THE HELP OF JACOB COHEN.
On leaving Maria, Lord Medway went straight to his friend General
Clinton. He had just dined, and having taken much wine, was bland and
good-tempered. Medway's entrance delighted him. "I have had my orderly
riding about for a couple of hours looking for you," he said. "Where
have you been Ernest? My dinner wanted flavor without you."
"I have been seeing some people about this son of Bradley's that the
Police Court has in its clutches. By-the-bye, why don't you put a stop
to its infamous blackmailing? As a court, it is only a part of Howe's
treachery, formed for the very purpose of extortion, and of bringing His
Majesty's Government into disrepute. Abolish the whole affair, Henry.
You are court sufficient, in a city under martial law."
"All you say is true, Ernest, and there is no doubt that Matthews and
DuBois and the rest of them are the worst of oppressors. But I am
expected to subjugate the whole South this winter, and I must leave New
York in three or four weeks now."
"The Government expects miracles of you, Henry; but if military
miracles are possible, you are the soldier to work them. I have found
out to-day why you are not more popular; it is this Police Court, and
they call it a _Military_ Police Court, I believe; and all its tyrannies
are laid to you because your predecessor instituted it. They might as
well lay Howe's love for rebels to you."
"Speaking of rebels, I hear most suspicious things of Bradley's son. In
fact, he is a spy. Matthews tells me that he ought to have been hung
to-day. There is something unusual about the affair and I wanted to talk
to you concerning it. Bradley himself has been here and said things that
have made me uncomfortable--you know how he brings the next world into
this one; Smith has been here, also, asking me to pardon the fellow,
because the feeling in the city about Tryon's doings in Connecticut is
yet like smoldering fire in the hearts of the burghers. Powell has been
here asking me to pardon, because the spy's father has a thousand
bridles to make for the troops going South, and he thinks hanging the
youth would kill his father, or at least incapacitate him for work, and
Rivington has just left, vowing he will not answer for consequences if
his newspaper does not sympathize with the Bradleys. If Bradley's son
had been the arch-rebel's son, there could hardly have been more
petitions for his life. I don't understand the case. What do you say?"
"That Matthews and DuBois have made a tremendous blunder in fining the
Semples for disloyalty in the matter. I will warrant the Semples'
loyalty with my own."
"So would I. It is indisputable."
"Yet the Elder has been fined two hundred pounds, and Mr. Neil Semple
one hundred pounds, because Bradley's son tied his boat at their
landing; a fact they were as ignorant of as you or I. And you get the
blame and ill-will of such tyranny, Henry. It is shameful!"
"It is," answered Clinton in a tone of self-pity; "the boat, however,
was full of goods, about which the young man would say nothing at all."
"Women's bits of lace and ribbons; a mended fan, and some gloves and
stockings."
"There was also a Bradley saddle."
"Yes, Bradley acknowledged it."
"Then father or son ought to have given information about it."
"It was their business; and if either you or I were brought before such
an irresponsible court and such autocratic judges, I dare say we should
consider silence our most practical weapon of defense. In Harry
Bradley's position, I should have acted precisely as he did. The whole
affair resolves itself into a lovers' tryst; the lad would not give the
lady a disagreeable publicity; he would die first. You yourself would
shield any good woman with your life, Henry, you know you would."
And Clinton thought of the bewitching Mrs. Badely and the lovely Miss
Blundell, and answered with an amazing air of chivalry, "Indeed I
would!"
"Have you ever noticed a Captain Macpherson, belonging to your own
Highland regiment?"
"Who could help noticing him? He is always the most prominent figure in
every room."
"He will be so no longer. He was almost hissed out of court to-day, and
I was told the demonstrations on the street sent him stamping and
swearing to his quarters. Well, he is the villain of this pitiful little
drama. The heroine is that lovely granddaughter of Semples."
"I know her; a little darling! and as good as she is beautiful."
