chance to earn a few pennies, he saw a gentleman alight from a
carriage, take out his pocketbook, pay the driver, and return it, as
he supposed, to his pocket.
"It was almost dark, yet the eager eye of the hungry boy saw what had
escaped the driver's.
"There, in that gutter, lay the surety against suffering for that and
many coming nights.
"He was about to rush forward and secure the prize--the lost
pocketbook--but caution whispered, 'Be sharp! you may be seen.' And
then, with the cunning and slyness of an old thief--thus suddenly
taught by keen suffering--he sauntered along, crossing the gutter,
stumbled and fell; then put out his hand, covered and secured his
treasure, slowly arose, and feigning a slight lameness, he retraced
his steps towards the depot, entered the waiting-room, which he felt
sure would be unoccupied at that hour. Getting behind the warm stove
and close to the dim lamp, he opened the pocketbook--gold! notes!
tens, twenties! over a hundred dollars met his gaze! When had he seen
so much? His--all his! Had he not found it? Possibly he might have
overtaken the owner and restored it, but what was the use of throwing
away good luck! But already Conscience was at work. Turning over the
notes he found a little silken bag. Opening it, he drew forth a
miniature painting of a beautiful little girl, and on the back was
written:
"'Our darling! three years old to-day.'
"It was a lovely, angelic face. The boy was fascinated, spellbound by
it. Long he gazed. He grew very uneasy. His bosom heaved convulsively.
There were signs of violent emotion, and then burst forth the words:
"'I have not stolen it. Who says so? I found it!'
"Again he looks almost wildly at the picture; then whispers hoarsely:
"'She says, "Thou shall not steal!" Can this be stealing? No--no, it
is not. It is luck. I am growing nervous from long fasting. Oh,
Heavens, how hungry I am! Bread, bread! I must have bread or die!'
"Taking out a few small coins, he closed the pocketbook, putting the
little miniature in his bosom; then walked as swiftly as his failing
strength would allow; reached, and was about to enter, an
eating-house. At the door, he hesitated; and, drawing forth the little
picture, looked again at the baby-face. Now, to his eye, she has grown
older; and the face is so sad, with such an appealing look, which
speaks to his inmost heart.
"The blue eyes were no longer the laughing ones of childhood; but,
oh! yes, it was really so--his mother's lovely, sad face was before
him! The same sweet, quivering lips, which seemed whispering so
earnestly:
"'Thou shalt not steal!'
"Thrusting the picture back to its hiding-place, he sank exhausted
from violent emotion and extreme weakness down on the stone steps.
"Oh, the terrible struggle that was going on in that young breast!
"The tearing pangs of hunger, the sharp stinging thrusts of conscience
were warring for the victory. Oh, those who have never known the pangs
of hunger can but poorly imagine that fearful struggle. At last, thank
God! Conscience triumphed. Honesty was victor.
"Bursting into tears, he murmured:
"'God forgive, and have mercy! Mother--little angel-girl smile on me!'
"He returned the coin to the book, and clasping it tightly, replaced
it in his pocket.
"'I will not touch one cent; and in the morning, if I live so long, I
will find some means to restore it to the owner--all but the little
picture--that angel-child has saved me, and I must keep her to watch
over me in the future.'
"Slowly he arose, and was proceeding along the street, thinking he
could at least return and sleep in the depot, when a loud noise
attracted his attention.
"A horse came dashing furiously along the street, drawing after him a
buggy in which was crouching a lady almost lifeless with terror.
Thoughts as swift as lightning flashed through his mind; he might save
her--what though he was trampled to death. Then he surely would be
relieved from suffering!
"Summoning up all his little strength--then wonderfully increased by
excitement and manly courage--he rushed forward, faced the frightened
little animal, seized the reins, and was dragged some distance, still
holding firmly on--sustaining no injury save a few bruises--until he
succeeded in checking the wild flight. He saw his advantage; then,
with a kind voice, he spoke to the horse, patting and rubbing his head
and neck, until he became quite gentle. George knew the poor fellow
was not vicious but frightened at something he had seen or heard.
"In a few moments he was joined by a crowd--among whom came a
gentleman limping and wearing a look of great anxiety.
"George knew his thoughts, and said:
"'The lady is not at all hurt, sir, only frightened.'
"Several had seen the boy's action, and the owner of the horse soon
understood all about it. Many were his words of grateful
acknowledgment, and warmly shaking the boy's hand, he pushed into it a
half-eagle.
"Looking at this a moment, again tempted by hunger, he hesitated--then
exclaimed:
"'No, thank you, sir, I cannot take it. I am amply rewarded by having
succeeded in helping the lady.'
"'Oh, do let us do something to prove our thanks. You look so weary,
and indeed, almost sick. Tell us how can we serve you,' said the lady,
who had not spoken until then.
"These kind words brought tears to the boy's eyes; he tried to speak,
but his voice failed.
"'There, my boy,' said the gentleman, 'it is growing very cold. We
live only a short way from here. I shall lead my horse, and you must
follow on. Supper is waiting for us; and after we have been refreshed
by a cup of hot coffee and something substantial, I shall insist on
being allowed to prove my thankfulness in some way or other.'
"This kindness, George had neither the strength nor the will to
refuse.
"Following on, he soon reached with them, the house of Dr. Perry. Such
a supper the famished boy had not seen since his parents' death, and
he did full justice to it.
"The doctor's delicate kindness and cordial manner so won the boy,
that during the evening he told him his whole story, of his hard
struggles and dreadful temptation, and ended by producing the
pocketbook, and asking the doctor's advice as to the manner of
restoring it.
"His kind friend suggested that there might be some clew to be found
inside as to whom it belonged.
"Opening it, George carefully examined every part, and sure enough,
found a card with the probable name and address of the owner.
"'Now, my boy, it is too late to-night, but in the morning you can go
find the place, inquire for the lady, and then ask "if her husband
left last night in the train for ----." If he did, then you may know
you have found the right person. Now about yourself, your future. What
are your ideas?'
"'Oh! sir, if I could only earn enough to support me and get into the
City Academy, I should be the happiest boy alive. But it is so hard to
get a permit. I know I am quite far enough advanced to be able to keep
up with the boys. I could live on bread alone to be able to acquire
knowledge,' said the boy, with great earnestness.
"'I am thankful, my young friend, I can now find a way to serve you. I
am one of the directors of that institution. You shall be entered, and
obtain all the advantages it offers.
"'I see you are a proud boy and must feel that you are earning your
living. Come here to me every morning before, and after school has
closed in the afternoons. I wish you to take care of my office, and
keep my things in perfect order for me. What say you to this, and then
getting your meals with us?'
"Oh! what joy was in that hitherto sorrowful heart.
"Words could not express it; but clasping the doctor's hands, he
pressed them to his heart, and pointed upward.
"His friend knew how grateful he was, and how very happy he had made
him.
"Oh! had not God heard his prayer and speedily answered it. Mercy! how
freely, how bountifully, it was bestowed on him.
"At last the words burst from his lips: 'Oh, God! I thank Thee.'
"Early the following morn the pocketbook was restored; everything save
the miniature. This he kept, yet all the while feeling keenly that he
was guilty of a theft. Yet in this he did not feel that God was
offended. And often as he gazed at his little 'guardian angel,' as he
called her, he would say, smilingly:
"She does not look reproachfully or seem to say, 'Thou shalt not steal
me.'
"His mind was determined on the purpose to work every spare moment,
night and day, denying himself in every way, until he had secured
money sufficient to get the picture copied, and then return the
original.
"Months passed on, prosperity smiled on him. His best friend, the
doctor, had full confidence in him. His teachers encouraged and
approved. All was well.
"His miserable lodgings were before long resigned for a comfortable
room in the happy home of Dr. Perry, who insisted on this arrangement,
saying:
"'George, your services fully repay me. My little son loves you
dearly, and has wonderfully improved in his studies, since he has been
under your charge. We want you with us as much as possible.'
"Now, only one thing troubled him. The stolen picture.
"At length he accomplished what once seemed an almost impossible
thing. The picture was copied and paid for; and George started to
return the original, the one that had rested in his bosom so long. How
he loved it!
"It was a great sacrifice for him to give up that, and retain the
copy. However, he was somewhat compensated by the result of his
errand.
"'Twas the fifth birthday of the little girl, and well he knew it.
Ascending the steps of her father's house, he rang the bell, which was
soon answered by a servant, and behind him came a bevy of little
girls, the foremost being the original of his picture, his little
'guardian angel.'
"'More presents for me?" she asked, as he handed the precious parcel
into her tiny hands, extended for it.
"'No, little one, for your father! Will you tell me your name?' he
asked.
"'Oh, yes! My name is----'"
"What was it?" eagerly asked Mrs. Morely.
"Why are you so anxious? I'll punish you a little for interrupting me,
by not telling you," answered the judge, playfully.
"Well, well, no matter; only go on," answered his wife, showing
plainly how deeply she was interested in his story.
"The little one held her hand, saying:
"'I am five years old to-day. Shake hands with me, Mr. ----I do not
know your name. Every one shakes hands and kisses me to-day.'
"The youth clasped the dear little hand (held forth with the sweet
innocence of childhood and combined with a dignity well worthy of a
maid of twenty), and pressed on it a pure kiss, at the same time
breathing to himself the vow that, with God's blessing and help, to
win such a position that should enable him to seek and know this child
in her home. To try and make himself worthy of her; to win her love,
and in years to come to have her as his 'guardian angel' through life.
"Often he would get a glimpse of her at the window or the door, this
giving him encouragement to work on.
"Another year he was taken as assistant in the primary department of
the academy, this giving him a small income.
"In two more years he had graduated with the highest honors.
"His mind had been determined in favor of the law. His most ardent
wish to get in the office and read with the father of 'his little
love,' then a very distinguished lawyer.
"This desire he made known to Dr. Perry, who readily encouraged it,
saying:
"'I have no doubt, George, that you can succeed, backed by such
letters as we can give you. This gentleman is very kind and courteous,
and I think has no one with him at present. If I am not very much
mistaken, after you have seen and talked with him a short time, it
will be all right.'
"And so it proved. In a few days more George was studying under the
same roof with the child of all his dearest, highest aspirations,
daily seeing and speaking to her.
"Very soon the little maid of eight years became very fond of him.
"George rose rapidly in the respect and esteem of his instructor, and
in a few months a deep and sincere attachment existed between them.
Subsequently our young friend entered the Bar, and was looked upon as
a man of fine promise; his career upward was steady, and finally,
after eight or ten years' practice, he was among the best of his day.
