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diff --git a/2697-h/2697-h.htm b/2697-h/2697-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a6f68fd --- /dev/null +++ b/2697-h/2697-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14327 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Guardian Angel, by Oliver Wendell Holmes + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Project Gutenberg's The Guardian Angel, by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. + +(The Physician and Poet, not the Jurist, O. W. Holmes, Jr.) + +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 Guardian Angel + +Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. + +Release Date: August 16, 2006 [EBook #2697] +Last Updated: February 18, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUARDIAN ANGEL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + THE GUARDIAN ANGEL + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Oliver Wendell Holmes + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> TO MY READERS. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION. </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0003"> <b>THE GUARDIAN ANGEL</b> </a><br /><br /> <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a>AN ADVERTISEMENT. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a>GREAT EXCITEMENT <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a>ANTECEDENTS. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a>BYLES GRIDLEY, A. M. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a>THE TWINS. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a>THE USE OF SPECTACLES. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a>MYRTLE'S LETTER—THE YOUNG + MEN'S PURSUIT. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a>DOWN + THE RIVER. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a>MR. + CLEMENT LINDSAY RECEIVES A LETTER, AND BEGINS HIS ANSWER. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a>MR. CLEMENT LINDSAY FINISHES HIS + LETTER—WHAT CAME OF IT. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER + XI. </a>VEXED WITH A DEVIL. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER + XII. </a>SKIRMISHING. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. + </a>BATTLE. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a>FLANK + MOVEMENT. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a>ARRIVAL OF + REINFORCEMENTS. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a>VICTORY. + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a>SAINT AND SINNER + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a>VILLAGE POET. + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a>SUSAN'S YOUNG MAN. + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a>THE SECOND MEETING. + <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a>MADNESS? <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a>A CHANGE OF PROGRAMME. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a>MYRTLE HAZARD AT THE CITY + SCHOOL. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a>MUSTERING + OF FORCES. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a>THE POET + AND THE PUBLISHER. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a>MRS. + CLYMER KETCHUM'S PARTY. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER + XXVII. </a>MINE AND COUNTERMINE. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0028"> + CHAPTER XXVIII. </a>MR. BRADSHAW CALLS ON MISS BADLAM <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a>MISTRESS KITTY FAGAN CALLS ON + MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. + </a>MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY CALLS ON MISS CYNTHIA BADLAM. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a>MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY CONSULTS + WITH JACOB PENHALLOW, ESQUIRE <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER + XXXII. </a>SUSAN POSEY'S TRIAL. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0033"> + CHAPTER XXXIII. </a>JUST AS YOU EXPECTED. <br /><br /><a + href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. </a>MURRAY BRADSHAW PLAYS HIS LAST + CARD. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. </a>THE SPOTTED + PAPER. <br /><br /><a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. </a>CONCLUSION. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TO MY READERS. + </h2> + <p> + “A new Preface” is, I find, promised with my story. If there are any among + my readers who loved Aesop's Fables chiefly on account of the Moral + appended, they will perhaps be pleased to turn backward and learn what I + have to say here. + </p> + <p> + This tale forms a natural sequence to a former one, which some may + remember, entitled “Elsie Venner.” Like that,—it is intended for two + classes of readers, of which the smaller one includes the readers of the + “Morals” in Aesop and of this Preface. + </p> + <p> + The first of the two stories based itself upon an experiment which some + thought cruel, even on paper. It imagined an alien element introduced into + the blood of a human being before that being saw the light. It showed a + human nature developing itself in conflict with the ophidian + characteristics and instincts impressed upon it during the pre-natal + period. Whether anything like this ever happened, or was possible, + mattered little: it enabled me, at any rate, to suggest the limitations of + human responsibility in a simple and effective way. + </p> + <p> + The story which follows comes more nearly within the range of common + experience. The successive development of inherited bodily aspects and + habitudes is well known to all who have lived long enough to see families + grow up under their own eyes. The same thing happens, but less obviously + to common observation, in the mental and moral nature. There is something + frightful in the way in which not only characteristic qualities, but + particular manifestations of them, are repeated from generation to + generation. Jonathan Edwards the younger tells the story of a brutal + wretch in New Haven who was abusing his father, when the old man cried + out, “Don't drag me any further, for I did n't drag my father beyond this + tree.” [The original version of this often-repeated story may be found in + Aristotle's Ethics, Book 7th, Chapter 7th.] I have attempted to show the + successive evolution of some inherited qualities in the character of + Myrtle Hazard, not so obtrusively as to disturb the narrative, but plainly + enough to be kept in sight by the small class of preface-readers. + </p> + <p> + If I called these two stories Studies of the Reflex Function in its higher + sphere, I should frighten away all but the professors and the learned + ladies. If I should proclaim that they were protests against the + scholastic tendency to shift the total responsibility of all human action + from the Infinite to the finite, I might alarm the jealousy of the + cabinet-keepers of our doctrinal museums. By saying nothing about it, the + large majority of those whom my book reaches, not being preface-readers, + will never suspect anything to harm them beyond the simple facts of the + narrative. + </p> + <p> + Should any professional alarmist choose to confound the doctrine of + limited responsibility with that which denies the existence of any + self-determining power, he may be presumed to belong to the class of + intellectual half-breeds, of which we have many representatives in our new + country, wearing the garb of civilization, and even the gown of + scholarship. If we cannot follow the automatic machinery of nature into + the mental and moral world, where it plays its part as much as in the + bodily functions, without being accused of laying “all that we are evil in + to a divine thrusting on,” we had better return at once to our old + demonology, and reinstate the Leader of the Lower House in his + time-honored prerogatives. + </p> + <p> + As fiction sometimes seems stranger than truth, a few words may be needed + here to make some of my characters and statements appear probable. The + long-pending question involving a property which had become in the mean + time of immense value finds its parallel in the great De Haro land-case, + decided in the Supreme Court while this story was in progress (May 14th, + 1867). The experiment of breaking the child's will by imprisonment and + fasting is borrowed from a famous incident, happening long before the case + lately before one of the courts of a neighboring Commonwealth, where a + little girl was beaten to death because she would not say her prayers. The + mental state involving utter confusion of different generations in a + person yet capable of forming a correct judgment on other matters, is + almost a direct transcript from nature. I should not have ventured to + repeat the questions of the daughters of the millionaires to Myrtle Hazard + about her family conditions, and their comments, had not a lady of fortune + and position mentioned to me a similar circumstance in the school history + of one of her own children. Perhaps I should have hesitated in reproducing + Myrtle Hazard's “Vision,” but for a singular experience of his own related + to me by the late Mr. Forceythe Willson. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins (under various alliasis) has been a frequent correspondent + of mine. I have also received a good many communications, signed with + various names, which must have been from near female relatives of that + young gentleman. I once sent a kind of encyclical letter to the whole + family connection; but as the delusion under which they labor is still + common, and often leads to the wasting of time, the contempt of honest + study or humble labor, and the misapplication of intelligence not so far + below mediocrity as to be incapable of affording a respectable return when + employed in the proper direction, I thought this picture from life might + also be of service. When I say that no genuine young poet will apply it to + himself, I think I have so far removed the sting that few or none will + complain of being wounded. + </p> + <p> + It is lamentable to be forced to add that the Reverend Joseph Bellamy + Stoker is only a softened copy of too many originals to whom, as a regular + attendant upon divine worship from my childhood to the present time, I + have respectfully listened, while they dealt with me and mine and the bulk + of their fellow-creatures after the manner of their sect. If, in the + interval between his first showing himself in my story and its publication + in a separate volume, anything had occurred to make me question the + justice or expediency of drawing and exhibiting such a portrait, I should + have reconsidered it, with the view of retouching its sharper features. + But its essential truthfulness has been illustrated every month or two, + since my story has been in the course of publication, by a fresh example + from real life, stamped in darker colors than any with which I should have + thought of staining my pages. + </p> + <p> + There are a great many good clergymen to one bad one, but a writer finds + it hard to keep to the true proportion of good and bad persons in telling + a story. The three or four good ministers I have introduced in this + narrative must stand for many whom I have known and loved, and some of + whom I count to-day among my most valued friends. I hope the best and + wisest of them will like this story and approve it. If they cannot all do + this, I know they will recognize it as having been written with a right + and honest purpose. + </p> + <p> + BOSTON, 1867. <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION. + </h2> + <p> + It is a quarter of a century since the foregoing Preface was written, and + that is long enough to allow a story to be forgotten by the public, and + very possibly by the writer of it also. I will not pretend that I have + forgotten all about “The Guardian Angel,” but it is long since I have read + it, and many of its characters and incidents are far from being distinct + in my memory. There are, however, a few points which hold their place + among my recollections. The revolt of Myrtle Hazard from the tyranny of + that dogmatic dynasty now breaking up in all directions has found new + illustrations since this tale was written. I need only refer to two + instances of many. The first is from real life. Mr. Robert C. Adams's + work, “Travels in Faith from Tradition to Reason,” is the outcome of the + teachings of one of the most intransigeant of our New England Calvinists, + the late Reverend Nehemiah Adams. For an example in fiction,—fiction + which bears all the marks of being copied from real life,—I will + refer to “The Story of an African Farm.” The boy's honest, but terrible + outburst, “I hate God,” was, I doubt not, more acceptable in the view of + his Maker than the lying praise of many a hypocrite who, having enthroned + a demon as Lord of the Universe, thinks to conciliate his favor by using + the phrases which the slaves of Eastern despots are in the habit of + addressing to their masters. I have had many private letters showing the + same revolt of reasoning natures against doctrines which shock the more + highly civilized part of mankind in this nineteenth century and are + leading to those dissensions which have long shown as cracks, and are fast + becoming lines of cleavage in some of the largest communions of + Protestantism. + </p> + <p> + The principle of heredity has been largely studied since this story was + written. This tale, like “Elsie Venner,” depends for its deeper + significance on the ante-natal history of its subject. But the story was + meant to be readable for those who did not care for its underlying + philosophy. If it fails to interest the reader who ventures upon it, it + may find a place on an unfrequented bookshelf in common with other + “medicated novels.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps I have been too hard with Gifted Hopkins and the tribe of + rhymesters to which he belongs. I ought not to forget that I too + introduced myself to the reading world in a thin volume of verses; many of + which had better not have been written, and would not be reprinted now, + but for the fact that they have established a right to a place among my + poems in virtue of long occupancy. Besides, although the writing of verses + is often a mark of mental weakness, I cannot forget that Joseph Story and + George Bancroft each published his little book, of rhymes, and that John + Quincy Adams has left many poems on record, the writing of which did not + interfere with the vast and important labors of his illustrious career. + </p> + <p> + BEVERLY FARMS, MASS., August 7, 1891. O. W. H. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE GUARDIAN ANGEL + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. AN ADVERTISEMENT. + </h2> + <p> + On Saturday, the 18th day of June, 1859, the “State Banner and Delphian + Oracle,” published weekly at Oxbow Village, one of the principal centres + in a thriving river-town of New England, contained an advertisement which + involved the story of a young life, and stained the emotions of a small + community. Such faces of dismay, such shaking of heads, such gatherings at + corners, such halts of complaining, rheumatic wagons, and dried-up, + chirruping chaises, for colloquy of their still-faced tenants, had not + been known since the rainy November Friday, when old Malachi Withers was + found hanging in his garret up there at the lonely house behind the + poplars. + </p> + <p> + The number of the “Banner and Oracle” which contained this advertisement + was a fair specimen enough of the kind of newspaper to which it belonged. + Some extracts from a stray copy of the issue of the date referred to will + show the reader what kind of entertainment the paper was accustomed to + furnish its patrons, and also serve some incidental purposes of the writer + in bringing into notice a few personages who are to figure in this + narrative. + </p> + <p> + The copy in question was addressed to one of its regular subscribers,—“B. + Gridley, Esq.” The sarcastic annotations at various points, enclosed in + brackets and italicised that they may be distinguished from any other + comments, were taken from the pencilled remarks of that gentleman, + intended for the improvement of a member of the family in which he + resided, and are by no means to be attributed to the harmless pen which + reproduces them. + </p> + <p> + Byles Gridley, A. M., as he would have been styled by persons acquainted + with scholarly dignities, was a bachelor, who had been a schoolmaster, a + college tutor, and afterwards for many years professor,—a man of + learning, of habits, of whims and crotchets, such as are hardly to be + found, except in old, unmarried students,—the double flowers of + college culture, their stamina all turned to petals, their stock in the + life of the race all funded in the individual. Being a man of letters, + Byles Gridley naturally rather undervalued the literary acquirements of + the good people of the rural district where he resided, and, having known + much of college and something of city life, was apt to smile at the + importance they attached to their little local concerns. He was, of + course, quite as much an object of rough satire to the natural observers + and humorists, who are never wanting in a New England village,—perhaps + not in any village where a score or two of families are brought together,—enough + of them, at any rate, to furnish the ordinary characters of a real-life + stock company. + </p> + <p> + The old Master of Arts was a permanent boarder in the house of a very + worthy woman, relict of the late Ammi Hopkins, by courtesy Esquire, whose + handsome monument—in a finished and carefully colored lithograph, + representing a finely shaped urn under a very nicely groomed willow—hung + in her small, well-darkened, and, as it were, monumental parlor. Her + household consisted of herself, her son, nineteen years of age, of whom + more hereafter, and of two small children, twins, left upon her doorstep + when little more than mere marsupial possibilities, taken in for the + night, kept for a week, and always thereafter cherished by the good soul + as her own; also of Miss Susan Posey, aged eighteen, at school at the + “Academy” in another part of the same town, a distant relative, boarding + with her. + </p> + <p> + What the old scholar took the village paper for it would be hard to guess, + unless for a reason like that which carried him very regularly to hear the + preaching of the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker, colleague of the old minister + of the village parish; namely, because he did not believe a word of his + favorite doctrines, and liked to go there so as to growl to himself + through the sermon, and go home scolding all the way about it. + </p> + <p> + The leading article of the “Banner and Oracle” for June 18th must have + been of superior excellence, for, as Mr. Gridley remarked, several of the + “metropolitan” journals of the date of June 15th and thereabout had + evidently conversed with the writer and borrowed some of his ideas before + he gave them to the public. The Foreign News by the Europa at Halifax, + 15th, was spread out in the amplest dimensions the type of the office + could supply. More battles! The Allies victorious! The King and General + Cialdini beat the Austrians at Palestro! 400 Austrians drowned in a canal! + Anti-French feeling in Germany! Allgermine Zeiturg talks of conquest of + Allsatia and Loraine and the occupation of Paris! [Vicious digs with a + pencil through the above proper names.] Race for the Derby won by Sir + Joseph Hawley's Musjid! [That's what England cares for! Hooray for the + Darby! Italy be deedeed!] Visit of Prince Alfred to the Holy Land. Letter + from our own Correspondent. [Oh! Oh! A West Minkville?] Cotton advanced. + Breadstuffs declining.—Deacon Rumrill's barn burned down on Saturday + night. A pig missing; supposed to have “fallen a prey to the devouring + element.” [Got roasted.] A yellow mineral had been discovered on the + Doolittle farm, which, by the report of those who had seen it, bore a + strong resemblance to California gold ore. Much excitement in the + neighborhood in consequence [Idiots! Iron pyrites!] A hen at Four Corners + had just laid an egg measuring 7 by 8 inches. Fetch on your biddies! + [Editorial wit!] A man had shot an eagle measuring six feet and a half + from tip to tip of his wings.—Crops suffering for want of rain + [Always just so. “Dry times, Father Noah!”] The editors had received a + liberal portion of cake from the happy couple whose matrimonial union was + recorded in the column dedicated to Hymen. Also a superior article of + [article of! bah!] steel pen from the enterprising merchant [shopkeeper] + whose advertisement was to be found on the third page of this paper.—An + interesting Surprise Party [cheap theatricals] had transpired [bah!] on + Thursday evening last at the house of the Rev. Mr. Stoker. The + parishioners had donated [donated! GIVE is a good word enough for the + Lord's Prayer. DONATE our daily bread!] a bag of meal, a bushel of beans, + a keg of pickles, and a quintal of salt-fish. The worthy pastor was much + affected, etc., etc. [Of course. Call'em. SENSATION parties and done with + it!] The Rev. Dr. Pemberton and the venerable Dr. Hurlbut honored the + occasion with their presence.—We learn that the Rev. Ambrose + Eveleth, rector of St. Bartholomew's Chapel, has returned from his + journey, and will officiate to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + Then came strings of advertisements, with a luxuriant vegetation of + capitals and notes of admiration. More of those PRIME GOODS! Full + Assortments of every Article in our line! [Except the one thing you want!] + Auction Sale. Old furniture, feather-beds, bed-spreads [spreads! ugh!], + setts [setts!] crockery-ware, odd vols., ullage bbls. of this and that, + with other household goods, etc., etc., etc.,—the etceteras meaning + all sorts of insane movables, such as come out of their bedlam-holes when + an antiquated domestic establishment disintegrates itself at a country + “vandoo.”—Several announcements of “Feed,” whatever that may be,—not + restaurant dinners, anyhow,—also of “Shorts,”—terms mysterious + to city ears as jute and cudbear and gunnybags to such as drive oxen in + the remote interior districts.—Then the marriage column above + alluded to, by the fortunate recipients of the cake. Right opposite, as if + for matrimonial ground-bait, a Notice that Whereas my wife, Lucretia Babb, + has left my bed and board, I will not be responsible, etc., etc., from + this date.—Jacob Penhallow (of the late firm Wibird and Penhallow) + had taken Mr. William Murray Bradshaw into partnership, and the business + of the office would be carried on as usual under the title Penhallow and + Bradshaw, Attorneys at Law. Then came the standing professional card of + Dr. Lemuel Hurlbut and Dr. Fordyce Hurlbut, the medical patriarch of the + town and his son. Following this, hideous quack advertisements, some of + them with the certificates of Honorables, Esquires, and Clergymen.—Then + a cow, strayed or stolen from the subscriber.—Then the advertisement + referred to in our first paragraph: + </p> + <p> + MYRTLE HAZARD has been missing from her home in this place since Thursday + morning, June 16th. She is fifteen years old, tall and womanly for her + age, has dark hair and eyes, fresh complexion, regular features, pleasant + smile and voice, but shy with strangers. Her common dress was a black and + white gingham check, straw hat, trimmed with green ribbon. It is feared + she may have come to harm in some way, or be wandering at large in a state + of temporary mental alienation. Any information relating to the missing + child will be gratefully received and properly rewarded by her afflicted + aunt, + </p> + <p> + MISS SILENCE WITHERS, Residing at the Withers Homestead, otherwise known + as “The Poplars,” in this village. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. GREAT EXCITEMENT + </h2> + <p> + The publication of the advertisement in the paper brought the village + fever of the last two days to its height. Myrtle Hazard's disappearance + had been pretty well talked round through the immediate neighborhood, but + now that forty-eight hours of search and inquiry had not found her, and + the alarm was so great that the young girl's friends were willing to + advertise her in a public journal, it was clear that the gravest + apprehensions were felt and justified. The paper carried the tidings to + many who had not heard it. Some of the farmers who had been busy all the + week with their fields came into the village in their wagons on Saturday, + and there first learned the news, and saw the paper, and the placards + which were posted up, and listened, open-mouthed, to the whole story. + </p> + <p> + Saturday was therefore a day of much agitation in Oxbow Village, and some + stir in the neighboring settlements. Of course there was a great variety + of comment, its character depending very much on the sense, knowledge, and + disposition of the citizens, gossips, and young people who talked over the + painful and mysterious occurrence. + </p> + <p> + The Withers Homestead was naturally the chief centre of interest. Nurse + Byloe, an ancient and voluminous woman, who had known the girl when she + was a little bright-eyed child, handed over “the baby” she was holding to + another attendant, and got on her things to go straight up to The Poplars. + She had been holding “the baby” these forty years and more, but somehow it + never got to be more than a month or six weeks old. She reached The + Poplars after much toil and travail. Mistress Fagan, Irish, house-servant, + opened the door, at which Nurse Byloe knocked softly, as she was in the + habit of doing at the doors of those who sent for her. + </p> + <p> + “Have you heerd anything yet, Kitty Fagan?” asked Nurse Byloe. + </p> + <p> + “Niver a blissed word,” said she. “Miss Withers is upstairs with Miss + Bathsheby, a cryin' and a lamentin'. Miss Badlam's in the parlor. The men + has been draggin' the pond. They have n't found not one thing, but only + jest two, and that was the old coffeepot and the gray cat,—it's them + nigger boys hanged her with a string they tied round her neck and then + drownded her.” [P. Fagan, Jr., Aet. 14, had a snarl of similar string in + his pocket.] + </p> + <p> + Mistress Fagan opened the door of the best parlor. A woman was sitting + there alone, rocking back and forward, and fanning herself with the + blackest of black fans. + </p> + <p> + “Nuss Byloe, is that you? Well, to be sure, I'm glad to see you, though we + 're all in trouble. Set right down, Nuss, do. Oh, it's dreadful times!” + </p> + <p> + A handkerchief which was in readiness for any emotional overflow was here + called on for its function. + </p> + <p> + Nurse Byloe let herself drop into a flaccid squab chair with one of those + soft cushions, filled with slippery feathers, which feel so fearfully like + a very young infant, or a nest of little kittens, as they flatten under + the subsiding person. + </p> + <p> + The woman in the rocking-chair was Miss Cynthia Badlam, second-cousin of + Miss Silence Withers, with whom she had been living as a companion at + intervals for some years. She appeared to be thirty-five years old, more + or less, and looked not badly for that stage of youth, though of course + she might have been handsomer at twenty, as is often the case with women. + She wore a not unbecoming cap; frequent headaches had thinned her locks + somewhat of late years. Features a little too sharp, a keen, gray eye, a + quick and restless glance, which rather avoided being met, gave the + impression that she was a wide-awake, cautious, suspicious, and, very + possibly, crafty person. + </p> + <p> + “I could n't help comin',” said Nurse Byloe, “we do so love our babies,—how + can we help it, Miss Badlam?” + </p> + <p> + The spinster colored up at the nurse's odd way of using the possessive + pronoun, and dropped her eyes, as was natural on hearing such a speech. + </p> + <p> + “I never tended children as you have, Nuss,” she said. “But I 've known + Myrtle Hazard ever since she was three years old, and to think she should + have come to such an end,—'The heart is deceitful above all things + and desperately wicked,'”—and she wept. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Cynthy Badlam, what do y' mean?” said Nurse Byloe. “Y' don't think + anything dreadful has come o' that child's wild nater, do ye?” + </p> + <p> + “Child!” said Cynthia Badlam,—“child enough to wear this very gown I + have got on and not find it too big for her neither.” [It would have + pinched Myrtle here and there pretty shrewdly.] + </p> + <p> + The two women looked each other in the eyes with subtle interchange of + intelligence, such as belongs to their sex in virtue of its specialty. + Talk without words is half their conversation, just as it is all the + conversation of the lower animals. Only the dull senses of men are dead to + it as to the music of the spheres. + </p> + <p> + Their minds travelled along, as if they had been yoked together, through + whole fields of suggestive speculation, until the dumb growths of thought + ripened in both their souls into articulate speech, consentingly, as the + movement comes after the long stillness of a Quaker meeting. + </p> + <p> + Their lips opened at the same moment. “You don't mean”—began Nurse + Byloe, but stopped as she heard Miss Badlam also speaking. + </p> + <p> + “They need n't drag the pond,” she said. “They need n't go beating the + woods as if they were hunting a patridge,—though for that matter + Myrtle Hazard was always more like a patridge than she was like a pullet. + Nothing ever took hold of that girl,—not catechising, nor advising, + nor punishing. It's that dreadful will of hers never was broke. I've + always been afraid that she would turn out a child of wrath. Did y' ever + watch her at meetin' playing with posies and looking round all the time of + the long prayer? That's what I've seen her do many and many a time. I'm + afraid—Oh dear! Miss Byloe, I'm afraid to say—what I'm afraid + of. Men are so wicked, and young girls are full of deceit and so ready to + listen to all sorts of artful creturs that take advantage of their + ignorance and tender years.” She wept once more, this time with sobs that + seemed irrepressible. + </p> + <p> + “Dear suz!” said the nurse, “I won't believe no sech thing as wickedness + about Myrtle Hazard. You mean she's gone an' run off with some + good-for-nothin' man or other? If that ain't what y' mean, what do y' + mean? It can't be so, Miss Badlam: she's one o' my babies. At any rate, I + handled her when she fust come to this village,—and none o' my + babies never did sech a thing. Fifteen year old, and be bringin' a whole + family into disgrace! If she was thirty year old, or five-an'-thirty or + more, and never'd had a chance to be married, and if one o' them artful + creturs you was talkin' of got hold of her, then, to be sure,—why, + dear me!—law! I never thought, Miss Badlam!—but then of course + you could have had your pickin' and choosin' in the time of it; and I + don't mean to say it's too late now if you felt called that way, for + you're better lookin' now than some that's younger, and there's no + accountin' for tastes.” + </p> + <p> + A sort of hysteric twitching that went through the frame of Cynthia Badlam + dimly suggested to the old nurse that she was not making her slightly + indiscreet personality much better by her explanations. She stopped short, + and surveyed the not uncomely person of the maiden lady sitting before her + with her handkerchief pressed to her eyes, and one hand clenching the arm + of the reeking-chair, as if some spasm had clamped it there. The nurse + looked at her with a certain growing interest she had never felt before. + It was the first time for some years that she had had such a chance, + partly because Miss Cynthia had often been away for long periods,—partly + because she herself had been busy professionally. There was no occasion + for her services, of course, in the family at The Poplars; and she was + always following round from place to place after that everlasting + migratory six-weeks or less old baby. + </p> + <p> + There was not a more knowing pair of eyes, in their way, in a circle of + fifty miles, than those kindly tranquil orbs that Nurse Byloe fixed on + Cynthia Badlam. The silver threads in the side fold of hair, the delicate + lines at the corner of the eye, the slight drawing down at the angle of + the mouth,—almost imperceptible, but the nurse dwelt upon it,—a + certain moulding of the features as of an artist's clay model worked by + delicate touches with the fingers, showing that time or pain or grief had + had a hand in shaping them, the contours, the adjustment of every fold of + the dress, the attitude, the very way of breathing, were all passed + through the searching inspection of the ancient expert, trained to know + all the changes wrought by time and circumstance. It took not so long as + it takes to describe it, but it was an analysis of imponderables, equal to + any of Bunsen's with the spectroscope. + </p> + <p> + Miss Badlam removed her handkerchief and looked in a furtive, questioning + way, in her turn, upon the nurse. + </p> + <p> + “It's dreadful close here,—I'm 'most smothered,” Nurse Byloe said; + and, putting her hand to her throat, unclasped the catch of the necklace + of gold beads she had worn since she was a baby,—a bead having been + added from time to time as she thickened. It lay in a deep groove of her + large neck, and had not troubled her in breathing before, since the day + when her husband was run over by an ox-team. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Miss Silence Withers entered, followed by Bathsheba Stoker, + daughter of Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker. + </p> + <p> + She was the friend of Myrtle, and had come to comfort Miss Silence, and + consult with her as to what further search they should institute. The two, + Myrtle's aunt and her friend, were as unlike as they could well be. + Silence Withers was something more than forty years old, a shadowy, + pinched, sallow, dispirited, bloodless woman, with the habitual look of + the people in the funeral carriage which follows next to the hearse, and + the tone in speaking that may be noticed in a household where one of its + members is lying white and still in a cool, darkened chamber overhead. + Bathsheba Stoker was not called handsome; but she had her mother's + youthful smile, which was so fresh and full of sweetness that she seemed + like a beauty while she was speaking or listening; and she could never be + plain so long as any expression gave life to her features. In perfect + repose, her face, a little prematurely touched by sad experiences,—for + she was but seventeen years old,—had the character and decision + stamped in its outlines which any young man who wanted a companion to + warn, to comfort, and command him, might have depended on as warranting + the courage, the sympathy, and the sense demanded for such a + responsibility. She had been trying her powers of consolation on Miss + Silence. It was a sudden freak of Myrtle's. She had gone off on some + foolish but innocent excursion. Besides, she was a girl that would take + care of herself; for she was afraid of nothing, and nimbler than any boy + of her age, and almost as strong as any. As for thinking any bad thoughts + about her, that was a shame; she cared for none of the young fellows that + were round her. Cyprian Eveleth was the one she thought most of; but + Cyprian was as true as his sister Olive, and who else was there? + </p> + <p> + To all this Miss Silence answered only by sighing and moaning, For two + whole days she had been kept in constant fear and worry, afraid every + minute of some tragical message, perplexed by the conflicting advice of + all manner of officious friends, sleepless of course through the two + nights, and now utterly broken down and collapsed. + </p> + <p> + Bathsheba had said all she could in the way of consolation, and hastened + back to her mother's bedside, which she hardly left, except for the + briefest of visits. + </p> + <p> + “It's a great trial, Miss Withers, that's laid on you,” said Nurse Byloe. + </p> + <p> + “If I only knew that she was dead, and had died in the Lord,” Miss Silence + answered,—“if I only knew that but if she is living in sin, or dead + in wrong—doing, what is to become of me?—Oh, what is to become + of me when 'He maketh inquisition far blood'?” + </p> + <p> + “Cousin Silence,” said Miss Cynthia, “it is n't your fault, if that young + girl has taken to evil ways. If going to meeting three times every Sabbath + day, and knowing the catechism by heart, and reading of good books, and + the best of daily advice, and all needful discipline, could have corrected + her sinful nature, she would never have run away from a home where she + enjoyed all these privileges. It's that Indian blood, Cousin Silence. It's + a great mercy you and I have n't got any of it in our veins! What can you + expect of children that come from heathens and savages? You can't lay it + to yourself, Cousin Silence, if Myrtle Hazard goes wrong”— + </p> + <p> + “The Lord will lay it to me,—the Lord will lay it to me,” she + moaned. “Did n't he say to Cain, 'Where is Abel, thy brother?'” + </p> + <p> + Nurse Byloe was getting very red in the face. She had had about enough of + this talk between the two women. “I hope the Lard 'll take care of Myrtle + Hazard fust, if she's in trouble, 'n' wants help,” she said; “'n' then + look out for them that comes next. Y' 're too suspicious, Miss Badlam; y' + 're too easy to believe stories. Myrtle Hazard was as pretty a child and + as good a child as ever I see, if you did n't rile her; 'n' d' d y' ever + see one o' them hearty lively children, that had n't a sperrit of its own? + For my part, I'd rather handle one of 'em than a dozen o' them little + waxy, weak-eyed, slim-necked creturs that always do what they tell 'em to, + and die afore they're a dozen year old; and never was the time when I've + seen Myrtle Hazard, sence she was my baby, but what it's always been, + 'Good mornin', Miss Byloe,' and 'How do you do, Miss Byloe? I'm so glad to + see you.' The handsomest young woman, too, as all the old folks will agree + in tellin' you, s'ence the time o' Judith Pride that was,—the Pride + of the County they used to call her, for her beauty. Her great-grandma, y' + know, Miss Cynthy, married old King David Withers. What I want to know is, + whether anything has been heerd, and jest what's been done about findin' + the poor thing. How d' ye know she has n't fell into the river? Have they + fired cannon? They say that busts the gall of drownded folks, and makes + the corpse rise. Have they looked in the woods everywhere? Don't believe + no wrong of nobody, not till y' must,—least of all of them that come + o' the same folks, partly, and has lived with yo all their days. I tell + y', Myrtle Hazard's jest as innocent of all what y' 've been thinkin' + about,—bless the poor child; she's got a soul that's as clean and + sweet-well, as a pond-lily when it fust opens of a mornin', without a + speck on it no more than on the fust pond-lily God Almighty ever made!” + </p> + <p> + That gave a turn to the two women's thoughts, and their handkerchiefs went + up to their faces. Nurse Byloe turned her eyes quickly on Cynthia Badlam, + and repeated her close inspection of every outline and every light and + shadow in her figure. She did not announce any opinion as to the age or + good looks or general aspect or special points of Miss Cynthia; but she + made a sound which the books write humph! but which real folks make with + closed lips, thus: m'!—a sort of half-suppressed labio-palato-nasal + utterance, implying that there is a good deal which might be said, and all + the vocal organs want to have a chance at it, if there is to be any + talking. + </p> + <p> + Friends and neighbors were coming in and out; and the next person that + came was the old minister, of whom, and of his colleague, the Rev. Joseph + Bellamy Stoker, some account may here be introduced. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Eliphalet Pemberton Father Pemberton as brother ministers called + him, Priest Pemberton as he was commonly styled by the country people—would + have seemed very old, if the medical patriarch of the village had not been + so much older. A man over ninety is a great comfort to all his elderly + neighbors: he is a picket-guard at the extreme outpost; and the young + folks of sixty and seventy feel that the enemy must get by him before he + can come near their camp. Dr. Hurlbut, at ninety-two, made Priest + Pemberton seem comparatively little advanced; but the college catalogue + showed that he must be seventy-five years old, if, as we may suppose, he + was twenty at the time of his graduation. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of noble presence always, and now, in the grandeur of his + flowing silver hair and with the gray shaggy brows overhanging his serene + and solemn eyes, with the slow gravity of motion and the measured dignity + of speech which gave him the air of an old pontiff, he was an imposing + personage to look upon, and could be awful, if the occasion demanded it. + His creed was of the sternest: he was looked up to as a bulwark against + all the laxities which threatened New England theology. But it was a creed + rather of the study and of the pulpit than of every-day application among + his neighbors. He dealt too much in the lofty abstractions which had + always such fascinations for the higher class of New England divines, to + busy himself as much as he might have done with the spiritual condition of + individuals. He had also a good deal in him of what he used to call the + Old Man, which, as he confessed, he had never succeeded in putting off,—meaning + thereby certain qualities belonging to humanity, as much as the natural + gifts of the dumb creatures belong to them, and tending to make a man + beloved by his weak and erring fellow-mortals. + </p> + <p> + In the olden time he would have lived and died king of his parish, + monarch, by Divine right, as the noblest, grandest, wisest of all that + made up the little nation within hearing of his meeting-house bell. But + Young Calvinism has less reverence and more love of novelty than its + forefathers. It wants change, and it loves young blood. Polyandry is + getting to be the normal condition of the Church; and about the time a man + is becoming a little overripe for the livelier human sentiments, he may be + pretty sure the women are looking round to find him a colleague. In this + way it was that the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker became the colleague of the + Rev. Eliphalet Pemberton. + </p> + <p> + If one could have dived deep below all the Christian graces—the + charity, the sweetness of disposition, the humility—of Father + Pemberton, he would have found a small remnant of the “Old Man,” as the + good clergyman would have called it, which was never in harmony with the + Rev. Mr. Stoker. The younger divine felt his importance, and made his + venerable colleague feel that he felt it. Father Pemberton had a fair + chance at rainy Sundays and hot summer-afternoon services; but the junior + pushed him aside without ceremony whenever he thought there was like to be + a good show in the pews. As for those courtesies which the old need, to + soften the sense of declining faculties and failing attractions, the + younger pastor bestowed them in public, but was negligent of them, to say + the least, when not on exhibition. + </p> + <p> + Good old Father Pemberton could not love this man, but he would not hate + him, and he never complained to him or of him. It would have been of no + use if he had: the women of the parish had taken up the Rev. Mr. Stoker; + and when the women run after a minister or a doctor, what do the men + signify? + </p> + <p> + Why the women ran after him, some thought it was not hard to guess. He was + not ill-looking, according to the village standard, parted his hair + smoothly, tied his white cravat carefully, was fluent, plausible, had a + gift in prayer, was considered eloquent, was fond of listening to their + spiritual experiences, and had a sickly wife. This is what Byles Gridley + said; but he was apt to be caustic at times. + </p> + <p> + Father Pemberton visited his people but rarely. Like Jonathan Edwards, + like David Osgood, he felt his call to be to study-work, and was impatient + of the egotisms and spiritual megrims, in listening to which, especially + from the younger females of his flock, his colleague had won the hearts of + so many of his parishioners. His presence had a wonderful effect in + restoring the despondent Miss Silence to her equanimity; for not all the + hard divinity he had preached for half a century had spoiled his kindly + nature; and not the gentle Melanchthon himself, ready to welcome death as + a refuge from the rage and bitterness of theologians, was more in contrast + with the disputants with whom he mingled, than the old minister, in the + hour of trial, with the stern dogmatist in his study, forging thunderbolts + to smite down sinners. + </p> + <p> + It was well that there were no tithing-men about on that next day, Sunday; + for it shone no Sabbath day for the young men within half a dozen miles of + the village. They were out on Bear Hill the whole day, beating up the + bushes as if for game, scaring old crows out of their ragged nests, and in + one dark glen startling a fierce-eyed, growling, bobtailed catamount, who + sat spitting and looking all ready to spring at them, on the tall tree + where he clung with his claws unsheathed, until a young fellow came up + with a gun and shot him dead. They went through and through the swamp at + Musquash Hollow; but found nothing better than a wicked old + snapping-turtle, evil to behold, with his snaky head and alligator tail, + but worse to meddle with, if his horny jaws were near enough to spring + their man-trap on the curious experimenter. At Wood-End there were some + Indians, ill-conditioned savages in a dirty tent, making baskets, the + miracle of which was that they were so clean. They had seen a young lady + answering the description, about a week ago. She had bought a basket. + Asked them if they had a canoe they wanted to sell.—Eyes like hers + (pointing to a squaw with a man's hat on). + </p> + <p> + At Pocasset the young men explored all the thick woods,—some who + ought to have known better taking their guns, which made a talk, as one + might well suppose it would. Hunting on a Sabbath day! They did n't mean + to shoot Myrtle Hazard, did they? it was keenly asked. A good many said it + was all nonsense, and a mere excuse to get away from meeting and have a + sort of frolic on pretence that it was a work of necessity and mercy, one + or both. + </p> + <p> + While they were scattering themselves about in this way, some in earnest, + some rejoicing in the unwonted license, lifting off for a little while + that enormous Sabbath-day pressure which weighs like forty atmospheres on + every true-born Puritan, two young men had been since Friday in search of + the lost girl, each following a clue of his own, and determined to find + her if she was among the living. + </p> + <p> + Cyprian Eveleth made for the village of Mapleton, where his sister Olive + was staying, trusting that, with her aid, he might get a clue to the + mystery of Myrtle's disappearance. + </p> + <p> + William Murray Bradshaw struck for a railroad train going to the great + seaport, at a station where it stops for wood and water. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, a third young man, Gifted Hopkins by name, son of the + good woman already mentioned, sat down, with tears in his eyes, and wrote + those touching stanzas, “The Lost Myrtle,” which were printed in the next + “Banner and Oracle,” and much admired by many who read them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. ANTECEDENTS. + </h2> + <p> + The Withers Homestead was the oldest mansion in town. It was built on the + east bank of the river, a little above the curve which gave the name to + Oxbow Village. It stood on an elevation, its west gable close to the + river's edge, an old orchard and a small pond at the foot of the slope + behind it, woods at the east, open to the south, with a great row of + Lombardy poplars standing guard in front of the house. The Hon. Selah + Withers, Esq., a descendant of one of the first colonists, built it for + his own residence, in the early part of the last century. Deeply impressed + with his importance in the order of things, he had chosen to place it a + little removed from the cluster of smaller dwellings about the Oxbow; and + with some vague fancy in his mind of the castles that overlook the Rhine + and the Danube, he had selected this eminence on which to place his + substantial gambrel roofed dwelling-house. Long afterwards a bay-window, + almost a little room of itself, had been thrown out of the second story on + the west side, so that it looked directly down on the river running + beneath it. The chamber, thus half suspended in the air, had been for + years the special apartment of Myrtle Hazard; and as the boys paddling + about on the river would often catch glimpses, through the window, of the + little girl dressed in the scarlet jacket she fancied in those days, one + of them, Cyprian Eveleth had given it a name which became current among + the young people, and indeed furnished to Gifted Hopkins the subject of + one of his earliest poems, to wit, “The Fire-hang-bird's Nest.” + </p> + <p> + If we would know anything about the persons now living at the Withers + Homestead, or The Poplars, as it was more commonly called of late years, + we must take a brief inventory of some of their vital antecedents. It is + by no means certain that our individual personality is the single + inhabitant of these our corporeal frames. Nay, there is recorded an + experience of one of the living persons mentioned in this narrative,—to + be given in full in its proper place, which, so far as it is received in + evidence, tends to show that some, at least, who have long been dead, may + enjoy a kind of secondary and imperfect, yet self-conscious life, in these + bodily tenements which we are in the habit of considering exclusively our + own. There are many circumstances, familiar to common observers, which + favor this belief to a certain extent. Thus, at one moment we detect the + look, at another the tone of voice, at another some characteristic + movement of this or that ancestor, in our relations or others. There are + times when our friends do not act like themselves, but apparently in + obedience to some other law than that of their own proper nature. We all + do things both awake and asleep which surprise us. Perhaps we have + cotenants in this house we live in. No less than eight distinct + personalities are said to have coexisted in a single female mentioned by + an ancient physician of unimpeachable authority. In this light we may + perhaps see the meaning of a sentence, from a work which will be + repeatedly referred to in this narrative, viz.: “This body in which we + journey across the isthmus between the two oceans is not a private + carriage, but an omnibus.” + </p> + <p> + The ancestry of the Withers family had counted a martyr to their faith + before they were known as Puritans. The record was obscure in some points; + but the portrait, marked “Ann Holyoake, burned by ye bloudy Papists, ano + 15..” (figures illegible), was still hanging against the panel over the + fireplace in the west parlor at The Poplars. The following words were yet + legible on the canvas: “Thou hast made a covenant O Lord with mee and my + Children forever.” + </p> + <p> + The story had come down, that Ann Holyoake spoke these words in a prayer + she offered up at the stake, after the fagots were kindled. There had + always been a secret feeling in the family, that none of her descendants + could finally fall from grace, in virtue of this solemn “covenant.” + </p> + <p> + There had been also a legend in the family, that the martyred woman's + spirit exercised a kind of supervision over her descendants; that she + either manifested herself to them, or in some way impressed them, from + time to time; as in the case of the first pilgrim before he cast his lot + with the emigrants,—of one Mrs. Winslow, a descendant in the third + generation, when the Indians were about to attack the settlement where she + lived,—and of another, just before he was killed at Quebec. + </p> + <p> + There was a remarkable resemblance between the features of Ann Holyoake, + as shown in the portrait, and the miniature likeness of Myrtle's mother. + Myrtle adopted the nearly obsolete superstition more readily on this + account, and loved to cherish the fancy that the guardian spirit which had + watched over her ancestors was often near her, and would be with her in + her time of need. + </p> + <p> + The wife of Selah Withers was accused of sorcery in the evil days of that + delusion. A careless expression in one of her letters, that “ye Parson was + as lyke to bee in league with ye Divell as anie of em,” had got abroad, + and given great offence to godly people. There was no doubt that some odd + “manifestations,” as they would be called nowadays, had taken place in the + household when she was a girl, and that she presented many of the + conditions belonging to what are at the present day called mediums. + </p> + <p> + Major Gideon Withers, her son, was of the very common type of hearty, + loud, portly men, who like to show themselves at militia trainings, and to + hear themselves shout orders at musters, or declaim patriotic sentiments + at town-meetings and in the General Court. He loved to wear a crimson sash + and a military cap with a large red feather, in which the village folk + used to say he looked as “hahnsome as a piny,”—meaning a favorite + flower of his, which is better spelt peony, and to which it was not + unnatural that his admirers should compare him. + </p> + <p> + If he had married a wife like himself, there might probably enough have + sprung from the alliance a family of moon-faced children, who would have + dropped into their places like posts into their holes, asking no questions + of life, contented, like so many other honest folks, with the part of + supernumeraries in the drama of being, their wardrobe of flesh and bones + being furnished them gratis, and nothing to do but to walk across the + stage wearing it. But Major Gideon Withers, for some reason or other, + married a slender, sensitive, nervous, romantic woman, which accounted for + the fact that his son David, “King David,” as he was called in his time, + had a very different set of tastes from his father, showing a turn for + literature and sentiment in his youth, reading Young's “Night Thoughts,” + and Thomson's “Seasons,” and sometimes in those early days writing verses + himself to Celia or to Chloe, which sounded just as fine to him as Effie + and Minnie sound to young people now, as Musidora, as Saccharissa, as + Lesbia, as Helena, as Adah and Zillah, have all sounded to young people in + their time,—ashes of roses as they are to us now, and as our + endearing Scotch diminutives will be to others by and by. + </p> + <p> + King David Withers, who got his royal prefix partly because he was rich, + and partly because he wrote hymns occasionally, when he grew too old to + write love-poems, married the famous beauty before mentioned, Miss Judith + Pride, and the race came up again in vigor. Their son, Jeremy, took for + his first wife a delicate, melancholic girl, who matured into a sad-eyed + woman, and bore him two children, Malachi and Silence. + </p> + <p> + When she died, he mourned for her bitterly almost a year, and then put on + a ruffled shirt and went across the river to tell his grief to Miss + Virginia Wild, there residing. This lady was said to have a few drops of + genuine aboriginal blood in her veins; and it is certain that her cheek + had a little of the russet tinge which a Seckel pear shows on its warmest + cheek when it blushes.—Love shuts itself up in sympathy like a + knife-blade in its handle, and opens as easily. All the rest followed in + due order according to Nature's kindly programme. + </p> + <p> + Captain Charles Hazard, of the ship Orient Pearl, fell desperately in love + with the daughter of this second wife, married her, and carried her to + India, where their first and only child was born, and received the name of + Myrtle, as fitting her cradle in the tropics. So her earliest impressions,—it + would not be exact to call them recollections,—besides the smiles of + her father and mother, were of dusky faces, of loose white raiment, of + waving fans, of breezes perfumed with the sweet exhalations of + sandal-wood, of gorgeous flowers and glowing fruit, of shady verandas, of + gliding palanquins, and all the languid luxury of the South. The + pestilence which has its natural home in India, but has journeyed so far + from its birth place in these later years, took her father and mother + away, suddenly, in the very freshness of their early maturity. A relation + of Myrtle's father, wife of another captain, was returning to America on a + visit, and the child was sent back, under her care, while still a mere + infant, to her relatives at the old homestead. During the long voyage, the + strange mystery of the ocean was wrought into her consciousness so deeply, + that it seemed to have become a part of her being. The waves rocked her, + as if the sea had been her mother; and, looking over the vessel's side + from the arms that held her with tender care, she used to watch the play + of the waters, until the rhythm of their movement became a part of her, + almost as much as her own pulse and breath. + </p> + <p> + The instincts and qualities belonging to the ancestral traits which + predominated in the conflict of mingled lives lay in this child in embryo, + waiting to come to maturity. It was as when several grafts, bearing fruit + that ripens at different times, are growing upon the same stock. Her + earlier impulses may have been derived directly from her father and + mother, but all the ancestors who have been mentioned, and more or less + obscurely many others, came uppermost in their time, before the absolute + and total result of their several forces had found its equilibrium in the + character by which she was to be known as an individual. These inherited + impulses were therefore many, conflicting, some of them dangerous. The + World, the Flesh, and the Devil held mortgages on her life before its deed + was put in her hands; but sweet and gracious influences were also born + with her; and the battle of life was to be fought between them, God + helping her in her need, and her own free choice siding with one or the + other. The formal statement of this succession of ripening characteristics + need not be repeated, but the fact must be borne in mind. + </p> + <p> + This was the child who was delivered into the hands of Miss Silence + Withers, her mother's half—sister, keeping house with her brother + Malachi, a bachelor, already called Old Malachi, though hardly entitled by + his years to such a venerable prefix. Both these persons had inherited the + predominant traits of their sad-eyed mother. Malachi, the chief heir of + the family property, was rich, but felt very poor. He owned this fine old + estate of some hundreds of acres. He had moneys in the bank, shares in + various companies, wood-lots in the town; and a large tract of Western + land, the subject of a lawsuit which seemed as if it would never be + settled, and kept him always uneasy. + </p> + <p> + Some said he hoarded gold somewhere about the old house, but nobody knew + this for a certainty. In spite of his abundant means, he talked much of + poverty, and kept the household on the narrowest footing of economy. One + Irishwoman, with a little aid from her husband now and then, did all their + work; and the only company they saw was Miss Cynthia Badlam, who, as a + relative, claimed a home with them whenever she was so disposed. + </p> + <p> + The “little Indian,” as Malachi called her, was an awkward accession to + the family. Silence Withers knew no more about children and their ways and + wants than if she had been a female ostrich. Thus it was that she found it + necessary to send for a woman well known in the place as the first friend + whose acquaintance many of the little people of the town had made in this + vale of tears. + </p> + <p> + Thirty years of practice had taught Nurse Byloe the art of handling the + young of her species with the soft firmness which one may notice in cats + with their kittens,—more grandly in a tawny lioness mouthing her + cubs. Myrtle did not know she was held; she only felt she was lifted, and + borne up, as a cherub may feel upon a white-woolly cloud, and smiled + accordingly at the nurse, as if quite at home in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “As fine a child as ever breathed the breath of life. But where did them + black eyes come from? Born in Injy,—that 's it, ain't it? No, it's + her poor mother's eyes to be sure. Does n't it seem as if there was a kind + of Injin look to 'em? She'll be a lively one to manage, if I know anything + about childun. See her clinchin' them little fists!” + </p> + <p> + This was when Miss Silence came near her and brought her rather severe + countenance close to the child for inspection of its features. The + ungracious aspect of the woman and the defiant attitude of the child + prefigured in one brief instant the history of many long coming years. + </p> + <p> + It was not a great while before the two parties in that wearing conflict + of alien lives, which is often called education, began to measure their + strength against each other. The child was bright, observing, of restless + activity, inquisitively curious, very hard to frighten, and with a will + which seemed made for mastery, not submission. + </p> + <p> + The stern spinster to whose care this vigorous life was committed was + disposed to discharge her duty to the girl faithfully and conscientiously; + but there were two points in her character and belief which had a most + important bearing on the manner in which she carried out her laudable + intentions. First, she was one of that class of human beings whose one + single engrossing thought is their own welfare,—in the next world, + it is true, but still their own personal welfare. The Roman Church + recognizes this class, and provides every form of specific to meet their + spiritual condition. But in so far as Protestantism has thrown out works + as a means of insuring future safety, these unfortunates are as badly off + as nervous patients who have no drops, pills, potions, no doctors' rules, + to follow. Only tell a poor creature what to do, and he or she will do it, + and be made easy, were it a pilgrimage of a thousand miles, with shoes + full of split peas instead of boiled ones; but if once assured that doing + does no good, the drooping Little-faiths are left at leisure to worry + about their souls, as the other class of weaklings worry about their + bodies. The effect on character does not seem to be very different in the + two classes. Metaphysicians may discuss the nature of selfishness at their + leisure; if to have all her thoughts centring on the one point of her own + well-being by and by was selfishness, then Silence Withers was supremely + selfish; and if we are offended with that form of egotism, it is no more + than ten of the twelve Apostles were, as the reader may see by turning to + the Gospel of St. Matthew, the twentieth chapter and the twenty-fourth + verse. + </p> + <p> + The next practical difficulty was, that she attempted to carry out a + theory which, whatever might be its success in other cases, did not work + kindly in the case of Myrtle Hazard, but, on the contrary, developed a + mighty spirit of antagonism in her nature, which threatened to end in + utter lawlessness. Miss Silence started from the approved doctrine, that + all children are radically and utterly wrong in all their motives, + feelings, thoughts, and deeds, so long as they remain subject to their + natural instincts. It was by the eradication, and not the education, of + these instincts, that the character of the human being she was moulding + was to be determined. The first great preliminary process, so soon as the + child manifested any evidence of intelligent and persistent + self-determination, was to break her will. + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt that this was a legitimate conclusion from the teaching + of Priest Pemberton, but it required a colder and harder nature than his + own to carry out many of his dogmas to their practical application. He + wrought in the pure mathematics, so to speak, of theology, and left the + working rules to the good sense and good feeling of his people. + </p> + <p> + Miss Silence had been waiting for her opportunity to apply the great + doctrine, and it came at last in a very trivial way. + </p> + <p> + “Myrtle does n't want brown bread. Myrtle won't have brown bread. Myrtle + will have white bread.” + </p> + <p> + “Myrtle is a wicked child. She will have what Aunt Silence says she shall + have. She won't have anything but brown bread.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the bright red lip protruded, the hot blood mounted to her face, + the child untied her little “tire,” got down from the table, took up her + one forlorn, featureless doll, and went to bed without her supper. The + next morning the worthy woman thought that hunger and reflection would + have subdued the rebellious spirit. So there stood yesterday's untouched + supper waiting for her breakfast. She would not taste it, and it became + necessary to enforce that extreme penalty of the law which had been + threatened, but never yet put in execution. Miss Silence, in obedience to + what she felt to be a painful duty, without any passion, but filled with + high, inexorable purpose, carried the child up to the garret, and, + fastening her so that she could not wander about and hurt herself, left + her to her repentant thoughts, awaiting the moment when a plaintive + entreaty for liberty and food should announce that the evil nature had + yielded and the obdurate will was broken. + </p> + <p> + The garret was an awful place. All the skeleton-like ribs of the roof + showed in the dim light, naked overhead, and the only floor to be trusted + consisted of the few boards which bridged the lath and plaster. A great, + mysterious brick tower climbed up through it,—it was the chimney, + but it looked like a horrible cell to put criminals into. The whole place + was festooned with cobwebs,—not light films, such as the housewife's + broom sweeps away before they have become a permanent residence, but vast + gray draperies, loaded with dust, sprinkled with yellow powder from the + beams where the worms were gnawing day and night, the home of old, hairy + spiders who had, lived there since they were eggs and would leave it for + unborn spiders who would grow old and huge like themselves in it, long + after the human tenants had left the mansion for a narrower home. Here + this little criminal was imprisoned, six, twelve,—tell it not to + mothers,—eighteen dreadful hours, hungry until she was ready to gnaw + her hands, a prey to all childish imaginations; and here at her stern + guardian's last visit she sat, pallid, chilled, almost fainting, but + sullen and unsubdued. The Irishwoman, poor stupid Kitty Fagan, who had no + theory of human nature, saw her over the lean shoulders of the spinster, + and, forgetting all differences of condition and questions of authority, + rushed to her with a cry of maternal tenderness, and, with a tempest of + passionate tears and kisses, bore her off to her own humble realm, where + the little victorious martyr was fed from the best stores of the house, + until there was as much danger from repletion as there had been from + famine. How the experiment might have ended but for this empirical and + most unphilosophical interference, there is no saying; but it settled the + point that the rebellious nature was not to be subjugated in a brief + conflict. + </p> + <p> + The untamed disposition manifested itself in greater enormities as she + grew older. At the age of four years she was detected in making a + cat's-cradle at meeting, during sermon-time, and, on being reprimanded for + so doing, laughed out loud, so as to be heard by Father Pemberton, who + thereupon bent his threatening, shaggy brows upon the child, and, to his + shame be it spoken, had such a sudden uprising of weak, foolish, + grandfatherly feelings, that a mist came over his eyes, and he left out + his “ninthly” altogether, thereby spoiling the logical sequence of + propositions which had kept his large forehead knotty for a week. + </p> + <p> + At eight years old she fell in love with the high-colored picture of Major + Gideon Withers in the crimson sash and the red feather of his exalted + military office. It was then for the first time that her aunt Silence + remarked a shade of resemblance between the child and the portrait. She + had always, up to this time, been dressed in sad colors, as was fitting, + doubtless, for a forlorn orphan; but happening one day to see a small + negro girl peacocking round in a flaming scarlet petticoat, she struck for + bright colors in her own apparel, and carried her point at last. It was as + if a ground-sparrow had changed her gray feathers for the burning plumage + of some tropical wanderer; and it was natural enough that Cyprian Eveleth + should have called her the fire-hang-bird, and her little chamber the + fire-hang-bird's nest,—using the country boy's synonyme for the + Baltimore oriole. + </p> + <p> + At ten years old she had one of those great experiences which give new + meaning to the life of a child. + </p> + <p> + Her uncle Malachi had seemed to have a strong liking for her at one time, + but of late years his delusions had gained upon him, and under their + influence he seemed to regard her as an encumbrance and an extravagance. + He was growing more and more solitary in his habits, more and more + negligent of his appearance. He was up late at night, wandering about the + house from the cellar to the garret, so that, his light being seen + flitting from window to window, the story got about that the old house was + haunted. + </p> + <p> + One dreary, rainy Friday in November, Myrtle was left alone in the house. + Her uncle had been gone since the day before. The two women were both away + at the village. At such times the child took a strange delight in + exploring all the hiding-places of the old mansion. She had the mysterious + dwelling-place of so many of the dead and the living all to herself. What + a fearful kind of pleasure in its silence and loneliness! The old clock + that Marmaduke Storr made in London more than a hundred years ago was + clicking the steady pulse-beats of its second century. The featured moon + on its dial had lifted one eye, as if to watch the child, as it had + watched so many generations of children, while the swinging pendulum + ticked them along into youth, maturity, gray hairs, deathbeds,—ticking + through the prayer at the funeral, ticking without grief through all the + still or noisy woe of mourning,—ticking without joy when the smiles + and gayety of comforted heirs had come back again. She looked at herself + in the tall, bevelled mirror in the best chamber. She pulled aside the + curtains of the stately bedstead whereon the heads of the house had slept + until they died and were stretched out upon it, and the sheet shaped + itself to them in vague, awful breadth of outline, like a block of + monumental marble the sculptor leaves just hinted by the chisel. + </p> + <p> + She groped her way up to the dim garret, the scene of her memorable + punishment. A rusty hook projected from one of the joists a little higher + than a man's head. Something was hanging from it,—an old garment, + was it? She went bravely up and touched—a cold hand. She did what + most children of that age would do,—uttered a cry and ran downstairs + with all her might. She rushed out of the door and called to the man + Patrick, who was doing some work about the place. What could be done was + done, but it was too late. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Malachi had made away with himself. That was plain on the face of + thing. In due time the coroner's verdict settled it. It was not so strange + as it seemed; but it made a great talk in the village and all the country + round about. Everybody knew he had money enough, and yet he had hanged + himself for fear of starving to death. + </p> + <p> + For all that, he was found to have left a will, dated some years before, + leaving his property to his sister Silence, with the exception of a + certain moderate legacy to be paid in money to Myrtle Hazard when she + should arrive at the age of twenty years. + </p> + <p> + The household seemed more chilly than ever after this tragical event. Its + depressing influence followed the child to school, where she learned the + common branches of knowledge. It followed her to the Sabbath-day + catechisings, where she repeated the answers about the federal headship of + Adam, and her consequent personal responsibilities, and other + technicalities which are hardly milk for babes, perhaps as well as other + children, but without any very profound remorse for what she could not + help, so far as she understood the matter, any more than her sex or + stature, and with no very clear comprehension of the phrases which the New + England followers of the Westminster divines made a part of the elementary + instruction of young people. + </p> + <p> + At twelve years old she had grown tall and womanly enough to attract the + eyes of the youth and older boys, several of whom made advances towards + her acquaintance. But the dreary discipline of the household had sunk into + her soul, and she had been shaping an internal life for herself, which it + was hard for friendship to penetrate. Bathsheba Stoker was chained to the + bedside of an invalid mother. Olive Eveleth, a kind, true-hearted girl, + belonged to another religious communion; and this tended to render their + meetings less frequent, though Olive was still her nearest friend. Cyprian + was himself a little shy, and rather held to Myrtle through his sister + than by any true intimacy directly with herself. Of the other young men of + the village Gifted Hopkins was perhaps the most fervent of her admirers, + as he had repeatedly shown by effusions in verse, of which, under the + thinnest of disguises, she was the object. + </p> + <p> + William Murray Bradshaw, ten years older than herself, a young man of + striking aspect and claims to exceptional ability, had kept his eye on her + of late; but it was generally supposed that he would find a wife in the + city, where he was in the habit of going to visit a fashionable relative, + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, of 24 Carat Place. She, at any rate, understood very + well that he meant, to use his own phrase, “to go in for a corner lot,”—understanding + thereby a young lady with possessions and without encumbrances. If the old + man had only given his money to Myrtle, William Murray Bradshaw would have + made sure of her; but she was not likely ever to get much of it. Miss + Silence Withers, it was understood, would probably leave her money as the + Rev. Mr. Stoker, her spiritual director, should indicate, and it seemed + likely that most of it would go to a rising educational institution where + certain given doctrines were to be taught through all time, whether + disproved or not, and whether those who taught them believed them or not, + provided only they would say they believed them. + </p> + <p> + Nobody had promised to say masses for her soul if she made this + disposition of her property, or pledged the word of the Church that she + should have plenary absolution. But she felt that she would be making + friends in Influential Quarters by thus laying up her treasure, and that + she would be safe if she had the good-will of the ministers of her sect. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard had nearly reached the age of fourteen, and, though not like + to inherit much of the family property, was fast growing into a large + dower of hereditary beauty. Always handsome, her features shaped + themselves in a finer symmetry, her color grew richer, her figure promised + a perfect womanly development, and her movements had the grace which + high-breeding gives the daughter of a queen, and which Nature now and then + teaches the humblest of village maidens. She could not long escape the + notice of the lovers and flatterers of beauty, and the time of danger was + drawing near. + </p> + <p> + At this period of her life she made two discoveries which changed the + whole course of her thoughts, and opened for her a new world of ideas and + possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Ever since the dreadful event of November, 1854, the garret had been a + fearful place to think of, and still more to visit. The stories that the + house was haunted gained in frequency of repetition and detail of + circumstance. But Myrtle was bold and inquisitive, and explored its + recesses at such times as she could creep among them undisturbed. Hid away + close under the eaves she found an old trunk covered with dust and + cobwebs. The mice had gnawed through its leather hinges, and, as it had + been hastily stuffed full, the cover had risen, and two or three volumes + had fallen to the floor. This trunk held the papers and books which her + great-grandmother, the famous beauty, had left behind her, records of the + romantic days when she was the belle of the county,—storybooks, + memoirs, novels, and poems, and not a few love-letters,—a strange + collection, which, as so often happens with such deposits in old families, + nobody had cared to meddle with, and nobody had been willing to destroy, + until at last they had passed out of mind, and waited for a new generation + to bring them into light again. + </p> + <p> + The other discovery was of a small hoard of coin. Under one of the boards + which formed the imperfect flooring of the garret was hidden an old + leather mitten. Instead of a hand, it had a fat fist of silver dollars, + and a thumb of gold half-eagles. + </p> + <p> + Thus knowledge and power found their way to the simple and secluded + maiden. The books were hers to read as much as any other's; the gold and + silver were only a part of that small provision which would be hers by and + by, and if she borrowed it, it was borrowing of herself. The tree of the + knowledge of good and evil had shaken its fruit into her lap, and, without + any serpent to tempt her, she took thereof and did eat. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. BYLES GRIDLEY, A. M. + </h2> + <p> + The old Master of Arts was as notable a man in his outside presentment as + one will find among five hundred college alumni as they file in + procession. His strong, squared features, his formidable scowl, his + solid-looking head, his iron-gray hair, his positive and as it were + categorical stride, his slow, precise way of putting a statement, the + strange union of trampling radicalism in some directions and high-stepping + conservatism in others, which made it impossible to calculate on his + unexpressed opinions, his testy ways and his generous impulses, his hard + judgments and kindly actions, were characteristics that gave him a very + decided individuality. + </p> + <p> + He had all the aspects of a man of books. His study, which was the best + room in Mrs. Hopkins's house, was filled with a miscellaneous-looking + collection of volumes, which his curious literary taste had got together + from the shelves of all the libraries that had been broken up during his + long life as a scholar. Classics, theology, especially of the + controversial sort, statistics, politics, law, medicine, science, occult + and overt, general literature,—almost every branch of knowledge was + represented. His learning was very various, and of course mixed up, useful + and useless, new and ancient, dogmatic and rational,—like his + library, in short; for a library gathered like his is a looking-glass in + which the owner's mind is reflected. + </p> + <p> + The common people about the village did not know what to make of such a + phenomenon. He did not preach, marry, christen, or bury, like the + ministers, nor jog around with medicines for sick folks, nor carry cases + into court for quarrelsome neighbors. What was he good for? Not a great + deal, some of the wiseacres thought,—had “all sorts of sense but + common sense,”—“smart mahn, but not prahctical.” There were others + who read him more shrewdly. He knowed more, they said, than all the + ministers put together, and if he'd stan' for Ripresentative they 'd like + to vote for him,—they hed n't hed a smart mahn in the Gineral Court + sence Squire Wibird was thar. + </p> + <p> + They may have overdone the matter in comparing his knowledge with that of + all the ministers together, for Priest Pemberton was a real scholar in his + special line of study,—as all D. D.'s are supposed to be, or they + would not have been honored with that distinguished title. But Mr. Byles + Gridley not only had more learning than the deep-sea line of the bucolic + intelligence could fathom; he had more wisdom also than they gave him + credit for, even those among them who thought most of his abilities. + </p> + <p> + In his capacity of schoolmaster he had sharpened his wits against those of + the lively city boys he had in charge, and made such a reputation as + “Master” Gridley, that he kept that title even after he had become a + college tutor and professor. As a tutor he had to deal with many of these + same boys, and others like them, in the still more vivacious period of + their early college life. He got rid of his police duties when he became a + professor, but he still studied the pupils as carefully as he used once to + watch them, and learned to read character with a skill which might have + fitted him for governing men instead of adolescents. But he loved quiet + and he dreaded mingling with the brawlers of the market-place, whose stock + in trade is a voice and a vocabulary. So it was that he had passed his + life in the patient mechanical labor of instruction, leaving too many of + his instincts and faculties in abeyance. + </p> + <p> + The alluvium of all this experience bore a nearer resemblance to worldly + wisdom than might have been conjectured; much nearer, indeed, than it does + in many old instructors, whose eyes get fish-like as their blood grows + cold, and who are not fit to be trusted with anything more practical than + a gerund or a cosine. Master Gridley not only knew a good deal of human + nature, but he knew how to keep his knowledge to himself upon occasion. He + understood singularly well the ways and tendencies of young people. He was + shrewd in the detection of trickery, and very confident in those who had + once passed the ordeal of his well-schooled observing powers. He had no + particular tendency to meddle with the personal relations of those about + him; but if they were forced upon him in any way, he was like to see into + them at least as quickly as any of his neighbors who thought themselves + most endowed with practical skill. + </p> + <p> + In leaving the duties of his office he considered himself, as he said a + little despondently, like an old horse unharnessed and turned out to + pasture. He felt that he had separated himself from human interests, and + was henceforth to live in his books with the dead, until he should be + numbered with them himself. He had chosen this quiet village as a place + where he might pass his days undisturbed, and find a peaceful + resting-place in its churchyard, where the gravel was dry, and the sun lay + warm, and the glowing woods of autumn would spread their many-colored + counterpane over the bed where he would be taking his rest. It sometimes + came over him painfully that he was never more to be of any importance to + his fellow-creatures. There was nobody living to whom he was connected by + any very near ties. He felt kindly enough to the good woman in whose house + he lived; he sometimes gave a few words of counsel to her son; he was not + unamiable with the few people he met; he bowed with great consideration to + the Rev. Dr. Pemberton; and he studied with no small interest the + physiognomy of the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker, to whose sermons he + listened, with a black scowl now and then, and a nostril dilating with + ominous intensity of meaning. But he said sadly to himself, that his life + had been a failure,—that he had nothing to show for it, and his one + talent was ready in its napkin to give back to his Lord. + </p> + <p> + He owed something of this sadness, perhaps, to a cause which many would + hold of small significance. Though he had mourned for no lost love, at + least so far as was known, though he had never suffered the pang of + parting with a child, though he seemed isolated from those joys and griefs + which come with the ties of family, he too had his private urn filled with + the ashes of extinguished hopes. He was the father of a dead book. + </p> + <p> + Why “Thoughts on the Universe, by Byles Gridley, A. M.,” had not met with + an eager welcome and a permanent demand from the discriminating public, it + would take us too long to inquire in detail. Indeed; he himself was never + able to account satisfactorily for the state of things which his + bookseller's account made evident to him. He had read and re-read his + work; and the more familiar he became with it, the less was he able to + understand the singular want of popular appreciation of what he could not + help recognizing as its excellences. He had a special copy of his work, + printed on large paper and sumptuously bound. He loved to read in this, as + people read over the letters of friends who have long been dead; and it + might have awakened a feeling of something far removed from the ludicrous, + if his comments on his own production could have been heard. “That's a + thought, now, for you!—See Mr. Thomas Babington Macaulay's Essay + printed six years after thus book.” “A felicitous image! and so everybody + would have said if only Mr. Thomas Carlyle had hit upon it.” “If this is + not genuine pathos, where will you find it, I should like to know? And + nobody to open the book where it stands written but one poor old man—in + this generation, at least—in this generation!” It may be doubted + whether he would ever have loved his book with such jealous fondness if it + had gone through a dozen editions, and everybody was quoting it to his + face. But now it lived only for him; and to him it was wife and child, + parent, friend, all in one, as Hector was all in all to his spouse. He + never tired of it, and in his more sanguine moods he looked forward to the + time when the world would acknowledge its merits, and his genius would + find full recognition. Perhaps he was right: more than one book which + seemed dead and was dead for contemporary readers has had a resurrection + when the rivals who triumphed over it lived only in the tombstone memory + of antiquaries. Comfort for some of us, dear fellow-writer. + </p> + <p> + It followed from the way in which he lived that he must have some means of + support upon which he could depend. He was economical, if not over frugal + in some of his habits; but he bought books, and took newspapers and + reviews, and had money when money was needed; the fact being, though it + was not generally known, that a distant relative had not long before died, + leaving him a very comfortable property. + </p> + <p> + His money matters had led him to have occasional dealings with the late + legal firm of Wibird and Penhallow, which had naturally passed into the + hands of the new partnership, Penhallow and Bradshaw. He had entire + confidence in the senior partner, but not so much in the young man who had + been recently associated in the business. + </p> + <p> + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw, commonly called by his last two names, was + the son of a lawyer of some note for his acuteness, who marked out his + calling for him in having him named after the great Lord Mansfield. Murray + Bradshaw was about twenty-five years old, by common consent good-looking, + with a finely formed head, a searching eye, and a sharp-cut mouth, which + smiled at his bidding without the slightest reference to the real + condition of his feeling at the moment. This was a great convenience; for + it gave him an appearance of good-nature at the small expense of a slight + muscular movement which was as easy as winking, and deceived everybody but + those who had studied him long and carefully enough to find that this play + of his features was what a watch maker would call a detached movement. + </p> + <p> + He had been a good scholar in college, not so much by hard study as by + skilful veneering, and had taken great pains to stand well with the + Faculty, at least one of whom, Byles Gridley, A. M., had watched him with + no little interest as a man with a promising future, provided he were not + so astute as to outwit and overreach himself in his excess of contrivance. + His classmates could not help liking him; as to loving him, none of them + would have thought of that. He was so shrewd, so keen, so full of + practical sense, and so good-humored as long as things went on to his + liking, that few could resist his fascination. He had a way of talking + with people about what they were interested in, as if it were the one + matter in the world nearest to his heart. But he was commonly trying to + find out something, or to produce some impression, as a juggler is working + at his miracle while he keeps people's attention by his voluble discourse + and make-believe movements. In his lightest talk he was almost always + edging towards a practical object, and it was an interesting and + instructive amusement to watch for the moment at which he would ship the + belt of his colloquial machinery on to the tight pulley. It was done so + easily and naturally that there was hardly a sign of it. Master Gridley + could usually detect the shifting action, but the young man's features and + voice never betrayed him. + </p> + <p> + He was a favorite with the other sex, who love poetry and romance, as he + well knew, for which reason he often used the phrases of both, and in such + a way as to answer his purpose with most of those whom he wished to + please. He had one great advantage in the sweepstakes of life: he was not + handicapped with any burdensome ideals. He took everything at its marked + value. He accepted the standard of the street as a final fact for to-day, + like the broker's list of prices. + </p> + <p> + His whole plan of life was laid out. He knew that law was the best + introduction to political life, and he meant to use it for this end. He + chose to begin his career in the country, so as to feel his way more + surely and gradually to its ultimate aim; but he had no intention of + burning his shining talents in a grazing district, however tall its grass + might grow. His business was not with these stiff-jointed, slow-witted + graziers, but with the supple, dangerous, far-seeing men who sit scheming + by the gas-light in the great cities, after all the lamps and candles are + out from the Merrimac to the Housatonic. Every strong and every weak point + of those who might probably be his rivals were laid down on his charts, as + winds and currents and rocks are marked on those of a navigator. All the + young girls in the country, and not a few in the city, with which, as + mentioned, he had frequent relations, were on his list of possible + availabilities in the matrimonial line of speculation, provided always + that their position and prospects were such as would make them proper + matches for so considerable a person as the future Hon. William Murray + Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley had made a careful study of his old pupil since they had + resided in the same village. The old professor could not help admiring + him, notwithstanding certain suspicious elements in his character; for + after muddy village talk, a clear stream of intelligent conversation was a + great luxury to the hard-headed scholar. The more he saw of him, the more + he learned to watch his movements, and to be on his guard in talking with + him. The old man could be crafty, with all his simplicity, and he had + found out that under his good-natured manner there often lurked some + design more or less worth noting, and which might involve other interests + deserving protection. + </p> + <p> + For some reason or other the old Master of Arts had of late experienced a + certain degree of relenting with regard to himself, probably brought about + by the expressions of gratitude from worthy Mrs. Hopkins for acts of + kindness to which he himself attached no great value. He had been kind to + her son Gifted; he had been fatherly with Susan Posey, her relative and + boarder; and he had shown himself singularly and unexpectedly amiable with + the little twins who had been adopted by the good woman into her + household. In fact, ever since these little creatures had begun to toddle + about and explode their first consonants, he had looked through his great + round spectacles upon them with a decided interest; and from that time it + seemed as if some of the human and social sentiments which had never + leafed or flowered in him, for want of their natural sunshine, had begun + growing up from roots which had never lost their life. His liking for the + twins may have been an illustration of that singular law which old Dr. + Hurlbut used to lay down, namely, that at a certain period of life, say + from fifty to sixty and upward, the grand-paternal instinct awakens in + bachelors, the rhythms of Nature reaching them in spite of her defeated + intentions; so that when men marry late they love their autumn child with + a twofold affection,—father's and grandfather's both in one. + </p> + <p> + However this may be, there is no doubt that Mr. Byles Gridley was + beginning to take a part in his neighbors' welfare and misfortunes, such + as could hardly have been expected of a man so long lost in his books and + his scholastic duties. And among others, Myrtle Hazard had come in for a + share of his interest. He had met her now and then in her walks to and + from school and meeting, and had been taken with her beauty and her + apparent unconsciousness of it, which he attributed to the forlorn kind of + household in which she had grown up. He had got so far as to talk with her + now and then, and found himself puzzled, as well he might be, in talking + with a girl who had been growing into her early maturity in antagonism + with every influence that surrounded her. + </p> + <p> + “Love will reach her by and by,” he said, “in spite of the dragons up at + the den yonder. