After an interchange of salutations, Dove, who was a little man, about
five feet three inches in height, most elaborately dressed, tapped the
toe of his highly polished French boot with an elegant cane, so fragile
that it seemed to have been constructed for the purpose of beating off
butterflies and other annoying insects, and then asked after M. T. Pate,
and inquired the way to the hotel. Having received satisfactory
information from Toney in response to his inquiries, he took Love by the
arm, and, followed by Bliss, proceeded up the street.
"Those are pretty little men," said the Professor, looking after them
with a peculiar expression of fun lurking around the corner of his mouth
and twinkling in his eye. "What did you say their names were?"
"Love, Dove, and Bliss," said Toney.
"Love and Dove are the two who have their wings locked together?" asked
the Professor.
"Yes," said Toney. "And Bliss is walking behind."
"That is a proper programme," said the Professor.
"When Love and Dove go together, Bliss should always accompany them."
"Now, Tom," said Toney, "you have seen the whole seven."
"The whole seven!" said the Professor. "Who are they?"
"The Seven Sweethearts," said Toney.
"The Seven Sweethearts!" exclaimed the Professor.
"An organization," said Toney, "which originated in Mapleton, and now
has numerous ramifications all over the country."
"Indeed!" said the Professor. "I have traveled much but never heard of
such an organization until now."
"Then you would like to know something about the Mystic Order of Seven
Sweethearts?" said Seddon.
"Very much," said the Professor. "I am compiling a new work on zoology,
and will devote a chapter to the species of animal you have mentioned."
"Toney will give you a history of the origin and objects of the
organization," said Tom.
"With the greatest pleasure," said Toney. "But come, let us light our
cigars and take seats on yonder bench under the trees and make ourselves
comfortable."
The three friends proceeded to the spot designated, and while the
fragrant smoke was rolling off from their cigars, Toney gave an account
of the Mystic Brotherhood, such as Seddon had already been made
acquainted with; following it up with a recital of the events which had
recently transpired in the town of Bella Vista; including a graphic
description of the combat between Botts and the monkey in the ball-room;
the contemplated duel between Botts and Bragg, and its singular
termination; the terrible quarrel between the latter and the landlord,
and the expulsion of the valiant captain from the hotel; the abortive
attempt of Perch to commit suicide, and the scenes that ensued up to the
time of the arrival of Tickle. The Professor listened with grave
interest, and occasionally made a note in a little book which he drew
from his pocket and held in his hand. When Toney had concluded, he
exclaimed,--
"Well, Toney, I thought that I knew something, but you are a long way
ahead of me, my boy, in useful knowledge. Let me see." And he looked
over his notes. "The Mystic Order of Seven Sweethearts. An order founded
on principles of benevolence. Its object the welfare of women. To
prevent marriages. Single women much happier than those who are married.
A grand idea of M. T. Pate. Toney, this organization must flourish. It
will soon get far ahead of the Order of Seven Wise Men. But it must have
leaders. Who are its officers?"
"I have a list of them here," said Toney, drawing a paper from his
pocket-book.
"What is this?" said the Professor, taking the paper in his hand and
glancing over it. It read as follows:
M. O. O. S. S.
N. G. G. . . . . . . M. T. Pate.
M. W. D. . . . . . . Wm. Wiggins.
P. O. P. F. . . . . . Edward Botts.
G. G. G. . . . . . . Samuel Perch.
D. A. . . . . . . . Lucius Love.
N. N. . . . . . . . Altamont Dove.
W. W. . . . . . . . Marmaduke Bliss.
"What do those letters signify?" said the Professor.
"I have been puzzling my held over them for a long while," said Toney.
"Suppose you and Tom Seddon now aid me in deciphering them."
"Agreed!" said Tom.
"N. G. G.," said the Professor. "What does that mean?"
"I can't make it out," said Toney.
"Noble Grand Gander," suggested Tom.
"Good!" said Toney. "Tom, you are an Oedipus!"
"M. T. Pate is the Noble Grand Gander of the organization," said the
Professor, making an entry in his book. "M. W. D. What does that
signify?"
"You are too hard for me," said Toney.
"Most Worthy Donkey," said Tom.
"Hurrah!" said Toney,--"that's it, I am certain. Tom, you should open a
guessing school,--you would make your fortune."
"P. O. P. F.," said the Professor. "What's that?"
"Can't you guess, Tom?" said Toney.
"I am balked," said Tom.
"Botts?" said the Professor. "Is he the handsome man who was chasing the
negroes?"
"The same," said Toney.
"Prince Of Pretty Fellows," suggested the Professor.
"That's it! excellent!" exclaimed Toney.
"G. G. G.?" said the Professor.
"Great Green Gosling," said Tom.
"Perch is the Great Green Gosling," said the Professor, making an entry
in his book. "And now for Love. What is the signification of D. A.?"
"Dainty Adorer," said Toney; and the Professor made a note, and then
inquired the meaning of N. N.
