probably about fifty-five, of medium height, inclining to be stout, who
carries his hands behind him as he proceeds thoughtfully along. His
dress is particularly neat. His hat, while it conceals an excessive
baldness, permits the escape of a quantity of light hair, quite unmixed
with gray, which fringes the back of the head. At a distance, his
complexion looks soft and fair; but, on closer observation, it has the
appearance of smooth leather. Occasionally he raises his face to regard
a building, as if he had a special interest in so doing; then one may
see a light-blue eye, clear and icy as a fine December day, having an
expression like a flint.
He walks on. Two young men are just passing him. One says to his
companion:
'Do you know who that is?'
'Which?'
'That old fellow right by your side.'
'No. Who is it?'
'That's Hiram Meeker.'
'You don't say so!'
He pauses, and lets the individual alluded to pass, that he may take a
good look at him.
'I would like to have some of his cash, anyhow. What do you suppose he
is worth?'
'Oh, there is no telling; he is variously estimated at from five to ten
millions, but nobody knows. Started without a penny, as clerk in a
ship-chandler's store.'
Yes, reader, that _is_ Hiram. [We shall continue our familiarity, and
call him, when we see fit, by his first name.] That is our old
acquaintance Hiram Meeker, who commenced at Hampton, with Benjamin
Jessup--Hiram Meeker of Burnsville, now the great Hiram Meeker of New
York.
We have devoted a large part of this volume to Hiram's early career,
going into the minutiæ of his education, his religious training, and his
business life. This was not without design. For the reader, once in
possession of these circumstances, had no need to be informed in detail
of the achievements of those years in which Hiram worked vigorously on
through successive stages in his career, while his heart grew hard as
the nether millstone.
As you see him now, pursuing his way along the street, he has really but
one single absorbing idea--ACQUISITION. True, he clings to his
belief in the importance of church membership. He has long been the
leading vestryman at St. Jude's. He is the friend and adviser of the
Bishop.
Famous is Hiram Meeker the millionaire!
Famous is Hiram Meeker the Churchman!
Still, I repeat, he has but one thought--one all-absorbing,
all-engrossing passion.
You have not forgotten, I am sure, the early calculating policy of
Hiram, and to what degree he had carried it when we took leave of him.
Imagine this developed and intensified day by day, month by month, and
year by year, over more than a quarter of a century.
Since we first made his acquaintance, he has kept on rigidly. In all his
intercourse with his fellow beings--man to man--with high and low--with
the sex--with his nearest relations,--he has never, no, _never_ looked
to anything except what he considered his personal advantage. He is a
member of the Church; he performs certain rites and formulæ of our holy
religion; he subscribes to charities: but it is to secure to himself
personally the benefit of heaven and whatever advantages may be
connected with it. So that, where he has acted wisely and well, the
action has been robbed of all merit, because there was no wise or right
intent, but simply a politic end in view.
Look at him, as he pushes along in the crowd! Notwithstanding his
millions, he is there a mere atom out of this world's creation. He has
not a sympathy beyond himself--not a hope which does not centre in
self--no connecting link with anything outside or beyond--no thought, no
emotion, no sense, no feeling, which are not produced by a desire to
advance the interests of "_H. Meeker_," here and hereafter.
* * * * *
We will go on in advance of Hiram, and enter his house before him.
It is one of the best in the city. Not showy, but large, ample, and well
constructed; indicating the abode of a solid man. It is situated in one
of the finest streets far 'up town.'
Before the door are two equipages. One is Mrs. Meeker's carriage, very
handsome and in exquisite taste. The other is a stylish single-seat
phaeton, with two horses tandem, and a rather flashy-looking servant in
gay livery.
Let us go into the house.
Mrs. Meeker is just preparing for a short shopping excursion before
dinner. At the distance from which we regard her, Time seems to have
dealt very kindly with her. The figure is quite the same, the style the
same, the face the same, and you see no gray hairs. In short, you behold
our old friend Arabella, slightly exaggerated, perhaps--but it is she.
She leaves her room, and prepares to descend.
As she passes to the top of the staircase, a faint voice exclaims:
'Mamma!'
Mrs. Meeker stops with an expression of impatience, turns, and enters
the adjoining apartment.
