eyes.</p> + +<p>'We are ruined, Mary! my property, the inheritance of my ancestors, is +all, I fear, to be swept away from me.'</p> + +<p>'And you have known this, George, a long time, and have been bearing the +trouble all alone in your own breast. Why have you done this, and not +let me be a sharer of your sufferings?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Mary, how could I do it? It was out of your power to stop the +torrent I have been contending against, and I could not bear to disturb +your quiet.'</p> + +<p>'My dear George, how little do you understand of a woman's love; bright +and pleasant things do not always satisfy its warm desire. I had rather +suffer with you, and for you, my dear husband, the sharpest pangs, and +feel the direst vicissitudes of life, if I could only prove to you, how +much dearer to me is your love than all things else on earth.'</p> + +<p>As she said this her eyes were filled with tears, and told so truly with +the words she had just uttered, all the meaning of her soul, that he +clasped her to his bosom.</p> + +<p>'My love, my life, my heart's richest treasure! may God bless you for +all the comfort you have been to me, and for all you are now.'</p> + +<p>Sorrow, thou child of sin, strong and terrible as is thy power, and +crushing as is the weight of thy hand when pressed on no worms of the +dust, yet know thou, there is an antidote, a precious gift of Heaven, +when by man's sin all blessings which his God had given were justly +forfeited—this antidote is love; when fixed on God, it bows the spirit +into childlike confidence, clinging closer to the heavenly hand the +heavier the blow. And when two kindred souls on earth have merged their +hopes, their fears, their interests, their warm desires, their whole +hearts' sympathies in one strong true embrace, there is so much of +heaven's own happiness in it, that spite of all the anguish under which +at times they bow, this sweet and subtile charmer steals within, spreads +a calm upon the bosom of the waters, hushes all to peace, and bids them +still be happy.</p> + +<p>And now she sits beside him, and he tells her all his strange trials, +and how dark his prospects are.</p> + +<p>'It must all go, Mary.'</p> + +<p>'Well, my dear husband, let it all go; your own sweet spirit is +unstained by one wrong or mean act; you have never withheld a righteous +due; you have never ground the face of the poor; you have never +triumphed over those beneath you; you have rather tried to raise them to +your own level: and now let poverty come, it cannot sink our spirits, so +long as there is no blot on your fair fame, and no stain on your +conscience.'</p> + +<p>Rutherford was manly in his feelings, but he could not repress his +starting tears. His lovely wife, without a sigh, had let go all that +wealth could hold out to her, and only thought of her husband's virtues.</p> + +<p>'Yes, Mary, that is true. I believe I can truly say with Job: "If I have +withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the +widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless +have not eaten thereof: if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, +or any poor without covering, then let my arm fall from my +shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone."'</p> + +<p>'I know it, my dear husband, I know it; and as you have acted in the +fear of God, his strength will be our refuge.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p>The shades of evening had settled upon that retired spot, the stronghold +of Mr. Cross up in the barrens. The doors and windows of his long, low +building, were closed; a light was burning on the counter, beside which +were seated the owner of the premises and a companion, very unlike him +in appearance, whatever similarity there might be in the temper of their +hearts—Mr. Cross having rather a round and plump carcass, with cheeks +filled out, and bearing the hue which a liberal allowance of gin and +water usually imparts. The other was altogether of the mummy order; his +body thin and bent over, his limbs long and bony, with a loose furrowed +visage, which looked as though it might once have been supplied with +flesh, but its substance having melted away, the outer covering now hung +flabby and puckered under his chin and beneath his cheek-bones and at +the corners of his mouth; his hair was grisly, and stood far off from +his wrinkled forehead, which was broad and high enough to indicate the +presence of intellect, or at least room for it; the colour of his eyes +it would be hard to determine, for they were very small, and the thick, +heavy eye-lashes twinkled so continually, it was almost impossible to +catch a glimpse of them. A bottle of gin, a pitcher of water and two +tumblers stood on the counter, close beside them; and from this we may +infer that the two gentlemen were not dissimilar in some of their +tastes.</p> + +<p>'Now, Squire (for we must know that this gentleman belonged to an +honourable profession), 'I think we've done this job up pretty +considerably slick—don't you?'</p> + +<p>Turning his long face round as Mr. Cross spoke, so as to bring it into a +horizontal position, and shaking it very significantly, as each word +fell from his lips in a slow and measured tone—</p> + +<p>'It has worked, neighbour Cross, like a charm, just as I told you it +would. The shoe pinches now, I guess, and more than one foot too—one, +two, three, four; only think of it,'—giving Mr. Cross a poke with one +of his long fingers—'only think of it—five birds with one stone—only +think of it!'—another poke.</p> + +<p>'I never thought, Squire, what you could be at, when you wanted me to +lend Bolton that money.'</p> + +<p>'I knew though, neighbour, what I was about. Jemmy Bolton wanted money +bad; he had property enough laying round for you to slap on any time. +You and I, you know, have talked about setting Dave up alongside the +Montjoys; that, you see, will never work. Bolton I knew, for he told me +of it, owed those boys all of three thousand dollars; they had advanced +it to him on the timber, thinking, you see, that all was safe, and that +it would be coming along. Stop that, says I; trip up Jemmy Bolton—clap +on the timber; that cuts the Montjoys three thousand dollars—no small +sum for young folks, considering the times too; then down goes +Bolton—that gives Bowers & Co., and Jones & Brothers such a pull, you +see, down they go too; ha, ha, ha!'—a poke with the long finger—'both +of them owe the Montjoys considerable. That, with Bolton's affair, you +see, will just about finish the job for them; they can't stand it no +how.'</p> + +<p>'Poor fellows! I am almost sorry for them.' Mr. Cross was not so sorry +but he could smile a little as he said it.</p> + +<p>'I am not a bit—I am not a bit sorry, neighbor; they are upstarts, +nothing else; and they have made all the folks about them think that +they are the end of the law. No, no; let them go down—the sooner the +better; and when they are once down on their back, you see, then up goes +Dave. You have got the cash, you know—a dash he will make; and the +whole country round will be the better for it.'</p> + +<p>'Yes; but, Squire, you know these fellows will fight hard to live it +through; they are no fancy boys; they have worked their way along by +their own efforts; they stand high at the bank. McFall is a great friend +of theirs; they will make the bank help them—see if they don't.'</p> + +<p>'I have thought of that too, neighbor'—another hard poke—'I've thought +of that; and there you have them too.'</p> + +<p>'How so, Squire? I have nothing to do with the bank you know.'</p> + +<p>'Don't you know a certain man who would not refuse you a favor for a +trifle? Bank Directors are not always so independent as they would wish +to be thought—ha, ha, ha!'</p> + +<p>'Well, what of him?'</p> + +<p>'You just whisper in his ear that it would be no particular +accommodation to you, that certain folks should receive any favors; that +will be enough. One man, you know, in a board is as good as a +dozen'—another poke.</p> + +<p>'Well, well, I understand.'</p> + +<p>'I thought you did—but what was that? There is nobody sleeps here, I +hope?'</p> + +<p>'Oh no, it is the dog; he is dreaming I suppose.'</p> + +<p>'It startled me though, neighbour, for it would not be quite so clever +to have any one get the run of what we have been saying.'</p> + +<p>'Never fear, Squire; I shut all up myself.'</p> + +<p>'I hope you are sure of that; for I was just going to tell you the best +of the whole joke.'</p> + +<p>'Tell away, Squire; there are no listeners but the old casks; they won't +tell any tales.'</p> + +<p>'They do sometimes though, neighbour.'</p> + +<p>'How so?'</p> + +<p>'They tell a little bit, sometimes by the end of our nose, ha, ha, +ha!'—another poke—'don't they? ha, ha, ha! Well, as I was saying, the +best of it is all to come. Rutherford is clean done up'—one, two, three +pokes right off.</p> + +<p>'Rutherford done up! What do you mean now, Squire?'</p> + +<p>'Why you know I told you that we had killed five birds with one stone, +and so we have. Bolton is dead, the other two fellows are kicking, and +the Montjoys will be dead soon: and our old friend Rutherford, whom we +have been picking at these six years, is down at last, all gone to +smash. Think of that, neighbor Cross.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross made no reply; but turning to the decanter, filled his own +glass and the Squire's about half full of the clear stuff, added a +little water to his own, and then swallowed the potion at one draught. +The Squire did not trouble the water, preferring the good creature in +its pure state.</p> + +<p>'Your gin is uncommonly strong, neighbour—'ugh, 'ugh, 'ugh—it almost +shakes a body—'ugh, 'ugh, 'ugh.'</p> + +<p>'Water it then, why don't you? But what is it about Rutherford, and how +has that come?'</p> + +<p>'Why, you know as well as I do, that Rutherford is an easy body; you +know that the quarry folks have been getting round him, and drawing him +in more and more every year. He, good soul! thought all was right, while +they have been going on, as you know very well, running into debt deeper +and deeper. Well, it is only a little pull that is needed to bring down +a great weight when it is tottering and ready to fall. This business of +Bolton's has upset the whole concern; they only lost a trifle by him, +but it touched them just at a delicate time. People got frightened, and +the game was up, and Rutherford is in for all their debts; it is thought +it will sweep every thing away, homestead and all.</p> + +<p>'Now this, I know, is of no consequence to you: it will not give you any +title to these barrens; but now that they are in a muss, will be the +time to accomplish our great plan. That deed is not on record yet'—a +very hard poke—'you know that your deed from old Ross covers the whole +ground, when once this claim of Rutherford's is put one side. Old +Rutherford, I suppose, thought that the whole tract here was not worth +the trouble of looking after, and the young one, no doubt, thinks that +all is right; but mind me, neighbour, now is your time, or never. This +land, between you and me, which Rutherford owns here, is worth all the +rest of his property put together. These Montjoys have, you see, opened +a trade for the timber, and there is no telling what its value will yet +be. The creditors will be searching the records; it will soon be found +out that this deed is not registered, and then your play is out. What +you do, must be done at once.'</p> + +<p>'True enough, Squire; his deed once out of the way, mine is worth a +trifle no doubt; but the question is, has he a deed at all? and if he +has, how can we get hold of it?'</p> + +<p>'Ah, neighbour, he has got the deed; I have seen it with my own eyes: +you see I have not been idle about this matter of yours, although it is +a thing that it will not do to say much about. Some time since, I +thought I would just call and inquire about some old matters, merely to +see what might turn up. He was very polite, you know, handing me a +chair, and all that. "You want to look at the old survey, do you, +Squire?" "Yes," said I, "if it is not too much trouble, Mr. Rutherford." +"Oh no, by no means." And so he out with the old tin trunk; you have +seen that trunk in old Rutherford's time.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes, often.'</p> + +<p>'Well, he out with the old trunk; he keeps it just where the old man +did, under the secretary; you know as well as I can tell you.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, yes, I've seen it, but go on with your story.'</p> + +<p>'Well he out with his trunk, as I was saying, and among the very first +papers he threw on the table, was this very deed. Thinks I, old fellow, +if I had you once in my grip, I guess I know whose fortune would be +made.'</p> + +<p>'Well, the thing is now, how to get hold of it.'</p> + +<p>'That's the thing neighbour;'—one or two good pokes.</p> + +<p>'I have a few good fellows that are up to any thing, only let me tell +them what to do.'</p> + +<p>'Then it can be done, neighbour. What a nice thing it would be to have +a little bit of a fire happen, say about midnight. A pretty state of +confusion that would make, you know; doors open, everybody running +helter-skelter, all frightened to death! Wouldn't that do?'—a hard +poke—'but there is no time to lose.'</p> + +<p>Cross evidently relished the idea suggested, for he replenished the +glasses again, omitting the water this time; then talking in a much +lower tone, named the persons—smart fellows, as he called +them—arranged time, place of rendezvous, etc.; to all which the Squire +assented, every once in a while putting out his long finger and striking +neighbour Cross in the ecstacy of his admiration. And thus they devised +this deed of darkness, careless of all the terrible consequences which +might result, so that their own crafty designs were accomplished.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + + +<p>Sam Oakum was indeed very much excited at the close of his interview +with Commodore Trysail; the bright prospect before him of soon realizing +what his heart had been so long aspiring after, gave a sudden spring to +all his feelings, and the spirit of his station seemed already to have +taken possession of his mind.</p> + +<p>The trifle of news, too, which Peter had communicated, might also have +had something to do with the bouyancy of his feelings. Sam longed to see +again the little fairy-like creature, with golden locks and dark blue +eyes, that once in his early days he occasionally met.</p> + +<p>This little fairy, however, is a fairy no longer, for she has grown up +to be a fine, good-natured young lady; her golden locks have turned to a +rich auburn; her dark blue eyes illuminate, with their bright and +pleasant sparkles, her full oval face, on which the rose and the lily +have beautifully blended.</p> + +<p>Sam has not seen her, however, for four long years, and he thinks of her +as she looked then. And if the Commodore had known how much more Sam was +thinking about Peter's news, than about the schooner or the ship, it +might have injured his confidence, a very little.</p> + +<p>As to what this little fairy ever thought of Sam, it would be equally +hard to divine. All we know is that when a little girl she used to be +very glad to see a little black-eyed boy in blue jacket and trousers, +and would frequently smile when she saw him, and perhaps on one or two +occasions exchanged a word with him—nothing more.</p> + +<p>She is now, I have said, a young lady; and whether she ever thinks of +the little black-eyed boy is yet to be known.</p> + +<p>Sam had thought all day of the visit which he felt he ought to make to +his friends the Morris's. He called there in the edge of evening, and no +doubt spent a very pleasant hour, for his friends were rejoiced to see +him, and gave him to understand that the Commodore had let them into the +secret; and from the kindness with which he was treated, it was very +evident that he had not fallen in their estimation.</p> + +<p>I said, that he no doubt spent a pleasant hour; but that idea intruded +itself rather because there was everything conspiring to make it +pleasant, than from its apparent effect upon our hero; for his +countenance, as he walked on his way towards home, was sad, and it was +some time before the lively, happy circle there could so impart their +cheerfulness as to enable him to join heartily with them.</p> + +<p>Major Morris and his lovely daughter had reached home, as Peter had +said, accompanied by a young lady, who had been a companion of Susan at +school, and her brother, a fashionable young man, the parents of whom +were wealthy and truly respectable in their standing. And it may as well +be told at once, that although not engaged to this youth—for Susan's +parents were too careful of her happiness to allow such a step at the +age she then was—still there was decided feeling on the part of the +young man, and Susan had been perhaps as well pleased with him as with +any of those who constantly sought her company. He was not, however, +visiting as a suitor, but had been invited with his sister to spend a +few weeks at the Major's delightful residence.</p> + +<p>Susan Morris was by no means an imaginative girl. She had, it is true, +very ardent feelings, but they had always been expended upon real +objects; and, in consequence, she was the beloved of every circle where +she moved.</p> + +<p>Two weeks from the day on which Commodore Trysail gave the appointment, +Sam and his beautiful schooner were ready for the ocean.</p> + +<p>Partings with near friends are not pleasant scenes, so I shall pass +them over. It was a lovely afternoon, one of summer's brightest days; a +lively breeze played over the water, and scarcely bending to its power, +a small trim vessel, rigged in pilot-boat fashion, was gliding +gracefully along, not far from the shore. Every sail was set, and filled +just enough to display their graceful cut, the little black hull beneath +making them look more white and showy by the contrast. A row-boat, well +manned, was by the shore, around which were gathered groups of +lookers-on, or friends saying some last words to the youths who held the +oars, and whose half serious smiles told plainly that their hearts were +not so light as they would seem.</p> + +<p>Just beyond the shore, upon the sloping green, a little party stands, +eyeing with apparent interest the motions of the schooner and the +preparations for departure, which are plainly visible in the gathering +crowd that was surrounding the little boat at the water's edge.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Susan, what a fine sight that vessel makes; but who would think of +venturing to sea in such a craft?'</p> + +<p>'Why not, Julia?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, she is so small, I should think the waves would ingulf her—but +here comes her Captain, I suppose. Your father keeps close to him; and +the old Commodore, how proud he seems.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, he does, I assure you,' said Mrs. Morris; 'he is proud of his +vessel and her Captain too.'</p> + +<p>The three gentlemen now approached the ladies, raising their hats, and +again replacing them, with the exception of the younger one, who, having +removed his light chapeau, kept it in his hand.</p> + +<p>There was a seriousness in his air as he immediately stepped up to Mrs. +Morris, and received her offered hand.</p> + +<p>'May God bless you, my dear fellow! Come, a mother's kiss.'</p> + +<p>Sam's heart was brave, but it was very tender. He took the liberty +allowed him, but uttered not a word, while Mrs. Morris took no pains to +restrain the flowing tears. He bowed to Miss Walton, and then the hand +of Susan is within his own. He bowed respectfully, raised her hand, and +touched it to his lips. He saw a tear start as he cast one parting +glance upon her sweet face, and, without a word on either side, they +separated.</p> + +<p>The Commodore and Major Morris, each taking an arm, walked with him to +the little boat.</p> + +<p>'God bless you!' and the Major clasped his hand in both of his.</p> + +<p>'God bless you, Captain Oakum—a fine voyage to you!' and the Commodore +gave him a sailor's squeeze.</p> + +<p>A great many hands were stretched out, and Sam was busy enough for a +little while. He was a great favorite, and all were sad at parting with +him. Just as he was about to step into the boat, two men were seen +hastening along shore.</p> + +<p>'There are the two men, Captain, that have shipped to-day.'</p> + +<p>'Have you your papers with you?' said Captain Oakum, addressing the men +who had just reached them.</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir—here they are;' handing them at the same time to the Captain.</p> + +<p>'Aboard with you, then.'</p> + +<p>They sprang in and tumbled themselves away as they best could. Sam +raised his hand; every oar was dropped, and the little boat shot away +like an arrow from the strand. As she left the shore, he turned towards +the land, and removing his chapeau, waved it towards those who stood on +shore, and then raising his eye to the different groups which he saw on +the elevated bank, bowed, and at once there was a great waving of +handkerchiefs, and some among them had other work to do with theirs, for +tears were flowing freely. A fond mother and sisters were there, and +there were friends of his early days, hearts knit to him in tenderest +friendship. Gracefully the little schooner rounds to, and for a few +moments lies flapping in the wind. Her Captain springs upon her deck, +again she falls off to take the breeze, the sails swell gently out, and +on she goes ploughing her way towards the mighty ocean.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + +<p>Sam is now off, and for a season we must bid him adieu. Jim and Ned felt +sorely the loss of one with whom they had been so long and happily +connected; but matters of the last importance soon demanded their +attention, and for the time banished thoughts of friends, and almost all +other earthly considerations. Their business had hitherto been +prosperous, and they had yet to learn, by their own experience, some of +those trials which business men are ever liable to suffer. The +advantage which they possessed of receiving supplies immediately from +one of the largest marts in our country not only insured to them the +trade of individual families, but also that of many stores removed far +back into the country; with these they were obliged to deal on liberal +terms, allowing them a credit of sufficient length to meet the slow +returns of a country trade. They had as yet carried on a successful +traffic, settling every six months by an exchange of produce, or a note +at short time.</p> + +<p>One article of country produce had become a valuable item in their +trade—the pine timber from the barrens—and so urgent was the demand +for it, in consequence of its excellent quality, and the facility with +which it could be floated to market, that they found it necessary to +make large purchases beyond what they would receive as an exchange of +goods; these purchases had frequently to be made by an advance of +one-half or three-fourths of the value, and the balance paid on +delivery.</p> + +<p>As their orders of late had been much increased, they had exerted +themselves to procure funds, and by this method had, as they supposed, +secured a very large and valuable lot of timber.</p> + +<p>One morning—the very day after the departure of Sam—they were favoured +with a visit from Mr. Cross. James, the elder partner, received him +politely, but with some reserve; for, to tell the truth, they had no +favorable opinion of his character. He had a fine lot of timber for +sale, and would be glad to contract with them for it.</p> + +<p>'We have already engaged as much as we need at present, sir, and are +expecting it every day; in fact, Mr. Bolton promised to deliver it last +week, but I presume he has met with some unexpected hindrance.'</p> + +<p>'If it is from Mr. Bolton you are expecting the timber, I think you may +give up looking for it, as I have been obliged to take all he has on +hand, to secure myself for a debt he owed me. I suppose you know that he +has gone to pieces?'</p> + +<p>As Mr. Cross said this, he cast a very inquisitive glance at young +Montjoy—</p> + +<p>'I hope you have not advanced much to neighbor Bolton on account of the +timber; these are tight times, you know.'</p> + +<p>Just then Ned entered the store, and handed his brother a letter, which +he had opened and read. Jim saw too clearly that there was a good reason +for the very serious air which his brother's countenance assumed, when +he handed it to him.</p> + +<p>'I believe, Mr. Cross, that we can do nothing about the timber this +morning.'</p> + +<p>'Good morning, gentlemen.'</p> + +<p>No sooner had their visitor left, than they retired to a little back +room at the end of their store, where they had held many a pleasant +conversation in company with their friend Sam. Heretofore, when they had +repaired to this room, it had been with light hearts, and many a joyous +hour had they passed there—far different feelings now pressed their +spirits. Their trials until now had been of the light and transient +kind, which a little youthful energy, a little determination of purpose, +or putting forth of physical power, could overcome and scatter. Now they +have got a lesson to learn on a new page of life.</p> + +<p>When they reached the room, Jim again read over the letter, which proved +to be another messenger with bad tidings.</p> + +<p>It ran as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>'<span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>,—I am sorry to be compelled to inform you that the two +notes of Bowers & Co. and Jones & Brothers, which fell due +yesterday at the Bank, were protested for non-payment; the note +which I hold of yours for fifteen hundred dollars, and to meet +which the above notes were left with me, will be due in ten days, +and you will be obliged to remit the amount, or otherwise arrange +for it, as the distressing pressure at present on the money market +will render it utterly impossible for me to honor your note from my +own resources. I send this by private hands in advance of the mail, +as I wish you to have the earliest notice possible of this event.</p> + +<p class="right">'Yours respectfully, <br /> +'<span class="smcap">James McFall</span>.'</p></blockquote> + +<p>To make this letter more intelligible, it may be proper to state that +Mr. McFall was a personal friend of the Montjoys, who attended to their +banking arrangements—the institution being at such a distance (full +twenty miles) as rendered such aid necessary. He received their notes +payable at the bank, due from merchants, collected and made payments as +they directed, and having facilities, whenever they needed funds for +extra service, procured for them what they wanted, either upon their own +note, for which he held the business paper as security, or upon the +paper itself. In the case of the fifteen hundred dollar note mentioned +in the letter, he had procured the money from the bank on it alone, and +held their business paper in two notes for about the same amount; these +failing to be met, he was obliged to look to them for payment.</p> + +<p>To describe the feelings of the two young men, as the alarming news +broke upon them, and the calamitous consequences which it threatened, +would be a vain attempt. Had an earthquake burst at mid-day, and with +its convulsive quiver rocked their building, until they could see the +tottering fabric parting at its joints and falling upon their devoted +heads, it could not have waked up more intense, more appalling +sensations. They had begun by the sweat of their brow; they had exerted +every energy; they had advanced step by step; their business had grown +by a natural progress; they had not forced it by speculation, nor by an +undue haste to acquire wealth; they had abstained from borrowing on the +names of others, and from lending their own; they had trusted to none +but those who stood well in trade; their yearly gains were such as they +had every reason to be contented with; and, but yesterday, they felt +firm in their own strength, and buoyant with the fair prospect before +them. Now their foundation is gone, and the labor of years that are +past, and hope for years to come, alike vanished, as a vision, from +before them.</p> + +<p>Ned had so long been accustomed to lean upon his brother in every +emergency, to have him think out a way for them, that hitherto he had +never troubled himself with any further care than faithfully attending +to the execution of his plans. Now he saw that the staff upon which he +had leaned was broken: the pale features, the knit brow, the clammy +sweat that stood upon his temples; the vacant gaze with which he looked +upon the letter that lay folded in his hands, told him that James was +sore dismayed, and at his wit's end.</p> + +<p>'Let us go, Jim, and tell mother all about it.'</p> + +<p>But Jim answered him not; he merely sighed and wiped his forehead, and +then leaning forward, covered his face, as if he wished to hide even +from his brother the agony that was wringing his bosom.</p> + +<p>Oh! ye who despise the plodding toil of your daily labor, who think it +drudgery to follow the plough, and handle the hoe, and reap the fields, +and gather in your scanty gains, and are ashamed of the homely fare and +the rude dress that these afford you, could you but have known the +bitterness of that trial which was sending its pangs into the heart of +that young man, you would prize more highly the freedom you have from +distressing care, the independence you enjoy of either the frown or the +favor of man, the quiet that is spread over all your humble enjoyments, +and the peace of mind which goes with you to your rest and meets your +waking thoughts. Depend upon it, that the glitter of wealth is purchased +at a higher price than your imagination fancies.</p> + +<p>Ned did not venture again to disturb his brother's meditations, and +began even to hope that he was devising some plan for their rescue; but +for once his clear and business intellect was at fault. The blow was so +sudden, that his young mind could only suffer, without being able to +wake up its energies to meet and ward off its consequences. Conscious at +last that something must be done, and not sufficiently composed to know +what that must be, he quietly arose, folded the letter, and placing it +in his pocket—</p> + +<p>'You are right, Ned; let us go and tell mother. She ought to know how +things stand, without delay.'</p> + +<p>It was no strange thing for these young men to make a confidant of their +mother. She had accustomed them to tell her all their thoughts, and thus +had they grown up beneath her fostering care; and opening, as they did +to her, the fountain of their soul, she watched each bubble that came +sparkling up, cleared all the dross and specks away with sweet maternal +care; and still she loved to watch—it was her life's one duty; for well +she knew, if all was bright and pure within the living spring, the +streams must, in the end, be bright and sparkling too.</p> + +<p>Alarmed at once by the appearance of her sons, as they entered the +little room, where she sat with their sweet sister, plying their busy +needles, she laid aside her task, and turning her anxious eye on James—</p> + +<p>'What is it, my children? James, I know you are in some great trouble.'</p> + +<p>'We are in trouble, mother, and we have thought it our duty to let you +know all about it at once.' And they each took a seat beside her, while +Ellen, the darling of their hearts, unused to any thing but smiles from +her dear brothers, took Ned's hand in hers, and pressed it in all the +warmth of her love, and wept as she looked at the calm yet serious +countenance of her light-hearted brother.</p> + +<p>In a very straight-forward way, James told his mother the news which had +just been brought to them, and ended his communication by saying:</p> + +<p>'Thus you see, mother, at one blow, is swept away all that we, have +earned by our labors for these six years past; but that is not the worst +of it.'</p> + +<p>'You are afraid, my son, that it will take more than you have earned; it +will leave you in debt?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, mother, it will leave us, I fear, one thousand dollars worse than +nothing, and that is not all.'</p> + +<p>'That is bad enough, James, but I hope you cannot accuse yourselves of +any wrong proceedings—any—'</p> + +<p>'Nothing wrong, mother, that we can see; but we shall lose—we shall +lose our credit, and that, mother, is worse than death.'—And Jim could +stand no more; manly as he was, he covered his face, and gave way to a +passionate burst of grief.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Montjoy spoke not until the violence of it was past, and then, in a +very calm and soothing way, gave such counsel as her judgment best +dictated.</p> + +<p>There is something in the tones of a mother's voice that goes at once to +the heart of man. James felt the influence of her sweet words, lulling +the violence of the storm within. Calmer views began to break upon +him—a juster sense of the responsibility of his present situation. This +was his hour of adversity, and he must act the man.</p> + +<p>Ned, too, began to feel his heart grow lighter.</p> + +<p>'Come, Jim, let us keep up a good heart; things may come round right at +last, and if the worst happens, we can go to work again in the old +garden.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, my son, you will often think of your boyhood's days in that garden: +you worked hard, but you were light-hearted and happy, although you +sometimes complained of back-aches and blistered hands.'</p> + +<p>'Mother, I tell you what,' said Ned, 'heart-aches are worse than +back-aches; the one you can sleep off, the other I don't believe we can +get rid of in that way.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, brother, now that we look back upon them, those were the happiest +days, I think, that you and I will ever see; but we did not think so +then. Now we cannot go back; we must, therefore, as mother says, meet +this trouble like men, and urge our way along the best we may. Mother, I +thank you for your dear good words, they have revived my spirit'—and he +stooped and kissed her. 'And now, Ned, we have a great deal to do; let +us be about it.'</p> + +<p>As soon as the brothers were alone, Jim showed that he was himself +again, and in a very calm and business-like manner prepared for action.</p> + +<p>'The first thing we must do, Ned, will be to see exactly how we stand. +While you are attending to customers, I will make an abstract of our +books. Then this evening, when the store is closed, we will take an +account of our stock; we shall then know better our situation, and what +course to pursue. We must put on a cheerful countenance, and keep +straight along as usual, for to-day at any rate.'</p> + +<p>'I don't know about the cheerful face, Jim, but I will do the best I +can.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + + +<p>Scarcely had Cross and his companion in guilt retired from their dark +conclave to carry out their dreadful purpose, when a young man arose +stealthily from off a rude mattress upon which he had been lying, +listened a moment, then hastily threw on a coat which had served him for +a pillow, and with light steps proceeded towards the door; his further +progress was now arrested, for the key had been removed, and the lock +was bolted. Somewhat alarmed at this hindrance, he cast his eye +anxiously along the front windows, and proceeded to undo the fastenings +on the inside, when a thought occurred to him, that if he escaped +through that opening, it would be noticed on the return of the owner of +the store, which, from what he had overheard, would be in a few moments. +He therefore replaced the bolt, and hastily retreated to a building +connected with the store and running back from it. Here, too, by some +unaccountable purpose, he was again frustrated; the door was fastened +and the key withdrawn; and, to his consternation, he heard footsteps and +voices. Cross, and the gang of wretches he had awaked from their lair, +which was in one of the out-houses connected with his establishment, +were about to enter the store—he to give his instructions to them, to +inspire them with the hellish draught; and they to go hence on their +errand of mischief. To remain where he was, and be discovered, his life +would not be worth a mention; that he well knew. Above his head was a +trap-door, opening into the loft which ran over the store. The covering +was removed, he sprang upon a barrel, the nearest article to where he +stood; making a desperate effort, his hands grasped the sides of the +hole—he heard the key rattling in the lock, exerted himself with an +energy the fear of death alone could have inspired, and drew at +arms-length the whole weight of his body through the aperture. The door +opened, and Cross entered with three of the creatures around whom he had +wound the coils of iniquity, until they had become the slaves of his +will.</p> + +<p>'Now, boys, sit down here. Dick, there's the measure—draw away, and +help yourselves.'</p> + +<p>Nothing was said in reply; the running liquor alone sounded through the +still room, and then the smack of the lips as each in turn gulped down +the liquid fire.