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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/18514-8.txt b/18514-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..308f355 --- /dev/null +++ b/18514-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3286 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Black-Sealed Letter, by Andrew Learmont +Spedon + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Black-Sealed Letter + Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney. + + +Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon + + + +Release Date: June 6, 2006 [eBook #18514] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER*** + + +E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) from +page images generously made available by Early Canadiana Online +(http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Early Canadiana Online. See + http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312 + + + + + +Tales for Canadian Homes. + +THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER; + +Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney. + +by + +ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON, + +Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel," &c. + + + + + + + +Printed for the Author, +by Mitchell & Wilson, Montreal. +1872. + + + + + How slight a cause may change our life + Beyond its own control, + Produce a cordial to the heart, + Or canker in the soul. + + + + +The Black-Sealed Letter; + +OR, + +THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +Old London!--city of cities!--whose foundations were laid when the +ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests +whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of +the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and +Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British +isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human +life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and +iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its +distinguished authors:--its time-honored institutions of religion, +literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves +volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:--its massive +warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes +banquet in luxury:--its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid +whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a +wretched existence. Into this great city--wonderful and complicated in +itself--the modern Babylon of the world,--gentle reader, now follow me +in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following +story. + +It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of +November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings +of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of +summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy +day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and +degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making +their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark +streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have +during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but +thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of +carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded +with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their +delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily +satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells +are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably +degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the +deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home +has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by +these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of +iniquity. + +Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of +every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the +return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very +depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart, +and at length he returns--but not as a loving and sober husband; not as +a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble +attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual +Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his +household;--no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped +from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether +kennel. + +But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening +enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,--that place, the +dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united, +sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr. +Charlston. + +Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that +night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the +mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his +eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the +younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping +in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if +trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion. + +Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance +tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head, +denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty +years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of +sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and +the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder +age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of +that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the +"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The +daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of +whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the +family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and +about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very +_facsimile_ of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his +mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will, +amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous +temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time +referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry +had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor +and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and +at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George +followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and +at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman. +Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance. +Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was +partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or +during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to +grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and +when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around +the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably +to themselves. + +On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were +engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was +rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man +entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat +uncouth manner. + +"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and +Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day. +I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on +purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it +swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from +ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom. + +"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied +Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest +news about town." + +The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber, +and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either +surprise or fear. + +Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into +quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food. + +"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed +Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think +yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having +graduated as a Batchelor of Arts--I mean--Bachelor of Babies. You will, +no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or, +Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will +stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a +hat as big as his grandpa's." + +At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a +graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook +hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took +the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few +kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately, +apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar +friend. + +"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with +whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on +your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick; +a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as +a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of +blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply +the beds of a whole household on a winter's night." + +"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?" +interrogated Clara. + +"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted +Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful +answer. + +At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely +interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news +from the _Times_. After an hour's conversation on various topics the +young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon +Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed. +Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her +visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on +account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her +residence, distant about one mile. + +"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is +no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me +to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for +her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear +George, excuse me." + +No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his +father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in +pursuit of Clara. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara +and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and +complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful +night. + +Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had +attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and +at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical +appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;--of a bold, but humorous +disposition--at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner. +Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but +their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of +their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a +respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these +circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional +visitor to their house. + +Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow +with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to +their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr. +Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other. +Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the +same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked +upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr. +Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled +hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after +the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately +turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her +expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery +shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably +employed. + +Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when +children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured; +and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a +marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take +place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But +the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is +often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly +hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be +darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of +life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some +inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and +Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their +affections upon the altar of matrimony. + +The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as +food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances. + +Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of +Mrs. Hazledon--or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,--and with whom +Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various +sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event, +evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of +Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson. + +Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and +showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the +little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union +as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after +the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into +Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of +Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he +might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing +himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton +as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages. +Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned +a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very +flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his +undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few +months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable +home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston. + +Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently +sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was +apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards +Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had +given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making +his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant +agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest +countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of +acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler +received 100 acres _gratis_. A river one hundred times larger than all +the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country, +1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the +smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and +sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities +and improvements of the 19th century;--equality, independence and wealth +awaiting every industrious man who went thither;--it was, indeed, the +workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all, +blessed be the fact, _it was the poor man's paradise upon earth_." + +Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely +to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his +purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long +as he had an opportunity of living in it. + +"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you +would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You +talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be +of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But +for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost +perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a +livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy +deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that +are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for +the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly +and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will +assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara." + +Frederick made no satisfactory reply. + +On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having +heard of his return, called to see him. + +"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the +hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid +you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal +Islands." + +Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression. + +"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick +somewhat shyly. + +"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?" + +"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said +Frederick. + +"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, _it +will be worth nothing_," replied H., and continued, "I had an +acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with £500; and having +lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living +upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth +_nothing_. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron +muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or +not;--men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even +sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there +in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would +be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in +strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed +me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted +to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon +deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that +the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as +beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which +means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and +were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent +them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask +made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see +through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force +their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's +eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker." + +"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. + +"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia. + +"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza. + +"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred. + +"_Bosh!_ d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least +objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a +fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of +the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be +depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'" + +"That'll do for the present," said Amelia. + +"Go on," cried George. + +"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C. + +"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that +the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their +bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of +that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender, +indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow." + +"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and +George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders, +expressive of nervous twitchings. + +"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river +to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks +without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which +drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and +their inhabitants a hundred feet deep." + +"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C. + +"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the +thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it +frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with +their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that +they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are +preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign +travellers." + +"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C. + +"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls, +fearfully excited. + +Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something +condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole +story." + +"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the +present;--only I might merely add,--that if Fred goes out for a +free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are +infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are +savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every +foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw--a she +Indian--as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for +themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is +immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is +afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to +traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you +go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good +night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst +an uproar of exclamations and laughter. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the +statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such +is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than +the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting +this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not +aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know +of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from +hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts. + +Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become +better known in England through the means of lecturers and +emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some +cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really +possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada +beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men, +in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored +pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical +resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and +river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of +farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become +settlers,--together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100 +per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns +and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a +number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue, +particularly if their own interests are involved. + +Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young +professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and +weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed +stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their +future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering +what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a +vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded +to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number, +flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home +for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the +cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But +in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and +counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every +genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had +scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more +professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The +characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely +coarse and terribly _'orrifying'_. Wages, they said, were no better than +those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred +travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however, +went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel, +living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something +upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests, +and every morning eagerly peering over the "_want advertisements_" of +the _Globe_ and _Witness_, perhaps for months, until their means became +considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the +_States_, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and +everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of +the country delineated in the darkest colors. + +We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went +immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his +design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish +adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she +discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up +during the winter were beginning to fall. + +"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed. +"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child, +to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?" + +"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy +home in Canada." + +"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false +prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at +Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with? +Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now +doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart. +It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me +with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea, +my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very +prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your +feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against +the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed +toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften +the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who +gave to it an existence." + +"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really +sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of +complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall +have to shorten my visit." + +"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me +unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara. + +"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar +higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper; +turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always +the bright side uppermost." + +"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the +assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been +looking to-day upon the bright side of life." + +"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell +you that I have decided upon going to Canada, _and I shall go_. That +country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure +than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in +the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to +which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are, +unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn +you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left +you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a +husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a +comfortable home." + +"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred, +that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances +convenient to fulfil your promise--no, never, never, Fred." + +"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred, +irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly, +leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude +of her own reflections. + +Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature, +being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him +after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly +assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in +Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his +character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He +was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday +night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship +of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until +every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more +money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He +was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it +a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain. + +On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins +came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he +said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for +several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He +became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon +the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him, +which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable +at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find +lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else +he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames. + +"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now, +dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me +so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the +tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks. + +"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied +Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well +enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support +the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed, +has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child--the dirty, +yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I +shall make short work of it to-night on my return. _Mark my words, +Clara_," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket +he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter. + +As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the +affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt +suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several +weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since +he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal. + +While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the +door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two +eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the +afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more +particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his +intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home. +Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially +on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected +hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for +the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea +was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After +having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed +it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins. +She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the +child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution. + +"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now +nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned--so it will serve both +purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to +take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can +find it convenient." + +"Oh, yes, ma,--that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza. + +"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said +Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss +tenderly upon its smiling lips. + +"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for +you," said Clara. + +"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted +with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston. + +"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs. +Collins. + +"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty +years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston. + +"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza. + +"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink. + +It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named, +should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was +dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with +other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston +and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the +child. + +When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were +at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the +others. + +"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good +behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. + +"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found +a purse of gold." + +"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed, +rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C. + +"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to +see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the +little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture, +what a dear lovely angel he is," &c. + +After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room. +Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick, +whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took +the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen +of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he +could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his +affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had +treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them +that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr. +Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him +as a happy acquisition to his household. + +Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed +a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering +look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following +evening. + +Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a +sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you +home to-night, Clara?" + +"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith. +The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed +from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each +other than ever they had been. + +Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the +following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an +associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom. +Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more +rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the +presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness. + +Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his +own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting +pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week. + +The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm +and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight, +Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings +were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the +moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was +seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months, +perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to +be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that +nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them. + +What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the +artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is +exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest +descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and +intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding +beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as +a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to +gratify the desires of the mind. + +But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only +upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their +slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become +mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the +breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter, +and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in +shapeless ruins around their basis. + +But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous +consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can +unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the +windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events +as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the +blacksmith's hammer. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of +which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our +narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting. + +No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than +Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and +having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and +muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity +of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young +man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than +Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized +he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and +walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened +and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She +hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and +addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided +hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His +blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul +became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both +parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he +secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations +which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain. + +"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising +deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late +that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved +her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is +now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer +shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah! +that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate +him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only +served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more +subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the +vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the +debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to +the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I +must have!" + +In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them +unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him +recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no +longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and +would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested +to him not to do so. + +He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within--the humorous joke--the +joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to +greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats +into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted +weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively, +fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps. + +Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch; +but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a +few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous +character imaginable. + +Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length, +dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked +up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to +verify her apprehensions. + +"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as +well, mother," he replied. + +"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening," +said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed +resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr. +Guernsey immediately." + +"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of +sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel +debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor." + +Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare +a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible. +Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and +toast, followed by his father and sisters. + +Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite +vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His +mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to +repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender +finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the +rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep. + +On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in +a convalescent state. + +However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days. +On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the +following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but +neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed +to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called. +Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he +instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly +left the room. + +Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of +a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as +well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family +also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his +doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered +so by his illness. + +"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make +such a runaway as that?" + +"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by +a shock of electricity?" + +"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play +'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so +fast." + +"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a +sly wink looking to Fred. + +"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile +woman." + +"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?" + +"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to +have made me as mad as a raving maniac." + +"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then--the +why and wherefore also." + +"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own +accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons, +and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or +wrong." + +Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and +Charlie Holstrom. + +"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had +finished telling them. + +"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred. + +"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them, +especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I +will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the +story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that +she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my +house again." + +"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her +again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and +sisters to talk over the matter. + +On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr. +Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of, +Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to +speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in +his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor. + +Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all +the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances +alluded to. + +"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have +patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask, +have patience until I render an explanation?" + +"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C. + +"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be +present." + +"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find +an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in +which you represent it." + +"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home +accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came +here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs. +Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on +to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed +therewith,--and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn +informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the +evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not +return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my +departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and +requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and +somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the +opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a +short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since. +I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that +night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany +me home? + +"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have +done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my +affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me +disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our +union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection +to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He +promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by +an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and +again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having +them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy +home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of +homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home +in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his +intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected +to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the +nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil +spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a +reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the +stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the +wounds he has afflicted. _Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am +I consigned to the torments of impending fate._ Have I committed crimes +so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to +burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful +heavens, have pity upon me!--_poor wretched creature that I am_. + +"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically +exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes. + +"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately +by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you; +and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere +to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful +friend." + +"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to +express its gratitude." + +"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given +you of my fidelity." + +"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara. + +Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they +sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of +speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him +all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as +favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case +would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms +at once with Clara. + +"_Never! never!