Backward we turn life's varied page,
To note the changes written there.
On the banks of the Hudson, in one of the oldest settled counties of
New-York, stood the handsome dwelling of Arthur Pratt, the elder. All
that wealth could buy was lavished upon the elegant house and grounds,
to gratify the taste of the owner.
Mr. Pratt (or Colonel Pratt, as he was more generally called) had
married quite early in life, and having inherited a large fortune from
his father, sought out for himself and bride a home suited to their
wealth and station. His wife was a woman of great personal beauty, of
most engaging and graceful manners, and distinguished in her own circle
for her sweet and unobtrusive piety.
As far as was consistent with what she considered her Christian duty,
Mrs. Pratt mingled in the gay scenes with which she was constantly
brought in contact; and her gentleness and affability were the comment
of all. Col. Pratt having located himself in business (with the desire
of having "something to do," which sometimes prompts the millionaire to
busy himself in some way) in the adjacent city of New-York, was enabled
to pass much of his time in the precincts of his happy home, and at the
same time to enjoy the society of the _haut ton_ of the city.
When the happy father clasped to his proud breast his first-born child,
the little Arthur, he deemed his happiness complete. The boy was like
his father, both in character and beauty; and as he grew in "winsome
ways," he became the pride and pet not only of the household, but of
friends and visitors. So much indulgence, and openly expressed
admiration, did not fail to foster the boy's inherent spirit of pride,
and he soon learned to demand concessions and indulgences which were all
too rarely denied him. At times, the mother, her fears aroused for the
well-being of her child, would remonstrate upon the course of training
pursued with him; but a laughing promise of amendment, forgotten almost
as soon as given, a kiss, a word of endearment, or a gentle smile,
caused the subject to be dropped; not to be renewed until some glaring
fault in their darling boy again demanded it.
Gulian seemed sent to his father's arms just in time to prevent the
utter ruin, by over-indulgence, of young Arthur. He was a delicate but
exquisitely beautiful babe, and his frequent illnesses made deep demands
on the endearments hitherto so freely lavished upon his brother. For a
time Arthur was highly indignant at the new turn of affairs, and openly
resented the slights which necessarily he now often received. Naturally,
however, he was of a noble and generous disposition, and soon learned to
tenderly love the helpless babe, whose blue eyes would brighten when he
drew near, and whose lips murmured, for their first word, "Arty."
Arthur had attained his sixth year when his brother was born; and when
time had written Guly a schoolboy, the closest affection united the
children, notwithstanding the difference in their years and disposition.
Guly, as he was called, though of a cheerful disposition, never
displayed that sprightliness and vivacity which characterized Arthur.
Even in his merriest moments, a thoughtfulness mingled with his mirth,
which rendered him ever attentive to the comfort of others.
There was an attraction about the child which won all hearts--a natural
grace and refinement of manner, mingled with a presence whose influence
was always for good. With the tattered beggar he came in contact kindly,
pressing into his tawny hands the alms he had to give, while Arthur,
though equally generous, spoiled his gift by the manner in which it was
bestowed, tossing his gold contemptuously at the weary feet of those who
asked it, and turning carelessly away. Too early had he learned the
power of that wealth to which he might one day becomes the joint heir
with his brother, and his pride, perhaps, was censured more than he
deserved.
His love for his mother and brother were strong redeeming traits in that
self-willed nature, and toward those two beings he ever exercised a
lofty and ennobling forbearance. Throughout their school-days he assumed
the part of defender and protector toward his younger companion, and if
a slur was ever cast upon Guly's meekness, or a taunt uttered at his
almost girlish beauty, an earnest champion was ever at his side to adopt
his cause, and give the lie to those who dared thus to speak; and Guly
in return looked up to Arthur as one brave and manly in all things, a
superior both in mind and body; little dreaming of the hour when their
stations should seem changed, and he assume the part of guide and
guardian over his brother.
Colonel Pratt was desirous that both his children should choose a
profession. But Arthur impatiently expressed his distaste for such a
course, preferring the busy hum of mercantile life, to the long study
necessary to fit him for a profession. Consequently, after having
received a good school education, he was placed in his father's store,
there to become acquainted with the business under the immediate care
and supervision of his doting parent. Gulian at this time was still at
school, the same gentle-souled, spiritual-looking boy; who perhaps more
than Arthur had wound himself round the fond heart of his mother, and
who seemed to love her presence, and cherish her affection, with a depth
of feeling unusual in boys of his age.
One morning, late in August, as Colonel Pratt was about to proceed to
the city, his wife observed him wandering over the house and grounds
with an air of thoughtfulness amounting even to dejection. Astonished at
this in one usually so cheerful-hearted, she joined him, and anxiously
inquired the cause.