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Centum fronte oculos, centum cervice gerebat + Argus, et hos unus saepe fefellit amor.'” + </pre> + <p> + But there was something about Myrtle,—he hardly knew whether to call + it dignity, or pride, or reserve, or the mere habit of holding back + brought about by the system of repression under which she had been + educated,—which kept even the old Master of Arts at his distance. + Yet he was strongly drawn to her, and had a sort of presentiment that he + might be able to help her some day, and that very probably she would want + his help; for she was alone in the world, except for the dragons, and sure + to be assailed by foes from without and from within. + </p> + <p> + He noticed that her name was apt to come up in his conversations with + Murray Bradshaw; and, as he himself never introduced it, of course the + young man must have forced it, as conjurers force a card, and with some + special object. This set him thinking hard; and, as a result of it, he + determined the next time Mr. Bradshaw brought her name up to set him + talking. + </p> + <p> + So he talked, not suspecting how carefully the old man listened. + </p> + <p> + “It was a demonish hard case,” he said, “that old Malachi had left his + money as he did. Myrtle Hazard was going to be the handsomest girl about, + when she came to her beauty, and she was coming to it mighty fast. If they + could only break that will, but it was no use trying. The doctors said he + was of sound mind for at least two years after making it. If Silence + Withers got the land claim, there'd be a pile, sure enough. Myrtle Hazard + ought to have it. If the girl had only inherited that property—whew? + She'd have been a match for any fellow. That old Silence Withers would do + just as her minister told her,—even chance whether she gives it to + the Parson-factory, or marries Bellamy Stoker, and gives it to him after + his wife's dead. He'd take it if he had to take her with it. Earn his + money, hey, Master Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you don't seem to think very well of the Rev. Joseph Bellamy + Stoker?” said Mr. Gridley, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Think well of him? Too fond of using the Devil's pitchfork for my fancy! + Forks over pretty much all the world but himself and his lot into—the + bad place, you know; and toasts his own cheese with it with very much the + same kind of comfort that other folks seem to take in that business. + Besides, he has a weakness for pretty saints—and sinners. That's an + odd name he has. More belle amie than Joseph about him, I rather guess!” + </p> + <p> + The old professor smiled again. “So you don't think he believes all the + mediaeval doctrines he is in the habit of preaching, Mr. Bradshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I think he belongs to the class I have seen described somewhere. + 'There are those who hold the opinion that truth is only safe when + diluted,—about one fifth to four fifths lies,—as the oxygen of + the air is with its nitrogen. Else it would burn us all up.'” + </p> + <p> + Byles Gridley colored and started a little. This was one of his own + sayings in “Thoughts on the Universe.” But the young man quoted it without + seeming to suspect its authorship. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you pick up that saying, Mr. Bradshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't remember. Some paper, I rather think. It's one of those good + things that get about without anybody's knowing who says 'em. Sounds like + Coleridge.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I call a compliment worth having,” said Byles Gridley to + himself, when he got home. “Let me look at that passage.” + </p> + <p> + He took down “Thoughts on the Universe,” and got so much interested, + reading on page after page, that he did not hear the little tea-bell, and + Susan Posey volunteered to run up to his study and call him down to tea. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE TWINS. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Suzan Posey knocked timidly at his door and informed him that tea was + waiting. He rather liked Susan Posey. She was a pretty creature, slight, + blonde, a little too light, a village beauty of the second or third grade, + effective at picnics and by moonlight,—the kind of girl that very + young men are apt to remember as their first love. She had a taste for + poetry, and an admiration of poets; but, what was better, she was modest + and simple, and a perfect sister and mother and grandmother to the two + little forlorn twins who had been stranded on the Widow Hopkins's + doorstep. + </p> + <p> + These little twins, a boy and girl, were now between two and three years + old. A few words will make us acquainted with them. Nothing had ever been + known of their origin. The sharp eyes of all the spinsters had been + through every household in the village and neighborhood, and not a + suspicion fixed itself on any one. It was a dark night when they were + left; and it was probable that they had been brought from another town, as + the sound of wheels had been heard close to the door where they were + found, had stopped for a moment, then been heard again, and lost in the + distance. + </p> + <p> + How the good woman of the house took them in and kept them has been + briefly mentioned. At first nobody thought they would live a day, such + little absurd attempts at humanity did they seem. But the young doctor + came and the old doctor came, and the infants were laid in cotton-wool, + and the room heated up to keep them warm, and baby-teaspoonfuls of milk + given them, and after being kept alive in this way, like the young of + opossums and kangaroos, they came to a conclusion about which they did not + seem to have made up their thinking-pulps for some weeks, namely, to go on + trying to cross the sea of life by tugging at the four-and-twenty oars + which must be pulled day and night until the unknown shore is reached, and + the oars lie at rest under the folded hands. + </p> + <p> + As it was not very likely that the parents who left their offspring round + on doorsteps were of saintly life, they were not presented for baptism + like the children of church-members. Still, they must have names to be + known by, and Mrs. Hopkins was much exercised in the matter. Like many New + England parents, she had a decided taste for names that were significant + and sonorous. That which she had chosen for her oldest child, the young + poet, was either a remarkable prophecy, or it had brought with it the + endowments it promised. She had lost, or, in her own more pictorial + language, she had buried, a daughter to whom she had given the names, at + once of cheerful omen and melodious effect, Wealthy Amadora. + </p> + <p> + As for them poor little creturs, she said, she believed they was rained + down out o' the skies, jest as they say toads and tadpoles come. She meant + to be a mother to 'em for all that, and give 'em jest as good names as if + they was the governor's children, or the minister's. If Mr. Gridley would + be so good as to find her some kind of a real handsome Chris'n name for + 'em, she'd provide 'em with the other one. Hopkinses they shall be bred + and taught, and Hopkinses they shall be called. Ef their father and mother + was ashamed to own 'em, she was n't. Couldn't Mr. Gridley pick out some + pooty sounding names from some of them great books of his. It's jest as + well to have 'em pooty as long as they don't cost any more than if they + was Tom and Sally. + </p> + <p> + A grim smile passed over the rugged features of Byles Gridley. “Nothing is + easier than that, Mrs. Hopkins,” he said. “I will give you two very pretty + names that I think will please you and other folks. They're new names, + too. If they shouldn't like to keep them, they can change them before + they're christened, if they ever are. Isosceles will be just the name for + the boy, and I'm sure you won't find a prettier name for the girl in a + hurry than Helminthia.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins was delighted with the dignity and novelty of these two + names, which were forthwith adopted. As they were rather long for common + use in the family, they were shortened into the easier forms of Sossy and + Minthy, under which designation the babes began very soon to thrive + mightily, turning bread and milk into the substance of little sinners at a + great rate, and growing as if they were put out at compound interest. + </p> + <p> + This short episode shows us the family conditions surrounding Byles + Gridley, who, as we were saying, had just been called down to tea by Miss + Susan Posey. + </p> + <p> + “I am coming, my dear,” he said,—which expression quite touched Miss + Susan, who did not know that it was a kind of transferred caress from the + delicious page he was reading. It was not the living child that was + kissed, but the dead one lying under the snow, if we may make a trivial + use of a very sweet and tender thought we all remember. + </p> + <p> + Not long after this, happening to call in at the lawyer's office, his eye + was caught by the corner of a book lying covered up by a pile of papers. + Somehow or other it seemed to look very natural to him. Could that be a + copy of “Thoughts on the Universe”? He watched his opportunity, and got a + hurried sight of the volume. His own treatise, sure enough! Leaves Uncut. + Opened of itself to the one hundred and twentieth page. The axiom Murray + Bradshaw had quoted—he did not remember from what,—“sounded + like Coleridge”—was staring him in the face from that very page. + When he remembered how he had pleased himself with that compliment the + other day, he blushed like a school-girl; and then, thinking out the whole + trick,—to hunt up his forgotten book, pick out a phrase or two from + it, and play on his weakness with it, to win his good opinion,—for + what purpose he did not know, but doubtless to use him in some way,—he + grinned with a contempt about equally divided between himself and the + young schemer. + </p> + <p> + “Ah ha!” he muttered scornfully. “Sounds like Coleridge, hey? Niccolo + Macchiavelli Bradshaw!” + </p> + <p> + From this day forward he looked on all the young lawyer's doings with even + more suspicion than before. Yet he would not forego his company and + conversation; for he was very agreeable and amusing to study; and this + trick he had played him was, after all, only a diplomatist's way of + flattering his brother plenipotentiary. Who could say? Some time or other + he might cajole England or France or Russia into a treaty with just such a + trick. Shallower men than he had gone out as ministers of the great + Republic. At any rate, the fellow was worth watching. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE USE OF SPECTACLES. + </h2> + <p> + The old Master of Arts had a great reputation in the house where he lived + for knowing everything that was going on. He rather enjoyed it; and + sometimes amused himself with surprising his simple-hearted landlady and + her boarders with the unaccountable results of his sagacity. One thing was + quite beyond her comprehension. She was perfectly sure that Mr. Gridley + could see out of the back of his head, just as other people see with their + natural organs. Time and again he had told her what she was doing when his + back was turned to her, just as if he had been sitting squarely in front + of her. Some laughed at this foolish notion; but others, who knew more of + the nebulous sciences, told her it was like's not jes' so. Folks had read + letters laid ag'in' the pits o' their stomachs, 'n' why should n't they + see out o' the backs o' their heads? + </p> + <p> + Now there was a certain fact at the bottom of this belief of Mrs. Hopkins; + and as it world be a very small thing to make a mystery of so simple a + matter, the reader shall have the whole benefit of knowing all there is in + it,—not quite yet, however, of knowing all that came of it. It was + not the mirror trick, of course, which Mrs. Felix Lorraine and other + dangerous historical personages have so long made use of. It was nothing + but this: Mr. Byles Gridley wore a pair of formidable spectacles with + large round glasses. He had often noticed the reflection of objects behind + him when they caught their images at certain angles, and had got the habit + of very often looking at the reflecting surface of one or the other of the + glasses, when he seemed to be looking through them. It put a singular + power into his possession, which might possibly hereafter lead to + something more significant than the mystification of the Widow Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + A short time before Myrtle Hazard's disappearance, Mr. Byles Gridley had + occasion to call again at the office of Penhallow and Bradshaw on some + small matter of business of his own. There were papers to look over, and + he put on his great round-glassed spectacles. He and Mr. Penhallow sat + down at the table, and Mr. Bradshaw was at a desk behind them. After + sitting for a while, Mr. Penhallow seemed to remember something he had + meant to attend to, for he said all at once: “Excuse me, Mr. Gridley. Mr. + Bradshaw, if you are not busy, I wish you would look over this bundle of + papers. They look like old receipted bills and memoranda of no particular + use; but they came from the garret of the Withers place, and might + possibly have something that would be of value. Look them over, will you, + and see whether there is anything there worth saving.” + </p> + <p> + The young man took the papers, and Mr. Penhallow sat down again at the + table with Mr. Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + This last-named gentleman felt just then a strong impulse to observe the + operations of Murray Bradshaw. He could not have given any very good + reason for it, any more than any of us can for half of what we do. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to examine that conveyance we were speaking of once more,” + said he. “Please to look at this one in the mean time, will you, Mr. + Penhallow?” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley held the document up before him. He did not seem to find it + quite legible, and adjusted his spectacles carefully, until they were just + as he wanted them. When he had got them to suit himself, sitting there + with his back to Murray Bradshaw, he could see him and all his movements, + the desk at which he was standing, and the books in the shelves before + him,—all this time appearing as if he were intent upon his own + reading. + </p> + <p> + The young man began in a rather indifferent way to look over the papers. + He loosened the band round them, and took them up one by one, gave a + careless glance at them, and laid them together to tie up again when he + had gone through them. Master Gridley saw all this process, thinking what + a fool he was all the time to be watching such a simple proceeding. + Presently he noticed a more sudden movement: the young man had found + something which arrested his attention, and turned his head to see if he + was observed. The senior partner and his client were both apparently deep + in their own affairs. In his hand Mr. Bradshaw held a paper folded like + the others, the back of which he read, holding it in such a way that + Master Gridley saw very distinctly three large spots of ink upon it, and + noticed their position. Murray Bradshaw took another hurried glance at the + two gentlemen, and then quickly opened the paper. He ran it over with a + flash of his eye, folded it again, and laid it by itself. With another + quick turn of his head, as if to see whether he were observed or like to + be, he reached his hand out and took a volume down from the shelves. In + this volume he shut the document, whatever it was, which he had just taken + out of the bundle, and placed the book in a very silent and as it were + stealthy way back in its place. He then gave a look at each of the other + papers, and said to his partner: “Old bills, old leases, and insurance + policies that have run out. Malachi seems to have kept every scrap of + paper that had a signature to it.” + </p> + <p> + “That 's the way with the old misers, always,” said Mr. Penhallow. + </p> + <p> + Byles Gridley had got through reading the document he held,—or + pretending to read it. He took off his spectacles. + </p> + <p> + “We all grow timid and cautious as we get old, Mr. Penhallow.” Then + turning round to the young man, he slowly repeated the lines, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Multa senem circumveniunt incommoda, vel quod + Quaerit et inventis miser abstinet, ac timet uti; + Vel quod res omnes timide, gelideque ministrat' +</pre> + <p> + “You remember the passage, Mr. Bradshaw?” + </p> + <p> + While he was reciting these words from Horace, which he spoke slowly as if + he relished every syllable, he kept his eyes on the young man steadily, + but with out betraying any suspicion. His old habits as a teacher made + that easy. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw's face was calm as usual, but there was a flush on his + cheek, and Master Gridley saw the slight but unequivocal signs of + excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Something is going on inside there,” the old man said to himself. He + waited patiently, on the pretext of business, until Mr. Bradshaw got up + and left the office. As soon as he and the senior partner were alone, + Master Gridley took a lazy look at some of the books in his library. There + stood in the book-shelves a copy of the Corpus Juris Civilis,—the + fine Elzevir edition of 1664. It was bound in parchment, and thus readily + distinguishable at a glance from all the books round it. Now Mr. Penhallow + was not much of a Latin scholar, and knew and cared very little about the + civil law. He had fallen in with this book at an auction, and bought it to + place in his shelves with the other “properties” of the office, because it + would look respectable. Anything shut up in one of those two octavos might + stay there a lifetime without Mr. Penhallow's disturbing it; that Master + Gridley knew, and of course the young man knew it too. + </p> + <p> + We often move to the objects of supreme curiosity or desire, not in the + lines of castle or bishop on the chess-board, but with the knight's + zigzag, at first in the wrong direction, making believe to ourselves we + are not after the thing coveted. Put a lump of sugar in a canary-bird's + cage, and the small creature will illustrate the instinct for the benefit + of inquirers or sceptics. Byles Gridley went to the other side of the room + and took a volume of Reports from the shelves. He put it back and took a + copy of “Fearne on Contingent Remainders,” and looked at that for a moment + in an idling way, as if from a sense of having nothing to do. Then he drew + the back of his forefinger along the books on the shelf, as if nothing + interested him in them, and strolled to the shelf in front of the desk at + which Murray Bradshaw had stood. He took down the second volume of the + Corpus Juris Civilis, turned the leaves over mechanically, as if in search + of some title, and replaced it. + </p> + <p> + He looked round for a moment. Mr. Penhallow was writing hard at his table, + not thinking of him, it was plain enough. He laid his hand on the FIRST + volume of the Corpus Juris Civilis. There was a document shut up in it. + His hand was on the book, whether taking it out or putting it back was not + evident, when the door opened and Mr. William Murray Bradshaw entered. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mr. Gridley,” he said, “you are not studying the civil law, are you?” + He strode towards him as he spoke, his face white, his eyes fixed fiercely + on him. + </p> + <p> + “It always interests me, Mr. Bradshaw,” he answered, “and this is a fine + edition of it. One may find a great many valuable things in the Corpus + Juris Civilis.” + </p> + <p> + He looked impenetrable, and whether or not he had seen more than Mr. + Bradshaw wished him to see, that gentleman could not tell. But there stood + the two books in their place, and when, after Master Gridley had gone, he + looked in the first volume, there was the document he had shut up in it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. MYRTLE'S LETTER—THE YOUNG MEN'S PURSUIT. + </h2> + <p> + “You know all about it, Olive?” Cyprian Eveleth said to his sister, after + a brief word of greeting. + </p> + <p> + “Know of what, Cyprian?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, sister, don't you know that Myrtle Hazard is missing,—gone!—gone + nobody knows where, and that we are looking in all directions to find + her?” + </p> + <p> + Olive turned very pale and was silent for a moment. At the end of that + moment the story seemed almost old to her. It was a natural ending of the + prison-life which had been round Myrtle since her earliest years. When she + got large and strong enough, she broke out of jail,—that was all. + The nursery-bar is always climbed sooner or later, whether it is a wooden + or an iron one. Olive felt as if she had dimly foreseen just such a + finishing to the tragedy of the poor girl's home bringing-up. Why could + not she have done something to prevent it? Well,—what shall we do + now, and as it is?—that is the question. + </p> + <p> + “Has she left no letter,—no explanation of her leaving in this way?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word, so far as anybody in the village knows.” + </p> + <p> + “Come over to the post-office with me; perhaps we may find a letter. I + think we shall.” + </p> + <p> + Olive's sagacity and knowledge of her friend's character had not misled + her. She found a letter from Myrtle to herself, which she opened and read + as here follows: + </p> + <p> + MY DEAREST OLIVE:—Think no evil of me for what I have done. The + fire-hang-bird's nest, as Cyprian called it, is empty, and the poor bird + is flown. + </p> + <p> + I can live as I have lived no longer. This place is chilling all the life + out of me, and I must find another home. It is far, far away, and you will + not hear from me again until I am there. Then I will write to you. + </p> + <p> + You know where I was born,—under a hot sun and in the midst of + strange, lovely scenes that I seem still to remember. I must visit them + again: my heart always yearns for them. And I must cross the sea to get + there,—the beautiful great sea that I have always longed for and + that my river has been whispering about to me ever so many years. My life + is pinched and starved here. I feel as old as aunt Silence, and I am only + fifteen,—a child she has called me within a few days. If this is to + be a child, what is it to be a woman? + </p> + <p> + I love you dearly,—and your brother is almost to me as if he were + mine. I love our sweet, patient Bathsheba,—yes, and the old man that + has spoken so kindly with me, good Master Gridley; I hate to give you + pain,—to leave you all,—but my way of life is killing me, and + I am too young to die. I cannot take the comfort with you, my dear + friends, that I would; for it seems as if I carried a lump of ice in my + heart, and all the warmth I find in you cannot thaw it out. + </p> + <p> + I have had a strange warning to leave this place, Olive. Do you remember + how the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to flee into + Egypt? I have had a dream like that, Olive. There is an old belief in our + family that the spirit of one who died many generations ago watches over + some of her descendants. They say it led our first ancestor to come over + here when it was a wilderness. I believe it has appeared to others of the + family in times of trouble. I have had a strange dream at any rate, and + the one I saw, or thought I saw, told me to leave this place. Perhaps I + should have stayed if it had not been for that, but it seemed like an + angel's warning. + </p> + <p> + Nobody will know how I have gone, or which way I have taken. On Monday, + you may show this letter to my friends, not before. I do not think they + will be in danger of breaking their hearts for me at our house. Aunt + Silence cares for nothing but her own soul, and the other woman hates me, + I always thought. Kitty Fagan will cry hard. Tell her perhaps I shall come + back by and by. There is a little box in my room, with some keepsakes + marked,—one is for poor Kitty. You can give them to the right ones. + Yours is with them. + </p> + <p> + Good-by, dearest. Keep my secret, as I told you, till Monday. And if you + never see me again, remember how much I loved you. Never think hardly of + me, for you have grown up in a happy home, and do not know how much misery + can be crowded into fifteen years of a young girl's life. God be with you! + </p> + <p> + MYRTLE HAZARD. + </p> + <p> + Olive could not restrain her tears, as she handed the letter to Cyprian. + “Her secret is as safe with you as with me,” she said. “But this is + madness, Cyprian, and we must keep her from doing herself a wrong. + </p> + <p> + “What she means to do, is to get to Boston, in some way or other, and sail + for India. It is strange that they have not tracked her. There is no time + to be lost. She shall not go out into the world in this way, child that + she is. No; she shall come back, and make her home with us, if she cannot + be happy with these people. Ours is a happy and a cheerful home, and she + shall be to me as a younger sister, and your sister too, Cyprian. But you + must see her; you must leave this very hour; and you may find her. Go to + your cousin Edward, in Boston, at once; tell him your errand, and get him + to help you find our poor dear sister. Then give her the note I will + write, and say I know your heart, Cyprian, and I can trust that to tell + you what to say.” + </p> + <p> + In a very short time Cyprian Eveleth was on his way to Boston. But + another, keener even in pursuit than he, was there before him. + </p> + <p> + Ever since the day when Master Gridley had made that over-curious + observation of the young lawyer's proceedings at the office, Murray + Bradshaw had shown a far livelier interest than before in the conditions + and feelings of Myrtle Hazard. He had called frequently at The Poplars to + talk over business matters, which seemed of late to require a deal of + talking. He had been very deferential to Miss Silence, and had wound + himself into the confidence of Miss Badlam. He found it harder to + establish any very near relations with Myrtle, who had never seemed to + care much for any young man but Cyprian Eveleth, and to care for him quite + as much as Olive's brother as for any personal reason. But he carefully + studied Myrtle's tastes and ways of thinking and of life, so that, by and + by, when she should look upon herself as a young woman, and not as a girl, + he would have a great advantage in making her more intimate acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + Thus, she corresponded with a friend of her mother's in India. She talked + at times as if it were her ideal home, and showed many tastes which might + well be vestiges of early Oriental impressions. She made herself a rude + hammock,—such as are often used in hot climates,—and swung it + between two elms. Here she would lie in the hot summer days, and fan + herself with the sandal-wood fan her friend in India had sent her,—the + perfume of which, the women said, seemed to throw her into day-dreams, + which were almost like trances. + </p> + <p> + These circumstances gave a general direction to his ideas, which were + presently fixed more exactly by two circumstances which he learned for + himself and kept to himself; for he had no idea of making a hue and cry, + and yet he did not mean that Myrtle Hazard should get away if he could + help it. + </p> + <p> + The first fact was this. He found among the copies of the city newspaper + they took at The Poplars a recent number from which a square had been cut + out. He procured another copy of this paper of the same date, and found + that the piece cut out was an advertisement to the effect that the A 1 + Ship Swordfish, Captain Hawkins, was to sail from Boston for Calcutta, on + the 20th of June. + </p> + <p> + The second fact was the following. On the window-sill of her little + hanging chamber, which the women allowed him to inspect, he found some + threads of long, black, glossy hair caught by a splinter in the wood. They + were Myrtle's of course. A simpleton might have constructed a tragedy out + of this trivial circumstance,—how she had cast herself from the + window into the waters beneath it,—how she had been thrust out after + a struggle, of which this shred from her tresses was the dreadful witness,—and + so on. Murray Bradshaw did not stop to guess and wonder. He said nothing + about it, but wound the shining threads on his finger, and, as soon as he + got home, examined them with a magnifier. They had been cut off smoothly, + as with a pair of scissors. This was part of a mass of hair, then, which + had been shorn and thrown from the window. Nobody would do that but she + herself. What would she do it for? To disguise her sex, of course. The + other inferences were plain enough. + </p> + <p> + The wily young man put all these facts and hints together, and concluded + that he would let the rustics drag the ponds and the river, and scour the + woods and swamps, while he himself went to the seaport town from which she + would without doubt sail if she had formed the project he thought on the + whole most probable. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that we found him hurrying to the nearest station to catch the + train to Boston, while they were all looking for traces of the missing + girl nearer home. In the cars he made the most suggestive inquiries he + could frame, to stir up the gentlemanly conductor's memory. Had any young + fellow been on the train within a day or two, who had attracted his + notice? Smooth, handsome face, black eyes, short black hair, new clothes, + not fitting very well, looked away when he paid his fare, had a soft voice + like a woman's,—had he seen anybody answering to some such + description as this? The gentlemanly conductor had not noticed,—was + always taking up and setting down way-passengers,—might have had + such a young man aboard,—there was two or three students one day in + the car singing college songs,—he did n't care how folks looked if + they had their tickets ready,—and minded their own business,—and, + so saying, he poked a young man upon whose shoulder a ringleted head was + reclining with that delightful abandon which the railroad train seems to + provoke in lovely woman,—“Fare!” + </p> + <p> + It is a fine thing to be set down in a great, overcrowded hotel, where + they do not know you, looking dusty, and for the moment shabby, with + nothing but a carpet-bag in your hand, feeling tired, and anything but + clean, and hungry, and worried, and every way miserable and mean, and to + undergo the appraising process of the gentleman in the office, who, while + he shoves the book round to you for your name, is making a hasty + calculation as to how high up he can venture to doom you. But Murray + Bradshaw's plain dress and carpet-bag were more than made up for by the + air and tone which imply the habit of being attended to. The clerk saw + that in a glance, and, as he looked at the name and address in the book, + spoke sharply in the explosive dialect of his tribe,— + </p> + <p> + “Jun! ta'tha'genlm'n'scarpetbag'n'showhimupt'thirtyone!” + </p> + <p> + When Cyprian Eveleth reached the same hotel late at night, he appeared in + his best clothes and with a new valise; but his amiable countenance and + gentle voice and modest manner sent him up two stories higher, where he + found himself in a room not much better than a garret, feeling lonely + enough, for he did not know he had an acquaintance in the same house. The + two young men were in and out so irregularly that it was not very strange + that they did not happen to meet each other. + </p> + <p> + The young lawyer was far more likely to find Myrtle if she were in the + city than the other, even with the help of his cousin Edward. He was not + only older, but sharper, better acquainted with the city and its ways, + and, whatever might be the strength of Cyprian's motives, his own were of + such intensity that he thought of nothing else by day, and dreamed of + nothing else by night. He went to work, therefore, in the most systematic + manner. He first visited the ship Swordfish, lying at her wharf, saw her + captain, and satisfied himself that as yet nobody at all corresponding to + the description of Myrtle Hazard had been seen by any person on board. He + visited all the wharves, inquiring on every vessel where it seemed + possible she might have been looking about. Hotels, thoroughfares, every + place where he might hear of her or meet her, were all searched. He took + some of the police into his confidence, and had half a dozen pairs of eyes + besides his own opened pretty widely, to discover the lost girl. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 19th, he got the first hint which encouraged him to think + he was on the trail of his fugitive. He had gone down again to the wharf + where the Swordfish, advertised to sail the next day, was lying. The + captain was not on board, but one of the mates was there, and he addressed + his questions to him, not with any great hope of hearing anything + important, but determined to lose no chance, however small. He was + startled with a piece of information which gave him such an exquisite pang + of delight that he could hardly keep the usual quiet of his demeanor. A + youth corresponding to his description of Myrtle Hazard in her probable + disguise had been that morning on board the Swordfish, making many + inquires as to the hour at which she was to sail, and who were to be the + passengers, and remained some time on board, going all over the vessel, + examining her cabin accommodations, and saying he should return to-morrow + before she sailed,—doubtless intending to take passage in her, as + there was plenty of room on board. There could be little question, from + the description, who this young person was. It was a rather delicate—looking, + dark—haired youth, smooth-faced, somewhat shy and bashful in his + ways, and evidently excited and nervous. He had apparently been to look + about him, and would come back at the last moment, just as the vessel was + ready to sail, and in an hour or two be beyond the reach of inquiry. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw returned to his hotel, and, going to his chamber, summoned + all his faculties in state council to determine what course he should + follow, now that he had the object of his search certainly within reaching + distance. There was no danger now of her eluding him; but the grave + question arose, what was he to do when he stood face to face with her. She + must not go,—that was fixed. If she once got off in that ship, she + might be safe enough; but what would become of certain projects in which + he was interested,—that was the question. But again, she was no + child, to be turned away from her adventure by cajolery, or by any such + threats as common truants would find sufficient to scare them back to + their duty. He could tell the facts of her disguise and the manner of her + leaving home to the captain of the vessel, and induce him to send her + ashore as a stray girl, to be returned to her relatives. But this would + only make her furious with him; and he must not alienate her from himself, + at any rate. He might plead with her in the name of duty, for the sake of + her friends, for the good name of the family. She had thought all these + things over before she ran away. What if he should address her as a lover, + throw himself at her feet, implore her to pity him and give up her rash + scheme, and, if things came to the very worst, offer to follow her + wherever she went, if she would accept him in the only relation that would + render it possible. Fifteen years old,—he nearly ten years older,—but + such things had happened before, and this was no time to stand on trifles. + </p> + <p> + He worked out the hypothesis of the matrimonial offer as he would have + reasoned out the probabilities in a law case he was undertaking. + </p> + <p> + 1. He would rather risk that than lose all hold upon her. The girl was + handsome enough for his ambitious future, wherever it might carry him. She + came of an honorable family, and had the great advantage of being free + from a tribe of disagreeable relatives, which is such a drawback on many + otherwise eligible parties. To these considerations were to be joined + other circumstances which we need not here mention, of a nature to add + greatly to their force, and which would go far of themselves to determine + his action. + </p> + <p> + 2. How was it likely she would look on such an extraordinary proposition? + At first, no doubt, as Lady Anne looked upon the advances of Richard. She + would be startled, perhaps shocked. What then? She could not help feeling + flattered at such an offer from him,—him, William Murray Bradshaw, + the rising young man of his county, at her feet, his eyes melting with the + love he would throw into them, his tones subdued to their most sympathetic + quality, and all those phrases on his lips which every day beguile women + older and more discreet than this romantic, long-imprisoned girl, whose + rash and adventurous enterprise was an assertion of her womanhood and her + right to dispose of herself as she chose. He had not lived to be + twenty-five years old without knowing his power with women. He believed in + himself so thoroughly, that his very confidence was a strong promise of + success. + </p> + <p> + 3. In case all his entreaties, arguments, and offers made no impression, + should he make use of that supreme resource, not to be employed save in + extreme need, but which was of a nature, in his opinion, to shake a + resolution stronger than this young girl was like to oppose to it? That + would be like Christian's coming to his weapon called All-prayer, he said + to himself, with a smile that his early readings of Bunyan should have + furnished him an image for so different an occasion. The question was one + he could not settle till the time came,—he must leave it to the + instinct of the moment. + </p> + <p> + The next morning found him early waking after a night of feverish dreams. + He dressed himself with more than usual care, and walked down to the wharf + where the Swordfish was moored. The ship had left the wharf, and was lying + out in the stream: A small boat had just reached her, and a slender youth, + as he appeared at that distance, climbed, not over-adroitly, up the + vessel's side. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw called to a boatman near by and ordered the man to row him + over as fast as he could to the vessel lying in the stream. He had no + sooner reached the deck of the Swordfish than he asked for the young + person who had just been put on board. + </p> + <p> + “He is in the cabin, sir, just gone down with the captain,” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + His heart beat, in spite of his cool temperament, as he went down the + steps leading to the cabin. The young person was talking earnestly with + the captain, and, on his turning round, Mr. William Murray Bradshaw had + the pleasure of recognizing his young friend, Mr. Cyprian Eveleth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. DOWN THE RIVER. + </h2> + <p> + Look at the flower of a morning-glory the evening before the dawn which is + to see it unfold. The delicate petals are twisted into a spiral, which at + the appointed hour, when the sunlight touches the hidden springs of its + life, will uncoil itself and let the day into the chamber of its virgin + heart. But the spiral must unwind by its own law, and the hand that shall + try to hasten the process will only spoil the blossom which would have + expanded in symmetrical beauty under the rosy fingers of morning. + </p> + <p> + We may take a hint from Nature's handling of the flower in dealing with + young souls, and especially with the souls of young girls, which, from + their organization and conditions, require more careful treatment than + those of their tougher-fibred brothers. Many parents reproach themselves + for not having enforced their own convictions on their children in the + face of every inborn antagonism they encountered. Let them not be too + severe in their self-condemnation. A want of judgment in this matter has + sent many a young person to Bedlam, whose nature would have opened kindly + enough if it had only been trusted to the sweet influences of morning + sunshine. In such cases it may be that the state we call insanity is not + always an unalloyed evil. It may take the place of something worse, the + wretchedness of a mind not yet dethroned, but subject to the perpetual + interferences of another mind governed by laws alien and hostile to its + own. Insanity may perhaps be the only palliative left to Nature in this + extremity. But before she comes to that, she has many expedients. The mind + does not know what diet it can feed on until it has been brought to the + starvation point. Its experience is like that of those who have been long + drifting about on rafts or in long-boats. There is nothing out of which it + will not contrive to get some sustenance. A person of note, long held + captive for a political offence, is said to have owed the preservation of + his reason to a pin, out of which he contrived to get exercise and + excitement by throwing it down carelessly on the dark floor of his + dungeon, and then hunting for it in a series of systematic explorations + until he had found it. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the most natural thing Myrtle Hazard could have done would have + been to go crazy, and be sent to the nearest asylum, if Providence, which + in its wisdom makes use of the most unexpected agencies, had not made a + special provision for her mental welfare. She was in that arid household + as the prophet in the land where there was no dew nor rain for these long + years. But as he had the brook Cherith, and the bread and flesh in the + morning and the bread and flesh in the evening which the ravens brought + him, so she had the river and her secret store of books. + </p> + <p> + The river was light and life and music and companionship to her. She + learned to row herself about upon it, to swim boldly in it, for it had + sheltered nooks but a little way above The Poplars. But there was more + than that in it,—it was infinitely sympathetic. A river is strangely + like a human soul. It has its dark and bright days, its troubles from + within, and its disturbances from without. It often runs over ragged rocks + with a smooth surface, and is vexed with ripples as it slides over sands + that are level as a floor. It betrays its various moods by aspects which + are the commonplaces of poetry, as smiles and dimples and wrinkles and + frowns. Its face is full of winking eyes, when the scattering rain-drops + first fall upon it, and it scowls back at the storm-cloud, as with knitted + brows, when the winds are let loose. It talks, too, in its own simple + dialect, murmuring, as it were, with busy lips all the way to the ocean, + as children seeking the mother's breast and impatient of delay. Prisoners + who know what a flower or an insect has been to them in their solitary + cell, invalids who have employed their vacant minds in studying the + patterns of paper-hangings on the walls of their sick-chambers, can tell + what the river was to the lonely, imaginative creature who used to sit + looking into its depths, hour after hour, from the airy height of the + Fire-hang-bird's Nest. + </p> + <p> + Of late a thought had mingled with her fancies which had given to the + river the aspect of something more than a friend and a companion. It + appeared all at once as a Deliverer. Did not its waters lead, after long + wanderings, to the great highway of the world, and open to her the gates + of those cities from which she could take her departure unchallenged + towards the lands of the morning or of the sunset? Often, after a freshet, + she had seen a child's miniature boat floating down on its side past her + window, and traced it in imagination back to some crystal brook flowing by + the door of a cottage far up a blue mountain in the distance. So she now + began to follow down the stream the airy shallop that held her bright + fancies. These dreams of hers were colored by the rainbows of an enchanted + fountain,—the books of adventure, the romances, the stories which + fortune had placed in her hands,—the same over which the heart of + the Pride of the County had throbbed in the last century, and on the pages + of some of which the traces of her tears might still be seen. + </p> + <p> + The literature which was furnished for Myrtle's improvement was chiefly of + a religious character, and, however interesting and valuable to those to + whom it was adapted, had not been chosen with any wise regard to its + fitness for her special conditions. Of what use was it to offer books like + the “Saint's Rest” to a child whose idea of happiness was in perpetual + activity? She read “Pilgrim's Progress,” it is true, with great delight. + She liked the idea of travelling with a pack on one's back, the odd shows + at the House of the interpreter, the fighting, the adventures, the + pleasing young ladies at the palace the name of which was Beautiful, and + their very interesting museum of curiosities. As for the allegorical + meaning, it went through her consciousness like a peck of wheat through a + bushel measure with the bottom out, without touching. + </p> + <p> + But the very first book she got hold of out of the hidden treasury threw + the “Pilgrim's Progress” quite into the shade. It was the story of a youth + who ran away and lived on an island,—one Crusoe,—a homely + narrative, but evidently true, though full of remarkable adventures. There + too was the history, coming much nearer home, of Deborah Sampson, the + young woman who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, with a + portrait of her in man's attire, looking intrepid rather than lovely. A + virtuous young female she was, and married well, as she deserved to, and + raised a family with as good a name as wife and mother as the best of + them. But perhaps not one of these books and stories took such hold of her + imagination as the tale of Rasselas, which most young persons find less + entertaining than the “Vicar of Wakefield,” with which it is nowadays so + commonly bound up. It was the prince's discontent in the Happy Valley, the + iron gate opening to the sound of music, and closing forever on those it + admitted, the rocky boundaries of the imprisoning valley, the visions of + the world beyond, the projects of escape, and the long toil which ended in + their accomplishment, which haunted her sleeping and waking. She too was a + prisoner, but it was not in the Happy Valley. Of the romances and the + love-letters we must take it for granted that she selected wisely, and + read discreetly; at least we know nothing to the contrary. + </p> + <p> + There were mysterious reminiscences and hints of her past coming over her + constantly. It was in the course of the long, weary spring before her + disappearance, that a dangerous chord was struck which added to her + growing restlessness. In an old closet were some seashells and coral-fans, + and dried star-fishes and sea, horses, and a natural mummy of a + rough-skinned dogfish. She had not thought of them for years, but now she + felt impelled to look after them. The dim sea odors which still clung to + them penetrated to the very inmost haunts of memory, and called up that + longing for the ocean breeze which those who have once breathed and salted + their blood with it never get over, and which makes the sweetest inland + airs seem to them at last tame and tasteless. She held a tigershell to her + ear, and listened to that low, sleepy murmur, whether in the sense or in + the soul we hardly know, like that which had so often been her lullaby,—a + memory of the sea, as Landor and Wordsworth have sung. + </p> + <p> + “You are getting to look like your father,” Aunt Silence said one day; “I + never saw it before. I always thought you took after old Major Gideon + Withers. Well, I hope you won't come to an early grave like poor Charles,—or + at any rate, that you may be prepared.” + </p> + <p> + It did not seem very likely that the girl was going out of the world at + present, but she looked Miss Silence in the face very seriously, and said, + “Why not an early grave, Aunt, if this world is such a bad place as you + say it is?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you are not fit for a better.” + </p> + <p> + She wondered if Silence Withers and Cynthia Badlam were just ripe for + heaven. + </p> + <p> + For some months Miss Cynthia Badlam, who, as was said, had been an + habitual visitor at The Poplars, had lived there as a permanent resident. + Between her and Silence Withers, Myrtle Hazard found no rest for her soul. + Each of them was for untwisting the morning-glory without waiting for the + sunshine to do it. Each had her own wrenches and pincers to use for that + purpose. All this promised little for the nurture and admonition of the + young girl, who, if her will could not be broken by imprisonment and + starvation at three years old, was not likely to be over-tractable to any + but gentle and reasonable treatment at fifteen. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Silence's engine was responsibility,—her own responsibility, + and the dreadful consequences which would follow to her, Silence, if + Myrtle should in any way go wrong. Ever since her failure in that moral + coup d'etat by which the sinful dynasty of the natural self-determining + power was to be dethroned, her attempts in the way of education had been a + series of feeble efforts followed by plaintive wails over their utter want + of success. The face she turned upon the young girl in her solemn + expostulations looked as if it were inscribed with the epitaphs of hope + and virtue. Her utterances were pitched in such a forlorn tone, that the + little bird in his cage, who always began twittering at the sound of + Myrtle's voice, would stop in his song, and cock his head with a look of + inquiry full of pathos, as if he wanted to know what was the matter, and + whether he could do anything to help. + </p> + <p> + The specialty of Cynthia Badlam was to point out all the dangerous and + unpardonable trangressions into which young people generally, and this + young person in particular, were likely to run, to hold up examples of + those who had fallen into evil ways and come to an evil end, to present + the most exalted standard of ascetic virtue to the lively girl's + apprehension, leading her naturally to the conclusion that a bright + example of excellence stood before her in the irreproachable relative who + addressed her. Especially with regard to the allurements which the world + offers to the young and inexperienced female, Miss Cynthia Badlam was + severe and eloquent. Sometimes poor Myrtle would stare, not seeing the + meaning of her wise caution, sometimes look at Miss Cynthia with a feeling + that there was something about her that was false and forced, that she had + nothing in common with young people, that she had no pity for them, only + hatred of their sins, whatever these might be,—a hatred which seemed + to extend to those sources of frequent temptation, youth and beauty, as if + they were in themselves objectionable. + </p> + <p> + Both the lone women at The Poplars were gifted with a thin vein of music. + They gave it expression in psalmody, of course, in which Myrtle, who was a + natural singer, was expected to bear her part. This would have been + pleasantry if the airs most frequently selected had been cheerful or + soothing, and if the favorite hymns had been of a sort to inspire a love + for what was lovely in this life, and to give some faint foretaste of the + harmonies of a better world to come. But there is a fondness for minor + keys and wailing cadences common to the monotonous chants of cannibals and + savages generally, to such war-songs as the wild, implacable + “Marseillaise,” and to the favorite tunes of low—spirited Christian + pessimists. That mournful “China,” which one of our most agreeable + story-tellers has justly singled out as the cry of despair itself, was + often sung at The Poplars, sending such a sense of utter misery through + the house, that poor Kitty Fagan would cross herself, and wring her hands, + and think of funerals, and wonder who was going to die,—for she + fancied she heard the Banshee's warning in those most dismal ululations. + </p> + <p> + On the first Saturday of June, a fortnight before her disappearance, + Myrtle strolled off by the river shore, along its lonely banks, and came + home with her hands full of leaves and blossoms. Silence Withers looked at + them as if they were a kind of melancholy manifestation of frivolity on + the part of the wicked old earth. Not that she did not inhale their faint + fragrance with a certain pleasure, and feel their beauty as none whose + souls are not wholly shriveled and hardened can help doing, but the world + was, in her estimate, a vale of tears, and it was only by a momentary + forgetfulness that she could be moved to smile at anything. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cynthia, a sharper-edged woman, had formed the habit of crushing + everything for its moral, until it lost its sweetness and grew almost + odious, as flower-de-luces do when handled roughly. “There's a worm in + that leaf, Myrtle. He has rolled it all round him, and hidden himself from + sight; but there is a horrid worm in it, for all it is so young and fresh. + There is a worm in every young soul, Myrtle.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is not a worm in every leaf, Miss Cynthia. Look,” she said, + “all these are open, and you can see all over and under them, and there is + nothing there. Are there never any worms in the leaves after they get old + and yellow, Miss Cynthia?” + </p> + <p> + That was a pretty fair hit for a simple creature of fifteen, but perhaps + she was not so absolutely simple as one might have thought. + </p> + <p> + It was on the evening of this same day that they were sitting together. + The sweet season was opening, and it seemed as if the whispering of the + leaves, the voices of the birds, the softness of the air, the young life + stirring in everything, called on all creatures to join the universal + chorus of praise that was going up around them. + </p> + <p> + “What shall we sing this evening?” said Miss Silence. + </p> + <p> + “Give me one of the books, if you please, Cousin Silence,” said Miss + Cynthia. “It is Saturday evening. Holy time has begun. Let us prepare our + minds for the solemnities of the Sabbath.” + </p> + <p> + She took the book, one well known to the schools and churches of this + nineteenth century. + </p> + <p> + “Book Second. Hymn 44. Long metre. I guess 'Putney' will be as good a tune + as any to sing it to.” + </p> + <p> + The trio began,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “With holy fear, and humble song,” + </pre> + <p> + and got through the first verse together pretty well. Then came the second + verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Far in the deep where darkness dwells, + The land of horror and despair, + Justice has built a dismal hell, + And laid her stores of vengeance there.” + </pre> + <p> + Myrtle's voice trembled a little in singing this verse, and she hardly + kept up her part with proper spirit. + </p> + <p> + “Sing out, Myrtle,” said Miss Cynthia, and she struck up the third verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Eternal plagues and heavy chains, + Tormenting racks and fiery coals, + And darts t' inflict immortal pains, + Dyed in the blood of damned souls.” + </pre> + <p> + This last verse was a duet, and not a trio. Myrtle closed her lips while + it was singing, and when it was done threw down the book with a look of + anger and disgust. The hunted soul was at bay. + </p> + <p> + “I won't sing such words,” she said, “and I won't stay here to hear them + sung. The boys in the streets say just such words as that, and I am not + going to sing them. You can't scare me into being good with your cruel + hymn-book!” + </p> + <p> + She could not swear: she was not a boy. She would not cry: she felt proud, + obdurate, scornful, outraged. All these images, borrowed from the holy + Inquisition, were meant to frighten her—and had simply irritated + her. The blow of a weapon that glances off, stinging, but not penetrating, + only enrages. It was a moment of fearful danger to her character, to her + life itself. + </p> + <p> + Without heeding the cries of the two women, she sprang up-stairs to her + hanging chamber. She threw open the window and looked down into the + stream. For one moment her head swam with the sudden, overwhelming, almost + maddening thought that came over her,—the impulse to fling herself + headlong into those running waters and dare the worst these dreadful women + had threatened her with. Something she often thought afterwards it was an + invisible hand held her back during that brief moment, and the paroxysm—just + such a paroxysm as throws many a young girl into the Thames or the Seine—passed + away. She remained looking, in a misty dream, into the water far below. + Its murmur recalled the whisper of the ocean waves. And through the depths + it seemed as if she saw into that strange, half—remembered world of + palm-trees and white robes and dusky faces, and amidst them, looking upon + her with ineffable love and tenderness, until all else faded from her + sight, the face of a fair woman,—was it hers, so long, long dead, or + that dear young mother's who was to her less a recollection than a dream? + </p> + <p> + Could it have been this vision that soothed her, so that she unclasped her + hands and lifted her bowed head as if she had heard a voice whispering to + her from that unknown world where she felt there was a spirit watching + over her? At any rate, her face was never more serene than when she went + to meeting with the two maiden ladies on the following day, Sunday, and + heard the Rev. Mr. Stoker preach a sermon from Luke vii. 48, which made + both the women shed tears, but especially so excited Miss Cynthia that she + was in a kind of half-hysteric condition all the rest of the day. + </p> + <p> + After that Myrtle was quieter and more docile than ever before. Could it + be, Miss Silence thought, that the Rev. Mr. Stoker's sermon had touched + her hard heart? However that was, she did not once wear the stormy look + with which she had often met the complaining remonstrances Miss Silence + constantly directed against all the spontaneous movements of the youthful + and naturally vivacious subject of her discipline. + </p> + <p> + June is an uncertain month, as everybody knows, and there were frosts in + many parts of New England in the June of 1859. But there were also + beautiful days and nights, and the sun was warm enough to be fast ripening + the strawberries,—also certain plans which had been in flower some + little time. Some preparations had been going on in a quiet way, so that + at the right moment a decisive movement could be made. Myrtle knew how to + use her needle, and always had a dexterous way of shaping any article of + dress or ornament,—a natural gift not very rare, but sometimes very + needful, as it was now. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 15th of June she was wandering by the shores of the + river, some distance above The Poplars, when a boat came drifting along by + her, evidently broken loose from its fastenings farther up the stream. It + was common for such waifs to show themselves after heavy rains had swollen + the river. They might have run the gauntlet of nobody could tell how many + farms, and perhaps passed by half a dozen towns and villages in the night, + so that, if of common, cheap make, they were retained without scruple, by + any who might find them, until the owner called for them, if he cared to + take the trouble. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle took a knife from her pocket, cut down a long, slender sapling, and + coaxed the boat to the side of the bank. A pair of old oars lay in the + bottom of the boat; she took one of these and paddled it into a little + cove, where it could lie hid among the thick alders. Then she went home + and busied herself about various little matters more interesting to her + than to us. + </p> + <p> + She was never more amiable and gracious than on this day. But she looked + often at the clock, as they remembered afterwards, and studied over a copy + of the Farmer's Almanac which was lying in the kitchen, with a somewhat + singular interest. The days were nearly at their longest, the weather was + mild, the night promised to be clear and bright. + </p> + <p> + The household was, to all appearance, asleep at the usual early hour. When + all seemed quiet, Myrtle lighted her lamp, stood before her mirror, and + untied the string that bound her long and beautiful dark hair, which fell + in its abundance over her shoulders and below her girdle. + </p> + <p> + She lifted its heavy masses with one hand, and severed it with a strong + pair of scissors, with remorseless exaction of every wandering curl, until + she stood so changed by the loss of that outward glory of her womanhood, + that she felt as if she had lost herself and found a brother she had never + seen before. + </p> + <p> + “Good-by, Myrtle!” she said, and, opening her window very gently, she + flung the shining tresses upon the running water, and watched them for a + few moments as they floated down the stream. Then she dressed herself in + the character of her imaginary brother, took up the carpet-bag in which + she had placed what she chose to carry with her, stole softly down-stairs, + and let herself out of a window on the lower floor, shutting it very + carefully so as to be sure that nobody should be disturbed. + </p> + <p> + She glided along, looking all about her, fearing she might be seen by some + curious wanderer, and reached the cove where the boat she had concealed + was lying. She got into it, and, taking the rude oars, pulled herself into + the middle of the swollen stream. Her heart beat so that it seemed to her + as if she could hear it between the strokes of the oar. The lights were + not all out in the village, and she trembled lest she should see the + figure of some watcher looking from the windows in sight of which she + would have to pass, and that a glimpse of this boat stealing along at so + late an hour might give the clue to the secret of her disappearance, with + which the whole region was to be busied in the course of the next day. + </p> + <p> + Presently she came abreast of The Poplars. The house lay so still, so + peaceful,—it would wake to such dismay! The boat slid along beneath + her own overhanging chamber. + </p> + <p> + “No song to-morrow from the Fire-hang-bird's Nest!” she said. So she + floated by the slumbering village, the flow of the river carrying her + steadily on, and the careful strokes of the oars adding swiftness to her + flight. + </p> + <p> + At last she came to the “Broad Meadows,” and knew that she was alone, and + felt confident that she had got away unseen. There was nothing, absolutely + nothing, to point out which way she had gone. Her boat came from nobody + knew where, her disguise had been got together at different times in such + a manner as to lead to no suspicion, and not a human being ever had the + slightest hint that she had planned and meant to carry out the enterprise + which she had now so fortunately begun. + </p> + <p> + Not till the last straggling house had been long past, not till the + meadows were stretched out behind her as well as before her, spreading far + off into the distance on each side, did she give way to the sense of wild + exultation which was coming fast over her. But then, at last, she drew a + long, long breath, and, standing up in the boat, looked all around her. + The stars were shining over her head and deep down beneath her. The cool + wind came fresh upon her cheek over the long grassy reaches. No living + thing moved in all the wide level circle which lay about her. She had + passed the Red Sea, and was alone in the Desert. + </p> + <p> + She threw down her oars, lifted her hands like a priestess, and her + strong, sweet voice burst into song,—the song of the Jewish maiden + when she went out before the chorus of, women and sang that grand solo, + which we all remember in its ancient words, and in their modern + paraphrase, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Sound the loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea! + Jehovah hath triumphed, his people are free!” + </pre> + <p> + The poor child's repertory was limited to songs of the religious sort + mainly, but there was a choice among these. Her aunt's favorites, beside + “China,” already mentioned, were “Bangor,” which the worthy old New + England clergyman so admired that he actually had the down-east city + called after it, and “Windsor,” and “Funeral Hymn.” But Myrtle was in no + mood for these. She let off her ecstasy in “Balerma,” and “Arlington,” and + “Silver Street,” and at last in that most riotous of devotional hymns, + which sounds as if it had been composed by a saint who had a cellar under + his chapel,—“Jordan.” So she let her wild spirits run loose; and + then a tenderer feeling stole over her, and she sang herself into a more + tranquil mood with the gentle music of “Dundee.” And again she pulled + quietly and steadily at her oars, until she reached the wooded region + through which the river winds after leaving the “Broad Meadows.” + </p> + <p> + The tumult in her blood was calmed, yet every sense and faculty was awake + to the manifold delicious, mysterious impressions of that wonderful June + night, The stars were shining between the tall trees, as if all the jewels + of heaven had been set in one belt of midnight sky. The voices of the + wind, as they sighed through the pines, seemed like the breath of a + sleeping child, and then, as they lisped from the soft, tender leaves of + beeches and maples, like the half-articulate whisper of the mother hushing + all the intrusive sounds that might awaken it. Then came the pulsating + monotone of the frogs from a far-off pool, the harsh cry of an owl from an + old tree that overhung it, the splash of a mink or musquash, and nearer + by, the light step of a woodchuck, as he cantered off in his quiet way to + his hole in the nearest bank. The laurels were just coming into bloom,—the + yellow lilies, earlier than their fairer sisters, pushing their golden + cups through the water, not content, like those, to float on the surface + of the stream that fed them, emblems of showy wealth, and, like that, + drawing all manner of insects to feed upon them. The miniature forests of + ferns came down to the edge of the stream, their tall, bending plumes + swaying in the night breeze. Sweet odors from oozing pines, from dewy + flowers, from spicy leaves, stole out of the tangled thickets, and made + the whole scene more dream-like with their faint, mingled suggestions. + </p> + <p> + By and by the banks of the river grew lower and marshy, and in place of + the larger forest-trees which had covered them stood slender tamaracks, + sickly, mossy, looking as if they had been moon-struck and were out of + their wits, their tufts of leaves staring off every way from their + spindling branches. The winds came cool and damp out of the hiding-places + among their dark recesses. The country people about here called this + region the “Witches' Hollow,” and had many stories about the strange + things that happened there. The Indians used to hold their “powwows,” or + magical incantations, upon a broad mound which rose out of the common + level, and where some old hemlocks and beeches formed a dark grove, which + served them as a temple for their demon-worship. There were many legends + of more recent date connected with this spot, some of them hard to account + for, and no superstitious or highly imaginative person would have cared to + pass through it alone in the dead of the night, as this young girl was + doing. + </p> + <p> + She knew nothing of all these fables and fancies. Her own singular + experiences in this enchanted region were certainly not suggested by + anything she had heard, and may be considered psychologically curious by + those who would not think of attributing any mystical meaning to them. We + are at liberty to report many things without attempting to explain them, + or committing ourselves to anything beyond the fact that so they were told + us. The reader will find Myrtle's “Vision,” as written out at a later + period from her recollections, at the end of this chapter. + </p> + <p> + The night was passing, and she meant to be as far away as possible from + the village she had left, before morning. But the boat, like all craft on + country rivers, was leaky, and she had to work until tired, bailing it + out, before she was ready for another long effort. The old tin measure, + which was all she had to bail with, leaked as badly as the boat, and her + task was a tedious one. At last she got it in good trim, and sat down to + her oars with the determination to pull steadily as long as her strength + would hold out. + </p> + <p> + Hour after hour she kept at her work, sweeping round the long bends where + the river was hollowing out one bank and building new shore on the + opposite one, so as gradually to shift its channel; by clipper-shaped + islands, sharp at the bows looking up stream, sharp too at the stern, + looking down,—their shape solving the navigator's problem of least + resistance, as a certain young artist had pointed out; by slumbering + villages; by outlying farm-houses; between cornfields where the young + plants were springing up in little thready fountains; in the midst of + stumps where the forest had just been felled; through patches, where the + fire of the last great autumnal drought had turned all the green beauty of + the woods into brown desolation; and again amidst broad expanses of open + meadow stretching as far as the eye could reach in the uncertain light. A + faint yellow tinge was beginning to stain the eastern horizon. Her boat + was floating quietly along, for she had at last taken in her oars, and she + was now almost tired out with toil and excitement. She rested her head + upon her hands, and felt her eyelids closing in spite of herself. And now + there stole upon her ear a low, gentle, distant murmur, so soft that it + seemed almost to mingle with the sound of her own breathing, but so + steady, so uniform, that it soothed her to sleep, as if it were the old + cradle-song the ocean used to sing to her, or the lullaby of her fair + young mother. + </p> + <p> + So she glided along, slowly, slowly, down the course of the winding river, + and the flushing dawn kindled around her as she slumbered, and the low, + gentle murmur grew louder and louder, but still she slept, dreaming of the + murmuring ocean. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_APPE" id="link2H_APPE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APPENDIX TO CHAPTER VIII. MYRTLE HAZARD'S STATEMENT. + </h2> + <p> + “A Vision seen by me, Myrtle Hazard, aged fifteen, on the night of June + 15, 1859. Written out at the request of a friend from my recollections. + </p> + <p> + “The place where I saw these sights is called, as I have been told since, + Witches' Hollow. I had never been there before, and did not know that it + was called so, or anything about it. + </p> + <p> + “The first strange thing that I noticed was on coming near a kind of hill + or mound that rose out of the low meadows. I saw a burning cross lying on + the slope of that mound. It burned with a pale greenish light, and did not + waste, though I watched it for a long time, as the boat I was in moved + slowly with the current and I had stopped rowing. + </p> + <p> + “I know that my eyes were open, and I was awake while I was looking at + this cross. I think my eyes were open when I saw these other appearances, + but I felt just as if I were dreaming while awake. + </p> + <p> + “I heard a faint rustling sound, and on looking up I saw many figures + moving around me, and I seemed to see myself among them as if I were + outside of myself. + </p> + <p> + “The figures did not walk, but slid or glided with an even movement, as if + without any effort. They made many gestures, and seemed to speak, but I + cannot tell whether I heard what they said, or knew its meaning in some + other way. + </p> + <p> + “I knew the faces of some of these figures. They were the same I have seen + in portraits, as long as I can remember, at the old house where I was + brought up, called The Poplars. I saw my father and my mother as they look + in the two small pictures; also my grandmother, and her father and mother + and grandfather, and one other person, who lived a great while ago. All of + these have been long dead, and the longer they had been dead the less like + substance they looked and the more like shadows, so that the oldest was + like one's breath of a frosty morning, but shaped like the living figure. + </p> + <p> + “There was no motion of their breasts, and their lips seemed to be moving + as if they were saying, Breath! Breath! Breath! I thought they wanted to + breathe the air of this world again in my shape, which I seemed to see as + it were empty of myself and of these other selves, like a sponge that has + water pressed out of it. + </p> + <p> + “Presently it seemed to me that I returned to myself, and then those + others became part of me by being taken up, one by one, and so lost in my + own life. + </p> + <p> + “My father and mother came up, hand in hand, looking more real than any of + the rest. Their figures vanished, and they seemed to have become a part of + me; for I felt all at once the longing to live over the life they had led, + on the sea and in strange countries. + </p> + <p> + “Another figure was just like the one we called the Major, who was a very + strong, hearty-looking man, and who is said to have drank hard sometimes, + though there is nothing about it on his tombstone, which I used to read in + the graveyard. It seemed to me that there was something about his life + that I did not want to make a part of mine, but that there was some right + he had in me through my being of his blood, and so his health and his + strength went all through me, and I was always to have what was left of + his life in that shadow-like shape, forming a portion of mine. + </p> + <p> + “So in the same way with the shape answering to the portrait of that + famous beauty who was the wife of my great-grandfather, and used to be + called the Pride of the County. + </p> + <p> + “And so too with another figure which had the face of that portrait marked + on the back, Ruth Bradford, who married one of my ancestors, and was + before the court, as I have heard, in the time of the witchcraft trials. + </p> + <p> + “There was with the rest a dark, wild-looking woman, with a head-dress of + feathers. She kept as it were in shadow, but I saw something of my own + features in her face. + </p> + <p> + “It was on my mind very strongly that the shape of that woman of our blood + who was burned long ago by the Papists came very close to me, and was in + some way made one with mine, and that I feel her presence with me since, + as if she lived again in me; but not always,—only at times,—and + then I feel borne up as if I could do anything in the world. I had a + feeling as if she were my guardian and protector. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me that these, and more, whom I have not mentioned, do really + live over some part of their past lives in my life. I do not understand it + all, and perhaps it can be accounted for in some way I have not thought + of. I write it down as nearly as I can give it from memory, by request, + and if it is printed at this time had rather have all the real names + withheld. + </p> + <p> + “MYRTLE HAZARD.” NOTE BY THE FRIEND. + </p> + <p> + “This statement must be accounted for in some way, or pass into the + category of the supernatural. Probably it was one of those intuitions, + with objective projection, which sometimes come to imaginative young + persons, especially girls, in certain exalted nervous conditions. The + study of the portraits, with the knowledge of some parts of the history of + the persons they represented, and the consciousness of instincts inherited + in all probability from these same ancestors, formed the basis of Myrtle's + 'Vision.' The lives of our progenitors are, as we know, reproduced in + different proportions in ourselves. Whether they as individuals have any + consciousness of it, is another matter. It is possible that they do get a + second as it were fractional life in us. It might seem that many of those + whose blood flows in our veins struggle for the mastery, and by and by one + or more get the predominance, so that we grow to be like father, or + mother, or remoter ancestor, or two or more are blended in us, not to the + exclusion, however, it must be understood, of a special personality of our + own, about which these others are grouped. Independently of any possible + scientific value, this 'Vision' serves to illustrate the above-mentioned + fact of common experience, which is not sufficiently weighed by most + moralists. + </p> + <p> + “How much it may be granted to certain young persons to see, not in virtue + of their intellectual gifts, but through those direct channels which + worldly wisdom may possibly close to the luminous influx, each reader must + determine for himself by his own standards of faith and evidence. + </p> + <p> + “One statement of the narrative admits of a simple natural explanation, + which does not allow the lovers of the marvellous to class it with the + quasi-miraculous appearance seen by Colonel Gardiner, and given in full by + Dr. Doddridge in his Life of that remarkable Christian soldier. Decaying + wood is often phosphorescent, as many readers must have seen for + themselves. The country people are familiar with the sight of it in wild + timber-land, and have given it the name of 'Fox-fire.' Two trunks of trees + in this state, lying across each other, will account for the fact + observed, and vindicate the truth of the young girl's story without + requiring us to suppose any exceptional occurrence outside of natural + laws.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. MR. CLEMENT LINDSAY RECEIVES A LETTER, AND BEGINS HIS ANSWER. + </h2> + <p> + It was already morning when a young man living in the town of Alderbank, + after lying awake for an hour thinking the unutterable thoughts that + nineteen years of life bring to the sleeping and waking dreams of young + people, rose from his bed, and, half dressing himself, sat down at his + desk, from which he took a letter, which he opened and read. It was + written in a delicate, though hardly formed female hand, and crossed like + a checker-board, as is usual with these redundant manuscripts. The letter + was as follows: + </p> + <p> + OXBOW VILLAGE, June 13, 1859. + </p> + <p> + MY DEAREST CLEMENT,—You was so good to write me such a sweet little + bit of a letter,—only, dear, you never seem to be in quite so good + spirits as you used to be. I wish your Susie was with you to cheer you up; + but no, she must be patient, and you must be patient too, for you are so + ambitious! I have heard you say so many times that nobody could be a great + artist without passing years and years at work, and growing pale and lean + with thinking so hard. You won't grow pale and lean, I hope; for I do so + love to see that pretty color in your cheeks you have always had ever + since I have known you; and besides, I do not believe you will have to + work so very hard to do something great,—you have so much genius, + and people of genius do such beautiful things with so little trouble. You + remember those beautiful lines out of our newspaper I sent you? Well, Mr. + Hopkins told me he wrote those lines in one evening without stopping! I + wish you could see Mr. Hopkins,—he is a very talented person. I cut + out this little piece about him from the paper on purpose to show you,—for + genius loves genius,—and you would like to hear him read his own + poetry,—he reads it beautifully. Please send this piece from the + paper back, as I want to put it in my scrapbook, under his autograph:— + </p> + <p> + “Our young townsman, Mr. Gifted Hopkins, has proved himself worthy of the + name he bears. His poetical effusions are equally creditable to his head + and his heart, displaying the highest order of genius and powers of + imagination and fancy hardly second to any writer of the age. He is + destined to make a great sensation in the world of letters.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins is the same good soul she always was. She is very proud of + her son, as is natural, and keeps a copy of everything he writes. I + believe she cries over them every time she reads them. You don't know how + I take to little Sossy and Minthy, those two twins I have written to you + about before. Poor little creatures,—what a cruel thing it was in + their father and mother not to take care of them! What do you think? Old + bachelor Gridley lets them come up into his room, and builds forts and + castles for them with his big books! “The world's coming to an end,” Mrs. + Hopkins said the first time he did so. He looks so savage with that scowl + of his, and talks so gruff when he is scolding at things in general, that + nobody would have believed he would have let such little things come + anywhere near him. But he seems to be growing kind to all of us and + everybody. I saw him talking to the Fire-hang-bird the other day. You know + who the Fire-hang-bird is, don't you? Myrtle Hazard her name is. I wish + you could see her. I don't know as I do, though. You would want to make a + statue of her, or a painting, I know. She is so handsome that all the + young men stand round to see her come out of meeting. Some say that Lawyer + Bradshaw is after her; but my! he is ten years older than she is. She is + nothing but a girl, though she looks as if she was eighteen. She lives up + at a place called The Poplars, with an old woman that is her aunt or + something, and nobody seems to be much acquainted with her except Olive + Eveleth, who is the minister's daughter at Saint Bartholomew's Church. She + never has beauxs round her, as some young girls do—they say that she + is not happy with her aunt and another woman that stays with her, and that + is the reason she keeps so much to herself. The minister came to see me + the other day,—Mr. Stoker his name is. I was all alone, and it + frightened me, for he looks, oh, so solemn on Sundays! But he called me + “My dear,” and did n't say anything horrid, you know, about my being such + a dreadful, dreadful sinner, as I have heard of his saying to some people,—but + he looked very kindly at me, and took my hand, and laid his hand on my + shoulder like a brother, and hoped I would come and see him in his study. + I suppose I must go, but I don't want to. I don't seem to like him + exactly. + </p> + <p> + I hope you love me as well as ever you did. I can't help feeling sometimes + as if you was growing away from me,—you know what I mean,—getting + to be too great a person for such a small person as I am. + </p> + <p> + I know I can't always understand you when you talk about art, and that you + know a great deal too much for such a simple girl as I am. Oh, if I + thought I could never make you happy!... There, now! I am almost ashamed + to send this paper so spotted. Gifted Hopkins wrote some beautiful verses + one day on “A Maiden Weeping.” He compared the tears falling from her eyes + to the drops of dew which one often sees upon the flowers in the morning. + Is n't it a pretty thought? + </p> + <p> + I wish I loved art as well as I do poetry; but I am afraid I have not so + much taste as some girls have. You remember how I liked that picture in + the illustrated magazine, and you said it was horrid. I have been afraid + since to like almost anything, for fear you should tell me some time or + other it was horrid. Don't you think I shall ever learn to know what is + nice from what is n't? + </p> + <p> + Oh, dear Clement, I wish you would do one thing to please me. Don't say + no, for you can do everything you try to,—I am sure you can. I want + you to write me some poetry,—just three or four little verses TO + SUZIE. Oh, I should feel so proud to have some lines written all on + purpose for me. Mr. Hopkins wrote some the other day, and printed them in + the paper, “To M——e.” I believe he meant them for Myrtle,—the + first and last letter of her name, you see, “M” and “e.” + </p> + <p> + Your letter was a dear one, only so short! I wish you would tell me all + about what you are doing at Alderbank. Have you made that model of + Innocence that is to have my forehead, and hair parted like mine! Make it + pretty, do, that is a darling. + </p> + <p> + Now don't make a face at my letter. It is n't a very good one, I know; but + your poor little Susie does the best she can, and she loves you so much! + </p> + <p> + Now do be nice and write me one little bit of a mite of a poem,—it + will make me just as happy! + </p> + <p> + I am very well, and as happy as I can be when you are away. + </p> + <p> + Your affectionate SUSIE. + </p> + <p> + (Directed to Mr. Clement Lindsay, Alderbank.) + </p> + <p> + The envelope of this letter was unbroken, as was before said, when the + young man took it from his desk. He did not tear it with the hot + impatience of some lovers, but cut it open neatly, slowly, one would say + sadly. He read it with an air of singular effort, and yet with a certain + tenderness. When he had finished it, the drops were thick on his forehead; + he groaned and put his hands to his face, which was burning red. + </p> + <p> + This was what the impulse of boyhood, years ago, had brought him to! He + was a stately youth, of noble bearing, of high purpose, of fastidious + taste; and, if his broad forehead, his clear, large blue eyes, his + commanding features, his lips, firm, yet plastic to every change of + thought and feeling, were not an empty mask, might not improbably claim + that Promethean quality of which the girl's letter had spoken,—the + strange, divine, dread gift of genius. + </p> + <p> + This poor, simple, innocent, trusting creature, so utterly incapable of + coming into any true relation with his aspiring mind, his large and strong + emotions,—this mere child, all simplicity and goodness, but trivial + and shallow as the little babbling brooklet that ran by his window to the + river, to lose its insignificant being in the swift torrent he heard + rushing over the rocks,—this pretty idol for a weak and kindly and + easily satisfied worshipper, was to be enthroned as the queen of his + affections, to be adopted as the companion of his labors! The boy, led by + the commonest instinct, the mere attraction of biped to its female, which + accident had favored, had thrown away the dearest possession of manhood,—liberty,—and + this bauble was to be his lifelong reward! And yet not a bauble either, + for a pleasing person and a gentle and sweet nature, which had once made + her seem to him the very paragon of loveliness, were still hers. Alas! her + simple words were true,—he had grown away from her. Her only fault + was that she had not grown with him, and surely he could not reproach her + with that. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said to himself, “I will never leave her so long as her heart + clings to me. I have been rash, but she shall not pay the forfeit. And if + I may think of myself, my life need not be wretched because she cannot + share all my being with me. The common human qualities are more than all + exceptional gifts. She has a woman's heart; and what talent of mine is to + be named by the love a true woman can offer in exchange for these divided + and cold affections? If it had pleased God to mate me with one more equal + in other ways, who could share my thoughts, who could kindle my + inspiration, who had wings to rise into the air with me as well as feet to + creep by my side upon the earth,—what cannot such a woman do for a + man! + </p> + <p> + “What! cast away the flower I took in the bud because it does not show as + I hoped it would when it opened? I will stand by my word; I will be all as + a man that I promised as a boy. Thank God, she is true and pure and sweet. + My nest will be a peaceful one; but I must take wing alone,—alone.” + </p> + <p> + He drew one long sigh, and the cloud passed from his countenance. He must + answer that letter now, at once. There were reasons, he thought, which + made it important. And so, with the cheerfulness which it was kind and + becoming to show, so far as possible, and yet with a little excitement on + one particular point, which was the cause of his writing so promptly, he + began his answer. + </p> + <p> + ALDERBANK, Thursday morning, June 16, 1859. + </p> + <p> + MY DEAR SUSIE,—I have just been reading your pleasant letter; and if + I do not send you the poem you ask for so eloquently, I will give you a + little bit of advice, which will do just as well,—won't it, my dear? + I was interested in your account of various things going on at Oxbow + Village. I am very glad you find young Mr. Hopkins so agreeable a friend. + His poetry is better than some which I see printed in the village papers, + and seems generally unexceptionable in its subjects and tone. I do not + believe he is a dangerous companion, though the habit of writing verse + does not always improve the character. I think I have seen it make more + than one of my acquaintances idle, conceited, sentimental, and frivolous,—perhaps + it found them so already. Don't make too much of his talent, and + particularly don't let him think that because he can write verses he has + nothing else to do in this world. That is for his benefit, dear, and you + must skilfully apply it. + </p> + <p> + Now about yourself. My dear Susie, there was something in your letter that + did not please me. You speak of a visit from the Rev. Mr. Stoker, and of + his kind, brotherly treatment, his cordiality of behavior, and his asking + you to visit him in his study. I am very glad to hear you say that you + “don't seem to like him.” He is very familiar, it seems to me, for so new + an acquaintance. What business had he to be laying his hand on your + shoulder? I should like to see him try these free-and-easy ways in my + presence! He would not have taken that liberty, my dear! No, he was alone + with you, and thought it safe to be disrespectfully familiar. I want you + to maintain your dignity always with such persons, and I beg you not to go + to the study of this clergyman, unless some older friend goes with you on + every occasion, and sits through the visit. I must speak plainly to you, + my dear, as I have a right to. If the minister has anything of importance + to say, let it come through the lips of some mature person. It may lose + something of the fervor with which it would have been delivered at first + hand, but the great rules of Christian life are not so dependent on the + particular individual who speaks them, that you must go to this or that + young man to find out what they are. If to any man, I should prefer the + old gentleman whom you have mentioned in your letters, Father Pemberton. + You understand me, my dear girl, and the subject is not grateful. You know + how truly I am interested in all that relates to you,—that I regard + you with an affection which— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HELP! HELP! HELP! +</pre> + <p> + A cry as of a young person's voice was heard faintly, coming from the + direction of the river. Something in the tone of it struck to his heart, + and he sprang as if he had been stabbed. He flung open his chamber window + and leaped from it to the ground. He ran straight to the bank of the river + by the side of which the village of Alderbank was built, a little farther + down the stream than the house in which he was living. + </p> + <p> + Everybody that travels in that region knows the beautiful falls which + break the course of the river just above the village; narrow and swift, + and surrounded by rocks of such picturesque forms that they are sought and + admired by tourists. The stream was now swollen, and rushed in a deep and + rapid current over the ledges, through the rocky straits, plunging at last + in tumult and foam, with loud, continuous roar, into the depths below the + cliff from which it tumbled. + </p> + <p> + A short distance above the fall there projected from the water a rock + which had, by parsimonious saving during a long course of years, hoarded a + little soil, out of which a small tuft of bushes struggled to support a + decent vegetable existence. The high waters had nearly submerged it, but a + few slender twigs were seen above their surface. + </p> + <p> + A skiff was lying close to this rock, between it and the brink of the + fall, which was but a few rods farther down. In the skiff was a youth of + fourteen or fifteen years, holding by the slender twigs, the boat dragging + at them all the time, and threatening to tear them away and go over the + fall. It was not likely that the boy would come to shore alive if it did. + There were stories, it is true, that the Indians used to shoot the fall in + their canoes with safety; but everybody knew that at least three persons + had been lost by going over it since the town was settled; and more than + one dead body had been found floating far down the river, with bruises and + fractured bones, as if it had taken the same fatal plunge. + </p> + <p> + There was no time to lose. Clement ran a little way up the river-bank, + flung off his shoes, and sprang from the bank as far as he could leap into + the water. The current swept him toward the fall, but he worked nearer and + nearer the middle of the stream. He was making for the rock, thinking he + could plant his feet upon it and at the worst hold the boat until he could + summon other help by shouting. He had barely got his feet upon the rock, + when the twigs by which the boy was holding gave way. He seized the boat, + but it dragged him from his uncertain footing, and with a desperate effort + he clambered over its side and found himself its second doomed passenger. + </p> + <p> + There was but an instant for thought. + </p> + <p> + “Sit still,” he said, “and, just as we go over, put your arms round me + under mine, and don't let go for your life!” + </p> + <p> + He caught up the single oar, and with a few sharp paddle-strokes brought + the skiff into the blackest centre of the current, where it was deepest, + and would plunge them into the deepest pool. + </p> + <p> + “Hold your breath! God save us! Now!” + </p> + <p> + They rose, as if with one will, and stood for an instant, the arms of the + younger closely embracing the other as he had directed. + </p> + <p> + A sliding away from beneath them of the floor on which they stood, as the + drop fails under the feet of a felon. A great rush of air, and a mighty, + awful, stunning roar,—an involuntary gasp, a choking flood of water + that came bellowing after them, and hammered them down into the black + depths so far that the young man, though used to diving and swimming long + distances underwater, had well-nigh yielded to the fearful need of air, + and sucked in his death in so doing. + </p> + <p> + The boat came up to the surface, broken in twain, splintered, a load of + firewood for those who raked the river lower down. It had turned + crosswise, and struck the rocks. A cap rose to the surface, such a one as + boys wear,—the same that boy had on. And then—after how many + seconds by the watch cannot be known, but after a time long enough, as the + young man remembered it, to live his whole life over in memory—Clement + Lindsay felt the blessed air against his face, and, taking a great breath, + came to his full consciousness. The arms of the boy were still locked + around him as in the embrace of death. A few strokes brought him to the + shore, dragging his senseless burden with him. + </p> + <p> + He unclasped the arms that held him so closely encircled, and laid the + slender form of the youth he had almost died to save gently upon the + grass. It was as if dead. He loosed the ribbon that was round the neck, he + tore open the checked shirt— + </p> + <p> + The story of Myrtle Hazard's sex was told; but she was deaf to his cry of + surprise, and no blush came to her cold cheek. Not too late, perhaps, to + save her,—not too late to try to save her, at least! + </p> + <p> + He placed his lips to hers, and filled her breast with the air from his + own panting chest. Again and again he renewed these efforts, hoping, + doubting, despairing,—once more hoping, and at last, when he had + almost ceased to hope, she gasped, she breathed, she moaned, and rolled + her eyes wildly round her, she was born again into this mortal life. + </p> + <p> + He caught her up in his arms, bore her to the house, laid her on a sofa, + and, having spent his strength in this last effort, reeled and fell, and + lay as one over whom have just been whispered the words, + </p> + <p> + “He is gone.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. MR. CLEMENT LINDSAY FINISHES HIS LETTER—WHAT CAME OF IT. + </h2> + <p> + The first thing Clement Lindsay did, when he was fairly himself again, was + to finish his letter to Susan Posey. He took it up where it left off, + “with an affection which——” and drew a long dash, as above. It + was with great effort he wrote the lines which follow, for he had got an + ugly blow on the forehead, and his eyes were “in mourning,” as the + gentlemen of the ring say, with unbecoming levity. + </p> + <p> + “An adventure! Just as I was writing these last words, I heard the cry of + a young person, as it sounded, for help. I ran to the river and jumped in, + and had the pleasure of saving a life. I got some bruises which have laid + me up for a day or two; but I am getting over them very well now, and you + need not worry about me at all. I will write again soon; so pray do not + fret yourself, for I have had no hurt that will trouble me for any time.” + </p> + <p> + Of course, poor Susan Posey burst out crying, and cried as if her heart + would break. Oh dear! Oh dear! what should she do! He was almost killed, + she knew he was, or he had broken some of his bones. Oh dear! Oh dear! She + would go and see him, there!—she must and would. He would die, she + knew he would,—and so on. + </p> + <p> + It was a singular testimony to the evident presence of a human element in + Mr. Bytes Gridley that the poor girl, on her extreme trouble, should think + of him as a counsellor. But the wonderful relenting kind of look on his + grave features as he watched the little twins tumbling about his great + books, and certain marks of real sympathy he had sometimes shown for her + in her lesser woes, encouraged her, and she went straight to his study, + letter in hand. She gave a timid knock at the door of that awful + sanctuary. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Susan Posey,” was its answer, in a pleasant tone. The old master + knew her light step and the maidenly touch of her small hand on the panel. + </p> + <p> + What a sight! 'there were Sossy and Minthy intrenched in a Sebastopol + which must have cost a good half-hour's engineering, and the terrible + Bytes Gridley besieging the fortress with hostile manifestations of the + most singular character. He was actually discharging a large sugar-plum at + the postern gate, which having been left unclosed, the missile would + certainly have reached one of the garrison, when he paused as the door + opened, and the great round spectacles and four wide, staring infants' + eyes were levelled at Miss Susan Posey. + </p> + <p> + She almost forgot her errand, grave as it was, in astonishment at this + manifestation. The old man had emptied his shelves of half their folios to + build up the fort, in the midst of which he had seated the two delighted + and uproarious babes. There was his Cave's “Historia Literaria,” and Sir + Walter Raleigh's “History of the World,” and a whole array of Christian + Fathers, and Plato, and Aristotle, and Stanley's book of Philosophers, + with Effigies, and the Junta Galen, and the Hippocrates of Foesius, and + Walton's Polyglot, supported by Father Sanchez on one side and Fox's “Acts + and Monuments” on the other,—an odd collection, as folios from lower + shelves are apt to be. + </p> + <p> + The besieger discharged his sugar-plum, which was so well aimed that it + fell directly into the lap of Minthy, who acted with it as if the garrison + had been on short rations for some time. + </p> + <p> + He saw at once, on looking up, that there was trouble. “What now, Susan + Posey, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “O Mr. Gridley, I am in such trouble! What shall I do? What shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + She turned back the name and the bottom of the letter in such a way that + Mr. Gridley could read nothing but the few lines relating their adventure. + </p> + <p> + “So Mr. Clement Lindsay has been saving a life, has he, and got some hard + knocks doing it, hey, Susan Posey? Well, well, Clement Lindsay is a brave + fellow, and there is no need of hiding his name, my child. Let me take the + letter again a moment, Susan Posey. What is the date of it? June 16th. + Yes,—yes,—yes!” + </p> + <p> + He read the paragraph over again, and the signature too, if he wanted to; + for poor Susan had found that her secret was hardly opaque to those round + spectacles and the eyes behind them, and, with a not unbecoming blush, + opened the fold of the letter before she handed it back. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Susan Posey. He will come all right. His writing is steady, and + if he had broken any bones he would have mentioned it. It's a thing his + wife will be proud of, if he is ever married, Susan Posey,” (blushes,) + “and his children too,” (more blushes running up to her back hair,) “and + there 's nothing to be worried about. But I'll tell you what, my dear, + I've got a little business that calls me down the river tomorrow, and I + shouldn't mind stopping an hour at Alderbank and seeing how our young + friend Clement Lindsay is; and then, if he was going to have a long time + of it, why we could manage it somehow that any friend who had any special + interest in him could visit him, just to while away the tiresomeness of + being sick. That's it, exactly. I'll stop at Alderbank, Susan Posey. Just + clear up these two children for me, will you, my dear? Isosceles, come + now,—that 's a good child. Helminthia, carry these sugar-plums down—stairs + for me, and take good care of them, mind!” + </p> + <p> + It was a case of gross bribery and corruption, for the fortress was + immediately, evacuated on the receipt of a large paper of red and white + comfits, and the garrison marched down—stairs much like conquerors, + under the lead of the young lady, who was greatly eased in mind by the + kind words and the promise of Mr. Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + But he, in the mean time, was busy with thoughts she did not suspect. “A + young person,” he said to himself,—“why a young person? Why not say + a boy, if it was a boy? What if this should be our handsome truant?—'June + 16th, Thursday morning!'—About time to get to Alderbank by the + river, I should think. None of the boats missing? What then? She may have + made a raft, or picked up some stray skiff. Who knows? And then got + shipwrecked, very likely. There are rapids and falls farther along the + river. It will do no harm to go down there and look about, at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + On Saturday morning, therefore, Mr. Byles Gridley set forth to procure a + conveyance to make a visit, as he said, down the river, and perhaps be + gone a day or two. He went to a stable in the village, and asked if they + could let him have a horse. + </p> + <p> + The man looked at him with that air of native superiority which the + companionship of the generous steed confers on all his associates, down to + the lightest weight among the jockeys. + </p> + <p> + “Wal, I hain't got nothin' in the shape of a h'oss, Mr. Gridley. I've got + a mare I s'pose I could let y' have.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well,” said the old master, with a twinkle in his eye as sly as + the other's wink,—he had parried a few jokes in his time,—“they + charge half-price for mares always, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + That was a new view of the subject. It rather took the wind out of the + stable-keeper, and set a most ammoniacal fellow, who stood playing with a + currycomb, grinning at his expense. But he rallied presently. + </p> + <p> + “Wal, I b'lieve they do for some mares, when they let 'em to some folks; + but this here ain't one o' them mares, and you ain't one o' them folks. + All my cattle's out but this critter, 'n' I don't jestly want to have + nobody drive her that ain't pretty car'ful,—she's faast, I tell ye,—don't + want no whip.—How fur d' d y' want t' go?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley was quite serious now, and let the man know that he wanted the + mare and a light covered wagon, at once, to be gone for one or two days, + and would waive the question of sex in the matter of payment. + </p> + <p> + Alderbank was about twenty miles down the river by the road. On arriving + there, he inquired for the house where a Mr. Lindsay lived. There was only + one Lindsay family in town,—he must mean Dr. William Lindsay. His + house was up there a little way above the village, lying a few rods back + from the river. + </p> + <p> + He found the house without difficulty, and knocked at the door. A + motherly-looking woman opened it immediately, and held her hand up as if + to ask him to speak and move softly. + </p> + <p> + “Does Mr. Clement Lindsay live here?” + </p> + <p> + “He is staying here for the present. He is a nephew of ours. He is in his + bed from an injury.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing very serious, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “A bruise on his head,—not very bad, but the doctor was afraid of + erysipelas. Seems to be doing well enough now.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there a young person here, a stranger?” + </p> + <p> + “There is such a young person here. Do you come with any authority to make + inquiries?” + </p> + <p> + “I do. A young friend of mine is missing, and I thought it possible I + might learn something here about it. Can I see this young person?” + </p> + <p> + The matron came nearer to Byles Gridley, and said: “This person is a young + woman disguised as a boy. She was rescued by my nephew at the risk of his + life, and she has been delirious ever since she has recovered her + consciousness. She was almost too far gone to be resuscitated, but Clement + put his mouth to hers and kept her breathing until her own breath returned + and she gradually came to.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she violent in her delirium?” + </p> + <p> + “Not now. No; she is quiet enough, but wandering,—wants to know + where she is, and whose the strange faces are,—mine and my + husband's,—that 's Dr. Lindsay,—and one of my daughters, who + has watched with her.” + </p> + <p> + “If that is so, I think I had better see her. If she is the person I + suspect her to be, she will know me; and a familiar face may bring back + her recollections and put a stop to her wanderings. If she does not know + me, I will not stay talking with her. I think she will, if she is the one + I am seeking after. There is no harm in trying.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lindsay took a good long look at the old man. There was no mistaking + his grave, honest, sturdy, wrinkled, scholarly face. His voice was assured + and sincere in its tones. His decent black coat was just what a scholar's + should be,—old, not untidy, a little shiny at the elbows with much + leaning on his study-table, but neatly bound at the cuffs, where worthy + Mrs. Hopkins had detected signs of fatigue and come to the rescue. His + very hat looked honest as it lay on the table. It had moulded itself to a + broad, noble head, that held nothing but what was true and fair, with a + few harmless crotchets just to fill in with, and it seemed to know it. + </p> + <p> + The good woman gave him her confidence at once. “Is the person you are + seeking a niece or other relative of yours?” + </p> + <p> + (Why did not she ask if the girl was his daughter? What is that look of + paternity and of maternity which observing and experienced mothers and old + nurses know so well in men and in women?) + </p> + <p> + “No, she is not a relative. But I am acting for those who are.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment and I will go and see that the room is all right.” + </p> + <p> + She returned presently. “Follow me softly, if you please. She is asleep,—so + beautiful,—so innocent!” + </p> + <p> + Byles Gridley, Master of Arts, retired professor, more than sixty years + old, childless, loveless, stranded in a lonely study strewed with wrecks + of the world's thought, his work in life finished, his one literary + venture gone down with all it held, with nobody to care for him but + accidental acquaintances, moved gently to the side of the bed and looked + upon the pallid, still features of Myrtle Hazard. He strove hard against a + strange feeling that was taking hold of him, that was making his face act + rebelliously, and troubling his eyes with sudden films. He made a brief + stand against this invasion. “A weakness,—a weakness!” he said to + himself. “What does all this mean? Never such a thing for these twenty + years! Poor child! poor child!—Excuse me, madam,” he said, after a + little interval, but for what offence he did not mention. A great deal + might be forgiven, even to a man as old as Byles Gridley, looking upon + such a face,—so lovely, yet so marked with the traces of recent + suffering, and even now showing by its changes that she was struggling in + some fearful dream. Her forehead contracted, she started with a slight + convulsive movement, and then her lips parted, and the cry escaped from + them,—how heart-breaking when there is none to answer it,—“Mother!” + </p> + <p> + Gone back again through all the weary, chilling years of her girlhood to + that hardly remembered morning of her life when the cry she uttered was + answered by the light of loving eyes, the kiss of clinging lips, the + embrace of caressing arms! + </p> + <p> + “It is better to wake her,” Mrs. Lindsay said; “she is having a troubled + dream. Wake up, my child, here is a friend waiting to see you.” + </p> + <p> + She laid her hand very gently on Myrtle's forehead. Myrtle opened her + eyes, but they were vacant as yet. + </p> + <p> + “Are we dead?” she said. “Where am I? This is n't heaven—there are + no angels—Oh, no, no, no! don't send me to the other place—fifteen + years,—only fifteen years old—no father, no mother—nobody + loved me. Was it wicked in me to live?” Her whole theological training was + condensed in that last brief question. + </p> + <p> + The old man took her hand and looked her in the face, with a wonderful + tenderness in his squared features. “Wicked to live, my dear? No indeed! + Here! look at me, my child; don't you know your old friend Byles Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + She was awake now. The sight of a familiar countenance brought back a + natural train of thought. But her recollection passed over everything that + had happened since Thursday morning. + </p> + <p> + “Where is the boat I was in?” she said. “I have just been in the water, + and I was dreaming that I was drowned. Oh! Mr. Gridley, is that you? Did + you pull me out of the water?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear, but you are out of it, and safe and sound: that is the main + point. How do you feel now you are awake?” + </p> + <p> + She yawned, and stretched her arms and looked round, but did not answer at + first. This was all natural, and a sign that she was coming right. She + looked down at her dress. It was not inappropriate to her sex, being a + loose gown that belonged to one of the girls in the house. + </p> + <p> + “I feel pretty well,” she answered, “but a little confused. My boat will + be gone, if you don't run and stop it now. How did you get me into dry + clothes so quick?” + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley found himself suddenly possessed by a large and + luminous idea of the state of things, and made up his mind in a moment as + to what he must do. There was no time to be lost. Every day, every hour, + of Myrtle's absence was not only a source of anxiety and a cause of + useless searching but it gave room for inventive fancies to imagine evil. + It was better to run some risk of injury to health, than to have her + absence prolonged another day. + </p> + <p> + “Has this adventure been told about in the village, Mrs. Lindsay?” + </p> + <p> + “No, we thought it best to wait until she could tell her own story, + expecting her return to consciousness every hour, and thinking there might + be some reason for her disguise which it would be kinder to keep quiet + about.” + </p> + <p> + “You know nothing about her, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word. It was a great question whether to tell the story and make + inquiries; but she was safe, and could hardly bear disturbance, and, my + dear sir, it seemed too probable that there was some sad story behind this + escape in disguise, and that the poor child might need shelter and + retirement. We meant to do as well as we could for her.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mrs. Lindsay. You do not know who she is, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, and perhaps it is as well that I should not know. Then I shall + not have to answer any questions about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, madam,—just as it should be. And your family, are they + as discreet as yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one word of the whole story has been or will be told by any one of + us. That was agreed upon among us.” + </p> + <p> + “Now then, madam. My name, as you heard me say, is Byles Gridley. Your + husband will know it, perhaps; at any rate I will wait until he comes + back. This child is of good family and of good name. I know her well, and + mean, with your kind help, to save her from the consequences which her + foolish adventure might have brought upon her. Before the bells ring for + meeting to-morrow morning this girl must be in her bed at her home, at + Oxbow Village, and we must keep her story to ourselves as far as may be. + It will all blow over, if we do. The gossips will only know that she was + upset in the river and cared for by some good people,—good people + and sensible people too, Mrs. Lindsay. And now I want to see the young man + that rescued my friend here,—Clement Lindsay, I have heard his name + before.” + </p> + <p> + Clement was not a beauty for the moment, but Master Gridley saw well + enough that he was a young man of the right kind. He knew them at sight, + fellows with lime enough in their bones and iron enough in their blood to + begin with,—shapely, large-nerved, firm-fibred and fine-fibred, with + well-spread bases to their heads for the ground-floor of the faculties, + and well-vaulted arches for the upper range of apprehensions and + combinations. “Plenty of basements,” he used to say, “without attics and + skylights. Plenty of skylights without rooms enough and space enough + below.” But here was “a three-story brain,” he said to himself as he + looked at it, and this was the youth who was to find his complement in our + pretty little Susan Posey! His judgment may seem to have been hasty, but + he took the measure of young men of twenty at sight from long and + sagacious observation, as Nurse Byloe knew the “heft” of a baby the moment + she fixed her old eyes on it. + </p> + <p> + Clement was well acquainted with Byles Gridley, though he had never seen + him, for Susan's letters had had a good deal to say about him of late. It + was agreed between them that the story should be kept as quiet as + possible, and that the young girl should not know the name of her + deliverer,—it might save awkward complications. It was not likely + that she would be disposed to talk of her adventure, which had ended so + disastrously, and thus the whole story would soon die out. + </p> + <p> + The effect of the violent shock she had experienced was to change the + whole nature of Myrtle for the time. Her mind was unsettled: she could + hardly recall anything except the plunge over the fall. She was perfectly + docile and plastic,—was ready to go anywhere Mr. Gridley wanted her + to go, without any sign of reluctance. And so it was agreed that he should + carry her back in his covered wagon that very night. All possible + arrangements were made to render her journey comfortable. The fast mare + had to trot very gently, and the old master would stop and adjust the + pillows from time to time, and administer the restoratives which the + physician had got ready, all as naturally and easily as if he had been + bred a nurse, vastly to his own surprise, and with not a little gain to + his self-appreciation. He was a serviceable kind of body on occasion, + after all, was he not, hey, Mr. Byles Gridley? he said to himself. + </p> + <p> + At half past four o'clock on Sunday morning the shepherd brought the stray + lamb into the paved yard at The Poplars, and roused the slumbering + household to receive back the wanderer. + </p> + <p> + It was the Irishwoman, Kitty Fagan, huddled together in such amorphous + guise, that she looked as if she had been fitted in a tempest of + petticoats and a whirlwind of old shawls, who presented herself at the + door. + </p> + <p> + But there was a very warm heart somewhere in that queer-looking bundle of + clothes, and it was not one of those that can throb or break in silence. + When she saw the long covered wagon, and the grave face of the old master, + she thought it was all over with the poor girl she loved, and that this + was the undertaker's wagon bringing back only what had once been Myrtle + Hazard. She screamed aloud,—so wildly that Myrtle lifted her head + from the pillow against which she had rested it, and started forward. + </p> + <p> + The Irishwoman looked at her for a moment to assure herself that it was + the girl she loved, and not her ghost. Then it all came over her,—she + had been stolen by thieves, who had carried her off by night, and been + rescued by the brave old man who had brought her back. What crying and + kisses and prayers and blessings were poured forth, in a confusion of + which her bodily costume was a fitting type, those who know the vocabulary + and the enthusiasm of her eloquent race may imagine better than we could + describe it. + </p> + <p> + The welcome of the two other women was far less demonstrative. There were + awful questions to be answered before the kind of reception she was to + have could be settled. What they were, it is needless to suggest; but + while Miss Silence was weeping, first with joy that her “responsibility” + was removed, then with a fair share of pity and kindness, and other + lukewarm emotions,—while Miss Badlam waited for an explanation + before giving way to her feelings,—Mr. Gridley put the essential + facts before them in a few words. She had gone down the river some miles + in her boat, which was upset by a rush of the current, and she had come + very near being drowned. She was got out, however, by a person living near + by, and cared for by some kind women in a house near the river, where he + had been fortunate enough to discover her.—Who cut her hair off? + Perhaps those good people,—she had been out of her head. She was + alive and unharmed, at any rate, wanting only a few days' rest. They might + be very thankful to get her back, and leave her to tell the rest of her + story when she had got her strength and memory, for she was not quite + herself yet, and might not be for some days. + </p> + <p> + And so there she was at last laid in her own bed, listening again to the + ripple of the waters beneath her, Miss Silence sitting on one side looking + as sympathetic as her insufficient nature allowed her to look; the + Irishwoman uncertain between delight at Myrtle's return and sorrow for her + condition; and Miss Cynthia Badlam occupying herself about house-matters, + not unwilling to avoid the necessity of displaying her conflicting + emotions. + </p> + <p> + Before he left the house, Mr. Gridley repeated the statement in the most + precise manner,—some miles down the river—upset and nearly + drowned—rescued almost dead—brought to and cared for by kind + women in the house where he, Byles Gridley, found her. These were the + facts, and nothing more than this was to be told at present. They had + better be made known at once, and the shortest and best way would be to + have it announced by the minister at meeting that forenoon. With their + permission, he would himself write the note for Mr. Stoker to read, and + tell the other ministers that they might announce it to their people. + </p> + <p> + The bells rang for meeting, but the little household at The Poplars did + not add to the congregation that day. In the mean time Kitty Fagan had + gone down with Mr. Byles Gridley's note, to carry it to the Rev. Mr. + Stoker. But, on her way, she stopped at the house of one Mrs. Finnegan, a + particular friend of hers; and the great event of the morning furnishing + matter for large discourse, and various social allurements adding to the + fascination of having a story to tell, Kitty Fagan forgot her note until + meeting had begun and the minister had read the text of his sermon. “Bless + my soul! and sure I 've forgot ahl about the letter!” she cried all at + once, and away she tramped for the meeting-house. The sexton took the + note, which was folded, and said he would hand it up to the pulpit after + the sermon,—it would not do to interrupt the preacher. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker had, as was said, a somewhat remarkable gift in + prayer,—an endowment by no means confined to profoundly spiritual + persons,—in fact, not rarely owing much of its force to a strong + animal nature underlying the higher attributes. The sweet singer of Israel + would never have written such petitions and such hymns if his manhood had + been less complete; the flavor of remembered frailties could not help + giving a character to his most devout exercises, or they would not have + come quite home to our common humanity. But there is no gift more + dangerous to the humility and sincerity of a minister. While his spirit + ought to be on its knees before the throne of grace, it is too apt to be + on tiptoe, following with admiring look the flight of its own rhetoric. + The essentially intellectual character of an extemporaneous composition + spoken to the Creator with the consciousness that many of his creatures + are listening to criticise or to admire, is the great argument for set + forms of prayer. + </p> + <p> + The congregation on this particular Sunday was made up chiefly of women + and old men. The young men were hunting after Myrtle Hazard. Mr. Byles + Gridley was in his place, wondering why the minister did not read his + notice before the prayer. This prayer, was never reported, as is the + questionable custom with regard to some of these performances, but it was + wrought up with a good deal of rasping force and broad pathos. When he + came to pray for “our youthful sister, missing from her pious home, + perhaps nevermore to return to her afflicted relatives,” and the women and + old men began crying, Byles Gridley was on the very point of getting up + and cutting short the whole matter by stating the simple fact that she had + got back, all right, and suggesting that he had better pray for some of + the older and tougher sinners before him. But on the whole it would be + more decorous to wait, and perhaps he was willing to hear what the object + of his favorite antipathy had to say about it. So he waited through the + prayer. He waited through the hymn, “Life is the time”—He waited to + hear the sermon. + </p> + <p> + The minister gave out his text from the Book of Esther, second chapter, + seventh verse: “For she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was + fair and beautiful.” It was to be expected that the reverend gentleman, + who loved to produce a sensation, would avail himself of the excitable + state of his audience to sweep the key-board of their emotions, while, as + we may, say, all the stops were drawn out. His sermon was from notes; for, + though absolutely extemporaneous composition may be acceptable to one's + Maker, it is not considered quite the thing in speaking to one's + fellow-mortals. He discoursed for a time on the loss of parents, and on + the dangers to which the unfortunate orphan is exposed. Then he spoke of + the peculiar risks of the tender female child, left without its natural + guardians. Warming with his subject, he dilated with wonderful unction on + the temptations springing from personal attractions. He pictured the “fair + and beautiful” women of Holy Writ, lingering over their names with + lover-like devotion. He brought Esther before his audience, bathed and + perfumed for the royal presence of Ahasuerus. He showed them the sweet + young Ruth, lying down in her innocence at the feet of the lord of the + manor. He dwelt with special luxury on the charms which seduced the royal + psalmist,—the soldier's wife for whom he broke the commands of the + decalogue, and the maiden for whose attentions, in his cooler years, he + violated the dictates of prudence and propriety. All this time Byles + Gridley had his stern eyes on him. And while he kindled into passionate + eloquence on these inspiring themes, poor Bathsheba, whom her mother had + sent to church that she might get a little respite from her home duties, + felt her blood growing cold in her veins, as the pallid image of the + invalid wife, lying on her bed of suffering, rose in the midst of the + glowing pictures which borrowed such warmth from her husband's + imagination. + </p> + <p> + The sermon, with its hinted application to the event of the past week, was + over at last. The shoulders of the nervous women were twitching with sobs. + The old men were crying in their vacant way. But all the while the face of + Byles Gridley, firm as a rock in the midst of this lachrymal inundation, + was kept steadily on the preacher, who had often felt the look that came + through the two round glasses searching into the very marrow of his bones. + </p> + <p> + As the sermon was finished, the sexton marched up through the broad aisle + and handed the note over the door of the pulpit to the clergyman, who was + wiping his face after the exertion of delivering his discourse. Mr. Stoker + looked at it, started, changed color,—his vision of “The Dangers of + Beauty, a Sermon printed by Request,” had vanished,—and passed the + note to Father Pemberton, who sat by him in the pulpit. With much pains he + deciphered its contents, for his eyes were dim with years, and, having + read it, bowed his head upon his hands in silent thanksgiving. Then he + rose in the beauty of his tranquil and noble old age, so touched with the + message he had to proclaim to his people, that the three deep furrows on + his forehead, which some said he owed to the three dogmas of original sin, + predestination, and endless torment, seemed smoothed for the moment, and + his face was as that of an angel while he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Sisters and Brethren,—Rejoice with us, for we have found our lamb + which had strayed from the fold. This our daughter was dead and is alive + again; she was lost and is found. Myrtle Hazard, rescued from great peril + of the waters, and cared for by good Samaritans, is now in her home. Thou, + O Lord, who didst let the water-flood overflow her, didst not let the deep + swallow her up, nor the pit shut its mouth upon her. Let us return our + thanks to the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, who is + our God and Father, and who hath wrought this great deliverance.” + </p> + <p> + After his prayer, which it tried him sorely to utter in unbroken tones, he + gave out the hymn, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Lord, thou hast heard thy servant cry, + And rescued from the grave;” + </pre> + <p> + but it was hardly begun when the leading female voice trembled and + stopped,—and another,—and then a third,—and Father + Pemberton, seeing that they were all overcome, arose and stretched out his + arms, and breathed over them his holy benediction. + </p> + <p> + The village was soon alive with the news. The sexton forgot the solemnity + of the Sabbath, and the bell acted as if it was crazy, tumbling heels over + head at such a rate, and with such a clamor, that a good many thought + there was a fire, and, rushing out from every quarter, instantly caught + the great news with which the air was ablaze. + </p> + <p> + A few of the young men who had come back went even further in their + demonstrations. They got a small cannon in readiness, and without waiting + for the going down of the sun, began firing rapidly, upon which the Rev. + Mr. Stoker sallied forth to put a stop to this violation of the Sabbath. + But in the mean time it was heard on all the hills, far and near. Some + said they were firing in the hope of raising the corpse; but many who + heard the bells ringing their crazy peals guessed what had happened. + Before night the parties were all in, one detachment bearing the body of + the bob-tailed catamount swung over a pole, like the mighty cluster of + grapes from Eshcol, and another conveying with wise precaution that + monstrous snapping-turtle which those of our friends who wish to see will + find among the specimens marked Chelydra, Serpentine in the great + collection at Cantabridge. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. VEXED WITH A DEVIL. + </h2> + <p> + It was necessary at once to summon a physician to advise as to the + treatment of Myrtle, who had received a shock, bodily and mental, not + lightly to be got rid of, and very probably to be followed by serious and + varied disturbances. Her very tranquillity was suspicious, for there must + be something of exhaustion in it, and the reaction must come sooner or + later. + </p> + <p> + Old Dr. Lemuel Hurlbut, at the age of ninety-two, very deaf, very nearly + blind, very feeble, liable to odd lapses of memory, was yet a wise + counsellor in doubtful and difficult cases, and on rare occasions was + still called upon to exercise his ancient skill. Here was a case in which + a few words from him might soothe the patient and give confidence to all + who were interested in her. Miss Silence Withers went herself to see him. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Withers, father, wants to talk with you about her niece, Miss + Hazard,” said Dr. Fordyce Hurlbut. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Withers, Miss Withers?—Oh, Silence Withers,—lives up at + The Poplars. How's the Deacon, Miss Withers?” [Ob. 1810.] + </p> + <p> + “My grandfather is not living, Dr. Hurlbut,” she screamed into his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Dead, is he? Well, it isn't long since he was with us; and they come and + go,—they come and go. I remember his father, Major Gideon Withers. + He had a great red feather on training-days,—that was what made me + remember him. Who did you say was sick and wanted to see me, Fordyce?” + </p> + <p> + “Myrtle Hazard, father,—she has had a narrow escape from drowning, + and it has left her in a rather nervous state. They would like to have you + go up to The Poplars and take a look at her. You remember Myrtle Hazard? + She is the great-granddaughter of your old friend the Deacon.” + </p> + <p> + He had to wait a minute before his thoughts would come to order; with a + little time, the proper answer would be evolved by the slow automatic + movement of the rusted mental machinery. + </p> + <p> + After the silent moment: “Myrtle Hazard, Myrtle Hazard,—yes, yes, to + be sure! The old Withers stock,—good constitutions,—a little + apt to be nervous, one or two of 'em. I've given 'em a good deal of + valerian and assafoetida,—not quite so much since the new blood came + in. There is n't the change in folks people think,—same thing over + and over again. I've seen six fingers on a child that had a six-fingered + great-uncle, and I've seen that child's grandchild born with six fingers. + Does this girl like to have her own way pretty well, like the rest of the + family?” + </p> + <p> + “A little too well, I suspect, father. You will remember all about her + when you come to see her and talk with her. She would like to talk with + you, and her aunt wants to see you too; they think there's nobody like the + 'old Doctor'.” + </p> + <p> + He was not too old to be pleased with this preference, and said he was + willing to go when they were ready. With no small labor of preparation he + was at last got to the house, and crept with his son's aid up to the + little room over the water, where his patient was still lying. + </p> + <p> + There was a little too much color in Myrtle's cheeks and a glistening + lustre in her eyes that told of unnatural excitement. It gave a strange + brilliancy to her beauty, and might have deceived an unpractised observer. + The old man looked at her long and curiously, his imperfect sight excusing + the closeness of his scrutiny. + </p> + <p> + He laid his trembling hand upon her forehead, and then felt her pulse with + his shriveled fingers. He asked her various questions about herself, which + she answered with a tone not quite so calm as natural, but willingly and + intelligently. They thought she seemed to the old Doctor to be doing very + well, for he spoke cheerfully to her, and treated her in such a way that + neither she nor any of those around her could be alarmed. The younger + physician was disposed to think she was only suffering from temporary + excitement, and that it would soon pass off. + </p> + <p> + They left the room to talk it over. + </p> + <p> + “It does not amount to much, I suppose, father,” said Dr. Fordyce Hurlbut. + “You made the pulse about ninety,—a little hard,—did n't you; + as I did? Rest, and low diet for a day or two, and all will be right, + won't it?” + </p> + <p> + Was it the feeling of sympathy, or was it the pride of superior sagacity, + that changed the look of the old man's wrinkled features? “Not so fast,—not + so fast, Fordyce,” he said. “I've seen that look on another face of the + same blood,—it 's a great many years ago, and she was dead before + you were born, my boy,—but I've seen that look, and it meant trouble + then, and I'm afraid it means trouble now. I see some danger of a brain + fever. And if she doesn't have that, then look out for some hysteric fits + that will make mischief. Take that handkerchief off of her head, and cut + her hair close, and keep her temples cool, and put some drawing plasters + to the soles of her feet, and give her some of my pilulae compositae, and + follow them with some doses of sal polychrest. I've been through it all + before—in that same house. Live folks are only dead folks warmed + over. I can see 'em all in that girl's face, Handsome Judith, to begin + with. And that queer woman, the Deacon's mother,—there 's where she + gets that hystericky look. Yes, and the black-eyed woman with the Indian + blood in her,—look out for that,—look out for that. And—and—my + son, do you remember Major Gideon Withers?” [Ob. 1780.] + </p> + <p> + “Why no, father, I can't say that I remember the Major; but I know the + picture very well. Does she remind you of him?” + </p> + <p> + He paused again, until the thoughts came slowly straggling, up to the + point where the question left him. He shook his head solemnly, and turned + his dim eyes on his son's face. + </p> + <p> + “Four generations—four generations; man and wife,—yes, five + generations, for old Selah Withers took me in his arms when I was a child, + and called me 'little gal,' for I was in girl's clothes,—five + generations before this Hazard child I 've looked on with these old eyes. + And it seems to me that I can see something of almost every one of 'em in + this child's face, it's the forehead of this one, and it's the eyes of + that one, and it's that other's mouth, and the look that I remember in + another, and when she speaks, why, I've heard that same voice before—yes, + yes as long ago as when I was first married; for I remember Rachel used to + think I praised Handsome Judith's voice more than it deserved,—and + her face too, for that matter. You remember Rachel, my first wife,—don't + you, Fordyce?” + </p> + <p> + “No, father, I don't remember her, but I know her portrait.” (As he was + the son of the old Doctor's second wife, he could hardly be expected to + remember her predecessor.) + </p> + <p> + The old Doctor's sagacity was not in fault about the somewhat threatening + aspect of Myrtle's condition. His directions were followed implicitly; for + with the exception of the fact of sluggishness rather than loss of memory, + and of that confusion of dates which in slighter degrees is often felt as + early as middle-life, and increases in most persons from year to year, his + mind was still penetrating, and his advice almost as trustworthy, as in + his best days. + </p> + <p> + It was very fortunate that the old Doctor ordered Myrtle's hair to be cut, + and Miss Silence took the scissors and trimmed it at once. So, whenever + she got well and was seen about, there would be no mystery about the loss + of her locks,—the Doctor had been afraid of brain fever, and ordered + them to cut her hair. + </p> + <p> + Many things are uncertain in this world, and among them the effect of a + large proportion of the remedies prescribed by physicians. Whether it was + by the use of the means ordered by the old Doctor, or by the efforts of + nature, or by both together, at any rate the first danger was averted, and + the immediate risk from brain fever soon passed over. But the impression + upon her mind and body had been too profound to be dissipated by a few + days' rest. The hysteric stage which the wise old man had apprehended + began to manifest itself by its usual signs, if anything can be called + usual in a condition the natural order of which is disorder and anomaly. + </p> + <p> + And now the reader, if such there be, who believes in the absolute + independence and self-determination of the will, and the consequent total + responsibility of every human being for every irregular nervous action and + ill-governed muscular contraction, may as well lay down this narrative, or + he may lose all faith in poor Myrtle Hazard, and all patience with the + writer who tells her story. + </p> + <p> + The mental excitement so long sustained, followed by a violent shock to + the system, coming just at the period of rapid development, gave rise to + that morbid condition, accompanied with a series of mental and moral + perversions, which in ignorant ages and communities is attributed to the + influence of evil spirits, but for the better-instructed is the malady + which they call hysteria. Few households have ripened a growth of + womanhood without witnessing some of its manifestations, and its phenomena + are largely traded in by scientific pretenders and religious fanatics. + Into this cloud, with all its risks and all its humiliations, Myrtle + Hazard is about to enter. Will she pass through it unharmed, or wander + from her path, and fall over one of those fearful precipices which lie + before her? + </p> + <p> + After the ancient physician had settled the general plan of treatment, its + details and practical application were left to the care of his son. Dr. + Fordyce Hurlbut was a widower, not yet forty years old, a man of a fine + masculine aspect and a vigorous nature. He was a favorite with his female + patients,—perhaps many of them would have said because he was + good-looking and pleasant in his manners, but some thought in virtue of a + special magnetic power to which certain temperaments were impressible, + though there was no explaining it. But he himself never claimed any such + personal gift, and never attempted any of the exploits which some thought + were in his power if he chose to exercise his faculty in that direction. + This girl was, as it were, a child to him, for he had seen her grow up + from infancy, and had often held her on his knee in her early years. The + first thing he did was to get her a nurse, for he saw that neither of the + two women about her exercised a quieting influence upon her nerves. So he + got her old friend, Nurse Byloe, to come and take care of her. + </p> + <p> + The old nurse looked calm enough at one or two of his first visits, but + the next morning her face showed that something had been going wrong. + “Well, what has been the trouble, Nurse?” the Doctor said, as soon as he + could get her out of the room. + </p> + <p> + “She's been attackted, Doctor, sence you been here, dreadful. It's them + high stirricks, Doctor, 'n' I never see 'em higher, nor more of 'em. + Laughin' as ef she would bust. Cryin' as ef she'd lost all her friends, + 'n' was a follerin' their corpse to their graves. And spassums,—sech + spassums! And ketchin' at her throat, 'n' sayin' there was a great ball a + risin' into it from her stommick. One time she had a kind o' lockjaw like. + And one time she stretched herself out 'n' laid jest as stiff as ef she + was dead. And she says now that her head feels as ef a nail had been driv' + into it,—into the left temple, she says, and that's what makes her + look so distressed now.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor came once more to her bedside. He saw that her forehead was + contracted, and that she was evidently suffering from severe pain + somewhere. + </p> + <p> + “Where is your uneasiness, Myrtle?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + She moved her hand very slowly, and pressed it on her left temple. He laid + his hand upon the same spot, kept it there a moment, and then removed it. + She took it gently with her own, and placed it on her temple again. As he + sat watching her, he saw that her features were growing easier, and in a + short time her deep, even breathing showed that she was asleep. + </p> + <p> + “It beats all,” the old nurse said. “Why, she's been a complainin' ever + sence daylight, and she hain't slep' not a wink afore, sence twelve + o'clock las' night! It's j es' like them magnetizers,—I never heerd + you was one o' them kind, Dr. Hurlbut.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't say how it is, Nurse,—I have heard people say my hand was + magnetic, but I never thought of its quieting her so quickly. No sleep + since twelve o'clock last night, you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a wink, 'n' actin' as ef she was possessed a good deal o' the time. + You read your Bible, Doctor, don't you? You're pious? Do you remember + about that woman in Scriptur' out of whom the Lord cast seven devils? + Well, I should ha' thought there was seventy devils in that gal last + night, from the way she carr'd on. And now she lays there jest as peaceful + as a new-born babe,—that is, accordin' to the sayin' about 'em; for + as to peaceful new-born babes, I never see one that come t' anything, that + did n't screech as ef the haouse was afire 'n' it wanted to call all the + fire-ingines within ten mild.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor smiled, but he became thoughtful in a moment. Did he possess a + hitherto unexercised personal power, which put the key of this young + girl's nervous system into his hands? The remarkable tranquillizing effect + of the contact of his hand with her forehead looked like an immediate + physical action. + </p> + <p> + It might have been a mere coincidence, however. He would not form an + opinion until his next visit. + </p> + <p> + At that next visit it did seem as if some of Nurse Byloe's seventy devils + had possession of the girl. All the strange spasmodic movements, the + chokings, the odd sounds, the wild talk, the laughing and crying, were in + full blast. All the remedies which had been ordered seemed to have been of + no avail. The Doctor could hardly refuse trying his quasi magnetic + influence, and placed the tips of his fingers on her forehead. The result + was the same that had followed the similar proceeding the day before,—the + storm was soon calmed, and after a little time she fell into a quiet + sleep, as in the first instance. + </p> + <p> + Here was an awkward affair for the physician, to be sure! He held this + power in his hands, which no remedy and no other person seemed to possess. + How long would he be chained to her; and she to him, and what would be the + consequence of the mysterious relation which must necessarily spring up + between a man like him, in the plenitude of vital force, of strongly + attractive personality, and a young girl organized for victory over the + calmest blood and the steadiest resistance? + </p> + <p> + Every day after this made matters worse. There was something almost + partaking of the miraculous in the influence he was acquiring over her. + His “Peace, be still!” was obeyed by the stormy elements of this young + soul, as if it had been a supernatural command. How could he resist the + dictate of humanity which called him to make his visits more frequent, + that her intervals of rest might be more numerous? How could he refuse to + sit at her bedside for a while in the evening, that she might be quieted, + instead of beginning the night sleepless and agitated? + </p> + <p> + The Doctor was a man of refined feeling as well as of principle, and he + had besides a sacred memory in the deepest heart of his affections. It was + the common belief in the village that he would never marry again, but that + his first and only love was buried in the grave of the wife of his youth. + It did not easily occur to him to suspect himself of any weakness with + regard to this patient of his, little more than a child in years. It did + not at once suggest itself to him that she, in her strange, excited + condition, might fasten her wandering thoughts upon him, too far removed + by his age, as it seemed, to strike the fancy of a young girl under almost + any conceivable conditions. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that many of those beautiful summer evenings found him sitting + by his patient, the river rippling and singing beneath them, the moon + shining over them, sweet odors from the thickets on the banks of the + stream stealing in on the soft air that came through the open window, and + every time they were thus together, the subtile influence which bound them + to each other bringing them more and more into inexplicable harmonies and + almost spiritual identity. + </p> + <p> + But all this did not hinder the development of new and strange conditions + in Myrtle Hazard. Her will was losing its power. “I cannot help it”—the + hysteric motto—was her constant reply. It is not pleasant to confess + the truth, but she was rapidly undergoing a singular change of her moral + nature. She had been a truthful child. If she had kept her secret about + what she had found in the garret, she thought she was exercising her + rights, and she had never been obliged to tell any lies about it. + </p> + <p> + But now she seemed to have lost the healthy instincts for veracity and + honesty. She feigned all sorts of odd symptoms, and showed a wonderful + degree of cunning in giving an appearance of truth to them. It became next + to impossible to tell what was real and what was simulated. At one time + she could not be touched ever so lightly without shrinking and crying out. + At another time she would squint, and again she would be half paralyzed + for a time. She would pretend to fast for days, living on food she had + concealed and took secretly in the night. + </p> + <p> + The nurse was getting worn out. Kitty Fagan would have had the priest come + to the house and sprinkle it with holy water. The two women were beginning + to get nervous themselves. The Rev. Mr. Stoker said in confidence to Miss + Silence, that there was reason to fear she might have been given over for + a time to the buffetings of Satan, and that perhaps his (Mr. Stoker's) + personal attentions might be useful in that case. And so it appeared that + the “young doctor” was the only being left with whom she had any complete + relations and absolute sympathy. She had become so passive in his hands + that it seemed as if her only healthy life was, as it were, transmitted + through him, and that she depended on the transfer of his nervous power, + as the plant upon the light for its essential living processes. + </p> + <p> + The two young men who had met in so unexpected a manner on board the ship + Swordfish had been reasonably discreet in relating their adventures. + Myrtle Hazard may or may not have had the plan they attributed to her; + however that was, they had looked rather foolish when they met, and had + not thought it worth while to be very communicative about the matter when + they returned. It had at least given them a chance to become a little + better acquainted with each other, and it was an opportunity which the + elder and more artful of the two meant to turn to advantage. + </p> + <p> + Of all Myrtle's few friends only one was in the habit of seeing her often + during this period, namely, Olive Eveleth, a girl so quiet and sensible + that she, if anybody, could be trusted with her. But Myrtle's whole + character seemed to have changed, and Olive soon found that she was in + some mystic way absorbed into another nature. Except when the physician's + will was exerted upon her, she was drifting without any self-directing + power, and then any one of those manifold impulses which would in some + former ages have been counted as separate manifestations on the part of + distinct demoniacal beings might take possession of her. Olive did little, + therefore, but visit Myrtle from time to time to learn if any change had + occurred in her condition. All this she reported to Cyprian, and all this + was got out of him by Mr. William Murray Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + That gentleman was far from being pleased with the look of things as they + were represented. What if the Doctor, who was after all in the prime of + life and younger-looking than some who were born half a dozen years after + him, should get a hold on this young woman,—girl now, if you will, + but in a very few years certain to come within possible, nay, not very + improbable, matrimonial range of him? That would be pleasant, wouldn't it? + It had happened sometimes, as he knew, that these magnetizing tricks had + led to infatuation on the part of the subjects of the wonderful influence. + So he concluded to be ill and consult the younger Dr. Hurlbut, and + incidentally find out how the land lay. + </p> + <p> + The next question was, what to be ill with. Some not ungentlemanly malady, + not hereditary, not incurable, not requiring any obvious change in habits + of life. Dyspepsia would answer the purpose well enough: so Mr. Murray + Bradshaw picked up a medical book and read ten minutes or more for that + complaint. At the end of this time he was an accomplished dyspeptic; for + lawyers half learn a thing quicker than the members of any other + profession. + </p> + <p> + He presented himself with a somewhat forlorn countenance to Dr. Fordyce + Hurlbut, as suffering from some of the less formidable symptoms of that + affection. He got into a very interesting conversation with him, + especially about some nervous feelings which had accompanied his attack of + indigestion. Thence to nervous complaints in general. Thence to the case + of the young lady at The Poplars whom he was attending. The Doctor talked + with a certain reserve, as became his professional relations with his + patient; but it was plain enough that, if this kind of intercourse went on + much longer, it would be liable to end in some emotional explosion or + other, and there was no saying how it would at last turn out. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw was afraid to meddle directly. He knew something more + about the history of Myrtle's adventure than any of his neighbors, and, + among other things, that it had given Mr. Byles Gridley a peculiar + interest in her, of which he could take advantage. He therefore artfully + hinted his fears to the old man, and left his hint to work itself out. + </p> + <p> + However suspicious Master Gridley was of him and his motives, he thought + it worth while to call up at The Poplars and inquire for himself of the + nurse what was this new relation growing up between the physician and his + young patient. + </p> + <p> + She imparted her opinion to him in a private conversation with great + freedom. “Sech doin's! sech doin's! The gal's jest as much bewitched as + ever any gal was sence them that was possessed in Scriptur'. And every day + it 's wus and wus. Ef that Doctor don't stop comin', she won't breathe + without his helpin' her to before long. And, Mr. Gridley, I don't like to + say so,—but I can't help thinkin' he's gettin' a little bewitched + too. I don't believe he means to take no kind of advantage of her; but, + Mr. Gridley, you've seen them millers fly round and round a candle, and + you know how it ginerally comes out. Men is men and gals is gals. I would + n't trust no man, not ef he was much under a hundred year old,—and + as for a gal—!” + </p> + <p> + “Mulieri ne mortuae quidem credendum est,” said Mr. Gridley. “You wouldn't + trust a woman even if she was dead, hey, Nurse?” + </p> + <p> + “Not till she was buried, 'n' the grass growin' a foot high over her,” + said Nurse Byloe, “unless I'd know'd her sence she was a baby. I've know'd + this one sence she was two or three year old; but this gal ain't Myrtle + Hazard no longer,—she's bewitched into somethin' different. I'll + tell ye what, Mr. Gridley; you get old Dr. Hurlbut to come and see her + once a day for a week, and get the young doctor to stay away. I'll resk + it. She 'll have some dreadful tantrums at fust, but she'll come to it in + two or three, days.” + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley groaned in spirit. He had come to this village to end + his days in peace, and here he was just going to make a martyr of himself + for the sake of a young person to whom he was under no obligation, except + that he had saved her from the consequences of her own foolish act, at the + expense of a great overturn of all his domestic habits. There was no help + for it. The nurse was right, and he must perform the disagreeable duty of + letting the Doctor know that he was getting into a track which might very + probably lead to mischief, and that he must back out as fast as he could. + </p> + <p> + At 2 P. M. Gifted Hopkins presented the following note at the Doctor's + door: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Byles Gridley would be much obliged to Dr. Fordyce Hurlbut if he + would call at his study this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Odd, is n't it, father, the old man's asking me to come and see him? + Those old stub-twist constitutions never want patching.” + </p> + <p> + “Old man! old man! Who's that you call old,—not Byles Gridley, hey? + Old! old! Sixty year, more or less! How old was Floyer when he died, + Fordyce? Ninety-odd, was n't it? Had the asthma though, or he'd have lived + to be as old as Dr. Holyoke,—a hundred year and over. That's old. + But men live to be a good deal more than that sometimes. What does Byles + Gridley want of you, did you say?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure I can't tell, father; I'll go and find out.” So he went over to + Mrs. Hopkins's in the evening, and was shown up into the study. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley treated the Doctor to a cup of such tea as bachelors + sometimes keep hid away in mysterious caddies. He presently began asking + certain questions about the grand climacteric, which eventful period of + life he was fast approaching. Then he discoursed of medicine, ancient and + modern, tasking the Doctor's knowledge not a little, and evincing a good + deal of acquaintance with old doctrines and authors. + </p> + <p> + He had a few curious old medical books in his library, which he said he + should like to show Dr. Hurlbut. + </p> + <p> + “There, now! What do you say to this copy of Joannes de Ketam, Venice, + 1522? Look at these woodcuts,—the first anatomical pictures ever + printed, Doctor, unless these others of Jacobus Berengarius are older! See + this scene of the plague-patient, the doctor smelling at his pouncet-box, + the old nurse standing square at the bedside, the young nurse with the + bowl, holding back and turning her head away, and the old burial-hag + behind her, shoving her forward, a very curious book, Doctor, and has the + first phrenological picture in it ever made. Take a look, too, at my + Vesalius,—not the Leyden edition, Doctor, but the one with the grand + old original figures,—so good that they laid them to Titian. And + look here, Doctor, I could n't help getting this great folio Albinus, + 1747,—and the nineteenth century can't touch it, Doctor,—can't + touch it for completeness and magnificence, so all the learned professors + tell me! Brave old fellows, Doctor, and put their lives into their books + as you gentlemen don't pretend to do nowadays. And good old fellows, + Doctor,—high-minded, scrupulous, conscientious, punctilious,—remembered + their duties to man and to woman, and felt all the responsibilities of + their confidential relation to families. Did you ever read the oldest of + medical documents,—the Oath of Hippocrates?” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor thought he had read it, but did not remember much about it. + </p> + <p> + “It 's worth reading, Doctor,—it's worth remembering; and, old as it + is, it is just as good to-day as it was when it was laid down as a rule of + conduct four hundred years before the Sermon on the Mount was delivered. + Let me read it to you, Dr. Hurlbut.” + </p> + <p> + There was something in Master Gridley's look that made the Doctor feel a + little nervous; he did not know just what was coming. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley took out his great Hippocrates, the edition of Foesius, and + opened to the place. He turned so as to face the Doctor, and read the + famous Oath aloud, Englishing it as he went along. When he came to these + words which follow, he pronounced them very slowly and with special + emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “My life shall be pure and holy.” + </p> + <p> + “Into whatever house I enter, I will go for the good of the patient: + </p> + <p> + “I will abstain from inflicting any voluntary injury, and from leading + away any, whether man or woman, bond or free.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor changed color as he listened, and the moisture broke out on his + forehead. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley saw it, and followed up his advantage. “Dr. Fordyce + Hurlbut, are you not in danger of violating the sanctities of your + honorable calling, and leading astray a young person committed to your + sacred keeping?” + </p> + <p> + While saying these words, Master Gridley looked full upon him, with a face + so charged with grave meaning, so impressed with the gravity of his + warning accents, that the Doctor felt as if he were before some dread + tribunal, and remained silent. He was a member of the Rev. Mr. Stoker's + church, and the words he had just listened to were those of a sinful old + heathen who had never heard a sermon in his life; but they stung him, for + all that, as the parable of the prophet stung the royal transgressor. + </p> + <p> + He spoke at length, for the plain honest words had touched the right + spring of consciousness at the right moment; not too early, for he now saw + whither he was tending,—not too late, for he was not yet in the + inner spirals of the passion which whirls men and women to their doom in + ever-narrowing coils, that will not unwind at the command of God or man. + </p> + <p> + He spoke as one who is humbled by self-accusation, yet in a manly way, as + became his honorable and truthful character. + </p> + <p> + “Master Gridley,” he said, “I stand convicted before you. I know too well + what you are thinking of. It is true, I cannot continue my attendance on + Myrtle—on Miss Hazard, for you mean her—without peril to both + of us. She is not herself. God forbid that I should cease to be myself! I + have been thinking of a summer tour, and I will at once set out upon it, + and leave this patient in my father's hands. I think he will find strength + to visit her under the circumstances.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor went off the next morning without saying a word to Myrtle + Hazard, and his father made the customary visit in his place. + </p> + <p> + That night the spirit tare her, as may well be supposed, and so the second + night. But there was no help for it: her doctor was gone, and the old + physician, with great effort, came instead, sat by her, spoke kindly to + her, left wise directions to her attendants, and above all assured them + that, if they would have a little patience, they would see all this storm + blow over. + </p> + <p> + On the third night after his visit, the spirit rent her sore, and came out + of her, or, in the phrase of to-day, she had a fierce paroxysm, after + which the violence of the conflict ceased, and she might be called + convalescent so far as that was concerned. + </p> + <p> + But all this series of nervous disturbances left her in a very impressible + and excitable condition. This was just the state to invite the spiritual + manipulations of one of those theological practitioners who consider that + the treatment of all morbid states of mind short of raving madness belongs + to them and not to the doctors. This same condition was equally favorable + for the operations of any professional experimenter who would use the + flame of religious excitement to light the torch of an earthly passion. So + many fingers that begin on the black keys stray to the white ones before + the tune is played out! + </p> + <p> + If Myrtle Hazard was in charge of any angelic guardian, the time was at + hand when she would need all celestial influences; for the Rev. Joseph + Bellamy Stoker was about to take a deep interest in her spiritual + welfare.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. SKIRMISHING. + </h2> + <p> + “So the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker has called upon you, Susan Posey, has + he? And wants you to come and talk religion with him in his study, Susan + Posey, does he? Religion is a good thing, my dear, the best thing in the + world, and never better than when we are young, and no young people need + it more than young girls. There are temptations to all, and to them as + often as to any, Susan Posey. And temptations come to them in places where + they don't look for them, and from persons they never thought of as + tempters. So I am very glad to have your thoughts called to the subject of + religion. 'Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' + </p> + <p> + “But Susan Posey, my dear, I think you hard better not break in upon the + pious meditations of the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker in his private study. + A monk's cell and a minister's library are hardly the places for young + ladies. They distract the attention of these good men from their devotions + and their sermons. If you think you must go, you had better take Mrs. + Hopkins with you. She likes religious conversation, and it will do her + good too, and save a great deal of time for the minister, conversing with + two at once. She is of discreet age, and will tell you when it is time to + come away,—you might stay too long, you know. I've known young + persons stay a good deal too long at these interviews,—a great deal + too long, Susan Posey!” + </p> + <p> + Such was the fatherly counsel of Master Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + Susan was not very quick of apprehension, but she could not help seeing + the justice of Master Gridley's remark, that for a young person to go and + break in on the hours that a minister requires for his studies, without + being accompanied by a mature friend who would remind her when it was time + to go, would be taking an unfair advantage of his kindness in asking her + to call upon him. She promised, therefore, that she would never go without + having Mrs. Hopkins as her companion, and with this assurance her old + friend rested satisfied. + </p> + <p> + It is altogether likely that he had some deeper reason for his advice than + those with which he satisfied the simple nature of Susan Posey. Of that it + will be easier to judge after a glance at the conditions and character of + the minister and his household. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker had, in addition to the personal advantages already + alluded to, some other qualities which might prove attractive to many + women. He had, in particular, that art of sliding into easy intimacy with + them which implies some knowledge of the female nature, and, above all, + confidence in one's powers. There was little doubt, the gossips + maintained, that many of the younger women of his parish would have been + willing, in certain contingencies, to lift for him that other end of his + yoke under which poor Mrs. Stoker was fainting, unequal to the burden. + </p> + <p> + That lady must have been some years older than her husband,—how many + we need not inquire too curiously,—but in vitality she had long + passed the prime in which he was still flourishing. She had borne him five + children, and cried her eyes hollow over the graves of three of them. + Household cares had dragged upon her; the routine of village life wearied + her; the parishioners expected too much of her as the minister's wife; she + had wanted more fresh air and more cheerful companionship; and her + thoughts had fed too much on death and sin,—good bitter tonics to + increase the appetite for virtue, but not good as food and drink for the + spirit. + </p> + <p> + But there was another grief which lay hidden far beneath these obvious + depressing influences. She felt that she was no longer to her husband what + she had been to him, and felt it with something of self-reproach,—which + was a wrong to herself, for she had been a true and tender wife. Deeper + than all the rest was still another feeling, which had hardly risen into + the region of inwardly articulated thought, but lay unshaped beneath all + the syllabled trains of sleeping or waking consciousness. + </p> + <p> + The minister was often consulted by his parishioners upon spiritual + matters, and was in the habit of receiving in his study visitors who came + with such intent. Sometimes it was old weak-eyed Deacon Rumrill, in great + iron-bowed spectacles, with hanging nether lip and tremulous voice, who + had got his brain onto a muddle about the beast with two horns, or the + woman that fled into the wilderness, or other points not settled to his + mind in Scott's Commentary. The minister was always very busy at such + times, and made short work of his deacon's doubts. Or it might be that an + ancient woman, a mother or a grandmother in Israel, came with her + questions and her perplexities to her pastor; and it was pretty certain + that just at that moment he was very deep in his next sermon, or had a + pressing visit to make. + </p> + <p> + But it would also happen occasionally that one of the tenderer ewe-lambs + of the flock needed comfort from the presence of the shepherd. Poor Mrs. + Stoker noticed, or thought she noticed, that the good man had more leisure + for the youthful and blooming sister than for the more discreet and + venerable matron or spinster. The sitting was apt to be longer; and the + worthy pastor would often linger awhile about the door, to speed the + parting guest, perhaps, but a little too much after the fashion of young + people who are not displeased with each other, and who often find it as + hard to cross a threshold single as a witch finds it to get over a running + stream. More than once, the pallid, faded wife had made an errand to the + study, and, after a keen look at the bright young cheeks, flushed with the + excitement of intimate spiritual communion, had gone back to her chamber + with her hand pressed against her heart, and the bitterness of death in + her soul. + </p> + <p> + The end of all these bodily and mental trials was, that the minister's + wife had fallen into a state of habitual invalidism, such as only women, + who feel all the nerves which in men are as insensible as telegraph-wires, + can experience. + </p> + <p> + The doctor did not know what to make of her case,—whether she would + live or die,—whether she would languish for years, or, all at once, + roused by some strong impression, or in obedience to some unexplained + movement of the vital forces, take up her bed and walk. For her bed had + become her home, where she lived as if it belonged to her organism. There + she lay, a not unpleasing invalid to contemplate, always looking resigned, + patient, serene, except when the one deeper grief was stirred, always + arrayed with simple neatness, and surrounded with little tokens that + showed the constant presence with her of tasteful and thoughtful + affection. She did not know, nobody could know, how steadily, how silently + all this artificial life was draining the veins and blanching the cheek of + her daughter Bathsheba, one of the everyday, air-breathing angels without + nimbus or aureole who belong to every story which lets us into a few + households, as much as the stars and the flowers belong to everybody's + verses. + </p> + <p> + Bathsheba's devotion to her mother brought its own reward, but it was not + in the shape of outward commendation. Some of the more censorious members + of her father's congregation were severe in their remarks upon her + absorption in the supreme object of her care. It seems that this had + prevented her from attending to other duties which they considered more + imperative. They did n't see why she shouldn't keep a Sabbath-school as + well as the rest, and as to her not comin' to meetin' three times on + Sabbath day like other folks, they couldn't account for it, except because + she calculated that she could get along without the means of grace, bein' + a minister's daughter. Some went so far as to doubt if she had ever + experienced religion, for all she was a professor. There was a good many + indulged a false hope. To this, others objected her life of utter + self-denial and entire surrender to her duties towards her mother as some + evidence of Christian character. But old Deacon Rumrill put down that + heresy by showing conclusively from Scott's Commentary on Romans xi. 1-6, + that this was altogether against her chance of being called, and that the + better her disposition to perform good works, the more unlikely she was to + be the subject of saving grace. Some of these severe critics were good + people enough themselves, but they loved active work and stirring + companionship, and would have found their real cross if they had been + called to sit at an invalid's bedside. + </p> + <p> + As for the Rev. Mr. Stoker, his duties did not allow him to give so much + time to his suffering wife as his feelings would undoubtedly have + prompted. He therefore relinquished the care of her (with great reluctance + we may naturally suppose) to Bathsheba, who had inherited not only her + mother's youthful smile, but that self-forgetfulness which, born with some + of God's creatures, is, if not “grace,” at least a manifestation of native + depravity which might well be mistaken for it. + </p> + <p> + The intimacy of mother and daughter was complete, except on a single + point. There was one subject on which no word ever passed between them. + The excuse of duties to others was by a tacit understanding a mantle to + cover all short-comings in the way of attention from the husband and + father, and no word ever passed between them implying a suspicion of the + loyalty of his affections. Bathsheba came at last so to fill with her + tenderness the space left empty in the neglected heart, that her mother + only spoke her habitual feeling when she said, “I should think you were in + love with me, my darling, if you were not my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + This was a dangerous state of things for the minister. Strange suggestions + and unsafe speculations began to mingle with his dreams and reveries. The + thought once admitted that another's life is becoming superfluous and a + burden, feeds like a ravenous vulture on the soul. Woe to the man or woman + whose days are passed in watching the hour-glass through which the sands + run too slowly for longings that are like a skulking procession of + bloodless murders! Without affirming such horrors of the Rev. Mr. Stoker, + it would not be libellous to say that his fancy was tampering with future + possibilities, as it constantly happens with those who are getting + themselves into training for some act of folly, or some crime, it may be, + which will in its own time evolve itself as an idea in the consciousness, + and by and by ripen into fact. + </p> + <p> + It must not be taken for granted that he was actually on the road to some + fearful deed, or that he was an utterly lost soul. He was ready to yield + to temptation if it came in his way; he would even court it, but he did + not shape out any plan very definitely in his mind, as a more desperate + sinner would have done. He liked the pleasurable excitement of emotional + relations with his pretty lambs, and enjoyed it under the name of + religious communion. There is a border land where one can stand on the + territory of legitimate instincts and affections, and yet be so near, the + pleasant garden of the Adversary, that his dangerous fruits and flowers + are within easy reach. Once tasted, the next step is like to be the + scaling of the wall. The Rev. Mr. Stoker was very fond of this border + land. His imagination was wandering over it too often when his pen was + travelling almost of itself along the weary parallels of the page before + him. All at once a blinding flash would come over him the lines of his + sermon would run together, the fresh manuscript would shrivel like a dead + leaf, and the rows of hard-hearted theology on the shelves before him, and + the broken-backed Concordance, and the Holy Book itself, would fade away + as he gave himself up to the enchantment of his delirious dream. + </p> + <p> + The reader will probably consider it a discreet arrangement that pretty + Susan Posey should seek her pastor in grave company. Mrs. Hopkins + willingly consented to the arrangement which had been proposed, and agreed + to go with the young lady on her visit to the Rev. Mr. Stoker's study. + They were both arrayed in their field-day splendors on this occasion. + Susan was lovely in her light curls and blue ribbons, and the becoming + dress which could not help betraying the modestly emphasized crescendos + and gently graded diminuendos of her figure. She was as round as if she + had been turned in a lathe, and as delicately finished as if she had been + modelled for a Flora. She had naturally an airy toss of the head and a + springy movement of the joints, such as some girls study in the glass (and + make dreadful work of it), so that she danced all over without knowing it, + like a little lively bobolink on a bulrush. In short, she looked fit to + spoil a homily for Saint Anthony himself. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins was not less perfect in her somewhat different style. She + might be called impressive and imposing in her grand-costume, which she + wore for this visit. It was a black silk dress, with a crape shawl, a + firmly defensive bonnet, and an alpaca umbrella with a stern-looking and + decided knob presiding as its handle. The dried-leaf rustle of her silk + dress was suggestive of the ripe autumn of life, bringing with it those + golden fruits of wisdom and experience which the grave teachers of mankind + so justly prefer to the idle blossoms of adolescence. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to say that the visit was conducted with the most perfect + propriety in all respects. Mrs. Hopkins was disposed to take upon herself + a large share of the conversation. The minister, on the other hand, would + have devoted himself more particularly to Miss Susan, but, with a very + natural make-believe obtuseness, the good woman drew his fire so + constantly that few of his remarks, and hardly any of his insinuating + looks, reached the tender object at which they were aimed. It is probable + that his features or tones betrayed some impatience at having thus been + foiled of his purpose, for Mrs. Hopkins thought he looked all the time as + if he wanted to get rid of her. The three parted, therefore, not in the + best humor all round. Mrs. Hopkins declared she'd see the minister in + Jericho before she'd fix herself up as if she was goin' to a weddin' to go + and see him again. Why, he did n't make any more of her than if she'd been + a tabby-cat. She believed some of these ministers thought women's souls + dried up like peas in a pod by the time they was forty year old; anyhow, + they did n't seem to care any great about 'em, except while they was green + and tender. It was all Miss Se-usan, Miss Se-usan, Miss Se-usan, my dear! + but as for her, she might jest as well have gone with her apron on, for + any notice he took of her. She did n't care, she was n't goin' to be left + out when there was talkin' goin' on, anyhow. + </p> + <p> + Susan Posey, on her part, said she did n't like him a bit. He looked so + sweet at her, and held his head on one side,—law! just as if he had + been a young beau! And,—don't tell,—but he whispered that he + wished the next time I came I wouldn't bring that Hopkins woman! + </p> + <p> + It would not be fair to repeat what the minister said to himself; but we + may own as much as this, that, if worthy Mrs. Hopkins had heard it, she + would have treated him to a string of adjectives which would have greatly + enlarged his conceptions of the female vocabulary. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. BATTLE. + </h2> + <p> + In tracing the history of a human soul through its commonplace nervous + perturbations, still more through its spiritual humiliations, there is + danger that we shall feel a certain contempt for the subject of such + weakness. It is easy to laugh at the erring impulses of a young girl; but + you who remember when_______ _________, only fifteen years old, untouched + by passion, unsullied in name, was found in the shallow brook where she + had sternly and surely sought her death,—(too true! too true!—ejus + animae Jesu miserere!—but a generation has passed since then,)—will + not smile so scornfully. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard no longer required the physician's visits, but her mind was + very far from being poised in the just balance of its faculties. She was + of a good natural constitution and a fine temperament; but she had been + overwrought by all that she had passed through, and, though happening to + have been born in another land, she was of American descent. Now, it has + long been noticed that there is something in the influences, climatic or + other, here prevailing, which predisposes to morbid religious excitement. + The graver reader will not object to seeing the exact statement of a + competent witness belonging to a by-gone century, confirmed as it is by + all that we see about us. + </p> + <p> + “There is no Experienced Minister of the Gospel who hath not in the Cases + of Tempted Souls often had this Experience, that the ill Cases of their + distempered Bodies are the frequent Occasion and Original of their + Temptations.” “The Vitiated Humours in many Persons, yield the Steams + whereinto Satan does insinuate himself, till he has gained a sort of + Possession in them, or at least an Opportunity to shoot into the Mind as + many Fiery Darts as may cause a sad Life unto them; yea, 't is well if + Self-Murder be not the sad end into which these hurried. People are thus + precipitated. New England, a country where Splenetic Maladies are + prevailing and pernicious, perhaps above any other, hath afforded + Numberless Instances, of even pious People, who have contracted these + Melancholy Indispositions which have unhinged them from all Service or + Comfort; yea, not a few Persons have been hurried thereby to lay Violent + Hands upon themselves at the last. These are among the unsearchable + Judgments of God!” + </p> + <p> + Such are the words of the Rev. Cotton Mather. + </p> + <p> + The minister had hardly recovered from his vexatious defeat in the + skirmish where the Widow Hopkins was his principal opponent, when he + received a note from Miss Silence Withers, which promised another and more + important field of conflict. It contained a request that he would visit + Myrtle Hazard, who seemed to be in a very excitable and impressible + condition, and who might perhaps be easily brought under those influences + which she had resisted from her early years, through inborn perversity of + character. + </p> + <p> + When the Rev. Mr. Stoker received this note, he turned very pale,—which + was a bad sign. Then he drew a long breath or two, and presently a flush + tingled up to his cheek, where it remained a fixed burning glow. This may + have been from the deep interest he felt in Myrtle's spiritual welfare; + but he had often been sent for by aged sinners in more immediate peril, + apparently, without any such disturbance of the circulation. + </p> + <p> + To know whether a minister, young or still in flower; is in safe or + dangerous paths, there are two psychometers, a comparison between which + will give as infallible a return as the dry and wet bulbs of the ingenious + “Hygrodeik.” The first is the black broadcloth forming the knees of his + pantaloons; the second, the patch of carpet before his mirror. If the + first is unworn and the second is frayed and threadbare, pray for him. If + the first is worn and shiny, while the second keeps its pattern and + texture, get him to pray for you. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker should have gone down on his knees then and there, and + sought fervently for the grace which he was like to need in the dangerous + path just opening before him. He did not do this; but he stood up before + his looking-glass and parted his hair as carefully as if he had been + separating the saints of his congregation from the sinners, to send the + list to the statistical columns of a religious newspaper. He selected a + professional neckcloth, as spotlessly pure as if it had been washed in + innocency, and adjusted it in a tie which was like the white rose of + Sharon. Myrtle Hazard was, he thought, on the whole, the handsomest girl + he had ever seen; Susan Posey was to her as a buttercup from the meadow is + to a tiger-lily. He, knew the nature of the nervous disturbances through + which she had been passing, and that she must be in a singularly + impressible condition. He felt sure that he could establish intimate + spiritual relations with her by drawing out her repressed sympathies, by + feeding the fires of her religious imagination, by exercising all those + lesser arts of fascination which are so familiar to the Don Giovannis, and + not always unknown to the San Giovannis. + </p> + <p> + As for the hard doctrines which he used to produce sensations with in the + pulpit, it would have been a great pity to worry so lovely a girl, in such + a nervous state, with them. He remembered a savory text about being made + all things to all men, which would bear application particularly well to + the case of this young woman. He knew how to weaken his divinity, on + occasion, as well as an old housewife to weaken her tea, lest it should + keep people awake. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker was a man of emotions. He loved to feel his heart + beat; he loved all the forms of non-alcoholic drunkenness, which are so + much better than the vinous, because they taste themselves so keenly, + whereas the other (according to the statement of experts who are familiar + with its curious phenomena) has a certain sense of unreality connected + with it. He delighted in the reflex stimulus of the excitement he produced + in others by working on their feelings. A powerful preacher is open to the + same sense of enjoyment—an awful, tremulous, goose-flesh sort of + state, but still enjoyment—that a great tragedian feels when he + curdles the blood of his audience. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stoker was noted for the vividness of his descriptions of the future + which was in store for the great bulk of his fellow-townsmen and + fellow-worlds-men. He had three sermons on this subject, known to all the + country round as the sweating sermon, the fainting sermon, and the + convulsion-fit sermon, from the various effects said to have been produced + by them when delivered before large audiences. It might be supposed that + his reputation as a terrorist would have interfered with his attempts to + ingratiate himself with his young favorites. But the tragedian who is + fearful as Richard or as Iago finds that no hindrance to his success in + the part of Romeo. Indeed, women rather take to terrible people; + prize-fighters, pirates, highwaymen, rebel generals, Grand Turks, and + Bluebeards generally have a fascination for the sex; your virgin has a + natural instinct to saddle your lion. The fact, therefore, that the young + girl had sat under his tremendous pulpitings, through the sweating sermon, + the fainting sermon, and the convulsion-fit sermon, did not secure her + against the influence of his milder approaches. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was naturally surprised at receiving a visit from him; but she was + in just that unbalanced state in which almost any impression is welcome. + He showed so much interest, first in her health, then in her thoughts and + feelings, always following her lead in the conversation, that before he + left her she felt as if she had made a great discovery; namely, that this + man, so formidable behind the guns of his wooden bastion, was a most + tenderhearted and sympathizing person when he came out of it unarmed. How + delightful he was as he sat talking in the twilight in low and tender + tones, with respectful pauses of listening, in which he looked as if he + too had just made a discovery,—of an angel, to wit, to whom he could + not help unbosoming his tenderest emotions, as to a being from another + sphere! + </p> + <p> + It was a new experience to Myrtle. She was all ready for the spiritual + manipulations of an expert. The excitability which had been showing itself + in spasms and strange paroxysms had been transferred to those nervous + centres, whatever they may be, cerebral or ganglionic, which are concerned + in the emotional movements of the religious nature. It was taking her at + an unfair disadvantage, no doubt. In the old communion, some priest might + have wrought upon her while in this condition, and we might have had at + this very moment among us another Saint Theresa or Jacqueline Pascal. She + found but a dangerous substitute in the spiritual companionship of a saint + like the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker. + </p> + <p> + People think the confessional is unknown in our Protestant churches. It is + a great mistake. The principal change is, that there is no screen between + the penitent and the father confessor. The minister knew his rights, and + very soon asserted them. He gave aunt Silence to understand that he could + talk more at ease if he and his young disciple were left alone together. + Cynthia Badlam did not like this arrangement. She was afraid to speak + about it; but she glared at them aslant, with the look of a biting horse + when his eyes follow one sideways until they are all white but one little + vicious spark of pupil. + </p> + <p> + It was not very long before the Rev. Mr. Stoker had established pretty + intimate relations with the household at The Poplars. He had reason to + think, he assured Miss Silence, that Myrtle was in a state of mind which + promised a complete transformation of her character. He used the phrases + of his sect, of course, in talking with the elderly lady; but the language + which he employed with the young girl was free from those mechanical + expressions which would have been like to offend or disgust her. + </p> + <p> + As to his rougher formulae, he knew better than to apply them to a + creature of her fine texture. If he had been disposed to do so, her simple + questions and answers to his inquiries would have made it difficult. But + it was in her bright and beautiful eyes, in her handsome features, and her + winning voice, that he found his chief obstacle. How could he look upon + her face in its loveliness, and talk to her as if she must be under the + wrath and curse of God for the mere fact of her existence? It seemed more + natural and it certainly was more entertaining, to question her in such a + way as to find out what kind of theology had grown up in her mind as the + result of her training in the complex scheme of his doctrinal school. And + as he knew that the merest child, so soon as it begins to think at all, + works out for itself something like a theory of human nature, he pretty + soon began sounding Myrtle's thoughts on this matter. + </p> + <p> + What was her own idea; he would be pleased to know, about her natural + condition as one born of a sinful race, and her inherited liabilities on + that account? + </p> + <p> + Myrtle smiled like a little heathen, as she was, according to the standard + of her earlier teachings. That kind of talk used to worry her when she was + a child, sometimes. Yes, she remembered its coming back to her in a dream + she had, when—when—(She did not finish her sentence.) Did he + think she hated every kind of goodness and loved every kind of evil? Did + he think she was hateful to the Being who made her? + </p> + <p> + The minister looked straight into the bright, brave, tender eyes, and + answered, “Nothing in heaven or on earth could help loving you, Myrtle!” + </p> + <p> + Pretty well for a beginning! + </p> + <p> + Myrtle saw nothing but pious fervor in this florid sentiment. But as she + was honest and clear-sighted, she could not accept a statement which + seemed so plainly in contradiction with his common teachings, without + bringing his flattering assertion to the test of another question. + </p> + <p> + Did he suppose, she asked, that any persons could be Christians, who could + not tell the day or the year of their change from children of darkness to + children of light. + </p> + <p> + The shrewd clergyman, whose creed could be lax enough on occasion, had + provided himself with authorities of all kinds to meet these awkward + questions in casuistical divinity. He had hunted up recipes for spiritual + neuralgia, spasms, indigestion, psora, hypochondriasis, just as doctors do + for their bodily counterparts. + </p> + <p> + To be sure they could. Why, what did the great Richard Baxter say in his + book on Infant Baptism? That at a meeting of many eminent Christians, some + of them very famous ministers, when it was desired that every one should + give an account of the time and manner of his conversion, there was but + one of them all could do it. And as for himself, Mr. Baxter said, he could + not remember the day or the year when he began to be sincere, as he called + it. Why, did n't President Wheelock say to a young man who consulted him, + that some persons might be true Christians without suspecting it? + </p> + <p> + All this was so very different from the uncompromising way in which + religious doctrines used to be presented to the young girl from the + pulpit, that it naturally opened her heart and warmed her affections. + Remember, if she needs excuse, that the defeated instincts of a strong + nature were rushing in upon her, clamorous for their rights, and that she + was not yet mature enough to understand and manage them. The paths of love + and religion are at the fork of a road which every maiden travels. If some + young hand does not open the turnpike gate of the first, she is pretty + sure to try the other, which has no toll-bar. It is also very commonly + noticed that these two paths, after diverging awhile, run into each other. + True love leads many wandering souls into the better way. Nor is it rare + to see those who started in company for the gates of pearl seated together + on the banks that border the avenue to that other portal, gathering the + roses for which it is so famous. + </p> + <p> + It was with the most curious interest that the minister listened to the + various heresies into which her reflections had led her. Somehow or other + they did not sound so dangerous coming from her lips as when they were + uttered by the coarser people of the less rigorous denominations, or + preached in the sermons of heretical clergymen. He found it impossible to + think of her in connection with those denunciations of sinners for which + his discourses had been noted. Some of the sharp old church-members began + to complain that his exhortations were losing their pungency. The truth + was, he was preaching for Myrtle Hazard. He was getting bewitched and + driven beside himself by the intoxication of his relations with her. + </p> + <p> + All this time she was utterly unconscious of any charm that she was + exercising, or of being herself subject to any personal fascination. She + loved to read the books of ecstatic contemplation which he furnished her. + She loved to sing the languishing hymns which he selected for her. She + loved to listen to his devotional rhapsodies, hardly knowing sometimes + whether she were in the body, or out of the body, while he lifted her upon + the wings of his passion-kindled rhetoric. The time came when she had + learned to listen for his step, when her eyes glistened at meeting him, + when the words he uttered were treasured as from something more than a + common mortal, and the book he had touched was like a saintly relic. It + never suggested itself to her for an instant that this was anything more + than such a friendship as Mercy might have cultivated with Great-Heart. + She gave her confidence simply because she was very young and innocent. + The green tendrils of the growing vine must wind round something. + </p> + <p> + The seasons had been changing their scenery while the events we have told + were occurring, and the loveliest days of autumn were now shining. To + those who know the “Indian summer” of our Northern States, it is needless + to describe the influence it exerts on the senses and the soul. The + stillness of the landscape in that beautiful time is as if the planet were + sleeping, like a top, before it begins to rock with the storms of autumn. + All natures seem to find themselves more truly in its light; love grows + more tender, religion more spiritual, memory sees farther back into the + past, grief revisits its mossy marbles, the poet harvests the ripe + thoughts which he will tie in sheaves of verses by his winter fireside. + </p> + <p> + The minister had got into the way of taking frequent walks with Myrtle, + whose health had seemed to require the open air, and who was fast + regaining her natural look. Under the canopy of the scarlet, orange, and + crimson leaved maples, of the purple and violet clad oaks, of the birches + in their robes of sunshine, and the beeches in their clinging drapery of + sober brown, they walked together while he discoursed of the joys of + heaven, the sweet communion of kindred souls, the ineffable bliss of a + world where love would be immortal and beauty should never know decay. And + while she listened, the strange light of the leaves irradiated the + youthful figure of Myrtle, as when the stained window let in its colors on + Madeline, the rose-bloom and the amethyst and the glory. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! we shall be angels together,” exclaimed the Rev. Mr. Stoker. “Our + souls were made for immortal union. I know it; I feel it in every throb of + my heart. Even in this world you are as an angel to me, lifting me into + the heaven where I shall meet you again, or it will not be heaven. Oh, if + on earth our communion could have been such as it must be hereafter! O + Myrtle, Myrtle!” + </p> + <p> + He stretched out his hands as if to clasp hers between them in the rapture + of his devotion. Was it the light reflected from the glossy leaves of the + poison sumach which overhung the path that made his cheek look so pale? + Was he going to kneel to her? + </p> + <p> + Myrtle turned her dark eyes on him with a simple wonder that saw an excess + of saintly ardor in these demonstrations, and drew back from it. + </p> + <p> + “I think of heaven always as the place where I shall meet my mother,” she + said calmly. + </p> + <p> + These words recalled the man to himself for a moment and he was silent. + Presently he seated himself on a stone. His lips were tremulous as he + said, in a low tone, “Sit down by me, Myrtle.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she answered, with something which chilled him in her voice, “we + will not stay here any longer; it is time to go home.” + </p> + <p> + “Full time!” muttered Cynthia Badlam, whose watchful eyes had been upon + them, peering through a screen of yellow leaves, that turned her face pale + as if with deadly passion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. FLANK MOVEMENT. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Cynthia Badlam was in the habit of occasionally visiting the Widow + Hopkins. Some said but then people will talk, especially in the country, + where they have not much else to do, except in haying-time. She had always + known the widow, long before Mr. Gridley came there to board, or any other + special event happened in her family. No matter what people said. + </p> + <p> + Miss Badlam called to see Mrs. Hopkins, then, and the two had a long talk + together, of which only a portion is on record. Here are such fragments as + have been preserved. + </p> + <p> + “What would I do about it? Why, I'd put a stop to such carry'n's on, + mighty quick, if I had to tie the girl to the bedpost, and have a bulldog + that world take the seat out of any pair of black pantaloons that come + within forty rod of her,—that's what I'd do about it! He undertook + to be mighty sweet with our Susan one while, but ever sence he's been + talkin' religion with Myrtle Hazard he's let us alone. Do as I did when he + asked our Susan to come to his study,—stick close to your girl and + you 'll put a stop to all this business. He won't make love to two at + once, unless they 're both pretty young, I 'll warrant. Follow her round, + Miss Cynthy, and keep your eyes on her.” + </p> + <p> + “I have watched her like a cat, Mrs. Hopkins, but I can't follow her + everywhere,—she won't stand what Susan Posey 'll stand. There's no + use our talking to her,—we 've done with that at our house. You + never know what that Indian blood of hers will make her do. She's too + high-strung for us to bit and bridle. I don't want to see her name in the + paper again, alongside of that” (She did not finish the sentence.) “I'd + rather have her fished dead out of the river, or find her where she found + her uncle Malachi!” + </p> + <p> + “You don't think, Miss Cynthy, that the man means to inveigle the girl + with the notion of marryin' her by and by, after poor Mrs. Stoker's dead + and gone?” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord in heaven forbid!” exclaimed Miss Cynthia, throwing up her + hands. “A child of fifteen years old, if she is a woman to look at!” + </p> + <p> + “It's too bad,—it's too bad to think of, Miss Cynthy; and there's + that poor woman dyin' by inches, and Miss Bathsheby settin' with her day + and night, she has n't got a bit of her father in her, it's all her + mother,—and that man, instead of bein' with her to comfort her as + any man ought to be with his wife, in sickness and in health, that's what + he promised. I 'm sure when my poor husband was sick.... To think of that + man goin' about to talk religion to all the prettiest girls he can find in + the parish, and his wife at home like to leave him so soon,—it's a + shame,—so it is, come now! Miss Cynthy, there's one of the best men + and one of the learnedest men that ever lived that's a real friend of + Myrtle Hazard, and a better friend to her than she knows of,—for + ever sence he brought her home, he feels jest like a father to her,—and + that man is Mr. Gridley, that lives in this house. It's him I 'll speak to + about the minister's carry'in's on. He knows about his talking sweet to + our Susan, and he'll put things to rights! He's a master hand when he does + once take hold of anything, I tell you that! Jest get him to shet up them + books of his, and take hold of anybody's troubles, and you'll see how he + 'll straighten 'em out.” + </p> + <p> + There was a pattering of little feet on the stairs, and the two small + twins, “Sossy” and “Minthy,” in the home dialect, came hand in hand into + the room, Miss Susan leaving them at the threshold, not wishing to + interrupt the two ladies, and being much interested also in listening to + Mr. Gifted Hopkins, who was reading some of his last poems to her, with + great delight to both of them. + </p> + <p> + The good woman rose to take them from Susan, and guide their uncertain + steps. “My babies, I call 'em, Miss Cynthy. Ain't they nice children? Come + to go to bed, little dears? Only a few minutes, Miss Cynthy.” + </p> + <p> + She took them into the bedroom on the same floor, where they slept, and, + leaving the door open, began undressing them. Cynthia turned her + rocking-chair round so as to face the open door. She looked on while the + little creatures were being undressed; she heard the few words they lisped + as their infant prayer, she saw them laid in their beds, and heard their + pretty good-night. + </p> + <p> + A lone woman to whom all the sweet cares of maternity have been denied + cannot look upon a sight like this without feeling the void in her own + heart where a mother's affection should have nestled. Cynthia sat + perfectly still, without rocking, and watched kind Mrs. Hopkins at her + quasi parental task. A tear stole down her rigid face as she saw the + rounded limbs of the children bared in their white beauty, and their + little heads laid on the pillow. They were sleeping quietly when Mrs. + Hopkins left the room for a moment on some errand of her own. Cynthia rose + softly from her chair, stole swiftly to the bedside, and printed a long, + burning kiss on each of their foreheads. + </p> + <p> + When Mrs. Hopkins came back, she found the maiden lady sitting in her + place just as she left her, but rocking in her chair and sobbing as one in + sudden pangs of grief. + </p> + <p> + “It is a great trouble, Miss Cynthy,” she said,—“a great trouble to + have such a child as Myrtle to think of and to care for. If she was like + our Susan Posey, now!—but we must do the best we can; and if Mr. + Gridley once sets himself to it, you may depend upon it he 'll make it all + come right. I wouldn't take on about it if I was you. You let me speak to + our Mr. Gridley. We all have our troubles. It is n't everybody that can + ride to heaven in a C-spring shay, as my poor husband used to say; and + life 's a road that 's got a good many thank-you-ma'ams to go bumpin' + over, says he.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Badlam acquiesced in the philosophical reflections of the late Mr. + Ammi Hopkins, and left it to his widow to carry out her own suggestion in + reference to consulting Master Gridley. The good woman took the first + opportunity she had to introduce the matter, a little diffusely, as is + often the way of widows who keep boarders. + </p> + <p> + “There's something going on I don't like, Mr. Gridley. They tell me that + Minister Stoker is following round after Myrtle Hazard, talking religion + at her jest about the same way he'd have liked to with our Susan, I + calculate. If he wants to talk religion to me or Silence Withers,—well, + no, I don't feel sure about Silence,—she ain't as young as she used + to be, but then ag'in she ain't so fur gone as some, and she's got money,—but + if he wants to talk religion with me, he may come and welcome. But as for + Myrtle Hazard, she's been sick, and it's left her a little flighty by what + they say, and to have a minister round her all the time ravin' about the + next world as if he had a latch-key to the front door of it, is no way to + make her come to herself again. I 've seen more than one young girl sent + off to the asylum by that sort of work, when, if I'd only had 'em, I'd + have made 'em sweep the stairs, and mix the puddin's, and tend the babies, + and milk the cow, and keep 'em too busy all day to be thinkin' about + themselves, and have 'em dress up nice evenin's and see some young folks + and have a good time, and go to meetin' Sundays, and then have done with + the minister, unless it was old Father Pemberton. He knows forty times as + much about heaven as that Stoker man does, or ever 's like to,—why + don't they run after him, I should like to know? Ministers are men, come + now; and I don't want to say anything against women, Mr. Gridley, but + women are women, that's the fact of it, and half of 'em are hystericky + when they're young; and I've heard old Dr. Hurlbut say many a time that he + had to lay in an extra stock of valerian and assafaetida whenever there + was a young minister round,—for there's plenty of religious ravin', + says he, that's nothin' but hysterics.” + </p> + <p> + [Mr. Fronde thinks that was the trouble with Bloody Queen Mary, but the + old physician did not get the idea from him.] + </p> + <p> + “Well, and what do you propose to do about the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker + and his young proselyte, Miss Myrtle Hazard?” said Mr. Gridley, when Mrs. + Hopkins at last gave him a chance to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gridley,”—Mrs. Hopkins looked full upon him as she spoke,—“people + used to say that you was a good man and a great man and one of the + learnedest men alive, but that you didn't know much nor care for much + except books. I know you used to live pretty much to yourself when you + first came to board in this house. But you've been very good to my son; + ... and if Gifted lives till you... till you are in... your grave... he + will write a poem—I know he will—that will tell your goodness + to babes unborn.” + </p> + <p> + [Here Master Gridley groaned, and repeated to himself silently, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Scindentur vestes gemmae frangentur et aurum, + Carmina quam tribuent fama perennis erit.” + </pre> + <p> + All this inwardly, and without interrupting the worthy woman's talk.] + </p> + <p> + “And if ever Gifted makes a book,—don't say anything about it, Mr. + Gridley, for goodness' sake, for he wouldn't have anybody know it, only I + can't help thinking that some time or other he will print a book,—and + if he does, I know whose name he'll put at the head of it,—'Dedicated + to B. G., with the gratitude and respect—' There, now, I had n't any + business to say a word about it, and it's only jest in case he does, you + know. I'm sure you deserve it all. You've helped him with the best of + advice. And you've been kind to me when I was in trouble. And you've been + like a grandfather” [Master Gridley winced,—why could n't the woman + have said father?—that grand struck his ear like a spade going into + the gravel] “to those babes, poor little souls! left on my door-step like + a couple of breakfast rolls,—only you know it's the baker left then. + I believe in you, Mr. Gridley, as I believe in my Maker and in Father + Pemberton,—but, poor man, he's old, and you won't be old these + twenty years yet.” + </p> + <p> + [Master Gridley shook his head as if to say that was n't so, but felt + comforted and refreshed.] + </p> + <p> + “You've got to help Myrtle Hazard again. You brought her home when she + come so nigh drowning. You got the old doctor to go and see her when she + come so nigh being bewitched with the magnetism and nonsense, whatever + they call it, and the young doctor was so nigh bein' crazy, too. I know, + for Nurse Byloe told me all about it. And now Myrtle's gettin' run away + with by that pesky Minister Stoker. Cynthy Badlam was here yesterday + crying and sobbing as if her heart would break about it. For my part, I + did n't think Cynthy cared so much for the girl as all that, but I saw her + takin' on dreadfully with my own eyes. That man's like a hen-hawk among + the chickens, first he picks up one, and then he picks up another. I + should like to know if nobody but young folks has souls to be saved, and + specially young women!” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me all you know about Myrtle Hazard and Joseph Bellamy Stoker,” said + Master Gridley. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon that good lady related all that Miss Badlam had imparted to her, + of which the reader knows the worst, being the interview of which the keen + spinster had been a witness, having followed them for the express purpose + of knowing, in her own phrase, what the minister was up to. + </p> + <p> + It is not to be supposed that Myrtle had forgotten the discreet kindness + of Master Gridley in bringing her back and making the best of her + adventure. He, on his part, had acquired a kind of right to consider + himself her adviser, and had begun to take a pleasure in the thought that + he, the worn-out and useless old pedant, as he had been in the way of + considering himself, might perhaps do something even more important than + his previous achievement to save this young girl from the dangers that + surrounded her. He loved his classics and his old books; he took an + interest, too, in the newspapers and periodicals that brought the + fermenting thought and the electric life of the great world into his + lonely study; but these things just about him were getting strong hold on + him, and most of all the fortunes of this beautiful young woman. How + strange! For a whole generation he had lived in no nearer relation to his + fellow-creatures than that of a half-fossilized teacher; and all at once + he found himself face to face with the very most intense form of life, the + counsellor of threatened innocence, the champion of imperilled loveliness. + What business was it of his? growled the lower nature, of which he had + said in “Thoughts on the Universe,”—“Every man leads or is led by + something that goes on four legs.” + </p> + <p> + Then he remembered the grand line of the African freedman, that makes all + human interests everybody's business, and had a sudden sense of dilatation + and evolution, as it were, in all his dimensions, as if he were a head + taller, and a foot bigger round the chest, and took in an extra gallon of + air at every breath, Then—you who have written a book that holds + your heart-leaves between its pages will understand the movement—he + took down “Thoughts on the Universe” for a refreshing draught from his own + wellspring. He opened as chance ordered it, and his eyes fell on the + following passage: + </p> + <p> + “The true American formula was well phrased by the late Samuel Patch, the + Western Empedocles, 'Some things can be done as well as others.' A homely + utterance, but it has virtue to overthrow all dynasties and hierarchies. + These were all built up on the Old-World dogma that some things can NOT be + done as well as others.” + </p> + <p> + “There, now!” he said, talking to himself in his usual way, “is n't that + good? It always seems to me that I find something to the point when I open + that book. 'Some things can be done as well as others,' can they? Suppose + I should try what I can do by visiting Miss Myrtle Hazard? I think I may + say I am old and incombustible enough to be trusted. She does not seem to + be a safe neighbor to very inflammable bodies?” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was sitting in the room long known as the Study, or the Library, + when Master Byles Gridley called at The Poplars to see her. Miss Cynthia, + who received him, led him to this apartment and left him alone with + Myrtle. She welcomed him very cordially, but colored as she did so,—his + visit was a surprise. She was at work on a piece of embroidery. Her first + instinctive movement was to thrust it out of sight with the thought of + concealment; but she checked this, and before the blush of detection had + reached her cheek, the blush of ingenuous shame for her weakness had + caught and passed it, and was in full possession. She sat with her worsted + pattern held bravely in sight, and her cheek as bright as its liveliest + crimson. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Cynthia has let me in upon you,” he said, “or I should not have + ventured to disturb you in this way. A work of art, is it, Miss Myrtle + Hazard?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a pair of slippers, Mr. Gridley,—for my pastor.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! oh! That is well. A good old man. I have a great regard for the Rev. + Eliphalet Pemberton. I wish all ministers were as good and simple and + pure-hearted as the Rev. Eliphalet Pemberton. And I wish all the young + people thought as much about their elders as you do, Miss Myrtle Hazard. + We that are old love little acts of kindness. You gave me more pleasure + than you knew of, my dear, when you worked that handsome cushion for me. + The old minister will be greatly pleased,—poor old man!” + </p> + <p> + “But, Mr. Gridley, I must not let you think these are for Father + Pemberton. They are for—Mr. Stoker.” + </p> + <p> + “The Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker! He is not an old man, the Rev. Joseph + Bellamy Stoker. He may perhaps be a widower before a great while.—Does + he know that you are working those slippers for him?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! no, Mr. Gridley. I meant them for a surprise to him. He has been + so kind to me, and understands me so much better than I thought anybody + did. He is so different from what I thought; he makes religion so + perfectly simple, it seems as if everybody would agree with him, if they + could only hear him talk.” + </p> + <p> + “Greatly interested in the souls of his people, is n't he?” + </p> + <p> + “Too much, almost, I am afraid. He says he has been too hard in his + sermons sometimes, but it was for fear he should not impress his hearers + enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think he worries himself about the souls of young women rather + more than for those of old ones, Myrtle?” + </p> + <p> + There was something in the tone of this question that helped its slightly + sarcastic expression. Myrtle's jealousy for her minister's sincerity was + roused. + </p> + <p> + “How can you ask that, Mr. Gridley? I am sure I wish you or anybody could + have heard him talk as I have. There is no age in souls, he says; and I am + sure that it would do anybody good to hear him, old or young.” + </p> + <p> + “No age in souls,—no age in souls. Souls of forty as young as souls + of fifteen; that 's it.” Master Gridley did not say this loud. But he did + speak as follows: “I am glad to hear what you say of the Rev. Joseph + Bellamy Stoker's love of being useful to people of all ages. You have had + comfort in his companionship, and there are others who might be very glad + to profit by it. I know a very excellent person who has had trials, and is + greatly interested in religious conversation. Do you think he would be + willing to let this friend of mine share in the privileges of spiritual + intercourse which you enjoy?” + </p> + <p> + There was but one answer possible. Of course he would. + </p> + <p> + “I hope it is so, my dear young lady. But listen to me one moment. I love + you, my dear child, do you know, as if I were your own—grandfather.” + (There was moral heroism in that word.) “I love you as if you were of my + own blood; and so long as you trust me, and suffer me, I mean to keep + watch against all dangers that threaten you in mind, body, or estate. You + may wonder at me, you may sometimes doubt me; but until you say you + distrust me, when any trouble comes near you, you will find me there. Now, + my dear child, you ought to know that the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker has + the reputation of being too fond of prosecuting religious inquiries with + young and handsome women.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle's eyes fell,—a new suspicion seemed to have suggested itself. + </p> + <p> + “He wanted to get up a spiritual intimacy with our Susan Posey,—a + very pretty girl, as you know.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle tossed her head almost imperceptibly, and bit her lip. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose there are a dozen young people that have been talked about with + him. He preaches cruel sermons in his pulpit, cruel as death, and + cold-blooded enough to freeze any mother's blood if nature did not tell + her he lied, and then smooths it all over with the first good-looking + young woman he can get to listen to him.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had dropped the slipper she was working on. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, my dear, would you be willing to give up meeting this man alone, + and gratify my friend, and avoid all occasion of reproach?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I would,” said Myrtle, her eyes flashing, for her doubts, her + shame, her pride, were all excited. “Who is your friend, Mr. Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + “An excellent woman,—Mrs. Hopkins. You know her, Gifted Hopkins's + mother, with whom I am residing. Shall the minister be given to understand + that you will see him hereafter in her company?” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle came pretty near a turn of her old nervous perturbations. “As you + say,” she answered. “Is there nobody that I can trust, or is everybody + hunting me like a bird?” She hid her face in her hands. + </p> + <p> + “You can trust me, my dear,” said Byles Gridley. “Take your needle, my + child, and work at your pattern,—it will come out a rose by and by. + Life is like that, Myrtle, one stitch at a time, taken patiently, and the + pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. You can trust me. + Good-by, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Let her finish the slippers,” the old man said to himself as he trudged + home, “and make 'em big enough for Father Pemberton. He shall have his + feet in 'em yet, or my name is n't Byles Gridley!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTS. + </h2> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard waited until the steps of Master Byles Gridley had ceased to + be heard, as he walked in his emphatic way through the long entry of the + old mansion. Then she went to her little chamber and sat down in a sort of + revery. She could not doubt his sincerity, and there was something in her + own consciousness which responded to the suspicions he had expressed with + regard to the questionable impulses of the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker. + </p> + <p> + It is not in the words that others say to us, but in those other words + which these make us say to ourselves, that we find our gravest lessons and + our sharpest rebukes. The hint another gives us finds whole trains of + thought which have been getting themselves ready to be shaped in inwardly + articulated words, and only awaited the touch of a burning syllable, as + the mottoes of a pyrotechnist only wait for a spark to become letters of + fire. + </p> + <p> + The artist who takes your photograph must carry you with him into his + “developing” room, and he will give you a more exact illustration of the + truth just mentioned. There is nothing to be seen on the glass just taken + from the camera. But there is a potential, though invisible, picture hid + in the creamy film which covers it. Watch him as he pours a wash over it, + and you will see that miracle wrought which is at once a surprise and a + charm,—the sudden appearance of your own features where a moment + before was a blank without a vestige of intelligence or beauty. + </p> + <p> + In some such way the grave warnings of Master Byles Gridley had called up + a fully shaped, but hitherto unworded, train of thought in the + consciousness of Myrtle Hazard. It was not merely their significance, it + was mainly because they were spoken at the fitting time. If they had been + uttered a few weeks earlier, when Myrtle was taking the first stitch on + the embroidered slippers, they would have been as useless as the artist's + developing solution on a plate which had never been exposed in the camera. + But she had been of late in training for her lesson in ways that neither + she nor anybody else dreamed of. The reader who has shrugged his (or her) + shoulders over the last illustration will perhaps hear this one which + follows more cheerfully. The physician in the Arabian Nights made his + patient play at ball with a bat, the hollow handle of which contained + drugs of marvellous efficacy. Whether it was the drugs that made the sick + man get well, or the exercise, is not of so much consequence as the fact + that he did at any rate get well. + </p> + <p> + These walks which Myrtle had taken with her reverend counsellor had given + her a new taste for the open air, which was what she needed just now more + than confessions of faith or spiritual paroxysms. And so it happened that, + while he had been stimulating all those imaginative and emotional elements + of her nature which responded to the keys he loved to play upon, the + restoring influences of the sweet autumnal air, the mellow sunshine, the + soothing aspects of the woods and fields and sky, had been quietly doing + their work. The color was fast returning to her cheek, and the discords of + her feelings and her thoughts gradually resolving themselves into the + harmonious and cheerful rhythms of bodily and mental health. It needed but + the timely word from the fitting lips to change the whole programme of her + daily mode of being. The word had been spoken. She saw its truth; but how + hard it is to tear away a cherished illusion, to cast out an unworthy + intimate! How hard for any!—but for a girl so young, and who had as + yet found so little to love and trust, how cruelly hard! + </p> + <p> + She sat, still and stony, like an Egyptian statue. Her eyes were fixed on + a vacant chair opposite the one on which she was sitting. It was a very + singular and fantastic old chair, said to have been brought over by the + first emigrant of her race. The legs and arms were curiously turned in + spirals, the suggestions of which were half pleasing and half repulsive. + Instead of the claw-feet common in furniture of a later date, each of its + legs rested on a misshapen reptile, which it seemed to flatten by its + weight, as if it were squeezing the breath out of the ugly creature. Over + this chair hung the portrait of her beautiful ancestress, her neck and + arms, the specialty of her beauty, bare, except for a bracelet on the left + wrist, and her shapely figure set off by the ample folds of a rich crimson + brocade. Over Myrtle's bed hung that other portrait, which was to her + almost as the pictures of the Mater Dolorosa to trustful souls of the + Roman faith. She had longed for these pictures while she was in her + strange hysteric condition, and they had been hung up in her chamber. + </p> + <p> + The night was far gone, as she knew by the declining of the constellations + which she had seen shining brightly almost overhead in the early evening, + when she awoke, and found herself still sitting in the very attitude in + which she was sitting hours before. Her lamp had burned out, and the + starlight but dimly illuminated her chamber. She started to find herself + sitting there, chilled and stiffened by long remaining in one posture; and + as her consciousness returned, a great fear seized her, and she sprang for + a match. It broke with the quick movement she made to kindle it, and she + snatched another as if a fiend were after her. It flashed and went out. Oh + the terror, the terror! The darkness seemed alive with fearful presences. + The lurid glare of her own eyeballs flashed backwards into her brain. She + tried one more match; it kindled as it should, and she lighted another + lamp. Her first impulse was to assure herself that nothing was changed in + the familiar objects around her. She held the lamp up to the picture of + Judith Pride. The beauty looked at her, it seemed as if with a kind of + lofty recognition in her eyes; but there she was, as always. She turned + the light upon the pale face of the martyr-portrait. It looked troubled + and faded, as it seemed to Myrtle, but still it was the same face she + remembered from her childhood. Then she threw the light on the old chair, + and, shuddering, caught up a shawl and flung it over the spiral-wound arms + and legs, and the flattened reptiles on which it stood. + </p> + <p> + In those dead hours of the night which had passed over her sitting there, + still and stony, as it should seem, she had had strange visitors. Two + women had been with her, as real as any that breathed the breath of life,—so + it appeared to her,—yet both had long been what is called, in our + poor language, dead. One came in all the glory of her ripened beauty, + bare-necked, bare-armed, full dressed by nature in that splendid animal + equipment which in its day had captivated the eyes of all the lusty lovers + of complete muliebrity. The other,—how delicate, how translucent, + how aerial she seemed! yet real and true to the lineaments of her whom the + young girl looked upon as her hereditary protector. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful woman turned, and, with a face full of loathing and scorn, + pointed to one of the reptiles beneath the feet of the chair. And while + Myrtle's eyes followed hers, the flattened and half-crushed creature + seemed to swell and spread like his relative in the old fable, like the + black dog in Faust, until he became of tenfold size, and at last of + colossal proportions. And, fearful to relate, the batrachian features + humanized themselves as the monster grew, and, shaping themselves more and + more into a remembered similitude, Myrtle saw in them a hideous likeness + of—No! no! it was too horrible, was that the face which had been so + close to hers but yesterday? were those the lips, the breath from which + had stirred her growing curls as he leaned over her while they read + together some passionate stanza from a hymn that was as much like a + love-song as it dared to be in godly company? A shadow of disgust—the + natural repugnance of loveliness for deformity-ran all through her, and + she shrieked, as she thought, and threw herself at the feet of that other + figure. She felt herself lifted from the floor, and then a cold thin hand + seemed to take hers. The warm life went out of her, and she was to herself + as a dimly conscious shadow that glided with passive acquiescence wherever + it was led. Presently she found herself in a half-lighted apartment, where + there were books on the shelves around, and a desk with loose manuscripts + lying on it, and a little mirror with a worn bit of carpet before it. And + while she looked, a great serpent writhed in through the half-open door, + and made the circuit of the room, laying one huge ring all round it, and + then, going round again, laid another ring over the first, and so on until + he was wound all round the room like the spiral of a mighty cable, leaving + a hollow in the centre; and then the serpent seemed to arch his neck in + the air, and bring his head close down to Myrtle's face; and the features + were not those of a serpent, but of a man, and it hissed out the words she + had read that very day in a little note which said, “Come to my study + to-morrow, and we will read hymns together.” + </p> + <p> + Again she was back in her little chamber, she did not know how, and the + two women were looking into her eyes with strange meaning in their own. + Something in them seemed to plead with her to yield to their influence, + and her choice wavered which of them to follow, for each would have led + her her own way,—whither she knew not. It was the strife of her + “Vision,” only in another form,—the contest of two lives her blood + inherited for the mastery of her soul. The might of beauty conquered. + Myrtle resigned herself to the guidance of the lovely phantom, which + seemed so much fuller of the unextinguished fire of life, and so like + herself as she would grow to be when noon should have ripened her into + maturity. + </p> + <p> + Doors opened softly before them; they climbed stairs, and threaded + corridors, and penetrated crypts, strange yet familiar to her eyes, which + seemed to her as if they could see, as it were, in darkness. Then came a + confused sense of eager search for something that she knew was hidden, + whether in the cleft of a rock, or under the boards of a floor, or in some + hiding-place among the skeleton rafters, or in a forgotten drawer, or in a + heap of rubbish, she could not tell; but somewhere there was something + which she was to find, and which, once found, was to be her talisman. She + was in the midst of this eager search when she awoke. + </p> + <p> + The impression was left so strongly on her mind that with all her fears + she could not resist the desire to make an effort to find what meaning + there was in this frightfully real dream. Her courage came back as her + senses assured her that all around her was natural, as when she left it. + She determined to follow the lead of the strange hint her nightmare had + given her. + </p> + <p> + In one of the upper chambers of the old mansion there stood a tall, + upright desk of the ancient pattern, with folding doors above and large + drawers below. “That desk is yours, Myrtle,” her uncle Malachi had once + said to her; “and there is a trick or two about it that it will pay you to + study.” Many a time Myrtle had puzzled herself about the mystery of the + old desk. All the little drawers, of which there were a considerable + number, she had pulled out, and every crevice, as she thought, she had + carefully examined. She determined to make one more trial. It was the dead + of the night, and this was a fearful old place to be wandering about; but + she was possessed with an urgent feeling which would not let her wait + until daylight. + </p> + <p> + She stole like a ghost from her chamber. She glided along the narrow + entries as she had seemed to move in her dream. She opened the folding + doors of the great upright desk. She had always before examined it by + daylight, and though she had so often pulled all the little drawers out, + she had never thoroughly explored the recesses which received them. But in + her new-born passion of search, she held her light so as to illuminate all + these deeper spaces. At once she thought she saw the marks of pressure + with a finger. She pressed her own finger on this place, and, as it + yielded with a slight click, a small mahogany pilaster sprang forward, + revealing its well-kept secret that it was the mask of a tall, deep, very + narrow drawer. There was something heavy in it, and, as Myrtle turned it + over, a golden bracelet fell into her hand. She recognized it at once as + that which had been long ago the ornament of the fair woman whose portrait + hung in her chamber. She clasped it upon her wrist, and from that moment + she felt as if she were the captive of the lovely phantom who had been + with her in her dream. + </p> + <p> + “The old man walked last night, God save us!” said Kitty Fagan to Biddy + Finnegan, the day after Myrtle's nightmare and her curious discovery. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. VICTORY. + </h2> + <p> + It seems probable enough that Myrtle's whole spiritual adventure was an + unconscious dramatization of a few simple facts which her imagination + tangled together into a kind of vital coherence. The philosopher who goes + to the bottom of things will remark that all the elements of her fantastic + melodrama had been furnished her while waking. Master Byles Gridley's + penetrating and stinging caution was the text, and the grotesque carvings + and the portraits furnished the “properties” with which her own mind had + wrought up this scenic show. + </p> + <p> + The philosopher who goes to the bottom of things might not find it so easy + to account for the change which came over Myrtle Hazard from the hour when + she clasped the bracelet of Judith Pride upon her wrist. She felt a sudden + loathing of the man whom she had idealized as a saint. A young girl's + caprice? Possibly. A return of the natural instincts of girlhood with + returning health? Perhaps so. An impression produced by her dream? An + effect of an influx from another sphere of being? The working of Master + Byles Gridley's emphatic warning? The magic of her new talisman? + </p> + <p> + We may safely leave these questions for the present. As we have to tell, + not what Myrtle Hazard ought to have done, and why she should have done + it, but what she did do, our task is a simpler one than it would be to lay + bare all the springs of her action. Until this period, she had hardly + thought of herself as a born beauty. The flatteries she had received from + time to time were like the chips and splinters under the green wood, when + the chill women pretended to make a fire in the best parlor at The + Poplars, which had a way of burning themselves out, hardly warming, much + less kindling, the fore-stick and the back-log. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had a tinge of what some call superstition, and she began to look + upon her strange acquisition as a kind of amulet. Its suggestions betrayed + themselves in one of her first movements. Nothing could be soberer than + the cut of the dresses which the propriety of the severe household had + established as the rule of her costume. But the girl was no sooner out of + bed than a passion came over her to see herself in that less jealous + arrangement of drapery which the Beauty of the last century had insisted + on as presenting her most fittingly to the artist. She rolled up the + sleeves of her dress, she turned down its prim collar and neck, and + glanced from her glass to the portrait, from the portrait back to the + glass. Myrtle was not blind nor dull, though young, and in many things + untaught. She did not say in so many words, “I too am a beauty,” but she + could mot help seeing that she had many of the attractions of feature and + form which had made the original of the picture before her famous. The + same stately carriage of the head, the same full-rounded neck, the same + more than hinted outlines of figure, the same finely shaped arms and + hands, and something very like the same features startled her by their + identity in the permanent image of the canvas and the fleeting one of the + mirror. + </p> + <p> + The world was hers then,—for she had not read romances and + love-letters without finding that beauty governs it in all times and + places. Who was this middle-aged minister that had been hanging round her + and talking to her about heaven, when there was not a single joy of earth + that she had as yet tasted? A man that had been saying all his fine things + to Miss Susan Posey, too, had he, before he had bestowed his attentions on + her? And to a dozen other girls, too, nobody knows who! + </p> + <p> + The revulsion was a very sadden one. Such changes of feeling are apt to be + sudden in young people whose nerves have been tampered with, and Myrtle + was not of a temperament or an age to act with much deliberation where a + pique came in to the aid of a resolve. Master Gridley guessed sagaciously + what would be the effect of his revelation, when he told her of the + particular attentions the minister had paid to pretty Susan Posey and + various other young women. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker had parted his hair wonderfully that morning, and made + himself as captivating as his professional costume allowed. He had drawn + down the shades of his windows so as to let in that subdued light which is + merciful to crow's-feet and similar embellishments, and wheeled up his + sofa so that two could sit at the table and read from the same book. + </p> + <p> + At eleven o'clock he was pacing the room with a certain feverish + impatience, casting a glance now and then at the mirror as he passed it. + At last the bell rang, and he himself went to answer it, his heart + throbbing with expectation of meeting his lovely visitor. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard appeared by an envoy extraordinary, the bearer of sealed + despatches. Mistress Kitty Fagan was the young lady's substitute, and she + delivered into the hand of the astonished clergyman the following missive: + </p> + <p> + TO THE REV. MR. STOKER. + </p> + <p> + Reverend Sir,—I shall not come to your study this day. I do not feel + that I have any more need of religious counsel at this time, and I am told + by a friend that there are others who will be glad to hear you talk on + this subject. I hear that Mrs. Hopkins is interested in religious + subjects, and would have been glad to see you in my company. As I cannot + go with her, perhaps Miss Susan Posey will take my place. I thank you for + all the good things you have said to me, and that you have given me so + much of your company. I hope we shall sing hymns together in heaven some + time, if we are good enough, but I want to wait for that awhile, for I do + not feel quite ready. I am not going to see you any more alone, reverend + sir. I think this is best, and I have good advice. I want to see more of + young people of my own age, and I have a friend, Mr. Gridley, who I think + is older than you are, that takes an interest in me; and as you have many + others that you must be interested in, he can take the place of a father + better than you can do. I return to you the hymn-book, I read one of those + you marked, and do not care to read any more. + </p> + <p> + Respectfully yours, + </p> + <p> + MYRTLE HAZARD. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Mr. Stoker uttered a cry of rage as he finished this awkwardly + written, but tolerably intelligible letter. What could he do about it? It + would hardly do to stab Myrtle Hazard, and shoot Byles Gridley, and + strangle Mrs. Hopkins, every one of which homicides he felt at the moment + that he could have committed. And here he was in a frantic paroxysm, and + the next day was Sunday, and his morning's discourse was unwritten. His + savage mediaeval theology came to his relief, and he clutched out of a + heap of yellow manuscripts his well-worn “convulsion-fit” sermon. He + preached it the next day as if it did his heart good, but Myrtle Hazard + did not hear it, for she had gone to St. Bartholomew's with Olive Eveleth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. SAINT AND SINNER + </h2> + <p> + It happened a little after this time that the minister's invalid wife + improved—somewhat unexpectedly in health, and, as Bathsheba was + beginning to suffer from imprisonment in her sick-chamber, the physician + advised very strongly that she should vary the monotony of her life by + going out of the house daily for fresh air and cheerful companionship. She + was therefore frequently at the house of Olive Eveleth; and as Myrtle + wanted to see young people, and had her own way now as never before, the + three girls often met at the parsonage. Thus they became more and more + intimate, and grew more and more into each other's affections. + </p> + <p> + These girls presented three types of spiritual character which are to be + found in all our towns and villages. Olive had been carefully trained, and + at the proper age confirmed. Bathsheba had been prayed for, and in due + time startled and converted. Myrtle was a simple daughter of Eve, with + many impulses like those of the other two girls, and some that required + more watching. She was not so safe, perhaps, as either of the other girls, + for this world or the next; but she was on some accounts more interesting, + as being a more genuine representative of that inexperienced and too + easily deluded, yet always cherished, mother of our race, whom we must + after all accept as embodying the creative idea of woman, and who might + have been alive and happy now (though at a great age) but for a single + fatal error. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Ambrose Eveleth, Rector of Saint Bartholomew's, Olive's father, + was one of a class numerous in the Anglican Church, a cultivated man, with + pure tastes, with simple habits, a good reader, a neat writer, a safe + thinker, with a snug and well-fenced mental pasturage, which his sermons + kept cropped moderately close without any exhausting demand upon the soil. + Olive had grown insensibly into her religious maturity, as into her bodily + and intellectual developments, which one might suppose was the natural + order of things in a well-regulated Christian—household, where the + children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. + </p> + <p> + Bathsheba had been worried over and perplexed and depressed with vague + apprehensions about her condition, conveyed in mysterious phrases and + graveyard expressions of countenance, until about the age of fourteen + years, when she had one of those emotional paroxysms very commonly + considered in some Protestant sects as essential to the formation of + religious character. It began with a shivering sense of enormous guilt, + inherited and practised from her earliest infancy. Just as every breath + she ever drew had been malignantly poisoning the air with carbonic acid, + so her every thought and feeling had been tainting the universe with sin. + This spiritual chill or rigor had in due order been followed by the + fever-flush of hope, and that in its turn had ushered in the last stage, + the free opening of all the spiritual pores in the peaceful relaxation of + self-surrender. + </p> + <p> + Good Christians are made by many very different processes. Bathsheba had + taken her religion after the fashion of her sect; but it was genuine, in + spite of the cavils of the formalists, who could not understand that the + spirit which kept her at her mother's bedside was the same as that which + poured the tears of Mary of Magdala on the feet of her Lord, and led her + forth at early dawn with the other Mary to visit his sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was a child of nature, and of course, according to the out-worn + formulae which still shame the distorted religion of humanity, hateful to + the Father in Heaven who made her. She had grown up in antagonism with all + that surrounded her. She had been talked to about her corrupt nature and + her sinful heart, until the words had become an offence and an insult. + Bathsheba knew her father's fondness for young company too well to suppose + that his intercourse with Myrtle had gone beyond the sentimental and + poetical stage, and was not displeased when she found that there was some + breach between them. Myrtle herself did not profess to have passed through + the technical stages of the customary spiritual paroxysm. Still, the + gentle daughter of the terrible preacher loved her and judged her kindly. + She was modest enough to think that perhaps the natural state of some + girls might be at least as good as her own after the spiritual change of + which she had been the subject. A manifest heresy, but not new, nor + unamiable, nor inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + The excellent Bishop Joseph Hall, a painful preacher and solid divine of + Puritan tendencies, declares that he prefers good-nature before grace in + the election of a wife; because, saith he, “it will be a hard Task, where + the Nature is peevish and froward, for Grace to make an entire Conquest + whilst Life lasteth.” An opinion apparently entertained by many modern + ecclesiastics, and one which may be considered very encouraging to those + young ladies of the politer circles who have a fancy for marrying bishops + and other fashionable clergymen. Not of course that “grace” is so rare a + gift among the young ladies of the upper social sphere; but they are in + the habit of using the word with a somewhat different meaning from that + which the good Bishop attached to it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. VILLAGE POET. + </h2> + <p> + It was impossible for Myrtle to be frequently at Olive's without often + meeting Olive's brother, and her reappearance with the bloom on her cheek + was a signal which her other admirers were not likely to overlook as a + hint to recommence their flattering demonstrations; and so it was that she + found herself all at once the centre of attraction to three young men with + whom we have made some acquaintance, namely, Cyprian Eveleth, Gifted + Hopkins, and Murray Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + When the three girls were together at the house of Olive, it gave Cyprian + a chance to see something of Myrtle in the most natural way. Indeed, they + all became used to meeting him in a brotherly sort of relation; only, as + he was not the brother of two of them, it gave him the inside track, as + the sporting men say, with reference to any rivals for the good-will of + either of these. Of course neither Bathsheba nor Myrtle thought of him in + any other light than as Olive's brother, and would have been surprised + with the manifestation on his part of any other feeling, if it existed. So + he became very nearly as intimate with them as Olive was, and hardly + thought of his intimacy as anything more than friendship, until one day + Myrtle sang some hymns so sweetly that Cyprian dreamed about her that + night; and what young person does not know that the woman or the man once + idealized and glorified in the exalted state of the imagination belonging + to sleep becomes dangerous to the sensibilities in the waking hours that + follow? Yet something drew Cyprian to the gentler and more subdued nature + of Bathsheba, so that he often thought, like a gayer personage than + himself, whose divided affections are famous in song, that he could have + been blessed to share her faithful heart, if Myrtle had not bewitched him + with her unconscious and innocent sorceries. As for poor, modest + Bathsheba, she thought nothing of herself, but was almost as much + fascinated by Myrtle as if she had been one of the sex she was born to + make in love with her. + </p> + <p> + The first rival Cyprian was to encounter in his admiration of Myrtle + Hazard was Mr. Gifted Hopkins. This young gentleman had the enormous + advantage of that all-subduing accomplishment, the poetical endowment. No + woman, it is pretty generally understood, can resist the youth or man who + addresses her in verse. The thought that she is the object of a poet's + love is one which fills a woman's ambition more completely than all that + wealth or office or social eminence can offer. Do the young millionnaires + and the members of the General Court get letters from unknown ladies, + every day, asking for their autographs and photographs? Well, then! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gifted Hopkins, being a poet, felt that it was so, to the very depth + of his soul. Could he not confer that immortality so dear to the human + heart? Not quite yet, perhaps,—though the “Banner and Oracle” gave + him already “an elevated niche in the Temple of Fame,” to quote its own + words,—but in that glorious summer of his genius, of which these + spring blossoms were the promise. It was a most formidable battery, then, + which Cyprian's first rival opened upon the fortress of Myrtle's + affections. + </p> + <p> + His second rival, Mr. William Murray Bradshaw, had made a half-playful bet + with his fair relative, Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, that he would bag a girl + within twelve months of date who should unite three desirable qualities, + specified in the bet, in a higher degree than any one of the five who were + on the matrimonial programme which she had laid out for him,—and + Myrtle was the girl with whom he meant to win the bet. When a young fellow + like him, cool and clever, makes up his mind to bring down his bird, it is + no joke, but a very serious and a tolerably certain piece of business. Not + being made a fool of by any boyish nonsense,—passion and all that,—he + has a great advantage. Many a woman rejects a man because he is in love + with her, and accepts another because he is not. The first is thinking too + much of himself and his emotions,—the other makes a study of her and + her friends, and learns what ropes to pull. But then it must be remembered + that Murray Bradshaw had a poet for his rival, to say nothing of the + brother of a bosom friend. + </p> + <p> + The qualities of a young poet are so exceptional, and such interesting + objects of study, that a narrative like this can well afford to linger + awhile in the delineation of this most envied of all the forms of genius. + And by contrasting the powers and limitations of two such young persons as + Gifted Hopkins and Cyprian Eveleth, we may better appreciate the nature of + that divine inspiration which gives to poetry the superiority it claims + over every other form of human expression. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins had shown an ear for rhythm, and for the simpler forms of + music, from his earliest childhood. He began beating with his heels the + accents of the psalm tunes sung at meeting at a very tender age,—a + habit, indeed, of which he had afterwards to correct himself, as, though + it shows a sensibility to rhythmical impulses like that which is + beautifully illustrated when a circle join hands and emphasize by vigorous + downward movements the leading syllables in the tune of Auld Lang Syne, + yet it is apt to be too expressive when a large number of boots join in + the performance. He showed a remarkable talent for playing on one of the + less complex musical instruments, too limited in compass to satisfy + exacting ears, but affording excellent discipline to those who wish to + write in the simpler metrical forms,—the same which summons the hero + from his repose and stirs his blood in battle. + </p> + <p> + By the time he was twelve years old he was struck with the pleasing + resemblance of certain vocal sounds which, without being the same, yet had + a curious relation which made them agree marvellously well in couples; as + eyes with skies; as heart with art, also with part and smart; and so of + numerous others, twenty or thirty pairs, perhaps, which number he + considerably increased as he grew older, until he may have had fifty or + more such pairs at his command. + </p> + <p> + The union of so extensive a catalogue of words which matched each other, + and of an ear so nice that it could tell if there were nine or eleven + syllables in an heroic line, instead of the legitimate ten, constituted a + rare combination of talents in the opinion of those upon whose judgment he + relied. He was naturally led to try his powers in the expression of some + just thought or natural sentiment in the shape of verse, that wonderful + medium of imparting thought and feeling to his fellow-creatures which a + bountiful Providence had made his rare and inestimable endowment. + </p> + <p> + It was at about this period of his life, that is to say, when he was of + the age of thirteen, or we may perhaps say fourteen years, for we do not + wish to overstate his precocity, that he experienced a sensation so + entirely novel, that, to the best of his belief, it was such as no other + young person had ever known, at least in anything like the same degree. + This extraordinary emotion was brought on by the sight of Myrtle Hazard, + with whom he had never before had any near relations, as they had been at + different schools, and Myrtle was too reserved to be very generally known + among the young people of his age. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that he broke forth in his virgin effort, “Lines to M——e,” + which were published in the village paper, and were claimed by all + possible girls but the right one; namely, by two Mary Annes, one Minnie, + one Mehitable, and one Marthie, as she saw fit to spell the name borrowed + from her who was troubled about many things. + </p> + <p> + The success of these lines, which were in that form of verse known to the + hymn-books as “common metre,” was such as to convince the youth that, + whatever occupation he might be compelled to follow for a time to obtain a + livelihood or to assist his worthy parent, his true destiny was the + glorious career of a poet. It was a most pleasing circumstance, that his + mother, while she fully recognized the propriety of his being diligent in + the prosaic line of business to which circumstances had called him, was + yet as much convinced as he himself that he was destined to achieve + literary fame. She had read Watts and Select Hymns all through, she said, + and she did n't see but what Gifted could make the verses come out jest as + slick, and the sound of the rhymes jest as pooty, as Izik Watts or the + Selectmen, whoever they was,—she was sure they couldn't be the + selectmen of this town, wherever they belonged. It is pleasant to say that + the young man, though favored by nature with this rarest of talents, did + not forget the humbler duties that Heaven, which dresses few singing-birds + in the golden plumes of fortune, had laid upon him. After having received + a moderate amount of instruction at one of the less ambitious educational + institutions of the town, supplemented, it is true, by the judicious and + gratuitous hints of Master Gridley, the young poet, in obedience to a + feeling which did him the highest credit, relinquished, at least for the + time, the Groves of Academus, and offered his youth at the shrine of + Plutus, that is, left off studying and took to business. He became what + they call a “clerk” in what they call a “store” up in the huckleberry + districts, and kept such accounts as were required by the business of the + establishment. His principal occupation was, however, to attend to the + details of commerce as it was transacted over the counter. This industry + enabled him, to his great praise be it spoken, to assist his excellent + parent, to clothe himself in a becoming manner, so that he made a really + handsome figure on Sundays and was always of presentable aspect, likewise + to purchase a book now and then, and to subscribe for that leading + periodical which furnishes the best models to the youth of the country in + the various modes of composition. + </p> + <p> + Though Master Gridley was very kind to the young man, he was rather + disposed to check the exuberance of his poetical aspirations. The truth + was, that the old classical scholar did not care a great deal for modern + English poetry. Give him an Ode of Horace, or a scrap from the Greek + Anthology, and he would recite it with great inflation of spirits; but he + did not think very much of “your Keatses, and your Tennysons, and the + whole Hasheesh crazy lot,” as he called the dreamily sensuous idealists + who belong to the same century that brought in ether and chloroform. He + rather shook his head at Gifted Hopkins for indulging so largely in + metrical composition. + </p> + <p> + “Better stick to your ciphering, my young friend,” he said to him, one + day. “Figures of speech are all very well, in their way; but if you + undertake to deal much in them, you'll figure down your prospects into a + mighty small sum. There's some danger that it will take all the sense out + of you, if you keep writing verses at this rate. You young scribblers + think any kind of nonsense will do for the public, if it only has a string + of rhymes tacked to it. Cut off the bobs of your kite, Gifted Hopkins, and + see if it does n't pitch, and stagger, and come down head-foremost. Don't + write any stuff with rhyming tails to it that won't make a decent show for + itself after you've chopped all the rhyming tails off. That's my advice, + Gifted Hopkins. Is there any book you would like to have out of my + library? Have you ever read Spenser's Faery Queen?” + </p> + <p> + He had tried, the young man answered, on the recommendation of Cyprian + Eveleth, but had found it rather hard reading. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley lifted his eyebrows very slightly, remembering that some + had called Spenser the poet's poet. “What a pity,” he said to himself, + “that this Gifted Hopkins has n't got the brains of that William Murray + Bradshaw! What's the reason, I wonder, that all the little earthen pots + blow their covers off and froth over in rhymes at such a great rate, while + the big iron pots keep their lids on, and do all their simmering inside?” + </p> + <p> + That is the way these old pedants will talk, after all their youth and all + their poetry, if they ever had any, are gone. The smiles of woman, in the + mean time, encouraged the young poet to smite the lyre. Fame beckoned him + upward from her templed steep. The rhymes which rose before him unbidden + were as the rounds of Jacob's ladder, on which he would climb to a heaven + of-glory. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley threw cold water on the young man's too sanguine + anticipations of success. “All up with the boy, if he's going to take to + rhyming when he ought to be doing up papers of brown sugar and weighing + out pounds of tea. Poor-house,—that 's what it'll end in. Poets, to + be sure! Sausage-makers! Empty skins of old phrases,—stuff 'em with + odds and ends of old thoughts that never were good for anything,—cut + 'em up in lengths and sell'em to fools! + “And if they ain't big fools enough to buy 'em, give'em away; and if you + can't do that, pay folks to take'em. Bah! what a fine style of genius + common-sense is! There's a passage in the book that would fit half these + addle-headed rhymesters. What is that saying of mine about “squinting + brains?” + </p> + <p> + He took down “Thoughts on the Universe,” and read:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Of Squinting Brains. +</pre> + <p> + “Where there is one man who squints with his eyes, there are a dozen who + squint with their brains. It is an infirmity in one of the eyes, making + the two unequal in power, that makes men squint. Just so it is an + inequality in the two halves of the brain that makes some men idiots and + others rascals. I knows a fellow whose right half is a genius, but his + other hemisphere belongs to a fool; and I had a friend perfectly honest on + one side, but who was sent to jail because the other had an inveterate + tendency in the direction of picking pockets and appropriating aes + alienum.” + </p> + <p> + All this, talking and reading to himself in his usual fashion. + </p> + <p> + The poetical faculty which was so freely developed in Gifted Hopkins had + never manifested itself in Cyprian Eveleth, whose look and voice might, to + a stranger, have seemed more likely to imply an imaginative nature. + Cyprian was dark, slender, sensitive, contemplative, a lover of lonely + walks,—one who listened for the whispers of Nature and watched her + shadows, and was alive to the symbolisms she writes over everything. But + Cyprian had never shown the talent or the inclination for writing in + verse. + </p> + <p> + He was on the pleasantest terms with the young poet, and being somewhat + older, and having had the advantage of academic and college culture, often + gave him useful hints as to the cultivation of his powers, such as genius + frequently requires at the hands of humbler intelligences. Cyprian was + incapable of jealousy; and although the name of Gifted Hopkins was getting + to be known beyond the immediate neighborhood, and his autograph had been + requested by more than one young lady living in another county, he never + thought of envying the young poet's spreading popularity. + </p> + <p> + That the poet himself was flattered by these marks of public favor may be + inferred from the growing confidence with which he expressed himself in + his conversations with Cyprian, more especially in one which was held at + the “store” where he officiated as “clerk.” + </p> + <p> + “I become more and more assured, Cyprian,” he said, leaning over the + counter, “that I was born to be a poet. I feel it in my marrow. I must + succeed. I must win the laurel of fame. I must taste the sweets of”— + </p> + <p> + “Molasses,” said a bareheaded girl of ten who entered at that moment, + bearing in her hand a cracked pitcher, “ma wants three gills of molasses.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins dropped his subject and took up a tin measure. He served + the little maid with a benignity quite charming to witness, made an entry + on a slate of .08, and resumed the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am sure of it, Cyprian. The very last piece I wrote was copied in + two papers. It was 'Contemplations in Autumn,' and—don't think I am + too vain—one young lady has told me that it reminded her of Pollok. + You never wrote in verse, did you, Cyprian?” + </p> + <p> + “I never wrote at all, Gifted, except school and college exercises, and a + letter now and then. Do you find it an easy and pleasant exercise to make + rhymes?” + </p> + <p> + Pleasant! Poetry is to me a delight and a passion. I never know what I am + going to write when I sit down. And presently the rhymes begin pounding in + my brain,—it seems as if there were a hundred couples of them, + paired like so many dancers,—and then these rhymes seem to take + possession of me, like a surprise party, and bring in all sorts of + beautiful thoughts, and I write and write, and the verses run measuring + themselves out like”— + </p> + <p> + “Ribbins,—any narrer blue ribbins, Mr. Hopkins? Five eighths of a + yard, if you please, Mr. Hopkins. How's your folks?” Then, in a lower + tone, “Those last verses of yours in the Bannernoracle were sweet pooty.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins meted out the five eighths of blue ribbon by the aid of + certain brass nails on the counter. He gave good measure, not prodigal, + for he was loyal to his employer, but putting a very moderate strain on + the ribbon, and letting the thumb-nail slide with a contempt of + infinitesimals which betokened a large soul in its genial mood. + </p> + <p> + The young lady departed, after casting upon him one of those bewitching + glances which the young poet—let us rather say the poet, without + making odious distinctions—is in the confirmed habit of receiving + from dear woman. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gifted Hopkins resumed: “I do not know where this talent, as my + friends call it, of mine, comes from. My father used to carry a chain for + a surveyor sometimes, and there is a ten-foot pole in the house he used to + measure land with. I don't see why that should make me a poet. My mother + was always fond of Dr. Watts's hymns; but so are other young men's + mothers, and yet they don't show poetical genius. But wherever I got it, + it comes as easy to me to write in verse as to write in prose, almost. + Don't you ever feel a longing to send your thoughts forth in verse, + Cyprian?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I had a greater facility of expression very often,” Cyprian + answered; “but when I have my best thoughts I do not find that I have + words that seem fitting to clothe them. I have imagined a great many + poems, Gifted, but I never wrote a rhyming verse, or verse of any kind. + Did you ever hear Olive play 'Songs without Words'? If you have ever heard + her, you will know what I mean by unrhymed and unversed poetry.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I don't know what you mean, Cyprian, by poetry without rhyme or + verse, any more than I should if you talked about pictures that were + painted on nothing, or statues that were made out of nothing. How can you + tell that anything is poetry, I should like to know, if there is neither a + regular line with just so many syllables, nor a rhyme? Of course you + can't. I never have any thoughts too beautiful to put in verse: nothing + can be too beautiful for it.” + </p> + <p> + Cyprian left the conversation at this point. It was getting more + suggestive than interpenetrating, and he thought he might talk the matter + over better with Olive. Just then a little boy came in, and bargained with + Gifted for a Jews-harp, which, having obtained, he placed against his + teeth, and began playing upon it with a pleasure almost equal to that of + the young poet reciting his own verses. + </p> + <p> + “A little too much like my friend Gifted Hopkins's poetry,” Cyprian said, + as he left the “store.” “All in one note, pretty much. Not a great many + tunes, 'Hi Betty Martin,' 'Yankee Doodle,' and one or two more like them. + But many people seem to like them, and I don't doubt it is as exciting to + Gifted to write them as it is to a great genius to express itself in a + poem.” + </p> + <p> + Cyprian was, perhaps, too exacting. He loved too well the sweet + intricacies of Spenser, the majestic and subtly interwoven harmonies of + Milton. These made him impatient of the simpler strains of Gifted Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + Though he himself never wrote verses, he had some qualities which his + friend the poet may have undervalued in comparison with the talent of + modelling the symmetries of verse and adjusting the correspondences of + rhyme. He had kept in a singular degree all the sensibilities of + childhood, its simplicity, its reverence. It seemed as if nothing of all + that he met in his daily life was common or unclean to him, for there was + no mordant in his nature for what was coarse or vile, and all else he + could not help idealizing into its own conception of itself, so to speak. + He loved the leaf after its kind as well as the flower, and the root as + well as the leaf, and did not exhaust his capacity of affection or + admiration on the blossom or bud upon which his friend the poet lavished + the wealth of his verse. Thus Nature took him into her confidence. She + loves the men of science well, and tells them all her family secrets,—who + is the father of this or that member of the group, who is brother, sister, + cousin, and so on, through all the circle of relationship. But there are + others to whom she tells her dreams; not what species or genus her lily + belongs to, but what vague thought it has when it dresses in white, or + what memory of its birthplace that is which we call its fragrance. Cyprian + was one of these. Yet he was not a complete nature. He required another + and a wholly different one to be the complement of his own. Olive came as + near it as a sister could, but—we must borrow an old image—moonlight + is no more than a cold and vacant glimmer on the sun-dial, which only + answers to the great flaming orb of day. If Cyprian could but find some + true, sweet-tempered, well-balanced woman, richer in feeling than in those + special imaginative gifts which made the outward world at times unreal to + him in the intense reality of his own inner life, how he could enrich and + adorn her existence,—how she could direct and chasten and elevate + the character of all his thoughts and actions! + </p> + <p> + “Bathsheba,” said Olive, “it seems to me that Cyprian is getting more and + more fascinated with Myrtle Hazard. He has never got over the fancy he + took to her when he first saw her in her red jacket, and called her the + fire-hang-bird. Wouldn't they suit each other by and by, after Myrtle has + come to herself and grown into a beautiful and noble woman, as I feel sure + she will in due time?” + </p> + <p> + “Myrtle is very lovely,” Bathsheba answered, “but is n't she a little too—flighty—for + one like your brother? Cyprian isn't more like other young men than Myrtle + is like other young girls. I have thought sometimes—I wondered + whether out-of-the-way people and common ones do not get along best + together. Does n't Cyprian want some more every-day kind of girl to keep + him straight? Myrtle is beautiful, beautiful,—fascinates everybody. + Has Mr. Bradshaw been following after her lately? He is taken with her + too. Didn't you ever think she would have to give in to Murray Bradshaw at + last? He looks to me like a man that would hold on desperately as a + lover.” + </p> + <p> + If Myrtle Hazard, instead of being a half-finished school-girl, hardly + sixteen years old, had been a young woman of eighteen or nineteen, it + would have been plain sailing enough for Murray Bradshaw. But he knew what + a distance their ages seemed just now to put between them,—a + distance which would grow practically less and less with every year, and + he did not wish to risk anything so long as there was no danger of + interference. He rather encouraged Gifted Hopkins to write poetry to + Myrtle. “Go in, Gifted,” he said, “there's no telling what may come of + it,” and Gifted did go in at a great rate. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw did not write poetry himself, but he read poetry with a + good deal of effect, and he would sometimes take a hint from one of Gifted + Hopkins's last productions to recite a passionate lyric of Byron or Moore, + into which he would artfully throw so much meaning that Myrtle was almost + as much puzzled, in her simplicity, to know what it meant, as she had been + by the religious fervors of the Rev. Mr. Stoker. + </p> + <p> + He spoke well of Cyprian Eveleth. A good young man,—limited, but + exemplary. Would succeed well as rector of a small parish. That required + little talent, but a good deal of the humbler sort of virtue. As for + himself, he confessed to ambition,—yes, a great deal of ambition. A + failing, he supposed, but not the worst of failings. He felt the instinct + to handle the larger interests of society. The village would perhaps lose + sight of him for a time; but he meant to emerge sooner or later in the + higher spheres of government or diplomacy. Myrtle must keep his secret. + Nobody else knew it. He could not help making a confidant of her,—a + thing he had never done before with any other person as to his plans in + life. Perhaps she might watch his career with more interest from her + acquaintance with him. He loved to think that there was one woman at least + who would be pleased to hear of his success if he succeeded, as with life + and health he would,—who would share his disappointment if fate + should not favor him.—So he wound and wreathed himself into her + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + It was not very long before Myrtle began to accept the idea that she was + the one person in the world whose peculiar duty it was to sympathize with + the aspiring young man whose humble beginnings she had the honor of + witnessing. And it is not very far from being the solitary confidant, and + the single source of inspiration, to the growth of a livelier interest, + where a young man and a young woman are in question. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was at this time her own mistress as never before. The three young + men had access to her as she walked to and from meeting and in her + frequent rambles, besides the opportunities Cyprian had of meeting her in + his sister's company, and the convenient visits which, in connection with + the great lawsuit, Murray Bradshaw could make, without question, at The + Poplars. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Cyprian perceived that he could never pass a + certain boundary of intimacy with Myrtle. Very pleasant and sisterly + always she was with him; but she never looked as if she might mean more + than she said, and cherished a little spark of sensibility which might be + fanned into the flame of love. Cyprian felt this so certainly that he was + on the point of telling his grief to Bathsheba, who looked to him as if + she would sympathize as heartily with him as his own sister, and whose + sympathy would have a certain flavor in it,—something which one + cannot find in the heart of the dearest sister that ever lived. But + Bathsheba was herself sensitive, and changed color when Cyprian ventured a + hint or two in the direction of his thought, so that he never got so fax + as to unburden his heart to her about Myrtle, whom she admired so + sincerely that she could not have helped feeling a great interest in his + passion towards her. + </p> + <p> + As for Gifted Hopkins, the roses that were beginning to bloom fresher and + fresher every day in Myrtle's cheeks unfolded themselves more and more + freely, to speak metaphorically, in his song. Every week she would receive + a delicately tinted note with lines to “Myrtle awaking,” or to “Myrtle + retiring,” (one string of verses a little too Musidora-ish, and which soon + found itself in the condition of a cinder, perhaps reduced to that state + by spontaneous combustion,) or to “The Flower of the Tropics,” or to the + “Nymph of the River-side,” or other poetical alias, such as bards affect + in their sieges of the female heart. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins was of a sanguine temperament. As he read and re-read his + verses it certainly seemed to him that they must reach the heart of the + angelic being to whom they were addressed. That she was slow in confessing + the impression they made upon her, was a favorable sign; so many girls + called his poems “sweet pooty,” that those charming words, though + soothing, no longer stirred him deeply. Myrtle's silence showed that the + impression his verses had made was deep. Time would develop her + sentiments; they were both young; his position was humble as yet; but when + he had become famous through the land-oh blissful thought!—the bard + of Oxbow Village would bear a name that any woman would be proud to + assume, and the M. H. which her delicate hands had wrought on the + kerchiefs she wore would yet perhaps be read, not Myrtle Hazard, but + Myrtle Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. SUSAN'S YOUNG MAN. + </h2> + <p> + There seems no reasonable doubt that Myrtle Hazard might have made a safe + thing of it with Gifted Hopkins, (if so inclined,) provided that she had + only been secured against interference. But the constant habit of reading + his verses to Susan Posey was not without its risk to so excitable a + nature as that of the young poet. Poets were always capable of divided + affections, and Cowley's “Chronicle” is a confession that would fit the + whole tribe of them. It is true that Gifted had no right to regard Susan's + heart as open to the wiles of any new-comer. He knew that she considered + herself, and was considered by another, as pledged and plighted. Yet she + was such a devoted listener, her sympathies were so easily roused, her + blue eyes glistened so tenderly at the least poetical hint, such as + “Never, oh never,” “My aching heart,” “Go, let me weep,”—any of + those touching phrases out of the long catalogue which readily suggests + itself, that her influence was getting to be such that Myrtle (if really + anxious to secure him) might look upon it with apprehension, and the owner + of Susan's heart (if of a jealous disposition) might have thought it worth + while to make a visit to Oxbow Village to see after his property. + </p> + <p> + It may seem not impossible that some friend had suggested as much as this + to the young lady's lover. + </p> + <p> + The caution would have been unnecessary, or at least premature. Susan was + loyal as ever to her absent friend. Gifted Hopkins had never yet presumed + upon the familiar relations existing between them to attempt to shake her + allegiance. It is quite as likely, after all, that the young gentleman + about to make his appearance in Oxbow Village visited the place of his own + accord, without a hint from anybody. But the fact concerns us more than + the reason of it, just now. + </p> + <p> + “Who do you think is coming, Mr. Gridley? Who do you think is coming?” + said Susan Posey, her face covered with a carnation such as the first + season may see in a city belle, but not the second. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Susan Posey, I suppose I must guess, though I am rather slow at + that business. Perhaps the Governor. No, I don't think it can be the + Governor, for you would n't look so happy if it was only his Excellency. + It must be the President, Susan Posey,—President James Buchanan. + Have n't I guessed right, now, tell me, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “O Mr. Gridley, you are too bad,—what do I care for governors and + presidents? I know somebody that's worth fifty million thousand + presidents,—and he 's coming,—my Clement is coming,” said + Susan, who had by this time learned to consider the awful Byles Gridley as + her next friend and faithful counsellor. + </p> + <p> + Susan could not stay long in the house after she got her note informing + her that her friend was soon to be with her. Everybody told everything to + Olive Eveleth, and Susan must run over to the parsonage to tell her that + there was a young gentleman coming to Oxbow Village; upon which Olive + asked who it was, exactly as if she did not know; whereupon Susan dropped + her eyes and said, “Clement,—I mean Mr. Lindsay.” + </p> + <p> + That was a fair piece of news now, and Olive had her bonnet on five + minutes after Susan was gone, and was on her way to Bathsheba's,—it + was too bad that the poor girl who lived so out of the world shouldn't + know anything of what was going on in it. Bathsheba had been in all the + morning, and the Doctor had said she must take the air every day; so + Bathsheba had on her bonnet a little after Olive had gone, and walked + straight up to The Poplars to tell Myrtle Hazard that a certain young + gentleman, Clement Lindsay, was coming to Oxbow Village. + </p> + <p> + It was perhaps fortunate that there was no special significance to Myrtle + in the name of Clement Lindsay. Since the adventure which had brought + these two young persons together, and, after coming so near a disaster, + had ended in a mere humiliation and disappointment, and but for Master + Gridley's discreet kindness might have led to foolish scandal, Myrtle had + never referred to it in any way. Nobody really knew what her plans had + been except Olive and Cyprian, who had observed a very kind silence about + the whole matter. The common version of the story was harmless, and near + enough to the truth,—down the river,—boat upset,—pulled + out,—taken care of by some women in a house farther down,—sick, + brain fever,—pretty near it, anyhow,—old Dr. Hurlbut called + in,—had her hair cut,—hystericky, etc., etc. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was contented with this statement, and asked no questions, and it + was a perfectly understood thing that nobody alluded to the subject in her + presence. It followed from all this that the name of Clement Lindsay had + no peculiar meaning for her. Nor was she like to recognize him as the + youth in whose company she had gone through her mortal peril, for all her + recollections were confused and dreamlike from the moment when she awoke + and found herself in the foaming rapids just above the fall, until that + when her senses returned, and she saw Master Byles Gridley standing over + her with that look of tenderness in his square features which had lingered + in her recollection, and made her feel towards him as if she were his + daughter. + </p> + <p> + Now this had its advantage; for as Clement was Susan's young man, and had + been so for two or three years, it would have been a great pity to have + any such curious relations established between him and Myrtle Hazard as a + consciousness on both sides of what had happened would naturally suggest. + </p> + <p> + “Who is this Clement Lindsay, Bathsheba?” Myrtle asked. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Myrtle, don't you remember about Susan Posey's is-to-be,—the + young man that has been well, I don't know, but I suppose engaged to her + ever since they were children almost?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I remember now. Oh dear! I have forgotten so many things, I + should think I had been dead and was coming back to life again. Do you + know anything about him, Bathsheba? Did n't somebody say he was very + handsome? I wonder if he is really in love with Susan Posey. Such a simple + thing? I want to see him. I have seen so few young men.” + </p> + <p> + As Myrtle said these words, she lifted the sleeve a little on her left + arm, by a half-instinctive and half-voluntary movement. The glimmering + gold of Judith Pride's bracelet flashed out the yellow gleam which has + been the reddening of so many hands and the blackening of so, many souls + since that innocent sin-breeder was first picked up in the land of + Havilah. There came a sudden light into her eye, such as Bathsheba had + never seen there before. It looked to her as if Myrtle were saying + unconsciously to herself that she had the power of beauty, and would like + to try its influence on the handsome young man whom she was soon to meet, + even at the risk of unseating poor little Susan in his affections. This + pained the gentle and humble-minded girl, who, without having tasted the + world's pleasures, had meekly consecrated herself to the lowly duties + which lay nearest to her. For Bathsheba's phrasing of life was in the + monosyllables of a rigid faith. Her conceptions of the human soul were all + simplicity and purity, but elementary. She could not conceive the vast + license the creative energy allows itself in mingling the instincts which, + after long conflict, may come into harmonious adjustment. The flash which + Myrtle's eye had caught from the gleam of the golden bracelet filled + Bathsheba with a sudden fear that she was like to be led away by the + vanities of that world lying in wickedness of which the minister's + daughter had heard so much and seen so little. + </p> + <p> + Not that Bathsheba made any fine moral speeches, to herself. She only felt + a slight shock, such as a word or a look from one we love too often gives + us,—such as a child's trivial gesture or movement makes a parent + feel,—that impalpable something which in the slightest possible + inflection of a syllable or gradation of a tone will sometimes leave a + sting behind it, even in a trusting heart. This was all. But it was true + that what she saw meant a great deal. It meant the dawning in Myrtle + Hazard of one of her as yet unlived secondary lives. Bathsheba's virgin + perceptions had caught a faint early ray of its glimmering twilight. + </p> + <p> + She answered, after a very slight pause, which this explanation has made + seem so long, that she had never seen the young gentleman, and that she + did not know about Susan's sentiments. Only, as they had kept so long to + each other, she supposed there must be love between them. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle fell into a revery, with certain tableaux glowing along its + perspectives which poor little Susan Posey would have shivered to look + upon, if they could have been transferred from the purple clouds of + Myrtle's imagination to the pale silvery mists of Susan's pretty fancies. + She sat in her day-dream long after Bathsheba had left her, her eyes + fixed, not on the faded portrait of her beatified ancestress, but on that + other canvas where the dead Beauty seemed to live in all the splendors of + her full-blown womanhood. + </p> + <p> + The young man whose name had set her thoughts roving was handsome, as the + glance at him already given might have foreshadowed. But his features had + a graver impress than his age seemed to account for, and the sober tone of + his letter to Susan implied that something had given him a maturity beyond + his years. The story was not an uncommon one. At sixteen he had + dreamed-and told his dream. At eighteen he had awoke, and found, as he + believed, that a young heart had grown to his so that its life was + dependent on his own. Whether it would have perished if its filaments had + been gently disentangled from the object to which they had attached + themselves, experienced judges of such matters may perhaps question. To + justify Clement in his estimate of the danger of such an experiment, we + must remember that to young people in their teens a first passion is a + portentous and unprecedented phenomenon. The young man may have been + mistaken in thinking that Susan would die if he left her, and may have + done more than his duty in sacrificing himself; but if so, it was the + mistake of a generous youth, who estimated the depth of another's feelings + by his own. He measured the depth of his own rather by what he felt they + might be, than by that of any abysses they had yet sounded. + </p> + <p> + Clement was called a “genius” by those who knew him, and was consequently + in danger of being spoiled early. The risk is great enough anywhere, but + greatest in a new country, where there is an almost universal want of + fixed standards of excellence. + </p> + <p> + He was by nature an artist; a shaper with the pencil or the chisel, a + planner, a contriver capable of turning his hand to almost any work of eye + and hand. It would not have been strange if he thought he could do + everything, having gifts which were capable of various application,—and + being an American citizen. But though he was a good draughtsman, and had + made some reliefs and modelled some figures, he called himself only an + architect. He had given himself up to his art, not merely from a love of + it and talent for it, but with a kind of heroic devotion, because he + thought his country wanted a race of builders to clothe the new forms of + religious, social, and national life afresh from the forest, the quarry, + and the mine. Some thought he would succeed, others that he would be a + brilliant failure. + </p> + <p> + “Grand notions,—grand notions,” the master with whom he studied + said. “Large ground plan of life,—splendid elevation. A little wild + in some of his fancies, perhaps, but he's only a boy, and he's the kind of + boy that sometimes grows to be a pretty big man. Wait and see,—wait + and see. He works days, and we can let him dream nights. There's a good + deal of him, anyhow.” His fellow-students were puzzled. Those who thought + of their calling as a trade, and looked forward to the time when they + should be embodying the ideals of municipal authorities in brick and + stone, or making contracts with wealthy citizens, doubted whether Clement + would have a sharp eye enough for business. “Too many whims, you know. All + sorts of queer ideas in his head,—as if a boy like him were going to + make things all over again!”. + </p> + <p> + No doubt there was something of youthful extravagance in his plans and + expectations. But it was the untamed enthusiasm which is the source of all + great thoughts and deeds,—a beautiful delirium which age commonly + tames down, and for which the cold shower-bath the world furnishes gratis + proves a pretty certain cure. + </p> + <p> + Creation is always preceded by chaos. The youthful architect's mind was + confused by the multitude of suggestions which were crowding in upon it, + and which he had not yet had time or developed mature strength sufficient + to reduce to order. The young American of any freshness of intellect is + stimulated to dangerous excess by the conditions of life into which he is + born. There is a double proportion of oxygen in the New World air. The + chemists have not found it out yet, but human brains and breathing-organs + have long since made the discovery. + </p> + <p> + Clement knew that his hasty entanglement had limited his possibilities of + happiness in one direction, and he felt that there was a certain grandeur + in the recompense of working out his defeated instincts through the + ambitious medium of his noble art. Had not Pharaohs chosen it to proclaim + their longings for immortality, Caesars their passion for pomp and luxury, + and priests to symbolize their conceptions of the heavenly mansions? His + dreams were on a grand scale; such, after all, are the best possessions of + youth. Had he but been free, or mated with a nature akin to his own, he + would have felt himself as truly the heir of creation as any young man + that lived. But his lot was cast, and his youth had all the serious aspect + to himself of thoughtful manhood. In the region of his art alone he hoped + always to find freedom and a companionship which his home life could never + give him. + </p> + <p> + Clement meant to have visited his beloved before he left Alderbank, but + was called unexpectedly back to the city. Happily Susan was not exacting; + she looked up to him with too great a feeling of distance between them to + dare to question his actions. Perhaps she found a partial consolation in + the company of Mr. Gifted Hopkins, who tried his new poems on her, which + was the next best thing to addressing them to her. “Would that you were + with us at this delightful season,” she wrote in the autumn; “but no, your + Susan must not repine. Yet, in the beautiful words of our native poet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Oh would, oh would that thou wast here, + For absence makes thee doubly dear; + Ah! what is life while thou 'rt away? + 'T is night without the orb of day!'” + </pre> + <p> + The poet referred to, it need hardly be said, was our young and promising + friend G. H., as he sometimes modestly signed himself. The letter, it is + unnecessary to state, was voluminous,—for a woman can tell her love, + or other matter of interest, over and over again in as many forms as + another poet, not G. H., found for his grief in ringing the musical + changes of “In Memoriam.” + </p> + <p> + The answers to Susan's letters were kind, but not very long. They + convinced her that it was a simple impossibility that Clement could come + to Oxbow Village, on account of the great pressure of the work he had to + keep him in the city, and the plans he must finish at any rate. But at + last the work was partially got rid of, and Clement was coming; yes, it + was so nice, and, oh dear! should n't she be real happy to see him? + </p> + <p> + To Susan he appeared as a kind of divinity, almost too grand for human + nature's daily food. Yet, if the simple-hearted girl could have told + herself the whole truth in plain words, she would have confessed to + certain doubts which from time to time, and oftener of late, cast a shadow + on her seemingly bright future. With all the pleasure that the thought of + meeting Clement gave her, she felt a little tremor, a certain degree of + awe, in contemplating his visit. If she could have clothed her + self-humiliation in the gold and purple of the “Portuguese Sonnets,” it + would have been another matter; but the trouble with the most common + sources of disquiet is that they have no wardrobe of flaming phraseology + to air themselves in; the inward burning goes on without the relief and + gratifying display of the crater. + </p> + <p> + “A friend of mine is coming to the village,” she said to Mr. Gifted + Hopkins. “I want you to see him. He is a genius,—as some other young + men are.” (This was obviously personal, and the youthful poet blushed with + ingenuous delight.) “I have known him for ever so many years. He and I are + very good friends.” The poet knew that this meant an exclusive relation + between them; and though the fact was no surprise to him, his countenance + fell a little. The truth was, that his admiration was divided between + Myrtle, who seemed to him divine and adorable, but distant, and Susan, who + listened to his frequent poems, whom he was in the habit of seeing in + artless domestic costumes, and whose attractions had been gaining upon him + of late in the enforced absence of his divinity. + </p> + <p> + He retired pensive from this interview, and, flinging himself at his desk, + attempted wreaking his thoughts upon expression, to borrow the language of + one of his brother bards, in a passionate lyric which he began thus— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “ANOTHER'S! + + “Another's! Oh the pang, the smart! + Fate owes to Love a deathless grudge, + —The barbed fang has rent a heart + Which—which +</pre> + <p> + “judge—judge,—no, not judge. Budge, drudge, fudge—What a + disgusting language English is! Nothing fit to couple with such a word as + grudge! And the gush of an impassioned moment arrested in full flow, + stopped short, corked up, for want of a paltry rhyme! + </p> + <p> + “Judge,—budge,—drudge,—nudge, oh!—smudge,—misery!—fudge. + In vain,—futile,—no use,—all up for to-night!” + </p> + <p> + While the poet, headed off in this way by the poverty of his native + tongue, sought inspiration by retiring into the world of dreams,—went + to bed, in short, his more fortunate rival was just entering the village, + where he was to make his brief residence at the house of Deacon Rumrill, + who, having been a loser by the devouring element, was glad to receive a + stray boarder when any such were looking about for quarters. + </p> + <p> + For some reason or other he was restless that evening, and took out a + volume he had brought with him to beguile the earlier hours of the night. + It was too late when he arrived to disturb the quiet of Mrs. Hopkins's + household, and whatever may have been Clement's impatience, he held it in + check, and sat tranquilly until midnight over the pages of the book with + which he had prudently provided himself. + </p> + <p> + “Hope you slept well last night,” said the old Deacon, when Mr. Clement + came down to breakfast the next morning. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, thank you,—that is, after I got to bed. But I sat up + pretty late reading my favorite Scott. I am apt to forget how the hours + pass when I have one of his books in my hand.” + </p> + <p> + The worthy Deacon looked at Mr. Clement with a sudden accession of + interest. + </p> + <p> + “You couldn't find better reading, young man. Scott is my favorite author. + A great man. I have got his likeness in a gilt-frame hanging up in the + other room. I have read him all through three times.” + </p> + <p> + The young man's countenance brightened. He had not expected to find so + much taste for elegant literature in an old village deacon. + </p> + <p> + “What are your favorites among his writings, Deacon? I suppose you have + your particular likings, as the rest of us have.” + </p> + <p> + The Deacon was flattered by the question. “Well,” he answered, “I can + hardly tell you. I like pretty much everything Scott ever wrote. Sometimes + I think it is one thing, and sometimes another. Great on Paul's Epistles,—don't + you think so?” + </p> + <p> + The honest fact was, that Clement remembered very little about “Paul's + Letters to his Kinsfolk,”—a book of Sir Walter's less famous than + many of his others; but he signified his polite assent to the Deacon's + statement, rather wondering at his choice of a favorite, and smiling at + his queer way of talking about the Letters as Epistles. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid Scott is not so much read now-a-days as he once was, and as + he ought to be,” said Mr. Clement: “Such character, such nature and so + much grace.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it,—that's it, young man,” the Deacon broke in,—“Natur' + and Grace,—Natur' and Grace. Nobody ever knew better what those two + words meant than Scott did, and I'm very glad to see—you've chosen + such good wholesome reading. You can't set up too late, young man, to read + Scott. If I had twenty children, they should all begin reading Scott as + soon as they were old enough to spell sin,—and that's the first word + my little ones learned, next to 'pa' and I 'ma.' Nothing like beginning + the lessons of life in good season.” + </p> + <p> + “What a grim old satirist!” Clement said to himself. “I wonder if the old + man reads other novelists.—Do tell me, Deacon, if you have read + Thackeray's last story?” + </p> + <p> + “Thackeray's story? Published by the American Tract Society?” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly,” Clement answered, smiling, and quite delighted to find such + an unexpected vein of grave pleasantry about the demure-looking + church-dignitary; for the Deacon asked his question without moving a + muscle, and took no cognizance whatever of the young man's tone and smile. + First-class humorists are, as is well known, remarkable for the immovable + solemnity of their features. Clement promised himself not a little + amusement from the curiously sedate drollery of the venerable Deacon, who, + it was plain from his conversation, had cultivated a literary taste which + would make him a more agreeable companion than the common ecclesiastics of + his grade in country villages. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast, Mr. Clement walked forth in the direction of Mrs. + Hopkins's house, thinking as he went of the pleasant surprise his visit + would bring to his longing and doubtless pensive Susan; for though she + knew he was coming, she did not know that he was at that moment in Oxbow + Village. + </p> + <p> + As he drew near the house, the first thing he saw was Susan Posey, almost + running against her just as he turned a corner. She looked wonderfully + lively and rosy, for the weather was getting keen and the frosts had begun + to bite. A young gentleman was walking at her side, and reading to her + from a paper he held in his hand. Both looked deeply interested,—so + much so that Clement felt half ashamed of himself for intruding upon them + so abruptly. + </p> + <p> + But lovers are lovers, and Clement could not help joining them. The first + thing, of course, was the utterance of two simultaneous exclamations, + “Why, Clement!” “Why, Susan!” What might have come next in the programme, + but for the presence of a third party, is matter of conjecture; but what + did come next was a mighty awkward look on the part of Susan Posey, and + the following short speech: “Mr. Lindsay, let me introduce Mr. Hopkins, my + friend, the poet I 've written to you about. He was just reading two of + his poems to me. Some other time, Gifted—Mr. Hopkins.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, Mr. Hopkins,—pray go on,” said Clement. “I 'm very fond of + poetry.” + </p> + <p> + The poet did not require much urging, and began at once reciting over + again the stanzas which were afterwards so much admired in the “Banner and + Oracle,”—the first verse being, as the readers of that paper will + remember, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “She moves in splendor, like the ray + That flashes from unclouded skies, + And all the charms of night and day + Are mingled in her hair and eyes.” + </pre> + <p> + Clement, who must have been in an agony of impatience to be alone with his + beloved, commanded his feelings admirably. He signified his approbation of + the poem by saying that the lines were smooth and the rhymes absolutely + without blemish. The stanzas reminded him forcibly of one of the greatest + poets of the century. + </p> + <p> + Gifted flushed hot with pleasure. He had tasted the blood of his own + rhymes; and when a poet gets as far as that, it is like wringing the bag + of exhilarating gas from the lips of a fellow sucking at it, to drag his + piece away from him. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you will like these lines still better,” he said; “the style is + more modern:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'O daughter of the spiced South, + Her bubbly grapes have spilled the wine + That staineth with its hue divine + The red flower of thy perfect mouth.'” + </pre> + <p> + And so on, through a series of stanzas like these, with the pulp of two + rhymes between the upper and lower crust of two others. + </p> + <p> + Clement was cornered. It was necessary to say something for the poet's + sake,—perhaps for Susan's; for she was in a certain sense + responsible for the poems of a youth of genius, of whom she had spoken so + often and so enthusiastically. + </p> + <p> + “Very good, Mr. Hopkins, and a form of verse little used, I should think, + until of late years. You modelled this piece on the style of a famous + living English poet, did you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I did not, Mr. Lindsay,—I never imitate. Originality is, if + I may be allowed to say so much for myself, my peculiar forte. Why, the + critics allow as much as that. See here, Mr. Lindsay.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gifted Hopkins pulled out his pocket-book, and, taking therefrom a + cutting from a newspaper,—which dropped helplessly open of itself, + as if tired of the process, being very tender in the joints or creases, by + reason of having been often folded and unfolded read aloud as follows: + </p> + <p> + “The bard of Oxbow Pillage—our valued correspondent who writes over + the signature of G. H.—is, in our opinion, more remarkable for his + originality than for any other of his numerous gifts.” + </p> + <p> + Clement was apparently silenced by this, and the poet a little elated with + a sense of triumph. Susan could not help sharing his feeling of + satisfaction, and without meaning it in the least, nay, without knowing + it, for she was as simple and pure as new milk, edged a little bit—the + merest infinitesimal atom—nearer to Gifted Hopkins, who was on one + side of her, while Clement walked on the other. Women love the conquering + party,—it is the way of their sex. And poets, as we have seen, are + well-nigh irresistible when they exert their dangerous power of + fascination upon the female heart. But Clement was above jealousy; and, if + he perceived anything of this movement, took no notice of it. + </p> + <p> + He saw a good deal of his pretty Susan that day. She was tender in her + expressions and manners as usual, but there was a little something in her + looks and language from time to time that Clement did not know exactly + what to make of. She colored once or twice when the young poet's name was + mentioned. She was not so full of her little plans for the future as she + had sometimes been, “everything was so uncertain,” she said. Clement asked + himself whether she felt quite as sure that her attachment would last as + she once did. But there were no reproaches, not even any explanations, + which are about as bad between lovers. There was nothing but an undefined + feeling on his side that she did not cling quite so closely to him, + perhaps, as he had once thought, and that, if he had happened to have been + drowned that day when he went down with the beautiful young woman, it was + just conceivable that Susan, who would have cried dreadfully, no doubt, + would in time have listened to consolation from some other young man,—possibly + from the young poet whose verses he had been admiring. Easy-crying widows + take new husbands soonest; there is nothing like wet weather for + transplanting, as Master Gridley used to say. Susan had a fluent natural + gift for tears, as Clement well knew, after the exercise of which she used + to brighten up like the rose which had been washed, just washed in a + shower, mentioned by Cowper. + </p> + <p> + As for the poet, he learned more of his own sentiments during this visit + of Clement's than he had ever before known. He wandered about with a + dreadfully disconsolate look upon his countenance. He showed a falling-off + in his appetite at tea-time, which surprised and disturbed his mother, for + she had filled the house with fragrant suggestions of good things coming, + in honor of Mr. Lindsay, who was to be her guest at tea. And chiefly the + genteel form of doughnut called in the native dialect cymbal (Qu. Symbol? + B. G.) which graced the board with its plastic forms, suggestive of the + most pleasing objects,—the spiral ringlets pendent from the brow of + beauty; the magic circlet, which is the pledge of plighted affection,—the + indissoluble knot, which typifies the union of hearts, which organs were + also largely represented; this exceptional delicacy would at any other + time have claimed his special notice. But his mother remarked that he paid + little attention to these, and his, “No, I thank you,” when it came to the + preserved “damsels,” as some call them, carried a pang with it to the + maternal bosom. The most touching evidence of his unhappiness—whether + intentional or the result of accident was not evident was a broken heart, + which he left upon his plate, the meaning of which was as plain as + anything in the language of flowers. His thoughts were gloomy during that + day, running a good deal on the more picturesque and impressive methods of + bidding a voluntary farewell to a world which had allured him with visions + of beauty only to snatch them from his impassioned gaze. His mother saw + something of this, and got from him a few disjointed words, which led her + to lock up the clothes-line and hide her late husband's razors,—an + affectionate, yet perhaps unnecessary precaution, for self-elimination + contemplated from this point of view by those who have the natural outlet + of verse to relieve them is rarely followed by a casualty. It may rather + be considered as implying a more than average chance for longevity; as + those who meditate an—imposing finish naturally save themselves for + it, and are therefore careful of their health until the time comes, and + this is apt to be indefinitely postponed so long as there is a poem to + write or a proof to be corrected. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. THE SECOND MEETING. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Eveleth requests the pleasure of Mr. Lindsay's company to meet a few + friends on the evening of the Feast of St. Ambrose, December 7th, + Wednesday. + </p> + <p> + THE PARSONAGE, December 6th. + </p> + <p> + It was the luckiest thing in the world. They always made a little festival + of that evening at the Rev. Ambrose Eveleth's, in honor of his canonized + namesake, and because they liked to have a good time. It came this year + just at the right moment, for here was a distinguished stranger visiting + in the place. Oxbow Village seemed to be running over with its one extra + young man,—as may be seen sometimes in larger villages, and even in + cities of moderate dimensions. + </p> + <p> + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw had called on Clement the day after his + arrival. He had already met the Deacon in the street, and asked some + questions about his transient boarder. + </p> + <p> + A very interesting young man, the Deacon said, much given to the reading + of pious books. Up late at night after he came, reading Scott's + Commentary. Appeared to be as fond of serious works as other young folks + were of their novels and romances and other immoral publications. He, the + Deacon, thought of having a few religious friends to meet the young + gentleman, if he felt so disposed; and should like to have him, Mr. + Bradshaw, come in and take a part in the exercises.—Mr. Bradshaw was + unfortunately engaged. He thought the young gentleman could hardly find + time for such a meeting during his brief visit. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw expected naturally to see a youth of imperfect constitution, + and cachectic or dyspeptic tendencies, who was in training to furnish one + of those biographies beginning with the statement that, from his infancy, + the subject of it showed no inclination for boyish amusements, and so on, + until he dies out, for the simple reason that there was not enough of him + to live. Very interesting, no doubt, Master Byles Gridley would have said, + but had no more to do with good, hearty, sound life than the history of + those very little people to be seen in museums preserved in jars of + alcohol, like brandy peaches. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. Clement Lindsay presented himself, Mr. Bradshaw was a good deal + surprised to see a young fellow of such a mould. He pleased himself with + the idea that he knew a man of mark at sight, and he set down Clement in + that category at his first glance. The young man met his penetrating and + questioning look with a frank, ingenuous, open aspect, before which he + felt himself disarmed, as it were, and thrown upon other means of + analysis. He would try him a little in talk. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you like these people you are with. What sort of a man do you find + my old friend the Deacon?” + </p> + <p> + Clement laughed. “A very queer old character. Loves his joke as well, and + is as sly in making it, as if he had studied Joe Miller instead of the + Catechism.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw looked at the young man to know what he meant. Mr. Lindsay + talked in a very easy way for a serious young person. He was puzzled. He + did not see to the bottom of this description of the Deacon. With a + lawyer's instinct, he kept his doubts to himself and tried his witness + with a new question. + </p> + <p> + “Did you talk about books at all with the old man?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I did. Would you believe it,—that aged saint is a great + novel-reader. So he tells me. What is more, he brings up his children to + that sort of reading, from the time when they first begin to spell. If + anybody else had told me such a story about an old country deacon, I + wouldn't have believed it; but he said so himself, to me, at breakfast + this morning.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw felt as if either he or Mr. Lindsay must certainly be in the + first stage of mild insanity, and he did not think that he himself could + be out of his wits. He must try one more question. He had become so + mystified that he forgot himself, and began putting his interrogation in + legal form. + </p> + <p> + “Will you state, if you please—I beg your pardon—may I ask who + is your own favorite author?” + </p> + <p> + “I think just now I like to read Scott better than almost anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean the Rev. Thomas Scott, author of the Commentary?” + </p> + <p> + Clement stared at Mr. Bradshaw, and wondered whether he was trying to make + a fool of him. The young lawyer hardly looked as if he could be a fool + himself. + </p> + <p> + “I mean Sir Walter Scott,” he said, dryly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Mr. Bradshaw. He saw that there had been a slight + misunderstanding between the young man and his worthy host, but it was + none of his business, and there were other subjects of interest to talk + about. + </p> + <p> + “You know one of our charming young ladies very well, I believe, Mr. + Lindsay. I think you are an old acquaintance of Miss Posey, whom we all + consider so pretty.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Clement! The question pierced to the very marrow of his soul, but it + was put with the utmost suavity and courtesy, and honeyed with a + compliment to the young lady, too, so that there was no avoiding a direct + and pleasant answer to it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he said, “I have known the young lady you speak of for a long time, + and very well,—in fact, as you must have heard, we are something + more than friends. My visit here is principally on her account.” + </p> + <p> + “You must give the rest of us a chance to see something of you during your + visit, Mr. Lindsay. I hope you are invited to Miss Eveleth's to-morrow + evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I got a note this morning. Tell me, Mr. Bradshaw, who is there that + I shall meet if I go? I have no doubt there are girls here in the village + I should like to see, and perhaps some young fellows that I should like to + talk with. You know all that's prettiest and pleasantest, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we're a little place, Mr. Lindsay. A few nice people, the rest comme + Va, you know. High-bush blackberries and low-bush black-berries,—you + understand,—just so everywhere,—high-bush here and there, + low-bush plenty. You must see the two parsons' daughters,—Saint + Ambrose's and Saint Joseph's,—and another girl I want particularly + to introduce you to. You shall form your own opinion of her. I call her + handsome and stylish, but you have got spoiled, you know. Our young poet, + too, one we raised in this place, Mr. Lindsay, and a superior article of + poet, as we think,—that is, some of us, for the rest of us are + jealous of him, because the girls are all dying for him and want his + autograph. And Cyp,—yes, you must talk to Cyp,—he has ideas. + But don't forget to get hold of old Byles Master Gridley I mean—before + you go. Big head. Brains enough for a cabinet minister, and fit out a + college faculty with what was left over. Be sure you see old Byles. Set + him talking about his book, 'Thoughts on the Universe.' Did n't sell much, + but has got knowing things in it. I'll show you a copy, and then you can + tell him you know it, and he will take to you. Come in and get your dinner + with me to-morrow. We will dine late, as the city folks do, and after that + we will go over to the Rector's. I should like to show you some of our + village people.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw liked the thought of showing the young man to some of his + friends there. As Clement was already “done for,” or “bowled out,” as the + young lawyer would have expressed the fact of his being pledged in the + matrimonial direction, there was nothing to be apprehended on the score of + rivalry. And although Clement was particularly good-looking, and would + have been called a distinguishable youth anywhere, Mr. Bradshaw considered + himself far more than his match, in all probability, in social + accomplishments. He expected, therefore, a certain amount of reflex credit + for bringing such a fine young fellow in his company, and a second + instalment of reputation from outshining him in conversation. This was + rather nice calculating, but Murray Bradshaw always calculated. With most + men life is like backgammon, half skill, and half luck, but with him it + was like chess. He never pushed a pawn without reckoning the cost, and + when his mind was least busy it was sure to be half a dozen moves ahead of + the game as it was standing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw gave Clement a pretty dinner enough for such a place as Oxbow + Village. He offered him some good wine, and would have made him talk so as + to show his lining, to use one of his own expressions, but Clement had + apparently been through that trifling experience, and could not be coaxed + into saying more than he meant to say. Murray Bradshaw was very curious to + find out how it was that he had become the victim of such a rudimentary + miss as Susan Posey. Could she be an heiress in disguise? Why no, of + course not; had not he made all proper inquiries about that when Susan + came to town? A small inheritance from an aunt or uncle, or some such + relative, enough to make her a desirable party in the eyes of certain + villagers perhaps, but nothing to allure a man like this, whose face and + figure as marketable possessions were worth say a hundred thousand in the + girl's own right, as Mr. Bradshaw put it roughly, with another hundred + thousand if his talent is what some say, and if his connection is a + desirable one, a fancy price,—anything he would fetch. Of course + not. Must have got caught when he was a child. Why the diavolo didn't he + break it off, then? + </p> + <p> + There was no fault to find with the modest entertainment at the Parsonage. + A splendid banquet in a great house is an admirable thing, provided always + its getting up did not cost the entertainer an inward conflict, nor its + recollection a twinge of economical regret, nor its bills a cramp of + anxiety. A simple evening party in the smallest village is just as + admirable in its degree, when the parlor is cheerfully lighted, and the + board prettily spread, and the guests are made to feel comfortable without + being reminded that anybody is making a painful effort. + </p> + <p> + We know several of the young people who were there, and need not trouble + ourselves for the others. Myrtle Hazard had promised to come. She had her + own way of late as never before; in fact, the women were afraid of her. + Miss Silence felt that she could not be responsible for her any longer. + She had hopes for a time that Myrtle would go through the customary + spiritual paroxysm under the influence of the Rev. Mr. Stoker's assiduous + exhortations; but since she had broken off with him, Miss Silence had + looked upon her as little better than a backslider. And now that the girl + was beginning to show the tendencies which seemed to come straight down to + her from the belle of the last century, (whose rich physical developments + seemed to the under-vitalized spinster as in themselves a kind of offence + against propriety,) the forlorn woman folded her thin hands and looked on + hopelessly, hardly venturing a remonstrance for fear of some new + explosion. As for Cynthia, she was comparatively easy since she had, + through Mr. Byles Gridley, upset the minister's questionable arrangement + of religious intimacy. She had, in fact, in a quiet way, given Mr. + Bradshaw to understand that he would probably meet Myrtle at the Parsonage + if he dropped in at their small gathering. Clement walked over to Mrs. + Hopkins's after his dinner with the young lawyer, and asked if Susan was + ready to go with him. At the sound of his voice, Gifted Hopkins smote his + forehead, and called himself, in subdued tones, a miserable being. His + imagination wavered uncertain for a while between pictures of various + modes of ridding himself of existence, and fearful deeds involving the + life of others. He had no fell purpose of actually doing either, but there + was a gloomy pleasure in contemplating them as possibilities, and in + mentally sketching the “Lines written in Despair” which would be found in + what was but an hour before the pocket of the youthful bard, G. H., victim + of a hopeless passion. All this emotion was in the nature of a surprise to + the young man. He had fully believed himself desperately in love with + Myrtle Hazard; and it was not until Clement came into the family circle + with the right of eminent domain over the realm of Susan's affections, + that this unfortunate discovered that Susan's pretty ways and morning + dress and love of poetry and liking for his company had been too much for + him, and that he was henceforth to be wretched during the remainder of his + natural life, except so far as he could unburden himself in song. + </p> + <p> + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw had asked the privilege of waiting upon Myrtle + to the little party at the Eveleths. Myrtle was not insensible to the + attractions of the young lawyer, though she had never thought of herself + except as a child in her relations with any of these older persons. But + she was not the same girl that she had been but a few months before. She + had achieved her independence by her audacious and most dangerous + enterprise. She had gone through strange nervous trials and spiritual + experiences which had matured her more rapidly than years of common life + would have done. She had got back her health, bringing with it a riper + wealth of womanhood. She had found her destiny in the consciousness that + she inherited the beauty belonging to her blood, and which, after sleeping + for a generation or two as if to rest from the glare of the pageant that + follows beauty through its long career of triumph, had come to the light + again in her life, and was to repeat the legends of the olden time in her + own history. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle's wardrobe had very little of ornament, such as the modistes of the + town would have thought essential to render a young girl like her + presentable. There were a few heirlooms of old date, however, which she + had kept as curiosities until now, and which she looked over until she + found some lace and other convertible material, with which she enlivened + her costume a little for the evening. As she clasped the antique bracelet + around her wrist, she felt as if it were an amulet that gave her the power + of charming which had been so long obsolete in her lineage. At the bottom + of her heart she cherished a secret longing to try her fascinations on the + young lawyer. Who could blame her? It was not an inwardly expressed + intention,—it was the simple instinctive movement to subjugate the + strongest of the other sex who had come in her way, which, as already + said, is as natural to a woman as it is to a man to be captivated by the + loveliest of those to whom he dares to aspire. + </p> + <p> + Before William Murray Bradshaw and Myrtle Hazard had reached the + Parsonage, the girl's cheeks were flushed and her dark eyes were flashing + with a new excitement. The young man had not made love to her directly, + but he had interested her in herself by a delicate and tender flattery of + manner, and so set her fancies working that she was taken with him as + never before, and wishing that the Parsonage had been a mile farther from + The Poplars. It was impossible for a young girl like Myrtle to conceal the + pleasure she received from listening to her seductive admirer, who was + trying all his trained skill upon his artless companion. Murray Bradshaw + felt sure that the game was in his hands if he played it with only common + prudence. There was no need of hurrying this child,—it might startle + her to make downright love abruptly; and now that he had an ally in her + own household, and was to have access to her with a freedom he had never + before enjoyed, there was a refined pleasure in playing his fish,—this + gamest of golden-scaled creatures,—which had risen to his fly, and + which he wished to hook, but not to land, until he was sure it would be + worth his while. + </p> + <p> + They entered the little parlor at the Parsonage looking so beaming, that + Olive and Bathsheba exchanged glances which implied so much that it would + take a full page to tell it with all the potentialities involved. + </p> + <p> + “How magnificent Myrtle is this evening, Bathsheba!” said Cyprian Eveleth, + pensively. + </p> + <p> + “What a handsome pair they are, Cyprian!” said Bathsheba cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + Cyprian sighed. “She always fascinates me whenever I look upon her. Is n't + she the very picture of what a poet's love should be,—a poem + herself,—a glorious lyric,—all light and music! See what a + smile the creature has! And her voice! When did you ever hear such tones? + And when was it ever so full of life before.” + </p> + <p> + Bathsheba sighed. “I do not know any poets but Gifted Hopkins. Does not + Myrtle look more in her place by the side of Murray Bradshaw than she + would with Gifted hitched on her arm?” + </p> + <p> + Just then the poet made his appearance. He looked depressed, as if it had + cost him an effort to come. He was, however, charged with a message which + he must deliver to the hostess of the evening. + </p> + <p> + “They 're coming presently,” he said. “That young man and Susan. Wants you + to introduce him, Mr. Bradshaw.” + </p> + <p> + The bell rang presently, and Murray Bradshaw slipped out into the entry to + meet the two lovers. + </p> + <p> + “How are you, my fortunate friend?” he said, as he met them at the door. + “Of course you're well and happy as mortal man can be in this vale of + tears. Charming, ravishing, quite delicious, that way of dressing your + hair, Miss Posey! Nice girls here this evening, Mr. Lindsay. Looked lovely + when I came out of the parlor. Can't say how they will show after this + young lady puts in an appearance.” In reply to which florid speeches Susan + blushed, not knowing what else to do, and Clement smiled as naturally as + if he had been sitting for his photograph. + </p> + <p> + He felt, in a vague way, that he and Susan were being patronized, which is + not a pleasant feeling to persons with a certain pride of character. There + was no expression of contempt about Mr. Bradshaw's manner or language at + which he could take offence. Only he had the air of a man who praises his + neighbor without stint, with a calm consciousness that he himself is out + of reach of comparison in the possessions or qualities which he is + admiring in the other. Clement was right in his obscure perception of Mr. + Bradshaw's feeling while he was making his phrases. That gentleman was, in + another moment, to have the tingling delight of showing the grand creature + he had just begun to tame. He was going to extinguish the pallid light of + Susan's prettiness in the brightness of Myrtle's beauty. He would bring + this young man, neutralized and rendered entirely harmless by his + irrevocable pledge to a slight girl, face to face with a masterpiece of + young womanhood, and say to him, not in words, but as plainly as speech + could have told him, “Behold my captive!” + </p> + <p> + It was a proud moment for Murray Bradshaw. He had seen, or thought that he + had seen, the assured evidence of a speedy triumph over all the obstacles + of Myrtle's youth and his own present seeming slight excess of maturity. + Unless he were very greatly mistaken, he could now walk the course; the + plate was his, no matter what might be the entries. And this youth, this + handsome, spirited-looking, noble-aired young fellow, whose artist-eye + could not miss a line of Myrtle's proud and almost defiant beauty, was to + be the witness of his power, and to look in admiration upon his prize! He + introduced him to the others, reserving her for the last. She was at that + moment talking with the worthy Rector, and turned when Mr. Bradshaw spoke + to her. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Hazard, will you allow me to present to you my friend, Mr. Clement + Lindsay?” + </p> + <p> + They looked full upon each other, and spoke the common words of + salutation. It was a strange meeting; but we who profess to tell the truth + must tell strange things, or we shall be liars. + </p> + <p> + In poor little Susan's letter there was some allusion to a bust of + Innocence which the young artist had begun, but of which he had said + nothing in his answer to her. He had roughed out a block of marble for + that impersonation; sculpture was a delight to him, though secondary to + his main pursuit. After his memorable adventure, the image of the girl he + had rescued so haunted him that the pale ideal which was to work itself + out in the bust faded away in its perpetual presence, and—alas, poor + Susan! in obedience to the impulse that he could not control, he left + Innocence sleeping in the marble, and began modelling a figure of proud + and noble and imperious beauty, to which he gave the name of Liberty. + </p> + <p> + The original which had inspired his conception was before him. These were + the lips to which his own had clung when he brought her back from the land + of shadows. The hyacinthine curl of her lengthening locks had added + something to her beauty; but it was the same face which had haunted him. + This was the form he had borne seemingly lifeless in his arms, and the + bosom which heaved so visibly before him was that which his eyes they were + the calm eyes of a sculptor, but of a sculptor hardly twenty years old. + </p> + <p> + Yes,—her bosom was heaving. She had an unexplained feeling of + suffocation, and drew great breaths,—she could not have said why,—but + she could not help it; and presently she became giddy, and had a great + noise in her ears, and rolled her eyes about, and was on the point of + going into an hysteric spasm. They called Dr. Hurlbut, who was making + himself agreeable to Olive just then, to come and see what was the matter + with Myrtle. + </p> + <p> + “A little nervous turn,—that is all,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Open the window. Loose the ribbon round her neck. Rub her hands. Sprinkle + some water on her forehead. + </p> + <p> + “A few drops of cologne. Room too warm for her,—that 's all, I + think.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle came to herself after a time without anything like a regular + paroxysm. But she was excitable, and whatever the cause of the disturbance + may have been, it seemed prudent that she should go home early; and the + excellent Rector insisted on caring for her, much to the discontent of Mr. + William Murray Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + “Demonish odd,” said this gentleman, “was n't it, Mr. Lindsay, that Miss + Hazard should go off in that way. Did you ever see her before?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I—have seen that young lady before,” Clement answered. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you meet her?” Mr. Bradshaw asked, with eager interest. + </p> + <p> + “I met her in the Valley of the Shadow of Death,” Clement answered, very + solemnly.—“I leave this place to-morrow morning. Have you any + commands for the city?” + </p> + <p> + “Knows how to shut a fellow up pretty well for a young one, doesn't he?” + Mr. Bradshaw thought to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, no,” he answered, recovering himself. “Rather a melancholy + place to make acquaintance in, I should think, that Valley you spoke of. I + should like to know about it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clement had the power of looking steadily into another person's eyes + in a way that was by no means encouraging to curiosity or favorable to the + process of cross-examination. Mr. Bradshaw was not disposed to press his + question in the face of the calm, repressive look the young man gave him. + </p> + <p> + “If he was n't bagged, I shouldn't like the shape of things any too well,” + he said to himself. + </p> + <p> + The conversation between Mr. Clement Lindsay and Miss Susan Posey, as they + walked home together, was not very brilliant. “I am going to-morrow + morning,” he said, “and I must bid you good-by tonight.” Perhaps it is as + well to leave two lovers to themselves, under these circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Before he went he spoke to his worthy host, whose moderate demands he had + to satisfy, and with whom he wished to exchange a few words. + </p> + <p> + “And by the way, Deacon, I have no use for this book, and as it is in a + good type, perhaps you would like it. Your favorite, Scott, and one of his + greatest works. I have another edition of it at home, and don't care for + this volume.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, thank you, Mr. Lindsay, much obleeged. I shall read that copy + for your sake, the best of books next to the Bible itself.” + </p> + <p> + After Mr. Lindsay had gone, the Deacon looked at the back of the book. + “Scott's Works, Vol. IX.” He opened it at hazard, and happened to fall on + a well-known page, from which he began reading aloud, slowly, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When Izrul, of the Lord beloved, + Out of the land of bondage came.” + </pre> + <p> + The whole hymn pleased the grave Deacon. He had never seen this work of + the author of the Commentary. No matter; anything that such a good man + wrote must be good reading, and he would save it up for Sunday. The + consequence of this was, that, when the Rev. Mr. Stoker stopped in on his + way to meeting on the “Sabbath,” he turned white with horror at the + spectacle of the senior Deacon of his church sitting, open-mouthed and + wide-eyed, absorbed in the pages of “Ivanhoe,” which he found enormously + interesting; but, so far as he had yet read, not occupied with religious + matters so much as he had expected. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had no explanation to give of her nervous attack. Mr. Bradshaw + called the day after the party, but did not see her. He met her walking, + and thought she seemed a little more distant than common. That would never + do. He called again at The Poplars a few days afterwards, and was met in + the entry by Miss Cynthia, with whom he had a long conversation on matters + involving Myrtle's interests and their own. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. MADNESS? + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Clement Lindsay returned to the city and his usual labors in a state + of strange mental agitation. He had received an impression for which he + was unprepared. He had seen for the second time a young girl whom, for the + peace of his own mind, and for the happiness of others, he should never + again have looked upon until Time had taught their young hearts the lesson + which all hearts must learn, sooner or later. + </p> + <p> + What shall the unfortunate person do who has met with one of those + disappointments, or been betrayed into one of those positions, which do + violence to all the tenderest feelings, blighting the happiness of youth, + and the prospects of after years? + </p> + <p> + If the person is a young man, he has various resources. He can take to the + philosophic meerschaum, and nicotine himself at brief intervals into a + kind of buzzing and blurry insensibility, until he begins to “color” at + last like the bowl of his own pipe, and even his mind gets the tobacco + flavor. Or he can have recourse to the more suggestive stimulants, which + will dress his future up for him in shining possibilities that glitter + like Masonic regalia, until the morning light and the waking headache + reveal his illusion. Some kind of spiritual anaesthetic he must have, if + he holds his grief fast tied to his heartstrings. But as grief must be fed + with thought, or starve to death, it is the best plan to keep the mind so + busy in other ways that it has no time to attend to the wants of that + ravening passion. To sit down and passively endure it, is apt to end in + putting all the mental machinery into disorder. + </p> + <p> + Clement Lindsay had thought that his battle of life was already fought, + and that he had conquered. He believed that he had subdued himself + completely, and that he was ready, without betraying a shadow of + disappointment, to take the insufficient nature which destiny had assigned + him in his companion, and share with it all of his own larger being it was + capable, not of comprehending, but of apprehending. + </p> + <p> + He had deceived himself. The battle was not fought and won. There had been + a struggle, and what seemed to be a victory, but the enemy—intrenched + in the very citadel of life—had rallied, and would make another + desperate attempt to retrieve his defeat. + </p> + <p> + The haste with which the young man had quitted the village was only a + proof that he felt his danger. He believed that, if he came into the + presence of Myrtle Hazard for the third time, he should be no longer + master of his feelings. Some explanation must take place between them, and + how was it possible that it should be without emotion? and in what do all + emotions shared by a young man with such a young girl as this tend to find + their last expression? + </p> + <p> + Clement determined to stun his sensibilities by work. He would give + himself no leisure to indulge in idle dreams of what might have been. His + plans were never so carefully finished, and his studies were never so + continuous as now. But the passion still wrought within him, and, if he + drove it from his waking thoughts, haunted his sleep until he could endure + it no longer, and must give it some manifestation. He had covered up the + bust of Liberty so closely, that not an outline betrayed itself through + the heavy folds of drapery in which it was wrapped. His thoughts recurred + to his unfinished marble, as offering the one mode in which he could find + a silent outlet to the feelings and thoughts which it was torture to keep + imprisoned in his soul. The cold stone would tell them, but without + passion; and having got the image which possessed him out of himself into + a lifeless form, it seemed as if he might be delivered from a presence + which, lovely as it was, stood between him and all that made him seem + honorable and worthy to himself. + </p> + <p> + He uncovered the bust which he had but half shaped, and struck the first + flake from the glittering marble. The toil, once begun, fascinated him + strangely, and after the day's work was done, and at every interval he + could snatch from his duties, he wrought at his secret task. + </p> + <p> + “Clement is graver than ever,” the young men said at the office. “What's + the matter, do you suppose? Turned off by the girl they say he means to + marry by and by? How pale he looks too! Must have something worrying him: + he used to look as fresh as a clove pink.” + </p> + <p> + The master with whom he studied saw that he was losing color, and looking + very much worn; and determined to find out, if he could, whether he was + not overworking himself. He soon discovered that his light was seen + burning late into the night, that he was neglecting his natural rest, and + always busy with some unknown task, not called for in his routine of duty + or legitimate study. + </p> + <p> + “Something is wearing on you, Clement,” he said. “You are killing yourself + with undertaking too much. Will you let me know what keeps you so busy + when you ought to be asleep, or taking your ease and comfort in some way + or other?” + </p> + <p> + Nobody but himself had ever seen his marble or its model. He had now + almost finished it, laboring at it with such sleepless devotion, and he + was willing to let his master have a sight of his first effort of the + kind,—for he was not a sculptor, it must be remembered, though he + had modelled in clay, not without some success, from time to time. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The master climbed the stairs with him up to his modest chamber. A closely + shrouded bust stood on its pedestal in the light of the solitary window. + </p> + <p> + “That is my ideal personage,” Clement said. “Wait one moment, and you + shall see how far I have caught the character of our uncrowned queen.” + </p> + <p> + The master expected, very naturally, to see the conventional young woman + with classical wreath or feather headdress, whom we have placed upon our + smallest coin, so that our children may all grow up loving Liberty. + </p> + <p> + As Clement withdrew the drapery that covered his work, the master stared + at it in amazement. He looked at it long and earnestly, and at length + turned his eyes, a little moistened by some feeling which thus betrayed + itself, upon his scholar. + </p> + <p> + “This is no ideal, Clement. It is the portrait of a very young but very + beautiful woman. No common feeling could have guided your hand in shaping + such a portrait from memory. This must be that friend of yours of whom I + have often heard as an amiable young person. Pardon me, for you know that + nobody cares more for you than I do,—I hope that you are happy in + all your relations with this young friend of yours. How could one be + otherwise?” + </p> + <p> + It was hard to bear, very hard. He forced a smile. “You are partly right,” + he said. “There is a resemblance, I trust, to a living person, for I had + one in my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Did n't you tell me once, Clement, that you were attempting a bust of + Innocence? I do not see any block in your room but this. Is that done?” + </p> + <p> + “Done with!” Clement answered; and, as he said it, the thought stung + through him that this was the very stone which was to have worn the + pleasant blandness of pretty Susan's guileless countenance. How the new + features had effaced the recollection of the others! + </p> + <p> + In a few days more Clement had finished his bust. His hours were again + vacant to his thick-coming fancies. While he had been busy with his + marble, his hands had required his attention, and he must think closely of + every detail upon which he was at work. But at length his task was done, + and he could contemplate what he had made of it. It was a triumph for one + so little exercised in sculpture. The master had told him so, and his own + eye could not deceive him. He might never succeed in any repetition of his + effort, but this once he most certainly had succeeded. He could not + disguise from himself the source of this extraordinary good fortune in so + doubtful and difficult an attempt. Nor could he resist the desire of + contemplating the portrait bust, which—it was foolish to talk about + ideals—was not Liberty, but Myrtle Hazard. + </p> + <p> + It was too nearly like the story of the ancient sculptor; his own work was + an over-match for its artist. Clement had made a mistake in supposing that + by giving his dream a material form he should drive it from the possession + of his mind. The image in which he had fixed his recollection of its + original served only to keep her living presence before him. He thought of + her as she clasped her arms around him, and they were swallowed up in the + rushing waters, coming so near to passing into the unknown world together. + He thought of her as he stretched her lifeless form upon the bank, and + looked for one brief moment on her unsunned loveliness,—“a sight to + dream of, not to tell.” He thought of her as his last fleeting glimpse had + shown her, beautiful, not with the blossomy prettiness that passes away + with the spring sunshine, but with a rich vitality of which noble outlines + and winning expression were only the natural accidents. And that singular + impression which the sight of him had produced upon her,—how + strange! How could she but have listened to him,—to him, who was, as + it were, a second creator to her, for he had bought her back from the + gates of the unseen realm,—if he had recalled to her the dread + moments they had passed in each other's arms, with death, not love, in all + their thoughts. And if then he had told her how her image had remained + with him, how it had colored all his visions, and mingled with all his + conceptions, would not those dark eyes have melted as they were turned + upon him? Nay, how could he keep the thought away, that she would not have + been insensible to his passion, if he could have suffered its flame to + kindle in his heart? Did it not seem as if Death had spared them for Love, + and that Love should lead them together through life's long journey to the + gates of Death? + </p> + <p> + Never! never! never! Their fates were fixed. For him, poor insect as he + was, a solitary flight by day, and a return at evening to his wingless + mate! For her—he thought he saw her doom. + </p> + <p> + Could he give her up to the cold embraces of that passionless egotist, + who, as he perceived plainly enough, was casting his shining net all + around her? Clement read Murray Bradshaw correctly. He could not perhaps + have spread his character out in set words, as we must do for him, for it + takes a long apprenticeship to learn to describe analytically what we know + as soon as we see it; but he felt in his inner consciousness all that we + must tell for him. Fascinating, agreeable, artful, knowing, capable of + winning a woman infinitely above himself, incapable of understanding her,—oh, + if he could but touch him with the angel's spear, and bid him take his + true shape before her whom he was gradually enveloping in the silken + meshes of his subtle web! He would make a place for her in the world,—oh + yes, doubtless. He would be proud of her in company, would dress her + handsomely, and show her off in the best lights. But from the very hour + that he felt his power over her firmly established, he would begin to + remodel her after his own worldly pattern. He would dismantle her of her + womanly ideals, and give her in their place his table of market-values. He + would teach her to submit her sensibilities to her selfish interest, and + her tastes to the fashion of the moment, no matter which world or + half-world it came from. “As the husband is, the wife is,”—he would + subdue her to what he worked in. + </p> + <p> + All this Clement saw, as in apocalyptic vision, stored up for the wife of + Murray Bradshaw, if he read him rightly, as he felt sure he did, from the + few times he had seen him. He would be rich by and by, very probably. He + looked like one of those young men who are sharp, and hard enough to come + to fortune. Then she would have to take her place in the great social + exhibition where the gilded cages are daily opened that the animals may be + seen, feeding on the sight of stereotyped toilets and the sound of + impoverished tattle. O misery of semi-provincial fashionable life, where + wealth is at its wit's end to avoid being tired of an existence which has + all the labor of keeping up appearances, without the piquant profligacy + which saves it at least from being utterly vapid! How many fashionable + women at the end of a long season would be ready to welcome heaven itself + as a relief from the desperate monotony of dressing, dawdling, and + driving! + </p> + <p> + This could not go on so forever. Clement had placed a red curtain so as to + throw a rose-bloom on his marble, and give it an aspect which his fancy + turned to the semblance of life. He would sit and look at the features his + own hand had so faithfully wrought, until it seemed as if the lips moved, + sometimes as if they were smiling, sometimes as if they were ready to + speak to him. His companions began to whisper strange things of him in the + studio,—that his eye was getting an unnatural light,—that he + talked as if to imaginary listeners,—in short, that there was a look + as if something were going wrong with his brain, which it might be feared + would spoil his fine intelligence. It was the undecided battle, and the + enemy, as in his noblest moments he had considered the growing passion, + was getting the better of him. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting one afternoon before the fatal bust which had smiled and + whispered away his peace, when the post-man brought him a letter. It was + from the simple girl to whom he had given his promise. We know how she + used to prattle in her harmless way about her innocent feelings, and the + trifling matters that were going on in her little village world. But now + she wrote in sadness. Something, she did not too clearly explain what, had + grieved her, and she gave free expression to her feelings. “I have no one + that loves me but you,” she said; “and if you leave me I must droop and + die. Are you true to me, dearest Clement,—true as when we promised + each other that we would love while life lasted? Or have you forgotten one + who will never cease to remember that she was once your own Susan?” + </p> + <p> + Clement dropped the letter from his hand, and sat a long hour looking at + the exquisitely wrought features of her who had come between him and honor + and his plighted word. + </p> + <p> + At length he arose, and, lifting the bust tenderly from its pedestal, laid + it upon the cloth with which it had been covered. He wrapped it closely, + fold upon fold, as the mother whom man condemns and God pities wraps the + child she loves before she lifts her hand against its life. Then he took a + heavy hammer and shattered his lovely idol into shapeless fragments. The + strife was over. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. A CHANGE OF PROGRAMME. + </h2> + <p> + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw was in pretty intimate relations with Miss + Cynthia Badlam. It was well understood between them that it might be of + very great advantage to both of them if he should in due time become the + accepted lover of Myrtle Hazard. So long as he could be reasonably secure + against interference, he did not wish to hurry her in making her decision. + Two things he did wish to be sure of, if possible, before asking her the + great question;—first, that she would answer it in the affirmative; + and secondly, that certain contingencies, the turning of which was not as + yet absolutely capable of being predicted, should happen as he expected. + Cynthia had the power of furthering his wishes in many direct and indirect + ways, and he felt sure of her cooperation. She had some reason to fear his + enmity if she displeased him, and he had taken good care to make her + understand that her interests would be greatly promoted by the success of + the plan which he had formed, and which was confided to her alone. + </p> + <p> + He kept the most careful eye on every possible source of disturbance to + this quietly maturing plan. He had no objection to have Gifted Hopkins + about Myrtle as much as she would endure to have him. The youthful bard + entertained her very innocently with his bursts of poetry, but she was in + no danger from a young person so intimately associated with the + yard-stick, the blunt scissors, and the brown-paper parcel. There was + Cyprian too, about whom he did not feel any very particular solicitude. + Myrtle had evidently found out that she was handsome and stylish and all + that, and it was not very likely she would take up with such a bashful, + humble, country youth as this. He could expect nothing beyond a possible + rectorate in the remote distance, with one of those little pony chapels to + preach in, which, if it were set up on a stout pole, would pass for a + good-sized martin-house. Cyprian might do to practise on, but there was no + danger of her looking at him in a serious way. As for that youth, Clement + Lindsay, if he had not taken himself off as he did, Murray Bradshaw + confessed to himself that he should have felt uneasy. He was too + good-looking, and too clever a young fellow to have knocking about among + fragile susceptibilities. But on reflection he saw there could be no + danger. + </p> + <p> + “All up with him,—poor diavolo! Can't understand it—such a + little sixpenny miss—pretty enough boiled parsnip blonde, if one + likes that sort of thing—pleases some of the old boys, apparently. + Look out, Mr. L. remember Susanna and the Elders. Good! + </p> + <p> + “Safe enough if something new doesn't turn up. Youngish. Sixteen's a + little early. Seventeen will do. Marry a girl while she's in the gristle, + and you can shape her bones for her. Splendid creature without her + trimmings. Wants training. Must learn to dance, and sing something besides + psalm-tunes.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw began humming the hymn, “When I can read my title clear,” + adding some variations of his own. “That 's the solo for my prima donna!” + </p> + <p> + In the mean time Myrtle seemed to be showing some new developments. One + would have said that the instincts of the coquette, or at least of the + city belle, were coming uppermost in her nature. Her little nervous attack + passed away, and she gained strength and beauty every day. She was + becoming conscious of her gifts of fascination, and seemed to please + herself with the homage of her rustic admirers. Why was it that no one of + them had the look and bearing of that young man she had seen but a moment + the other evening? To think that he should have taken up with such a + weakling as Susan Posey! She sighed, and not so much thought as felt how + kind it would have been in Heaven to have made her such a man. But the + image of the delicate blonde stood between her and all serious thought of + Clement Lindsay. She saw the wedding in the distance, and very foolishly + thought to herself that she could not and would not go to it. + </p> + <p> + But Clement Lindsay was gone, and she must content herself with such + worshippers as the village afforded. Murray Bradshaw was surprised and + confounded at the easy way in which she received his compliments, and + played with his advances, after the fashion of the trained ball-room + belles, who know how to be almost caressing in manner, and yet are really + as far off from the deluded victim of their suavities as the topmost + statue of the Milan cathedral from the peasant that kneels on its floor. + He admired her all the more for this, and yet he saw that she would be a + harder prize to win than he had once thought. If he made up his mind that + he would have her, he must go armed with all implements, from the red + hackle to the harpoon. + </p> + <p> + The change which surprised Murray Bradshaw could not fail to be noticed by + all those about her. Miss Silence had long ago come to pantomime, rolling + up of eyes, clasping of hands, making of sad mouths, and the rest,—but + left her to her own way, as already the property of that great firm of + World & Co. which drives such sharp bargains for young souls with the + better angels. Cynthia studied her for her own purposes, but had never + gained her confidence. The Irish servant saw that some change had come + over her, and thought of the great ladies she had sometimes looked upon in + the old country. They all had a kind of superstitious feeling about + Myrtle's bracelet, of which she had told them the story, but which Kitty + half believed was put in the drawer by the fairies, who brought her + ribbons and partridge feathers, and other slight adornments with which she + contrived to set off her simple costume, so as to produce those effects + which an eye for color and cunning fingers can bring out of almost + nothing. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins was now in a sad, vacillating condition, between the two + great attractions to which he was exposed. Myrtle looked so immensely + handsome ere Sunday when he saw her going to church, not to meeting, for + she world not go, except when she knew Father Pemberton was going to be + the preacher, that the young poet was on the point of going down on his + knees to her, and telling her that his heart was hers and hers alone. But + he suddenly remembered that he had on his best trousers, and the idea of + carrying the marks of his devotion in the shape of two dusty impressions + on his most valued article of apparel turned the scale against the + demonstration. It happened the next morning, that Susan Posey wore the + most becoming ribbon she had displayed for a long time, and Gifted was so + taken with her pretty looks that he might very probably have made the same + speech to her that he had been on the point of making to Myrtle the day + before, but that he remembered her plighted affections, and thought what + he should have to say for himself when Clement Lindsay, in a frenzy of + rage and jealousy, stood before him, probably armed with as many deadly + instruments as a lawyer mentions by name in an indictment for murder. + </p> + <p> + Cyprian Eveleth looked very differently on the new manifestations Myrtle + was making of her tastes and inclinations. He had always felt dazzled, as + well as attracted, by her; but now there was something in her expression + and manner which made him feel still more strongly that they were intended + for different spheres of life. He could not but own that she was born for + a brilliant destiny,—that no ball-room would throw a light from its + chandeliers too strong for her,—that no circle would be too + brilliant for her to illuminate by her presence. Love does not thrive + without hope, and Cyprian was beginning to see that it was idle in him to + think of folding these wide wings of Myrtle's so that they would be shut + up in any cage he could ever offer her. He began to doubt whether, after + all, he might not find a meeker and humbler nature better adapted to his + own. And so it happened that one evening after the three girls, Olive, + Myrtle, and Bathsheba, had been together at the Parsonage, and Cyprian, + availing himself of a brother's privilege, had joined them, he found he + had been talking most of the evening with the gentle girl whose voice had + grown so soft and sweet, during her long ministry in the sick-chamber, + that it seemed to him more like music than speech. It would not be fair to + say that Myrtle was piqued to see that Cyprian was devoting himself to + Bathsheba. Her ambition was already reaching beyond her little village + circle, and she had an inward sense that Cyprian found a form of sympathy + in the minister's simple-minded daughter which he could not ask from a + young woman of her own aspirations. + </p> + <p> + Such was the state of affairs when Master Byles Gridley was one morning + surprised by an early call from Myrtle. He had a volume of Walton's + Polyglot open before him, and was reading Job in the original, when she + entered. + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless me, is that my young friend Miss Myrtle Hazard?” he exclaimed. + “I might call you Keren-Happuch, which is Hebrew for Child of Beauty, and + not be very far out of the way, Job's youngest daughter, my dear. And what + brings my young friend out in such good season this morning? Nothing going + wrong up at our ancient mansion, The Poplars, I trust?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to talk with you, dear Master Gridley,” she answered. She looked + as if she did not know just how to begin. + </p> + <p> + “Anything that interests you, Myrtle, interests me. I think you have some + project in that young head of yours, my child. Let us have it, in all its + dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness. I think I can guess, Myrtle, + that we have a little plan of some kind or other. We don't visit Papa Job + quite so early as this without some special cause,—do we, Miss + Keren-Happuch?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to go to the city—to school,” Myrtle said, with the + directness which belonged to her nature. + </p> + <p> + “That is precisely what I want you to do myself, Miss Myrtle Hazard. I + don't like to lose you from the village, but I think we must spare you for + a while.” + </p> + <p> + “You're the best and dearest man that ever lived. What could have made you + think of such a thing for me, Mr. Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + “Because you are ignorant, my child,—partly I want to see you fitted + to take a look at the world without feeling like a little country miss. + Has your aunt Silence promised to bear your expenses while you are in the + city? It will cost a good deal of money.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not said a word to her about it. I am sure I don't know what she + would say. But I have some money, Mr. Gridley.” + </p> + <p> + She showed him a purse with gold, telling him how she came by it. “There + is some silver besides. Will it be enough?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my child, we must not meddle with that. Your aunt will let me put + it in the bank for you, I think, where it will be safe. But that shall not + make any difference. I have got a little money lying idle, which you may + just as well have the use of as not. You can pay it back perhaps some time + or other; if you did not, it would not make much difference. I am pretty + much alone in the world, and except a book now and then—Aut liberos + aut libros, as our valiant heretic has it,—you ought to know a + little Latin, Myrtle, but never mind—I have not much occasion for + money. You shall go to the best school that any of our cities can offer, + Myrtle, and you shall stay there until we agree that you are fitted to + come back to us an ornament to Oxbow Village, and to larger places than + this if you are called there. We have had some talk about it, your aunt + Silence and I, and it is all settled. Your aunt does not feel very rich + just now, or perhaps she would do more for you. She has many pious and + poor friends, and it keeps her funds low. Never mind, my child, we will + have it all arranged for you, and you shall begin the year 1860 in Madam + Delacoste's institution for young ladies. Too many rich girls and + fashionable ones there, I fear, but you must see some of all kinds, and + there are very good instructors in the school,—I know one,—he + was a college boy with me,—and you will find pleasant and good + companions there, so he tells me; only don't be in a hurry to choose your + friends, for the least desirable young persons are very apt to cluster + about a new-comer.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was bewildered with the suddenness of the prospect thus held out to + her. It is a wonder that she did not bestow an embrace upon the worthy old + master. Perhaps she had too much tact. It is a pretty way enough of + telling one that he belongs to a past generation, but it does tell him + that not over-pleasing fact. Like the title of Emeritus Professor, it is a + tribute to be accepted, hardly to be longed for. + </p> + <p> + When the curtain rises again, it will show Miss Hazard in a new character, + and surrounded by a new world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. MYRTLE HAZARD AT THE CITY SCHOOL. + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw was obliged to leave town for a week or two on business + connected with the great land-claim. On his return, feeling in pretty good + spirits, as the prospects looked favorable, he went to make a call at The + Poplars. He asked first for Miss Hazard. + </p> + <p> + “Bliss your soul, Mr. Bridshaw,” answered Mistress Kitty Fagan, “she's + been gahn nigh a wake. It's to the city, to the big school, they've sint + her.” + </p> + <p> + This announcement seemed to make a deep impression on Murray Bradshaw, for + his feelings found utterance in one of the most energetic forms of + language to which ears polite or impolite are accustomed. He next asked + for Miss Silence, who soon presented herself. Mr. Bradshaw asked, in a + rather excited way, “Is it possible, Miss Withers, that your niece has + quitted you to go to a city school?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Silence answered, with her chief—mourner expression, and her + death-chamber tone: “Yes, she has left us for a season. I trust it may not + be her destruction. I had hoped in former years that she would become a + missionary, but I have given up all expectation of that now. Two whole + years, from the age of four to that of six, I had prevailed upon her to + give up sugar,—the money so saved to go to a graduate of our + institution—who was afterwards——he labored among the + cannibal-islanders. I thought she seemed to take pleasure in this small + act of self-denial, but I have since suspected that Kitty gave her secret + lumps. It was by Mr. Gridley's advice that she went, and by his pecuniary + assistance. What could I do? She was bent on going, and I was afraid she + would have fits, or do something dreadful, if I did not let her have her + way. I am afraid she will come back to us spoiled. She has seemed so fond + of dress lately, and once she spoke of learning—yes, Mr. Bradshaw, + of learning to—dance! I wept when I heard of it. Yes, I wept.” + </p> + <p> + That was such a tremendous thing to think of, and especially to speak of + in Mr. Bradshaw's presence, for the most pathetic image in the world to + many women is that of themselves in tears,—that it brought a return + of the same overflow, which served as a substitute for conversation until + Miss Badlam entered the apartment. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cynthia followed the same general course of remark. They could not + help Myrtle's going if they tried. She had always maintained that, if they + had only once broke her will when she was little, they would have kept the + upper hand of her; but her will never was broke. They came pretty near it + once, but the child would n't give in. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cynthia went to the door with Mr. Bradshaw, and the conversation + immediately became short and informal. + </p> + <p> + “Demonish pretty business! All up for a year or more,—hey?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't blame me,—I couldn't stop her.