"All these years of toil and study were for laurels to lay at the feet
of the one who had so unconsciously saved him and encouraged him
'onward.' Nothing now prevented the fruition of all his hopes. A
little while longer, and the living, breathing, speaking guardian
angel was all his own--blessing his heart and house, filling his very
soul with the purest love, the most profound gratitude to God, by
whose infinite mercy he was thus almost miraculously saved. And to
prove his gratitude and thankfulness, he has endeavored constantly to
win the erring from sin, to encourage and sustain the penitent, to try
and soften the hardened heart, and finally, as much as possible, to
ameliorate the suffering and punishment of the guilty and condemned,
truly knowing how very many are tempted as much and more than the hero
of my story, without the interposition of such a special Providence."
The judge had finished. Mrs. Morely arose, and, passing her arm around
her husband, pressed her lips to his, earnestly and with deep emotion,
saying:
"I long since recognized the noble, suffering boy of your story. My
husband, forgive my having ever questioned your actions or motives. In
the future I will try to prove my worthiness of your love by aiding
you in all your works of mercy."
"My old friend, and of all the most respected and honored, if it were
possible your story would increase my veneration," said Mr. Archer,
grasping and pressing the judge's hand.
"I would to Heaven there were more like you. If so, the temptations
and snares which surround the path of youth would be less terrible and
frequent--in a word, our whole community a little nearer, as God would
have us be."
* * * * *
MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING DAYS.
BY FRANCES HENSHAW BADEN.
Shadow and shine is life, little Annie, flower and thorn.--TENNYSON.
"Draw near me, William; I have so much I want to say, and now I feel
too truly how rapidly I am drifting away. When I close my eyes I see
so many happy, familiar faces, just a little way above, in the clouds.
They are beckoning me away. Tell me, what day is this?"
"Thanksgiving, dear. But, pray, do not talk so. You are not going to
leave me yet, Mary. You will be, you are better," said her husband,
bending sorrowfully over her.
"Yes, I will be well, soon. I shall not see to-morrow's sun. Promise
me, my husband, to try and make our boy feel as little as possible his
loss. Be to him what I have been. He is a strange, shy child, and
reminds me much of my own childhood. You scarcely know him, you have
been so completely absorbed in your business all the time. Be with
him, have him more with you. There is no need now of your being such a
slave to business. You are prospering, you will be rich. Oh! do not
let your heart become so encased in gold as to render it inaccessible
to all higher, better feelings. In years to come another will occupy
my place, but, oh! William, do not let those new ties come between you
and your first-born. Give me your hand, and with it the pledge to make
his welfare your first thought.
"Thank you, dear! you have lifted a great weight from my heart. The
only doubt is cleared away. Here put our wedding ring on your finger!
How tight it fits. It will be a constant reminder of your pledge. Now
bring Willie to me."
She gradually faded away during the afternoon, murmuring constantly
words of love and hope, the last intelligible being, "Love each other
for my sake."
As the Thanksgiving sun went down the spirit of the gentle,
long-suffering Mary Archer joined the waiting ones above.
William Archer truly loved his young wife, and sincerely mourned her
loss. Much of his time was spent with his son in trying to comfort and
divert the attention of the sorrowing boy from his great loss.
Willie grew to love very dearly his father, hitherto almost a stranger
to him.
Mary's words were soon verified. Riches grew rapidly around him, and
in less than two years he had filled her vacant place by another.
With what an acute ear, jealous eye and aching heart he listened for
every word of endearment, watched every action of love that his father
bestowed on his new wife. Willie was not a boy to win the heart of a
stranger. Retiring, silent and sad, but possessing a brave, grateful
heart, he had to be known to be loved. The new mother did not care to
take the trouble to win the love of her husband's child.
Years rolled on. Bright, cheerful, happy boys and beautiful, loving
girls grew round the father's heart, claiming and winning his love,
until poor Willie was almost forgotten, or only remembered when in
sight, and then always compared so unfavorably with the merry ones
around him.
On one occasion some temporary ailment caused the father's hand to
become very much swollen, until the little wedding ring became very
tight and pained his finger much. His wife suggested its being filed
off. While debating on the necessity of so doing, there came memories
of the past. The long-forgotten pledge, the reminder of which was
making him feel it so keenly then. How had he fulfilled that promise?
He would not have the ring removed. The swelling gradually passed
away. And William Archer determined to make amends for his past
neglect by future care and attention to his motherless boy.
But these good intentions were put to a speedy flight by an
unfortunate accident which occurred that afternoon.
Constant difficulties and childish quarrels arose between the little
ones, Willie always being the erring one, both with the mother and
nurses. If a child fell and was hurt, "Willie did it." In a word, the
poor boy was the "scapegoat."
The children were playing in the large ground surrounding their
future elegant home. Willie was just twelve years old then. The nurse
was attending the younger ones. A little way from the house was a
large pond with a rustic bridge. Mr. Archer had frequently warned the
nurse of the danger in allowing the children to play about there.
Little Eddie, a merry, willful boy of six years, disregarding all
Willie's entreaties to come away, would amuse himself by "riding
horseback," as he called it, on the railing of the frail bridge, and
tossing up his arms with a shout of defiance and laughter, he lost his
balance and fell into the water, quite deep enough to drown a much
larger boy.
A scream from the little ones brought the nurse to a knowledge of the
truth.
"Eddie's in the water! Eddie's drowned."
In a moment Willie's jacket was off, and he plunged in, and, before
the terrified nurse could collect her thoughts, brought out and placed
the insensible boy on the grass before her.
Catching up the child, she rushed to the house, and, placing him in
his mother's arms, declared, to screen her own negligence, that:
"Willie had pushed his brother in the pond."
Willie, following on with the other children, entered the house, his
young heart proudly glowing with the knowledge of having done a good,
brave action, and saying to himself:
"Now, this will surely please papa and make Eddie's mother love me a
little."
Poor boy! He was met by stern eyes and harsh, upbraiding words, which
for a moment quite bewildered him.
"You have killed your brother! You cruel, unnatural child," cried the
mother.
"Out of my sight, boy," said his father, in low, threatening tones.
"Oh, father! what do you mean? Let me tell you how it was."
"Begone, sir!" and the enraged man gave poor Willie a blow which sent
him reeling into the hall.
Staggering up to his room and throwing himself on the bed, he wailed
forth, in heart-rending tones:
"Oh, mother, mother! I wish I was with you! Others can die, why not I?
No one loves me! Oh, I wish I were dead!"
Tired and exhausted by the exertions in the water, he soon fell
asleep, and remained so until the sun was just rising next morning.
All his sorrow, all the injustice of the night before came rushing
back to his mind.
Hastily dressing himself, and then taking from his desk paper and pen,
he wrote:
You have told me to get out of your sight, father. I shall. You
will never see me again. You need not search for me. I am going
to try and find my mother. When Eddie is better, you will hear
the truth, and feel your injustice to WILLIE.
Folding this, and leaving it on his table, he stole down and made his
way into town, not quite determined what to do. His first thought was
to seek the river, and in its quiet waters end his sorrows. Oh! why
would not death come to him?
How quiet the city was! Usually so many were stirring about at that
hour. No market wagons or bread carts about. Oh, now he remembered, it
was Thanksgiving Day.
On he walked, and then came in sight of the church where his mother
used to go, and then memories of all her holy teachings. Should he
find her if he attempted self-destruction?
What could he do? He could not live on! Surely God would forgive him!
Then he thought he would go once more into that church, and
then--Heaven only knows what next. Waiting in the park until church
time, he retraced his steps and reached the door just as the beautiful
hymn, "Come, ye disconsolate," rose into the air.
Going in while the words
"Here bring your wounded hearts"
filled his ear, he crept up into the gallery and seated himself near
the choir.
He grew somewhat calm, and his mind was, for the time, diverted from
his sorrows by the sight of a little girl seated beside one of the
singers--her mother, he thought.
The happy, beaming face of the little one interested him very much.
The services over, he followed close behind her, endeavoring to get
another look at her, wondering if she was ever sad! And, standing at
the church door as she was about to enter a carriage waiting, in which
a lady and gentleman were already seated, he thought:
"Oh, what kind, loving parents she must have to make her look so
joyous!" His face wore a very sad expression. The little girl turned,
caught the sorrowful look bent on her, then stepped suddenly back,
went up to our Willie, and said, with the winning grace and perfect
simplicity of a child of six:
"Here, little boy, you look so sad, I am very sorry for you. Take my
flowers."
What angel-spirit, prompted by the will of its Divine Master, was it
that whispered to the little child to go comfort the sorrowing boy,
and with her kind sympathy and sweet offering to draw him back from
the dreadful precipice on which he stood, and lift him from darkness
and despair? His mother's, perchance. A bright light shone in the
boy's eye. His face was losing its despairing expression. The flowers
were speaking to his heart, whispering of Trust, Faith, Hope! Yes, he
must live on, brave all sorrows, trample down difficulties, and with
God's blessing try to live to be a good and useful man.
"Why, Minnie! what do you mean? Why did you give those beautiful
flowers to that strange boy? I never saw such a child as you are!"
"Mamma, I gave them to him because he looked so sad, just as if he
had not a happy home, or loving papa and mamma like I have. I felt so
sorry for him, and I wanted to tell him so. I'm sure he hasn't got any
mother, or he would not look so."
"Never mind, Laura, my dear. Do not worry about Minnie. She is all
right. Let her act from the dictates of her kind, innocent heart,"
returned the little one's father.
"Oh, yes! let her alone, and in years to come she will from the
dictates of her kind heart, be giving herself away to some motherless,
fameless and moneyless young man, I fear!" said the worldly and
far-seeing mother.
"But not senseless man, I'll warrant you," was the laughing reply.
* * * * *
"Why, William, my dear boy, why can you not be satisfied to remain
here with me? Why do you wish to go away? 'Idle life!' 'Making a
living and do some good!' Humph, sir! you need not be idle. Read to
me; ride with me. As for your living, sir, I made that for you before
you were born; and now I intend you shall enjoy it. Now, my boy, my
son in all my heart's dearest affections, stay with me. Wait until the
old man is gone; then you will have time enough to be useful to
others."
"Mr. Lincoln--uncle, father!--yes, more than father--your wish must be
mine. Did you not, fifteen years ago, take in a poor, wretched,
friendless, homeless boy--bless him with your care and protection,
educate, fulfill all his brightest hopes by giving him a profession,
which will not only make him independent, but enable him to help and
comfort others. Let me prove my gratitude in any way."