</p> + +<p>'I wouldn't have called you, boys, to-night, but I have a job on hand +that must be done now or never.'</p> + +<p>'We're ready,' said two of the persons addressed, who were now seated on +a bench near the counter.</p> + +<p>'You are all ready, I hope,' said Cross, who stood up before them, and +eyed the individual who was the youngest of the three, and had not +united in the assent. 'No skulking now, Jo.'</p> + +<p>'No, no, I'm ready for any thing—that is, I s'pose you don't want no +bloody work?'</p> + +<p>'You are always afraid of blood, Jo. I've never set you at any such +work, have I?'</p> + +<p>'No, not exactly—but we have come pretty near it sometimes, you know.'</p> + +<p>'"Pretty near it"—never hurt any body.'</p> + +<p>'Well, let's have the story,' said the eldest of the gang; 'if there is +any thing to do to-night, it's time to be about it.'</p> + +<p>'You are the fellow, Dick;'—and Cross laid his hand familiarly on the +ruffian, and gave him one or two hearty slaps on the back, in +manifestation of his warm approval, and as a stimulant to the +performance of his reasonable request.</p> + +<p>The demand of Mr. Cross upon their services was made in a low tone, and +listened to by them with the deepest attention, each head drooping, and +with eyes in a gazing attitude fixed upon the floor.</p> + +<p>His directions were given with great clearness; the horses they were to +ride, the part of the premises they were to fire, which of them was to +enter the house and seize the trunk, and who the individual that should +bear it with, the utmost speed to the dark rendezvous, where he, Cross, +would be in waiting to receive it.</p> + +<p>'And if it goes well, you shall be made men—you hear <i>that</i>?'</p> + +<p>'Yes.' But they had heard the same before, and were yet the drudges of +his will. His power over them they knew—his frown they feared; and his +command must be obeyed.</p> + +<p>Every word that passed came up with painful distinctness to the ears of +the young man who lay above them, almost breathless in his dread lest +some sound, even the beat of his heart against the planks, should be +heard, and his presence discovered. He knew well the desperate character +of the men, and that he must move with wary steps.</p> + +<p>Every thing is at length arranged, and he hears them again fortifying +their spirits by a deep draught. The door is opened, and one by one they +steal out, but apparently with little zest for the work before them. +Cross waited a moment on the threshold, until they disappeared amid the +dark pines, and then, muttering curses on the men who were about to +blacken their souls with a heinous crime for his sake, he stepped back +into the store, poured out some gin from his bottle, took a long drink, +threw himself into one of the chairs, and, leaning back against the +counter, amused himself with swinging his heel against one of the rungs.</p> + +<p>Bill Brown—for it was he who had been the providential listener to this +vile scheme, had learned more in one short lesson than through his whole +life before. Light, as though from heaven, flashed upon him; the +dreadful character of his employer was revealed in all its blackness. +Fear, likewise, had taken hold upon him; a groan, a movement, even too +loud a breath, might place him in an instant on the verge of eternity.</p> + +<p>And then, too, the dreadful fate which hung over that family. Bill had +been a recreant to the path of duty; his mother's counsels he had set +light by, and too often had he ridiculed the interest which she felt in +those friends of her early days, and had done his best to persuade +Hettie against making her home there: but now he would give half his +life for the power of flying to them. How he longed to grapple with the +hateful wretch, and then spread the alarm ere their mansion was wrapped +in flames, and perhaps some of the family victims to their fury. But he +knew that Cross was armed, and a powerful man.</p> + +<p>The tramp of horses is heard; his heart sinks within him; furiously they +pass the place, and far, far away, the sounds come back fainter and +fainter upon the stillness of the night.</p> + +<p>How long he thus remained he could not tell, for minutes are hours when +the heart is in such an exciting suspense. At length he hears the snap +of a watch-case. Cross rises from his seat, opens the door, fastens it +from without, and is off. Bill waited not to hear his retiring +footsteps; he springs to the floor, hastens to a window, of which he had +not thought in his first attempt; it opened on one side of the building, +and was seldom used. The sash creaked as he forced it through the mouldy +casement, and, quickly letting himself down, carefully closed the +shutters, and then looking round as though the avenger of blood might be +watching for him, crossed the road, and entered a thick covert of pines. +He turned and looked at the long dark building where he had wasted so +much of his past life—</p> + +<p>'If I once get beyond your reach, good-by to you for ever.'</p> + +<p>Distracting were the thoughts which rioted within the mind of this +youth. He was sure that the villains were full an hour in advance of +him, and the work of destruction no doubt begun ere this. To pursue +them, would be fruitless as preventing the catastrophe; to go in the +opposite direction and seek his mother's home, would be to fill her soul +with unavailable terrors. No house was near, but the one from which he +had just escaped—no human being within some miles, to whom he should +dare communicate what he knew. It was full nine miles to Mr. +Rutherford's. His utmost haste would only enable him, in all +probability, to witness the smouldering ruins of their mansion, and, oh, +dreadful thought! the ashes of his own sister perhaps. He could think no +further; the spirit of vengeance stirred strong within—he groped about +for something that might serve him for a weapon, and laid hold of a +strong chesnut club; brandishing it in his hand and testing its strength +by a blow upon the ground—</p> + +<p>'If I can do nothing more, I will make one of them feel the weight of an +avenging arm.'</p> + +<p>He is resolved to urge on his way towards the scene of mischief. He +remembers, too, that in the instructions which Cross had given, one of +them on the fleetest horse, was to seize the trunk and hasten off. He +might meet him alone, and possibly rescue the prize, if nothing more.</p> + +<p>Never had the road seemed so interminable, and his utmost speed was to +his burning spirit but a snail's pace. Still he presses on—a long hill +is before him; when he reaches its summit he will be near the edge of +the barrens. He heeds not the ascent—his whole frame is nerved with an +energy he never has felt before—it is his first essay in the path of +duty. As he reaches the top a faint streak of light seems to tinge the +distant cloud—his heart beats with deep emotion—an instant more, and a +flush of light suffuses the whole heavens. He could scream in the +intensity of his feelings. He thinks he hears a sound—he pauses to +listen—it is—it is—the fiendish plot is accomplished, and the +villains are returning with the spoil. The tramp of one horse, however, +can only be heard as yet; the rider doubtless bears the fatal treasure. +The resolution of a whole life fires his breast and nerves him with a +fixed determination to grapple with the wretch—the horseman is +galloping up the hill—his jaded beast lags as he nears the top. Bill +crouches behind some bushes near the travelled path—his eye is on the +horseman—it has caught sight of the burden borne in front of him. With +a single bound he grasps the rein at the horse's head, and levelling a +desperate blow, brings rider and trunk to the ground. The horse, +affrighted, tears down the road, and makes directly for his home. Bill +stoops to secure the trunk, not knowing or caring whether his victim is +dead or not, when his antagonist, who is only stunned by the blow, +springs upon him! They know each other well, and have often tried each +other's strength in sport; they are nearly matched—both young, and +possessed of great muscular power. Bill is now nerved with the energy of +right, and the other with the strength of despair, maddened, too, with a +desire for revenge. The violence with which they grapple brings both to +the earth—it is a death-struggle—each endeavoring to get his opponent +under, and each by turns gaining the advantage, until at length Bill +lies apparently at the mercy of his adversary, whose hand is fast +clenched to his throat, while he exerts his utmost strength to strangle +him. Bill feels that his hour has come, for the death-grip which binds +his throat is palsying his strength. One arm, however, is free—he +clutches in his despair for something that might serve him for a +weapon—his club lay within his grasp—hope springs to his heart—he +brings down the weapon with a desperate effort, and it fell on the head +of his opponent. Bill felt the tight clench relax, and putting forth +his last powers, renews the blow. It has done the work. With scarce +strength enough to throw off the body of the now helpless man, he +attempts to rise, but in his effort to do this, the blood gushed in a +torrent from his lungs. He believes that he has killed the wretched +being beside him, and that he himself is parting with life. His reason +is bright as ever—he takes up the trunk, and creeping as he best can, +leaves the road, hoping to reach a hut which he knows is near by, +deliver his charge, and then die, if so it must be. But his strength is +less than he supposes—he can drag his trembling body but a short +distance. Gradually his powers depart—a strange and dreamy sleep comes +over him, and soon all earthly sounds and sense of earthly care are +gone; and there he lies, still clenching the object for which he +struggled so desperately.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had this scene transpired when the companions of the wretched +being who lay stretched upon the highway came hurrying along; their +horse started from the track. Casting their eyes at the object that had +caused it, they both sprang to the earth, examined a moment to ascertain +who and what it was, and then looking at each other, simultaneously +uttered a horrid oath. But there was no time to loiter; the body must +not be there to tell a tale.</p> + +<p>'He's dead, Dick; so let's throw him across the horse and be off.'</p> + +<p>'He's dead enough, Jo; but where is the trunk? we can't go without that. +We had better not meet the old man, if that is gone.'</p> + +<p>Uttering all kinds of imprecations on their own souls for having had +anything to do with the business, and wishing old Cross all manner of +evil, as they groped about in vain for the prolific cause of all this +mischief, in utter desperation they caught hold of the body: a groan +caused them to drop it instantly—</p> + +<p>'Ned, are you alive? Can you tell us where the trunk is?' There was no +reply; but the body was warm, and of course life was in it. How to +proceed they knew not; and their guilty consciences urged them to do +something with speed. In their dilemma, they sent forth again on the +still night-air curses too profane for human ears; the light, too, of +that foul deed they had committed was growing brighter and brighter; far +over the murky sky it spread, and its blood-red glare came down upon +them, exposing to their strained eyes the first tokens of the avenger's +rod.</p> + +<p>At length, in their desperation, they determined to place the wounded +and dying man astride the horse, between them. It was no easy matter to +accomplish this, and more than one groan escaped the sufferer; but the +strait they were in was urgent; they could not be deterred by trifles.</p> + +<p>Not far from the dwelling of Mr. Cross, about half a mile in a direct +line, a great change was visible in the size of the timber and the +aspect of the woods: the fine tall trees, with no undergrowth, and +scarcely a bush to obstruct the passage through them in any direction, +were suddenly exchanged for a thick and tangled mass of scrub pines, +intermixed with alder and black birch. The road leading through it, or +rather into it, showed clearly its unfrequented condition; the whole +tract being left, after the first fine growth of timber had been taken +off, to bring forth what it best could, none then living expecting to +reap much benefit from it. The soil was sandy, with scarcely any stones +to be seen, except occasionally a small boulder, which, as it lay +disconnected with any of its species, impressed the mind with the idea +that it was out of its place, and was there by accident.</p> + +<p>One spot, however, on this lone region, presented a singular contrast to +all the rest; a few rods from the only road which passed into it, was an +open, clear place, almost a perfect circle in its form, and about a +hundred feet in diameter, upon which was neither shrub nor tree; the +whole area being a flat granite rock, without seam or crack; it was not, +indeed, a perfect level, but the protuberances upon its surface were +scarcely noticeable, except as you walked across it.</p> + +<p>To this spot had Cross directed his emissaries, after they should have +accomplished his purpose. It was lonely and desolate, and well chosen +for such a rendezvous.</p> + +<p>What were his feelings, as he paced up and down that rock, lighted by +the lurid glare reflected from the cloud above him, it would not be very +profitable for us to know; nor shall I attempt to uncover the hideous +secrets of such a heart. But there he walked and watched for two long +hours—long indeed they seemed to him—and as he paused ever and anon to +listen for approaching steps, would curse their tardiness, and then +resume his lone, heavy tramp.</p> + +<p>At length he heard the sound of voices, and the slow tread of a single +horse. In his haste to anticipate the accomplishment of his vile wish, +he left the rock and hurried to the road; one of them had dismounted, +and was about to pass from the road to the trysting-place, the other +maintained his place upon the horse, holding the helpless body of his +companion.</p> + +<p>Their tale was soon told, for there was not much to say; mystery lay +upon every thing concerning the wounded man, or the trunk which had been +committed to him.</p> + +<p>Cross listened awhile to their story, his rage gathering fire, until, +bursting through all bounds, it broke forth like a volcano. He caught +the one who was standing near him, by the throat, and drawing a pistol +from his breast—</p> + +<p>'You lie, you villain! you know you lie! Tell me this moment where you +have put that trunk, or I will blow your perjured soul from your +body—tell me, quick.'</p> + +<p>Overcome with fatigue from the great exertion of the night, and with a +consciousness of the atrocity of their crime, the young man exclaimed, +in broken accents, weeping as he spoke,</p> + +<p>'You may blow my soul out, if you please, Mr. Cross; but as there is a +God above, I cannot tell you where it is.'</p> + +<p>Throwing the young man away from him with a force that brought him to +the earth, he dashed the pistol down with maniac rage, tore his hair, +foamed at the mouth, and fairly howled in the violence of his anger. For +a while the witnesses looked on in apparent apathy, seeming to care but +little how much he vented his spite upon himself. At length the one who +still retained his seat upon the horse, very coolly asked,</p> + +<p>'What shall we do with Ned? If he was dead we might bury him; but seeing +there is life in him, it wouldn't be quite so well, may be; he may yet +come to, so as to tell who hurt him, and may be some other things had +better be seen to, for the night is wearing away, and—'</p> + +<p>Cross, enraged as he was, felt that there was reason in this, and, +moreover, that it was of the greatest consequence to him that the +wounded man should be taken care of, and placed beyond the reach of +meddlers.</p> + +<p>'You are right. Take him down to the back part of the east swamp—you +know who lives there. Tell Meg I sent him; that no one must know he is +there; she must do what she can to bring life in him, and as soon as he +can speak, to let me know.'</p> + +<p>He stooped and picked up his pistol, uncocked the trigger, replaced it +in his bosom, and walked on his way, muttering curses, and pondering on +the best manner to avert the danger of discovery which these untoward +events threatened.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + + +<p>The trial which had fallen upon the family of Mr. Rutherford was one so +new and unexpected, that, with the exception of himself and wife, but +little effect was made upon the members of it.</p> + +<p>A vague report, indeed, ran through the house, of some trouble that had +befallen its master, but what was the nature of it they could not well +define. To Hettie alone had Mrs. Rutherford confided the secret; for she +felt that her strong attachment, her faithful disposition, and her +discreet behaviour, entitled her to confidence. She received the +information with a heart bleeding in sympathy, but manifested so much +good sense, had so many encouraging things to say, and put on such a +calm, peaceful look, that Mrs. Rutherford felt that she had indeed a +prop to lean upon in this faithful girl. All that day Hettie went about +with an energy beyond what was usual, taking from Mrs. Rutherford all +her cares and duties immediately domestic, and exerting every effort to +put as bright a face upon the family as if nothing had happened. The +servants in the kitchen had whisperings among themselves, but further +than that, there was no sign that any change had taken place. They +little knew the cause of bitter anguish that wrung the master's heart; +every thing to them appeared as heretofore: their beautiful mansion, the +pleasant grounds about it, the noble trees, and all the comforts that +spread such a satisfying charm over the whole, to them looked as sure as +ever; to him they were but shadows of the past—things that had been, +but are not—by one fell stroke swept, all swept away.</p> + +<p>After the distracting scenes of the morning, Mr. Rutherford prepared to +make a journey of some miles, in order to attend to business connected +with the peculiar situation of his affairs, and more especially to +consult a legal friend, and get such advice as his case demanded.</p> + +<p>Not expecting to return until the following day, he bade adieu to his +dear family with a sad heart; and as he mounted his favorite horse, and +rode away from his much-loved home—now his no more—he felt that he was +under the chastening rod—the hand of God was upon him.</p> + +<p>It is said that birds of prey can scent their victims from afar, and spy +the hidden carcass, however secret the spot where it may fall.</p> + +<p>It must have been by some such instinctive power that our old +acquaintance, Mr. Richard Tucker, was affected, on the day that +witnessed the catastrophe of Mr. Rutherford's concerns. His place of +residence was some miles off, and no tidings had he received of any such +event; and yet his yellow gig was that day put in requisition, and +northward he must go.</p> + +<p>'I shall be home by night, may be.'</p> + +<p>This was all that he deigned to say, as he left his home, and the old +gig squeaked and rattled as his raw-bone mare started off at a round +trot; perhaps she scented her master's game.</p> + +<p>About a mile from the Rutherford estate there was a small collection of +buildings; it bore the title of village however, and comprised a church, +a blacksmith's shop, and a tavern, as also a few small and plain +tenements. The tavern, of course, was the rendezvous through the week, +and the place where all the news and scandal could be enjoyed. It was +soon known around that trouble had fallen on the great man of that +region, and a larger number than usual was congregated there just after +dinner. But, to their credit be it said, a feeling of deep regret was +very manifest: not a tongue was loosened against the sufferer, nor was +there one among them disposed to take any measures for his own security, +although to most of them he was indebted for services of different +kinds.</p> + +<p>'George Rutherford,' said an aged, portly man, who seemed to be the +oracle of the place, and who had taken the large arm-chair on the wide +front piazza of the tavern, 'I have known from a boy; and if there ever +was an honest man and a gentleman, he is one. Things have been going +hard with him for some time, that we all know; he has had cunning chaps +to deal with, and may be they have ruined him; but sooner than take the +law of him, I will lose all he owes me, at any rate.'</p> + +<p>'So would I;' and 'So would I,' resounded on all sides.</p> + +<p>'But here comes Dick,' said the first speaker. 'I wonder what he is +after?—hunting for a job, I guess.'</p> + +<p>And the old yellow gig drove up, and Mr. Tucker, with all the elasticity +of a young man, sprang from his seat, and alighted on the lower step.</p> + +<p>'Good afternoon, gentlemen;' and Mr. Tucker bowed very stiffly, which +perhaps he was obliged to do, for his coat was buttoned up close to the +neck—a habit he maintained at all seasons.</p> + +<p>'Good day, Mr. Tucker; you seem to be in a hurry, neighbor; the old mare +is quite out of breath.'</p> + +<p>'Oh no; not at all,' turning at the same time, and eyeing his beast; +'she always breathes so. You may put her under the shed, Jo,' addressing +a good-natured looking black, who stood waiting orders at the head of +the beast.</p> + +<p>'Yes, massa. Any oats, massa?'</p> + +<p>'No—well—I don't care—yes. You may give her a mess—two quarts, Jo. +Wet them, you hear?'</p> + +<p>Jo took the mare by the head, turned his face away from the company, +opened his broad mouth, and went grinning along to the shed.</p> + +<p>'My golly! two quarts—ha, ha, ha! a half bushel no fill her belly—ha, +ha, ha!'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard has not altered much since we last saw him, either in +appearance or disposition. Why he had come along that afternoon, no one +knew; nor did he seem to be making preparation as though he had a job on +hand. He heard the news of Mr. Rutherford's disaster with apparent +indifference. I say apparent, for there is no doubt he felt much and +deeply; he talked with one and another, making very few remarks, but +asking a great many questions, and occasionally shrugging his shoulders, +and knitting his dark eyebrows—it was a way he had. What effect his +pantomime had upon those with whom he conversed was not very manifest, +for they finally dropped off, one by one, leaving no orders behind them.</p> + +<p>It is an old saying, 'If one won't, another will.' Mr. Richard, no doubt, +had heard the saying, and must have had considerable faith in it; for +there was not an individual, either high or low, that escaped his +attentions.</p> + +<p>The Irish are proverbially susceptible. Whether Mr. Richard knew this +as a historical fact, I will not pretend to say, nor whether it led him +to make a more direct and positive attack on poor Pat than he had done +upon others that day; the result, however, was, that Jerry Malony, a +rather good-natured fellow, to whom Mr. Rutherford was indebted for a +summer's ditching, and whose pay was as sure as though already in his +own hands, was suddenly seized with great terrors, in view of the +certain loss of all his hard earnings, and with a distressing anxiety to +become possessed, as a means of securing himself, of a pair of fine +black horses, then in the possession of said Rutherford.</p> + +<p>We will not enter into all the particulars; suffice it to say, that Mr. +Tucker and Mr. Malony adjourned from the east corner of the piazza to a +private room inside the building, and thence to a justice of the peace, +and thence back again to the bar-room; and, finally, the two worthy +gentlemen were wishing each other very good health, and confirming their +wishes by potent draughts of genuine Monongahela. There were many little +arrangements to be made, which occupied them until the shades of evening +had settled very decidedly upon the land.</p> + +<p>Old Cæsar, the coachman—with whom we once became acquainted on the +little journey Mr. Rutherford and his lady took through the barrens some +years since—was still alive, and, to all appearance, active as ever. +The old black coach-horses, too, had lost none of their strength or +fire, for they were never overburdened, and being under the exclusive +charge of Cæsar, were daily tended with as much care as though they had +been pet horses of a prince; their dark hides shone as brightly as +Cæsar's countenance did after a good supper, and all their appurtenances +were kept in the most perfect order. To say that Cæsar was fond of these +creatures, whom he had tended and driven so long, would not express all +his emotions towards them; they were, next to his master and mistress, +and their children, the objects that engrossed his feelings—and Cæsar +had very strong feelings, too—his life he would have risked, or even +sacrificed, to have preserved any of them from harm. He had no wife or +children of his own, nothing to love except his master's family; and no +wonder then, if for these beasts, who obeyed every expression of his +will, and pawed, and neighed, and pranced, and did all but talk to him +when they heard his step approaching, he had peculiar feelings. +Moreover, Cæsar was very proud of them: for they were acknowledged, far +and near, to be a noble pair; and, to crown all, they were looked upon +as his own. Mr. Rutherford never claimed any further right to them than +the privilege of a drive occasionally.</p> + +<p>Cæsar knew very little about his master's troubles; he had, indeed, +heard some whispering in the kitchen among the women; but he paid no +further heed to it than to bestow a back-handed blessing on their +tongues.</p> + +<p>'Dey are always a-goin' jabbering about sumpin' or anoder. Massa George +know he own business well enough, neber fear.'</p> + +<p>As Cæsar's principal employment of late years was to attend to the +horses, he had persuaded his master to fit up for him a room in the +building where they were kept, so that, in case any accident should +occur to them in the night, he could be on hand. A door opened from this +room immediately into the stable; and as the whole premises were kept +with the greatest care, there might be found much less eligible sleeping +apartments in places that made greater pretensions. Cæsar, however, did +not sleep there entirely alone. Besides his pets, the horses, he had a +dog of the real mastiff breed, that had been trained with much care, and +was as completely under the will of Cæsar as the other quadrupeds; he +was a large, powerful creature, and unless under the complete control of +a master, would have been dangerous; but at Cæsar's word, he would be +passive as a lamb, and at his bidding would lay the stoutest man upon +his back, and hold him there without doing further violence, unless +there was an attempt at resistance.</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard and his client Jerry had been sitting on the piazza of the +tavern, watching for the return of Mr. Rutherford, who must pass that +way to his house; hour after hour slipped by, and they looked in vain.</p> + +<p>'It's striking nine, your honour; shall we wait any longer?'</p> + +<p>'It is my opinion, my good fellow, that we might as well be on our way. +As a matter of form, perhaps, it might be well enough just to make the +demand; but as there is no probability, if it is all true that I hear, +not the least probability that he can pay it, or will ever pay it, your +only chance, my friend, is, as I say'—slapping his hand on Jerry's +knee—'clap on to something tangible; and as you say the horses are +valuable, they will be about as handy as anything I can think of. They +have legs, you know; we can carry them off, or more probably, we can +make them carry us off—ha, ha, ha!'</p> + +<p>All this was said with his face turned towards Malony, and speaking +close to his ear, while his auditor, being rather short and a little +worse for liquor, sat very erect, and looked as consequential as any +newly made Justice trying his first cause.</p> + +<p>'And as we are to walk, I think we may as well be jogging.'</p> + +<p>'I think so, your honor.'</p> + +<p>The two worthies accordingly walked slowly along, and before a great +while found themselves in the broad avenue leading to Mr. Rutherford's +mansion.</p> + +<p>'You are well acquainted here, I suppose, Malony? The dog you speak +of—is he—is he—loose?'</p> + +<p>'No, your honor, not just loose; he keeps tight to the nigger.'</p> + +<p>'And he, you say, sleeps in the stable?'</p> + +<p>'Pretty near it, your honor—close by.'</p> + +<p>'I think, my good fellow, that we may as well go at once, then, to the +stable; the nigger being there, it will be sufficient to demand them of +him, or to leave the attachment with him.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard, it must be premised, was not over-burdened with law +knowledge. The people among whom he labored had taken his word as law +enough for them. They found it hard law, to be sure; but, poor souls, +they knew no better, and thought all was right.</p> + +<p>Jerry had implicit confidence in his adviser, and so walked bravely +along. The dog being just then uppermost in his mind, knowing, as he +well did, his ferocious character, he cared much more about a proper +introduction to him, than any nice point in law.</p> + +<p>'Hadn't I better be after strikin' a light, your honor? it's amazin' +dark.'</p> + +<p>'Not yet, Malony; not until we reach the stable.'</p> + +<p>It cost master Jerry no little trouble to strike his light, for his hand +was not very steady; and as he gave two blows with his finger against +the steel to one with the flint, there was more blood than sparks +flying.</p> + +<p>'Bloody murther! that was a pealer: it's taken the skin, it has, your +honor.'</p> + +<p>'Can't you hit it, Malony?'</p> + +<p>'I hit it, your honor, but my finger took it fornint the stone.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard now took matters into his own hands, and while Jerry was +blowing and snapping his fingers, he managed to get some sparks into +the tinder, and soon had his lantern in trim.</p> + +<p>Cæsar was about the middle of his first nap when he suddenly awoke, and +found that Trap was growling in a low undertone. Trap never barked, and +very seldom condescended to growl, Cæsar knew that there must be +something going wrong; he therefore extricated his head from beneath the +bed-clothes, and cast his eye round the premises. The lamp was still +burning, and so far as his half-opened eyelids would allow him to see, +there was no one in his room besides the usual inmates. Trap, to be +sure, was out of his place, and sitting close by his master's bed, +looking very significantly up at the red night-cap. As soon as he +perceived that his master was awake, he ceased growling, like a very +sensible dog as he was, signifying thereby that his only design in using +his vocal powers was to stop the snoring, and call his master's +attention to matters and things in the waking world. After rubbing away +upon his eyes awhile, and working things awake there, Cæsar, in a very +philosophic manner, by means of his two arms, which he threw behind him +and used as levers, first to raise and then to support and brace his +body up, attained a sufficiently elevated position to see and hear what +was going on. He was afraid of nothing but witches, and for that reason +always had a light on hand; it being well known that neither in daylight +nor candle-light was any danger to be apprehended from the 'good +neighbors.' But something or somebody was stirring, and near by, too, +for he evidently heard footsteps and voices, and, as well as he could +make it out, they must be in the stable. Being more or less afflicted +with the rheumatism, he was very deliberate in his movements. First +throwing his somewhat recumbent body into a straight and self-supporting +posture, and thereby relieving his arms from their burden; then casting +aside whatever impeded his progress, in the way of covering, he turned +his nether extremities by the pivot principle, brought himself in +position to stand erect on the floor, and proceeded at once to the +light, which was safely shut up in an old carriage lamp, through which +the rays streamed forth by a small glass, calculated to converge, and +throw them far ahead.</p> + +<p>Cæsar was somewhat of a gentleman in his feelings, and on the subject of +dress quite particular; for he followed the old fashion of small clothes +and knee buckles, and broad-skirted coat and vest, with large lappels, +and was ever ready, at any short notice, to appear with becoming apparel +in the presence of his mistress. These he wore by day; but he made a +complete change when he laid these by, and put on his night rig. As he +was a bachelor, and ladies, white or black, had no business about his +premises at night, he fixed himself as he thought best; and his fancy +was, red flannel. Why he chose that color, he never saw fit to +communicate; it may have been, however, that his good sense suggested +that white, the usual dress, would make too strong a contrast. He had on +a red flannel cap, that came pretty well over his ears, and a red +flannel frock, or tunic, covering him from the neck downwards to the +usual gartering place; below that the bare poles were plainly visible. +To those who knew him perfectly, there was nothing very frightful in all +this, because it was Cæsar; but to those who might not have had +experience on their side, as he then appeared, with his lantern +streaming before him, he might have been mistaken for any thing that was +not earthly.</p> + +<p>As Trap knew that his business was to keep still and remain in his place +until called, so soon as he saw his master upon his legs, he was +satisfied that all was correct, and nestled quietly down on his own bed.</p> + +<p>The only weapon Cæsar ever kept on hand, was a pitchfork, a very ugly +sort of a thing to come in contact with; for in the first place, it not +only makes two holes where a bayonet or sword would make but one, but it +gives great advantage to the one who uses it in its length of handle; +this may have been the reason why Cæsar preferred it. At any rate, there +was always one standing in the corner of his room; it had very long and +heavy tines, and a handle sufficient to keep an enemy at a respectful +and safe distance. Feeling that it might be prudent to be prepared for +danger, even if there was none, he grasped his weapon in one hand, and +with the lamp in the other, drew back the little bolt, and throwing the +door wide open by a strong push, stood in bold relief, casting his light +round about through the large roomy stable, and straining his eyes to +ascertain who or what it was.</p> + +<p>His appearance was the cause of considerable surprise; for although Mr. +Malony had talked very freely about the <i>nigger</i>, as he was pleased to +style Mr. Cæsar Rutherford, and although both he and Mr. Richard +expected to see him in the course of their proceedings, yet they could +have had no very correct idea what shape a mere mortal, especially a +black one, could assume; for no sooner did their own light throw its +beams upon this sudden apparition, than they both made rapid retrograde +movements, Jerry, in his haste, bringing up against the opposite wall, +and Mr. Richard stepping back towards the door, as though it would be +safe at least to be out of reach of the pitchfork.</p> + +<p>Whether Cæsar was alarmed, it would be difficult to say; for he made no +motion other than to throw the light of his lamp, first on one and then +on the other of his visitors.</p> + +<p>Jerry, he thought, he had seen before; in fact, he was quite sure that +he could not be mistaken in the little chunky Irishman, who had been so +long under his master's pay; but Mr. Richard, Cæsar could not make out; +he had never been in these parts, that he remembered.</p> + +<p>As Cæsar's appearance did not improve upon inspection, and as the two +gentlemen were too far separated to consult as to further proceedings, a +long silence would have been maintained had not Cæsar opened a parley—</p> + +<p>'What a you want here?'</p> + +<p>The tones were not very mild, nor was the address made in very good +humor; for Cæsar threw in a few emphatic words which he sometimes used +when excited, just by way of seasoning, and which for brevity's sake are +omitted; but then it was a human voice, and it gave some assurance to +Mr. Richard at least. He therefore advanced one or two paces:</p> + +<p>'Ah, that's you, is it, Boss?'</p> + +<p>'Git out wid your Boss, and tell me what a you want here dis time a +night!'</p> + +<p>'Oh, we don't want any thing with you, my good fellow, but we have got a +little business here that must be attended to. You know Malony +here?'—turning at the same time towards his discomfited +companion:—'You know he's been at work here all summer for your master. +Here, Malony, step up here; you have nothing against this good man, you +know.'</p> + +<p>But Malony preferred remaining where he was. Cæsar's eyes, he thought, +showed a little too much of the white to be very safe, especially under +the circumstances.