THE SUMMING UP
Charleston had taken a strong hold on all our affections. The spirit of
the place seemed to possess us as we lazed away the hours in Miss
Arabella's tangled old garden or in Louis' more combed and brushed one.
Our friendship for the Greens grew stronger and deeper, and we were soon
addressing Mrs. Green as Molly and her husband as 'Fessor. All of us
were staying in the beautiful old Southern city longer than we had
intended. Zebedee said he had no excuse for lingering longer, as he had
threshed out the political situation to his own satisfaction and the
dissatisfaction of the South Carolina "ring." He should be back on his
job in Richmond, but he said he felt like one of the lotus-eaters and
nothing much made any difference to him.
'Fessor also had overstayed his holiday, but he declared that his
assistant at Wellington could do the work as well as he could, which
amused Molly greatly as she said it was the first time he had
acknowledged that his assistant could do anything at all; he looked upon
him usually as purely ornamental and not intended for use.
I knew father and Mammy Susan were wondering if I had forgotten them
entirely, but my conscience, too, was lulled to rest, and I felt as
though I could spend the rest of my days dreaming and dozing. Tweedles,
of course, had nothing to do but stay with a light heart as no one was
expecting them home but poor Brindle; and as Brindle was left in care of
the elevator boy, who spoiled him outrageously, even treating him to ice
cream cones, I really believe he did not mind being left nearly so much
as Dee liked to think he did.
Every day we lengthened our stay in Charleston was as another pearl on
the string to poor Louis, and to Claire, too, I think. Thanks to Molly
and Zebedee, his Eminence of the Tum Tum had accepted the whole crowd
as desirable, and that meant that we could see as much of his children
as we wanted to; and as we wanted to see them all the time, we did.
We went on wonderful jaunts with them, and saw everything that could be
seen, Louis acting as guide. Sometimes we even persuaded one of the dear
old ladies to go with us. I am sure they saw things they had not seen
for a decade. We noticed one thing, that when Zebedee was along they
always left their pokers behind.
Sullivan's Island thrilled us, and Dum and Zebedee tried to work out the
whole scene of Poe's "Gold Bug," but as the island is now a popular
summer resort, it was not an easy matter to do.
There is no use in trying to describe the Magnolia Gardens. The azaleas
were in full bloom, and nowhere else in the world, I verily believe, is
there such a sight. Some of the bushes are thirty feet high and look
like giant bouquets.
"I feel like the country woman at the circus the first time she saw a
hippopotamus," declared Zebedee; "I don't believe there's no sich
thing! It doesn't seem possible that these are growing plants and that
in Richmond at Easter I have had to pay five dollars for a little azalea
not much more than two feet high."
The dark green of the magnolia and live-oak trees enhanced the glory of
the flowers. It was so beautiful it hurt. Molly said it made her feel as
she did the first time she ever saw an opera at the Metropolitan in New
York. It was her freshman year at Wellington, and she had been invited
to visit in New York during the Christmas holidays.
"It was 'Madame Butterfly,' and the scenery was so wonderful to me I
could hardly listen to the music. I fancy cherry-blossom time in Japan
must be almost as beautiful as this, but I can't believe it is quite so
brilliant."
Magnolia Cemetery, which is just outside of Charleston and which Dee had
refused to see without Zebedee, certainly would be a nice place to be
buried in. It was sadder to visit because of the new graves there, and
Zebedee had to abandon his usual cheerful graveyard spirits. He was
quite solemn and kept his hat off all the time.
Louis skirted us around the outer edge of the cemetery first and saved
the great old oak for the last. It burst upon us with such force that as
a crowd we were left breathless. The beauty of the azaleas at Magnolia
gardens, compared to this hoary old monarch, were as a cheap obituary
poem to the twenty-third psalm. And in saying that I do not mean to
belittle the beauty of the gardens, but I have to put them in that
category to make a place high enough in the scale of comparison for that
tree.
