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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: On Picket Duty and Other Tales + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + + +Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4960] +This file was first posted on April 4, 2002 +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON PICKET DUTY AND OTHER TALES *** + + + + +Text file produced by Charles Aldarondo + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + ON PICKET DUTY,<br /> AND OTHER TALES + </h1> + <h2> + By L. M. Alcott + </h2> + <h4> + Boston: <br /> <br /> NEW YORK: <br /> <br /> 1864 + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> ON PICKET DUTY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE KING OF CLUBS AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE CROSS ON THE OLD CHURCH TOWER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE DEATH OF JOHN. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ON PICKET DUTY. + </h2> + <p> + <i>WHAT</i> air you thinkin' of, Phil? + </p> + <p> + “My wife, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “So was I! Aint it odd how fellers fall to thinkin' of thar little women, + when they get a quiet spell like this?” + </p> + <p> + “Fortunate for us that we do get it, and have such gentle bosom guests to + keep us brave and honest through the trials and temptations of a life like + ours.” + </p> + <p> + October moonlight shone clearly on the solitary tree, draped with gray + moss, scarred by lightning and warped by wind, looking like a venerable + warrior, whose long campaign was nearly done; and underneath was posted + the guard of four. Behind them twinkled many camp-fires on a distant + plain, before them wound a road ploughed by the passage of an army, strewn + with the relics of a rout. On the right, a sluggish river glided, like a + serpent, stealthy, sinuous, and dark, into a seemingly impervious jungle; + on the left, a Southern swamp filled the air with malarial damps, swarms + of noisome life, and discordant sounds that robbed the hour of its repose. + The men were friends as well as comrades, for though gathered from the + four quarters of the Union, and dissimilar in education, character, and + tastes, the same spirit animated all; the routine of camp life threw them + much together, and mutual esteem soon grew into a bond of mutual good + fellowship. + </p> + <p> + Thorn was a Massachusetts volunteer; a man who seemed too early old, too + early embittered by some cross, for though grim of countenance, rough of + speech, cold of manner, a keen observer would have soon discovered traces + of a deeper, warmer nature hidden, behind the repellent front he turned + upon the world. A true New Englander, thoughtful, acute, reticent, and + opinionated; yet earnest withal, intensely patriotic, and often humorous, + despite a touch of Puritan austerity. + </p> + <p> + Phil, the “romantic chap,” as he was called, looked his character to the + life. Slender, swarthy, melancholy eyed, and darkly bearded; with feminine + features, mellow voice and, alternately languid or vivacious manners. A + child of the South in nature as in aspect, ardent, impressible, and proud; + fitfully aspiring and despairing; without the native energy which moulds + character and ennobles life. Months of discipline and devotion had done + much for him, and some deep experience was fast ripening the youth into a + man. + </p> + <p> + Flint, the long-limbed lumberman, from the wilds of Maine, was a conscript + who, when government demanded his money or his life, calculated the cost, + and decided that the cash would be a dead loss and the claim might be + repeated, whereas the conscript would get both pay and plunder out of + government, while taking excellent care that government got precious + little out of him. A shrewd, slow-spoken, self-reliant specimen, was + Flint; yet something of the fresh flavor of the backwoods lingered in him + still, as if Nature were loath to give him up, and left the mark of her + motherly hand upon him, as she leaves it in a dry, pale lichen, on the + bosom of the roughest stone. + </p> + <p> + Dick “hailed” from Illinois, and was a comely young fellow, full of dash + and daring; rough and rowdy, generous and jolly, overflowing with spirits + and ready for a free fight with all the world. + </p> + <p> + Silence followed the last words, while the friendly moon climbed up the + sky. Each man's eye followed it, and each man's heart was busy with + remembrances of other eyes and hearts that might be watching and wishing + as theirs watched and wished. In the silence, each shaped for himself that + vision of home that brightens so many camp-fires, haunts so many dreamers + under canvas roofs, and keeps so many turbulent natures tender by memories + which often are both solace and salvation. + </p> + <p> + Thorn paced to and fro, his rifle on his shoulder, vigilant and soldierly, + however soft his heart might be. Phil leaned against the tree, one hand in + the breast of his blue jacket, on the painted presentment of the face his + fancy was picturing in the golden circle of the moon. Flint lounged on the + sward, whistling softly as he whittled at a fallen bough. Dick was flat on + his back, heels in air, cigar in mouth, and some hilarious notion in his + mind, for suddenly he broke into a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, lad?” asked Thorn, pausing in his tramp, as if willing to be + drawn from the disturbing thought that made his black brows lower and his + mouth look grim. + </p> + <p> + “Thinkin' of my wife, and wishin' she was here, bless her heart! set me + rememberin' how I see her fust, and so I roared, as I always do when it + comes into my head.” + </p> + <p> + “How was it? Come, reel off a yarn and let's hear houw yeou hitched + teams,” said Flint, always glad to get information concerning his + neighbors, if it could be cheaply done. + </p> + <p> + “Tellin' how we found our wives wouldn't be a bad game, would it, Phil?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm agreeable; but let us have your romance first.” + </p> + <p> + “Devilish little of that about me or any of my doin's. I hate sentimental + bosh as much as you hate slang, and should have been a bachelor to this + day if I hadn't seen Kitty jest as I did. You see, I'd been too busy + larkin' round to get time for marryin', till a couple of years ago, when I + did up the job double-quick, as I'd like to do this thunderin' slow one, + hang it all!” + </p> + <p> + “Halt a minute till I give a look, for this picket isn't going to be + driven in or taken while I'm on guard.” + </p> + <p> + Down his beat went Thorn, reconnoitring river, road, and swamp, as + thoroughly as one pair of keen eyes could do it, and came back satisfied, + but still growling like a faithful mastiff on the watch; performances + which he repeated at intervals till his own turn came. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't have to go out of my own State for a wife, you'd better + believe,” began Dick, with a boast, as usual; “for we raise as fine a crop + of girls thar as any State in or out of the Union, and don't mind raisin' + Cain with any man who denies it. I was out on a gunnin' tramp with Joe + Partridge, a cousin of mine,—poor old chap! he fired his last shot + at Gettysburg, and died game in a way he didn't dream of the day we popped + off the birds together. It ain't right to joke that way; I won't if I can + help it; but a feller gets awfully kind of heathenish these times, don't + he?” + </p> + <p> + “Settle up them scores byme-by; fightin' Christians scurse raound here. + Fire away, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we got as hungry as hounds half a dozen mile from home, and when a + farm-house hove in sight, Joe said he'd ask for a bite and leave some of + the plunder for pay. I was visitin' Joe, didn't know folks round, and + backed out of the beggin' part of the job; so he went ahead alone. We'd + come up the woods behind the house, and while Joe was foragin', I took are + connoissance. The view was fust-rate, for the main part of it was a girl + airin' beds on the roof of a stoop. Now, jest about that time, havin' a + leisure spell, I'd begun to think of marryin', and took a look at all the + girls I met, with an eye to business. I s'pose every man has some sort of + an idee or pattern of the wife he wants; pretty and plucky, good and gay + was mine, but I'd never found it till I see Kitty; and as she didn't see + me, I had the advantage and took an extra long stare.” + </p> + <p> + “What was her good pints, hey?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, she had a wide-awake pair of eyes, a bright, jolly sort of a + face, lots of curly hair tumblin' out of her net, a trig little figger, + and a pair of the neatest feet and ankles that ever stepped. 'Pretty,' + thinks I; 'so far so good.' The way she whacked the pillers, shooked the + blankets, and pitched into the beds was a caution; specially one + blunderin' old featherbed that wouldn't do nothin' but sag round in a + pig-headed sort of way, that would have made most girls get mad and give + up. Kitty didn't, but just wrastled with it like a good one, till she got + it turned, banged, and spread to suit her; then she plumped down in the + middle of it, with a sarcy little nod and chuckle to herself, that tickled + me mightily. 'Plucky,' thinks I, 'better 'n' better.' Jest then an old + woman came flyin' out the back-door, callin', 'Kitty! Kitty! Squire + Partridge's son's here, 'long with a friend; been gunnin', want luncheon, + and I'm all in the suds; do come down and see to 'em.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where are they?' says Kitty, scrambling up her hair and settlin' her + gown in a jiffy, as women have a knack of doin', you know. + </p> + <p> + “'Mr. Joe's in the front entry; the other man's somewheres round, Billy + says, waitin' till I send word whether they can stop. I darsn't till I'd + seen you, for I can't do nothin', I'm in such a mess,' says the old lady. + </p> + <p> + “'So am I, for I can't get in except by the entry window, and he'll see + me,' says Kitty, gigglin' at the thoughts of Joe. + </p> + <p> + “'Come down the ladder, there's a dear. I'll pull it round and keep it + stiddy,' says her mother. + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, ma, don't ask me!' says Kitty, with a shiver. 'I'm dreadfully scared + of ladders since I broke my arm off this very one. It's so high, it makes + me dizzy jest to think of.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, then, I'll do the best I can; but I wish them boys was to + Jericho!' says the old lady, with a groan, for she was fat and hot, had + her gown pinned up, and was in a fluster generally. She was goin' off + rather huffy, when Kitty called out,— + </p> + <p> + “'Stop, ma! I'll come down and help you, only ketch me if I tumble.' + </p> + <p> + “She looked scared but stiddy, and I'll bet it took as much grit for her + to do it as for one of us to face a battery. It don't seem much to tell + of, but I wish I may be hit if it wasn't a right down dutiful and clever + thing to see done. When the old lady took her off at the bottom, with a + good motherly hug, I found myself huggin' my rifle like a fool, but + whether I thought it was the ladder, or Kitty, I ain't clear about. + 'Good,' thinks I; 'what more do you want?' + </p> + <p> + “A snug little property wouldn't a ben bad, I reckon. Well she had it, old + skin-flint, though I didn't know or care about it then. What a jolly row + she'd make if she knew I was tellin' the ladder part of the story! She + always does when I get to it, and makes believe cry, with her head in my + breast-pocket, or any such handy place, till I take it out and swear I'll + never do so ag'in. Poor little Kit, I wonder what she's doin' now. + Thinkin' of me, I'll bet.” + </p> + <p> + Dick paused, pitched his cap lower over his eyes, and smoked a minute with + more energy than enjoyment, for his cigar was out and he did not perceive + it. + </p> + <p> + “That's not all, is it?” asked Thorn, taking a fatherly interest in the + younger man's love passages. + </p> + <p> + “Not quite. 'Fore long, Joe whistled, and as I always take short cuts + everywhar, I put in at the back-door, jest as Kitty come trottin' out of + the pantry with a big berry-pie in her hand. I startled her, she tripped + over the sill and down she come; the dish flew one way, the pie flopped + into her lap, the juice spatterin' my boots and her clean gown. I thought + she'd cry, scold, have hysterics, or some confounded thing or other; but + she jest sat still a minute, then looked up at me with a great blue splosh + on her face, and went off into the good-naturedest gale of laughin' you + ever heard in your life. That finished me. 'Gay,' thinks I; 'go in and + win.' So I, did; made love hand over hand, while I stayed with Joe; + pupposed a fortnight after, married her in three months, and there she is, + a tip-top little woman, with a pair of stunnin' boys in her arms!” + </p> + <p> + Out came a well-worn case, and Dick proudly displayed the likeness of a + stout, much bejewelled young woman, with two staring infants on her knee. + In his sight, the poor picture was a more perfect work of art than any of + Sir Joshua's baby-beauties, or Raphael's Madonnas, and the little story + needed no better sequel than the young father's praises of his twins, the + covert kiss he gave their mother when he turned as if to get a clearer + light upon the face. Ashamed to show the tenderness that filled his honest + heart, he hummed “Kingdom Coming,” while relighting his cigar, and + presently began to talk again. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, Flint, it's your turn to keep guard, and Thorn's to tell his + romance. Come, don't try to shirk; it does a man good to talk of such + things, and we're all mates here.” + </p> + <p> + “In some cases it don't do any good to talk of such things; better let 'em + alone,” muttered Thorn, as he reluctantly sat down, while Flint as + reluctantly departed. + </p> + <p> + With a glance and gesture of real affection, Phil laid his hand upon his + comrade's knee, saying, in his persuasive voice, “Old fellow, it <i>will</i> + do you good, because I know you often long to speak of something that + weighs upon you. You've kept us steady many a time, and done us no end of + kindnesses; why be too proud to let us give our sympathy in return, if + nothing more?” + </p> + <p> + Thorn's big hand closed over the slender one upon his knee, and the mild + expression, so rarely seen upon his face, passed over it as he replied,— + </p> + <p> + “I think I could tell you almost anything if you asked me that way, my + boy. It isn't that I'm too proud,—and you're right about my + sometimes wanting to free my mind,—but it's because a man of forty + don't just like to open out to young fellows, if there is any danger of + their laughing at him, though he may deserve it. I guess there isn't now, + and I'll tell you how I found my wife.” + </p> + <p> + Dick sat up, and Phil drew nearer, for the earnestness that was in the man + dignified his plain speech, and inspired an interest in his history, even + before it was begun. Looking gravely at the river and never at his + hearers, as if still a little shy of confidants, yet grateful for the + relief of words, Thorn began abruptly,— + </p> + <p> + “I never hear the number eighty-four without clapping my hand to my left + breast and missing my badge. You know I was on the police in New York, + before the war, and that's about all you do know yet. One bitter cold + night, I was going my rounds for the last time, when, as I turned a + corner, I saw there was a trifle of work to be done. It was a bad part of + the city, full of dirt and deviltry; one of the streets led to a ferry, + and at the corner an old woman had an apple-stall. The poor soul had + dropped asleep, worn out with the cold, and there were her goods left, + with no one to watch 'em. Somebody was watching 'em, however; a girl, with + a ragged shawl over her head, stood at the mouth of an alley close by, + waiting for a chance to grab something. I'd seen her there when I went by + before, and mistrusted she was up to some mischief; as I turned the + corner, she put out her hand and cribbed an apple. She saw me the minute + she did it, but neither dropped it nor ran, only stood stocks still with + the apple in her hand till came up. + </p> + <p> + “'This won't do, my girl,' said I. I never could be harsh with 'em, poor + things! She laid it back and looked up at me with a miserable sort of a + smile, that made me put my hand in my pocket to fish for a ninepence + before she spoke. + </p> + <p> + “'I know it won't,' she says. 'I didn't want to do it, it's so mean, but + I'm awful hungry, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'Better run home and get your supper then.' + </p> + <p> + “'I've got no home.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where do you live?' + </p> + <p> + “'In the street.' + </p> + <p> + “'Where do you sleep?' + </p> + <p> + “'Anywhere; last night in the lock-up, and I thought I'd get in there + again, if I did that when you saw me. I like to go there, it's warm and + safe.' + </p> + <p> + “'If I don't take you there, what will you do?' + </p> + <p> + “'Don't know. I want to go over there and dance again, as I used to; but + being sick has made me ugly, so they won't have me, and no one else will + take me because I have been there once.' + </p> + <p> + “I looked where she pointed, and thanked the Lord that they wouldn't take + her. It was one of those low theatres that do so much damage to the like + of her; there was a gambling den one side of it, an eating saloon the + other, and at the door of it lounged a scamp I knew very well, looking + like a big spider watching for a fly. I longed to fling my billy at him; + but as I couldn't, I held on to the girl. I was new to the thing then, but + though I'd heard about hunger and homelessness often enough, I'd never had + this sort of thing, nor seen that look on a girl's face. A white, pinched + face hers was, with frighted, tired-looking eyes, but so innocent; she + wasn't more than sixteen, had been pretty once I saw, looked sick and + starved now, and seemed just the most helpless, hopeless little thing that + ever was. + </p> + <p> + “'You'd better come to the Station for to-night, and we'll see to you + to-morrow,' says I. + </p> + <p> + “'Thank you, sir,' says she, looking as grateful as if I'd asked her home. + I suppose I did speaks kind of fatherly. I ain't ashamed to say I felt so, + seeing what a child she was; nor to own that when she put her little hand + in mine, it hurt me to feel how thin and cold it was. We passed the + eating-house where the red lights made her face as rosy as it ought to + have been; there was meat and pies in the window, and the poor thing + stopped to look. It was too much for her; off came her shawl, and she said + in that coaxing way of hers,— + </p> + <p> + “'I wish you'd let me stop at the place close by and sell this; they'll + give a little for it, and I'll get some supper. I've had nothing since + yesterday morning, and maybe cold is easier to bear than hunger.' + </p> + <p> + “'Have you nothing better than that to sell?” I says, not quite sure that + she wasn't all a humbug, like so many of 'em. She seemed to see that, and + looked up at me again with such innocent eyes, I couldn't doubt her when + she said, shivering with something beside the cold,— + </p> + <p> + “'Nothing but myself.' Then the tears came, and she laid her head down on + my arm, sobbing,—'Keep me! oh, do keep me safe somewhere!'” + </p> + <p> + Thorn choked here, steadied his voice with a resolute hem! but could only + add one sentence more: + </p> + <p> + “That's how I found my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, don't stop thar? I told the whole o' mine, you do the same. Whar + did you take her? how'd it all come round?” + </p> + <p> + “Please tell us, Thorn.” + </p> + <p> + The gentler request was answered presently, very steadily, very quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I was always a soft-hearted fellow, though you wouldn't think it now, and + when that little girl asked me to keep her safe, I just did it. I took her + to a good woman whom I knew, for I hadn't any women belonging to me, nor + any place but that to put her in. She stayed there till spring working for + her keep, growing brighter, prettier, every day, and fonder of me I + thought. If I believed in witchcraft, I shouldn't think myself such a + cursed fool as I do now, but I don't believe in it, and to this day I + can't understand how I came to do it. To be sure I was a lonely man, + without kith or kin, had never had a sweetheart in my life, or been much + with women since my mother died. Maybe that's why I was so bewitched with + Mary, for she had little ways with her that took your fancy and made you + love her whether you would or no. I found her father was an honest fellow + enough, a fiddler in the some theatre, that he'd taken good care of Mary + till he died, leaving precious little but advice for her to live on. She'd + tried to get work, failed, spent all she had, got sick, and was going to + the devil, as the poor souls can hardly help doing with so many ready to + give them a shove. It's no use trying to make a bad job better; so the + long and short of it was, I thought she loved me; God knows I loved her, + and I married her before the year was out.” + </p> + <p> + “Show us her picture; I know you've got one; all the fellows have, though + half of 'em won't own up.” + </p> + <p> + “I've only got part of one. I once saved my little girl, and her picture + once saved me.” + </p> + <p> + From an inner pocket Thorn produced a woman's housewife, carefully untied + it, though all its implements were missing but a little thimble and from + one of its compartments took a flattened bullet and the remnants of a + picture. + </p> + <p> + “I gave her that the first Christmas after I found her. She wasn't as tidy + about her clothes as I liked to see, and I thought if I gave her a handy + thing like this, she'd be willing to sew. But she only made one shirt for + me, and then got tired, so I keep it like an old fool, as I am. Yes, + that's the bit of lead that would have done for me, if Mary's likeness + hadn't been just where it was.