On a sort of couch or ottoman reclines a young lady, who, you can
perceive at a glance, is a victim of consumption.
It is their oldest child, who for five years has been an invalid, and
whose strength of late has been fast declining. One can hardly say how
she would have looked in health, for disease is a fearful ravager.
Still, Harriet (she is named for Mr. Meeker's mother) probably resembled
her own mother more than any one else in personal appearance, but beyond
that there was no resemblance whatever. Neither was she like her father,
but more like her grandfather Meeker, of whom her uncle says she always
reminds him. She possesses a kind and happy nature; and since she was
stricken by the terrible malady, she has grown day by day more gentle
and more heavenly, as her frame has been gradually weakened under its
insidious inroads.
When Mrs. Meeker came in, she demanded, in an irritated tone, 'What do
you want, Harriet?'
'I wish very much, mamma, you would send and ask Uncle Frank if he will
not come and see me to-day.'
'I think it very improper, Harriet, for you to be sending for your uncle
when you are under Dr. Alsop's charge.'
'But, mamma, Uncle Frank does not prescribe for me. I do not send for
him as my physician.'
'It looks very odd, though,' continued Mrs. Meeker, with increased
irritation. 'I am sure Dr. Alsop would not like it if he knew it.'
'Dr. Alsop met Uncle Frank here one day, and they appeared to be
excellent friends. I am sure there can be no misunderstanding on his
part, and papa says he is quite willing.'
'Do as you like, child,' replied Mrs. Meeker. Then turning to the nurse
she said, 'You may ring, and send Thomas with a message from Miss
Meeker, if she desires.'
'Thank you, dear mamma. If you will come to me, I will give you a kiss.'
The door closed before the sentence was finished, and Mrs. Meeker
descends the staircase, passes through the hall, and steps into the open
air.
Alas, what is revealed to you! Marks, grim and ghastly marks of those
years of wear and tear, which the sunlight, that remorseless trier of
woman's looks, makes quite apparent. What evidence of irritability, of
discontent, and general disappointment and disgust with everything and
all things, is revealed in those deep-cut lines and angles which in the
light of day become painfully visible under the delicate layers of Baume
d'Osman, rouge, and pearl powder!
Mrs. Meeker adjusts her veil so as to hang gracefully down to the tip of
her nose, and enters her carriage.
I had nearly forgotten to point out a very genteel-looking young man in
black, who wears a distressingly long frock coat and a white neckcloth,
who escorts Mrs. Meeker to her carriage, and enters it after her.
Arabella has not lost her _penchant_ for young clergymen, nor young
clergymen for her.
Leaving Mrs. Meeker to her excursion, we go into the parlors.
On one of the sofas is a young fair girl, no more than eighteen years
old. Her complexion, eyes, and general cast of features, exhibit a
striking likeness to her father. She is of medium height, and her form
is fine and well rounded. Add to these the adornments and appliances of
dress, and you have before you a very beautiful young woman.
Seated on the same sofa, and in very close proximity, is a person whose
_status_ it will be difficult to decide from mere inspection. He is a
tall, large, coarse-featured, but well-proportioned man, with black
hair, inclining to curl, dark complexion, and very black eyes. His age
is possibly thirty. He is showily dressed, with a vast expanse of cravat
and waistcoat. Across the latter stretches a very heavy gold chain, to
which is attached a quantity of seals and other trinkets known as
charms. A massive ring, with coat of arms and crest carved on it,
encircles the little finger of the right hand. Every point of the dress
and toilet is in keeping with what I have already described. The hair
dresser has been devoted. There has been no stint of oil and pomade in
the arrangement of whiskers and mustache. In short, judging the
individual by a certain standard, which passes current with a good many
people, you would pronounce him remarkably well 'got up.'
Looking at the fine and delicate-featured girl, in whose surroundings
you behold evidences of so much taste and refinement, you could scarcely
be made to believe that the gross organization by her side is to her
liking. Yet I assure you she is in love with the handsome animal--'madly
in love' with him, as she herself avows!
This girl is the youngest of Hiram's three children. She is named for
her mother, but is called by all her acquaintance, Belle. And she is
_belle_ every way--except in temper and disposition. Resembling her
father so closely, she inherits her mother's jealous irritability and
tyrannical nature. She is beautiful only to look on. She is a spoiled
child besides.
