IN WHICH REGRETS ARE SHOWN OF LITTLE WORTH.
THE reader may remember, that we, in the early part of our
narrative, made some slight mention of the Rovero family, of which
Franconia and Lorenzo were the only surviving children. They, too,
had been distinguished as belonging to a class of opulent planters;
but, having been reduced to poverty by the same nefarious process
through which we have traced Marston's decline, and which we shall
more fully disclose in the sequel, had gathered together the
remnants of a once extensive property, and with the proceeds
migrated to a western province of Mexico, where, for many years,
though not with much success, Rovero pursued a mining speculation.
They lived in a humble manner; Mrs. Rovero, Marston's sister-and of
whom we have a type in the character of her daughter,
Franconia-discarded all unnecessary appurtenances of living, and
looked forward to the time when they would be enabled to retrieve
their fortunes and return to their native district to spend the
future of their days on the old homestead. More than four years,
however, had passed since any tidings had been received of them by
Franconia; and it was strongly surmised that they had fallen victims
to the savage incursions of marauding parties, who were at that time
devastating the country, and scattering its defenceless inhabitants
homeless over the western shores of central America. So strong had
this impression found place in Franconia's mind that she had given
up all hopes of again meeting them. As for M'Carstrow's friends,
they had never taken any interest in her welfare, viewing her
marriage with the distinguished colonel as a mere catch on the part
of her parents, whose only motive was to secure themselves the
protection of a name, and, perhaps, the means of sustaining
themselves above the rank disclosure of their real poverty. To keep
"above board" is everything in the south; and the family not
distinguished soon finds itself well nigh extinguished. Hence that
ever tenacious clinging to pretensions, sounding of important names,
and maintenance of absurd fallacies,--all having for their end the
drawing a curtain over that real state of poverty there existing.
Indeed, it was no secret that even the M'Carstrow family (counting
itself among the very few really distinguished families of the
state, and notorious for the contempt in which they affected to hold
all common people), had mortgaged their plantation and all its
negroes for much more than their worth in ordinary times. As for
tradesmen's bills, there were any quantity outstanding, without the
shadow of a prospect of their being paid, notwithstanding
importuners had frequently intimated that a place called the gaol
was not far distant, and that the squire's office was within a
stone's throw of "the corner." Colonel M'Carstrow, reports say, had
some years ago got a deal of money by an unexplainable hocus pocus,
but it was well nigh gone in gambling, and now he was keeping
brothel society and rioting away his life faster than the
race-horses he had formerly kept on the course could run.
Hospitality hides itself when friends are needy; and it will be seen
here that Franconia had few friends-we mean friends in need. The
Rosebrook family formed an exception. The good deacon, and his ever
generous lady, had remained Franconia's firmest friends; but so
large and complicated were the demands against Marston, and so gross
the charges of dishonour--suspicion said he fraudulently made over
his property to Graspum-that they dared not interpose for his
relief; nor would Marston himself have permitted it. The question
now was, what was to be done with the dead body?
We left Franconia bathing its face, and smoothing the hair across
its temples with her hand. She cannot bury the body from her own
home:--no! M'Carstow will not permit that. She cannot consign it to
the commissioners for the better regulation of the "poor house,"-her
feelings repulse the thought. One thought lightens her cares; she
will straightway proceed to Mrs. Rosebrook's villa,--she will herself
be the bearer of the mournful intelligence; while Harry will watch
over the remains of the departed, until Daddy, who must be her guide
through the city, shall return. "I will go to prepare the next
resting-place for uncle," says Franconia, as if nerving herself to
carry out the resolution.
"With your permission, missus," returns Harry, touching her on the
arm, and pointing through the grated window into the gloomy yard.