"Noble Nonentity," said Tom.
"That hits Dove exactly," said Toney.
"There is one more," said the Professor.
"What is that?" asked Toney.
"W. W.," said the Professor.
"Winsome Wooer," suggested Seddon.
"That completes the list," said the Professor, looking over his
note-book and making another entry.
"Bliss is the Winsome Wooer. Toney, how did you procure this curious
document?"
"It came into my possession under very extraordinary circumstances,"
said Toney. "Would you like to hear the story?"
"I would, indeed," said the Professor.
"Let us have it," said Tom.
"You have heard me speak of the Widow Wild, who lives in the vicinity of
Mapleton?" said Toney.
"Frequently," said Tom.
"The widow has a very handsome residence, and in it dwells a very pretty
daughter."
"The lovely Rosabel Wild?" said Tom.
"How did you learn her name?" inquired Toney.
"Oh, I have learned that and much more in addition," said Tom.
"What more?" said Toney.
"I have been credibly informed that a certain young lawyer, who answers
to the name of Toney Belton, and who seldom deigns to look at any other
woman, is wonderfully enchanted and woefully bewitched by the lovely
Rosabel Wild. Is it not so? Come, make a clean breast of it, Toney. An
honest confession is good for the soul?"
"Well, Tom, I will be candid with you, and say, in sailor's phraseology,
that if I were about to embark on a voyage of matrimony, as captain of
the craft I would like to have Rosabel Wild for my mate. But the widow
is very eccentric, and has often declared, in the most emphatic terms,
that no man can marry her daughter unless he is worth a hundred thousand
dollars. Now, you know that I have not got a hundred thousand dollars."
"But your bachelor uncle, Colonel Abraham Belton, has, and you will be
his heir."
"That is by no means so certain as you seem to suppose. Colonel Abraham
Belton, although he has lived longer than yourself by some twenty years,
is really as young a man as either of us, for nature has given him a
constitution of iron. He is so tough that time has never been able to
plow a furrow in his face, nor has he a gray hair in his whiskers. He
may marry a wife."
"Very true," said the Professor; "and she may raise up children unto
Abraham."
"And," said Toney, "the children of Abraham may deprive me of the
hundred thousand dollars."
"Toney, you are a man of sense," said the Professor; "and the French
maxim-maker says that a wise man may sometimes love like a madman, but
never like a fool. But let us hear your story."
"Well, you must know that I am really a very great favorite with the
Widow Wild, although I have not the requisite sum for a son-in-law. I
believe that Rosabel would be willing to wait until I get the hundred
thousand dollars. Indeed, to be candid, I have consulted her, and she
has expressed a decided determination to do so. This, however, is a
profound secret between the young lady and myself, which we have never
confided to the widow. I am often at the house."
"I should suppose so," said Tom.
"On a certain evening I was there, and the clock striking eleven, I rose
and was about to take my leave, when the widow urged me to remain,
saying that she had received an intimation that Love, Dove, and Bliss,
who, you must know, sing as sweetly as nightingales, were coming to
entertain Rosabel with a serenade. Now, the widow has a singular
antipathy to the Seven Sweethearts, and not one of them can gain
admission to her mansion; but Love, Dove, and Bliss had met Rosabel a
few nights before at a party, where Dove kept fluttering around her
until the widow, who was also present, expressed a desire to take him
home and put him in a cage with her canary-bird. It was a fine moonlight
night, and we sat conversing in the parlor until about twelve o'clock,
when we heard the voice of Dove under Rosabel's window, singing, in
mellifluous notes,--
'Wake, fairest, awake! at thy window now be;
The moon on the midnight her splendor is pouring.
Wake, fairest, awake! from thy window now see,
Like a saint at his shrine, thy lover adoring.
'Come, beautiful, forth on thy balcony high,
While silver-toned music around thee is floating;
And yon shooting-star shall come down from the sky,
Like a slave at thy feet his homage devoting.
'Nay, venture not, dearest! lest over the air
Some spirits should chance to be wand'ring this even;
And, deeming thee some truant angel now there,
Might steal thee away to their home in the heaven.'
"'Rosabel,' said I, 'how can you refrain from jumping out the window
when a pretty little man like Dove invites you to come forth and behold
"thy lover adoring"?'
"'But,' said Rosabel, 'in the last verse he warns me not to venture.'
"'That is true,' said I; 'the little man manifests a wonderful
solicitude for your safety. He is apprehensive lest you might be
arrested as a runaway angel,--a fugitive from service.'
"'Hist! hist!' said Rosabel.
"'That is Love,' said I; and the voice of the serenader was heard
singing,--
'The silvery cloudlets now are weeping, love,
Sweet dewdrops on the flowers,
And mellow moonlight now is creeping, love,
Under the ivy bowers.
And thou hast heard the vesper hymn
That stirred the balmy air,
When, as the shadows grew more dim,
The pious met in prayer.
