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diff --git a/39772-h/39772-h.htm b/39772-h/39772-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5eee9ed --- /dev/null +++ b/39772-h/39772-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8336 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mark Gildersleeve, by John S. Sauzade. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i12 {display: block; margin-left: 12em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mark Gildersleeve, by John S. Sauzade + +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: Mark Gildersleeve + A Novel + +Author: John S. Sauzade + +Release Date: May 23, 2012 [EBook #39772] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK GILDERSLEEVE *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/tp.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1><span class="smcap">Mark Gildersleeve.</span></h1> + +<h3>A Novel.</h3> + +<h2>BY JOHN S. SAUZADE.</h2> + + +<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br /> +<i>G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers.</i><br /> +LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO.<br /> +M.DCCC.LXXIII.</p> + +<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by<br /> +JOHN S. SAUZADE,<br /> +In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> + +<p class="center">Stereotyped at the<br /> +WOMEN'S PRINTING HOUSE,<br /> +56, 58 and 60 Park Street,<br /> +New York.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MARK GILDERSLEEVE.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>I.</h2> + + +<p>Although of much importance as a manufacturing place, Belton is noted +chiefly for the beautiful water-fall to which the town, in fact, owes +its existence.</p> + +<p>Here the Passaic, interrupted in its placid flow by a rocky barrier, +takes an abrupt turn, and plunges in a narrow sheet of foam adown a deep +chasm, formed in one of Nature's throes ages ago, and then with wild +swirls rushes angrily over a rocky bed, until spent and quiet it skirts +the town, and winds away appeased and pellucid—despite the murky drain +of dye-houses—through woodlands, fields, and pastures green. Ere +reaching the cataract, however, the river is tapped by a canal which +serves to feed the flumes that run the many mills of Belton; and +through this race-way the diverted waters speed on their busy errand, +starting cumbersome overshot, undershot, breast, and turbine wheels into +action, that in their turn quicken into life the restless shuttle and +whirling spindle.</p> + +<p>From the cliff, at the head of the cataract, one may completely overlook +the town, a cheerful hive, compactly built, and consisting chiefly of +long brick factories, with little belfries, and rows of small white +wooden dwellings. The whole is neat and bright; no canopy of coal-smoke +obscures the blue sky, and but an occasional tall chimney or jet of +vapor is seen, for here steam is dethroned, and the cheaper motor reigns +supreme.</p> + +<p>The river side, the cliff, the falls, in short the water-power belongs +and has belonged for generations to the Obershaw family. In days of +yore, when Whitman Obershaw ran a saw-mill, and tilled a clearing +hereabout, his worldly possessions, it is safe to say, were not such as +to assimilate his chances of salvation to the facility with which a +camel can go through a needle's eye, and it was reserved for his son, +John Peter Obershaw, to reap the benefit of the accident that had put +his ancestors in possession of the site of Belton. And when you consider +the present magnitude of the place, its many mills, and the enormous +yearly rental of the water-power, you will not be surprised to learn +that the costly stone mansion on the cliff, with its imposing front, its +beautiful grounds, conservatories, and lodges, is the residence of the +Hon. Rufus Heath, son-in-law and heir of John Peter Obershaw, who built +it.</p> + +<p>There is a mural tablet in the apse of St. Jude's, Belton, inscribed to +the memory of</p> + + +<p class="center">JOHN PETER OBERSHAW,<br /> +OF THIS TOWN,<br /> +<i>Through whose munificence this Church</i><br /> +WAS ERECTED,<br /> +A.D. 1840.<br /> +HIS CHRISTIAN VIRTUES ENDEARED HIM TO ALL.</p> + + +<p>An epitaph which bore out the proverbial reputation of its kind in being +essentially a lie—a lie in black and white, for old Obershaw had no +Christian or even Pagan virtues to speak of, and was rather disliked by +all for a selfish, avaricious, nonagenarian. Perhaps the only +commendable act of his life was the erection of the small, but handsome +church in question. Yet, even this was looked upon as but the placatory +offering of a prudent worldling, about to appear before the final +tribunal, and anxious to propitiate the great Judge. Moreover, those who +knew the most about it asserted that the church would never have been +built, nor a dollar spent towards it, had it not been for Rufus Heath, +who, during the last years of his father-in-law's life, had the entire +control of the estate, owing to the latter's age and incapacity. +Doubtless these assertions were true, for neither dread of God or demon +could ever have wrung an unremunerative stiver from old John Peter +Obershaw's clutching fist, as he belonged to the orthodox school of +misers—the class who live but to accumulate, and find all their +pleasure in that sound, wholesome vice which prolongs life, and betrays +not to a fool's paradise.</p> + +<p>To the last he was steadfast to his idol. For years previous he was +confined to his room by paralysis, dead to all affections save love of +money, and vegetating in an easy chair stuffed literally with gold; for +the senile miser, like a magpie, slyly secreted coin in every nook and +corner of his chamber. In this second childhood, it was necessary to +quiet him by giving him money to toy with, and musty accounts and deeds, +which he pored over with the vacuity of an imbecile. To the end the +ruling passion swayed him. At the last moment, when the taper of life +was about giving its expiring flicker, he asked his attendant to bring +him a surveyor's map of his estate. "And, James, tell ... tell Mr. Heath +I want to see him ... see him at once. Must buy Van Slyke's farm if +he'll sell it right ... sell it right. But he wants too much ... too +much. No ... no ... can't give it. No ... no; haven't ... got the money. +Soon as I am well, well ... and strong, I'll go out and have a look at +it ... look at it. Soon as I am well, and go out ... go out. But can't +'ford to pay much. No ... no. Van Slyke's farm'll square the addition. +But, I can't pay much ... can't 'ford it;" and a nervous twitching of +his pale thin lips, as he mumbled to himself, showed teeth still sound, +though worn down like an old mastiff's. He was a man of large frame, +gaunt, bowed with age, and the dried yellow skin of his face resembled +wrinkled parchment. When the map was brought to him, he stared vacantly +at it with faded eyes that looked like dull agates, then relapsed into a +still slumber with the map gripped in his long, talon-like, bony +fingers, as if some one would steal it from him. Aroused by the entrance +of his son-in-law, he again mumbled—"Where's the map ... map? Heath, +see Van Slyke 'bout the farm and don't let him ... let him cheat me. I +ain't quite ... quite so strong now, and ... and they'll cheat me. Ah, +they're a close, sharp set.... Soon as I am well I'll go ... I'll +go...."</p> + +<p>The last words were uttered in a faint whisper; no further sound came +from the moving lips; the death film crept over his eyes, and he was +gone. He had lasted well and long, for avarice is a powerful antiseptic. +The dry heart burns to the socket, and the selfish miser was blessed +with an euthanasia that a saint might have envied.</p> + +<p>The nearest physician, Dr. Wattletop, was swiftly summoned, only to +return discomfited, as he expressed it, by that omnipotent leech who +carries his lancet at the end of a snath.</p> + +<p>The fall of so heavily laden a body into the great ocean of eternity +created, to use a homely simile, an unusual splash, and occasioned no +little commotion in Belton.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir," said Mr. Madison Mumbie, the eminent paper-maker, addressing +Dr. Wattletop, in the agitation of the moment, "Why, sir, Mr. Obershaw's +wealth is e-normous! Probably the richest man we had in the State. Yes, +sir" (with a sigh), "I regret to say it, we have lost a gentleman, and a +Christian, who leaves at least two millions of dollars. Yes, sir, two +millions at the lowest calculation—he leaves all of that!"</p> + +<p>"Leaves!" repeated the doctor. "Aye, there's the rub. Now, if he could +only have taken the two millions with him, there would have been +something in it, wouldn't there?"</p> + +<p>This view of the case did not strike Mr. Mumbie, who was himself rather +inclined to accumulate, as cheerful or encouraging, and he went his way +in a meditative mood.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mr. Mook, the gentlemanly undertaker, in walking twenty rods from the +residence of the deceased, was accosted by not less than a dozen +anxious inquirers eager to learn the slightest particular relating to +the sorrowful event. To whom Mr. Mook, with that mingled air of +neatness, despatch, and meek resignation to the decrees of Providence, +which characterized him, replied in a serious and very proper way. The +information imparted was invariably received by the questioners with +expressions of deep interest and sympathy, as if they had lost a near +and dear friend. It is sad to add, though, that one individual, George +Gildersleeve, the noisiest quidnunc in Belton, was on the contrary +rather discourteous and disparaging in his inquiries and comments. +George is a man of substance, and proprietor of the Archimedes Works. A +burly fellow of middle age, with chest and loins like an ox, coarse +mouth, hale complexion, and sandy hair shorn close over an obstinate +head. Rich and purse-proud, he proclaims himself a plebeian, and in +keeping therewith is generally seen divested of coat and hands in +pockets. Thus he appeared in the doorway of his counting-room as Mr. +Mook came down the street, and passed the Archimedes Works. Decorous and +mournful Mook affected not to see Gildersleeve, dreading him as a bore +and button-holder; but the stratagem was futile, and bluff George, +hailing the undertaker as "Commodore," brought him—speaking +nautically—"to."</p> + +<p>"First-class obsequies, sir, have been ordered. Most elegant rosewood +casket, new pattern silver handles. Everything in the most rekerchey and +approved style. Funeral on Wednesday," Mook replied, in a tone of mild +reproof, in answer to Gildersleeve's query as to when he was going to +put old Uncle John to bed with a shovel.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mook took pride in his profession. He was the inventor and patentee +of a burial casket, that for "ease, elegance, and comfort," as he +admiringly described it, was equalled by few and surpassed by none.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, Commodore"—it was a habit of Gildersleeve's to dub his +friends and acquaintances with incongruous titles, whether prompted +thereto by affectionate impulses or a peculiar sense of humor, we are +not prepared to decide; sufficient to say that the undertaker was +invariably addressed as "Commodore" by the master of the Archimedes +Works; similarly, Mr. McGoffin, the highly respectable, though +illiterate shoe-maker, was styled "Judge;" Dr. Wattletop, "Major," +etc., etc.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, Commodore," said Gildersleeve, leaving his door-step and +planting himself on the sidewalk so as to bar the way and hold the +undertaker to converse, "so we go. If the man with the pitchfork don't +get old Uncle John, what the deuce is the use of having a man with a +pitchfork, eh?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Mook coughed behind his hand, and tried to look as if he hadn't +heard the remark, as he said, "Great loss to Belton, Mr. Gildersleeve."</p> + +<p>"Great loss!" repeated Gildersleeve. "The old cuss! Why, confound him, +he drove his only son, Johnny Obershaw, to sea when he was but fourteen +years old, by his infernal meanness, and the little monkey was lost +overboard less than a month after; and now here's Rufe Heath, that I +recklect when he hadn't two coppers to jingle on a tombstone, slips in, +bags the whole pool, and puts on more airs than a French barber. Now +I'll tell you what it is, Joe Mook, you know me well enough, and you +know that I can show as lovely a little pile of rocks as the next man, +and you know, too, that I sweat for it. Yes, sir, by the hokey! on this +spot (with a flourish towards the works), where my grandfather shod +Gineral Washington's horse in a rickety old shanty that you could have +capsized with a kick, I began when I was knee-high, with a hide apron +on, swinging the sledge and paring hoofs late and early. Yes, sir! late +and early, warm or cold, I stuck to it, and no thanks to any one, until +you see what I've come to! And is there any airs about me? I think not; +and there's many a man in this place that's as proud as a peacock, that +I could buy and sell twice over. But I can say this, and you know it, +that I've always been, and always intend to be, as independent as a hog +on ice. That's me!"</p> + +<p>And that <i>was</i> he. For if Mr. George Washington Gildersleeve prided +himself on anything, it was on being free from "airs," and independent +as a hog on ice—a comparison, it must be confessed, not particularly +happy, and that conveyed an entirely unintended impression. However, it +came pat to him, and he flung it defiantly in the teeth of the world. +Mook had heard those sentiments before, hence he was not vividly +impressed by them, nor altogether pleased with the diatribe against his +present patrons. Still, he was not prepared for their sakes to +remonstrate, and perhaps offend a future customer, for the undertaker, +"thankful for past favors," as he stated in his advertisement in the +<i>Belton Sentinel</i>, "and soliciting a continuance of the same," seemed to +think himself exempt from the common lot of humanity, and set apart to +take under all Belton forever. So he gave a non-committal shake of the +head, as he contemplated the pavement, and then, profiting by a pause in +Gildersleeve's harangue to escape, glided with soft steps away to his +avocations.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The funeral was an imposing one. Many of the mills were closed—all, in +fact, that could conveniently stop working. The Archimedes Works, +though, remained in full blast, as the proprietor, true to his +independence, did not feel himself any more called upon to close his +shops for old John Peter Obershaw's death, than for that of any other +mere acquaintance. Gildersleeve, however, as a concession, was at the +interment, with his coat on too, somewhat subdued, perhaps, in tone and +demeanor, but keeping up, nevertheless, an animated political +discussion with a fellow-citizen as they stood in the churchyard. +Nine-tenths of the population of the town gathered to witness the +funeral. There had not been so much excitement in the place since the +day of the "Grand Triumphal Entrée" of "Peabody's Combination Menagerie +and Hippodrome." The people lined the streets through which the +procession passed, and filled St. Jude's, where the services were held. +No less than three ministers were in attendance, and a bishop extolled +the virtues and success of the decedent in a way to persuade the +auditors that they mourned a well-spent life. Then the church bell +tolled a requiem knell as to the family vault the corpse was borne +along, attended by pall-bearers, who had been consistently selected from +among the wealthiest acquaintances of the family. The Hon. Rufus Heath +followed as chief mourner, with his young daughter; then came his son +and daughter-in-law; and lastly, a multitude of relatives and friends.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>So passed away this old man, leaving behind a vast fortune, that had +brought him but the gambler's joy—but the arid pleasures of the gold +glutton, subsisting on the fumes of money; the odorless fumes whose cold +astringency withers the emotions, dries the heart, and leaves man with +but the instincts of the vulture and fox.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>John Peter Obershaw left no children to survive him. His only son, as +Gildersleeve had said, was lost at sea, and his daughter, Mrs. Heath, +had preceded her father on the long journey years before. As he owed +much of the augmentation of his wealth to the judgment, vigilance, and +superintendence of his son-in-law, it was not surprising that the estate +was found devised to him, the only being who had ever secured the favor +and entire confidence of the old miser. Town tattle hinted at "undue +influence" and "imbecility." There might have been more in this than +idle gossip, but as no one was interested other than the devisee's +children in making any investigations, he inherited without opposition. +A great accretion of wealth this to Rufus Heath, who stepped thus +quietly into the shoes of the late owner of Belton, for that town was in +reality little more than an appanage of the Obershaw family. The +evidences of this were patent on every side. A walk through the +principal street showed you Heath Hall, where political meetings to +distract, and balls and concerts to delight, the denizens took place; +Obershaw House, a tavern of dimensions vast, where the lodging and +dining rooms were too gorgeous to be comfortable, and only the bar +commodious and consolatory; the Belton Bank; the Passaic Insurance +Company; the Savings Institution, with its bee-hive sign—in all of +which Rufus Heath's claim of ownership, or sovereignty, gave further +indication of the wealth of the Obershaw estate. In short, you could not +turn without being reminded how fortunate and important a man was the +present heir, whilom a poor lawyer's clerk and now owner of the truly +Pactolian waters of the Falls of the Passaic.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>II.</h2> + + +<p>The villa on the cliff would probably have excited but little attention +in any country where chateaux or palaces abound, but it was looked upon +by the simple people of Belton as a magnificent dwelling. After a +stranger or tourist had seen the falls, he was invariably driven by the +ciceroning hackman, desirous of lengthening the ride and increasing the +fare, to view Mr. Heath's residence, that being considered next in +importance as a noteworthy object. It was built of a gray stone, on a +site that commanded a fine prospect of the town and of a long stretch of +river. There was no attempt to preserve architectural unity in the +structure; in fact, it exhibited rather an incongruous medley of orders. +The front was partly Italian, with a circular portico supported by +slender Ionic columns. The rear was Elizabethan, pieced out with an +extension for a picture-gallery; on one side were oriel windows, and the +other was flanked by a keep, with turret and embattled parapet, which +gave the edifice rather a frowning appearance, as if the host were +prepared for any emergency, and could treat visitors with bountiful +hospitality, or a narrow cell in the donjon, as he saw fit and felt +disposed. The interior was in keeping with this pretentious exterior. A +stately staircase led up from a wide entrance hall tessellated with +marble tiles, on either side of which were dining and reception rooms. +These and the boudoirs and bedchambers were all resplendent with gilt +and elegant frescoes. The surrounding grounds, or "park," as they were +called, were spacious. There were terraces with marble urns, fountains, +velvet lawns, interspersed with brilliant beds of flowers, and rows of +shapely evergreens. In short, no expense had been spared to construct a +habitation capable of impressing an ordinary beholder with the wealth +and importance of the dwellers therein, and if corroborative evidence +were needed, the porter at the lodge would carry conviction by referring +to the elegant iron railing inclosing the grounds, which he asserted, +with emphatic pride, "cost more'n twenty thousand hard, ringing silver +dollars! a fortune for any one."</p> + +<p>Do not suppose that old John Peter Obershaw was in any way responsible +for all this pomp and splendor. Spending money, much less extravagance +in any shape, was totally foreign to his habits or tastes; and he had +been led into the outlay requisite for all this grandeur insensibly and +unwittingly. We say insensibly and unwittingly the more positively, as +the aged invalid could not be said to have had any sense or wit of his +own, during the last years of his long life, and was completely under +the dominion of his son-in-law, who planned and built the villa in +accordance with his own ostentatious ideas.</p> + +<p>The morning after the late owner of this princely residence had left it +for the narrow quarters of a churchyard vault, the new one arose early +and descended from his bedroom for a short walk in the fresh morning +air. A very handsome man of fifty or so, with a compact figure, keen +gray eyes, high receding forehead, slightly bald, and hair prematurely +silvered. Perceptible on the firm surface of his pale, close-shorn face, +were the lines of decision and shrewdness, and that seal of pride +conferred by the possession of wealth and authority—a chilling +expression commonly called aristocratic, and which is simply refined +vanity. Musing with downcast eyes, hands clasped behind his back, and +head uncovered, to and fro on the terrace paced Mr. Heath. Before +descending, he had opened the door of his father-in-law's room, and +looked in. The huge stuffed arm-chair was still there in its accustomed +place, but vacant; the padding ripped up—done to look for secreted +coin. His staff lay in one corner, a worn hickory stick, his companion +for years,—but the old man was gone. He had been for years but an inert +dweller, verging on imbecility, an incumbrance, and yet what a void he +had left! How silent and empty the chamber seemed! Mr. Heath closed the +door softly, and went gravely down the stairs. He was glad to breathe +the refreshing air and feel the sunshine. As he paced, he would +occasionally stop and glance over the sloping lawn, and towards the +river whose shining current bore thrift to the town and tribute to him. +All these possessions were now his, absolutely and entirely his. Without +longing for it, he had expected and looked forward to this day. He +remembered, when a poor clerk, how he had coveted the wealth of the +proprietor of Belton Falls, as he watched him, meanly clad, haggling +with some shop-keeper over a few coppers. He remembered his joy when a +stroke of luck put him in possession of the capital necessary to carry +out a scheme whose consummation had enabled him finally to attain his +present position, first, by securing Mr. Obershaw's confidence, and +eventually, a less difficult feat (favored as he was by an uncommon +share of good looks), the hand and heart of his daughter. And now they +were both gone, and he was left loaded with wealth; wealth +unmeasured—wealth to flatter every wish and further every ambitious +project. The fruit was ripe and had fallen. He bit it, but no luscious +juice rushed to the bare papillæ; the taste was insipid and dry as +ashes! Every realization is but an after-taste, but this was almost +bitter. The morning sun spangled the dewy grass, and darted brightly +through the tree boughs. Birds carolled sweetly, and all nature +rejoiced, but his spirits seemed to sink under the increased weight of +riches, and he felt burdened. For an instant an unaccountable depression +seized him, and he hardly heeded a gardener who approached to speak. The +man noticed his master's pre-occupation, and waited patiently and +respectfully until his attention was drawn towards him. He wanted to +know if Mr. Heath would like to look at a beautiful exotic that had just +bloomed that morning. Mr. Heath mechanically assented, and followed the +gardener to the greenhouse. Usually he was much interested in the fine +collection of plants in the conservatory, but now he listened dully to +the man's enthusiastic praises of the rare flower, and looked at it with +indifference. Without replying to the gardener, he walked away slowly, +musing as he went on that sermon so often repeated but never heeded—the +vanity of earthly possessions. "Dross, dross, it is so," he +soliloquized, "but how long it takes to learn the lesson! How many envy +me; how many whose first thought on seeing me, whose first wish, is to +be as I am! What a supremely happy and blessed man I must be! Ah, the +monks are wise.... But fame—the incense of popular applause—a name to +live in future generations; something that the grave cannot extinguish, +and death take away, that is the goal to strive for! Aye, ambition is +the only passion worthy a master mind."</p> + +<p>He re-entered the house and went to his library. The sight of his +accustomed work-room seemed to banish the shadow on his countenance. +"Blessed—blessed labor, what a balm thou art!" he apostrophized as with +a sort of eagerness he threw himself in a chair, seized a pen, and +followed a new train of ideas.</p> + +<p>A singular fit of despondency this in one basking in the smiles of +Fortune, and who had so steadily enjoyed her favors; for the capricious +dame had marked Rufus Heath for a favorite long ago by a significant +gift plainly indicative of her partiality. This gift, or stroke of luck, +was the winning at his start in life of a lottery prize, which sudden +affluence, judiciously invested, had led to the splendid culmination now +apparent.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mr. Heath was in his library, a large room adjoining his bedchamber, +which also answered the purposes of a study, and was furnished with +leathern-covered chairs, and surrounded by closely filled book-cases of +polished walnut, surmounted at intervals with marble busts of the giants +of intellect. A long table in the centre of the room was covered with +maps, manuscripts, and works of reference. At one end Mr. Heath sat +intently writing. His early habits of industry he still carried almost +to excess. Idleness filched but few moments from him, and by a thorough +system he managed to perform an amount of labor that would have been +deemed prodigious in a close student. The work that engrossed the most +of his time, the opus magnus, was the preparation of a pandect wherein +the constitutions, statutes, and enactments of the various States of the +Union would be digested and reconciled into one harmonious code of laws. +The mere gathering and collating of material for this purpose involved a +formidable amount of labor, and when in addition to this we consider +that he supervised the accounts of the estate and kept up a voluminous +correspondence with statesmen and politicians in all parts of the +country, we may imagine that he had but few spare moments.</p> + +<p>Behind him on the wall hung the symbol of his weakness—an illuminated +achievement intended to represent the arms of the Heath family. Should a +visitor's attention be attracted by this heraldic device, the host was +only too happy to explain the mystery of crest and quarterings, and to +dilate on his lineage, tracing its common origin with that of a +distinguished English ducal family. For Rufus Heath, in his heart of +hearts, despised a republic and had no faith in the stability of its +institutions. His ideal of a government was an oligarchy, with him and +his like as oligarchs. Outwardly he professed the stanchest +republicanism and devotion to equal rights.</p> + +<p>So absorbed had Mr. Heath become in his occupation that he heeded not +his daughter as she came to ask him to breakfast. She entered the study +softly, and almost timidly, for she held her father in a certain awe and +dreaded to disturb him. It was only when she laid her hand lightly on +his shoulder that he discovered her presence. "Father, good-morning," +said she, seeking to press her lips to his cheek.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Miss Edna. Is that you?" he replied, impassively, and slowly +disengaging her arm from his neck. "Good-morning. Leave me, child; I +will be with you in an instant."</p> + +<p>There was no unkindness in the tone, but there was no warmth. The few +words that had passed between them revealed enough to indicate to an +observant witness the history of a daughter's heart, eager for the +affection of a parent insulated from domestic ties by egotistic +worldliness.</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath laid aside his pen, passed to his chamber, and arranged his +toilet preparatory to the morning repast. He then descended the stairs +as if a chamberlain preceded him; entered the breakfast-room with a +stately nod to those present, and took his seat at the table gravely, +and with an apology for his tardiness. After a scrutinizing glance +around, a preparatory pause followed, and then, bending low his head, he +invoked the Divine blessing. The meals in that family were not at any +time those cheerful family gatherings that diversify existence so +pleasantly, but serious proceedings, conducted with severe propriety, +the head of the house being exceedingly punctilious on that score. On +this morning, naturally enough, a greater solemnity prevailed, and the +breakfast was passed almost in silence. Mrs. Applegate, a widow, and +elder sister of Mr. Heath, presided. She had been installed housekeeper +on the death of her brother's wife, and occupied the post at table that +should have devolved upon young Mrs. Heath, but that lady was too +indifferent, and disinclined to any exertion to fill it. She was a +Creole by birth, the daughter of a Yankee machinist who had married the +very wealthy widow of a Cuban planter. This machinist, Sam Wolvern, +previous to going to the West Indies, had learned his trade in Belton, +and after the death of his wife returned there to live. Dying soon after +his arrival, he left Mr. Heath sole guardian of the person and fortune +of his only child, Mercedita Wolvern. So well did the guardian manage +his trust, that he succeeded, in due time, in transferring his ward and +her fortune to the custody of his son. This occasioned some unfavorable +tattle, but as Mercedita Wolvern, a pale, feeble girl, had no will of +her own, it may have been justifiable in somebody else's having one for +her, if matters had turned out well. Unfortunately they did not, for her +husband, with all the arrogance and vanity, and none of the brains of +his sire, was possessed of sundry vices, which rendered him anything but +an agreeable life companion. A spoiled boy, indulged and toadied, he +easily fell into the snares that beset rich men's sons, and grew up a +worthless and dissipated man. His father designed him for the legal +profession, but "living like a hermit and working like a horse," was +not at all to the taste of young Hopeful. Hence, in the hope that an +early marriage might reform him,—to say nothing of the pecuniary +advantages of such a match,—his father had given him poor weak +Mercedita, and her fortune, to wife. And a wretched connubial existence +she had of it, for Jack Heath added drunkenness to his other unamiable +traits, and was hardly sober from one day to another. This, of course, +created much uneasiness in the father's mind, who naturally hoped that +his son would at least perpetuate the family name with dignity, if he +were incapable of shedding lustre on it.</p> + +<p>"Where is John?" inquired Mr. Heath of his daughter-in-law, as he +noticed his son's absence from the table.</p> + +<p>"Sleeping, I presume, sir," replied the young wife; "I heard the clock +strike one before he came in last night."</p> + +<p>"What! again? And last night of all nights!" escaped from the father's +lips. Ordinarily his pride prevented him from showing displeasure at his +son's misconduct, in the presence of others, but that John should have +so far forgotten himself as to indulge in a debauch on the very day of +his grandfather's funeral; that he should have gone in his mourning +clothes to the town bar-rooms, his usual haunts, and swaggered tipsily +along the streets, a spectacle of shame, furnishing food for scandal for +a month—for the Heath family were considered in the light of public +personages, and every act of theirs was commented on by all +Belton—this, all this, touched Mr. Heath keenly. His daughter, who was +seated beside him, noticed his clouded brow, and asked him with anxiety, +if anything ailed him?</p> + +<p>"No, nothing, child," he replied, and turning to the colored servant in +attendance bade him summon John at once. Edna, the daughter, had but +just returned from boarding-school, where she had spent the greater part +of three previous years; hence she knew but little of her brother's +habits, and imagined that a lack of respect on his part was all that had +disturbed her usually imperturbable father.</p> + +<p>It's the old Obershaw blood in him—the coarse tastes which he inherits +from his grandfather, reflected Mr. Heath with bitterness. The old man +had the same propensity, but avarice smothered it in him. With a sigh +he turned toward his daughter for consolation. His looks dwelt on her, +and it seemed as if it were the first time he had ever noticed her +beauty. How lovely she has grown, thought he. A true Heath—if she were +only a boy! Still, why should she not aspire, and reflect honor on me? I +shall be Governor of this State, next a foreign mission, an +ambassadorship. All she would need is the opportunity. Did ever coronet +grace a fairer brow? My daughter a countess or a marchioness—is there +anything impossible or improbable in that?</p> + +<p>While Mr. Heath was in the midst of his fanciful cogitations, the object +of them was eating in a matter-of-fact way, and in utter unconsciousness +of the ambitious views she had awakened. Nevertheless, there was +everything to justify her father's pride and hopes; for Edna, a girl of +seventeen, had a graceful figure, a cheek as delicate as a rose-petal, +soft steel-blue eyes with dark lashes and brows, hair the hue of ripe +wheat, and that indescribable sweetness of expression in which American +maidens surpass all others. Her plain, black dress, relieved only by a +white collar and wristbands, did not in the least detract from her +appearance, but, on the contrary, enhanced her clear complexion to +brilliancy. So her father thought, and his heart swelled with new-born +pride in the possession of such a child. There was an unusual tenderness +in his voice when he questioned her, "Edna, what are you going to do +this morning?"</p> + +<p>It was a purposeless question, meant simply to attract her attention +towards him.</p> + +<p>Edna turned her face towards her father with an inquiring look, for the +query was a very unusual one. "I intend to call on Ada Mumbie; I left my +crochet-work there on Monday, and am going after it. Have you any errand +for me, sir?"</p> + +<p>"No, daughter. Crochet-work is certainly important business, and should +not be neglected," replied her father with a smile. "I hope, however, +you have other and better ways of employing your time."</p> + +<p>"I trust so, sir," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"I wish, my child, you would adopt the plan of writing me a letter every +day, or every other day will do. It matters not how short it may be—a +few sentences will suffice. But I want it done as well as you know how, +and have you bestow thought upon it. Let it consist of a criticism on +some book you have read, or some picture you have seen. For instance, +you might begin to write criticisms on the pictures in the gallery in +succession, varying them, however, with such opinions of other matters, +persons, or objects as may strike your fancy. But what I want are your +ideas and none other, expressed in the best language you are capable of. +You will do so, will you not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, father, if it pleases you."</p> + +<p>"Well, but I don't want you to do it solely because it pleases me. I +want you to acquire a taste for such employment. I was looking over some +of your letters from school the other day, and I was very well pleased +with the style, but I noticed a lack of thought. True, you are still +young, and can hardly be expected to evince much of that, but I want to +cultivate your mind in that respect, and now is the time to begin. Bear +in mind, skill in epistolary writing is a great accomplishment; +especially so in a woman," continued Mr. Heath; then turning to his +daughter-in-law he said, "Mercedita, I have an appointment at the bank +at ten. I shall be back at eleven. Tell John I shall expect to find him +in the library waiting for me at that hour. I have business for him. I +want some copying done. Mr. Frisbee has more than he can attend to now;" +and Mr. Heath rose to leave. As he opened the door to go out he stopped +for a moment, reflectively, with his hand on the knob, "Edna."</p> + +<p>"Yes, father," replied the young girl, rising and going towards him.</p> + +<p>"When you return from your visit, come up into the library. I shall +select some works I wish you to read. Don't fail, my dear;" and Mr. +Heath, before leaving, imprinted a light kiss on his daughter's +forehead. She received it with an expression of pleased surprise. It was +the first time he had ever favored her in that way. So unwonted a +demonstration of tenderness on the part of her brother even caused Mrs. +Applegate to pause in the act of pouring out her fourth cup of tea, and +stare at the scene. "Edna seems to be in favor this morning," she +remarked when Mr. Heath had left, "but John, I am afraid, Mercedita, has +greatly offended his father, and is very much in disfavor."</p> + +<p>"O Mercedita!" added Edna, "do beg him to apologize to father at once, +and try and make amends. Just think how troubled father must be at +grandfather's death, and that Jack should add to his grief is too bad. +Do, please, entreat him, Mercedita, to—"</p> + +<p>"I do not pretend to have any influence whatever over John. I might +have, if he had any consideration for my feelings; but as I am sure he +has never shown the slightest, of what use would my remonstrances or +pleadings be? He may follow the path he has chosen without any +interference from me," answered the young wife with an affected +indifference.</p> + +<p>"Father expects him at eleven," said Edna, "and I hope Jack will be +punctual. I wouldn't have father continue angry at him for the world. I +wonder if James has told him? I'll go and see;" and she hurried off, in +her anxiety to reconcile her father and brother.</p> + +<p>"I think, Mercedita, if you took John in the right way," said Mrs. +Applegate, "you might do a good deal with him. He is as good-hearted a +person as ever lived. He's whimsical, to be sure, and perhaps we all +indulged him a little too much when he was a boy. I'll not deny that. +But then, you know, a little coaxing will go a great ways."</p> + +<p>A shrug of the shoulders was the only reply the young wife deigned to +make to this advice, and Mrs. Applegate continued: "Now, I've had a good +deal of experience in these matters, and I recollect very distinctly, +when Mr. Applegate and I were first married, he was as full of whims and +notions as could be, and naturally it was a source of trouble in more +ways than one to me. Mr. Applegate utterly detested cats for one +thing—couldn't bear 'em; indeed, he had such a great detestation of +them, that I verily believe it actually affected his system; though, to +be sure, he was consumptive, and subject to constant attacks of +dyspepsia. I've heard of many such cases. Not long ago I read in the +papers an account of some distinguished person—I forget the name, now, +though it's a familiar one—let me see, I think it was Alexander the +Great, or it might have been Luther, I won't be certain which; but at +all events it was some well-known and distinguished person who was +thrown into convulsions every time he saw a black rabbit—no, not a +black rabbit, but a drawn sword. It was another well-known person who +was affected in a similar way by a black rabbit. Now this goes to +show—"</p> + +<p>What this went to show we are unable to say, for at this point, Mrs. +Applegate's instructive, though somewhat irrelevant discourse, was +interrupted by the entrance of Jack Heath, who was evidently in no +amiable frame of mind, and under the influence, probably, of the +whimsical state alluded to by his kinswoman. He took his seat in sulky +silence, and then began to scold the waiter. He found fault with +everything—the steak was too cold, the eggs too hard, the tea too hot, +the toast too dry, etc. The two ladies looked on without venturing a +remark. From the dull, sodden look of his eyes, and his carelessly +brushed hair, Jack's rest and peace of mind had evidently been badly +disturbed. He was large and unduly corpulent for so young a man, being +barely two-and-twenty, although he might have passed for ten years +older; and on his fat face the freshness of youth had given place to the +inflamed flush of the toper. After a few mouthfuls he could contain +himself no longer, and vented his spleen in a grumbling tirade. "Seems +to me there's a devil of a row here about nothing. Can't have a bit of +comfort in this house. Come home tired and want to have my sleep out, +and along comes James drumming away at my door as if the house was on +fire; says the old man sent him—then Edna, she must come bothering me +to get up. Confound it, some of you women are at the bottom of it all, +I'll bet. Been complaining to the old man, have you?"</p> + +<p>This last was directed with a scowl to his wife, who, without +condescending to reply, arose from her chair and wrapping her shawl +close about her, swept out of the room indignant, leaving Mrs. Applegate +to confront Jack's temper alone.</p> + +<p>"A young feller's a fool that gets married," continued Jack, addressing +no one in particular.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Applegate, feeling this apothegm to be rather a reflection on her +sex, and one which ought not to pass unchallenged, ventured a mild +qualification. "Well, John, it depends very much whether the fellow, as +you call him, is of a domestic disposition or not. Now, there is great +difference in people, and especially in married couples. There was Mr. +Applegate, for instance; I'm sure no one could have led a happier life, +and he often used to say to me, 'My dear—'"</p> + +<p>"I say," repeated the nephew, dogmatically, "that a young feller's a +fool that gets married. That's all. And he'll find it out sooner or +later, I'll bet he does. To have a woman always tied to you, that goes +whining around and complaining if a feller comes in late, or has been on +a little jamboree with a friend and gets a little set up. I'd rather be +hung and be done with it."</p> + +<p>"Dear me, John, I wouldn't go on so about it," said his aunt, +placatingly. "To be sure I don't ever remember of Mr. Applegate's going +on a jam—jamboree, as you call it, as he was always afraid of dampness +and night air; but then you must admit that it isn't the pleasantest +thing in the world to be wakened out of a sound sleep, or to sit up +waiting for some one to come home, particularly if you are anyway +delicate; and young people should bear in mind that the easiest way is +always the best."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Applegate added a few more mollifying sentences of the same general +application, until Jack, having by this time finished his breakfast, +seemed to be appeased, and remarked in rather more peaceful tones, that +he "was off his feed," a statement which might well cause an onlooker +to wonder how much provender Jack consumed when he was "on his feed." +Then pulling out a case, he struck a match and lit a cigar, remarking as +he did so to his aunt: "Old man wants me in the library punctually at +eleven, does he? Think I see myself. Not to-day, thank you. If I'm there +I guess he'll know it. As the Frenchman said, 'I've got to fry some +fish,'" and off he lounged to the stables.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>III.</h2> + + +<p>The Hon. Rufus Heath, in requesting his son's attendance in the library +that morning, had reckoned without the "Horse-show." For that day was +the concluding one of the County Agricultural Fair, which, though held +ostensibly in honor of sundry overgrown vegetables and patchwork quilts, +derived its principal attraction from the "Grand Exhibition of Blood and +other Horses," which terminated it. The exhibition consisted in a number +of fast nags showing their points, and competing for prizes on a +race-course conveniently near the fair-grounds. To attend these "trials +of speed" was far more to John Peter Heath's taste, than to be immured +in his father's library copying tedious documents. Hence he did not +deliberate long over the paternal mandate, and was soon spinning away +comfortably behind his trotting mare to the fair. He stayed there the +greater part of the day; swaggering over the grounds with a knowing +air; noisily backing horses by bets with stable-men and blacklegs, and +losing some of his wife's money which rather soured him, for Jack had a +decided streak of stinginess in his character, and disliked extremely to +part with money that had not ministered to his selfish gratifications. +So, to console himself for his ill-luck, he repaired to a public-house +hard by, and cracked bottles of wine with boon companions until the +remembrance of his losses supervened, and he became obstreperous; swore +he had been cheated; grew abusive; drew off his coat to fight anybody, +and but for the interposition of the landlord, might have received a +severe pommelling. In this condition he mounted his vehicle to return +home. The spirited little mare, having been kept so long waiting at the +tavern door, had become restive, and it was with some difficulty that +she could be held by the hostler while Jack got into the wagon. He +gathered the reins, flung a dime to the man, and the mare released, sped +off like an arrow.</p> + +<p>The sun was setting as Jack crossed the bridge over the Passaic at the +north end of town, and the toll-gatherer noticed that the driver was (as +he had often seen him before) in liquor. Jack Heath was not at any time +a very pleasing object to look at, and still less so when in his cups, +for his tipsiness bore an expression of defiant arrogance that boded no +good to intermeddlers. Thus, flown with insolence and wine, along he +went, lashing his horse and driving recklessly up the principal street +of the town, in utter disregard of the wayfarers, whom he roughly +ordered with an oath to get out of his way. Just at that moment a young +man, with a slight limp in his gait, was crossing the street, who seemed +in no haste to accelerate his pace at Jack Heath's bidding. A +well-dressed young fellow he was, of about twenty, with a dash of +pretension in his appearance, and a light in his eye that betokened a +spirit not likely to brook dictation. Jack, unfortunately, was not in a +condition to discriminate, and as he approached the pedestrian, yelled, +with a curse, "Ki-hi—cripple! Out of the way, or I'll run over you!" No +sooner were these words uttered, than the young man, pale with anger, +raised a light cane he carried, and struck fiercely at the horse's head. +The nervous animal, frightened at this sudden attack, sprang off +sideways, dashing the light jagger against the curb, and sending its +occupant headlong to the earth. Such an excitement in the quiet street! +The disaster occurred directly opposite McGoffin's "Shoe Emporium," and +that honest tradesman ran out, leaving Miss Winter (a highly respectable +maiden lady whom he was about measuring for bootees) to expose in her +agitation and stockings her somewhat large and bulbous feet to the +brutal gaze of a gathering crowd. The colored barber from over the way +hastened to the spot with a razor in his hand, followed by a half-shaved +client with lathered, face and bib on, and then in quick succession +loungers from the "Tanglefoot Saloon" and corner grocery. Meanwhile, the +cause of all this trouble, whom we may as well introduce to the reader +at once as Mark Gildersleeve, forgot his resentment on seeing the plight +of his insulter, and hurried off for a physician, under the impression +that; perhaps, Jack Heath was killed. There he lay in the kennel, +stunned, with a cut on his sconce and a contemplative crowd about him. +Discussions arose as to whether he was dead or dying, and a glass of +brandy was put to his lips as a test; it probably being deemed +conclusive that if he did not drink, or at least taste the beverage, he +must be very nearly in the former condition. As he did neither, his case +looked hopeless, and some one suggested removing him to the apothecary's +shop; but Mr. Snopple, the photographer, a little fat man who diffused +an aroma of collodion about him, protested strenuously, reminding the +by-standers that it would be a violation of the law, and render a person +liable to prosecution to disturb the body until the coroner came and an +inquest was held. Advice not altogether disinterested on the part of Mr. +Snopple, who, in his professional zeal, saw at once an excellent +opportunity for an effective picture, and did not wish the group +disturbed while he hastened off to his studio for a camera. +Unfortunately for the advancement of art, before he returned, George +Gildersleeve, the ubiquitous, appeared on the scene. Here was a man of +action. He took one hand out of its pocket, felt of Jack and pronounced +him "right enough," and then addressing the crowd said, "Lay hold here, +boys, some of you, and toss him into this cart and get him home. He's +hefty."</p> + +<p>And "hefty" he was, sure enough, and it took some tugging from strong +arms to lift the dead weight of his bulky form into a grocer's cart +near at hand, for the racing jagger was badly broken, and the mare had +scampered off with the thills.</p> + +<p>By this time Mark Gildersleeve had returned with Dr. Wattletop, and the +latter accompanied Jack to his home, where the fears of his relatives +were speedily allayed by his being pronounced not seriously injured, but +uncommonly drunk.</p> + +<p>When Dr. Wattletop returned to his domicil he found Mark Gildersleeve +awaiting him. "How is he, doctor?" eagerly asked the young man.</p> + +<p>"Oh bless you, he'll do. The devil takes care of his own. Born to be +hung, you know, and so forth. A simple contusion—plastered it up—he'll +be all right when he gets sober. He's just ugly enough, too, to appear +worse than he is, and frightened his sweet little sister out of her +wits. The others, though, didn't seem to mind it so much, and no wonder. +But what makes you so anxious about him? When you came after me, you +looked so pale and agitated hopes arose of a profitable patient. They're +not so plenty now as they might be, and I welcome them with joy and +gratitude," said the doctor, tapping Mark familiarly on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I feel so relieved, doctor; I was afraid he might be seriously hurt. He +provoked me, and I retaliated. Had I noticed or known that he was drunk, +perhaps I would not have minded him. He fell so heavily that I feared he +might have broken his neck."</p> + +<p>"He might, I grant, but he didn't. More's the pity, perhaps, for his +friends and family. Especially for that poor wife of his, whom he will +certainly kill in time, if he don't kill himself first. But, so you were +the one that caused all this row, eh? You didn't say anything about that +before. How dared you, rash youth, raise your ire against the +heir-apparent? Fear you not the wrath of the prince-regnant? Know ye not +that for thrift to follow it is as necessary now, as ever, to fawn to +wealth and position? Anchylosis, my boy, invariably affects the pocket, +mind that!"</p> + +<p>"If it were not for—" began Mark, with a determined look, which he +suddenly checked, to add with a quiet smile, "No one knows better than +you, doctor, what little store I set by thrift, or any considerations of +that kind. I trust my ambition aims higher than that."</p> + +<p>"Fresh and admirable adolescence! Roseate age, when the glistening +soap-bubble, Fame, hath more charms than substantial shekels! So be it, +and well it is so, for without those soft illusions the aridity of +existence would be insupportable, the world a desert and life a blank. +And now, my boy, while I wash my hands bring out the chess-board. I'll +give you a bishop to-night, and unless I am interrupted by some silly +biped seeking admittance to this sphere of trouble, or some still +sillier one reluctant to leave it, we'll have a snug hour or two of +enjoyment. So, votary of Caïssa, to chess—to chess."</p> + +<p>Soon the polished dome of the doctor's capacious head, and the curly +black pate of the young man, were bent in intense study over the +checkered field of mimic battle. In silence passed the moments until a +scratching at the door announced a visitor. "Ah, Dagon! Open the door, +Mark, and let him in, please," said the doctor.</p> + +<p>The young man complied, and a large black Newfoundland dog walked +gravely in towards the doctor, and rested his head on his master's knee +to be caressed. "True friend—faithful heart! Mark, three winters ago +that dog saved my life. I was called out the night of the great +snowstorm to go to the Furnaces, and but for Dagon your most obedient +wouldn't be here. I've told it you before, I believe, so I'll not repeat +the circumstances, but I love to dwell on them. Last spring he drew a +child out of the canal; he would allow himself to be cut to pieces for +me, and yet they say he has no soul! The Turks say the same of women. +Are we any wiser? They say, too, he has no reason. Look at his +expressive, sagacious eye. The gibbering idiot has a soul, the vilest +miscreant reason; but this noble animal has neither, 'tis said, and +man's vanity invents instinct! O man—man, what a conceited fool thou +art! Check, eh? Ha! a bold move, my boy."</p> + +<p>The doctor's speculations were cut short by a brilliant stroke on the +part of his adversary, and as the game is becoming more absorbing, and +the players less communicative, we will leave them, to digress a little.</p> + +<p>Dr. Basil Wattletop had been an English army-surgeon, and as such had +spent much of his time in foreign parts. How he came to drift into +Belton, no one knew positively, although there was a legend that he had +stopped there one day, on his way from Canada, to view the cataract, +and had remained in the town ever since. Be this as it might, there he +was and had been for many years, enjoying a lucrative practice, as he +doubtless well deserved, for he was a skilful practitioner. An +odd-looking man he was, a bachelor of very uncertain age, yet hale and +vigorous; in person short and rotund, like the typical Briton of mature +years, with thin wisps of brown hair brushed around his bald crown, and +large searching dark eyes set in a long, grave, rubicund face. In attire +inclined to carelessness, but scrupulous as to polished shoes and +immaculate linen, wearing collars perilously starched over a throttling +black stock, the buckle and tag of which prominently ornamented his +nape. Partial indeed was he to this stock, despite the sway of fashion. +In moments of caprice he would replace it by swaddling his short neck in +a black cravat of many folds, the knot of which invariably slipped +around and under his ear, giving him a losel and dissipated air.</p> + +<p>His benevolent disposition had made him popular with the people of +Belton, and many a poor body had reason to thank the good physician not +only for gratuitous attendance, but for the wherewithal to buy +indispensable remedies and comforts. We say had reason to thank him, for +they seldom ventured to do so, certainly not a second time, for the +doctor was exceedingly impatient of any manifestations of gratitude, and +generally received them with a cynical or tart comment.