Then Medway, with an inimitable scornful mimicry told the story of the
pebble and the note, the alarm of the Highland troops, the arrest of the
Elder and his son, the subsequent proceedings in court, the sympathy of
the people with the Semples, and the contempt which no one tried to
conceal for the informer. Then, changing his voice and attitude, he
described Bradley's speechless grief, the Semple's wounded loyalty and
indignation, and finally the passionate sorrow of the mistress and
sister of the doomed man.
"It is the most pitiful story of the age," he continued, "and if I were
you, Henry, I would not permit civilians to usurp the power you ought to
hold in your own hand. You have to bear the blame of all the crimes
committed by this infamous court. Pardon the prisoner with a stroke of
your pen, if only to put these fellows in their proper place."
"But there was a cipher message in his possession--here it is. It was in
the binding of a book he carried in his pocket."
"He says he did not put it there. No one can read it. If you found a
letter in the Babylonish speech, would you hang a man because you could
not read the message he carried!"
"Special pleading, Ernest. And he ought to have told who rebound the
book, and to whom he was carrying it. The paper on which the cipher is
written is my paper. Some one, not far from me, must have taken it."
"Suppose you question Smith?"
"Do you intend to say that Smith is a traitor?"
"I say, ask Smith. I have no doubt he can read the Babylonish for
you--if he will."
"You alarm me. Am I surrounded by enemies?"
"I think you have many round you. I have warned you often. My advice to
you at this time is to pardon young Bradley."
"Why are you taking such an interest in young Bradley?"
"I have no secrets from you, he is my rival."
"Preposterous! How could he rival you in anything?"
"Yet he is my rival in the affections of Maria Semple."
"Then let him hang! He will be out of your way."
"No, he would be forever in my way. She would idolize him, make him a
hero and a saint, and worship him in some secret shrine of memory as
long as she lives. I am going to marry her, and I want no secret
shrines. He is a very good-looking, ordinary young man; only the
circumstances of the time lifted him out of the average and the
commonplace. Let him go scot free that he may find his level which is
far below the horizon of my peerless Maria."
"I don't think I can let him go 'scot free,' Ernest. I should offend
many if I did, and it would be made a precedent; suppose I imprison him
during the continuance of the war!"
"That is too romantic. Maria would haunt the prison and contrive some
way of communication. He would still be her hero and her lover."
"And you will marry this infatuated girl?"
"Yes, a thousand times, yes! Her love for that boy is mere sentiment. I
will teach her what love really means. She has promised to marry me--if
I save Harry Bradley's life."
"I never saw you taken so with any woman before."
"I never cared for a woman before. The moment I saw Maria Semple it was
different. I knew that she belonged to me. Henry, you are my best
friend, give me my wife; no one but you can do so."
"Ernest! Ernest! You ask a great thing."
"Not too great for you to grant. You have the will and you have the
power. Are you not going to make me happy, Henry?"
"Privately, it would be a delight to humor you, Ernest; but officially,
what am I to say to Matthews, DuBois and others."
"Tell them, that as a matter of military policy, you wish the prisoner
released. Why should you make explanations to them? Oh, they are such
courtiers, they will smile and do all you wish. You are above their
rascally court; reverse their decision in this affair and show them your
power. Believe me, it will be, politically, a wise step."
There was silence for a few moments, and then Clinton said: "I am sorry
for the Semples. I like them both, and there is something about the
saddler that sets him above other men. But it would not be right to let
this young spy--for he is a spy--off, without some punishment."
"I think that is right."
"He must be told that he will be shot on sight if he enters New York
again."
"He will deserve it."
"And I will have him drummed out of the city as a rogue and a suspect.
We will make no hero of him--quite the contrary."
"I oppose nothing of that kind. I ask for his life and his freedom,
because he stands between Maria Semple and myself. If I wanted any other
reason, because I thoroughly respect his father, and am on excellent
terms with his sister, who has been very hospitable to me and who is a
remarkable girl. It has troubled me to-day to remember her lonely sorrow
and anxiety."
"You have given me three good reasons for granting your request, and
have omitted the strongest of all, Ernest."
"What is that, Henry?"
"That I love you."
"And I love you. You have always been like a big brother to me; always
petted me and humored my desires."
"Well, then, I will see Matthews and DuBois in the morning."