'Their sacred rosaries they were counting, love,
Unto their saints in heaven,
And telling them to what a mountain, love,
Their sins had grown this even.
While thus to saints on high they pour
Their prayers at evening bland,
I am contented to adore
An angel near at hand.'
"'Oh, Rosabel!' I exclaimed, 'I always thought you were an angel, and
now I know it, for both Love and Dove have testified to the fact. Out of
the mouths of two witnesses has the truth been established. You are an
angel, Rosabel, but please don't fly away.'
"'Nonsense, Toney! Don't go crazy. Be quiet--hush! Listen!'
"'That is Bliss,' said I; and we heard him singing,--
'My little, lovely, laughing maid!
So great a thief thou art,
I do declare, I am afraid
Thou'st stolen all my heart.
'Thou'st stolen the lily's purest white,
Thou'st stolen the rose's hue,
Thou'st stolen each flow'ret's beauties bright,
And stolen my poor heart too.
'Well, little rogue, come help yourself,
Your robberies repeat,
And take the rest of the poor elf
Who's sighing at your feet.'
"'He accuses you of felony,' said I. 'Oh, Rosabel! why did you, after
having perpetrated so many larcenies among the flower-beds, steal the
poor little man's heart?'
"'What would I want with his heart?' said Rosabel, pouting.
"'He tells you to keep it, and makes an offer of himself. He offers you
Bliss.'
"'The impudent little scamp!' said the widow. 'Tell Juba and Jugurtha to
come here.'
"'Yes, ma'am,' said a colored girl, who stood grinning behind the
widow's chair.
"Two gigantic negro men soon made their appearance.
"'Are the dogs in the kennel?' said the widow.
"'Yes, ma'am,' said Juba.
"'Oh, mother!' exclaimed Rosabel, 'you won't do that! It is a pity!'
"'Indeed I will,' said the widow. 'Let them loose!'
"'Yes, ma'am;' and Juba and Jugurtha grinned, and each uttered a low
chuckle as they hurried from the room.
"The voice of Dove was warbling another melody. It stopped suddenly, for
the baying of hounds was heard on the opposite side of the house. I
looked out the window, and in the moonlight could see Love and Bliss
leaping over the paling fence. Dove was climbing an apple-tree, when a
dog seized him behind and tore away his tail----"
"What!" said the Professor.
"The tail of his coat," said Toney. "Dove took refuge among the branches
of the tree.
"After awhile Juba entered the room showing his ivory and exhibiting a
piece of broadcloth, which he held in his hand as a trophy.
"'What is that?' asked the widow.
"'Dunno, ma'am,--I tuk it from Trouncer.'
"'Let me look,' said I. 'Why, it's Dove's tail!'
"The widow shrieked with laughter, and Rosabel hid her face on the
cushion of the sofa and shook as if she had an ague. I put my hand in
the pocket and drew out a number of papers.
"'What are those?' said the widow.
"'Love-letters,' said I. 'Here, Rosabel, you can read them.'
"'And those?' said the widow.
"'Verses,' said I,--'songs and sonnets. Rosabel, you can copy them into
your album.'
"'And that?' said the widow.
"'Why,' said I,'this puzzles me.'
"'What does M. O. O. S. S. mean?' asked the widow.
"'Oh, I know what that means,' said I.
"'What?' said Rosabel.
"'It signifies Mystic Order of Seven Sweethearts.' And I gave Rosabel
and her mother an account of the Sweethearts, which excited much
merriment.
"'But these letters, N. G. G. and M. W. D.,--what do they mean?' asked
the widow.
"'That I cannot tell,' said I.
"'Do try to find out,' said Rosabel.
"I promised to do so, and have ever since retained the paper in my
possession for the purpose of deciphering it."
"But what became of Dove?" asked the Professor.
"I must tell you," said Toney. "When I retired I could not sleep. I
thought about Rosabel, and then about Dove in the apple-tree, and then I
would roar with laughter; and Rosabel and her mother must have heard me,
for I could hear explosions of mirth in an adjoining apartment. Towards
morning I got into a doze and was dreaming that I had a hundred thousand
dollars, and had purchased a diamond ring for Rosabel, who had ordered
her bridal attire, when I was awakened by hearing voices in the garden.
I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. It was daylight, and under
the apple-tree I beheld Juba walking to and fro with the steady pace of
a Roman sentinel. Dove was perched on a bough over his head, and I could
hear him in piteous tones begging the negro to tie up the dogs. For a
long while his supplications made no impression on the obdurate African.
Finally he drew a coin of glittering gold from the pocket of his vest,
and the tempting bribe produced the desired effect. The dogs were tied
up, and Dove dropped from the tree, and leaped over the fence and
vanished."
Just then the loud sound of a gong, announcing the arrival of the hour
for dinner, was heard, and Toney and his friends arose from their seats
and walked toward the hotel.