I cannot avow that Hiram has any genuine parental affection. He is so
entirely absorbed in gathering in his harvests from the golden fields at
his command, that I think in God's providence this is denied to him.
[Else he would exhibit some tenderness and love for the poor, sinking
child who is lying in her chamber, with no companion but her nurse.]
But there is that about the youngest which commends itself (I know no
other way to express it) to his senses. She is fair and young, and
graceful and a beauty, and she resembles him; and he loves to look at
her and have her near him when he is at home, and to pet her, after a
sort.
Hiram is too much occupied, however, to attend at all to the well-being
of his children, and his wife 'has no taste for anything of the kind.'
So, as I said, Belle grows up a spoiled child. She has never been
subject to control, and has not the slightest idea of self-restraint.
This is her second season in society. She is universally
admired--indeed, is quite 'the rage.' 'All the young men are dying for
her'--I quote from the observations about town; but few have the
hardihood to pay serious court to the daughter of Hiram Meeker.
Yet you perceive one man has ventured--successfully ventured.
Who is he? I do not wonder you inquire with some degree of curiosity. I
shall proceed to gratify it.
The large, dark, coarse-visaged, foreign-looking fellow, who 'lives but
to adore the angel of beauty and perfection' at his side, and with whom
the 'angel' is so blindly infatuated, is Signor Filippo Barbonne, a
second-rate performer of the last season's opera _troupe_!
It is a fact, reader, so it will be vain for me to deny it.
What, meantime, can I say by way of explanation? I hardly know. This
Signor Filippo, who is an impudent, audacious scamp, made the
acquaintance of Belle two years ago, when she was a schoolgirl. She was
amused at seeing him follow her persistently, and at last she permitted
him to accost her.
The cunning fellow conducted himself with the utmost deference, not to
say humility. He pretended not to have the slightest knowledge who she
was. He had been seized and subdued by her charms, her loveliness; and
it was quite sufficient happiness for him to be permitted to watch for
her and to tread in her steps day by day. He only wished to speak and
tell her so, lest she might suppose him disrespectful.
The ice once broken, arrangements for accidental meetings followed.
Signer Filippo did not disclose himself, except to say his position was
so far below hers, that he had but one hope, one aspiration, which was,
that she would permit him to be her willing slave forever. He asked and
expected nothing beyond the privilege of worshipping her.
But how happens it that Belle Meeker is desperately in love with the
Signor?
I will endeavor to explain.
Possessing not one spark of sentiment or native refinement, accustomed
to no restraint on her temper or will, she presents an example of a
strong sensuous nature, uncontrolled by any fine moral instincts or
perceptions.
This is why in person and appearance Signor Filippo is quite to her
taste. The wily adventurer had made no mistake when he judged of the
girl's nature. Understanding her arbitrary disposition, and her
impatience of any restraint whatever, he adroitly maintained his air of
extreme deference and respect, which was increased a thousand-fold on
his discovering, as he pretended one day to do, who the object of his
adoration was.
What an agony he was in, lest now he should not be permitted even to
look on her! Though assured on this point, he became reserved and shy,
giving vent to his impassioned feelings by sighs and various mute but
eloquent expressions.
Miss Belle began to be very impatient. These sentimental meetings had
lasted more than a year. Meantime, she was 'brought out.' This made it
difficult for her to keep up her stolen interviews, but she could now
ask the Signor to the house.
To effect this, however, she must first bring over her mother. She
informed her that the gentleman was a Neapolitan Count, who from
political motives was forced to remain _perdu_ for a time, and so forth,
and so forth, and so forth. By dint of entreaty and argument, and
exhibition of much temper, Belle persuaded her mother to say nothing to
her father about the visits of this Count in disguise. The truth is,
Mrs. Meeker had sometimes to request Belle's silence about little
matters involving some expenditures which Mr. Meeker might consider
extravagant. So, with occasional protests on her part, the Signor was
permitted to make his visits.
Belle was too shrewd to attempt to impose on her father in such a case.
She knew she could not succeed for a minute. So the intimacy is
continued without his knowledge.
Long before this, she has been told by the Signor who he really is. He
admits his late position in the _troupe_, but has a long story to
recount of adverse fortune, and so on. His respectful manner still
continues; it is the young lady who woos.