"Years since-before I passed through a tribulation worse than
death-when we were going to be sold in the market, I called my
brothers and sisters of the plantation together, and in that yard
invoked heaven to be merciful to its fallen. I was sold on that day;
but heaven has been merciful to me; heaven has guided me through
many weary pilgrimages, and brought me here to-night; and its
protecting hand will yet restore me my wife and little ones. Let us
pray to-night; let us be grateful to Him who seeth the fallen in his
tribulation, but prepareth a place for him in a better world. Let us
pray and hope," he continued: and they knelt at the side of the
humble cot on which lay the departed, while he devoutly and
fervently invoked the Giver of all Good to forgive the oppressor, to
guide the oppressed, to make man feel there is a world beyond this,
to strengthen the resolution of that fair one who is thus sorely
afflicted, to give the old man who weeps at the feet of the departed
new hope for the world to come,--and to receive that warm spirit
which has just left the cold body into his realms of bliss.
What of roughness there was in his manner is softened by simplicity
and truthfulness. The roughest lips may breathe the purest prayer.
At the conclusion, Franconia and Daddy leave for Mrs. Rosebrook's
villa, while Harry, remaining to watch over the remains, draws his
chair to the stand, and reads by the murky light.
"I won't be long; take care of old mas'r," says Daddy, as he leaves
the cell, solicitously looking back into the cavern-like place.
It is past ten when they reach the house of Mrs. Rosebrook, the
inmates of which have retired, and are sleeping. Everything is quiet
in and about the enclosure; the luxuriant foliage bespreading a lawn
extending far away to the westward, seems refreshing itself with dew
that sparkles beneath the starlight heavens, now arched like a
crystal mist hung with diamond lights. The distant watchdog's bark
re-echoes faintly over the broad lagoon, to the east; a cricket's
chirrup sounds beneath the woodbine arbour; a moody guardsman,
mounted on his lean steed, and armed for danger, paces his slow way
along: he it is that breaks the stillness while guarding the fears
of a watchful community, who know liberty, but crush with steel the
love thereof.
A rap soon brings to the door the trim figure of a mulatto servant.
He conveys the name of the visitor to his "missus," who, surprised
at the untimely hour Franconia seeks her, loses no time in reaching
the ante-room, into which she has been conducted.
Daddy has taken his seat in the hall, and recognises "missus" as she
approaches; but as she puts out her hand to salute him, she
recognises trouble seated on his countenance. "Young missus in
da'h," he says, pointing to the ante-room while rubbing his eyes.
"But you must tell me what trouble has befallen you," she returns,
as quickly, in her dishabille, she drops his hand and starts back.
"Missus know 'um all,--missus da'h." Again he points, and she hastens
into the ante-room, when, grasping Franconia by the hand, she stares
at her with breathless anxiety expressed in her face. A pause ensues
in which both seem bewildered. At length Franconia breaks the
silence. "Uncle is gone!" she exclaims, following the words with a
flow of tears.
"Gone!" reiterates the generous-hearted woman, encircling
Franconia's neck with her left arm, and drawing her fondly to her
bosom.
"Yes,--dead!" she continues, sobbing audibly. There is something
touching in the words,--something which recalls the dearest
associations of the past, and touches the fountains of the heart. It
is the soft tone in which they are uttered,--it gives new life to old
images. So forcibly are they called up, that the good woman has no
power to resist her violent emotions: gently she guides Franconia to
the sofa, seats her upon its soft cushion, and attempts to console
her wrecked spirit.
The men-servants are called up,--told to be prepared for orders. One
of them recognises Daddy, and, inviting him into the pantry, would
give him food, Trouble has wasted the old man's appetite; he thinks
of master, but has no will to eat. No; he will see missus, and
proceed back to the prison, there join Harry, and watch over all
that is mortal of master. He thanks Abraham for what he gave him,
declines the coat he would kindly lend him to keep out the chill,
seeks the presence of his mistress (she has become more reconciled),
says, "God bless 'um!" bids her good night, and sallies forth.