_" ejaculated Fred. + +"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has +given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an +unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of +censure." + +"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not +have attached any importance to it," said he. + +"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between +Charles and Clara?" + +"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times--I was informed by letter +when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer +expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is +playing at "_catch the beau_" with your affectionate Clara.'" + +"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter." + +"It was Harry Walton." + +"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted +for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person +in London who does so." + +"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is +Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One +day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones +squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a +hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah +Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about +Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'" + +"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your +attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you +have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving +thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what +is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing +the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of +dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like +butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no +honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues." + +"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard +had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their +manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances +connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in +upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of +love that was in my heart." + +"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes; +it will restore the affection you have lost." + +"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has +been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing +at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of +late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now +awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor +have anything whatever to do with her." + +"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son, +the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to +each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar +of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by +your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present +circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your +character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you +inevitably together,--a link of living humanity, akin to you both. +Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,--titles +that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who +now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then +think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary +ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again +ask you, Fred, to comply with my request." + +"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can +bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the +flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my +heart." + +"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes." + +"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable." + +"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for +you?" + +"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me +reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even +despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a +substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada." + +"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?" + +"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow +if I choose to go." + +"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and +every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the +present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '_a mother's +blessing_'." + +"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for +me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my +opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer +bear the insults, you heap upon me,"--and therewith Fred arose and made +his exit abruptly from the room. + +It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating +upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions. +His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air +of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been +listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the +Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still +more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea +to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his +father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to +expostulate with him. + +"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can +have no effect," exclaimed Fred. + +"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children +obey your parents in all things.'" + +"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author, +'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'" + +"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of +parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my +son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but +he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who +forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof _shall die_.'" + +"I am no _fool_," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do +as I please." + +"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey +hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words +in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress. +Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me, +therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke." + +Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time +to bring forth the Bible. + +"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he +had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so +that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and +disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if +she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to +be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I +shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a +tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me +better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled +two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved +quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street. +Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly +conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool. + +On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the +Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between +Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S. + +The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out +from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is +crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the +receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly +distant shores of their native land. + +Day passed,--and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was +dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully +amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor +Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future +floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he +gave vent to his feelings in the following verses: + + Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth, + The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth, + I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore, + Alas, it may be to behold thee no more. + + If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few, + In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu, + But joy to this bosom no friends can restore. + I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more. + + Old London, farewell,--my birth-place and home, + Far distant from thee I am destined to roam, + On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour, + Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more. + + Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart, + To know that thy mother hath caused us to part, + I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore + A joy to this soul that may see thee no more. + + To the land of the stranger I go--yes--I go, + In search of those blessings which it can bestow, + Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore, + Far, far from that home I may visit no more. + +Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows +of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his +half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness. +His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the +etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied +nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts +bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had +taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in +the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were +safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for +Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon +of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow +storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles +Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and +the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived +safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately +engaged lodgings at the _St. James' Hotel_, where after a warm and +hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings. + +Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of +the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim +air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of +pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying +along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing +as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred +looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and +attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel +experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within +itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was +"_Christmas' Night_." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings +which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old +city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory, +filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him +everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More +keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange +land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends +and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of +his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy +weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out +heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor +Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate +employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his +mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships +were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length +he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed +writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few +postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an +effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps +season their affection for him. + +Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers, +persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted +with military discipline, having practically served in a company during +his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the +tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself +initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved +to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus +increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly +meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass +sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again +and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to +induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and +smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the +poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a +dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always +continued as invincible. + +"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said +Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking +along Craig Street. "Here's the '_Royal Arms_,' come in, boys--come in +Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman. +He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below +zero." + +They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar. + +"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril. + +"A glass of cold water," replied Fred. + +"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to +commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if +you intend living in Canada." + +"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry +Jenkins. + +"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the +Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing +your kindness further upon me." + +"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your +conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril. + +"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do--take a little for your stomach's +sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson. + +"Come, Fred, _one glass_ will never ruffle a feather in your +conscience," said Ernest Stevens. + +"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing +aloud, followed by the others in chorus, + +"_For Fred's a jolly good fellow_," &c. + +Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he +replied--"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in +which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily +decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my +best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer." + +"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated +balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in +Canada?" + +"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same +throughout." + +"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country +has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them, +and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance +cause are based upon the same principle." + +"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred. + +"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the +characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual +condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense, +is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in +the abstract is simply '_to abstain_' and '_to obey_.' But suppose, for +the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is +there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the +country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when +I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And +again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore +should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to +sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no +longer bound to obey the laws of the Society." + +"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or +else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our +friends will never be able to discover us." + +"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins +another dig with your philosophical pick." + +"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap." + +"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll +bite at it first." + +"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone. + +"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was +filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others +chorusing with a series of discordant laughs. + +"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance +of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and +the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating +balderdash and bar-room-slang." + +"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your +subjects," said Ernest Stevens. + +"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you +would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson. + +"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more _solid_ material +than _liquids_," replied Frederick. + +"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if +the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment +of life?" interrogated Henderson. + +"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker +designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both +terrestrial and celestial happiness." + +"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of +the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this--that +I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to +awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means. +This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of +making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities. +So here is my best respects to you all, boys,--not forgetting you, +Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the +liquor to its very dregs. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely +cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself." + +"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson +also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry. +He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct, +namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of +mankind'--otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an +undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to +carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the +universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks +of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments, +while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid +indignation!" + +"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away +your balls at random and never look at the target." + +"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed +Stevens. + +"Come, come, boys, we'll have a _horn_ on the _head_ of the subject," +cried Jenkins. + +"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others. + +"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated. +"I must have fair play in the game." + +"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall." + +"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments +you deviated from the proposition I made, namely--that liquor as a means +is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you +immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by +a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up +a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift, +which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of +Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life." + +"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by +representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you +very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you, +embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He +would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or +imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with +verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer +anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So +should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should +look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce +the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is +a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I +beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of +human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you +say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of +only one single glass at first, _only one glass_! Think of it! It is the +magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of +wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance." + +"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the +present." + +"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried +Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot." + +"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a +company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins. + +"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present +with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks." + +"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices--and having +partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a +song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled +"One Glass More." + + Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar: + His matted hair hangs over his brow; + The manly form and the noble soul + Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now. + He shivering stands in his dirty rags, + With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes; + With quivering lips and a fever'd breath + For one glass more how he pleading cries. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, but a single glass; + O pity me now when my cash is done; + The night is cold and my blood runs chill, + And all I ask is a single one. + + Away from here, you miserable wretch; + I want no more of your blubbering gas, + Be off at once! or I'll kick you out; + You'll get none here--not a single glass, + What brought you here in your filthy rags, + To disgrace my house in this drunken way. + At once, begone! for you'll get no drink, + No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out! + Why so unjust to thy friend art thou; + You gave me drink and you took my cash, + You made me, sir, as you see me now. + You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch, + Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin; + And when I ask but a single glass, + You'll kick me out tho' you took me in. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + Thro' ten long years while I labored hard, + You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse, + I was your friend, and your blessings then, + Have proved at length but a demon's curse. + My loving wife and my children dear, + Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul, + While I was here with my social friends + And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + My health and youth I have wasted here; + To thee, for drink, my money I gave; + I'm now a wreck of what I was once, + And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave; + All wasted here in my reckless course, + Which neither thou nor time can restore; + Then pity me now for old friendship's sake, + And give one glass and I'll ask no more. + + _Chorus._--"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!" + The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore, + Then kick't him out to the cold night storm, + And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door. + +Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass +an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him +to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained +for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced +to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored +with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a +wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few +drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a +flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he +discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he +felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a +few drops to be added to the mixture. _Only a few drops!_ how +insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves! +But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became _a great +number_; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick +Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his +comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance, +and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge +which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never +violated. "_Only a few drops_" at first--yes, _only a few drops_, and +therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance. +His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather +misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also +often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in +Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or, +perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational +novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally +awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less +susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral +responsibility. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada +by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate +readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places +along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every +precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and +also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days; +and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April +passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north +side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp. + +But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded +the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very +"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every +telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The +march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching +towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the +Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available +company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns, +Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then +stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal +Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once; +and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to +watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their +hearths and households in the hour of danger. + +The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to +St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which +afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "_a novel and +romantic adventure_." + +On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed +by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill. +A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of +the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy +sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of +gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or +more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a +volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of +smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an +adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept +up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few +detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in +conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians +imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and +fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line, +where the "Fenian Tragedy" was magnificently concluded by the +ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State +prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster. + +Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed +by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond +Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile +from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th, +when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back +beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British +Regiment. + +The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had +chiefly to depend, were the "_Huntingdon Borderers_" and the +"_Hemmingford Rangers_," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren +and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers +and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted. + +Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the +Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were +immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country. + +Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred +Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies +of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night +of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with +several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two +others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where +they remained until they became sobered off. + +Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor +of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the +Border. + + OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS. + + All hail! our Border Volunteers, + All loyal, true and brave, + Who boldly faced the Fenian foe, + And spurn'd a coward's grave. + All hail to all those gallant chiefs, + Who stood the trying hour, + And bravely led their heroes forth + To crush the Fenians' power. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foe we need not dread, + When danger's hour appears, + While guarded by those gallant braves, + Our Border Volunteers. + + No menial soldier fills our ranks, + Nor yet a martial slave; + O'er free and independent men + Our banners proudly wave. + They are our country's stalwart sons, + Who love their home and hearth, + Who honour still their Fatherland, + And this which gave them birth. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foe, &c. + + 'Tis not the savage thirst for blood + Which makes our heroes brave, + 'Tis not for conquest and renown + Their banners proudly wave. + Their voice proclaims the love of peace, + To all an equal right, + But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes + Empowers their sword of might. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foes, &c. + + Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill, + Shall echo forth their fame, + And thousands yet unborn will rise, + To shout our heroes' name. + They form the martial battlements + Of Canada's frontiers, + Those guardians of our household hearths, + THE BORDER VOUNTEERS. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foes we need not dread, + When danger's hour appears, + While guarded by these gallant braves, + _Our Border Volunteers_. + +The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the +revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the +attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars +and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched +immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the +Riel-Rebellion. + +The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston +a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a +desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return +to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions +designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers +were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated +into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River. + +On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and +having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down +gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents. + + "Toronto, June 7th, 1870. + + "Dear Father and Mother,--As you may feel somewhat disposed by this + time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first + time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in + the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during + the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness. + However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as + sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at + six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the + inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people + named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep; + and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I + joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an + engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the + 25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London + papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like + a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I + must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every + cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat, + knapsack and rifle, &c. Since my return I have been lionized by my + officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune + has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my + progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very + zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to + go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the + savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The + undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom + shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of + me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the + North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall + take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of + Indian scalps, &c., as curiosities for my friends and old + acquaintances. + + "Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My + love to the little '_chick_.' He may live to be yet proud of his + father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed + of." + + "Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my + love. Farewell, farewell." + + "Fred. Charlston." + +The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood; +where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded +300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water +through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red +River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of +labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it +tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood +the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with +good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he +gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which +he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:-- + + Come now, my lads, we'll march along, + And wave our banners high, + The savage herds in forest wilds + Shall hear our battle-cry. + The distant realm before us lies, + The road is rough and drear, + O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild + Our martial course we'll steer. + + _Chorus._--Then march along, my hearty lads, + And cheer your hearts with song, + The nation cheers the Volunteers + Who bravely march along. + + No scorching sun, no torrent shower, + No toil, nor want of rest, + Has power to check that British pluck + Which warms each loyal breast. + No savage of the woods we dread, + Nor death, nor danger near, + We are a nation's loyal sons + Who spurn a coward's fear. + + _Chorus._--Then march along, &c. + + That savage wretch with bloody hands, + Usurping in his might, + Shall keenly feel a nation's steel + That justifies its right. + "_Revenge_" shall be our battle-cry, + Revenge the bloody foe: + Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood, + Shall echo back the blow. + + _Chorus._--Come march along, "my hearty lads," + And shout the martial song. + The nation cheers the Volunteers + Who bravely march along. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the +reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the +Red River Expedition;--and as an essential character in the sequel of +this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself. + + * * * * * + +On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at +Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I +intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a +poetical work which I had written, entitled: "The Canadian +Minstrel." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the +sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home. +Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered +the room. + +"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very +politely as he entered. + +"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa, +and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to +peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I +addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation, +chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and +Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent +at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar. + +He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in +figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a +brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was +courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and +good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments +pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment, +apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance, +although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by +an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was +a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy. +Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything +about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although +strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together. + +At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We +saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a +few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came +forward and addressed me. + +"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently +in readiness to depart. + +"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the +pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you." + +"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be +there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me, +I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name +thereon. + +"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily +shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he +departed. + +As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at +Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the +intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a +few days previous. + +The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see +the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently +happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental +and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been +old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very +agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the +following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He +complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city +our interviews were of daily occurrence. + +During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity; +and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the +great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I +visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and +Agriculture, &c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and +developments of the Province of Ontario. + +The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me +to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had +said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something +was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of +making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in +compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the +greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this +story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle +reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick +Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted. + +"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured +the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every +night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a +rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive. +Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my +proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible +energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore +and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved +by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey +had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of +illness. + +"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward +that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had +recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers +suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe +billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea; +and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with +them. + +"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special +visit to my tent. + +"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you +some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow +morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you +to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be +provided with necessaries, &c. The Captain has appointed a couple of +honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as +guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction +is--"_Take good care of yourself_," otherwise you will never reach +Red River.' + +"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the +journey,' said I. + +"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at +first.' + +"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed. + +"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly +wink. + +"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now +suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have +an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my +wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to +Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for +ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be +able to complete it.' + +"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution, +inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to +stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the +consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater +than those you have undergone.' + +"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this +wilderness?' said I. + +"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation +will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under +charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of +Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They +can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can +effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much +easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.' + +"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.' + +"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and +immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned, +accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced +with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30 +in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto. +No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of +liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds. +I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, _and +felt myself once more as a man_:--And wherefore, may I ask? Let my +spirit echo the answer. + +"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms. +Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances. +Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered +around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a +happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty. + +"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving +presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness +of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind, +and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and +vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go +with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much +better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in +this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey. + +"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in +circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in +scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the +tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the +blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I +returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in +sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends, +without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that +the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and +adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my +circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the +ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous +to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my +illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had +retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going +to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea +that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a +gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were +doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was +elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was +startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I +beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her +countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe, +white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her +feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a +momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own +mother. + +"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly +raising myself up from my couch. + +"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in +her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell +of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will +not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother, +sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears, +while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited +to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,--I +hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly. +Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous +life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union +with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do +these things and I shall depart in peace.' + +"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say +nothing more than simply to whisper,--'_Mother, I shall try to do so_.' +She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly +soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully +impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be +more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present +moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I +tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a +tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length +assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true; +however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a +baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto +from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also +one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances +which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had +advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not +suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to +spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to +mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express +my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my +return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my +letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has +been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail. +I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my +health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my +return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred +to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to +Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few +years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment +that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then, +sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and +familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to +my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I +have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my +future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with +deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the +author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my +money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited +fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and +besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents--to my child--and +to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart +that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the +madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my +Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have +trampled upon His laws. _Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!_ +However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that +through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating +liquor and evil company." + +"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick, +after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who +formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He +is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large +business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50 +per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of +which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no +time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be +ready to commence work on Monday. + +"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will +indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next +English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me, +please forward immediately." + +I promised faithfully to do so:--and having thanked him for his favors I +bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find +him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired +immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having +been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening. +The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present +to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality. +But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I +have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the +soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the +mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions +of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric +telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of +the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the +horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that +dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are +by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of +these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are +nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like +vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a +variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas. + +Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down +to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there +were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters +he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning, +and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the +appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to +forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to +know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some +of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more +forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass +away, and the mystery will be solved. + +At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to +Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He +told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few +days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at +which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper +shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a +newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand +affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing +from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment +of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had +occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had +happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I +recognized it at once as the "_Black-Sealed-Letter_." I opened it with +trembling hand, and read as follows: + + "London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870. + + "Dear Cousin Frederick.