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll like to show her this when you go home, won't you?” said Dick, as + he took up the bullet, while Phil examined the marred picture, and Thorn + poised the little thimble on his big finger, with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “How can I, when I don't know where she is, and camp is all the home I've + got?” + </p> + <p> + The words broke from him like a sudden cry, when some old wound is rudely + touched. Both of the young men started, both laid back the relics they had + taken up, and turned their eyes from Thorn's face, across which swept a + look of shame and sorrow, too significant to be misunderstood. Their + silence assured him of their sympathy, and, as if that touch of + friendlessness unlocked his heavy heart, he eased it by a full confession. + When he spoke again, it was with the calmness of repressed emotion; and + calmness more touching to his mates than the most passionate outbreak, the + most pathetic lamentation; for the coarse camp-phrases seemed to drop from + his vocabulary; more than once his softened voice grew tremulous, and to + the words “my little girl,” there went a tenderness that proved how dear a + place she still retained in that deep heart of his. + </p> + <p> + “Boys, I've gone so far; I may as well finish; and you'll see I'm not + without some cause for my stern looks and ways; you'll pity me, and from + you I'll take the comfort of it. It's only the old story,—I married + her, worked for her, lived for her, and kept my little girl like a lady. I + should have known that I was too old, too sober, for a young thing like + that; the life she led before the pinch came just suited her. She liked to + be admired, to dress and dance and make herself pretty for all the world + to see; not to keep house for a quiet man like me. Idleness wasn't good + for her, it bred discontent; then some of her old friends, who'd left her + in her trouble, found her out when better times came round, and tried to + get her back again. I was away all day, I didn't know how things were + going, and she wasn't open with me, afraid, she said; I was so grave, and + hated theatres so. She got courage, finally, to tell me that she wasn't + happy; that she wanted to dance again, and asked me if she mightn't. I'd + rather have had her ask me to put her in a fire, for I <i>did</i> hate + theatres, and was bred to; others think they're no harm. I do; and knew it + was a bad life for a girl like mine. It pampers vanity, and vanity is the + Devil's help with such; so I said No, kindly at first, sharp and stern + when she kept on teasing. That roused her spirit. 'I will go!' she said, + one day. 'Not while you're my wife,' I answered back; and neither said any + more, but she gave me a look I didn't think she could, and I resolved to + take her away from temptation before worse came of it. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't tell her my plan; but I resigned my place, spent a week or more + finding and fixing a little home for her out in the wholesome country, + where she'd be safe from theatres and disreputable friends, and maybe + learn to love me better when she saw how much she was to me. It was coming + summer, and I made things look as home-like and as pretty as I could. She + liked flowers, and I fixed a garden for her; she was fond of pets, and I + got her a bird, a kitten, and a dog to play with her; she fancied gay + colors and tasty little matters, so I filled her rooms with all the + handsome things I could afford, and when it was done, I was as pleased as + any boy, thinking what happy times we'd have together and how pleased + she'd be. Boys, when I went to tell her and to take her to her little + home, she was gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Who with?” + </p> + <p> + “With those cursed friends of hers; a party of them left the city just + then; she was wild to go; she had money now, and all her good looks back + again. They teased and tempted her; I wasn't there to keep her, and she + went, leaving a line behind to tell me that she loved the old life more + than the new; that my house was a prison, and she hoped I'd let her go in + peace. That almost killed me; but I managed to bear it, for I knew most of + the fault was mine; but it was awful bitter to think I hadn't saved her, + after all.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Thorn! what did you do?” + </p> + <p> + “Went straight after her; found her dancing in Philadelphia, with paint on + her cheeks, trinkets on her neck and arms, looking prettier than ever; but + the innocent eyes were gone, and I couldn't see my little girl in the + bold, handsome woman twirling there before the footlights. She saw me, + looked scared at first, then smiled, and danced on with her eyes upon me, + as if she said,— + </p> + <p> + “'See! I'm happy now; go away and let me be.' + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't stand that, and got out somehow. People thought me mad, or + drunk; I didn't care, I only wanted to see her once in quiet and try to + get her home. I couldn't do it then nor afterwards by fair means, and I + wouldn't try force. I wrote to her, promised to forgive her, begged her to + come back, or let me keep her honestly somewhere away from me. But she + never answered, never came, and I have never tried again.” + </p> + <p> + “She wasn't worthy of you, Thorn; you jest forgit her.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could! I wish I could!” in his voice quivered an almost + passionate regret, and a great sob heaved his chest, as he turned his face + away to hide the love and longing, still so tender and so strong. + </p> + <p> + “Don't say that, Dick; such fidelity should make us charitable for its own + sake. There is always time for penitence, always a certainty of pardon. + Take heart, Thorn, you may not wait in vain, and she may yet return to + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I know she will! I've dreamed of it, I've prayed for it; every battle I + come out of safe makes me surer that I was kept for that, and when I've + borne enough to atone for my part of the fault, I'll be repaid for all my + patience, all my pain, by finding her again. She knows how well I love her + still, and if there comes a time when she is sick and poor and all alone + again, then she'll remember her old John, then she'll come home and let me + take her in.” + </p> + <p> + Hope shone in Thorn's melancholy eyes, and long-suffering all-forgiving + love beautified the rough, brown face, as he folded his arms and bent his + gray head on his breast, as if the wanderer were already come. + </p> + <p> + The emotion which Dick scorned to show on his own account was freely + manifested for another, as he sniffed audibly, and, boy-like, drew his + sleeve across his eyes. But Phil, with the delicate perception of a finer + nature, felt that the truest kindness he could show his friend was to + distract his thoughts from himself, to spare him any comments, and lessen + the embarrassment which would surely follow such unwonted confidence. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll relieve Flint, and he will give you a laugh. Come on Hiram and + tell us about your Beulah.” + </p> + <p> + The gentleman addressed had performed his duty, by sitting on a fence and + “righting up” his pockets, to beguile the tedium of his exile. Before his + multitudinous possessions could be restored to their native sphere, Thorn + was himself again, and on his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Stay where you are Phil; I like to tramp, it seems like old times, and I + know you're tired. Just forget all this I've been saying, and go on as + before. Thank you, boys! thank you!” and with a grasp of the two hands + extended to him, he strode away along the path already worn by his own + restless feet. + </p> + <p> + “It's done him good, and I'm glad of that; but I'd like to see the little + baggage that bewitched the poor old boy, wouldn't you, Phil?” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! here's Flint.” + </p> + <p> + “What's up naow? want me tew address the meetin', hey? I'm willin', only + the laugh's ruther ag'inst me, ef I tell that story; expect yeu'll like it + all the better fer that.” Flint coiled up his long limbs, put his hands in + his pockets, chewed meditatively for a moment, and then began with his + slowest drawl— + </p> + <p> + “Waal, sir, it's pretty nigh ten year ago, I was damster daown tew + Oldtaown, clos't tew Banggore. My folks lived tew Bethel; there was only + the old man, and Aunt Siloam, keepin' house fer him, seein' as I was the + only chick he hed. I hedn't heared from 'em fer a long spell, when there + come a letter sayin' the old man was breakin' up. He'd said it every + spring fer a number er years, and I didn't mind it no more'n the breakin' + up er the river; not so much jest then; fer the gret spring drive was + comin' on, and my hands was tew full to quit work all tew oncet. I sent + word I'd be 'long fore a gret while, and bymeby I went. I ought tew hev + gone at fust; but they'd sung aout 'Wolf!' so often I wasn't scared; an' + sure 'nuff the wolf did come at last. Father hed been dead an' berried a + week when I got there, and aunt was so mad she wouldn't write, nor + scurcely speak tew me fer a consider'ble spell. I didn't blame her a mite, + and felt jest the wust kind; so I give in every way, and fetched her + raound. Yeou see I hed a cousin who'd kind er took my place tew hum while + I was off, an' the old man hed left him a good slice er his money, an' me + the farm, hopin' to keep me there. He'd never liked the lumberin' bizness, + an' hankered arfter me a sight, I faound. Waal, seein' haow 'twas, I tried + tew please him, late as it was; but ef there was ennything I did spleen + ag'inst, it was farmin, 'specially arfter the smart times I'd ben hevin, + up Oldtaown way. Yeou don't know nothin' abaout it; but ef yeou want tew + see high dewin's, jest hitch onto a timber-drive an' go it daown along + them lakes and rivers, say from Kaumchenungamooth tew Punnobscot Bay. + Guess yeou'd see a thing or tew, an' find livin' on a log come as handy as + ef yeou was born a turtle. + </p> + <p> + “Waal, I stood it one summer; but it was the longest kind of a job. Come + fall I turned contrary, darned the farm, and vaowed I'd go back tew + loggin'. Aunt hed got fond er me by that time, and felt dreadful bad + abaout my leavin' on her. Cousin Siah, as we called Josiah, didn't cotton + tew the old woman, though he did tew her cash; but we hitched along + fust-rate. She was 'tached tew the place, hated tew hev it let or sold, + thought I'd go to everlastin' rewin ef I took tew lumberin' ag'in, an' + hevin' a tidy little sum er money all her own, she took a notion tew buy + me off. 'Hiram,' sez she, 'ef yeou'll stay tew hum, merry some smart gal, + an' kerry on the farm, I'll leave yeou the hull er my fortin. Ef yeou + don't, I'll leave every cent on't tew Siah, though he ain't done as waal + by me as yeou hev. Come,' sez she, 'I'm breakin' up like brother; I shan't + wurry any one a gret while, and 'fore spring I dessay you'll hev cause tew + rejice that yeou done as Aunt Si counselled yeou.' + </p> + <p> + “Now, that idee kinder took me, seein' I hedn't no overpaourin' love fer + cousin; but I brewdid over it a spell 'fore I 'greed. Fin'lly, I said I'd + dew it, as it warn't a hard nor a bad trade; and begun to look raound fer + Mis Flint, Jr. Aunt was dreadf'l pleased; but 'mazin pertickler as tew who + was goan tew stan' in her shoes, when she was fetched up ag'inst the + etarnal boom. There was a sight er lovely women-folks raound taown; but + aunt she set her foot daown that Mis Flint must be smart, pious, an' + good-natered; harnsome she didn't say nothin' abaout, bein' the humliest + woman in the State er Maine. I hed my own calk'lations on that pint, an' + went sparkin' two or three er the pootiest gals, all that winter. I warn't + in no hurry, fer merryin' is an awful resky bizness; an' I warn't goan to + be took in by nobuddy. Some haouw I couldn't make up my mind which I'd + hev, and kept dodgin', all ready to slew raound, an' hitch on tew ary one + that seemed likeliest. 'Long in March, aunt, she ketched cold, took tew + her bed, got wuss, an' told me tew hurry up, fer nary red should I hev, ef + I warn't safely merried 'fore she stepped out. I thought that was ruther + craoudin' a feller; but I see she was goan sure, an' I'd got intew a way + er considerin' the cash mine, so that it come hard to hear abaout givin' + on't up. Off I went that evenin' an' asked Almiry Nash ef she'd hev me. + No, she wouldn't; I'd shilly-shallyed so long, she'd got tired er waitin' + and took tew keepin' company with a doctor daown tew Bang-gore, where + she'd ben visitin' a spell. I didn't find that as hard a rub to swaller, + as I'd a thought I would, though Almiry was the richest, pootiest, and + good-naterest of the lot. Aunt larfed waal, an' told me tew try agin; so a + couple er nights arfter, I spruced up, an' went over to Car'line Miles's; + she was as smart as old cheese, an' waal off intew the barg'in. I was just + as sure she'd hev me, as I be that I'm gittin' the rewmatiz a settin' in + this ma'sh. But that minx, Almiry, hed ben and let on abaout her own sarsy + way er servin' on me, an' Car'line jest up an' said she warn't goan to hev + annybuddy's leavin's; so daown I come ag'in. + </p> + <p> + “Things was gettin' desper't by that time; for aunt was failin' rapid, an' + the story hed leaked aout some way, so the hull taown was gigglin' over + it. I thought I'd better quit them parts; but aunt she showed me her will + all done complete, 'sceptin' the fust name er the legatee. 'There,' sez + she, 'it all depends on yeou, whether that place is took by Hiram or + Josiah. It's easy done, an' so it's goan tew stan' till the last minnit.' + That riled me consid'able, an' I streaked off tew May Jane Simlin's. She + want very waal off, nor extra harnsome, but she was pious the wust kind, + an' dreadf'l clever to them she fancied. But I was daown on my luck agin; + fer at the fust word I spoke of merryin', she showed me the door, an' give + me to understan' that she couldn't think er hevin' a man that warn't a + church-member, that hadn't experienced religion, or even ben struck with + conviction, an' all the rest on't. Ef anny one hed a wanted tew hev seen a + walkin' hornet's nest, they could hev done it cheap that night, as I went + hum. I jest stramed intew the kitchen, chucked my hat intew one corner, my + coat intew 'nother, kicked the cat, cussed the fire, drawed up a chair, + and set scaoulin' like sixty, bein' tew mad for talkin'. The young woman + that was nussin' aunt,—Bewlah Blish, by name,—was a cookin' + grewel on the coals, and 'peared tew understan' the mess I was in; but she + didn't say nothin', only blowed up the fire, fetched me a mug er cider, + an' went raound so kinder quiet, and sympathizin', that I faound the + wrinkles in my temper gettin' smoothed aout 'mazin' quick; an' 'fore long + I made a clean breast er the hull thing. Bewlah larfed, but I didn't mind + her doin' on't, for she sez, sez she, real sort o' cunnin',— + </p> + <p> + “'Poor Hiram! they didn't use yeou waal. Yeou ought to hev tried some er + the poor an' humly girls; they'd a' been glad an' grateful fer such a + sweetheart as yeou be.' + </p> + <p> + “I was good-natered agin by that time, an' I sez, larfin' along with her, + 'Waal I've got three mittens, but I guess I might's waal hev 'nother, and + that will make two pair complete. Say, Bewlah, will yeou hev me?' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, I will,' sez she. + </p> + <p> + “'Reelly?' sez I. + </p> + <p> + “'Solemn trew,' sez she. + </p> + <p> + “Ef she'd up an' slapped me in the face, I shouldn't hev ben more throwed + aback, fer I never mistrusted she cared two chips for me. I jest set an' + gawped; fer she was solemn trew, I see that with half an eye, an' it + kinder took my breath away. Bewlah drawed the grewel off the fire, wiped + her hands, an' stood lookin' at me a minnet, then she sez, slow an' quiet, + but tremblin' a little, as women hev a way er doin', when they've + consid'able steam aboard,— + </p> + <p> + “'Hiram, other folks think lumberin' has spilt yeou; I don't; they call + yeou rough an' rewd; I know you've got a real kind heart fer them as knows + haow tew find it. Them girls give yeou up so easy, 'cause they never loved + yeou, an' yeou give them up 'cause yeou only thought abaout their looks + an' money. I'm humly, an' I'm poor; but I've loved yeou ever sence we went + a-nuttin' years ago, an' yeou shook daown fer me, kerried my bag, and + kissed me tew the gate, when all the others shunned me, 'cause my father + drank an' I was shably dressed, ugly, an' shy. Yeou asked me in sport, I + answered in airnest; but I don't expect nothin' unless yeou mean as I + mean. Like me, Hiram, or leave me, it won't make no odds in my lovin' er + yeou, nor helpin' er yeou, ef I kin.' + </p> + <p> + “'Tain't easy tew say haouw I felt, while she was goin' on that way; but + my idees was tumblin' raound inside er me, as ef half a dozen dams was + broke loose all tew oncet. One thing was ruther stiddier 'n the rest, an' + that was that I liked Bewlah morn'n I knew. I begun tew see what kep me + loopin' tew hum so much, sence aunt was took daown; why I want in no hurry + tew git them other gals, an' haow I come tew pocket my mittens so easy + arfter the fust rile was over. Bewlah was humly, poor in flesh, dreadful + freckled, hed red hair, black eyes, an' a gret mold side er her nose. But + I'd got wonted tew her; she knowed my ways, was a fust rate housekeeper, + real good-tempered, and pious without flingin' on't in yer face. She was a + lonely creeter,—her folks bein' all dead but one sister, who didn't + use her waal, an' somehow I kinder yearned over her, as they say in + Scripter. For all I set an' gawped, I was coming raound fast, though I + felt as I used tew, when I was goin' to shoot the rapids, kinder + breathless an' oncertin, whether Id come aout right side up or not. Queer, + warn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Love, Flint; that was a sure symptom of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Waal, guess 'twas; anyway I jumped up all er a sudden, ketched Bewlah + raound the neck, give her a hearty kiss, and sung aout, 'I'll dew it + sure's my name's Hi Flint!' The words was scurcely aout er my maouth, + 'fore daown come Dr. Parr. He'd ben up tew see aunt, an' said she wouldn't + last the night threw, prob'ly. That give me a scarer the wust kind; an' + when I told doctor haow things was, he sez, kinder jokin',— + </p> + <p> + “'Better git merried right away, then. Parson Dill is tew come an' see the + old lady, an' he'll dew both jobs tew oncet.' + </p> + <p> + “'Will yeou, Bewlah?' sez I. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, Hiram, to 'blige yeou,' sez she. + </p> + <p> + “With that, I put it fer the parson and the license; got 'em both, an' was + back in less'n half an haour, most tuckered aout with the flurry er the + hull concern. Quick as I'd been, Bewlah hed faound time tew whip on her + best gaoun, fix up her hair, and put a couple er white chrissanthymums + intew her hank'chif pin. Fer the fust time in her life, she looked + harnsome,—leastways I thought so,—with a pretty color in her + cheeks, somethin' brighter'n a larf shinin' in her eyes, an' her lips + smilin' an' tremblin', as she come to me an' whispered so's't none er the + rest could hear,— + </p> + <p> + “'Hiram, don't yeou dew it, ef yeou'd ruther not. I've stood it a gret + while alone, an' I guess I can ag'in.' + </p> + <p> + “Never yeou mind what I said or done abaout that; but we was married ten + minutes arfter, 'fore the kitchen fire, with Dr. Parr an' oaur hired man, + fer witnesses; an' then we all went up tew aunt. She was goan fast, but + she understood what I told her, hed strength tew fill up the hole in the + will, an' to say, a-kissin' Bewlah, 'Yeou'll be a good wife, an' naouw + yeou ain't a poor one.' + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't help givin' a peek tew the will, and there I see not Hiram + Flint, nor Josiah Flint, but Bewlah Flint, wrote every which way, but as + plain as the nose on yer face. 'It won't make no odds dear,' whispered my + wife, peekin' over my shoulder. 'Guess it won't!' sez I, aout laoud; 'I'm + glad on't, and it ain't a cent more'n yeou derserve.' + </p> + <p> + “That pleased aunt. 'Riz me, Hiram,' sez she; an' when I'd got her easy, + she put her old arms raound my neck, an' tried to say, 'God bless you, + dear—,' but died a doin' of it; an' I ain't ashamed tew say I + boo-hooed real hearty, when I laid her daown, fer she was dreadf'l good + tew me, an' I don't forgit her in a hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “How's Bewlah?” asked Dick, after the little tribute of respect all paid + to Aunt Siloam's memory, by a momentary silence. + </p> + <p> + “Fust-rate! that harum scarum venter er mine was the best I ever made. + She's done waal by me, hes Bewlah; ben a grand good haousekeeper, kin + kerry on the farm better'n me, any time, an' is as dutif'l an' lovin' a + wife as,—waal as annything that <i>is</i> extra dutif'l and lovin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Got any boys to brag of?” + </p> + <p> + “We don't think much o' boys daown aour way; they're 'mazin resky stock to + fetch up,—alluz breakin' baounds, gittin' intew the paound, and + wurry your life aout somehaow 'nother. Gals naow doos waal; I got six o' + the likeliest the is goin', every one on 'em is the very moral of Bewlah,—red + hair, black eyes, quiet ways, an' a mold side the nose. Baby's ain't + growed yet; but I expect tew see it in a consid'able state o' forrardness, + when I git hum, an' wouldn't miss it fer the world.” + </p> + <p> + The droll expressions of Flint's face, and the satisfied twang of his last + words, were irresistable. Dick and Phil went off into a shout of laughter; + and even Thorn's grave lips relapsed into a smile at the vision of six + little Flints with their six little moles. As if the act were an + established ceremony, the “paternal head” produced his pocket-book, + selected a worn, black and white paper, which he spread in his broad palm, + and displayed with the air of a connoisseur. + </p> + <p> + “There, thets Bewlah! we call it a cuttin'; but the proper name's a + silly-hoot I b'leeve. I've got a harnsome big degarrytype tew hum but the + heft on't makes it bad tew kerry raound, so I took this. I don't tote it + abaout inside my shirt as some dew,—it aint my way; but I keep it in + my puss long with my other valleu'bles, and guess I set as much stoxe by + it as ef it was all painted up, and done off to keell.” + </p> + <p> + The “silly-hoot” was examined with interest, and carefully stowed away + again in the old brown wallet which was settled in its place with a + satisfied slap, then Flint said briskly,— + </p> + <p> + “Naouw, Phil, yeou close this interestin' and instructive meeting; and be + spry, fer time's most up.