</p> + +<p>One weakness the doctor had in common with many of his +countrymen—devotion to the social glass and flowing bowl, and when he +had indulged over freely he was a changed man. Then his ordinary +blandness forsook him, and he became pompous and choleric. He buttoned +his coat tightly over his chest, carried his cane under his arm, and +gave a defiant cock to his hat. Beware then how you contradicted him; +beware how you defended that absurd heresy, homoeopathy; and above all, +beware how you disparaged, even in the remotest degree, her Majesty of +England, God bless her! as he would add, reverently lifting his hat. His +loyalty and pomposity increased in proportion to the depths of his +potations, but, whether in rigid obedience to a self-imposed law, or +owing to the resistant power of his brain, he never appeared to exceed a +certain well-defined limit; and no one had ever seen the doctor +overcome, or known him to be in a worse state than that peculiar one +indicated by a highly burnished nose, tetchy dignity, and exaggerated +self-importance. The doctor was generally in this condition three +evenings in the week, beginning at about four o'clock post-meridian, and +so far from its being considered prejudicial to the exercise of his +professional duties by his patients, many of them religiously believed +that his sagacity was keener and skill greater at those times than at +others.</p> + +<p>The doctor was an enigma to the Belton folk. While they all respected +him for his good qualities, many were offended at his sarcasm, puzzled +by his paradoxes, or displeased at his oracular utterances. A few even +pronounced him an "infidel" and an "atheist." Opinionated George +Gildersleeve objected to the doctor's opinionativeness, and rated him a +"pig-headed John Bull." As to the charge of atheism, who could have +believed it that had ever seen the doctor at service, as he stood +reverentially burying his red face in his stiff hat on Sundays in the +fifth pew from the chancel, in the middle aisle of St. Jude's?</p> + +<p>"Atheist, bosh!" said the doctor; "the old Latin proverb, <i>Ubi tres +medici duo athei</i>, is simply nonsensical. Who comes so closely in +contact with the mysterious ways of God, and realizes so thoroughly his +own ignorance and impotence, as the physician? No—no, a corner of the +veil has been uplifted to us, and we stand appalled and humble."</p> + +<p>Mark Gildersleeve was almost an adopted son of the old physician, who +had taken the youth in affection and proved an invaluable friend to him, +chiefly by directing a course of reading and study. A priceless benefit +this to Mark, whose advantages for instruction had been slight, for he +had lost his parents at an early age, and been left to the care of his +half-brother George, or rather to his half-brother's wife. It would have +been difficult to find more dissimilar beings than these two brothers. +George was the true son of Eben Gildersleeve, the tough old smith who +could forge the best horse-shoe in the county; while Mark inherited the +character and tastes of his mother, Eben Gildersleeve's second wife, a +woman of beauty and delicacy, a rustic Venus mated to a village Vulcan. +George was boisterous, given to bully and boast, and hid his +purse-pride in an affected contempt for the world's opinion. Mark, on +the contrary, was reserved, and rendered morbidly sensitive by a slight +lameness resulting from an injury received in childhood—a mere blemish, +though, in an otherwise well-knit and graceful form. For all his reserve +the lad had a resolute and ambitious spirit. Gifted with quick +perception, and a natural aptitude for mathematics, he had become, +although almost self-taught, proficient as a mechanical engineer. After +a common-school education, his brother, in accordance with the theory +that the only road to success was through a diligent use of the flexors +and extensors, set him to work in the shops, but it was not long before +he was found to be more useful in the draughting room. Young as he was, +Mark had introduced some valuable improvements in his brother's works, +although that independent fellow was not over-ready to acknowledge it. +On the contrary, he rather berated the young man behind his back, for a +fop who cared for nothing but dress, or a fool who was occupied with +dreams and poetry instead of devoting himself to his business. Mark, it +must be admitted, sinned a little in that way, although not to an +extent to justify his brother's railings. Full of enthusiasm and high +aspirations, he scorned mere money-making, and as he earned enough to +satisfy his wants he bestowed no further thought in that direction. This +was a source of displeasure to George. "Confound the fellow," he would +exclaim in the barber-shop, perhaps, or at Bird's livery stable, +"Confound the fellow! he's no slouch, but as smart as they make 'em, and +if he'd only stick to his work he'd be a rich man in time. I never had +much of a head for figures, but it comes nat'ral to him. If he's a mind +to, he can do more work than any other two men you can scare up, and if +he aint a-mind, you can't coax or drive him. He'll go off and jingle +away by the hour on a piano, like a girl, or play chess or read novels +half the night. Why, he's even got a banjo up in his room that he strums +away on like a nigger minstrel" (alluding to a Spanish guitar that Mark +had bought, probably with the romantic intention of practising +seguidillas). "Look at me," George would add as a clincher; "the only +music ever I made was with a riveting hammer on a boiler, or a sledge on +an anvil, and am I any the worse for it? Not much, I think, and here I +am, as independent as a hog on ice! Don't owe a man a dollar in the +world, and though I don't roost in as big a house as Rufe Heath or Pop +Mumbie up on the hill yonder, they'll take my note at the bank as quick +as either of theirs if I should ask it, which I don't, as I pays as I +goes; and what's more, I can dust any of 'em on the plank-road any day +of the week, with as pretty a pair o' flyers as there is in the State, +and if you don't believe it here's the soap to back it for any amount +from fifty to five thousand!"</p> + +<p>And he would conclude customarily by drawing out a well-stuffed wallet, +and slapping it energetically, with a defiant look at the by-standers. +That wallet was George's <i>ultimo ratio</i>, and when pushed in an argument, +or at loss for a reply, he would flourish it at his opponent, with an +offer to wager any sum on the moot-point; a rebutter which, if it did +not carry conviction, enabled George to close the issue in a triumphant +manner. There was a story current to the effect that he had once +startled a tableful of Methodist clergymen, assembled to take tea at +Mrs. Gildersleeve's during a conference, by proffering to the decorous +men a bet on the correct interpretation of a disputed passage in St. +John; but this lacked confirmation, for George, if he had but little +respect for any one else, had a great deal for his wife, and as such an +act would have shocked her exceedingly, it is not at all likely that it +took place.</p> + +<p>The sagacious reader has doubtless come to the conclusion that the +Gildersleeve family was composed of rather incongruous members, and yet, +for one comprising such opposite characters, its harmony was remarkable. +They occupied a small two-story dwelling with a flower-garden attached, +in a side street, not far from the Archimedes Works. A large, bright +brass door-plate bore in very loud letters the name: GILDERSLEEVE—as if +there were none other of that name in the universe, or as if this was +<i>the</i> Gildersleeve <i>par excellence</i> of all who were fortunate enough to +bear that honest patronymic. Aside from this, the residence presented a +very quiet and modest appearance. The interior was plainly furnished, +but neat as wax. In the little parlor were old-fashioned mahogany chairs +and sofas dark with age, but polished, and protected with snowy tidies. +In one corner was Mark's piano, and on either side of the +chimney-breast hung portraits in oil of Mr. and Mrs. Gildersleeve, +taken when they were first married, and looking wooden in port and flat +as to perspective, faced on the opposite side by photographic likenesses +of the same at a mature age. Then between the windows was a colored +photograph of Mr. Gildersleeve in his costume of foreman of a fire +company, with red shirt, leathern cap, and trumpet; and still another +representing him in his regalia as a Sir Knight of the Sancho Panza +Commandery of the Knights of the Golden Fleece. George had a passion for +counterfeit presentments of himself, and in the album on the +centre-table might have been found a number of others, taken in various +attitudes and in various expressions of obstinacy, by that distinguished +artist, Alonzo Snopple, Esq., who kept duplicates in his "studio" and +never failed to call visitors' attention to them as remarkable pictures +of a remarkable self-made man. "Fine head," he would say, "very fine +head—rare combination of intellect and force—especially force. +Strongly marked lineaments, well adapted for Rembrandt effects. Observe +the lights and shadows, that well-defined nose, etc.;" and George +seemingly was not indisposed to allow the public every opportunity to +familiarize itself with the representation of such a masterpiece of +nature in the way of a head. Besides his love of portraiture, he was +given to keeping fast trotters and game-cocks, and in the stables at the +Works were stalls devoted to a span of the speediest Morgans for the +owner's private use, and in the stable yard strutted a certain breed of +"orange-piles," whose pugnacious qualities were almost as well known as +those of the celebrated fowls of the Derby walk; the dauntless +game-cocks, that:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"symbolize their lord."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>These animals enabled George to indulge occasionally in a little +sportsmanlike relaxation, and spice his toil-earned wealth by a few +chance dollars won from fickle fortune.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gildersleeve was an industrious little housekeeper with an equable +temper, and an unbounded and unquestioning faith in her husband; +scarcely less so, too, in her brother-in-law Mark, whom she had brought +up from childhood and looked upon as a son—an affection reciprocated by +the young man, who loved her as if she were his mother, and with +reason, for she could not have been more devoted had she really stood in +that relation to him. The only thing that ever cast a shadow on her +uniform serenity and cheerfulness, was the remissness in their religious +duties of the two beings the nearest and dearest to her. She had more +than once mentioned this subject to the Rev. Samuel Sniffen, and this +good man had striven zealously to bring these wayward sheep into the +fold, but with small effect; for George Gildersleeve seemed flint, and +his brother quicksilver. Nevertheless, Mrs. Gildersleeve had gained +ground and progressed so far in her endeavors at reclamation, that her +husband invariably accompanied her to meeting every Sabbath morning and +afternoon, while Mark escorted her to the evening service, the mornings +and afternoons of that sacred day being devoted by the erratic youth to +St. Jude's. It was an edifying sight to behold George at meeting. The +stolidity with which he received the earnest and vivifying sermons of +the Rev. Samuel Sniffen—as if they imparted teachings which the rest of +the congregation would do well to heed, but which did not concern him in +the least—was the despair of the excellent minister. The hardened +sinner had even shown, on frequent occasions, a tendency to nap through +exhortations of the most vehement and fervid character. What was to be +done with such a soul? The only answer he would vouchsafe to the +friendliest and most persuasive counsel was, that his wife was good +enough for both of them, and he felt insured as to the future, as she no +doubt would have influence enough to "pull him through" in any event. +"She'll take care of me, you bet," he would add; "she's good enough to +save a half a dozen;" and in this conviction of security nothing could +shake him. Brother Sniffen then wisely concluded that as it seemed a +hopeless task for the patient to obtain sanctification through faith, he +would induce him to try the efficacy of good works, and in this laudable +endeavor called upon him constantly for contributions to the support and +propagation of the Methodist Episcopal persuasion, and as George always +responded liberally to all such requests, he stood well with the good +people of that sect, in spite of his stiff-neckedness.</p> + +<p>Mark was more tractable. He was willing to do almost anything to please +his sister-in-law except, perhaps, giving up his attendance at St. +Jude's. And whence, it may be asked, arose this preference in the young +man for that particular temple of worship? Did he hunger after the +spiritual truth as dispensed by the rector, the Rev. Spencer Abbott? +Alas! we fear not. Did he deem his tenor voice an indispensable adjunct +to the church choir? Strict truth compels us to say nay. Mrs. +Gildersleeve, for her part, attributed his partiality for the Episcopal +service to Dr. Wattletop's influence; but the worthy lady's perspicuity +was entirely at fault, and the motive that impelled her brother-in-law +to such an assiduous attendance at St. Jude's was not any preference for +a liturgy, or leaning for the tenets of that church; in fact, we regret +to say, it was not any religious conviction whatever, but simply and +solely—love! Love for the sweetest profile ever imagined; the profile +that he was continually sketching on the draughting sheets or +tracing-paper; that distracted him while at work; that drew him to St. +Jude's, but drew his attention away from the excellent sermons of the +young and worthy rector. And the possessor of that profile was—Edna +Heath. She, of course, was attentive to the sermon as good girls always +are, and utterly unconscious of the glances directed at her from the +organ-loft, where Mark poured forth the pantings of his sighing soul in +song. Utterly unconscious, too, of the influence she exerted over that +youth's ideas and aspirations; how she had inspired him with vaulting +ambition, and given him a corresponding distaste for his calling; how, +for her sake, he desired to become famous, and, of all things, to be a +poet! In this frame of mind, this fervent exaltation, the church seemed +a haven of bliss to him, and his worshipping, we grieve to say, was +directed chiefly to the idol who sat in the double pew in the transept +nearest to the chancel. All his longing for fame was solely to lay it at +her feet, and win not only her favor, but her admiration. He scarcely +desired the one without the other; for once she had pitied him, and that +pity had left a sting which could only be healed by the salve of +admiration. How and when this uneffaced wound was received, we shall +divulge in the succeeding chapter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>IV.</h2> + + +<p>Years before, when our young people were children, a juvenile party was +given one evening at Mr. Heath's, in honor of his son's birthday. The +children's schoolmates were invited, and Mark Gildersleeve among the +number. Miss Edna, in white with a big blue sash, was naturally enough +an object of much devotion to the young gallants in roundabouts and +pumps, who certainly evinced good taste, as the little belle was lovely +as delicate bloom, bright eyes, and rich curls could make her. Poor Mark +was dismal enough while the dancing was in progress, as his +sensitiveness in regard to his lameness, and his Methodist relative's +scruples had prevented him from learning that accomplishment; hence, he +would have passed but a dull evening, had it not been for Edna, whose +kind little heart prompted her to select him as her partner in "Come, +Philanders," "Oats, peas, beans, and barley," etc., when those games +came on the carpet. This partiality on the part of Miss Edna naturally +engendered much jealousy in the breasts of her numerous admirers; and +one, a malicious urchin, with the instincts of an Iago, plotted to make +Jack Heath his avenger. Jack, an overgrown, lubberly boy, swelling with +the importance of his position, and the possession of a gold watch and +tail-coat, was diverting himself by teasing the girls and playing tricks +on the younger lads. Young Iago suggested having some fun with Mark. +Said he, "I will go and get Willie Hull and Mortimer, and we'll all +hustle him, eh, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"All right," said Jack; "he's a mean sneak, anyway. He thinks himself so +smart. He's no business here. Edna sent him an invitation; I wouldn't."</p> + +<p>The boys surrounded Mark and jeered him. "Where are your gloves?" +inquired Iago, Junior, pointing to Mark's bare hands. The poor boy +colored, for the other lads wore white kids, while he had none—an +omission due, most likely, to his sister's ignorance of the requirements +of fashionable society.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a pooty cravat! Look here, ain't that a pooty one? Don't you +wish you had one like it? What lots of money it must have cost, eh?" +cried Jack, in affected admiration, as he pulled the boy's rather gaudy +neck-tie.</p> + +<p>"Let me alone," said Mark, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Suppose I won't," continued Jack, "what are you going to do about it, +limpey?"</p> + +<p>Stung by this cruel taunt, Mark's eyes flashed, and on the instant he +struck his insulter full in the face. Jack, for the moment, was +bewildered by this sudden and unexpected attack, but soon recovering +himself, rushed at Mark, threw him down, and fell on him. Over they +rolled in their struggles, but Jack, being older and heavier, soon had +the best of it, and kept the other under. The girls screamed, and +Professor Banghoffen sprang from the grand piano to separate the +combatants. This was no easy matter for a pursy man, and a kick in the +stomach from the writhing legs caused him to recoil, pant, and consider. +The colored domestic, however, soon came to his assistance, and between +them they succeeded, after much puffing on the part of the professor and +the fracture of his spectacles, in stopping the fight. The contestants +were not much hurt, but stood glaring at each other with rumpled hair +and flushed countenances. The children nearly all blamed Mark, but Edna, +greatly to his surprise, took his part with much warmth. She had +overheard the provocation, and now stood by him with a very indignant +and determined air.</p> + +<p>"I've a good mind to tell father, Jack, how you have behaved; I think it +is real shameful. Mark is your guest, and it is very—very mean indeed, +and real wicked to tease him as you did; and you ought to be thankful in +your prayers that you are not lame as he is, and ought to pity him, and +be kind to him, instead of teasing him so unkindly."</p> + +<p>"You seem very fond of him all of a sudden," sneered Jack; "Guess he +must be your beau. Better kiss him, hadn't you?"</p> + +<p>At this sally the boys laughed, and Edna, covering her blushing face +with her hands, burst into tears and went away sobbing. "You ought (sob) +you ought (sob) ought to be ashamed. I'll (sob) I'll go (sob—sob—sob) +and tell father (sob, etc.)."</p> + +<p>Mark felt as if he could have pitched into Jack with increased vigor; +but he refrained from any demonstration, and as this last incident +broke up the party, went home with a spark in his bosom that was +destined to kindle into a flame.</p> + +<p>Mark arose early the next morning, and before going to school stopped to +see Dr. Wattletop.</p> + +<p>The doctor was still abed, for he had been up nearly all the previous +night; nevertheless, he rose cheerfully at the call, broken rest having +become a second nature to him, drew on a dressing-gown, and went into +his consulting-room, where he found Mark waiting.</p> + +<p>"Well, my lad, what is it?" inquired the doctor, who was unacquainted +with his visitor.</p> + +<p>"Doctor, I am lame, and I want you to cure me," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"Lame, eh? How long have you been so, and what caused it?"</p> + +<p>"Ever since I was a child. I was knocked down by a runaway horse and run +over by a wagon. My ankle was broken, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Hum—um. Take off your shoe and stocking. Lie down on that sofa, and +let me look at your ankle."</p> + +<p>Mark did as he was bid, and the doctor drew up a chair and sat down by +him to examine the defective joint. The boy's black eyes were fixed +with a searching gaze on the doctor's face, as if to read his thoughts, +but there was nothing to be derived from the grave, sphinx-like +countenance. The eager, inquisitive look of the lad, however, did not +escape the physician's notice.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, my boy?" inquired the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Mark Gildersleeve, sir."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're Mr. Gildersleeve the iron-master's son, are you?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, his brother."</p> + +<p>"His brother, eh! Who attended you when you received the injury?"</p> + +<p>"Dr. Pokemore, sir."</p> + +<p>"Dr. Pokemore, eh! He is your brother's family physician, is he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Who sent you to me?"</p> + +<p>"No one, sir. I came myself."</p> + +<p>"Why did you not go to Dr. Pokemore?"</p> + +<p>"Because he said I could not be cured."</p> + +<p>The doctor after some reflection gave a doubtful nod, and said, "If +anything can be done it will only be after a painful operation."</p> + +<p>"I'll stand anything, doctor, if you will only cure me. You may cut me, +or do anything you like, only make me walk like other boys."</p> + +<p>The doctor took from a case of surgical instruments a bright bistoury, +which he caused to glitter before the boy's eyes, as he felt its edge.</p> + +<p>A plucky little fellow, thought the doctor, (struck by the unflinching +look of determination in the boy's countenance,) and seems to be in +earnest. "You say that you have been this way from infancy; why are you +so anxious to be helped now?"</p> + +<p>"Because—because—they worry me about it," replied Mark.</p> + +<p>"Worry you—that's very unkind. Come, tell me all about it. I suspect +there's a little history behind this, and you must make me your +confidant."</p> + +<p>Led on by the doctor's kind way, Mark exposed the wound his pride had +received; related the story of his fight with Jack Heath (omitting, +however, any mention of Edna's interference), and again begged the +doctor to remove the impediment in his walk, asserting his willingness +to submit to any operation, however painful, that might be deemed +necessary to effect the object. Pleased with the boy's frankness and +resolution, and desirous to help him, the doctor again examined the +maimed ankle. A slow, fixed pursing of his lips expressed doubt, and the +boy's countenance fell. There was a glimpse of hope, though, in the +doctor's words, who told Mark that although he could not say anything +encouraging now, he would talk the matter over with his (Mark's) +brother, "And if he is willing, I will take you to New York with me, +where we can consult the best skill, and if there be a probability of +helping you, it shall be done."</p> + +<p>A fine head, thought the doctor, passing his hand over Mark's broad +forehead; there should be something there. "Stop a bit, Mark; what do +you intend to be when you grow up, my boy?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir."</p> + +<p>"What would you like to be, then?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like," replied Mark, after some hesitation, "I think—I'd like to +be a hero."</p> + +<p>"A hero, eh! Come, that's modest and laudable. But what kind of a hero, +pray?"</p> + +<p>"Like—like Jack Sheppard."</p> + +<p>"Jack Sheppard, umph! Why so?" said the doctor, rather surprised at +this example and selection.</p> + +<p>"Oh he was such a smart, brave fellow! They couldn't keep him in +prison," replied Mark, wagging his head in admiration.</p> + +<p>"But didn't he drive his poor mother crazy by his conduct, or something +of that sort?" inquired the doctor. "That wasn't brave or smart, I take +it, but rather mean and contemptible for a hero, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was mean and bad," echoed Mark, reflectively; "I think I'd +rather be a Crusader."</p> + +<p>"Better, much better. But where did you hear of Jack Sheppard?"</p> + +<p>"Jerry Cook lent me the book, and I am reading it."</p> + +<p>"Fond of reading, Mark?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me what you have read."</p> + +<p>"I've read 'The Three Spaniards,' and 'Rinaldo Rinaldini,' 'Illustrious +Highwaymen,' 'Three-fingered Jack,' and—"</p> + +<p>"I see—I see. Now, my boy, as you are fond of reading, I'll lend you a +book to read that's worth all the books that were ever written, except, +perhaps, the plays of Shakespeare. It is called 'The Adventures of the +Ingenious Knight, Don Quixote of La Mancha.' Now, after you have read +it, I'll lend you the plays of William Shakespeare, and after you have +read those, you will have read the very best product of human intellect +in the way of fiction. I do not expect that you will understand those +books fully; it may take you all your life to do that, but if you can +get but an idea of their contents, or rather, acquire but a taste for +them, it will be sufficient for the present."</p> + +<p>Mark thanked the doctor, and trudged away, delighted, with the Don +Quixote under his arm. This was the beginning of an intimacy, and close +friendship between the two. As he had promised, Dr. Wattletop took the +boy, with his brother's consent, to New York, and consulted the best +chirurgical authority on his case; but, as the doctor had feared, +without being able to obtain any encouragement as to the possibility of +relieving him from the imperfection in his gait. Mark, for a time, was +greatly disappointed at this result; but finally this feeling wore away, +and grateful for all the kindness shown to him by the doctor, became +attached to him, and was never more happy than when able to reciprocate +with some slight service. The doctor's slender stock of literature was +soon devoured by the boy, but as the books were choice, they bore +re-reading and study. They consisted chiefly of poetry and a few +standard novels. Histories there were none, the doctor in regard to +these being of Walpole's opinion, "Lies, my boy, lies, mere records of +men's prejudices and self-glorification. Sound, wholesome truth is found +in a good poem or noble novel."</p> + +<p>Thus did Mark imbibe his taste for the ideal, and thus was his mental +growth fashioned by the eccentric physician. His moral training, too, +was not overlooked by this teacher, but the code inculcated was a simple +one, and merely this: "Be just. There is but one virtue—justice," +asserted Dr. Wattletop; "men resort to makeshifts, such as generosity, +or charity, but they are but confessions of their shortcomings in +respect to justice. If men were not unjust, there would be no need of +generosity, or charity, and forgiveness would be either uncalled for, or +a crime."</p> + +<p>There was doubtless a deal of the stoic in these teachings, but it was +on such philosophy that Mark was nourished.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>As for his boyish passion for Edna Heath, that grew apace, but +accompanied with the bitter remembrance that the sympathy she had shown +him was prompted simply by commiseration. He was made none the less +unhappy also, by noticing that since the eventful party Edna was not as +cordial as formerly, but inclined to be distant; for the little beauty +thought, perhaps, that she had been too pointed in her sympathy and +desired, like older maidens, to set matters aright by an excess of +reserve in the future. Very soon after this, however, she was sent to a +seminary at Burlington, and during an interval of several years made but +short and infrequent visits home. In this way the intercourse between +the two gradually became less familiar, until now, Edna having attained +young lady-hood, it was formal, and restricted to what is called a +bowing acquaintance. Mark finally imagined he detected an intention on +her part to repel him, and met it by assuming an attitude of +corresponding hauteur. Still, the secret passion burned within his +breast with steady fervor. It was his greatest joy to see her, although +he never did so without those bitter words recurring to him: <i>You ought +to be thankful you are not lame as he is, and ought to pity him</i>. Each +word a thorn pressed to the quick! Meaning to be kind, how cruel she had +been! How much sharper those words had stung than the mean taunt of her +brother! <i>that</i> he could forgive and forget, for it came from one he +despised, but could he ever forgive or forget the wound inflicted by her +expressions of pity? Nothing but a complete and voluntary retraction on +her part could compensate for that, and he resolved to toil with energy, +and patience—to strain nerve and brain—to undergo, and brave +everything until he had achieved distinction enough to excite her +admiration, and wonder that she could ever have deemed him an object of +compassion. Ridiculous, self-tormenting resolutions these will appear to +common sense; yet were they but the natural impulses of a proud, +sensitive, and we may add rather conceited youth, full of the illusions +of life, and pushing every sentiment to extremes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>V.</h2> + + +<p>Now that the intelligent reader is better acquainted with our hero's +history and aspirations, he will at once conceive that Mark was rather +alarmed for more reasons than one at the possible consequences of his +second altercation with John Peter Heath, as related in a previous +chapter.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop had relieved his fears in relation to any serious injury's +resulting to the brother; but, reflected Mark, what will the sister +think of it, and how has the affair been represented to her? Most +likely, I am held up as a ruffian, who brutally and causelessly assailed +her brother. Shall I submit, and let the future explain, or had I better +seek an interview, and set myself right? I must do it, and I'll do it at +once, was his decision—a decision he arrived at the more readily, as it +afforded him an excellent pretext to see and converse with the object of +his secret and constant adoration. But, on consideration, fearing that +such a step might be misinterpreted, he concluded reluctantly to +address himself to her father, and offer a frank explanation of the +occurrence. It required an effort to come to this decision, for Mark +dreaded Mr. Heath's patronizing politeness, and invariably avoided +meeting him. But he conquered his repugnance on reflecting that that +gentleman was fortunate enough to be Edna's father, and, moreover, that +there was a likelihood of meeting and conversing with that young lady in +compensation. In view of the latter probability, he prepared himself by +making a more than usual neat and careful toilet, and by the time he was +ready to start, his thoughts were far more occupied with Miss Edna's +eyes, than with her brother's broken head. Off he started for the +"Cliff," but soon his courage failed him, as he imagined the reception +he was likely to meet with. Twice or thrice he stopped, hesitated, and +only continued after much cogitation. Resolutely he walked past the +gate-lodge, and up the avenue that led to the house. He rang the bell +with a thumping heart. It was the first time he had crossed that +threshold since he had been to Jack Heath's birthday party, and he +remembered the colored servant who now ushered him into a reception +room, as the same one—with a gray poll now, however—who had assisted +the pianist in stopping the fight on that memorable occasion. Mark sent +his name up to Mr. Heath, with the wish to be allowed a few moments' +conversation with him. That gentleman, evidently, was in no haste to see +his visitor, for he kept him waiting a long time. Meanwhile, Mark amused +himself by staring at the pictures on the wall, and looking over some +books that lay on the pier-table, when he heard light tripping footsteps +coming towards him, and, turning suddenly, beheld Edna standing in the +doorway in a startled attitude—a charming picture of a surprised +maiden, lithe figure poised forward, with slightly parted lips, and +fine, large eyes opened in full wonder. "Oh, I beg pardon—excuse me, I +thought it was father;" and advancing, she added in a frank, pleasant +way, "Why, this is Mark Gildersleeve."</p> + +<p>All the blood in Mark's body rushed to his face as he bowed and +explained, rather awkwardly, that he had called to see her father.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and call him," said Edna; but as she was about leaving the +room, Mark arrested her with an eager exclamation, "Stay, Miss Heath; +do not leave yet, I beseech you. One moment—I beg of you—Pray tell me, +is your brother severely hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Not seriously so. He slept quite soundly last night. He very +fortunately escaped any great harm. His horse ran away with him—upset +the wagon he was riding in, and he fell—"</p> + +<p>"I know it all, Miss Heath. It was my fault."</p> + +<p>"Your fault," repeated Edna with surprise.</p> + +<p>"My fault, I regret to say. But please forgive me. I came to explain and +apologize. Your brother provoked me, and I was carried away by anger. +Had the consequences been serious, I should never have forgiven myself. +I am sorry—very sorry, Miss Heath. You were so kind as to take my part +on a former occasion, when we were children. I have never forgotten it. +(Edna colored at the reminder.) Please do so again. I know you are too +just and too kind to blame me, if you knew all the circumstances."</p> + +<p>Edna, who knew nothing of Mark's share in the misadventure, was much +mystified by his appeal, and rather confused by his demeanor; for +emboldened by the opportunity, the young man had advanced towards her +in a supplicatory attitude, while his gaze expressed far more of +admiration than contrition. She stood with a light blush tinting her +features, not knowing how to receive so demonstrative an address, when, +fortunately, the appearance of her father permitted her to withdraw, and +caused her admirer suddenly to subdue his rather dramatic manner.</p> + +<p>"This is—Mr. George Gildersleeve's brother, if I am not mistaken," +quoth Mr. Heath with, easy condescension, and extending a finger to +Mark.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the young man. "I came to inquire about your son, +feeling it my duty to do so."</p> + +<p>"Better this morning—much better, in fact."</p> + +<p>"So I was glad to learn from Miss Heath. It is but proper that I should +tell you, sir, that I was unfortunately the cause of the accident," said +Mark.</p> + +<p>"Indeed—indeed," said Mr. Heath loftily, "I wasn't aware."</p> + +<p>This was a fib, for he knew all about the affair, and that his son had +been the aggressor.</p> + +<p>"I came," continued Mark, "to offer any explanation that might be +required, or to do anything in my power to—"</p> + +<p>"None is needed, sir; none is needed. The matter is fortunately of no +consequence," interrupted Mr. Heath, who was not desirous of discussing +the unpleasant event, for he was vexed and somewhat ashamed at this +fresh exhibition of his son's misconduct. "I am obliged to you for +calling, and can safely say, that my son has no grave injury +whatever—none whatever."</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath had not asked his visitor to be seated, and as he paused in a +significant way after every sentence he uttered, Mark took the hint and +his departure.</p> + +<p>Seldom had Mark been so happy as after this visit. The effect of the +frigid, almost discourteous reception given him by the father, was +completely effaced by his short but delightful interview with the +daughter. To be near her, and to converse with her, was compensation +enough for any annoyance. Moreover, he had discovered to his joy, that +while he had fancied himself almost forgotten and unthought of, she had +on the contrary recognized him as an old friend, and even remembered the +occasion, long since passed, when she had assumed with childish +frankness the part of his ally and defender. The bitter side of that +incident faded away for the moment, and his happiness was unalloyed. He +cared little for the opinion of father or brother. Marriage with Miss +Heath had not yet entered the scope of his aspirations. His aim was to +acquire her close friendship, and above all her esteem and admiration. +For this he resolved to live and strive. A modest ambition truly, but +might not friendship, esteem, and admiration blossom into love? And to +that complexion also, were not Edna's feelings, insensibly perhaps, +tending? For it was not from any sense of displeasure that she withdrew +so summarily from Mark's presence; on the contrary, she carried away a +very agreeable impression of him; so much so, that his pleading face +involuntarily presented itself to her repeatedly during the day. "I +never before noticed," thought she, "how much better looking Mark +Gildersleeve has grown to be. He certainly has beautiful eyes—so very +expressive, and such pleasing manners, and there is something so +gentlemanly and refined about him too." Evidently, the hoodwinked +archer-boy had sped a shaft in her direction.</p> + +<p>Mark, certainly, had made the most of his opportunity. Casting aside all +his usual reserve, he had thrown as much eloquence and magnetism as he +could, in a pair of black eyes that proved to be not ineffective. At +least the ice was broken. But after the first moment of elation had +passed, came the disturbing idea of the obstacles he might have to +encounter in the way of future success. As has been mentioned, he only +desired such as he might win through personal distinction. Doubtless +there was a large share of vanity in this determination; but vanity was +the weak side of the Gildersleeves, half-redeemed, though, in Mark, as +it never manifested itself in any offensive way. In social standing, he +was not considered the equal of Miss Heath; for in our republic, +gradations in society are as sharply defined as elsewhere, with the +difference that with us wealth more frequently draws the line. Mark +understood this, but such was his contempt for mere money-getting, that +the enthusiastic youth, would even have preferred to resign any attempt +to gain Miss Heath's favor, if to accomplish it the acquisition of +wealth were necessary. His estimate of the young lady's character, +however, was too high to admit for a moment of the supposition that she +could in any way be influenced by mercenary motives. No money could buy +what he aspired to possess—to wit, her admiration. Fame alone could win +that; and were this the age of chivalry, how eagerly would he don +casque, mount the barbed steed, and tilt his way to death or +distinction! But in this prosaic age few paths are open to ambitious +youth. He was a draughtsman—an engineer. Howsoever eminent one might +become in that profession, it still remained a commonplace one. He did +not think Edna had any especial admiration for Brunel, or Stephenson, or +even Watt. In his calling genius itself could hardly efface the stains +of labor, and obtain the consideration accorded to mediocrity in the +genteel professions. In medicine, or law, one might with far more +facility attain celebrity; but he had no taste for those vocations. He +had dabbled with paint, and executed some very indifferent daubs, until +in disgust he had thrown away the palette and brush. Then the versatile +youth had coquetted with Euterpe, and practised on every instrument, +from the harmonica to the organ. In vocal music he was more successful; +but poesy, the art of all arts, was the one he longed to cultivate and +excel in. He loved the poets, and believed himself animated with a spark +of their celestial fire. If genius were patience, why might one not +become by constant effort, if not a Shakespeare, say a Keats, or a +Tennyson? Phrenologists taught that every faculty could be modified, and +its power increased by exercise. Knatchbull, a foreman in the Works, who +had been a Chartist in his own country, and possessed a remarkable head, +told him that he had succeeded, under the advice of a phrenologist, in +so changing his character that plaster casts of his cranium taken at +different periods showed corresponding modifications in the prominences. +This practical example of what persistence might do was encouraging; and +so Mark, stung by some stray bee from Mount Hymettus, wrote quires of +plain verses, which he thought very fine and destined to stir the world +of letters, but which were simply transpositions of ideas and similes of +the master poets with which his mind was saturated.</p> + +<p>Could poets have been made other than by the hand of Nature, Mark would +certainly have become one, for he strove with an indefatigable ardor +that nothing could dampen to succeed; but the divine afflatus so charily +bestowed was lacking, and he thrummed the lyre without evoking strains +immortal. What phrenzy and foolscap were wasted—what moonlight walks +indulged in, and sylvan groves haunted, to meditate and seek +inspiration! How often he sauntered around the margin of the Passaic, +watching the leap of the cataract and rise of its snowy mist, as its low +thunder lulled him into delicious day dreams. Far into the night would +he linger reclining against the bole of some tree, gazing with straining +eyes towards Mr. Heath's villa, whose gray walls loomed in the moonlight +like a feudal castle, to catch, perhaps, a glimpse of a shadow that +might appear occasionally behind the curtains of a lighted room that he +knew to be Edna's. Often had the faint sound of music or mirth, that +reached him from the open drawing-room windows, filled him with envy and +jealousy, as he thought of the Rev. Spencer Abbott and young Mumbie, who +were constant visitors at the villa. Then, dismally homeward would he +wend his way, go to his room, and spend the silent watches of the night +racking his brains to commit his thoughts to paper. Quires, nay reams, +were covered with superfine tropes and metaphors, as he strove to coin +words that the world would not willingly let die. He ventured to show +his lucubrations to Dr. Wattletop, but the reception they met with was +neither flattering nor even encouraging. "My dear boy, drop all this," +was the advice given. "Not only are you wasting precious time, but your +taste and mind are becoming vitiated by the namby-pamby trash of modern +rhymesters. If you must plagiarize, do it from Pope, or Milton, or Gray. +Study them, or the master Shakespeare. Remember, as Coleridge said, +poetry must be either music or sense, and I cannot say there is much of +either in your verses. Get at the kernel. But after all, the study for a +poetically inclined youth is medicine, singular as that may seem to you. +If the desire be to awaken sublime ideas, investigate the abstruse +problem of life. Follow the noblest calling, the art of healing, and +seek to penetrate the arcana of Nature. I wish I could induce you to +become one of us. Our profession greatly needs ardent and intelligent +recruits, else we shall be overrun with quacks in every shape. Look at +the frightful progress of that modern humbug, homoeopathy. There is no +error, however absurd, but will find supporters and disciples, and +nowhere can there be a nobler field for the exercise of the highest +talent than in combating and routing those egregious and pernicious +pretenders to science, who, with the absurd brocard, that 'like cures +like,' impose on the simple and gullible. Now I am anything but +illiberal—if anything, I err on the opposite side. Whatever my +convictions may be, I am willing to give a patient hearing and +investigation to any theory or system bearing a show of probability, +that is advanced in a truthful, earnest, and humble spirit. I do not +forget that alchemy was the mother of chemistry, and astrology of +astronomy; that Harvey met with bigoted opposition, and in short that it +becomes the seeker to be humble; but when I see a fellow like this Keene +here—this hatchet-faced Yankee from Connecticut, who probably a year +ago was peddling wooden clocks, going around Belton with his ridiculous +pellets, and presuming to be a physician, I am provoked beyond +endurance, and feel sometimes as if I could give the fellow a +horse-whipping. Well, well, the fools are not all dead yet."</p> + +<p>"I hope, doctor, you don't class me among them," said crestfallen Mark, +with a feeble smile.</p> + +<p>"No—no—my dear boy," replied the doctor, patting his <i>protégé</i> +affectionately on the shoulder. "Not by any means. I was merely alluding +to the facility with which the generous public is gulled. As for you, +Mark, I think there is the stuff in you for something, if not for a +bard. I dislike to see you chasing jack-o'-lanterns. Think of it; there +are but a certain quantity of poetic ideas, and they have all been +thought out and put into English words long ago. Fresh attempts result +only in tricking them out in fantastic dresses, and with poor effect. +Modern critics may sneer at the old favorites, but what have your +rhymesters of to-day produced equal to the 'Universal Prayer,' 'Gray's +Elegy,' or 'The Deserted Village'? No, no, lad; love the old poets, from +Homer down, but don't attempt to soar with them to the empyrean. Stay +with us on <i>terra firma</i>; invent a new cut-off, or condenser, and let +anapest, dactyl, and trochee alone."</p> + +<p>This advice was not relished by Mark, and like most distasteful advice, +was not followed; if anything, it proved a spur to his literary +exertions. Occasionally his effusions found their way into print, and +shone in the Literary column of the <i>Belton Sentinel</i>, accompanied by a +notice from the editor, who alluded to the talent of his young +fellow-townsman in terms of unmeasured praise. Said that influential +sheet on the appearance of <i>The Broken Abacus</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"In spite of a press of matter, we determined to make room, in our +issue of to-day, for another poem from the pen of our gifted young +poet, Mark Gildersleeve, which will be found on the third page. The +favor with which the 'Withered Chaplet' and 'The Spear of Ithuriel' +were received, encourage us to print the present verses. They are +hexameters, and remind us in their flowing rhythm of the earlier +efforts of Longfellow, while in gorgeousness of imagery and +luxuriance of diction, they equal some of the finest passages in +Keats. Altogether, we congratulate Mr. Gildersleeve on this +exquisite production, whose symmetry and polished beauty can only +be fitly compared to a capital of Pentelican marble from the chisel +of Phidias."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop, though, said "Bosh" to this, when he read it, and it +could not be denied that he was a competent critic. He, also, had trod +the primrose path of literature in leisure moments, not as a poet, but +as an occasional contributor of essays to magazines and reviews. There +was a literary club in Belton, composed of young men who loved to +indulge in debates and other intellectual gymnastics. Mark, as might be +supposed, was an active member, and, indeed, at one time president of +this association. Besides deciding the momentous topics of "Whether men +of thought, or men of action, have done the most for civilization," or +"Whether the execution of Mary Queen of Scots was justifiable or not," +and other questions of similar perplexity, the society gave lectures, or +rather lectures were given, to quote the posters, under their auspices, +during the winter months. At their solicitation, Dr. Wattletop was +induced to prepare and deliver a lecture on "Eccentricity," a theme +which he was well qualified, at least from experience, to treat of. He +diversified it with many humorous anecdotes of Porson and Abernethy, and +it met with much applause, and elicited very flattering encomiums from +the <i>Belton Sentinel</i>. So successful, indeed, was it, that efforts were +made to have the doctor repeat it in neighboring towns, but he excused +himself on the plea of want of time. Then proffers of money were made +to induce him to comply; this only served to incense him, and an +indignant refusal was the result. He was inclined to blame Mark a little +in his displeasure.</p> + +<p>"Mark, you rascal, all this is your fault. I never would have given that +confounded lecture but for you. It ill becomes a man of my years and +profession to waste the time he owes to his patients, in relating stale +jests to a grinning audience. I don't know what I could have been +thinking of. In future, spin your nonsense as much as you like, my boy, +but don't ask me to join you—at my age, too! My remnant of life is too +short, and time has become too precious to me, to be squandered in that +way."</p> + +<p>As well in that way, and better than in another he was prone to; and +unfortunately, he was getting rather too much on his hands, just then, +of the article he deemed so precious. For Keene, the hatchet-faced +homoeopath, had relieved the doctor of a vast deal of practice, and left +him with overmuch unemployed time on his hands. Dr. Wattletop explained +the increasing popularity of the heterodox practitioner in this wise: +"The infernal quack seduces the children with his sugar-plums, and the +mothers are silly enough to yield to their preferences; once introduced +in the family, of course it is pleasanter, if one needs physic, to +appease the conscience with a make-believe medicine than to take a +bitter though wholesome remedy. How are you to meet this folly and +weakness? Between these sugar-plums, and water-drenching, and +clairvoyant cures, the profession, I say, is going to the devil—yes, +sir, going to the devil! Come, Dagon, let's be off, old boy;" and with +his dog jogging beside him he would betake himself to a walk, which, +after a circuit of a mile or so, invariably terminated not to the +infernal regions, as one would naturally infer, but to what the Belton +"Band of Hope" would have designated as half way to it, viz.: "The +Shades." This was a little tavern at the far end of the town, kept by an +Englishman, and frequented solely by "old-country" people (of whom there +were many among the mill-hands), who resorted thither to indulge in +Welsh rarebits and old ale. You ascended a few steps, pushed open a +swing-door, and found yourself facing a little bar attached to a small +quiet room with a sanded floor. There were wire screens in the windows +on the street, and the walls were ornamented with fine engravings of the +All England Eleven, the Cambridgeshire Hunt, and portraits of Nelson, +Wellington, and Queen Victoria. The host was a "Brummagem" man, +suspected, from his blunted nose, of having been a pugilist, but as he +was a surly man of uncommunicative disposition, the suspicion had never +been verified. There were a half-dozen tables in the room, and at a +particular one in a corner Dr. Wattletop took his place, and Dagon his +(beneath the table), with undeviating method, about three days in the +week, unless prevented by professional duties. Mutely, then, the +blunt-nosed man brought a beaker of gin and sugar, and the <i>Albion</i>, or +<i>Illustrated London News</i> to the doctor, who in silence consumed the gin +and perused the paper, his interest in the latter centring in the +"Gazette," whose announcement that Major Pipeclay was promoted, vice +Colonel Sabretasche retired, or that the ——th Foot were ordered to +Bermuda, or that some old chum had gone to his long home, recalled +recollections of by-gone days, and furnished food for reflection. After +the third beaker he laid aside the paper, and was now become intensely +grave and imposing, sitting bolt upright with his cane between his +knees, and gazing in a very uncompromising way into vacancy. The scot +settled without exchanging a word, the doctor buttoned his coat tightly, +grasped his cane firmly, and sternly began his return homeward. His way +led the length of Main Street, and seldom was any one bold enough to +accost him then.</p> + +<p>Once, at such a time, Mr. Mumbie crossed his path (it was shortly after +the delivery of the doctor's lecture on Eccentricity), and ventured to +greet him with a smile and extended hand: "Good-day, doctor."</p> + +<p>"Sir to you," replied the doctor, halting in a military attitude.</p> + +<p>"Fine afternoon, doctor."</p> + +<p>"Very fine indeed, sir. Ha! very fine."</p> + +<p>"Doctor, you'd hardly believe it, but to-day is my birthday," said Mr. +Mumbie, assuming a triumphant air as if he were imparting a surprising +piece of news.</p> + +<p>"I see no reason to doubt it," replied the doctor, curtly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, that is so," rejoined Mr. Mumbie with decision; "I'm a much +older man, let me tell you, than you take me for."</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop looked as if he were prepared to take Mr. Mumbie for any +age whatever, for that gentleman presented what might be styled an +anachronistic appearance. He was a large man, offering at first view a +protuberant expanse of waistcoat, supported by somewhat unstable legs. +His head was an oblong one, covered with a curly glossy brown wig, that +contrasted singularly with thick gray eyebrows, and dyed whiskers on +flabby cheeks flanked by two large ears.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," repeated Mr. Mumbie, "I'm a much older man than you take me +for. You know Mrs. Mumbie is much my junior, and that I never made up my +mind to marry until late in life—that accounts for it."</p> + +<p>"Accounts for what?" inquired the doctor, beginning to be bored.</p> + +<p>"Accounts for the—the discrepancy I spoke of. Now, here's a knife," and +Mr. Mumbie drew from his pocket a jack-knife, the bone-handle of which +was yellow with age, "here's a knife that I have carried about with me +since I was a boy. It was given to me as a birthday present. Just +notice the date I scratched on the handle—Nov. 16th, 1814. Just think +of that. I've carried it for going on fifty years—yes, sir, fifty +years. I doubt if there's many men, or in fact any man, can say as much; +and what changes have taken place since then! But I'm a man of strong +local attachments. I had an umbrella, doctor, when I was first married +that I had used steadily for twenty-six years—think of that! I suppose +I would have had it yet, but Mrs. Mumbie, unfortunately, was prejudiced +against that umbrella, and one day it disappeared. I never saw it +again." This was said solemnly, and Mr. Mumbie looked as if he were +about to pay the tribute of a tear to the manes of the departed +umbrella.</p> + +<p>The doctor's patience becoming weary, he was about to turn on his heel +to leave, when Mr. Mumbie resumed:</p> + +<p>"Doctor, I ought to thank you for the pleasure you afforded me the other +evening. I haven't had such a treat in a long time. 'Pears to me you +might make lots o' money going about delivering that lecture. It was +capital. You did get off some of the funniest anecdotes I ever heard, +and I assure you I was really very much entertained."</p> + +<p>"Entertained, sir! Dammit, sir, do you take me for a mountebank?" +exclaimed the doctor, swelling with rising indignation.</p> + +<p>It required very many apologies and explanations on Mr. Mumbie's part to +allay the ire of the physician, who continued, after parting with his +interlocutor, to mutter to himself as he went along: "Entertained him! +Am I, Basil Wattletop, a buffoon? Does he attempt to patronize me? The +insolence of these Yankee upstarts is really something perfectly +amazing! It's almost beyond belief." Unfortunately, his dignity that day +was destined to be subjected to further ruffling, for as he neared the +Archimedes Works he caught sight of the proprietor thereof, who was +lounging as usual on the door-step of his "office," with his hands in +his pockets. No man, we will venture to say, that kept his hands as +often pocketed, ever earned so much money as George Gildersleeve; but if +his hands were idle, his eyes were busy and everywhere. A more vigilant +pair of optics never lodged in a human head. "Now, that fellow," +soliloquized the doctor, alluding to George, "has sense enough to know +that he springs from the lees. He don't attempt to ape his betters or to +patronize them, and his rudeness and ignorance are far less offensive +than the insufferable pretensions of that snob Mumbie—um—um."