"Come, come, do not talk of gratitude. Oh, my boy, if you only knew
what deep joy it has afforded me, having you here. I will tell you
now, William, why it was I so readily opened my heart and home to the
little wanderer I found that Thanksgiving afternoon so long ago. When
I first looked into your eyes there was a strange, familiar expression
about them that aroused my interest. Upon questioning you I found that
the son of the only woman I had ever loved was before me! My heart
yearned to help you; otherwise I should have relieved you from present
want, and then informed your father of your whereabouts. Yes, my boy,
the love I bore your mother was never transferred to another woman.
Your father and myself were her suitors at the same time. He proved
the fortunate one. Having you with me all these years has been a great
solace; and now say no more about gratitude. Just love me, and stay
with me."
And Uncle Lincoln added, humorously:
"Perhaps I may be doing some good by preventing some harm. I'll keep
you from practicing and experimenting on some poor creature. Oh, you
young doctors are always very anxious to make a beginning. 'Pon my
word, I have quite forgotten to open my little Minnie's letter. Coming
here to see her uncle, and will be with us to-morrow. I'm glad, very
glad. Well, it is rather strange that the two I love best in the world
should not know each other. It has happened that you have been off at
college or attending lectures each time she has been here. Guard well
your heart, boy. Every one loves her, and she no one better than her
parents and old uncle. Much to her mother's regret, she has refused
the finest offers in town. She does not care a mote for the title of
'old maid' with which her mother often threatens her. She is
twenty-one, and has never been in love, she says."
"I think I am quite safe, sir. I am not at all susceptible, and it is
not likely that a young lady of her position in society and of such
beauty will cast a thought on me."
The next day the old gentleman had the pleasure of introducing those
he loved so well; and, to his infinite delight, saw his darling Minnie
had certainly made a desired impression on his young _protégé_.
"Here he is, Minnie! the boy who stole half my heart away from you. I
do not know how you will settle it with him, unless you take his in
pay."
Often during the evening Uncle Lincoln noticed Will's gaze lingering
on his niece, and there was a softer light than usual in his fine
eyes; but, to his great regret, his boy did not appear to his usual
advantage. He was very silent, and his mind seemed absent--far away.
And so it truly was. In the lovely girl before him William Archer
beheld the joyous child who, on that dark day, spoke so kindly and
saved him from--he dreaded to think what!
Uncle Lincoln rubbed his hands and chuckled merrily to himself.
Everything was working to his entire satisfaction. These two
impenetrable hearts were growing wonderfully congenial, he thought.
A few days before Minnie's visit was concluded, William brought out
and placed in her hands a bunch of withered flowers; told his story of
how, long years ago, her sweet sympathy had cheered his desolate heart
and made him feel that there was still love in the world, then so dark
to him; that her kind action had awakened in his almost paralyzed mind
better thoughts, and let him know the only way to gain peace and
happiness, and, finally, meet his mother, was in living on--putting
his trust and faith in God's goodness and mercy!
And then he told his love and gained hers; and, with her dear hand
clasped in his, stood waiting Uncle Lincoln's blessing!
"Minnie might do very much better," said the aspiring mamma; "but it
was Uncle Lincoln's wish."
So the next Thanksgiving was to be the wedding day.
* * * * *
In a luxuriously-furnished apartment, surrounded by everything that
contributes to make life pleasant, sat an old man.
Every now and then he would raise his bowed head from the clasped
hands, gaze anxiously around the room, and then, with a deep sigh,
relapse again into his attitude of grief and despair. At last he
speaks:
"Thanksgiving night again, and, for the first time in fifteen years,
she has failed to hover round me, and I have not heard the sighing
voice inquire: 'Where is my boy? How did you keep your promised word?'
Oh! perhaps the mother has found her child. He may be with her now.
Oh! I would give everything--my poor, miserable life--to recall that
terrible day's injustice. My brave, noble boy! and how were you
repaid? Oh! I have suffered terribly for all my neglect and wrong of
my motherless boy! All gone from me, all the healthy, beautiful
children; all taken away! We were not worthy of those precious gifts.
God took them to himself. Now, what comfort do all these riches bring
me? Nothing! nothing! and my poor, childless wife! How bitterly she
has repented her wrong!
"Oh, Willie! Willie, my boy! Where are you now?"
"Here, father, here! kneeling, and waiting for your love and
blessing."
"Am I dreaming? Oh! cruel dreams! I shall awaken, as often before, and
find how false you are!"
"No, it's no dream, father! Give me your hand. Now, you feel your
erring boy is back beside you, praying your forgiveness for all these
years of silence--causing you so much sorrow!"
The old man was clasped to his son's bosom. Long he held him thus,
while a sob of joy burst from the father's thankful heart.
"Father, speak to my wife; you have another child now. She it was who
brought me back to you this blessed day. This, the anniversary of my
mother's death! also of the day of my greatest peril, is now the
happiest of my life--my wedding day, and restoration to my father's
heart!
"Where is my stepmother? I would see and try to comfort her. Oh! let
this day be one of perfect reconciliation. Let us make it a
thanksgiving from the inmost heart."
And now may we all, who have aught of ill dwelling in our hearts, go
and be of kindly feeling one toward the other again. Let not the
coming Thanksgiving's sun go down on our wrath. Let it not be merely a
thanksgiving in words--a day of feasting--but a heart's feasting on
peace and good will.
THE END.
* * * * *
THE IRISH REFUGEE.
The only son of his mother, and she was a widow.--Luke vii. 12.
Long years shall see thee roaming
A sad and weary way,
Like traveler tired at gloaming
Of a sultry summer day.
But soon a home will greet thee,
Though low its portals be,
And ready kinsmen meet thee,
And peace that will not flee.--PERCIVAL.
It was a lovely morning, that last Saturday in July, 1849. The sun had
not yet risen when our family party, consisting of Aunt and Uncle
Clive, Cousin Christine and myself, took seats at an early
breakfast-table. A capacious carriage, well packed with presents for
country cousins, stood at the door, ready to convey us to Virginia, to
spend the month of August. We, a merry set of grown-up children, were
too delighted with our prospective pleasure to eat anything, and so we
soon left the table and put on our bonnets and hats, preparatory to a
start. We entered the carriage.
"Now, then, are we all ready?" asked Uncle Clive.
"Yes," replied aunt.
"Has nothing been forgotten?"
"No--but stay! Where is Cousin Peggy's cap, Chrissy?"
"There--pinned up in that paper to the roof of the carriage. Don't hit
your head against it, uncle."
"Clive, where did you put the basket of bread and butter and cold
chicken?"
"There--in the bottom of the carriage. Be careful, now, my dear, or
you will get your feet into it."
"No, I shan't. But hadn't you better put the bandbox with Martha's
bonnet inside here?"
"Indeed, mother," interposed Miss Chrissy, "there is no room for it;
for Cousin Peggy's bundle is on one side and the keg of crackers on
the other; my feet are resting on the caddy of tea, and the loaf of
sugar and paper of coffee are in my lap!"
"There! let's get along," said Uncle Clive, impatiently. "I declare,
the sun is already half an hour high, and a ride of forty-five or
fifty miles before us. We shall not reach Willow Glade before ten
o'clock to-night."
"Yes, and about nine o'clock we shall be going down Bloody Run Hill,
and I never can go through the piece of woods between that and Gibbet
Hill after dark without horror."
"Ever since the peddler was murdered."
"Yes, ever since the peddler was murdered, and before, too."
Uncle Clive now jumped into his seat, and, taking the reins, we set
off at a pretty brisk rate.
"Clive, don't that horse look a little vicious? See how he pricks up
his ears!"
"Pooh! Nonsense! He's as safe a horse as ever drew."
"What o'clock is it, now?"
"Humph! half-past five. I think the next time we wish to get off at
sunrise, we had better arrange to start at midnight; then, perhaps, we
may succeed."
Turning the corner of the street at this moment the sudden sight of
the river, and the wood on the opposite bank, glimmering and
glistening in the light of the morning sun, elicited a simultaneous
burst of admiration from our travelers. Then the prospective pleasures
of the rural visit were discussed, the family and friendly reunions,
the dinner parties, the fish feasts upon the river's banks, the oyster
excursions and crab expeditions; and in such pleasant anticipations
the cheerful hours of that delightful forenoon slipped away; and when,
at last, the heat of the sun grew oppressive, and our sharpened
appetites reminded us of the dinner-basket, we began to cast around
for a cool, dry and shady spot on which to rest and refresh ourselves.
The road here was wide and passed through a thick forest. A few more
turns of the wheels brought us to a narrow footpath, diverging from
the main road into the forest on the left-hand side.
"Let's get out here, Clive, and follow this path; I know it. It leads
to a fine spring, with an acre or two of cleared land about it, on
which there was once a dwelling."
This was agreed upon, and we all alighted and took the path through
the wood. We had not gone many yards ere a scene of woodland beauty
opened to our view. It presented an area of about four acres of open
land in the midst of the forest. From the opposite side a little
rivulet took its rise, and ran tinkling and splashing, in its pebbly
bed, through the centre of this open glade, until its music was lost
in the distance in the forest. But the most interesting object in
sight was a ruined cottage. It was very small. It could not have
contained more than two rooms. In front there had once been a door,
with a window on each side; but now both door and windows were gone.
The solitary chimney had fallen down, and the stones of which it had
been built lay scattered around. A peach tree grew at the side of the
cottage, and its branches, heavy with the luscious fruit, drooped upon
the low roof. A grapevine grew in front, and its graceful tendrils
twined in and out through the sashless windows and the broken door. A
bird of prey was perched upon the house, and, as we approached, with a
fearful scream it took its flight.
"Be careful, Christine, where you step; your foot is on a grave!"
With a start and a sudden pallor, Christine looked down upon the
fragment of a gravestone. Stooping and putting aside the long grass
and weeds, she read: "The only child of his mother, and she a widow."
"Whose grave could this have been, mother? The upper part of the
stone, which should bear the name, is gone. Oh, how sad this ruined
cot, and this lonely grave! I suppose, mother, here, in the heart of
the forest, in this small cottage, lived the widow and her only child.
The child died, as we may see, and she--oh! was the boon of death
granted to her at the same moment? But, who were they, mother? As your
early life was passed in this part of the country, you surely can tell
us."
Aunt Clive, who had been gazing sadly and silently on the scene since
giving the warning to Christine, said:
"Yes, I can tell you the story. But here comes your father, looking
very tired and hungry; and, as it is a very sad tale, we will defer it
until we have dined."