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't much to tell, but must begin with a confession which I have + often longed but never dared to make before, because I am a coward.” + </p> + <p> + “Sho! who's goan to b'leeve that o' a man who fit like a wild cat, wuz + offered fer permotion on the field, and wuz reported tew headquarters + arfter his fust scrimmage. Try ag'in, Phil.” + </p> + <p> + “Physical courage is as plentiful as brass buttons, nowadays, but moral + courage is a rarer virtue; and I'm lacking in it, as I'll prove. You think + me a Virginian; I'm an Alabamian by birth, and was a reb three months + ago.” + </p> + <p> + This confession startled his hearers, as he knew it would, for he had kept + his secret well. Thorn laid his hand involuntarily upon his rifle, Dick + drew off a little, and Flint illustrated one of his own expressions, for + he “gawped.” Phil laughed that musical laugh of his, and looked up at them + with his dark face waking into sudden life as he went on:— + </p> + <p> + “There's no treason in the camp, for I'm as fierce a Federalist as any of + you now, and you may thank a woman for it. When Lee made his raid into + Pennsylvania, I was a lieutenant in the—well, never mind what + regiment, it hasn't signalized itself since, and I'd rather not hit my old + neighbors when they are down. In one of the skirmishes during our retreat, + I got a wound and was left for dead. A kind old Quaker found and took me + home; but though I was too weak to talk, I had my senses by that time, and + knew what went on about me. Everything was in confusion, even in that + well-ordered place; no surgeon could be got at first, and a flock of + frightened women thee'd and thou'd one another over me, but hadn't wit + enough to see that I was bleeding to death. Among the faces that danced + before my dizzy eyes was one that seemed familiar, probably because no cap + surrounded it. I was glad to have it bending over me, to hear a steady + voice say, 'Give me a bandage, quick!' and when none was instantly + forthcoming to me, the young lady stripped up a little white apron she + wore, and stanched the wound in my shoulder. I was not as badly hurt as I + supposed, but so worn-out, and faint from loss of blood, they believed me + to be dying, and so did I, when the old man took off his hat and said,— + </p> + <p> + “'Friend, if thee has anything to say, thee had better say it, for thee + probably has not long to live.' + </p> + <p> + “I thought of my little sister, far away in Alabama, fancied she came to + me, and muttered, 'Amy, kiss me, good-by.' The women sobbed at that; but + the girl bent her sweet compassionate face to mine, and kissed me on the + forehead. That was my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “So you seceded from Secession right away, to pay for that lip-service, + hey?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Thorn, not right away,—to my shame be it spoken. I'll tell you + how it came about. Margaret was not old Bent's daughter, but a Virginia + girl on a visit, and a long one it proved, for she couldn't go till things + were quieter. While she waited, she helped take care of me; for the good + souls petted me like a baby when they found that a Rebel could be a + gentleman. I held my tongue, and behaved my best to prove my gratitude, + you know. Of course, I loved Margaret very soon. How could I help it? She + was the sweetest woman I had ever seen, tender, frank, and spirited; all I + had ever dreamed of and longed for. I did not speak of this, nor hope for + a return, because I knew she was a hearty Unionist, and thought she only + tended me from pity. But suddenly she decided to go home, and when I + ventured to wish she would stay longer, she would not listen, and said, 'I + must not stay; I should have gone before.'” + </p> + <p> + “The words were nothing, but as she uttered them the color came up + beautifully over all her face, and her eyes filled as they looked away + from mine. Then I knew that she loved me, and my secret broke out half + against my will. Margaret was forced to listen, for I would not let her + go, but she seemed to harden herself against me, growing colder, stiller, + statelier, as I went on, and when I said in my desperate way,— + </p> + <p> + “'You should love me, for we are bid to love our enemies,' she flashed an + indignant look at me and said,— + </p> + <p> + “'I will not love what I cannot respect! Come to me a loyal man, and see + what answer I shall give you.' + </p> + <p> + “Then she went away. It was the wisest thing she could have done, for + absence did more to change me than an ocean of tears, a year of + exhortations. Lying there, I missed her every hour of the day, recalled + every gentle act, kind word, and fair example she had given me. I + contrasted my own belief with hers, and found a new significance in the + words honesty and honor, and, remembering her fidelity to principle, was + ashamed of my own treason to God and to herself. Education, prejudice, and + interest, are difficult things to overcome, and that was the hottest fight + I ever passed through, for, as I tell you, I was a coward. But love and + loyalty won the day, and, asking no quarter, the Rebel surrendered.” + </p> + <p> + “Phil Beaufort, you're a brick!” cried Dick, with a sounding slap on his + comrade's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “A brand snatched from the burnin'. Hallelujah!” chanted Flint, seesawing + with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Then you went to find your wife? How? Where?” asked Thorn, forgetting + vigilance in interest. + </p> + <p> + “Friend Bent hated war so heartily that he would have nothing to do with + paroles, exchanges, or any martial process whatever, but bade me go when + and where I liked, remembering to do by others as I had been done by. + Before I was well enough to go, however, I managed, by means of Copperhead + influence and returned prisoners, to send a letter to my father and + receive an answer. You can imagine what both contained; and so I found + myself penniless, but not poor, an outcast, but not alone. Old Bent + treated me like a prodigal son, and put money in my purse; his pretty + daughters loved me for Margaret's sake, and gave me a patriotic salute all + round when I left them, the humblest, happiest man in Pennsylvania. + Margaret once said to me that this was the time for deeds, not words; that + no man should stand idle, but serve the good cause with head, heart, and + hand, no matter in what rank; for in her eyes a private fighting for + liberty was nobler than a dozen generals defending slavery. I remembered + that, and, not having influential friends to get me a commission, enlisted + in one of her own Virginia regiments, knowing that no act of mine would + prove my sincerity like that. You should have seen her face when I walked + in upon her, as she sat alone, busied with the army work, as I'd so often + seen her sitting by my bed; it showed me all she had been suffering in + silence, all I should have lost had I chosen darkness instead of light. + She hoped and feared so much she could not speak, neither could I, but + dropped my cloak, and showed her that, through love of her, I had become a + soldier of the Flag. How I love the coarse blue uniform! for when she saw + it, she came to me without a word and kept her promise in a month.” + </p> + <p> + “Thunder! what a harnsome woman!” exclaimed Flint, as Phil, opening the + golden case that held his talisman, showed them the beautiful, beloved + face of which he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! and a right noble woman too. I don't deserve her, but I will. We + parted on our wedding-day, for orders to be off came suddenly, and she + would not let me go until I had given her my name to keep. We were married + in the morning, and at noon I had to go. Other women wept as we marched + through the town, but my brave Margaret kept her tears till we were gone, + smiling, and waving her hand to me,—the hand that wore the + wedding-ring,—till I was out of sight. That image of her is before + me day and night, and day and night her last words are ringing in my ears,— + </p> + <p> + “'I give you freely, do your best. Better a true man's widow than a + traitor's wife.' + </p> + <p> + “Boys, I've only stood on the right side for a month; I've only fought one + battle, earned one honor; but I believe these poor achievements are an + earnest of the long atonement I desire to make for five and twenty years + of blind transgression. You say I fight well. Have I not cause to dare + much?—for in owning many slaves, I too became a slave; in helping to + make many freemen, I liberate myself. You wonder why I refused promotion. + Have I any right to it yet? Are there not men who never sinned as I have + done, and beside whose sacrifices mine look pitifully small? You tell me I + have no ambition. I have the highest, for I desire to become God's noblest + work,—an honest man,—living, to make Margaret happy, in a love + that every hour grows worthier of her own,—dying, to make death + proud to take me.” + </p> + <p> + Phil had risen while he spoke, as if the enthusiasm of his mood lifted him + into the truer manhood he aspired to attain. Straight and strong he stood + up in the moonlight, his voice deepened by unwonted energy, his eye clear + and steadfast, his whole face ennobled by the regenerating power of this + late loyalty to country, wife, and self, and bright against the dark blue + of his jacket shone the pictured face, the only medal he was proud to + wear. + </p> + <p> + Ah, brave, brief moment, cancelling years of wrong! Ah, fair and fatal + decoration, serving as a mark for a hidden foe! The sharp crack of a rifle + broke the stillness of the night, and with those hopeful words upon his + lips, the young man sealed his purpose with his life. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KING OF CLUBS AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS. + </h2> + <h3> + A STORY FOR YOUNG AMERICA. + </h3> + <p> + <i>FIVE</i> and twenty ladies, all in a row, sat on one side of the hall, + looking very much as if they felt like the little old woman who fell + asleep on the king's highway and awoke with abbreviated drapery, for they + were all arrayed in gray tunics and Turkish continuations, profusely + adorned with many-colored trimmings. Five and twenty gentleman, all in a + row, sat on the opposite side of the hall, looking somewhat subdued, as + men are apt to do when they fancy they are in danger of making fools of + themselves. They, also, were <i>en</i> costume, for all the dark ones had + grown piratical in red shirts, the light ones nautical in blue; and a few + boldly appeared in white, making up in starch and studs what they lost in + color, while all were more or less Byronic as to collar. + </p> + <p> + On the platform appeared a pile of dumb-bells, a regiment of clubs, and a + pyramid of bean-bags, and stirring nervously among them a foreign-looking + gentleman, the new leader of a class lately formed by Dr. Thor Turner, + whose mission it was to strengthen the world's spine, and convert it to a + belief in air and exercise, by setting it to balancing its poles and + spinning merrily, while enjoying the “Sun-cure” on a large scale. His + advent formed an epoch in the history of the town; for it was a quiet old + village, guiltless of bustle, fashion, or parade, where each man stood for + what he was; and, being a sagacious set, every one's true value was pretty + accurately known. It was a neighborly town, with gossip enough to stir the + social atmosphere with small gusts of interest or wonder, yet do no harm. + A sensible, free-and-easy town, for the wisest man in it wore the worst + boots, and no one thought the less of his understanding; the belle of the + village went shopping with a big sun-bonnet and tin pail, and no one found + her beauty lessened; oddities of all sorts ambled peacefully about on + their various hobbies, and no one suggested the expediency of a trip on + the wooden horse upon which the chivalrous South is always eager to mount + an irrepressible abolitionist. Restless people were soothed by the lullaby + the river sang in its slow journey to the sea, old people found here a + pleasant place to make ready to die in, young people to survey the world + from, before taking their first flight, and strangers looked back upon it, + as a quiet nook full of ancient legends and modern lights, which would + keep its memory green when many a gayer spot was quite forgotten. Anything + based upon common sense found favor with the inhabitants, and Dr. Turner's + theories, being eminently so, were accepted at once and energetically + carried out. A sort of heathen revival took place, for even the ministers + and deacons turned Musclemen; old ladies tossed bean-bags till their caps + were awry, and winter roses blossomed on their cheeks; school-children + proved the worth of the old proverb, “An ounce of prevention is worth a + pound of cure,” by getting their backs ready before the burdens came; pale + girls grew blithe and strong swinging their dumb namesakes; and jolly lads + marched to and fro embracing clubs as if longevity were corked up in those + wooden bottles, and they all took “modest quenchers” by the way. + </p> + <p> + August Bopp, the new leader of the class, was a German possessing but a + small stock of English, though a fine gynmast; and, being also a bashful + man, the appointed moment had no sooner arrived than he found his + carefully prepared sentences slipping away from his memory as the ice + appears to do from under unhappy souls first mounted upon skates. An awful + silence reigned; Mr. Bopp glanced nervously over his shoulder at the + staring rows, more appalling in their stillness than if they had risen up + and hooted at him, then piling up the bags for the seventh time, he gave + himself a mental shake, and, with a crimson visage, was about to launch + his first “Ladees und gentlemen,” when the door opened, and a small, + merry-faced figure appeared, looking quite at ease in the novel dress, as, + with a comprehensive nod, it marched straight across the hall to its place + among the weaker vessels. + </p> + <p> + A general glance of approbation followed from the gentlemen's side, a + welcoming murmur ran along the ladies', and the fifty pairs of eyes + changed their focus for a moment. Taking advantage of which, Mr. Bopp + righted himself, and burst out with a decided,— + </p> + <p> + “Ladees und gentlemen: the time have arrived that we shall begin. Will the + gentlemen serve the ladees to a wand, each one, then spread theirselves + about the hall, and follow the motions I will make as I shall count.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes of chaos, then all fell into order, and nothing was heard but + the leader's voice and the stir of many bodies moving simultaneously. An + uninitiated observer would have thought himself in Bedlam; for as the + evening wore on, the laws of society seemed given to the winds, and + humanity gone mad. Bags flew in all directions, clubs hurtled through the + air, and dumb-bells played a castinet accompaniment to peals of laughter + that made better music than any band. Old and young gave themselves up to + the universal merriment, and, setting dignity aside, played like + happy-hearted children for an hour. Stout Dr. Quackenboss gasped twice + round the hall on one toe; stately Mrs. Primmins ran like a girl of + fifteen to get her pins home before her competitor; Tommy Inches, four + feet three, trotted away with Deacon Stone on his shoulder, while Mr. + Steepleton and Miss Maypole hopped together like a pair of lively young + ostriches, and Ned Amandine, the village beau, blew arrows through a + pop-gun, like a modern Cupid in pegtops instead of pinions. + </p> + <p> + The sprightly young lady whose entrance had been so opportune seemed a + universal favorite, and was overwhelmed with invitations to “bag,” “hop,” + and “blow” from the gentlemen who hovered about her, cheerfully distorting + themselves to the verge of dislocation in order to win a glance of + approbation from the merry black eyes which were the tapers where all + these muscular moths singed their wings. Mr. Bopp had never seen such a + little piece of earnestness before, and began to think the young lady must + be training for a boat-race or the ring. Her dumb-bells flew about till a + pair of white arms looked like the sails of a windmill; she hit out from + the shoulder with a vigor that would have done execution had there been + anything but empty air to “punish;” and the “one, two, three!” of the + Zouave movement went off with a snap; while the color deepened from pink + to scarlet in her cheeks, the black braids tumbled down upon her + shoulders, and the clasp of her belt flew asunder; but her eye seldom left + the leader's face, and she followed every motion with an agility and + precision quite inspiring. Mr. Bopp's courage rose as he watched her, and + a burning desire to excel took possession of him, till he felt as if his + muscles were made of India-rubber, and his nerves of iron. He went into + his work heart and soul, shaking a brown mane out of his eyes, issuing + commands like general at the head of his troops, and keeping both interest + and fun in full blast till people laughed who had not laughed heartily for + years; lungs got their fill for once, unsuspected muscles were suddenly + developed, and, when the clock struck ten, all were bubbling over with + that innocent jollity which makes youth worth possessing, and its memory + the sunshine of old age. + </p> + <p> + The last exercise was drawing to a close, and a large ring of respectable + members of society were violently sitting down and rising up in a manner + which would have scandalized Miss Wilhelmina Carolina Amelia S. Keggs to + the last degree, when Mr. Bopp was seen to grow very pale, and drop in a + manner which it was evident his pupils were not expected to follow. + </p> + <p> + At this unexpected performance, the gentlemen took advantage of their + newly-acquired agility to fly over all obstacles and swarm on to the + platform, while the ladies successfully lessened their unusual bloom by + staring wildly at one another and suggesting awful impossibilities. The + bustle subsided, as suddenly as it arose; and Mr. Bopp, rather damp about + the head and dizzy about the eye, but quite composed, appeared, saying, + with the broken English and appealing manner which caused all the ladies + to pronounce him “a dear” on the spot,— + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will excoose me for making this lesson to be more short than + it should; but I have exercise nine hours this day, and being just got + well from a illness, I have not recover the strength I have lost. Next + week I shall be able to take time by the hair, so that I will not have so + much engagements in one day. I thank you for your kindness, and say + good-efening.” + </p> + <p> + After a round of applause, as a last vent for their spirits, the class + dispersed, and Mr. Bopp was wrestling with a vicious pin as he put on his + collar (“a sure sign he has no ma to see to his buttons, poor lamb!” + thought Mrs. Fairbairn, watching him from afar); when the sprightly young + lady, accompanied by a lad the masculine image of herself, appeared upon + the platform, saying, with an aspect as cordial as her words,— + </p> + <p> + “Good-evening, Professor. Allow me to introduce my brother and myself, + Dick and Dolly Ward, and ask you in my mother's name, to come home with + us; for the tavern is not a cosy place, and after all this exertion you + should be made comfortable. Please come, for Dr. Turner always stayed with + us, and we promised to do the honors of the town to any gentleman he might + send to supply his place.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we did; and mother is probably freezing her blessed nose off + watching for us; so don't disappoint her, Bopp. It's all settled, the + sleigh's at the door, and here's your coat; so, come on!” + </p> + <p> + Dick was a fine sample of young America in its best aspect, and would have + said “How are you?” to Louis Napoleon if he had been at hand, and have + done it so heartily that the great Frenchman would have found it hard to + resist giving as frank an answer. Therefore no wonder that Mr. Bopp + surrendered at once; for the young gentleman took possession of him + bodily, and shook him into his coat with an amiable impetuosity which + developed a sudden rent in the well-worn sleeve thereof, and caused an + expression of dismay, to dawn upon the owner's countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon; never mind; mother'll sew you up in two seconds, and your + overcoat will hide the damage. Where is it? I'll get it, and then we'll be + off.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bopp colored distressfully, looked up, looked down, and then straight + into the lad's face, saying simply,— + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I haf no coat but one.” + </p> + <p> + Dick opened his eyes, and was about opening his mouth also, for the exit + of some blunderingly good-natured reply, when a warning poke from his + sister restrained him, while Dolly, with the innocent hypocrisy which is + as natural to some women as the art of tying bows, said, as she led the + way out,— + </p> + <p> + “You see the worth of gymnastics, Dick, in this delightful indifference to + cold. I sincerely hope we may reach a like enviable state of health, and + look upon great-coats as effeminate, and mufflers a weakness of the flesh. + Do you think we shall, Mr. Bopp?” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head with a perceptible shiver as the keen north wind smote + him in the face, but answered, with a look half merry, half sad,— + </p> + <p> + “It is not choice, but what you call necessitee, with me; and I truly hope + you may never haf to exercise to keep life in you when you haf sold your + coat to pay a doctor's bill, or teach the art of laughing while your heart + is heavy as one stone. You would not like that, I think, yet it is good, + too; for small things make much happiness for me, and a kind word is often + better than a rix dollar.” + </p> + <p> + There was something in the young man's tone and manner which touched and + won his hearers at once. Dolly secretly resolved to put an extra blanket + on his bed, and shower kind words upon him, while Dick tucked him up in + buffalo robes where he sat helplessly beaming down upon the red hood at + his side. + </p> + <p> + A roaring fire shone out hospitably as they came, and glorified the + pleasant room, dancing on ancient furniture and pictured walls till the + jolly old portraits seemed to wink a visible welcome. A cheery-faced + little woman, like an elder Dolly, in a widow's cap, stood on the + threshold, with a friendly greeting for the stranger, which warmed him as + no fine could have done. + </p> + <p> + If August Bopp had been an Englishman, he would have felt much, but said + less on that account; if he had been an American, he would have tried to + conceal his poverty, and impress the family with his past grandeur, + present importance, or future prospects; being a German, he showed exactly + what he was, with the childlike frankness of his race. Having had no + dinner, he ate heartily of what was offered him; being cold, he basked in + the generous warmth; being homesick and solitary, he enjoyed the genial + influences that surrounded him, and told his story, sure of sympathy; for + even in prosaic Yankeedom he had found it, as travellers find Alpine + flowers among the snow. + </p> + <p> + It was a simple story of a laborious boyhood, being early left an orphan, + with a little sister dependent on him, till an opening in America tempted + him to leave her and come to try and earn a home for her and for himself. + Sickness, misfortune, and disappointment had been his companions for a + year; but he still worked, still hoped, and waited for the happy hour when + little Ulla should come to him across the sea. This was all; yet as he + told it, with the magical accompaniments of gesture, look, and tone, it + seemed full of pathos and romance to his listeners, whose faces proved + their interest more flatteringly than their words. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Ward mended the torn coat with motherly zeal, and gave it many of + those timely stitches which thrifty women love to sew. The twins devoted + themselves to their guest, each in a characteristic manner. Dick, as host, + offered every article of refreshment the house afforded, goaded the fire + to a perpetual roar, and discussed gymnastics, with bursts of boyish + admiration for the grace and skill of his new leader, whom he christened + King of Clubs on the spot. Dolly made the stranger one of them at once by + talking bad German, as an offset to his bad English, called him Professor + in spite of all denials, and unconsciously symbolized his future bondage + by giving him a tangled skein to hold for the furtherance of her mother's + somewhat lengthened job. + </p> + <p> + The Cupid of the present day was undoubtedly “raised” in Connecticut; for + the ingenuity and shrewdness of that small personage could have sprung + from no other soil. In former times his stratagems were of the romantic + order. Colin bleated forth his passion in rhyme, and cast sheep's eyes + from among his flock, while Phyllis coquetted with her crook and stuck + posies in his hat; royal Ferdinand and Miranda played at chess; Ivanhoe + upset his fellow-men like ninepins for love of lackadaisical Rowena; and + “sweet Moll” turned the pages while her lover, Milton, sang. But in our + day the jolly little god, though still a heathen in the severe simplicity + of his attire, has become modernized in his arts, and invented huskings, + apple-bees, sleigh-rides, “drop-ins,” gymnastics, and, among his finer + snares, the putting on of skates, drawing of patterns, and holding skeins,—the + last-named having superior advantages over the others, as all will testify + who have enjoyed one of those hand-to-hand skirmishes. + </p> + <p> + August Bopp was three and twenty, imaginative, grateful, and heart-whole; + therefore, when he found himself sitting opposite a blooming little + damsel, with a head, bound by a pretty red snood, bent down before him, + and very close to his own a pair of distracting hands, every finger of + which had a hit to make, and made it, it is not to be denied that he felt + himself entering upon a new and very agreeable experience. Where could he + look but in the face opposite, sometimes so girlishly merry and sometimes + so beautifully shy? It was a winning face, full of smooth curves, fresh + colors, and sunshiny twinkles,—a face every one liked, for it was as + changeful as an April day, and always pleasant, whether mischievous, + mournful, or demure. + </p> + <p> + Like one watching a new picture, Mr. Bopp inspected every feature of the + countenance so near his own; and, as his admiration “grew by what it fed + on,” he fell into a chronic state of stammer and blush; for the frank eyes + were very kind, the smooth cheeks reflected a pretty shade of his own + crimson, and the smiling lips seemed constantly suggesting, with mute + eloquence, that they were made for kissing, while the expressive hands + picked at the knots till the Professor felt like a very resigned fly in + the web of a most enticing young spider. + </p> + <p> + If the King of Clubs saw a comely face, the Queen of Hearts saw what + observing girls call a “good face;” and with a womanly respect for + strength, the manliest attribute of man, she admired the broad shoulders + and six feet one of her new master. This face was not handsome, for, true + to his fatherland, the Professor had an eminent nose, a blonde beard, and + a crop of “bonny brown hair” long enough to have been gathered into a + ribbon, as in the days of Schiller and Jean Paul; but Dolly liked it, for + its strength was tempered with gentleness; patience and courage gave it + dignity, and the glance that met her own was both keen and kind. + </p> + <p> + The silk was wound at last, the coat repaired. Dick with difficulty + concealed the growing stiffness of his shoulders, while Dolly turned up + the lamp, which bluntly hinted bedtime, and Mrs. Ward successfully + devoured six gapes behind her hand, but was detected in the seventh by Mr. + Bopp, who glanced at the clock, stopped in the middle of a sentence, and, + with a hurried “goot-night,” made for the door without the least idea + whither he was going. Piloted by Dick, he was installed in the “best + chamber,” where his waking dreams were enlivened by a great fire, and his + sleeping ones by an endless succession of skeins, each rapturously + concluded in the style of Sam Weller when folding carpets with the pretty + maid. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Dolly, it won't do, and I'm not going to have it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed; and how will you help it, you absurd boy?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, if you don't stop it, I'll just say to Bopp,—'Look here, my + dear fellow; this sister of mine is a capital girl, but she will flirt + and'”— + </p> + <p> + “And it's a family failing, Dick,” cut in Dolly. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it. I shall say, 'Take care of your heart, Bopp, for she has + a bad habit of playing battle-door and shuttle-cock with these articles; + and, though it may be very good fun for a time, it makes them ache when + they get a last knock and are left to lie in a corner.'” + </p> + <p> + “What eloquence! But you'd never dare to try it on Mr. Bopp; and I + shouldn't like to predict what would happen to you if you did.” + </p> + <p> + “If you say 'dare,' I'll do it the first minute I see him. As for + consequences, I don't care that for 'em;” and Dick snapped his fingers + with an aspect of much disdain. But something in his sister's face + suggested the wisdom of moderation, and moved him to say, less like a lord + of creation, and more like a brother who privately adored his sister, but + of course was not going to acknowledge such a weakness,— + </p> + <p> + “Well, but soberly, now, I wish you wouldn't plague Bopp; for it's evident + to me that he is hit; and from the way you've gone on these two months, + what else was to be expected? Now, as the head of the family,—you + needn't laugh, for I am,—I think I ought to interfere; and so I put + it to you,—do you like him, and will you have him? or are you merely + amusing yourself, as you have done ever since you were out of pinafores? + If you like him, all serene. I'd rather have him for a brother than any + one I know, for he's a regular trump though he <i>is</i> poor; but if you + don't, I won't have the dear old fellow floored just because you like to + see it done.” + </p> + <p> + It may here be remarked that Dolly quite glowed to hear her brother praise + Mr. Bopp, and that she indorsed every word with mental additions of double + warmth; but Dick had begun all wrong, and, manlike, demanded her + confidence before she had made up her mind to own she had any to bestow; + therefore nothing came of it but vexation of spirit; for it is a + well-known fact that, on some subjects, if boys will tease, girls will + fib, and both maintain that it is right. So Dolly whetted her feminine + weapon, and assumed a lofty superiority. + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! what a sudden spasm of virtue; and why, if it is such a sin, has + not the 'head of the house' taken his sister to task before, instead of + indulging in a like degeneracy, and causing several interesting persons to + tear their hair, and bewail his forgetfulness, when they ought to have + blessed their stars he was out of the way?” + </p> + <p> + Dick snowballed a dozing crow and looked nettled; for he had attained that + age when “Tom Brown at Oxford” was the book of books, the twelfth chapter + being the favorite, and five young ladies having already been endowed with + the significant heliotrope flower; all of which facts Dolly had skilfully + brought to mind, as a return-shot for his somewhat personal remarks. + </p> + <p> + “Bah! they were only girls, and it don't amount to anything among us young + folks; but Bopp is a grown man, and you ought to respect him too much to + play such pranks with him. Besides, he's a German, and more tender-hearted + than we rough Yankees, as any one can see by the way he acts when you snub + him. He is proud, too, for all his meekness, and waits till he's sure you + like him before he says anything; and he'll need the patience of a family + of Jobs at the rate you're going on,—a honey-pot one day and a + pickle-jar the next. Do make up your mind, and say yes or no, right off, + Dolly.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you have me meet him at the door with a meek courtesy, and say, + 'Oh, if you please, I'm ready to say Yes, thank you, if you'll be good + enough to say, Will you'?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a goose, child; you know I mean nothing of the kind; only you + girls never will do anything straight ahead if you can dodge and fuss and + make a mess of it. Just tell me one thing: Do you, or don't you, like old + Bopp?” + </p> + <p> + “What an elegant way to put it! Of course I like him well enough as a + leader; he is clever, and sort of cunning, and I enjoy his funny ways; but + what in the world should I do with a great yellow-haired laddie who could + put me in his pocket, and yet is so meek that I should never find the + heart to henpeck him? You are welcome to him; and since you love him so + much, there's no need of my troubling myself on his account; for with you + for a friend, he can have no earthly wish ungratified.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't try to be cutting, Dolly, because you look homely when you do, and + it's a woman's business to be pretty, always. All I've got to say is, you + will be in a nice state of mind if you damage Bopp; for every one likes + him, and will be down upon you for a heartless little wretch; and I shan't + blame them, I promise you.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish the town wouldn't put its fingers in other people's pies, and you + may tell it so, with my compliments; and all <i>I</i> have to say is, that + you men have more liberty than you know what to do with, and we women + haven't enough; so it's perfectly fair that we should show you the worth + of the thing by taking it away now and then. I shall do exactly as I + please; dance, walk, ride, and flirt, whenever and with whomever I see + fit; and the whole town, with Mr. Dick Ward at their head, can't stop me + if I choose to go on. Now, then, what next?” After which declaration of + independence, Dolly folded her arms, wheeled about and faced her brother, + a spirited statuette of Self Will, in a red hood and mittens. + </p> + <p> + Dick sternly asked,— + </p> + <p> + “Is that your firm decision, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will not give up your nonsense?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite sure you don't care for Bopp?” + </p> + <p> + “I could slap him with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good. I shall see that you don't get a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't try a skirmish, for you'll get beaten, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll prove that, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “We will, sir.” + </p> + <p> + And the belligerents loftily paced up the lawn, with their purpose so well + expressed by outward signs, that Mrs. Ward knew, by the cock of Dick's hat + and the decided tap of Dolly's heels, that a storm was brewing, before + they entered the door. + </p> + <p> + This fraternal conversation took place some two months from the evening of + Mr. Bopp's advent, as the twins were strolling home from school, which + school must be briefly alluded to in order to explain the foregoing + remarks. It was an excellent institution in all respects; for its + presiding genius stood high in the townfolks' esteem, and might have + served as an example to Dr. Watts' “busy bee,” in the zeal with which he + improved his “shining hours,” and laid up honey against the winter, which + many hoped would be long in coming. All manner of aids were provided for + sprouting souls and bodies, diversions innumerable, and society, some + members of which might have polished off Alcibiades <i>a la</i> Socrates, + or entertained Plato with “æsthetic tea.” But, sad to relate, in spite of + all these blessings, the students who resorted to this academy possessed + an Adam-and-Eve-like proclivity for exactly what they hadn't got and + didn't need; and, not contented with the pleasures provided, must needs + play truant with that young scamp Eros, and turn the ancient town + topsy-turvy with modern innovations, till scandalized spinsters predicted + that the very babies would catch the fever, refuse their panada in jealous + gloom, send billet-doux in their rattles, elope in wicker-carriages, and + set up housekeeping in dolls' houses, after the latest fashion. + </p> + <p> + Certain inflammable Southerners introduced the new game, and left such + romantic legends of their loves behind them that their successors were + fired with an ambition to do the like, and excel in all things, from + cricket to captivation. + </p> + <p> + This state of things is not to be wondered at; for America, being renowned + as a “fast” nation, has become a sort of hotbed, and seems to force + humanity into early bloom. Therefore, past generations must not groan over + the sprightly present, but sit in the chimney-corner and see boys and + girls play the game which is too apt to end in a checkmate for one of the + players. To many of the lookers-on, the new order of things was as good as + a puppet-show; for, with the enthusiasm of youth, the actors performed + their parts heartily, forgetting the audience in their own earnestness. + Bless us! what revolutions went on under the round jackets, and what + love-tokens lay in the pockets thereof. What plots and counterplots + occupied the heads that wore the innocent-looking snoods, and what + captives were taken in the many-colored nets that would come off and have + to be taken care of. What romances blossomed like dandelions along the + road to school, and what tales the river might have told if any one could + have learned its musical speech. How certain gates were glorified by daily + lingerings thereat, and what tender memories hung about dingy desks, old + pens, and books illustrated with all manner of symbolical designs. + </p> + <p> + Let those laugh who will; older and wiser men and women might have taken + lessons of these budding heroes and heroines; for here all was honest, + sincere, and fresh; the old world had not taught them falsehood, + self-interest, or mean ambitions. When they lost or won, they frankly + grieved or rejoiced, and wore no masks except in play, and then got them + off as soon as possible. If blue-eyed Lizzie frowned, or went home with + Joe, Ned, with a wisdom older lovers would do well to imitate, went in for + another game of foot-ball, gave the rejected apple to little Sally, and + whistled “Glory Hallelujah,” instead of “Annie Laurie,” which was better + than blowing a rival's brains out, or glowering at womankind forever + after. Or, when Tom put on Clara's skates three successive days, and + danced with her three successive evenings, leaving Kitty to freeze her + feet in the one instance and fold her hands in the other, she just had a + “good cry,” gave her mother an extra kiss, and waited till the recreant + Tom returned to his allegiance, finding his little friend a sweetheart in + nature as in name. + </p> + <p> + Dick and Dolly were foremost in the ranks, and expert in all the new + amusements. Dick worshipped at many shrines, but most faithfully at that + of a meek divinity, who returned charming answers to the ardent epistles + which he left in her father's garden wall, where, Pyramus and Thisbe-like, + they often chatted through a chink; and Dolly was seldom seen without a + staff of aids who would have “fought, bled, and died” for her as + cheerfully as the Little Corporal's Old Guard, though she paid them only + in words; for her Waterloo had not yet come. + </p> + <p> + With the charming, perversity of her sex in such matters, no sooner had + Dolly declared that she didn't like Mr. Bopp, than she began to discover + that she did; and so far from desiring “to slap him,” a tendency to regard + him with peculiar good-will and tenderness developed itself, much to her + own surprise; for with all her coquetry and seeming coldness, Dolly had a + right womanly heart of her own, though she had never acknowledged the fact + till August Bopp looked at her with so much love and longing in his honest + eyes. Then she found a little fear mingling with her regard, felt a strong + desire to be respected by him, discovered a certain something which she + called conscience, restraining a reckless use of her power, and, soon + after her lofty denial to Dick, was forced to own that Mr. Bopp had become + her master in the finer species of gymnastics that came in with Adam and + Eve, and have kept all creation turning somersets ever since. Of course + these discoveries were unconfessed, even to that best bosom friend which + any of us can have; yet her mother suspected them, and, with much anxiety, + saw all, yet held her peace, knowing that her little daughter would, + sooner or later, give her a fuller confidence than could be demanded; and + remembering the happiest moments of her own happy past, when an older Dick + wooed another Dolly, she left that flower, which never can be forced, to + open at its own sweet will. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Mr. Bopp, though carrying his heart upon his sleeve, believed + his secret buried in the deepest gloom, and enjoyed all the delightful + miseries lovers insist upon making for themselves. When Dolly was quiet + and absent, he became pensive, the lesson dragged, and people fancied they + were getting tired of the humbug; when Dolly was blithe and bland, he grew + radiant, exercised within an inch of his life as a vent for his emotions, + and people went home declaring gymnastics to be the crowning triumph of + the age; and when Dolly was capricious, Mr. Bopp, became a bewildered + weathercock, changing as the wind changed, and dire was the confusion + occasioned thereby. + </p> + <p> + Like the sage fowl in the story, Dick said nothing, but “kept up a + terrible thinking,” and, not having had experience enough to know that + when a woman says No she is very apt to mean Yes, he took Dolly at her + word. Believing it to be his duty to warn “Old Bopp,” he resolved to do it + like a Roman brother, regardless of his own feelings or his sister's + wrath, quite unconscious that the motive power in the affair was a boyish + love of ruling the young person who ruled every one else. + </p> + <p> + Matters stood thus, when the town was electrified by a general invitation + to the annual jubilee at Jollyboys Hall, which this spring flowered into a + masquerade, and filled the souls of old and young with visions of + splendor, frolic, and fun. Being an amiable old town, it gave itself up, + like a kind grandma, to the wishes of its children, let them put its + knitting away, disturb its naps, keep its hands busy with vanities of the + flesh, and its mind in a state of chaos for three mortal weeks. Young + ladies were obscured by tarletan fogs, behind which they concocted angels' + wings, newspaper gowns, Minnehaha's wampum, and Cinderella's slippers. + Inspired but incapable boys undertook designs that would have daunted a + costumer of the first water, fell into sloughs of despond, and, emerging, + settled down from peers and paladins into jovial tars, friar waterproofs, + and officers in miscellaneous uniforms. Fathers laughed or grumbled at the + whole thing and advanced pecuniary loans with good or ill grace, as the + case might be; but the mothers, whose interest in their children's + pleasure is a sort of evergreen that no snows of time can kill, sewed + spangles by the bushel, made wildernesses of tissue-paper blossom as the + rose, kept tempers sweet, stomachs full, and domestic machinery working + smoothly through it all, by that maternal magic which makes them the human + providences of this naughty world. + </p> + <p> + “What shall I go as?” was the universal cry. Garrets were taken by storm, + cherished relics were teased out of old ladies' lavendered chests (happy + she who saw them again!), hats were made into boots, gowns into doublets, + cloaks into hose, Sunday bonnets despoiled of their plumage, silken + cauliflowers sown broadcast over the land, and cocked-up caps erected in + every style of architecture, while “Tag, Rag, and Bobtail” drove a + smashing business, and everybody knew what everybody else was going to be, + and solemnly vowed they didn't—which transparent falsehood was the + best joke of the whole. + </p> + <p> + Dolly allowed her mates to believe she was to be the Queen of Hearts, but + privately laid hold of certain brocades worn by a trim grandmother half a + century ago, and one evening burst upon her brother in a charming “Little + Bo-Peep” costume, which, for the benefit of future distressed damsels, may + be described as a “white silk skirt, scarlet overdress neatly bundled up + behind,” as ancient ladies expressed it, blue hose with red clocks, + high-heeled shoes with silver buckles, a nosegay in the tucker, and a + fly-way hat perched in this case on the top of black curls, which gave + additional archness to Dolly's face as she entered, singing that famous + ditty. + </p> + <p> + Dick surveyed her with approval, turning her about like a lay figure, and + expressing his fraternal opinion that she was “the sauciest little + turn-out he ever saw,” and then wet-blanketed the remarks by adding, “Of + course you don't call it a disguise, do you? and don't flatter yourself + that you won't be known; for Dolly Ward is as plainly written in every + curl, bow, and gimcrack, as if you wore a label on your back.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shan't wear it;” and off went the hat at one fell blow, as Dolly + threw her crook in one corner, her posy in another, and sat down an image + of despair. + </p> + <p> + “Now don't be a goose, and rip everything to bits; just wear a domino over + all, as Fan is going to, and then, when you've had fun enough, take it off + and do the pretty. It will make two rigs, you see, and bother the boys to + your heart's content.