</p> + +<p>"Hold up, Major," broke in George, hailing the doctor stentoriously. +"Step over here a moment. Foreman of my finishing-shop split his thumb +to-day in a lathe, and I want you to look at it."</p> + +<p>The doctor was in doubts whether to respond to an appeal so +unceremoniously conveyed. He decided, however, after a short debate with +himself, to cross over to the counting-room and examine the injured man. +The hurt being dressed and pronounced but a slight affair, he was about +to leave when George Gildersleeve must needs engage him in a discussion, +which gradually drifted into the delicate subject of the comparative +merits of Englishmen and Americans. At this time there were sputterings +in Congress, and in the newspapers, in regard to a fresh "outrage" +perpetrated by the navy of Great Britain on our flag, and the general +expression was that we were not "going to stand it."</p> + +<p>George for his part certainly was not, and said so plainly: "Look here, +Major, do you see that?" (pointing to an old horse-shoe nailed over the +fire-place.) "Right here was my grandfather's forge, and right about +here's where he shod Gineral Washington's horse just awhile afore he +fought the great battle of Trenton, and that's one of the cast-off +shoes, and I wouldn't take a thousand dollars for it. Well, sir, the man +that rode that horse that my grandfather shod, flaxed you Englishmen out +of your boots; and I tell you we've plenty more that can do it now, and +they'll do it again, if you Johnny Bulls don't behave yourselves; now +mind."</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop, being in that condition when he was excessively +patriotic, prejudiced, and punctilious, was so utterly dumbfounded by +this tirade, that for a moment apoplexy was imminent. Luckily, contempt +supervened, and with a smile of scorn and withering irony, he repeated, +"Washington—Trenton—great battle of Trenton, I believe you said? Do +you seriously call that a battle? Why, my man, do you know what a battle +is? At the so-called battle of Trenton the total loss, according to your +historians, and their statements are evidently grossly exaggerated—the +total loss in killed on both sides amounted to five-and-twenty, +including a drummer, who received a black eye in the shindy; +five-and-twenty killed! all told—all told!"</p> + +<p>George Gildersleeve shook his head incredulously at this statement, and +the doctor continued: "Now, if you will take the trouble to instruct +yourself a bit, you will find out what Englishmen can do. Read, for +instance, an account of the battle of Waterloo. Talk of Homeric heroes! +What's Achilles and the well-greaved Greeks to the Iron Duke and the +Guards?—what's Ajax Telamon to Shaw the Life-guardsman? tell me +that—tell me that?" Shaw the Life-guardsman was the doctor's favorite +hero, and he never failed, when the occasion offered, to bring him in as +the compeer of all the paladins of old, from Hector to Roland.</p> + +<p>"Ah! there was fighting such as the world ne'er saw before," continued +the doctor, kindling with enthusiasm. "Not the famous Macedonian phalanx +nor the Roman legion held their ground so stoutly as the squares of +British linesmen when the steel-clad squadrons of cuirassiers broke +against them in vain."</p> + +<p>"That was all very well when you fought them Frenchmen and Greeks. But +when you tackled us, you found a different sort of people to deal with, +I reckon. Old Put, and Jackson, and Gineral Scott, were too much for +you, old man," returned George, with a shake of the head that ought to +have settled matters.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop's nose glowed with a fiercer heat, and if looks could have +scorched a man, Gildersleeve would have shrivelled on the spot; but the +chances are that even the glances of that pleasant dame Medusa would +have fallen harmless on the pachydermatous master of the Archimedes +Works.</p> + +<p>"Why, confound it, man, you talk like an ass. Should her Gracious +Majesty, the Queen of England, ever deign to notice the vaporings of +your politicians, and take it into her head to resent them, she'd send +the Channel fleet over here and knock your blasted country into flinders +in no time, and dammit, I wish she would!" and with that volley the +doctor turned on his heel, and left abruptly, to work off his choler by +an additional tramp of a mile or two.</p> + +<p>"How are you to convince a pig-headed, obstinate man like that?" said +George, turning to his book-keeper. "He's so prejudiced that he won't +listen to reason, and must have his own way."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VI.</h2> + + +<p>While all the efforts of man, long-repeated, to change the baser metals +into gold have proved futile, it is no less certain that gold, in +revenge, has been successful in transmuting man. The power of its moral +alchemy is seen in individuals like Rufus Heath. Poor, he would have +remained a fawning toady, but wealth transformed him into a haughty, +arrogant aristocrat at heart. No Somerset or Rohan was ever more so. +Starting in life without other capital than a moderate education, tact, +and industry, his first aim was to acquire wealth. His tastes were +luxurious and refined, and to gratify them wealth was necessary. So to +succeed he was plastic and serviceable to his employers, and assiduous +in courting useful friends. A good name is a great stepping-stone, and +to secure this he was correct and respectable in his conduct and +demeanor. "Correctness," in fact, was his religion and code of morality. +Of course, right and wrong were relative terms, and it was not to be +expected that any one should live up to the exact letter of the law. A +margin was allowable.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, decorum and all outward observances were due to society, +and indispensable. Acting on this principle, there was no more popular +and respected young man at twenty-one, in Belton, than Rufus Heath, nor +one with brighter prospects. Counsellor Hull, his patron, declared that +the young lawyer promised to be an ornament to the profession; and when +the Counsellor was called to the bench, Rufus Heath succeeded to his +practice. Exempt from gross vices, and gifted with an elastic +conscience, the thriving lawyer successfully pursued his calling, until +his marriage with Miss Obershaw crowned his pecuniary prosperity. Now +the influence of riches made itself manifest, and it almost seemed as if +the precious metals had been injected into his veins. He stiffened, +became cold and imperturbable, laid aside his urbanity, and his +ill-concealed pride and contempt for the less prosperous betrayed +itself. And now that he had tasted all the joys that affluence can give, +and tasted them unto satiety, he craved the flattering unction of +distinction. Ambition was now his god. He was a politician, but a +successful one only so far as he had been assisted by his wealth and +family connections. He owed it to these powerful auxiliaries that he had +spent a term in Congress. But he had gained no prominence there. He +lacked oratorical ability, and without it, it is scarcely possible to +attain eminence in a republic. His daintiness, moreover, caused him to +recoil from contact with the masses, and though he strove to overcome +this repugnance when the occasion called for it, he had never entirely +succeeded. Perseverance, intrigue, and a lavish expenditure of money, +were the means he relied on to ascend the first steps of political +preferment. Once fairly launched as a public man, he doubted not his +ability to make his way and mark as a statesman or a diplomat. To become +Governor of his State was his present aim, and he had laid his plans to +secure the nomination from his party as a candidate at the next +election. To this end a host of emissaries, with money at command, were +at work throughout the State. The <i>Belton Sentinel</i>, the organ in the +county of Mr. Heath's party, advocated his interest with tremendous +energy, persistency, and abundance of adjectives. Finnegass, the +editor, was a poor printer, whose shop, presses, types, and all were +mortgaged to Rufus Heath. This well-known fact furnished an unfailing +quantity of sarcasm to the <i>Passaic County Argus</i>, the opposition sheet, +that invariably alluded to Finnegass as the "minion" or "serf," either +"pampered" or "truckling," of the "aristocrat on the cliff." These +amenities were treated by the editor of the <i>Sentinel</i> with complete +indifference, until once (stung into retorting by some particularly +sharp gibe) he referred to the <i>Argus</i> as an "obscure sheet of no +circulation, edited by a low, ignorant felon." Obscurity and "no +circulation" were accusations too atrocious to be borne, and the editor +of the <i>Argus</i> flung them back, with indignation, in the teeth of his +defamer. This brought out sworn statements of copies issued by the two +presses, and much evidence on both sides was published; for the rival +editors were ready to go to any lengths to exculpate their respective +papers from so heinous a charge as obscurity or want of "circulation." +As for the personalities, they were treated as mild banter, tending to +enliven the canvass, and stimulate partisans.</p> + +<p>At this time, to quote the after-words of the <i>Belton Sentinel</i>, "the +horizon of political affairs was darkening, and the clouds that confined +the storm destined to shake the fabric of our Union to its foundation, +were gathering ominously." The different parties were in a ferment. The +Whigs no longer existed—they had given way to an organization +originated by the Free-Soilers, and styling themselves Republicans. +There were, however, a large number of old Whigs wedded to their +prejudices, with a distaste for affiliation with the Democrats and a +greater repugnance to a party tainted in any degree with Abolitionism, +who looked upon the new movement as an ephemeral ebullition. These +individuals, calling themselves "Conservatives," imagined that it +required but an effort on their part to still the waters of political +strife, and decided to constitute themselves "bulwarks," and "arks of +safety." Among these was the Hon. Rufus Heath. Like all men of his +stamp, he was utterly opposed to any disturbance of the established +order of things. He was perfectly well satisfied with them as they were. +As for radicals or reformers, he hated their very name. Such people +sprang from the vulgar herd, and were only bent on mischief. His ideal +of a proper government was a constitutional monarchy supported by an +oligarchy of wealth, and to this form he believed the republic was +gradually tending. He was not unobservant of the increasing prestige of +birth. Position in the army, navy, or state was gradually tending to +perpetuate itself in certain families. The bearers of historic names +wielded a certain influence, which increased with time, and would +eventually and under certain circumstances crystallize into decided +power. Here were the germs of an oligarchy, which needed but a law of +entail to perfect itself and institute a class of hereditary +legislators, or house of peers—the bulwark indispensable against the +agrarianism inherent in a democratic form of government.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>In order to exchange views on the condition of the body-politic, and +devise means to combat the evil influences then prevailing (to say +nothing of advancing his own personal plans), Mr. Heath took advantage +of the presence in the vicinity of a statesman who had occupied a very +exalted position in the commonwealth, to ask him to meet at dinner +sundry other influential and distinguished citizens, and confer on the +important subjects in question.</p> + +<p>The preliminary step was to send for Mr. Mumbie. Mr. Heath had an +imperial way of summoning people to him, and his mandates were generally +obeyed with alacrity—always so when addressed to his good old neighbor +and toady, Mumbie; who, although suffering from an attack of rheumatic +gout, hobbled as quickly as his swollen feet would permit him, in prompt +response to the call.</p> + +<p>"Mumbie," said Mr. Heath, "I suppose you have heard that there is a +great deal of talk about my running for Governor at the next election?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie had not heard of it, nor had any one else; but he looked and +nodded as if it were a familiar and constant topic of conversation with +everybody.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have not yet made up my mind whether I will consent to run or +not. However, that is neither here nor there at present, nor what I +wanted to see and talk with you about. Senator Rangle is your brother's +wife's cousin, I believe, and you are on a familiar footing with him, +are you not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Mumbie, listening attentively.</p> + +<p>"So I thought. Now Rangle and I are not on the very best of terms. He +accuses me, I believe, of having used my influence against him in the +Legislature, when he sought a renomination—said I wanted the place +myself, and so forth. He is mistaken in that. However, I am willing to +pass it over, as this is a time when personal feeling should not +interfere to prevent men from acting in accord on vital questions of +state. Here is the point. I have asked ex-President —— to meet Judge +Hull at dinner Thursday week. Several other prominent gentlemen will be +present, and matters of importance may be discussed. Now, Mumbie, you +can assist me in this way: call on Rangle, state to him that as my +friend you regret that there should be any divergence of opinion between +us; that from your personal knowledge I have never held any but the +highest opinion of him; and so on. You might then introduce the subject +of the proposed dinner, and state that you know that I would be pleased +to have him make one of the company. On your report, if everything is +satisfactory, I can forward him a formal invitation. Now, my dear +Mumbie, you will help me in this little matter, and I can rely on your +discretion, I know."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Mr. Heath, certainly. I shall be delighted to undertake the +job;" and Mr. Mumbie hastened off, big with the importance of his +mission, and happy as if he had received an order for ten thousand reams +of foolscap, paid for in advance. His task was an easy one. The senator +was flattered by Mr. Heath's advances, and in no way averse to partake +of his dinners, whose celebrity had reached him; moreover, in no way +disinclined to forego the opportunity of meeting ex-President ——, +whose political star seemed to glimmer forth again in the ascendant.</p> + +<p>It is almost superfluous to mention, that the dinner was all that could +be expected, for whatever Mr. Heath's other qualities may have been, +good taste he unquestionably possessed, and in the important matter of +dinner-giving he was behind no one. And when it is considered how +important a part that art has displayed in diplomacy, it could not be +denied that his aspirations to shine in that career were not by any +means presumptuous. An opinion, it is safe to say, that would have been +heartily indorsed by all who were fortunate enough to partake of the +memorable repast. Perhaps a little less starched ceremony on the part of +the host would not have been amiss; still, that was more than +compensated by the quality of the <i>menu</i>. As usual on such extraordinary +occasions, an eminent <i>chef</i> from the metropolis directed the culinary +operations, and many bottles of old South Side Madeira and choice +Hermitage, that had lain for years in dusty racks, were brought to +light, and decanted for the delectation of appreciative palates; such a +palate, for instance, as a Chief Justice of great legal acumen and good +digestion, or a portly ex-Federal dignitary possesses, or even that of a +dainty young High-Church ecclesiastic full of zeal and sentiment, like +Spencer Abbott. What a fine dinner it was, to be sure! Rather formal and +cold, it is true, in the drawing-rooms as the host was receiving his +guests. Mrs. Applegate was flushed and fidgety amid such illustrious +visitors, and Mr. Mumbie was ill at ease in his capacious white +waistcoat, tight gloves, and freshly dyed whiskers. Such grand company +impressed him immensely, and for fear of lapsus linguæ, he restricted +himself to monosyllabic replies. The Chief Justice, being hungry, was +somewhat surly until dinner was announced, when he ponderously and +feebly toddled into the dining-room in advance of the other guests, and +regardless of Mr. Heath's intention to have him lead Mrs. Applegate in. +This duty therefore devolved on the ex-Federal dignitary, who did it +with much courtly grace. How well the host presided, and how elegant he +appeared! His stately white neck-tie and glossy gray locks were arranged +with a precision that was mathematical, and with his small elegant white +hands he looked as if he were descended from a long line of +partridge-fed ancestors. A worthy pendant, indeed, to the ex-Federal +dignitary, whose proudest boast was that he had been complimented by a +queen as the most elegant American gentleman she had ever seen. What a +contrast the two presented to Judge Hull, with his fell of white hair +streaming over his massive head and bent shoulders, his beetling sable +brows shading a pair of cavernous eyes, and who always looked as if he +were on the bench administering inexorable justice. He certainly did to +the dinner, and it was with difficulty that he could be drawn out by the +host, and made to enlighten the company with bits of prodigious wisdom. +Finnegass, the editor of the <i>Sentinel</i>, who occupied a seat at the +farther end of the table, and expected to gather material for a +brilliant leader from the table-talk of the assembled sages, was greatly +disappointed at the commonplace style of the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Heath, this soup's not so bad," quoth the Judge during a short +breathing spell; "I'll take another plateful. What do you call it? +<i>Potage à la Reine.</i> Ha—queen-pottage, eh? Well-named, verily. A man +might well sell his birthright for a mess of such, and not be a fool +either."</p> + +<p>"Touching the late proceedings in Congress, Judge," edged in Mr. Heath, +"you cannot have failed to notice how the breach is gradually widening. +There seems to be a disposition on the part of certain members to push +matters to extremes, and bring about a rupture at any cost. Don't you +think, that an expression of opinion—a decided expression on the part +of the higher classes—the respectable and influential part of the +community, would go far to—to—"</p> + +<p>"This can be arranged and must be," replied the Judge, addressing his +plate dogmatically. "The hot-heads of both parties must be made to +listen to reason, and the conservative element of the country should at +once take the reins. By the bye, this white Burgundy is the same I've +tasted here before, is it not? Yquem, you said? A good wine—a very good +wine. The field has been left entirely too much to the fanatics of the +East and the fire-eaters of the South, and to stop the current of +demagogism which threatens to overwhelm us, we need the best efforts of +sound sagacious statesmen like our friend here."</p> + +<p>The friend referred to by the Judge's fork was the ex-Federal dignitary, +who bowed an acknowledgment of the flattering allusion, and with a +little deprecatory wave of the hand replied, "No doubt—no doubt, Judge, +you are quite right. All that is necessary is to bring the best men of +the country together to concerted action, and the matter can be settled +without any difficulty. But if we hold aloof—if the great legal lights, +such gentlemen as yourself or our friend Mr. Heath; or the heads of +finance, as represented by our friend on my left, Mr. Bawbee; or the +masterminds of the manufacturing and industrial interests, such as our +friend Mr. Mumbie; in short, if the intellect and wealth and +respectability of the nation do not interfere, and continue to permit +men like Sumner and Seward to persist in their incendiary leadership, we +may—I say it without hesitation and with great regret—we may expect +any catastrophe."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie, who had been listening with awe and attention to the words +of the great men in whose presence he was, reddened with modest +confusion on being designated as a master-mind. He had never taken +exactly that view of himself, but on reflection, concluded it to be an +eminently fit and proper one, and felt that the world had much to answer +for in having so greatly underrated him hitherto. "I quite agree with +you. I do indeed, sir. Your remarks are very correct, sir; very correct +indeed, I assure you, sir," spoke he, feeling that he ought to say +something to keep up his reputation of a master-mind.</p> + +<p>Finnegass, the editor, emboldened by generous wine, ventured to remark: +"In my article in last Monday's <i>Sentinel</i>, I alluded to this very +subject, and put it in rather forcible terms to the—" But he was cut +short by the Judge, who, being at leisure between courses, resumed his +harangue: "The proper way to settle this trouble is very simple. It can +be arranged with very little difficulty. I am quite confident of that, +and speak advisedly. All that is necessary is a conference of the +patriotic intellects from all sections North and South, East and West, +to restore harmony to the councils of our country. Of course, +forbearance is indispensable, and a spirit of conciliation should +preside over all deliberations, and—this <i>paté</i> has the appearance of +being very fine—very fine. I'll take some more of the truffles."</p> + +<p>"I wrote an article which created—" again attempted Finnegass.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bawbee, a glass of wine with you, if you please," said the host, +adroitly checking the editor, and nodding gracefully to the financier. +Mr. Bawbee was a Western banker, of Scotch birth, who had made no end of +pelf by starting banks and issuing paper money. He took the floor, +figuratively speaking, and predicted the dismemberment of the Union. Mr. +Bawbee being a shrewd, hard-headed Scot, had an opinion of his own. +"It'll never do in the world, Judge. The matter has gone too far. Mark +my words, gentlemen, you'll see the States divided into three +confederacies, and that within two years. I know the sentiments and +temper of the Western people, and if the South secedes, which it +doubtless will, the West will sever their connection with the East. In +my section they deem their interests more closely identified with those +of the South, than with the manufacturing East, and will never permit +the mouth of the Mississippi, their great natural highway, to pass into +the control of a foreign people, hence it is not improbable that in +certain eventualities they would join hands with the South; but I am +inclined to believe, as I mentioned at first, that the upshot will be a +division into three confederations, and perhaps, as the Pacific States +grow in importance, into four."</p> + +<p>"Tut—tut, Mr. Bawbee," interrupted Mr. Justice Hull, "all those minor +differences and territorial jealousies can be reconciled. As I have +before stated, a well-selected conference could settle the vexed +question in a short time. Get the right men together, and I have, no +doubt as to the result."</p> + +<p>The Judge was inclined to be impatient of other people's opinions when +they clashed with his own, and was always the Sir Oracle of his circle.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Spencer Abbott, who was not greatly interested in the questions +of state discussed by the other guests, diverted himself in dulcet +small-talk with his fair neighbor, the daughter of the house. In spite +of an evident desire to please, he was apparently unsuccessful, for Miss +Edna showed signs of weariness by an occasional pouting of her delicate +lips, and seemed much relieved when the cloth being drawn, enabled her +and her aunt, who were the only ladies present, to retire to the +drawing-room. Poor Abbott would gladly have joined them, for he was +dreadfully bored by Finnegass, who, exalted by wine and in default of +any other listener, attached himself to the clergyman, and treated him +to choice extracts from stirring leaders, until it was only by steady +sips of coffee and a supreme effort of will, that Abbott refrained from +lapsing into slumber.</p> + +<p>At length Rangle came to the rescue, and merriment prevailed; for that +eminent senator, ignoring the weighty topics under discussion, proved a +perfect cornucopia of jokes and funny anecdotes, and actually drew a +smile from the grim old Judge.</p> + +<p>By this time Mr. Mumbie had recovered his self-possession, and grown +bold and garrulous. He ventured to occupy a vacant chair next to the +ex-President (that had been set apart for John Heath who had not +condescended to appear), and informed that dignitary that he (Mumbie) +was a much older man than any one would take him for. As the +ex-President, on being asked, failed to guess Mr. Mumbie's age, Mr. +Mumbie imparted the information, triumphantly adding that Mrs. Mumbie +was very much his junior, as he had married late in life. "Here's a +knife," continued he, drawing forth the bone-handled jack-knife, "that I +have carried steadily, sir, steadily for over fifty years. Now I don't +think there are many such instances on record. My local attachments are +very strong. It's a peculiarity in our family which—"</p> + +<p>"Between ourselves, and what is said here will of course go no farther," +said Mr. Heath, with a sharp glance at Mr. Mumbie, "had we not better +take some preliminary steps at once, in regard to the matter we have +been discussing? I think we are all of one opinion on the subject. With +your permission, Judge, I would suggest that you and Senator Rangle +should by all means go as delegates from this State. Our friend Mr. —— +ought of course to represent New York. Then I have thought that perhaps +Crittenden would be of all men the most proper to lead the delegation +from his section. In fact, I have already written him on the subject, +and will send for a copy of my letter and read it to you."</p> + +<p>"Not now, Heath; I'll listen to it some other time," said Judge Hull.</p> + +<p>"Very well, I merely wished to show that I have approached him in a +cautious way, and in a manner that I do not doubt will meet with your +approval. Now, how does the selection of delegates strike you? I mean, +of course, as far as I have gone?"</p> + +<p>"Well—well. I'll think of it—what liqueur is that?"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Judge did think of it, and the conference was held, as we all know. +The Judge, the ex-Federal dignitary, and Senator Rangle, were all +there, and in company with other conservative gentlemen tried to stop +the Niagara flood of progress with bulrushes. But the tide that was +destined to sweep away the last relic of barbarism in our country, was +rising fast, and the conservative brooms that were striving to stem it +were flourished in vain.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Meanwhile Judge Hull took another <i>chasse-café</i> of cognac, to fortify +himself against the night air, and looking at his watch, directed his +carriage to be called, and rather unceremoniously departed. The Rev. +Spencer Abbott slipped away to join the ladies in the drawing-room, +while the other guests accompanied the host to the picture-gallery. +After the ex-Federal dignitary, Senator Rangle, and Mr. Bawbee had +retired to their respective bedchambers for the night, Mr. Heath +remained closeted with Finnegass in the library, while the former +concocted an article (the editor being incapacitated by the dinner from +any intellectual effort for the time being), to appear in the next issue +of the <i>Belton Sentinel</i>, and which he expected would create a marked +sensation. This article, a lengthy and portentous leader, was prefaced +by the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"We are gratified to announce that a movement of very great and +general importance to the public, in relation to the present crisis +of political affairs, is in progress; the particulars of which +having been communicated to us in confidence, we do not feel at +liberty to impart."</p></blockquote> + +<p>This statement having stimulated the reader's curiosity and attention to +a proper degree, the writer, after a few paragraphs, relented from his +stoical secrecy, and with generous confidence divulged the fact that he +had been invited to be present—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"at an informal meeting of distinguished citizens, among whom were +ex-President ——, Senator Rangle, Chief Justice Hull, Andrew +Bawbee, Esq., the wealthy and influential Western banker, M. +Mumbie, Esq., and several other gentlemen scarcely less eminent, +held at the residence of our esteemed fellow-townsman, Hon. Rufus +Heath, to deliberate and take into consideration the critical +situation of our country. This assemblage, comprising, as it did, +some of the greatest minds of the country, and men conspicuous for +their ability in all the higher walks of life—the bench, the bar, +the clergy, statecraft, finance, and the manufacturing interest +being all represented—were enabled to bring to the consideration +of the topic before them that mature reflection, and careful, +dispassionate deliberation, which are the fruits only of rare +sagacity and profound wisdom. Good faith forbids us to say more, +and we have no desire to be premature, but we think we may venture +to add, that it was decided to hold, at an early day, a grand +National council, to sit at some central point, and to be composed +of delegates from every section of the Union. We will not pursue +the subject further at present, but we cannot refrain from +observing that, the fact that these gentlemen, whose names are +synonyms for all that is great, wise, and patriotic, should devote +their energies to devise means to avert the storm that threatens +the safety of the ship of state, is one of the most hopeful signs +that an era of concord is at hand, when sectionalism, radicalism, +and demagogism in every shape and form, will meet a merited doom, +and be banished forever from the Legislative halls of a free, +united, and prosperous people.</p> + +<p>"It is but just to state that the idea and inception of this +proposed National conference, which will doubtless mark an epoch in +our country's history, is due to our fellow-citizen, Hon. Rufus +Heath, whom the spontaneous and united voice of the people has +designated as the next occupant of the gubernatorial chair of this +State. When we see such evidences of enlightened patriotism, such +an unselfish love of country on the part of a gentleman whose +wealth and position are a sufficient guarantee that he is actuated +by no desire for personal aggrandizement or ambitious motive, we do +not wonder that his countrymen, without distinction of party, turn +instinctively towards him as the proper leader and councillor in +this hour of trial, when, if ever, sound statesmanship and +disinterested devotion to the welfare of the whole country are +needed. And while we know that it will be no easy matter to prevail +upon Mr. Heath to run for the office, and that he would, with +extreme reluctance, give up his retirement and important +occupations, and could only be moved by a strong sense of duty to +again enter the arena of public life, we feel that the people have +the right to ask him, in this exigency, to so far sacrifice his +personal interests and inclinations, and yield to their wishes, by +accepting a post which he, of all others, is best fitted, to +fill—that of <span class="smcap">Governor of the State of New Jersey</span>."</p></blockquote> + +<p>This article had the good fortune to attract the notice of the +metropolitan sheets, who commented on the purposes of the ex-Federal +dignitary and his friends in various terms. The radical press poked +facetiousness at the venerable statesmen; called them fossils; and +compared them to the famous tailors of Tooley Street; but whose fault +was it that the great Peace Congress resulted in unsuccess, and that the +well-meant efforts of its members were fruitless? Whose, but that of +those perverse spirits who would not recognize the fact that "Canaan was +cursed," and that it was flying in the face of Providence and against +Holy Writ, to meddle with his cursedness in any way?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VII.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Heath was very well satisfied with the result of his dinner-party. +It had enabled him to appear in the light of a leading and prominent +public man. He could in the future refer to the views he had propounded +on that occasion, as the origin of the memorable "Peace Congress," +whereby the demon of discord was banished forever from the councils of +the nation, and the North and South were reconciled to remain +perpetually locked in a fraternal embrace. Then the opportune time would +follow when his great work, the "Federal Code," would be accepted by an +admiring people as a complement to the Constitution, and an additional +band to unite indissolubly the fasces of the Union. The prospect was +brilliant and flattering, and dizzy eminences of fame bewildered him. +But there was much to be done. It was the hour for action, and with +fervent enthusiasm he set to work. He opened a correspondence with +every prominent public man in the country, every prominent conservative +man of course, on the necessity of casting aloof from old organizations +and framing one better adapted to meet the exigencies of the period.</p> + +<p>The crisis was imminent, and prompt measures to avert the peril were +imperative. A movement had been inaugurated, of which ex-President —— +was at the head, which required the adhesion of every true lover of his +country, etc., etc. This was about the burden of every despatch, and Mr. +Frisbee, Mr. Heath's secretary, was almost distracted with the increased +amount of writing and multiplicity of letters. Meanwhile Mr. Heath did +not slacken in his efforts to obtain the candidature for Governor. He +wrote numerous articles for the <i>Sentinel</i>, of like tenor to the one we +have quoted, in advocacy of his claim to the nomination, and wherein, +likewise, he showed no desire to emulate the violet. Senator Rangle, who +had been much flattered by Mr. Heath's advances, was appealed to and +promised his aid. John Peter, whose peculiar temperament was decidedly +antipathetic to labors at the desk, was made serviceable in a different +way. He was the go-between at primary elections and nominating +convention, to fee agents and distribute largess. His chief mission, +however, was to court popularity in Belton and the adjoining towns; for +it will be remembered that the Hon. Rufus Heath, despite many munificent +benefactions and public-spirited acts, was anything but a favorite with +his neighbors. No amount of generosity on his part could countervail the +effects of his ill-concealed airs of superiority, and patronizing +suavity towards them, and wounded self-esteem never forgets nor +forgives. Mr. Heath was unaware of the prevalence of this feeling +against him, and his instructions to his son were intended simply to +placate his open and avowed opponents. In particular was he anxious to +conciliate George Gildersleeve. That individual, to be sure, was, as he +expressed it, a "dyed-in-the-wool" Democrat, but Mr. Heath argued that +at the forthcoming election old issues would be in a great measure +abandoned, and he hoped, if not able to obtain Gildersleeve's support, +to at least secure his neutrality. George, in truth, would have been a +powerful auxiliary, for apart from the large number of men in his +employment, who all liked him as a fair and liberal "boss," his bluff, +hail-fellow ways won the hearts of the hard-handed everywhere; and he +could control more votes than any other man in the county. No wonder, +then, that John Peter suddenly became very deferential to him when he +met him at Hank Bird's livery stable; no wonder that he solicited +George's opinion on the merits of a new trotter, and even came down to +the Archimedes Works for a social chat, where, meeting Mark, he actually +shook hands with him, offered a cigar, and inquired in a pleasant way +how he was "getting along." So astounded was Mark at these unexpected +amenities, that he did not know how to take them; but his surprise over, +he replied with equal friendliness, not being one to harbor resentment +when a show of placation was made—especially when it came from Edna +Heath's brother. So the two young men had a pleasant smoke together, +recalled reminiscences of their school days; of old Pugwash, who kept +the academy, and of the great conspiracy in which Jack was the +ringleader, to thrash old Pugwash, when the boys signed a round-robin +(an awful compact), with red ink in lieu of blood, that fluid—although +the proper one to have used under the circumstances—not being readily +procurable; and how old Pugwash, getting hold of the round-robin, turned +the tables on the conspirators by flogging them one and all soundly. +These and many similar incidents were talked over until all constraint +wore off, and when they separated, Mark felt convinced that he had +greatly misjudged Jack Heath, and was much pleased at the +reconciliation. He told his sister-in-law that evening, when relating +the circumstance of their meeting, that Jack was as good-hearted a +fellow at bottom as ever lived, the only trouble with him being his +inclination to drink.</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear, what a pity!" said Mrs. Gildersleeve, whose sympathies were +instantly aroused. "I've noticed signs of it for some time, and feel so +sorry for him. He has grown so fleshy for a young man, and his face is +always so flaming red. Such a beautiful complexion as he used to have, +too, when a boy—and to think that it is all owing to this dreadful, +dreadful habit of drinking! If he would only consent to join our Band of +Hope. Don't you think, Mark, you might persuade him to join? or do you +think it would be better to have Brother Close speak to him on the +subject first?"</p> + +<p>Mark shook his head dubiously at these suggestions, as if he mistrusted +his ability or that of the entire Band of Hope, to say nothing of +Brother Close, to induce Jack Heath to falter in his devotion to strong +waters.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's inherited, sister Margaret," said he. "They say he had +a grand-uncle who died from the effects of drink, and that his +grandfather, old Mr. Obershaw, had a great propensity that way, and that +the only thing that saved him was his stinginess. Much as he loved +liquor, he loved money more, and seldom drank it except at somebody +else's expense."</p> + +<p>"Well, my child, let us not judge lest we be judged. Old Mr. Obershaw no +doubt did a great many good deeds that we know nothing about, and as he +is now in the hands of One who is all-wise and merciful, it does not +become us to pass judgment on his memory. I don't see why it is that +people are so censorious; I should think that after all the money that +Mr. Obershaw spent in building that church and endowing it, that every +sensible person would be convinced that he was a Christian, and I'm +sure no one could find fault with the way in which the money he saved is +being used, for there is not an institution, or a society, or object of +any kind, that the Heaths don't give to."</p> + +<p>"That may all be, sister Margaret, and it's very praiseworthy, no doubt. +All I said, or meant to say, was that I didn't think Jack Heath was so +much to blame for drinking, as he inherited the propensity from his +grandfather, who they say had the reputation of being a hard drinker."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we shall all have to answer for ourselves," replied +Mrs. Gildersleeve, reflectively. "And very likely it's his misfortune +and not his fault."</p> + +<p>The worthy lady's capacity for forgiveness and charity was unbounded; +far more ready, too, to defend than to censure, and she doubtless would +have had a good word for Satan himself, had his sable majesty been +captured and arraigned for judgment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VIII.</h2> + + +<p>Month after month passed away, and Mark had not dared to repeat his +visit at the Cliff. Gladly would he have done so, however, could he have +found any plausible pretext. One important point, however, was gained. +He had learned that Edna Heath was not the inaccessible princess he had +imagined; and moreover, enjoyed the extreme gratification of knowing, or +rather feeling, that she was aware of his existence—that she actually +remembered, and even noticed him, when he met her at the church-porch on +Sundays. These opportunities were almost the only ones he had of seeing +her, but the smile and bow with which she recognized him were enough to +fill his heart with pleasure during the intervening week. Occasionally +when at work he would hear the well-known din of the Heath equipage +dashing up Main Street in all the pomp of its domestics in drab +liveries, and Dalmatian dogs, and his pulse would quicken, if through +his window he caught a momentary glimpse of Edna among the occupants of +the vehicle. He failed not to take his evening strolls towards the +Cliff; to pass and repass the huge iron gates that seemed to bar him +from his dearest hopes; and to linger about, indulging in all those +absurd, preposterous fancies that addle the pates of all true lovers.</p> + +<p>Summer came, and Edna went off with the Mumbies on a long tour through +the White Mountains and Canada. During her absence, how desolate and +dreary the world seemed to Mark! Belton became unbearable, and he +wandered about its streets in a frame of mind compared to which Marius' +feelings amid the ruins of Carthage were bliss. It was in one of these +melancholy fits that he composed his elegiac stanzas, entitled <i>Love's +Coronach</i>, and commencing with these lugubrious lines:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Shadows from the pluméd pall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Enwrap my soul in woe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My life, my hope, my all<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is gone! And every poignant throe<br /></span> +<span class="i4">etc., etc., etc.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But when she returned, the world seemed to recover its glory, life its +spice, and he was happy in being near her, even if he did not see her. +When autumn came, and the grove near the Falls and the maples along the +river road were gorgeous with brilliant hues, Mark took long walks along +the Passaic-side, chiefly to meet Miss Heath, who rode often on +horseback, and went dashing along at a pace that the groom in attendance +had difficulty in keeping up with. She always found time, however, to +acknowledge Mark's salute, as he stood staring in respectful admiration +at the lithe, graceful figure, so smart in dark riding habit, small +white collar and blue silk cravat. He was selfish enough to wish at +those times that her horse would bolt over the bank into the river, or +do something that would give him a chance to rescue her life at the +peril of his own, and so prove his devotion. Fortunately, perhaps, for +the young lady, no such opportunity occurred, and our hero was obliged +to content himself with less demonstrative worship and vent his passion +in scribbling poetic numbers.</p> + +<p>The shortened days and inclement weather of winter curtailed Mark's +rambles, and his evenings were spent with his piano and books at home, +or with his briar-wood pipe and chess at Dr. Wattletop's.</p> + +<p>One evening as he sat down to tea in the little basement dining-room, +his sister-in-law, with a significant smile, laid an elegant envelope by +the side of his plate. "There, Mark," said she, "there is something that +will please you, I've no doubt."</p> + +<p>He opened the envelope with a little trepidation, and found it to +contain, as he had half-suspected, an engraved request from Miss Heath, +for the pleasure of his company at "The Cliff," on a certain evening.</p> + +<p>"When it came this afternoon," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, "I was in such a +flutter. Bridget was out to see her sick sister, and I was washing the +dinner things when the bell rang. I just took time to dry my hands and +ran to the door, for I expected as much as could be that it was one of +the men from the Works that your brother said he would send to fix the +grate, and I was so confused when I saw it was a stranger—the young man +with a cockade on his hat that follows Miss Heath when she goes out +horseback riding—I don't know whether you have ever noticed him or +not?"</p> + +<p>Mark said he thought he had; and his brother remarked that it was +another of those English liveried flunkeys that that old aristocrat, +Rufe Heath, had imported to demoralize our democratic institutions.</p> + +<p>"George," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, reproachfully, "you shouldn't talk in +that way, my dear. Mr. Heath does a great deal of good—a great deal; +and as for the young man, I'm sure he was very respectful and +well-behaved, indeed. I don't know, though, what he must have thought, +for I must have looked very untidy, and I was so confused and flushed +that I never once thought of asking him whether he would walk in and sit +down, which wasn't a bit polite or hospitable on my part. I hope, Mark, +you will accept this invitation, for you should certainly go out in +society more than you do. I do wish you had been with us the other +evening at Mrs. Sniffen's tea-party. I don't know when I have had such a +delightful time. Bishop White was there, and the new minister who has +been stationed lately at the Furnaces—the Rev. Mr. Rousemup. His wife +has a beautiful voice, and she sang 'Plunged in a Gulf of Dark Despair' +so sweetly, that I'm sure there couldn't have been a dry eye present. I +know you would have enjoyed it. But lately you have taken to staying in +your room too much; you seem to have given up the Debating Society +altogether and never go anywhere, except it is to Dr. Wattletop's, and I +must confess that I don't half like it. The doctor, to be sure, is one +of the kindest and best souls in the world, but he has such very queer +notions. They even go so far as to say that he is a freethinker. Now I +would be very sorry to believe that of any one; but he says such very +strange things, if the reports are true, and Brother Close told me that +Mrs. Slocum told him, that her nephew, James Cudlipp, said that when he +lived at old Mrs. Bradbury's, and her brother died, he heard the doctor +with his own ears say at the funeral, that when people became more +civilized, they would burn the remains of the dead and preserve their +ashes in marble urns, instead of burying them in the earth. Now, I do +think such an idea as that is shocking and perfectly dreadful."</p> + +<p>"Well, Maggie," put in her husband, as he buttered a fresh biscuit, +"every man to his trade. Dr. Wattletop ain't no dominie, and don't +pretend to be, but his head's level on physic, and he's no slouch of a +sawbones, either. When he cut off Sammy Tooker's leg I timed him, and he +had it all done clean in ten minutes and fourteen seconds by my +stop-watch, and Sammy's brother said it was the best job of the kind he +ever saw done; and he ought to know, being a butcher himself. Why, +Pokemore, that you think is the greatest doctor in the world, I'll bet +would have taken hours to do it, and made a botch of it after all. The +only fault I have to find with Wattletop is, that he's such a pig-headed +John Bull."</p> + +<p>Mark ventured a few words in defence of his friend the doctor, and +endeavored to allay the rising apprehensions of Mrs. Gildersleeve in +regard to his imbibing any unwholesome opinions from the eccentric +physician.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mark," continued Mrs. Gildersleeve, "I do hope you will spruce up, +and make yourself as agreeable as possible at Miss Heath's party. I'll +say this for her, that there isn't a nicer, sweeter, or more charitable +girl in all Belton than she is. Mrs. Sniffen says that she never calls +upon her for any contribution for any object whatever, but what she +gets all and more than she asks for; and I do believe she supplies every +sick person and funeral in the town with hot-house grapes and flowers. +Then she's so very lady-like too. Dear me, if I were a young man—well, +I should think you'd feel very much pleased at this invitation, +especially as you never took any pains to make yourself agreeable to the +family. But then, to be sure, Edna Heath is kind to every one, and I do +believe that every man, woman, and child in Belton loves her."</p> + +<p>Mark felt as if he could not see the necessity for that, and, if it were +so, as if the population of the town had audaciously conspired to +infringe on his province.</p> + +<p>His brother, as he rose from table, also proffered advice on the +subject, "If you can hang up your hat in that house, Mark, you're made +for life. She'll have more dollars than you can shake a stick at, or +know what to do with. Never mind the old man; there's a good deal of +nonsense in Rufe Heath's airs, and he's mild as milk if he finds you +aint anyway awed. Keep a stiff upper lip—don't be cowed, and you're +bound to win. Whatever you do, though, be independent—independent as a +hog on ice, and they'll like you all the better for it. That's my +advice. Time I was off to the Lodge."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gildersleeve did not entirely approve of her husband's way of +putting it, and observed, "As to what your brother says, Mark, about +Miss Heath's fortune, or her father's fortune, I know you never would be +actuated by any motives in regard to that. Miss Heath, I'm sure, will be +a treasure and prize to any man even if she never has a penny in the +world."</p> + +<p>"Very likely," said Mark, affecting indifference. "Miss Heath is +certainly a very pleasant and refined young lady."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, she is," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, emphatically, "and more than +that, a very good young lady."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mark's gratification at receiving the invitation was instantly dampened, +when he reflected that he could not avail of it without exposing himself +to unfavorable comparison in the eyes of one whom he was most desirous +of pleasing. The old feeling of false shame, the morbid sensitiveness +in regard to his lameness, revived; and he dreaded to challenge +criticism in an assemblage where he longed to shine. Hence it was with a +sharp pang of mortified vanity and disappointment that he set about +writing a "regret," alleging as an excuse for not being able to accept +Miss Heath's invitation, the conventional fib, a prior engagement. Twice +he wrote such a missive, and each time tore it up when in the struggle +between sense and self-love the former gained the ascendancy; but in the +end that exaggerated self-importance which leads us to believe the rest +of the world vastly interested in our haps and mishaps, our appearance +and position—this infatuation triumphed, and the "regret" was +despatched.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Well, Mark," said Mrs. Gildersleeve on the appointed evening, "Miss +Heath's party comes off to-night, don't it? From all I hear it's going +to be a grand affair. They say there have been I don't know how many +hundred invitations sent out, and some are coming even from New York."</p> + +<p>"So much the better, then, for I don't think I shall be missed," said +Mark with a forced smile.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gildersleeve dropped her work and looked at him in surprise. +"Missed! You don't mean to say that you are not going?"</p> + +<p>Mark looked rather confused. "I do mean to say so. I—I don't feel like +it."</p> + +<p>"Dear me, you're not sick, I hope?" inquired Mrs. Gildersleeve with a +look of concern.</p> + +<p>"No, sister, no—but I'm not in the humor to go."</p> + +<p>"Why, really, I'm so surprised and sorry. I thought you would certainly +take advantage of such an invitation, for I know you would enjoy it very +much if you went. There is nothing ails you, is there, Mark?" said Mrs. +Gildersleeve, repeating her inquiry.</p> + +<p>"No, sister Margaret, no," replied Mark with a little impatience, and to +escape his sister-in-law's inquisitive solicitude, he withdrew to his +room. He took up his guitar and tried to thrum the <i>Jota Aragonesa</i>, but +there was no melody there to soothe his troubled breast. He skimmed over +a page or two of Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy," that Dr. Wattletop +had recommended him to read, but his feelings were too much in +consonance with the subject treated of to be diverted by it, and he +threw the book aside, filled his briar-wood pipe, and sought +consolation in Killikinnick. Even that resource failed him, and the fire +in the bowl died away unheeded. Then to shake off the tristful thoughts +he paced his room, but the old wound inflicted by Edna's cruel +commiseration seemed to bleed afresh, and the remembrance of that bitter +pity unceasingly returned, until chagrin gave place to anger vented in +fierce execrations on his halting foot, alternated with lamentations on +his unfortunate condition. He believed he could have borne almost any +other bodily infirmity better, and would gladly have given his right arm +to walk as other men. What an effort it had cost him to deny himself the +inestimable pleasure of beholding the object of his adoration in all the +pride of her beauty! And yet, why had he done so? Although imperfect in +a trivial degree, would he, after all, suffer much in comparison with +others? Byron, the splendid Byron, was lame, and so was Walter Scott, +and were they not the idols of society? Would her glance fall that +evening on a handsomer face? He stopped before a mirror, that reflected +eyes full of superb fire, and a brow as fine as any that ever adorned +child of Hellas, and he smiled with gratified vanity, like a brainless +coquette. But instantly ashamed of his weakness, he turned away, drew on +his overcoat, and sought the streets to distract him from unwholesome +reveries. Unwittingly his feet followed the accustomed path, and he was +half way to the Cliff before he discovered his absence of mind. He would +have retraced his steps and gone in another direction, but an +irresistible impulse urged him on.