Mrs. Rosebrook listens to the recital of the melancholy scene with
astonishment and awe. "How death grapples for us!" she exclaims, her
soft, soul-beaming eyes glaring with surprise. "How it cuts its way
with edge unseen. Be calm, be calm, Franconia; you have nobly done
your part,--nobly! Whatever the pecuniary misfortunes,--whatever the
secret cause of his downfall, you have played the woman to the very
end. You have illustrated the purest of true affection; would it had
repaid you better. Before daylight-negroes are, in consequence of
their superstition, unwilling to remove the dead at midnight-I will
have the body removed here,--buried from my house." The good woman
did not disclose to Franconia that her husband was from home, making
an effort to purchase Harry's wife and children from their present
owner. But she will do all she can,--the best can do no more.
At the gaol a different scene is presented. Harry, alone with the
dead man, waits Daddy's return. Each tap of the bell awakes a new
hope, soon to be disappointed. The clock strikes eleven: no Daddy
returns. The gates are shut: Harry must wile away the night, in this
tomb-like abode, with the dead. What stillness pervades the cell;
how mournfully calm in death sleeps the departed! The watcher has
read himself to sleep; his taper, like life on its way, has nearly
shed out its pale light; the hot breath of summer breathes balmy
through the lattice bars; mosquitoes sing their torturous tunes
while seeking for the dead man's blood; lizards, with diamond eyes,
crawl upon the wall, waiting their ration: but death, less
inexorable than creditors, sits pale king over all. The palace and
the cell are alike to him; the sharp edge of his unseen sword spares
neither the king in his purple robe, nor the starving beggar who
seeks a crust at his palace gate,--of all places the worst.
As morning dawns, and soft fleeting clouds tinge the heavens with
light, four negroes may be seen sitting at the prison gate, a litter
by their side, now and then casting silent glances upward, as if
contemplating the sombre wall that frowns above their heads,
enclosing the prison. The guard, armed to the teeth, have passed and
repassed them, challenged and received their answer, and as often
examined their passes. They-the negroes-have come for a dead man.
Guardmen get no fees of dead men,--the law has no more demands to
serve: they wish the boys much joy with their booty, and pass on.
Six o'clock arrives; the first bell rings; locks, bolts, and bars
clank in ungrateful medley; rumbling voices are heard within the
hollow-sounding aisles; whispers from above chime ominously with the
dull shuffle rumbling from below. "Seven more cases,--how it rages!"
grumbles a monotonous voice, and the gate opens at the warden's
touch. "Who's here?" he demands, with stern countenance unchanged,
as he shrugs his formidable shoulders. "I see, (he continues,
quickly), you have come for the dead debtor. Glad of it, my good
fellow; this is the place to make dead men of debtors. Brought an
order, I s'pose?" Saying "follow me," he turns about, hastens to the
vestibule, receives the order from the hand of Duncan, the chief
negro, reads it with grave attention, supposes it is all straight,
and is about to show him the cell where the body lays, and which he
is only too glad to release. "Hold a moment!" Mr. Winterflint--such
is his name--says. Heaven knows he wants to get rid of the dead
debtor; but the laws are so curious, creditors are so obdurate, and
sheriffs have such a crooked way of doing straight things, that he
is in the very bad position of not knowing what to do. Some document
from the sheriff may be necessary; perhaps the creditors must agree
to the compromise. He forgets that inexorable Death, as he is
vulgarly styled, has forced a compromise: creditors must now credit
"by decease." Upon this point, however, he must be satisfied by his
superior. He now wishes Mr. Brien Moon would evince more exactness
in holding inquests, and less anxiety for the fees. Mr. Winterflint
depends not on his own decisions, where the laws relating to debtors
are so absurdly mystical. "Rest here, boy," he says; "I won't be a
minute or two,--must do the thing straight." He seeks the presence of
that extremely high functionary, the gaoler (high indeed wherever
slavery rules), who, having weighed the points with great legal
impartiality, gives it as his most distinguished opinion that no
order of release from the high sheriff is requisite to satisfy the
creditors of his death: take care of the order sent, and make a note
of the niggers who take him away, concludes that highly important
gentleman, as comfortably his head reclines on soft pillow. To this
end was Mr. Moon's certificate essential.