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me her address,—I 'll write to her. Any young men teach in the + school?” + </p> + <p> + “Can't tell you. She'll write to Olive and Bathsheba, and I'll find out + all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw went home and wrote a long letter to Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, + of 24 Carat Place, containing many interesting remarks and inquiries, some + of the latter relating to Madam Delacoste's institution for the education + of young ladies. + </p> + <p> + While this was going on at Oxbow Village, Myrtle was establishing herself + at the rather fashionable school to which Mr. Gridley had recommended her. + Mrs. or Madam Delacoste's boarding-school had a name which on the whole it + deserved pretty well. She had some very good instructors for girls who + wished to get up useful knowledge in case they might marry professors or + ministers. They had a chance to learn music, dancing, drawing, and the way + of behaving in company. There was a chance, too, to pick up available + acquaintances, for many rich people sent their daughters to the school, + and it was something to have been bred in their company. + </p> + <p> + There was the usual division of the scholars into a first and second set, + according to the social position, mainly depending upon the fortune, of + the families to which they belonged. The wholesale dealer's daughter very + naturally considered herself as belonging to a different order from the + retail dealer's daughter. The keeper of a great hotel and the editor of a + widely circulated newspaper were considered as ranking with the wholesale + dealers, and their daughters belonged also to the untitled nobility which + has the dollar for its armorial bearing. The second set had most of the + good scholars, and some of the prettiest girls; but nobody knew anything + about their families, who lived off the great streets and avenues, or + vegetated in country towns. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard's advent made something like a sensation. They did not know + exactly what to make of her. Hazard? Hazard? No great firm of that name. + No leading hotel kept by any Hazard, was there? No newspaper of note + edited by anybody called Hazard, was there? Came from where? Oxbow + Village. Oh, rural district. Yes.—Still they could not help owning + that she was handsome, a concession which of course had to be made with + reservations. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think she's vuiry good-lookin'?” said a Boston girl to a New + York girl. “I think she's real pooty.” + </p> + <p> + “I dew, indeed. I didn't think she was haaf so handsome the feeest time I + saw her,” answered the New York girl. + </p> + <p> + “What a pity she had n't been bawn in Bawston!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and moved very young to Ne Yock!” + </p> + <p> + “And married a sarsaparilla man, and lived in Fiff Avenoo, and moved in + the fust society.” + </p> + <p> + “Better dew that than be strong-mainded, and dew your own cook'n, and live + in your own kitch'n.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't forgit to send your card when you are Mrs. Old Dr. Jacob!” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I shaan't. What's the name of the alley, and which bell?” The New + York girl took out a memorandum-book as if to put it down. + </p> + <p> + “Had n't you better let me write it for you, dear?” said the Boston girl. + “It is as well to have it legible, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Take it,” said the New York girl. “There 's tew York shill'ns in it when + I hand it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Your whole quarter's allowance, I bullieve,—ain't it?” said the + Boston girl. + </p> + <p> + “Elegant manners, correct deportment, and propriety of language will be + strictly attended to in this institution. The most correct standards of + pronunciation will be inculcated by precept and example. It will be the + special aim of the teachers to educate their pupils out of all + provincialisms, so that they may be recognized as well-bred English + scholars wherever the language is spoken in its purity.”—Extract + from the Prospectus of Madam Delacoste's Boarding-school. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard was a puzzle to all the girls. Striking, they all agreed, + but then the criticisms began. Many of the girls chattered a little broken + French, and one of them, Miss Euphrosyne De Lacy, had been half educated + in Paris, so that she had all the phrases which are to social operators + what his cutting instruments are to the surgeon. Her face she allowed was + handsome; but her style, according to this oracle, was a little + bourgeoise, and her air not exactly comme il faut. More specifically, she + was guilty of contours fortement prononces,—corsage de paysanne,—quelque + chose de sauvage, etc., etc. This girl prided herself on her figure. + </p> + <p> + Miss Bella Pool, (La Belle Poule as the demi-Parisian girl had christened + her,) the beauty of the school, did not think so much of Myrtle's face, + but considered her figure as better than the De Lacy girl's. + </p> + <p> + The two sets, first and second, fought over her as the Greeks and Trojans + over a dead hero, or the Yale College societies over a live freshman. She + was nobody by her connections, it is true, so far as they could find out, + but then, on the other hand, she had the walk of a queen, and she looked + as if a few stylish dresses and a season or two would make her a belle of + the first water. She had that air of indifference to their little looks + and whispered comments which is surest to disarm all the critics of a + small tattling community. On the other hand, she came to this school to + learn, and not to play; and the modest and more plainly dressed girls, + whose fathers did not sell by the cargo, or keep victualling + establishments for some hundreds of people, considered her as rather in + sympathy with them than with the daughters of the rough-and-tumble + millionnaires who were grappling and rolling over each other in the golden + dust of the great city markets. + </p> + <p> + She did not mean to belong exclusively to either of their sets. She came + with that sense of manifold deficiencies, and eager ambition to supply + them, which carries any learner upward, as if on wings, over the heads of + the mechanical plodders and the indifferent routinists. She learned, + therefore, in a way to surprise the experienced instructors. Her somewhat + rude sketching soon began to show something of the artist's touch. Her + voice, which had only been taught to warble the simplest melodies, after a + little training began to show its force and sweetness and flexibility in + the airs that enchant drawing-room audiences. She caught with great + readiness the manner of the easiest girls, unconsciously, for she + inherited old social instincts which became nature with the briefest + exercise. Not much license of dress was allowed in the educational + establishment of Madam Delacoste, but every girl had an opportunity to + show her taste within the conventional limits prescribed. And Myrtle soon + began to challenge remark by a certain air she contrived to give her + dresses, and the skill with which she blended their colors. + </p> + <p> + “Tell you what, girls,” said Miss Berengaria Topping, female + representative of the great dynasty that ruled over the world-famous + Planet Hotel, “she's got style, lots of it. I call her perfectly splendid, + when she's got up in her swell clothes. That oriole's wing she wears in + her bonnet makes her look gorgeous, she'll be a stunning Pocahontas for + the next tableau.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Rose Bugbee, whose family opulence grew out of the only merchantable + article a Hebrew is never known to seek profit from, thought she could be + made presentable in the first circles if taken in hand in good season. So + it came about that, before many weeks had passed over her as a scholar in + the great educational establishment, she might be considered as on the + whole the most popular girl in the whole bevy of them. The studious ones + admired her for her facility of learning, and her extraordinary appetite + for every form of instruction, and the showy girls, who were only enduring + school as the purgatory that opened into the celestial world of society, + recognized in her a very handsome young person, who would be like to make + a sensation sooner or later. + </p> + <p> + There were, however, it must be confessed, a few who considered themselves + the thickest of the cream of the school-girls, who submitted her to a more + trying ordeal than any she had yet passed. + </p> + <p> + “How many horses does your papa keep?” asked Miss Florence Smythe. “We + keep nine, and a pony for Edgar.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had to explain that she had no papa, and that they did not keep any + horses. Thereupon Miss Florence Smythe lost her desire to form an + acquaintance, and wrote home to her mother (who was an ex-bonnet-maker) + that the school was getting common, she was afraid,—they were + letting in persons one knew nothing about. + </p> + <p> + Miss Clare Browne had a similar curiosity about the amount of plate used + in the household from which Myrtle came. Her father had just bought a + complete silver service. Myrtle had to own that they used a good deal of + china at her own home,—old china, which had been a hundred years in + the family, some of it. + </p> + <p> + “A hundred years old!” exclaimed Miss Clare Browne. “What queer-looking + stuff it must be! Why, everything in our house is just as new and bright! + Papaa had all our pictures painted on purpose for us. Have you got any + handsome pictures in your house?” + </p> + <p> + “We have a good many portraits of members of the family,” she said, “some + of them older than the china.” + </p> + <p> + “How very very odd! What do the dear old things look like?” + </p> + <p> + “One was a great beauty in her time.” + </p> + <p> + “How jolly!” + </p> + <p> + “Another was a young woman who was put to death for her religion,—burned + to ashes at the stake in Queen Mary's time.” + </p> + <p> + “How very very wicked! It was n't nice a bit, was it? Ain't you telling me + stories? Was that a hundred years ago?—But you 've got some new + pictures and things, have n't you? Who furnished your parlors?” + </p> + <p> + “My great-grandfather, or his father, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Stuff and nonsense. I don't believe it. What color are your + carriage-horses?” + </p> + <p> + “Our woman, Kitty Fagan, told somebody once we didn't keep any horse but a + cow.” + </p> + <p> + “Not keep any horses! Do for pity's sake let me look at your feet.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle put out as neat a little foot as a shoemaker ever fitted with a + pair of number two. What she would have been tempted to do with it, if she + had been a boy, we will not stop to guess. After all, the questions amused + her quite as much as the answers instructed Miss Clara Browne. Of that + young lady's ancestral claims to distinction there is no need of + discoursing. Her “papaa” commonly said sir in talking with a gentleman, + and her “mammaa” would once in a while forget, and go down the area steps + instead of entering at the proper door; but they lived behind a brown + stone front, which veneers everybody's antecedents with a facing of + respectability. + </p> + <p> + Miss Clara Browne wrote home to her mother in the same terms as Miss + Florence Smythe,—that the school was getting dreadful common, and + they were letting in very queer folks. + </p> + <p> + Still another trial awaited Myrtle, and one which not one girl in a + thousand would have been so unprepared to meet. She knew absolutely + nothing of certain things with which the vast majority of young persons + were quite familiar. + </p> + <p> + There were literary young ladies, who had read everything of Dickens and + Thackeray, and something at least of Sir Walter, and occasionally, + perhaps, a French novel, which they had better have let alone. One of the + talking young ladies of this set began upon Myrtle one day. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is n't 'Pickwick' nice?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” Myrtle replied; “I never tasted any.” + </p> + <p> + The girl stared at her as if she were a crazy creature. “Tasted any! Why, + I mean the 'Pickwick Papers,' Dickens's story. Don't you think they're + nice.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Myrtle had to confess that she had never read them, and did n't know + anything about them. + </p> + <p> + “What! did you never read any novels?” said the young lady. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, to be sure I have,” said Myrtle, blushing as she thought of the great + trunk and its contents. “I have read 'Caleb Williams,' and 'Evelina,' and + 'Tristram Shandy'” (naughty girl!), “and the 'Castle of Otranto,' and the + 'Mysteries of Udolpho,' and the 'Vicar of Wakefield,' and 'Don Quixote'—” + </p> + <p> + The young lady burst out laughing. “Stop! stop! for mercy's sake,” she + cried. “You must be somebody that's been dead and buried and come back to + life again. Why you're Rip Van Winkle in a petticoat! You ought to powder + your hair and wear patches.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got the oddest girl here,” this young lady wrote home. “She has n't + read any book that is n't a thousand years old. One of the girls says she + wears a trilobite for a breastpin; some horrid old stone, I believe that + is, that was a bug ever so long ago. Her name, she says, is Myrtle Hazard, + but I call her Rip Van Myrtle.” + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the quiet life which these young girls were compelled to + lead, they did once in a while have their gatherings, at which a few young + gentlemen were admitted. One of these took place about a month after + Myrtle had joined the school. The girls were all in their best, and by and + by they were to have a tableau. Myrtle came out in all her force. She + dressed herself as nearly as she dared like the handsome woman of the past + generation whom she resembled. The very spirit of the dead beauty seemed + to animate every feature and every movement of the young girl whose + position in the school was assured from that moment. She had a good solid + foundation to build upon in the jealousy of two or three of the leading + girls of the style of pretensions illustrated by some of their talk which + has been given. There is no possible success without some opposition as a + fulcrum: force is always aggressive, and crowds something or other, if it + does not hit or trample on it. + </p> + <p> + The cruelest cut of all was the remark attributed to Mr. Livingston + Jerkins, who was what the opposition girls just referred to called the + great “swell” among the privileged young gentlemen who were present at the + gathering. + </p> + <p> + “Rip Van Myrtle, you call that handsome girl, do you, Miss Clara? By Jove, + she's the stylishest of the whole lot, to say nothing of being a + first-class beauty. Of course you know I except one, Miss Clara. If a girl + can go to sleep and wake up after twenty years looking like that, I know a + good many who had better begin their nap without waiting. If I were + Florence Smythe, I'd try it, and begin now,—eh, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Browne felt the praise of Myrtle to be slightly alleviated by the + depreciation of Miss Smythe, who had long been a rival of her own. A + little later in the evening Miss Smythe enjoyed almost precisely the same + sensation, produced in a very economical way by Mr. Livingston Jenkins's + repeating pretty nearly the same sentiments to her, only with a change in + the arrangement of the proper names. The two young ladies were left + feeling comparatively comfortable with regard to each other, each + intending to repeat Mr. Livingston Jenkins's remark about her friend to + such of her other friends as enjoyed clever sayings, but not at all + comfortable with reference to Myrtle Hazard, who was evidently considered + by the leading “swell” of their circle as the most noticeable personage of + the assembly. The individual exception in each case did very well as a + matter of politeness, but they knew well enough what he meant. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Myrtle Hazard, that evening, that she felt the bracelet on + her wrist glow with a strange, unaccustomed warmth. It was as if it had + just been unclasped from the arm of a yohng woman full of red blood and + tingling all over with swift nerve-currents. Life had never looked to her + as it did that evening. It was the swan's first breasting the water,—bred + on the desert sand, with vague dreams of lake and river, and strange + longings as the mirage came and dissolved, and at length afloat upon the + sparkling wave. She felt as if she had for the first time found her + destiny. It was to please, and so to command, to rule with gentle sway in + virtue of the royal gift of beauty,—to enchant with the commonest + exercise of speech, through the rare quality of a voice which could not + help being always gracious and winning, of a manner which came to her as + an inheritance of which she had just found the title. She read in the eyes + of all that she was more than any other the centre of admiration. Blame + her who may, the world was a very splendid vision as it opened before her + eyes in its long vista of pleasures and of triumphs. How different the + light of these bright saloons from the glimmer of the dim chamber at The + Poplars! Silence Withers was at that very moment looking at the portraits + of Anne Holyoake and of Judith Pride. “The old picture seems to me to be + fading faster than ever,” she was thinking. But when she held her lamp + before the other, it seemed to her that the picture never was so fresh + before, and that the proud smile upon its lips was more full of conscious + triumph than she remembered it. A reflex, doubtless, of her own thoughts, + for she believed that the martyr was weeping even in heaven over her lost + descendant, and that the beauty, changed to the nature of the malignant + spiritual company with which she had long consorted in the under-world, + was pleasing herself with the thought that Myrtle was in due time to bring + her news from the Satanic province overhead, where she herself had so long + indulged in the profligacy of embonpoint and loveliness. + </p> + <p> + The evening at the school-party was to terminate with some tableaux. The + girl who had suggested that Myrtle would look “stunning” or “gorgeous” or + “jolly,” or whatever the expression was, as Pocahontas, was not far out of + the way, and it was so evident to the managing heads that she would make a + fine appearance in that character, that the “Rescue of Captain John Smith” + was specially got up to show her off. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had sufficient reason to believe that there was a hint of Indian + blood in her veins. It was one of those family legends which some of the + members are a little proud of, and others are willing to leave + uninvestigated. But with Myrtle it was a fixed belief that she felt + perfectly distinct currents of her ancestral blood at intervals, and she + had sometimes thought there were instincts and vague recollections which + must have come from the old warriors and hunters and their dusky brides. + The Indians who visited the neighborhood recognized something of their own + race in her dark eyes, as the reader may remember they told the persons + who were searching after her. It had almost frightened her sometimes to + find how like a wild creature she felt when alone in the woods. Her senses + had much of that delicacy for which the red people are noted, and she + often thought she could follow the trail of an enemy, if she wished to + track one through the forest, as unerringly as if she were a Pequot or a + Mohegan. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange feeling that came over Myrtle, as they dressed her for + the part she was to take. Had she never worn that painted robe before? Was + it the first time that these strings of wampum had ever rattled upon her + neck and arms? And could it be that the plume of eagle's feathers with + which they crowned her dark, fast-lengthening locks had never shadowed her + forehead until now? She felt herself carried back into the dim ages when + the wilderness was yet untrodden save by the feet of its native lords. + Think of her wild fancy as we may, she felt as if that dusky woman of her + midnight vision on the river were breathing for one hour through her lips. + If this belief had lasted, it is plain enough where it would have carried + her. But it came into her imagination and vivifying consciousness with the + putting on of her unwonted costume, and might well leave her when she put + it off. It is not for us, who tell only what happened, to solve these + mysteries of the seeming admission of unhoused souls into the fleshly + tenements belonging to air-breathing personalities. A very little more, + and from that evening forward the question would have been treated in full + in all the works on medical jurisprudence published throughout the limits + of Christendom. The story must be told or we should not be honest with the + reader. + </p> + <p> + TABLEAU 1. Captain John Smith (Miss Euphrosyne de Lacy) was to be + represented prostrate and bound, ready for execution; Powhatan (Miss + Florence Smythe) sitting upon a log; savages with clubs (Misses Clara + Browne, A. Van Boodle, E. Van Boodle, Heister, Booster, etc., etc.) + standing around; Pocahontas holding the knife in her hand, ready to cut + the cords with which Captain John Smith is bound.—Curtain. + </p> + <p> + TABLEAU 2. Captain John Smith released and kneeling before Pocahontas, + whose hand is extended in the act of raising him and presenting him to her + father. Savages in various attitudes of surprise. Clubs fallen from their + hands. Strontian flame to be kindled.—Curtain. + </p> + <p> + This was a portion of the programme for the evening, as arranged behind + the scenes. The first part went off with wonderful eclat, and at its close + there were loud cries for Pocahontas. She appeared for a moment. Bouquets + were flung to her; and a wreath, which one of the young ladies had + expected for herself in another part, was tossed upon the stage, and laid + at her feet. The curtain fell. + </p> + <p> + “Put the wreath on her for the next tableau,” some of them whispered, just + as the curtain was going to rise, and one of the girls hastened to place + it upon her head. + </p> + <p> + The disappointed young lady could not endure it, and, in a spasm of + jealous passion, sprang at Myrtle, snatched it from her head, and trampled + it under her feet at the very instant the curtain was rising. With a cry + which some said had the blood-chilling tone of an Indian's battle-shriek, + Myrtle caught the knife up, and raised her arm against the girl who had + thus rudely assailed her. The girl sank to the ground, covering her eyes + in her terror. Myrtle, with her arm still lifted, and the blade glistening + in her hand, stood over her, rigid as if she had been suddenly changed to + stone. Many of those looking on thought all this was a part of the show, + and were thrilled with the wonderful acting. Before those immediately + around her had had time to recover from the palsy of their fright Myrtle + had flung the knife away from her, and was kneeling, her head bowed and + her hands crossed upon her breast. The audience went into a rapture of + applause as the curtain came suddenly down; but Myrtle had forgotten all + but the dread peril she had just passed, and was thanking God that his + angel—her own protecting spirit, as it seemed to her had stayed the + arm which a passion such as her nature had never known, such as she + believed was alien to her truest self, had lifted with deadliest purpose. + She alone knew how extreme the danger had been. “She meant to scare her,—that + 's all,” they said. But Myrtle tore the eagle's feathers from her hair, + and stripped off her colored beads, and threw off her painted robe. The + metempsychosis was far too real for her to let her wear the semblance of + the savage from whom, as she believed, had come the lawless impulse at the + thought of which her soul recoiled in horror. + </p> + <p> + “Pocahontas has got a horrid headache,” the managing young ladies gave it + out, “and can't come to time for the last tableau.” So this all passed + over, not only without loss of credit to Myrtle, but with no small + addition to her local fame,—for it must have been acting; “and was + n't it stunning to see her with that knife, looking as if she was going to + stab Bells, or to scalp her, or something?” + </p> + <p> + As Master Gridley had predicted, and as is the case commonly with + new-comers at colleges and schools, Myrtle had come first in contact with + those who were least agreeable to meet. The low-bred youth who amuse + themselves with scurvy tricks on freshmen, and the vulgar girls who try to + show off their gentility to those whom they think less important than + themselves, are exceptions in every institution; but they make themselves + odiously prominent before the quiet and modest young people have had time + to gain the new scholar's confidence. Myrtle found friends in due time, + some of them daughters of rich people, some poor girls, who came with the + same sincerity of purpose as herself. But not one was her match in the + facility of acquiring knowledge. Not one promised to make such a mark in + society, if she found an opening into its loftier circles. She was by no + means ignorant of her natural gifts, and she cultivated them with the + ambition which would not let her rest. + </p> + <p> + During her stay at the great school, she made but one visit to Oxbow + Village. She did not try to startle the good people with her + accomplishments, but they were surprised at the change which had taken + place in her. Her dress was hardly more showy, for she was but a + school-girl, but it fitted her more gracefully. She had gained a softness + of expression, and an ease in conversation, which produced their effect on + all with whom she came in contact. Her aunt's voice lost something of its + plaintiveness in talking with her. Miss Cynthia listened with involuntary + interest to her stories of school and school-mates. Master Byles Gridley + accepted her as the great success of his life, and determined to make her + his chief heiress, if there was any occasion for so doing. Cyprian told + Bathsheba that Myrtle must come to be a great lady. Gifted Hopkins + confessed to Susan Posey that he was afraid of her, since she had been to + the great city school. She knew too much and looked too much like a queen, + for a village boy to talk with. + </p> + <p> + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw tried all his fascinations upon her, but she + parried compliments so well, and put off all his nearer advances so + dexterously, that he could not advance beyond the region of florid + courtesy, and never got a chance, if so disposed, to risk a question which + he would not ask rashly, believing that, if Myrtle once said No, there + would be little chance of her ever saying Yes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. MUSTERING OF FORCES. + </h2> + <p> + Not long after the tableau performance had made Myrtle Hazard's name + famous in the school and among the friends of the scholars, she received + the very flattering attention of a call from Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, of 24 + Carat Place. This was in consequence of a suggestion from Mr. Livingston + Jenkins, a particular friend of the family. + </p> + <p> + “They've got a demonish splendid school-girl over there,” he said to that + lady, “made the stunningest looking Pocahontas at the show there the other + day. Demonish plucky looking filly as ever you saw. Had a row with another + girl,—gave the war-whoop, and went at her with a knife. Festive,—hey? + Say she only meant to scare her,—looked as if she meant to stick + her, anyhow. Splendid style. Why can't you go over to the shop and make + 'em trot her out?” + </p> + <p> + The lady promised Mr. Livingston Jenkins that she certainly would, just as + soon as she could find a moment's leisure,—which, as she had nothing + in the world to do, was not likely to be very soon. Myrtle in the mean + time was busy with her studies, little dreaming what an extraordinary + honor was awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + That rare accident in the lives of people who have nothing to do, a + leisure morning, did at last occur. An elegant carriage, with a coachman + in a wonderful cape, seated on a box lofty as a throne, and wearing a + hat-band as brilliant as a coronet, stopped at the portal of Madam + Delacoste's establishment. A card was sent in bearing the open sesame of + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, the great lady of 24 Carat Place. Miss Myrtle Hazard + was summoned as a matter of course, and the fashionable woman and the + young girl sat half an hour together in lively conversation. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was fascinated by her visitor, who had that flattering manner + which, to those not experienced in the world's ways, seems to imply + unfathomable depths of disinterested devotion. Then it was so delightful + to look upon a perfectly appointed woman,—one who was as + artistically composed as a poem or an opera,—in whose costume a kind + of various rhythm undulated in one fluent harmony, from the spray that + nodded on her bonnet to the rosette that blossomed on her sandal. As for + the lady, she was captivated with Myrtle. There is nothing that your + fashionable woman, who has ground and polished her own spark of life into + as many and as glittering social facets as it will bear, has a greater + passion for than a large rough diamond, which knows nothing of the sea of + light it imprisons, and which it will be her pride to have cut into a + brilliant under her own eye, and to show the world for its admiration and + her own reflected glory. Mrs. Clymer Ketchum had taken the entire + inventory of Myrtle's natural endowments before the interview was over. + She had no marriageable children, and she was thinking what a killing bait + Myrtle would be at one of her stylish parties. + </p> + <p> + She soon got another letter from Mr. William Murray Bradshaw, which + explained the interest he had taken in Madam Delacoste's school,—all + which she knew pretty nearly beforehand, for she had found out a good part + of Myrtle's history in the half-hour they had spent in company. + </p> + <p> + “I had a particular reason for my inquiries about the school,” he wrote. + “There is a young girl there I take an interest in. She is handsome and + interesting; and—though it is a shame to mention such a thing has + possibilities in the way of fortune not to be undervalued. Why can't you + make her acquaintance and be civil to her? A country girl, but fine old + stock, and will make a figure some time or other, I tell you. Myrtle + Hazard,—that's her name. A mere schoolgirl. Don't be malicious and + badger me about her, but be polite to her. Some of these country girls + have got 'blue blood' in them, let me tell you, and show it plain enough.” + </p> + <p> + (“In huckleberry season!”) said Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, in a parenthesis,—and + went on reading. + </p> + <p> + “Don't think I'm one of your love-in-a-cottage sort, to have my head + turned by a village beauty. I've got a career before me, Mrs. K., and I + know it. But this is one of my pets, and I want you to keep an eye on her. + Perhaps when she leaves school you wouldn't mind asking her to come and + stay with you a little while. Possibly I may come and see how she is + getting on if you do,—won't that tempt you, Mrs. C. K.?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum wrote back to her relative how she had already made + the young lady's acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “Livingston Jerkins (you remember him) picked her out of the whole lot of + girls as the 'prettiest filly in the stable.' That's his horrid way of + talking. But your young milkmaid is really charming, and will come into + form like a Derby three-year-old. There, now, I've caught that odious + creature's horse-talk, myself. You're dead in love with this girl, Murray, + you know you are. + </p> + <p> + “After all, I don't know but you're right. You would make a good country + lawyer enough, I don't doubt. I used to think you had your ambitions, but + never mind. If you choose to risk yourself on 'possibilities,' it is not + my affair, and she's a beauty, there's no mistake about that. + </p> + <p> + “There are some desirable partis at the school with your dulcinea. There + 's Rose Bugbee. That last name is a good one to be married from. Rose is a + nice girl,—there are only two of them. The estate will cut up like + one of the animals it was made out of, you know,—the + sandwich-quadruped. Then there 's Berengaria. Old Topping owns the Planet + Hotel among other things,—so big, they say, there's always a bell + ringing from somebody's room day and night the year round. Only child—unit + and six ciphers carries diamonds loose in her pocket—that's the + story—good-looking—lively—a little slangy called + Livingston Jerkins 'Living Jingo' to his face one day. I want you to see + my lot before you do anything serious. You owe something to the family, + Mr. William Murray Bradshaw! But you must suit yourself, after all: if you + are contented with a humble position in life, it is nobody's business that + I know of. Only I know what life is, Murray B. Getting married is jumping + overboard, any way you look at it, and if you must save some woman from + drowning an old maid, try to find one with a cork jacket, or she 'll carry + you down with her.” + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw was calculating enough, but he shook his head over this + letter. It was too demonish cold-blooded for him, he said to himself. (Men + cannot pardon women for saying aloud what they do not hesitate to think in + silence themselves.) Never mind,—he must have Mrs. Clymer Ketchum's + house and influence for his own purposes. Myrtle Hazard must become her + guest, and then if circumstances were favorable, he was certain obtaining + her aid in his project. + </p> + <p> + The opportunity to invite Myrtle to the great mansion presented itself + unexpectedly. Early in the spring of 1861 there were some cases of + sickness in Madam Delacoste's establishment, which led to closing the + school for a while. Mrs. Clymer Ketchum took advantage of the dispersion + of the scholars to ask Myrtle to come and spend some weeks with her. There + were reasons why this was more agreeable to the young girl than returning + to Oxbow Village, and she very gladly accepted the invitation. + </p> + <p> + It was very remarkable that a man living as Master Byles Gridley had lived + for so long a time should all at once display such liberality as he showed + to a young woman who had no claim upon him, except that he had rescued her + from the consequences of her own imprudence and warned her against + impending dangers. Perhaps he cared more for her than if the obligation + had been the other way,—students of human nature say it is commonly + so. At any rate, either he had ampler resources than it was commonly + supposed, or he was imprudently giving way to his generous impulses, or he + thought he was making advances which would in due time be returned to him. + Whatever the reason was, he furnished her with means, not only for her + necessary expenses, but sufficient to afford her many of the elegances + which she would be like to want in the fashionable society with which she + was for a short time to mingle. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum was so well pleased with the young lady she was + entertaining, that she thought it worth while to give a party while Myrtle + was staying with her. She had her jealousies and rivalries, as women of + the world will, sometimes, and these may have had their share in leading + her to take the trouble a large party involved. She was tired of the airs + of Mrs. Pinnikle, who was of the great Apex family, and her terribly + accomplished daughter Rhadamartha, and wanted to crush the young lady, and + jaundice her mother, with a girl twice as brilliant and ten times + handsomer. She was very willing, also, to take the nonsense out of the + Capsheaf girls, who thought themselves the most stylish personages of + their city world, and would bite their lips well to see themselves + distanced by a country miss. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time circumstances were promising to bring into Myrtle's + neighborhood several of her old friends and admirers. Mrs. Clymer Ketchum + had written to Murray Bradshaw that she had asked his pretty milkmaid to + come and stay awhile with her, but he had been away on business, and only + arrived in the city a day or two before the party. But other young fellows + had found out the attractions of the girl who was “hanging out at the + Clymer Ketchum concern,” and callers were plenty, reducing tete-a-tetes in + a corresponding ratio. He did get one opportunity, however, and used it + well. They had so many things to talk about in common, that she could not + help finding him good company. She might well be pleased, for he was an + adept in the curious art of being agreeable, as other people are in chess + or billiards, and had made a special study of her tastes, as a physician + studies a patient's constitution. What he wanted was to get her thoroughly + interested in himself, and to maintain her in a receptive condition until + such time as he should be ready for a final move. Any day might furnish + the decisive motive; in the mean time he wished only to hold her as + against all others. + </p> + <p> + It was well for her, perhaps, that others had flattered her into a certain + consciousness of her own value. She felt her veins full of the same rich + blood as that which had flushed the cheeks of handsome Judith in the long + summer of her triumph. Whether it was vanity, or pride, or only the + instinctive sense of inherited force and attraction, it was the best of + defences. The golden bracelet on her wrist seemed to have brought as much + protection with it as if it had been a shield over her heart. + </p> + <p> + But far away in Oxbow Village other events were in preparation. The + “fugitive pieces” of Mr. Gifted Hopkins had now reached a number so + considerable, that, if collected and printed in large type, with plenty of + what the unpleasant printers call “fat,”—meaning thereby blank + spaces,—upon a good, substantial, not to say thick paper, they might + perhaps make a volume which would have substance enough to bear the title, + printed lengthwise along the back, “Hopkins's Poems.” Such a volume that + author had in contemplation. It was to be the literary event of the year + 1861. + </p> + <p> + He could not mature such a project, one which he had been for some time + contemplating, without consulting Mr. Byles Gridley, who, though he had + not unfrequently repressed the young poet's too ardent ambition, had yet + always been kind and helpful. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley was seated in his large arm-chair, indulging himself in the + perusal of a page or two of his own work before repeatedly referred to. + His eye was glistening, for it had just rested on the following passage: + </p> + <p> + “There is infinite pathos in unsuccessful authorship. The book that + perishes unread is the deaf mute of literature. The great asylum of + Oblivion is full of such, making inaudible signs to each other in leaky + garrets and unattainable dusty upper shelves.” + </p> + <p> + He shut the book, for the page grew a little dim as he finished this + elegiac sentence, and sighed to think how much more keenly he felt its + truth than when it was written,—than on that memorable morning when + he saw the advertisement in all the papers, “This day published, 'Thoughts + on the Universe.' By Byles Gridley, A. M.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment he heard a knock at his door. He closed his eyelids + forcibly for ten seconds, opened them, and said cheerfully, “Come in!” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins entered. He had a collection of manuscripts in his hands + which it seemed to him would fill a vast number of pages. He did not know + that manuscript is to type what fresh dandelions are to the dish of greens + that comes to table, of which last Nurse Byloe, who considered them very + wholesome spring grazing for her patients, used to say that they “biled + down dreadful.” + </p> + <p> + “I have brought the autographs of my poems, Master Gridley, to consult you + about making arrangements for publication. They have been so well received + by the public and the leading critics of this part of the State, that I + think of having them printed in a volume. I am going to the city for that + purpose. My mother has given her consent. I wish to ask you several + business questions. Shall I part with the copyright for a downright sum of + money, which I understand some prefer doing, or publish on shares, or take + a percentage on the sales? These, I believe, are the different ways taken + by authors.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley was altogether too considerate to reply with the words which + would most naturally have come to his lips. He waited as if he were + gravely pondering the important questions just put to him, all the while + looking at Gifted with a tenderness which no one who had not buried one of + his soul's children could have felt for a young author trying to get + clothing for his new-born intellectual offspring. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” he said presently, “you had better talk with an intelligent and + liberal publisher, and be guided by his advice. I can put you in + correspondence with such a person, and you had better trust him than me a + great deal. Why don't you send your manuscript by mail?” + </p> + <p> + “What, Mr. Gridley? Trust my poems, some of which are unpublished, to the + post-office? No, sir, I could never make up my mind to such a risk. I mean + to go to the city myself, and read them to some of the leading publishers. + I don't want to pledge myself to any one of them. I should like to set + them bidding against each other for the copyright, if I sell it at all.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley gazed upon the innocent youth with a sweet wonder in his eyes + that made him look like an angel, a little damaged in the features by + time, but full of celestial feelings. + </p> + <p> + “It will cost you something to make this trip, Gifted. Have you the means + to pay for your journey and your stay at a city hotel?” + </p> + <p> + Gifted blushed. “My mother has laid by a small sum for me,” he said. “She + knows some of my poems by heart, and she wants to see them all in print.” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley closed his eyes very firmly again, as if thinking, and + opened them as soon as the foolish film had left them. He had read many a + page of “Thoughts on the Universe” to his own old mother, long, long years + ago, and she had often listened with tears of modest pride that Heaven had + favored her with a son so full of genius. + </p> + <p> + “I 'll tell you what, Gifted,” he said. “I have been thinking for a good + while that I would make a visit to the city, and if you have made up your + mind to try what you can do with the publishers, I will take you with me + as a companion. It will be a saving to you and your good mother, for I + shall bear the expenses of the expedition.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins came very near going down on his knees. He was so overcome + with gratitude that it seemed as if his very coattails wagged with his + emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Take it quietly,” said Master Gridley. “Don't make a fool of yourself. + Tell your mother to have some clean shirts and things ready for you, and + we will be off day after to-morrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted hastened to impart the joyful news to his mother, and to break the + fact to Susan Posey that he was about to leave them for a while, and rush + into the deliriums and dangers of the great city. + </p> + <p> + Susan smiled. Gifted hardly knew whether to be pleased with her sympathy, + or vexed that she did not take his leaving more to heart. The smile held + out bravely for about a quarter of a minute. Then there came on a little + twitching at the corners of the mouth. Then the blue eyes began to shine + with a kind of veiled glimmer. Then the blood came up into her cheeks with + a great rush, as if the heart had sent up a herald with a red flag from + the citadel to know what was going on at the outworks. The message that + went back was of discomfiture and capitulation. Poor Susan was overcome, + and gave herself up to weeping and sobbing. + </p> + <p> + The sight was too much for the young poet. In a wild burst of passion he + seized her hand, and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, “Would that you + could be mine forever!” and Susan forgot all that she ought to have + remembered, and, looking half reproachfully but half tenderly through her + tears, said, in tones of infinite sweetness, “O Gifted!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. THE POET AND THE PUBLISHER. + </h2> + <p> + It was settled that Master Byles Gridley and Mr. Gifted Hopkins should + leave early in the morning of the day appointed, to take the nearest train + to the city. Mrs. Hopkins labored hard to get them ready, so that they + might make a genteel appearance among the great people whom they would + meet in society. She brushed up Mr. Gridley's best black suit, and bound + the cuffs of his dress-coat, which were getting a little worried. She held + his honest-looking hat to the fire, and smoothed it while it was warm, + until one would have thought it had just been ironed by the hatter + himself. She had his boots and shoes brought into a more brilliant + condition than they had ever known: if Gifted helped, it was to his credit + as much as if he had shown his gratitude by polishing off a copy of verses + in praise of his benefactor. + </p> + <p> + When she had got Mr. Gridley's encumbrances in readiness for the journey, + she devoted herself to fitting out her son Gifted. First, she had down + from the garret a capacious trunk, of solid wood, but covered with + leather, and adorned with brass-headed nails, by the cunning disposition + of which, also, the paternal initials stood out on the rounded lid, in the + most conspicuous manner. It was his father's trunk, and the first thing + that went into it, as the widow lifted the cover, and the smothering + shut-up smell struck an old chord of associations, was a single tear-drop. + How well she remembered the time when she first unpacked it for her young + husband, and the white shirt bosoms showed their snowy plaits! O dear, + dear! + </p> + <p> + But women decant their affection, sweet and sound, out of the old bottles + into the new ones,—off from the lees of the past generation, clear + and bright, into the clean vessels just made ready to receive it. Gifted + Hopkins was his mother's idol, and no wonder. She had not only the common + attachment of a parent for him, as her offspring, but she felt that her + race was to be rendered illustrious by his genius, and thought proudly of + the time when some future biographer would mention her own humble name, to + be held in lasting remembrance as that of the mother of Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + So she took great pains to equip this brilliant but inexperienced young + man with everything he could by any possibility need during his absence. + The great trunk filled itself until it bulged with its contents like a + boa-constrictor who has swallowed his blanket. Best clothes and common + clothes, thick clothes and thin clothes, flannels and linens, socks and + collars, with handkerchiefs enough to keep the pickpockets busy for a + week, with a paper of gingerbread and some lozenges for gastralgia, and + “hot drops,” and ruled paper to write letters on, and a little Bible, and + a phial with hiera picra, and another with paregoric, and another with + “camphire” for sprains and bruises. + </p> + <p> + —Gifted went forth equipped for every climate from the tropic to the + pole, and armed against every malady from Ague to Zoster. He carried also + the paternal watch, a solid silver bull's-eye, and a large pocketbook, + tied round with a long tape, and, by way of precaution, pinned into his + breast-pocket. He talked about having a pistol, in case he were attacked + by any of the ruffians who are so numerous in the city, but Mr. Gridley + told him, No! he would certainly shoot himself, and he shouldn't think of + letting him take a pistol. + </p> + <p> + They went forth, Mentor and Telemachus, at the appointed time, to dare the + perils of the railroad and the snares of the city. Mrs. Hopkins was firm + up to near the last moment, when a little quiver in her voice set her eyes + off, and her face broke up all at once, so that she had to hide it behind + her handkerchief. Susan Posey showed the truthfulness of her character in + her words to Gifted at parting. “Farewell,” she said, “and think of me + sometimes while absent. My heart is another's, but my friendship, Gifted—my + friendship—” + </p> + <p> + Both were deeply affected. He took her hand and would have raised it to + his lips; but she did not forget herself, and gently withdrew it, + exclaiming, “O Gifted!” this time with a tone of tender reproach which + made him feel like a profligate. He tore himself away, and when at a safe + distance flung her a kiss, which she rewarded with a tearful smile. + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley must have had some good dividends from some of his + property of late. There is no other way of accounting for the handsome + style in which he did things on their arrival in the city. He went to a + tailor's and ordered a new suit to be sent home as soon as possible, for + he knew his wardrobe was a little rusty. He looked Gifted over from head + to foot, and suggested such improvements as would recommend him to the + fastidious eyes of the selecter sort of people, and put him in his own + tailor's hands, at the same time saying that all bills were to be sent to + him, B. Gridley, Esq., parlor No. 6, at the Planet Hotel. Thus it came to + pass that in three days from their arrival they were both in an eminently + presentable condition. In the mean time the prudent Mr. Gridley had been + keeping the young man busy, and amusing himself by showing him such of the + sights of the city and its suburbs as he thought would combine instruction + with entertainment. + </p> + <p> + When they were both properly equipped and ready for the best company, Mr. + Gridley said to the young poet, who had found it very hard to contain his + impatience, that they would now call together on the publisher to whom he + wished to introduce him, and they set out accordingly. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Gridley,” he said with modest gravity, as he entered the + publisher's private room. “I have a note of introduction here from one of + your authors, as I think he called himself, a very popular writer for whom + you publish.” + </p> + <p> + The publisher rose and came forward in the most cordial and respectful + manner. “Mr. Gridley? Professor Byles Gridley,—author of 'Thoughts + on the Universe'?” + </p> + <p> + The brave-hearted old man colored as if he had been a young girl. His dead + book rose before him like an apparition. He groped in modest confusion for + an answer. “A child I buried long ago, my dear sir,” he said. “Its + title-page was its tombstone. I have brought this young friend with me,—this + is Mr. Gifted Hopkins of Oxbow Village,—who wishes to converse with + you about—” + </p> + <p> + “I have come, sir—” the young poet began, interrupting him. + </p> + <p> + “Let me look at your manuscript, if you please, Mr. Popkins,” said the + publisher, interrupting in his turn. + </p> + <p> + “Hopkins, if you please, sir,” Gifted suggested mildly, proceeding to + extract the manuscript, which had got wedged into his pocket, and seemed + to be holding on with all its might. He was wondering all the time over + the extraordinary clairvoyance of the publisher, who had looked through so + many thick folds, broadcloth, lining, brown paper, and seen his poems + lying hidden in his breast-pocket. The idea that a young person coming on + such an errand should have to explain his intentions would have seemed + very odd to the publisher. He knew the look which belongs to this class of + enthusiasts just as a horse-dealer knows the look of a green purchaser + with the equine fever raging in his veins. If a young author had come to + him with a scrap of manuscript hidden in his boots, like Major Andre's + papers, the publisher would have taken one glance at him and said, “Out + with it!” + </p> + <p> + While he was battling for the refractory scroll with his pocket, which + turned half wrong side out, and acted as things always do when people are + nervous and in a hurry, the publisher directed his conversation again to + Master Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + “A remarkable book, that of yours, Mr. Gridley, would have a great run if + it were well handled. Came out twenty years too soon,—that was the + trouble. One of our leading scholars was speaking of it to me the other + day. 'We must have a new edition,' he said; people are just ripe for that + book.' Did you ever think of that? Change the form of it a little, and + give it a new title, and it will be a popular book. Five thousand or more, + very likely.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley felt as if he had been rapidly struck on the forehead with a + dozen distinct blows from a hammer not quite big enough to stun him. He + sat still without saying a word. He had forgotten for the moment all about + poor Gifted Hopkins, who had got out his manuscript at last, and was + calming the disturbed corners of it. Coming to himself a little, he took a + large and beautiful silk handkerchief, one of his new purchases, from his + pocket, and applied it to his face, for the weather seemed to have grown + very warm all at once. Then he remembered the errand on which he had come, + and thought of this youth, who had got to receive his first hard lesson in + life, and whom he had brought to this kind man that it should be gently + administered. + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me,” he said,—“you surprise me. Dead and buried. Dead + and buried. I had sometimes thought that—at some future period, + after I was gone, it might—but I hardly know what to say about your + suggestions. But here is my young friend, Mr. Hopkins, who would like to + talk with you, and I will leave him in your hands. I am at the Planet + Hotel, if you should care to call upon me. Good morning. Mr. Hopkins will + explain everything to you more at his ease, without me, I am confident.” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley could not quite make up his mind to stay through the + interview between the young poet and the publisher. The flush of hope was + bright in Gifted's eye and cheek, and the good man knew that young hearts + are apt to be over-sanguine, and that one who enters a shower-bath often + feels very differently from the same person when he has pulled the string. + </p> + <p> + “I have brought you my Poems in the original autographs, sir,” said Mr. + Gifted Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + He laid the manuscript on the table, caressing the leaves still with one + hand, as loath to let it go. + </p> + <p> + “What disposition had you thought of making of them?” the publisher asked, + in a pleasant tone. He was as kind a man as lived, though he worked the + chief engine in a chamber of torture. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to read you a few specimens of the poems,” he said, “with + reference to their proposed publication in a volume.” + </p> + <p> + “By all means,” said the kind publisher, who determined to be very patient + with the protege of the hitherto little-known, but remarkable writer, + Professor Gridley. At the same time he extended his foot in an accidental + sort of way, and pressed it on the right hand knob of three which were + arranged in a line beneath the table. A little bell in a distant apartment—the + little bell marked C—gave one slight note; loud enough to start a + small boy up, who looked at the clock, and knew that he was to go and call + the publisher in just twenty-five minutes. “A, five minutes; B, ten + minutes; C, twenty-five minutes “;—that was the youngster's working + formula. Mr. Hopkins was treated to the full allowance of time, as being + introduced by Professor Gridley. + </p> + <p> + The young man laid open the manuscript so that the title-page, written out + very handsomely in his own hand, should win the eye of the publisher. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + BLOSSOMS OF THE SOUL. + A WREATH OF VERSE; Original. + + BY GIFTED HOPKINS. + + “a youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.”—Gray. +</pre> + <p> + “Shall I read you some of the rhymed pieces first, or some of the + blank-verse poems, sir?” Gifted asked. + </p> + <p> + “Read what you think is best,—a specimen of your first-class style + of composition.” + </p> + <p> + “I will read you the very last poem I have written,” he said, and he + began: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “THE TRIUMPH OF SONG. + + “I met that gold-haired maiden, all too dear; + And I to her: Lo! thou art very fair, + Fairer than all the ladies in the world + That fan the sweetened air with scented fans, + And I am scorched with exceeding love, + Yea, crisped till my bones are dry as straw. + Look not away with that high-arched brow, + But turn its whiteness that I may behold, + And lift thy great eyes till they blaze on mine, + And lay thy finger on thy perfect mouth, + And let thy lucent ears of careen pearl + Drink in the murmured music of my soul, + As the lush grass drinks in the globed dew; + For I have many scrolls of sweetest rhyme + I will unroll and make thee glad to hear. + + “Then she: O shaper of the marvellous phrase + That openeth woman's heart as Both a key, + I dare not hear thee—lest the bolt should slide + That locks another's heart within my own. + Go, leave me,—and she let her eyelids fall, + And the great tears rolled from her large blue eyes. + + “Then I: If thou not hear me, I shall die, + Yea, in my desperate mood may lift my hand + And do myself a hurt no leach can mend; + For poets ever were of dark resolve, + And swift stern deed + + “That maiden heard no more, + But spike: Alas! my heart is very weak, + And but for—Stay! And if some dreadful morn, + After great search and shouting thorough the wold, + We found thee missing,—strangled,—drowned i' the mere, + Then should I go distraught and be clean mad! + + “O poet, read! read all thy wondrous scrolls. + Yea, read the verse that maketh glad to hear! + Then I began and read two sweet, brief hours, + And she forgot all love save only mine!” + </pre> + <p> + “Is all this from real life?” asked the publisher. + </p> + <p> + “It—no, sir—not exactly from real life—that is, the + leading female person is not wholly fictitious—and the incident is + one which might have happened. Shall I read you the poems referred to in + the one you have just heard, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Allow me, one moment. Two hours' reading, I think, you said. I fear I + shall hardly be able to spare quite time to hear them all. Let me ask what + you intend doing with these productions, Mr.——rr Poplins.” + </p> + <p> + “Hopkins, if you please, sir, not Poplins,” said Gifted, plaintively. He + expressed his willingness to dispose of the copyright, to publish on + shares, or perhaps to receive a certain percentage on the profits. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we take a glass of wine together, Mr.—Hopkins, before we + talk business,” the publisher said, opening a little cupboard and taking + therefrom a decanter and two glasses. He saw the young man was looking + nervous. He waited a few minutes, until the wine had comforted his + epigastrium, and diffused its gentle glow through his unspoiled and + consequently susceptible organisation. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Gifted followed him into a dingy apartment in the attic, where one sat at + a great table heaped and piled with manuscripts. By him was a huge basket, + ha'f full of manuscripts also. As they entered he dropped another + manuscript into the basket and looked up. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said Gifted, “what are these papers, and who is he that looks + upon them and drops them into the basket?” + </p> + <p> + “These are the manuscript poems that we receive, and the one sitting at + the table is commonly spoken of among us as 'The Butcher'. The poems he + drops into the basket are those rejected as of no account.” + </p> + <p> + “But does he not read the poems before he rejects them?” + </p> + <p> + “He tastes them. Do you eat a cheese before you buy it?” + </p> + <p> + “And what becomes of all those that he drops into the basket?” + </p> + <p> + “If they are not claimed by their author in proper season, they go to the + devil.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said Gifted, with his eyes stretched very round. + </p> + <p> + “To the paper factory, where they have a horrid machine they call the + devil, that tears everything to bits,—as the critics treat our + authors, sometimes, sometimes, Mr. Hopkins.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted devoted a moment to silent reflection. + </p> + <p> + After this instructive sight they returned together to the publisher's + private room. The wine had now warmed the youthful poet's praecordia, so + that he began to feel a renewed confidence in his genius and his fortunes. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to know what that critic of yours would say to my + manuscript,” he said boldly. + </p> + <p> + “You can try it if you want to,” the publisher replied, with an ominous + dryness of manner which the sanguine youth did not perceive, or, + perceiving, did not heed. + </p> + <p> + “How can we manage to get an impartial judgment?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll arrange that. He always goes to his luncheon about this time. + Raw meat and vitriol punch,—that 's what the authors say. Wait till + we hear him go, and then I will lay your manuscript so that he will come + to it among the first after he gets back. You shall see with your own eyes + what treatment it gets. I hope it may please him, but you shall see.” + </p> + <p> + They went back to the publisher's private room and talked awhile. Then the + little office-boy came up with some vague message about a gentleman—business—wants + to see you, sir, etc., according to the established programme; all in a + vacant, mechanical sort of way, as if he were a talking-machine just + running down. + </p> + <p> + The publisher told the boy that he was engaged, and the gentleman must + wait. Very soon they heard The Butcher's heavy footstep as he went out to + get his raw meat and vitriol punch. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then,” said the publisher, and led forth the confiding literary lamb + once more, to enter the fatal door of the critical shambles. + </p> + <p> + “Hand me your manuscript, if you please, Mr. Hopkins. I will lay it so + that it shall be the third of these that are coming to hand. Our friend + here is a pretty good judge of verse, and knows a merchantable article + about as quick as any man in his line of business. If he forms a favorable + opinion of your poems, we will talk over your propositions.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted was conscious of a very slight tremor as he saw his precious + manuscript deposited on the table, under two others, and over a pile of + similar productions. Still he could not help feeling that the critic would + be struck by his title. The quotation from Gray must touch his feelings. + The very first piece in the collection could not fail to arrest him. He + looked a little excited, but he was in good spirits. + </p> + <p> + “We will be looking about here when our friend comes back,” the publisher + said. “He is a very methodical person, and will sit down and go right to + work just as if we were not here. We can watch him, and if he should + express any particular interest in your poems, I will, if you say so, + carry you up to him and reveal the fact that you are the author of the + works that please him.” + </p> + <p> + They waited patiently until The Butcher returned, apparently refreshed by + his ferocious refection, and sat down at his table. He looked comforted, + and not in ill humor. The publisher and the poet talked in low tones, as + if on business of their own, and watched him as he returned to his labor. + </p> + <p> + The Butcher took the first manuscript that came to hand, read a stanza + here and there, turned over the leaves, turned back and tried again,—shook + his head—held it for an instant over the basket, as if doubtful,—and + let it softly drop. He took up the second manuscript, opened it in several + places, seemed rather pleased with what he read, and laid it aside for + further examination. + </p> + <p> + He took up the third. “Blossoms of the Soul,” etc. He glared at it in a + dreadfully ogreish way. Both the looker-ons held their breath. Gifted + Hopkins felt as if half a glass more of that warm sherry would not hurt + him. There was a sinking at the pit of his stomach, as if he was in a + swing, as high as he could go, close up to the swallows' nests and + spiders' webs. The Butcher opened the manuscript at random, read ten + seconds, and gave a short low grunt. He opened again, read ten seconds, + and gave another grunt, this time a little longer and louder. He opened + once more, read five seconds, and, with something that sounded like the + snort of a dangerous animal, cast it impatiently into the basket, and took + up the manuscript that came next in order. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins stood as if paralyzed for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Safe, perfectly safe,” the publisher said to him in a whisper. “I'll get + it for you presently. Come in and take another glass of wine,” he said, + leading him back to his own office. + </p> + <p> + “No, I thank you,” he said faintly, “I can bear it. But this is dreadful, + sir. Is this the way that genius is welcomed to the world of letters?” + </p> + <p> + The publisher explained to him, in the kindest manner, that there was an + enormous over-production of verse, and that it took a great part of one + man's time simply to overhaul the cart-loads of it that were trying to get + themselves into print with the imprimatur of his famous house. “You are + young, Mr. Hopkins. I advise you not to try to force your article of + poetry on the market. The B——, our friend, there, that is, + knows a thing that will sell as soon as he sees it. You are in independent + circumstances, perhaps? If so, you can print—at your own expense—whatever + you choose. May I take the liberty to ask your—profession?” + </p> + <p> + Gifted explained that he was “clerk” in a “store,” where they sold dry + goods and West India goods, and goods promiscuous. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, then,” the publisher said, “you will understand me. Do you know + a good article of brown sagas when you see it?” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins rather thought he did. He knew at sight whether it was a + fair, salable article or not. + </p> + <p> + “Just so. Now our friend, there, knows verses that are salable and + unsalable as well as you do brown sugar.—Keep quiet now, and I will + go and get your manuscript for you. + </p> + <p> + “There, Mr. Hopkins, take your poems,—they will give you a + reputation in your village, I don't doubt, which, is pleasant, but it will + cost you a good deal of money to print them in a volume. You are very + young: you can afford to wait. Your genius is not ripe yet, I am + confident, Mr. Hopkins. These verses are very well for a beginning, but a + man of promise like you, Mr. Hopkins, must n't throw away his chance by + premature publication! I should like to make you a present of a few of the + books we publish. By and by, perhaps, we can work you into our series of + poets; but the best pears ripen slowly, and so with genius.—Where + shall I send the volumes?” + </p> + <p> + Gifted answered, to parlor No. 6, Planet Hotel, where he soon presented + himself to Master Gridley, who could guess pretty well what was coming. + But he let him tell his story. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I try the other publishers?” said the disconsolate youth. + </p> + <p> + “I would n't, my young friend, I would n't. You have seen the best one of + them—all. He is right about it, quite right: you are young, and had + better wait. Look here, Gifted, here is something to please you. We are + going to visit the gay world together. See what has been left here this + forenoon.” + </p> + <p> + He showed him two elegant notes of invitation requesting the pleasure of + Professor Byles Gridley's and of Mr. Gifted Hopkins's company on Thursday + evening, as the guests of Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, of 24 Carat Place. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. MRS. CLYMER KETCHUM'S PARTY. + </h2> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard had flowered out as beyond question the handsomest girl of + the season, There were hints from different quarters that she might + possibly be an heiress. Vague stories were about of some contingency which + might possibly throw a fortune into her lap. The young men about town + talked of her at the clubs in their free-and-easy way, but all agreed that + she was the girl of the new crop,—“best filly this grass,” as + Livingston Jenkins put it. The general understanding seemed to be that the + young lawyer who had followed her to the city was going to capture her. + She seemed to favor him certainly as much as anybody. But Myrtle saw many + young men now, and it was not so easy as it would once have been to make + out who was an especial favorite. + </p> + <p> + There had been times when Murray Bradshaw would have offered his heart and + hand to Myrtle at once, if he had felt sure that she would accept him. But + he preferred playing the safe game now, and only wanted to feel sure of + her. He had done his best to be agreeable, and could hardly doubt that he + had made an impression. He dressed well when in the city,—even + elegantly,—he had many of the lesser social accomplishments, was a + good dancer, and compared favorably in all such matters with the more + dashing young fellows in society. He was a better talker than most of + them, and he knew more about the girl he was dealing with than they could + know. “You have only got to say the word, Murray,” Mrs. Clymer Ketchum + said to her relative, “and you can have her. But don't be rash. I believe + you can get Berengaria if you try; and there 's something better there + than possibilities.” Murray Bradshaw laughed, and told Mrs. Clymer Ketchum + not to worry about him; he knew what he was doing. + </p> + <p> + It so happened that Myrtle met Master Byles Gridley walking with Mr. + Gifted Hopkins the day before the party. She longed to have a talk with + her old friend, and was glad to have a chance of pleasing her poetical + admirer. She therefore begged her hostess to invite them both to her party + to please her, which she promised to do at once. Thus the two elegant + notes were accounted for. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, though her acquaintances were chiefly in the world of + fortune and of fashion, had yet a certain weakness for what she called + clever people. She therefore always variegated her parties with a streak + of young artists and writers, and a literary lady or two; and, if she + could lay hands on a first-class celebrity, was as happy as an Amazon who + had captured a Centaur. + </p> + <p> + “There's a demonish clever young fellow by the name of Lindsay,” Mr. + Livingston Jenkins said to her a little before the day of the party. + “Better ask him. They say he 's the rising talent in his line, + architecture mainly, but has done some remarkable things in the way of + sculpture. There's some story about a bust he made that was quite + wonderful. I'll find his address for you.” So Mr. Clement Lindsay got his + invitation, and thus Mrs. Clymer Ketchum's party promised to bring + together a number of persons with whom we are acquainted, and who were + acquainted with each other. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum knew how to give a party. Let her only have carte + blanche for flowers, music, and champagne, she used to tell her lord, and + she would see to the rest,—lighting the rooms, tables, and toilet. + He needn't be afraid: all he had to do was to keep out of the way. + </p> + <p> + Subdivision of labor is one of the triumphs of modern civilization. Labor + was beautifully subdivided in this lady's household. It was old Ketchum's + business to make money, and he understood it. It was Mrs. K.'s business to + spend money, and she knew how to do it. The rooms blazed with light like a + conflagration; the flowers burned like lamps of many-colored flame; the + music throbbed into the hearts of the promenaders and tingled through all + the muscles of the dancers. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum was in her glory. Her point d'Alenyon must have + spoiled ever so many French girls' eyes. Her bosom heaved beneath a kind + of breastplate glittering with a heavy dew of diamonds. She glistened and + sparkled with every movement, so that the admirer forgot to question too + closely whether the eyes matched the brilliants, or the cheeks glowed like + the roses. Not far from the great lady stood Myrtle Hazard. She was + dressed as the fashion of the day demanded, but she had added certain + audacious touches of her own, reminiscences of the time when the dead + beauty had flourished, and which first provoked the question and then the + admiration of the young people who had a natural eye for effect. Over the + long white glove on her left arm was clasped a rich bracelet, of so quaint + an antique pattern that nobody had seen anything like it, and as some one + whispered that it was “the last thing out,” it was greatly admired by the + fashion-plate multitude, as well as by the few who had a taste of their + own. If the soul of Judith Pride, long divorced from its once beautifully + moulded dust, ever lived in dim consciousness through any of those who + inherited her blood, it was then and there that she breathed through the + lips of Myrtle Hazard. The young girl almost trembled with the ecstasy of + this new mode of being, soliciting every sense with light, with perfume, + with melody,—all that could make her feel the wonderful complex + music of a fresh life when all its chords first vibrate together in + harmony. Miss Rhadamantha Pinnikle, whose mother was an Apex (of whose + race it was said that they always made an obeisance when the family name + was mentioned, and had all their portraits painted with halos round their + heads), found herself extinguished in this new radiance. Miss Victoria + Capsheaf stuck to the wall as if she had been a fresco on it. The + fifty-year-old dynasties were dismayed and dismounted. Myrtle fossilized + them as suddenly as if she had been a Gorgon instead of a beauty. + </p> + <p> + The guests in whom we may have some interest were in the mean time making + ready for the party, which was expected to be a brilliant one; for 24 + Carat Place was well known for the handsome style of its entertainments. + </p> + <p> + Clement Lindsay was a little surprised by his invitation. He had, however, + been made a lion of several times of late, and was very willing to amuse + himself once in a while with a peep into the great world. + </p> + <p> + It was but an empty show to him at best, for his lot was cast, and he + expected to lead a quiet domestic life after his student days were over. + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley had known what society was in his earlier time, and + understood very well that all a gentleman of his age had to do was to + dress himself in his usual plain way, only taking a little more care in + his arrangements than was needed in the latitude of Oxbow Village. But + Gifted must be looked after, that he should not provoke the unamiable + comments of the city youth by any defect or extravagance of costume. The + young gentleman had bought a light sky-blue neckerchief, and a very large + breast-pin containing a gem which he was assured by the vender was a + genuine stone. He considered that both these would be eminently effective + articles of dress, and Mr. Gridley had some trouble to convince him that a + white tie and plain shirt-buttons would be more fitted to the occasion. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the day of the great party Mr. William Murray Bradshaw + received a brief telegram, which seemed to cause him great emotion, as he + changed color, uttered a forcible exclamation, and began walking up and + down his room in a very nervous kind of way. It was a foreshadowing of a + certain event now pretty sure to happen. Whatever bearing this telegram + may have had upon his plans, he made up his mind that he would contrive an + opportunity somehow that very evening to propose himself as a suitor to + Myrtle Hazard. He could not say that he felt as absolutely certain of + getting the right answer as he had felt at some previous periods. Myrtle + knew her price, he said to himself, a great deal better than when she was + a simple country girl. The flatteries with which she had been surrounded, + and the effect of all the new appliances of beauty, which had set her off + so that she could not help seeing her own attractions, rendered her harder + to please and to satisfy. A little experience in society teaches a young + girl the arts and the phrases which all the Lotharios have in common. + Murray Bradshaw was ready to land his fish now, but he was not quite sure + that she was yet hooked, and he had a feeling that by this time she knew + every fly in his book. However, as he had made up his mind not to wait + another day, he addressed himself to the trial before him with a + determination to succeed, if any means at his command would insure + success. He arrayed himself with faultless elegance: nothing must be + neglected on such an occasion. He went forth firm and grave as a general + going into a battle where all is to be lost or won. He entered the blazing + saloon with the unfailing smile upon his lips, to which he set them as he + set his watch to a particular hour and minute. + </p> + <p> + The rooms were pretty well filled when he arrived and made his bow before + the blazing, rustling, glistening, waving, blushing appearance under which + palpitated, with the pleasing excitement of the magic scene over which its + owner presided, the heart of Mrs. Clymer Ketchum. He turned to Myrtle + Hazard, and if he had ever doubted which way his inclinations led him, he + could doubt no longer. How much dress and how much light can a woman bear? + That is the way to measure her beauty. A plain girl in a simple dress, if + she has only a pleasant voice, may seem almost a beauty in the rosy + twilight. The nearer she comes to being handsome, the more ornament she + will bear, and the more she may defy the sunshine or the chandelier. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw was fairly dazzled with the brilliant effect of Myrtle in + full dress. He did not know before what handsome arms she had,—Judith + Pride's famous arms—which the high-colored young men in top-boots + used to swear were the handsomest pair in New England—right over + again. He did not know before with what defiant effect she would light up, + standing as she did directly under a huge lustre, in full flower of flame, + like a burning azalea. He was not a man who intended to let his sentiments + carry him away from the serious interests of his future, yet, as he looked + upon Myrtle Hazard, his heart gave one throb which made him feel in every + pulse that this way a woman who in her own right, simply as a woman, could + challenge the homage of the proudest young man of her time. He hardly knew + till this moment how much of passion mingled with other and calmer motives + of admiration. He could say I love you as truly as such a man could ever + speak these words, meaning that he admired her, that he was attracted to + her, that he should be proud of her as his wife, that he should value + himself always as the proprietor of so rare a person, that no appendage to + his existence would take so high a place in his thoughts. This implied + also, what is of great consequence to a young woman's happiness in the + married state, that she would be treated with uniform politeness, with + satisfactory evidences of affection, and with a degree of confidence quite + equal to what a reasonable woman should expect from a very superior man, + her husband. + </p> + <p> + If Myrtle could have looked through the window in the breast against which + only authors are privileged to flatten their features, it is for the + reader to judge how far the programme would have satisfied her. + </p> + <p> + Less than this, a great deal less, does appear to satisfy many young + women; and it may be that the interior just drawn, fairly judged, belongs + to a model lover and husband. Whether it does or not, Myrtle did not see + this picture. There was a beautifully embroidered shirt-bosom in front of + that window through which we have just looked, that intercepted all sight + of what was going on within. She only saw a man, young, handsome, courtly, + with a winning tongue, with an ambitious spirit, whose every look and tone + implied his admiration of herself, and who was associated with her past + life in such a way that they alone appeared like old friends in the midst + of that cold alien throng. It seemed as if he could not have chosen a more + auspicious hour than this; for she never looked so captivating, and her + presence must inspire his lips with the eloquence of love. And she—was + not this delirious atmosphere of light and music just the influence to + which he would wish to subject her before trying the last experiment of + all which can stir the soul of a woman? He knew the mechanism of that + impressionable state which served Coleridge so excellently well,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “All impulses of soul and sense + Had thrilled my guileless Genevieve + The music, and the doleful tale, + The rich and balmy eve,”— +</pre> + <p> + though he hardly expected such startling results as happened in that case,—which + might be taken as an awful warning not to sing moving ballads to young + ladies of susceptible feelings, unless one is prepared for very serious + consequences. Without expecting that Myrtle would rush into his arms, he + did think that she could not help listening to him in the intervals of the + delicious music, in some recess where the roses and jasmines and + heliotropes made the air heavy with sweetness, and the crimson curtains + drooped in heavy folds that half hid their forms from the curious eyes all + round them. Her heart would swell like Genevieve's as he told her in + simple phrase that she was his life, his love, his all,—for in some + two or three words like these he meant to put his appeal, and not in fine + poetical phrases: that would do for Gifted Hopkins and rhyming tom-tits of + that feather. + </p> + <p> + Full of his purpose, involving the plans of his whole life, implying, as + he saw clearly, a brilliant future or a disastrous disappointment, with a + great unexploded mine of consequences under his feet, and the spark ready + to fall into it, he walked about the gilded saloon with a smile upon his + lips so perfectly natural and pleasant, that one would have said he was as + vacant of any aim, except a sort of superficial good-matured disposition + to be amused, as the blankest-eyed simpleton who had tied himself up in a + white cravat and come to bore and be bored. + </p> + <p> + Yet under this pleasant smile his mind was so busy with its thoughts that + he had forgotten all about the guests from Oxbow Village who, as Myrtle + had told him, were to come this evening. His eye was all at once caught by + a familiar figure, and he recognized Master Byles Gridley, accompanied by + Mr. Gifted Hopkins, at the door of the saloon. He stepped forward at once + to meet, and to present them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley in evening costume made an eminently dignified and respectable + appearance. There was an unusual look of benignity upon his firmly moulded + features, and an air of ease which rather surprised Mr. Bradshaw, who did + not know all the social experiences which had formed a part of the old + Master's history. The greeting between them was courteous, but somewhat + formal, as Mr. Bradshaw was acting as one of the masters of ceremony. He + nodded to Gifted in an easy way, and led them both into the immediate + Presence. + </p> + <p> + “This is my friend Professor Gridley, Mrs. Ketchum, whom I have the honor + of introducing to you,—a very distinguished scholar, as I have no + doubt you are well aware. And this is my friend Mr. Gifted Hopkins, a + young poet of distinction, whose fame will reach you by and by, if it has + not come to your ears already.” + </p> + <p> + The two gentlemen went through the usual forms, the poet a little crushed + by the Presence, but doing his best. While the lady was making polite + speeches to them, Myrtle Hazard came forward. She was greatly delighted to + meet her old friend, and even looked upon the young poet with a degree of + pleasure she would hardly have expected to receive from his company. They + both brought with them so many reminiscences of familiar scenes and + events, that it was like going back for the moment to Oxbow Village. But + Myrtle did not belong to herself that evening, and had no opportunity to + enter into conversation just then with either of them. There was to be + dancing by and by, and the younger people were getting impatient that it + should begin. At last the music sounded the well-known summons, and the + floors began to ring to the tread of the dancers. As usual on such + occasions there were a large number of noncombatants, who stood as + spectators around those who were engaged in the campaign of the evening. + Mr. Byles Gridley looked on gravely, thinking of the minuets and the + gavots of his younger days. Mr. Gifted Hopkins, who had never acquired the + desirable accomplishment of dancing, gazed with dazzled and admiring eyes + at the wonderful evolutions of the graceful performers. The music stirred + him a good deal; he had also been introduced to one or two young persons + as Mr. Hopkins, the poet, and he began to feel a kind of excitement, such + as was often the prelude of a lyric burst from his pen. Others might have + wealth and beauty, he thought to himself, but what were these to the gift + of genius? In fifty years the wealth of these people would have passed + into other hands. In fifty years all these beauties would be dead, or + wrinkled and double-wrinkled great-grandmothers. And when they were all + gone and forgotten, the name of Hopkins would be still fresh in the + world's memory. Inspiring thought! A smile of triumph rose to his lips; he + felt that the village boy who could look forward to fame as his + inheritance was richer than all the millionnaires, and that the words he + should set in verse would have an enduring lustre to which the whiteness + of pearls was cloudy, and the sparkle of diamonds dull. + </p> + <p> + He raised his eyes, which had been cast down in reflection, to look upon + these less favored children of Fortune, to whom she had given nothing but + perishable inheritances. Two or three pairs of eyes, he observed, were + fastened upon him. His mouth perhaps betrayed a little self-consciousness, + but he tried to show his features in an aspect of dignified + self-possession. There seemed to be remarks and questionings going on, + which he supposed to be something like the following:— + </p> + <p> + Which is it? Which is it?—Why, that one, there,—that young + fellow,—don't you see?—What young fellow are you two looking + at? Who is he? What is he?—Why, that is Hopkins, the poet.—Hopkins, + the poet! Let me see him! Let me see him! Hopkins? What! Gifted Hopkins? + etc., etc. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins did not hear these words except in fancy, but he did + unquestionably find a considerable number of eyes concentrated upon him, + which he very naturally interpreted as an evidence that he had already + begun to enjoy a foretaste of the fame of which he should hereafter have + his full allowance. Some seemed to be glancing furtively, some appeared as + if they wished to speak, and all the time the number of those looking at + him seemed to be increasing. A vision came through his fancy of himself as + standing on a platform, and having persons who wished to look upon him and + shake hands with him presented, as he had heard was the way with great + people when going about the country. But this was only a suggestion, and + by no means a serious thought, for that would have implied infatuation. + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins was quite right in believing that he attracted many eyes. + At last those of Myrtle Hazard were called to him, and she perceived that + an accident was making him unenviably conspicuous. The bow of his rather + large white neck-tie had slid round and got beneath his left ear. A not + very good-natured or well-bred young fellow had pointed out the subject of + this slight misfortune to one or two others of not much better taste or + breeding, and thus the unusual attention the youthful poet was receiving + explained itself. Myrtle no sooner saw the little accident of which her + rural friend was the victim than she left her place in the dance with a + simple courage which did her credit. + </p> + <p> + “I want to speak to you a minute,” she said. “Come into this alcove.” + </p> + <p> + And the courageous young lady not only told Gifted what had happened to + him, but found a pin somehow, as women always do on a pinch, and had him + in presentable condition again almost before the bewildered young man knew + what was the matter. On reflection it occurred to him, as it has to other + provincial young persons going to great cities, that he might perhaps have + been hasty in thinking himself an object of general curiosity as yet. + There had hardly been time for his name to have become very widely known. + Still, the feeling had been pleasant for the moment, and had given him an + idea of what the rapture would be, when, wherever he went, the monster + digit (to hint a classical phrase) of the collective admiring public would + be lifted to point him out, and the whisper would pass from one to + another, “That's him! That's Hopkins!