</p> + +<p>It was a fine frosty night in February. There was no moon, but the +myriad of stars that studded the dark sky glinted like gems, and the +atmosphere was bracing and exhilarating. Mr. Heath's residence presented +a brilliant scene. The lamps on the gate-posts, those hanging in the +porch, and the many illuminated windows shed rays that tinted to +brilliance the snow covering the lawn and flecking the dark evergreens; +while here and there a pendant icicle or the rime-covered bough of a +tree coruscated like a crystal prism. Mark stood for some time in +contemplation. He heard the sound of rippling music, the muffled patter +of hoofs and creaking of wheels over the crisp snow as carriage after +carriage deposited its burden at the porch. At length, as if drawn by +some invisible magnet, he went stealthily up the avenue, slinking behind +the evergreens, and endeavored to gain a position whence to look +unobserved through the drawing-room windows. He felt like a spy, and +started at every sound with fear of being discovered, but the temptation +to see Edna was too powerful, and curiosity overcame his scruples. +Climbing on the ledge of a conservatory, he could, by placing his feet +on the chamfered stone-work of the building, reach the level of a large +bay-window at one end of the drawing-room. An inside sash was partly +open, so that he could both see and hear through the blinds and remain +unperceived. He now witnessed a sight that soon banished his melancholy, +for joy in its fellows has a contagious influence over youth difficult +to resist, and he regretted the foolish resolve he had made to abstain +from joining the party. They were nearly all young people; among them, +however, many strangers to Belton. Mrs. Applegate, who matronized them, +rustled about in a voluminous dress of moire-antique, and young Mrs. +Heath sat in an easy-chair in one corner, resplendent with diamonds and +languidly rattling a Spanish fan, while her lord stood leaning in a +doorway looking sulky, bored, and uncomfortable as he fumbled away at a +pair of tight gloves. The Rev. Spencer Abbott, in the neatest of +clerical attire, was sauntering leisurely from group to group, with his +hands behind his back and an air of mild benignity on his pallid +countenance. Present, too, were Will Hull and his sister Constance, the +Judge's grandchildren, and the Mumbies; Ada, Bob, and the younger +brother, Decatur, a sprig from the Naval Academy, evidently under the +effects of his gilt buttons and embroidered foul-anchors. Mark was not +long in discovering Edna. Her fair face was heightened in color, and +beaming with joy. His eyes followed her eagerly amid the couples that +whirled swiftly by, and he caught glimpses of her satin-shod feet, +arched like an Arab maid's. The music ceased, and the confused chatter +of many voices arose. Close by him came a group of girls prattling +together, and discussing their partners with the frankness of guileless +maidenhood. Scraps of their conversation reached him. One of the girls +was Constance Hull. Said she, "I do so like to dance with Alfred, he +keeps such excellent time."</p> + +<p>"But then he parts his hair in the middle, Constance, and I think that +is so horrid. Did you notice his malachite sleeve-buttons and topaz +studs? Wretched taste, isn't it? They say he is engaged too—dear me! I +don't see how any one could marry a person with so little idea of what +is becoming. Do tell me who that gentleman is that was dancing with +Edna? I do think he is too handsome for anything."</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you know? Why, it's Sarah Carver's cousin, Fred +Spooner—isn't he splendid? He came all the way from Boston. He's quite +smitten with Edna, and I know she admires him."</p> + +<p>Mark's eavesdropping was sufficiently punished by this intelligence, but +he was destined to suffer still further when he saw Edna dancing again +with this admirer, who was a tall blooming fellow, all ease and grace. +He felt a pang of jealousy when he saw them after the dance promenading +together; Spooner chatting with animation and proud of his partner, +while she looked at him evidently pleased and amused at his remarks. +They came directly towards the window and took seats in the recess. +Miss Hull and her companions had left the spot, and the young fellow +probably desired to enjoy a <i>tête-à-tête</i>. He was pleading for a flower +from Edna's nosegay. "I beg and beseech you to bestow upon me a bud from +your beautiful bouquet."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," said Edna, "what a quantity of B's!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite a swarm, attracted by your excessive sweetness, of course," +smirked Spooner, pleased at his effort at wit; while Mark, who had +caught every word, thought it very silly, not to say impertinent.</p> + +<p>Edna selected a rosebud, which she gave to her companion, who placed it +in his button-hole. "I shall keep it forever, Miss Heath."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, how long is your forever?"</p> + +<p>"As long as memory holds a seat in this distracted brain, and longer. +I'll take it home, and when it wilts I'll press it in my prayer-book."</p> + +<p>"Where you are sure never to see it again," remarked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Merciless Miss Heath!—Excessively warm, though, here, isn't it? Hadn't +I better throw open the top blind?" and with that he pushed it open, +causing Mark to shrink aside to avoid discovery, "Warm as a dog-day, +isn't it? Talking of dogs, are you fond of 'em, Miss Heath? I've got +just the smallest black-and-tan—well, he don't weigh over twenty-three +ounces, and if you would only accept him, I'd be so delighted. I think +the world of him, and to know that he was constantly near you, would +make me the happiest feller in existence. To be sure his ears aren't +cropped yet. Do you like cropped black-and-tans? Or if you'd prefer a +Spitz? I've got a real nice Spitz, but he's snappish. Spitzes are apt to +be snappish, haven't you noticed? But then he's just as good a ratter as +any black-and-tan you ever saw. When you come to Boston, if you and +Sarah Carver will only come to Roxbury—"</p> + +<p>By this time, the Rev. Spencer Abbott, who was on his third round of +inspection, came up with a graceful droop to the couple: "Reposing after +the fatigue of the dance, I presume, Miss Edna? What a beautiful +bouquet! Really, Miss Edna, I think you have the most beautiful bouquet +of any young lady present. Miss Mumbie has an elegant one, but the +blending of hues is hardly so artistic in hers. Yours, ah—presents to +the eye of the observer such a—such an exquisite juxtaposition of +colors. How fragrant, too! Roses—heliotrope—Dame Nature's jewels. What +a singularly beautiful conceit and myth that was of the ancients, that +roses sprang from the blood of Venus. Dear me, there's quite a draught +here. Ah! I see—a window down—aren't you afraid of catching cold? +Lovely as a Lapland night—a majestic one, truly! How forcibly is one +reminded of Milton's noble lines:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'How glows the firmament with living sapphires<br /></span> +<span class="i0"> Hesperus that led—'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Fortunately for Miss Heath, who feared the parson was about to favor her +with a book or two of "Paradise Lost," Bob Mumbie came up to claim her +for a redowa, and the Rev. Spencer Abbott sauntered off and betook +himself to a critical examination, accompanied with poetical comments, +of Mercedita Heath's fan. Mark noticed that Edna had left her +handkerchief on the tripod near the window, and as Fred Spooner had +darted away with Miss Mumbie and the coast was clear, a sudden and +uncontrollable desire seized him to possess this handkerchief. Yielding +to the impulse, and without further reflection, he raised the lower sash +of the window, crouched under the tripod, snatched the coveted article, +and frightened at his temerity, instantly withdrew. He hastened +homeward, pressing the bit of cambric to his lips, and rhapsodizing as +he went along like a demented Strephon. When he arrived home, he found +his sister-in-law sitting up for him. She noticed that he looked +somewhat flushed and disturbed, but as he seemed to avoid her +scrutinizing eyes, she did not question him.</p> + +<p>What a night of fever and torment he passed! The conflicting emotions +that agitated him banished sleep. The delicate web he had filched lay +under his burning cheek and throbbing temples; its subtle perfume +intoxicated him, evoking ecstatic glamour and vivid visions of Edna's +face radiant with joy and beauty. Then jealousy swept the chords of his +sensitive nature, as he recalled the smiles bestowed on his presumed +rival, and bitter curses on his defective foot followed, until, in the +struggle between tumultuous passion and reason, his better sense +triumphed, and tears bedewed his eyes—tears of vexation that he should +be so childish, so vain, and envious. As he lay thus, his door was +softly opened, and he heard the voice of his sister-in-law inquiring if +he were indisposed?</p> + +<p>"No, no, Sister Margaret, thank you. Please don't disturb yourself."</p> + +<p>"I heard a noise, and feared you might be taken ill."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. Please leave me." His heart was stilled at this fresh +evidence of tender solicitude on the part of one, who had been to him +all that a mother could be. He contrasted her calm, cheerful ways and +unselfishness with his egotism and discontent. Repentant, he prayed to +be forgiven, and soon after fell asleep.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>IX.</h2> + + +<p>The next morning his jaded face told plainly of the mental struggle he +had undergone. He took up Edna's handkerchief, pressed it to his lips +reverentially, as if it had been a shred from the robe of a saint, and +then reflected how he should return it to its owner without exciting +suspicion or betraying his impertinent freak. "She's a seraph and I'm an +idiot!" was his pithy conclusion, "An egregious and presumptuous idiot! +If she knew all, what a laughing-stock I should be to her! I will not +think of her again, but as one to worship. What am I, or what have I +done to merit any favor from her? What could she ever possibly see in +me? I must and shall try to forget her. No—I would be very ungrateful +to do that. But I must only esteem, respect, and worship her at a +distance; and if she prefers that tall, girlish, dancing-Jack, why—no, +I have no right to think that. Well, I must return the handkerchief in +some way, and then we shall be henceforth as strangers—not exactly +strangers—but I will only think of her as an acquaintance."</p> + +<p>He held to this resolution for at least a week, rigidly schooling his +heart to submission; but alas, this resolve met the fate of its kind, +for on the eighth day he accidentally saw the disturber of his peace, +and away to the four winds of heaven went all humility and +self-abnegation. And he met her of all places—in a workshop. Edna +happened to be passing the Archimedes Works on her return from the +stationer's, when the proprietor, who was looking out of the window of +his counting-room, caught a glimpse of her, and going out accosted the +young lady, much to her surprise, with a request to walk into his office +a moment as he wanted to consult her. She good-naturedly complied, and +went into the room, where the old book-keeper bustled about to dust a +chair for her, and the junior clerks were rather distracted from their +labors by the apparition of such a visitor.</p> + +<p>"What I wanted was to ask your opinion of a new cart I've been getting, +Miss Heath," said George Gildersleeve.</p> + +<p>"A cart, Mr. Gildersleeve?" repeated Edna.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a cart de visit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, a photograph," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Mrs. Gildersleeve's sister, Mrs. Roberts, who lives in Trenton, +hasn't got one of mine, and I promised to send her one; so I've been +getting some struck off. Now here are the proofs of three different +kinds. Snopple got 'em up; and as you're a young lady of taste, the +thought struck me, as I saw you go by, that you'd be a capital judge and +I want your opinion as to which is the best."</p> + +<p>Edna, rather amused, scrutinized the pictures that represented George +looking like a comely bulldog, and said that she thought they were all +fair likenesses.</p> + +<p>"But which is the best? This one's a new attitood for me. I never had +one taken in that way before. Suppose you were picking one out for +yourself, which would you choose?"</p> + +<p>To please him, Edna gave the preference to one over the others.</p> + +<p>"Well—I don't know but you're right," said George reflectively, as he +admired the one selected. "I'll have a lot of these struck off, and when +they're finished, I won't forget to send you one, unless you prefer one +of these full faces."</p> + +<p>Edna said no—that the first one mentioned would do, and thanked him. +Noticing the horse-shoe over the fire-place, she inquired whether it +were hung there to keep off witches, or for good-luck.</p> + +<p>"Good-luck?—no, not exactly, although I shouldn't wonder if it had +brought us good-luck. As for the witches, you see yourself it don't keep +off the most dangerous kind—the young and beautiful ones," replied +George, with an attempt to be gallant.</p> + +<p>"Oh thank you, Mr. Gildersleeve; you're very flattering indeed," replied +Edna with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't take five hundred dollars for that horse-shoe, Miss Heath," +resumed George proudly.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"No, nor a thousand. That there shoe that you see there, came off +Gineral George Washington's horse just afore he fought the great battle +of Trenton. My grandfather shod him anew himself, and kept this old +shoe. The forge was right here, and that chimney-stack was part of it. +That's the story, Miss Heath; and at that time your great-grandfather, +old Whitman Obershaw, ran a saw-mill just along by the head of the +rapids, ten rods beyond the foot-bridge, and I've heard my father say +often enough that the old man was a pretty hard case, and tight about +half the time."</p> + +<p>Edna, though nettled and confused for a moment at these free reflections +on her maternal ancestor, could not refrain from smiling at the +unconcerned way in which they were imparted.</p> + +<p>"To think how you've grown lately, Miss Heath," continued the blunt +iron-master; "why, it seems to me but last week that you and Ada Mumbie +and Judge Hull's granddaughter, were little bits of things, stopping, as +you came from school with your arms full of books, to peep in at the +foundry, half-scared, with your eyes as big as saucers. Well, time +passes, and things change, and the Works are different now from what +they was then. We've enlarged them considerable. Have you been through +them lately? No—well, would you like to go? Without bragging a great +deal, I don't think we can be beat much in our line in the world." +George's world, by the bye, was bounded by New York and Trenton, and +consisted chiefly of Belton.</p> + +<p>Edna said she had been in Mr. Mumbie's paper-mill, and had been much +interested, and thought she would like to see the Works, if convenient.</p> + +<p>The establishment was a model one of its kind. In extent and +completeness it had no superior, if a rival, in the country, and the +owner took a justifiable pride in showing it. It covered several acres, +and the buildings were fine ones of brick, with slate roofs, and some +pretensions to architectural beauty. Gildersleeve led Edna first to a +detached room well lighted, neat, and quiet as a boudoir, with a vine +trailing over the glass roof. This was the engine-room, where tireless +monsters of polished steel and brass, with gigantic fly-wheels and +darting pistons, worked noiselessly and exactly as a chronometer, and +enabled the proprietor to be consistently independent of the water-power +if he chose.</p> + +<p>Then they went to the foundry—a fearful place, where begrimed men, +hideous in the glare of furnace flames, ran dragging pots of molten iron +like Cyclops, while the ground trembled beneath the titanic blows of +trip-hammers; next to the boiler-shop, where Edna was almost deafened; +and to the machine-shop, a long room filled with whirling shafts, +gearing, and lathes innumerable, where she was greatly amazed at the +wonderful planes that sliced off glossy ribbons of steel, and the +powerful shears and punches that cut the tough metal like pasteboard. +Edna was much impressed by what she saw. She was struck with the many +evidences around her of human skill and power. The admirable adaptation +and complete control of superhuman forces seemed to her sublime, and she +wondered that the presiding genius of such a marvellous palace of art +could be the ordinary mortal beside her. Had Edna been an older judge of +human nature, she would have discovered that George Gildersleeve was +anything but an ordinary man. True, he was uneducated, rough, +overweeningly vain, without tact; his fibre coarse and vigorous as a +buffalo's, but his tenacity of will, love of order, vigilance, and +business shrewdness were remarkable, and capable of conquering success +in almost any department of life. His vigilance and love of order had +not escaped Edna's notice, for as they went along, she remarked that his +searching glances were directed everywhere, and she was amused to see +him pick up a nail from the floor, and at another time reprimand an +apprentice severely because a small bit of cotton waste had been left on +the bright oil-cloth of the engine-room.</p> + +<p>"Who suggested the name of your Works, Mr. Gildersleeve?" said Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that was Mark's notion. When we rebuilt them, I wanted to name them +the George Washington Works, but I concluded that that would be too +personal, so I let Mark have his own way, and he named them after Archy +Medes. This Archy Medes was an engineer of ancient times, who discovered +something in a bath-tub, I don't exactly remember what, but Mark can +tell you if you want to know. There he is over there. See him, Miss +Heath?"</p> + +<p>They were in the finishing-shop at the time, and George pointed to the +farther end, where Mark was, but with his back towards them so that Edna +had not recognized the young man. He was standing with his coat off and +a plan in his hand, giving directions to a group of workmen.</p> + +<p>"He's setting up an improved lathe for driving wheels—a new idea of his +own," explained George.</p> + +<p>Edna stood watching Mark. He was very intently occupied moving hither +and thither, now stooping and scrutinizing, then, with rolled-up +sleeves, dexterously wielding hammer and chisel. His dark, delicate +features reflected the keen concentrated play of the faculties, and +revealed an expression of intellectual beauty that Edna had not before +noticed. She thought she had never seen so handsome a young man. Mark +unconsciously had made a more favorable impression in his homely guise +than he ever could have done in a ball-room. At length he perceived her, +and could not repress a look of confusion. Giving a few orders to the +workmen, he drew on his coat and came forward to meet Edna with an +embarrassed air.</p> + +<p>"An unexpected pleasure, Miss Heath," he said, with a feeble attempt to +be distant in accordance with the noble resolves he had recorded.</p> + +<p>"The pleasure is with me, I'm certain, for I've been very much delighted +and instructed. I know all about locomotives, and steam, and boilers, +and I am indebted for it all to your brother, who was kind enough to +invite me to see the Works, and explain everything. But I am very much +afraid that I have interrupted you."</p> + +<p>"A very pleasant interruption; for it's so seldom we are favored with +the presence of ladies here, that we appreciate their visits +correspondingly," replied Mark gallantly. Her pleasant, winning way had +disarmed him completely, and he was at her mercy at once. Edna then bid +the brothers good-by, remarking that she had tarried too long and must +return home.</p> + +<p>Of course Mark begged to be permitted to escort her, as evening was +approaching, to which request she graciously assented. The most +attractive trait, perhaps, in our heroine's character was her frankness +of speech and manner proceeding from a nature singularly free from +affectation. We say singularly, as it is well known that the best of our +young ladies are not entirely exempt from little artificial airs and +graces especially, if like the subject of these remarks, they occupy a +position in society somewhat analogous to that of a duke's daughter +among gentry. This artlessness was the more remarkable in the child of +a family noted for its intense pride and pretensions. Edna was the +exception; simple in her tastes, and ignoring the deference conceded to +wealth to an extent that would have amazed her father, could he have +spared enough attention from state affairs to study his daughter's +character. Naturally, when a young lady of position remains unimpressed +by people's purses, and is as courteous to the poor as to the rich, she +cannot fail to become a favorite with all; and it is no wonder that the +master of the Archimedes Works remarked to Gregg, the old book-keeper, +after she was gone, that if he were a young man seeking a wife, she'd be +just the girl he'd pick out, and that Gregg said she would be his choice +too; nor that Knatchbull, the foreman, concurred, and added, that she +was a "natty lass," to which George said, "That's so, and +thorough-bred," and told Gregg to make a minute to remind him to send +one of his "carts," a three-quarter face, to the young lady, as he had +promised, and wouldn't disappoint her for the world.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Mark and Edna were walking on in silence towards the street +that led to the latter's home; Mark, in his elation, scarcely knowing +how to broach the conversation. Finally he recollected that it would be +in order to thank Edna for the invitation she had sent him, and he did +so, expressing his great regret at not having been able to avail himself +of it, and his appreciation of the intended compliment.</p> + +<p>"I think you would have enjoyed yourself," said Edna, "for I believe +they all did. There were quite a number of charming young ladies +present. Some of them, I think, you would have been pleased to meet."</p> + +<p>"Name them, if you please?"</p> + +<p>"Well—Miss Carver, from Boston, for one; pretty, accomplished—"</p> + +<p>"And wealthy?"</p> + +<p>"Pray, why do you ask such a question?"</p> + +<p>"Is not that the supreme attraction?"</p> + +<p>"What a sentiment for a poet! Do you know, Mr. Gildersleeve; that I +never fail to read your verses in the <i>Sentinel</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Do you, really? You are a true friend, indeed, Miss Heath, to sacrifice +yourself to that extent. What an exertion it must be!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I think some of them very nice. Mr. Abbott, who prides himself +on his literary taste, endeavored to be very witty criticising some of +your poetry, but Aunt Susan—that's Mrs. Applegate—Mercedita, and I +defended you with our utmost ability, and we three decided that it was +very nice indeed," said Edna earnestly.</p> + +<p>Mark thought that "very nice indeed" was not exactly the verdict he +craved, nor were Aunt Susan and Mercedita critics whose judgment would +likely bias public opinion, and be considered final. Edna's good opinion +was certainly worth having, however; and as for the Rev. Mr. Abbott's +attempts at facetiousness, they were undoubtedly prompted by jealousy, +and to say the least of it, were very unbecoming in one of his +profession, and a disgrace to the cloth.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Abbott, though, is a very fine reader," continued Edna, "but I must +say I have not a very great opinion of his taste. Would you believe it, +he is forever reciting 'Airy, fairy Lillian,' and says it's the finest +thing Tennyson ever wrote? Now I think it's very flat, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Mark agreed with her, and said it was very flat, very flat indeed. She +certainly has taste, thought he, great critical acumen, but I wish she +wouldn't call my verses nice.</p> + +<p>"You must know," said Edna, who talked on unreservedly, "I'm a very +romantic girl in spite of my matter-of-fact way, and read every bit of +poetry I come across. In saying that I don't mean to disparage your +productions, for as I said, I think some of them real nice and pretty. +It may be that my opinion is not worth much, but one piece I read lately +struck me as being full of beautiful ideas and similes. I mean those +lines addressed to 'Eunomia,' the 'violet-engarlanded' person in 'purple +cincture,' who, 'enthroned in the propylon of the temple of Fate, sweeps +the lyre with skilful plectrum.' I believe that's the image, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you are disposed to amuse yourself by ridiculing my poor +efforts," said Mark, puzzled to know whether she were in earnest or not.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear me, no. I haven't wit enough to be ironical, and am therefore +always compelled to be downright and blunt. Do you know, too, that my +ignorance is such that I had to look in the dictionary to find out what +plectrum and propylon meant. Do, please, the next time you use such hard +words, add explanatory notes at the foot, and oblige all such unlearned +people as I."</p> + +<p>She said this with a bantering smile that again perplexed Mark and set +him reflecting. Now the shortest way to the Cliff was to turn off at +Mill Street, which led to the foot-bridge over the falls; but when they +came to the corner of that street, instead of turning off Edna kept on, +taking the longer way home, and thus prolonging the walk, from which +circumstance Mark augured favorably. At least, thought he, she is not +tired of my company as yet. Their promenade took them across the public +square, a pretentious little triangle of grass-plats inclosed by posts +and chains. At one end of this park fronted a fine large old mansion, +whose low eaves, broad heavily-panelled door, and ponderous brass +knocker denoted work of the last century. It was the homestead of the +Hull family, and on the door-jambs were still visible hacks made by the +sabres of Knyphausen's Hessians. Mark and his companion had just passed +the house when the old Judge came out on the porch to look at the +thermometer hanging by the side of his door. How could he fail to notice +the youthful couple? Old as he was, and long past the age of frivolity, +they interested him, and he stood contemplating the pair until they +were out of his sight. As he turned to reënter the house he gave a sigh +of regret. How barren seemed all his fame and honors! He would have +bartered them all for the return of one hour of the sweet hallucinations +of youth so irrevocably passed away. Meanwhile our young people +continued their discussion on poetry in general, and Mark's productions +in particular, until the young man, assuming a serious expression, said, +"You were speaking about the lines to Eunomia. As regards the spirit or +intention in which they are composed, I must certainly be credited at +least with sincerity. Every line, every thought is an exponent of the +author's feelings. They may be awkward, inelegant, or halting, but the +words are nevertheless the earnest utterances of the heart."</p> + +<p>All this was said fervently, and Edna replied: "I haven't any doubt of +it at all. You poets all have some ideal lady-love, I believe, gifted +with every possible quality; some ethereal paragon whom you never permit +to touch the earth; consequently, I presume you are very much +dissatisfied with young ladies as you find them."</p> + +<p>"Permit me to say you are much mistaken. My verses were addressed to no +imaginary being. Eunomia lives and breathes."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! why, now that you have so excited my curiosity, I am afraid I +shall not rest satisfied until I learn who this interesting damsel +is—this purple-cinctured Eunomia."</p> + +<p>"I can gratify you in that respect very readily, if you wish it."</p> + +<p>"Well—but—I wouldn't for the world be indiscreet. If it's perfectly +permissible. Otherwise, let me remain in ignorance, please." She said +this hesitatingly, as if perhaps she had gone too far; or was it Mark's +admiring gaze that embarrassed her? For the young man seemed to be +oblivious of all but the being beside him, and who could blame him? for +Edna, animated by the walk and conversation, looked more beautiful than +ever. She wore a round hat wreathed about with a blue veil which +contrasted charmingly with her fair complexion, and the satin sheen of +her lustrous blonde hair. Mark watched the blithe face, and endeavored +to analyze, and impress its beauty indelibly on his memory. What charmed +him most was the virginal grace of lips and chin, the pure cheek, and +the exquisite contour of the slender white throat. So absorbed was he in +his admiration, that the promenade seemed to him incredibly short, in +spite of the circuit they had made, for the entrance to Mr. Heath's +residence was now near at hand. It was time to part. "I am +hesitating," said he, "whether to reveal—if you will not think me +presumptuous—after all, no one is better entitled to know the name of +the one addressed as 'Eunomia,' than you."</p> + +<p>"No one better entitled to know than I?" repeated Edna, as a sudden +enlightenment suffused her face with a blush.</p> + +<p>"No one; for Eunomia is but another name for Edna. Forgive me, if in +seeking for inspiration from your beauty and goodness, I have been too +bold in my admiration; but Edna," he added, taking her hand and gazing +at her with appealing ardor, "I have loved you so long and earnestly!"</p> + +<p>She lowered her eyes at this declaration, but her hand lingered in his. +There was nobody near; he pressed her hand gently to his lips, when she +quickly withdrew it, and with a bow, disappeared through the gateway. +Mark stood for a moment as if amazed at his audacity, and then, joyful +and happy, walked away as if treading on air, bewitched by the +delightful anticipations of newly implanted hope. Sweet anticipation! +How full art thou of brilliant illusions and blissful glamour! And yet, +without thee, what an insupportable burden would life become! Precious +Jack-o'-lantern, that transports the lover, nerves the warrior, cheers +the student, and inspires poet and painter!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>X.</h2> + + +<p>"Bet you hundred to eighty—hundred dollars to eighty—eighty—old man's +'lected!" were Jack Heath's exclamations, as he stood rather unsteadily +in the bar-room of the Obershaw House, thumping his fist on the counter. +It was the night before election day, and of course the bar-room of the +Obershaw House, the headquarters of Mr. Heath's party, was thronged with +politicians and loungers, drinking, smoking, and discussing the chances +of the candidates for office; for we should state that the Hon. Rufus +Heath had succeeded in his efforts to obtain the nomination for the +governorship, as the numerous posters on the dead walls of Belton, +headed "<span class="smcap">Conservative Union Nominations</span>," staringly announced.</p> + +<p>Jack Heath had been for a week on what he called a "tare," and had but +just "brought up" at the hotel. He was still a little "sprung," as the +bar-tender qualified it, but had an eye to business nevertheless, as he +seemed anxious to secure bets on his father's election. "A hundred to +eighty—bet any man hundred to eighty old man's 'lected. Come, I'll make +it hundred to fifty—fifty, who'll take that?"</p> + +<p>"I will—just for a flyer," responded a short red-whiskered man, who +kept a livery stable in the town; "I'll take it."</p> + +<p>"Put up the ducats, Hank—put 'em up! Here, Bangs, old fel, hold stakes, +will you? All right—hundred to fifty more! Who's next man?"</p> + +<p>"Here you are," said another individual. "Going to vote for the old man +too, but I'll take your offer for the fun o' the thing."</p> + +<p>Jack fumbled away at his pocket-book, drawing out the bank-notes and +laying them in Bangs the landlord's hand with drunken solemnity and +slowness. He found no lack of takers, and soon stripped himself of money +to back his father's chances. Then a little contention arose about the +count, and Jack indulged in a good deal of abuse and swearing. However, +the party being in good humor, coaxed him, and vowed he was the best +fellow alive; so Jack, mollified, ordered a basket of champagne to be +opened, and "Here's to our next Governor, Rufus Heath!" was drunk with +three times three and a "tiger." Then Jack, a little more inebriated, +withdrew to play billiards, at which game he was an adept, and in spite +of his condition he made some excellent caroms, better than many sober +players could achieve; but he also missed some easy shots, and his anger +rising at that, he dashed his cue savagely at the table, ripping up the +green cloth so that Bangs had it down on the bill against him in no +time. Then Jack ordered more wine, telling Bangs to charge it to the old +man's account for "'lection spenshes," and again the company were called +upon to toast the future Governor of the "Jersey Blues," which they did +vociferously.</p> + +<p>Now Jack, pulling out his watch, stared at it stupidly for some time, +until a dim notion coming to him that he was too tipsy to discriminate +between the hands, he requested somebody to tell him the time. "Pas' +twelve, eh? Time I was home—mus' go home early—got work to do +to-morrow morning—old man's 'lection day."</p> + +<p>"Better stay here to-night, Mr. Heath," said the hotel-keeper, who was +familiar with Jack's habits. "We'll take good care of you. I've got a +nice room all ready and comfortable for you, and you'll be fresh and +fine for to-morrow's work."</p> + +<p>"All right, Tommy Bangs, old fel. Let's have night-caps all round 'fore +we turns in, eh? Whiskey-skins, Bangsey. Stiff, and not too sweet. +Charge old man 'lection spenshes."</p> + +<p>The whiskey-skins being disposed of, Mr. Bangs and his bar-tender led +Jack tenderly up the stairs, and put him away comfortably to bed.</p> + +<p>About the time he awoke the next morning the election was in full blast. +The population were entirely given over to the business, and Belton was +emblazoned with multi-colored placards, calling upon the citizens to +"awake," to "arouse," and above all to "rally." Wagons decorated with +long muslin strips bearing the name of a prominent candidate, and some +watchword of uncertain application, such as "No monopoly," +"Working-men's Rights," and the like, were driven about gathering +voters, who were stimulated to exercise the right of suffrage in the +right direction by the stirring notes of a fish-horn, blown by an active +partisan alongside of the driver.</p> + +<p>The polls were surrounded by a motley crowd of fellow-citizens, who +beset the wayfarer with importunities to vote for this or that +candidate; and as each wagon drove up and deposited its load of voters +the new-comers were received with hurrahs and friendly hustlings. The +master of the Archimedes Works was conspicuous and ubiquitous, +shouldering his burly frame through the thickest crowds, jeering his +opponents, joking with his friends, and airing his wallet on the +slightest provocation. Jack Heath, owing to his exertions on the +previous evening, did not make his appearance on the scene of action +until mid-day, but his presence infused new vigor in the contest. A +crowd of henchmen were at his heels, and the bar of the Obershaw House +dispensed strong waters and tobacco, galore and gratuitous, to all the +supporters of the "Heath ticket" who chose to partake. And as many so +chose, the bar-tender and his assistants had their hands full, you may +depend, for the thirst of people who appease it at another's expense is +sufficient to appall the stoutest stomach.</p> + +<p>As the day waned, the fellow-citizens merry with potations deep +disported themselves with antics gay. Individuals were bonneted; +ballots, those executors of the freeman's will, were scattered to the +winds; and the ticket-distributors who were unlucky enough to be caught +in their boxes found themselves suddenly in a topsy-turvy position, +heels in the air, and kicking wildly to extricate themselves, to the +intense enjoyment of the hilarious and playful electors. At sunset the +polls closed, and the citizens who had rallied so nobly repaired to +their homes, with the exception of some zealous politicians who remained +to learn the result of the voting. The bar-rooms were still tumultuous +with the wrangling of excited partisans, and Jack Heath lorded it at the +Obershaw House, but he soon succumbed to the fatigues of the day, and +was kindly put to bed by considerate Mr. Bangs at an early hour.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Hon. Rufus Heath remained at home during the eventful day. He had no +doubt as to the result of the election, and felt certain that he would +carry it. Candidates always feel so. The amazing self-conceit that +induces every ticket-holder in a lottery to expect a prize would permit +no other supposition than one of success. Still, being a cautious man, +he was anxious to have his belief corroborated. Meanwhile so confident +was he of the issue, that he employed himself in preparing a draught of +his inaugural address, and revolving in his mind a proper disposition of +his affairs preparatory to a removal of his home to the capital of the +State. He anticipated, too, no little gratification in teaching his +opponent a lesson, for he deemed it no less than a piece of impertinence +that an obscure village lawyer, who had acquired some cheap fame by +vulgar appeals as a stump speaker, should presume to cross swords with +him in a contest for position. At length night came, and towards ten +o'clock a messenger brought various returns that had been announced, +almost all indicating majorities in his favor. He went to bed, but found +it difficult to court slumber with such a stake still weighing in the +balance. The next morning he became rather uneasy as the minutes passed +and no friend came to congratulate him on the result. Mumbie, he +certainly expected would have been on hand betimes. The newspaper, too, +did not arrive at the usual hour, delayed probably to give the latest +results of the canvassing. At length it came, and he saw at a glance +from the returns of certain decisive counties that he was defeated.</p> + +<p>The editor endeavored to depreciate the importance of these indications +by stating that the final result was still in doubt; that later news +might alter the complexion of things, etc. But Mr. Heath was not to be +deluded by such assertions, and was convinced that he and his party had +lost. As the first check in a career of uninterrupted prosperity, it +proved a bitter disappointment; so bitter, that he lost his temper—an +unusual occurrence for him—swore at James for some trivial offence, +snarled at Mrs. Applegate, and snubbed poor Mumbie, who had come rather +blunderingly to sympathize with him. To one unaccustomed to obstacles +and reverses they come with double severity, and Mr. Heath took his +defeat deeply to heart. Friends, to be sure, proffered condolences, +advising him to try again; that in the next attempt he would certainly +be successful, etc., etc.; but a sense of discouragement had taken +possession of him which no sympathy or counsel could remove. Probably +the bitterest pill to swallow was the discovery that his own county and +town had given a large majority against him. He was much surprised at +this, being utterly unconscious of his personal unpopularity. Small +comfort he got too from George Gildersleeve, who never spared a beaten +adversary, and gripping the patrician's hand when he met him a few days +after, bade him be of good cheer in such words as these: "Sorry for you, +Heath, but it couldn't be helped. I could have told you how it would be. +Too much of the old Democratic leaven about here. This county cooked +your mutton, and I carry it in my breeches pocket. Liked to have helped +you—you're an old friend; but you can't expect us to desert our +life-long principles, scratch our ticket, and go for outsiders when the +woolly-heads are getting so rampant. There is no safety in these times +but sticking to the old ship. But I wouldn't be down in the mouth about +it. If you'll only come round to our side of the house, I'll engage to +send a good-looking man of about your size to Trenton or Washington. You +ought to be there; you've got the brains, and have forgotten more than +half those fellers ever knew; but you ain't the right stripe, that's the +trouble, and you're on the wrong track."</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath endeavored to take this advice good-humoredly, and attempted +a smile at the blunt sallies; but the smile was a forced one, or a +"yellow laugh," as the French express it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XI.</h2> + + +<p>It was long past midnight, and between the small hours that usher in the +light of a new day, when the stillness of the mansion on the cliff was +broken by a piercing shriek. It was an appalling cry of distress that +awoke the slumberers and froze the timid ones to their couches with +fear. Mr. Heath sprang from his bed, and ran precipitately to his +daughter-in-law's apartment, whence the cry proceeded. Poor Mercedita +met him at the door in her night-dress, and in answer to his inquiries +pointed in speechless horror at the floor of her dressing-room, where +lay stiff and stark the body of her husband!</p> + +<p>Jack Heath had come home the previous night for the first time since his +fortnight's debauch. He was in a shocking condition, with filthy +clothes, and a bad bruise over one eye, resulting, doubtless, from a +fall. His wife, incensed at his conduct, refused to speak or notice him; +and Jack, still tipsily stupid, threw himself on a lounge in the +dressing-room to sleep. During the night he awoke; tormented by the +"horrors," and thirsting for some stimulating liquid, he seized a +crystal flask of cologne that lay on the toilet-table, and drank it to +appease the infernal craving that possessed him. The congested condition +of his brain, super-excited by this fiery draught, induced apoplexy, and +the stroke was fatal. His wife, asleep in the adjoining room, awoke soon +after, and not hearing his usual heavy breathing, was much surprised. +She imagined he must have left the room, and after waiting awhile, arose +from her bed, went into the dressing-room, where there was a dim light +burning, and found that he had fallen from the lounge and lay on the +floor. She shook him without effect; raised his arm—it fell rigidly. +She tried to arouse him, called him loudly, but the dull ear heard not, +for the sleep that bound him knew no waking; and then, as the truth +flashed on her, with a shriek she summoned the household. They led her +away, agitated, probably, more by terror than grief, but Mr. Heath +remained gazing at the corpse of his only son. What a spectacle to meet +a father's eye was this inert bulk, repulsive with the stigmas of +dissipation fresh upon it! In the middle ages the heir of the house fell +in battle, killed perhaps by the shot of an arquebuse or the blow of a +partisan; or he met his death in some midnight encounter, and was +brought home with a broken rapier and doublet dripping with blood—there +is romance in that. But now he falls a victim to the bottle, and +furnishes but a vulgar theme. Nevertheless the drama is none the less +real. Mr. Heath's contemplation was sad, but full of worldly reasoning. +The curse of unearned wealth, he mused, has fallen on my son. Had he +been the child of a bricklayer or born to labor, he would have been +alive now; or had not the blood of the Obershaws with its coarse +appetites, predominated, he might have been an honor to me. Unmoved +remained Mr. Heath as he philosophized thus, until the sight of his +daughter's emotion, as she covered her dead brother's face with tears +and kisses, stirred the parent within him, and his eyes clouded and cold +features relaxed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Another funeral, another solemn procession to the tolling of the bell of +St. Jude's, and the body of John Peter Heath was laid beside that of his +grandsire in the family vault, in the yard of the little church.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XII.</h2> + + +<p>Six months passed away.</p> + +<p>The young widow had left Belton, which had never possessed any charms +for her, to visit her maternal relatives in the island of Cuba. It was +doubtless a relief, as she had never known any happiness during her +wedded life. Her departure increased the sense of loneliness that +pervaded her former home, for it now seemed enveloped in an atmosphere +of gloom. Mr. Heath was rigid in all the observances of mourning. The +entrance gates to his grounds, which were formerly always kept +hospitably wide open, were now as constantly closed, and the domestics +wore black. As for Mr. Heath, he had lapsed into a singular state of +taciturnity, and sought seclusion. It was evident that he no longer +possessed the energetic and elastic spirit of his younger days. Then +disappointment would have spurred him to increased exertion, but now the +repeated blows dealt at him by destiny and the approach of old age, +though hardly perceptible in his still erect and vigorous frame, were +telling on the springs of action.</p> + +<p>There are periods in a man's existence when he pauses to review his +life. It is true such periods rarely occur to the slaves of vice, or to +those under the dominion of a ruling passion, and perhaps never to the +robust individual of limited ideas to whom the mere act of existing is a +pleasure; but they come repeatedly to the free intellect, perhaps at the +very instant of realization of some long toiled-for or expected success, +or at the moment of disappointment, to ask it what it is living for, and +whither it tends? Such questions never enter the head of men like old +John Peter Obershaw, nor disturb the tough self-satisfaction of those +like George Gildersleeve; but the texture of Mr. Heath's mind, when at +rest, was impressionable, and its subtle energy liable to relax and +weaken. We have related how he succumbed to despondency on his +succession to the immense wealth of his father-in-law, and although this +feeling was soon shaken off and banished in the pursuit of ambitious +projects, it now returned as the blight on his ambition, and death of +his only son pressed the iron through a heart enamelled by worldliness. +As time wore on, his sorrow, instead of diminishing, seemed to increase, +and an expression of deep chagrin settled permanently on his +countenance. He apparently lost all interest in his great work, the +"Federal Code," and the secretary who had assisted him in its +preparation was dismissed. He seldom left the house now, spending his +time chiefly in the library engaged in meditation, or in the occasional +perusal of a chapter of Jeremy Taylor or some other standard theological +work. He even seemed to shun his family, and ceased to manifest interest +in his daughter. Edna, quick to discern this change in her father's +habits, attributed it solely to the death of her brother, and dreading +the effects of prolonged grief, strove with the assistance of her aunt +to divert his mind; but to little purpose. Each time that they tried to +interest him in household matters, or to enliven him, they met with a +rebuff. Even Mr. Abbott, who endeavored to bring balm and consolation, +found his counsel unacceptable, and the worthy young minister did not +repeat the attempt. In short, the man of even temper, the polished +gentleman, was becoming irascible, and it was a relief to the family to +learn one morning that Mr. Heath, to improve his health and divert his +mind, or for some other unexplained reason, had determined to set off on +a journey.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Edna, too, had certain perturbations of mind and heart to contend +with—ideas and reflections that would obtrude upon her, and that, +although temporarily banished during the period of mourning, reappeared +with greater frequency when her sorrow became assuaged. These thoughts +dated from the time of her meeting with Mark Gildersleeve, when he +avowed she inspired his poetic flights. In her simple estimation, his +verses were productions of merit and beauty; and there was something +extremely pleasing in the thought of having long been the object of the +hidden admiration and laudation of a young man gifted with such talent, +and splendid eyes. Fred Spooner, to be sure, was taller and had red +cheeks, but then Fred's knowledge, although a Harvard undergraduate, did +not seem to transcend dogs. He could entertain her only with the +exploits of his bull-terrier Spot among the rats, or discuss the +beauties of his diminutive black-and-tan Spark; while Mark knew ever so +many things, could quote Tennyson or Browning as readily as Mr. Abbott, +could work a steam-engine, and sang superbly; while all Fred Spooner +could do in that way was to roar, sadly out of tune, the touching lay of +"The Lone Fish-ball," or "Shool." Perhaps Mark might become, in time, as +celebrated as Dante or Petrarch, and she would be immortalized like +Beatrice and Laura. Edna could not help dwelling on the flattering idea, +until it took root in her gentle heart. In short, Miss Heath was fast +drifting into love, and not a little surprised to find how constantly +her thoughts would revert to the young engineer, in spite of her +exertions to employ them otherwise. Perhaps, these exertions were not +very strenuous, for the girl was of an unsophisticated nature, and not +disposed to be rebellious; hence she yielded to her inclinations more +readily than the circumspect daughter of a rigid precept-inculcating +mamma.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At this time the gigantic conspiracy of the Secessionists culminated, +and the demon of Civil War, that Mr. Heath and his conservative +coadjutors had vainly attempted to exorcise, bristled his angry crest. +One morning the portentous news came that the first hostile shot had +been fired by the South. Instantly, the faithful in all parts of the +North sprang to arms to avenge the insult offered to the glorious old +standard of the nation. Peaceful Belton partook of the patriotic ardor, +and manifested its loyalty by a profuse display of bunting. Party +differences were forgotten, and Republicans and Democrats, Free-soilers +and Conservatives, native and foreign-born citizens, all joined in +protesting their devotion to the Union, and their determination to +defend it to the last. George Gildersleeve, who, moved by his antipathy +to the abolitionists, had been inclined to excuse the threats of the +Southerners, now turned against them, and came out wonderfully strong +for the Union, accompanying his loyal protestations with frequent +allusions to the immortal Washington, and the patriotic services of his +grandsire in the horse-shoeing line; in testimony whereof the Archimedes +Works flaunted a starry banner of magnificent dimensions. A mass-meeting +of the citizens to take measures towards the suppression of the +rebellion was at once held in the public square. This square was the +pnyx or forum of the Beltonians. In the centre a Phrygian cap was borne +skyward by a tall liberty-pole, whose base was defended by a rusty old +carronade, which was popularly supposed to have done wonders in +freedom's cause during the trying days of Seventy-six, and was venerated +accordingly; the probability being that it had never inflicted other +damage than scorching some of the amateur artillerists, who every Fourth +of July put the superannuated piece to use in firing salutes. At the +meeting, though, it formed an appropriate buttress to the temporary +stand erected for the orators, and gave a stern dignity to the occasion. +In the absence of Judge Hull and Mr. Heath, who were both away from +home, George Gildersleeve was called upon to preside; but fluent as +honest George was in a caucus or sidewalk harangue, he lost his tongue +on the rostrum, where he prefigured too closely his boasted porcine +model of independence, and hence was forced to decline the proffered +honor. Mr. Mumbie was then pitched upon as a proper figure-head, but he +also declined, having the fear of Mrs. Mumbie, whose sympathies were +with the South, before his eyes. At length a chairman was found in Mr. +Poplin, the owner of the silk-mill, and the meeting proceeded with +spirit. Stirring addresses were made—a deal of enthusiasm evoked, and a +string of resolutions passed unanimously. The practical result was the +decision to organize without delay a "Home Guard," and George was +appointed captain of the first company. Vague apprehensions were afloat +among the staid denizens that Beauregard and the South Carolinians might +invade Belton, and the patersfamilias of the town had made up their +minds not to be caught unprepared, but to be ready to strike doughtily +for their altars and firesides at a moment's notice. So in less than +twenty-four hours, fifty-three good and true men were enrolled in this +formidable legion, and committees appointed to procure arms and +uniforms. Considerable agitation was manifested over the selection of +the latter. By virtue of his calling, Mr. Muldoon, a tailor, was +chairman of the committee on uniforms, and moved probably by personal +predilections, reported on "grane" as the most appropriate color; from +which Snopple, the minority, dissented, and recommended, with an eye to +the picturesque, the old Continental blue and buff, with a cavalier hat. +But this recommendation was not acted upon, the suggested costume being +voted unsuitable for "hard service," and as the Guards intended adopting +the rifle as their weapon, Mr. Muldoon's "grane" carried the day, with +red seams and yellow facings, however, in deference to the aesthetic +feelings of the wily Snopple, who foresaw an increase of patronage +growing out of this investiture. Among the junior members of the +community, the warlike spirit rose equally high, but took a different +direction. Of them all, none was more deeply stirred by the electric +current of patriotism than Mark. From the outbreak of the conflict, his +blood tingled to join in the fray. He flung aside all other occupations, +and threw his whole soul into the popular cause. Let us confess, though, +that he was not purely unselfish in his eagerness, for he foresaw a new +avenue to fame, and one where the goal was more accessible to a +determined mind than in the path he was pursuing. As a poet, mediocrity +at the utmost was all, he was forced to admit, that he could ever hope +for. But in war, what was there beyond the reach of a stout heart and +true blade? He felt brave enough to cast his life in the scale if need +be, and stake it for renown. Glory is a tempting bait for hot-heads and +enthusiastic natures, and its sway over Mark was irresistible. Beyond +glory, too, there was a sweeter, dearer reward that he might win. A +guerdon fit to nerve even a craven to prowess.</p> + +<p>"By cock and pie and mousefoot! my lad, but this is serious," quoth Dr. +Wattletop, when Mark imparted his intention of turning soldier. "Fired +by bellicose ardor, we burn to seize the anlace and cry havoc, eh? +Nonsense," was the commentary that followed. "Believe me, my boy, stick +to your innocent amusements. Permute the syllables of our noble tongue +into new and strange rhythmical combinations as much as you please, but +seek not the bubble reputation by checking musket-balls in their mad +career. Stick to the shop, Mark, to itrochoidal paths and spheric +sectors. 'Honor, indeed, who hath it? He that died o' Wednesday.' Stick +to the shop, I tell you. You're a promising engineer, and there's glory +enough to be acquired as such, and better still, money."</p> + +<p>"Very true, doctor," answered Mark with a smile. "That <i>is</i> an +inducement. You know how devoted I am to its acquisition."</p> + +<p>"More's the pity, my lad, more's the pity. The sceptre that rules the +world in this century is a golden one. However, I was young myself +once—long, long ago, I'm sorry to say—and can appreciate your sublime +disdain of opulence. But what has started you off on this new path, may +I ask?"</p> + +<p>"The duty I owe my country—patriotism," exclaimed Mark rather proudly.</p> + +<p>"Patriotism—umph! The last refuge of a scoundrel, as Dr. Johnson said. +Have you no worthier motive? Forgive me, my boy, I don't intend any +personal application—it's a quotation that occurred to me. But +patriotism has an exceedingly bad reputation, permit me to say, and is +responsible for more crimes than liberty and religion combined. <i>Dulce +et decorum est</i>, and so forth, 'Fidelity to one's country right or +wrong,' may be fine ringing mottoes; but after all, the incentive is +vain and selfish. Patriotism is the parent of national prejudice, and +prejudices of all kinds are the greatest foes to justice. In the year +A.D. 18,000, when 'man to man the warl o'er shall brithers be for a' +that,' patriotism will be looked upon as a species of fetichism. +Patriotism! I dislike it almost as much as I do generosity. Still, if +you must kill, kill for some other cause. Here you Yankees are breathing +fire and slaughter because a portion of your countrymen choose to follow +the example of their forefathers. They are rebels and traitors and what +not, because they follow in the footsteps of the men of '76, as you call +them. The great question which underlies it all is apparently set aside +and overlooked. The rallying cry is not the extinction of slavery; not +freedom to fellow-beings from an undeserved servitude; not justice; but +the Union—whatever that may be—and patriotism forsooth! the slogan +that has marshalled unnumbered hosts to the perpetration of so many +wrongs, and which is only, if I may so define it, disguised selfishness, +as loyalty is after all but refined snobbishness."