--I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on + the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from + which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure + however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will + feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has + been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful + changes have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with + itself, too frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that + are prolific with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and + disappointment. And were it not that the Star of Bethlehem still + shines in the firmament of Heaven the glory of this world would + transmit but a dim light upon the soul of the Christian life. Then be + prepared, my dear friend, to endure the ills of adversity with a + noble heart. Although a dark shadow may fall suddenly upon your + earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in faith towards the Star of + Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will dispel the darkness, + even, were it the shadow of Death. + + "You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara + Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so. + Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low + spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your + intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every + hope of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of + Charles Holstrom. + + "Your child is still in your father's family, and is a + bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At + the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on + my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently + occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known + to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself + upon your mind at your return. + + "On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the + stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was + considered necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in + shortly afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the + morning of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear + mother breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She + was sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words + conferred a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full + assurance of a blessed immortality. + + "Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that + with the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe + affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we + know not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare + effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear + friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of + Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere + long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home. + + "Your friends join in expressing their love to you. + + "I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin. + + "William A. Thornton." + +Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza, +Frederick's eldest sister: + + "London, Sept. 20th, 1870. + + "My Dear Brother,--The sad events that have occurred since your + departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of + our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will + be enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he + will assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort + however to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I + trust her spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual + labors upon earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I + thought he would assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt + your absence has had a tendency to augment his grief. He has become + fearfully melancholy, and of late has had recourse to drinking. I + dread the consequences; therefore I intreat you to come home as soon + as possible. Perhaps your influence may have a soothing effect upon + his mind; and prevent him from further indulgence. + + "Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you + again, dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you + will be happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with + other facts. Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all + join in love to you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written + these few lines. I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister. + + "Eliza Charlston." + +"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick. + +"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he. + +Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been +forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother +is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some +consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled +from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the +sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think +of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her +favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of +confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these +alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to +whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal +union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not +for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against +hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a +help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate +circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I +will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like +Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be +the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil +spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews +my pathway with pandoric ills." + +"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said +I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be +your friend indeed." + +"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he +exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard +of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank +from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for +elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for +two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed +my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored +until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions. +To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its +contents, _I shall drink no more_." + +Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor. + +"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me +and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your +feelings by tasting of it in your presence." + +Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries +he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and +for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never +taste of liquor again. + +"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the +influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton: +and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have +been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure +appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once +more and make amends for the past." + +I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far +as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return +by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way +home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He +appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked +me for the kindness I shewed towards him. + +On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed +cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton +he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every +evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add, +profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed +more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to +remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to +the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to +comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time. +On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the +shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I +expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of +total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him +to do so. + +"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in +the right course now." + +Then bidding each other good bye, we parted--_never to meet again on +earth_. + +On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see +Frederick Charlston. + +"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper. + +"_Gone, sir!_" said I. "Where, and when did he go?" + +"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a +week ago," he replied. + +"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I. + +"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now." + +"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired. + +"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and +sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin, +endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim. + +This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several +seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a +sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the +announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called +upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston. + +"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths +who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a +sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit +again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days +continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by +the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday +night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and +fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was +ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish +state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more +alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and +procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would +have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him +that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and +watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever +continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle +up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of +horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon +his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible +pit into which he had fallen, &c. &c. But the scene during those moments +was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became +calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on +earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he +breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions +of eternity. + +"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!" +continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a +noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I +wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the +circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence +indeed." + + * * * * * + +The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It +is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent +material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young +and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed +confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral +principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of +others:--and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of +human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating +liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as +Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was. +Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a +downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes +stronger, and the descent more easy. + +"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one. + +"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas +against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me +from taking my occasional glass." + +"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very +life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It +dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the +fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and +melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on +purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then +should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me +from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow +themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of +nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not. +I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I +please with my own liberty and independence." + +Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No +man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally +become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of +Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting +point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a +world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance. + +Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness +and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It +is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of +hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it +hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must +that man be;--how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would +hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of +benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against +him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his +arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime +(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in +myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard: +Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates, +would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles +in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into +kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the +flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor +glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when +excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in +the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by +the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the +wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their +fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it +not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity. + +In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or +take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to +consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its +fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to +dash the accursed bowl to the earth. + +Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the +countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and +body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of +wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present +condition and your eternal future; and remember also that _every man_, +even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my +dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston. + +Finis. + + * * * * * + + + + +The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled--"Tales for +Canadian Homes;" the others will appear in serial form in the +columns of the _Canadian Garland_, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author +intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County +of Chateauguay, P. Q. + + ANDREW L. SPEDON, + St. Jean Chrysostom, + Chateauguay Co., P.Q. + + + * * * * * + + + +The Poetic Wreath. + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR. + + + + +LIFE'S STRUGGLE. + + + Our life is but a struggle here, + 'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear, + Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer, + With reckless force; + But self-made ills make life's career + A rougher course. + + The world is but a human hive; + To keep the varied swarm alive, + Its working bees must toil and strive, + While others feast. + The lazy drones appear to thrive, + Yet work the least. + + The world appears a battle-field, + The stronger rule, the weaker yield, + The golden nerves too often wield + The power which leads, + While justice' scales are oft conceal'd + By selfish deeds. + + Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears, + With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears, + And tho' our bustling life appears + A transient breath, + It seems possess'd of endless years + 'Twixt us and death. + + The poor man toils for daily bread; + By him the rich are clothed and fed, + Yet life's to them a greater dread, + Or idle pest, + Their downy couch too oft a bed + Of sleepless rest. + + How many a life's an idle waste, + Its destined glory seems disgraced, + Its vile possessor has defaced + The man divine, + That not a single mark is traced + Of God's design. + + Man's but a child, a restless boy, + His life a game, the world his toy, + He strives for something to enjoy + Unjoy'd before, + Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy + He longs for more. + + The lust for gold, the love of fame, + The baser passions oft inflame, + And blindly masks the honest name + Of moral worth, + When life exceeds no higher aim + Than this vile earth. + + + Our souls the golden god inspires, + And feeds the life-destroying fires, + Until the fevered heart desires + With selfish greed, + More than it actually requires + For nature's need. + + Life's hardest ills its spirit braves, + O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves, + Then make ourselves the worst of slaves, + A slave to self, + To satisfy the thirst that craves + For yellow pelf. + + The golden wand with magic art + Throws out the power to charm the heart, + But ah, we feel its bitter smart + When selfish greed + Has robb'd from life that better part + We so much need. + + Alas, when gold absorbs our cares + Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears, + And heavier grows the load it bears, + And faster driven, + Its very dust defiles the prayers + We send to heaven. + + Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed, + Yet faster still we urge our steed, + And scarcely slack the reins to feed + Or ease its breath, + The journey seems but short indeed, + When closed in death. + + We haste it on with worldly care, + Oppressive toil, and meagre fare, + While sin and self-indulgence wear + Our chariot wheels + Increasing still the load they bear, + With countless ills. + + How discontented life appears, + By every wind its compass veers, + Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears + Of fancied ill, + Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers, + We grumble still. + + But why complain for everything + That gives our life a random sting; + Altho' we shift our tether-string + To please our will, + We'll always find the change will bring + Both good and ill. + + Then why should we contract our sight + When life turns down the side that's bright + The blast that blows us ills to-night, + With cankering sorrow. + May cheer the clouds which shade the light + That shines to-morrow. + + 'Tis better then to be content, + Altho' we are not worth a cent; + Our precious hours when wisely spent + Are still the best, + For nature's ills are never sent + To be a pest. + + And let it never be our creed, + That when we do an evil deed, + To think that penance can succeed, + To cancel sin; + We pluck the fruit, but still the seed + Remains within. + + But may we daily strive to win + That happy world which knows no sin, + 'Tis on the heaven we form within + Our bliss depends, + Where life celestial shall begin, + Which never ends. + + + + +INDIAN SUMMER. + + + While winter in the dreary North + Lies crouching ready to leap forth, + In "_Indian Summer_" doth appear + The gentle seasons of the year. + + As if they came to shed their bloom + Around their excavated tomb, + To hold their parting interview, + And bid their native world adieu. + + The leaves that linger on the trees + Are smiling in the sunny breeze, + And chanting forth with holy breath + The mournful requiem of their death. + + The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare, + Seem lovely through the sun-lit air; + The very shades are glowing bright + Beneath the golden mellow light. + + Rejoicing in their freedom still, + On cultured field and pastur'd hill, + The cattle crops the fading grass, + And bless the moments as they pass. + + The ploughman and his trusty team + More happy and contented seem, + From golden rays the furrow'd field + A golden harvest yet may yield. + + From bough to bough in yonder wood + The squirrel frisks in happy mood, + While searching round in hopes to find + That some few nuts are left behind. + + The summer-birds that yearly fly + To yonder Southern sunny sky, + Are hovering round on lingering wing, + And fancy 'tis returning Spring. + + While these sweet hours are gliding by, + How calmly smiles the solemn sky, + With golden hues of radiance bright, + As if it were the cream of light. + + It seems as if an angel's wing + Had wafted back the breath of Spring, + To animate the ling'ring breath + Of Autumn on the bed of death. + + Or from the rays of heavenly dews + Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues, + And o'er the sky so gently flung + The air that once o'er Eden hung. + + 'Tis but the calm before the storm; + The flush of earth's consumptive form; + The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath, + Before the stern approach of death. + + + + +THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD. + + + There is a sympathy in love + We bear for those who mourn, + Whose shadows of departed joys + With every thought return. + 'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief + That floods the parents' heart + When death unvails embosom'd hopes, + And throws its fatal dart. + + The nursling of a mother's love, + That nestles on her breast, + Is but a life, celestial gift, + By God's own seal impress'd. + And when its prattling lips rejoice + In innocent delight + The parents' love and cherish'd hope, + With tenfold power unite. + + Anticipated prospects rise + From hope's enchanted dreams, + Converting life's prospective skies + From shade to sunny beams, + But oft, alas, those fancied hopes + Are in the bud destroy'd; + The cherished gift is pluckt away + And leaves a lonely void. + + Its lovely form returns to earth, + Its spirit soars to bliss; + Tho' destin'd to a happy world + It oft may visit this. + Perchance around the household hearth + When prayer's sweet incense rise, + It may return as messenger + To waft it to the skies. + + 'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought, + Even tho' it were untrue, + That spirit-friends are hovering round + Tho' absent from our view. + But, oh! such dreams however sweet, + A solace to impart, + Can never fill the vacant seat, + Nor yet the parents' heart. + + The silent toys, the empty clothes, + Those vestiges of death; + Are full of mournful memories, + Which spring from every breath, + The active form the smiling face, + In every thought appear; + The prattling voice so cheering once + Still lingers in the ear. + + The future casts a shadow now, + And hopes give place to grief, + And all these things so pleasing once + Can give no real relief. + 'Tis only from a heavenly source + That happiness can flow; + There only can the heart procure + A balm for every woe. + + Then ye who mourn your absent ones, + Those gifts by nature given, + Remember tho' 'tis loss to you, + 'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven, + But still the wounded bosom bleeds, + And cankers with its grief, + For things have not their former charms + To lend the soul relief. + + There is no solid base on earth, + On which our hopes are sure; + The Rock of Heaven alone can make + Our faith and hope secure. + This life is full of varied ills, + With pain in every breath; + And everything, however pure, + Contains the germs of death. + + How feeble is that vital thread, + Which holds us to the earth; + It may be snapt at hoary age, + Or at the infants' birth. + We see it break in every clime, + At every age and hour, + And still we live as if its strength, + Could match our Maker's power. + + The curse of sin like Cain's mark + Is stampt on every brow; + And to the idols of the earth + We in submission bow. + Earth's things may seem as tangible + To life's short-sighted eyes, + But from the magic touch of death + The cherish'd vision flies. + + The soul itself, like Noah's dove, + But flutters out its strength + Around the earth, its safety ark, + Then flies away at length. + Perchance it may, while hovering here, + Some olive-leaf procure, + An emblem of a spirit-world, + Whose solid base is sure. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER*** + + +******* This file should be named 18514-8.txt or 18514-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/5/1/18514 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Black-Sealed Letter</p> +<p> Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.</p> +<p>Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon</p> +<p>Release Date: June 6, 2006 [eBook #18514]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/">http://www.pgdp.net/</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Early Canadiana Online<br /> + (<a href="http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html">http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html</a>)</h3> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Early Canadiana Online. See + <a href="http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312"> + http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>TALES FOR CANADIAN HOMES.</h1> + +<h2>BY ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON,</h2> + +<h3><i>Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel," +&c.</i></h3> + +<h4>PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,<br /> +BY MITCHELL & WILSON, MONTREAL.<br /> +1872.</h4> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How slight a cause may change our life<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Beyond its own control,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Produce a cordial to the heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Or canker in the soul.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#By_the_same_author">By the same author</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Black-Sealed Letter;</h2> + +<h4>OR,</h4> + +<h3>THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>Old London!—city of cities!—whose foundations were laid when the +ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests +whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of +the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and +Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British +isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human +life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and +iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its +distinguished authors:—its time-honored institutions of religion, +literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves +volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:—its massive +warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes +banquet in luxury:—its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid +whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a +wretched existence. Into this great city—wonderful and complicated in +itself—the modern Babylon of the world,—gentle reader, now follow me +in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following +story.</p> + +<p>It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of +November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings +of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of +summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy +day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and +degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making +their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark +streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have +during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but +thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of +carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded +with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their +delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily +satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells +are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably +degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the +deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home +has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by +these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of +iniquity.</p> + +<p>Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of +every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the +return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very +depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart, +and at length he returns—but not as a loving and sober husband; not as +a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble +attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual +Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his +household;—no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped +from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether +kennel.</p> + +<p>But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening +enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,—that place, the +dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united, +sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr. +Charlston.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that +night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the +mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his +eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the +younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping +in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if +trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion.</p> + +<p>Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance +tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head, +denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty +years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of +sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and +the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder +age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of +that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the +"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The +daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of +whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the +family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and +about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very +<i>facsimile</i> of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his +mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will, +amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous +temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time +referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry +had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor +and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and +at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George +followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and +at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman. +Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance. +Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was +partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or +during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to +grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and +when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around +the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably +to themselves.</p> + +<p>On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were +engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was +rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man +entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat +uncouth manner.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and +Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day. +I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on +purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it +swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from +ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied +Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest +news about town."</p> + +<p>The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber, +and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either +surprise or fear.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into +quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed +Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think +yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having +graduated as a Batchelor of Arts—I mean—Bachelor of Babies. You will, +no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or, +Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will +stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a +hat as big as his grandpa's."</p> + +<p>At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a +graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook +hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took +the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few +kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately, +apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar +friend.</p> + +<p>"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with +whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on +your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick; +a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as +a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of +blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply +the beds of a whole household on a winter's night."</p> + +<p>"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?" +interrogated Clara.</p> + +<p>"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted +Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful +answer.</p> + +<p>At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely +interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news +from the <i>Times</i>. After an hour's conversation on various topics the +young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon +Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed. +Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her +visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on +account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her +residence, distant about one mile.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is +no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me +to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for +her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear +George, excuse me."</p> + +<p>No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his +father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in +pursuit of Clara.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara +and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and +complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful +night.</p> + +<p>Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had +attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and +at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical +appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;—of a bold, but humorous +disposition—at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner. +Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but +their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of +their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a +respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these +circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional +visitor to their house.</p> + +<p>Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow +with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to +their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr. +Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other. +Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the +same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked +upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr. +Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled +hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after +the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately +turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her +expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery +shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably +employed.</p> + +<p>Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when +children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured; +and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a +marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take +place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But +the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is +often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly +hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be +darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of +life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some +inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and +Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their +affections upon the altar of matrimony.</p> + +<p>The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as +food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of +Mrs. Hazledon—or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,—and with whom +Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various +sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event, +evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of +Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson.</p> + +<p>Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and +showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the +little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union +as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after +the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into +Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of +Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he +might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing +himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton +as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages. +Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned +a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very +flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his +undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few +months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable +home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston.</p> + +<p>Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently +sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was +apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards +Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had +given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making +his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant +agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest +countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of +acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler +received 100 acres <i>gratis</i>. A river one hundred times larger than all +the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country, +1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the +smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and +sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities +and improvements of the 19th century;—equality, independence and wealth +awaiting every industrious man who went thither;—it was, indeed, the +workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all, +blessed be the fact, <i>it was the poor man's paradise upon earth</i>."</p> + +<p>Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely +to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his +purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long +as he had an opportunity of living in it.</p> + +<p>"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you +would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You +talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be +of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But +for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost +perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a +livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy +deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that +are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for +the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly +and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will +assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara."</p> + +<p>Frederick made no satisfactory reply.</p> + +<p>On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having +heard of his return, called to see him.</p> + +<p>"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the +hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid +you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal +Islands."</p> + +<p>Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression.</p> + +<p>"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick +somewhat shyly.</p> + +<p>"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?"</p> + +<p>"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said +Frederick.</p> + +<p>"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, <i>it +will be worth nothing</i>," replied H., and continued, "I had an +acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with £500; and having +lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living +upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth +<i>nothing</i>. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron +muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or +not;—men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even +sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there +in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would +be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in +strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed +me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted +to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon +deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that +the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as +beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which +means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and +were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent +them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask +made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see +through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force +their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's +eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker."</p> + +<p>"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.</p> + +<p>"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia.</p> + +<p>"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred.</p> + +<p>"<i>Bosh!</i> d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least +objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a +fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of +the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be +depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'"</p> + +<p>"That'll do for the present," said Amelia.</p> + +<p>"Go on," cried George.</p> + +<p>"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C.</p> + +<p>"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that +the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their +bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of +that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender, +indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow."</p> + +<p>"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and +George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders, +expressive of nervous twitchings.</p> + +<p>"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river +to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks +without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which +drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and +their inhabitants a hundred feet deep."</p> + +<p>"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C.</p> + +<p>"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the +thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it +frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with +their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that +they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are +preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign +travellers."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C.</p> + +<p>"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls, +fearfully excited.</p> + +<p>Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something +condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole +story."</p> + +<p>"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the +present;—only I might merely add,—that if Fred goes out for a +free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are +infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are +savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every +foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw—a she +Indian—as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for +themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is +immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is +afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to +traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you +go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good +night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst +an uproar of exclamations and laughter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the +statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such +is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than +the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting +this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not +aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know +of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from +hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts.</p> + +<p>Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become +better known in England through the means of lecturers and +emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some +cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really +possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada +beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men, +in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored +pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical +resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and +river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of +farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become +settlers,—together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100 +per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns +and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a +number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue, +particularly if their own interests are involved.</p> + +<p>Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young +professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and +weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed +stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their +future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering +what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a +vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded +to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number, +flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home +for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the +cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But +in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and +counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every +genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had +scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more +professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The +characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely +coarse and terribly <i>'orrifying'</i>. Wages, they said, were no better than +those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred +travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however, +went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel, +living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something +upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests, +and every morning eagerly peering over the "<i>want advertisements</i>" of +the <i>Globe</i> and <i>Witness</i>, perhaps for months, until their means became +considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the +<i>States</i>, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and +everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of +the country delineated in the darkest colors.</p> + +<p>We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went +immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his +design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish +adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she +discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up +during the winter were beginning to fall.</p> + +<p>"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed. +"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child, +to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy +home in Canada."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false +prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at +Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with? +Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now +doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart. +It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me +with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea, +my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very +prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your +feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against +the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed +toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften +the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who +gave to it an existence."</p> + +<p>"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really +sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of +complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall +have to shorten my visit."</p> + +<p>"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me +unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara.</p> + +<p>"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar +higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper; +turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always +the bright side uppermost."