OPPOSING THE WEDDING.
News of the betrothal of Astral and Erma was not slow in finding its way
through the city, as society is well supplied with couriers that delight
to inform mankind whenever two individuals conclude to form a home, the
unit of civilization. On a matter of such fundamental importance,
society reserves the right to freely express its opinion.
The comment on the proposed marriage was quite varied in character. As
to the worthiness of the two contracting parties all were agreed, but
from that point onward there was much divergence of opinion. Astral's
complexion was not as light as that of Erma, so some were of the opinion
that she was making a slight mistake on that score.
Astral was criticised by some on the score that he had chosen a wife of
mixed blood when there were so many girls in the city of pure Negro
extraction. Others insisted that he had acted wisely, on the theory that
each succeeding generation should be as far removed as possible from the
original color which had so many ills chargeable to it. Still another
group was found that bitterly opposed the union on the ground that class
distinctions were highly essential to the welfare of the race, which
distinctions Astral's course was calculated to obliterate, in that he,
who was to earn his livelihood by mental exertion, was to marry a girl
who had deserted that pathway and resorted to menial labor.
Opposed to these were those who agreed with Burns in his teaching's, to
the effect that
"Rank is but the guinea's stamp;
A man's the gowd for a' that."
Thus the conflict of sentiment raged, eventuating in no action, however,
save in the case which we are now about to record.
Ellen Sanders, true to her conception of ladyship, had declined all
employment that involved physical labor. Time after time she had made
attempts to be elected teacher in the city schools, but some one else of
the great number of applicants had always secured the prize. Repeated
failure had somewhat dampened her hope, but had not altered her
determination to "cling to her ladyship to the last." Of late she had
been turning her attention to the subject of marriage as a possible
solution. One by one the professional men of the city had been favored
with her smiles, but all to no avail thus far, though her smiles had
grown to have the appearance of artificiality from such faithful and
constant service. There was one last string to her bow, upon which she
relied to bring her success; and as her case was growing desperate, she
had decided not to allow mere formalities to stand in her way.
The hope that had survived, had Astral for its basis. She had been his
schoolmate, had received some slight attention from him in those days,
and now felt that the friendship of childhood could be easily
transformed into love. She had not known of Astral's attachment for Erma
and consequently apprehended no opposition from that source. Imagine her
chagrin and dismay when the news that Astral and Erma were to wed
reached her ears. The first effect was to rob her of all inclination to
act, but this feeling of stupefaction was succeeded by a grim
determination to win at all hazards. Her first move was to bring
influences to bear on Astral to dissuade him from the contemplated step.
In the city there were a number of young men who could not be said to
follow any vocation, who were without visible means of support, and yet
dressed well and lived in idleness. There was much speculation as to how
they were maintained, but no positive evidence on hand. There was a
well-defined suspicion to the effect that they received their meals
through the rear windows of kitchens where Negro girls were in service
to white people, and their clothes, which were good but never new, were
supposed to come from the same source. As to where they lodged, it would
perhaps not be well to state, though here and there rumors were afloat
to the effect that they were seen jumping over back fences into
alleyways in the early hours of the morning. Though these social
Melchizedeks were involved in much mystery they were greatly in evidence
and ready for any scheme that seemed to promise any money, provided
always and only that no physical exertion was involved.
Such a personage was E. Moses Smith, Esq., and to him Ellen Sanders now
resorts. He readily accepts the money which Ellen brings him and agrees
to undertake the work of influencing Astral against Erma. On divers
occasions he intrudes himself in Astral's company, seeking to win his
friendship.
Astral is now pleased with all the world because he has Erma's love, and
E. Moses Smith Esq., very naturally fell into the mistake of supposing
himself deeper in his graces than he really was, so cordially was Astral
receiving him. Eventually he concluded that he was far enough advanced
in Astral's favor to begin the task assigned him. He had charge of an
office consisting of two rooms, which office a white lawyer, then on a
tour of Europe, had committed to his care. To this office he invited
Astral, with a view to approaching him on the subject of his
contemplated marriage.
Ellen Sanders being informed of the plan begged to be allowed to occupy
the rear room so that she might overhear the conversation and know how
to gauge her hopes.
At the appointed hour Astral stepped in and was received in a most
effusive manner by the young man. Ellen's eye was to the keyhole and her
heart gave a bound as she looked upon Astral's handsome face and noble
form.
"Mr. Herndon," he began after the usual exchange of greetings, "you are
a much discussed man in our town."
Astral understood the reference to be to his approaching marriage and
smiled his thanks.
Ellen saw the smile and grew faint; it betokened so much happiness in
the heart of Astral. "Ah me!" she sighed.
The young man resumed, "Never in years has a proposed marriage been so
much discussed as this one."
"The people do me a signal honor, I am sure," was Astral's reply.
"Yes, but not in the way that you suppose, Mr. Herndon," was his
response.
"The comment is _unfavorable_ to me, then, I presume," Astral remarked.
The young man felt that his time had arrived so he reared back in his
chair and closed his eyes preparatory to the delivery of his speech
which Ellen had helped him to compose.
"Yes, Mr. Herndon, the comment is decidedly against you. Society confers
upon all men certain blessings otherwise unattainable. What would any
man's life be worth without the blessings which society confers! In
return for these blessings society establishes certain laws and customs
which all are expected to obey."
Here he slightly opened his eyes to see the effect his argument was
having on Astral. Noting nothing decisive he closed them again.
Ellen murmured to herself, "Good! Go on!"
The young man resumed, "Some of its requirements society enacts into
laws and compels obedience thereto. Others are left to the influence of
public sentiment. Every true member of a community, I hold, is in duty
bound to yield to every demand of enlightened public sentiment."
A scowl now appeared on Astral's face as he perceived the drift of his
remarks, but the latters' eyes being closed, he did not see it.
The young man continues, "Especially is this true on the question of
matrimony, as from the home, society draws material for its
construction. My opinion is that no man should enter a marriage contract
over the vigorous protest of society."
Astral was now a very angry man and none too safe to deal with.
Ellen saw that there was danger ahead and was anxious for E. Moses
Smith, Esq., to open his eyes so that he might take note of the
gathering storm and seek for shelter by a change of course. She had no
means of communicating her fears without discovering her own presence,
so the young man remained unwarned.
Continuing, he said, "You, Mr. Herndon, are a very worthy man, but Erma
Wysong--"
"Say it, you cur!" thundered Astral, rising and drawing himself to his
full height, wrathful indignation depicted on every feature.
The astounded E. Moses Smith, Esq., opened wide his eyes and one glance
at Astral explained the situation, whereupon in great terror, he fled
precipitately to the room in the rear, Ellen having opened the door to
readily receive him. Having locked the door, he thought himself safe,
and proceeded to conclude his remarks through the keyhole.
"Mr. Herndon, you are unduly angry, sir. I was not going to say anything
derogatory of Erma Wysong, further than that she had been a service girl
and as a consequence, was unworthy of so grand a man as yourself."
When Astral heard the word unworthy applied to Erma he proceeded to the
door and with one kick wrested it from its hinges. The young man, who
had seen him approaching, had jumped behind Ellen, with a view to
keeping her between the irate Astral and himself. But the frightened
girl tore herself from his grasp and ran through the aperture, a thick
veil concealing her identity. When Astral entered the room in quest of
the young man he found society's advocate coiled on the floor, making
oft repeated pleas for mercy, interspersed with cries of fire, murder,
robber, and such other words as, in his frenzy, he thought would bring
others to the scene. Astral looked down upon him in contempt and strode
out of the room, leaving him unharmed.