</p> + +<p>Now the doctor, although hating slavery, had a lurking sympathy for the +South. To his mind, they were abstractly in the right; it was sheer +inconsistency for a union of states the outgrowth of secession to +prevent those among themselves who desired it from taking a similar +action. Mark, it is true, while he had lately become to a certain extent +a proselyte to the teachings of the abolitionists, and admitted the +wrong of slavery, and the necessity of wiping out that blot from the +national escutcheon, made it subordinate to his great desire to preserve +the Union and save from destruction "the greatest and freest country on +earth, to which he had the honor to belong."</p> + +<p>"Is it the greatest and freest because you belong to it?" inquired the +doctor with a sly smile. "I notice that our great men are the greater +for being our countrymen, and that our country is also the greater +because it is our country. We love the person or thing that sheds glory +or honor in any way upon us, more because it does so, than because it is +glorious or honorable in itself. For instance the walls of Shakespeare's +home are written over with the names of visitors. Now, why is this? What +leads Snooks and Noakes to scribble their names on the door-jambs of the +shrine at Stratford-upon-Avon? Is it to honor Shakespeare or themselves? +Perhaps they cannot quote two lines of his works, perhaps have never +even read them. It arises purely from that ignoble desire to gratify in +some way the measureless vanity of man. Snooks and Noakes care nothing +for Shakespeare, but the world recognizes him as a celebrity, and they +by connecting themselves, in however remote a degree, with celebrity, +fancy they thereby acquire an atom of it."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how any of this applies to me," said Mark, seemingly a +little hurt at the doctor's remarks. "I'm sure I am not actuated by any +such small and contemptible motives. Don't misunderstand me," he +continued with rising enthusiasm; "I intend devoting myself to the cause +of the Union, solely because I believe it to be the right one, and to +carry justice with it."</p> + +<p>"Ah! well—I like that way of putting it better," said the doctor. "You +know, Mark, how I have always endeavored to imbue you with the belief, +that to be just is the only rule of life, and that I should be sorry to +see you swerve from that in any way."</p> + +<p>"But I do believe that the cause of the Union is the just one, and that +of the Secessionists the unjust one. I also believe that ours involves +the cause of freedom throughout the universe. Our country, doctor, is +the beacon of light and hope to the oppressed of all nations."</p> + +<p>"So I've heard," said the doctor dryly, "and that millions yet +unborn—and so forth. Well—well, my zealous young friend, bent on it, I +see—God be with you. I hope it will all turn out right. But Mark, +how—how are you going? Will not your—your—" He hesitated, fearing he +had trenched on delicate ground, for he reflected that the young man's +lameness might interfere with his project.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Mark, guessing the remainder of the question, "I +prefer joining the cavalry."</p> + +<p>"Well, a wilful lad must have his way, I presume, as well as a wilful +woman. So boot and saddle, my boy, and may Southern steel and lead spare +you to return to us, is the earnest wish of your old friend, Basil +Wattletop. But whom shall I have to play chess with? Have you thought of +that?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! doctor, it's a grander game I shall engage in this time, but only +as a pawn."</p> + +<p>"Why a pawn?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I shouldn't say that, for I'm striving for something better. +You know I'm not altogether astray on horseback, and can ride, I +believe, better than I can walk, which perhaps is not saying much; and +old Copp, our night-watchman, who was sergeant-major during the Mexican +war, and considered one of the best swordsmen in his corps, is teaching +me sabre exercise, and if I only pass a fair examination at Trenton, I +shall get a commission as lieutenant, I hope."</p> + +<p>"No fear but you'll make the effort. So it goes: spondee, dactyl and +anapest avaunt, and our nose now is continually in Jomini, or Cavalry +Tactics, I'll warrant. That's our game now, my unappreciated genius, is +it?"</p> + +<p>Mark smiled at his old friend's banter, for the inconstant had indeed +given the Muses the cold shoulder, to pay his devoirs to fierce Bellona. +He even left uncompleted a stirring ode suited to the hour, entitled <span class="smcap">The +Fasces</span>, destined to illuminate the columns of the <i>Belton Sentinel</i>, and +which might have established his reputation as a second Korner. And +wonderful was the zeal with which he set about qualifying himself for +his new vocation. At break of day he was off scouring the roads on some +mettlesome steed to acquire a perfect seat, and the evenings he spent +practising sword-cuts and "moulinets" with old Copp, or poring over some +volume on the art of war (which, to say the truth, proved of but little +practical value to him), till long past midnight. Thanks to his +perseverance, he soon had a smattering of the rudiments of the +profession of arms sufficient to enable him to pass an examination. This +and a little of his brother's political influence, secured him a +lieutenantcy in the volunteer cavalry.</p> + +<p>George Gildersleeve, however, was not at all pleased at the prospect of +parting with Mark, or rather with Mark's services, for he foresaw a vast +increase of business for him growing out of the requirements of the War +Department, and needed a valuable coadjutor now more than ever. He even +went so far as to offer Mark a partnership in the Works if he would give +up his intention of joining the army and remain at work, which the young +man, however, peremptorily refused. George, knowing the bent of his +brother's character, saw the uselessness of further efforts to dissuade +him from his purpose, and complained to Dr. Wattletop about the matter +in strong terms, laying the chief blame upon his old enemies, the +anathematized abolitionists, or "woolley-heads," as he ordinarily +designated them. "He always has some dam whim or other in his head," +said George, alluding to Mark. "Now it's nigger on the brain, and I +believe he thinks more of freeing the darks than of saving the Union. So +I'd rather he'd stay at home. It's all very well to go if he was wanted. +I'm ready to go myself at a moment's notice if I'm needed—when the +country calls I'm there, you can bet your life; and I'll shoulder a +fire-iron as quick as any to help give the seceshers a warming, and for +the matter o' that, the pusillanimous woolley-heads as well. They both +deserve it. But this boy's no call to go. He's a deuced sight more +useful here, but you might as well talk to a post. My wife's done all +she could and so have I, but it's no use. Now, major, I wish you would +see what you can do. You've about as much influence over him as any one. +Dammit, I'd furnish a dozen substitutes rather than have him leave. He's +the best draughtsman I know of, and worth any three men in my shops. +Work's crowding on us, and I can't spare him—that's the fact. If it +hadn't been for the black republicans we wouldn't have had this here +parra—parracidal war, and everything would have gone along lovely."</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop had been to the "Shades" that afternoon, and made the +following dignified reply, as he settled his chin in his swaddling +cravat and shouldered his walking-stick like a drill-master: "In days +gone by, Mr. Gildersleeve, in days gone by, Sir, had you Yankees +remained loyal and steadfast (with a tighter grasp of his stick), I say, +loyal and steadfast, as it was your bounden duty, to your sovereign King +George of glorious memory, you would now have formed part of the +mightiest and grandest empire on which the sun ever shone, and enjoying +and sharing in true, sound, conservative, and constitutional freedom. +There would have been no strife or fratricidal war in regard to slavery, +for slavery cannot exist on British soil; but you chose to rebel against +righteous authority, and now, the monster you have conjured threatens to +devour you. Sorry for you, very sorry; but permit me to say frankly that +you deserve it all. You certainly deserve it all, and have brought it on +yourselves;" and the doctor shook his head very decidedly, as if, while +he could not entirely forgive the American nation, he might be willing +to temper his judgment with mercy.</p> + +<p>The master of the Archimedes Works was at a loss, for a moment, how to +reply to this unexpected philippic; but finally drove his adversary off +by asserting, rather vehemently, that the American people intended +settling their family difficulties in their own way, and if John Bull +attempted to interfere he would get a repetition of the warming Old +Hickory gave him at New Orleans.</p> + +<p>"Or at Bladensburg, mayhap," added the doctor, as he walked away, +convinced that his parting shot was an extinguisher, and chuckling as he +muttered "<i>Hoc habet! hoc habet!</i>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XIII.</h2> + + +<p>The regiment to which Mark had been assigned recruited chiefly in Belton +from among the artisans, and sons of the neighboring farmers, and it was +not long before the complement was made up. As time was precious at this +juncture the regiment was directed to proceed without delay to +Washington, to join the corps forming under Kearney.</p> + +<p>A parting surprise had been prepared for Mark by the men at the Works, +who had contributed to purchase a handsome sword, which was presented to +the young lieutenant a few days previous to his departure. Work was +suspended two hours before the usual time, and Knatchbull, foreman of +the machine-shop, and the oldest man at the Works, was deputed to make +the presentation speech. He was an Englishman, but heart and soul with +the country of his adoption. Unfortunately, to American ears, his +eloquence was marred somewhat by a strong Northumbrian burr. +Nevertheless, it was not ineffective, and Mark, who was totally +unprepared for such a manifestation, had his feelings so touched by this +exhibition of friendship for him by his late associates, that he was +unable to make a coherent reply. He thanked them with a full heart, and +one and all, big and little, shook hands with him; then shouted +themselves hoarse, until George Gildersleeve, who had become reconciled +to Mark's leaving, and even promised him the finest charger money could +buy, delivered his sentiments in the following pithy address:</p> + +<p>"Mark Gildersleeve! remember the man whose horse wore that old shoe over +there (pointing to the fire-place in the counting-room), and remember +your grandfather who shod him just afore the great battle of Trenton, +and stand by the old flag, now and forever! That's all. Now boys we've +had enough chin-music; step upstairs and wet your whistles."</p> + +<p>And up they all went into the loft, where the consumption of punch, +champagne, and sandwiches was wreathed about with the flowers of +patriotic song, and till long towards midnight the vale of Belton +resounded with the choric melodies of the "Star-Spangled Banner," and +"Rally round the Flag," whose stentorious strains were borne across the +Passaic to reverberate and die amid the distant Preakness hills.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The eve of departure was at hand. Mark had not had any interview or +communication with Miss Heath since her brother's death. He had seen her +several times, either at church or while she was riding, and exchanged +salutations, but had not attempted to visit her. But now, he could +forego it no longer. Clad in a bran-new uniform, that displayed his +square shoulders and sinewy waist to advantage, he went with palpitating +heart to the Cliff to take leave of Edna. He hoped to be fortunate +enough to see her alone. He had not long to wait in the vast +drawing-room, when light footsteps announced the young lady. She looked +slender in her black dress, and rather pale, but a light blush mantled +her features as she received him with a cordial smile. He colored in +response, and their looks spoke volumes to each other.</p> + +<p>"I—I trust," said Mark, "the audacity of my avowal at our last meeting, +Edna, has already been forgiven, but I hope the avowal itself is not +forgotten?"</p> + +<p>"You seem determined to remind me of it at all events," replied Edna, +parrying the question, and withdrawing her hand from his, as she +motioned him to a chair. She took a seat opposite to him on a sofa, +composing the folds of her dress in a nonchalant way, as if she feared +having betrayed too much gratification in her greeting. There was an +awkward pause for a moment. Then Mark, exchanging his seat for one +beside Edna, and arming himself with persuasive audacity, took up her +words. "Remind you, Edna? Oh! could I but impress you with a faint idea +of how intensely I adore you—how completely you control my wishes, +ambition, aspirations—my heart! Did you know how entirely the +remembrance of you is interwoven with every thought of my life, you +would not wonder at my cherishing jealously every kind glance and every +smile as a priceless boon."</p> + +<p>Edna attempted to frame some coy reply, but the artless girl was unable +to carry on the coquettish play of a sued maiden against the resistless +ardor of such an impetuous wooer. She could only remain silent, with +lowered glance and burning cheek, while her daring suitor continued, "I +may be exceedingly presumptuous in aspiring to you, Edna. I have nothing +to offer, and I know you deserve all that earth can give, but all I ask +now, is to be permitted to hope, and meanwhile to worship, for no +divinity is too exalted to spurn the humblest devotee; but I need your +consent and encouragement; without that, the task I have undertaken will +be purposeless, and all honor I might win prove barren. I have come to +bid you farewell."</p> + +<p>"Farewell," echoed Edna, raising her eyes to his.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mark, "to-morrow morning I leave for Virginia, and I've come +to bid you farewell, and beg some token—some favor, Edna, which I know +you will not refuse me; and if it should be my fate never to return—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that," exclaimed Edna in tones that betrayed her anxiety.</p> + +<p>"I trust I shall return, Edna, and in a position to make me more worthy +of the interest you manifest in me. Dearest, the sweet confession I read +in your eyes—in your tell-tale blushes, nerves me for every danger," +etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Mark was getting along famously in the time-honored way, when, at this +tender stage of affairs, who should make her unwelcome appearance but +Aunt Applegate, fortunately a myopic matron, who underwent an +introduction to Mark, without seemingly noticing the confused looks of +the sentimental pair. A voluble dame luckily was Mrs. Applegate, who had +known Mark's mother and several of his dead and gone relatives, and +instantly resurrected many incidents and reminiscences connected with +the existence of those personages, thereby giving Edna time to assume a +properly demure countenance. Our budding warrior and lover, while +feigning an hypocritical interest in the conversation of the intruding +lady, would, we fear, have seen her led off to the rack or stake with +glee and gratitude. In happy unconsciousness of the kind feelings +towards her, Mrs. Applegate continued, touching upon the prevailing +topic: "So you are going to the war, Mr. Gildersleeve? Isn't it +dreadful? Dear me, I don't know how it will all end. Edna told me you +had joined the cavalry, and I think you are very sensible in doing so, +for you have a great advantage over the foot-soldiers, and if worst +comes to the worst, and matters become serious, you can, in case of +danger, always get away from it much faster. Edna said—I believe you +read it in the paper, didn't you, dear? Yes. So I thought—that you were +a lieutenant. Now I should think that was doing very well for so short a +time. Mrs. Mumbie is so worried about Decatur. He is at the Naval +School, you know, and she is afraid he may have to go and fight. She's a +Southerner, and all her sympathies are with the South," etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Applegate continued in this strain for some time, duly impressing +on Mark the necessity of keeping his feet dry upon all occasions, and +avoiding damp ground as a couch. She offered furthermore to present him +with a quart bottle of picra, a remedial agent of great virtue and +nastiness. "I prepared it myself, and am never without it, and wouldn't +be for anything. Mr. Applegate used to say, 'Now, Susan, if you'd only +advertise it, you'd make your fortune.' It's the very best thing in the +world to ward off chills and fever; and now I think of it, Mr. +Gildersleeve, if you could introduce it in the army, and induce the +soldiers to take it occasionally instead of their vile whiskey and +brandy, what a blessing it would be! I'm sure for my part nothing would +give me greater pleasure than to furnish the recipe. Now, if you'll bear +this in mind, and write me, I'll send it to you at any time."</p> + +<p>Mark promised to do so; he would have promised anything, even to taking +a daily dose of picra for a month, if Mrs. Applegate would only have +allowed him a few minutes' longer <i>tête-à-tête</i> with his sweetheart, but +it was not to be, and he was about to take his leave when Mrs. Applegate +requested him to stay to tea, an invitation which he gladly accepted. +The meal was rather a stiff and ceremonious affair, but Mark was +supremely happy as he sat next to Edna. Mr. Heath, who had returned from +his journey apparently not much improved in health, was rather mystified +at the young officer's presence, and stared somewhat at his +shoulder-straps. Mark noticed that the patrician had lost much of his +old rigid pride, and looked fatigued and care-worn. He appeared to take +but little interest in the momentous events of the day, and his one or +two listless questions betrayed a remarkable ignorance of what was going +on around him in relation to the war.</p> + +<p>After tea they withdrew to the parlors, with the exception of Mr. Heath, +who retired to his room. Mrs. Applegate, complimenting Mark on his +voice, requested him to favor her with "Angels ever bright and fair;" +which the young fellow did, you may rest assured, to the very best of +his ability, as he sang to Edna's accompaniment. Then other visitors +came. First, the Rev. Spencer Abbott, somewhat amazed, and perhaps a +little displeased at Mark's presence, but too well bred to show it; +next, Bob Mumbie and his sister Ada, to whom Mark underwent an +introduction—an embarrassing ceremony where all the parties have known +each other from childhood, but tacitly agreed as they grew up to be as +strangers. However, the ice was soon broken. The young rector was +pleasant enough and had a batch of entirely new conundrums to offer. Bob +Mumbie, though rather doltish, was a good-natured, amusing fellow, while +Miss Ada chose to make herself unusually agreeable, succumbing, perhaps, +to the potent fascination of the lieutenant's blue coat and gilt +buttons. She was a rather pretty girl, with a clear brunette complexion; +but strongly marked brows knit over brilliant black eyes, and +disdainful lips, gave her an imperious expression. She attacked a +sonata of Beethoven, but it was evidently beyond the capacity of her +unpractised fingers, and it was a relief when her brother offered to +treat the company to "The Old Folks at Home." Bob Mumbie's forte was +Ethiopian minstrelsy, and he sang the simple lays of the plantation with +all the pathos of a professional. Led on by the general applause, Bob +followed it up with "Old Uncle Snow," then "Sally Come up," and +concluded with a "Walk round," after the manner of the celebrated Mr. +Bryant, to the intense amusement of Mrs. Applegate, whose capacious form +shook with laughter, and of Edna, who enjoyed it scarcely less. All this +was horridly unæsthetic, and Mark, the prig, only rewarded the +performance with a condescending smile. Perhaps, was he jealous that his +efforts had not met with equal success, or that Edna had requested a +repetition of "Uncle Snow"? For all that, and in spite of it, he enjoyed +himself, and passed a delightful evening; one that he often recalled as +he smoked his corn-cob pipe and ruminated before the lonely +bivouac-fires during the tedious Peninsular campaign.</p> + +<p>Mark was grievously disappointed though, when about taking his leave +that evening, to find Mrs. Applegate accompanying her niece to the door +to press on his acceptance a large bottle of picra. He was fain to +content himself with exchanging a lingering pressure of the hands and an +eloquent look with Edna. She found means, however, to give him a small +folded paper which of course contained, to his supreme delight, a tress +of her bonny blond hair. Any one witnessing his behavior as he went home +that night, stopping every moment to cover the precious keepsake with +kisses, and then as he crossed the bridge to the town, to fling a bottle +rather impatiently into the river, might reasonably have entertained +doubts as to his sanity.</p> + +<p>And the sweet enchantress who had cast this spell? She was rather +startled when stopping at her father's room to bid him good-night, he +abruptly asked her what that young man had called for? Fortunately he +did not notice her deep color as she answered that he had merely come to +bid them good-by, and Aunt Susan had asked him to stay to tea.</p> + +<p>"Ah! yes—going to the war, I see. Well, good-night, darling," was all +Mr. Heath remarked, and Edna was much relieved when she discovered her +father's curiosity extended no farther. But what a long serious +meditation she had after retiring to her room! How often she stopped and +reflected as she braided her hair for the night! She was now fairly in +love. This last step of Mark's had achieved her conquest. What young +lady with any kind of a heart could resist the fascination of a gallant +who was both a poet and soldier? And not only that, but who had the +finest black eyes and chiselled features conceivable? Even Ada Mumbie, +who had never condescended to notice him before, was now forced to admit +that he looked "splendid" in his uniform. Edna had read of Sidney, and +fancied Mark must be just such another individual as that model knight. +As for Fred Spooner, who wrote her such school-boy scrawls from Harvard, +what was there chivalrous about him? But Mark could only be compared to +one of those delightful mailed beaux of old who went ambling about the +world smiting every one who didn't instantly acknowledge that their own +particular lady-love was vastly superior to all other ladyloves in +existence; and she hadn't any doubt but that Mark was ready to enter the +lists at a moment's notice for such a purpose; and we may add that we do +not think she was much mistaken in her belief either. So she decided in +her mind that as soon as she was nineteen, and Mark became a general, +which would doubtless be contemporaneous events, they would be married. +Then a sad expression shadowed her face, as the thought crossed her mind +that perhaps he might fall in battle. When she knelt at her bedside in +her vestal robe, an appeal for the protection and safe return of the +young lieutenant was not omitted, we will venture to say.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The sun came out bright and encouragingly the next morning, when a clear +bugle-call roused the recruiting camp on the outskirts of Belton. The +men were under order to leave for Washington by an early train. It was a +memorable day for the town, and the citizens assembled to see the +gallant lads off. The cavalry-men were dismounted, lightly equipped with +blankets and haversacks, while their officers carried their sabres with +all the pride of veterans. They defiled through the principal streets +on their way to the railway-station, accompanied by the "Home Guard," +and preceded by the Belton brass-band ringing out "John Brown's march," +while the people cheered lustily. There was Mark with his cap bearing +its insignia of crossed sabres set jauntily on one side of his head, +marching proudly along, unmindful for the moment of his halting gait, +which was more apparent than usual, as he kept step with the even ranks. +As his eyes wandered towards the throng on the sidewalks, he caught +sight of the figure of a young girl closely wrapped in a dark shawl. It +was Edna; and as she stealthily waved her handkerchief he colored to the +temples, bowed an acknowledgment, and so they parted.</p> + +<p>More leave-takings at the depot. Poor Mrs. Gildersleeve sobbing like a +child, until her handkerchief was soaked in tears, and her husband, the +bold captain of the "Home Guards," feeling probably almost as bad, but +affecting an exaggerated bluffness, and proffering the rather +un-military advice to Mark to "stand no nonsense and look out for number +one." Then Dr. Wattletop had his good word of cheer and encouragement +for young Rupert, as he called him; and the Rev. Mr. Sniffen said his +kind say; and lastly, old Copp gave him a parting grip, whose intense +heartiness nearly brought tears into his eyes.</p> + +<p>All this solicitude shown in his behalf, and regret expressed at his +departure by his friends caused Mark to feel as if he didn't deserve it +at all, and was rather an ungrateful wretch in going away. "What shall I +do to merit all this?" was his reflection as the train sped on that bore +him off. "I must not disappoint them, and I shall not. No, I'll not +enter Belton again if the war lasts until I can wear spread-eagles on my +shoulder-straps, unless I am brought in on a stretcher," vowed he, +thinking probably that in either event the expectations of his friends +would be met and his condition a source of satisfaction to them.</p> + +<p>Time passed on with Edna, measured only by the intervals between the +receipt of letters from Mark. These missives were of course frequent and +fervid, and responded to in as nearly similar a strain as maidenly +reserve would permit. There was nothing particularly novel or striking +in Edna's letters, but Mark esteemed them as compositions of wonderful +merit. He believed he saw in her well-balanced sentences, and neat, +flowing penmanship a reflex of her natty ways and symmetric character. +These precious notes he always carried about him, and they were read and +re-read until he knew their contents by heart. Edna, on her part, made +as absorbing a study of her lover's correspondence.</p> + +<p>Mark was with the Army of the Potomac in its memorable campaign in the +Peninsula. Promotion was rapid among the volunteers, and he was soon +advanced to a captaincy. By this time he had been in several +engagements, and behaved with credit. Naturally, at his first experience +of actual warfare, he was uncertain of himself, and dreaded lest his +heart should fail him. The gravity of the commanders at the approach of +battle; the sullen boom of distant cannon drawing nearer and nearer—the +preliminary pause inspires the novice with dread and awe; but the first +flutter of fear over, the sharp crack of rifles and smell of powder soon +kindles the blood of a true soldier, and Mark found himself in his +element, oblivious of danger, and dashing with the foremost into the +fight.</p> + +<p>He was chary of imparting his own exploits, but Edna heard of them +occasionally through the public prints, which she diligently scanned +every day for news from the ——th New Jersey Cavalry. Once she had a +fearful fright, for she found Captain Mark Gildersleeve's name among the +wounded. But, to her relief, a letter from him came soon after, which +informed her that the injury he had received was but slight, and that he +expected to be in the saddle again in a few days. The truth was, that +our hero's career had come within an ace of an untimely close. While out +on a reconnaissance, his troop had fallen in with a portion of Jeb +Stuart's horse, and Mark, who had often longed for an opportunity for a +hand-to-hand combat with some of the noted Southern troopers, drew his +sabre and rode with reckless impetuosity into the midst of the enemy. He +was about to single out an adversary, as if to engage in a joust, when +he was instantly surrounded and a stroke dealt at him which only the +stoutness of his leathern cap-visor prevented from terminating his +existence. As it was, the gash he received was a serious one; but +fortunately his companions had arrived in time to rescue him from +further peril, and disperse the rebels. The wound soon healed, but it +left a scar which, though it rather impaired his good looks, he deemed a +favor for this reason: since he had been in the army he was often +subjected to the query, suggested by his lameness, of where and how he +had been wounded; the embarrassment of an explanation and the +recollections revived by it, were such as to cause him to accept with +gratitude the ugly seam that now disfigured him, but would thenceforth +probably divert the attention of inquisitive persons from his other +physical defect.</p> + +<p>Mark wrote to Edna in a pleasant, jesting way concerning the +embellishment his countenance had undergone. He promised to send her a +likeness of his improved appearance at the first opportunity, and +alluded to the wound he had received from the rebel trooper as a mere +pin scratch in comparison with the one inflicted by her on his heart, +with much more to the same purpose, and signed himself "Le Balafré."</p> + +<p>Edna was pleased to find that he took it all in such good part, and +replied beseeching him not to expose himself so rashly—she was certain +he was rash and reckless, and for her sake to be cautious and prudent, +ending with the hope that the war would soon end, and enable him to +return home.</p> + +<p>Beside her solicitude for Mark, the girl's thoughts were greatly +occupied with her father's changed health and habits. Despite his cold, +undemonstrative temperament, Mr. Heath was strongly attached to his +child. If his manifestations of affection had been few and far between, +on the other hand he had never chidden her, and she had been indulged in +every way, and her lightest wishes gratified. The daughter more than +reciprocated the love so charily bestowed, and her impressionable nature +seemed to reflect her father's changeful moods. Now her intuition told +her that he suffered. He had not been the same man since the death of +his son. At times he shook off his despondency, and appeared to regain +some of his former energy; but the effort was but momentary. His +business matters were now entirely conducted by others, and he even grew +neglectful of his personal appearance—a symptom that struck Edna with +alarm. One morning when he breakfasted with the family in his +dressing-gown and with an unshaven face, Edna, after he had left the +table, remarked to her aunt on the great alteration in her father's +habits: "I never knew him to do such a thing before. Yesterday afternoon +I saw him go into the picture-gallery, and I went in very soon after. He +was staring fixedly at that picture of the Sistine Madonna, and did not +notice my coming in. When I went and spoke to him he started with such a +pained expression that it made me feel dreadful."</p> + +<p>"My dear child," said Mrs. Applegate in a reassuring tone, "you must +bear in mind that your father is getting old. You can't expect him +always to remain smart and active. Years will tell on all of us. +Besides, everybody has something the matter with them; if it isn't one +thing it's another. Now Mr. Applegate used to say that gout or +rheumatism was more certain if not so desirable as riches, and I know +that years before he died—"</p> + +<p>"But, aunt," interrupted Edna, "father is not so very old. I do not +think his condition is natural. I feel sure he suffers very much; I know +it. Whenever I talk to him he don't seem to be aware of what I am +saying. I often write letters to him as I used to, on some subject that +I think will interest him, but he lays them aside without opening them. +I can always tell whenever anything ails him; and besides, his last trip +did not do him a bit of good. He broods so constantly over Jack's death, +and seems so very miserable, that it makes me feel dreadful to see him; +and then, if I ask him if he feels ill, he seems so annoyed, that I dare +not question him further. I am afraid that unless something is done his +health will be seriously affected. Do send a note to Dr. Wattletop to +come and see him."</p> + +<p>"As you please, dear; but you know how strongly your father objects to +having anything to do with doctors, and how angry he may be if he finds +out we have taken such a step without consulting him. So we must expect +a scolding."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, aunt; I'll take all the blame on my shoulders," replied +Edna. "I certainly feel it is our duty to ask some physician's advice. +Suppose you ask Dr. Wattletop to call; you might say you wished to +consult him in case an excuse is needed. Then you could explain the +matter to the doctor without alarming or annoying father in the least. +Wouldn't that do?"</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear, perhaps it might. At all events, I'll send the doctor a +note, and ask him what we had better do. There can be no harm in that."</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop came as requested under pretext of prescribing for Mrs. +Applegate. He remained to dine, and was seated opposite Mr. Heath, who +replied to the customary inquiries respecting his health with a curt and +nervous, "Thank you, never better, never better." But he was so uneasy +beneath the physician's big interrogative eyes so constantly directed +toward him, that he feigned some excuse, and left the table before the +end of the meal.</p> + +<p>The physician was struck with the marked alteration in Mr. Heath's +aspect. That energetic, refined aristocrat, had suddenly become a +listless, peevish old man. His keen ice-gray eyes were dull, and the +muscles of his once smooth, marble-like face were now flaccid, and +covered with a growing unkempt beard. Slovenliness had replaced +tidiness, and every part and action of the man denoted a great change in +his physical and mental condition.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop was perplexed. He questioned Mrs. Applegate and Edna, but +could elicit nothing to assist him in finding a clue to the cause of +this sudden and extraordinary transformation in an individual the least +likely to be affected by care or illness. "A man of brazen +constitution—heart idem—brain idem," cogitated the doctor, "on whom +emotions and troubles would gnaw in vain, who was apparently not deeply +moved by the loss of his son, now shows unmistakable signs of mental +distress—for mental it is." Basil Wattletop, M.D., albeit an +experienced leech, was nonplussed, and muttering something to the ladies +about "splenetic affection," "torpid liver," and the like, took his +leave, to await further developments.</p> + +<p>A few days later the doctor was surprised to receive a message from Mr. +Heath, asking him to call at his earliest convenience, on business not +of a professional character.</p> + +<p>The doctor took the first opportunity to comply with the request, and on +arriving at the Cliff was shown into the library, where Mr. Heath +received his visitor, and motioned him to a chair, with something of his +old courtliness of manner. The physician noticed that his host exhibited +an improved appearance, and in particular that his toilet had been +carefully attended to.</p> + +<p>"When I wrote you that note, doctor," said Mr. Heath with a weak smile, +"I did not expect so soon to have the pleasure of a visit from you. I +believe I was careful to state that what I wanted to see you about was +not of a professional nature."</p> + +<p>"Precisely," said the doctor, nodding his head in acquiescence.</p> + +<p>"Hence I trust it has not interfered with any of your engagements?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all," replied the doctor.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if Mr. Heath were reluctant to approach the object for +which he had summoned Dr. Wattletop, for he remained a few moments in +silence with his fingers to his forehead in meditation, while the other +watched him curiously. At length he abruptly said, "You are a +freethinker, I am told, doctor?"</p> + +<p>The physician, somewhat taken aback by this unexpected question, +replied: "Well, it depends altogether upon your definition of the term. +If you mean by freethinker, one who exercises his reason in an +independent way, I certainly am."</p> + +<p>"Do you, for instance, doctor, believe in eternal punishment?"</p> + +<p>"No, certainly not," said the doctor, very decidedly.</p> + +<p>"It's a fearful thought," ejaculated rather than spoke Mr. Heath, as a +shudder seemed to pass over his frame.</p> + +<p>"Fearful? It's wicked, abominable, impious. To suppose that a beneficent +God would condemn a weak mortal to a doom cruel beyond conception, would +punish in a way that even imperfect man would not, under any +provocation, is simply monstrous. Fortunately there are but few who +really believe in such a doctrine, and those who do, are, I find, +perfectly satisfied that they will escape, even if the rest of the world +is sent to perdition."</p> + +<p>"Doctor," said Mr. Heath, "you will be very much surprised when I tell +you that although I have been a communicant of the Episcopal Church for +twenty years, and have conformed strictly to its forms and observances, +I have no settled religious belief."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit surprised, Mr. Heath, not a bit. In fact, I believe that +fully three-quarters of the attendants at Church are in the same +condition. Indeed, when I think of the indifference with which the most +solemn and important truths are received, the mechanical piety of +so-called devotees, and the facility with which they are swayed by +trivial weaknesses, foibles, and vanities, I believe I am understating +the proportion of practical unbelievers to the earnest and consistent +professors. I have found this as my experience of men, that while all +dread falling below what we may call the average of morality, the mass +are indifferent about rising above it. In other words, while no one +desires to be worse than his neighbor, no one cares about being any +better. This accounts for the force of example, and the frequency of the +tu-quoque style of argument. It is true there are exceptions, earnest +men and women full of enthusiastic zeal, but if anything, these +exceptions prove the rule."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Abbott explains this indifference and the present low state of +morality to a want of spirituality in the Church," remarked Mr. Heath.</p> + +<p>"Want of fiddlesticks," replied the doctor. "Want of consistency is the +trouble. Example—example is the great teacher, and in fact the only +teacher. If you and I are inconsistent or unjust, we infect the rest +and the contagion spreads, and no doctrinal exposition can countervail."</p> + +<p>"Permit me, doctor, to offer you some refreshment," said Mr. Heath, +rising to ring the bell, perhaps to change the topic of conversation, +which now diverged into commonplaces.</p> + +<p>Presently a domestic returned bearing a liqueur case.</p> + +<p>"Will you please help yourself, doctor. Here is some Sherry—or if you +prefer it, Monongahela."</p> + +<p>While the doctor was dealing himself a liberal allowance of the whiskey, +Mr. Heath resumed his seat and his meditative expression. Finally he +drew himself closer to the doctor's chair, as if to beseech his +attention, and said, "You and I, doctor, have arrived at that stage of +existence when the illusions of youth have vanished—when all the +feverish ambitions and vanities have lost their sway over us, and when +we can look calmly at the approach of death. I will confess to you, +doctor, that until lately I have not realized the insufficiency of this +life; never until the loss of my son. As I stood beside his grave I +recalled the words of Burke under similar circumstances: 'What shadows +we are and what shadows we pursue!' This sense of disgust—of intense +<i>ennui</i> of existence is dreadful—unbearable.... What is coming? Where +can I get light as to the future? Where lean for assistance?"</p> + +<p>This apostrophe was interjected, and as if called forth by the speaker's +sorrow.</p> + +<p>A pause, and he resumed:</p> + +<p>"Doctor, as one of my own age, and as a man in whose intellect, +judgment, and heart I have the fullest confidence, I desire to make you +my father-confessor. I crave sympathy and counsel. Perhaps I should +apologize for burthening you with my trials and sorrows, but pity +me—pity me!" He laid his hand on the physician's knee with such an +appealing look, that the latter was touched. "Whom else can I consult +with—whom turn to? I am at sea yawing like a rudderless ship."</p> + +<p>The doctor, who had been not a little surprised at the tenor of his +host's conversation, expressed his condolence, and proffered his +assistance in any way that it might be found serviceable. Mr. Heath +looked for a moment as if he were about to confide something—then +checked himself, and rising leaned on the mantle-piece in a pensive +attitude. Dr. Wattletop took this for an indication that the conference +was at an end, but the Monongahela being excellent, he lingered to +refill his glass. Meanwhile Mr. Heath again sat down and addressed him:</p> + +<p>"You say, doctor, that you do not believe in eternal punishment, +because, as I understand you, it is irreconcilable with reason."</p> + +<p>"Because it is irreconcilable with the attributes of the Almighty. +Again, where is the sense or harmony, or even necessity of it? I can +understand temporary punishment, but not everlasting punishment; that +would resolve itself simply into revenge, a feeling that the Creator is +incapable of harboring. No, sir, I believe there is a punishment for +sin, but not an everlasting one. I believe in the harmony of Nature, and +that its laws are inexorable. They cannot be infringed without +suffering. I do not believe in the forgiveness of sins."</p> + +<p>"Do not believe in the forgiveness of sins! Have you no faith, doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, Mr. Heath, is in the first place a matter of cerebral +organization, and secondly of accident. Had you and I been born with +crania of a certain conformation, of either Jewish, Mohammedan, or +Calvinistic parents, we would have remained in the faith we were born +in, whether Jewish, Mohammedan, or Calvinistic, to the end of our days. +Had John Knox, for instance, been born a Hindoo, in Benares, he would +have become the fiercest fakir of them all. The mass of mankind dislike +the trouble of thinking, and follow the paths traced out for them in +infancy. Take your friend Mumbie, as an illustration. Here is a man of +average respectability, who goes to church because it is the correct +thing. What are his views, think you, on the hypostatic union? It is +immaterial to him whether the minister preaches from the Zendavesta or +the Koran; a certain number of hours have to be spent listening to him, +and then he jogs along day after day, in the same grooves, satisfied if +he keeps up to the average of respectability. Faith, Mr. Heath, as +connected with dogmas and formulas, is of little consequence, in my +estimation. Who do you think is the better man,—the one who believes in +consubstantiation, or the one who believes in transubstantiation? My +good mother, who was a pious woman, brought me up in the tenets of the +Established Church—hence youthful predilections and associations attach +me to that fold. At one time the perusal of Paley's Natural Theology, +the Bridgewater treatises, and works of that character, shook my faith, +and left me a sceptic. Such works, although intended to strengthen +faith, serve but to stimulate inquiry. Possessing an analytic mind, the +subtle problems of Nature had a wonderful fascination for me, and in +trying to solve them, I became for a time a proselyte to the +unsatisfactory theories of materialistic philosophy, until, fortunately, +I found in the teachings of Descartes a solid foundation for belief. No +logic can successfully assail the faith that springs from intuition. +Now, like Kant, I never cease to wonder at the starry heavens, but far +more at the intuitive knowledge of God and the Moral Law."</p> + +<p>"The Moral Law," echoed Mr. Heath, abstractedly. After a few moments he +returned, "Does not charity cover a multitude of sins?"</p> + +<p>"It's a convenient mantle, surely. As I said before, I do not believe +sins are ever forgiven, but bring their own punishment inevitably. Here +in this world they certainly do, for all sages agree on this: that +happiness is only attainable through the practice of virtue, and if this +be so, the converse must necessarily be true, and those who do not +practise it must be unhappy. As the physical health is governed by +certain hygienic laws whose infraction inevitably produces disease, so +is the spiritual health governed by the moral law, whose infraction also +as certainly brings suffering. To be good is to be spiritually +healthy—wickedness is deformity or disease of the soul."</p> + +<p>"Then you are not a believer in total depravity?"</p> + +<p>"No. The thing that reconciles us to ourselves and our fellow-beings, is +the knowledge that the evil we commit proceeds more from unwisdom than +from depravity. Man is far more of a fool than knave."</p> + +<p>"I must ask your indulgence, doctor, and pardon for the liberty I have +taken in thus catechising you; but as I said, I am emboldened to do so +by the great esteem in which I hold you, and respect I entertain for +your opinions and judgment. One more question: If this idea of duty, +this Moral Law, as you term it, is from God, why is it not the same in +all men? A savage can slay treacherously and sleep peacefully +afterwards. Is not the moral law the creation of intellect?"</p> + +<p>"No, intellect merely unfolds and develops it. The sway of the moral law +is in proportion to the quality of the soul and the degree of reason. +Its power is diminished in beings of limited reason or imperfect souls; +hence, in a savage or a troglodyte it is naturally less than in an +enlightened man—and still less in a horse, with its deficient reason +and incipient soul," explained the doctor.</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath again rose from his seat, paced across the room, and for the +first time helped himself to a glass of spirits; then turning to the +doctor, expressed, with forced lightness, his thanks for the instructive +exposition he had been favored with. At this intimation the doctor took +his departure, muttering to himself as he descended the staircase, "Very +odd—I wonder what the deuce he wanted to see me for? Wished me to be +his father-confessor. Egad! I think he assumed that <i>rôle</i> himself. If +he had but asked me to feel his pulse or look at his tongue, I might +have clapped a fee down against him. As it is, I have had all my +trouble for nothing. That whiskey, though, was excellent—excellent."</p> + +<p>Edna had been waiting below to see the doctor, and as he was about +opening the street-door to leave, she approached with a look of concern: +"Don't you think, doctor, that father is better—don't you see an +improvement in him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Dr. Wattletop, cautiously, as he drew on his gloves; +"Yes—I think, I—he looks better—rather better."</p> + +<p>"Oh thank you, doctor; I'm ever so much obliged to you," replied Edna, +joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Still, it will be just as well, in case you notice any change in him or +new peculiarity, to advise me of it. Good-by."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XV.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Heath again sent for Dr. Wattletop. This time the interview was of a +more practical character. He desired to lay before the physician certain +plans in regard to the erection of a free hospital for the county. The +need of such an institution had long made itself felt, and Mr. Heath had +determined to build one and endow it liberally. Dr. Wattletop approved +of the project, and proffered his advice and assistance. Besides the +hospital, Mr. Heath announced his purpose to erect, also at his sole +expense, a home for orphan and friendless children.</p> + +<p>The doctor listened patiently, and acquiesced as Mr. Heath communicated +his ideas, until turning abruptly from the discussion of the plan, he +said, "Does it not strike you as a sad commentary on the condition of +society, that such institutions should be made necessary?"</p> + +<p>"How so?" inquired Mr. Heath.</p> + +<p>"Of course I am aware of what will be said about charity, benevolence, +generosity, and the like, but for my part I detest them. Man seems to +have a horror of being just, and will adopt any makeshift instead. +Now—"</p> + +<p>"You surprise me, doctor," interrupted Mr. Heath, testily; "from your +qualities of head and heart I expected different counsel, and +encouragement from you."</p> + +<p>"My qualities of head and heart," said the doctor, "have only taught me +this: that there is but one virtue—justice; and that the other +so-called virtues are but pinchbeck ones. From man's neglect and +aversion to its practice spring all wretchedness and misery. I don't +propose, though, to be Quixotic in my propaganda, and while the infant +mind to-day is being trained in prejudice, self-glorification, conceit, +and falsehoods of all kinds, my puny efforts in advocacy of a different +education would avail naught. Therefore, my dear sir, now that I have +entered my protest, my best efforts to aid you in carrying out your +plans are at your service, and you may command me. Only let me say this, +to hide nothing from you, that while what you propose doing is +munificent, and as the world goes, worthy of all praise—springing as +it must from kind impulses—in my judgment it is all valueless as an +exemplar, or educator, in comparison with the performance of a simple +act of justice."</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath seemed to be very much displeased at the doctor's frank +exposition of his opinions, and said, as he gathered up his papers, "I +am afraid, Dr. Wattletop, that you and I diverge too widely in our ideas +on the subject we have been discussing, and as concord is indispensable +in carrying out successfully the objects I have in view, I think, upon +the whole, I shall not be able to avail myself of your valuable +services."</p> + +<p>"As you please, Mr. Heath, as you please, sir," replied the doctor, +rising and taking his leave; not, however, without a certain +disappointment, as the recollection of the choice Monongahela he had +tasted on the previous visit floated to his palate.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"That man," soliloquized the doctor, on his way home, as he reflected on +his interview with Mr. Heath, "that man has something on his mind. +Soul-sickness of some kind. What crime must he have committed, to force +him to atone by such prodigal dispensations? What is the medicine for +his cure, I wonder? Shall it be Sublapsarianism or Supralapsarianism, or +an electuary compounded of Pædobaptism and Sabellianism? Methinks yon +stalwart son of Holy Mother Church, Father Maguire, would be most +successful in this case. The heroic surgery of the disciples of Loyola +is often efficacious in such maladies. Strange that that honest, +consistent, unselfish, truest soldier of the Cross should be the +automaton of an order whose cardinal doctrine is 'passive obedience,' +whose aim is to destroy free thought and enlightenment, and remand the +world to the middle ages."</p> + +<p>These latter reflections of the doctor were drawn forth by the +appearance of the parish priest, who was passing by at the time. His +reverence was a good-humored, blue-eyed Celt, with whom the doctor had +occasional polemical encounters, and sorely tried with his +latitudinarianism.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mr. Heath next convoked the clergymen of the various denominations in +Belton, and invited their co-operation in carrying out his philanthropic +projects. They readily acceded to his wishes, and expressed their +entire concurrence in his plans. Of course these praiseworthy acts of +Mr. Heath met with general commendation, and as they involved the +expenditure of very large sums of money, elicited many encomiums on his +munificence and beneficence. In fact, he was giving evidence in every +way of what the Rev. Mr. Sniffen called a "change of heart." There was +an unmistakable earnestness now in his attendance at worship, and a +lowering of his crest that denoted an attempt to walk in the paths of +humility. There was also a perceptible amelioration in his health, +arising probably from the diversion of thought called forth by his +benevolent schemes. Edna noticed these gratifying changes in her +father's physical condition with joy, and he seemed to appreciate her +filial attention and solicitude by increased affection for her. His sole +pleasure now was in her society, and as warmer days came he enjoyed long +drives in company with her. Edna had a pair of fleet ponies which she +drove like an experienced whip, and her basket-phaeton was often seen on +golden afternoons scouring along the banks of the beautiful Passaic, or +through the wooded hills of Pompton, with her father languidly +reclining beside her, and a dapper groom in the rumble.</p> + +<p>One evening, as they were returning home from a drive, and were within a +few rods of the gateway, a man who had been lying on the sward by the +road-side staggered to his feet, and motioned as if he wished to speak +to them. He was a rough fellow, a tramp, and evidently intoxicated. +Edna, somewhat alarmed, would have whipped up the ponies, but the man +stood in front of them gesticulating, and for fear of hurting him, she +drew in the reins and stopped. The groom, leaping from his seat, was +about to deal harshly with the interloper, when at a sign from his +master he desisted. The fellow, with an unsteady gait, approached Mr. +Heath, and held out his hand, saying: "I told 'em, old man, I told 'em +wanted to see you. That chap at the gate over there wouldn't let me in. +Told 'im you was my friend—best friend ever had in the world—ain't +that so, old man? How you been, old top—all right, eh?"</p> + +<p>The under-gardener, who acted as lodge-keeper, here advanced, and +explained that the man had made several attempts to force himself in +the grounds, saying that he was acquainted with Mr. Heath, and wished +to see him on business.</p> + +<p>"Sho I did—sho I did—'portant business, I said, 'portant business, old +man," repeated the fellow.</p> + +<p>At the apparition of this stranger, Mr. Heath's features became +livid—his lingers grasped the side of the phaeton nervously, and for a +moment he seemed unable to utter a word. Edna fortunately was too much +occupied in watching the intruder and cause of all the trouble, to heed +her father's agitation, while he with a strong effort collected himself.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't b'lieve me—told 'em you was my friend—best friend, eh, old +man? That's so, that's so," repeated the man with drunken persistency, +while Mr. Heath alighting, bade Edna rather peremptorily to drive on, +and with a hasty gesture waved the gardener away.