It was huge, but bent over with years like some old man, and one great
limb was resting on the ground, giving it the look of one kneeling in
prayer. The foliage was vigorous and glossy, deeper and richer in color
than that of many younger trees, just as the wonderful words of some
grand old man, John Burroughs or his ilk, will make the utterances of
younger men seem pale and feeble.
In kneeling and coming so in touch with Mother Earth, this Father of the
Forest had borrowed of her fullness, and now his trunk and huge limbs
were covered with an exquisite ferny growth. Wild violets and anemones
bloomed happily in the crotches of his great arms, and I saw a tiny wild
strawberry ripening on his knee, having escaped the vigilance of the
many birds nesting in the upper branches. Spanish moss hung in festoons
from some of the limbs, seeming like a venerable beard.
I have never had anything affect me as that tree did. It was so gallant
and brave, so kindly and beneficent! It had the spirit of youth and the
kindliness of old age; the playfulness of a child and the wisdom of
centuries. It must have seen the Indians crowded out by the white men;
looked out across the harbor at the storming of Fort Moultrie, and
almost a century later at the defence of Fort Sumter. Wars and rumors of
wars were nothing to this veteran. While we were there a perky wren
pounced down on the defenceless strawberry and gobbled it up, and I am
sure the gray beard thought no more of the gobbling up of the redmen
than he did of that red berry. His comparisons were of aeons and not of
decades or mere centuries.
"There is no use in talking about it!" exclaimed Zebedee. "I've got to
climb that tree, if it means one hundred dollars' fine and a month in
jail."
That was exactly the way I felt. It seemed to me as though I simply had
to get up that tree. The park policeman was nowhere in sight, and
Zebedee ran lightly up the bent back of the ancient giant, Dum after
him. It was easy climbing, and I would have followed suit in spite of my
ankle, that I could not yet quite trust, if I had not seen the helmet of
the policeman looming up over a near-by sepulchre.
Claire was shocked at what seemed to her a desecration, but Louis said
afterward he knew just how Mr. Tucker felt. He had always wanted to get
up that tree, and he considered it a kind of homage due the old oak.
Trees were meant to climb, and it was no more a desecration to climb
one even if it did happen to be in a cemetery, than it was to smell a
rose that bloomed there.
The policeman, all unconscious of the coons he had treed, came ambling
up and stood and talked to us for quite a while until Dee tactfully drew
him off to descant on the glories of the William Washington monument.
Zebedee and Dum sat very still in their leafy bower, so still that
Zebedee declared a bird came and tweaked some of Dum's hair out to help
line his nest; but Dum said he did it himself until she had to make a
noise like a catbird to make him stop.
There is no telling what fine and punishment would have been imposed on
the miscreants. It was not that it was such a terribly naughty thing to
do, but just that it had never been done before. They slipped down,
however, while the policeman's back was turned and came up smiling
around the other side with the innocent expression a cat assumes when he
has been in the cream jug.
"It was worth it," whispered Zebedee to me; "I am so sorry you couldn't
get up, too. The old fellow was glad to have us up there. He told me
that no children had climbed up to hug him for at least a hundred years.
I didn't tell him that I was grown up, but just let him treat me like a
little child. He didn't know the difference."
"I shouldn't think he would," I laughed, "when there isn't any
difference."
* * * * *
And now it is time to stop, and I shall have to close my story of
Charleston. All of us wanted to dream on there forever. It had been a
wonderful time. We had made lifelong friends of Molly Brown and 'Fessor
Green. We had flopped into the lives of the Gaillards and expected to
stay. We had made our way into one of the most difficult and exclusive
homes in the city of exclusive homes, and Miss Judith and Miss Arabella
Laurens had taken us to their fluttering hearts.
Their thin pocketbooks had also opened to take in a fair and generous
recompense for their kind hospitality--but it had been Zebedee and not
Edwin Green who had finally and tactfully completed our business
arrangements.