What is to be done? This state of things cannot last forever. Belle is
more and more impatient. Her adorer still respectful and sad.
After this long but necessary digression, I return to our place in the
front parlor, where the lovers are seated.
'I must leave you, oh, my angel--I must leave you! It is nearly time for
your father to be here.'
'I do not care if it is. I want you to stay.'
'As you will, but--'
'If you really loved me, you would not be so indifferent,' exclaims the
young lady, passionately.
Then follows a scene. The result is, that Belle vows she will endure the
suspense no longer. She will not ask her father's permission--she will
marry him--yes, she _will_ marry the Signor; and who dare prevent, who
dare thwart her wishes!
The Signor takes impressive leave. His little plot approaches a
_dénouement_. He walks with an 'air noble' down the steps, and, mounting
his phaeton, he takes the ribbons from the servant in gay livery, and
the tandem team, after some well-trained prancing, dash forward.
Miss Belle is at the window, a delighted witness of the spectacle.
[The Signor has got up this fine turn-out, through aid of a friend who
is in the plot, especially to captivate her.]
'What a singular man!' she exclaims to herself. 'How heroic he seems,
controlling those wild creatures! Strange he should always be so
diffident when in my society. There shall be an end of this; I cannot
endure it!'
Presently she sees her father mount the steps, and runs to meet him, a
little doubtful whether or not he beheld her lover start from before the
door.
The greeting is most affectionate; Belle throws her arms caressingly
around her father's neck.
'Who is our new visitor, Belle, who indulges in a tandem?' said Hiram,
turning his penetrating eyes on his daughter, but with no suspicious
glance.
'New visitor! What do you mean, papa?'
'I thought I saw a phaeton drive from here.'
'Oh, that was at Mrs. Longworth's. Such a handsome man, though, papa! I
was at the window when he got in.'
Hiram patted his daughter's cheek playfully, and passed in. Keen and
discerning as he was, his _child_ could deceive him.
'Where is your mamma?' he asked.
'Out for a drive.'
'Is Gus at home?'
'No, papa; I have not seen him to-day.'
'Give orders to have dinner served punctually. I must go out immediately
after.'
CHAPTER II.
I have spoken of Hiram's three children.
The individual referred to in the last chapter as 'Gus' is the oldest,
and the only son. He is, at this period, about twenty-three years of
age.
His father undertook to bring him up in a very strict manner. He could,
however, give none of his time to the important business of starting his
son in the right path, and aiding him to continue in it. It was enough
for Hiram that _he_ was secure. He contented himself with laying down
severe courses, and holding his boy to the strictest fulfilment of
'duty.'
The result can readily be imagined. The young man, as he grew up and
understood fully his father's position, came to the conclusion that it
was quite unnecessary for him to practise the strict habits which had
been so despotically inculcated. So he gave loose rein to his fancies,
and while yet in college was one of the wildest in the class. By his
mother's interposition, he was sent abroad. He came back all the worse
for the year's sojourn, and, young as he was, soon got to be a regular
'man about town.' He lived at home--ostensibly; but he was seldom to be
seen in the house. He had come to entertain very little respect for his
father; for he had a sort of native insight into his character. He
constantly complains of his miserly treatment, though Hiram makes his
son a respectable allowance--more, I think, to be rid of the annoyance
of his repeated and incessant applications, than for any other reason.
'Gus' was a favorite with his mother (I forgot to say she had named him
Augustus Myrtle Meeker, with her husband's full consent), and heavy were
the drafts he made on her purse. This was a point of constant discussion
between Mr. and Mrs. Meeker. It was of no use. The lady continued to
indulge her only son, and her husband to protest against it.
Of late, Gus had been in possession of pretty large sums of money, which
he certainly had not obtained either from his father or mother. And it
was something connected with this circumstance which takes Hiram out
immediately after dinner.
I think it is in place here to say something of Hiram Meeker's domestic
life.