</p> + +<p>The stranger was a red-bearded man of powerful build, within about ten +years of Mr. Heath's age. His aspect was coarse and vulgar, and his +garments worn and filthy. Judging from the tattooing on the backs of his +hands, and his red, rugose neck, he was probably a seafarer. Mr. Heath +led him, not without some trouble, up to the house and into the library, +where they remained closeted together all the evening. Meals were +brought up to them, and the household saw no more of the man, for he +apparently disappeared before the next morning.</p> + +<p>Although Edna was not a little surprised at this occurrence, and at her +father's bearing towards the stranger, she made no allusion to him, and +Mr. Heath anticipated any remarks from his sister by saying that the man +was an unfortunate being with a family dependent upon him for support, +whom he had several times assisted, and who presumed to return. "I doubt +whether it is really a charity to help such people," added Mr. Heath, +with affected carelessness. "Still one cannot resist these appeals, +especially when an innocent family of small children is likely to +suffer, for a slave to drink seldom reforms."</p> + +<p>"Has he a large family?" asked Mrs. Applegate.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I believe so," replied Mr. Heath, manifesting annoyance at +being questioned. "I know nothing at all about him but what he says."</p> + +<p>This closed the conversation on that subject, but Mr. Heath's weak +nerves were so shaken by the incident, that for several days after he +remained at home, and refused any longer to accompany his daughter in +her walks or rides. A fortnight or so later, Mrs. Applegate, who was +reading the newspaper, incidentally remarked:</p> + +<p>"I see that they have caught that Peterson, the pirate."</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath, who was reclining in an easy-chair, started as if a bolt had +struck him. "What! Who?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Dear me, Rufus, how you startled me! I merely said that that dreadful +murderer that they called Peterson, the pirate, and who escaped from +jail, has been caught. You must remember the time there was about it. It +was a little after John's death. I remember there was a story going +around that his name was not Peterson, but Klove, and that he formerly +lived in Belton. Old Mrs. Cosgrove told me then that she remembered him +very well, and that his mother was a washerwoman. She said, too, that he +was a thief when a boy, and ran away to sea after robbing his master."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Cosgrove is a silly gossip, Susan," said Mr. Heath, impatiently. +"The boy was not a thief."</p> + +<p>"Indeed—why, Rufus, I heard from—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind; it's of no consequence, and we will not argue the matter," +interrupted Mr. Heath. "Let me look at the paper a moment."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>In order to render this colloquy more intelligible, it will be necessary +to state that about eight or nine months previously the public mind was +intensely agitated and shocked by the details of a murder of a very +atrocious character. The crime had been committed by a sailor who had +shipped for a short voyage on a small coaster. When at sea he had slain +the captain, mate, and cook, and then running the craft near shore, had +scuttled her, leaving in the yawl with a small sum of money belonging to +the captain, to obtain which had been the sole motive of the triple +murder. Landing on the sea-coast a few miles below Sandy Hook, the +murderer had been captured by some fishermen, who had watched his +suspicious movements. The smack, instead of sinking, was found adrift, +with the proofs of the horrid deed still fresh and visible. The guilt +seemed, therefore, plainly fixed on the accused, and there was but +little doubt that the trial would result in his conviction. Still the +evidence against him was but circumstantial, and his counsel, a man of +ability, made strenuous and persistent efforts to clear him. In the +progress of the case, it came out that the prisoner was an old and +hardened desperado, who had been incarcerated many times in various +countries for misdemeanors of every degree. It was furthermore +discovered that he had given to the court an assumed name, and that his +true one was Klove, and native place Belton. This revelation, naturally +enough, created some excitement among the older inhabitants of that +town, who still remembered Klove as a boy of fourteen, who had been +forced to leave the place in consequence of an accusation of theft. This +charge, although not proven at the time, was now resurrected, and +brought up to his prejudice as an illustration of how youthful depravity +would lead eventually to the gravest and blackest crimes. Mr. Heath, who +was a clerk at the time Klove was living in Belton, and had a distinct +recollection of him, was naturally much interested in the progress of +his trial, and read and re-read the reports of it as they appeared in +the newspapers, with an absorbing interest. In singular contrast was his +dislike to having the subject mentioned or talked about in his family. +Mrs. Applegate, who had a predilection for the horrible, was full of the +murder, and discussed it at every meal, much to her brother's annoyance. +As the trial drew near its close, Mr. Heath took a short trip, being +absent about a week. While he was away, the trial, which was held at +Freehold, came to an end; and, in spite of the skilful efforts to +exculpate him, the prisoner was convicted. The case was too clear to +admit of the slightest doubt, and the jury found him guilty of murder. +His lawyer tried strenuously to obtain a new trial, but without avail, +and he was remanded for sentence.</p> + +<p>The very next night Klove broke jail—a bar of the window of his cell +had been wrenched out, and watch-spring saws and files were found lying +about, conveying the impression that he had received assistance. A +turnkey was suspected of complicity and dismissed, although the proof +was hardly sufficient to implicate him. It was this escaped +pirate—this murderer whose recapture, after having eluded the officers +of justice for several months, when announced by Mrs. Applegate to her +brother, produced such a shock to the latter's feelings. The fellow, it +appeared, instead of fleeing to some distant land, had repaired to his +former low haunts in New York, and spent his time in idleness and +carousing, for he was apparently well supplied with money. While in +liquor and in an unguarded moment, he had betrayed himself by some +compromising remark, which, coming to the knowledge of the police, +caused him to be speedily secured, and on a requisition from the +Governor of New Jersey, conveyed back to his quarters in the county jail +at Freehold. He was now placed in double irons, and kept so strictly +guarded day and night as to preclude the possibility of a second +evasion.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Soon after Klove's recapture, Mr. Heath again started on a mysterious +journey. During his absence the news came that strong efforts were being +made by some influential person to obtain a pardon for Klove from the +Governor. To account for these singular manifestations in behalf of so +great a criminal, it was rumored and popularly believed that Klove was +not Klove, but the losel son of a venerable bishop of the Episcopal +Church, distinguished alike for piety and learning, who was naturally +anxious to save his offspring from the disgraceful, though well-merited, +death of a felon. Nothing transpired, however, to sustain this report, +which was simply a figment of the imagination, due, doubtless, to the +popular love for the marvellous. Meanwhile Klove had been sentenced to +death, and lay in prison awaiting his doom.</p> + +<p>A fortnight or so elapsed before Mr. Heath returned. Edna saw at a +glance that there was a change for the worse in her father's condition. +He was evidently laboring under a recurrence of one of his melancholic +spells, with aggravated symptoms. His form had wasted, and his +countenance become haggard. In short, he plainly exhibited the signs of +one borne down by a great weight of grief. To his daughter's +affectionate inquiries, he replied only in monosyllables, and repaired +immediately to his apartments. Edna consulted with her aunt, and Dr. +Wattletop was again summoned; but Mr. Heath peremptorily refused to see +him or any other physician, and the two ladies were left a prey to their +apprehensions.</p> + +<p>Mr. Heath's condition excited the doctor's professional curiosity. It +was an abstruse physiological problem, and spurred his zeal. By dint of +patient investigation, and consultation with the family, he discovered +the great interest Mr. Heath took in the pirate Klove. He questioned the +groom and gardener in relation to the stranger who had been harbored by +Mr. Heath, and by comparing their descriptions with others, came to the +conclusion that the mysterious visitor and Klove were one and the same +man. To satisfy himself clearly on that point and obtain a further clue +to this singular affair, he proceeded to Freehold. Here he was not only +confirmed in his conclusions, but learned, furthermore, that a +gentleman, a stranger, answering closely to a description of Mr. Heath, +had been noticed in attendance at the trial, and in frequent +consultation with the prisoner's lawyer.</p> + +<p>There was no longer any doubt in the doctor's mind of the existence of +some connection or intimacy between the pirate and the patrician, which +the mere fact of the former's having once lived in Belton would scarcely +account for. He was inclined to suspect a secret tie of kinship, had it +not been clearly established at the trial that Klove was born in +Germany, and brought to the United States in childhood by his parents. +Still cudgelling his brains for a plausible theory to account for Mr. +Heath's singular proceedings, he was at length forced to refer them to +some phase of hypochondria.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Applegate was decidedly of the opinion, now, that her brother was +going out of his mind. She had often heard of such cases, she informed +Dr. Wattletop. Mr. Applegate had a friend who was taken so, though, to +be sure, his trouble arose from the Millerite excitement, and fear of +the world's coming to an end. "Of course Rufus has no dread of that kind +or anything of the sort, but I do think and believe that it all grows +out of his son's death, and nothing else."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think that he is so much affected by his son's death?" +asked the doctor, with an incredulous expression.</p> + +<p>"I don't think he has been the same man since. To be sure he didn't take +on so much at first, and didn't seem to realize it fully; but I believe +he feels it more and more, and it is that that has made him so different +from what he used to be. Poor Edna! dear me, she worries so about her +father, and I'm very much afraid she'll fall sick if this continues. Her +room is near his, and she says she hears him pacing the floor at all +hours of the night."</p> + +<p>"Insomnia, eh?"</p> + +<p>"And he talks to himself so often; and then again, if you speak to him, +or question him, he looks at you so vacantly without replying."</p> + +<p>Precursory sign of cerebral disease, thought the doctor.</p> + +<p>"It's dreadful—dreadful!" continued Mrs. Applegate. "I can't help but +think sometimes that Rufus is losing his senses, and yet such a thing as +insanity was never known in our family."</p> + +<p>Dr. Wattletop had arrived at a somewhat similar conclusion. He believed +Mr. Heath's disease was taking the form of monomania, brought about by +the combined effects of disappointment and grief on an overwrought +brain. In such a condition the distracted mind was not only readily +affected by any striking or impressive event, but apt to identify +itself therewith in some bizarre manner.</p> + +<p>"It is very important in Mr. Heath's present state, Mrs. Applegate, that +we should keep his mind as free as possible from any agitation. No +exciting news should reach him. If it were possible to keep the +newspapers from him, it would be well; but I presume that is out of the +question. However, be careful and vigilant. I think he needs rest and +tranquillity more than anything else now. If he would only consent to +see me, and if I could only interrogate him a little, I might form a +more intelligent opinion of his condition. At the last interview I had +with him, we had an interchange of opinions on subjects connected with +certain plans of his, and I don't think he was pleased with my comments +on them; so I don't know how far my attendance on him would be +acceptable now."</p> + +<p>"He won't hear of any physician's being spoken to about him. I have +tried my utmost, and Edna has pleaded; but he's as obstinate as can be, +and won't listen to us," said Mrs. Applegate.</p> + +<p>"Sorry. As it is, I am to a certain extent groping in the dark, and +under the circumstances, as you can readily understand, it is very +difficult to prescribe a course of treatment with any degree of +confidence. I don't know what else I can say or recommend just now. As I +said, prevent as far as possible any vexatious, exciting, or annoying +news from reaching him. Note every symptom, and advise me."</p> + +<p>Such commonplace advice was doubtless all that the physician could +offer, as Mr. Heath stubbornly refused to see him or any other medical +man, and indeed, had given himself up to such complete isolation, as to +deny audience even to his business agent, and to the architect in charge +of the construction of the Hospital and the Home, so that the building +of those institutions was now perforce suspended. He even began to +evince an aversion to the society of his family, and to avoid meeting +them, took his meals by himself in his own apartments.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVI.</h2> + + +<p>One Friday Klove was hanged.</p> + +<p>The public prints of the following day were filled with details of the +occurrence, and Mrs. Applegate, mindful of the doctor's injunctions, +strove to keep her brother from reading them. A futile effort, though, +for Mr. Heath, on finding that the newspapers were not brought to him at +the usual time, rang the bell violently, and rated the servant soundly +for the omission.</p> + +<p>The magnifico was in his chamber, and looked as aged as a man of eighty. +His hair and beard had turned white, his eyes were cavernous and +feverishly bright. Roused momentarily by the incident just mentioned, he +returned to his seat in an arm-chair near the fire, where, wrapped in a +dressing-gown, he had probably passed the night, as his couch was +undisturbed. He soon relapsed into a gloomy meditation, holding in his +hands the folded newspaper, which he apparently hesitated and dreaded to +read. Suddenly, with an effort, his fingers spread the sheet open, and +he scanned the columns rapidly until his eyes rested on the account of +Klove's execution. To an unusually long description of the horrible +affair was appended what purported to be the confession of the +malefactor, made to the clergyman in attendance, and reported verbatim. +It ran thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p class="center">CONFESSION OF KLOVE, THE PIRATE.</p> + +<p>When I was a boy I lived in Belton, in this State. My mother was a +widow, for my father died the year after we came to this country +from Germany. There were two of us children, me and a girl. My +mother did washing for a living, and I worked for a man named Cook, +who was very hard to get along with, and to him I lay all my +troubles. I suppose I must forgive everybody now, as I hope to be +forgiven myself, but it's mighty hard to let up on him. Now I ain't +a-going to say that I didn't kill the men aboard the smack, and +that I am unjustly sentenced to die; but I say this, and I believe, +as I hope for mercy hereafter, that if it hadn't been for the +unjust way in which I was treated when I was a boy, by that man, I +wouldn't be here now. The way of it all was this: One day Cook sent +me with some money to pay a bill at the store. I didn't know how +much there was, but when the store-keeper counted it he said it ran +short ten dollars. When I went back to Cook and told him, he got +angry, and said he had given me the right sum, and I must have +stolen the difference. Now he had a grudge against me, and I +believe he never gave me the money, but wanted to get me into +trouble. I knew I couldn't have lost it, and the shop-keeper +counted it before my eyes, and he couldn't have taken it. +Howsomever, Cook swore I stole the money, and they locked me up. +They didn't keep me long, though, for they couldn't bring any +proof, and was obliged to let me off. But I couldn't stay in Belton +after that, for no one would employ me, and they all shunned me for +a thief. So I left the place and went to New York, but as I was a +stranger there, and didn't know any one, I couldn't find work. Then +I shipped for a three years' cruise, for I thought by that time all +would be forgot, and I could go back home. As bad luck would have +it, my shipmates found out that I had been locked up for thieving, +and when one of the crew had his chest broken open, and some things +missing, they laid it to me. I was innocent, but they wouldn't +believe it, and the character I had got went against me, and I +wasn't spared a bit. The captain abused me, the mate rope's-ended +me, and the men kicked me and called me jail-bird, until I was more +miserable than a dog. My whole feelings were changed. I got bitter +and revengeful, and if it hadn't been that I couldn't get away I +would have knived some of my shipmates. When the vessel touched at +the Sandwich Islands, I ran away and knocked about with the +beach-combers, a wicked set of outcasts, until I became bad as any +of them. I lived among the Islands several years. I shipped again, +ran down to Valparaiso, and made several voyages up and down the +coast. One day I got into a drunken row in a pulqueria, and stabbed +a Chilian. This caused me to be sent to work in the mines as a +convict. I got away from there after staying three years and +shipped in a French ship to Bordeaux, and from there I got to New +York. I hadn't been in the States for ten years, and all that time +I hadn't heard anything from my folks. I had become so reckless as +to have no wish to see any of them. When in New York I went one +night to a dance-house in Cherry Street, and there among the women +I found my sister. We didn't know each other at first, but I +discovered her by a queer scar on her neck, which she got from a +burn when a child. After questioning her, I found out that my +mother took on so about me that she left Belton soon after I did, +and went to New York. There she fell sick, and died in want, and +there was my sister a degraded creature. What little good was left +in me was turned by this sight into bad, and I swore to be even +with a world that had been so unjust to me and mine. The old +feeling of vengeance rose up in my breast—the devil got hold of +me, and I thought of Cook. That night I started off to find him, +and went to Belton. I hung around there till I found out he was +dead and gone some years. If he had been living I would have killed +him, sure. All that's wrong, I know, but I couldn't help it. Then I +felt just like waging war on all the world. I went to California, +and kept a drinking shop on what they called the Barbary coast, +where I used to rob miners. Finally I shot one that showed fight, +and the Vigilance Committee drove me off, and I came back to the +States and went to New Orleans, staid awhile, and came north. I +knocked around New York for a time, and finally shipped on the +smack, where I committed the deed that's brought me here. The world +has got the best of me at last, and it was very wrong and sinful +for me to kill the men, and it is right that I should suffer for it +and be hung; I ain't a-going to deny that; but I know this and +repeat it, that if I had been treated right when a boy, if I hadn't +been accused of stealing when I was innocent, I wouldn't be here +now, and my sister wouldn't have been ruined. We might have been as +happy and as good as any, so let Almighty God judge. Before I go I +want to say this: that in the trial I was fairly treated, and I +want to publicly thank all those people who were so kind to me. One +gentleman has been very good to me, did all he could to help me, +and I can't be too grateful to him. He happened just to have +remembered me when I was a boy and lived in Belton, and to this +kind and benevolent man, I say, may God bless him and reward him.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Rufus Heath read those lines with dilated eyes and shortened breath, +like one undergoing the rack. When he had finished, he let the paper +drop and uttered a deep groan. His head sank back on his chair, and he +pressed his hands over his temples and brow as if to smother distracting +thoughts. He remained thus for some time, until a light hand was placed +on his shoulder, when he started as if it had been a blow.</p> + +<p>The intruder was Edna, who, having knocked at the door and receiving no +reply, had entered the room with some anxiety. "Father, dear father, how +you frighten me! What ails you? Are you in pain?" exclaimed she, alarmed +at his wild aspect. "Do tell me, please tell me, what is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Matter—matter," repeated Mr. Heath abstractedly, as he rose and walked +towards the window. "No—no—nothing, child, nothing. Why do you—Ring +the bell for James and leave me—leave me, I tell you. I have business +to occupy me." He was rattling his fingers nervously on the window-panes +as he spoke, and looking vacantly out. His daughter strove to draw him +aside, and looking in his face asked anxiously if she might be +permitted to send for a physician. "I'm sure there's something the +matter with you—you look so very, very strange. Do please, father, may +I?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, no! Leave me, Edna, and do as I bid you." She obeyed, and Mr. +Heath made a struggle to regain his self-possession. When the servant +came, he directed him to bring a decanter of brandy. As soon as it was +brought, with a trembling hand he poured out a tumblerful and gulped it +down. It seemed to affect him no more than so much water, and pacing the +room, he forced a laugh as he soliloquized: "Idiot, idiot, and threefold +fool! What is it to me that this vagabond and ruffian has met his +deserts? Nothing, surely nothing. Then why should I worry about it? Why +should I be tormented and maddened by it? Those who murder must expect +to be hung. A man is responsible only for his own crimes—the crimes he +himself commits, and surely none other, none other. What a monstrous, +cruel, wicked doctrine it would be that would hold men to account for +the remote and indirect consequences of trivial and commonplace acts. +Skilful lawyers cheat justice every day; thousands and thousands of +villains have been rescued from the clutches of the law by their paid +advocates, and set loose on society, to again plunder and kill. As well +hold these advocates responsible for the crimes subsequently committed +by their clients, as to tax me with—pshaw! it's too absurd to +deserve a moment's thought. What a simpleton I am to quake like a +puny child because a low ruffian meets his merited fate! How +ridiculous—absurd—preposterous! No, no; I am getting old and +childish—old and childish," he continued to croon, until interrupted by +the entrance of a servant with luncheon, who was quickly bidden to +withdraw.</p> + +<p>The luncheon remained untouched.</p> + +<p>Again in the arm-chair, and staring with a look of despair at the fire; +again torturing thoughts seethe in his brain. The pirate Klove was hung +yesterday for murder. What a blood-stained desperado he was, and what a +life he had led! Where was his soul now? Who would exchange places with +him to gain the whole world? And all this had arisen, he said, from the +dishonesty of some one who had caused him to be unjustly accused of +stealing a small sum of money. What a flimsy and shameless apology! +What an atrocious attempt to shift the responsibility of hellish deeds +to other shoulders; to drag some innocent person to everlasting +perdition with him! Suppose Cook, his employer, had really given him the +money, and had no intention of wrongfully accusing him—what then? +Perhaps the money was lost, and if so, if any one had found it they +would naturally have kept it. Of course, anybody would do that. It's a +very common thing for persons to do. It is an everyday occurrence. No +one but a fool would act otherwise. Ten dollars is but a trifle, and to +attribute to the loss of a sum so paltry such terrible, awful +consequences, is simply ridiculous. But the boy should not have been +allowed to rest under the imputation of having stolen it. He should have +been saved from arrest. They discharged him—yes, they discharged him. +He was not long imprisoned. True, but he should have been cleared from +suspicion at any cost—any cost! His innocence proclaimed in thunder +tones far and wide! To omit that was wrong, fearfully, bitterly wrong! +Not doing so, forced him to leave home in disgrace; made him an +outcast, killed his mother, drove his sister to shame. Horror!... And he +thanked the kind gentleman who had been so good to him, and with his +dying breath, bade God bless and reward him! "O Christ, help—help me!"</p> + +<p>These last words escaped from Mr. Heath in a lacerating cry. He pressed +his hands to his face as if to shut out some horrifying sight, and +remained so until he gradually fell into a dreamy stupor. The excited +mind ceased to work, and became numb. Luminous images floated before his +mental vision, and kaleidoscopic interminglings of uncouth objects and +faces.</p> + +<p>Then the wearied and distracted brain lapsed into a feverish slumber—a +slumber alive with fearful visions. He dreamt he was in a prison-cell. +It was night, and the grated door swung open to admit the jailer and +hangman. They pinioned him, and led him out to the scaffold. At the foot +of the gallows lay a coffin, containing the corpse of Klove, with +horribly distorted features. The hangman was about pulling a cap over +his face, when Mr. Heath awoke with trembling limbs, and a cold sweat +starting from every pore.</p> + +<p>It was evening, for he had lain in that stupor and sleep for hours. +Again he resorted to the brandy to dissipate the lingering impressions +of the frightful nightmare, and then rang the bell. The servant +appeared, and desired to know what his master wanted. Nothing—nothing. +Yes, to have light in the library—he would read. Did Mr. Heath wish to +have dinner brought up to him? No, no; leave me—leave me. The man lit +the gas in the library, replenished the grate, and left.</p> + +<p>The library was the room adjoining Mr. Heath's, and thither he went. He +took a volume from a shelf, and returned to his apartment; then resumed +his seat and lethargic stare at the fire. The book fell unheeded from +his grasp.</p> + +<p>Hours passed, and again the coarse, distorted, purple features of Klove +appeared—once the countenance of a timid boy, who stood falsely accused +and cowering before a stern magistrate; thence driven by a storm of +hisses, and flying from home, followed by a widowed mother and +child-sister. And the brand <span class="smcap">THIEF</span> clings to the hapless lad, and +enmeshes him in a web of misfortune; now reckless with despair, he +plunges into vice and crime, until the law forces him to yield up his +spotted soul on the gallows!</p> + +<p><i>And how fared the real thief?</i></p> + +<p>He, sly and sharp, in sudden glee at his trover, bought with it a +lottery ticket that drew a prize. This windfall, shrewdly invested, +brought him a fortune, then an heiress; and thus he waxed in wealth and +station, until he became one whose possessions bred envy, and whose +position commanded respect; while the innocent and wrongly accused boy +became an outcast, a criminal—an assassin! Driven to perdition by the +wealthy and respectable citizen!</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"It's a dream—a dream. The foolish dream of an enfeebled man, whose +reason and judgment are failing and wandering; who is frightened at +shadows conjured by his imagination. My mind wanders. Why will those +dreadful thoughts return? That sinking terror!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"I must leave this room—this place—for the air is full of jibing +imps!... I must go, for all this luxury mocks me. Away from this +roof—from these ponderous walls, that are loaded with iniquity, or +they will fall and crush me.... In some quiet, retired spot I may live +in happiness and peace...."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mr. Heath left his room, and with stealthy steps descended the stairs. +It was late; the house was silent; all had retired for the night save +he. With nimble fingers he opened the hall-door noiselessly, and went +out on the lawn. He was bareheaded, and in his dressing-gown and +slippers. The night was dark, gloomy, and rainy. The cold drops falling +on his unprotected head seemed to soothe and refresh him.</p> + +<p>"So, so—this is better," he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. "How +dreadful was all that pomp and glitter! How fortunate I am to have +escaped from those torturing, horrible riches! That wealth was consuming +me like licking flames—that load of ill-gotten money crushing my poor +brain—my poor brain. Now I am free, free! and will seek a home where +poverty, and peace, and happiness abide."</p> + +<p>With almost preternatural adroitness he picked his way, in spite of the +obscurity, over his grounds and out at a postern gate to the open road. +He walked along rapidly, and seemed intent on reaching the town. He +changed his apparent intention, however, for he retraced his steps and +turned abruptly into a by-path that led along the river-side. On he went +towards the cliff, proceeding as unerringly as if in broad daylight, and +without the slightest hesitation, guided, perhaps, by some instinct +similar to the marvellous second-sight of the somnambulist. The least +deviation might have brought him to the edge of the precipice. At length +he reached the foot-bridge. It was a frail structure of wood spanning +the chasm, with its ends resting on the lofty basaltic walls. Mr. Heath +was about to cross this bridge, but stopped midway and gazed in the +direction of the town only to be distinguished by the faint glimmer of a +few lights. He seemed absorbed in reflection, and stood there in that +wild, rainy night, unmindful of the cold and wet, and motionless amid +the continual thunder of the falling waters, visible through the +blackness in swiftly agitated scrolls of snowy foam. But his thoughts +were elsewhere; back to the time when he was a young man beginning life, +and had seen the boy Klove standing on that bridge with his little +sister by him! The two children were staring in open-eyed awe at the +appalling depth below them, and the boy held the girl tightly by the +hand in precaution. It seemed but yesterday. He, Heath, then a clerk, +was taking some papers to Mr. Obershaw, when he passed those two +innocent children on the bridge. Better for them—far better, had he +flung them both into the raging torrent below! Again he met the boy at +old Van Slyke's store. There was a dispute about a missing bank-note, +and the lad was in dismay at the loss. He, Heath, had seen the note fall +on the floor, and put his foot on it. He could distinctly recall the +feeling of gratification with which he slyly secured it, and the +singular superstitious prompting that induced him to buy a lottery +ticket with it. That bank-note had borne him luck, and proved the +corner-stone of his opulence and grandeur; and its loss had entailed the +destruction of two souls! What fearful, fatal results from so light a +theft! How deeply had the boy fallen—a malefactor, a deeply-dyed +murderer, and his sister—that helpless child! O Christ! that awful +conscience-throe! Why had he not sent them both to eternity then? +Better for them and for him. Mercy, mercy! that terrible lead-like load +is coming again, and pressing—pressing so fearfully on the throbbing +brain. Help—O God!... Easier now—and hark! A voice seems calling to +him. No, it's but the sighing wind. Oh for rest, and forgetfulness, and +peace! Rest and oblivion. Take all—all! and give me that. Cannot wealth +buy it? It is there, though—down there! How quietly those black +boulders sleep amid that boiling foam. One leap and I am free!</p> + +<p>With a frantic toss of his arms Rufus Heath flung himself off the +bridge. A form vanished into the dark abyss, and all was over. Sullenly +and persistently, as before, the Passaic plunged over the steep, bearing +in its rapid tide the magnifico of Belton, like a drifting log.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Early the next morning, as some artisans were going to their work and +walking along the riversde, their attention was attracted by a partly +submerged object near the bank. It was the body of Rufus Heath, kept to +the surface by the swirl of an eddy. With the assistance of a boat, the +corpse was drawn ashore, and kept there until the coroner could be +summoned. Like wild-fire the news spread through Belton, and crowds +hurried to see the drowned body of its chief citizen.</p> + +<p>And then through the circle of gaping, curious spectators came a cry of +anguish that separated them like the thrust of a sword; and they hustled +aside as the daughter hastened with faltering steps to her dead father. +With clasped hands, knit brows, and brimming eyes the poor child knelt +to embrace the wet and bruised head. Her low quivering sobs awed them +all, until George Gildersleeve, tenderly unclasping her clinging arms, +raised her fainting form, and bore her away.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVII.</h2> + + +<p>The huge battlemented villa on the cliff was a gloomy enough residence +since the death of its owner. The remaining occupants, oppressed by +their bereavement, moved about the silent rooms like shadows. Mrs. +Applegate was of the opinion that a change of scene was absolutely +necessary to dissipate Edna's excessive grief, and that a continued stay +in their present habitation might tend to impair her health. Edna, +however, seemed reluctant to leave her home, and it was only at the +urgent solicitation of the Mumbies that she did so. Mr. Mumbie was one +of the executors of Mr. Heath's will, and was also appointed Edna's +guardian. Mr. Mumbie felt the loss of his old friend Rufus Heath deeply. +His first impulse was to put his whole family in mourning, but on second +thoughts he confined himself to delivering a eulogy on the character of +the deceased to every one he met, prefacing it by the sage remark, +solemnly delivered, that it was a very sudden death. As this was a +proposition that did not admit of much controversy, the listener +generally coincided. "Ah! sir, such is life," continued Mr. Mumbie, +addressing Dr. Wattletop, who added, "And death."</p> + +<p>"Very true—and death," repeated Mr. Mumbie, pausing to reflect, as if +this side of the axiom had never struck him before, "and death, as you +very justly remark. Ah! sir, at a moment like the present, how hollow +everything looks! What's money at a time like this? How transitory and +vain are our pursuits—everything, in fact!"</p> + +<p>"Paper-mills, for instance," observed the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, every worldly matter; and the reflection will force itself +upon us, that in the midst of life we are in death, and there's no use +kicking against it. Now Mr. Heath was a very peculiar man; I knew him +thoroughly. We had been much together from boyhood, and we were always +like brothers—if anything, rather more intimate and affectionate than +brothers. We began life together; to be sure, I had a little the start +of him, but then our tastes and sympathies were exactly alike to a +shade. Mr. Heath, sir (impressively), was a very remarkable man—very +remarkable man, indeed. He was not only a scholar, and a Christian, but +a gentleman as well. He was also, if I may be allowed the expression, a +high-toned man—very high-toned indeed, sir. He was a man of wonderful +abilities, wide scope (with a circular flourish to exemplify the scope), +and great grasp (clenching his large fist)—great grasp of intellect. I +will state to you, and I trust you will see the importance of not +repeating it—I will state to you in confidence, that I was consulted in +regard to a plan on foot—a plan in which our most eminent men were +engaged: I am not at liberty to divulge names, but it is sufficient to +say that they were our most super-eminent men; consulted, sir, in regard +to a plan that would eventually have set Mr. Heath on the very pinnacle +of greatness—the very pinnacle."</p> + +<p>"Rather an uncomfortable seat, I should fancy," commented the doctor.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie stared with a puzzled expression at the physician. He never +could understand him, and took refuge in repeating the eulogy in +succession to Blanks the stationer, and to Snopple the photographer. Mr. +Snopple acquiesced fully in Mr. Mumbie's estimate of Mr. Heath's +character and virtues, and stated that any one could see with half an +eye, by merely looking at a portrait of the defunct gentleman, that he +was no ordinary mortal, but had a very instructive and superior +physiognomy; and that, by the bye, reminded him that he had in his +studio a very fine negative representing Mr. Heath in three-quarter face +and characteristic pose, from which copies could be struck off, which he +would agree to furnish colored, if preferred, in the highest style of +art, for twenty dollars each, frame included; and which would be an +ornament to any parlor, and one that no family in Belton should be +without.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie said he would see about it. Mr. Mumbie had no time to think +of anything just then. He was overwhelmed with the responsibilities +thrust upon him.</p> + +<p>"The fiduciary obligations imposed on me by the death of my friend Mr. +Heath, are very great—very great indeed, and onerous (with a sigh). +Still it is a duty I must perform; a sacred trust and burden I must +accept. We must all bow to the decrees of Providence;" and Mr. Mumbie, +to console himself, cast up mentally the fees the executorship was +likely to bring him, which completed and perfected his reconcilement to +the decrees of Providence.</p> + +<p>To do him justice, he was a faithful guardian and trustee; and as for +his wife, she outdid herself in motherly solicitude for the young +heiress, whom she immediately took under her protecting wing.</p> + +<p>Edna, Mrs. Mumbie insisted, must come and live with her. She must be +removed at once from the painful associations connected with her old +home, as Mrs. Applegate had very wisely advised, and her guardian's +family was the place for her. Edna complied, and the Mumbies treated her +like a favorite child. The best room in the house was allotted to her, +and nothing was considered too good for dear Edna. So the stately +dwelling of the late Mr. Heath was abandoned, and given over to the care +of the gardener, as Mrs. Applegate, who had been handsomely provided for +in her brother's will, departed to take up her residence in Philadelphia +with an aged relative.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mumbie had ulterior views in regard to Edna. The desirableness of +securing that young lady as a helpmeet for her son Bob, had not escaped +the attention of this sagacious and good mother, and she decided to +bring it about. Let us add, too, that whatever Mrs. Mumbie determined to +do she generally accomplished, as her husband had discovered at the +outset of his connubial life. Mr. Mumbie had a very high opinion of his +spouse's ability, and no little dread of her temper. She came of one of +the very first of the celebrated first-families of Virginia, the +Skinners, and was connected, moreover, on her mother's side with the +Yallabushas of Mississippi. Everybody had heard of her father, Colonel +Roger Skinner, of Pokomoke, one of the first poker-players of his day, +whose true Southern hospitality and peach-brandy were the themes of +universal commendation. Mumbie met the fascinating Miss Sallie Skinner +first at Saratoga, where he at once succumbed to the potent bewitchment +of her raven hair and brilliant eyes. He ventured, after many +misgivings, to propose, and was accepted, much to his surprise and +delight, as he had hardly dared to hope that such a divinity would link +herself with an ordinary mortal. Other people, who had heard the +vivacious belle ridicule poor Mumbie's large ears and amorphous feet, +marvelled too; but the truth was she had accepted him in a fit of spite +at some recreant lover's desertion. Of course the marriage was +considered a <i>mésalliance</i> in the aristocratic circles of Pokomoke, and +the bride's relatives for a while treated the paper-maker rather +contemptuously, but as poker and peach-brandy had seriously impaired the +substance of the Skinner family, they gradually became reconciled to the +match, and condescended to accept largess from the wealthy manufacturer. +Mr. Mumbie had a heart corresponding in size to his ears and feet, and +proved a perfect dove and treasure of a husband. Malicious tongues said +he dared not be otherwise, for the first and only time he attempted to +cross his wife, she simply flung herself on the carpet, and beat a +tattoo with her heels, screeching terribly the while, until Mumbie, +frightened and subjected, promised anything and everything to avoid a +repetition of the scene. This, to be sure, was in the early period of +their union. Now Mr. Mumbie, through long servitude, was so thoroughly +broken to harness and under control, and Mrs. Mumbie had gained such +undisputed and serene ascendancy, that stratagems were unnecessary, and +she ruled through superior force of character.</p> + +<p>This was the energetic and ingenious lady who determined to direct the +destiny of her husband's ward, and relieve her from the trouble and +difficulty of selecting a husband. To gain her ends, she surrounded Edna +with every attention, and was more than a mother to her in fact, pending +the time when she would be one in law. The young heiress began to find +herself installed as a being of immense importance, and was much +surprised at the vast amount of consideration shown to her by her +elders. She was shrewd enough to suspect that much of it was due to her +wealth, and despised it accordingly; for there was too much good sense +in the girl, and her character was too frank and independent to yield +readily to the pernicious influence of parasitism.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The correspondence which had been kept up with regularity between Edna +and her soldier-lover was interrupted by the death of her father, Mark's +intuitive delicacy forbidding him for a time from intruding on the grief +of a mourning daughter, further than in sending a formal letter of +condolence. It must be admitted, too, that Edna in her grief had but few +thoughts to bestow on the suitor who was serving another mistress in the +swamps of the Chickahominy. At length, to make amends for her +negligence, she wrote him a long epistle, the superscription of which +happened to meet Miss Ada Mumbie's eye. Notwithstanding the intimacy +existing between the two young ladies, and contrary to the usual custom +in such cases, Miss Heath had never confided her tender regard for Mark +Gildersleeve to her friend Miss Mumbie. The latter, anxious to know if +any such feeling existed, taxed Edna with it, and affected pique at her +want of confidence. That young lady at once, with a blush, admitted the +soft impeachment. Ada Mumbie was an outspoken young lady, and took after +her mamma in respect to having an opinion of her own. She raised her +eyebrows very significantly at Edna's confession, saying: "Why—Ed-na +Heath, the i-dea! I declare, I am surprised beyond anything. I never +would have thought it. He may be a very industrious, excellent young +man, but <i>so</i> very much your inferior in every way. Why, he's not even a +person you could flirt with, much less correspond. His brother is an +exceedingly common man—exceedingly so. Why, what can you be thinking +of?"</p> + +<p>Edna, nettled at this, bridled up and answered, "I don't know what you +mean by so much my inferior. He's far cleverer than I am, or you either, +Ada. He's very refined and polite and gentlemanly, I'm sure; and just as +good as gold."</p> + +<p>"Mercy on us, Edna! I declare I didn't know you were so very much +interested in him, or I wouldn't have ventured to say a word. To be +sure, my acquaintance with the gentleman is so very slight that I am +hardly competent to judge of him. I expressed myself as I did solely out +of friendship for you. You know very well that the position you occupy +in society, and your large fortune—"</p> + +<p>"Ada, you might have spared me that last remark," interrupted Edna in a +vexed tone. "I hear so much about my fortune—my wealth, that I detest +the very mention of it. Oblige me, please, by never again alluding to it +in my presence."</p> + +<p>"Well, dear, don't let us quarrel over it. I'm sorry, and promise you +I'll never say another word about it: there now;" said Miss Mumbie, and +Edna kissed her friend in token of amity and restored concord. The +friend intended to be a valuable auxiliary to her mamma in bringing +about, in time, a match between her brother Bob and the young heiress; +but she found she had made a misstep. Thus far, though attentive and +agreeable in his clumsy way, Bob did not seem to make any appreciable +progress in his suit. When his sister imparted the discovery she had +made, to wit: that he had a rival, and one that Edna seemed to evince +considerable partiality for, he redoubled his efforts to please. +Unfortunately, Bob was not a being calculated to captivate the fair. His +physical graces were few, and his mental less, and he only served to +amuse Miss Heath until he succeeded in boring her. She, rightfully +ascribing this increase of homage on the part of the enamored Bob to her +ingenuous declaration to his sister, rather regretted it, especially as +she feared having perhaps shown too much warmth in her defence of Mark +Gildersleeve. Thenceforth by a tacit understanding, the subject was not +again referred to between the two girls.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mumbie, on learning of the danger to her son's prospects, +determined to nip it in the bud. "I am really astonished," said she to +her husband, "that so well-bred a girl could have allowed her thoughts +to stray away so unguardedly. A machinist, dear me, how low! Working +with a hammer—all over oil, and grease, and smoke. It's positively +amazing what crazy notions girls will get in their heads. I suppose, +though, it's all owing to his turning soldier. Of course, it's nothing +but a mere girlish fancy, but it might grow unless checked. Change of +scene and a new train of ideas will soon dissipate the foolish whim. A +tour abroad is just the very thing—the very thing. Mr. Mumbie, we must +go to Europe."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear, it's impossible to go now. I can't leave—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Mumbie, we must go to Europe," was repeated with emphasis, "and the +sooner the better. Speak to Edna on the subject at once—she needs the +voyage. Ada needs it—so does Bob. It's time they saw something of the +world, and it will improve their minds vastly."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie did as he was bid. Edna was delighted at the idea of a trip +to Europe, and readily assented to her guardian's proposal. At the same +time he deemed it well to improve the opportunity, in view of what he +had learnt respecting his ward's inclinations, by imparting some +information which might tend to give her a better estimate of her worth +and position in the world than she seemed to possess.</p> + +<p>"Edna, I believe I have never spoken a word to you about business +matters. I thought it would be as well to get everything into shape +before I said anything. Of course it is something that you don't know +much about, and yet I suppose I ought to ascertain if you've any wishes +in regard to the management of the estate, and so forth. If so, I am +ready to take them into consideration," said Mr. Mumbie.</p> + +<p>"I have one wish, sir," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I should like to have father's intentions carried out in regard to +building the Home and the Hospital, exactly as if he were alive," said +Edna earnestly.</p> + +<p>"But, my child, that would cost a great deal of money, a very great +deal, and—"</p> + +<p>"I don't care if it takes all the estate; I presume there is enough to +do it," said Edna decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Of course there's enough and more than enough, but I should not be +justified or permitted to use any funds in that way. So there's no use +in saying anything more about it now. When you come of age, why then, we +can talk it over again if you're of the same mind. Now, Edna," continued +Mr. Mumbie, taking up a roll of paper, "I've got something to show you +that will interest you. I have prepared and completed, after a great +deal of labor, an inventory of your late lamented father's estate. The +estimates are, if anything, in many cases below the real values. Here is +the schedule—and what do you think it all foots up? What do you think +it all amounts to in dollars and cents?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Edna. "A great deal, I've no doubt."</p> + +<p>"But guess—try and guess," insisted Mr. Mumbie with an air of triumph.</p> + +<p>"Please don't ask me; I'd rather not," said Edna seriously.</p> + +<p>"Rather not!" repeated Mr. Mumbie with astonishment; "why, bless me, +why not? Don't you want to know how much you are worth?"</p> + +<p>"No—no—" said Edna quickly, and shaking her head.</p> + +<p>"Why—why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because—because—" said Edna, her eyes suddenly moistening, and +sensitive mouth quivering.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mumbie looked perplexed. "Why, Edna, it is clearly your duty that +you should gain some knowledge of the way in which the vast fortune you +have inherited is invested. You must begin to learn something about it, +and about taking care of it. It is very seldom that so young a person is +so fortunate as to have such riches left them, and—"</p> + +<p>Edna burst into tears. "Oh, please, sir, don't say anything to me about +it now. I suppose it's very wrong in me, but they all talk to me so +about my wealth, that it makes me feel wretched. They appear to envy +me—and to think I ought to be so happy in being rich, until it seems as +if they thought I had profited by my poor—poor father's death. I wish I +were poor and had nothing."</p> + +<p>This is very extraordinary indeed, thought Mr. Mumbie, who imagined he +had prepared a pleasant surprise for his ward. "Well, well, Edna, dry +your eyes, my child. We won't talk business if you don't like it. Mrs. +Mumbie says she thinks the trip to Europe will do you good, and I've no +doubt it will. So get ready and we'll all be off as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>In less than a fortnight after this conversation, Edna, and the Mumbie +family with the exception of the youngest member, were at sea on their +way to Liverpool. Before leaving, Edna wrote a letter to Mark, bidding +him an affectionate farewell; promising that her absence would be but a +short one, and reiterating her oft-expressed wish that the war would +soon end and enable him to return home safe and famous. By the time this +epistle reached its destination the one it was addressed to was a +captive in the hands of the enemy. An expedition had been planned to +make a dash into the capital of the Confederacy and rescue the prisoners +confined on Belle Isle. Mark Gildersleeve took part in this hazardous +undertaking, which through lack of support failed, and he with a few +others as rashly venturesome, were surrounded and captured; not, +however, until after a gallant struggle in which several were killed +and a number wounded. Among the latter Mark, who received on that +occasion a carbine bullet in his bridle-arm, which he repaid by lodging +the contents of his revolver into two of his assailants. Another shot, +however, disabled his horse, and he was made prisoner. He suffered +severely from his wound, owing to a want of proper medical attendance; +but fortunately the ball, which had taken an erratic course, was easily +extracted, and his vigorous constitution did the rest. He spent some +five weary months in Castle Thunder and was then exchanged. On his +return to his regiment he found the letter from Edna, announcing her +departure for Europe, awaiting him. He had written to her several times +during his captivity, without receiving any reply; now her silence was +explained. His letters had probably not been forwarded properly, or if +forwarded had not reached her. He had had an almost irresistible +inclination to revisit Belton, but now that it was bereft of its chief +attraction the desire vanished, and he returned to his duty, with an +increased determination to carve his way to distinction at whatever +cost.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Miss Heath and her friends had arrived in Europe. It was her +first visit there, and she found so much that was novel and pleasing +that her mind was constantly occupied and diverted. Some time was spent +travelling through England and Scotland; then they proceeded on the +usual tour through the Continent, making a lengthened stay in Paris. The +following summer was passed in Switzerland and at the German +watering-places. In the former country they met some pleasant English +people, and among them a party of Cambridge students. One of the Cantabs +was very attentive to the young ladies, and Edna declared he was the +most entertaining and agreeable young gentleman she had ever met. He was +handsome withal, judging from a description of him given in a letter of +Edna's to her friend Constance Hull, in which she said: "His complexion +is just lilies and roses—in fact it exactly matches the blush-rose in +his button-hole; and his large, limpid irids are of forget-me-not +blue—suggestive hue! Everything's 'awful jolly' with him, and he makes +the nicest beverages with sherry and claret, and sliced cucumbers, +called 'claret-cup,' or something of that sort, but at any rate, it's +perfectly delicious; and he's just as full of fun as he can be, and +always ready for some frolic or other." Such delightful walks and +excursions as they enjoyed together, and how sorry they all were to part +with him. Even Mrs. Mumbie seemed to regret the separation, perhaps +because he was the nephew of a lord, and had paid some attention to Ada, +who certainly was smitten with him. As for Edna, she was suspiciously +quiet for a few days after his departure, and we fear that during that +time her thoughts seldom reverted to her absent suitor, the striving +Union volunteer. But his image arose again to reproach her, as she +reflected that she had not written a line to him in a very long while. +To be sure he had not replied to her last epistle; in fact, she had +written three or four without receiving any response, and had half made +up her mind not to write again until she had received an acknowledgment +of her letters. Perhaps, thought she, they may not have reached him. +Still he might write to me at all events. Poor fellow! who knows, he may +be sick, or wounded, or in prison. Dear me, I've been so distracted with +all I've seen and heard, that I'm afraid I don't think as often of him +as I ought to. I'll sit down at once and write him a good, kind, long +letter to make amends. And she did so, but it met a fate similar to the +previous ones, bearing the same superscription, that she had sent, and +found its way, we regret to say, into the hands of Mrs. Madison Mumbie, +who consigned the tender lines to congenial flames, after having +cynically perused them. While in Paris, Edna, in recognition of the +kindness shown her by her guardian's family, had presented the mother +and the daughter with expensive <i>parures</i> of diamonds. The one selected +for Mrs. Mumbie was in particular composed of the finest and most costly +stones. Mrs. Mumbie was profuse and almost abject in her acknowledgments +and thanks to dear Edna. Could that generous young heart have known that +this velvety woman had been treacherously intercepting her +correspondence—rifling the depositaries of her secret thoughts, she +would have shrunk from her as from a reptile. But to youthful innocence +baseness such as this exists not.