Now Zebedee said he must get back to his newspaper. He felt it calling
him, as he had discovered an advertisement on the editorial page--a
crime in newspaperdom that was deserving of capital punishment. He must
get back and chop off somebody's head.
Then 'Fessor Green began to fear his assistant was not able to do his
work, and Molly couldn't wait another day to see little Mildred, her
baby. I knew it was selfish for me to stay any longer from father, who
did have a stupid time of it when all was told.
Dee began to feel that Brindle missed her. Dum said it was because Louis
had the same expression in his eyes that Brindle did and it made Dee
feel that she must get back to her pet.
We parted from our friends with many assurances of meeting again. The
Greens asked us to visit them at Wellington or in Kentucky, where they
spent their summers, and of course we asked them to come see us in
Virginia. Molly was to send us letters of introduction to her friends
in New York, and Louis was planning to stop in Richmond on his way to
Exmoor. Parting was only planning for future meetings.
I was to stay at Bracken for several months and then meet my friends at
Price's Landing, so sometime I shall tell you my experiences there, in
"A House Party with the Tucker Twins."
THE END
The Girl Scouts Series
[Illustration: The Girl Scouts Canoe Trip by Edith Lavell]
BY EDITH LAVELL
A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by an author of wide
experience in Scouts' craft, as Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.
Clothbound, with Attractive Color Designs.
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL
THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP
THE GIRL SCOUTS' GOOD TURN
THE GIRL SCOUTS' CANOE TRIP
THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS
THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH
THE GIRL SCOUTS' VACATION ADVENTURES
THE GIRL SCOUTS' MOTOR TRIP
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
Marjorie Dean High School Series
[Illustration: Marjorie Dean HIGH-SCHOOL FRESHMAN]
BY PAULINE LESTER
Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series
These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great interest to all
girls of high school age.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN
MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE
MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR
MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
Marjorie Dean College Series
[Illustration: Marjorie Dean: College Sophomore]
BY PAULINE LESTER.
Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series.
Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager
to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in
these stories.
All Clothbound. Copyright Titles.
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN
MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE JUNIOR
MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SENIOR
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
Publishers.
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 East 23rd Street New York
The Camp Fire Girls Series
[Illustration: The Campfire Girls IN THE MAINE WOODS]
By HILDEGARD G. FREY
A Series of Outdoor Stories for
Girls 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The
Winnebagos go Camping.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL; or, The Wohelo
Weavers.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE; or, The Magic
Garden.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING; or, Along the
Road That Leads the Way.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS' LARKS AND PRANKS; or, The
House of the Open Door.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON ELLEN'S ISLE; or, The Trail
of the Seven Cedars.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE OPEN ROAD; or, Glorify
Work.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS DO THEIR BIT; or, Over the Top
with the Winnebagos.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY; or, The
Christmas Adventure at Carver House.
THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT CAMP KEEWAYDIN; or, Down
Paddles.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
The Blue Grass Seminary Girls Series
[Illustration: The Blue Grass Seminary Girls in the Mountains]
BY CAROLYN JUDSON BURNETT
For Girls 12 to 16 Years
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
Splendid stories of the Adventures
of a Group of Charming Girls.
THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' VACATION
ADVENTURES; or, Shirley Willing to the Rescue.
THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS;
or, A Four Weeks' Tour with the Glee Club.
THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS;
or, Shirley Willing on a Mission of Peace.
THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS ON THE WATER; or,
Exciting Adventures on a Summerer's Cruise Through
the Panama Canal.
The Mildred Series
[Illustration: Mildred at Home]
BY MARTHA FINLEY
For Girls 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
A Companion Series to the famous
"Elsie" books by the same author.