We spread our repast upon the grass, and, seating ourselves upon the
fragments of the broken chimney, soon became engrossed in the
discussion of cold chicken, ham and bread. As soon as we had
dispatched them and repacked our basket, and while we were waiting for
the horses to feed and rest, Aunt Clive told us the following tale of
real life:
THE IRISH EMIGRANTS.
A short time previous to the breaking out of the Rebellion in Ireland
a family of distinction came from that country to America and
purchased and settled upon a handsome estate near the then flourishing
village of Richmond. Their family name was Delany. With them came a
Dr. Dulan, a clergyman of the established church. Through the
influence of the Delanys, Dr. Dulan was preferred to the rectorship
of the newly established parish of All Saints, and subsequently to the
president's chair of the new collegiate school of Newton Hall. This
prosperity enabled him to send for his son and daughter, and settle
with them in a comfortable home near the scene of his labors.
It was about the fifth year of his residence in Virginia that the
rebellion in Ireland broke out, and foremost among the patriots was
young Robert Dulan, a brother of the doctor. All know how that
desperate and fatal effort terminated. Soon after the martyrdom of the
noble Emmet, young Dulan was arrested, tried, condemned, and followed
his admired leader to the scaffold, leaving his heart-broken young
wife and infant boy in extreme penury and destitution. As soon as she
recovered from the first stunning shock of her bereavement, she wrote
to her brother-in-law, soliciting protection for herself and child. To
this the doctor, who, to great austerity of manners, united an
excellent heart, replied by inviting his brother's widow to come to
Virginia, and inclosing the amount of money required to supply the
means. As soon as the old gentleman had done that he began to prepare
for her reception. Knowing that two families seldom get on well
beneath the same roof, and with a delicate consideration for the
peculiar nature of her trials, he wished to give her a home of her
own. Selecting this spot for the beauty and seclusion of its position,
as well as for its proximity to his own residence, he built this
cottage, inclosed it by a neat paling, and planted fruit trees. It was
a very cheerful, pretty place, this neat, new cottage, painted white,
with green window shutters; the white curtains; the honeysuckle and
white jessamine, trained to grow over and shade the windows; the white
paling, tipped with green; the clean gravel walk that led up to the
door, the borders of which were skirted with white and with red roses;
the clusters of tulips, lilies and hyacinths--all contributed to make
the wilderness "blossom as the rose;" and every day the kind-hearted
man sought to add some new attraction to the scene.
One evening the doctor had been over to the cottage, superintending
the arrangement of some furniture. On his return home, a servant
brought a packet of letters and papers. Glancing over one of them, he
said:
"Elizabeth, my daughter."
A prim young lady, in a high-necked dress, and a close-fitting black
net cap, looked up from her work and answered in a low, formal voice:
"My father."
"Your aunt and cousin have at length arrived at the port of Baltimore.
They came over in the _Walter Raleigh_. I wish you to be in readiness
to accompany me to-morrow when I go to bring them down."
"My father, yes," were the only words that escaped the formal and
frozen girl.
A week after this conversation the still life of the beautiful
cottage was enlivened. A lovely boy played before the door, while a
pale mother watched him from within. That pale mother was not yet
thirty years of age, yet her cheeks were sunken, her eyes dim, and her
hair streaked with silver. Truly, the face was breaking fast, but the
heart was breaking faster. But the boy! Oh, he was a noble child! Tall
for his age (he was but five years old), his dark hair, parted over a
high, broad forehead, fell in sable curls upon his shoulders; his
large black eyes, now keen and piercing as the young eagle's, now soft
and melting as the dove's. His dark eyes wore their softest shade as
he stole to his mother's side, and, twining his little arms around her
neck, drew her face down to his, saying, with a kiss: "Willie is so
sorry?"
"For what should Willie be sorry?" said the mother, tenderly caressing
him.
"Because mamma is sad. Does she want Willie to do anything?"
"No, sweet boy, she wants nothing done that Willie can do."
"If mamma's head aches, Willie will hold it."
"Her head does not ache."
"If mamma wants Willie to stop teasing her and go to bed, he will go."
"You are not teasing me, dear Willie, and it is rather too early for
you to go to bed."
The widow strove to chase the gloom from her brow, that she might not
darken by its shadow the bright sunshine of her child's early life,
and with an effort at cheerfulness she exclaimed: "Now go, Willie, and
get the pretty book Cousin Elizabeth gave you, and see if you can read
the stories in it."
Willie ran off to obey with cheerful alacrity.
The doctor was not able to do more for his sister-in-law than to give
her the cottage and supply her with the necessaries of life; and to do
this, he cheerfully curtailed the expenses of his own household. It
was delightful to see the affectionate gratitude of the widow and
child toward their benefactor. And that angel child, I wish I could do
justice to his filial devotion. He seemed, at that early age, to feel
as though he only lived to love and bless his mother. To be constantly
at her side, to wait upon her, even to study her wants and anticipate
her wishes, seemed to be the greatest joy of the little creature.
"Willie, why don't you eat your cake?" asked his uncle one day, when
Willie had been sent over to the doctor's on an errand, and had been
treated to a large slice of plumcake by his Cousin Elizabeth.
Willie silently began to nibble his cake, but with evident reluctance.
"Why, you do not seem to like it! Is it not good?"
"Yes, sir, thank you."
"Why don't you eat it, then?"
"My father," said Elizabeth.
"Well, Miss Dulan?"
"I think that Willie always carries every piece of cake he gets to his
mother."
"But why not always prevent that by sending her a piece yourself?"
"Because, my dear father, I think it may be wrong to restrain the
amiable spirit of self-denial evinced by the child."
"Then you are mistaken, Miss Dulan; and recollect that it is very
irreverent in a young lady to express an opinion at variance with the
spirit of what her father has just said."
Elizabeth meekly and in silence went to the pantry and cut a piece of
cake, which she carefully wrapped up and gave to Willie for his
mother. Willie received it with an humble and deprecatory look, as if
he felt the whole responsibility and weight of the reproof that had
fallen upon his cousin.
One Christmas eve, when Willie was above seven years old, the widow
and her son were sitting by the cottage hearth. The closed shutters,
drawn curtains, clean hearth and bright fire threw an air of great
comfort over the room. Mrs. Dulan sat at her little work-table,
setting the finishing stitches in a fine linen shirt, the last of a
dozen that she had been making for the doctor.
The snowstorm that had been raging all day long had subsided, though
occasionally the light and drifted snow would be blown up from the
ground by a gust of wind against the windows of the house. "Poor boy,"
said the widow, looking at her son, "you look tired and sleepy; go to
bed, Willie."
"Oh! dear mamma, I am not tired, and I could not sleep at all while
you are up alone and at work. Please let me stay up--but I will go to
bed if you say so," added he, submissively.
"Come and kiss me, darling. Yes, Willie, you may stay up as long as
you like. I will go to bed myself," added she, mentally, "so as not to
keep the poor boy up."
"Well, Willie, I will tell you a story, darling, which will amuse you,
while I sew."
Just at this moment the sound of carriage wheels, followed immediately
by a jump from the box, and a smart rap at the door, caused the widow
to start hastily from her seat. The door was opened, and Jake, the big
black coachman of the old doctor, made his appearance, a heavy cloak
and a large muffling hood hanging over his arm.
"Marm," said he, "it has clarred off beautiful, and massa has sent the
carriage arter you, and he says how he would have sent it afore, but
how the roads was blocked up with snowdrifts. Me and Pontius Pilate,
and Massa John, has been all the arternoon a clarring it away, and I
thinks, marm, if you don't come to-night, how the road will be as bad
as ever to-morrow morning, with this wind a-blowing about the snow.
Miss Lizzy has sent this hood of hern, and massa has sent this big
cloth cloak of hizzen, so that you needn't ketch cold."
Mrs. Dulan did not immediately reply, but looked at Willie, and seemed
to reflect.
Jake added:
"I hopes you'll come, marm, for massa and Miss Lizzy and Massa John
has quite set their heads on having you with them to spend Christmas,
and Massa John told me to tell you how he had bagged a fine passel of
waterfowl and wild turkeys, and I myself has made a trap for Massa
Willie to catch snowbirds."
"Yes, we will go," said Mrs. Dulan. "Do me the favor, Jacob, to pour a
pitcher of water on that fire, while I tie on Willie's cloak and
mittens."
In twenty minutes more, Willie was seated on his uncle's knees, by his
bright fireside, and his mother sat conversing with John and
Elizabeth, and a few neighbors whom the inclemency of the weather had
not deterred from dropping in to spend Christmas eve. The old
housekeeper stood at the buffet, cutting up seedcake, and pouring out
elder wine, which was soon passed round to the company.
That Christmas was a gorgeous morning. The sun arose and lit up into
flashing splendor the icy glories of the landscape. From every roof
and eave, from every bough and bush, dropped millions of blazing
jewels. Earth wore a gorgeous bridal dress, bedecked with diamonds.
Within the doctor's house everything was comfortable as you could
wish. A rousing fire of hickory wood roared upon the hearth, an
abundant breakfast of coffee, tea, buckwheat cakes, muffins, eggs,
wild fowls, oysters, etc., etc., smoked upon the board. The family
were all gathered in the breakfast-room. The doctor was serving out
eggnog from a capacious bowl upon the sideboard.
"Cousin Elizabeth," said little Willie, taking her hand and leading
her away to the sofa, "what do ladies love?"
"What do ladies love? Why, Willie, what a queer question."
"Yes, but tell me what do ladies love?"
"Why, their papas, of course, and their brothers, and their relations;
it would not be decorous to love any one else," said the prim maiden.
"Oh, you don't know what I mean; I mean what do ladies love to have?
You know boys like to have kites and marbles, and traps to catch
snowbirds, and picture books, and half-pence and such things. Now what
do ladies love to have?"
"Oh, now I understand you. Why, we like to have a good assortment of
crewels and floss to work tapestry with, and a quantity of
bright-colored silk to embroider with, and----"
"Oh, that's what you like, Cousin Elizabeth; but mamma doesn't work
samplers," said the boy, with a dash of pettish contempt in his tone.
"Uncle has given me a bright new shilling for a Christmas gift, to do
what I please with, and I want to get something with it for poor, dear
mamma."
"La! child, you can get nothing of any account with a shilling."
"Can't I?" said he, and his little face fell for an instant, but soon
lighting up, he exclaimed: "Oh, ho! Cousin Elizabeth, I am brighter
than you are, this time. A silver thimble is a very little thing, and
can be bought with a shilling, I am sure; so I will buy one for mamma.
Poor mamma has an old brass one now, which cankers her finger."