"Send for them here to-night. If their court is a Military Police Court,
you are Commander-in-Chief."
"Right! I will send for them. It is only about nine o'clock."
"And you will insist that the prisoner be given his life and
freedom--nothing less?"
"I give you my word for it. But I will have him punished as I said. He
must be prevented from coming to New York again. This kind of thing can
not happen twice."
"I know. If words could thank you, Henry, I would say them."
"Nonsense, Ernest; what are words between us? We know each other's
heart;" then he laid his arm across his friend's shoulder and their
hands clasped; there was no need of words.
Very early in the morning Maria and Agnes received the good tidings.
Maria was asleep when Medway's letter, with a basket of hot-house fruit
was brought to her. Agnes was making her father's coffee, and they both
looked at the unexpected letter with a fearful anticipation. But as soon
as Agnes glanced at it, she perceived that it brought good news, and she
gave it to her father. She could not speak, and for a few minutes
Bradley was equally silent. Not that they were ungrateful, oh, no! They
were only inarticulate. They had a gratitude so deep and holy that they
had no words with which to express it; and when the happy father found
speech, it was weak and tremulous as that of a man in the last
extremity. _"I was brought low, and He helped me!"_ That was all, but he
stood up, steadying himself by his chair, and uttered the verse with a
reverence and holy joy that no language can describe.
In a little while he began to talk to his daughter. "I knew God would
not fail me," he said. "Yesterday afternoon I did all I could, and then
I left the rest with Him. I saw General Clinton and said a few words
which he could not gainsay. I saw Smith, and told him plainly if Harry
died, he should translate that cypher message to the Commander-in-Chief.
I saw Powell, and many others, whom _I hold at my mercy_, and they know
_that_ now, if they never knew it before. Andrews left New York an hour
after I saw him; he is a fearful creature and he believed I would speak,
though Harry had been silent; well, I must see the boy as soon as
possible, there is certain to be some difficulty that only gold can
overcome. I hope they will not imprison him."
"Lord Medway says, he will be set free."
"Thank God!"
He rose with the words and Agnes brought him his top-coat. Then, as they
stood face to face, she was shocked at the ravage thirty hours of
travail in the shadow of death had made on him. "Father," she said, "oh,
father, forgive me! I did wrong to deceive you! I did wrong!"
"Yes, my girl, you did wrong; and nothing right can come from wrong; but
Agnes, I have been worse than you. I, also, have been living a deceitful
life, thinking that the end justified the means. I set you the example.
Your fault is my fault. We have both been trying to do the right thing
in _our own way_. We have been patriots, as Nicodemus was a
Christian--by night. That is wrong. We must do right first hand, not
second hand. From this hour that kind of thing will be sinning with our
eyes open; it will be looking God's Commandments in the face, and then
breaking them. Do you understand, Agnes?"
Then he went away, and Agnes tried to turn to her household duties. She
wondered if Maria would come and see her or if she ought to go to Maria,
and while she was debating the question Neil called. He was much
depressed. The good news about Harry only affected him through Agnes,
and he was very anxious about his father, who was in a high fever and
was constantly talking of his fine and his inability to pay it. "Maybe
I'll hae to go to prison for the debt," was his constant cry, and Neil
felt that his father's fine must be satisfied, no matter at what cost.
So it was a troubled little visit; the day before each was so uncertain,
so full of probabilities which the slightest momentum might divert to
either joy or sorrow. They could not feel that their congratulations
were full ripe; something might yet happen to destroy their hopes.
Neil went first to his office. He found Mr. Curtis preparing for the
court, and as yet unaware of the decision in Harry's case; "but it is a
great piece of good luck for the young scamp," he said, when Neil told
him, "for he's a spy, if ever there was one. I have no doubt he deserves
death, fifty times over."
"I have no doubt there are fifty men in New York who deserve it more
than he does--men of power and prominence."
"I would keep such observations to myself, Neil. Your father is far too
outspoken and he is paying for it now."
"I hope my father will never be less outspoken."
"Well, as I say, he has to pay for his opinions. He has two hundred
pounds to pay, but then he had his two hundred pounds worth of
fault-finding."