</p> + +<p>'I am sorry to have disturbed you, my good fellow, but as somebody must +be notified before we proceed, I will just read the warrant, as I +suppose you will hardly be able to make it out yourself;' and Mr. +Richard pulled out a bit of paper and began to read rapidly—'Know all +men by these presents,' etc. Cæsar, in the mean time, was getting his +wrath up. He never liked the Irishman, and had often cautioned his +master against him; and Mr. Richard's countenance not being, as my +readers will remember, very pre-possessing, together with the fawning +manner in which he attempted to get round him, woke up Cæsar's +sensibilities:</p> + +<p>'Mister, go to grass wid your paper, and tell a me what you want +'sturbing people dis time a de night.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard being thus interrupted in his proceedings, stopped reading, +and looking full in Cæsar's face—</p> + +<p>'You know, I suppose, my good man, that Mr. Rutherford has failed?'</p> + +<p>'Hab what?'</p> + +<p>'Has failed; that is, can't pay his debts.'</p> + +<p>'You a big liar.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard didn't blush; he never had in his life; but he began to pick +up a little courage.</p> + +<p>'You must take care, old fellow, how you speak; I am an officer of the +law, take care, sir. Here Malony, lead out one of these horses, and I +will take the other.'</p> + +<p>'What dat you say?'</p> + +<p>And Cæsar stepped forward, Mr. Richard retreating at the same time, +until he came to the edge of the stall.</p> + +<p>'Me like to see you touch one of dem horses.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard had now come in closer contact with Cæsar; and perceiving +that he was quite an old man, and walked rather stiff, made a sudden +spring, and grasped the pitch-fork.</p> + +<p>'Trap, Trap.'</p> + +<p>There was a rush from the little room, and in the next moment Mr. +Richard was lying on his back, with the fore-paws of master Trap resting +one on each shoulder, and his mouth presenting a row of teeth in such +dangerous contiguity to Mr. Richard's throat, that he began to fear +matters were tending to extremities, and called out 'Murder!' at the top +of his voice.</p> + +<p>'Hole you lyin' tongue; he be de death of you.'</p> + +<p>'Malony, Malony! help, help; kill the dog; quick, take a pitchfork, any +thing, do, my good fellow, he'll murder me.'</p> + +<p>But Mr. Malony was not so drunk but he had sense enough to see that +there was mischief brewing; and no sooner was Mr. Richard on his back, +than he bolted and ran for dear life, Mr. Richard's cries only adding +wings to his flight across lots for home.</p> + +<p>'I tell a you what, mister, you no hole you tongue and keep till, me let +de dog take you lights out in a minit. Hold him dare, Trap, till a +morning; den we see how he look.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, good man! good man!' Mr. Richard spoke now in a whisper—'do—don't +go away, don't leave me here; I promise I will go right off; I was only +doing my duty as an officer.'</p> + +<p>'Me gib a you duty; you 'member Cæsar next time; take care de horses no +kick a your brains out.' There was indeed a very dangerous proximity +between Mr. Richard's head and the horses' heels, especially as they +were pawing and prancing about under the exciting influence of Cæsar's +voice.</p> + +<p>'Oh do, good Mr. Cæsar, for the love of mercy, just take the dog off, +and let me go! I give you my sacred honor'—But Cæsar had no such idea. +The insult offered to his master and his horses had steeled his heart.</p> + +<p>'I tell a you what, mister; you no lay till and keep a your tongue, your +time is short; he only take two mouthful, you be gone chicken, so good +night to you;' and Cæsar hobbled back into his room.</p> + +<p>The grave and the gay, the mirthful and the sad, are so blended in this +world, that in delineating any series of events, we find ourselves +constrained to shift the scenery so often and so suddenly, that if we +did not know we were sketching from nature, we should fear to be charged +with drawing upon fancy, even to extravagance.</p> + +<p>Cæsar had bidden Mr. Richard good night, and to all appearance, designed +leaving him, as he said, 'to de mornin', to see how he look den.'</p> + +<p>He had been sorely disturbed, and perhaps feeling that it would be +rather difficult to compose himself to sleep under the existing state of +things, he so far arranged himself in his day apparel that he felt ready +for any emergency; it was not according to Cæsar's sense of propriety to +be caught in just the shape he had been. After fixing things a little, +he threw himself on the bed, talked away for some time, and even made +one or two broad grins, as though there was something on his mind not +very unpleasant, and finally sunk into a dreamy state, conscious, most +of the time, of the condition of external things immediately around him, +and yet so mixed up with things and places very foreign to them, that +it was not the easiest matter in the world for him to be sure whether he +was asleep or awake.</p> + +<p>How long he had been lying in this state it would be difficult to say, +for time, under such circumstances, makes no tracks that are +perceptible.</p> + +<p>Among other ideas that flitted through his mind, was that of a light +which kept flickering across his window, and occasionally brightening up +his whole room. For some time even after he was awake, he lay and +thought about it. Distinctly beholding the glare, which now had become +steadily bright, filling his whole room and absorbing completely the +light of his lantern, suddenly he sprang from his bed, his mind awaking +to a full consciousness that something was wrong; he hurried through the +stable, and calling off Trap from the pitiful object who had been +writhing under his surveillance, opened the outer door.</p> + +<p>'Fire, fire, fire!' he called at the full extent of his voice—'fire, +fire, fire! Oh, my missus and de children!—the lord hab mercy.'</p> + +<p>The old man forgot his age, and ran with the speed of youth.</p> + +<p>The sight which had burst upon him was enough to have nerved with energy +the most sluggish and unfeeling. On Cæsar it broke with most appalling +interest.</p> + +<p>He could not, indeed, get a full view, for the house was screened by the +large trees and thick shrubbery; but enough could be seen to assure him +that the dwelling was on fire; and the inmates, if they had not escaped, +were in imminent danger, for the flames were flashing up to the tops of +the trees, higher than the roof of the main building. In a few moments +he was beside the burning pile, and the whole extent of the awful +calamity was revealed to him. The fire was raging over the whole of the +back part of the house, having already completely enveloped the back +building connected with it, and was throwing its forked flames over the +high roof, while the pitch-black smoke, which rolled around the whole +premises without, gave awful forebodings of what might be the state of +things within. No alarm had yet seized the family that he could discern; +he listened in vain for any sound but the terrible cracking of the +raging fire.</p> + +<p>He attempted the nearest door, but found it fastened. The wood-pile was +at hand; he seized the axe; at that moment two men came running into +the court-yard and calling fire. Cæsar barely glanced at them, they were +strangers to him; but he felt encouraged in his efforts; his arm was +nerved with the strength of his early days—one blow drove it from its +fastenings, and in he rushed amid the heat and smoke.</p> + +<p>The two men followed him, but for a very different purpose than to +rescue the sleeping family from their fiery envelope.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Rutherford left his home, as before related, his expectation +was to remain until the following day; but having accomplished his +errand early in the evening, he concluded to return to his family. It +would occupy much of the night, but he preferred spending it on +horseback, so anxious was he to be again with his wife and children; +they were all he had now, and his heart yearned after them with a warmth +of affection he had never realized before.</p> + +<p>A little past midnight, as he was turning the summit of a hill, a sudden +flash of light shot up in the distance; he thought it was the glare of a +meteor; but painted on the clouds which overhung the western sky, it +left a deep-red glow. As he gazed, while slowly descending the hill, he +saw the flush extending, and gradually assuming a brighter and more +lurid aspect.</p> + +<p>'It must be a fire; perhaps some poor sufferers are looking in anguish +upon the wreck of their little all.'</p> + +<p>And on he went, ever and anon casting his eye at the clouds, and marking +their curious forms, as the light in fitful flashes displayed their +shape.</p> + +<p>At times, across the distant hills, he seemed to think that he could see +the position of the fire, but intervening objects would again confine +his view, and he could only discern the light on the clouds above him. +Coming at length to an angle in the road, from which he could look in +the direction of his home, he was startled to find that there was a +clear and well-defined streak of light emanating from some burning +building, which must be at least in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>Without being conscious of any decided alarm, he urged his horse to a +faster pace, and kept his eye more constantly on the light. For some +miles from where he lived the road ran among the hills; so that, however +great had been his anxiety, it could not be gratified until he should +emerge into the open country. At length he is ascending the last +eminence that intervenes between him and the objects of the affections; +the light is still blazing on the clouds above him; he hastens to the +summit, and beholds—heart-rending sight—the home of his childhood—the +dwelling where all his earthly hopes and love were clustered—a mass of +crumbling ruins, from which the forked flames were shooting up and +crackling on the still night-air; those demon sounds went in streams of +madness to his heart.</p> + +<p>'Oh, my God!' he exclaimed; and deep in the sides of his horse he struck +his spurs, and the good creature was urged into terrific speed. It was +but a mile, and it was passed with a whirlwind's pace. Straight to the +burning pile he rode; a few person's he discerned collected as near the +fire as the raging heat would permit.</p> + +<p>'My wife and children!—for God's sake tell me quick—where are they?' +He sprang from his horse, and was in the arms of the faithful Cæsar.</p> + +<p>'All safe, Massa George! all safe, tank God!'</p> + +<p>'Thank God! thank God!' and he fell upon the old man like a helpless +infant. He was carried into an outhouse, which had been spared by the +devouring element, and kind hands and hearts were soon about him +administering to his relief. As he awoke to consciousness, his beloved +Mary was bending over him, and her warm lips pressed to his in the +ecstasy of her joy.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Mary! my dear wife! where are my darlings? bring them to me; let me +clasp you all once more!'</p> + +<p>And quick they came. He cast a look on each, a fond, a satisfied look, +and then in one warm embrace he held them all.</p> + +<p>'Oh God! this is enough—I ask no more. Let me have but these—poverty +in any shape may come; we will not fear it.'</p> + +<p>'Amen! my dear husband; we will not fear it.'</p> + +<p>It is often said by those who look on the dark side of Divine +dispensations, that troubles always come in clusters, and one deep +sorrow soon gives place to another. This may be true, but not in the +sense which these croakers of misery would intimate. As happiness and +unhappiness are often but relative terms in our changing world, it needs +but the wise Director of events so to time the dispensations of his +Providence, that one evil may counteract another, or to hold up before +us the certainty that we and every interest near our heart are at his +disposal, to bring us quietly to acquiesce in his will; and in that +submission there is peace. George Rutherford, as he rode towards his +home, amid the solitude of midnight, pondering over his ruined fortunes, +felt that he was suffering the severest stroke which could have come +upon him; but when he came in sight of the spot where that home had +been, when he looked upon the terrible flames, and felt the dread +uncertainty which hung over the fate of those dear ones of his heart, he +then felt that God, his Sovereign and his Father, had at his command +profounder depths of sorrow in which his soul might agonize. The loss of +fortune was but a mere sip of the bitter cup, a mere mist from the dark +and waste wilderness of mortal suffering; and when he folded his dear +wife and children in his arms, he felt, as he said, 'Let poverty come, +we will not fear it.'</p> + +<p>But he had yet to learn the full meaning which that word conveys. Little +could he tell, born as he had been to affluence, the anguish which would +at times wring his spirit; his resources drained, his home destroyed, +the little comforts to which his family had been accustomed, the +gratification of their finer tastes, the elegancies of life—all cut +off; it was well for him that he could not know at once the full extent +of that change which had passed upon his fortunes.</p> + +<p>One bitter ingredient in his cup was, that he could now plainly see that +he had been remiss in that watchfulness and care which were demanded of +him, over the inheritance that had been bequeathed to him. His kind +feelings had been indulged without the exercise of common prudence, and +he had permitted a morbid sensibility that shrunk from a just suspicion +of those whose delinquencies he was not wholly ignorant of, and last, +though not least in the catalogue which he reckoned up against himself, +was his gross neglect in regard to some things requiring but a moment's +attention, and yet involving serious consequences. The most mortifying +and truly disastrous of these was revealed to him a few days after the +scenes recorded in the last chapter. It occurred, too, at a moment when +his spirits had begun to revive a little from their depression. It had +been suggested to him that the time was not far off when his tract in +the barrens would be of immense value. Hitherto it had been estimated +comparatively as but little worth. The timber was indeed large, and its +value, when it reached the market, considerable; but the cost of +preparing it and transporting it so far left but a trifling return to +the owner. A new demand was about to be created in the successful +application of steam for river navigation. As hope began to agitate his +bosom, he immediately remembered that he had, but lately, been examining +the deed by which he held that property, and had noticed that there was +no certificate upon it of its having been recorded, and that he had +designed having it placed upon the public register. This design he had +not accomplished, and if it was not there, it was gone for ever, as he +knew the flames had devoured the original, with all his other papers.</p> + +<p>Hoping that it might still have been recorded by his father, and the +notice of the fact neglected to be put upon the deed, he immediately +ordered his lawyer to make the search. It was in vain; and to add to his +chagrin, the gentleman who made the search informed him that a deed +which Mr. Cross had received from one of the original proprietors, +intended, as was supposed, to convey a title to only a few acres, did, +by this discrepancy, possess him of a vast tract of many miles in +extent. Terrible indeed was this blow to him; his last hope of +retrieving his condition vanished. He must now look abroad upon the wide +world for some honest means of supporting his family. How he envied the +laboring man, who, accustomed to toil from his boyhood, went forth to +his daily occupation with a lively spirit. How gladly would he have +taken his place, no matter how severe the work; but his muscular power +was not equal to it. Trained to no regular business, stript of all +external dependence, he saw before him but a dark and misty wilderness, +through which he must grope his way as he best could.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + + +<p>The influence which Henry Tracy was enabled to exert can only be fully +known when all results and causes shall be developed in the clearer, +brighter light of eternity; but a vast amount of good was manifest, even +to those whose moral vision was not the clearest. Many a young mind was +stimulated to exert its dormant energies, and feeling its strength, +rushed on to distinction. His pleasing manners were a beautiful +accompaniment to his cultivated mind, and gave a decided tone to those +of the young who had any taste for what was refined and elegant. Nor was +the renovation he was accomplishing altogether hidden from himself; a +great change was working—he saw it; it did not fill his heart with +pride, it only stimulated him to further progress, and warmed his +gratitude to God. One thing was certain: he had entwined himself around +the hearts of all, and his own affections were more truly interested +than they had ever been before, beyond his parents' roof. It seemed to +be the place where God would have him be—'The very niche he was +designed to fill.' It was also the means of deciding him as to the +calling he should pursue for life. To be suitably fitted to take the +spiritual charge of a people, no matter how secluded or unpolished they +might be, was now his highest aim; and after a suitable time he made +known to the principal men that this was his intention, and that he must +leave them, and go where he could obtain the necessary instruction. +Little did he realize the hold he had of their affections, until this +determination was expressed. Nothing would satisfy their yearning +towards him but his promise, that, when through his course of study, he +would come and be their minister.</p> + +<p>'We will build you a church just on the spot which you have selected, +and we will put you up a house, that you shall call your home as long as +you live; only promise that you will come and spend your days with us.'</p> + +<p>How could he say 'Nay'? Three years in all has he been separated from +them, and now for more than a year he has been settled over them as +their pastor. They have erected a church, and it stands, as we have +seen, on a beautiful knoll that commands a lovely view of the +surrounding waters; and they have built the parsonage, and it is near +the church, embracing the same enchanting water view, although somewhat +obstructed by its embowering trees and shrubbery. It is, however +unoccupied, for Henry is yet a single man, and whether his affections +are engaged, it matters not. He has made no declaration of them, and +retains his old situation with the Widow Andrews.</p> + +<p>A favorite resort of his has been the cottage of Mary Brown. He loves to +ramble amidst the seclusion of the thick forest, to call in at the poor +cottages, give a word of comfort or instruction, and then rest himself +at the table of the widow, and listen to her ready converse about the +things of a better world. Sometimes, too, he seems not at all unwilling +to listen while the widow talks of one she loves most dearly. Henry had +met with Hettie Brown occasionally at Mr. Rutherford's. He had been +struck with her appearance, and we need not be surprised at this, for +she is some years older now than when we last saw her. The pretty girl +with sun-burnt face, and curly raven locks, and dark hazel eyes, is now +a lovely young woman. Nor was it her appearance alone that surprised +him. Hettie had studied nature rather than books, but she had gathered +quite a little store; and the ease with which she conversed, and the +variety that her mind brought forth, together with the deep interest she +manifested as he poured out from his own more enlarged mind the +treasures of knowledge, convinced him that she had a desire for +improvement, and an appetite for acquiring information that would make +her an agreeable scholar.</p> + +<p>A warm yet lovely afternoon had tempted Henry to seek the refreshing +shade among the pines; and not caring to extend his walk, he directed +his steps at once to the widow's cottage.</p> + +<p>At that period of the day, he generally expected to see her sitting a +little back from the house, beneath the shade of a large white pine, +whose thick and spreading branches afforded a cool and pleasant shelter +from the rays of the summer sun. Missing her in her usual seat, he +entered the cottage; the moment he stood upon the threshold, he raised +his hands and remained perfectly stationary, looking in silent +astonishment at the scene before him.</p> + +<p>His eye met that of the widow; it was mild and calm as ever, but no +smile returned his greeting, and she turned away immediately towards the +object that then engrossed her heart, and perhaps intending thereby to +direct his notice thither also.</p> + +<p>It was enough, indeed, to have chained a mother's attention; for on the +bed by which she was sitting, lay her only son, for whose sake she lived +thus alone, senseless, but still alive; his pallid countenance and +sunken eye and cheek, his short faint breathing, all plainly indicated +that life was held but by a slender thread—so slender, that a trifle +might sunder it for ever. Close by the head of the sufferer stood his +sister, gently waving a large fan, and thereby relieving in some measure +the closeness of the atmosphere, which, to one so weak as he appeared, +must have been oppressive in the extreme. Neither mother nor daughter +attempted to offer any explanation of the circumstances; and Henry had +too much delicacy, and was too sincerely affected by what he saw, to +intrude any questions, or interrupt the perfect silence of the sick +chamber.</p> + +<p>Gently rising from her seat, the widow touched the arm of her Hettie, +who resigned the place and the fan, and turning her sad yet beautiful +eyes toward the young minister, and stepping lightly to the door, +signified that she wished him to follow.</p> + +<p>He offered his arm, and in silence she led him to a shade sufficiently +removed, so that the sound of their voices could not reach the cottage. +Resigning her arm, he motioned her to a seat.</p> + +<p>'Thank you; I cannot sit, but must return immediately. You have heard of +my brother's illness?' looking full at Henry.</p> + +<p>'Not a word. But tell me what could have brought him so low in so short +a period. When I was here a few days since, your mother said nothing of +his being sick.'</p> + +<p>'He was brought home two days ago in the condition you now see him.'</p> + +<p>Hettie was much affected, and it was some time before she could command +her feelings so as to give a clear recital of all she knew: 'That he was +found lying by the road—that he was at first supposed to be dead—that +a litter was made, and upon it he was brought home—that the ground +where he lay was covered with blood, and other marks of a violent +scuffle—that he had not spoken a word, nor could any one give the least +explanation of the matter.'</p> + +<p>'Let me go with you to him at once,' said Henry.</p> + +<p>Henry entered the cottage with her. Little, however, could be done +besides keeping the sufferer as quiet as possible, and administering +some slight nourishment; and thus he lay from week to week, living, +breathing, barely able to make himself understood by sign or word, and +nothing more. But Henry was not the only male friend who clung to them +in this their hour of need. David Cross had been almost a constant +attendant from the moment William had been brought home. David had +always been a visitor at the cottage; he had been invariably kind to the +widow, watching over her in her loneliness, seeing to her little wants, +calling and sitting many long hours, and apparently not unwilling to +listen to her instructions, and ready to do any act of kindness, +insomuch that she felt for him almost the affection of a mother. She +pitied him, too, in his peculiar situation; he had no mother, or none +that he had ever known as such—it was said that she had died many years +ago; he had no brother, sister, or other relative beside his father; +from him he had never received many tokens of affection. He would no +doubt have been proud to see him rise in the world: and, as we have +seen, was very willing to accomplish this end at the expense of others; +but he was morose in his disposition, often unkind to the young man, +supplying him indeed with money, but as often lavishing his curses upon +him as any thing else.</p> + +<p>Dave was naturally of a kind nature, but had been bred among those who +were rough and rude; his manners, of course, were more or less tinctured +by his education; his associates were such as would be likely to lead +him into wild adventures and corrupt practices. The only counteracting +influence had been that which the widow exerted over him; and his +conduct towards her evinced a kindness of feeling, and a sensibility to +better things, which those who saw him among his wild companions would +never have imagined. The heart of the widow yearned over him, and she +never lost the hope that David Cross would one day rise above his +present ways.</p> + +<p>And besides all this, there was in his heart a strong and long-enduring +attachment for Hettie; he had been fond of her when but a girl; and his +interest for her had become an absorbing feeling of his heart. During +her long stay at Mr. Rutherford's, he had never lost sight of her; but +having either business to attend to for his father in that region, or +feigning it for his own ends, he would frequently take small parcels or +trifling errands from the mother to the daughter, and many a precious +bundle of good things had he brought from Hettie, through the kindness +of Mrs. Rutherford, to comfort and cheer the widow. He was, therefore, +by no means an unwelcome visitor at either house; his personal +appearance was not unpleasant—a manly, open countenance, a kind manner, +mingled indeed with some roughness, and a fearless, straightforward, +animated way, calculated to make a favorable impression. Hettie seemed +always glad to see him; so much so, that many of the family firmly +believed that she had other feelings towards him than mere neighborly +kindness. Mrs. Rutherford knew her heart in this matter, and was +convinced that such was not the case.</p> + +<p>Hettie indeed did not love him, nor did she feel that she ever could; +and was careful to do nothing that might give him occasion to indulge a +false hope in regard to her. David had, as I have said, sympathized with +William on his sick bed; he it was who had brought Hettie home, and day +and night, with Henry Tracy, had been untiring in doing every thing for +their relief.</p> + +<p>William's consciousness returned to him long before he had any ability +to hold conversation, and the dilemma in which he found himself involved +occupied almost constantly his waking thoughts. The desperate character +of Cross; the vile plot that had been executed against the unsuspecting +and noble-minded Rutherfords; the fate of the trunk for which he had +fought so desperately, the least whisper of which had not reached his +ear: all these subjects distracted his weak and flickering senses—a +terrible secret lay in his breast, which he had not the power to reveal +in any way that would be intelligible, and when revealed, must crush to +ruin the hopes of the friend who was watching at his side, by bringing +the father to an ignominious end. At times, in the agony of his +contending thoughts, he would groan aloud, and the large drops would +gather on his pale forehead. Hettie or the mother would bend over him, +and say some soothing word, and wipe his clammy face, and inquire 'why +he groaned? or where the pain was? or what they could do for him?' but +he would shake his head, and closing his eyes, give up awhile his +troubled thoughts and fall asleep. Thus day after day and week after +week stole on, and still he lay in his feebleness, gaining strength, if +at all, by a very slow and almost imperceptible progress.</p> + +<p>It was at the close of a lowery day; the shadows of night were deepened +by a dark canopy of clouds which hung over the barrens. The Widow Brown +had lighted her lamp and placed it on the stand by the bed of her son, +wishing to sit as close to him as she could, while plying her busy +needle. David Cross was reclining on a low cot-bed; he had taken Hettie +to Mr. Rutherford's that day, and expecting to watch part of the night, +was anticipating a few hours' sleep. A gentle tap was heard, and as the +widow opened the door, a woman, clad in somewhat better garments than +was usual among the people of that region, stood panting for breath, and +looking with great earnestness, and in much apparent agitation—</p> + +<p>'Are you alone, Mrs. Brown?'</p> + +<p>'There is no one here, Margaret, but David, besides my sick son.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, <i>do</i> step out here a moment—<i>do</i>, Mrs. Brown;' and the widow +closed the door and followed the woman a few paces from the house. She +knew her <i>well</i>—poor Margaret! and she pitied her too; for Margaret she +had heard was once a pretty, happy girl; her home had been far from +there. In an evil hour, she had listened to the flattering tale of the +deceiver, and now she was a miserable dependant on the will of +Cross—his slave to do his bidding.</p> + +<p>'I have run all the way, Mrs. Brown, from my house, and I want you to go +right back with me.'</p> + +<p>'Not to-night, Margaret, surely; the weather looks so threatening, and I +don't like to leave William, and Hettie gone too. What has happened, +Margaret?'</p> + +<p>'You must go, ma'am, this blessed minute, for poor Ned Saunders is +dying, and he says he cannot die in peace until he sees you. He has been +raving crazy ever since the night he was brought to my house; but this +morning he had a long sleep, and when he came out of it, his reason was +all straight—but such a distressed creature you never see. He says he +cannot live, and that he must see you—as he has something to tell you +which he dare not tell to any one else. You don't know, Mrs. Brown, what +a worry I am in; for you see Cross has charged me, by the worth of my +life, to let him know the moment Ned had his reason. But I am afraid +there have been some evil doings, from what Ned says; and if Cross +should get there before I return, there is no telling what he might do +to me.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Margaret, wait here a minute until I put my things on.'</p> + +<p>The widow was soon in readiness; and having committed matters to the +charge of David Cross, without giving any particulars further than that +she had a call to a neighbor's, closed the door and went on her way, +dark as was the night and gloomy the errand on which she was bound.</p> + +<p>Margaret led the way; and excited by an impulse of some terrible kind, +hurried on through the dark forest with maniac impetuosity. Their path +was a difficult one to traverse, for it lay through an unfrequented +region, and the opening by which they went, it was almost impossible to +trace by the feeble light which yet glimmered from the close of day. +Guided almost by instinct, Margaret pioneered, and the widow followed +with all the speed she could make. For awhile they skirted the side of a +thick and tangled swamp, and then turning a little to the right, came at +once upon the feeble twinkle of a pine torch from the window of a log +hut.</p> + +<p>'Anybody been here, Ned?'</p> + +<p>'No one. Has she come?'</p> + +<p>'She is here.'</p> + +<p>And the sick man raised his eyes to catch a glimpse of her he had wished +so much to see, while a smile almost lighted up his wild and haggard +countenance.</p> + +<p>'Oh, Aunty!'—this was the familiar title by which the good woman was +generally addressed—'oh, Aunty! I'm so glad you're come. I'm a'most +gone.'</p> + +<p>'I hope not, Edward.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I am. I thought I couldn't die till I see you. You've often talked +to me, you know—and I thought it was all foolish—I don't think so +now.'</p> + +<p>He had to pause, for his feelings were greatly excited, and his frame +apparently near dissolution. She put her hand upon his forehead, and +felt that the death-damp was gathering there. She wiped his face with a +cloth, and bathed his temples with some spirit: this revived him a +little, and apparently in an agony to unburden his mind, he seized the +first return of a little strength.</p> + +<p>'Oh, I have been so wicked! I shall go to hell—I know I shall.'</p> + +<p>'Are you truly sorry, Edward, that you have sinned against God?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes! I'm sorry—but what shall I do? I know I deserve to be +punished; but oh, Aunty! how can I meet God?'</p> + +<p>'If you are truly sorry, and pray to God to have mercy on you for +Christ's sake, He will forgive you, Edward; for He has said so.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, has He said so? Where? tell me quick, Aunty; for I feel the cold +creeping over my heart—tell me quick.'</p> + +<p>'In the Bible, Edward: it is full of promises to those who repent of +sin, and turn to God through Jesus Christ. He came into the world for +that very purpose. He hung upon the cross for us poor sinners: and while +he hung there, he pardoned a thief that was hanging beside him, and +about to die. He says, "Whosoever cometh to me, I will in nowise cast +out."'</p> + +<p>'You don't think He will save such a worthless sinner as I am?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes, Edward; if you throw yourself upon His mercy, and ask Him to +forgive you.'</p> + +<p>The dying man turned his eyes away from the widow, raised them towards +heaven, and clasped his trembling hands together,</p> + +<p>'God have mercy upon me, a poor sinner—a dreadful sinner! for Christ's +sake; for <i>Christ's</i> sake, only for <i>Christ's</i> sake!'</p> + +<p>And the widow wiped away the big drops that stood upon his clay-cold, +forehead. Again he fixed his eye upon her—</p> + +<p>'But, oh! there's a dreadful load upon my heart—there are—some +things—I have done—that must be told—I cannot keep them. Come, lean +your head down close to me.'</p> + +<p>The widow was by no means anxious to hear his tale of sins and +misdoings, but she obeyed his request. He was greatly excited; his +breath flew back and forth like a weaver's shuttle, and he could only +get the words out by catches.</p> + +<p>'You know—Rutherford's house—has been burnt—and I don't know—but +some of them were burnt in it. Cross—hired me and two others. We wanted +to get a trunk—a tin trunk—I fired the house. They got the trunk—and +I brought it along. Your son Bill met me on the road and struck me from +the horse—and tried to get the trunk. We grappled—and I thought I'd +killed him—but I don't know nothing since then—that's all—oh dear! +Why did I go? Cross, Cross, Cross—did it all;—but, oh God!—here it +comes—'</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking—his lips trembled, his eyes rolled back +convulsively—he clutched at the clothing, a spasm shook his frame—it +was death's last stroke; and as the quivering limbs settled into rest, +breath and pulse were still.</p> + +<p>The widow saw that he was dead; and clasping her hands in silent horror, +she looked at poor Margaret for an explanation. Margaret shook her head.</p> + +<p>'Don't speak; I believe it is all true, but you must not stay here a +minute longer. The poor fellow is dead, you can do him no good; and +Cross may be the death of me, if he finds you have been here—hark!'</p> + +<p>The noise of approaching footsteps was distinctly heard; but before they +could make the least effort at concealment, the door opened, and Cross +entered.</p> + +<p>The widow spoke to him in her mild, pleasant way. He manifested great +confusion tried to speak calmly, but his voice choked and trembled +greatly. He cast his eye quickly on the bed—</p> + +<p>'What! <i>dead?</i> Ned is not <i>dead</i>?'</p> + +<p>'Yes,' said the widow; 'he has just breathed his last. Can I be of any +service to you, Margaret, by staying here? If I can—'</p> + +<p>'Oh no,' replied Cross, quickly; 'there is no use, we won't trouble Mrs. +Brown.'</p> + +<p>'Well, then, I will be going, as it is getting late in the evening.' So +wishing them good-night, she quietly stepped from the door, walked +slowly a few paces, and then hurried along with as much speed as the +darkness would permit.</p> + +<p>No sooner did Cross perceive that the widow was gone, than his +countenance assumed an aspect of the fiercest rage.</p> + +<p>'How is this?'—clenching his fist, and shaking it near to the head of +the trembling, wretched female—'how is this? How came that old canting +hypocrite here?'</p> + +<p>'Ned begged me to go for her: he said he could not die in peace until he +saw her.'</p> + +<p>'Die in peace!' and he stamped his foot with rage—'die in peace! and +did not I charge you, by your life, to let no human being see him in his +reason, but myself?' And saying this, he caught her by the hair, and +dashed her with his utmost power to the floor. She arose, without +uttering a word or groan, upon her knees; she caught him by the arm; he +endeavoured to thrust her from him, but her hold was the grasp of +despair; at once he drew a poniard, that he always carried in a +concealed case at his side; she saw it glitter as he held it up in the +act of plunging it to her heart.