MILDRED KEITH
MILDRED AT ROSELAND
MILDRED AND ELSIE
MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE
MILDRED AT HOME
MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS
MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
The Radio Boys Series
[Illustration: The Radio Boys on the Mexican Border]
BY GERALD BRECKENRIDGE
A new series of copyright titles for
boys of all ages.
Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
THE RADIO BOYS ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
THE RADIO BOYS ON SECRET SERVICE DUTY
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE REVENUE GUARDS
THE RADIO BOYS' SEARCH FOR THE INCA'S TREASURE
THE RADIO BOYS RESCUE THE LOST ALASKA EXPEDITION
THE RADIO BOYS IN DARKEST AFRICA
THE RADIO BOYS SEEK THE LOST ATLANTIS
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
The Ranger Boys Series
[Illustration: THE RANGER BOYS TO THE RESCUE ]
BY CLAUDE H. LA BELLE
A new series of copyright titles telling of the adventures of three boys
with the Forest Rangers in the state of Maine.
Handsome Cloth Binding.
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
THE RANGER BOYS TO THE RESCUE
THE RANGER BOYS FIND THE HERMIT
THE RANGER BOYS AND THE BORDER SMUGGLERS
THE RANGER BOYS OUTWIT THE TIMBER THIEVES
THE RANGER BOYS AND THEIR REWARD
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the Publishers.
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 East 23rd Street, New York
The Boy Troopers Series
[Illustration: The BOY TROOPERS ON THE TRAIL]
BY CLAIR W. HAYES
Author of the Famous "Boy Allies" Series.
The adventures of two boys with the Pennsylvania State Police.
All Copyrighted Titles.
Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs.
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
THE BOY TROOPERS ON THE TRAIL
THE BOY TROOPERS IN THE NORTHWEST
THE BOY TROOPERS ON STRIKE DUTY
THE BOY TROOPERS AMONG THE WILD MOUNTAINEERS
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the Publishers.
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 East 23rd Street, New York
The Golden Boys Series
[Illustration: The Golden Boys In the Maine Woods]
BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D.
Dean of Pennsylvania Military College.
A new series of instructive copyright stories for boys of High School
Age.
Handsome Cloth Binding.
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL
THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS
THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS
THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS
THE GOLDEN BOYS RESCUED BY RADIO
THE GOLDEN BOYS ALONG THE RIVER ALLAGASH
THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE HAUNTED CAMP
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
The Jack Lorimer Series
[Illustration: JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS]
BY WINN STANDISH
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of
Millvale High.
Jack Lorimer is a fine example of the all-around
American high-school boys. His fondness for clean,
honest sport of all kinds will strike a chord of
sympathy among athletic youths.
JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and
Lake.
There is a lively story woven in with the athletic
achievements, which are all right, since the book
has been O.K'd. by Chadwick, the Nestor of
American Sporting journalism.
JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in
Camp.
It would be well not to put this book into a boy's
hands until the chores are finished, otherwise
they might be neglected.
JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain
of the Team.
On the sporting side, this book takes up football,
wrestling, and tobogganing. There is a good deal
of fun in this book and plenty of action.
JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to
Exmouth.
Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable
happenings into an exciting freshman year at one
of the leading Eastern colleges. The book is
typical of the American college boy's life, and
there is a lively story, interwoven with feats on
the gridiron, hockey, basketball and other clean
honest sports for which Jack Lorimer stands.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Varied hyphenation was retained. This includes words such as
sight-seeing and sightseeing.
Page 10, "vllage" changed to "village" (in the village)
Page 124, "Keat's" changed to "Keats'" (John Keats' epitaph)
Page 164, two missing letters filled in blank space "Bal more" changed
to "Baltimore" (Lady Baltimore cake)
Page 217, "perserving" changed to "preserving" (of a preserving-kettle)
Page 259, word "I" inserted into text (If I should forget)
Page 310 "ALLENS" changed to "ALLEN'S" (AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL)
End of Project Gutenberg's Tripping with the Tucker Twins, by Nell Speed