"I have suffered for several days from this same depression of spirits,"
he answered, with a faint attempt to smile. "Perhaps some wise sightseer
might declare it a presentiment of coming evil, but it is no doubt the
mere effect of a slight indisposition, occasioned by the extreme heat
and application to business."
"Stay at home with me to-day, Arthur!" said his wife, earnestly, reading
beneath his attempts to treat the matter lightly a seriousness which he
had striven to conceal.
"Nay, my wife," he answered, "it would but seem that I yielded to a
superstitious dread. It will all be right to-morrow."
Seeing the boat drawing near, the fond husband bade his wife an
affectionate farewell, and hurried to the wharf. She saw him safely on
board, and watched the steamer till out of sight.
In life she never saw that husband more. The boat in which he returned
was the ill-fated "Empire," which was sunk near Newburgh, and he was
among those who perished. The corpse of Colonel Pratt was not
discovered until two days had elapsed, and immediate burial was
necessary upon the arrival of the body at that dear home whence he had
so lately departed. This blow was so severe to his wife, that for
several weeks her reason deserted her, in an attack of long-continued
illness. She recovered, only to learn, that extensive speculations,
whose prospect of certain success had induced Colonel Pratt to invest
very nearly the whole of his fortune, had proved an utter failure, and
that she and her children were destitute.
Here was something which called forth all her energies, and for her
children's sake she nerved herself to action. Their beautiful home, the
scene of so much happiness, passed into strangers' hands. Horses and
carriage, and even Mrs. Pratt's jewelry, all went in the general ruin.
Naught was reserved save enough to purchase a diminutive cottage not
many miles from the scene of her former prosperity, and thither she
departed, taking with her Arthur and Gulian, who had never before tasted
the bitter dregs of poverty or sorrow.
As usual, in such cases, the many _friends_ who had so gladly shared her
wealth, now apparently forgot her existence, and she was left to battle
with the heavy change alone. It was impossible for them all to live
together now, and the mother felt that if Arthur left her, Gillian, too,
must go to learn the ways of that world, of the hollowness and falseness
of which he as yet knew nothing.
About this time, a Southern paper fell into their hands, containing an
advertisement, by a merchant in New-Orleans, for two young clerks, to
fill vacancies recently made in his number of assistants. After due
consideration, it was determined that they might fill those places, and
the merchant was accordingly written to. An answer was immediately
returned, desiring that they should come on as soon as possible, stating
that it was not his custom to engage Northern clerks, but that it was a
season of the year when it was difficult to procure any one, and for
this reason he had decided in their favor. He further stated that he
should expect them to remain with him winter and summer, as he could not
go to the inconvenience of engaging clerks from such a distance, and
then have them away three or four months in a year.
On the whole, Mrs. Pratt thought the letter a very stern and
disagreeable one in tone, and shuddered as she pictured to herself the
character of the writer. What would her delicate and gentle Guly do, in
daily contact with such a cold, blunt-lipped man. Still, there was
nothing she could devise that would be well for them, and New-Orleans,
at that time, was considered an El Dorado, where industry and
perseverance soon brought the fickle goddess to bestow her glittering
stores. It was a long way to send them from her side, but she
experienced a pride which prevented her from applying for situations for
them nearer home. Thus, it was decided they should go. In the bright
anticipations of future fortune and happiness, which immediately filled
his busy brain, in the preparation for departure, and the prospect of
his approaching journey, Arthur in a measure forgot the calamity which
had over-taken them, and the attendant painful separation from his sole
remaining parent. He dwelt enthusiastically upon the fortune he was
confident he should soon win. He told how frequent his letters home
would be, and hinted that, as soon as practicable, they would contain
something more than mere words. His voice, when dwelling upon this
subject, was always loud and confident, and even in the midst of all
their troubles he sometimes laughed as merrily as of old, when picturing
their restored wealth and renewed happiness.
Not so Guly. He hovered round his mother like some gentle spirit; saying
but little, yet evincing in every glance of his expressive blue eyes,
and in every noiseless footfall, the deep sorrow which lay in the
recesses of his young heart. When he spoke it was in accents of
tenderness and sympathy for his mother; and though he never talked as
Arthur did of the approaching journey, and its results, there was an
expression of firmness and determination in his thoughtful face, which
more than once forced upon the mother's heart the conviction, that in
that distant land, this frail being, after all, might prove the stronger
of the two. Daily she warned them of the temptations and snares that
would beset their path, and taught them to zealously shun such, as they
would a viper in their way. They listened and promised; and when the
expected day of departure arrived, bade her adieu in the midst of her
tears, and prayers, and blessings. Thus was the widow left utterly
alone; yet in her faith she felt not forsaken, knowing that the Father
of the fatherless was with her in her woe.