"What do you mean, Curtis?"
"Don't you remember how imprudently he spoke about Mr. Hulen's
imprisonment?"
"He said nothing but the truth. Mr. Hulens is the most loyal of
gentlemen, but because he was not sufficiently polite to a town major,
he was imprisoned with felons and vagabonds and afterward compelled to
publicly apologize. It was an infamous wrong."
"Precisely what the Elder said. It has not been forgotten."
"There were the two De Lanceys----"
"Yes, to be sure! And why did he trouble himself about them? There are
enough of De Lanceys to look after De Lanceys."
"The injustice of the affair was every man's business. These two De
Lanceys were private gentlemen, who, because they had some words
with a German chasseur, were seized in their homes and tried by
court-martial--though they had no connection whatever with the army: at
the worst it was a simple assault, the most trifling offense the civil
law notices, yet the De Lanceys were degraded and imprisoned for two
months, and then compelled to beg this German mercenary's pardon before
all the troops at Kingsbridge. Remember Mr. Hicks, turned out of his
hotel by General Patterson at the request of that unmentionable creature
Loring--because Loring wanted it for one of his parasites. Remember poor
Amberman, the miller at Hempstead, who, because he asked Major Stockton
for payment for the flour he had bought, was nearly flogged to death,
and then run through with Major Crew's sword, and kicked out of the
way--dead. Nothing was done to Stockton; I met him on the street an hour
ago, still an officer in His Majesty's service. I could add one hundred
examples to these--but what is the use? And why are we lawyers? There is
no law. The will of any military officer is the law."
"Still we are lawyers, Neil; and special counselors to three of the
commissaries."
"I shall not be counselor much longer. I am going to write my
resignation now."
"Are you mad? These fees are about all the ready money we make."
"I should deserve to be called mad, or worse, if I continued to serve a
government which had just fined me for not being careful of its
interests."
"For Heaven's sake, don't throw hundreds a year away for a figment!"
"Honor is something more than a figment. But you had better go to court
early this morning. When you come back, I want you to let me have two
hundred pounds until I can sell some property."
Curtis burst into a loud laugh: "I could not let you have two hundred
shillings," he said. "Good gracious, Neil, how can you suppose I have
money to spare?"
"I know you have money, but if you are averse to lending it, that is a
different thing. I thought you might have some memory of all I have done
for you."
"I have. Of course I have. You have put thousands of pounds in my way;
I don't deny or forget it, but I have a family----"
"I understand. I wish you would hasten about Bradley's case. His father
will be expected to pay for their service."
"I suppose his case is settled. I am sorry he has got off--deuced sorry!
A saucy youth who looked defiance at his betters all the time."
"Were they his betters?"
"He ought to be hung!" And he went on talking rapidly about Bradley's
deserts. Neil knew the bluster was affected in order to prevent
recurrence to the subject of money, and with a heart hot and wounded he
sat down to write his resignation of the offices which were his
principal support. Curtis was disconcerted and uneasy, and his last
words on leaving the office were an entreaty to Neil to do "nothing
foolish and hasty." But the papers were written, and then he took
himself to the proper departments.
He was woefully unhappy. His father's and mother's condition made his
strong heart tremble, and though no one could have supposed from his
appearance that he had a single care, the sudden falling away of his
friends and acquaintances wounded him like a sword.
As he walked the streets, so gravely erect, so haughtily apart, he was
made to feel, in many ways, that he had lost in public estimation. No
one took the trouble to ask him a favor or stopped to seek his opinion,
or told him bits of gossip about events transpiring. He was classed with
the Bradleys. The Misses Robertson passed him with the most formal of
recognitions; Miss Smith did not notice him at all, while Joris Van
Emerslie, who had taken his advice the previous week about the sale of
his business, crossed the street to avoid him.
Friends were not far behind enemies. As he stood a moment on the steps
of the barracks commissary, Judge Lawson, an old man and an intimate
acquaintance of the Semples, stopped and said, "Good-morning, Neil. I am
glad to see you here. I heard Cornelius Bloch had asked for your
position and was likely to get it."