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Murray Bradshaw had been watching the opportunity for carrying out his + intentions, with his pleasant smile covering up all that was passing in + his mind, and Master Byles Gridley, looking equally unconcerned, had been + watching him. The young man's time came at last. Some were at the + supper-table, some were promenading, some were talking, when he managed to + get Myrtle a little apart from the rest, and led her towards one of the + recesses in the apartment, where two chairs were invitingly placed. Her + cheeks were flushed, her eyes were sparkling,—the influences to + which he had trusted had not been thrown away upon her. He had no idea of + letting his purpose be seen until he was fully ready. It required all his + self-mastery to avoid betraying himself by look or tone, but he was so + natural that Myrtle was thrown wholly off her guard. He meant to make her + pleased with herself at the outset, and that not by point-blank flattery, + of which she had had more than enough of late, but rather by suggestion + and inference, so that she should find herself feeling happy without + knowing how. It would be easy to glide from that to the impression she had + produced upon him, and get the two feelings more or less mingled in her + mind. And so the simple confession he meant to make would at length evolve + itself logically, and hold by a natural connection to the first agreeable + train of thought which he had called up. Not the way, certainly, that most + young men would arrange their great trial scene; but Murray Bradshaw was a + lawyer in love as much as in business, and considered himself as pleading + a cause before a jury of Myrtle Hazard's conflicting motives. What would + any lawyer do in a jury case but begin by giving the twelve honest men and + true to understand, in the first place, that their intelligence and virtue + were conceded by all, and that he himself had perfect confidence in them, + and leave them to shape their verdict in accordance with these + propositions and his own side of the case? + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had, perhaps, never so seriously inclined her ear to the honeyed + accents of the young pleader. He flattered her with so much tact, that she + thought she heard an unconscious echo through his lips of an admiration + which he only shared with all around him. But in him he made it seem + discriminating, deliberate, not blind, but very real. This it evidently + was which had led him to trust her with his ambitions and his plans,—they + might be delusions, but he could never keep them from her, and she was the + one woman in the world to whom he thought he could safely give his + confidence. + </p> + <p> + The dread moment was close at hand. Myrtle was listening with an + instinctive premonition of what was coming,—ten thousand mothers and + grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and so on, had passed through it all + in preceding generations until time reached backwards to the sturdy savage + who asked no questions of any kind, but knocked down the primeval + great-grandmother of all, and carried her off to his hole in the rock, or + into the tree where he had made his nest. Why should not the coming + question announce itself by stirring in the pulses and thrilling in the + nerves of the descendant of all these grandmothers? + </p> + <p> + She was leaning imperceptibly towards him, drawn by the mere blind + elemental force, as the plummet was attracted to the side of Schehallion. + Her lips were parted, and she breathed a little faster than so healthy a + girl ought to breathe in a state of repose. The steady nerves of William + Murray Bradshaw felt unwonted thrills and tremors tingling through them, + as he came nearer and nearer the few simple words with which he was to + make Myrtle Hazard the mistress of his destiny. His tones were becoming + lower and more serious; there were slight breaks once or twice in the + conversation; Myrtle had cast down her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “There is but one word more to add,” he murmured softly, as he bent + towards her— + </p> + <p> + A grave voice interrupted him. “Excuse me, Mr. Bradshaw,” said Master + Bytes Gridley, “I wish to present a young gentleman to my friend here. I + promised to show him the most charming young person I have the honor to be + acquainted with, and I must redeem my pledge. Miss Hazard, I have the + pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance my distinguished young + friend, Mr. Clement Lindsay.” + </p> + <p> + Once mere, for the third time, these two young persons stood face to face. + Myrtle was no longer liable to those nervous seizures which any sudden + impression was liable to produce when she was in her half-hysteric state + of mind and body. She turned to the new-comer, who found himself + unexpectedly submitted to a test which he would never have risked of his + own will. He must go through it, cruel as it was, with the easy + self-command which belongs to a gentleman in the most trying social + exigencies. He addressed her, therefore, in the usual terms of courtesy, + and then turned and greeted Mr. Bradshaw, whom he had never met since + their coming together at Oxbow Village. Myrtle was conscious, the instant + she looked upon Clement Lindsay, of the existence of some peculiar + relation between them; but what, she could not tell. Whatever it was, it + broke the charm which had been weaving between her and Murray Bradshaw. He + was not foolish enough to make a scene. What fault could he find with + Clement Lindsay, who had only done as any gentleman would do with a lady + to whom he had just been introduced, addressed a few polite words to her? + After saying those words, Clement had turned very courteously to him, and + they had spoken with each other. But Murray Bradshaw could not help seeing + that Myrtle had transferred her attention, at least for the moment, from + him to the new-comer. He folded his arms and waited,—but he waited + in vain. The hidden attraction which drew Clement to the young girl with + whom he had passed into the Valley of the Shadow of Death overmastered all + other feelings, and he gave himself up to the fascination of her presence. + </p> + <p> + The inward rage of Murray Bradshaw at being interrupted just at the moment + when he was, as he thought, about to cry checkmate and finish the first + great game he had ever played may well be imagined. But it could not be + helped. Myrtle had exercised the customary privilege of young ladies at + parties, and had turned from talking with one to talking with another,—that + was all. Fortunately, for him the young man who had been introduced at + such a most critical moment was not one from whom he need apprehend any + serious interference. He felt grateful beyond measure to pretty Susan + Posey, who, as he had good reason for believing, retained her hold upon + her early lover, and was looking forward with bashful interest to the time + when she should become Mrs. Lindsay. It was better to put up quietly with + his disappointment; and, if he could get no favorable opportunity that + evening to resume his conversation at the interesting point where he left + it off, he would call the next day and bring matters to a conclusion. + </p> + <p> + He called accordingly the next morning, but was disappointed in not seeing + Myrtle. She had hardly slept that night, and was suffering from a bad + headache, which last reason was her excuse for not seeing company. + </p> + <p> + He called again, the following day, and learned that Miss Hazard had just + left the city, and gone on a visit to Oxbow Village: + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. MINE AND COUNTERMINE. + </h2> + <p> + What the nature of the telegram was which had produced such an effect on + the feelings and plans of Mr. William Murray Bradshaw nobody especially + interested knew but himself. We may conjecture that it announced some + fact, which had leaked out a little prematurely, relating to the issue of + the great land-case in which the firm was interested. However that might + be, Mr. Bradshaw no sooner heard that Myrtle had suddenly left the city + for Oxbow Village,—for what reason he puzzled himself to guess,—than + he determined to follow her at once, and take up the conversation he had + begun at the party where it left off. And as the young poet had received + his quietus for the present at the publisher's, and as Master Gridley had + nothing specially to detain him, they too returned at about the same time, + and so our old acquaintances were once more together within the familiar + precincts where we have been accustomed to see them. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley did not like playing the part of a spy, but it must be + remembered that he was an old college officer, and had something of the + detective's sagacity, and a certain cunning derived from the habit of + keeping an eye on mischievous students. If any underhand contrivance was + at work, involving the welfare of any one in whom he was interested, he + was a dangerous person for the plotters, for he had plenty of time to + attend to them, and would be apt to take a kind of pleasure in matching + his wits against another crafty person's,—such a one, for instance, + as Mr. Macchiavelli Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps he caught some words of that gentleman's conversation at the + party; at any rate, he could not fail to observe his manner. When he found + that the young man had followed Myrtle back to the village, he suspected + something more than a coincidence. When he learned that he was assiduously + visiting The Poplars, and that he was in close communication with Miss + Cynthia Badlam, he felt sure that he was pressing the siege of Myrtle's + heart. But that there was some difficulty in the way was equally clear to + him, for he ascertained, through channels which the attentive reader will + soon have means of conjecturing, that Myrtle had seen him but once in the + week following his return, and that in the presence of her dragons. She + had various excuses when he called,—headaches, perhaps, among the + rest, as these are staple articles on such occasions. But Master Gridley + knew his man too well to think that slight obstacles would prevent his + going forward to effect his purpose. + </p> + <p> + “I think he will get her; if he holds on,” the old man said to himself, + “and he won't let go in a hurry, if there were any real love about it—but + surely he is incapable of such a human weakness as the tender passion. + What does all this sudden concentration upon the girl mean? He knows + something about her that we don't know,—that must be it. What did he + hide that paper for, a year ago and more? Could that have anything to do + with his pursuit of Myrtle Hazard today?” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley paused as he asked this question of himself, for a luminous + idea had struck him. Consulting daily with Cynthia Badlam, was he? Could + there be a conspiracy between these two persons to conceal some important + fact, or to keep something back until it would be for their common + interest to have it made known? + </p> + <p> + Now Mistress Kitty Fagan was devoted, heart and soul, to Myrtle Hazard, + and ever since she had received the young girl from Mr. Gridley's hands, + when he brought her back safe and sound after her memorable adventure, had + considered him as Myrtle's best friend and natural protector. These simple + creatures, whose thoughts are not taken up, like those of educated people, + with the care of a great museum of dead phrases, are very quick to see the + live facts which are going on about them. Mr. Gridley had met her, more or + less accidentally, several times of late, and inquired very particularly + about Myrtle, and how she got along at the house since her return, and + whether she was getting over her headaches, and how they treated her in + the family. + </p> + <p> + “Bliss your heart, Mr. Gridley,” Kitty said to him on one of these + occasions, “it's ahltogither changed intirely. Sure Miss Myrtle does jist + iverythin' she likes, an' Miss Withers niver middles with her at ahl, + excip' jist to roll up her eyes an' look as if she was the hid-moorner at + a funeril whiniver Miss Myrtle says she wants to do this or that, or to go + here or there. It's Miss Badlam that's ahlwiz after her, an' a-watchin' + her,—she thinks she's cunnin'er than a cat, but there 's other folks + that's got eyes an' ears as good as hers. It's that Mr. Bridshaw that's a + puttin' his head together with Miss Badlam for somethin' or other, an' I + don't believe there's no good in it, for what does the fox an' the cat be + a whisperin' about, as if they was thaves an' incind'ries, if there ain't + no mischief hatchin'?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Kitty,” he said, “what mischief do you think is going on, and who is + to be harmed?” + </p> + <p> + “O Mr. Gridley,” she answered, “if there ain't somebody to be chated + somehow, then I don't know an honest man and woman from two rogues. An' + have n't I heard Miss Myrtle's name whispered as if there was somethin' + goin' on agin' her, an' they was afraid the tahk would go out through the + doors, an' up through the chimbley? I don't want to tell no tales, Mr. + Gridley, nor to hurt no honest body, for I'm a poor woman, Mr. Gridley, + but I comes of dacent folks, an' I vallies my repitation an' character as + much as if I was dressed in silks and satins instead of this mane old + gown, savin' your presence, which is the best I 've got, an' niver a + dollar to buy another. But if I iver I hears a word, Mr. Gridley, that + manes any kind of a mischief to Miss Myrtle,—the Lard bliss her soul + an' keep ahl the divils away from her!—I'll be runnin' straight down + here to tell ye ahl about it,—be right sure o' that, Mr. Gridley.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing must happen to Myrtle,” he said, “that we can help. If you see + anything more that looks wrong, you had better come down here at once and + let me know, as you say you will. At once, you understand. And, Kitty, I + am a little particular about the dress of people who come to see me, so + that if you would just take the trouble to get you a tidy pattern of + gingham or calico, or whatever you like of that sort for a gown, you would + please me; and perhaps this little trifle will be a convenience to you + when you come to pay for it.” + </p> + <p> + Kitty thanked him with all the national accompaniments, and trotted off to + the store, where Mr. Gifted Hopkins displayed the native amiability of his + temper by fumbling down everything in the shape of ginghams and calicoes + they had on the shelves, without a murmur at the taste of his customer, + who found it hard to get a pattern sufficiently emphatic for her taste. + She succeeded at last, and laid down a five-dollar bill as if she were as + used to the pleasing figure on its face as to the sight of her own five + digits. + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley had struck a spade deeper than he knew into his first + countermine, for Kitty had none of those delicate scruples about the means + of obtaining information which might have embarrassed a diplomatist of + higher degree. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. MR. BRADSHAW CALLS ON MISS BADLAM + </h2> + <h3> + “Is Miss Hazard in, Kitty?” + </h3> + <p> + “Indade she's in, Mr. Bridshaw, but she won't see nobody.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the meaning of that, Kitty? Here is the third time within three + days you've told me I could n't see her. She saw Mr. Gridley yesterday, I + know; why won't she see me to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “Y' must ask Miss Myrtle what the rason is, it's none o' my business, Mr. + Bridshaw. That's the order she give me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Miss Badlam in?” + </p> + <p> + “Indade she's in, Mr. Bridshaw, an' I 'll go cahl her.” + </p> + <p> + “Bedad,” said Kitty Fagan to herself, “the cat an' the fox is goin' to + have another o' thim big tahks togither, an' sure the old hole for the + stove-pipe has niver been stopped up yet.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw and Miss Cynthia went into the parlor together, and Mistress + Kitty retired to her kitchen. There was a deep closet belonging to this + apartment, separated by a partition from the parlor. There was a round + hole high up in this partition through which a stove-pipe had once passed. + Mistress Kitty placed a stool just under this opening, upon which, as on a + pedestal, she posed herself with great precaution in the attitude of the + goddess of other people's secrets, that is to say, with her head a little + on one side, so as to bring her liveliest ear close to the opening. The + conversation which took place in the hearing of the invisible third party + began in a singularly free-and-easy manner on Mr. Bradshaw's part. + </p> + <p> + “What the d—— is the reason I can't see Myrtle, Cynthia?” + </p> + <p> + “That's more than I can tell you, Mr. Bradshaw. I can watch her goings on, + but I can't account for her tantrums.” + </p> + <p> + “You say she has had some of her old nervous whims,—has the doctor + been to see her?” + </p> + <p> + “No indeed. She has kept to herself a good deal, but I don't think there's + anything in particular the matter with her. She looks well enough, only + she seems a little queer,—as girls do that have taken a fancy into + their heads that they're in love, you know,—absent-minded, does n't + seem to be interested in things as you would expect after being away so + long.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw looked as if this did not please him particularly. If he was + the object of her thoughts she would not avoid him, surely. + </p> + <p> + “Have you kept your eye on her steadily?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe there is an hour we can't account for,—Kitty and I + between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure you can depend on Kitty?” + </p> + <p> + [“Depind on Kitty, is it? Oh, an' to be sure ye can depind on Kitty to + kape watch at the stove-pipe hole, an' to tell all y'r plottin's an' + contrivin's to them that'll get the cheese out o' y'r mousetrap for ye + before ye catch any poor cratur in it.” This was the inaudible comment of + the unseen third party.] + </p> + <p> + “Of course I can depend on her as far as I trust her. All she knows is + that she must look out for the girl to see that she does not run away or + do herself a mischief. The Biddies don't know much, but they know enough + to keep a watch on the—” + </p> + <p> + “Chickens.” Mr. Bradshaw playfully finished the sentence for Miss Cynthia. + </p> + <p> + [“An' on the foxes, an' the cats, an' the wazels, an' the hen-hahks, an' + ahl the other bastes,” added the invisible witness, in unheard soliloquy.] + </p> + <p> + “I ain't sure whether she's quite as stupid as she looks,” said the + suspicious young lawyer. “There's a little cunning twinkle in her eye + sometimes that makes me think she might be up to a trick on occasion. Does + she ever listen about to hear what people are saying?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't trouble yourself about Kitty Fagan,' for pity's sake, Mr. Bradshaw. + The Biddies are all alike, and they're all as stupid as owls, except when + you tell 'em just what to do, and how to do it. A pack of priest-ridden + fools!” + </p> + <p> + The hot Celtic blood in Kitty Fagan's heart gave a leap. The stout muscles + gave an involuntary jerk. The substantial frame felt the thrill all + through, and the rickety stool on which she was standing creaked sharply + under its burden. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw started. He got up and opened softly all the doors leading + from the room, one after another, and looked out. + </p> + <p> + “I thought I heard a noise as if somebody was moving, Cynthia. It's just + as well to keep our own matters to ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “If you wait till this old house keeps still, Mr. Bradshaw, you might as + well wait till the river has run by. It's as full of rats and mice as an + old cheese is of mites. There's a hundred old rats in this house, and + that's what you hear.” + </p> + <p> + [“An' one old cat; that's what I hear.” Third party.] + </p> + <p> + “I told you, Cynthia, I must be off on this business to-morrow. I want to + know that everything is safe before I go. And, besides, I have got + something to say to you that's important, very important, mind you.” + </p> + <p> + He got up once more and opened every door softly and looked out. He fixed + his eye suspiciously on a large sofa at the other side of the room, and + went, looking half ashamed of his extreme precaution, and peeped under it, + to see if there was any one hidden thereto listen. Then he came back and + drew his chair close up to the table at which Miss Badlam had seated + herself. The conversation which followed was in a low tone, and a portion + of it must be given in another place in the words of the third party. The + beginning of it we are able to supply in this connection. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Cynthia; you know what I am going for. It's all right, I feel + sure, for I have had private means of finding out. It's a sure thing; but + I must go once more to see that the other fellows don't try any trick on + us. You understand what is for my advantage is for yours, and, if I go + wrong, you go overboard with me. Now I must leave the—you know—behind + me. I can't leave it in the house or the office: they might burn up. I + won't have it about me when I am travelling. Draw your chair a little more + this way. Now listen.” + </p> + <p> + [“Indade I will,” said the third party to herself. The reader will find + out in due time whether she listened to any purpose or not.] + </p> + <p> + In the mean time Myrtle, who for some reason was rather nervous and + restless, had found a pair of half-finished slippers which she had left + behind her. The color came into her cheeks when she remembered the state + of mind she was in when she was working on them for the Rev. Mr. Stoker. + She recollected Master Gridley's mistake about their destination, and + determined to follow the hint he had given. It would please him better if + she sent them to good Father Pemberton, she felt sure, than if he should + get them himself. So she enlarged them somewhat, (for the old man did not + pinch his feet, as the younger clergyman was in the habit of doing, and + was, besides, of portly dimensions, as the old orthodox three-deckers were + apt to be,) and worked E. P. very handsomely into the pattern, and sent + them to him with her love and respect, to his great delight; for old + ministers do not have quite so many tokens of affection from fair hands as + younger ones. + </p> + <p> + What made Myrtle nervous and restless? Why had she quitted the city so + abruptly, and fled to her old home, leaving all the gayeties behind her + which had so attracted and dazzled her? + </p> + <p> + She had not betrayed herself at the third meeting with the young man who + stood in such an extraordinary relation to her,—who had actually + given her life from his own breath,—as when she met him for the + second time. Whether his introduction to her at the party, just at the + instant when Murray Bradshaw was about to make a declaration, saved her + from being in another moment the promised bride of that young gentleman, + or not, we will not be so rash as to say. It looked, certainly, as if he + was in a fair way to carry his point; but perhaps she would have + hesitated, or shrunk back, when the great question came to stare her in + the face. + </p> + <p> + She was excited, at any rate, by the conversation, so that, when Clement + was presented to her, her thoughts could not at once be all called away + from her other admirer, and she was saved from all danger of that sudden + disturbance which had followed their second meeting. Whatever impression + he made upon her developed itself gradually,—still, she felt + strangely drawn towards him. It was not simply in his good looks, in his + good manners, in his conversation, that she found this attraction, but + there was a singular fascination which she felt might be dangerous to her + peace, without explaining it to herself in words. She could hardly be in + love with this young artist; she knew that his affections were plighted to + another, a fact which keeps most young women from indulging unruly + fancies; yet her mind was possessed by his image to such an extent that it + left little room for that of Mr. William Murray Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard had been just ready to enter on a career of worldly vanity + and ambition. It is hard to blame her, for we know how she came by the + tendency. She had every quality, too, which fitted her to shine in the gay + world; and the general law is, that those who have the power have the + instinct to use it. We do not suppose that the bracelet on her arm was an + amulet, but it was a symbol. It reminded her of her descent; it kept alive + the desire to live over the joys and excitements of a bygone generation. + If she had accepted Murray Bradshaw, she would have pledged herself to a + worldly life. If she had refused him, it would perhaps have given her a + taste of power that might have turned her into a coquette. + </p> + <p> + This new impression saved her for the time. She had come back to her nest + in the village like a frightened bird; her heart was throbbing, her nerves + were thrilling, her dreams were agitated; she wanted to be quiet, and + could not listen to the flatteries or entreaties of her old lover. + </p> + <p> + It was a strong will and a subtle intellect that had arrayed their force + and skill against the ill-defended citadel of Myrtle's heart. Murray + Bradshaw was perfectly determined, and not to be kept back by any trivial + hindrances, such as her present unwillingness to accept him, or even her + repugnance to him, if a freak of the moment had carried her so far. It was + a settled thing: Myrtle Hazard must become Mrs. Bradshaw; and nobody could + deny that, if he gave her his name, they had a chance, at least, for a + brilliant future. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. MISTRESS KITTY FAGAN CALLS ON MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY. + </h2> + <p> + “I 'd like to go down to the store this mornin', Miss Withers, plase. Sure + I've niver a shoe to my fut, only jist these two that I've got on, an' one + other pair, and thim is so full of holes that whin I 'm standin' in 'em + I'm outside of 'em intirely.” + </p> + <p> + “You can go, Kitty,” Miss Silence answered, funereally. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Kitty Fagan proceeded to array herself in her most tidy apparel, + including a pair of shoes not exactly answering to her description, and + set out straight for the house of the Widow Hopkins. Arrived at that + respectable mansion, she inquired for Mr. Gridley, and was informed that + he was at home. Had a message for him,—could she see him in his + study? She could if she would wait a little while. Mr. Gridley was busy + just at this minute. Sit down, Kitty, and warm yourself at the + cooking-stove. + </p> + <p> + Mistress Kitty accepted Mrs. Hopkins's hospitable offer, and presently + began orienting herself, and getting ready to make herself agreeable. The + kindhearted Mrs. Hopkins had gathered about her several other pensioners + besides the twins. These two little people, it may be here mentioned, were + just taking a morning airing in charge of Susan Posey, who strolled along + in company with Gifted Hopkins on his way to the store. + </p> + <p> + Mistress Kitty soon began the conversational blandishments so natural to + her good-humored race. “It's a little blarney that'll jist suit th' old + lady,” she said to herself, as she made her first conciliatory advance. + </p> + <p> + “An' sure an' it's a beautiful kitten you've got there, Mrs. Hopkins. An' + it's a splendid mouser she is, I'll be bound. Does n't she look as if + she'd clans the house out o'them little bastes, bad luck to em.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins looked benignantly upon the more than middle-aged tabby, + slumbering as if she had never known an enemy, and turned smiling to + Mistress Kitty. “Why, bless your heart, Kitty, our old puss would n't know + a mouse by sight, if you showed her one. If I was a mouse, I'd as lieves + have a nest in one of that old cat's ears as anywhere else. You couldn't + find a safer place for one.” + </p> + <p> + “Indade, an' to be sure she's too big an' too handsome a pussy to be after + wastin' her time on them little bastes. It's that little tarrier dog of + yours, Mrs. Hopkins, that will be after worryin' the mice an' the rats, + an' the thaves too, I 'll warrant. Is n't he a fust-rate-lookin' + watch-dog, an' a rig'ler rat-hound?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins looked at the little short-legged and short-winded animal of + miscellaneous extraction with an expression of contempt and affection, + mingled about half and half. “Worry 'em! If they wanted to sleep, I rather + guess he would worry 'em! If barkin' would do their job for 'em, nary a + mouse nor rat would board free gratis in my house as they do now. Noisy + little good-for-nothing tike,—ain't you, Fret?” + </p> + <p> + Mistress Kitty was put back a little by two such signal failures. There + was another chance, however, to make her point, which she presently + availed herself of,—feeling pretty sure this time that she should + effect a lodgement. Mrs. Hopkins's parrot had been observing Kitty, first + with one eye and then with the other, evidently preparing to make a + remark, but awkward with a stranger. “That 's a beautiful part y 've got + there,” Kitty said, buoyant with the certainty that she was on safe ground + this time; “and tahks like a book, I 'll be bound. Poll! Poll! Poor Poll!” + </p> + <p> + She put forth her hand to caress the intelligent and affable bird, which, + instead of responding as expected, “squawked,” as our phonetic language + has it, and, opening a beak imitated from a tooth-drawing instrument of + the good old days, made a shrewd nip at Kitty's forefinger. She drew it + back with a jerk. + </p> + <p> + “An' is that the way your part tahks, Mrs. Hopkins?” + </p> + <p> + “Talks, bless you, Kitty! why, that parrot hasn't said a word this ten + year. He used to say Poor Poll! when we first had him, but he found it was + easier to squawk, and that's all he ever does nowadays,—except bite + once in a while.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, an' to be sure,” Kitty answered, radiant as she rose from her + defeats, “if you'll kape a cat that does n't know a mouse when she sees + it, an' a dog that only barks for his livin', and a part that only squawks + an' bites an' niver spakes a word, ye must be the best-hearted woman + that's alive, an' bliss ye, if ye was only a good Catholic, the Holy + Father 'd make a saint of ye in less than no time!” + </p> + <p> + So Mistress Kitty Fagan got in her bit of Celtic flattery, in spite of her + three successive discomfitures. + </p> + <p> + “You may come up now, Kitty,” said Mr. Gridley over the stairs. He had + just finished and sealed a letter. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Kitty, how are things going on up at The Poplars? And how does our + young lady seem to be of late?” + </p> + <p> + “Whisht! whisht! your honor.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bradshaw's lessons had not been thrown away on his attentive listener. + She opened every door in the room, “by your lave,” as she said. She looked + all over the walls to see if there was any old stovepipe hole or other + avenue to eye or ear. Then she went, in her excess of caution, to the + window. She saw nothing noteworthy except Mr. Gifted Hopkins and the + charge he convoyed, large and small, in the distance. The whole living + fleet was stationary for the moment, he leaning on the fence with his + cheek on his hand, in one of the attitudes of the late Lord Byron; she, + very near him, listening, apparently, in the pose of Mignon aspirant au + ciel, as rendered by Carlo Dolce Scheffer. + </p> + <p> + Kitty came back, apparently satisfied, and stood close to Mr. Gridley, who + told her to sit down, which she did, first making a catch at her apron to + dust the chair with, and then remembering that she had left that part of + her costume at home.—Automatic movements, curious. + </p> + <p> + Mistress Kitty began telling in an undertone of the meeting between Mr. + Bradshaw and Miss Badlam, and of the arrangements she made for herself as + the reporter of the occasion. She then repeated to him, in her own way, + that part of the conversation which has been already laid before the + reader. There is no need of going over the whole of this again in Kitty's + version, but we may fit what followed into the joints of what has been + already told. + </p> + <p> + “He cahled her Cynthy, d' ye see, Mr. Gridley, an' tahked to her jist as + asy as if they was two rogues, and she knowed it as well as he did. An' + so, says he, I'm goin' away, says he, an' I'm goin' to be gahn siveral + days, or perhaps longer, says he, an' you'd better kape it, says he.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep what, Kitty? What was it he wanted her to keep?” said Mr. Gridley, + who no longer doubted that he was on the trail of a plot, and meant to + follow it. He was getting impatient with the “says he's” with which Kitty + double-leaded her discourse. + </p> + <p> + “An' to be sure ain't I tellin' you, Mr. Gridley, jist as fast as my + breath will let me? An' so, says he, you'd better kape it, says he, mixed + up with your other paupers, says he,” (Mr. Gridley started,) “an' thin we + can find it in the garret, says he, whinever we want it, says he. An' if + it all goes right out there, says he, it won't be lahng before we shall + want to find it, says he. And I can dipind on you, says he, for we're both + in the same boat, says he, an' you knows what I knows, says he, an' I + knows what you knows, says be. And thin he taks a stack o' paupers out of + his pocket, an' he pulls out one of 'em, an' he says to her, says he, + that's the pauper, says he, an' if you die, says be, niver lose sight of + that day or night, says he, for it's life an' dith to both of us, says he. + An' thin he asks her if she has n't got one o' them paupers—what is + 't they cahls 'em?—divilops, or some sich kind of a name—that + they wraps up their letters in; an' she says no, she has n't got none + that's big enough to hold it. So he says, give me a shate o' pauper, says + he. An' thin he takes the pauper that she give him, an' he folds it up + like one o' them—divilops, if that's the name of 'em; and thin he + pulls a stick o' salin'-wax out of his pocket, an' a stamp, an' he takes + the pauper an' puts it into th' other pauper, along with the rest of the + paupers, an' thin he folds th' other pauper over the paupers, and thin he + lights a candle, an' he milts the salin'-wax, and he sales up the pauper + that was outside th' other paupers, an' he writes on the back of the + pauper, an' thin he hands it to Miss Badlam.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you see the paper that he showed her before he fastened it up with + the others, Kitty?” + </p> + <p> + “I did see it, indade, Mr. Gridley, and it's the truth I'm tellin' ye.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you happen to notice anything about it, Kitty?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, indade, Mr. Gridley. It was a longish kind of a pauper, and there + was some blotches of ink on the back of it,—an' they looked like a + face without any mouth, for, says I, there's two spots for the eyes, says + I, and there's a spot for the nose, says I, and there's niver a spot for + the mouth, says I.” + </p> + <p> + This was the substance of what Master Byles Gridley got out of Kitty + Fagan. It was enough, yes, it was too much. There was some deep-laid plot + between Murray Bradshaw and Cynthia Badlam, involving the interests of + some of the persons connected with the late Malachi Withers; for that the + paper described by Kitty was the same that he had seen the young man + conceal in the Corpus Juris Civilis, it was impossible to doubt. If it had + been a single spot an the back of it, or two, he might have doubted. But + three large spots “blotches” she had called them, disposed thus *.* + —would not have happened to be on two different papers, in all human + probability. + </p> + <p> + After grave consultation of all his mental faculties in committee of the + whole, he arrived at the following conclusion,—that Miss Cynthia + Badlam was the depositary of a secret involving interests which he felt it + his business to defend, and of a document which was fraudulently withheld + and meant to be used for some unfair purpose. And most assuredly, Master + Gridley said to himself, he held a master-key, which, just so certainly as + he could make up his mind to use it, would open any secret in the keeping + of Miss Cynthia Badlam. + </p> + <p> + He proceeded, therefore, without delay, to get ready for a visit to that + lady at The Poplars. He meant to go thoroughly armed, for he was a very + provident old gentleman. His weapons were not exactly of the kind which a + housebreaker would provide himself with, but of a somewhat peculiar + nature. + </p> + <p> + Weapon number one was a slip of paper with a date and a few words written + upon it. “I think this will fetch the document,” he said to himself, “if + it comes to the worst. Not if I can help it,—not if I can help it. + But if I cannot get at the heart of this thing otherwise, why, I must come + to this. Poor woman!—Poor woman!” + </p> + <p> + Weapon number two was a small phial containing spirits of hartshorn, sal + volatile, very strong, that would stab through the nostrils, like a + stiletto, deep into the gray kernels that lie in the core of the brain. + Excellent in cases of sudden syncope or fainting, such as sometimes + require the opening of windows, the dashing on of cold water, the cutting + of stays, perhaps, with a scene of more or less tumultuous perturbation + and afflux of clamorous womanhood. + </p> + <p> + So armed, Byles Gridley, A. M., champion of unprotected innocence, grasped + his ivory-handled cane and sallied forth on his way to The Poplars. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY CALLS ON MISS CYNTHIA BADLAM. + </h2> + <p> + MISS Cynthia Badlam was seated in a small parlor which she was accustomed + to consider her own during her long residences at The Poplars. The entry + stove warmed it but imperfectly, and she looked pinched and cold, for the + evenings were still pretty sharp, and the old house let in the chill + blasts, as old houses are in the habit of doing. She was sitting at her + table, with a little trunk open before her. She had taken some papers from + it, which she was looking over, when a knock at her door announced a + visitor, and Master Byles Gridley entered the parlor. + </p> + <p> + As he came into the room, she gathered the papers together and replaced + them in the trunk, which she locked, throwing an unfinished piece of + needle-work over it, putting the key in her pocket, and gathering herself + up for company. Something of all this Master Gridley saw through his round + spectacles, but seemed not to see, and took his seat like a visitor making + a call of politeness. + </p> + <p> + A visitor at such an hour, of the male sex, without special provocation, + without social pretext, was an event in the life of the desolate spinster. + Could it be—No, it could not—and yet—and yet! Miss + Cynthia threw back the rather common-looking but comfortable shawl which + covered her shoulders, and showed her quite presentable figure, arrayed + with a still lingering thought of that remote contingency which might yet + offer itself at some unexpected moment; she adjusted the carefully plaited + cap, which was not yet of the lasciate ogni speranza pattern, and as she + obeyed these instincts of her sex, she smiled a welcome to the + respectable, learned, and independent bachelor. Mr. Gridley had a frosty + but kindly age before him, with a score or so of years to run, which it + was after all not strange to fancy might be rendered more cheerful by the + companionship of a well-conserved and amiably disposed woman, if any such + should happen to fall in his way. + </p> + <p> + That smile came very near disconcerting the plot of Master Byles Gridley. + He had come on an inquisitor's errand, his heart secure, as he thought, + against all blandishments, his will steeled to break down all resistance. + He had come armed with an instrument of torture worse than the + thumb-screw, worse than the pulleys which attempt the miracle of adding a + cubit to the stature, worse than the brazier of live coals brought close + to the naked soles of the feet,—an instrument which, instead of + trifling with the nerves, would clutch all the nerve-centres and the heart + itself in its gripe, and hold them until it got its answer, if the white + lips had life enough left to shape one. And here was this unfortunate + maiden lady smiling at him, setting her limited attractions in their best + light, pleading with him in that natural language which makes any + contumacious bachelor feel as guilty as Cain before any single woman. If + Mr. Gridley had been alone, he would have taken a good sniff at his own + bottle of sal volatile; for his kind heart sunk within him as he thought + of the errand upon which he had come. It would not do to leave the subject + of his vivisection under any illusion as to the nature of his designs. + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Miss Badlam,” he said, “I have come to visit you on a + matter of business.” + </p> + <p> + What was the internal panorama which had unrolled itself at the instant of + his entrance, and which rolled up as suddenly at the sound of his serious + voice and the look of his grave features? It cannot be reproduced, though + pages were given to it; for some of the pictures were near, and some were + distant; some were clearly seen, and some were only hinted; some were not + recognized in the intellect at all, and yet they were implied, as it were, + behind the others. Many times we have all found ourselves glad or sorry, + and yet we could not tell what thought it was that reflected the sunbeam + or cast the shadow. Look into Cynthia's suddenly exalted consciousness and + see the picture, actual and potential, unroll itself in all its details of + the natural, the ridiculous, the selfish, the pitiful, the human. + Glimpses, hints, echoes, suggestions, involving tender sentiments hitherto + unknown, we may suppose, to that unclaimed sister's breast,—pleasant + excitement of receiving congratulations from suddenly cordial friends; the + fussy delights of buying furniture and shopping for new dresses,—(it + seemed as if she could hear herself saying, “Heavy silks,—best + goods, if you please,”)—with delectable thumping down of flat-sided + pieces of calico, cambric, “rep,” and other stiffs, and rhythmic evolution + of measured yards, followed by sharp snip of scissors, and that cry of + rending tissues dearer to woman's ear than any earthly sound until she + hears the voice of her own first-born, (much of this potentially, + remember,)—thoughts of a comfortable settlement, an imposing social + condition, a cheerful household, and by and by an Indian summer of serene + widowhood,—all these, and infinite other involved possibilities had + mapped themselves in one long swift flash before Cynthia's inward eye, and + all vanished as the old man spoke those few words. The look on his face, + and the tone of his cold speech, had instantly swept them all away, like a + tea-set sliding in a single crash from a slippery tray. + </p> + <p> + What could be the “business” on which he had come to her with that solemn + face?—she asked herself, as she returned his greeting and offered + him a chair. She was conscious of a slight tremor as she put this question + to her own intelligence. + </p> + <p> + “Are we like to be alone and undisturbed?” Mr. Gridley asked. It was a + strange question,—men do act strangely sometimes. She hardly knew. + whether to turn red or white. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, there is nobody like to come in at present,” she answered. She did + not know what to make of it. What was coming next,—a declaration, or + an accusation of murder? + </p> + <p> + “My business,” Mr. Gridley said, very gravely, “relates to this. I wish to + inspect papers which I have reason to believe exist, and which have + reference to the affairs of the late Malachi Withers. Can you help me to + get sight of any of these papers not to be found at the Registry of Deeds + or the Probate Office?” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Mr. Gridley, but may I ask you what particular concern you + have with the affairs of my relative, Cousin Malachi Withers, that's been + dead and buried these half-dozen years?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it would take some time to answer that question fully, Miss + Badlam. Some of these affairs do concern those I am interested in, if not + myself directly.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask who the person or persons may be on whose account you wish to + look at papers belonging to my late relative, Malachi Withers?” + </p> + <p> + “You can ask me almost anything, Miss Badlam, but I should really be very + much obliged if you would answer my question first. Can you help me to get + a sight of any papers relating to the estate of Malachi Withers, not to be + found at the Registry of Deeds or the Probate Office,—any of which + you may happen to have any private and particular knowledge?” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, Mr. Gridley; but I don't understand why you come to me + with such questions. Lawyer Penhallow is the proper person, I should + think, to go to. He and his partner that was—Mr. Wibird, you know—settled + the estate, and he has got the papers, I suppose, if there are any, that + ain't to be found in the offices you mention.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley moved his chair a little, so as to bring Miss Badlam's face a + little more squarely in view. + </p> + <p> + “Does Mr. William Murray Bradshaw know anything about any papers, such as + I am referring to, that may have been sent to the office?” + </p> + <p> + The lady felt a little moisture stealing through all her pores, and at the + same time a certain dryness of the vocal organs, so that her answer came + in a slightly altered tone which neither of them could help noticing. + </p> + <p> + “You had better ask Mr. William Murray Bradshaw yourself about that,” she + answered. She felt the hook now, and her spines were rising, partly with + apprehension, partly with irritation. + </p> + <p> + “Has that young gentleman ever delivered into your hands any papers + relating to the affairs of the late Malachi Withers, for your safe + keeping?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by asking me these questions, Mr. Gridley? I don't + choose to be catechised about Murray Bradshaw's business. Go to him, if + you please, if you want to find out about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse my persistence, Miss Badlam, but I must prevail upon you to answer + my question. Has Mr. William Murray Bradshaw ever delivered into your + hands any papers relating to the affairs of the late Malachi Withers, for + your safe keeping?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you suppose I am going to answer such questions as you are putting me + because you repeat them over, Mr. Gridley? Indeed I sha'n't. Ask him, if + you please, whatever you wish to know about his doings.” + </p> + <p> + She drew herself up and looked savagely at him. She had talked herself + into her courage. There was a color in her cheeks and a sparkle in her + eye; she looked dangerous as a cobra. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Cynthia Badlam,” Master Gridley said, very deliberately, “I am + afraid we do not entirely understand each other. You must answer my + question precisely, categorically, point-blank, and on the instant. Will + you do this at once, or will you compel me to show you the absolute + necessity of your doing it, at the expense of pain to both of us? Six + words from me will make you answer all my questions.” + </p> + <p> + “You can't say six words, nor sixty, Mr. Gridley, that will make me answer + one question I do not choose to. I defy you!” + </p> + <p> + “I will not say one, Miss Cynthia Badlam. There are some things one does + not like to speak in words. But I will show you a scrap of paper, + containing just six words and a date; not one word more nor one less. You + shall read them. Then I will burn the paper in the flame of your lamp. As + soon after that as you feel ready, I will ask the same question again.” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley took out from his pocket-book a scrap of paper, and handed + it to Cynthia Badlam. Her hand shook as she received it, for she was + frightened as well as enraged, and she saw that Mr. Gridley was in earnest + and knew what he was doing. + </p> + <p> + She read the six words, he looking at her steadily all the time, and + watching her as if he had just given her a drop of prussic acid. + </p> + <p> + No cry. No sound from her lips. She stared as if half stunned for one + moment, then turned her head and glared at Mr. Gridley as if she would + have murdered him if she dared. In another instant her face whitened, the + scrap of paper fluttered to the floor, and she would have followed it but + for the support of both Mr. Gridley's arms. He disengaged one of them + presently, and felt in his pocket for the sal volatile. It served him + excellently well, and stung her back again to her senses very quickly. All + her defiant aspect had gone. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” he said, as he lighted the scrap of paper in the flame. “You + understand me, and you see that I must be answered the next time I ask my + question.” + </p> + <p> + She opened her lips as if to speak. It was as when a bell is rung in a + vacuum,—no words came from them,—only a faint gasping sound, + an effort at speech. She was caught tight in the heart-screw. + </p> + <p> + “Don't hurry yourself, Miss Cynthia,” he said, with a certain relenting + tenderness of manner. “Here, take another sniff of the smelling-salts. Be + calm, be quiet,—I am well disposed towards you,—I don't like + to give you trouble. There, now, I must have the answer to that question; + but take your time, take your time.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me some water,—some water!” she said, in a strange hoarse + whisper. There was a pitcher of water and a tumbler on an old marble + sideboard near by. He filled the tumbler, and Cynthia emptied it as if she + had just been taken from the rack, and could have swallowed a bucketful. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to know?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to know all that you can tell me about a certain paper, or certain + papers, which I have reason to believe Mr. William Murray Bradshaw + committed to your keeping.” + </p> + <p> + “There is only one paper of any consequence. Do you want to make him kill + me? or do you want to make me kill myself?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither, Miss Cynthia, neither. I wish to see that paper, but not for any + bad purpose. Don't you think, on the whole, you have pretty good reason to + trust me? I am a very quiet man, Miss Cynthia. Don't be afraid of me; only + do what I ask,—it will be a great deal better for you in the end.” + </p> + <p> + She thrust her trembling hand into her pocket, and took out the key of the + little trunk. She drew the trunk towards her, put the key in the lock, and + opened it. It seemed like pressing a knife into her own bosom and turning + the blade. That little trunk held all the records of her life the forlorn + spinster most cherished;—a few letters that came nearer to + love-letters than any others she had ever received; an album, with flowers + of the summers of 1840 and 1841 fading between its leaves; two papers + containing locks of hair, half of a broken ring, and other insignificant + mementos which had their meaning, doubtless, to her,—such a + collection as is often priceless to one human heart, and passed by as + worthless in the auctioneer's inventory. She took the papers out + mechanically, and laid them on the table. Among them was an oblong packet, + sealed with what appeared to be the office seal of Messrs. Penhallow and + Bradshaw. + </p> + <p> + “Will you allow me to take that envelope containing papers, Miss Badlam?” + Mr. Gridley asked, with a suavity and courtesy in his tone and manner that + showed how he felt for her sex and her helpless position. + </p> + <p> + She seemed to obey his will as if she had none of her own left. She passed + the envelope to him, and stared at him vacantly while he examined it. He + read on the back of the package: “Withers Estate—old papers—of + no importance apparently. Examine hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask when, where, and of whom you obtained these papers, Miss + Badlam?” + </p> + <p> + “Have pity on me, Mr. Gridley,—have pity on me. I am a lost woman if + you do not. Spare me! for God's sake, spare me! There will no wrong come + of all this, if you will but wait a little while. The paper will come to + light when it is wanted, and all will be right. But do not make me answer + any more questions, and let me keep this paper. O Mr. Gridley! I am in the + power of a dreadful man—” + </p> + <p> + “You mean Mr. William Murray Bradshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean him.” + </p> + <p> + “Has there not been some understanding between you that he should become + the approved suitor of Miss Myrtle Hazard?” + </p> + <p> + Cynthia wrung her hands and rocked herself backward and forward in her + misery, but answered not a word. What could she answer, if she had plotted + with this “dreadful man” against a young and innocent girl, to deliver her + over into his hands, at the risk of all her earthly hopes and happiness? + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley waited long and patiently for any answer she might have the + force to make. As she made none, he took upon himself to settle the whole + matter without further torture of his helpless victim. + </p> + <p> + “This package must go into the hands of the parties who had the settlement + of the estate of the late Malachi Withers. Mr. Penhallow is the survivor + of the two gentlemen to whom that business was intrusted. How long is Mr. + William Murray Bradshaw like to be away?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps a few days,—perhaps weeks,—and then he will come back + and kill me,—or—or—worse! Don't take that paper, Mr. + Gridley,—he isn't like you! you would n't—but he would—he + would send me to everlasting misery to gain his own end, or to save + himself. And yet he is n't every way bad, and if he did marry Myrtle she'd + think there never was such a man,—for he can talk her heart out of + her, and the wicked in him lies very deep and won't ever come out, + perhaps, if the world goes right with him.” The last part of this sentence + showed how Cynthia talked with her own conscience; all her mental and + moral machinery lay open before the calm eyes of Master Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + His thoughts wandered a moment from the business before him; he had just + got a new study of human nature, which in spite of himself would be + shaping itself into an axiom for an imagined new edition of “Thoughts on + the Universe,” something like this, “The greatest saint may be a sinner + that never got down to 'hard pan.'” It was not the time to be framing + axioms. + </p> + <p> + “Poh! poh!” he said to himself; “what are you about making phrases, when + you have got a piece of work like this in hand?” Then to Cynthia, with + great gentleness and kindness of manner: “Have no fear about any + consequences to yourself. Mr. Penhallow must see that paper—I mean + those papers. You shall not be a loser nor a sufferer if you do your duty + now in these premises.” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley, treating her, as far as circumstances permitted, like a + gentleman, had shown no intention of taking the papers either stealthily + or violently. It must be with her consent. He had laid the package down + upon the table, waiting for her to give him leave to take it. But just as + he spoke these last words, Cynthia, whose eye had been glancing furtively + at it while he was thinking out his axiom, and taking her bearings to it + pretty carefully, stretched her hand out, and, seizing the package, thrust + it into the sanctuary of her bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Penhallow must see those papers, Miss Cynthia Badlam,” Mr. Gridley + repeated calmly. “If he says they or any of them can be returned to your + keeping, well and good. But see them he must, for they have his office + seal and belong in his custody, and, as you see by the writing on the + back, they have not been examined. Now there may be something among them + which is of immediate importance to the relatives of the late deceased + Malachi Withers, and therefore they must be forthwith submitted to the + inspection of the surviving partner of the firm of Wibird and Penhallow. + This I propose to do, with your consent, this evening. It is now + twenty-five minutes past eight by the true time, as my watch has it. At + half past eight exactly I shall have the honor of bidding you good + evening, Miss Cynthia Badlam, whether you give me those papers or not. I + shall go to the office of Jacob Penhallow, Esquire, and there make one of + two communications to him; to wit, these papers and the facts connected + therewith, or another statement, the nature of which you may perhaps + conjecture.” + </p> + <p> + There is no need of our speculating as to what Mr. Byles Gridley, an + honorable and humane man, would have done, or what would have been the + nature of that communication which he offered as an alternative to the + perplexed woman. He had not at any rate miscalculated the strength of his + appeal, which Cynthia interpreted as he expected. She bore the heart-screw + about two minutes. Then she took the package from her bosom, and gave it + with averted face to Master Byles Gridley, who, on receiving it, made her + a formal but not unkindly bow, and bade her good evening. + </p> + <p> + “One would think it had been lying out in the dew,” he said, as he left + the house and walked towards Mr. Penhallow's residence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. MASTER BYLES GRIDLEY CONSULTS WITH JACOB PENHALLOW, ESQUIRE + </h2> + <p> + Lawyer Penhallow was seated in his study, his day's work over, his feet in + slippers, after the comfortable but inelegant fashion which Sir Walter + Scott reprobates, amusing himself with a volume of old Reports. He was a + knowing man enough, a keen country lawyer but honest, and therefore less + ready to suspect the honesty of others. He had a great belief in his young + partner's ability, and, though he knew him to be astute, did not think him + capable of roguery. + </p> + <p> + It was at his request that Mr. Bradshaw had undertaken his journey, which, + as he believed,—and as Mr. Bradshaw had still stronger evidence of a + strictly confidential nature which led him to feel sure,—would end + in the final settlement of the great land claim in favor of their client. + The case had been dragging along from year to year, like an English + chancery suit; and while courts and lawyers and witnesses had been + sleeping, the property had been steadily growing. A railroad had passed + close to one margin of the township, some mines had been opened in the + county, in which a village calling itself a city had grown big enough to + have a newspaper and Fourth of July orations. It was plain that the + successful issue of the long process would make the heirs of the late + Malachi Withers possessors of an ample fortune, and it was also plain that + the firm of Penhallow and Bradshaw were like to receive, in such case, the + largest fee that had gladdened the professional existence of its members. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow had his book open before him, but his thoughts were + wandering from the page. He was thinking of his absent partner, and the + probable results of his expedition. What would be the consequence if all + this property came into the possession of Silence Withers? Could she have + any liberal intentions with reference to Myrtle Hazard, the young girl who + had grown up with her, or was the common impression true, that she was + bent on endowing an institution, and thus securing for herself a favorable + consideration in the higher courts, where her beneficiaries would be, it + might be supposed, influential advocates? He could not help thinking that + Mr. Bradshaw believed that Myrtle Hazard would eventually come to a part at + least of this inheritance. For the story was, that he was paying his court + to the young lady whenever he got an opportunity, and that he was + cultivating an intimacy with Miss Cynthia Badlam. “Bradshaw wouldn't make + a move in that direction,” Mr. Penhallow said to himself, “until he felt + pretty sure that it was going to be a paying business. If he was only a + young minister now, there'd be no difficulty about it. Let any man, young + or old, in a clerical white cravat, step up to Myrtle Hazard, and ask her + to be miserable in his company through this wretched life, and aunt + Silence would very likely give them her blessing, and add something to it + that the man in the white cravat would think worth even more than that + was. But I don't know what she'll say to Bradshaw. Perhaps he 'd better + have a hint to go to meeting a little more regularly. However, I suppose + he knows what he's about.” + </p> + <p> + He was thinking all this over when a visitor was announced, and Mr. Byles + Gridley entered the study. + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Mr. Penhallow,” Mr. Gridley said, wiping his forehead. + “Quite warm, is n't it, this evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Warm!” said Mr. Penhallow, “I should think it would freeze pretty thick + to-night. I should have asked you to come up to the fire and warm + yourself. But take off your coat, Mr. Gridley,—very glad to see you. + You don't come to the house half as often as you come to the office. Sit + down, sit down.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley took off his outside coat and sat down. “He does look warm, + does n't he?” Mr. Penhallow thought. “Wonder what has heated up the old + gentleman so. Find out quick enough, for he always goes straight to + business.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Penhallow,” Mr. Gridley began at once, “I have come on a very grave + matter, in which you are interested as well as myself, and I wish to lay + the whole of it before you as explicitly as I can, so that we may settle + this night before I go what is to be done. I am afraid the good standing + of your partner, Mr. William Murray Bradshaw, is concerned in the matter. + Would it be a surprise to you, if he had carried his acuteness in some + particular case like the one I am to mention beyond the prescribed + limits?” + </p> + <p> + The question was put so diplomatically that there was no chance for an + indignant denial of the possibility of Mr. Bradshaw's being involved in + any discreditable transaction. + </p> + <p> + “It is possible,” he answered, “that Bradshaw's keen wits may have + betrayed him into sharper practice than I should altogether approve in any + business we carried on together. He is a very knowing young man, but I + can't think he is foolish enough, to say nothing of his honesty, to make + any false step of the kind you seem to hint. I think he might on occasion + go pretty near the line, but I don't believe he would cross it.” + </p> + <p> + “Permit me a few questions, Mr. Penhallow. You settled the estate of the + late Malachi Withers, did you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Wibird and myself settled it together.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you received any papers from any of the family since the settlement + of the estate?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see. Yes; a roll of old plans of the Withers Place, and so forth,—not + of much use, but labelled and kept. An old trunk with letters and + account-books, some of them in Dutch,—mere curiosities. A year ago + or more, I remember that Silence sent me over some papers she had found in + an odd corner,—the old man hid things like a magpie. I looked over + most of them,—trumpery not worth keeping,—old leases and so + forth.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you recollect giving some of them to Mr. Bradshaw to look over?” + </p> + <p> + “Now I come to think of it, I believe I did; but he reported to me, if I + remember right, that they amounted to nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “If any of those papers were of importance, should you think your junior + partner ought to keep them from your knowledge?” + </p> + <p> + “I need not answer that question, Mr. Gridley. Will you be so good as to + come at once to the facts on which you found your suspicions, and which + lead you to put these questions to me?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Mr. Gridley proceeded to state succinctly the singular behavior + of Murray Bradshaw in taking one paper from a number handed to him by Mr. + Penhallow, and concealing it in a volume. He related how he was just on + the point of taking out the volume which contained the paper, when Mr. + Bradshaw entered and disconcerted him. He had, however, noticed three + spots on the paper by which he should know it anywhere. He then repeated + the substance of Kitty Fagan's story, accenting the fact that she too + noticed three remarkable spots on the paper which Mr. Bradshaw had pointed + out to Miss Badlam as the one so important to both of them. Here he rested + the case for the moment. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow looked thoughtful. There was something questionable in the + aspect of this business. It did obviously suggest the idea of an underhand + arrangement with Miss Cynthia, possibly involving some very grave + consequences. It would have been most desirable, he said, to have + ascertained what these papers, or rather this particular paper, to which + so much importance was attached, amounted to. Without that knowledge there + was nothing, after all, which it might not be possible to explain. He + might have laid aside the spotted paper to examine for some object of mere + curiosity. It was certainly odd that the one the Fagan woman had seen + should present three spots so like those on the other paper, but people + did sometimes throw treys at backgammon, and that which not rarely + happened with two dice of six faces might happen if they had sixty or six + hundred faces. On the whole, he did not see that there was any ground, so + far, for anything more than a vague suspicion. He thought it not unlikely + that Mr. Bradshaw was a little smitten with the young lady up at The + Poplars, and that he had made some diplomatic overtures to the duenna, + after the approved method of suitors. She was young for Bradshaw,—very + young,—but he knew his own affairs. If he chose to make love to a + child, it was natural enough that he should begin by courting her nurse. + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley lost himself for half a minute in a most + discreditable inward discussion as to whether Laura Penhallow was probably + one or two years older than Mr. Bradshaw. That was his way, he could not + help it. He could not think of anything without these mental parentheses. + But he came back to business at the end of his half-minute. + </p> + <p> + “I can lay the package before you at this moment, Mr. Penhallow. I have + induced that woman in whose charge it was left to intrust it to my + keeping, with the express intention of showing it to you. But it is + protected by a seal, as I have told you, which I should on no account + presume to meddle with.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gridley took out the package of papers. + </p> + <p> + “How damp it is!” Mr. Penhallow said; “must have been lying in some very + moist neighborhood.” + </p> + <p> + “Very,” Mr. Gridley answered, with a peculiar expression which said, + “Never mind about that.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the party give you possession of these documents without making any + effort to retain them?” the lawyer asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not precisely. It cost some effort to induce Miss Badlam to let them go + out of her hands. I hope you think I was justified in making the effort I + did, not without a considerable strain upon my feelings, as well as her + own, to get hold of the papers?” + </p> + <p> + “That will depend something on what the papers prove to be, Mr. Gridley. A + man takes a certain responsibility in doing just what you have done. If, + for instance, it should prove that this envelope contained matters + relating solely to private transactions between Mr. Bradshaw and Miss + Badlam, concerning no one but themselves,—and if the words on the + back of the envelope and the seal had been put there merely as a + protection for a package containing private papers of a delicate but + perfectly legitimate character—” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer paused, as careful experts do, after bending the bow of an + hypothesis, before letting the arrow go. Mr. Gridley felt very warm + indeed, uncomfortably so, and applied his handkerchief to his face. Could + n't be anything in such a violent supposition as that, and yet such a + crafty fellow as that Bradshaw,—what trick was he not up to? Absurd! + Cynthia was not acting,—Rachel would n't be equal to such a + performance!—“why then, Mr. Gridley,” the lawyer continued, “I don't + see but what my partner would have you at an advantage, and, if disposed + to make you uncomfortable, could do so pretty effectively. But this, you + understand, is only a supposed case, and not a very likely one. I don't + think it would have been prudent in you to meddle with that seal. But it + is a very different matter with regard to myself. It makes no difference, + so far as I am concerned, where this package came from, or how it was + obtained. It is just as absolutely within my control as any piece of + property I call my own. I should not hesitate, if I saw fit, to break this + seal at once, and proceed to the examination of any papers contained + within the envelope. If I found any paper of the slightest importance + relating to the estate, I should act as if it had never been out of my + possession. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose, however, I chose to know what was in the package, and, having + ascertained, act my judgment about returning it to the party from whom you + obtained it. In such case I might see fit to restore or cause it to be + restored, to the party, without any marks of violence having been used + being apparent. If everything is not right, probably no questions would be + asked by the party having charge of the package. If there is no underhand + work going on, and the papers are what they profess to be, nobody is + compromised but yourself, so far as I can see, and you are compromised at + any rate, Mr. Gridley, at least in the good graces of the party from whom + you obtained the documents. Tell that party that I took the package + without opening it, and shall return it, very likely, without breaking the + seal. Will consider of the matter, say a couple of days. Then you shall + hear from me, and she shall hear from you. So. So. Yes, that's it. A nice + business. A thing to sleep on. You had better leave the whole matter of + dealing with the package to me. If I see fit to send it back with the seal + unbroken, that is my affair. But keep perfectly quiet, if you please, Mr. + Gridley, about the whole matter. Mr. Bradshaw is off, as you know, and the + business on which he is gone is important,—very important. He can be + depended on for that; he has acted all along as if he had a personal + interest in the success of our firm beyond his legal relation to it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow's light burned very late in the office that night, and the + following one. He looked troubled and absent-minded, and when Miss Laura + ventured to ask him how long Mr. Bradshaw was like to be gone, he answered + her in such a way that the girl who waited at table concluded that he did + n't mean to have Miss Laury keep company with Mr. Bradshaw, or he'd never + have spoke so dreadful hash to her when she asked about him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. SUSAN POSEY'S TRIAL. + </h2> + <p> + A day or two after Myrtle Hazard returned to the village, Master Byles + Gridley, accompanied by Gifted Hopkins, followed her, as has been already + mentioned, to the same scene of the principal events of this narrative. + The young man had been persuaded that it would be doing injustice to his + talents to crowd their fruit prematurely upon the market. He carried his + manuscript back with him, having relinquished the idea of publishing for + the present. Master Byles Gridley, on the other hand, had in his pocket a + very flattering proposal, from the same publisher to whom he had + introduced the young poet, for a new and revised edition of his work, + “Thoughts on the Universe,” which was to be remodelled in some respects, + and to have a new title not quite so formidable to the average reader. + </p> + <p> + It would be hardly fair to Susan Posey to describe with what delight and + innocent enthusiasm she welcomed back Gifted Hopkins. She had been so + lonely since he was away? She had read such of his poems as she possessed—duplicates + of his printed ones, or autographs which he had kindly written out for her—over + and over again, not without the sweet tribute of feminine sensibility, + which is the most precious of all testimonials to a poet's power over the + heart. True, her love belonged to another,—but then she was so used + to Gifted! She did so love to hear him read his poems,—and Clement + had never written that “little bit of a poem to Susie,” which she had + asked him for so long ago! She received him therefore with open arms,—not + literally, of course, which would have been a breach of duty and + propriety, but in a figurative sense, which it is hoped no reader will + interpret to her discredit. + </p> + <p> + The young poet was in need of consolation. It is true that he had seen + many remarkable sights during his visit to the city; that he had got + “smarted up,” as his mother called it, a good deal; that he had been to + Mrs. Clymer Ketchum's party, where he had looked upon life in all its + splendors; and that he brought back many interesting experiences, which + would serve to enliven his conversation for a long time. But he had failed + in the great enterprise he had undertaken. He was forced to confess to his + revered parent, and his esteemed friend Susan Posey, that his genius, + which was freely acknowledged, was not thought to be quite ripe as yet. He + told the young lady some particulars of his visit to the publisher, how he + had listened with great interest to one of his poems, “The Triumph of + Song,”—how he had treated him with marked and flattering attention; + but that he advised him not to risk anything prematurely, giving him the + hope that by and by he would be admitted into that series of illustrious + authors which it was the publisher's privilege to present to the reading + public. In short, he was advised not to print. That was the net total of + the matter, and it was a pang to the susceptible heart of the poet. He had + hoped to have come home enriched by the sale of his copyright, and with + the prospect of seeing his name before long on the back of a handsome + volume. + </p> + <p> + Gifted's mother did all in her power to console him in his disappointment. + There was plenty of jealous people always that wanted to keep young folks + from rising in the world. Never mind, she did n't believe but what Gifted + could make jest as good verses as any of them that they kept such a talk + about. She had a fear that he might pine away in consequence of the mental + excitement he had gone through, and solicited his appetite with her + choicest appliances,—of which he partook in a measure which showed + that there was no immediate cause of alarm. + </p> + <p> + But Susan Posey was more than a consoler,—she was an angel to him in + this time of his disappointment. “Read me all the poems over again,” she + said,—“it is almost the only pleasure I have left, to hear you read + your beautiful verses.” Clement Lindsay had not written to Susan quite so + often of late as at some former periods of the history of their love. + Perhaps it was that which had made her look paler than usual for some + little time. Something was evidently preying on her. Her only delight + seemed to be in listening to Gifted as he read, sometimes with fine + declamatory emphasis, sometimes in low, tremulous tones, the various poems + enshrined in his manuscript. At other times she was sad, and more than + once Mrs. Hopkins had seen a tear steal down her innocent cheek, when + there seemed to be no special cause for grief. She ventured to speak of it + to Master Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + “Our Susan's in trouble, Mr. Gridley, for some reason or other that's + unbeknown to me, and I can't help wishing you could jest have a few words + with her. You're a kind of a grandfather, you know, to all the young + folks, and they'd tell you pretty much everything about themselves. I + calc'late she is n't at ease in her mind about somethin' or other, and I + kind o' think, Mr. Gridley, you could coax it out of her.” + </p> + <p> + “Was there ever anything like it?” said Master Byles Gridley to himself. + “I shall have all the young folks in Oxbow Village to take care of at this + rate. Susan Posey in trouble, too! Well, well, well, it's easier to get a + birch-bark canoe off the shallows than a big ship off the rocks. Susan + Posey's trouble will be come at easily enough; but Myrtle Hazard floats in + deeper water. We must make Susan Posey tell her own story, or let her tell + it, for it will all come out of itself.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to dust the books in the open shelves this morning. I wonder + if Miss Susan Posey would n't like to help for half an hour or so,” Master + Gridley remarked at the breakfast-table. + </p> + <p> + The amiable girl's very pleasant countenance lighted up at the thought of + obliging the old man who had been so kind to her and so liberal to her + friend, the poet. She would be delighted to help him; she would dust them + all for him, if he wanted her to. No, Master Gridley said, he always + wanted to have a hand in it; and, besides, such a little body as she was + could not lift those great folios out of the lower shelves without + overstraining herself; she might handle the musketry and the light + artillery, but he must deal with the heavy guns himself. “As low down as + the octavos, Susan Posey, you shall govern; below that, the Salic law.” + </p> + <p> + Susan did not know much about the Salic law; but she knew he meant that he + would dust the big books and she would attend to the little ones. + </p> + <p> + A very young and a very pretty girl is sometimes quite charming in a + costume which thinks of nothing less than of being attractive. Susan + appeared after breakfast in the study, her head bound with a kerchief of + bright pattern, a little jacket she had outgrown buttoned, in spite of + opposition, close about her up to the throat, round which a white + handkerchief was loosely tied, and a pair of old gauntlets protecting her + hands, so that she suggested something between a gypsy, a jaunty + soubrette, and the fille du regiment. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley took out a great volume from the lower shelf,—a folio + in massive oaken covers with clasps Like prison hinges, bearing the + stately colophon, white on a ground of vermilion, of Nicholas Jenson and + his associates. He opened the volume,—paused over its blue, and + scarlet initial letter,—he turned page after page, admiring its + brilliant characters, its broad, white marginal rivers, and the narrower + white creek that separated the black-typed twin-columns, he turned back to + the beginning and read the commendatory paragraph, “Nam ipsorum omnia + fidgent tum correctione dignissima, tum cura imprimendo splendida ac + miranda,” and began reading, “Incipit proemium super apparatum + decretalium....” when it suddenly occurred to him that this was not + exactly doing what he had undertaken to do, and he began whisking an + ancient bandanna about the ears of the venerable volume. All this time + Miss Susan Posey was catching the little books by the small of their + backs, pulling them out, opening them, and clapping them together, + 'p-'p-'p! 'p-'p-'p! and carefully caressing all their edges with a regular + professional dusting-cloth, so persuasively that they yielded up every + particle that a year had drifted upon them, and came forth refreshed and + rejuvenated. This process went on for a while, until Susan had worked down + among the octavos and Master Gridley had worked up among the quartos. He + had got hold of Calmet's Dictionary, and was caught by the article + Solomon, so that he forgot his occupation again. All at once it struck him + that everything was very silent,—the 'p-'p-'p! of clapping the books + had ceased, and the light rustle of Susan's dress was no longer heard. He + looked up and saw her standing perfectly still, with a book in one hand + and her duster in the other. She was lost in thought, and by the shadow on + her face and the glistening of her blue eyes he knew it was her hidden + sorrow that had just come back to her. Master Gridley shut up his book, + leaving Solomon to his fate, like the worthy Benedictine he was reading, + without discussing the question whether he was saved or not. + </p> + <p> + “Susan Posey, child, what is your trouble?” + </p> + <p> + Poor Susan was in the state of unstable equilibrium which the least touch + upsets, and fell to crying. It took her some time to get down the waves of + emotion so that speech would live upon them. At last it ventured out,—showing + at intervals, like the boat rising on the billow, sinking into the hollow, + and climbing again into notice. + </p> + <p> + “O Mr. Grid-ley—I can't—I can't—tell you or—any-body—what + 's the mat-mat-matter. My heart will br-br-break.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no, child,” said Mr. Gridley, sympathetically stirred a little + himself by the sight of Susan in tears and sobbing and catching her + breath, “that mustn't be, Susan Posey. Come off the steps, Susan Posey, + and stop dusting the books,—I can finish them,—and tell me all + about your troubles. I will try to help you out of them, and I have begun + to think I know how to help young people pretty well. I have had some + experience at it.” + </p> + <p> + But Susan cried and sobbed all the more uncontrollably and convulsively. + Master Gridley thought he had better lead her at once to what he felt + pretty sure was the source of her grief, and that, when she had had her + cry out, she would probably make the hole in the ice he had broken big + enough in a very few minutes. + </p> + <p> + “I think something has gone wrong between you and your friend, the young + gentleman with whom you are in intimate relations, my child, and I think + you had better talk freely with me, for I can perhaps give you a little + counsel that will be of service.” + </p> + <p> + Susan cried herself quiet at last. “There's nobody in the world like you, + Mr. Gridley,” she said, “and I've been wanting to tell you something ever + so long. My friend—Mr. Clem—Clement Lindsay does n't care for + me as he used to,—I know he does n't. He hasn't written to me for—I + don't know but it's a month. And O Mr. Gridley! he's such a great man, and + I am such a simple person,—I can't help thinking—he would be + happier with somebody else than poor little Susan Posey!” + </p> + <p> + This last touch of self-pity overcame her, as it is so apt to do those who + indulge in that delightful misery, and she broke up badly, as a + horse-fancier would say, so that it was some little time before she + recovered her conversational road-gait. + </p> + <p> + “O Mr. Gridley,” she began again, at length, “if I only dared to tell him + what I think,—that perhaps it would be happier for us both—if + we could forget each other! Ought I not to tell him so? Don't you think he + would find another to make him happy? Wouldn't he forgive me for telling + him he was free? Were we not too young to know each other's hearts when we + promised each other that we would love as long as we lived? Sha'n't I + write him a letter this very day and tell him all? Do you think it would + be wrong in me to do it? O Mr. Gridley, it makes me almost crazy to think + about it. Clement must be free! I cannot, cannot hold him to a promise he + does n't want to keep.” + </p> + <p> + There were so many questions in this eloquent rhapsody of Susan's that + they neutralized each other, as one might say, and Master Gridley had time + for reflection. His thoughts went on something in this way: + </p> + <p> + “Pretty clear case! Guess Mr. Clement can make up his mind to it. Put it + well, did n't she? Not a word about our little Gifted! That's the trouble. + Poets! how they do bewitch these schoolgirls! And having a chance every + day, too, how could you expect her to stand it?” Then aloud: “Susan Posey, + you are a good, honest little girl as ever was. I think you and Clement + were too hasty in coming together for life before you knew what life + meant. I think if you write Clement a letter, telling him that you cannot + help fearing that you two are not perfectly adapted to each other, on + account of certain differences for which neither of you is responsible, + and that you propose that each should release the other from the pledge + given so long ago,—in that case, I say, I believe he will think no + worse of you for so doing, and may perhaps agree that it is best for both + of you to seek your happiness elsewhere than in each other.” + </p> + <p> + The book-dusting came to as abrupt a close as the reading of Lancelot. + Susan went straight to her room, dried her tears so as to write in a fair + hand, but had to stop every few lines and take a turn at the + “dust-layers,” as Mrs. Clymer Ketchum's friend used to call the fountains + of sensibility. It would seem like betraying Susan's confidence to reveal + the contents of this letter, but the reader may be assured that it was + simple and sincere and very sweetly written, without the slightest + allusion to any other young man, whether of the poetical or cheaper human + varieties. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Susan received a reply from Clement Lindsay. It was + as kind and generous and noble as she could have asked. It was + affectionate, as a very amiable brother's letter might be, and candidly + appreciative of the reasons Susan had assigned for her proposal. He gave + her back her freedom, not that he should cease to feel an interest in her, + always. He accepted his own release, not that he would ever think she + could be indifferent to his future fortunes. And within a very brief + period of time after sending his answer to Susan Posey, whether he wished + to see her in person, or whether he had some other motive, he had packed + his trunk, and made his excuses for an absence of uncertain length at the + studio, and was on his way to Oxbow Village. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. JUST AS YOU EXPECTED. + </h2> + <p> + The spring of 1861 had now arrived,—that eventful spring which was + to lift the curtain and show the first scene of the first act in the + mighty drama which fixed the eyes of mankind during four bloody years. The + little schemes of little people were going on in all our cities and + villages without thought of the fearful convulsion which was soon coming + to shatter the hopes and cloud the prospects of millions. Our little Oxbow + Village, which held itself by no means the least of human centres, was the + scene of its own commotions, as intense and exciting to those concerned as + if the destiny of the nation had been involved in them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clement Lindsay appeared suddenly in that important locality, and + repaired to his accustomed quarters at the house of Deacon Rumrill. That + worthy person received him with a certain gravity of manner, caused by his + recollections of the involuntary transgression into which Mr. Lindsay had + led him by his present of “Ivanhoe.”—He was, on the whole, glad to + see him, for his finances were not yet wholly recovered from the injury + inflicted on them by the devouring element. But he could not forget that + his boarder had betrayed him into a breach of the fourth commandment, and + that the strict eyes of his clergyman had detected him in the very + commission of the offence. He had no sooner seen Mr. Clement comfortably + installed, therefore, than he presented himself at the door of his chamber + with the book, enveloped in strong paper and very securely tied round with + a stout string. + </p> + <p> + “Here is your vollum, Mr. Lindsay,” the Deacon said. “I understand it is + not the work of that great and good mahn who I thought wrote it. I did not + see anything immoral in it as fur as I read, but it belongs to what I + consider a very dangerous class of publications. These novels and romances + are awfully destructive to our youth. I should recommend you, as a young + man of principle, to burn the vollum. At least I hope you will not leave + it about anywhere unless it is carefully tied up. I have written upon the + paper round it to warn off all the young persons of my household from + meddling with it.” + </p> + <p> + True enough, Mr. Clement saw in strong black letters on the back of the + paper wrapping his unfortunate “Ivanhoe,”— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “DANGEROUS READING FOR CHRISTIAN YOUTH. + + “TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN THING.” + </pre> + <p> + “I thought you said you had Scott's picture hung up in your parlor, Deacon + Rumrill,” he said, a little amused with the worthy man's fear and + precautions. + </p> + <p> + “It is the great Scott's likeness that I have in my parlor,” he said; “I + will show it to you if you will come with me.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clement followed the Deacon into that sacred apartment. + </p> + <p> + “That is the portrait of the great Scott,” he said, pointing to an + engraving of a heavy-looking person whose phrenological developments were + a somewhat striking contrast to those of the distinguished Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + “I will take good care that none of your young people see this volume,” + Mr. Clement said; “I trust you read it yourself, however, and found + something to please you in it. I am sure you are safe from being harmed by + any such book. Did n't you have to finish it, Deacon, after you had once + begun?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I—I—perused a consid'able portion of the work,” the + Deacon answered, in a way that led Mr. Clement to think he had not stopped + much short of Finis. “Anything new in the city?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing except what you've all had,—Confederate States establishing + an army and all that,—not very new either. What has been going on + here lately, Deacon?”— + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Lindsay, not a great deal. My new barn is pretty nigh done. + I've got as fine a litter of pigs as ever you see. I don't know whether + you're a judge of pigs or no. The Hazard gal's come back, spilt, pooty + much, I guess. Been to one o' them fashionable schools,—I 've heerd + that she 's learnt to dance. I've heerd say that that Hopkins boy's round + the Posey gal, come to think, she's the one you went with some when you + was here,—I 'm gettin' kind o' forgetful. Old Doctor Hurlbut's + pretty low,—ninety-four year old,—born in '67,—folks + ain't ginerally very spry after they're ninety, but he held out + wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + “How's Mr. Bradshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the young squire, he's off travellin' somewhere in the West, or to + Washin'ton, or somewhere else,—I don't jestly know where. They say + that he's follerin' up the courts in the business about old Malachi's + estate. I don' know much about it.” + </p> + <p> + The news got round Oxbow Village very speedily that Mr. Clement Lindsay, + generally considered the accepted lover of Miss Susan Posey, had arrived + in that place. Now it had come to be the common talk of the village that + young Gifted Hopkins and Susan Posey were getting to be mighty thick with + each other, and the prevailing idea was that Clement's visit had reference + to that state of affairs. Some said that Susan had given her young man the + mitten, meaning thereby that she had signified that his services as a + suitor were dispensed with. Others thought there was only a wavering in + her affection for her lover, and that he feared for her constancy, and had + come to vindicate his rights. + </p> + <p> + Some of the young fellows, who were doubtless envious of Gifted's + popularity with the fair sex, attempted in the most unjustifiable manner + to play upon his susceptible nature. One of them informed him that he had + seen that Lindsay fellah raound taown with the darndest big stick y' ever + did see. Looked kind o' savage and wild like. Another one told him that + perhaps he'd better keep a little shady; that are chap that had got the + mittin was praowlin' abaout—with a pistil,—one o' them + Darringers,—abaout as long as your thumb, an' fire a bullet as big + as a p'tatah-ball,—'a fellah carries one in his breeches-pocket, an' + shoots y' right threugh his own pahnts, withaout ever takin' on it aout of + his pocket. The stable-keeper, who, it may be remembered, once exchanged a + few playful words with Mr. Gridley, got a hint from some of these + unfeeling young men, and offered the resources of his stable to the youth + supposed to be in peril. + </p> + <p> + “I 've got a faast colt, Mr. Hopkins, that 'll put twenty mild betwixt you + an' this here village, as quick as any four huffs 'll dew it in this here + caounty, if you should want to get away suddin. I've heern tell there was + some lookin' raound here that wouldn't be wholesome to meet,—jest + say the word, Mr. Hopkins, an' I 'll have ye on that are colt's back in + less than no time, an' start ye off full jump. There's a good many that's + kind o' worried for fear something might happen to ye, Mr. Hopkins,—y' + see fellahs don't like to have other chaps cuttin' on 'em aout with their + gals.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted Hopkins had become excessively nervous by this time. It is true + that everything in his intimacy with Susan Posey, so far, might come under + the general head of friendship; but he was conscious that something more + was in both their thoughts. Susan had given him mysterious hints that her + relations with Clement had undergone a change, but had never had quite + courage enough, perhaps had too much delicacy, to reveal the whole truth. + </p> + <p> + Gifted was walking home, deeply immersed in thoughts excited by the hints + which hail been thus wantonly thrown out to inflame his imagination, when + all at once, on lifting his eyes, he saw Clement Lindsay coming straight + towards him. Gifted was unarmed, except with a pair of blunt scissors, + which he carried habitually in his pocket. What should he do? Should he + fly? But he was never a good runner, being apt to find himself scant o' + breath, like Hamlet, after violent exercise. His demeanor on the occasion + did credit to his sense of his own virtuous conduct and his + self-possession. He put his hand out, while yet at a considerable + distance, and marched up towards Clement, smiling with all the native + amiability which belonged to him. + </p> + <p> + To his infinite relief, Clement put out his hand to grasp the one offered + him, and greeted the young poet in the most frank and cordial manner. + </p> + <p> + “And how is Miss Susan Posey, Mr. Hopkins?” asked Clement, in the most + cheerful tone. “It is a long while since I have seen her, and you must + tell her that I hope I shall not leave the village without finding time to + call upon her. She and I are good friends always, Mr. Hopkins, though + perhaps I shall not be quite so often at your mother's as I was during my + last visit to Oxbow Village.” + </p> + <p> + Gifted felt somewhat as the subject of one of those old-fashioned forms of + argument, formerly much employed to convince men of error in matters of + religion, must have felt when the official who superintended the + stretching-machine said, “Slack up!” + </p> + <p> + He told Mr. Clement all about Susan, and was on the point of saying that + if he, Mr. Clement, did not claim any engrossing interest in her, he, + Gifted, was ready to offer her the devotion of a poet's heart. Mr. + Clement, however, had so many other questions to ask him about everybody + in the village, more particularly concerning certain young persons in whom + he seemed to be specially interested, that there was no chance to work in + his own revelations of sentiment. + </p> + <p> + Clement Lindsay had come to Oxbow Village with a single purpose. He could + now venture to trust himself in the presence of Myrtle Hazard. He was + free, and he knew nothing to show that she had lost the liberty of + disposing of her heart. But after an experience such as he had gone + through, he was naturally distrustful of himself, and inclined to be + cautious and reserved in yielding to a new passion. Should he tell her the + true relations in which they stood to each other,—that she owed her + life to him, and that he had very nearly sacrificed his own in saving + hers? Why not? He had a claim on her gratitude for what he had done in her + behalf, and out of this gratitude there might naturally spring a warmer + feeling. + </p> + <p> + No, he could not try to win her affections by showing that he had paid for + them beforehand. She seemed to be utterly unconscious of the fact that it + was he who had been with her in the abyss of waters. If the thought came + to her of itself, and she ever asked him, it would be time enough to tell + her the story. If not, the moment might arrive when he could reveal to her + the truth that he was her deliverer, without accusing himself of bribing + her woman's heart to reward him for his services. He would wait for that + moment. + </p> + <p> + It was the most natural thing in the world that Mr. Lindsay, a young + gentleman from the city, should call to see Miss Hazard, a young lady whom + he had met recently at a party. To that pleasing duty he addressed himself + the evening after his arrival. + </p> + <p> + “The young gentleman's goin' a courtin', I calc'late,” was the remark of + the Deacon's wife when she saw what a comely figure Mr. Clement showed at + the tea-table. + </p> + <p> + “A very hahnsome young mahn,” the Deacon replied, “and looks as if he + might know consid'able. An architect, you know,—a sort of a builder. + Wonder if he has n't got any good plans for a hahnsome pigsty. I suppose + he 'd charge somethin' for one, but it couldn't be much, an' he could take + it out in board.” + </p> + <p> + “Better ask him,” his wife—said; “he looks mighty pleasant; there's + nothin' lost by askin', an' a good deal got sometimes, grandma used to + say.” + </p> + <p> + The Deacon followed her advice. Mr. Clement was perfectly good-natured + about it, asked the Deacon the number of snouts in his menagerie, got an + idea of the accommodations required, and sketched the plaza of a neat, and + appropriate edifice for the Porcellarium, as Master Gridley afterwards + pleasantly christened it, which was carried out by the carpenter, and + stands to this day a monument of his obliging disposition, and a proof + that there is nothing so humble that taste cannot be shown in it. + </p> + <p> + “What'll be your charge for the plan of the pigsty, Mr. Lindsay?” the + Deacon inquired with an air of interest,—he might have become + involved more deeply than he had intended. “How much should you call about + right for the picter an' figgerin'?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you're quite welcome to my sketch of a plan, Deacon. I've seen much + showier buildings tenanted by animals not very different from those your + edifice is meant for.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clement found the three ladies sitting together in the chill, dim + parlor at The Poplars. They had one of the city papers spread out on the + table, and Myrtle was reading aloud the last news from Charleston Harbor. + She rose as Mr. Clement entered, and stepped forward to meet him. It was a + strange impression this young man produced upon her,—not through the + common channels of the intelligence, not exactly that “magnetic” influence + of which she had had experience at a former time. It did not over come her + as at the moment of their second meeting. But it was something she must + struggle against, and she had force and pride and training enough now to + maintain her usual tranquillity, in spite of a certain inward commotion + which seemed to reach her breathing and her pulse by some strange, + inexplicable mechanism. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle, it must be remembered, was no longer the simple country girl who + had run away at fifteen, but a young lady of seventeen, who had learned + all that more than a year's diligence at a great school could teach her, + who had been much with girls of taste and of culture, and was familiar + with the style and manners of those who came from what considered itself + the supreme order in the social hierarchy. Her natural love for + picturesque adornment was qualified by a knowledge of the prevailing modes + not usual in so small a place as Oxbow Village. All this had not failed to + produce its impression on those about her. Persons who, like Miss Silence + Withers, believe, not in education, inasmuch as there is no healthy nature + to be educated, but in transformation, worry about their charges up to a + certain period of their lives. Then, if the transformation does not come, + they seem to think their cares and duties are at an end, and, considering + their theories of human destiny, usually accept the situation with + wonderful complacency. This was the stage which Miss Silence Withers had + reached with reference to Myrtle. It made her infinitely more agreeable, + or less disagreeable, as the reader may choose one or the other statement, + than when she was always fretting about her “responsibility.” She even + began to take an interest in some of Myrtle's worldly experiences, and + something like a smile would now and then disarrange the chief-mourner + stillness of her features, as Myrtle would tell some lively story she had + brought away from the gay society she had frequented. + </p> + <p> + Cynthia Badlam kept her keen eyes on her like a hawk. Murray Bradshaw was + away, and here was this handsome and agreeable youth coming in to poach on + the preserve of which she considered herself the gamekeeper. What did it + mean? She had heard the story about Susan's being off with her old love + and on with a new one. Ah ha! this is the game, is it? + </p> + <p> + Clement Lindsay passed not so much a pleasant evening, as one of strange, + perplexed, and mingled delight and inward conflict. He had found his + marble once more turned to flesh and blood, and breathing before him. This + was the woman he was born for; her form was fit to model his proudest + ideal from, her eyes melted him when they rested for an instant on his + face,—her voice reached the hidden sensibilities of his inmost + nature; those which never betray their existence until the outward chord + to which they vibrate in response sends its message to stir them. But was + she not already pledged to that other,—that cold-blooded, + contriving, venal, cynical, selfish, polished, fascinating man of the + world, whose artful strategy would pass with nine women out of ten for the + most romantic devotion? + </p> + <p> + If he had known the impression he made, he would have felt less anxiety + with reference to this particular possibility. Miss Silence expressed + herself gratified with his appearance, and thought he looked like a good + young man,—he reminded her of a young friend of hers who—[It + was the same who had gone to one of the cannibal islands as a missionary,—and + stayed there.] Myrtle was very quiet. She had nothing to say about + Clement, except that she had met him at a party in the city, and found him + agreeable. Miss Cynthia wrote a letter to Murray Bradshaw that very + evening, telling him that he had better come back to Oxbow Village as + quickly as he could, unless he wished to find his place occupied by an + intruder. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, the country was watching the garrison in Charleston + Harbor. All at once the first gun of the four years' cannonade hurled its + ball against the walls of Fort Sumter. There was no hamlet in the land + which the reverberations of that cannon-roar did not reach. There was no + valley so darkened by overshadowing hills that it did not see the American + flag hauled down on the 13th of April. There was no loyal heart in the + North that did not answer to the call of the country to its defenders + which went forth two days later. The great tide of feeling reached the + locality where the lesser events of our narrative were occurring. A + meeting of the citizens was instantly called. The venerable Father + Pemberton opened it with a prayer that filled every soul with courage and + high resolve. The young farmers and mechanics of that whole region joined + the companies to which they belonged, or organized in squads and marched + at once, or got ready to march, to the scene of conflict. + </p> + <p> + The contagion of warlike patriotism reached the most peacefully inclined + young persons. + </p> + <p> + “My country calls me,” Gifted Hopkins said to Susan Posey, “and I am + preparing to obey her summons. If I can pass the medical examination, + which it is possible I may, though I fear my constitution <i>may</i> be thought + too weak, and if no obstacle impedes me, I think of marching in the ranks + of the Oxbow Invincibles. If I go, Susan, and I fall, will you not + remember me... as one who... cherished the tenderest... sentiments... + towards you... and who had looked forward to the time when... when....” + </p> + <p> + His eyes told the rest. He loved! + </p> + <p> + Susan forgot all the rules of reserve to which she had been trained. What + were cold conventionalities at such a moment? “Never! never!” she said, + throwing her arms about his neck and mingling her tears with his, which + were flowing freely. “Your country does not need your sword... but it does + need... your pen. Your poems will inspire... our soldiers.... The Oxbow + Invincibles will march to victory, singing your songs.... If you go... and + if you... fall... O Gifted!... I... I... yes, I shall die too!” + </p> + <p> + His love was returned. He was blest! + </p> + <p> + “Susan,” he said, “my own Susan, I yield to your wishes at every + sacrifice. Henceforth they will be my law. Yes, I will stay and encourage + my brave countrymen to go forward to the bloody field. My voice shall urge + them on to the battle-ground. I will give my dearest breath to stimulate + their ardor. + </p> + <p> + “O Susan! My own, own Susan!” + </p> + <p> + While these interesting events had been going on beneath the modest roof + of the Widow Hopkins, affairs had been rapidly hastening to a similar + conclusion under the statelier shadow of The Poplars. Clement Lindsay was + so well received at his first visit that he ventured to repeat it several + times, with so short intervals that it implied something more than a + common interest in one of the members of the household. There was no room + for doubt who this could be, and Myrtle Hazard could not help seeing that + she was the object of his undisguised admiration. The belief was now + general in the village that Gifted Hopkins and Susan Posey were either + engaged or on the point of being so; and it was equally understood that, + whatever might be the explanation, she and her former lover had parted + company in an amicable manner. + </p> + <p> + Love works very strange transformations in young women. Sometimes it leads + them to try every mode of adding to their attractions,—their whole + thought is how to be most lovely in the eyes they would fill so as to keep + out all other images. Poor darlings! We smile at their little vanities, as + if they were very trivial things compared with the last Congressman's + speech or the great Election Sermon; but Nature knows well what she is + about. The maiden's ribbon or ruffle means a great deal more for her than + the judge's wig or the priest's surplice. + </p> + <p> + It was not in this way that the gentle emotion awaking in the breast of + Myrtle Hazard betrayed itself. As the thought dawned in her consciousness + that she was loved, a change came over her such as the spirit that + protected her, according to the harmless fancy she had inherited, might + have wept for joy to behold, if tears could flow from angelic eyes. She + forgot herself and her ambitions,—the thought of shining in the + great world died out in the presence of new visions of a future in which + she was not to be her own,—of feelings in the depth of which the + shallow vanities which had drawn her young eyes to them for a while seemed + less than nothing. Myrtle had not hitherto said to herself that Clement + was her lover, yet her whole nature was expanding and deepening in the + light of that friendship which any other eye could have known at a glance + for the great passion. + </p> + <p> + Cynthia Badlam wrote a pressing letter to Murray Bradshaw. “There is no + time to be lost; she is bewitched, and will be gone beyond hope if this + business is not put a stop to.” + </p> + <p> + Love moves in an accelerating ratio; and there comes a time when the + progress of the passion escapes from all human formulae, and brings two + young hearts, which had been gradually drawing nearer and nearer together, + into complete union, with a suddenness that puts an infinity between the + moment when all is told and that which went just before. + </p> + <p> + They were sitting together by themselves in the dimly lighted parlor. They + had told each other many experiences of their past lives, very freely, as + two intimate friends of different sex might do. Clement had happened to + allude to Susan, speaking very kindly and tenderly of her. He hoped this + youth to whom she was attached would make her life happy. “You know how + simple-hearted and good she is; her image will always be a pleasant one in + my memory,—second to but one other.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle ought, according to the common rules of conversation, to have + asked, What other? but she did not. She may have looked as if she wanted + to ask,—she may have blushed or turned pale, perhaps she could not + trust her voice; but whatever the reason was, she sat still, with downcast + eyes. Clement waited a reasonable time, but, finding it was of no use, + began again. + </p> + <p> + “Your image is the one other,—the only one, let me say, for all else + fades in its presence,—your image fills all my thought. Will you + trust your life and happiness with one who can offer you so little beside + his love? You know my whole heart is yours.” + </p> + <p> + Whether Myrtle said anything in reply or not, whether she acted like + Coleridge's Genevieve,—that is, “fled to him and wept,” or suffered + her feelings to betray themselves in some less startling confession, we + will leave untold. Her answer, spoken or silent, could not have been a + cruel one, for in another moment Clement was pressing his lips to hers, + after the manner of accepted lovers. + </p> + <p> + “Our lips have met to-day for the second time,” he said, presently. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him in wonder. What did he mean? The second time! How + assuredly he spoke! She looked him calmly in the face, and awaited his + explanation. + </p> + <p> + “I have a singular story to tell you. On the morning of the 16th of June, + now nearly two years ago, I was sitting in my room at Alderbank, some + twenty miles down the river, when I heard a cry for help coming from the + river. I ran down to the bank, and there I saw a boy in an old boat—” + </p> + <p> + When it came to the “boy” in the old boat, Myrtle's cheeks flamed so that + she could not bear it, and she covered her face with both her hands. But + Clement told his story calmly through to the end, sliding gently over its + later incidents, for Myrtle's heart was throbbing violently, and her + breath a little catching and sighing, as when she had first lived with the + new life his breath had given her. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you ask me for myself, when you could have claimed me?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted a free gift, Myrtle,” Clement answered, “and I have it.” + </p> + <p> + They sat in silence, lost in the sense of that new life which had suddenly + risen on their souls. + </p> + <p> + The door-bell rang sharply. Kitty Fagan answered its summons, and + presently entered the parlor and announced that Mr. Bradshaw was in the + library, and wished to see the ladies. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. MURRAY BRADSHAW PLAYS HIS LAST CARD. + </h2> + <h3> + “How can I see that man this evening, Mr. Lindsay?” + </h3> + <p> + “May I not be Clement, dearest? I would not see him at all, Myrtle. I + don't believe you will find much pleasure in listening to his fine + speeches.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot endure it.—Kitty, tell him I am engaged, and cannot see + him this evening. No, no! don't say engaged, say very much occupied.” + </p> + <p> + Kitty departed, communing with herself in this wise:—“Ockipied, is + it? An' that's what ye cahl it when ye 're kapin' company with one young + gintleman an' don't want another young gintleman to come in an' help the + two of ye? Ye won't get y'r pigs to market to-day, Mr. Bridshaw, no, nor + to-morrow, nayther, Mr. Bridshaw. It's Mrs. Lindsay that Miss Myrtle is + goin' to be,—an' a big cake there'll be at the weddin' frosted all + over,—won't ye be plased with a slice o' that, Mr. Bridshaw?” + </p> + <p> + With these reflections in her mind, Mistress Kitty delivered her message, + not without a gleam of malicious intelligence in her look that stung Mr. + Bradshaw sharply. He had noticed a hat in the entry, and a little stick by + it which he remembered well as one he had seen carried by Clement Lindsay. + But he was used to concealing his emotions, and he greeted the two older + ladies who presently came into the library so pleasantly, that no one who + had not studied his face long and carefully would have suspected the + bitterness of heart that lay hidden far down beneath his deceptive smile. + He told Miss Silence, with much apparent interest, the story of his + journey. He gave her an account of the progress of the case in which the + estate of which she inherited the principal portion was interested. He did + not tell her that a final decision which would settle the right to the + great claim might be expected at any moment, and he did not tell her that + there was very little doubt that it would be in favor of the heirs of + Malachi Withers. He was very sorry he could not see Miss Hazard that + evening,—hoped he should be more fortunate to-morrow forenoon, when + he intended to call again,—had a message for her from one of her + former school friends, which he was anxious to give her. He exchanged + certain looks and hints with Miss Cynthia, which led her to withdraw and + bring down the papers he had entrusted to her. At the close of his visit, + she followed him into the entry with a lamp, as was her common custom. + </p> + <p> + “What's the meaning of all this, Cynthia? Is that fellow making love to + Myrtle?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid so, Mr. Bradshaw. He's been here several times, and they seem + to be getting intimate. I couldn't do anything to stop it.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me the papers,—quick!” + </p> + <p> + Cynthia pulled the package from her pocket. Murray Bradshaw looked sharply + at it. A little crumpled,—crowded into her pocket. Seal unbroken. + All safe. + </p> + <p> + “I shall come again to-morrow forenoon. Another day and it will be all up. + The decision of the court will be known. It won't be my fault if one visit + is not enough.—You don't suppose Myrtle is in love with this + fellow?” + </p> + <p> + “She acts as—if she might be. You know he's broke with Susan Posey, + and there's nothing to hinder. If you ask my opinion, I think it's your + last chance: she is n't a girl to half do things, and if she has taken to + this man it will be hard to make her change her mind. But she's young, and + she has had a liking for you, and if you manage it well there's no + telling.” + </p> + <p> + Two notes passed between Myrtle Hazard and Master Byles Gridley that + evening. Mistress Kitty Fagan, who had kept her ears pretty wide open, + carried them. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw went home in a very desperate state of feeling. He had + laid his plans, as he thought, with perfect skill, and the certainty of + their securing their end. These papers were to have been taken from the + envelope, and found in the garret just at the right moment, either by + Cynthia herself or one of the other members of the family, who was to be + led on, as it were accidentally, to the discovery. The right moment must + be close at hand. He was to offer his hand—and heart, of course—to + Myrtle, and it was to be accepted. As soon as the decision of the land + case was made known, or not long afterwards, there was to be a search in + the garret for papers, and these were to be discovered in a certain dusty + recess, where, of course, they would have been placed by Miss Cynthia. + </p> + <p> + And now the one condition which gave any value to these arrangements + seemed like to fail. This obscure youth—this poor fool, who had been + on the point of marrying a simpleton to whom he had made a boyish promise—was + coming between him and the object of his long pursuit,—the woman who + had every attraction to draw him to herself. It had been a matter of pride + with Murray Bradshaw that he never lost his temper so as to interfere with + the precise course of action which his cool judgment approved; but now he + was almost beside himself with passion. His labors, as he believed, had + secured the favorable issue of the great case so long pending. He had + followed Myrtle through her whole career, if not as her avowed lover, at + least as one whose friendship promised to flower in love in due season. + The moment had come when the scene and the characters in this village + drama were to undergo a change as sudden and as brilliant as is seen in + those fairy spectacles where the dark background changes to a golden + palace and the sober dresses are replaced by robes of regal splendor. The + change was fast approaching; but he, the enchanter, as he had thought + himself, found his wand broken, and his power given to another. + </p> + <p> + He could not sleep during that night. He paced his room, a prey to + jealousy and envy and rage, which his calm temperament had kept him from + feeling in their intensity up to this miserable hour. He thought of all + that a maddened nature can imagine to deaden its own intolerable anguish. + Of revenge. If Myrtle rejected his suit, should he take her life on the + spot, that she might never be another's,—that neither man nor woman + should ever triumph over him,—the proud ambitious man, defeated, + humbled, scorned? No! that was a meanness of egotism which only the most + vulgar souls could be capable of. Should he challenge her lover? It was + not the way of the people and time, and ended in absurd complications, if + anybody was foolish enough to try it. Shoot him? The idea floated through + his mind, for he thought of everything; but he was a lawyer, and not a + fool, and had no idea of figuring in court as a criminal. Besides, he was + not a murderer,—cunning was his natural weapon, not violence. He had + a certain admiration of desperate crime in others, as showing nerve and + force, but he did not feel it to be his own style of doing business. + </p> + <p> + During the night he made every arrangement for leaving the village the + next day, in case he failed to make any impression on Myrtle Hazard and + found that his chance was gone. He wrote a letter to his partner, telling + him that he had left to join one of the regiments forming in the city. He + adjusted all his business matters so that his partner should find as + little trouble as possible. A little before dawn he threw himself on the + bed, but he could not sleep; and he rose at sunrise, and finished his + preparations for his departure to the city. + </p> + <p> + The morning dragged along slowly. He could not go to the office, not + wishing to meet his partner again. After breakfast he dressed himself with + great care, for he meant to show himself in the best possible aspect. Just + before he left the house to go to The Poplars, he took the sealed package + from his trunk, broke open the envelope, took from it a single paper,—it + had some spots on it which distinguished it from all the rest,—put + it separately in his pocket, and then the envelope containing the other + papers. The calm smile he wore on his features as he set forth cost him a + greater effort than he had ever made before to put it on. He was moulding + his face to the look with which he meant to present himself; and the + muscles had been sternly fixed so long that it was a task to bring them to + their habitual expression in company,—that of ingenuous good-nature. + </p> + <p> + He was shown into the parlor at The Poplars; and Kitty told Myrtle that he + had called and inquired for her and was waiting down stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Tell him I will be down presently,” she said. “And, Kitty, now mind just + what I tell you. Leave your kitchen door open, so that you can hear + anything fall in the parlor. If you hear a book fall,—it will be a + heavy one, and will make some noise,—run straight up here to my + little chamber, and hang this red scarf out of the window. The left-hand + side-sash, mind, so that anybody can see it from the road. If Mr. Gridley + calls, show him into the parlor, no matter who is there.” + </p> + <p> + Kitty Fagan looked amazingly intelligent, and promised that she would do + exactly as she was told. Myrtle followed her down stairs almost + immediately, and went into the parlor, where Mr. Bradshaw was waiting. + </p> + <p> + Never in his calmest moments had he worn a more insinuating smile on his + features than that with which he now greeted Myrtle. So gentle, so + gracious, so full of trust, such a completely natural expression of a + kind, genial character did it seem, that to any but an expert it would + have appeared impossible that such an effect could be produced by the + skilful balancing of half a dozen pairs of little muscles that manage the + lips and the corners of the mouth. The tones of his voice were subdued + into accord with the look of his features; his whole manner was + fascinating, as far as any conscious effort could make it so. It was just + one of those artificially pleasing effects that so often pass with such as + have little experience of life for the genuine expression of character and + feeling. But Myrtle had learned the look that shapes itself on the + features of one who loves with a love that seeketh not its own, and she + knew the difference between acting and reality. She met his insinuating + approach with a courtesy so carefully ordered that it was of itself a + sentence without appeal. Artful persons often interpret sincere ones by + their own standard. Murray Bradshaw thought little of this somewhat formal + address,—a few minutes would break this thin film to pieces. He was + not only a suitor with a prize to gain, he was a colloquial artist about + to employ all the resources of his specialty. + </p> + <p> + He introduced the conversation in the most natural and easy way, by giving + her the message from a former school-mate to which he had referred, + coloring it so delicately, as he delivered it, that it became an + innocent-looking flattery. Myrtle found herself in a rose-colored + atmosphere, not from Murray Bradshaw's admiration, as it seemed, but only + reflected by his mind from another source. That was one of his arts, + always, if possible, to associate himself incidentally, as it appeared, + and unavoidably, with an agreeable impression. + </p> + <p> + So Myrtle was betrayed into smiling and being pleased before he had said a + word about himself or his affairs. Then he told her of the adventures and + labors of his late expedition; of certain evidence which at the very last + moment he had unearthed, and which was very probably the turning-point in + the case. He could not help feeling that she must eventually reap some + benefit from the good fortune with which his efforts had been attended. + The thought that it might yet be so had been a great source of + encouragement to him,—it would always be a great happiness to him to + remember that he had done anything to make her happy. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was very glad that he had been so far successful,—she did not + know that it made much difference to her, but she was obliged to him for + the desire of serving her that he had expressed. + </p> + <p> + “My services are always yours, Miss Hazard. There is no sacrifice I would + not willingly make for your benefit. I have never had but one feeling + toward you. You cannot be ignorant of what that feeling is.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Mr. Bradshaw, it has been one of kindness. I have to thank you + for many friendly attentions, for which I hope I have never been + ungrateful.” + </p> + <p> + “Kindness is not all that I feel towards you, Miss Hazard. If that were + all, my lips would not tremble as they do now in telling you my feelings.—I + love you.” + </p> + <p> + He sprang the great confession on Myrtle a little sooner than he had + meant. It was so hard to go on making phrases! Myrtle changed color a + little, for she was startled. + </p> + <p> + The seemingly involuntary movement she made brought her arm against a + large dictionary, which lay very near the edge of the table on which it + was resting. The book fell with a loud noise to the floor. + </p> + <p> + There it lay. The young man awaited her answer; he did not think of polite + forms at such a moment. + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be, Mr. Bradshaw,—it must not be. I have known you long, + and I am not ignorant of all your brilliant qualities, but you must not + speak to me of love. Your regard,—your friendly interest, tell me + that I shall always have these, but do not distress me with offering more + than these.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not ask you to give me your love in return; I only ask you not to + bid me despair. Let me believe that the time may come' when you will + listen to me,—no matter how distant. You are young,—you have a + tender heart,—you would not doom one who only lives for you to + wretchedness,—so long that we have known each other. It cannot be + that any other has come between us—” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle blushed so deeply that there was no need of his finishing his + question. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean, Myrtle Hazard, that you have cast me aside for another?—for + this stranger—this artist—who was with you yesterday when I + came, bringing with me the story of all I had done for you, yes, for you,—and + was ignominiously refused the privilege of seeing you?” Rage and jealousy + had got the better of him this time. He rose as he spoke, and looked upon + her with such passion kindling in his eyes that he seemed ready for any + desperate act. + </p> + <p> + “I have thanked you for any services you may have rendered me, Mr. + Bradshaw,” Myrtle answered, very calmly, “and I hope you will add one more + to them by sparing me this rude questioning. I wished to treat you as a + friend; I hope you will not render that impossible.” + </p> + <p> + He had recovered himself for one more last effort. “I was impatient: + overlook it, I beg you. I was thinking of all the happiness I have labored + to secure for you, and of the ruin to us both it would be if you + scornfully rejected the love I offer you,—if you refuse to leave me + any hope for the future,—if you insist on throwing yourself away on + this man, so lately pledged to another. I hold the key of all your earthly + fortunes in my hand. My love for you inspired me in all that I have done, + and, now that I come to lay the result of my labors at your feet, you turn + from me, and offer my reward to a stranger. I do not ask you to say this + day that you will be mine,—I would not force your inclinations,—but + I do ask you that you will hold yourself free of all others, and listen to + me as one who may yet be more than a friend. Say so much as this, Myrtle, + and you shall have such a future as you never dreamed of. Fortune, + position, all that this world can give, shall be yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Never! never! If you could offer me the whole world, or take away from me + all that the world can give, it would make no difference to me. I cannot + tell what power you hold over me, whether of life and death, or of wealth + and poverty; but after talking to me of love, I should not have thought + you would have wronged me by suggesting any meaner motive. It is only + because we have been on friendly terms so long that I have listened to you + as I have done. You have said more than enough, and I beg you will allow + me to put an end to this interview.” + </p> + <p> + She rose to leave the room. But Murray Bradshaw had gone too far to + control himself,—he listened only to the rage which blinded him. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet!” he said. “Stay one moment, and you shall know what your pride + and self-will have cost you!” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle stood, arrested, whether by fear, or curiosity, or the passive + subjection of her muscles to his imperious will, it would be hard to say. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw took out the spotted paper from his breast-pocket, and + held it up before her. “Look here!” he exclaimed. “This would have made + you rich,—it would have crowned you a queen in society,—it + would have given you all, and more than all, that you ever dreamed of + luxury, of splendor, of enjoyment; and I, who won it for you, would have + taught you how to make life yield every bliss it had in store to your + wishes. You reject my offer unconditionally?” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle expressed her negative only by a slight contemptuous movement. + </p> + <p> + Murray Bradshaw walked deliberately to the fireplace, and laid the spotted + paper upon the burning coals. It writhed and curled, blackened, flamed, + and in a moment was a cinder dropping into ashes. He folded his arms, and + stood looking at the wreck of Myrtle's future, the work of his cruel hand. + Strangely enough, Myrtle herself was fascinated, as it were, by the + apparent solemnity of this mysterious sacrifice. She had kept her eyes + steadily on him all the time, and was still gazing at the altar on which + her happiness had been in some way offered up, when the door was opened by + Kitty Fagan, and Master Byles Gridley was ushered into the parlor. + </p> + <p> + “Too late, old man!” Murray Bradshaw exclaimed, in a hoarse and savage + voice, as he passed out of the room, and strode through the entry and down + the avenue. It was the last time the old gate of The Poplars was to open + or close for him. The same day he left the village; and the next time his + name was mentioned it was as an officer in one of the regiments just + raised and about marching to the seat of war. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. THE SPOTTED PAPER. + </h2> + <p> + What Master Gridley may have said to Myrtle Hazard that served to calm her + after this exciting scene cannot now be recalled. That Murray Bradshaw + thought he was inflicting a deadly injury on her was plain enough. That + Master Gridley did succeed in convincing her that no great harm had + probably been done her is equally certain. + </p> + <p> + Like all bachelors who have lived a lonely life, Master Byles Gridley had + his habits, which nothing short of some terrestrial convulsion—or + perhaps, in his case, some instinct that drove him forth to help somebody + in trouble—could possibly derange. After his breakfast, he always + sat and read awhile,—the paper, if a new one came to hand, or some + pleasant old author,—if a little neglected by the world of readers, + he felt more at ease with him, and loved him all the better. + </p> + <p> + But on the morning after his interview with Myrtle Hazard, he had received + a letter which made him forget newspapers, old authors, almost everything, + for the moment. It was from the publisher with whom he had had a + conversation, it may be remembered, when he visited the city, and was to + this effect: That Our Firm propose to print and stereotype the work + originally published under the title of “Thoughts on the Universe”; said + work to be remodelled according to the plan suggested by the Author, with + the corrections, alterations, omissions, and additions proposed by him; + said work to be published under the following title, to wit: ________ + ________: said work to be printed in 12mo, on paper of good quality, from + new types, etc., etc., and for every copy thereof printed the author to + receive, etc., etc. + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley sat as in a trance, reading this letter over and over, to + know if it could be really so. So it really was. His book had disappeared + from the market long ago, as the elm seeds that carpet the ground and + never germinate disappear. At last it had got a certain value as a + curiosity for book-hunters. Some one of them, keener-eyed than the rest, + had seen that there was a meaning and virtue in this unsuccessful book, + for which there was a new audience educated since it had tried to breathe + before its time. Out of this had grown at last the publisher's proposal. + It was too much: his heart swelled with joy, and his eyes filled with + tears. + </p> + <p> + How could he resist the temptation? He took down his own particular copy + of the book, which was yet to do him honor as its parent, and began + reading. As his eye fell on one paragraph after another, he nodded + approval of this sentiment or opinion, he shook his head as if questioning + whether this other were not to be modified or left out, he condemned a + third as being no longer true for him as when it was written, and he + sanctioned a fourth with his hearty approval. The reader may like a few + specimens from this early edition, now a rarity. He shall have them, with + Master Gridley's verbal comments. The book, as its name implied, contained + “Thoughts” rather than consecutive trains of reasoning or continuous + disquisitions. What he read and remarked upon were a few of the more + pointed statements which stood out in the chapters he was turning over. + The worth of the book must not be judged by these almost random specimens. + </p> + <p> + “THE BEST THOUGHT, LIKE THE MOST PERFECT DIGESTION, IS DONE UNCONSCIOUSLY.—Develop + that.—Ideas at compound interest in the mind.—Be aye sticking + in an idea,—while you're sleeping it'll be growing. Seed of a + thought to-day,—flower to-morrow—next week—ten years + from now, etc.—Article by and by for the.... + </p> + <p> + “CAN THE INFINITE BE SUPPOSED TO SHIFT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ULTIMATE + DESTINY OF ANY CREATED THING TO THE FINITE? OUR THEOLOGIANS PRETEND THAT + IT CAN. I DOUBT.—Heretical. Stet. + </p> + <p> + “PROTESTANTISM MEANS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. BUT IT IS AFRAID OF ITS OWN + LOGIC.—Stet. No logical resting-place short of None of your + business. + </p> + <p> + “THE SUPREME SELF-INDULGENCE IS TO SURRENDER THE WILL TO A SPIRITUAL + DIRECTOR.—Protestantism gave up a great luxury.—Did it though? + </p> + <p> + “ASIATIC MODES OF THOUGHT AND SPEECH DO NOT EXPRESS THE 'RELATIONS IN + WHICH THE AMERICAN FEELS HIM SELF TO STAND TO HIS SUPERIORS IN THIS OR ANY + OTHER SPHERE OF BEING. REPUBLICANISM MUST HAVE ITS OWN RELIGIOUS + PHRASEOLOGY, WHICH IS NOT THAT BORROWED FROM ORIENTAL DESPOTISMS. + </p> + <p> + “IDOLS AND DOGMAS IN PLACE OF CHARACTER; PILLS AND THEORIES IN PLACE OF + WHOLESOME LIVING. SEE THE HISTORIES OF THEOLOGY AND MEDICINE PASSIM.—Hits + 'em. + </p> + <p> + “'OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.' DO YOU MEAN TO SAY JEAN CHAUVIN, THAT + 'HEAVEN LIES ABOUT US IN OUR INFANCY'? + </p> + <p> + “WHY DO YOU COMPLAIN OF YOUR ORGANIZATION? YOUR SOUL WAS IN A HURRY, AND + MADE A RUSH FOR A BODY. THERE ARE PATIENT SPIRITS THAT HAVE WAITED FROM + ETERNITY, AND NEVER FOUND PARENTS FIT TO BE BORN OF.—How do you know + anything about all that? Dele. + </p> + <p> + “WHAT SWEET, SMOOTH VOICES THE NEGROES HAVE! A HUNDRED GENERATIONS FED ON + BANANAS.—COMPARE THEM WITH OUR APPLE-EATING WHITE FOLKS!—It + won't do. Bananas came from the West Indies. + </p> + <p> + “TO TELL A MAN'S TEMPERAMENT BY HIS HANDWRITING. SEE IF THE DOTS OF HIS + I'S RUN AHEAD OR NOT, AND IF THEY DO, HOW FAR.—I have tried that—on + myself. + </p> + <p> + “MARRYING INTO SOME FAMILIES IS THE NEXT THING TO BEING CANONIZED.—Not + so true now as twenty or thirty years ago. As many bladders, but more + pins. + </p> + <p> + “FISH AND DANDIES ONLY KEEP ON ICE.—Who will take? Explain in note + how all warmth approaching blood heat spoils fops and flounders. + </p> + <p> + “FLYING IS A LOST ART AMONG MEN AND REPTILES. BATS FLY, AND MEN OUGHT TO. + TRY A LIGHT TURBINE. RISE A MILE STRAIGHT, FALL HALF A MILE SLANTING,—RISE + HALF A MILE STRAIGHT, FALL HALF A MILE SLANTING, AND SO ON. OR SLANT UP + AND SLANT DOWN.—Poh! You ain't such a fool as to think that is new,—are + you? + </p> + <p> + “Put in my telegraph project. Central station. Cables with insulated wires + running to it from different quarters of the city. These form the + centripetal system. From central station, wires to all the livery stables, + messenger stands, provision shops, etc., etc. These form the centrifugal + system. Any house may have a wire in the nearest cable at small cost. + </p> + <p> + “DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AFTER THE CONTINENTS HAVE GONE UNDER, AND + COME UP AGAIN, AND DRIED, AND BRED NEW RACES? HAVE YOUR NAME STAMPED ON + ALL YOUR PLATES AND CUPS AND SAUCERS. NOTHING OF YOU OR YOURS WILL LAST + LIKE THOSE. I NEVER SIT DOWN AT MY TABLE WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE CHINA + SERVICE, AND SAYING, 'HERE ARE MY MONUMENTS. THAT BUTTER-DISH IS MY URN. + THIS SOUP-PLATE IS MY MEMORIAL TABLET.' NO NEED OF A SKELETON AT MY + BANQUETS! I FEED FROM MY TOMBSTONE AND READ MY EPITAPH AT THE BOTTOM OF + EVERY TEACUP.—Good.” + </p> + <p> + He fell into a revery as he finished reading this last sentence. He + thought of the dim and dread future,—all the changes that it would + bring to him, to all the living, to the face of the globe, to the order of + earthly things. He saw men of a new race, alien to all that had ever + lived, excavating with strange, vast engines the old ocean-bed now become + habitable land. And as the great scoops turned out the earth they had + fetched up from the unexplored depths, a relic of a former simple + civilization revealed the fact that here a tribe of human beings had lived + and perished.—Only the coffee-cup he had in his hand half an hour + ago.—Where would he be then? and Mrs. Hopkins, and Gifted, and + Susan, and everybody? and President Buchanan? and the Boston State-House? + and Broadway?—O Lord, Lord, Lord! And the sun perceptibly smaller, + according to the astronomers, and the earth cooled down a number of + degrees, and inconceivable arts practised by men of a type yet undreamed + of, and all the fighting creeds merged in one great universal— + </p> + <p> + A knock at his door interrupted his revery. Miss Susan Posey informed him + that a gentleman was waiting below who wished to see him. + </p> + <p> + “Show him up to my study, Susan Posey, if you please,” said Master + Gridley. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow presented himself at Mr. Gridley's door with a countenance + expressive of a very high state of excitement. + </p> + <p> + “You have heard the news, Mr. Gridley, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “What news, Mr. Penhallow?” + </p> + <p> + “First, that my partner has left very unexpectedly to enlist in a regiment + just forming. Second, that the great land case is decided in favor of the + heirs of the late Malachi Withers.” + </p> + <p> + “Your partner must have known about it yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “He did, even before I knew it. He thought himself possessed of a very + important document, as you know, of which he has made, or means to make, + some use. You are aware of the artifice I employed to prevent any possible + evil consequences from any action of his. I have the genuine document, of + course. I wish you to go over with me to The Poplars, and I should be glad + to have good old Father Pemberton go with us; for it is a serious matter, + and will be a great surprise to more than one of the family.” + </p> + <p> + They walked together to the old house, where the old clergyman had lived + for more than half a century. He was used to being neglected by the people + who ran after his younger colleague; and the attention paid him in asking + him to be present on an important occasion, as he understood this to be, + pleased him greatly. He smoothed his long white locks, and called a + grand-daughter to help make him look fitly for such an occasion, and, + being at last got into his grandest Sunday aspect, took his faithful + staff, and set out with the two gentlemen for The Poplars. On the way, Mr. + Penhallow explained to him the occasion of their visit, and the general + character of the facts he had to announce. He wished the venerable + minister to prepare Miss Silence Withers for a revelation which would + materially change her future prospects. He thought it might be well, also, + if he would say a few words to Myrtle Hazard, for whom a new life, with + new and untried temptations, was about to open. His business was, as a + lawyer, to make known to these parties the facts just come to his own + knowledge affecting their interests. He had asked Mr. Gridley to go with + him, as having intimate relations with one of the parties referred to, and + as having been the principal agent in securing to that party the + advantages which were to accrue to her from the new turn of events. “You + are a second parent to her, Mr. Gridley,” he said. “Your vigilance, your + shrewdness, and your-spectacles have saved her. I hope she knows the full + extent of her obligations to you, and that she will always look to you for + counsel in all her needs. She will want a wise friend, for she is to begin + the world anew.” + </p> + <p> + What had happened, when she saw the three grave gentlemen at the door + early in the forenoon, Mistress Kitty Fagan could not guess. Something + relating to Miss Myrtle, no doubt: she wasn't goin' to be married right + off to Mr. Clement,—was she,—and no church, nor cake, nor + anything? The gentlemen were shown into the parlor. “Ask Miss Withers to + go into the library, Kitty,” said Master Gridley. “Dr. Pemberton wishes to + speak with her.” The good old man was prepared for a scene with Miss + Silence. He announced to her, in a kind and delicate way, that she must + make up her mind to the disappointment of certain expectations which she + had long entertained, and which, as her lawyer, Mr. Penhallow, had come to + inform her and others, were to be finally relinquished from this hour. + </p> + <p> + To his great surprise, Miss Silence received this communication almost + cheerfully. It seemed more like a relief to her than anything else. Her + one dread in this world was her “responsibility “; and the thought that + she might have to account for ten talents hereafter, instead of one, had + often of late been a positive distress to her. There was also in her mind + a secret disgust at the thought of the hungry creatures who would swarm + round her if she should ever be in a position to bestow patronage. This + had grown upon her as the habits of lonely life gave her more and more of + that fastidious dislike to males in general, as such, which is not rare in + maidens who have seen the roses of more summers than politeness cares to + mention. + </p> + <p> + Father Pemberton then asked if he could see Miss Myrtle Hazard a few + moments in the library before they went into the parlor, where they were + to meet Mr. Penhallow and Mr. Gridley, for the purpose of receiving the + lawyer's communication. + </p> + <p> + What change was this which Myrtle had undergone since love had touched her + heart, and her visions of worldly enjoyment had faded before the thought + of sharing and ennobling the life of one who was worthy of her best + affections,—of living for another, and of finding her own noblest + self in that divine office of woman? She had laid aside the bracelet which + she had so long worn as a kind of charm as well as an ornament. One would + have said her features had lost something of that look of imperious beauty + which had added to her resemblance to the dead woman whose glowing + portrait hung upon her wall. And if it could be that, after so many + generations, the blood of her who had died for her faith could show in her + descendants veins, and the soul of that elect lady of her race look out + from her far-removed offspring's dark eyes, such a transfusion of the + martyr's life and spiritual being might well seem to manifest itself in + Myrtle Hazard. + </p> + <p> + The large-hearted old man forgot his scholastic theory of human nature as + he looked upon her face. He thought he saw in her the dawning of that + grace which some are born with; which some, like Myrtle, only reach + through many trials and dangers; which some seem to show for a while and + then lose; which too many never reach while they wear the robes of earth, + but which speaks of the kingdom of heaven already begun in the heart of a + child of earth. He told her simply the story of the occurrences which had + brought them together in the old house, with the message the lawyer was to + deliver to its inmates. He wished to prepare her for what might have been + too sudden a surprise. + </p> + <p> + But Myrtle was not wholly unprepared for some such revelation. There was + little danger that any such announcement would throw her mind from its + balance after the inward conflict through which she had been passing. For + her lover had left her almost as soon as he had told her the story of his + passion, and the relation in which he stood to her. He, too, had gone to + answer his country's call to her children, not driven away by crime and + shame and despair, but quitting all—his new-born happiness, the art + in which he was an enthusiast, his prospects of success and honor—to + obey the higher command of duty. War was to him, as to so many of the + noble youth who went forth, only organized barbarism, hateful but for the + sacred cause which alone redeemed it from the curse that blasted the first + murderer. God only knew the sacrifice such young men as he made. + </p> + <p> + How brief Myrtle's dream had been! She almost doubted, at some moments, + whether she would not awake from it, as from her other visions, and find + it all unreal. There was no need of fearing any undue excitement of her + mind after the alternations of feeling she had just experienced. Nothing + seemed of much moment to her which could come from without,—her real + world was within, and the light of its day and the breath of its life came + from her love, made holy by the self-forgetfulness on both sides which was + born with it. + </p> + <p> + Only one member of the household was in danger of finding the excitement + more than she could bear. Miss Cynthia knew that all Murray Bradshaw's + plans, in which he had taken care that she should have a personal + interest, had utterly failed. What he had done with the means of revenge + in his power,—if, indeed, they were still in his power,—she + did not know. She only knew that there had been a terrible scene, and that + he had gone, leaving it uncertain whether he would ever return. It was + with fear and trembling that she heard the summons which went forth, that + the whole family should meet in the parlor to listen to a statement from + Mr. Penhallow. They all gathered as requested, and sat round the room, + with the exception of Mistress Kitty Fagan, who knew her place too well to + be sittin' down with the likes o' them, and stood with attentive ears in + the doorway. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow then read from a printed paper the decision of the Supreme + Court in the land case so long pending, where the estate of the late + Malachi Withers was the claimant, against certain parties pretending to + hold under an ancient grant. The decision was in favor of the estate. + </p> + <p> + “This gives a great property to the heirs,” Mr. Penhallow remarked, “and + the question as to who these heirs are has to be opened. For the will + under which Silence Withers, sister of the deceased, has inherited is + dated some years previous to the decease, and it was not very strange that + a will of later date should be discovered. Such a will has been + discovered. It is the instrument I have here.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard opened her eyes very widely, for the paper Mr. Penlallow + held looked exactly like that which Murray Bradshaw had burned, and, what + was curious, had some spots on it just like some she had noticed on that. + </p> + <p> + “This will,” Mr. Penhallow said, “signed by witnesses dead or absent from + this place, makes a disposition of the testator's property in some + respects similar to that of the previous one, but with a single change, + which proves to be of very great importance.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Penhallow proceeded to read the will. The important change in the + disposition of the property was this: in case the land claim was decided + in favor of the estate, then, in addition to the small provision made for + Myrtle Hazard, the property so coming to the estate should all go to her. + There was no question about the genuineness and the legal sufficiency of + this instrument. Its date was not very long after the preceding one, at a + period when, as was well known, he had almost given up the hope of gaining + his case, and when the property was of little value compared to that which + it had at present. + </p> + <p> + A long silence followed this reading. Then, to the surprise of all, Miss + Silence Withers rose, and went to Myrtle Hazard, and wished her joy with + every appearance of sincerity. She was relieved of a great responsibility. + Myrtle was young and could bear it better. She hoped that her young + relative would live long to enjoy the blessings Providence had bestowed + upon her, and to use them for the good of the community, and especially + the promotion of the education of deserving youth. If some fitting person + could be found to advise Myrtle, whose affairs would require much care, it + would be a great relief to her. + </p> + <p> + They all went up to Myrtle and congratulated her on her change of fortune. + Even Cynthia Badlam got out a phrase or two which passed muster in the + midst of the general excitement. As for Kitty Fagan, she could not say a + word, but caught Myrtle's hand and kissed it as if it belonged to her own + saint; and then, suddenly applying her apron to her eyes, retreated from a + scene which was too much for her, in a state of complete mental beatitude + and total bodily discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + Then Silence asked the old minister to make a prayer, and he stretched his + hands up to Heaven, and called down all the blessings of Providence upon + all the household, and especially upon this young handmaiden, who was to + be tried with prosperity, and would need all aid from above to keep her + from its dangers. + </p> + <p> + Then Mr. Penhallow asked Myrtle if she had any choice as to the friend who + should have charge of her affairs. Myrtle turned to Master Byles Gridley, + and said, “You have been my friend and protector so far, will you continue + to be so hereafter?” + </p> + <p> + Master Gridley tried very hard to begin a few words of thanks to her for + her preference, but finding his voice a little uncertain, contented + himself with pressing her hand and saying, “Most willingly, my dear + daughter!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + The same day the great news of Myrtle Hazard's accession to fortune came + out, the secret was told that she had promised herself in marriage to Mr. + Clement Lindsay. But her friends hardly knew how to congratulate her on + this last event. Her lover was gone, to risk his life, not improbably to + lose it, or to come home a wreck, crippled by wounds, or worn out with + disease. + </p> + <p> + Some of them wondered to see her so cheerful in such a moment of trial. + They could not know how the manly strength of Clement's determination had + nerved her for womanly endurance. They had not learned that a great cause + makes great souls, or reveals them to themselves,—a lesson taught by + so many noble examples in the times that followed. Myrtle's only desire + seemed to be to labor in some way to help the soldiers and their families. + She appeared to have forgotten everything for this duty; she had no time + for regrets, if she were disposed to indulge them, and she hardly asked a + question as to the extent of the fortune which had fallen to her. + </p> + <p> + The next number of the “Banner and Oracle” contained two announcements + which she read with some interest when her attention was called to them. + They were as follows: + </p> + <p> + “A fair and accomplished daughter of this village comes, by the late + decision of the Supreme Court, into possession of a property estimated at + a million of dollars or more. It consists of a large tract of land + purchased many years ago by the late Malachi Withers, now become of + immense value by the growth of a city in its neighborhood, the opening of + mines, etc., etc. It is rumored that the lovely and highly educated + heiress has formed a connection looking towards matrimony with a certain + distinguished artist.” + </p> + <p> + “Our distinguished young townsman, William Murray Bradshaw, Esq., has been + among the first to respond to the call of the country for champions to + defend her from traitors. We understand that he has obtained a captaincy + in the __th regiment, about to march to the threatened seat of war. May + victory perch on his banners!” + </p> + <p> + The two lovers, parted by their own self-sacrificing choice in the very + hour that promised to bring them so much happiness, labored for the common + cause during all the terrible years of warfare, one in the camp and the + field, the other in the not less needful work which the good women carried + on at home, or wherever their services were needed. Clement—now + Captain Lindsay—returned at the end of his first campaign charged + with a special office. Some months later, after one of the great battles, + he was sent home wounded. He wore the leaf on his shoulder which entitled + him to be called Major Lindsay. He recovered from his wound only too + rapidly, for Myrtle had visited him daily in the military hospital where + he had resided for treatment; and it was bitter parting. The telegraph + wires were thrilling almost hourly with messages of death, and the long + pine boxes came by almost every train,—no need of asking what they + held. + </p> + <p> + Once more he came, detailed on special duty, and this time with the eagle + on his shoulder,—he was Colonel Lindsay. The lovers could not part + again of their own free will. Some adventurous women had followed their + husbands to the camp, and Myrtle looked as if she could play the part of + the Maid of Saragossa on occasion. So Clement asked her if she would + return with him as his wife; and Myrtle answered, with as much willingness + to submit as a maiden might fairly show under such circumstances, that she + would do his bidding. Thereupon, with the shortest possible legal notice, + Father Pemberton was sent for, and the ceremony was performed in the + presence of a few witnesses in the large parlor at The Poplars, which was + adorned with flowers, and hung round with all the portraits of the dead + members of the family, summoned as witnesses to the celebration. One + witness looked on with unmoved features, yet Myrtle thought there was a + more heavenly smile on her faded lips than she had ever seen before + beaming from the canvas,—it was Ann Holyoake, the martyr to her + faith, the guardian spirit of Myrtle's visions, who seemed to breathe a + holier benediction than any words—even those of the good old Father + Pemberton himself—could convey. + </p> + <p> + They went back together to the camp. From that period until the end of the + war, Myrtle passed her time between the life of the tent and that of the + hospital. In the offices of mercy which she performed for the sick and the + wounded and the dying, the dross of her nature seemed to be burned away. + The conflict of mingled lives in her blood had ceased. No lawless impulses + usurped the place of that serene resolve which had grown strong by every + exercise of its high prerogative. If she had been called now to die for + any worthy cause, her race would have been ennobled by a second martyr, + true to the blood of her who died under the cruel Queen. + </p> + <p> + Many sad sights she saw in the great hospital where she passed some months + at intervals,—one never to be forgotten. An officer was brought into + the ward where she was in attendance. “Shot through the lungs,—pretty + nearly gone.” + </p> + <p> + She went softly to his bedside. He was breathing with great difficulty; + his face was almost convulsed with the effort, but she recognized him in a + moment; it was Murray Bradshaw,—Captain Bradshaw, as she knew by the + bars on his coat flung upon the bed where he had just been laid. + </p> + <p> + She addressed him by name, tenderly as if he had been a dear brother; she + saw on his face that hers were to be the last kind words he would ever + hear. + </p> + <p> + He turned his glazing eyes upon her. “Who are you?” he said in a feeble + voice. + </p> + <p> + “An old friend,” she answered; “you knew me as Myrtle Hazard.” + </p> + <p> + He started. “You by my bedside! You caring for me!—for me, that + burned the title to your fortune to ashes before your eyes! You can't + forgive that,—I won't believe it! Don't you hate me, dying as I am?” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle was used to maintaining a perfect calmness of voice and + countenance, and she held her feelings firmly down. “I have nothing to + forgive you, Mr. Bradshaw. You may have meant to do me wrong, but + Providence raised up a protector for me. The paper you burned was not the + original,—it was a copy substituted for it—” + </p> + <p> + “And did the old man outwit me after all?” he cried out, rising suddenly + in bed, and clasping his hands behind his head to give him a few more + gasps of breath. “I knew he was cunning, but I thought I was his match. It + must have been Byles Gridley,—nobody else. And so the old man beat + me after all, and saved you from ruin! Thank God that it came out so! + Thank God! I can die now. Give me your hand, Myrtle.” + </p> + <p> + She took his hand, and held it until it gently loosed its hold, and he + ceased to breathe. Myrtle's creed was a simple one, with more of trust and + love in it than of systematized articles of belief. She cherished the fond + hope that these last words of one who had erred so miserably were a token + of some blessed change which the influences of the better world might + carry onward until he should have outgrown the sins and the weaknesses of + his earthly career. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this she rejoined her husband in the camp. From time to time + they received stray copies of the “Banner and Oracle,” which, to Myrtle + especially, were full of interest, even to the last advertisement. A few + paragraphs may be reproduced here which relate to persons who have figured + in this narrative. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “TEMPLE OF HYMEN. +</pre> + <p> + “Married, on the 6th instant, Fordyce Hurlbut, M. D., to Olive, only + daughter of the Rev. Ambrose Eveleth. The editor of this paper returns his + acknowledgments for a bountiful slice of the wedding-cake. May their + shadows never be less!” + </p> + <p> + Not many weeks after this appeared the following: + </p> + <p> + “Died in this place, on the 28th instant, the venerable Lemuel Hurlbut, M. + D., at the great age of XCVI years. + </p> + <p> + “'With the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days understanding.'” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle recalled his kind care of her in her illness, and paid the tribute + of a sigh to his memory,—there was nothing in a death like his to + call for any aching regret. + </p> + <p> + The usual routine of small occurrences was duly recorded in the village + paper for some weeks longer, when she was startled and shocked by + receiving a number containing the following paragraph: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CALAMITOUS ACCIDENT +</pre> + <p> + “It is known to our readers that the steeple of the old meeting-house was + struck by lightning about a month ago. The frame of the building was a + good deal jarred by the shock, but no danger was apprehended from the + injury it had received. On Sunday last the congregation came together as + usual. The Rev. Mr. Stoker was alone m the pulpit, the Rev. Doctor + Pemberton having been detained by slight indisposition. The sermon was + from the text, 'The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard + shall lie down with the kid.' (Isaiah xi. 6.) The pastor described the + millennium as—the reign of love and peace, in eloquent and + impressive language. He was in the midst of the prayer which follows the + sermon, and had jest put up a petition that the spirit of affection and + faith and trust might grow up and prevail among the flock of which he was + the shepherd, more especially those dear lambs whom he gathered with his + arm, and carried in his bosom, when the old sounding-board, which had hung + safely for nearly a century,—loosened, no doubt by the bolt which + had fallen on the church,—broke from its fastenings, and fell with a + loud crash upon the pulpit, crushing the Rev. Mr. Stoker under its ruins. + The scene that followed beggars description. Cries and shrieks resounded + through the horse. Two or three young women fainted entirely away. Mr. + Penhallow, Deacon Rumrill, Gifted Hopkins, Esq., and others, came forward + immediately, and after much effort succeeded in removing the wreck of the + sounding-board, and extricating their unfortunate pastor. He was not + fatally injured, it is hoped; but, sad to relate, he received such a + violent blow upon the spine of the back, that palsy of the lower + extremities is like to ensue. He is at present lying entirely helpless. + Every attention is paid to him by his affectionately devoted family.” + </p> + <p> + Myrtle had hardly got over the pain which the reading of this unfortunate + occurrence gave her, when her eyes were gladdened by the following + pleasing piece of intelligence, contained in a subsequent number of the + village paper: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IMPOSING CEREMONY. +</pre> + <p> + “The Reverend Doctor Pemberton performed the impressive rite of baptism + upon the first-born child of our distinguished townsman, Gifted Hopkins, + Esq., the Bard of Oxbow Village, and Mrs. Susan P. Hopkins, his amiable + and respected lady. The babe conducted himself with singular propriety on + this occasion. He received the Christian name of Byron Tennyson Browning. + May he prove worthy of his name and his parentage!” + </p> + <p> + The end of the war came at last, and found Colonel Lindsay among its + unharmed survivors. He returned with Myrtle to her native village, and + they established themselves, at the request of Miss Silence Withers, in + the old family mansion. Miss Cynthia, to whom Myrtle made a generous + allowance, had gone to live in a town not many miles distant, where she + had a kind of home on sufferance, as well as at The Poplars. This was a + convenience just then, because Nurse Byloe was invited to stay with them + for a month or two; and one nurse and two single women under the same roof + keep each other in a stew all the time, as the old dame somewhat sharply + remarked. + </p> + <p> + Master Byles Gridley had been appointed Myrtle's legal protector, and, + with the assistance of Mr. Penhallow, had brought the property she + inherited into a more manageable and productive form; so that, when + Clement began his fine studio behind the old mansion, he felt that at + least he could pursue his art, or arts, if he chose to give himself to + sculpture, without that dreadful hag, Necessity, standing by him to pinch + the features of all his ideals, and give them something of her own + likeness. + </p> + <p> + Silence Withers was more cheerful now that she had got rid of her + responsibility. She embellished her spare person a little more than in + former years. These young people looked so happy! Love was not so + unendurable, perhaps, after all. No woman need despair,—especially + if she has a house over her, and a snug little property. A worthy man, a + former missionary, of the best principles, but of a slightly jocose and + good-humored habit, thought that he could piece his widowed years with the + not insignificant, fraction of life left to Miss Silence, to their mutual + advantage. He came to the village, therefore, where Father Pemberton was + very glad to have him supply the pulpit in the place of his unfortunate + disabled colleague. The courtship soon began, and was brisk enough; for + the good man knew there was no time to lose at his period of life,—or + hers either, for that matter. It was a rather odd specimen of love-making; + for he was constantly trying to subdue his features to a gravity which + they were not used to, and she was as constantly endeavoring to be as + lively as possible, with the innocent desire of pleasing her light-hearted + suitor. + </p> + <p> + “Vieille fille fait jeune mariee.” Silence was ten years younger as a + bride than she had seemed as a lone woman. One would have said she had got + out of the coach next to the hearse, and got into one some half a dozen + behind it,—where there is often good and reasonably cheerful + conversation going on about the virtues of the deceased, the probable + amount of his property, or the little slips he may have committed, and + where occasionally a subdued pleasantry at his expense sets the four + waistcoats shaking that were lifting with sighs a half-hour ago in the + house of mourning. But Miss Silence, that was, thought that two families, + with all the possible complications which time might bring, would be + better in separate establishments. She therefore proposed selling The + Poplars to Myrtle and her husband, and removing to a house in the village, + which would be large enough for them, at least for the present. So the + young folks bought the old house, and paid a mighty good price for it; and + enlarged it, and beautified and glorified it, and one fine morning went + together down to the Widow Hopkins's, whose residence seemed in danger of + being a little crowded,—for Gifted lived there with his Susan,—and + what had happened might happen again,—and gave Master Byles Gridley + a formal and most persuasively worded invitation to come up and make his + home with them at The Poplars. + </p> + <p> + Now Master Gridley has been betrayed into palpable and undisguised + weakness at least once in the presence of this assembly, who are looking + upon him almost for the last time before they part from him, and see his + face no more. Let us not inquire too curiously, then, how he received this + kind proposition. It is enough, that, when he found that a new study had + been built on purpose for him, and a sleeping-room attached to it so that + he could live there without disturbing anybody if he chose, he consented + to remove there for a while, and that he was there established amidst + great rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + Cynthia Badlam had fallen of late into poor health. She found at last that + she was going; and as she had a little property of her own,—as + almost all poor relations have, only there is not enough of it,—she + was much exercised in her mind as to the final arrangements to be made + respecting its disposition. The Rev. Dr. Pemberton was one day surprised + by a message, that she wished to have an interview with him. He rode over + to the town in which she was residing, and there had a long conversation + with her upon this matter. When this was settled, her mind seemed too be + more at ease. She died with a comfortable assurance that she was going to + a better world, and with a bitter conviction that it would be hard to find + one that would offer her a worse lot than being a poor relation in this. + </p> + <p> + Her little property was left to Rev. Eliphalet Pemberton and Jacob + Penhallow, Esq., to be by them employed for such charitable purposes as + they should elect, educational or other. Father Pemberton preached an + admirable funeral sermon, in which he praised her virtues, known to this + people among whom she had long lived, and especially that crowning act by + which she devoted all she had to purposes of charity-and benevolence. + </p> + <p> + The old clergyman seemed to have renewed his youth since the misfortune of + his colleague had incapacitated him from labor. He generally preached in + the forenoon now, and to the great acceptance of the people,—for the + truth was that the honest minister who had married Miss Silence was not + young enough or good-looking enough to be an object of personal attentions + like the Rev. Joseph Bellamy Stoker, and the old minister appeared to + great advantage contrasted with him in the pulpit. Poor Mr. Stoker was now + helpless, faithfully and tenderly waited upon by his own wife, who had + regained her health and strength,—in no small measure, perhaps, from + the great need of sympathy and active aid which her unfortunate husband + now experienced. It was an astonishment to herself when she found that she + who had so long been served was able to serve another. Some who knew his + errors thought his accident was a judgment; but others believed that it + was only a mercy in disguise,—it snatched him roughly from his sin, + but it opened his heart to gratitude towards her whom his neglect could + not alienate, and through gratitude to repentance and better thoughts. + Bathsheba had long ago promised herself to Cyprian Eveleth; and, as he was + about to become the rector of a parish in the next town, the marriage was + soon to take place. + </p> + <p> + How beautifully serene Master Byles Gridley's face was growing! Clement + loved to study its grand lines, which had so much strength and fine + humanity blended in them. He was so fascinated by their noble expression + that he sometimes seemed to forget himself, and looked at him more like an + artist taking his portrait than like an admiring friend. He maintained + that Master Gridley had a bigger bump of benevolence and as large a one of + cautiousness as the two people most famous for the size of these organs on + the phrenological chart he showed him, and proved it, or nearly proved it, + by careful measurements of his head. Master Gridley laughed, and read him + a passage on the pseudo-sciences out of his book. + </p> + <p> + The disposal of Miss Cynthia's bequest was much discussed in the village. + Some wished the trustees would use it to lay the foundations of a public + library. Others thought it should be applied for the relief of the + families of soldiers who had fallen in the war. Still another set would + take it to build a monument to the memory of those heroes. The trustees + listened with the greatest candor to all these gratuitous hints. It was, + however, suggested, in a well-written anonymous article which appeared in + the village paper, that it was desirable to follow the general lead of the + testator's apparent preference. The trustees were at liberty to do as they + saw fit; but, other things being equal, same educational object should be + selected. + </p> + <p> + If there were any orphan children in the place, it would seem to be very + proper to devote the moderate sum bequeathed to educating them. The + trustees recognized the justice of this suggestion. Why not apply it to + the instruction and maintenance of those two pretty and promising + children, virtually orphans, whom the charitable Mrs. Hopkins had cared + for so long without any recompense, and at a cost which would soon become + beyond her means? The good people of the neighborhood accepted this as the + best solution of the difficulty. It was agreed upon at length by the + trustees, that the Cynthia Badlam Fund for Educational Purposes should be + applied for the benefit of the two foundlings, known as Isosceles and + Helminthia Hopkins. + </p> + <p> + Master Bytes Gridley was greatly exercised about the two “preposterous + names,” as he called them, which in a moment of eccentric impulse he had + given to these children of nature. He ventured to hint as much to Mrs. + Hopkins. The good dame was vastly surprised. She thought they was about as + pooty names as anybody had had given 'em in the village. And they was so + handy, spoke short, Sossy and Minthy,—she never should know how to + call 'em anything else. + </p> + <p> + “But my dear Mrs. Hopkins,” Master Gridley urged, “if you knew the meaning + they have to the ears of scholars, you would see that I did very wrong to + apply such absurd names to my little fellow-creatures, and that I am bound + to rectify my error. More than that, my dear madam, I mean to consult you + as to the new names; and if we can fix upon proper and pleasing ones, it + is my intention to leave a pretty legacy in my will to these interesting + children.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gridley,” said Mrs. Hopkins, “you're the best man I ever see, or ever + shall see, ... except my poor dear Ammi.... I 'll do jest as you say about + that, or about anything else in all this livin' world.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Mrs. Hopkins, what shall be the boy's name?” + </p> + <p> + “Byles Gridley Hopkins!” she answered instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Good Lord!” said Mr. Gridley, “think a minute, my dear madam. I will not + say one word,—only think a minute, and mention some name that will + not suggest quite so many winks and whispers.” + </p> + <p> + She did think something less than a minute, and then said aloud, “Abraham + Lincoln Hopkins.” + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen thousand children have been so christened during the past year, + on a moderate computation.” + </p> + <p> + “Do think of some name yourself, Mr. Gridley; I shall like anything that + you like. To think of those dear babes having a fund—if that's the + right name—on purpose for 'em, and a promise of a legacy, I hope + they won't get that till they're a hundred year old!” + </p> + <p> + “What if we change Isosceles to Theodore, Mrs. Hopkins? That means the + gift of God, and the child has been a gift from Heaven, rather than a + burden.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hopkins seized her apron, and held it to her eyes. She was weeping. + “Theodore!” she said, “Theodore! My little brother's name, that I buried + when I was only eleven year old. Drownded. The dearest little child that + ever you see. I have got his little mug with Theodore on it now. Kep' o' + purpose. Our little Sossy shall have it. Theodore P. Hopkins,—sha'n't + it be, Mr. Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you say so; but why that P., Mrs. Hopkins? Theodore Parker, is + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn't P. stand for Pemberton, and isn't Father Pemberton the best man + in the world—next to you, Mr. Gridley?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, Mrs. Hopkins, let it be so, if you are suited, I am. Now + about Helminthia; there can't be any doubt about what we ought to call + her,—surely the friend of orphans should be remembered in naming one + of the objects of her charity.” + </p> + <p> + “Cynthia Badlam Fund Hopkins,” said the good woman triumphantly,—“is + that what you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we leave out one of the names,—four are too many. I think + the general opinion will be that Hehninthia should unite the names of her + two benefactresses,—Cynthia Badlam Hopkins.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, law! Mr. Gridley, is n't that nice?—Minthy and Cynthy,—there + ain't but one letter of difference! Poor Cynthy would be pleased if she + could know that one of our babes was to be called after her. She was + dreadful fond of children.” + </p> + <p> + On one of the sweetest Sundays that ever made Oxbow Village lovely, the + Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Pemberton was summoned to officiate at three most + interesting ceremonies,—a wedding and two christenings, one of the + latter a double one. + </p> + <p> + The first was celebrated at the house of the Rev. Mr. Stoker, between the + Rev. Cyprian Eveleth and Bathsheba, daughter of the first-named clergyman. + He could not be present on account of his great infirmity, but the door of + his chamber was left open that he might hear the marriage service + performed. The old, white-haired minister, assisted, as the papers said, + by the bridegroom's father, conducted the ceremony according to the + Episcopal form. When he came to those solemn words in which the husband + promises fidelity to the wife so long as they both shall live, the nurse, + who was watching, near the poor father, saw him bury his face in his + pillow, and heard him murmur the words, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” + </p> + <p> + The christenings were both to take place at the same service, in the old + meeting-house. Colonel Clement Lindsay and Myrtle his wife came in, and + stout Nurse Byloe bore their sturdy infant in her arms. A slip of paper + was handed to the Reverend Doctor on which these words were written:—“The + name is Charles Hazard.” + </p> + <p> + The solemn and touching rite was then performed; and Nurse Byloe + disappeared with the child, its forehead glistening with the dew of its + consecration. + </p> + <p> + Then, hand in hand, like the babes in the wood, marched up the broad aisle—marshalled + by Mrs. Hopkins in front, and Mrs. Gifted Hopkins bringing up the rear—the + two children hitherto known as Isosceles and Helminthia. They had been + well schooled, and, as the mysterious and to them incomprehensible + ceremony was enacted, maintained the most stoical aspect of tranquillity. + In Mrs. Hopkins's words, “They looked like picters, and behaved like + angels.” + </p> + <p> + That evening, Sunday evening as it was, there was a quiet meeting of some + few friends at The Poplars. It was such a great occasion that the + Sabbatical rules, never strict about Sunday evening,—which was, + strictly speaking, secular time,—were relaxed. Father Pemberton was + there, and Master Byles Gridley, of course, and the Rev. Ambrose Eveleth, + with his son and his daughter-in-law, Bathsheba, and her mother, now in + comfortable health, aunt Silence and her husband, Doctor Hurlbut and his + wife (Olive Eveleth that was), Jacob Penhallow, Esq., Mrs. Hopkins, her + son and his wife (Susan Posey that was), the senior deacon of the old + church (the admirer of the great Scott), the Editor-in-chief of the + “Banner and Oracle,” and in the background Nurse Byloe and the privileged + servant, Mistress Kitty Fagan, with a few others whose names we need not + mention. + </p> + <p> + The evening was made pleasant with sacred music, and the fatigues of two + long services repaired by such simple refections as would not turn the + holy day into a day of labor. A large paper copy of the new edition of + Byles Gridley's remarkable work was lying on the table. He never looked so + happy,—could anything fill his cup fuller? In the course of the + evening Clement spoke of the many trials through which they had passed in + common with vast numbers of their countrymen, and some of those peculiar + dangers which Myrtle had had to encounter in the course of a life more + eventful, and attended with more risks, perhaps, than most of them + imagined. But Myrtle, he said, had always been specially cared for. He + wished them to look upon the semblance of that protecting spirit who had + been faithful to her in her gravest hours of trial and danger. If they + would follow him into one of the lesser apartments up stairs they would + have an opportunity to do so. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle wondered a little, but followed with the rest. They all ascended to + the little projecting chamber, through the window of which her scarlet + jacket caught the eyes of the boys paddling about on the river in those + early days when Cyprian Eveleth gave it the name of the Fire-hang-bird's + Nest. + </p> + <p> + The light fell softly but clearly on the dim and faded canvas from which + looked the saintly features of the martyred woman, whose continued + presence with her descendants was the old family legend. But underneath it + Myrtle was surprised to see a small table with some closely covered object + upon it. It was a mysterious arrangement, made without any knowledge on + her part. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, Kitty!” Mr. Lindsay said. + </p> + <p> + Kitty Fagan, who had evidently been taught her part, stepped forward, and + removed the cloth which concealed the unknown object. It was a lifelike + marble bust of Master Byles Gridley. + </p> + <p> + “And this is what you have been working at so long,—is it, Clement?” + Myrtle said. + </p> + <p> + “Which is the image of your protector, Myrtle?”, he answered, smiling. + </p> + <p> + Myrtle Hazard Lindsay walked up to the bust and kissed its marble + forehead, saying, “This is the face of my Guardian Angel.” + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Guardian Angel, by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUARDIAN ANGEL *** + +***** This file should be named 2697-h.htm or 2697-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/9/2697/ + +Produced by David Widger + + +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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