</p> + +<p>"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the +assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been +looking to-day upon the bright side of life."</p> + +<p>"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell +you that I have decided upon going to Canada, <i>and I shall go</i>. That +country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure +than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in +the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to +which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are, +unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn +you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left +you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a +husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a +comfortable home."</p> + +<p>"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred, +that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances +convenient to fulfil your promise—no, never, never, Fred."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred, +irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly, +leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude +of her own reflections.</p> + +<p>Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature, +being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him +after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly +assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in +Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his +character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He +was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday +night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship +of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until +every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more +money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He +was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it +a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain.</p> + +<p>On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins +came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he +said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for +several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He +became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon +the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him, +which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable +at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find +lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else +he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames.</p> + +<p>"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now, +dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me +so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the +tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied +Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well +enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support +the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed, +has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child—the dirty, +yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I +shall make short work of it to-night on my return. <i>Mark my words, +Clara</i>," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket +he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the +affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt +suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several +weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since +he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal.</p> + +<p>While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the +door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two +eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the +afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more +particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his +intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home. +Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially +on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected +hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for +the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea +was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After +having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed +it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins. +She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the +child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now +nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned—so it will serve both +purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to +take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can +find it convenient."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, ma,—that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said +Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss +tenderly upon its smiling lips.</p> + +<p>"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for +you," said Clara.</p> + +<p>"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted +with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston.</p> + +<p>"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs. +Collins.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty +years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston.</p> + +<p>"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink.</p> + +<p>It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named, +should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was +dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with +other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston +and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the +child.</p> + +<p>When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were +at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the +others.</p> + +<p>"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good +behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston.</p> + +<p>"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found +a purse of gold."</p> + +<p>"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed, +rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C.</p> + +<p>"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to +see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the +little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture, +what a dear lovely angel he is," &c.</p> + +<p>After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room. +Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick, +whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took +the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen +of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he +could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his +affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had +treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them +that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr. +Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him +as a happy acquisition to his household.</p> + +<p>Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed +a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering +look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following +evening.</p> + +<p>Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a +sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you +home to-night, Clara?"</p> + +<p>"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith. +The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed +from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each +other than ever they had been.</p> + +<p>Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the +following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an +associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom. +Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more +rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the +presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness.</p> + +<p>Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his +own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting +pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week.</p> + +<p>The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm +and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight, +Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings +were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the +moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was +seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months, +perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to +be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that +nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them.</p> + +<p>What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the +artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is +exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest +descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and +intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding +beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as +a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to +gratify the desires of the mind.</p> + +<p>But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only +upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their +slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become +mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the +breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter, +and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in +shapeless ruins around their basis.</p> + +<p>But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous +consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can +unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the +windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events +as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the +blacksmith's hammer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of +which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our +narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting.</p> + +<p>No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than +Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and +having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and +muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity +of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young +man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than +Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized +he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and +walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened +and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She +hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and +addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided +hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His +blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul +became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both +parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he +secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations +which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain.</p> + +<p>"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising +deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late +that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved +her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is +now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer +shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah! +that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate +him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only +served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more +subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the +vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the +debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to +the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I +must have!"</p> + +<p>In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them +unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him +recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no +longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and +would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested +to him not to do so.</p> + +<p>He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within—the humorous joke—the +joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to +greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats +into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted +weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively, +fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps.</p> + +<p>Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch; +but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a +few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous +character imaginable.</p> + +<p>Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length, +dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked +up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to +verify her apprehensions.</p> + +<p>"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as +well, mother," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening," +said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed +resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr. +Guernsey immediately."</p> + +<p>"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of +sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel +debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare +a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible. +Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and +toast, followed by his father and sisters.</p> + +<p>Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite +vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His +mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to +repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender +finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the +rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep.</p> + +<p>On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in +a convalescent state.</p> + +<p>However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days. +On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the +following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but +neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed +to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called. +Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he +instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly +left the room.</p> + +<p>Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of +a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as +well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family +also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his +doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered +so by his illness.</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make +such a runaway as that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by +a shock of electricity?"</p> + +<p>"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play +'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so +fast."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a +sly wink looking to Fred.</p> + +<p>"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile +woman."</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?"</p> + +<p>"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to +have made me as mad as a raving maniac."</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then—the +why and wherefore also."</p> + +<p>"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own +accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons, +and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or +wrong."</p> + +<p>Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and +Charlie Holstrom.</p> + +<p>"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had +finished telling them.</p> + +<p>"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred.</p> + +<p>"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them, +especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I +will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the +story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that +she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my +house again."</p> + +<p>"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her +again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and +sisters to talk over the matter.</p> + +<p>On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr. +Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of, +Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to +speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in +his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor.</p> + +<p>Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all +the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances +alluded to.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have +patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask, +have patience until I render an explanation?"</p> + +<p>"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C.</p> + +<p>"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be +present."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find +an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in +which you represent it."</p> + +<p>"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home +accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came +here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs. +Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on +to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed +therewith,—and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn +informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the +evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not +return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my +departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and +requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and +somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the +opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a +short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since. +I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that +night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany +me home?</p> + +<p>"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have +done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my +affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me +disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our +union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection +to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He +promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by +an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and +again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having +them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy +home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of +homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home +in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his +intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected +to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the +nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil +spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a +reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the +stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the +wounds he has afflicted. <i>Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am +I consigned to the torments of impending fate.</i> Have I committed crimes +so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to +burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful +heavens, have pity upon me!—<i>poor wretched creature that I am</i>.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically +exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes.</p> + +<p>"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately +by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you; +and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere +to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful +friend."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to +express its gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given +you of my fidelity."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara.</p> + +<p>Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they +sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their +hearts.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of +speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him +all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as +favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case +would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms +at once with Clara.</p> + +<p>"<i>Never! never!</i>" ejaculated Fred.</p> + +<p>"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has +given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an +unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of +censure."</p> + +<p>"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not +have attached any importance to it," said he.</p> + +<p>"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between +Charles and Clara?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times—I was informed by letter +when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer +expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is +playing at "<i>catch the beau</i>" with your affectionate Clara.'"</p> + +<p>"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter."</p> + +<p>"It was Harry Walton."</p> + +<p>"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted +for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person +in London who does so."</p> + +<p>"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is +Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One +day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones +squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a +hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah +Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about +Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'"</p> + +<p>"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your +attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you +have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving +thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what +is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing +the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of +dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like +butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no +honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues."</p> + +<p>"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard +had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their +manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances +connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in +upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of +love that was in my heart."</p> + +<p>"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes; +it will restore the affection you have lost."</p> + +<p>"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has +been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing +at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of +late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now +awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor +have anything whatever to do with her."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son, +the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to +each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar +of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by +your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present +circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your +character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you +inevitably together,—a link of living humanity, akin to you both. +Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,—titles +that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who +now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then +think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary +ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again +ask you, Fred, to comply with my request."</p> + +<p>"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can +bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the +flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my +heart."</p> + +<p>"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes."</p> + +<p>"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable."</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for +you?"</p> + +<p>"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me +reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even +despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a +substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada."</p> + +<p>"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow +if I choose to go."</p> + +<p>"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and +every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the +present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '<i>a mother's +blessing</i>'."</p> + +<p>"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for +me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my +opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer +bear the insults, you heap upon me,"—and therewith Fred arose and made +his exit abruptly from the room.</p> + +<p>It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating +upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions. +His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air +of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been +listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the +Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still +more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea +to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his +father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to +expostulate with him.</p> + +<p>"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can +have no effect," exclaimed Fred.</p> + +<p>"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children +obey your parents in all things.'"</p> + +<p>"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author, +'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of +parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my +son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but +he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who +forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof <i>shall die</i>.'"</p> + +<p>"I am no <i>fool</i>," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do +as I please."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey +hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words +in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress. +Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me, +therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke."</p> + +<p>Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time +to bring forth the Bible.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he +had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so +that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and +disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if +she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to +be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I +shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a +tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me +better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled +two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved +quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street. +Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly +conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool.</p> + +<p>On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the +Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between +Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S.</p> + +<p>The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out +from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is +crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the +receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly +distant shores of their native land.</p> + +<p>Day passed,—and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was +dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully +amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor +Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future +floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he +gave vent to his feelings in the following verses:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alas, it may be to behold thee no more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But joy to this bosom no friends can restore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Old London, farewell,—my birth-place and home,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far distant from thee I am destined to roam,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To know that thy mother hath caused us to part,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A joy to this soul that may see thee no more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">To the land of the stranger I go—yes—I go,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In search of those blessings which it can bestow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far, far from that home I may visit no more.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows +of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his +half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness. +His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the +etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied +nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts +bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had +taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in +the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were +safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for +Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon +of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow +storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles +Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and +the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived +safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately +engaged lodgings at the <i>St. James' Hotel</i>, where after a warm and +hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings.</p> + +<p>Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of +the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim +air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of +pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying +along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing +as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred +looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and +attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel +experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within +itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was +"<i>Christmas' Night</i>." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings +which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old +city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory, +filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him +everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More +keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange +land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends +and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of +his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy +weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out +heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor +Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate +employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his +mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships +were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length +he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed +writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few +postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an +effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps +season their affection for him.</p> + +<p>Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers, +persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted +with military discipline, having practically served in a company during +his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the +tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself +initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved +to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus +increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly +meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass +sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again +and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to +induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and +smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the +poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a +dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always +continued as invincible.</p> + +<p>"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said +Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking +along Craig Street. "Here's the '<i>Royal Arms</i>,' come in, boys—come in +Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman. +He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below +zero."</p> + +<p>They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar.</p> + +<p>"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril.</p> + +<p>"A glass of cold water," replied Fred.</p> + +<p>"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to +commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if +you intend living in Canada."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry +Jenkins.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the +Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing +your kindness further upon me."</p> + +<p>"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your +conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril.</p> + +<p>"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do—take a little for your stomach's +sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Come, Fred, <i>one glass</i> will never ruffle a feather in your +conscience," said Ernest Stevens.</p> + +<p>"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing +aloud, followed by the others in chorus,</p> + +<p>"<i>For Fred's a jolly good fellow</i>," &c.</p> + +<p>Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he +replied—"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in +which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily +decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my +best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated +balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in +Canada?"</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same +throughout."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country +has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them, +and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance +cause are based upon the same principle."</p> + +<p>"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred.</p> + +<p>"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the +characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual +condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense, +is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in +the abstract is simply '<i>to abstain</i>' and '<i>to obey</i>.' But suppose, for +the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is +there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the +country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when +I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And +again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore +should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to +sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no +longer bound to obey the laws of the Society."</p> + +<p>"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or +else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our +friends will never be able to discover us."</p> + +<p>"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins +another dig with your philosophical pick."</p> + +<p>"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap."</p> + +<p>"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll +bite at it first."</p> + +<p>"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was +filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others +chorusing with a series of discordant laughs.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance +of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and +the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating +balderdash and bar-room-slang."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your +subjects," said Ernest Stevens.</p> + +<p>"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you +would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson.</p> + +<p>"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more <i>solid</i> material +than <i>liquids</i>," replied Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if +the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment +of life?" interrogated Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker +designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both +terrestrial and celestial happiness."</p> + +<p>"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of +the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this—that +I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to +awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means. +This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of +making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities. +So here is my best respects to you all, boys,—not forgetting you, +Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the +liquor to its very dregs.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely +cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself."</p> + +<p>"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson +also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry. +He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct, +namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of +mankind'—otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an +undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to +carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the +universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks +of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments, +while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid +indignation!"</p> + +<p>"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away +your balls at random and never look at the target."</p> + +<p>"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed +Stevens.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, boys, we'll have a <i>horn</i> on the <i>head</i> of the subject," +cried Jenkins.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated. +"I must have fair play in the game."</p> + +<p>"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments +you deviated from the proposition I made, namely—that liquor as a means +is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you +immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by +a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up +a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift, +which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of +Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life."</p> + +<p>"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by +representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you +very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you, +embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He +would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or +imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with +verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer +anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So +should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should +look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce +the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is +a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I +beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of +human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you +say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of +only one single glass at first, <i>only one glass</i>! Think of it! It is the +magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of +wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the +present."</p> + +<p>"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried +Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot."</p> + +<p>"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a +company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins.</p> + +<p>"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present +with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks."</p> + +<p>"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices—and having +partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a +song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled +"One Glass More."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His matted hair hangs over his brow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The manly form and the noble soul<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He shivering stands in his dirty rags,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With quivering lips and a fever'd breath<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For one glass more how he pleading cries.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—O give me, sir, but a single glass;<br /></span> +<span class="i13">O pity me now when my cash is done;<br /></span> +<span class="i11">The night is cold and my blood runs chill,<br /></span> +<span class="i13">And all I ask is a single one.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Away from here, you miserable wretch;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I want no more of your blubbering gas,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be off at once! or I'll kick you out;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You'll get none here—not a single glass,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What brought you here in your filthy rags,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To disgrace my house in this drunken way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At once, begone! for you'll get no drink,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—O give me, sir, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Why so unjust to thy friend art thou;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You gave me drink and you took my cash,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You made me, sir, as you see me now.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when I ask but a single glass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You'll kick me out tho' you took me in.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—O give me, sir, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thro' ten long years while I labored hard,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I was your friend, and your blessings then,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Have proved at length but a demon's curse.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My loving wife and my children dear,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While I was here with my social friends<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—O give me, sir, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My health and youth I have wasted here;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To thee, for drink, my money I gave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'm now a wreck of what I was once,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All wasted here in my reckless course,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which neither thou nor time can restore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then pity me now for old friendship's sake,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And give one glass and I'll ask no more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!"<br /></span> +<span class="i13">The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore,<br /></span> +<span class="i11">Then kick't him out to the cold night storm,<br /></span> +<span class="i13">And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass +an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him +to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained +for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced +to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored +with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a +wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few +drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a +flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he +discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he +felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a +few drops to be added to the mixture. <i>Only a few drops!</i> how +insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves! +But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became <i>a great +number</i>; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick +Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his +comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance, +and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge +which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never +violated. "<i>Only a few drops</i>" at first—yes, <i>only a few drops</i>, and +therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance. +His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather +misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also +often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in +Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or, +perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational +novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally +awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less +susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral +responsibility.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada +by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate +readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places +along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every +precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and +also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days; +and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April +passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north +side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp.</p> + +<p>But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded +the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very +"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every +telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The +march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching +towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the +Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available +company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns, +Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then +stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal +Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once; +and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to +watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their +hearths and households in the hour of danger.</p> + +<p>The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to +St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which +afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "<i>a novel and +romantic adventure</i>."</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed +by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill. +A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of +the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy +sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of +gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or +more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a +volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of +smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an +adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept +up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few +detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in +conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians +imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and +fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line, +where the "<span class="smcap">Fenian Tragedy</span>" was magnificently concluded by the +ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State +prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster.</p> + +<p>Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed +by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond +Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile +from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th, +when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back +beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British +Regiment.</p> + +<p>The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had +chiefly to depend, were the "<i>Huntingdon Borderers</i>" and the +"<i>Hemmingford Rangers</i>," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren +and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers +and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted.</p> + +<p>Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the +Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were +immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country.