"I did not resign my position, Judge, until five minutes ago. The
commissioners have not yet received it."
"Very true, but every one knew you must resign--the servants of the King
must be above suspicion, eh?"
"Suspicion, sir!"
"Now, now, Neil! You must keep your temper for younger men; I am too old
to be bluffed."
Then Neil walked silently away, and the old friend of the family watched
him with a queer mingling of pity and satisfaction. "Proud creatures,
them Semples, old and young," he muttered; "but good, true hearts in
them, I'm half sorry for Neil, he was always ready to do me a kindness;
but a little pull-down won't hurt him, he carries his head too high for
anything."
But high as Neil carried his head, his heart was in the depths. It
seemed to him that all the fair, honorable life he had built was falling
into ruin. He needed now both help and sympathy, and his friends looked
coldly upon him, or took the same reproving tone as the self-righteous
comforters of the man of Uz. Full of bitter thoughts he was walking down
Queen Street, when he heard a soft, familiar voice, almost at his ear,
say, "Mr. Semple! Honored sir, will you speak to me for a few minutes?"
He looked up quickly, and saw that he was close to the doorstep of Jacob
Cohen, the Jewish dealer in fine furniture, china, jewelry, etc.
"Certainly, Mr. Cohen," he answered, as he stepped inside the gloomy
warehouse, crowded with articles of great beauty and astonishing value.
"Will you sit here, if you please, sir," and Cohen drew a large stool
forward for Neil; "I must not detain you, your time is worth much money,
many people wish to buy it, but it is land I would buy, if you will sell
it to me."
"Land, Mr. Cohen! Perhaps a house----"
"No, it is the land you own next to our synagogue. If you will remember,
I had it in my heart to buy this plot of ground six years ago. I thought
then we could build a larger temple, one more worthy for our worship;
but we did not reach agreement at that time and then came the war. I
offered you then, four hundred pounds for the land; to-day I make you
the same offer if you will take it."
Neil's emotion was almost beyond his control. For a few minutes he could
not answer the proposition, but Cohen had the patience of the Jew, and
he divined the young man's agitation and mental tremor. Silent and
motionless he waited for Neil's reply. It came strained and hesitating,
as if speech was an effort.
"Mr. Cohen--I will sell you the land--yes, indeed! As you say, for four
hundred pounds."
"To-morrow? Can the sale be completed to-morrow?"
"I will prepare the papers to-day."
"I am well pleased."
"Mr. Cohen, this is a great surprise--a good surprise--you do not
understand how good. I believe it is something more than business you
intend; it is sympathy, kindness, friendship."
"It is business, but it is kindness also, if you will accept it. Your
house have ever done me good, and not evil. I and mine prayed for
you--yes, the Jew knows the pang of injustice that must be borne without
protest and without redress."
"You have done my family and myself an unspeakable kindness. I were the
worst of ingrates not to acknowledge it," and Neil rose and offered his
hand. And when Cohen took it, and held it for a few moments within his
own, a marvellous change passed over the old man. The timid attitude,
the almost servile respect, vanished; his face beamed with a lofty
expression, his eyes met Neil's frankly; in the prosaic surroundings of
the dark, crowded shop he looked, for a few moments, like an Eastern
prince.
As they stood thus together, Neil longing to say something that should
show his deep gratitude and friendship, and forgetting that Israel in
America at that day still preserved much of their Oriental seclusion in
household matters, asked after his daughter, Mrs. Belasco. "I have not
seen her since her marriage," he said; "but I can never forget her. It
was her promptitude in the duel between Captain Hyde and myself that
saved my life."
"She has a good heart;" then suddenly, "come, come into my home, yes,
come in and see her."
He walked toward the back of the shop and Neil followed him into a
large, low room, where there was a table covered with a white cloth.
Another white cloth, folded lengthwise, shielded the bread and the china
laid ready for the noonday meal. Cohen stood at the entrance and
permitted Neil to pass in. As he did so, a small, dark Jew rose and
bringing forward a chair, said, "Welcome be the guest."