Mr. Winterflint returns; enquires who owns the boys.
"Mas'r Rosebrook's niggers," Duncan replies, firmly; "but Missus
send da order."
"Sure of that, now? Good niggers them of Rosebrook's: wouldn't a'
gin it to nobody else's niggers. Follow me-zist, zist!" he says,
crooking his finger at the other three, and scowling, as Duncan
relieves their timidity by advancing. They move slowly and
noiselessly up the aisle, the humid atmosphere of which, pregnant
with death, sickens as it steals into the very blood. "In
there-zist! make no noise; the dead debtor lies there," whispers the
warden, laying his left hand upon Duncan's shoulder, and, the
forefinger of his right extended, pointing toward the last cell on
the left. "Door's open; not locked, I meant. Left it unsecured last
night. Rap afore ye go in, though." At the methodical warden's
bidding Duncan proceeds, his foot falling lightly on the floor.
Reaching the door, he places his right hand on the swinging bolt,
and for a few seconds seems listening. He hears the muffled sound of
a footfall pacing the floor, and then a muttering as of voices in
secret communion, or dying echoes from the tomb. He has not mistaken
the cell; its crevices give forth odours pergnant of proof. Two
successive raps bring Harry to the door: they are admitted to the
presence of the dead. One by one Harry receives them by the hand,
but he must needs be told why Daddy is not with them. They know not.
He ate a morsel, and left late last night, says one of the negroes.
Harry is astonished at this singular intelligence: Daddy Bob never
before was known to commit an act of unfaithfulness; he was true to
Marston in life,--strange that he should desert him in death.
"Mas'r's death-bed wasn't much at last," says Duncan, as they gather
round the cot, and, with curious faces, mingle their more curious
remarks. Harry draws back the white handkerchief which Franconia had
spread over the face of the corpse, as the negroes start back
affrighted. As of nervous contortion, the ghastly face presents an
awful picture. Swollen, discoloured, and contracted, no one outline
of that once cheerful countenance can be traced. "Don't look much
like Mas'r Marston used to look; times must a' changed mightily
since he used to look so happy at home," mutters Duncan, shaking his
head, and telling the others not to be "fear'd; dead men can't hurt
nobody."
"Died penniless;--but e' war good on e' own plantation," rejoins
another. "One ting be sartin 'bout nigger-he know how he die wen 'e
time cum; Mas'r don know how 'e gwine to die!"
Having seen enough of the melancholy finale, they spread the litter
in the aisle, as the warden enters the cell to facilitate the dead
debtor's exit. Harry again covers the face, and prepares to roll the
body in a coverlit brought by Duncan. "I kind of liked him-he was so
gentlemanly-has been with us so long, and did'nt seem like a
prisoner. He was very quiet, and always civil when spoken to,"
interposes the warden, as, assisting the second shrouding, he
presses the hand of the corpse in his own.
Now he is ready; they place his cold body on the litter; a few
listless prisoners stand their sickly figures along the passage,
watch him slowly borne to the iron gate in the arched vault.
Death-less inexorable than creditors-has signed his release, thrown
back prison bolts and bars, wrested him from the grasp of human
laws, and now mocks at creditors, annuls fi fas, bids the dead
debtor make his exit. Death pays no gaol fees; it makes that bequest
to creditors; but it reserves the keys of heaven for another
purpose. "One ration less," says the warden, who, closing the grated
door, casts a lingering look after the humble procession, bearing
away the remains of our departed.
With Harry as the only follower, they proceed along, through
suburban streets, and soon reach the house of that generous woman. A
minister of the gospel awaits his coming; the good man's words are
consoling, but he cannot remodel the past for the advantage of the
dead. Soon the body is placed in a "ready-made coffin," and the good
man offers up the last funeral rites; he can do no more than invoke
the great protector to receive the departed into his bosom.