Taking 'Arabella' for just what the reader knows her to be, it is
probable he has made her a better husband than ninety-nine men of a
hundred would have made. True, he is master, in every respect. But this
is just what Arabella requires. She would have been the death of any
ordinary man in a short time. There is not the slightest danger of her
injuring Hiram's prospects of a long life, or of causing him an hour's
uneasiness. To be sure, he is despotic, but he is neither irritable nor
unamiable. Besides, he has a great desire for social position (it aids
in carrying out his plans), in which his wife is of real service. Hiram,
although close and careful in all matters, is not what would be called
penurious. In other words, he makes liberal provision for his household,
while he rules it with rigor; besides, in petty things he has not proved
a tyrant.
On the whole, we repeat our conviction that Arabella has been fortunate
in her husband. To be sure, she is fretful, discontented, peevish,
irritable, cross; but that is her normal condition. At times Hiram has
treated her with severity, but never cruelty. He has borne quietly and
with patience what would have set most husbands frantic; and has
contented himself with remaining silent, when many would have been
tempted to positive acts of violence.
Toward his sick child Hiram Meeker's conduct has been exemplary--that is
the word. He considers the affliction a direct chastening of _him_ from
the Lord; and 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' He spends some
moments with his daughter daily, but he has no more sympathy for her
situation than if his heart were made of leather. Yet the best care is
provided, the best medical attendance, and everything done for the poor
girl which is proper. Hiram even overrules his wife in many things where
he thinks her severe toward the invalid, as in the instance of her
wishing to see her Uncle Frank, who is our old acquaintance 'Doctor
Frank,' as you no doubt understand--now one of the first medical men of
New York.
Although there has never been the least cordiality between the brothers
since the Doctor came to the city, still they have kept on visiting
terms. The Doctor has taken a deep interest in his invalid niece, and
she is never so happy as when he is talking with her. He has told her to
send for him at any time when she feels disposed to do so, and he is a
frequent visitor.
* * * * *
It was late before Mrs. Meeker returned. Something occurred to give her
excursion a very unpleasant direction. She was engaged in turning over
some new silks at Stewart's, while the young clerical gentleman stood
admiringly by, when a man of very coarse appearance and vulgar aspect
approached and placed a letter before her.
Mrs. Meeker was prepared to utter a faint shriek, but it occurred to her
that it would not appear well where she was. The young clerical
gentleman cast a look of disgust and indignation on the intruder, who
did not stop to resent it, but turned quickly on his heel and left the
place.
Mrs. Meeker, after waiting a moment to regain her composure, opened the
note, and read as follows:
'DEAR MA: Come to me directly, and bring all the money you
can. I am in a terrible fix! GUS.'
Mrs. Meeker pushed aside the rich purple silk she was examining, with so
much suddenness, that the young clerical gentleman could not but notice
it.
'My dear madam, are you ill?' he asked, with a show of devotion
distressing to witness.
'No, oh no; but this moment I recollect I have a commission to execute
for a friend, which I had quite forgotten. And, do you know, I am going
to ask you to drive home, and tell Belle not to delay dinner for me.'
The young clerical gentleman bowed in acquiescence. For him to hear was
to obey. But he felt curious to know what was the cause of so abrupt a
termination of the afternoon's shopping.
'I hope there was nothing unpleasant in that letter?'
It was presuming a good deal to ask such a question, but the young
clerical gentleman could not restrain his curiosity.
'That letter!' exclaimed Mrs. Meeker, now quite herself again--'no,
indeed; it is only a word from Augustus. What a queer creature, to send
it by such a horrid fright of a man!' And Mrs. Meeker laughed.
The young clerical gentleman was thrown completely off the scent. He
bowed and hurried to the carriage, leaving Mrs. Meeker still at the
counter.
She looked carelessly over the different patterns, and said, in a
languid tone, 'I think I will not buy anything to-day,' to which the
clerk obsequiously assented--he well knew whom he was serving--and Mrs.
Meeker left the store.
Her carriage was out of sight; first she assured herself of that. Then
she called a hack, and ordered it to be driven to a distant quarter of
the city.
The carriage stopped at the number indicated in the note. Mrs. Meeker
was met at the door by her son, who conducted her to a back room in the
third story. It was dirty and in disorder. Bottles, wine glasses, and
tumblers were scattered around, and the atmosphere was full of the fumes
of whiskey and tobacco.
What a spot for the son of Hiram Meeker to select, in which to receive
his mother's visit!
What a place for the fastidious Arabella to enter!
THE GREAT AMERICAN CRISIS.
_PART TWO._