</p> + +<p>'Oh mercy, mercy! for God's sake—for the sake of him who calls you +father, don't kill me! Remember all I have suffered for you—the mother +of your only child, though you have never owned me. Have not I always +done your bidding? lost my soul and body for you?'</p> + +<p>Pity, or some other motive, unnerved his arm—he could not just then do +the deed; but hurling her from him, threw her to the other side of the +cabin, like a reptile that he hated.</p> + +<p>In an instant she was on her feet—a rifle was in her hand, and it was +pointed in deadly aim at her vile oppressor. The gun Cross had not +noticed—it always stood loaded; for Margaret (or Meg as she was called) +lived alone, and in that wild place had learned how to use it. He had no +idea that the poor worm he had so long trodden upon could ever turn +against him; but when he beheld her eyes glaring with fury, and the +deadly weapon levelled at his breast, his blood curdled at his heart. +He made a step towards her.</p> + +<p>'One step more, and you are dead!'</p> + +<p>'Put that down, Meg; I don't want to hurt you.' The poor craven now +began to cower, and thought that a few soft words would obliterate a +life of abuse, carried to a point where woman's love turns to the direst +hate.</p> + +<p>'No, never! Stir but one foot—move but a single limb—and you will lie +beside that wretched victim of your hellish arts. Hear me now, David +Cross; I am no longer your slave. You have ruined my name; you have +defrauded me of the title of wife; you have made me disown my child; you +have kept me in poverty, and made me a companion of outcasts; and now +you have thrust me from you, like a hideous reptile—but your hour has +come; that miserable being, whom you sent here a raving maniac, has let +out your secret—it is already on the wings of the wind.'</p> + +<p>Cross trembled in every joint; a fiend, with demoniac power, seemed +glaring at him in the being whom but a moment before he had so +shamefully abused.</p> + +<p>'Meg, forgive me. I have wronged you; I know I have. Don't take my life, +and I will make it all right. I will say you are my wife; I will do +anything you want.'</p> + +<p>'<i>Forgive</i> you? Yes, I will forgive you, when you bring back my poor +parents who went down to the grave mourning for her you ruined; when you +can tear from my mind the memory of wrongs none but a woman's heart +could ever have borne so long. Forgive you? no, never. Your life you may +have! but <i>go</i>—before the dreadful feelings which have been burning in +my heart blaze up again. Go! go quick—'</p> + +<p>He waited not, but moved to the door, stepped trembling from the +threshold, and hurried away through the dark forest.</p> + +<p>The moment Cross had gone Margaret opened a small trunk, hastily +gathered together a few articles of dress, and slipping a little roll of +paper containing her stock of money into her pocket, tied up her +clothing in a bundle, cast one look upon the dead body, and then quitted +the wretched tenement she had so long called her home, firmly resolved +never to enter it again.</p> + +<p>She hastened at once towards the cottage of the Widow Brown, and so +rapidly did she thread her way through the intricate path, that before +the widow had passed over half the distance to her home, Margaret had +overtaken her.</p> + +<p>'Don't be frightened, Mrs. Brown; I did not think to reach you so +soon—but stop and listen to me.'</p> + +<p>The widow had indeed stopped, for Margaret came upon her so +unexpectedly, that she was much alarmed, and deprived of the ability, +even if she had the will, to escape.</p> + +<p>'I will listen to you, Margaret, but I have heard dreadful things enough +to-night. I am almost distracted now.'</p> + +<p>'I would not add a straw to your burdens, my dear good Mrs. Brown, but I +am a poor distressed creature. The whole of my life for these many years +has been one scene of misery; but I can bear it no longer, and this very +night will find me many miles from hence.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, <i>do</i>, don't talk so, Margaret. Come go with me, and rest you for +the night at least; it is so dark, and beginning to storm already.'</p> + +<p>'This darkness and the rain are no troubles to me; but just listen one +moment. You know that I have told you what I have no other human being. +One secret more I must commit to you—that young man who is now at your +house is my son.'</p> + +<p>'David Cross your son, Margaret?'</p> + +<p>'It is God's truth, and all I want of you is, whenever you think it +best, to let him know what I have told you. I am now on my way to the +city. I shall seek a place of service, and when I find a resting-place, +if there is any such spot for me on earth, I shall let you know. But one +thing I must beg of you—Cross has treated me like a brute, and I came +very near taking his life to-night; but for David's sake, spare +him—don't reveal the terrible tale you heard to-night. Promise me, now, +won't you'—and Margaret fell upon her knees and clasped the arms of the +widow—'promise me, you will not reveal it without in some way you are +obliged to do it?'</p> + +<p>'Why, Margaret, my mind is so disturbed by all these scenes, that I +cannot think of things as I should like to before making any promise; +but you know I love David, and would be as careful of injuring him, as +my own child.'</p> + +<p>'That is enough; but oh, do just put your hand upon my head, and say one +prayer over me. I shall go lighter on my way, for I have but a heavy +heart, and a weary road lies before me.'</p> + +<p>'May God bless you, my child, for Jesus Christ's sake, and make a way +for you to some place where you will be in peace; and may you yet have +some comfort before you die.'</p> + +<p>'Amen!' said Margaret; and seizing the hand of the widow, which had +rested on her shoulder, she kissed it again and again, and then +departed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Cross was in no enviable state of mind as he hastened along in the +darkness, after leaving the hut of Margaret. The disappointment he had +suffered in finding that Ned Saunders was dead; the terrible fright he +had endured while standing with the rifle at his breast; the +mortification of begging his life at the hand of one he had so long +triumphed over; and above all, the knowledge that his secret was +abroad—all operated with maddening power, and worked up a tempest +within, that raged and tossed until he was bewildered by its fury. He +passed his own dwelling without stopping, but hurried on, directing his +steps to the north, through a by-path amidst the towering pines.</p> + +<p>After some miles of rapid walking, he reached the edge of the barrens, +or rather that part of them that had been cleared and in some measure +cultivated. He here descried the twinkle of lights from a small +settlement. To one of these, a little separated from the rest, he soon +came, and knocked with some violence at the door.</p> + +<p>'Come in.'</p> + +<p>Cross tried the latch, but finding it fastened, repeated the knocks in a +way that showed he was in earnest to be let in.</p> + +<p>'Come in, I say—but stop, may be the door is fastened. Who are you?'</p> + +<p>'Open the door, will you? it's me.'</p> + +<p>'Aha—that I will;' and the bolt was withdrawn quickly.</p> + +<p>'Why, neighbor, is this you? how are you? come in. Well, you are the +last man I should have thought of seeing here this dark night—take a +chair, neighbor—what's the news?' And as Squire Foster (for he was the +gentleman whom Mr. Cross had honored with a visit) said this, he threw +away the smile, or rather grin, that had played over his sallow and +flabby face, and assumed his naturally sly and mouserly look. 'Any thing +good abroad?'</p> + +<p>Cross was in no talking humor: so let the gentleman run on, and in the +mean time helping himself to a chair, sat down, and leaning back against +the wall, fixed his eye, dark and lowry, full upon the little light that +stood flaring and smoking on the middle of the table.</p> + +<p>'Well, there's the devil to pay now!'</p> + +<p>'Where? what, what, neighbor—any news?'</p> + +<p>'None that you will want to hear. Ned Saunders is dead.'</p> + +<p>'One rogue less, then, neighbor, ha, ha! he won't tell any tales then +about here.'</p> + +<p>'But suppose he has told the tale already?'</p> + +<p>'That would be bad, neighbor; but you don't mean to say that he has?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I do mean to say so; and the question is, what you mean to do +about it?'</p> + +<p>'What <i>I</i> mean to do about it?' and he looked at Cross with a vacant +stare.</p> + +<p>'Why you know we are both implicated.'</p> + +<p>'Why, neighbor, that is all between you and me. You know I have been but +a mere counsellor.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and a pretty scrape your counsel has got me into. Here is one man +dead, the two others gone out of reach, and the thing itself nowhere to +be found. Like as not Rutherford has got it back again, and we have had +our labor for our pains, and may be something beside not so agreeable.'</p> + +<p>'Well, now suppose, neighbor, I should tell you that Rutherford has not +got it?'</p> + +<p>'Do you know that? and how?'</p> + +<p>'What would you give if I should tell you that I have got it, safe and +snug in my own hands?'</p> + +<p>'Give! I have given enough already; but where is it? let's see it.'</p> + +<p>And Cross arose from his leaning posture, sat his chair square on the +floor, and himself very erect in it, and looked fixedly at the Squire.</p> + +<p>Foster noticed the movement and the look of Cross, and without speaking, +arose and stepped into a small adjoining room, took something from a +case that stood upon an old dressing-table, and thrusting it hastily +into his bosom, came back and resumed his 'Have you got it?'</p> + +<p>'Got what, neighbor?'</p> + +<p>'You know what, well enough—why, the deed. The trunk you may keep, but +the deed can do you no good.'</p> + +<p>'Nor you, either, neighbor; it is safe—safe enough. I have got it, and +I mean to keep it.' And as he said this, he very deliberately drew a +pistol from his breast, and laying his hand on the table, leaned back in +his chair and looked at the pretty plaything. Cross eyed him keenly, +glancing from the pistol, which he saw was cocked, to the calm and +almost unmeaning countenance of Foster.</p> + +<p>'What do you mean to do about this?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know exactly, neighbor; but at present I shall keep it. +Something may turn up, you know—and to save a great deal of talk, as it +is getting late, matters must stand thus: I have obtained possession of +this at some risk; you agreed to pay me well, you know, if the job +succeeded. Go on then—slash away at the timber; cut down and sell off +as fast as you can—no one can hinder you—hand over half you get to me, +and all will go smoothly enough. Do you agree to that?'</p> + +<p>Cross knew that Foster was a great villain, but he had never calculated +upon the chance of thus getting into his power; he knew now that he was +resolved upon a desperate course.</p> + +<p>'I suppose I shall be sued as soon as I begin to cut.'</p> + +<p>'No fear from that quarter. Rutherford is down, and has no means to +contend with; his creditors will get picking enough to satisfy +themselves out of his other property; and no lawyer will undertake the +job, on his own risk, without more show of a title than he can now +claim.'</p> + +<p>'Well, if they do prosecute, you agree to see to it?'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, neighbor, leave all that to me.'</p> + +<p>'And suppose there should be trouble about what Ned Saunders has been +blabbing?'</p> + +<p>'That won't amount to much; it will soon be known that you are the owner +of nearly all the barrens now, and they will be careful enough how they +raise their tongue against you; a man is not very likely to swear to his +own injury.'</p> + +<p>As Cross arose to depart, the other gentleman left his seat also, and +dropping the hand which held the pistol, let it dangle by his side; the +other hand he placed in his bosom, and facing his guest looked at him +very complacently; a slight smile and a gentle, inclination of the head, +on the part of Foster, were all the greeting that passed, as Cross +neither turned his head nor uttered a word, but with a quick step left +the house, and went on his way.</p> + +<p>The wages of iniquity are sometimes reaped in this world, and Cross was +just tasting the bitter fruit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Rutherford had received his dear wife and children as it were from +the jaws of death, but it had been by the almost super-human exertions +of the faithful Cæsar, who, for a long time, was disabled by the severe +injuries he had received as he bore them through the burning building. +The noble beasts for which Cæsar had fought so bravely, with all the +luxuries and comforts of his large establishment, were swept away at the +demands of creditors, and nothing that he could call his own remained +except the faithful old negro—who, although a slave, was too far +advanced in life to be liable as property—and those dear objects in +which his heart still found some sweet solace amid the drear prospect +which surrounded him.</p> + +<p>At present he was occupying a small house which had belonged to him +once, and used as a tenement for a laborer on his estate. Few were the +articles of furniture which sufficed for their use, and those had been, +for the most part, loaned for their immediate necessity. His lovely wife +still kept her pleasant smile, but her heart was smitten with a stroke +that pressed it down heavily. It was not the loss of all, nor the change +of abode, nor the rude and scanty furniture, nor all the other +aggravating tokens of their change of circumstances—but she saw the +struggle that was agitating her husband's mind; she could not relieve +him of that load of care; she could not obliterate from his memory past +errors, nor could she mark out for him a path that offered any other +prospect than the dark one in which they were travelling then. All she +could do was to make the best of what they had, to throw into her words +the softest tones, and to lighten up her countenance with the semblance +of hope she did not feel.</p> + +<p>It was not long after they had thus been reduced to the extremity of +fortune's change, wearied with the turmoil of his distracted mind, Mr. +Rutherford was sitting at the little window that opened from their abode +upon the highway; his Mary was beside him, and she held his hand, and +fondly pressed it as she oft had done in better days, put it to her +heart, and let him feel how true it beat for him. The shades of evening +were just setting upon them, held back a little by the young moon which +hung out her crescent in the west, when a vehicle stopped at their door, +and a gentleman of lively mien alighted and prepared to enter. Mrs. +Rutherford went for a light, while her husband repaired to the door to +receive the visitor, whoever he might be, although, as he supposed, some +messenger of evil tidings, like all of late.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Rutherford, I believe?'</p> + +<p>'My name is Rutherford, sir; will you walk in?'</p> + +<p>The stranger immediately followed, and entered their small apartment, +Mrs. Rutherford, at the same time, placing the light on a little stand.</p> + +<p>'I expect you have forgotten me, Mr. Rutherford; my name is Andrews. You +remember the poor boy you helped some six years since.'</p> + +<p>'Andrews—what, William Andrews!'</p> + +<p>'The same, sir. A few years make some change in our appearance.'</p> + +<p>It had, indeed, made some change, and one which entirely effaced every +resemblance to the plain and homely-dressed lad who, six years since, +had left his home to seek his fortune among strangers. He was now +well-dressed; and had the ease of manner which is acquired only by +mingling in society. He had grown in stature also, and was now a tall +and slender man; his fresh, healthy countenance had grown pale. He wore +his hair long, after the fashion of the South; his eye alone retained +its naturally soft and expressive cast, although its brightness was +dimmed, and seemed to indicate a want of energy in the physical frame. +His own mother could scarcely have found a likeness to his former self; +his very voice sympathized with the apparent languor of his frame, and +had nothing in it that would recall the lively tone of boyhood.</p> + +<p>'It cannot be!' said Mrs. Rutherford, who now approached and took his +hand. 'Not William Andrews! Time has indeed made a change—but we are +glad, heartily glad to see you.'</p> + +<p>'It is not time alone, madam, that has made a change in my appearance, +I suspect. I have been, you know, in a southern climate, and that takes +severe hold sometimes of us northern men; but I am very happy again to +see you, very happy indeed.'</p> + +<p>Without the least reference by either party to the great change which +had occurred in circumstances, some little time was spent in a general +interchange of question and answer about persons and things; when Mrs. +Rutherford left the room, perhaps from feelings of delicacy to her +husband, who might not wish to refer in her presence to his own peculiar +situation.</p> + +<p>'You find, Mr. Andrews, that there have been changes here too, which +perhaps must astonish you.'</p> + +<p>'I have heard of them, sir, a few miles from hence, and have urged on my +journey further than I should have done. I need not say to you, sir, +that to me it is the most painful event I have yet met with in life. Is +it true, my dear sir? Are you as much reduced as report affirms and +appearance indicate.'</p> + +<p>'I am as low down, so far as property is concerned, as I can be; there +is absolutely nothing left.'</p> + +<p>And then, with much composure, Mr. Rutherford unfolded the complicated +maze in which he had struggled for some time, and the closing of the +scene in the last fatal blow. Although apparently unmoved himself, not +so was he who listened to the tale of suffering. The southern clime had +marred William's beauty, but it had only added to the warmth of his +heart. For some time after Mr. Rutherford had done speaking, he sat +wrapt in silent thought; his emotion too strong to dare trust the +utterance of a single expression. At length he rose, and taking the hand +of his friend—</p> + +<p>'Mr. Rutherford, the ways of the Almighty are mysterious, but they must +be right. When a lone wanderer, you took me by the hand; you gave me +counsel, you assisted me with means, you introduced me to influential +friends; you made my heart glad then, and gave me an impetus which has +led me on to success beyond my expectations. The money I have returned +to you, but the debt of gratitude for your kindness to me in that hour +will remain an uncancelled obligation while I live. And now, sir, you +must take this trifle from me—I demand the right of a debtor to your +bounty—take it, and keep it for your present need; it must not, it +shall not be that either you or your angel wife know the pinchings of +want.'</p> + +<p>His voice trembled so violently, that he could scarcely utter the few +last words; nor could Mr. Rutherford respond to this warm burst of +sympathy; it had gone directly to his heart, and caused a flow of +feeling that could find no vent in words.</p> + +<p>'I must leave you for the night. God willing, I shall see you on the +morrow, and tell you all my story. You then will see that I do not rob +myself, and we will devise some other plan together.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford shook his hand with a silent grasp, but it told the young +man that his offering of love and gratitude had done its work. Leaving +his best respects for Mrs. Rutherford, William departed.</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Rutherford entered the room, after their guest had gone, she +found her husband seated by the stand, and looking at something which he +had spread out upon the table.</p> + +<p>'See here, Mary.'</p> + +<p>She stepped up to him, and putting her arm around his neck, stooped over +beside him.</p> + +<p>'My dear husband! what does this mean? Five hundred dollars!' and she +looked at him in amazement.</p> + +<p>'Yes, my love; it is five hundred dollars given us by that young man +whom a few years since we befriended: this is the way, my dear, that God +gives back the bread cast upon the waters.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, my dear George!' and she threw herself upon his bosom, 'how glad I +am for you; you feel that you have one friend now, don't you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, Mary; and you cannot think how my heart leaps at the thought; one +sympathising friend in an hour like this, is indeed "cold water to a +thirsty soul"; but oh! that better Friend above, shall we ever forget +him, Mary? How good! how true! how wise! how unfailing! if we will only +trust in Him.'</p> + +<p>They said no more: silently they sank together on their knees, and +poured out the fulness of their hearts to that Friend—that better +Friend above.</p> + +<p>In the hour of our deep distress, when the dark clouds are around and +above us, the soul is prone to feel that the darkness which oppresses it +is the frown of God: we forget that love may be concealed, not turned +away.</p> + +<p>To Mr. Rutherford's heart this mercy-drop came; a delightful assurance +that he was not forsaken, and that still the arm of sovereign love was +stretched out over him.</p> + +<p>William Andrews had not been, for the few past years, engaged in the +active whirl of business to no purpose: he had amassed a few thousands +by a happy venture, and his success had been beyond his most sanguine +expectations. But this was not all; he had learned to grapple with +difficulties, and by energy and determination to accomplish results +which the irresolute and fearful could only dream of. He called the next +morning, and in a private interview with Mr. Rutherford procured from +him a particular statement of his affairs.</p> + +<p>In a few days he called again; and there seemed to be a cheerfulness in +his air which he had not before manifested.</p> + +<p>'I have been looking over your matters a little, my dear sir, and I +cannot think they are in such a hopeless case as you imagine. Your +property is indeed all attached, and if sold under the present state of +things would, to be sure, be dreadfully sacrificed, and might not bring +more than the claims upon it: you certainly value your estate beyond the +amount for which it is holden.'</p> + +<p>'Most certainly; but by our laws an immediate sale can be forced; and in +that case, the whole will scarcely meet the demand.'</p> + +<p>'You must apply then to some friend who will assume your debts'—Mr. +Rutherford shook his head—'and who will take your property into his +hands, until better times come round.'</p> + +<p>'I have no friends, Mr. Andrews.'</p> + +<p>'We once thought,' said Mrs. Rutherford, who was listening with much +interest, 'that we had quite a number; but friends do not always stand +the test of such a fall as ours has been.'</p> + +<p>'But they could not possibly lose any thing, Mrs. Rutherford.'</p> + +<p>'Perhaps they might not; still, you know, it is a delicate matter to ask +the favor, when not one of all who have been with us in our prosperous +days has seen fit to come near us now. My dear husband, until you so +generously had poured out your kindness, felt that he was alone in the +world.'</p> + +<p>For some time each sat musing in silence over the uncertainty of human +fortunes and earthly friendships, when Mr. Andrews drew up to the table, +and requesting the attention of Mr. Rutherford a moment, began to spread +before him certain documents.</p> + +<p>'Please to examine these, sir, and say whether they are correct.'</p> + +<p>'These are my obligations, Mr. Andrews—I gave them in good faith; and +although I cannot meet them now, will own them to the last farthing.' +Mr. Rutherford looked with much astonishment, for he perceived that all +the responsibilities he was involved in were lying before him.</p> + +<p>'Are there any more that you can think of, Mr. Rutherford?'</p> + +<p>'There are no more.'</p> + +<p>'Then, sir, you may take them and do what you please with them: all I +ask of you is, to give me a claim upon your property for this amount,' +naming not more than two-thirds the value of the notes. 'The interest of +that I am sure you can pay, and your property is once more your own.'</p> + +<p>William was well aware that promptness in such matters was of the first +moment. He had at once liquidated every claim at a rate which each one +was glad to accept, and thus materially reduced the whole amount: this +he could be well secured for; the property of his benefactor need not be +sacrificed, and his heart was at rest.</p> + +<p>Blessings on you, William Andrews! Your frame is slender, and seems to +be nurturing some hidden plague that may ere long make it a prey to the +worm; but it is the abode of a generous spirit. How its quickened pulses +beat with the ecstatic happiness which now plays within! Your eye is on +that noble pair; and the overpowering emotion which is thrilling their +bosom at this new and unexpected deed of love, is the richest feast you +ever tasted. Oh how they will bless you as the years roll by, when in +their happy home and on their own paternal soil they tread in freedom, +and think of him whose generous friendship snatched them from the brink +of ruin, and placed them there! Oh ye lovers of this world's treasures, +did you but know the secret charm these treasures can unfold! Go, dry +the widow's tears; go, aid the orphan's helpless steps; go, prop the man +of pure and noble soul, bowing beneath the weight of penury's heavy +load—and you will feel there is a talisman of untold value in your +hoards of gold and silver which you never dreamed of.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford had no idea of taking advantage of the arrangement +Andrews had made, and insisted upon giving a claim for the full amount; +but this William would not allow. He had made a fair bargain with the +creditors, and would not permit Mr. Rutherford to bind himself further +than the amount he had paid.</p> + +<p>'You can, my dear sir, as you are able, make good to each one what he +has willingly relinquished.'</p> + +<p>'And, God permitting. I will do it to the full amount.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + + +<p>We left our friends the Montjoys busy in their store, taking an account +of their affairs, and preparing to encounter the difficulties they had +been thrown into. They found things not quite so bad as they feared. +Should the whole loss be realized, all which they had made would be +swept off; but there would be enough to pay their debts—that was a +great comfort: and if they could but preserve their credit, matters +might all come right again. With the promptness which had ever marked +his conduct, the morning after the reception of the intelligence which +had given them such a shock, James was on his way to his friend McFall.</p> + +<p>The statement which he was enabled to make was very satisfactory; and +would have been all that was required, could his friend have been able +to advance the funds. The pressure was indeed of a most serious kind, +affecting individuals and banks alike; and requiring on the part of each +the utmost skill and exertion to stem it through. James found that his +only resource now to meet the present emergency, was to lay his case +immediately before the Bank; if he failed to procure aid from thence, he +saw not whence it was to come. The power which by circumstances becomes +thus concentrated, can only truly be felt by those situated as was this +young man. Whether it be an individual, or a corporate body, and whether +they are conscious of it or not, the ability, for the time being, which +is at their command to afford or to withhold the life-blood of trade and +commercial credit, is the most despotic in its grasp on the mind of man +that can be conceived this side of infinite sway. It is not, of +necessity, the fault of those who wield it, that it should often press +with such sickening, despairing force; so long as enterprise shall +stimulate man to go a step beyond the means at his own disposal, must he +in some measure depend upon the aid of others; and once dependent, he +can never calculate with certainty upon enduring peace of mind. The +fluctuations in trade, like changes in the weather, baffle all the skill +of the most shrewd and far-sighted: they come at times before any +suitable preparation can be made to meet their destructive influence, +and the high-minded, honorable man is obliged to stand before the same +tribunal with the mean and designing, and for too often compelled to +submit to rules which make no allowance for character.</p> + +<p>It was the first time that James had known really what it meant to ask a +moneyed favor. He had begun life as we have seen, and gone on, hitherto, +so much by his own means, that he felt more like a criminal about to be +arraigned, than an honest man in the discharge of duty; and nothing but +the absolute necessity of doing something to preserve the credit of his +house, and upon which every thing now depended, would have driven him to +it. He was not personally known to the cashier, and therefore his friend +accompanied him to the Bank, introduced him, and left him to tell his +own story. Fortunately for James, the person he had now to deal with was +a gentleman in every sense of the word; a man of large experience, at +home in all the routine of business, a complete financier, and with a +large share of true benevolence.</p> + +<p>Every unpleasant feeling was, for the time, at once banished by the +agreeable, frank, and very kind manner with which this officer received +and addressed him. James felt almost sure that his end was accomplished. +He very soon, in a brief manner, related the circumstances in which he +had been placed by the sudden failure of so many persons, and then +handed to the cashier the schedule of his property and liabilities.</p> + +<p>After carefully scrutinizing this paper with an air and expression of +countenance that showed his business character, the stern and cold +features of which damped James's hopes not a little, and at times caused +a fluttering at his heart, which he had never felt before—</p> + +<p>'You are aware, I presume, Mr. Montjoy, that these are not only +precarious times, in which the Bank feel that the utmost caution must be +used, but the times are also very difficult. We cannot aid often, where +we not only wish to, but should feel safe in so doing. It is as +necessary for us to keep our credit unblemished as for individuals. I +will, however, lay your proposition before the Board; if you will call +again at one o'clock, you shall have the answer.'</p> + +<p>Two long hours of intense anxiety were passed, such as James had never +before experienced. Not caring to return to the house of Mr. McFall, he +repaired to a grove which lined the banks of pretty river that glided +through the place; he sat down beneath the shade, and listened to the +murmuring stream and the warbling birds—they were sights and sounds +which he had always loved; but he now realized how necessary it was to +the enjoyment of nature's simple sweets, to have a mind at rest. How +often had he, after a weary day, sat in the quiet evening, and with Ned +enjoyed its calm serenity, and watched the moonbeams play upon the +water, or through the trembling leaves, and the bright stars coming one +by one and gemming all the sky! What pure and peaceful thoughts they +kindled, and how unalloyed the happiness that spread its soothing, +quickening glow through all his frame! How he looked back now, as to an +Eden, where he once had dwelt, but from which he seemed to be expelled +for ever! Care, that canker of the heart, had come and taken, like a +strong man armed, the full possession of his powers; tinging the heavens +and the earth with its dark hue, and spoiling all their beauties.</p> + +<p>At the time appointed he returned to the Bank; it seemed to him that the +interests of the universe were at stake; and as he walked up to the +tall, commanding form of the Cashier, the man appeared to be vested with +a power that held the very springs of life at his command.</p> + +<p>He was received with the same gentlemanly manner as at his introduction, +and requested to walk behind the counter and take a seat, and as though +he knew the workings of the young man's mind, and wished at once to +relieve his suspense—</p> + +<p>'The Directors have concluded to accept your paper, sir; sit down, Mr. +Montjoy;' and James took the seat with a lighter heart than he had felt +for some time. 'They have done it in the confidence that your statement +is correct: and I will say further to you, sir, as you are a young man, +and have much business yet before you, that the manner in which you have +commenced and carried on your trade, has had great weight in determining +the decision of the Board. The times at present are very precarious, and +you will need much prudence; but, sir, I believe I can assure you, that +so long as you confine your operations to the regular run of your +business, any facilities you may need will be at your service here.'</p> + +<p>The sun shone very brightly to James as he journeyed towards home that +day; nature was almost as captivating to him as in the days of +childhood; and the joyous shake of Ned's hand, and the calm sweet smile +of his mother, as they listened to his story, all made his heart leap in +gladness, and send up to Him whose blessing was the burden of his daily +petitions, warm and devout thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>Thus the storm which had threatened to overwhelm these young men passed +with but partial injury. The foundation they had laid in patient +industry, prudent management, and stern integrity, bore them proudly on. +The wily plots of Mr. Cross were anticipated by the promptness with +which James attended to his affairs; and for the present, at least, the +young firm is safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + + +<p>The Widow Brown, in consequence of the disclosure made by the dying Ned +Saunders, was placed in no very agreeable situation. She thought that +the unhappy man had his reason, but she could not be so very sure as to +be willing to publish what might not after all be true, to the certain +injury not only of Mr. Cross, who had ever been kind to her, but of her +son also, who had wound himself around her heart, and for whom she had +been so earnestly entreated by that miserable woman who declared herself +his mother.</p> + +<p>She comprehended but a very little of the nature of papers of any kind, +beyond those solemn legacies from God to man, which daily she perused +with love and gratitude. And what Ned Saunders meant by papers which Mr. +Cross was anxious to get hold of, she could not conceive.</p> + +<p>'The poor, deluded soul,' said she one day, while walking alone, her +thoughts too burdensome to be kept in; 'I am very doubtful that he knew +what he said when he talked about those papers; and now that the +dreadful deed is done, what good end can be answered by publishing it +abroad? It will not build the house again, and God will avenge it in his +own time and way.'</p> + +<p>She wished much, however, for the time when William should be able to +make some disclosures as to his share in the terrible transaction. That +he was a participator in the crime she could not believe; but that he +had attacked Ned Saunders, and that the consequences had proved fatal to +one of them, she had too strong evidence to doubt. The whole was +altogether beyond the comprehension of the poor widow, and all she +could do, at present, was to wait for time to make plain the path of +duty.</p> + +<p>William, however, could no longer bear the struggle which agitated his +mind, and he determined to unburden it. As there were reasons why he +preferred to communicate with his sister, he took an opportunity, when +alone, to reveal all he knew, and let her into the secret of his own +present condition, and the villany of Cross. Hettie's first impulse was +to fly at once to Mr. Rutherford.</p> + +<p>'He ought to be made acquainted with these facts without a moment's +delay.'</p> + +<p>'But David, sister; think of him.'</p> + +<p>Hettie was silent; she gazed a moment at her brother, then leaned back +in her chair, and resting her head upon her hand, was lost for awhile in +busy thought.</p> + +<p>'David must be told, William; he must know it before any one else; he +has had no hand in it, and all his kindness to us demands this +confidence in him.'</p> + +<p>William made no reply; he was much exhausted, and even the effort of +thinking was painful. The mother also now came in, and, wishing a little +relaxation, Hettie left the room and sought a favourite spot to which +she was in the habit of retiring, sheltered alike from the rays of the +sun and common observation—a tumult of distracting thoughts rioted +within; again and again she resolved the doubtful question as to her +present duty, and the difficulties attending any course which presented +itself to her were so great, that she most heartily longed for some +experienced counsel to guide her steps.