"Here, Willie," said Elizabeth, "I have not paid you my Christmas
gift, and you caught me, you know; take this shilling, and now run and
ask your uncle to take you to the village with him when he goes, and
then you can buy your thimble. You have enough to get one now."
Willie thanked his cousin with a hearty embrace, and ran off to do as
she advised him. The family now sat down to breakfast, after which
they all went to church, where the doctor performed divine service. A
large party of friends and neighbors returned with them to dinner, and
the remainder of the day was spent in hilarity and innocent enjoyment.
The next day the thimble was purchased, as agreed upon, and little
Willie kept it a profound secret from his mother, until the first
evening on which they found themselves at home, in their little
parlor, when the candle was lit, and the little stand drawn to the
fire, the workbox opened, and the old brass thimble put on. Then
little Willie, glowing with blissful excitement, put his hand in his
pocket to find his present. It was not there. He searched the other
pocket, then his cap, then shook his cloak and looked about the
carpet. Alarmed now, he opened the door and was going out, when his
mother called to him.
"What is the matter, Willie? Where are you going? What have you
lost?"
"Nothing much, mother; I am only going out a minute," and he closed
the door, and began an almost hopeless search by the moonlight for his
lost treasure. Up and down the walk he searched without finding it. He
opened the gate, and peeping and peering about, wandered up the road,
until his little feet and limbs got wet in the soft snow, and his
hands became benumbed; when, feeling convinced that it was lost, he
sat down and burst into a passionate fit of weeping. Let no one feel
surprise or contempt at this. In this little affair of the thimble
there had been disinterested love, self-sacrifice, anticipated joy,
disappointment and despair, though all expended on a cheap thimble.
Yet, Willie was but seven years old, and "thought as a child, felt as
a child, understood as a child." I am a grown-up child now, and have
had many troubles, but the most acute sorrow I ever felt was the death
of my pet pigeon, when I was seven years old.
It was long before the storm in his little bosom subsided, but when
at last it did, he turned to go home; he would not go before, lest he
might grieve his mother with the sight of his tears. At last, weary
and half-frozen, he opened the cottage gate and met his mother coming
to look for him, and she, who always spoke most gently to him, and for
whose dear sake she was suffering, now by a sad chance, and out of her
fright and vexation, sharply rebuked him and hurried him off to bed.
"If dear mamma had known, she would not have scolded me so, though,"
was his last thought as he sank into a feverish sleep. The next
morning when Mrs. Dulan arose, the heavy breathing, and bright flush
upon the cheek of her boy, caught her attention, and roused her fears
for his health. As she gazed, a sharp expression of pain contracted
his features and he awoke. Feebly stretching out his arms to embrace
her, he said:
"Oh, mamma, Willie is so sick, and his breast hurts so bad."
The child had caught the pleurisy.
It was late at night before medical assistance could be procured from
a distant village. In the meantime the child's illness had fearfully
progressed; and when at last the physician arrived, and examined him,
he could give no hopes of his recovery. Language cannot depict the
anguish of the mother as she bent over the couch of her suffering boy,
and, if a grain could have increased the burden of her grief, it would
have been felt in the memory of the few words of harsh rebuke when he
had returned half-frozen and heavy-hearted from his fruitless search
after the thimble, for the kind Elizabeth had arrived and explained
the incident of the night.
* * * * *
It was midnight of the ninth day. Willie had lain in a stupor for a
whole day and night previous. His mother stood by his bed; she neither
spoke nor wept, but her face wore the expression of acute suffering.
Her eyes were strained with an earnest, anxious, agonized gaze upon
the deathly countenance of the boy. Old Dr. Dulan entered the room at
this moment, and looking down at the child, and taking his thin, cold
hand in his own, felt his pulse, and turning to the wretched mother,
who had fixed her anxious gaze imploringly upon him, he said:
"Hannah, my dear sister---- But, oh, God! I cannot deceive you," and
abruptly left the room.
"Elizabeth," said he to his daughter, who was sitting by the parlor
fire, "go into the next room and remain with your aunt, and if
anything occurs summon me at once; and, John, saddle my horse quickly,
and ride over to Mrs. Caply and tell her to come over here."
Mrs. Caply was the layer-out of the dead for the neighborhood.
How tediously wore that dreary night away in the sickroom, where the
insensible child was watched by his mother and her friend! The
flickering taper, which both forgot to snuff, would fitfully flare up
and reveal the watchers, the bed, and the prostrate form of the pale,
stiff, motionless boy, with his eyes flared back with a fixed and
horrid stare. In the parlor, a party equally silent and gloomy kept
their vigil. Dr. Dulan, his son and the old woman, whose fearful
errand made her very presence a horror, formed the group. The old
woman at last, weary at holding her tongue so long, broke silence by
saying: "I always thought that child would never be raised, sir--he
was so smart and clever, and so dutiful to his ma. He was too good for
this world, sir. How long has he been sick, sir?"
"Little more than a week; but I beg you will be silent, lest you
disturb them in the next room."
"Yes, sir, certainly. Sick people ought to be kept quiet, though
perhaps that don't much matter when they are dying. Well, poor little
fellow; he was a pretty child, and will look lovely in his shroud and
cap, and----"
"Hush!" exclaimed John Dulan, in a tone so stern that the woman was
constrained to be silent.
Daylight was now peeping in at the windows. The doctor arose, put out
the candles, opened the shutters, stirred the fire, and went into the
next room. The widow was sitting in the same place, holding one of the
boy's hands between her own, her head bowed down upon it. The doctor
looked at the child; his eyes were now closed, as if in sleep. He laid
his hand upon his brow, and bending down, intently gazed upon him. The
child opened his eyes slowly. Passing quickly round the bed, the
doctor laid his hand upon the recumbent head and said: "Look up,
Hannah, your child is restored." With an ecstatic expression of
gratitude and joy, the mother started to her feet, and gazed upon her
boy.
"Kiss me, mamma," said Willie, opening his gentle eyes, in which
beamed a quiet look of recognition and love. The mother kissed her
child repeatedly and fervently, while exclamations of profound
gratitude to Heaven escaped her. The doctor went to the window, and
threw open the shutters. The rising sun poured its light into the
room, and lit it up with splendor.
I must transport you now, in imagination, over a few years of time
and a few miles of country, and take you into a splendid drawing-room,
in the handsome courthouse of the Delany's, which, you remember, I
described in the first part of this story, situated near the town of
Richmond. On a luxurious sofa, in this superb room, reclined a most
beautiful woman. Her golden hair divided above a high and classic
brow, fell, flashing and glittering, upon her white bosom like
sunbeams of snow. Her eyes--but who can describe those glorious eyes
of living sapphire? Sapphire! Compare her eloquent eyes to soulless
gems? Her eyes! Why, when their serious light was turned upon you, you
would feel spellbound, entranced, as by a strain of rich and solemn
music, and when their merry glance caught yours, you'd think there
could not be a grief or a sin on earth! But the greatest charm in that
fascinating countenance was the lips, small, full, red, their habitual
expression being that of heavenly serenity and goodness.
Bending over the arm of the sofa, his head resting upon his hand, was
a young man; his eyes earnestly, anxiously, pleadingly fixed upon the
face of his companion, in whose ear, in a full, rich, and passionate
tone, he was pouring a tale of love, hopeless almost to despair. The
girl listened with a saddened countenance, and turning her large eyes,
humid with tears, upon his face, she spoke:
"Richard, I am grieved beyond measure. Oh, cousin, I do not merit your
deep and earnest love. I am an ingrate! I do not return it."
"Do you dislike me?" "Oh, no, no, no, indeed I do not--I esteem and
respect you; nay, more, I love you as a brother."
"Then, dear, dearest Alice, since I am honored with your esteem, if
not blessed with your love, give me your hand--be my wife--and
ultimately perhaps----"
"Horrible!" exclaimed the young girl, leaving the room abruptly.
"What the d----l does that fool mean?" exclaimed Richard Delany, as
an angry flush passed over his face. "One would think I had insulted
her. Colonel Delany's penniless dependent should receive with more
humility, if not with more gratitude, an offer of marriage from his
heir. But I see how it is. She loves that beggarly Dulan--that
wretched usher. But, death--death to the poverty-stricken wretch, if
he presume to cross my path!" and the clenched fists, livid
complexion, and grinding teeth gave fearful testimony to the deadly
hatred that had sprung up in his bosom.
At this moment Colonel Delany entered the room, and taking a seat,
said:
"Richard, I have somewhat to say to you, and I wish you seriously to
attend. You know that I am your best, your most disinterested friend,
and that your welfare lies nearer to my heart than aught else earthly.
Well, I have observed, with much regret, the increased interest you
seem to take in your cousin--your passion for her, in fact. These
things are easily arrested in the commencement, and they must be
arrested. You can do it, and you must do it! I have other views for
you. Promise me, my son, that you will give up all thoughts of Alice."
Richard, who had remained in deep thought during his father's address,
now looked up and replied:
"But, my father, Alice is a very beautiful, very amiable, very
intellectual----"
"Beggar!"
"Father!"
"Unbend that brow, sir! nor dare to address your parent in that
insolent tone! And now, sir, once for all, let us come to the point,
and understand each other perfectly. Should you persist in your
addresses to Alice, should you finally marry her, not a shilling, not
a penny of your father's wealth shall fall on an ungrateful son."
Richard reflected profoundly a moment, and then replied:
"Fear of the loss of wealth would not deter me from any step. But the
loss of my father would be an evil, I could never risk to encounter. I
will obey you, sir."
"I am not satisfied," thought the old gentleman, as he left his son,
after a few more moments of conversation. "I am not satisfied. I will
watch them closely, and in the course of the day speak to Alice."
An opportunity soon offered. He found himself alone with Alice, after
tea.
"Alice," he commenced, "I wish to make a confidant of you;" and he
proceeded to unfold to her, at some length, his ambitious projects for
his son, and concluded by giving her to understand, pretty distinctly,
that he wished his son to select a wealthy bride, and that any other
one would never be received by him as his daughter.
"I think I understand, although I cannot entirely sympathize with you,
my dear uncle," said Alice, in a low, trembling tone. "All this has
been said for my edification. That your mind may be perfectly at rest
on this subject, I must say what may be deemed presumptuous: I would
not, could not marry your son, either with or without your consent, or
under any circumstances whatever."
"Alice! my dear Alice! How could you suppose I made any allusion to
you? Oh! Alice, Alice!"