"How the troubles of this world rise up before me! Oh! uncle! uncle!
how I could part with the world and bury my troubles in the same
grave!" exclaims Franconia, as, the ceremony having ended, they bear
the body away to its last resting-place; and, in a paroxysm of
grief, she shrieks and falls swooning to the floor.
In a neatly inclosed plat, a short distance from the Rosebrook
Villa, and near the bank of a meandering rivulet, overhung with
mourning willows and clustering vines, they lay him to rest. The
world gave the fallen man nothing but a prison-cell wherein to
stretch his dying body; a woman gives him a sequestered grave, and
nature spreads it with her loveliest offering. It is the last
resting-place of the Rosebrook family, which their negroes,
partaking of that contentment so characteristic of the family, have
planted with flowers they nurture with tenderest care. There is
something touching in the calm beauty of the spot; something
breathing of rural contentment. It is something to be buried in a
pretty grave-to be mourned by a slave-to be loved by the untutored.
How abject the slave, and yet how true his affection! how dear his
requiem over a departed friend! "God bless master-receive his
spirit!" is heard mingling with the music of the gentle breeze, as
Harry, sitting at the head of the grave, looks upward to heaven,
while earth covers from sight the mortal relics of a once kind
master.
It has been a day of sadness at the villa-a day of mourning and
tribulation. How different the scene in the city! There, men whisper
strange regrets. Sympathy is let loose, and is expanding itself to
an unusual degree. Who was there that did not know Marston's
generous, gushing soul! Who was there that would not have stretched
forth the helping hand, had they known his truly abject condition!
Who that was not, and had not been twenty times, on the very brink
of wresting him from the useless tyranny of his obdurate creditors!
Who that had not waited from day to day, with purse-strings open,
ready to pour forth the unmistakeable tokens of friendship! How many
were only restrained from doing good-from giving vent to the
fountains of their hospitality-through fear of being contaminated
with that scandal rumour had thrown around his decline! Over his
death hath sprung to life that curious fabric of living generosity,
so ready to bespread a grave with unneeded bounties,--so emblematic
of how many false mourners hath the dead. But Graspum would have all
such expressions shrink beneath his glowing goodness. With honied
words he tells the tale of his own honesty: his business intercourse
with the deceased was in character most generous. Many a good turn
did Marston receive at his hands; long had he been his faithful and
unwearied friend. Fierce are the words with which he would execrate
the tyrant creditors; yea, he would heap condign punishment on their
obdurate heads. Time after time did he tell them the fallen man was
penniless; how strange, then, that they tortured him to death within
prison walls. He would sweep away such vengeance, bury it with his
curses, and make obsolete such laws as give one man power to gratify
his passion on another. His burning, surging anger can find no
relief; nor can he tolerate such antiquated debtor laws: to him they
are the very essence of barbarism, tainting that enlightened
civilisation so long implanted by the State, so well maintained by
the people. It is on those ennobling virtues of state, he says, the
cherished doctrines of our democracy are founded. Graspum is,
indeed, a well-developed type of our modern democracy, the flimsy
fabric of which is well represented in the gasconade of the above
outpouring philanthropy.
And now, as again the crimson clouds of evening soften into golden
hues-as the sun, like a fiery chariot, sinks beneath the western
landscape, and still night spreads her shadowy mantle down the
distant hills, and over the broad lagoon to the north-two sable
figures may be seen patting, sodding, and bespreading with
fresh-plucked flowers the new grave. As the rippling brook gives out
its silvery music, and earth seems drinking of the misty dew, that,
like a bridal veil, spreads over its verdant hillocks, they whisper
their requiem of regret, and mould the grave so carefully. "It's
mas'r's last," says one, smoothing the cone with his hands.
"We will plant the tree now," returns the other, bringing forward a
young clustering pine, which he places at the head of the grave, and
on which he cuts the significant epitaph-"Good master lies here!"
Duncan and Harry have paid their last tribute. "He is at peace with
this world," says the latter, as, at the gate, he turns to take a
last look over the paling.