</p> + +<p>In the midst of her perplexities, she was startled at the sound of +approaching footsteps.</p> + +<p>'I thought I should never find you. Your mother said she guessed you was +here; but that thick clump of bushes hid you so, that I had almost given +it up.'</p> + +<p>'I come here occasionally; it is so retired.'</p> + +<p>'I should think it was retired enough; but I don't see what you want to +get off so alone for; it is lonely enough, I should think, all over +these old barrens. But ain't you glad Bill is so much better?'</p> + +<p>'He is better certainly, David; more like himself than he has been +yet—don't you think so?'</p> + +<p>'That he is—but you look sick; you sit by that bed too much, Hettie. +You want a ride—come—Bony's at the cottage—go along with me: we will +soon bring your color back.'</p> + +<p>'Not to-day, David; indeed I have no desire to ride to-day; and besides, +since you are here, I want to have some conversation with you upon a +matter in which you are deeply concerned.'</p> + +<p>'Well, come on—I'm ready for anything—out with it. I'm so glad Bill is +better, I don't care what comes now; but look cheerful a little; do, I +beg of you; I have dark looks enough at home. The old man is so cross +about something or other lately, that he can't give me a civil word. I +thought when I came along, what I would give just to live among you +here. I tell you what, Hettie, I had rather live with you and your +mother, and have nothing but bread and water, only to hear kind +words;—well, you are queer—just now you was so pale, and now your face +is red as a rose.'</p> + +<p>Hettie felt the flush which David had noticed; he had never spoken quite +so plainly to her before, and she began to fear what next might come; so +she commenced the unpleasant task of making him acquainted with his +father's conduct; but she did not give the account in the order that she +received it, for she began at the catastrophe, and told the story as +well as she could, without alluding to the main instigator of the plot.</p> + +<p>'But what could have induced those men to commit such a deed? and what +could they have wanted with the trunk without there was money in it?'</p> + +<p>'There was no money in it, but there were papers of great consequence.'</p> + +<p>'Papers? what could they know about papers? they can't read, not one of +them; what good would papers do them?' said David; his countenance pale, +and his lips trembling with emotion.</p> + +<p>'There is something more in all this that you have not yet told me, +Hettie; some one is at the bottom of it. Who is it?'</p> + +<p>Hettie covered her face with her hands.</p> + +<p>'Don't be afraid, Hettie; out with it—is it my father?'</p> + +<p>Hettie burst into tears, and David sank to the earth, helpless as an +infant. Seeing that he was greatly agitated, and that he seemed in need +of help, she was about to go for her mother.</p> + +<p>'Don't leave me, Hettie. Do you think that this is truth, and that +William has his reason?'</p> + +<p>'He seems to have it, perfectly; he has given a clear account of things +from the first—I fear it is true.'</p> + +<p>'Does any one know of this besides you and your brother?'</p> + +<p>'No human being as yet.'</p> + +<p>'Depend upon it, Hettie, if my father has instigated this act, he has +been in some way thwarted in his design; for his temper, never very +good, has been outrageous for some time past; so much so, that I have +made up my mind to leave him and this region for ever. There is but one +thing which keeps me; you and your mother are the only persons in the +world that I care much about—and you I love as I do my life. If you +will marry me, Hettie, I will get together all I have got; it will be +enough to purchase us a place far away from here, and we will take your +mother, and Bill, too, if he gets well; and how happy we shall be.'</p> + +<p>Hettie was deeply affected, but she felt that she must deal plainly with +him.</p> + +<p>'You must not talk so, David; you and I can never be married.'</p> + +<p>'You are ashamed of me already, Hettie. My father's disgrace, I see, is +to be mine.'</p> + +<p>'I shall never attach to you, David, any wrong your father has done—but +let us say no more about this. You have ever been kind to me and my +family; all that a sister can do for you, I will; beyond this, I hope +you will not urge me. But there are some things to be thought of that +must be done soon. Mr. Rutherford ought not to be kept ignorant of this +matter. I have, out of kindness to you, told you what I have heard, and +with a hope that you will make an effort to recover these papers, and +thus in part frustrate an evil design, and perhaps save your father from +a great calamity. William has told me that he has some faint +recollection of feeling the trunk taken from his grasp, while he lay in +that helpless condition. You think your father has not got it; probably +then, it is in the hands of some person who does not realize the value +of it, and may easily be induced to relinquish it.'</p> + +<p>'I will do what I can, Hettie, to find out; but I caution you to let no +person know a word of all this, at least not until I have failed in +finding out some clue to it. Should Rutherford know what you do, and +make attempts to search, or to expose matters, it would be the very way, +as things are here, to have it put where no one can ever be the wiser +for it. If my father has not got the trunk or the papers—and I don't +believe he has, for the reason I have told you—it is probably in the +hands of some one who has taken it from Bill, and is afraid to say any +thing, for fear he would be charged with an attempt to murder.'</p> + +<p>David's reasoning appeared so plausible, that Hettie coincided with him +as to the propriety, at present, of saying nothing further on the +subject to any one.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + + +<p>There were many things in the circumstances of Mr. Cross, in themselves +not very desirable. He had, to be sure, injured Mr. Rutherford; he had +destroyed his home; he had by his artifice, brought him to cruel +suffering and mortification; and he had wrested from him an instrument +of immense value to its rightful owner, although of very doubtful +utility to himself. But this very instrument had fallen into the hands +of one whom he hated and feared, and was now held over him as a rod of +terror, to force him into compliance with just such measures as the +dictator chose.</p> + +<p>He had committed also a flagrant crime—one that rendered him liable to +the severest penalty of the law; and the knowledge of what he had done +was not confined to himself and his agents. One at least, besides, held +the fatal secret; and although she was a lone widow, and very much under +his power, still she might disclose it—perhaps she had already done so.</p> + +<p>His situation was no enviable one. He walked by the crater of a volcano; +he could see the fires and hear the rumbling beneath him; at any moment +he might be engulfed.</p> + +<p>The wicked make the toils which entangle and distress them, but they are +not the less troublesome on that account. Cross saw that something must +be done, and without delay. The first step was, to ascertain what amount +of information Ned Saunders had communicated to the Widow Brown, and +then by some means, fair or foul, stop it from going any further. There +was also a mystery about the disaster which had befallen William Brown; +somehow he believed it to be connected with the loss of the trunk and +the injury to Saunders, in what way he could not unravel; but he firmly +believed that William knew, if he could or would tell, more than any one +else. Cross had visited him frequently during his illness, and kept a +shrewd eye upon him, at the same time continuing acts of kindness +towards the family, as well as encouraging the attentions of David.</p> + +<p>He saw clearly, at length, that William was recovering his strength, and +even guessed that he had more ability to converse than he felt willing +should be known.</p> + +<p>It may seem strange that a father could be willing to expose his +baseness to a son; but when the heart becomes accustomed to iniquity, it +loses the finer feelings, and becomes callous to all sense of shame, or +even desire for the respect and love of its nearest kindred. Cross +thought he saw how he might, through the influence of his son, keep a +hold upon that family, and he scrupled not to make a confidant of him, +even to the exposure of his own base purposes.</p> + +<p>David had just returned from the cottage. It was at the closing of day; +Cross was alone in his store, and sat pondering upon his plans and +prospects, and the multitude of dangers surrounding him.</p> + +<p>'Have you been at the Widow Brown's?'</p> + +<p>'Just come from there.'</p> + +<p>'How is Bill?'</p> + +<p>'Better; pretty weak though yet.'</p> + +<p>'Can he talk yet?'</p> + +<p>'Not much.'</p> + +<p>'Not much! Can he talk at all? if he can I want to know it. But where +are you going now?'</p> + +<p>'Not far; up north a short distance.'</p> + +<p>'You can't go now; sit down—I want to talk to you.'</p> + +<p>David obeyed without making any reply; he did not fancy his father's +talks very much, but he feared to offend him.</p> + +<p>'I've got into trouble, and you may as well know it: it has all been +done to give you a lift, and make you something in the world; but things +have gone wrong end foremost, and now we must make the best of them.'</p> + +<p>Cross looked at his son and paused, seeming to expect an answer; but +David either did not care how things went, or he wished to know more +about them before venturing upon a reply.</p> + +<p>'You know Rutherford's house has been burned, and that Ned Saunders is +dead; he was the one who did that job. He's gone out of the way, to be +sure; but he has told a pack of lies to old Molly Brown, and if she +should blab it about, we might get into a mess of trouble; but I +suppose you know all about it—she has let it out to you, no doubt.'</p> + +<p>But David made no signs of acknowledgment as to whether he did or did +not know any thing about it.</p> + +<p>'Are you dumb, all at once, that you cannot speak when you are spoken +to?'</p> + +<p>'You haven't asked me any question yet.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I have; has Molly Brown told you what Ned Saunders said?'</p> + +<p>'She has not.'</p> + +<p>'Has she talked about it that you know of?'</p> + +<p>'Not that I know of.'</p> + +<p>Cross sat silent for some time; at length making another effort, he +disclosed his purpose.</p> + +<p>'The fact is, the old woman knows too much for our good. She likes you +well enough; you know that I suppose, and she has good reason to do so; +you can stop her tongue if you will.'</p> + +<p>'I should like to know how.'</p> + +<p>'How? Why, by marrying Hettie; she can't hurt us then, without hurting +her own child, and she won't be likely to do that. You shall have money +enough: the barrens are pretty much all ours now, or they will be when +this matter is once quashed.'</p> + +<p>'How so?'</p> + +<p>'Why, Rutherford's deed for them is burned up, and there is no record of +it, and mine covers it all.'</p> + +<p>'But suppose I should tell you that Rutherford's deed is not burnt?'</p> + +<p>'How do you know it ain't?' and Cross arose from his seat in great +excitement.</p> + +<p>'Bill Brown has told all about it; he laid on the truck-bed under the +counter the night you and old Foster were here together.'</p> + +<p>Dave looked at his father for the first time since the commencement of +the interview. The dim light that came in through the open door just +enabled him to see the ashy paleness that had over-spread his features.</p> + +<p>'Get me some gin;' and Cross nearly fell into his chair as Dave stepped +up to him.</p> + +<p>'Get me some gin, I say; quick!'</p> + +<p>Dave immediately drew a tumbler of the clear liquor, and his father +taking it with both hands, with difficulty put it to his mouth, so +violent was his agitation; he accomplished it, however, and did not stop +until the glass was empty. Drawing a long breath, he handed back the +glass.</p> + +<p>'Go sit down; I'll be better directly.' Some moments elapsed before he +could resume the conversation.</p> + +<p>'Who has Bill Brown told that lie to?'</p> + +<p>'He has told it to his sister; whether it's a lie or not, I can't say. I +shouldn't think he would be like to lie just now, with one foot in the +grave.'</p> + +<p>Cross saw too clearly that his villany was fully exposed; he sat +apparently stunned by the perils which now hovered over him. David at +last broke silence.</p> + +<p>'The best thing to be done is, to give Rutherford back his deed.'</p> + +<p>'That can't be done; I have not got it, nor has it ever been in my +hands. There is only one thing that can be of any use now, and that is +to stop the mouths of that family; you can easily do that by marrying +the daughter.'</p> + +<p>'It takes two to make such a bargain as that.'</p> + +<p>'You don't suppose she would be fool enough to refuse you?'</p> + +<p>'Fool or no fool, she has refused me this very day.'</p> + +<p>Cross was again silent. It appeared that difficulties arose at every +step; but when the end to be accomplished was so important, the means in +his view were of no moment. A plan suggested itself to his mind, cruel +and base to be sure; but he was in a strait, and what were the feelings +of a gentle girl, even should her heart be broken, in comparison with +his own selfish ends?</p> + +<p>'That is easy to get along with—there ain't half the girls round here +that ever give consent at all. Get her over to the old rendezvous; give +the boys and girls a wink, as to what you want; have old Goble on the +spot—he's used to it. She'll give in easy enough when you're once +buckled together; a little kind treatment and plenty of money will soon +settle everything; and when you are in the family, and they can't help +themselves, all will go right enough; and then, if they try to hurt +either of us, they will only be cutting their own heads off; they won't +be for doing that.'</p> + +<p>In order to the clear understanding of the plan which Cross had +suggested, a little explanation will be necessary.</p> + +<p>Among these rude people, the subject of marriage, and everything +connected with it, was treated in a peculiar manner; from first to +last, secrecy seemed to be the main ingredient in the whole business. +The courtship was carried on clandestinely, and very seldom was the +marriage ceremony completed—it could scarcely be said to be +solemnized—without at least a show of resistance and reluctance on the +part of the female; she being often fairly forced into the room by the +main strength of her companions, and never did the minister expect a +reply, or even the sign of assent to his questions from either party. +Goble, the character by whom nearly all the matrimonial bonds in this +region had been riveted for the last twenty years, was a nondescript +minister, who had some good things in his composition, mixed with a +great many others of a very doubtful kind. He could preach in a certain +way, on any occasion to which he was called, but he was very seldom +asked to perform any such duty, and was well content, so far as he +himself was concerned, to do nothing at it; he worked for his living at +a small trade, and that, with the trifling fees he received for some +professional services, satisfied his humble desires.</p> + +<p>David Cross listened to these suggestions of his father, outrageous as +they were, with no little interest. He loved Hettie, or at least he +thought he did; but brought up and educated as he had been, he could +have no very correct idea of those pure and delicate feelings which +constitute true love: he supposed that he could make her happy, and felt +every disposition to do so. His interview with her the day before had +not been as satisfactory as he had wished. He had never before doubted +that she would willingly accept him, and had always looked upon her as +appropriated to himself; to be thus disappointed, was not by any means +grateful to his uncurbed will and unsubdued passions. It produced an +unhappy effect upon his mind—a sort of determination to get her into +his power; and he meant it in kindness too, for he was sure that he +could make her happy.</p> + +<p>As his father, therefore, unfolded to him a way that his wish could be +accomplished, he eagerly caught at it, and even then resolved that she +should be his.</p> + +<p>The meeting between William Andrews and his mother was almost too much +for the old lady; she ever had loved him dearly, even through all her +harsh treatment of him. She had heard of his prosperity in his letters +home; he had told her that he was doing well, and the supplies of money +which he occasionally sent to her confirmed his statement. But she had +not expected such a change in his appearance. His manners and style of +dress, and the consideration which was paid to him, caused the old lady +at times to feel almost sad as well as proud. William, however, was +unchanged in his affection, and left nothing undone that could manifest +to her his filial respect and love. The old house was refitted in the +neatest manner, as she preferred living in that, she said, the rest of +her days, to any new one that could be built. She would have been too +happy, were it not that too many tokens of disease manifested +themselves, for a mother's eye not to discern that there was a worm at +the root of her gourd.</p> + +<p>The health of William was not benefited by his native air; the languor +which oppressed him became more and more distressing, and the sunken +cheek and the hectic flush gave sad notice to the hearts that loved him +of his fatal malady. But his spirits retained their elasticity, and the +hope of returning health seemed to grow stronger in his own breast, as +it grew fainter in the hearts of his friends. He thought he should he +better soon; and thus from day to day he went about among the neighbours +who were now clustered in his native village, and rejoiced in the magic +change which every where met his eye. What hours of delightful converse +he enjoyed with those whose enterprise had given the first start to all +these new and pleasant scenes, and by whose aid he himself had broken +the chains of idleness and vice, and arisen to respectability and +independence.</p> + +<p>Jim and Ned were the brothers of his heart, and between the three there +was an interchange of the most entire confidence: Sam only was wanting +to have made the circle of his heart's desire complete.</p> + +<p>Through the influence of William, Mr. Rutherford had been induced to +hire a tenement for the present, not far from the abode of the Montjoys, +until time should more clearly develop what course he ought to pursue +for his future support.</p> + +<p>To this family he daily resorted, there he found another home, and in +their friendship he enjoyed a repose that seemed to him a paradise.</p> + +<p>Hettie he often met, and treated her like a sister, so far as she would +allow him, but he had said nothing to her about love. Perhaps his heart +had been drawn far away, or the power of disease had so deadened his +feelings, that he could not arouse himself to the effort of attempting +to gain her affections, or perhaps he saw—for love is eagle-eyed—that +there was one on whom Hettie looked with just such feelings as he would +once fain have had her entertain towards himself.</p> + +<p>Henry Tracy still retained his situation, and, of course, William and he +were thrown together in the same home; a sincere friendship had +commenced between them; the mild and social character of both seemed +formed upon the same basis. Although there was a vast difference in +their mental attainments, yet William had learned much from intercourse +with the world, and could impart valuable knowledge of men and things in +exchange for the intellectual stores which Henry had at his command, and +thus was his spirit beguiled from those dark and depressing thoughts +which often attend upon the sinking frame, and even hasten its decay. +Friendship met him at every turn in some new form, and her smile cheered +his sensitive spirit, and kept up a genial glow; quickening his languid +pulse, and animating him with unnatural vigor.</p> + +<p>He had been spending the evening at the Rutherford's, and had been more +engaged in conversation than usual; it was near the time for retiring, +when he was seized with a slight fit of coughing; and on Mrs. +Rutherford's asking if he felt more unwell, as she noticed that he was +unusually pale—</p> + +<p>'I am in some pain;' and he placed his hand upon his chest. She stepped +up to him, and found that the handkerchief which he had just taken from +his mouth was stained with blood.</p> + +<p>The physician was immediately called in, but his hopeless look, as he +bent over the poor youth, gave sad presage of what the end would be. His +mother and sister were likewise soon with him; but Mrs. Rutherford +persuaded them to leave the care of him to her; and faithfully did that +kind and gentle lady watch by his sick bed. She and Hettie moved about +the apartment in that calm and unobtrusive manner so grateful to the +weak and suffering. Every thing was kept in perfect order, and all +tokens of a sick chamber were removed, save the chastened light that +came in through the drawn curtains, and the noiseless tread of those who +waited upon him. Their countenances, when around the bed, or bending +over it to administer some food or cordial, wore no gloomy aspect, no +anxious knitted brow, no look of sadness from the eye. He loved to gaze +upon them both; angels they seemed to him—attendants from a better +world, waiting on his frail body here, and soon to bear his soaring +spirit to the bright abode which they had left. And when he talked of +death, and told them he was going fast, and soon the struggle would be +over; sweetly they would speak about the heaven that was beyond, of the +pure white robes, and the golden harps, and the everlasting songs, and +the bright meeting they would have when care and toil, and sin and +death, were passed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rutherford was often by his side, and showed, in every word and +look, how much he felt. He could not hide his aching heart beneath a +smile; he loved too well the youthful sufferer. Obligations of the +tenderest kind he hourly felt. Nor was this all; he could sympathize +with him as a man; how full of ardent hopes, with prospects bright for +future years, and all earth's winning smiles beaming on his path, and +now to die so soon, was hard, he thought, even though an angel beckoned +him away. And thus when he stood by that silent bed, and heard the +short, hard heavings of his chest, and saw the daily inroads of disease +upon that face, which had so lately beamed like hope's bright star upon +his troubled way; he felt like one who looks into an open grave, and +hears the clod fall heavy on the coffin-lid; 'twas dark, all dark.</p> + +<p>And at that bed, by day and night, whenever he could snatch an hour from +his varied duties, was Henry Tracy. His friendship had just begun to +kindle into warmth, when he saw that it must soon be extinguished. +William loved to have him near; he loved to hear him converse about +those realities which now alone absorbed his spirit; and well did Henry +know how to deal out the precious manna; so soft and clear, in tones +that fell like heavenly music on the ear. He talked about the +Saviour—for, to Henry, the name of Jesus was a name to quicken every +pulse, and fill the heart with holy joy; and when he spoke of Him, it +was as though he talked about a friend whose ardent sympathies beat in +unison with his own; a friend who loved, who was now near at hand, +feeling for all his woes, smoothing the dying pillow, taking away the +sting of death, and preparing a triumphant passage for his soul into his +own blest home.</p> + +<p>William drank in his words until his spirit rejoiced within him, and +longed to depart. He had a strange pleasure, too, in seeing Hettie stand +by the side of Henry and listen to his voice, until her face would glow +with the holy fire it kindled in his breast; he could read in her +glistening eye, perhaps, what few others could. William loved her even +in death, and now, more than he had done for years past. He loved, too, +Henry Tracy. As he gazed on them by turns, he felt how well suited they +were to one another. He murmured something; Henry heard them, but though +Hettie caught but a word, the rich colour that spread over her pale +face, proved that she understood them. He spoke their names together, +and he blessed them.</p> + +<p>Short were the hours after this that William struggled with the pains of +life; around him were all the dear ones he had on earth; there was no +violence of grief to trouble his departing spirit; hearts were bleeding +silently, and as the last breath went to heaven, a moment all watched +the still, sweet sleeper, and looked on silently while Mr. Rutherford +closed his eyes, and then sat down and wept until their burdened spirits +found relief.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + + +<p>During all the period of Hettie's confinement around the sick bed of +William Andrews, David saw nothing of her; he felt satisfied that she +would not disclose what her brother had communicated to her. The efforts +which, in the mean time, he was to make for the recovery of the lost +document, were much relaxed by the interview with his father, as related +in a former chapter. He saw now that his ultimate object might be +gained, and suffered his selfish feelings to work their hateful purpose. +He continued his attentions to William and his mother, and did much to +supply to them the absence of Hettie.</p> + +<p>Reports are easily set in motion, and, as every one is willing to keep +them moving, it is not strange that they spread so fast. Thus it began +to be whispered that Mr. Tracy and Hettie Brown were engaged to be +married; and although no one had any license for saying so, nor was it +actually the case, yet so it was said, and David among the rest listened +to the story. It took him not altogether by surprise, and only confirmed +him in his purpose to accomplish the plan proposed by his father.</p> + +<p>The effort William had made to communicate the terrible secret which +harassed his mind, enfeebled as it was by disease, had nearly proved +fatal to him. The excitement produced by the thought of having the +matter made public, with all its consequences to himself and others, +together with the physical effort he was obliged to make in order to +explain things fully to his sister, brought on a recurrence of his +unfavorable symptoms, and as soon as Hettie could be spared from the +dying room of William Andrews, she was again at her mother's home, +although so exhausted in mind and body as to be able to do little else +than watch by his bedside.</p> + +<p>'I could not come as soon as I expected,' said David Cross as he entered +the cottage of the Widow Brown; 'but we shall have time enough for a +good ride yet.'</p> + +<p>David looked very pale, and his voice trembled as he spoke, but Hettie +did not notice it, for she was busy putting on her things. She had made +an engagement with him that morning to take a drive; she felt that she +needed the recreation, and as she supposed matters were well understood +between them, hesitated not in accepting such an act of kindness.</p> + +<p>'I think you had better not drive far, David, for it will soon be night, +and William has not been so well to-day.'</p> + +<p>'No, no, aunty, we shan't go far, or at least we shan't stay long, for +Bony is in good spirits.'</p> + +<p>Hettie sprang into the buggy, and Dave drove off at his usual rapid +pace.</p> + +<p>The rendezvous that Cross had spoken of in his conversation with his +son, was situated in the midst of the thickest and least frequented part +of the pines. It had once been used as a tavern, in days before Mr. +Cross set up in his more public situation. Of late years, it became the +haunt of all who wished to have a frolic as they called it—in other +words, a low debauch; and scenes of riot were enacted there which even +Cross himself did not approve. It was a lone place, and far from any +settlement; of course no restraint was put upon those who wished thus to +degrade themselves. It was also the chosen place for their marriage +scenes; these seldom, if ever, taking place at the home of either party. +Two old and miserable-looking beings kept the house, such as it was, and +on occasion of an assemblage, gave matters up to the company to do as +they pleased, their business being merely to deal out plenty of liquor +from behind an old counter in one corner of the room.</p> + +<p>'I think we have gone far enough, David; I fear William will begin to be +restless.'</p> + +<p>'I am only going as far as the house you see yonder. I must stop and +water Bony, and as he is so restless, if you will step in and talk a +moment to the old people, I will hurry all I can, and then we will be +home in less than no time.'</p> + +<p>As they drove up, Hettie knew that she had not seen the place before; +but hesitated not to do as she was requested, although the house was +very forbidding in its appearance.</p> + +<p>'You've come airly,' said the old hag who sat just within the door, +smoking a short black pipe. Hettie, not understanding her allusion, +looked at her in some surprise, without making a reply.</p> + +<p>'I say you've come rather airly; the folks ain't none on 'em got along +yet.'</p> + +<p>'What folks do you mean, granny?'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, I see you're jist like the rest of the galls, you want to keep +it secret as long as you can. We know all about it though; but you're +goin' to have a smart un; Dave's a good feller.'</p> + +<p>Hettie, supposing the old woman to be a little deranged, merely smiled, +and walked into the room. David had driven his horse away, as she +supposed, for the purpose of watering—Poor girl! she was in a trap, and +soon her light and happy spirit would be writhing in agony.</p> + +<p>'Are you ready, David? but where is the horse?' seeing that he had not +driven to the door, but come into the room where she was, his +countenance pale, and with an aspect that alarmed her. 'Has any thing +happened, David? You are not well?'</p> + +<p>'Come in the other room, Hettie.' She followed, but a strange foreboding +of some evil flashed upon her mind, and so affected her in her then +debilitated state, that she was glad to sit down on a long low bench, +which ran along under the windows, at the same time fixing her +penetrating eyes full on the young man. He took a seat beside her, and +turning his head from her—</p> + +<p>'I want to talk with you, Hettie, on that subject which you and I have +had up between us lately.'</p> + +<p>'What, David; about the trunk? have you heard of it?'</p> + +<p>'No, there isn't much chance of doing any thing about that just now; but +you know what I said to you some time ago about our being married.'</p> + +<p>'That I supposed was all settled, David. I told you frankly when you +first spoke to me, that it could never be; why should you bring it up +again? I meant what I said, and I feel just as I did then.'</p> + +<p>'But it is not all settled: I have been thinking of you all my life, +Hettie, and you know how intimate we have been, and when I think of your +marrying some one else, as it is said you are going to do, I can't stand +it, Hettie, no how; and there is no use of talking about it.'</p> + +<p>'But you surely would not wish to marry me if I did not love you, David; +and that I tell you now, as I told you before, I do not as I expect to +love the man whom I would give my hand to. You have been always very +kind to me, and to my family, and we all think much of you, and would do +any thing in our power for you, but on this subject I must beg of you to +urge me no further, for it can never be.'</p> + +<p>David now rose and stood up before her. He took one of her hands, at +which she made no resistance, but he felt that it was cold as marble, +and lay in his grasp like a lifeless thing. He saw also that the color +had left her cheek, and that her lips were of a purple hue; the eyes +alone retained their life, and gazed at him with an earnestness that he +had never met from Hettie's eyes before.</p> + +<p>'You must listen a moment to me, Hettie. I now ask you, once again, if +you will marry me. I can take good care of you. My father has agreed to +let me have money enough to purchase a handsome place, and we will go +away from these dreary woods. Your mother and brother shall accompany +us, if they will, and our home shall be theirs. I have invited the folks +round, and the minister is sent for; in a short time they will be here. +I want you to consent, and let it all go off smooth; but consent or not, +Goble shall marry us when he comes, and then I should like to see the +man that will separate you from me.'</p> + +<p>Hettie was not prepared for this; she knew well what were the strange +and uncouth customs in that region; but little had she dreamed that they +could ever be brought thus to bear upon her. A thousand thoughts rushed +into her mind of the most appalling nature. She feared that her conduct +towards this young man had not been sufficiently guarded. She had +mistaken his character, and now that she was in his power it was +revealed to her in colors too glaring to be misunderstood. But her +courage did not forsake her. She was well aware that resistance would be +of no avail: she cast her thoughts to heaven, and prayed most earnestly +that God would make a way for her out of this trouble, in comparison +with which death itself would be a welcome messenger. She resolved that +there should be no misunderstanding of her feelings. She withdrew her +hand, and after a moment's pause, replied:—</p> + +<p>'Your conduct, David, is as strange as it is ungenerous—unmanly. You +have deceived me by coming to this place; you have taken me away from +all help of friends. I am a woman, weak, and in your power; but I tell +you now plainly, I despise you for your meanness. I shall protest most +solemnly in the presence of your pretended minister, that I will never +own you for a husband. No: I would sooner suffer the most excruciating +torments, and die the bitterest death, than do one thing, by word or +deed, that could give you a claim to me.'</p> + +<p>David Cross writhed under this address; but Hettie could not have +pursued a course more likely to confirm him in his purpose. He was cut +to the heart, and resolved upon revenge. He cared not now for her +love—she should be his slave.</p> + +<p>As evening gathered over them, groups of females began to gather in the +room; and as she cast her eye over them, not one countenance did she +recognize as having ever seen before. They were arrayed in all sorts of +fanciful styles; their dark complexions set off by pink, blue, yellow, +and green dresses, according to the taste of the owner. Their untamed +characters were too clearly visible in their rude behavior; and as they +gathered around the suffering girl, the only sense they manifested of +feeling was a hard, unmeaning smile, and a wink at each other, +signifying that there was sport at hand. In the outer room, also, began +to be heard the boisterous laugh of men, and the rattling of glasses on +the counter, mingled with the harsh sounds of a violin, scraped by a +negro, who had grown grey in the service, attending upon all the orgies +of the country round. Little did Hettie, until that moment, ever think +that there could be grouped within a few miles of her mother's dwelling +a scene so nearly allied in her mind to the doings of the bottomless +pit; and as the merriment increased with the exciting potions that were +dealing out, her trembling spirit could only hang its hope on an unseen +hand. She had made up her mind as to the course she intended to pursue. +Resistance would be in vain; nor would an apparent opposition or +repugnance to the performance of the ceremony avail any thing. She +should therefore do as requested until the pretended ceremony began, and +then would most solemnly protest against the violence done to her, and +warn all present that her friends would prosecute to the utmost all who +had a hand in the wickedness.</p> + +<p>As the groups were coming in, she anxiously looked among them for a face +that she knew, and at length espied one that was familiar, dressed in +rather poorer garments than the rest; a young woman whom she had in some +measure befriended. She soon caught her eye, and beckoned to her—</p> + +<p>'Sally, will you get me a drink of cold water?' The young woman flew +with alacrity to do her bidding. As she came near with the cup of water, +Hettie spoke kindly to her, made a few inquiries, and then whispered in +a very guarded manner a few words. The girl appeared much astonished, +looked full at Hettie, and then towards David Cross, who was busily +engaged at another part of the room. She then carried away the cup, and +left the house.</p> + +<p>Inquiries now began to be made after the minister.</p> + +<p>'Goble ain't so hungry for his job as he is sometimes; he ought to have +been here half an hour ago.'</p> + +<p>'He's getting old, Joe; he can't move as he once did. He'll be along, +though, by and by—no fear of Goble.'