</p> + +<p>The next winter was spent in Italy, chiefly in Rome. Edna's enthusiasm +for the glorious old city knew no bounds. Between sight-seeing and +shopping she had not an idle moment. The quantities of silken sashes and +jewels of coral and mosaic she bought for presents, and the money she +spent and flung away to lazzaroni, would have driven her grandfather +Obershaw as wild as Shylock was at Jessica's extravagance. She created a +great sensation among the artists. The sculptors wanted to model her +lips and chin, and the painters raved about her hair and complexion; +altogether, between the studios, the ruins, the Carnival, and what not, +she was having, as she expressed it in her correspondence with Miss +Hull, "a splendid time." There was a long postscript to that letter to +this effect:</p> + +<blockquote><p>P.S. You remember I mentioned in my last, that we had engaged a +new courier in Paris, a handsome Italian named Luigi, who was so +very refined and <i>distingué</i>-looking, and such an excellent +linguist. Well the secret is out! He is a Count, and his name is +Borgia, Count Gasparone Alessandro Borgia, a scion of the +illustrious family of that name—just think of it! He betrayed +himself to Ada in an unguarded moment. He was stripped of his +patrimony by confiscation, and adopted his present vocation the +better to elude the malignity of his enemies, who are continually +seeking to persecute him. Who those enemies are, I do not clearly +understand. Sometimes he says they are the Jesuits, and at other +times he accuses Mazzini and the red-republicans. He hints also at +hereditary foes of his house, the Orsini and Sforzi. Evidently he +shrinks with intuitive delicacy from speaking of himself and his +misfortunes, and feels his position keenly. Ada caught him in tears +once or twice mourning the decadence of his house. He assured her, +on his word of honor, that all the stories that were in circulation +respecting the poisoning propensities of his family are malicious +falsehoods, and is very indignant at the outrageous way in which +the dramatists have treated his distinguished ancestress—and I +don't wonder at his anger. I think he says she was his +great-great-grand-aunt; but I won't be certain. Since we have +learned his title and rank, we have all felt a delicacy in treating +him as a courier. Mr. Mumbie almost insisted on his taking his +meals with us, but he firmly, and dignifiedly refused, which I +think was very honorable in him, don't you? I flatter myself not a +little on my sagacity and knowledge of people that I felt certain +the moment I saw him that he was no ordinary person. The seal of +high birth is unmistakably set on his noble brow and statuesque +features; and then, O Constance, such eyes! such flashing, melting +orbs!...</p> + +<p>The Fosters leave for home next week. I intrusted them with a +present for you which they kindly consented to deliver. It's a +turquoise set, and I hope it will suit you. I'm sure it will be +becoming. I did intend to surprise you with it myself, but it's so +uncertain when we shall return that I thought I would avail of the +opportunity to send it at once. Please accept the set with the best +love of</p> + +<p class="right">Ever yours, <br /> +<span class="smcap">Edna</span>.</p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVIII.</h2> + + +<p>It is not our purpose to follow Mark closely in his career during the +war. Suffice it to say, that after his exchange he had rejoined his +corps, and taken part in the memorable battle of Gettysburg, where the +legions of the South, flushed with victory, were checked in their +advance on Northern soil, and driven back by the Union soldiers. With +steady courage he perseveringly sought laurels. His gallant bearing on +several occasions attracted the notice of his superior officers, and his +noteworthy conduct in leading an attack on the forces of General Imboden +on the Cashtown road, whereby a large number of rebels were cut off and +captured, won him the grade of major. The young fellow, as we mentioned, +started in life with an unusual stock of vanity, fortunately +counter-balanced by a chivalrous spirit and scorn of the mean. Much of +this vanity had been eliminated, probably on the homoeopathic principle +of like curing Life, for his profession was one decidedly calculated to +foster that weakness. He was sensible enough, however, to avoid the +arrogance engendered by the possession of authority of which he saw so +many examples, and better still to preserve his soul from that +callousness and ferocity which are the worst fruits of horrid war. He +felt the insidious approaches of the baleful influences, but resisted. +Bearing in mind, also, his old friend's injunction to beware of the sway +of prejudice over reason, he strove to be just and unbiassed. There was +some of the old paladin spirit in Mark. He recognized among the enemy +many who were as earnest and sincere in their cause as he was in his; +perhaps he was frequently led to think that the advantage in that +respect was on their side, as he saw with inexpressible disgust the host +of mercenaries whose sole thought was how to turn their country's +misfortunes to profit, and, worse than all, lukewarm, disobedient +generals, sacrificing their soldiers' lives to gratify some pique or +partisan feeling. His blood boiled, too, at the unmentioned cruelties +practised on the unfortunate race who had been the innocent cause of the +fratricidal strife. This sympathy very nearly led him into serious +trouble on one occasion. Among the regiments in the Army of the Potomac +were several recruited from the dregs of the large cities of the North. +Many of these men were without respect for their flag, and capable of +any deed, or ready for any adventure that promised plunder or diversion. +It was a common practice with them to shoot at any negro they found +astray, in the vicinity of their camp. Mark, while away by himself one +day in Virginia, came across a party of these fellows on some marauding +expedition. Presently one of them espied a negro standing at the door of +his cabin, near the edge of a wood, and without more ado, raised his +musket and shot him dead. So enraged was Mark at this wanton murder, +that, unable to contain himself, he drew his revolver and sent a bullet +into the assassin. He fell, seriously wounded. His companions were about +to retaliate, but intimidated by the major's bearing, and somewhat by +his rank, hesitated, and concluded to report him at headquarters. The +matter resulted in a court-martial, but Mark was acquitted with a +reprimand.</p> + +<p>War either makes or mars a man. The soul is drawn so completely out of +the commonplace grooves of ordinary life, so far from the shrinking +influences of wealth-seeking, and into an arena where emotions and +passions contend so fiercely for mastery, that it comes out of the +ordeal either sensibly debased or refined. Fortunately for Mark, it had +purified his character; had given him a broader view of the aim and +scope of life, enabling his will to crush out all vain hopes and envious +desires, and find his pleasure in the performance of his duty and the +approbation of his conscience. In short, he had become a true man. To +how many, however, did the campaign prove a curse—how many contracted +indolence, and habits that unfitted them for the avocations of peace, or +exchanged their rectitude and purity of heart for vicious tastes that +embittered their future lives.</p> + +<p>Time passed. Mark became attached to General H——'s staff, and spent +many months before Petersburg. It was there he performed an exploit +which has remained legendary in the annals of the war. During a night +attack on one of our batteries, the rebels had succeeded in spiking a +siege-gun which commanded their position, while it protected our working +parties of sappers. As soon as the piece was rendered useless, the +enemy's sharp-shooters, swarming in rifle-pits close to our lines, +seriously impeded further progress on our part. Vexed at this +interruption, the commander called for volunteers to unspike the gun; +but as this involved getting on the breech, and becoming a target for +the foe while the work lasted, no one seemed willing to undertake it. In +this dilemma, Mark, being known as a skilled machinist, was consulted; +and after an examination, he reported in favor of the practicability of +the job, while admitting the extreme peril attending it. Perhaps any +intention of executing it would have been abandoned, had not a comment, +made by one of the men to another, to the effect that it was easy for +officers to set tasks for privates which they were not willing to do +themselves, been accidentally overheard by Mark, which stung him +immediately into offering to accomplish the hazardous feat. Armed with +several well-tempered bits and a brace, he went forth at nightfall on +his perilous errand. Straddling the breech of the monstrous cannon, and +crouching as low as possible, with the brace against his chest, he plied +the drill vigorously. Scarcely had he begun to work, when he was +perceived by the vigilant rebel marksmen, who immediately opened fire. +He could see the long rifle-pit, not a hundred yards distant, ablaze +with the flash of fifty rifles, and feel the wind of their bullets as +they whistled past him. Fortunately, favored somewhat by the obscurity, +but far more by good luck, he remained unscathed, save by a skin-grazing +touch. In fifteen minutes (it seemed to him an hour) the vent was clear; +a primer and lanyard were then passed up to him, and these affixed, he +slipped off the cannon as quick as possible. Seeing him drop, the rebels +imagined they had shot him, and sent up a yell of exultation, which was +suddenly checked as a discharge of grape from the liberated gun +scattered death among them. Mark was not destined to escape entirely +uninjured, for in his haste to get off the gun, and anxiety to avoid any +danger from its recoil, he fell heavily, and was picked up with a +dislocated shoulder. This accident, however, entailed but a short +confinement, and he was soon able to be on duty again. Needless to add, +that Mark received full meed of praise for his daring achievement, +which furthermore earned him the grade of colonel.</p> + +<p>In this his hour of triumph and full flush of gratified vanity, one +thought was constant and uppermost. How would Edna receive the news of +his renown? If she felt but one momentary responsive throb of pride, he +was repaid, and repaid a hundred-fold, for all he had risked and +undergone. But would she hear of him? Where was she? Although he had +written her several letters he had received none from her, since the one +announcing her departure for Europe. Her silence was unaccountable. So +long a time had elapsed that he began to despond. "Well, well," thought +he, "it's inexplicable, and useless to indulge in conjectures. I'll not +do her the injustice to believe that it is intentional neglect on her +part. We'll see what it all means when she returns. Meanwhile I must +console myself by re-reading her old epistles."</p> + +<p>He occasionally received a communication from his sister-in-law, who +kept him advised of all the Belton gossip—births, deaths, marriages, +and so forth. At length one came, conveying the welcome intelligence +that the Mumbies and their fair charge had returned home. Mrs. +Gildersleeve stated that she had seen Miss Heath, and that she was +looking remarkably well, but exceedingly grand and dignified; adding, +"You would hardly know your old sweetheart, now, Mark. She holds her +head as high as a queen, and goes sweeping through the streets as if the +earth were not good enough for her to tread on. I do not think, I am +sorry to say, that travelling has improved her a bit." This was +uncommonly severe criticism to come from the worthy lady, and amazed +Mark; but perhaps her opinion was somewhat colored by the fact that Miss +Heath had, unintentionally or otherwise, neglected to return Mrs. +Gildersleeve's bow; an omission certainly sufficient to bias the +judgment of the least prejudiced woman who respects herself.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>There was a lull in the conflict. The shock of arms and bruit of war +gave place to the patient, silent work of the engineer. Inch by inch, +the Union army advanced its lines of investment, and slowly the +constricting circle was closing. Dull monotony succeeded, broken only by +the occasional bursting of a shell over the trenches, or the crack of a +sharp-shooter's rifle and ping of bullet, startling some too venturesome +spectator. Apart from this, all was inaction or weary routine. Deeming +it a favorable time to apply for leave of absence, and longing to see +Edna, Mark sought and obtained a furlough, and was speedily on his way +north.</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to describe the Colonel's feelings as he +approached his home. The anticipated delight of meeting his friends, +relatives, and above all, Edna, was mingled with a vague sense of +apprehension—a premonition of some disappointment that he could not +shake off. He had been away full three years. It seemed to him at least +ten; and he dreaded to be confronted by unpleasant changes. Belton, at +least, was still the same, and in its usual quiet mood. Contrary to the +expectations of many of its inhabitants it had not as yet been invaded +by the Rebels; still, as untiring vigilance was the price of liberty and +safety the "Home Guard" kept up its organization and weekly drills, +under the patriotic supervision of Captain George Gildersleeve. The +first thing that attracted Mark's attention, as he passed up Main +Street, was a full-length colored photograph in Snopple's show-case, of +his brother, in all his panoply, figuring conspicuously in company with +portraits of Generals Grant and Sherman.</p> + +<p>Mark had hardly been in the town five minutes, before the fact was known +from one end of it to the other; and Dr. Wattletop devoted himself to +informing everybody he met, that Mark Gildersleeve had returned from the +"wars, bearing his blushing honors thick upon him."</p> + +<p>Of course the fatted calf was figuratively killed by Mrs. Gildersleeve, +and the doctor took tea at her table that evening, and a joyful meal it +was. The colonel noticed a marked change in his old friend. Age was +shrinking his once rotund form, and his countenance wore the expression +of one seeking rest after a strife with life. His disputative spirit was +apparently quenched, as he evinced no disposition to take up several +thorny assertions on the part of the doughty captain of the "Home +Guards," who monopolized the conversation. This martinet criticised very +severely the dilatory and bungling way in which the war was carried on, +and set forth a plan of operations of his own, which, he was ready to +back with any amount of money, would, if carried out by the +commander-in-chief, bring the rebels to terms in the short space of time +limited to three shakes of a sheep's tail. No one had a stronger belief +in himself than George Gildersleeve. It was a faith, too, that increased +with his years and prosperity, and perhaps had contributed not a little +to the latter.</p> + +<p>As for the young colonel, he was singularly taciturn. Perhaps a little +disappointed in finding that his lady-love had left the town, albeit it +did not mitigate in any great degree the pleasure he felt in being once +more in his old home. Certainly his appetite was not affected; and the +quantity of clover-honey, of preserves, both quince and crab-apple, of +stewed oysters, of Sally Lunn, and waffles he consumed, were sufficient +to give an able-bodied ostrich a gastric derangement.</p> + +<p>After the meal they sat in the little parlor. Mark opened his +long-neglected piano and tried a few bars of a favorite <i>Nocture</i>; but +his stiff fingers made poor work of it. It was pleasanter to sit beside +his second mother. There were a few more silver threads in her smooth +hair, but her serene, loving face seemed to him as young as ever. +Presently the Reverend Samuel and Mrs. Sniffen dropped in, for whom the +colonel had to fight his battles o'er again.</p> + +<p>"And how about that exploit of yours, unspiking the cannon? We've all +heard of it, colonel," said the minister. "Mrs. Bradbury's son, who was +there at the time, wrote a full account of it home, but we want to +listen to it from your lips."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Hotspur, out with it," added the doctor. The red shone +through Mark's gypsy cheek, as he gave a confused and stammering recital +of the incident; and he felt decidedly relieved, when he had concluded, +at his brother's blunt remark that he deserved to have been shot for his +pains, as no one but a fool or a crazy man would have attempted such a +job.</p> + +<p>"Mercy, George, don't say that!" said Mrs. Gildersleeve, who had been +listening, pale and with a shudder, to Mark's narrative.</p> + +<p>"George is right," replied Mark; "it was nothing but a foolhardy freak, +done on the spur of the moment; and I would not have attempted it if I +had taken time to reflect."</p> + +<p>The colonel was rather anxious to slur the feat; for, on analyzing the +motives that impelled him to its performance, he was obliged to confess +that it was pricked vanity and the desire to win Edna's admiration, +rather than any stern sense of duty or devotion to his flag.</p> + +<p>"You never wrote me a word of all this, Mark," said his sister-in-law, +reproachfully. "However, perhaps it is just as well;" and addressing Mr. +Sniffen, who was about taking his departure, she asked him if he would, +before leaving, kindly lead in prayer, so that they might all return +thanks for the safe return and preservation of Mark from so many +dangers. "You will join us, will you not, doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly, my dear lady," was the reply; and the old materialist, +who had sought with a scalpel for the soul in a cadaver, the stoic, the +Pythagorean, knelt and united in sincere devotion to the Father of all, +whom we worship, each after his own little system, way, or fashion.</p> + +<p>After the departure of the guests, the circle around the grate-fire was +still further narrowed, and Mrs. Gildersleeve opened her budget of news. +She first inquired of Mark if he did not think the doctor had greatly +changed? "Very much," replied Mark.</p> + +<p>"Poor man," continued Mrs. Gildersleeve, "I feel so sorry and anxious +about him. He has lost a great deal of his practice—almost all the +paying part of it. He has still a host of patients, but they are mostly +among the poor, from whom he gets little or no pay. I believe if he had +all the money due him he would be rich; but he never tries to collect +anything. About six months ago his dog died—that large black one, that +was always with him; and he cried like a child, said he had lost his +best friend, and wrote a very singular obituary, that was published in +the paper. After that he took to drinking very freely; and one day while +under the influence he struck with his cane a teamster who was beating a +horse; and the man had him arrested, and if it hadn't been for your +brother, the doctor would have been put in jail."</p> + +<p>"I think he served the teamster right," remarked her husband, "only he +didn't give him half enough."</p> + +<p>"Very likely; but the doctor made such a ridiculous speech about it in +court. Spoke about animals having reason and souls, and that some men +were inferior animals to the brutes; and accused the clergy of cowardice +in shirking the question of the connection and duty of man to his +fellow-animals, and a lot more of such stuff. To be sure he was under +great excitement. Mr. Sniffen thinks the doctor got those perverted +notions from living so long in India among the heathen. Since that time +the doctor has not been the same man. He never touches a drop of +anything, and he is always grave. He has failed, too, very much. Poor +man! I feel so distressed about him, and was so rejoiced to see him join +with us this evening in prayer. It is certainly very hard for a man of +his years, for he must be eighty, to be left without any one, away from +relatives. I should so like to help him if I knew how to approach him +without offending him. He is such a very peculiar person."</p> + +<p>"It is his own fault," said George. "I offered to run him for coroner, +or put him in as county physician, if he'd get naturalized and become a +citizen; but the pig-headed old duffer got as indignant as if I'd +insulted him; talked about his sovereign and her Gracious Majesty, until +I shut him up. So he's no one to blame but himself. Ten o'clock, eh? +I'm off to bed. I suppose you and Maggie will talk here for three hours +yet;" and George retired with a stretch and a yawn.</p> + +<p>When they were alone, Mrs. Gildersleeve touched on the topic nearest to +her brother-in-law's heart. It was done in the light of an apology. She +said: "In one of my letters, I am ashamed to say, I spoke censoriously +and unjustly of Miss Heath, and I wish to take it all back; but it shows +how particular we ought to be not to judge hastily. Miss Heath, I +suppose you know, has come into her property, and her first thought and +care is to carry out her father's intentions about building those +charitable institutions. It will cost ever so much. I believe Mr. Mumbie +tried to prevent or rather persuade her not to lay out so much money, +but she wouldn't listen to it; and they say is even going to spend more; +but that's just like Edna Heath."</p> + +<p>How intensely the colonel's heart indorsed that opinion. "Where is she +now?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"She's living in New York, with the Mumbies. You must certainly pay her +a visit, and renew your old acquaintance. Mr. Mumbie sold out his +paper-mill, and has retired from business."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>An hour or more of such conversation and Mark withdrew, to find himself +again in his little bedroom. Nothing was disturbed. There was his +bookcase with its narrow desk, where he had passed so many hours in +brain-racking devotions to the immortal Nine; and as he glanced over the +turgid lines of some uncompleted poem in the portfolio, his smile +justified the belief that time brought its own severe criticism to +poetasters. There lay in their accustomed places his guitar and zithern, +and over his bed-head hung, as of yore, the engraving of Carlo Dolce's +<i>Mater Dolorosa</i>, whose exquisite mouth and chin were but counterparts +of Edna's. It was so natural to lie in the bed where he had slept since +childhood; and he seemed to breathe such an atmosphere of peace and +quietude, that the tremendous events he had passed through during three +years, seemed like a hiatus in his life, or a dream. Did the war exist? +Here, all was tranquillity undisturbed by alarms; but away on the banks +of the Appomattox, his brethren in arms slept in suspense; the vigilant +picket watched the wily foe; the bursting shell tore the limbs of some +sleeping soldier, and starving conscripts, in butternut rags, were +flying from the rebel trenches to hospitable imprisonment within the +Union lines. Such thoughts filled Mark's mind as he tossed uneasily on +his downy couch and soft fringed pillow, until, to court slumber, he was +obliged to wrap himself in a blanket, and seek repose on the hard floor.</p> + +<p>The next morning, in his impatience to see Edna, he would have started +at once for the metropolis, but there were his old associates at the +Works, who could not be neglected. He went there, and shook hands with +them all, from Knatchbull to the youngest apprentice. How they all +crowded around and questioned him, and seemed to be as much interested +in him as if he belonged to them, while his brother stood by with an +approving look, as if the colonel were entirely the product of his care +and training. Mark found the Works still further enlarged; for his +brother's business had increased prodigiously, and George, while +alluding to this, did not fail to remark to the colonel, with a spice of +malice, that if he had remained at home and accepted the partnership, +he would by this time have possessed a small fortune. "A clear hundred +thousand were the profits last year—a clear hundred thousand. What do +you think of that, old man?" But the old man, as he affectionately +called him, did not seem to think much about it, for he merely replied, +"Glad to hear of it for your sake," and seemed as indifferent as ever to +such favors. George then said, as a consolatory offset, "Whenever you +want to come back, you're welcome. Your old place is waiting for you, +and it will pay you better than soldiering in the end."</p> + +<p>Then there was the visit to the Falls. No true Beltonian returning from +a long absence ever failed to pay his devoirs at that shrine. It seemed +as if the old legend of the Indians, that the Great Spirit abided there, +had perpetuated itself, and found believers among their white +successors. Mark passed an hour of the fine January fore-noon in +pleasant contemplation near the cataract. It was an old friend. Its +roar, its crags, its emerald waters were familiar to him from childhood, +when he spent holidays around the pebbly shores seeking flint +arrow-heads, or in older years when he resorted thither to derive +inspiration and metaphorically court the nymphs and dryads. The torrent +that sped on in sublime and unceasing monotone had measured his +existence like a clepsydra.</p> + +<p>Mark extended his walk to the cliff—to the villa that had seemed to him +a very palace of enchantment, and around which so many blissful +associations clustered. Here was the spot where he had made his first +avowal of love, and he could almost recall the novel, delicious thrill +with which he pressed Edna's hand to his lips. Now the gates were +chained and locked, and their lamps broken by vagrant boys; the lodge +was tenantless; the marble basin of the fountain choked with dead +leaves, and its spouting swans decapitated; the grounds neglected, and +the windows of the imposing structure blinded. How sad and deserted an +aspect! How changed the place—once the abode of "elegant Eunomia," the +goddess of his dreams! He remembered his surreptitious visit and +eavesdropping the night of Edna's party. Where were all that youth and +beauty now? The sweeping wind answered with a dismal sigh. Was there +any omen in this?</p> + +<p>His reverie was cut short by the patter of horses' hoofs behind him. It +was the four-in-hand of Mr. Nehemiah Gogglemush, a new-comer in Belton, +who saluted him with a stare. This man, who seemed ambitious to succeed +to the position of the late magnifico, was the inventor of the +world-famous "Terpsichorean Ointment," a corn-salve of marvellous +virtue, that had brought him a fortune correspondingly marvellous. He +had purchased a site on the cliff and reared a gorgeous pile, all +turrets, gilt Tudor-flowers and weathercocks, which completely +overshadowed Mr. Mumbie's dwelling. Gogglemush seemed to have no end of +money and actually dared to set up a drag, while his wife and daughters +made shameful exhibitions of themselves in diamonds, point-lace, India +shawls; and deported themselves generally in a way that no person in +their station, and connected with corn-salve, who had any regard for +public opinion, would venture to. Moreover, at church the Misses Adela +and Angela Gogglemush, in all their odious finery, monopolized the +attention of the congregation, and even the rector was reported to be +not indifferent to the attractions of the younger of the two.</p> + +<p>Of course it was impossible for the Mumbies to live in constant +proximity to such vulgarity, and especially as there was absolutely no +one now in the place, except Judge Hull's family, with whom they could +associate, as Mrs. Mumbie said, they had been forced to remove to New +York.</p> + +<p>On his return Mark stopped for a moment at St. Jude's. The sexton wanted +to show him the beautiful memorial windows, presented by Miss Heath in +honor of her father and mother. Mark peopled the edifice with its old +frequenters—with handsome, refined Mr. Heath, dignifiedly +condescending, as if he were willing to meet his Maker half way; with +Edna's sweet, uplifted, attentive profile; devout, slow-winking Mrs. +Applegate, and in the opposite pew, pompous Mr. Mumbie, who occupied one +corner with such upright, unvarying exactitude, that he served as a +sundial to Mark to measure the service, when the purple ray from a +lancet-window moved over the capacious white waistcoat of the portly +paper-maker. The new-comers had taken possession of that pew now, for +Mark saw in it several richly bound octavo prayer-books, stamped with +the name Gogglemush, hideous in Gothic text.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mark now proceeded to call on Dr. Wattletop. The information in regard +to the latter's pecuniary condition, imparted by Mrs. Gildersleeve, +troubled her brother-in-law, and he was anxious to offer any assistance +that the physician was likely to accept; but when the colonel, after +much hesitation and circumlocution, hinted at his desire, Dr. Wattletop +cut him short with a "Thanks—thanks, my dear boy, I'm quite easy. You +must know that Miss Heath has requested me to accept, at a handsome +salary, the position of physician-in-chief to the hospital she is +erecting for the county. Noble girl, that—though I don't know after all +that she's doing any more than her duty," he hastened to add, fearing +that he might have been betrayed into admiration or approval of +generosity. "The world, though, is so constituted, so warped from all +ideas of justice, that the mere performance of a single act of duty is +greeted with applause. Sad commentary, that. Pokemore is associated +with me in the management. There was an effort made to foist this humbug +Keene upon us. But Pokemore and I at once declared that we would not +listen to it, and should consider it an insult and resign at once if +this ignoramus and quack were attached in any way to the institution. We +carried our point, of course."</p> + +<p>Mark reflected on this instance of inconsistency in the doctor. Tolerant +and unprejudiced he was towards every system and opinion save one—the +one that attacked his professional judgment, and therefore self-love.</p> + +<p>The doctor had grown garrulous with age, and gave Mark a long and +circumstantial account of the illness and last hours of Dagon; and then +branched off into the exposition of some of his theories respecting +future existence. All this was listened to with respectful impatience by +the colonel, who was eager to return home and prepare himself to take +the afternoon train to New York. He was disappointed in this intention, +for he found himself obliged to attend a little tea-party that evening, +given by Mrs. Sniffen in honor of his return.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XIX.</h2> + + +<p>The next day Mark arrived in New York. He alighted at the "Albemarle" +and proceeded at once to make himself as presentable as his worn uniform +would permit, and after a deal of brushing came out almost as +smart-looking as a West Point cadet. As the time for the longed-for +meeting neared, an unaccountable timidity seized him, and it required +more screwing up of his courage to ring the door-bell of Mr. Mumbie's +house, than it would to have made him charge a battery. The new +residence of the Mumbies was one of those extravagant structures that +line the Fifth Avenue, and costly enough to be the domicil of a duke. +Mark asked to see Miss Heath. The domestic who answered his ring replied +that he did not know whether she were in or not, but would go and +see—would the gentleman give his name?</p> + +<p>Mark sent up a card and the servant returned with a "not at home."</p> + +<p>When would she be in?</p> + +<p>Servant couldn't tell—uncertain—didn't know.</p> + +<p>The colonel went away, found some brother officers at the hotel, and +dined with them. Afterwards he returned to Mr. Mumbie's, but met with no +better success; Miss Heath was still "not at home." Disappointed again, +Mark returned to his hotel and retired to his room to smoke in gloomy +meditation and solitude. He was debating upon the propriety of calling +again that day, when his privacy was invaded by one of the officers he +had dined with. Being an old comrade of the colonel, he burst in +unceremoniously, "Where the devil have you been, Gildersleeve? I've been +looking all over for you the past two hours. Want to see you badly. +What's the matter, old boy; you look awfully down in the mouth. Not +sick, I hope? Here, rouse up; I've got an invite for you to a grand +shine to-night. It's a big blow-out, and we'll have some fun."</p> + +<p>Mark drew from its envelope an engraved card imparting the information +that the pleasure of his company was requested by Mrs. Van Spuytenduyvel +at No. —— Madison Square, on that evening.</p> + +<p>"What's this, major?" inquired Mark; "Who is Mrs. Van Spuytenduyvel?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know the Van Spuytenduyvels! Why, benighted boy, the Van +Spuytenduyvels are one of the most illustrious and stupid families in +the State, and of the best blood of the Knickerbockers. The wretches +wallow in wealth. Where stands yon costly fane was once the ancestral +cabbage plantation of the Van Spuytenduyvels. However, that's neither +here nor there. The lady is an old friend of mine, and that's enough. +Met her a while ago—mentioned you—told her you were a good-looking +boy, battle-scarred, and all that sort o' thing; and she said, bring him +along, by all means, and made me promise besides. So don't look so +bored; go you must."</p> + +<p>"Go, nonsense! Why should I go?" said Mark, in no mood for trifling. "I +don't know this lady."</p> + +<p>"I told you that I had recorded a solemn vow to bring you, and you've +got to go, willy-nilly," said the major, imperturbably.</p> + +<p>"But I've no dress suit," expostulated Mark.</p> + +<p>"Dress suit, hear the innocent! Not any, thank you. Why, you stupid, +you'd spoil all in a swallow-tail coat. What the deuce do you suppose +Mrs. V. S. wants of you in black with a white choker? Haven't you sense +enough to see that all she cares is to have the proper complement of +gilt buttons and straps in her rooms? As for you, my bold soldier boy, +you're no account whatever, and she don't just care two pins for your +valorous and gallant self; so be sensible—be sensible. Brush up your +spread-eagles and prepare; but first get sheared, for you look like a +bushwacker with those elf-locks."</p> + +<p>The advice was in order, for Mark, in singular contrast with his former +scrupulousness in that respect, had become rather neglectful of his +personal appearance, and his long black hair floating carelessly down +his neck befitted the chief of a band of jay-hawkers better than a +spruce Federal officer. "Bestir yourself, Gil; you haven't much time," +added the major, as a parting injunction. "I'll call for you at ten."</p> + +<p>Ten o'clock came, and with it the major, who found Mark still in the +same attitude, unprepared, and ruefully refilling his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Now, Gildersleeve, I'll not stand this," exclaimed the lively major. +"Go you must. When I say a thing I mean it;" and in spite of his +remonstrances the reluctant colonel was borne off to the ball.</p> + +<p>Their carriage left them at the carpeted porch of a sumptuous residence +fronting Madison Square, and a domestic directed them to an upper room. +After a little preliminary adjustment of their toilets, they descended +to the parlors, to pay their respects to their host and hostess.</p> + +<p>The major presented his friend the colonel to Mrs. Van Spuytenduyvel, a +tall dame with massive shoulders and majestic nose, who returned the +colonel's bow with becoming haughtiness; and to Mr. Van Spuytenduyvel, a +small man, ambushed in the voluminous skirts of his ample consort; and +then the colonel and his friend were permitted to pass on and mingle in +the festal throng. The major soon found an attractive acquaintance among +the ladies, and slipped away, leaving Mark to shift for himself. It was +the first time the colonel had ever attended a fashionable party, and +the brilliancy of the scene and display of jewels and rich dresses +rather dazzled him. A dull pastime, though, for he saw none but strange +faces. He looked about him in the vague hope that perchance he might +meet the one whose image occupied his thoughts; but apparently she was +not present. As he stood staring with an inquisitive and rather +bewildered expression, he attracted no little attention. His three years +of campaigning certainly furnished an example of how thoroughly not only +the mind, but its dial the countenance becomes subdued to what the +former works in. He was now the <i>beau ideal</i> of a dashing trooper: +swarthy and sinewy as an Apache brave, with a decided chin and +glittering eyes. The scar on his brow, too, neither softened his +sternness nor enhanced his good looks, and he found himself the object +of many stares and audible remarks from ladies to their escorts as to +who he was, and whether a "regular" or "volunteer," until, embarrassed +at the notice he attracted, he threaded his way to a corner secure from +observation.</p> + +<p>The rooms were excessively crowded, and the atmosphere was heated with +the numerous lights, and heavy with the odors of flowers and perfumes. +Regardless of all this, some determined dancers were dashing along +wildly, and whirling couples carromed like billiard-balls. Mark, +inclined to muse, indulged in mental criticism of the company. What +struck him most was not the weary, solemn mien of the elder guests, nor +the absence of frank joyousness in the young men, but the supercilious +nonchalance and worldly-wise air of the young ladies. Here and there was +a modest flower, but many wore expressions of bold self-possession, that +seemed to his untutored eyes to border on effrontery. Perhaps a harsh +judgment on the part of our captious colonel, but it must be remembered +that he was still but a child of nature, living in the ideal. His poetic +temperament led him to indulge in such exalted fancies of the +excellences of the gentler sex, that when taken from his dreams and +placed face to face with the sophisticated belles of two seasons, he was +naturally discountenanced. To one living outside the pale of fashionable +society, its artificiality is painfully apparent. Presently the +colonel's soldierly eye was attracted by the erect figure of a young +lady, whose back was towards him. Her shoulders and neck were moulded +with such perfect grace, that he was desirous to see her face, and +changing his position to do so, he beheld a radiant beauty, that +recalled a Louis Quatorze marchioness. Powdered hair and a patch +enhanced the fairness of her complexion, while bistred lashes gave an +unnatural brilliancy to her eyes. Her slender throat was encircled by a +diamond necklace, whose pendent cross flashed from a breast of snow, +that brought the lines on Pope's Belinda to mind. She was toying with a +fan, and chatting with a group of gentlemen who were evidently admiring +her, and her beautiful simpering countenance betrayed gratified vanity. +Mark scrutinized her closely. Recollections of familiar features arose, +and the truth flashed to him that this young person was Edna.</p> + +<p>But what a change! Not now the sweet, modest rose of Belton, but an +egregiously vain and affected coquette. So thought Mark, in whose +unsophisticated eyes the transformation was complete and manifest. He +watched her a few moments longer. One of her danglers was made supremely +happy by being permitted to button her glove, while another enjoyed the +bliss of holding her bouquet. Then a third, a tight-built little fellow, +with closely-cropped hair accurately parted in the centre of his round +head, a mustache of magnitude, and a crush hat in his hand, gallantly +clasping her, led her off in the mazes of a waltz. It certainly was a +graceful sight; but Mark saw, or fancied he saw, but another phase of +affectation in Edna's posed features and downcast eyes, as she glided +around in evident consciousness of the admiration she excited. With a +pang of disappointment, Mark shrank away, fearing to be noticed by Edna. +He had an undefined dread of being noticed by her there and then, and +very soon after, had bidden adieu to Mrs. Van Spuytenduyvel, and left +the house.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>What bitter emotions filled the heart, and what cynical thoughts the +mind, of our impetuous hero that night, it would be difficult to +describe. He imagined he had discovered the cause of Edna's neglect of +him. She was utterly changed. Other thoughts occupied her mind, and +other affections her heart, if she had either, which he was beginning in +his bitterness to doubt. Should he make another attempt to see her? No, +he would not. She was unworthy of further attention. He should return +to his duties at once, and start for the front the very next morning. +Such was his decision before he fell into a feverish, disturbed slumber +towards dawn. But, as usual, the bright sunlight of morning proved a +sedative, and Mark became disposed to be lenient. "Perhaps," thought he, +"I have been unjust to her. She has been left an orphan to the care of +fashionable people. Could she resist—could any young girl resist the +influences of the artificial existence that such people lead? Truth is, +I must confess, that I don't know anything about fashion or fashionable +people or their ways and manners. I've no doubt that I'm all wrong, and +that her heart is all right—that she is as good and kind and candid as +ever. But when I think of the dear little artless darling who used to +coast down the Academy hill at Belton with me, and laugh so ripplingly +when she fell in a snow-bank, and that Pompadour-looking belle playing +her eyes at the host of smirking fools around her, I feel as if I +could—well, well, she's a warm-hearted girl for all that, and has +always been my friend, and I'm a fool" (this was the invariable +conclusion arrived at by the colonel in his self-examinations). "At any +rate," he continued, "I have no right to judge her harshly. I shall call +on her, and her welcome will doubtless efface the disagreeable +impression I have received."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XX.</h2> + + +<p>The morrow found the colonel calling again on Miss Heath. Before doing +so he took his friend the major's advice, and visited a tonsorial artist +in order to present a less savage and more prepossessing appearance. +This time he found the young lady at home. As he awaited the return of +the domestic who took his card and was about to usher him in, the +suspense, the mingled joy and apprehension of meeting, was almost +unbearable. He was shown into sumptuous parlors, so filled with +paintings and statues that they looked like exhibition rooms, where he +found Edna in company with some friends. In a perfectly self-possessed +way she came forward to receive him, and she did it so coolly, and +introduced him with such an air of indifference to the other visitors +present, that poor Mark's heart was chilled. Her appearance, also, +surprised and displeased him. She looked, with her fair hair twisted +into Medusæan wildness and decorated with broad gold band and dangling +sequins; with her delicate ears weighted by Byzantine pendants, and +throat circled by a snake-like coil of dead gold,—like an Assyrian +princess, beautifully barbaric. But her jaded eyes, and pale cheeks +bereft of bloom, told of late hours and departing freshness.</p> + +<p>Miss Mumbie was there, and attired much in the same way. There were also +two gentlemen present.</p> + +<p>"I believe you are already acquainted with Captain Gildersleeve, Ada," +said Edna to Miss Mumbie, who bowed rather distantly in reply. "Mr. +Jobson—Captain Gildersleeve," she continued, introducing Mark to one of +the gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"Captain!" exclaimed Mr. Jobson; "why, Miss Heath, this is Colonel +Gildersleeve. Didn't I meet him last November when I went down to the +front to see my brother? Colonel, of course, delighted to meet you. +Don't you recollect Captain Jobson's brother, and the row with your +orderly about the shaving brush?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg pardon," said Edna, coloring slightly. "I've been away so +long that I really forgot Mr. Gildersleeve's present rank."</p> + +<p>"Forgot!" returned Jobson, who was a dashing stockbroker, and had all +the <i>brusquerie</i> of his class; "why, I thought everybody knew how +the colonel got his promotion. Why, Miss Heath, he's one of the +best known and most serviceable officers in the army. I heard the +commander-in-chief himself speak in the highest and most complimentary +terms of him; said he, 'That lame devil of a cavalry colonel on H——'s +staff is worth all—'"</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," interrupted Mark, blushing, and anxious to turn the +conversation, though with a secret throb of pleased vanity in his inmost +heart, "I remember you now very well. You came up to City Point the day +after our skirmish with Hoke's brigade, when poor Archer was shot and +your brother wounded."</p> + +<p>"To be sure I did," said Jobson; "and some of you fellows at +headquarters—I don't say it was you—gave me some of the vilest +whiskey, that nearly cut me in two. Why, Miss Heath—"</p> + +<p>But Miss Heath was at that moment engaged with the other gentleman, to +whom Mark had not been presented. This gentleman, evidently a foreigner, +was seated between the two young ladies, whom he was entertaining with +some apparently amusing conversation in a subdued voice. Edna, who was +reclining regally in an arm-chair, turned her head languidly to listen +when appealed to by Jobson.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me; I believe I omitted to introduce you, colonel, to Count +Borgia—Colonel Gildersleeve;" and the two men bowed stiffly. She then +condescendingly addressed a few words to Mark: "Have you been to Belton +lately? Dull, stupid place, isn't it? So little society, and what there +is is so very inferior. Have you heard about those ridiculous people, +those <i>nouveaux riches</i>, with that horrid name, who have built near Mr. +Mumbie's? Isn't it shameful that such persons are permitted to intrude +among respectable people? And they do say Mr. Abbott visits them, and is +quite attentive to one of the young ladies. Did you ever hear the like? +Dear me, I don't see how any one can live there now. I do so pity +Constance Hull. Poor thing, she makes such a martyr of herself, staying +there all alone with the Judge, and he is getting so old, and peevish, +and cross. Her brother very seldom goes to Belton, I believe, but +Constance will stay in the poky old place."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she is one of those persons unfortunate enough to have +attachments, and who cling to old associations," said Mark, +sarcastically.</p> + +<p>Edna seemingly did not heed the thrust, but replied carelessly:</p> + +<p>"I don't know really, but it must be very stupid for her."</p> + +<p>She spoke with an affected drawl, and drooped her hands from her wrists +as a standing dog does its paws. Then turning to the Count, she inquired +whether he had been to a certain reception that afternoon, and who were +there.</p> + +<p>Mark directed his attention to this foreigner, whom he already +instinctively disliked. He was a handsome Italian of thirty-five or so, +with white teeth gleaming between pulpy red lips partly hidden by a jet +mustache with waxed points. He appeared well-bred, spoke English +fluently and with very little foreign accent, but minced his words as he +displayed his teeth, and smiled so insinuatingly, that Mark's disfavor +was intensified at the sight.</p> + +<p>The young ladies and the Count began discussing the important subject of +a "German" they had attended the previous evening, subsequently to the +party at the Van Spuytenduyvels.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure, Miss Mumbie, I am right," insisted the Count. "It is exactly +as I have said. I did not dance the bouquet figure with Miss Heath; I +recollect, with very great distinctness, indeed, that I was leading with +the young widow lady, Mrs. Lovett, who has such very charming eyes, and +Miss Heath was with—"</p> + +<p>"To be sure, Ada, don't you recollect I was dancing with that odious +little Herbert Hopper?" said Edna. "Whenever I go to the Pinkertons, I'm +sure to meet him invariably, and he never leaves me, so that I have to +endure the pleasure of his company the whole of the evening."</p> + +<p>"I wish I were in the place of that odious little Hopper," remarked +Jobson, gallantly.</p> + +<p>"There are others no better," said Edna; "as for Herbert Hopper, I must +say that he is a perfect little pest, and I do wish he wouldn't annoy +me."</p> + +<p>"Say the word, Miss Heath," said Jobson, "and I'll slay him."</p> + +<p>"O Miss," deprecated the Count, with a winning air, "do not—do not, I +pray you, be so severe with the fire of your indignation on the poor +boy. It is not his fault. You do not know what he has to contend with. +How can he help it? When we see a parterre of beautiful flowers, do we +not all stop and linger around the most beautiful and loveliest of +them?" and he added some words in French that caused Edna to smile with +evident pleasure, and pout her lips coquettishly.</p> + +<p>Mark's feelings underwent a complete revulsion. His bitter +disappointment had given place to anger incited by jealousy and the +cavalier treatment he had received. Now disenchantment succeeded, and +left him very sad. Was it for this he had striven? Where were all those +fond illusions and longings, those bright visions of future happiness? +Gone in one brief interview with the enchantress that had conjured them. +Was this vain, artificial flirt—this heartless girl who treated him +with disdain and indifference, the sweet idol he had worshipped so +fervently from boyhood? He could stay no longer in her presence, and +with a haughty bow to the company rose to leave. Edna bent her head with +a dismissive nod, and continued her frivolous conversation with the +Count. Jobson sprang up also to leave. "Which way, Colonel? Stopping at +the Albemarle, ain't you? Down the avenue, I suppose? I'll go with you. +Stop a minute till I look at my watch. By Jove! later than I thought. +Ladies, much as I regret it, I must tear myself away. Don't grieve, and +I'll promise to return again and heal your lacerated hearts. 'Too late I +stayed, forgive the crime, Unheeded flew the hours, How softly falls the +foot of time, That only treads on flowers!' With which elegant extract +this Child of Affliction begs to subscribe himself on the tablets of +your hearts, ladies, as your most obedient and obliged good servant. +Ajew—ajew! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say—ajew, till it +be morrow. Ha, ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>The jocose Jobson then bowed himself out, chaffed the servant in the +hall who assisted him on with his overcoat, lit a segar, offered one to +the impatient colonel (who was figuratively shaking the dust from his +shoes on the stoop), and then hooking his arm in that of the disgusted +warrior, walked along with him, chatting with a familiar confidence that +rather surprised his companion. Mark examined this new-found friend +with some curiosity. Jobson was a tall, spare man, with a good-natured +sharp face, keen eyes, a predatory nose, and wispy whiskers. Beneath his +drab surtout he wore a brown velvet coat and waistcoat, and his slender +legs were encased in cords. A coral splinter-bar pin ornamented his blue +bird's-eye scarf, and his watch-chain was composed of miniature +snaffle-bits ending in a horse-shoe locket. Altogether he looked the +amateur turfman to perfection.</p> + +<p>"Deuced fine girl, Miss Heath, ain't she?" he began; "Got the stamps, +too—richest heiress in the market. Old man took his death through +immoderate use of cold water—fell in the drink over in Jersey, where he +owned a whole town; and to think now that this sallow-faced bandit seems +to have the inside track. It's a burning shame, I say, that such a +smoky-head lazzaroni should be tolerated, when good-looking chaps like +you and I, colonel, are around and unprovided for, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>The stockbroker's flippant way of treating a subject so near to the +colonel's heart grated harshly on his feelings, but curiosity overcame +his repugnance, and he inquired, "Who is this Italian—this Count?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you all I know about him in a few words," continued Jobson. +"Throw away that segar first, and take a fresh one—they're Partagas. +You see I'm a broker—by the bye, here's my card, and happy to see you +down town at my office any time you're that way, or at the club in the +evening, whichever is most convenient. Well, as I was saying, I'm a +broker, and last year after I closed out the Rock Island pool, out of +which I cleared two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars, in less +than ninety days, I went to Europe and fell in with the Mumbies. I'm a +second cousin of old man Mumbie, you must know, although he never +discovered it until I was worth half a million. Anyway Bob Mumbie and I +went about together some, and had a good time. Miss Heath, who, I +suppose you know, is a ward of Mumbie's, was with the family, and this +feller, this Italian, was their courier. After a while it came out that +he was a count, and then they all kow-towed to him as if he were the +Grand Mogul. When they got to Italy he showed them his ancestral halls, +and all that sort o' thing, and sold Mumbie pictures and marbles enough +at five prices to stock a museum, so that the commissions and profits he +made on them enabled him to set up for a gentleman, and give up the +courier business. But he still froze to the Mumbies, and accompanied +them over here. First he made love to Ada, but when he found out that +Miss Heath was an heiress, and ever so much richer, he dropped Ada and +turned his batteries on the other. Bob Mumbie was also sweet on Miss +Heath, but when the Count appeared, poor Bob's pipe was out at once. +Mrs. Mumbie is as much magnetized as any of them. She thinks a wonderful +sight of high birth, blood, families, and all that sort o' thing, and +wants to secure the Count for Ada, though I don't think there's much +show for her now. So you see the feller's in clover and, begad, I think +he can take his pick of the girls any day he wants to. Can't imagine +what possesses our girls to take up with foreign beggars, with handles +to their names, when there's lots of their good-looking sensible +countrymen to be had, with the rocks to back 'em." Here Jobson threw +back the lappels of his coat and displayed his chest. "So it goes," he +continued with a sigh. "Some time ago French marquises and barons were +all the rage, and now they're running on Italian counts and princes. +That Count Borgia hasn't got a red cent. He's passing chips half the +time 'round to Morrissey's. Hang me, if I don't think he's a capper, and +that's the way he manages to live."</p> + +<p>Jobson evidently spoke from warmth of feeling, and the gist of his +sentiments found an emphatic indorsement in Mark's breast, who, however, +was not disposed to exchange views on the topic, and remained silent. By +this time they had reached the Union Club.</p> + +<p>"Come in and dine with me?" said Jobson.</p> + +<p>The colonel excused himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, say to-morrow. I'll call for you in my dog-cart, and we'll take a +spin down the Lane before dinner. What do you say?"