</p> + +<p>Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred +Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies +of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night +of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with +several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two +others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where +they remained until they became sobered off.</p> + +<p>Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor +of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the +Border.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">All hail! our Border Volunteers,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">All loyal, true and brave,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who boldly faced the Fenian foe,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And spurn'd a coward's grave.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All hail to all those gallant chiefs,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Who stood the trying hour,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And bravely led their heroes forth<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To crush the Fenians' power.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>—Our country's foe we need not dread,<br /></span> +<span class="i15">When danger's hour appears,<br /></span> +<span class="i13">While guarded by those gallant braves,<br /></span> +<span class="i15">Our Border Volunteers.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">No menial soldier fills our ranks,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Nor yet a martial slave;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">O'er free and independent men<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Our banners proudly wave.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They are our country's stalwart sons,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Who love their home and hearth,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who honour still their Fatherland,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And this which gave them birth.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>—Our country's foe, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">'Tis not the savage thirst for blood<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Which makes our heroes brave,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Tis not for conquest and renown<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Their banners proudly wave.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Their voice proclaims the love of peace,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To all an equal right,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Empowers their sword of might.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>—Our country's foes, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Shall echo forth their fame,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And thousands yet unborn will rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To shout our heroes' name.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They form the martial battlements<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Of Canada's frontiers,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Those guardians of our household hearths,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">The Border Volunteers</span>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Chorus.</i>—Our country's foes we need not dread,<br /></span> +<span class="i15">When danger's hour appears,<br /></span> +<span class="i13">While guarded by these gallant braves,<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><i>Our Border Volunteers</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the +revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the +attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars +and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched +immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the +Riel-Rebellion.</p> + +<p>The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston +a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a +desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return +to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions +designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers +were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated +into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River.</p> + +<p>On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and +having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down +gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Toronto, June 7th, 1870.</p> + +<p>"Dear Father and Mother,—As you may feel somewhat disposed by this +time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first +time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in +the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during +the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness. +However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as +sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at +six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the +inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people +named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep; +and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I +joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an +engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the +25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London +papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like +a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I +must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every +cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat, +knapsack and rifle, &c. Since my return I have been lionized by my +officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune +has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my +progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very +zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to +go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the +savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The +undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom +shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of +me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the +North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall +take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of +Indian scalps, &c., as curiosities for my friends and old +acquaintances.</p> + +<p>"Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My +love to the little '<i>chick</i>.' He may live to be yet proud of his +father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed +of."</p> + +<p>"Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my +love. Farewell, farewell."</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Fred. Charlston.</span>"</p></div> + +<p>The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood; +where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded +300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water +through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red +River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of +labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it +tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood +the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with +good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he +gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which +he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come now, my lads, we'll march along,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And wave our banners high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The savage herds in forest wilds<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Shall hear our battle-cry.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The distant realm before us lies,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The road is rough and drear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Our martial course we'll steer.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1"><i>Chorus.</i>—Then march along, my hearty lads,<br /></span> +<span class="i14">And cheer your hearts with song,<br /></span> +<span class="i12">The nation cheers the Volunteers<br /></span> +<span class="i14">Who bravely march along.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No scorching sun, no torrent shower,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No toil, nor want of rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has power to check that British pluck<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which warms each loyal breast.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No savage of the woods we dread,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Nor death, nor danger near,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We are a nation's loyal sons<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who spurn a coward's fear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Then march along, &c.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">That savage wretch with bloody hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Usurping in his might,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall keenly feel a nation's steel<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That justifies its right.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"<i>Revenge</i>" shall be our battle-cry,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Revenge the bloody foe:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Shall echo back the blow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Come march along, "my hearty lads,"<br /></span> +<span class="i13">And shout the martial song.<br /></span> +<span class="i11">The nation cheers the Volunteers<br /></span> +<span class="i13">Who bravely march along.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the +reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the +Red River Expedition;—and as an essential character in the sequel of +this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at +Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I +intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a +poetical work which I had written, entitled: "<span class="smcap">The Canadian +Minstrel</span>." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the +sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home. +Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered +the room.</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very +politely as he entered.</p> + +<p>"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa, +and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to +peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I +addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation, +chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and +Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent +at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar.</p> + +<p>He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in +figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a +brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was +courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and +good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments +pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment, +apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance, +although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by +an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was +a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy. +Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything +about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although +strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together.</p> + +<p>At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We +saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a +few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came +forward and addressed me.</p> + +<p>"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently +in readiness to depart.</p> + +<p>"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the +pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you."</p> + +<p>"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be +there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me, +I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name +thereon.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily +shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he +departed.</p> + +<p>As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at +Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the +intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a +few days previous.</p> + +<p>The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see +the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently +happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental +and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been +old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very +agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the +following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He +complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city +our interviews were of daily occurrence.</p> + +<p>During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity; +and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the +great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I +visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and +Agriculture, &c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and +developments of the Province of Ontario.</p> + +<p>The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me +to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had +said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something +was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of +making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in +compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the +greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this +story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle +reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick +Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted.</p> + +<p>"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured +the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every +night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a +rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive. +Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my +proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible +energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore +and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved +by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey +had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of +illness.</p> + +<p>"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward +that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had +recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers +suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe +billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea; +and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with +them.</p> + +<p>"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special +visit to my tent.</p> + +<p>"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you +some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow +morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you +to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be +provided with necessaries, &c. The Captain has appointed a couple of +honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as +guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction +is—"<i>Take good care of yourself</i>," otherwise you will never reach +Red River.'</p> + +<p>"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the +journey,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at +first.'</p> + +<p>"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly +wink.</p> + +<p>"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now +suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have +an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my +wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to +Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for +ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be +able to complete it.'</p> + +<p>"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution, +inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to +stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the +consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater +than those you have undergone.'</p> + +<p>"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this +wilderness?' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation +will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under +charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of +Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They +can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can +effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much +easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.'</p> + +<p>"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.'</p> + +<p>"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and +immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned, +accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced +with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30 +in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto. +No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of +liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds. +I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, <i>and +felt myself once more as a man</i>:—And wherefore, may I ask? Let my +spirit echo the answer.</p> + +<p>"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms. +Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances. +Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered +around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a +happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty.</p> + +<p>"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving +presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness +of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind, +and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and +vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go +with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much +better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in +this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey.</p> + +<p>"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in +circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in +scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the +tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the +blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I +returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in +sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends, +without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that +the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and +adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my +circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the +ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous +to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my +illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had +retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going +to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea +that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a +gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were +doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was +elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was +startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I +beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her +countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe, +white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her +feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a +momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own +mother.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly +raising myself up from my couch.</p> + +<p>"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in +her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell +of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will +not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother, +sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears, +while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited +to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,—I +hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly. +Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous +life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union +with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do +these things and I shall depart in peace.'</p> + +<p>"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say +nothing more than simply to whisper,—'<i>Mother, I shall try to do so</i>.' +She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly +soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully +impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be +more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present +moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I +tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a +tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length +assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true; +however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a +baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto +from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also +one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances +which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had +advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not +suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to +spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to +mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express +my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my +return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my +letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has +been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail. +I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my +health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my +return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred +to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to +Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few +years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment +that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then, +sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and +familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to +my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I +have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my +future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with +deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the +author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my +money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited +fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and +besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents—to my child—and +to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart +that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the +madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my +Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have +trampled upon His laws. <i>Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!</i> +However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that +through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating +liquor and evil company."</p> + +<p>"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick, +after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who +formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He +is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large +business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50 +per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of +which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no +time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be +ready to commence work on Monday.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will +indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next +English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me, +please forward immediately."</p> + +<p>I promised faithfully to do so:—and having thanked him for his favors I +bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find +him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired +immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having +been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening. +The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present +to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality. +But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I +have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the +soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the +mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions +of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric +telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of +the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the +horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that +dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are +by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of +these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are +nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like +vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a +variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas.</p> + +<p>Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down +to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there +were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters +he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning, +and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the +appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to +forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to +know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some +of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more +forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass +away, and the mystery will be solved.</p> + +<p>At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to +Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He +told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few +days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at +which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper +shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a +newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand +affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing +from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment +of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had +occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had +happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I +recognized it at once as the "<i>Black-Sealed-Letter</i>." I opened it with +trembling hand, and read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870.</p> + +<p>"Dear Cousin Frederick.—I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on +the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from +which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure +however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will +feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has +been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful changes +have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with itself, too +frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that are prolific +with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and disappointment. And were +it not that the Star of Bethlehem still shines in the firmament of +Heaven the glory of this world would transmit but a dim light upon the +soul of the Christian life. Then be prepared, my dear friend, to endure +the ills of adversity with a noble heart. Although a dark shadow may +fall suddenly upon your earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in +faith towards the Star of Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will +dispel the darkness, even, were it the shadow of Death.</p> + +<p>"You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara +Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so. +Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low +spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your +intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every hope +of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of Charles +Holstrom.</p> + +<p>"Your child is still in your father's family, and is a +bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At +the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on +my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently +occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known +to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself +upon your mind at your return.</p> + +<p>"On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the +stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was considered +necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in shortly +afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the morning +of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear mother +breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She was +sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words conferred +a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full assurance of a +blessed immortality.</p> + +<p>"Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that with +the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe +affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we know +not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare +effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear +friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of +Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere +long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home.</p> + +<p>"Your friends join in expressing their love to you.</p> + +<p>"I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">William A. Thornton</span>."</p></div> + +<p>Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza, +Frederick's eldest sister:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"London, Sept. 20th, 1870.</p> + +<p>"My Dear Brother,—The sad events that have occurred since your +departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of +our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will be +enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he will +assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort however +to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I trust her +spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual labors upon +earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I thought he would +assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt your absence has had +a tendency to augment his grief. He has become fearfully melancholy, +and of late has had recourse to drinking. I dread the consequences; +therefore I intreat you to come home as soon as possible. Perhaps your +influence may have a soothing effect upon his mind; and prevent him +from further indulgence.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you again, +dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you will be +happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with other facts. +Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all join in love to +you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written these few lines. +I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Eliza Charlston.</span>"</p></div> + +<p>"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he.</p> + +<p>Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been +forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother +is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some +consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled +from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the +sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think +of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her +favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of +confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these +alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to +whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal +union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not +for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against +hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a +help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate +circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I +will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like +Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be +the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil +spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews +my pathway with pandoric ills."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said +I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be +your friend indeed."</p> + +<p>"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he +exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard +of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank +from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for +elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for +two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed +my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored +until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions. +To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its +contents, <i>I shall drink no more</i>."</p> + +<p>Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor.</p> + +<p>"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me +and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your +feelings by tasting of it in your presence."</p> + +<p>Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries +he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and +for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never +taste of liquor again.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the +influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton: +and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have +been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure +appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once +more and make amends for the past."</p> + +<p>I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far +as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return +by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way +home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He +appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked +me for the kindness I shewed towards him.</p> + +<p>On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed +cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton +he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every +evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add, +profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed +more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to +remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to +the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to +comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time. +On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the +shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I +expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of +total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him +to do so.</p> + +<p>"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in +the right course now."</p> + +<p>Then bidding each other good bye, we parted—<i>never to meet again on +earth</i>.</p> + +<p>On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see +Frederick Charlston.</p> + +<p>"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gone, sir!</i>" said I. "Where, and when did he go?"</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a +week ago," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now."</p> + +<p>"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and +sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin, +endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim.</p> + +<p>This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several +seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a +sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the +announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called +upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.</p> + +<p>"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths +who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a +sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit +again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days +continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by +the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday +night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and +fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was +ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish +state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more +alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and +procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would +have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him +that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and +watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever +continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle +up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of +horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon +his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible +pit into which he had fallen, &c. &c. But the scene during those moments +was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became +calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on +earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he +breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions +of eternity.</p> + +<p>"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!" +continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a +noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I +wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the +circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence +indeed."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It +is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent +material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young +and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed +confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral +principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of +others:—and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of +human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating +liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as +Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was. +Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a +downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes +stronger, and the descent more easy.</p> + +<p>"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one.</p> + +<p>"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas +against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me +from taking my occasional glass."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very +life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It +dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the +fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and +melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on +purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then +should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me +from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow +themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of +nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not. +I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I +please with my own liberty and independence."</p> + +<p>Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No +man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally +become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of +Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting +point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a +world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance.</p> + +<p>Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness +and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It +is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of +hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it +hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must +that man be;—how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would +hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of +benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against +him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his +arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime +(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in +myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard: +Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates, +would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles +in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into +kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the +flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor +glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when +excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in +the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by +the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the +wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their +fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it +not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or +take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to +consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its +fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to +dash the accursed bowl to the earth.</p> + +<p>Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the +countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and +body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of +wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present +condition and your eternal future; and remember also that <i>every man</i>, +even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my +dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Finis.</span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="By_the_same_author" id="By_the_same_author"></a>By the same author</h2> + + + +<p>The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled—"<span class="smcap">Tales for +Canadian Homes</span>;" the others will appear in serial form in the +columns of the <i>Canadian Garland</i>, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author +intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County +of Chateauguay, P. Q.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">ANDREW L. SPEDON,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">St. Jean Chrysostom,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Chateauguay Co., P.Q.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Poetic Wreath.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3>LIFE'S STRUGGLE.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our life is but a struggle here,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">With reckless force;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But self-made ills make life's career<br /></span> +<span class="i8">A rougher course.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The world is but a human hive;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To keep the varied swarm alive,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its working bees must toil and strive,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">While others feast.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lazy drones appear to thrive,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Yet work the least.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The world appears a battle-field,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The stronger rule, the weaker yield,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The golden nerves too often wield<br /></span> +<span class="i8">The power which leads,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While justice' scales are oft conceal'd<br /></span> +<span class="i8">By selfish deeds.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And tho' our bustling life appears<br /></span> +<span class="i8">A transient breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It seems possess'd of endless years<br /></span> +<span class="i8">'Twixt us and death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The poor man toils for daily bread;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By him the rich are clothed and fed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet life's to them a greater dread,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Or idle pest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their downy couch too oft a bed<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Of sleepless rest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How many a life's an idle waste,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its destined glory seems disgraced,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its vile possessor has defaced<br /></span> +<span class="i8">The man divine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That not a single mark is traced<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Of God's design.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Man's but a child, a restless boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His life a game, the world his toy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He strives for something to enjoy<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Unjoy'd before,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy<br /></span> +<span class="i8">He longs for more.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The lust for gold, the love of fame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The baser passions oft inflame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And blindly masks the honest name<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Of moral worth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When life exceeds no higher aim<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Than this vile earth.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> + +<span class="i0">Our souls the golden god inspires,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And feeds the life-destroying fires,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Until the fevered heart desires<br /></span> +<span class="i8">With selfish greed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">More than it actually requires<br /></span> +<span class="i8">For nature's need.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Life's hardest ills its spirit braves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then make ourselves the worst of slaves,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">A slave to self,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To satisfy the thirst that craves<br /></span> +<span class="i8">For yellow pelf.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The golden wand with magic art<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Throws out the power to charm the heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But ah, we feel its bitter smart<br /></span> +<span class="i8">When selfish greed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has robb'd from life that better part<br /></span> +<span class="i8">We so much need.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Alas, when gold absorbs our cares<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And heavier grows the load it bears,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">And faster driven,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its very dust defiles the prayers<br /></span> +<span class="i8">We send to heaven.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet faster still we urge our steed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And scarcely slack the reins to feed<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Or ease its breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The journey seems but short indeed,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">When closed in death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We haste it on with worldly care,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oppressive toil, and meagre fare,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While sin and self-indulgence wear<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Our chariot wheels<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Increasing still the load they bear,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">With countless ills.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How discontented life appears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By every wind its compass veers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Of fancied ill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">We grumble still.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But why complain for everything<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That gives our life a random sting;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Altho' we shift our tether-string<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To please our will,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll always find the change will bring<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Both good and ill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then why should we contract our sight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When life turns down the side that's bright<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The blast that blows us ills to-night,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">With cankering sorrow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May cheer the clouds which shade the light<br /></span> +<span class="i8">That shines to-morrow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Tis better then to be content,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Altho' we are not worth a cent;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our precious hours when wisely spent<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Are still the best,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For nature's ills are never sent<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To be a pest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And let it never be our creed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That when we do an evil deed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To think that penance can succeed,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To cancel sin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We pluck the fruit, but still the seed<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Remains within.