"This is Mr. Belasco," said Cohen, and then Neil knew the woman who was
standing behind Mr. Belasco's chair. It was the still beautiful Miriam.
The happiness of perfect love lighted the dusky white of her complexion
and filled her glorious eyes. A brilliant silk kerchief was thrown over
her black hair, and she wore a rich, flowing garment of many colors.
There were gems in her ears and around her neck, and her slim, brown
fingers sparkled with sapphires and diamonds. Behind her was the
whitewashed wall of a room on which was traced some black Hebrew
characters--wise or comforting passages from the Psalms or the Prophets;
and on shelves of ordinary wood, a quantity of beautiful china, some
silver vessels, and a copper lamp with seven beaks, brightly polished.
Before her sat Belasco, his swarthy face revealing both power and
intellect, purposely veiled beneath a manner of almost obsequious
deference. But his voice, like Cohen's, was full of those vague tones of
softness and melody, of which Orientals preserve the eternal poetry,
with the eternal secret. Outside, but within sight and hearing, was the
vibrant, noisy, military life of New York--western turmoil--hurry of
business--existence without pause; but here, in this grave, unornamented
room, with its domestic simplicity and biblical air, was the very
atmosphere of the East.
Neil, who really possessed the heart and the imagination of a poet, felt
the vibration of the far-off life, and even while addressing Mr.
Belasco, had visions of palm-trees and of deserts and of long, long
journeys with the caravans of camels, from oasis to oasis. He was
standing amid the children of the patriarchs. These souls were of older
race than himself; they had the noblest of kindreds, a country that was
the mother of nations.
With the ideal respect born of such thoughts he offered his hand to Mrs.
Belasco. Then she called her children and proudly exhibited them to
Neil, and in a few moments a slave brought in a dish of lamb stewed with
rice and herbs, some dates, a plate of little cakes strewed with caraway
seeds, and some strong coffee. A roll of bread was at each plate, and
Cohen broke his with Neil. Miriam did not eat with them; she waited
silently on their wants, her face beaming with pleasure and goodwill.
And Neil felt as if he had suddenly passed through a little wooden door
into the life of the far East.
He said something like this, and Cohen answered, "God has said to us, as
to His servant Abraham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred. We are the wayfarers of the Eternal, confessing still, as
Moses in the Law taught us--'a Syrian ready to perish was my father.'"
Deut. 26:5.
It was an unlooked-for and wonderful hour, and Neil left the shop of
Jacob Cohen a very different being from the depressed, anxious man who
had entered it an hour previously. His first thought was his father and
mother, and he went to his office, wrote the following note, and sent a
messenger with it to them:
MY HONORED AND BELOVED PARENTS:
I have sold a plot of land in Mill Street for four hundred
pounds, and the fines will be paid to-morrow. We shall not
require to borrow a farthing from any one. Be at ease. I will
come to you as soon as I have written the necessary transfer
papers.
Your affectionate son,
NEIL.
Then an unconquerable desire to see Agnes, or at least to do something
for her, took entire possession of him; and he laid aside his business,
and went as rapidly as possible to the Bradley house. But Agnes would
not see him. She asked to be left alone, and Neil understood her need of
solitude, and respected it. In Maiden Lane he met Lord Medway, who said,
"I have been at your office seeking you, Mr. Semple. Young Bradley is to
be put outside the city at two o'clock to-day."
"He is pardoned then, on what conditions?"
"He will be shot on sight if he comes within five miles of New York; and
I fear he will not have a pleasant escort to the barricade."
"You mean that he will be drummed out by the military and assaulted by
the mob?"
"Yes, the court said, as a vagabond and spy and common rogue against His
Majesty's government and interests."
"Oh! I suppose the court is right; there is nothing to be done."
"His father has sent a number of men with some message to all the
respectable burghers he can influence; and I think Bradley can influence
a great many, either through their fear of him, or their respect for
him."
"What does he propose to do? He can not prevent this public
demonstration, and he ought not to try to do so. His son has got off
miraculously well. It is his place to submit and be grateful."