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick, I insist upon kissing you for that brilliant suggestion; and then + you may run and get me eight yards of cambric, just the color of Fan's; + but if you tell any one, I'll keep her from dancing with you the whole + evening;” with which bribe and threat Dolly embraced her brother, and shut + the door in his face, while he, putting himself in good humor by imagining + she was somebody else, departed on his muddy mission. + </p> + <p> + If the ghosts of the first settlers had taken their walks abroad on the + eventful Friday night, they would have held up their shadowy hands at the + scenes going on under their venerable noses; for strange figures flitted + through the quiet streets, and instead of decorous slumber, there was + decidedly,—“A sound of revelry by night.” + </p> + <p> + Spurs clanked and swords rattled over the frosty ground, as if the British + were about to make another flying call; hooded monks and nuns paced along, + on carnal thoughts intent; ancient ladies and bewigged gentlemen seemed + hurrying to enjoy a social cup of tea, and groan over the tax; barrels + staggered and stuck through narrow ways, as if temperance were still among + the lost arts, while bears, apes, imps, and elves pattered or sparkled by, + as if a second Walpurgis Night had come, and all were bound for + Blocksberg. + </p> + <p> + “Hooray for the Rooster!” shouted young Ireland, encamped on the sidewalk + to see the show, as Mephistopheles' red cock's feather skimmed up the + stairs, and he left a pink domino at the ladies' dressing-room door, with + the brief warning, “Now cut your own capers and leave me to mine,” adding, + as he paused a moment at the great door,— + </p> + <p> + “By Jove! isn't it a jolly sight, though?” + </p> + <p> + And so it was; for a mammoth boot stood sentinel at the entrance; a + Bedouin Arab leaned on his spear in one corner, looking as if ready to + say,— + </p> + <p> + “Fly to the desert, fly with me,” + </p> + <p> + to the pretty Jewess on his arm; a stately Hamlet, with irreproachable + legs, settled his plumage in another, still undecided to which Ophelia he + would first address “The honey of his music vows.” + </p> + <p> + Bluff King Hal's representative was waltzing in a way that would have + filled that stout potentate with respectful admiration, while Queen + Katherine flirted with a Fire Zouave. Alcipades whisked Mother Goose about + the room till the old lady's conical hat tottered on her head, and the + Union held fast to a very little Mac. Flocks of friars, black, white, and + gray, pervaded the hall, with flocks of ballet girls, intended to + represent peasants, but failing for lack of drapery; morning and evening + stars rose or set, as partners willed; lively red demons harassed meek + nuns, and knights of the Leopard, the Lion or Griffin, flashed by, looking + heroically uncomfortable, in their gilded cages; court ladies promenaded + with Jack tars, and dukes danced with dairy-maids, while Brother Jonathan + whittled, Aunt Dinah jabbered, Ingomar flourished his club, and every one + felt warmly enthusiastic and vigorously jolly. + </p> + <p> + “Ach himmel! Das ist wunder schon!” murmured a tall, gray monk, looking + in, and quite unconscious that he spoke aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Bopp! I thought you weren't coming,” cried Mephistopheles in an + emphatic whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I guess you! yes, you are well done. I should like to be a Faust for + you, but I haf no time, no purse for a dress, so I throw this on, and run + up for a hour or two. Where is—who is all these people? Do you know + them?” + </p> + <p> + “The one with the Pope, Fra Diavolo; the telegraph, and two knights asking + her to dance, is Dolly, if that's what you want to know. Go in and keep it + up, Bopp, while you can; I am off for Fan;” and Mephistopheles departed + over the banisters with a weird agility that delighted the beholders; + while the gray friar stole into a corner and watched the pink domino for + half an hour, at the end of which time his regards were somewhat confused + by discovering that there were two pink damsels so like that he could not + tell which was the one pointed out by Dick and which the new-comer. + </p> + <p> + “She thinks I will not know her, but I shall go now and find out for + myself;” and, starting into sudden activity, the gray brother strode up to + the nearest pink lady, bowed, and offered his arm. With a haughty little + gesture of denial to several others, she accepted it, and they joined the + circle of many-colored promenaders that eddied round the hall. As they + went, Mr. Bopp scrutinized his companion, but saw only a slender figure + shrouded from head to foot, and the tip of a white glove resting on his + arm. + </p> + <p> + “I will speak; then her voice will betray her,” he thought, forgetting + that his own was undisguisable. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, permit me that I fan you, it is so greatly warm.” + </p> + <p> + A fan was surrendered with a bow, and the masked face turned fully toward + his own, while the hood trembled as if its wearer laughed silently. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it is you,—I know the eyes, the step, the laugh. Miss Dolly, + did you think you could hide from me?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not wish to,” was the whispered answer. + </p> + <p> + “Did you think I would come?” + </p> + <p> + “I hoped so.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are not displease with me?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I am very glad; I wanted you.” + </p> + <p> + The pink head drooped a little nearer, and another white glove went to + meet its mate upon his arm with a pretty, confiding gesture. Mr. Bopp + instantly fell into a state of bliss,—the lights, music, gay + surroundings, and, more than all, this unwonted demonstration, put the + crowning glory to the moment; and, fired with the hopeful omen, he allowed + his love to silence his prudence, and lead him to do, then and there, the + very thing he had often resolved never to do at all. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Miss Dolly, if you knew how much, how very much you haf enlarged my + happiness, and made this efening shine for me, you would more often be a + little friendly, for this winter has been all summer to me, since I knew + you and your kind home, and now I haf no sorrow but that after the next + lesson I come no more unless you gif me leaf. See now I must say this even + here, when so much people are about us, because I cannot stop it; and you + will forgif me that I cannot wait any longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bopp, please don't, please stop!” began the pink domino in a hurried + whisper. But Mr. Bopp was not to be stopped. He had dammed up the stream + so long, that now it rushed on fast, full, and uncontrollable; for, + leading her into one of the curtained recesses near by, he sat down beside + her, and, still plying the fan, went on impetuously,— + </p> + <p> + “I feel to say that I lofe you, and tho' I try to kill it, my love will + not die, because it is more strong than my will, more dear than my pride, + for I haf much, and I do not ask you to be meine Frau till I can gif you + more than my heart and my poor name. But hear now; I will work, and save, + and wait a many years if at the end you will take all I haf and say, + 'August, I lofe you.' Do not laugh at me because I say this in such poor + words; you are my heart's dearest, and I must tell it or never come again. + Speak to me one kind yes, and I will thank Gott in himmel for so much + joy.” + </p> + <p> + The pink domino had listened to this rapid speech with averted head, and, + when it ended, started up, saying eagerly, “You are mistaken, sir, I am + not Dolly;” but as she spoke her words were belied, for the hasty movement + displaced her mask, and Mr. Bopp saw Dolly's eyes, a lock of dark hair, + and a pair of burning cheeks, before the screen was readjusted. With + redoubled earnestness he held her back, whispering,— + </p> + <p> + “Do not go mitout the little word, Yes, or No; it is not much to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Well then, No!” + </p> + <p> + “You mean it? Dolly! truly mean it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, let me go at once, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bopp stood up, saying slowly,—“Yes, go now; they told me you had + no heart; I beliefe it, and thank you for that No;” then bowed, and walked + straight out of the hall, while the pink domino broke into a fit of + laughter, saying to herself,— + </p> + <p> + “I've done it! I've done it! but what a piece of work there'll be + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick, who was that tall creature Fan was parading with last night? No one + knew, and he vanished before the masks were taken off,” asked Dolly, as + she and her brother lounged in opposite corners of the sofa the morning + after the masquerade, “talking it over.” + </p> + <p> + “That was old Bopp, Mrs. Peep.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious me! why, he said he wasn't coming.” + </p> + <p> + “People sometimes say what they don't mean, as you may have discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “But why didn't he come and speak to a body, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Better employed, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + “Now don't be cross, dear, but tell me all about it, for I don't + understand how you allowed him to monopolize Fan so.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't bother, I'm sleepy.” + </p> + <p> + “No you're not; you look wicked; I know you've been in mischief, and I + insist upon hearing all about it, so come and 'fess' this instant.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly proceeded to enforce her command by pulling away his pillow and + dragging her brother into a sitting posture in spite of his laughing + resistance and evident desire to exhaust her patience; for Dick excelled + in teasing, and kept his sister in a fidget from morning till night, with + occasional fits of penitence and petting which lasted till next time. + Therefore, though dying to 'fess,' he was undecided as to the best method + of executing that task in the manner most aggravating to his listener and + most agreeable to himself, and sat regarding her with twinkling eyes, and + his curly pate in a high state of rumple, trying to appear innocently + meek, but failing signally. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, up and tell,” commanded Dolly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you won't take my head off till I'm done, I'll tell you the best + joke of the season. Are you sure the pink domino with Bopp wasn't + yourself,—for she looked and acted very like you?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I am. I didn't even know he was there, and think it very rude + and ungentlemanly in him not to come and speak to me. You know it was Fan, + so do go on.” + </p> + <p> + “But it wasn't, for she changed her mind and wore a black domino; I saw + her put it on myself. Her Cousin Jack came unexpectedly, and she thought + if she altered her dress and went with him, you wouldn't know her.” + </p> + <p> + “Who could it have been, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “That's the mystery, for, do you know, Bopp proposed to her.” + </p> + <p> + “He didn't!” and Dolly flew up with a startled look that, to adopt a + phrase from his own vocabulary, was “nuts” to her brother. + </p> + <p> + “Yes he did; I heard him.” + </p> + <p> + “When, where, and how?” + </p> + <p> + “In one of these flirtation boxes; they dropped the curtain, but I heard + him do it, on my honor I did.” + </p> + <p> + “Persons of honor don't listen at curtains and key-holes. What did they + say?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if it wasn't honorable to listen, it isn't to hear; so I won't tell, + though I could not help knowing it.” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy! don't stop now, or I shall die with curiosity. I dare say I should + have done the same; no one minds at such a place, you know. But I don't + see the joke yet,” said Dolly dismally. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” and Dick went off into a shout. + </p> + <p> + “You idiotic boy, take that pillow out of your mouth, and tell me the + whole thing,—what he said, what she said, and what they both did. It + was all fun of course, but I'd like to hear about it.” + </p> + <p> + “It may have been fun on her part, but it was solemn earnest on his, for + he went it strong I assure you. I'd no idea the old fellow was so sly, for + he appeared smashed with you, you know, and there he was finishing up with + this unknown lady. I wish you could have heard him go on, with tears in + his eyes”— + </p> + <p> + “How do you know if you didn't see him?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, that's only a figure of speech; I thought so from his voice. He + was ever so tender, and took to Dutch when English was too cool for him. + It was really touching, for I never heard a fellow do it before; and, upon + my word, I should think it was rather a tough job to say that sort of + thing to a pretty woman, mask or no mask.” + </p> + <p> + “What did she say?” asked Dolly, with her hands pressed tight together, + and a curious little quiver of the lips. + </p> + <p> + “She said, No, as short as pie-crust; and when he rushed out with his + heart broken all to bits apparently, she just burst out laughing, and went + and polked at a two-forty pace for half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + Dora unclasped her hands, took a long breath, and cried out,— + </p> + <p> + “She was a wicked, heartless hussy! and if I know her, I'll never speak to + her again; for if he was really in earnest, she ought to be killed for + laughing at him.” + </p> + <p> + “So ought you, then, for making fun of poor Fisher when he went down on + his knees behind the huckleberry bushes last summer. He was earnest + enough, for he looked as black-and-blue as his berries when he got home. + Your theory is all right, ma'am, but your practice is all bosh.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue about that silly thing. Boys in college think they know + everything, can do everything, have everything, and only need beckon, and + all womankind will come and adore. It made a man of him, and he'll thank + me for taking the sentimental nonsense and conceit out of him. You will + need just such a lesson at the rate you go on, and I hope Fan will give it + to you.” + </p> + <p> + “When the lecture is over, I'll go on with the joke, if you want to know + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't this enough?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, bless you, no! the cream of it is to come. What would you give to + know who the lady was?” + </p> + <p> + “Five dollars, down, this minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, hand 'em over, and I'll tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and prove it.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly produced her purse, and, bill in hand, sat waiting for the + disclosure. Dick rose with a melo-dramatic bow,— + </p> + <p> + “Lo, it was I.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a great fib, for I saw you flying about the whole evening.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw my dress, but I was not in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! oh! who <i>did</i> I keep going to, then? and what <i>did</i> I do to + make a fool of myself, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + Purse and bill dropped out of Dolly's hand, and she looked at her brother + with a distracted expression of countenance. Dick rubbed his hands and + chuckled. + </p> + <p> + “Here's a jolly state of things. Now I'll tell you the whole story. I + never thought of doing it till I saw Bopp and told him who you were; but + on my way for Fan I wondered if he'd get puzzled between you two; and then + a grand idea popped into my head to puzzle him myself, for I can take you + off to the life. Fan didn't want me to, but I made her, so she lent me + hoops and gown and the pink domino, and if ever I thanked my stars I + wasn't tall, I did then, for the things fitted capitally as to length, + tho' I kept splitting something down the back, and scattering hooks and + eyes in all directions. I wish you could have heard Jack roar while they + rigged me. He had no dress, so I lent him mine, till just before the masks + were taken off, when we cut home and changed. He told me how you kept + running to him to tie up your slippers, find your fan, and tell him funny + things, thinking it was me. I never enjoyed anything so much in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” said Dolly in a breathless sort of voice, and the deluded boy + obeyed. + </p> + <p> + “I knew Bopp, and hovered near till he came to find out who I was. I took + you off in style, and it deceived him, for I'm only an inch or two taller + than you, and kept my head down in the lackadaisical way you girls do; I + whispered, so my voice didn't betray me; and was very clinging, and sweet, + and fluttery, and that blessed old goose was sure it was you. I thought it + was all over once, for when he came the heavy in the recess, I got a bit + flustered, he was so serious about it, my mask slipped, but I caught it, + so he only saw my eyes and forehead, which are just like yours, and that + finished him, for I've no doubt I looked as red and silly as you would + have done in a like fix.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you say No?” and Dolly looked as stern as fate. + </p> + <p> + “What else should I say? You told me you wouldn't have him, and I thought + it would save you the bother of saying it, and him the pain of asking + twice. I told him some time ago that you were a born flirt; he said he + knew it; so I was surprised to hear him go on at such a rate, but supposed + that I was too amiable, and that misled him. Poor old Bopp, I kept + thinking of him all night, as he looked when he said, 'They told me you + had no heart, now I believe it, and I thank you for that No.' It was + rather a hard joke for him, but it's over now, and he won't have to do it + again. You said I wouldn't dare tell him about you; didn't I? and haven't + I won the”— + </p> + <p> + The rest of the sentence went spinning dizzily through Dick's head, as a + sudden tingling sensation pervaded his left ear, followed by a similar + smart in the right; and, for a moment, chaos seemed to have come again. + Whatever Dolly did was thoroughly done: when she danced, the soles of her + shoes attested the fact; when she flirted, it was warm work while it + lasted; and when she was angry, it thundered, lightened, and blew great + guns till the shower came, and the whole affair ended in a rainbow. + Therefore, being outwitted, disappointed, mortified, and hurt, her first + impulse was to find a vent for these conflicting emotions, and possessing + skillful hands, she left them to avenge the wrong done her heart, which + they did so faithfully, that if ever a young gentleman's ears were + vigorously and completely boxed, Dick was that young individual. As the + thunder-clap ceased, the gale began and blew steadily for several minutes. + </p> + <p> + “You think it a joke, do you? I tell you, it's a wicked, cruel thing; + you've told a lie; you've broken August's heart, and made me so angry that + I'll never forgive you as long as I live. What do you know about my + feelings? and how dare you take it upon yourself to answer for me? You + think because we are the same age that I am no older than you, but you're + mistaken, for a boy of eighteen <i>is</i> a boy, a girl is often a woman, + with a woman's hopes and plans; you don't understand this any more than + you do August's love for me, which you listened to and laughed at. I said + I didn't like him, and I didn't find out till afterward that I did; then I + was afraid to tell you lest you'd twit me with it. But now I care for no + one, and I say I do like him,—yes, I love him with all my heart and + soul and might and I'd die this minute if I could undo the harm you've + done, and see him happy. I know I've been selfish, vain, and thoughtless, + but I am not now; I hoped he'd love me, hoped he'd see I cared for him, + that I'd done trifling, and didn't mind if he <i>was</i> poor, for I'd + enough for both; that I longed to make his life pleasant after all his + troubles; that I'd send for the little sister he loves so well, and never + let him suffer any more; for he is so good, so patient, so generous, and + dear to me, I cannot do enough for him. Now it's all spoilt; now I can + never tell him this, never comfort him in any way, never be happy again + all my life, and you have done it.” + </p> + <p> + As Dolly stood before her brother, pouring out her words with glittering + eyes, impetuous voice, and face pale with passionate emotion, he was + scared; for as his scattered wits returned to him, he felt that he had + been playing with edge tools, and had cut and slashed in rather a + promiscuous manner. Dazed and dizzy, he sat staring at the excited figure + before him, forgetting the indignity he had received, the mistake he had + made, the damage he had done, in simple wonder at the revolutions going on + under his astonished eyes. When Dolly stopped for breath, he muttered with + a contrite look,— + </p> + <p> + “I'm very sorry,—it was only fun; and I thought it would help you + both, for how the deuce should I know you liked the man when you said you + hated him?” + </p> + <p> + “I never said that, and if I'd wanted advice I should have gone to mother. + You men go blundering off with half an idea in your heads, and never see + your stupidity till you have made a mess that can't be mended; we women + don't work so, but save people's feelings, and are called hypocrites for + our pains. I never meant to tell you, but I will now, to show you how I've + been serving you, while you've been harming me: every one of those notes + from Fan which you admire so much, answer so carefully, and wear out in + your pocket, though copied by her, were written by me.” + </p> + <p> + “The devil they were!” Up flew Dick, and clapping his hand on the left + breast-pocket, out came a dozen pink notes tied up with a blue ribbon, and + much the worse for wear. He hastily turned them over as Dolly went on. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I did it, for she didn't know how to answer your notes, and came to + me. I didn't laugh at them, or make fun of her, but helped her silly + little wits, and made you a happy boy for three months, though you teased + me day and night, for I loved you, and hadn't the heart to spoil your + pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “You've done it now with a vengeance, and you're a pair of deceitful + minxes. I've <i>paid</i> you off. I'll give Fan one more note that will + keep her eyes red for a month; and I'll never love or trust a girl again + as long as I live,—never! never!” + </p> + <p> + Red with wrath, Dick flung the treasured packet into the fire, punched it + well down among the coals, flung away the poker, and turned about with a + look and gesture which would have been comically tragic if they had not + been decidedly pathetic, for, in spite of his years, a very tender heart + beat under the blue jacket, and it was grievously wounded at the perfidy + of the gentle little divinity whom he worshipped with daily increasing + ardor. His eyes filled, but he winked resolutely; his lips trembled, but + he bit them hard; his hands doubled themselves up, but he remembered his + adversary was a woman; and, as a last effort to preserve his masculine + dignity, he began to whistle. + </p> + <p> + As if the inconsistencies of womankind were to be shown him as rapidly as + possible, at this moment the shower came on, for, taking him tenderly + about the neck, Dolly fell to weeping so infectiously, that, after + standing rigidly erect till a great tear dropped off the end of his nose, + ignominiously announcing that it was no go, Dick gave in, and laying his + head on Dolly's shoulder, the twins quenched their anger, washed away + their malice, and soothed their sorrow by one of those natural processes, + so kindly provided for poor humanity, and so often despised as a weakness + when it might prove a better strength than any pride. + </p> + <p> + Dick cleared up first, with no sign of the tempest but a slight mist + through which his native sunshine glimmered pensively. + </p> + <p> + “Don't dear, don't cry so; it will make you sick, and won't do any good, + for things will come right, or I'll make 'em, and we'll be comfortable all + round.” + </p> + <p> + “No, we never can be as we were, and it's all my fault. I've betrayed + Fan's confidence, I've spoiled your little romance, I've been a + thoughtless, wicked girl, I've lost August; and, oh, dear me, I wish I was + dead!” with which funereal climax Dolly cried so despairingly that, like + the youngest Miss Pecksniff, she was indeed “a gushing creature.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come now, don't be dismal, and blame yourself for every trouble under + the sun. Sit down and talk it over, and see what can be done. Poor old + girl, I forgave you the notes, and say I <i>was</i> wrong to meddle with + Bopp. I got you into the scrape, and I'll get you out if the sky don't + fall, or Bopp blow his brains out, like a second Werther, before + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Dick drew the animated fountain to the wide chair, where they had sat + together since they were born, wiped her eyes, laid her wet cheek against + his own, and patted her back, with an idea that it was soothing to babies, + and why not to girls? + </p> + <p> + “I wish mother was at home,” sighed Dolly, longing for that port which was + always a haven of refuge in domestic squalls like this. + </p> + <p> + “Write, and tell her not to stay till Saturday.” + </p> + <p> + “No; it would spoil her visit, and you know she deferred it to help us + through this dreadful masquerade. But I don't know what to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless your heart, it's simple enough. I'll tell Bopp, beg his + pardon, say 'Dolly's willing,' and there you are all taut and ship-shape + again.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't for the world, Dick. It would be very hard for you, very + awkward for me, and do no good in the end; for August is so proud he'd + never forgive you for such a trick, would never believe that I 'had a + heart' after all you've said and I've done; and I should only hear with my + own ears that he thanked me for that No. Oh, why can't people know when + they are in love, and not go heels over head before they are ready!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that don't suit, I'll let it alone, for that is all I can + suggest; and if you like your woman's way better, try it, only you'll have + to fly round, because to-morrow is the last night, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I shan't go, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? we are going to give him the rose-wood set of things, have + speeches, cheers for the King of Clubs, and no end of fun.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't help it; there would be no fun for me, and I couldn't look him in + the face after all this.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, pooh! yes, you could, or it will be the first time you dared not do + damage with those wicked eyes of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the first time I ever loved any one.” Dolly's voice was so low, and + her head drooped so much, that this brief confession was apparently put + away in Dick's pocket, and being an exceedingly novel one, filled that + inflammable youth with a desire to deposit a similar one in the other + pocket, which, being emptied of its accustomed contents, left a somewhat + aching void in itself and the heart underneath. After a moment's silence, + he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you won't go, you can settle it when he comes here, though I + think we should all do better to confess coming home in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't come here again, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Won't he! that shows you don't know Bopp as well as I. He'll come to say + good-by, to thank mother for her kindness, and you and me for the little + things we've done for him (I wish I'd left the last undone!), and go away + like a gentleman, as he is,—see if he don't.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think so? Then I must see him.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure he will, for we men don't bear malice and sulk and bawl when we + come to grief this way, but stand up and take it without winking, like the + young Spartan brick when the fox was digging into him, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, of course, you'll forgive Fan.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be hanged if I do,” growled Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Ah ha! your theory is very good, sir, but your practice is bosh,” quoted + Dolly, with a gleam of the old mischief in her face. + </p> + <p> + Dick took a sudden turn through the room, burst out laughing, and came + back, saying heartily,— + </p> + <p> + “I'll own up; it is mean to feel so, and I'll think about forgiving you + both; but she may stop up the hole in the wall, for she won't get any more + letters just yet; and you may devote your epistolary powers to A. Bopp in + future. Well, what is it? free your mind, and have done with it; but don't + make your nose red, or take the starch out of my collar with any more salt + water, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I won't; and I only want to say that, as you owe the explanation to + us both, perhaps it would be best for you to tell August your part of the + thing as you come home to-morrow, and then leave the rest to fate. I can't + let him go away thinking me such a heartless creature, and once gone it + will be too late to mend the matter. Can you do this without getting me + into another scrape, do you think?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't a doubt of it, and I call that sensible. I'll fix it capitally,—go + down on my knees in the mud, if it is necessary; treat you like eggs for + fear of another smash-up; and bring him home in such a tip-top state, + you'll only have to nod and find yourself Mrs. B. any day you like. Now + let's kiss and be friends, and then go pitch into that pie for luncheon.” + </p> + <p> + So they did, and an hour afterward were rioting in the garret under + pretence of putting grandma's things away; for at eighteen, in spite of + love and mischief, boys and girls have a spell to exorcise blue devils, + and a happy faculty of forgetting that “the world is hollow, and their + dolls stuffed with saw-dust.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was right, for on the following evening, after the lesson, Mr. Bopp + did go home with him, “to say good-by, like a gentleman as he was.” Dolly + got over the first greeting in the dusky hall, and as her guest passed on + to the parlor, she popped her head out to ask anxiously,— + </p> + <p> + “Did you say anything, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't; something has happened to him; he'll tell you about it. I'm + going to see to the horse, so take your time, and do what you like,” with + which vague information Dick vanished, and Dolly wished herself anywhere + but where she was. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bopp sat before the fire, looking so haggard and worn out that the + girl's conscience pricked her sorely for her part in the change, but + plucking up her courage, she stirred briskly among the tea-cups, asking,— + </p> + <p> + “What shall I give you, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I haf no care to eat.” + </p> + <p> + Something in his spiritless mien and sorrowful voice made Dolly's eyes + fill; but knowing she must depend upon herself now, and make the best of + her position, she said kindly, yet nervously,— + </p> + <p> + “You look tired; let me do something for you if I can; shall I sing for + you a little? you once said music rested you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are kind; I could like that I think. Excoose me if I am dull, I haf—yes, + a little air if you please.” + </p> + <p> + More and more disturbed by his absent, troubled manner, Dolly began a + German song he had taught her, but before the first line was sung he + stopped her with an imploring— + </p> + <p> + “For Gott sake not that! I cannot hear it this night; it was the last I + sung her in the Vaterland.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bopp, what is it? Dick says you have a trouble; tell me, and let us + help you if we can. Are you ill, in want, or has any one wronged or + injured you in any way? Oh, let me help you!” + </p> + <p> + Tears had been streaming down Mr. Bopp's cheeks, but as she spoke he + checked them, and tried to answer steadily,— + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not ill; I haf no wants now, and no one has hurt me but in + kindness; yet I haf so great a grief, I could not bear it all alone, and + so I came to ask a little sympathy from your good Mutter, who has been + kind to me as if I was a son. She is not here, and I thought I would stop + back my grief; but that moosic was too much; you pity me, and so I tell + you. See, now! when I find things go bright with me, and haf a hope of + much work, I take the little store I saved, I send it to my friend Carl + Hoffman, who is coming from my home, and say, 'Bring Ulla to me now, for I + can make life go well to her, and I am hungry till I haf her in my arms + again.' I tell no one, for I am bold to think that one day I come here + with her in my hand, to let her thank you in her so sweet way for all you + haf done for me. Well, I watch the wind, I count the days, I haf no rest + for joy; and when Carl comes, I fly to him. He gifs me back my store, he + falls upon my neck and does not speak, then I know my little Kind will + never come, for she has gone to Himmel before I could make a home for her + on earth. Oh, my Ulla! it is hard to bear;” and, with a rain of bitter + tears, poor Mr. Bopp covered up his face and laid it down on his empty + plate, as if he never cared to lift it up again. + </p> + <p> + Then Dolly forgot herself in her great sympathy, and, going to him, she + touched the bent head with a soothing hand; let her tears flow to comfort + his; and whispered in her tenderest voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Dear Mr. Bopp, I wish I could heal this sorrow, but as I cannot, let me + bear it with you; let me tell you how we loved the little child, and + longed to see her; how we should have rejoiced to know you had so dear a + friend to make your life happy in this strange land; how we shall grieve + for your great loss, and long to prove our respect and love for you. I + cannot say this as I ought, but, oh, be comforted, for you will see the + child again, and, remembering that she waits for you, you will be glad to + go when God calls you to meet your Ulla in that other Fatherland.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I will go now! I haf no wish to stay, for all my life is black to me. + If I had found that other little friend to fill her place, I should not + grieve so much, because she is weller there above than I could make her + here; but no; I wait for that other one; I save all my heart for her; I + send it, but it comes back to me; then I know my hope is dead, and I am + all alone in the strange land.” + </p> + <p> + There was neither bitterness nor reproach in these broken words, only a + patient sorrow, a regretful pain, as if he saw the two lost loves before + him and uttered over them an irrepressible lament. It was too much for + Dolly and with sudden resolution she spoke out fast and low,— + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bopp, that was a mistake. It was not I you saw at the masque; it was + Dick. He played a cruel trick; he insulted you and wronged me by that + deceit, and I find it very hard to pardon him.” + </p> + <p> + “What! what is that!” and Mr. Bopp looked up with tears still shining in + his beard, and intense surprise in every feature of his face. + </p> + <p> + Dolly turned scarlet, and her heart beat fast as she repeated with an + unsteady voice,— + </p> + <p> + “It was Dick, not I.” + </p> + <p> + A cloud swept over Mr. Bopp's face, and he knit his brows a moment as if + Dolly had not been far from right when she said “he never would forgive + the joke.” Presently, he spoke in a tone she had never heard before,—cold + and quiet,—and in his eye she thought she read contempt for her + brother and herself,— + </p> + <p> + “I see now, and I say no more but this; it was not kind when I so trusted + you. Yet it is well, for you and Richart are so one, I haf no doubt he + spoke your wish.” + </p> + <p> + Here was a desperate state of things. Dolly had done her best, yet he did + not, or would not, understand, and, before she could restrain them, the + words slipped over her tongue,— + </p> + <p> + “No! Dick and I never agree.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bopp started, swept three spoons and a tea-cup off the table as he + turned, for something in the hasty whisper reassured him. The color sprang + up to his cheek, the old warmth to his eye, the old erectness to his + figure, and the eager accent to his voice. He rose, drew Dolly nearer, + took her face between his hands, and bending, fixed on her a look tender + yet masterful, as he said with an earnestness that stirred her as words + had never done before,— + </p> + <p> + “Dollee, <i>he</i> said No! do <i>you</i> say, Yes?” + </p> + <p> + She could not speak, but her heart stood up in her eyes and answered him + so eloquently that he was satisfied. + </p> + <p> + “Thank the Lord, it's all right!” thought Dick, as, peeping in at the + window ten minutes later, he saw Dolly enthroned upon Mr. Bopp's knee, + both her hands in his, and an expression in her April countenance which + proved that she found it natural and pleasant to be sitting there, with + her head on the kind heart that loved her; to hear herself called “<i>meine + leibchen;</i>” to know that she alone could comfort him for little Ulla's + loss, and fill her empty place. + </p> + <p> + “They make a very pretty landscape, but too much honey isn't good for 'em, + so I'll go in, and we'll eat, drink, and be merry, in honor of the night.” + </p> + <p> + He rattled the latch and tramped on the mat to warn them of his approach, + and appeared just as Dolly was skimming into a chair, and Mr. Bopp picking + up the spoons, which he dropped again to meet Dick, with a face “clear + shining after rain;” and kissing him on both cheeks after the fashion of + his country, he said, pointing to Dolly,— + </p> + <p> + “See, it is all fine again. I forgif you, and leave all blame to that bad + spirit, Mephistopheles, who has much pranks like that, but never pays one + for their pain, as you haf me. Heart's dearest, come and say a friendly + word to Richart, then we will haf a little health,—Long life and + happiness to the King of Clubs and the Queen of Hearts.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, August, and as he's to be a farmer, we'll add another,—'Wiser + wits and better manners to the Knave of Spades.'” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CROSS ON THE OLD CHURCH TOWER. + </h2> + <p> + <i>UP</i> the dark stairs that led to his poor home strode a gloomy-faced + young man with despair in his heart and these words on his lips:— + </p> + <p> + “I will struggle and suffer no longer; my last hope has failed, and life, + become a burden, I will rid myself of at once.” + </p> + <p> + As he muttered his stern purpose, he flung wide the door and was about to + enter, but paused upon the threshold; for a glance told him that he had + unconsciously passed his own apartment and come up higher, till he found + himself in a room poorer but more cheerful than his own. + </p> + <p> + Sunshine streamed in through the one small window, where a caged bird was + blithely singing, and a few flowers blossomed in the light. But blither + than the bird's song, sweeter than the flowers, was the little voice and + wan face of a child, who lay upon a bed placed where the warmest sunbeams + fell. + </p> + <p> + The face turned smiling on the pillow, and the voice said pleasantly,— + </p> + <p> + “Come in, sir, Bess will soon be back if you will wait.” + </p> + <p> + “I want nothing of Bess. Who is she and who are you?” asked the intruder + pausing as he was about to go. + </p> + <p> + “She is my sister, sir, and I'm 'poor Jamie' as they call me. But indeed, + I am not to be pitied, for I am a happy child, though it may not seem so.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you lie there? are you sick?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not sick, though I shall never leave my bed again. See, this is + why;” and, folding back the covering, the child showed his little withered + limbs. + </p> + <p> + “How long have you lain here, my poor boy?” asked the stranger, touched + and interested in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + “Three years, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet you are happy! What in Heaven's name have you to render you + contented, child?” + </p> + <p> + “Come sit beside me, and I'll tell you, sir; that is, if you please I + should love to talk with you, for it's lonely here when Bess is gone.” + </p> + <p> + Something in the child's winning voice, and the influence of the cheerful + room, calmed the young man's troubled spirit and seemed to lighten his + despair. He sat down at the bedside looking gloomily upon the child, who + lay smiling placidly as with skilful hands he carved small figures from + the bits of wood scattered round him on the coverlid. + </p> + <p> + “What have you to make you happy, Jamie? Tell me your secret, for I need + the knowledge very much,” said his new friend earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “First of all I have dear Bess,” and the child's voice lingered lovingly + upon the name; “she is so good, so very good to me, no one can tell how + much we love each other. All day, she sits beside my bed singing to ease + my pain, or reading while I work; she gives me flowers and birds, and all + the sunshine that comes in to us, and sits there in the shadow that I may + be warm and glad. She waits on me all day; but when I wake at night, I + always see her sewing busily, and know it is for me,—my good kind + Bess! + </p> + <p> + “Then I have my work, sir, to amuse me; and it helps a little too, for + kind children always buy my toys, when Bess tells them of the little boy + who carved them lying here at home while they play out among the grass and + flowers where he can never be.” + </p> + <p> + “What else, Jamie?” and the listener's face grew softer as the cheerful + voice went on. + </p> + <p> + “I have my bird, sir, and my roses, I have books, and best of all, I have + the cross on the old church tower. I can see it from my pillow and it + shines there all day long, so bright and beautiful, while the white doves + coo upon the roof below. I love it dearly.” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked out through the narrow window and saw, rising high + above the house-tops, like a finger pointing heavenward, the old gray + tower and the gleaming cross. The city's din was far below, and through + the summer air the faint coo of the doves and the flutter of their wings + came down, like peaceful country sounds. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you love it, Jamie?” he asked, looking at the thoughtful face that + lit up eagerly as the boy replied,— + </p> + <p> + “Because it does me so much good, sir. Bess told me long ago about the + blessed Jesus who bore so much for us, and I longed to be as like him as a + little child could grow. So when my pain was very sharp, I looked up + there, and, thinking of the things he suffered, tried so hard to bear it + that I often could; but sometimes when it was too bad, instead of fretting + Bess, I'd cry softly, looking up there all the time and asking him to help + me be a patient child. I think he did; and now it seems so like a friend + to me, I love it better every day. I watch the sun climb up along the + roofs in the morning, creeping higher and higher till it shines upon the + cross and turns it into gold. Then through the day I watch the sunshine + fade away till all the red goes from the sky, and for a little while I + cannot see it through the dark. But the moon comes, and I love it better + then; for lying awake through the long nights, I see the cross so high and + bright with stars all shining round it, and I feel still and happy in my + heart as when Bess sings to me in the twilight.” + </p> + <p> + “But when there is no moon, or clouds hide it from you, what then, Jamie?” + asked the young man, wondering if there were no cloud to darken the + cheerful child's content. + </p> + <p> + “I wait till it is clear again, and feel that it is there, although I + cannot see it, sir. I hope it never will be taken down, for the light upon + the cross seems like that I see in dear Bessie's eyes when she holds me in + her arms and calls me her 'patient Jamie.' She never knows I try to bear + my troubles for her sake, as she bears hunger and cold for mine. So you + see, sir, how many things I have to make me a happy child.” + </p> + <p> + “I would gladly lie down on your pillow to be half as light of heart as + you are, little Jamie, for I have lost my faith in everything and with it + all my happiness;” and the heavy shadow which had lifted for a while fell + back darker than before upon the anxious face beside the bed. + </p> + <p> + “If I were well and strong like you, sir, I think I should be so thankful + nothing could trouble me;” and with a sigh the boy glanced at the vigorous + frame and energetic countenance of his new friend, wondering at the + despondent look he wore. + </p> + <p> + “If you were poor, so poor you had no means wherewith to get a crust of + bread, nor a shelter for the night; if you were worn-out with suffering + and labor, soured by disappointment and haunted by ambitious hopes never + to be realized, what would you do, Jamie?” suddenly asked the young man, + prompted by the desire that every human heart has felt for sympathy and + counsel, even from the little creature before him ignorant and + inexperienced as he was. + </p> + <p> + But the child, wiser in his innocence than many an older counsellor, + pointed upward, saying with a look of perfect trust,— + </p> + <p> + “I should look up to the cross upon the tower and think of what Bess told + me about God, who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, and I should + wait patiently, feeling sure he would remember me.” + </p> + <p> + The young man leaned his head upon his folded arms and nothing stirred in + the room, but the wind that stole in through the roses to fan the placid + face upon the pillow. + </p> + <p> + “Are you weary waiting for me, Jamie dear? I could not come before;” and + as her eager voice broke the silence, Sister Bess came hastening in. + </p> + <p> + The stranger, looking up, saw a young girl regarding him from Jamie's + close embrace, with a face whose only beauty was the light her brother + spoke of, that beamed warm and bright from her mild countenance and made + the poor room fairer for its presence. + </p> + <p> + “This is Bess, my Bess, sir,” cried the boy, “and she will thank you for + your kindness in sitting here so long with me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am the person who lodges just below you; I mistook this room for my + own; pardon me, and let me come again, for Jamie has already done me + good,” replied the stranger as he rose to go. + </p> + <p> + “Bess, dear, will you bring me a cup of water?” Jamie said; and as she + hastened away, he beckoned his friend nearer, saying with a timid wistful + look,— + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me, if it's wrong, but I wish you would let me give you this; + it's very little, but it may help some; and I think you'll take it to + please 'poor Jamie.' Won't you, sir?” and as he spoke, the child offered a + bright coin, the proceeds of his work. + </p> + <p> + Tears sprung into the proud man's eyes; he held the little wasted hand + fast in his own a moment, saying seriously,— + </p> + <p> + “I <i>will</i> take it, Jamie, as a loan wherewith to begin anew the life + I was about to fling away as readily as I do this;” and with a quick + motion he sent a vial whirling down into the street. “I'll try the world + once more in a humbler spirit, and have faith in <i>you,</i> at least, my + little Providence.” + </p> + <p> + With an altered purpose in his heart, and a brave smile on his lips, the + young man went away, leaving the child with another happy memory, to watch + the cross upon the old church tower. + </p> + <p> + It was mid-winter; and in the gloomy house reigned suffering and want. + Sister Bess worked steadily to earn the dear daily bread so many pray for + and so many need. Jamie lay upon his bed, carving with feeble hands the + toys which would have found far readier purchasers, could they have told + the touching story of the frail boy lying meekly in the shadow of the + solemn change which daily drew more near. + </p> + <p> + Cheerful and patient always, poverty and pain seemed to have no power to + darken his bright spirit; for God's blessed charity had gifted him with + that inward strength and peace it so often brings to those who seem to + human eyes most heavily afflicted. + </p> + <p> + Secret tears fell sometimes on his pillow, and whispered prayers went up; + but Bess never knew it, and like a ray of sunshine, the boy's tranquil + presence lit up that poor home; and amid the darkest hours of their + adversity, the little rushlight of his childish faith never wavered nor + went out. + </p> + <p> + Below them lived the young man, no stranger now, but a true friend, whose + generous pity would not let them suffer any want he could supply. Hunger + and cold were hard teachers, but he learned their lessons bravely, and + though his frame grew gaunt and his eye hollow, yet, at heart, he felt a + better, happier man for the stern discipline that taught him the beauty of + self-denial and the blessedness of loving his neighbor <i>better</i> than + himself. + </p> + <p> + The child's influence remained unchanged, and when anxiety or + disappointment burdened him, the young man sat at Jamie's bedside + listening to the boy's unconscious teaching, and receiving fresh hope and + courage from the childish words and the wan face, always cheerful and + serene. + </p> + <p> + With this example constantly before him, he struggled on, feeling that if + the world were cold and dark, he had within himself one true affection to + warm and brighten his hard life. + </p> + <p> + “Give me joy, Jamie! Give me joy, Bess! the book sells well, and we shall + yet be rich and famous,” cried the young author as he burst into the quiet + room one wintry night with snow-flakes glittering in his hair, and his + face aglow with the keen air which had no chill in it to him now. + </p> + <p> + Bess looked up to smile a welcome, and Jamie tried to cry “Hurrah;” but + the feeble voice faltered and failed, and he could only wave his hand and + cling fast to his friend, whispering, brokenly,— + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad, oh, very glad; for now you need not rob yourself for us. I know + you have, Walter; I have seen it in your poor thin face and these old + clothes. It never would have been so, but for Bess and me.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, Jamie, and lie here upon my arm and rest; for you are very tired + with your work,—I know by this hot hand and shortened breath. Are + you easy now? Then listen; for I've brave news to tell you, and never say + again I do too much for you,—the cause of my success.” + </p> + <p> + “I, Walter,” cried the boy; “what do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + Looking down upon the wondering face uplifted to his own, the young man + answered with deep feeling,— + </p> + <p> + “Six months ago I came into this room a desperate and despairing man, + weary of life, because I knew not how to use it, and eager to quit the + struggle because I had not learned to conquer fortune by energy and + patience. You kept me, Jamie, till the reckless mood was passed, and by + the beauty of your life showed me what mine should be. Your courage shamed + my cowardice; your faith rebuked my fears; your lot made my own seem + bright again. I, a man with youth, health, and the world before me, was + about to fling away the life which you, a helpless little child, made + useful, good, and happy, by the power of your own brave will. I felt how + weak, how wicked I had been, and was not ashamed to learn of you the + lesson you so unconsciously were teaching. God bless you, Jamie, for the + work you did that day.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I do so much?” asked the boy with innocent wonder; “I never knew it, + and always thought you had grown happier and kinder because I had learned + to love you more. I'm very glad if I did anything for you, who do so much + for us. But tell me of the book; you never would before.” + </p> + <p> + With a kindling eye Walter replied,— + </p> + <p> + “I would not tell you till all was sure; now, listen. I wrote a story, + Jamie,—a story of our lives, weaving in few fancies of my own and + leaving you unchanged,—the little counsellor and good angel of the + ambitious man's hard life. I painted no fictitious sorrows. What I had + seen and keenly felt I could truly tell,—your cheerful patience, + Bess's faithful love, my struggles, hopes, and fears. This book, unlike + the others, was not rejected; for the simple truth, told by an earnest + pen, touched and interested. It was accepted, and has been kindly + welcomed, thanks to you, Jamie; for many buy it to learn more of you, to + weep and smile over artless words of yours, and forget their pity in their + reverence and love for the child who taught the man to be, not what he is, + but what, with God's help, he will yet become.” + </p> + <p> + “They are very kind, and so are you, Walter, and I shall be proud to have + you rich and great, though I may not be here to see it.” + </p> + <p> + “You will, Jamie, you must; for it will be nothing without you;” and as he + spoke, the young man held the thin hand closer in his own and looked more + tenderly into the face upon his arm. + </p> + <p> + The boy's eyes shone with a feverish light, a scarlet flush burned on his + hollow cheek, and the breath came slowly from his parted lips, but over + his whole countenance there lay a beautiful serenity which filled his + friend with hope and fear. + </p> + <p> + “Walter bid Bess put away that tiresome work; she has sat at it all day + long, never stirring but to wait on me;” and as he spoke, a troubled look + flitted across the boy's calm face. + </p> + <p> + “I shall soon be done, Jamie, and I must not think of rest till then, for + there is neither food nor fuel for the morrow. Sleep, yourself, dear, and + dream of pleasant things; I am not very tired.” + </p> + <p> + And Bess bent closer to her work, trying to sing a little song, that they + might not guess how near the tears were to her aching eyes. + </p> + <p> + From beneath his pillow Jamie drew a bit of bread, whispering to his + friend as he displayed it,— + </p> + <p> + “Give it to Bess; I saved it for her till you came, for she will not take + it from me, and she has eaten nothing all this day.” + </p> + <p> + “And you, Jamie?” asked Walter, struck by the sharpened features of the + boy, and the hungry look which for a moment glistened in his eye. + </p> + <p> + “I don't need much, you know, for I don't work like Bess; but yet she + gives me all. Oh, how can I bear to see her working so for me, and I lying + idle here!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Jamie clasped his hands before his face, and through his + slender fingers streamed such tears as children seldom shed. + </p> + <p> + It was so rare a thing for him to weep that it filled Walter with dismay + and a keener sense of his own powerlessness. Ho could bear any privation + for himself alone, but he could not see them suffer. He had nothing to + offer them; for though there was seeming wealth in store for him, he was + now miserably poor. He stood a moment, looking from brother to sister, + both so dear to him, and both so plainly showing how hard a struggle life + had been to them. + </p> + <p> + With a bitter exclamation, the young man turned away and went out into the + night, muttering to himself,— + </p> + <p> + “They shall not suffer; I will beg or steal first.” + </p> + <p> + And with some vague purpose stirring within him, he went swiftly on until + he reached a great thoroughfare, nearly deserted now, but echoing + occasionally to a quick step as some one hurried home to his warm + fireside. + </p> + <p> + “A little money, sir, for a sick child and a starving woman;” and with + outstretched hand Walter arrested an old man. But he only wrapped his furs + still closer and passed on, saying sternly,— + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing for vagrants. Go to work, young man.” + </p> + <p> + A woman poorly clad in widow's weeds passed at that moment, and, as the + beggar fell back from the rich man's path, she dropped a bit of silver in + his hand, saying with true womanly compassion,— + </p> + <p> + “Heaven help you! it is all I have to give.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll beg no more,” muttered Walter, as he turned away burning with shame + and indignation; “I'll <i>take</i> from the rich what the poor so freely + <i>give.</i> God pardon me; I see no other way, and they must not starve.” + </p> + <p> + With a vague sense of guilt already upon him, he stole into a more + unfrequented street and slunk into the shadow of a doorway to wait for + coming steps and nerve himself for his first evil deed. + </p> + <p> + Glancing up to chide the moonlight for betraying him, he started; for + there, above the snow-clad roofs, rose the cross upon the tower. Hastily + he averted his eyes, as if they had rested on the mild, reproachful + countenance of a friend. + </p> + <p> + Far up in the wintry sky the bright symbol shone, and from it seemed to + fall a radiance, warmer than the moonlight, clearer than the starlight, + showing to that tempted heart the darkness of the yet uncommitted wrong. + </p> + <p> + That familiar sight recalled the past; he thought of Jamie, and seemed to + hear again the childish words, uttered long ago, “God will remember us.” + </p> + <p> + Steps came and went along the lonely street, but the dark figure in the + shadow never stirred, only stood there with bent head, accepting the + silent rebuke that shone down upon it, and murmuring, softly,— + </p> + <p> + “God remember little Jamie, and forgive me that my love for him led me + astray.” + </p> + <p> + As Walter raised his hand to dash away the drops that rose at the memory + of the boy, his eye fell on the ring he always wore for his dead mother's + sake. He had hoped to see it one day on Bess's hand, but now a generous + thought banished all others and with the energy of an honest purpose be + hastened to sell the ring, purchase a little food and fuel, and borrowing + a warm covering of a kindly neighbor, he went back to dispense these + comforts with a satisfaction he had little thought to feel. + </p> + <p> + The one lamp burned low; a few dying embers lay upon the earth, and no + sound broke the silence but the steady rustle of Bess's needle, and the + echo of Jamie's hollow cough. + </p> + <p> + “Wrap it around Bess; she has given me her cloak, and needs it more than + I,—these coverings do very well;” and as he spoke, Jamie put away + the blanket Walter offered, and suppressing a shiver, hid his purple hands + beneath the old, thin cloak. + </p> + <p> + “Here is bread, Jamie; eat for Heaven's sake, no need to save it now;” and + Walter pressed it on the boy, but he only took a little, saying he had not + much need of food and loved to see them eat far better. + </p> + <p> + So in the cheery blaze of the rekindled fire, Bess and Walter broke their + long fast, and never saw how eagerly Jamie gathered up the scattered + crumbs, nor heard him murmur softly, as he watched them with loving eyes,— + </p> + <p> + “There will be no cold nor hunger up in heaven, but enough for all,—enough + for all.” + </p> + <p> + “Walter, you'll be kind to Bess when I am not here?” he whispered + earnestly, as his friend came to draw his bed within the ruddy circle of + the firelight gleaming on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “I will, Jamie, kinder than a brother,” was the quick reply. “But why ask + me that with such a wistful face?” + </p> + <p> + The boy did not answer, but turned on his pillow and kissed his sister's + shadow as it flitted by. + </p> + <p> + Gray dawn was in the sky before they spoke again. Bess slept the deep, + dreamless sleep of utter weariness, her head pillowed on her arms. Walter + sat beside the bed, lost in sweet and bitter musings, silent and + motionless, fancying the boy slept. But a low voice broke the silence, + whispering feebly. + </p> + <p> + “Walter, will you take me in your strong arms and lay me on my little + couch beside the window? I should love to see the cross again, and it is + nearly day.” + </p> + <p> + So light, so very light, the burden seemed, Walter turned his face aside + lest the boy should see the sorrowful emotion painted there, and with a + close embrace he laid him tenderly down to watch the first ray climbing up + the old gray tower. + </p> + <p> + “The frost lies so thickly on the window-panes that you cannot see it, + even when the light comes, Jamie,” said his friend, vainly trying to + gratify the boy's wish. + </p> + <p> + “The sun will melt it soon, and I can wait,—I can wait, Walter; it's + but a little while;” and Jamie, with a patient smile, turned his face to + the dim window and lay silent. + </p> + <p> + Higher and higher crept the sunshine till it shone through the frostwork + on the boy's bright head; his bird awoke and carolled blithely, but he + never stirred. + </p> + <p> + “Asleep at last, poor, tired little Jamie; I'll not wake him till the day + is warmer;” and Walter, folding the coverings closer over the quiet + figure, sat beside it, waiting till it should wake. + </p> + <p> + “Jamie dear, look up, and see how beautifully your last rose has blossomed + in the night when least we looked for it;” and Bess came smiling in with + the one white rose, so fragrant but so frail. + </p> + <p> + Jamie did not turn to greet her, for all frost had melted from the boy's + life now; another flower had blossomed in the early dawn, and though the + patient face upon the pillow was bathed in sunshine, little Jamie was not + there to see it gleaming on the cross. God had remembered him. + </p> + <p> + Spring showers had made the small mound green, and scattered flowers in + the churchyard. Sister Bess sat in the silent room alone, working still, + but pausing often to wipe away the tears that fell upon a letter on her + knee. + </p> + <p> + Steps came springing up the narrow stairs and Walter entered with a + beaming face, to show the first rich earnings of his pen, and ask her to + rest from her long labor in the shelter of his love. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Bess, what troubles you? Let me share your sorrow and try to lighten + it,” he cried with anxious tenderness, sitting beside her on the little + couch where Jamie fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + In the frank face smiling on her, the girl's innocent eyes read nothing + but the friendly interest of a brother, and remembering his care and + kindness, she forgot her womanly timidity in her great longing for + sympathy, and freely told him all. + </p> + <p> + Told him of the lover she left years ago to cling to Jamie, and how this + lover went across the sea hoping to increase his little fortune that the + helpless brother might be sheltered for love of her. How misfortune + followed him, and when she looked to welcome back a prosperous man, there + came a letter saying that all was lost and he must begin the world anew + and win a home to offer her before he claimed the heart so faithful to him + all these years. + </p> + <p> + “He writes so tenderly and bears his disappointment bravely for my sake; + but it is very hard to see our happiness deferred again when such a little + sum would give us to each other.” + </p> + <p> + As she ceased, Bess looked for comfort into the countenance of her + companion, never seeing through her tears how pale it was with sudden + grief, how stern with repressed emotion. She only saw the friend whom + Jamie loved and that tie drew her toward him as to an elder brother to + whom she turned for help, unconscious then how great his own need was. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew of this before, Bess; you kept your secret well” he said, + trying to seem unchanged. + </p> + <p> + The color deepened in her cheek; but she answered simply, “I never spoke + of it, for words could do no good, and Jamie grieved silently about it, + for he thought it a great sacrifice, though I looked on it as a sacred + duty, and he often wearied himself to show in many loving ways how freshly + he remembered it. My grateful little Jamie.” + </p> + <p> + And her eyes wandered to the green tree-tops tossing in the wind, whose + shadows flickered pleasantly above the child. + </p> + <p> + “Let me think a little, Bess, before I counsel you. Keep a good heart and + rest assured that I will help you if I can,” said Walter, trying to speak + hopefully. + </p> + <p> + “But you come to tell me something; at least, I fancied I saw some good + tidings in your face just now. Forgive my selfish grief, and see how + gladly I will sympathize with any joy of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “It is nothing, Bess, another time will do as well,” he answered, eager to + be gone lest he should betray what must be kept most closely now. + </p> + <p> + “It never will be told, Bess,—never in this world,” he sighed + bitterly as he went back to his own room which never in his darkest hours + had seemed so dreary; for now the bright hope of his life was gone. + </p> + <p> + “I have it in my power to make them happy,” he mused as he sat alone, “but + I cannot do it, for in this separation lies my only hope. He may die or + may grow weary, and then to whom will Bess turn for comfort but to me? I + will work on, earn riches and a name, and if that hour should come, then + in her desolation I will offer all to Bess and surely she will listen and + accept. Yet it were a generous thing to make her happiness at once, + forgetful of my own. How shall I bear to see her waiting patiently, while + youth and hope are fading slowly, and know that I might end her weary + trial and join two faithful hearts? Oh, Jamie, I wish to Heaven I were + asleep with you, freed from the temptations that beset me. It is so easy + to perceive the right, so hard to do it.” + </p> + <p> + The sound of that familiar name, uttered despairingly, aloud, fell with a + sweet and solemn music upon Walter's ear. A flood of tender memories swept + away the present, and brought back the past. He thought of that short + life, so full of pain and yet of patience, of the sunny nature which no + cloud could overshadow, and the simple trust which was its strength and + guide. + </p> + <p> + He thought of that last night and saw now with clearer eyes the sacrifices + and the trials silently borne for love of Bess. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful example of the child rebuked the passion of he man, and + through the magic of affection strengthened generous impulses and banished + selfish hopes. + </p> + <p> + “I promised to be kind to Bess, and with God's help I will keep my vow. + Teach me to bear my pain, to look for help where you found it, little + Jamie;” and as he spoke, the young man gazed up at the shining cross, + striving to see in it not merely an object of the dead boy's love, but a + symbol of consolation, hope, and faith. + </p> + <p> + “It is a noble thing to see an honest man cleave his own heart in twain to + fling away the baser part of it.” + </p> + <p> + These words came to Walter's mind and fixed the resolution wavering there, + and as his glance wandered from the gray tower to the churchyard full of + summer stillness, he said within himself,— + </p> + <p> + “This is the hardest struggle of my life, but I will conquer and come out + from the conflict master of myself at least, and like Jamie, try to wait + until the sunshine comes again, even if it only shine upon me, dead like + him.” + </p> + <p> + It was no light task to leave the airy castles built by love and hope, and + go back cheerfully to the solitude of a life whose only happiness for a + time was in the memory of the past. But through the weeks that bore one + lover home, the other struggled to subdue his passion, and be as generous + in his sorrow as he would have been in his joy. + </p> + <p> + It was no easy conquest; but he won the hardest of all victories, that of + self, and found in the place of banished pride and bitterness a patient + strength, and the one desire to be indeed more generous than a brother to + gentle Bess. He had truly, “cleft his heart in twain and flung away the + baser part.” + </p> + <p> + A few days before the absent lover came, Walter went to Bess, and, with a + countenance whose pale serenity touched her deeply, he laid his gift + before her, saying,— + </p> + <p> + “I owe this all to Jamie; and the best use I can make of it is to secure + your happiness, as I promised him I'd try to do. Take it and God bless + you, Sister Bess.” + </p> + <p> + “And you, Walter, what will your future be if I take this and go away to + enjoy it as you would have me?” Bess asked, with an earnestness that awoke + his wonder. + </p> + <p> + “I shall work, Bess, and in that find content and consolation for the loss + of you and Jamie. Do not think of me; this money will do me far more good + in your hands than my own. Believe me it is best to be so, therefore do + not hesitate.” + </p> + <p> + Bess took it, for she had learned the cause of Walter's restless + wanderings and strange avoidance of herself of late, and she judged wisely + that the generous nature should be gratified, and the hard-won victory + rewarded by the full accomplishment of its unselfish end. Few words + expressed her joyful thanks, but from that time Walter felt that he held + as dear a place as Jamie in her grateful heart, and was content. + </p> + <p> + Summer flowers were blooming when Bess went from the old home a happy + wife, leaving her faithful friend alone in the little room where Jamie + lived and died. + </p> + <p> + Years passed, and Walter's pen had won for him an honored name. Poverty + and care were no longer his companions; many homes were open to him, many + hearts would gladly welcome him, but he still lingered in the gloomy + house, a serious, solitary man, for his heart lay beneath the daisies of a + child's grave. + </p> + <p> + But his life was rich in noble aims and charitable deeds, and with his + strong nature softened by the sharp discipline of sorrow, and sweetened by + the presence of a generous love, he was content to dwell alone with the + memory of little Jamie, in the shadow of “the cross upon the tower.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DEATH OF JOHN. + </h2> + <h3> + This is not a tale, but a true history.—ED. + </h3> + <h3> + FROM “HOSPITAL SKETCHES.” + </h3> + <p> + <i>HARDLY</i> was I settled again, when the inevitable bowl appeared, and + its bearer delivered a message I had expected, yet dreaded to receive:— + </p> + <p> + “John is going, ma'am, and wants to see you, if you can come.” + </p> + <p> + “The moment this boy is asleep; tell him so, and let me know if I am in + danger of being too late.” + </p> + <p> + My Ganymede departed, and while I quieted poor Shaw, I thought of John. He + came in a day or two after the others; and, one evening, when I entered my + “pathetic room,” I found a lately emptied bed occupied by a large, fair + man, with a fine face, and the serenest eyes I ever met. One of the + earlier comers had often spoken of a friend, who had remained behind, that + those apparently worse wounded than himself might reach a shelter first. + It seemed a David and Jonathan sort of friendship. The man fretted for his + mate, and was never tired of praising John,—his courage, sobriety, + self-denial, and unfailing kindliness of heart; always winding up with, + “He's an out an' out fine feller, ma'am; you see if he ain't.” + </p> + <p> + I had some curiosity to behold this piece of excellence, and when he came, + watched him for a night or two, before I made friends with him; for, to + tell the truth, I was a little afraid of the stately looking man, whose + bed had to be lengthened to accommodate his commanding stature; who seldom + spoke, uttered no complaint, asked no sympathy, but tranquilly observed + what went on about him; and, as he lay high upon his pillows, no picture + of dying statesman or warrior was ever fuller of real dignity than this + Virginia blacksmith. A most attractive face he had, framed in brown hair + and beard, comely featured and full of vigor, as yet unsubdued by pain; + thoughtful and often beautifully mild while watching the afflictions of + others, as if entirely forgetful of his own. His mouth was grave and firm, + with plenty of will and courage in its lines, but a smile could make it as + sweet as any woman's; and his eyes were child's eyes, looking one fairly + in the face with a clear, straightforward glance, which promised well for + such as placed their faith in him. He seemed to cling to life, as if it + were rich in duties and delights, and he had learned the secret of + content. The only time I saw his composure disturbed was when my surgeon + brought another to examine John, who scrutinized their faces with an + anxious look, asking of the elder,—“Do you think I shall pull + through, sir?” “I hope so, my man.” And, as the two passed on, John's eye + still followed them, with an intentness which would have won a clearer + answer from them, had they seen it. A momentary shadow flitted over his + face; then came the usual serenity, as if, in that brief eclipse, he had + acknowledged the existence of some hard possibility, and, asking nothing, + yet hoping all things, left the issue in God's hands, with that submission + which is true piety. + </p> + <p> + The next night, as I went my rounds with Dr. P., I happened to ask which + man in the room probably suffered most; and, to my great surprise, he + glanced at John:— + </p> + <p> + “Every breath he draws is like a stab; for the ball pierced the left lung, + broke a rib, and did no end of damage here and there; so the poor lad can + find neither forgetfulness nor ease, because he must lie on his wounded + back or suffocate. It will be a hard struggle and a long one, for he + possesses great vitality; but even his temperate life can't save him; I + wish it could.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean he must die, Doctor?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless you, there's not the slightest hope for him; and you'd better tell + him so before long; women have a way of doing such things comfortably, so + I leave it to you. He won't last more than a day or two, at furthest.” + </p> + <p> + I could have sat down on the spot and cried heartily, if I had not learned + the wisdom of bottling up one's tears for leisure moments. Such an end + seemed very hard for such a man, when half a dozen worn-out, worthless + bodies round him were gathering up the remnants of wasted lives, to linger + on for years perhaps, burdens to others, daily reproaches to themselves. + The army needed men like John,—earnest, brave, and faithful; + fighting for liberty and justice with both heart and hand, true soldiers + of the Lord. I could not give him up so soon, or think with any patience + of so excellent a nature robbed of its fulfilment, and blundered into + eternity by the rashness or stupidity of those at whose hands so many + lives may be required. It was an easy thing for Dr. P. to say, “Tell him + he must die,” but a cruelly hard thing to do, and by no means as + “comfortable” as he politely suggested. I had not the heart to do it then, + and privately indulged the hope that some change for the better might take + place, in spite of gloomy prophecies, so, rendering my task unnecessary. A + few minutes later, as I came in again with fresh rollers, I saw John + sitting erect, with no one to support him, while the surgeon dressed his + back. I had never hitherto seen it done; for, having simpler wounds to + attend to, and knowing the fidelity of the attendant, I had left John to + him, thinking it might be more agreeable and safe; for both strength and + experience were needed in his case. I had forgotten that the strong man + might long for the gentler tendance of a woman's hands, the sympathetic + magnetism of a woman's presence, as well as the feebler souls about him. + The Doctor's words caused me to reproach myself with neglect, not of any + real duty perhaps, but of those little cares and kindnesses that solace + homesick spirits, and make the heavy hours pass easier. John looked lonely + and forsaken just then, as he sat with bent head, hands folded on his + knee, and no outward sign of suffering, till, looking nearer, I saw great + tears roll down and drop upon the floor. It was a new sight there; for + though I had seen many suffer, some swore, some groaned, most endured + silently, but none wept. Yet it did not seem weak, only very touching, and + straightway my fear vanished, my heart opened wide and took him in, as, + gathering the bent head in my arms, as freely as if he had been a little + child, I said,—“Let me help you bear it, John.” + </p> + <p> + Never, on any human countenance, have I seen so swift and beautiful a look + of gratitude, surprise, and comfort, as that which answered me more + eloquently than the whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “Thank you ma'am; this is right good! this is what I wanted!” + </p> + <p> + “Then why not ask for it before?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't like to be a trouble; you seemed so busy, and I could manage to + get on alone.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not want it any more, John.” + </p> + <p> + Nor did he; for now I understood the wistful look that sometimes followed + me, as I went out, after a brief pause beside his bed, or merely a passing + nod, while busied with those who seemed to need me more than he, because + more urgent in their demands; now I knew that to him, as to so many, I was + the poor substitute for mother, wife, or sister, and in his eyes no + stranger, but a friend who hitherto had seemed neglectful; for, in his + modesty, he had never guessed the truth. This was changed now; and, + through the tedious operation of probing, bathing, and dressing his + wounds, he leaned against me, holding my hand fast, and, if pain wrung + further tears from him, no one saw them fall but me. When he was laid down + again, I hovered about him, in a remorseful state of mind that would not + let me rest, till I had bathed his face, brushed his “bonny brown hair,” + set all things smooth about him, and laid a knot of heath and heliotrope + on his clean pillow. While doing this, he watched me with the satisfied + expression I so linked to see; and when I offered the little nosegay, held + it carefully in his great hand, smoothed a ruffled leaf or two, surveyed + and smelt it with an air of genuine delight, and lay contentedly regarding + the glimmer of the sunshine on the green. Although the manliest man among + my forty, he said, “Yes, ma'am,” like a little boy; received suggestions + for his comfort with the quick smile that brightened his whole face; and + now and then, as I stood tidying the table by his bed, I felt him softly + touch my gown, as if to assure himself that I was there. Anything more + natural and frank I never saw, and found this brave John as bashful as + brave, yet full of excellences and fine aspirations, which, having no + power to express themselves in words, seemed to have bloomed into his + character and made him what he was. + </p> + <p> + After that night, an hour of each evening that remained to him was devoted + to his ease or pleasure. He could not talk much, for breath was precious, + and he spoke in whispers; but from occasional conversations, I gleaned + scraps of private history which only added to the affection and respect I + felt for him. Once he asked me to write a letter, and, as I settled pen + and paper, I said, with an irrepressible glimmer of feminine curiosity, + “Shall it be addressed to wife, or mother, John?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither, ma'am; I've got no wife, and will write to mother myself when I + get better. Did you think I was married because of this?” he asked, + touching a plain ring he wore, and often turned thoughtfully on his finger + when he lay alone. + </p> + <p> + “Partly that, but more from a settled sort of look you have,—a look + which young men seldom get until they marry.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that; but I'm not so very young, ma'am; thirty in May and + have been what you might call settled this ten years; for mother's a + widow; I'm the oldest child she has, and it wouldn't do for me to marry + until Lizzie has a home of her own, and Laurie's learned his trade; for + we're not rich, and I must be father to the children, and husband to the + dear old woman, if I can.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt but you are both, John; yet how came you to go to war, if you + felt so? Wasn't enlisting as bad as marrying?” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, not as I see it, for one is helping my neighbor, the other + pleasing myself. I went because I couldn't help it. I didn't want the + glory or the pay; I wanted the right thing done, and people kept saying + the men who were in earnest ought to flight. I was in earnest, the Lord + knows! but I held off as long as I could, not knowing which was my duty; + mother saw the case, gave me her ring to keep me steady, and said 'Go;' so + I went.” + </p> + <p> + A short story and a simple one, but the man and the mother were portrayed + better than pages of fine writing could have done it. + </p> + <p> + “Do you ever regret that you came, when you lie here suffering so much?” + </p> + <p> + “Never ma'am; I haven't helped a great deal, but I've shown I was willing + to give my life, and perhaps I've got to; but I don't blame anybody, and + if it was to do over again, I'd do it. I'm a little sorry I wasn't wounded + in front; it looks cowardly to be hit in the back, but I obeyed orders, + and it doesn't matter in the end, I know.” + </p> + <p> + Poor John! it did not matter now, except that a shot in front might have + spared the long agony in store for him. He seemed to read the thought that + troubled me, as he spoke so hopefully when there was no hope, for he + suddenly added,— + </p> + <p> + “This is my first battle; do they think it's going to be my last?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid they do, John.” + </p> + <p> + It was the hardest question I had ever been called upon to answer; doubly + hard with those clear eyes fixed on mine, forcing a truthful answer by + their own truth. He seemed a little startled at first, pondered over the + fateful fact a moment, then shook his head, with a glance at the broad + chest and muscular limbs stretched out before him:— + </p> + <p> + “I'm not afraid, but it's difficult to believe all at once. I'm so strong + it don't seem possible for such a little wound to kill me.” + </p> + <p> + Merry Mercutio's dying words glanced through my memory as he spoke:—“'Tis + not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but 'tis enough.” And + John would have said the same, could he have seen the ominous black holes + between his shoulders, he never had; and, seeing the ghastly sights about + him, could not believe his own wound more fatal than these, for all the + suffering it caused him. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I write to your mother, now?” I asked, thinking that these sudden + tidings might change all plans and purposes; but they did not; for the man + received the order of the Divine Commander to march, with the same + unquestioning obedience with which the soldier had received that of the + human one, doubtless remembering that the first led him to life, and the + last to death. + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am; to Laurie just the same; he'll break it to her best, and I'll + add a line to her myself when you get done.” + </p> + <p> + So I wrote the letter which he dictated, finding it better than any I had + sent; for, though here and there a little ungrammatical or inelegant, each + sentence came to me briefly worded, but most expressive; full of excellent + counsel to the boy, tenderly “bequeathing mother and Lizzie” to his care, + and bidding him good-by in words the sadder for their simplicity. He added + a few lines with steady hand, and, as I sealed it, said, with a patient + sort of sigh, “I hope the answer will come in time for me to see it;” + then, turning away his face, laid the flowers against his lips, as if to + hide some quiver of emotion at the thought of such a sudden sundering of + all the dear home-ties. + </p> + <p> + These things had happened two days before; now John was dying, and the + letter had not come. I had been summoned to many death-beds in my life, + but to none that made my heart ache as it did then, since my mother called + me to watch the departure of a spirit akin to this in its gentleness and + patient strength. As I went in, John stretched out both hands,— + </p> + <p> + “I knew you'd come! I guess I'm moving on, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + He was; and so rapidly that, even while he spoke, over his face I saw the + gray veil falling that no human hand can lift. I sat down by him, wiped + the drops from his forehead, stirred the air about him with the slow wave + of a fan, and waited to help him die. He stood in sore need of help,—and + I could do so little; for, as the doctor had foretold, the strong body + rebelled against death, and fought every inch of the way, forcing him to + draw each breath with a spasm, and clench his hands with an imploring + look, as if he asked, “How long must I endure this, and be still?” For + hours he suffered dumbly, without a moment's respite, or a moment's + murmuring; his limbs grew cold, his face damp, his lips white, and, again + and again, he tore the covering off his breast, as if the lightest weight + added to his agony; yet through it all, his eyes never lost their perfect + serenity, and the man's soul seemed to sit therein, undaunted by the ills + that vexed his flesh. + </p> + <p> + One by one the men woke, and round the room appeared a circle of pale + faces and watchful eyes, full of awe and pity; for, though a stranger, + John was beloved by all. Each man there had wondered at his patience, + respected his piety, admired his fortitude, and now lamented his hard + death; for the influence of an upright nature had made itself deeply felt, + even in one little week. Presently, the Jonathan who so loved this comely + David came creeping from his bed for a last look and word. The kind soul + was full of trouble, as the choke in his voice, the grasp of his hand + betrayed; but there were no tears, and the farewell of the friends was the + more touching for its brevity. + </p> + <p> + “Old boy, how are you?” faltered the one. + </p> + <p> + “Most through, thank heaven!” whispered the other. + </p> + <p> + “Can I say or do anything for you anywheres?” + </p> + <p> + “Take my things home, and tell them that I did my best.” + </p> + <p> + “I will! I will!” + </p> + <p> + “Good-by, Ned.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-by, John, good-by!” + </p> + <p> + They kissed each other, tenderly as women, and so parted; for poor Ned + could not stay to see his comrade die. For a little while, there was no + sound in the room but the drip of water from a stump or two, and John's + distressful gasps, as he slowly breathed his life away. I thought him + nearly gone, and had just laid down the fan, believing its help to be no + longer needed, when suddenly he rose up in his bed, and cried out with a + bitter cry that broke the silence, sharply startling every one with its + agonized appeal,— + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake, give me air!” + </p> + <p> + It was the only cry pain or death had wrung from him, the only boon he had + asked; and none of us could grant it, for all the airs that blew were + useless now. Dan flung up the window. The first red streak of dawn was + warming the gray east, a herald of the coming sun. John saw it, and with + the love of light which lingers in us to the end, seemed to read in it a + sign of hope of help, for, over his whole face there broke that mysterious + expression, brighter than any smile, which often comes to eyes that look + their last. He laid himself gently down; and, stretching out his strong + right arm, as if to grasp and bring the blessed air to his lips in a + fuller flow, lapsed into a merciful unconsciousness, which assured us that + for him suffering was forever past. He died then; for, though the heavy + breaths still tore their way up for a little longer, they were but the + waves of an ebbing tide that beat unfelt against the wreck, which an + immortal voyager had deserted with a smile. He never spoke again, but to + the end held my hand close, so close that when he was asleep at last, I + could not draw it away. Dan helped me, warning me as he did so, that it + was unsafe for dead and living flesh to lie so long together; but though + my hand was strangely cold and stiff, and four white marks remained across + its back, even when warmth and color had returned elsewhere, I could not + but be glad that, through its touch, the presence of human sympathy, + perhaps, had lightened that hard hour. + </p> + <p> + When they had made him ready for the grave, John lay in state for half an + hour, a thing which seldom happened in that busy place; but a universal + sentiment of reverence and affection seemed to fill the hearts of all who + had known or heard of him; and when the rumor of his death went through + the house, always astir, many came to see him, and I felt a tender sort of + pride in my lost patient; for he looked a most heroic figure, lying there + stately and still as the statue of some young knight asleep upon his tomb. + The lovely expression which so often beautifies dead faces soon replaced + the marks of pain, and I longed for those who loved him best to see him + when half an hour's acquaintance with Death had made them friends. As we + stood looking at him, the ward master handed me a letter, saying it had + been forgotten the night before. It was John's letter, come just an hour + too late to gladden the eyes that had longed and looked for it so eagerly; + yet he had it; for, after I had cut some brown locks for his mother, and + taken off the ring to send her, telling how well the talisman had done its + work, I kissed this good son for her sake, and laid the letter in his + hand, still folded as when I drew my own away, feeling that its place was + there, and making myself happy with the thought, even in his solitary + place in the “Government Lot,” he would not be without some token of the + love which makes life beautiful and outlives death. Then I left him, glad + to have known so genuine a man, and carrying with me an enduring memory of + the brave Virginia blacksmith, as he lay serenely waiting for the dawn of + that long day which knows no night. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of On Picket Duty and Other Tales, by +Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON PICKET DUTY AND OTHER TALES *** + +***** This file should be named 4960-h.htm or 4960-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/9/6/4960/ + + +Text file produced by Charles Aldarondo + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +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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