And the old man talked himself into a fit of remorse, sure enough. He
believed Alice, although he could not believe his son. The old
gentleman's uneasiness was not entirely dispelled; for, although Alice
might not now love Richard, yet time could make a great change in her
sentiments.
Alice Raymond, the orphan niece of Colonel Delany, was the daughter
of an officer in the British army. Mr. Raymond was the youngest son of
an old, wealthy and haughty family in Dorsetshire, England. At a very
early age he married the youngest sister of Colonel Delany. Having
nothing but his pay, all the miseries of an improvident marriage fell
upon the young couple. The same hour that gave existence to Alice,
deprived her of her mother. The facilities to ambition offered by
America, and the hope of distracting his grief, induced Mr. Raymond to
dispose of his commission, and embark for the Western World. Another
object which, though the last named, was the first in deciding him to
cross the Atlantic. This object was to place his little Alice in the
arms of her maternal grandmother, the elder Mrs. Delany, then a widow,
and a resident under the roof of her son, Colonel Delany. A few weeks
after the sailing of the ship in which, with his infant daughter, Mr.
Raymond took passage, the smallpox broke out on board and he was one
of its earliest victims.
With his dying breath he consigned Alice to the care of the captain of
the ship, a kind-hearted man, who undertook to convey the poor babe to
her grandmother. On the arrival of the infant at the mansion of
Colonel Delany, a new bereavement awaited her. Mrs. Delany, whose
health had been declining ever since her settlement in her new home,
was fast sinking to the grave. Colonel Delany, however, received the
orphan infant with the greatest tenderness. Sixteen years of
affectionate care had given him a father's place in the heart of
Alice, and a father's influence over her. Within the last year the
sunshine of Alice's life had been clouded.
Richard Delany, the only son and heir of Colonel Delany, had been
sent to England at the age of fifteen to receive a college education.
After remaining eight years abroad, the last year of his absence being
spent in making the grand tour, he returned to his adopted country and
his father's house. He was soon attracted by the beauty and grace of
Alice. I say by her beauty and grace, because the moral and
intellectual worth of the young girl he had not the taste to admire,
even had he, at this early period of his acquaintance with her, an
opportunity to judge. The attentions of Richard Delany to his cousin
were not only extremely distressing to her, but highly displeasing to
his father, who had formed, as we have seen, the most ambitious
projects for his son. Richard Delany was not far wrong in his
conjecture concerning the young usher, who was no other than our old
friend William Dulan, little Willie, who had now grown to man's
estate, the circumstances of whose introduction to the Delany family I
must now proceed to explain.
To pass briefly over the events of William Dulan's childhood and
youth. At the age of ten years he entered, as a pupil, the collegiate
school over which Dr. Dulan presided, where he remained until his
nineteenth year. It had been the wish of William Dulan and his mother
that he should take holy orders, and he was about to enter a course of
theological study under the direction of his uncle when an event
occurred which totally altered the plan of his life. This event was
the death of Dr. Dulan, his kind uncle and benefactor. All thoughts of
the church had now to be relinquished, and present employment, by
which to support his mother, to be sought. * * * It was twelve o'clock
at night, about three months after the death of Dr. Dulan. The mother
of William, by her hearth, still plied her needle, now the only means
of their support. Her son sat by her side, as of old. He had been
engaged some hours in reading to her. At length, throwing down the
book, he exclaimed:
"Dearest, dearest mother, lay by that work. It shames my manhood, it
breaks my heart, to see you thus coining your very health and life
into pence for our support; while I! oh, mother, I feel like a human
vampire, preying upon your slender strength!"
The widow looked into the face of her son, saw the distress, the
almost agony of his countenance, and, quickly folding up her work,
said gently:
"I am not sewing so much from necessity, now, dear William, as because
I was not sleepy, being so much interested in your book."
The morning succeeding this little scene, William, as was his wont,
arose early, and going into the parlor, made up the fire, hung the
kettle on, and was engaged in setting the room in order, when his
mother entered, who, observing his occupation, said:
"Ever since your return from school, William, you have anticipated me
in this morning labor. You must now give it up, my son--I do not like
to see you perform these menial offices."
"No service performed for my mother can be menial," said Willie,
giving her a fond smile.
"My darling son!"
After breakfast William took up his hat and went out. It was three
hours before he returned. His face was beaming with happiness, as he
held an open letter in his hand.
"See, mother, dear, kind Providence has opened a way for us at last."
"What is it, my son?" said the widow, anxiously.
"Mr. Keene, you know, who left this neighborhood about three years
ago, went to ---- County and established a school, which has succeeded
admirably. He is in want of an assistant, and has written to me,
offering four hundred dollars a year for my services in his
institution."
"And you will have to leave me, William!"
These words escaped the widow, with a deep sigh, and without
reflection. She added in an instant, with assumed cheerfulness:
"Yes, of course--so I would have you do."
A month from this conversation William Dulan was established in his
new home, in the family of Mr. Keene, the principal of Bay Grove
Academy, near Richmond.
The first meeting of William Dulan and Alice Raymond took place under
the following circumstances. On the arrival of Richard Delany at home,
his father, who kept up the good old customs of his English ancestors,
gave a dinner and ball in honor of his son's coming of age. All the
gentry of his own and the adjoining counties accepted invitations to
attend. Among the guests was William Dulan. He was presented to Miss
Raymond, the young hostess of the evening, by Mr. Keene. Young Dulan
was at first dazzled by the transcendent beauty of her face, and the
airy elegance of her form; then, won by the gentleness of her manners,
the elevation of her mind, and the purity of her heart. One ball in a
country neighborhood generally puts people in the humor of the thing,
and is frequently followed by many others. It was so in this instance,
and William Dulan and Alice Raymond met frequently in scenes of
gayety, where neither took an active part in the festivities. A more
intimate acquaintance produced a mutual and just estimation of each
other's character, and preference soon warmed into love.
From the moment in which the jealous fears of Richard Delany were
aroused, he resolved to throw so much coldness and hauteur in his
manner toward that young gentleman as should banish him from the
house. This, however, did not effect the purpose for which it was
designed, and he finally determined to broach the subject to his
father. Old Colonel Delany, whose "optics" were so very "keen" to spy
out the danger of his son's forming a mésalliance, was stone blind
when such a misfortune threatened Alice, liked the young man very
much, and could see nothing out of the way in his attentions to his
niece, and finally refused to close his doors against him at his son's
instance. While this conversation was going on, the summer vacation
approached, and William made arrangements to spend them with his
mother.
One morning William Dulan sat at his desk. His face was pale, his
spirits depressed. He loved Alice, oh! how madly. He could not forego
the pleasure of her society; yet how was all this to end? Long years
must elapse before, if ever, he could be in a situation to ask the
hand of Alice. With his head bowed upon his hand, he remained lost in
thought.
"Mr. Dulan, may our class come up? We know our lessons," said a
youthful voice at his elbow.
"Go to your seats, boys," said a rich, melodious, kind voice; "I wish
to have a few moments' conversation with Mr. Dulan," and Dr. Keene,
the principal, stood by his side.
"My dear Dulan," said he, "you are depressed, but I bring you that
which will cheer your spirits. I have decided to give up my school
here into your sole charge if you will accept it. I have received,
through the influence of some of my political friends, a lucrative and
permanent appointment under the government, the nature of which I will
explain to you by and by. I think of closing my connection with this
school about the end of the next term. What say you? Will you be my
successor?"
Dulan started to his feet, seized both the hands of his friend,
pressed them fervently, and would have thanked him, but utterance
failed. Dr. Keene insisted on his resuming his seat, and then added:
"The income of the school amounts to twelve hundred dollars a year.
The schoolhouse, dwelling-house, with its outbuildings and numerous
improvements upon the premises, go into the bargain. Yes, Dulan, I
have known your secret long," said he, smiling good-humoredly, "and
sincerely, though silently, commiserated the difficulties of your
position; and I assure you, Dulan, that the greatest pleasure I felt
in receiving my appointment was in the opportunity it gave me of
making you and Alice happy. Stop, stop, Dulan, let me talk," laughed
Keene, as William opened a battery of gratitude upon him. "It is now
near the end of July. I should like to see you installed here on the
first of September. The August vacation will give you an opportunity
of making all your arrangements. I must now leave you to your labors."
Every boy that asked to go out went out that day. Every boy that said
his task got praised, and every boy that missed his lesson got blamed.
The day was awfully tedious for all that, but evening came at last,
and the school was dismissed. William, after spending an unusually
long time in the "outward adorning," hastened with a joy-beaming
countenance to the home of his Alice. In the full flow of his joy he
was met by a sudden disappointment. The servant who met him at the
door informed him that Colonel Delany, Miss Raymond and Mr. Delany had
set off for Richmond, with the intention of staying a couple of weeks.
Crestfallen, William turned from the door. This was only a momentary
disappointment, however, and soon his spirits rose, and he joyfully
anticipated the time of the Delany's return. They were to be back in
time for the approaching examination and exhibition at Bay Grove
Academy; and in preparing his pupils for this event, William Dulan
found ample employment for his time and thoughts. I will not weary you
with a description of the exhibition. It passed off in that school
pretty much as it does in others. The Delanys, however, had not
returned in time to be present, nay, the very last day of William's
stay had dawned, yet they had not arrived. William had written to his
mother that he would be home on a stated day, and not even for the
delight of meeting the mistress of his heart, the period of whose
return was now uncertain, would he disappoint her. William was engaged
in packing his trunk, when Dr. Keene, again the harbinger of good
tidings, entered his room.
"My dear Dulan," said he, "I have come to tell you that the Delanys
have arrived. You will have an opportunity of spending your last
evening with Alice."
William shuffled his things into his trunk, pressed down the lid,
locked it, and, hastily bidding his friend good-evening, took his hat
and hurried from the house. Being arrived at Colonel Delany's, he was
shown into the drawing-room, and was delighted to find Alice its sole
occupant. The undisguised joy with which she received him left
scarcely a doubt upon his mind as to the reception of his intended
proposals. After a few mutual inquiries respecting health, friends,
and so forth, William took her white hand in his, and said, or
attempted to say--I know not what--it stuck in his throat--and he
remained merely silent, holding the hand of Alice. There is something
so extremely difficult about making a pre-meditated declaration of
love. It is much easier when it can be surprised from a man. William
knew the moments were very precious. He knew that Colonel Delany or
his son might be expected to enter at any moment, and there would be
an end of opportunity for a month or six weeks to come; yet there he
sat, holding her hand, the difficulty becoming greater every minute,
while the crimson cheek of Alice burned with a deeper blush. At length
footsteps approached. William heard them, and becoming alarmed,
hastily, hurriedly, but fervently and passionately exclaimed:
"Alice, I love you with my whole heart, mind and strength. I love you
as we are commanded only to love God. Dearest Alice, will you become
my wife?"