"He tells me the last man drummed out of town was nearly killed by the
missiles thrown at him, and did lose the sight of one eye. He proposes
to prevent the mob's playfulness, if he can."
"But how?"
"He has asked a number of the tradesmen and merchants in the city to
send their apprentices and clerks, and thus, by influence and example,
keep the unruly element in check. No one can prevent their presence. In
fact, good citizens are expected to countenance the rogue's punishment.
I may show myself at some point of the route," he added, with a laugh;
"I have a little friend who may ask me about it," and he looked
curiously at Neil, wondering if Maria had told him how the miracle had
been performed which saved Harry's life.
But Neil made no sign, and Medway continued: "I wish you would dine
with me this evening, Mr. Semple. I have something of importance to tell
you. I dine at five, shall we say at The King's Arms. Afterward I will
walk home with you, if I may."
"I will join you at five o'clock. What time does the young man begin his
march, and from what point?"
"From Whitehall Slip to Dock Street, Hanover Square, Queen Street, Crown
Street, William Street, King George Street to the Boston Road, and so to
the eastern gate of the barrier. I rather think the companions of the
journey will be few in number ere they reach the barrier. They start
about two o'clock I believe. You will not forget dinner at five?"
Then the young men parted and Neil went to his office to consider his
movements. Events had happened with a celerity that made him nervous and
uncertain. He was used to method and plenty of time. Hurry, under any
circumstances, destroyed his balance. Between his father and mother,
Agnes, Maria, John Bradley and his son, Jacob Cohen and Lord Medway, he
felt as if in a whirlwind. He wanted an hour of solitude in which to
collect himself. But his office, that usually quiet, methodical place,
was this day full of unrest. His partner was fuming at Harry Bradley's
release, and wondering "what on earth was the use of the law, or the
necessity for lawyers to interpret it?"
"There is now no necessity for either law or lawyers," answered Neil;
"we may pack our books and lock our door."
"Neil, I have been thinking how I could manage to get two hundred for
you."
"It is not necessary. I am sorry I spoke to you on the subject."
"I hope you have reconsidered the question of resignation."
"I sent in my resignation this morning."
"Of course the commissioners will include me with you."
"Not necessarily."
"Yes, necessarily; and I think you have been very selfish and unkind."
"My honor."
"My wife and children! They are of as much account as your honor."
Then Neil rose and went out again; there seemed no peace anywhere, he
had scarcely reached the street when he heard in the distance the
mocking strains of the drums and the fifes. They sounded so intolerable
that he fled to his home to escape their cruel clamor. His mother saw
his approach and was at the door to meet him. Her face looked strangely
grey and thin, but it had something too of its old spirit and
cheerfulness as she said:
"Neil, my dear lad, your letter set our old hearts singing. How did you
manage it? Who helped you?"
"God and Jacob Cohen helped me," he answered. "The Jew has bought my
land in Mill Street, and the strange thing is that he bought it out of
respect and sympathy for my father. I am as sure of that as I am that
Jacob Cohen is the only Christian in New York who remembered us for past
kindness or cared for us in present trouble. I want to rest an hour,
mother; I have an appointment with Lord Medway at five o'clock, and I
feel like a leaf that has been blown hither and thither by the wind for
two days. You might tell Maria that Agnes Bradley's brother will be
outside of New York, a free man, in an hour."
"I am glad he is out o' our life, anyway. Much sorrow and loss he has
brought us, and you will see that Maria's good name will be none the
better for being mixed up with the affair."
"That is Macpherson's fault. For her sake, and for your sake, he might
have held his tongue. I will not forgive him."
"His duty, Neil----"
"Nonsense! He could have given the information without bringing in
Maria's name. He was mad with wounded vanity, it was a miserable,
cowardly bit of revenge."
"I don't think he is a coward."
"He is; any man is a coward who takes his spite out on a woman, and you
have been so kind, so motherly to him. He is a disgrace to the tartan:
but I want an hour's rest, and tell father to be perfectly easy about
the money. I shall have it in the morning. It rests on Cohen's word; I
know no better human security."
"Are you not hungry?"
"I had dinner with the Cohens, a simple, excellent meal."