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But may we daily strive to win<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That happy world which knows no sin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis on the heaven we form within<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Our bliss depends,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where life celestial shall begin,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Which never ends.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3>INDIAN SUMMER.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">While winter in the dreary North<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lies crouching ready to leap forth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In "<i>Indian Summer</i>" doth appear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The gentle seasons of the year.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As if they came to shed their bloom<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Around their excavated tomb,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To hold their parting interview,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bid their native world adieu.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The leaves that linger on the trees<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are smiling in the sunny breeze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And chanting forth with holy breath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mournful requiem of their death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Seem lovely through the sun-lit air;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The very shades are glowing bright<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beneath the golden mellow light.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rejoicing in their freedom still,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On cultured field and pastur'd hill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The cattle crops the fading grass,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bless the moments as they pass.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The ploughman and his trusty team<br /></span> +<span class="i0">More happy and contented seem,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From golden rays the furrow'd field<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A golden harvest yet may yield.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From bough to bough in yonder wood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The squirrel frisks in happy mood,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While searching round in hopes to find<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That some few nuts are left behind.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The summer-birds that yearly fly<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To yonder Southern sunny sky,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are hovering round on lingering wing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And fancy 'tis returning Spring.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">While these sweet hours are gliding by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How calmly smiles the solemn sky,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With golden hues of radiance bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As if it were the cream of light.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It seems as if an angel's wing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had wafted back the breath of Spring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To animate the ling'ring breath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Autumn on the bed of death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Or from the rays of heavenly dews<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And o'er the sky so gently flung<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The air that once o'er Eden hung.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Tis but the calm before the storm;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The flush of earth's consumptive form;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Before the stern approach of death.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h3>THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD.</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There is a sympathy in love<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We bear for those who mourn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose shadows of departed joys<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With every thought return.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That floods the parents' heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When death unvails embosom'd hopes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And throws its fatal dart.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The nursling of a mother's love,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That nestles on her breast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is but a life, celestial gift,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">By God's own seal impress'd.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when its prattling lips rejoice<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In innocent delight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The parents' love and cherish'd hope,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With tenfold power unite.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Anticipated prospects rise<br /></span> +<span class="i2">From hope's enchanted dreams,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Converting life's prospective skies<br /></span> +<span class="i2">From shade to sunny beams,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But oft, alas, those fancied hopes<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Are in the bud destroy'd;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The cherished gift is pluckt away<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And leaves a lonely void.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Its lovely form returns to earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Its spirit soars to bliss;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tho' destin'd to a happy world<br /></span> +<span class="i2">It oft may visit this.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Perchance around the household hearth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">When prayer's sweet incense rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It may return as messenger<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To waft it to the skies.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Even tho' it were untrue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That spirit-friends are hovering round<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Tho' absent from our view.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, oh! such dreams however sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A solace to impart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Can never fill the vacant seat,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Nor yet the parents' heart.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The silent toys, the empty clothes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Those vestiges of death;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are full of mournful memories,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which spring from every breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The active form the smiling face,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">In every thought appear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The prattling voice so cheering once<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Still lingers in the ear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The future casts a shadow now,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And hopes give place to grief,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all these things so pleasing once<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Can give no real relief.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis only from a heavenly source<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That happiness can flow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There only can the heart procure<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A balm for every woe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then ye who mourn your absent ones,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Those gifts by nature given,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Remember tho' 'tis loss to you,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But still the wounded bosom bleeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And cankers with its grief,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For things have not their former charms<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To lend the soul relief.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There is no solid base on earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">On which our hopes are sure;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Rock of Heaven alone can make<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Our faith and hope secure.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This life is full of varied ills,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With pain in every breath;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And everything, however pure,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Contains the germs of death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How feeble is that vital thread,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which holds us to the earth;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It may be snapt at hoary age,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Or at the infants' birth.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We see it break in every clime,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">At every age and hour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And still we live as if its strength,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Could match our Maker's power.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The curse of sin like Cain's mark<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Is stampt on every brow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And to the idols of the earth<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We in submission bow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Earth's things may seem as tangible<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To life's short-sighted eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But from the magic touch of death<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The cherish'd vision flies.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The soul itself, like Noah's dove,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But flutters out its strength<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Around the earth, its safety ark,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Then flies away at length.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Perchance it may, while hovering here,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Some olive-leaf procure,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An emblem of a spirit-world,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Whose solid base is sure.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 18514-h.txt or 18514-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/5/1/18514">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/1/18514</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Black-Sealed Letter + Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney. + + +Author: Andrew Learmont Spedon + + + +Release Date: June 6, 2006 [eBook #18514] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER*** + + +E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) from +page images generously made available by Early Canadiana Online +(http://www.canadiana.org/eco/index.html) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Early Canadiana Online. See + http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/24721?id=a50979a2f62af312 + + + + + +Tales for Canadian Homes. + +THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER; + +Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney. + +by + +ANDREW LEARMONT SPEDON, + +Author of "Canadian Summer Evening Tales," "The Canadian Minstrel," &c. + + + + + + + +Printed for the Author, +by Mitchell & Wilson, Montreal. +1872. + + + + + How slight a cause may change our life + Beyond its own control, + Produce a cordial to the heart, + Or canker in the soul. + + + + +The Black-Sealed Letter; + +OR, + +THE MISFORTUNES OF A CANADIAN COCKNEY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +Old London!--city of cities!--whose foundations were laid when the +ancient Briton in his martial glory prowled among the dense forests +whose foliage darkened the waters of the Thames, long ere the foot of +the adventurous Roman had touched the shores of Albion; or the Dane and +Saxon had established themselves within the strongholds of the British +isles. Who has not heard of this great old city, teeming with human +life, and filled with the extremes of wealth, poverty, righteousness and +iniquity? Who has not heard of its eminent statesmen and its +distinguished authors:--its time-honored institutions of religion, +literature and jurisprudence: its antiquated buildings, themselves +volumes of history written the eventful finger of time:--its massive +warehouses; and also its magnificent mansions, wherein peers and princes +banquet in luxury:--its club-houses; and its dens of pollution, amid +whose shadows the grim spectres of degraded humanity struggle out a +wretched existence. Into this great city--wonderful and complicated in +itself--the modern Babylon of the world,--gentle reader, now follow me +in imagination, and I will introduce you to the subject of the following +story. + +It is the Saturday evening of a chilly night towards the end of +November, 1869, that season of the year in which the grey old buildings +of London assume a more sombre aspect than during the sunny days of +summer. The twilight had congealed into darkness after a somewhat foggy +day, and mantling its shadows around the homes of the destitute and +degraded, tinging the wretched inmates with melancholy, and even making +their lives more miserable and less tenacious to the world. The dark +streets have been lighted up. The great tide of human beings that have +during the day thronged the thoroughfares, has partially subsided; but +thousands of pedestrians are still bustling to and fro; while the din of +carriages are heard on every street. The provision shops are crowded +with noisy customers. The coffee-houses are steaming forth their +delicious viands, where throngs of both men and women are greedily +satisfying their appetites: while thousands of ale-houses and gin-hells +are pouring forth their poisonous liquids, where crowds of miserably +degraded wretches of both sexes in human shape are swallowing down the +deadly elements and rioting in hellish revelry. Alas! how many a home +has been converted into a mad-house, yea, even into a very hell, by +these dens of pollution, in which dwell the accursed spirit-dealers of +iniquity. + +Alas! how many a fond wife, with her little ones, perhaps destitute of +every domestic comfort, is at that very moment anxiously awaiting the +return of her husband. Hour after hour may pass away, until the very +depths of night appear to grow sad with the dreary sorrow of her heart, +and at length he returns--but not as a loving and sober husband; not as +a tender and home-providing father; not as a man, with all the noble +attributes of the human nature; not as a Christian, with the spiritual +Balm of Gilead, with which to soothe the cankering ills of his +household;--no, not as either he returns, but rather as a madman escaped +from the prison walls of Bedlam, or as fiend let loose from the nether +kennel. + +But, nevertheless, there were thousands of happy households that evening +enjoying the domestic comforts of a peaceful home,--that place, the +dearest of all on earth, when sanctified by the affection of a united, +sober, and industrious family. Such was the home and household of Mr. +Charlston. + +Mr. and Mrs. Charlston, their two sons and three daughters, were on that +night comfortably seated in their little sitting room after tea; the +mother and her daughters engaged at needlework; the father and his +eldest son, George, reading the newspapers, while Frederick, the +younger, was reclining upon a sofa. An infant of a year old was sleeping +in a cradle; a little kitten was nestling at its feet, and purring as if +trying to soothe the dreamy slumbers of its tender companion. + +Mr. Charlston was about fifty-five years of age, in physical appearance +tall and nervous; with sharp, prominent features, and well-defined head, +denoting energy and perception. His wife was apparently about fifty +years; well proportioned in form and feature, her face expressive of +sensibility and affection. The little furrows around her dark eyes, and +the streaks of gray hairs, had already denoted the footmarks of elder +age; nevertheless, she was still possessed of a considerable share of +that beauty which in her younger years had distinguished her as the +"Belle of Elton," the village in which she had formerly resided. The +daughters in appearance somewhat resembled their mother, the eldest of +whom was then in her twenty-first year. George, the first-born of the +family, was possessed of a robust constitution, of the middle size, and +about twenty-six years of age. Frederick in appearance was the very +_facsimile_ of his father, with all the finer sensibilities of his +mother; yet, apparently possessed of a stern determination of will, +amounting to stubborness when actuated by the impulses of a nervous +temperament. Mr. Charlston was a hatter by trade; and at the time +referred to kept a hat factory of his own in Fleet Street. His industry +had placed him in favorable circumstances. Estimating the value of labor +and intellect, he had given his children a tolerably good education, and +at a proper age had apprenticed his sons to become tradesmen. George +followed the business of his father. Frederick was a cabinet-maker, and +at the time referred to had been two years employed as a journeyman. +Neither Mr. Charlston nor his sons were then addicted to intemperance. +Frederick was a strict teetotaller. Occasionally a bottle of ale was +partaken of by the others; or when an acquaintance visited the house, or +during the Christmas holidays, an additional bottle might be set down to +grace the table. They were, however, a sober and industrious family; and +when the labours of the day were past, they generally gathered around +the household hearth to spend their evenings pleasantly and profitably +to themselves. + +On the evening referred to, and whilst Mr. Charlston and family were +engaged in their respective duties, as described, the door bell was +rung. George attended to the signal; and in a few seconds a young man +entered the room, signalizing himself in a very familiar but somewhat +uncouth manner. + +"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Charlston. How are you Eliza, Amelia, and +Charlotte? and you Frederick, old lad? I didn't see you at work to-day. +I thought something was out of joint with you, and I have come on +purpose to see. Why what's the matter with your neck? You have it +swaddled up as if you were determined to defy the hangman's rope from +ever getting a hold of you," ejaculated Charles Holstrom. + +"Oh, I have only caught a bit of a cold in my throat," replied +Frederick; "come Charlie, take a seat by my side and give us your latest +news about town." + +The husky voice of Holstrom awoke the infant from its peaceful slumber, +and the poor thing began to bawl loudly as if startled from either +surprise or fear. + +Mrs. Charlston lifted it to her knee, and having hushed it into +quietness she began feeding it with some cordial food. + +"Well, I declare, he has grown to be a big lump of a lad," exclaimed +Holstrom. "I dare say, Frederick, you feel conceited enough now to think +yourself a degree above such fellows as George and I are, in having +graduated as a Batchelor of Arts--I mean--Bachelor of Babies. You will, +no doubt hereafter, append B. B. to your name as a title of merit; or, +Bad Behavior, I should rather have said. However, the initials will +stand for both. He's the very picture of yourself, and will soon need a +hat as big as his grandpa's." + +At this moment the bell was again rung; and shortly afterwards, a +graceful looking young woman entered the room. Very politely she shook +hands with Mr. and Mrs. Charlston and the others present. She then took +the infant, and pressed it lovingly to her bosom, imprinting a few +kisses upon its tiny lips. The child in return smiled affectionately, +apparently delighted with the caresses of a recognized and familiar +friend. + +"I say, Clara," exclaimed Holstrom, addressing the young woman, with +whom he was apparently acquainted, "I think it would be charitable on +your part to spare a few of those luxuriant caresses for poor Frederick; +a slight sprinkling of balm from your roseate lips would work wonders as +a remedy to his breathing apparatus. Just come and see how many dozen of +blankets he has wrapped around his throat: enough, I am sure, to supply +the beds of a whole household on a winter's night." + +"Why, Frederick, how did you get such a cold in your throat?" +interrogated Clara. + +"By sleeping alone during the cold nights of the past week," retorted +Holstrom, ere Frederick could get time to breathe out a more respectful +answer. + +At this moment the subject was immediately dropped through the timely +interference of Mr. Charlston, reading a paragraph of interesting news +from the _Times_. After an hour's conversation on various topics the +young woman arose and announced her intention of leaving; whereupon +Holstrom sprang up, bade them all good night and immediately departed. +Clara shortly afterwards left also, promising ere long to repeat her +visit. It was customary for Frederick to accompany her home; but on +account of his illness that night George offered to convey her to her +residence, distant about one mile. + +"Thank you, George, for your kind offer," replied Clara; "but there is +no necessity to do so to-night; a female acquaintance who accompanied me +to a friend's house a few doors from here, is expecting me to call for +her, and perhaps I may be detained for some time, therefore, dear +George, excuse me." + +No sooner had Clara departed than Frederick, disguised himself in his +father's old hat, overcoat and muffler, and immediately started in +pursuit of Clara. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Before proceeding further it is necessary to inform the reader who Clara +and Charles Holstrom were; and, also, to narrate the varied and +complicated circumstances of several years preceding this eventful +night. + +Charles Holstrom was the youngest son of a London tradesman. He had +attended school with Frederick, and was now working in the same shop and +at the same business with him. He was possessed of a robust physical +appearance, somewhat coarsely featured;--of a bold, but humorous +disposition--at times impertinent, and even repulsive in his manner. +Frederick had really never considered him as a confidential friend; but +their long acquaintance with each other, and the many associations of +their united course in life had induced him to consider Charles as a +respected friend rather than a fellow companion; and from these +circumstances alone the Charlstons had received him as an occasional +visitor to their house. + +Clara Hazledon was the only daughter of a poor but respectable widow +with whom the Charlston family had been long acquainted. Previous to +their removal to Fleet street they were next door neighbors. Mr. +Charlston and Clara's father had been early companions of each other. +Their children had grown up together, and had been associates at the +same school, and although now in unequal circumstances, still looked +upon each other as very familiar friends. After the death of Mr. +Hazledon, he having died when the family was young, his wife struggled +hard against adversity to bring up her little ones. But five years after +the death of her first husband she married another, who, unfortunately +turned out to be only a worthless and degraded fellow. Clara, by her +expertness at needlework, had procured a good situation in a millinery +shop. Her brothers, all younger than herself, were also respectably +employed. + +Frederick and Clara had been passionately fond of each other when +children, and as they grew older their affection became more matured; +and at length the sympathies of their love were more firmly united by a +marriage engagement, the consummation of which was purposed to take +place as soon as circumstances would render it favorably convenient. But +the basis of life's future prospects, however substantial it may be, is +often undermined by some casual innovation; and there is no earthly +hope, however bright its radiance may appear, but is liable to be +darkened by some event that may suddenly loom up from the horizon of +life. Such was the case amid the quietude of their affections. By some +inadvertent impulse of human nature their chastity was sacrificed, and +Frederick and Clara became parents before they had sanctified their +affections upon the altar of matrimony. + +The event threw a shadow into the homes of both families, and served as +food for the tongues of idle gossips among their acquaintances. + +Mrs. Charlston and her daughters paid a respectful visit to the house of +Mrs. Hazledon--or Mrs. Collins as she was then named,--and with whom +Clara was then staying. They carried with them presents of various +sorts; and even Mr. Charlston himself, although chagrined at the event, +evinced a charitable spirit by placing twenty guineas in the hand of +Clara, as a present in behalf of his grandson. + +Frederick stole his visits under the secret shades of evening, and +showed every expression of sympathy and affection for Clara and the +little one; at the same time promising the consummation of their union +as soon as circumstances would conveniently permit. A few weeks after +the birth of the child, in December of 1868, Frederick made a tour into +Devonshire for the purpose of visiting an uncle residing in the town of +Exeter, and also discovering some thriving village or town where he +might find ready employment, with the view of eventually establishing +himself in business to his own advantage. He at length selected Tiverton +as his place of residence, where he procured work at favorable wages. +Elated with success he immediately wrote to his parents, and also penned +a lengthy epistle to Clara, describing the place and people in very +flattering words, flourishing off with a few epithets expressive of his +undying affection for herself and the child; and hoping that in a few +months he would have the pleasure of introducing her to a comfortable +home, under the happy title of Mrs. Frederick Charlston. + +Winter passed slowly along, during which time letters were frequently +sent and received. The first day of May at length came, but no house was +apparently provided for Clara and her child. Shortly afterwards +Frederick returned home, and made known the intelligence that he had +given up the idea of settling in Tiverton as he had decided upon making +his future home in Canada, which place had been described by an emigrant +agent who had lectured several nights in the town, as one of the finest +countries in the world for the workingmen of England; that millions of +acres of land were there to be given away, and every actual settler +received 100 acres _gratis_. A river one hundred times larger than all +the rivers of England put together, ran the whole length of the country, +1500 miles long. There were lakes there so large that even into the +smallest of them the whole island of Great Britain might be thrown, and +sink beyond recovery. In fact, said he, "it possessed all the facilities +and improvements of the 19th century;--equality, independence and wealth +awaiting every industrious man who went thither;--it was, indeed, the +workshop of the tradesman, the emporium of the trader, and above all, +blessed be the fact, _it was the poor man's paradise upon earth_." + +Frederick soon discovered that the big bubble he had blown up was likely +to be blown down. His mother and sisters strongly objected to his +purpose, and begged of him not to bury himself out of the world as long +as he had an opportunity of living in it. + +"Why, Frederick," exclaimed his father, "were you to go to Canada you +would repent of it but once, and that will be as long as you live. You +talk of free-lands; why, of what use would they be to you? They might be +of service to those who have been long accustomed to outside labor. But +for you to go into the dense forests amidst mountains of almost +perpetual snow, to chop out for yourself a fortune, or even a +livelihood, would be a thousand times worse than banishment to the icy +deserts of Siberia. For my sake, and for the love you owe to all that +are dear to you in England, I beseech of you to relinquish, at least for +the present, your design. Get married at once, and settle down quietly +and industriously to work, either at Tiverton or in London, and I will +assist in the furnishing of a house for you and Clara." + +Frederick made no satisfactory reply. + +On the second evening after he had come home, Charlie Holstrom, having +heard of his return, called to see him. + +"A thousand welcomes back, old lad," exclaimed H., heartily shaking the +hand of his old associate. "Why, my dear fellow, I've come over to bid +you good bye, as I heard to-day that you are going to the Cannibal +Islands." + +Mr. Charlston and the others laughed heartily at the expression. + +"It is only to Canada that I intend to ship myself," replied Frederick +somewhat shyly. + +"Worse, and worse!" retorted H. "Why, what do you expect to get there?" + +"Get a farm for nothing, and make a fortune in five years," said +Frederick. + +"If the farm is to be given away for nothing I may venture to say, _it +will be worth nothing_," replied H., and continued, "I had an +acquaintance who went to Canada a few years ago with L500; and having +lived three years upon one of those 'nothing farms' or rather, living +upon his money during that time, he returned to England utterly worth +_nothing_. Why, Fred! such farms may be suitable enough for men of iron +muscles and wooden stomachs, and who can work whether they eat or +not;--men who have nothing to lose except their life, and would even +sacrifice that for a small amount. But for either you or I to go there +in search of a living, or anything else, except death and horror, would +be worse for us than hanging; it would eventually result in +strangulation by starvation. And besides, as my acquaintance informed +me, the woods are infested with wild animals; and if a fellow attempted +to venture out at night very possibly his carcass would be very soon +deposited in the inside of a dozen of wolves. He further told me that +the trees during summer rained down myriads of mosquitoes as large as +beetles, with stings like hornets and in the shape of a tube, by which +means a dozen of them could suck up a fellow's blood in a night; and +were by far a greater plague than the grasshoppers of Egypt. To prevent +them from settling upon himself he covered his head and neck with a mask +made from deer-skin, in which he cut holes to inhale air and see +through; but despite of such precautions they would sometimes force +their way through these orifices, and one dart, said he, into a fellow's +eye was sufficient to cause a myriad of stars to fly from his winker." + +"Well, but that is really horrifying," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. + +"Awful, awful!" shouted Amelia. + +"'Tis really so indeed," added Eliza. + +"Oh! it is all bosh," ejaculated Fred. + +"_Bosh!_ d'ye say!" exclaimed H. "Indeed, I have only told you the least +objectionable part. I assure you, he related things that would make a +fellow's blood to curdle into vinegar, and perspire from every pore of +the body. I credit everything he told me, for his word is as much to be +depended upon as the 'Law of Moses.'" + +"That'll do for the present," said Amelia. + +"Go on," cried George. + +"What did he say about the climate?" inquired Mr. C. + +"He told me, sir, that it was so hot during the dog-days in summer, that +the people had to lie upon deer-skins filled with water to prevent their +bodies from being totally dissolved into vapor, and, that at the end of +that terrible season they appeared only as living skeletons, as slender, +indeed, as to be incapable of producing even a shadow." + +"Oh! but that is awfully horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. C. Mr. Charlston and +George laughed heartily. The girls shrugged up their shoulders, +expressive of nervous twitchings. + +"And in winter," continued H., "it is so intensely cold that every river +to its foundation is frozen into ice. It snows sometimes for weeks +without ceasing; it is then generally followed by fierce winds which +drift the snow into heaps like mountains, frequently burying houses and +their inhabitants a hundred feet deep." + +"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Mrs. C. + +"The air is sometimes so intensely cold that the mercury in the +thermometer is congealed into ice at 150 degrees below zero; and it +frequently occurs during those frosty periods that travellers, with +their horses and vehicles, are found petrified into ice, so hard that +they never can be thawed out again. Hundreds of such groups are +preserved in the Canadian museums, and shown as curiosities to foreign +travellers." + +"Oh! Charlie, for pity's sake, don't horrify us so!" shouted Mrs. C. + +"Do stop, Charlie, you'll frighten us to death," exclaimed the girls, +fearfully excited. + +Mr. Charlston and George laughed heartily. Fred muttered out something +condemnatory; while George cried out, "Go on Charlie, tell the whole +story." + +"I haven't told you the one-half yet; but this will do for the +present;--only I might merely add,--that if Fred goes out for a +free-farm he will get a free wife into the bargain. The forests are +infested with a more dangerous class of animals than wolves. They are +savages in human shape, and are designated by the name of Indians. Every +foreigner who takes a farm is compelled to take a young squaw--a she +Indian--as a wife to himself. The males in return kidnap white women for +themselves; but should a man refuse to comply with their wishes, he is +immediately seized upon by those savages and flayed at once. His skin is +afterwards tanned, and made into tobacco-pouches. These are sold to +traders and imported to England. What say you, Fred, to this? Should you +go to Canada, I may yet have a pouch made out of your pelt. So good +night to all," ejaculated Holstrom, and abruptly made his exit, amidst +an uproar of exclamations and laughter. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Perhaps many of my readers may think that I have thrown in the +statements of Charles Holstrom as a sort of burlesque upon Canada. Such +is not the case on my part. I have given expression to nothing more than +the opinion held by too many persons throughout Great Britain respecting +this country. Indeed, there are hundreds in England alone, who are not +aware of the existence of such a place; and thousands there are who know +of nothing authentic concerning Canada except the name. I speak not from +hearsay alone; I can personally substantiate these facts. + +Since the Confederation of these Provinces in 1867, Canada has become +better known in England through the means of lecturers and +emigration-agents sent thither by the Dominion Government. But, in some +cases, men have been appointed as lecturers who were not really +possessed of any personal experience and practical knowledge of Canada +beyond the limits of the city or town in which they had lived. Such men, +in order to make the country and themselves popular, drew highly colored +pictures of the New Dominion, extolling its inexhaustible physical +resources, its mercantile and manufacturing advantages, its railway and +river facilities, its millions of acres of new land in the shape of +farms to be given away gratis to all who agreed to become +settlers,--together with a thousand of other attractions, augmented 100 +per cent. Such lectures were generally delivered in manufacturing towns +and the great centres of population. There is always in every audience a +number whose minds are rendered pliable by the speaker's tongue, +particularly if their own interests are involved. + +Such was generally the case at these lectures. Clerks, young +professionals, and mechanics, including silk and carpet spinners and +weavers would become thus unhinged from their long accustomed +stand-post, and perchance, for the first time, begin to prospect their +future beyond the limits of their own town, at the same time wondering +what on earth had induced them to live fools so long. By these means a +vast number of Englishmen during the past few years, have been persuaded +to emigrate to Canada. The hardier class, comparatively few in number, +flocked into the agricultural and forest districts, to hew out a home +for themselves; while the more sensitive struck a bee-line to the +cities, to procure easy and genteel employment at excellent wages. But +in so doing the hopes of many were suddenly frustrated. Shops and +counting-houses were literally crammed with employees; in fact, every +genteel situation had its quota. Silk-lace and carpet weaving had +scarcely a nominal existence. Every town, village, and city had more +professional men than could get a comfortable livelihood. The +characteristics of the country and its people appeared to them extremely +coarse and terribly _'orrifying'_. Wages, they said, were no better than +those in England. Many who could have got employment preferred +travelling the country over in search of higher wages. Some, however, +went manfully to work at once. Others preferred boarding at a hotel, +living idle upon their stock of funds, waiting patiently for something +upon the wheel of fortune to turn up profitably to their own interests, +and every morning eagerly peering over the "_want advertisements_" of +the _Globe_ and _Witness_, perhaps for months, until their means became +considerably exhausted; and eventually taking a hurried departure to the +_States_, or perchance returning home, utterly disgusted with Canada and +everything connected with it, and carrying in their minds pictures of +the country delineated in the darkest colors. + +We now return to our story. Frederick on his return from Tiverton went +immediately to see Clara and the child. When he had made known his +design she felt awfully chagrined at the idea of his intended "foolish +adventure," as she termed it, and also sadly disappointed when she +discovered that all those airy fabrications she had been building up +during the winter were beginning to fall. + +"Why, Frederick, what do you really mean by all this?" she exclaimed. +"Do you intend leaving me unmarried and unprovided for, with my child, +to fret out a lonely, miserable existence in your absence?" + +"Oh! I shall return in a few months to take you and the child to a happy +home in Canada." + +"Ah, Frederick; why again tantalize me with your promises, and false +prospects. Where, I ask you, is the happy home you promised me at +Tiverton? Where is the matrimonial title you promised to honor me with? +Ah! Fred! Consider for a moment, what you have done and what you are now +doing. By your insinuating love you riveted my affection to your heart. +It still continues unbroken and as tenacious as ever. You flattered me +with honied words. You excited me with false hopes. My confidence, yea, +my very self I rendered submissively to your honor. But, alas! the very +prospects you reared for my delight you are now trampling beneath your +feet. Am I to be left with my little child, to struggle alone against +the adversities of this world, while the finger of scorn is directed +toward me, and also toward my child, whose innocence will neither soften +the harshness of the world's tongue nor justify the errors of those who +gave to it an existence." + +"Why, Clara," exclaimed Fred somewhat irritated, "you are really +sarcastic and condemnatory in your remarks. Is this the sort of +complimentary welcome I receive from you at my return? If so, I shall +have to shorten my visit." + +"Well, Fred, consider the matter judiciously, and you will not think me +unreasonable in my accusations," replied Clara. + +"Pooh, pooh," retorted Fred, "never allow your imagination to soar +higher than your reason; curb down the irritable nerves of your temper; +turn the dark side of life's picture towards the past, and keep always +the bright side uppermost." + +"It is easier said than done," she replied. "Had you rendered me the +assistance in reality instead of broken promises, I might have been +looking to-day upon the bright side of life." + +"For goodness sake, Clara, do not tantalize me so unmercifully. I tell +you that I have decided upon going to Canada, _and I shall go_. That +country offers advantages unknown to England. Better hazard an adventure +than remain forever riveted to hard labor here, and then die at last in +the harness. Were I to marry you now I have no home but my father's to +which I could remove you; better then to remain where you are, +unmarried, than otherwise, for, I feel certain that Collins would turn +you out as soon as he had discovered that I had both married and left +you. But let me tell you but once and forever that I intend to become a +husband to you as soon as I can find it convenient to procure a +comfortable home." + +"The old story again," ejaculated Clara, "and let me tell you, Fred, +that if you go to Canada you will never make your circumstances +convenient to fulfil your promise--no, never, never, Fred." + +"I don't want to hear any more of such botheration," retorted Fred, +irritably; and springing up from his seat, made his exit abruptly, +leaving Clara to sigh out alone the sorrows of her heart in the solitude +of her own reflections. + +Mr. Collins, as I said before was a man possessed of a degraded nature, +being much addicted to intemperance. Widow Hazledon had married him +after a brief acquaintance. She had felt the necessity of a fatherly +assistance and protection in the rearing of her young family; but in +Collins she discovered when too late that she had mistaken his +character. She, however, continued to make the best of a bad bargain. He +was a carver by trade, and commanded good wages; but every Saturday +night, he got drunk. His Sabbaths were generally devoted to the worship +of Bacchus. Sometimes he would continue drinking for several days, until +every penny was exhausted. Then he would make demands at home for more +money, which if refused, he was sure to abuse his wife and family. He +was not only a drunkard; he was a scoffer at religion, and considered it +a mark of honor to take the name of God in vain. + +On the following day after Frederick's interview with Clara, Collins +came home partly intoxicated, and demanded more money to help him, as he +said, to finish off a spree with an old comrade whom he had not seen for +several years. Mrs. Collins expostulated with him, but to no purpose. He +became, at length, exasperated, and threatened to turn them all out upon +the street, and burn the house down. Clara attempted to pacify him, +which only made him the more outrageous. He swore every oath imaginable +at her, insolently ordering her to be off with her child, and find +lodgings with the villain to whom she had prostituted herself, or else +he would soon pitch her and her little bratling into the Thames. + +"Here, Tom, take this, 'tis the last shilling I have in the house. Now, +dear Tom, like a good husband, keep quiet, and don't abuse Clara and me +so much as you do," said Mrs. Collins with a pitiable sort of tone, the +tears trickling down her grief furrowed cheeks. + +"Well, Annie, but you're a good sort of wife after all," replied +Collins, in a somewhat subdued tone. "As for Clara, I like her well +enough! but I have resolved that I shall not labor any longer to support +the child of that blackguard of a fellow, who, as I have been informed, +has absconded to Canada. I hate him, and I detest his child--the dirty, +yelping thing that it is. If it is not instantly removed from here, I +shall make short work of it to-night on my return. _Mark my words, +Clara_," he emphatically added, and putting the shilling into his pocket +he departed, leaving them to consider seriously over the matter. + +As soon as he had gone Clara and her mother began talking over the +affair, premeditating what they should do with the child. They felt +suspicious of the threats made by Collins, who, it appears, for several +weeks past, had used somewhat coarse language to Clara, especially since +he had discovered that there was no immediate prospect of her removal. + +While thus suggesting what was best to be done a rap was heard upon the +door; and in the course of a few seconds Mrs. Charlston and her two +eldest daughters entered. They had come on a visit to spend the +afternoon and have a friendly conversation; but their object was more +particularly to find out if Frederick had made known to Clara what his +intentions really were, as he had given them no decided answer at home. +Mrs. Collins and Clara were delighted to see them, but more especially +on that occasion, as it afforded a sort of relief to their dejected +hearts, and perhaps be the means of suggesting the best expedient for +the adjustment of their condition under the present circumstances. Tea +was being prepared, and a pleasant conversation was entered into. After +having digested Fred's Canadian-bubble-scheme, as Mrs. Charlston termed +it, the unhappy affair that had occured was made known by Mrs. Collins. +She expressed herself, that she did not really know what to do with the +child, as Collins would most assuredly put his threat into execution. + +"Oh! that's easily settled," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. "The child is now +nearly eight months old; it is time it was weaned--so it will serve both +purposes to send it up to our house. I assure you I will be happy to +take it into my charge; and Clara can come to see it as often as she can +find it convenient." + +"Oh, yes, ma,--that is delightful," exclaimed Eliza. + +"Yes, ma, we'll take the dear little darling along with us," said +Amelia, embracing the infant more lovingly, and imprinting a kiss +tenderly upon its smiling lips. + +"O, but, perhaps, it will be too much trouble and inconvenience for +you," said Clara. + +"Not in the least, I'm sure Mr. Charlston will be perfectly delighted +with the child," replied Mrs. Charlston. + +"It will, perhaps, put him in remembrance of old times," said Mrs. +Collins. + +"Yes, and perhaps make him conceited enough to fancy himself twenty +years younger than he really is," added Mrs. Charlston. + +"O, yes, I'm sure pa will be infinitely happy," exclaimed Eliza. + +"Yes, and so will Fred," added Amelia with a sly wink. + +It was, therefore, agreed upon that little Richard, for so he was named, +should go to his new home that very evening. Tea being over, he was +dressed in his best clothes. A couple of carpet bags were filled with +other necessary articles. All things being in readiness Mrs. Charlston +and her daughters took their departure, accompanied with Clara and the +child. + +When they arrived home Mr. Charlston and the others of his family were +at tea, Mrs. C. entered carrying Richard in her arms, followed by the +others. + +"Look here, old lad, and guess what I have got, as a present for my good +behavior this afternoon," exclaimed Mrs. Charlston. + +"Only a baby," said Mr. C. "You seem as much excited as if you had found +a purse of gold." + +"Just look at the sweet, little, silvery-mouthed hazle-eyed, +rosy-cheeked cherub," said Mrs. C. + +"'Tis little Richard, I declare," shouted Charlotte, springing forth to +see him. "What a sweet little fellow he is. Just come, pa, and see the +little darling." "O, Fred come and see him, he is your very picture, +what a dear lovely angel he is," &c. + +After the excitement had abated, they all removed to the sitting-room. +Every one had to kiss and fondle little Richard; and even Frederick, +whose heart had become softened by the touch of tender humanity, took +the child into his arms, and with a parent's affection bestowed a dozen +of fond kisses upon its ruby lips, feeling at the same time as if he +could have similarly complimented Clara, as an expression of his +affection, and a recompense for the abrupt manner in which he had +treated her at their previous interview. Mrs. Charlston then told them +that Richard had come to stay with them until he was weaned. Mr. +Charlston felt apparently well pleased with the idea; it seemed to him +as a happy acquisition to his household. + +Clara at length prepared herself to depart, and before leaving bestowed +a dozen of fond kisses on the dear little fellow, and with a lingering +look bade them all good night, promising to return on the following +evening. + +Frederick put on his hat and quietly followed her to the door, and in a +sort of undertone interrogated, "May I have the pleasure of seeing you +home to-night, Clara?" + +"If you please," she replied. Fred very courteously complied therewith. +The character of their conversation on the way that night may be guessed +from the fact, that Fred and Clara became more lovingly attached to each +other than ever they had been. + +Next day Fred hurried away to the house of his old master; and on the +following morning was at his former place as a journeyman and an +associate of his old companion and fellow-workman, Charles Holstrom. +Clara also found immediate employment. The Charlstons were once more +rendered happy at seeing Fred so spirited and reconciled; and also the +presence of little Richard gave a relish to their happiness. + +Even old Collins was so well pleased with the change of affairs in his +own household that he gave expression to his joyous feelings by getting +pleasantly drunk every day for a whole week. + +The beautiful days of summer glided smoothly along. The nights were calm +and refreshing. Under the exhilarating rays of the evening moonlight, +Fred and Clara frequently strolled out pleasantly together. Feelings +were reciprocated. Ideas of future prospects towered higher than the +moon. A happy home, brightened by the golden beams of the honeymoon was +seen peeping through the sylvan avenues of imagination. A few months, +perchance only a few weeks had only to pass by, and their souls were to +be pressed so closely together by the legal stamp of matrimony that +nothing but the chisel of death could be able to separate them. + +What a delightful picture of future life is often sketched by the +artistic fancy of the soul. What beautiful delineations of all that is +exquisitely pleasing and profitable! The scenes are of the grandest +descriptions: the coloring, of the richest hues, admirably shaded and +intermingled. Even the darkest spots are glistening by the surrounding +beauty. All appears as an enchanted dream; a glimpse of fairyland, or as +a primeval paradise modernized, and rendered suitable in every part to +gratify the desires of the mind. + +But, alas! too frequently these prospects of ideality are built only +upon corner pillars, and tower to so great an altitude above their +slender bases, that their summits, like the top of Babel become +mystified by the clouds; and when the first storm of adversity, or the +breath of insidious circumstances are blown against them, they totter, +and eventually fall crashing to the earth, and lie scattered in +shapeless ruins around their basis. + +But, perhaps, it is cruel to predict, or even to suggest, such ruinous +consequences to the moonlit dreams of that happy pair. Time alone can +unfold the mysterious realities of life. I will, therefore, pursue the +windings of their course, and note down the various incidents and events +as they are struck out, like the sparks from the heated iron under the +blacksmith's hammer. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +We now come to that eventful evening referred to in chapter first, of +which a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our +narration, and make known the consequences of that unfortunate meeting. + +No sooner had Clara departed from the house of Mr. Charlston than +Frederick, from some impulsive motive, glided out of the room; and +having hastily disguised himself in his father's great coat, hat and +muffler, hurried out, and followed in pursuit of Clara. In the vicinity +of the house at which she had left her acquaintance, he observed a young +man sauntering around. This person Fred discovered to be none other than +Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized +he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and +walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened +and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She +hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and +addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they glided +hastily along the street. Frederick was startled at the reality. His +blood flooded in tidal waves to his heart. His nerves quivered. His soul +became exasperated. He inwardly threatened immediate violence to both +parties. But having hastily checked the outpourings of his resentment he +secretly followed them, yet still breathing volumes of deprecations +which rose in steaming vapor from his phrenzied brain. + +"Can it be possible?" he soliloquised, "that Clara has been practising +deception upon my faithful affection? I have discovered when too late +that she has flattered my fond heart with her insidious wiles. I loved +her once, I despise her now. She has got rid of her child, and she is +now trying to dispose of me also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer +shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah! +that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate +him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only +served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is a serpent more +subtle and venomous than that which entered the Garden of Eden. Ah! the +vile wretch that he is! The deed is too base to forgive. I spurn the +debased villain. I shall humble his proud heart. I shall crush him to +the earth. I shall have revenge upon his guilty head. Revenge, revenge I +must have!" + +In this excited state of feelings poor Frederick followed them +unperceived to the very doorsteps of her home. His impulses had made him +recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no +longer himself. Like a wild beast he was ready to spring upon them, and +would have done so had not the uprisings of his moral nature suggested +to him not to do so. + +He heard for a while the lively chit-chat within--the humorous joke--the +joy-excited laughter, all of which only aroused his indignation to +greater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats +into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted +weapon of his evil heart. He wheeled about as if it were instinctively, +fled from the house, and directed his course homeward with hasty steps. + +Having quietly slipped himself into his bedroom he retired to his couch; +but there was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a +few moments of slumber was distracted with dreams of the most hideous +character imaginable. + +Next morning Fred was not astir as usual. His mother, at length, +dreading increased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked +up with a woe-begone countenance, which of itself was sufficient to +verify her apprehensions. + +"Are you worse, Fred?" his mother interrogated. "I don't feel quite as +well, mother," he replied. + +"Ah, Fred, I thought you would get more cold by going out last evening," +said she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed +resting her hand upon his forehead. "I shall get father to go for Dr. +Guernsey immediately." + +"Mother, I beg of you not to do so, my throat is not worse. The want of +sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel +debilated. Rather bring me a cup of coffee than send for the doctor." + +Mrs. Charlston at once hurried to the kitchen and told Amelia to prepare +a strong cup of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible. +Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. entered Frederick's room with the coffee and +toast, followed by his father and sisters. + +Fred strengthened himself for the occasion. He rose up on the bed quite +vigorously, and took breakfast with an apparently good appetite. His +mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to +repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tender +finger of nature closed his weary eyelids, and during nearly all the +rest of the day poor Fred lay calmly enlocked in the arms of sleep. + +On the following morning Fred was considerably better, and continued in +a convalescent state. + +However, he kept himself closely confined to his room for several days. +On the second evening Clara called to see the child; and on the +following, Charlie also made a visit, as he said, to see Fred; but +neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed +to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara again called. +Fred was in the sitting-room when she entered; but, on seeing her, he +instantly sprang from his seat, and without opening his lips, abruptly +left the room. + +Clara at once discovered in his appearance and actions that something of +a serious nature had effected these results. However, she endeavored as +well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family +also noticed the abrupt mariner in which Fred absconded; but excused his +doing so by attributing it to the bashfulness of his bad looks rendered +so by his illness. + +"Why, Fred," said Eliza after Clara was gone, "what caused you to make +such a runaway as that?" + +"Why, Fred," cried Amelia, "you sprang up as if you had been startled by +a shock of electricity?" + +"I thought, Fred," exclaimed Charlotte, "was going to play +'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara, when I saw him jump up and run off so +fast." + +"Perhaps he intended that to be the play," said Mrs. Charlston, with a +sly wink looking to Fred. + +"Ah, the deceiver that she is!" exclaimed Fred irritably. "She is a vile +woman." + +"Why, Fred, Fred, why all this! are you really going mad?" + +"No, mother, I am not mad, although I have been bitten deeply enough to +have made me as mad as a raving maniac." + +"Why, Fred," said she, "do tell us what is the matter with you then--the +why and wherefore also." + +"Well, mother, had you not asked of me to do so I would not of my own +accord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons, +and then leave you to judge seriously whether I have acted right or +wrong." + +Fred then related all that he had seen and heard respecting Clara and +Charlie Holstrom. + +"But are you sure 'twas really them?" said his mother, when he had +finished telling them. + +"Mother, do you for a moment attempt to doubt my word?" exclaimed Fred. + +"My dear son, I do not; but I thought you might be mistaken in them, +especially at night. However, the next time that Clara comes here, I +will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the +story, and will be enabled to judge more correctly. If I find out that +she has been keeping company with Charlie I shall forbid her to enter my +house again." + +"Do as you please, mother; but I have resolved never to speak to her +again," said Fred, and walked off to his room, leaving his mother and +sisters to talk over the matter. + +On the third evening afterwards Clara made her appearance at Mr. +Charlston's. After the usual preliminaries of courtesy were disposed of, +Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to +speak a few minutes to her, alone. Fred had snugly enclosed himself in +his bed-chamber. The others of the family were in the parlor. + +Having seated themselves Mrs. Charlston addressed Clara, and related all +the particulars she knew relative to the unfortunate circumstances +alluded to. + +"My dear Mrs. Charlston," exclaimed Clara, excitedly, "since I have +patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as a favor I ask, +have patience until I render an explanation?" + +"By all means I shall," replied Mrs. C. + +"But before that I do so," said Clara, "I desire that Fred should be +present." + +"That is impossible to-night," replied Mrs. C. "I shall, however, find +an opportunity of bringing the matter before Fred, in the manner in +which you represent it." + +"On that unfortunate night, as I may term it," said Clara, "I left home +accompanied with Emma Harrison, an acquaintance of my own, and came +here, as usual, to see my child. When we had come as far as Mrs. +Josleyn's, she said to me, 'I have to call here, so you had better go on +to Charlston's, and you can call for me on your return.' I agreed +therewith,--and on my way home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn +informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the +evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not +return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my +departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and +requested the privilege of seeing me home. The night being dark, and +somewhat unpleasant for a woman to be out alone I embraced the +opportunity, and with him went directly home. After having chatted a +short time with us all he left the house and I have not seen him since. +I knew not that the jealous eyes of Fred were staring upon us that +night. He was able to follow me, why was he not also able to accompany +me home? + +"For years my fond heart has invariably responded to his own; and I have +done nothing to either insult his honor or tarnish the fidelity of my +affection for him. He has falsely accused me. He has treated me +disrespectfully; and now manifests a determination to dissolve our +union. Since the moment that I yielded up the chastity of my affection +to his desires he has treated me too frequently with indifference. He +promised to rectify, or, rather, ameliorate the error we committed, by +an immediate union for life. His promises at intervals were again and +again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having +them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy +home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of +homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home +in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his +intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected +to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the +nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Again, the evil +spirit of his soul has been aroused from its lair; and without a +reasonable cause he pierces the very nerves of my affections with the +stings of a jealous heart. A soul so sensitive as mine feels deeply the +wounds he has afflicted. _Oh! unfortunate woman that I am! Wherefore am +I consigned to the torments of impending fate._ Have I committed crimes +so incurable that there is no remedy for them! My heart is ready to +burst! I shall die under the horror of my calamity! Oh! merciful +heavens, have pity upon me!--_poor wretched creature that I am_. + +"Oh! Mrs. Charlston what shall I do? What shall I do?" she hysterically +exclaimed, the tears gushing out from her eyes. + +"My dear Clara," ejaculated Mrs. Charlston, grasping her affectionately +by the hand, tears dimming her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you; +and although your friends should become enemies to you, I shall adhere +to you, my dear child, like an affectionate mother and a faithful +friend." + +"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Clara, "but my heart is unable to +express its gratitude." + +"Try to compose your feelings, my dear, with the assurance I have given +you of my fidelity." + +"Yes, my dearest of friends, I shall endeavor to do so," said Clara. + +Then grasping each other more firmly and affectionately by the hand they +sat together until they had sobbed out the sorrowful uprisings of their +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +On the following morning, Mrs. Charlston found an opportunity of +speaking privately to Fred about the unfortunate affair. She told him +all that Clara had said, at the same time endeavoring to make as +favorable impression in her behalf as the circumstances of the case +would allow; and also earnestly beseeching him to come into good terms +at once with Clara. + +"_Never! never!_" ejaculated Fred. + +"Why should you talk so determinately, Fred, I'm sure that Clara has +given sufficient reasons to justify the circumstances of an +unpremeditated act, apparently so innocent, as to be undeserving of +censure." + +"Were it only the first innocent act, as you consider it, I would not +have attached any importance to it," said he. + +"Have you really been made aware of a previous intercourse between +Charles and Clara?" + +"Why, yes, I have heard of it a dozen times--I was informed by letter +when at Tiverton that Clara was flirting with Charlie, or as the writer +expressed it: 'In your absence your old friend, Charlie Holstrom, is +playing at "_catch the beau_" with your affectionate Clara.'" + +"Now Fred, you must tell me who was the writer of that letter." + +"It was Harry Walton." + +"I just thought so. I'm sure, Fred, you are aware that Harry is noted +for manufacturing falsehoods. If you believe him you are the only person +in London who does so." + +"But I have heard it from others, and they cannot all be liars. There is +Mrs. Tennyson, for instance, an old respected friend of your own. One +day she hinted sufficient to make me feel suspicious. Fernando Jones +squirted a few dry jokes in that way. Sylvester Kennelworth termed me a +hen-pecked bachelor. Even Julia Marks, Sylvina Oldham, and Sarah +Silverstone bothered me almost to death one evening recently about +Clara's intention of presenting me shortly with a 'ticket of leave.'" + +"Wherefore, dear Fred, would you for even one moment direct your +attention to the malicious falsehoods of such idle gossips as those you +have referred to. They are a thousand times worse than the starving +thieves that lurk around the dark lanes of the city, who steal only what +is practically useful to themselves; while those others go about robbing +the youthful and virtuous of their reputation, scattering the seeds of +dissension, and fluttering in the sunshine of their folly like +butterflies tasting of the sweets of every flower, but collecting no +honey, therefore, my son, discard the venom of such villainous tongues." + +"My confidence in Clara was so deep rooted that even all that I heard +had scarcely any effect; but when I beheld personally that night their +manner and appearance, and considered the coincident circumstances +connected therewith, all that I had previously heard came rushing in +upon my soul like an overwhelming flood and swallowed up every ounce of +love that was in my heart." + +"But I wish you to have an interview with Clara the next time she comes; +it will restore the affection you have lost." + +"It never will; nor do I desire to see her. I feel certain that she has +been duping me with the flattery of a false affection, and then laughing +at my simplicity in my absence. Even Charlie's actions towards me of +late have also led me to feel suspicious of him. But my eyes are now +awakened to the fact, therefore, I will never again speak to Clara, nor +have anything whatever to do with her." + +"Oh! Fred, you are too hasty in your assertions. Remember, my dear son, +the circumstances and associations by which you are morally bound to +each other. Remember the vows which you have consecrated upon the altar +of your heart. Remember the condition to which you have brought her by +your folly. Bear in mind that if you forsake her under the present +circumstances that an indelible stain will remain for ever upon your +character; but above all, my dear son, remember the link which binds you +inevitably together,--a link of living humanity, akin to you both. +Remember then that you are a father, and that she is a mother,--titles +that were conferred upon you both by the birth of that little angel who +now sheds a radiance over our household by his endearing presence. Then +think of him, think of what I say, and you will outlive your imaginary +ills and all the jealous flickerings of your heart; therefore, I again +ask you, Fred, to comply with my request." + +"I tell you again, mother, that I cannot. You need not think you can +bait me with honied words. The insidious bee that fluttered around the +flowers of my once happy affections has left its sting-wound within my +heart." + +"But love is its own physician. It alone can cure the ills it makes." + +"But where there is no mutual love in the heart the wound is incurable." + +"Why, Fred! do you for a moment doubt the veracity of Clara's love for +you?" + +"She has fooled me," he exclaimed. "She has forsaken me. She has made me +reckless and desperate. I have ceased to love. I hate society. I even +despise my very self. I shall seek for happiness in foreign lands as a +substitute for what I have lost. I have decided upon going to Canada." + +"Are you again really determined to leave us, Fred?" + +"Yes, mother, I am more than determined. I am ready to leave to-morrow +if I choose to go." + +"If you go, my son, you will go against the wishes of your parents and +every relative you have; and if you go in such a manner and under the +present circumstances you cannot carry along with you '_a mother's +blessing_'." + +"I don't care!" replied Fred haughtily. "Mother, you have no love for +me. You have vindicated the guilty actions of Clara in opposition to my +opinions. You have tantalised my soul by so doing. I shall no longer +bear the insults, you heap upon me,"--and therewith Fred arose and made +his exit abruptly from the room. + +It appears that for several weeks past Fred had been ruminating +upon going to Canada, reviving as it were his former intentions. +His sore throat had originated from sudden exposure to the raw air +of night on coming out from a crowded hall where he had been +listening to a highly-colored lecture upon Canada and the +Clerkenwell-Emigration-Scheme. The recent occurrence had made him still +more determined, and also, afforded, as he considered, a sufficient plea +to justify his purpose. That same evening, immediately after tea, his +father being made aware of the design, took him aside and began to +expostulate with him. + +"Father, I have determined upon leaving and therefore your influence can +have no effect," exclaimed Fred. + +"But remember, my son, that text of Scripture which saith, 'Children +obey your parents in all things.'" + +"And let me add," cried Fred, "the following, from the same author, +'Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.'" + +"Ah, Fred! that sentence is not applicable to my case. As a duty of +parental affection I only counsel you for your own good. Remember, my +son, what Solomon says: 'A fool despiseth his father's instructions, but +he who regardeth reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous to him who +forsaketh the way, and he who hateth reproof _shall die_.'" + +"I am no _fool_," ejaculated Fred, "I am of age. I shall, therefore, do +as I please." + +"Ah! Fred, Fred, I'm afraid your conduct will yet bring down my grey +hairs with sorrow to the grave. Perchance you may yet remember my words +in a foreign land, without a kind friend to pity you in your distress. +Ah, Fred! I hope, however, that you will not play the prodigal. Let me, +therefore, read you the 15th chapter of Luke." + +Without replying Fred abruptly left the room before his father had time +to bring forth the Bible. + +"Well, well, but this is really annoying," said Fred to himself after he +had gone to his room. "Do they think that I have no mind of my own; so +that I am to be mechanically guided by theirs. They favor Clara, and +disrespect me because I do not favor her also. They say she loves me; if +she does, my absence will test it. However, I will not allow myself to +be treated as a captive. I shall and must have liberty, or else I die. I +shall leave London this very night. I shall leave without shedding a +tear or bidding a friend good bye. They will perhaps learn to love me +better when I am gone." So saying, he began to prepare. Having filled +two large carpet bags with such articles as were most necessary he moved +quietly out of the house and by a back stairway reached the street. +Having placed himself in a Hansom-cab stationed near by he was quickly +conveyed to the station and in time for the night train to Liverpool. + +On the following morning he embarked upon the Moravian, belonging to the +Allan Line of Steamships, plying at that time of the season between +Liverpool and Portland, in Maine, U.S. + +The steam is up; anchors are weighed; and the vessel is soon riding out +from the harbor towards mid-ocean. Although the air is cold, the deck is +crowded with persons, among whom is Frederick Charlston, viewing the +receding objects, and at length taking their farewell view of the dimly +distant shores of their native land. + +Day passed,--and the shadows of the night came down. The vessel was +dashing over the foaming billows. The winds were whistling dolefully +amid the sails. A feeling of loneliness crept over the soul of poor +Fred, and he retired to his hammock. Visions of the past and future +floated across his mind, and under the poetic mantle of inspiration he +gave vent to his feelings in the following verses: + + Farewell to thee, England, the land of my birth, + The dearest, the fairest of countries on earth, + I love thee, yet leave thee, perhaps to deplore, + Alas, it may be to behold thee no more. + + If at home I've a friend, yet true friends are but few, + In duty to friendship I breathe him adieu, + But joy to this bosom no friends can restore. + I love them, yet leave them, I may see them no more. + + Old London, farewell,--my birth-place and home, + Far distant from thee I am destined to roam, + On the home I once loved a fond wish too I'll pour, + Tho' its household and hearth I may visit no more. + + Sweet child of my love! Ah! the thought breaks my heart, + To know that thy mother hath caused us to part, + I love thee, yet leave thee, nor can she restore + A joy to this soul that may see thee no more. + + To the land of the stranger I go--yes--I go, + In search of those blessings which it can bestow, + Its forests, its lakes, I shall proudly explore, + Far, far from that home I may visit no more. + +Thus sang the young poet. But before morning had dawned upon the billows +of the ocean all the poetic fancy that was flickering in his +half-phrenzied brain was driven out by a serious attack of sea-sickness. +His emanations were then of a much grosser sort of material than the +etherial-essence of poetic sentiment. During three long and wearied +nights he continued in a most pitiable condition; his thoughts +bewildered and fluctuating; at times, half regretting the course he had +taken. The weather was tempestuous during the voyage; but, at length, in +the afternoon of the twelfth day the vessel and all the passengers were +safely landed at Portland. That evening Fred went on board the train for +Montreal, but did not reach his destination until late in the afternoon +of the second day, the journey having been prolonged by a severe snow +storm. The cold was very intense. It was then that the words of Charles +Holstrom occurred to his mind about the Canadian mountains of snow and +the cold at 150 degrees of temperature below zero. He, however, arrived +safely at Montreal, yet, cold, hungry and exhausted, and immediately +engaged lodgings at the _St. James' Hotel_, where after a warm and +hearty meal he soon experienced a more comfortable state of feelings. + +Night's shadows had settled down over the fair city. The great bell of +the cathedral of Notre Dame was scattering its solemn tones over the dim +air. The city-lamps were sending forth their mellow radiance. Throngs of +pedestrians were moving to and fro. Sleigh after sleigh was hurrying +along, filled with joyous souls, and drawn by sprightly steeds dancing +as if it were to the sounds of the merry-tinkling sleigh-bells. Fred +looked out upon the gay panorama of Canadian city life. It was a new and +attractive sight to him, and he felt an itching desire to try the novel +experiment of taking a sleigh ride; but his spirit recoiled within +itself when the fact was brought forcibly to his mind that it was +"_Christmas' Night_." He thought of the many happy Christmas evenings +which he had enjoyed amid the society of his friends in the good old +city of London. A thousand associations flashed across his memory, +filling his solitary mind with sadness and regrets. Around him +everywhere he beheld gay crowds flickering with joyous excitement. More +keenly than ever he then felt that he was only a stranger in a strange +land, isolated from congenial society, and far removed from his friends +and his once happy home. Conscience awakened his mind to the reality of +his past folly, and his heart was wounded by its own stings. A heavy +weight of sorrow pressed deeply upon his bosom. A deep sigh rolled out +heavily upon his lips. Tears glistened in his eyes; and alas, poor +Frederick Charlston again wished himself back to London. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The holidays having passed, Fred sought out and found immediate +employment in Montreal. The sad impressions that were engraven upon his +mind at first began and continued gradually to wear off. New friendships +were formed. Things became more and more familiar to him, and at length +he experienced a much happier state of mind. At first he purposed +writing immediately to his friends in London, but after a few +postponements, resolved not to do so, as he considered it would show an +effeminency on his part, and that a few month's silence would perhaps +season their affection for him. + +Two of his fellow-workmen, who belonged to a company of volunteers, +persuaded Fred to join their ranks. He was tolerably well acquainted +with military discipline, having practically served in a company during +his residence at Tiverton; and he had also studied considerably the +tactics of war, therefore he found no difficulty in getting himself +initiated as a Canadian volunteer; but in so doing it ultimately proved +to be another unfortunate step. The circle of his acquaintances was thus +increased tenfold. Military glory unfolded its social charms. Friendly +meetings with jovial comrades became more frequent. The foaming glass +sparkled brightly with fascination. Temptation unmasked itself. Again +and again his companions of the evenings had recourse to expedients to +induce him to drink with them. He was willing to pass an evening and +smoke a cigar, but sternly refused to even moisten his lips with the +poisonous liquid, which showed a manly independence in principle, a +dignity of honor; and it would have been well for him had he always +continued as invincible. + +"I say, Fred, you must have something to drink with us to-night," said +Billa Haveril one evening as Fred and a few of his comrades were walking +along Craig Street. "Here's the '_Royal Arms_,' come in, boys--come in +Fred, and I'll introduce you to Mr. Stone, a jolly good old Englishman. +He knows how to warm up a fellow when the cold is 30 degrees below +zero." + +They entered, and became seated in a room adjoining the bar. + +"Well, Fred, what's your choice," said Haveril. + +"A glass of cold water," replied Fred. + +"Horrible! horrible!" ejaculated Haveril. "Are you really going to +commit an arctic outrage upon your sensibilities? That will never do if +you intend living in Canada." + +"Perhaps he wants to convert himself into an ice-house," exclaimed Harry +Jenkins. + +"Gentlemen," said Fred, "I previously informed you that I belong to the +Sons of Temperance; you will therefore confer a favor by not pressing +your kindness further upon me." + +"Take it as a medicine, then; a glass will neither awaken your +conscience nor injure your stomach," said Haveril. + +"Do as St. Paul advised Timothy to do--take a little for your stomach's +sake and your often infirmities," said Nichol Henderson. + +"Come, Fred, _one glass_ will never ruffle a feather in your +conscience," said Ernest Stevens. + +"Come, boys! tip up your bumpers!" exclaimed Haveril, and then singing +aloud, followed by the others in chorus, + +"_For Fred's a jolly good fellow_," &c. + +Frederick having declined was again pressed to drink, to which he +replied--"I am willing to condescend to the wishes of the company in +which I may be placed; but when principle is at stake I must necessarily +decline sacrificing my honor to the demands of others, even those of my +best friends, as I am a pledge-bound total abstainer." + +"Pooh! pooh!" ejaculated Jenkins, "that's enough of your sophisticated +balderdash. Do you not know that a London pledge is not valid in +Canada?" + +"Why, what's the difference," exclaimed Fred, "the principle is the same +throughout." + +"Well, sir, the difference is just this," said Jenkins, "every country +has its own laws, and every subject therein is commanded to obey them, +and to do so only while he is a resident. The laws of the temperance +cause are based upon the same principle." + +"Philosophically speaking, you cannot assimilate them," replied Fred. + +"Civil laws differ according to the government of a country, the +characteristics of a people, their intellectual, moral and spiritual +condition, etc. Whereas, the temperance cause, in its strictest sense, +is everywhere identical, and its laws universal; the essence of which in +the abstract is simply '_to abstain_' and '_to obey_.' But suppose, for +the sake of argument, that you are right in your opinion, I ask then, is +there sufficient reason in the act of having withdrawn myself from the +country in which I took the pledge, to disannul my responsibility, when +I have not withdrawn my name from the Society's list of membership. And +again, I ask you, if I desire to remain a total abstainer, wherefore +should I compel myself unnecessarily, in order to please others, to +sacrifice my liberty to the 'king of evils,' even should I feel no +longer bound to obey the laws of the Society." + +"I say, Fred, for goodness' sake stop," exclaimed Sandie Johnstone, "or +else you will sink us so deeply into the ruts of philosophy that our +friends will never be able to discover us." + +"Go on, Fred, go on, you're a brick," cried Haveril. "Give Jenkins +another dig with your philosophical pick." + +"Fair play," shouted Jenkins, "'tis my turn to bait the trap." + +"Bait it with a bottle of brandy," cried Haveril, "and we'll see who'll +bite at it first." + +"If Jenkins wont, I'll bet you a dollar you will," ejaculated Johnstone. + +"Yes, Haveril would bite at the very devil if his Satanical Majesty was +filled to the teeth with brandy," exclaimed Jenkins, the others +chorusing with a series of discordant laughs. + +"Well, well, gentlemen," exclaimed Fred, "if you desire the continuance +of my friendship, and if you wish to respect the dignity of morality and +the English language, you must refrain from using such insinuating +balderdash and bar-room-slang." + +"You're right, Fred, stick to your subject and make them all your +subjects," said Ernest Stevens. + +"Why, Fred, if you would only take a gentle sipling of the nectar you +would know how to appreciate and enjoy our company," said Henderson. + +"True friendship and true happiness are based upon more _solid_ material +than _liquids_," replied Frederick. + +"Well, Fred, as you are a sort of philosopher, allow me to ask you, if +the true destiny of man, both here and hereafter, is not the enjoyment +of life?" interrogated Henderson. + +"Certainly, sir," replied Fred; "but I further believe that our Maker +designed that man should use the proper means for the promotion of both +terrestrial and celestial happiness." + +"Our opinions are identical, then," exclaimed Henderson. "We are both of +the same mind and yet cannot agree; and the reason is simply this--that +I occasionally partake of a social glass with my friends as a means to +awaken and promote enjoyment; whereas you teetotally reject the means. +This delicious nectar sparkling before me has the inherent virtues of +making me truly happy; I, therefore, use it for its medicinal qualities. +So here is my best respects to you all, boys,--not forgetting you, +Fred," added Henderson, raising the tumbler to his lips and draining the +liquor to its very dregs. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Jenkins, "I say, Fred, you are completely +cornered up, Henderson's as good a philosopher as yourself." + +"That may be so," replied Fred, "but I wish you, and Henderson +also, to bear in mind that reason may be twisted into sophistry. +He must first prove the premises of his arguments to be correct, +namely, 'that spirituous liquors are conducive to the happiness of +mankind'--otherwise, the syllogism must be false. To attempt such an +undertaking would be a more fool-hardy task than that of Hercules to +carry the globe upon his back. My dear sir, you would soon find that the +universal evidence of the world would be against you. The horrid shrieks +of suffering humanity would denounce the falsity of your arguments, +while myriads of skeletons would startle from their graves with horrid +indignation!" + +"Hold on, hold on, I say, Fred," shouted Henderson, "you are firing away +your balls at random and never look at the target." + +"I think he has made a good many bull-eyes in your head," exclaimed +Stevens. + +"Come, come, boys, we'll have a _horn_ on the _head_ of the subject," +cried Jenkins. + +"Yes, yes, that's the talk," responded some of the others. + +"Hold on, hold on, gentlemen," exclaimed Henderson, slightly irritated. +"I must have fair play in the game." + +"By all means," said Fred, "I shall see that you shall." + +"Well, sir," said H., "allow me to inform you, that in your arguments +you deviated from the proposition I made, namely--that liquor as a means +is conducive to human happiness. I mean the proper use of it; but you +immediately darted off to the furthest extremity of the subject, and by +a sort of superlative sophistry of your own, you attempted to conjure up +a horrid array of evils arising from the abuse of that spiritual gift, +which is the very essence of those cereals designed by the Author of +Creation as the principal sustainer of animal life." + +"You accuse me, sir, of doing injustice to your proposition, by +representing the consequences of abusing that spiritual gift, as you +very improperly term it," said Fred. "Your proposition, let me tell you, +embraces only the germs; but I look forward to the fruits thereof. He +would be but a very foolish farmer indeed, who would sow tares or +imperfect seed for the mere pleasure of seeing his fields adorned with +verdure, without looking forward to the consequences. Every good farmer +anticipates an abundant harvest and accordingly sows the best seed. So +should every man who desires to reap a harvest of happiness. He should +look well to the seed, and sow only that which will eventually produce +the best results. Again, you say that liquor when used in moderation, is +a means of producing human happiness, and therefore should be used. I +beg to differ with you; happiness arises not from the animal impulses of +human nature stimulated by intoxicating liquor. Use it moderately you +say. Alas, how many millions have been ruined forever by the taking of +only one single glass at first, _only one glass_! Think of it! It is the +magnet that attracts material akin to itself; alas, what a world of +wretchedness and crime is reflected from that nucleus of Intemperance." + +"Hold on, hold on, Fred," ejaculated Jenkins, "that'll do for the +present." + +"Go on, Fred, your illustrations are beautiful and impressive," cried +Stevens, "go on, you are hitting the target at every shot." + +"For goodness sake, Fred, do stop; or you will convert us all into a +company of 'cold water-boys,'" cried Jenkins. + +"Come! come, my lads," exclaimed Haveril, "we'll wind up for the present +with a bumper of 'hot Scotch' and I'll pay for the drinks." + +"Hot Scotch! hot Scotch!" shouted a half dozen of voices--and having +partaken of a rousing bumper they called upon Fred to favor them with a +song, to which he responded in the following Temperance Song, entitled +"One Glass More." + + Behold yon wretch at the tavern-bar: + His matted hair hangs over his brow; + The manly form and the noble soul + Are wrecked and lost in the drunkard now. + He shivering stands in his dirty rags, + With bloated face and his blood-shot eyes; + With quivering lips and a fever'd breath + For one glass more how he pleading cries. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, but a single glass; + O pity me now when my cash is done; + The night is cold and my blood runs chill, + And all I ask is a single one. + + Away from here, you miserable wretch; + I want no more of your blubbering gas, + Be off at once! or I'll kick you out; + You'll get none here--not a single glass, + What brought you here in your filthy rags, + To disgrace my house in this drunken way. + At once, begone! for you'll get no drink, + No, not a glass, when you've nothing to pay. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + O, wherefore, sir, would you kick me out! + Why so unjust to thy friend art thou; + You gave me drink and you took my cash, + You made me, sir, as you see me now. + You scorn me too, as a drunken wretch, + Debased and steep't in the dregs of sin; + And when I ask but a single glass, + You'll kick me out tho' you took me in. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + Thro' ten long years while I labored hard, + You gave me drink, and you drain'd my purse, + I was your friend, and your blessings then, + Have proved at length but a demon's curse. + My loving wife and my children dear, + Have often sigh'd with a hungry soul, + While I was here with my social friends + And drinking deep from your mad'ning bowl. + + _Chorus._--O give me, sir, &c. + + My health and youth I have wasted here; + To thee, for drink, my money I gave; + I'm now a wreck of what I was once, + And sinking fast to a drunkard's grave; + All wasted here in my reckless course, + Which neither thou nor time can restore; + Then pity me now for old friendship's sake, + And give one glass and I'll ask no more. + + _Chorus._--"Begone from here, you miserable wretch!" + The landlord cried, and he stamp't and swore, + Then kick't him out to the cold night storm, + And curs'd the wretch as he closed his door. + +Frederick Charlston continued to step into a saloon occasionally to pass +an evening with his comrades. Every expedient was tried to persuade him +to taste with them; but with a manly spirit of independence he remained +for several weeks invincible to their attacks. At length he was induced +to take a tumbler with hot water, sweetened with sugar, and flavored +with nutmeg and peppermint. But Jenkins one night gave the innkeeper a +wink to put a few drops of Scotch whiskey into Fred's tumbler. A few +drops were sufficient to slightly stimulate his brain, and produce a +flow of social feeling within his heart; and thus, when too late, he +discovered that he had tasted of the evil spirit. Having once tasted, he +felt a less restriction of duty; and on subsequent occasions allowed a +few drops to be added to the mixture. _Only a few drops!_ how +insignificant in number! how innocent they appear within themselves! +But, alas, a few drops were added to the few, until they became _a great +number_; and before winter had thrown off its fleecy covering, Frederick +Charlston could empty a tumbler of hot punch as readily as any of his +comrades. Thus, he who had once nobly defended the cause of Temperance, +and had remained so long invincible, at length dishonored that pledge +which, even under the most trying circumstances, he had hitherto never +violated. "_Only a few drops_" at first--yes, _only a few drops_, and +therewith poor Frederick Charlston became the votary of intemperance. +His Saturday nights were afterwards too frequently spent, or rather +misspent, in deep carousals with his comrades. His Sabbaths were also +often desecrated; and instead of appearing in his accustomed seat in +Church, he was either sleeping away the sacred hours of the day, or, +perhaps, polluting his mind with the filthy contents of some sensational +novel. For a few weeks at first his moral feelings were occasionally +awakened by the stings of conscience; but gradually they became less +susceptible and less unwilling to recognize or respect the laws of moral +responsibility. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +April came, and with it came the alarm of an intended invasion of Canada +by the Fenians. All the volunteers were ordered to be in immediate +readiness, and several companies were stationed at different places +along the Province Line, south of the River St. Lawrence. Every +precautionary preparation was being made by the Canadian government, and +also by the inhabitants. Great excitement prevailed during several days; +and a series of appalling rumors were daily in circulation. But April +passed away, and none of the Verdants made their appearance on the north +side of the Line 45. There was apparently a lull in the Fenian camp. + +But on the morning of the 23rd of May following, the bugle again sounded +the alarm. Gen. O'Neill had again stirred up the "Circles" to their very +"Centres," and there was a fearful rattling among the dry bones. Every +telegram brought additional intelligence confirming the affair. The +march had in reality begun; and 50,000 men, as rumored, were marching +towards Canada, in a direct line to Montreal. All the volunteers in the +Province of Quebec were again called to arms, and every available +company forwarded at once to the chief stations at St. Johns, +Hemmingford, and Huntingdon. The 69th regiment of British regulars, then +stationed at Quebec, was ordered to the front immediately. The loyal +Canadian farmers in the vicinity of the Border line turned out at once; +and with rifle in hand, distributed themselves in detached parties to +watch and await the avowed enemies of their country; and defend their +hearths and households in the hour of danger. + +The company to which Frederick Charlston belonged, had been ordered to +St. Johns. Fred was delightfully excited by the occurrence, which +afforded him an opportunity of realizing what he termed "_a novel and +romantic adventure_." + +On the morning of the 25th of May, 1870, a detachment of Fenians, headed +by Gen. O'Neill, crossed over the Line in the vicinity of Eccles' Hill. +A company of farmers who had stationed themselves behind the rocks of +the hill, adjacent to the high-way, observed the approach of the enemy +sneaking along the road. When the Fenians had arrived within reach of +gun-shot, the farmers, unperceived, fired upon them, killing two or +more, and wounding several. The astonished Verdants at once replied by a +volley, but becoming disorderly bewildered by the incessant stream of +smoke and bullets from among the rocks, they hastily retreated to an +adjacent hill; and for several hours the opposing parties in ambush kept +up a continuous but ineffectual fire at each other. At length a few +detachments of Montreal volunteers and others arrived; and in +conjunction with the farmers, took part in the action. The Fenians +imagining that a formidable army had arrived, became panic-stricken and +fled, headed by their leaders, at quick march over the Border Line, +where the "Fenian Tragedy" was magnificently concluded by the +ludicrous farce of the Great O'Neill making a hasty exit as a "State +prisoner," under the confidential protection of Marshal Foster. + +Simultaneously with this event, another squad of Green Jackets, headed +by Gen. Starr, intruded upon Canadian soil, twelve miles beyond +Huntingdon, and intrenched themselves about three-quarters of a mile +from the Border Line. There they remained until the morning of the 27th, +when they were speedily routed from their intrenchments and driven back +beyond the Line by the Huntingdon Borderers and the 69th British +Regiment. + +The Battalions in this District, and upon whom the inhabitants had +chiefly to depend, were the "_Huntingdon Borderers_" and the +"_Hemmingford Rangers_," under their gallant commanders, Cols. McEachren +and Rogers, and to whose valorous energy and that of the heroic officers +and men under their charge, is the country in general deeply indebted. + +Thus ended the Fenian invasion of 1870. Providentially not one of the +Canadian party received even the slightest injury. The volunteers were +immediately recalled, and peace was restored to the country. + +Among those who took part in the action at Eccles' Hill was Fred +Charlston. He returned to Montreal, bearing along with him as trophies +of war, a Fenian coat, knapsack and rifle. So elated was he on the night +of his return by his fortunate and glorious adventure, that he with +several of his comrades got mortally drunk, so much so that he and two +others had to be taken to the police station for safe keeping, where +they remained until they became sobered off. + +Frederick being somewhat of a poet, composed the following song in honor +of those Canadian Volunteers who were brought into action along the +Border. + + OUR BORDER VOLUNTEERS. + + All hail! our Border Volunteers, + All loyal, true and brave, + Who boldly faced the Fenian foe, + And spurn'd a coward's grave. + All hail to all those gallant chiefs, + Who stood the trying hour, + And bravely led their heroes forth + To crush the Fenians' power. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foe we need not dread, + When danger's hour appears, + While guarded by those gallant braves, + Our Border Volunteers. + + No menial soldier fills our ranks, + Nor yet a martial slave; + O'er free and independent men + Our banners proudly wave. + They are our country's stalwart sons, + Who love their home and hearth, + Who honour still their Fatherland, + And this which gave them birth. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foe, &c. + + 'Tis not the savage thirst for blood + Which makes our heroes brave, + 'Tis not for conquest and renown + Their banners proudly wave. + Their voice proclaims the love of peace, + To all an equal right, + But mercy spurn'd by reckless foes + Empowers their sword of might. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foes, &c. + + Trout River's banks and Eccles' Hill, + Shall echo forth their fame, + And thousands yet unborn will rise, + To shout our heroes' name. + They form the martial battlements + Of Canada's frontiers, + Those guardians of our household hearths, + THE BORDER VOUNTEERS. + + _Chorus._--Our country's foes we need not dread, + When danger's hour appears, + While guarded by these gallant braves, + _Our Border Volunteers_. + +The disturbance at Red River in the North-Western Territory, by the +revolt of Riel and his accomplices was also at this time attracting the +attention of the Canadian government. A force, consisting of regulars +and volunteers, had already been organized; and was to be despatched +immediately to Red River for the purpose of suppressing the +Riel-Rebellion. + +The glory of warfare had aroused within the mind of Frederick Charlston +a love for adventure and a spirit of Canadian patriotism: and feeling a +desire to enlist as a roving soldier, he immediately, after his return +to Montreal, departed for Toronto, head-quarters for the Battalions +designed for Red River. A few healthy and well-disciplined volunteers +were still wanted; and Fred, having passed an examination, was initiated +into the ranks as a volunteer for Red River. + +On the evening previous to his departure he retired to his room; and +having emptied a tumbler full of hot brandy punch, he sat down +gloriously happy, and penned the following letter to his parents. + + "Toronto, June 7th, 1870. + + "Dear Father and Mother,--As you may feel somewhat disposed by this + time to relish a bit of my history in Canada, I now, for the first + time, since I left home, lift my pen to address you. I shipped in + the S. S. Moravian from Liverpool, to Portland, U.S., and during + the voyage had to undergo the terrible ordeal of sea-sickness. + However, I arrived at Montreal on the evening of Christmas last, as + sound as a church bell. I found immediate employment in the city at + six shillings per day. I am partially fond of this country and the + inhabitants in general, with the exception of a sort of people + named French Kanucks; but they are as harmless as a flock of sheep; + and stand as mere cyphers in the ranks of society. Last winter I + joined a company of city volunteers; and was present at an + engagement with the Fenians at a place known as Eccles Hill, on the + 25th ultimo, of which affair you will have heard by the London + papers. I went up boldly to the Front, and fought the Fenians like + a tiger. I don't know how many I killed; but I feel certain that I + must have annihilated quite a large number, as I fired away every + cartridge I had. I brought back with me to Montreal a Fenian-coat, + knapsack and rifle, &c. Since my return I have been lionized by my + officers and comrades for my daring exploits. The sun of fortune + has already begun to shine upon me; and I have determined that my + progress shall be in the ascendancy, until I arise to the very + zenith of my glory. I have just enlisted myself as a volunteer to + go over 2000 miles into the dense forests of Canada to fight the + savages of the North-West at Red River. I leave to-morrow. The + undertaking is gigantic, but the glory that shall arise therefrom + shall be immeasurably greater. Be not surprised should you hear of + me ere long being gazetted as commander of a battalion in the + North-Western Territory. On my return, to England, if ever, I shall + take my Fenian trophies along with me, and perhaps a few hundred of + Indian scalps, &c., as curiosities for my friends and old + acquaintances. + + "Give my respects to none but those who inquire kindly about me. My + love to the little '_chick_.' He may live to be yet proud of his + father. I shall write again as soon as I get the savages disposed + of." + + "Father, mother, sisters and brother, accept the expression of my + love. Farewell, farewell." + + "Fred. Charlston." + +The volunteers for Red River were forwarded from Toronto to Collingwood; +where they embarked on the steamers Algoma and Chigora; and proceeded +300 miles to Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior; thence by land and water +through a dense wilderness, several hundred miles, to Fort Garry, at Red +River. A prodigious undertaking, indeed, involving a vast amount of +labor and privation; nevertheless the majority of the troops endured it +tolerably well. During the first two or three weeks Fred Charlston stood +the hardships and inconveniences with a brave spirit, and enjoyed with +good relish the rough life of the military pioneer; so much so that he +gave expression to his patriotic feelings in the following song, which +he and his associates frequently sung with great gusto:-- + + Come now, my lads, we'll march along, + And wave our banners high, + The savage herds in forest wilds + Shall hear our battle-cry. + The distant realm before us lies, + The road is rough and drear, + O'er lake and stream thro' mountain wild + Our martial course we'll steer. + + _Chorus._--Then march along, my hearty lads, + And cheer your hearts with song, + The nation cheers the Volunteers + Who bravely march along. + + No scorching sun, no torrent shower, + No toil, nor want of rest, + Has power to check that British pluck + Which warms each loyal breast. + No savage of the woods we dread, + Nor death, nor danger near, + We are a nation's loyal sons + Who spurn a coward's fear. + + _Chorus._--Then march along, &c. + + That savage wretch with bloody hands, + Usurping in his might, + Shall keenly feel a nation's steel + That justifies its right. + "_Revenge_" shall be our battle-cry, + Revenge the bloody foe: + Fort Garry's walls with tongues of blood, + Shall echo back the blow. + + _Chorus._--Come march along, "my hearty lads," + And shout the martial song. + The nation cheers the Volunteers + Who bravely march along. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +I will now silently pass over the space of three months, and leave the +reader to follow in imagination the adventures of our hero in the +Red River Expedition;--and as an essential character in the sequel of +this story I will now take the liberty of introducing myself. + + * * * * * + +On a fine afternoon about the middle of September, 1870, I arrived at +Kingston, Ontario, and took lodgings at the "City Hotel," where I +intended to remain for a few days. I was then on a tour selling a +poetical work which I had written, entitled: "The Canadian +Minstrel." After tea, that evening, I stepped up stairs to the +sitting-room, and sat down to write a letter to my friends at home. +Shortly afterwards, and while seated there alone, a young man entered +the room. + +"I beg pardon, sir; I hope I'm not intruding," he exclaimed very +politely as he entered. + +"No, not in the least, sir," said I. He then walked over to the sofa, +and pulling out a newspaper from his pocket, sat down and began to +peruse it. I resumed my pen; and when finished with my letter, I +addressed him somewhat familiarly, and we entered into conversation, +chiefly about the war which was then being carried on between France and +Prussia. He was apparently intelligent; and although slightly reticent +at first, became gradually more conversive and familiar. + +He appeared to be about 25 years of age, tall, and somewhat slender in +figure; of keen a nervous temperament; with hair and moustache of a +brownish color: features slightly prominent and very expressive. He was +courteous in manners, and in general appearance, genteel and +good-looking. His style of conversing was agreeable; his arguments +pointed and logical; and his remarks, full of sympathetic sentiment, +apparently the breathings of an impulsive moral nature. His countenance, +although naturally expressive of energy, appeared slightly shadowed by +an expression of sadness. Even in his manner and conversation there was +a peculiar indication of deep thoughtfulness, tinged with melancholy. +Respecting his own history he said nothing, nor did he ask anything +about mine. I was however much interested in his company, and although +strangers to each other, we passed a very pleasant evening together. + +At breakfast on the following morning he sat directly opposite to me. We +saluted each other in a friendly manner, and occasionally exchanged a +few sentences. Shortly after we had retired from the table he came +forward and addressed me. + +"I shall bid you good bye, friend, for the present," said he, apparently +in readiness to depart. + +"And so you are going to leave," said I. "I'm sorry I had not the +pleasure of a longer acquaintance with you." + +"I leave for Toronto, where I shall remain a week or two. Should you be +there shortly, please call at the 'Metropolitan Hotel,' and ask for me, +I shall be happy to see you," said he, handing me a card with his name +thereon. + +"Thank you, sir, I will be happy to do so," said I: and having heartily +shaken hands together as a mutual token of courtesy and good-will, he +departed. + +As I was desirous of attending the Annual Provincial Show, to be held at +Toronto during the first week of October following, I passed all the +intermediate towns on the line of railway, and arrived in that city a +few days previous. + +The evening after my arrival I strolled over to the Metropolitan to see +the stranger referred to. He recognized me at once, and was apparently +happy to see me. Although our previous acquaintance had been incidental +and but of short duration, we felt on meeting again as if we had been +old friends. He invited me to the sitting room; and we passed a few very +agreeable hours together. On leaving I requested him to spend the +following evening with me at the hotel at which I was staying. He +complied therewith; and during his further stay of one week in the city +our interviews were of daily occurrence. + +During the following week the city was crowded to its utmost capacity; +and the streets presented a gay and lively appearance, owing to the +great influx of visitors to the Exhibition. In company with my friend I +visited the "Show Grounds." Every department of the Arts and +Agriculture, &c., were well represented, showing the vast progress and +developments of the Province of Ontario. + +The day of the closing of the Exhibition my friend specially invited me +to his room to spend the evening. During our previous interviews he had +said but little respecting himself. I noticed, however, that something +was deeply affecting his mind; and that he was apparently desirous of +making it known to me. But it was not until this evening that he, in +compliance with my wishes, gave me the history of his past career: the +greater part of which is narrated in the foregoing chapters of this +story: the remainder I will now give in his own words; for, gentle +reader, be it known that this person was none other than Frederick +Charlston, with whom you are already acquainted. + +"During the first part of the journey to Red River," said he, "I endured +the hardships and fatigues tolerably well; but the encamping out every +night upon the cold earth: the incessant labor; the hard marches over a +rough road, and under a broiling sun, at length became too oppressive. +Oftentimes I felt, as it were, unable to proceed a step further; but my +proud spirit with a stern determination of will, exerted every possible +energy, and I continued day after day to plod along with my foot-sore +and way-worn companions. Our fatigues were however occasionally relieved +by a general rest for a few days. But before one third of the journey +had been completed I was seized one night with a severe attack of +illness. + +"The day had been excessively hot; the commander wishing to get forward +that evening to certain grounds favorable for one week's encampment had +recourse to what might be termed a forced march. Many of the soldiers +suffered from the effects thereof; I was prostrated at once by a severe +billious attack, accompanied with chills and fever, and also diarrhea; +and when the companies resumed their march, I was unable to proceed with +them. + +"The evening previous to the general move the doctor made a special +visit to my tent. + +"'My young friend,' said he, as he entered, 'I have come to leave you +some medicine as I must move with the army at an early hour to-morrow +morning. Your health, although progressing rapidly, will not permit you +to undertake the journey, at least for one week. However, you will be +provided with necessaries, &c. The Captain has appointed a couple of +honest Indians to remain and take care of you: and who will serve as +guides when you are ready to depart. But my special injunction +is--"_Take good care of yourself_," otherwise you will never reach +Red River.' + +"'Indeed, doctor, I'm afraid I shall never be able to resume the +journey,' said I. + +"'It would have been much better for you had you not undertaken it at +first.' + +"'Experience teaches fools,' I exclaimed. + +"'Yes, and the wisest of wise men too,' added the doctor, with a sly +wink. + +"'I regret very much the course I have taken,' said I; 'I am now +suffering the experience of my reckless folly. Were it possible to have +an opportunity of living my past years over again agreeably to my +wishes, I assure you, doctor, I would never make a second journey to +Canada, nor go to Red River either; I would make England my home for +ever. However, since I have undertaken this exodus, I hope I shall be +able to complete it.' + +"'It is my opinion,' said the doctor, 'that your physical constitution, +inexperienced as it has been to a life like this, will not be able to +stand the fatigues; and even after a month's rest, I dread the +consequences, as the hardships yet to be endured are tenfold greater +than those you have undergone.' + +"'Then what shall I do, doctor? Must I live and die alone in this +wilderness?' said I. + +"'Under the present circumstances, I think,' said he, 'your resignation +will be immediately accepted. If so remain here for the present under +charge of your attendants. In the course of a week or so, a gang of +Indians will pass here on their way to Thunder Bay for provisions. They +can convey you a great portion of the way by canoe; thence you can +effect your course back to Toronto, or to England if you choose, much +easier indeed than going the remainder of the journey to Red River.' + +"'Well doctor,' said I, 'I shall comply with your orders.' + +"'Then I shall attend to the matter at once,' said the doctor, and +immediately withdrew. In about an hour afterwards he returned, +accompanied with several officers. The doctor's request was acquiesced +with, and I received my discharge. The commander on leaving placed $30 +in my hand, wishing me better health and a safe journey back to Toronto. +No sooner had they left than I began to breathe more freely the air of +liberty. I felt like a prisoner when liberated from his shackled bonds. +I was no longer a mercenary. I was indeed exalted above the ranks, _and +felt myself once more as a man_:--And wherefore, may I ask? Let my +spirit echo the answer. + +"The novelty and the romance of adventure had lost their charms. +Military glory had faded under the stern reality of circumstances. +Sickness had dimmed the ardor of my soul. Home-longings had clustered +around my heart: and I then felt as it were for the time being a +happiness in disappointment, and an independence in my liberty. + +"My companions were indeed sorry to part with me: and before leaving +presented me with many tokens of their affections. I felt the loneliness +of a saddened heart when they were gone. The Indians were however kind, +and faithful in their duties towards me. Under their care my health and +vigor improved rapidly; so much so, that I felt sufficiently able to go +with the returning Indians to Thunder Bay. I stood the travel much +better than I anticipated. On the 27th day of August I arrived safely in +this city, but much exhausted by the fatigues of the journey. + +"Alas! thought I. What a change of prospects! What a revulsion in +circumstances! I left here as a proud follower of Mars, clothed in +scarlet and fine linen like the Kings of Babylon, and blowing up the +tinsel'd bubble of military glory, amid the beating of drums, the +blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of an excited populace. But alas! I +returned in silence, as a simple man of experience, covered in +sackcloth, exhausted in body, disappointed in mind, without friends, +without a home, and with comparatively meagre funds. It was then that +the last words of my dear father to me came rushing upon my soul, and +adding sorrow to the feelings of my heart. Humiliating as my +circumstances were, more deeply affecting to my mind was the +ever-present remembrance of a dream which I dreamt on the night previous +to my departure from Chipenega, the place where I remained during my +illness. I dreamt that I was again residing in Montreal, that I had +retired to my room for the night, and was projecting the design of going +to the Rocky Mountains to dig for gold: and felt excited by the idea +that when I had accumulated a million I would return to England a +gentleman of fortune. But my night visions, like my day dreams, were +doomed to vanish in disappointment: for at that moment when my soul was +elated with the prospect, and my heart throbbing big with joy, I was +startled by a light suddenly shining around me; and on looking about I +beheld a woman entering the room and approaching where I lay. Her +countenance, though pale, shone with a peculiar brightness. A long robe, +white as the snow, hung loosely around her, and sandals were upon her +feet. I was amazed at the appearance at first sight: but after a +momentary gaze I recognized in her features the expression of my own +mother. + +"'Oh, mother! my dear mother!' I shouted as she approached, quickly +raising myself up from my couch. + +"'Frederick, my son Frederick,' she exclaimed taking hold of my hand in +her own, and kissing me affectionately. 'I have come to take my farewell +of you, my dear son, as I am ready to depart on a long journey and will +not again see you on earth. Around my poor body your father, brother, +sisters, and other relatives are at this very moment sobbing in tears, +while in spirit I am here present with you. My time on earth is limited +to seconds. My words are therefore few. My injunctions are these,--I +hope you will comply with them. Repent of your wickedness and folly. +Abstain from intoxicating liquors and evil company. Live a righteous +life. Return at once to England, and seal those bonds of a life-union +with Clara, whom you have unjustly wronged. Promise me, my son, to do +these things and I shall depart in peace.' + +"I was so overcome and bewildered at that moment that I could say +nothing more than simply to whisper,--'_Mother, I shall try to do so_.' +She then kissed me; bade me good-bye; and on wings of light instantly +soared out of the room, leaving it in darkness again. I was so awfully +impressed at this moment that I awoke suddenly. It appeared to me to be +more of a waking reality than a dream. From that time until the present +moment it has preyed heavily upon my feelings. Again and again have I +tried to eradicate the impression, but every effort has only had a +tendency to rivet it the more firmly to my mind, until it has at length +assumed the aspect of a reality. I fear my apprehensions are too true; +however I trust to Providence that my dream was nothing more than a +baseless emanation of fancy. The evening after my arrival in Toronto +from the Red River expedition I wrote a letter to my parents, and also +one to a cousin of my own residing in London. I stated the circumstances +which compelled me to return from the expedition; that the doctor had +advised me to go back to England, as the Canadian climate was not +suitable for my constitution; and that I purposed being in London to +spend the Christmas holidays with my friends. Neither did I forget to +mention the anxiety I felt about my child; nor did I neglect to express +my intention of paying an affectionate compliment to its mother on my +return. I desired my friends to reply immediately on receiving my +letters. Nearly five weeks have elapsed since I wrote, but no answer has +been received yet. I however expect something by the next English mail. +I am living in suspense; a dreadful feeling indeed to endure. Had my +health and means permitted, I would have gone directly to England on my +return from the expedition. Instead thereof I sent the letters referred +to, and having rested in this city a couple of weeks, I went down to +Kingston to visit an old acquaintance who had emigrated thither a few +years ago; but when I arrived there I discovered with disappointment +that he had recently removed to the State of Minnesota. It was then, +sir, that I had the pleasure of meeting with you. Your kindness and +familiarity on that occasion, and also since, have been as medicine to +my soul. I have considered you as a genial and sympathetic friend. I +have told you the history of my past career. I trust to God that my +future will be characterised with less unfortunate events, but with +deeds more worthy of being told. I feel, and I know that I have been the +author of my own wretchedness and folly. I have wasted my time, my +money, and my energies in dissipation. I have feasted my conceited +fancies upon glory as light and transient as the flying gossamer: and +besides all this, I have done injustice to my parents--to my child--and +to her who gave it birth. I have wronged her with cruel heart, a heart +that has recoiled upon itself, and now stings its own affections in the +madness of remorse. But worse than all, I have done injustice to my +Maker. I have mocked at His mercy. I have insulted His dignity. I have +trampled upon His laws. _Oh! miserable wretch that I have been!_ +However, I have resolved to live a better life. I trust to God that +through His divine power I shall be enabled to abstain from intoxicating +liquor and evil company." + +"I intend returning to England in December next," continued Frederick, +after a few moments silence. "Yesterday I met with a gentleman who +formerly belonged to London, and with whom I was somewhat acquainted. He +is now a resident of Hamilton, some 50 miles from here, and does a large +business as an upholsterer. He offered me immediate employment, at $1.50 +per day. I have engaged with him for two months, at the expiration of +which time, if health permit, I will ship myself for England. So that no +time may be lost I shall leave for Hamilton to-morrow morning, to be +ready to commence work on Monday. + +"Now, sir, as you intend remaining in Toronto for a week or two you will +indeed favor me by calling at the Post-Office, especially when the next +English Mail arrives, and any letters or newspapers addressed to me, +please forward immediately." + +I promised faithfully to do so:--and having thanked him for his favors I +bade him good-bye for the present, expressing a wish that I would find +him in a happier state of feelings at our next interview. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Having returned to the hotel at which I was staying I retired +immediately to bed. I slept but little during the night, my fancy having +been kept awake by the expressive interview of the preceding evening. +The eventful narrative of Frederick Charlston's career was ever present +to my mind, producing feelings akin to those of an experienced reality. +But the most striking characteristic was the singular dream to which I +have alluded. Dreams in general are nothing more than the echoes of the +soul, or the breathings of imagination when the consciousness of the +mind is in a latent state. Some dreams however, may be the productions +of a spiritual agency photographing as it were through the electric +telegraph of the soul the impressions of the real event upon the mind of +the person who is absent, causing strange forebodings to loom up in the +horizon of imagination. Be this as it may, it is a well known fact, that +dreams have been occasionally verified. Thousands of them, however, are +by the dreamer construed to suit circumstances. But the millions of +these visions that arise nightly from the bed-chambers of the world are +nothing more than the flickerings of the mind, at random, and like +vapor, arising into the atmosphere of the soul, frequently assuming a +variety of fantastic forms as a metamorphoses of preconceived ideas. + +Immediately on hearing of the arrival of the English Mail I hurried down +to the Post-Office, and inquired of the gentleman in attendance if there +were anything for Frederick Charlston. Shuffling over a pile of letters +he drew one out and handed it to me. It was mounted with deep mourning, +and heavily sealed with black sealing wax. I was startled at the +appearance thereof. I took but a momentary gaze and requested him to +forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to +know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some +of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more +forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass +away, and the mystery will be solved. + +At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to +Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He +told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few +days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at +which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper +shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a +newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand +affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing +from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment +of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had +occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had +happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I +recognized it at once as the "_Black-Sealed-Letter_." I opened it with +trembling hand, and read as follows: + + "London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870. + + "Dear Cousin Frederick.--I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on + the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from + which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure + however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will + feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has + been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful + changes have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with + itself, too frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that + are prolific with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and + disappointment. And were it not that the Star of Bethlehem still + shines in the firmament of Heaven the glory of this world would + transmit but a dim light upon the soul of the Christian life. Then be + prepared, my dear friend, to endure the ills of adversity with a + noble heart. Although a dark shadow may fall suddenly upon your + earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in faith towards the Star of + Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will dispel the darkness, + even, were it the shadow of Death. + + "You desired of me to give particular information respecting Clara + Hazeldon. In accordance with your request I suppose I must do so. + Through disappointment, in hoping against hope, she became low + spirited, and failed considerably in health; and, on hearing of your + intended adventure in the Red River expedition, relinquished every + hope of your return, and shortly afterwards became the wife of + Charles Holstrom. + + "Your child is still in your father's family, and is a + bright-eyed-healthy-looking boy, resembling you very much indeed. At + the request of your relatives, but with considerable reluctance on + my part, I now undertake to inform you of an event which has recently + occurred in your own family. They consider it better to make it known + to you by letter than allow the reality unexpectedly to force itself + upon your mind at your return. + + "On the 20th day of July last, your mother, by a fall down the + stairway, unfortunately got one of her limbs broken. It was + considered necessary to have it amputated. Mortification set in + shortly afterwards, eventually proving fatal. At an early hour on the + morning of the 25th, only five days after the occurrence, your dear + mother breathed her last, surrounded by her weeping relatives. She + was sensible to within a few hours of her death. Her dying words + conferred a blessing upon you. She died happy, and with full + assurance of a blessed immortality. + + "Striking as this announcement must be to your mind, I trust that + with the help of God you will be enabled to bear up under the severe + affliction. Sooner or later we must all die; and by what means we + know not. Then let this event be another warning to us to prepare + effectually for our exit to eternity. May God bless you, my dear + friend. May Christ be your spiritual Physician, to pour the Balm of + Gilead upon your troubled soul; and through Divine power may you ere + long be conducted back in health and safety to your old home. + + "Your friends join in expressing their love to you. + + "I remain, dear Frederick, your affectionate cousin. + + "William A. Thornton." + +Appended to the above letter was the following note from Eliza, +Frederick's eldest sister: + + "London, Sept. 20th, 1870. + + "My Dear Brother,--The sad events that have occurred since your + departure have thrown a deep gloom over our household. The death of + our dear mother has almost broken our hearts. I hope in God you will + be enabled to endure the severe affliction. Call upon Christ, and he + will assist you to bear up your weight of sorrow. It is some comfort + however to know that mother died the happy death of a Christian. I + trust her spirit is now reaping the heavenly harvest of her spiritual + labors upon earth. Father is terribly changed since her death. I + thought he would assuredly die under the heavy affliction. No doubt + your absence has had a tendency to augment his grief. He has become + fearfully melancholy, and of late has had recourse to drinking. I + dread the consequences; therefore I intreat you to come home as soon + as possible. Perhaps your influence may have a soothing effect upon + his mind; and prevent him from further indulgence. + + "Oh, how glad we shall all feel, even in our sorrow, to see you + again, dear brother. Richard has turned out to be a fine boy; you + will be happy to see him. Cousin William has acquainted you with + other facts. Trust to God for the consolation of your mind. We all + join in love to you. With a heavy heart and in tears I have written + these few lines. I am, dear brother, your affectionate sister. + + "Eliza Charlston." + +"These are sad news indeed," said I, returning the letter to Frederick. + +"Very, very sad, indeed, almost insufferable!" said he. + +Having paused for a few moments he continued. "My dream has been +forcibly verified. How overwhelming is the reality that my poor mother +is no more. Had I been present when she died it would have given some +consolation to my soul. But, oh! to think of the manner in which I fled +from her presence, and also from my happy home: to think of the +sufferings both mentally and physically she must have endured: to think +of the unfortunate circumstances of her death; to think that I, her +favorite son, was absent in her dying hours, without an opportunity of +confessing my errors and asking her forgiveness: to think of these +alone, is sufficient to break my very heart. Nor is this all. She to +whose loving heart I pledged my affections as a bond of an eternal +union, has become the life-companion of another. But I reproach her not +for so doing. She was faithful; I alone was false. She had hoped against +hope; and not until she had despaired of my return did she seek out a +help-mate and home for herself. It is only another unfortunate +circumstance of my life. I feel deeply the wound it has inflicted; but I +will not avenge it. My life is apparently a life of troubles, and like +Job of old I am ready to curse the day of my birth. I, myself, may be +the author of it all; but it seems to me that some demon, like the evil +spirit of King Saul, has taken possession of life's-citadel, and strews +my pathway with pandoric ills." + +"My dear sir, I do really sympathise with you in your affliction," said +I. "But under such trying circumstances confide in God and he will be +your friend indeed." + +"But for me there is no Balm in Gilead: there is no physician there," he +exclaimed. "As a fallen sinner I again sought for balm in the Vineyard +of Satan. I had recourse to the demon-wizard of intoxication, and drank +from his enchanted bowl. It was impossible to live and do otherwise; for +elsewhere I could find no consolation for my grief. I drank deeply for +two days and two nights after having received the letter. I then resumed +my work: and with a saddened heart and a weakened constitution, labored +until three days ago, when, I again broke the bonds of my resolutions. +To-day I am sobering off myself: and when my bottle is emptied of its +contents, _I shall drink no more_." + +Saying this, he took from his trunk a bottle half-full with liquor. + +"Look here," said he. "You see how short a distance is now between me +and total-abstinence. But, my dear friend, I will not insult your +feelings by tasting of it in your presence." + +Therewith he returned the bottle to its place. In answer to my enquiries +he stated that he still intended to return to England in December, and +for that purpose had resolved to economise his time and means, and never +taste of liquor again. + +"Ah," said he, "liquor and evil company have been my ruin. Through the +influence of bad companions I first broke the pledge when at Tiverton: +and by doing so at that time, I upset all my projected designs. I have +been re-building and upsetting ever since; but somehow my superstructure +appears to have no solid basis. However, I am determined to try once +more and make amends for the past." + +I told him that I intended in the course of a few days to go on as far +as New London, and would be absent at least a month. I would then return +by way of Hamilton, and accompany him as far as Montreal, on my way +home: it being about the time he purposed leaving for England. He +appeared to be delighted with the idea of so doing, and heartily thanked +me for the kindness I shewed towards him. + +On the following morning he resumed his work apparently with renewed +cheerfulness and vigor; and during the ten days I remained in Hamilton +he improved rapidly in both body and spirit. We met together every +evening and passed an hour or two very pleasantly, and I may add, +profitably. He never once tasted of liquor during that time; but seemed +more determined than ever to resist its temptation. I advised him to +remove to some private boarding house; where he would be less exposed to +the influence of liquor and evil company: but he seemed unwilling to +comply therewith on account of his intended removal in so short a time. +On the morning of that day on which I left Hamilton I called at the +shop, where he was vigorously at work. On bidding him good-bye, I +expressed a wish that he would remain true to the principle of +total-abstinence, entreating him to supplicate Divine aid to enable him +to do so. + +"There may be some breakers ahead" said he, "but I think I can steer in +the right course now." + +Then bidding each other good bye, we parted--_never to meet again on +earth_. + +On my return to Hamilton I called at the hotel and requested to see +Frederick Charlston. + +"O, he's gone, sir," abruptly ejaculated the innkeeper. + +"_Gone, sir!_" said I. "Where, and when did he go?" + +"Well, all I can say about him, is that he went off to his grave about a +week ago," he replied. + +"Do you mean to say that Frederick Charlston is dead?" said I. + +"Why, yes, sir," said he, "the fellow's as flat as a board now." + +"What was the cause of his death?" I inquired. + +"Drinking more whiskey than he was able to hold, so he sprang a leak and +sank, cargo and all," he replied, jokingly, with a humorous grin, +endeavouring to be witty at the expense of his victim. + +This unexpected intelligence struck me so forcibly that for several +seconds I stood motionless and bewildered. I then walked away with a +sorrowful heart indeed. I could scarcely give credence to the +announcement until it was confirmed by the upholsterer whom I called +upon, and who related the following circumstances connected with the +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston. + +"Two weeks ago last Thursday night," said he, "a couple of fast youths +who were carousing merrily at the hotel, persuaded Frederick to take a +sip with them. But one taste was sufficient to rouse up the evil spirit +again within his bosom. He drank deeply that night and for two days +continued his carousal; but was at length turned out upon the street by +the innkeeper for disturbing the necessitated quietness of the Saturday +night. He found his way to the woodshed, where he laid himself down and +fell asleep. In about two hours he awoke shivering with cold; and was +ultimately admitted into the hotel. Next morning he was in a feverish +state, and confined to bed. Towards evening his condition became more +alarming, and a messenger was sent for me. I hurried thither, and +procured a doctor immediately. Had it been prudent to do so, I would +have removed him at once to my own house; however, I did all for him +that I possibly could do! My wife and I in turn sat by his bedside and +watched over him with tender care. But all was in vain. His fever +continued to increase and he became delirious. At times he would startle +up wildly from his couch, shouting frantically as if in the agonies of +horror, frequently calling and in pitiable and heart-rending tones upon +his mother to forgive him: and to come and help him out of the horrible +pit into which he had fallen, &c. &c. But the scene during those moments +was too appalling to admit of further description. Finally he became +calm, and sank into a peaceful slumber from which he never awoke on +earth. On the morning of the fifth day of his illness, November 30th, he +breathed his last, and his spirit passed away forever into the regions +of eternity. + +"Poor Frederick, he is gone. My heart is saddened by his death!" +continued he, apparently much affected. "With all his faults he had a +noble soul. Poor fellow! he is gone now. I gave him a decent burial. I +wrote to his father informing him of his son's death; but modified the +circumstances connected therewith; however, it will be sad intelligence +indeed." + + * * * * * + +The history of Frederick Charlston is now told. His career was brief. It +is however pregnant with unfortunate events, and contains excellent +material for moral reflection. It is in itself a lesson for the young +and the inexperienced, showing the sad results of a self-willed +confidence, the love of vain-glory in adventure, the yielding of moral +principles to gratify the desire of either oneself or that of +others:--and worse than all, the sacrificing of the nobler attributes of +human nature to the insidious wiles of evil society and intoxicating +liquor. Millions of young men, as moral and as self-confident as +Frederick Charlston, have been physically and morally ruined as he was. +Once yielding a little to immoral influence gives the first impetus to a +downward tendency. Continue to repeat it, and the inertia becomes +stronger, and the descent more easy. + +"I see no harm in a social glass with a friend," cries one. + +"Let cold-water-fanatics preach until doomsday and hurl their anathemas +against inebriates," exclaims another, "but they never shall prevent me +from taking my occasional glass." + +"Nor I," says a third. "An occasional glass with a companion is the very +life-spring of social nature. It assimilates one mind with another. It +dispels sadness, and invigorates both soul and body. It opens up the +fountains of the heart, and joy gushes out, sparkling with wit and +melody. Wherefore then should I deprive myself of those blessings, on +purpose to gratify the whims of some cold-water quack? Wherefore then +should I bind my liberties with a pledge as a safe-guard to prevent me +from becoming a drunkard? If other men have been foolish enough to allow +themselves to become drunkards by abusing one of the precious gifts of +nature, is that sufficient reason that I should not drink? I think not. +I am no drunkard, nor shall I become one; therefore I will do as I +please with my own liberty and independence." + +Such is indeed the false philosophy of too many moderate drinkers. No +man is a confirmed drunkard at once. It is by degrees that men generally +become inebriates. "Take but a glass," says the recruiting sergeant of +Bacchus, "it will do you no harm." But one glass is but the starting +point. It is the magnet that attracts material akin to itself. What a +world of degradation has been generated by this nucleus of intemperance. + +Intoxicating liquor is indeed the most prolific source of wretchedness +and crime. It has been and still is the greatest curse to humanity. It +is the curse of curses. The grave is filled with its wrecks. The fire of +hell is fed by its fuel. Millions upon millions of human beings has it +hurled down to the blackest regions of eternity. How daring then must +that man be;--how utterly lost to every principle of morality, who would +hazard an assertion in favor of intoxicating drinks as a source of +benefit to mankind. The universal evidence of all ages would be against +him. The horrid shrieks of suffering humanity would denounce his +arguments. Millions of grinning skeletons, blackened with every crime +(if permitted) would startle forth from their infernal dungeons; and in +myriads of drunkards' graves the rattling of dry bones would be heard: +Yea, even hell, its very self, bloated with the souls of inebriates, +would groan with indignation. Nay, call it not happiness that sparkles +in the eye of the rum-drinker and softens his heart and tongue into +kindred sympathy with each other. Happiness arises not from the +flickerings of the brain when heated by the reeking fumes of the liquor +glass. Nor does it arise from the fervid impulses of the heart when +excited by the steaming vapors of the rum bowl. Neither does it exist in +the fluctuating feelings of animal nature when stimulated into action by +the demon-spirit of the brandy bottle. Nor does happiness consist in the +wild revelry of human beings, like madmen, recklessly sporting their +fantastic tricks around the unhallowed altar of Bacchus. Nay, term it +not happiness, call it rather by the name of insanity. + +In conclusion, if any of my readers are addicted to intemperance, or +take only an occasional glass, with a friend, let me entreat of you to +consider this momentous subject: to crush the bottle-serpent ere its +fangs have pierced you fatally to the heart; and at once and forever, to +dash the accursed bowl to the earth. + +Once more, I earnestly entreat of you to pause and reflect. Think of the +countless millions of human beings who have been utterly ruined soul and +body forever by intemperance; think of the immeasurable mass of +wretchedness and crime arising therefrom. Think of your present +condition and your eternal future; and remember also that _every man_, +even in his greatest strength is but a fallable creature; and finally my +dear readers I ask of you to consider seriously the life, career and +death of poor unfortunate Frederick Charlston. + +Finis. + + * * * * * + + + + +The foregoing story is the first of a series entitled--"Tales for +Canadian Homes;" the others will appear in serial form in the +columns of the _Canadian Garland_, a Weekly Newspaper, which the author +intends to establish shortly, in the Village of Durham, Ormstown, County +of Chateauguay, P. Q. + + ANDREW L. SPEDON, + St. Jean Chrysostom, + Chateauguay Co., P.Q. + + + * * * * * + + + +The Poetic Wreath. + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR. + + + + +LIFE'S STRUGGLE. + + + Our life is but a struggle here, + 'Mid good and ill, 'twixt hope and fear, + Thro' dang'rous channels oft we steer, + With reckless force; + But self-made ills make life's career + A rougher course. + + The world is but a human hive; + To keep the varied swarm alive, + Its working bees must toil and strive, + While others feast. + The lazy drones appear to thrive, + Yet work the least. + + The world appears a battle-field, + The stronger rule, the weaker yield, + The golden nerves too often wield + The power which leads, + While justice' scales are oft conceal'd + By selfish deeds. + + Yet still we strive midst hopes and fears, + With pleasure's smiles and sorrow's tears, + And tho' our bustling life appears + A transient breath, + It seems possess'd of endless years + 'Twixt us and death. + + The poor man toils for daily bread; + By him the rich are clothed and fed, + Yet life's to them a greater dread, + Or idle pest, + Their downy couch too oft a bed + Of sleepless rest. + + How many a life's an idle waste, + Its destined glory seems disgraced, + Its vile possessor has defaced + The man divine, + That not a single mark is traced + Of God's design. + + Man's but a child, a restless boy, + His life a game, the world his toy, + He strives for something to enjoy + Unjoy'd before, + Tho' vicious tastes and passions cloy + He longs for more. + + The lust for gold, the love of fame, + The baser passions oft inflame, + And blindly masks the honest name + Of moral worth, + When life exceeds no higher aim + Than this vile earth. + + + Our souls the golden god inspires, + And feeds the life-destroying fires, + Until the fevered heart desires + With selfish greed, + More than it actually requires + For nature's need. + + Life's hardest ills its spirit braves, + O'er mountain-crags and ocean-waves, + Then make ourselves the worst of slaves, + A slave to self, + To satisfy the thirst that craves + For yellow pelf. + + The golden wand with magic art + Throws out the power to charm the heart, + But ah, we feel its bitter smart + When selfish greed + Has robb'd from life that better part + We so much need. + + Alas, when gold absorbs our cares + Life's wheels get dry, the axle wears, + And heavier grows the load it bears, + And faster driven, + Its very dust defiles the prayers + We send to heaven. + + Life's chariot wheels revolve with speed, + Yet faster still we urge our steed, + And scarcely slack the reins to feed + Or ease its breath, + The journey seems but short indeed, + When closed in death. + + We haste it on with worldly care, + Oppressive toil, and meagre fare, + While sin and self-indulgence wear + Our chariot wheels + Increasing still the load they bear, + With countless ills. + + How discontented life appears, + By every wind its compass veers, + Our hopes are tarnish'd by the fears + Of fancied ill, + Even tho' the sun of Fortune cheers, + We grumble still. + + But why complain for everything + That gives our life a random sting; + Altho' we shift our tether-string + To please our will, + We'll always find the change will bring + Both good and ill. + + Then why should we contract our sight + When life turns down the side that's bright + The blast that blows us ills to-night, + With cankering sorrow. + May cheer the clouds which shade the light + That shines to-morrow. + + 'Tis better then to be content, + Altho' we are not worth a cent; + Our precious hours when wisely spent + Are still the best, + For nature's ills are never sent + To be a pest. + + And let it never be our creed, + That when we do an evil deed, + To think that penance can succeed, + To cancel sin; + We pluck the fruit, but still the seed + Remains within. + + But may we daily strive to win + That happy world which knows no sin, + 'Tis on the heaven we form within + Our bliss depends, + Where life celestial shall begin, + Which never ends. + + + + +INDIAN SUMMER. + + + While winter in the dreary North + Lies crouching ready to leap forth, + In "_Indian Summer_" doth appear + The gentle seasons of the year. + + As if they came to shed their bloom + Around their excavated tomb, + To hold their parting interview, + And bid their native world adieu. + + The leaves that linger on the trees + Are smiling in the sunny breeze, + And chanting forth with holy breath + The mournful requiem of their death. + + The desert-fields, tho' bleak and bare, + Seem lovely through the sun-lit air; + The very shades are glowing bright + Beneath the golden mellow light. + + Rejoicing in their freedom still, + On cultured field and pastur'd hill, + The cattle crops the fading grass, + And bless the moments as they pass. + + The ploughman and his trusty team + More happy and contented seem, + From golden rays the furrow'd field + A golden harvest yet may yield. + + From bough to bough in yonder wood + The squirrel frisks in happy mood, + While searching round in hopes to find + That some few nuts are left behind. + + The summer-birds that yearly fly + To yonder Southern sunny sky, + Are hovering round on lingering wing, + And fancy 'tis returning Spring. + + While these sweet hours are gliding by, + How calmly smiles the solemn sky, + With golden hues of radiance bright, + As if it were the cream of light. + + It seems as if an angel's wing + Had wafted back the breath of Spring, + To animate the ling'ring breath + Of Autumn on the bed of death. + + Or from the rays of heavenly dews + Had gilt the earth in rainbow hues, + And o'er the sky so gently flung + The air that once o'er Eden hung. + + 'Tis but the calm before the storm; + The flush of earth's consumptive form; + The hopeful smile, the fever'd breath, + Before the stern approach of death. + + + + +THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSEHOLD. + + + There is a sympathy in love + We bear for those who mourn, + Whose shadows of departed joys + With every thought return. + 'Tis hard to stem the stream of grief + That floods the parents' heart + When death unvails embosom'd hopes, + And throws its fatal dart. + + The nursling of a mother's love, + That nestles on her breast, + Is but a life, celestial gift, + By God's own seal impress'd. + And when its prattling lips rejoice + In innocent delight + The parents' love and cherish'd hope, + With tenfold power unite. + + Anticipated prospects rise + From hope's enchanted dreams, + Converting life's prospective skies + From shade to sunny beams, + But oft, alas, those fancied hopes + Are in the bud destroy'd; + The cherished gift is pluckt away + And leaves a lonely void. + + Its lovely form returns to earth, + Its spirit soars to bliss; + Tho' destin'd to a happy world + It oft may visit this. + Perchance around the household hearth + When prayer's sweet incense rise, + It may return as messenger + To waft it to the skies. + + 'Tis sweet to cherish such a thought, + Even tho' it were untrue, + That spirit-friends are hovering round + Tho' absent from our view. + But, oh! such dreams however sweet, + A solace to impart, + Can never fill the vacant seat, + Nor yet the parents' heart. + + The silent toys, the empty clothes, + Those vestiges of death; + Are full of mournful memories, + Which spring from every breath, + The active form the smiling face, + In every thought appear; + The prattling voice so cheering once + Still lingers in the ear. + + The future casts a shadow now, + And hopes give place to grief, + And all these things so pleasing once + Can give no real relief. + 'Tis only from a heavenly source + That happiness can flow; + There only can the heart procure + A balm for every woe. + + Then ye who mourn your absent ones, + Those gifts by nature given, + Remember tho' 'tis loss to you, + 'Tis gain to Christ in Heaven, + But still the wounded bosom bleeds, + And cankers with its grief, + For things have not their former charms + To lend the soul relief. + + There is no solid base on earth, + On which our hopes are sure; + The Rock of Heaven alone can make + Our faith and hope secure. + This life is full of varied ills, + With pain in every breath; + And everything, however pure, + Contains the germs of death. + + How feeble is that vital thread, + Which holds us to the earth; + It may be snapt at hoary age, + Or at the infants' birth. + We see it break in every clime, + At every age and hour, + And still we live as if its strength, + Could match our Maker's power. + + The curse of sin like Cain's mark + Is stampt on every brow; + And to the idols of the earth + We in submission bow. + Earth's things may seem as tangible + To life's short-sighted eyes, + But from the magic touch of death + The cherish'd vision flies. + + The soul itself, like Noah's dove, + But flutters out its strength + Around the earth, its safety ark, + Then flies away at length. + Perchance it may, while hovering here, + Some olive-leaf procure, + An emblem of a spirit-world, + Whose solid base is sure. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK-SEALED LETTER*** + + +******* This file should be named 18514.txt or 18514.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/5/1/18514 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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