"Miss Raymond," said Richard Delany, entering at this moment, "my
father desires your presence instantly in his study on business of the
utmost moment to yourself. Mr. Dulan, I hope, will excuse me, as we
have but just arrived, and many matters crave my attention.
Good-evening, sir," and, bowing haughtily, he attended his cousin from
the room. William Dulan arose and took his hat to go.
"Farewell, Mr. Dulan," said Alice, kindly, "if we should not meet
again before your departure."
"Farewell, sweet Alice," murmured William Dulan as he left the house.
* * * * *
It was a glorious Sabbath morning early in August. The widow's
cottage gleamed in the dark bosom of the wood like a gem in the
tresses of beauty. Everything wore its brightest aspect. The windows
of the little parlor were open, and the songs of birds and the perfume
of flowers were wafted through them. But the little breakfast-table,
with its snowy cloth and its one plate, cup and saucer, looked almost
piteous from its solitude. Upon the clean white coverlet of the bed
sat the widow's little black bonnet and shawl, prayer-book, and clean
pocket handkerchief, folded with its sprig of lavender. It was
Communion Sunday, and the widow would not miss going to church on any
account. She dispatched her breakfast quickly--poor thing! she had not
much appetite. She had sat up half the night previous, awaiting the
arrival of William, but he had not come; and a man from the village
had informed her that the mail-stage had arrived on the night previous
without any passengers. As the stage would not pass again for a week,
the widow could not expect to see or hear from her son for that length
of time. After putting away her breakfast things, she donned her
bonnet and shawl, and, taking her prayer-book, opened the door to go
out. What a pleasant sight met her eyes. A neat one-horse carriage, or
rather cart, stood at the door--her son was just alighting from it. In
another instant he had clasped his mother in his arms.
"Oh! my William! my William! I am so glad to see you," exclaimed the
delighted mother, bursting into tears. "Oh, but this is so joyful, so
unexpected, dear William! I looked for you, indeed, last night; but,
as you did not come, I gave you up, unwillingly enough, for a week.
But come in, darling; you've not breakfasted, I know."
"No, dear mother, because I wished to breakfast with you; but let me
give something to the horse, first, and you sit in the door, dear
mother--I do not want to lose sight of you a moment, while waiting on
Rosinante."
"Never mind, William, old Jake can do that. Here, Jake," said she, as
the old servant approached, "take charge of Master William's horse."
Then turning to William, she said: "John sends old Jake over every
morning to help me."
"Ah! How are Cousins John and Elizabeth?"
"Oh, very hearty. We shall see them this morning at church."
"I did not come in the stage yesterday, mother," said William, as they
took their seats at the breakfast table, "because I had purchased this
light wagon and horse for you to ride to church in, and I came down in
it. I reached the river last night, but could not cross. The old
ferryman had gone to bed, and would not rise. Well, after breakfast,
dear mother, I shall have the pleasure of driving you to church in
your own carriage!" added William, smiling.
"Ah! William, what a blessing you are to me, my dear son; but it must
have taken the whole of your quarter's salary to buy this for me?" And
she glanced, with pain, at his rusty and threadbare suit of black, and
at his napless hat.
"Ah, mother, I was selfish after all, and deserve no credit, for I
laid the money out in the way which would give myself the most
pleasure. But, see, here is old Jake to tell us the carriage is ready.
Come, mother, I will hand you in, and as we go along I will unfold to
you some excellent news, which I am dying to deliver." So saying, he
placed his mother carefully in the little carriage, and seating
himself beside her drove off, leaving old Jake in charge of the house.
"There is plenty of time, dear mother; so we will drive slowly, that
we may talk with more comfort."
William then proceeded to relate, at large, all that had taken place
during his residence at Bay Grove--not omitting his love for Alice, of
whom he gave a glowing description; nor the bright prospects which the
kindness of Dr. Keene opened before him. Then he described the
beautiful dwelling which would become vacant on the removal of Dr.
Keene's family, which was expected to take place some time during the
coming autumn. To this dwelling, he intended to remove his mother, and
hoped to bear his bride.
To all this the mother listened with grateful joy. At the church,
William Dulan met again his cousins, John and Elizabeth, who expressed
their delight at the meeting and insisted that William and his mother
should return with them to dinner. This, however, both mother and son
declined, as they wished to spend the day at home together.
William Dulan spent a month with his mother, and when the moment
arrived that was to terminate his visit, he said to her:
"Now, dear mother, cheer up! This parting is so much better than our
last parting. Now, I am going to prepare a beautiful home for you, and
when I come at Christmas, it will be for the purpose of carrying you
back with me."
The widow gave her son a beaming look of love.
With a "Heaven be with you, my dearest mother," and "God bless you, my
best son," they parted. They parted to meet no more on earth.
Let us now return to the mansion of Colonel Delany, and learn the
nature of that "matter of the utmost moment to herself," that had
summoned Alice so inopportunely from the side of her lover.
* * * * *
On reaching the study of her uncle, Miss Raymond found him in deep
consultation with an elderly gentleman in black. Various packets of
papers were before him--an open letter was held in his hand. He arose
to meet Alice, as she advanced into the room, and taking her hand with
grave respect, said:
"Lady Hilden, permit me to congratulate you on your accession to your
title and estates."
"Sir! uncle!" exclaimed Alice, gazing at him with the utmost
astonishment, scarcely conscious whether she was waking or dreaming.
"Yes, my dear, it is true. Your grandfather--old Lord
Hilden--departed this life on the sixth of last March. His only living
son survived him but a few weeks, and died without issue, and the
title and estates, with a rent-roll of eight thousand pounds per
annum, has descended, in right of your father, to yourself!"
"I shall have so much to give to William!" involuntarily exclaimed
Alice.
"Madam!" exclaimed Colonel Delany in surprise.
Alice blushed violently at having thought aloud. "Dear sir," said she,
"I did not know what I was saying."
"Ah, well, I suppose you are a little startled with this sudden news,"
said the Colonel, smiling; "but now it is necessary for you to examine
with us some of these papers. Ah, I crave your pardon, Mr.
Reynard--Lady Hilden, this is Mr. Reynard, late solicitor to your
deceased grandfather, the Baron----"
Great was the excitement in the neighborhood when it was noised abroad
that Alice Raymond had become a baroness, in her own right, and the
possessor of a large estate in England. And when, for the first time
since her accession to her new dignities, she appeared at church, in
deep mourning, every eye was turned upon her, and she almost sank
beneath the gaze of so many people.
In the height of the "nine days' wonder," William Dulan returned, and
was greeted by the news from every quarter.
"Oh, Alice--lost! lost! lost to me forever!" exclaimed he, in agony,
as he paced, with hurried strides, up and down the floor of his little
room. "Oh, my mother, if it were not for thee, I should pray that this
wretched heart of mine would soon be stilled in death."
If any human being will look candidly upon the events of his own
life, and the history of his own heart, with a view to examine the
causes of suffering, he will be constrained to admit that by far the
greater portion of his miseries have originated in misapprehension,
and might have been easily prevented or cured by a little calm
investigation. It was so with William Dulan, who was at this moment
suffering the most acute agony of mind he ever felt in his life, from
a misconception, a doubt, which a ten minutes' walk to the house of
Colonel Delany, and a ten minutes' talk with Alice, would have
dissipated forever.
If Richard Delany was anxious before to wed his cousin for love, he
was now half crazy to take that step by which both love and ambition
would be gratified to the utmost.
He actually loved her ten times as much as formerly. The "beggar" was
beautiful, but the baroness was bewitching! Spurred on, then, he
determined to move heaven, earth and the other place, if necessary, to
accomplish his object. He beset Lady Hilden with the most earnest
prayers, and protestations, and entreaties, reminding her that he
loved and wooed her before the dawn of her prosperity, and appealed to
her for the disinterestedness of his passion. But all in vain. He even
besought his father to use his influence with Alice in his favor.
Colonel Delany, his objections being all now removed, urged his niece,
by her affection, by her compassion, and, finally, after some delicate
hesitation, by her gratitude, to accept the proffered hand of his son.
But Alice was steadfast in her rejection.
"A change had come o'er the spirit of her dream!"
Alas, alas! that a change of fortune should work such a change of
spirit! Alice Raymond was now Lady Hilden. Her once holy, loving, meek
blue eyes were now splendid with light and joy. Upon cheek and lip,
once so delicately blooming, now glanced and glowed a rich, bright
crimson. Her once softly falling step had become firm, elastic and
stately. "A peeress in my own right," was the thought that sent a
spasmodic joy to the heart of Alice. I am sorry she was not more
philosophical, more exalted, but I cannot help it, so it was; and if
Alice "put on airs," it must not be charged upon her biographer.
Time sped on. A rumor of an approaching marriage between Mr. Richard
Delany and Lady Hilden was industriously circulated, and became the
general topic of conversation in the neighborhood. To avoid hearing it
talked of, William Dulan sedulously kept out of company. He had never
seen Alice since she became Lady Hilden. Dr. Keene had removed with
his family from Bay Grove, and the principal government and emolument
of the school had devolved upon young Dulan. The Christmas holidays
were at hand, and he resolved to take advantage of the opportunity
offered by them, to remove his mother to Bay Grove. On the last
evening of his stay, something in the circumstance brought back
forcibly to his mind his last conversation with Alice--that
conversation had also taken place on the eve of a journey; and the
association of ideas awakened, together with the belief that he would
never again have an opportunity of beholding her, irresistibly
impelled him to seek an interview with Alice.
Twilight was fast fading into night. Lady Hilden stood alone, gazing
out from the window of her uncle's drawing-room. She had changed
again, since we saw her last. There was something of sorrow, or
bitterness, in the compressed or quivering lip. Her eye was bright as
ever, but it was the brightness of the icicle glancing in the winter
sun--it was soon quenched in tears, and as she gazed out upon the
gloomy mountain, naked forest, and frozen lake, she murmured: "I used
to love summer and day so much; now----" [A servant entered with
lights. "Take them away," said Alice. She was obeyed.]--"the dark soul
in the dark scene--there is almost repose in that harmony."
"Mr. Dulan," said the servant, reappearing at the door, and Mr.
William Dulan followed the announcement.
"You may bring in the light, now," said Alice.
"Will Lady Hilden accept congratulations, offered at so late a
period?" said William Dulan, with a respectful bow.