</p> + +<p>The old negro, after a while, being pretty well warmed up with the +liquor, kept up an incessant jingle on his crazy instrument, bobbing his +old grey head about, and occasionally stamping violently with his foot, +as he became excited by his own melody. In different parts of the room a +couple might be seen shuffling away rapidly with their feet, tossing +their arms up and down as they held each other's hands, swaying their +bodies in all directions, and performing all sorts of uncouth gestures; +until, exhausted by the exercise, they would slap their feet hard on the +floor, let go of hands, swing round, and with a loud shout which was +echoed by an uproarious laugh throughout the room, mingle again with the +crowd.</p> + +<p>How long these scenes continued, Hettie could not tell, nor did she heed +them much; her mind was too painfully oppressed in anticipation of what +she might yet be called to go through.</p> + +<p>Henry Tracy had just returned from a visit to some of his charge, and +was quietly seated in his study, when the Widow Andrews, putting her +head carefully around the casement of the open door, said in a very low +voice,</p> + +<p>'There's two of the Sheldrakes out here; they want to see the +minister.'</p> + +<p>'Two what, Mrs. Andrews?'</p> + +<p>'Sheldrakes—there's two on 'em, and they're round the corner by the big +tree; they won't come in, but they say they want to see the minister.'</p> + +<p>Henry stepped to the window, expecting to see he hardly knew what; there +were, indeed, two uncouth looking figures, but he recognised them at +once as inhabitants of the barrens.</p> + +<p>'Are those two men the persons you allude to, Mrs. Andrews.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, there they are—there's two on 'em; they're the real Sheldrakes, +the critters are.'</p> + +<p>Without waiting to inquire into the peculiar meaning of the term, he +went out immediately to them, and asked in his pleasant manner.</p> + +<p>'Were you inquiring for me?'</p> + +<p>'We's wanting to see the minister; there's a little job to be done up +our way, and as the regular hand is sick we've come to git you.'</p> + +<p>Henry had become quite familiar with these rude sons of the forest, and +therefore their appearance and manners were not at all surprising to +him.</p> + +<p>'What kind of a job is it you have on hand, my friends?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, it's a little weddin' job; a couple of young un's want hitchin +together; and Dave sent us for Goble, but the old crittur's got the +rhumatiz, so he can't go no how; and as we thought it warn't no matter +who does it, so as it's done, we've come arter you.'</p> + +<p>'What David? David Cross! He is not going to be married, is he?'</p> + +<p>'But you won't speak of it; so if you will be about dusk at the corner +of the north road, we'll be there and show you the way.'</p> + +<p>'I will be there; but you must not lose me in your wild country;' +smiling as he said it.</p> + +<p>'Never fear, sir, we'll take you safe and bring you back safe, and there +shan't be a hair o' your head hurt; only you must'nt mind if the boys is +noisy a little; but when they see it ain't Goble that's among 'em +they'll behave more decenter, for they set store by you, minister, all +over.'</p> + +<p>At the appointed time Henry was on the spot; a thick fog had settled +around as evening approached, and the two guides were obliged very soon +to light their pine knots. As Henry followed on through the thick +woods, had it not been that he was somewhat accustomed to scenes of the +kind, he might have felt no little uneasiness; for the men were wild +looking figures, their long streaming hair, rude garments, dark, Indian +countenances, together with the flaming brands throwing their pitchy +glare upon the huge trunks of the giant pines through which they +threaded their way, while all beyond the little circle of light in which +they walked was a wilderness of darkness—the whole scene required no +little confidence for one to be quite at ease. The men followed no +beaten road, but were guided in their course by marks known only to +themselves.</p> + +<p>The sound of the violin and the hum of voices were at length heard, and +lights were seen close at hand.</p> + +<p>'Have you got him, Harry?'</p> + +<p>'Aye, aye; but tell 'em to stop their noise.' And the tidings could be +heard flying from mouth to mouth; the violin ceased, and all was hushed.</p> + +<p>The room in which the ceremony was to be performed was spacious enough +to contain a large assembly. It was nearly filled; the men and women +standing promiscously in a dense mass, occupied about two-thirds of the +apartment, leaving a clear space sufficiently large for those more +immediately connected with the performance; within this stood a number +of the younger females with their arms locked, and forming a complete +ring encircling those who were intended to be the bride and groom.</p> + +<p>Hettie had followed, as she had been requested, on the announcement of +the ministers approach; but the excitement under which she labored was +so great, that it required her utmost energy to sustain herself without +assistance, and she would have died before she would have sought it from +him who stood beside her; to have lost her physical or mental powers at +such a time, she knew would have been the end of hope for her. She stood +with her face covered, as the only way she could command herself, and +her agonized spirit poured out its terrible necessities to Him, who she +believed could alone help her. As Henry Tracy entered the room, a buzz +of astonishment ran through the assembly; the circle of girls opened and +extended itself, so as to permit him to be immediately before the +couple. He smiled, as he looked at David Cross, but casting his eye +quickly to her who stood beside him, the smile flew away, and a deadly +sickness came over him. He saw not her face, for it was still covered, +but those raven locks, and that lovely form, he had seen too often not +to recognise at once. For a moment he stood petrified with amazement, +unable to utter a syllable, or do any thing but gaze, almost with +horror, upon the terrible apparition which had thus risen before him.</p> + +<p>Hearing the movement around her, and supposing the ceremony was about to +begin, Hettie sent one long, silent cry to heaven for aid, and then +uncovered her face. Had an angel from that bright world appeared for her +rescue, it could not have been more surprising to her than the sight of +Henry Tracy. She clasped her hands together, fixed her eye full upon +him, and uttering a scream of delight, flew towards him.</p> + +<p>'Oh, save me! save me!'</p> + +<p>'Where is she? where is she?' and a woman broke into the room. 'Where is +my child?' And Henry Tracy laid the fainting girl in her mother's arms, +and assisted in bearing her from the room into the open air.</p> + +<p>When David Cross saw Henry Tracy enter the room, accompanied by the two +men whom he had commissioned to procure the services of Mr. Goble, he +know at once that his design was frustrated. His countenance was deadly +pale, and he cast a glance of fury at the two men, but he durst not vent +his anger either in words or actions there. The mighty spell which +Henry's influence exerted, even in this waste region, was too evident in +the perfect stillness which reigned the moment he entered the room, and +the looks of reverence that beamed even from those wild and untamed +countenances.</p> + +<p>As Hettie darted from his side, he made his way through the crowd to an +end door of the building, and with feelings which none might envy, was +soon on his way towards his father's house. One by one the company slunk +away, when they found that the proceedings were at an end, and in +silence groped through the darkness towards their several homes.</p> + +<p>When Hettie awoke to consciousness, Henry was bending over her, while +her mother sat by her side, smoothing her beautiful forehead, and +putting back the dark locks which kept falling over it.</p> + +<p>All was still; she listened for those terrible sounds which had well +nigh driven her reason; but no sound could she hear, except the sweet +voice of Henry.</p> + +<p>'You feel better now?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, yes; but how has it all come about?'</p> + +<p>'We must ask you that, my dear?' said her mother; 'it is all a mystery, +a great mystery to us.'</p> + +<p>'Sally went for you then, mother? I was fearful it would all be over +before she could get there.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, my dear, and she is now sitting with your brother until we get +home.'</p> + +<p>'Do let us go, then, for I am so anxious to get away from this terrible +place—but there—what is that!' and Hettie darted a wild glance towards +the door. Henry and her mother looked at each other.</p> + +<p>'There is nothing here, Hettie—no one beside your dear mother and +myself.'</p> + +<p>'Oh—well—I am so glad!'</p> + +<p>Henry said nothing of his fears; but a terrible thought came into his +mind; which was more and more confirmed by an occasional wild glance of +her eye. 'Her mind has been injured, or she is about to be visited with +severe illness.'</p> + +<p>The mother probably did not think as far as he did, although she felt +that there was need for immediate departure.</p> + +<p>'Are you able to walk, my dear? if so, we had better be going.'</p> + +<p>'Oh yes, to be sure, mother.' And she quickly rose from the rude bed on +which she had been laid; but no sooner did she attempt to stand, than +her trembling limbs gave way. Henry caught her, and again laid her to +rest: she was evidently ill already, and no time must be lost in getting +away from that miserable abode.</p> + +<p>The men who had accompanied Henry were still in waiting to conduct him +home. By their aid a litter was constructed; and while the anxious +mother bore the torch to light them through the gloom, Henry with his +two guides carried the suffering girl.</p> + +<p>It was a sad journey that for Henry Tracy. The wild and incoherent +remarks which Hettie made, the deathly pallor of her countenance, and +the quick flashing of her eye, which he discerned as the light +occasionally fell upon her features, confirmed his worst fears.</p> + +<p>By his persuasion, the widow consented that she should be taken to Mr. +Rutherford's, her own humble home offering no suitable convenience for +another invalid.</p> + +<p>The ways of God appear unequal only to those who judge prematurely, or +without taking into the account that this world is not the end. God sees +as we do not: His design in all the dealings of His judgments and His +mercies here towards those who love Him, is to make them trust in Him, +and cast their thoughts, too prone to settle on this vale of tears and +be content with earth, upwards, towards that better, purer home in +heaven.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + + +<p>War is a name that carries in its dreadful meaning scenes of suffering +and woe, little thought of, it is feared, by those who, at the helm of +power, too easily proclaim the deadly feud.</p> + +<p>The widow's tear, the orphan's helpless sigh, the agonizing groans of +bleeding victims, the horrible necessities that wait upon the contest +for supremacy where man forgets his nature, and hastes with tiger-thirst +to seek the life-blood of his fellow man, are all forgotten or unheeded. +A little land, not worth a single pang of one fond mother's heart; a +little wrong that might by calm remonstrance be redressed, or even borne +with, affords a pretext. The herald of defiance is sent forth, and +misery, death, and desolation hover on his track.</p> + +<p>The event which Commodore Trysail had predicted came to pass, although +somewhat sooner than either he or many other shrewd calculators had +anticipated. The Commodore, as we have seen, had no misgivings of +conscience about the necessity of the measure: he only wished for a +better preparation, before engaging in hostilities with the greatest +nation on the globe.</p> + +<p>As to his own private interests, a few months would have enabled him to +place them on a better footing, yet, perhaps, he thought as little about +that matter as most men; at any rate, he took a very decided stand for +the government, and strongly upheld it in its declaration of war.</p> + +<p>With Peter he still held long private talks on Peter's favorite topic; +and every new incident of the war seemed interesting to the old sailor, +only as it in some way might affect the safe return of Captain Sam. One +morning, as Peter handed in the pack of papers at the door of the +office, he looked very anxiously at the Commodore.</p> + +<p>'There's three more on 'em come, your honor—'</p> + +<p>'More what, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'Of the blockaders, sir,—a brig and two schooners.'</p> + +<p>'What will become of our young captain, now, Peter?'</p> + +<p>Peter slipped the quid to the other side, and worked away at it awhile +in good earnest.</p> + +<p>'I'm a-thinking, your honor, it's a great pity he ain't in a regular +man-o'-war's man.'</p> + +<p>'What would he do then, Peter?'</p> + +<p>'He'd make her talk, your honor, or I'm mistaken.'</p> + +<p>'You don't think he'd fight, do you?'</p> + +<p>'What for not, your honor?'</p> + +<p>'Why, you know he has been dodging along shore here, Peter, all his +life—he has hardly smelled gunpowder.'</p> + +<p>'Asking your honor's pardon for the freedom, but I must haul off from +your honor this time. Captain Sam may be ain't had much experience in +the fightin' way as yet; but your honor knows, it's more what's in a man +than what he larns—a brave man ashore will be a brave man at sea, that +is, a'ter the sickness is over; but if Captain Sam don't face an enemy's +bullet with the best on 'em, I'll cut off my pigtail and give it to the +cats.' Peter could have made no stronger asseveration; for he highly +valued the long appendage to his bushy head, and of all creatures he +hated cats.</p> + +<p>'Do you think, Peter, if he had a good ship and a dozen guns on board, +with a fine crew, he would know what to do with them?'</p> + +<p>'If he don't, your honor, I'll give up t'other leg, and go upon stumps +the rest of my days.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Peter, I believe you; and we think alike this time. You may take +these papers, and show them to Lady Morris.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, your honor.'</p> + +<p>And Peter hobbled away, discharging the old quid as soon as he had +fairly left the house; and treating himself to a new one, muttering as +he did so, 'Captain Sam will show 'em—see if he don't.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore, through the influence of Peter, had also become much +interested in the Montjoys; all the story of their boyish days had been +so often repeated that they seemed like old acquaintances; and although, +for argument's sake, the old gentleman would appear to doubt the +correctness of Peter's reasoning on the certainty of their doing well, +yet he had great confidence in the young firm, and an earnest desire for +their prosperity.</p> + +<p>Old Sam Cutter, too, with whom the Commodore was very intimate, had not +failed to make him acquainted with the mighty change which had been +brought about through the instrumentality of these boys in this place, +now so lovely in its appearance. He felt that they deserved his respect +as a citizen, and treated them with a consideration which, for the +disparity in years and circumstances, was very gratifying to them.</p> + +<p>He was therefore a frequent visitor at their establishment—never +hindering them at their work if he found them engaged; but bowing +respectfully to the young men and those who might be in at the time, +would walk straight through the store into the little back room, which +was always in perfect order, and there seek for news among their papers +which might not happen to be in his.</p> + +<p>On this particular day of which we have been speaking, he had an object +of some importance in his visit; and as he passed along to the usual +place, he politely requested the favor of an interview with the elder +partner, when he could be spared from his desk.</p> + +<p>'In a short time, sir, I will wait upon you,' said James, who was making +an entry in his book.</p> + +<p>That morning, the brothers had been spending some time in consultation +about business matters. They had, as we have seen, been very kindly +treated by the bank, and in consequence were enabled to keep along and +meet their difficulties; but the serious losses which they had met, +affected them much more than they at first anticipated. They had never +before known what it was to be cramped in their means for doing +business, because they had only increased their transactions as they +found themselves able to do so; but things could not very easily be +brought back by the same process—they must either go on, or suspend +altogether; and either alternative involved difficulties of no ordinary +kind. To continue as they had, they must for years to come, so far as +they could see, be constantly devising ways and means to meet +engagements, involving anxiety, dependence, watchfulness, and untiring +attention: to suspend their operations, would not only be a bitter +humiliation to their sensitive spirits, but there would be a sacrifice +of property that might leave them without the ability to pay many of +their just debts. There was also a difficulty attending their situation +which troubled them more than all else beside. They had been in the +habit of receiving from many of their customers small sums of money +which they wished to secure against a time of need; the unbounded +confidence reposed in the young men brought all the loose money of those +in moderate circumstances into their hands: they allowed an interest for +it, and hitherto had been able to return any sum when suddenly called +for. The amount thus accumulated was now about two thousand dollars; and +it was due in sums of from ten to three hundred. With many of these +depositors, it was the whole of their possession.</p> + +<p>The idea of danger from thus receiving funds had never occurred to the +brothers, until they found by experience the difficulties which attended +the raising money on an emergency with their diminished capital—in +fact, with no other capital than their credit. But now they clearly saw +that it placed them over a volcano; it might explode at any time, lay +their business and well-earned reputation in ruins together, and utterly +disable them from giving back this money thus sacredly intrusted to +their keeping. And it was on this particular point they had been +consulting that morning; their fears were mutually expressed, and they +came to the resolution that they would involve themselves in such +difficulties no farther.</p> + +<p>As soon as James could leave his desk, he repaired to the back-room. +After some kind greetings on either side, the Commodore straightened +himself in his chair, and resting one hand on his large gold-headed +cane—</p> + +<p>'I want to talk with you a little, Mr. Montjoy, about money this +morning.'</p> + +<p>James's heart beat quick; he could not help it, for the Commodore had +placed five hundred dollars in his hands a short time previous, and +requested him to keep it until he called for it.</p> + +<p>'I put five hundred dollars in your hands lately, which I was to have, +you know, when I should call for it.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, sir, certainly by all means.' Poor James! he knew not where it was +to come from, and he secretly wished that he had never owned a dollar, +or that there was no such thing as money.</p> + +<p>'Well, sir, I have just received advices from the city that certain sum +of money, which I suppose—'</p> + +<p>Ned stepped into the office, and requested the presence of his brother a +moment. The Commodore bade him go, by all means, that he would wait his +leisure.</p> + +<p>The business for which James was required was to close a very +advantageous bargain for some produce, but he was in no state of mind to +do business—money, ready money, was the only idea he could cherish; it +clung to his spirit like the nightmare; he could neither bargain nor +calculate, so he waived the matter, and was back again to the little +room; he merely whispered to Ned,</p> + +<p>'The Commodore, I suppose, has come for his money.'</p> + +<p>'What shall we do?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know.'</p> + +<p>And he entered the room again, and sat down.</p> + +<p>'As I was saying, Mr. Montjoy, when your brother called you away, a +certain sum of money, which I supposed had been invested, I learn by my +advices to-day is still lying idle, and waiting my orders. These are +ticklish times, Mr. Montjoy, and they will be worse before long. I am +afraid of stocks at present, and have therefore concluded to draw for +these funds, and place them in your hands; you can use them to +advantage, no doubt.'</p> + +<p>And the Commodore took a long pinch of snuff, which had been for some +time in waiting between his thumb and forefinger.</p> + +<p>James felt a load fall from his heart, and for a moment was silent.</p> + +<p>'I thank you, sir, for your kind offer, and for the confidence reposed +in us; but before I can give you an answer, allow me to confer with my +brother.'</p> + +<p>The character of these two young men had never been so severely tested +before. An offer, unsolicited, had been made to them of that which they +stood so much in need of, and which would relieve them from +embarrassment. Ned clapped his hands, and rubbed them violently together +in the ecstasy of his joy.</p> + +<p>'But, my dear Ned, ought we to take it?'</p> + +<p>'Why not?'</p> + +<p>'Because, he doubtless supposes that we are well off, and has no idea of +our losses; and I've been thinking that, under the circumstances, we +ought not to touch a dollar of it.'</p> + +<p>'That, to be sure, Jim;'—and Ned's countenance drooped; he hung his +head, and began to kick the counter with his foot.</p> + +<p>'We concluded, you know, Ned, that we would take no more money in this +way.'</p> + +<p>'Well, we had better stick to that, let what will come.'</p> + +<p>'How would it answer to tell him just the situation of things with us, +and the reasons why we cannot receive it.'</p> + +<p>'If you tell him any thing, Jim, you had better tell the whole.'</p> + +<p>James's heart was lighter, because he had resolved to act consistently +with a sense of duty.</p> + +<p>'I believe, sir, we must decline your generous offer.'</p> + +<p>James saw that the Commodore seemed surprised.</p> + +<p>'We do this, sir, not but that we need the funds—and they would at the +present moment be of immense advantage to us—but we have no doubt, that +you have made the offer under the impression that we are in very +different circumstances from what, I am sorry to say, is the truth. But +as you are a man of business, and can appreciate our motives for not +having made a general exposition of our affairs, I will communicate to +you our true situation.'</p> + +<p>And James gave a clear account of their course of business, from its +commencement to the time when such unexpected losses at one stroke swept +off the hard-earned profits of their youthful enterprise. He also +explained to him the unpleasant situation in which they felt themselves +placed, by being made the depositaries of so many sums of money, which +might be called for at any moment, and especially should the least +surmise get abroad unfriendly to their standing.</p> + +<p>After he had closed, the Commodore took out his gold snuff-box, and +rapping it pretty hard, helped himself freely, and then very +deliberately returned it to his pocket.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Montjoy, what you tell me surprises me very much; but it shall go +no further, I assure you. Can you favor me with pen and ink a moment?'</p> + +<p>He then drew up to the table on which James had placed the required +articles.</p> + +<p>'I believe it is five hundred dollars exactly that I handed you lately?'</p> + +<p>'Just five hundred, sir.'</p> + +<p>'I have done it now,' thought Jim; 'he is afraid of us, and intends to +draw it out; but my duty has been performed, let what will come.'</p> + +<p>'Mr. Montjoy, I said that I was much surprised at the statement you have +made, but I cannot say that I am sorry for the misfortune you have met +with'—and the keen black eye of the Commodore was fixed upon James; he +saw that his remark had affected him, for a deep blush mantled his fine +countenance—'because, sir, it affords me an opportunity of expressing, +as I could not otherwise do, my sense of your invaluable services to +this your native place, and my approbation of your noble character. +Here, sir, is my draft for five thousand dollars, which, with what you +already have, I place in your hands, if you will merely sign this +receipt for the amount, payable as you see in ten years, without +interest. Don't say any thing, my dear sir'—seeing that James was about +to say a great deal—'not a word, if you please; just sit down a moment, +Mr. Montjoy; you say that it has been a cause of uneasiness to you, that +you have money in your hands intrusted to you for keeping.'</p> + +<p>'We shall now pay that off at once, sir; I will not keep it another +day.'</p> + +<p>'You must do no such thing, sir. It is a great benefit to these people +to have their funds in the hands of an honest firm. This you must do; +take two thousand dollars of this money, and invest it in a mortgage, on +some good property; keep it as a resort, in case of the worst, and hold +it sacred for these deposits; the balance use as you please! And now, +sir, a good morning to you;' rising, at the same time, and shaking the +hand of James very warmly.</p> + +<p>'Your kindness, sir—'</p> + +<p>'Not a word, Mr. Montjoy, not a word, if you please; good morning, and +God bless you.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore, walking through the store, saluted Edward, who stood +behind the counter, attending upon customers, with a very long face.</p> + +<p>As soon as Ned could be disengaged, he stepped up to his brother, who +was working away again at his books—</p> + +<p>'See here, Ned.'</p> + +<p>'What does it mean, Jim?'</p> + +<p>'It means that he has loaned it to us for ten years, free from interest, +and with a full knowledge of our affairs.'</p> + +<p>Ned was deeply affected with this sudden interposition in their favor; +he looked full in his brother's face, and Jim, for the first time in +many years, saw tears in his brother's eye.</p> + +<p>'I hope we shall not forget this.'</p> + +<p>'I hope not, Ned.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore walked home with a very light heart that day. He must have +felt that he had made a good investment, for his step was very elastic, +and he gazed upon the pleasing prospect around him, and looked upon the +signs of thrift that met his view on every side with so much +complacency, that one would have supposed he had a new interest in it +all, and felt that he was a partner in the great concern.</p> + +<p>It had been a lovely morning, and nature appeared to be in perfect +repose; not a cloud to dim the bright sun, nor a motion in the +atmosphere to stir even the leaf of the aspen, if there had been any +just then to stir, but it was not the season of leaves. A change, +however, was about to take place, and the Commodore was sailor enough to +guess that it was likely to be a violent one. Seeing Peter occupying his +favorite seat (a large flat rock on the brow of the hill overhanging the +shore), with the spy-glass in his hand, and perhaps a little curious to +take a peep through it himself, he extended his walk to the edge of the +hill.</p> + +<p>'A sail in sight, Peter?'</p> + +<p>The old man hopped down from his perch at the sound of the Commodore's +voice, hastily clapped a quid into his mouth, which he had just cut off +for that very purpose, doffed his hat, and laid hold of his crutches, +all which ceremonies he went through with a celerity quite surprising.</p> + +<p>'I was thinking, your honor, that there's goin' to be foul weather +outside to-night; them clouds look squally, and they keep growing +thicker and thicker.'</p> + +<p>'It certainly looks threatening, Peter.'</p> + +<p>'It looks very threatening, your honor; and I don't care, for one, how +hard it comes, so it will only blow them ugly black craft that are +laying off and on there, high and dry somewhere or another.'</p> + +<p>'That, to be sure, Peter; they would have an uneasy berth of it in a +heavy gale, where they now are.'</p> + +<p>'They would, sir, you may depend on it; and I think they're a little +uneasy a-ready, for the biggest on 'em have clawed off out of sight, and +the others that were at anchor have hauled up, and are starting too. If +your honor will look through the glass, you can see all their +movements. They'll have a time on it—there, did you hear that, your +honor?'</p> + +<p>'A gun, Peter, and a heavy one, but at a great distance.'</p> + +<p>'I've heard several on 'em, your honor, before; there's something to +pay, out there; they wouldn't fire such metal as that for signals.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I only wish they were out of the way for a few weeks, Peter. +Captain Sam would stand but a poor chance if he should get among them.'</p> + +<p>'There would be no chance at all, your honor, there's so many on 'em; I +might as well try to run through that picket fence, crutches and all; +and as to fightin' it out, your honor knows there's too much odds agin +one—they'd blow him out of water.'</p> + +<p>'Or sink him under it.'</p> + +<p>'Or sink him under it, your honor.'</p> + +<p>Peter's prophecy respecting the weather was too truly realized: the +heavens, ere the night shut in, were covered with dark and ragged +clouds, chasing each other like heaving surges wildly through the air: +gusts of wind occasionally swept along, increasing in violence at each +succeeding blast; while in the distance, the heavy roar of the ocean +told plainly of the tumult that was going on there, and what might be +expected when the strength of the tempest should break upon the land. +The fitful gusts at length settled into one long-continued, furious +blast, increasing gradually its terrible power, until the strongest +dwellings rocked and trembled to their base, and even the stout-hearted +turned their thoughts to Him whose will the winds obey, and before whose +power man shrinks to nothing.</p> + +<p>The family of Mr. Rutherford had been long in a state of painful +anxiety, watching untiringly around the sick, and, to all human +probability, the dying bed of Hettie. The scenes of trial which she had +been passing through for several successive months, had imperceptibly +weakened her frame; and the terrible ordeal of the mock-marriage proved +just the stroke too much for her to bear. In the wildest delirium, her +spirit tossed and agonized for weeks; and then, as her nature sunk, worn +out with the wrestling of her troubled mind, it required the nicest care +and most faithful attendance to stay up her feeble tenement.</p> + +<p>Nothing was wanting that love could minister for her benefit; and hope +again began to bless the spirits of friends. Her reason was restored, +her strength gradually returned, and although confined still to her bed, +the signs of recovery were so evident, that cheerfulness once more +blessed the countenances of that much afflicted but still happy family.</p> + +<p>Hettie had resolved to keep the secret with which she had been intrusted +by her brother no longer than she could acquire strength to reveal it; +and on this very day that we have been describing, she had told Mr. +Rutherford all she knew.</p> + +<p>That evening, while the tempest was roaring around his dwelling, he sat +alone in the room where his family usually congregated, Mrs. Rutherford +and the children having retired to Hettie's apartment, to give what +cheer they could to the sick room during the wild howling of the storm. +His thoughts, busied with the intelligence which had that day been +communicated to him, and agitated between hope and fear, were devising +all manner of plans for the recovery of documents of so much value, and +the surest way to bring the dangerous men concerned in the transaction +to justice, when a loud knocking against an outer door reached his ear. +Thinking it might be some benighted stranger, he hurried to admit him, +as soon as possible, to a shelter from the peltings of a pitiless storm.</p> + +<p>Opening the door, he requested the stranger to hasten in, not waiting to +inquire who he was, or what he wanted. The first glance, however, as he +turned towards his visitor, made him regret that he had been so hasty; +for David Cross, with a wild and haggard countenance, stood before him. +Mr. Rutherford had no reason to think that his errand was a good one, +but he was resolved to treat him with forbearance. David spoke first—</p> + +<p>'A terrible storm, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Your business must be urgent, Mr. Cross, that drives you out through +such a night.'</p> + +<p>'It is urgent, sir. Is Miss Hettie in a condition to be seen?'</p> + +<p>'She is not, except by those with whom she feels perfectly at rest.'</p> + +<p>'I must see her, Mr. Rutherford, if such a thing is possible. I have +done her great injustice, and I wish to make all the atonement in my +power. As you value the future peace of an unhappy man, I beg you, sir, +to allow me but a moment's interview.'</p> + +<p>'It cannot be, Mr. Cross; your presence in her chamber would, in all +probability, throw her again into the same horrible condition from which +she has but just recovered; and a relapse would be fatal.'</p> + +<p>Cross looked away from Mr. Rutherford, and fixed his eye on the door. He +seemed in an agony, for occasionally a tremor shook his whole frame, and +Mr. Rutherford thought he saw him wipe away a tear. For some moments +neither spoke. At length turning, and with a beseeching look addressing +Mr. Rutherford,</p> + +<p>'Will you allow me, sir, to send a line to her; perhaps she may wish to +see me.'</p> + +<p>'I will, sir; but I am not at all sure that you will be permitted to see +her, even if she consents.'</p> + +<p>He wrote a few lines, and handing it to Mr. Rutherford—</p> + +<p>'If she refuses to see me after she has read that, so be it; but I will +not then be to blame for the consequences which may follow.'</p> + +<p>Hettie read the little note, or, more properly, it was read to her. It +ran thus: 'Hettie, I want to ask your forgiveness, and to tell you that +I have discovered the paper.—D. Cross.'</p> + +<p>'I think he had better come in,' said Hettie; 'there is business of +great consequence, which it is in his power to communicate.'</p> + +<p>As David Cross entered the room, he paused a moment as his eye fell upon +the emaciated countenance of the still lovely girl. He then slowly +approached the bed, threw himself on his knees, and wept like an infant. +As soon as he could speak—</p> + +<p>'Hettie,' said he, 'can you forgive me for my cruel wrong?'</p> + +<p>'I have forgiven you long since, David; and have prayed that you may be +forgiven of God.'</p> + +<p>'I can make but little reparation for the past; I have done all I could. +That paper is in the hands of Michael Foster; he holds it to extort +money from my father. To-morrow night a plan is laid to wrest it out of +Foster's power, and then it will no doubt be destroyed. Measures must +therefore be taken in the course of to-morrow, or it will probably be +too late. Spare my father, if you can; as for myself, Hettie, I leave +you now for ever. You and I will probably never meet again.'</p> + +<p>Hettie cast a look of kindness at him as he left the room. Mr. +Rutherford had witnessed the scene at the bedside, and his feelings were +much softened towards the young man.</p> + +<p>'You do not mean to go away while the tempest rages thus?'</p> + +<p>'The storm is of little consequence to me, sir. I have communicated to +Hettie some things which concern you deeply; and all I have to say is, +that whatever steps you may take on the information she gives you, +cannot be taken too soon.' Saying this, he left the house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + + +<p>A change from terra firma to the restless ocean is sometimes pleasant, +even for its novelty, if nothing else—although none who try the +experiment but are completely satisfied that, so far as everything +connected with comfort is concerned, or real quiet of mind or body, +there is nothing like the solid earth. I must, however, ask my readers +to risk themselves with me for a short time on the ocean, and perhaps +they will the more readily do so, when I tell them that we are to be on +board the good ship Lady Washington, and under the immediate command of +our favorite Captain Sam.</p> + +<p>Those who see our ships only as they lie along side of the busy wharves, +and are either discharging or receiving their freight, have but a poor +idea of the neatness which the deck of a well-regulated vessel presents +in her usual sailing trim. It may be that our Captain was peculiar about +this matter, but every thing was so snugly stowed away, and securely +fastened, that to all appearance nothing would be displaced, should some +sudden freak of old ocean roll her bottom upwards. Her deck was flush +from stem to stern, and the gangway on each side was clean and clear; +every hand on deck was actively employed in the performance of some +duty, but it could be seen that they were intent upon some object more +engrossing than that in which their hands were busied, for wistful +glances were cast towards their young commander, who was standing near +the helm, and, with marks of anxiety on his countenance, eyeing through +a glass a distant speck upon the ocean.