"The world is tapsalteerie; I wonder at nothing that happens. Did you
see the young man? I mean Bradley's son?"
"Not I. I did not want to see him. I heard the drums and got out of
sight and hearing as quickly as possible. I believe his father has
managed the affair very wisely; I should not wonder if the rogue's march
turns out more of a triumph than an ignominy."
In a measure Neil's judgment proved to be correct. Respectable young
men, charged to discountenance riotous abuse, began to join the
procession at its outset, and this element was continually augmented. As
they passed Bradley's shop, Bradley himself stepped out of it and
walking at the head of the line, took his place at Harry's right hand.
No one interfered. The drummers and fifers in front did not see him, and
the stupid Waldeckers, ignorant of English and of everything but the
routine of their regiment, took him as a part of the event. He was
dressed in black cloth, with a white lawn band around his neck, and if
they speculated about him at all, they thought he was a clergyman, and
concluded the prisoner was to be hung at the barrier.
[Illustration: THE DRUMMERS AND FIFERS IN FRONT DID NOT SEE HIM.]
But Harry turned to his father a face full of love and gratitude. The
youth's self-control was complete, for his disdain of the whole
proceeding was both breastplate and weapon to him. He was bare-headed
and with the wind in his hair and the sunlight in his eyes he went
swinging onward to the song of victory he heard in his own heart. By the
side of his father's massive contour and stern countenance, Harry looked
like some young Michael, bright-faced and fearless.
Now and then a taunt was hurled at the lad, and occasionally a jibe far
more tangible, but of neither missile did he show the least
consciousness. The presence of his father touched the rudest heart. He
removed his hat when he saw his son's uncovered head, and his grey hairs
evoked far more pity than contempt. When they passed through the
fashionable residence streets, the sympathy was even remarkable; windows
were thrown up, handkerchiefs fluttered, and now and then a shrill
little _"bravo!"_ made Harry look up and catch the influences of pity
and admiration that women, young and lovely, and women, old and wayworn,
rained down on him. As Medway predicted, the crowd melted away long
before the barrier was reached, for the mood of mischief was not in it.
The fifes screamed and the drums beat, but could not summon the devilish
spirit of mob violence, and Harry Bradley's tramp to the Rogue's March
was a much more quiet and orderly affair than the Police Court intended
it to be.
At the barrier the gate was flung open, and, in the midst of a
fanfaronade of discordant sounds and scornful shouts Harry was hustled
outside. But his father had found opportunity to give him gold and to
tell him a negro was waiting with a swift horse behind the gates; and
just at the last moment, amid the scoffing and jeering of the soldiers,
he put his arms about his son's neck and kissed and blessed him. He had
drunk the shameful cup to the dregs with the lad, and he turned to the
little gathering a face that awed them. As one man they moved aside to
let him pass, and for a few moments watched him, as, with a mighty
stride he took the road homeward. For he looked beyond his nature large
and commanding, and he walked as if moved by some interior force that
was beyond his control. Men gazed at him with awe and pity, but no one
ventured to speak to him.
As he approached his home the inner momentum that had carried him
without let or hinderance at a marvelous speed seemed to fail; he
faltered, looked round wearily, and then stumbled forward, as if he had
charged his spirit for the last mile of life. When he reached his gate
he could not open it, and Agnes ran out to help him; speech was
impossible, but with a pitiful glance he let her lead him into the
house. Leaning on her, he stumbled forward until he reached the sofa,
then, with a great cry he fell backward.
Fortunately, Neil Semple at that moment entered the house, and he was
instantly at Bradley's side, rendering, with Agnes, the help at once
necessary, and soothing the afflicted man with words of such sympathy
and affection as few mortals had ever heard pass the lips of Neil
Semple. "Mr. Bradley," he entreated, "do not fail yourself at this hour!
We are all so sorry for you--all ready to weep with you--think of
Agnes--are you suffering?--Shall I go for a physician? What is the
matter? Speak to me, Mr. Bradley."
"Sir," he answered, stretching out his trembling arms, "sir, I can
neither see nor hear."