Alice, who had been startled out of her self-possession, replied only
by a bow.
"I was about to leave this neighborhood for a short time; but could
not do so without calling to bid you farewell, fearing you might be
gone to England before I return." William Dulan's voice was beginning
to quiver.
"I have no present intention of going to England."
"No? Such a report is rife in the neighborhood."
"One is not chargeable with the reports of the neighborhood."
Alice said this in a peculiar tone, as she glanced at the
sorrow-stricken visage of the young man.
A desultory conversation ensued, after which William Dulan arose to
take his leave, which he did in a choking, inaudible voice. As he
turned to leave the room, his ghastly face and unsteady step attested,
in language not to be misunderstood, the acuteness and intensity of
his suffering. Alice did not misunderstand it. She uttered one word,
in a low and trembling tone:
"William!"
He was at her side in an instant. A warm blush glowing over her bosom,
cheek and brow, her eyes were full of tears, as she raised them to his
face, eloquent with all a maiden may not speak.
"Angel! I love! I adore thee!" exclaimed the youth, sinking at her
feet.
"Love me, William, only love me, and let us both adore the Being who
hath given us to each other."
* * * * *
It was a cold night on the shores of the ice-bound Rappahannock. A
storm of wind and snow that had been fiercely raging all day long, at
length subsided. At a low cabin, which served the threefold purposes
of post-office, ferry-house and tavern, an old gray-haired man was
nodding over a smoldering fire. His slumbers were disturbed by the
blast of a stage horn and wheels of the coach, which soon stopped
before the door.
Two travelers alighted and entered the cabin. The old ferryman arose
to receive them.
"Any chance of crossing to-night, Uncle Ben?" inquired the younger
traveler.
"He-he! hardly, Mr. William; the river has been closed for a week,"
chuckling at the thought that he should be saved the trouble of taking
the coach across.
"Oh, of course, I did not expect to go on the boat; I was thinking of
crossing on the ice."
"I think that would scarcely be safe, Mr. William; the weather has
moderated a great deal since nightfall, and I rather think the ice may
be weak."
"Pooh! nonsense! fiddle-de-dee!" exclaimed the other traveler,
testily; "do you think, old driveler, that a few hours of moderate
weather could weaken, effectually, the ice of a river that has been
hard frozen for a week? Why, at this moment a coach might be driven
across with perfect safety!"
"I shouldn't like to try it, though, sir," said the driver, who
entered at this moment.
"The gentleman can try it, if he likes," continued the old man, with a
grin, "but I do hopes Mr. Dulan won't."
"Why, the ice will certainly bear a foot-passenger safely across,"
smiled William Dulan.
"I dare say it may; but, at any rate, I wouldn't try it, Master
William--'specially as it's a long, dark, slushy road between here and
the widow's."
"Why, Uncle Ben, do you think I am a young chicken, to be killed by
wetting my feet?" asked William, laughing. "Besides, at this very
moment, my good mother is waiting for me, and has a blazing fire, a
pot of strong coffee, and a bowl of oysters, in readiness. I would not
disappoint her, or myself, for a good deal."
"If it were not for this confounded lameness in my feet, I would not
stop at this vile hole to-night," said the elder traveler, who was no
other than Richard Delany, whom imperative business had called to this
part of the country, and who had thus become, very reluctantly, the
traveling companion of William Dulan.
"Nobody asked you, sir," exclaimed the old man, who did not seek
popularity.
William Dulan, who by this time had resumed his cloak, and received a
lighted lantern from the old ferryman, took his way to the river,
accompanied by the latter. Arrived at its edge, he turned, shook hands
with the old man, and stepped upon the ice. Old Ben remained, with his
eyes anxiously strained after the light of the lantern as it was borne
across the river. It was already half-way across--suddenly a breaking
sound, a fearful shriek, a quenched light, and all was dark and still
upon the surface of the ice; but beneath, a young, strong life was
battling fiercely with death. Ah! who can tell the horrors of that
frightful struggle in the dark, cold, ice-bound prison of the waters?
The old man turned away, aghast with horror, and his eyes fell upon
the countenance of Richard Delany, which was now lit up with demoniac
joy, as he muttered between his teeth:
"Good, good, good! Alice shall be mine now!"
* * * * *
It was night in the peaceful cottage of the widow. All the little
_agremens_ her son had pictured were there. A little round-table,
covered with a snowy cloth, stood in readiness. An easy-chair was
turned with its back to the fire, and on it a dressing-gown, and
before it lay a pair of soft, warm slippers. The restless, joyous,
anxious mother was reading over, for the twentieth time, her son's
last letter, in which he promised to be home, punctually, on that
evening. Hours flew on, but he did not come. At length, one o'clock
struck, and startled the widow from her meditative posture. "I must go
to bed--I must not look pale with watching, to-morrow, and alarm my
good son. It is just as it was before--he cannot get across the river
to-night. I shall see him early to-morrow." Removing the things from
about the fire, and setting the room in the nicest order, the widow
retired to bed.
She rose early in the morning, to prepare a good breakfast for her
son. "He shall have buckwheat cakes this morning; he is so fond of
them," said she, as she busied herself in preparation.
Everything was in readiness, yet William came not. The morning passed
on. The mother grew impatient.
"It is certainly high time he was here now," said she; "I will go
through the woods, toward the high-road, and see if he is coming," and
putting on her bonnet and shawl, she set out. She had just entered the
wood when two advancing figures caught her attention. The path was so
narrow that they were walking one behind the other.
"Ah! there he is--and John Dulan is with him," exclaimed the mother as
they drew near.
The foremost man was indeed John Dulan, who held out his hand as they
met.
"Ah! how do you do, John? How do you do? This is so kind of you! But,
stand aside--excuse me--I want to see that youth behind you!" and the
widow brushed past him, and caught to her bosom--old Ben, the
ferryman.
"My gracious! I thought you were my son! Dear me, how absurd!"
exclaimed the widow, releasing him.
"Let us go on to the cottage, aunt," said John Dulan, sadly.
"Yes, do. I am looking every minute for William. Oh, you can tell me,
Uncle Ben--did he reach the ferry last night?"
"Yes, madam," groaned the old man.
"Why, you alarm me! Why didn't he come home, then?"
"He did try--he did try! I begged him not to--but he would! Oh, dear!
oh, dear!"
"Why, what in Heaven's name is the matter? What has happened? Is my
son ill?"
"Tell her, Mr. Dulan--tell her! I could not, to save my life!"
The widow turned very pale.
"Where is William? Where is my son? Is he ill? Is he ill?"
"My dearest aunt, do try to compose yourself!" said John Dulan, in a
trembling voice.
"Where is my son? Where is he?"
"You cannot see him to-day----"
"Yet he was at the ferry-house last night! Great God! it cannot be!"
cried the mother, suddenly growing very pale and faint, "Oh, no!
Merciful Providence--such sorrow cannot be in store for me? He is
not----"
She could not finish the sentence, but turned a look of agonizing
inquiry on John Dulan. He did not speak.
"Answer! answer! answer!" almost screamed the mother.
John Dulan turned away.
"Is my son--is my son--dead?"
"He is in heaven, I trust," sobbed John.
A shriek, the most wild, shrill and unearthly that ever came from the
death-throe of a breaking heart, arose upon the air, and echoed
through the woods, and the widow sunk, fainting, to the ground. They
raised her up--the blood was flowing in torrents from her mouth. They
bore her to the house, and laid her on the bed. John Dulan watched
beside her, while the old man hastened to procure assistance.
The life of the widow was despaired of for many weeks. She recovered
from one fit of insensibility, only to relapse into another. At
length, however, she was pronounced out of danger. But the white hair,
silvered within the last few weeks, the strained eyes, contracted brow
and shuddering form, marked the presence of a scathing sorrow.
One day, while lying in this state, a traveling carriage drew up
before the door, and a young, fair girl, clad in deep mourning,
alighted and entered. Elizabeth, who was watching beside her, stooped
down and whispered very low:
"The betrothed bride of your son."
The young girl approached the bed, and, taking the hand of the
sufferer, exclaimed: "Mother, mother, you are not alone in your
sorrow! I have come to live or die by you, as my strength may serve!"
The widow opened her arms and received her in an embrace. They wept.
The first blessed tears that had relieved the burdened heart of either
were shed together.
Alice never left her. When the widow was sufficiently recovered, they
went to England. The best years of the life of Alice were spent in
soothing the declining days of William Dulan's mother. The face of
Alice was the last object her eyes rested on in life; and the hands of
Alice closed them in death.
Alice never married, but spent the remainder of her life in
ministering to the suffering poor around her.
I neglected to mention that, during the illness of Mrs. Dulan, the
body of her son was found, and interred in this spot, by the request
of his mother.
"What becomes of the moral?" you will say.
I have told you a true story. Had I created these beings from
imagination, I should also have judged them--punished the bad and
rewarded the good. But these people actually lived, moved, and had
their being in the real world, and have now gone to render in their
account to their Divine Creator and Judge. The case of Good _versus_
Evil, comes on in another world, at another tribunal, and, no doubt,
will be equitably adjudged.
* * * * *
As I fear my readers may be dying to know what farther became of
our cheery set of travelers, I may, on some future occasion, gratify
their laudable desire after knowledge; only informing them at present
that we did reach our destination at ten o'clock that night, in
safety, although it was very dark when we passed down the dreaded
Gibbet Hill and forded the dismal Bloody Run Swamp. That Aunt Peggy's
cap was not mashed by Uncle Clive's hat, and that Miss Christine did
not put her feet into Cousin Kitty's bandbox, to the demolition of her
bonnet; but that both bonnet and cap survived to grace the heads of
their respective proprietors. The only mishap that occurred, dear
reader, befell your obsequious servitor, who went to bed with a sick
headache, caused really by her acute sympathy with the misfortunes of
the hero and heroine of our aunt's story, but which Miss Christine
grossly attributed to a hearty supper of oysters and soft crabs, eaten
at twelve o'clock at night, which, of course, you and I know, had
nothing at all to do with it.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
1. Obvious printer's errors have been corrected without comment.
2. Text which was in italics in the original is surrounded by '_'.
3. The stories in the original scans had page numbers in three blocks.
The Rector of St. Marks pages numbered 1-131
Aunt Henrietta's Mistake }
False and True Love }
In the Hospital } pages numbered 171-243
Earnest and True }
Memorable Thanksgiving Days }
The Irish Refugee pages numbered 166-212
This version reflects the order of the images from the digital
library, and has not been checked against a physical copy of any
edition.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Rector of St. Mark's, by Mary J. Holmes