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Barnum, this breeze is not going to last; it's a dead calm already +a mile to starboard. Hail the maintop; that fellow must be asleep.'</p> + +<p>The chief mate—for it was he who was thus addressed—placing his two +brawny hands so as to form a speaking trumpet, raised his face aloft, +and sent up a blast that would have aroused no common slumberer.</p> + +<p>'Hallo, maintop!'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir.'</p> + +<p>'What do you make her?'</p> + +<p>'Can't make her at all.'</p> + +<p>At this reply, the mate sprang into the shrouds with the agility of a +squirrel, and was soon far up amid the complicated rigging, and seizing +the glass from the one who had been using it, made a satisfactory +examination, and then tumbling down as rapidly as he had ascended, was +again beside his Captain.</p> + +<p>'It is difficult making her out, for she has got her three masts in one; +but she looms large, and from the rig should judge she's a bull-dog, +with at least two rows of teeth.'</p> + +<p>'Ship, ahoy!' from aloft.</p> + +<p>'What quarter?'</p> + +<p>'On the larboard beam, and coming down with a spanking breeze.'</p> + +<p>'Ship, ahoy!!'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, we see her; there's no mistake now, Captain Oakum; we are in +the midst of them.'</p> + +<p>'Call the crew aft, Mr. Barnum.'</p> + +<p>Soon every sailor on board was standing near the quarter-deck, and, with +respectful bearing, ready to hear the will of their Captain. He +immediately stepped up before them, and casting his eye over their hardy +and cheerful countenances, explained in a few brief sentences the +peculiarity of their situation, and what he should require of them.</p> + +<p>'We are in the midst of our enemies; three of their frigates are now in +sight, and bearing down upon us. We are bound for our port, and shall go +there if we can; it will be no child's play, but I am exposed to equal +danger with the rest of you. If we succeed, a handsome reward awaits us, +and the satisfaction of having done our duty; if we are so unlucky as to +fall into their hands, a prison or a life cruise in a man-of-war will be +the game on the other side; but if you are all resolved for home or a +watery grave, let me know it.'</p> + +<p>A loud and hearty huzza burst spontaneously from the whole crew; and at +a signal from the mate they tumbled back to their quarters with an +alacrity that showed they were ready for any sport their Captain chose.</p> + +<p>A steady breeze was yet bearing the vessel along at a moderate pace, and +it could be plainly seen that two of the ships were becalmed, as they +were fading away in the distance; from them, therefore, but little was +to be apprehended, while the one on the larboard beam was rapidly +gaining upon them.</p> + +<p>Captain Oakum now sprang into the mizzen chains, and marking with +intense interest the surface of the ocean, the working of the clouds, +and the situation of the different ships—</p> + +<p>'Mr. Barnum—'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir;' and the mate was in an instant by his side.</p> + +<p>'I think, that by laying her course due north, we shall carry the wind +longer with us, and give them a wider berth.'</p> + +<p>The necessary order was given, and the Lady Washington was soon +ploughing her way in the direction required.</p> + +<p>'The breeze is going, Captain; that ship gains on us fast.'</p> + +<p>'I see she does, but the probability is we shall both be becalmed soon; +she won't hold the wind long after it leaves us; you had better have the +boats unshipped, Mr. Barnum, and ready for launching.'</p> + +<p>The right good-will with which the sailors sprang to obey each command, +gave satisfactory evidence of what their Captain might depend upon in +the hour of extremity.</p> + +<p>He felt assured that, whatever forty good men could do, at any risk, +would be done, but the responsibility of every movement, and of the +result, rested upon himself alone. He had provided his vessel with a few +guns of large calibre, and one of these occupied the after cabin—it was +a long twenty-four pounder. A large port had been made for it in the +stern, which was, however, at present closely fastened; four more of +various sizes were stationed at different parts of the main deck, and a +plentiful supply of pikes and cutlasses was snugly stowed away in +readiness for a sudden call. All these he thought might be of service to +him in an emergency, but his main dependence was upon the sailing +qualities of his ship; he had tested her well, and felt a confidence +which, perhaps, most young captains do, that nothing could outstrip his +vessel in a good breeze.</p> + +<p>Although prepared for the worst, he had not heard of hostilities having +been begun until nearing home. A French brig gave him the intelligence, +and also that a blockading squadron was strictly guarding the port for +which he was bound, part of which he had thus unexpectedly encountered; +and now the ability of his ship, and the skill of her commander, were to +be put to the test.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the order been executed for unlashing the boats, when the +sails flapped heavily against the masts.</p> + +<p>'It has gone sooner than I expected. Launch the boats, Mr. Barnum, and +let them be manned to their full capacity; if we can move the ship but a +few lengths, it may serve to take us out of the reach of their guns.'</p> + +<p>With incredible celerity a row of boats was strung ahead of the ship, +and every man pulling with determined energy.</p> + +<p>'This calm ain't for nothing; I'm of opinion, sir; there's foul weather +brewing, depend on it'—and the mate directed the Captain's attention to +the threatening aspect of the clouds in the eastern sky. 'We shall have +something to contend with soon, besides the enemy's guns, Captain Oakum; +that long streak of light under them black clouds, and those scuds +flying off and streaking up so fast, and spreading themselves out so, is +no good sign; there'll be a north-easter, and a smasher when it comes.'</p> + +<p>'Let it come, Mr. Barnum; any thing but lying here and not able to stir, +and that frigate almost ready to fire into us.'</p> + +<p>The only hope, indeed, which our Captain could indulge, was that the +wind might die away as suddenly with their pursuer as it had with them; +but her sails were yet well filled, and, of course, she was gaining upon +them every moment; the slow and almost imperceptible motion which his +own ship made by the power of oars, would have been discouraging to one +who was not buoyed up with the consciousness of doing all that was then +in his power to do to escape the trouble which had come upon them. He +could not control the winds; he therefore neither cursed them, nor +himself, nor the noble ship that was bearing down upon them; but he +watched her advance with great anxiety, and would turn his gaze +occasionally from this object of interest to the ominous-looking clouds +that were gathering in heavier masses every moment—a hurricane, or +something very near it, would be a great relief; any thing that would +give him a chance to bear his much-loved ship out of the immediate reach +of her powerful adversary.</p> + +<p>'It's a gone case with us, Captain Oakum; her guns will soon be able to +reach us.'</p> + +<p>'If she keeps the breeze much longer. Call Derrick, will you, Mr. +Barnum.'</p> + +<p>John Derrick, who now made his appearance at the call of the mate, held +the title on board ship of the old man-of-war's-man. He was the only +person of advanced age among the crew; he was about fifty, rather taller +than was necessary for a sailor, and of slender make. His head on the +top was bald, and the locks which hung from the lower part were long and +thin; his neck and chin were concealed by a thick bushy beard, very +dark, and making a strong contrast with his pale countenance. Sam had +selected him for his skill in gunnery, as well as for his ability as a +sailor, and in an emergency, felt more confidence in his opinion than in +either of his officers.</p> + +<p>'Do you think she is near enough to trouble us, John?' and the Captain +looked significantly at the frigate.</p> + +<p>'She don't think so, Captain Oakum, or we should hear from her; but I've +been on the look out a little, and unless her guns are carronades—ay, +ay, she speaks now;' and all at once a column of white smoke belched +forth from her bow port, and a ball clipped the glassy surface of the +water, passing the whole length of the vessel.</p> + +<p>'That tells the story, Captain.'</p> + +<p>'I suppose it is a gentle hint for us to let them know who we are, +before they give us a benefit; so we may as well show them the stars and +stripes, Mr. Barnum, and our boys will pull the better when they see +them aloft, in the place of that French gewgaw.'</p> + +<p>A hearty cheer burst from the whole crew as they saw their native +standard flying at the mast-head, and they bent themselves to their +oars, until the boat nearest the ship was at times almost out of water.</p> + +<p>'Now we shall take it, Captain; she's rounding to; her whole broadside +will be the next salute.'</p> + +<p>Captain Oakum felt, in all its force, the danger of their situation. In +an instant he was at the bow of his ship.</p> + +<p>'Pull away, boys—lay to—every foot tells now.' The energy which he +threw into his voice, as he gave out these brief directions, added fresh +vigor to their willing hearts and pull away it was. As the frigate +swayed round, two guns in quick succession sent forth their messengers +of death, and evidently intended not as a compliment, for the aim was +direct, both striking the ship, although doing but little damage. +Scarce, however had they congratulated themselves on their escape, when +a volume of smoke enveloped the deck of the frigate, and the waters were +ploughed by a storm of bullets; but one of them reached the ship, the +others sinking in the deep at her stern. A loud shout went forth from +the Lady Washington, as it was now manifest that she was beyond the +reach of harm.</p> + +<p>'Will you allow me, Captain, just to give them a try with the Long Tom?' +said Derrick, stepping up, and touching his cap respectfully; 'just for +the honor of the flag, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Not yet, John; we must save our fire until we shall be more sure of our +mark. You shall have a chance soon, my good fellow, for I see that they +are manning their boats for a visit to us; we must give them the best +welcome in our power.'</p> + +<p>It was evident now that the time of trial was at hand; for two boats, +well manned, were seen pulling towards them; the sea was unruffled as a +lake, and nothing to prevent their rapid progress.</p> + +<p>As Sam did not intend, under such circumstances, to give up his noble +vessel and her valuable cargo without a struggle, each gun was loaded, +the men were called in from the boats, pikes were brought out and laid +in readiness, and each sailor who was not aloft buckled on his cutlass. +The faces of the young men assumed a determined yet cheerful expression, +and not one on board but felt that the stripes should fly as long as his +arm could wield a weapon.</p> + +<p>The sky, also, was becoming black with clouds, and spreading the gloom +of night around them; and the long swell that occasionally lifted their +vessel, told that already the tempest was doing its work in the +distance; every sail aloft was taken in and well secured, and suitable +preparation made for the emergency.</p> + +<p>'They are calculating, I guess, sir, to finish the job, and make a +harbor on board the Lady Washington, afore the squall comes on, or +surely no commander in his senses would send boats off with such a mess +as any one can see is brewing yonder.</p> + +<p>'Now John, is your time: take your hands and get all ready. Don't open +your port until I pass you the word, and then make sure work with them.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir.'</p> + +<p>And down he tumbled, and the men allotted to him, with as good will as +though piped to dinner. As the boats neared the ship, it could be seen +that the officers were urging on to greater speed: and good cause had +they, for the roar of the coming tempest had reached them, and but an +alternative was now left; they must either secure their prize quickly, +or perish amid the wild waves: a return in their open boats to their own +ship was impossible.</p> + +<p>Captain Oakum saw that the time for an effort had arrived.</p> + +<p>'All ready below, John?'</p> + +<p>'All ready, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Now is your time; let them have it.'</p> + +<p>The ship trembled as the engine of destruction belched forth its deadly +messenger; the thick smoke curled up over the stern, for a moment +obscuring the view; but the next, a loud shout came up from below, and +was echoed through the ship. Captain Oakum almost shuddered as he beheld +what execution had been done, for the whole crew of one of the boats was +battling with the waters, while their companions in the remaining boat +were using their utmost exertions to rescue the living and the dying +from the wreck of the other. But there was not a moment to spare to look +at friend or foe, for the blast of the tempest came sweeping over them +in its might, and each man flew to his post at the swift word of his +commander, and was prepared to meet the contest with the stormy +elements. As the gale struck the ship, the sails flew out with a report +like the sudden burst of thunder, and the yielding ship lay over with +her bulwarks to the water's edge; a moment she seemed pressed down by a +weight that must whelm her in the deep, and then, recovering her +balance, gracefully she rose to meet the adversary with which a contest +for her life was now to be maintained.</p> + +<p>'They'll get their deserts now, Captain; those men can never reach their +ship in their crowded state.'</p> + +<p>'We must save them, Mr. Barnum, if we can; put your helm to lee, and +tack ship.'</p> + +<p>The gallant vessel bore proudly up against the mighty wind; a moment she +seemed to waver in its very eye, and then falling off, and taking its +power on her other beam, bore swiftly on towards the enemies who had so +lately sought her destruction. As she dashed along to windward of the +boat now struggling amid the foaming waves, Captain Oakum seized the +trumpet from his mate, and hailed them—</p> + +<p>'You can never reach your ship.'</p> + +<p>'Not in our present condition,' replied a fine-looking young officer.</p> + +<p>'We will do the best we can for you, but leave your arms behind.'</p> + +<p>The roar of the tempest forbade any reply; but the officer raised a +white handkerchief, and as the ship flew by, a rope was thrown to the +boat, and by the united powers of both crews, she was drawn under the +lee of the ship. As much care as possible was taken in removing the +wounded seamen, and Sam, as yet unused to the horrors of war, felt his +heart sicken as he looked at the terrible fruit of his own orders. He +felt that there had been a necessity for it, but would gladly have +relinquished his own prospective gains by the salvation of his vessel, +rather than have heard one groan from the poor mangled sufferers that +now lay in agony upon his deck.</p> + +<p>The moment the young officer stepped upon the deck, he presented his +sword to Captain Oakum.</p> + +<p>'It is a singular fortune, sir, that has made me your prisoner; but I +cannot mistake the kindness that has brought you to our rescue in a time +like this, and when we were seeking your injury.'</p> + +<p>'Retain your sword, sir, and your liberty, as well as that of your +companion'—a midshipman, who stood beside the Lieutenant, and was +preparing to surrender his weapon in like manner—'and of your crew, I +only ask your pledge of honor to attempt no rescue while on board my +ship. I will do all I can for your safe return, if we outlive this +storm.'</p> + +<p>Every thing that could be done for the wounded was immediately attended +to; a brotherly feeling was at once established between the crew of the +Lady Washington and their late enemies, and each seemed to vie with the +other in kind attentions.</p> + +<p>Successful thus far beyond his hopes, our young Captain now took a +station by the helm, and looked upon the scene, and his situation in +reference to the vessels from whose power he had feared so much. Far off +in the south-east, the frigate from which he had so narrowly escaped was +bearing away in an opposite direction to the course she had been +pursuing, and far enough off at present to remove all apprehension from +her. In the west could be seen the two which had been becalmed, bearing +to the south and east, and evidently doing their best to gain an offing +from the coast. To preserve himself from a dangerous contiguity, he had +two alternatives, either to endeavor to force his way to the +north-ward—almost an impossibility, as the wind then held—or to run +before the gale, and venture, through the darkness and the storm, to +find his way into port. He was perfectly satisfied that his reckonings +had been correct, and that he knew his bearings; although to point his +bow to land at such a time, with no other guide than his compass and his +chart, he felt to be almost a desperate undertaking. He resolved, +however, rash as it appeared, to try the dreadful hazard.</p> + +<p>As he communicated his determination to his mate, and ordered him to put +the ship before the wind—</p> + +<p>'It's a harsh night to venture on a lee shore, sir; but your command +shall be obeyed.'</p> + +<p>The heavy clouds that rolled in huge masses, scarcely higher than the +masts of the ship, had hastened the close of day, and gave sure tokens +of what the night would be. The coast, however, had been clearly seen +before the daylight departed, and soon the hopes and fears which, by +turns, were triumphant in the breast of him on whom such immense +responsibility rested, would be certain. All danger from armed vessels +was now at an end; but his ship was flying on the wings of the wind; the +driving clouds above, and the boiling sea beneath and around her. A +costly and gallant vessel, a freight of immense value, and a multitude +of human beings, were dependent upon the correctness of his judgment and +the determination of his will.</p> + +<p>Onward and onward, like a chafed charger, rushed the proud ship, her bow +at times nearly buried beneath the billows that tumbled before her, and +rolled in majestic grandeur by her sides, or rose like mountains at her +stern, threatening to whelm her in their deep dark bosom. How like an +infant's dream appeared to Sam now all the past experience of his life: +every care or sorrow faded into mist before the deep responsibility that +weighed upon his heart. The young Lieutenant was not, as may well be +supposed, an unconcerned spectator of the passing scene. He had been +struck with admiration, not only at the generous conduct of our hero, +but at his manly bearing, his prompt and determined action, and the +perfect order and discipline that were so clearly manifested in such an +hour of trial. He kept a strict eye on the course of the ship, and +confirmed, much to the satisfaction of the Captain, the correctness of +her bearings.</p> + +<p>'The light ought to be seen, however, Captain, by this time—we have +been sailing with incredible rapidity, and must be near the land. Can +nothing be seen of it yet?'</p> + +<p>'I have my ablest seaman on the look-out, but we have no tidings of it +yet.'</p> + +<p>Captain Oakum left the stern of the ship and placed himself near to the +look-out. It was Derrick whom he had especially intrusted with this +important duty; although every soul on board might have been included, +for not one but kept an eye ranged towards the quarter where it was +expected to be seen.</p> + +<p>'Any signs of light yet, John?'</p> + +<p>'No signs yet, sir; but we must be drawing near land, sir; the roar of +the surf can be plainly heard.'</p> + +<p>Scarce had the sailor uttered the last sentence, when at the top of his +voice he called out,</p> + +<p>'Light on the starboard bow, Captain Oakum!'</p> + +<p>And as Sam cast his eye in that direction, the first twinkle of the +beacon met his view, and in an instant he saw the imminence of their +danger.</p> + +<p>'Helm to leeward! hard down!' And springing to his station again beside +the helmsman, he issued forth his orders to the seamen without waiting +to convey them through his mate. With magic speed the sails were braced +to meet the new position of the ship, and take the gale upon her beam. +Like a thing possessed of consciousness, the noble craft, almost as +quick as thought, turned from the roaring surf, and threw the light upon +her other quarter. Hope now hung for safety on the strength of her sails +and spars. With all the canvas she could carry, it could but be scarcely +visible that she made headway. The stout masts bent like whips, and the +laboring ship groaned and cracked and trembled as she plunged into the +mighty waves, throwing them, through her whole length, high into the +air.</p> + +<p>'She'll weather it, Captain: if she can hold on so half an hour longer, +we are safe.'</p> + +<p>The Captain made no reply; that half hour was freighted with +consequences of most heart-stirring interest to him, and at no time had +he felt so doubtful of what the end might be. His eye was riveted upon +the beacon—that token of his danger and his safety too. What thoughts +it kindled in his bosom! Oft had he seen it in his boyhood's days, when +light of heart he sat with the dear ones of his home, at their old +cottage door. Is he again so near them? Is success, prosperity, and +honor soon to be fully realized; or disaster, shipwreck, and death? +Slowly the light recedes—the struggling ship, battled fiercely by the +terrible tempest, still forces her way, and still the good sails and the +bending spars hold on and keep her true.</p> + +<p>'Don't you think we are far enough north, Captain, to run in?'</p> + +<p>'Ease her off slowly, Mr. Barnum, a point or so.'</p> + +<p>'She's a noble creature, sir, few ships could have stood it; but I +believe you've the luck with you, Captain Oakum.'</p> + +<p>'We have had something with us better than good luck, Mr. Barnum. You +may venture now, sir; in with her.'</p> + +<p>A loud hurra burst from the deck as the light flew past them; and the +Lady Washington, bidding adieu to the raging ocean, entered the +comparatively quiet waters of the sheltered bay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + + +<p>When clouds, and darkness, and the driving storm are upon us, we cannot +realize that their power is but for a time, and they must give place to +sunshine and peace. The beautiful morning that succeeded the tempestuous +night recorded in the last chapter, was a surprise indeed to those whose +trembling habitations had warned them of its terrible power.</p> + +<p>'It has been a hard night, Peter,' said the Commodore, as he stepped +forth upon his piazza, and saw the old man busy with the eye-glass, +peering across the bright waters of the bay.</p> + +<p>'Indeed it has, your honor, and mischief enough done; if you will cast +your eye, sir, along the south shore,' handing the glass to the +Commodore; 'your honor will see a sight. It's my opinion, sir, that the +waters have cleared themselves of everything, and thrown them all bodily +on the land.'</p> + +<p>'Bless my soul, Peter, what a scene! I fear many lives have been +sacrificed yonder, but it must have been more terrible still outside. +What is that, Peter? a ship ashore?'</p> + +<p>'It is a ship, I believe, your honor, but she's not ashore, sir; there +is nothing much but her starn to be seen, but being pretty well +acquainted with the bearings hereaway, you see, your honor, the land +rises considerably north of the point there, and the trees into the +bargain, make quite a bluff to look across, and she would be hid +entirely before grounding; the channel runs near the shore, your honor. +But she has had a narrow chance, sir, and I see one of her masts is by +the board.'</p> + +<p>'It is not one of your friends, the blockaders, I hope, Peter? they must +have had a lively time of it.'</p> + +<p>'If it had only sent them all high and dry, your honor! but I think they +must have got a good offing afore the worst on it came; and your honor +knows that wind and waves ain't apt to hurt a good ship, if there's no +land interference no way: but that ship being there is a puzzle to me, +your honor.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Peter? let me have my letters and papers in good season this +morning.'</p> + +<p>'Ay, ay, sir;' and Peter hobbled away towards the town, and the +Commodore entered his dwelling with a good appetite for breakfast.</p> + +<p>He has just finished his morning repast, when Mr. Rutherford entered his +office. He met with a hearty welcome, for the two gentlemen had, since +Mr. Rutherford's removal, been on terms of intimacy, although this was +the first occasion on which any subject bordering on business matters +had been introduced. Mr. Rutherford had resolved in his own mind, during +the night past, the peculiar circumstances in which he was placed, and +the necessity for prompt and efficient action. He felt the need of +counsel, and could think of no one who would be so likely to afford it +as Commodore Trysail: for this purpose he had therefore now come.</p> + +<p>It will not be necessary for the information of the reader to repeat the +substance of his revelation to the Commodore. It was a story, however, +which excited much interest in the mind of the old gentleman; he +listened with profound attention to the whole recital, and when it was +finished, gave his box an extra rap, and politely handing it to Mr. +Rutherford—'It is, indeed, a singular event, my dear sir; and you are +placed in a situation that requires not only very prompt, but very +cautious measures. It would be a righteous thing, no doubt, to bring +these men to justice; but the first hint they had of such an attempt +would inevitably lead to the destruction of your papers! for although +this Mr. Foster might find it a profitable business for him to hold them +thus, as a rod over his accomplice Cross, yet he would never be so mad +as to risk the discovery of them in his possession: they would be +destroyed forthwith, sir. And as to bringing them to justice, it is a +very doubtful matter, as it appears to me, whether there is evidence +sufficient to convict either of them; they are men, it seems, of some +standing in society, if I am correctly informed—none of the immediate +actors in the scene are living, or at least to be found. The young man +Brown, who is very feeble you say, can only testify to the intention of +these men; and his mother does not feel qualified to swear that the +unhappy man who made a dying avowal of his guilt in this matter had his +full reason.'</p> + +<p>'It is all just as you say, Commodore Trysail, and the difficulties of +the case presented themselves to my mind as I see they do to yours.'</p> + +<p>'And they are serious difficulties, Mr. Rutherford. The probabilities, +indeed, would be very much against these men, and the public generally +might be convinced that they had committed the nefarious crime; yet +after all, a jury sworn to judge according to the evidence brought +before them, might not be able to convict them.' The Commodore was +suddenly interrupted by the entrance of Peter in a state of excitement +really alarming; he did not pause as usual at the threshold, and making +a low reverence, present his packet of letters and papers, with 'the +mail, your honor,' but he bolted straight into the office, crutches and +all, threw his hat down on the floor, took his quid from his mouth, and +had liked to have dashed that down too; but his senses came to him in +season to prevent such an enormity, so he put it back again as quick as +possible. He was very much out of breath, and his eyes flashed with a +vividness very unusual. The Commodore put his box away, and +straightening himself up, looked at Peter with great astonishment, to +say the least of it.</p> + +<p>'She's come, your honor.' Peter had great difficulty to get the sentence +out, his voice trembled so.</p> + +<p>'What has come, sir?' The Commodore had evidently departed from his +usual temper towards Peter.</p> + +<p>'She's come, your honor, spite of blockaders, harricanes and all, God be +praised.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore began to catch a glimpse of his meaning.</p> + +<p>'You do not pretend to say that the ship has come, the—the—Lady +Washington?' and the Commodore started to his feet, and looked very +fiercely at Peter.</p> + +<p>'It's the truth, your honor, she's riding in the outer harbor: the very +same we see'd this morning. A boat has just come ashore, your honor, and +I've see'd the men, and sich doins as they tell on you never heered, +sir. Captain Sam's blowed the enemy, and he's got twenty on 'em +prisoners, and he's give 'em leg bail, and has run into port, God bless +him, with that north-easter behind him.'</p> + +<p>After delivering himself, Peter turned round, and in two jumps was out +of the room, and stumping it off at a round rate. The Commodore was +somewhat surprised at this last movement, and stepping to the door, was +in the act of recalling his excited valet, when he saw him, in a very +animated manner, urging along a person dressed in sailor's garb, and +whom the experienced eye of the old Commodore immediately recognized as +fresh from on board ship; his rolling, unsteady gait showed very clearly +that he had not yet got his land legs on.</p> + +<p>'Here's a shipmate, your honor,' said Peter, stepping a little in front +of his companion, 'that has a word to say to your honor, but he feels +backward like.'</p> + +<p>'Come in, my boy, come in; are you from the Lady Washington?'</p> + +<p>'Just from aboard, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Come in, come in, my good fellow.' And the sailor gave a spring up the +stoop as though he was about to mount the shrouds, and taking a step +into the office, put his hand into his tarred hat, took forth a sealed +letter, and handed it to the Commodore, who immediately broke the seal +and read as follows.</p> + +<blockquote><p>'<span class="smcap">Commodore Trysail</span>:</p> + +<p>'Respected Sir:—I am very happy to inform you, that through the +aid of Divine Providence, I have brought the Lady Washington into +port. To prevent her driving on the beach, I was obliged to cut +away my masts, but am busy rigging jury masts to enable us to reach +the city, as I do not feel it safe to lie in the outer harbor, +should the blockading squadron return to their cruising ground. We +have received otherwise but trifling damage. I shall do myself the +honor of waiting upon you the moment I place my ship in the hands +of your consignees.</p> + +<p>'The bearer of this will tell you his own story. He has been a fine +fellow on board, and whatever may have been his errors in past +days, seems to have taken a new turn.</p> + +<p class="right">'Your obedient servant, <br /> +'<span class="smcap">S. Oakum</span>.'</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Commodore, having run over the letter, began to put sundry questions +to the sailor, who answered in a style that was perfectly intelligible +to the Commodore, but which would have been to ordinary listeners very +much like a foreign language. Our friend Peter was an attentive +listener. He was standing just without the door, with his head bent +over, and turned one side, so as to permit his left ear to have a chance +at what was going on. His long queue hung down over his left shoulder, +and he was pulling away at it in great earnest. Peter could stand +considerable in the way of excitement, but it is not in human nature to +stand every thing. To hear such a glowing description of the doings of +one that he loved as his own soul, given in a dialect that was +sufficient of itself to work up the mind of an old sailor; his feelings +got the better of his judgment, and no sooner was the tale over, than, +swinging his old hat, he gave three hearty cheers, and stumped it away +towards the mansion of Major Morris.</p> + +<p>The Commodore had too much of the sailor in him to be surprised at this +outbreak of feeling. He smiled as he looked through the door, and saw +how Peter was excited, and then addressing himself to the seaman—</p> + +<p>'Captain Oakum informs me, my good fellow, that you have something of +consequence to say to me on your own account.'</p> + +<p>'I have, sir, if you can spare a few moments' leisure.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore then excused himself to Mr. Rutherford, and taking the man +aside into a private apartment, 'Now, my good fellow, tell me your story +without restraint. I am an old sailor, you know, and have lost none of +my feelings for a shipmate in trouble.'</p> + +<p>'God bless you, sir; but it is an ugly story I have to tell, and if you +can have patience to hear me out, you may do with the information what +you please.'</p> + +<p>Ha then began and gave a short-hand account of his career; that he was +born and brought up in a place called Barrens, near by—that he had +gotten into bad company, and in the employ of a bad man—that at the +instigation of this man, he had been guilty of many improper acts, but +that one of these, and the last one in which he had taken a part, had +stuck in his heart like a dagger from the moment he did it—that he and +his companion, in order to escape punishment in case the crime was found +out, and to get away from the man who had exerted his power over them +for such shameful purposes, had shipped to sea—that his messmate had +taken sick and died, and that his last hours were full of misery on +account of what he had done.</p> + +<p>'I have therefore, sir, made a clean breast of it all to Captain Oakum, +and I am on my way to see the man I once injured so much; but Captain +Oakum thought how as you, sir, could tell me what was best to do, and +that I might let you know, sir, just the whole on it.'</p> + +<p>'But you haven't told me, yet, my man, what this crime you speak of was. +You have not murdered any one, surely?'</p> + +<p>'God only knows, sir; but we fired a house while they were all asleep; +the man who hired us to do it wanted a tin trunk which stood in one of +the back rooms. We waited round to have folks give the alarm, but it got +well a-burning before any one see it. An old nigger then came and broke +the door open with an axe: the house was filled with fire and smoke. The +old black fellow—God bless him for a true heart as ever beat in a human +body,—went right through the flames, up the stairs, calling as loud as +his voice could scream, "Oh my missus and the children!" We hurried into +the back room, and feeling about found the trunk, but we had like to +have smothered afore we got out; but that old fellow's cry, sir, has +rung in my head louder than the loudest noise that the wind and the +waves have made, since I have been on the ocean. And, sir, I can't live +with it any longer.'</p> + +<p>'Did you ever see the man whose house you fired?'</p> + +<p>'No, sir, nor do I now remember his name; but he had a character, sir, +for being a fine man, far and near.'</p> + +<p>'The person's name is Rutherford, and he is now sitting in my office; +the very gentleman you saw there.'</p> + +<p>'The Lord forgive me! may I not see him, sir, just to ask his pardon, +and then let him do with me what he thinks best?'</p> + +<p>'You shall see him; but first answer me:—Are you willing to go with me, +and meet face to face this man Cross, whom you say instigated this act?'</p> + +<p>'I will, sir; only I hope I may be restrained from doing him an injury, +for there is that in me, when I think of the villain, that wouldn't mind +putting his daylight out, and trampling him in the dust.'</p> + +<p>'That would do no good now, you know; it wouldn't rebuild the house, nor +ease your conscience, nor reform the man. But I am this morning +endeavoring to devise a plan with this gentleman, Mr. Rutherford, for +the recovery of this very trunk you have been speaking about. It seems +that, after all, it never went into the hands of Mr. Cross, but, by some +strange accident, fell into possession of as great a villain as he was, +one Michael Foster, who keeps it as a rod over Cross to force money from +him. Your presence may be of great consequence. Can your Captain spare +you?'</p> + +<p>'He has let me ashore for this very business, sir. He thought may be I +might be of some use to this Mr. Rutherford; and if I can, God knows I +wouldn't value my own life a feather, sir.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore told the man to be seated, and stepping into the office, +communicated to Mr. Rutherford the particulars he had just been made +acquainted with.