</p> + +<p>The colonel thanked Jobson for his invitation, but said he should leave +for the front that evening.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, colonel, if you must go. Good-by. Take care of yourself."</p> + +<p>Mark promised to do so, and returned to his hotel.</p> + +<p>"Henceforth let every incident of my past life, every thought and +remembrance connected with her, be dismissed from my mind. Let it be as +blank. I blot out every memory of Edna Heath from this moment. No such +being exists for me." Such were the colonel's resolves, as he prepared +himself to leave. "I can very well understand how men become Trappists. +It would take but little to induce me to join the order, provided they +permitted smoking. How vain, hollow, and illusory are all our hopes and +plans! Vanity of vanities," etc., etc., and he continued in the usual +strain of jilted lovers, indulging in gloomy rhapsodies as he packed his +portmanteau.</p> + +<p>An hour later he was on his way to City Point. Contemporaneously, the +object of his animadversions was in her room preparing for the evening's +campaign. The hair-dresser had just left, and she remained leaning +pensively on her toilet-table. Evidently she was dissatisfied with +something, probably with herself. On reviewing the events of the day, +and her conduct and attitude towards Mark, a vexing doubt would obtrude +that she had perhaps treated him rather shabbily, at least ungenerously, +if not unworthily. "After all," she reflected, "it is his fault. He has +no one to blame but himself. Why did he not answer my letters? why this +unaccountable silence on his part? Perhaps he might have explained it, +but then, why is he so intensely haughty, and why does he attempt to +overawe me? Am I a child to be chidden and rendered submissive by +imposing airs? Still he seemed so joyful when he entered the room—his +eyes fairly sparkled. But what could I do? I couldn't fly in his arms or +appear demonstrative in the presence of the Count and the others. Still, +I might have shown some cordiality. I don't see what possessed me. I did +feel like greeting him, but something checked me. O dear! I am so weak +and foolish, I presume nothing will do now but I must write a note +apologizing like a little goose, and telling him how very sorry I am, +and promising never to do so again. No! I won't do that, but I'll smooth +it over with a few non-committal sentences, and he will be just as well +pleased." Sitting down to her writing-desk, she began penning a formal +missive, containing a half dozen white fibs, which, before it was +completed, she impatiently tore into bits, and began another which met +a similar fate, until at length her feelings found relief and +satisfactory expression in the following:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Dear Mark</span>:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Do not leave in anger with me.<br /></span> +<span class="i12"><span class="smcap">Edna.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>These few words were immediately despatched to the colonel, who, Edna +had overheard Jobson say, was stopping at the "Albemarle," and strict +injunctions given the messenger to ascertain positively if this were so.</p> + +<p>The clerk in attendance at the hotel, unaware that Mark had departed a +short time before, replied, when questioned as to whether the colonel +were staying there, in the affirmative; and taking Edna's note, flung it +carelessly in an appropriate pigeon-hole. It lay there a day; and the +next tenant of the room occupied by Mark received it, opened it without +looking at the address, and discovering his mistake and the apparent +unimportance of the epistle, unconcernedly threw it into the fire.</p> + +<p>Accidents seemingly trivial shape our destinies; and this one separated +two young hearts forever, and caused a material divergence in their +future lives.</p> + +<p>Edna, after sending the note, remained at home that evening. She had +engaged to go to the opera; but plead indisposition, and grievously +disappointed an admirer. She waited in expectation of a swift +acknowledgment of her petition. The mask had fallen. If Mark could have +seen her now, all his bitterness would have vanished. Old thoughts and +recollections had resumed their sway, and her countenance beamed with +the latent tenderness of a frank, generous nature. It was not the +tristful expression of a love-lorn maiden, for her girlish passion for +Mark was indeed gone; but there remained a sincere affection for her old +friend and playmate. He came not, neither made he any sign; and Edna +retired to her room that night disappointed, and perhaps a little +nettled. This feeling very soon passed over; it lasted a day or so, and +then with an appeased conscience, and serene conviction that she had +made ample amends for her frigid reception of her old lover, she +continued to mingle in the whirl of fashionable diversions.</p> + +<p>Her wealth and beauty had installed her at once as the reigning belle +of the season. Suitors she had without number. Noticeable among them, +besides the Italian count, were: the still faithful Spooner, the former +dog-fancier, now the Rev. F. Standish Spooner, in charge of a +congregation at Roxbury, that he sadly neglected to wait upon Miss +Heath, without, however, much hope of success, as his ineligibility as a +partner in the dance put him at a woful disadvantage; the dashing +stockbroker, Jobson, whom the belle rather disdained, in spite of his +horses and yacht, as unrefined and inclined to low tastes; Herbert +Hopper, a little fop, with immeasurably more money than brains; a pretty +fellow, though, that scores of girls would gladly have taken up with; +and last though not least, Percy Brocatelle, a famous leader of the +German. Percy's means of livelihood were involved in mystery, and his +antecedents humble. He had been a clerk at Stewart's, where his +gentlemanly address and good looks had won him many friends and +acquaintances from among the fashionable patronesses of that +establishment. Under the auspices of the sagacious Sexton Brown, he had +forsaken the glove-counter, and made his débût as a society-man, +gradually rising to eminence in that arduous profession. Envious swells, +to be sure, maligned him; sons of successful pork-merchants and +stable-keepers blackballed him and refused him admission to their clubs; +but Brocatelle rose triumphant over all these obstacles, and was found +everywhere—that was anywhere—for who could so deftly tread the mazes +of the German as he? Whose head was so round, or hair parted with such +precision as his? And who else combined with all this, clothes so +faultless, and a mustache so imposing? His taste, furthermore, in +ladies' dress—in their laces, gloves, ribbons, and coiffures, was +unimpeachable and invaluable. These qualities were not to be gainsaid; +and Edna, for one, declared publicly, that she preferred dancing with +him to any one else, and dreaded his criticism on her attire more than +even that of the great Schmauder. Yet in spite of all these advantages, +Percy could make no headway against the Count—the irresistible Count, +surrounded with all the fascinating and terrible glories of the Borgia +family, whose star was in the ascendant until a prince—a real <span class="smcap">Prince</span>, +came along. For it happened in those days that the son of a reigning +monarch was making a tour of the States. His mother, who was, naturally +enough, a queen, although a queen, bore as irreproachable a character as +any matron in her dominions; and as such praiseworthy conduct on the +part of a sovereign deserved encouragement, several estimable old +citizens of the great metropolis deemed it their duty to manifest their +approval of her good behavior, by giving a public ball to her son, out +of respect for his august mother. This, to be sure, was but a +left-handed compliment to the son, and when a committee of the reverend +seignors waited on the prince to tender the proposed honor, he did not +evince any lively sense of anticipated pleasure; and after the +deputation had bowed themselves off (each one under the delightful +delusion that he would be asked in return to drop in at the palace, in a +friendly way, on his next visit to Europe) he turned to his mentor and +discontentedly said, "Dammit, Grey, must I go to that ball, and be bored +by those confounded snobs?"</p> + +<p>"No help for it that I can see," replied my lord.</p> + +<p>"Well, there will be lots of pretty girls there, I dare say. These +Yankee girls are doosid pretty. If they'd only give me a chance to have +my fling, and not insist on my leading out a lot of stupid old dowagers, +I wouldn't mind it a bit," remarked H. R. H.</p> + +<p>Now princeling was to a certain extent justified in his comments, for +while the mass of the people had an honest curiosity to see a prince, +and rushed to look at him as they would to a unicorn or any other rare +sight, there was a select circle who worshipped him as the +representative of power and pageantry, and hoped by surrounding him to +shine resplendently in the reflected light of royalty. H. R. H. was not +an astute lad, but he was probably sharp enough to perceive that all the +toadying he was subjected to was due to his rank and trappings and not +to him as an individual. That refined snobbery called loyalty has its +redeeming side. One can understand the devotion of a good and wise +royalist to an imbecile or wretched monarch, because the sentiment may +be disinterested, and would still exist were the monarch an exiled +mendicant, but the courtiership of republicans is purely selfish and +debasing. Most of us, like Thackeray, would jump out of our skins for +joy at walking arm-in-arm between two dukes, but it is painful to +reflect that we should hardly toss a shilling to either of them the next +day if stripped of their titles and reduced to beggary. So Mr. Mumbie, +who was abject in the presence of the prince, and ready to prostrate his +poor old brown wig in the dust before his royal highness would, in all +likelihood, have but grudgingly lent him a dollar had he come in the +guise of an impecunious plebeian. But H. R. H. was a good-natured boy +and had a part to perform. So he duly attended the ball, was very +complaisant, honored several ladies, old enough to be his grandmammas, +with his august hand in the dance, and was then allowed to run at large +among the younger beauties present. Miss Heath was among those who +enjoyed the inestimable privilege of being selected as his partner. +Moreover, he graciously flirted with her in the intervals of a galop. He +told her that she was a "stunning girl." His Royal Highness had actually +said that! Edna thrilled with pleasure. True he had paid the same +compliment to the oysters of the country and its cocktails—true he was +plain and an awkward dancer, but then he was a prince—a prince of the +blood-royal, whatever that might be, and she, Edna Heath, in his +princely estimation, was a stunning girl! Was there anything left to +live for? Her happiness was complete, but alas and alack! the prince, as +princes often do, fluttered away like a fickle butterfly, and she was +left forlorn to mourn his disappearance.</p> + +<p>Then by degrees the Count—the wily, persistent Count—temporarily +eclipsed, arose again and reappeared in the zenith of her favor. At +times, when she had leisure to think amid the excitement of her +existence, she gave a passing thought to Mark, but she felt absolved +from any duty towards him. She had done all that could be required of +her, and had gone farther to retain his regard than she would to any +other person than so old a friend. It is true she had had a girlish +fancy for him, but it was at a time when she was barely more than a +child and inexperienced. He could not possibly presume upon that now, +especially after the long period in which he had neglected her, and when +her letters had remained uncared for. Consequently she felt entirely +justified in dismissing him thenceforth from her mind. It is not so +certain but that the Count might have shared the same fate, had it not +been for an occurrence that turned the scales in his favor.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mumbie, in her anxiety to secure the nobleman for a son-in-law, had +watched with much dissatisfaction his marked preference for Edna. This, +and the heiress' continued indifference to her son Bob's attentions, +were more than her kind, motherly soul could bear. After a long delay +and patient waiting, one day Bob ventured to propose. Edna listened with +an air of mingled surprise and merriment that rather disconcerted him, +and declined the proffered honor. The rejected postulant, chopfallen and +sullen, repaired to his mother and related his unsuccess. Mrs. Mumbie +could contain herself no longer. The blood of the Skinners was aroused, +and her wrath knew no bounds. Rushing in unceremoniously upon the +heiress, she overwhelmed her with vehement reproaches. Edna was at first +bewildered, and recoiled from the storm of anger so unaccountably +directed at her by the usually amiable matron, who raged away +incoherently, until at length unburthening herself, the animus of all +her fury was very disagreeably revealed. "So, Miss, you have seen fit +to insult us—to insult your guardian—to insult the family to whom you +owe so much, by refusing my son, who was good enough to honor you by an +offer. You hussy! how dare you slight my son—how dare you treat us in +this way? This is your gratitude, is it? After all the kindness we have +shown you—after all our attention and devotion to you. You precious, +artful piece! to think of your eating day after day at our table, +sitting at our board with us, looking as if butter wouldn't melt in your +mouth, and all the while plotting against the happiness of our children. +I don't see how you dare look at me! And the Count—this foreign +adventurer whom Ada despises and whom you have encouraged with your +advances—this Count has turned your silly head, and I'll no longer +permit you to stay in this household."</p> + +<p>Edna could listen no longer. With cheeks hot with indignation, and hands +to her ears, she retreated into an adjoining room. Mrs. Mumbie, left +alone, took to screaming, and throwing herself on the floor, drummed +away with her heels in impotent ire. Edna meanwhile put on her hat and +shawl, and swiftly leaving the house stood in the street. She drew her +veil to hide her agitated countenance, and debated whither she should +go. Within a few squares dwelt an intimate friend, a young lady, to whom +she repaired and confided her trouble. This done, her pent-up grief +could no longer be contained, and she gave way to a long cry. She was +very sorrowful. The Mumbies had always been kind to her, and their home +was the only one she had known since her father's death. This sudden +severance, and Mrs. Mumbie's cruel attack, made her feel very lonely and +miserable.</p> + +<p>It was not until the morrow that the Mumbie's discovered where their +ward had taken refuge. By that time Mrs. Mumbie had recovered her +presence of mind, and felt that she had sadly marred her plans by her +hasty and intemperate conduct. So Mr. Mumbie was immediately despatched +with a verbal apology, and instructions to smooth matters and induce the +heiress to return. Mr. Mumbie felt himself rather an incompetent +ambassador for such a mission, still he undertook it with zeal having a +genuine affection for the daughter of his old friend, and sincerely and +deeply regretting his wife's behavior towards her. With what seemed to +him subtle policy, he put on sundry tokens Edna had given him, such as a +seal ring, a scarf-pin, and a watch-chain which could not fail to open a +spring of fond associations that would greatly facilitate his task. He +augured well from his reception, for Edna appeared much pleased to see +him, and held up her face to be kissed. But when, after a short +disquisition on the weather, and some hemming and hawing, he ventured to +announce the object of his mission, and, in alluding to Mrs. Mumbie's +"peculiar temper," said she "mustn't mind it"—that nobody minded her +"peculiar temper" (which was rather a stretch of veracity), as "she +didn't mean anything by it," and that the best thing Edna could do was +to put on her "things" and go right back with him—the young lady shook +her head in a way that caused Mr. Mumbie to lose faith in his powers of +persuasion. He tried to appeal to her feelings. "Why, Edna, you can't +imagine how we miss you. You know we are a family of strong local +attachments. I myself have carried this knife—this"—</p> + +<p>He felt in his pockets, rummaged them, searched them over—the knife +was gone! Consternation was imminent—when he suddenly recollected that +he had, for the first time in his life, left this cherished companion at +home. This shock, however, disturbed his ratiocination, and he +floundered on rather feebly in his plea.</p> + +<p>"As I was saying, Edna, we miss you awfully. If you had only seen us at +breakfast this morning, you couldn't stay away a minute. We couldn't any +of us eat hardly anything. All I took was a cup of tea and a roll. As +for Bob, and you know what a hearty feeder he is, poor Bob couldn't go +more than a couple of buckwheat cakes and a chop, and Ada, she just +about touched an egg, and kept pointing with her fork at your vacant +chair, and saying there's where she used to sit. Last night Will Hull +called, and says he, 'Where's Edna?' and Ada didn't know what to say. +Now this sort of thing won't do. You must forget and forgive."</p> + +<p>"My dear guardian," replied Edna, firmly; "while I shall always retain +the utmost respect and gratitude for the kindness you have invariably +shown me, and shall always be very much pleased to see you, I never wish +to see Mrs. Mumbie again. I could not endure to be reminded of the +cruel attack I was subjected to from her."</p> + +<p>"Come—come, Edna, you must not talk in that strain. She didn't mean +anything by it. I've been through it myself. It's only her peculiar way, +you know."</p> + +<p>Edna pressed her lips tightly together, and shook her head, in a manner +that signified a fixed resolution, and disheartened her guardian.</p> + +<p>"Why, Edna, even Blanche has noticed that you have left the house, and +goes whining about, and as for the canaries they are dumb and dull as +owls," added Mr. Mumbie, at a loss for arguments. But even this touching +allusion to the sorrows of the pet Italian grayhound and the +singing-birds failed to soften the obdurate ward, and he was obliged to +retire baffled.</p> + +<p>Then Ada Mumbie came and tried her powers, but with no better success, +and Edna's determination remained unshaken.</p> + +<p>She stayed at her friend's house, pending the arrival of Mrs. Applegate, +who was spending the winter in a distant western city, and with whom she +intended to reside in the future.</p> + +<p>The moment was a propitious one for the Count. He was aware that some +disagreement had arisen between the Mumbies and Miss Heath, but of the +nature of it he was in total ignorance. His curiosity was excited. He +could learn nothing from the young lady. She of course was silent on the +subject, and he had too much tact to appear inquisitive, but Bob—the +guileless Bob, in a gush of confidence, inspired by a bottle of Burgundy +at the club, imparted the story of his unrequited love, his declaration, +and its sequel, to the feeling bosom of a friend, who in turn confided +the tale to a dozen other confidential friends. In this way it reached +the ears of the Count, who was not slow to perceive the great advantage +Miss Heath's present position gave him in prosecuting his suit. Here was +a young, inexperienced person, severed from life-long friends, and left +almost alone in the world. Naturally she was ready to attach herself to +the first sympathetic heart that presented itself in a suitable and +engaging way. Craftily the Count played his cards. When Edna went to +Philadelphia to reside with her aunt, he followed her there, and had the +field to himself. He began by captivating Mrs. Applegate. She bore a +striking resemblance to his cousin the Principessa Baldonachi, he said, +and had the port and mien of those noble Venetian dames, that Titian +loved to paint. He brought her flowers and escorted her to church. The +good lady was flattered beyond measure at these unwonted attentions, and +pronounced him the most polite gentleman she had ever known. At a +favorable moment he took occasion to confide to her, his adoration of +her niece—that truly noble young person—for, while he confessed, with +a certain reluctance, that he belonged to one of the most illustrious +houses of Europe, yet he deemed the only true nobility to be the +nobility of the soul, such as Miss Heath possessed; and then, with a +sigh, he regretted that the young lady was wealthy. He deeply deplored +that. "If she were only a poor girl—if she were entirely destitute—how +happy I should be. With what eager joy would I hasten to lay my heart, +my title, my patrimony, everything at her feet, and beg of her to accept +them. But now, alas! I cannot. No—no—it cannot be—it must not be. The +world—the censorious world, would call me mercenary. No—I must suffer +in silence. Be still, my poor heart! But you shall be my friend, will +you not?"</p> + +<p>His visible agitation and moistening eyes touched Mrs. Applegate, who +ventured a little consolatory advice. The Count's sentiments and conduct +in this manner did him great honor, she said, but she did not think he +was called upon to push his disinterestedness to such extremes. For her +part, she had always been of the opinion that no considerations of money +should be allowed to interfere, where true affection existed, and the +happiness of the parties was at stake. The worthy dame already saw +herself sweeping down the grand staircase of the Palazzo Baldonachi, on +the arm of her noble nephew-in-law.</p> + +<p>The Count thanked her a thousand times, for her kind words. She had +lifted a load from his heart, he said, and raising her hand respectfully +to his lips, the gallant Italian closed the interview.</p> + +<p>Having secured the aunt as an ally, the Count redoubled his efforts to +please the niece. He surrounded her with delicate attentions. He was +pliant, polite, deferential, and at length Edna yielded. What else could +she do? How could she, an inexperienced girl, who had never felt, until +now, the need of a protector, resist the persistent courtship of a man, +handsome, subtle, versed in the vulnerable points of feminine nature, +who plied her with ardent protestations of love and constancy. Her aunt +approved of it, too, and not long after the announcement was made +public, that a marriage had taken place between Count Borgia and Miss +Edna Heath, which, naturally enough, created no little excitement among +the numerous friends and admirers of the bride in the neighboring city +of New York. The match was very frankly discussed at the clubs, rather +unfavorably than otherwise, and Jobson freely offered the odds of two to +one, in sums to suit, that the Count would either poison or strangle his +wife within a year; and odds of ten to one that the extinguishment would +take place in less than six months, provided the husband could get a +will in his favor by that time—found no takers.</p> + +<p>Colonel Mark Gildersleeve read of the marriage in a newspaper, just +before the final advance of our army on Richmond. Perhaps his rash +bravery on that occasion, when he rallied a broken column against a +battery as gallantly as Caulincourt at Borodino, may have been +stimulated by the conduct of one who had robbed existence of its charms, +and rendered all renown barren.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XXI.</h2> + + +<p>Soon after their marriage, the Count and Countess Borgia sailed for +Europe. The latter, before leaving, found use for some of her wealth in +liquidating her husband's debts. Not a few of them were incurred at the +gaming-table. The Count was in favor of repudiating these, but as the +holders of his obligations made application to his wife, she insisted +upon paying them. The fact that he proposed to cheat his gambling +associates shocked her far more than the knowledge that he had indulged +so deeply in the vice. But she was destined to a series of shocks. +Having secured the coveted prize, the Count had no longer any object in +playing the hypocrite. His true character revealed itself. He was +faithless and tyrannous. He attempted no violence towards her, as Jobson +had predicted, but his acrimonious temper and bursts of vicious anger, +alternating with fits of feigned tenderness, of spurious fawning +affection, and his utter dishonesty soon dissipated the little love she +had for him; aversion succeeded, and ere the first year of their union +had closed, separation took place.</p> + +<p>She lives now in Paris, consoling herself in the care of an infant son +for the lingering bitterness resulting from disillusion, and the +conviction that she was the dupe of a designing knave; while he spends +his time between Hombourg, Monaco, and other gambling resorts, +squandering the handsome allowance he receives from his wife on +condition of never appearing within fifty miles of where she is +residing.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mark Gildersleeve, at the close of the war, applied for and received a +commission as captain in the regular service. The Government, when +granting it, were pleased to convey their appreciation of the efficient +and invaluable services he had rendered.</p> + +<p>While in Washington, shortly after the receipt of his commission, he met +at Willard's, Miss Hull, who had accompanied her grandfather, the Judge, +to the capital. Mark had never been intimate with her, but ventured +nevertheless to accost her and renew the acquaintance. She received him +pleasantly, and he spent several very agreeable evenings in her society. +She was not a comely young woman, rather plain, in fact—small, pale, +and wearing shell-glasses, but she possessed a fund of good sense and a +cultivated mind that were very engaging. Mark discovered that, and found +that his wounded heart was now healing, so fast, indeed, that it rather +amazed him. "Strange," thought he, "I never noticed how much there was +in Miss Hull. I always had an idea that she was a commonplace, in fact, +rather insignificant girl. How blind boys are! Upon the whole, I think +she's the cleverest and most charming young lady I ever saw; after all, +how much more potent are the fascinations of the mind—the graces of +intellect, than those of mere physical beauty."</p> + +<p>The sequel can be foreseen. Mark's bankrupt heart was now solvent. He +fell in love with Constance Hull, and proposed to her. She did not +reject him absolutely, but made her acceptance conditional on not being +required to leave her grandfather. Here was a quandary. Mark was +contented with his profession. He could not bear the thought of resuming +his old calling, which he would have to do, in case he returned to live +in Belton. One thing was clear: he should have to throw up his +commission and leave the army. The alternative was a hard one. Resign +his claim to Miss Hull, he could and would not. In this dilemma, and +while seeking some way out of it, an event occurred which settled the +matter in an unexpected way. Death, the great intermeddler, stepped in +and removed the old Judge, and after a proper period had elapsed, +Constance Hull consigned her fortunes to the care of Mark Gildersleeve. +The latter is now stationed at one of the frontier forts, and he and his +wife are as happy as mutual affection and esteem can make them.</p> + +<p>Our ecclesiastical friend, the Reverend Spencer Abbott, has also taken +unto himself a wife, and is married to Miss Angela Gogglemush, second +daughter of the distinguished inventor of the Terpsichorean Ointment. +The wedding was the most brilliant affair of the kind that ever took +place in Belton, to quote the language of the "Sentinel," and was "got +up in a style of Oriental magnificence—the bishop officiated—six +bridesmaids—ushers—two thousand invitations—presents +innumerable—sixty-two silver tea sets—ten gross butter-knives—one +hundred and forty-three salt-cellars—sixty-two bronze +card-receivers—diamonds, rubies, pearls, beryls," etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Angela is an excellent spouse, and her husband is still in charge of St. +Jude's. Not long since, learning that Dr. Wattletop was seriously ill, +he went to see him. He found the old physician on his death-bed, and +remained with him until the last moment. The rector hinted at repentance +and "making his peace with God," but the moribund was apparently as firm +in his stoical opinions as ever. To the rector's kind entreaties he +shook his head, and replied feebly, "Useless ... useless.... Nothing I +say now can cancel one wrong I have committed or any evil done.... The +future cannot be at the mercy of chance or opportunity.... Justice, +impartial and inexorable, of the Creator. How weary ... weary ... +weary.... Death comes so slowly ..."</p> + +<p>And the old philosopher felt his own pulse as the current of life was +ebbing fast, until like one going to sleep he passed away.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Mumbies still reside in New York. Ada is not married yet, and Mrs. +Mumbie says she rejoices at it when she considers the dangers to which +eligible girls are exposed by designing fortune-hunters, and, as a case +in point, never fails to cite that of Edna Heath, that "poor unfortunate +person," as Mrs. Mumbie calls her, when she expatiates to a friend on +the fate of her husband's ward, and relates how her motherly affection +was repaid by base ingratitude. "We did all we could," she never omits +to add, "to warn her against the intrigues of that foreigner. We +expostulated with her, we besought and implored her, but all in vain, +and now see the result. I am told, (lowering her voice to a whisper, and +with a slight shiver of horror as she bends to the ear of the +confidant)—I am told that from the very day they were married he beat +her, and on one occasion tried to poison her; she recovered from the +effects of it, but her system is a wreck—a complete wreck, and she now +drags out a miserable existence, and Mr. Mumbie has actually to pay her +husband money to keep him away from her."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The master of the Archimedes Works is now mayor of Belton. The town +having attained the dignity of incorporation some two years since, +George was chosen its chief magistrate by his grateful and admiring +fellow-citizens. He is in no way spoiled by the honor thrust upon him, +but, if possible, is more independent than ever; in fact, it would +probably, to put it mildly, now require the combined efforts of a drove +of hogs on the <i>Mer de Glace</i> to exemplify his extreme independence. He +and his wife still occupy the small house on Mill Street; and the +latter's chief delight is in the periodical visits she receives from her +brother-in-law and adopted son, Captain Mark, and his wife, as he never +fails to spend the furloughs accorded him in his old home and with his +adopted mother.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Our little story is ended. What will probably strike the reader as the +most improbable incident in it, will be very likely the one where truth +has been the most faithfully followed. We allude to the cause of Mr. +Heath's death. The traveller who speeds over one of the railways +radiating from the city of New York, may be attracted, when a short +distance out from the suburbs, by a fine stone villa surrounded by +beautiful grounds and conservatories. It was evidently designed and +built by some one of taste and wealth. Some years ago, to the +astonishment of all, the owner perished by the act of his own hand. What +led him to it was unknown, except to a few. It was remorse created by +the discovery that an apparently trivial act of dishonesty on his part, +long years gone, had caused the ruin of an innocent boy suspected of the +offence. Moral law vindicated itself and became its own executioner.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Before parting with the reader, it is meet that we should apologize for +having in one instance decked our hero in borrowed plumage. That is, in +attributing to him the feat of unspiking the siege-gun. The honor of +that exploit belonged to John Stray, a private in the First Regiment N. +Y. V. E., and occurred before Fort Wagner. It was done precisely as +narrated, and, as an act of nerve and cool courage under circumstances +of extreme peril, has but few parallels in our late civil war.</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Transcriber's Note: There is no chapter XIV heading. All pages present.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p class="center">NEW BOOKS<br /> +AND NEW EDITIONS,<br /> +RECENTLY ISSUED BY<br /> +<span class="smcap">G. W. Carleton & Co.</span>, Publishers,<br /> +<i>Madison Square, New York.</i></p> + +<p>The Publishers, upon receipt of the price in advance, will send any book +on this Catalogue by mail, <i>postage free</i>, to any part of the United +States.</p> + +<p>All books in this list [unless otherwise specified] are handsomely bound +in cloth board binding, with gilt backs, suitable for libraries.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Mary J. Holmes' Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ENGLISH ORPHANS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HOMESTEAD ON THE HILLSIDE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'LENA RIVERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MEADOW BROOK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DORA DEANE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">COUSIN MAUDE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MARIAN GRAY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HUGH WORTHINGTON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CAMERON PRIDE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ROSE MATHER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ETHELYN'S MISTAKE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MILLBANK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">EDNA BROWNING (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Marlon Harland's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">ALONE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HIDDEN PATH<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MOSS SIDE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">NEMESIS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MIRIAM<br /></span> +<span class="i0">AT LAST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HELEN GARDNER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SUNNYBANK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HUSBANDS AND HOMES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RUBY'S HUSBAND<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PHEMIE'S TEMPTATION<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE EMPTY HEART<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TRUE AS STEEL (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Charles Dickens' Works.</p> + +<p>"<i>Carleton's New Illustrated Edition.</i>"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE PICKWICK PAPERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OLIVER TWIST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DAVID COPPERFIELD<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GREAT EXPECTATIONS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DOMBEY AND SON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BARNABY RUDGE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">NICHOLAS NICKLEBY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OLD CURIOSITY SHOP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BLEAK HOUSE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LITTLE DORRIT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OUR MUTUAL FRIEND<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TALE OF TWO CITIES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CHRISTMAS BOOKS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SKETCHES BY "BOZ"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HARD TIMES, etc.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PICTURES OF ITALY, etc.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">EDWIN DROOD, etc.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MISCELLANIES<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Augusta J. Evans' Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">BEULAH<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MACARIA<br /></span> +<span class="i0">INEZ<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ST. ELMO<br /></span> +<span class="i0">VASHTI (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Captain Mayne Reid—Illustrated.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">SCALP HUNTERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WAR TRAIL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HUNTER'S FEAST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TIGER HUNTER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OSCEOLA, THE SEMINOLE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE QUADROON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RANGERS AND REGULATORS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WHITE GAUNTLET<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WHITE CHIEF<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HEADLESS HORSEMAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LOST LENORE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WOOD RANGERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WILD HUNTRESS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE MAROON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RIFLE RANGERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WILD LIFE<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>A. S. Roe's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A LONG LOOK AHEAD<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TO LOVE AND TO BE LOVED<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TIME AND TIDE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'VE BEEN THINKING<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE STAR AND THE CLOUD<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HOW COULD HE HELP IT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TRUE TO THE LAST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIKE AND UNLIKE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LOOKING AROUND<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WOMAN OUR ANGEL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE CLOUD ON THE HEART<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RESOLUTION (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Hand-Books of Society.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE HABITS OF GOOD SOCIETY. The nice points of taste and good manners,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">and the art of making oneself agreeable<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE ART OF CONVERSATION.—A sensible work, for every one who wishes to be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">either an agreeable talker or listener<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE ARTS OF WRITING, READING, AND SPEAKING.—An excellent book for self-instruction<br /></span> +<span class="i0">and improvement<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A NEW DIAMOND EDITION of the above three popular books.—Small size,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">elegantly bound, and put in a box<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Mrs. Hill's Cook Book.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">MRS. A. P. HILL'S NEW COOKERY BOOK, and family domestic receipt<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Miss Muloch's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A LIFE FOR A LIFE<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Charlotte Bronte [Currer Bell].</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">JANE EYRE—a novel<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SHIRLEY—a novel<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Louisa M. Alcott.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">MORNING GLORIES—A beautiful juvenile, by the author of "Little Women"<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>The Crusoe Books—Famous "Star Edition."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">ROBINSON CRUSOE.—New illustrated edition<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Julie P. Smith's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">WIDOW GOLDSMITH'S DAUGHTER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CHRIS AND OTHO<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TEN OLD MAIDS [in press]<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE WIDOWER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE MARRIED BELLE<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Artemus Ward's Comic Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">ARTEMUS WARD—HIS BOOK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ARTEMUS WARD—HIS TRAVELS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ARTEMUS WARD—IN LONDON<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ARTEMUS WARD—HIS PANORAMA<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Fanny Fern's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">FOLLY AS IT FLIES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GINGERSNAPS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CAPER-SAUCE (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Josh Billings' Comic Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">JOSH BILLINGS' PROVERBS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">JOSH BILLINGS ON ICE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">JOSH BILLINGS FARMER'S ALMINAX<br /></span> +<span class="i2">(In paper covers.)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Verdant Green.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A racy English college story—with numerous comic illustrations<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Popular Italian Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">DOCTOR ANTONIO.—A love story of Italy. By Ruffini<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BEATRICE CENCI.—By Guerrazzi. With a steel Portrait<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>M. Michelet's Remarkable Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">LOVE (L'AMOUR).—English translation from the original French<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WOMAN (LA FEMME).<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Ernest Renan's French Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE LIFE OF JESUS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIVES OF THE APOSTLES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIFE OF SAINT PAUL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BIBLE IN INDIA. By Jacolliot<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Geo. W. Carleton.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">OUR ARTIST IN CUBA.—With 50 comic illustrations of life and customs<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OUR ARTIST IN PERU.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OUR ARTIST IN AFRICA. (In press)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>May Agnes Fleming's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">GUY EARLESCOURT'S WIFE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A WONDERFUL WOMAN (In press)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Maria J. Westmoreland's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">HEART HUNGRY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CLIFFORD TROUP (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Sallie A. Brock's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">KENNETH, MY KING<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A NEW BOOK (in press)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Author of "Rutledge."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">RUTLEDGE.—A novel<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LOUIE.—A novel<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Victor Hugo.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">LES MISERABLES.—English translation from the French.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LES MISERABLES.—In the Spanish language<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Algernon Charles Swinburne.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">LAUS VENERIS, AND OTHER POEMS.—An elegant new edition<br /></span> +<span class="i0">FRENCH LOVE-SONGS.—Selected from the best French authors<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Robert Dale Owen.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE DEBATABLE LAND BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Guide for New York City.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">WOOD'S ILLUSTRATED HAND-BOOK.—A beautiful pocket volume<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Game of Whist.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">POLE ON WHIST.—The late English standard work<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Mansfield T. Walworth's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">WARWICK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LULU<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HOTSPUR<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A NEW NOVEL (in press)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">STORMCLIFF<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DELAPLAINE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BEVERLY (new)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Mother Goose Set to Music.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES.—With music for singing, and illustrations<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Tales from the Operas.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE PLOTS OF POPULAR OPERAS in the form of stories<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>M. M. Pomeroy "Brick."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">SENSE—(a serious book)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GOLD-DUST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OUR SATURDAY NIGHTS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">NONSENSE—(a comic book)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BRICK-DUST<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIFE OF M. M POMEROY<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>John Esten Cooke's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">FAIRFAX<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HILT TO HILT<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A NEW BOOK (in press).<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HAMMER AND RAPIER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">OUT OF THE FOAM<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Joseph Rodman Drake.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE CULPRIT FAY.—The well-known faery poem, with 100 illustrations<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE CULPRIT FAY. Superbly bound in turkey morocco<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Richard B. Klmball's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">WAS HE SUCCESSFUL?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">UNDERCURRENTS OF WALL STREET<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SAINT LEGER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ROMANCE OF STUDENT LIFE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIFE IN SAN DOMINGO<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HENRY POWERS, BANKER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TO-DAY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">EMILIE (in press)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Author "New Gospel of Peace."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">CHRONICLES OF GOTHAM.—A rich modern satire (paper covers)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE FALL OF MAN.—A satire on the Darwin theory<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Celia E. Gardner's Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">STOLEN WATERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BROKEN DREAMS<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Edmund Kirke's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">AMONG THE PINES<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MY SOUTHERN FRIENDS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DOWN IN TENNESSEE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ADRIFT IN DIXIE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">AMONG THE GUERILLAS<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Dr. Cumming's Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">THE GREAT TRIBULATION<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE GREAT PREPARATION<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE GREAT CONSUMMATION<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TEACH US TO PRAY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LAST WARNING CRY<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE SEVENTH VIAL<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Stephe Smith.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">ROMANCE AND HUMOR OF THE RAILROAD.—Illustrated<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Plymouth Church,—Brooklyn.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH; from 1847 to 1873.—Illustrated<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Orpheus C. Kerr.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O. C. KERR PAPERS.—4 vols. in 1<br /></span> +<span class="i0">AVERY GLIBUN.—A novel<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE CLOVEN FOOT.—A novel<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SMOKED GLASS.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Miscellaneous Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">BRAZEN GATES.—A juvenile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ANTIDOTE TO GATES AJAR<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE RUSSIAN BALL (paper)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE SNOBLACE BALL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DEAFNESS.—Dr. E. B. Lighthill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A BOOK ABOUT LAWYERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A BOOK ABOUT DOCTORS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GOLDEN CROSS.—Irving Van Wart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PRISON-LIFE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RAMBLES IN CUBA<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SQUIBOB PAPERS.—John Phoenix<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WIDOW SPRIGGINS.—Widow Bedott<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CHRISTMAS HOLLY.—Marion Harland<br /></span> +<span class="i0">DREAM MUSIC.—F. R. Marvin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">POEMS.—By L. G. Thomas<br /></span> +<span class="i0">VICTOR HUGO.—His life<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BEAUTY IS POWER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PASTIMES, with little friends<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WOMAN, LOVE, AND MARRIAGE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WILL-'O-THE-WISP.—A juvenile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WICKEDEST WOMAN in NEW YORK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">COUNSEL FOR GIRLS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SANDWICHES.—Artemus Ward (pa'r)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Miscellaneous Novels.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">MARK GILDERSLEEVE.—J. S. Sauzade<br /></span> +<span class="i0">FERNANDO DE LEMOS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CROWN JEWELS.—Mrs. Moffatt<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A LOST LIFE.—Emily Moore<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ROBERT GREATHOUSE.—J. F. Swift<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ATHALIAH.—J. H. Greene, Jr.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">FOUR OAKS.—Kamba Thorpe<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PROMETHEUS IN ATLANTIS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TITAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">COUSIN PAUL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">VANQUISHED.—Agnes Leonard<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MERQUEM.—George Sand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">FAUSTINA.—From the German<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MAURICE.—From the French<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GUSTAVE ADOLF.—From the Swedish<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ADRIFT WITH A VENGEANCE<br /></span> +<span class="i0">UP BROADWAY.—Eleanor Kirk<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MONTALBAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIFE AND DEATH<br /></span> +<span class="i0">JARGAL.—By Victor Hugo<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CLAUDE GNEUX.—By Victor Hugo<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE HONEYMOON.—A love story<br /></span> +<span class="i0">MARY BRANDEGEE.—Cuyler Pine<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RENSHAWE.—Cuyler Pine<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Miscellaneous Works.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A BOOK OF EPITAPHS.—Amusing, quaint, and curious (new)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WOMEN AND THEATRES.—A sketchy book by Olive Logan<br /></span> +<span class="i0">SOUVENIRS OF TRAVEL.—By Madame Octavia Walton LeVert<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE ART OF AMUSING.—A book of home amusements, with numerous illustrations<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HOW TO MAKE MONEY; and how to keep it—T. A. Davies<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ITALIAN LIFE; and Legend.—Anna Cora Mowatt. Illustrated<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BALLAD OF LORD BATEMAN.—Illustrations by Cruikshank (paper)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">ANGELINA GUSHINGTON.—Thoughts on men and things.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">BEHIND THE SCENES; at the "White House."—By Elizabeth Keckley.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE YACHTMAN'S PRIMER.—For amateur sailors. T. R. Warren (paper)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RURAL ARCHITECTURE.—By M. Field. With plans and illustrations<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIFE OF HORACE GREELEY.—By L. U. Reavis. With Portrait<br /></span> +<span class="i0">WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING.—By Horace Greeley<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR IN 1870.—By M. D. Landon. With maps<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PRACTICAL TREATISE ON LABOR.—By Hendrick B. Wright<br /></span> +<span class="i0">TWELVE VIEWS OF HEAVEN.—By Distinguished Divines<br /></span> +<span class="i0">HOUSES NOT MADE WITH HANDS.—An illustrated juvenile, illustrated by Hoppin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">LIVING WRITERS OF THE SOUTH.—By Professor J. W. Davidson<br /></span> +<span class="i0">CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND SUMTER.—By Captain Semmes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">NOJOQUE.—A Question for a continent. By H. R. Helper<br /></span> +<span class="i0">IMPENDING CRISIS OF THE SOUTH.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">NEGROES IN NEGROLAND. (paper)<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mark Gildersleeve, by John S. Sauzade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARK GILDERSLEEVE *** + +***** This file should be named 39772-h.htm or 39772-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/7/7/39772/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +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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