</p> + +<p>'This is a most unexpected turn to affairs, Mr. Rutherford; and I think +I can see a way now by which we can get hold of these papers, and get +rid of these villains at the same time, if you will leave matters to my +management.'</p> + +<p>'I will, certainly, sir, and feel deeply—'</p> + +<p>'Say nothing about that, if you please. I will call for you in about an +hour with my carriage. But first will you see this poor fellow, and set +him at rest if you can?'</p> + +<p>So saying, he led Mr. Rutherford into the adjoining room. The man was +still seated, but was evidently in much agitation, for his countenance +wore a death-like expression, and he trembled violently.</p> + +<p>'Did you wish to speak with me?' said Mr. Rutherford, stepping up to +him; 'you seem to be ill.'</p> + +<p>'My body is well enough, sir; although I can't tell why it is in such an +ague now. I never trembled before through all the dangers I have been +in; but my mind is in a sad case, sir;—you see before you one of the +men who burnt your beautiful house;'—and the rough sailor burst into +tears.</p> + +<p>'Do you truly regret having thus injured one who never did you any +harm?'</p> + +<p>'God knows I do; but tell me one thing, sir, was any of your family—'</p> + +<p>'Burned with the dwelling, you were going to say; no, thank God and the +faithfulness of my good old negro, they were not injured.'</p> + +<p>'Thank God it is so, sir! and oh that my old messmate could have known +this before he left the world!—he died, sir, howling like a raving +man—"that he was a murderer!"'</p> + +<p>The Commodore now took Mr. Rutherford aside, and making some further +arrangements for the accomplishment of his plan, the latter gentleman +departed, and Commodore Trysail ordered his carriage to be in immediate +readiness.</p> + +<p>In about two hours after this interview everything had been completed, +and the party selected for the occasion was entering the barrens, and +Joe, the Commodore's coachman, was urging on his horses at a very +unusual speed, and one which the heavy fat beasts did not seem to +relish.</p> + +<p>It consisted of Commodore Trysail, Mr. Rutherford, James Montjoy and the +sailor. The carriage stopped at the Widow Brown's, and some time was +spent in a very particular conversation with the Widow and her son, and +then off again to the north at the same rapid rate.</p> + +<p>'Hold up a little, Joe, before you reach the tavern; and you may stop at +Cross's, and let them blow awhile. It will not be best for us to appear +to be in haste.' This latter sentence was intended by the Commodore for +the company seated with him.</p> + +<p>As the carriage drove up to the long low tavern, the Commodore and James +Montjoy alighted; and as they stepped upon the piazza, Mr. Cross met +them with a polite bow, and welcomed them to his premises.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross had, for a long time, been anxious to get into the good graces +of both of them; for when he found that he could not destroy the young +firm, he was desirous of their good-will, that he might the better make +sales through them of his wood and timber; and the Commodore being so +distinguished a personage, that a nod from him in any public place would +be no small consideration for a man of Mr. Cross's standing.</p> + +<p>Chairs and benches were immediately presented for their acceptance, but +as politely declined.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Montjoy and I have a little matter of business to talk with you +about this morning, Mr. Cross, and would wish to see you in private.'</p> + +<p>'By all means, gentlemen,' and the little fat man led them into a small +back room, and carrying chairs with him, even against the protest of his +visitors, placed them with much care, as to position and then closed the +door.</p> + +<p>'Since you have taken the trouble, Mr. Cross, to bring us seats, I +suppose we may as well use them,' said the Commodore, taking up his +chair, and placing it as if by accident near the door. Cross saw the +movement, and from the sudden flush that deepened the purple hue of his +face, appeared to feel that, at least, it was a singular one. He however +took the stool which he had brought for himself, and placing it at a +respectful distance, sat down in a composed manner, tilting it back so +as to balance himself on two of its legs, and resting his hands one on +each of his knees, as they were spread out, the better to maintain his +position.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Cross,' said the Commodore, 'when we have business on hand, the +fewer words by way of introduction the better. I have a serious charge +to make against you this morning, and therefore it is that I have chosen +to see you alone.'</p> + +<p>Cross immediately dropped his stool on its four legs, and straightening +up to make the most of himself: 'If we are to be alone, sir, why have +you brought company with you?' looking significantly at young Montjoy.</p> + +<p>'To set your mind at rest on that head, Mr. Cross, I will tell you that +Mr. Montjoy has, at my request, been deputized by the Sheriff, and acts +at present as an officer.'</p> + +<p>Cross did not turn pale, for that could not well be, but his countenance +assumed a livid hue, and he immediately rose to his feet.</p> + +<p>'You may as well be seated, Mr. Cross; this business has been committed +to me, and it must go forward, sir; but I have no disposition to treat +you with harshness—sit down, Mr. Cross.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross sat down; there was something in the decided tones of the +Commodore's voice that carried with them the idea of implicit obedience.</p> + +<p>'Without alluding to the serious crime which I have it in my power to +substantiate against you, I at once propose to you, Mr. Cross, that if +you deliver up to me the papers which were taken from Mr. Rutherford's +house by the men employed by you for that purpose, and at the same time +make a quit-claim to your son David of all your real estate, you may +then have twenty-four hours to make what other arrangements you please +in this vicinity, and nothing shall be revealed until the expiration of +that time; otherwise I shall immediately have you arrested for robbery +and arson. I give you ten minutes in which to make your choice.'</p> + +<p>'It is a false charge, sir; the whole of it is a falsehood, started by +that old idiot the Widow Brown and her son; and I intend they shall +smart well for it—that they shall, sir.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore then gave a signal to James Montjoy, who left the room, +and turning himself to Mr. Cross: 'It is a solemn thing for you, sir, to +violate the precepts of the Almighty, for sooner or later, the hour of +just retribution overtakes the delinquent. I am not sitting in judgment +over you, Mr. Cross; but I cannot shut my eyes against the marked tokens +of an overruling Providence, that have been exhibited in bringing to +light what you supposed was beyond the reach of detection.'</p> + +<p>At that moment the door opened, and Mr. Rutherford, followed by James +Montjoy and the sailor, entered the room. Cross looked at them with +intense anxiety until his eye fell on the latter; he started as though +pierced by a ball, and then stood transfixed with amazement, until +gradually he settled down into his seat, and stared wildly on the floor.</p> + +<p>'Your ten minutes has about expired, Mr. Cross; what do you decide?'</p> + +<p>'I am at your mercy, gentlemen, do what you think proper. As to the +papers, they are not in my hands, nor ever have been.'</p> + +<p>'We know that, Mr. Cross; but as you were intending to take possession +of them this evening, you cannot be very ignorant where they are to be +found.'</p> + +<p>'Who told you that?'</p> + +<p>'It is sufficient, sir, that we know the fact. As I have just said to +you, the searching eye of the Almighty has been upon you through all the +windings of your crooked way, and has brought out all your sin. The +wretched beings who have been dependent upon you as hirelings, and whom +you have ground to the dust, and trained for your wicked purposes; the +woman who has been in reality your lawful wife, although not known nor +acknowledged by you as such, the mother of your only child, yet treated +by you as the off-scouring of the earth; the son who, by your +instigation, had like to have been the ruin of a lovely girl—all are +ready to testify against you. Under such circumstances, Mr. Cross, the +mercy offered you is very tender in contrast with your iniquity.'</p> + +<p>Cross was now indeed sensible that his hour of trial had come: large +drops of sweat stood upon his forehead, and he trembled like a reed in +the tempest.</p> + +<p>'Michael Foster has the papers in his possession; but you must take him +by surprise and watch him close, for if he suspects what you want, they +will be destroyed before you can help yourselves.'</p> + +<p>'He is a justice of the peace, I understand, Mr. Cross.'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'You will please go with us, then, sir; you can execute the deed there, +which you know was one of the terms I stated to you. You have one made +out, have you not, Mr. Rutherford?'</p> + +<p>'I have, sir.'</p> + +<p>The Commodore, without further remark, signified his wish to be on the +way: and soon Mr. Cross was seated on an easy cushion in a fine +carriage, and with such company as he never had the honor of riding with +before; but I presume it was a matter of secret rejoicing with him that +the journey would be a short one—the soft seat and the good company +were thorns and fire to him.</p> + +<p>Commodore Trysail alone left the carriage, and as Mr. Foster opened his +door, entered without waiting for any ceremony.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Foster, I presume, sir?'</p> + +<p>'At your service, sir,' making a low bow to the Commodore.</p> + +<p>'You are a justice of the peace?'</p> + +<p>'I am, sir.'</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said the Commodore—calling to those in the carriage—'the +Esquire is at home, you can come in.'</p> + +<p>Mr. Foster began to be much surprised, not only at the peculiar manner +of his visitor in his own abrupt entrance, but at calling, without +leave, a coach-load of folks to follow: his looks however manifested +something more than surprise, when he found himself honoured with the +presence of those who now entered his apartment.</p> + +<p>'Mr. Rutherford, that deed, if you please.' The tones of the Commodore's +voice assumed a harshness very unusual with him of late years; his keen +eye had penetrated into the character of the man he had now to deal +with. 'Mr. Cross wishes you, sir,' addressing Foster, 'to witness his +signature, and take an acknowledgment of his free act and deed.'</p> + +<p>Foster bowed again, and without reply handed the pen and ink to neighbor +Cross. He then sat down and wrote very rapidly, although it was +impossible for him to conceal the agitation which his nerves suffered.</p> + +<p>'And now, Mr. Foster,' said the Commodore, 'this matter being through +with, and Mr. Cross's business settled, your turn comes next.' Foster's +jaws, as we have seen, were rather long and flabby at best; but as he +dropped his chin and drew up his eyebrows in the surprise that came over +him as the Commodore turned upon him his keen, searching eye, he made up +altogether an expression rather wo-begone. 'You have had in your +possession for some time, Mr. Foster, a small trunk of papers, of but +little value to yourself, except as you have held them for the especial +benefit of your friend, Mr. Cross, here; but as he has wisely chosen to +give up doing business in these parts, they can be of no further use +either to him or to you; and as we have abundant proof of the guilt and +villany of you both, we shall therefore give you an equal chance, +provided you immediately surrender those papers. Twenty-four hours, sir, +you may have in order to settle up your business in this region; if, +after the expiration of that time, you are seen in this vicinity, I +pledge you my word, which has never been broken yet, that you shall be +arrested as an accomplice in the crimes of robbery and arson.'</p> + +<p>Foster cast his eye at the downcast countenance of Cross, and read too +plainly in that the sad situation in which their affairs were placed. +Evasion would do nothing for his benefit in this case; he therefore, +without making the least reply, walked to a closet which opened into the +side of the large chimney, unlocked it, and began taking out sundry old +boxes, bottles, paper bundles, etc.; these he placed upon the floor, +until the whole cupboard was emptied. He then deliberately took from his +pocket another key, and applying it to the back of his cupboard, opened +another door there; and thrusting his long arm into the hole, brought +forth the long-lost trunk.</p> + +<p>'What consummate villany!' exclaimed Mr. Rutherford, as he at once took +possession of his property.</p> + +<p>'Open it at once, sir,' said the Commodore, 'and see that every thing is +right; for if but one paper is missing, they shall both swing for it +yet.'</p> + +<p>But the papers were all correct, and both Foster and Cross felt in no +small degree relieved, even with the conditions then laid upon them, +when the party which had thus made each of them such an unexpected +visit, was again riding away. And here we may willingly, both for +ourselves and our readers, take leave of these two characters: they +suddenly disappeared—no one, excepting those in the secret, +understanding why; they have been blots upon the scene of our story, and +we bid adieu to them with pleasure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + + +<p>There are spots in life, like bright days in the year, when all above, +around, and beneath, is so full of beauty, that the spirit bathes in the +luxurious scene almost to weariness.</p> + +<p>Such a spot to Sam was the day of his return to his native village. The +cordial welcome of the good old Commodore, testifying his hearty +approbation of his gallant conduct by a commission that at once +established his independence; the warm embrace of friends who had grown +up with him from boyhood, and who exulted in his enviable prosperity; +the respectful consideration that was meted out to him on all sides; and +above all, the flow of ardent and almost overpowering affection that met +him in that home, where parents and sisters poured out into his own +glowing bosom the bursting fulness of their hearts—affection, respect, +honor, and independence, all in one united band, waiting upon him, and +doing all that in them lay, to make this hour of his life bright and +happy.</p> + +<p>The meeting between Sam and the family of Major (now General) Morris, +was all that he could have asked. His old and first friend, the General, +was at a distant part of the country, engaged in active service; but +Lady Morris greeted him with the warmth of a mother, and Susan, that +once retiring and bashful little girl—a glance of whose eye filled the +heart of the little sailor-boy with rapture, who had refused bright +offers, and turned away from many an ardent lover—met our hero with a +manner so cordial, and with all the friendship of her heart unmasked, +that he could doubt no longer of the pure delight that awaited him.</p> + +<p>Peter was almost beside himself with joy, and kept his crutches going +from morning till night, cutting off immense slices from his bundle of +"pig-tail," and stowing them away two at a time; talking to every one he +met, telling most incredible stories, and sometimes, when he thought he +could do it without being heard huzzaing, as though to let off +superfluous steam.</p> + +<p>The Commodore, however, before the close of the day, damped his ardor +for a few moments, by bringing a serious charge against his favorite.</p> + +<p>'It is all well, Peter. To be sure, Captain Sam has shown himself a man, +but what do you think about his letting prisoners slip out of his hands +in that way?'</p> + +<p>'In what way, your honor?'</p> + +<p>'By letting them go, and giving them one of the ship's best boats; and +finding them with compass and stores, and every thing so that they might +put off to sea, and hunt up their squadron—that looks too much like +comforting the enemy, Peter.'</p> + +<p>'Pardon me, your honor, if I can't agree with your honor this time. +Captain Sam had good warrant for what he did.'</p> + +<p>'Good warrant, Peter—from whom?'</p> + +<p>'I heered our minister—God bless him—on the last Sabbath, and your +honor must have heered him too, say—and he took it from the good old +Book, your honor—"Love your inimies, do good to them that hate +you"—and more of the same kind.'</p> + +<p>'But, Peter, you don't mean that we should deal with these men, whom you +have been so long wishing that the winds would blow high and dry, +according to the good Book, do you?'</p> + +<p>Peter had to turn his quid over, and chew a little on it, for he +remembered having indulged some rather ungenerous feelings—especially +towards his blockading friends.</p> + +<p>'It is hard, I allow, as your honor very well knows, to make a man's +conscience always jibe right when encountering an inimy to one's self, +or thinking of one that is dear to us that may be like to git into their +clutches; but when a man can catch a chance to show a little Christian +spirit towards them that seek his hurt, whether it be inimies to one's +country, or inimies to one's self, it will be better, as I take it, in +the long run, your honor, and at the last reckoning, that we should do +so.'</p> + +<p>'Well, well, Peter, it is getting late, and you must be pretty well +tired to-day, you had better turn in.'</p> + +<p>'Many thanks to your honor, and a long life.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + + +<p>Time is not only a destroyer; he is a healer too. Sorrow and joy attend +his flight; and each in turn commands the passing hour. The family of +Mr. Rutherford had laid aside the badges of mourning which, in token of +respect for the memory of one they loved, they had put on when William +Andrews died. The scene at his bedside had been ratified in secret, and +Henry Tracy felt every day more and more satisfied with the one he had +chosen. There was some little stir, indeed, when it was known abroad, +and some even hinted the idea that he had stooped a little in taking one +situated as Hettie had been; but none who really knew her ever thought +so. She was a bright star, dimmed awhile by clouds, and now to shine in +her true, simple lustre; her husband's heart, her husband's home, and +the circle over which his care rested, were now to feel her sweet and +womanly influence.</p> + +<p>The pressure of trouble had done its bidden work upon the views and +habits of Mr. Rutherford; and then, by the same kind hand which brought +it, was it taken off. The recovery of his deed at once placed him in +possession of wealth; the immense value of the tract of timber was daily +becoming more evident, and he was in a few months enabled to commence +the joyful duty of liquidating the claim upon his homestead. He had +resolved, in time, to rebuild upon the ruins of his former house; but +prudence was his watchword now, and until every cent of the claim was +cancelled, he determined to remain in his present situation. He was, +however, for a few months occupying the beautiful mansion of Commodore +Trysail, at the special request of the latter, who was about to leave +for the south, where he and his lady expected to remain some time.</p> + +<p>The pretty parsonage, which has been so long waiting for an occupant, is +at last full of life and bustle. The windows have been opened for some +days, and young female forms are seen moving about in all directions +through the house. Curtains are putting up and carpets putting down, +bedsteads are coming together, and large flat beds are lying about in +readiness to be put upon them; piles of chairs, tied together two and +two, are waiting to be released; and crates, boxes, and baskets, all +well filled, are being broken open and pulled to pieces, while from +them be borne off by nimble hands and feet all sorts of every thing, to +be arranged according to their different uses.</p> + +<p>In the mean time there is a great stir at Mr. Rutherford's. Old ladies +and young ones have been much together there of late; vast quantities of +needles and pins and silk and thread have been in requisition; and then +the old family recipe-book has been for days lying on the large kitchen +table, with heaps of flour and butter alongside of it, and busy hands +have been violently engaged beating insides of eggs, and taking out the +insides of raisins, and stewing things together in all sorts of ways; +while at times a most savory smell would escape to the upper stories, +enough to set all the old women and young children running down stairs.</p> + +<p>At length the meaning of all this bustle is unfolded. A wedding day has +come. Henry Tracy has been putting his pretty cottage in readiness to +receive the lovely girl, who has consented to be its mistress; and +Hettie, with the aid of her companions, and under the care of Mrs. +Rutherford, has been making preparations for the hour when she yields +herself in holy wedlock to the man she loves.</p> + +<p>It has been a busy day with the family of Mr. Rutherford from early dawn +until near its close; and now, as evening approaches, lights are seen +glistening from every window in the large building, and through the wide +hall, flitting like fairies, young ladies are passing and repassing, and +going up and down with light and joyous steps, as though pleasure had +come down and shed her quickening charm upon them all. Carriages of +various kinds are landing groups of young and old, and then driving off +with speed. Attendants at the door in neat array, are leading the new +comers to the various rooms assigned for their reception. For a while +confusion seems to reign; then all subsides to quiet. The joyous laugh +and the lively call are hushed, and within the spacious parlor have all +assembled who are to be the witnesses of the solemn rite. Dazzling with +lights, scattered profusely round, and trimmed with evergreens and early +flowers, it seems a fairy bower; while, circling the room the +well-dressed guests, with staid and even solemn faces, are whispering to +each other, or eyeing with curious gaze the beautiful festoons that +grace the windows or sweep across the lofty ceiling.</p> + +<p>It is the wedding day of the young pastor and his gentle bride, and +Henry Tracy enters the room, accompanied by his three bridesmen, Captain +Oakum, and James and Edward Montjoy. Soon after Hettie appears led by +Mr. Rutherford, who is to act as her father, and give away the bride. +She is simply dressed without ornament of any kind, but the long white +veil which falls in light and graceful folds from her head, and partly +hides her dark luxuriant hair. Her bridesmaids follow, Susan Morris, and +the sisters of the young Captain, and of James and Edward Montjoy.</p> + +<p>'Before I present to you,' said Mr. Rutherford, addressing Mr. Tracy, +'this chief earthly treasure'—and he turned his eyes for a moment to +the blushing girl who was leaning on his arm—'I must beg your +acceptance of this paper, you will find when you look upon it, that you +are not taking to your home a portionless bride. She is as dear to the +hearts of Mrs. Rutherford and myself as if she were our own child, and +we have given to her the dowry of a daughter of our own. You chose her +as a poor portionless girl, and would have loved her as tenderly had she +continued so; but we all know that this is an uncertain world, and it is +as well to be prepared for its troubles. May God bless you both!'</p> + +<p>One wedding, it is said, leads to another. Whether this is so or not, I +cannot say, but the signs are ominous; for James Montjoy and Mary Oakum +take long walks by moonlight, and Sam spends every evening at General +Morris's, and other tokens tell plainly what things are coming to.</p> + +<p>But the long road which I and my readers have travelled together, must +here end: are you not glad of it?</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center">J. OGDEN AND CO. LIMITED, PRINTERS. GREAT SAFFRON HILL, E.C.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center">THE LILY SERIES.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Uniform with this Volume.</i></p> + +<p>The design of this Series is to include no books except such as are +peculiarly adapted by their high tone, pure taste, and thorough +principle to be read by those persons, young and old, who look upon +books as upon their friends—only worthy to be received into the Family +Circle for their good qualities and excellent characters. In view of +this design, no author whose name is not a guarantee of the real worth +and purity of his or her work, or whose book has not been subjected to a +rigid examination, will be admitted into the "Lily Series."</p> + +<table summary="contents" width="50%"> +<tr><td>1 Leslie Goldthwaite. </td><td><span class="smcap">Whitney.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>2 The Gayworthys. </td><td><span class="smcap">Whitney.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>3 Faith Gartney's Girlhood. </td><td><span class="smcap">Whitney.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>4 The Gates Ajar. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>5 Little Women. </td><td><span class="smcap">Alcott.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>6 Good Wives. </td><td><span class="smcap">Alcott.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>7 Alone. </td><td><span class="smcap">Harland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>8 I've been Thinking. </td><td><span class="smcap">A. S. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>9 Ida May. </td><td><span class="smcap">Langdon.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>10 The Lamplighter. </td><td><span class="smcap">Cumming.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>11 Stepping Heavenward. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>12 Gypsy Breynton. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>13 Aunt Jane's Hero. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>14 Wide, Wide World. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>15 Queechy. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>16 Looking Round. </td><td><span class="smcap">A. S. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>17 Fabrics: A Story of To-day.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>18 Our Village: Tales. </td><td><span class="smcap">Mitford.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>19 The Winter Fire. </td><td><span class="smcap">Porter.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>20 Flower of the Family. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>21 Mercy Gliddon's Work. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>22 Patience Strong's Outings. </td><td><span class="smcap">Whitney.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>23 Something to Do. </td><td><span class="smcap">Alcott.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>24 Gertrude's Trial. </td><td><span class="smcap">Jefferis.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>25 The Hidden Path. </td><td><span class="smcap">Harland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>26 Uncle Tom's Cabin. </td><td><span class="smcap">Stowe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>27 Fireside & Camp Stories. </td><td><span class="smcap">Alcott.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>28 The Shady Side. </td><td><span class="smcap">A Pastor's Wife.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>29 The Sunny Side. </td><td><span class="smcap">Trusta.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>30 What Katy Did. </td><td><span class="smcap">Coolidge.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>31 Fern Leaves. </td><td><span class="smcap">Fanny Fern.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>32 Shadows and Sunbeams. </td><td><span class="smcap">Fanny Fern.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>33 What Katy did at School. </td><td><span class="smcap">Coolidge.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>34 Shiloh. </td><td><span class="smcap">Jay.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>35 Pressing Heavenward. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>36 Gypsy's Sowing & Reaping. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>37 Gypsy's Cousin Joy. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>38 Gypsy at Golden Crescent. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>39 Moral Tales. </td><td><span class="smcap">Edgeworth.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>40 Popular Tales. </td><td><span class="smcap">Edgeworth.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>41 Prince of House of David. </td><td><span class="smcap">Ingraham.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>42 Anna Lee. </td><td><span class="smcap">Arthur.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>43 The Throne of David. </td><td><span class="smcap">Ingraham.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>44 The Pillar of Fire. </td><td><span class="smcap">Ingraham.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>45 Prudence Palfrey. </td><td><span class="smcap">Aldrich.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>46 Peep at Number Five. </td><td><span class="smcap">Trusta.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>47 Marjorie's Quest. </td><td><span class="smcap">Gould.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>48 Our Village: Country Pictures.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>49 Woman our Angel. </td><td><span class="smcap">A. S. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>50 How Marjory Helped. </td><td><span class="smcap">Carroll.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>51 Mabel Vaughan. </td><td><span class="smcap">Cumming.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>52 Melbourne House. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>53 Father Clement. </td><td><span class="smcap">Kennedy.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>54 Dunallan. </td><td><span class="smcap">Kennedy.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>55 From Jest to Earnest. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>56 Jessamine. </td><td><span class="smcap">Harland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>57 Miss Gilbert's Career. </td><td><span class="smcap">Holland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>58 The Old Helmet. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>59 Forging their Own Chains. </td><td><span class="smcap">Cornwall.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>60 Daisy. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>61 Our Helen. </td><td><span class="smcap">May.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>62 That Lass o'Lowrie's. </td><td><span class="smcap">Burnett.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>63 The Years that are Told. </td><td><span class="smcap">Porter.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>64 Near to Nature's Heart. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>65 Esther Douglas. </td><td><span class="smcap">Baskin.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>66 Knight of 19th Century. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>67 Released. </td><td><span class="smcap">Baskin.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>68 Quinnebasset Girls. </td><td><span class="smcap">Porter.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>69 Helen. </td><td><span class="smcap">Edgeworth.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>70 The Fairchild Family. </td><td><span class="smcap">Sherwood.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>71 Freston Tower. </td><td><span class="smcap">Cobbold.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>72 Godwyn's Ordeal. </td><td><span class="smcap">Spender.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>73 Madeleine.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>74 Onward to the Heights of Life.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>75 Perry Harrison's Mistake. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>76 Carl Krinken. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wetherell.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>77 Without a Home. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>78 Her Wedding Day. </td><td><span class="smcap">Harland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>79 His Sombre Rivals. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>80 Odd or Even. </td><td><span class="smcap">Whitney.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>81 Julamerk. </td><td><span class="smcap">Webb.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>82 Martyrs of Carthage. </td><td><span class="smcap">Webb.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>83 The Nun.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>84 The Basket of Flowers.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>85 Autobiography of a £5 Note.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>86 Pilgrims of New England. </td><td><span class="smcap">Webb.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>87 Only a Dandelion. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>88 Follow Me. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>89 Nidworth. </td><td><span class="smcap">Prentiss.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>90 Nellie of Truro.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>91 An Original Belle. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>92 Barriers Burned Away. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>93 Opening of a Chestnut Burr. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>94 What Can She Do? </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>95 A Day of Fate. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>96 A Face Illumined. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>97 He Fell in Love with his Wife.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>98 Driven Back to Eden. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>99 What Katy Did Next. </td><td><span class="smcap">Coolidge.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>100 Christine's Crook. </td><td><span class="smcap">Hamer.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>101 Ben-Hur. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wallace.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>102 Four Girls at Chautauqua. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>103 The Chautauqua Girls at Home. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>104 Christie's Christmas. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>105 True to the Best. </td><td><span class="smcap">Price.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>106 Drone's Honey. </td><td><span class="smcap">May.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>107 An Endless Chain. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>108 Ruth Erskine's Crosses. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>109 Links in Rebecca's Life. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>110 Mrs. Solomon Smith Looking on.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>111 The Earth Trembled. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>112 The Gates Between. </td><td><span class="smcap">Phelps.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>113 Found, yet Lost. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>114 Three People. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>115 Ester Ried. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>116 Ester Ried yet Speaking. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>117 Julia Ried. </td><td>"<span class="smcap">Pansy.</span>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>118 The Fair God. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wallace.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>119 Sense and Sensibility. </td><td><span class="smcap">Austen.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>120 Pride and Prejudice. </td><td><span class="smcap">Austen.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>121 Emma. </td><td><span class="smcap">Austen.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>124 Honoured in the Breach.</td><td></td></tr> +<tr><td>125 An Unexpected Result. </td><td><span class="smcap">E. P. Roe.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>126 Naomi. </td><td><span class="smcap">Webb.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>127 Beulah. </td><td><span class="smcap">Wilson.</span></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Transcriber's Note: Hyphen variations left as printed.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of I've Been Thinking;, by Azel Stevens Roe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK I'VE BEEN THINKING; *** + +***** This file should be named 39461-h.htm or 39461-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/4/6/39461/ + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +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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